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Switch Hitter
When a sluggish bat threatens to derail top ranked National League baseball player Jase Dockery’s record-breaking streak, he turns to forbidden sex. To the world Jase is a hero, but deep down the MVP harbors a secret…one that just might prove deadly.
To fulfill his craving for domination, Jase agrees to a tryst with the captain of APD S.W.A.T. The night of unbridled passion drives him to plot another rendezvous with the hard-boiled cop at practice the next day, but his plans are soon disrupted by a stalking fan intent on using the ballplayer for his own desires.
Can the alpha cop rescue the hot baseball player without risking coming out to his comrades?
To fulfill his craving for domination, Jase agrees to a tryst with the captain of APD S.W.A.T. The night of unbridled passion drives him to plot another rendezvous with the hard-boiled cop at practice the next day, but his plans are soon disrupted by a stalking fan intent on using the ballplayer for his own desires.
Can the alpha cop rescue the hot baseball player without risking coming out to his comrades?
- GenresM M RomanceBDSM
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2013
47 people want to read
About the author
Jon Michaelsen
8 books125 followersJon Michaelsen writes fiction in Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense sub-genres where the main characters are gay. Numerous writers have influenced his writing: David Baldacci, Barry Eisler & John Grisham, and ground-breaking writers, Patricia Nell Warren, Michael Nava, and Mark Zubro. Recent authors in the Gay Mystery genre also have influenced his writing: Greg Herren, John Morgan Wilson, Steve Neil Johnson, David Lennon & Marshall Thornton.
His debut novel, Pretty Boy Dead, the first novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series was selected as Finalist - Gay Mystery Finalist by the Lambda Literary Awards committee, and short-novel, Prince of the Sea, earned 2017 BEST GAY MEN'S FICTION AWARD from the Gay Fiction for Gay Men Goodreads Reading Group. His soon-to-released book, The Deadwood Murders, is the second novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series.
Founder of Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense FB Group: a discussion group for GLBTQ-themed fiction/non-fiction & audio-books dedicated to Readers & Writers of GLBTQ mysteries & suspense /thrillers where fans of the sub-genre(s) can share their thoughts about and their favorites, ask questions of writer-members, and a
place where writers can engage with their fans.
He lives with his husband of 33 years and two monstrous terriers. He enjoys hearing from readers and can be contracted directly at michaelsen.jon@gmail.com.
Find Jon Michaeslsen on the web:
http://www.jonmichaelsen.com
http://www.facebook/jonmichaelsen
http://www.amazon.com/Jon-Michaelsen/...
His debut novel, Pretty Boy Dead, the first novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series was selected as Finalist - Gay Mystery Finalist by the Lambda Literary Awards committee, and short-novel, Prince of the Sea, earned 2017 BEST GAY MEN'S FICTION AWARD from the Gay Fiction for Gay Men Goodreads Reading Group. His soon-to-released book, The Deadwood Murders, is the second novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series.
Founder of Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense FB Group: a discussion group for GLBTQ-themed fiction/non-fiction & audio-books dedicated to Readers & Writers of GLBTQ mysteries & suspense /thrillers where fans of the sub-genre(s) can share their thoughts about and their favorites, ask questions of writer-members, and a
place where writers can engage with their fans.
He lives with his husband of 33 years and two monstrous terriers. He enjoys hearing from readers and can be contracted directly at michaelsen.jon@gmail.com.
Find Jon Michaeslsen on the web:
http://www.jonmichaelsen.com
http://www.facebook/jonmichaelsen
http://www.amazon.com/Jon-Michaelsen/...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 24, 2015
While I did like this book, I'm kind of bummed out because it really could have been a whole lot better if the authors had gone that extra mile. I absolutely LOVED the premise, with the hot baseball player and alpha SWAT captain meeting for an evening of elicit sex, only to discover a mutual romantic pull. To have the SWAT captain come to the baseball player's rescue sounded like a fan-fucking-tastic plot element, and it was, but the aftermath was rushed, as was the ending.
I can recommend this for M/M romance fans who like alpha males and a touch of BDSM, but don't let the blurb get your hopes up. I'm afraid it was a bit of false advertising.
I can recommend this for M/M romance fans who like alpha males and a touch of BDSM, but don't let the blurb get your hopes up. I'm afraid it was a bit of false advertising.
April 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this quick read. Gotta love anything with sexy baseball players. Few things I didn't like is it could've been a whole lot more story it felt like the story lacked because of it's length. I loved Jase and understood his need for privacy and the same goes for Cap I was expecting a D/s scenario at the first meet and Jase's desires yet that was not at all the case until the end.
April 21, 2013
I was thrilled when the authors, Alex Morgan and Jon Michaelsen, asked me to read a pre-release copy of Switch Hitter for several reasons. One, I've been a fan of Jon Michaelsen's LGBT fiction for a long time. And two because I've never read anything by Alex Morgan. I also recently finished Maya Angelou's autobiography and that's a tough act to follow, so to speak.
I read the digital version of Switch Hitter all in one sitting last night. But it is about one hundred pages long and it can be spread out over a period of time just as nicely. I just had the time last night, so I decided to read it in full, which isn't something I normally do. From page one the main character, Jase Dockery, drew me into the story and kept me fascinated for the rest of the evening.
Jase is a professional baseball player who rides a motorcycle and tries to live slightly on the dangerous side. But I found him more cautious than wild at times...in spite of how much he seems to crave more excitement in his life. This is partly because his life is so complicated as a public figure, and partly because in order to satisfy his needs he has to figure out ways to trick his bodyguard into thinking he's sleeping when he's really out on the prowl. The extent to which some gay men are forced to hide the truth about themselves was handled in a normal and realistic way, and by no means did I ever feel it was contrived.
In Jase's case, he joins a private "establishment" to satisfy both his physical needs and emotional needs. This one sentence from the book sums up his life:
"Jase knew fans would never accept his sexuality, nor understand his desire for authority and dominance."
Without getting into spoilers, this need to be dominated by a strong man makes Jase even more cautious...almost as if he's working overtime to protect all his secrets. But then he meets someone named "Cap" who is interested in protecting his own privacy, too, because Cap is the captain of a S.W.A.T. team. It's an instant attraction for Jase and Cap and the story moves forward in an interesting way from there...with some highly intense, emotional erotic scenes that pay attention to detail that didn't leave me wanting more. Once again, it didn't feel contrived.
There are a few baseball focused scenes in the book, but just enough to promote the jock aspect of the story. Like most gay men, I like reading jock stories, but I don't want those stories to be all about the sport. In this book, the baseball scenes don't drag out like some sports themed books I've read before that tend to become self-indulgent. In other words, you get just as much as you need to know with regard to Jase and his circumstances as a jock.
From here, it's hard for me to go into anymore detail without spoiling the story, so I'll just add that Jase encounters a stalker, and this stalker winds up doing something to Jase that's beyond everyone's worst fear. At this point I knew I'd have to finish the book in one sitting just to find out what happened.
One of the most interesting things about this book is something I've discussed before, both here on the blog and in a recent publication I was in titled, "50 Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey." The reason I'm mentioning this now is that I actually wrote about this issue with regard to BDSM in the book "50 Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey," and never thought I'd wind up reading something like Switch Hitters that actually poses a good example of what my essay talked about. At the time I wrote my essay, I wish there had been a book like Switch Hitter for me to reference as an example.
One of the things I discovered while researching reviews and reader reaction to the BDSM book, Fifty Shades of Grey, was that readers who know about the BDSM lifestyle were put off by the fact that the BDSM scenes weren't handled well. However, with Switch Hitters the BDSM scenes were not only handled well, the authors nailed one of the most difficult things anyone can do while writing BDSM erotica, and in a very clever way.
They did this by showing how Jase is into the BDSM lifestyle and how he does want it, but on his own terms and with the man of his choice. He doesn't want to be forced into it against his own will. And in the scenes where Jase encounters his stalker and he does find himself forced into doing things he doesn't want to do, the context of the BDSM scenes becomes something completely different for him. It's different for the reader as well. I found myself loving the consensual BDSM scenes when Jase wanted them to happen, and I found myself cringing during the peculiar scenes when Jase was forced to do things against his own will. I honestly don't think I've ever read a better example, in the same book, of the difference between consensual BDSM and non-consensual BDSM. This line below says it all:
"Jase, furious at his treatment and galled at the shapeless man on top of him, remained motionless. This was one action he could refrain from performing."
This all creates a great deal of both suspense and emotion, with regard to how Jase views himself and his own private needs. And what is often an intense dichotomy, especially in the middle of the story, keeps the reader on the edge the entire time, wondering how things are going to turn out.
I read the digital version of Switch Hitter all in one sitting last night. But it is about one hundred pages long and it can be spread out over a period of time just as nicely. I just had the time last night, so I decided to read it in full, which isn't something I normally do. From page one the main character, Jase Dockery, drew me into the story and kept me fascinated for the rest of the evening.
Jase is a professional baseball player who rides a motorcycle and tries to live slightly on the dangerous side. But I found him more cautious than wild at times...in spite of how much he seems to crave more excitement in his life. This is partly because his life is so complicated as a public figure, and partly because in order to satisfy his needs he has to figure out ways to trick his bodyguard into thinking he's sleeping when he's really out on the prowl. The extent to which some gay men are forced to hide the truth about themselves was handled in a normal and realistic way, and by no means did I ever feel it was contrived.
In Jase's case, he joins a private "establishment" to satisfy both his physical needs and emotional needs. This one sentence from the book sums up his life:
"Jase knew fans would never accept his sexuality, nor understand his desire for authority and dominance."
Without getting into spoilers, this need to be dominated by a strong man makes Jase even more cautious...almost as if he's working overtime to protect all his secrets. But then he meets someone named "Cap" who is interested in protecting his own privacy, too, because Cap is the captain of a S.W.A.T. team. It's an instant attraction for Jase and Cap and the story moves forward in an interesting way from there...with some highly intense, emotional erotic scenes that pay attention to detail that didn't leave me wanting more. Once again, it didn't feel contrived.
There are a few baseball focused scenes in the book, but just enough to promote the jock aspect of the story. Like most gay men, I like reading jock stories, but I don't want those stories to be all about the sport. In this book, the baseball scenes don't drag out like some sports themed books I've read before that tend to become self-indulgent. In other words, you get just as much as you need to know with regard to Jase and his circumstances as a jock.
From here, it's hard for me to go into anymore detail without spoiling the story, so I'll just add that Jase encounters a stalker, and this stalker winds up doing something to Jase that's beyond everyone's worst fear. At this point I knew I'd have to finish the book in one sitting just to find out what happened.
One of the most interesting things about this book is something I've discussed before, both here on the blog and in a recent publication I was in titled, "50 Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey." The reason I'm mentioning this now is that I actually wrote about this issue with regard to BDSM in the book "50 Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey," and never thought I'd wind up reading something like Switch Hitters that actually poses a good example of what my essay talked about. At the time I wrote my essay, I wish there had been a book like Switch Hitter for me to reference as an example.
One of the things I discovered while researching reviews and reader reaction to the BDSM book, Fifty Shades of Grey, was that readers who know about the BDSM lifestyle were put off by the fact that the BDSM scenes weren't handled well. However, with Switch Hitters the BDSM scenes were not only handled well, the authors nailed one of the most difficult things anyone can do while writing BDSM erotica, and in a very clever way.
They did this by showing how Jase is into the BDSM lifestyle and how he does want it, but on his own terms and with the man of his choice. He doesn't want to be forced into it against his own will. And in the scenes where Jase encounters his stalker and he does find himself forced into doing things he doesn't want to do, the context of the BDSM scenes becomes something completely different for him. It's different for the reader as well. I found myself loving the consensual BDSM scenes when Jase wanted them to happen, and I found myself cringing during the peculiar scenes when Jase was forced to do things against his own will. I honestly don't think I've ever read a better example, in the same book, of the difference between consensual BDSM and non-consensual BDSM. This line below says it all:
"Jase, furious at his treatment and galled at the shapeless man on top of him, remained motionless. This was one action he could refrain from performing."
This all creates a great deal of both suspense and emotion, with regard to how Jase views himself and his own private needs. And what is often an intense dichotomy, especially in the middle of the story, keeps the reader on the edge the entire time, wondering how things are going to turn out.
August 26, 2013
Review written for Hearts on Fire Reviews - 3.5 stars
I was really hoping for more from Jase's first encounter with Cap, even though what we did get was hot stuff. I loved the kidnapping/stalker scenario, and Cap's rescue, but at that point, things just flew by and issues were cleared up way too fast.
This was an enjoyable short story, but it had so much potential to be more. I actually did like it quite a bit, but felt there were a lot of missed opportunities here. I really would have liked to have seen more of their interactions, either through more secret rendezvous hookups or after they were together. Maybe they'll get another story.
November 8, 2013
3.5 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Jase Dockery is a major league baseball player, at the top of his game. He should be on top of the world – but in sport you are only as good as your last game, and his was sloppy. He knows what he needs to get back on track, but getting it will be tough. Not only is he hiding his sexuality, but he is also hiding the fact that he likes to be dominated by his lovers. His last attempt at letting off steam almost ended in disaster! So this time he goes to great lengths to maintain anonymity, he signs up with a top end Sex Club and they hook him up with a Dom of his dreams. From the minute they meet it is sizzling!! They both want more … and so did I ;-) But there are some crazy fans out there and one has taken a keen, and totally creepy, interest in our Jase, the word fan is a derivative of fanatic after all. This kinda derailed the whole Cap and Jase show as Daniel took centre stage for a big part of the book.
Now for the tricky part… but I honestly feel that this subject matter needs to be tagged – there is kidnap, and there is rape – and this takes up a lot of the story! And part of that story was just implausible, surely. I know a guy’s dick can have a mind of its own almost – but to “get up and at” it twice under those circumstances – especially after being drugged – just didn’t really add up.
Switch Hitter could have been an incredible book – the premise is so goood! Chapter One totally hooked me, then Chapter Two had me panting for more – but the book as a whole just didn’t fully deliver. The blurb didn’t really give me a hint as to what the book was actually about. I expected more Jase and Cap than I got. (Yes, I am pouting.) What I got was some pretty hard-hitting kidnap and rape – these tropes do not put me off a book; some of my favourite reads this last year have had this as their complete story … but I need to be invested in the characters, and I just wasn’t in this book – so what coulda shoulda ripped my heart out and had me clutching at Kleenex to mop up my tears just didn’t eventuate. In fact I skimmed through large portions of Jase’s ordeal. I am not sure where or why or how it went wrong. My feeling is that the authors tried to fit too much into a relatively short read, and therefore there wasn’t enough time to fully develop the characters. But dammit – it could have been amazing! Amaxing, even!
What I do believe is that one of the most important parts of a story is the idea, the seed from which the story germinates and grows. Without that idea there is nothing. (Obviously) The story telling can be learned; the art of spinning that web is a craft which can be perfected – in this story I saw a potential that had me itching to read more by these authors, so I was super quick to grab “Pretty Boy Dead” by (new to me author) Jon Michaelsen – to see if this book is the next step in a writing journey that could be really exciting!
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Jase Dockery is a major league baseball player, at the top of his game. He should be on top of the world – but in sport you are only as good as your last game, and his was sloppy. He knows what he needs to get back on track, but getting it will be tough. Not only is he hiding his sexuality, but he is also hiding the fact that he likes to be dominated by his lovers. His last attempt at letting off steam almost ended in disaster! So this time he goes to great lengths to maintain anonymity, he signs up with a top end Sex Club and they hook him up with a Dom of his dreams. From the minute they meet it is sizzling!! They both want more … and so did I ;-) But there are some crazy fans out there and one has taken a keen, and totally creepy, interest in our Jase, the word fan is a derivative of fanatic after all. This kinda derailed the whole Cap and Jase show as Daniel took centre stage for a big part of the book.
Now for the tricky part… but I honestly feel that this subject matter needs to be tagged – there is kidnap, and there is rape – and this takes up a lot of the story! And part of that story was just implausible, surely. I know a guy’s dick can have a mind of its own almost – but to “get up and at” it twice under those circumstances – especially after being drugged – just didn’t really add up.
Switch Hitter could have been an incredible book – the premise is so goood! Chapter One totally hooked me, then Chapter Two had me panting for more – but the book as a whole just didn’t fully deliver. The blurb didn’t really give me a hint as to what the book was actually about. I expected more Jase and Cap than I got. (Yes, I am pouting.) What I got was some pretty hard-hitting kidnap and rape – these tropes do not put me off a book; some of my favourite reads this last year have had this as their complete story … but I need to be invested in the characters, and I just wasn’t in this book – so what coulda shoulda ripped my heart out and had me clutching at Kleenex to mop up my tears just didn’t eventuate. In fact I skimmed through large portions of Jase’s ordeal. I am not sure where or why or how it went wrong. My feeling is that the authors tried to fit too much into a relatively short read, and therefore there wasn’t enough time to fully develop the characters. But dammit – it could have been amazing! Amaxing, even!
What I do believe is that one of the most important parts of a story is the idea, the seed from which the story germinates and grows. Without that idea there is nothing. (Obviously) The story telling can be learned; the art of spinning that web is a craft which can be perfected – in this story I saw a potential that had me itching to read more by these authors, so I was super quick to grab “Pretty Boy Dead” by (new to me author) Jon Michaelsen – to see if this book is the next step in a writing journey that could be really exciting!
May 9, 2013
Switch Hitter is a great read. This short story is about Jase Dockery, a hot, famous baseball player, trying not only to hide the fact he is gay, but also the desire to be dominated by a lover. He thinks he’s found what he’s looking for after an appointment at a particular, private club. A big, handsome man called Cap appears to be all Jase could ask for. Before he is able to find out if Cap is the one, something happens that changes him forever.
I won’t go into more of the plot here since this is a fairly short story , right at a hundred pages. I found this story intense, and the characters amazing. Jase is a jock in all sense of the word. Cap is, well, Cap is an alpha male with an alpha attitude. There is another character in this story as well, and all I can say is he is chilling. If you like a bit of a thriller rolled into a sensual, erotic story this is the one for you. Be aware there is some bondage in this one, but nothing too severe. I’d recommend this book to anyone.
I won’t go into more of the plot here since this is a fairly short story , right at a hundred pages. I found this story intense, and the characters amazing. Jase is a jock in all sense of the word. Cap is, well, Cap is an alpha male with an alpha attitude. There is another character in this story as well, and all I can say is he is chilling. If you like a bit of a thriller rolled into a sensual, erotic story this is the one for you. Be aware there is some bondage in this one, but nothing too severe. I’d recommend this book to anyone.
August 14, 2013
It was the cover of this book that drew me. Before I'd even read the blurb I'd decided I wanted to read it, but was it worth the wait? Yes, I think so but it was disappointingly short. Not that I was mislead about the length of the story, it's clearly listed as a 17,900 word novella but there was definitely too much happening in the story to fit it all in so few words without it feeling rushed. I loved the plot but wished every part of it was further developed. Likewise with the characters, separately and as a couple. However when it came to the sex scenes I actually thought the straightforwardness and lack of embellishment suited the story perfectly. Lines such as "You're awesome boy, Cap whispered" made me smile. They just had amazing, mind blowing, instant special connection sex (without a condom?) and one guy turns to the other and says, you're awesome. I love it. The joys of m/m stories. You could never get away with saying that shit if it was m/f.
March 22, 2014
OK, here's my thoughts.
I am so torn I don't know where to begin.
I was so excited to read this story and then I did and I wasn't exactly disappointed, but damn, I am confused.
Jase, a major league baseball player at the height of his game met "Cap", a SWAT leader for sexual exploration. Before their relationship could advance, a stalker kidnapped Jase
Now what had me was the mere thought of unprotected sex within the storyline. I don't care how well you know someone, unless you're in a very committed relationship, glove up!!!
Another irk was the "rescue". I won't even go into that, but I was disappointed with the lead up and see through.
And lastly, after all Jase went through, he had no issues with placing himself in the same situation? Come on!!! I would be sobbing like a baby and begging for therapy.
I am so torn I don't know where to begin.
I was so excited to read this story and then I did and I wasn't exactly disappointed, but damn, I am confused.
Jase, a major league baseball player at the height of his game met "Cap", a SWAT leader for sexual exploration. Before their relationship could advance, a stalker kidnapped Jase
Now what had me was the mere thought of unprotected sex within the storyline. I don't care how well you know someone, unless you're in a very committed relationship, glove up!!!
Another irk was the "rescue". I won't even go into that, but I was disappointed with the lead up and see through.
And lastly, after all Jase went through, he had no issues with placing himself in the same situation? Come on!!! I would be sobbing like a baby and begging for therapy.
September 1, 2013
I fall for jock, cop, military themes. I guess this novel qualifies. I am not comfortable with BDSM but I wanted to give it a shot. It ended up with many twists that I wasn't expecting. It was definitely not the typical romance novel I generally follow. Still, I felt like reading a dirty little secret but Jase, the baseball start, totally captured my heart with his angst and forbidden longing. I couldn't stop.
November 9, 2013
I did not like this very much. Wooden dialogue, odd prose -
Tendrils of lusciousness rose from the base of his balls, and surged through his abdomen
- characters that were lacking in depth, and a very unsavoury situation with Daniel, did little to make me a happy reader.
The premise was good and perhaps with more page time, better execution, prose, and characterisations it could have been a good book for me.
Tendrils of lusciousness rose from the base of his balls, and surged through his abdomen
- characters that were lacking in depth, and a very unsavoury situation with Daniel, did little to make me a happy reader.
The premise was good and perhaps with more page time, better execution, prose, and characterisations it could have been a good book for me.
May 9, 2013
It seemed rushed to me and could use a little more editing, but otherwise a good read.
September 22, 2013
Interesting read. gay mystery about a baseball player's S & M nature and coming out. Quick, fun, one sitting read that will hold your interest . Recommended A
July 8, 2014
My Quickie Review:
This book is a down and dirty little quickie, but it was much more in-depth and suspenseful than I expected. Be warned, this book involves a sick, obsessed fan and the scenes are a bit graphic. If you have issues with sexual assault, you may want to be wary of this one.
I have to say I was surprised and pleased by just how much story the authors were able to pack into this little novella. But that being said, I would have loved it if it had gone even further. I really loved the developing relationship between Cap and Jase and would have liked to have seen more between them. As it is though, it's a very good story about two very alpha males who enter into a somewhat forbidden relationship. Neither one can be gay and stay on top of their careers, but they are so awesome together. I did enjoy the way that the story played out especially the climax with Cap.
It was an interesting little story and I would definitely read more by these two.
This book is a down and dirty little quickie, but it was much more in-depth and suspenseful than I expected. Be warned, this book involves a sick, obsessed fan and the scenes are a bit graphic. If you have issues with sexual assault, you may want to be wary of this one.
I have to say I was surprised and pleased by just how much story the authors were able to pack into this little novella. But that being said, I would have loved it if it had gone even further. I really loved the developing relationship between Cap and Jase and would have liked to have seen more between them. As it is though, it's a very good story about two very alpha males who enter into a somewhat forbidden relationship. Neither one can be gay and stay on top of their careers, but they are so awesome together. I did enjoy the way that the story played out especially the climax with Cap.
It was an interesting little story and I would definitely read more by these two.
November 3, 2013
Switch Hitter had all my favorite elements for a story: a little bit of mystery, some sports and boys who love to play rough. But to my disappointment, the plot fell short for me. I felt it lacked innovation and the heat I wanted to make it great.
Read the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
Read the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews