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Collateral Damage
Fleeing the questions and horrific memories in Miami-Dade, Trevor Garrett accepts a deputy position in the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Plagued by anxiety attacks and an abhorrence to being touched, Trevor rebuffs his best friend's attempts to set him up. He has no desire for any type of relationship; until the local golden boy strolls into his line of sight at the neighborhood dive... Logan Andrews just wants to take care of his mama. After years of serving his country in the Army Special Forces, Logan resigns when he learns his mother is suffering from advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. A night out with old friends turns heated when the newest deputy in town catches his attention... When a sexually deviant killer sets his sights on the gay men in the area, Trevor is assigned the case. In a wicked twist, all evidence points to Logan. Can Trevor's past be repeating itself? In a race against a killer, Trevor struggles to overcome his own insecurities and clear the man whose touch sets him on fire. Will he succeed or will their budding relationship become Collateral Damage?
298 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
17 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Cheyanne
17 books191 followersJ.T. Cheyanne resides in the beautiful state of Alabama. J.T. lives with her two sons and daughter. An avid reader since fourth grade, she has only just started writing her own stories. She also has several works in progress with a co-author. When she’s not writing, she enjoys coaching cheerleading in her local youth organization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 27, 2016
There is really only one way to describe the twists and turns that happen in Collateral Damage: Soap Opera.
While that style of storytelling can be a huge amount of fun, it just wasn't here.
TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENCE
OK, it's gonna be a gory one. Got it. I can handle gore, in smallish doses and to further the story line. I wasn't offended by the violence here. It's a book about a cop trying to find a murderer. The blurb states that quite clearly. So, it's all good.
What the blurb doesn't tell you is that when Logan and Trevor (totally Soap Opera names, right?) meet, we get a sudden case of insta-love. Both men are deliciously broken (I love that!) and find solace in each others touch. In Trevor's case, literally. He can't stand to be touched, but for some reason, Logan's touch centers and relaxes him. Good for us because then the hot sex starts.
Right when we're getting to the good parts, the murder "mystery" starts. (Not so much of a mystery because I guessed it at about 35%.) But that's where the twists began. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have been prepared for the surprises that Ms. Cheyanne's threw at me.
It was hard to keep everything straight! Who was who? Who was dead? When did that happen? Why did he do that?
Frankly? It got a little ridiculous. OK, a lot ridiculous.
But I'm not going to tell you not to read this book. I think you should read this book! It has hot sex, hurt/healing/comfort, serious drama and a huge helping of angst. Just be prepared for insta-love, triggers for violence, stuff that really doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but a fun ride regardless.
Oh, and I honestly am not one to nit-pick about editing mistakes, but this book has got a LOT of them. Enough for me to mention, because I normally wouldn't. The most frustrating was when the author confused the character's names. It threw me right out of the story and I had to go back and re-read to see what I missed. That happened more than once. A beta reader/editor was sorely missed here.
If you decide to read this one, make sure you buckle your seat belt. You're gonna get thrown around quite a bit.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
May 15, 2022
What a ride
I loved everything about the book, the suspense and and all , even though it was obvious who the culprit was halfway through the book it was just gripping
Trigger warning ⚠️ the book refers to sexual abuse (rape) so please be mindful of that friends 🤍
The ending I didn’t see coming wow 🤯. Like I said previously J.T has become my new favourite author 🤍
I loved everything about the book, the suspense and and all , even though it was obvious who the culprit was halfway through the book it was just gripping
Trigger warning ⚠️ the book refers to sexual abuse (rape) so please be mindful of that friends 🤍
The ending I didn’t see coming wow 🤯. Like I said previously J.T has become my new favourite author 🤍
July 1, 2016
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
3.5 stars
J.T. Cheyanne is a new author to me and I had an awful lot of fun with this book even when it was making me crazy (I was actually yelling at my Kindle at one point). It has a little bit of everything, hurt/comfort, damaged alphas, a deranged killer, a small town golden boy about to come out and some unexpected twists. There are some dark elements to the story, but it is not a dark depressing tale. There are some fun scenes and plenty of sexy times as well to keep things moving along.
The story grabbed me from its chilling start with the killer’s point of view as he is about to perpetrate a gruesome murder. The story then moves forward and we meet Logan, fresh out of his career as Special Forces in the army, returning home to the small town in Mississippi where he grew up. He’s moved back to his family farm to care for his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Logan was never out in the town, but is at the point where he’s ready. On a night out he sees Trevor and a quick hook-up leads to him wanting more.
Trevor is a former undercover Miami police officer who has been working for the past six months in the town Sheriff’s department. It is obvious that he has been through a big trauma relating to the job and the ex he left behind 18 months prior. Logan is up-front with his attraction to Trevor, who fears coming out will cost him his job, but that’s the least of his concerns. The betrayal by his last lover has left deep wounds. Trevor is suffering from PTSD with panic attacks, and is unable to tolerate the slightest touch. He is shocked when Logan’s touch actually calms him.
As the two embark on a rocky relationship, with Trevor pushing Logan away even as he is eager to continue seeing him, it appears that Logan may be somehow involved with the murder Trevor is investigating.
While the set up left me with no doubt as to who the killer was, the story definitely had some unexpected twists and turns, some that worked for me and some that didn’t. The parts that had me yelling at my Kindle all really revolved around Trevor’s shoddy police work and a particularly sketchy arrest he makes. It’s not that the writing was unrealistic, even the characters point out that what’s happening isn’t exactly okay. Logan’s character is definitely more forgiving than me and I really disliked Trevor for a portion of this story.
Aside from murder and mayhem, these two damaged alphas do find time for romance and showing their softer sides. Both have past loves and relationships that went very wrong and have left them scarred and initially skeptical of getting too involved. There are flashback chapters that reveal what caused Logan’s damage 16 years prior. Trevor’s problems occurred more recently and take a while to reveal. What he suffered was horrific and Logan is determined to protect this man that he is surprised to be quickly falling for.
The writing style flowed nicely and it moved the story along. I sometimes found myself reading at a breakneck pace to find out what was about to happen. Logan and Trevor were very good together and gave off enough heat, but the relationship did move a bit fast for me, all things considered. I wouldn’t generally mention it, but there were some issues with name confusion in this book that should have been picked up. The reason I point it out here is that it did take me out of the flow of the story on a few occasions, especially at one point near the end of the book where something was thrown at me and I had to wonder if it was another case of name confusion or an unexpected twist.
Regardless of the minor issues I had, I would recommend this story. I liked the fact that I wasn’t sure what was going to happen from one moment to the other. Although not every twist worked for me, the author took chances that did work more often than not. If you’re looking for a mystery with a tight police procedural element, this might not work for you. I would say pick it up if you want an entertaining read with two alphas battling it out one moment while getting hot and heavy the next and with a plot that has a whole hell of a lot going on that will bring out a whole range of emotions.
3.5 stars
J.T. Cheyanne is a new author to me and I had an awful lot of fun with this book even when it was making me crazy (I was actually yelling at my Kindle at one point). It has a little bit of everything, hurt/comfort, damaged alphas, a deranged killer, a small town golden boy about to come out and some unexpected twists. There are some dark elements to the story, but it is not a dark depressing tale. There are some fun scenes and plenty of sexy times as well to keep things moving along.
The story grabbed me from its chilling start with the killer’s point of view as he is about to perpetrate a gruesome murder. The story then moves forward and we meet Logan, fresh out of his career as Special Forces in the army, returning home to the small town in Mississippi where he grew up. He’s moved back to his family farm to care for his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Logan was never out in the town, but is at the point where he’s ready. On a night out he sees Trevor and a quick hook-up leads to him wanting more.
Trevor is a former undercover Miami police officer who has been working for the past six months in the town Sheriff’s department. It is obvious that he has been through a big trauma relating to the job and the ex he left behind 18 months prior. Logan is up-front with his attraction to Trevor, who fears coming out will cost him his job, but that’s the least of his concerns. The betrayal by his last lover has left deep wounds. Trevor is suffering from PTSD with panic attacks, and is unable to tolerate the slightest touch. He is shocked when Logan’s touch actually calms him.
As the two embark on a rocky relationship, with Trevor pushing Logan away even as he is eager to continue seeing him, it appears that Logan may be somehow involved with the murder Trevor is investigating.
While the set up left me with no doubt as to who the killer was, the story definitely had some unexpected twists and turns, some that worked for me and some that didn’t. The parts that had me yelling at my Kindle all really revolved around Trevor’s shoddy police work and a particularly sketchy arrest he makes. It’s not that the writing was unrealistic, even the characters point out that what’s happening isn’t exactly okay. Logan’s character is definitely more forgiving than me and I really disliked Trevor for a portion of this story.
Aside from murder and mayhem, these two damaged alphas do find time for romance and showing their softer sides. Both have past loves and relationships that went very wrong and have left them scarred and initially skeptical of getting too involved. There are flashback chapters that reveal what caused Logan’s damage 16 years prior. Trevor’s problems occurred more recently and take a while to reveal. What he suffered was horrific and Logan is determined to protect this man that he is surprised to be quickly falling for.
The writing style flowed nicely and it moved the story along. I sometimes found myself reading at a breakneck pace to find out what was about to happen. Logan and Trevor were very good together and gave off enough heat, but the relationship did move a bit fast for me, all things considered. I wouldn’t generally mention it, but there were some issues with name confusion in this book that should have been picked up. The reason I point it out here is that it did take me out of the flow of the story on a few occasions, especially at one point near the end of the book where something was thrown at me and I had to wonder if it was another case of name confusion or an unexpected twist.
Regardless of the minor issues I had, I would recommend this story. I liked the fact that I wasn’t sure what was going to happen from one moment to the other. Although not every twist worked for me, the author took chances that did work more often than not. If you’re looking for a mystery with a tight police procedural element, this might not work for you. I would say pick it up if you want an entertaining read with two alphas battling it out one moment while getting hot and heavy the next and with a plot that has a whole hell of a lot going on that will bring out a whole range of emotions.
May 31, 2016
Holy bloody hotness! This book starts as it means to go on....but dont let this lead you into a false sense...this book has hot sex (m/m) but it also has a fantastic storyline that will hook you in.
Logan is back from the military to look after his Mum (his back stories are so real and touchoing). Trevor is the new detective in the sheriffs office. Both have baggage.
Their paths collide......and all hell breaks loose!
Omg..poor Scottie...but what a way to go and I was so drawn to Carson, loved him!
I loved the dedication in this book and agree that she is one lovely lady!
Logan is back from the military to look after his Mum (his back stories are so real and touchoing). Trevor is the new detective in the sheriffs office. Both have baggage.
Their paths collide......and all hell breaks loose!
Omg..poor Scottie...but what a way to go and I was so drawn to Carson, loved him!
I loved the dedication in this book and agree that she is one lovely lady!
May 22, 2016
What a great read! This book starts with a seriously hot scene, which has a surprising end....
I love an MM romance but this one has an investigation into a killer going through it too!
Trevor, his bruised physically and mentally from what happened in another relationship - he has issues with touching and suffers devastating panic attacks - for all of these reasons his moved to a small town to work as a deputy police officer.
Logan, his a special forces soldier, his returned home to care for his mother who has dementia and is in need of help at home. Logan is the golden boy of his hometown, he was a school sports star and of course his served his country, he has a secret though - his gay.
When these two meet there is an instant attraction and they don't waste time, Trevor is all for a quickie, but his not looking for anything more. Logan, isn't 'out' but is seriously attracted to Trevor.
All through the book we get flashbacks to Logans time in the forces and it really helps you to get to know and understand him as a man - his really lovely - sexy - caring - dangerously skilled - did I mention sexy? Trevor is stronger than he thinks he is, he's good at his job - confident in his sexuality - still he is vulnerable at times and he hates that.
The thriller/mystery part of the story kept me on my toes. It's not all killing and investigations, there's a relationship developing and some seriously sexy interludes.
I'm not sure who had it harder through this book Trevor or Logan? It is not an easy ride, but its passionate and addictive.
I found the other characthers in the book intriguing and they added to the story, how could you not like Carson! the fact that Logan has other business interests added another interesting side to Logan.
This book knocked me for six in parts!
Great MM read - recommended.
ARC REVIEW
5 Stars
I love an MM romance but this one has an investigation into a killer going through it too!
Trevor, his bruised physically and mentally from what happened in another relationship - he has issues with touching and suffers devastating panic attacks - for all of these reasons his moved to a small town to work as a deputy police officer.
Logan, his a special forces soldier, his returned home to care for his mother who has dementia and is in need of help at home. Logan is the golden boy of his hometown, he was a school sports star and of course his served his country, he has a secret though - his gay.
When these two meet there is an instant attraction and they don't waste time, Trevor is all for a quickie, but his not looking for anything more. Logan, isn't 'out' but is seriously attracted to Trevor.
All through the book we get flashbacks to Logans time in the forces and it really helps you to get to know and understand him as a man - his really lovely - sexy - caring - dangerously skilled - did I mention sexy? Trevor is stronger than he thinks he is, he's good at his job - confident in his sexuality - still he is vulnerable at times and he hates that.
The thriller/mystery part of the story kept me on my toes. It's not all killing and investigations, there's a relationship developing and some seriously sexy interludes.
I'm not sure who had it harder through this book Trevor or Logan? It is not an easy ride, but its passionate and addictive.
I found the other characthers in the book intriguing and they added to the story, how could you not like Carson! the fact that Logan has other business interests added another interesting side to Logan.
This book knocked me for six in parts!
Great MM read - recommended.
ARC REVIEW
5 Stars
July 4, 2016
4 stars – Prior to this obsession I’ve developed for reading M/M romances, one of the genres I enjoyed a good book from on occasion is that of a murder mystery/thriller. So when the opportunity presented itself to read and review a book that combines the two, it was a no-brainer. Collateral Damage is my first exposure to J.T. Cheyanne, but while it is the first M/M-cross-mystery/thriller I have reviewed for the site, it isn’t the first I’ve read.
After a bitter betrayal by the man Trevor Garrett had been about to propose to, he leaves his position with the Miami-Dade Police Department because the memories are too painful to endure. With the help of his old college roommate, he takes a position in the most opposite of locales at a small-town department in rural Mississippi. The trauma Trevor suffered in Miami-Dade has resulted in him having absolutely no desire for any type of relationship. Even the act of being touched results in him having violent physical reactions. At least this is true until he crosses paths with the town’s favorite son, Logan Andrews, who is back in town to take care of his ill mother after serving many years in the Army Special Forces. Logan’s touches soothe Trevor’s demons, causing him to fight his reluctance to stay out of any sort of entanglement. Before long, Trevor is assigned his first big case since moving to the area: a killer appears to be targeting gay men in the town. And in an apparent ugly replay of Trevor’s past, the evidence points toward Logan.
My experiences with M/M romances that combine with some other genre have often left me wanting. Typically, the blend of genres isn’t smooth in that one of two things tends to happen: either one of the story arcs tends to be lacking by the time the novel is complete, or the two arcs don’t seem to mesh very well so that one or the other feels like it’s shoe-horned uncomfortably into the overall story. Or in the very worst case, both of these things happen. I am pleased to report that one of the best parts about this novel is that it doesn’t suffer from either of these problems. In fact, the pasts of the two main characters become important to both story arcs in a way that makes both interesting and compelling.
The two mains are both alpha types—physically, if I could pull Logan off the page and out of my mind’s eye and have him standing in front of me… woof!—so the interactions between them are often charged with the sorts of things you would expect from two macho studs: not the best communication skills, hiding and/or being embarrassed about emotional things, and hiding the significant things that have hurt them in the past. It’s the last one that forms the backbone of the story here, both for the romantic aspect and the thriller. Trevor’s past is revealed early in the book, the discovery that the man he loves is part of a drug cartel, though the manner of the betrayal would be a spoiler, so I’ll leave that for you to read. Logan’s story, on the other hand, is exposed slowly through flashbacks throughout the book and also deals with losing a man he loved. Both of these stories alone are interesting, but the way the author weaves them into the plot really shines to make this a book I didn’t want to put down. I did have to, though, because it was too long for me to stay up all night to read. Nothing wrong with that: two good nights of reading for the price of one!
Based on the descriptions of the two main characters, I was truly hoping for the chemistry between them to be explosive, especially as the blurb indicated that the men would spend a large part of the novel at odds with one another. Now don’t get me wrong, they were hot together, but something was lacking to keep it from being truly hot-as-fuck. I can’t put my finger on it though. It boiled there under the surface but never quite reached the point of spontaneous combustion. Outside of this, I really enjoyed the characters and found their individual struggles to be real, though at times, their “alpha responses” seemed a little too stereotypically hard-headed. I can’t knock this too much though: it’s a cop and an ex-special-ops guy. Really.
There is one other thing that grated on my nerves, though, and it was bad enough that my initial impression of rating this book as 4.5 stars had to be adjusted downward. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal what it is without it being a huge spoiler, but suffice it to say that the surprise in the epilogue fell way flat for me. It’s a trope that bugs me even in the best of situations, but in this case, I didn’t understand the logic behind it, so it left me with a sour note upon finishing the book. Not a good thing.
Overall, Collateral Damage is a great read. The plot flows well, the perspective is generally clear, and the characters (both main and secondary) are developed and realistic. It is one of the better examples I’ve read in M/M romances that have a secondary genre, and for that, I look forward to being able to read another of J.T. Cheyanne’s works.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Collateral Damage in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
After a bitter betrayal by the man Trevor Garrett had been about to propose to, he leaves his position with the Miami-Dade Police Department because the memories are too painful to endure. With the help of his old college roommate, he takes a position in the most opposite of locales at a small-town department in rural Mississippi. The trauma Trevor suffered in Miami-Dade has resulted in him having absolutely no desire for any type of relationship. Even the act of being touched results in him having violent physical reactions. At least this is true until he crosses paths with the town’s favorite son, Logan Andrews, who is back in town to take care of his ill mother after serving many years in the Army Special Forces. Logan’s touches soothe Trevor’s demons, causing him to fight his reluctance to stay out of any sort of entanglement. Before long, Trevor is assigned his first big case since moving to the area: a killer appears to be targeting gay men in the town. And in an apparent ugly replay of Trevor’s past, the evidence points toward Logan.
My experiences with M/M romances that combine with some other genre have often left me wanting. Typically, the blend of genres isn’t smooth in that one of two things tends to happen: either one of the story arcs tends to be lacking by the time the novel is complete, or the two arcs don’t seem to mesh very well so that one or the other feels like it’s shoe-horned uncomfortably into the overall story. Or in the very worst case, both of these things happen. I am pleased to report that one of the best parts about this novel is that it doesn’t suffer from either of these problems. In fact, the pasts of the two main characters become important to both story arcs in a way that makes both interesting and compelling.
The two mains are both alpha types—physically, if I could pull Logan off the page and out of my mind’s eye and have him standing in front of me… woof!—so the interactions between them are often charged with the sorts of things you would expect from two macho studs: not the best communication skills, hiding and/or being embarrassed about emotional things, and hiding the significant things that have hurt them in the past. It’s the last one that forms the backbone of the story here, both for the romantic aspect and the thriller. Trevor’s past is revealed early in the book, the discovery that the man he loves is part of a drug cartel, though the manner of the betrayal would be a spoiler, so I’ll leave that for you to read. Logan’s story, on the other hand, is exposed slowly through flashbacks throughout the book and also deals with losing a man he loved. Both of these stories alone are interesting, but the way the author weaves them into the plot really shines to make this a book I didn’t want to put down. I did have to, though, because it was too long for me to stay up all night to read. Nothing wrong with that: two good nights of reading for the price of one!
Based on the descriptions of the two main characters, I was truly hoping for the chemistry between them to be explosive, especially as the blurb indicated that the men would spend a large part of the novel at odds with one another. Now don’t get me wrong, they were hot together, but something was lacking to keep it from being truly hot-as-fuck. I can’t put my finger on it though. It boiled there under the surface but never quite reached the point of spontaneous combustion. Outside of this, I really enjoyed the characters and found their individual struggles to be real, though at times, their “alpha responses” seemed a little too stereotypically hard-headed. I can’t knock this too much though: it’s a cop and an ex-special-ops guy. Really.
There is one other thing that grated on my nerves, though, and it was bad enough that my initial impression of rating this book as 4.5 stars had to be adjusted downward. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal what it is without it being a huge spoiler, but suffice it to say that the surprise in the epilogue fell way flat for me. It’s a trope that bugs me even in the best of situations, but in this case, I didn’t understand the logic behind it, so it left me with a sour note upon finishing the book. Not a good thing.
Overall, Collateral Damage is a great read. The plot flows well, the perspective is generally clear, and the characters (both main and secondary) are developed and realistic. It is one of the better examples I’ve read in M/M romances that have a secondary genre, and for that, I look forward to being able to read another of J.T. Cheyanne’s works.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Collateral Damage in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
July 22, 2016
Review by The Blogger Girls.
This story starts out in the eyes of the killer, and it’s pretty harsh. But it quickly moves on to the main story. Two guys who have some major issues but who find a connection.
Trevor has a big problem with being touched, which puts a damper on any relationship attempts. Then, he meets Logan, whose touch actually seems to soothe him, much to his surprise. I loved this aspect of the story. But, it takes a while of these guys pushing each other away and being drawn back together before they give in to their feelings.
Logan has returned home to take care of his ailing mother, but he has some demons in his past as well. He’s very reluctant to enter into a relationship, as is Trevor, due to the past issues and the current issues of not being out.
There are also a lot of twists in this story. While some were bordering on the pretty unbelievable side, they were exciting just the same and kept me guessing about a lot of things. The killer wasn’t too hard to figure out, but there are other things going on as well. There were also sexy times and romance to go with the doom and gloom of the police work, so this story has a little bit of everything.
While I wasn’t totally on board with the murder mystery aspect, I loved seeing these two damaged alpha males go head to head, fighting their attraction and feelings for each other, dealing with their issues and helping each other and finding they do make a perfect match. I was entertained and turning pages with my interest piqued to the end. If that’s the type of story you enjoy, I definitely recommend you give this one a try.
March 1, 2018
This book imo had a perfect blend of mystery and romance. Both of the MCS have experienced trauma and loss. There are some really difficult scenes in this that made me cry. There are also a lot of flashback scenes from Logan's time in the military,which are highly relevant to the story, but I know some readers don't enjoy that. I adored both MCS to death, however Logan is a lovable badass. I have no doubt this will be a reread for me in the future.
SPOILER ALERT:
First time I've read about a death by dick.
SPOILER ALERT:
First time I've read about a death by dick.
September 8, 2016
Loved this. Yes, it was a bit all-action at the end (think Speed, the book that keeps on giving endings!) but it was brilliantly written and I couldn't get enough of it.
January 17, 2023
***2.5 Stars***
February 18, 2017
Book – Collateral Damage
Author – J.T. Cheyenne
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 269
Cover – Great!
POV – 3rd person, multi POV
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Crime, Contemporary, Romance, Military
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
TRIGGER WARNINGS: War scenes (Kosovo), Alzheimer's, Rape, Anxiety Attacks, and a reference to Haphephobia (a fear of being touched), sexually deviant killer (author's words, but a good description of what you'll read about)
Okay, so let me first say that this totally would have been a 5 star read if not for one problem: there were a bucket load of editing mistakes. Now, I normally don't remove stars for editing, unless it's severe, and this one is. It's not just the spelling/grammar issues, though there are plenty (missing words, missing commas, extra spaces, misplaced apostrophes, tense switches etc) but there was a serious issue with mislabeled characters. In one scene, I was totally confused because the name Logan was used instead of Trevor and I spent half a page trying to figure out why Logan was in the scene, talking about himself in 3rd person, because most of the speech labels were 'he', before I found out it was really Trevor in the scene.
Other than the issues mentioned, this book was fantastic and I really, really wanted to overlook the issues to make it 5 stars, but I just couldn't.
Another issue I had with the story is that it's billed as an “erotic paranormal” at the beginning of the book. There is nothing paranormal about this story.
~
I really enjoyed the start. At first, I wasn't sure what to think. I don't really like books that begin with a sex scene, but this was so different that I couldn't help but be intrigued. Beginning the book with neither of the main characters, but the actual killer was a great surprise and learning his motivation so early on came as a bit of a shock. However, after that first chapter, we didn't meet the killer or hear about their crimes until 35% which was a little late into the book. As I was reading, until that point, I begin to wonder why it took so long.
When it comes to the main characters – Logan and Trevor – I really liked and connected with both of them, through both their POV's. Trevor is scarred by his past and, though Logan should be too, having been in Kosovo and the army, he's actually much more prepared for the horrors of daily life. He's strong in a way that Trevor needs and it's great to see them connecting with each other.
At the same time, I love Noah, Ashton and even Dristan. I enjoy seeing them in all their scenes, even if I didn't get their POV directly. Dristan was intriguing, Noah and Ashton were fun and, surprisingly enough, I even enjoyed the killer's POV, because it gave so much away, without ever really giving too much. I'm not going to name the killer, but I really did understand the motivation, why they'd done what they'd done and how. It's only the second time that I've ever felt sympathy and understanding for a serial killer, despite how heinous the crimes were.
The story was full of surprises; from the Noah aspect of the story, which totally shocked me, the extent of the crimes and that last attack against Trevor. The crimes were shown in just enough detail, nothing too awfully disturbing, and always held an emotional edge. It was a little cruel of the author to let us get attached to Scotty, right there in the first chapter and the same with Noah, when his storyline came along. It was all so touching and so many of the plot arcs took me by surprise. From Brae to Dris and all the little bits in between, Trevor's back story and all, there was always a new secret to discover, a new surprise waiting around the corner, until the final chapters, where everything came together.
There was great attention to detail, when describing Alzheimer's, which I happen to know a lot about. It wasn't used as a side-story or as something to keep Logan busy and bring him home, but which never went anywhere like some books do. This one fully explored the mental and emotional implications of Alzheimer's on the patient and the family.
On the negative side: I knew who the killer was at 50%, which was basically just picking up clues that the author dropped into the story. It lessened a little of the surprise, but that's not the author's fault.
Going back to the issues, there were some incomplete sentences, and places where it's implied that Logan is being questioned during a conversation, but where Trevor actually answers as though it was directed towards him. There are a lot of little inconsistencies like that. I also didn't really like the phrases “air sawed in and out” for breathing. It was repeated often enough that it got annoying, rather than being a strange, different way of describing it.
I also had to spend quite a bit of time confused, while reading, then do some research when the book was finished. Acronyms like BDU (Battle Dress Uniform), MLB (Major League Baseball), PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick), are completely foreign to me. I had no clue what they were without the help of Google, which meant I floundered quite a bit during the areas they were mentioned, because I had no clue what they were talking about and nothing was explained or even hinted at. There was a very brief glossary at the start of the book, but it only contains the foreign Spanish and Afghani phrases used by Braeden and Dristan.
Some of this is because I'm not American. I have no need to understand MLB or BDU, since I'm a civilian like many readers and have no experience with these acronyms. I've also never heard of PDQ and, unfortunately, none of these are “obvious” or instantly make sense in the context of the story. If there had been a hint of what they might mean or what they might refer to, it would have been so much easier to understand the events as I read them, rather than Googling, going back and having a total “Ah!” moment when I finally understand what the author meant.
I feel that it was important for this to be addressed in the very brief glossary at the beginning, since it pops up multiple times, without any explanation for us civilians. The same went for the term 'bacrim', which I had to look up and could only guess meant what Google said it would.
~
OVERALL
I really loved the mystery, the surprise and the total attention to detail in this story. From page one, it was a fantastic piece of storytelling that I never got bored with. I read it in one sitting, determined to find out who the killer was, from the very first page.
However, due to the inconsistencies with the editing – mostly contained to spelling/grammar and understanding of the story, not with the plot – I had to take points off. If the story hadn't been so compelling, I might even have docked it down to 3 stars, because it was such a prevailing issue.
Thankfully, the whole book was captivating and enthralling. Not too much romance, not too much crime/gore and not too much sex. Just a great balance between all three, that left me willing to read so much more about these two. If the author decides to give them another mystery to solve, I'll be there with bells on.
Author – J.T. Cheyenne
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 269
Cover – Great!
POV – 3rd person, multi POV
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – LGBT, Crime, Contemporary, Romance, Military
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
TRIGGER WARNINGS: War scenes (Kosovo), Alzheimer's, Rape, Anxiety Attacks, and a reference to Haphephobia (a fear of being touched), sexually deviant killer (author's words, but a good description of what you'll read about)
Okay, so let me first say that this totally would have been a 5 star read if not for one problem: there were a bucket load of editing mistakes. Now, I normally don't remove stars for editing, unless it's severe, and this one is. It's not just the spelling/grammar issues, though there are plenty (missing words, missing commas, extra spaces, misplaced apostrophes, tense switches etc) but there was a serious issue with mislabeled characters. In one scene, I was totally confused because the name Logan was used instead of Trevor and I spent half a page trying to figure out why Logan was in the scene, talking about himself in 3rd person, because most of the speech labels were 'he', before I found out it was really Trevor in the scene.
Other than the issues mentioned, this book was fantastic and I really, really wanted to overlook the issues to make it 5 stars, but I just couldn't.
Another issue I had with the story is that it's billed as an “erotic paranormal” at the beginning of the book. There is nothing paranormal about this story.
~
I really enjoyed the start. At first, I wasn't sure what to think. I don't really like books that begin with a sex scene, but this was so different that I couldn't help but be intrigued. Beginning the book with neither of the main characters, but the actual killer was a great surprise and learning his motivation so early on came as a bit of a shock. However, after that first chapter, we didn't meet the killer or hear about their crimes until 35% which was a little late into the book. As I was reading, until that point, I begin to wonder why it took so long.
When it comes to the main characters – Logan and Trevor – I really liked and connected with both of them, through both their POV's. Trevor is scarred by his past and, though Logan should be too, having been in Kosovo and the army, he's actually much more prepared for the horrors of daily life. He's strong in a way that Trevor needs and it's great to see them connecting with each other.
At the same time, I love Noah, Ashton and even Dristan. I enjoy seeing them in all their scenes, even if I didn't get their POV directly. Dristan was intriguing, Noah and Ashton were fun and, surprisingly enough, I even enjoyed the killer's POV, because it gave so much away, without ever really giving too much. I'm not going to name the killer, but I really did understand the motivation, why they'd done what they'd done and how. It's only the second time that I've ever felt sympathy and understanding for a serial killer, despite how heinous the crimes were.
The story was full of surprises; from the Noah aspect of the story, which totally shocked me, the extent of the crimes and that last attack against Trevor. The crimes were shown in just enough detail, nothing too awfully disturbing, and always held an emotional edge. It was a little cruel of the author to let us get attached to Scotty, right there in the first chapter and the same with Noah, when his storyline came along. It was all so touching and so many of the plot arcs took me by surprise. From Brae to Dris and all the little bits in between, Trevor's back story and all, there was always a new secret to discover, a new surprise waiting around the corner, until the final chapters, where everything came together.
There was great attention to detail, when describing Alzheimer's, which I happen to know a lot about. It wasn't used as a side-story or as something to keep Logan busy and bring him home, but which never went anywhere like some books do. This one fully explored the mental and emotional implications of Alzheimer's on the patient and the family.
On the negative side: I knew who the killer was at 50%, which was basically just picking up clues that the author dropped into the story. It lessened a little of the surprise, but that's not the author's fault.
Going back to the issues, there were some incomplete sentences, and places where it's implied that Logan is being questioned during a conversation, but where Trevor actually answers as though it was directed towards him. There are a lot of little inconsistencies like that. I also didn't really like the phrases “air sawed in and out” for breathing. It was repeated often enough that it got annoying, rather than being a strange, different way of describing it.
I also had to spend quite a bit of time confused, while reading, then do some research when the book was finished. Acronyms like BDU (Battle Dress Uniform), MLB (Major League Baseball), PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick), are completely foreign to me. I had no clue what they were without the help of Google, which meant I floundered quite a bit during the areas they were mentioned, because I had no clue what they were talking about and nothing was explained or even hinted at. There was a very brief glossary at the start of the book, but it only contains the foreign Spanish and Afghani phrases used by Braeden and Dristan.
Some of this is because I'm not American. I have no need to understand MLB or BDU, since I'm a civilian like many readers and have no experience with these acronyms. I've also never heard of PDQ and, unfortunately, none of these are “obvious” or instantly make sense in the context of the story. If there had been a hint of what they might mean or what they might refer to, it would have been so much easier to understand the events as I read them, rather than Googling, going back and having a total “Ah!” moment when I finally understand what the author meant.
I feel that it was important for this to be addressed in the very brief glossary at the beginning, since it pops up multiple times, without any explanation for us civilians. The same went for the term 'bacrim', which I had to look up and could only guess meant what Google said it would.
~
OVERALL
I really loved the mystery, the surprise and the total attention to detail in this story. From page one, it was a fantastic piece of storytelling that I never got bored with. I read it in one sitting, determined to find out who the killer was, from the very first page.
However, due to the inconsistencies with the editing – mostly contained to spelling/grammar and understanding of the story, not with the plot – I had to take points off. If the story hadn't been so compelling, I might even have docked it down to 3 stars, because it was such a prevailing issue.
Thankfully, the whole book was captivating and enthralling. Not too much romance, not too much crime/gore and not too much sex. Just a great balance between all three, that left me willing to read so much more about these two. If the author decides to give them another mystery to solve, I'll be there with bells on.
June 16, 2024
3,5 ⭐
La idea general está muy bien. Entretenida y te mantiene enganchada queriendo saber quién es el asesino. Con relatos del antes y el ahora nos vamos metiendo en la historia y conociendo a los personajes.
Pero le faltó un poco de credibilidad. Pequeños detalles que restan en la historia porque no tienen justificación.
Y lo que menos me gustó fue al pasar apenas la mitad del libro, que directamente nos dice quien es el asesino. Fue muy pronto y le quitó emoción a la lectura.
A veces menos es más... Fueron muchas cosas y poca explicación 🫤
La idea general está muy bien. Entretenida y te mantiene enganchada queriendo saber quién es el asesino. Con relatos del antes y el ahora nos vamos metiendo en la historia y conociendo a los personajes.
Pero le faltó un poco de credibilidad. Pequeños detalles que restan en la historia porque no tienen justificación.
Y lo que menos me gustó fue al pasar apenas la mitad del libro, que directamente nos dice quien es el asesino. Fue muy pronto y le quitó emoción a la lectura.
A veces menos es más... Fueron muchas cosas y poca explicación 🫤
June 22, 2016
Original Blog Post: Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Collateral Damage by JT Cheyanne
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Collateral Damage is such a fitting title to this incredible story of star crossed lovers. Before you go gaga over that and not read this story, hold up. Stop.
The romance between Trevor and Logan had their own set of troubles. Logan was quite open with his attraction to Trevor but Trevor had a huge load on his shoulders. Each man's past comes knocking on their present lives but one worse than the other.
Because of a horrific trauma, Trevor moved to his best friend's home town to get away from it all. He had a reason though he never told anyone. As a first rate detective, the cases he meets up in this town are not really something he can brag home about. Then again, when he's called in to investigate the horrific death of a beloved son of the community, things got a little out of hand.
Logan is back home to take care of his mother diagnosed with Alzheimers. As a former Special Armed forces man, he thought he could do such a simple thing as be the dutiful son. He does not contend with the pain of seeing his mother deteriorate right before his eyes and sought to keep comfort in the arms of a man he thought was just perfect for him. When a murder in town comes knocking on his door, well, things got a little bit out of hand.
In the middle of their personal problems, there is a side story and that is really where my heart fell. This side story, I won't reveal what, is the love that meets a drastic end and it affects both Logan and Trevor years later.
I don't know, but I just loved this side story and to be honest, I would skip past pages of the present and go on to the flashback because it was that one that caught my heart and mind. I bawled huge when I found the why and what nots, though I could not hate JT Cheyenne for doing it. In the end, I may love the romance between Trevor and Logan but my heart is taken by that little side story that I cannot seem to forget or let go of. This is, as usual, a Cheyanne that makes you cry and think and then wonder over the what ifs.
Overall, this is highly recommended for those who love a great story told in a most unusual way even if it breaks your heart.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Collateral Damage is such a fitting title to this incredible story of star crossed lovers. Before you go gaga over that and not read this story, hold up. Stop.
The romance between Trevor and Logan had their own set of troubles. Logan was quite open with his attraction to Trevor but Trevor had a huge load on his shoulders. Each man's past comes knocking on their present lives but one worse than the other.
Because of a horrific trauma, Trevor moved to his best friend's home town to get away from it all. He had a reason though he never told anyone. As a first rate detective, the cases he meets up in this town are not really something he can brag home about. Then again, when he's called in to investigate the horrific death of a beloved son of the community, things got a little out of hand.
Logan is back home to take care of his mother diagnosed with Alzheimers. As a former Special Armed forces man, he thought he could do such a simple thing as be the dutiful son. He does not contend with the pain of seeing his mother deteriorate right before his eyes and sought to keep comfort in the arms of a man he thought was just perfect for him. When a murder in town comes knocking on his door, well, things got a little bit out of hand.
In the middle of their personal problems, there is a side story and that is really where my heart fell. This side story, I won't reveal what, is the love that meets a drastic end and it affects both Logan and Trevor years later.
I don't know, but I just loved this side story and to be honest, I would skip past pages of the present and go on to the flashback because it was that one that caught my heart and mind. I bawled huge when I found the why and what nots, though I could not hate JT Cheyenne for doing it. In the end, I may love the romance between Trevor and Logan but my heart is taken by that little side story that I cannot seem to forget or let go of. This is, as usual, a Cheyanne that makes you cry and think and then wonder over the what ifs.
Overall, this is highly recommended for those who love a great story told in a most unusual way even if it breaks your heart.
July 7, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Collateral Damage is a well-written book with two broken main characters who will break your heart, make you angry, and then break your heart again. Both men have been through so much. You’ll wonder how they are even able to live their lives. Of course, they’re living with so much pain they’re like walking ghosts.
Trevor comes to Rolling Fork from Miami where he was a detective. Something happened to him there, and he felt the need to escape the city. He’s rooming with a friend from college, Noah, who only wants best for him. That means encouraging Trevor to get out and meet people, but Trevor wants none of it. Obviously, he’s suffering from PTSD, but doesn’t want to face it.
Logan returns from the Army with secrets of his own. They weigh on him, but his Mama needs him now, and he’s determined to get past them and take care of her. I won’t tell you what the secret is because it’s complicated and harsh. The book needs to be read in order for it to be fully grasped.
There are some decent background characters to support the story. Noah, Trevor’s friend is great. He’s supportive and loving. Logan’s Mama, Stella, remarkable. Even though she’s slowly losing herself, she loves her boy, and she’s also a good friend to the residents of Rolling Fork. Finally, we have the big, bad, man. Once again, no spoilers, but oh my goodness, he is pure evil. I actually felt sick while I was reading his thoughts and actions. Make no mistake here, he’s brutal and violent, but he’s also smart. He knows exactly what his end game is, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Collateral Damage is a well-written book with two broken main characters who will break your heart, make you angry, and then break your heart again. Both men have been through so much. You’ll wonder how they are even able to live their lives. Of course, they’re living with so much pain they’re like walking ghosts.
Trevor comes to Rolling Fork from Miami where he was a detective. Something happened to him there, and he felt the need to escape the city. He’s rooming with a friend from college, Noah, who only wants best for him. That means encouraging Trevor to get out and meet people, but Trevor wants none of it. Obviously, he’s suffering from PTSD, but doesn’t want to face it.
Logan returns from the Army with secrets of his own. They weigh on him, but his Mama needs him now, and he’s determined to get past them and take care of her. I won’t tell you what the secret is because it’s complicated and harsh. The book needs to be read in order for it to be fully grasped.
There are some decent background characters to support the story. Noah, Trevor’s friend is great. He’s supportive and loving. Logan’s Mama, Stella, remarkable. Even though she’s slowly losing herself, she loves her boy, and she’s also a good friend to the residents of Rolling Fork. Finally, we have the big, bad, man. Once again, no spoilers, but oh my goodness, he is pure evil. I actually felt sick while I was reading his thoughts and actions. Make no mistake here, he’s brutal and violent, but he’s also smart. He knows exactly what his end game is, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
June 25, 2016
The story starts out in the killers perspective and I must say it is very gripping. First it starts out steamy hot and then takes a turn for the worse, hooking you in.
Then we get taken into Logan's POV and it jumps between the present and the past of his tour in Kosovo. It goes on like this through most of the book and alternating between Trevor and Logan.
Trevor, for reasons I dont want to give away, does not alternate between past and present, but he does have a very dark past that has left him with a bit of PTSD. He can't handle being touched by anyone. He's a bit surprised when he finds put that Logan's touch calms him, and we find ourselves in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
I thought there was a lot of chemistry between Logan and Trevor. There is also a whole lot of drama with this new murderer in town targeting homosexuals. Trevor is given the case, and signs are pointing to Logan. Trevor is facing past hurts with his trust in Logan, but he's determined to clear his name regardless of the signs.
I won't lie, I figured it all out pretty early on, but it was still a gripping read. I felt invested in these two and was hoping for the best. I even had a moment when I felt bad for the killer, his situation was less than ideal and all the events that led up to it.
The ending was also a surprise, I was very happy with how things turned out.
All in all I give this book 3.5*
Then we get taken into Logan's POV and it jumps between the present and the past of his tour in Kosovo. It goes on like this through most of the book and alternating between Trevor and Logan.
Trevor, for reasons I dont want to give away, does not alternate between past and present, but he does have a very dark past that has left him with a bit of PTSD. He can't handle being touched by anyone. He's a bit surprised when he finds put that Logan's touch calms him, and we find ourselves in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
I thought there was a lot of chemistry between Logan and Trevor. There is also a whole lot of drama with this new murderer in town targeting homosexuals. Trevor is given the case, and signs are pointing to Logan. Trevor is facing past hurts with his trust in Logan, but he's determined to clear his name regardless of the signs.
I won't lie, I figured it all out pretty early on, but it was still a gripping read. I felt invested in these two and was hoping for the best. I even had a moment when I felt bad for the killer, his situation was less than ideal and all the events that led up to it.
The ending was also a surprise, I was very happy with how things turned out.
All in all I give this book 3.5*
July 14, 2016
A good romance and intrigue
This is the first book I've read from this author but won't be the last. It was a brilliant read and happy ending which was good as I had a good bawl when certain characters died. As for a certain character and his tragic end I just felt so sorry for him. This book sucked you straight into the story, lovely characters and free flowing good story telling writing, a must read.
This is the first book I've read from this author but won't be the last. It was a brilliant read and happy ending which was good as I had a good bawl when certain characters died. As for a certain character and his tragic end I just felt so sorry for him. This book sucked you straight into the story, lovely characters and free flowing good story telling writing, a must read.
May 30, 2021
I WANT MORE!
I lover Trevor and Logan and I absolutely want more. It sucks that I can't have more tho. Everything about this book hit me right at my heart. I loved how the MC's were so sweet to each other. I loved the charecter development Trevor went through. I would love to write more but typing in my phone is fucking with my fingers so....
Before I start winning about pain in a book review I should stop. But this is 100% recommended.
I lover Trevor and Logan and I absolutely want more. It sucks that I can't have more tho. Everything about this book hit me right at my heart. I loved how the MC's were so sweet to each other. I loved the charecter development Trevor went through. I would love to write more but typing in my phone is fucking with my fingers so....
Before I start winning about pain in a book review I should stop. But this is 100% recommended.
June 27, 2016
This story was really good! I loved Logan and felt for and really liked Trevor. There were many interesting characters in the MCs' lives, like Logan's mother Stella, Sheriff Glover, Carson and Dante, Ashton and Noah and even Dristan. The part of the story concerning the killer was really well written, too. This is the first book that I've read from this author, but won't be my last.
June 3, 2016
Wow! First book read by this author, hot, steamy and the mystery and story was great all the way to the end.
June 5, 2016
Another amazing story from this author. The story twists and turns. Both MC have a torrid past, but together, their love is strong, no obstacle is too big to over come.
August 2, 2016
Action Filled.
There is action aplenty in this book, my first by this author. A bit if intrigue and suspense and a "you what?" at the end haha.
There is action aplenty in this book, my first by this author. A bit if intrigue and suspense and a "you what?" at the end haha.
June 20, 2016
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Logan Andrews has finally left the Army Special Forces and come home to Rolling Fork, Mississippi to take care of his mother who is suffering from stage 5 Alzheimer's. At a local bar with old friends, he catches a glimpse of a gorgeous man sitting alone at the bar. Intrigued by the stranger, he learns that the man is the newest deputy in town and that he had just moved to their little town from the big city.
Trevor Garrett has left the Miami-Dade police department after a traumatic event leaves him tormented by severe panic attacks and unable to endure touch. His best friend and roommate, Noah is determined to find a way to help Trevor move on, but when he proposes something Trevor isn't ready for, Trevor finds himself drinking alone at a local bar to get over his latest panic attack. When he sees Logan he can't help but feel an instant attraction to the man, which is something he's not accustomed to anymore.
Logan and Trevor find themselves cautiously starting a relationship that neither is prepared to define. Meanwhile, a sadistic killer is on the loose, targeting gay men and it's becoming increasingly clear that it somehow centers around Logan. Now Trevor is tasked with bringing a murderer to justice even if that means arresting the man he's starting to fall for.
What I Loved: The first chapter gives a first-hand look into the mind of a sick and twisted killer while he is with one of his victims. The entire scene is chilling and the way he actually kills his victims is quite unexpected. It was a great way to set the tone of the book and get our story started.
I absolutely loved both Logan and Trevor. What's better than two hot sexy Alpha males? Both men have painful pasts, both have had to try and forget past loves. They both need each other and lean on one another.
Most importantly, they are able to be adults and fight for what they want. Trust is hard for both of them, but it also seemed to come easy between them.
What I Liked: I really liked the story as a whole. It was an interesting plot and while yes it was a little predictable in parts it really didn't take away from the story. It was obviously well thought out and executed well. I've read this author before and I'll read her future books as well.
What I didn't like: I'm pretty sure that this is something that others won't have a problem with, but for me, I found it a bit frustrating. I did not care for the flashbacks/glimpses in the past. It was a bit confusing and for the most part, not something I wanted to read. I found myself skimming a few of them.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Would I recommend this book? Definitely.
Logan Andrews has finally left the Army Special Forces and come home to Rolling Fork, Mississippi to take care of his mother who is suffering from stage 5 Alzheimer's. At a local bar with old friends, he catches a glimpse of a gorgeous man sitting alone at the bar. Intrigued by the stranger, he learns that the man is the newest deputy in town and that he had just moved to their little town from the big city.
Trevor Garrett has left the Miami-Dade police department after a traumatic event leaves him tormented by severe panic attacks and unable to endure touch. His best friend and roommate, Noah is determined to find a way to help Trevor move on, but when he proposes something Trevor isn't ready for, Trevor finds himself drinking alone at a local bar to get over his latest panic attack. When he sees Logan he can't help but feel an instant attraction to the man, which is something he's not accustomed to anymore.
Logan and Trevor find themselves cautiously starting a relationship that neither is prepared to define. Meanwhile, a sadistic killer is on the loose, targeting gay men and it's becoming increasingly clear that it somehow centers around Logan. Now Trevor is tasked with bringing a murderer to justice even if that means arresting the man he's starting to fall for.
What I Loved: The first chapter gives a first-hand look into the mind of a sick and twisted killer while he is with one of his victims. The entire scene is chilling and the way he actually kills his victims is quite unexpected. It was a great way to set the tone of the book and get our story started.
I absolutely loved both Logan and Trevor. What's better than two hot sexy Alpha males? Both men have painful pasts, both have had to try and forget past loves. They both need each other and lean on one another.
Most importantly, they are able to be adults and fight for what they want. Trust is hard for both of them, but it also seemed to come easy between them.
What I Liked: I really liked the story as a whole. It was an interesting plot and while yes it was a little predictable in parts it really didn't take away from the story. It was obviously well thought out and executed well. I've read this author before and I'll read her future books as well.
What I didn't like: I'm pretty sure that this is something that others won't have a problem with, but for me, I found it a bit frustrating. I did not care for the flashbacks/glimpses in the past. It was a bit confusing and for the most part, not something I wanted to read. I found myself skimming a few of them.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Would I recommend this book? Definitely.
June 23, 2016
***A Gripping Tale***
This was my first JT Cheyanne novel, and it was a heck of an introduction! Trevor is a Rolling Fork cop with a serious case of PTSD due to a horrifying situation he faced while working for Miami-Dade PD. His solution to his trauma was to bail out of the area, but he can’t run from his memories.
Logan ended his distinguished military career when a phone call came in telling him that his mother had advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Rolling Fork’s golden boy hero has come home - but with big news. He’s decided he doesn’t want to live in the closet anymore.
Together, the two main characters are sizzling. Apart, they both fight demons. The book regularly takes the reader back in time to Logan’s ill-fated parachute drop into Kosovo, where he spent months trying to safely get out, only to fall in love with the man who helped save his life. Being forced to leave Dristan behind sixteen years ago upon his extraction still haunts Logan, and the pain is palpable.
This is a murder mystery, and that weaves through, over, and around the entire storyline. As the deaths pile up, Trevor is forced to face his past, and Logan is there to help keep him together. The plot, subplots, and pacing are good. The characters are beautifully written, pain- and ego-filled by turns. The peripheral characters add incredible layers and buttress the main storyline with elegance. All in all, I loved this story.
Except… I did have one major malfunction that I just couldn’t get past. There is one scene with a cop who does not pursue a suspect who broke into a motel room, instead staying behind with the drunken occupant for sexy times. It yanked me right out of the story and left me, jaw agape, wondering what just happened. It is anathema to any officer, and poetic license aside, it really bothered me. As such, I’m rating this at 3.5 stars instead of four.
That being said, it really is a good book, and I’m glad I’ve now been intro’d to this author. I’ll be seeking out more offerings!
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains scenes of rape and torture. If those trigger you, this may not be your best option.
This was my first JT Cheyanne novel, and it was a heck of an introduction! Trevor is a Rolling Fork cop with a serious case of PTSD due to a horrifying situation he faced while working for Miami-Dade PD. His solution to his trauma was to bail out of the area, but he can’t run from his memories.
Logan ended his distinguished military career when a phone call came in telling him that his mother had advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Rolling Fork’s golden boy hero has come home - but with big news. He’s decided he doesn’t want to live in the closet anymore.
Together, the two main characters are sizzling. Apart, they both fight demons. The book regularly takes the reader back in time to Logan’s ill-fated parachute drop into Kosovo, where he spent months trying to safely get out, only to fall in love with the man who helped save his life. Being forced to leave Dristan behind sixteen years ago upon his extraction still haunts Logan, and the pain is palpable.
This is a murder mystery, and that weaves through, over, and around the entire storyline. As the deaths pile up, Trevor is forced to face his past, and Logan is there to help keep him together. The plot, subplots, and pacing are good. The characters are beautifully written, pain- and ego-filled by turns. The peripheral characters add incredible layers and buttress the main storyline with elegance. All in all, I loved this story.
Except… I did have one major malfunction that I just couldn’t get past. There is one scene with a cop who does not pursue a suspect who broke into a motel room, instead staying behind with the drunken occupant for sexy times. It yanked me right out of the story and left me, jaw agape, wondering what just happened. It is anathema to any officer, and poetic license aside, it really bothered me. As such, I’m rating this at 3.5 stars instead of four.
That being said, it really is a good book, and I’m glad I’ve now been intro’d to this author. I’ll be seeking out more offerings!
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains scenes of rape and torture. If those trigger you, this may not be your best option.
December 20, 2016
4.5 stars
When I saw the word count of “Collateral Damage” I thought there was no way I was reading all of it without skimming through large parts. Any mildly interesting book bores me after 60K. What I did not know then was this one would capture my attention so much that I’d want to read carefully whole of it.
I truly enjoyed it. The story in itself is very good and I loved the backstories of both MCs, especially the one of Logan. (Loved them because they were well constructed, not because of what happened to the guys, mind you.) I’m one of those weird people who’s into flashbacks so they enhanced my reading experience.
One thing that I hate to point out (and usually don’t) is that there were a lot of mistakes skipped in the editing process. Mainly words that can’t be “caught” by spellcheck and even a character name wrong. It didn’t throw me off but I know it’ll make lots of reviewers go nasty on it so I hope the author pays more attention to the editing process in her next book.
The balance between crime/war/romance story is perfect and it is one of the reasons you never get bored. It goes without saying that the sex scenes are hot as the summer in the south and there’s just the right number of them to move the story forward without turning the book into a senseless excuse for porn. Another thing I found quite well developed and fun to read were the secondary characters. And oh my, the Epilogue! I totally adored it, it was the icing on the cake.
“Collateral Damage” is a classic hurt/comfort novel with lots of angst and lots of gentle moments, both showing that love can break you but also heal you and make “everything fade into insignificance” so if you like such stories this is a must read.
*I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.*
March 31, 2017
I waffled back and forth on the rating for this. It was a fairly solid 4 for quite a while but then I ran into issues. I still enjoyed reading it even while shaking my head. I knew I couldn't take this too seriously. Logan's flashbacks seemed fairly authentic for the time and place described. Trevor was so troubled at first with his trauma making him avoid touch and his panic attacks it was becoming some nice hurt/comfort. Then the errors started piling up. Things like Trevor refusing counseling in Miami, because he'd never have gotten back on the force without it. Then only accepting Trevors touch? Yeah...no. Doesnt work that way.
The suspense about the killer wasn't too bad and he was pretty horrible and gruesome. I kind of figured who it was but it didn't make sense he'd be able to get all the way to their town. Anyway, it's all exciting and tense getting to the resolution. So, of course it had to veer off straight into complete overkill. I mean, was that really necessary? Too much, just too much.
The book would have benefited from some serious editing. I didn't catch the errors with names mentioned by some other reviewers but I may have been distracted by all the other misspelled/misused words and punctuation. Still better than the other book I read from this duo, but I think this will be the last.
The suspense about the killer wasn't too bad and he was pretty horrible and gruesome. I kind of figured who it was but it didn't make sense he'd be able to get all the way to their town. Anyway, it's all exciting and tense getting to the resolution. So, of course it had to veer off straight into complete overkill. I mean, was that really necessary? Too much, just too much.
The book would have benefited from some serious editing. I didn't catch the errors with names mentioned by some other reviewers but I may have been distracted by all the other misspelled/misused words and punctuation. Still better than the other book I read from this duo, but I think this will be the last.
June 27, 2016
Well Well Well! This was a suspenseful, emotional, wild ride! Here we have 2 men, both with haunting pasts struggling to make a future for themselves.
Trevor comes from Miami Dade and is now working for the Rolling Fork Sheriff’s department. He suffers from horrible mental trauma at the hands of a person he swore loved him in return.
Logan is an Army man who comes home to care for his sick mother. His past kept him stagnant for such a long time.
Of course these two guys meeting and forming a relationship wouldn’t be easy. There’s a murderer on the loose! This book has a great mystery to it. I’d label it as a psychological thriller for sure.
Even though I figured out the murderer half way, the author wasn’t taking any chances and there were SO many surprises! Even the epilogue threw me for a loop!
Easily a wonderful book. It will hug at your heart, tear at your soul, having you reaching for the bottle. But in the end you’ll smile. It will feel slightly bittersweet but it will also feel right.
These men, these characters don’t have it easy. Minus maybe one guy, this town is full of heartache but it’s also a place of hope.
I really enjoyed this book!
Trevor comes from Miami Dade and is now working for the Rolling Fork Sheriff’s department. He suffers from horrible mental trauma at the hands of a person he swore loved him in return.
Logan is an Army man who comes home to care for his sick mother. His past kept him stagnant for such a long time.
Of course these two guys meeting and forming a relationship wouldn’t be easy. There’s a murderer on the loose! This book has a great mystery to it. I’d label it as a psychological thriller for sure.
Even though I figured out the murderer half way, the author wasn’t taking any chances and there were SO many surprises! Even the epilogue threw me for a loop!
Easily a wonderful book. It will hug at your heart, tear at your soul, having you reaching for the bottle. But in the end you’ll smile. It will feel slightly bittersweet but it will also feel right.
These men, these characters don’t have it easy. Minus maybe one guy, this town is full of heartache but it’s also a place of hope.
I really enjoyed this book!
June 17, 2016
This book has everything you love in a book. It has a story that will hook you in from the beginning and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. You think you know how it will end but you get a great surprise. It has tons of suspense which I loved and the love scenes between Logan and Trevor are hot. Trevor has had a rough couple of years when something happened to him and he moves to a new town to recover and start a new job. Logan comes into his life and turns it upside down. Logan is a x military man who falls for Trevor from the beginning. OF course they have issues and with a killer on the loose they have to decide what is important. Great story telling by JT. You will ove the twists in this story. Received an ARC for an honest review. Reviewed by Jodi for Alpha Book Club.
November 4, 2016
Dark, violent, sweet and sexy - this storey is a conflict of emotions. I really enjoyed the peices and parts that were just Trevor and Logan. I understand the violence and it does fit in the storey. Although it wasn't much of a who done it I thought the reason why the murders were taking place was interesting put.
I did enjoy what happened at 96% - that was a pleasant surprise. I would like to see more of these two - and their growing relationship and family and friends - just perhaps with a little less of a violent case.
Sadly there were quite a few typos. It really takes a lot for me to notice and comment. Although it didn't confuse things it was enough to be a bit annoying.
I did enjoy what happened at 96% - that was a pleasant surprise. I would like to see more of these two - and their growing relationship and family and friends - just perhaps with a little less of a violent case.
Sadly there were quite a few typos. It really takes a lot for me to notice and comment. Although it didn't confuse things it was enough to be a bit annoying.
June 6, 2016
Amazing Damage
Well done! This is my first J.T book but it will not be my last. This was a fast paced story filled with angst, suspense, mystery, drama, laughs and action. Totally loved Logan all alpha male stoic military man, but sensitive and loving all in one. Trevor is a survivor who continued to push himself. T.J. did a great job of keeping you on your toes with the suspense of 'who done it?' It was fun to read and trying to figure out what's next. Did not put this down until the last line. Amazing story, look forward to reading more.
Well done! This is my first J.T book but it will not be my last. This was a fast paced story filled with angst, suspense, mystery, drama, laughs and action. Totally loved Logan all alpha male stoic military man, but sensitive and loving all in one. Trevor is a survivor who continued to push himself. T.J. did a great job of keeping you on your toes with the suspense of 'who done it?' It was fun to read and trying to figure out what's next. Did not put this down until the last line. Amazing story, look forward to reading more.
June 15, 2016
OMG hooked me into story from the start!
Logan and Trevor are the ultimate lovers but both have secrets and issues. This could have been like many other books and just follow that line but the authors entwine this romance with mystery, action, and heat and boy it was hot!
I loved this story so much that I've started to purchase every book I can find with these authors! Totally OUTSTANDING!
Logan and Trevor are the ultimate lovers but both have secrets and issues. This could have been like many other books and just follow that line but the authors entwine this romance with mystery, action, and heat and boy it was hot!
I loved this story so much that I've started to purchase every book I can find with these authors! Totally OUTSTANDING!
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