Ruckus

By: Zoe Dawson

Narrated by: Tatiana Sokolov

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

For US Navy SEAL Bowie "Ruckus" Cooper, going on a mission into the most dangerous place on earth wasn't new, neither were the orders to tag and bag an international criminal, but when Bowie finds a captive American reporter, that wasn't exactly run of the mill. Neither was getting separated from his team, teaming up with her, or protecting her against all odds, while working to keep his hands from around her neck and off her delectable body.

Fearless and bold photojournalist, Dana Sorenson never backed down from a fight or to showcase her dedication to reporting on the human condition. That's what she thought until she meets Bowie and big, bad, and tough takes on a whole new meaning.

Gratitude for saving her ass gets lost in his demanding orders and fighting for her life takes a back seat to falling for this alpha male who'll risk everything to see her safe.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Karen Alarie (P)2018 Tantor

Really enjoyable story :D

4-4.5 stars

This was a really enjoyable story. Ruckus and Dana are both characters I really liked and their story was fast paced and very enjoyable. This is the first story I've read by this author and I liked it well enough that I'm likely to read more of her work in the future.

Dana is a human rights reporter that travels around the world. Dana has a boyfriend but rarely sees him because she's traveling so much. Dana's father is still alive but her mother died from cancer recently. Dana's mother's dying wish is what prompts Dana's current trip. Info about cheating since she has a boyfriend will be at the bottom of the review.

Ruckus is a Navy SEAL and has been for 20 years (since he joined at the age of 17). Ruckus' father was abusive and he didn't have a good childhood. Thankfully, Ruckus found a home in the SEALs and bothers, not by blood but by something deeper. Ruckus was married once and it didn't go well so he has no intention of trying a relationship again.

Dana's story takes her into dangerous territories in foreign counties, in areas where drug lords rule rather than a government. Dana is finishing up her story and on her way out when she and her team are captured and taken captive by a bad guy with an agenda. As luck would have it, Ruckus and his team are sent on a mission that puts them in the building where Dana and her team are being held. Ruckus' team rescues them but Ruckus and Dana are separated from the rest of the team as they are all seeking to escape the bad guys. Due to some issues, Ruckus and Dana are left on their own for a while.

The attraction between Dana and Ruckus is immediate but on the back burner because of the danger they're in at first. Ruckus is rough and tough and saves Dana's life multiple times as they're trying to escape their pursuers. Dana is no slouch and does what she can to help and not be a hindrance as they go. There are reasons that Dana wants to stick with Ruckus on his mission and she holds info that he needs so they end up together longer than might normally be the case. In a few periods of safety, things between Ruckus and Dana escalate and between their attraction and their situation, they get real close, real fast. The story is very quick paced and action packed and there's plenty of danger they get through but there is a bit of drama too. Ruckus does have a bout of relationship dumbassedness that causes a split once Dana is safe and the mission is done. Thankfully, he does realize his dumbassedness and does what's necessary to make it up to Dana so they're together and headed towards and HEA in the end (with an epilogue to ensure it).

This was a really enjoyable story. Dana is a really good and believable character. She's strong willed and in shape so she can keep up but she's not tough like Ruckus is (which I wouldn't see as believable). Ruckus was a good guy and I liked him a lot...a bit damaged but good none the less. Overall, this was a very fast paced, engaging story that I really enjoyed with characters I liked very much so I would recommend it. :D

* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a very good job.

**spoiler about cheating - Yes, Dana does cheat on her boyfriend. It's basically over between them and she just hasn't broken it off yet but she doesn't actually admit that until after she has sex with Ruckus the first time. She then tells Ruckus about the BF and admits it's over in all but the final talk.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great start to a new series.

Great character building. It was really easy to like all of the Navy Seals. This book features Ruckus and Dana. The dialogue was crisp and often funny. There was romance, danger, soul searching and a satisfying ending.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful