Defending Chloe is the second book in Susan Stoker’s Mountain Mercenaries and grabs you right from the very first page. Ms Stoker has the wonderful ability of making her characters larger than life, with the reader perched on the edge of their seat throughout the entire story.

This is a book packed with intrigue, danger and action that doesn’t stop, and the storyline is easy to follow and well developed too. Chloe and Ronan have amazing chemistry and with Ronan’s innate need to protect, Chloe definitely falls into very capable hands. I’m sure this will be another extremely popular book with readers and I can’t wait for what comes next!

This is the second book in the series titled Mountain Mercenaries. This is a group of former military men now devoted to protect and rescue women that are being victimized.
Ronan Cross, a former SAS operative, finds a woman at the edge of his property needing to use his phone. He realizes something isn’t right, but when someone picks her up, he loses track of her, but doesn’t forget her.
Chloe Harris is being controlled and threatened by her greedy and evil brother.
The plot thickens when Ro rescues her but she is definitely not out of danger.
We get a chance to visit with the other men of the Mountain Mercenaries as well as Allye, the protagonist from the previous book.
The author reminds us that human trafficking does exist in the US, and that more should be done to help these victims.
I have to confess that I never was totally engaged in the story. Ro too alpha. As to Chloe, she was going through a horrible experience, but I had a hard time comprehending how a 30 year old , smart professional, got in the mess in the first place. Maybe too naive?
Still, it was a good read which I would give a 3.5 star rating and know that I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Defending Chloe by Susan Stoker was the book I was afraid to read. I LOVE Stoker but I really didn't care much for book 1, Defending Allye. But, like I said, I love Stoker so I knew I was gonna read this one. I'm glad I did because Defending Chloe harkened back to why I enjoy her books-good characters, really evil bad guys, and lots of action.

Chloe had a great life-good career, bright future. Then her dad died, Chloe lost her job, and had to move in with her brother. Things were okay with her brother at first...then he showed his true colors. He was physically abusive and was grooming her to work in the private rooms of his strip club where anything goes and all of it is recorded. Her brother is in with the mob and unbeknownst to her, Chloe actually did their taxes and books. Now her brother threatens her with the mob to keep her in line. She has been planning her escape for years but needs an opportunity.

Ronan is one of the Mountain Mercenaries, a secret group who helps women and children in bad situations. He is former British Royal Air Service but now runs his own mechanics shop. He has a chance meeting with Chloe and can't forget about her. He knows she is in a bad situation. He eventually figures out where to find her and how to save her. But, just getting her away from her brother doesn't end the danger. Then Ro has to figure out how to get her free from her sadistic brother! They build a relationship over the time they spend together, even though initially Chloe did NOT trust anyone. Ro has to show he is deserving of trust and he is really good about that. He doesn't force decisions on her or tell her what she is going to do. He makes her a part of all discussions and provides options so she can make a choice. Chloe hasn't had that in a long time.

Defending Chloe was a delightful read filled with some mafia guys, a terrible sibling and his despicable girlfriend, and the group of guys who save the day no matter what!

This author certainly knows how to write mystery, danger and intrigue with a whole lot of heart and sexiness! Each book gets better and better and it's hard to say which one is my favorite. Each hero has his own set of distinctive dispositions and temperament that matches perfectly with each heroine -- you'll cheer them on, cry with them, laugh with them and swoon over them! I knew I'd love Ronan Cross from the moment he was introduced to us in Defending Allye. I didn't know if I could possibly love another female character lead as much as I loved Allye, but Chloe is a close second -- another incredibly strong & feisty female. Can't wait for to read Arrow's story next. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Wowza! This is so awesome! I can't get over how well this author writes. She definitely knows how to intrigue, pull and anticipate very well. I was so glued to this book that I completely lost track of time...and sleep.

Ro is one of the amazing Mountain Mercenaries. He's pretty reserved, but when he knows what he wants or has to do, there's no one that could get in his way. After a woman shows up in his driveway, scantly dressed, bruise on back and expression scared, he knew that there was something NOT right about the situation. After all, rescuing abused women IS one of his jobs. So....game on.

Chloe can't believe her luck. Even since her father died, she's lost her job and moved in with her brother, which was the worst mistake of her life. Now? Now she's doing everything possible to stay alive, while trying to formulate a plan to escape. And one night when she thought her luck turns around, she ends up kidnapped. Really?

Where I thought Grey (first book) was pretty cool, I LOVE Ro. His intuition for what's both right and wrong are spot on, but it's his heart that will pull you in. And Chloe? She's stronger than she looks and determined to survive what she's been through...even when she tries to down play how bad things have been. The chemistry between the two is obvious top notch, but it's the actual relationship and how's built that I like the most.

You know why I love this series? Because these men fight for woman. They fight to make woman not only feel safe, be to be safe...even though they're scarred and flawed and totally have their own issues to deal with.

reviewed by Chris

Mystery, danger and action fill this latest story of the Mountain Mercenaries.

Chloe Harris has lived as a prisoner in her brothers house since she lost her job, her father and every penny she had. Leon was “taking care” of her, but his idea of caring for her was keeping her in a locked room, beating her, and forcing her to work in his stripper club. In an accidental encounter she comes to the attention of Ronan (Ro) Cross, and he can’t get her out of his mind, and decides to check her out. Coming upon her in her brothers club was not what he expected. The Mercenaries go into action to rescue her, but by doing so open up a whole new world of danger, including the local Cosa Nostra.
Chloe comes to depend on Ro’s protection which leads to emotions that are far hotter than protection. The dangerous action continues to the last page, and so does the heat. This second in the Mountain Mercenaries is a great read, and the hint of the next book featuring Arrow, can’t come soon enough! Each book can be read as a stand alone, but the first in the series is equally entertaining.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

DEFENDING CHLOE – Susan Stoker
Mountain Mercenaries – Book 2
Montlake Romance
ISBN-10: 1542040027
ISBN-13: 978-1542040020
December 2018
Romantic Suspense

Colorado Springs, Colorado – The Present

In the prologue, ne’re-do-well spend thrift Leon Harris has finally earned his master’s degree in accounting. He sits down with his father, Ray Harris, who is also an accountant, to talk about his future. His controlling father has given him a measly hundred grand a year to live on, and Leon is eager to increase his income. His father, however, challenges Leon to match his older sister Chloe’s success. This, and learning he will not be working with his father’s client Joseph Carlino of the Cosa Nostra in Denver, infuriates Leon. He hates his sister. Then he learns their mother left Chloe a half billion dollars which she will receive when she reaches age thirty-five. An inheritance neither his father nor his lawyer can change and goes strictly to Chloe. His father discloses he does receive fifty grand a month for overseeing the trust fund. After he politely leaves his father’s office, Leon swears to himself to teach both his father and his sister Chloe just how much smarter, devious actually, he is than they think.

A bedraggled but also provocatively dressed woman hikes into the yard of Ronan (Ro) Cross, at his remote home in a suburb north of Colorado Springs. He notices the large bruise on her back through her transparent blouse before another woman stops and picks her up, berating her the whole time. Before she left, Ro had elicited the woman’s name: Chloe Harris. He also gave her his card before she was nearly dragged away. He suspects Chloe is an abused woman, a problem very important to his team, the Mountain Mercenaries. They work to eliminate the abuse of women and children in whatever way they can. Their mysterious boss, Rex, who seems to have clandestine contacts with those in high powered places both legal and ill-legal, arranges their missions, but in this instance, Ro prompts the investigation.

The immediate attraction between Chloe and Ro is apparent, but Chloe suffers serious trust issues since the murder of her father, followed by her brother’s and his girlfriend Abbie’s abuse of her. She is unaware of her inheritance or why her brother treats her so badly while he insists she live with him. As her thirty fifth birthday approaches, Chloe is determined to flee her brother’s vast social and political influence, and while Ro helps her, she suspects his and his friends’ purpose after they kidnap her.

Mountain Mercenary Gray and his girlfriend Allye, from the series’ first story DEFENDING ALLYE, play roles in this story as do the other men in the group: Meat, Black, Ball, and Arrow. Arrow knows some history about Englishman Ro’s unfortunate past that few others do, and of course Rex also has influence on the dire situations soon to evolve. DEFENDING CHLOE contains extreme violence and depravity, but the surrounding story shows the other side of love and caring with some very hot sex scenes. All this provides a satisfying story.

Robin Lee

Another fantastic romantic suspense from Stoker. Both the romance and the suspense were well done.

Chloe Harris's life sucks and it's about to get worse. She's been plotting to get out of town for a while, but it's taking a while to put her plan together because she has no one to trust but herself. Ronan Cross knows the woman who stumbled into his garage needs his help, but she won't admit it to him. Getting her to trust him is just as important as it will be difficult.

Thank you to the author and Montlake Publishing for granting my request for a review copy via Net Galley.

Another fabulous story here and what a great character build! Loved the interaction on the two. It was like I was sitting watching the whole thing in front of me. Got to see some past characters and I love that they don’t overpack the story. Very fast pace in certain areas so make sure the book has your full attention but definitely a page turner. I am a big fan of all stoker series and love how each one has its own “Thing”. Definitely no story repeats and each story climax is unique which makes these very interesting and keeps you reading

DEFENDING CHLOE is another of Susan Stoker's action packed stories. I just Love reading these and all the alpha men included.

An exciting second book in the Mountain Mercenaries series by one of my favorite authors, Susan Stoker. Ronan Cross, a member of the Mountain Mercenaries, met Chloe Harris when she arrived at his house asking to use his phone. Ro worked with the Mountain Mercenaries to protect and rescue women from abusive situations and he could tell that Chloe had been abused. The more he learned about her, the more he knew that he had to make sure that she was truly safe. Chloe’s mother had been murdered years before and now her father was recently murdered during a home invasion. Chloe knew that prior to her father’s death he did business with the mafia, but he had always treated her with love and respect. After losing her job and unable to find work, Chloe moved back in to the family home with her brother, Leon. What she didn’t know was how evil her brother would become as he took over her father’s business…she had to get away. Ro and his team would do what is needed to rescue Chloe from her brother. Can Ro keep her safe? Can he teach Chloe to trust again? A very moving and emotional roller coaster as the two give in to their intense attraction while fighting for her freedom. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Wow what a read this was. Ronan finds Chloe and helps her and something about her he can't shake.
Chloe is being held by her lunatic half brother and Ronan and the guys make it their business to figure out what's going on and what the backstory is with Chloe. Best part of the book. Plenty of steam in this one, and great twists and turns. I loved Ronan and Chloe. Great plot and plenty of action.

arc from NetGalley and Publisher for an honest review

Defending Chloe Mountain Mercenaries, Book 2 is just as good as the 1st book in the series. Solid plot and awesome romance. Enjoyed

The men of Mountain Mercenaries are loyal, kind and badass alpha. I love the idea of saving women and children from the horrors of the world. Ronan – swoon! You cannot help but feel sorry that he went through what he did but happy that he found friends he can trust and admire. Chloe was a little harder for me to like. She is very smart but sometimes very not-smart in that she seems to lack common sense – I know she was trying to act that way but some of her thinking was just off. Ronan won the story for me. I look forward to more Mountain Mercenaries.

The Mountain Mercenaries series is a bit of a disappointment. First- I can’t imagine a tough group of men picking out that name. Second- the whole “mafia” element doesn’t ring true. What large mafia will be leery of dealing with a small group of ex-soldiers? I know, I know...I read the first book, but it still doesn’t seem likely. Third- the events of this story are so implausible! Let me see, a financial genius who can’t tell that the money coming in is an inheritance?

However, with typical Stoker skill, she created a man who is the hit of the book. While I’m not loving the Chloe character, the hero steals the show.

While I love each Susan Stoker book, this one was a bit slow paced for me, I wanted to get past the brother and his girlfriend and get to the good stuff! More angst, more Alpha male stepping in!

This is book 2 in the Mountain Mercenaries series and I would recommend reading the first book as it introduces you to the characters and you will understand things that are mentioned in this book. This one is about Chloe Harris and Ronan Cross. Ronan works for Mountain Mercenaries but also as a mechanic. When Chloe wanders onto his property asking for a phone, he can't get her off his mind. And is determined to find out what is going on and whether she needs the help that his team can give her. Chloe has been a prisoner of her brother since her father's death. But now her brother is trying to force her into something she cannot and will not do. But she doesn't know who to trust or even who to turn to for help. Until she crosses path's with Ronan and discovers that she may have people in her corner to help get her not only safe but happy.

I loved this one!! Ronan is this hot british guy who can't stand to see a woman hurt or forced to do something against her will. He is definitely the Alpha overprotective type but in a way that makes you fall in love with him. He can be decidedly dumb but he does it from a place of love. Chloe has been through literal hell at the hands of her brother but she is such a strong person in spite of everything that you just want to root her on! And she never gives up, no matter what. I loved that about her. Her and Ronan are awesome together and I loved seeing more interactions with the other members of the team. And that snippet at the end for the next book? I definitely can't wait for that one and to know what happened to her!!

Great next book to this series. Chloe's problem is very different from that in the first book, and Ro falls harder and faster than his team mate. Lots of creepy bad guys to take care of, plus lots of hot, sexy times. I've loved everything that I've read by Susan Stoker, and this one is no different.

This is the second book in this series about rescuing women in danger. I did enjoy the book even though I had a hard time picturing Chloe staying is this situation as long as she did. Giving the point of view of both sides did help me understand where this author was going with this story line

Chloe is a prisoner to her brother and his girlfriend. This has been going on for several years. She has a plan to escape, but the time hasn't came up nor has the opportunity.
Enter Ronan aka Ro.
When Chloe is kicked out of the car her brother is driving (in the middle of nowhere), she meets Ro when she is looking for a phone to call her brother's girlfriend to come get her. She should have left them then. *Sigh*
Ro can tell she needs help so he gives her his business card to call him and he will help her get out of whatever situation she is in. She doesn't call. But Ro feels a connection and looks into her. He finds out her brother owns a certain type of business and goes to check on her.
Chloe knows this is the day she needs to leave her brother since the circumstances have left her no other choice. Then she sees Ro. And he buys time to be with her. Kinda. You'll see what I mean if you read the book.

I enjoyed this book! I'm not normally into this type of book, yet, it grabbed and held my attention.

This is book 2 in the series. I had no problem reading it on its own though.
This is my first book by this author.