Taboo: Fire & Desire

by Evan J. Xavier

Justice Phoenix is the resident college playboy in a conservative southern college town. He has money and he has the looks, but what he truly craves is forbidden.

Genres: M M Romance

Unknown Binding

First published March 31, 2013

About the author

Evan J. Xavier is the author of kinky, taboo gay erotica. He's self-deprecating, semi-cool, quirky, lover of all things James Franco, and a perfect southern gentleman when he's not horizontal. Born, raised and devirginized in Alabama. Currently living in Chicago.

Reviews

[Ruby Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoiler Alert*

Taboo: Fire & Desire is a gay erotica story with heart. I appreciated the development of the primary character (Justice Phoenix) and that Evan weaves in emotional elements, that in my opinion, enhance the 'flavor' of this erotica story/novella. As a female reader, this makes it more interesting and peaks my curiosity.

Evan's 'intimate' scenes always get me aroused and I especially enjoyed those between Justice and the aforementioned 'forbidden' character who becomes his future lover. Justice transforms from a spoiled young man in college who goes from one hook up to the next, to someone who seeks a life less lonely, having never really considered a real loving relationship. (Or maybe never really had the opportunity...)

There is also the element of betrayal, dealing with the realities of a privileged life. We soon find out that those who love you will protect you. Which, as we all know, is H-O-T.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's not really anything taboo about this book. Justice thinks he's in love with his cousin but that isn't who he ends up with. He does end up with a older guy, but age difference and a hint of daddy play does not a taboo book make.
Enough of the misleading title, on to the story, or the loose plot that threads loads of sex scenes together. And note that's sex not sexy, there's nothing sexy about anal without lube, or warning.
The end relationship has no development, it progresses in time jumps with the reader being told about it rather than seeing it. Most of the characters are unlikeable including Justice, the MC.
Erotica not erotic romance even thought the barely fleshed out plot will try to convince you otherwise.

[Guy Venturi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gay fluffed-nutter sandwich

Storyline strong enough to maintain a semi-, but not enough to harden for the glory shot.

Good situational descriptions, but could have been expanded with stronger emotions and more believable characters. Some flashback or referenced events could have added more conflict to the story while upping the intellectual and emotional strands in the weaving of the tail (or tale) into a cohesive series of knots: not enough passion, not enough interaction, not enough background information, and not enough real character development.

Perhaps since this is the first book I have read in a series, the weak areas may have been handled (fondled) better in the preceding books of this series. I look for more than just erotic incidents tied together only by the presence of the same character in each situation.

As I said before: too much fluff and not enough nut to make this book hang around for a reread. Still, I did enjoy it.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another insta-love formula. The MCs did not feel accessible early in the narrative. The lack of witty banter or an early hook to grab attention had me setting this aside after 13%.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this short story. A free read from AMAZON.

[☘KathyD☘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad story, it just seemed a bit disjointed to me.