GRIT by: J.C. Valentine Spartan Riders #1

Publication Date: April 19, 2016

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, MC Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Print | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Synopsis: Gabby Morgan isn’t looking for love. Not even a little romance. Following a rocky past that she’d just as soon forget, she’s determined to focus on the future. One that most certainly doesn’t involve the tough-as-nails, short-on-words, hot-as-hell biker…or his kid. Blake Mahone may not be done with women, but he’s finished with relationships. Then Gabby Morgan enters the picture. She’s flawless, refined, and as his kid’s teacher, way out of his league. She acts like she hates him, but her eyes tell a different story. Before he knows it, Blake finds himself hot for teacher, and he’s more than ready to learn all her secrets. Now all he has to do is convince her to give him a shot…without getting them both killed in the process.

#GRIT MUSIC PLAYLIST

#GRIT BOOK TRAILER

#RIDE OR DIE

#RIDE A SPARTAN

Excerpt A shadow eclipsed the sun and Gabby looked up, mouth running dry, as Blake headed her way. Apart from his bike, he towered over her. His shoulder-length hair was drawn back into one of those man buns that had recently become so popular, but she suspected he’d made it his thing before it was a “thing.” Once again he’d opted for a pair of worn jeans that fit his body to perfection, with a black leather vest, otherwise known as a cut, sporting a president patch, his name, and the name of their township. He strode up to her with absolute confidence, his expression set in what she decided to dub constipated. When he reached her, only stopping when they were nearly touching from shoulder to thigh, he folded his arms across his broad chest and stared her down. “Didn’t think you’d show.” Seeing right through his macho posturing, Gabby canted her head to the side and smiled sweetly. “Well, you did invite me.” “Ash invited you. I was simply being nice.” Gabby snorted. Nice wasn’t a word she would use to describe him. “I didn’t realized that word was part of your vocabulary.” “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” “If you want me to go, just say so.” “You’d like that, I’m sure.” His lips pressed together and his jaw clenched. “Ash wants you here, and here you are. What more is there to say.” “How about welcome to the party for starters.” “My manners don’t extend that far. Look, lady, we’re not friends. You’re my kid’s teacher and for some reason he likes you, so I’m going to play nice. Grab yourself a plate, mingle, whatever. It’s no sweat off my back what you decide to do. Just don’t piss anyone off.” Any more than she clearly already had him? Mirroring his stance, Gabby narrowed her eyes on him, her irritation piqued. “Look, Mr. Mahone, I’m not here to pick a fight with you, so how about you dial down the snarky attitude a few notches.” One of his dark brows winged up making him appear far more intense than usual. Undaunted, she pressed on. “Furthermore, you claim that I gave you an unfair shake, and maybe I did. So this is me extending an olive branch. I came here, curious to see if you would prove me wrong, but so far you’re only succeeding in proving me right.” She watched as his gray eyes grew hard and a muscle in his jaw pulsed. Whatever he wanted to say, he didn’t. “Suit yourself, teach. I’d stick around and introduce ya, but I’ve got other shit to do.” With that, he turned and marched away, his shoulders stiff and his long strides eating up the patchy lawn faster than a herd of cattle.

This was my first book by J.C Valentine, and I was blown away with how much I enjoyed her writing. I'm already looking forward to getting more from this series and also the author.

The book follows Blake Mahone as he tries to settle into fatherhood, taking care of his kid at the same time he has to take care of his club. He fumbles around a bit in his responsibilities before meeting Gabby Morgan, his sons teacher. His son instantly takes a liking to her, but for Blake it's hard to trust another female in his life so he does his best to push her away. Gabby doesn't give up easily, though, not once she realizes what a special person Blake is.

I'm a huge fan of MC books but there are times where the actual story gets lost in all the going ons of the Club, and that definitely didn't happen with this book, which was refreshing. I really liked this story and how focused on the main characters it was. Their story never got pushed to the background, instead staying strong throughout the whole book. Gabby and Blake were both great characters and seeing their differences bring them together was very intriguing.

Overall, this author just became one of my automatic buys and is on my stalk-like-crazy list. I can't wait to see what direction she takes this series in but I already know it's going to be great.

ABOUT J.C. VALENTINE

J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Series. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn’t sorry. J.C. earned her own happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart. Living in the Northwest, they have three amazing children and far too many pets and spend much of their free time together enjoying movies or the outdoors. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor’s in English and when she isn’t writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors. Sign up for J.C.’s newsletter and never miss a thing! http://bit.ly/1KxXWWB

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Google+ • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads