Kitty and Leigh's reviews 
 KITTY'S Review - 5 stars 
 Bang ... right in the beginning, Katie Ashley starts this book off with hardcore MC punishment and she doesn't stop throughout the whole story. She draws you in from the first chapter, and just like the Hell's Raiders, holds you hostage until the job is done. 
 Deacon just grabs you ... a hard man who had a hard life that just wants a hard fuck when he's in the mood for one. No hearts and flowers for him. He tried his hand at his version of hearts and flowers and got burned. But, didn't realize how burned he was until Willow came into his life. Raised by Preacherman and his wife after being found on the streets only to watch him die in his arms, Deacon cannot open his heart to anyone again. 
 Willow was sweet, saw and knew too much for her age. Withdrawn into her own world, there were only a few people that she would let in. She couldn't tell her secret because they would come for her. But, there was something about Miss Evans that draws her in - she looks just like her angel mommy and she clings to that. 
 Alexandra has no idea what is in store for her when she agrees to let Willow into her classroom. She's determined that this bright, beautiful little girl will have the attention and education that she so deserves. But, at what cost to her? She lost her parents and was raised in a loving home by her Aunt and Uncle, she knows there is a seedier side of life but has no idea that she is about to witness it first hand. 
 Together, Alexandra and Deacon work to give Willow everything that she needs ... an education, a pink tutu, love. With the help of his brothers and a mother that he truly loves, Deacon finally lets Willow in and, in doing so, slowly falls for the one woman who isn't afraid to tell him like it is, doesn't take anything from him and shows him that there is more to life than the Hell's Raiders. 
 Katie Ashley wrote a dark story that had a small shimmer of a light shining from within. She didn't stop writing this story until that small flicker of a flame shone through and engulfed everyone. She gave us a strong woman who knew what she had to do to protect those that she loved and a man willing to die to protect those that he loved. Together, they were a force of nature ... apart, they were two broken people. 
 There was no down time in Vicious Cycle. The story fluidly moved along. It was filled with violence, laughter and then finally love. You would never think that the words "violence" and "laughter" could be in the same sentence describing a story line but, it is. It all fit together and it's what Katie Ashley does best ... takes the bad situation and shows us the light within and brings it to the forefront. Willow was the bright spot throughout this book. She brought out the best in Deacon, taught Alexandra how to trust love again and was the glue that held it all together. I am so looking forward to see where she is going to bring the rest of the brothers and what woman is going to show them what their future can hold for them. 
 LEIGH's Review - 4 stars 
 Vicious Cycle is my first Katie Ashley book, but it won't be my last. I was quickly drawn in by the story and held captive by Deacon and his Hell's Raider's brothers. I love a good MC romance, and Vicious Cycle fit the bill, with the added twist of a heroine who was from outside the MC life. 
 In most MC stories I have read, the heroine has grown up in the club life. Yet here, we have a woman who is a civilian. In fact, as a kindergarten teacher, Alex is as un-"old lady" material as you can get. But opposites attract, and she and Deacon are truly a perfect match for one another. Deacon brings out the bold side of Alex and she brings out the gentleness and need for love in Deacon. 
 Other than the hot, oversexed MC brothers, what I really liked about this book was the honesty. When Deacon found out he had a daughter, he wasn't instantly the perfect father. He didn't know what to do with Willow, and the bond between them wasn't immediate. He didn't suddenly give up his late nights to tuck her in and read to her. Instead, he floundered and was human, and in a way, I liked that. He was a big, bad biker to the outside world, but at the heart of it, he was just human and it was easy to see how Alex fell in love with the man who was trying to be what she and Willow needed. 
 One of the other things I found interesting about this book was that it wasn't as gritty as most of the MC series I have read. Yes, the language was crude, yes, the sex was hot, but it was missing an element that made it feel truly raunchy. Not that there is anything wrong with a little raunch now and then!! But when trying to introduce in a heroine that is totally foreign to the world of the outlaws, I liked that Deacon and the Hell's Raiders seemed to be a little less dirty than some other clubs. It made it more believable that a kindergarten teacher could integrate herself into Deacon's world. 
 While at times I did feel as if I was reading a primer on motorcycle clubs as everything was carefully explained rather than letting the reader take their cues from the context, I immensely enjoyed the world of these one-percenters. 
 I'm a sucker for stories ending wrapped up in a nice neat little bow with an epilogue, and Katie Ashley didn't disappoint on this one. Better yet, she went one step further by setting the stage for Deacon's brother, Rev, to have his story told next. As one of my favorite characters in the story, I can't wait to see what happens with Rev and will be eagerly waiting for the next installment. 
 Review copy provided for an honest review.