Built to Last

4.25 stars-- BUILT TO LAST is the twelfth and final instalment in Julie Ann Walker’s contemporary, adult BLACK KNIGHTS INC romantic suspense /military, action series focusing on an elite group of ex Navy SEALS, FBI, CIA and military heroes headquartered and fronted by a custom motorcycle shop in Chicago known as Black Knights Inc. This is assassin Jamin ‘Angel’ Agassi, and thirty-two year old Interpol agent Sonya Butler’s story line. BUILT TO LAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in orders, especially the last few instalments, as there is an ongoing premise focusing on a terrorist known as ‘The Spider’. Told from several third person points of view including Angel and Sonya BUILT TO LAST follows the rekindling romance between Interpol agent Sonya Butler and assassin Jamin ‘Angel’ Agassi, a man who is familiar to our heroine yet not. Ten years earlier, Sonya Butler saw her lover murdered trying to take down a bomber, and in the ensuing time has continued to grieve and never moved on. Fast forward to present day wherein Sonya will come face to face with a man, although unrecognizable, reminds our heroine of the love she has lost. Enter Jamin ‘Angel’ Agassi, Sonya’s former lover, and the man that will once again, destroy her heart. What ensues is the (re)building relationship between Angel and Sonya, as our couple unknowingly work together to stop the man they have come to know as ‘The Spider’. Angel is an assassin, known as the Prince of Shadows, an assassin feared by all. Ten years under cover with an assumed identity finds Angel struggling to keep his secret from the woman he loves. Two weeks in her presence, and Angel battles both his attraction to, and the questionable circumstances under which, our heroine now finds herself working for the terrorist known as The Spider. Not only does Angel have secrets to hide but Sonya’s secrets are soon to be revealed. Throughout the last few instalments there has been a building relationship between Colby ‘Ace’ Ventura and Rusty Parker. Their ongoing attraction to one another is stifled by Rusty’s inability to come out of the proverbial closet, a closet hindered by his family’s deep –rooted religious beliefs. A life and death situation opens his heart such that Rusty must come clean to the people he loves. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples-some by cameo, updates or offhand mention. The author ‘introduces’ six new warriors who have been assigned to the BKI team-here’s hoping for a new spin-off. BUILT TO LAST is a story of betrayal and vengeance; family and forgiveness; love and a happily ever after. The premise is intriguing, action packed and entertaining; the romance is passionate and fated; the characters are dynamic and charismatic. Julie Ann Walker’s BLACK KNIGHTS INC is an edgy, sassy and intelligent series with lovable heroes, and brilliant heroines.

Julie Ann Walker - Built to Last (Black Knights Inc. – Book 12) "I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book." First, if you have never read books by Julie Ann Walker, don’t hesitate to start today. In my opinion Ms. Walker is one of the top three (3) Military Romance authors. As Ms. Walker unwraps her stories, she gives us sexy alpha males and strong women who tame them (a little) and adds enough passion that will have you fanning yourself. The final book in the Black Knights series it is a bitter sweet pill. I have fallen in love with each character, which is the sweet side, and the bitter side, this is the last book in the series. In previous books, we have grown to love the quiet, handsome and sexy Jamin “Angel” Agassi also known as the Prince Of Shadows . As his story is told we understand why he made the decision he made ten (10) years ago at age 24, how he is the hero he became and the sadness he carries with him because, as Mark Risa a Mossad Agent, he left behind the love of his life. After ten (10) years, his covert mission goes sideways, requiring he get out fast, and find a safe haven. That haven was granted by the President of the United States with the Black Knight Inc., a secret, special ops team. As part of the BKI team, Angel will once again go undercover in order to take out the world’s cruelest, and most sadistic crime syndicate kingpin, Lord Graton (“Spider”). There is one obstacle that Angel must address. The women he loved and left behind ten (10) years ago, and who believes he is dead, is working for Spider. But why? She is an Interpol Agent, isn’t she? How is he going keep Sonya Butler from discovering who he is and still take down Spider? Sonya knows that she has not moved on in the Ten (10) years since she lost the love of her life, Mark Risa. So, Sonya is confused to why she is so drawn to Angel after his arrival. She is also afraid of Angel after she finds out he is the “Prince of Shadows”. As the story gets more and more intense and Sonya and Angel must run for their life, they become closer and closer. Angel, however, doesn’t want Sonya to find out who he really is because he will lose her because he believes she would never forgive him for deceiving her. For all of us that are BKI fans, we catch up with the whole team and find out where they each are in their lives. We find out what each member of the team will be doing after they close their door and their life as covert black ops (or will they). Some will stay, and others will move, but we know that they will always have each other’s back. . As the book description indicated, this installment truly is an Epic Conclusion to the BKI series. You do not want to miss this installment and if you are trying to find a new author to read, it doesn’t get any better than Ms. Julie Ann Walker. Here are the Black Knights Inc Series: Hell on Wheels (Book 1) In Rides Trouble (Book 2) Rev It Up (Book 3) Thrill Ride (Book 4) Born Wild (Book 5) Hell for Leather (Book 6) Full Throttle (Book 7) Too Hard to Handle (Book 8) Wild Ride (Book 9) Fuel for Fire (Book 10) Hot Pursuit (Book 11) Built to Last (Book 12

In this pulse-pounding closing installment of the Black Knights Inc. (BKI) series, we see Angel finally land his HEA. Though he's had plastic surgery and a name change, Angel has loved Sonya for ten years. He's changed so much, both physically and vocally (the thought of altering someone's vocal cords makes me cringe), that she doesn't recognize him. Of course, she also thinks her lover from 10 years ago (Angel-then named Mark) is dead. Angel doesn't tell her his secrets to keep her safe but Sonya immediately begins to associate Mark and Angel in her mind due to the similarities. Guys, my heart could not take it. These two and their long-lost-love almost killed me! Angel and Sonya are just so meant to be together and I did not think Angel's story would move me like it did. Who knew Angel was so sentimental and just a marshmallow for his gal!?! Ok, on another note: this book also gives us some prime Ace and Rusty time. Woohoo! Let's just say that their sexual chemistry is off the charts. I'm sad to see this series come to a close, really I am. This is the series that got me into romantic suspense and almost each and every book in the series will be a true reread for me. However, in the end Walker gave readers a BKI reunion for the books. Even if you haven’t kept up with this series, this is a must-read for any romantic suspense fan.