Tread Marks and Trademarks by S.A. McAuley

Title:19096770 Tread Marks and Trademarks

Series:   Team Maker Jock, #1

Author: S. A. McAuley

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novel (200 pages)

Publisher: Wilde City Press (December 11th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Alex Maddox may be a genius. Or not. In thirty-four days, he’ll know for sure. The robot he’s been perfecting for the last four years is finally ready. Alex won’t accept anything less than perfection—if he can keep a broken air conditioner, a flaky twin brother, a thirtieth birthday, and falling for the Norse god of advertising from derailing him.

Christian Lawson is an advertising god. A blond hottie with the beautiful brains to match. He’s worked hard to move past the accident that nearly took his legs, but it’s been years since he let any man get close enough to see just how deep his scars really go.

Christian isn’t the advertising executive Alex expected, and Alex isn’t the coolly confident inventor Christian’s had his eye on for years. But what they discover in each other may just be better than what either of them could have hoped for

Purchase Link:   http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/tread-marks-and-trademarks/#.UtwbWhAo6M8

Review: Two very imperfect men who create a very perfect union. The notion of opposites attract abounds in this story; yet, it didn’t take very long for both men to know that despite their differences, their attraction was more than just physical. Alex is the quintessential science nerd who’s been blessed with more than his fair share of smarts.  He has dedicated his life to a task and now he’s realized it.  Christian is surprising for the reader because who one would expect him to be is not who he is.  And while both men are so different and have not been successful at their relationships, they approach their relationship with a maturity that is refreshing.  Arguments are quickly resolved and they lay their feelings on the table so that they can resolve issues and build a lasting relationship.

The themes of family, trust and loyalty are the ties that bind this book together with the secondary stories of the relationship between Alex and his brother and his partner as well as with Christian and his former lover. These sidebars add layers to the story, which allow Alex and Christian to grow as a couple.  The author uses the strategy of telling the story from the perspective of both men.  He starts first with Alex because their relationship is forged based on a need that Alex has.  The second half of the story is told from Christian’s perspective since it is the obstacles in his life that must be resolved if they are to have a lasting relationship.

The characters are warm and quirky yet serious and lovable at the same time. The story is well paced and very believable. The reader will love Alex and Christian as well as the other couple that provides texture in the story. All in all – a good read.