Defending Zara

Mountain Mercenaries, Book 6

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Stella Bloom

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

For a Mountain Mercenary and a desperate woman, love becomes a dangerous refuge in New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker's novel of heart-gripping suspense.

Mountain Mercenary Hunter "Meat" Snow has a mission: eliminate the human traffickers scouring the barrios of Lima for vulnerable prey. But it's Meat who's taken down. Separated from his team and beaten within an inch of his life, he's left for dead. When he wakes, it’s to the intimate care of a beautiful stranger who knows all about survival.

Zara Layne was a child when a brutal murder left her orphaned and abandoned in Peru. Ever since, she's fended for herself on the streets, outrunning its predators. Trusting men is not in Zara's blood...until it warms to the exhilarating touch of the wounded hero who promises deliverance. As each other's rescuers, they return to Colorado for a new normal.

But when Meat disappears, Zara discovers how ruthless the past can be. With the help of the loyal Mercenaries, she's drawing on her own skills of endurance to find him. And for Zara, there's no danger great enough to come between her and the man she loves.

©2020 Susan Stoker (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Another Winner

Loved the latest adventure for the Mountain Mercenaries. Meat and Zara’s story was heartwarming and sweet. I loved how patient Hunter was as Zara acclimated to life back in the US and learned how to open up to friendships. Going from a scared, terrorized 10 year old who spent 15 years on the streets of Peru doing whatever it took to survive to a normal, American life isn’t easy and it was great that Zara had the support of Hunter and his friends to help her out.

I only had a couple issues. First, why or why with everything the guys have been through with their women have they not emphasized the necessity of contacting each other when something, anything seems off? Zara goes out for dinner with Allye, Harlow and a childhood friend, whom Hunter did not trust, and yet when the friend calls to say Zara wants him to come and get her because she’s drunk and horny, he’s not suspicious? He know Zara doesn’t like alcohol and he doesn’t question her being drunk? And he doesn’t wonder why Allye or Harlow aren’t calling? Then when Zara gets home, excited for a night of planned bedroom fun and finds Hunter gone and can’t reach him, why doesn’t she call the Mercenaries instead of wandering around confused?

Still, the story is enjoyable and if you can overlook the little things that don’t make sense, you’ll love the book. I’m excited to read the final book – especially with the questions answered at the end of this one!! Yes, it was a cliff-hanger but for once, I don’t mind.

Strong heroine

This is the first I’ve read of this series and by this author. Zara is a very strong heroine! She has endured a lot. While I liked Meat, he was more the silent type, sitting back somewhat to let her take the lead. He’s an alpha hero but absolutely not the in your face, commandeering type.

He would do anything for her. As she gains confidence and really begins to acclimate, she takes control of her future and owns her decisions. She shows just how far she would go to help a friend snd save the man she loves.

Pne of the best series?

The characters are awesome! The stories are compelling and in depth. I hate to see this series end.

Still great series but 🤨

Book 6 in the series was was pretty good,however my fascination with the Mountain Mercenaries have dimmed a bit. Because how can you go into another country and NOT speak the language? Especially as a rescue. Really? That was very disappointing how can you call yourself an elite group or a badass if you can't even speak or communicate with other cultures. 🤔

not my cup of tea

this is a super sappy book, written absolutely in a women's voice. lots and lots of sappy dialogue. not my thing but I can't say it wasn't well done...just definitely not for me.

I Knew It!

I don't know how I figured it out but I just knew. Not that Mags was Rex's wife but I knew Rex was the bartender.

Amazing Read!

stoker did a amazing job yet again. every book she writes it feels like your right there with each character. shes amazing!

So good, what is higher than great!

This story was wonderful. I went from the fear, to worry, anxiety, tears, really, ooh, awes and wow that was amazing. The end is the best precursor to the next which can't come soon enough. Another well written, knocked it out the park great read

You’re not going to want to miss this story!

I was really looking forward to this book after the teaser in Defending Everly and was not disappointed. Before I get into the meat of the book...pun intended, I must say that the narrator for the audiobooks does a fantastic job in portraying each character. As we discovered in the last book, the Mountain Mercenaries are on an assignment in Lima, Peru when Black and Meat are attacked and left for dead. Meat’s savior just happens to be an American woman who has been living on the streets of the barrios since her parents were killed 15 yrs ago. Zara has become adept at surviving and she used these skills to help the injured American. When Meat is healthy enough to return to the city center, Zara once again helps in reuniting him with the rest of the team. Getting Zara out of Peru was a challenge, what with the corrupt officials and all but the team was successful. Incidentally, Zara is originally from Denver and getting her back story is easy enough. However, returning from the dead and suddenly being heir to millions is never an easy adaptation. Can Meat and the team keep Zara safe from money grubbers? Will there be an HEA for Zara and Meat?
Great story with lots of action and some steamy moments. Looking forward to the final book in the series. Did I mention that we finally learn Rex’s identity? No spoilers...

One of Her Best

The story was very enjoyable and I admire the author for bringing out some awareness of why it is so difficult to get children back. I fell in love with the characters. This is one of her best books in my humble opinion.