Running Wild

Havoc, Book 1

By: SE Jakes

Narrated by: Dorian Bane

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That's why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars, and why he can't stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can't seem to stay away from Sean - he's spent the last eight months breaking into Sean's apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.

Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he's ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.

Then one of Sean's thefts goes bad, and Ryker's protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean's past threatens the safety of Havoc - and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker's hiding secrets of his own. Soon it's obvious that the adrenaline rush can't keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.

©2014 SE Jakes (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

Definitely a wild ride!

What made the experience of listening to Running Wild the most enjoyable?

I'd already read the e-book so getting to listen and have these characters brought to life was so much fun.

What other book might you compare Running Wild to and why?

Perhaps the Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes. Ryker is very liken to Sam Kage in the big, brooding, you are mine period department.

What about Dorian Bane’s performance did you like?

Everything.

Who was the most memorable character of Running Wild and why?

Sean, for me at least. He grew and evolved a lot throughout the story.

Any additional comments?

This is one of my favorite books to read, I've read it multiple times, probably because SOA (Son's of anarchy) was a favorite TV show of mine and I always had this desire to see what would have happened had Jax and Opie gotten together. This story brought that fantasy to life for me. When I was listening I could actually picture Sean as Jax and Ryker as Opie and that only made the audiobook that much better.

I've listened to other stories with the narrator previously and it's been hit or miss. Definitely a hit this time around what with the deep, smokey, lust laced baritone voice he gave Ryker that completely fit every facet of his larger than life persona. Then you have Sean who is cocky, abrasive and standoffish. Mostly, that's an act he puts on to keep people at arms length. But Ryker has his number from the start and patiently waits it out until Sean figures out that the harder he fights it and tries to push Ryker away, he only winds up reeling him further in.

If you like stubborn alpha male bottoms and equally stubborn, self assured tops that wear leather and ride around on motorcycles and protect what belongs to them ferociously, then you'll LOVE this book!

what a ride

The main characters were amazing with such hot chemistry. There is a love story in here too and plenty of hot sexy steamy action. The story was a wild ride from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down.
The narration was superb- very distinct voices for each character.
A must read/ listen. Highly recommend.

Overall 5 stars
Story 4. 7 stars
Narration 5 stars

Charo

Motorcycle Gang; they're Car thieves and a shelter for troubled teens

If you like stories about violent motorcycle gangs who go to war over stolen cars and have hearts of gold when it comes to finding safe houses for abused teens, this is the book for you. Oh yes there is a gay love story too. Recommended!

Love this book can't wait for the next one

If you could sum up Running Wild in three words, what would they be?

HOT , SEXEY , HOT

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the love story and the action in the book also the characters and there back stories where great and I love m/m romance

Which character – as performed by Dorian Bane – was your favorite?

Both the main character where great and I love his voice

Jakes is now an automatic download for me.

A biker m/m romance?? Crazy but Jakes makes it work. Her characters are likeable and the story is different & interesting. I am comfortable in the worlds she creates and disappointed when the story is over. I will listen to this one & all of her audible books again.

Kristen Ashley meets Gone in 60 Seconds but the narrator is good!

Seriously this book is like a gay mashup version of Mystery Man, Motorcycle Man, Chaos & Gone in 60 seconds. But the narrator was awesome & ill definitely be looking out for more from him.

Batman Bikers

So I gave this book a shot because it's in the Romance package and I was really intrigued. The overall story was very enjoyable, I like the characters and their development and there were no plot holes. (Bonus!) The writing of the story sounded well done.

As for the voice of the story, I loved the interpretation of Rush's voice. He sounded sweet and adorable and felt real. I genuinely liked his voice even if he isn't a Sebastian York. Ryker's voice interpretation on the other hand made me think of Batman and I'm sorry, I just couldn't get behind it, it was a bit of a turn off. I still listened through to the end, but its a hard no for me on the batman voice.

Perfect pairing - Great story and Narrator!

SE Jakes has done it AGAIN. This series may even top/tie with the Hell or High Water series for me. Ryker is absolutely on par with Prophet for hot, bad a**, awesomeness… but maybe I should compare him to Mal… or Cillian… he is so bad ass that he always knows what to say and when to say it and what he does is ALMOST always right. Almost. Ryker is a S** GOD and yet so amazingly sweet that you just want to take him home with you. He. Sends. Flowers. (Insert swoon)

Sean is another great character. He is funny, and caring, and a little crazy and vulnerable, and tough… just like a good SE Jakes character should be. He is a great friend, a neurotic lover, an adrenaline junkie and an ex-soldier who suffers from PTSD. He also is Bad. A**. He has ninja car skills and can steal a car with one hand tied behind his back. His relationship with Ryker is sweet and funny and very, very hot, and sometimes frustrating.

The story is completely amazing. It grabbed me, threw me on the back of the bike and told me to hang on! There was literally never a slow moment or place I felt I wanted (or even could) skim. It was all vital, wonderful and riveting.

The love story is so completely satisfying and … hot. Enough said.

Jakes has added some vaguely paranormal stuff to this story that added a distinct charm and mystique to Havoc and its compound. I hope for future stories from Casey, maybe Sweet, maybe Noah – you never know right?

I totally recommend this book (and all SE Jakes books) and give this book 6 out of 5 hearts – it was that good. Really.

Audio
Dorian Bane does an AMAZING job with this! He really hits the mark for gruff and gritty MC member! He also really conveys Sean in just the right way, too! He's not the best when it comes to the non-dialog parts, but he very aptly conveys the emotions in a scene. I found this highly entertaining and a great way to enjoy this wonderful story!

Overall 5 of 5 stars

A Rush From Start to Finsh!

If you could sum up Running Wild in three words, what would they be?

Gritty, Intense, Wild

What other book might you compare Running Wild to and why?

Michele Mannon, Cecy Robson, Aleksandr Voinov, or Abigail Roux's books all come to mind. Lots of differences, but there are qualities shared by all of them in a 'leap into danger- damn the torpedoes anti-hero' type character and storyline.

Have you listened to any of Dorian Bane’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I certainly have. I suspect that I would probably purchase a dissertation on pond scum properties if he was narrating at this point. (Kidding, wouldn't even listen to that, ever)

I do have others I prefer, but the margin is narrow really in likeability. I suspect it's my opinion of the story itself rather than an inconsistency in narrator.

Who was the most memorable character of Running Wild and why?

While Sean Rush bowled me over with his issues and Ryker was enigmatic and a source of curiosity and appeal for me, I was actually vastly amused by a certain friendly rival MC president who had an impish streak

Any additional comments?

I received this book from Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

S E nails it! Awesome narration!

Lots of smoking hot sex scenes, great storyline, lots of tat and MC club talk, complex yet believable characters; a tad angst indulgent in spots but it is so minor of an irritant that I only mention it so my review isn't an unbelievable gush-fest! If you find, like I do, that far too many m/m romances are rendered nearly unlistenable with the drama queen angst, you're in for a treat here! Enjoy! Ms. Jakes, thank you. 🎯

I need a Ryker in my life....

Enjoyed everything about this audio book.

Great story. Loved the characters, although Sean's angst sometimes made me groan out loud....and not in a good way lol.

Some of the hottest m/m scenes I have listened to that were much grittier and convincing than a lot I have heard. These made me groan out loud too but in a good way :0). The scenes dovetailed with the story brilliantly and were balanced rather than being the focal point as in some stories.

Dorian Bane - my first audio by this narrator, excellent voice with clearly recognisable character voices that were spot on and never dropped. Rykers gravelly baritone sends shivers down my spine each time.

Already have the rest of the Havoc MC series in my basket ready to purchase!

I wish Audible had the Men of Honor series in their catalogue!