Jack

Kings of Mayhem MC Tennessee #1

by Penny Dee

What doesn't kill me had better start running...

Life as I knew it ended with a bullet.
It stole my brother from me and destroyed my family.
From the ashes, I rose stronger and meaner, to exact the kind of revenge best served bloody and cold.
I took out every single person I held responsible,
Except one.
He’s a phantom but his days are numbered.
Because I won’t stop until I’m done.

Then she shows up.
The forbidden fruit.
A light to my darkness.
I should resist her because what I touch, I destroy.
And my feisty wildflower deserves more.
More than this.
More than me.

But there is a monster lurking in the shadows.
A psychopath.
Watching her.
Watching us.
His threats torment her.
And they make my black heart burn.
But he should know,
You don’t ever mess with me, or the people I love.

JACK, is book one in the Kings of Mayhem MC Tennessee series.
For readers 18+

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Friends To Lovers, Dark, Crime, Suspense, Contemporary

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2021

About the author

Penny Dee writes mafia and motorcycle club romance. Her stories bring the suspense, the feels, and a whole lot of heat.

She found her happily ever after with an Australian hottie who she met on a blind date.


You can connect with Penny Dee here:
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Dee/e/B0...
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/penny-dee
Pinterest: Penny Dee
Website: www.pennydeebooks.com
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/PennyDeeVIPClub
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiBV...

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man who'd held his dying brother in his arms is gone. The man who'd lived inside a bottle of whiskey and let his marriage die a slow, painful death, is gone. In his place is an entity of merciless vengeance and fury made from blood and bone.

5 stars!

Holy hell, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! This was my first book by Penny Dee, so I did not expect the level of angst, drama, and forbidden chemistry that she created between Jack and Bronte. But I absolutely loved and devoured every word of it!

This story starts off with a bang and does not let up from start to finish. After Jack's brother is killed by a bullet meant for him as the President of the Kings of Mayhem MC, he spirals into an existence of revenge and death. His marriage and family life take a backseat to his guilt and wild rage until a ghost from his past returns to Flintlock, bringing with her a spell of forbidden lust that Jack works to deny.

This was a beautiful, age gap story of forbidden love between two people who shouldn't want each other but who are unable to deny their destiny any longer. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Bronte and the slow buildup of their relationship as Jack gradually gave in to his desires. I loved how strong Bronte was and how she wasn't afraid to show Jack that she knew what and who she wanted. There was plenty of sex, drugs, and danger that you would expect to find in a MC romance, and I look forward to more from Penny Dee ♡

*ARC provided by GMB Promo, and I voluntarily reviewed it*

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Jack is book 1 in the Kings of Mayhem MC Tennessee Series and while I enjoyed the first half of the story the second half was tedious with Jack's push and pull so it was hard for me to stay interested. For my taste it went on too long and although I understand why Jack felt the way he did it left me lukewarm about their relationship. The twist shocked me and the cameo from Bull made me smile. Overall I didn't love it but I do plan to continue this series.

[Steph's Shelf Life · Rating 1 out of 5]

OM/OW Stuff

I give any book claiming to be a romance 1 star rating if there's outside the relationship sex of any kind. There's off page and on page both OW and OM sex and sexual content. Both main characters were promiscuous, and I don't like that in a character. There was a lot I hated about both characters. The book could have been good. The plot was fine. The setting was more or less fine, and the story was overall interesting. But, I need likeable characters, and I didn't like the main characters in this book.

[Lu Bielefeld]

DNF 22%
=============
I didn't like the hero and the way he dumped his family like yesterday's trash.

Rosanna and I still had our little home a few miles away, but if club business kept me late, or I had too much moonshine to get home safe, I had my own room.

Rosanna began to sob into her hands. I wanted to comfort her, I did, but I had nothing to give her.

“I’ve tried, but I can’t reach you anymore, and I’m tired, Jack. My mind. My body. My soul. I lost Cooper, too.” She picks up her bags. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t stand by and watch you slowly kill yourself with liquor and guilt.”

I look at Rosanna’s crown pendant on the table in front of me. She is gone. But nothing has really changed. Cooper is still dead. And I am still broken.

The man who’d held his dying brother in his arms is gone. The man who’d lived inside a bottle of whiskey and let his marriage die a slow, painful death, is gone. In his place is an entity of merciless vengeance and fury made from blood and bone.

I eat, I drink, I fuck, and I exist.

Antoinette. The most beautiful damn madam that ever there was. Red hair, the color of rubies. Tiny waist. Wicked smile. Eyes like sunlight on water filling with sparkle the moment they settle on me.

But for me, a night with Antoinette is exactly what I need.

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This was a new author for me It’s an MC age-gap romance and overall It was a good read that I enjoyed. The pres of the kings of mayhem MC Tennessee chapter is Jack whose life derails when the baby brother he raised Cooper was shot and killed. As a result of this Jack derails and with his grief consuming him he loses his wife. Making it his mission now to eliminate anyone involved in his brothers demise the man he once was is lost and he emerges from the ashes so much darker than his past self.

Bronte was Cooper's best friend she grew up next door to him and the two as children were inseparable. Now she’s back in town running from a deranged stalker and she’s now all grown up.
Despite his best intentions Jack can’t help being attracted to Brontë he does try to fight this allure putting up walls believing his feelings are wrong and that he’s too old and jaded for Brontë (he’s 40 to her 25). But with Brontë now in danger from an unknown entity the two are constantly thrown into close proximity and the more time they spend together the harder it is to resist for both of them.

So this was well written it did take a while to heat up in regards to the romance side of things mostly because of Jack pulling away and him being in so much denial. I also did think it went on a bit too long and I was ready for Jack to just admit defeat way sooner than he did. There’s also a suspenseful element with this and got to say I didn’t see that particular fallout coming in regards to the stalker's identity total blindside. overall this was an interesting start to this series and I am planning on picking up the next book.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and one I'd heard many great things about, I finally understand why.
With characters and plot that will suck you in from cover to cover, you'll find yourself unable to look away until you're done, no matter what crazy hour that ends up being.
This bleary eyed girl is going to sleep with a smile on her face, having been captivated by this book and the twists within it.
(I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!)
Both main characters know unimaginable pain, will they be able to find happiness together? Or will it all be ripped away from them yet again?
Looking forward to the next book in the series, as there are many secondary characters that intrigued me.

[courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like a jerk for not loving this book. I feel like an asshole for not even liking it. The pacing was weird, the plot was messy and didn’t feel cohesive, and I couldn’t visualize anything. Not a character or setting had a solid picture in my head. I’m very familiar with MC romance tropes and I LOVE an age gap, but this one just didn’t hit for me.

This was a first time author for me, so I’ll probably try another book from another series before I decide whether her writing style just isn’t for me.

[Beeg Panda]

🏍️Free 30 December 2022🏍️

[Cat H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 stars.
Hell yeah.
I loved this so much.
Jack and Bronte have such a good relationship. It’s so freaking sweet.

We got an age-gap of 15 years, we have younger brother’s best friend, there’s a stalker after Bronte that drives her into his arms.
It’s just all the things and it’s great.

I love the push and pull.
I really loved Bronte and her attitude.

It was just really good, and I was so happy to see them both healing each other’s scars, and helping the other live again.

[Gskm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Bee

This is a difficult review for me. To begin, this is a well written MC based book. I liked the characters, the action plot, and MC interaction. What I could not handle was the romance between Bee and Jack. Why? Bee literally grew up next door and best friends with Jack’s brother since he was 3 years old. Jack raised him and watched Bee grow up. Then I was supposed to accept that Bee and Jack were to become a couple. It was just too close for me to swallow. I don’t mind the age difference romances. I wouldn’t mind if Bee had been a friend of Jack’s brother and then became Jack’s lover. But for Jack to have been so closely involved in Bee’s childhood….big no for me. Sorry.

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, time to dig in to another chapter of the Kings of Mayhem MC!! Jack is a hot mess and absolutely broke my heart. He needs to get out there and live and love again and Bronte is just the woman to do that. The story is a slow burn between Jack and Bronte because she has never gotten over her crush that she has on him. Tragedy keeps their lives intertwined and chemistry keeps them burning. Will Bronte be able to get through to Jack and reveal his true feelings towards her?

[Mysti · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I noped outta this one real quick, but then I wanted to skim through the book and figure out the ages, names, timelines so I could at least tell you why I didn't want to read it. By the time I did that, I had read the book. Anyway, I hated almost everything about this nonsense. I love a big age gap, but the book still sucked.

The man who’d held his dying brother in his arms is gone. The man who’d lived inside a bottle of whiskey and let his marriage die a slow, painful death, is gone. In his place is an entity of merciless vengeance and fury made from blood and bone.......I eat, I drink, I fuck, and I exist.

Jack Dillinger (40, President of the Kings of Mayhem) got married at age 16 and started having kids. His dead-beat mom dropped his baby brother off at his house, so now he and his wife have four kids to raise....

Suppertime was raucous, and mornings were a nightmare with four kids to send off to school, but it was a happy household full of love and laughter, and the kind of warmth that made you feel secure and loved.

19 years later and his baby brother is home from the military. They're in the middle of hugging when someone tries to kill Jack but kills his baby brother instead. He spends the next two years mourning and acting like his family doesn't exist....

And even after the initial surprise of her telling me she’s leaving fades like smoke, I realize she is right. I love the memory of her. Of our relationship. Our marriage. But nothing has existed since that fateful afternoon. Everything died, and I’ve been too overcome with grief and too marinated in hard liquor to notice.

Bronte Vale (25, college student) has been screwing her way thru the college campus in search of the elusive Big "O" she can't seem to find (and we're not judging her for that). Yada yada, she has a stalker, so she goes back to her hometown where she plans to stay with her grandma, but grandma is gone so she ends up at the neighbor's house.

“I freaked out like a fucking moron this morning. You don’t deserve that. But I need you to understand that I’m trying to wrap my fucking head around what’s happening. Eighteen years ago, you were the kid who lived next door who played with my brother...... ”

Bronte was BFFs with Jack's dead brother and he basically watched her grow up. Now she's grown and the sexual attraction is there. He spends a lot of the book trying to deny it.

It happens without thought. One magical moment born from the rain and thunder, and a deep burning need inside me. I take a step toward him and rise on my toes to press my lips to his. It is chaste. Sweet. A pair of rain-soaked lips coming together in a burst of abandonment.

Blah blah boring stuff happens. There's a little drama that turns out to be seriously anti-climactic. They finally fuck, the stalker is revealed, and an HFN.

SEX: What sex? The few times they're about to get jiggy with it, the phone rings or there's some other sort of interruption. They don't get naked until the 74% mark. It was boring but at least they didn't use condoms.

GRIEF: I get grief happens and everyone copes differently. I just didn't like the fact that he ignored his kids and gave up a 19-year marriage. Man the fuck up.

AUDIO: Sadly, it’s not a duet, which would have definitely helped. Aaron Shedlock is sexy as fuck. At least I like him, although I can see how he’s not for everyone. Lilly Drake is tolerable….barely. At least she doesn’t make me homicidal. Can’t say I recommend the audio, but you probably won’t die if you decide to listen.

I ended up giving this 2 stars simply because I recently finished a 1-star book which was truly awful and this one was definitely better than that.

This review by Lu Bielefeld had some of the quotes....
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What would he think about his brother falling for his best friend? Because that is the truth of it. I’m head over fucking heels for Bronte. Bat shit crazy in love.”

Oh Jack Dillinger. President of an MC and on a dark path of vengeance to find out who was involved in his brothers murder. He picks them off one by one.

Though still mourning, his runs into his late brothers best friend, Bronte. The girl next door that went from a little girl to a woman. She’s back in town and confides she’s been dealing with a stalker while in college and doesn’t know what to do.

This is a slow burn, steamy, and suspenseful romance between two people mourning the loss of someone important in their lives.
Age gap of 15 years.
HEA guaranteed.

I absolutely loved this. I didn’t see the end coming. It kept me on my toes till o finished the book at 4am. I’ll be continuing this series for sure!

[Yvette89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Bronte’s story is an age gap motorcycle romance that takes us through an emotional ride of revenge, angst and a love of a lifetime.
The story is fast paced and full of drama. The plot keeps you on edge and has a few twists. The characters are strong and interesting. Jack, who tragically lost his brother, is out for revenge. Bronte is being terrorized and runs home for safety. Jack tries to fight the chemistry between him and the now grown up Bronte. He wants to protect her from the danger she is running from and from the danger of his lifestyle.
Their journey to HEA is worth reading. The epilogue gives us a sweet bloom into the future.

[mall0rie666]

The mc romance curse continues . . . GIANA, RELEASE CAUTION TO THE WIND ALREADY

[Lost Within The Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, we all know by now how much I love my MC books!! I have read every single book that Penny Dee has written and patiently wait for my next book of hers to come out, and I thought I had my favorite one picked out however Jack destroyed that now only is this now my favorite Penny Dee book it was also one of my favorite reads of 2021. Jack had me feeling all kinds of emotions, I wanted to just hold him when his younger brother was shot, and sometimes I just wanted to scream at him what are you doing? Honestly, if you have not read a Penny Dee book this is hands down the best one to start with and I can't wait for the next book!

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack was a great start to the Kings of Mayhem Tennesee! The story had tons of emotional ups and downs, twists and turns, and a great surprise plot twist you didn’t see coming. There is a forbidden love aspect stemming from the fact that Jack has known Bronte since she was a little girl who played with the brother he raised as a son. But tragedy has kept their lives intertwined and Bronte has never gotten over the crush she’s always carried for Jack. The story was a slow burn with lots of simmering chemistry between the two of them while Jack worked through issues with the club as well as his ineffective attempts to keep his feelings for her at bay. The smexy times were burned hot once Jack actually succumbed to his feelings for Bronte. The book introduced all the members of the club and I can’t wait to get to meet them in later books.

Trope: Forbidden love/age-gap
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Angst: 😰😰😰/5
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥/5
Triggers: none

[Pamela Lilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicking off the new MC series with the Tennessee Chapter President, Jack Dillinger, whose life was torn apart the day his younger brother was shot dead. Since then the only thing on his mind has been revenge, until that is, Cooper’s best friend arrives in town. So much angst, so much drama, but it would appear that Jack is not the only one fighting his demons, Bronte is having her fair share of bad days. When a stalker starts taking things to the extreme, Bronte runs to the only place she calls home. Bronte wasn’t looking for protection, but Jack’s going to give it to her anyway. Can Jack go against everything he believes and just be with Bronte? Wonderful writing, a fab story, and characters that have a whole host of issues that I’m sure will make for another compelling storyline in future books. I couldn’t put my kindle down, I was addicted. Another winner from Penny Dee. I loved, loved, loved it.

[Olive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so pleasantly surprised.
The Fallen Men series by Giana Darling is my all time favorite series/MC series, and I have been DYING to find a MC series that even comes close to that. AND IVE FINALLY FOUND IT WITH THE KINGS OF MAYHEM!!!
I know asking for characters to respect women is A LOT (this is clearly sarcasm) but it’s rare to find an MC book that is like, “no we actually respect old ladies and children etc.”
There’s still a lot of ~debauchery~ going on, but if there wasn’t, it wouldn’t really be a MC romance, would it?
So glad I found this series! I hope we get Ghoul’s, Merrick’s, and Bank’s story in the future.

[Patricia Anne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

President of Tennessee Chapter is a hard nose character who loves his Club and family!!

Jack is a great character who one hundred percent biker, President, lover, and killer. Bronte grew up in and around the MC she comes back to town because someone is stalking her. Living next door to Jack she becomes more than just his neighbor. Its a great story of two people, one older and the other to young but the heart knows what it wants and that will be forever kind of love !! Sexy steamy romance and violence here and there , drunken nights , fun days !! Just a great story all together!! Recommend with a 5 Stars review

[Booknerdingout · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Rachel Kwiatkowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

The age difference gave me the ick

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok first of all that cover is perfection. It had to be said.

***3.5 stars ***
I don't know what happened with this book for me. I devoured the first 40 to 50% and couldn't put it down. I loved the premise, the age gap, and that the hero basically watched the heroine grow up as she was his little brother's best friend. However somewhere around 50% or so the author kind of lost me. I guess I was hoping for more of a taboo aspect. I don't know if it was because there was so much back and forth between the hero and heroine - I want her but I shouldn't, she's too young for me, she was my brother's best friend - you know the drill. Or maybe it was because it seemed like it took a while for them to hook up or when they did it was just ok. I don't know.

There were SO many character introductions. I get this is the first in a new series but I felt like I was meeting the boyfriend's huge family for the first time and trying to keep everyone straight!

There were a couple of odd things that are hard to mention without spoiling parts of the story but they left me kind of scratching my head. One was completely random and out of nowhere and the other just didn't seem like something a bada$$ MC President would do. I don't know. I'm torn. It could just be me.
All in all, not a bad read. It had potential. I would recommend it if you like MC romance. I randomly find myself in funks and that could be why this one was just ok for me. I am curious about some of the characters we met in this story so I'll keep my eyes open for those.

[Sue Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new chapter and a new set of characters but the same hot, sexy alpha bikers that we've come to love.
This book has a bit of everything - age gap, romance, family, stalker, suspense and an ending that you won't see coming!
It's not necessary to have read the previous series (although why haven't you?) as these are new characters but they all feel like old friends. A book I've enjoyed reading and would recommend without hesitation.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good series of the Kings

You will need tissues in this story!! My heart broke for Jack!! I love this story and wish it could go on!! Good thing is the these MC series will continue!! I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the MC men of Kings play out!!!

I do not spoil in my reviews but I am glad Jack got his head out of his ass and fell in love with his Wildflower!!! And hope they name their baby boy Cooper after her bestie and aka Jacks little brother!!! 😍

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should've known better, I'm kicking myself for waiting to dive into this book! Penny Dee has quickly become a favorite of mine with her MC series. With a combination of heat, angst and suspense we are given this age gap/taboo-ish novel of Jack and Bronte. Definitely add to your TBR!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent beginning to the series

I would recommit his book to ANYONE who loves those MC bad boys and the ladies they adore!!! Excellent story and wonderful I production to the Kings of Mayhem MC world!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful

This was a new type of MC book for me and I'm absolutely in love. This has it all and so much more!! Really excited to see where it goes.

[BookLover · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another powerful and exciting book by this amazing author who never fails to entertain readers with her exciting and action-packed stories—Jack being another fine example!

Honestly, where do I start? The sexy characters? The amazing action and drama? The beautiful romance? The mystery and suspenseful intrigue? This book has it all!

Jack is one gorgeous, alpha president of the Kings of Mayhem Tennessee charter. He suffers a huge loss and nearly his own life but vows to wreak vengeance upon all. My heart was bursting with the deep pain he felt and that long lasting anguish. He changed from the family club man he was to an entirely different one but it was understandable. All of the brothers in the club are incredibly interesting and I look forward to reading more about them. Bronte is a young, free spirit with a beauty both inside and out. A long time crush on Jack has prevented her from returning to her home town until now. Their chemistry is off the charts but being fifteen years apart in age, although nothing to Bronte, is of huge concern for Jack. I loved the whole idea of them together and desperately wanted them to work out.

Throughout the story there are quite a few very hairy situations that start right from the beginning, and by hairy I mean deathly frightening-pee your pants scary for the characters! The old adrenaline gets pumping with everything that unfolds and there literally isn’t a dull moment. I love how unpredictable the suspense and mystery is and right up until the end things aren’t what they seem.

Fantastic descriptions and emotive language, while keeping to the raw, gritty MC genre, allows readers to participate in this sensational ride of a story. Once I started I found it hard to put this book down. Bring on Doc, book two, such an intriguing character, I am dying to know his story and what’s in store for him.