Enforce (Eagle Elite)

I bought the first book just because I needed something to read and I couldn't put it down. I found myself frustrated waiting for this one to come out. I seemed like forever. When it came out I read it in 2 days. Love, suspense, and drama.

I love the Eagle Elite series, but this book just didn't do it for me. Perhaps the timing of the book is the problem. I had alread read the entire series, and then this book was published. It was like going back in time to the first book but seeing it from Nixon, Chase, Phoenix and Tex's points of view. At times, the flow didn't make sense unless you had read the first book. This isn't a bad book, just not a good book.

In Enforce, readers witness the divide of the Elite begin; the fracturing bonds that were long established – that mean everything to them – are crumbling as personal interests start to take over. Nixon is boss; Chase is second in command, and then there’s Tex and Phoenix, two outsiders, born into families who despise the Abandonatos but willingly have Nixon’s back because at this point in time friendship is thicker than blood even if blood might win out in the end. All four of these men are brothers, looking out for one another, standing side by side each other through bloodshed and danger. But all it takes is one girl to fissure that connection and make all four of the Elite decide whose side they’re really on.

Book 1.5 in Rachel Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series provides readers with an inside look at the hearts and minds of our Mafia Men. It takes us back to when everything began to implode as well as explode and what those actions meant for the future of all those involved with the Abandonatos and the other Mafia families. In Enforce, Van Dyken helps readers to understand Nixon’s choices in regards to his treatment of Trace, Chase’s inability to back down from his feelings for Trace regardless of Nixon’s orders, Phoenix’s plummet even further into the darkness as a monster of his father’s creation, and Tex’s first attempt to make Mo his. Through their internal dialogue, actions, and interactions, we are shown what’s at stake in this dark world of blood, evil, and retribution, and it’s clear that when lives are on the line, Nixon and his crew will do whatever it takes to protect what’s theirs, even if it’s dealing with one of their own.

I’ve always been Team Nixon, even with his initial treatment of Trace, and getting his perspective in Enforce, 100% solidifies by position. His decisions in how to handle Trace and his feelings for her tear him apart and make him loathe his position as boss, but he also understands what’s at stake, so he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe, but that costs him so much more than readers would ever have known if we weren’t given his point of view.

It’s been pretty clear from the beginning how much Chase wants Trace, but through his own words, readers truly see why he risks the wrath of Nixon for this girl who owns his heart. It’s not simply a crush or infatuation; it is hardcore love, and even if he loses, he knows he needs to give it all he has to get Trace to recognize him as more than friends, even if it ruins his relationship with Nixon. Trace is worth it to him and that is clearly shown in Enforce.

As the series continued, my feelings for Phoenix changed through his redemptive acts, but going back to the beginning where his sanity started to unravel and he delved into the darkest parts of himself left me loathing him again. I anxiously awaiting Ember, so that my mind can be put back at ease for the man who rises out of the ashes reborn – at least I’m hoping that’s what happens!

Readers aren’t privy to too much from Tex, but his presence is felt in Enforce in every one liner he delivers and the comic relief he offers up to lighten the intensity of situations. The way Nixon and Chase perceive him is what I really enjoyed about Tex in this book. They give readers a look behind Tex’s façade and help us to understand that sometimes playing a role is what is necessary to stay ahead in this game of life or death.

Enforce made everything so much clearer in terms of Nixon, Chase, and Phoenix and the uproar Trace’s presence cost the tight knit group. All three were so tortured in this book, and it helped to put everything into perspective as to why Nixon made the choices he did and why Chase and Phoenix just couldn’t back down this time around because there was so much at stake for them personally. I feel like I have a better understanding of all four members of the Elite – an added facet to the storyline as a whole and a clearer view of how deep the bonds are between them.

The Eagle Elite series is one of my absolute favorites. Each book is gritty, emotional, and full of drama – both on a personal and Mafia level. It’s a definite must read for those readers who love continuing plotlines that expand and intensify as the series continues. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them swooning over the four members of the Elite, trying to decide which team to be on.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples

I honestly didn’t intend to read this book. I’m not one of those readers who dislikes a book to then go on to read and slam the next one and so on and so forth.

I didn’t like the previous book (Elite) so I was done. Or so I thought but I couldn’t settle on anything else. I started and quit several books this weekend and so I returned to this.

This is (in my opinion) a better book than Elite. It answered some of my questions and gave a more rounded view of events.

I’m not a fan of love triangles in fact I’d you as far as saying I avoid them if possible. So things were stacked against this from the beginning but I wanted to give it a fair shot.

While I liked this book more it still felt like kids playing at being grown-ups.

“....Seriously. Imagine taking every single rich kid with a daddy-god complex and placing them —no, scratch that —locking them in a fifty mile radius. Oh, and giving them as much money as they want without a curfew. Right, it was like Sodom and Gomorrah up in here...’

I’m not surprised Tracey cries so much even her grandpa used her.

“...I only meant to appease my dying wife, while at the same time allowing Trace to be used as bait, only if necessary...”

Reading Enforce by Rachel Van Dyken was illuminating to say the least. As the companion novel to Elite, Enforce returns to the start of the Eagle Elite series, but this time from the different perspectives of the four members of the Elect: Nixon, Chase, Tex and Phoenix. In Elite, protagonist, Tracey Rooks, was clueless to the secret world that she was born into, but that’s not the case with Enforce as the Elect were groomed with the knowledge that they’d one day be leaders of this world. Elite was one of those books that I desperately wished were in dual perspectives, to be able to know not just what was going through Trace’s mind, but also to know what could possibly motivate the extreme actions of her love interest, Nixon Abandonato. Enforce went above and beyond my wildest expectations by delving right into the darker side of the Elect, with characters that are firmly entrenched in a world of danger, death, and destruction, otherwise known as the mafia.

While I have gotten to know the men of the Elect over the course of the series (some more than others), Enforce provides an all-access pass into the minds of these characters. Each of the four members of the Elect has a superficial role within the group: Nixon is the untouchable leader, Chase is his easygoing right-hand-man, Tex is the perennial jokester, and Phoenix is the tortured wildcard. Each plays their assigned role, but it isn’t until we are privy to their innermost thoughts that we can see the full weight of the burden that has been placed on their shoulders. The events in this narrative are a catalyst for the rest of the series, revealing how the choices each character makes leads them down their destined path.

I've always loved reading from these characters' perspectives because everything is so matter of fact with them. Murder, torture, illegal dealings – these are second nature to the four narrators who grew up in the mafia lifestyle, and it's fascinating witnessing them seamlessly transition back and forth from gangster to college student in the blink of an eye. It was strange (in a good way) going back in time knowing all that's happened and how far the characters have come since the first book. When I first read Rachel Van Dyken’s Elite, I felt a spark of awareness that the book was unlike anything else I had read in the New Adult genre, and Enforce reignited that spark, reminding me once more why I love this series.

*complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely love the Eagle Elite series. Love. I also love Rachel Van Dyken. Her writing is brilliant, witty, emotional and funny. She's one of my go to authors where I just read everything she writes. Period. This series is one of my favorites. Ever. So when I heard she was writing Elite from Nixon and Chase's point of view I may or may not have done a little dance. I had a hard time putting this book down. There's nothing better than getting inside the minds of some of your favorite characters and these guys have so much going on! If you're thinking this is just a repeat of Elite so why read it? Stop! This is like reading a whole new book. I literally highlighted half of the book while reading! Nixon is surprisingly mushy on the inside. Chase is loving, sensitive and sweet. Tex is funnier, smart as hell and still owns my heart. Phoenix is tortured, broken and filled with despair. I feel like I know so much more about them and this story that it all felt new to me. I cried, I laughed, I smiled. I felt the emotional pain for these men and I just wanted to reach in and give them all hugs and tell them it was all going to be ok.

I love her...I hate myself, but I love her. - Tex.

Hell was coming for me, but wouldn't it be so nice to take a ride with her on the way there? - Nixon

Nixon cursed me in two different languages before mumbling the number "ten" under his breath. I damn-near clapped. Look who wasn't a liar pants. The most dishonest out of all of us. Well done. Well bloody done. See, apparently I spoke British slang too - I'm freaking amazing. - Chase

"Got you all twisted up on the inside, doesn't she?" Tex said.
"No". Yes.
"Cute. You finally fell. Too bad she isn't yours."
"She isn't his," I snapped
"Not yet," Tex corrected. "Not yet."

"Whatever. We have no friends."
"We have each other," I said softly. "It's just us, Chase. Remember that."
"I do." Chase sighed. "When things get hard I do."

"The problem in this scenario will never be you. Mo Abandanato is always the solution, never the problem." - Tex.

"Yesterday I saw a girl wearing a Team Nixon shirt...you've been hashtagged, brother."
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
"Team Chase, way better, those Chasers are hot. Seriously, I tend to draw the exotic…I don’t discriminate."

Holy Mafia Batman!! Every time I think that Rachel can't surprise me anymore I am always floored and really why do I delude myself in thinking that she can't?! This latest in the Eagle Elite series comes at the absolute perfect time to me because by seeing Elite from Nixon and Chase's (and Tex's and Phoenix's) point of views she draws the reader even more into The Family. Seriously folks, if you haven't read this series what are you waiting for because it's drama-filled, sexy, a bit violent, but also funny and heart-wrenching and just everything. Enforce takes us back to the beginning, but where other re-tellings from another pov often leave me satisfied but not enthralled, Enforce just rocked me back. It opens up so many other emotions, especially the stuff with Nixon and his evil-incarnate father, seeing the animosity Chase has with his dad, but seeing more from Tex and where he was at this point of the story and most importantly the path of torture that Phoenix was experiencing and how he became who he was? Well to say that I felt a bevy of emotion is putting it mildly. I laughed because the dynamic between these characters is just fan-freaking-tastic! I cried because let's face it there is some heavy crap going down at times. I yelled because Rachel tends to do this to me when she reveals something I didn't expect or takes a turn that leaves me smh. I cheered because well I loved every word! I can't wait for the next installment because this is some addictive stuff!! So Rachel bring on Ember please, I need my Phoenix fix soon!! Until then "Welcome to the Family!"

This review can also be found on: http://bbf-book-boyfriends.blogspot.de

I got "Elite" as a review book for an honest review and after starting that one, I could not stop there. I needed to keep going. So now, I can't wait for Phoenix' story to be released. Come on Rachel, NOW!!!!

Okay, first things first. When I started that series, I was immediately drawn into it. It was....unbelievable. The story started out great right away. I think I might have fallen in love with Nixon the minute he walked up to Trace. That cocky behaviour, like he owned the world, just....drew me in. Call me crazy, but with his talk, the way he acts, he's the classic bad boy. And then he's a mafia boss? Come on, it doesn't get any better than that. The same with all the other guys in the series. Each of them is amazing in their own way and if I could, I would have them all as my BBF.

I haven't read many mafia novels so far (only one really, which I loved), so when I realized where this was going, I was a little hesitant about this. But Rachel's storyline, her writing, just made it impossible to put any of the stories down. Her stories flows effortless, so that by the end of the book you don't even realize how much time has passed. That's how invested you get into those stories!!

Any of the Eagle Elite books is unique and amazing in itself. Rachel created a world that involves amazing characters that you can't help but love, a great storyline that leaves you wanting more with every page and a heart that has been through so much by the end of those books that you need a while to get over everything. There is never a point in the story where you're bored, because there are so many twists and turns that you might think you know what's happening, but it'll turn in the completely different direction then.

Characters: Nixon, Chase and Tex are all complete BBFs. Throughout the whole books you see them being loyal, determined and there's nothing they wouldn't do to save the people they love. And there is a lot of things they have to do that goes against everything they believe in.

Everyone that hasn't read the series yet should definitely start right away. This series will blow your mind, make you want to wish you could go to Eagle Elite and be with all those amazing characters, no matter the danger. They are THAT awesome!!!!!

Okay, so I hope that once you get through this review, you will want to read this story! I know that the other Rachel van Dyken's books will be next on my to read list.

So for all these books, it'll be 5 BIG Book Boyfriends for sure!!

Welllll.... I loved Enforce but I've loved every book that Rachel has written in the Eagle Elite Series and this just proved what I always felt at first, I just like Trace fell in love with Chase and Nixon both! This story was well written but that's no surprise for me because Rachel is a brilliant story teller....she makes you laugh, hate, cry, and fall in love deeply with every character you meet. I purposely waited to read this one until I got my hard copy, crazy I know but I just love the feel of holding the book. I felt so sad for Chase and Nixon even though I already knew who would win and both would find their HEA I still sat and cried for poor Nixon, then did the same for Chase. I love all these characters and this series!!! Thank you Rachel Van Dyken for sharing the stories in your head with all of us!

Why am I so addicted to this series!? Enforce is why.

Reading this book re-broke my heart. I forgot about the torture that was unleashed on Trace has she navigated her way through her first few days/weeks of school. Most of it at the hands of Nixon. Though you completely understand why in Elite/Elect, to see it from his side now is amazing. Throw in Chase's POV regarding their love triangle, and you have one hell of a book! It's a good thing I already read Entice or I'd feel sorry for Chase.

Ember is up next in February and I for one, am SO Excited! Pheonix has a side that I don't believe Rachel has completely tapped into yet. So, grab your e-reader, a box of tissues, (maybe your favorite handgun), and hold on tight! The Elite series is one hell of a ride!!

Cliffhanger
Book one of many but this story seems to be told in 2 books
Told from multiple POVs
Minor editing issues

I have to be honest, I can't tel if I love this series or hate it. Lol. This is the first book in the series I have read because it seemed like the male POV of the first book and I always love those. It just seemed so mafia heavy and spent a ton of time setting things up for the rest of the series that I didn't get a lot of Nixon and Trace time.

I'm excited to see where the next books takes them and think it will really show me if this is a series I want to continue reading.

I have loved other books by this author so I have my fingers crossed.

Although I found the storyline of this book totally improbable, both the characters and the writing itself made you buy into it. It kept your attention throughout and never dragged. I would definitely read more of this series.

I absolutely love the Eagle Elite series. Love. I also love Rachel Van Dyken. Her writing is brilliant, witty, emotional and funny. She's one of my go to authors where I just read everything she writes. Period. This series is one of my favorites. Ever. So when I heard she was writing Elite from Nixon and Chase's point of view I may or may not have done a little dance. I had a hard time putting this book down. There's nothing better than getting inside the minds of some of your favorite characters and these guys have so much going on! If you're thinking this is just a repeat of Elite so why read it? Stop! This is like reading a whole new book. I literally highlighted half of the book while reading! Nixon is surprisingly mushy on the inside. Chase is loving, sensitive and sweet. Tex is funnier, smart as hell and still owns my heart. Phoenix is tortured, broken and filled with despair. I feel like I know so much more about them and this story that it all felt new to me. I cried, I laughed, I smiled. I felt the emotional pain for these men and I just wanted to reach in and give them all hugs and tell them it was all going to be ok.

I love her...I hate myself, but I love her. - Tex.

Hell was coming for me, but wouldn't it be so nice to take a ride with her on the way there? - Nixon

Nixon cursed me in two different languages before mumbling the number "ten" under his breath. I damn-near clapped. Look who wasn't a liar pants. The most dishonest out of all of us. Well done. Well bloody done. See, apparently I spoke British slang too - I'm freaking amazing. - Chase

"Got you all twisted up on the inside, doesn't she?" Tex said.
"No". Yes.
"Cute. You finally fell. Too bad she isn't yours."
"She isn't his," I snapped
"Not yet," Tex corrected. "Not yet."

"Whatever. We have no friends."
"We have each other," I said softly. "It's just us, Chase. Remember that."
"I do." Chase sighed. "When things get hard I do."

"The problem in this scenario will never be you. Mo Abandanato is always the solution, never the problem." - Tex.

"Yesterday I saw a girl wearing a Team Nixon shirt...you've been hashtagged, brother."
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
"Team Chase, way better, those Chasers are hot. Seriously, I tend to draw the exotic…I don’t discriminate."