Dare (Brothers of Ink and Steel) (Volume 1) Paperback – January 11, 2015

What a fun story to read about Sophie, the massage therapist, working for Josh "the Jackhammer" North. As if he isn't already amazing as a fighter, he's also a volunteer firefighter. Talk about a deadly combo of sexiness that Sophie can't ignore. Both of them have secrets although Sophie's secret is still a threat to her whereas Josh's secret is something from the past that haunts him in his search for redemption. What's different about this story is that Sophie is also a single mom who values her privacy and anonymity, which she puts at risk because Josh is a celebrity. Although he's not a relationship type of guy, it's hard not to love Josh. He comes from a loving family and has some really great qualities as a person. He's naturally protective and caring and very good at what he does for a living. I enjoyed the tension between the two of them and the fact that it was Josh who really wanted to get to know Sophie despite her resistance. Sophie's background is sad and heartbreaking but she's a strong female character overall, very independent and self-sufficient. She prioritizes her daughter first and has a sweet personality. Although the story was fairly predictable overall, the characters do bring it to life and it wasn't just one person saving the other, because both of them needed each other to move forward and to be free from the past.

Dare (Brothers of Ink and Steel)Author: Juliette MousseauReview by: Karen MerrillSeptember 24, 2016Let me first say I really enjoyed this book. It was about a MMA fighter / firefighter Josh North, who was injured while fighting a fire. As part of his rehabilitation, he was assigned to massage therapist Sophie Garner. Sophie, the single mother of a delightful 3 year old, is beautiful but reserved and secretive for good reason. She and her daughter, Charlie, have fled from her abusive husband, and the last thing she wants is a new relationship or to risk being found by her estranged husband. Josh quickly develops feeling for Sophie and lures her onto his fight team as a massage therapist. As their together she learns more about him and his troubled past, how he was raised with his uncle because of his rebellious behavior as a teen and how his uncle helped to turn his life around with MMA. Learning how to redirect and control his anger turned his life around and eventually led him to be the champion he was now.Sophie on the other hand, also having a traumatic childhood, had no one to rescue her. Instead, she turned to a man who would become both her husband and her worst enemy. After giving birth to a daughter the physical and emotional abuse became so bad she feared for her life. Her husband, being a police officer himself, left her without the option of going to the authorities, so instead she went on the run.This is where Sophie’s and Joshes path finally crossed. Can Josh convince Sophie that she can trust him not to hurt her? Can Josh forgive himself for his own past mistakes that continue to haunt him? Can these two broken hearts find healing in each other’s arms? Well, you’ll have to read to find out!I would like to say in conclusion that this story was very well written. The character development wasn’t rushed nor was the relationship between the couple. There was no jumping right into bed in this book, the author took time letting the story develop so that you were invested in the couple almost holding your breath for the “big moment” when it finally happened. The anticipation was sweet. And the stages they went through learning to trust each other was really well thought out and believable. In conclusion… I loved this story. It was emotional, entertaining and HOT,HOT,HOT.Overall rating (scale of 1-10) 8Heat rating (scale 1-5). 4. This book has graphic sex scenes, but nothing out of the norm (no anal, bondage, flogging, whipping, or other sex toys / props)… just straight forward, hot sex.

Above and Way Beyond 5 Stars!!!!! More like 100 Stars PERFECT!!!!!!OK, now there are 5 Star reads and THERE ARE 5 Star reads that need their very own special place up on a pedestal so that they stand out from the rest and hell yes, this book is one of them!!!! This is a book that for me gets placed on my very own special and unique above and beyond 5 Stars shelf! Yep, it's that freaking super duper awesome!!!!!!!!Wow, wow, wow, I just finished and I am stunned on what exact words to use to describe this outstanding story. This book took my breath away from the start and kept me glued on my seat and invested until the very last word was read.First, I have to start by saying that I wished that I had read this sooner because hot damn this book for me was a truly beautiful, literary work of art, a masterpiece, sheer perfection in my eyes!!!!!! This story had me feeling every single emotion possible, the highs of beautiful pure love and the lows of utter heartbreak for our two beautiful in EVERY sense of the word the main characters, Josh and Sophie.... Oh god, I have a serious, serious love for those 2 and oh yeah add in a beautiful, absolutely perfect bundle of joy....yep, Charlie!!!!! I could literally cry thinking of these 3, beautiful, loving, caring, pure down to the depths of their souls characters..... I can only describe Josh and Sophie with one saying, they for me were the most beautiful and warmest of souls one could hope to read about and oh gosh, I simply can't get enough of them!!!!!!!!! Please, please I need even more of them in the future, lol, maybe a catch-up novella...wink, wink, hehehehe!!!!!Their story touched my heart in every way, my heart broke into tiny little pieces with BOTH of their back stories but this author mended my heart whole again and in the very best way, slowly and carefully and oh so beautifully...with a story so beautiful yet so tragic, Author Allie Juliette Mousseau wove their story of coming together PERFECTLY, SEAMLESSLY and FLAWLESSLY!!!!!!!!This is a MUST Read:) I am going to say that I have over 5,000 books in my kindle library and guess what, this book was so good and touched me in such a way that I just purchased the next book in this series because I NEED to dive straight back into this world of characters that I freaking LOVED.... I cannot wait to read about Liam and Quinn and I cannot wait to read about all of Josh's "brothers of ink".... And I hope that with every story in this series, I will be able to catch up with my favorite, beautiful, perfect couple....Josh and Sophie (and Charlie too) because I will never forget them nor do I want to:)I now officially have a serious book hangover because this story will stay with my always...tucked away in a very special place in my heart:)Congrats Author Allie Juliette Mousseau for this truly heartbreakingly beautiful and amazing book!!!! You my dear are a literary genius in my eyes and I am now a true fan of yours for life!!!!!

Usually after reading a book I like to knock out a review almost immediately and generally only if I can say good things about it, at the end of the day I don't want my experience to sway someone in the negative as every reader goes on their own personal journey through a book but with Dare I took about thirty six hours to gather myself only because I couldn't seem to put into words how to convey how much this book made me feel, made me think, made me thankful and admittedly made me feel fairly lustful and guilty when I asked my husband if he was sure he didn't like the idea of a nice tribal tattoo on his shoulder and a years membership to the gym. Bad wife.The one thing I always find consistently believable and done with aplomb in Allie's writing is the depth of her empathy for real life situations and in this case touching on domestic violence and stalking. Her style of writing is impeccable, showing a well thought out plot executed with obvious talent, knowing what timeline works to her advantage and how to portray the depth and layers to her players. The characterisation is what ultimately will draw you in to the world of the Brother's of Ink and Steel (fantastic bit of storytelling when you discover just how that title came about), even though there is plenty of intrigue and angst to keep the storyline momentum progressing and the reader on the edge of their seats and a wonderful love story unfurling, what is a good story without a terrific cast to play their parts?Josh- MMA god and firefighter extraordinaire is a well balanced hero, both sexy and sweet, arrogant but commendable, a fighter and a protector. The heroine to his hero, Sophie is a multi-faceted, resilient and courageous woman which is so refreshing to read as I sometimes find in novels touching on domestic abuse that the survivor comes across as either very contained and stubborn rather than strong and independent but Sophie's character is one that should be emulated and commended for her bravery in the face of adversity and what Allie shows us here is that it's ok to be independent and self-contained but it's also ok to lean on someone and love someone when you're in trouble or in need of a little help and in her case she ends up with an entire beautiful family at her back.The chemistry between her and Josh is off the charts scorching and adding in the scene stealing Charlie, Sophie's young daughter you're left with a beautiful balance of comedy and tragedy as well as sultry and romantic when it comes to the fledging romance between reluctant Sophie and the confident Josh. The use of sexual tension and building upon it rather than having chapter upon chapter of tedious repetitive sex gives Dare an added kick, there is no filler just a tremendous amount of substance and adventure and love. If you're looking for a kick-ass take no prisoners alpha male and an equally kick ass can-look-after-herself heroine with a good dramatic storyline and an epic love story then this is the book for you. (On a side note you may want to become better acquainted with Josh's brothers in Allie's other excellent series True North)

3.5 Stars.Dare had the potential to be a really great book. The story line for both Sophie’s and Josh past was actually very good, but the author cuts it too short, not explaining enough. We get more insight into Josh history but it’s too rushed and Sophie’s past is more factual rather than giving us any real depth to what she went through. She went through a lot, but it’s just skimmed over.I would have preferred to read about Josh and Sophie from a young age, starting at the beginning of their story rather than through flashbacks.I did skip through some of the pages as for me, they were insignificant to the overall story. There are some nice romantic moments and in all not a bad book if you want a quick romance to read that’s not too heavy.

MY REVIEWI hadn't read anything from this author before, Allie Juliette Mousseau’s new series Brothers of Ink and Steel blew me away. This story is sweet, sexy and not crammed with angst, it is a really fum lovely read.The prologue really grabbed my attention, Sophie was in such a bad situation i really felt for her. Sophie is a single mother is trying to make a better life for herself and daughter all the while watching over her shoulder for the past that might catch up with her. i really liked how Sophie wasnt beat down and meek, which she could have easily been in her situation but when she had to be tough she was, her daughter was at stake.Josh mmmm Swoon, firefighter and an MMA fighter, great combo indeed. I loved his character he is honest and realistic, i liked how we got to delve into his past to see how he became one of the bother of ink and steel.Fantastic start to a series, cannot wait to get to know more about this group of brothers.

This is the first book I've read by Allie Juliette Mousseau and it won't be the last! Josh and Sophie both have the nightmares of their past to overcome. With each fear they face together, they grow stronger as a couple. Josh, I mean WOW, Who couldn't love him? Little Charlie is just adorable! The rest of the North clan sound fab, I'm looking forward to reading about them. I'm certainly going to be on the look out for the rest of the brothers of Ink and Steel. The only negative was the rushed ending. It left too many unanswered questions for me. Did Sophie kill Jim? Who was his partner in crime? Why did Josh tell him to go as the Police were coming? (Helping him escape)Did Jim's partner in crime get away or was he caught by Police? Or. If he got away, is Sophie still at risk? OrIf Police caught him, what sentence did he get? That's 6 frustrating unanswered questions it's left me asking!

Wow! What a fantastic story, this is a new author to me, but after finishing this book. I will certainly be reading more in the future.This is definitely not your typical MMA story. It may be about a fighter but it is so much more than that. This story kept me gripped from the very beginning it was sweet, sexy, suspenseful and at times very emotional.I adored Josh from the very moment he ran into a burning building and by the end I was completely in love with him. Sophie too is an incredibly strong character and her daughter Charlie was sweet especially in her relationship with Josh.This story is so rich in detail, and at times brutal to read but extremely enjoyable and one I would happily recommend.

What a brilliant book this is! just could not put it down! so many emotions the characters were brilliant I just fell in love with Josh and sounds so HOT! even though he had his ups and downs through his life he managed to look after Sophie and dear little Charlie and eventually all became good. Obviously will spoil it for readers who have not yet had the pleasure of reading this. Well done Allie and know that the beginning of this series is going to be followed by another brilliant book. Would recommend this to anyone who likes these types of books. Hopefully you will not make us wait too long as I think it spoils it waiting for months. The stars have certainly been deserved.

Well what a great read,I thoroughly enjoyed this book and quite sad I finished it. MMA Fighter Josh gets injured while rescuing a child from a burning building (yes he is a fire fighter as well!!!!) Josh sustains muscle injuries and requires a massage therapist to get him fighting fit again. In walks Sophie,after running away from her abusive husband to protect her little girl she meets Josh and he hires her to keep him in top shape ready for his next big fight,but what he doesn't realise is his greatest fight will be to keep Sophie & Charlie safe! HIS they are his family now and no one will ever hurt them again!! Thrilling right to the end x

This author is becoming one of my favourites. I love the writing style and the flow of the stories. The characters and situations are genuine and I was stuck with wanting to get to the end but not wanting the book to finish. The leading lady was strong and confident and a great heroine and what she had been through. What can be said about the leading man other than can I have a Josh North please! I would recommend this to Anyone who wants a heartfelt story with a lot of emotions and little angst! Also check out the other books by this author you won't be disappointed.

Let me start by saying that this is a sweet romantic MMA story. Usually the characters in these books aren't gentlemanly or kind or well mannered and Josh is all of those things. Plus, he falls in love with Sophie and her daughter immediately and is amazing with both of them.Maybe that's my gripe with this book. It just got boring. And it didn't hold my interest because of that. I guess I like the dirtier bad boy MMA type characters. Josh and Sophie were just too goody goody and it wasn't enough to hold my interest.

This book has it all; sexy, tortured leading man, single mother with a tragic past, vulnerable in the face of a loving future but both learning to trust each other and push through together. Ahh, what's not to love. For me this had the perfect blend of romance and tragedy with language that both titilated and brought tears to my eyes but not so emotional that I felt spent upon finishing. I'll definitely be checking out the North series and looking for the next instalment of Ink and Steel.

Loved this book, this author is definitely one to watch, I can't wait to read more from her.Well written characters, totally captivated by them. Their interactions were believable, the emotions written about them were so well portrayed, their damaged pasts so eloquently described, Ms Mousseau is truly gifted.Lots of passion, romance and a growing love, the heroine and her hero are engaging, loved them! Don't miss this book...... hopefully the first of a series?????

This is the first book I read by this author. It was only when I finished it that I realised it should have been the forth book I read after the True North series. Needless to say I immediately downloaded the True North series. All of the characters have so much depth of character. And I am now about to read book 3 of True North and I can't wait. I am also very much looking forward to the next in the series of Brothers of ink and steel. I can't wait to find out more about all of the characters.

Wow what a book!!2 people with secrets and hurt collide into a beautiful relationship, Josh oh my god dreams come true ufc fighter and part time fireman what more could you ask for. Timid Sophie with a bad past becomes Josh's masseuse and sparks fly.. this book is full of sex, lust and secrets and I could not put it down. It was a book that I didn't want to end and I hope that their story follows on x amazingly written well done Allie will definitely be reading more of your books x

Was recommended by a book friend. Just want to say she's my new best friend, cos, wow! Loved this story so much. Characters are wonderful. At no point was I frustrated by any of the story lines or characters. Josh was the ultimate BBF and Sophie fit him perfectly. With the added bonus of the oh so cute Charlie, the story was a complete blend of all that I love. Thank you Melinda and thank you Allie, book 2 here I come ❤️❤️❤️

Another Fab book from Allie Juliette This is one of those books that will stay with you...it was to say the least absolutely fabulous, iv`e read all the True North books by Allie and they just seem to get better. Josh`s story has been one of the best and will take some beating. The story line was brill and so well written, i hope its not too long to wait for book 2 in the ink and steel series