Another drama filled visit with the MC! There's just something about these guys that really gets to me ... they're supposed to be big, bad and tough, but when they meet the right woman who finally takes them off the market to all the clubhouse girls, they turn into protective teddy bears. :) On the lighter side of MC's, but lots of fun to read!

Amelia Davis has been waiting for revenge for practically half of her life, but when she sets out to get it, it doesn't work out like she planned. She can't believe some of the info she was fed, and decides it's not worth it in the end ... but her original plan comes back to bite her!

Gage Reynolds grew up in the MC, and he's happy that it's his way of life. He has owned Odin's bar for a few years now and when he meets the newest hire, he's not happy. Amelia sets him on fire the second he lays on her. He has rules ... he doesn't screw his employees ... but he's thinking to break that rule just for her!

What starts as one night turns into much more as they both find something more in each other than they ever expected. When Gage finds out the secrets she's been keeping, will there be a way to rectify what's been done?

3.5 stars--PAYBACK is the second installment in Christina Phillips’ contemporary, adult VIKING BASTARDS MC erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of the Viking Bastards MC. This is MC member and bar owner Gage Reynolds, and waitress/romance novelist Amelia Davis-Crane’s story line. PAYBACK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person points of view (Gage and Amelia) PAYBACK follows waitress and romance writer Amelia Davis-Crane as she plots revenge against the MC that destroyed her life and sent her family in to hiding. Years earlier, Amelia’s father, a member of the Silver Wolve’s MC was killed in prison by a member of the Viking Bastards MC, and our heroine is determined to make them pay. When someone from the past demands Amelia ferret out some information about the Viking Bastards MC, Amelia finds herself working for the very man she is hoping to take down. Enter Gage Reynolds, Odin’s bar owner and member of the Viking Bastards MC, and the man with whom Amelia will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Gage and Amelia, and the fall out when the truth is finally revealed.

Amelia Davis only knows what her mother has told her about the man she once worshipped-Hank Crane, an MC enforcer, was imprisoned to protect the Silver Wolves MC and lost his life at the hands of a Viking Bastard member. On the run, and unaware that the family had moved into enemy territory, Amelia plots revenge against the son of the man who destroyed her father’s life.

Gage Reynolds doesn’t do relationship; his reputation as a ‘manwhore’ precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but something about Amelia calls to Gage’s heart. Amelia refuses to give into her attraction to our leading hero, and in this, Gage is determined to win Amelia over with something more than a one-night stand. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense. Gage likes to talk dirty in the bedroom.

The world building focuses on Amelia’s need for revenge but secrets, lies, and a vendetta from the past destroy Amelia’s relationship with the man that she loves, and forces Gage to push away the woman that calls to his heart.

We are introduced to a number of the Viking Bastards MC including the reappearance of Gage’s brother –Zach Reynolds (Hooked #1), their sister Kat, and cousin Tod. The requisite evil is a member of the Silver Wolves who uses our story line heroine to destroy the rival MC.

PAYBACK is a story of secrets, lies, betrayal and revenge. There are moments of romance and love; hurt and sorrow; forgiveness and moving on from the past. The premise is revealing; the characters are spirited and flawed; the romance is sexy and spicy. Once again, like in the first book HOOKED, I was hoping for a little more grit, danger, and conflict but the premise focuses on the relationship and reveals very little about the Viking Bastards MC and their current work and struggles.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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What-a-follow-up. Yes, it was good. Dark. Intense. Hot. Deep. Amelia. Gage. Secrets. Passion. Lust. Revenge/Payback. Depends on your own viewpoint. Amelia sets in motion the payback she felt that she deserved. That was until she had a chance to meet and assess the accused. Things change all around for both Amelia and Gage.

I enjoyed book one, Hooked. It all carried over to the enjoyment of book two, Payback. Christian has given a second hot, sexy, alpha male to fall in love with and his match. Reading book one was not necessary to get satisfaction from book two, although it did provide a family dynamic to follow as it relates to Gage.

This next offering in the Bastards MC series is good! This installment goes a little deeper into the MC life than the first. I was pleasantly surprised with how the story turned out, and I can't help but admit: I can't wait for the next one.

I love Amelia in this! She's spirited, and doesn't take any shit from Gage - something that surprises, yet intrigues him. And amidst the subterfuge and suspense, their attraction doesn't seem contrived or fake. Gage is a darling, despite his macho-ness, and badass façade.

I definitely recommend this book.

Thanks, NetGalley & Entangled Publishing, for the ARC of this book, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

**3.5 stars** on this one.

It was a good concept but somehow I just couldn't connect to the characters. It was a good story and kept my attention but just lacked the connection. Otherwise interesting MC story and good chemistry with the characters - would have loved an epilogue for them to see where they ended up...

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I had hoped that when I read Payback that it wouldn’t have had the issues that Hooked did, thinking that it being the second book the kinks would have been worked out. While I enjoyed Payback, I felt that there were some unresolved issues and unnecessary drama that took away from the overall story. I wonder if the book had been a tad bit longer that those unresolved issues could have been resolved and not been swept under the rug and forgotten.

Gage and Amelia have great chemistry and I felt that these two were meant for each other, no question, but secrets, lies and misunderstandings broke that very important part of any relationship, trust. Lack of communication, hot headed bikers, and stubborn sassy females just added to the situations.

At the end of the day I liked Payback but just not enough to say that I would read it again and I am not sure if I will continue the series or not, I wanted more and I think the potential for more is there but if not done right it will be another just okay book.

Gage…

I don't fuck girls who work for me, but as soon as Amelia turns those big green eyes on me I know she's trouble. I can't keep my hands off her, and the almost-but-not-quite-sex we share in the kitchen is the hottest thing I've ever had. Except she calls it quits, before we've even started.

Instead of moving on, she’s all I can think about and that's bad news. I'm breaking all my rules for her, and don't even care.

Until I find out who she is and what she really wants. She's after payback, but there's no way she's going to get it. No way in hell...







Review:




MC's, revenge, mistaken events and sexiness drive this story.




Having read one other book by this Author I thought I would try this one since the blurb and cover intrigued me.




The second book in the series (I have not read the first one), but I had not issues with reading them out of order. The white-hot chemistry is what got me from page one. Gage and Amy know they should not act on their attraction for their own reasons, but cannot help themselves when around each other. Amy is hiding an agenda based on wrong information that comes back to haunt her and the relationship when it comes out.




This is not hard-core MC romance, so if you are looking for that...this is not it. It is a well-written romance that is MC but more main stream. I really liked both Amy and Gage. I was drawn to both and wanted their love story to work out. The story is super sexy, but with lots of emotion to it.




Great read, would totally read more by this Author and more in this series.




4Stars




*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

Since I did read the first one in this series I was more than ready for this one when I saw it available. It has been really only in the last year I have gotten into more than once in a great while in reading of MC books with this author getting my attention. In this one it is Gage who it centers around the most. The attraction for Amelia is real and trouble of the good kind in my way of thinking. As the story unravels you are pulled once again into this world with eyes glued to the pages. Lots of drama to wet the whistle with the heat to fuel the flames. I will say though she does put me on the defense a time or two but realize she gets more than she starts out for. This author gave me a wonderful read that provided satisfaction in this genre.

Payback by Christina Phillips......This was an entertaining mc story that keeps you flipping pages. The story is full of drama, sexy times, crime and fabulous characters. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold for Gage and Amelia. I can't wait to read more books by this author. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Amelia is out for revenge for the MC that killed her father, an enforcer for a rival MC, 10 years ago. To do this, she begins working at a bar owned by Gage Reynolds, a member of the Bastards MC who she is trying to expose.

This story takes place over about 3-4 weeks. In the beginning, Amelia has strong convictions about avenging her father's death, and yet once she meets Gage, she soon falls for him and abandons those plans. He also falls hard for her in that very short time, even though he's normally just used women for sex - no relationships. In fact, when he decides to "date" Amelia, he struggles in what a date consists of.

This one just didn't click with me. Amelia has held a certain belief for 10 years and then when she has an opportunity to address it, she just caves due to insta-love? And Gage, the guy seems totally clueless in how to deal with emotions, his or hers. I'm sure this story will appeal to some, just not me.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Payback was great new addition to Christina Phillips Viking Bastards MC series. I'm super picky about biker/MC romances because they typically highlight all my triggers and are not safe reads for me. If you're like me and it's hard to find a safe biker bad boy romance, I think you should take a chance on the Viking Bastards MC series. So far Phillips has introduced some rough around the edges guys with heart. I'm a huge fan of this series.

As alpha jerks go Gage is right up there with the best of them. He's cocky, he's dominant, can be pushy and hard headed but when he lays eyes on his girl, he falls big time. If you've read Hooked, you know that Gage is your typical zero-commitment never short on women kind of guy. He plays the denial game with him self but actions speak louder than words and as much as Gage avoids labeling his feelings for Amelia, the truth is always there.

For the safety gang girls, although he has a reputation for being promiscuous, once he meets Amelia there is no one else for him. It was easy to get over his past when at every turn he showed his preference for Amelia over every one before her.

As for Amelia, she's not as innocent as she appears and the choices she makes lead to your usual consequences. I liked her, she wasn't an evil mastermind or vindictive, she wasn't whiny or weak. She was loyal, caring, easily likable but not without her own flaws.

Revenge plots aren't my favorite trope in romance because it relies so heavily on miscommunication and recriminations. The blowout that results usually grinds my gears and when the truth is revealed, Payback was no different. After seeing Gage change for the better the more time he spent with Amelia, the harder it was to see him revert back to his jerk face behavior. Although his outburst was short lived (thank god!) that scene was hard to read. I was so invested in them, it broke my heart to see them lash out at each other. He does make up for it in the end and their reconciliation was adorable. It helped that they had such intense chemistry (their loves scenes were HAWT!)

So although I liked Payback and getting to know Gage and Amelia, I think Zack and Grace are still my favorite VB couple. Now I really want to go back and re-read Hooked :)

Payback is the second stand-alone book in Christina Phillips’ Viking Bastards MC series, and I really enjoyed this sexy motorcycle club romance. (I also loved the first book—Hooked.) Amelia shows up at Gage’s bar, looking for a job and with ulterior motives. She has an ax to grind with the Viking Bastards and Gage’s father, and she’s looking to get close to them to exact retribution. She never planned on liking and being attracted to Gage, and from the moment that meet, she’s reevaluating everything.

Gage never dates employees—actually he never really dates and just has one night stands—but he can’t seem to resist Amelia and decides to break all of his rules. They get hot and heavy quickly, and both find themselves wanting more than just amazing sex. Gage’s lack of experience with relationships and Amelia’s secrets could be insurmountable complications for these two unless both are willing to risks and let down their defenses.

Gage and Amelia have great chemistry and a fun dynamic. I love that he is a gruff biker who discovers he has a pretty tender heart, at least when it comes to her. Their sexual tension is combustible, and it is evident that these two begin to truly care for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed Payback and can’t wait for the next book in the Viking Bastards MC series.

Payback is book two in Christina Phillips’s Viking Bastards MC series, and wow, was this one steamy read!

"No one should be able to turn your body into a burning heap of need just by being there."

Amelia wants payback. The Vikings Bastards MC was behind the death of her father who was an enforcer for another MC, the Silver Wolves. All she needs to do is work in their bar and get information that they’re running illegal drugs. She doesn’t expect to fall for Gage, the son of the father who killed hers. Oh, vey!

Gage is immediately attracted to Amelia, but she won’t give him the time of day even though he can feel the attraction. So he’ll wear her down slowly until he gets what he wants. But when that changes, will their MC past keep them apart for good?

Right from the beginning, it’s ON with lingering eye contact and verbal sparring. These two just have it so bad for each other, and it’s instant tension. Amelia has to resist. She doesn’t trust MCs and Gage least of all. But Gage has no problem letting Amelia know he wants her, and I appreciated that it soon became more than just the sex driving the story. Gage can be a sweetheart and he’s dedicated pushing for more. Now, their conversations at first did seem to run in circles. I expect some back and forth, but the story stalls out a bit before the secret comes in to turn everything on its head.

As far as MC romances go, Payback definitely delivers a solid story. Personally, I like to have a more emotional investment while reading a book, have that lingering smile after I read the last page. I wanted more development to elevate these characters and leave me with that lingering happy sigh. This is the first book I've read by Christina Phillips, and I definitely enjoyed this! If you’re a fan of sexy MC romances this might be just what you’re looking for!

3.5 stars!

Ooooh are bad boy MC romances the dirty kind of fun.

Amelia is on a mission to take down the man who's father murdered her own...only she didn't count on him being so goregous, and sexy..and sweet. Gage has a rule: he doesn't mess with the girls that work in his bar. But one look at Amelia and he knows it's game over: she's his.

These two are hot-hot-hot! Gage is bad boy to the core and oh does he bring that to the bedroom when it comes to Amelia. He'll do and say anything to get her to fall for him. He should know better, that people aren't always what they seem.

When Amelia realizes she's been taken for a fool by one of Gage's enemies, she's stunned at Gage's violent reaction to learning her truth. If she can learn to forgive Gage for his family's past, how will he learn to forgiver her for wanting payback?

Hot hot hot read and definitely filled with edge-of-the-seat tension! I hope there will be more of these Viking bikers!

I enjoyed Hooked and readily accepted Payback when it was offered for review. I like that Phillips gives us alpha male motorcycle club men without the baggage of a traditional MC groups’ treatment of women. Because her relationships take place mostly outside of the club activities, the dynamics between Gage and Amelia are those of any other modern couple.

Amelie, aka Amy, quickly realizes taking the job at Gage’s bar to help her get revenge on the MC that killed her dad isn’t going to work since she’s so attracted to Gage. Gage though isn’t ready for her to quit working with him. Of course, the story she’s always heard about her dad’s murder isn’t correct and her “enemies” are not the bad guys she expects. While she’s getting more information to support this conclusion, she’s falling for Gage. She understands the biker world making her far more comfortable with his buddies and at the their club house than most girls would be. It’s all a very interesting dynamic at play.

I really liked Hooked, with Gage’s brother Zach and his unlikely rich girl Grace but I liked Gage and Amy even more. They share more because of their familial MC histories and they’re in more similar places in their lives. The divide between them is not extraordinary and therefore it’s easier to imagine them coming together.

Smoking sex, interesting characters and enough tension to keep the reader wondering how the story will play out make this another good read from Christina Phillips.

reviewed by Christina

3.5*


After enjoying the previous book 'Hooked' more than I expected I was looking forward to this book.
Amelia is the new bartender at Odin's and while she needs the job she's actually there to find dirt on the Viking Bastards MC and the son of the man who killed her father in cold blood.
Amelia is all set until she sees Gage Reynolds and thats when she knows instantly she's in deep trouble.
Gage is breathtaking it's as simple as that and Amelia is seemingly powerless to resist, although to give her her due she tries very hard, much harder than I would have tried anyway, (which is not at all)
Gage is also nearly knocked off his feet and knows he's going to have to fire her because he has a strict no fraternising policy and there's no way he can keep his distance.
While again this isn't your typical MC book it's more focused around the MC than the previous one but again I'd still class it as a romance first, biker second kind of read.

So, we have the sexual tension and possible relationship between Gage and Amelia, Amelia's need for revenge plus the fact that she's developing feelings for the son of the man that killed her father. It has lies, deceit, betrayal, hot sex with a hot sexy tattooed biker and all in all it's a good entertaining read.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.

4.5

With as much as I liked the first book in this series, I liked this one even more! This one had more grit and MC business and still managed to keep things from getting too deep and dark.

Amelia has hated the Viking Bastards, and Axel Reynolds, for the last ten years. Ever since her mother explained to her that they were going to have to change their name and move because one of the Bastards had killed her father while he was in prison. So when she's presented with a chance to help bring them down, she jumps at it. What she doesn't expect is to fall for one of them, much less Axel's son. Except, are things the way she was led to believe? And will it matter once Gage finds out who she really is?

I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling this for you. Just know that I loved both Amelia and Gage. His protectiveness and possessiveness and her ability to realize and accept that things don't have to turn out like she thought all her life. We got a WHOLE bunch more of the MC guys in here...Ty and Hawk, and honestly I can't wait to see Kat fall in love. I hope Gage and Zach give her tons of grief ;)

Bring on more Viking Bastards cause I can't wait!

*thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Entangled Publishing for sharing a copy of this with me*

Steamy ... Sexy read... I loved the controversial relationship aspects of each character and how they interacted with each other... This was a very sexy read and I would love to read more by this author