Once you start reading Beyond Control by Kat Martin, you won't be able to stop until the last page. The story begins with a terrifying situation, which immediately draws you in and makes you grit your teeth and hold your breath. And that heart-pounding start is just the beginning of a whirlwind story that will keep you on the edge of your seat one minute as the danger escalates and blushing the next as the sweet love story unfolds between Tory and Josh.

What I love most about Beyond Control is the similar stories between Tory and Josh's horse, Satan's Star (or Star as Tory insists on calling him). Physical and emotional scars from past abuse take time, love, and patience to heal, and I enjoyed reading how one helped the other and vice versa.

And we can't forget about Ivy, Tory's young daughter. She enters Josh's life as skittish as a colt and just as wary as Tory, but it is amazing how a little kindness, integrity, and gentleness can go a long way toward healing those invisible wounds we often carry on the inside.

The romantic dynamics between Josh and Tory get a bit steamy at times but are overall quite sweet and exhilarating in their passionate honesty. I have to admit, I found both characters a bit too perfect in their physical attributes, but I'm okay with that. Their internal flaws and initial lack of trust more than make up for their physical perfections.

One aspect that some might find difficult to read include a few scenes of domestic violence and some other disturbingly violent scenes. The antagonist is truly an evil bad guy who will make you furious at his psychopathic behavior. I'm still fuming! Brava to Kat Martin for creating such memorable characters and scenes that make me love the main protagonists even more as they battle such overwhelming adversity.

I'm a quick reader, but I rarely read a book this quickly (a day and a half). I would have finished sooner, but life and those pesky obligations kept interfering. I am definitely going to pick up more books by Kat Martin.

This author I one click right away for her books, they are that good. This story was so full of suspense. At one point I didn't want to keep reading I didn't want to know what Damien was going to do to Tory. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, but the romance will have you smiling. Another fantastic book by Kat Martin, definitely a must read!

I received a copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books

Love story, thriller, family drama- this one has it all! Tory has fled her horrible ex Damon to Josh's ranch in Texas. Josh, a veteran, is making the hard transition back to civilian life and he doesn't think he's ready for a love relationship. Hah! But Tory and her daughter Ivy appear and he begins to soften (Ivy is a gem). And then bad things start to happen. No spoilers on what happens on the thriller end of things but suffice it to say, you'll be rooting for Tory and Josh (and Ivy). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is the sort of roller coaster HEA you love to read.

Beyond Control is a book that will set your heart aflutter and have you cursing at some characters all at the same time!

I was on a road trip when I started reading this book...and a good thing my husband was driving because this meant I didn't have to put the book down until we stopped.  I devoured this book and am thankful for the speed reading I was taught in elementary school.

My heart went out to Tori and her daughter Ivy.  Tori was in an abusive relationship and I wondered if she had stayed if Ivy would have become a victim too.  I was glad to see her escape Damon, but he would not let her go and tracked her down wherever she ran.  This made it hard for her to start over and feel like she would be ok where ever she was located.  Enter Josh - he certainly didn't want to higher a woman to help him on his ranch but he had to admire her moxie for jumping in and doing whatever it took to be able to stay there and out of sight.  Granted when he eventually learned the truth he wasn't happy that she omitted some facts but by that time it was too late and he was drawn to her.  It's a good thing Josh wants to protect Tory and Ivy, because Damon has not given up his quest to reclaim Tory and his belief that she is his - as in his property.   

Since this is a ranch, it wouldn't be one without horses and cattle.  Tory seems to have the magic touch when it comes to one horse, Satan's Star.  Josh calls the horse Satan but Tory sees something else and calls him Star.  I enjoyed reading about how she is able to tame the horse and even learn why the horse was acting out.  I think that is why Tory could tame Star, they had something in common, they survived abuse.

Of course, this wouldn't be a romantic suspense novel without some romance between Tory and Josh and those scenes were a good combination of sweet/loving and intense.  If I wasn't happily married I would want to find a Texas Rancher like Josh!  Besides being former military, he is just the right amount of tough and soft that makes his character drool worthy.

Definitely pick this book up, you will not be disappointed.

We give this 5 paws up!

Tory escapes from a crazy and abusive boyfriend with her four year old daughter Ivy and finds Josh’s horse farm in Texas.

Victoria "Tory" Bradford and her 4 year old daughter Ivy are on the run from Tory's ex-fiance, Damon Bridger. Damon is a rich, successful man in Phoenix. Mainly from his father, who runs an successful business and Damon is spoiled. Tory was only with Damon for 4 months and her it was a whirl-wind romance. After she moved in with him that he started to change and he started to get physical abusive towards her. The night she was suppose to leave him while he was on a business trip, he had unexpectedly came home and beat her so bad that she landed in the hospital and Damon was arrested.
The one thing the story does not explain was how Tory got help. Who called the cops and the ambulance and helped Tory? It only says she woke up the next day in the hospital and Ivy was with her friend.
By pass another 4 months and Tory moves around to hide out from Damon because he keeps on finding her and harassing her. On her last move she ends up in Iron Springs, Texas trying to get work on Iron River Ranch owned by Joshua Cain ex-military. Evidently she stays on the ranch, and she finds an attraction with Josh.
That's where the story becomes dragged. The start having sex, but are afraid to admit their feelings. Josh doesn't want a ready made family. Then there ends up being other problems besides Damon trying to find Tory that I just got lost trying to following along.

I like a good damsel-in-distress story and Beyond Control covers all of the familiar elements of one.

Victoria is a young widow without family except for her four-year-old daughter. She meets a man who sweeps her off her feet, but then once they move in together (4 months later), then he begins to abuse her. She leaves him but he stalks her. He is obsessed with her and will do anything to get her back.

She hides out with Josh on a ranch in Texas. Terrorists make a distracting entry in the story, but the main focus is on the stalker and the romance between Tory and Josh.

Josh was a character developed well, and the story was fairly good, but it was also predictable. There was a stereotypical Texas sheriff who doesn't want to do his job. Events that happen are events that the reader can see coming from a mile away.

I didn't much care for Tory. I'd like to think that a young mother would think seriously before taking that young daughter into the house of a man she only knew for four months. She missed opportunities for the police to get involved. Then after everything she's experienced, she falls right into Josh's bed. At the end, I found myself wishing I had reread "Running Wild: The Men from Battle Ridge" from Linda Howard. It covered the same ground but was infinitely better.

Victoria and her young daughter are on the run from her abusive ex-fiancé who keeps finding her and hurting her badly. He's well connected so he gets away with murder and becomes more unhinged as each day goes by. Victoria applies for a job at a ranch and meets Josh, the owner, an ex-Marine. After the hell he's been through in the war he just wants peace and quiet but Victoria and her daughter capture his heart. Lots of action, suspense, and romance make this an excellent read!

I received an arc from Netgalley. What a beautiful story. Tory is on the run from an ex with her little girl Ivy. She ends up on The ranch of a former sniper named Josh. As these two deal with a serial killer/abuser and a terrorist threat they grow pretty close. A roller coaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

When widow Victoria Bradford met Damon Bridger she found him charming and good looking. There was an instant attraction. So when he asked her to marry him she thought her and her 4-year daughter would have a good life. A few months after the engagement she found out he is a sadistic, abusive psychopath. She finds herself on the run with Damon constantly pursuing her.

Josh Cain is a local war hero who is busy getting his ranch in shape when Victoria shows up applying for the ranch hand job he has advertised. Josh feels there is no way she can fill the job. Victoria is desperate and willing to do whatever the job requires.

This is a great story about perseverance and determination. The women in this series prove what strength looks like.

Beyond Control (Texas Trilogy #3) by Kat Martin..... Another great page turner by Kat Martin ..I was so lucky to be able to preview this book on #NetGalley.... Victoria Bradford (Tory) widowed mother of four year old Ivy...running from her abusive ex-finance Damon... she arrives at the ranch of Josh Cain a Marine sniper returned from Afghanistan .... he knows Tory is trouble but he gives her a job... As with all of Kat's books I felt like I was part of the story with all the feels laughter.. tears..fear.. danger.. there is more than one threat ... I have read all three books and recommend them all ..Be sure to get BEYOND REASON and BEYOND DANGER too... reviews will be posted on Amazon, B&N and Bookbub on 5/29...

I read this in two sittings. Solid romantic suspense. Topical. Chilling. Highly recommend. Sweet love story. *sniff sniff* I was rooting for them so hard I made myself crazy.

This is a good romantic suspense story with a solid plot and very interesting characters, the male protagonist being a former Marine sniper, still haunted by war memories.
I loved watching Joshua Cain slowly “coming to grips with the changes in his life, the transition from being a soldier to a civilian”, learning this new stage in his life can have a woman and a precious little girl in it. I really enjoyed watching this process, it took its time as the relationship between Josh and Tory grew from simple attraction and lust to deeper feelings.
Josh is a wonderful hero, protective, loyal, honest. I loved how the author incorporated his training and experience as a Marine sniper into his characterization and actions: He still has the mind and way of thinking of a sniper. There’s this beautiful scene when he has to wear his full Marine dress blues and Tory is awed (as I was, as a reader) with his handsomeness.
Tory is a great heroine, too.
I liked the honesty between the couple, the secondary characters (Linc, Josh’s big brother, is an imposing figure), the Texas landscape, the horses, and the supporting small community and strong brotherhood of veterans that rally to help their friends.
I felt a bit uneasy with Damon having so much point of view privilege in the book - although he has a key role in the plot, I’m not sure I want to know how the villain thinks.

This is a very good read. There’s lots of action and suspense. Cowboys and ex-military is an awesome combination. The writing is stellar. It’s a smooth read. I received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.

Another 5 stars for Kat Martin! I didn't want to put this book down to do real life. Tory was determined to survive and do what needed to be done for her daughter. Josh was determined to keep his life simple and live life away from the military. Neither had it easy, but they worked together so well and eventually got their HEA. The stallion added a great line to the story. Sorry that this is the end of the series!

A great story which focuses on Victoria who has escaped her abusive ex-fiancé with her four-year-old daughter. She ends up at the Iron River Ranch and meets owner, Josh Cain, a war veteran who is still dealing with his experiences and certainly doe not want to get romantic involved. Accidents start happening around the ranch and we find out that the ex is even more sinister than first thought. Together they deal with their traumatised pasts and KM builds the emotional connection so well you become immersed in Josh and Victoria's romance.

This story was well thought out and had many more layers than a plot about an abused person running from the abuser. Overall, an enjoyable read with some surprises.

A perfect wrap up for Josh and his return from the war. Being a sniper takes a toll most of us cannot even imagine. Josh has to learn that being isolated and alone may not be the best recovery plan. Tory and all the baggage she brings, child and abusive ex, may seem like too much disruption but the opposite is true.

An Marine sniper turned ranch owner and a woman and child in trouble equal a lot of trouble, fascinating times and serious loyalty!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was awesome!! It was a quick page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. The emotional journey that Tory goes through from the abuse to finding acceptance with Josh was something that will stay with me for a long time. I now need to go back and read the others in the series. I highly recommend this book.