Shadowboxer: Tapped Out

Book One

By: Cari Quinn

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

She's in for the fight of her life with the man who only wants to be her lover.

Fighter Mia Anderson has faced the dark side of life and survived. But just getting by is no longer enough. To fund her new life with her baby sister, she's determined to beat the reigning king of the male fighters in New York's underground MMA circuit, Tray "Fox" Knox.

Tray refuses to fight a woman, until he learns Mia's tougher than anyone he has ever known. He soon realizes he wants more from her than blows and blood, and he's willing to hit below the belt to get it. He'll fight her, but if he wins, she spends the night in his bed. All night long, his rules. No tapping out.

Mia agrees, certain that he'll lose. What she doesn't realize is that Tray loves to fight dirty and that this match may end up being the most important one of their lives.

Warning: Please be advised this book contains content some may find triggering (past sexual trauma) and also contains graphic sex and language that may not be suitable for underage audiences.

©2014 Cari Quinn (P)2015 Cari Quinn

VERY INTENSE

Where does Shadowboxer: Tapped Out rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its the very best audio book i have listened to.

What did you like best about this story?

The story line is great. It has very vivid descriptions and sweeps you right in. Cari Quinn has a way with words. The story holds you captive with the great display of emotions and great characters.

What about Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s performance did you like?

The narrators have done a very good work with the characters. There is a good flow in the story and its not overdone

Any additional comments?

The story of Tray and Mia had me glued. Their resistance to open themselves to emotions and how they finally succumb. It brings out all emotions and holds you till the end. I especially loved the last chapter with all the emotional display

HER EMOTIONS WERE BROKEN & HE WANTED TO FIX THEM

Mia has been shaped by something horrific that happened to her when she was young which has made her a very protective and loving older Sister but it also transformed her into a no-nonsense hard edged person and a kick-ass Fighter but who sometimes has to do some 'shady' things in order to survive. However, she wants a better life for her Sister and for herself and she's been training hard for the fight of her life..... against the gorgeous MMA Fighter Tray (Fox) but trying to set things up is proving very difficult. Tray isn't what she was expecting - he's kind, thoughtful, attentive, understanding and very very sexy and Mia needs to build her walls even higher otherwise he's just going to climb right over them and find her heart.

Tray walked away from his privileged family to make it on his own but lately he's been fed-up of the lifestyle, the women and the fighting..... that is until a feisty bruised brunette ran off with his coat. He certainly wasn't expecting her to challenge him to a fight and fight he does - but not the way Mia wants as he slowly begins to put the complex, intriguing, annoying, stubborn and attractive pieces together that all slot together to make up the most remarkable woman he's ever met in the hopes he can get closer and find out what makes Mia tick. And Mia's fight with Tray becomes emotional rather than in the Cage as she tries to fight the pull of their sexual chemistry.

There's instant sizzles and awareness but Mia is such a closed book that Tray has to work hard for every nugget.... whether it's for information or for her to lower her guard and let him in. Which Mia eventually does and it's so good to see that they've both undergone a lot of character growth in order for their relationship to work.... and work it does with some touching, tender, funny, emotional, moving and sexy scenes. But when Tray goes into the Cage to fight a real sneaky bad-ass Italian things take a turn for the worse which stirs up traumatic memories, the parents from Hell and endangers life.... and their relationship.

I loved Tray, he was so patient and understanding with Mia and you really feel the love oozing from him but I thought Mia was a bit of a hard Heroine to like.... yes, I understand why and what shaped her personality however I thought there were times when she was a bit hard and stand-offish towards Tray. Nevertheless, this was a very entertaining (and different) dual POV listen and I love the way Kai and Wen jointly narrate books because the 'conversation' type backwards and forwards banter between them works so well and when they do other character's voices it's as if there's very different people talking.

Worth a credit? Yes, however it took me a little while to fully get into it but when I became hooked there was no turning back. A Heroine who was not only fighting to survive but also to survive he crippling memories of her dark emotional past and a strong, sexy Hero who patiently held on.... not to change her, not to understand her because he worked that one out but he held on for the life and love he desperately wanted, needed, deserved..... and eventually got.

Emotional and Angsty!

This was high on both the emotions as well as the angst.

It definitely wasn't an easy listen.
It is dark and will make you feel so much and so worth it!!

The characters were well fleshed out and will draw you in.

The narration was absolutely brilliant.

Definitely worth a listen

Shadowboxer

This book has it all! From the horrendous history for the h to the rich boy that doesn’t want his parent’s money H. These two are opposite to the max and yet through many struggles they are able to understand and fall for each other head over heels. I loved listening to the progression of their relationship and have a pretty good guess of who the next couple may be in the next book.
As always, Wen and Kai do an amazing job narrating this book together. They add so much to the chemistry you hear when listening to this book.

Very enjoyable read!

This is a wonderful story. Filled with angst and worry and possibly love. This will take you a ride of ups and downs until the final page. I am pleased with this story and i was curious on what would happen between Mia and Trey. I really am wondering about hopefully another book regarding Mia’s sister!

I listened to this on audio and Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross did a wonderful job portraying these characters.

What a dark intense listen....

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

I would recommend this book to ANY of my dark genre reading friends... WHY, well because they would enjoy this book, it was gritty, dark, thought provoking, steamy & took the listener/reader on a journey of rediscovery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadowboxer: Tapped Out?

There was this really intense scene in the last couple of chapters, where Mia is finally able to tell Tray about her past, it isn't a pretty scene, but it showed how much personal growth she had made whilst with Tray. Then Tray staying with Mia through her melt down & the closeness between them after this scene transired.

What does Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I can't answer this honestly (because I have yet to read this book), but I loved the accents, the passion, the emotions.. that Kai & Wen add when they narrate, it adds so much more depth to an already intense story.

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

This book, gah... had such heart rending moments all throughout the book, there was a few moments that made me laugh, but mostly there was a feeling of suspense...

Any additional comments?

WOW what else can I say about Shadowboxer?? I absolutely LOVED listening to the magic created by Cari, Kai & Wen added so much, to this emotional, gritty, dark, gory... totally enthralling story.

Terrific Story & Narration🎧 Intense & Heartfelt!

This book wowed me in many ways, it captured both my heart and mind right from the start and held it to the very end. It is great to see a different side of Cari Quinn, I have enjoyed and loved a number of books she co-wrote with Taryn Elliott, the two create rocking magic together. “Shadowboxer” is a darker and more intense story, it is about characters who are broken, who have had struggles and/or hardships in their life, ones they are trying to overcome. Mia’s story is not an easy one, I admire her for her strength and determination to do what it takes to have a better life for her and her sister. She is a MMA fighter in the underground circuit, there is not much money or notoriety in it for women and she needs a bigger payoff, to get it she will fight the male champion, Tray “Fox” Knox. Tray winds up running into Mia and is intrigued by her and he is determined to find out more about her. Mia does not let any one in and does not trust easy so he has his work cut out for him. I loved how their story plays out, also loved how Tray did not give up Mia. A lot goes on in this book and there is never a dull moment. There is plenty of drama, angst and a whole lot of raw emotions, all leading to a wonderful & heartfelt romance. It was heartbreaking to learn of what Mia went thru but Cari Quinn did a great job with it, peeling away her wall and talking about it with Tray. Thank you for this terrific story.

I listened to the Audible edition, Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross are fantastic narrators and voice artists. Their portrayal of the characters was amazing, they brought them to life, humanized them by capturing their passion and emotions and projecting it into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen🎧.

Meet me in the Ring

If you could sum up Shadowboxer: Tapped Out in three words, what would they be?

Hot as Hell

What did you like best about this story?

I like that it was unexpected. It wasnt your average HEA story it showed the hard work trust and overcoming of a past to get a HEA. I love that the Mia stayed a strong female character and was not overwhelmed by Tray.

Have you listened to any of Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listen to Kai and Wen all the time and amazingly with each listen its like I hear them for the first time.

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

I cried when Mia's past was revealed.

Hot, Gritty, Dark, Sexy, and Absolutely Amazing!!!

Would you listen to Shadowboxer: Tapped Out again? Why?

Absolutely! This is one book I could listen to many many times.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how Cari Quinn fit in every emotion you could possibly feel in one book. Happiness, despair, longing, sadness, and love. I loved seeing how the main characters grew and changed for the better because of the love they had for each other.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many scenes I loved, but the epilogue had me hysterical laughing. I also loved the last chapter. It was filled with gut-wrenching emotions combined with an undeniable, unconditional love.

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

Definitely! I could not put it down.

Any additional comments?

I have quickly become a fan of Cari Quinn's books. Her writing is not only very descriptive, but she makes you feel as if you are part of the story. Kai Kennicot and Wen Ross did an amazing job with this book. They made me feel every emotion, down to the heartbeat. Shadowboxer has become one of my favorite books. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Amazing!!

I absolutely loved this story and couldn't wait to get back to listening to it when I wasnt ! I am happy dancing for having a new author to love! The narrators were fantastic throughout this story!!