Sonya Butler works for a criminal mastermind. The men she meets during the course of her work are not good men. But one strikes her as familiar, despite obvious plastic surgery and the fact that she watched the man from her past died in front of her. She is smart and resourceful, going to extreme measures to complete a task she feels is important. She may be at the beck and call of dangerous men, but she has her own agenda.

Jamin “Angel” Agassi is working undercover, so far undercover that not even his teammates know his true identity. As the Black Knights get closer to discovering the identity of the elusive “Spider,” Angel encounters a woman from his past he never thought he’d see again, let alone find working with the man they suspect is the Spider.

As these two work together, they can’t fight the chemistry between them. But even as things heat up between them, Angel keeps his identity a secret, a secret that could cost him everything.

As the final Black Knights novel, this book does a good job of wrapping up the story arcs and the Spider plot line that were woven through the series. Though the main couple does have a standalone storyline in Built to Last, there are several storylines that continue from previous books so it really does read best as part of the series. I enjoyed watching Rusty and Ace struggle with their own feelings in the background of Sonya and Angel’s story, as we have seen them do for several stories now.

An enthralling, exciting, and emotional ending to the epic series. We get not one but two happily ever after's - if not a dozen - with lots of intense suspense, up close and deadly battle, drama, trouble, and turbulent relationships. But also we get to witness the kind of soulmates that have a lasting connection that holds despite the circumstances or years apart, forgiveness and redemption, new chances and benediction, a fervent devotion that took my breath away.

Angel has been an intriguing character in the series for some time now. He has been like a shadow coming and going in the dangerous situations in the previous books, spiking up my curiosity about him, his past, who he is now, and what had brought him into the folder of the BKI. His story turned out to be so much more complex and rough around the edges than I imagined. Years of living and existing under different covers and made up personalities have shaped him to be the person he is today. But those years have not shaved off his basic loyalty, dignity, honor, the need to protect and serve, or the love he has for Sonya Butler.
Sonya has mourned for the loss of the love of her life for ten years. While grieving and trying to move on, she has excelled on her career at the Interpol, always standing up for the law, rules, and regulations. So it is a wonder what she is doing working for and with the dangerous crime lord, in what seems like a very close relationship.

While Ace and Rusty both admit the palpable attraction they have for each other, Rusty is not ready to come out of the closet and tell his parents about being gay. The strain from the rejection, from the burning, forbidden desire, from the fear and hurt of having himself or his feelings shunned takes a toll on both Ace and Rusty, as well as the team working with them. It comes to a near-death situation until these two brave warriors dare to face the deeper emotions and desires of their hearts.

The secrets, the layers of deception, the danger, the deadly force of the attacks, and the ruthlessness of the villain gave not only deeper depths to the tale but also searing, fierce tension. Add to that the two parallel love stories, with jilted hearts, hurt feelings, fear of acceptance, and rejection, and the knowledge that this will be the finale, the crescendo of the epic series, and I was on pins and needles through the tale.

If you want to binge-read an intense romantic suspense series with deadly danger in fierce, hazardous international situations, that is mixed with ardent, heartfelt, passion-filled romance, spiced up with quirky humor, fun banter, held together by tight teamwork, a large family of hearts that would do anything to each other, to protect each other, and the country they serve, Black Knights Inc. will definitely deliver.
​
Powerful, unforgettable, unputdownable saga of legendary warriors, of their lives, loves, and battles for justice
~ Five Spoons

Last book in this series. Julie Ann Walker wraps up for Black Knights Inc series with Angel's book. Angel has been a bit of Enigma since he showed up in this series. He's just kind been here and there and we didn't know anything about him. Sonya meets Angel on her latest mission. Both think each other is a bad guy until a confrontation shows the truth. Angel knows Sonya or at least he did in his past life before surgeries and a name change. A lot about Angel triggers Sonya's memories of a man she loved deeply before he was killed. What she doesn't know and what Angel doesn't want to tell her is he is that man. I have to say this is kind of a twofer because beside Angel's story we get the rest of Ace and Rusty's story. I enjoyed Sonya and Angel getting to know each other again but it kind of got old somewhere in the middle for a bit. I like that Sonya was more than she seemed at first. The more the story went on the more we knew about her and of course her life she has with Angel before his faked death and disappearance. Angel seems like the guy that nothing gets to him. Sonya get's to him and it just about destroys him when he realizes all he gave up all those years ago. Rusty and Ace are on this mission to finally catch Spider with Ozzie in tow. Both denying feelings for each other until one of them almost dies. Seeing that play out and the barriers Rusty thought he had with his family disappear was exciting. Great wrap up to the series and a huge hint at the end that it might not quite be over for some of the BKI guys. Julie Ann Walker is going to keep up guessing for a bit if we see these characters again and if so which ones.





Find out more about this series and Julie Ann Walker here www.julieannwalker.com

Thrilling finale! I had no idea this would be the last Black Knights book. We know all the other couples have their HEA, Spider is the villain and two new couples join together. It's an epic adventure through Moldova and an exploration of the past. Angel has a deep and scary past but he's not sure if Sonja should hear it. Sonja remembers the man she loved but still can't forget her feelings. And of course, Ace and Rusty love to bicker as much as they love each other. Rusty is fighting with reason when deciding to out himself and Ace just loves him. Their love as been building for awhile and it's been hilarious to read their conversations. Love this entire series and have looked forward to each book, sad to read the end but it's been a wild ride. My copy was sent through Netgalley and m review written voluntarily.

This is the 12th and final book in Julie Ann Walkers Black Knight Inc. series. I have loved each and every book in this series and I felt the same way about this book. Sonya and Angel are both after the same Criminal. What Sonya doesn't know if that Angel is really Mark the man she loved 10 years ago. She thought she saw Mark shot and killed but he didn't die. As she and Angel try to get this criminal she starts to have feels for Angel, but he reminds her a lot of Mark. When the criminal almost finds them she finds out that Angel is really Mark and doesn't think that she can forgive him for lying to her. She finally realizes that she loves Angel and can't live without them. I hate that the series is over but I can't wait to see what she writes next. I am also really glad that Ace and Rusty finally got their happy ending too! Thanks Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book!

Julie Ann Walker's latest novel, Built to Last, is one hell of romantic suspense tale. Inside, I got to follow a strong yet determined man to bring down an evil force. But in doing so he loses his identity and goes undercover. However, he's not the only one...his former love, Sonya, does the same thing. Thinking she lost him, she went undercover to bring down the bad guys. She still loved Angel. Angel has not forgotten her either and is doing all he can to accomplish his mission, keep his love safe, and get them out of there alive. 

I immediately got lost within this world of fiction. Built to Last, is one emotional journey that I won't ever forget. The characters were so real. Charming, strong, and clever...it was hard not to love them. The book's title described Sonya's and Angel's love perfectly. Despite the danger, the risks, and the final outcome-whatever that will be-their love remained intact. Priceless...a romance that wrapped its way into my heart and pulled me deep into its fast-paced plot. This read had so much action and surprises, I was constantly guessing. Overall, I highly recommend this hot book to readers worldwide.

4.5 stars

"It took courage to answer the call of duty. Courage to give up your hopes and dreams for the greater good."

That’s the crux of Built to Last, Julie Ann Walker’s 12th installment of her popular Black Knights series, BUILT TO LAST. Black Knights, Inc. (BKI) is a motorcycle shop front for a “covert government defense firm” that is always, it seems, the final barrier between bad guys bent on world domination and death and destruction on a global scale. Walker’s bad guys would eat a Bond villain as a snack and never even pause for a sip of water to wash him (or her) down. The flip side of that, of course, is that her heroes and heroines are equally badass and dangerous.

Ten years ago, a Mossad agent fell in love with an Interpol agent before he walked away from her to answer the call of duty. Whether he answers to Mark Risa, Majid Abass or Jamin “Angel” Agassi, his 10-year separation from Sonya Butler never dimmed his love for her, even though he continued to keep his distance after his assignment in Iran finished.

Witnessing Mark’s murder had nearly killed her, so imagine her reaction when the love of her life walks in … sort of. There’s just a tingling of awareness, really, as the spirit recognizes itself. But it’s powerful enough that it throws Sonya for a loop, in a situation where being off of her A game could get her killed in a heartbeat.

Angel knew Sonya would be part of this assignment going in, but there’s no way he can risk confiding in her — after all, she’s working for Lord Asad Grafton: “A weapons dealer. A human trafficker. A procurer of blood diamonds and financial supporter of piracy. A collector of assets. A destroyer of lives.” Otherwise known as the “Spider.” At first glance, she seems completely ingrained in Grafton’s life. She never leaves his side and is under constant surveillance. And come on, 10 years is a long time. People change.

As you can imagine, a lot of moving parts are needed to kill off a Mossad agent, have him assume the identity of another man, then create and populate multiple double-agent scenarios. And that’s before Angel gets hooked up with BKI — and 11 books’ worth of characters. And lest we question the intelligence and duty and integrity of Sonya, she’s forged her own valiant undercover battle for Interpol these last few months. Like I said: a lot of moving parts.

So many things have changed for Angel and Sonya, yet so many remain the same. Angel’s most obvious changes are physical. His eyes, his voice, his face. Sonya is more somber, playing her role of mourning in discreet ways, like swapping out her signature pink sparkly fingernail polish for “bare nails filed to a subdued length.” But inside, both are fighting for justice and truth. In the end, this is a second-chance love story. And while the road to forgiveness is fraught with danger and intrigue, it is also paved with hope and love.

Walker set this up to potentially be the final BKI book, since this final mission to take down Grafton has been completed and the agency is slated to shutter … but with its elaborate Six Feet Under-like epilogue wrap-up, she sure does leave readers with a lot of what-ifs and maybes. Like, maybe Rusty and Ace will have their own story … just sayin’.

*Originally published with USA Today's Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/06/21/dolly-r-sickles-romantic-suspense-rec-built-to-last-julie-ann-walker/.

In this the final? Black Knights Inc. installment Angel and Ace find their happys and we finally find out who the Spider is and take him down. Angel is mysterious and gorgeous and the Knight we know little of. Boy oh boy what we didn’t know. Ace is in love with Rusty but refuses to be with a guy who won’t come out of the closet. Been there done that. The mission to bring down Spider once and for all brings all kinds of secrets out of the closet maybe Rusty will come out too. I’ve really enjoyed this series and hope that the hint of a spin-off is true. If not I can still re-read and hang out with the Knights.

Wow! What a way to close out a series! I have loved the men of the BKI since book 1. All the intrigue, the action, the romance. Watching all the men meet their HEA has been a lot of fun. Now, we get the final chapter. Along with Angel and Sonya's story, we also get the wrap up of the story arc of Spider--world renowned super villian.

It was a delight to read. All the little pieces fell into place. Light humor thrown in to take off some of the tension with the action. Loved seeing all the team together. And of course--the epilogue...sigh....I wish Ace and Rusty had their own book---maybe a future novella??? Regardless, great series and a wonderful set of characters.

The problem with a Julie Ann Walker book is that once I start reading I don’t want to put it down. (This is only a problem because I have to do mundane things like go to work on a regular basis.) Built to Last is no exception. I was hooked in the first few pages and very reluctant to put it down. While I hated to see the BKI story come to a close, this was the perfect ending. I can’t wait to see what Walker has next. If history repeats, I won’t be able to put a new series down either. If her epilogue is any indication I’m all in and can’t wait!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

This is the final story to a much loved series that I will surely miss. A group of deep cover operatives that work out of a souped-up motorcycle shop in Chicago. Angel Agassi is an operative that works deep undercover within the BKI organization. His identity is well hidden as he works to bring down world known criminals. Throughout his career he has taken on many different identities in order to carry out his missions. This final mission will bring him in contact with Sonya Butler, an Interpol agent. This mission will come to a climatic conclusion with some deeply hidden secrets. I am sad to see this series come to an end. But there is an elusion that there is possibly a spin-off to this series----hopefully!

Built to Last was a good end to a great series. While it was sad to see things wrap up for the Black Knights it was nice that there was resolution to all the characters. Angel's story is one that needed to be told and it felt right to be the one that wrapped up the series.

3 1/2 stars out of 5
Built To Last is possibly the last in the Black Knights Inc Series. With all ends to a series it has a lot to live up to and it seems to be a tradition for authors to catch up readers with what is happening with couples from the other books.

Unfortunately this book falls flat that readers will skip to the end to find out how the author brought readers favorite couples to their Happily Ever After.

Angel and Sonya story is told though different points of view as well as flash backs that don't drive the story forward just fills in the holes when the romance takes over and Sonya fall quickly for Angel. The story feels rushed leaving long times fan disappointed with the outcome of the two love stories.

The action and suspense didn't really live up to the exceptions. It was slow, filled with too many monologues, bad dialogue, and a villain that could have been scary. Instead the author gave us a villain that was nothing more than a wasted character.



Built to Last falls flat in a story, feels unfinished, lacks character development and finishes out a series with a dud instead of a bang.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Sourcebooks for the advance copy of Julie Ann Walker Built To Last.

The final pages have been written for Julie Ann Walker's BLACK KNIGHTS INC #BKI and I'm so sad to say farewell. BUILT TO LAST ties up all loose ends and provides an interesting peek into what may be to come. Releasing, and posting in-full to Happily Ever Chapter, on June 26th.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Stark black and white composition of cover subject. Hot pink and white fonts are bold and eye-catching. As a long-time fan of this series and author, I barely cast a glance at the synopsis anymore other than to see which character is getting his or her story told.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third person
Setting: Mostly outside the US; England, France, Moldova, Some US; Chicago.

It was the chemistry of the crew combined with the elemental complexity of the environment that Ms. Walker had created that always had drawn me to her books.
However, the first third of book 12 - showcasing the least-featured member of BKI, Angel, felt different. It's a little hard to explain, but it felt thicker and heavier like I had to slog through knee-deep mud to get to the good stuff. Maybe this was because so little was known of Angel prior to this. Maybe it was the lack of the other BKI crew members. Maybe it was because they bounced from present to past tense. I do not know what caused the early-on discontent with this story. Once I hit the 40% mark, things began rolling along like a book I'd expect from Ms Walker, so this discontent did not last.
Angel and Sonya are a second-chance spy-thriller love story that commands 75% of the plot. A secondary love story plays out between two characters that have been in the background for the past two books, "Ace" and Rusty.
I felt like the plot was not as complex as previous books, maybe due to all the flashbacks to the past and dual loveline story-telling. But it was still a good read. The main conflicts could have been easily avoided with some honest and open communication, for both of the couples, really. But they chose to hold back until they nearly lost their loved ones before putting on their mature, brave face. Typical romance.
The conclusion was solid enough, wrapping up the series and hinting to an expansion pack or spin-off in the future, however, I am hoping that with the closure of BKI, we'll see more of the Deep Six series that had been set aside.
As always, I enjoy reading Julie Ann Walker's books. Her way of weaving a story is entertaining, thrilling, and tangible. I would not consider this to be a stand-alone book and highly suggest this series be read in order as to avoid spoilers from one to the other.
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.2 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

This is the last book in this series. You absolutely need to read the books that come before this one or else you will be very confused as to what is going on in this book. All the other books lead up to this book and are part of the main story ARC that has been established previously. This one is about Jamin “Angel” Agassi and Sonya Butler. Angel has always been a very mysterious character in the previous books. No one really knows anything about him or his past. All they truly know is that he has the contacts and the means to help make the world a better place and to help the missions to succeed. Now he is being sent in undercover to help capture Spider and to complete their final mission for the previous president. Sonya seems to be the completely in line with whatever Spider tells her to do and to the world-she seem's like a dirty agent. Even to the man who knew her best when they were younger.

I absolutely loved this book! I was not wanting this series to end because I love the characters and this world so much but this book definitely does it justice! Angel has always been this character that you don't really know anything about. All you know is that it is for his own safety. You never really think about what he gave up or left behind in his past. Or who it may have hurt. From the end of the last book and through the beginning of this book you think Sonya is an agent gone rogue. Until they actually start having conversations and you realize exactly what is going on. But you also realize exactly how much someone can hurt another. I loved it! Angel and Sonya are perfect together, and once they work out all their issues and realize what is truly important it ends on a beautiful note! This was the perfect way to end this series!

For me, this book had a slow start but after that, I got into it and I really liked how Julie Ann Walker went about finishing this series.

Since Jamin "Angel" Agassi came into the BKI picture a couple of books ago he has been aloof, mysterious and a bit cold at times. This more than anything made me want to read his story and want to learn what made him tick.

From the moment this book starts we see his facade start to crumble and that rigid self-discipline start to fail and all because of the woman he once loved who now works as the personal assistant of the very man Angel and the BKI crew are looking to bring down. Sentence by sentence we learn more and more about Angel's past and chapter by chapter I fell in love with who he is under all that restraint.

I know I put to much pressure into this book since the hero was a mystery and also because it's the end of BKI and I was a bit disappointed in it but I still liked how it turned out. I especially liked Ace and Rusty's side story.

I have to say I was surprised by that ending. I hope we get more of this characters even if it's just a glimpse here and there if Julie Ann decides to expand on that. It is with a sad and heavy heart that I say goodbye to the BKI crew and say you will all be missed.

Built to Last by Julie Ann WalkerJamin “Angel” Agassi has been with the Black Knights Inc. since about book 3 or 4. He has had extensive plastic surgery and changed his name (the handsome visage they gave him was part of the reason for his nickname.) Before he had all the work done, he was in love. But he had been trained that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few.

He's absolutely shocked to see Sonya Butler, his love, acting as the secretary to the evil crime lord known as the Spider. She's not at all like he remembered her, cowed and subservient. At least, she is until the firefight. Then all hell breaks loose and each finds out that the other is not what they seem. Not the first, second, or even third layers.

An interesting end to the BKI series with the promise that there may be a group of new operatives to follow. This was a slow start (story wise, not as much action wise) but tied up a lot of loose ends in the BKI series.



Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 26

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

This is the last of the Black Knights Inc novels from Julie Ann Walker about a bunch of black ops guys who hide their identities behind a custom motorcycle shop in Chicago. The whole premise of the series is totally over the top, but I’ve enjoyed the romance/action novels. This one is no different. The heroes and heroines are basically interchangeable with a few added quirks added in for each one. The guy in this book, Angel, is a former Mossad agent who was supposedly responsible for planting the Stuxnet virus in the Iranian nuclear weapons research. He has had a total makeover so the Iranians can never find him. I don’t know if any of this is possible, but just roll with the idea that he could have had a completely undetectable plastic surgery that would make him into the best looking guy on the planet. He’s also had his vocal cords scraped and fingerprints removed.

But he’s given up all that anonymity in order to entice the secret, powerful criminal known as Spider into bringing him in so that he can bring down Spider. There he finds the woman he was deeply in love with, Sonya, before he faked his own death and went deep undercover. Together they get involved in selling enriched uranium that Spider intends to sell to al Qaeda in order to blow up BKI HQ back in Chicago. They have to go on the run in Moldova.

So it’s major suspend-your-disbelief time for every aspect of this plot. Meanwhile, Walker writes with her customary snark as the characters have pages-long internal monologues while in the midst of life-or-death situations. They have to pause in such moments to think about sex and how hot the other person is. So there is nothing believable in any moment of the book. I don’t buy the characters, the plot, or the dialogue. It’s still a fun and fast read and, if you’ve enjoyed her other novels, you will enjoy another dish of exactly the same thing again in this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Angel, one of the BKI Brotherhood, is determined to bring down the biggest drug king of Chicago. So is Sonja, an Interpol agent .These two are at odds with each other from the start but, that spontaneous combustion works to bring them together to fight whoever and however they have to in order to bring this syndicate down.
This book was an all consuming, thrill of a ride!
Don't miss it!

Wow -- the end of the BKI series. I have loved these books from the get-go. Even though I felt Ms. Walker began to wander a little with the last few books, I was pleased to see Angel's story finish on a STRONG note.

The writing was sound. The adventure was just what we expected to receive for Spider's downfall. It was great to see Angel and Sonya find each other thru the chaos.

My favorite parts -- Rusty & Ace. . .plus a full wrap-up of our BKI favorites.

I've been saying for the last couple of books, it was time for a spin-off. Hoping we might still catch a glimpse of our BKI favorites should Ms. Walker continue with a new crew of Black Knights!