by Dakota Madison (@karenmbryson) 

 

“There’s no such thing as perfect. We're two damaged people, but when we're together I think we make each other a lot less flawed. Somehow our broken pieces seem to be coming back together again.” ~ Roxie

So, the premise of this book is amazing. I read the blurb and a little excerpt and I was hooked. It has everything I could ever want in a thriller, and the fact that it has that NA feeling didn't bother me at all, even though I don’t like nor read NA.
We are introduced to two main characters and the story is told through each of their POVs. That is something I’m not used to nor I appreciate much on books I enjoy but the plot and story was so well developed that it didn't take anything away from this one. Roxie Bailey has a past that she'd rather keep hidden from the world and feels that the best way to do so is to keep to herself as much as possible. Alexander Grant has suffered a great ordeal and not only has decided to alienate from everyone but also take justice into his own hands.


“I was burned very badly in a fire. I like to keep my scars covered. “
“Everyone has scars,” Luci says. “You just wear yours on the outside. And I will be too.”


The beauty of these two characters is that they are so emotionally (if not physically) scarred that you can't help but feel sympathetic for each of them from the start, even for Alexander who tended to be a bit cold-hearted at the beginning. And even though they are young they don’t come across as foolish or immature. Their relationship has a much deeper meaning and is more truthful than I've seen in many other romantic stories, and although is not a long novel, their love connection does not feel rushed.


“’We’re together’ […]
The two words are simple, but when Alexander says them they seem to hold so much meaning. Not just that we're a couple, but god help the person who tries to come between us, or hurt me.” ~ Roxie


The second characters add a lot of depth to the story. And, of course the thriller itself is superb. What brings Alexander and Roxie together is not roses and poems, but a serious, horrible, damaging situation that will change their lives forever more. Rape, violence, threats, terrorism, and even death, all become part of this story that had me biting my nails and wanting to punch somebody and sometimes even at the brink of tears! Does the end justify the means? Can you be both judge and jury? Is friendship and love truly enough to keep going after life has thrown you that horrible blow and that curveball that you just were not able to avoid? Those are questions that will pop in your mind as you read The Nines.
Truthfully, this would have earned 5 shining stars in my book, however the fact that it was written in present tense was a bit distracting for me and in the end it did affect how much I enjoy it.


Other favorite quotes:

“But I'll take what I can get, whatever you're willing to give me. I'll take leftovers, scraps, whatever. I’m yours. But I don’t expect you to be mine. It was ridiculous to even suggest.” ~ Alexander

“You deserve to have all of me. You don’t have to settle for anything less.” ~ Roxie


*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review ***

 

 

 

Book Description: 

 

At a prestigious university members of a secret fraternity known for gang rapes believe they can get away with murder...only THE NINES can stop them.

 

 

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison and Sierra Avalon team up to bring readers a new breed of antiheroes...THE NINES.

At a prestigious university members of a secret fraternity known for gang rapes believe they can get away with murder...only THE NINES can stop them.

Vengeance is mine not the Lord's. It's what I breathe for. It's what I'm still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It's been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I'm not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don't want to get their hands dirty or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don't have any reason to worry. I'm meticulous, so I'll never get caught. Just one thing stands in my way: The mysterious young woman without a past who desperately wants to be part of my future. I just need to figure out why... 


THE NINES is an ongoing romantic suspense series. Each book can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as PART OF THE SERIES. 


Due to mature LANGUAGE and CONTENT, THE NINES is recommended for adult readers. 

UPCOMING BOOKS in the THE NINES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE series: 
Blood Sings (Hector's Story) 
Brooklyn Justice (Julio's Story) 
Bite Hard (Ash's Story) 
Big Empty (Ivan's Story)

Book – The Nines

Author – Dakota Madison & Sierra Avalon
Publication Date – April 13, 2015
Genre – Thriller/Suspense Romance

Type – Stand Alone Series
Cliffhanger - No
Rating – 3.75 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Synopsis

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison and Sierra Avalon team up to bring readers a new breed of antiheroes…THE NINES.

Vengeance is mine not the Lord’s. It’s what I breathe for. It’s what I’m still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It’s been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I’m not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don’t want to get their hands dirty or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don’t have any reason to worry. I’m meticulous, so I’ll never get caught. Just one thing stands in my way: The mysterious young woman without a past who desperately wants to be part of my future. I just need to figure out why…

THE NINES is an ongoing romantic suspense series. Each book can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as PART OF THE SERIES. 

My Thoughts - Story
This is the first book I have read from this author and I have to say that this book was so fast paced, I was able to complete it in no time. So much was going on from the minute you read the first page until the last.

 

I did have a bit of a problem connecting with the characters until further in the story but it didn’t take away from the plot and the outcome.

 

 

Definitely a series I will continue to read!

 

Re-Cap
Is it fate that brings Roxie and the masked man together?

 

Is it a way to let go of the past and make a future together?

 

Roxie is the sister of a high school bomber and she runs away to college, changes her name and tries to put her past behind her. Until a mysterious man who wears a mask gains her curiosity. What is his connection to her brother and the bombing?

 

 

Along with this, there are a slew of murders and rapes going on around campus and Roxie’s roommate is one of them.

 

They race against time trying to find a way to bring justice to the hurt girls.

 
Reason for Reading – Blog Tour

Story Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

Steam Rating – 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Angst Rating – 4.25 out of 5 Stars

Writing Rating – 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Content Flow Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars

Would Read More from Author? Yes

Recommend To – Anyone who loves a great suspense --- need to know what’s gonna happen next.

"Finding Fisher" by Dakota Madison caught my eye because of the name. The story sounded intriguing, too. A priviliged law student with mild OCD discovers her fiance is dead. When speaking to his family she finds out he has a child and that her family were not keen on this new relationship. When visiting Old Town for his funeral she meets his twin brother, Fisher, and slowly falls in love with him.
Although the pace of her falling for the brother of her deceased fiance is done slowly and thoughtfully, for me it just didn't sit right. The chemistry was believable in many ways, but something in me didn't buy it.
The writing credentials are fine and the story should find many happy romance readers.

Sedona is studying to be a neuroscientist, and she only has eight weeks left to complete her undergraduate course when her world comes "crumbling down" around her. She injures her arm in a car accident, and then she gets fired from her job at the library. Her flatmate, Lewis Armstrong, suggests she gets a job tutoring college athletes. That's how she meets basketball player Jesse Walker, "the guy every girl on campus wants to date". But is his bad boy reputation really warranted? Jesse is more interested in playing basketball than learning, but is there perhaps another reason for his apparent lack of interest in studying? Although Sedona and Jesse have nothing in common, they grow closer while Lewis becomes more distant. It turns out Lewis is hiding a secret as well. When Sedona's mother, Sunny, finds out about her daughter's relationship with Jesse, she fears that Sedona will end up following in her footsteps. What is the real story behind Sunny's single-mother status, and who is Sedona's father? And what secret will Sedona uncover that will threaten to bring them all down?

Interference is a very predictable book; I guessed all of the "secrets" right away. In addition, all of the problems are resolved way too easily. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey. Sedona and Jesse are likable characters and, as unlikely a couple as they are, you can't help but root for their happiness. Support characters Mr and Mrs Armstrong are hilarious. I also enjoyed Sedona's neurobiological explanations about falling in love.

A light, easy, entertaining read.

3.5 stars

I received this book in return for an honest review.

Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2015/02/interference-by-dakota-madison.html

3.5 Cocktails

THE PLAYMAKER is the continuation of Kian and Taylor's story. Moved up to an NHL team in Seattle, Kian and Taylor are trying to manage their relationship with significant distance between them. But distance is the least of their worries when a perceived danger to Taylor becomes reality and changes everything for Kian and Taylor.

Let me say, I was not expecting what happened to Taylor. Yes, I figured Blake would find some way to make good on this threats from FIRE ON ICE, but never did I expect the brutality that Taylor had to endure. My heart broke for Taylor, as I wondered just how much bad stuff this poor girl was going to have to endure. I loved how Taylor allowed herself the time to hide inside herself as she came to grips with what happened, but didn't wait too long before she let Kian back in. With Kian, she became a much stronger person and believed in herself and her ability to move forward.

It's hard not love Kian in this book. He was already having a hard time dealing with the distance between himself and Taylor, even though he had finally achieved his dream of playing in the NHL. But when Taylor is attacked, he looses it. And when she tries to push him away, your heart breaks for him even more. He proved just what kind of a man he was buy his determination to make sure Taylor understood he loved her and would be by her side, even if that meant giving her the space he so desperately didn't want to give her.

The author tied up all the loose ends to this story and gave us a HEA for this couple that they so deserved. Despite what they had to endure, Taylor and Kian figured out how to work together to move past these events and build their life together.

The conclusion to Taylor and Kian's story was great, even if we did have to endure some pretty horrific events to get there.