Hell for Leather

Another fun and exciting entry into the Black Knights Inc series. Delilah is the owner/bartender of the bar that the Knights go to. In the previous book, Born Wild, her bar was the scene of a shootout where one of her favorite customers died. Several months later she is still trying to deal with the memories of that day. When her uncle goes missing while visiting a friend, it's the Knights who she goes to for help. Also in the previous book, we get a glimpse of the fire between Mac and Delilah. It's obvious that there is something there, and in this book they finally have to face it.

I liked Delilah a lot. She's great as the tough talking owner of the bar, keeping her patrons in line. She also has a semi-secret life as a forensic show more accountant. In this book, the thing that really comes out is the way she feels about Mac. She has always been attracted to him and hasn't made any secret of it. But she is frustrated by the fact that he avoids her like the plague, treating her like she doesn't exist. I also liked Mac, though he did inspire the need to straighten out his way of thinking. He has been just as attracted to Delilah, but he has major trust issues when it comes to women, which means he refuses to get involved with her.

When they are thrown together by his need to protect her and their search for her uncle, the fire between them burns hotter. Mac is desperate to keep himself from giving in, and some of the conversations he has with himself are hysterical. His head tells him to keep his distance, but his body is all for getting a lot closer. But when he does, he then pulls back again, increasing Delilah's frustration. She has some equally funny mental conversations, as she reminds herself that going after someone who doesn't want her is just asking for emotional trouble. I loved seeing her realize that he really does want her (that scene outside Charlie's house was hot and funny), but that there is something holding him back. From that point she is determined to break through his resistance. I also enjoyed seeing his fellow Knights get in on the action, especially some of the advice he was given. I loved how it was Zoelner that filled her in on the problem, given that he's got problems of his own. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Delilah take matters into her own hands and confront him on his home turf.

The suspense and action in the story was really good. The premise could be taken from today's headlines, with an American who steals classified information and sells it to the highest bidder. One result of that sale is a terrorist with a personal desire for revenge. He has kidnapped Delilah's uncle and his friend because of their knowledge, and plans to use Delilah as leverage to get her uncle to talk. The attempts to take Delilah and the way they are foiled by Mac and the others, makes some very exciting action. The sudden involvement of the CIA creates more complications for the team, as well as revealing some information critical to knowing why the two men were taken. The conflict between the CIA guys and the Knights creates some pretty funny moments. I loved seeing the way that the Knights ended up getting the upper hand during the final confrontation. The rescue was really exciting and brought it to a satisfying conclusion.

I loved seeing other members of the Knights. Ozzie has a larger part in this book as he gets out from behind his computers and participates with the others. His wholesale flirting is always fun, and I can't wait to see him end up with a woman of his own. Steady was there also, taking charge when Fido the dog was injured helping Delilah. The most visible was Dagan Zoelner, the ex-CIA agent, who has issues of his own that he is dealing with. One of those issues makes an appearance when the CIA gets involved in their operation. Zoelner and Chelsea obviously have a history as well as sparks that flew off the page. I can't wait to see their story. Ghost and Ali, from the first book Hell on Wheels, have a brief appearance that turns the Knights on their heads. I loved that scene and the follow on one later in the book, that show a completely different side to these guys. show less

Hell for Leather by Julie Ann Walker
Black Knights Inc series #6.
Delilah Fairchild needs help. Her uncle is missing and the police won’t or can’t start an investigation. Delilah knows the men of the Black Knights and asks ex-FBI agent Bryan “Mac” McMillian to help find her uncle.
Mac doesn’t trust Delilah based on his past experience with beautiful women. But he’s willing to help the Black Knights favorite bartender.
A second man of similar age goes missing giving them a lead to follow. Terrorists want revenge.

Delilah has attitude and sass. I laughed several times at quips like “bizarro-land”.
I wasn’t laughing at the terrorists and their kidnapping of multiple people and their lack of humanity. (Shuddering)
Fido. Poor show more Fido. He’s ok! A true hero now.

Suspenseful story. Witty and steamy. Recovering and deep feeling hero.
Secondary characters add to the adventure and potential for a future book. show less

I gotta say, while I love this series and each Knight keeps replacing my favorite from the book before, I've got mixed feelings with this book in the series. I love Mac and Delilah, and together they're pretty kick-ass (okay, even apart they're both kick-ass) and have sexual chemistry out the whazoo, I got so tired of all the "cowboy-isms" as Delilah called them. I totally get that you, Mac, are a long tall Texas alpha man, but seriously? Maybe you could've gotten over your issues if you spent more time thinking about them then coming up with cute little colloquialisms for everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. Sometimes there were two or three in one paragraph. Thank God Delilah found them cute cause that woman will be listening to them show more for the next fifty years. Even if the plot was a little far fetched it still made for a damn entertaining ride. Looking forward to Steady and Ozzy's turn. It'll definitely be worth the wait to see those two go through hell for their HEA.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. show less

Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25

Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thoughts when Finished: I love the boys from Black Knights Inc. and Hell for Leather by Julie Ann Walker was another great entry in the series.

Story Thoughts: I have to admit I had 2 moments in this story that really stood out (and yes they both are the same exact scene): First, kudos to Julie for making the "getting smexy" time at least at a time when they weren't in a battle, they were sort of alone (at least in the room)and nothing was pressing. Seriously I about cheered! Second, I had to laugh at that same scene because it was supposed to be scratching Delilah's itch and he is all like "do show more this for me". I was like dude this is about her! Other than that, I really enjoyed both the romance and the action in Hell for Leather. I thought it was timely and really kept me on the edge. Even the bit of a darker turn was perfect for the story. The end scene was great because I would have screamed if she had not called him on his ass for being a knucklehead.

Character Thoughts: I loved Delilah and Mac! I thought their love story was pretty darn awesome and yeah to Delilah for being the gal to knock him on his ass. I admit that Mac has been one of my favorite characters in this series because he is a TX boy, so his love interest needed to be pretty darn awesome. I wasn't disappointed.

Audio Thoughts:

Written by: Julie Ann Walker / Narrated by: Angela Dawe

So Angela "Freaking" Dawe is now doing the Black Knights series and now it is on my must get on audiobook list. To say I am thrilled she is doing the narration is a bit of an understatement. I thought she did an excellent job on the narration.

Final Thoughts: When is the next one? show less

I've been getting back into romances. They are kind of a guilty pleasure. I want a plausible story, lots of action, interpersonal relations in and out of the bedroom, and humor. I was laughing so much while reading this story, I went out to get the rest of the series. Yes, it is part of a series. Each book deals with a different character in the covert organization that drives the action portion of the book and his unfortunate relationship with the woman who will capture him, although taming him is generally not her intention. And this book has terrorists, atom bombs, kidnappings, family, and a big shaggy yellow lab. All in all, a very good time spent reading.

Hell for Leather is almost like a full circle book in that Bryan “Mac” McMillian was the grumpy FBI agent we’d met many books ago but really knew nothing about even when he became ex-FBI and joined BKI plus there is a huge life event that happens for Nate (Ghost) and Ali who were the two that started this series.

Mac and Delilah, who owns the bar where the BKI men frequent, have been doing the dance for few books. She likes him but he avoids her like the plague. But when her uncle goes missing he waste no time stepping in to bring the team together to help her find him. Dagan Zoelner who is ex-CIA and newest member of BKI also plays a big part in this book and we get some of his history of some bad things that went down in show more Afghanistan and also the introduction to who I am sure will be his lady in his book – CIA agent Chelsea who ends up also helping the BKI team as terrorist and secrets from back in the Vietnam days are what is at the crux of why Delilah uncle is missing.

Being the sixth book in the series you’ve come to love all the past characters and when this group of guys is together their bickering and humor are some of the best scenes in the books. No exception in this one. Ozzie gets to tag along on this mission and as usual his lines are some of the funniest in the book.

All these alpha men that end up working for BKI have tons of baggage from their past they cart around until they meet their woman who makes them deal with those demons and finally put them to rest. When we finally find out why Mac doesn’t want to get involved with Delilah towards the end of the book, I absolutely loved how she confronted him about it and what she called it. Cant say what it is cause it would be a spoiler but for big bad Mac to have this particular issue was to funny. show less

~ 5 Hell for Leather Stars ~

Hell for Leather is book six in the Black Knights Inc series by Julie Ann Walker. This was another amazing, suspenseful, and action-packed adventure into the Black Knights world.

Bryan “Mac” McMillan, I’ve been waiting to learn more about him and what his issues are. Boy Oh Boy I did not see that one coming. He has some serious issues he can’t get past. He is stubborn, sexy, caring and at times a jerk, but in the end you just want him to be happy.

Delilah Fairchild, well she is "the ass-kicking, Harley-riding, shotgun-toting beer-slinger-from-hell!" This women is one tough heroine. Her strength and determination just amazed me. So much is thrown at her, but she never gives up and keeps trudging on. show more

Ms. Walker does a great job coming up with thrilling and original ideas for her stories. I love the romantic suspense she creates. I am always pulled in so deeply that I feel the buildup and can’t put the book down until I know what happens. The plots are unique and captivating, the characters are strong and confident, and the passion is sizzling. I love seeing previous characters return and learning about where they are in their relationships now.

Hell for Leather is a fantastic read in this series. I highly recommend that fans of romantic suspense pick this series up. I can't wait to pick up the next book.

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