Review: The Thing...Raw, Edgy, Unpredictable...get ready for a serious ride!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
Rating:  4 StarsTen days ago I finished book 5, "All The Sky", and rated it 5+ stars.  My final comments in my review were:  "Raw, Edgy, Unpredictable...just the way I like it!".  When I finished that book I was in a good place.  I was looking forward to "Show The Fire" to get Len and Dr. Tasha's story and for the Horde to do battle with the Perros Cartel.This was basically two stories:  Len and Tasha's relationship and 'The Thing'.  I'm once again reminded why I love this series:  Raw, Edgy, Unpredictable.Len and Tasha were a cool couple!  I loved their honesty and laughed when they were negotiating the terms of their relationship.  It was also steamy when they were 'trying' things.  I enjoyed Tasha's circle of friends.  I thought they made a good addition to the story.  Nadia, Nadia, Nadia...what a character.  Both Tasha and Len were holding on to some past relationship drama which shaped how they ended up today.Tasha kept people that she could love at bay with her kink.  She never got over how things ended with her and Isaac 20 years ago.  Len also had a horrible relationship which contributed to his choice of kink.  Two folks with the same kink...rocked!  Tasha's character also reminded me of Lilli but in a different way.  Susan Fanetti does an excellent job creating female characters that are strong and likeable.'The Thing' was the drama to end all drama!  It was the most intense, violent, raw, edgy, unpredictable scene in the series, so far.  I was gutted, in fact, I'm still gutted.  Again, 10 days ago I was in a good place with my Signal Bend friends.  Now, not so much.Signal Bend continues to be one of the best biker series I have read.  I so want and need the light for the Horde.  I can't wait for the final book, "Leave a Trail" to be released.  I'm addicted to this series!Why Not 5 Stars?I did not really get to know and understand Len and Tasha.  I found out 2 secrets about Len in this book.  I did not understand why he wanted to be alone all of the time.  I had no idea about his childhood growing up, how he came to join the club etc.  Zero backstory.  I only knew that after his accident, he no longer wanted to be alone and changed his priorities.  The same for Tasha.  The story could have used some flashbacks to the past between Tasha and Len.  Retelling the Isaac confrontation, detailed flashback of Len 'comforting' Tasha, providing some Len and Tasha friendship moments from the past.  The backstory/past between these two was missing.  The story needed it in order to feel a strong connection between them.'The Thing' totally overpowered Len and Tasha's story.  It was so dramatic and emotionally consuming, it became my sole focus in the book.  I no longer cared about Len and Tasha's happiness because I was so wrapped up in my own emotions.  I think I checked out at some point.  Don't get me wrong, it was beautifully written, but 10 days ago I was in a happy place in this series....and then I was gutted after reading 'The Thing'.  I did not care about Len, Tasha or anything or anyone else.  Sorry...I did not!