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Stand & Deliver (Men of Haven #5)–

Live hard, f*ck harder and make their own rules. Those are the cornerstones the six Men of Haven bleed by, taking what they want, always watching each other’s backs and loving the women they claim with unyielding tenderness and fierce

Security expert Beckett Tate has met his match in colleague Gia Sinclair. He longs to run his hands over each and every one of her lush curves. She’s wicked smart and wicked hot. He’s given her time to get used to the idea of “them,” but her time is up and he’s ready to go all in on claiming what’s his.

Despite her love of all things girlie, Gia’s no typical Southern belle. She’s built her skills and reputation in a field normally dominated by men, and now she has a kick-ass career she loves. She certainly doesn’t need a man to take care of her—especially not one who’s pure alpha. Still, Beckett’s the one man who can satisfy the desires she’s hidden under her tough exterior, and she’s hooked.

Letting Beckett take the lead in the bedroom comes naturally to Gia—not constantly proving herself to him professionally is more of a struggle. And when someone attacks her character and career, Gia and Beckett will have to find a balance: her willingness to let go just a little, with his trust in her abilities and his deep, primal need to protect his woman.

This is Beckett’s story. The security expert and bodyguard member of the Men of Haven. Gia is also a security expert and a bit of a badass. Gia and Beckett are friends who share an attraction, but don’t realize they share an attraction. That is until Gia has a little too much to drink one evening and spills the beans about her feelings when Beckett drives her home.

Which pretty much seals the deal for them as a couple. If I’ve learned anything from this series it’s that when a man from the Men of Haven decides a woman is his, that’s it. It’s happening.

I did think that this couple were well matched. The power dynamics between them were more balanced than with other couples in this series. Beckett is still super alpha, but Gia totally holds her own with him and I liked that.

There is an external conflict involving her stuck up, rich family and a wannabe boyfriend trying to ruin her career which was interesting and kept me reading.

This was a good addition to the series. Not my absolute favorite, but worth reading.

Final Grade C+

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Down & Dirty (Men of Haven #6)

The Men of Haven: fierce passion, unyielding loyalty.

Especially when it comes to their women.

A powerful man

Axel McKee abandoned his musical career years ago in favor of becoming a power player on the music scene. His dreams of the spotlight are over—and he’s better off for it. Working with his Haven brothers and building their empire is enough for him.

One who commanded attention with nothing more than a look

And then came Lizzy. A dynamic, beautiful powerhouse of a performer unlike any he’s seen or heard before. Her presence leaps off stage and into the heart of anyone who watches her sing. Axel wants her. Wants to help her and collaborate with her… But more than anything, he wants to be with her.

And every ounce of his attention was locked on her

Two things are immediately obvious: Lizzy’s been burned before, and earning her trust will be Axel’s biggest challenge yet. If he can get this fierce, stubborn, talented woman to see the passion and care that he’s offering, he might get a chance at a new dream—sharing the spotlight with the woman he loves.

Finally. The book I know we’ve all been waiting for… smooth-talking, sex machine, hottie Scot Axel.

Okay, first things first, This book totally sucked me in almost immediately and kept me turning pages. Then Axel got comfortable and decided it was time for Lizzy to have a cutesy love name.

Axel must have noted it, too, because he steadied her with a hand at her hip. His warm breath whispered against the tender skin behind her ear. “Easy, pet.”

Ugh. I hate when the hero uses the pet name Pet. Almost as much as I hate a heroine calling her lover Daddy. The thing is…. no matter how much I love Axel or how long I’ve been waiting for his story or even how cool I think his rock star heroine is, the Pet thing was always going to throw me out of the story every time it was used. It’s not a Men of Haven or Rhenna Morgan thing, it’s an Angela thing.

Axel lived up to every expectation I had going into this book. He was just as over the top alpha as I expected. Just as growly and just as protective. I didn’t remember the exact details of he and Jace’s backstory, but thankfully the author reminded readers and added some important information about what Axel gave up to make sure his mom had a secure future.

His backstory ties in well with why Lizzy would catch his eye. Lizzy is a struggling artist with a troubled childhood, a chosen family and who is just recently working to pick herself back up again after an awful experience with a ex-boyfriend/band manager. Axel sweeps in and takes over her career and pretty much decides that they are going to be a couple. It’s just a matter of time. Because that’s what alphas do. Lol. Lizzy seems dazed and confused at first, but she goes along with it and Axel gains her trust and that’s that.

There wasn’t a huge amount of conflict in this book. There is a minor external conflict concerning Lizzy’s hated ex, which allowed Axel to let his protective side take over and show Lizzy how family has your back. There is no real drama between Lizzy and Axel. None. Even the BDSM/I’m a sex machine/we’re doing this bareback conversation was super easy.

I enjoyed this couple, although I didn’t quite completely believe them as a couple. Maybe because Axel is so larger than life and his personality sort of overshadowed Lizzy. I was so-so about the BDSM aspects of their sex life, I expected it to be a little more hardcore, but whatever. I am glad I followed this series to the end. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Final Grade- B-

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