5 Stars

Another heart pounding, action packed, suspenseful romance from Susan Stoker that you won’t want to put down! Chloe is a strong woman who has been betrayed by someone who should’ve always been by her side. When Ronan cannot stop thinking about her after a chance run in he has to look into whether his suspicions of her situation are correct...unfortunately they are and he has to enlist his buddies help to protect her and help her. Ro and Chloe are a couple you will absolutely fall in love with and you won’t want to put this book down until you finish every last word!

Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

Bloody hell, this author can do no wrong by me. Each story I've loved more than the last.
This book is about GREED and what people will do for money. There's kidnapping, murder and the mafia rolled into one very entertaining, action packed tale. There's love too, it's simmering away in the background. The two main characters had the sizzle factor going, love a strong heroine and a good story line. Who is Rex? I have an inkling but I see a red herring thrown into the mix here. Bring on the next book in this series, I can't wait.

OK, guys. Full confession time. I used to read every one of this author’s books. I would pre-order them and read them the second they hit my Kindle. Then life happened. A big move across the country, jobs that fell through, etc., etc, blah, blah, blah. So to say I was beyond excited to read this after getting to see Susan Stoker at Shameless BookCon in October is an understatement. (Side note: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice now, and she’s just as cool and down to earth as you’d imagine! She’s also got a wicked sense of humor!) Now that life has settled down somewhat, I’ve got a LOT of catching up to do! But I digress. Back to Chloe!

This is the second book in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries series. I started reading her books with the first book in her Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series and loved her writing from the get-go. She’s only gotten better from there! Defending Chloe is Ronan and Chloe’s story. They met very briefly in book 1 so this book picks up not long after that. Chloe’s brother is in deep with the mob. He’s held her hostage for years without the outside world being aware. She’s been forced into a lifestyle she never wanted or intended. So Ronan and his gang come to her rescue. Despite the circumstances of her life the last few years, she’s a strong woman, and it doesn’t take her long to figure out she can trust Ronan with everything. And I do mean everything. Can Ronan and the Mountain Mercenaries save her from the danger her brother and his associates bring to their door, or will she be lost to him forever?

With fast-paced action and an explosion worthy of Bruce Willis in Die Hard (c’mon guys! It’s Christmas, so of course I had to go there...yippee ki-ya!), this book will have you turning the pages without stopping to the very end. Hot guys with guns that live in the gray 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!

OH MY, Susan Stoker's Defending Chloe is the bomb...it has suspense, intrigue and love. With that combination you know it's going to be an excellent read.
The story of Ronan and Chloe is definitely not your typical boy meets girl. Ronan knew something was wrong the very first time he met Chloe Harris and until going into her brother's strip club he didn't really know how wrong.
Chloe doesn't think she will ever be able to trust again, not until this incredible man gets her to safety in the oddest of ways.
If you have read Susan's books before you know that they are excellent and this one is no exception.

Definitely on the dark side. Chloe’s father was a criminal, but it is nothing compared to how her brother turns out. He hates Chloe and is greedy. He is angry that his father expects him to prove himself and that Chloe stands to inherit a lot of money left to her by her mother. After her father’s death, she is held prisoner by her brother and forced to work in his strip club. A chance meeting with Rowan Cross leads to the help she needs from him and the other men at Mountain Mercenaries.

It is definitely worth reading. It makes you uncomfortable with the length her brother will go to in his hatred of her.

A page Turning Romantic Suspense!! This story was exciting, suspenseful, sexy and so full of love I couldn't put it down! Chloe is awesome and Ronan is the man I want defending me if I needed it, he's really sexy to. LOL!! Seriously, this book was fantastic and will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first paragraph.

This is classic Susan and I loved it. Ronan knew there was something about Chloe that made her special. That was why he couldn't get her off of his mind after their brief meeting and why he was determined to find her and make sure she was safe.

Chloe was determined to get away from her abusive brother. She had a plan, although it was taking longer than she would have liked. Just when she'd made up her mind that she had to make a move right now, things get a little crazy. Will she survive the unknown?

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Defending Chloe . The second story in The Mountain Mercenaries series by The amazing Susan Stoker . This is another fantastic story in the series . I was intrigued and interested from the start . I read straight thru . It's very intense , has some dark elements , action packed and suspenseful oh and hot steamy sexy times . Chloe Harris is such an amazing woman with everything that she's gone through . She's strong , brave , and such a beautiful soul . Ronan Cross (RO) wow what can I say . A hero compassionate , strong , kind and caring , sexy. A true dream come true . This is such an outstanding and we'll written story . I really enjoyed reading this story . Love the Mountain Mercenaries team . I'm looking forward to reading the next book . I highly recommend taking the time to read this story . I believe you'll enjoy as much as I did

***4.5 Stars***

Can I have Ronan?

Or at least someone kindasortaexactly like him? (No accent isn’t a deal breaker, but will garner more points if there is one)

The swoons and head shakes were real with with this one, but that didn’t surprise me at all. These books, all of the authors books ~ not just this series ~ are filled with characters that I find it so easy fall in love with, even if they drive a little batshit crazy at times, but they always suck me in to the story and never want to say goodbye.

Ok. I ADORED Ronan (if that wasn’t already obvious). The man is all kinds of alpha AF and has honor branded on his soul. But what endeared him to me was how he could reign himself in, take stock of the situation as a whole and do what was best instead of what he thought was best. Chloe. This woman is a fighter. She’s had her world turned upside down and has been put through hell and yet she’s come out of it with her spirit in tact. It’s a little bruised and battered, but she still comes out swinging when everything is said and done.

Ronan and Chloe’s journey to their HEA was definitely an interesting one. Their beginnings definitely wouldn’t fall into the ‘meet cute’ arena, but it does prove that fate and karma are sometimes on your side. I loved watching the trust grow between them and how that deepened their attraction to each other in every way. The smexy was on point, their bantering was a lot of fun and I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.

This was a fun read, though it did take me a bit to get into the story in the beginning, which was more of a “it’s not you, it’s me” thing since I ended up devouring the book. I liked how everything played out and getting to know the rest of the Mercenaries a little better, though, I have to say that Allye definitely stole the show in this one. But, now to wait for Defending Morgan because after that little tease at the end, I cannot wait to see how things play out with Arrow and Morgan!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

Defending Chloe is another great read from Susan Stoker. With his staunch protectiveness and her determination to get away from the situation she's been in for years, Ro and Chloe have a tough road to go. You won't want to put this down because you will want to know what happens next. This and the other books in the Mountain Mercenaries series are must reads.

Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down! I love the characters and all their flaws. Chloe has been abused by her brother, and Ro gets to be the one to get her out. From the beginning I was hooked. I enjoyed the bits of action, and of course the steamy scenes. Every one gets their just desserts, or their HEA, whichever they deserve.
Make sure to read Defending Allye first so that you can see how Ro meets Chloe. Yeah, you can read this story on it's own, but it's so much better if you read the series in order.
In usual form Ms. Stoker leaves a taste of the next story in the epilogue, and I am looking forward to the next book of this series.

You can always count on Susan Stoker for a fantastic romantic suspense novel. Defending Chloe, the second book in her new series, does not disappoint. The book is a steamy page-turner, and it has a happily ever after. If you are in the mood for a story about a bunch of overprotective, alpha sweethearts that defend their kick-ass women, this book is for you!

I love storyline of this book ,I love characters ,I love everything about this series . Susan is a badass writer and I can not wait for other parts of this series .

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Engaging!

I couldn’t put this book down. Action, twists, drama, emotion, steam and a sweet love.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

4.5⭐
Defending Chloe was a great read. That was not only extremely well paced, but it drew me in from the start and easily held my interest throughout. Thanks to a really engaging storyline that had a lovely mix of mystery and romance. Not to mention a little suspense. Plus, this series contains a great group of characters and in particular the main two Ro and Chloe. Who I just lived and I adored their relationship and the way from the very start Ro did everything in his power to support and protect Chloe as she tried to escape her brother's clutches. And that was really nice to read, and I'm certainly looking forward to reading more from this series in the future.

I would also happily recommend Defending Chloe to others.

Another insta-lovey type. Ronan was sweet and sexy. Chloe was pretty strong considering what she'd been through. Good story.

Dark, dangerous, intense, exciting and full of hot sexy times…what more could you want in a good story? Wow, this book was awesome! Defending Chloe is the second book in the Mountain Mercenaries series and is just as good as the first. There is plenty of action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and romance to hold your interest as well as some fun times, good laughs, and sexy tough as nails alpha men to make this book an excellent read. The characters are amazing and the storyline engaging. It will pull you in from the first pages and immerse you into the seedy world of murder, mafia, sex trafficking and more. Rowan and Chloe are great characters and their story is both tragic and endearing. They are strong individually and make a great team. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve over the course of the story. It was well paced and flowed nicely. I also like the fact that the characters Stoker writes are down to earth, easy to relate to and flawed in a way that brings a more natural feel to the overall read. Defending Chloe is a wonderful addition to the series and will definitely leave you wanting more.

*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am providing my honest review.

I love this new series!! I loved Defending Chloe so much I just had to go and read the first one in the series once I was done (I missed reading Defending Allye-it's also amazing, but know each book can be read as a standalone or out of order, which I obviously did). I love these Mountain Mercenary men so much that I need the next one stat!!

Who are the Mountain Mercenaries? They are honorable men-veterans actually, dedicated to save women and children from abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and other such evils from all around the world or even if it is in their own backyard. They are led by a Charlie's Angels-mysterious type of man-named Rex who contacts the team through voice encrypted phones and has the knowledge, contacts, and power to locate where and when most of the deals take place. The men don't question how Rex comes by his knowledge they just follow his lead and help the people break free from the terror they have fallen under.

Ronan "Ro" Cross is one of these brave men, a man who up until he met Chloe Harris, hadn't made any connections or ties to anyone in his life, but something about Chloe draws him in like no one he's ever met. Just in the few minutes he spoke to her in his garage, the vulnerability she displayed told him she needed his help, but the strength she showed also drove home that she wasn't a wilting flower. He liked both sides to her and he knew he wouldn't rest until she was safely in his arms, but that also meant the real danger was only beginning.

Chloe Harris was living a real nightmare. She went from having a great job, living in her own apartment, owning a car, paying her own bills to somehow living in fear of daily beatings by her own flesh and blood. The day her brother convinced her to move back home was the day her nightmare began. Her independence slowly stripped away until she was threatened to becoming one of his whores earning her "keep". The day she happened upon Ronan Cross in his garage was one of sheer dumb luck. She didn't give into to hope, since her brother was only bound to take it away, but when Ro shows up to and makes her want to try again it hardly seems possible that it couldn't be a dream.

Ro and Chloe are both so timid, yet so perfectly matched for one another. Ro needs a strong woman to stand by his more brutish side and Chloe needs a caring man for her vulnerable sensibilities. Together they fit and complete each others missing spots, but will they get a chance to make it work, or will evil snatch it away before they get their HEA?

Just knowing Susan Stoker has another book out is enough to do the happy dance especially knowing it’s the next book in her Mountain Mercenaries series. What’s not to love, hot alphas with the sole purpose of rescuing woman from hellish circumstances. Ro is bound and determined to make sure Chloe is safe and ultimately his. There is nothing sexier than a man taking care of his woman. Unbelievably fantastic series

Susan Stoker is one of very few authors on my “automatic buy” list. Every book, every time I read almost in one sitting, they are all that good

I am absolutely loving these Mountain Mercenaries so far!! And this one, Ronan Cross, he is bloody amazing! Strong, sexy and sweet and totally hooked on Chloe. Chloe is strong and resilient and in trouble. Ronan hasn’t been able to forget her from their first meeting so he gets the team involved to see if the can help her. And from there a very intense story begins that kept me so wrapped up until the very end. The chemistry between Ro and Chloe is through the roof and that totally shines through during their sexy scenes. Hot stuff!! Another hit for sure from Susan Stoker!

Thank you to Netgalley/Publisher for the ARC of this book.