Linda
Written on Oct 14, 2018
FRC
The bestselling author of the Killer Instincts novels “knows how to write scorching sexual tension”*. Now she really sets it on fire in a new series about men and women living on the edge of violence, sex, and life and death.
After a devastating war decimated most of the world, Hudson Lane has only known the oppressive life under her own father’s tyranny. She finally escapes, branding herself an outlaw and hunted by the Enforcers. Her best chance at survival is Connor Mackenzie, an aggressively sensual fugitive who opens her eyes to the wicked possibilities of a world without rules.
As the leader of a band of outlaw fighters, Connor can’t resist the beautiful stranger who asks for his protection. Despite his reservations, he agrees to introduce her to a whole new way of life. But when Connor discovers Hudson’s connection to the enemies of liberty, he wonders how far he can trust the woman who has abandoned all inhibitions to challenge every forbidden desire.
*USA Today
- ISBN10 0451474449
- ISBN13 9780451474445
- Publish Date 6 October 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Berkley
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 368
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451474445
Reviews
FRC
Rowena
Written on Sep 30, 2015
So in this Outlaws world, it’s after the big war that destroyed well…everything. The world as we know it now, is completely gone in this world. California, Colorado, New York City, it’s all a part of the past and the people are now under the control of the government. Those that will not bend to the government’s rule, are living as outlaws in the wilderness – hunted by the government.
Connor MacKenzie has been living as an outlaw for a while now and along the way, the loner has attracted some friends who just stuck around. After his wife and people were killed by Dominick Lane, leader of the Enforcers, Connor has dreamed of avenging his wife. Dominick has been on his kill list for a long time and Connor knew that one day, he was going to kill him. He just had to be patient. His band of followers keeps getting bigger and bigger and that was something Connor was not counting on. He didn’t want to become a leader but that’s what happened anyway.
When the beautiful Hudson comes across Connor and his men, she wants their protection and at first, Connor was like, “Hell no” but the guilt trips from his men had him turning around and taking Hudson under his protection. His life was never the same again.
Hudson is running from the enforcers because her father has promised her hand in marriage to a monster that scares the daylights out of Hudson and she would rather live as an outlaw than to live as his wife. So of course at the first chance she gets, Hudson flees the safety of her home to the wild lands of the outlaws. When she comes across Connor and his men, she knows that she’ll be safe from Knox with them so she practically begs to be a part of their group.
Watching Connor and Hudson battle their personal issues along with their growing feelings for each other was a treat to read because I was all up in their business. There were times when I wanted to throttle Connor for being so hard on Hudson but as the story progressed, I switched gears and wanted to choke Hudson out for waiting so long to come clean with not just Connor but the other guys as well. I understood why she didn’t tell them at first but she knew that Connor was falling in love with her and she was falling for him and she still kept her secret and for a little bit, that didn’t sit right with me.
Kennedy continues to hit every single one of my happy buttons and this book wasn’t an exception. I enjoyed the cast of characters and am looking forward to see who is getting their book next. I’m pretty anxious for books for everyone but Dominick and Rylan just a tad bit more. I’m kind of wondering who Rylan will end up with…Reese or Jamie?
Overall, this book was entertaining and everything that I’ve come to expect from Elle Kennedy. She writes the kind of books that readers want to read. I’m definitely on board for more.
Grade: 4 out of 5
EBookObsessed
Written on Sep 27, 2015
The world as we know it has ended. Someone started dropping bombs and those that were left alive had to recreate society. A Global Counsel formed itself and walled up several major cities keeping its citizens prisoners for their own safety. Enforcers were given weapons and the responsibility of keeping the citizens safe and contained. The GC withholds medical attention to the citizens. It is only available to the Council members, their children who will be future councilors and the enforcers. The GC also wants to control population so they force sterilize the women who they deem unworthy to breed.
Enforcers not only control the citizens, they scout outside the walls to find bandits who will murder for supplies and are a danger to the citizens. They also search for Outlaws. Outlaws are anyone who are not contained within the city walls; anyone who the counsel does not control. The enforcers used to catch the outlaws and give them a choice, become a citizen or face death. Now someone has changed the rules and if you are caught outside the city walls, you are dead.
Hudson Lane would rather face death or whatever horror might await her outside the wall, then to marry the Enforcer Lieutenant, Knox. He might call it protecting the citizens but he is simply a murderer and a rapist and he really, really likes his job. When her brother presents her with a marriage contract declaring that she has no choice, Hudson takes off the first time she can get outside the city walls.
Hudson comes upon Connor Mackenzie and his group and begs for their protection. Connor doesn't trust strangers and has no interest in added to the people he is already responsible for but his men out vote him and he allows Hudson in against his better judgment. All he knows is that she is hiding something and that something could bring more than trouble for them if the enforcers find their camp.
Connor isn't wrong. Hudson isn't just any citizen. Her father was the man who created the Global Council. A man would allow his own wife to die without medical attention to fulfill his philosophy. And Hudson's twin brother, Dominik is the man most feared in the land. Dominik is the head of the enforcers. The man who decided that outlaws no longer get an opportunity to return to the cities. And he isn't going to let his sister disappear into the night.
THOUGHTS:
I am a big fan of Elle Kennedy's Killer Instinct series and I enjoy the characters she writes. When I was first offered a copy of her new series which is considered Erotic Dystopian, I was curious what that would entail but I like Elle Kennedy so why not give it a try. There was quite a buzz on several review blogs about this book and I couldn't wait until it popped to the top of my list to see what all the excitement was about.
All I can say is - Wow! Not only is it steamy and sexy but more important, it is good. Many erotica stories are blah, blah, words, hot sex, blah, blah, spank me, blah. There is no real story just words between sex scenes. Elle Kennedy gives us great world building. Connor and his group have wonderful character depth. Secondary characters are introduced and are so intriguing I can't wait to see if they take a more prominent role in the series.
As far as the erotica part, the story has explosive chemistry between Connor and Hudson, and it was presented in a way that blended well with the overall story. The end of the world has come so most of the population, whether citizens or outlaws, engage in a lot of sexual activity. You really might die tomorrow, so why be shy. You find someone attractive enough and it is on. Money is not used outside of the city so bartering is the only way to acquire things you need so payment is made in sex, weapons, trading, whatever. Hudson has been living in the enforcer's compound her whole life and her brother has been running the enforcers since his teens. Hudson had to blackmail a boy to get her first kiss and anyone who was brave enough to try to have sex with her, did it quickly, in the dark and tried not to be found out by Dominik or they would get a severe beating for touching his sister. To say Hudson is sexually repressed is not exaggerating but it is not because she doesn't want to have sex. There is instant attraction between Hudson and Connor and although he tries to fight it, he eventually gives in. He also watches Hudson's reactions to his suggestions and when he suggests adding one of his men to the mix, the gleam in Hudson's eye tells him that she would definitely be interested.
Claimed has lived up to all the hype. It has great story telling, world building and characters and lots of steamy, hot sex. Did I mention -- Wow! Grab a copy soon because...you never know.
Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more at http://EBookObsessed.com
Cocktails and Books
Written on Sep 27, 2015
Claimed is a dystopian setting where war has devastated most of the planet. Basically Utah is the western end of the United States caused by a massive earthquake. The people who survived either live inside of walled cities or are nomads who live in the wasteland. The world is run by a Global Council who sends out Enforcers to keep the nomads in check. Hudson has escaped the city and escaped from a precarious situation. I can't say more b/c it spoils the plot. She is a survivor, a fighter and definitely not a wimpy female. She recognizes Connor and his band of men as exactly what she needs. She needs protection, a place to stay and some back up.
Hudson and Connor had a lot of chemistry and passion, but I am not sure how I feel about their relationship. Connor is extremely controlling almost to the point that I didn't like him. I understand being protective and I also understand where it comes from once you get his backstory but at times it was too much. Hudson started out exactly how I like my female MC: stubborn, tough, smart and plenty of backbone. Once sex with Connor was involved, I felt like she changed too much and maybe a little too weak for my liking.
This is an erotic novel so I can't complain. However, I loved where this storyline was going. I thought it had a ton of potential and it still may in the rest of the series. The sex overwhelmed the storyline at times and I wanted more plot, less sex. I really enjoy Elle Kennedy, but I was a bit disappointed in Outlawed. I do hold out that the rest of the series with expand the storyline. I loved the concept and just wanted more meat to the story.
What I enjoyed about this book was the action, the dystopian society, and the suspense. I say this is a decent start to a series and I have faith in Elle Kennedy for the next book. If you enjoy an erotic suspense set in a post apocalyptic world, pick this one up!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Sep 25, 2015