Author: Barbara ElsborgSeries: Fall or Break, #2
Released: July 28th 2015
Publisher: Samhain
Length: 321 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: Amazon
Archer Hart is on the move before the man he’s just killed is found. When a bullet whizzes past his ear, he realizes hunter is now hunted. So much for his retirement plans. Someone wants him dead and all he can do is keep running.Downed by a hit and run driver, barrister Conrad Black is certain the ‘accident’ was deliberate but he has no proof or support. In recovery, struggling to work out of partial paralysis, he has plenty of time to wonder who regrets not striking him harder. At this point, running anywhere is a distant dream.The confidence, determination and stamina of two alphas males will mean little if neither is willing to bend—seize the love offered—and work together to understand why they’re suddenly both marked men. Not easy for either when Archer has broken the law in the worst possible way and Conrad is the law.
I truly enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I'm generally unaccustomed to Barbara Elsborg's level of angst. I loved Harper and Malachi and their dynamic and I wholeheartedly believed in their romance. The same did not hold true for this second couple, no matter how hard I tried.
Archer and Conrad are both dominant personalities, but they're nevertheless attracted to each other. However, since neither of them wants to give in, everything between them is turned into a struggle, an all out fight for dominance. I couldn't shake the feeling that they both saw the one who relented as the weaker one, and it didn't sit well with me at all. I suppose their first sexual encounter was supposed to be steaming hot, but it made me severely uncomfortable because the word 'no' was spoken far too many times, when a single one should have been enough. It's not a word to be used lightly, and playing with saying 'no' while actually meaning 'yes' is just plain stupid.
On top of it all, the plot required some major suspension of disbelief, which would have been perfectly fine had the romance been strong enough. As it was, with neither side of this story working properly, I lost my interest towards the final part and had to force myself to finish.
I'll read this author again in the future because I enjoyed several of her books, but this one just wasn't what I was looking for at all.
A copy of this book
was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations,
monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
Author: Lexxie CouperSeries: Outback Skies, #3
Released: July 21st 2015
Publisher: Samhain
Length: 111 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: Amazon
Jeremy Craig is on the cusp of being named the deputy prime minister of Australia. Which means he’s got to play his cards right and stay deep in the closet. Australia is a lot of things, but there’s no way the country is ready for a gay prime minister. So far, it’s been an easy ruse to maintain. Until he meets Ryan Taylor. Then all bets are off.Ryan is sick of the Brokeback Mountain jokes. For starters, he’s an Australian stockman, not an American cowboy. For another, he spends most of his working days alone in a helicopter, not on the back of a horse. As Wallaby Ridge’s only contract heli-musterer, he gets to escape any small-town scorn high in the sky. He’s happy up there. Lonely, but happy. Who needs passion and wild sexual pleasure in their life when they have the boundless skies of the Outback, right?Then Jeremy Craig climbs into his chopper…
When I requested this for review, I wasn't aware that it was the third book in Lexxie Couper's Outback Skies series or that the first two were M/F romances, which was lucky in a way. Had I known, I probably wouldn't have requested it and I would have missed out on an excellent, if slightly naive story.
The level of pure heat in this novella is incredible. Couper gives us two lovely characters and brings them together in such irresistible circumstances. The story doesn't have much in the way of character development, not when it starts out with two MCs quite close to perfection, and it doesn't have much of a plot, but it's heartwarming, endearing and just plain hot.
While the whole thing might be a bit idealistic, it's nevertheless a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. The Aussie setting and glimpses of a different culture are just an added plus. Recommended.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
I'm not a fan of two dominant characters duking it out either. It just seems so exhausting!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, it sounds like the first one wasn't what you wanted at all. Glad you are still willing to give the author another try though.
ReplyDeleteSorry to see that the first one wasn't as good as you thought but the second sounds nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that Breaking fell flat for you especially in terms of the plot - and yay for Aussie setting in the second book!!
ReplyDeleteLovely reviews, Maja <33
Clearly the first one won't be added to my list, too much angst and constant fight for dominance sounds like something not of my liking!
ReplyDeleteGlad the the second one was better!
Yeah, the first one definitely isn't for me Maja. I don't like it when the word "no" isn't given the gravity it deserves, and the two of them constantly battling one another for dominance sounds frustrating. Sometimes that can be hot, but not if they view the one who gives in as weaker. The second book however, sounds like something I would enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteI don't think the first one would be for me. I'm allergic to angst in books these days, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteThe second one sounds more to my liking. Heat and great Aussie setting? I'm in!
Great reviews, Maja!
I have such issues with relationship angst. I'd rather conflict in some other form in my books. Sorry it didn't work out for you. The second book sounds fun and I also like the idea of an Aussie setting. Great minis, Maja! :)
ReplyDeleteMeh. Some reads are like that, leaving you wanting... The second one smacks a little more of potential, though. As always, reading your thoughts is a delight! <3
ReplyDeleteYikes on that first one
ReplyDeleteAw... too bad "Breaking" just didn't gel. I am glad though that most of her work is well done. I think I would have a problem with the personalities and the suspension of belief like you did here as well. I'm glad that "Outback Skies" worked so well. Makes me want to check out the whole series.
ReplyDeletehey, idealistic has its time I suppose :D Glad to hear you had a good time with it though
ReplyDeleteI can suspend my disbelief for somethings but not when it comes to serious aspects where no means no regardless of how tantalizing it's suppose to be. Definitely not for me. Glad the second book seemed to make up a bit for the first read despite some of your issues about it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you're going to ask me to suspend my disbelief, I'm more than willing to do it but you have to give me something like a strong romance, for sure.
ReplyDelete