Tag: Taylor V. Donovan

Hearsay by Taylor V. Donovan

20936082*Warning ~ Possible Spoiler Alert*
Title: Hearsay
Series: Bylaws, #1
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (299 Pages)
Publisher: TVD Books (May 28th, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Senior associate attorney Derrick Swain wants it all: a loving husband, a fulfilling career, and a couple of kids. After years of hard work, he’s on the fast track to a promotion. He’s also met the man of his dreams. A week of daily lunch meetings in Central Park provides the perfect setting to get to know him better, and Derrick thinks it won’t be long before they take the next step and go on a date. But instead of asking him out, the object of his affection stops showing up without explanation, leaving him to wonder what went wrong.

As part owner of one of the most prestigious law firms in New York City, Roman Bradford knows that professional success isn’t the be all end all. Although he’s been lucky in life, true love has eluded him for the most part. One too many failed relationships have caused him to be leery of trying again, until he meets a man who can only be described as temptation personified.

A few conversations are all it takes for Roman to start believing things will be different this time around. It doesn’t matter that they are boss and employee, or that he’s feeling too much, too fast. Not when he can see the same emotions in Derrick’s eyes. Then life turns on a dime, and Roman has no option but to let his chance at happiness go.

A battle of wills ensues when a life-altering case brings them together a year later. Roman wants to do the right thing by not letting anything happen between them, and Derrick is determined to prove they’re meant to be together. Evidence will be presented and final arguments will be made.

Will they be able to come to an agreement, or will they opt to have their potential relationship dismissed?

ISBN: 052814052814

Product Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hearsay-1527580-145.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Hearsay is the first installment in Bylaws series about attorneys working for Acosta, Bradford & Chadwick. It is also part of a trilogy with in the series. All of the books will focus mainly on Roman and Derrick. You will get to follow their journey as they deal with damaging rumors, the judicial system, and life’s curveballs while they make their way toward coupledom.

I was fascinated by this book, so much so that I could not put it down till I got the end. You need to have tissues near you when you read this story because it will have you in tears. It is a very intriguing story that will draw you in and keep you captivated.

Roman and Derrick have been attracted to each other for some time. Derrick’s past and Roman’s future makes it very difficult to move forward. However, that was on Roman. Derrick had told him about how his mother had lupus and slowly died. He never thought he would have the strength to go through that again, not even for someone he lived. It made him afraid, and Roman would never do that to him.

When a teenager comes forward and says that one of Derrick’s friends with benefits molested him things start to heat up real fast. It heats up because this same young man says that he had seen Derrick and Tyler having sex and flashing him. It was all lies but brings things to the front of what is truly wrong. Roman was HIV positive and he didn’t want Derrick to face it with him.

Derrick had wanted his boss and loved him with his heart, but he thought Roman would never want him. No matter what anyone said, he just didn’t believe it. Now there was a problem with one of his past lovers and Roman figured he lied to him. Things were just not going the way he planned. He wanted Roman to love him and want him.

He knew there was some important secret that was not being spoken, but damn he wanted answers. The answer was not what he had expected, but he would do everything to prove to Roman that he was the one he wanted forever. Now all they had to do is to make sure Derrick didn’t end up in prison for a crime he did not commit. This has more passion and fire in it, then any other book I have ever written.

I was captivated the moment I started reading it. I must admit that even though I choose the book, the more I kept looking at the cover, and the title I just put it down to read later. Which once I started reading it I could have smacked myself upside the head for not getting to it earlier. It was an amazing story that will have even the strongest man in tears. It was so tender and so compelling that I just couldn’t stop reading it.

I felt bad for Roman. Here he is with HIV and thinking that the one man he loved would turn from him once he found out. Although I could have smacked him upside the head for not having enough confidence in the man he loves. Derrick proved that he has got to be the strongest man ever. He had shown that when he was just a child, with fears of what would happen to the point where he will do anything for Roman. As long as they stayed side by side for it all. Now facing prison on top of it all, plus all the rumors going around one would have to stay strong through all the trying times.

I would definitely recommend reading this. Although I would say that, I am mad at Taylor, for making me have to wait for the next story to find out what happens next. A cliffhanger was not what I was thinking when I got to the end of the book.

I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in this amazing story. I must admit that I don’t know too much about HIV and aids but can there be a happily ever after or will there be pain to look forward to. However, I look forward to finding out. This story definitely has a twist to it that I absolutely loved. Trust me you have got to read this book.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Six Degrees of Separation by Taylor V. Donovan

17791950Title: Six Degrees of Separation

Series:  By Degrees, #2
  
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
  
Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Length: Novel

Publisher:  (August 30th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:  *WARNING FROM THE AUTHOR: By Degrees is an ensemble serial with continuing story lines. Six Degrees of Separation is the second installment, and it must be read after Six Degrees of Lust. Thanks.

In the sequel to Six Degrees of Lust, F.B.I. team leader Samuel Shaughnessy and bar manager Machlan O’Bannon are exploring a new phase in their non-relationship. The intention is to take it slowly but power plays are still their favorite activity, and it isn’t long before lines begin blurring. After ending their friends with benefits agreement, no rules are left in place to guide them, and soon enough the only thing that’s clear is that neither man is fighting hard enough to reestablish the boundaries.

Their particular situations haven’t improved in the three months since their first encounter. Sam is still focused on his immediate family issues, and everything indicates Mac will have to go to war with his own family before he can reclaim his freedom. The last thing they need is additional complications.

But when the opening of a nightclub brings Mac to New York City and a break in the Leviticus investigation leads Sam to Houston, they discover how closely their worlds have been connected from the very beginning. Hiding from the life-altering collision is not an option. Will they take the easier road and go their separate ways, or will they come to terms with their past and take a chance on each other?

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Six-Degrees-Separation-By-ebook/dp/B00ESUH04W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377613839&sr=8-1&keywords=six+degrees+of+separation+taylor+v.+donovan
Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: The continuation of this excellent murder/mystery romance is just as gripping and exciting as the first! Book number two begins with Sam and Mac as they wrap up their romantic vacation in South Beach. Mac puts it all on the line and demands that Sam loosen up their “rules.” It was a gamble but if anybody can keep one step ahead of Sam its Mac. The relaxation of their rules and admitting that they are officially in a “relationship” stirs up Sam’s already unbalanced complicated life, at times he’s ready to run, others he can’t wait to hear from his Texan. Just as the relationship between Sam and Mac gets complicated, so does the Leviticus case. SO many characters are interwoven; I couldn’t eliminate any but Mac and Sam as the killer. Seriously, more and more details emerge, and just as the author leads you to believe a certain character must be the unsub, another possibility emerges! Its nail biting, exciting, hot and sexy, and painful at times. We get to see more of Mac and Sam’s family and learn about their histories, and just as the FBI seems to be closing in on the suspect, we seem to be closing in on a confrontation involving Sam and Mac. And Mac get’s to top…we can’t forget that! Steamy-ness and yes, passionate, emotional scenes emerge. Will they catch the killer? Will Mac and Sam survive the collision of their families and past histories? You’ll find out the answer to only one of these questions!!! Alas, there will definitely be another installment in the fabulous By Degrees series! I was screaming “No! You can’t do this to me!!! I need more!!!” by the end of the book. Good work Taylor, good work!

60 Percent Proof by Taylor V. Donovan

17847451Title: 60 Percent Proof

Series:  By Degrees (A By Degrees Interlude, By Degrees #1.5)
  
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
  
Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Length: Short Story (7k)

Publisher: Taylor V. Donovan

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  Note from the Author: This is a free interlude to celebrate Mac’s birthday, and will be available for download on May 15, 2013.

Sam Shaughnessy knows what he wants from Mac O’Bannon: monthly, uncomplicated casual encounters.

Mac is on the same page. For two months, they have been enjoying each other’s company, never forgetting that their agreement leaves zero room for long-term commitment.

But a visit to a local gay club during a weekend getaway in South Beach tips the scale, and it isn’t long before Sam starts showing how much he really doesn’t like to share.

Firmly placed rules get suspiciously bent, and by the end of the night, only two things are clear: body shots are conducive to extreme displays of arousal and possessiveness, and anything can be blamed on tequila.

Product Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-60percentproof-1214228-145.html

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This little story is just a snack to satisfy our appetites for Sam and Mac while she wiles away on Six Degrees of Separation. We get a bit more insight into Mac and Sam’s relationship shift, and the denial, hurt and new understanding that goes with it. Any by the way, I love Sam’s possessive streak! There are more details revealed about the other characters in Mac and Sam’s life too. It’s a good appetizer, don’t miss it! You do however have to read book one, Six Degrees of Lust first.

Six Degrees of Lust by Taylor V. Donovan

11757362Title: Six Degrees of Lust

Series:  By Degrees (By Degrees #1)
  
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
  
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel (389 pages)

Publisher: MLR Press (December 30th, 2011)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:  *WARNING FROM THE AUTHOR: Six Degrees of Lust is both an ensemble novel and the first installment in the By Degrees serial. This means there are several point of views and the story will continue. Thanks.

New York City FBI team leader Samuel Shaughnessy lives for his immediate family and his job. After a marriage gone wrong he has stuck to a firm rule when it comes to relationships: he doesn’t have them. Sexually active and emotionally unavailable keeps him satisfied, especially now that he is in hot pursuit of a serial killer targeting gay men.

Former firefighter Machlan O’Bannon now manages a successful sports bar in Houston and after years of waiting he’s ready to stand up and be the man he always wanted to be: out, proud and drama-free. His politically aligned family wants to keep him locked in the closet, but Mac just wants to meet the man of his dreams.

One man is as high strung as the other is laid back. A chance meeting brings the two men together, and one night of passion ignites a fire neither can fight. Their lives are not only miles apart, but also as different as day and night. They don’t want to get involved…but will they be able to stay apart?

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=TDSDLUST

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: First of all, I’m a sucker for a good murder/mystery/whodunit/serial killer sort of thing, and this book excels at that! Second, you won’t get complete resolution with this book, it is a series, and you need to read it in order! Donovan is great at feeding us characters and possibilities, about midway through this book I had six possible suspects in my head and still couldn’t narrow it down to two or three by the end of book one. Her storyline grabs you at the get-go, and keeps a tight fist around you throughout the book. There is a lot of back and forth between character viewpoints and locations but Taylor keeps it clear with date/location headers with each major shift in POV. This back and forth and added location details actually helps with my personality and feeds my ADD well!

The mystery of whodunit was so intense I was like a starving woman waiting for her to feed me each new detail about the new characters as the story evolved. Highly recommended for those who enjoy murder/mystery with plenty of chemistry and smexyness between the MCs. Though I do warn you, Sam can be a real shit, but Mac’s a highly intelligent man who sees right through him!

I couldn’t put it down! So go pick it up!