Fire and Rain by Andrew Grey ~ Audio Review

Andrew Grey - Fire and Rain Audio Cover wmek99Title: Fire and Rain

Series: Carlisle Cops 03

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 19 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (24th February 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Since the death of their mother, Josten Applewhite has done what he’s had to do to take care of his little brother and keep their small family together. But in an instant, a stroke of bad luck tears down what little home he’s managed to build, and Jos and Isaac end up on the streets.

That’s where Officer Kip Rogers finds them, and even though he knows he should let the prop-er authorities handle things, he cannot find it in his heart to turn them away, going so far as to invite them to stay in his home until they get back on their feet. With the help of Kip and his friends, Jos starts to rebuild his life. But experience has taught him nothing comes for free, and the generosity seems too good to be true – just like everything about Kip.

Kip’s falling hard for Jos, and he likes the way Jos and Isaac make his big house feel like a home. But their arrangement can’t be permanent, not with Jos set on making his own way. Then a distant relative emerges, determined to destroy Jos’s family, and Kip knows Jos needs him – even if he’s not ready to admit it.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Fire and Rain is the third book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops series. You don’t need to have read the previous book in the series. I’ve read and listened to the two series Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies completely out of order. And while the characters from previous books pop up and you know that they are together, there is nothing vital mentioned that I found difficult to put together on my own. But that being said, it’s such a great series, it probably would be easier to start from the beginning and work your way through. I completely arsed it up, but no reason why anyone has to do that. I honestly think I was just too excited about the book itself I didn’t care and am familiar enough with Grey’s writing to know I can usually read (or in this case listen to) his series out of order.

That leads into the fact that I am a massive fan of Andrew Grey’s writing and I’m not ashamed to admit it. He has a great knack for mixing romance with kids. I connect to his writing style and the great way that he manages to includes kids in many of his books, they are not there for decoration and are a very important character along with the two romantic leads. Much like the previous book in the series, Fire and Rain is a great book for anyone that loves a good romance mixed up with a cop drama and includes a heart wrenching story with kids.

The narration of this book was by Randy Fuller. I am not unfamiliar with Fuller’s work. Fuller has performed the narration for Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies, so I have quickly become accustomed to him being “the voice” of the series. His voice has a gravelly timbre that really suits the dangerous and raw emotion aspects of the plot line. In addition, he has a very reasonable, well-paced tone in his voice when it comes to portraying level-headed characters. (It is actually the latter trait that makes Fuller’s narration of The President’s Husband one of my favourite books to re-listen to, but that is not the point of this review).

Since I listened to this book and then went back to book 2, I did note that there is some similarities in the overall themes of the book. However, Grey uses this to his advantage in how the main cop character interacts with his colleagues and gets advice. But that isn’t me saying that it is identical, because it isn’t.

Officer Kip Rogers is on patrol and takes a call about a homeless person loitering near a shop which is the best place for protection out of the rain. That man is Josten Applewhite and Kip is horrified to see that Josten has his little brother Isaac, who is barely a toddler. With the local shelters already full, in part because of the terrible weather Kip’s protective instincts kick in and he wants to help the handsome young man with his adorable brother. However, Josten, aka Jos, isn’t trusting. After the death of his mother and losing his job and then being evicted out his apartment, Jos is understandably suspicious of anyone who wants to help him and Isaac without getting anything in return.

Now that he has met Kip, though, it seems that the two men are fated to be thrown together. Kip is also mindful that he doesn’t want to take advantage of Jos’s situation and for a start just wants to keep the man and the little boy safe. Kip is kind and gentle, as well as being strong, he is everything that Jos needs before we even get to the romance. As they begin to fall in love and Jos begins to get back on his feet, a threat comes in the form of an estranged aunt with ulterior motive. The whole story with the aunt, admittedly, wasn’t hard to work out before it fully played out but it was still a well-executed aspect of the story.

As I said earlier, I really love this series and hope that there will be more in future. At any rate, I know I will happily re-listen to this audio.

Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey ~ Audio Review

Andrew Grey - Fire and Ice Audio Cover sjdi8Title: Fire and Ice

Series: Carlisle Cops 02

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 7 hrs, 14 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14th July 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Carter Schunk is a dedicated police officer with a difficult past and a big heart. When he’s called to a domestic disturbance, he finds a fatally injured woman and a child, Alex, who is in desperate need of care. Child Services is called, and the last man on earth Carter wants to see walks through the door. Carter had a fling with Donald a year ago and found him as cold as ice since it ended.

Donald (Ice) Ickle has had a hard life he shares with no one, and he’s closed his heart to all. It’s partly to keep himself from getting hurt and partly the way he deals with a job he’s good at be-cause he does what needs to be done without getting emotionally involved. When he meets Carter again, he maintains his usual distance, but Carter gets under his skin, and against his bet-ter judgment,Donald lets Carter guilt him into taking Alex when there isn’t other foster care avail-able. Carter even offers to help care for the boy.

Donald has a past he doesn’t want to discuss with anyone, least of all Carter, who has his own past he’d just as soon keep to himself. But it’s Alex’s secrets that could either pull them together or rip them apart – secrets the boy isn’t able to tell them and yet could be the key to happiness for all of them.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Fire and Ice is the second book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops series. You don’t need to have read the previous book in the series. I’ve read and listened to Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies completely out of order. And while the characters from previous books pop up and you know that they are together, there is nothing vital mentioned that I found difficult to put together on my own. But that being said, it’s such a great series, it probably would be easier to start from the beginning and work your way through.

This is a great book for anyone that loves a good romance mixed up with a cop drama and includes a heart wrenching story with kids. For me Andrew Grey is an instant read. I connect to his writing style and the great way that he manages to includes kids in many of his books, they are not there for decoration and are a very important character along with the two romantic leads. In fact, I’ve read the book before, loved it and so was super keen to get into the audio book.

The narration of this book was by Randy Fuller. I am not unfamiliar with Fuller’s work. Fuller has performed the narration for Carlisle Cops and Carlisle Deputies, so I have quickly become accustomed to him being “the voice” of the series. His voice has a gravelly timbre that really suits the dangerous and raw emotion aspects of the plot line. I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of emotionally closed-off social worker, Donald Ickle. In addition, he has a very reasonable, well-paced tone in his voice when it comes to portraying level-headed characters, in this book that being Carter Schunk. (It is actually the latter trait that makes Fuller’s narration of The President’s Husband one of my favourite books to re-listen to, but that is not the point of this review).

Carter Schunk loves his work and is dedicated to his job helping the people of Carlisle. He got the reputation of being a whiz with computers and so for the longest time spent most of his time behind the desk, being the man behind the screen and a great asset to the cops on the team. But now he has been able to move behind the desk and hit the streets. One of his first calls is to a domestic violence dispute which ended in the death of a woman. Instinct meant that Carter found scared, dirty and abused little boy call Alex. Carter has an instant connection with the kid and when child services struggles to help the boy due to lack of resources, Carter manages to goad Donald Ickle to help Alex himself.

Donald Ickle has earned the name Ice or Ice-Ickle, and for very good reason. Donald became a social worker so that he could help kids that needed it, much like he had needed help when he had been a child. Taken away from his mother and with no known family, he had lived his life in the system. He’s psychologically scarred and his defence is to push away anyone that wants to get close to him. He and Carter have already had a thing and Carter has already had his feelings hurt, but there is so much going on beneath the surface.

Carter doesn’t give up, not on Alex and definitely not on Donald. It is dangerous that the two men grow close to the little boy, and it is the little boy that brings them together. But this is just a deep and heartfelt plot that sees all three characters undergo a lot of changes throughout the book. These are really well developed characters and the feelings I got from them were intense. For this reason I adored Fire and Ice. Although, add in great chemistry and totally relatable characters and a slow burn romance, I was a very happy person by the end of it. That’s not to say I shed quite a few tears throughout the book.

Safe in His Heart by Renae Kaye ~ Audio Review

Renae Kaye - Safe In His Heart Audio Cover 3283jhTitle: Safe in His Heart

Series: Safe 02

Author: Renae Kaye

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 9 hrs, 38 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (15th September 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Andrew and Paul learned about God and Jesus in different churches and realize their views of spirituality are worlds apart.

Andrew was raised Catholic and was told his homosexuality was a sin. For his entire life, he hid the truth. He married and had children to present a facade to the world that of a straight man. It’s not until he has an affair with Paul, who shows him a different side of Jesus, that Andrew realiz-es he can be gay and still believe in God. Paul’s Jesus is one of acceptance and love, and in Paul’s church, being gay is not a problem.

For Paul and Andrew, falling in love is the easy part of their journey. They must make it through the fires of cheating, being discovered, Andrew’s wife leaving, the necessities of childcare and family life, the demands of their jobs, and working on their commitment to each other. Only then can they be safe in each other’s heart.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Safe in His Heart is the second book in Renae Kaye’s Safe series.

While I have been enjoying Renae Kaye’s writing as of late, I hadn’t known what to expect. Admittedly, I’ve not read or listened to the first book in the series and I don’t feel that it took anything away from it for me. The writing itself is great, as well as the character development.

I just hadn’t been sure about a couple points that are central to this book and how these would affect my enjoyment. While the story was good, the chemistry between the characters was strong, I do feel that my enjoyment was indeed affected by the following:

1) There is cheating. Ok, so there is a deal that the marriage was in name only kind of thing and that they could have sex outside of the marriage providing they were discrete, I wasn’t really sold on it.
2) Also the religion thing. I was born and raised Catholic and yes, I will admit that there is probably a place for religion in the world. However, I’m not the type of person who reads romances that feature religion so obviously.
3) But all of that is ok. It’s really just that this is an angsty book, which I didn’t realise, and I’m the type of person who can only handle so much angst in my books.

A definite highlight of the story was Randy Fuller’s narration. Despite my reservations and my feelings which did mean that I gave this book a lower rating, I did feel myself get immersed by the performance. This is one of those books where I know that I wouldn’t have been able to read it, instead I needed the audio and feeding off of the tone and emotion provided by Fuller. He does an excellent job giving their characters their individual voices and conveys their feelings well. There is a certain amount of angst in this book and he does that justice.

The story is about Paul and Andrew. What makes them interesting is in the blurb. Andrew was raised Catholic and grew up knowing that his attraction to other men was a sin. While Paul is the complete opposite, he attends a more liberal church where being gay isn’t a sin and is welcoming to all sorts of people from different walks of life.

Andrew is by far the more complicated character of the story. Because he is so firmly in the closet, he has gotten married and had a couple kids, although he has quite an unconventional arrangement with his wife. Meeting Paul is a turning point in his life, however, while the men are happy enough with their relationship they need to now navigate murky waters when Andrew’s wife changes the course of the family’s life. She isn’t the wicked wife that is an absolute bitch, but she is rather self-involved and does have her moments. However, Paul is there to support Andrew every step of the way. Paul has a massive heart and he quickly became my favourite character.

The characters are good. I really liked how the developed, I found myself being more inclined to understand and sympathise with them more. I found that there were very real men and exceedingly complex, complete with their obvious imperfections. I think I will just leave it at that, if you prefer a rosy romance, then this might not be the book for you.

Fire and Hail by Andrew Grey ~ Audiobook

Title: Fire and Hail

Series:  Carlisle Cops 05

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary, Cops

Length: 6 hrs, 29 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (23rd March 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Brock Ferguson knew he might run into his ex-boyfriend, Vincent Geraldini, when he took his first job as a police officer in Carlisle. Vincent’s attitude during a routine traffic stop reminds Brock why their relationship didn’t last.

What Brock doesn’t expect is finding two scared children in the trunk of a Corvette. He’s also surprised to learn the kids’ mother is Vincent’s sister. But his immediate concern is the safety of the two children, Abey and Penny, and he offers to comfort and care for them when their mother is taken into custody.

Vincent is also shocked to learn what his sister has done. For the sake of the kids, he and Brock bury the hatchet – and soon find they have much more in common than they realized. With Abey and Penny’s help, they grow closer, until the four of them start to feel like a family. But Vincent’s sister and her boyfriend – an equal-opportunity jerk – could tear down everything they’re trying to build.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Fire and Hail is the fifth installment of Andrew Grey’s wonderful (and I say must read) series, Carlisle Cops. I love a good romance with cops, but for me Andrew Grey is a must read. He has rarely let me down every time I pick up a book or listen to an audio. I’m not sure if the series can go as a standalone, pretty sure it could, but I would admit going back and treating yourself to the previous four books. The reason I say that I am pretty sure it can be read as standalone because the plot is independent from the rest of the stories, but there are plenty of interactions with previous main characters in the Carlisle Cops series. I sort of remembered these guys but I didn’t go back to the ebooks while listening to this audio (which is something I do with some series to refresh my mind). The romance is hot and the attraction is there, I love how it developed through the book (I don’t like books that start with an explosion and then fizzle out).

As I said, I love Andrew Grey’s writing. I could gush about it all day (seriously, can I be the leader of the Andrew Grey Fan Club if there ever needs to be such an entity?). But the really, it all comes down to an easy to follow writing style with engaging characters and often some of the sweetest kids. In addition, Randy Fuller narrates a number of Grey’s books and I really enjoy the voice he gives all the main characters as well as the kids that are in their lives.

As to the plot itself: Brock Ferguson left Carlisle some years ago but he’s back now and is the newest member of the police force. He always knew that going back to Carlisle could mean that he could run into his ex-boyfriend, Vincent Geraldini. And of course, he does run into the man, when Brock pulls Vincent over for a routine traffic stop. Vincent attitude is pretty foul – he doesn’t give the reader the best introduction – and serves to vindicate Brock as to why they are ex. But shortly later, Brock finds Vincent’s neglected niece and nephew locked in the boot of a car and Vincent is once again apart of Brock’s life. Especially when it becomes clear that Abey and Penny like Brock and find it hard when Brock isn’t around after their mother (Vincent’s estranged sister) is arrested.

It’s a complicated story line and matures into a well developed plot – with a romance that is all about second chances. I like how Brock and Vincent’s second chance shows that both men have changed for the better and there has always been a deep connection between the two. It just seems that they finally in the right place at the right time.

The President’s Husband by Michael Murphy ~ Audiobook

Michael Murphy - The President's Husband Cover AudioTitle: The President’s Husband

Series:  N/A

Author: Michael Murphy

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 7 hrs, 26 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (24 May 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: When an assassin’s bullet strikes his predecessor, Grayson Alexander becomes the first openly gay president of the United States and his husband, David Hammond, becomes the first openly gay First Husband. With their world turned upside down, David relies on his career as a medical school professor and ER doctor to keep him grounded. But his decision to keep working ruffles feathers from day one.

Gray throws himself into learning everything he needs to know to be president, especially a liberal president surrounded by a conservative cabinet and staff. Even though he puts in outrageous hours working and traveling seven days a week, month after month, he’s happy. But David has trouble coping with Gray’s new job requirements. He can’t help but feel abandoned by his husband of 10 years.

When Gray asks for his help with a public-health crisis, David obliges, but he is furious about what happens once the emergency passes. When they learn that the president’s staff has manipulated them both, they wonder if their relationship can survive the White House.

Product Link: Audible AU | Audible UK | Audible US 

Reviewer: Prime

Review: The President’s Husband is a fun look into what could happen if the US ever had an openly gay president in the present (I hope the world would be more enlightened in the near future, but you know pigs flying and all that). It is also a somewhat emotional look at the price that high stress jobs have on relationships, even a successful and well established long term relationship, which we are introduced to in this book.

The President’s husband is Dr David Hammond. The President, who had been vice president for all of ten minutes before needing to step up to the post of president, is Grayson Alexander. He’s the first openly gay Vice President, and then President in a conservative government. David and Gray have been married for ten years and they are just completely made for each other, that much is clear from the get go.

Being thrown into the deep end means that David and Gray’s relationship is let go in favour of Gray learning the ropes, which means listening other more experienced White House staff. The problem about this, not only is David frowned upon for continuing work, he is also being neglected. When David manages to help in a health crisis which threatens the US, the fall out is horrible and I really wanted to hit Gray over the head (and yes, I did cry).

It will take Gray a lot to heal the rift that he ignored between them and that is what is the guts of the book. Sometimes you need more than love and that is the main theme of the book. Both guys learn a lot and in short I just loved this story.

Fire and Snow by Andrew Grey ~ Audiobook

Andrew Grey - Fire and Snow Audio CoverTitle: Fire and Snow

Series:  Carlisle Cops 04

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary, Men in uniform

Length: 6 hrs, 37 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (15th July 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Fisher Moreland has been cast out of his family because they can no longer deal with his issues. Fisher is bipolar and living day to day, trying to manage his condition, but he hasn’t always had much control over his life and has self-medicated with whatever he could find.

JD Burnside has been cut off from his family because of a scandal back home. He moved to Carlisle, but brought his Southern charm and warmth along with him. When he sees Fisher on a park bench on a winter’s night, he invites Fisher to join him and his friends for a late-night meal.

At first Fisher doesn’t know what to make of JD, but he slowly comes out of his shell. And when Fisher’s job is threatened because of a fire, JD’s support and care is more than Fisher ever thought he could expect. But when people from Fisher’s past turn up in town at the center of a resurgent drug epidemic, Fisher knows they could very well sabotage his budding relationship with JD.

Product Link: Audible AU | Audible UK | Audible US

Reviewer: Prime

Review: To me, one of the only things better than reading an Andrew Grey book is listening to the audio book. This is particularly true while reading Carlisle Cops series because listening to Randy Fuller’s narration of Andrew’s words is just sublime.

This is book 4 in the Carlisle Cops series but can be read/ heard as a standalone book. Personally, though, I think that you should go through the entire series. Honestly, though, I have got so much more enjoyment from this series in audio than I did when I started reading it. 

Fire and Snow sees us meeting JD Burnside, a cop, and Fisher Moreland, who has had a rough go at life and making the best despite his mental health issues. First off, I really need to say, I enjoyed the realism and sensitivity that Andrew Grey used while dealing with Fisher’s bipolar and traumatic brain injury. This is just one reason why this story was just so damn enjoyable. However, Fisher isn’t the only person with problems. JD’s problems come in the form of his less than understanding family, mostly his mother, and a bigoted hometown that he had no choice but to escape.

JD and Fisher are very different but they need each other, not only to love, but to help each other heal. It is through JD that Fisher finds new strength and I just loved that part. Things take dark and dangerous turns as Grey weaves his magic with his words. And as I said before, Randy Fuller just makes the story all the more enjoyable.

Fire and Water by Andrew Grey Audiobook

Andrew Grey - Fire and Water Audio CoverTitle: Fire and Water

Series:  Carlisle Cops 01

Author: Andrew Grey

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre: Contemporary, Cops

Length: 6 hours, 33 minutes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (11th March 2015)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Officer Red Markham knows about the ugly side of life after a car accident left him scarred and his parents dead. His job policing the streets of Carlisle, PA, only adds to the ugliness, and lately, drug overdoses have been on the rise. One afternoon, Red is dispatched to the local Y for a drowning accident involving a child. Arriving on site, he finds the boy rescued by lifeguard Terry Baumgartner. Of course, Red isn’t surprised when gorgeous Terry won’t give him and his ugly mug the time of day.

Overhearing one of the officer’s comments about him being shallow opens Terry’s eyes. Maybe he isn’t as kindhearted as he always thought. His friend Julie suggests he help those less fortunate by delivering food to the elderly. On his route he meets outspoken Margie, a woman who says what’s on her mind. Turns out, she’s Officer Red’s aunt.

Red and Terry’s worlds collide as Red tries to track the source of the drugs and protect Terry from an ex-boyfriend who won’t take no for an answer. Together they might discover a chance for more than they expected – if they can see beyond what’s on the surface.

Product Link: http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Fiction/Fire-and-Water-Audiobook/B00UI528S4 | https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/fire-and-water-by-andrew-grey-1023-b

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Fire and Water is the first book in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops series. For the sake of complete honesty, I have to admit that I forgot that I had actually read this book (which is odd because I have read the series). However, the point is that I actually enjoyed this story more listening to the audio than actually reading it.

The story follows Red and Terry. Red is a cop in Carlisle, PA. He isn’t the prettiest guy, as a child he was in a car accident with his parents which left him permanently scarred and his parents dead. On a call, he meets Terry, the local life saver at a local swimming pool. The meeting was pure chance and Terry was a hero that day but there is more to Terry than meets the eye. Red thinks that Terry is shallow, and perhaps circumstances have led him to act that way, but Terry finds new strength to be become a man he didn’t know he could be.

This story was thoroughly enjoyable. Cops – sexy men in uniform in general – is difficult to resist. It’s probably why I chose to listen to the audio book, something I’m glad I did because as I said, I enjoyed this so much more than I did the first time around. The story line is interesting as Terry unknowingly has become part of a major crime through his abusive ex.

The only downside to this for me was that sometimes I did not truly like Randy Fuller’s narration. I can’t put my finger on it much better than explaining that his tone did not always seem to match what was going on in the story.

Fire Inside by Dawn Douglas ~ Audiobook

FireInsideAUDLGTitle: Fire Inside

Series: N/A

Author: Dawn Douglas

Narrator: Randy Fuller

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Length: 3 hours and 12 minutes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (02-23-2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

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.

Product Link(s): http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5061

http://amzn.to/1ZLuIKX

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Ebook review June 2014

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 *