Ride: Volume 1 (Bayonet Scars) Paperback – 26 Oct. 2013

As I write these reviews for the Bayonet Scars Series, especially given how many MC books I’ve been devouring lately, and how much I moan about the quantity over the quality in this area, I will say that I am surprised this series is not more widely well-known and recommended because hell, yes it’s gritty, brutal and pretty graphic in places but it’s well written, with a different spin on the MC storylines, and when the lines in a scene put it into your head in 3D, while your heart is breaking because it packs that much of a visceral punch, then for me they’ve brought that world to life and that’s a job well done.Ride (#1)Death comes in Armani. Salvation comes in leather.^^^^^ That one line in the blurb had me one-clicking! Then I read the rest and became even more intrigued with the idea of the mafia princess and MC biker story. Out of the series so far this is probably the most difficult for me to review because as the first one it introduces us to the Forsaken World really well, but it also has Ryan who I want to stab. Repeatedly. To death. I loved and hated him at different points, if I’m honest sometimes simultaneously!!Principessa to the Mancuso crime family, Alexandra makes a choice that sets off a chain of events she could never have anticipated and places her with the Forsaken MC. She is naïve and innocent, having always been sheltered, and is completely unable to cope when these two worlds collide. While Ryan and Alex have chemistry together, that attraction is not given a chance as Ryan is told to stay away - she is to be protected as family (no spoilers, but I did not see that connection coming!) not treated like a lost girl whore on rotation in his bed. The push and pull between Alex and Ryan was frustrating, both young, hormonal and stupid they make mistakes although Ryan brings new meaning to the word “Pr*ck” and hence my need to stab him… As a couple they work, though f*ck knows how, but are not a favourite of mine.However in this first instalment JC Emery sets up the Forsaken World with an eye for detail, twists and turns that you don’t fully appreciate until possibly ‘Rev’ (#3), so even if Ryan annoys the ever-loving f*ck out of you it’s more than worth continuing this series.

I really enjoyed this but, I felt disappointed as the storyline had loose ends that were not tied up, I was left hanging and wanting more, especially when Michael finds Alex and how the other characters Ryan/Ruby etc. dealt with her absence, no closure on what happened to Alex's father, Tony, Gloria and Leo, there are twists and turns in this book, I loved Alex, now Ryan man I just loved to hate him lol! He was so heartless, cruel and in denial of his feelings for Alex which was so hurtful and frustrating, his actions were disgusting and how he made Alex feel was hell! At times I just wanted to shout at Alex and say forget him you deserve better! I wanted her character to be just that much more stronger and not put up with Ryan going hot and cold on her, because he wouldn't fight to make Alex his despite showing his jealousy with Duke. I really hope there is a second book as I felt the storyline was incomplete hence the 4 star rating, which is such a shame as this was my first biker romance book and it left an impression even though it stalled in places.

Oh I loved this. Having never known anything about MC's, they always come across far fetched. But that's why I read fiction! It's not that I loved the Hh, in fact I thought Ryan a total dip. I mean what kind of man allows a woman to perform him oral sex on him whilst he's on the phone to the woman he want's? Yeah, Ryan. Ok I understand why, but it's soooo wrong.What I hate about MC stories, are the words "you know I'll protect you". They loosely translate to, your gonna get the s**t kicked out of you, shot or stabbed. Either way your gonna get hurt....a lot!This book has all the usual hard life, rough sex, tough men and badass bikers....but the difference with this one, it's written with heart and soul. Each character is three dimensional. You can either love them or loath them, but the one thing I can guarantee is, you will feel them.My favourite character is Ma/Ruby. Her story is the backbone to this book, and what a story it was......heartbreaking!Sorry that I wasn't able to give it 5 stars, but the whole I'll keep you safe thing really bugs me.

This was a good read although it contains a lot of violence and sex scenes so it's only suitable for older readers.Alex is a mafia princess, kept under strict control and not allowed to know her father's business. She has to be compliant unlike her twin brother who is becoming more distant and under her father's thumb. She makes a mistake thinking she can help when violence hits and her brother and cousin are threatened and it alters her life forever. She ends up being rescued and an MC protecting her. Her life goes through many changes and she is attracted to one of the bikers Ryan.I liked the story and the way it built up. It was interesting and I cared about the characters. Alex is clearly lost and vulnerable and the author cleverly and subtlety shows it. Ryan is also shown to be vulnerable in a different way.Another reviewer commented it finished too abruptly and I would agree. Hence the four stars rather than five. I assume there's another book as too many loose ends need tying up.