The Walker Five Boxset, Marie Johnston

The Walker Five Boxset

I first fell in love with Marie Johnston's writing when I read Bishop from the New Vampire Disorder series.  After that I pretty much devoured the rest of that series as well as the preceding and connected series, The Sigma Menace.  I honestly didn't even know she wrote contemporary stories until I joined her Facebook reader's group and saw her post about new covers for the Walker Five books.

And now here we are, maybe a year later, and she's offering the complete Walker Five boxset!  Live today, the 17th of June, 2019...

Five cousins that farm and ranch together.

Five women that twist them up inside.

Five standalone novels.

Modern western romance with a Midwest twist.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

He's the leader, the one everyone goes to with their problems. The one time he seeks help  or himself could ruin his chances with the perfect woman.

MUSTANG SUMMER

She only wanted a peek at his cars, too bad it involved a little trespassing. And too bad his family is putting her brother in jail.

LONG HARD FALL

Her one night stand turns out to be just the guy she's looking for.

GUILT RIDDEN

She's a widow trying to move on in a town that won't let her forget. He's always remembered their one night together. How can he convince her to give him another chance?

MAIL ORDER FARMER

A down on her luck former nursing student and a perpetual bachelor connect online, but the distance might prove too much.

No infidelity, no cliffhangers, all the feels. Contemporary western romance from an award-winning author.

APPLE BOOKS: Coming Soon!

BARNES & NOBLE

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About Marie...

Marie Johnston writes award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance and is a RITA® Finalist. Before she was a writer, she was a microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. She’s also a licensed medical technician and has worked as a public health microbiologist and as a lab tech in hospital and clinic labs.  Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer! She has four kids and just as many cats.

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Bastian: New Vampire Disorder Book 6, Marie Johnston

Wealth and privilege have set Ophelia apart from others, it has also jaded her and hardened her heart.  Her fidelity, loyalty, and morals are sneered at, mocked, and taken advantage of by those who should love her most and it's only when she allows Bastian into her life, and her heart, that she gets a glimpse that perhaps life, and love, can be different.  Her purpose meets her sanctuary.

The background conflict was always present but the relationships felt like they were getting off track, they didn't feel as...central to the character's "journey".  Here I feel like this is the start to getting back on track, even though this is almost the end of the series, it's better late than never, right?  In the last couple of books it was as if the duty came before heart.  Sometimes a tough decision must be made and our personal desires have to take a back seat to the greater good, I get that.  But the heart part was a nice side benefit to having their purpose and ambition satisfied rather than finding the strength, healing, and peace of finding your heart and soul's home, a true safe place that would allow them to more fully carry out their duty and responsibilities.

Bastian gives us more.  Of all the primes in this group it's Ophelia that has more damage to heal so I'm glad this focus changes so she could finally get the healing, peace, acceptance, and support she truly needed.  Bastian had patience, heart, perseverance, and the fortitude to be the right and best partner to the kick-ass yet vulnerable Ophelia.

As for the demon/vampire conflict, things are getting more complicated in a way that's captivating and intriguing.  If you haven't read the books before now, you'll probably be completely lost.  The direction is so good, I'm on pins and needles to see the crossing over of realms and the consequences for everyone...I can't wait to read The Seer and Q's story!!

*$4.99 on Amazon!

A Shifter's Claim: Pale Moonlight Book 4, Marie Johnston

Time is the ultimate enemy when heartbreak and hurt feelings rule your life.  Dismissive, brooding, and casual describe Waylon after he left his mate and a coincidental meeting brings all the hurt roaring back when he looks into her eyes and hears her venomous barbs.  Volatile, impulsive, and fleeting draws a picture of Shilo as she attempts to hide her decent into madness and a surprise visit from the mate that abandoned her both riles and calms her.  Both have a heap of things to make peace with and they find that proximity and vulnerability open them each up to the possibility of a second chance.  But the machinations of a rival alpha might ruin both that chance and her entire colony if they can't stop him.

I'll admit that I had a really hard time with this premise.  Not only is it skirting the edge of my comfort with the line of what constitutes cheating, but it has a lot of bitterness and jabs meant to hurt before they figure things out.  Except I know this author pulls off stunning turnarounds producing novels that have redemption, love, strength, and commitment.  Knowing that allowed me to suspend my doubts for a couple/few hours while I devoured this book.  I'm so very glad that I did.

There's a lot of pain that both feel and each feel that they were justified and emotionally abandoned by the other so they had a lot to reconcile.  While I would have liked a bunch of the feels to precede the steamy reunion, sometimes the stubborn just needs to be...sexed out of the combatants.  But more than just connecting on a sexual level, there was an intimacy there as well as a whole lot of perspective that they could pull from this time around.

Shilo is a very strong character and despite her insecurities and her doubts in the value of her talents, she is a fierce female that knows what her life should be about.  She got lost along the way because she was pulled in so many directions that she wasn't sure which to let win and ultimately made the young and scared choice.  Waylon was interesting in that he was only dominant enough to have a will of his own but was happy to support Shilo as the leader.  When his role changed near the end I was almost disappointed but then the big reveal for Shilo happened and the whole situation suddenly felt right, so precisely what both characters needed to feel truly fulfilled and to pioneer a new way for the lives of everyone that needed them.

Second-chances are hard to come by and while the road was rocky, Shilo and Waylon grew, evolved to be the best individuals they could be and came together as truly solid partners.  This was a really great book that had feels, steam, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  Definitely another win for Marie Johnston.

*$2.99 on Amazon!

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About Marie

Marie Johnston is an award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance, and a RITA® Finalist. Marie decided to pursue her passion for writing and traded in her lab coat for a laptop to write her first book ever, Fever Claim. She lives in the upper Midwest with her husband, four kids, and two kittens. Other than hanging out with her family, Marie enjoys reading, movie dates with her hubby, getting outside on sunny days, and the all too rare - girls' night out.

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Rancher in Training: Part-time Cowboys Book 1, Marie Johnston

Anger fed with resentment and manipulation and nowhere to find relief or release can only lead to destruction.  This was never more true than for Jesse Rodriguez.  Stopping to help a stranded motorist gets him noticed by all the people he hoped to avoid but those encounters just might put him on the path to finding where he truly belongs.  Farah has always worked hard to earn respect, which isn't easy as the lone female deputy in Moore.  And it could all go down the drain if she gives in to her attraction to a certain delicious ex-con.  They'll each need to decide what's most important if they hope to have both the future they always wanted and the future they never thought they'd need.

I'm a sucker for a celibate hottie needing redemption.  Jesse Rodriguez is all that and more.  He's honest, he's trying, and he's utterly charming.  The way he treats Farah, and has from their first, rather unfortunate meeting shows just how much of a place she has in his heart, whether they're both too blind to believe it or not.  I think my most favorite interaction of his, other than his heartfelt confessions, was the confrontation in the auto-part store with Clinton.  His uninhibited insult to Clinton combined with his pride and praise for Farah was utter perfection.  He was honestly my favorite, especially when he realized that he deserved more than being a secret because of his unsavory past.  His present and desires for the future gave him enough credibility for me to be severely annoyed with the town, the Walkers, and Farah.

I can absolutely understand where Farah is coming from, but the fact that she kept it going for so long and refused to see the situation from Jesse's perspective was frustrating, to say the least.  Knowing that she, herself, is judged unfairly should have opened her eyes to what was going on with Jesse but her pride and selfishness almost cost her the balance and happiness she's always craved.  Despite that, she was a fierce woman who deserved respect and love.  She was fair, caring, and intelligent.  I like that she was honest in her desire for Jesse and didn't make him suffer because of her unwanted attraction even if it took her a little while to make her decision.  With the weight of her job, family, finances, ranch struggles, and yearnings for a relationship with Jesse all on her shoulders it's easy to see how she could do what she did.

But all's well that ends well, here.  They each needed to go through what they did individually to realize just how necessary they are in one another's lives.  Even with the natural disaster that made their reunion sooner rather than later, both of them were on their way back to one another's arms and I liked how it played out.  With Mother Nature throwing in her very destructive two cents, it's clear that they are a worthy pair that can only make Moore better.  I'm really eager to get to Caleb's story as well as any other Part-time Cowboy Marie Johnston wants to write.  This was a passionate story full of redemption, love, and forgiveness, but more the forgiveness of self rather than earning anyone else's.  Steamy, tender, and very memorable.

*$2.99 on Amazon!

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About Marie Johnston

Marie Johnston is an award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance, and a RITA® Finalist. Marie decided to pursue her passion for writing and traded in her lab coat for a laptop to write her first book ever, Fever Claim. She lives in the upper Midwest with her husband, four kids, and two kittens. Other than hanging out with her family, Marie enjoys reading, movie dates with her hubby, getting outside on sunny days, and the all too rare - girls' night out.

Follow Marie...

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Creed: New Vampire Disorder Book 5, Marie Johnston

Melody has had a hell of a time, both literally and figuratively, the last couple of weeks.  She saved her little vampire charges, was dragged into the underworld, trapped by a sadistic she-demon, and has woken to that demoness' powers inside her own body and threatening everyone and everything.  She's got some tough choices ahead if she can't learn to control her new power and all the personality changes.  The one being that has stuck with her from the beginning of her own sh**storm is also the one who shattered her heart and fragile self-worth.  If she can't move beyond her past everything that's weighing on her will crush her, and if that doesn't, the Circle will.

Creed was in love with a human once.  The heartbreak that followed with her death has never left him.  No one knows of his own personal agony, least of all his team.  What he said about Melody in Stryke was as honest as it was hurtful.  While he wasn't intending for Melody to hear those words he couldn't deny that the outcome was for the best.  Until all hell broke loose, literally, and she was dragged into a situation no one as sweet and wonderful as Melody deserved.  He's willing to do everything in his power to save her from the Circle, even if it means saving her from herself at his own hands.

They're both in an untenable situation and if something doesn't give they're both going down.  Melody is struggling under rage, pain, confusion, frustration, and an increased desire for the very man who crushed her human heart.  Creed is struggling with his past and his perceptions of the old Melody versus the new Meladonna.  Can he accept her for all that she is now?  Can she get over herself in time to save herself and the family that turned their backs on her?

I really, really liked the story.  It was intense and interesting from start to finish.  Diving right back into their world and realms continuing from Demetrius to Stryke, there's a ton of upheaval and Creed and Melody are stuck right in the middle of it.  Creed comes off as aloof and pompous but it's very clear right from the start that he doesn't actually mean it.  Some habits are hard to break, but he's really all full of pain and compassion inside and the only one who has the ability to break through his facade is the person he's desperately trying to keep out.

I had a harder time with Melody.  It felt as if she were constantly devaluing her sweeter side because of the reasons behind why she was attempting to be constantly cheerful.  It negated all the power she found within herself closer to the end.  As if she wanted to be a slightly less awful version of a demon leader rather than being truly benevolent but masking that true goodness with what was more acceptable in the underworld.  It looked more like she was losing something pure and had no desire to get it back because strength and power was more important than goodness.  She recognized all the good things her bitterness was covering and overshadowing but there was never an apology or something heartfelt and good that came from her just attempting to be as truly bare for Creed as he was for her.  I was disappointed in her even though she found strength and control and could do good for the underworld.  There was just something about her sweetness and cheerfulness that I fell in love with from when we first met her and then it was like that didn't matter anymore.

So, yes, strength, power, and control is all important.  To feel valued, important, loved, needed, those are good things too.  It's also important to be honest and good.  Creed was more of all of those things than Melody by the end and while I loved him for everything he was, it was his understanding, kindness, empathy, and support that made him utterly amazing.  For all of Melody's power as Meladonna and new-found strength of will and determination, she wasn't nearly as emotionally present and stable to be the best romantic partner for Creed.  I hope that we get to see her emotional  growth and maturity increase as we see her in the periphery of the rest of the series.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

True Claim: The Sigma Menace Book 3, Marie Johnston

Bennett Young lost his mate over a century ago and he's resigned to his fate of going feral and being terminated by his brother Guardians.  Except fate has something very different up her sleeve.  Defying all lore and expectations he's found a second mate.  If only she'd come clean with all she's hiding so he can protect her and trust her as he couldn't with his first mate.

Spencer is struggling with her life on the run.  She wants nothing more than to settle down with her hobby farm, her dog, and her cows.  There's no room in her life for a wickedly handsome Guardian bent on protecting her and making her life more complicated than it already is.

Their run-ins are humorous as much as they are filled with tension.  When they finally come together things are hot and there's a thread of healing there too.  Bennett, through Spencer's fiery nature and perspective, finally comes to terms with his past and is able to move beyond the hurt, betrayal, and pride that has kept him from feeling worthy of his place in the Guardians.  Spencer, through Bennett's persistence and devotion, finds a freedom she never thought she'd experience in her life on the run and the roots she so desperately wants to plant might just have a place with her mate.

Madame G is looking for someone and believes Spencer is it.  She's determined to eliminate her and Bennett is just as determined to protect her.  Spencer is more than she appears and her secrets are colossal and could change everything they know about their races.

What Madame G's motivation for finding and killing her is unknown and everyone's in the dark about it from beginning to end but what we get in this story is a pivotal set-up for something huge for both sides of their war.

I really enjoyed Bennett's story of his redemption and healing as well as seeing him paired with the feisty, direct Spencer.  They make excellent partners for one another.  The overall plot is continuing at a feverish pace with information stalls timed well to provide anticipation and heightened interest in reading each subsequent book.  I'm really looking forward to Agent E's story in Lawful Claim, to see someone on the "other" side to give us a clearer picture of what it's like on the Sigma side of the line and what it's like to ride the edge of it.

$4.18 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

*Find out what caused that rift between Master Bellamy and his mate Irina 

and how they finally Reclaim one another...

*Agent E has a whole lot of secrets that keep him in Madame G's clutches.

Find out what they are and what he's willing to risk in Lawful Claim...

Primal Claim: The Sigma Menace Book 2, Marie Johnston

Madame G isn't giving up after her efforts with Jace and Cassie's forced mating failed.  No, she has bigger and more dangerous plans that require Mercury's genetics and a willing host.  Well, in Dani's case, not so willing.  It matters very little, though, because there's something much more sinister with this plot than anyone realizes.

Mercury is more than he appears and even his closest comrades don't fully understand him.  They trust him, are committed to protecting him and having his back, they even mostly like him, but truly knowing him is beyond reach.  There's something that's calling to him, needs him, and for days he's been searching.  Until one day a smaller woman covered in blood and weapons is being attacked on the road by Sigma recruits and underneath all that, this woman smells like him.  He's never seen her before but he's certain she's carrying his child.

Dani is a recruit who has done nothing but live for vengeance for years.  Until she's in so deep that she can't see a way to escape.  Worse, her newest mission is one she never dreamed she'd be tasked with.  Madame G has chosen her to bear the child of a Guardian shifter.  Once it's clear she's been successfully breeded she knows she must find a way out.  With the life inside her strengthening her and giving her the determination she needs to escape at the first chance she takes it.  Pursued by agents, recruits, and a raging storm from Madame G herself, she races to the probable safety of her baby's father.

Between secrets, retrieval attempts, and a passion neither of them have ever known before, this is a roller-coaster of a story.  Dani learns about Mercury, all of his depths and subtleties, and finds herself falling for him.  What began as an urgent need for protection for her child becomes so much more, deeper, and necessary.  Mercury is incredibly drawn to Dani.  Not knowing if he can trust her keeps him from taking those last steps to claiming her but he's beginning to understand that those efforts are futile.  It's only a matter of time before he gives in to their passion and magnetism.  He wants her.  He wants her forever.

I liked what little we learned about Mercury peripherally in Fever Claim and now I can fully say I love him.  He's strong, faithful, loyal, complicated, devoted, honest, and even under-the-radar mischievous and amusing.  It's a surprise what we learn of him and it drives deep.  Dani is a great match for him with strength, resolve, commitment, and intensity.  They make a superb partnership and the talents they have together are a revelation for the Guardians as a whole.  Their group is growing and the drama is getting bigger, more intense, and I'm so very eager to continue with True Claim for Bennett's story.

*$4.34 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

*Find out why Bennett feels he's

about to break in True Claim

She's his worst nightmare...a human mate.

  Over a century ago, Bennett Young found his mate, a human woman he trusted and was brutally betrayed by. With his one chance at happiness gone, Bennett throws himself into his work. He dreads the inevitable day he turns feral and his partners will be forced to put him down, then a routine mission brings him face-to-face with his worst nightmare. A human mate. Discovering the lovely, but evasive woman is being hunted, Bennett can't bring himself to abandon her, at least not until she's safe.

  Spencer King has a boy's name and lives in the boondocks for a reason. The tall, sexy shifter who showed up on her doorstep was unwelcome...and pushy. The mating instinct she feels for him threatens everyone she's worked to keep safe. Realizing the frustrating, brooding Guardian doesn't intend to leave her alone, Spencer has to figure out if she can trust him, and to decide - stay and fight, or run for her life?

Fever Claim: Sigma Menace Book 1, Marie Johnston

There's a whole lot going on in this book opening up the series with quite a few bangs. I enjoyed both of the MC's and am drawn to and interested in quite a few of the support characters. With a well-built cast this will be an exciting series.

Jace is damaged goods but he's honest and determined and focused on justice and his mate. He's drawn to Cassie and knows what she is to him. With perseverance and patience he finally has a chance with her and for one night he's where he knows he's meant to be. He'll do anything to protect that place and the person that provides his heart and soul's home.

Cassie is intelligent, passionate, and strong. She doesn't truly accept her passion, settling instead for the safety of a mundane relationship that she can count on to not stir up her insecurities, fears, and past traumas. When that safety is pulled from her she gives in to her emotions and vulnerabilities and allows Jace to take her home, and take her.

Come morning, though, their sexual satisfaction, confusion in uncertainty, and unexpected domestic bliss are blown apart by events building up around them. Exposed to a new world within e one she knows, Cassie is on edge but holding herself together long enough to learn about it and arm herself with information. Whether she'll give in to her pull toward Jace or not after the ashes settle, though, is the concern.

The entire story is a bit confusing because so many elements are made known, plots are being exposed, background is being explained, and characters are being introduced. By the end we get a sense of what's happening and the direction everything is headed and we're left feeling both anticipatory and anxious that all the plot points and characters will be given their due. I'm eager to see where this series goes and already being a fan of each of this author's New Vampire Disorder series, I'm sure I won't be disappointed with the writing and story arc.

*Jump into the world of the Sigma Menace series for FREE!

Once you've become invested in the Guardians you meet in Fever Claim, read Primal Claim featuring Mercury and his unlikely mate, Dani...

$4.24 on Amazon or FREE with KU!

Stryke, Marie Johnston

This is the second book I've read by this author, the first being Bishop, the third book in this series, and I'm totally hooked.  Stryke is captivating, sucks you into all the intensity going on in all the worlds they straddle.  I've got a soft spot for demons with soft spots and women who literally kick ass so this book definitely fits the bill.  I've also got a special place in my heart for any series where each book is awesome and not a downhill slide from the first.  If these last two books are any indication, each book from start to finish is fantastic.

Stryke picks up where Bishop left off with the Synod, demons, the fight in the prime's house with Hypna, etc.  If you haven't read anything else in the series it's okay, but you'd really understand all the connections between characters and worlds a lot better if you did.  If this is the only book you read, though, you wouldn't be disappointed.  I am glad, however, that I've got at least one more book under my belt.  I definitely want more!

So anyway, there's a breeding program among demons and Stryke's been chosen by the nastiest female he can think of.  It's a good thing he's got a bond with someone else...but if that other female finds out, all hell will break loose.  Literally.  Well, as you know, plots would not progress if secrets weren't revealed.  Stryke's hopes are dashed and he's scrambling to protect her but she really needs no help against demons, just dumpsters.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Marie Johnston is really good at inserting bits of humor into an otherwise intense story with all kinds of drama going on.

Okay, so back on topic.  After a rough encounter with a dumpster we find that Zoey is in fact in need of a rescue and it's a good thing Stryke is there to help.  The information she later learns once she comes to is less appealing to her.  It combines a ton of turmoil from her past, pain, attraction, confusion, shame, anger, and a heaping dose of "what exactly do I do now?".  They've got a lot to overcome if their bond is going to be anything other than a shame and a burden on either side of the relationship.

Over the course of the story there are incredible moments of passion and amazing chemistry as well as tenderness, acceptance, and a solid connection that is beyond what they've previously experienced.  Stryke is completely committed to Zoey and Zoey is committed to her cause.  It's all she's ever known since before the death of her true mate and she isn't sure what role Stryke will play in her life once Hypna is stopped.  She's not even sure if she actually wants him around once the dust settles.  I can't say I'm thrilled by all the denial Zoey throws all over the place, nor am I impressed that Stryke has no motivation for anything but Zoey.  It might seem self-denying (on Zoey's side) and romantic (on Stryke's side), but both of these people are just codependent on something else, not truly able to stand on their own and therefore cannot be a true partnership.  Those issues come out in a big way when they're brought before the Synod and Zoey makes Stryke do something that's pretty crushing.  My heart squeezed in sadness and frustration and I actually read that scene twice to wallow in those feelings.  A bit masochistic, I know, but I wanted to have something on the low side to balance the awesomeness of a heartfelt confession that I knew would come later.

When it came, however, it wasn't in the way I was expecting.  It was more subtle, more real for each of these characters' personalities.  Stryke was willing and eager to be what Zoey needed after he found his own cause and his own sure foundation.  Zoey was a bit of a mystery because she spent so long being loyal to a cause that he wasn't sure if she could make concessions to partner with him in life and in love.  Was she?  You bet!  Stryke brought out the truth of who Zoey really is, gave her a safe place to be herself so that when she fought for her cause she could do it with her whole self this time.  Watching the process of them coming to their own realizations and their determination to do a better job for themselves and for one another was a joy.  I liked watching everything unfold, the conclusion was absolutely satisfying.

With the asides that came from Creed and Melody we're pretty sure we know whose story is coming next and I'm excited to see Creed get what he doesn't think he wants and for Melody to be truly inducted into the DD family.

*Get to know these awesome couples by reading each of their stories!