WE DON'T KINK-SHAME ON NETGALLEY! But... neither the kitty-play, the edibles-up-the-hooha, or the graphic description of pedophilia really do it for me.
So, I didn't empathize with any of the characters. I wasn't emotionally invested in them. I actually cringed a few times. The writing was Ms Feehan's usual style of fast and sexy, but I just couldn't feel it on this one. I'm sorry.
I like the idea, but the constant flashbacks to the characters abuse seems... almost gratuitous? Maybe in a series you have to re-iterate it for any latecomers, but I found it getting excessive over the last few books. It's a romance novel. I'm reading it for entertainment. It plays a part in the plot, but gets touched on more often than strictly necessary, even for the development of the mains.
Upside - I LOVED the intelligently written couple. LOVED. The library scenes were what sucked me in and held me over til the end. Strong women and alpha men are my catnip, and -sex scenes aside- they were both written well. I'm going to continue to keep my eyes peeled for more of Torpedo Ink, I feel like Savage may be up next?

I have been looking forward to this story for months. Absinthe has been an amazing character through all of the previous novels. His abilities are interesting and open him up to some serious consequences. I was so excited to see that book four was about Absinthe, because the set up for numerous stories were in the works.

Scarlet is living what appears to be a quiet life. A librarian that tutors the local teens on the side. But when Absinthe enters the picture, he quickly notices that she's constantly on guard and on the look-out. What is she waiting for? Scarlet's backstory is unique and a wonderful addition to the Torpedo Ink family. The instant connection between Absinthe and Scarlet and how these two scarred people find each other so quickly was great. Their matching and complimentary abilities is a wonderful therapeutic thing for Absinthe's continued existence. I loved this story!

Another enjoyable MC romance in the Torpedo Ink series. This is Aleksei “Absinthe” and Scarlet's story. As we've learned in past books in this series, the men and women who form Torpedo Ink MC are not your average bikers. Trained as assassins and horribly abused as children, they have a bond that can't be broken. They also have unusual needs that can only be met when they find their soulmate. Scarlet, a librarian with an interesting past, is Absinthe's. From the moment he sees her, he's obsessed and she is as taken with him. Their relationship progresses as they learn to trust each other. Absinthe's needs are unusual, and for me rather off putting, but to each his own.

Desolation Road is the latest release in the Torpedo Ink series and what a great book this turned out to be. It was quite different than what I, at first, expected it to be. But I had faith in Christine Feehan that she would pull this through for me and she definitely rocked this story. I first want to mention that you really need to love the deep emotional and highly gritty romances to really enjoy this book. And this book definitely pushed my boundaries and there aren't that many of them anymore (LOL)


So our story begins with visits to the local library, Absinthe has always had a passion for reading and educating his mind, it bring a sense of peace to a life packed with trauma and mental turmoil he deals with on a regular basis. Absinthe finds a pull toward the library when a sexy librarian catches his attention and for the first time in his life he feels more peace with himself and the ghosts that haunts him. But as he and Scarlet start to learn each other, it becomes apparent they both hold deep secrets from each other. Even though on the surface Scarlet seems like a down to earth librarian, she is so much more than that and she and Absinthe have much more in common than they realize. But their journey towards their HEA will be strife will plenty of drama and deep conflict....

What a tremendous story this turned out to be, and as someone that is filtering from a reading slump (my anxiety has been amped up by 100 of late) so I never know when I will enjoy a book these past weeks but this story really got me hooked into reading it and I just couldn't put this one down. I will admit I have been wanting Absinthe's story from the get go. Absinthe has a gift and/or curse and ever since he bonded with his brothers, his core has been his brotherhood until Scarlet. But his demons come back to burn him. Because he has certain needs that he can't push aside as much as he would like to.

I will be honest, some of the sexual scenes in this book....REALLY pushes my boundaries and I am still on the fence about them to be honest. But to really honest here, this is where this will push people to not liking for this book because even though in the end you get to understand why Absinthe has these needs. Quite frankly, I felt like it was too demeaning at times. But maybe I am just not open minded enough. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD: So basically Absinthe has a need (placed in him when he was young) to have his woman also play a role at times and most especially in the bedroom, to be his "pet" more specifically a cat. Now I know that this is a fantasy for some and all, I just really struggled with this because it just felt almost demeaning to me. But this is just my personal preference and I skimmed through most of these scenes because of how it turned my stomach at times. It did have some appeal in some way so I can see how it might appeal to some readers. Just not for my personal taste to be honest

Overall I found Desolation Road to be a stunning delight that takes the reader through a vividly emotionally run story that will captivate the reader's senses .....DEEPLY SENSATIONAL

Although I was really looking forward to Absinthe’s story, and I really loved Scarlet and what a badass she was, I found it super hard to connect to them as a couple. They just didn’t have much chemistry, it seemed. The kitten play aside (which is really not my thing), I didn’t find myself enjoying this book as much as the ones before it, and I think it was just because I didn’t believe these two as a couple.

All that being said, I’m super intrigued for both Savage’s and Destroyer’s books. I can’t wait and, despite this one not doing much for me, I’m highly anticipating the release of their stories and definitely plan to read them.

Its a new Christine Feehan - enough said! Loved it!! Not a ton of action in this one but more back story on the school the club members went to. Interesting fetish information too.

Dang. Christine Feehan is really taking these Torpedo Ink novels to the next erotic level and I’m here for it. I think it really fits the dark and violent, yet emotional and romantic tone these books have.

I’m a sucker for a hero and heroine who geek out over books and learning together, and that’s what Absinthe and Scarlet connected on right from the beginning. This plot was a little step back from the instalove Ms. Feehan has been favoring lately, although it still felt a little sudden for the readers as the six weeks of getting to know each other happen before the book starts.

I particularly liked Absinthe and Scarlet together because I felt like their relationship was built on mutual respect and trust. Absinthe didn’t judge Scarlet for what she needed to do in her past, and it got pretty dark, and Scarlet didn’t judge Absinthe for his past or needs.

In addition, I think the action, and relationship building, and plot were all well balanced. We get to learn a lot more about the other members of Torpedo Ink and I am super invested in all of their happy ever afters at this point. This book pushed the overall storyline ahead in a big way and I am super curious about Alena’s book in particular now.

I feel like I have to address the erotic part of the book, because I don’t want readers to be surprised (although they shouldn’t be, CF has always written VERY sexy books). This novel explores one particular kink I actually don’t think I’ve ever read about in a romance novel. I found it to be interesting, well-researched and HOT. I won’t spoil what the kink is, because I was surprised, just brace yourself and go in with an open mind.

The only reason I took off a star was the lack of flow. I felt like the book was a little sectioned out, the first part was laying the plot, the second part was relationship building, the third part was erotic, and the last part was action. I wish the sections flowed a little better, the changes felt abrupt.

Overall, DESOLATION ROAD is another excellent addition to this series. I’ve loved each and every book in the series so far, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. It feels like a crime to ask Ms. Feehan to write faster, because she’s already a rockstar, but I am already jonesing for more Torpedo Ink!!

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

(review links to be posted closer to release date)

3.5 Stars!

"Torpedo Ink was his identity. His life. His family--brothers and sisters--and their lives were woven together like an old tapestry, and nothing could take them apart....."

Desolation Road is the fourth book in the Torpedo Ink Series and it follows the story of Absinthe & Scarlet. Absinthe's life revolves around Torpedo Ink and nothing means more to him than his biker family. But, that doesn't stop him from wanting a love of his own. So, when he stumbles upon Scarlet at the library, he is hooked. There is just something about her that pulls him in and now he'll do anything to make her his....

Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I was pulled in from the beginning and was intrigued by Scarlet and Absinthe's story. There was more to Absinthe than meets the eye. He's not just your typical biker. He's a huge fan of books and the written word. He's fiercely protective and isn't afraid to do the work when he wants something. And then there is Scarlet. Scarlet's past has forever changed her and she's not the kind of want to forgive and forget. And while she may seem like a prim and proper librarian, she's got a thirst for vengeance. Together these two made a really interesting couple. I thought they had really great chemistry and they certainly steamed up the pages together.

While Desolation Road is the fourth book in the Torpedo Ink Series, this book can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Desolation Road is filled with intrigue, action and romance. I thought Desolation Road was an ok read and even though it's not my favorite in this series, I still had a great time getting swept up Absinthe & Scarlet's story...