S.E.X. Review~ The Other Side of Winter~ G.B. Gordon

Not all wounds are visible.

Skanian investigator Bengt fell in love with fellow policeman Alex Rukow in a week. But that was a year ago, and they’ve been apart ever since. Then Alex escapes the corrupt and destitute island nation of Santuario and comes to live with Bengt. Happy ever after . . .?

Alex’s lifelong dream of leaving Santuario has come true at last. But he finds himself adrift in a society he doesn’t understand. Worse, past nightmares come back to haunt him, and after so many years of suspicion and self-reliance, it’s harder than he imagined to trust someone else.

Bengt just wants Alex to share his comfortable life. But the more he tries to give, the more Alex pulls away. Their physical connection couldn’t be better, but Bengt can’t seem to get through to his difficult, taciturn lover outside the bedroom. Meanwhile, he has his own demons to confront—not to mention a serial killer on the loose.

Bengt and Alex must dig deep for the courage to face their pasts, but it may be too late to save their relationship or their lives.

I knew that I wanted to read The Other Side of Winter if nothing else but to find out that Begnt and Alex get their HEA. What I got was beyond anything I could have expected as G.B. Gorgon took me on a roller coaster ride of emotional upheaval and intrigue. Without a doubt I loved this book. I fell I love with Bengt and Alex from the first page and continued to do so as I read each subsequent page.

Gordon delivered turmoil and subtlety in every scene and action. Since reading Santuario first (which I highly recommend be read in order), I was easily able to navigate the dialects and nuances emanating from both men.

Alex’s discomfort and demons radiated through the pages as the author led us closer to understanding his sense of survival and the need to be loved, not kept. Alex’s underlying charismatic personality led to an endearment from this reader that left my heart heavy with emotion.

Bengt and Alex were the imperfect-perfect couple; complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses realistically— not a fairy tale.

I can only hope G. B. Gordon takes us more into this beautifully written world.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Definite S.E.X

A five handcuff review

S.E.X. Review~ Santuario by G.B. Gordon

Police teniente Alex Rukow has spent his life trapped on Santuario, his people’s isolated home-slash-prison-island. They’ve been living in poverty under the tyrannical regime of their own elite familias for the last two-hundred years, ever since their generation ship landed on the planet and found it already populated by earlier Earth settlers, the Skanians, who banished them to the inhospitable south.

Increasingly shamed by the decisions of their ancestors, the Skanians seek to open their borders. But dissent exists on both sides, and in the midst of this explosive political situation, a dead body appears on the island.

Bengt, a Skanian investigator, is shipped to Santuario to lead the murder investigation—which, he quickly realizes, the local teniente wants nothing to do with. As far as Bengt is concerned, things can’t get worse than the brutal climate, his own memories, and a growing attraction to a partner who will barely say two words to him. But then he and Alex run afoul of the local familias, and the problems with their investigation and their budding relationship seem like nothing compared to just getting out of this whole mess alive. 

Santuario by G.B. Gordon was an interesting read. I had a hard time getting into the book at first, but once I did, I’m glad I stuck with it. A futuristic- primitive read, Santuario aligns itself with archaic traditions of oppression and racism.

Stuck on the prison-island of Santuario, Alex had little prospects of ever escaping his homeland nor the tyranny subjugated towards his people. Ruling familias dominate the island and lead with cruelty and totalitarianism.

Bengt has always been a free man living on earth. His family is happy, well-adjusted and he’s allowed to be himself. Sent to Santuario, Bengt must investigate a string of murders which attempt to squelch the impending rebellion.

The two men play a cat and mouse game which I never connected with. Yes, Bengt was a gay man, and although Alex appeared confused, I never got the sense he was gay~ just torn between wanting a better life and the possibility of getting off the island. In saying that, I do think he came to care for Bengt in his own closed-off way, but doubts resonate in the back of my mind.

I think the story was worth reading and I am looking forward to the next book, which is next on my list.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Frisky but Nothing too Kinky

A three and a half handcuff review

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S.E.X. Review~ Lone Wolf by Voinov and Witt

Hunter Easton is screwed. Fans, producers, and his agent are all chomping at the bit for the next book in his wildly popular Wolf’s Landing series, but he’s got epic writer’s block and is way behind deadline. Then he reads The World Tree, a fanfic novel by his online friend “Lone Wolf.” It isn’t just a great story—it’s exactly what the series needs.

Kevin Hussain is thrilled when “Wolf Hunter” wants to meet up after reading The World Tree. When Wolf Hunter turns out to be Hunter Easton himself, Kevin is starstruck. When Hunter tells him he wants to add The World Tree to Wolf’s Landing, Kevin is sure he’s being pranked. And when their online chemistry carries over—big time—into real life, Kevin is convinced it’s all too good to be true.

The problem is . . . it might be. The book deal, the sex, the money—everything is amazing. But fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Kevin is left wondering if Hunter really loves him, or just loves his book

Aleksandr Voinov and L.A.Witt teamed up to write the newest installment in the Bluewater Bay series, Lone Wolf. As a fan of both authors, I looked forward to reading this book. Unfortunately I struggled with reading and completing the book.

Kevin’s online fan-fic buddy turned out to be none other than his author idol, Hunter Easton. Having written his own manuscript based on Hunter’s popular series, the two men met and soon a working and professional relationship ensued.

The premise of a mutual working relationship and hot sexual tension had me thrilled to read Lone Wolf, yet that was where it stopped. I found Hunter condescending and Kevin immature and whiny. I never connected with either character, finding them shallow and self-indulgent.

As a fan of Voinov and Witt, I will not be dissuaded by one book that did not appeal to me and I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Nothing to kinky

A two and a half handcuff review

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S.E.X. Review~ Lucky Strike by Jane Davitt

Death’s a heartbeat away, but love is even closer.

Flying a traveler to Leap celebrations on the luxury planet Crestal is no problem for intrepid partners Jake and Rill, even if they have to navigate a deadly meteor shower to get there. But their fresh-faced, privileged passenger is carrying more than Leap gifts: Lian has a message to deliver, treachery and murder to avenge, and a killer close on his heels.

Lian thought he was ready for independence from his overbearing extended family, but his first solo trip off-planet has landed him in a nightmare of deadly intrigue. Though he’s devastated by betrayal, and no longer able to tell friend from foe, he’s fascinated by the gruff pilot and scorchingly handsome first mate who’ve become his reluctant rescuers.

With a dazzling fortune at stake and the fate of the United Protectorate of Planets in their hands, there’s no time for the three men to fall in love. But with their future measured in hours, crew and passenger may have just enough time to discover that three can become one, and that together they are strong enough to beat any odds.

I am usually not a fan of Sci-Fi, but when I read the blub of Lucky Strike, I was immediately drawn to it, and yes, I’m glad I read it. Swashbuckler Jake and his genetically conceived nova, Rill are on a mission to save their lives, thanks to Lian Paradine, member of one of the wealthiest families in the galaxy.

Jake rescued Lian and accepted his proposition to return him to his home planet of Crestal. What they discover along the way was treachery, deceit and maybe a little love.

Jane Davitt’s adventure Lucky Strike interwove numerous facets into an intriguing element. She delivered enough nuances which made the book easy to follow the galactic terms, but still left enough to the imagination.

The characterization was well-developed. Jake was a brooding, smart-mouth individual with a soft spot, especially for his lover Rill. His insecurities were an underlying theme throughout but the author didn’t make them the focal point. His conflict was justified in light of the perfection of Rill.

Rill, on the other hand-genetically perfect and beautiful, befalls tragedy which leaves him less than perfect in his eyes. Ms. Davitt’s portrayal of beauty is in the eye of the beholder is aptly done with Jake’s view of Rill.

Lian, soft spoken and well-mannered is the antitheses of the other two men, yet complimentary in personality and word.

The three men develop a synergy traversing rhyme nor reason, forging a relationship based on mutual satisfaction and cohesiveness.

Lucky Strike~a lovely story, fast paced and full of conspiracy.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sexy and Sizzling

A four handcuff review

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