4.5 Stars. Ace of Spades is the 3rd book in the Aces & Eights series and although it can be read as a stand alone I think you'd get more out of it if you've read the first two. This is the oldest brother Nate's book and I have to admit out of all the characters Nate has always been my favorite and I have been looking forward to his book. I wasn't disappointed.

Nate was the brother who tried to protect his siblings and basically raised them. He has a lot of emotional scars and some physical ones as well from his childhood. Nate has always been the stoic older brother who hides his emotions but underneath that he feels very deeply. Taylor was the perfect heroine for him. I loved that they were best friends prior to the romantic relationship and that Taylor was also very smart and tough. She understood Nate, his job and his past as Taylor also had demons from her childhood. I thought these two were perfect together and enjoyed the spark, the humor, the intimacy and sex and even the challenges they faced to make things work out.

The suspense was also well done and added to the book. This was my favorite suspense plot of the series so far and I thought it was very well written. The pace moved at a good clip and there was just enough action to keep it interesting. It was also nice to see the previous couples from the earlier books.

I think Nate will always be my favorite character from this series but it looks like we get at least one more book in the series and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Finally Nate, the oldest Gentry brother, gets his own story. He has pretty much been in love with his FBI partner, Taylor, for a while though he would never admit it to himself or anyone else. His brothers have met their mates, but Nate had committed to himself to never put himself in the position to risk turning into the type of abuser his father was. Taylor knows he cares about her but knows it's not as much as she cares about him. She wants more but worries about the implications as far as work. All that falls to the backburner when a serial killer seems to be targeting women who look like Taylor. Nate knows she can take care of herself, but he plans to make sure she doesn't have to. Taylor loves the extra attention from Nate, but she doesn't like feeling like she is being handled or coddled. While she is happy he cares, she plans to fight her own battles and take down the killer herself.

I enjoyed catching back up with Alex and Court and their wives then seeing Nate finally learn how to be happy and trust himself. It was a great story with plenty of sexy moments.

Net Galley provided an ARC.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Thriller, Romance
Triggers: Murder, Stalking

Nathan and Taylor have been dancing around each other for a while now. I like that Taylor is a take-no-prisoners type woman. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to tease to get it.

With a killer on the loose, Nathan and his brothers are trying to find a clue as to who and why. Taylor is hot on the trail mainly because she looks exactly like the killer's victims. This is a fast-paced thriller where you want to get to the end, but at the same time, don't want the story to end.

Taylor and Nathan dance around each other for the majority of the story, with a few interludes where they break their friendship bond and fall in to each other's arms.

The little girls in this story were sweet, it gave Nathan a more human quality rather than just the rough and tumble agent who is always in control.

The backstory to the brothers also takes a turn and while you expect some kind of twist, I liked this one a lot.

I cannot wait for the next book.

Review: ACE OF SPADES (Aces & Eights Book 3) by Sandra Owens https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aBp
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

Wow! I loved this installment in the series. I knew Nate would have an action packed and emotional run for his HEA, and I was right. Taylor was as strong as he was, and up to the task of pulling him out from the past. A sexy romance between two strong people, wound up in with pulse-pumping danger; does it get any better? I couldn’t put it down even to cook supper. The best part is that I thought it was the last in the series, only to realize that there will be another. Now I just have to find patience until it comes out.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nate and Taylor work together at the FBI. Nate's history is one where he never wants to marry or date. Taylor has a past too. Together they can help each other. Taylor is tough as nails but don't let her exterior fool you.
With a little help from his brothers these two may just have that chance.
I love how the brothers stick together and support each other.


** i received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I think this was the best of the series. I liked Taylor from the other stories and it was great to hear her story. She was tough, but she seemed to fold up when it came to Nate. Nate the complete control freak was at his best. He can be annoying but his story tells you why. The brothers came to play in this one. It was a nice way to tie in the first two books.

The case they worked was dark and the evil guy was way evil. Creepy! Good story, but it doesn’t seem like it is the end the way the author left it. Seems like there will be another story for the brothers!

Good read! Enjoy.

Received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

Ace of Spades (Aces & Eights #3) is Nate’s story by Sandra Owens. Not surprising that the oldest and most protective brother doesn’t get his HEA until his younger brothers are happily settled down. I have seen that same thing happen in life. No one to shelter the oldest from their harsh environment, Nate has some baggage from that time. Again I find this to be genuine, as well as his hero complex. And he is definitely a hero to be reckon with in this story.

Ms. Owens writes a suspenseful, romantic story that has its tender moments along with the dangerous ones. Nate is not quite as immune to love as he thought that he was with Taylor Collins. I love it when that hits him squarely in the eyes. This is a friendship to love story, one of my favorite, which is marvelous from beginning to end.

I like the friends to lovers trope for the most part and I liked that Nate isn’t portrayed as a player or serial dater. He’s just never let himself get attached to any one person. With Taylor he instantly feels the connection but because he feels like he’ll eventually follow in his parents footsteps, he stays away.

I also really liked Taylor, she wasn’t miserable or wasting away mooning over the H. She was opinionated and outspoken and just a nice change from the wilted h’s that become way too angsty when the guy doesn’t return their feelings.

I liked the ongoing investigation and the suspense it added to the story. The family ties on both sides, Nate’s brothers and their women and Taylor’s unconventional family was also a really nice touch.

What I didn't like:
The tone of the story sometimes veered towards the monotonous and feel really bland. And other times the story would get dragged down by too much inner dialogue and not enough action on the part of the MCs.

Would I recommend? This is part of a series and I think it would help fill in some holes regarding the Gentry boys and their complicated past, if read in order. I didn’t and there are times where you kind of have to guess at the meaning behind some character’s actions and reactions. If you like suspense and enjoy active investigations from the POV of the people on the scene, this was done really nicely.

Nate Gentry and Taylor Collins are both FBI agents working on the same team. Nate normally works undercover at the biker bar Aces and Eights. This time he is called in to take the lead on a serial killer case.
Both Nate and Taylor had trauma in their childhoods. It's what has made them the type of agents they are. This latest case will hit a little too close to home for our heroine.
Our killer has a particular angel in mind, but while he is trying to find a way to get to her he will take others.
The dynamic between all the characters is fun and emotional. They both need to put the past to rest before they can really enjoy life.
This exciting story is part of a series, but is easily read on it's own. It will tempt you to read the others and tease you for the next book.
A book that will keep the pages flying past.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

The technical stuff: This book has both cursing (including about 15 f-bombs) and some on-screen sex. If those things will cause you to leave a bad review, this isn't the book for you. This is book three of the series and while it totally stands alone and you do not have to have read the first two to appreciate this one, you should read them because they're fabulous.

I loved this book. I absolutely loved it. From start to finish, Nate and Taylor just made so much sense that as a reader, I couldn't help but cheer for them. Despite his hesitation to let it show, Nate's huge heart and his capacity for love and caring was so unbelievably amazing that I really just couldn't wait for him to actually let Taylor in. The way that he protected Taylor (and Rosie and the girls) was incredibly beautiful, but his love for his brother was just...beyond words. Even without the perfection of the love story with Taylor, this book would have been amazing because the Gentry brothers are *exactly* the kind of men who should be book heroes. They love each other unashamedly and aren't afraid to show it, while also unapologetically mocking the crap out of each other. I love the way that they love their women, and the way that they love each other, and none of them loves more than Nate. (If your heart doesn't melt at the line about him falling in love with a decades-old photo, you have no soul.)

Taylor was also a really fabulous character. She wasn't just window dressing or some weak woman who needed saving (even though Nate was determined to try because that's just who he is), Taylor was vibrant, strong, and capable while still being vulnerable and real in a way that few romance heroines are these days. Ms. Owens balanced out her bad-to-the-bone FBI agent persona with her back story, Henry, and Rosie and the girls so perfectly. She was one of the most well-rounded female characters I've read in a long, long time.

If you've read the K2 books, there are a couple of little cameos in here that will make your heart smile.

I would highly recommend this book, and this series, to anyone who enjoys an emotional, heart-felt story with a great mystery plot and a side of sexiness.

I have read a lot of books by this author and I’ve had the pleasure of reading them because of this site and I love finding new authors and there books and this is one of them authors for me. Once I started reading this book I didn’t want it to end at all. Had me glued to the pages and held my attention to the very end. A really great book for me and I would definitely recommend this book and author to everyone

The third book to Owens' Aces & Eights series is here! Nate has watched over his brothers for as long as he can remember. Now it's time to confront their past and a secret that's haunted them for years. By Nate's side is his partner and the woman of his dreams, Taylor. As FBI agents, they both know how to kick ass and take names. But when Taylor's own past comes after her, Nate has to decide if he'll let his own demons haunt him or will he risk it all to save her.

I loved the easy going nature between Taylor and Nate. As partners there is the unspoken trust between the two of them. They know how the other works inside and out when it comes to the job but have no idea how the other truly feels for their partner. Wanting more than a partner in her job, Taylor decides to put all her cards on the table and ask Nate for a chance. There's a chance they could be great and Taylor accepts that Nate may not be able to give her everything. But as the two grow closer, Nate begins to realize how he truly feels for her.

Heart stopping action and a serial killer case on their hands (that is seriously soooo interesting throughout the whole book, I could easily see it being a movie!), this action romance is definitely killer. I highly recommend you read books 1 & 2 first so as you're not lost at the Gentry brother's past, but it can be read as a standalone if you're your own detective and are good at figuring out puzzles. Oh and the secret the Gentry brothers have had haunting them? Well....just stick around for this shocking ending!

I originally found Sandra Owens’ historical romances several years ago and fell in love with them. When she started writing romantic suspense, I hesitated before reading her first novel for Montlake in her K2 series, but since that time, I have fallen in love with her contemporary books as well.

When I received an invitation to read and review Ace of Spades, I eagerly accepted, and I have enjoyed this fantastic romantic suspense novel even more than I enjoyed the other two books in her new Aces & Eights series. That’s saying a lot because I loved both of them!

Taylor Collins’s character pulled at my heart-strings. While her character type isn’t my favorite arch, Ms. Owens does such an excellent job of developing her character, I easily fell in love. Taylor has such a big heart. She is so determined to give children a better start as she was given by her foster mother. By the end of the book, I absolutely loved Taylor.

Nate Gentry is a great hero. Of course, Ms. Owen’s yummy description of his attributes had me fanning my face. His loyalty to his brothers is amazing. He took on the responsibility of raising his two younger brothers when he was only a child himself. My heart ached for him and his gut-wrenching feelings over his mom and what he believed she had done.

The chemistry between Nate and Taylor is sizzling from the first page. I loved the emotional connection that grows as they work together to solve the murders. Their romance is a friends to lovers story and a moving one.

If you want a story that will hold your attention from the first page to the last, and one that will touch not only your heart but your soul, then you will love Ace of Spades. I highly recommend this amazing book; you do not want to miss this one. Happy reading!

Gut wrenching beginning. From reading the other two books in the series, I knew what had happened to the boys, but this made me hurt for those little boys. And when that much emotion is invested in a story, you know it’s going to be good!

This is Nate’s story. Nate is the strong silent big brother...the one who never smiles, is never happy. His childhood really did a number on him. Taylor is Nate’s partner in the FBI. She loves Nate, and someone from her past is obsessed with her.

This third installment in the series is the best yet. The books are better and better with each release so I cannot wait for book 4!

I have really enjoyed this series and I think this is my favorite book yet. I adored Nate and Taylor's story. They are partners and best friends, and both fear losing what they have if they were to act on the sizzling attraction between them. Their latest case has them chasing a killer targeting unsuspecting women. Their investigation starts hitting a little to close to home for Taylor. Helping her cope with her feelings brings Nate and Taylor closer than ever making it impossible to ignore the flare of feelings.

This is an amazing story and these characters feel like people I know thanks to the author's exceptional writing style. The action and suspense make this a nice fast paced read. I definitely recommend it to everyone.

The Gentry brothers have certainly charmed me over the series, but I have to admit that Nate managed to take me by surprise with the sensitive, caring, tender, even romantic insides to this notable man of toughness, protectiveness, and dominance.
Nate had so many layers in his personality and each one of them intrigued me in an equal manner. There is the big brother who has always looked after his younger brothers, protected them, took beatings for them, loved them and guided them to be the men they are today. There is the FBI agent who has worked undercover for years, who is best of the best, sees the bigger picture, who pays attention to the smallest of details and leads the others by example. He is all about teamwork and everyone being equal, and he is not afraid to let the others shine. Actually, one of my favorite moments was when Taylor Collins shoots the snake before he has a chance, and instead of feeling like that was 'a man's job' to protect the lady, he only thought how capable and hot Taylor was in action. *swoon*
And Taylor is equal to all the men in the team, despite being the only female. Taylor is a lot like Nate, the tough law enforcement outer shell covering the caring, loving woman who has six foster children. Taylor and Nate were in all possible ways so well suited together, they took my breath away. Mentally, physically, professionally, sexually... they were in tune like you rarely see, even in romance novels. And Henry, and Henry Too - Nate had me swooning and sighing with his romantic gestures, with his relationship with 'the girls', and how he helped to take care of them.
The suspense in the story comes up close and personal to the FBI team, and in the creepy, scary, in your face way that gave me chills. I enjoyed watching the team work together to protect their own and find solutions, clues, and conclusion into this complex case.
Taylor and Nate had their moments of pure bliss, yet both of their childhoods being less than ideal they had many obstacles in their minds to overcome to be able to build a lasting relationship. The back and forth between them was frustrating and even aggravating at times since I was so emotionally invested in the story. Yet, each step they had to overcome was understandable from the point of view of their past.
With the romance and suspense so well intertwined together, I could not tell you which of them stood out more, I admit Ace of Spades stole my heart and got into my feelings and emotions like few stories do. I had to wait a couple of days to actually write this review, because all I could think about was 'I loved them, oh, I loved them so much' -- Sometimes I feel like my expectations from my favorite authors are higher than from the most, and I am not sure if that is fair, but Ms. Owens delivers each and every time, so I am not so worried about that right now. Y'all, Aces & Eights is a must read emotion filled intense romantic suspense series that I can only highly recommend
~ Five Spoons!

I received an arc from Netgalley. Nate and Taylor’s story is a beautiful love story. While trying to catch a serial killer and working with each other for the last two years these two build a friendship. As time goes on both try to deny their feelings for each other.

You can’t help but feel for these two as both come from childhood trauma but they find a way together to sooth that void they felt as children. Taylor takes in foster children with the foster mom who rescued her and Nate strives to catch the bad guys in hopes he doesn’t become one himself.

Very beautiful story and one you don’t want to miss. 4.5 stars

4.25☆
After having read the two previous books in this series I was really looking forward to Nates story. And honestly it did not disappoint.

As Ace of Spades was an engaging read. That had suspense, drama, emotion, great characters, a little angst and a romance I really enjoyed. And I would happily recommend Ace of Spades and the two previous stories in the Aces and Eights series to others. As they really are great, enjoyable reads.

Loved how she tied in her earlier series the K2 SPECIAL SERVICES SERIES. Enjoyed this story immensely. Can't wait for the next book!
This is a voluntary review and I do not get paid for this review.

True to form , Ms Owens gives the reader another exceptional book in her series, Aces & Eights.
This time it’s the oldest brother, Nate Gentry, who gets his story.
Taylor Collins, an FBI agent as are all the Gentry brothers, has become Nate’s best friend , and in the last year, Taylor has developed feelings for him. But Nate is a man that believes he can’t have relationships because of his parentage.
An investigation of a possible serial killer, is assigned to the two of them. As the killer gets closer, so do they .
The author does an excellent job of giving us not only a complex main plot , but also sub-plots. Her characters are well developed and flawed.
The dedication of Nate to the well-being of his brothers, especially when he was just a child himself, is touching and heartbreaking.
While the main plot deals with the killer, the suspense, and the victims, the sub-plot is what I found most touching.
A reminder that the hardest issues to overcome stem from our childhood. In this case, Nate’s childhood as well as that of his brothers, was one of abuse and abandonment. When people of authority and those that they were suppose to trust made them feel helpless and worthless, that doesn’t just go away but rather follows the individual through adulthood. Each brother before him , have found someone to love them and help them overcome these obstacles. Will Nate get chance of finding that someone special or will his fears hold him back?
Truly a heartbreaking but also heartwarming story.
Kudos to Ms Owens for such a thoughtful and thought provoking story.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.