Vicious Cycle

By: Katie Ashley

Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Jay Crow, Jameson Adams

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Katie Ashley revs up the danger and sexual tension in her brand-new Vicious Cycle romance series.

Deacon Malloy's life is dedicated to the Hell's Raiders motorcycle club. Tough, hard, and fast with his fists, he serves the group as sergeant at arms. But his devil-may-care approach to life is thrown for a loop when the five-year-old daughter he never knew existed lands on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans is devoted to all her students - but there's always been something about Willow Malloy that tugs at her heart. There's an aura of sadness about her, a girl in need of all the love Alexandra can give. When Willow stops coming to school, Alexandra's search leads to a clubhouse full of bikers...and a father hell-bent on keeping his daughter always within sight.

The moment Deacon sees Alexandra, he has to have her in his bed - and he's never met a woman yet who couldn't be persuaded. No matter how attracted she is to Deacon, Alexandra refuses to be just another conquest. But it's Deacon himself who could be seduced - into a brighter future for himself, his daughter, and the woman he's falling for against all odds.

©2015 Krista Ashe (P)2015 Recorded Books

Enjoyable? Yes, Gripper? No

Yes I did enjoy it until I got to the last 30 minutes of the book. Those scenes made me retract all the emotions I felt for Alexandra. What I am about to say will not give away anything, obviously this is a romance and the characters do not die. But I questioned Alexandra's love for Deacon when she thought him dead. Her love was so fickle that she sought comfort with Deacon's cute brother when she thought he had died. Snuggling with him in bed, and oh yes trying to "sleep it off" right after the explosion that took his life when she had the president's wife she could have sought comfort from and given to. What kind of a madly in love person can ever sleep minutes after an explosion and without the help of medication too? Well apparently her.
After that the story seemed a bit forced and unrealistic. So I was disappointed because I liked it up to the last thirty minutes. So I am not sure if I can recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another Katie Ashley Hit!!!

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The characters are interesting and Deacon and Alexandra worked together . This story is brutal, but somehow it is not as harsh as other MC books, which I personally found appealing. I can see this series is going to be a successful one and look forward to Rev's story next!! Credit or buy worthy in my humble opinion.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

WHAT AN EMOTIONAL, ENTERTAINING & ENJOYABLE RIDE

Welcome to the world of the Hell's Raiders MC where Deacon their handsome, dangerous and sexy Sergeant At Arms is about to get the shock of his life..... and one that will ultimately change his life too. He's your typical Alpha Biker with an arrogant hardened heart which initially doesn't make him likeable but when he opens up and softens up then it puts him into the loveable rogue category. It's when his daughter's Teacher Alexandra comes on the scene that there's a significant character growth as they slowly become close, share their deepest secrets and fall in love..... and the Hound Dog becomes a Pussycat.... well not quite.

But there is so much more to this listen, it starts off with the murder that forces Willow, his 5 year old daughter, to need her Father - a Father who has no idea he is one and doesn't know how to be one either. He's quite happy as he is lethal, potent and hard (in all ways) but he is dragged from a Sweet Butt's (Club Slut) very willing erm 'arms' by his frantic brother who has the shocking news for him. For a short while things settle but a vicious enemy returns threatening retribution and Willow is pulled from school but her Teacher Alexandra will do anything for her.... even go to the infamous Biker Club to help however she wasn't prepared for Deacon's mesmerising pull, a pull that will get her beaten, nearly raped, will make a murderer out of her and will reveal a shocking discovery.

There's violence, banter, suspense, shocks, twists, h-h-hot sex, romance, passion, revelations, murder and much more in this action packed and fast paced Biker story that also has humor and tender parts too. However the main story is the simmering attraction between Deacon and Alex which leads to a beautiful romance which blends two cultures as the timid Teacher learns how to tame her man and the Alpha predator learns how to feel and love again. Great secondary characters made up by Willow, his family and the other Members of the Hell's Raiders MC. Dual POV's and the narrators were good.

Worth a credit? Bang, right from the start this story draws you in, thrusts you into a roller coaster world that's bleak with violence and torture then fluffy with cartoons, coloring books and pink tutu's then romantic with lover's words and steamy passion-filled scenes then heartbreak death and murder and finally a sweet HEA ending. It's a great new MC series and I can't wait for the next book..... so YES fans of this genre, a very emotional, enjoyable and creditworthy ride.

10 of 15 people found this review helpful

Vicious Cycle

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'd say listening Vicious Cycle was tell well spent. This was a book that I wanted to read upon release but knew I would have time to do so right away.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting aspect was Willow. She was the cutest little thing that I always looked forward to.

Was Vicious Cycle worth the listening time?

Yes.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Exciting & Sexy

Thoroughly enjoyed this MC story. It was just as hard core as I would imagine to be true to the MC life with romance added on top. Completely entertaining and enthralling.

The narration was perfect. Vanessa Edwin’s male voice, although obviously female, gave just the right lilt that kept me from being pulled from the story. I can’t wait to continue with this series.

Fantastic

An excellent story. It kept my attention throughout with enough twists and turns to make me not want to stop listening

Awfully peaceful MC club, overall

Although there was four very violent scenes, in the story, overall, this is a very calm outlaw MC club. It made for a romance with very little angst and a club with no intraclub drama . The men in this club are very considerate of their girls feeling and the term, “club business “, was never spoken. The Old Ladies are able to get their way by playing head games with their old men without any consequences. There wasn’t even any Sweet Butt-Old Lady Drama. There club parties didn’t even include public sex. To top it off, the Heroine convinced the Hero to influence the club( He is the Sgt at Arms, not the president) to totally change the nature of their Club business, before she would agree to marry him. He rolled over and bared his throat to her. Ok, you get the point. Despite the unrealistic aspect of the club, there was still many touching interactions between the Heroine and Hero, some hot sex scenes and a pretty good plot. Overall, it was a feel good romance and sometimes that is exactly what a romance lover needs.
-V from Kansas

Almost good... but ridiculous plot twists

Book 1 of series. The story is so close to being good. The characters have interesting backstories. The secondary characters stand on their own. There are hot sexy times.

But... there is just one after another ridiculous plot twist where the hero/heroine goes against character - see examples below. It kept taking me out of the story. I did make it to the end (mostly), but only out of stubbornness. I would only recommend if you have no other options.

**WARNING: VIOLENCE**
There is a brutal rape scene with torture and terror.

**SPOILERS**
Ridiculous plot twists include:

If the man who raised you was a cop, is it possible you are so naive that you are shocked to your core that bikers commit crimes and run stripper bars?

If you are a one-percenter hardcore biker, and for some reason you are obsessed with a "whitebread" chick who has no knowledge or respect for the life, do you breakdown and spill club business because she says "aww, c'mon, tell me everything or you're breaking your promise to tell me the truth."

And do you tell your brothers "sorry, I can't play poker" when this woman you barely know says to your kid: "don't you want your daddy to read you bedtime stories?"

And the stripper pole thing...

And cuddling up in bed with a guy the night your soulmate is killed... and the murder... and the "legit" thing... really???

2 dark headed angels

I was in love with Wilow from the moment this story stated and loved Deacon's bad boy biker image being torn down by one little girl. The add Alexandria to the mixture and he is a goner.

Vicious cycle

Good story line. Move kinda fast. Women voice did not like. Over all petty good.