Hold Me Down

This is the third story in the Hold Me Down series. Ten years ago, Leon (Blue) was exiled from the Deacons MC. After the death of Priest, Deacon's president, he was summoned back to New Orleans. He and the others feel Priest died under suspicious circumstances. It was not an accident, but murder. They are seeking revenge. One night, Blue notices this girl in the bar and decides he needs to get to know her. As he begins to talk to her, he realizes its Alice (Red). Before he left, Alice was his best friend. But when he left with no word, Alice became bitter. After her father died she had no sense of family and she needed help with his motorcycle shop, she joined the rival MC club, the Ministry. This is the ultimate betrayal to the Deacons. Alice was mad that Blue left and Blue was mad that Alice joined the Ministry. While their first sexual encounter was hot, I felt it was almost on the border line of being non-consensual. Maybe they were just working that anger out of their system. Alice believes the Ministry had nothing to do with Priest's death. So she decides to get evidence not to prove they were responsible for Priest's death, but to prove they weren't. Both have to learn to trust each other again. I thought there was little more suspense in this book than the others. I found myself asking is she or isn't she going to get caught. It is frustrating you still don't know why Blue and the others were asked to leave the club. It was eluded that Blue had to tell her, but it never happened. He is definitely domineering. Ending rushed. There are still unanswered questions. I like how she is starting to pull in the 4th character, Prince, at the end. Can't wait to see how the series ends.

I found this fourth installment of the Deacons of Bourbon Street quite entertaining. Though I must say I can't see a man like "Blue" being celibate for a ten years but since that's a very small part of the story I'll put that aside. The real core of the story is the relationship between Alice "Red" Day and Leon "Blue" Delacroix. Ten years ago they were best friends. Up until the day Blue leaves New Orleans without a word. Now he's back but nothing is the way it was. His old motorcycle club is in ruins and Alice belongs to a rival club. Can they ever find their way back to each other with these obstacles in the way?? I would recommend this one.

Hold Me Down is book #3 in the Deacons of Bourbon Street series. Each book in this series is written by different authors which can make the books hit or miss sometimes. I found this book however to be just as well written as all of Ms. Ashenden’s books. So if you are a fan of her work I think you will like this book as well. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone but like most series, you will get more out of the book if you have read the previous two installments since they have reoccurring characters in each book. Blue has returned home years after suddenly leaving his club and his best friend Alice (Red) behind without a word. He is now back to help his club brothers hunt down the people who killed their president. One night while discussing possible candidates Blue is mesmerized by an attractive Red head he sees at the bar. When he goes to make his moved he is stunned when the woman turns out to be his best friend from years ago. Alice is now gorgeous, mouthy and property of the rival club suspected of killing their president. Red is surprised and pissed to see Blue back in town. She is still hurt and upset at his betrayal of leaving her unexpectedly when he promised to always be there for her. After he skipped town the club fell apart leaving Red and her father in the wake trying to keep their heads afloat. When the Graveyard Ministry stepped up to help them out after the Deacon’s bailed she swore her loyalty to their club even though she had always been a Deacon. Now that Blue is back in town she feels her loyalty being pulled in two different directions. Does she stand by her childhood friend and the man that ripped her heart out when he left or does she stand with her new family, the ones who have been there for her when she needed them most. This was an exciting and suspenseful story of second chances and learning to love and trust again. I received an eARC of this book compliments of the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All ratings and opinions stated are my own