Blurb: Schoolteacher Charlie Matthews returns to his hometown, looking to regain a sense of community, reconnect with friends, and settle down. It looks like his dreams have come true when paramedic Josh Campbell attends an accident at the school. It’s love at first sight, and a romance begins.
But Josh’s reluctance to come out to the brother who raised him puts pressure on their fledgling relationship. While Charlie understands Josh’s concerns, he can’t help growing impatient. After all, Charlie came out years ago.
It’s not until Charlie confronts his own parents and realizes he hasn’t come to terms with their rejection that he fully understands what Josh has to lose. But Josh is Charlie’s hero, and Josh will do anything to prove to Charlie that to be part of a family, he doesn’t need his parents.
Review: Schoolteacher is hot for the EMT! It’s a cute matchup, but takes a while to get there. The romance has a slow simmer, which can be very refreshing, but sometimes I wanted the story to pick up the pace a bit.
The narrator, Joel Leslie did a very fine job with the character variation, the passionate scenes may have been a bit flat, but still tastefully done.
My favorite thing about Charlie’s Hero is the building of a community, friends, family and co-workers coming together to enjoy each other’s company and build a strong community of support. I love to see this and in reality it isn’t done enough.
Most of the drama here occurs with Josh, and his fear over what his brother will do when he finds out Josh is gay. I can also feel Charlie’s frustrations with Josh, and I’m just crushed over his idiotic family’s reactions during the story. Plenty of sadness, frustration, anger and lusty moments abound in this contemporary love story. The drama builds and builds in a fun way with a definite twist at the end.
Blurb: Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the day his police partner and best friend Ben Pirelli emptied his service weapon into Cole and his then-lover, Rick. Since Ben turned his gun on himself, Cole thought he’d never find out why Ben tried to destroy him.
Years later, Cole has stitched himself back together. Now a private investigator and in love with Jae-Min Kim, a Korean-American photographer he met on a previous case, Cole’s life is back on track – until he discovers Jeff Rollins, a disgraced cop and his first partner, has resurfaced and appears to be working on the wrong side of the law.
As much as Cole’s fought to put the past behind him, he’s soon tangled up in a web of lies, violence, and death. Jeff Rollins is not only trying to kill Cole’s loved ones, he is also scraping open old wounds and long-forgotten memories of the two men Cole loved and lost. Cole is sure Rollins knows why Ben ruined all their lives, but he isn’t looking for answers.
Now Cole is caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded killer with the key to not only his past but his future.
Every really good Author has their proverbial ‘Murphy’s Law’ coupling. Diana Gabaldon has Claire and Jaime, Mary Calmes has Sam and Jory, Abigail Roux has Ty and Zane, and Rhys Ford has Cole and Jae. Cole and Jae have been through so much, both as a couple and on their own before they even met. It’s taken a very long time for Jae to live his life openly, to admit he loves Cole and to own his sexuality. Whereas Cole has always worn his sexuality like a badge.
As this story starts, it looks like Cole is still up to his finding trouble no matter where he goes antics, but it also looks like he and Jae are finally settling into a comfortable relationship with no boundaries or barriers.
Well, if you know Cole and Jae, you know that them being happy is like a homing beacon for trouble. You also know Cole will stop at nothing to protect those he loves. Everything is about to come full circle for this unlikely duo. Someone in Jae’s estranged family reaches out to Cole and Jae for help, which is laughable, considering what said family have put them both through.
And then another ghost from Cole’s past decides to start wreaking havoc and putting bullet holes in anyone or anything standing still. Is it just an unhappy coincidence that these things are happening simultaneously? Or has the grim reaper finally come to collect the debt Cole squirmed his way out of when he survived the shooting that took his former lovers life?
I think what has drawn me to this series with each new story is not only watching Cole and Jae struggling with issues both as a couple, and as individuals. Watching their bullet riddled love story unfold. I think it’s the way their feelings, emotions and thoughts have been described in such meticulous detailing that I feel I can almost see inside them. Ford could possibly make a sociopath feel with the way she vividly describes the characters and their emotions.
Another fantastic aspect of Ford’s stories, not just this series, is how she creates these secondary characters that are as vital to the story as Cole and Jae are. Then there is the dry, witty sarcastic sense of humor Cole embodies.
Jae goes off on Cole at one point in this story, having had enough of his pleas with Cole to “not get hurt” or “not get shot” ignored quite long enough. It is hysterical. I laughed so hard I think I peed my pants just a bit. Claudia deserves mom of the year y’all! And Bobby, that man cracks me up. One of my favorite lines in the book came from Bobby, talking to Cole.
“Get out of my truck so I can go home and fuck your brother.”
Definitely a must read story for fans of the Author and/or the series. If you don’t grab a copy you will never know exactly what drove Cole’s former partner on the police force to shoot Cole and his then lover, leaving one of them dead before turning the gun on himself. I’ll admit that I have had a couple of theories since the first book.
And I was surprised when the truth is revealed. If you like action packed, non-stop, thrill a minute stories with flawed, three-dimensional characters and these absolutely insane story lines… I would wonder why you haven’t read this series yet.
Tams’ 5 Heart Audiobook Review (June 2016)
Rhys Ford and Greg Tremblay… a more perfect union could not be found I tell you. Between Ford’s immaculate attention to detail and the way she can shape and mold words, and Tremblay’s ability to breathe life into any character he voices… its chocolate for my ears! I couldn’t be more pleased that Tremblay carried the torch from start to finish for this series. I came to feel like the characters I was listening to were old friends, and every year or so we would have a visit, bullet proof vest and riot gear required, of course.
Everything comes to a volcanic head in this last book, and when it finally blows, no one is safe. I think that Cole is pretty much done. The man has more holes in him than a slice of Swiss cheese, and the constant worrying for every single person he loves and holds dear. He’s just ready for some semblance of a normal life with Jae, growing old and fucking like bunnies until they can’t see straight. Being an uncle, brother, best friend and son (to Claudia of course, not that SOB father of his).
But there is one more bad guy to take down before Cole can rest easy.
I highly recommend this series… well, this Author and Narrator in fact. I believe Rhys Ford had some water bottles at GRL one year that read “Murder – Mystery – Mayhem” those three words aptly describe this series, with a metric ton of passion and just a little bit of angst. You can read, listen or do both as I did.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: The Intergalactic Star Pilot Academy has accepted Thierry Leroux into the elite class of sky year 2231. But the academy comes with a hefty price tag, and there’s no way he, a poor Sythe orphan, has the credits the academy requires. Thierry’s brother, Corbin, a high-class companion, suggests Thierry sell his virginity for the cost of tuition. It seems like a ridiculous idea, but it may be Thierry’s only shot, so Thierry asks Corbin to arrange a meeting on the pleasure planet of Wish.
On Wish, Thierry meets Corbin’s boss, Monroe, and they agree to auction off Thierry’s virginity. Thierry is grateful to the masked buyer he knows only as “Dragonfly”, and Dragonfly is gentle, making Thierry’s first time a good memory. When Dragonfly requests to see him again, and pay for the pleasure, Thierry returns to Wish.
But in this game, falling in love is dangerous for the heart, and Thierry might not like the man behind the mask.
Review: This is my first Caitlin Ricci book and I absolutely loved it, the story was wonderful and just sucked me right in. To the Highest Bidder is a fun and totally sexy sci-fi book but is all sweetness and naiveté from the POV of the narrator, Thierry. I got so strongly invested into this book that I didn’t want it to end.
Thierry tells the story. He and his older brother are orphans. Corbin, who is probably around 10 years older, raised Thierry when their parents died. To make enough money to survive Corbin became an intergalactic courtesan and he loves his work (think like companions in the Firefly universe). But because there isn’t enough money Thierry can’t pay for his tuition to become a space pilot at the prestigious Star Pilot Academy.
That is when Corbin comes up with the solution for Thierry to auction off his virginity and that is where this wild ride really takes off.
Thierry is a starry-eyed type of kid (he’s 20) who realizes that he falls in love with the man that brought his virginity. That’s where we get a bit of angst but each of Thierry’s encounters with the mysterious Dragonfly is hot and sexy. Though to be honest Dragonfly’s real identity is really not much of a surprise and it wasn’t set up to be a surprise to the reader/listener.
My 2 criticisms and the reasons why I couldn’t give this a 5/5 rating are: 1) the ending is rushed. I felt like the last chapter and epilogue could have been handled a bit better although they were fantastically set up. 2) Being that we are dealing with aliens I really had a hard time believing the whole age gap thing.
I suppose because in my head different species of aliens that are invented by authors can have as long a life span as the author wanted and so I felt when the age gap was only mentioned one it was out of place.
I have no idea if I will be able to wait long enough to listen to the audio for the next book in the series, which is about Thierry’s brother, but if Jean Samson narrates I will definitely want to listen to it, even if I manage to read it first. Jean Samson’s narration was just brilliant. I love the tone that he used for Thierry, along with his brother, Corbin and Corbin’s boss, Monroe.
If you’re all for some sci-fi alien loving you’re going to love To the Highest Bidder!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Jeremy Linden’s a PhD student researching an HIV vaccine. He’s always short of money, and when biotech startup PharmaTek reduces funding for his fellowship, he’s tempted to take a job at a men’s dining club as a serving boy. The uniforms are skimpy, and he’s expected to remove an item of clothing after each course. He can handle that, but he soon discovers there’s more on the menu here than fine cuisine. How far will he go to pay his tuition, and will money get in the way when he realizes he’s interested in more from one of his gentlemen?
Brice Martin is an attorney for a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. When he’s asked to take a client to the infamous Dinner Club, he finds himself unexpectedly turned on by the atmosphere and especially by his server, Remy. He senses there’s more to the sexy young man than meets the eye. The paradox fascinates him, and he can’t get enough of Remy.
Their relationship quickly extends beyond the club and sex. But the trust and affection they’ve worked to achieve may crumble when Jeremy discovers Brice’s VC firm is the one that pulled the plug on PharmaTek – and Jeremy’s research grant.
Review: Jeremy is trying to get his Ph.D. Money is tight, and he isn’t getting near enough tutoring jobs. With funding at his lab getting reduced, Jeremy takes an offer from men’s Dining club to help make ends meet. All he has to do is wear skimpy clothing, take off one piece at each course, as he serves wealthy men. Anything else ‘on the menu or night caps’ is strictly up to him. When he sees his first client, he thinks that a little play may not be too bad.
Brice, ‘Mr. Green’, wasn’t too keen at going to the dining club with his associate the first time until he met his serving bo. He found he could get used to having Remmy wait on him. The next time he has to take a client he chooses a different boy so he doesn’t get hung up on a guy that is working and having sex with men for money. Seeing Remmy with another man, Brice knows he is already in too deep.
I loved this story. It’s charming, sweet and sexy. The characters are well-developed, and the concept of the dirty dining is interesting. I would love to see each serving boy’s story!
I got lost in the narration, and before I knew it, my book had ended. I think I could have listened to another two or three hours!
If you like fast-paced romances, a rags to riches story, hot lawyers, sexy men for pay, gentlemen’s clubs and some very hot man-sex this is for you! * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com
Blurb: Sheriff Lance Beaufort is not going to let trouble into his town, no sir. Tucked away in the California Mountains, Mad Creek has secrets to keep, like the fact that half the town consists of ‘quickened’—dogs who have gained the ability to become human. Descended on both sides from Border Collies, Lance is as alert a guardian as they come.
Tim Weston is looking for a safe haven. After learning that his boss patented all of Tim’s work on vegetable hybrids in his own name, Tim quit his old job. A client offers him use of her cabin in Mad Creek, and Tim sees a chance for a new start. But the shy gardener has a way of fumbling and sounding like a liar around strangers, particularly gorgeous alpha men like Sheriff Beaufort.
Lance’s hackles are definitely raised by the lanky young stranger. He’s concerned about marijuana growers moving into Mad Creek, and he’s not satisfied with the boy’s story. Lance decides a bit of undercover work is called for. When Tim hits a beautiful black collie with his car and adopts the dog, its love at first sight for both Tim and Lance’s inner dog. Pretending to be a pet is about to get Sheriff Beaufort in very hot water.
Review: Tim Weston’s youth and naiveté have caused him a lot of pain in his life. He is in his early twenties and never had a positive role model. His father was abusive, his former boss a worthless liar and a thief.
So Tim quits his job, packs up and heads to Mad Creek where a friend is lending Tim her house for six months so he can work on some hybrid seeds for plants and vegetables. Right away he draws attention, since Mad Creek is a town full of shifters, Tim sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sheriff Lance Beaufort has his doubts about Tim’s intentions from the start, so he befriends Tim in his shifter form, a border collie that Tim names Chance. In his shifter form, Lance can spy on the newcomer to see if he is up to no good.
The more time Lance spends with Tim, in both forms, the more attached he becomes. Things can’t help but end badly when Tim discovers that someone else he could care for has been lying to him.
Let me tell you how refreshing it was to read a story about something other than wolves. I love Easton’s unique take on the shifter world with the dogs, how some don’t manifest their first shift until later in life, and some have issues acclimating to the real world after being in their dog form for so long.
Even better than the unique story was the narration.My first listen with Matthew Shaw and I loved his take on the story. He literally dove into the characters, right down to every growl, howl and bark.
If you are looking for a fast, fun story that is both well written and entertaining, you should give this story a go.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott had their happy ending in sight when a friend’s call for help almost ended with them losing it to the blade of a knife. Now, in the aftermath of near disaster, both men are trying to heal and move on.
Moving on together, though, is harder than either of them realized it would be. Kelly struggles with simply being a lover instead of the doc while Nick is mired in his recovery. The distance between them inches along in stilted silence.
Desperately seeking solace, Nick finally gathers the courage to sort through the possessions his dear friend and fellow Sidewinder teammate, Elias Sanchez, left him when he died. Instead of comforting memories, Nick and Kelly find a stack of letters and strict instructions from Eli that prompts them to send out a call for assistance. With Eli’s letters in hand, Sidewinder sets out on one last mission together, seeking peace and absolution from beyond the grave – and from each other.
Review: This is it, the final hoorah for the Sidewinder team.
Nick is still on the mend from being stabbed and damn near killed while he, Kelly and the rest of the Sidewinder team did everything in their power to bring down the Vega cartel before they could kill Nick’s best friend Ty, and Ty’s husband Zane. By now Zane has pretty much become an honorary member of the team, having bled for them all more than once.
The knife wound, subsequent surgery and long road to recovery aren’t the only things hanging over Nick and Kelly. They’ve both lost their way, each of them were a compass for the other to light their way, all the secrets and lies has driven a wedge between them and Kelly is not sure he will find his way back to the love he feels for Nick.
It’s a letter from the only member of their psychotic team of misfits to meet an untimely demise that brings the whole of Sidewinder back together and quite possibly remind Nick and Kelly why they depend on, care for and love one another more than life itself.
Written fabulously by Abigail Roux, characters brought to life by Brock Thompson, the final book in the Sidewinder and Cut & Run series’ does not disappoint. I was a little worried about this group of men I have come to know and love having to go through another rough and tumble ordeal, but thankfully, Roux lowered the body count and anxiety level of this book dramatically from the others in these two series.
Part & Parcel brings the one character in the books we never really got to know to the forefront, Elias Sanchez. Through a series of letters and instructions, Sanchez takes his team on a trip down memory lane, making them all remember why they love each other like brothers, why they would put their lives in each other’s hands, and in doing so he also reminds Nick and Kelly that their love for each other is what matters, not the jobs or the missions or the bullshit, just love.
I will say that I don’t care very much for Thompson’s narration, but that is solely because I’ve listened to all the Cut & Run books and gotten used to a particular voice for each character.
That being said, Thompson did do a great job with the story including changes in inflection and tones to suit not only the character he was voicing at any given time, but to suit the situation at that time as well.
I know it’s an investment, but if you haven’t listened to these books, I recommend that you do. It is literally an epic saga, but it is so much fun to take the ride with all these guys.
Murder, Mayhem and Destruction is tempered by Love, Honor, Trust and Loyalty with these guys. Definitely a must read and/or listen series in my humble opinion.
I’m really quite said to have to say goodbye.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness and con man Henry Page are on the run again. This time they’re headed back to where it all began: Altona, Indiana. Population: some goats. Henry’s not happy about lying low at the McGuinness family farm, but they’ve got nowhere else to go.
While Mac fights to clear his name and Henry struggles with whose side he’s really on, a ghost from the past threatens to destroy everything. And those aren’t the only storms on the radar. Cut off from both sides of the law, Mac and Henry must rely on their tenuous partnership to survive.
If Henry can convince himself to let Mac see the man behind the disguises, they’ll stand a chance of beating the forces that conspire against them. The course of true love never did run smooth, but for the two of them, it might be their only hope.
Review: The third book in the Playing the Fool trilogy, The Tempest continues on with the Shakespeare references, lots of dramatic action, a lovely mystery that comes full circle. There was a lot to bring together in this last book, many characters to tie together and a future to weave for Mac and Cheese. I was very satisfied with this ending, though saddened there could be no redemption for one of my favorite characters…I’ll let you read about it!
The sexual tension between Henry and Mac took some backwards steps a few times, unveiling Henry’s insecurity, leaving me wondering if Mac could really help heal those old wounds and the distance between them.
One of my favorite characters, Henry’s sister, plays a pivotal role in The Tempest, and I’m so glad of it! It helps bring the future together for them all.
The narrator does another wonderful job, though there does seem to be a chapter missing….wish I had that, but the story still moves forward at a fast pace.
An action packed trilogy, something to read that feels fresh and different from what the m/m genre has been pumping out lately. Worth a read or listen for sure. Oh and I can’t forget to throw in there…I totally LOVE Mac’s parents. Wish I had them myself!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: After ten years as an active duty Marine, Captain Eric Ramos is rejoining civilian life. His first job is chauffeuring, assisting, and generally keeping track of NBA young gun Tyler Haley. Tyler’s had a rough few months, and his team owner is convinced he needs some hand-holding if he’s going to keep delivering wins for the St. Louis Fire Foxes.
Instead of the arrogant, over-privileged athlete Eric expected, Tyler is a big, blond, lonely twenty-three-year-old who needs more than just an employee to keep him in line. While taking care of Tyler, Eric changes from employee to friend, to something more. And when Eric realizes that something is burning the kid up from the inside out, he’s determined to find a way to help him before Tyler’s carefully constructed façade turns to ash.
Short, Sexy and Steamy! My three favorite colors!!
Retired Marine Eric Ramos is taking on civilian life as the personal assistant/bodyguard for a Professional Basketball player that hasn’t had the best of luck with his staff. After fighting for our country as a marine, suffering from PTSD and dealing with ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in the military… Eric is pretty sure he can handle one spoiled basketball player. Boy does he have his work cut out for him.
From the first meeting Eric is mesmerized with the tall, lithe basketball player with white blonde curly hair and sad eyes. Tyler Haley is very much like a child. Perhaps growing up in the system robbed him of something that he is now starving for, a life unlived.
Eric quickly learns how Tyler works, his little ticks and what sends him over the edge. Tyler suffers from panic attacks and he is oddly very shy and withdrawn. Over the first few weeks that Eric and Tyler work in close quarters, Tyler stars to let down his guard and get more comfortable with Ram (what Tyler calls Eric).
Little by little Eric begins to peel back the layers that Tyler hides under and they get under one another’s skin. But just when Eric thinks that he’s figured out how to care for Tyler and keep him safe and happy, the damn bursts. The one promise Eric made to himself, that he wouldn’t fall for his client, is about to become a very easy promise to break.
I loved everything about this little story! Eric is this large and in charge semper fi ex-marine that storms into Tyler’s life and makes Tyler feel something he never thought he could feel, safe and comfortable. Tyler is a conundrum. Very strong and confident on the court but so childlike and insecure at heart.
When you learn Tyler’s story, what he went through growing up, it will break your heart. And for him to have someone there to love and protect him in that most vulnerable moment when he finally tells someone the truth, feels comfortable enough with someone to tell them the truth, it’s a thing of beauty.
Must read for fans of the genre. If you love a short story that has a lot of charisma and charm, along with passion and slow burning love, you will love this book!
Audiobook review March 2016
The story was narrated by Randy Fuller and while I thought he fully captured Ramos with the tone he chose for him, his voice is very mature so the tone for Tyler sounded too old for him.
This is one of the audio books that wasn’t quite as good for me as the written version. It was an enjoyable listen, the tones, inflections and nuances were all there and in the appropriate fashion, and I just couldn’t get used to the tone for Tyler.
I’d still say you would probably enjoy listening, definitely would enjoy reading.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (Audio version 3/2/16)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Dustin Walker has no idea that avoiding the search for Mrs. Right could send him into the arms and bed of Mr. Right Now. According to Dustin’s mother, he should be out looking for his next wife so he won’t be the divorced black sheep of the family. Instead, he passes his free time at a local bar and pool hall, where he meets someone who’s everything his ex-wife wasn’t: funny, caring, faithful…and male.
Is Brandon Stewart just Dustin’s way of getting over a bitter divorce? Can Dustin really care for him, or is it simply that Brandon is the complete opposite of his ex-wife? Dustin keeps their affair as quiet as possible, because if it continues, he knows he’ll eventually have to come out to his homophobic family or walk out on the man he’s trying not to love.
Review:Rules of Engagement is a lusty story that’s about 75% sexual encounter, and if you’re looking for that, the lovemaking is hot, heavy and beautifully written and narrated!
Just when I thought that’s what this sexual self-discovery, coming out story was about. It took a turn for the serious, realistic and contemplative at the 10 yard line. Rules of Engagement dives into some soul-searching moments of questioning one’s sexual orientation, relationships with family, friends and a new lover who is making you question all you thought you knew about yourself.
My heart broke for Brandon, and I wanted to shake Dustin or kick his ass! There were plenty of ups and downs, with a passionate ending that left me hungry for more! Good thing I just happen to know there’s a sequel…
The narrator was very good, and has a wonderful sultry voice.
If you need a steamy afternoon delight, Rules of Engagement delivers some very hot content!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Brad is great at meeting other people’s expectations. But his own? Not so much. Take the gay thing. Okay, so yeah. It took a morning meeting with a frat brother’s hairy, naked ass for him to admit it, but he knows the truth about himself now. Let the gay life commence.
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. He hasn’t quite determined how to come out to anyone, even Sebastian, the geeky-hot TA in his history class. Sebastian is everything Brad is not. Intellectual, suave, hairy. Out. And he doesn’t seem interested in Brad, even when Brad makes a fool of himself trying to catch his notice.
Score one for foolery: Sebastian does more than notice Brad; he takes him to bed. Brad’s been with plenty of girls, but with Sebastian, the sex is something else entirely – hot, mind-blowing, affirming, and a little domineering in a way that drives him wild. But when great sex turns into something more – dare he admit the “L” word? – Brad must face the crushing realization that Sebastian doesn’t feel the same. Unless, of course, he does.
After all, even grad students can be idiots about matters of the heart.
Review: This cute and sexy coming out story put a smile on my face!
Assertive and sexy Sebastian, confident in his role as seductive lay-‘em-and-leave-‘em TA, is sideswiped by a cute yet vulnerable jock, Brad, who is just starting to find himself and test the gay waters. Oddly enough it seems the important people in Brad’s life noticed the gay long before he came to terms with it himself.
There are many comedic parts of this story, and plenty of inner dialogue that made me grin. The sex scenes are intimate yet erotic with some fun dominance/submissive scenes. There are first kisses, first frottage, first well…and I can’t’ forget the repentance with toys! Damn, Sebastian can be hot Dom, and enjoying Brad play the submissive, cute and cuddly jock role…made for some topsy-turvy fun! A lot of cute and a little kink!
The narrator was pretty good at creating unique voices for each character which I always appreciate. The intoxicated Brad voice was a bit odd, but the rest was a great fit. I loved it every time I heard Sebastian’s character call Brad “Honey”, made me puddle every time.
Generally, Frat Boy and Toppy was a light, yet endearing coming out story that pulled my heartstrings and struck my funny bone.
Definitely worth a listen! I was either laughing or panting for most of the book!
Blurb: Mateo Esposito loves his job. Hired assassin for the U.S. Government, he takes lives and he kicks ass with no mercy. When a job lands in his lap that’s just not quite right, Mateo finds himself questioning for the first time in his career. Who would have known he’d be undone by a purple hippo…
Riley Flynn is CEO of Flynn Electronics. Deep in his closet, Riley wonders what it would feel like to be with a man. When his path crosses with Mateo’s, their lives will never be the same.
Because Riley is Mateo’s next target…….
Be aware….Hot guys making love, Satan on TV and anal beads are just a few of the things guaranteed to make you spit your liquid on your monitor. Enjoy!
Openly gay assassin Mateo Esposito has the perfect life. He kills people for a living and doesn’t even think twice as he pulls the trigger. His targets are murderers, rapists and pedophiles; so the fact that he doesn’t lose any sleep over them is no surprise. Until he stumbles upon Riley Flynn.
Riley Flynn is the CEO of Flynn Electronics. Not so openly gay, Riley stays safely behind the doors of his closet. After his mother died when he was a teenager, Riley was raised by his homophobic father. Riley is also Mateo’s next target.
Character development was precise as we watch Mateo go from predator to protector. The relationship that develops between the pair is amazing, even as they fight it, and then give in to it, only to come across yet another road block. Gasq-Dion definitely laid the ground work for many more books and promising storylines with the side characters as well. My personal favorite would be General “fuck it” Derek and Pruitt, I do so hope they get much more page time in the coming books.
This is an M/M erotic love story that is sensual and steamy! It is also fast paced and action packed with several twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Audio book review April 2016…
It’s always a joy when a favorite narrator breathes life into one of your favorite books. Boudreaux truly brings Mateo and Riley to life with tone, inflection and sometimes not so subtle nuances. I especially liked the desperation I could hear in his voice during a more dramatic part in the story.
I’ve probably read this book a dozen times or more so I knew full well how these two met, fell in love, were torn apart and the dangerous road travelled to bring them back together. Listening to the events unfold gave me a new insight into the story. You can read a book and imagine how something sounds or feels, Boudreaux was able to bring those sounds and feelings out for the characters with the voices he gave them.
I highly recommend this series to anyone that reads the genre. Whether you like shifters, paranormal, romance, passion, angst, you can find just about anything in this series. And now we have the promise of hearing the escapades and sexcapades of this Motley crew of men that make up the Skull Blasters and Shifters.
Blurb: Successful owner of an upscale boutique in fabulous West Hollywood, Brandon Good swears by his personal edict to “live in the present”. After a bad breakup, he agrees to dog-sit to keep his mind off his ex. Never did he expect the dog to belong to a man from his past, the only man to ever truly break his heart.
When Jake Westley relocates to join the WeHo fire department, the last thing he anticipates is reuniting with his secret high school love. Thrilled with the prospect of reconnecting with Bran, Jake feels no guilt in using his charming old dog as an unwitting matchmaker. As he and Bran rekindle their friendship, it becomes clear the intense attraction they once felt is stronger than ever. But as hard as they try to leave the past behind, painful memories resurface.
Bran will have to confront his fears and consider the possibility that the man he swore was absolutely the wrong one might be perfect after all.
Review: First off, you’re in for a treat because this whole series is beautifully written and perfectly narrated. I absolutely have a new favorite narrator. I was so glad to see Lane Hayes wrote a series of these heartwarming, soul-searching, and steamy novels.
This second book in the Right and Wrong Series, The Wrong Man, spins out from a character we have already been introduced to in The Right Words, Brandon Good, of B. Goods boutique. Brand is the strong friend with sage advice, always a shoulder to lean on, but always strong-willed, and fiercely independent. His store is his life, and there’s not much room for more beyond helping his friends solve their personal woes. His protective walls come crumbling down when the shock of an ex-lover, his first true love, comes back into the picture, walking a geriatric dog.
Jake is the big strong EMT, so lovable I wanted to hold him and hug him and keep him forever. But there’s a darker past layered into the writing of this story. We know something crushing happened to both characters in their past, but will it be big enough to keep them apart a second time around?
Just as Jake and Bran start to mend fences, and new sparks ignite, with the sweet dog to give them a safe buffer zone, another player comes into the game of love. The ex-lover Jake was seeking distance from wants his place in Jake’s life back. The jealousy is palpable, and Brandon doesn’t know if his heart can take another deep wound.
One of the hooks that kept my rapt attention is the question of what Jake did to Brandon in their past that wounded him so much. And what are the secrets Jake is keeping close to the vest regarding those years between graduation and now. Could it destroy them both? So much drama, such a lovely story!
The most refreshing thing about how Hayes writes sexual encounters is that the main characters don’t rush right to the one finger, two finger, fuck trope. These lovers enjoy all the senses, the kiss, frottage, fellatio, simply being held by another human being, long before the intimacy of intercourse. Each scene, whether it be a simple kiss, or a hot grope up against a wall, is beautifully written and narrated to perfection.
I also enjoy the multi ethnic characters in Hayes’ writing. The beauty found in characters of Latino, or mixed ethnicity backgrounds bring such an interesting weave to the tapestry of this series.
The Wrong Man is a story of heartbreak, loss and disappointment morphing into maturity, individuals witnessing new growth, forgiveness, and rediscovery of each other.
Oh, and I can’t forget the love of a dog, and all the dedication that goes with that!
* I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Sebastian Orwell did the only thing a smart wizard could do when he stumbled upon the wounded Crown Prince: He healed him and dumped him in a tavern where he could continue not being Sebastian’s problem. Unfortunately, the prince isn’t content with being alive, and he hunts Sebastian down to thank him personally. Not only is Sebastian stuck with the prince’s unwanted affections, but he’s also confronted by growing evidence linking the assassination attempt to someone from his father’s past.
Lord Orwell is a lot of things: thief, liar, drunk, and all-around horrible father, but Sebastian knows he’s no murderer. In order to prove it, Sebastian has to keep the prince alive long enough to discover the truth – a task made considerably harder because the idiot prince prefers wooing Sebastian over securing his own survival. On top of everything, Sebastian needs to save the day without revealing his magical powers and the real reason he hides his appearance.
Sebastian had no intention of playing the hero, but whoever is stirring up shit in his country will pay for destroying his quiet life.
Review: This is actually the very first book that I have read by this author, or I should say listened to and I have to say that it was a blast. At first when I heard it start I wasn’t actually sure that I would like it. However once I got past the accent, I was glad to have had the chance to hear this story. There is a lot of detail and depth to it that caught me by surprise. This is one story I would not mind listening to more than once.
I wasn’t sure at first if there was going to be any romance till I saw the Prince sleeping next to our sexy Sebastian the first night in the woods. If you love anything fantasy, mage, fey, wizards and so much more, then this is going to be one for you. I absolutely hated Sebastian at first. He is a cocky little ass through most of it.
Then you add in his family and let’s just say that it would make the holidays even better. Then you have assassins going after the quirky little prince, whose mind is on Sebastian and it is action packed. Although if you don’t have a deep idea of all the characters then you might get a bit lost with it.
Cornell Collins narrated this amazing story and he rocked it. He was able to give all of the characters distinctive voices that you could not forget if you tried. I was impressed with his ability, that is for sure. He made this book even better in my opinion.
The plot and story line are fully developed and are a bit complex in areas. I wasn’t sure at first but after the first few lines I knew that this was going to be a hit with me. I enjoyed it and look forward to more by not only this author but narrator.
I would definitely recommend it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have T.M. Smith popping in with her latest audio release The Library, we have a great guest post, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
The Library
(Opposites 01.5)
(Narrator: Greg Boudreaux)
by
T.M. Smith
The focus of this short story is to give readers further insight into the relationship of the twins fathers, Ciran and Rian. I’ve taken three scenes from Opposites that were cut short and elaborated on the shenanigans that ensued. I also focused more in the beginning on the relationship between Cirian and Rian, to give readers a chance to get to know them and the inner workings of their relationship a little better.
Blurb: When Nick O’Flaherty arrives at the scene of a double homicide to find he has a witness to the crime, he thinks it’s his lucky day. But when he realizes his witness is suffering from amnesia and can’t even remember his own name, Nick wishes he’d gone with his gut and put in for vacation time.
Then Nick’s boyfriend and former Recon teammate, Kelly Abbott, joins him in Boston, and Nick finds his hands a little too full as the case and his personal life collide. The witness he’s dubbed “JD” is being tailed by Julian Cross, a retired CIA hitman. To complicate matters further, JD forms an attachment to Nick that Nick struggles not to respond to as they search for the key to JD’s identity.
Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime before he and Kelly get added to the history books.
Review: Nick has finally gone back to work full-time for the Boston PD, at Kelly’s urging, and he’s ready for a weekend off with Kelly who is flying into town for a couple of weeks. Just hours before Kelly’s plane lands, an odd case lands on Nick’s desk. A local bookstore that specialized in rare books is shot up. Two dead and one witness slash possible suspect suffering from amnesia is all Nick and his partner have to go on.
Instead of spending the weekend naked and in bed wrapped around Kelly, Nick winds up neck-deep in a case that has Nick asking for help from an old associate he never wanted to be in the same room with again.
Okay, this book was equal parts hysterical and frightening. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, not knowing the true identity of “JD” Nick and Kelly relying on him, when he could be more suspect than witness, it was nerve-racking! Then there is the appearance of Julian Cross, that can never mean anything good.
What I love so much about Nick and Kelly is that they have this unbreakable bond, forged over years in the service doing unspeakable things all in the name of God and Country. They have a trust, friendship and admiration for each other that only makes their love that much stronger.
While I absolutely enjoy Ty and Zane, I’m happy that Nick and Kelly while still getting into trouble all the damn time, like their brother series companions; their love story is softer, different. So readers get to see the other side of romance and a relationship from Roux who is no doubt, an amazing writer.
Narrated by Brock Thompson and my favorite thing about his voice is the native Bostonian accent he nails, flawlessly. Nick’s partner on the force had me in stitches with his tone and attitude, one of my favorite lines in the book came from him…
“Is it even sex with you two? Or just, sparring?”
His tones and inflections were spot on, emotion evident with changes in the mood of the story. Most importantly, he really conveys Kelly’s easy going nature, the calmer attitude that Kelly possesses that keeps Nick grounded.
Fans of Abigail Roux’s Cut & Run series will surely enjoy this series. Folks that enjoy a good mystery, flying by the seat of your pants, passionate and emotional connections between your MC’s will enjoy this book as well.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts (because Portia won’t let me give 10)
Blurb: Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have managed the impossible: a few months of peace and quiet. After nearly a year of personal and professional turmoil, they’re living together conflict-free, work is going smoothly, and they’re both happy, healthy, and home every night before dark. But anyone who knows them knows that can’t possibly last.
When an emergency call from home upsets the balance of their carefully arranged world, Ty and Zane must juggle family drama with a perplexing crime to save a helpless victim before time runs out.
From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears—and their families—to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world.
The sage in bloom is like perfume Ty’s cologne makes Zane’s hands roam
Deep in the heart of Texas
Reminds me of the one that I love
Deep in the heart of Texas
The coyotes wail tigers growl and are on the prowl
Deep in the heart of Texas
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas
Ty The cowboys cries, “Ki yippee yi!” (while he rides Zane on the couch)
Deep in the heart of Texas
The dogies bawl and bawl and bawl The horse don’t like Ty though he tries and tries
Deep in the heart of Texas
The stars at night are big and bright Gun shots ring and bullets zing
Deep in the heart of Texas
The prairie sky is wide and high Ty and Zane fight through the pain
Deep in the heart of Texas
So, a little bit of an unconventional review here, but I thought it was perfect for the unconventional coupling that is Tyler Grady and Xander Garrett. In this latest installment of the Cut and Run series, Ty and Zane take a vacation and accompany each other to their homes. It’s time to meet the parent’s boys!
Ty basically cut and ran when he was old enough, joining the military and putting himself in one dangerous situation after another. When he finally tells his parents that Zane is more than just his partner at work, he is his partner at home; it doesn’t get the reception he thought it would. Mom and Pops don’t mind him being gay, they are just pissed that Ty thought he had to run away rather than tell them.
If Zane was hoping for the same reaction, what he gets is mixed. The people who matter don’t mind, aside from his mother, who Zane has never had any type of relationship with. And let me just say, what this bitch does at the end of the book pisses me off to no end. Lord forgive me, but in the shootout at the OK corral I wish she would have been a casualty of war.
It took me about an hour to get used to the new narrator as the books that were published through DSP had a different person telling the stories. Once I warmed to Harding the story took off and I was so engrossed I could not put down my iPod. All the elements I have come to love about these two men and the borderline psychotic lives they led were there, just under a different voice. I enjoyed how Harding was able to give each character their own distinct voice and still add emotion to the voices.
Of course if you are a Ty and Zane fan you’ll absolutely love this story. Action packed and nonstop from the first letter until the last. Ty and Zane are a special kind of crazy and one of these days they are going to figure out that they anchor each other. The storyline was brilliant, what is it about Ty and large, demented cats?
I had a blast getting to know both men’s families, aside from mommy dearest who can take a long walk off a short pier. Emotional, not only intriguing but completely engrossing, edge of your seat shenanigans that I have come to expect with these two men.
Oh but my favorite part is how these two love each other with every fiber of their being. So passionate, enigmatic and dangerous.
Definitely a must listen series. You can’t just jump right in though. Sorry, you must start at the beginning. And now I’m off to start the next book and see if Ty and Zane can blow up the White House, or something equally scandalous.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Home from their unexpected deployment, the former members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder rejoin their loved ones and try to pick up the pieces of the lives they were forced to leave behind. Ty Grady comes home to Zane Garrett, only to find that everything around him has changed—even the men he went to war with. He barely has time to adjust before his brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man. But that isn’t all Deuce asks Ty to do, and Ty must call for backup to deal with the business issues of Deuce’s future father-in-law.
Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott join Ty and Zane at the wedding on an island in Scotland, thinking they’re there to assuage Deuce’s paranoia. But when bodies start dropping and boats start sinking, the four men get more involved with the festivities than they’d ever planned to.
With the clock ticking and the killer just as stuck on the isolated island as they are, Ty and Zane must navigate a veritable minefield of family, friends, and foes to stop the whole island from being destroyed.
Review: When Ty’s brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man at this wedding… in Scotland… all expenses paid, Ty and Zane welcome the almost vacation from their otherwise chaotic lives. Having just returned from a six month deployment, Ty comes home with more baggage than what he carries in his Sea bag. He isn’t back two days when their boss calls both men into their office and tells them that since Zane is now in a Supervisory role, they can no longer be partners.
Furthermore, since their relationship is now out in the open, Mac wants to transfer one of them to another state. Ty does the only reasonable thing he can think of, he quits. The one thing Ty is no longer willing to do is put his job before his lover.
The call from Ty’s brother, Deuce, comes at the perfect time. An all-expenses paid trip to Scotland for a week to be Deuce’s best man with a plus one. Providing security for his niece should be a breeze, right? Come on now, this is Ty, Zane, Nick and Kelly we are talking about. Wrong!
The tension between Ty and Nick is thick, Nick still fuming over events that happened in NOLA. When the bodies start piling up, the two men have to put their differences aside if they want to survive. No one is safe, and to spite having four of the most dangerous men in the world on the island with a crazy killer, the bodies continue to drop, at a maddening pace.
Stuck on an island in Scotland sounds like a dream, right? Again, wrong! A storm knocks out the phones and internet, a tree falls on the boathouse and all the boats are either destroyed or drift out to sea in the sub-zero waters, Zane’s laptop has been fried.
Murphy’s Law should probably be redefined in Webster’s dictionary to Grady’s law. Their bonds of friendship, loyalty and love are put to the test as the four men race against time to figure out who the killer is and whether or not this is about Deuce’s future in-laws, or a threat that is far closer to home.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph… you seriously cannot take these two anywhere, and after the last couple of books, I’m convinced that Nick and Kelly aren’t far behind that statement. Once again Roux delivers an action packed, non-stop, thrill ride of a story. It’s intense, suspenseful, passionate and completely engaging.
I was reminded of the movie Clue while listening to this book. Between the storm, the bodies piling up, so many possible suspects, the hilarity that ensues during it all. I can assure you that it was not the cook, since she is in the kitchen with the knife, in her back. In the midst of the madness, Ty is trying to convince Zane to marry him.
I think I would have to agree with Zane, stuck on a deserted island with a killer(s) in their midst, not conducive for a happy engagement. Hell, they aren’t even sure they’ll survive long enough to attend the wedding they came to Scotland for.
JF Harding continues his narration of this motley crew. I love that he continually carries the same accents and tones from one book to the next for all the recurring characters. He also has the ability to convey the characters emotions at any given time to fit the words with the mood of the story. Let me just say, this book probably has the most secondary characters of any in the series thus far, and you can hear a distinct difference in each and every character.
Definitely a must read series, especially if you like the strong, overbearing alpha male type, and want to read or listen to a story where both men have those characteristics so you can see how the navigate a relationship and try to stay on a level playing field. The relationship between Ty and Zane the way they balance each other out, it’s something amazing to behold. Not to mention that hot, monkey sex on the carpet by the fire. Yowza!!!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have Cardeno C. and two of her new audiobooks stopping by today. We have More Than Everything and The One Who Saves Me, we have audio clips of each book, there’s a fantastic giveaway and Tams reviews both audiobooks, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
More Than Everything
Narrated by: Ezekiel Robison
(Family Collection)
by
Cardeno C.
Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.
As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.
Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.
Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.
At 14, Andrew Thompson and Caleb Lakes become best friends. As the years pass, they stand by each other through family trauma, school, and the start of their careers. They share their first sexual experiences, learning and experimenting, and they talk each other through countless dates and breakups.
Decades of trust and loyalty build a deep and abiding friendship, one that surpasses any relationship in their lives. But when the parameters of their unique friendship change, neither man knows how to break out of their established roles to build something new. After all, boyfriends come and go, but best friends are forever.
Blurb: Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.
As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.
Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.
Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.
Review: Charlie Rhodes is in his thirties, going through the motions in life. Work, sleep, eat… he loves to dance, always has, but his love of dancing is the only love that has stayed with him through life. Charlie has loved two men, his high school sweetheart Scott, and a college lover Adan. When push came to shove, both men walked out of Charlie’s life without as much as a backwards glance. When his sister is killed, Charlie becomes the sole guardian for his young niece and nephew. In a strange twist of fate, it’s this traumatic time in his life when love reappears.
Scott Boone realized he was in love with his best friend and neighbor, Charlie Rhodes, the night of prom when instead of wanting to kiss his date; he wanted to rush home and kiss Charlie. The two make promises to each other that can only be broken at such a young, tender age. And that is exactly what happens when Scott moves to Nevada to be a closer to his little sister.
Adan Navarro is a player. He meets them, beds them, then gets up and walks away. Something is different about Chase Rhodes from the start though. Adan finds himself watching, admiring, wanting more for the first time. But when push comes to shove and Chase needs Adan to voice his feelings, he too walks out of Chase’s life.
The three points converge when Charlie moves to Nevada to care for his sister’s children after her death. The only two men he ever loved, the men that left him alone and killed Charlie’s need to be loved, roll back into his life like a tornado, threatening to destroy Charlie emotionally. It really is a small world after all when the two loves of one man’s life wind up together.
The story is told mainly through Charlie Chase Rhodes POV as he puts together a scrapbook of his life. The good, the bad, the ugly and the happy ever after Charlie feared he would never have. From the first day he looked out his bedroom window and fell hard for Scott, to the day Scott left him alone and broken-hearted. Meeting Adan and going from skeptical to happy that his heart was big enough to love another man, only to be broken in half again when he too walks away.
The death of his sister, one of the hardest times in Charlie’s life, a time that morphs into so much more when Scott and Adan walk through his front door and stake their claim, refuse to let Charlie go ever again. Oh he fights them, every step of the way, makes them prove that they love him and won’t ever hurt him again. What Scott and Adan give him is love, commitment, security and a family… it is more than everything.
Narrated by Ezekiel Robison and I really enjoy his style of storytelling. It took me a few minutes to get used to the voice he gave Charlie. He is flamboyant, full of life and energy, the kind of person you want to be around because his joy just spreads over everything.
The twist on that, what really sold me on the choice of tone for Charlie was how Robison really brought Charlie’s pain to life after losing both men. Having the ability to convey that pain and hurt by literally bringing down Charlie’s voice much in the way CC brought the character down for a while there. Adan is the most accretive character so it made sense that Robison gave him a deeper, more commanding voice. Scott is the glue that holds them together, his tone was more neutral, and again fitting the way the character was written.
There is a good deal of angst and drama in this story; heartache and pain. But the balance is the happy times Charlie has with Scott, the two of them learning about and exploring their sexuality, together. Adan charging into Charlie’s life like a bull in a china shop, only to find temperance through Charlie.
My favorite aspect of the story was the semantics of their relationship toward the end. Scott and Adan are very successful with their law firm, could afford any of the riches life has to offer. But what they want, what makes them happy is to support Charlie and the kids, create a safe place for them, become a family and build a home.
Definitely a must listen story, I’m certain it would read just as well. But the narration really brought each character to life and gave them a distinct voice.
Either way, I highly recommend.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Touch & Geaux Series: Cut & Run, #7 Author: Abigail Roux Narrator: J.F. Harding Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: 8 hours and 52 minutes Publisher: Riptide Publishing (12-15-15) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: After having their faces plastered across the news during a high-profile case, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have become more useful to the Bureau posing for photo ops than working undercover.
Just as Zane is beginning to consider retirement a viable option, Ty receives a distress call from a friend, leading them to a city rife with echoes from the past.
New Orleans wears its history on its streets, and it’s the one place Ty’s face could get him killed. Surrounded by trouble as soon as they land, Ty and Zane are swiftly confronted with a past from which Ty can’t hide—one with a surprising connection to Zane’s.
As threats close in from all directions, both men must come to terms with the lives they’ve led and the lies they’ve told.
They soon discover that not all their secrets are out yet, and nothing lasts forever.
Product Link: http://amzn.to/1Qzjfbu
Reviewer: Tams
Review: Special agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have been through a lot over the last decade, walked different paths until they eventually crossed. But Zane is about to find out that their paths actually crossed years before they became partners in the FBI, as well as some closely guarded secrets his lover would rather he not know.
Ty Grady may be a certifiable son of a bitch, but is loyal to a fault. So when his best friend and former team member, Nick O’Flaherty, calls that he and Doc are in trouble, of course Ty drops everything and rushes to the last place on earth he ever wanted to be again… New Orleans.
Years ago when Ty was still on the force, he did an undercover stint in NOLA and didn’t leave on the best of terms. The city is all around a bad omen for Ty and his Sidewinder team mates, and several bad decisions are about to come back to try to kill them.
Zane is completely, totally, one hundred and ten percent in love with his partner. Of course the feelings are reciprocated, but Ty is a master manipulator that has redefined the definition of the words truth and lies.
Both men are about to learn exactly how far they can be pushed before they break, how far they are willing to go for one another, and all I can tell you is… it is not pretty. Roux could have easily titled this series Murphy’s Law, because whatever can go wrong most definitely will if it involves Ty and Zane.
Lord, but this book almost gave me a damn heart attack! There was a little bit of grown man angst that had me wanting to pull Zane through my iPod and smack him around a little, but thankfully, he pulled his head out of the nether regions eventually.
That being said, I could completely understand why he was livid with Ty. It is a thin line between a moral obligation to the man you profess to love, the man you want to spend the rest of your life with, and being sworn to secrecy by your boss. And even though at the end of the day Ty and Zane are smart enough to figure out what is important and fight for it, I don’t think all the secrets have truly been shared.
Narrated by J.F. Harding and I love that I am already associating his voice to these characters after just one book. It read more like a continuation for me between Harding’s attention to details with the tones and nuances he has given the guys, and bringing them smoothly over to this story, and the story picking back up right where Stars & Stripes left off. Harding captured every emotion that poured of Roux’s words in this story.
There were some seriously emotional and devastating aspects to this book and I could almost feel Ty and Zane’s pain when they spoke.
This book will put you through the ringer. It’s emotional and heavy, but it’s passionate and real as well. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat at work while listening. There were a couple of times I was so engrossed that I sat with my fingers perched over the keyboard, staring blindly at the monitor because all I could concentrate on was Ty and Zane.
I highly recommend this book/series if you enjoy highly detailed stories where the world and the characters are so real while you listen, that you not only become invested, you are embedded in their fictional lives, anxiously awaiting the next installment.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *