He’s a former CIA operative who juggles it all. She’s a hard-core investigative reporter. Together, they’re INVINCIBLE. BUCK Called back to the ranch after my dad dies, I know I have my work cut out for me. As a CIA operative, I can juggle it all. Always have. Always will. But when she needs my help, I can’t possibly refuse. After all, she’s the sexiest city slicker, this Buck has ever seen.
STELLA My heart and soul is in the city. The last place I ever saw myself was on a ranch, getting filthy, and smelling like a barn all day. But I need his help, and he needs mine—whether he realizes it or not. As for him, the most rugged and irresistible man I’ve ever known, I can make this sacrifice. After all, this city filly could use a BUCK of her own.
ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout
Bucked is book 6 in the Invincibles series by Heather Slade and maybe we will see a spin-off of Buck’s brothers and sister coming soon! One can only hope
Buck, a former CIA Operative is head back to Colorado a place he was told...once you leaver never come back but after receiving word his father has passed he has to return for the reading of the will and he gets the shock of his life. In the mean time Stella needs his help and the attraction is undeniable.
Stella, needs Buck’s help when her aunt is murdered and things are discovered that what her aunt was hiding will bring the Invincibles a bit closer to figuring out who is behind other agents deaths.
Suspense, steamy times, older woman/younger man, trying to figure the code to her aunts emails, drama, excitement, romance and so much more that leads you into the next book is this series...Irished!!
If you've been reading this series, you will remember that Stella professed her love for Cope and Buck his for Ali. They realized that nothing could ever be between them as Ali and Cope's love is very obviously the kind that lasts forever. This book begins at Ali and Cope's wedding, Buck and Stella attend together and as we listen to their thoughts we find they are really interested in each other not the couple getting married.
Unfortunately Buck gets called away from the wedding, leaving Stella only saying it was a family emergency. It's Cope who puts it together telling her his father must have died. Stella accepts Rock escorting her home knowing she had a bit too much to drink.
A phone call with her Pulitzer prize winning Aunt Barb sets Stella on edge, really not wanting to talk about whether or not she was looking into the the things she sent her.
Buck's brother Porter meets him at the airport surprising him. He expected to get a hotel and drive to the ranch in the morning. It's after the funeral and at the reading of his father's will that Buck gets mad. When he left the ranch years ago his father told him never to come back that he'd written him off. Instead he left the ranch to him with the stipulation he can't step foot off it for more than 48 hours for a year, or the whole thing would be sold and the money from the sale given to charity. Meaning his siblings would lose everything.
While all that is going on Stella's aunt and her companion are murdered. Now Stella has face that the warnings her aunt was giving her had come to fruition. Well Stella's still alive but now she would be in danger. Rock calls Buck the minute he hears Stella found her aunt and companion dead. He leaves the ranch to be at her side assuring his siblings he'd be back before the 48 hours were up.
Decker, Irish and Rock along with Buck take charge of keeping Stella safe. The best way to do that is to get her out of town, quickly and quietly. The best place to go, Buck's ranch.
Things start getting more convoluted as it becomes obvious Ali would be joining them on the ranch. Since Stella and Ali are writing the book about Fisk together, it makes sense that she would be in danger too.
There's much they need to put together, including the story that ruined Stella's aunt's career. Somewhere there had to be a connection between Fisk and her aunt's investigation of Kerr. The evidence in a safety deposit box somewhere all Stella has is the key. That's not going to help anything.
This book has plenty of suspense and intrigue as Buck and Stella delve into a very serious and steamy relationship.
I can't wait for the next book 'Irished', especially with the glimpses we've gotten of Buck's sister Flynn and Irish together.
Buck and Stella book Six of the series The Invincible’s. All I can ever say is “I hope this is somewhere as good as the previous book in the series I just read” OH MY WORD! I can absolutely attest to the fact each and every story just gets better and better. The characters are more believable, the storyline is believable, and trust me when I say you can absolutely NOT put this book down until you finish it, seriously not kidding you! You actually will contemplate taking it to the potty room with you. Haha! It’s that good!! This is a continuation series you can read as a stand-alone but I would recommend you read them all to really get to know the plot and the cast members. Buck a CIA operative and Stella a hard-core investigative reporter, team up together along with several of Buck’s “brother’s” from his intelligence firm to figure out the murder of Stella’s aunt and her house keeper. This story is absolutely filled with suspense, drama, mystery, intensity, danger and romance. The chemistry is amazing and respectful between them but once it starts hang on to your chair it goes from Zero to Wowzers in no time at all. Whew!! Is it hot in here?? It is a story that will grab ahold of you and keep you on the edge of your seat right up until you discover you are on the last page and you haven’t put the book down. There are enemies out there looking for Stella! Can Buck keep Stella safe until they can find the ring and destroy the lot of them? Will Stella and Buck be able to withstand the stress and strain of a new relationship? This author is one of my favorite. She draws you right into the story and keeps you intrigued up to the very last word. I cannot wait for book Seven. IRISH! This book as with the previous books continues with previous characters you've grown to cherish and love plus introducing new characters. This entire series is a must read. Love these stories. I received an Advance Reader's Copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Buck is a former CIA agent and Stella is an investigative reporter. Their both plus ones at Cope and Ali's wedding. Both had feelings for the bride and groom. Buck has had feelings for Stella for years but never said anything to her until now. At the wedding he received a phone call that he had to go home to Colorado ASAP. His father had past away. He went home for his siblings. He hadn't been home since he left for college. It was written in the will, he can't leave the ranch for more than 48 hours or they will lose everything. In the meantime Stella goes home. Her Aunt wants her to stop writing her book as she is afraid for her to get hurt. They have an argument and Stella leaves. Next day she finds her Aunt and her housekeeper were both murdered. Her Aunt was a well-known investigative reporter ten years ago until she was black balled. Now it's up to Buck, Stella and the Invincibles and K19 to follow the clues. They go back to Bucks ranch and he tells her how he feels about her. He tells her when they get together it's to make love not just to have sex. He cares about her too much. The story has a lot of twist and turns to find out who killed her Aunt and several other people connected to her. Through it all they both find love and friendship. Great story by Heather Slade. Can't wait to see what happens to Irish and Buck's sister, Flynn
Buck, who used to work for the CIA and now an operative for the Invincibles, and Stella, an investigative journalist, had formed a bond when the people they fell in love with (or so they thought) married each other. When Stella's aunt was murdered, she felt that it has a connection with a book she is writing which her aunt warned her about. She was kept safe by the Invincibles, primarily by Buck, while they were trying to figure out who killed her aunt and what this has to do with her. Buck's mission to protect and help Stella was made difficult with the stipulations left in his father's will. This is a great story. The mystery, suspense, action and danger really got my attention. At first I was thinking how the story would play out given that Buck is dealing with his own family/personal issues mainly about his father. They may have resolved the mystery behind Stella's aunt's murder but the fact that the K19 and Invincibles will work together to get to the bottom of it all had me thinking that there are more exciting stories to come and I am looking forward to them. This story is well-written, engaging, suspenseful and truly enjoyable. Over all a great read! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Buck & Stella. Buck had been an agent with the CiA and retired, but now worked for a private intelligence firm. Stella was an award winning journalist. They met while she was covering a trial for a man named Cope, while Buck was doing an asset protection for a girl named Ali. Cope and Ali were now getting married. He was in love with the bride, while Stella was in love with the groom. Was he ever really in love with Ali? Something changed, and he now was in love with Stella. They were at the wedding, and Stella was his plus one. Since she met Buck she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Was she ever in love with Cope? Plus, she was older than Buck. It was interesting to see how this story played out between them. There’s a lot that goes on in this story other than their relationship. There is a lot of suspense, a puzzle to solve on the highest level. It all intertwines together, and so do the characters of the agency. It is a steamy book, to say the least. From the first word of this book I could not put it down. I love Heather Slade’s writing. She holds the interest of the reader fully.
I loved this book so much! The author really outdid herself in world-building for this story. It's the start of a new series following Buck and his siblings as they try to save their family ranch, it's a continuation of the interconnected cases from the Invincibles, and it's a welcome return to Crested Butte, where the author's first series (Cowboys of Crested Butte) took place! Grab your copy and settle in for an amazing story filled with intrigue, suspense, familiar faces, and a whole lot of loving.
Buck and Stella are picking up where we left off in Handled, at Cope and Ali's wedding. Their almost-romance is put on hold when they each face a tragedy close to home, until it becomes clear that the only way Buck can protect Stella is by keeping her by his side 24/7. Is she complaining? Would you? Take a look at that cover if you have any doubts!
The investigation into Stella's professional life is hampered by the restrictions put on Buck's personal life, and I am in awe of how it all worked together so seamlessly. As usual with this series, the writing is intelligent and captivating and kept me glued to the page all the way through. I loved the focus on the romance itself - Buck and Stella truly are perfect together, despite their differences. Buck is an old-fashioned hero, all the confidence and swagger with none of the arrogance. He supports Stella without diminishing her abilities or her accomplishments.
And not insignificantly, I spent way too much time drooling over this book's cover. Yum, yum! Bucked is another winner in one of my all-time favorite series, and I highly recommend it for every romance reader. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Bucked is the latest release by Heather Slade and incorporates both the Invincibles and K19 series. Buck is a retired CIA agent who contracts for both groups. Stella, the other main character, is an investigative reporter who is trying to gather information for a book relating to the downfall of the former director of the CIA (as relayed in previous books). Stella's Aunt Barb, her last living relative, begs her to drop the book before things turn deadly. When Stella's aunt is killed, Buck whisks Stella to his family ranch to provide protection for her. This novel is a steamy, action-packed contemporary romantic suspense with more twists than a bag of pretzels. Several of the Invincibles and K19 characters make their appearance in Bucked. It would be helpful to the reader if the previous books were read in order, but not absolutely required. There were times when I couldn't remember who worked for which agency, but ultimately, it didn't matter because these characters all wore white hats.
This is Book 6 of the Invincibles series and each one just gets better and better. I LOVE Heather’s stories. Buck is an CIA operative who has been working with the Invincibles. He and Stella met when he was assigned to protecting Ali in Handled, the story of Sumner Copeland. Stella was secretly in love with Cope and Buck was in love with Ali, or so they thought. Stella is an investigative reporter following in her Aunt Barb’s footsteps. When Barbs career ended in a scandal and she didn’t leave her apartment for years. Barb had secrets that could bring down some very powerful men in the intelligence community and warned Stella not to pursue writing her book about the killing of agents targeted by their own agency. A heart pounding storyline with humor, suspense, mystery, murder, espionage, and chemistry out the window. I loved Buck and Stella’s characters. They are intriguing, complex and captivating. Can’t wait for more in this series. I highly recommend this book.
3I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Our hero may be retired from the CIA, but he still knows how the game is played. When our heroine needs his help, he can't turn her down.
This is book six of the series, but it is written as a standalone. There are some references to things past and cameos from past characters, but nothing that detracts from this story.
This is a romantic suspense story, which is a genre I love for the combination of action and romance. The characters here are well developed and solid, easily bringing the story to life and drawing the reader into the story. I also really enjoyed the chemistry between them as it made them really good partners in the action. All this is paired with a plot that has an intriguing mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages to see what comes next. Overall, a wonderful blend of elements that made for a highly enjoyable story. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
Buck and Stella take center stage in a sexy suspense. Warning- hot sizzle in the dressing room scene. Like most of the books in this engaging series, I found myself getting confused with all the characters and their code names. Though, even with me getting confused, I was fully entertained. I tend to focus on the romance, as the background story is usually a complex international political storyline, which isn’t my favorite. This book overlaps with Smoked, so I suggest reading the series in order. While reading the vivid descriptions of the beauty of Gunnison and Crested Butte, CO, I wanted to hop in my car and take the two hour plus drive to enjoy the scenery of the area. I never had a “slopper” in Gunnison, but did enjoy my first ever Reuben Sandwich in a small cafe on the Main Street. At first I was disappointed Buck and Stella’s relationship seemed to be headed towards high school games, instead of a mature love, but thankfully Stella set him straight. The addition of Buck’s siblings seems to be the perfect preview of future books involving the family and the ranch.
What a nice change! Older woman with a younger man ~ age-gap romance!
This was a wonderful romantic suspense. The storyline was written so well! The characters were soooo good! Buck is required to return home after the passing of his father. Stipulations and responsibilities are thrown at him, even though his father said once he left he would be given nothing. Being a former CIA agent, and now working with the Invincibles, he is in the middle of working on a murder of the aunt of Stella…a reporter, who is currently deep in the middle of some intense research.
There is some heat, romance, intense moments…there is just so much blended to create this incredible read! It can be read as a standalone, but is the 6th book in the Invincibles series…and you have a better understanding of the group if you read them in order…but honestly not necessary (but you will want to after reading this one because it is so good!).
What's not to love in Code Name; Buck? There's suspense, intrigue, danger, an international comnpiracy involving the upper echelon of Interpol, the CIA and more.There's kidnapping, murder and lives being affected by family from beyond the grave. And, two people whose feelings towards each other have been clouded by entanglements with others. Buck Wheaton and Stella Hunter lives become intertwined when he becomes her assigned protector. Their forced proximity finally gives them a chance to get to know each other beyond a surface acquaintance. Taking the city girl to his family's ranch wasn't the initial plan but it ends up being the very thing they need. Working on Operation Argead is their primay focus but taking time to 'stop and smell the roses" draws them closer and closer. Chasing cryptic clues and nefarious schemes often gives them mre questions than answers but ultimately the pieces start falling in place. Their love carries them through it all.
Buck and Stella’s love story is a wonderful addition to this great series about a group of guys who do what they can to make the world a safer place. I loved Buck’s determination to get his happy ever after with Stella. He was so good at supporting her through all the bad stuff that was going on. Stella was a strong person and her personality didn’t overshadow Buck’s, they seem to just fit. Buck is under so much pressure because of the terms of his dad’s will and the things he had to do to keep his siblings from losing the ranch they all loved. He was doing this along with trying to keep Stella safe and catch the bad guy. I fell in love with this couple from page one and that didn’t change throughout the book. The author did her signature story line with all her “guys” and everything came together quite nicely in the end.
I recommend this book as well as the others in this series.
Buck and Stella are attending the wedding of friends Ali & Cope. The complicating factor is Buck was sweet on Ali and Stella was sweet on Cope. Right?!?
Soon after Buck realizes he likes Stella more. Buck must leave suddenly as his father dies. He and his father had a falling out when Buck left for college, and was told he was written out of the will. His dad did even worse: there is a codicil in the will if Buck does not follow some stringent rules – his three siblings will lose their ranch.
Meanwhile, Stella becomes the target for danger – and where better to hideout than a fairly remote ranch? Nice building of the romance, intrigue, mystery and escalating danger combine to create an entertaining story.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
Heather always writes stories that have you hanging onto your seat as things twist and turn and you think you have it all worked out but then there is a spin and suddenly you are back to the beginning again trying to work out what is going on and this one is no exception
Buck and Stella first met when they where both involved in separate cases She is a investigative journalist and was reporting on the trial of a man named Cope he was CIA protecting an asset named Ali Stella believed herself in love with Cope and Buck thought that he loved Ali but did they because soon the passion is flaring between these two. When danger threatens Stella Buck takes her to his home in Colorado to protect her and his friends who work for various security firms he now contracts for will step up to keep her safe. Can they have a future You will have to read to see
Solid 4.5 star I just loved Buck and Stella especially as they don't see what's right in front of them to begin with and it's not until they both lose someone that they are brought together in a more intense way. There is plenty of sexual tension, loss, mystery and danger along with action, great friends & family, respect and a who dunnit that needs Buck, Stella and all their friends help to solve before more people die! The fact that we got so many of the guys and gals interacting at Bucks farm as well as seeing two people who have an insane attraction to each other (and there is almost always a knock on the door hahahha) slowly realise they want more along with Stella finally finding her place in life and family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Buck and Stella (aka TJ) both think that the other is still hung up on a past love. But when Stella’s aunt dies and she is in danger, Buck is ready to protect. He just discovered that in order for his siblings to inherit the family ranch, he has to live at the ranch full time. Problem is Stella is a city girl. I loved watching Stella grow to love the ranch and ranch life as she and Buck fell more in love each day. The action and adventure part, where they have to solve puzzles and find the perpetrator is an important part of the story too! I am drawn to stories where romance is part of the story, but action and adventure are the stars. Heather never disappoints!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A new spin-off series starting with this book. We meet both the K19 and the Invincibles in this book, but it is primarily about an independent consultant, Buck Wheaton. At the beginning of the story Buck is called home after his father died, and his father's will forces him to stay on his family farm for one year, never leaving for more than 48 hours. When the woman he loves finds her aunt killed he secures her at the farm and together they uncover a deeper layer to a story that had filled another book - with Cole and Allie in the main roles. A thrilling story, interspersed with emotions and romance. A wonderful book, well-balanced and well-written. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Buck and Stella are the latest couple in the Invincibles saga. At first they appear to be in love with others but they only admit to themselves that they have feelings for each other. Add to that a vengeful father who leaves seemingly unattainable stipulations in his will, a couple murders, a key to a safe deposit box in an unknown bank, dangerous situations involving the CIA and Interpol, and a bunch of characters from previous books. And a little humor as well --poor Buck getting amorous with Stella only to be interrupted by a knock on the door, time after time! Great romance, intriguing mystery, wonderful characters, and fast paced action. Loved it and look forward to the next book in the new series.
This is books 6 in The Invincibles series and it features Buck and Stella. Buck, Stella and many others investigate the reason Stella’s aunt and housekeeper were murdered. The steamy romance between these two is envious. She’s 36 and he’s 30. Enough to matter to her but not enough to matter to him. Buck can be VERY convincing and he’s got his work cut out for him with Stella.
The action, mystery and suspense were intense. The mystery is totally amazing as it ties into other books in the series. We see many characters from other books in this series and from the K-19 series as well. This story line also sets the stage for a new series by this fabulous author, the Roaring Fork Ranch series that features Buck and his siblings. I can’t wait!
Buck and Stella/TJ were secondary characters in Handled and became friends through a rather shared misery over unrequited love. The friendship turns into one sizzling romance that before they take it to the next level, they keep getting interrupted by family and friends. Don’t worry they find time to get down and dirty.
The romance is centered around an ongoing suspenseful plot that started with Handled and will continue in another. Stella is the target this time from a formidable enemy who killed her aunt.
Check out this book if you like steamy romance wrapped in suspense.
Buck and Stella are the key to this storyline. United due to many situations all coming together, they head for the ranch, which is his family legacy and her safe haven for now. Both recently losing family members, their emotions and feelings are all over the place. Interesting twist when her dead aunt actually leads the group into some new information they desperately needed. The romance is solid and the family still has grips on the ranch. The ending has so many possibilities and I can not wait to read what is coming up next. Loved how the different groups came together for this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Heather Slade will leave you enthralled as you race through the pages with Buck and Stella. The international espionage brings in K19 and the Invincibles as they discover new secrets and twists into the deaths of agents. Buck and Stella are brought together under odd circumstances as they attend a wedding to their love interests. Buck is also faced with the death of his father who makes him stay on the family ranch continuously with only 48 hours or less to be off of it at a time. Be prepared to not want to put this book down. Every time I read it, I find new clues and new discoveries. Must read!
I thought this was an incredible read. Buck and Stella are skillfully crafted, complex characters that were so easy to love. Each is strong, smart and exceptionally capable. What I thought that made them really special though was that they each seem to have a little bit of soft and sweetness hidden inside them that only the other can bring out. The story had me engaged and invested with a combination of emotion, drama, suspense, excitement, romance and steam. Loved it!! I'm electing to post a unbiased review.
There's a fine line between lust and love. What happens when you finally give in to your feelings? A suspenseful book with captivating characters.
Buck is watching the one woman he fell in love with, marry another man. But it wasn't the bride I was staring at now, it was Stella. There is something going on and it's up to him to figure it out.
Stella aka TJ is watching the one man she fell in love with, marry another woman. But Buck is every girls cowboy fantasy. That will have to wait though, because she must solve the mystery surrounding her aunt.
Buck is an ex CIA agent falling for the award winning journalist Stella. Stella is writing a book about the fall of previous FBI agents and how it came to pass when her Aunt Barb warns her to drop it. When her Aunt is murdered she finds she needs Bucks help and he whisks her away to Colorado and the family ranch to protect her while they attempt to solve her murder. This story has romance and many twists and turns and keeps you wanting more.
Given as an arc from booksprout
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Bucked" (The Invincibles Book 6) by Heather Slade is a fantastic read. I loved Buck and Stella's story. This was another wonderful addition to this series. This story is packed with romance, passion, action, suspense, military veterans, interesting and entertaining characters, and more. I had been anxious to read this story and it did not disappoint. I can't wait to see what happens next with these characters. I'm excited to read the new spin-off series, Roaring Fork Ranch Series. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, suspense, military, and series.
We’ve met Buck and Stella before. Both thought they were hopelessly in love with someone else but now they’ve been forced together and city girl and country boy have more in common than they ever thought they would. This is part of the Invincibles and I highly recommend reading them in order. While they are “stand alone” you’ll get so much more if you read them from the beginning as there is way more going on in the story that it appears on the surface. Fast paced adventure, realistic character development, scorching chemistry and a really great story, you’ll enjoy it in one sitting