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Iron Heretics MC Universe
Cold Light
Being an assassin wasn’t something Lexington Campbell ever envisioned for himself, but after spending eight years doing just that, he’s prepared to take his place at the table of his father’s motorcycle club, The Iron Heretics.
Arden spends his nights dancing on stage at Spritz, one of St. Louis’s hottest night clubs, and waiting for Lex to pass back through town. After being orphaned young, he fears letting himself get too attached to the distant, bearded Lex, even after three years of inviting the man into his bed.
When Lex finds himself with a price on his head, he unknowingly pulls Arden into the darkness with him. When things aren’t what they seem, and enemies abound, will they find themselves still standing together in the cold light of day?
This book is part of Criminal Delights. Each novel can be read as a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.
Warning: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.
Arden spends his nights dancing on stage at Spritz, one of St. Louis’s hottest night clubs, and waiting for Lex to pass back through town. After being orphaned young, he fears letting himself get too attached to the distant, bearded Lex, even after three years of inviting the man into his bed.
When Lex finds himself with a price on his head, he unknowingly pulls Arden into the darkness with him. When things aren’t what they seem, and enemies abound, will they find themselves still standing together in the cold light of day?
This book is part of Criminal Delights. Each novel can be read as a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.
Warning: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.
148 pages, ebook
First published June 3, 2019
147 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Frost
54 books483 followersRomance writer. Dog mom. Hoarder of coffee cups. She/her.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 93 reviews
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June 23, 2024
|| 2.0 stars ||
This had a lot of potential, and I'm rather disappointed with its execution.
I honestly feel like this book started right in the middle of the story. The two main guys had basically already been in a 'relationship' for a few years now, thus we completely missed them falling for each other. This meant that it was very hard for me to build a connection with them as people or to care about what happened within their romance.
It also seemed to me that, despite them being in a 'relationship' already, they hardly knew each other and didn't get to know much about each other throughout this book either. Their relationship was mostly based on sex.
The couple definitely fell a bit flat and felt fairly superficial.
It's truly a shame because the premise of this book sounded great to me and these characters could have worked really well together.
I love romance books where one of them is big and strong while the other is fragile and pretty, especially if there is a lot of protectiveness going on and has a hint of betrayal. This book had all of that, and thus should have totally been right up my alley. Too bad none of it was done particularly well here.
'CRIMINAL DELIGHTS' COLLECTION:
Taken:
1. Wrong Way Home - 4.0 stars
5. Sweating Lies (Lies #1) - 4.5 stars
15. To Have and to Hold - 3.0 stars
16. Splitting Lies (Lies #2) - 3.5 stars
Assassins:
12. By Way of Pain - 1.0 star
14. Cold Light - 2.0 stars
This had a lot of potential, and I'm rather disappointed with its execution.
I honestly feel like this book started right in the middle of the story. The two main guys had basically already been in a 'relationship' for a few years now, thus we completely missed them falling for each other. This meant that it was very hard for me to build a connection with them as people or to care about what happened within their romance.
It also seemed to me that, despite them being in a 'relationship' already, they hardly knew each other and didn't get to know much about each other throughout this book either. Their relationship was mostly based on sex.
The couple definitely fell a bit flat and felt fairly superficial.
It's truly a shame because the premise of this book sounded great to me and these characters could have worked really well together.
I love romance books where one of them is big and strong while the other is fragile and pretty, especially if there is a lot of protectiveness going on and has a hint of betrayal. This book had all of that, and thus should have totally been right up my alley. Too bad none of it was done particularly well here.
'CRIMINAL DELIGHTS' COLLECTION:
Taken:
1. Wrong Way Home - 4.0 stars
5. Sweating Lies (Lies #1) - 4.5 stars
15. To Have and to Hold - 3.0 stars
16. Splitting Lies (Lies #2) - 3.5 stars
Assassins:
12. By Way of Pain - 1.0 star
14. Cold Light - 2.0 stars
June 9, 2019
"Cold Light" was the first book by Michelle Frost that I read so I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
The story started out really well and managed to catch my attention early on. Lex is the son of a MC president but for the last eight years he lives alone because he works as an assassin to pay off a club debt. His only real connections are his boss and Arden.
Arden is a stripper at a club that caters to other needs as well, if you know what I mean... He doesn't have a family and he was forced to live on the streets for a while. Once he found Spritz though and the owner offered him a job there and a place to stay he began to form some bonds and found a best friend in a fellow dancer.
Lex and Arden have known each other for about three years but they only meet occasionally when Lex is passing through town and has some down time. The rest of the time they don't communicate which is understandable considering Lex's line of work.
The story starts with Lex's eight years coming to an end and him meeting Arden after a big separation. He's thinking of making some changes in his life since he can go back to his club but he also tries to figure out a way to have Arden in his life in a more permanent way.
Things go downhill really fast though once two guys break into Arden's apartment and from then on out it's running and trying to figure out who is out to get them. The story became too complicated and unbelievable for my tastes though so I didn't like the second half of the book very much.
However, there were a lot of interesting side characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about in the future. I think Lex's dad is getting a story and I'm definitely down for that one. There's a hint at the end of the book that there will be more stories set in this universe so I hope Jebidiah and Kade will get one soon.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
The story started out really well and managed to catch my attention early on. Lex is the son of a MC president but for the last eight years he lives alone because he works as an assassin to pay off a club debt. His only real connections are his boss and Arden.
Arden is a stripper at a club that caters to other needs as well, if you know what I mean... He doesn't have a family and he was forced to live on the streets for a while. Once he found Spritz though and the owner offered him a job there and a place to stay he began to form some bonds and found a best friend in a fellow dancer.
Lex and Arden have known each other for about three years but they only meet occasionally when Lex is passing through town and has some down time. The rest of the time they don't communicate which is understandable considering Lex's line of work.
The story starts with Lex's eight years coming to an end and him meeting Arden after a big separation. He's thinking of making some changes in his life since he can go back to his club but he also tries to figure out a way to have Arden in his life in a more permanent way.
Things go downhill really fast though once two guys break into Arden's apartment and from then on out it's running and trying to figure out who is out to get them. The story became too complicated and unbelievable for my tastes though so I didn't like the second half of the book very much.
However, there were a lot of interesting side characters that I wouldn't mind reading more about in the future. I think Lex's dad is getting a story and I'm definitely down for that one. There's a hint at the end of the book that there will be more stories set in this universe so I hope Jebidiah and Kade will get one soon.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
May 24, 2019
Okay, I had one issue with this book - I LOVE MM reads and this one was steamy and really exciting and entertaining - but I HATE when in MM books literally every other character is gay, that doesn't sit with me - one friend, maybe a GROUP of friends but legit almost everyone .. no it's not believable... that being said, Lex was all growly and sexy and Arden was just adorable even though I kept reading his name as Adrien (especially during the yelling parts) .. overall great story, fast paced, lots of action and a bit of MC in it .. definitely a good read.
August 9, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2019/09/13/...
Rating: 3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
Rating: 3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
January 27, 2020
Excellent story, even though I had an idea of the twist before it showed up. Some truly hilarious typos (the one with "Lex's chest chair" was probably my favorite!) and too many incorrectly placed commas, but overall not nearly as annoying as some editing and grammar errors I've read lately. I'm still in the mood for more MC adventure, so I'll be looking for more Iron Heretic stories.
January 21, 2020
4.5 stars
Great introduction to the Iron Heretics MC. Ready to read Pax and Mace's story. I hate that she didn't write these in order.
Great introduction to the Iron Heretics MC. Ready to read Pax and Mace's story. I hate that she didn't write these in order.
June 10, 2019
Each series in this book has been so interesting. The different takes on each subject and the characters. I think with this one, my only….thing..would be I wish there was a bit more action. Especially with one of the MCs being an assassin. But it was good. Definitely a few twists in there and a few I wanted to smack. And quite a few who got what they deserved.
Arden and Lex have been 'dating', for like three years now. More like nights filled with sex considering how little they knew about each other. And it was more than obvious when two hit men came after them in Arden's apartment. Lex took them out quickly and Arden got to see what Lex really does. It's a definite shock and it takes him a bit to come to terms with it, but he eventually does, until things start getting worse. Someone who's supposed to protect them tried to rape Arden and someone he thought long dead kidnaps him for something he knows nothing about. And he may not make it out alive to finally tell Lex how he feels.
Well, nothing like along up in the middle of the night to find out your boyfriend or whatever they were at the time, is an assassin. And unfortunately, it brought up bad memories for Arden when parts of his family died. So yah, shock would be mild in this case. Bless his heart, he was almost comatose. Who could blame him? But I liked Arden. No matter what that boy has had to deal with, he's survived. It's not been easy but he's a fighter and he keeps getting up to fight again. He's a good guy.
With Lex, it was kind of comical. Here is this big badass motorcycle club member and assassin, who goes all teddy bear with Arden. Just goo. But he's thoughtful with him. Kind, compassionate. Takes real good care of him and makes sure he's protected. As best he can anyway. Sometimes things just happen.
Another good book in this series. Assassins, bikers, and murder. All kinds of stuff going on. If you guys haven't read this book or this series, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Arden and Lex have been 'dating', for like three years now. More like nights filled with sex considering how little they knew about each other. And it was more than obvious when two hit men came after them in Arden's apartment. Lex took them out quickly and Arden got to see what Lex really does. It's a definite shock and it takes him a bit to come to terms with it, but he eventually does, until things start getting worse. Someone who's supposed to protect them tried to rape Arden and someone he thought long dead kidnaps him for something he knows nothing about. And he may not make it out alive to finally tell Lex how he feels.
Well, nothing like along up in the middle of the night to find out your boyfriend or whatever they were at the time, is an assassin. And unfortunately, it brought up bad memories for Arden when parts of his family died. So yah, shock would be mild in this case. Bless his heart, he was almost comatose. Who could blame him? But I liked Arden. No matter what that boy has had to deal with, he's survived. It's not been easy but he's a fighter and he keeps getting up to fight again. He's a good guy.
With Lex, it was kind of comical. Here is this big badass motorcycle club member and assassin, who goes all teddy bear with Arden. Just goo. But he's thoughtful with him. Kind, compassionate. Takes real good care of him and makes sure he's protected. As best he can anyway. Sometimes things just happen.
Another good book in this series. Assassins, bikers, and murder. All kinds of stuff going on. If you guys haven't read this book or this series, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
March 6, 2020
Upping rating to 3 on second read. I enjoyed the second read more and felt it was more of a biker story, not stereotypical for sure. I ignored the “dark” designation, which is what threw it off for me the first time. I hope typos were all found before this was published.
2.5 stars
I have read other stories by this author and did enjoy them. I’ve also read a couple of the books in this multi-author series and none yet have felt particularly dark, at least not in the way I’d define it. To me, dark is one or more characters displaying some degree of psychopathy, going beyond mere criminal acts. None of that was present in this story, aside from blasé attitudes towards assassination and death. But this is not truly a story about an assassin doing assassin things. There’s a motorcycle club involved but it never felt quite like a biker story. I liked the premise the blurb appeared to promise but the execution left much to be desired. There were plot holes with solutions, information and locations all too conveniently discovered by both good and bad guys with no logical source for any of it. For a guy going completely undiscovered during 8 years of killing people, Lex did not make a very convincing assassin in light of the events in the story. Arden’s background was an important element but it was tossed out in bits, making the plot twist seem too much like an afterthought. It tried hard to be edgy and tough but it ended without convincing me. The writing and technical aspects are fine and there’s some steam that is paced well. Maybe I’m too darned picky and other readers will enjoy this, especially as an intro to a series that is planned.
I have read other stories by this author and did enjoy them. I’ve also read a couple of the books in this multi-author series and none yet have felt particularly dark, at least not in the way I’d define it. To me, dark is one or more characters displaying some degree of psychopathy, going beyond mere criminal acts. None of that was present in this story, aside from blasé attitudes towards assassination and death. But this is not truly a story about an assassin doing assassin things. There’s a motorcycle club involved but it never felt quite like a biker story. I liked the premise the blurb appeared to promise but the execution left much to be desired. There were plot holes with solutions, information and locations all too conveniently discovered by both good and bad guys with no logical source for any of it. For a guy going completely undiscovered during 8 years of killing people, Lex did not make a very convincing assassin in light of the events in the story. Arden’s background was an important element but it was tossed out in bits, making the plot twist seem too much like an afterthought. It tried hard to be edgy and tough but it ended without convincing me. The writing and technical aspects are fine and there’s some steam that is paced well. Maybe I’m too darned picky and other readers will enjoy this, especially as an intro to a series that is planned.
June 3, 2019
Awwwww Lex and Arden were an unexpected beautiful surprise. I loved their story! Cold Light by Michelle Frost is an exciting, action packed, sexy and emotional love story.
What do you get when you mix a broody biker assassin with a glittery stripper/prostitute?
Pure magic!!
Lex lives a nomadic life. Going from one hit job to another. He grew up tough in a biker family called, the Iron Heretics. He doesn't do relationships, but when he's in town, he spends his time with a beautiful prostitute, Arden. When things started to progess, he bought Arden's time from his madam. He paid to have him all to himself. What started out as an arrangement, turned into so much more. Especially, after one night when their safety was compromised. Lex finds himself doing everything he has to do to keep Arden safe. I loved how protective and gentle Lex was with Arden. Watching their relationship transform and blossom was beautiful! They were so sweet and damn they were hot, but it was their intimacy that made me smile. Taking care of each other in and out of the bedroom. This rollercoaster ride, kept me at the edge of my seat. Cold Light is a quick read. I just wish it were longer!! I would have loved more of Arden's past. More of the Bikers and their story.
Michelle Frost created another amazing world filled with hot Bikers and just enough violence! I can not wait to get more of them!
What do you get when you mix a broody biker assassin with a glittery stripper/prostitute?
Pure magic!!
Lex lives a nomadic life. Going from one hit job to another. He grew up tough in a biker family called, the Iron Heretics. He doesn't do relationships, but when he's in town, he spends his time with a beautiful prostitute, Arden. When things started to progess, he bought Arden's time from his madam. He paid to have him all to himself. What started out as an arrangement, turned into so much more. Especially, after one night when their safety was compromised. Lex finds himself doing everything he has to do to keep Arden safe. I loved how protective and gentle Lex was with Arden. Watching their relationship transform and blossom was beautiful! They were so sweet and damn they were hot, but it was their intimacy that made me smile. Taking care of each other in and out of the bedroom. This rollercoaster ride, kept me at the edge of my seat. Cold Light is a quick read. I just wish it were longer!! I would have loved more of Arden's past. More of the Bikers and their story.
Michelle Frost created another amazing world filled with hot Bikers and just enough violence! I can not wait to get more of them!
August 27, 2021
I'm coming back to this one after the first in the official iron heretics book, which is preferable than starting with the official first book. It makes a lot more sense, chronologically speaking, to read this series in the MC universe order. And after this book, I understand what happened in disrupt better.
Story wise, it was really good. I'm a bit uncertain of how Jeb and Lex stand, and how Lex's contract has to do with the initial debt for the Heretics, but it's a blip in the story. I really liked Arden, and I feel for his struggles and how he got to the club.
I wish we'd been able to see how Lex and Arden met, even in a flashback. It would've been delightful. As it stands, the story stands three years into their knowing each other, and that makes their familiarity with each other a lot more easy to understand and accept. I like a late to build slow burn a lot more than any insta love story.
Overall I really like it!
Story wise, it was really good. I'm a bit uncertain of how Jeb and Lex stand, and how Lex's contract has to do with the initial debt for the Heretics, but it's a blip in the story. I really liked Arden, and I feel for his struggles and how he got to the club.
I wish we'd been able to see how Lex and Arden met, even in a flashback. It would've been delightful. As it stands, the story stands three years into their knowing each other, and that makes their familiarity with each other a lot more easy to understand and accept. I like a late to build slow burn a lot more than any insta love story.
Overall I really like it!
May 11, 2021
4 Criminally Good Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was part of the Criminal Delights series but had morphed into so much more...trust me. I thought I started at the beginning with another book. Imagine my annoyance when I realized I was missing a crapton of backstory.
This little gem is both hot & a real good read. TRIGGER WARNINGS though far attempted rape & torture.
Lex is a hitman. He finally settles a score for his MC, now all he wants is to walk away. With Arden.
Arden is a dancer & former prostitute for Vivian. Lex has him by agreement with Vivian, & really wants no one else.
Unfortunately, the dead past didn't stay that way & both Lex & Arden are in danger...
It was part of the Criminal Delights series but had morphed into so much more...trust me. I thought I started at the beginning with another book. Imagine my annoyance when I realized I was missing a crapton of backstory.
This little gem is both hot & a real good read. TRIGGER WARNINGS though far attempted rape & torture.
Lex is a hitman. He finally settles a score for his MC, now all he wants is to walk away. With Arden.
Arden is a dancer & former prostitute for Vivian. Lex has him by agreement with Vivian, & really wants no one else.
Unfortunately, the dead past didn't stay that way & both Lex & Arden are in danger...
October 17, 2023
This book felt like going to the book version of Subway. It was like I just had to ask and the book gave it to me: hot and adorable leads (check), assassin/mafia vibes (check), and a cute puppy (check). In all seriousness, this was a well written and engaging story. I was instantly pulled in by the strong characters and immersive world building. Love this author and I can’t wait to check out the rest of the series.
June 3, 2024
How have a missed Michelle Frost? What other authors have I missed that I might’ve enjoyed?
3/12/2023 I felt the need for some lovable badasses. I mean, what else can a MC member main character BE in a romance, am I right? 🤣😂. Ok I’m feeling a bit dorky from lack of sleep. It might be best to hold off on further reviews 😳
3/12/2023 I felt the need for some lovable badasses. I mean, what else can a MC member main character BE in a romance, am I right? 🤣😂. Ok I’m feeling a bit dorky from lack of sleep. It might be best to hold off on further reviews 😳
June 5, 2019
4.25 Stars!
October 4, 2023
I can't get enough Michelle Frost
October 10, 2019
I read books from the bad boy / MC / assassins genres with little expectation of a seeming of reality. These books are, after all, escapist fiction. This book went too far, even for that.
The book begins with Lex, an assassin, taking a kill shot that is actually physically impossible. I don't mean that it is unlikely or that no one but the best shot in the world could make it: no, I mean it thoroughly violates well-established laws of physics. The author tells us the shot was taken from a mile away and the bullet took 5 seconds to get there. This means that the muzzle velocity of the bullet was very low (so low, in fact, that I couldn't find any gun/bullet combination that is that slow). But never mind that because an object will fall some 400 feet in 5 seconds. So, Lex would have had to aim, with a margin of less than an inch, some 400 feet above his moving target. The author also tells us Lex calculated the effects of the wind ON A DIFFERENT DAY than the one the shot was taken. This would guarantee the shot would miss because wind is highly variable and only calculations made at the time of the shot would work—but the author says he DIDN'T do that. But, even if, by mistake, he hit his target, the bullet as described could not possibly have done the damage the author describes because it was moving far too slowly.
So, even though there is no magic in the story, Lex can perform firearm miracles. Clearly the best assassin in the world or something. So, what does he do with his skills? (minor spoiler)
I guessed the "big" reveals very early on, so that much was predictable. There are certain missing objects (trying not to spoil this) which I found perfectly easy to guess where they were and who put them there.
The relationship between the two MCs was just "okay" for me. Yes, they'd crushed on each other and all, but I felt cheated because the author states pointblank that all they knew about each other was what they liked in bed. Sure, being in danger is a standard trope for MCs to fall in love, but we actually need some scenes depicting it rather than skipping that part, which the author does. So, how is the reader to believe that they are getting an HEA when she doesn't show us how they fall in love?
I do compliment the narrator of the audiobook version: he did quite well.
I'd suggest skipping this one.
The book begins with Lex, an assassin, taking a kill shot that is actually physically impossible. I don't mean that it is unlikely or that no one but the best shot in the world could make it: no, I mean it thoroughly violates well-established laws of physics. The author tells us the shot was taken from a mile away and the bullet took 5 seconds to get there. This means that the muzzle velocity of the bullet was very low (so low, in fact, that I couldn't find any gun/bullet combination that is that slow). But never mind that because an object will fall some 400 feet in 5 seconds. So, Lex would have had to aim, with a margin of less than an inch, some 400 feet above his moving target. The author also tells us Lex calculated the effects of the wind ON A DIFFERENT DAY than the one the shot was taken. This would guarantee the shot would miss because wind is highly variable and only calculations made at the time of the shot would work—but the author says he DIDN'T do that. But, even if, by mistake, he hit his target, the bullet as described could not possibly have done the damage the author describes because it was moving far too slowly.
So, even though there is no magic in the story, Lex can perform firearm miracles. Clearly the best assassin in the world or something. So, what does he do with his skills? (minor spoiler)
I guessed the "big" reveals very early on, so that much was predictable. There are certain missing objects (trying not to spoil this) which I found perfectly easy to guess where they were and who put them there.
The relationship between the two MCs was just "okay" for me. Yes, they'd crushed on each other and all, but I felt cheated because the author states pointblank that all they knew about each other was what they liked in bed. Sure, being in danger is a standard trope for MCs to fall in love, but we actually need some scenes depicting it rather than skipping that part, which the author does. So, how is the reader to believe that they are getting an HEA when she doesn't show us how they fall in love?
I do compliment the narrator of the audiobook version: he did quite well.
I'd suggest skipping this one.
August 7, 2021
COLD LIGHT was definitely a read out of my comfort zone in terms of their professions - assassin and prostitute. But I enjoyed reading about Lex and Arden though they have a hard journey to developing a lasting relationship. Lex was growly and a badass, but with Arden he's gentle and I happen to love that type of hero. Arden has had a really hard life but he's stayed upbeat and optimistic despite it all.
There's a lot packed into this story between Arden and Lex hiding from a contracted hit, the MC Lex's father runs, and the secrets in Arden's past. I wanted to explore those aspects more but overall it was detailed enough. I do wish there had been more of Arden and Lex learning about each other since it's such a huge part of their initial problems after Lex is forced to reveal who he really is. Otherwise a good read.
Content Warning: Arden is almost raped by secondary character; torture scene
There's a lot packed into this story between Arden and Lex hiding from a contracted hit, the MC Lex's father runs, and the secrets in Arden's past. I wanted to explore those aspects more but overall it was detailed enough. I do wish there had been more of Arden and Lex learning about each other since it's such a huge part of their initial problems after Lex is forced to reveal who he really is. Otherwise a good read.
Content Warning: Arden is almost raped by secondary character; torture scene
June 6, 2019
Lex is a assassin and Arden is a dancer in a club. They are not quite boyfriends but have an arrangement..
"He shouldn't have let himself get so attached. He knew that. In his ,line of work it was the worst kind of mistake. It was one thing to share your body, but your heart? That was suppose to be kept safe behind your ribs for a reason."
They find themselves on the run together.
This great story kept me invested in their lives, cheering them on to figure out who wanted to hurt them. It had great flow and enough action to keep you engrossed in their plight.
It started a little slow but definitely kicks up a notch as the story progresses.
while it wasn't as dark as a lot of the other Criminal Delights books I've read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"He shouldn't have let himself get so attached. He knew that. In his ,line of work it was the worst kind of mistake. It was one thing to share your body, but your heart? That was suppose to be kept safe behind your ribs for a reason."
They find themselves on the run together.
This great story kept me invested in their lives, cheering them on to figure out who wanted to hurt them. It had great flow and enough action to keep you engrossed in their plight.
It started a little slow but definitely kicks up a notch as the story progresses.
while it wasn't as dark as a lot of the other Criminal Delights books I've read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 4, 2019
I am not typically a fan of motorcycle club romances. I'm over the Sons of Anarchy by a decade. But Cold Light's main characters are engaging and sympathetic. I cared about them from the first couple of pages and was drawn into their life. The MC part of it (motorcycle club, not main character) was not overwhelming and fit the story well. Arden and Lex fit together well and the supporting cast was intereresting, too, so I'm eager to see who gets a story next. Recommend! *I received an ARC of this book.*
June 9, 2019
very good and interesting. fast paced and creepy
Want to read
June 21, 2019
Part of the Criminal Delights series. While part of a series each can de be read as a standalone:
June 3, 2019
Reviewed by Jenn for Diverse Reader
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cold Light by Michelle Frost is the fourteenth installment in the Criminal Delights series, and I loved this one very much!
Lexington (Lex) Campbell is an assassin for hire, but his time for hire is coming to end. He has always thought when he was finished with his obligations, he always thought he’d go home to his father’s motorcycle club, The Iron Heretics. One thing he wasn’t counting on was meeting a beautiful dancer named Arden. Now the one thing he always wanted, a spot at his father’s table…isn’t the only thing he wants.
Arden is an incredible dancer who draws a crowd at Spritz each night. Being a dancer in one of the hottest clubs in St. Louis has been a lifesaver for the orphaned homeless young man. The life he has isn’t the one he envisioned, but meeting Lex has made his life better. The two have a real connection even with the secrets between them. As Arden is pulled into the dangerous world Lex lives in, all secrets will be revealed. With the truth between them, things really heat up. When trouble comes knocking, Lex will need all the help he can get to keep Arden safe. Asking his father for anything has never been easy, but Arden is worth everything.
I absolutely loved these characters and the secondary characters made me just want more! I love when we have this rough and tumble tough guy with a heart of gold. That’s what I loved about Lex and Arden too. Both have to be tough, both have to hide and yet…with each other, all their guards come down. These two are so wonderful together, I loved how much they want each other, how much they want to be a family together. This book is definitely a thriller and has those edge of your seat moments, but really it is a love story at heart. There is a wonderful balance between the thrills and the love…which is perfect for me! I am loving this Criminal Delights series and hope to see more series like this in the future.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cold Light by Michelle Frost is the fourteenth installment in the Criminal Delights series, and I loved this one very much!
Lexington (Lex) Campbell is an assassin for hire, but his time for hire is coming to end. He has always thought when he was finished with his obligations, he always thought he’d go home to his father’s motorcycle club, The Iron Heretics. One thing he wasn’t counting on was meeting a beautiful dancer named Arden. Now the one thing he always wanted, a spot at his father’s table…isn’t the only thing he wants.
Arden is an incredible dancer who draws a crowd at Spritz each night. Being a dancer in one of the hottest clubs in St. Louis has been a lifesaver for the orphaned homeless young man. The life he has isn’t the one he envisioned, but meeting Lex has made his life better. The two have a real connection even with the secrets between them. As Arden is pulled into the dangerous world Lex lives in, all secrets will be revealed. With the truth between them, things really heat up. When trouble comes knocking, Lex will need all the help he can get to keep Arden safe. Asking his father for anything has never been easy, but Arden is worth everything.
I absolutely loved these characters and the secondary characters made me just want more! I love when we have this rough and tumble tough guy with a heart of gold. That’s what I loved about Lex and Arden too. Both have to be tough, both have to hide and yet…with each other, all their guards come down. These two are so wonderful together, I loved how much they want each other, how much they want to be a family together. This book is definitely a thriller and has those edge of your seat moments, but really it is a love story at heart. There is a wonderful balance between the thrills and the love…which is perfect for me! I am loving this Criminal Delights series and hope to see more series like this in the future.
May 23, 2019
i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the story of Lex and Arden. Lex is a hit man who works for his father's MC and another mob boss. When he is finished his employment with the mob, he is planning to take his place in the MC, but first he decides to visit Arden, his boy, who is a dancer at a strip club and Lex has an agreement with the owner that Arden is his private boy and no one else can be with him. Lex cares for Arden and wishes he could take him home with him and start their life over. Arden had a hard life and secretly loves Lex and wishes he would take him away. When Lex arrives and goes to Arden they have an explosive reunion. Things take a dangerous turn when two men break into Arden's apartment and attack them. Lex takes care of them, but he sees a message that leads him to think there is a hit on him. Lex decides to flee with Arden to keep him safe. When Lex contacts his father, the MC get involved to find who it trying to kill Lex. I loved this story. There was danger and twists. It was a fast paced book with a lot of different characters that held my interest. I loved how protective Lex was of Arden and i loved them together. I would like to read more of this series.
May 13, 2020
There were several things I liked about this book, and several things I didn't. The things I didn't like are not necessarily things that would bother other people, however, so here you go!
Things I didn't like:
1. Too many "he's" and "hims." Nearly the entire cast is male, which can get confusing when he sits down next to him, or lands his hand on his knee, making him gasp.
2. The heroes are an assassin and his kept boy, which is the nice way of saying "his prostitute." It's just...such an imbalance of power.
3. The narrator doesn't have quite the range of voices/accents as I prefer.
Things I did like:
1. Though I felt like there was an obvious imbalance of power between the heroes, they clearly didn't, and once they realized they really knew nothing about each other (excepting in the bedroom), they worked to change that.
2. The motorcycle club, and specifically Lex's dad, aren't as anti-gay as Lex remembers! (The whole time he was debating what he wanted to do with his future, I was rooting for leaving the club behind. Lex's thoughts were ALWAYS unhappy when they centered on the club. But then he makes a phone call and everything changes! Happy times!)
3. Pipsqueak. Enough said.
Things I didn't like:
1. Too many "he's" and "hims." Nearly the entire cast is male, which can get confusing when he sits down next to him, or lands his hand on his knee, making him gasp.
2. The heroes are an assassin and his kept boy, which is the nice way of saying "his prostitute." It's just...such an imbalance of power.
3. The narrator doesn't have quite the range of voices/accents as I prefer.
Things I did like:
1. Though I felt like there was an obvious imbalance of power between the heroes, they clearly didn't, and once they realized they really knew nothing about each other (excepting in the bedroom), they worked to change that.
2. The motorcycle club, and specifically Lex's dad, aren't as anti-gay as Lex remembers! (The whole time he was debating what he wanted to do with his future, I was rooting for leaving the club behind. Lex's thoughts were ALWAYS unhappy when they centered on the club. But then he makes a phone call and everything changes! Happy times!)
3. Pipsqueak. Enough said.
May 26, 2019
I simply Loved this book. It has suspense, romance, biker action, and very sexy book boyfriends. The author has written a very thrilling storyline that held me in it’s grasp from start to finish. The characters and their actions were well defined to the point I felt like I was right there living the story with them.
Lex is an assassin, he’s been trained well and lives his life mostly just blending in wherever he is sent. His one weakness is Arden. The sexy nightclub dancer that Lex has bought exclusive rights too. These two are a very unlikely pair but they are an amazing/exciting couple together. They both have their secrets yet soothe each other’s souls and complete each other in every way. But when a contract is put out on Lex, he knows to keep Arden safe, he is going to have to pull him into his secret life in order to protect him and ask for help from his father (who he hasn’t seen in 10 years) and his father’s club. From here the storyline really takes off.
The suspense and riveting action is simply amazing. This reader is anxiously awaiting book two in this series and Highly Recommends Cold Light: Criminal Delights - Assassins. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Thrilling Stars.
Lex is an assassin, he’s been trained well and lives his life mostly just blending in wherever he is sent. His one weakness is Arden. The sexy nightclub dancer that Lex has bought exclusive rights too. These two are a very unlikely pair but they are an amazing/exciting couple together. They both have their secrets yet soothe each other’s souls and complete each other in every way. But when a contract is put out on Lex, he knows to keep Arden safe, he is going to have to pull him into his secret life in order to protect him and ask for help from his father (who he hasn’t seen in 10 years) and his father’s club. From here the storyline really takes off.
The suspense and riveting action is simply amazing. This reader is anxiously awaiting book two in this series and Highly Recommends Cold Light: Criminal Delights - Assassins. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Thrilling Stars.
June 3, 2019
4 Stars
This was my first Criminal Delights story and as such, it was a good introduction, a bit lighter than I expected, but still pretty good.
I really liked Arden and Lex, they had a lot of chemistry and were uber hot together. I'm not a fan of established couples because I love seeing how they fall in love, but Ms. Frost gave us enough backstory so I didn't feel cheated and frankly speaking, there wasn't much more than sex and a whole lot of attraction between them before they were forced to escape together, so there's that.
I liked to see the guys from both chapters of the Heretics MC working together and while there were some OTT moments, the story itself was entertaining and fast-paced. I liked Mace and Pax and Jeb and Kade and the rest of the guys and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to reading more about them in the future if Ms. Frost is inclined to write their stories. *hint hint nudge nudge*
Overall, a pretty good read, interesting and action-packed, with lots of steamy moments. Recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
This was my first Criminal Delights story and as such, it was a good introduction, a bit lighter than I expected, but still pretty good.
I really liked Arden and Lex, they had a lot of chemistry and were uber hot together. I'm not a fan of established couples because I love seeing how they fall in love, but Ms. Frost gave us enough backstory so I didn't feel cheated and frankly speaking, there wasn't much more than sex and a whole lot of attraction between them before they were forced to escape together, so there's that.
I liked to see the guys from both chapters of the Heretics MC working together and while there were some OTT moments, the story itself was entertaining and fast-paced. I liked Mace and Pax and Jeb and Kade and the rest of the guys and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to reading more about them in the future if Ms. Frost is inclined to write their stories. *hint hint nudge nudge*
Overall, a pretty good read, interesting and action-packed, with lots of steamy moments. Recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
June 7, 2019
4* Cold Light by Michelle Frost is part of the Criminal Delights, Assassins series and all are complete standalone stories. This book follows main characters Lexington, former assassin and member of the Iron Heretics Motorcycle Club, and Arden, exotic dancer and orphan. Lexington and Arden met in the club Arden dances in and have been sleeping together whenever Lex is in St. Louis for the past three years. When his last job is finished, Lex is supposed to go back to his father's MC to take his place at the table, but instead goes to see Arden. Lex's past quickly catches up with them and they make a quick getaway out of town.
I really liked this story, though it felt more like a motorcycle club than an assassin story - which still fits with the "criminal delights" element. I enjoyed getting to know Lex and Arden's characters and their great chemistry, as well as the other guys in the crew. (I really hope we get to see more about Lex's father, Pax, and Mace specifically.) The plot twist in the middle of the book was well placed and had me reading faster to see what happened next.
Great read, would recommend.
I really liked this story, though it felt more like a motorcycle club than an assassin story - which still fits with the "criminal delights" element. I enjoyed getting to know Lex and Arden's characters and their great chemistry, as well as the other guys in the crew. (I really hope we get to see more about Lex's father, Pax, and Mace specifically.) The plot twist in the middle of the book was well placed and had me reading faster to see what happened next.
Great read, would recommend.
November 29, 2019
Strippers, motorcycle clubs, and assassins – everything I love in dark romances and what was delivered in Cold Light. The book, as part of the Criminal Delights series, had a dark, edgy undertone. Lex, an assassin and part of a motorcycle club, lives a dangerous life and lonely life. Arden, a stripper, is Lex’s one weakness. Their relationship started off as an arrangement, but has transformed into something deeper, something more. When Arden’s life is in danger, Lex grabs him and goes on the run. The protective, dominant energy Lex has, coupled with Arden’s sexy, sizzling grace, was absolutely delicious. The sex scenes were hot and enjoyable to read. I loved the relationship between Lex and Arden, and I would love to read a sequel to this book.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars. This was a very quick read and I would have liked a little more development of the relationship between Lex and Arden, and a little more plot. The writing was great and I devoured this book with gusto. I definitely recommend it.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars. This was a very quick read and I would have liked a little more development of the relationship between Lex and Arden, and a little more plot. The writing was great and I devoured this book with gusto. I definitely recommend it.
June 2, 2019
AMAZING! RIVETING!
Guys, this was a fast ride! I literally finished this in the shortest time in terms of reading, as far as I can remember. I normally try to slow my reading to make the story last longer, but honestly with this one, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Lex and Arden, totally different in character but they really mesh perfectly together! An Assassin and a sexy Dancer! Right? But their chemistry and the way they are in bed is just so hot, hot, hot! Arden is strong and resilient, even though he was a bit doubtful/skeptical at first, also because of what he does! Lex, a bit complex, thinking his life is too complicated, but in reality, he is a total softie especially when he has accepted what he feels for Arden.
Congratulations Ms. Michelle Frost, you have, once again, woved these lovely characters into our hearts! Strong, loving and willing to do anything for the people they love! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guys, this was a fast ride! I literally finished this in the shortest time in terms of reading, as far as I can remember. I normally try to slow my reading to make the story last longer, but honestly with this one, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Lex and Arden, totally different in character but they really mesh perfectly together! An Assassin and a sexy Dancer! Right? But their chemistry and the way they are in bed is just so hot, hot, hot! Arden is strong and resilient, even though he was a bit doubtful/skeptical at first, also because of what he does! Lex, a bit complex, thinking his life is too complicated, but in reality, he is a total softie especially when he has accepted what he feels for Arden.
Congratulations Ms. Michelle Frost, you have, once again, woved these lovely characters into our hearts! Strong, loving and willing to do anything for the people they love! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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