Men of Smithfield: Mark and Tony by LB Gregg

Men of Smithfield: Mark and Tony by LB Gregg
Stars: 3/5

Length: 36,000 words
Blurb
Coming home from work to find my boyfriend banging our hairy, married landlord--in our bed--was bad enough. Discovering Jamie had also cleaned out my bank accounts made it officially the worst day of my life. I think I can be forgiven for wanting revenge, even if a few little laws (and possibly Jamie's nose) got bent in the process.

Fortunately, the law is on my side in the form of my oldest friend, Tony Gervase. I've tried to deny my attraction to the sexy trooper for years. After all, he made it clear long ago that he wasn't interested in me that way. But if the hot encounter in his kitchen is any indication, he is now. At least the day is ending a whole lot better than it began...

But the morning after, the Jamie situation goes from bad to seriously messed up. The jerk's in more trouble than I could have imagined. And as it turns out, I don't know Tony as well as I thought I did either...

Previously published, newly revised by author.

Overall
Sadly, this is one of those stories that didn’t impress me, but I can definitely see why other people would enjoy it. I think my main problem is that I had trouble relating to the main character, which, when written in the first person as this was, makes a story difficult to get into. This piece mingles a touch of mystery with a heavy touch of erotica and a general sweep of romantic plot.

Review
Everything starts with a bang as Mark breaks up with his boyfriend in a dramatic, fists-flying way. I was immediately sucked in, and despite the dramatics, I stayed interested for most of the whirlwind plot. While not a murder mystery, it does have a puzzle that Mark needs to solve (even if he should leave it to the police), which plays an underlying motivation throughout. It was enough to keep my interest and keep the story moving.

I really liked Tony, the law-abiding, sensible one. Although we aren't given a huge amount of development, I liked most of what I saw. There are some questionable decisions/actions he takes, but overall they aren't major. That one thing I didn't like was pretty big and felt somewhat out of character, but I was willing to forgive it just about as easily as Mark did.

Speaking of Mark... He kind of annoyed me. While his initial reaction to the incident involving his (ex)boyfriend seemed reasonable, he continues to make poor decisions throughout the story and denies that they are bad ideas, even with Tony chanting as much in his ear. He suffers from hot and cold syndrome, and while he's not a terrible character, I had trouble relating to him and seeing his side of the story, which also made it difficult to see why Tony was interested in him at all. However, the glimpses we see of Mark acting like a reasonable adult made me wonder if he was acting this way because of the circumstances, or he was just made to react that way in order to further the plot. I'll never know.

I loved the scenes involving Mark with Tony or with his family, as it (tended) to show a better, more reasonable Mark. The love between his family members is very sweet and honest and feels real, making a crappy situation into an almost-tender moment. Also, the steel door bit was practically laugh out loud funny.

Requested this book for review.

First Impressions by Christopher Koehler

First Impressions by Christopher Koehler
Stars: 2/5

Length: 300 pages
Blurb
The first time Henry Hughes and Cameron Jameson meet, it’s an unmitigated disaster. Cameron reminds Henry of all he left behind when he stopped making adult films, and he cruelly rejects Cameron. When Cameron discovers Henry’s porno-thespian past, he assumes he’s dodged a bullet.

But circumstances continue to throw the two together. Though the physical attraction between them grows, they cling to first impressions, even as a slow dance reveals just how good they could be.

Henry finally realizes how wrong he was, but Cameron can’t cope with “sleeping with the enemy.” It will take a confrontation for Cameron to realize just how wrong he’s been, but unfortunately, he may have lost his chance.

Overall
This novel will not be for everyone, or even maybe for most people. While the writing itself isn't bad, the characters and the plot leave plenty to be desired. The one main character especially rubbed me the wrong way, but that may be personal preference. It's possible this was meant to be a more humorous story, and some may find it that way, but my dislike of the one main character and his friends, along with the inconsistency of how the character portrayals, left me not laughing as the story fell flat.

That said, this wasn't a hard book to read, either. It has a good pace, and there is almost always something happening that keeps things moving. For readers who don't mind ridiculous characters and who like the 'big misunderstanding' trope, this may be just the thing.

Review
The biggest weaknesses in this book stem from the characters. My initial thoughts on Cameron weren't that bad, although I questioned his taste in friends. V+T are irresponsible, loose cannons who think everything is a joke. They overreact to simple situations, are pushy and flamboyant, and got under my skin. At least for the first half. In the latter part of the book, they become more responsible, only retaining fragments of themselves, while Cameron becomes the reckless one.

In general, Cameron's first appearance presents him as a responsible adult who is surrounded by irresponsible friends (aside from one of them) and who made decisions to be independent that have put him in the situation he's in now. I liked the Cameron we were given, but as the story unfolds, he changes and the perspective about him changes, which could have been done on purpose by the author to show that what we first saw wasn’t all there was to him, but in general made me dislike him as a character and made me question whether we were finding out new facts or if the old facts were changing.

Henry is a more consistent character, although his hatred/obsession with his history as a porn star gets a little tiring. However, I can understand that people get that way about something they are ashamed of, plus his 'uncle's' involvement probably amplifies the negative experience Henry had. Despite his grumpiness, I rather liked Henry and the friendly relationship he has with his comic foil. They balance each other out, and the foil keeps Henry from being too much of a stick in the mud.

The general plot and back and forth of the characters had some interesting elements, but in general it dragged out the telling. Many things kept happening, getting in the way of the two main characters, which meant for a quickly paced book, but I lacked motivation to really care about the characters and their end results. So while the multiple "But wait, another twist!" events kept the story moving, they only helped with the enjoyment slightly.

It's an easy story to read, and while there was plenty I didn't like, it was quick, making it oddly enjoyable. It's like a cheesy, sorta bad movie that makes you roll your eyes and laugh once and a while. Not something I'd outright recommend, but will probably be to some people's tastes.

Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.

Burn (Elementally Evolved, #1) by TJ Klune

Burn (Elementally Evolved, #1) by TJ Klune
Stars: 2.5/5

Length: 370 pages
Blurb
Book One of the Elementally Evolved series

Set in a world that closely resembles our own, Burn is a story of redemption and betrayal, of family and sacrifice, which leads to the greatest question of all: how far would you go to save the ones you love?

Fifteen years ago, Felix Paracel killed his mother with fire that shot from his hands. Since then, he has hidden from forces bent on exploiting him and his fire and wind Elemental abilities. But Felix’s world is about to change, because he is Findo Unum—the Split One—and his coming has been foretold for generations.

Though Felix’s arrival brings great joy to the Elemental world, it also heralds a coming darkness. No one knows this better than Seven, the mysterious man who rescued Felix from that horrible fire years ago and then disappeared... who now has returned to claim what’s rightfully his: Felix’s heart. But even as Felix begins to trust Seven and his feelings about his place in the world, the darkness reveals itself, bringing consequences no one could have predicted.

Overall
There are elements of Burn that I really enjoyed, and other pieces that left me struggling to finish the novel. First off, I wouldn't count this story as a romance, because while there is a strong romantic/sexual element, it's really not the overwhelming focus of the story, especially the latter half. Second, this tale suffers from a loquacious narrator, which from the two books I've read by Klune, this seems to be the author's style. I had difficulty connecting to the narrator and the world in general, although I wanted the narrator and his team to win.

For readers who need absolute closure in their books, beware that this is "Burn, Elementally Evolved #1," meaning that there is an on-going story. I found the lack of closure frustrating, although understandable.

I wish I had enjoyed this novel more, as I think the concept is interesting and would like to know it's ultimate conclusion, but the style of writing that worked so well in Otter, Bear, and The Kid failed to keep my interest here and ultimately made this something that I would have a hard time finding the time (my so-limited time) to read.

Review
Felix, our narrator, is selfish and a touch whiney, although in some/most instances it's understandable. He's not my preferred narrator type, especially with a close first person point of view. He toes the line (hard) of being a Gary Stu (male equivalent of Mary Sue). However, he's also understandably suspicious and distrustful, since everyone, from his father to his lover, lies to him or keeps secrets. He was hard for me to like, but he was also hard to hate.

The plot line was interesting, pulling aspects from familiar stories like X-Men and Lord of the Rings, but also including many original elements as well. The environment is similar to those mutants we know and love, where people with special powers are persecuted and there is the chance of laws coming into effect that will tag them all. Felix, unbeknownst to him, is a kind of savior to Elementals and is pulled into an underground society in order to receive his training and fulfill a prophecy. Yes, some of the story is been-there, done-that, but it went in some interesting directions, which kept me from saying, "Yeah, I've seen this before."

There is a large cast of characters, and it's hard to trust anyone, and those you do trust could wind up stabbing you in the back. It's painful for the main character and it's painful to read, but it is realistic, and the raw emotions that Felix forms from his interactions (no matter how irrational some of his behaviors are), do make sense. At the end, I found myself connecting to him as he struggled through the more difficult parts of the story, and I think part of my discomfort with the novel stems from the fact that Felix doesn’t know who he can trust and he can’t really trust anyone, which I don’t like feeling, and which of course I felt every step of the way. It was well done to evoke that emotion from me, but that doesn’t mean I need to like it. :)

About two-thirds of the way through, I got stuck. I was sick of the politics within the underground community, I was tired of Felix's whining, and the internal dialogue was killing the pacing for me. Several months later I finally opened it up again, but instead of thoroughly reading, I did a skimming finish. The verbosity never died out, but the plot picked up and gained steam, to the point where I kept looking at how much I had left and at what was happening and wondered how they could possibly end everything in time.

The answer was they couldn't. Although the conclusion is a sorta ending, if the tale ended there I would be terribly dissatisfied. Knowing this is part of a series and will be continued keeps me from grading this harshly (I'm out of practice of reading series and feeling like I'm going to rip my hair out waiting for the next one). It's still one heck of a place to end, and readers who need closure should wait until the next book--at least--is out, although I'm not certain I'll read it.

Finally, the cover is lovely, stark and eye catching. If I saw this on a bookshelf, I’d pick it up, which is the purpose of the cover! It’s fitting for the story and further shows that this isn’t your typical romance novel.

Requested this book for review.

Changing Worlds by Cari Z

Changing Worlds by Cari Z
Stars: 5/5

Length: 71,000 words
Blurb
In this sequel to Cari Z's Opening Worlds, former starship captain Jason Kim travels to Perelan, the homeworld of his lover, Ferran, to start a life together. The ruling council of the Perels have allowed this unconventional union to continue in the hopes of strengthening relations between themselves and the humans. And while Ferran's family welcome Jason with open arms, not all of the other major families are as pleased. The arrival of an outsider to their insular, subterranean world challenges the traditions of centuries.

Tensions soar as old rivalries are rekindled in the wake of Jason and Ferran's relationship. Inevitably, something snaps. Jason and Ferran soon find themselves literally fighting for their lives when xenophobic anger pushes things beyond the breaking point. Only their devotion to one another can see them through, but a ghost from Jason's past threatens even that. With Perelan on the brink of civil war, Jason and Ferran must find a way to stand together in the face of chaos and to change the world on their own terms before it tears itself apart.

Overall
Having enjoyed the short story that this novel expands on, I was excited to hear that Ferran and Jason's story continued. And, for the benefit of people who hadn't read the first story, it's included in the beginning of the novel. (Two for the price of one!) I had already read it, but I re-read it, despite everything being explained in the novel itself (for those who choose to skip reading or re-reading the short). I was reminded how much I enjoyed the short, and with its happy ending, it was almost difficult to begin the novel, knowing there would be challenges in their future.

But I did, and I'm glad I did. A majority of the story is rather calm, action-wise, but it's tense in the relationship and political quandaries that arise. The last few chapters are incredibly compelling, and I eagerly ate through them. A great exploration of different cultures, xenophobia, and what really is the last great frontier--love. Oh, I mean space.

Review
I'm going to lead with what is probably the two weakest points of the novel, and they are pretty flimsy weak points: One, if you just re-read the short story which comes before the novel, then all the descriptive bits regarding the short story and explaining what happened seem unnecessary. Very minor and barely worth mentioning.

The second is that I saw some very minor plot holes, that weren't really holes but thin sections of the fabric. Some actions, while they had a good reason behind it, didn't make sense later. However, those actions weren't the main focus of the end plot, so it didn't detract from the story, but did create a slight "Wait--what?" moment for me as I read.

That being said, I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were well-fleshed out and came in a variety of flavors, from the stoic Penelope to the goofy doctor, to the main characters, who struggle with their differences about how life should be. While the reader will undoubtedly be more familiar with Jason's perspective and traditions, it was nice to see he wasn't always in the right in their struggle of differences, and most times they found a middle ground between them. Regardless if you agree with the culture Jason has to adjust to, I appreciated the sense of balance, that he had to respect their traditions, but they also had to understand that things can change. It was very positive, and also the greatest points of conflict throughout the plot.

Changing Worlds explores multiple facets of facing a new and different culture, such as language barriers (although technology does make that easier!), cultural differences, xenophobia, and the general environmental differences. For me, this story did all those things right, creating an environment (both socially and physically) that wasn't deadly, but wasn't all that healthy for Jason either. This plays a part multiple times in the story as Jason has to survive the politics and environment and be given what little concessions the Council of Matriarchs will allow for him to be an equal.

The progress of all the characters was interesting, not just the main two. There are side characters that grow, or that Jason's relationship grows with, adding a compelling element to the story telling, since the reader doesn't just care about the leading men, but a large extended family.However, even though we care about them, the focus never gets deterred from the primary story, and in the end the threads all pull together nicely.

I'd recommend this to all readers--sci-fi fans or not.

Requested this book for review.

Slight Hiatus

A slightly unplanned hiatus.

Which you may have noticed since I didn't post anything last week.

Last week and this week I've been busy working on proofs, plus my own edits, plus working full time, (and last week, caring for a dog). I only have so many hours in the day (my time-turner hasn't arrived yet) and sadly this falls bottom of the list. All my being busy time has meant I haven't had much time to read outside of  work related things (which, you may have noticed, I stopped putting reviews up for), so I'm lacking reviews to post. A little bit. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll be back on my feet and throwing reviews out there, because I have some great books in the line-up to be read (or what hope to be great books!).

Currently Reading: Changing Worlds by Cari Z

Next up (not necessarily in this order):

		That's Not a Feeling	Josefson, Dan
		King Perry	Manning, Edmond *
		First Impressions	Koehler, Christopher *
		Who We Are (Bear, Otter, and the Kid #2)	Klune, TJ *
		Alien 'n' Outlaw	Burn, K.C. *
		The Cool Part of His Pillow	Ross, Rodney*
		The Druid Stone	Belleau, Heidi*
		The Lonely War	Chin, Alan *

Cheating Chance by James Buchanan

Cheating Chance by James Buchanan
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 183 pages
Blurb
Vice Detective, Brandon Carr, despite his tattoos and bad-boy cool, lives in the closet with no intention of ever coming out. Then he meets Nevada Gaming Agent, Nick O'Malley, at a Goth convention and his perfectly constructed world starts to crack. Nick's passions for him, a restored hearse and rope bondage might drown Brandon's will. With the odds stacked against them they try to move from simply sex to something more. Sparks fly as the pair probes a world of cheating, murder, drugs and money laundering. The investigation repeatedly derails their relationship, finally forcing Brandon to choose between staying in the closet and saving Nick's life.

Overall
Don't judge this book by it's cover! Especially if you have the cover I did, which is a--I assume--Native American man (shirtless torso) in the foreground, a general casino backsplash, and a (shirtless torso) man in the middle ground who I assume is trying to be sexy but kind of looks in pain. I started reading it because 1) I got it free from MLR Press 2) I needed some bad fiction. Sometimes I just get my hopes up and they are dashed, or I know a story is going to be good but painful (emotionally) to read. Bad books rarely move me.

So imagine my surprise when this wasn't a bad book! The opening is a little rough, but the characters sucked me in, the plot was great, and I really enjoyed reading it. Even the parts I found weak (which I'm guessing is extremely personal preference), were easy enough to skim through and still enjoy.

I'd recommend this, especially to readers who like light mystery novels (where there is a mystery, but it shares the spotlight with the romance.

Review
So the cover I have is BAD, but GoodReads tells me it's not the only one, so hopefully it was improved in other incarnations. If this were a print book I'd be embarrassed to hold that book in my hands. Thankfully it wasn't and I was able to dive into the story.

I had some issues in the beginning, I suspect mainly because the early chapters are heavy on sex and sex isn't really my thing in general, and this tended to be, while not porny, definitely a more sexualized encounter. And some of the sex dialogue makes me giggle, but sex dialogues tend do that. So it starts with Nick and Brandon meeting up at a con and having lots of yummy sex. They return to life and that's when things get interesting.

The development of the murder mystery storyline is blended seamlessly into the story, providing all the necessary information to solve the whodunit while not feeling that the characters are being dense or that the author is withholding information. In the beginning of the unraveling, everything feels natural and part of the story, not highlighting any specific events as part of the larger plot. Obviously as the characters begin to actively pull on strings, the events become more forced as they are the ones forcing things to happen. Still, it was all effortlessly pulled together. A word of note, this is not a suspenseful novel that makes your skin crawl and nervous glances over the shoulder. Overall it's as sunny as the location where it takes place.

These two guys are fun, quirky, and sweet. They like goth culture, being tied up, and hard screws in the night. I liked them and I liked their relationship, when they were together, and despite a somewhat hanging ending (since this is part of a series), it has a closed case and is hopeful.

Free Me by Brita Addams

Free Me by Brita Addams
Stars: 3/5

Length: 24,000 words (97 pages)
Blurb
Dr. Bryan Newcastle needs a respite from the grinding responsibilities of his medical practice. He's looking for someone to free his mind and body, to take him to the sexual heights his ex-lover had stifled.

On an impulse, Bryan plunks down his credit card, and commits himself to a gay, BDSM cruise that he hopes will be the answer to all his prayers.

Bryan meets Phil Sanderson, a sexual dom looking for a vacation sub. With a key card slid across the lunch table, Bryan is plunged into Phil's decadent world, where sexual submission is only the beginning of what Phil wishes to show Bryan.

Phil brings his sub to new heights, but seven days isn't enough. Will Bryan and Phil be able to return to their former lives or has Phil just started Bryan's journey to sexual freedom?

Overall
A quick love story that was plenty sexy but left me unsatisfied. Some elements may be specific to me, and if you want a steamy summer read, this could be it. Definite focus on hot...not plot.

Review
Going in, I knew this story was going to be heavier on the sex appeal and lighter on the other elements, but I still felt it was lacking. To some extent, you need to suspend disbelief, especially depending on your feelings of love at first sight (or its many incarnations). I struggled at the beginning with these two men feeling much of anything for one another above the belt, but as the cruise came to an end, I sympathized with Bryan's emotional struggles and his desire to avoid Phil in order to numb the pain.

So I could buy that they felt very intensely about one another...but the ending still left me wrinkling my nose. It felt rushed to the point of unfinished, and I couldn't buy that all the answers were given. Because there are more books with the characters, the conclusion is obviously on going, but I still felt a little side-swiped by the ending.

The characters were a little two-dimensional, but for what was being offered in this story (sexy, light BDSM), there isn't a call for deeper characters, and little of the setting provided a contrast, as the sunny ship isn't exactly ideal for broadening personalities.

Still, if you're looking for two guys who get hot and heavy with some spanking and commands, some light emotional plot, but not much else, this will be a pleasant beach read.

The Rare Event by PD Singer

The Rare Event by PD Singer
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 350 pages
Blurb
Hedge fund trader Ricky Santeramo has it all: money, looks, and fellow trader Jonathan Hogenboom. The two couldn't be more different: Jon is from old money, while Ricky clawed his way out of blue-collar New Jersey. Jon hedges his positions; Ricky goes for broke. Jon likes opera and the Yankees; Ricky prefers clubbing. Jon drinks wine with dinner; Ricky throws back a beer. Jon wants monogamy… but Ricky likes variety. Bankrupt airlines are facing strikes, the housing market is starting to crumble, and Jon can’t wait any longer for Ricky to commit. One last night alone and one last risky trade make Jon say, “Enough.” Then Jon’s old friend Davis comes to New York City, ready for baseball and forever. The whole world is chaos, but there are fortunes to be made—or lost—and hearts to be broken—or won. Faced with losing it all, Ricky must make the savviest trades of his life and pray for a rare event. His portfolio and Jon's love are on the line.

Overall
This is a well-written, well-told story that toys with not being a romance, but ultimately harkens back to romantic roots. The focus of the story is Ricky and Jon, but much of the plot involves finances and stocks, which distracts from the romance, but is a (as far as I can tell) well-researched story of its own.

However, despite how good the financial tension is, I glossed through most of it because while it reflects on the characters and is involved in their development and actions, the details weighed down the flow of narrative, especially for one as financial disinclined as me.

I would still recommend this to readers who don't demand a 100% romance story. This has a good, elaborate (but not too overblown) plot, a great cast of characters, and the leads both learn something (although one definitely learns more...I'll let you guess who!). This story is good, but not amazing, and while worth the read, the heavy financial elements may turn many people off.

Review
There is plenty of drama happening in Ricky and Jon's life, whether it's the stocks, their 'open' relationship, or their skeevy sexual-harassment happy boss. The main conflictis Ricky's inability to be monogamous and Jon's desire to have just that from him. Running parallel in theme and relationship dynamic is Ricky and Jon's work life, where Ricky is the maverick and Jon is the secure buyer. These contrasts bring the characters head to head throughout as Jon begins realizing what he wants from life isn't what Ricky is willing to give him.

The drama is all interesting, although the financial speak is pretty heavy and, for me, interrupted the flow of action. However, I can't say that it's unnecessary, as much of the action centers around the stock market, so being given all the information helps the reader understand what was going on. My personal preference would have been for less of it, but I don't think it necessarily detracts from the novel for all readers. However, readers should go in expecting a ton of stock talk.

I think the weakest element of this novel was the role Spencer played, both historically and currently. His present role isn't bad, but I found it hard to swallow (even though I saw it coming) that he would behave as he did in the past. While highly unlikely, I suppose it isn't completely impossible, and I can understand that it was a needed force for multiple other things in Jon's life. However, it stuck out as being such, detracting from its believability.

Jon is an easy character to empathize with, as he's a generally nice guy who's in love with a man who is bit of a player. He has his faults, but they are minor. Ricky is a bit harder to like, as he's a player (although honest about it), a risk taker, and while not a bad guy, he tends to be more selfish. At times it's difficult to understand what Jon sees in Ricky, but I never questioned Jon's love for Ricky. He recognizes Ricky's faults (or at least faults as far as the relationship he wants to have goes). Their relationship and their unique development as characters drive the story, and it's a wonderful unraveling of people and their emotions.

Requested this book for review.

It's Not Shakespeare by Amy Lane

It's Not Shakespeare by Amy Lane
Stars: 3/5

Length: 178 pages
Blurb
College professor James Richards is in a rut and feeling his age. He moved to northern California to escape heartbreak and humiliation, but so far the only good thing to happen to him has been his Boston terrier, Marlowe. Then James’s toughest student sets him up with her best friend. Rafael Ochoa is worlds apart from James—chronologically, culturally, and philosophically—but he’s also beautiful, kind, and a shot of adrenaline to James’s not-quite-middle-aged heart. Together, the two of them forge a bridge between James’s East Coast sensibilities and Rafael’s West Coast casualness, but can their meeting of the hearts survive James’s lack of faith in happy-ever-after?

Overall
This sweet little tale reminded me of one of Lane's other works If I Must, mostly because of the Latino*/white pairing. It's just as wonderfully cute as that, although it has fewer kittens (but more dog), and less neurotic white guy (and more older, scared-to-commit white guy). Despite the similarities, it really is a story unto its own, and worth picking up, especially if you want a yummy snack.

Review
There isn't much meat to this story, but it isn't all candy either. It's more like a trail mix--yummy, tides you over, but doesn't completely fill you up. (I make a lot of food comparisons, don't I?)

Rafi is fun and fresh, just want James needs. (Plus he's drop-dead sexy, which, you know, doesn't hurt.) And while he's a good deal younger, he isn't looking for a sugar daddy—which is good, because James has been burned in the past from that type of relationship. Rafi seems perfect for James, and while we don't get an extensive idea about what Rafi sees in James, the reader can tell Rafi is absolutely into him and James is a decent enough guy (sweet, intelligent, although, he admits, though not in so many words, WASPish). They are a fun couple and while we don't get much of them, I think it was a good amount—enough to develop their relationship (albeit, very quickly!) and show us the conflict without dragging it on. In addition, there is a bonus story at the end which previously ran as a free story on a GoodReads group.

I had a few niggles with the main conflict, which mostly revolved around the saying of "I love you," but nothing dramatic enough to cause issue. I also felt the conflict that arises with a fellow professor was a bit odd, but again, nothing that stuck out like a sore thumb. Those were the only weak spots, and they did very little to detract from the story.

Of course the English geek in me thoroughly enjoyed the undercurrent of literature discussion/references, from James's dog's name (Marlowe) to the title of the story. It added a nice taste of James's personality to a story that is drenched with Rafi's personality and flavor (since James is discovering all the things Rafi likes).

One final thing: Some may find Rafi’s character and his family to be slightly stereotypical, but I felt it was just portraying one family who happened to be slightly more traditional. It didn’t bother me, and it may not bother most, but for sensitive readers, it may be worth investigating further.

Cute, enjoyable snack, worth the calories!

*(If Latino isn't the right word, tell me, as I suck at getting Latino/Hispanic/Etc right! But I think Latino is right here, as I know one is Mexican, and I think one is Puero Rican, but I can’t recall.)

Submission (Deviations #1) by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne

Submission (Deviations #1) by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne
Stars: 3.5/5

Length: 244 pages
Blurb
Tobias is a skilled Dom, able to bring even the most hesitant submissive around. Noah is a man in need of just that. He wants to sub badly, but has yet to find someone he believes can take him where he needs to go. Through a series of encounters in the world of bondage and discipline, Noah reveals why he has trouble trusting, why he needs such a firm, steady hand. Tobias may allow himself to dominate, but he has trouble letting himself love. Still, Tobias can't resist Noah's charms, and the two of them set about making a scene for themselves, one that works for them and their unique set of problems. They learn to love, but can they stay together while they explore each others' secrets, in a world where all is laid bare and emotions run high?

Overall
A good exploration of the psychological and emotional elements of BDSM, this novel shows the beginning relationship of two men who are both familiar with the scene but are approaching each other carefully because of previous experiences. One of my biggest complaints is that due to it being part of a series exploring BDSM, there isn't that much character or relationship resolution, as obviously it needs to build over the rest of the novels as well. That being said, for what it is, this is a good story and I enjoyed the psychological elements that develop between the two men, even if I ultimately was left somewhat unsatisfied.

Review
Tobias and Noah are an interesting pair that both bring something--good and hard--to the relationship. Despite both having some issues, it very much feels from their first interaction that these two men are meant to go together, whether just for the kinks or for love too. Because of this, and fighting against my overall mediocre feelings about the book, I do want to continue the series to see how they progress. Of course, with a backlog of books to read, it's hard to justify continuing a series that doesn't earn a higher rating from me.

On the other hand, the kink was well done, sexy without being porny, almost educational, and patient, if that makes sense. While sex is involved, the focus is on the psychological and emotional development of the characters--especially Noah--and how Tobias gives him what he needs as a Sub. They cover a variety of kinks (bondage, paddling, role play), but nothing is too hardcore, maybe because this is the first book, maybe because Tobias doesn't want a pain sl*t.

For how long this novel is, not much happens. Obviously part of it is the lengthy scenes that develop the relationship and character, but even that is a slow progression. It wasn't a hard read or a boring one, but it wasn't a page turner either, as there was no suspense as to what was going to happen--although it could be that the suspense is stretched more tamely over multiple books. The end doesn't feel like a huge resolution or end, again linked to the fact this is a series, and enough was left hanging that it raised a brow, but for readers already planning to read the entire series, this won't be an issue.