book recs, author services, general badassery
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Do It Yourself Blurb Help
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
  • Blog
    • Free Romance Reads
    • Our Thoughts
    • 1-Click Wonders
    • Author on Authors
    • Chattin' with Authors
    • So You're New To...
  • Book Recs
  • Reviews
    • 5-Star Reads
    • Contemporary Romance
    • Historical Romance
    • New Adult Romance
    • Paranormal Romance
    • Romantic Comedy
    • Romantic Erotica
    • Romantic Suspense
    • Teen Young Adult
    • Hall of Shame
  • About
    • Contact
    • Review Policy
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Advertising on Romance Rehab
  • For Authors
    • Romance novel blurb help
    • Referral Program
    • Romance Author Services
    • Online Writer's Resources
    • Do It Yourself Blurb Help
    • Proofreading Test >
      • Proofreading Test Answers
Picture

Wild Ride

4/4/2017

0 Comments

 
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

​Title: Wild Ride
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Publication date: 04/04/2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blurb (from Amazon.com):
Ethan "Ozzie" Sykes

Former Navy SEAL

Underground operator for Black Knights Inc., the covert government defense firm disguised as a custom motorcycle shop.

In a black-on-black international mission that went seriously sideways, Ozzie was badly injured—now he's stuck at BKI headquarters in Chicago, champing at the bit to get out into the field again. 
Wild Ride Cover
To his disgust, he's tasked with distracting Chicago Tribune ace reporter Samantha Tate, who's been trying to dig up the dirt on BKI for years. Turns out Samantha's beauty, intelligence and sense of humor are a seriously big distraction, and Ozzie's losing his desire to keep her at bay.

Ozzie's tired of hiding, and Samantha may be the best-and worst—person to share his secrets with...

My review
If you’ve read the entire Black Knights series like I have, you’ve been waiting patiently (or, in my case, very impatiently) for Ozzie’s story. Who wouldn’t love a hot, badass ex-Seal who also happens to be a Star Trek geek and a computer genius? As usual, Julie Ann Walker doesn’t disappoint.

I’m a sucker for a romance hero who appears fun and sarcastic and laid back until the heroine is in danger, and then he becomes a one-man army to save the woman he loves. Ozzie fits nicely into that category. I love that he’s not just the muscle of the story, too. His brain is just as dangerous as his fists, and that adds a lovely depth to his character that I very much enjoy.

Samantha is a decent heroine, too. She’s smart and quick-witted, and doesn’t suffer from too  many bouts of annoying self-doubt. She knows who she is and what she wants, and she goes after it. Although, I will admit that there were two points in the story that I wanted to reach through my Kindle and smack her for straying too far from Ozzie’s side, even though she knew how dangerous it would be. But, I suppose if all heroines did the smart, responsible thing in every situation, the book would be pretty short and pretty boring, wouldn’t it? So, with that in mind, I’ll cut the author some slack on this one and not rake Samantha over too many coals for her decisions.         

As usual, the steamy scenes were VERY steamy without being smutty (it’s totally classy steam, if you know what I mean). Secondary characters are super interesting and serve as more than just convenient plot devices to move the story and romance forward. In fact, I can’t wait to read Christian’s story. (*Saying “Excellent” in my best Mr. Burns voice*)

All in all, this is just what I expect from a Julie Ann Walker read: lots of action, sexual tension, and great characters. Highly recommend! (Note: this can be read as a standalone, but it works best if read as part of the series)

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
As with all romantic suspense, it skirts dangerously close to the “unrealistic” part of the romance stigma, but it’s so well-written and enjoyable that my verdict is clear: no rehab needed for this one.   

Other reading suggestions
The rest of the Black Knights series is excellent. Start with book 1 and binge read until you’re all caught up. You won’t regret it. For another sexy series about a group of bad-ass, protective dudes, try Jasinda Wilder’s Alpha One Security series. Book 1 is titled Harris. ​

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Romance Rehab newsletter sign up

    FOLLOW US 
    Reedsy Top Book Reviewer 2019

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    July 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

Picture

BLOG
FREE Romance books
​Book Recommendations

Our Thoughts
1-Click Wonders
5-Star Reads
Authors on Authors
Chattin' with Authors
So You're New To...
What Not to Read
REVIEWS
​
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
New Adult Romance
Paranormal Romance
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Erotica
Romantic Suspense
Teen/Young Adult
ABOUT
Contact
Review Policy
Guest Post Guidelines
Advertising on
​Romance Rehab

​
FOR AUTHORS
Online Writer's Resources
Proofreading Test
ROMANCE AUTHOR SERVICES 
Romance novel blurb help
Romance Remedy program

Referral program

Romance author services
  • Book cover critique
  • Animated book covers and social media graphics
  • Beta reading
FREE Romance Rehab newsletter: ​Subscribe here
KnockinBooks LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
​© 2020 KnockinBooks LLC