Fighting for Control

Against the Cage, Book 3

By: Melynda Price

Narrated by: Luke Daniels, Rachel Vivette

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

For Nikko "The Bull" Del Toro, an ex-marine turned MMA fighter, only two things quiet the demons raging inside him - facing an opponent in the cage...and the memory of his hottest one-night stand. But when his PTSD resurfaces, causing him to lose control at a CFA press party, it's his career that may be KO'd.

Dr. Violet Summers is stunned to discover her newest patient is the man who rocked her world - and put her heart in a clinch after her nasty divorce. She's determined to delve deep into the darkness that haunts him and to keep all further encounters strictly professional.

Nikko doesn't want a shrink. What he needs is Violet. With the memory of their passion blazing between them, it's only a matter of time before they give in to desire. Can Violet help save this surly fighter from his own personal nightmare? Or will he forfeit his career and his last chance at love?

©2016 Melynda Price (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, Inc. All rights reserved.

A WELL WRITTEN & EMOTIONALLY REWARDING BARGAIN

I really didn't want to say goodbye to these characters.. characters that I'd laughed with, got annoyed with and felt compassion for as they struggled with their own personal demons.. and I savored and rejoiced in their hard won HEA ending. It was a road scattered with emotional debris and heartbreaking secrets from Nikko - a damaged soldier back from the war who was losing the battle against fateful decisions he made during a harrowing conflict that left only him alive from a Team of seven. It was a very blurred road that took Dr. Violet Summers from one crazy 'bathroom' encounter with a handsome stranger on a plane to six months later being hired to save him from himself.. and she would cross ethical, emotional and trusted lines to help the man she'd fallen in love with. It was also a road that had a drool-worthy, difficult but loyal Alpha hero, a strong but misguided heroine, sex, romance, twists, turmoil, a couple of nasty ex's dramas, passion and a love story that would be continually tested before the last words would be said.

Worth a credit? This was a riveting, enjoyable and emotion filled story as attraction waged war against ethics and sexual chemistry and love waged war against a stubborn MMA Fighter with unshakable resolve, ghosts and painful secrets. However, the one thing it didn't war against was creditworthiness because YES it definitely would have been creditworthy but, at under $7 for nearly 13 hours of a dual POV love story that was absolutely epically narrated, I reaped the rewards as I kept my credit, devoured the listen and basked in its awesome afterglow.

Best In The Series - A Must Listen

Nikko went to New York to help his best friend Disco bring down Disco's dad and a mafia leader (the 2nd book Passing His Guard). This book starts with Nikko on the plane returning to Las Vegas. Nikko is sitting in 1st class next to psychologist Violet Summers. Violet is leaving NY after her divorce finalization and moving to Las Vegas to join a new practice. Violet wanting to do something wild and reckless which is very out of her prim, proper and controlled characteristic, asks Nikko does he want to have sex in the bathroom.

Prior to Nikko's two years with the MMA he was in the Marine Special Forces Recon for 6 years. Shit went bad on a mission that f*up Nikko. He was released from the Marines and came home very dark and suffering from PTSD.

Ahead 6 months: Nikko has a flashback blackout and injures his coach. He's suspended and ordered to see a psychologist at the practice that works with the MMA.

Yes...you guessed it...his psychologist is Violet Summers. Violet tells him she can't treat him for the obvious reason but Nikko hasn't been able to get Violet out of his mind since she joined the mile high club with him and he refuses to see anyone else.

Nikkos pursue begins. Violet wanting to truly help Nikko finally gives in to his chase. Their relationship takes you through a maze of emotions including Violets professional ethical struggle, her attraction to Nikko, Nikko not opening up about his demons, Nikko lying to her after they become involved, Violet betraying Nikko's trust, Violet's ex-husband blackmailing her, Nikkos flashback blackouts, there's also fun, humor and sex.

There is of course angst but not a lot of internal dialogue and filler. This book moves at a steady pace and keeps you invested in it until the end.

Melynda Price has written a MMA Series that takes you on a deep emotional journey into the lives of the fighters. Luke Daniels and Rachel Vivette give a great performance. Maybe the next book will be about 'Kill' and Penelope.

You don't need a credit for this book. The standard price is a steal at under $10. This is a book and series I will listen to over and over.

Was ok but,

The story was too long and Drake out too much. I love the dual narrators. But it seemed like it was so much negativity. And they seem to do more fighting and arguing throughout the book than anything else.

Fighting for control

I really enjoyed this book and the reading from hearing this handsome MMA, e-soilder Niko(one of my favorite names) come to life! I love Cole Easton as that was the first book I read in the series I love how Melinda brings her characters back together and focuses on real issues that happen in the lives of ex-military and MMA fighters! I loved Violet as she is a true beauty with a heart of gold and enjoyed listening too them discover their feelings for one another. On to listen to more from this series.

The Series Is Over and I STILL Want More

What made the experience of listening to Fighting for Control the most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable aspects of FIGHTING FOR CONTROL were the continuous surprises. There were just enough to keep the reader on her toes but not too many to make it hard to follow.

Nikko is a warrior in the ring and out, He is loyal to those he cares for but they are few. Because from the very beginning those he cares for tend to get hurt.

Dr. Violet Summers is shocked when her marriage dissolves. As she heads for her new life in Las Vegas, an encounter on the plane will change her entire way of thinking.

What did you like best about this story?

My favorite scene of the story is the surprise of both characters when they meet up a 2nd time. Priceless!

What does Luke Daniels and Rachel Vivette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really like both of these narrators. By listening to the story I was able to focus on it, while working.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't have extreme reactions to books unless they are incredibly funny. This book was not intended to be comical. It is a great story and finishes the series nicely.

Any additional comments?

Notes: descriptions of violence, strong language, mature themes

Credit worthy? If you like the world of MMA combined with romance, I think that it is worth it.
I happen to get this one on sale for $5, so I purchased it instead of using my credit.

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Enjoyable overall but a bit heavy on the angst :)

3-3.5

This was an enjoyable story overall but there was a lot of angst to get through before hitting the happy ending.

Violet is a psychologist who works with CFA fighters in Vegas (along with other patients). Violet was married to a man named Barry, who was also a psychologist and they ran a practice together. Barry ended up being a scumbag and Violet found out he was cheating on her (and had been for a while). She divorced him and moved to Vegas where she is working on building a new life.

Nikko is an ex-Marine who went through some pretty traumatic stuff. He got out of the military and he recovered physically but never really recovered mentally/emotionally. Nikko found that he did well at fighting and happened meet up with the MMA crowd and got recruited as a CFA fighter.

The story begins with a brief intro which takes place 6 months before the main story takes place. In it, we find that Violet and Nikko met up on a plane flying from New York to Vegas. Violet had just divorced Barry and was feeling the need to grasp onto life so she propositioned Nikko and they proceeded to join the "mile high" club together. They went their separate ways without exchanging numbers but when the main story starts 6 months later, they've both been thinking of each other and kind of wishing they knew how to get in touch....especially Nikko because Violet became a "happy place" for him and he used her memory to smooth himself out when things started making him feel stressed. Unfortunately, Nikko has a "rage blackout" (due to his PTSD) at a press party and his actions in front of the press almost get him permanently banned from the CFA.

Nikko is told that he has to go see a psychologist and he's not thrilled about it but has no choice if he wants to save his career. He's shocked to walk into his first appointment to find that his psychologist is actually Violet. Violet ends up in a quandary because, since they've slept together it would be unprofessional for her to treat Nikko. The only problem is, her partner is out of town for over a month and if she doesn't see Nikko, it will endanger his career. Violet tried to keep things professional but Nikko really isn't prepared to share anything and would much rather have Violet in his life in an unprofessional way. She refuses to just sign off on him (saying he's ok to fight when he isn't) so they're in a constant struggle of them wanting each other and him balking every time she tries to help him with anything professionally. Eventually, they manage to get past their issues and do end the story starting a very nice HEA together.

This was an enjoyable story overall but I will say that there was too much angst leading up to it. I actually had times I almost sped up the narration of the book just so I could hurry and get past all the drama...if I'd have been reading a book instead of listening to an audiobook, I probably would have been skimming past all the angsty stuff. However, there were parts of the story I liked, especially at the end...the story has a really good conclusion. I'd say I enjoyed it overall.

Quite enjoyable.

Strong story and narration. Kept my interest throughout. Good installment to this series. Enjoyed the friendships of the fighters.

Great series

I love this series, The hero's are true loving loyal men. I enjoy hearing about all the characters and can't wait for more in this series. The narrators did a wonderful job.

Only one error, Marines never call themselves soliders.. Marines are Marines, Army are soldiers. I only know this because I'm married to a Marine and my father is Army. Everything else in this book was 5 stars.

Military/MMA Romance done right

OK you gotta gloss over the fact that their relationship is inappropriate in the "real" world. But if you suspend belief it's a good story! This is the 3rd book in the series and the first one I listened to and I don't feel like I missed anything by listening out of order. I like the authors writing style and I will download a second book in the series and see if it gets better.

Well Worth A Listen

A good story, narrated well. I'll definitely be getting the others books in this series.

Powerful!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It was incredible to listen to - I hated that I had to work and actually speak to people as I just wanted to keep listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fighting for Control?

When he is so torn between what he knows and what he has been told plus his obvious distress when faced with his responsibility and his team mates - it would spoil it if I said more but you will know what I mean! Its funny and painful!

What about Luke Daniels and Rachel Vivette ’s performance did you like?

Just good narrators with the right amount of emotion and spice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh Lord Yes!!!!

Any additional comments?

The whole series is worth listening to....give it a try and you will not be disappointed!