Stevie‘s review of Wild Ride (Black Knights Inc, Book 9) by Julie Ann Walker
Romantic Suspense published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 04 Apr 17

I’ve enjoyed Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights series since diving in partway through, and I must admit to having been somewhat intrigued by Ozzie Sykes, who’s mostly stayed in the background of previous stories, but now finally gets his own book. Like the other members of the team, Ozzie has a military past, a covert ops present, and a love of powerful motor bikes. He’s also a massive geek, which endears him to me as well as, seemingly, to a large number of other readers. Still recovering physically from injuries sustained in a bomb attack, and mentally from witnessing the death of his colleague – and one-time hook-up – in the same blast, Ozzie has, against his better judgement, befriended a journalist who has been investigating the Black Knights for years: an attractive female journalist, who also seems more than a little attracted to Ozzie.


Samantha Tate is convinced that the Black Knights are up to something seriously illegal and has made it her mission to expose them for what they really are – along with fighting corruption in high places elsewhere in the city. A proper old-fashioned investigative journalist, she has been mentored by, and is now the best friend of, the reporter who had previously helped her father fight injustices and then fought himself to uncover the man who arranged for Samantha’s father to be killed in retaliation. The pair work together on the same paper, and neither has ever given up hope of solving the final clues in that murder – or of preventing further deaths wherever they can.

Samantha receives a tip-off that seems to point to the Black Knights as being behind the ex-military guns that are being used in gang killings and reluctantly puts aside her feelings for Ozzie in favour of seeing the culprits convicted. While Ozzie is unaware of Samantha’s suspicions, he soon becomes aware that she is a target for some real bad-guy bikers, and steps in to rescue her – another move that Samantha at first misinterprets. Eventually, however, Samantha semi-reluctantly agrees to spend time at the Black Knights’ base: somewhere she’s always wanted to see inside, though not necessarily under these exact circumstances.

While most of the Black Knights are away ‘on business,’ Samantha makes friends with various of the guys’ wives and girlfriends and their families, and starts to see that the set-up isn’t at all what she’d been imagining. Obviously, she and Ozzie also get lots of alone – and fun—time together too, even as the real bad guys are closing in on Samantha and her best friend.

This was an excellent story, although parts of the romance plot felt a little overblown at times, and the team is so big now that it’s difficult keeping track of the long-term members, much less the very newest ones who are yet to be properly introduced to us readers. I can see a fair bit more mileage in the series as a whole, though, and am looking forward to the next instalment with bated breath.

Grade: B

Wild Ride is the ninth installment in the Black Knights Inc. series and probably my least favourite, even though I loved Ozzie, the hero, and the action. Also the banter between the characters, that's always funny.

The biggest problem I had with this book was Samantha, the heroine. Half of the time she was annoying and the other half she was horny. In the end it got better and she was more likeable,but overall I just could warm up to her.

Another thing that bothered me was the ending. It felt to me like the author didn't had enough pages left, but had to put all the stuff down anyway. The ending felt rushed.

Rating: 3,5 stars

Review: Wild Ride by Julie Ann Walker is a deliciously hot romance packed full of everything readers need. Romance, check. Action, suspense, and danger. Sexy hot man, double check. I love reading what Julie Ann Walker comes up with every time. Her books are out of this world. They suck readers deep into their plots and never let them go. Just like this latest tale by the bestselling writer, does. I love stories about a man who can sit still and needs to be in the action. Only he ends up finding a whole lot more than he thought he would…

Wild Ride has all the elements romance readers expect to find. Alpha male, strong female character, and a passion that heats up every page. Duty versus the heart. Work and falling in love. It’s all inside this title. Wild Ride is exactly as the title suggests. A warrior for the BKI has the task of keeping a certain investigative female away from their operations. Yet, there’s a deep unrelenting connection their operative feels towards the beauty he’s supposed to keep preoccupied. That task grows harder on Ozzie with each passing day. Something about the female has him wanting to spill all of his secrets. Samantha has Ozzie under her spell. Only time will tell how it all ends and whether or not Ozzie is left for worse or better. Overall, Julie Ann Walker has done it again. I was seriously enticed by this read. Addictive, well-woven, and highly engaging. I recommend Wild Ride to readers everywhere.

Finally everyone’s favorite Black Knight has found his own love and they are living a wild and crazy HEA. So let’s be honest here ladies, the one thing that is every woman’s Kryptonite is a sexy, sweet, super intelligent and brave guy. Those qualities are so rare in the male population as is, but to have more than one—or heaven forbid all of those traits, a woman has no chance of keeping her heart safe from that kind of man. Fans of this series have known for a very long time that the woman to steal Ozzie's heart would have to be equally intelligent brave and a perfect foil for his sweet endearing qualities, and that their love story would be off-the-charts awesome. Walker definitely manages to include action, craziness, silliness and the lasting love that make these stories worth the read, and still let us see the emotional attachment that two people really need in order to have a lasting and loving relationship. Ozzie is currently benched due to an unfortunate series of events that left not only his body broken, but also his emotional calm in danger of cracking. Left behind at the home base instead of being allowed in the field leaves Ozzie itching for some action and definitely more than willing to find a way to kick some ass. He has been “dating” Samantha for a few months now, originally planning to monitor the intrepid reporter to keep her out of BKI business, but more and more she is working her way into his heart and mind and he is coming to a point where his feelings for her are making him unable to lie to her anymore. Samantha knows there is more to her boyfriend’s job, and to the company he works for; her reporter instincts are always on high alert, but when she receives information that Ozzie and his friends are dangerous criminals, she isn’t sure exactly how she feels about it, but she knows she can’t let a story like that go. When her life is in danger, Ozzie and his group are the only thing standing between her and certain death, but can she learn to trust in time to keep them all alive or will she lose her chance to love the most extraordinary man she’s ever known? Ozzie has been a favorite Knight since the beginning of this series, with his slight geekiness, sweet kindness, and bad ass skills he is the whole package. But truly nobody is perfect and Ozzie has a few issues to work through in order to find his HEA and he is determined that he make Samantha his, once and for all. Samantha is the kind of heroine that you start out thinking will be in the TSTL category, though once she breaks through her preconceived notions about BKI she is smart enough to know she needs their help to stay alive. She is definitely an intelligent lady, but she is also tough enough to protect herself under most circumstances, making her perfect for Ozzie. The passion between these two has been a long time coming and when they finally give in there is no denying the heat, or the possibility for true chemistry between two very different people. I loved seeing Ozzie and Samantha battling each other as well as working together to keep her safe, with plenty of laughter to keep their courting from being too serious, especially considering the seriousness of their daily lives. Ozzie remains one of my favorite Knights and I enjoyed seeing him kicking ass again, while Samantha did irritate me at first I came to love her, just as Ozzie did, because there really is no other woman that would come close to filling the whole in Ozzie's heart meant for his soul mate. The action was interesting even if I was surprised by a few of the twists, and of course I loved the way Walker briefed Samantha on the true nature of the work BKI does and the greatness that is Ozzie. I also enjoyed the hints at future love for our sexy British friend and the newest member of BKI and cannot wait to see their story continue to unfold. That being said, I have a feeling there won’t be many more stories in this series, which makes me sad, but at the same time I know this series will be reread many times. As always, a fabulous foray into the world of special operators, the danger they can get into, and the women that always manage to steal their hearts in the most unexpected of ways. Keep up the amazing work Ms. Walker so I can continue to tell the world of your greatness.

Although this is the ninth novel in Julie Ann Walker's Black Knights, Inc. series, it's also the first novel in the series I've read, and the first time I've read this author, and wow--how did I miss reading her? This novel is a 5 star read.

When we first meet Samantha Tate in the prologue, 6 years prior to Chapter One. We learn that she's a Chicago newspaper reporter, and has been assigned to write a puff piece on the Black Knights Motorcycle Shop. Her repeated phone calls requesting an interview have gotten her nowhere, so she's hanging out at Red Delilah's Biker Bar, a well known MC hangout, when she first spots Ethan "Ozzie" Sykes, and she approaches him, introduces herself, admits that she's a reporter, and the hot, sexy, flirty biker, although attracted to her, brushes her off.

Fast forward six years and Samantha and Ozzie have become friends. During that time, Ozzie sustained a serious leg injury and racked up 13 months of time he simply won't discuss. But this is a friendship with limits. The Black Knights are far more than a MC club and motorcycle shop--they're a deep undercover black ops group run by the Joint Chiefs and the U.S. President, assigned to keep tabs on other MC clubs, especially one that has been dealing arms intended for use in Iraq to Chicago street gangs, as well as other anti-terrorist activities at home and abroad. While sidelined by his injuries, Ozzie has been assigned to keep Samantha in the dark about their covert activities and the two have become friends. They're both deeply attracted to one another but Samantha knows that Ozzie has a well-deserved reputation as a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy, and they both keep their attraction to one another to themselves. When one of Samantha's informants gets wind of one such weapon being seized by police in a MC-related gang murder, he's murdered, and Samantha clearly suspects the Black Knights, and so begins this wild ride of a novel, that works on so many different levels and includes so many of my favorite tropes it's hard to classify, but just to mention a few, furnace-hot romance, a wounded warrior, special ops, Navy SEALS, rival MC gangs, murder, kidnappings, friends-to-lovers, secrets and lies, and edge-of-your seat, knuckle-biting suspense all rolled into one un-put-down-able novel.

In reviews of previous novels I've complained about the lack of a backstory--not so here. Samantha's father was murdered when she was 18. Trying to find his murderer is what led to her career as a newspaper reporter. Ozzie also has quite a past, a mother who committed suicide when he was only 4, a father who turned to alcohol and became abusive, and who had a succession of women in and out of Ozzie's life, all of which led Ozzie to join the military as soon as he was of age. These are well-drawn characters, and the author is talented enough to make them come alive on the page. Additionally, there are moments that are truly funny, and some that are heartbreaking. All in all this was one heck of a fabulous read, and Julie Ann Walker has a new fan in this reviewer. I simply cannot wait to read her backlist.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this novel and received no compensation for doing so. The opinions expressed are my own.

I am new to this series and I was a little scared going in since there are many books to this series I have yet to read but overall I had no problems "getting there". I love the RS genre and while this isn't at the top of my list, it's definitely not at the bottom.

Wild Ride manages to be both thrilling and touching at the same time, with author Julie Ann Walker striking the perfect balance of suspense, sexiness, and honest emotion. Wild Ride certainly lives up to its name —and was definitely worth waiting for!

Wild Ride is the ninth book in the Black Knights Inc. series by Julie Ann Walker. I would not recommend coming into the series cold, since the character and larger story development helps readers start off with a good grasp on the characters, the dynamics, and where the book lies in the larger picture. I think the story here stands well on its own, but those that have at least a little prior knowledge will definitely enjoy the story more.

Ethan "Ozzie" Sykes is a former Navy SEAL and underground operator for Black Knights Inc., the covert government defense firm disguised as a custom motorcycle shop. In a black-on-black international mission that went seriously sideways, Ozzie was badly injured—now he's stuck at BKI headquarters in Chicago, champing at the bit to get out into the field again. He's tasked with distracting Chicago Tribune ace reporter Samantha Tate, who's been trying to dig up the dirt on BKI for years. Turns out Samantha's beauty, intelligence and sense of humor are a seriously big distraction, and Ozzie's losing his desire to keep her at bay. Ozzie's tired of hiding, and Samantha may be the best-and worst—person to share his secrets with.

Wild Ride is a story that starts with our couple already firmly in lust, and more than a little denial. I liked Samantha's determination and efforts to do the smart thing, even when her heart and body push her in the opposite direction. I also liked Ozzie's dedication to his team, and could empathize with how lost and useless he felt being out of the field. I think the emotional connection between the two and the growth they both undergo really made the book. However, readers that have not really followed the series will not fully understand the subtleties and references about Samantha's work to expose the BKI team, or the importance of the mission and teamwork that is key to the BKI family. While there was some danger and action, mixed in well with some BKI family moments, I felt almost like the coming together of our couple was too easy.

Wild Ride is a good edition to the series, although I think that it was a little too dependent on the previous books for the characters development and clues to the larger picture. I still enjoyed the read, but I think that that series dependence might put off readers that have not read all of the previous books.

I didn't know about this series but once I read the synopsis I knew I would like this one!I loved the slow burn and the story was captivating!

Ask me how much I love the men of BKI? Just ask...

A WHOLE DANG LOT!

Seriously, there hasn't been a dud in the bunch. Walker writes each man with complete ease, giving him his own set of secret intelligent skills and alpha personality. They all have a heart of gold but only one has a shed load of awesome t-shirts...enter Ozzie.

Ozzie has been one of my favorites for a long time. His witty comments, his amazing collection of t-shirts, and his ability to hack into anything and everything (this includes Sam's pants), made me fall for his loving character right off the bat. Especially after the tragic event a few books back with the bombing. And Sam, well she is just a spitfire trying to uncover the truth about BKI. I loved that Walker brought Ozzie and Sam together first as just acquaintances, catching up every once and a while, and secretly lusting after each other. Then she throws them together when Sam's career brings her into the line of danger. Ozzie isn't the kind of man who would let anyone mess with a woman, let alone a woman who he has his eye on so his goal is to keep Sam close until she is completely safe from the men after her.

Ozzie and Sam are an adorable couple and Walker has thrown them into a roller coaster of bullets, kidnappings, and mayhem; all while they try to work out their feelings for each other.

I would like to take a moment and state that there were two other characters that stood out in this book: Christian and Emily. Yes, yes, yes, I definitely need more of them...now! I have a feeling their story will be a saucy one.

I have been a fan of Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes since the very first book, Hell on Wheels, when he started belting out “Take it on the run baby.” wearing a Mr. Spock T-shirt that read 100% TREKKIE and playing the “air” drums. Yes, Ozzie was one of the characters that got me completely hooked on Black Nights Inc. and everything Julie Ann Walker. He’s a computer geek/warrior who is always happy, joking with his fellow teammates and just your overall great guy. But I always knew there was something more to him, something we didn’t really know and finally we get his story.

Samantha Tate is a reporter and she’s been poking around Black Nights Inc. trying to find out if they really are just a Motorcycle Shop. Samantha and Ozzie become friends. Yes, he’s making sure she doesn’t uncover anything she shouldn’t but he also genuinely likes her. We get front row seats to this dynamic duo’s adventure and their final fall into an HEA.

I can honestly say Wild Ride was my absolute favorite book in this series and that’s saying something because I was sure it would have been Doc’s book, Too Hard to Handle. I would highly recommend this entire series.

Thank you, Julie Ann Walker, for writing these stories, giving us these amazing characters to love and sharing your witty writing style. I very much look forward to the next book.

Ozzie and Sam are another couple of reasons Julie Ann Walker's Black Nights Series is a must read for readers! Cannot wait for the next installment of this series.

I am not sure what happened here and why I was not able to connect with this title. I love this series, and the author. But for some reason, this one just didn't work for me. I put it down and picked it back up a number of times, thinking I would like it "this" time. But never was able to connect.

I have chosen to DNF the title.

Thanks,
Laura

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
It has been a long wait for geeky hottie Ozzie's story. It took me a little while to warm up to the story because Samantha, our heroine, was not really doing it for me. But with a little patience on my part and Ozzie explaining to Samantha why Matt Smith is the best Doctor (which I'm not sure I agree with), I got sucked in.

Ozzie is very much the star of this story and for me it is all about him. I did end up liking Samantha simply because he did and how she felt about Ozzie. Ozzie is funny, clever, sexy, and courageous. Although his courage deserts him when it comes to asking Samantha for what he really wants. A serious relationship with her.

As always with the stories from Black Knights Inc, Wild Ride has plenty of action, drama, and heat. By the end, I was in tears and I was left happy.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is an intriguing story that will suck you in from page one and have you unable to put it down. I really enjoyed the characters, the mystery, and the sexiness!

Samantha Tate is a reporter that has had a hunch for years that the Black Knights are into more than just motorcycles. She’s just been unable to prove it… even after befriending Ozzie, one of the members. The Black Knights are actually a US government-funded black ops group, but it’s top secret and highly classified, so keeping their names and faces out of the press is a top priority. Ozzie’s job is to distract Samantha and keep her from getting any information that could be dangerous to the Black Knights’ members. Only the more time they spend together the more their attraction grows, and when Samantha stumbles upon some information about guns being run through another MC and winds up with a target on her back, Ozzie will do whatever it takes to protect her.

This book is filled with just the right amount of anguish, sarcasm, intrigue, and wittiness to make it a book you won’t want to put down, while at the same time ever end. I will have to say that as much as I loved Samantha and Ozzie, I’m completely obsessed with Christian and Emily. I cannot WAIT for their story – I kept wanting to speed read through parts in this book to get to the next glimpse of Christian and Emily! Really looking forward to the next book in this series… I hope it’s theirs!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the ninth book in the series, and they just keep delivering the goods! I would recommend that you read them in order, but if you are impatient to start this one, then that’s just fine.

The nosey reporter story is not new, but when the reporter is researching a super-secret, under the wire organisation, hiding behind a biker set up, things get a little more real than usual! Throw in Ozzie and nothing is quite as expected. He is healing and frustrated until his new mission becomes keeping Samantha in his sights. Admitting that she may be the one is not exactly his intention, but it is becoming harder to deny.

As always, there are layers and layers to the story, with mysteries and danger always just waiting to be resolved, and the plots work brilliantly as ever. Even if you can see one coming, it can take you by surprise the way it plays out. But as ever, the Black Knights ride to the rescue. Then add in the crew members that we see from previous books, the newbies who are joining the party, and suddenly hours of reading pleasure have been consumed.

Ms. Walker, please just keep writing about this wonderful group of people, they are reading gold.

I love all of Julie Ann Walker books. Great story line and wonderful characters. Just keep them coming

4.5 Stars

Wild Ride is the ninth book in the Black Knights Inc series. Although it can be read as a standalone, having read any of the previous book you will be aware of the large cast of characters.

I am a long time fan of the Black Knights Inc series, I love the blend of action, intrigue, suspense, humor and heat that Julie Ann Walker brings to her story lines.

Wild Ride features Ethan 'Ozzie' Skyes and Samantha Tate. Both these characters have been quite prevalent in the previous titles. Ozzie is a former SEAL, and a computer genius, with serious hacking and programming skills. He's an enigmatic and endearing character, sexy, off the charts intelligent, protective alpha, quite nerdy and geeky with a love of all things sci-fi. He's also flirtatious, charming and hot and a bit of a womanizer. Samantha is just as endearing a reporter, she's stubborn, intelligent, quick witted, sassy and tenacious when it comes to finding answers, truth and justice.

This pair are friends, that hide their mutual attraction behind guilt, secrets, self doubt and self recriminations. Due to the secretive nature of Ozzie's work with Black Knights Inc, he holds himself back, until Samantha's inquisitive nature finds her in trouble and he is determined to be her knight in shining armor.

I loved the sexual tension and hot chemistry, and the witty, fun and flirty banter that made for a highly engaging and entertaining story. A fun, flirty and at times poignant read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and recommend to anyone who is a fan of the series, or romantic suspense. I look forward to the next title in this series and cannot wait to see more of the Black Knights.

I love this series and Wild Ride lived up to the previous books. It can be read as a stand alone, but is more enjoyable as part of the series. Ozzy is an employee at a motorcycle repair shop. A shop who's employees were in previously employed as military special forces, or government agencies. A shop with many secrets. Samantha is a reporter who has been trying to uncover these secrets for years. They have an odd friendship that evolves when a story Samantha is working on becomes a deadly hazard. Can Ozzy keep her safe, help uncover the mystery of who is trying to kill her and keep the secrets of his closest friends. Its going to be a Wild Ride.

If you’ve read the entire Black Knights series like I have, you’ve been waiting patiently (or, in my case, very impatiently) for Ozzie’s story. Who wouldn’t love a hot, badass ex-Seal who also happens to be a Star Trek geek and a computer genius? As usual, Julie Ann Walker doesn’t disappoint.

I’m a sucker for a romance hero who appears fun and sarcastic and laid back until the heroine is in danger, and then he becomes a one-man army to save the woman he loves. Ozzie fits nicely into that category. I love that he’s not just the muscle of the story, too. His brain is just as dangerous as his fists, and that adds a lovely depth to his character that I very much enjoy.

Samantha is a decent heroine, too. She’s smart and quick-witted, and doesn’t suffer from too many bouts of annoying self-doubt. She knows who she is and what she wants, and she goes after it. Although, I will admit that there were two points in the story that I wanted to reach through my Kindle and smack her for straying too far from Ozzie’s side, even though she knew how dangerous it would be. But, I suppose if all heroines did the smart, responsible thing in every situation, the book would be pretty short and pretty boring, wouldn’t it? So, with that in mind, I’ll cut the author some slack on this one and not rake Samantha over too many coals for her decisions.

As usual, the steamy scenes were VERY steamy without being smutty (it’s totally classy steam, if you know what I mean). Secondary characters are super interesting and serve as more than just convenient plot devices to move the story and romance forward. In fact, I can’t wait to read Christian’s story. (*Saying “Excellent” in my best Mr. Burns voice*)

All in all, this is just what I expect from a Julie Ann Walker read: lots of action, sexual tension, and great characters. Highly recommend! (Note: this can be read as a standalone, but it works best if read as part of the series)

I think I am biased with this series. I love every one of the BKI members and I love what Ms. Walker did with this book. I've wanted to read Ozzie's book since I first read about him. I knew his story was going to be intense since he was so playful in other books.

There where many scenes were I had to grab for the Kleenex and that is what I loved most about this book. The Ozzie that we know and love was hidden away after his last field assignment and you could tell that even when he was joking around something was missing.

There was lots of chemistry between Ozzie and Samantha but I didn't love her character like I did the others heroines. I guess it has something to do with her thinking BKI were the bad guys. I missed the other guys but it gave the author the opportunity to show that even without their males the females of the series can kick ass and be strong when they need to.

I can't wait for the next book and what else is in store for the BKI team.