Book Review: Ranae Rose - Battered Not Broken

Rating: Adult

Published: December 19, 2012
Format: e-book
Battered Not Broken is a full-length novel of approximately 110,000 words.
Categories: Erotic Romantic Suspense
ASIN: B00AOP6E56
Websites:  Barnes & Noble , AmazonKindle, All Romance Ebooks


4 of 5 Stars

Ryan Moore forged his own path when he defied his wealthy family’s expectations by joining the United States Marine Corps as an enlisted man. After a period of service that’s cut short by an IED explosion, the lingering physical and mental effects of war result in an isolated struggle to exist in the civilian world. He throws himself into competitive MMA fighting – the one thing he’s still able to excel at, even if every match is a risk he can’t afford to take.

His first encounter with amateur female fighter Ally Rivera ignites a spark of desire he hasn’t felt since before a bomb left its marks on his life and his body, but his flirtation with her turns out to be anything but harmless. She’s struggling to hold together a family ravaged by violence – a feat that isn’t easy when her father has been imprisoned, leaving her vulnerable to relatives who run a local gang. Can two unrelenting fighters overcome challenges they couldn’t defeat alone, or do the wounds of war and crime run too deep for even love to heal?

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This was a very enjoyable book for me.  Plenty of good steamy sex in between a really good story with a bonus bit of education about a fairly common condition for anyone who knows a “Wounded Warrior” returned from Iraq or Afghanistan or any of the other locations our brave troops are located.

Alexandra Rivera, Ally to anyone who cares, is a young woman working as a manicurist in her Aunt’s beauty shop, training and fighting in local MMA matches in Baltimore, having lived there all her life.  Between her job, sporadic winnings from fighting and the money her mother makes as a beautician, she and her mother are managing to keep things together for when her dad gets out of jail, having been there for 6 years already, with one more left to serve.  She is also a person who needs to feel safe.  She dates occasionally and then, only guys she has known forever.

Ryan Moore is a large, handsome stranger who appears at the MMA gym one day to train. 

I love how they meet:   

Ally was with her best friend Melissa and indulged in a few moments of laughter that were cut short when she turned around, nearly colliding with someone else.

 “Crap.” She breathed an exasperated sigh as she was treated to a point-blank view of a sweaty male chest. “Mel and I are finished with the ring. You could’ve just asked, you know.” He – whoever he was – had sneaked up on her as silently as a cat stalking prey. Or maybe Melissa’s laughter had drowned out the sound of his footsteps. Either way, he clearly didn’t know the meaning of the words personal space.

“Sorry,” he said, not sounding at all like he meant it as he remained planted firmly in front of her. Ally raised her gaze to meet a pair of unfamiliar blue eyes. They were cool, almost icy, but lit with a hint of amusement. A brief glance at the rest of his face revealed a perfectly straight nose and surprisingly full mouth. She ignored those features, refusing to break eye contact as a spark of surprise lit somewhere in her middle. “Are you a member? Because the ring and bags are only for members.”

Every once in a while, some wanna-be MMA fighter would wander into the gym and try to prove his manliness by challenging the  guys who trained there. It was weird, but it had happened before. The fact that he was good-looking didn’t mean he wasn’t an idiot.

“Just joined this morning,” he said, surprising her by extending a hand. “Ryan Moore.” He more or less seized one of her hands and gripped her fingers before she could move. What he did then was more of a squeeze than a handshake.

“Nice to meet you,” she said in a flat voice, taking a little satisfaction in the knowledge that her hands were still hot and sweaty from her gloves. “You can have the ring now. Who’s your sparring partner?”

Although she tries to keep her distance from him, it’s inevitable they will start dating.  The first crack in her armor is when she realizes that the ink on his back is the Marines motto. 

I would really like to reveal more of the storyline but its better just to follow the story as it unfolds.  The story is engrossing; the sex is steamy and well written and flows seamlessly with the story.

This is a story about patience, trust, hope and learning whether keeping your pride is too high a price to pay for a chance at a future.  Together.

I gave this book 4 of 5 stars rather than 5 of 5 because by well into the story the condition of Ally’s stomach started intruding into the story for me.  Otherwise, this is a book I am glad that I had the chance to read.  I consider the heat level 4.5 of 5.  Thank you Ranae for sending it to me.

Ranae Rose is a best-selling author of over a dozen paranormal, historical and contemporary romances, all of them delightfully steamy. She lives on the US East Coast with her husband, child, dogs, horses and overflowing bookshelves. She spends most of her time letting her very active imagination run wild, penning her next story. When she's not writing, she can usually be found in the saddle or behind a good book with a cup of tea. 

Learn more about Ranae and her stories at www.ranaerose.com.