Vicious Cycle

Ashley (The Proposition) piles on graphic raunch in this biker-themed series starter, which fits neatly into the contemporary romance genre of good girls and the very bad boys who love them. Deacon Malloy, the sergeant at arms for the Hell's Raiders motorcycle club, has made it his life's work to care for his adoptive family%E2%80%94even if it means using his fists. When he learns he has a young daughter, Willow, his world of chrome and blood must shift to include hair ribbons and ballet. Kindergarten teacher Alexandra Evans has developed a special bond with Willow, and she goes above and beyond when Willow's life is threatened by a rival motorcycle club. Having broken through Deacon's daughter's reserve, can Alex reach Deacon's heart before war erupts? The explicit, sometimes overly graphic language and dramatic events detract slightly from an otherwise deliciously raw and gritty story. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (June)