Who decides to kill an innocent kid? Bastards.

She's a thief, but her best friend worked for the CIA?

Shoot, forty stories? Hell, no!

I didn't read the first book, so I thought they were crazy for talking about Mary Grace.

If he says he's doing something "for the job" one more time...

Damn, that was sexy, Savage.

Gah, my twenty-dollar watch works just fine.

Is it wrong that this robbery sounds exciting?

Was that pick-up too easy, or what?

He has a moral code. Maybe not the best, and he does play around with it as a situation arises, but he does have one.

Not the time for humor, Gage. Shut it until they are off the freaking building.

Eww. People are weird.

I didn't understand a lot of the plan, but I'm glad it worked out.

Valencia is so cute.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I really like this second book in the Redemption Harbor series by Katie Reus. I have not read the first one and that didn't really cause a problem as far as the story but I definitely will since this book was so good and I really liked all of the characters involved.
The storyline was awesome as Katie's usually are. It drew me in and kept me interested from the beginning to see how things would turn out. I love reading about fake/undercover relationships turning real. It shows the vulnerability of the characters and how difficult it is to keep real feelings from growing especially when they have so much chemistry.
I love Zac Savage! He's clearly an alpha but with a super soft and sweet side too! And Olivia is simply awesome! She is a single mom to a deaf little girl Valencia, who is wise beyond her 6 years and who is clearly her world and she is such a strong badass woman with some pretty crazy skills. Put these two together and they are combustible! They are so hot together they sizzle when they touch!
Another winner for Katie Reus!

I loved the insta-chemistry between the couple. Also, I love how she saw right through Savage's gruff exterior to the caring man he really is. Can't wait for the next installment!

The second book in Katie Reus' Redemption Harbor series brings us a fast-paced romantic suspense centralising around former marine, Zac Savage and single mum with an aptitude for cracking safes, Olivia Carter.

"I may not be your first, but I want to be your last everything."

This couple are pretty quick off the mark in falling for one another and falling hard, yet at the same time take their time in crossing the line treating us to plenty of build-up. However considering Zac doesnt give his heart away easily, Olivia has her little girl to consider and they're in the thick of things having gone undercover when Olivia's past rears its head, it worked well and they were great together.

"I am an asshole sometimes. Maybe a lot of times. But not to you. Never to you."

Add in the fact that you have a man who is the epitome of a protector yet is reduced to a big softy in the presence of a very cute six year-old and a determined lady who can hold her own but isn't too proud to ask for help when she needs it, and this really does hit the spot of what I want in a romantic suspense. Can't wait to discover what Katie has planned for the rest of the guys.

"You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, Whatever happens, I want you to know that."

This series can be read as a stand alone but honestly you will enjoy the characters and story more if you read the first book in the series.
If you have read the author Kaite Rues this book is what you have come to expect from her series. Bad guys, blackmail, insta love, with boot kicking face punching fast pace story.
I would love to say this book surprised me but in all honestly it is very much like all of her books. The characters feel they do not deserve love find the one women they become obsessed over and have to have and bam a few killing later White Picket fence.
Nothing stood out but it wasn't a terrible book either. Her writing style is very easy to read while doing other things or having a night quite afternoon.

Readers of Katie Rues will love this next book in the series and new readers will enjoy it but as for this reader it just didn't sing. I was hoping for a different recipe from Katie Rues with this series but instead it is the same type of story. I have read from Katie Rues many times over.

Whilst I’d enjoyed, but not been blown away by, Katie Reus’ first instalment of the Redemption Harbour RS series (RESURRECTION), I was much more emotionally engaged in the second outing, SAVAGE RISING. Even if the plot was as unoriginal (but equally solid) as in RESURRECTION--former-thief-turned-security-consultant forced back into her life of crime by an unscrupulous former associate to rescue someone she loves-- there was just something about Zac Savage and Olivia Carter (and, of course, her scene-stealing daughter, Valencia) that made SAVAGE RISING click with me in a way RESURRECTION never quite did. Zac and Olivia are both flawed, raw, and real, and that makes their blossoming romance one readers can get emotionally invested in and genuinely root for. Despite how irreparably broken Zac thinks he is, I seriously want to take him home to meet my parents! Wrap it all in Ms. Reus’ fast-paced, action-packed writing filled with scorching sexytimes, and SAVAGE RISING makes for a great way to pass a few hours. Definitely looking for more from the Redemption Harbour crew!

**ARC received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Title: Savage Rising
Series:  Redemption Harbor Book #2
Author:  Katie Reus
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Blurb:  He's a former Marine, her new fake boyfriend, and the only way to escape her dangerous past.

Having a child changed everything for Olivia—she vowed to keep her little girl safe from the mistakes of her past. But when the most dangerous person she ever met blackmails her into doing one last heist, the world she’s so carefully built goes into a tailspin. Frantic, she heads to Redemption Harbor in search of help. Sparks fly when she meets Savage, a man who will do anything to keep Olivia and her daughter safe. He’ll help her get her life back, but can he handle seeing who she once was?

Can they pull it off?

Savage poses as her obsessive ex during a daring undercover operation—and soon the line between reality and their cover story becomes blurred. He’ll use every trick he knows to keep the sensual woman alive and out of jail—and in his life. But the clock is ticking and if they can’t find a way to trust each other, no one will make it out alive.
Favorite quotes: “I’m not asking for anything. Except maybe an orgasm – or three.”
“I want anything and everything you have to offer. You don’t have to believe me. I’m going to show you that I’m not just another a%#hole.” He paused. “Okay, I am an a%#hole sometimes. Maybe a lot of times. But not to you. Never to you.”
“Um, no. I will be the fun, cool aunt. But this,” she said, motioning to her middle area, “will remain baby free.”
Thoughts: Make no mistake – this is Katie Reus at her best! I’ll even go so far as to say this is my absolute favorite book by her – and I have read almost all of her books. While this one is part of a series, it will also stand by itself without having read book one, although we do run across many familiar characters introduced in the previous book. Characters that I have already become fond of and who just work their way a little further into your heart – with one of them being our romantic lead, Zac Savage. As readers, we are also newly introduced to Olivia Carter and her daughter, Valencia. Zac quickly wins your heart in this one (if he hasn’t already) and for me he has become one of my favorite male leads. You also can’t help falling in love with Olivia and her daughter.
This book hits you with a lot of emotion – starting with Valencia, who is an absolute doll. This little girl quickly wins her way into hearts of everyone (readers included!). Valencia is deaf and is starting to realize that she is different than other children her age. Olivia, of course, is the protective ‘mama bear’ to her daughter, but how can you not fall in love with a guy who immediately crouches down to her level and signs to her in American Sign language? Who asks if she would rather he sign or speak to her verbally so she can read his lips? All of which just make Zac the perfect sexy hero. The emotion just builds from there! Our hero and heroine have so much chemistry between them it practically explodes from the pages! And the romance? This is one of those where the hero makes your heart physically skip a beat and wrench at your heartstrings. Suspense-wise? This wasn’t just your rate of the mill, so-predictable-it’s-boring titles. If you are familiar with the television series The Heist, it has that type of feel to it with thieves working together to pull off a job, with the added complication of Olivia being forced into the role of one of the thieves. And – if you’re a fan of Reus already – you know she serves up an outstanding romantic suspense novel.
This one will definitely be on my end-of-the-year list of favorite titles!
Rate:  A++

Loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series!!!

Zac does not mess around, "he smashed his fist into Kyle’s pretty face once—hard. “That’s for hurting what’s mine.” A soft, deadly growl of words." I loved when Zac teased, "he grinned. “I like the sound of grown-up time. And now you need to prepare for the show of your life.” Her cheeks flushed in that way that pushed him over the edge, making him smile even bigger. “Not that kind of show, pervert.” I enjoyed this book, I fell in love with Zac.

‘Savage Rising’ is as I expected: a thumping ride of blackmail, fast love and mowing down just a few more baddies in the fictional world along the way. But it’s also what I’ve come to expect of Katie Reus’s writing. Like many of the RS books, Reus’s recipe of suspense honed over many books is dramatic action written with gusto—the punches and kicks go flying and the guns are whipped out with alarming frequency—as characters often ill-suited to each other fall inexplicably hard, then rush to get their white picket fence set up by the end of the story.

Olivia’s and Zac’s stories take a while to come together (the first two seemingly unrelated chapters sort of confused me) and while we already know who Zac Savage is, Olivia’s introduction is slower to come, but unfolds in such a way that there isn’t any doubt she’s more than just a single-mother trying to keep her daughter safe. Brought together by an undercover situation where both of them play lovers, the making of this pairing isn’t an unpredictable one but nonetheless an entertaining ride. Strangely though, perhaps the most tantalising of these books are the parts where Reus gives us glimpses of future pairings—these alone are appetite-whetting and obvious hooks that I’m shamelessly going to say that I’ve bitten into.

That said, it was fun watching Olivia and Zac work together and knowing that they have that kind of chemistry definitely pushes up the steam factor when they finally fall into bed as well. Both Olivia and Zac are generally likeable, believable characters and the latter certainly takes the cake in hulkish badassery minus the green skin. I just had a little more difficulty with the instant love part of it, sceptically wondering during the epilogue if that quickness had more to do with forced intimacy in a high-stress situation that was adrenaline induced. Clearly, it’s a balance that’s not easy to get right (and I’m obviously picky about this), though that isn’t going to stop me from wanting more of a series that shows such promise.

I loved book one of this series, and this one did not disappoint me.
Once again, we go back to Redemption Harbor and the Redemption Harbor Consulting company. An agency made up of lifelong friends that are as close as a family can be, and whose goal is to help those in need. Not always “coloring inside the lines”.
This story gives us Zac Savage, and Olivia Carter. These two have a past they are not proud of, but have been able to overcome .
Savage has recently joined his friends’ company. He is called upon to help Olivia and her daughter Valencia. Olivia is a college friend of Skye’s , who considers her a sister. Skye is a character in book 1.
Without giving away the plot , suffice is to say that it’s a story filled with non-stop intrigue, bad guys, ex-boyfriend, double crossing , and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
And let’s not forget, a strong attraction between Olivia and Zac. So great that both wish what they never thought would be possible to have in their lives, love and a future with someone special.
Not only did the author deliver us a complex, and well developed plot, but she also gives us strong main and secondary characters. I love the fact that the females are dynamic.
Can’t wait to see who will be the next character in this group of friends who will find his/her “redemption”.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

A high speed train that will not stop or slow down for anyone or anything - that is what this story read like and it was fantastic. There was so much non-stop action, frantic moments, and tense situations you had no idea where it would let you off. Zac and Olivia were explosive together and I loved being along for the ride.

Such a fan! This is a fantastic book and series with great characters who each have a special skill set, and I love that the women each are just as awesome in their own way.

This is Skye's friend, Olivia, and her daughter, Valencia's, story. Valencia is deaf and after making some bad choices when she was younger Olivia has decided and tried to make sure none of those affect her daughter's life. When one comes back to do just that she immediately leaves for Redemption Harbor and Skye.

Their she meets a new guy who just happens to be her new partner, Zac. Let's just say first impressions aren't stellar for either one of them and things go from bad to worse for a bit.

Zac was a Force Recon Marine and after worked for the CIA but now he works for the consulting company. He's not a fan of himself and isn't a fan of Olivia for a bit of time until she straightens his way of thinking out about why she's in this mess. But when he sees her, let's just say that the part he's supposed to be playing is not going to be acting.

He promises himself that no matter what she will be safe!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katie Reus is one of the queen's of romantic suspense and this book just shows us why yet again! This is the second book in her new series Redemption Harbor. The first book was great and this one is just as good! This one is about Olivia Carter and Zac Savage. Olivia is friends with Skye from book 1. They have been friends since college, although Skye has never known about some things that Olivia did after college. She made mistakes but left that life behind to make a better one for her daughter. Or so she thought. Now she needs help, and the only person she can think of that may be able to help her is Skye. Skye comes up with a plan that she hopes will handle the problem once and for all. Enter Zac. Zac is one of Colt's (Skye's husband) friends. He has done some things himself that he isn't proud of but he knew needed to be done. Now he is being asked to fake a relationship with Olivia to help her get out of a mess not of her making. And from the beginning there is an attraction there that neither is sure they should cross. But they need to be able to work together to make sure Olivia and her daughter can go back to their lives, and not be stuck in a past that was supposed to be long forgotten.

I absolutely loved these characters, Olivia has just enough snark to handle Zac and his attitude. She will (and does) do anything for the people she loves, including something she thought she would never have to do again. Zac has his own issues from his childhood and has let it color his life as an adult. But after spending time with Olivia and truly getting to know her, he realizes that not everyone is like his own parents. They compliment each other in every respect and it was perfect. There is action and adventure along with some twists that I sure didn't see coming! Another great book by a great author to add to your collection!

Savage Rising… We got a glimpse in what’s to come in the back of Resurrecting Hope and I was so excited for this book. It sounded great and since Katie Reus is my queen of action filled books I couldn’t wait. I wasn’t disappointed.
Savage Rising is so much more than I have expected. So much more than what I know from Katie. It was intriguing, complicated, action filled, angsty, laughable and oh so sweet. I loved it. I love how talented Katie is with her words. In a few short sentences she manages to capture the antagonist or the bad guys so that you really hate them, even though there isn’t much to hate. She captures character traits and actions in a way that makes it seem as if you are directly next to the action, maybe even inside the operation, trying to get that damn safe open!
The characters were greatly portrayed, I loved meeting the old characters from the first book and get more of them and I fell in love with Olivia and Zac. I mean, how could you not? Exceptionally talented and sassy woman meets growly alpha male. That's the recipe for a great book!
I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read more of the Redemption Harbor series.

Just wow! Savage Rising has a lot of suspense packed into it, and the romance wasn't too bad either. I'm jealous of Olivia though, Savage is one hot man.

OMG!!! This book is so good. Action. Sex. Bad guys. A phenomenal story. Great characters. I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down.

Olivia is a former thief and now works for a company who checks out other companies security. She has a six year old little girl who is deaf and the sweetest thing ever. When someone from her past comes and threatens and blackmails her, she goes to her best friend Skye. Zac is ex military and has done some stealing himself. He and his buddies own a business called Redemption Harbor Consulting. Zac had a rough childhood and doesn't believe anything good should be his. Olivia doesn't plan on doing the job until she finds out Kyle, her former associate, has her neighbor, the woman is more mother than her own mother was.

The team comes up with a plan where Zac and Olivia are a couple and go to meet Kyle. Some of the rest go as backup and it gets more dangerous than any could have known. As Zac's feelings start to develop, he messes up and could lose the only woman he has ever loved. But they have to capture the bad guys and get Olivia out of the mess she finds herself in.

* Voluntarily reviewed for Netgalley *