LGBTQ+ Romance and Erotica Book Reviews
Ana has trained most of her life to achieve one goal: to prove that anything men can do, she can do better. Now she’s Sector One’s first female Rider, and being the best is the only way to ensure she won’t be its last. Distractions aren’t allowed–especially not her painful attraction to the reserved but demanding leader whose stern, grumpy demeanor has already gotten into her head.
Lieutenant Ashwin Malhotra is a Makhai soldier—genetically engineered to be cold, ruthless. Unfeeling. His commanding officers consider him the perfect operative, and they’re right. Now, he has a simple mission: to infiltrate Gideon’s Riders, the infamous sect of holy warriors that protects the people of Sector One.
She’s the heart of O’Kane liquor.
For years, Nessa has been focused on work. She keeps the whiskey—and the money—flowing, and life is sweet. Sure, she’s tired of being everyone’s baby sister, and she longs for a man who can stand up to her overprotective O’Kane brothers. But she never thought she’d meet him in the middle of a war.
He’s the brains of the revolution.
War is all Ryder knows. He was raised with one goal: to ensure the sectors’ successful rebellion against Eden. His father and his mentor both died for freedom, and nothing will stop him from securing their legacies with victory. He doesn’t have time for distractions—especially beautiful, impulsive ones like Nessa.
Opposites don’t just attract, they combust. Together, Nessa and Ryder have a chance for something more than the lives they’ve always known. But this is war—deadly, bloody war—and the only way to happily-ever-after is straight through Eden.
Ratings are 1 to 5 stars and based mostly on GoodReads standards.
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Before I dive into the goodness of Beyond Surrender, I need to share.
I’d say about 80% of the ARCs I request or accept are ones I’m clamoring to read (100% are ones I want to read otherwise I wouldn’t do it). This one is no exception to that 80% clamoring, but it’s extra special on a personal level.
See, a dear friend turned me onto this series back in 2013, and I have de-fucking-voured every book since. She and I, when we’re fortunate enough to get together and gab a few times a year, give each other BIG EYES and can barely string together real words. Of course, we’re usually around a pack of other ladies who don’t read what we read. So we try to keep our convos more…erm…ladylike. But it’s really just a bunch of OMGs and HOLY SMOKESs and OOOH-EEs and GIRRRRLs. And the other lady friends have no idea what to do with us, so they sip their wine and wait patiently while we collect ourselves. Personally, I delight in our covert Beyond Bond and can’t WAIT to see her later this week for an annual Christmas thing we do to give her those big eyes and stuff because I know the ride she has in store.
I’m elated to share those reactions with you with some real words strung betwixt the OMGs, HOLY MOLYs, and OOOH-EEs.
Y’all this book.
I’m gonna need a medical opinion on the lasting effects of recurring episodes of my heart rising to trap itself in my esophagus for long bouts that prohibit breathing while reading, paired with every muscle tensed in the grip of utter suspense. I mean… Obviously, I survived to tell the tale — but aftereffects are lingering that feel a lot like a hangover and possibly withdrawals.
IT’S THE LAST ONE IN THE SERIES, and I’m all kinds of conflicted about that.
The excitement of eagerly awaiting each release is done now, a memory. Worry about the characters’ survival, their love, their passion, their joy in dark times, battles, war, a manageable way of life, the future of the sectors. It’s…it’s over.
I’m bereft with the bittersweetness because at the same time I’m happy, content, rejoicing at the outcome that OMG I CAN’T SHARE BECAUSE YOU NEED TO READ IT to get all that joy-n-stuff yourself.
If you’re a follower of this series (and I’m side-eyeing anyone who isn’t) then you know you’re going to get boatloads of action, intrigue, suspense, and (have mercy) some serious passion and delicious sexy filth. You know there’s some massive internal and external conflicts on the way to these characters finding their happy. AND you know you’ll get to touch base with the rest of the hardened crew you’ve come to love. This last book of the series DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Just about every thread gets tied up in nifty ways that both satisfy and will leave you longing for more.
I’ve wanted Nessa’s story from the first time I saw her name in print. She’s been waiting quietly in the wings a long, long time. She’s everyone’s little sister. Someone to protect. An untouchable princess hiding amongst her barrels of hooch, cookin’ up the bourbon that keeps Sector Four in booze and bank. She’s an important cog in the wheel, but she’s been low-key the whole time. Quiet and a little detached. Unsure of herself. Cautious. Her level of responsibility means she has a lot to lose, potentially a lot of people to disappoint if she messes up. Digging into her fears, what she thought of herself, what others thought of her, how much she’s loved. This lady…she’s amazing, strong, smart. Watching her spread her wings and fly…spectacular.
Then Ryder — HOLY SMOKES folks. This is a guy I didn’t see coming. I mean…I knew about him. I knew about Nessa’s uncontrollable, butterflies-in-the-belly interest in him. But ALL that is him kinda came at me out of nowhere. Ryder is a freaking powerhouse. A force of nature with a quiet reserve. He knows things. He’s been raised for this, and now is his time to shine. Watching him unfurl, find the brotherhood of the O’Kane’s, share his sweet-spot with Nessa. Stunning.
War is here, though. It’s a brutal time. The city of Eden has been poking at the sectors for ages — and the sectors have finally fucking had it. Eden doesn’t fully grasp that the sectors have come together to become one big-assed, pissed-off bear. The city doesn’t understand the power, intellect, and sheer determination to survive, live free, and destroy those crooked, greedy tyrants once and for all.
War isn’t pretty and clean. Some get hurt. Not everyone survives. Hence my heart in my throat throughout much of this, along with some tears. I actually shouted NOOO once or twice, or three times. Because I know these people. I care about them. I love them. All of them. And seeing any of them come to harm, losing any of them in such bloody, heinous ways is excruciating. Because every single one of them deserves to reap the rewards of the freedom they’re fighting for.
Teamwork toward a common goal, every person utilizing their strengths, the bonds of brotherhood, sisterhood, community, love and passion, the belief in the power of good over evil, and hope — it all comes together in this epic blowout.
Somehow, during this time of uncertainty, two of these gorgeous souls find a way in between the crevices of imminent threats of doom and devastation, to fall in love and find hope for a future of their own on the other side of a war zone.
Kit Rocha get us to that other side, the path to that future. That place where the sun still rises and the birds sing and we see the dawning of a new day, a new era.
A new era IN WHICH THERE’S A SPINOFF SERIES.
This isn’t done. Not by a long shot. This book is just the last leg of the first part of the journey. Kit Rocha will be able to keep on keeping on for aaaages in this intricate and sexy world they’ve built. OOOH-EE, I can’t wait.
Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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To make it easier for new readers to pick up and go with the series, we have a LIMITED TIME offer: a giant “catch up” glom bundle that will be on sale ONLY through the end of December. Anyone who’s interested in the final book and wants to start from the beginning can save 75% off the normal list price by picking this up!
8 Novels * 3 Novellas * 2 Short Stories
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE END…
…AND NEW BEGINNINGS
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This is the first book in the Beyond series spin-off, moving the action from Sector Four to Sector One, where Gideon rules with the help of his devoted warriors. For years they’ve given up everything for the honor of dying in the name of peace.
Now they have to learn how to live for it, too.
Gideon’s Riders will be set in Sector One and feature Ashwin & Kora, finally telling the story of the Base’s most dangerous soldier and the woman he can’t stop thinking about.
Coming in 2017.
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Kit Rocha is the pseudonym for co-writing team Donna Herren and Bree Bridges. After penning dozens of paranormal novels, novellas and stories as Moira Rogers, they branched out into gritty, sexy dystopian romance.
The series has appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and was honored with a 2013 RT Reviewer’s Choice award. Find out more at kitrocha.com, or sign up to be notified of their next release at bit.ly/kit-rocha-updates.
Website: http://www.kitrocha.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thebrokencircle
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kitrocha
Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author
in exchange for an honest review.
The O’Kanes have a reputation for working hard and playing harder—except for Hawk. He joined the gang with one goal: to ensure his family’s survival through the impending war with Eden. It’s been years since he had the luxury of wanting anything for himself. Now, he wants Jeni. From the first moment he saw her, he’s been obsessed with making her his. Not for a night—forever.
Advanced Reader Copy generously provided by the author
in exchange for an honest review.
Adrian Maddox fled his royal life—and tragic past—in Sector One, choosing instead to join up with the O’Kanes. For years, he’s lived by one rule: love fast, love hard, and always be willing to walk away. He’s managed to guard his heart, keep it whole and untouched—until now.
Y’all know what’s coming next week?