Title: Monster Saint
Author: Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre: Military Romance and Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Monster Saint Enforcers are more than their badges or the law. They are a team of ex-military, country boys who work undercover to bring the worst of the worst criminals to justice…or to their graves. The only thing that might stand in their way is the last thing they need. A woman.
When a respected member of Monsters is killed while undercover, Crayson “Crayce” Noble goes rogue and is out for revenge. He’ll stop at nothing short of sending Salvatore, the leader of the notorious cartel, Los Reapers, to hell. His plan is thwarted by a mysterious woman wearing a wedding gown.
Runaway bride, Charmaine Meadows, sees her way out of Salvatore’s grip through the tall, scarred, brooding man who shows up right when she needed a distraction the most. He might be a walking four-letter-word, but she’ll take anything, anyone, over Salvatore. She’s become an expert at handling crude men, but this stranger isn’t like any man she’s ever met. He’s a challenge and sparks something within in her that is far more dangerous than the criminals she’s faced before.
The lady has caused Crayce nothing but trouble. Now they’re Salvatore’s prey and Crayce has always been a hunter. He realizes he should take the woman back to the villa and say good riddance because she’s going to get them both killed. And yet he can’t keep his eyes, and his hands, off her.
My Review:
Monster Saint by Rhonda Lee Carver is the exciting first book in the Monster Saint Enforcers series. This book is a page-turner that I blew through in one sitting. The pace, the action, and the thrills combine to make Monster Saint an electrifying read.
Our hero Crayce is a rugged hero who reminded me of Bruce Willis in the Die Hard movies. He’s part of the Monster Saint Enforcers, government operatives who also run a ranch. It isn’t explained why they need to farm cattle to hide their base of operations or what branch of the government hires them. Each member formerly served in different branches of the American armed forces. My favorite part of the book was the banter between the guys in the first chapter. It brought out their colorful personalities and made me excited for them to get their own romances as the series continues.
Crayce is a rogue operative who crashes a mafia/cartel wedding to avenge a Monster Saint Enforcer’s death. I loved the vibrant description of the wedding and the devious wedding planner. The author does a wonderful job of building sympathy for our heroine, Meadow (Crayce’s nickname for her.) Like a film noir female lead, Meadow is a runaway bride with a strong will and pluckiness. I loved how she stood up for herself but revealed her softer side as the book progressed. Her story is interesting because she admits to being fooled by Salvatore (her fiancé) and details how she became his bride. I haven’t read this in other mafia/cartel books and found it refreshingly realistic.
Overall, I highly recommend Monster Saints to fans of romantic action movies such as The Bodyguard, Romancing the Stone, or The Lost City. Hopeless romantics will swoon over the light spice but deep, emotional connection between two characters who learn to trust one another as their worlds collide. I give this thriller five stars.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/monster-saint-monster-saint-enforcers-book-1-by-rhonda-lee-carver
Author Biography:
Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary western and romantic suspense, but she loves to write other genres too. She's known for writing stories that keep readers laughing, crying, gripping the edge of their seats, and screaming all in one book...like riding a virtual roller coaster. Whether she's creating sexy cowboys or tough guys, or sassy, independent heroines, readers are sure to find strong, powerful, memorable characters that are relatable.
By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world but at some point she transitions back into reality where she's a volleyball-stands cheerleader, homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse to skinned knees, mediocre chef with some awesome microwave skills, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades for her kids who are the loves of her life. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. Hallmark movies require cuddling up with tissues because she can be emotional. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins because a little truth never hurt anyone. She wouldn't give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except, she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she's had her eye on (GOALS).
Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too.
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Reviewed by: Patty