Sunday, June 13, 2010

Minis: James Buchanan & Chris Owen

Cheating Chance (Taking the Odds Series #1) by James Buchanan

I finally read Cheating Chance by James Buchanan, a book I've had on my "to be read" pile since last yearNow this book I really liked. The story of Brandon, a cop from Riverside, California who leads a double life and is definitely in the closet, and Nicky, a Nevada Gaming Officer who is very much out in the open with his sexuality, but who's on the rebound after ending a three year relationship.

Brandon and Nicky were incredibly hot from beginning to end. The story is set in both Nevada and California and while the two of them get involved in an investigation, their rocky relationship evolves. I loved the details and research Buchanan used in this book about both Nevada Gaming and police procedure. The characterization is wonderful as are the dialogue and the plotting. This book doesn't have a "happily ever after" (HEA), it has a "happily for now" (HFN) and it works. Expect some light D/s and rope work in this book, as well as sizzling scenes. There's a second book, Inland Empire,where this couple's relationship is further explored and where they continue their adventures, I'll definitely be reading it.

Genre: M/M Suspense/Erotica
Published: MLR Press - July 18, 2008
Series: Taking the Odds, Book #1
Grade: B+

Visit James Buchanan here

Carbon and Ash by Chris Owen

Carbon and Ash is a short story and a re-read by a favorite author, Chris Owen. I must admit Carbon and Ash is the one story I re-read most often by this author. Why?

Myles and Todd are both single fathers who love to spend time with their little boys participating in different types of activities -- little league, camping, cookouts, movies and overnights. Myles and Todd also hang out together after these events and by now they have established a routine. Todd is a single gay parent and Myles is straight and divorced, but when we meet them this routine includes an occasional meeting of the two on the couch where they touch each other as a type of release. Myles doesn't think this means much until they both think about dating other people and their routine is disturbed. Myles begins to realize that maybe his feelings for Todd are not so casual.

So why do I love to re-read this story? It has more than a few of the ingredients I love in a story -- a taste of summer, baseball, family, true friendship, and the meaning of patience and surrender. Who can ask for more in a short story? But for me it's not just the content I love, it's how Owen writes the story. It's how she captures all of the above mentioned with only the necessary detail to deliver a complete story in a few pages.

Genre: M/M Romance (short story)
Series: None
Published: Torquere
Grade: Solid B

Visit Chris Owen here.

Anesthezea's 2010 M/M Romance Challenge

6 comments:

  1. So glad you enjoyed Nicky and Brandon... they are one of my favorite couples. The series is a good one, and one I re-read often.

    Carbon and Ash I liked a lot. Chris Owen is getting to be one of my favorite authors :)

    Good picks this week!

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  2. Mariana, I finally got to Nicky and Brandon! They were great in this first book and I'm really looking forward to reading the second book.

    I'm so glad you're enjoying Owen. It was great re-reading Carbon and Ash again. :)

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  3. Both sounds very good :D

    Hmmm, Carbon and Ash... must be hard for two single parents to start a relationship.

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  4. Nath, they're both good reads!

    In Carbon and Ash, Myles is divorced and he and ex-wife share time with their son. Todd is a single parent whose partner died. Owen worked the kids in well for such a short story...

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  5. I have both Cheating Chance and Carbon & Ash on my iPhone...was thinking of perhaps reading one this weekend. Decisions, decisions. I think Cheating Chance might be wining :)

    Great mini-reviews Hils - thank you!

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  6. Orannia, these are both GOOD reads! I hope you enjoy them. I can tell you that Carbon & Ash is a favorite re-read of mine. I've re-read it countless times... one of those books. :)

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