REVIEW TOUR: REVIEW, EXCERPT, AND GIVEAWAY: Enforce by Rachel Van Dyken

RELEASE DAY: Dec 18

Synopsis

There’s two sides to every story…

And ours? Isn’t pretty…

Then again, what’s pretty about the mafia?

Trace Rooks, that’s what.

But she only wants one of us, and I’ll kill him before I let him have her.

The only problem?

We’re cousins.

And she may just be our long lost enemy.

Whoever said college was hard, clearly didn’t attend Eagle Elite University.

Welcome to hell also known as the Mafia where blood is thicker than life, and to keep yours? Well, keep your friends close, and your enemies?

Even closer…

Buy Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/enforce/id924571304?mt=11

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21566855-enforce?ac=1

Review

In Enforce, readers witness the divide of the Elite begin; the fracturing bonds that were long established – that mean everything to them – are crumbling as personal interests start to take over. Nixon is boss; Chase is second in command, and then there’s Tex and Phoenix, two outsiders, born into families who despise the Abandonatos but willingly have Nixon’s back because at this point in time friendship is thicker than blood even if blood might win out in the end. All four of these men are brothers, looking out for one another, standing side by side each other through bloodshed and danger. But all it takes is one girl to fissure that connection and make all four of the Elite decide whose side they’re really on.

Book 1.5 in Rachel Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series provides readers with an inside look at the hearts and minds of our Mafia Men. It takes us back to when everything began to implode as well as explode and what those actions meant for the future of all those involved with the Abandonatos and the other Mafia families. In Enforce, Van Dyken helps readers to understand Nixon’s choices in regards to his treatment of Trace, Chase’s inability to back down from his feelings for Trace regardless of Nixon’s orders, Phoenix’s plummet even further into the darkness as a monster of his father’s creation, and Tex’s first attempt to make Mo his. Through their internal dialogue, actions, and interactions, we are shown what’s at stake in this dark world of blood, evil, and retribution, and it’s clear that when lives are on the line, Nixon and his crew will do whatever it takes to protect what’s theirs, even if it’s dealing with one of their own.

I’ve always been Team Nixon, even with his initial treatment of Trace, and getting his perspective in Enforce, 100% solidifies by position. His decisions in how to handle Trace and his feelings for her tear him apart and make him loathe his position as boss, but he also understands what’s at stake, so he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe, but that costs him so much more than readers would ever have known if we weren’t given his point of view.

It’s been pretty clear from the beginning how much Chase wants Trace, but through his own words, readers truly see why he risks the wrath of Nixon for this girl who owns his heart. It’s not simply a crush or infatuation; it is hardcore love, and even if he loses, he knows he needs to give it all he has to get Trace to recognize him as more than friends, even if it ruins his relationship with Nixon. Trace is worth it to him and that is clearly shown in Enforce.

As the series continued, my feelings for Phoenix changed through his redemptive acts, but going back to the beginning where his sanity started to unravel and he delved into the darkest parts of himself left me loathing him again. I anxiously awaiting Ember, so that my mind can be put back at ease for the man who rises out of the ashes reborn – at least I’m hoping that’s what happens!

Readers aren’t privy to too much from Tex, but his presence is felt in Enforce in every one liner he delivers and the comic relief he offers up to lighten the intensity of situations. The way Nixon and Chase perceive him is what I really enjoyed about Tex in this book. They give readers a look behind Tex’s façade and help us to understand that sometimes playing a role is what is necessary to stay ahead in this game of life or death.

Enforce made everything so much clearer in terms of Nixon, Chase, and Phoenix and the uproar Trace’s presence cost the tight knit group. All three were so tortured in this book, and it helped to put everything into perspective as to why Nixon made the choices he did and why Chase and Phoenix just couldn’t back down this time around because there was so much at stake for them personally. I feel like I have a better understanding of all four members of the Elite – an added facet to the storyline as a whole and a clearer view of how deep the bonds are between them.

The Eagle Elite series is one of my absolute favorites. Each book is gritty, emotional, and full of drama – both on a personal and Mafia level. It’s a definite must read for those readers who love continuing plotlines that expand and intensify as the series continues. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them swooning over the four members of the Elite, trying to decide which team to be on.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples

Excerpt

Chase

I grabbed the girl’s arm and practically dragged her down the hall. The rest of the students followed because, hey, who doesn’t like a free show? Hell, it wasn’t like I was going to hurt the girl. I didn’t hit girls. That wasn’t my specialty. I would never hit a girl unless I had no choice, my life or hers.
“So…” I gently pushed her away. “…what’s your name?”
“B-Brit.” She wrapped her arms around her stomach.
“How old are you, Brit?”
“Twenty.”
“Major?” I sighed, shoving my hands in my pockets while it went deathly silent around me.
Her blue eyes flickered with uncertainty; she tucked a piece of red hair behind her shoulder. “Business.”
“Father’s name?”
People whistled.
She pressed her lips together.
“Father’s name? Don’t make me ask again, Brit.”
“Arnold.”
“Ah…” I snapped my fingers. “Ben Arnold, Independent. Was elected into the House of Representatives a few years back. Loves to golf, has a dog named… Henry and a goldfish named Stu. Cheated on his wife of twenty years with a stripper and was caught embezzling money from the State of Iowa but wasn’t penalized or taken to prison. Good ol’ Ben.” I chuckled. “Loves his little girl. I mean, he really does. After all, that was his plea, “Don’t do this to my family.” I sighed. “It’s just too bad.”
“Wh-what?” Brit gasped, tears streaming down her face. “What do you mean?”
“Prison… is not for the faint of heart.” I sighed. “Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
Brit shook her head.
I pulled out my cell and dangled it in front of her face. “One phone call from me and your father will be behind bars so fast you won’t even get to say goodbye. One phone call, Brit, and I suck every possible future from your pathetic life. You’ll be lucky to be working as a prostitute once I’m finished with you. Because let’s face it, even prostitutes need to have some class, am I right?”
People around me started whispering.
“So here’s what’s going to happen…” I cleared my throat and approached her until she could feel the heat from my body. “You talk to Trace again? I make that phone call. You talk about her, and I hear about it from one of your ugly friends? I make the phone call. Daddy goes to prison, all the family money gets taken, and, just because I love making people suffer that much, I tell the freaking world about your mother’s little… problem. Got me?”
Her lips trembled as tears cascaded down her puffy cheeks.
“Great.” I smiled and turned. “Anyone else want to tempt fate today, or are we good?”
Nobody spoke.
“Awesome. Then go back to class, make good choices, don’t do drugs, and— Go Eagles!”
I sent Nixon a quick text to let him know the situation had been dealt with, though I was kind of irritated at him. He’d been the hero while I’d had to take care of the dirty work. It was what I did, but for the first time… ever, I wanted to be Nixon. I wanted to be the guy who took care of business, not the second-in-command.

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About Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Links:

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1407369649&sr=8-2-ent