Rarer Than Rubies

Precious Gems #1

by E.M. Lynley

When Trent Copeland runs into Reed Acton at a Bangkok airport, he thinks the handsome American is too good to be true. Why would someone like Reed be interested in a quiet, introverted gay-romance writer? After all, even an obvious tourist like Trent can see that there is more to Reed’s constant unexplained appearances in his path than meets the eye.

Reed Acton has one mission and one mission only—he needs to get the map that was accidentally slipped into Trent's bag and keep the mobsters who want the priceless artifact from taking deadly revenge. Trent Copeland is a delicious and damned near irresistible diversion, but Reed can’t afford distractions right now, especially if he wants to keep Trent safe.

From Bangkok's seediest back alleys to the sacred north, the two men will fight to stay one step ahead of the bad guys and learn that the only treasure worth finding is... each other.

This exclusive print edition contains over 4000 words of added material not contained in the previously released ebook. eBook version previously released by Ravenous Romance under the title "Thief of Hearts: Tempted in Thailand."

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, Action, Adventure, Suspense

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2011

About the author

EM Lynley writes gay erotic romance. She loves books where the hero gets the guy and the loving is 11 on a scale of 10. Her Precious Gems series is best described as “Indiana Jones meets Romancing the Stone”—only gayer. The Delectable series is Gay Romance with Taste.

A Rainbow Award winner and EPPIE finalist, EM has worked in high finance, high tech, and in the wine industry, though she'd rather be writing hot, romantic man-on-man action. She spent 10 years as an economist and financial analyst, including a year as a White House Staff Economist, but only because all the intern positions were filled. Tired of boring herself and others with dry business reports and articles, her creative muse is back and naughtier than ever. She has lived and worked in London, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., but the San Francisco Bay Area is home for now.

She is the author of Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells, the Precious Gems series from Dreamspinner Press, and the Rewriting History series starring a sexy jewel thief, among others. Her books are available in print and e-book from Amazon & other book distributors.

Reviews

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Lynley really made Bangkok come alive for me and I really want to visit. Her descriptions were beautiful and real without being overwrought. The mystery wasn't really a mystery but more of a thriller but it worked for me. The main problem I found was that sometimes the narrative when on too long. For example, in the section before leaving for Thailand, the last scene should have been merged with the previous scene and half of it left off. Most of it wasn't necessary. The last scene in the book was also unnecessary and detracted from the story.

At one point, someone asks the MC why he bothers to get in shape if he doesn't use it. He answers that it's to look good. Um, how about health?

The sex scenes were all right. At one point the MC says he just had the best orgasm of his life, but it didn't seem that way to me. Unless his life was really, really dull. At another point, the MC is shouting into the mattress even though he's on his back. Reed keeps thinking about how cute it is when Trent pouts. I'm sorry, but an adult pouting is just not sexy. I can't even picture a man doing it.

Sometimes the love interest doesn't act like a spy or whatever he is. He does some really stupid things, like not check his vehicle for a GPS
transmitter after it had been in the bad guys hands. He also isn't very observant.

I liked that the MC turns to the authorities when it's appropriate, not like most thrillers when there's always a reason they don't even try that. I didn't like that his friends weren't worried when they found out he'd gone gallivanting off into the countryside and they couldn't get a hold of him.

At one point there's a bad guy named Kao Lung. The MC can't remember it and keeps referring to him as Kung Pao. He really can't, he's not making fun of the name, he only hears it once or twice before he has to remember it on his own. So he's talking about really serious stuff and referring to "Kung Pao" as he does. It made me laugh every time. Another character shortens his own name to Dr. Hoo, which both the MCs and I thought funny and cool.

Also, we find out that Reed is supposedly in the FBI. FBI? Not CIA? Or any of the other numerous spy orgs the US has? FBI is supposed to be internal. This made no sense to me.

At the end, Trent is offered a job with the FBI because of his handling of the situation. That is beyond ridiculous.

It occurred to me how weird it is that Buddhism is the principle religion in a city of decadence. At one point, the author mentioned that the Thai people in general was comfortable with sexuality, including homosexuality. I question whether that is true or whether Bangkok has just built that industry to bring in international monies.

I thought about some ex-friends of a close friend of mine. The man in the relationship revealed that he regularly went to Bangkok so he could have sex with young girls legally, this with the approval of his wife even. Thankfully my stopped being friends with them and made it clear why. It is just so horrific and disturbing, it sickens me to even think about it. At least the MC was disgusted by it, too.

[ttg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable m/m adventure romance about a romance writer who, while traveling in Thailand, gets mixed up in an undercover smuggling case (and even more mixed up with the U.S. agent working on it.)

I read some so-so reviews about this book, but I thought it was actually a lot of fun (and a great read to bring along on vacation.) It was a little slow at first, especially with the longish flashback close to the beginning, but things pick up once Trent (our romance writer in a rut) is traveling around Bangkok and repeatedly and "coincidentally" bumping into Reed, the undercover agent tailing him since Trent had been the unintended receiver of an important document related to his case. Misunderstandings and Thai gangsters help push the story into the Thai countryside and things tumble along from there as our MCs try not to fall for each other while looking for ancient artifacts and trying to arrest crime bosses.

I read the excerpt a few months back and wasn't too wow-ed, especially with Trent who seemed a little shallow and colorless in that small section, but reading past that, I found him to be a great and sympathetic character who had a lot of resiliency and way more balls than you would expect for a guy so in love with aromatherapy body wash and the "finer things" in life. He and Reed bounced off each other well, arguing, surprising, and relying on each other in turn. I liked seeing how Trent kept hoping to "impress" Reed while Reed kept wanting to do right by Trent.

The only thing (besides the flashback) that slowed the pace down a bit, especially in the second half, was that the MCs would stop and ruminate for a bit about their feelings. This is fine and all, but sometimes it would feel like, action--> Reed ruminates about Trent --> action ---> Ruminates some more ---> action ---> Trent ruminates about Reed. etc. Also, the climax felt a little anti-climatic. (Or maybe I'm just a girl who's seen too many Die Hard films.)

But overall, it was a lot of fun, and I loved the descriptions about Thailand and the various Thai characters that pop up in the story. It felt authentic without falling into trite orientalism.

Recommended if you're looking for a fun adventure with lots of yummy romance. I'm glad I kept reading past that beginning excerpt and I'm looking forward to the sequel Italian Ice.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

Suspend all belief and strap yourself in for a fun romp through Thailand in this quirky romance story. Trent Copeland has been living life much too far on the safe side since his boyfriend died. His work is even suffering as he's a gay romance writer. His best friend, Beth takes on the task of planning a vacation for Trent that will put some adventure and spice back into his life. The next thing Trent knows, he's getting off of a plane in Bangkok. Thinking that Beth did alright, Trent is looking for the limo to take him to his air conditioned 5 star hotel. Instead he gets a tuk-tuk ride into the heart of gay Bangkok and a room with no air conditioning at the Pink Tiger Hotel. A mix up at customs brings the hot, hunky, Reed Acton and plenty of spice into Trent's life. Reed is on an undercover mission to break up a transnational smuggling ring with maybe to catch a fast fuck along the way brings Trent right into the middle of a mobster's haven. Ms Lynley did an excellent job of bring the beauty and varied culture of Thailand into this book. I felt like I was right there next to Trent and Reed seeing through their eyes. The raw lust that Reed exudes and the gentler more caring desire that Trent brings with him provided for a lot of tongue-in-cheek one liners that had me laughing. The sex between the two men was smoking and there was plenty of it. It took a little while to get used to the way Ms Lynley changed the POV from Trent to Reed but that only lasted a short time. I liked both Reed and Trent and especially enjoyed the way they changed as the story moved along. Give this wonderfully fun book a try if you're in the mood for a lighthearted romantic adventure story in a beautifully described setting.

[Cole Riann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trent Copeland is in many ways the stereotypical gay man whose life has ground to a halt. Two years after the death of his lover, Trent has become a homebody, reveling in the safety of living a monotonous life. He eats the same meals at the same restaurants, he watches the same classic movies on TCM week after week, and he has begun to recycle the same characters over and over in each new romance novel he writes — all to avoid the anxiety of trying anything new. Once a highly successful M/M romance writer, his last two manuscripts have been rejected by his long-time publisher. His agent and best friend have tried everything they can think of to encourage him out of his rut of self-inflicted mourning, all to no avail. But with the rejection of his second recycled manuscript, his two gal pals come up with a plan. They talk him into taking a trip, one on which he’ll go alone, but give up all control to them. They arrange his destination, his flight, his lodgings, and even his transportation for the duration of his stay. Only two days before he leaves do they tell him where they’ve chosen for him. And while he’s a bit miffed that he isn’t getting to go to Europe or somewhere equally suited to his classic tastes, he is a bit surprised at how exciting the prospect of his actual destination is. They have arranged for him to spend two weeks in Bankok, Thailand — exotic, exciting, full of life, and full of gay men just ready to throw themselves at the hunky and desperate-to-get-laid Trent.

It is immediately upon arrival when things start to go wrong. Unbeknownst to him, a mysterious American ex-patriot is carefully watching the arrivals gate, where he has a plant working as a customs agent, ready to slip a very valuable possession into the luggage of a mule. The plan is to follow the mule to another location and make the trade-off. Only, the plant gives the object, a very old and rare map, to the wrong man: our sad and lonely hero Trent. Trent has no idea why this American man keeps following him — asking him for a ride, to meet him at another place, and then following him back to his hotel. His driver and the concierge at the hotel warn him off the incredibly attractive man, who they claim is probably a hustler, and big trouble. Trent is obviously wary after the strange man’s behavior, although he must admit that the man is incredibly hot and definitely starting to get to him. At the same time, our mysterious stranger, whose name is Reed, is starting to mix business with pleasure, at least in his dreams. The more time he spends with Trent before he can get to the map, the more he starts to really like him. It is only after a couple of days of dancing around one another that the lies and deceit surface and both men realize that with the Thai mob after them, they make much better allies than enemies.

So begins a wild journey from Bankok to the caves of remote Thailand, running from goons with guns and their own fear of allowing another close to their hearts.

I have to say that I knew I would love this story immediately upon reading the blurb. I mean, who can resist a story like this — adventure and flight, myths of treasure and ancient mysteries to be solved. It is the perfect premise to a fun and exciting story. All is well and good with that, it certainly lived up to my expectations, though the writing was more earnest than cheeky, which the blurb led me to believe. That was definitely not a bad thing, however. But what EM Lynley did very well was the setting. People often repeat the famous maxim — that they have traveled all over the world, all within the pages of a book. I have not been to Thailand, and I would presume that most who will read this book have not either. However, this story really does portray that maxim well. While reading the book (especially within the first half of the novel, while Trent is being inundated with new experiences) I could smell the spices from the market stalls and hear the bustling noises of the tuk tuks in the busy streets. I felt transported, and slightly angry about the lack of Thai food in my area. :)

For the full review, please visit Reviews by Jessewave.

[A.J. Llewellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun - a gay "Romancing the Stone" that is just as implausible yet just as entertaining as the movie.
The story is mostly set in Bangkok and I was a little concerned at first about ANYBODY in first class not having enough leg room (!!!) but I felt the story picked up the pace once the action hit Bangkok.
Some of the secondary characters really come to life, especially the workers at the Pink Elephant. "Hot naked men!" was a great line that made me laugh out loud.
Many of the scenes rang true in spite of the outlandish storyline and that is...um...rarer than rubies.
If you enjoy hot naked men (Who doesn't) or hot dressed men searching for mysterious treasures and some pretty funny dialogue, this book is most entertaining.Trent and Reed make a good couple who might not make the wisest decisions but hey, there wouldn't be a novel if they did. A really fun, wonderful romp.

[Roger - president of NBR United - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trent Copeland is a writer of gay romances, who life has been in a rut since the death of his lover 2 years ago. His friends send him on a vacation to Bangkok. There he meets Reed Acton, an undercover FBI agent. All sorts of misadventures lead to Trent rescuing Reed and finding the mythic Ruby Buddha.

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trent Copeland, aka gay romance author J.T. Dallas, has been in a serious rut since his lover Marc died in an accident. He spends his time watching the same movies over and over. He goes to the same restaurants and orders the same dishes. According to his agent Cassandra, his writing's also stuck, so badly that his publisher rejected his last novel. And his sex life is even less inspiring than his books.

Trying to shake him out of his lethargy, Trent's best friends send him on a vacation to Thailand, carefully orchestrated to provide him some adventure, especially of the erotic variety. However, neither they nor Trent himself count on rough trade Reed Acton zeroing in on the clueless author. Reed's involved with a bunch of vicious Thai gangsters seeking the legendary Ruby Buddha. Due to an error, a map indicating the location of the priceless relic gets slipped into Trent's backpack. Reed stalks Trent, ostensibly to retrieve the map but equally motivated by the lust Trent inspires. After Reed kills the mob boss, however, Reed and Trent find themselves fleeing for their lives, even as they become more deeply attached to one another. Reed is a hard case, unused to trusting anyone, but somehow the handsome, unworldly Trent manages to break through his shell. When they're captured by the gangsters, Reed realizes that he'll do anything to protect his unlikely lover – but he may not have a choice.

When I learned that Rarer than Rubies was set in Thailand, I had to read it. I lived in Thailand for several years and have visited it often since. I was curious to see how well E.M. Lynley captured the charm and the strangeness of this paradoxical country. Overall, she does a marvelous job bringing the sights, scents, sounds and tastes of the place to life. The courtesy Thais show to total strangers – their curiosity and fondness for ribald gossip – the contrast between their superstition and practicality – the centrality of food in their lives– the attitudes of Lynley's Thai characters struck me as wonderfully true to life. The Thailand she paints is somewhat out-dated – it's no longer possible to take a tuk-tuk from the airport into Bangkok and there are relatively few areas these days without electricity or paved roads, even in remote provinces – but the Thai character and culture haven't changed all that much.

This fascinating country provides a fine background for a steamy romance. Trent is initially sketched as overly civilized and somewhat helpless, but he proves to be more resourceful and creative than Reed (or the reader) expects. Reed is the classic bad boy, ruthlessly pursuing his goals and spurning any softer feelings. He's astonished when he realizes how much he has come to care for Trent. The sex between the two men involves more tenderness than Reed has ever experienced. The reader recognizes the emotional chemistry between the two heroes long before either of them is willing to admit it.

I can't say that there was much that surprised me about Rarer Than Rubies, but I enjoyed the ride. In general, Lynley writes with grace and power, though she's somewhat less explicit in her sex scenes that I might be. My most serious criticism was the fact that I found the names Trent and Reed to be a bit too similar. The book shifts back and forth between the POVs of the two heroes. Occasionally I had to reread a paragraph or two to remind myself who was who. That might have something to do with the fact that I generally read in bed, after a long day, and sometimes, a glass or two of wine!

If you're looking for a heartfelt M/M romance spiced with a hefty portion of the exotic, get yourself a copy of Rarer Than Rubies.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting mix between a good old-fashioned action adventure, an exciting hunt for hidden treasure in an exotic location and a modern-day romance. Not only that, it is also a study of what happens when a somewhat insecure, withdrawn writer collides (quite literally) with an action-driven, somewhat macho agent. Trying to figure out the mystery and the true motives of the mysterious Reed had me glued to my seat and just as fascinated as Trent.

Trent is a guy who definitely grew on me. He starts out totally lost. He is withdrawn and a scared-of-everything-outside-his-apartment hermit who still mourns the death of his lover two years earlier. Forced into a trip to Thailand by his truly obnoxious and irritating ‘friends’ (no, they did not grow on me one bit!), he has a few revelations that change his life. I loved watching him struggle with the unknown environment, then cope with all the surprises, and finally grow as he learns that he can do a lot more than sit at home and write romance novels. He may not end up as a secret agent anytime soon, but he is definitely a changed man, more daring, by the end of this adventure.

Reed starts out as somewhat of a mystery. That fits well with his identity as a secret agent. He is very macho, judges Trent by his appearance and has no patience with anyone who doesn’t fall into line with what he thinks needs to happen. Being on an undercover mission makes him as lonely as Trent in a way, but his coping mechanisms are very different. I didn’t like the way he first treated Trent, but had to give him credit for changing his opinion in line with the changes Trent made. He turns out to be a great guy and by the end of the book I really liked him.

If you like mysterious agents, initially shy writer-types, an adventure story set in an exotic location that really comes to life, plus want some exciting twists and turns in your plot, you will like this book.


NOTE: This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gennie's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

I really enjoyed E.M. Lynley’s Rarer Than Rubies! In fact, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I liked it so much that as I saw myself nearing the end, I kept finding other things that needed to be done because I wanted to stay in the world Ms. Lynley created a little longer. (confession: this seems to be a pattern for me and books I like!)

The first main character we meet is Trent Copeland. He is a M/M romance author (penname T.J. Dallas) originally from Oklahoma, who now lives in LA. However, it seems that since the death of his partner two years ago, Trent has lived a very safe and predictable life. So predictable that his last two books have been rejected and his friends believe he needs an intervention. In a moment of weakness, Trent tells his best friend Beth to plan a vacation and she keeps it a secret until the last minute. This is how Trent finds himself landing in Bangkok, Thailand with no clue what is in store for him. Enter our second main character, handsome stranger Reed Acton.

From this point in the book, the story line moves fast and is filled with wonderful descriptions of food and culture in Bangkok and the surrounding country side. We meet some fun secondary characters, but the story really revolves around Trent and Reed. I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say this story is filled with mystery, lost treasure, gangster bad guys, an intriguing hottie who keeps popping up, and a romance writer who’s stronger than he knows. This book is part travelogue, romance, and hot sex between two sexy men! If any of these appeal to you, this book’s for you!

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but I couldn't. There were too many things that didn't work for me. First, it was one of those books that felt like a male had just been substituted for a female and a few specific sexual descriptions inserted to reinforce that the character was, indeed, male. Other than the physical, Trent read like the typical m/f romance heroine. Secondly, I had a bit of a problem with them wanting to be all over each other when they'd been away from civilization for several days in a hot climate, had been having sex and had not been bathing. I think there's a limit as to how much funk even two horny guys can tolerate! And then there's the whole issue of several basic mistakes Reed makes even though he's a trained agent. It just didn't read true for me and that really got in the way of my enjoyment of the story.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Mandy*reads obsessively*]

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[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book with the fire of a thousand suns and one spicy burrito.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vague spoilers ahead, so please read this review at your own risk!

I had my eyes set on this book even before I found out that I was to review this. I was born in Southeast Asia (not Thailand, though) and I am always on the lookout for books that are set in the area. Living in the United States now, I find myself missing the unique culture that only countries in Southeast Asia provide.

E.M. Lynley's Rarer than Rubies made me remember the richness of living in that area of the world. The aspect of setting is arguably the most powerful weapon of this book, and the author definitely used her adventures in Thailand to her advantage. It is obvious that the author did her research and remembered her travels well; the setting is rich and detailed and the little nuances of the Thais are captured in minutia. There is the great heat and humidity present in the tropics and there is the crazy traffic of a wildly unorganized population, but there is also great food as well as wonderfully hospitable locals. The author doesn't sugarcoat the culture - she provides both bad and good aspects of it, and that's what I truly like about the setting. E.M. Lynley doesn't set out to show that Thailand is better than the United States; she shows that it's merely different, a place where people might want to think of when they seek for something outside the familiar. In a way, the reader is Trent Copeland, someone who put into a completely foreign situation, where the reader doesn't truly know what to expect.

Speaking of Trent, I would also like to point out that I really liked the characters. Trent was quite clumsy without being completely helpless - as one character says towards the end of the book, Trent is quick to think on his feet. He may not have the best foresight, but he is able to act appropriately in the present. He isn't a damsel-in-distress given a male body, which seems to be a prevalent case in a few M/M books. And to be honest, Reed fascinated me. Reed is a big mystery that the reader uncovers as he/she goes through the book; although many hints are given when we are in Reed's POV and even though a lot is said during the big reveal scene, there are a few events that just totally threw me off the wall - just because you are given an explanation doesn't necessarily mean it's true. It's safe to say that for Reed.

This book isn't so much a mystery/suspense book as it is an adventure. We are given quite a few action scenes, but there is an overall feel of adventure to it - to put it simply, it screams Indiana Jones to me rather than James Bond. However, this isn't really a big disappointment on my part because it was still a fast-paced read. While the action scenes weren't overly exciting, they weren't dragging either. My heart still thudded and I still felt nervous for our main characters, and that's always a plus because you know it's a good book when you actually care for the well-being of the characters.

I do have a couple of niggles though, but they weren't big enough that they took away from my enjoyment of the book. First of all, there were a couple of awkward sentences here and there. For example, Trent at one point says, "I am, too, gay!" There's a weird structure to this sentence, and I think there were a couple more that were also a bit stilted and awkward, but there aren't a lot of it so it isn't really a prominent mistake. Others might not even notice it; in some ways it's just me being really particular. There were also a few typos here and there as well as the occasional misplaced comma, but seriously, these things are so minor that they don't really disrupt the reading experience.

Overall, though, I definitely enjoyed this book. This isn't just a romantic book - it's also one that teaches a lot about another culture in a way that doesn't feel forced. I loved the setting, the characters intrigued me, and there were enough questions left unanswered and these were so tastefully done that the questions actually kept me wanting more instead of frustrating me. Instead of being disappointed by the lack of explanations for a couple of things, I find myself yearning for a sequel. And I do believe there will be more adventures for Reed and Trent! I'll definitely be watching out for them.

This review can also be found here.

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
Adventure...that is the mainstay of this book. Trent is a romance writer that has gotten into a rut in his life after the death of his partner 2 years ago, so his best friends set him up for a surprise vacation to Thailand in search of adventure. Adventure and excitement is definitely what he finds...as well as passion, danger, suspense, and even some great life lessons. As a reader, it makes for a great book.

Reed is an American living in Thailand. A very important map accidentally ended up in Trent's backpack and Reed's life is depending on him getting it back. The fact that Trent is gorgeous and built doesn't hurt anything either.

Trent is built...6 foot plus and the muscles to go with it...all obtained from time at the gym. He's also completely addicted to his creature comforts- first class all the way and he's going to smell good getting there. I loved how addicted he was to his smelly lotions and potions....such a great little quirk.

On the other hand, Reed has earned his muscles the hard way through various missions. He has learned to simply be thankful for when he actually gets a shower. At first, he is completely enamored with Trent based upon Trent's looks, but as he learns how particular Trent can be about certain things, that fascination turns to derision. But when the going gets rough, Trent steps up and toughens up really quickly.

There was a great character arc for both of these characters- Trent as he becomes more adventurous and daring; Reed as he learns to rely on someone else. They make an absolutely great couple and I really enjoyed watching their romance blossom. There is just something about two guys showing their love for each other that is just so innately sexy.

But it was not just a romance story to this book. There was also a great adventure/action story line and it definitely kept the story moving at all times. There is a lot of action in this book and I never knew how things were going to go next in this exotic location of Thailand. The Ruby Buddha with the little details and history tidbits thrown in throughout the story made for a fabulous story line. I feel like I learned a lot in this book about the region and religion, but it was all added to the story so seamlessly- it flowed in perfectly. Really a well-written book all the way around. It makes you yearn for a bit of adventure travel (without all the life/death situations.)

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:

When Trent Copeland runs into Reed Acton at a Bangkok airport, he thinks the handsome American is too good to be true. Why would someone like Reed be interested in a quiet, introverted gay-romance writer? After all, even an obvious tourist like Trent can see that there is more to Reed’s constant unexplained appearances in his path than meets the eye.

Reed Acton has one mission and one mission only—he needs to get the map that was accidentally slipped into Trent's bag and keep the mobsters who want the priceless artifact from taking deadly revenge. Trent Copeland is a delicious and damned near irresistible diversion, but Reed can’t afford distractions right now, especially if he wants to keep Trent safe.

From Bangkok's seediest back alleys to the sacred north, the two men will fight to stay one step ahead of the bad guys and learn that the only treasure worth finding is... each other.

My Thoughts:

I got this book for free during one of Dreamspinner Press's November tweetaways and I ended up enjoying it. I did want to like it more than I did, though.

In the beginning, it was all going fine for me and I was ready for Trent and Reed to get together. The constant misunderstandings started grating my nerves after a while, though. They also seemed to fall for each other a bit too quickly. It was nice seeing them form a connection, though. Trent and Reed are two very different men, so the fact that Reed started falling for Trent so soon seemed unusual. Especially since he didn't respect Trent all that much at first. Trent for his part, doesn't like Reed all that much either. The man either seems to be stalking him, lying to him and trying to hustle him. Then after that, the man keeps insulting him.

Being trapped together as prisoners does seem to help the guys see below the surface when it comes to the other man and feelings start to deepen. It felt a little rushed to me, but circumstances may have led to that. They did a lot for each other at least. I did want to shake Trent when he went haring off to rescue Reed with barely any kind of plan and absolutely no experience, though. The book does end on a good note, though. It looks like the guys will make a go of things and have a relationship. It should be interesting to see how that turns out. I may or may not continue the series. I'm not sure, yet.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trent has been living a pretty dull life over the last two years. His previous partner, who happened to be addicted to excitement and adrenaline, was killed feeding that addiction. His death caused Trent to do the exact opposite, retreat in to himself and not allow and sort of excitement or adventure into his life. When he is forced to take a vacation by some friends, not even being given a choice in the location, Trent is finally taking that first step out of his comfort zone.

Once he is in Bangkok, almost to the minute, his life is thrust into one long adventure, that is so far outside his comfort zone, it might as well have been on another planet. In what sounds like a crazy plot, right out of a romance novel, he finds himself linked to a mysterious undercover FBI agent, Reed Acton, who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. There are bus crashes, kidnappings, killings, hotel rescues, and even buried treasure to found.

Through it all, you see Trent become more comfortable with the craziness his life seems to heading in. He lets himself fall for Reed, even if he's not sure Reed is telling the whole truth, or can be trusted. For his part, Reed is changing too. He's never really wanted anyone, or allowed himself to doubt his choices before this. You know he has a secret past, which will be revealed in the second book, and you know there is deep pain and regret there, and it's that pain that has caused Reed to close himself off so much. But in true romance book fashion, the two men seem to compliment each other in ways they never though possible. And both of them find themselves charting new waters, unsure of their footing, but willing to see where the journey will take them.

[Gennie Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5


I really enjoyed E.M. Lynley’s Rarer Than Rubies! In fact, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I liked it so much that as I saw myself nearing the end, I kept finding other things that needed to be done because I wanted to stay in the world Ms. Lynley created a little longer. (confession: this seems to be a pattern for me and books I like!)

The first main character we meet is Trent Copeland. He is a M/M romance author (penname T.J. Dallas) originally from Oklahoma, who now lives in LA. However, it seems that since the death of his partner two years ago, Trent has lived a very safe and predictable life. So predictable that his last two books have been rejected and his friends believe he needs an intervention. In a moment of weakness, Trent tells his best friend Beth to plan a vacation and she keeps it a secret until the last minute. This is how Trent finds himself landing in Bangkok, Thailand with no clue what is in store for him. Enter our second main character, handsome stranger Reed Acton.

From this point in the book, the story line moves fast and is filled with wonderful descriptions of food and culture in Bangkok and the surrounding country side. We meet some fun secondary characters, but the story really revolves around Trent and Reed. I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say this story is filled with mystery, lost treasure, gangster bad guys, an intriguing hottie who keeps popping up, and a romance writer who’s stronger than he knows. This book is part travelogue, romance, and hot sex between two sexy men! If any of these appeal to you, this book’s for you!

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn’t that good. The writing didn’t pull me in and the characters didn’t engage me either. Actually it was boring.
Trent Copeland was an erotic romance writer who just got his latest rounds of books rejected by his publisher for being too much like his last work. His publisher and friends talk him into taking a vacation to Thailand, where he can relax and rejuvenate his mind, so he can have a clean palate to begin writing again.
While at the Bangkok airport, some guy chats him up, but all of a sudden seems to show up every he is at. It turns out that the sexy guy Reed Acton had hidden a map in Trent’s backpack to keep the mobsters after him from getting the map. After some conversations, Reed tells Trent that his erotic romances were boring and could be spiced up. Reed offers to give him some live action tutorials to help him write steamier more erotic sex scenes, which Trent quickly accepts Reed’s offer of help. Now the two embark on a “Just sex” for research endeavor, but it morphs into more for both men. Meanwhile, the mob is after both Reed and Trent so they can recover the map which details a location for some hidden loot. Can Reed protect Trent physically as well as emotionally?
I hate when authors use really silly misunderstands to try to whip up drama. A few here and there is okay, but it got annoying in this book. Normally, I am a fan of insta-love, but I wasn’t feeling it here. First, I didn’t feel there chemistry anyway, but Trent just seemed like a little boy with his Lilac underpants. I found myself rolling my eyes a bit in this book so I am pretty sure I will not be continuing with this series.

[Estarianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trent is sweet, a little shallow, and hot. Reed is not a nice person. He doesn't really like Trent, but wants him. He needs something Trent has.

Trent responds to Reed's insults by agreeing to have sex with him. This and a misadventure in Thailand apparently make for great romance.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Thailand, but I had to stop reading. It was painful watching Reed tear into Trent for being a "woman" (apparently, female writers love to write gay men insulting each other's masculinity). I can see where the author planned to go, but I was not interested in taking the trip with these characters. Here is a balance between "bad boy" and "bad person" that Reed ended up on the wrong side of, and watching Trent bluster while Reed harangued him did not give me "start of a romance" feelings.

Every time Trent grew a backbone, he remembered how hot Reed was and lost it. Meh. I hate writers who depend on lust to build unlikely relationships out of nothing.

One thing my Scribd subscription has taught me: there is a lot of really bad gay romance out there! This book had some good points, but the characters and romance were not among them.

[Plainbrownwrapper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm. Roughly 2.5 stars...I guess I'll be nice and round up to 3.

The writing throughout is heavy-handed and obvious. The author is careful to explain everything and write plainly where subtlety and complexity would be far more interesting. This is one of the traits that really really bugs me about many of the less experienced and/or less talented romance writers -- the "tell don't show" syndrome. I wish I could assign these folks some homework -- maybe to reading all the works of Jordan Castillo Price or Lois McMaster Bujold, both of whom excel at economical and efficient writing that says a lot in just a few words. Subtext, people, subtext!

Ahem. Anyway, as I was saying --

The writing is annoyingly pedestrian. The plot is far-fetched, but it could have been made much more fun with better writing. The characters weren't too bad, but I never really believed them -- again, better prose would be a big factor here. On the good side, I enjoyed the setting. I wish there were more, better romances written in interesting places like Thailand.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things I need to cover to review this book.

1. I LOVE Thai food. Once of my good friends is from Thailand and has her own restaurant. To prep for reading this book, I called her and got a smattering of dishes to put myself in the right frame of mind.

2. I want to go to Thailand, and this book made me want to even more (I might find a hot federal agent, get kidnapped and "ride off into the sunset".

With that out of the way, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. There was a surprising strength to Trent, and a surprising gentleness to Reed.

Sadly, I am convinced that there is more to this story that will involve some sort of Stockholm Syndrome ... However, as long as I ignore this niggle, I loved reading this story.

Slight Revision
Okay, I just read the overview of the next in the series, and can I just say I am feeling let down that my suspicious nature that there is more than meets the eye has been confirmed.

[Mtsnow13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book was good, and the elements were all there, including the beautiful Thailand location, but the character development felt very awkward to start. Some of it seemed rushed, or choppy, or downright campy and unbelieveable for me.

There was the possibilty for depth, but as quickly as the MC's developed feelings for each other was downright unrealistic..

Also, for a hardened undercover agent to miss so many obvious things to out them in danger, well, that almost ruined the story for me.

I do like that the other MC is able to bring some of his writer/author research experience into his thinking, but his niavete is hard to handle at times. I am looking forward to the next book to see if this series can be salvaged.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catching up on my pile o unfinished reviews.

I love this series. It's such fun. I was watching Romancing the Stone today on AMC, and that movie is really what this series reminded me of. Well, if you crossed Romancing the Stone with the TV show Scarecrow and Mrs King. If you are too young to remember either of these, go check IMDB and Wikipedia. I'll wait.

. . .

. . .

Anyway. Poor fish out of water, naive character is accidentally drawn into espionage/intrigue and turns up to be pretty damn good at it, and blossoms into something they'd never thought they could be.

AND the writing. I felt like I *experienced* Thailand and it almost made me want to go. Very vivid. I put this book on the Strong Sense of Place list and it's one of the best examples of that I can think of.

[Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Such a sweet romance, hot sex, and an exciting plot. I loved that the two main characters were so different, and I loved how naive Trent was about the whole mafia thing. The exotic backdrop was well portrayed - you get a sense of what it's like in Thailand.

Great read - hope there will be a sequel!

[Susan Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of Trent, the timid romance novelist on his first trip outside his comfort zone, and Reed, the mysterious traveler whose motives are less than clear. Yet, their paths cross again and again, and deathly dangers follow in their wake. Suspense, action, and hot sex with two hot guys: What could be better? I highly recommend this!

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, handsome and funny characters , exciting plot . You open the book and you enter in Bangkok and seem to be in that beautiful landscapes and to smell the food ...and Trent is lovely and with Reed are one couple explosive. Adventures , love,sex, and suggestive landscapes make this book a amazing reading.

[W.S. Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast-paced book. Definitely felt the attraction and lust between the characters, Trent and Reed. Having traveled to Bangkok twice myself, I appreciated re-living the wonders, sights, and smells of Thailand described here.

The sex scenes felt real, and passionate. Definitely NSFW, but highly recommend.

[Pamela Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining and exotically thrilling romance set in Bangkok.

Seeing as I just returned from there, reading this reminded me of all the fun places I had visited that were similar to the book.

The story as a whole was just a little bit too farfetched for me. I wasn't completely able to suspend belief for some of the events that took place in the book.

That being said, this was a fun read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good m/m romantic suspense about an m/m author who's stuck in a rut, so his friends send him on vacation to Thailand, where he becomes inadvertently tangled in a life-or-death adventure with a handsome mystery man.