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Showing posts with label m/m romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label m/m romance. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Review: A Marine Affair by Heather Long
A Marine Affair
Author: Heather Long
Release Date: June 3, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Always a Marine #13, Novella
ISBN: #978-1613335444
Genre: Military Romance, M/M
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have been secret lovers for years. They nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones—Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
What B is talking about:
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As dedicated Marines who’ve never hesitated to put their duty to their country above all else, Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Eli Masters accepted the need to keep their love a secret for years. But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world. Unfortunately, Eli wasn’t ready to come out, despite the changing times, and in a moment of need and doubt their relationship ended. But, one year apart isn’t enough to undo ten years of loving each other, and now that Eli is home again, Rick isn’t willing to let him go without a fight.
I have a fondness for military fiction as well as m/m romance, so A Marine Affair was enjoyable on both fronts. Eli and Rick are interesting, strong characters, and Ms. Long imbues them with an unexpected amount of depth, given the short length of the story. Both are Marines, one serving stateside as a surgeon, one taking dangerous assignments overseas. But, they each respect the path the other has chosen, nurturing their relationship as best they can over the course of a decade during secret rendezvous and stolen moments while on leave.
The root of the trouble between Rick and Eli isn’t revealed right away, but instead through a flashback a little further into the story, creating an immediate need to stick with these men to find out what really happened. Surprisingly, Eli’s refusal to live his life “out and proud” is rooted in a secret he’s kept hidden from Rick, one that has nothing to do with their lives as Marines. It is a reminder that “complicated” is a universal label, and that sharing a life with someone means that some secrets, regardless of how closely guarded they are, can no longer yours to bear alone.
One of my favorite things about A Marine Affair is that, while the sexually explicit scenes between Eli and Rick are definitely worthy of an enthusiastic response, they don’t overwhelm the story itself. Each one has a specific purpose and is very well written, and illustrates the vastly different stages the relationship has gone through as the story progresses.
Overall, A Marine Affair is simply a wonderful story. The characters are complex enough to seem real, while avoiding the feeling that the author’s intent is being handed over in intentionally digestible parcels. The narrative isn’t preachy, just sincere. A Marine Affair is easy and sweet, and, for such a quick read, Rick and Eli’s story mattered to me. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I’d love to read more of it’s kind.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Review: Country Mouse / City Mouse (2 books) by Amy Lane & Aleksandr Voinov
Country Mouse/City Mouse
Author: Amy Lane & Aleksandr Voinov
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Country Mouse Books 1 & 2
Genre: GLBT – M/M Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the books:
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Country Mouse, April 23, 2012
ISBN: #978-1937551346
Owen may be a bit of a country mouse, but he’s loving his vacation in London. After a long day playing tourist, he’s on the hunt for some cheap beer and a good burger. Instead he finds a man hunting him, an arrogant prick with only one thing on the brain: the kind of meat that doesn’t come on a bun.
Eighty-hour weeks at a trading desk don’t leave Malcolm Kavanagh much time for meaningful relationships. Besides, in his world, everything’s a competition—even sex. When his newest one-night-sub fails to show, Malcolm sets his sights on the pretty young Yank on the bar stool beside him.
Owen’s all for an adventure with a native, but he’s not the pushover Malcolm thinks he is, and Malcolm’s not as shallow as he tries to be. They both soon learn that nothing's too intimate to share with a stranger, and the strangest things happen when two people share the most important pieces of their hearts.
City Mouse, March 18, 2013
ISBN: #978-1626490055
A magical weekend, a breathless declaration, a happy ever after... Right?
Wrong.
When Malcolm Kavanagh took his first step toward emotional maturity by declaring his love to Owen Watson, that was just the first chapter in their story. Anyone who’s ever been in love knows that happy endings take a lot more work than that.
One problem: Malcolm has never been in love. He doesn’t know the rules of a relationship and isn’t confident enough to trust that his is real. He learns the ropes by sharing his life and his flat with Owen, but relationship boot camp proves a challenge. Everything is a struggle, from accepting Owen’s low-status job to putting his boyfriend above his personal trainer.
Luckily, Owen knows a little more about relationships, and labors patiently to survive the first six weeks of their life together. From the art galleries of Cambridge to the tawdry majesty of the Dominion theatre, Owen adapts to England while Malcolm adapts to the whole human race. Maybe, if Owen is patient enough and Malcolm learns to give, the two of them can make it past Relationship Armageddon to a real happy ending.
What B is talking about:
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As a fan of M/M Romance, I was very excited to have the chance to review both Country Mouse and City Mouse at the same time. As there is no significant time lapse between the two stories, they are perfect companion pieces, and it was a real pleasure to see both characters make their way from a passionate, impulsive, fairytale beginning through the more weighty strains of trying to live with the person they love.
In Country Mouse, we meet Owen Watson, an American on his own in London for the first time, and Malcolm Kavanagh, a British stock trader/occasional Dom with posturing issues. Owen’s liberal, open upbringing has given him an endearing honesty and confidence that is impossible to resist, as Malcolm quickly discovers. Malcolm, on the other hand, lives in a world where appearances are everything, and he’s become so good at maintaining a pretense of control that he can usually make himself believe it. That is, until he meets Owen.
I absolutely loved Owen, and eventually Malcolm, too, but that’s the idea, I think. Malcolm keeps the best parts of himself hidden, whereas Owen doesn’t hide who he is at all. From the moment they meet, Owen pokes through Mal’s carefully constructed façade, keeping him so off balance that the warmer, softer, more vulnerable side of himself, the one Mal thinks he can’t afford to reveal, shines through. And it’s that man, the one behind the bluster and expensive suits that captures Owen’s heart.
Of course, Owen and Malcolm initially get together under the premise of hooking up, and I am happy to say that they are exceptionally good at it! Even from their first encounter, their personalities are apparent, and very much a part of how they play off one another whether in bed or out of it. While the scenes are highly enjoyable and very explicit, what I liked best about them was seeing Mal give more and more of himself over to Owen, and Owen proving that he’s strong enough to keep Mal together through it all. It’s a nice situation all around, and Ms. Lane and Mr. Voinov comfortably maneuver what was intended to be a temporary thrill into much more.
By the time Owen and Malcolm should have said goodbye to one another, their story becomes something entirely different than either anticipated. Malcolm, stuffy, image-conscious, and afraid, discovers that what he wants most will take a leap of faith, and that, surprisingly, he’s up to the task. In one insanely romantic act, he questions everything about the person he thought he wanted to be, and, in the process, changes the course of both their lives.
City Mouse, by contrast, begins with a day or two of feigned food poisoning followed by a crash landing back into the “real life” version of Malcolm’s world. Neatly divided into seven chapters (one for every week leading up to “Relationship Armageddon,” and another that will decide whether there will be a good ending or a tragic one), it is the exploration of what occurs when Malcolm and Owen attempt to merge their lives into a lasting happily ever after.
Although Malcolm is slightly older than Owen, it is Mal that has the most growing to do in order to keep Owen by his side, and his fear of sabotaging their relationship is so pervasive that it nearly ruins everything. As the weeks tick by, both men learn a lot about the difficulties of making a relationship work when even the lure of phenomenal sex can’t always compete with the realities of utter exhaustion. There are so many obstacles in their way, mostly self-induced, in Malcolm’s case, that the sense of impending doom both men suffer from seems perfectly legitimate. But, the sweetness of their time spent together, whether watching a show, eating a meal, or waking up together brings all the noise of those conflicts to a standstill, leaving behind nothing but a longing for what they could have with each other. These scenes are lovely, and some of my favorite throughout the story.
The extension of their time together also leaves more opportunities for them to explore each other’s sexual inclinations. Mal is definitely the more adventurous of the pair, and in the earlier part of City Mouse he teaches Owen plenty. I won’t spoil any of the naughty fun, but it’s worth noting that Mal likes to play, and has quite a few kinks to work with. Owen, fortunately, isn’t afraid to experiment, making this one amazingly steamy read. I tend to avoid using the phrase “hot” with regards to sex scenes, if possible, but that’s simply what these are—and then some.
Country Mouse and City Mouse were both a lot of fun to read, and I loved them so much that I’ve bought them for my permanent collection. Read together, they satisfy a more frivolous desire for a love-at-first-sight kind of romance, as well as providing the satisfaction that comes from watching two people fight for one another and the love that they were lucky to discover. Owen and Mal are great characters, Owen for his generosity and ability to see people for who they really are, and Mal for trying so hard to be a better version of himself. Toss in those amazingly hot scenes the two get up to, and these stories are definitely keepers.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Review: Flawless by Cat Grant
Flawless
Author: Cat Grant
Release Date: April 22, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Irresistible Attraction #4
ISBN: # 978-1626490123
Genre: LGBTQ, M/M, Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the book:
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Steve Campbell used to be a player, until a mid-life crisis opened his eyes to his long-repressed love for Connor, his soon-to-be-married best friend and business partner. Coming out at thirty-eight means learning how to date all over again, and this time, Steve’s not willing to settle for empty one-night stands. He wants the real thing.
Gil Alvarez has never had it easy, struggling through childhood and rejected by his family for a body that didn’t match who he was inside. A skilled driver and mechanic, he’s working hard to make his auto shop a success. The last thing he needs is a rich white guy in a candy-apple-red Ferrari tempting him, but Steve’s ready smile and easygoing manner prove irresistible.
One brief, intimate encounter leaves them both hungry for more. Gil’s not ashamed of who he is, but he’s terrified that Steve will reject him—or worse—when he discovers what Gil can’t find the courage to tell him.
What B is talking about:
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Having lived a seemingly sheltered existence until coming out at the age of thirty-eight, Steve Campbell has a lot to learn about his new life as a bisexual. Tired of one-night stands and the disappointment of looking for more in all the wrong places, what he wants most is to find someone special he can commit to. But, just when he’s almost ready to give up, he gets a helping hand from an attractive stranger, and realizes he has a chance at a love he never anticipated, and one that may never come along again.
Passionate, talented, and determined, Gil Alvarez works hard to keep his auto repair shop afloat and his dreams alive. After the assistance he offers the poor, hapless car owner he met at the beach comes back to bite him, he’s determined not to let the man get under his skin. He’s got enough problems already, thanks. But, even though he knows it’s going to end in disaster, he can’t stay away from Steve, realizing too late that the secret he’s kept hidden could cost him the only real happiness he’s ever had.
While Flawless works well as a standalone, I do wish I’d been able to read the other stories in the series in order to better understand Steve’s origins and his emotional evolution. Steve is certainly well meaning, but his social skills could use some work. He is aware of his own shortcomings well enough to seek outside counsel when he goofs up, at least, and readily owns up to his mistakes. When he realizes how badly he’s offended Gil, he attempts to make amends, rather than turn his back on their tentative relationship. He’s a work in progress, but I like where he’s headed.
I really loved Gil, though. He’s a fighter and a survivor. Though he doesn’t look much like most people think a mechanic should, he owns his own business and is very good at what he does. That Gil is hopeful about what he feels for Steve, understandable wariness aside, really pulled me in, and I very much wanted everything to be okay for him, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
Flawless is a short, but very sweet story, especially once Steve and Gil work past their misunderstandings. Although I really loved Gil from the beginning, Steve grew on me, too, after a while; particularly as he began to piece together for himself just exactly how difficult Gil’s life has been to this point. Eventually, the two resolve their differences and realize that they don’t have to fit the rest of the world’s expectations in order to be happy. In Flawless, Ms. Grant gives welcome attention to a much-neglected topic, and does so with sincerity and heart. I only wish their story hadn’t ended quite so soon.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Flawless
Monday, April 8, 2013
Review: Touch & Geaux by Abigail Roux
Touch & Geaux
Author: Abigail Roux
Release Date: April 8, 2013
Publisher: Riptide Publishing, LLC
Cut & Run Book 7
ISBN: #978-1937551872
Genre: Romantic Suspense, GLBT, m/m romance
Format(s): Paperback (288 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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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.
What B is talking about:
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It takes a very special series to engender true loyalty, never mind complete dedication, among its readers, but the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux has done just that. Following the lives and relationship of FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett, two characters that become more endearing, frustrating, and challenging with every novel, it is a series that consistently hits nearly every note just right. With the newest addition to the series, Touch & Geaux, this is more undeniably true than ever before.
In many ways that the previous novels only hinted at, Touch & Geaux is a kind of reckoning for Ty and Zane and presents them with what is certainly the most difficult test they have faced together thus far. Ty’s past, in particular, and the repercussions of his actions, makes the journey they set out on an especially brutal one. While we’ve had glimpses into Zane’s history, and how it’s shaped the man he’s become, Ty’s adult life has largely been a mystery until now. The entire story is a lesson in truth as well as faith, and serves as a reminder that anyone who’s set on too high a pedestal is bound to fall sometime. Even those we love the most.
One thing that makes Touch & Geaux such an important step in the series is that a sort of balance of errors is achieved between Ty and Zane. Whereas before, Zane’s mistakes heavily influenced the evolution of their relationship, this time it’s Ty’s past that threatens to destroy everything they’ve fought for. With a terrible truth he’d never allowed himself to consider suddenly staring him in the face, Zane’s faith in the one person he’s ever given himself to completely is shattered, leaving him scrambling for equal footing on unfamiliar ground. Confronted with his own heartbreak and the unmovable force of Ty’s convictions, Zane falls back into old habits, eventually wanting nothing so much as for Ty to hurt as much as he does.
Although the romantic moments between Ty and Zane are some of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, they are primarily a reward for the torture Ms. Roux gleefully casts on her characters and readers alike. As with the other stories in the series, Touch & Geaux is a race against time, forcing both men to use every bit of their knowledge, skill, and determination to survive. While every time Ty and Zane find themselves in danger is a nail-biting experience, Touch & Geaux takes that fear and desperation to an entirely new level, pushing them well past any reasonable breaking point.
Now about those romantic moments…
Aside from being some of the hottest, sexiest, most amazing scenes I’ve ever read, these moments show just how incredible Ty and Zane are together. What began with awkward expressions of attraction mixed with full on, want-it-right-this-instant sex has evolved into a physical need for one another that has more to do with their hearts than it does anything sexual. In Touch & Geaux, their encounters take a painful, dark turn that left me speechless, but makes it clear that vengeance and sex should never be engaged in simultaneously. Fortunately, from there the journey back to each other begins again, albeit with shaky steps and more loss, and is colored by a hard-won sweetness and devotion that made my heart absolutely ache for them both.
Ms. Roux has a real talent for bringing her characters to life, and writes the disillusioned hero to perfection, never shying away from their flaws and shortcomings, but rather showing that even heroes build lives they can’t always be proud of. Dashing in and saving the day is a fine and romantic notion, but it doesn’t address the fact that sometimes those same heroes are the only ones who remember that they’re human, and being deserving of the trust that’s placed in them is a burden in and of itself. While their actions may lead to more than a few restless nights, occasionally the ends do justify the means, and the cold, hard truth is that that’s as good as they’re ever going to get.
The Cut & Run series is one of the best I’ve ever read, in any genre, and Touch & Geaux is my favorite yet. Ms. Roux has crafted a story that pulled me in from the first page, and refused to let go until long after I’d finished reading, making the real world feel a little less true for a time while the story continued to play itself out in my imagination. Ty and Zane are among those rare characters that stay with me long after the cover has been closed, their missteps, cleverness, humor, and passion giving them life beyond the page. With only two more books planned for the series, I am both nervous and excited to know what else Ms. Roux could possibly have in store for Ty and Zane, given how far they’ve already come. Regardless, I’ll gladly see the series through to the end. It’s been one hell of a ride so far.
B’s Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, March 29, 2013
Review: Lover At Last by JR Ward
Lover At Last
Author: JR Ward
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
ISBN: #978-0451239358
Genre: Paranormal Romance, m/m romance
Format(s): Hardcover (608 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.
What I’m talking about:
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Like almost every other fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I have been waiting for this story since Blay and Qhuinn shared their first (extremely passionate) kiss in the sixth book, Lover Enshrined (June 2008). I am happy to report that for me, Lover At Last met my expectations and is a wonderful addition to this long-running series.
There is a lot that happens during Lover At Last, and I’m not going to try to give a play-by-play summary, but rather hit a few of the high points. Overall, I felt the writing was tight and the flow of the book much better than those in recent history. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I actually enjoyed every section and subplot, and I didn’t skip over any parts. All of the pieces created a richer story that I simply adored.
First and foremost, this is the story of the love between Blay and Qhuinn. Although there is a lot going on around the couple, the book never loses focus on the ending point -- their union. I knew that with their shared history, this wasn’t going to be an easy journey, but thankfully, their path to HEA wasn't made to be ridiculously difficult. Prior to this book, we started seeing a more mature Qhuinn, and his transformation and growth continued during Lover At Last. At one point when he thought he might die, Qhuinn’s first regret was that he would never know is unborn daughter followed by the fact that he hadn’t told Blay his true feelings. As a parent, I got that and adored Qhuinn even more because of it. He has grown up.
Blay... poor Blay. The young warrior has been hurt so many times by Qhuinn, and frankly, I didn’t blame him one iota when he continued to push Qhuinn away, even letting him believe Blay loved Saxton. I adored reading Blay’s innermost thoughts as he wondered if Qhuinn truly was growing up. His confusion and hesitation was all too real and perfectly done. I also loved Blay’s interactions with his family. Those parts of the story added value by demonstrating and contrasting the backgrounds of both warriors.
Luckily for us, we didn’t have to wait the entire book for some sexy hookup time. At first, the couple’s sexual encounters were driven by anger and filled with desperation. It was very emotional to watch Qhuinn beg, taking whatever he could get, and have Blay push away when he felt they were getting too close. In the end, their romance was both passionate and sweet. The epilogue was probably one of the best scenes ever in a BDB story. *sigh*
As far as the numerous side stories go, I have a hard time picking which is my favorite. First, we pick up again with the Lessers - and before you cringe and want to skip... these sections are not overly long and contain and/or initiate other powerful scenes that I enjoyed immensely. One of my absolute favorite scenes in the entire book falls into this category. While hunting Lessers, the Brotherhood finds itself in danger of losing one of their own. Qhuinn steps up big time and attempts to fly a plane to take the injured warrior home. The journey and conclusion was powerful and brought tears to my eyes. Just wonderful!
There is also the continuing drama of Layla’s pregnancy (with Qhuinn). Again, I was prepared to be annoyed, but let me tell you, Layla grew some big ones since the last book. She’s a much more confident woman and I love how she stood up for herself when Havers tried to put her into a tough place. And the time Layla and Qhuinn spend together furthers my adoration for Qhuinn and how both characters have matured.
The book also deals with Xcor and his Band of Bastards. Xcor is simply evil and twisted, and it will be interesting to see how Ms. Ward finds a way to redeem him. There is also a significant side story for Trez (thinking he may be the next book?!), and another dealing with Assail - the vampire who took over Rehv’s drug business in Caldwell. Both were left with significant loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next book. Finally, there is a very small and somewhat subtle thread dealing with Wrath, Beth and the idea of an heir/child. I really enjoyed the set up for some major (future) drama and conflict there.
Honestly, I truly enjoyed Lover At Last from beginning to end and every bit in between. Blay and Qhuinn (and the reader) finally got the story they so richly deserved. I was delighted that every part of the book, including the numerous side stories, were well-written and enjoyable. Overall, I feel that as a whole book, Lover At Last is the best yet of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
BDB,
Black Dagger Brotherhood,
GLBT,
JR Ward,
m/m romance,
NAL,
paranormal romance,
Twimom Review
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Review: With Abandon by JL Langley
With Abandon
Author: JL Langley
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
With or Without #4
Genre: Paranormal Romance, GLBT, m/m romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Love was never part of his plan…until it pounced.
As heir to an old and proud heritage, Aubrey Reynolds works and lives for his family, his employees and his pack. Agreeing to watch after a visiting werewolf is no big deal—until he discovers the newcomer is his mate. His very male mate…which is a very big deal, indeed. Revealing his sexuality was never part of Aubrey’s well-ordered life plan.
Much as he loved caring for his eight younger brothers, Matt Mahihkan knows it’s time to grab the opportunity to attend college in Atlanta. Realizing Aubrey is his mate should have been a delightful experience…except Aubrey treats him more like a dirty little secret than a lover. Yet Matt is a patient man. Aubrey can’t stay in the closet forever. Can he?
In time, they settle into a comfortable, if complicated, routine. Until a rogue werewolf with an axe to grind forces Aubrey to add to the wedge of secrets driving him and Matt apart, leaving Matt exposed to danger… and Aubrey forced to choose between love and duty.
What I’m talking about:
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When Matt Mahihkan decided to leave his eight brothers, friends and home in New Mexico to move to Atlanta to attend college, his friend Keaton put Matt in touch with his brother, Aubrey. The pair connected instantly via texts and soon Matt was off to live with Aubrey in Georgia. When he lands at the airport, Aubrey’s fiancee, Tara (former Miss Georgia) picks him up and Matt’s senses tell him Tara is his mate.
Confused and a bit troubled, Matt worries how to break it to his new friend Aubrey that his fiancee is Matt’s mate. That is until Matt meets Aubrey and realizes that it was his scent on Tara which triggered the mating reaction. Soon Matt and Aubrey are fighting the strong pull to be with one another - but for different reasons. Matt wants to take things slow, never having been with another before. Aubrey wants to hide his homosexuality for fear that it will disappoint his family and ruin his business.
Oh how I’ve missed these sexy male shifters of Ms. Langley’s With or Without series. Although this book can be enjoyed as a stand alone, for those familiar with the series, Aubrey is brother of Keaton, one of the heroes from first book, Without Reservations. Matt, Keaton's friend, also appeared in this story.
In a world where m/m romances are extremely common (making me wonder how these werewolves are able to reproduce), I like that there is a realistic fear for Aubrey that coming out would ruin his life and his family's business. I also like that Matt is keen enough to insist on taking it slow. Aubrey and Matt have good chemistry regardless of the obstacles in their path, and the story moves their relationship forward at a comfortable pace.
There is a lot going on in With Abandon that makes this romance an exciting ride as well. Aubrey is the alpha’s son and expected to take over as head of the pack soon. He has a human friend, Carson, who is being harassed by a rival packmate and CEO of the family’s hotel business, Boskie. Aubrey attempts to deal with the situation, and sometimes I felt his choices would come back to haunt him (not telling if they did or not!). In addition, it appears someone is sending Aubrey threats against Matt. No one knows the pair are mates, so someone must be watching Matt too closely in order to pull this off. These two storylines intertwine and mingle, taking the reader on an thrilling journey, complete with a few interesting twists - one that I didn’t see coming at all.
Another great aspect of With Abandon are the relationships between several of the characters. One of my favorites is the connection between Aubrey’s father, Howard, and Matt. Early on in the book, Howard takes Matt aside and has an amazing heart-to-heart. Not only did it boost Matt’s confidence and help move the plot forward, but it put my mind and heart at ease, knowing that there was at least one aspect of Matt and Aubrey’s relationship that would go right, when and if they moved things public. It was such an amazing scene.
I could go on and on about every little thing that went right in this book. But in the end, it’s a terrific combination of marvelous story telling, mystery, action and romance. The story flowed well from start to finish, with the twists adding excellent tension. Aubrey’s internal struggles over trying to decide what was truly in his heart made for an engaging romantic plot. I genuinely enjoyed With Abandon and feel it’s the strongest story yet in Ms. Langley’s m/m shifter series. I look forward to more from this series.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
With Abandon
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, February 1, 2013
Review: Don't by Jack L. Pyke
Don’t
Author: Jack L. Pyke
Release Date: Dec. 13, 2012
Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing
Genre: Gay/ Romance/ Suspense/ BDSM – m/m
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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"Don't... open me."
Three simple words that tease Jack, taking him places from his dark past. For Jack, BDSM is a way to resist his worst impulses. Yet, the stranger calling himself The Unknown seeks to use that to seduce him. As Jack slips further down into the abyss, two men hold the power to save him. Will it be Gray, the Master who knows Jack's every secret? Or Jan, the first man to give Jack a reason to hope? With deadly ghosts coming out to play, Jack may lose everything, even his life.
What B is talking about:
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Warnings: “apparent” rape, knife/blood play, psychological manipulation.
I’ll begin by saying that the author is correct when she warns that this story is not for the faint of heart. Although I don’t generally consider myself as such, I do not like nonconsensual sex in the stories I read. Rape is a bad thing as far as I’m concerned, and even “rape fantasy” within the story is usually enough to cause me to abandon the book immediately. Which is what nearly happened with Don’t. There is a rape scene, and a brutal one, about a third of the way through. Jack, the main character, is drugged and bound, restrained, and raped or otherwise assaulted more than once, before the reality of the “scene” is revealed. In a “Gotcha!” moment that never entirely dispels the hurt done by the scene itself, the author reveals that what transpired was actually part of a much more complicated scenario in which the main character has participated with full knowledge and consent. While the rest of the novel lost some of its edgy sexiness (at least for me) because of the brutality involved, what the scene did accomplish was establish with startling efficiency just how far Jack is both expected and willing to go.
Jack’s involvement in the scene was summed up well by this quote:
Jack thrives on sexual stimulation. It’s helped him manage what he constantly fears will rear its head again. He thought he’d been coping well over the years, we all did. That’s why we both sanctioned this psych-play scene. He wanted to test his resolve, face it.
Having said that, with a little extra time to think about the story, I’ve reevaluated a good bit of my original opinion about Don’t. Although I still have mixed feelings, both the premise behind the novel, as well as the bigger story as a whole, deserve a good look if you read within the BDSM genre. Ms. Pyke takes the subject seriously, delving into both the psychology behind various kinks, and the needs that the lifestyle as a whole attempts to address.
We’re given two vastly different main characters from whom we might gain perspective, as well as a third who acts as the cool voice of reason amid the chaos. First, there’s Jack Harrison, an auto-shop owner/mechanic by day and Master’s Sub, a special designation within the elite organization that is the “Master’s Circle.” Though he’s better suited to being a Dom himself, Jack is a hardcore role-player whose life within this BDSM community is his only salvation from his past and escape from his own inner demons. Diagnosed as OCD/ODD, he is an extremely complex character: sometimes defiant, at others generous, oftentimes lonely, and occasionally adrift and lost. There’s a lost innocence to Jack that made my heart ache for him throughout the story.
Then, there’s Jan Richards, the outsider who falls for Jack, and sees his own immersion into Jack’s world as his Dom as the only way to hold on to him. Of course, Jan is neither a Dom, nor is he involved in the scene in any way, and the entire situation spirals into complete chaos before it gets better. Jan’s lack of understanding about what he’ll be required to not only give up for Jack, but also take from him in turn, leads to some damaging moments for them both.
In the middle is Gray Raoul, Master Dom and all-around dangerous guy. He trains other Doms, taking on the responsibility for the well being of his trainees, as well as any sub they might take on. He’s tough and unyielding, and the only reason Jack was able to find his way to a life he stood a chance of surviving. While I understood Gray’s purpose within the context of the story, I was never able to like him. But, with the physical, sexual, and emotional lives of his clients in his hands, “liking” him isn’t really a factor.
Beyond its commentary on BDSM, Don’t is a psychological thriller as well, and it is this aspect of the novel I enjoyed the most. Ms. Pyke has crafted a genuinely disturbing mystery, and I had to toss aside my theories about the outcome over and over as the story progressed. My worry for Jack increased steadily throughout, most especially when Gray himself, the one who’s always in control, begins to panic on Jack’s behalf. Even though the ending attempts to regain a sense of levity, Don’t is a nail-biter to the end.
Don’t is not for everyone. It is dark and occasionally brutal, but Ms. Pyke should be credited with treating the subject with the respect and honesty it deserves, especially in light of the rampant misunderstanding surrounding the BDSM lifestyle. Despite my personal issues with part of the novel, Don’t is extremely well-written, edited, and researched, letting the story unfold without technical clutter that could have easily proved too much a distraction or cheapened the narrative. While it does its part to increase awareness, Don’t is more than that. It is also a tale of suspense and eroticism. But, mostly, I think, Don’t is a story about life and love…and all the kinks that go with it.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
3 stars,
BDSM,
Bs-review,
Fantastic Fiction Publishing,
GLBT,
Jack L Pyke,
m/m romance
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