Review: Hell on Wheels – Julie Ann Walker

He’s the bad boy she’s always wanted…

Nate “Ghost” Weller has loved Ali Morgan nearly half his life. But he’s done something so heinous he’s convinced she’ll never forgive him if she discovers the truth, so he keeps his feelings and his secrets to himself. Then she blows into town with a mother lode of bad guys on her tail and Nate can’t deny she’s in serious trouble. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who can help her.

She’s the good girl he’s kept at arm’s length…

Ali knows Nate as the most solemn, aloof man on the planet. Sadly, he’s also the sexiest. For years she’s avoided him, unable to stomach his dark scowls and brooding silences… especially when she secretly yearns for his touch. Now she must rely on him to save her from the malevolent shadows ghosting her every move. When the bullets explode, so does their passion. But can love really conquer all? Or are some things just too terrible to forgive?

Series:  Black Knights, Inc #1
Release Date:  August 7, 2012
Publisher:  Sourcebooks
Source:  Provided by Publisher
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

If you’re a follower of my blog, then you know I loved a tortured hero.  Well, Julie Ann Walker has given me a new man to add to my boyfriend list because Nate Weller is just about as tortured as they come.

Nate Weller, is an ex-Marine, who is now an operative for the elusive Black Knight, Inc.  He puts his sniper skills to good use helping Uncle Sam when no one needs to know Uncle Sam’s involved.  He’s a man of few words but loyal and protective all those he holds dear.

Nate is a man who doesn’t like to show his emotions, but the events of the last couple of months have him severely on edge.  When Ali, his best friend’s sister, shows up at the Black Knight compound in Chicago, he’s not sure what he should do.  Nate is riddled with guilt over Grigg’s death and hasn’t even come close to dealing with his grief.  But that all pales to what he feels for Ali.

He’s love her since she was a seventeen year old high school senior and he a twenty-one year old private visiting his friend’s family.  He purposefully keeps his distance from Ali, thinking if he allowed himself the pleasure of her company he’d be breaking the best friend code (thou shall not mess around with your best friend’s sister).  But when she turns to the Black Knight’s after an attempted mugging, he’s determined to keep her safe, even from him.

Nate’s not the only one harboring feelings.  Ali has felt the same way about Nate for the same amount of time.  So while he was trying to stay away from her, she was trying to figure out how to get close to him.  Because of his running, she took his actions as meaning he couldn’t stand her.  But when she feels threatened, he’s the first person that she runs to for protection.

Nate and Ali will break your heart.  Nate continually pushes Ali away, while ignoring how badly it hurts him, while Ali keeps throwing out a line and hoping Nate will bite.  Unfortunately, every time she does manage to get Nate to bite, the bite ends up causing her a tremendous amount of pain.  I was at the point where I needed Ali to walk away from Nate, permanently, because I couldn’t take it anymore.  But, Ali is a better person than me and she doesn’t give up on the man she loves.  Good thing, because Nate really needed someone to show him just how lovable and needed he was.

This was an awesome start to the Black Knight, Inc series.  With a bunch of ex-military men, you know we’re in for some emotional and edge of your seat stories, especially given the way it starts.  Can’t wait for the next book in the series, which will feature Black Knights boss, Frank, and their fabricator/mechanic/civilian cover, Becky.