Reviewed by Cindy

TITLE: Jacked Cat Jive

SERIES: Kai Gracen Series Book 3

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

PUBLISHER: DSP Publications

LENGTH: 242 Pages

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2019

BLURB:

Stalker Kai Gracen knew his human upbringing would eventually clash with his elfin heritage, but not so soon. Between Ryder, a pain-in-his-neck sidhe lord coaxing him to join San Diego’s Southern Rise Court, and picking up bounties for SoCalGov, he has more than enough to deal with. With his loyalties divided between the humans who raised him and the sidhe lord he’s befriended and sworn to protect, Kai finds himself standing at a crossroads.

When a friend begs Kai to rescue a small group of elfin refugees fleeing the Dusk Court, he’s pulled into a dangerous mission with Ryder through San Diego’s understreets and the wilderness beyond. Things go from bad to downright treacherous when Kerrick, Ryder’s cousin, insists on joining them, staking a claim on Southern Rise and Kai.

Burdened by his painful past, Kai must stand with Ryder against Kerrick while facing down the very court he fears and loathes. Dying while on a run is expected for a Stalker, but Kai wonders if embracing his elfin blood also means losing his heart, soul, and humanity along the way.

REVIEW:

Kai Gracen’s life seems like one never-ending battle after another and it’s starting to get a little tiring. He’s always being pulled in so many directions that he’s not sure which way he’s going.

Ryder, the sidhe lord is getting under Kai’s skin more and more and the worst part is that Kai’s starting to like it.

I can’t get enough of Kai and these stories. He’s complicated and tugs at my heartstrings over and over as he struggles to live his life and do the best he can to help people, even if they aren’t always as appreciative as they should be.

Cari is an awesome addition to the cast of this tale. She’s strong and determined to do her job while working with Kai.

Kerrick is the bad guy you will love to hate. He’s coming for Ryder and his hold on the Southern Rise and that’s not something Kai is willing to stand for, especially when the man seems to think that Kai will belong to him too. I spent a lot of time waiting for him to get what was coming to him.

Once again, the world building is first class. I was left breathless by the descriptions of the landscapes the story takes place in and the creatures they encounter on their journey to rescue the children who need them.

Kai’s fears about figuring out how to live with the two halves of his soul, resounded with me. It’s not hard to empathize with someone who’s trying so hard to make sure that their past doesn’t overtake their present and future.

I love watching Kai and Ryder dance around each other, slowly building a relationship built on trust and shared experiences. It might be the slowest building relationship in anything I’ve ever read, but I’m enjoying the torture.

I also enjoyed the little bits of Rhys that pop up in the story. I hope you laugh out loud at one comment about breakfast foods that pops up in one of Kai’s conversations, because anyone who followers her on FB knows she has deep, abiding positions on the topic.

The ending of this story had me screaming in frustration and standing in awe. The best part of the ending is the indication that another story will be coming…it had better be coming. Because I need to see where Kai and Ryder are going after this!

One final note…the cover art for this story and the new art for the re-releases of the previous two stories in the series is absolutely gorgeous. I love this new interpretation of Kai and my daughter says she’s crushing on him!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

DSP Publications

Amazon