My first thought when I hit the end of Savage Rising was “Yeah, I’m gonna be giving this one 5 stars”. I loved it from start to finish. I never even put it down once I started it. It was packed full of suspense, intrigue, and oodles of chemistry. It has a sexy Ocean’s 11 vibe to it, except without the anti-heroes, just a group of good guys trying to protect their friend.

Olivia had made some huge mistakes early on in her adult life, mistakes she regretted. Once she found out she was pregnant she turned her back on that life, determined to never let her daughter be touched by the taint of what she used to do… crack safes. Too bad her past showed up at her door one night demanding she help with a heist or else her daughter would pay.

Luckily for her, Skye, the heroine of the first book in the series, Resurrection, is her best friend. If you’ve read this (which is totally unnecessary although highly recommended) you know that Skye is one hell of a good person to know when you’re being blackmailed into committing a felony. Skye, Colt, and their co-workers are all badasses with skills and backgrounds in the CIA and/or Special Forces. Knowing Skye was a lot more than she seemed, Olivia made her way to Resurrection Harbor as fast as she possibly could.

I really liked Olivia despite her less than stellar background. She had done a complete turnaround from what she used to be. She even worked for a company specializing in testing out security to show where places were most vulnerable. She was resilient, strong, and she was an amazing mother to a sweet and adorable daughter. I do wish we were given a more in-depth explanation of what it was about Olivia’s upbringing that drove her to rebel so horribly.

Zac Savage is part of the Redemption Harbor family. Skye pulls him into pose undercover as Olivia’s alpha-hole of an overprotective ex. Goodness did he play that part well! It soon became apparent that the chemistry wasn’t being faked AT ALL seeing as he wanted her something fierce.

Neely was the perfect bad guy for Savage Rising. I loved to hate him seeing as he wasn’t an OTT caricature of evilness, he was just a straight up greedy crook with no conscience to get in the way of executing his heists. He was smart, organized, and had a million fail safes set in place to keep him from getting caught making him one tough opponent.

There were twists and turns, some you could see coming a mile away but also a surprise or two that kept things interesting. This was fun, sexy, and full of action and suspense and it kept me reading until the wee hours. I’ll be excited to see what’s next for the Redemption Harbor crew.

Rating: 5 Loved It From Start To Finish Stars

Although a bit slow to start, this is still a highly enjoyable read. It had insta-love, action, suspense, heat and an adorable happy ending. And its Katie Reus so of course there's a crazy amount of heat too :)

In the newest edition to the Redemption Harbor series, we meet Olivia and her daughter, Valencia, who showed up last minute in book one with danger trailing in their wake.

In her younger years, Olivia used her privileged upbringing and education to stage some heists and cons with her then, boyfriend Heath. But when Valencia came into her life, Olivia put all that behind her and vowed to be the best mother to her baby, that she could be. Now, six years later, an old acquaintance offers her a job Olivia has no intention of taking.

When her daughter's life is threatened, Olivia runs to Skye, her old college friend, knowing Skye can help or get her in contact with those who can. Lucky for her, Skye doesn't only help but she has the means to bury her past and get her out of this pickle she's in, once and for all.

Posing undercover to flush the baddies out, Olivia is teamed up with Zac Savage. A man with his own dark past and a surprising capacity to love the right woman.

Zac and Olivia were a great couple, the unique dynamic from Olivia's daughter, Valencia, was eye opening and endearing. I loved seeing the rest of the crew but I admit, Skye and Colt are still my favorite couple. Maybe because the emotional intensity was so much more pronounced? idk but I still love this series so far and I'm dying to know what's up with Gage and the new girl and Brooks and his mystery lady.

Savage Rising is book two in the Redemption Harbor series and can be read as a standalone. The story is fast-paced and action-packed and the characters are intense and interesting. Zac Savage and Olivia Carter have incredible chemistry and Savage is seriously hot. I love this series!

* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think I have read everything Katie Reus has written in the RS genre and I love her as a storyteller. This new Redemption series is wonderful. Reading this book felt like watching a movie as I felt that the characters were fully formed and the HEA progressed naturally. I love that she included the h, Olivia’s daughter, as being deaf with cochlear implants and wearing sound processors. For some reason it made the book all the more relatable. And Savage was a great H, broody and a loner until he gets involved with Olivia. This is definitely a standalone as all of Ms. Reus’s books are but I was a little lost in the beginning until I went back to the first book to catch up. This book seems to straddle the end of the first book but it certainly didn't detract. This book was a 5 star for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

UPDATED WITH MORE LINKS 9/26/17
3.5 to 4 stars
Olivia Carter and her daughter have come to Redemption Harbor in need of help. Her past is coming back to haunt her and those she cares about are in danger. Fortunately her friend, Skye is part of a security agency there and can provide assistance. Olivia has made mistakes in the past but has already had repercussions from them, and just wants to be a good mother and provide them with a safe life.

Zac Savage is former Marine and CIA contractor who is now working with his friends at the new agency. He is brawny, sexy, bossy, and closed off. He has always felt somewhat isolated and undeserving. He never planned on being interested in anyone for more than a one-night-stand. But something about Olivia compels him. He finds he is not only playing the undercover part of her fake boyfriend obsessed with her, but is becoming a bit obsessed with her himself.

They are in the midst of an ever-changing undercover op with twists and surprises. Olivia and Zac are forced to follow along with the demands of a dangerous man while the team needs to find a way to keep them and those she cares about safe, and stop any blow back on them all. It is full of danger, suspense, surprises, sexual tension, and action.

Zac is raw and real. He puts on a facade of being the unaffected tough guy, but it is not long until his softer side shows. He does not want to fall, but seems powerless not to. He is protective, caring, and possessive. Olivia has to make sure her daughter is safe and getting attached to a deadly man who is not interested in relationships surely does not seem like a good plan. But that will not stop the lust, longing, and chemistry. I will admit, it was a bit insta-lovey. I would have liked a bit more of the romantic development. But it was a fast-paced, romantic suspense story with likable characters that had complex back stories.

This brings back the team we met in Resurrection: Colt, Skye, Brooks, Mercer, Mary Grace, Gage, and Leighton. I enjoy getting multiple points of view. They are friends and pseudo-family with their own special skill sets that make them a formidable team. And they are determined that Olivia and her daughter will have their full protection. A couple of other story teases were laid out for two of the other guys, so I am interested to see who will be next...Gage or Brooks.

Other links to follow and will be posted below from blog and social media on release day.

Katie Reus' second install of the Redemption Harbor series, Savage Rising, is chocked full of suspense, action and all the feels. Reus is a master at creating beautifully flawed characters you can't help but fall in love with.

Olivia made some very poor decisions in her past. She understands that, and has spent the last 6 years moving forward from then my focusing on Valencia, her daughter and the best thing that's happened in her life. She walked away from the life and hasn't looked back. Her ex-husband is out of the picture and she has an amazing fulfilling life. So when the past comes knocking, and then literally knocks her around, she seeks the help of her friend to make sure her daughter is safe.

Enter the Redemption Harbor Consulting. Skye, doing what she does best, works on the fly to start the op to rescue Olivia's friend and nanny, Martina, and bring down the bad guy so Olivia can walk away clean. Skye's plan includes Zac Savage.

Savage isn't a good guy, and he certainly doesn't deserve a real relationship. Especially with someone as loving and dedicated as Olivia. She's brave, strong and talented, what does she need with a sometimes cleaner?

Reus' story moves like a freight train and the action is non-stop. Reus has an amazing sense of timing and knows when to slow it down, and when to keep the reader at the edge of their seat. I love how developed her Redemption Harbor world is and all of the characters she's created. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Soldiers. Protectors. Redemption. Resurrection. Rising.

Welcome to Redemption Harbor! Katie Reus’s brand new series, with a new set of alpha soldiers serving their country and fighting for their loved ones, unconditionally and unequivocally.

The series started off with a blasé in the first book, “Resurrection”. The saga of the brave continues with “Savage Rising”, literally as Zac Savage is tasked with the job of protecting Olivia Carter and her daughter.

Olivia Carter has made a new life with her daughter as a successful business-owner, far away from a life that was hosting heists and bordered on death. She may have left her past behind, but the past refuses to leave her alone, as the one person she fears comes back for her and her skills to run a job, sending her to Redemption Harbor to her close and bad-ass friends Skye and Colt.

Running a covet business with his friends to save lives and protect the innocent, Zac Savage is instantly drawn to Olivia and her daughter, as he’s roped in to go undercover as Olivia’s possessive boyfriend, a job that is becoming more of a reality than an undercover operation.

As they try to outwit the threat that dogs their lives, it becomes even harder for them to outwit the attraction that flares between them. And Savage will rise to lay down his life for the woman who has become his life. With a captivating story, Katie Reus once again takes the readers on an adrenaline ride of heist, bullets, betrayal and friendships…. and add in a bit of humor and “Savage Rising” is a stunning read!

Received an ARC from KR Press LLC, via NetGalley for an honest review.

Savage Rising (Redemption Harbor, #2) by Katie Reus is a thrilling romantic suspense that can be read as a stand alone. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love how the author writes the action from the word go! Savage Rising has a lethal level of heat and suspense. Brilliant main characters with skills and chemistry that play off of one another well. This is a great addition with all of the fundamentals that enhance a romantic suspense. A copy of this book was graciously provided by netgalley. If you enjoy any of this author's Red Stone Security Series, you'll love this one!

Katie Reus is the Queen of romantic Suspense! She does such a good job of filling a story so full of exciting action and suspense without sacrificing the romance of the main couple. Even having a Hero who starts out in denial about his feelings for the heroine shows more romance than you can find in some books.

I love KR's Alphas. They have the protective caveman gene down pat and I love every single one she creates. Her heroines are not those silly "yes please" little girls. Her heroines are woman who know their own strength and use it. Savage and Olivia isn't disappoint. Add in an adorable little girl to the mix allowing us to see what savage will be like as a father and this book scored!

I don't think I could say enough about this new series. I really love that we have a group of people that are part of every book. We get to see the couple from book one and all the potential Hero's who will be in the coming books in the series. I can't wait for book 3! ARC provided by NetGalley.

4.5 stars

He’s a former Marine, her new fake boyfriend, and the only way to escape her dangerous past...

Savage Rising is such a good read.
The storyline was entertaining, the drama excellently done and characters that you can't help but fall in love with.
I love how Katie Reus captures your mind and heart with her words. Every page has something that keeps you turning the pages, you can't stop yourself from wanting to know what will happen next.

The Redemption Harbor series is a must read. Excellent writing, entertaining storylines and characters you can't get enough of.
Each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them.

*Get your copy here*
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*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

A totally intense read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Zac was an excellent example of a protective alpha Hero once he got his head screwed on straight and Olivia was strong and just the epitome of a great mother.

I loved reading this story, this series is already becoming one of my favourites. So well written and I just can't get enough of the action packed storylines! 5 Intense stars from me for this one!

Savage Rising was a good read. That although didn't have much action. Still had a storyline that really sucked me in and I did enjoy what little action there was. Plus there was suspense for the most part and that certainly made it enjoyable too.
As did the characters who are all really great and likable. And they certainly left me excited for future books. Especially in the case of Brooks and Gage.
However I did find the romance between Zac and Olivia a little hit and miss. As it started off great, with their first interaction providing plenty of sparks. But then it didn't really translate as the story progressed, and I didn't necessarily find Zacs declaration of love very believable. Especially at that point in the story.
That being said though it was still really enjoyable to read and I would happily recommend Savage Rising to others. Especially to anyone who read and enjoyed the first book in the Redemption Harbour Series.

Wow! Just wow! This book was one high octane read! It starts off fast and furious and it doesn’t slow down.

Olivia is being threatened and manipulated into doing a job that could land her in jail and losing her daughter. In an attempt at safety she flees to Redemption to seek the help of her best friend. She finds assistance there and along with it Zac Savage. Together they enter into a world of high tech extractions and acquisitions. In other words, they’re going to make a heist.

I loved Olivia. Her sole purpose in life is to protect and nurture her daughter. She’s made some poor decisions in her past but she’s put them behind her and dedicates herself to raising her child. Zac is another of this author’s incredible alpha heroes. From the moment he meets Olivia, after she gives him what for regarding an idiotic remark he made, he goes into protective mode.

This book was a great read filled with so much intensity and suspense that I don’t have a fingernail left! No one does drama, suspense and hot romance like Katie Reus and I’m loving everything about this series!

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley

Dual POV
Safe – some OM drama with h’s ex but he doesn’t come between this couple
No apparent triggers
Epilogue – just a few months into the future but it was satisfying

I loved this story! Zac and Olivia are so good together. The mix of suspense, drama and sweetness is perfect and keeps you reading as fast as you can.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

4.5 Stars Savage Rising is the second book in the Redemption Harbor series bringing us another fast paced romantic suspense. The interaction between Savage and Olivia is dynamic and the storyline engaging, this is definitely one I will be recommending to readers.

Wow, this book kept me on my toes - and glued to my reader - from the first page on! I loved the first book in this series "Redemption Harbor" and knew that I'd have to read the other books in this series as well. Aaand - "Savage Rising" didn't disappoint, not at all! I was hooked the moment I started reading it.

When Olivia's ex threatens her daughter in order to get her cooperation for a crime, she turns to her friend Skye and her husband for protection. Enters Zac Savage, the guy who will pose as her rather obsessed and protective boyfriend when they gon in to do the job - and hopefully catch the guy while they are at it.
The moment Olivia and Zac meet, sparks start to fly and you can feel their chemistry. Nevertheless, both of them have issues of their own and trust doesn't come easily. Throw in Olivia's daughter Valencia and the fact that Savage and Olivia are on a rather dangerous mission, yup, things aren't exactly simple and it might take them some time to sort it out. Well, I might also add that they'll have to survive their mission first...

I loved the interaction between the characters and I loved how everybody in this tight-knit group of friends has started to learn ASL to be able to communicate with Valencia. Valencia is sweet and cute and you have no problem to realize exactly why everybody adores her. Olivia is pretty bad-ass - and is there anything better than a heroine with a strong personality? Yup, a strong female character with an equally strong and amazing male counterpart - like Savage.

Amazing characters in a gripping story that makes me want MORE! I can't wait for the story in this series to come out!

Savage Rising (Redemption Harbor #2) I am loving this series by Katie Reus.... This is Olivia and Savage's (Zac) story.. She is a single mother and a strong h ... he is his name Savage a H with a soft center he doesn't even know he has. It is great revisiting all the other Redemption Harbor friends and adding some new ones. Valencia, Martina (will she have a story with Douglas?) What about Gage and Nova "the voice"? Brooks and Darcy? I just can't wait to see who has the next story. I couldn't put this book down.

Just look at that cover, folks. Doesn’t it just seem to scream, “Hold it right there, and read this book!” OK, maybe not. Likely more like, “Stick ‘em up. Hands where I can see ‘em!” Well, you might want to consider having those hands holding a copy of this new release by Katie Reus. Though not nearly as heart pounding as book 1, Resurrection, because really how you can you ever top coming back from the dead, as usual Ms. Reus does gives us a likeable main couple you will want to see get their HEA.

Olivia was a former Mission Impossible type criminal who has turned her life around thanks to motherhood six years ago. Unfortunately, she was so good at what she did the bad guys don’t want her to retire. Her nemesis comes charging back into her life bringing memories and baggage she had hoped to forget, including her deceitful, waste of perfectly good air ex-husband. She’s forced to step back into a role she now detests in order to save someone she loves.

Zac Savage is brought in to help her get out of this complicated mess. What he didn’t count on was this master thief and her little girl stealing his heart in the process.

With their posse of friends, who have sets of skills and technology to back them up, this main couple play the player and not surprisingly outwit the evil villians. It is done in such a strategical, precise, well executed manner even Liam Neeson would surely pat them all on the back and say, “Well done, my friends, well done indeed.”

Since action and drama take center stage, there isn’t a whole lot of alone time for steamy moments, but a few very graphic ones are definitely worked in that will get your blood pressure rising. But nothing compared to Zac Savage rising to the occasion to put a stop to any and all threats that threaten Olivia and her young deaf daughter.

Title: Savage Rising, Series: Redemption Harbor (Book 2), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 250, stand-alone but part of a series, no cheating, no OW/OM drama, no love triangle, romance safe, former one night stand only hero who comes to his senses, some violence, a few very graphic steamy scenes, ex-husband cameos, scene where heroine is beaten.

Book 1 - Resurrection (Skye & Colt), Pages: 250, 7/11/17
Book 2 - Savage Rising (Olivia & Savage), Pages: 250, 9/26/17
Book 3 - To be announced

(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

SAVAGE RISING. by Katie Reus. Book 2 in Redemption Harbor series
A guy from here past, and he won't take no, send Olivia and daughter back to Redemption Harbor. Their is only one person who can help its Savage. The tension is tight, for what needs to be done to keep them safe. Oh the other hand the tension has sparks flying for the love between them. Kathie has once again written a great story, that won't disappoint her readers. Once started you are held to the story till the end. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Young and dumb Olivia had a knack for getting into trouble, leading her to the life of running heists and cracking any safe that was put in front of her. But once Olivia learned she was pregnant her every view on life changed and she immediately left the business. 6 years later a late-night visitor leaves her no other choice then returning to the criminal life she left behind. In order to keep her daughter safe Olivia teams up with her friends at Redemption Harbor to take down the men she once worked alongside.

Zac Savage never thought the relationship life was for him. Losing all his family at an early age he dedicated his life to the Marines and the family he chose for himself with Redemption Harbor. When he’s called in by the team to go undercover as a fake boyfriend to an ex thief single mom he never thought the he’d end up not faking a single thing where Olivia is concerned.

I read a lot of books so it tends to take a lot for me to be surprised by a storyline and this one… TOTALLY BLEW ME AWAY!!! The industry is full of ex-military turned private contractor/ security types or a criminal turned good because of the right women. But to have a story of a girl who grew up with money and an education, a woman who literally had no reason to turn to this way of life besides the fact that it was fun and exciting and she was young and dumb was so unique in and of itself. The secondary characters also put this book at a level that many other books don’t even come close too. You get completely consumed and engrossed in every character you come across. Prior to this I had never read anything by Katie Reus but I can promise you I will be one clicking away after this.

The only two complaints I’d have to say about the story (and they were super tiny) was A) I would have liked to have seen more of Savage and Olivia together. What we had was amazing and the chemistry was clear from the beginning but so much of the story was the heist in action that we miss getting a little bit more of Savage and Olivia one on one. B) I would have liked a little more character details sooner in the book. Things like their looks and details of Olivia’s daughter’s hearing issues. It would have just made the story a little better when understanding and imaging the characters for yourself.