Roped

Guards of Folsom #4

by S.J.D. Peterson

Guards of Book Four Life has been known by a series of constants. Violence, anger, drugs, sex, death, heartbreak, pain, fear and the most common, hunger. Always hunger. Not the kind that can be satisfied with food, but the kind born of circumstance. The kind that not only claws within a gut, but settles into a heart, consumes a mind. Deeper. Encircles, penetrates the soul. Hunger for something more, something better, safer. Always just out of grasp. Craving. Starved. It’s part of me. Who I am. Born of blood and violence, hunger is my fate. Yet, the slightest things can change the directions of a life. An unplanned circumstance, random act—a connection—a chance event, like a lightning strike, fate trumped. Jamie is my lightning strike. Tek Cain Tek Cain was cultivated from birth to lead the motorcycle gang, Crimson Eight. Jamie Ryan, his best friend, is destined to be his second. But forbidden desires have them questioning everything they know, and an undeniable bond makes them want more than their supposed brotherhood can provide. Their love could get them killed, but they are bound to each other—from the cradle to the grave.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Contemporary, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Gay, LGBT

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2014

About the author

It's been an amazing journey since DSP first contracted Lorcan's Desire in January 2011. I've published 2 free reads with the M/M Romance group, my back list is growing, met some great people and have made some amazing friends.
I'm still in shock that I'm listed among the many talented authors at Dreamspinner Press! The little voice in the back of my head is screaming, "You are so out of your league."
Shhhhh I won't tell them if you don't :)


You can call me Jo, everyone does :)

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This fourth book in the Guards of Folsom series wasn't at all what I expected. The two MCs, Jamie and Tek, are new additions to the club (Tek eventually finds work there as a bouncer), but the club isn't introduced until 65% into the book.

Jamie and Tek are childhood friends and members of a motorcycle club gone rogue. Both top six feet and are alpha males through and through. They share a birthday and are inseperable. A kiss at age 13 seals their fate, but homophobia runs as rampant as the drugs and guns, and Tek is next in command and expected to screw every woman in sight.

I won't get into more of the plot. Suffice it to say, there's violence and sex on page with women, something I particularly dislike in my M/M books. Jamie and Tek are 18 when the story really takes off, but this does not have a YA/NA feel at all. The chemistry between Jamie and Tek is scorching, and there are many steamy scenes as the guys experiment and love on each other.

Even though Roped is part of a BDSM series (thus, the BDSM shelf), this is not a BDSM book. Jamie and Tek have never heard of the D/s lifestyle until they meet the men of Folsom. They are both dominant and possessive of one another (the teasing, light bondage, and rough play were crazy hot). I'm interested to see how this give and take will play out.

I liked the MCs as a couple, but I wanted slightly more tenderness and detail about the two years they spend together. There were some erratic shifts in the plot, and the narrative felt a little jumpy (we get both Jamie and Tek's POV, sometimes in the same paragraph). Each chapter opens with Tek's musings about life (the blurb is the first of these), which waxed a little poetic and didn't seem to add much to the story.

We haven't heard the last of these boys. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so we're sure to get a follow-up.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe I am actually doing a 3 star review on a Jo Peterson book, but I only "liked" this story-- I didn't "love it" or "really like" it. Why? Well, the first half of the book was quite dark, and I found myself in constant anxiety about what was going to happen to the MCs, when they might realize there was an attraction, and whether or not one or both would be killed, or severely injured-- by their own gang or a rival gang. There were certain things about the final day as gang members that still don't make sense to me. Considering that Tek was in shock and pain from his gunshot wound, he manages to somehow set a scene at the cabin which would hide ALL the evidence of what happened and cause everyone to simply forget they exist? All while knowing he only had a short time before someone came along? I just couldn't buy it.

So now I have what I can only call "anti-heroes", and I'm not totally bonded with them as people, never mind as a couple. They do grow on me in the second half of the story, especially Jamie. And the more the chapters advanced, the more I knew the author was going to pull a cliffhanger on us. Then I started to suspect she was going to drag me on an emotional ride like she did with Lorcan's Desire, and son-of-a-gun, she did!

I'm glad I'm not reviewing for a book site this time, because I'm really short on words to elaborate on the story. But, I still love you, Jo Peterson, and I'm still one of your top fans, so I forgive you for the cliffhanger, and I'm really looking forward to the next story. After all, I started off hating Quinn (Lorcan's MC) and ended up loving him, so I know my feelings for Tek are likely to take an upswing.

I highly recommend the Guards of Folsom series to all.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darum geht's:

Tek ist der Sohn bzw. Stiefsohn des Anführers einer Gang von gesetzlosen Bikern und er wird von frühester Jugend an mit eingebunden, um irgendwann selbst die Führung der Motorradgang zu übernehmen. An seiner Seite sein bester Freund Jamie. Die beiden wurden am gleichen Tag geboren und haben ihr Leben immer miteinander verbracht. Besonders von Tek wird erwartet, dass er sich an den Verbrechen der Gang beteiligt, was ihn zunehmend anwidert. Und die beiden Jungs haben noch mehr zu verbergen, das nur eine einzige Lösung zulässt.

So fand ich's:

Bevor der titelgebende "Guards of Folsom"-Club ins Spiel kommt, lernen wir ausführlich Jamie und Tek kennen. Die beiden gibt es nicht einzeln, sie hängen immer zusammen, und doch brauchen sie lange, bis sie sich gegenseitig ihre Gefühle gestehen, denn im Motorradclub wird Homosexualität auf keinen Fall geduldet. Der Motorradclub zwingt sie auch, an Verbrechen teilzunehmen. Die beiden geben sich abgeklärt, doch besonders Tek leidet darunter und das macht den ersten Teil des Buches ziemlich düster und man spürt ihre Angst neben den Adrenalinkicks deutlich. Im Umgang miteinander merkt man die großen und leidenschaftlichen Gefühle, die die beiden füreinander hegen.

Irgendwann verschlägt es sie nach New York und in den BDSM-Club "Guards of Folsom" und sie beginnen ein bisschen zögerlich, ihr Repertiore an Bettspielen um das zu erweitern, was sie dort im Club mitbekommen. Es sieht ganz nach einem Happy End für Jamie und Tek aus, doch der Schluss birgt einen kleinen Cliffhanger, der erahnen lässt, dass sie ihre Zeit mit dem Motorradclub doch noch nicht komplett hinter sich gelassen haben. Der fünfte und letzte Band "Bound" bzw. "Vereint" führt diese Geschichte fort und deshalb stürze ich mich gleich darauf.

Übrigens finde ich die Titel der deutschen Übersetzungen dieser Reihe ausgesprochen passend gewählt!

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

I'm not a big fan of bikers, so this one was probably never going to be a favorite of mine...but even when the bid the bikes goodbye it still felt dragged out to me. And by the time I got the end, it felt unfinished. The BDSM aspect of the other books hardly plays any part in this book, and while I liked Tek and Jamie, and they had a interesting story, I was just bored. I still love the cover, but the story inside the cover just didn't live up to it.

2.5 stars

[Letti]

I can barely contain my excitement!!!

[AngelFire · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 25%

I've liked some SJD Peterson books but this one was just bad. I really liked how it started! The author did a great job depicting the MCs when they were 12 years old. Their behavior, thought processes and language fit their pre-teen ages very well. Then the boys turned 18 and that's when things fell apart.

So Jamie and Tek have been secretly attracted to each other ever since they engaged in 'practice kissing' at the age of 12. They've been friends since birth and both of them were born into motorcycle club legacy families with their futures written in stone. Tek will be president one day and Jamie will be his lieutenant. Their lives are filled with violence, homophobia and misogyny and I was really excited to read a story about two genuinely bad men who make no excuses for their atrocious behavior but they happen to fall in love with each other. Unfortunately, the author didn't depict these men in a realistic way.

The boys and co go to blow up a rival's warehouse, which was great! Jamie is a bit dumb and ends up with the enemy's gun pressed to his head which made me side eye him but okay, fine. Tek loses his shit in a way that would clue even the dumbest person into the fact that he's got the hots for his buddy. Cue another side eye and me thinking this book wasn't going to go well. Anyway, I did like how they got out of the situation and it ends by Tek shooting the enemy guy because nobody threatens Jamie and gets away with it. That was great! Except...

Tek is overcome by guilt afterwards and Jamie fusses over him, insisting that they share their feelings about the situation with each other. Neither of these things jived with who these men are supposed to be. The author tells us that they had done a lot of 'stuff' for the club from age 16 to 18 already and it's strongly implied that murdering people was part of that stuff. So having Tek throw an angstfest after that situation made me go WTF. And having Jamie hovering over him, hugging him and insisting that they talk about their feelings regarding the situation didn't ring true either. Even worse - the author was obviously fighting the characters during those stupid conversations because the normally flowing dialog suddenly became stilted, unnatural and the boys stopped using contractions. It felt like the author had to physically shove every word into the characters' mouths one by one and they were fighting every step of the way, which is why the dialog was so atrocious. None of it was realistic because guys like this wouldn't be acting like that. The author thought that she could adequately portray these guys as criminals by randomly throwing in the word fuck and constantly referring to women as bitches but having the rest of their dialog and many of their actions not ring true made the overall effect fall flat. In addition, whenever the boys 'speak gangster', it comes across as trying way too hard. It sounds like a teenage boy who just learned some curse words and he throws them into whatever sentence he can create, thinking it makes him look cool. The best example of this was when the guys go to get tattoos and the author refers to the font style used as 'gangsta font'. That little fact perfectly summarizes what's wrong with this story.

[Mathilda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich liebe Tek und Jamie ... Mit einer Review halte ich mich allerdings zurück, bis das offene Ende aufgelöst worden ist.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehhh.... 4.25 stars? More than 4 but not quite 4.5. I feel super high-maintenance giving a quarter-star rating though ;)

I really liked the first 2/3 of this book. The whole thing was well written, Tek and Jamie were great characters and I totally felt their bond. However the last 1/3 or so of the book was just... stagnant. The first bit of the book was very action-packed, lots going on, some angst, some danger... it was really well done. But once our guys escape the motorcycle club and run off together to NYC, the plot kind of just stopped. That last 1/3 was chock full of kink exploration and hot sexy times but it felt like a bit of a letdown after the fast-moving plot we got started with. Not so much moving forward, just kind of... again, stagnant.

This book does end in a sort-of cliffhanger. I guess it could be read as a standalone? If you're happy with where everything is when the book ends. But maybe the slowness of the last third of the book left me craving more action, which the next book in the series (Bound) seems to promise.

[Purplegirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will give this one 2.5 rounded up. This series goes up and down for me. I liked the fact that Tek and Jaime were tortured souls that needed each other. They had a hard upbringing being in a some kind of gang that really didn't make much sense of what they were actually doing. Half the book was the build up to them getting to the club and actually using the rope as it is titled. The book was ok but probably not one I will remember for a long time. The interactions between Tek and Jaime were hot and heartfelt. Very light BDSM. She titled it properly and there wasn't even much rope going on. No angst. If you are looking for D/s then you won't get it from these two.

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very different from any other M/M romance that I've read. The fact that neither of the MC start as upstanding, "good" guys makes this unique to me. The first half of book is about their lives growing up around and as a part of a motorcycle club/gang. The remaining parts of the book are about them as a couple and around the men from the BDSM club. It was made obvious that there is a plan to have them in another book based on the ending. Once I was able to let go of my preconceived thoughts on M/M romances, I was able to enjoy this book.

[Kiki Viki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó volver a los viejos tiempos
Pero definitivamente no tengo autocontrol 🤡🤡

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ~ I truly adore Jo Peterson, definitely as a person, but she constantly blows me away with her writing. 'Roped' is book four in her 'Guards of Folsom' series and each book I think “There's no way she can meet or exceed the previous book”. But, each time, she does, and I believe I'm going to stop wondering how she does it. I have certain authors that no matter what they write, be it romance, paranormal, contemporary, urban fantasy, or a combination of all, I always enjoy their work. SJD Peterson is one of those authors. I want to live in her books and I really want to go to Guards of Folsom, the incredible BDSM club featured in these books. Perhaps, someday, the author will take me to her inspiration. *grins*

Motorcycle gang. A world I have no understanding of except what I've read and/or seen on TV. A violent, misogynistic world of crime, drugs, sex, fear, and brutality. A world where being gay isn't just not allowed, it's a death sentence. This is the world that Tek and Jamie were born into. At eighteen when they both become full fledged members of Crimson VIII, Jamie already knows he's in love with his best friend. Tek, however, is working on denial by screwing anything that moves and is female, even though he keeps hoping he'll eventually feel something. These times where Tek and Jamie are immersed within the gang life are dark times with bloodshed and violence and these scenes were difficult to read but understandable based on the motorcycle culture. When the Feds confront Tek and Jamie with their surveillance outing them as lovers in exchange for a deal, Tek and Jamie know they have no choice but to disappear and head to the East Coast and far away from home. Crimson VIII will kill them for being gay and neither man is willing to rat out their fellow members.

From the beginning of this book I was struck with how different it is in relation to the prior books in the series. So, if you're expecting a story similar to 'Pup', 'Tag Team', or 'Pony', you won't get it. However, entwined amongst the darkness is a powerful story of love and friendship which sheds moments of very intense light into the dark. Jamie and Tek have been together from the moment of birth and their motto of “cradle to grave” isn't just a saying for them. Hiding from the gang and the Feds leads them to New York where Tek gets a job as a bouncer at Guards of Folsom. The club offers some insight for both Jamie and Tek as neither of these men is familiar with the BDSM lifestyle. Interestingly, both of these men are dominant tops, so watching and learning at the club becomes quite entertaining. Of course, they get the best of the best to learn from, i.e. Tackett, Blake, Bobby, Rig, Micah, and Ty.

"Life has a strange way of steering you directly down the path you were meant to travel, ending up at a place you were meant to be. I don't know if I ever believed in the whole destiny, fate, mumbo jumbo or if it was simply a coincidence. All I know is that behind the door of a BDSM club in New York City, I found a job, amazing friends, and discovered a whole new side of me. Damnedest things, those coincidences."

I'll be honest and admit that the majority of my enjoyment of this book happened when Tek and Jamie met up with the Folsom guys whom I already love. That isn't to say I disliked the earlier part of the book. Not at all. It was simply different. Now, I might need to have some words with the author, because she left me hanging a bit at the end. Although, she's also set it up that the next book is probably going to blow everything else out of the water. I grew to adore Jamie and Tek, Jo, so thank you for their story. Now, could you hurry up with the next one? *big grin*

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andddddd this one opens up a new shelve, the bad-ass-alpha-male one.

This was a total surprise, I did not imagine this back story for Tek and Jaime, never in hundred years.

Was amazing, the characters are a amazing. Their bond is beyond love, is so much more.

Their bond is about weakness and strength. Is about love and pain. Is about knowing each other's darkest side and still be there to hold the one you love together.

Even in all their bad ass glory, they are sweet, and caring.

Like I said, where these two are coming from, a total surprise. How they ended up in NYC being part of the GOF gang? Destiny.

But are they in the right place and with the right family to face their past if it comes hunting them? You can bet they are.

I really enjoy the letters, those insights into Tek's mind. He sees the world and himself in a very interesting way.

Even when Jaime sees him in a complete different light, Tek trusts that Jaime sees the better part of him, and still loves all the dark that reminds under the surface.

They love, they dominate, they compromise.

They are oh so beautiful when they submit to each other, so beautiful.

What is not sweet, nor beautiful, are cliffhangers. I need deets on book #5.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit different than the other books in this series. There were parts that made me uncomfortable - Tek and Jamie grew up surrounded by such violence that it became almost normal to them. But through it all they are each other's compass.

Their relationship, throughout Roped, isn't actually a BDSM type relationship, though they have incorporated a bit of kink into their sex lives since Tek took a job as a bouncer at Guards of Folsom. I love their power plays and enjoy waiting to see who comes out on top. Though, sometimes, I think the one that "loses" that battle, really does so on purpose. Neither of them want to be seen as weak and they haven't really figured out that bottoming does not at all make one weak. They'll get there, I think, but they are still young.

So, while not really what I expected, I did think it was quite good. And the ominous ending...just leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Hopefully we will find out in Mauled...in four months. At least there is one thing about February I have to look forward to!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was kind of unexpected since I thought it would be more of a BDSM book. It turned out to be more of an childhood friend to lover mixed in with gangs. The first part deals with Tek and Jamie as they growup within a Crimson VIII gang. There were occasional spats of violence but it seemed removed for the most part and not real dark and gritty. I really didn't feel a level of fear for the characters or their potential discover. Their exit seem too easy as well. Despite the flaw if did do a good job of building a relationship between Tek and Jamie and I couldn't help falling a little in love with them.

The second half brings them into the guards of folsom and the BDSM community. This were it gets more interesting since they end up being two Doms that switch. I do wish this was explored a little bit more instead of them going through the basics then stopping there. The ending also seemed really abrupt to me, so I'm hoping that these two will get another book that will deal with the unresolved past and delve more into the BDSM dynamics between them.

[Cindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite of The Guards of Folsom books. Being born into a bad-ass motorcycle club, the MCs were raised with certain expectations for their future. None of them included a relationship that transcended friendship. The strength of the bond Tek and Jamie formed helped them to survive a near death experience for one, a life on the run for both, and the ability to love and accept each other no matter what. When they eventually find a place they fit in and are able to start a new life, they are surrounded by others with common interests that understand their needs and show them how to explore them. The end of this book left me nervous, as it seemed that a ghost from their past may have found them. Unfinished business!!

** Jamie and Tek are still my fav characters in the Guards of Folsom series. Excited about reading the next book, but I'm also sad. The fifth book, Bound, is the final installment in the series--don't want it to be over.

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 4 out of 5]

SJD Peterson just left me dumbfounded. She took two men who aren't hero material, and had me spellbound from the get go. I fell for both of these men so hard and fast. They had shitty childhoods, in that they never really had any choices about what sort of life they were going to lead. Being a part of an illegal motor cycle gang is not for the faint of heart, and both Tek and Jamie had done things that they regretted, but they still had such an ability to love and care for each other that reading about them was an absolute pleasure for me.
This was very different from the other books in this series, and I loved that. Parts were a bit dark and gritty, but this is a forbidden love story, and I just couldn't read fast enough.
I have to admit that the non-ending killed me, and now I need to know what is going to happen.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Oh, SJD Peterson, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

Biker gangs are the in thing (i.e., Sons of Anarchy), and I was concerned that Roped wouldn’t be a fresh story, but Peterson wrote it, so I had faith. The author gives this novel grit and depth as an amazing story develops through the eyes of two different people. I am typically not a fan of head-hopping, but because Peterson is a consummate professional, this seemed effortless and was absolute perfection.

Narration: Rusty Topsfield has narrated several of SJD Peterson’s books, and is an excellent performer. He has a rather young sounding voice, but with a hard edge, which really lent itself well to this story.

Great book and great narration.

Reviewed by Amy for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...

[Chris-Wait-For-It-Awesome]

dnf
I mean seriously hot, bad ass bikers who giggle SO MUCH???
Please tell me where can I read a good MC romance story?
It had potential and I will probably finish it at sometime because I simply love the author, but it's over for now
I will still continue with the series though (if there is a 5th book)

[Wicked Witch of the Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!
Tek & Jamie had a beautiful story! I dare say the most beautiful among Guards of Folsom.
Because I've read Mauled first, I was confused about a few parts here & there... But now things are cleared up.
The whole series was good, but Roped was amazing. Can't wait to read Bounded!

[FantasyLiving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh? Where is my review gone?

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tek and Jamie had grown up together, being born on the same day, and spending every minute together. They join the local MC but after a while they are sort out by the Feds. Rather than turn on the club they go on the run. After a while they arrive in NYC and Tek gets a job as a bouncer at The Guards of Flosom club.
Nice to catch up with the previous book couples.
I read many reviews before I read this book. I liked it but probbaly not my favorite.

[Aerielle Bondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roped is my favorite of the Folsom books. I love the rawness of this story. Tek and Jamie grow up immersed in the MC lifestyle. Guns, drugs, death are all normalcies for these two young guys. Their love for each other is something they know will never be accepted. They strike out on their own and eventually land at the Guards of Folsom.

[Mystisith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ rounded to 4. Schizophrenic book. 55% MC stuff with gangs, homophobia and ultraviolence (not really my things) then we get a complete change of tone and atmosphere with 45% BDSM club stuff discovery for newbies (very much my style). It really feels like someone took the material for 2 different books and tried to put pressure so that it would stick together.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is for me, so I know why I didn't like it :)

DNF. I could not get into this book! At all. I didn't like the violence and sex with women (the sex because I wanted to read a m/m book not m/f). And I am not a fan of when books start when they are kids (given I am a grown woman ... it's weird for me).

[Laura Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahh! Woah! Omg! Lol. Awesome book with two hunky, hot, masculine lovers and what a last line! Can't wait for the next one :)

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series just gets better and better with each book, i seriously can not wait to read the last one, i just hope everything will be okay for tek and jamie!! they are my favorite couple!!

[Danna Iuliana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Queer romance with a little spice. Really part one of a split story with the final book in this series, Bound. This one felt like it was all action without emotional resonance.