Review: Ricochet: Locked & Loaded (Ricochet #1) by Heather C. Leigh

Rick "Ricochet" Brennan served eight years as an elite Marine special ops Force Recon soldier. After an injury, and the terrible memories from that night, he retires and goes to work for his former Command Officer, Howard "Mack" McEvoy, at his training center in Atlanta.

Sanctum MMA appears on the surface to be a normal gym, training elite fighters to be the best. Except each trainer, hand-picked by Mack, possesses a special background that allows Mack to run one of the best-kept secrets in the country.

When twenty-four year old Quinn Wallace finally escapes her abusive husband, she turns to her father’s old Marine Corps buddy, Mack, for help. Broken and skittish, Quinn finds herself surrounded by large, intimidating men— men who could easily overpower her. She avoids them the best she can, but when Rick turns out to be more than just a rough fighter with bruised knuckles, she finds herself wondering if she can allow herself to trust again.

Ricochet is a full-length novel to be released as three parts.

***This book contains hot sweaty men, sexy scenes for those over 18, and uncomfortable, sometimes violent scenes.*** 

Overall Rating:  4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

This is the first of three parts in the Ricochet series by author Heather Leigh.  It is a full-length novel that will be released in three parts.  In this first part we meet Rick and Quinn and discover the past that haunts them and the beginning of their story

Memories are not always easy to put behind you and this is the situation that Rick “Ricochet’ Brennan finds himself.  He was a retired Marine that had served in Special Ops Recon.  After returning to civilian life he was recruited by Howard McEvoy, his former commanding officer.  “Mack’ had opened a gym that fronted for an elite force of men that still served their country through covert black ops.  Returning from a special ops job, he becomes fascinated with the new receptionist, Quinn. Her skittish behavior and refusal to have anything to do with him, intrigues him. He is determined to get to know her and find out what haunts her.

Trust no one!  She had trusted a man that she thought loved her and had become trapped in an abusive relationship. Each day that she managed to stay alive was a day that she had not expected to die at the hands of her husband.  Quinn knew that she had to find a way to escape before her time ran out.  When she finally found a way out, she went to Mack, a friend of her father. Afraid of her shadow with a broken soul, Quinn was thankful for Mack’s help.  The only thing was the men that she finds herself around are huge and fighters.  This is extremely difficult for her to handle because of the violence she endured at the hands of her husband. One of the men refuses to take no for an answer, even when she tries to ignore.  There is something about Rick that she finds irresistible. Is it possible that she can find more with Rick? 

Regardless of her feelings, she has to stay hidden.  She cannot be found.  No one can know where she is or her abusive husband will find her.  He would never let her go! There was no way she could involve Rick in her problems, let alone become involved with him. 

Hero: Rick “Ricochet’ Brennan 4.5 stars
Heroine: Annette Quinn Hardy 4.5 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Steam Level: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger:  Yes

Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is a story of unrivaled strength from a woman that has known abusive cruelty and the man that helps her find redemption and love again. It has heated sexual encounters but is also filled with mystery and action filled drama.

Would I recommend this author: Yes! This author tells a story like no other.  Her characters speak to the heart and her storyline is captivating.   Ms. Leigh surpasses herself with this stirring tale of domestic violence, riveting heat break and hauntingly beautiful love story. She is an author worth reading!

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***