This is the story of how Andrii ‘Maestro’ Federoff finds his soul mate—Azelie Vargas. When he first meets her, he wants to use her as a source of information (i.e., a mark) about her boss, who is a human trafficker, but Azelie doesn’t know this. She’s a numbers whiz, and has been doing the books for her boss since she was 16. Now she’s 23, and knows too much for him to ever let her get a different job. She wants to leave and is creating a plan to do so, when she meets Maestro, who quickly decides that she knows nothing about the human trafficking going on in her place of business, and that she is so much more than a mark.

This book was so much fun to read—manly because of Azelie’s friends. There are three older ladies and two older gentleman who frequent the same coffee shop that Azelie visits. They have all become good friends with each other, and many other patrons like to be there with them as well because their banter is so entertaining! This adds a delightful element to an otherwise serious storyline.

The Torpedo Ink MC has been hunting down these traffickers for a couple of years, and this is the closest they have come to stopping it. Unfortunately, since both Maestro and Azelie have experienced betrayal by people who are supposed to love them, there are some issues to work out before they get an HEA ending.

I couldn’t put this book down! It grabbed my attention from the start, and I had to make myself get some sleep last night, but it was really hard to do. I started reading again early this morning, and finished this book a little while ago. The pace is steady. The tension rises slowly but unflinchingly. And there is a huge and unexpected twist at the end that you won’t see coming! Wow! This is my new favorite book in this series!

I've been reading Christine Feehan since high school and these days it's mostly for the zaniness she concocts in each book. The characters in her Torpedo Ink series are absolutely wildin'. They have weird kinks and even psychic powers where they can communicate on a huge mental powerline. These books aren't meant to be realistic but rather a fun form of escapism. At least that's what I've surmised nine books deep into this franchise. Betrayal Road was thankfully one of the more palatable entries in this series without too many wackadoodle moments. The worst I had to endure was the cringy dialogue and breakneck pace of Maestro's unconventional courtship of Azelie.

Betrayal Road focused on Azelie and Maestro, probably the tamest couple in the entire collection. The heroine was the embodiment of Princess Mia Thermopolis before her transformation: big curly brown hair, glasses, and very good at being invisible. She sounded really cute considering how often the hero was panting over her in every scene. Their dialogue had me cringing pretty hard, but at least it was well intentioned? I liked their dynamic, but honestly the drama and side plot took a higher precedence than the actual romance in Betrayal Road. I wished we could have gotten more scenes of these two in love instead of some smarmy businessman who trafficked women. Read the room, Feehan!

Betrayal Road may not have been my favorite book in the Torpedo Ink series, but it certainly ranks near the top. Azelie and Maestro were a sweet couple who seem far better suited than their fellow MC members that need an appointment with a marriage counselor toot sweet. I'll keep reading this series because it's a hoot and a half. I love turning my brain off and seeing how these wacky motorcycle men convince normal women to fall in love with them. I wouldn't touch those dudes with a 20 foot pole, but I sure love to watch!

Azelie Vargas spends a lot of time in a local San Francisco coffee shop with some older friends who have become like family after tragically losing her own. She is a student but also works as an accountant for a very dubious club owner and has done so since she was sixteen, which is unusual to say the least. When a strikingly handsome member of Torpedo Ink, Andrii “Maestro” Federoff starts coming into the shop, Azelie is very attracted; however, she never dates. Azelie mostly keeps her head down wanting to finish school and get out from under the creepy, demanding boss.

Maestro and Torpedo Ink continue their efforts to find human traffickers and the captives. He has been watching Azelie because they believe her boss is a major player in that underworld game. Maestro finds himself very attracted to her beyond his mission to seduce information from Zelie, as he calls her. The more time they spend together, he becomes convinced she is innocent of the nefarious activities going on underground in the club although he still needs her access.

Azelie understands her boss is an evil man and has been planning to leave his employ; however, the likelihood of that succeeding on her own is very low. She and Maestro both have major trust issues so it will come down to whether once Azelie knows what his mission is, will she feel betrayed? Maestro, in the way of previous Torpedo Ink brothers, had decided Azelie should be his, but his ability to protect her while she is caught up in the evil web is uncertain.

In this ninth book of the series, most of the story focuses on Maestro and Azelie without a lot of interaction of the Torpedo Ink family other than planning their ops. Maestro has been known for his barbarian opinions about how to treat a mate so he experiences some comeuppance when it becomes clear Azelie is a woman he wants to keep. I did miss the usual more expansive interaction between Torpedo Ink as a whole which always adds to the series.

Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan is the 9th book in her wonderful Torpedo Ink series. Refresher: Czar is the president of Torpedo Ink, and together with the men and women he brought with him to Sea Haven they built their Torpedo Ink MC club in Casper, which is close to Sea Haven. Each of these members have suffered terrible abuse in their childhoods in Russia, being forced to all become lethal assassins; each still very much trying to find the light inside their darkness. They are all determined to protect each other, and also work secretly to save children that have become part of human trafficking, as well as pedophiles.

Azelie Vargas, our heroine, works at the local coffee shop, goes to school; since she is a numbers expert, she also works as a bookkeeper for a bad man, who wants her keep things private. Azelie is a victim of a violent past, as her family was killed, leaving her alone. In the coffee shop, there are a few elderly ladies who treat her like their granddaughter, always encouraging her to find a boyfriend. Azelie was very close to her coffee shop ladies, as they watched over her; Azelie also was always helping others.

Andrii “Maestro” Federoff, our hero, is trying to get information about a human trafficking ring, as the Torpedo Ink club needs find a way to save the women that have been kidnapped. Andrii starts coming to the coffee shop, as he wants to see if Azelie is involved with the bad man or just working as the bookkeeper. Azelie is quickly drawn to Andrii, but she feels she has no chance with a strong hunk of a man; but Andrii finds himself totally enamored with her. It will take Andrii time to prove to Azelie as she is beautiful, kind, caring, and always helps others: as his support and belief in her was wonderful, and soon she will totally fall deeply in love with him. They made such a fantastic couple; loved them together. I will say that there was a lot of sex scenes, but the story line was intense.

As their relationship grows, Andrii is convinced that Azelie is only the bookkeeper, and begins to explain everything about his life all those years ago; Azelie sympathizes and quickly worries that her boss would try to kill him. She knows something was going on inside her office, as she heard screaming, but she could never find anything. Andrii is able to get some information how to enter the building, and when the team plans to find the ladies, Andrii insists that Azelie must stay home and lock up the apartment.

What follows is an exciting and violent adventure, as well as a highly streamy romance between two people who would be together. This was really a beautiful love story that captured our heart, as I ended up loving both Andrii and Azelie. I enjoyed seeing all the Torpedo Ink family; especially the men who were determined to free the women in human trafficking ring. The ending was wild, and Andrii was desperate to save Azelie, who was kidnapped, as suffered some damage.

Betrayal Road was a dark, emotional, exciting, tense and steamy story line, that kept me glued to my kindle. This story was a fantastic read. Betrayal Road was so very well written by Christine Feehan. If you enjoy this series, do not miss this one.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Whew this book completely blew me away! This actually be one of my favorites of Feehan and the favorite of this book. I didn't think anything could top Savage Road or Judgement Road for me but this one might take the cake. That is how much I adored this book. It just was perfect in just about every way and It struck a chord of heart and feeling that I completely Feehan to deliver each and every time! I know some readers might be thrown off by the secrets that are involved in this couple, but I absolutely couldn't get enough and she handled this conflict so well. Its what I appreciate about Feehan, she handles conflict in a way that seems real and not overblown in dramatics. It was so smoothly mastered that just reflects her true talent as an author.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Andrii "Maestro" Federoff
The Heroine: Azelie Vargas

Summary
Betrayal Road is a story that begins with our hero, Maestro, who is working with his club and brothers to bring down a trafficking ring that they have been working on years on bringing down. But they haven't been able to do it ....yet until a piece to the puzzle falls into place, and that piece is Azelie. Azelie works for the head of the ring, as his accountant or at least one of them. Azelie is working hard at her degree, and still recovering from the trauma of losing her family in a brutal attack and barely surviving herself. When she meets Maestro, in a coffee shop, she instantly connects with this man of mystery. She can't understand why he would want to be with her, but she wants to give into her heart when it comes to him. But she is drawn into a game of cat and mouse with her employer and Maestro keeping secrets from her, but learning to trust in him despite the reason that tells her she shouldn't....

What I Loved
Betrayal Road is a story that worked for me in every way and I can't tell you how nervous I was with it. Now I shouldn't have been so nervous because its Christine Feehan, and she doesn't have issues with writing conflicts so well and it definitely remained true in Betrayal Road. I appreciated what a complex story she was able to write but yet have the conflict evolve so naturally and have such a smooth transition. There is a major conflict of a big secret. Maestro is having to use Azelie to get to her boss, who is a human trafficker. But Azelie is not who everyone thinks she is. Maestro so determined that this will be another job, can't resist his pull to Azelie or the connection that they have together. He falls SUPER hard for Azelie and it was a pure delight to watch. Throughout the series, this hero has been a bit stubborn about true love existing and causing some problems with previous couples but he definitely feels the sting of cupid's arrow and I was beyond entertained to see it happen.

Another aspect to the story that I really enjoyed was the alpha male/smart yet feminine pairing that we see develop. I really loved Azelie because she has a brain and is smart but she ALSO isn't afraid to embrace her femininity. She wants to be loving and soft and giving to others. We see her growth in learning to truly embrace that part of her, and seeing that it is a TRUE STRENGTH!!! I also valued the brotherhood of the club here and the lady bikers of the group really putting in their two cents and standing for Azelie. I valued how they truly come together and even when they have differing opinions, have such a solid support of each other. This is something that Feehan handles so so well and its so beautifully portrayed in Betrayal Road.

What I Struggled With
Honestly....NOTHING!! haha Only thing that would have been better is a extended epilogue of some happy couple time after all the conflicts happening with the plot.

Overall View
Betrayal Road is a story that enthralls your attention with sensual romance, edgy plot building and a relationship that will capture your heart and dig deep in a complete cycle of true human intimacy! POWERFULLY GRAVITATING!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Bikers, Alpha Male, Dominant Alpha, Feminine Heroine
Themes: Heart/Emotionally Touching, Betrayal, Motorcycle Club, Human Trafficking/Slave Trade
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Instant Love Connection, Mistaken Identity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend--but the relationship conflict is smoothly handled

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Jennifer Ashley
Rebecca Zanetti
Lara Adrian

Song This Book Inspires
Only Hope -Mandy Moore

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Azelie knows about betrayal. Her mother was an alcoholic and didn’t care about her children. Her brother in law shot and killed his wife, her sister, and their two children. He shot her three times in the chest. She has worked as a bookkeeper since she was sixteen for a man, Alan, that owns several clubs. Azelie knows he’s a bad man but there is no way to quit without getting killed because she knows too much. Andrii is Russian and belongs to a motorcycle club. He and his “brothers and sisters “ were trained to be assassins and have special abilities. He is in San Francisco to get information about a trafficking ring. Azelie is the one he has to get close too and make sure she isn’t in with her boss. What Andrii doesn’t expect is to be totally captivated by her. Andrii believes there is women being held beneath the club that Azelie works at and they need to find them before they are moved. When Azelie finds out that she was used at first, will she be able to trust Andrii?

Two people that have been traumatized try to have a relationship. Andrii has learned not to trust anyone but his motorcycle club. Azelie keeps to herself so as not to be hurt again. Three funny old ladies and two grumpy men. Sex. Suspense.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this. Received copy from Netgalley *

4.5 stars
Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan is book 9 in the Torpedo Ink series. I have always been a huge fan of this series, so I was super excited to get another couple in this world. Azelie is a young woman in a terrible position. She was living with her sister and her family when her sister's husband killed everyone, then himself and Azelie was a witness. Her brother in law was not on the right side of the law, and before his death he had gotten her a job cooking the books for a mafia operation. She has kept that job while finishing school and (kind of naively) thinks she can walk away after graduation. She is barely surviving with very little money despite her job.

Andrii "maestro" is a member of Torpedo Ink and the guys are looking for a trafficking ring. They are sure Azelie's boss is involved, and worry she might be as well. Andrii makes contact with the intent of using her to get into the underground club, but they fall for each other. I thought the relationship building was a big part of the story. There is a major danger ahead, but Feehan didn't shortcut their romance and I really appreciated that. The danger and excitement is nonstop in the last 20% of the book, so buckle in. Betrayal Road reminded me of some of the earlier books in this series that I just ADORED. I have enjoyed the whole series, but those early books hold a special place. This gave me those vibes and I was loving it!

This is a solid 4.5 star that I am upgrading to 5 stars because of the elderly ladies at the cafe. Their antics, the way they speak overtop of each other and tease mercilessly, the fierce protective manner towards Azelie just strikes me in the heart. Azelie and Andrii truly deserve the happiness they find in each other.

This was my first book in this series, and now I want to go back and read the rest. It can be read as a standalone, though, because the author does a great job of filling in the gaps. There is intrigue and mystery prompts page one, with plenty of spice. An overall awesome read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this early arc copy!
This particular installment in the series was quite enjoyable to me. Getting a look at Maestro and how he ticks is something I have wanted for a while with the series, so I enjoyed that a lot. I really liked that Azelie had a backbone, but was willing to let Maestro take the lead because he needed that. This series has a good balance of making sure each couple gets what they need in a healthy way that works for the couples.
The more suspenseful element of this story has been a major point in the macro plot for a while, so I am glad that we got some resolution with that. Onto the next part of the plan, and I'm excited to see who's story we get next.

Christine Feehan returns with another thrilling book in the paranormal romantic suspense Torpedo Ink series. The ninth book in the series features Andrii Federoff, a man who was abused as a child and who doesn’t trust women. He needs information to take down a human trafficking ring and has found his mark. Azelie Vargas reads and writes at a coffee shop when she sees Andrii enter.

The characterization is fantastic as usual in books by this author. Azelie is intelligent, kind-hearted, generous, loves books, speaks her mind, and has an excellent memory. She’s also been through a traumatic experience that affects her. Andrii is a good listener with excellent recall. Music gives him peace as does woodworking. He’s confident and loyal to the few who have his trust. The way they were raised (very different) and their traumatic experiences have shaped their lives. Each goes through a transformation as the story progresses. It was also great to reconnect with characters from previous books. This gave the series continuity and I enjoyed visited with old friends. However, they didn’t play as large a role in this novel as in previous ones.

The story grabbed my attention immediately and kept me engaged as the relationship starts and goes through some ups-and-downs. More of this novel was spent on the relationship and only the last 25 per cent or so had significant action, suspense, and danger. The author continues to have humor embedded into the story line that helps balance the suspense. This novel features betrayal, truth, loyalty, trust, control, communication, child abuse, human trafficking, coercion, death, friendship, romance, communication, and much more. Several spicy and steamy scenes are also included.

Overall, this book has great characterization, several sizzling scenes, and some action. Those who enjoy steamy and romantic suspense novels with a bit of the paranormal and with compelling characters will likely enjoy this book. I have read more than seventy books by this author across multiple series. I’m looking forward to reading my next book by this author.

Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 20, 2024.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

Another great story by Christine Feehan! I love the Torpedo Ink series and watching the 18 members find their happiness, overcome trauma, and partners who balance out their strengths and weaknesses. Maestro's story was another beautiful one and Azelie is a great match. I was glad we didn't have to see too much of the dom-submissive sexual acts like we saw in Savage and Absinthe. I preferred the way Feehan showed the dom-submissive relationship by Azelie doing her best to please her partner and Maestro being aware of her needs at all times. I liked the twist in the story about her boss, Billows.

Some things I thought could be improved. I didn't like the scene where Maetsro stormed off after Azelie tried to return the clothes he bought for her. I thought it deserved more of an explanation for why it triggered him. An additional frustration for me was I thought Feehan explained Maestro had a way with woodwork and music, however, I don't think it's explained how he contributed to helping his family survive the Sorbacov school for assassins. Preacher can disguise himself as another person; Player can create illusions. What was Maestro's contribution?

Full review posted to socials, retailers, and my website.

5 stars! Thank you for allowing me to read your book!

I loved reading this book, it was mostly of course I would, though that mostly has been because there has been that one book that I didn't completely love. Meeting Azelie, watching her and Maestro fall in love-when he's the Torpedo Ink member who was controlling and gave horrible romantic advice to the previous heros...yeah, it was so great!

I was worried about them, because he was using her to get to her boss, since her boss was involved in the human trafficking that Torpedo Ink is working on taking down. Which is not a good look for someone who wants to be your romantic partner, you know? So that had my anxieties stoked.

One that that got to me, that I wanted him to learn, was he kept going on about betrayal, and not being able to trust that these guys know security and protection, and the couples having different strengths but being equals. One, she has to put her trust that a) he knows his stuff about security, and b) his application of that security is not going to hurt her, that it's going to be in her best interests. Two, while that's a great idea in practise, in reality, the strengths that the guy has, are viewed as better to have then feminine strengths, so it doesn't feel equal, which is something that the woman has be reassured on.

Something that I really enjoyed, was that Azelie is an author-she's published a few books and is working on the next. The insights that she had about being an author, from the price of ink and paper, to that awful trend of buying a book, reading it, and returning it, was so great to read!

All in all this was a really entertaining, engaging read with characters who I had to read more of, dealing with some pretty terrible things, and I loved following along with their journey as they dealt with those things and fell in love!

This was another fantastic read and I can't wait for whatever comes next!

Betrayal Road by Christine Feehan is a captivating novel that immediately drew me in with its compelling characters and unpredictable storyline. I found myself constantly questioning the characters' motives and eagerly anticipating what would happen next. This book left me craving more, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging read.

This a great installment of the Torpedo Ink series by Christine Feehan. The characters are well written and I enjoyed the book.

I received an electronic ARC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley.
The ninth book in this series focuses on Maestro and Azelie. Maestro has targeted her to get into a club suspected of being a sex trafficking hub. However, when he makes contact, he realizes she is his mate. Readers watch the relationship unfold as he continues his mission and balances what he shares with her. She has significant trauma in her past and knows she is in a dangerous situation as the bookkeeper for the club. Both come to realize how much they need each other and how much they have to learn to trust. Feehan spins this story away from the Club's home. Very little time is spent on the other members as the whole story wraps around Maestro and Azelie's relationship. He was more vulnerable than other characters we've seen in these stories and I appreciate the way he balanced his needs with wanting her.
Feehan again brings suspense and romance together in a realistic way for the type of characters she has developed. The peaceful setting for the ending does not minimize the trauma and damage done to get there.

Betrayal Road, the latest installment in Christine Feehan’s Torpedo Ink series, was a unique exploration of love and trauma. Both the main characters of the book, Maestro and Azelie, had been put in terrible positions by those they care about in the past, and are dealing with the consequences of that today. However, once they find each other and begin to fall in love they both begin a path to healing that will leave them better off in the future.

The characters were one of the most compelling parts of the book for me. Both Azelie and Maestro are traumatized by the events of their past, and hesitant to open up to anyone in the fear they will be hurt again. Maestro in particular is very dominant and hesitant to trust females, while in turn Azelie is trusting (at times too much) and innocent. When they meet, the chemistry is instantaneous and I really enjoyed their interactions. In particular, the moments that Maestro apologizes for his temper and tries to maintain open lines of communication to grow their relationship were very compelling for me. The other members of the club who show up in the book have important roles in the story, but it was surprising to see how much of a role Savage played in the book (given his normally reserved persona). There are some other minor side characters who play roles as well, but it was most amusing to see another group of seniors take such a large part in the story (similar to how they did in Savage and Seychelle’s book).

The plotline was a bit surprising in this book. Usually, I can predict how things might turn out but Ms. Feehan had a couple of twists I wasn’t expecting. As part of one of Ms. Feehan’s darker series, this book deals with a lot of heavy things (see the trigger warnings for more details) and doesn’t try to make it more ‘palatable’. Despite that, the author does a great job balancing all the violence and darkness with the romance and action.

Overall, this was a very deep and compelling read. I’m curious to see where Ms. Feehan takes the club (and all its members) in future installments. Mature adult readers who enjoy paranormal romance reads and don’t mind heavier topics (i.e., on page violence) should give this book a try.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Human Trafficking (victims, discussed), Rape (Victims, discussed), Explicit Sex, Torture (On Page, Discussed, Not in Detail), Child Abuse (Victims, Discussed), Violence, Guns

Betrayal Road is another great addition to the Torpedo Ink series! This book does have a slightly different feel to it than the others in the series. While those books completely immersed the reader in the club and the missions they carry out, Maestro's story takes place in a different location. This did make it feel almost like a separate book, but it was nice to see how one of the club members functioned outside of the club. There is drama and steam, and overall it was a great read! Feehan fans will love it, and I know I'm waiting impatiently for the next installment!

Christine Feehan always delivers! Once again a book that keeps action packed and full of twists and turns.