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Boys in Blue #5
Proven Guilty
James is positive he’s not gay—almost, but when his new roommate and District Attorney liaison calls his bluff, another boy in blue might just be proven guilty.
Detective James Runyon is rough around the edges with a reputation for causing trouble. So when a fellow officer accuses him of being gay, he knows the guy is full of shit.
But his new roommate, Shawn Janis, is slim, sexy, gorgeous and setting off way too many alarms for his comfort. And trying not to look at him has James in a tailspin of avoidance…until Shawn calls his bluff with an office kiss.
Detective James Runyon is rough around the edges with a reputation for causing trouble. So when a fellow officer accuses him of being gay, he knows the guy is full of shit.
But his new roommate, Shawn Janis, is slim, sexy, gorgeous and setting off way too many alarms for his comfort. And trying not to look at him has James in a tailspin of avoidance…until Shawn calls his bluff with an office kiss.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Mia Watts
54 books249 followersI SUCK at remembering to log in and approve friends. I'm so sorry I've made some of you wait. Please forgive my apparent chill, I swear it's not intended. Come hug me!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 17, 2013
I'm not a big fan of the Boys in Blue series, even though M/M cop romances are among my favorites. But after reading the first 3 and then skipping #4, I decided to give #5, Proven Guilty a try. I'm glad I did because it was the best one of the series so far, but it still only garnered 3 stars from me. And that's really 2 stars because cop and firefighter books automatically get an extra star, just for their genre.
MC cop James is just a dick in this book. He does actually redeem himself, but not until the very end and by then I almost didn't really care. But MC Shawn was wonderful and you had to wonder why he kept putting up with James' dickish ways for so long. *shrugs*
I can recommend this one to only the die-hardest M/M cop fans, or if you are already a fan of the Boys in Blue series. Otherwise, pass.
MC cop James is just a dick in this book. He does actually redeem himself, but not until the very end and by then I almost didn't really care. But MC Shawn was wonderful and you had to wonder why he kept putting up with James' dickish ways for so long. *shrugs*
I can recommend this one to only the die-hardest M/M cop fans, or if you are already a fan of the Boys in Blue series. Otherwise, pass.
March 19, 2013
I am not sure why I struggled with this one...I love the series, and I love the authors other works and other series, but for some reason this one just didn't work for me. I think maybe because James was so mean and so nasty and so horrible to Shawn for so long that I just had a hard time forgiving him. Shawn too easily forgave him too.
May 27, 2016
Have to agree with a few other reviews on a some points for this.
1, the first 4 books were definitely better. Didn't expect the series to go beyond 4 so was a pleasant surprise even if didn't totally live up to previous books.
2, James IS an asshole! BUT.. have to give Mia Watts this... almost every straight-gay book I've read really doesn't fall into the category. The 'straight' guy knows that he really isn't gay and takes very little to 'convert' him. This one.. James is practically holding out until near the end that he is NOT gay. Not even a hint that he knows he's hiding it from others. He's hidden it so much that he's hidden it from himself as well.
All in all, not a bad addition to the series. Comes across as more realistic in ways than other 'straight'-gay books.
1, the first 4 books were definitely better. Didn't expect the series to go beyond 4 so was a pleasant surprise even if didn't totally live up to previous books.
2, James IS an asshole! BUT.. have to give Mia Watts this... almost every straight-gay book I've read really doesn't fall into the category. The 'straight' guy knows that he really isn't gay and takes very little to 'convert' him. This one.. James is practically holding out until near the end that he is NOT gay. Not even a hint that he knows he's hiding it from others. He's hidden it so much that he's hidden it from himself as well.
All in all, not a bad addition to the series. Comes across as more realistic in ways than other 'straight'-gay books.
March 19, 2013
Not bad but I still preferred the first four.. =)
June 13, 2016
**Grammar**
Like all the other books of this series, the story is focused on the sexual tension, erotic part of the relationship btw the 2 MCs. There isnt really a plot and while the author tells us about the case James and the other officers with Shawn's help are working on, we dont really get any information about the murder, the killer or how they solve the case.
At start I didnt like James, he was an homophobe asshole, sure he wasnt violent but he hurt others with his words.
From the first pages, we understand that he is gay but in denial and he cant explain what he is feeling while watching Liam and Andy have sex in the woods (book 4).
11 months after that episode we see him posting an ad for a roommate. Few days later we meet Shawn. They are both attracted to each other, but James is still in denial and doesnt know that Shawn is gay.
To avoid thinking about the other man, he asks one of his collegues,Jenny, out on a date. He is thinking of having sex with her and forget all about his roommate and this strange feelings he is starting to have for him.
Only few days later Shawn starts to work with the police on the murder case. The guy is still talking with some of James' collegues when one of the officers comes near James and congratulates him for accepting a gay roommate despite his initial thoughts about gay men. James is schocked, he cant believe that Shawn is gay. He tells Shawn they need to talk and takes him to another room. He asks him if what the other man said is the truth and soon he finds out that it is. James uses harsh words, he feels betrayed, but Shawn tells him that his sexuality isnt his problem, then he tells him that he will leave the apartment. James replies that they made a contract and that he doenst want to lose the money and that he must stay for at least the 6 months on the contract. He doesnt have the courage to tell Shawn that he wants him to stay.
Shawn tells him that he shouldnt be worried about him being attracted to him, since he isnt his type, but at these words something changes on James' face and soon Shawn understands that the guy is gay too and in denial. Shawn ends up kissing James, and the man seems to reciprocate, till he remembers where they are and what they are doing. He pushes Shawn away and leaves the room, telling him to not come near him again.
That same night he goes out with Jenny, but in the end he isnt able to have sex with her. He kisses her, but that was all an act.He had hoped to be seen by Shawn and make him jealous. He cant deny anymore his sexuality and he is so scared that he decides to go drink. He gets drunk and in a bar fight.
Later that night, back at the apartment, Shawn asks him about his wounds and they start talking. James is still drunk and thanks to this he isnt able to lie. He confesses to Shawn that he wants him, that he is sorry for his words and that maybe he is gay and then kisses him on the cheek. Soon after he is so tired that almost passes out on the chair and Shawn takes him to bed. Leaving him there alone takes all of Shawn's strenght.
The next morning James and Shawn talk again and the older man tells him that what he said the night before was the truth. Shawn doesnt believe him, and when James says that he wants to try this thing with him, Shawn is sure that he just wants to experiment sex btw men. But he is wrong, and when he leaves the room, pissed, James follows him and tries to better explain his thoughts. He tells him about Jenny, of how he wasnt able to have sex with her, and of how he tried to make him jealous by letting him see their kiss. Shawn replies that he was jealous and that he too wants him.
In the end they have sex. James isnst yet ready to be on the bottom, so for their first time together this is Shawn's role.
In the epilogue we see them still living together almost 8 months later and James asks Shawn to marry him. The man answers yes and soon after they have sex. This time James is the bottom and is his first time. They dont use condoms, they got tested weeks before and they dont have any intention of having other ppl.
The end was nice, it was the best part of the book and finally we see them use romantic words.
Like all the other books of this series, the story is focused on the sexual tension, erotic part of the relationship btw the 2 MCs. There isnt really a plot and while the author tells us about the case James and the other officers with Shawn's help are working on, we dont really get any information about the murder, the killer or how they solve the case.
At start I didnt like James, he was an homophobe asshole, sure he wasnt violent but he hurt others with his words.
From the first pages, we understand that he is gay but in denial and he cant explain what he is feeling while watching Liam and Andy have sex in the woods (book 4).
11 months after that episode we see him posting an ad for a roommate. Few days later we meet Shawn. They are both attracted to each other, but James is still in denial and doesnt know that Shawn is gay.
To avoid thinking about the other man, he asks one of his collegues,Jenny, out on a date. He is thinking of having sex with her and forget all about his roommate and this strange feelings he is starting to have for him.
Only few days later Shawn starts to work with the police on the murder case. The guy is still talking with some of James' collegues when one of the officers comes near James and congratulates him for accepting a gay roommate despite his initial thoughts about gay men. James is schocked, he cant believe that Shawn is gay. He tells Shawn they need to talk and takes him to another room. He asks him if what the other man said is the truth and soon he finds out that it is. James uses harsh words, he feels betrayed, but Shawn tells him that his sexuality isnt his problem, then he tells him that he will leave the apartment. James replies that they made a contract and that he doenst want to lose the money and that he must stay for at least the 6 months on the contract. He doesnt have the courage to tell Shawn that he wants him to stay.
Shawn tells him that he shouldnt be worried about him being attracted to him, since he isnt his type, but at these words something changes on James' face and soon Shawn understands that the guy is gay too and in denial. Shawn ends up kissing James, and the man seems to reciprocate, till he remembers where they are and what they are doing. He pushes Shawn away and leaves the room, telling him to not come near him again.
That same night he goes out with Jenny, but in the end he isnt able to have sex with her. He kisses her, but that was all an act.He had hoped to be seen by Shawn and make him jealous. He cant deny anymore his sexuality and he is so scared that he decides to go drink. He gets drunk and in a bar fight.
Later that night, back at the apartment, Shawn asks him about his wounds and they start talking. James is still drunk and thanks to this he isnt able to lie. He confesses to Shawn that he wants him, that he is sorry for his words and that maybe he is gay and then kisses him on the cheek. Soon after he is so tired that almost passes out on the chair and Shawn takes him to bed. Leaving him there alone takes all of Shawn's strenght.
The next morning James and Shawn talk again and the older man tells him that what he said the night before was the truth. Shawn doesnt believe him, and when James says that he wants to try this thing with him, Shawn is sure that he just wants to experiment sex btw men. But he is wrong, and when he leaves the room, pissed, James follows him and tries to better explain his thoughts. He tells him about Jenny, of how he wasnt able to have sex with her, and of how he tried to make him jealous by letting him see their kiss. Shawn replies that he was jealous and that he too wants him.
In the end they have sex. James isnst yet ready to be on the bottom, so for their first time together this is Shawn's role.
In the epilogue we see them still living together almost 8 months later and James asks Shawn to marry him. The man answers yes and soon after they have sex. This time James is the bottom and is his first time. They dont use condoms, they got tested weeks before and they dont have any intention of having other ppl.
The end was nice, it was the best part of the book and finally we see them use romantic words.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2013
3.5 Hears
Read and reviewed on behalf of MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
I’m NOT gay!
That is the mantra James keeps telling himself ever since that horrible incident in the woods when Liam slammed in his face that he was in denial.
No! I’m NOT gay, damnit.
Of course all those lies he’s been telling himself forever are challenged when his new room-mate shows up. Shawn. Damn the man but he’s like an angel, tall, golden and crystal blue eyes. Yeah, hands shaking and mind reeling, every conscious and unconscious thought going round and round back to Shawn, but hey, as long as James is in control and keeps saying “he’s not gay” to himself everything is alright, right?
Wrong!
Did I sell it enough for you? God, I don’t know if I’m not reacting as I should with this book but I loved it. I found it utterly hilarious. James is one hell of character, an idiot homophobe I can’t stop laughing with or at, I don’t know. The dialogue, the narration, the voice, and hell everything about this book was funny and my cheeks are hurting, really hurting. Is it wicked of me that I found the misery of a homophobic gay, deeply in the closet guy so hilarious? Or was it this author’s intention? I’m choosing the second option as the first kinda makes me look bad.
Anyway, back to the book, the story is about James who is miserable. His new room-mate is not what he expected and hits all the alarms in his system. It’s a round and round chase where James tries really hard not to acknowledge the “elephant in the room”, aka his gayness, all the while avoiding his roommate like the Devil. And Shawn, poor Shawn, he’s unfortunate enough to be rooming with his ideal guy. The whole bear, gruff and medieval kind of God that James looks like. I loved the pair, they were, damn I’m repeating myself, really fun to read about.
Plot wise though there was no plot. I mean this book is in the Crime & Mystery genre, but there was no crime or mystery. Yeah sure, James was in the middle of a case but that really didn’t take weight as in being part of the plot, just as filler in between the lines.
And there were the intimate scenes that somehow didn’t quite do it for me. I was literally baffled when James from one heartbeat to the other made that huge transition from homophobic asshole to a loving gay partner without a hitch. See, normally THAT would have been a huge put off for me, but I was still having too much fun with his previous misery and my favorite scene of all when James gets drunk, that it slipped away from my attention.
This book is apparently the fifth in a series. I haven’t read the previous ones and there is advisory that you should read it after you’ve read Knight’s Fall, but I had no problem following this and getting into it. However I am now curious about the rest of them.
As for Proven Guilty bearing in mind the lack of crime plot and the leap in James’ character, I totally recommend it for every fan of Men in Blue, aka cops and whoever out there need a good, fun and enjoyable read. God I’m still laughing with the drunken James. :)
Thommie
Read and reviewed on behalf of MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
I’m NOT gay!
That is the mantra James keeps telling himself ever since that horrible incident in the woods when Liam slammed in his face that he was in denial.
No! I’m NOT gay, damnit.
Of course all those lies he’s been telling himself forever are challenged when his new room-mate shows up. Shawn. Damn the man but he’s like an angel, tall, golden and crystal blue eyes. Yeah, hands shaking and mind reeling, every conscious and unconscious thought going round and round back to Shawn, but hey, as long as James is in control and keeps saying “he’s not gay” to himself everything is alright, right?
Wrong!
Did I sell it enough for you? God, I don’t know if I’m not reacting as I should with this book but I loved it. I found it utterly hilarious. James is one hell of character, an idiot homophobe I can’t stop laughing with or at, I don’t know. The dialogue, the narration, the voice, and hell everything about this book was funny and my cheeks are hurting, really hurting. Is it wicked of me that I found the misery of a homophobic gay, deeply in the closet guy so hilarious? Or was it this author’s intention? I’m choosing the second option as the first kinda makes me look bad.
Anyway, back to the book, the story is about James who is miserable. His new room-mate is not what he expected and hits all the alarms in his system. It’s a round and round chase where James tries really hard not to acknowledge the “elephant in the room”, aka his gayness, all the while avoiding his roommate like the Devil. And Shawn, poor Shawn, he’s unfortunate enough to be rooming with his ideal guy. The whole bear, gruff and medieval kind of God that James looks like. I loved the pair, they were, damn I’m repeating myself, really fun to read about.
Plot wise though there was no plot. I mean this book is in the Crime & Mystery genre, but there was no crime or mystery. Yeah sure, James was in the middle of a case but that really didn’t take weight as in being part of the plot, just as filler in between the lines.
And there were the intimate scenes that somehow didn’t quite do it for me. I was literally baffled when James from one heartbeat to the other made that huge transition from homophobic asshole to a loving gay partner without a hitch. See, normally THAT would have been a huge put off for me, but I was still having too much fun with his previous misery and my favorite scene of all when James gets drunk, that it slipped away from my attention.
This book is apparently the fifth in a series. I haven’t read the previous ones and there is advisory that you should read it after you’ve read Knight’s Fall, but I had no problem following this and getting into it. However I am now curious about the rest of them.
As for Proven Guilty bearing in mind the lack of crime plot and the leap in James’ character, I totally recommend it for every fan of Men in Blue, aka cops and whoever out there need a good, fun and enjoyable read. God I’m still laughing with the drunken James. :)
Thommie
June 19, 2013
“Proven Guilty” is a fast, sometimes witty, sometimes just plain sad story about a closeted gay cop in denial. James has spent a lot of time reasoning to himself about how he’s not gay until he meets his new room-mate, Shawn. James works hard at keeping up the appearances that he thinks people have of a tough, masculine heterosexual cop. He is known around the station as a straight, narrow minded bigot who has no problem using nasty words like “fag”.
In the prologue, James stumbles across two cops enjoying a little afternoon delight in the woods. He is intrigued and cannot tear his eyes away. He is disgusted, mostly with himself because he wants to be the guy giving pleasure to the soft, almost effeminate looking FBI agent. Forcing his anger (and lust) out into the open by spouting anti-gay rhetoric, he confronts the pair. He is shocked when the cop he admires and closely identifies with, an “all-around guy’s guy”, acknowledges that he is gay—and says that he knows that James is as well. Of course, James denies it but a crack has begun in his personal wall of denial and doubts plague him for the next year. He gradually comes to an uneasy acceptance that he might notice a guy from time to time as he rationalizes that this is normal behavior for all men. He can continue to kid himself because he is constantly surrounded by strong, masculine men like himself, men that he does not find sexually attractive. But everything changes when Shawn enters the picture. He originally thought he was agreeing to share his place with a short, older, masculine guy. There were no potential complications because there was no hint of attraction on anyone’s part. But the guy was actually inquiring about the place for his younger step-brother—a tall, slim, blue-eyed blond. James was stunned by his immediate attraction to the beautiful District Attorney. Of course, James covered his true feelings with barely concealed hostility and went out of his way to stay out of his new roommates’ way. Shawn is confused by James’ cold and unfriendly manner but he needs a place to stay. James needs someone to share the bills and feels that he can handle his desires. Shawn moves in and the uncomfortable situation eventually becomes tolerable as the two men begin talking about work. James’ feelings continue to grow as does Shawn’s but his is compounded by confusion. James has hidden his feelings well until the night he becomes too drunk to maintain his control. The truth comes out. James finally accepts the full truth about himself. Pretenses are swept away and James is able to see, and accept, what was there all along. He makes tentative steps towards establishing a new, more personal relationship with Shawn. And Shawn is more than ready to accept. I am pleased with how the story develops because James is able to work himself free from the trap of his own making, that of self-disgust for what he couldn’t even allow himself to fully accept. I wanted him to have a happy ending and to find it with a great and understanding partner like Shawn. The author wrapped it up quite nicely!
Roux's 4 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
In the prologue, James stumbles across two cops enjoying a little afternoon delight in the woods. He is intrigued and cannot tear his eyes away. He is disgusted, mostly with himself because he wants to be the guy giving pleasure to the soft, almost effeminate looking FBI agent. Forcing his anger (and lust) out into the open by spouting anti-gay rhetoric, he confronts the pair. He is shocked when the cop he admires and closely identifies with, an “all-around guy’s guy”, acknowledges that he is gay—and says that he knows that James is as well. Of course, James denies it but a crack has begun in his personal wall of denial and doubts plague him for the next year. He gradually comes to an uneasy acceptance that he might notice a guy from time to time as he rationalizes that this is normal behavior for all men. He can continue to kid himself because he is constantly surrounded by strong, masculine men like himself, men that he does not find sexually attractive. But everything changes when Shawn enters the picture. He originally thought he was agreeing to share his place with a short, older, masculine guy. There were no potential complications because there was no hint of attraction on anyone’s part. But the guy was actually inquiring about the place for his younger step-brother—a tall, slim, blue-eyed blond. James was stunned by his immediate attraction to the beautiful District Attorney. Of course, James covered his true feelings with barely concealed hostility and went out of his way to stay out of his new roommates’ way. Shawn is confused by James’ cold and unfriendly manner but he needs a place to stay. James needs someone to share the bills and feels that he can handle his desires. Shawn moves in and the uncomfortable situation eventually becomes tolerable as the two men begin talking about work. James’ feelings continue to grow as does Shawn’s but his is compounded by confusion. James has hidden his feelings well until the night he becomes too drunk to maintain his control. The truth comes out. James finally accepts the full truth about himself. Pretenses are swept away and James is able to see, and accept, what was there all along. He makes tentative steps towards establishing a new, more personal relationship with Shawn. And Shawn is more than ready to accept. I am pleased with how the story develops because James is able to work himself free from the trap of his own making, that of self-disgust for what he couldn’t even allow himself to fully accept. I wanted him to have a happy ending and to find it with a great and understanding partner like Shawn. The author wrapped it up quite nicely!
Roux's 4 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
February 3, 2015
FourandHalfStars
This was the last part of the Boys in Blue series and it was about James. He knows he is gay but doesn't want to admit it to anyone, not even himself. That is until he gets a new roommate, who he didn't know was gay until he is fighting unwanted emotions.
I actually liked James. He was a bit harder than the men in the other books, but he also didn't want to admit he was gay so I understood it. The only part I didn't like is it seemed like everyone was so against admitting they were gay, I'd have liked to have them admit that they were bi or admit that they were maybe into men but also women instead of it always being one way or the other at least for curiosity sake before they go from always loving women to not only loving men.
All in all another good story from Mia and I can't wait to read more of her work!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Renee
This was the last part of the Boys in Blue series and it was about James. He knows he is gay but doesn't want to admit it to anyone, not even himself. That is until he gets a new roommate, who he didn't know was gay until he is fighting unwanted emotions.
I actually liked James. He was a bit harder than the men in the other books, but he also didn't want to admit he was gay so I understood it. The only part I didn't like is it seemed like everyone was so against admitting they were gay, I'd have liked to have them admit that they were bi or admit that they were maybe into men but also women instead of it always being one way or the other at least for curiosity sake before they go from always loving women to not only loving men.
All in all another good story from Mia and I can't wait to read more of her work!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Renee
February 16, 2015
synopsis:
james is a cop, and doesn't think that he's gay, and is rough and tough. when he witnesses two other cops having sex and can't look away, he still doesn't think he's gay; he thinks he's disgusted by it. then one of his brothers in blue asks if his brother can live with james until he finds a place of his own. shawn turns out to be everything that turns james on, and he has to fight harder than ever to deny his sexuality. in spite of his rudeness and his abrupt manner, james and shawn begin to build a friendship.
what i liked: the premise. i liked that shawn was so confident in himself.
what i didn't like: everything just felt so rushed...and unfinished, as if it were more of an outline than an actual story.
james is a cop, and doesn't think that he's gay, and is rough and tough. when he witnesses two other cops having sex and can't look away, he still doesn't think he's gay; he thinks he's disgusted by it. then one of his brothers in blue asks if his brother can live with james until he finds a place of his own. shawn turns out to be everything that turns james on, and he has to fight harder than ever to deny his sexuality. in spite of his rudeness and his abrupt manner, james and shawn begin to build a friendship.
what i liked: the premise. i liked that shawn was so confident in himself.
what i didn't like: everything just felt so rushed...and unfinished, as if it were more of an outline than an actual story.
March 20, 2013
I get that this is meant to be a short story but it feels like while a lot of time is spent on the two MCs getting together once they finally are together there's no story anymore, I find that with mm story's with the an MC as a Cop while they focus a lot on what happens as the couple gets together there aren't may where they tell the reactions of the MCs colleagues to him being gay, and this one hinted that there was some aftermath they went through which would have been good to. Hear I more detail rather than a quick reference
July 8, 2013
Mia Watts has wrote some great MM Romance and there is very little of her books that I haven't read, but this one was just okay. I liked the MCs well enough, and I love to read a good story of a man denying his attraction to another and man and staying on the edge of my seat as I watch an MC tumble down that spiral of angst until all that pent-up desire explodes and he's finally ravished by a sexy man. But this just fell short of that. Sorry Mia, but I'm loyal-to-a-fault. I look forward to the next novel.
November 10, 2016
Oh my gosh. The ending was so awful. It was going good until James finally admitted he was gay and then they had sex. Then it just ended so abruptly. I was left wondering what the hell happened. The epilogue didn't really give me anything, either.
March 21, 2013
3.5 stars
I liked this one. It was short, perfect for reading between books.
I liked this one. It was short, perfect for reading between books.
March 17, 2013
Short but nice story.
March 17, 2013
2.5 Stars James is a major dick and I still didn't like him by the end of the story.
May 26, 2013
I don't mind 'bastard MC' if he's redeemed by the end in some way. This guy... pure asshole until the last page. At least his characterisation was consistent.
April 4, 2013
Not my favorite in the series. James was a jerk and I never warmed up to him.
April 5, 2013
3.5 stars
April 10, 2013
What is it about gay cops that's soo HOT? !?!
Read
May 5, 2013Wow...just wow. I guess it is possible to have a character whine throughout a whole book.
December 11, 2013
3.5 to 4 stars
September 7, 2014
3.5 stars
Read
June 2, 2013Not for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews