The Grief We Hold by S. Cole is live!

The beginning of a new series, this is a darkly emotional MC romance with a beautifully sweet love story. It’s a dramatic and exciting read with action and suspense, and a fantastically functional and steamy love story, it captured my heart and had me had me hooked from the very beginning, and I was all in with this gorgeous couple.

 

Amazon

 

---

---

Blurb

Raven
I don’t know where my husband has disappeared to, but I know I’ll do anything to keep our son safe from the
men he conned before he fled.
If that means moving to a small town in Colorado to live a different kind of life, I’ll do it.
But what I wasn’t expecting was the grief-stricken biker who feels the urge to protect us both.
Even though he clearly resents every minute of it.

Wraith
Two years ago, enemies of my motorcycle club took my wife and baby daughter from me, killing me without
stopping my heart.
From that day, I’ve lived for one thing.
Vengeance.
Until a single mom shows up in town with her young son, reminding me of the life I lost.
And when danger finds them, I’m forced to make the choice that will change my life forever.

 

Add to Goodreads

 

---

Review

5 stars

A darkly emotional MC romance with a beautifully sweet love story, this is a dramatic and exciting read with action and suspense, and a fantastically functional and steamy love story. This book captured my heart and had me had me hooked from the very beginning, and I was all in with this gorgeous couple.

This is the first book in the Iron Outlaws MC: Colorado series, a spin-off from the phenomenal Iron Outlaws MC series. It’s set in the same world, and there is some character crossover (and some very enjoyable cameos), but it sits separately from the original and you could easily read this one as a standalone.

Wraith is Sargent at Arms of his MC, and he loves his club, but he is a broken man and has become a shadow of who he used to be since his wife and baby daughter were murdered by club enemies two years previously. Instead, he has become a violent vigilante, obsessed with seeking vengeance, to the exclusion of pretty much everything else.

Raven is new to town. On the run from dangerous enemies of her ex, she has run with her five year old son and though she has pretty much nothing, she’s determined to create a fresh start for them and build and a quiet and safe life,

There is an immediate attraction between Wraith and Raven from the moment they lay eyes on each other, but they are complete opposites who want nothing to do with each other. She’s laying low and wants to be far away from the danger that surrounds Wraith, and he is still completely consumed with his grief and can’t think of anything beyond that. But he feels an odd protectiveness over Raven and little Fen, drawn to help them both when he sees them struggling, and though he’s initially reluctant, his caring nature shines through and he quickly becomes a part of their lives.

“I’m a dangerous man, Raven. You’re right to be cautious of me. But I’m still going to make sure nothing happens to you.”

From the very beginning I loved these two together! They’re both very independent, and they have very real reasons for keeping their distance, but they’re not oblivious, they know what they’re feeling, and they also know that they’re fighting a losing battle.

Sometimes, a look means nothing. A passing glance at something that catches the eye. But sometimes, a look means everything. When there’s honesty in it. And vulnerability. And a spark that could ignite any second.

The chemistry absolutely sizzles and their coming together is sexy and intense, sweet, emotional, swoony and so fantastically functional, and I could not get enough! It’s not all easy, and they have issues to work through, but they don’t hold back from each other, and it’s so, so good! They have no problems saying it like it is, and I loved that that there were no stupid miscommunication issues. They are mature adults who may make mistakes but they deal with their situation well, and I loved how functional they are. Though they are both reluctant to open their hearts again, they talk about their feelings, wants and expectations, and I was completely swept up in it all.

“Who’s gonna make sure you’re okay, Blue?”
She swallows deeply. “You?”
I’m gonna work to take away the uncertainty she has that turns the one word into a complete question.

“Give me a chance to fight for us.”

Wraith may be a complete badass, but he shows heartbreaking vulnerability. God, I hurt for him seeing just how shattered he was. But Raven and Fen bring light back into his life. He begins to live again, and I loved watching him reclaim his life and fight for his happiness. And Raven is a freaking rockstar – firstly for having the strength to stand up to Wraith despite her fears, and then to slowly learn to trust him so openly. Their romance is so, so gorgeous.

“You’re enough, Blue. Just as you are. Just be you. That’s the only person I want.”

But they are both in danger – from Raven’s ex’s shady behaviour, and again from the very nature of Wraith’s world. There is action, drama and suspense which create an exciting world and makes everything between them so much more intense as they find something so amazing together in the midst of such chaos and destruction.

“I love you, and you alone, Raven. I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve glued my heart together.”

We are introduced to the rest of the MC, and I love how it has a different vibe to the original Iron Outlaws MC series. They are one-percenters, and their world is dangerous and violent, but the dynamics of the club are very different and I like how that becomes a part of the story, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all develops in future books.

This is a fantastic start to the series. The hints for the next book have me SO freaking excited to continue, and I can’t wait for more.

I loved this one – 5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

 

Iron Outlaws MC: Colorado

 

---

Meet the Author

The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada where I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I’m getting the chance to follow that dream.

To find out about S. Cole’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here.

 

For more information on S. Cole and her books visit: http://www.scarlettcole.com/