Deserving Cora

The Refuge, Book 4

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Ryan West

She needed to win him at the bachelor auction to save her friend, but she didn't plan on falling in love.

Cora Rooney desperately needs to win the representative from The Refuge at the veterans’ charity auction—it’s literally a matter of life or death. Of course, as is so often the case for the ex-orphan, nothing goes according to plan, and Cora loses her bid. Yet, she still finds herself in a diner with Bryson Clark, telling him about her best friend, who she suspects has been kidnapped and held against her will. After exhausting all other options, Cora’s convinced Pipe and his former military friends are her last chance to rescue Lara.

Bryson “Pipe” Clark had no desire to participate in a bachelor auction. Hell, most women run in the other direction when they see him coming. Why in the world would anyone spend good money for a night in his company? Still, he lets himself be talked into supporting a good cause, and as it turns out, the auction is the start of a mystery he’s now determined to unravel. Mostly because of the woman he’s strangely attracted to from her very first bid.

Finding Lara Osler is the easy part. Determining if she fled DC with her boyfriend of her own free will—and breaking her out of his estate if she didn’t—isn’t quite so cut and dried. Along the way, Pipe finds there’s much more to Cora than meets the eye...kind of like him.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but Pipe’s not going to let anyone or anything get in his way of making Cora his own and rescuing her friend—not even a serial killer hiding in the wings.

Deserving Cora is the fourth book in The Refuge series. Each book is a stand-alone with no cliff-hanger endings.

©2023 Susan Stoker (P)2023 Susan Stoker

Great listen

It’s was a great listen and can’t wait for the next one! Both hero and heroine were strong characters.

Great story

Another great story by Susan Stoker in The Refuge series. Pipe and Cora were great together. I also liked what a loyal friend Cora was and that she did everything in her power to help rescue her best friend, Lara. Great seeing everyone again. Ryan West and CJ Bloom did a wonderful job with their performances in bringing the story and characters to life.

Another great book

Love this series, love all of Susan’s series. The story had everything suspense, romance and action. Love Pipe and Cora’s story made me laugh and cry

great listening to this book

Absolutely loved this book, it had me hooked the first page in. I am getting into the audio books and reading along with the Kindle e book version. Loved Pipe and Cora both broken in away, but finding each other and having an HEA. Can't wait for Lara and Owls story, plus to find out who the mystery hacker is. This or any of Susans books are a great read.

Great story!

Wish we could all go to the Refuge and find our own family by choice and a place to be accepted the way Cora found her people there. I can’t wait to here Lara’s story! I hope this series continues for years! Hope Susan adds a community in the nearby town so we get to interact with the Refuge and these characters for years!

Repetitive

Once you get to the 4th book (in a series) and you realize you don't have to listen to surmise everything the couple is saying to each other, you realize you have read enough Susan Stoker for a while. Her people essentially keep saying the same things. They are motivated by the same things, feel the same things, are hurt by the same things. I don't need to read the next one to know what's going to happen.

Of the books in the series, this one was better than most because there was more action in it. I liked how tough Cora was, never pitied herself or went on about what she's insecure or afraid of. Unlike others in the series.
The female MC even got her digs in against the bad guy, which was VERY refreshing for this series.

I do enjoy how Susan Stoker heroes are all tough and alpha in general, but that they ALWAYS put their women first. That part of the repetition, I can live with.

Another good addition to this series.

I really liked the characters personalities. It is insta attraction and so if that isn’t your thing you may not enjoy it. But I love the story woven here starting with a women trying everything she cans to help a friend she knows is in trouble even if no one will listen or believe her. I am actually looking forward to the next in the series from the ending to this one. Another well done story. The narrators were great with their portrayals.

Perfect

Absolutely love Susan Stoker!! This book is no exception. Deserving Cora is another great listen in the Refuge series. Pipe finally got his book!!!

Love it

I have enjoyed every book from this author I look forward to all the new one to come

Stoker does it again

I adored Cora and Pipe. As a tattooed person myself I got Pipe's healing through ink very much. I admired Cora's kind heart after everything she went through and her fierce loyalty; as well as trusting her gut and not giving up. It was fun to see the other characters too. I also wish the books were closer together because of the arc story but know that art takes time (note this is NOT a cliffhanger, I hate those). The narration was wonderful!