All the Sky (Signal Bend, #5) by Susan Fanetti Series: Signal Bend #5
Published by Self-Published on April 11th 2014
Pages: 441
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Joseph 'Havoc' Mariano is an enforcer for the Night Horde MC. He’s a punch first, think maybe kind of guy, a man of action. He's impatient and frustrated with the quiet life—times are changing, his town is changing, his club is changing, and Havoc places the blame squarely on the women that his brothers are settling down with. There's only room for two women in his life: his mother and his sister. Romance holds no appeal for him whatsoever. He’s a homegrown, hometown boy whose attitude covers scars he’s mostly forgotten about.
Corinne Hawes is a single mother struggling to find a way to make a life for her and her teenage son, Nolan. She is an artist at heart, a free spirit on whom the structure and rigor of routine chafes hard. When she takes a job that makes Havoc her boss, they butt heads. But in their confrontations, a spark ignites. When they let their guards down, that spark explodes into a blaze.
While Cory learns to trust Havoc, and Havoc grapples with a major shift in his priorities and outlook on life, the period of legitimacy and peace comes to an end for the Horde. They had no idea that they were in so deep until an old enemy resurfaces and perpetrates a horror that affects Havoc, and Cory, profoundly.
Note: explicit sex and violence.
I’ve always claimed that I’m not a big fan of MC (Motorcycle Club) books, but hot dang if I’m not utterly in love with the Signal Bend series. All the Sky is the fifth book in the series, and I was happy to be reunited with the Night Horde bikers.
Havoc has always been one scary, badass mo-fo. He’s the guy who’s not remotely squeamish about getting his hands dirty for club business. Violence is right up his alley, and he has no hesitation about fighting, torturing, or killing. The guy never gave me the warm fuzzies, so I wasn’t terribly excited to read his story, let alone try to view him in a romantic light.
Here’s what’s brilliant about Susan Fanetti’s writing. She doesn’t sugar coat anything. Havoc is not a nice man, and he readily admits as much. He doesn’t look for assurances that he’s anything but the sexist, rude, selfish, cruel, volatile, Neanderthal that he absolutely is. Attractive, right? Somehow, though, Fanetti created a soft spot in my heart for Havoc without turning him into a saint. I grew really fond of him.
Cory, a single mom, and Nolan, her teenage son, are absolutely amazing. Cory is stubborn and more than capable of going toe-to-toe with Havoc. The fire between the two of them is consuming and addictive. I really admired Cory’s independence and resilience. I’m hoping we haven’t seen the last of Nolan. The sensitive, artistic, gaming geek could have a lot to offer the series down the line.
This book—heck, this entire series—is not for the fainthearted. There’s graphic violence, foul language, and suspense in spades. Like I said, it’s not typically my bag, baby, so I still can’t believe how much I like it. I more than liked this engaging story. I loved it. I guess I’d better stock up on some Tums, have my Xanax on standby, and then be on my merry way to the next book.
Recommended for fans of:
MC club stories
Scary biker dudes
Single moms
Suspense
Wine bars
About Susan Fanetti
I was born and raised in the Midwest–Missouri, to be precise. A few years ago, I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I’ve found my home in romance–or perhaps it’s better to say simply “love stories.” I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that’s just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
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