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Bodies and Souls #1
Flesh Market
Special Agent Leo Gale is up a creek. A year and a half of deep cover is about to go up in flames. He needs help--something, someone to salvage the operation and save the lives of untold numbers of trafficked teenagers. But he isn’t expecting the partner they send, or his own gut-punch of a response to the man.Julian worked hard for that FBI Honors Internship. It’s supposed to be a foot in the door. He’d never expected it to catapult him into the middle of a major undercover operation. Yet here he is, sleeping on a filthy mattress and using every trick in the book to avoid torture--and worse. He’s never felt so scared, or so alive, in his entire life, and he’s not sure if it’s the danger, or Leo, that’s making his heart race.There’s no time to think about it, though. The operation is heating up, and Leo and Julian are running out of time and options. They must find a way to take the traffickers down, before Julian becomes just a set of organs on the flesh market.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
104 people want to read
About the author
Kate Lowell
13 books66 followersKate Lowell lives on the east coast of Canada, in an old farm house that has way more personality than it has any right to. During the winter, she spends her time dreading snow, cursing at snow, shoveling snow, and scheming ways to shove it down the kids' necks. During the summer, she prays not to have snow. :)
Kate likes to play in ALL the sandboxes. While her main genres are paranormal and contemporary suspense, she is also interested in science fiction, fantasy and--weirdly--romantic comedy. She's willing to pay large amounts of money to anyone who can come up with plot-bunny repellent, which she will first use on herself, then sell to LA Witt for an exorbitant price to recoup her costs.
You can contact her at katelowellbooks (at) gmail.com . If you think you’d like to try writing gay romance, come visit her critique group (Link can be found at http://katelowell.com). New members are always welcome.
Kate likes to play in ALL the sandboxes. While her main genres are paranormal and contemporary suspense, she is also interested in science fiction, fantasy and--weirdly--romantic comedy. She's willing to pay large amounts of money to anyone who can come up with plot-bunny repellent, which she will first use on herself, then sell to LA Witt for an exorbitant price to recoup her costs.
You can contact her at katelowellbooks (at) gmail.com . If you think you’d like to try writing gay romance, come visit her critique group (Link can be found at http://katelowell.com). New members are always welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 17, 2016
I was able to find out that this book is the first in a trilogy. There was no cliffhanger or resolution to the relationship, the promise is that it will be resolved with the next book(s).
Because of this, I do not feel I can properly review this book. I will refrain from reviewing this until the trilogy is complete.
Galley copy of Flesh Market provided by Pride Promotions in exchange of an honest review.
OMG, I'm fucking speechless. My stomach actually hurts. I'm a total HEA girl, but have been known to accept HFN will relative ease. But this? It wasn't a cliffhanger, it was worse! No. Resolution. I'm going to have to put spoilers in my review because I really don't want to give away the ending of anyone's book, but I can tell you with no uncertainty that the ending was a slap in the face.
Because of this, I do not feel I can properly review this book. I will refrain from reviewing this until the trilogy is complete.
Galley copy of Flesh Market provided by Pride Promotions in exchange of an honest review.
November 6, 2015
A review by The Blogger Girls.
Leo Gale has been an agent for about 10 years, deeply undercover for a year and a half. He is just about convinced his cover is blown when, in fact, he is actually being promoted to the position of procurement and processing of the sex trafficking ring. Still believing he is close to being in trouble, he calls his handlers for some help.
This is where Julian comes in. He’s barely out of school, interning for the FBI hoping it will be a step in the right direction to becoming an agent. He is on the path to be an analyst, but he has the exact look they need for the operation and hope his inexperience will actually help him play the part as well. He is sent in as bait to be picked up as merchandise.
These guys face a lot of struggles keeping up the charade. Julian must endure beatings and forced sexual situations the likes of which he hadn’t fully contemplated. After it became apparent Leo needed him there for more than the few days he thought it would take, Julian’s contact with the other victims and hatred for those in charge, made his decision to stick it out pretty easy.
These guys had an attraction right away – was it just the excitement, fear and adrenalin rush of the job which forced them together, or was there something more? Is their age gap an issue? Will Julian eventually run off with someone younger, as Leo believes? They carry out the job the best they can and are then faced with those questions and a few more, in addition to dealing with the aftermath of the operation.
A majority of this story takes place during the operation where they continue to try and obtain enough evidence to take it all down. Once it is over, the story jumps 2 years, of which the guys are apart and not speaking. I really would have liked to know more about what happened with Julian during this time, his recovery, etc. At the end, I was still not convinced it wasn’t the job that sparked their mutual desire, but was happy to see they were both willing to give it a go and see how things went. Julian is off for six months of training, so it will be a while before they can actually put this plan into action. I’d say they are happy for now.
I found this to be a quick read. There are POV changes that took me a second to realize who was speaking, but all in all, I had no trouble following along. There are beatings, and medical scenes along with the forced sexual situations, and while the first two were pretty well detailed, the last not so much. I found I wanted more details of what Julian went through, but that might make it easier for some to handle. I’m looking forward to seeing where these guys go from here and eagerly await the next installment.
Leo Gale has been an agent for about 10 years, deeply undercover for a year and a half. He is just about convinced his cover is blown when, in fact, he is actually being promoted to the position of procurement and processing of the sex trafficking ring. Still believing he is close to being in trouble, he calls his handlers for some help.
This is where Julian comes in. He’s barely out of school, interning for the FBI hoping it will be a step in the right direction to becoming an agent. He is on the path to be an analyst, but he has the exact look they need for the operation and hope his inexperience will actually help him play the part as well. He is sent in as bait to be picked up as merchandise.
These guys face a lot of struggles keeping up the charade. Julian must endure beatings and forced sexual situations the likes of which he hadn’t fully contemplated. After it became apparent Leo needed him there for more than the few days he thought it would take, Julian’s contact with the other victims and hatred for those in charge, made his decision to stick it out pretty easy.
These guys had an attraction right away – was it just the excitement, fear and adrenalin rush of the job which forced them together, or was there something more? Is their age gap an issue? Will Julian eventually run off with someone younger, as Leo believes? They carry out the job the best they can and are then faced with those questions and a few more, in addition to dealing with the aftermath of the operation.
A majority of this story takes place during the operation where they continue to try and obtain enough evidence to take it all down. Once it is over, the story jumps 2 years, of which the guys are apart and not speaking. I really would have liked to know more about what happened with Julian during this time, his recovery, etc. At the end, I was still not convinced it wasn’t the job that sparked their mutual desire, but was happy to see they were both willing to give it a go and see how things went. Julian is off for six months of training, so it will be a while before they can actually put this plan into action. I’d say they are happy for now.
I found this to be a quick read. There are POV changes that took me a second to realize who was speaking, but all in all, I had no trouble following along. There are beatings, and medical scenes along with the forced sexual situations, and while the first two were pretty well detailed, the last not so much. I found I wanted more details of what Julian went through, but that might make it easier for some to handle. I’m looking forward to seeing where these guys go from here and eagerly await the next installment.
December 22, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
This is a riveting, nail-biting, action-adventure with a few very dark moments as two men go undercover to bust a ring trafficking in prostitution and organ harvesting.
FBI Special Agent Leo Gale was planted undercover over a year ago to infiltrate a ring specializing in kidnapping young, well-to-do teens. It’s slow going, and he’s helpless to stop the kidnapping of these young men and women who are trained and sold into prostitution nearly every day. He needs to decide whether to blow his cover and call in a raid, or stick it out. Just after he receives a message saying help is on the way, he finds himself promoted to the procurement team. And when his help arrives, it isn’t in the form of a rescue—it’s another agent, a young man named Julian Fitzroy.
Julian is actually an intern in the analyst division of FBI headquarters when Leo’s boss spots him and decides he’d be perfect for the job of going in as a kidnapped teen. Promising him a spot in the next FBI training class, he gets Julian set up for Leo to procure. The two are immediately attracted to each other, despite the fact that Leo is in his late thirties. He’s never given Julian’s background, but he figures Julian is about twenty-five or so, and he also assumes he’s been an agent for a year or more. Julian’s immediate task is to survive the training, aka torture, without blowing his or Leo’s cover.
He does, and together they uncover the fact that this “flesh market” is not only kidnapping young men and women for prostitution, but they’re also kidnapping those who aren’t so handsome or beautiful for a secondary market—organ harvesting. When they find out that the boys and girls who aren’t able to be broken for service prostitution are moved to the organ harvesting program, both men decide they must put an end to this travesty, no matter what. Julian refuses to allow Leo to call a halt to the operation until they get their hands on the data for the operation, even though it puts him in jeopardy.
The author takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions as Julian manages to survive beatings and a night with a wealthy client and his other “boy.” The descriptions of some of the activities related to captivity and organ harvesting may be too dark for some readers, so caution is advised. However, overall, the story itself is extremely interesting, and the way the author works through the finale and solution to getting the men out of there is very heavy in action and suspense.
There is no HEA, but the HFN is satisfying, and it’s very evident that there will be a sequel. This story would be perfect for those who enjoy age gap, law enforcement, and/or dark themes.
This is a riveting, nail-biting, action-adventure with a few very dark moments as two men go undercover to bust a ring trafficking in prostitution and organ harvesting.
FBI Special Agent Leo Gale was planted undercover over a year ago to infiltrate a ring specializing in kidnapping young, well-to-do teens. It’s slow going, and he’s helpless to stop the kidnapping of these young men and women who are trained and sold into prostitution nearly every day. He needs to decide whether to blow his cover and call in a raid, or stick it out. Just after he receives a message saying help is on the way, he finds himself promoted to the procurement team. And when his help arrives, it isn’t in the form of a rescue—it’s another agent, a young man named Julian Fitzroy.
Julian is actually an intern in the analyst division of FBI headquarters when Leo’s boss spots him and decides he’d be perfect for the job of going in as a kidnapped teen. Promising him a spot in the next FBI training class, he gets Julian set up for Leo to procure. The two are immediately attracted to each other, despite the fact that Leo is in his late thirties. He’s never given Julian’s background, but he figures Julian is about twenty-five or so, and he also assumes he’s been an agent for a year or more. Julian’s immediate task is to survive the training, aka torture, without blowing his or Leo’s cover.
He does, and together they uncover the fact that this “flesh market” is not only kidnapping young men and women for prostitution, but they’re also kidnapping those who aren’t so handsome or beautiful for a secondary market—organ harvesting. When they find out that the boys and girls who aren’t able to be broken for service prostitution are moved to the organ harvesting program, both men decide they must put an end to this travesty, no matter what. Julian refuses to allow Leo to call a halt to the operation until they get their hands on the data for the operation, even though it puts him in jeopardy.
The author takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions as Julian manages to survive beatings and a night with a wealthy client and his other “boy.” The descriptions of some of the activities related to captivity and organ harvesting may be too dark for some readers, so caution is advised. However, overall, the story itself is extremely interesting, and the way the author works through the finale and solution to getting the men out of there is very heavy in action and suspense.
There is no HEA, but the HFN is satisfying, and it’s very evident that there will be a sequel. This story would be perfect for those who enjoy age gap, law enforcement, and/or dark themes.
December 21, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Typically I do not start off my review explaining my rating…except with this book I am still at a loss as to how I feel about it after having read it twice! To be honest with all of you, there is so very little to “like” about this book – there is organ harvesting, rape, sex trafficking, and other not so pleasant events occurring within these pages. Yet, at the same time, I think that when this series is all said and done, it has the makings for being something stellar – if only some of my questions end up getting solved later on down the road. As this is the first book in what I believe is to be a multi-book series, readers need to be aware that you are not going to get closure at the end of this book. Readers also should know that there is very little in the way of romance happening on the pages. There are glimpses of moments where you think there may be the feelings there, but the situation these two men find themselves in is so bizarre and traumatic for both of them that I wondered whether it is just two people connecting because of necessity or whether there may be something more. Anyway, I rated this book a solid 4 just on the story itself, in its current form, but withhold the right to revise my rating after the entire series is released because this series has the potential of being a solid 5 star!
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Typically I do not start off my review explaining my rating…except with this book I am still at a loss as to how I feel about it after having read it twice! To be honest with all of you, there is so very little to “like” about this book – there is organ harvesting, rape, sex trafficking, and other not so pleasant events occurring within these pages. Yet, at the same time, I think that when this series is all said and done, it has the makings for being something stellar – if only some of my questions end up getting solved later on down the road. As this is the first book in what I believe is to be a multi-book series, readers need to be aware that you are not going to get closure at the end of this book. Readers also should know that there is very little in the way of romance happening on the pages. There are glimpses of moments where you think there may be the feelings there, but the situation these two men find themselves in is so bizarre and traumatic for both of them that I wondered whether it is just two people connecting because of necessity or whether there may be something more. Anyway, I rated this book a solid 4 just on the story itself, in its current form, but withhold the right to revise my rating after the entire series is released because this series has the potential of being a solid 5 star!
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
November 4, 2015
So I will be honest and say I love crime books and books with a lot of action but this one was just not for me.. This is were I will give a warning that parts of this book may be hard for some to read.
This book was just so confusing trying to keep up with everything that happened and the shifting POV's. Now there is a line with what I am comfortable reading and what is not comfortable for me to read at all. There were a few parts in this book that were uncomfortable for me to read.
I really did not see these two MC's fitting well together at all with some of the things that had happened to them in this book.
Julian went undercover as being kidnapped by Leo who is also undercover trying to stop this teen trafficking ring. I thought some things in this book were glossed over like what had happened to Julian and he got over some of it a little faster then I thought was normal..
I did like were the author was going with this story but I really felt no connection between these two MC's, some of this book was also so confusing and I had a hard time wrapping my head around some of what happened. So I am sad to say this but this book was just not for me...
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was just so confusing trying to keep up with everything that happened and the shifting POV's. Now there is a line with what I am comfortable reading and what is not comfortable for me to read at all. There were a few parts in this book that were uncomfortable for me to read.
I really did not see these two MC's fitting well together at all with some of the things that had happened to them in this book.
Julian went undercover as being kidnapped by Leo who is also undercover trying to stop this teen trafficking ring. I thought some things in this book were glossed over like what had happened to Julian and he got over some of it a little faster then I thought was normal..
I did like were the author was going with this story but I really felt no connection between these two MC's, some of this book was also so confusing and I had a hard time wrapping my head around some of what happened. So I am sad to say this but this book was just not for me...
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
November 6, 2015
4.5 Stars
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
First I want to say that there can be triggers here for rape, abuse, murder and sex trafficking.
What do I say?? It took me a while to read this book because I had to keep taking breaks just to deal with all the abuse and rape. This is my first book by Kate Lowell and I loved it. Ms. Lowell writes in a way that just draws you into the story. There were many characters and it was sometime hard to keep up with them as they came and went, but that would be typical for this type of book that deal with sex trafficking. I loved Julian and Leo and had an immediate connection with Julian. Julian’s character was very well developed whereas Leo was not as developed. What we saw of Leo was mostly his undercover personality, although we did get a quick glimpse at the end of the book. I am looking forward to the next installment.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
First I want to say that there can be triggers here for rape, abuse, murder and sex trafficking.
What do I say?? It took me a while to read this book because I had to keep taking breaks just to deal with all the abuse and rape. This is my first book by Kate Lowell and I loved it. Ms. Lowell writes in a way that just draws you into the story. There were many characters and it was sometime hard to keep up with them as they came and went, but that would be typical for this type of book that deal with sex trafficking. I loved Julian and Leo and had an immediate connection with Julian. Julian’s character was very well developed whereas Leo was not as developed. What we saw of Leo was mostly his undercover personality, although we did get a quick glimpse at the end of the book. I am looking forward to the next installment.
September 30, 2024
This book is one massive cliffhanger/unresolved shitshow, and the author has apparently been MIA for nearly a decade. So I think it's reasonably safe to say we're not getting anything more. Thus, 1-star for the abandoned unresolved waste of time.
November 15, 2015
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Leo is so deep undercover, he doesn't know how he is gonna get out of it. He needs a miracle, to get him, and the kids, out of the terrible place they find themselves. He just never expected that miracle to be called Julian. Julian is an analyst for the FBI, but gets recruited to an undercover job at the tender age of 20. He never thought he would end up bound, and beaten but the kids involved had been subject to far, far worse. Leo and Julian just need to get themselves, and as many of the kids as they can out, before Julian ends up too deep.
Dark, so very dark, its taken me three days to get round to finding the words to write. BUT equally brilliant in its darkness.
Kids are being taken, ordinary, everyday kids, not the usually runaways, troublesome teenagers. Your best friend, their sister or brother, and it takes a long time for the FBI to see the pattern there is. Leo is in to find out who is in charge and to take it all down. But the ring is far deeper, and deadlier than anyone first imagined. It takes Leo being "promoted" for him to discover just how far these people will go to cover their tracks.
Leo knew he was in a bad place, and couldn't get out on his own. His reaction to Julian is so strong, you can almost taste it. Everything between these two is so well written, you can feel it, you really can.
It carries some very heavy triggers, kidnapping, rape, child prostitution, black market organ harvesting. Some readers may struggle with this, I did, and I have no triggers.
What I particularly loved about this book, is that there was some things left unsaid. We know that Julian is "bought and paid for", it tells us, but we DON'T get it. Right til the end, its never fully laid out for you, you just get bits, hints and snippets of how Julian felt. I LOVED that. I LOVED that, between Julian and Leo, their scenes together, are so brilliant, they really are!
I loved that their happy ending isn't immediate, after getting out. It takes time for them both to deal with the aftermath.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the book, its subject matter, but I knew when I finished it was a five star read. If it takes you three days to find the words, its never going to be anything else.
Its the darkness behind it all. Just how close to it all you could really be. Makes you think. Makes you keep your 14 yr old on a tighter rein.
The child kidnapping ring is left fully unsolved, and I assume this will run into book two in the series. Will Leo and Julian be part of that book?? I bloody hope so. I hope I get to read it too. Even if they aren't in it, I want to read it. Its a kind of...whats the word....can't find it, but you know what I mean? Its like, you KNOW its gonna be painful, whatever happens, you KNOW its gonna be dark and affect you deeply, but you also KNOW you absolutely must read it.
five stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble and on Divine Magazine listing for this book. A slightly different worded review will appear on Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon.com**
Leo is so deep undercover, he doesn't know how he is gonna get out of it. He needs a miracle, to get him, and the kids, out of the terrible place they find themselves. He just never expected that miracle to be called Julian. Julian is an analyst for the FBI, but gets recruited to an undercover job at the tender age of 20. He never thought he would end up bound, and beaten but the kids involved had been subject to far, far worse. Leo and Julian just need to get themselves, and as many of the kids as they can out, before Julian ends up too deep.
Dark, so very dark, its taken me three days to get round to finding the words to write. BUT equally brilliant in its darkness.
Kids are being taken, ordinary, everyday kids, not the usually runaways, troublesome teenagers. Your best friend, their sister or brother, and it takes a long time for the FBI to see the pattern there is. Leo is in to find out who is in charge and to take it all down. But the ring is far deeper, and deadlier than anyone first imagined. It takes Leo being "promoted" for him to discover just how far these people will go to cover their tracks.
Leo knew he was in a bad place, and couldn't get out on his own. His reaction to Julian is so strong, you can almost taste it. Everything between these two is so well written, you can feel it, you really can.
It carries some very heavy triggers, kidnapping, rape, child prostitution, black market organ harvesting. Some readers may struggle with this, I did, and I have no triggers.
What I particularly loved about this book, is that there was some things left unsaid. We know that Julian is "bought and paid for", it tells us, but we DON'T get it. Right til the end, its never fully laid out for you, you just get bits, hints and snippets of how Julian felt. I LOVED that. I LOVED that, between Julian and Leo, their scenes together, are so brilliant, they really are!
I loved that their happy ending isn't immediate, after getting out. It takes time for them both to deal with the aftermath.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the book, its subject matter, but I knew when I finished it was a five star read. If it takes you three days to find the words, its never going to be anything else.
Its the darkness behind it all. Just how close to it all you could really be. Makes you think. Makes you keep your 14 yr old on a tighter rein.
The child kidnapping ring is left fully unsolved, and I assume this will run into book two in the series. Will Leo and Julian be part of that book?? I bloody hope so. I hope I get to read it too. Even if they aren't in it, I want to read it. Its a kind of...whats the word....can't find it, but you know what I mean? Its like, you KNOW its gonna be painful, whatever happens, you KNOW its gonna be dark and affect you deeply, but you also KNOW you absolutely must read it.
five stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble and on Divine Magazine listing for this book. A slightly different worded review will appear on Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon.com**
February 15, 2016
My Review:
This was a book I'd bought on my own and hadn't really planned to review it because the content of the story is really very dark. This is NOT a light, happy read. But it is a very good read, and that's why I decided to go ahead and review it.
While the beginning of the story takes a while to really get going, once it did, I could not put the book down...staying up until after 2:00 AM to finish reading it. I was completely taken with Leo and Julian's drama and how in the world they were ever going to escape this world. See, they are both working for the FBI. Leo's been undercover forever in this human trafficking world with very little to show for it. So Julian, who's not as trained as he should be, is sent in as one of the trafficked kids. He's only 20, but can pass for 15. Leo has to keep him alive and as safe as possible...which isn't very much since the kids are beaten, mutilated, raped, and killed at the whims of very sick people.
At moments the book is extremely graphic, but at other times it feels almost mild compared to other books I've read on this subject. The worst of the sordid sex scenes happen off the page, but there are other scenes which made me feel utterly wretched for having read them, especially knowing that these things do happen to kids every day in our world. It's horrific.
It's especially horrific for Julian and Leo who are doing everything they can to keep themselves alive and those around them as safe as possible. Something that they aren't always successful at. Kids die...that's a reality in this book, and you need to know that going into reading this. It's not for the faint of heart. In the midst of this horror, the two heroes find safety and security in one another and form a very tight bond...something that probably would never happen normally for them since Leo is in his late 30s and Julian is 20. But these are extreme, highly emotional, and stressful circumstances that put them in a different mindset than they would be in their normal lives. I liked how that worked for them. It worked as believable for me as the reader.
But this isn't necessarily a happily ever after. Don't get me wrong...this is NOT an unhappy ending or cliffhanger. With no spoilers here, I liked the way the author wrote the ending. The circumstances after they get out of all this and what happened with them felt very right for what they went through. With that being said, the ending is very open-ended. The book also says that it's book #1. I'm hoping that means the author plans to bring us more of Leo and Julian. If she does, I'll be there waiting for the next book. I definitely want to read it.
This was a book I'd bought on my own and hadn't really planned to review it because the content of the story is really very dark. This is NOT a light, happy read. But it is a very good read, and that's why I decided to go ahead and review it.
While the beginning of the story takes a while to really get going, once it did, I could not put the book down...staying up until after 2:00 AM to finish reading it. I was completely taken with Leo and Julian's drama and how in the world they were ever going to escape this world. See, they are both working for the FBI. Leo's been undercover forever in this human trafficking world with very little to show for it. So Julian, who's not as trained as he should be, is sent in as one of the trafficked kids. He's only 20, but can pass for 15. Leo has to keep him alive and as safe as possible...which isn't very much since the kids are beaten, mutilated, raped, and killed at the whims of very sick people.
At moments the book is extremely graphic, but at other times it feels almost mild compared to other books I've read on this subject. The worst of the sordid sex scenes happen off the page, but there are other scenes which made me feel utterly wretched for having read them, especially knowing that these things do happen to kids every day in our world. It's horrific.
It's especially horrific for Julian and Leo who are doing everything they can to keep themselves alive and those around them as safe as possible. Something that they aren't always successful at. Kids die...that's a reality in this book, and you need to know that going into reading this. It's not for the faint of heart. In the midst of this horror, the two heroes find safety and security in one another and form a very tight bond...something that probably would never happen normally for them since Leo is in his late 30s and Julian is 20. But these are extreme, highly emotional, and stressful circumstances that put them in a different mindset than they would be in their normal lives. I liked how that worked for them. It worked as believable for me as the reader.
But this isn't necessarily a happily ever after. Don't get me wrong...this is NOT an unhappy ending or cliffhanger. With no spoilers here, I liked the way the author wrote the ending. The circumstances after they get out of all this and what happened with them felt very right for what they went through. With that being said, the ending is very open-ended. The book also says that it's book #1. I'm hoping that means the author plans to bring us more of Leo and Julian. If she does, I'll be there waiting for the next book. I definitely want to read it.
November 4, 2015
Flesh Market (Bodies and Souls #1) by Kate Lowell
4 stars
M/M Mystery, thriller
Triggers: Sex Trafficking, Black market bodies, murder, rape, abuse
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This was an action packed story. It had a lot of components that were all moving at once, but somehow didn't seem too cluttered of a story. I really enjoyed the fact that the reader had a connection to Ethan. It was a little bit like Schindler's list - looking for someone, just like everyone else in that film. It helped me feel more connected to the story.
I enjoyed Julian and his attitude towards what was being asked of him. I wish that we had been given more of his back story - we were given snippets, but not enough to really develop anything substantial. He was a motivated book and numbers guy who found himself thrust into a situation that he was unprepared for - he found himself attracted to his handler and he was told that he had to perform, or else.
There was not very much emotion in this story, but Lowell was able to convey some of the emotions that Julian felt during very specific parts of the story. It seemed that Lowell wanted there to be more romance involved, but the romance for me was just a side note and one that I did not feel really added to the story. It was almost an afterthought - how can a relationship form during the most intense experience of a young life? Can it succeed? Is it real? Those were all questions that Lowell answered to an extent, but I felt that the love story did lack development.
Then you have Leo. All we really know of Leo is that he is a capable undercover agent who is trying his damnedest to save all of the children who are being tracked and killed. There seems to be little character development for him - and you don't really get to see his "reality" character, only his undercover one.
Overall, this was a strong thriller, but it did leave the door open for more. Hopefully we find out more about this ring and where they scattered to in the next installment.
4 stars
M/M Mystery, thriller
Triggers: Sex Trafficking, Black market bodies, murder, rape, abuse
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This was an action packed story. It had a lot of components that were all moving at once, but somehow didn't seem too cluttered of a story. I really enjoyed the fact that the reader had a connection to Ethan. It was a little bit like Schindler's list - looking for someone, just like everyone else in that film. It helped me feel more connected to the story.
I enjoyed Julian and his attitude towards what was being asked of him. I wish that we had been given more of his back story - we were given snippets, but not enough to really develop anything substantial. He was a motivated book and numbers guy who found himself thrust into a situation that he was unprepared for - he found himself attracted to his handler and he was told that he had to perform, or else.
There was not very much emotion in this story, but Lowell was able to convey some of the emotions that Julian felt during very specific parts of the story. It seemed that Lowell wanted there to be more romance involved, but the romance for me was just a side note and one that I did not feel really added to the story. It was almost an afterthought - how can a relationship form during the most intense experience of a young life? Can it succeed? Is it real? Those were all questions that Lowell answered to an extent, but I felt that the love story did lack development.
Then you have Leo. All we really know of Leo is that he is a capable undercover agent who is trying his damnedest to save all of the children who are being tracked and killed. There seems to be little character development for him - and you don't really get to see his "reality" character, only his undercover one.
Overall, this was a strong thriller, but it did leave the door open for more. Hopefully we find out more about this ring and where they scattered to in the next installment.
June 9, 2016
4.25 stars
I was instantly pulled in the world of the book, unfortunately it’s not an easy world to be in. This is a rather dark tale about prostitution, rape, human trafficking and more.
FBI Agent Leo Gale is deep undercover working on busting a human trafficking ring that targets young men and women. He’s a bit on the edge, living for so long in the darkness it’s beginning to consume him. He wants to be done with the case but doesn’t want to give up and let the bad guys in. His chance at success improves when he’s promoted to ‘intake.’ Unfortunately, it also means he needs help. His superiors send in Julian, a young intern who can pass for a teenager.
What follows is a taut, tension-filled game of Leo and Julian toeing the line of what is legal and doing what is needed for the case. Doing so comes at great personal and emotional loss of both men.
Julian puts up with verbal and physical abuse at the hands of his captors in order to successfully portray a young man and Leo has to keep up the act as a hardened criminal.
However, alone in Leo’s room, he and Julian are able to somewhat relax and this is when we get to see the real them. These were the moments I loved and adored. The sex between them was hot, but not on the romantic side. They needed to connect and feel something besides the evil around them. Their connection and chemistry was beyond intense. I ached for these guys to be together once the case is over.
However, that doesn’t happen here. Readers who require an HEA will not find one here. The action that puts an end to the investigation took my breath away and I wanted a great reunion for the two men. The fact it didn’t happen didn’t harm the story for me. The plot of the story was resolved, even if the relationship wasn’t all the way.
If your tastes wander to hurt/comfort and dark tales this book is for you.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
I was instantly pulled in the world of the book, unfortunately it’s not an easy world to be in. This is a rather dark tale about prostitution, rape, human trafficking and more.
FBI Agent Leo Gale is deep undercover working on busting a human trafficking ring that targets young men and women. He’s a bit on the edge, living for so long in the darkness it’s beginning to consume him. He wants to be done with the case but doesn’t want to give up and let the bad guys in. His chance at success improves when he’s promoted to ‘intake.’ Unfortunately, it also means he needs help. His superiors send in Julian, a young intern who can pass for a teenager.
What follows is a taut, tension-filled game of Leo and Julian toeing the line of what is legal and doing what is needed for the case. Doing so comes at great personal and emotional loss of both men.
Julian puts up with verbal and physical abuse at the hands of his captors in order to successfully portray a young man and Leo has to keep up the act as a hardened criminal.
However, alone in Leo’s room, he and Julian are able to somewhat relax and this is when we get to see the real them. These were the moments I loved and adored. The sex between them was hot, but not on the romantic side. They needed to connect and feel something besides the evil around them. Their connection and chemistry was beyond intense. I ached for these guys to be together once the case is over.
However, that doesn’t happen here. Readers who require an HEA will not find one here. The action that puts an end to the investigation took my breath away and I wanted a great reunion for the two men. The fact it didn’t happen didn’t harm the story for me. The plot of the story was resolved, even if the relationship wasn’t all the way.
If your tastes wander to hurt/comfort and dark tales this book is for you.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
December 30, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
I love this story. I loved Julian and Leo. They go through so much while they’re undercover. They make some tough decisions and my heart hurts for Julian and what happened to him. I so didn’t think they were going to make it through at times. Right at the end of the operation I thought Julian was done for sure!
It was hard to read some of the details and things that happened in the trafficking ring. But the details are well laid out and clearly researched. The topic was handled well despite the graphic nature of the topic.
I loved how the relationship between Julian and Leo built slowly while they were undercover and they made sure there weren’t issues once they were back. You could tell they were taking the right path for them. The ending is a solid happy for now. They have firm plans to make a relationship work once they get somewhere permanent. It’s the first book in a new series and I cannot wait to read more from these characters and the world created. I desperately need the sequel to this book. I hope the open ends, few though they may be, get tied up in the following books. I want David to have a story too. He is such a sweetie and is such a help to Julian. I also need a story where Shiro is saved and finds his happy ending.
Four and a half stars!
I love this story. I loved Julian and Leo. They go through so much while they’re undercover. They make some tough decisions and my heart hurts for Julian and what happened to him. I so didn’t think they were going to make it through at times. Right at the end of the operation I thought Julian was done for sure!
It was hard to read some of the details and things that happened in the trafficking ring. But the details are well laid out and clearly researched. The topic was handled well despite the graphic nature of the topic.
I loved how the relationship between Julian and Leo built slowly while they were undercover and they made sure there weren’t issues once they were back. You could tell they were taking the right path for them. The ending is a solid happy for now. They have firm plans to make a relationship work once they get somewhere permanent. It’s the first book in a new series and I cannot wait to read more from these characters and the world created. I desperately need the sequel to this book. I hope the open ends, few though they may be, get tied up in the following books. I want David to have a story too. He is such a sweetie and is such a help to Julian. I also need a story where Shiro is saved and finds his happy ending.
February 24, 2016
Like most others here, I really feel I have to explain myself with this review. This is a very difficult book. Obviously the topic is a tough one as it is, and Lowell has captured it in a startlingly vivid fashion. I often felt physically sick with some of what I read.....but it is likely the truth of the disgust that is the sex trade. Human trafficking is repulsive, so has book placed in it has plenty of repulsive scenes, let me tell you.
Now this book is well written, but I did question how realistic the undercover situation was. I couldn't really believe that such a dangerous and difficult operation would have a civilian operative sent in, even on a temporary basis. I was constantly wondering about that which took away from the book. The other thing that bothered me was the relationship. The two leads didn't always sell me as having any chemistry. To a degree this is what was pointed out, as the two often said it only happened due to the situation, but still, it held !e back a bit.
This was a difficult book, well written but such a crap situation that is was hard to read about. I don't think it is a type of book I would read again but I don't regret that I read this one.
Now this book is well written, but I did question how realistic the undercover situation was. I couldn't really believe that such a dangerous and difficult operation would have a civilian operative sent in, even on a temporary basis. I was constantly wondering about that which took away from the book. The other thing that bothered me was the relationship. The two leads didn't always sell me as having any chemistry. To a degree this is what was pointed out, as the two often said it only happened due to the situation, but still, it held !e back a bit.
This was a difficult book, well written but such a crap situation that is was hard to read about. I don't think it is a type of book I would read again but I don't regret that I read this one.
November 5, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
3 stars for this M/M
This book started off really slow for me, so slow I almost gave up. The story is about a special agent deep undercover involving prostitution, organ harvesting, human sales, traffic teens, etc. The FBI sends in help by the way of a civilian who fits the profile of some of the targets. There are a few graphic scenes but nothing too bad. The story seemed to go too slow for me. While there was a relationship between the special agent and the civilian I couldn’t really feel the connection. Then when things finally come to an end they drag things out over a few years to get a final conclusion to the special agent/civilian relationship. Wasn’t really for me, too slow and not enough action but I am sure others will enjoy it.
3 stars for this M/M
This book started off really slow for me, so slow I almost gave up. The story is about a special agent deep undercover involving prostitution, organ harvesting, human sales, traffic teens, etc. The FBI sends in help by the way of a civilian who fits the profile of some of the targets. There are a few graphic scenes but nothing too bad. The story seemed to go too slow for me. While there was a relationship between the special agent and the civilian I couldn’t really feel the connection. Then when things finally come to an end they drag things out over a few years to get a final conclusion to the special agent/civilian relationship. Wasn’t really for me, too slow and not enough action but I am sure others will enjoy it.
April 4, 2016
Reviewed by Tams Kelly for QUEERcentric Books
Flesh Market, the first book of the Bodies and Souls series by Kate Lowell, finds FBI Agent Leo Gale undercover.
Being that deep undercover is never easy. Not only is Leo alone, but he’s infiltrating a huge human trafficking ring.
He needs help as the stakes get even deadlier. The Agency hires Julian Fitzroy to act the role of a teen abductee.
There is a mutual attraction between them from the very first glance. Will that help their cause, or will it get them both killed?
I found this book very hard to read but not for poor writing. Ms. Lowell must have done her research for this one.
Read Tams full review at QUEERcentric Books!
Flesh Market, the first book of the Bodies and Souls series by Kate Lowell, finds FBI Agent Leo Gale undercover.
Being that deep undercover is never easy. Not only is Leo alone, but he’s infiltrating a huge human trafficking ring.
He needs help as the stakes get even deadlier. The Agency hires Julian Fitzroy to act the role of a teen abductee.
There is a mutual attraction between them from the very first glance. Will that help their cause, or will it get them both killed?
I found this book very hard to read but not for poor writing. Ms. Lowell must have done her research for this one.
Read Tams full review at QUEERcentric Books!
November 12, 2015
I believe you need an open mind and a strong stomach to read this book. That said I can't wait to read the next two books if they continue the story of Leo and Julian. One thing I really admired about this book is that the relationship is followed over a number of years instead of squashed into weeks. The crime aspect was cleverly portrayed and I found it believable but that might be because I rarely read crime stories. If this is an example of one, full of action and scary as hell, then I might just have to diversify my reading habits :D
December 22, 2015
Dark, disturbing and completely unforgettable. There is a tentative HFN for the 2 main characters but that's a tiny part of this mainly plot driven story. There is violence, torture, murder and happenings that make you almost want to throw up but this book is a worthwhile read. I keep telling myself it couldn't really be as bad as this story seems but I have a horrible feeling that's just me being optimistic. Note to self: when I reread this, have a piece of happy fluff to immediately follow up with.
April 2, 2016
my first book by this author and i thoroughly enjoyed it...it was entertaining and kept me glued to the end!!
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