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Under the Skin
Police detective Patrick Flaherty has no illusions about Russian mobster Alexei Boczar, but that doesn’t stop his fascination with the bodyguard to one of the most ruthless families in Chicago’s growing Eastern European crime community. From the moment Patrick meets Alexei’s eyes over the body of another Russian mobster, Alexei is a thorn in Patrick’s side, refusing to cooperate with the police and turning all of Patrick’s questions back on him. Alexei’s hard-as-nails persona whets Patrick’s professional determination to get the information he’s sure the gangster is hiding, while personally Patrick just wants to get his hands on Alexei’s hard body.
The tattoos marking Alexei’s skin tell the story of his criminal past, but the more Patrick learns about Alexei, the more he wants to know, until he finds himself over his head in a relationship that might cost him his job and could well cost Alexei his life. Alexei is equally fascinated by Patrick’s willingness to overlook his past and even his present associations, but he has secrets of his own that could drive a wedge between them forever.
The tattoos marking Alexei’s skin tell the story of his criminal past, but the more Patrick learns about Alexei, the more he wants to know, until he finds himself over his head in a relationship that might cost him his job and could well cost Alexei his life. Alexei is equally fascinated by Patrick’s willingness to overlook his past and even his present associations, but he has secrets of his own that could drive a wedge between them forever.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Bennett
40 books68 followersGrowing up in Chicago, Nicki Bennett spent every Saturday at the central library, losing herself in the world of books. A voracious reader, she eventually found it difficult to find enough of the kind of stories she liked to read and decided to start writing them herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 7, 2011
3.5 stars
This was a tough one to rate and review. Mostly because I had a major problem with it but then I absolutely love the ending so it's a toss up with what I want to rate it.
I have a ton of feelings towards this book but the one feeling that stands out the most is amazement. Amazement at how much these two MCs are like magnets to a fridge. I'm dead serious. They could not stand to be away from each other for long and when they were together they couldn't stand to NOT touch each other. It's sweet and cute but at the same time extremely frustrating. Alexei and Patrick are definitely passionate men, they have a chemistry that sparks off the pages. I loved them both because of that and because of their need for each other. The feelings they couldn't verbally say but expressed in their voices and the nicknames they have for each other. I enjoyed seeing them suffer when the other was away or when they couldn't be around each other.
The plot was a good one. A mobster meeting a cop and then unintentionally creating a relationship out of the 'meetings' they held together for information. I enjoyed it. I lived for the moments when I could see the plot evolve and grow. Unfortunately, the biggest fault of this book is the sex. I felt like I was drowning in it. Any time Alexei and Patrick would get together, there'd be sex . And there were a lot of scenes where they are together and even some flashback scenes of them having sex. In fact, I'd say a majority of the story revolves around the sex instead of the actual plot.
What plot there is, like I said, is a good one. I was excited about this book because there's not many mobster books out there so I was anxious to read this. In some ways, this book filled all my expectations of it but in other ways I was disappointed. I don't like to read books filled with more sex than plot. It's not something I enjoy and I suppose I should have known this book would be something like that since the few books I've read from this duo has been pwp but I held out hope I'd enjoy this story.
In the end, I did but I did not. In my opinion, the story was slow in all areas but the sex department. Still, I enjoyed the book for what it was but I still want more of Alexei and Patrick. But I want a book about who these characters are. Not just how much they can scorch up the sheets.
I will say that a big redeeming factor in this story was the ending. I absolutely loved it. It left me with a silly little grin and an occasionally giddy giggle because of how these two end up making it work.
This was a tough one to rate and review. Mostly because I had a major problem with it but then I absolutely love the ending so it's a toss up with what I want to rate it.
I have a ton of feelings towards this book but the one feeling that stands out the most is amazement. Amazement at how much these two MCs are like magnets to a fridge. I'm dead serious. They could not stand to be away from each other for long and when they were together they couldn't stand to NOT touch each other. It's sweet and cute but at the same time extremely frustrating. Alexei and Patrick are definitely passionate men, they have a chemistry that sparks off the pages. I loved them both because of that and because of their need for each other. The feelings they couldn't verbally say but expressed in their voices and the nicknames they have for each other. I enjoyed seeing them suffer when the other was away or when they couldn't be around each other.
The plot was a good one. A mobster meeting a cop and then unintentionally creating a relationship out of the 'meetings' they held together for information. I enjoyed it. I lived for the moments when I could see the plot evolve and grow. Unfortunately, the biggest fault of this book is the sex. I felt like I was drowning in it. Any time Alexei and Patrick would get together, there'd be sex . And there were a lot of scenes where they are together and even some flashback scenes of them having sex. In fact, I'd say a majority of the story revolves around the sex instead of the actual plot.
What plot there is, like I said, is a good one. I was excited about this book because there's not many mobster books out there so I was anxious to read this. In some ways, this book filled all my expectations of it but in other ways I was disappointed. I don't like to read books filled with more sex than plot. It's not something I enjoy and I suppose I should have known this book would be something like that since the few books I've read from this duo has been pwp but I held out hope I'd enjoy this story.
In the end, I did but I did not. In my opinion, the story was slow in all areas but the sex department. Still, I enjoyed the book for what it was but I still want more of Alexei and Patrick. But I want a book about who these characters are. Not just how much they can scorch up the sheets.
I will say that a big redeeming factor in this story was the ending. I absolutely loved it. It left me with a silly little grin and an occasionally giddy giggle because of how these two end up making it work.
September 7, 2011
Under The Skin is a wonderful example for sex kills plot.
200 pages - 10 sex scenes! Well written,likeable characters,chemistry was there,promising story but near the end I almost fell asleep.
A disappointment.
200 pages - 10 sex scenes! Well written,likeable characters,chemistry was there,promising story but near the end I almost fell asleep.
A disappointment.
March 25, 2013
Gave this 5 stars the first time I read it ( Sept 2011 ) and it still gets 5 today.
Patrick and Alexai... Patya and his Lyosha! OMG do these guys generate some palpable sexual tension together!
This was one of my first m/m reads and I remember being engrossed when I first downloaded it. How can you resist a secretive Russian mobster complete with accent and tattoos- strong,silent, dangerous and sexy as hell! Pair him with an undercover cop who comes into contact with him during a case involving a mob killing, light the touch paper and watch these two sizzle together up to the inevitable explosion!
The book starts with a raw, gritty (but still very sensual) scene in the steam room of a gym where Patrick is meeting Alexai for information and the payment is ' in kind' so to speak. This becomes a regular thing but as time passes the meetings and sex start to become more than just payment and the attraction much more than just lust - making their illicit affair a lot more dangerous and putting both their careers on the line , eventually becoming life threatening. Watching Alexai and his Patya fall in love over the course of the story was not only thrilling but also very romantic ... Not what you expect because of the nature of the book.
Obviously there's much more to the twisty plot than just the love story and there are enough edge of the seat moments to make this just as exciting as it is hot, but its ultimately the chemistry between these two guys that has you cheering on its hard fought ending, leaving you sighing in relief but also satisfied at the same time. Now I remember why it was put into my keepers never to be deleted , and its staying there. Loved it... Again!
Patrick and Alexai... Patya and his Lyosha! OMG do these guys generate some palpable sexual tension together!
This was one of my first m/m reads and I remember being engrossed when I first downloaded it. How can you resist a secretive Russian mobster complete with accent and tattoos- strong,silent, dangerous and sexy as hell! Pair him with an undercover cop who comes into contact with him during a case involving a mob killing, light the touch paper and watch these two sizzle together up to the inevitable explosion!
The book starts with a raw, gritty (but still very sensual) scene in the steam room of a gym where Patrick is meeting Alexai for information and the payment is ' in kind' so to speak. This becomes a regular thing but as time passes the meetings and sex start to become more than just payment and the attraction much more than just lust - making their illicit affair a lot more dangerous and putting both their careers on the line , eventually becoming life threatening. Watching Alexai and his Patya fall in love over the course of the story was not only thrilling but also very romantic ... Not what you expect because of the nature of the book.
Obviously there's much more to the twisty plot than just the love story and there are enough edge of the seat moments to make this just as exciting as it is hot, but its ultimately the chemistry between these two guys that has you cheering on its hard fought ending, leaving you sighing in relief but also satisfied at the same time. Now I remember why it was put into my keepers never to be deleted , and its staying there. Loved it... Again!
October 13, 2019
This was a pretty good read. This book started with the two MC's already having sex like it started in the middle of it. The book also had some confusion for me with it going back and fourth in the beginning. Detective Patrick Flaherty is having an affair with Russian mobster Alexei Boczar when they meet it is over a dead body. These two meet in secret Patrick is trying to find a killer with each meeting the more they have sex which is hot. Alexei knows that he needs to cut the relationship off but he can't get enough of Patrick. When Alexei becomes a made man Patrick breaks up with him, but he can't seem to get over it and when he hears that Alexei was shot he knows that he is in love with him and goes to him. Alexei has been keeping secret's of his own he want's to bring down the people that he is working for. This was a good book both Patrick and Alexei go through a lot to protect one another. This was my first time reading both of these author's. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or I am looking forward to reading more of there work.
April 2, 2018
3.5 stars! Has a lot of HOT SIZZLING sex which sometimes gets in the way of the story. Its a good thriller with some absurdity thrown in. However, not a bad read for a cold afternoon.. when you need something to heat you up. ;-)
September 28, 2012
This? Deliciously angsty!
Chicago detective Patrick Flaherty and Russian mobster Alexei Boczar begin an illicit affair. Yum. There are quite a few hot, hot scenes when these two meet up. The more often that it happens things become about more than just sex and the angst is ramped up to eleven.
Will the cops find out that Patrick is in bed with a mobster, will the mob find out that Alexei is in bed with a cop? Will these two be able to navigate the minefield they find themselves in and survive the fallout if their relationship is ever discovered?
I was worried about these two, I liked them and I liked how they were together. Interesting storyline about the Russian mob infringing into the established Columbian drug territory which added a nice bite of tension.
Loved it. Recommended.
Chicago detective Patrick Flaherty and Russian mobster Alexei Boczar begin an illicit affair. Yum. There are quite a few hot, hot scenes when these two meet up. The more often that it happens things become about more than just sex and the angst is ramped up to eleven.
Will the cops find out that Patrick is in bed with a mobster, will the mob find out that Alexei is in bed with a cop? Will these two be able to navigate the minefield they find themselves in and survive the fallout if their relationship is ever discovered?
I was worried about these two, I liked them and I liked how they were together. Interesting storyline about the Russian mob infringing into the established Columbian drug territory which added a nice bite of tension.
Loved it. Recommended.
May 28, 2020
3,5 stars upgraded to 4
This story is difficult to rate for me .... the beginning was kind of strange because seriously ... I hope that is not how police officers work.
The first quarter was very difficult to follow as well regarding the time line, as there were a lot of jumps between events
But then it picked up the pace and the relationship development and I really enjoyed it ....
What was a little disappointing was that we did not get a lot of Patricks backstory .... that could have been handled better
Nevertheless, after a strange beginning I really enjoyed it
This story is difficult to rate for me .... the beginning was kind of strange because seriously ... I hope that is not how police officers work.
The first quarter was very difficult to follow as well regarding the time line, as there were a lot of jumps between events
But then it picked up the pace and the relationship development and I really enjoyed it ....
What was a little disappointing was that we did not get a lot of Patricks backstory .... that could have been handled better
Nevertheless, after a strange beginning I really enjoyed it
November 3, 2011
I'll admit the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover (*guilty blush* don't pretend it didn't attract your attention too!), and after reading the summary I was further intrigued and thought it sounded like an interesting story. I'm still new to m/m romance, but have really enjoyed those I've read so far, and come on—good-guy police detective falls for bad-boy Russian mobster? Who doesn't want to know how that turns out?!
Unfortunately, the book fell a little short in its execution. I liked it at the beginning, but as I read on I became less and less engaged. The chemistry was sizzling—Bennett and Tachna do know how to write some hot scenes, I'll give them that—but the connection between Patrick and Alexei seemed forced in all other aspects. I was unable to believe the jump from basically-fuck-buddies to lovers / friends. The emotional intimacy that they develop was hard for me to buy, especially given the constraints of their relationship and the situation they're in.
When I started the book, I thought it would be a romantic suspense / action book, but it most definitely was not. That wasn't a must for me, but what bothered me was the inconsistency, because it also wasn't a straight-up contemporary romance. Instead, it felt like every now and then the authors would remember that there was a police-mob-suspense-subplot they were supposed to be focusing on as well, so we'd get some scenes or developments on that, and then go back to the “connection” between Patrick and Alexei. There weren't smooth transitions and it made for a choppy read.
Eventually, even the sex began to pale (I know: *gasp*) given its ridiculous frequency; one of them would once more reach frantically for the other's belt or kiss with desperate passion and all I could think was, Really? Again?! There’s a point where Patrick says to Alexei that they can’t keep turning to sex in attempt to ignore the difficulties between them; he says this in a defeated tone, feeling hopeless about their can-only-end-badly relationship. For me, this was probably the most authentic moment of the entire book.
Bottom Line:
While my interest was piqued by the cover and then the summary, the book itself didn't deliver the compelling story and characters I was expecting. I had to force myself to finish it and not skim. I have read much better m/m romance where the main characters started off as strangers, but developed a considerable amount of heat and a believable emotional connection within a short amount of time (see recommendation #2 below).
Recommendations:
If you want to read an erotic m/m romance, I would suggest ...
* Apples and Regret and Wasted Time by Cornelia Grey (4.5 stars | Grade: A)
* Grey's Awakening by Cameron Dane (4 stars)
This review is of a galley provided by Dreamspinner Press through NetGalley. Reviewed at Fiction Vixen Book Reviews on November 2, 2011.
Unfortunately, the book fell a little short in its execution. I liked it at the beginning, but as I read on I became less and less engaged. The chemistry was sizzling—Bennett and Tachna do know how to write some hot scenes, I'll give them that—but the connection between Patrick and Alexei seemed forced in all other aspects. I was unable to believe the jump from basically-fuck-buddies to lovers / friends. The emotional intimacy that they develop was hard for me to buy, especially given the constraints of their relationship and the situation they're in.
When I started the book, I thought it would be a romantic suspense / action book, but it most definitely was not. That wasn't a must for me, but what bothered me was the inconsistency, because it also wasn't a straight-up contemporary romance. Instead, it felt like every now and then the authors would remember that there was a police-mob-suspense-subplot they were supposed to be focusing on as well, so we'd get some scenes or developments on that, and then go back to the “connection” between Patrick and Alexei. There weren't smooth transitions and it made for a choppy read.
Eventually, even the sex began to pale (I know: *gasp*) given its ridiculous frequency; one of them would once more reach frantically for the other's belt or kiss with desperate passion and all I could think was, Really? Again?! There’s a point where Patrick says to Alexei that they can’t keep turning to sex in attempt to ignore the difficulties between them; he says this in a defeated tone, feeling hopeless about their can-only-end-badly relationship. For me, this was probably the most authentic moment of the entire book.
Bottom Line:
While my interest was piqued by the cover and then the summary, the book itself didn't deliver the compelling story and characters I was expecting. I had to force myself to finish it and not skim. I have read much better m/m romance where the main characters started off as strangers, but developed a considerable amount of heat and a believable emotional connection within a short amount of time (see recommendation #2 below).
Recommendations:
If you want to read an erotic m/m romance, I would suggest ...
* Apples and Regret and Wasted Time by Cornelia Grey (4.5 stars | Grade: A)
* Grey's Awakening by Cameron Dane (4 stars)
This review is of a galley provided by Dreamspinner Press through NetGalley. Reviewed at Fiction Vixen Book Reviews on November 2, 2011.
March 4, 2019
So, I'm pretty bummed this didn't work out and if I wasn't doing the Cleaning Out the TBR Closet challenge, I may have just quit reading it. There is a ton of potential here, I love the idea of the cop and a Russian mobsters falling in love. But this felt nothing like love. There was sex
every
time they saw each other. At first I didn't even understand that they had been "together" for months, they kept up this weird pretense for "safety". Which I did understand, but then, when all they did was have sex and then seem to get upset with each other, I didn't understand the Love. Where was this deep love, and why? They didn't even have any real conversations until somewhere around the 60% mark or something. And that was another thing, there were so many opportunities to show this affection , to share their lives and those moments when people fall in love, but instead we just got sex. Over and over. I don't know. Love the idea, writing fell flat. Bummer
December 22, 2011
This is one book that I could not put down once I started reading. The story rolls off the page seamlessly, with just the right amount of angst, and LOADS of really really hot sex. I'm talking, blow your socks off, curl your toes, hot sex! These two have amazing chemistry that practically makes your eReader vibrate.
Patrick Flaherty is a police detective in Chicago in the organized crime division. He meets Alexei Boczar, a Russian mobster/bodyguard, when one of Alexei's associates is murdered. The attraction is immediate. They meet to trade information and set up an unconventional way to trade information. However, things start to change for them, and they start to fall in love with each other. They have to be careful, because if anyone found out, Patrick would be in trouble for breaking regulations and Alexei would be dead for sleeping with a cop. I really enjoyed the secret that we find out about Alexei. There is more to him than meets the eye.
I know others have complained about there being too much sex but I have to disagree. Partly because I like lots of sex, but the sex in this story was in no way pointless or tasteless. Patrick and Alexei could not be near each other without touching and were very passionate in their love making, enough to make you melt. The sex scenes were well written and flowed well with the story line. It was obvious how strongly they felt for each other. I loved their pet names for each other. Alexei used Russian frequently though and I just had to know what he was saying so I looked those phrases up to see what terms of endearment he was using. Although there were a lot of scenes, they really worked well to show the progression of how their feelings changed from mutual lust and attraction to fierce protection and passionate love.
The ending is just an ending to end all endings. It's an "aw shucks", tear in the eye, sweetest of all endings. They get the sweetest happily ever after and they really do deserve it, especially Alexei. He has had a really awful life and he's hardly ever dared to dream that he could be happy with someone to love that loves him back. This was an overall excellent book from start to finish, hot sex and all, with a great plot. If you like lots of hot sex with a tattooed Russian and a hot cop, with a good bit of angst with a very sweet HEA, this is the book for you.
Patrick Flaherty is a police detective in Chicago in the organized crime division. He meets Alexei Boczar, a Russian mobster/bodyguard, when one of Alexei's associates is murdered. The attraction is immediate. They meet to trade information and set up an unconventional way to trade information. However, things start to change for them, and they start to fall in love with each other. They have to be careful, because if anyone found out, Patrick would be in trouble for breaking regulations and Alexei would be dead for sleeping with a cop. I really enjoyed the secret that we find out about Alexei. There is more to him than meets the eye.
I know others have complained about there being too much sex but I have to disagree. Partly because I like lots of sex, but the sex in this story was in no way pointless or tasteless. Patrick and Alexei could not be near each other without touching and were very passionate in their love making, enough to make you melt. The sex scenes were well written and flowed well with the story line. It was obvious how strongly they felt for each other. I loved their pet names for each other. Alexei used Russian frequently though and I just had to know what he was saying so I looked those phrases up to see what terms of endearment he was using. Although there were a lot of scenes, they really worked well to show the progression of how their feelings changed from mutual lust and attraction to fierce protection and passionate love.
The ending is just an ending to end all endings. It's an "aw shucks", tear in the eye, sweetest of all endings. They get the sweetest happily ever after and they really do deserve it, especially Alexei. He has had a really awful life and he's hardly ever dared to dream that he could be happy with someone to love that loves him back. This was an overall excellent book from start to finish, hot sex and all, with a great plot. If you like lots of hot sex with a tattooed Russian and a hot cop, with a good bit of angst with a very sweet HEA, this is the book for you.
October 25, 2011
I went back and forth between liking this book and not as I read it. The passion between the two MCs is intense, they simply can't stay away from each other, and when they do hook up, WOW! More on that in a minute though...
I was skeptical when the book started on a sex scene, followed by a longish flashback. After I started to know the characters, though, I started to really like them and care about their struggles. Both Alexei and Patrick are strong-willed passionate men with their own codes of honor. They're complex characters who keep a lot of secrets and both have an air of mystery about them, but especially Alexei. He is smoking hot with his aloof attitude, tattoos and sexy accent. And when his tender side slowly starts to emerge, he's really engaging. Patrick, while a tough cop who can take care of himself, is the more patient and giving of the two, and maybe a bit too much of an uke sometimes.
As much as I loved them as a couple, and I especially enjoyed the Russian terms of endearment they used and the way their physical desire slowly blossomed into real commitment, I actually started skimming the sex scenes toward the end. The scenes are well done and boiling over with passion when these two are together, and at the beginning of the story they really do serve to show how their relationship is progressing, and honestly I like to read some hot sex, but by the seventh or eighth time they hooked up it had gotten a little old. They couldn't communicate with each other verbally in the beginning, and used physical love to show each other what they couldn't say, which was really intriguing, but it fell into mechanics after a while.
As for the crime drama and mystery, it wasn't the focus of the book and wasn't terribly developed, but I didn't expect it to be, so it didn't bother me. There was enough of the world and its dealings shown to keep the plot interesting. More would have been better. I'd like to have seen what Alexei did as his duties to this crime family and how he reconciled it with his own sense of justice. It got a little slow at times, like I said, but the growth of a relationship between the characters was very well done, and the ending absolutely made me happy. I've been getting pissed at endings a lot lately, and this one was just perfect.
I was skeptical when the book started on a sex scene, followed by a longish flashback. After I started to know the characters, though, I started to really like them and care about their struggles. Both Alexei and Patrick are strong-willed passionate men with their own codes of honor. They're complex characters who keep a lot of secrets and both have an air of mystery about them, but especially Alexei. He is smoking hot with his aloof attitude, tattoos and sexy accent. And when his tender side slowly starts to emerge, he's really engaging. Patrick, while a tough cop who can take care of himself, is the more patient and giving of the two, and maybe a bit too much of an uke sometimes.
As much as I loved them as a couple, and I especially enjoyed the Russian terms of endearment they used and the way their physical desire slowly blossomed into real commitment, I actually started skimming the sex scenes toward the end. The scenes are well done and boiling over with passion when these two are together, and at the beginning of the story they really do serve to show how their relationship is progressing, and honestly I like to read some hot sex, but by the seventh or eighth time they hooked up it had gotten a little old. They couldn't communicate with each other verbally in the beginning, and used physical love to show each other what they couldn't say, which was really intriguing, but it fell into mechanics after a while.
As for the crime drama and mystery, it wasn't the focus of the book and wasn't terribly developed, but I didn't expect it to be, so it didn't bother me. There was enough of the world and its dealings shown to keep the plot interesting. More would have been better. I'd like to have seen what Alexei did as his duties to this crime family and how he reconciled it with his own sense of justice. It got a little slow at times, like I said, but the growth of a relationship between the characters was very well done, and the ending absolutely made me happy. I've been getting pissed at endings a lot lately, and this one was just perfect.
October 20, 2013
Review posted at: www.facebook.com/slitsread
THIS BOOK!!!!!
4 I fell under chemistry starz
This book had me completely wrapped for the chemistry that shot off the pages for the 2 MC’s
I usually can’t go for a book that has sex in the 1st chapter, cause I feel as if it was too soon, not enough time to get to know the characters, not enough feelings that I can wrap myself around and get lost…BUT… this book wrapped me around it’s pages, kept me, entrapped me, owned me
There are a few things that I love when I read a book
Mafia
M/M romance
Tattoos
Assassins
2 people from different walks of life that find each other and move past their differences to see the true soul underneath
Sex talk in another language
You could feel the angst, the love, the pain, the LOVE on every single page.
A cop and a bodyguard/Voya/mafia hit man. Working against each other and side by side the whole time. Right, wrong, death, reborn… you will find it all in this book
The first time they had sex face to face… The sweetest, most sexiest, most freaking awesome part in this whole book!!
“Ya tebya lyublyu.”
The angst…. OMG… GUT WRENCHING
“To what end?” Patrick asked hoplessly. “So we can keep tearing strips off each other like we did last night? I don’t know how much more my heart can take.”
Twining his fingers in Patrick’s clasp, Alexei brushed the soft hair away from his lover’s forehead with his other hand. “I cannot stay away,” he admitted softly. “I am not alive when my heart is here with you.”
The Chemistry!! I think my ereader is burned, it still feels too hot to touch 24 hours later….
“Touch me, Malysh….”
“What does that word mean?” he asked softly…..
“Means little one’….. he answered, groaning when Patrick’s fingers moved on their own violation to tweak the sensitive points. “Baby….”
…”Pozhaluysta,” he whispered against his lover’s heart. “Patya, touch me.”…
“Only way you can hurt me is not to touch me.” he asserted, the words vibrating against Patrick’s lips.
He rolled his hips gently, making them slide against each other, hissing at the simple touch. “Ya tebya lyubyu.”…
“Need you.”…
“Don’t hide behind words I don’t understand,” he pleaded…
“Tell me what they mean, Lyosha please.”
“Love you,” he vowed, his voice soft but strong. “Means I love you.”
The writing of this book was superb, the story line exactly what I NEED
Recommended to anyone!!!
Mare~Slitsread
THIS BOOK!!!!!
4 I fell under chemistry starz
This book had me completely wrapped for the chemistry that shot off the pages for the 2 MC’s
I usually can’t go for a book that has sex in the 1st chapter, cause I feel as if it was too soon, not enough time to get to know the characters, not enough feelings that I can wrap myself around and get lost…BUT… this book wrapped me around it’s pages, kept me, entrapped me, owned me
There are a few things that I love when I read a book
Mafia
M/M romance
Tattoos
Assassins
2 people from different walks of life that find each other and move past their differences to see the true soul underneath
Sex talk in another language
You could feel the angst, the love, the pain, the LOVE on every single page.
A cop and a bodyguard/Voya/mafia hit man. Working against each other and side by side the whole time. Right, wrong, death, reborn… you will find it all in this book
The first time they had sex face to face… The sweetest, most sexiest, most freaking awesome part in this whole book!!
“Ya tebya lyublyu.”
The angst…. OMG… GUT WRENCHING
“To what end?” Patrick asked hoplessly. “So we can keep tearing strips off each other like we did last night? I don’t know how much more my heart can take.”
Twining his fingers in Patrick’s clasp, Alexei brushed the soft hair away from his lover’s forehead with his other hand. “I cannot stay away,” he admitted softly. “I am not alive when my heart is here with you.”
The Chemistry!! I think my ereader is burned, it still feels too hot to touch 24 hours later….
“Touch me, Malysh….”
“What does that word mean?” he asked softly…..
“Means little one’….. he answered, groaning when Patrick’s fingers moved on their own violation to tweak the sensitive points. “Baby….”
…”Pozhaluysta,” he whispered against his lover’s heart. “Patya, touch me.”…
“Only way you can hurt me is not to touch me.” he asserted, the words vibrating against Patrick’s lips.
He rolled his hips gently, making them slide against each other, hissing at the simple touch. “Ya tebya lyubyu.”…
“Need you.”…
“Don’t hide behind words I don’t understand,” he pleaded…
“Tell me what they mean, Lyosha please.”
“Love you,” he vowed, his voice soft but strong. “Means I love you.”
The writing of this book was superb, the story line exactly what I NEED
Recommended to anyone!!!
Mare~Slitsread
October 13, 2011
Patrick is an undercover cop, now working a case of a mob killing. Alexei is a bodyguard for one of the Russian family leader's son.
A killing brings them together for the first time, as Patrick investigates a hit that Alexei is a witness to. The chemistry abounds, and soon, the exchange of information for...favors...starts. Can these two take the attraction and make something more out of it than just sex?
I really enjoyed how Ms. Tachna and Ms. Bennett breathe life into these two guys. They become more than just cartoons, and we see the backstory for both characters, and start to see just how Alexei came to be in this place in his life.
The chemistry is hot, the sex fantastic, but the sweetness that we eventually get to experience with these men - the best pay off of all.
Two big thumbs up!
A killing brings them together for the first time, as Patrick investigates a hit that Alexei is a witness to. The chemistry abounds, and soon, the exchange of information for...favors...starts. Can these two take the attraction and make something more out of it than just sex?
I really enjoyed how Ms. Tachna and Ms. Bennett breathe life into these two guys. They become more than just cartoons, and we see the backstory for both characters, and start to see just how Alexei came to be in this place in his life.
The chemistry is hot, the sex fantastic, but the sweetness that we eventually get to experience with these men - the best pay off of all.
Two big thumbs up!
October 11, 2011
I have read it twice and it was as good the second time as it was the first but on the second read I slowed enough to appreciate the descriptions and care about the supporting cast. The first time through it was all about the heat and the craving and how sexy Alexei is and how fragile and damaged and how constant Patrick is. That Alexei can trust again is amazing. That Patrick knows that he should put his entire life on the line for the man, is also astonishing. It's not enough to say that I love this book, there needs to be better words. I love the guys together, their interactions, every time, are combustible and heart-rending and the book just flows along so beautifully that I could not bear to put it down once I got my paperback. Wildly recommended.
September 18, 2017
Sex, sex and then some more sex... but wait, I'm not done! Then there was some sex and then some more sex... oh, and then they had sex again... and guess what? They had SEX!!! *headdesk*
I realize that the basis for their relationship was largely due to sex in the beginning... but it would have been nice for them, at some point, to actually have a conversation that didn't begin or end with them jumping each other! Just sayin'!
I would have liked to have seen about 2/3 of the sex scenes taken out and devoted that time to story plot and character development...
Having listed all of the things that drove me crazy and made the story drag for me... the truth is, I enjoyed the story! (Trust me, I am NOT one to skim through the sex scenes... but by halfway through the book that is exactly what I was doing!) I am sure that I will be going to look and see what else Ms. Bennett has written and give her stories another try! :D
I realize that the basis for their relationship was largely due to sex in the beginning... but it would have been nice for them, at some point, to actually have a conversation that didn't begin or end with them jumping each other! Just sayin'!
I would have liked to have seen about 2/3 of the sex scenes taken out and devoted that time to story plot and character development...
Having listed all of the things that drove me crazy and made the story drag for me... the truth is, I enjoyed the story! (Trust me, I am NOT one to skim through the sex scenes... but by halfway through the book that is exactly what I was doing!) I am sure that I will be going to look and see what else Ms. Bennett has written and give her stories another try! :D
June 22, 2015
Too much separated their hearts and the rest of their lives. He couldn’t stand for anything to separate their flesh.A chance meeting over a dead body has brought CPD Patrick Flaherty to a situation he never imagined before. It started out as a thinly veiled half-lie about trying to get information from Russian mobster, Alexei Boczar, but quickly spiraled into something far more than that.
Slowly and without permission, their relationship develops from a simple exchange of lust to something far more. But they're on different sides of the line. Every time they meet is another greater risk, but their attraction is undeniable. But that lines always there, in the back of Patrick's head. Can he reconcile the man he's come to love with the image of a vor? Or will their own secrets bring their relationship tumbling down?
“Everything and everyone outside this building are trying to tear us apart. I can live with that. I accepted that from the moment we started this… whatever this is. I can live with that because whatever this is, it’s stronger than everything and everyone outside. I wouldn’t keep coming back if it weren’t, and neither would you, so don’t bother lying about it. I can fight all of them, but I can’t fight you.”One of my favorite things to read about is people on opposite sides having this sort of forbidden attraction to each other. In this case, it's a criminal and a cop, which had me so excited. I was confused at first, as the first chapter made it seem like that exchange was their first, but I was pulled in further when the authors revealed the true depths of their relationship and the progression of it.
The sex in this was copious but really quite delicious, especially the angry sex we get at one point. It was literally sizzling on my screen. Damn. I can see how it would have been too much for some people, but for at least the first half, it didn't really bother me. Would I have liked to see more of Alexei's nefarious activities? Absolutely. I think it would've been awesome to be exposed to that, but it was still good without that.
The one thing I do wish is that the authors had managed to put even an ounce of the passion and heat that were in their sex scenes into some of the other scenes. They lacked a firm emotional impact for me that I was really craving. For example, when Patrick finds out , I felt like there should've been so much more emotion packed into that scene and it kind of just fizzled out without much of a spark.
It also took me quite some time to adjust to the vastly shifting POVs, that I do think should've been edited out. I understand wanting to show multiple POVs, but it should've been split differently/in a more coherent manner. Still, once I got past that, I was able to enjoy the book. And really, what's not to love about a hot and morally ambiguous Russian and a cop getting together?
But just once I really kind of wanted a Ah well, maybe one of these days I'll find that story.
Overall, a good story with some flaws but enough steam to blow you out of the room.
August 12, 2013
3.5 stars
Smexy story about a hot detective who meets a smokin tattooed Russian mob bodyguard while on a case. They feel instant lust, meet up, under pretenses of exchanging information, and things get more involved. Each meeting more dangerous than the last, due firstly to Patrick being a cop, and secondly to the mob finding out not only that connection, but that Alexei is gay, which is punishable by death in their circles.
Still, these two cannot stay away from each other, as they become deeper and deeper entangled, both with each other and with their respective jobs. I loved Alexei. He has had a difficult life and it doesn't get any easier until the very end of this story.
I did get frustrated at the abrupt point of view changes. When I have to backtrack to figure out who is speaking, it pulls me out of the story. I also wished for a bit more into why these guys fell in love, other than the intense physical connection they both had. If you're looking for some intense sex, with smexy accents, this one works just fine. It was nice to see them achieve their HEA and how that finally came to be.
Smexy story about a hot detective who meets a smokin tattooed Russian mob bodyguard while on a case. They feel instant lust, meet up, under pretenses of exchanging information, and things get more involved. Each meeting more dangerous than the last, due firstly to Patrick being a cop, and secondly to the mob finding out not only that connection, but that Alexei is gay, which is punishable by death in their circles.
Still, these two cannot stay away from each other, as they become deeper and deeper entangled, both with each other and with their respective jobs. I loved Alexei. He has had a difficult life and it doesn't get any easier until the very end of this story.
I did get frustrated at the abrupt point of view changes. When I have to backtrack to figure out who is speaking, it pulls me out of the story. I also wished for a bit more into why these guys fell in love, other than the intense physical connection they both had. If you're looking for some intense sex, with smexy accents, this one works just fine. It was nice to see them achieve their HEA and how that finally came to be.
February 17, 2013
2.5 Stars
I had high hopes for this book, I mean just look at that cover, yes the cover had me, I love a great cover it’s the first thing you see and a really great cover will make me take notice of a book. After reading the blurb I thought yup this will be a good one.
Unfortunately there was trouble from the start. Alexei is suppose to be the character depicted on the cover, gorgeous, the problem is Alexei is always in a suit except when he gets naked with Patrick and not once in the whole story does he wear a leather jacket and I hate to get nitpicky but he is also an older character certainly much older than the model in the pic. I realize it’s very difficult to find a model that fits perfectly with the description in the book but in this one the character no way resembles the cover model and that completely threw me. *pouts*
I know what’s inside that cover is what’s important and for me this story was just okay. I couldn’t connect to the MC’s and I never felt any chemistry between them, as for the plot, well, there just wasn’t enough there to get me excited. It’s a shame because the ending was perfect, unfortunately it was too little too late.
August 8, 2013
3.5 stars
The only issue I had with this book was that I felt very confused and out of place for the first third of the story. It was kind of like being dropped in the middle of a story that had so many plotlines already in play that I was positive I somehow missed the first 100 pages.
However, do not worry too much on that. Once I got over my silly befuddlement and was able to just go with it, I really enjoyed the rest. I just loved how passionate Alexi and Patrick were. So intense and protective, doing everything they can to find their happily ever after.
It left me wanting more.
The only issue I had with this book was that I felt very confused and out of place for the first third of the story. It was kind of like being dropped in the middle of a story that had so many plotlines already in play that I was positive I somehow missed the first 100 pages.
However, do not worry too much on that. Once I got over my silly befuddlement and was able to just go with it, I really enjoyed the rest. I just loved how passionate Alexi and Patrick were. So intense and protective, doing everything they can to find their happily ever after.
It left me wanting more.
July 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Thankfully not too focused on police work and investigations as that is not my favorite. Loved the way Alexi and Patrick couldn't keep their hands and other parts off of eachother. Very smexy. Nothing too angsty, didn't make me cry, just a nice story.
June 1, 2018
http://www.voluptueusementvotre.fr/20...
Un flic, un gangster russe et une enquête aux risques multiples sur le feu. Autant dire tous les éléments propices pour me rendre accro à cette histoire. Sans compter sur cette magnifique couverture qui fait rêver et donne envie de s’y plonger.
Le moins que l’on puisse dire c’est que « Fascination » ne fait pas dans la dentelle. Dès la première page, on entre dans le vif du sujet et j’avoue avoir été un peu perturbée par l’accumulation de moments érotiques. Attention, je ne dis pas que ça m’a déplu, mais il est certain que je ne m’attendais pas à cette rapidité et à cette fréquence.
Une fois cette surprise passée, le rythme de ce roman est prenant. On s’attache facilement à Patrick et Alexei qui tentent de garder leur liaison intacte dans les bas fonds de Chicago. L’ambiance est lourde, pesante, la présence de la Mafiya menace de les faire voler en éclat. Toutefois, les deux hommes affrontent le danger peu enclin à rompre ce lien si précieux à leurs yeux.
Entre désir flamboyant, renseignements et vengeance, ce duo en totale opposition donne une tournure plus personnelle à leur rencontre et deviennent les victimes consentantes de sentiments qui les dépassent. À la fois amants et adversaires, Patrick et Alexei ne peuvent en aucun cas faire abstraction de ce qu’ils sont. Pas de promesses donc, un avenir incertain, mais une incapacité à tourner la page dont on se réjouit inlassablement.
Le format court de ce livre fait que tout va vite, que rien ne peut être prévu, mais offre cependant assez de temps pour comprendre la situation et l’évaluer. De ce fait, je me suis posé quelques questions sur la finalité de cette relation et sa viabilité. Heureusement, Ariel Tachna et Nicki Bennett ne m’ont pas laissé dans le flou et m’ont apportés les réponses attendues et plus encore.
Après un démarrage en demi-teinte, je peux dire que j’ai refermé ce roman contente de ce que j’y ai trouvé. L’histoire est équilibrée, travaillée et j’ai beaucoup aimé la nature même de ce couple avec ses dissemblances, ses doutes et ce besoin de l’autre. Enfin, l’épilogue a ravi la fan de romantic suspens que je suis et m’a donné envie de découvrir les autres écrits de ces deux auteures.
Adepte de MM et d’action, Fascination est à mettre dans vos pal !
Un flic, un gangster russe et une enquête aux risques multiples sur le feu. Autant dire tous les éléments propices pour me rendre accro à cette histoire. Sans compter sur cette magnifique couverture qui fait rêver et donne envie de s’y plonger.
Le moins que l’on puisse dire c’est que « Fascination » ne fait pas dans la dentelle. Dès la première page, on entre dans le vif du sujet et j’avoue avoir été un peu perturbée par l’accumulation de moments érotiques. Attention, je ne dis pas que ça m’a déplu, mais il est certain que je ne m’attendais pas à cette rapidité et à cette fréquence.
Une fois cette surprise passée, le rythme de ce roman est prenant. On s’attache facilement à Patrick et Alexei qui tentent de garder leur liaison intacte dans les bas fonds de Chicago. L’ambiance est lourde, pesante, la présence de la Mafiya menace de les faire voler en éclat. Toutefois, les deux hommes affrontent le danger peu enclin à rompre ce lien si précieux à leurs yeux.
Entre désir flamboyant, renseignements et vengeance, ce duo en totale opposition donne une tournure plus personnelle à leur rencontre et deviennent les victimes consentantes de sentiments qui les dépassent. À la fois amants et adversaires, Patrick et Alexei ne peuvent en aucun cas faire abstraction de ce qu’ils sont. Pas de promesses donc, un avenir incertain, mais une incapacité à tourner la page dont on se réjouit inlassablement.
Le format court de ce livre fait que tout va vite, que rien ne peut être prévu, mais offre cependant assez de temps pour comprendre la situation et l’évaluer. De ce fait, je me suis posé quelques questions sur la finalité de cette relation et sa viabilité. Heureusement, Ariel Tachna et Nicki Bennett ne m’ont pas laissé dans le flou et m’ont apportés les réponses attendues et plus encore.
Après un démarrage en demi-teinte, je peux dire que j’ai refermé ce roman contente de ce que j’y ai trouvé. L’histoire est équilibrée, travaillée et j’ai beaucoup aimé la nature même de ce couple avec ses dissemblances, ses doutes et ce besoin de l’autre. Enfin, l’épilogue a ravi la fan de romantic suspens que je suis et m’a donné envie de découvrir les autres écrits de ces deux auteures.
Adepte de MM et d’action, Fascination est à mettre dans vos pal !
January 29, 2020
2.5 stars probably but I can’t justifying rounding up. This was definitely more porn than plot, which was sad because I thought the plot was interesting and a lot more could’ve been done with it. I don’t always mind PWP, but it’s gotta be in books much shorter than this. I’d say this was 90% sex and 10% a pretty good story.
July 13, 2018
Well. That was dreadful. Technically 1 ½ stars but I rounded up to 2 because it is well written; it just didn’t work for me. I really tried to get into the story and I read it all. Every painstaking word, no skimming. I just couldn’t feel the characters or their relationship. Both Patrick the detective and Alexei the Russian mobster felt very one dimensional. Alexei at least had sexy Russian mafia tattoos and shady bad boy mystique going for him. Patrick the Irish, Catholic cop was just sappy and needy.
They meet at a crime scene, over the dead body of another Russian mobster and I am told that sparks fly. I’m wording it that way in particular because I don’t personally see or feel the sparks. Thus begins a series of hookups (which feel very much like role playing) in which Patrick pretends he wants information from Alexei and agrees to pay for it through sexual favors. They hook up every few months in some seedy location of questionable cleanliness and then….get dressed and leave. There is no conversation, no getting to know each other, no life or death situation that instantly bonds them. Just 2 guys hooking up for fairly anonymous sexual encounters – except with the same person.
But then, inexplicably they start referring to each other by pet names and they both understand that this MEANS SOMETHING. They still haven’t to my knowledge had much in the way of conversation – but now they’re Lyosha and Patya and that’s just one step away from tender caresses and face to face fucking so obviously they’re “making love” because again, this MEANS SOMETHING. That is until Patrick learns that Alexei is moving up in the world of crime from bodyguard to Vor – a full-fledged card-carrying member of the mob. Then Patrick does not react well: “How could you do that TO US”???? And, Say what? Since when did hooking up in deserted public places constitute a relationship in which we consult each other about major life decisions? Oh right, you use pet names and have “made love”. I found this all seriously ridiculous and painful to read but I pushed on through the sex, SEX and more sex (which would have been fine if I felt ANY of the “can’t keep my hands off each other” passion that I was told these two had. But I didn’t and now Patrick was annoying me. Really. I wanted to clock him every time he said "made love" like he was waltzing about in a Harlequin romance.)
It was tedious going and the story dragged. Things did start to pick up a little bit around the 40% mark. Patrick transfers to the Organized Crime gang intelligence unit which puts him directly at odds with Alexei. Although given that Patrick previously had to ask Alexei what his tattoos meant (like he wasn’t even curious enough to google) it’s unlikely he’ll be a formidable adversary. Then there is ridiculously contrived angst preceding a ridiculously sappy ending. While I’ll be the first to admit that I can appreciate a sappy HEA….this one was over the top even for me.
They meet at a crime scene, over the dead body of another Russian mobster and I am told that sparks fly. I’m wording it that way in particular because I don’t personally see or feel the sparks. Thus begins a series of hookups (which feel very much like role playing) in which Patrick pretends he wants information from Alexei and agrees to pay for it through sexual favors. They hook up every few months in some seedy location of questionable cleanliness and then….get dressed and leave. There is no conversation, no getting to know each other, no life or death situation that instantly bonds them. Just 2 guys hooking up for fairly anonymous sexual encounters – except with the same person.
But then, inexplicably they start referring to each other by pet names and they both understand that this MEANS SOMETHING. They still haven’t to my knowledge had much in the way of conversation – but now they’re Lyosha and Patya and that’s just one step away from tender caresses and face to face fucking so obviously they’re “making love” because again, this MEANS SOMETHING. That is until Patrick learns that Alexei is moving up in the world of crime from bodyguard to Vor – a full-fledged card-carrying member of the mob. Then Patrick does not react well: “How could you do that TO US”???? And, Say what? Since when did hooking up in deserted public places constitute a relationship in which we consult each other about major life decisions? Oh right, you use pet names and have “made love”. I found this all seriously ridiculous and painful to read but I pushed on through the sex, SEX and more sex (which would have been fine if I felt ANY of the “can’t keep my hands off each other” passion that I was told these two had. But I didn’t and now Patrick was annoying me. Really. I wanted to clock him every time he said "made love" like he was waltzing about in a Harlequin romance.)
It was tedious going and the story dragged. Things did start to pick up a little bit around the 40% mark. Patrick transfers to the Organized Crime gang intelligence unit which puts him directly at odds with Alexei. Although given that Patrick previously had to ask Alexei what his tattoos meant (like he wasn’t even curious enough to google) it’s unlikely he’ll be a formidable adversary. Then there is ridiculously contrived angst preceding a ridiculously sappy ending. While I’ll be the first to admit that I can appreciate a sappy HEA….this one was over the top even for me.
December 23, 2011
Reviewed by Stacey: This is one book that I could not put down once I started reading. The story rolls off the page seamlessly, with just the right amount of angst, and LOADS of really really hot sex. I'm talking, blow your socks off, curl your toes, hot sex! These two have amazing chemistry that practically makes your eReader vibrate.
Patrick Flaherty is a police detective in Chicago in the organized crime division. He meets Alexei Boczar, a Russian mobster/bodyguard, when one of Alexei's associates is murdered. The attraction is immediate. They meet to trade information and set up an unconventional way to trade information. However, things start to change for them, and they start to fall in love with each other. They have to be careful, because if anyone found out, Patrick would be in trouble for breaking regulations and Alexei would be dead for sleeping with a cop. I really enjoyed the secret that we find out about Alexei. There is more to him than meets the eye.
I know others have complained about there being too much sex but I have to disagree. Partly because I like lots of sex, but the sex in this story was in no way pointless or tasteless. Patrick and Alexei could not be near each other without touching and were very passionate in their love making, enough to make you melt. The sex scenes were well written and flowed well with the story line. It was obvious how strongly they felt for each other. I loved their pet names for each other. Alexei used Russian frequently though and I just had to know what he was saying so I looked those phrases up to see what terms of endearment he was using. Although there were a lot of scenes, they really worked well to show the progression of how their feelings changed from mutual lust and attraction to fierce protection and passionate love.
The ending is just an ending to end all endings. It's an "aw shucks", tear in the eye, sweetest of all endings. They get the sweetest happily ever after and they really do deserve it, especially Alexei. He has had a really awful life and he's hardly ever dared to dream that he could be happy with someone to love that loves him back. This was an overall excellent book from start to finish, hot sex and all, with a great plot. If you like lots of hot sex with a tattooed Russian and a hot cop, with a good bit of angst with a very sweet HEA, this is the book for you.
A+
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
Patrick Flaherty is a police detective in Chicago in the organized crime division. He meets Alexei Boczar, a Russian mobster/bodyguard, when one of Alexei's associates is murdered. The attraction is immediate. They meet to trade information and set up an unconventional way to trade information. However, things start to change for them, and they start to fall in love with each other. They have to be careful, because if anyone found out, Patrick would be in trouble for breaking regulations and Alexei would be dead for sleeping with a cop. I really enjoyed the secret that we find out about Alexei. There is more to him than meets the eye.
I know others have complained about there being too much sex but I have to disagree. Partly because I like lots of sex, but the sex in this story was in no way pointless or tasteless. Patrick and Alexei could not be near each other without touching and were very passionate in their love making, enough to make you melt. The sex scenes were well written and flowed well with the story line. It was obvious how strongly they felt for each other. I loved their pet names for each other. Alexei used Russian frequently though and I just had to know what he was saying so I looked those phrases up to see what terms of endearment he was using. Although there were a lot of scenes, they really worked well to show the progression of how their feelings changed from mutual lust and attraction to fierce protection and passionate love.
The ending is just an ending to end all endings. It's an "aw shucks", tear in the eye, sweetest of all endings. They get the sweetest happily ever after and they really do deserve it, especially Alexei. He has had a really awful life and he's hardly ever dared to dream that he could be happy with someone to love that loves him back. This was an overall excellent book from start to finish, hot sex and all, with a great plot. If you like lots of hot sex with a tattooed Russian and a hot cop, with a good bit of angst with a very sweet HEA, this is the book for you.
A+
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2019
Unter die Haut ist mal wieder eine Beispiel dafür, dass zu viele Sexszenen die beste Plotidee ruinieren können.
Als Detective Patrick Flaherty und der russische Gangster Alexej Boczar sich begegnen, funkt es gewaltig zwischen ihnen. Doch leider stehen sie auf verschiedenen Seiten und müssen ihre Affäre geheim halten.
Der Klappentext klingt spannend und verspricht eine interessante Geschichte. Leider besteht sie stattdessen zu gefühlten 75% nur aus Sex. Das wäre vermutlich kein Problem, denn schließlich verliebt sich das Paar durch diese Treffen langsam ineinander. Was mich allerdings wirklich enttäuscht hat, sowohl Patricks Leben als Polizist und Alexejs Leben als Bodyguard eines Gangsters werden kaum erwähnt. Stattdessen endet fast jede Szene, die Spannung verspricht, nur im Bett. Irgendwann war ich so frustriert, dass ich die Story beinahe abgebrochen habe.
Der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen und aus der Geschichte hätte man sicher so viel mehr machen können, als nur Sex am laufenden Band. Schade, aber so reicht es bei mir nicht zu einer guten Bewertung.
Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
Als Detective Patrick Flaherty und der russische Gangster Alexej Boczar sich begegnen, funkt es gewaltig zwischen ihnen. Doch leider stehen sie auf verschiedenen Seiten und müssen ihre Affäre geheim halten.
Der Klappentext klingt spannend und verspricht eine interessante Geschichte. Leider besteht sie stattdessen zu gefühlten 75% nur aus Sex. Das wäre vermutlich kein Problem, denn schließlich verliebt sich das Paar durch diese Treffen langsam ineinander. Was mich allerdings wirklich enttäuscht hat, sowohl Patricks Leben als Polizist und Alexejs Leben als Bodyguard eines Gangsters werden kaum erwähnt. Stattdessen endet fast jede Szene, die Spannung verspricht, nur im Bett. Irgendwann war ich so frustriert, dass ich die Story beinahe abgebrochen habe.
Der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen und aus der Geschichte hätte man sicher so viel mehr machen können, als nur Sex am laufenden Band. Schade, aber so reicht es bei mir nicht zu einer guten Bewertung.
Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
April 6, 2019
Detective Patrick Flaherty macht sich keine Illusionen über den russischen Gangster Alexej Boczar, aber das ändert nichts an seiner Faszination für den Leibwächter einer der rücksichtslosesten Familien in Chicagos wachsender osteuropäischer Kriminalität. Um an Informationen zu kommen treffen die beiden eine Vereinbarung, in der Patrick aber mehr als einmal das Gefühl hat, nicht die Information zu erhalten, die er gerne möchte.
Ich muss zugeben, mir war es zuviel...wie sag ich es, ohne eine Zensur zu riskieren.... es war mir zuviel Austausch von Körperflüssigkeiten. Das Verhältnis am Anfang kam mir 90 : 10 vor... Das änderte sich aber im weiteren Verlauf und hielt sich am Ende dann bei 30 : 70. Ab der Mitte des Buches begann der Krimianteil in Fahrt zu kommen und ich habe das Buch wieder genossen. Es entwickelte sich in eine für mich unglaubliche Richtung.
Auch wenn ich hier nur 4 Sterne vergebe, so sind es doch eher 4,5...und wer sich an dem Verhältnis 90 : 10 nicht stört, ist hier genau richtig.
Ich muss zugeben, mir war es zuviel...wie sag ich es, ohne eine Zensur zu riskieren.... es war mir zuviel Austausch von Körperflüssigkeiten. Das Verhältnis am Anfang kam mir 90 : 10 vor... Das änderte sich aber im weiteren Verlauf und hielt sich am Ende dann bei 30 : 70. Ab der Mitte des Buches begann der Krimianteil in Fahrt zu kommen und ich habe das Buch wieder genossen. Es entwickelte sich in eine für mich unglaubliche Richtung.
Auch wenn ich hier nur 4 Sterne vergebe, so sind es doch eher 4,5...und wer sich an dem Verhältnis 90 : 10 nicht stört, ist hier genau richtig.
April 11, 2013
This book is really hard for me to rate. There was things I liked and things I didn't.
Let me start with what I liked.
The dual pov.
Both of the main characters.
I enjoyed getting to know both of the MC's. I actually thought that they were both well thought out characters. I ended up feeling for the situation they were in and wanted them to get there happy ending.
What I didn't like.
The writing was very repetitive at times. I was reading the same words over and over.
There truly was far too much sex, and that is something I never thought I would write. I also didn't really think the sex scenes were all that well written.
Where was the plot. It could of been so much more interesting if the author had told more of a story.
All in all I did read this fast, but by the ending I was feeling a little let down. This could of been a great read, but instead it turned out to be a let down for me.
Let me start with what I liked.
The dual pov.
Both of the main characters.
I enjoyed getting to know both of the MC's. I actually thought that they were both well thought out characters. I ended up feeling for the situation they were in and wanted them to get there happy ending.
What I didn't like.
The writing was very repetitive at times. I was reading the same words over and over.
There truly was far too much sex, and that is something I never thought I would write. I also didn't really think the sex scenes were all that well written.
Where was the plot. It could of been so much more interesting if the author had told more of a story.
All in all I did read this fast, but by the ending I was feeling a little let down. This could of been a great read, but instead it turned out to be a let down for me.
March 31, 2017
Really 3.5 stars but rounded up
I did like the story overall as a love story. Yes there were a lot of love scenes. That's kind of why I got it. But it was also the draw of the cop and mobster theme and the cover (I'm a cover whore). I did expect more than I got from the story. I knew right away what part of Alexei's story would be, just not the backstory. However, I expected more action and suspense than what was there. I wanted more covert operations and rising tension. I wanted some big takedown scene with bullets flying. It was actually a bit boring and I found my attention wandering. It was a flimsy plot built around a romance. There was a happy ending and I enjoyed that part of it. Well written and edited but not a strong story.
I did like the story overall as a love story. Yes there were a lot of love scenes. That's kind of why I got it. But it was also the draw of the cop and mobster theme and the cover (I'm a cover whore). I did expect more than I got from the story. I knew right away what part of Alexei's story would be, just not the backstory. However, I expected more action and suspense than what was there. I wanted more covert operations and rising tension. I wanted some big takedown scene with bullets flying. It was actually a bit boring and I found my attention wandering. It was a flimsy plot built around a romance. There was a happy ending and I enjoyed that part of it. Well written and edited but not a strong story.
September 6, 2011
Alexei and Patrick are an intense and passionate couple but it is Alexei who stood out, grabbed and held my attention throughout. Given who he is and his role... the words of endearment and intimacy in Russian evoked so much emotion, potency, and tenderness... This is a story of strong attraction and deep love. One other important factor that made me "really like it" is that the story focuses on the evolving relationship between Alexei and Patrick (albeit against a backdrop of danger and secrecy).
January 6, 2012
Constant change of pov. We get 10 sentences from Patrick's view, then 10 from Alexei view. It's like the authors got together on messenger and decided to write a book. One writing Patrick, one writing Alexei and then they would each add a bit until they had enough text for a book.
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