Hi guys! We have Liz Borino stopping by today with her new re-release Angel’s Intuition, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Angel’s Intuition
by
Liz Borino
Without explanation, CIA officials pull Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins off a top-secret Afghanistan mission he’s spent months preparing for. Due to repeated deceptions, Aaron’s husband, Captain Jordan Collins, decides to retire after this deployment.
Major General Troy Hart inserts himself into Aaron’s life, somehow getting past his personal barriers and better judgment. When Troy, in his capacity as a high-ranking officer, delivers some devastating news about Jordan, he becomes the only one who supports Aaron’s search for the truth. Unbeknownst to Aaron, Jordan and Troy’s dark history taints everything about the present.
Jordan awakens in an Afghanistan prison, beaten, ill, and fighting for his life. To get home to his Angel he must put his trust in a woman he was taught to fear.
When the mystery of Jordan’s disappearance is solved, another surfaces. Jordan and Aaron’s unauthorized search for the truth calls into question everything they thought they knew, until all they trust is each other. But exposing the wrong people threatens to bring their worst nightmares to fruition.
Warning: scenes of captivity and torture, and references to violent death.
Previously released 2015 as Angel’s Intuition. Previously released 2014 under the titles: Angel’s Hero, and, Angel’s Truth.
Hi guys, we have Liz Borino popping in today with her new release Lucky Cowboy, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Lucky Cowboy
(Ace Cowboy 01)
by
Liz Borino
Childhood friends and lost loves.
A former horse trainer turned stockbroker, Ryder Christensen planned to spend the rest of his life with Sal—the man he had grown up and fallen in love with. But nowadays, Ryder only has two things in that make him happy: his daughter, and his poker-playing. One night, he comes home to find his daughter dead. Then the loan sharks come knocking.
Back to square one…
Salvatore Lewis has spent the last six years running his late parents’ ranch in Tryon, North Carolina. Between work on the ranch and helping his brother recover from an accident, Sal has almost gotten his old boyfriend out of his head. So, the last thing he needs is Ryder strolling back into his life. Sal tries to stay away, he really does. But the magnetism between the two men is undeniable.
Danger closes in…
Within a month, Ryder’s taking care of Sal’s horses, and the ranch-owner can’t believe they’re getting a second shot at happiness together. But there’s more to Ryder’s sudden return than he’s letting on. As Ryder and Sal’s relationship blossoms, Ryder’s past in New York comes back to demand more than he has to give. Will Ryder be able to protect his new life from the threat that destroyed his old one?
Warning: scenes of violence and references to the death of a child
Hi peeps, we have Liz Borino stopping by now with her newest release Secrets of Nothing, we have a great excerpt, some random fun facts about Liz, a brilliant giveaway & Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Secrets of Nothing
(Secrets 03)
by
Liz Borino
After several months overseas, Rhett and Kaden O’Neil fantasize about a return to their version of normalcy. However, the FBI mission shows no signs of completion and the men are forced to wait.
Just when Rhett reaches the end of his patience, a single phone call shatters his world. His beloved grandfather’s plane disappeared. No tracking. No landing. No crash site.
Nothing.
Rhett now must unravel the lies in place to protect him so he can help his family. And not even the risk to his own life will stop him.
Hi guys we’re join now by Liz Borino who is showing off her latest release No Time For Secrets the second book in the Secrets series, we have a short excerpt and Tams review for you to enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
No Time For Secrets
(Secrets 02)
by
Liz Borino
Three years after his family’s Secrets in the Air rocked Rhett O’Neil’s world, they crash it down – with disastrous consequences.
With the FBI missions expanding overseas and Kaden leaving his job, Rhett and his grandfather agree – despite reservations – to give Annabelle the chance to take a more active role in the charter airline business. Unfortunately, a bird strike prevents the successful completion of her test flight.
After Rhett ditches near a deserted island, the family must survive against the elements, and each another. Innocent mistakes jeopardize the life of one of their own, leaving No Time for Secrets.
Hey peeps, today we are bringing you a double feature with a triple review!!! Yep three of my minions got to read this delicious mini-series and they will be giving you their thoughts on it, we also have a post from the author Liz Borino……. So I am leaving you in the capable hands of Tams, Cat & Gigi with a quick word from Liz 🙂 ~Pixie~ (ps I might have also sneaked in a chat the girls were having about Angel’s Hero LOL)
Liz Borino:
Flawed Heroes
Remember the days when the knight in shining armor came galloping in on his white horse and saved the heroine from all that was wrong in her world? Sexy, right?
*Crickets*
Yeah. I don’t think so, either. But sexy or not, the trope doesn’t work for M/M romance. We’ve now got two heroes. Are they both supposed to be wealthy, funny, self-reliant, confident, chiseled, sensitive, yet macho? …I’m bored. Are you? Good. Let’s move on.
The question becomes why are we bored? I’ve heard many theories on the root of reader preferences, but I’ve always ascribed to the school of realism. Readers, and therefore writers, need to believe in their characters to invest the time with them. If we can’t see their humanity on the page, we’ll struggle to get lost in the world. So, how do we do this?
Think about the heroes you know in your real life, best friend, spouse. Are they flawless? No, likely not… even if they disagree. More likely, they have just the right characteristics – good and bad – to complement yours. So too is it with your characters. That means, if you have one hero with OCD who absolutely must control everything, his partner should probably be laid-back.
Every good quality has its drawback. Exploit both. Hero ambitious? He probably doesn’t have much time for his personal life or workout routine. Something has to be sacrificed.
Most important, remember that what you see as a flaw might be someone else’s idea of perfection. Someone’s got to be buying all the white knights.
CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins doesn’t take many things on faith. He trusts his gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain. When his commanding officers deliver news of Jordan’s death, Aaron needs proof. The facts don’t add up, and Aaron must decide if he can trust Major General Troy Hart to assist in his quest to discover the truth.
Captain Jordan Collins is battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison, but definitely not dead, though he learns his own government believes he is. His only mission now is to stay alive and make it home to Angel, if he can find an ally among the enemy. But someone in the US government will stop at nothing to make sure he never leaves that prison, And Jordan must reevaluate the lines between friend and foe if he is ever to return to his Angel. Amazon
Angel’s Truth
Book Two in the Angel Series Out March 12!
*Please Note: These Books Must Be Read In Order*
Blurb: “Freeze or I’ll shoot!” Aaron yelled and aimed the gun at Jordan’s chest.
“Angel, no, please.” Hacking fluid-filled coughs broke up Jordan’s words.
“Jordan?” Aaron whispered his name as recognition painted a mural of memories of their life together on his face.
“Yes.” He coughed red into his dirty hand. “Please help.”
So begins Angel’s Truth, the sequel to Angel’s Hero. Army Captain Jordan Collins arrives home, only to find the man responsible for his imprisonment, torture, and near-execution with his husband. Had his Angel moved on without him?
Aaron “Angel” Collins has driven his family and friends away in his quest to learn the truth of Jordan’s fate, leaving only Major General Troy Hart willing to help him. When Jordan miraculously returns, with a spirit more broken than his body, Aaron realizes Hart was really a liar with an agenda of his own. Aaron is unable to take time to heal his own emotional wounds, because he and Jordan learn Hart’s betrayal is even greater than they originally believed, threatening the entire nation. Now the reunited couple must race against time to keep a promise to Jordan’s savior and prevent Hart from bringing terrorism once again to American soil.
Bio: Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
Blurb: CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins doesn’t take many things on faith. He trusts his gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain. When his commanding officers deliver news of Jordan’s death, Aaron needs proof. The facts don’t add up, and Aaron must decide if he can trust Major General Troy Hart to assist in his quest to discover the truth.
Captain Jordan Collins is battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison, but definitely not dead, though he learns his own government believes he is. His only mission now is to stay alive and make it home to Angel, if he can find an ally among the enemy. But someone in the US government will stop at nothing to make sure he never leaves that prison, And Jordan must reevaluate the lines between friend and foe if he is ever to return to his Angel.
Aaron (Angel) and Jordan Collins have been inseparable since they met, unless they were on assignment. As the story in this first book unfolds, the reader is taken back and forth to when they first met, their first date, their wedding and through current events of separation and anxiety as everyone tries to convince Aaron that Jordan has been killed in Afghanistan. But Angel is not convinced, it doesn’t “feel” right to him. So he sets out to prove that his husband, is in fact, very much alive.
The story is also told from both mens POV. Angel is struggling with the possible death of his husband, he refuses to believe it is true. And something doesn’t sit well with him about the events that led up to Jordan being deployed either. Angel was supposed to go on the mission and was pulled at the last minute. And now he has a new boss, Troy, who seems to be very interested in more than just a work relationship with Angel.
Jordan is seriously injured and being tortured in an Afghanistan prison after being betrayed by someone he should have been able to trust. But who was it? Friends become enemies, and enemies become allies, but in his pain induced haze, who can he really trust. The one thing, the only thing that keeps him going is getting home to his Angel.
The writing was a little raw, but I definitely see potential there. And the plot was fantastic, I had no trouble keeping up and the story kept my interest throughout. Angel and Jordan’s love story slowly unfolded in flashbacks told in alternating chapters, which broke up the dramatic issues Angel and Jordan were both dealing with in the present. And I knew there was a snake in the grass from the start. I am so sorry that you have to wait until March to read the conclusion of their story, I will say it will be worth it.
The chemistry between these two is evident, I could have handled a little more detail for certain scenes, but the passion is there. If you like you men in uniform, you will get that in spades here! Book 2, Angel’s Truth, is scheduled to release March 14th so mark your calendars.
Cat’s Review: 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
This is the first book and boy oh boy how to start a series! I will warn you be prepared to get the second one!
Angel is a CIA agent and works with his lover Jordan an army Captain. This story is written in such an intriguing way. It tells some of what is going on now, a very secret mission, and recalls things about their past, how they met etc. I fell in love with both men immediately. They have a love and connection to be envied. I would give anything to have what these two men have, and the author captures it in such a powerful way. Both men are very professional and strong and their love exceeds all else. The story line was also very captivating. I’m not real big on military stories but this one is fabulous. It’s not overly political and the mystery is riveting. I was very surprised at the ending and was very happy I had the next book ready to roll.
I will say and I hope this isn’t a spoiler, that there was something going on with Troy, that I cringed about through the story and was happy I was wrong about Angel on that account. It made me like Angel even more and Troy even less.
I highly recommend this if you like military suspense, covert operations, CIA agents, Army Captains ( yes we have hot men in uniforms and suits) a love to die for and a surprise ending.
Gigi’s Review: 4 ♥♥♥♥ Hearts
Liz delivers military suspense in a fast paced and engaging manner. Through a series of chapter by chapter flashbacks from past to present we’re introduced to the characters of Aaron and Jordan in their current military deployment and the past events of how they met. Once all hell breaks loose and Jordan’s situation is known, we volley back and forth until the two time lines converge and the action gets going high speed. I feel like I want to know Aaron more, and I was not quite sure of his history, if any with Troy before Jordan’s deployment, but that’s just a small hitch. The supporting characters of Adeela and Jordan’s dad Elliot, make the story stronger. I find I like Adeela a lot!
Throughout the story we have flashbacks that give us the back ground of how Aaron and Jordan meet, fall in love and of how strong their commitment is to each other. Because of this I never thought, even for a second, that Aaron would fall to Troy’s clutches, and I couldn’t understand why Troy ever thought he would. I was just desperate for Jordan to come home.
At the end of the book we are left in the peak of the action with Jordan appearing at his home, beat, battered and bloody. When Aaron, busy fending off Troys’ advances, hears someone entering his home, he draws his weapon, prepared to disarm the bloodied intruder, until he recognizes the man he loves. So many questions linger, who really allowed Jordan to be captured? We suspect Troy all along, but why did he do it? And is he acting alone?
Angel’s Hero was a fun puzzle, a fast paced read, and a bit of a nail biting adventure wondering how and if Jordan would escape. The sexual content was detailed when necessary, but often that content was implied as the relationship developed. Another highly entertaining read by Liz Borino, be sure to have book two queued up and ready!
Tams: I enjoyed how the story jumped back and forth, and the author made sure you knew where it was going at the start of each chapter. Was it easy for you guys to follow?
Cat:Yes. I loved how it switched views so fluidly. I actually prefer this style of writing, as I love to know each Character. I loved both of these men and the special connection they have!
Gigi:The author made it very clear when a flash back/forward occurred either by stating it in the beginning of the chapter or changing text form italics to normative. Very easy to follow, I enjoyed the eventual meeting in the middle/present that occurred.
Tams:I smelled a rat from the start, I knew Troy was up to no good. Did you think he was just trying to be a friend, or overstepping his boundaries?
Cat:Oh no. Troy scared me. I smelled a rat too I knew he was bad news. I would shout for Angel to beware of Troy. Hubby got tired of hearing me yell NO! and Watch OUT.
Gigi:It was a bit easy to see that this guy was a sleaseball. Sorry, what friend tries to step into another’s shoes so soon after a tragic death? And what history did Troy and Angel have to make Troy assume his advances would be welcome?
Tams:I loved the way Jordan loved Angel. So fierce and unwavering, it was my favourite aspect of the story. What was yours?
Cat:It was that love for me too. I’d kill for a special connection ad a love of that high calibre.
Gigi: Angel’s own self worth, the fact that he knew he deserved answers and deserved the man he fought so hard to bring home. There was not a lot of “woe is me” going on. I like characters with a strong backbone.
Tams: What did you guys think of the book overall?
Cat:I loved it. I especially loved the flashbacks, to see how they met and how their love unfolded and I found it very hot and sensual though most actual sex was off the page. Thes two men made me swoon.
Gigi:I like seeing commitment, and the struggles that realistically come with it. I’m a lover of angst and seeing love conquer all….yes I’m a sappy hopeless romantic. This book provided that for me.
Tams: Final thoughts ladies?
Cat: I actually loved the chemistry and didn’t need more detail. I found it written well enough I could imagine the passion there. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending figuring it would be a cliff-hanger. It made me hungry for the next book.
Gigi: Keep the men in uniform coming!
Title: Angel’s Truth
Series: Angel book 02
Author: Liz Borino
Genre: Contemporary, Military Romance
Length: Novella (64 pgs)
ISBN: 9781612581255
Publisher: Lazy Day publishing (March 14th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 2/3 Hearts
Reviewer’s: Tams, Cat & Gigi
Blurb:*Please Note: These Books Must Be Read In Order*
“Freeze or I’ll shoot!” Aaron yelled and aimed the gun at Jordan’s chest.
“Angel, no, please.” Hacking fluid-filled coughs broke up Jordan’s words.
“Jordan?” Aaron whispered his name as recognition painted a mural of memories of their life together on his face.
“Yes.” He coughed red into his dirty hand. “Please help.”
So begins Angel’s Truth, the sequel to Angel’s Hero. Army Captain Jordan Collins arrives home, only to find the man responsible for his imprisonment, torture, and near-execution with his husband. Had his Angel moved on without him?
Aaron “Angel” Collins has driven his family and friends away in his quest to learn the truth of Jordan’s fate, leaving only Major General Troy Hart willing to help him. When Jordan miraculously returns, with a spirit more broken than his body, Aaron realizes Hart was really a liar with an agenda of his own. Aaron is unable to take time to heal his own emotional wounds, because he and Jordan learn Hart’s betrayal is even greater than they originally believed, threatening the entire nation. Now the reunited couple must race against time to keep a promise to Jordan’s savior and prevent Hart from bringing terrorism once again to American soil.
Purchase Link: Review based off an ARC copy, no purchase links available yet.
Tams Review:5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
Angel and Jordan Collins are reunited after weeks apart with everyone believing that Jordan had died in an Iraqi prison. Everyone but Angel, he never stopped believing his husband was alive. He alienated most of his friends and family in the process. But Major General Troy Hart was there, a shoulder for Angel to cry on. Turns out Hart had his own agenda all along.
With Jordan back home safe and in Angel’s arms they can breathe easy, right? Wrong! Jordan is suffering slight symptoms of PTSD that are fuelled by anger and jealously. He doesn’t even want to think about what Hart could have done to his beloved Angel if he hadn’t come home when he did. And the US military is threatening to court marshal him due to circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and subsequent escape.
Angel is by his side through it all. Their love for each other and the strength they gain from that love is only enhanced by their devotion to their country. First they have to contend with the threat at home to themselves, their families and their country. Then they have to go back to where it all started to try and rescue the Iraqi woman that risked everything to get Jordan home to his Angel.
Everything comes full circle in this installment. Everyone’s true intentions are laid out on the table and all the questions I had after Hero were answered. Not to be corny, but the truth comes out. Were the first book sort of skimmed some of the more serious aspects, this book fully explored and explained them. Nonstop action and some serious drama kept a steady pace throughout. If this is the end of this series, it definitely gave closure and ended well. But I would love to see Angel and Jordan sitting on the back porch, covered in grandchildren saying no and stop that!
Cat’s Review: 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ Hearts
This is book two in this series and you should read them in order.
Jordan has returned from being a POW and not sure of his fate since his escape was very unorthodox. Angel believes him and his eager to help him get his life back so they can move on.
Jordan’s PTSD is harder on both men than they expected it to be and Jordan fears he could lose Angel as well as end up back in jail if they can’t prove who is behind this and keep him from being court martialled.
I have to say I absolutely loved this story. I was intrigued with book one but this one was just as nail-biting. A couple unexpected twists left me breathless in anticipation. As in the first book the love between these two men was so sexy and breath-taking though its mostly off the page. The author’s style makes it as good as if you had it blow by blow. I found it very sensual and sexy.
I highly recommend it if you like Nail-biting military suspense, Cia agents, covert operations, sensual off page sex and loving relationships that endure hell.
Gigi’s Review: 4 ♥♥♥♥ Hearts
We pick up this story in the heat of the action, Jordan has just staggered home after getting out of Afghanistan by questionable means. Once Aaron gets past the shock of seeing his dead husband returned, and once Jordan is cleared medically, Aaron is left to pick up the pieces. Jordan wants to know for sure who was behind his capture and why? He also needs to clear his name and avoid a courts marshall because of how he managed to escape his captivity as a POW.
Aaron is seething mad because the only person who supported him when he refused to believe in his husband’s death, was Troy Hart, the very man Jordan swears is behind this whole deadly game. One tiny glitch in the very start of this book involved Troy. When Jordan arrives home, Troy and Aaron are inside his house, and once the action develops, suddenly Troy is outside Aaron and Jordan’s door and just seems to disappear. Maybe fleshing that out in subsequent edits will help clarify, but I can easily get past it.
The book centers around the covert ways Aaron and Jordan investigate the situation and pry information from Troy. All the while they are both coping with both physical and psychological damage from Jordan’s time as a POW. Can they manage to heal, or will Jordan’s dependency and flashbacks take it’s toll on their relationship?
One of my favorite supporting characters returns in this story, Adeela, the nurse who helped Jordan escape Afghanistan, and she’s ready to do whatever it takes to aid Jordan in solving this crime. Getting herself out of Afghanistan before the US military strikes and even the innocent civilians including her become casualties of war, becomes a priority. She’s one tough nurse, and I’m thrilled by what developments the story holds to include her in Jordan and Aaron’s life!
Again, Liz Borino provides us with nail biting, down to the wire excitement. As far as sexual content, it’s there when it needs to be, but otherwise suggested when details aren’t necessary. Never a dull moment, and I thoroughly enjoyed both books.
Blurb:New beginnings are exciting, but we can rarely outrun our pasts. Steve Michaels and Zack Greene pack up their newly extended family and move to New York City with their nanny, Drew, and his two kids. Having recently been hired to write for a BDSM show, Steve and Zack use their loving Dom/sub relationship for some experience with the lifestyle, but they need a consultant to fill in the blanks. Alex a local Dom/club owner can do just that. Everything is going smoothly until Rich, an ex-producer from Ben’s Life and the man who tried to ruin Zack, tries to get a job on the same show. And that’s only the beginning of it. Zack and Steve offered Drew an opportunity of a lifetime working for them. When Alex shows up for the first meeting with Zack and Steve, Drew realizes he didn’t leave his past behind after all. This becomes more true when his ex comes back wanting to see the kids. Can Drew trust Alex to help him get over his past? Can Steve manage to keep Zack safe from the man who has haunted him for so long? Find out what happens Behind the Scenes!
Review: This story is a continuation of The Mine series (https://www.goodreads.com/series/97138-mine )by Liz Borino. I do suggest you read the other series in order to completely understand this one.
I really liked this story a lot. I like Steve and Zach. I like that they have a sort of D’s relationship though it isn’t a traditional one. They are just learning and taking it in stages. I have to say I like how they are getting help and learning to do this all safely and how the book explains some of the play such as wax play and suspension. I found it quite intriguing. I liked how Alex is working with them on their screenplay and also in their personal life. This brings me to Alex. I really loved him. He is hot and sexy, yet also kind-hearted and loving.
I liked how Alex was used to help strengthen the story and connections between Steve and Zach and Drew. Though I wasn’t quite sure how Drew got hired and met Steve and Zach. I guess I need to reread the last book in the other series. I do love Drew. He also adds a lighthearted sense of humour to the story and he and Alex are hot together.
I loved that this story touched more on D/s in the BDSM world, and actually had some more to it than just the hands above the head or a light spanking. I really liked how the sex scenes are handle they are hot and steamy then continue off the page. I like that it’s not overdone on the actual sex acts. To me that makes it very sexy and sensual with both Alex/.Drew and Steve/Zack.
This was like getting two books in one with all that is going on in the two families… There is a bit of mystery and suspense when both Drew and Zach’s past come back to haunt both families. This does add lots of mystery and intrigue though it doesn’t touch a lot on it. In my opinion, I think both of these stories should have been split into two books and the mystery dealt a little more into the stories. Then again, the end did make me ready to grab the next book!
If you like screenwriters, actors, mystery/suspense, loving D’s relationships, bondage, wax-play, needle-play, hot, sensuous, mansex and an ending that leaves you wanting more, this is for you!
Blurb:Family is what you make it. Keeping it together is often more complicated than we realize. With the man who stabbed Zack still on the loose, in reaction to his fear Zack becomes even more dependent on his submissive role in his marriage. This leaves the whole family, especially his husband, Steve, reeling.
Darren, Drew’s abusive ex, won’t let them heal in peace. Darren goes from soiling Drew’s name in the media to harassing his current partner, Alex, until he finally takes the one thing the family can’t afford to lose.
Double Exposure tells a story of a family who have every reason to run, but come through all their trials with hope and love. And a little help from the kink that brought them together
Review: If you like good erotica, Liz Borino is the master. Both of these authors take sex scenes to a new level. This story has sex all through it, but it never seems to get old or felt like porn on pare. It’s seamless and so sensual and erotic. Even the BDSM is just enough to make you squirm and swoon it is definitely not vanilla BDSM like a light tap on the butt or just hands over your head. This delves into the D/s lifestyle and club though the main characters have their own spin on the lifestyle.
There is some mystery and intrigue and again this doesn’t upstage the romance and erotic vibe of these stories yet adds another layer of depth and emotion to the characters involved.
I was absolutely shocked at a twist near the end with Drew and Alex. I most definitely did not see this one coming, well actually shocked by two things near the end and the very end with these two. I can’t wait for the next book.
If you like erotica, movie stars, club owners, screen-writers, BDSM, knife play, wax play, suspension, bondage, D/s, teenage love, cute babies, sweet dogs and cats and some pretty hot yet sensual mansex this is for you!
Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing (October 23rd, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥4
Blurb: For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant, “come home alive,” but will their love survive what happens next?
Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his Army contract. Mike agrees, and they spend a year building a life together, getting married, and starting a business.
Only days before their café’s grand opening, Mike receives news that threatens everything he and Will have built. The Army invokes the Stop Loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas. Will, left alone to cope with the café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy. Through emails and Skype calls, Mike and Will keep their love and structure alive…until the day a horrific terrorist attack occurs on Mike’s outpost.
Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no memory of the attack. As the only survivor, Mike’s memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles to support the man who always held him up. Both fear they have lost their previous relationship. Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before? Especially when those closest to them may not have their best interests at heart?
*Contains BDSM elements in the context of a loving relationship.
Review: I’m an avid reader of stories and romances with BDSM content. And what I’m usually drawn to in that is the D/s elements. SO, I found this story of bartender meets military officer fascinating. It contains not only a dominating, totally lovingly controlling soldier with OCD, and an otherwise independent spirit waiting to be harnessed by love.
Captain Mike Kelley picks up Will in a bar and later takes him home, but from there the predictable outcome takes a diversion. The friendship lasts months before Mike drops the Domestic Discipline issue on Will. And even after dealing with his no intimacy before relationships and crazy OCD tendencies, Will is intrigued and interested enough to do his homework. What he finds is that he’s drawn to this mutual contract, drawn to having Mike order his life, lovingly and respectfully of course. His only hang-up is his discomfort for the military and Mike’s career risking their relationship, risking Mike’s life. His one and only hang-up is to make sure that at the end of the two months left of Mike’s enlisted period that he’s done, he does not reenlist. Mike agrees and their DD relationship seems to work for both of them. Will is making improvements in his own life, working towards education and career goals with Mike’s direction and discipline and Mike is even loosening up his tight OCD, a tiny bit.
All seems to be going great, they are making commitments, heading into marriage, looking forward to opening a business together and the military drops the bomb. A nuclear bomb for their relationship in the form of Stop Loss.
Can Will handle the devastating distance, the fear his husband won’t come home alive, the lack of the control he so trustingly handed over to Mike? The distance is hard enough, but opening a new business alone, classes, and keeping the discipline Mike has ordered send Will to the breaking point. While glued to the pages I kept cheering them both on, they could do this, hard as it may be, only a year with Skype and text to keep them connected. But when Mike is near fatally injured and loses his arm, I feared the worst looking down that road. I really wondered if Mike could keep such an important part of himself, control, dominant tendencies, care for Will, when he faced such traumatic loss and psychological damage.
But this story surprised me, made me take a closer look at my own marriage, my own close friends and other influencing relationships. I’ll be honest the only time I’ve heard of something like Domestic Discipline is from heterosexual religious extremists using marriage contracts and texts from the Bible to keep man as head of house second only to God. So I was leery, but after Liz spun this tale for me, I saw the attraction among loving and respectful partners. I’m fascinated and warmed by this story. It really is full of hope, encouragement, and respect. Kudos Liz Borino…time for me to look up your backlist!
Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing (September 19, 2012)
HeatLevel: Explicit
HeartRating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Two years after Steve Michaels called, “Action!” on a new phase in his career as co-producer on the television show Ben’s Life, the lights go up again on his Dom/sub relationship with actor Zack Greene, but Hollywood cameras don’t always capture the truth.
A mention of Steve’s past in the BDSM scene has Zack craving new ways for them to connect. All of the couple’s concerns fall away when Steve and his ex, Peter, are in a car accident. The last ones to know, Zack and Josh, Peter’s slave, rush to the hospital. The injuries from the accident force the dominant man to set aside his pride and accept help from Zack. Will the couple get to explore new boundaries in their relationship or will the dependency Cutaway the structure holding their relationship in place?
Review: Steve is the director of the highly successful TV show, Ben’s Life. He’s been in a monogamous relationship with the show’s lead star, Zack, for five years. Steve and Zack enjoy elements of a Dom/sub lifestyle, although neither is heavily into the scene. Steve identifies as a Dom, but draws the line at doing anything that would cause his lover pain or humiliation. Zack identifies as a sub, but has a big ego and a feisty attitude that often result in inappropriate behavior.
Steve is so lax, and Zack so obstinate, I have a hard time thinking of this as a D/s relationship. It doesn’t help that the other D/s couple in the story is heavily into the lifestyle and their personalities are extreme. Even so, it’s sweet to see how devoted Steve and Zack are to one another and how deeply they love one another. I admit I know very little about BDSM, so I can’t speak to the authenticity of the character’s actions.
Their safe word made me laugh. 😀
There are several really interesting things happening in the plot, like Zack having to give his collar to a coworker on set, and the accident that causes Zack to have to care for Steve for a change. These could have been played up more, with more emotion, and perhaps in a full-length novel, they would have been.
I was also intrigued by the character Josh. I was a bit shocked at how the story ended. I was hoping for resolution for Josh’s storyline. I’m assuming there will be another book in this series that explores Josh’s story further. At least, I hope so. We’re left with a pretty major cliffhanger! From what I know of Steve and Zack, it’s highly unlikely that they would take in Josh as a third, but I was secretly hoping for that. He needs some hugs and kisses and sweet loving, too. 🙂
Blurb: When the bright lights and flashing cameras of Hollywood capture your every move, how can you fulfill your deepest desires? For Zack Greene, a formerly out-of-control actor, and Steve Michaels, the director who unearthed the heart of the man beneath the ego, it’s a constant struggle.
In public, Steve and Zack are the picture of professional partners. However, behind closed doors, their partnership is taken to a new level. They engage in a carefully constructed Dom/sub relationship that not only brings them pleasure, but keeps Zack from slipping back into his wild ways.
Their delicate balance is thrown askew when a producer on the show threatens to expose their lifestyle, while taking advantage of Zack in a moment of vulnerability. Will Steve be able to ease the pain and save the love they share? Or will they come apart when they need each other most?
*Warning: Light BDSM, D/s relationship, spanking, and hot m/m sex*
Review: Zack and Steve are a committed couple who love their D/s lifestyle. they live together and work together on a popular TV show, but problems begin to emerge when an out of control producer throws a spanner in the works and Zack’s parents unexpectedly turn up.
This is a really well written novella that takes us into a long-standing relationship and shows us the dynamics of a loving D/s relationship where discipline is needed to curb wild tendencies. Steve and Zack have been together for three years and everything is going well. They are both extremely happy with each other and love their D/s relationship. But, things start to unravel when Rich (the producer) sets his sights on Zack and causes trouble for the entire studio. Add that to Zack’s Mormon parents turning up and Zack needs a little more discipline and love than he has needed in a long while.
Zack is a slightly complex character, because of his upbringing and the actions he had to take. So when he finally got free, he went off the rails. Then, Steve enters into his life and gives him the stability that he so desperately needs. Now, three years later, Zack is more balanced, but still needs a firm hand and he still has moments of vulnerability. Steve is a dominating character, but is the perfect balance for Zack. He knows when Zack is pushing the boundaries and when Zack needs a comforting hand. Their D/s relationship is really well written and please don’t expect whips and chains…it isn’t that sort of D/s. it is more about control and guidance, and while there are punishments for misbehaving there is a touch of pleasure to the punishments.
The story line is really good and I really liked the secondary characters and the roles that they played, it added more depth to the main characters. The plot was great as well, a jealous out of control Dom who wants the sub and seems to lose his mind slightly, wanting to show Zack a real Dom, using his position to harass and manipulate the situation. Steve having his hands tied on how he can act and Zack having to overcome his fears and confronting his tormenter and wondering if he can trust his mother. Steve and Zack are immersed in their D/s roles and there are strict rules in place for Zack’s benefit. We also have an incredible sex life between them which is really hot and erotic. I love the way the D/s relationship was portrayed, showing us that not all BDSM is about pain.
So, I have to recommend this to those who love a loving D/s relationship, two men standing up for their love, a touch of angst, worry, misplaced guilt, hot sex and a happy ending.
