READING: Part & Parcel (Sidewinder #3) by Abigail Roux

Publication date: December 19 2015

Published by: Riptide

Genre: MM, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense  

Rating:

Nick O'Flaherty and Kelly Abbott had their happy ending in sight when a friend’s call for help almost ended with them losing it to the blade of a knife. Now, in the aftermath of near-disaster, both men are trying to heal and move on.

Moving on together, though, is harder than either of them realized it would be. Kelly struggles with simply being a lover instead of the Doc, while Nick is mired in his recovery. The distance between them inches along in stilted silence.

Desperately seeking solace, Nick finally gathers the courage to sort through the possessions his dear friend and fellow Sidewinder teammate Elias Sanchez left him when he died. Instead of comforting memories, Nick and Kelly find a stack of letters and strict instructions from Eli that prompt them to send out a call for assistance. With Eli’s letters in hand, Sidewinder sets out on one last mission together, seeking peace and absolution from beyond the grave—and from each other.

No...this can't be how the series ends...I refuse to believe that after 12 books, this is how Abigail Roux decides to send off my favourite characters.
How sad. 😢
Granted, Part & Parcel was better than Cross&Crown, but not as good as it should be, and definitely not as good as I expected.

I appreciated the sentiment behind it, it was indeed a very moving story. Having all Sidewinder go on a spiritual journey of sorts while saying goodbye to their fallen brother in arms; it was the tear-jerker story suited to close the series. Why was Zane there, though? I get it, he is part of the gang blah blah but he is not Sidewinder, and his presence there undercut the tone of the story. He stuck out like a shore thumb, something that he even acknowledged himself in the book!
It wasn't a deal breaker though, I could easily have looked passed it if the rest of the book was OK.
It wasn't.

Part&Parcel belongs in the Sidewinder series, so I naturally expected that it would be primarily focused on Nick and Kelly. I didn't mind the other Sidewinder members being there, not at all, but I realised very early in the book that Roux didn't actually know what to do with all these characters so it was very unclear what was the point of the book : was it Nick and Kelly's relationship? Was it saying goodbye to Eli? Was it Nick dealing with his issues? Was it Nick's suddenly revealed past? Was it Ty and Zane? It was none of these things and yet all of it at once, and it didn't make for good storytelling. It was a hot mess, actually.

Nick was not the Nick I got to know and root for in Divide&Conquer and definitely not the Nick I fell in love with in Shock&Awe. To put it bluntly, we was a sad sack throughout the whole book, constantly moping and brooding. And while I completely get why (he almost died and lost a friend) and while I generally like brooding men, Nick seemed to sulk about Kelly, and how he is not worthy of him, and all this nonsense. What happened to the confident Nick? The Nick who inspired all the others with his assertiveness? Yes, he lied to them in Crush&Burn, but come on! He is Nick! His team knows him and has been trusting him blindly for years. Plus, everything Nick had to do for Bell was explained in the end, and all his friends stood by him when he was in the hospital. If Kelly decided he didn't want to be with him after this, it's his decision to make. He is a mature man who has been through wars (!) Nick telling him he is not worthy of his love, is just ridiculous and just drama for the sake of drama. No need for all that. Just a nice, heartwarming story about saying goodbye to a friend concluding the series, would have been more than enough. It reminded me of Touch&Geaux so much, the "I have to create drama out of nowhere to keep the readers interested". No. No need. Yes, feel free to create drama when it's appropriate and suits the story, but when it's out of the blue just to fill the pages with something? Nah, I don't accept that.

Kelly was no better. He was actually the queen of drama, and I wasn't digging that at all. Making a whole thing about seeing an old sex tape of Nick's? Yeah, and? So what? Was he not allowed to have a life before Kelly? And all the back and forth of fighting and making up, and fighting again and then making up again, ugh. Very annoying and didn't serve any purpose.
The way both Nick and Kelly acted, I honestly believed they shouldn't be together. Gone was the sizzling chemistry they had in Sock&Awe. Reading Part&Parcel, you'd think they were this very old couple who got tired of each other and are just looking for a way out. That is how Roux's writing felt like to me-I sensed that by the end of it all, she was exhausted and just wanted to finally finish the book (repeating patterns, phrases, jokes etc.) Also, throwing some LGBTQ+ reps in the last 10 pages, doesn't compensate for the complete character destruction and lack of story.

Finally, the sex scenes, the one potentially redeeming quality of the book, were not great. It felt like Nick and Kelly's sexual chemistry and connection were completely gone, and I personally didn't feel anything going through those scenes. We're talking about the same two people who were hotness personified at the start of their relationship in Shock&Awe. What happened??

I don't know what else to say, I am deeply disappointed in this very weak ending of one of my favorite MM series.
That being said, I will always remember its good moments, and all the reasons that made me fall in love with its characters 🌟

*** 🥇 1st place - 3 way tie between Sticks&Stones, Stars&Stripes and Shock&Awe: these books give me life, I adore them ❤️
*** 🥈 2nd place - very close second is Fish&Chips (nothing better than a submissive Ty 😏)
*** 🥉3rd place - Divide&Conquer (hello Nick :)

READING: Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) by Abigail Roux

Publication date: June 9 2014

Published by: Riptide

Genre: MM, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense

Rating:

When Nick O'Flaherty arrives at the scene of a double homicide to find he has a witness to the crime, he thinks it’s his lucky day. But when he realizes his witness is suffering from amnesia and can’t even remember his own name, Nick wishes he’d gone with his gut and put in for vacation time.

Then Nick’s boyfriend and former Recon teammate, Kelly Abbott, joins him in Boston, and Nick finds his hands a little too full as the case and his personal life collide. The witness he’s dubbed “JD” is being tailed by Julian Cross, a retired CIA hitman. To complicate matters further, JD forms an attachment to Nick that Nick struggles not to respond to as they search for the key to JD’s identity.

Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime before he and Kelly get added to the history books.

 

Very disappointed 😕
I don’t think I have ever rated an Abigail Roux book below 3 stars-not even Ball & Chain which is my least favorite of the C&R series-so you can imagine my dislike for this book. And after Shock & Awe, which I absolutely adore? Ts ts how could you do this to me Mrs. Roux??

I feel like every beautiful and loving aspect of Nick and Kelly’s relationship built in just 125 pages in Sock & Awe, was torn apart in the 225 pages of Cross and Crown, and quite easily actually. I have to admit, I am not a Julian fan. I don’t know what it is. Maybe because I don’t get his relationship with Cameron (like at all), or maybe because he just blends together with all the other alpha, macho males in every Abigail Roux book. He is not something that I have not seen before, therefore he is boring to me.
That being said, Julian is the least of this book’s problems, he didn’t even register.

My issue is: what happened to Nick and Kelly’s chemistry??? And I am not even talking about the sizzling hot connection they shared in S&A. I am talking about their genuine close friendship and comradery. Their scenes felt real forced, and it felt like reading about two strangers. They lost that familiarity and ease they had in S&A and all the previous C&R books, and I never really got why. Granted, they were still trying to figure out their relationship, but they seemed to had it all figured out at the start, but now all of a sudden not so much. There was always something not quite right between them and their scenes were even awkward sometimes.
Yes, and the sex ones. 😟 Not much joy there, as I personally thought their sex scenes were cringey, and they made things even worse.

Kelly seemed to suddenly be on the fence about his relationship with Nick, even though he kept insisting he was in love with him. There always seemed to be doubt in his mind and he, more than Nick, would find a million excuses, like Nick’s work (super unfair to Nick) him living far away, to name a few, to try and justify his uncertainty. He never stopped to think that the only problem was that he was scared shitless to commit to Nick! I would much rather he admitted it, than being a whingey sook for the whole book. Again – this is not the Kelly I knew! I don’t know what came over him in Cross & Crown. Personally, I believe Roux created too much drama over absolutely nothing (or at least issues that could very easily been discussed and resolved) thus weakening the characters, and losing focus of what really mattered.

Nick was pretty much the same, but he too lost his strong and confident personality. He allowed himself to be led by Kelly’s whims, no matter how irrational. I completely disagree with other readers claiming that Nick is turning into Superman like Ty, not at all. I think the opposite, if anything. It gave me the impression that Nick was way more in love and committed to Kelly than Kelly, and that was so not the case in Shock and Awe.
Sigh.

The story was not notable, in my opinion. There was nothing engaging or interesting about the mystery and that made me not really care about any of the secondary characters who were just decorative.
I adore Nick. I loved him since the beginning – getting flashbacks from Divide & Conquer now ❤️ Where is THAT Nick? Bring him back! Or at least naturally change him for the better.

I am warning you know 👉
If you ruin Nick for me on what looks like the last book in the series, I will never forgive you 😭

READING: The Outsider by Stephen King

Publication date: May 22 2018

Published by: Scribner

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Horror, Crime, Dark, Mystery, Some Paranormal, Suspense 

Rating: 

When an eleven-year-old boy is found murdered in a town park, reliable eyewitnesses undeniably point to the town's popular Little League coach, Terry Maitland, as the culprit. DNA evidence and fingerprints confirm the crime was committed by this well-loved family man.

Horrified by the brutal killing, Detective Ralph Anderson, whose own son was once coached by Maitland, orders the suspect to be arrested in a public spectacle. But Maitland has an alibi. And further research confirms he was indeed out of town that day.

As Anderson and the District Attorney trace the clues, the investigation expands from Ohio to Texas. And as horrifying answers begin to emerge, so King's propulsive story of almost unbearable suspense kicks into high gear.

Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy but there is one rock-hard fact, as unassailable as gravity: a man cannot be in two places at the same time. Can he?

I can't believe I'm saying this, but The Outsider TV show is way better :/ The first 4 episodes gave me nightmares and I will never forget the image of a bloody Jason Bateman 😖

That being said, the story is 100% King, and it is horrifying. I would have liked it to be less paranormal and more "we all have an evil twin out there somewhere", but anyway. I felt like it dragged a lot towards the end and apart from Holly and Ralph, all the other characters are almost invisible. Even Terry and Jack - especially Jack with literally no backstory whatsoever. Come to think of it, never really saw much of a connection between Holly and Ralph either :/
Also I am sorry to say, but the dialogue Holly and Ralph had with the "thing" at the end, was almost comical. No idea how it's going to be show on TV.

All in all, first half of the book was great because the story draws you in. Once you realise what is going on, it gets boring really fast. Imagine that almost half of the book could fit into 3 episodes= 3hours. Yikes.

READING: Stillhouse Lake (Stillhouse Lake #1) by Rachel Caine

Publication date: July 1 2017
Published by: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Violence, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime
Rating: 

Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop.

This is the first Rachel Caine book I've read after finishing the Morganville Vampire series. 
So, a looong time.

Stillhouse Lake is very different than MV. Not only story wise, or that it's not paranormal, but most importantly the writing. I could not find Rachel Caine anywhere in the book, nothing reminded me of her writing style. That wasn't necessarily bad, it just took me aback a bit. 

Stillhouse started off great-horrifying story of a woman who finds out her husband is a monster, and her struggle to reinvent herself while simultaneously trying to protect her two kids from people who want to hurt her.
The story kept my attention for the first half, but after that the pace slowed down significantly and I was quite honestly, bored. 

It didn't help that I didn't really connect with the MC, Gina/Gwen. She was so obsessed over protecting her kids from invisible internet people that wanted to do them harm, that she couldn't see what living in that constant state of paranoia was really doing to her kids. I mean sure, the lady was scarred for life after what she went through, but why do her kids need to be reminded of it everyday? A bit of normalcy is what they needed and she just couldn't see it. When she realised it and tried to give it to her kids, she went so off character, that it just didn't work.
Also, I didn't like that her acquittal was just brushed off with no further details. Other things of little importance were explained to death, but this? How did a woman who lived under the same roof as a serial killer, who had all these dead bodies in her garage, got acquitted so easily and quickly? Doesn't make much legal sense.

The ending was very convenient (she knew how to extensively search for people who thought she was guilty and wanted to punish her, but not for copycats....?), with an anticipated cliff-hanger.
There were also a lot of red herrings throughout the book - Gina/Gwen was so convinced that so and so was the creep stalking them, that she made me change my mind completely about that person, only for her to be completely wrong, and I was forced to go back liking them. That happened with ALL the characters in the book, so in the end I knew who the bad guy was by method of elimination.

I am a bit disappointed at this book, considering its very strong start. But as thriller books go, I've definitely read better ones.

READING: Corpora Delicti (The Administration #9) by Manna Francis

Publication date: March 1 2017
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

On the surface, stability has returned to Europe. According to all the official metrics released to news feeds, the Administration and the corporations are stronger and more united than ever. Only in the most secret of government surveillance departments and corporate security divisions would anyone suggest otherwise.

On the surface, Senior Para-investigator Toreth’s year is ending badly. His boss hates him, his junior is looking for a way out, and his new case seems like a dud. Even the upcoming holidays bring more unwelcome news. But the new year starts him down a trail that will lead him from an unpromising beginning, via an unappetizing corpse, right into the financial heart of the Administration and the highest-stakes investigation of his career.

On the surface, corporate director Keir Warrick’s life is on the up. His virtual reality corporation SimTech has weathered the storm of the revolt, and new opportunities are appearing. Away from work, though, more clouds are gathering. What should be good family news brings concerns for the future. With so many secrets to keep, where can he turn to finally guarantee the safety of his family and corporation? And what will the consequences of his choices be for his relationship with Toreth?

For all the reviews of the Administration series books, including short stories, please visit my page on Goodreads:

The Administration by Manna Francis

Not bad-story was easier to get into than Innocent Blood but not quite as interesting.
Except for Warrick's shenanigans with Cit Surveillance, I found myself mostly in anticipation of his and Toreth's bet-it did not disappoint!

--------

For the last couple of months I have been exclusively reading this series, and have completely immersed myself in Toreth and Warrick's world. The Administration is undoubtedly a very unique series with exceptional writing until the very end.
The mystery part is so well crafted and incredibly detailed, something you don't see often (or rather never) in predominantly "romance" books. Although Francis's best work is with her characters; Toreth and Warrick are so complex and intriguing, that I feel there is still so much to learn about them and their relationship even after 9 books-haven't even scratched the surface (whole book with Toreth's background, please!)

Don't get me wrong, they are very difficult books to get into. I mean, reading 9 almost complete books from a sociopath's POV can be exhausting and a lot of times I found Toreth hideous and disgusting. But for some reason (called "Francis's magical writing") also alluring, highly addictive and dangerously charming. I might have hated myself a little for it, but I did, and that's what makes this series so damn good. My hat's off to you, Mrs Francis.

Now, where is book 10??

READING: First Against The Wall (The Administration #6) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 1 2010
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

Who is leading the rabble to victory?

The systems were failing.

Something had gone badly wrong, and had continued to go wrong for so long that he'd been forced unwillingly to conclude that it had to have hit more than I&I. Revolution has come to the Administration, as the citizens rise up against government and corporate oppression. With old and new enemies all around them, what will the new future hold for despised para-investigator Val Toreth, and corporate highflier Keir Warrick? And how long will that future last? 

I was left speechless from the very first page. 

The revolt happens

 

and there is no explanation, no preamble, no pages and pages of mundane flashbacks. Plus, tortured Toreth? Extra bonus!

I suspect a lot of people loathe Carnac and I totally get it.
Personally, I think he's all kinds of awesome, and he just makes everything so much better! He's an asshole, sure, but isn't Toreth, and we all root for him? Carnac is exactly like Toreth, and I guess that's why he can't stomach the idea of Toreth having two people completely devoted to him (one of them Warrick) whereas he is completely unlovable. He hates that Toreth, the scum of the earth that he is, has the love of Warrick, someone that Carnac respects and let's face it, is in love with. That's why he has made it his life goal to completely destroy Toreth. Yes, his motives were selfish and misguided, but other than that, who can blame him for wanting to eliminate I&I? Only dum dum Warrick who, even though believes the same, he will do anything to save Toreth, even if that means helping the Administration and prolonging its existence.

Speaking of dum dum Warrick, I can't believe he took Toreth in that easily in the end :( Well yes I can, because he's madly in love with him but still! I was also upset by the fact that we were shown Toreth's turmoil over 

losing Warrick, but he was the one who left him! Because why? Carnac said a few words? Does Toreth really think so little of Warrick to not realise that Warrick knows all that already and still loves him? Carnac said Toreth wants Warrick to love him, and he does, but he has done absolutely nothing to earn that love. I guess as soon as Warrick took him back, he would go back to screwing half of New London again because that's just what Toreth does. I was also upset with Sara for being so willing to have sex with Toreth to "ease his pain". Ugh, no wonder Carnac hates Toreth so much, how the hell did he manage to earn this kind of love and loyalty by being such a monster?

Loved it, but it frustrated me sooo much!!

READING: Quis Custodiet (The Administration #5) by Manna Francis

Publication date: October 1 2009
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

No protests, no bombings, no subversion. Is it possible that in one part of the European Administration at least, almost all the citizens are happy with their lot in life? It seems unlikely. When the numbers don't add up at the Athens branch of the Investigation and Interrogation Division, Para-investigator Toreth is sent there from New London to review their procedures. With sunshine, a less-than-urgent assignment, and hosts who seem anxious to ensure that he has a good time, it seems like the perfect chance for a holiday on Administration time.

Or it would if he didn't have to leave Sara and the rest of his regular team behind. Working alone for once, as the investigation becomes more complex Toreth finds himself surrounded by people he can't trust. Worse than that, he has to leave Warrick on his own in New London, a situation further complicated by the reappearance of an old adversary.

Maybe I'm a bit biased because this story takes place in my home country and birthplace, but I loved it! Francis's depiction of Greek mentality and behaviour was spot on, and even though everyone speaks English in the Administration, the cultural identity was very distinct. 

The mystery part of the story was very well thought out, with a lot of suspense and intrigue, leaving room for a follow up book later. 

Toreth does something way out of line (must be a day of the week ending in "y") which he keeps secret from Warrick. When Warrick finds out, I expected all hell to break loose. Instead, Warrick does his best angry face for five minutes, Toreth apologises and he promises never to do such thing again (like he hasn't promised that in every book!) and he gets away with a slap on the wrist and probably a great fuck by the end of the day. 
I got so angry with Warrick who is so blinded by his love for Toreth, he doesn't realise how badly he is treated. Although sometimes, I have a feeling he, very obediently and patiently, puts up with it all because in his way he manipulates Toreth as well, he sculpts him into a better, more humane version of himself. Very, very slowly and painstakingly. 
Or he is just that submissive.
Either or. 

Loved the scene in the tub when Warrick dunked Toreth and he freaked out. Always gives me a thrill when Toreth is scared!

T:Can I use your shower?
P:I see no reason why not-since you already have my heart.

Paul, you're fab, I love you ❤️

READING: Control (The Administration #4) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 1 2009
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

Gaining it, keeping it, or losing it, control is more than just a game--it's a critical tool for survival. No more so than in the Administration, where the Investigation and Interrogation Division's Val Toreth faces professional and personal hazards every day. And when an attack on one of the most loyal and valued members of his investigative team makes the professional very personal indeed, Toreth finds himself entangled once more in the darker side of corporate life and crime. He'll need help, not just from his colleagues but from his "regular fuck" Keir Warrick, to make it out the other end safely.

Even away from their offices, Toreth and Warrick find that their jobs create challenges and tensions that threaten their relationship, because finding a balance is all about knowing when to keep control and when to let it go.

Love seeing Toreth scared, it's my new favourite thing! Although I have to admit, he wasn't nearly as terrified as he was in Mindfuck. In Control he was more pissed off and humiliated (They made me kneel) resigned to the idea that he was going to die because of something he did, as opposed to Mindfuck which totally took him by surprise and it was through no fault of his own. 

What surprised me though is that all this time he was kept prisoner, from the moment he was taken, to the moment he was certain they would kill him, to the moment he arrived at Warrick's, not once did he think of him. Not that he loved him and he regretted so many things he didn't say or do, no, none of that. But maybe a "I wish I could fuck Warrick one last time before I die" or something like that. Nope, not even that.
I was a bit disappointed, I'm not gonna lie but it's all my fault for expecting "romantic" like thoughts from Toreth. I should know better by now.

READING: Quid Pro Quo (The Administration #2) by Manna Francis

Publication date: May 27 2008
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

When he agrees to do a favor for his old friend Liz Carey in Corporate Fraud, Para-investigator Val Toreth is hoping for a simple case. After all, kidnapping and dismemberment are all in a day's work for the Investigation and Interrogation Division. But in the European Administration, simplicity is often a dangerous illusion, and anyone who goes looking for trouble in the corporate world is certain to find more than they bargained for. Fraud, sabotage, espionage, blackmail, decades-long vendettas, and murder--the more powerful the corporations, the darker their secrets. Corporate insiders and innocent bystanders alike are all too easily caught up in the conflicts, but when suspects can hide behind money and power, what chance is there of any justice?

And on top of everything else, Toreth also has to deal with Keir Warrick. But that's easy. That's just sex.

The main story of the second book is Quid Pro Quo and that's what I'm going to review here, since I rated the short stories individually

QPQ is about a corporate daughter's kidnapping and how Toreth and his team are trying to solve the case . The very careful and precise structure of the story and the amount of detail that went in it, is astonishing. Every character has a reason for being there contributing to the story, as very evidence and fact of the case is important. With no romantic reprieve (Toreth's has almost no interaction with Warrick in this one) you are constantly learning new facts about the kidnapping that usually come from Toreth's team brainstorming scenes. 

For me personally it got a tad tiring in the middle, with no break from the case and most importantly no break from Toreth! The book is entirely told from his POV and let's just say it is not the easiest thing reading such a convoluted book through a sociopath's eyes. His constant false sense of superiority and the way he regards and measures other people up, is sometimes very hard to overlook. Sometimes he is such an asshole that I found it unpleasant (to say the least) being in his head all the time. 

Other than that, mystery and suspense were all there, albeit a bit clinical, but then again that's how The Administration and the corporate world is, which the more I learn about, the more disgusting I found.
I missed Warrick, I'm not going to lie, mostly because through him, Toreth looks a bit saner. Knowing that someone actually likes him and have feelings for him, makes him slightly more human. Only slightly!

READING: Mind Fuck (The Administration #1) by Manna Francis

Publication date: October 29 2007
Published by: Casperian Books
Genre: MM, Adult, Dark, BDSM, Dystopian, Mystery, Sci Fi
Rating: 

There are no bad guys or good guys. There are only better guys and worse guys.

One of the worse guys is Val Toreth. In a world in which torture is a legitimate part of the investigative process, he works for the Investigation and Interrogation Division, where his colleagues can be more dangerous than the criminals he investigates.

One of the better guys is Keir Warrick. His small corporation, SimTech, is developing a "sim" system that places users in a fully immersive virtual reality. A minnow in a murky and dangerous pond, he is only beginning to discover how many compromises may be required for success.

Their home is the dark future dystopia of New London. A totalitarian bureaucracy controls the European Administration, sharing political power with the corporations. The government uses violence and the many divisions of the feared Department of Internal Security to maintain control and crush resistance. The corporations fight among themselves, using lethal force under the euphemism of "corporate sabotage," uniting only to resist attempts by the Administration to extend its influence over them.

Toreth and Warrick are more natural enemies than allies. But mutual attraction and the fight for survival can create unlikely bonds. 

It took me a while to hop on the Administration train, but I'm glad I did!

Mindfuck is so unlike any other mm I've read; it's basically a sci fi/dystopian whodunnit with a splash of romance, if you can call whatever Toreth and Warrick have "romance". Even though it is very high techy and futuristic, it reads more like a crime noir book, or rather a regency crime.

Mindfuck is written almost to perfection. The story is so dense and detailed but never ever boring. It has a lot of scientific terms (neuroscience, psychology) and you have to pay very close attention because they are all pertinent to the case, you need them to understand the kind of world these people live in, and they are also very interesting and fascinating. Simulated reality makes for a very compelling and terrifying notion that adds to the whole murder/mystery vibe.
I hope we see more of it in the future. 

Toreth is a senior investigator and interrogator which in the world of Administration means he is a sociopath.
He leaves by a strict and specific set of moral rules mostly because their application would serve and benefit him. He's driven by self interest only, hates incompetence and has a total disregard for human life if it means ending it will help him in any way. He interrogates and tortures people for a living. "I fuck minds" he very proudly declares to Warrick when they first meet. 
The only real and close relationship he has is with his personal assistant Sara, who, it's evident, he cares for deeply. Why is that and how it all works with his twisted and evil personality? I guess we'll find out in later books. We only have tiny flashes of the characters' back stories but I've bee assured we'll get more later, there are 9 books after all.

Warrick is a tough one to figure out. He is not as straightforwardly monstrous as Toreth but there is a dormant darkness inside him and the only reason it doesn't come out is that his morality is stronger than Toreth's and he more easily distinguishes good from bad. And even if he doesn't sometimes, he at least exhibits some kind of remorse, as opposed to Toreth. Still, his arrogance can only match Toreth's and they always try to one up each other, right until Toreth realises what Warrick truely is after in their "relationship". Then the games start. 

Absolutely fascinating read, can't wait to see how it all plays out!

READING: Tempest (Playing the Fool #3) by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock

Publication date: March 9 2015
Published by: Riptide
Genre: MM, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Funny
Rating: 

FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness and con man Henry Page are on the run again. This time they’re headed back to where it all began: Altona, Indiana. Population: some goats. Henry’s not happy about lying low at the McGuinness family farm, but they’ve got nowhere else to go.

While Mac fights to clear his name and Henry struggles with whose side he’s really on, a ghost from the past threatens to destroy everything. And those aren’t the only storms on the radar. Cut off from both sides of the law, Mac and Henry must rely on their tenuous partnership to survive. 

If Henry can convince himself to let Mac see the man behind the disguises, they’ll stand a chance of beating the forces that conspire against them. The course of true love never did run smooth, but for the two of them, it might be their only hope.

I wanted this series to be epic, considering who wrote it. It wasn't bad, not at all, but maybe I was expecting something else entirely. Based on other Henry novels (except for Another Man's Treasure) I thought this one was gonna be jam packed with romance and angst and brilliant characters and writing. It had the last two in abundance, but didn't quite succeed in the first two. 

I really liked Mac and Henry's relationship dynamic, but we didn't get to see too much of it. Every time they met, except for a very few exceptions, Henry either ran away changing his mind about staying with Mac, was being too sexual in front of Mac in order to provoke him and not always in a good way, or indulged in self flagellation. I felt that, like Mac, we never got to see the real Henry, Sebastian, whomever. It was like Mac had a relationship with someone I didn't know, someone fuzzy that I can't quite place, and that prevented me from getting too invested in his character, and consequently their relationship.

Readers not hung up on romance will definitely enjoy this one more.

READING: The Two Gentlemen from Altona (Playing the Fool #1) by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock

Publication date: December 27 2014
Published by: Riptide
Genre: MM, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Funny
Rating: 


Mischief, thou art afoot.

Special Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness is having a rough week. Not only is he on a new diet, but he's also been tasked with keeping Henry Page -- the world's most irritating witness -- alive. Which is tough when Mac's a breath away from killing the Shakespeare-quoting, ethically-challenged, egg-obsessed Henry himself. Unless killing isn't really what Mac wants to do to him.

Con man Henry Page prefers to keep his distance from the law . . . though he wouldn't mind getting a little closer to uptight, handsome Agent McGuinness. As the sole witness to a mob hit, Henry's a valuable asset to the FBI. But he's got his own agenda, and it doesn't involve testifying.

When evidence surfaces of a mole in the FBI office, Mac and Henry are forced to go into hiding. Holed up in a fishing cabin, they're surprised to discover that their feelings run more than skin deep. But as the mob closes in, Henry has to make his escape. And Mac has to decide how far he's willing to go to keep Henry by his side.

Didn't realise this book is so short!!! I'm at work, and I don't have the second one! Now what? Do I actually have to...work? Ugh.

Henry and Rock together: miracle workers. 
Even when they create realistic characters-not having washboard abs and piercing blue eyes kind of realistic-I still like them and am attracted to them because of their unbelievably charismatic personality. I am not saying that physical appearance is everything and all MCs should be crazy hot and sexy, but when you're writing a romance novel, I think it's kind of pivotal. 
Henry and Rock are very good at that; they create smart characters, with great sense of humour but most importantly, genuinely good and kind hearted people that you can't help but like.
Same with Bel in WATWS, same with Deacon in MCvA, same here with Mac. 

And then they create broken, cracked characters like Henry, who starve for good guys like Mac, but never let themselves believe they are good enough, scared to accept that yes, they can have something nice and safe in their lives.

The only thing I would say is that I didn't really get how quickly Mac went from "Shut up, I want to throttle you, you're so annoying" and "You're my witness and I'm a professional", to playing dress up and re enacting scenes from Shakespeare with Henry and basically falling in love with him. There was something missing there, I think. Maybe if they were given a little bit more time to bond (maybe a couple of chapters) their connection would seem more believable. 

Starting Merchant of Death straight away!

READING: Crush & Burn (Cut & Run #9) by Abigail Roux

Publication date: March 18 2015
Published by: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: MM, Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Suspense, Crime
Rating: 

It’s been five years since Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett first worked together to solve the Tri-State murders, and time has been both harsh and kind. Engaged now, they face the challenge of planning a deeply uncertain future together. Zane is at the pinnacle of his career with one last mystery to solve, while Ty is at sea in a world where he’s no longer the tip of a spear.

There’s just one more hurdle in the way of their happy ever after: a traitor from their inner circle who threatens to burn their world to the ground.

Squeezed between the Vega cartel, an unknown mole, and too many alphabet agencies to count, Ty and Zane must gather all their strength and resources to beat the longest odds they’ve ever faced. To make it out alive, they’ll need help from every friend they’ve got. Even the friends who might betray their trust.

"We can still cut and run. We can open up a flower shop and sell black-market orchids from the back. Just say the word." 

I started the Cut&Run series around May this year and I went through 9 books very slowly, stretching it out, trying to make it last, savoring every word. But Ty and Zane's journey had to, inevitably, come to an end.
Before I get too emotional, I am going to keep this brief.

Cut&Run came into my life when I needed it the most. I was going through a lot of shit back then, and it seductively offered me a way out which I couldn't possibly refuse. I will always be grateful to Abigail Roux for creating these amazing characters that helped me forget my problems even for a second, and rekindled my love for reading. Despite the fact that I still think that some parts of the books were plain bad and that we, Zane fans, were left very unsatisfied in the end, I will always love this series, defend it and recommend it to anyone who would listen.

It's not a secret I didn't like Cut&Run, as in book 1. It was sloppily written, mystery and suspense were lacking and dialogue was chaotic. Even then, something about Ty and Zane made me want to keep going and continue reading. After reading the last scene when Ty leaves Zane at the hospital, which was amazing and so unlike the rest of the book, I remember thinking "There is something there, I have to give it another chance." And I am glad I did, because not only Sticks&Stones is one of my favourite books, but also because I wouldn't otherwise have these great memories of living through Ty and Zane's amazing journey. It was all about those two from the beginning for me, and it was like that until the very end. They put me through the emotional wringer: they made me laugh, they made me angry, the made me sentimental, them made me hopeful. 

Reading about Ty and Zane, from beginning to end, was an indescribable experience that I will never, ever forget, and I will always love them for it ♥

(and that's me NOT being emotional...)

Now about Crush&Burn.
Was it the rightful ending to the series? No, I don't believe it was. But then again, not many would be. 
C&B had the least amount of romance of all the other books, as Ty and Zane's relationship sort of solidified and even though it did not necessarily lose its spark, it certainly settled into a comfortable and loving partnership. Like Ty said:

“You realize we’re looking at our future, right? Two of us in a retirement home, bitching about our catheters and heated blankets.”

I really liked how their marriage played out. Short, sweet, meaningful. And it was great that they got it out of the way in the beginning, if only for the mere pleasure of calling each other "husband" for the rest of the book. I loved everything Nick-related. I am just hopeless when it comes to him, I can't seem to find any fault. Not like Ty's super hero "can't do no wrong" stints. Because Ty can be a real dick sometimes. But Nick cannot, he doesn't have it in him. He's so like Ty, but not at all like him at the same time. I guess that's why these two are best friends but if they happened to hook up, they would have killed each other day 1. I couldn't ask for a better best-friend-relationship, really. What I didn't like, but sort of ignored C&B being the last book and all, was the amount of information and exposition we were constantly bombarded with, which if you put the facts down and think logically, doesn't make much sense. And even if it did, it's certainly not suitable for a last book in a series. Making Burns and Tanner into bad guys out of the blue, the two father figures Ty and Zane had and respected above all others (even though their perfect real fathers should have been enough) was just a cheap shot, cheapened even more so by the lack of emotion by both Ty and Zane by the revelation. Yes, they were taken aback by it, but Ty had known Burns his whole life. He called him uncle and pretty much killed tons of innocent people for him. That deserved a little bit more exploration in my opinion and it was sad that it was brushed off so quickly. Zane calling the other FBI officers "family"? Um what? Since when? He himself said he didn't want to share all the case details with them because he didn't trust them 100%. Roux was so desperate to give him friends because Ty's friends are so prominent, but in the end it doesn't matter. He doesn't have to have the same relationships with other people that Ty has. That's part of his character, that's who he is. The same goes for Zane. I liked how there were a lot of trivia and references from all previous books peppered throughout C&B. Also, Ty and Zane taking the piss out of the police officers when they are handcuffed at the back of a police car, the way that car was rammed by their pursuers and them trying to get away- clear homage to C&R. Another homage was the scene in F&C when Ty tells Zane he loves him from the first time before Zane falls I don't know how many stories into a pool to save himself. Stray observations: Ty playing violin? No. Ty saying "Shut your whore mouth!" when Zane told him he doesn't like baseball? Yes. Also yes: T:“What is wrong with my salve?” N: “Last time he put that on me it peeled my skin off!” T: “That was a bad batch.” N: “You’re a bad batch!” Can I have a book with just Mara and Beverly? Thanks.

There are several other parts of the book I wasn't particularly fond of, but this review is going to be super long if I try to explain them all. Also, I don't want to leave this last review on a bummer note.
C&B was what it was, but it was still a Ty and Zane book. At the end of the day, that's just enough for me :)