Strictly Business

Courtland Chronicles #2

by Cat Grant

This book is also available in THE COURTLAND CHRONICLES - THE COMPLETE SERIES, which contains all five books - three novellas and two full-length novels! 608 pages, over 200,000 words. Bop on over and get it Eric Courtland is hungry for revenge—at any cost—against the cold, unfeeling father who never loved him, and who drove his mother to an early grave. Tossed headfirst into the shark-tank world of big business, Eric soon learns it’s eat or be eaten, and has no choice but to throw in his lot with ruthless titan of industry Branford Crane. Still reeling from his mother’s death—and the guilt of not being able to save her—Eric plunges into a dark spiral of self-destruction, rejecting his longtime partner Nick’s love and support in favor of the harsh tutelage Bran offers him, in and out of the bedroom. But one night, when Bran finally pushes Eric beyond any reasonable limit, Eric realizes how far he’s fallen—and how desperately he needs Nick to help pull him back from the edge. (Publisher's This is a novella.)

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Romance, Contemporary, M M F, Menage, Erotica

83 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2008

About the author

If you're looking for epic sci-fi, fantasy, or historicals, that's not me. Contemporary all the way, baby!

However, if you're looking for down to earth, complicated characters dealing with real-world problems (and the occasional comfort read!), I might just fit the bill. :)

My Books:

Courtland Chronicles (m/m & m/m/f)
By Chance
Strictly Business
Complications
The Arrangement
Triad

Allegro Vivace (m/m)
Sonata Appassionata (m/m)

Icon Men (all m/m)
The First Real Thing (2012 EPIC Award Winner - Erotica)
Appearing Nightly
A Fool for You

Habanera (Originally titled Entangled Trio - 2012 EPIC Award Finalist - Erotica) (m/m/f)

Once a Marine (m/m)

Power Play (with Rachel Haimowitz) (m/m BDSM)
Power Play: Resistance
Power Play: Awakening

Irresistible Attraction (all m/m)
Priceless
Doubtless
Fearless
Flawless (2014 EPIC Award Finalist - Short Fiction)

Forthcoming:

The Only One Who Knows (with LA Witt) - January 2014

The Only One Who Matters (with LA Witt) - March 2014

Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1) - April 2014

Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2) - July 2014

Guarded (with LA Witt) (work in progress)

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I finished the story and discovered why the author got some of the details about Book 1 wrong in this book - this entire series was written out of order! Book 4 is actually the first book Grant wrote about these characters.

I also found out that this series that I've already invested two books worth of my time and energy in is about to turn into a fucking MFM menage relationship without any warning. I'm not against MFM menage relationships in general, but I DO prefer that if the relationship is going to become that, it becomes that in the first book in the series and that the book blurb is upfront about this. I feel DUPED by this approach.

I'm also finding Eric more and more unlikeable as this series moves on. I understand his character and why he feels compelled to do what he does (both consciously and unconsciously), but that doesn't mean I have to like it. And Nick has faded as a character. He's just a doormat of a man now - not willing to own his truth and taking whatever scraps of love and affection that Eric will give him. I hate when people who get screwed over forgive too easily.

Not sure if I am going to continuing with this series.

[Ayanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The following may contain spoilers. It's hard to tell since the blurb already tells so much of the plot anyways and I'm too lazy to reread both the blurb and my review to make an executive (haha) decision on this regards. The following is my review:



This must be a cruel April Fools joke.

*flinch

Okay, self-destruction I can deal with. Watching the downward spiral? That's uncomfortable for me.

Actually, I was so unsettled by the prospect of having to watch the downward spiral that I never really paid much attention to it. I can't for the life of me say if that part was well-written or not.

I mean, once I got over the initial shock and he settled into his downward spiral, I was fine.


There was something about it all that seemed a bit...either rushed or contrived. Maybe it felt contrived because it felt rushed. Like actors that are quite good at acting the parts, but you still know they're actors.

The "too far" point especially seemed really going-through-the-motions.

Bran...Bran was so one-dimensionally "evil" that the entire thing seemed inexplicable. I dunno...maybe he is just a narcissistic sociopath and that's all there is to it.


Actually, you know what? Nick needed to kick Eric's sorry ass to the curb for much ass-kissing before he lets him back. I mean, come on. Eric goes off on his self-destructive, self-centered whatever forever, sleeps with the Bran dude for forever, suddenly decides to break it off with Bran because he "went too far," and then immediately goes crawling back to Nick as a backup?
Cha, you need to fix yo'sef befoah you even think of fucking up someone else's life. Again.

Granted, Nick doesn't exactly know what's been going on, but honey, contrary to what Beauty and the Beast would like to tell you, you can't change a person by loving them "enough." That's called codependency.

The last minute make-up with his father was just...no. I don't quite buy into an all-encompassing "even if you lived a life of sin, if you leave life with grace, you can go to heaven" bull. I mean, yes, there are cases in which I believe the change is genuine and heartfelt and meaningful and whatnot, but in this case...
Sorry, honey. Too little, too late. You can't just make up for a lifetime of being a shit person by saying "I had to do it for your own good" and "I wanted to push you. I didn't quite think you'd make it, but I'm glad to be proven wrong."

Eric's sudden regard for his father is a little weird. He cared a little too much for someone who should still, by all rights, be simmering over a long-ingrained grudge.

"'He loved you, Eric, he just didn't know how to show it.'"
...No, I think he genuinely did hate his son. Because, I mean, if he actually did care, we should have seen even some glimmer of awkward attempts at affection. Or not hate, per se, but definitely not love.
I don't quite know if he loved him as a person. Maybe as one would love an achievement or award one won. I think that might have been a more apt description. He "cared for him" in a "this ought to be an extension of myself" sort of way (one that fell short of his standards until it didn't).

The sole female character was a plot device to further the melodrama. Hooray.

...at least the author doesn't use profuse comma splices...?

Anyways, after rushing through the plot through an indeterminable amount of time, soap-opera logic happens, some random deus-ex-machina-y farce occurs, the Big Bad(s) is(/are) neutered/neutralized (I was just going to put "neutered" as a purposeful malapropism, but I didn't want snarky comments about Bush-isms =_=), and the main couple lived codependently ever after.

The end.


ETA:
All of these high ratings are annoying me. Especially exasperating is the fact that the sole 1-star review I can find is in some language I can't read.

[Rhys Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a complex read. No mistake about it. Cat Grant maneuvers the reader through a triangle of a relationship and does so masterfully. The story deals with the emotional tangle of loss and give-take of an alternative lifestyle many people never encounter.

There is angst here but it's dealt out with a steady hand and with the clear intent on providing the reader an rollercoast of a ride.

I highly recommend a Cat Grant book, this one included. Heck, stay tuned for the whole series. It's going to be a thrilling go.

[Erotic Horizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Plot

Eric mother has just died and he is in a vengeful mood. He however is not prepared for the business world of shady deals and less than ideal motivation.

One person comes to his aide, Branford Crane – but at a cost. Eric knows he can go the distance as he is riding on a wave of “getting back at the man”, but when he’s comes face to face with who and what Bran is – can he make that decision that will affect the rest of his life.

Surprise Element

Because of my prior experience with the blurb on BY CHANCE, I was keen to make note of everything about the blurb on this book. There was a disclaimer to the bottom on the blurb and to be honest without this disclaimer – my thoughts would be more or less – the blurb lead me wrong.

Warning: This title contains hot male/male action, bondage, domination and sadomasochism

This book didn’t let up on the emotional pull – whether you love it or hate it, it was roller coaster and I simply was gripped.



Smut

When you read alot of erotic material – there's one of two things that could happen, you either get caught up in it and want more of the same or you get jaded to the fact that a relationship can be found without the excessive smut.

In STRICTLY BUSINESS Ms. Grant push me right up to the edge of my tolerance with the smut. It started out with Eric still in the “In charge Mode” in terms of his relationship with Nick, it evolved into something that can only be described as an experience.

It made my impression of Eric fall to a new low, but I could not get enough of it. Ms. Grant really out did herself with the description, the in your fact logic behind what was happening with Bran and more over the ground rules were laid out from the get go – so all I could do was go with it and say WOW.


Positive

I love when authors push themselves, and I think Ms. Grant really pushed her self in this one. She has a commanding voice in this book and I liked it.

I am not going to sugar coat this book – it was short, it has BDSM issues and it was not nice. It niggled me but my hats off to the author because – guess what, I could not stop turning the pages, I thought she really had a handle on the BDSM, I wonder what she would do with a full on bondage domination book.

STRICTLY BUSINESS gives a more detail account of Eric’s personal life and while the usual suspects made an appearance, this was really a moment in time in the life of Eric.

Bran was the only support cast of note and while I thought he was a bastard – His character was a force to be reckoned with. With little ease he totally dominated this book. Eric was a shadow of his arrogant “please me” self.

I thought the length of this book was just perfect – the scenes were tight and very practical – with that type of scenario it’s best to give it to us and cut us loose. Well done.

Because I am reading the books in the right order, rather than the order they were released. I am not getting that dramatic effect, however for readers who had the pleasure of being with Ms. Grant from the first book THE ARRANGMEENT – this book would close so much doors on why Eric is the way he is and also fill in a whole of the gaps about the relationship with his father.

Once again the pace goes really fast – and I again went with the flow of it, as I imagine in the world of cutthroat corporate management, things would move at a rather fast pace.



Niggles

Eric is still a right ass and the more I read the second book – the more I know he so deserves a black eye – but all he got was a black ass.

His treatment of Nick has not gotten any better and for once Nick is showing some spine – but – yes again another – but.

No reference was made to their earlier break-up and Eric and Nick’s relationship is clearly running along the line of Nick give and Eric take.

Cover

Firstly I have always like the cover model in the foreground – so that makes the cover a shoe in with me. However in terms of the book – STRICTLY BUSINESS was all Bran’s show and Eric was just a needy pathetic soul – so the cover works for me.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely hooked on this series!! The pain that Eric is going through is sometimes hard to read. Cat Grant makes you feel every painful breath he takes in the way she paints his character. What a terrific stroke of writing. The lessons learned are killing the only good relationships in his life. Some parts of this book were confusing and I wish more attention would have been given to people brought up at the end. Where did they all come from?? I hope they're better explained in the next installment. But I'm reading the version of the books before they were revised so that may be the difference. Absolutely love this series so far!!!

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The path to a HEA is never easy as evidenced by the turmoil between Eric and Nick after his mother's death turns Eric's world upside down and has him looking for revenge. This second book in the Courtland Chronicles picks up a few months after the previous installment and immediately has Eric pulling away from the one man to accept him fully to forge his vengeful pact with fellow businessman, Bran. Even though Nick wants to support him, Eric wants to wallow in solitude. Because things haven't turned out like he thinks they should have, Eric thinks he deserves to be punished. And oh the punishments he endures at the hands of Bran!

Bran and Eric are toxic together. Their sexual interactions are graphic and degrading and Eric both loathes these moments and craves them. Bran uses him on every level as a means to an end and Eric's self-loathing allows it. I felt such sympathy for Eric throughout the story. No matter how much he hurt Nick (and made me angry at him), he hurt himself more. It's not until virtually the end of the story that Eric climbs out of his downward spiral and for the time being he and Nick have again acheived a HEA.

Cat Grant has written another gutwrenching story and shown Eric at both his best and worst moments. Though we don't see much of Nick in the physical sense, his goodness and unquestionable loyalty permeates this story. Through most of the story there's a sense of sadness and pain that the reader knows won't end well for Eric if he continues on his vengeful path. Nick's reappearance at the end is like a sunrise. The unrelenting pain fades away as he and Eric reconnect. This series continues to keep me enthralled and these glimpses into their lives is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. With its fully fleshed-out characters and heartwrenching situations I've become fully immersed in the outcome of Nick and Eric's lives and look forward to the next installment in this well-written and satisfying series.

[Rida · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book and in the four other books that make up the Courtland Chronicles, Cat Grant has written an exciting and gripping story. For a period of some 20 years we follow the lives of two men and a woman who share a relationship.

The story involves a homosexual relationship between Nick and Eric, heterosexual relationships between each of the two men and Allison and finally a menage between the three.

Cat has contrived to portray in one touching story the interaction of all three characters and their dreams, disappointments, achievements, and, above all else, their love for each other and one another.

A concept that is paramount in the Triad (the last book of the series) is that of legalised marriage between multiple partners. Many 'menage' stories include a marriage between two partners and the third partner being part of the relationship without the security, if it can be called that, of legality; the "legality" being an indication of social acceptance.

It would be interesting to see if other menage authors pick up on this concept and maybe even give it a push in their stories.

All told, Cat has written a well thoughtout story, a very good read with thought provoking ideas and well developed characters. The sex scenes of which there are many, fit well in the story and do not feel like add-ons just to add spice to the story.

I would like to comment on the reading order and strongly recommend that the books be read in the chronological order of the story rather than in the order they were written. This would be: By Chance, Strictly Business, Complication, The Arrangement and Triad.

[Shirley Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again we find Eric struggling - with himself, his feelings and with life. I love Eric. He is such a tortured soul who has been through hell and back and bears the scars to prove it, but on this installment we get to see another side of him. He is broken and damaged to the point that he can't see that happiness is staring him in the face. He broke my heart. His every emotion was brought to the page beautifully and try as I might I just could not hate him for his actions. Yes, I was disappointed with the way things went, but I could understand where he was coming from.

The writing was everything I have come to expect from Cat Grant. It was concise and to the point, with every event placed just right, emotionally charged and hot as hell. There were times when I wanted to shake some sense into Eric then there were times where I just wanted to shelter him from it all. There were elements in the story that I am not comfortable with, especially the cheating, but considering Eric's struggles I decided to overlook it. It helped that Eric struggled with his actions. He was lost and he found some semblance of satisfaction in what he was doing until he realized for himself how wrong it had all gone. I appreciated his regret and his apology to Nick even though I think it was a bit out there on my reality scale, but this is fiction and I'm going with that. I still don't think that he is fixed, but only time will tell how all this will play out.

I'm looking forward to the next installment even if the excerpt I read kind of freaked me out. I am committed to see this through to see how these two travel their journey, so I will be reading it regardless.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Courtland Chronicles series and I wanted to slap Eric in this book. Eric Courtland is hungry for revenge—at any cost—against the cold, unfeeling father who never loved him, and who drove his mother to an early grave. Tossed headfirst into the shark-tank world of big business, Eric soon learns it’s eat or be eaten, and has no choice but to throw in his lot with ruthless titan of industry Branford Crane. Eric broke up with Nick because he felt guilty for cheating on him with Bran who acted just like his father. This book was well written like the first book in this series with no errors in grammar or spelling. Liked how Nick was there for him I didn't like how Nick continues to push him away when his emotions get to be to much like when his father died. With Bran Eric was able to let go and let someone else be in charge and not think about it although I didn't like how Bran didn't believe in safe words or saying no. This book was shorter than the first one. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4.0 stars


I found the second novella in this series much more interesting than the first, more angst and drama.

In this book Eric, after the death of his mother, finds himself in downward slide. After losing his job, he gets drunk and ends up cheating on Nick. He feels guilty so he decides to just break up with Nick. He then starts up a sexual BDSM relationship with the man he cheated with, Bran. That twisted relationship doesn't work out and eventually after many months Nick & Eric reunite, but Nick still has no idea that Eric cheated on him! I sure hope the cheating comes to light in the next book.

I'm having trouble seeing how a woman will fit into this relationship, as both Nick & Eric seem to have zero interest in women at this point. We shall see in the next installment how that goes!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strictly Business, the second installment in Cat Grant’s Courtland Chronicles series, is a bit edgier than By Chance. It is full of emotions as Eric Court-land tries to exact revenge on his ruthless father. In the process, he pushes away his partner, Nick Thompson and enters into a punishing sexual relationship with Branford Crane. To read my review in its entirety, please click
HERE.

[Tammy Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi Cat, thank you for this story. I have to say, I didn't know if I would like reading about two guys. But something kept drawing me to read the first one "By Chance". Now I'm am so hooked I can't put them down I'm almost through with book 4 and can't wait for more. Your words are so true for a lot of people. Thank you for telling their story.

[Gigi]

Reviews say the series continues with breaking up the MCs and one of them getting married but that they continue to sleep together. Sorry. Not for me.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED IT, NICK, AND ERIC GREAT CHARACTERS, THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK IN SERIES, YOU HAVE TO READ THEM IN ORDER, NOT LIKE MYSELF, AND LOST. A MUST READ.

[Shaundra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Eric Courtland is furious with his father, for denying love and support to his child and for being busy with his mistress while his wife quietly passed away. Eric is hell bent on revenge, and goes about it through his father’s company, Courtland Industries. Having found evidence of “insider trading and stock manipulation”, Eric turns his father in to the US attorney’s office. Between the stock left him in his mother’s will and being in control of his father’s assets while the man is in jail, Eric takes over the position as CEO of the company. Unfortunately, there are very few people in the company that support their new boss and Eric struggles to keep the company afloat and maintain control.

When Eric Courtland’s mother died, the first person he turned to was Nick Thompson who has been his lover for three years. They have a bit of a strained relationship, as Nick is often ignored when Eric becomes singularly focused on his work. When Eric has an intimate encounter with Branford Crane, he breaks up with Nick rather than break the man’s heart by revealing his infidelity. Eric knows that Nick would forgive him, but he doesn’t want to cause the man pain. Eric is convinced that Nick doesn’t deserve such treatment from him and that he isn’t worthy of Nick’s love.

Eric is struggling with himself and what he feels he deserves. He feels like he has no control over his own life, as he is unseated as CEO and, through his own actions, pushes Nick away. Eric is drawn to Bran and the rough treatment he offers, the required submission and relinquishment of all control. Being with Bran, in whatever sense he is allowed, does not make him happy and just fuels his feeling that he is not worthy of a man like Nick. The following quote is a powerful example of the emotions which Eric is battling.

“He’d thrown away the one good, true relationship he’d ever had, exchanging it for sadomasochistic sex that fed his need for punishment and fueled his conviction that he wasn’t worthy of normal love ~ whatever ‘normal’ meant, in the context of his colossally fucked-up life.”

Strictly Business is a wonderful story filled with powerful emotions. Eric’s struggle is heartbreaking as he fights his emotions and desires. I enjoyed spending time with these characters in their youth, getting a chance to see what their relationship was like near the beginning. The sessions with Bran are intense but there is none of the emotional connection that is so apparent when Eric and Nick are together. Eric has some hard lessons to learn and following him as he starts he journey is engaging and interesting.

Eric has a lot of trouble with his own feelings, a side effect of his father’s treatment while growing up, and those closest to Eric are the ones that suffer the most. It is intriguing to get a chance to see a part of Eric and Nick’s past, knowing where they will find themselves in the future. My only issue is that Nick is willing to forgive Eric way too quickly, but this is a central issue with their relationship which carries through to the next story. Having read the next story, it is easy to see how this fits into the overall arc of their relationship, but without that insight the ending might feel a bit too simplistic. Eric obviously loves Nick, and I am convinced that they are soul mates, but they have a lot of road blocks to traverse on their road to happiness.

This story is a prequel to The Arrangement, which picks up with these characters when Eric is married to Allison Taylor and continuing an affair with Nick Thompson. Strictly Business definitely stands on its own and is a wonderful introduction to these characters. If you have already read that story, I definitely recommend reading Strictly Business, and if you haven’t, this is a good place to start with these characters and this engaging writer.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and I have to admit I am beyond annoyed. I just can't understand why a book would end at 80%! It happend with the first book as well but being a free book and what I assumed was an introduction to the characters it was alright. But to have the exact same "afterword" describing the series and its evolution and what appears to be the whole first chapter of the next book is ridiculous. Now on to the characters. Eric and Nicks relationship is hard to believe. First Eric is an obviously damaged individual who had problems connecting with others, choosing random sex with strangers and dominating assholes over a healthy relationship with someone who loves him. NIck...I can't feel anything but sorry for him. When they met he was confused and then he realizes hes gay and loves Eric who does nothing but hurt him at every turn. Hes described in the first book as some football hero but we really never get much of his background. And now he is basically Erics doormat and keeps setting himself up to be hurt. I really haven't connected with either character and the story keeps bouncing all over the place. I can't figure out exactly what the plot is. I am going to read the 3rd book since I already purchased it but I have a feeling that will be the end for me.
UPDATE:
After going to read Connections I realized I spent 2.99 on and 80 page book. If the two previous books were any indication of what I was in for I couldn't do it. So instead of reading I returned the book for a refund. This story had potential but it was not for me. Strictly Business is the end of the series as far as I'm concerned.

[Nic]

Eric's behaviour in this book was incredibly frustrating. Even though he had a poor relationship with his father and recently lost his mother so was emotionally challenged, I started to dislike his character, particularly for what he was doing to Nick. Perhaps that is a sign this is a good book - the ability to create an emotional response to a character?

However, I am feeling unsure about this series, particularly as the blurbs for the future instalments give a lot of plot away. I have bought book 3 and will read that before deciding whether to continue or not.

[Shari Sakurai · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I bought this book I knew that later in the series it would turn into a m/m/f relationship which I personally dislike so I had decided to just read this one as it was still just Eric and Nick. I had hoped that I would enjoy Strictly Business as much as I did By Chance but sadly I didn't.

I found it a very disjointed read with several plot points that remained unresolved at the end. It's such a shame its lost its way as it had great potential and I loved the relationship between Eric and Nick.

[Stephanie Haefner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book delves further into Eric's mind and why he is the way he is. One can't help but feel sorry for Nick, the man Eric truly loves but pulls away from because he doesn't think he deserves it. Eric is selfish too...sometimes a bit too selfish. I like the relationship between Eric and Nick and couldn't help but be turned off by the way Eric went behind his back and started a reckless affair with his boss. I know how much Nick loves him though and takes him back no matter what he does.

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+ rating. I liked this insight into Eric's psyche and how he ruins relationships as a way of self-punishment. While I didn't like what he would do with Bran, I understood the why's of it.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like i really want to continue with the series from the snippet of book #3 in the back. I just don't like where it's going. But I definitely did enjoy the first two books in the series.

[LaShonta]

No thanks because this series turns into a cheating thing with one of them getting married and still sleeping with the boyfriend. I made the mistake of reading The Arrangement first. Of course, that put me off the whole series. Don't like cheating.

[Michele Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the entire 5 story series over a weekend while home sick. I really enjoyed it, but one of them (maybe book 3? can't remember now) had a couple of pieces of the backstory on Eric completely different than the rest of them. Other than that I was able to lose myself in the story.

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ga suka nih, ini waktu si Eric sama Nick tapi sempet selingkuh dan main kasar2an sama bern..eeeww...

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a years ago and remember enjoying it.

Here is the order:
By Chance (don't have)
Strictly Business
Complications (don't have)
The Arrangement
Triad

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set three years after the first novella, this second part of the series starts with Eric's mother's death, an event which sends him into a self-destructive downward spiral hellbent on getting back at his uncaring father and has him push Nick away and enter into a majorly unhealthy sexual relationship with bigshot CEO Branford Crane.

When reviewing the previous novella, I expressed a wish for more character development. Apparently, I oughta be more careful what I wish for, because while there sure was character development here for Eric, it mostly saw him develop into a self-pitying, unsympathetic asshole who really doesn't deserve Nick putting up with his shit when he finally comes to his senses. The scenes with Bran got more and more uncomfortable to read - nothing against a bit of BDSM action in my reading material, but it's gotta be consensual and this just crossed a line at the end. Oh well... let's see where this goes. I'm still waiting for any of the characters to magically grow on me at some point.