SYNOPSIS
Sinning never felt so good…
A fortuitous encounter.
A meeting that should never have happened.
Many years ago, two children from completely different worlds forged a connection, a fateful connection, an unbreakable bond that would change their lives forever…
Salome knows only one way to live—under Prophet David’s rule. In the commune she calls home, Salome knows nothing of life beyond her strict faith, nor of life beyond the Fence—the fence that cages her, keeps her trapped in an endless cycle of misery. A life she believes she is destined to always lead, until a horrific event sets her free.
Fleeing the absolute safety of all she has ever known, Salome is thrust into the world outside, a frightening world full of uncertainty and sin; into the protective arms of a person she believed she would never see again.
River ‘Styx’ Nash knows one thing for certain in life—he was born and bred to wear a cut. Raised in a turbulent world of sex, Harleys, and drugs, Styx, unexpectedly has the heavy burden of the Hades Hangmen gavel thrust upon him, and all at the ripe old age of twenty-six—much to his rivals’ delight.
Haunted by a crushing speech impediment, Styx quickly learns to deal with his haters. Powerful fists, an iron jaw and the skillful use of his treasured German blade has earned him a fearsome reputation as a man not to be messed with in the shadowy world of outlaw MC’s. A reputation that successfully keeps most people far, far away.
Styx has one rule in life—never let anyone get too close. It’s a plan that he has stuck to for years, that is, until a young woman is found injured on his lot… a woman who looks uncannily familiar, a woman who clearly does not belong in his world, yet a woman he feels reluctant to let go…
Dark Contemporary Romance/New Adult Novel. Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up*
Goodreads Link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18680761-it-ain-t-me-babe?ac=1
REVIEW
It Ain’t Me, Babe is one of the most unique stories I have ever read. It’s not your typical biker book; it’s so much more. The plot is complex, intense, and absolutely brilliant! There are so many twists and turns that your head will be spinning, and your eyes will be trying to read as quickly as they can to find out how everything turns out. Anything you anticipate to happen will not be half of what actually does. Tillie Cole will have you guessing until the very end of the story, and even though Styx and Mae’s story is resolved, secondary storylines are left wide open for what I hope will be more books to add to one of my favorite reads of 2014.
Tillie creates a fated relationship with two characters who couldn’t be more different in lifestyle and demeanor. Although they met fifteen years earlier, Styx and Mae’s story doesn’t truly begin until Mae finds the strength to escape the only place she has ever known – a religious commune that seems more twisted and horrifying than the worst Motorcycle club out there. When Mae ends up at Styx’s MC compound, she’s barely alive due to the events that transpired when she fled. At first, Styx doesn’t recognize his “wolf eyes” girl, but soon enough, Mae tells him the story of the first time they met, and everything changes for both of them. Due to their differences, though, Styx pulls away from Mae, believing that she is too good for him and the life he leads, but despite his best effort to keep Mae untainted by his lifestyle, his need for her by his side drives him to make her his in every way. But can Mae immerse herself in an existence so unlike her other one where sin is center stage and still remain true to her beliefs? Will the danger that surrounds Styx on a daily basis be too much for Mae to handle? Or, are their lives meant to be connected – the boy who could talk to the beautiful girl with the magnificent eyes, and the girl who finally felt protected from a life that was more a curse than a blessing?
Mae has to be one of the strongest heroines I have ever read about. To go from a place that is controlled and regimented to a place where anything goes and still remain true to herself and develop a set of beliefs that fits who she truly is, is an intense experience to witness. It took immense courage to escape knowing that she was headed into an environment that has only been shown to her as evil and corrupt. Her beliefs, sexuality, and lifestyle are rocked to their core, but as she develops her own views and has Styx and members of his club and their old ladies to show her new experiences, she molds into the woman who perhaps she was supposed to be – the one by Styx’s side.
Styx has only known the biker lifestyle; he lives and breathes the brotherhood and fights like hell to keep his club and his brothers thriving. Early on, his father taught him to overcome his disability by fighting with his fists instead of the words that never came easily to him. He lives by that code, and he’ll die by it as well, but with Mae, he’s different. I’ll admit, I wanted to throttle Styx on more than one occasion, especially when he thought his best option was to distance himself from her ultimately complicating their lives and the plotline at the same time. It’s hard to see past his grit and harshness, but behind all of his darkness is the young boy who claimed Mae and now he will willingly die to keep her.
It Ain’t Me, Babe has all components of an exemplary read. It has an intricately woven plot that grabs readers from the very beginning. Some of the subject matter is a bit taboo but the way that it is presented allows readers to form their own views, and when it is mixed together with romance, suspense, and angst, you can’t help but be consumed with all that the text brings into your reading experience. The supporting characters are also an important facet of the text’s brilliance. There are many players involved in Styx and Mae’s life; some complicate things while others are there to move the plot forward and allow perspective on both the main characters and those against them.
Tillie Cole illustrates how truly gifted she is as a writer with this text. It’s a must read for numerous reasons: her words flow so easily from the page that readers will be instantly invested in the characters’ lives and the range of emotions that will be felt throughout the text is an experience all on its own. There will be many WTF moments that most readers will not see coming, which only adds to its intrigue.
But don’t simply take my word for it, experience it for yourself – you will definitely not regret it!
A complimentary copy of the text was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
5+++ poison apples
EXCERPT
Walking slowly, I wrapped my hands around my waist, a hollow feeling in my stomach. I felt so out of my depth on the outside: the references people made to things I did not know, the rules of the Hangmen, and worse, the fact that I was a “freak” to them. As Letti had said, a girl shielded from civilization all her life, with no idea how to survive on her own. At age twenty-three, I felt like the only two people I could turn to were Styx and Rider. Rider, about whom I had no idea what he was thinking perhaps ninety percent of the time. And Styx… yes, Styx… the man who, when near, made me feel ashamed of the impure thoughts that occupied my mind. He confused me more than anyone I had ever met. The mute man with so much responsibly at such a young age, a man who already had a woman who adored him, a fact that made my heart break into a million shattered pieces.
Stopping in the center of a circle of trees, I looked up at the bright-blue sky and inhaled the earthy scent of the forest. Scooping my long heavy hair off my back, I held it to my head, relishing the breeze kissing my bare skin.
It felt divine.
Hearing a twig snap, my eyes flew open, fixing on a tanned bare chest, thick tattooed arms bunching in strain, fists clenched at the sides.
Styx only feet away.
Styx with blazing hazel eyes, licking his bottom lip ring, completely focused on me.
As I sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, I let my hair drop as he began to approach—no, not approach, stalk. I stumbled back, trying to escape his too-strong intensity, only for my back to smack straight into the trunk of a tree. No place left to run.
The closer he got, the heavier his breath blew from slightly parted lips. The tips of his feet met mine and his arms arched over my head, the smell of his addictive smoky, leather musk coming off him in waves.
It made my head spin.
My eyes stayed low, focusing on the slash mark scars on his chest. As his hot breath blew against my cheek, my heart beat ever harder in my chest.
A hand ghosted down my hair, and Styx’s fingers ran softly against my cheek, the callused pads skirting over my lips. With a step closer, Styx’s chest pressed flat against mine. With instinct trumping logic, my hand gently touched the hot skin of his back. A low groan slipped through his lips, my eyes shifting to meet his.
That was all it took.
Styx’s lips crashed against mine, his strong hand gripped the back of my head, and his tongue probed and slipped between my lips, immediately stroking against mine. I jumped at the sudden intrusion. I had never been kissed since Styx, as a child, and that kiss was nothing like this. Afraid of losing my footing, both hands gripped onto his arms as I submitted to his onslaught. His lips were soft and his taste addictive. I worried I was doing it wrong. I worried that he would be displeased with my lack of skill.
But then I felt it. His hard crotch against my stomach.
He was aroused.
He wanted me… carnally.
And at that moment, I moaned—I wanted to give myself to him too. And Lord forgive me, but instinct drove my actions and I dug my nails into his arms, lost in his touch.
With every passing second, his kiss grew more frenzied, like this was it, like this kiss was all we would ever have. This time everything was different. The boy River had grown into Styx the man and, despite his flaws and his harshness, he was all I wanted. All I had ever wanted.
I was completely consumed by his every touch, his taste and smell, and at that moment, I gave my soul whole-heartedly, to a sinner.
His right hand began tracing down the front of my tank, my stomach clenching under his touch. His hand dipped lower, plunged past my waistband, his fingers cupping between my legs—flesh against flesh. My legs braced in shock, but when a low grunt vibrated in my mouth, I gave in and his hand began to move along my folds. A whimper slipped up my throat, and I began to rock. I felt strange. Too hot, but not hot enough. Styx’s fingers moved too fast, yet not fast enough. Tingles spread up my thighs and arms. I could feel I was teetering on the precipice of something great… something huge… like nothing else.
My hands ran up the strong planes of Styx’s muscled back, to his ribs, counting each one as I passed, then finally stroked down the front of his stomach, his muscles contracting and his head snapping back on a hiss, breaking from the kiss. As I watched the cords of muscle strain in his neck, the sound of the brothers leaving the water broke me from my gaze.
This was not right.
Lord, what am I doing?
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother — a farmer’s daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.
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