Cage (Corps Security, #2)

Good overall but I did think it was getting a bit repetitive. We get it, they have lots of hot sex. I felt like nothing was really happening for about 60% of the book other than sex (not that there is anything wrong with that but I didn't pick up a book just to read about other people having sex all the time!). However, Harper Sloan redeemed this book for me with the end! Totally did NOT see that coming! So, I was just about to give up on this book and mark it as the dreaded DNF when she throws in the PLOT TWIST that saved the book.

Mamma Mia, Greg Cage can be my super hero anytime. This was such an emotional rollercoaster of emotions. Two grieving souls that find out they have a common bond that ties them together and finally start the healing process but not before fate throws some more heavy duty stuff their way to conquer.

When Greg Cage lost his sister to domestic violence many years ago he took on a crusader persona to always protect women. He found another soul sister in Isabelle but now that she is married to one of his best friends who is as protective of her as he was, he’s feeling at a crossroads in his life. Then he meets Melissa Larson and his own thoughts of settling down with one woman and one day having his own family comes front and center. But show more Gage is still carrying the heavy burden of guilt over his sister and he has a ex-bed buddy that doesn’t want to let him go.

Melissa Larson knows grief well too. Her sister was also in a domestic violence marriage that ended tragically and left her young nephew an orphan. She is the sole provider of income for herself and her mother who at the moment has custody of him. She puts up a front of being strong and not needing any help and doesn’t have a high opinion of men. When she meets this beast of a man called Cage she’s attracted and only agrees to a one night stand. She had no clue that once a man like Greg Cage gets hooked on you it wasn’t going to be easy to walk away from him.

This story is multifaceted. Not only is there the hot smoking love story between Greg and Melissa, there is plenty of angst that is thrown their way from a variety of sources along with one huge secret Greg is keeping from Melissa.

There was plenty of face time from the rest of the crew from Corps Security and plenty of angst still going on between them. I’m ready to fall in love with the next in line of the Corps men as I have already with Axel and Cage. show less

After reading Axel, the first book in the Corps Security series, I was looking forward to getting Greg Cage’s story. Even though Axel and Izzy’s romance is featured in the first book, Cage is still a main character who plays an important role throughout the story. He is one of Izzy and Dee’s best friends, and fiercely protective of them.

He was there when Izzy finally has the courage to leave her abusive husband. and stands by her side throughout the entire book. However, Cage has his own demons and guilt that he carries around. We briefly get a bit of background about Cage, in the first book but only enough to entice us to find out more about this tough alpha male with a heart of gold.

I strong recommend that you read Axel first show more because Cage picks up right where Axel ended and the main characters that were introduced still play prominent enough roles with hints as to their future stories that I think if you skip the first book you not only may be lost, you will miss out on the rich character development and significance of the drama that carries over to Cage.

After reading Axel, I knew what to expect from Sloan’s writing style with clipped, fragmented syntax for emphasis, use of strong language, and sizzling love scenes. However, Cage surprised me because there were significantly more erotic scenes throughout the entire book, even starting in the first chapter. If Axel sizzles, Cage is scorching hawt!

As Cage’s character becomes fully developed, I was slightly surprised by some aspects of his personality that emerge. He is depicted as the same alpha male we met in the first book, loyal to his friends, protective of women, especially after what happened to his sister, Grace, and just a downright sweet guy. Yet, in this book we also see a different side of Cage that remained hidden in first book. Cage is a man who is tender to the two most important women in his life, Izzy and Dee, and will do anything for them. On the other hand, he can be brusque to women who attempt to encroach upon his personal space. This is especially true for Mandy, who is obsessed with Cage and doesn’t seem to understand that he only spends time with her for their mutual sexual gratification.

When Cage meets Izzy’s friend, Melissa he is captivated by her beauty and that, unlike most women, she doesn’t swoon over him. She seems resistant to his charm and poses a challenge that he is eager and more than willing to accept. Indeed, Melissa does her best to avoid developing relationships with men. She has her own painful past to contend with, and, in her eyes, men are despicable creatures who will only hurt you. She tries hard to resist Cage who is persistent about letting Melissa know she intrigues him and brings out his lusty side as well. His seductive charm makes it impossible to resist him, so she decides that there’s no harm in having a one stand with Cage, to scratch an itch and move on. When I first meet Melissa, a nurse for a local pediatrician, she seems so mild-mannered that I am caught off guard by this bold, brassy, fearless woman capable of putting Cage in his place. Her brazen flirtation with Cage only heats the flame simmering between them.

Not surprisingly with their combustible chemistry and how much they have in common, one night just isn’t enough. Yet, no matter how drawn she is to Cage, Melissa has no intentions of allowing this man, or any other, for that matter, into her life. Plus, Melissa has family complications that require much of her free time. Family comes first with her, and she is reluctant to share her problems with Cage because she’s so used to shouldering her burdens alone. She doesn’t expect Cage to want anything more than casual sex.

In the past, Cage has always shied away from commitments with women, but from the moment he meets Melissa, he knows she's different.

“Having her in my arms feels like I’m coming home…My body wants her; that is no secret, but the level of want is borderline craving. I need her. Needing someone is not something I am used to. No, I am used to being needed…something this woman clearly doesn’t want.”

Over and over, Cage proves that he is different from any man she has ever known. Cage wants to be there for her, to know she's not alone and he's willing to help whenever she needs him, and as they spend more and more time together, Cage slowly begins to open Melissa's closed off heart.

Unfortunately, Cage is keeping a secret from Melissa, fearing that once she learns the truth, she will not forgive him. Yet, as we all know, keeping secrets can hurt a relationship down the road, and can create a crack in what is otherwise a solid relationship. From this point on, the plot intensifies leading to a suspenseful conclusion and held my attention throughout.

So far, I’m enjoying the series and look forward to the next installment and am eager to find out whose story will be featured in the third book. In addition to creating likable dynamic characters, Sloan has aroused my curiosity to know more about the evolving subplots simmering in the background for now.

I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest review. show less

This was so much better than the first even though I love Axel! I really enjoyed this book! It had a little of everything without an annoying h. The angst between the main characters happened but resolved quickly. It had a few twists that were good too. Good job Harper.

2.5
This is a tale of beauty and the beast, the horny, foul mouthed, crude, triple wiener pierced womanizing beast.
Cage is a jerk, but he's an honest jerk. He tells his bed mate that he only wants to wet his wick and nothing more. It's too bad for him he tries to snuff the wick with his unstable girl of the moment. She is off the charts wacko and will do what ever it takes to get her man back.
Melissa, is a strong independent woman with too much responsibly on her shoulders. She is raising her dead sisters son, supporting herself her nephew and her mother on little pay and long hours. She only wants pleasures from a man, not more.
When "it" hits the fan, Cage is the one anyone would want on their side. he take serious measures to fix the show more problem without mercy. His ties to his past are there to help him when he calls, and boy do they come though.
I had a hard time with the first 50% of the story. Cage was so crude, cold and cutthroat to his bed mate. I own my own little trucker mouth but dang it if he didn't even make my eyes want to turn away and cringe. Cage was just nasty. He wasn't the Greg Cage I met in book one, he was amped up big time, and I didn't like him again till the end of the story. The sex was cold and ugly with girl #1 and hot and steamy with beauty. I liked book #1 much more than this one it just went too far for my taste. I'm giving the next book, Beck a try. show less

AHMAZING READ

This is only my second book that I have read by Harper Sloan and this book gave me everything that I needed to get me out of my book rut that I have currently been in.

“You don’t have to be strong all the time. Let me take it, Beauty. Let me be your rock. Let ME fight. For Christ sake, let me be who you need.” -Greg Cage

Cage was brilliant. He was everything that I wanted and needed in a book. He took me to a place that I haven't been in a long time and it had nothing to do with the HOT sex scenes in this book. It had to do with the emotions that this book gave me. One time during the book I found myself having to lay the book down just to collect my thoughts and get my head together. For me that is hard to do.

This show more book is a five star read and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go places that they have never been before. This book is everything that I wanted and all that I needed. show less

My review:

Harper Sloane is my new favorite author. Her hero's are all as alpha as you can get, and the heroines are the female version. Together they just combust!

Synopsis:

**Warning** This book is intended for a mature reading.**

Greg Cage was born to protect. While growing up, he was his mother and sister’s shield against the world… until he failed. For the last decade, he has carried that guilt and need for vengeance around… until it was stripped from him. Now, with his best friend getting married and no longer needing his protection, he is even more lost, completely adrift, and desperate for some control. All he has ever known was how to protect: his family, his friends, and his country. Can he go against everything he has ever show more known, and give up that control?

Melissa Larson will never let anyone hold the reins in her life. She has been the rock in her family for more years than she can remember, and the fight to keep them together is her main priority right now. She has always been fiercely independent and proud. The last thing she will ever do is ask for someone else’s help. But when that choice is out of her control, forcing her to rely on others to save her and her family, and pick up the pieces that are left, will she be able to let someone else be her strength?

The second Greg locks eyes with Meli, he knows that she is someone he needs. Someone he craves. Meli knew the second she met Greg that he would be nothing but trouble and heartache. Her life takes an unexpected turn, and that bitch Fate is back to wreak more havoc on another member of the Corps family.

All hell breaks loose, leaving Greg no choice but to call in a favor. He hooks back up with his old friend Braxxon Breaker from the Breakneck MC. Together, they make sure that nothing threatens anyone Greg loves again.

CAGE is a complete story with a HEA. show less