Deacon (Gideon’s Riders #2)
by Kit Rocha

I’m a whole week late with this post – I was a few days late finishing the book too! This month’s prompt had me reading a book that I really enjoyed, fingers crossed for more success next month.

She didn’t know what she was aiming for. Sense had abandoned her. She hadn’t thought this through, hadn’t considered the angles. There were a hundred ways she could end up regretting this, and by tomorrow she’d have a list. Tonight, she had the soft kiss of leather under her skin as she opened his belt. She had the giddy beat of her heart, the thrill of doing something so, so reckless. Damn near everyone who mattered in the world was a few dozen paces away…

Read as part of the #TBR2022 Challenge – https://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogsp….
June focus – “After The War”


I bought this 5 years ago on 5th June 2017 and have been meaning to read it ever since. The Gideon’s Riders series is set in the same world as Kit Rocha‘s Beyond series, just a few years after the end of the revolutionary war with Eden. Deacon is the leader of Gideon’s Riders, a man with an ice-cool demeanour and a dangerous secret. Ana is the only female rider, struggling to carry the weight of expectations. The chemistry between them is undeniable but Riders join the squad knowing that their death is on the cards, so emotional attachments are not encouraged.


Reading this reminded me why, at one time, this author duo was one of my favourites. (They sadly slipped off when their books became trad published and too expensive for my budget.) These authors have such an easy-to-read writing style. They generate prose that flows smoothly whilst also capturing your imagination, as well as creating wonderful characters who always manage to steal your heart.


The plot followed a very familiar formula of good guys fighting for love, honour and justice versus bad guys who are in it for the money and notoriety. Woven in amongst that are themes of loyalty, belief, love and grief, mixed up with a generous helping of steam. The plot moves at a good pace, it had that perfect balance of swift enough to engage and hold my attention but not so quick it left me confused.


I enjoyed absolutely every second of getting to know Ana and Deacon. Both are complex characters, strong, determined, tough and yet also terribly human and beset by the doubts and worries that torment us all. We get to see both of them grow in the story, as they learn more about themselves and the world around them. It’s often through the eyes of others that we see the truth, which was definitely the case here.


Whilst the story can be read standalone, my opinion is that the series is best read in order. I also think reading their Beyond series would enhance the experience even more. That series is set several years before this and whilst there is still plenty of plot, the books are a little more focused on the romance and erotic aspects.

Deacon was watching her like she was the most precious, beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and she knew with sudden certainty that this was what she’d remember every time she reached for her locker. Deacon, stroking her cheek, staring at her like she’d invented sunrise.

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35294896-deacon

Genre – Dystopian/Science Fiction Romance

Synopsis – Ana has trained most of her life to achieve one goal: to prove that anything men can do, she can do better. Now she’s Sector One’s first female Rider, and being the best is the only way to ensure she won’t be its last. Distractions aren’t allowed–especially not her painful attraction to the reserved but demanding leader whose stern, grumpy demeanor has already gotten into her head.
Deacon has spent the last twenty years trying to atone for his past, but the blood he spilled as a mercenary and assassin will never wash away entirely. If his riders knew the extent of his sins, he’d lose their trust and respect. It’s easier to keep them all at arm’s length, especially Ana. But his newest recruit’s stubbornness is starting to crack his defenses.
And their sparring matches are driving him wild.
The passion sparking between them can’t be denied, but neither can the vengeance barreling toward Deacon. When his old squad comes back to punish him for his betrayal, Ana and the Riders are squarely in the line of fire. The only way to save his people may be to make the ultimate sacrifice.

But first, he has to convince Ana not to follow him straight into hell.

Overall Rating

Plot ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 🤍
Characters ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
World Building ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 🤍
Writing ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Heat Level 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥