Chloe and Ronan…perfect. Chloe is being taken advantage of by her brother and looking for a way to escape his control. Enter Ronan. One look at her and he is hooked. He recruits his friends, the Mountain Mercenaries, to help her escape the hell she is living in. Ronan and his friends are heroes. They protect women and children, they put themselves in danger to save others, and they love with their entire souls.

Chloe is a college graduate, a successful businesswoman yet she is clueless as to why her brother treats her as he does. How could a woman with so much education, so much knowledge of the world of money be so clueless as to why her brother was keeping such a strong hold on her. I love that she was not just willing to be a helpless woman accepting the help of men. She didn’t openly trust Ronan and his friends; she questioned their willingness to help her and kept her guard up. Even with all that she had going on and everything that was working against her she stayed strong, kept true to herself and worked to save herself.

This is the second book in the series and I haven’t yet read the first one but it is now on my must-read list. Each book is an entire story. They can be read without reading the others. The characters cross over, making appearances in other books, but the main characters have a beginning and an ending.

With fast-paced action and an explosion this book will have you turning the pages without stopping to the very end. Hot guys with guns that live in the grey area between legal and illegal, but still the ultimate good guys, get me every. Single. Time! Add in women who have been dealt the worst hands life could ever hand them but still come out fighting hard for better futures, and you’ve got yourself Susan Stoker gold! Even if you’ve never read any of her previous books but you love military/law enforcement romance, I promise this book won’t disappoint!

full review: https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/2018/12/susan-stoker-does-not-disappoint.html

Enjoyable. I'm still thinking the bartender is not what he seems. Can't wait for the next book!

These are my own thoughts & I do not get paid for this review.

DEFENDING CHLOE is the second instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult MOUNTAIN MERCENARIES romantic, military, suspense series focusing on a group of six former soldiers and Navy SEALS who call themselves Mountain Mercenaries, headed by the mysterious ‘Rex’. This is former British SAS soldier Ronan Cross, and thirty-four year old, accountant Chloe Harris’ story line. DEFENDING CHLOE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: The Mountain Mercenaries is a spin off from the author’s Ace Security series but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow the current timeline. The Mountain Mercenaries were first introduced in CLAIMING FELICITY (Ace Security 4).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Chloe and Ronan) DEFENDING CHLOE follows former British SAS soldier Ronan Cross as he sets into motion a plan to rescue Chloe Harris, a woman he believes is being forced against her will, to work in a strip club owned by her pathological brother. A daring rescue results in further injuries to our story line heroine, as the rescue goes off course when Chloe is unaware of what’s going down. Believing she has traded one prison for another, protective custody with Ronan Cross screams all kinds of wrong especially with the growing sexual attraction between our leading couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Chloe and Ronan; the search for the truth behind Chloe’s years of servitude to her brother, and the connections to the local mob.

Chloe Harris’ life spiralled out of control shortly after the death of her beloved father when her younger brother gained control of the family business. Never having questioned her father about the how or why, Chloe finds herself working for the mob when her brother forces our heroine to do the job. Weeks earlier a bruised and battered Chloe Harris found herself at a stranger’s door, and in the ensuing time Ronan was unable to forget about the woman who stirred something within his heart, something he believed could be his future.

The relationship between Chloe and Ronan begins acrimoniously. Ronan’s attraction to Chloe is immediate but her ‘rescue’ from her brother’s strip club goes all kinds of wrong, and Chloe struggles to trust the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate and seductive.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Meat, Arrow and Ball; Grayson and Allye (Defending Allye #1), as well as the mysterious ‘Rex’, the head of the Denver Cosa Nostra Joseph Carlino, and his business partner Peter Smaldone. The requisite evil has many faces including Chloe’s brother Leon Harris, and Leon’s girlfriend Abbie.

The world building continues to follow the Mountain Mercenaries who rescue vulnerable women and children from their abusers and oppressors.

DEFENDING CHLOE is a heart breaking, edgy, emotional and passionate story line. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are dynamic and charismatic; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/defending-chloe-mountain-mercenaries-2-by-susan-stoker-a-review/


AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R17EXKUUDL9DKU/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07CRD565X

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2478833972


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1559995025


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

Chapters/indigo (Sandy_At_the_Reading_Cafe) posted

4.5 stars

I received an ARC from the author then realized that I had not read book 1. I quickly grabbed a copy of Defending Allye and read it. I have to say that I enjoyed this book much better than the first in the series.

Chloe's brother is an evil, greedy, self-centered A$$HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank heavens her brother dumped her near Ro's place. Ro gets one look at her and he's hooked and he knows she is in trouble. Ro will fight for Chloe even if it means going against the man that brought the Mountain Mercenaries together. Ro works very hard to gain Chloe's trust.

Even though Chloe has been abused and trusts no one, she has not lost her fighting spirit. She has accepted the things that have happened to her but she plots to get away from it all. Ro, with his buddies at his back, proves many times that he was chosen as a Mountain Mercenary for a reason.

The writing is good, the characters are engaging, and the plot keeps your attention. I have enjoyed this series so far but must say that I loved the SEAL of Protection, Badge of Honor, and Delta Force Heroes series more.

Defending Chloe is an exciting romantic suspense, and I want to thank the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the opportunity to read and review Susan Stoker’s newest release. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Defending Chloe from the first page to the last. This book has all the ingredients that make romantic suspense a pleasure to read. I’ve read many books by Ms. Stoker, and for me, this is her best. The writing flows beautifully and is emotionally-charged.

Chloe’s backstory engaged me immediately. Although she had initially bowed to her brother before she realized his evil, she is determined to break away from the devious plans he has for her. She fights like a tiger when cornered. I liked her character a great well.

Ronan Cross is a great hero. He stands for justice, he believes in saving other in peril and does it in an honorable way. He is perfect for Chloe in so many ways. I truly wanted him to earn her trust and her respect.

The romance between Chloe and Ro is gentle and the sexual tension builds at the same pace as their friendship. Although they fall in love quickly, they still manage to discover what makes each of them tick. I found their romance sweet and tender. I was really glad they found their happy ending.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with good amount of suspense and a great love story, then you will love Defending Chloe. The epilogue gives the reader the set up for the next book in this outstanding series, and I can’t wait to read it. Happy reading!

Readers can count on Susan Stoker (Claiming Felicity) to give us alpha heroes dedicated to protecting their team and the women they love, strong heroines overcoming incredible odds, and (usually) incredibly disturbing villains (I still regret reading some of the villain's scenes in Defending Allye at night just before turning out the lights). Defending Chloe is no different. Ronan "Ro" Cross is a British member of the Mountain Mercenaries with scars in his past that he hasn't shared with anyone. Chloe not only brings out all his protective instincts, she gets him to share his burdens and see them in a new light. He's the kind of guy you want at your side: good instincts, a man who treats women with respect, and doesn't play games- but is still fully capable of messing things up while thinking he's doing the "right thing".

Fortunately, even after everything Chloe's been through, she remains strong enough to handle Ro. After years of abuse from her brother and his girlfriend she should be a broken, terrified, mess. And she is smart enough to be terrified of her brother's Mafia bosses, and scared of her controlling, amoral brother. But Chloe is also smart enough to know a good man when she sees one, and she trusts Ro and his friends to help her escape. Both Chloe and Ro are endearing characters, well-written and three dimensional. You're cheering for them from beginning to end.

Defending Chloe is a fast-paced thriller, full of edge of your seat action. As with all of Stoker's books, it is part of a larger series (this is book two in the Mountain Mercenaries series) but it can be read as a stand alone book. The rest of Ro's team and Allye do show up, but I don't see any new readers getting lost if they start with this book. I find it fun to reader Stoker's series in order if possible because I find it makes the cameos of other characters more fun for me as a reader but long-time fans of Susan Stoker or those starting with this book will enjoy it and be waiting eagerly for the next one!

Chloe has a miserable life thanks to her horrendously cruel brother Leon.

When Ro meets Chloe he has an immediate connection with her. How their relationship develops is written with great skill and talent making this book a must read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I loved this exciting romantic suspense story!

Chloe has been held psychologically hostage to her brother's controlling whims for the past few years without truly understanding what he wants or what his plans are. Just as things start to become absolutely unbearable, she crosses paths with Ronan and his Mountain Mercenaries, who are dedicated to protecting all women, no matter what their situation may be.

As Ro and his friends slowly uncover the truth of Chloe's situation, they quickly realize that there's so much more that they have yet to discover. The threats are deftly layered, involving not just her brother but her late father's associates as well, a group of men who embody the ruthlessness of organized crime. All these various threats were brilliantly tied up in the oh-so-satisfying HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

When running away is the only option left to you, how do you know that the direction you head is the right one? For Chloe, everything depends on her willingness to break free. But will her past catch up? Will Ronan be strong enough to protect her from what is coming? Will honour and love find a way? Intense drama and action packed.

I have read most of Ms. Stoker's earlier series and Defending Chloe is in the same vein as the earlier books but more sophisticated. The Mountain Mercenaries series centers around a group of former military men who focus on rescuing abused women and children. Ronan is former British SAS, who has relocated to Colorado Springs and runs an auto repair shop on his remote property. Chloe stumbles into his garage asking to use the phone, and Ronan is intrigued. She's very attractive and then there's the mismatch between Chloe's manner and the sleazy way she is dressed. Ronan becomes alarmed when he notices the bruises on Chloe's back and other evidence of abuse. The Mountain Mercenaries do some investigation and find that Chloe's brother is a low level Mafia member who owns both a strip club and brothel. They decide to rescue Chloe and that's when the fun begins!

There are lots of twists and turns in this story - without a doubt, Chloe's brother Leon is one of the most despicable villains around. The characters are well developed and the plot kept me on my toes until the very satisfying end. Another excellent book from Susan Stoker and another series to explore.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

Ronan is one of the Moutain Mercenary brothers who are a group of men who save women and children all over the world. They are an elite group led by Rex, and no one knows his real identity. When Chloe stumbles upon his property he notices that she has been abused and offers his help, at the time she refuses. But when he finds her working at a strip club and knows she is not there of her own free will, he comes up with a plan to help her escape. Chloe is finally free but has a big issue trusting others and rightfully so after everything she has been through, but Ro slowly breaks through her walls and as progress is made, her brother and the mob may just take all she has gained away, unless Ro can save her...again.
What a read and one of the main reasons I do love this author and her books, is the consistency. I know I’m going to get a read filled with suspense and some action, an alpha man with a heart who is also a hero and the woman will be just as strong and resilient...the perfect match for the hero. I also know that I’m going to be glued to the pages from beginning to end, there will be no over the top drama between the couple and the sparks, coupled with the steamy scenes will fog up any glass. This read is no exception and Ro and Chloe...what a couple. I LOVED Ronan, his patience, tenderness, gentleness, with a tough rough exterior, makes for a fiiine book boyfriend. The ending was a surprise with how it all ended with her brother and the mob...LOVED IT!! Can’t wait for the next one !!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

Talk about a well-written, steamy and suspenseful novel! I seem to always love Susan Stoker's edgy, gritty books, and this series is shaping up to be yet another excellent one. Particularly enjoyed the sensitive but uncensored approach to some pretty delicate issues. Plus, it didn't hurt that the hero was delicious!

Chloe and Ro are dynamite!

I love this author’s ensemble, military romances and this new-ish series is making my re-read shelf tip over! Intense, with danger and love in perfect harmony, Chloe and Ro’s story is a whirlwind of tension, suspense and romance. Chloe is in hell and is worried that she may not get a chance to make her escape. Ro may be an unexpected saviour but there is a lot that could go wrong between her, him and the door….

While rooted in the real world, their story had me forgetting about everything else but their struggle and the (too) fast reading pages. Chloe is scared but there could be no one more suited to help her than Ro and the elite group of Mountain Mercenaries. These men live in a shadowy world between evil and good, their mission to save women and children from exploitation. With Chloe’s help, they were going to get her out…

Once again, the characters were everything in this roller coaster of a ride. They tug at every emotion I might have as they share theirs with me. Another great read that I’m tempted to re-read again… right now!

This is the second book in the Morgan's Mercenaries series and it was just as interesting and fast-paced as the first book (Defending Allye). Ro is the perfect guy to protect (and care for) Chloe. He's strong and brave and willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I liked Chloe as well. She's had a rough few years but she is learning to stand on hwy own and to be bravery than she ever thought she could be. They are just so good together.
I also enjoy the other members of Ro's group and look forward to reading their books a well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Montlake, via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

The second story in the Mountain Mercenaries series is just as captivating as Defending Allye. Susan Stoker's next romantic suspense, Defending Chloe, picks up where the last story ended. Chloe Harris walked down Ronan Cross's driveway and ever since then he's been eager to find her and make sure she isn't trapped in a situation against her will.

Now that he knows who her brother is, and what he's up to, he's determined more than ever to get Chloe out of his clutches. Ro steps into Chloe's world just when things are starting to go from bad to worse. Her brother's connection to the mafia isn't the only thing that makes him too dangerous to cross.

I love how Ro's character unfold throughout the story. He is more expressive than I expected him to be, but I loved the full range of his personality. Chloe's strength through every bad thing that happened to her was amazing. She didn't take charge like Allye, but she learned to survive and thrive in tough circumstances. The story moves quickly and is filled with a few twists to keep readers guessing. The ending also sets up the next story very nicely. I love that the series focuses on a group of men who dedicate their lives to protecting women and children. The next book, Defending Morgan, sounds like it might be the most intriguing of the stories so far! This series is perfect for fans of Elisabeth Naughton's Deadly Secrets series.
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Chloe has no idea how her life got so off track. Her career died and she lived in fear. And then she meets Ro. but can she trust that Ro is all that he seems?
Defending Chloe is second in Susan Stoker's Mountain Mercenaries series. I really enjoyed Chloe. Her life isn't much right now but she has a plan. She will dig herself out of the mess her life becomes or die trying. But her plan doesn't include a man. However one drops into her lap ready, willing and able to help. Can she trust him? I adored Ro. He saw something in Chloe and refused to let it go. I loved that Ms. Stoker allowed Ro to look beyond the obvious with Chloe. He saw her strength beneath the fear. He gave her hope even as he fought to gain her trust. He refused to see Chloe as a victim even if her circumstances were less than ideal. I loved seeing Chloe and Ro learn each other. They became friends while their attraction to each other grew. I loved that Ms. Stoker showed us a man of honor as Ro fought to support and help Chloe regain her freedom.
This story by Ms. Stoker is well written. It is full of action. There are unexpected twists that add several layers to this story. I loved returning to this world Ms. Stoker has created and I can't wait to see where she will take us next.

Defending Chloe by Susan Stoker is a 5 star read.
Chloe Harris never imagined her life turning out the way it was, she was held captive by her own brother, who told her tales of the mafia men she was fixing the books for who would come and do unimaginable things to her to keep her compliant but Chloe had started to put a plan in place to run away as she couldn’t see any other way out, but then Ronan showed up and offered to help her and she really wanted to believe in him.
Ronan Cross is not a man to mess with, he’s a former member of the British SAS and is now part of the Mountain Mercenaries, a group of good men who help woman and children who are in dire need of rescuing, when Chloe walks into his yard covered in bruises looking to use his phone, Ronan can’t get her out of his head later and sets out to find her and help her if needed what he didn’t expect was to find the one person who was meant to be his.
I love everything by Susan Stoker and this book isn’t any different, each story pulls you in but you’re always left wanting more, Susan’s books are always a one-click from me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Defending Chloe is one of the best books I have read this year! The first book in this series was very good but this 2nd installment far surpasses that. It is Book 2 of the Mountain Mercenaries series and could stand perfectly fine on its own but Book 1 is great as well so I recommend giving it a read to get the full effect.

I really wasn't sure going in what I thought about the overall plot with the evil villain being the heroine's brother but Ms. Stoker made it work and then some. This story was loaded to the brim with action, adventure, romance, and heart-stopping thrills. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. I love getting to know these rough Mountain Mercenary men and seeing the softer side underneath that tough outer shell.

Overall this was a superb story and I cannot wait to dive into the next book in this series!

Defending Chloe is the second book in the mountain mercenaries series by Susan stoker. Having enjoyed the first book I was eager to see if this one would get me excited just as much and it did. As a British person I am always a little hesitant when an author introduces a British person. Well number one some of our words are different plus spell check is a pain as it clicks over to the US version. But susan did a grand job of the uk language and spellings and I found myself reading the book in my own accent when it can to Rohan.

The plot of the story centres around Chloe. A young woman who lost her mom early and then loses her dad at 30, to be taken in by her estranged brother and made to work for him between beatings from his guards and girlfriend. As he kicks her out of the car and forces her to walk she finds herself at Rohan’s house. He sees something in her and wants to help. What we get from here is a brother who is cruel and will do anything to get what he wants, a group of men who want to help and mafia who aren’t as mean as they appear to be. A great read from start to finish as always and I can’t wait for Arrow’s book.