ARC Review: In Rides Trouble by Julie Ann Walker - 4 Wine Glasses!

In Rides Trouble 
(Black Knights, Inc. #2)
by Julie Ann Walker 
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402267169
ARC Courtesy of Publisher

Rebel with a Cause
Becky "Rebel" Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.
Man with a Mission
Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank's way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it's just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.

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Crystal’s Thoughts:
Julie Ann Walker bedazzles with the second installment in her alluring and action-packed new series, Black Knights, Inc! 

The debut book in the Black Knights, Inc. series, Hell On Wheels, totally blew me away so I was hoping that the next book in the series would continue in that vein. I am happy to say that In Rides Trouble did not disappoint! The story line was just as fast-paced, nail-biting and toe-curling as the first and I’ve fallen deeper in love with these sexy alpha covert ops males and their feisty mechanic/designer as well. 

We met Frank and Becky in the first book, and there was mucho tension between them at the end. Becky is taking a break, leaving the country with her friend, to put some space between her and Frank, and the intense feelings she has for him. Frank is lost without Becky around to constantly drive him crazy but he will never admit it because she is 1. His employee and 2. Much younger than him. Frank has very strong feelings on those two points and because of his childhood, is reluctant to ever see past them enough to explore the explosive chemistry between him and Becky. But when Becky lands herself in trouble with Somali Pirates, Frank is the first one to come charging to her rescue…  And more than the riveting action heats up the pages.  But it is very much a dance between Becky and Frank throughout the book, oft times the back and forth between them rankled but once these two finally communicate, plowing through the misunderstandings and angst, have a cold drink ready because it will get HOT! 

A lot of background information on Black Knights, Inc., their start, and on the founder of the team, Frank, is woven into the tight, action-packed plot, which I loved. I was curious about the beginnings in the first book so I am extremely happy that Ms. Walker delved into that here.  I have to say though, as the book started out and the author gives bits and pieces, teases really, into Frank’s life out of the compound I was like, “WTH, Frank?” As the story progressed I was saying “OOoohhhh….” But then I was yelling at my book, “Wait, no!” This is definitely one that will keep you on your toes and flipping the pages for more! I would say that In Rides Trouble can be read as a stand-alone but you would get a greater feel for the story and a better over-all experience by reading Hell On Wheels first. 

Julie Ann Walker writes with a distinct flare that brings each and every one of her characters to life and into your heart. I am waiting oh, so impatiently for the next book in this truly captivating series – it can’t come soon enough! 

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses - Loved!