RAVEN’S MARK (Bourbon & Blood 1) by Delta James and Irene Lawless-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 22, 2026

He saved her life. Now he’s claiming it.

I dragged Raven Bishop out of Hell ten years ago.She’s hated me for it ever since. Now she’s back in Fredericksburg, hunting a cartel rebuilding the same gun pipeline I destroyed when I killed my father.

I’m not the man she remembers.
She doesn’t trust me.
She shouldn’t.
But when her cover is blown, and the cartel comes for her,
I get her out—
off the grid and into my world.

She should run.
She doesn’t.
Because this isn’t just cartel territory.
It’s a system—built on lies, buried secrets, and men in power who’ve been protecting it for years.
And this time… we’re going to burn it down together.

We fight it.
The past. The heat between us. The pull we never really lost.
But the deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets—and the harder it is to walk away.

The cartel wants her dead.
The law can’t be trusted.
And together… we’re coming for all of them.

She came back looking for answers.
Instead, she found me.
And this time… I’m not letting her go.

••••••••

REVIEW: RAVEN’S MARK is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult BOURBON AND BLOOD erotic, romantic suspense series co-authored by Delta James and Irene Lawless. This is ATF Agent Raven Bishop, and Dark Ops Agent Jesse Holllister’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jesse and Raven). RAVEN’S MARK follows the return of Raven Bishop to her hometown of Fredericksburg. Raven’s last assignment spiralled out of control, and a call from her uncle Robert, sent Raven on the run. Raven was being hunted, and returning home meant working up close and personal with the man who broke her heart. The cartel are hunting our story line heroine, and Dark OPs Agent Jesse Hollister is prepared to risk everything to protect the woman he has never stopped loving.

The world building follows Raven as she struggles with both a personal and professional betrayal, a betrayal that has placed a target on her back. Jesse Hollister has returned to the family ranch, and in doing so, sets into motion an operation to protect Raven Bishop, and take down the cartel in the process.

The relationship between Jesse and Raven is one of second chances. Ten years earlier Jesse Hollister ensured Raven’s safety but in doing so, was forced to walk without saying goodbye. Determined to make up for the loss of ten years, Jesse claims Raven as his own, hoping she will forgive for the sins of the past, The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and impassioned without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, determined and dynamic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Jesse’s team: Cipher, Rook, Torque and Hawk, as well as Jesse’s brother Knox, Raven’s uncle Robert: sheriff Harlan, and Raven’s boss Director Alvarez. The requisite evil has many faces.

RAVEN’S MARK is a fast paced story of betrayal and vengeance ; secrets and lies; power and control, corruption and manipulation, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is provocative; the characters are desperate, charismatic and intense.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy