LisaP

4.5 "Pilgrim Prude" Stars!





Heart Recaptured is the second book in Tillie Coles Hades Hangmen series. After reading It Ain’t Me, Babe, the first book, I was anticipating this read with bated breath. Given the fact that the first installment was a spectacular start to this series, I knew that this book would be something special. I was absolutely correct in my assumption. Picking up right where the first book left us, what Tillie Cole has created here is an utterly brilliant and poignant tale of love that had me reeling with its raw, gritty and dark nature. Gone is Ms. Cole’s sassy and fun story-telling that we have come to know and love in her other works. What you get is an edgy, gripping and twisted story about survival and salvation. Once again this author has definitely portrayed that she has some mad writing skills that left me utterly speechless and in awe.





Kyler Willis (a.k.a. Ky) is the Vice President of the Hades Hangmen. He’s known nothing but the biker way of life for as long as he can remember and he is fiercely loyal to his club and his brothers. Ky is all about the biker lifestyle and has no qualms about being a dangerous outlaw when it comes to protecting what he cares about. He is vulgar, reaps in the abundance of women available to him and is wild at heart. Ky was front row and centre when it came to rescuing Mae and her two sisters from the commune. Ever since that fateful night he can’t seem to get a certain gorgeous pilgrim-blonde out of his head, someone he knows he needs to stay far away from. When his drunken behavior lands him in trouble with Styx, the club President, Ky is ordered to show the innocent young woman what life is like on the outside. Ky is reluctant at first; but, he soon discovers that he wants nothing more than to spend time with the person who seems to occupy all his wayward thoughts.





Delilah (a.ka. Lilah) has been raised in a strict religious commune under the rule of a Prophet named David never knowing what life was like beyond the fence that encompassed the commune. Her twenty-four years of life have been about rules and religious codes, rules she is meant to follow or else suffer the consequences – rules that keep her engulfed in misery and entwined with a destiny she feels like she is meant to lead. Rules that are supposed to be her path to salvation. After all, she is cursed because of her beauty and only within the walls of the Order can Lilah be guaranteed redemption for her wicked ways. When the Hades Hangmen attack the commune to save Mae, Lilah and her sister Maddie are taken away from the destroyed commune. How can Lilah live in the sinful outside world, a world threatening to engulf her in evil?

Lilah all of a sudden finds herself having to deal with the uncertainty of the outside world, a world she has been taught is full of hate and sin. She is confused, frightened and resents the fact that she was taken from the safety of the commune. Lilah yearns to be with her people once again because it is only under the care and guidance of the Prophets that she can truly be saved. I did find her a little hard to take at first. Yes, she is a damaged girl who has been conditioned to believe what she does; however, there were moments I want to shake her and simply want her to see just how blinded she was. When Ky is charged with her care and they begin to spend time with one another, Lilah begins to realize that there may be more to the man she considers a wicked sinner with no moral compass. Ky is captivated by Lilah despite the fact that he thinks she is bat-shit crazy. As he gets to know her he becomes determined to do right by her and his protective instincts kick in. Can Ky be the one that gives Lilah the one thing she craves – his unconditional love?

I have to say that I fell hard for Ky. He was a true free spirit and it was hard not to be entranced with the sexy biker. What I loved the most about him though was the stuff that came out of his mouth. For lack of a better term, I will call them Ky-isms . Here are a few of my faves:

“A hardcore Bible freak who weren’t gonna be sucking on my chub anytime soon. I mean, damn, my cock would have to be damn a gold-plated, prophet-blessed crucifix to pry her perfect pins apart.”

****

“How the fuck does a bitch that hot be so fuckin’ psychotic?”

*****

“How the fuck did you get through to this level of crazy?”

*****

“I don’t like swimming. It’s too much like hard work. I don’t like getting wet. It fucks with my hair.” I smirked, winked and added, “but, I’m more than happy to get you wet in other ways, sugar tits.”

*****

“Gotta take life by the balls at some point and squeeze those fuckers with the skill of a whore.”

*****

Bitches cream like fuck over this face and body. It’s because I’m hot, sweet cheeks. Happens all the time.”

LOL!

Heart Recaptured is ultimately a beautifully crafted tale of love and perseverance with two completely opposing protagonists who should never have had a chance at love with one another and, yet, they endure proving that they are fated for one another. Lilah represents all that is kind, forgiving and good despite having had her innocence and childhood stolen from her by vile acts done in the name of a higher power. She is facing a huge battle within and it is up to Ky to show her the way. Ky is this violent protector with blood stains tarnishing his soul. He lives life to the fullest and is just the person that Lilah needs.

Like its predecessor, this story was captivating, unique and absolutely breathtaking. I was utterly entranced with its brilliance. Basically, Tillie Cole had me by the balls....er....so to speak. The plot is complex and yet this author manages a seamless flow from one scene to another. This book is magical and the twists and turns left me on the edge of my seat.

All in all, Heart Recaptured is yet another literary feat that Tillie Cole should be extremely proud of. This series is truly original and each book sweeps you right in and refuses to let go. I can’t wait for the next book. Flame has intrigued me right from the beginning. I am looking forward to seeing how his story plays out.