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Men of Honor #1
Bound By Honor
A promise forces two men to bare themselves…completely.
One year ago on a mission gone wrong, Tanner James failed to save the life of Jesse, his Army Ranger teammate. Before dying in that South American jungle, Jesse extracted a promise that won’t let Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled—no matter what it costs him.
Damon Price loved Jesse, but problems in their relationship had come to a head right before Jesse left on his final mission. Now a reluctant Dom and a man still in mourning, he’s not happy when Tanner appears at his BDSM club. And even less happy with Jesse’s last request—that Tanner sub for him for one night.
After a rough start, Damon realizes that the tough soldier, despite his protests, aches for someone to take control. And Tanner senses a hesitance, an insecurity in Damon that makes him wonder if he’s simply a placeholder for Jesse, or if their tentative connection could grow into something more.
For Jesse’s sake, they agree to try one weekend together. Then duty calls, and a series of attacks that have been happening near the club hits too close to home, making both men wonder if giving their hearts is a maneuver fraught with too much risk…
**This is a reissue of a previously published work.
One year ago on a mission gone wrong, Tanner James failed to save the life of Jesse, his Army Ranger teammate. Before dying in that South American jungle, Jesse extracted a promise that won’t let Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled—no matter what it costs him.
Damon Price loved Jesse, but problems in their relationship had come to a head right before Jesse left on his final mission. Now a reluctant Dom and a man still in mourning, he’s not happy when Tanner appears at his BDSM club. And even less happy with Jesse’s last request—that Tanner sub for him for one night.
After a rough start, Damon realizes that the tough soldier, despite his protests, aches for someone to take control. And Tanner senses a hesitance, an insecurity in Damon that makes him wonder if he’s simply a placeholder for Jesse, or if their tentative connection could grow into something more.
For Jesse’s sake, they agree to try one weekend together. Then duty calls, and a series of attacks that have been happening near the club hits too close to home, making both men wonder if giving their hearts is a maneuver fraught with too much risk…
**This is a reissue of a previously published work.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2011
191 people are currently reading
2250 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Jakes
38 books1,741 followersSE Jakes writes m/m romance. She believes in happy endings and fighting for what you want.
You can contact her the following ways:
You can email her at authorsejakes@gmail.com
You can post to her Facebook page: Facebook.com/SEJakes
You can Twitter her: Twitter.com/authorsejakes
You can post on her Goodreads Group: Ask SE Jakes
You can follow her on Tumblr: http://sejakes.tumblr.com
You can ask her a question as part of the Ask The Author program on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/4595...
Truth be told, the best way to contact her is by email or in blog comments. She spends most of her time writing but she loves to hear from readers.
***
SE Jakes is the pen-name of New York Times Bestselling Author Stephanie Tyler (and half of Sydney Croft!)
You can contact her the following ways:
You can email her at authorsejakes@gmail.com
You can post to her Facebook page: Facebook.com/SEJakes
You can Twitter her: Twitter.com/authorsejakes
You can post on her Goodreads Group: Ask SE Jakes
You can follow her on Tumblr: http://sejakes.tumblr.com
You can ask her a question as part of the Ask The Author program on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/4595...
Truth be told, the best way to contact her is by email or in blog comments. She spends most of her time writing but she loves to hear from readers.
***
SE Jakes is the pen-name of New York Times Bestselling Author Stephanie Tyler (and half of Sydney Croft!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
September 6, 2016
This book started off VERY strong for me. It was all hot sex, dom-y doms, alpha males, and military men. I mean, what's not to love!? But then the book became all scattered and I began to get all "grumpy reader" on its ass. My final rating is 3 stars but I'm pretty conflicted about it.
My goodreads friends have ratings on this one that are all over the map. I have friends that favorited this book and ones that gave it one star. I was prepared to either love it or hate it. What I wasn't really prepared for was to feel in the middle about it.
So what was good? I liked the chemistry between the two men as the book began. There was so much delicious anticipation and sexual tension. I have to admit, I'm also a sucker for a so that was an extra special treat for me. I also thought Tanner and Damon were really interesting characters and I couldn't wait to get inside of their headspaces.
What started off as hot and promising slowly descended into chaos. I didn't love the side plot of the assaults on guys at the club. It was pushed aside and I almost forgot about it until it was brought up later in a rush. I didn't like all of the flashbacks and introduction of side characters. It got confusing for me. I was all like, "who the heck is this and why are you introducing him NOW?" I could tell that the author was trying to set up the next books in the series but it took the focus off of the main guys. Also the pace faltered at the end and it grew a bit dull. And, I can't believe I'm going to say this in ANOTHER review but there was too much sex here. I became desensitized to it after a while. Give those cocks a break, boys!
I'm still giving this book three stars because it was pretty hot and I enjoyed reading it, but by the end I was over it.
My goodreads friends have ratings on this one that are all over the map. I have friends that favorited this book and ones that gave it one star. I was prepared to either love it or hate it. What I wasn't really prepared for was to feel in the middle about it.
So what was good? I liked the chemistry between the two men as the book began. There was so much delicious anticipation and sexual tension. I have to admit, I'm also a sucker for a so that was an extra special treat for me. I also thought Tanner and Damon were really interesting characters and I couldn't wait to get inside of their headspaces.
What started off as hot and promising slowly descended into chaos. I didn't love the side plot of the assaults on guys at the club. It was pushed aside and I almost forgot about it until it was brought up later in a rush. I didn't like all of the flashbacks and introduction of side characters. It got confusing for me. I was all like, "who the heck is this and why are you introducing him NOW?" I could tell that the author was trying to set up the next books in the series but it took the focus off of the main guys. Also the pace faltered at the end and it grew a bit dull. And, I can't believe I'm going to say this in ANOTHER review but there was too much sex here. I became desensitized to it after a while. Give those cocks a break, boys!
I'm still giving this book three stars because it was pretty hot and I enjoyed reading it, but by the end I was over it.
November 19, 2014
Written February 3, 2014.
3 1/2 Rough Stars - intense - strong emotions boils... the heat is reaching the roof
I read a few of S.E. Jakes books in her other series (Long Time Gone and three more, about Prophet and his hottie friends), and they where all amazing reading experiences - just magnificent! ~ I'd been told that this Men of Honor series was quite different but I'd high hopes for another awesome reading time with some muscular, masculine, macho, manly men.
...I got part of it. Bound of Honor is steaming hot, rough, gritty and very intense - but it wasn't a utterly captivating S.E. Jakes novel for me this time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Over a year ago lost the club owner Damon Price his boyfriend and sub, Jesse in one of America's war zones. A year later stands a young and beautiful man in the door. ~ Tanner James promised his Army Ranger teammate Jesse, before he died, that he Tanner would ask for a night and submit for Jesse's former Dom. The time was set to a year and now can't Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled.
The BDSM scene is "new" and quite scary for Tanner. He is absolutely convinced that he isn't a man who wants to bottom or submit for another man. But as the good friend he is, he feels he must and should do it, just this one single night. Damon who is an older, experienced and highly regarded Dom, is bitter, angry and sad. And this night he takes out his grief over Jesse's sadly death on the stranger Tanner. Before a club audience in a play room, more or less violate and demean he the terrified, but also very brave and courageous, younger Tanner.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The beginning of this story made me shudder of discomfort. I wantet to scream and cry. It was maybe not rape but it was all so terrible rough, without tenderness, respect or care. It was just that "A Dom always know best - take it" attitude. Of course (thanksgod!), Damon later also knows that he has done exactly what a good Dom never ever should do. He becomes quickly remorseful, finds the now quite angry and upset Tanner and their story begins...
Bound by Honor has a strong Dom/sub topic and that always scare me a bit. I crossed my fingers for some tender and sweet moments too. And I got that. It wasn't a lot of BDSM Club play here but it was all about to take and to be taken, to dominate and to submit. Of course, Tanner want it maybe after a while (often and a lot), but isn't there other ways too. What about a warm hug, some snuggling and to talk... ?!?!?!
It is a lot of big emotions in this book, but I didn't really deeply love these main characters. I liked them and I partly enjoyed their story, but I didn't care that much in the end. It was breathtaking hot but maybe not enough "story".
As I wrote in an update: It almost felt like some pages were missing. It was often a bit abrupt and choppy and It wasn't that easy to to really belive Tanner and Damon's insta-attraction, big craving lust and huge love (...after just a few weeks). I'm glad for them, but I was almost more interested in Damon's colleague LC and his sad lovelife. (I really hope I'll meet LC aka Law again.)
I'll definitely continue to read these Men of Honor books. This author's style of writing - her words, the ugly and filthy language, the tough style, all these sexy macho men, the throbbing intensity, all heat, lust, sweat, strong emotions, funny banters, rough love etc - is after all, impressive good every time.
I LIKE - yes I do - but I didn't love this time...
3 1/2 Rough Stars - intense - strong emotions boils... the heat is reaching the roof
I read a few of S.E. Jakes books in her other series (Long Time Gone and three more, about Prophet and his hottie friends), and they where all amazing reading experiences - just magnificent! ~ I'd been told that this Men of Honor series was quite different but I'd high hopes for another awesome reading time with some muscular, masculine, macho, manly men.
...I got part of it. Bound of Honor is steaming hot, rough, gritty and very intense - but it wasn't a utterly captivating S.E. Jakes novel for me this time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Over a year ago lost the club owner Damon Price his boyfriend and sub, Jesse in one of America's war zones. A year later stands a young and beautiful man in the door. ~ Tanner James promised his Army Ranger teammate Jesse, before he died, that he Tanner would ask for a night and submit for Jesse's former Dom. The time was set to a year and now can't Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled.
The BDSM scene is "new" and quite scary for Tanner. He is absolutely convinced that he isn't a man who wants to bottom or submit for another man. But as the good friend he is, he feels he must and should do it, just this one single night. Damon who is an older, experienced and highly regarded Dom, is bitter, angry and sad. And this night he takes out his grief over Jesse's sadly death on the stranger Tanner. Before a club audience in a play room, more or less violate and demean he the terrified, but also very brave and courageous, younger Tanner.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The beginning of this story made me shudder of discomfort. I wantet to scream and cry. It was maybe not rape but it was all so terrible rough, without tenderness, respect or care. It was just that "A Dom always know best - take it" attitude. Of course (thanksgod!), Damon later also knows that he has done exactly what a good Dom never ever should do. He becomes quickly remorseful, finds the now quite angry and upset Tanner and their story begins...
‘Damon knew that everything that had just hapened between them - the unexpected intimacy - was way too much, too soon an they were both battling feelings they'd never expected.’
Bound by Honor has a strong Dom/sub topic and that always scare me a bit. I crossed my fingers for some tender and sweet moments too. And I got that. It wasn't a lot of BDSM Club play here but it was all about to take and to be taken, to dominate and to submit. Of course, Tanner want it maybe after a while (often and a lot), but isn't there other ways too. What about a warm hug, some snuggling and to talk... ?!?!?!
‘He was so fucking glad he did. No one made him fell like this...no ever would, and goddamn, he wanted this for fucking ever.’
It is a lot of big emotions in this book, but I didn't really deeply love these main characters. I liked them and I partly enjoyed their story, but I didn't care that much in the end. It was breathtaking hot but maybe not enough "story".
“Yes, baby, you're my prize,” Damon said (...)
“You'll always be my prize.”
As I wrote in an update: It almost felt like some pages were missing. It was often a bit abrupt and choppy and It wasn't that easy to to really belive Tanner and Damon's insta-attraction, big craving lust and huge love (...after just a few weeks). I'm glad for them, but I was almost more interested in Damon's colleague LC and his sad lovelife. (I really hope I'll meet LC aka Law again.)
I'll definitely continue to read these Men of Honor books. This author's style of writing - her words, the ugly and filthy language, the tough style, all these sexy macho men, the throbbing intensity, all heat, lust, sweat, strong emotions, funny banters, rough love etc - is after all, impressive good every time.
I LIKE - yes I do - but I didn't love this time...
June 14, 2016
I first read this in the summer of 2011. Then I read it again in 2013. I read it again this week and really wish I hadn't.
Some books just need to stay 5 star books in your head, and this entire series is one of them. I was less than impressed by reading this again and have put it and the whole series on my re-reading no shelf.
Bummer.
I'm going to keep it at 5 stars because that was my initially thought.
For those who haven't read this and plan to, knowing who-is-who can get very confusing. Here is a short list of who we met in book 1:
Damon co-owns club Crave
LC co-owns club Crave Damon's best friend (mentions Styx)
Jessie is Damon's dead sub
Tanner is Jessie's Ranger friend
Rex Navy buddy of Damon's wants Sawyer
Paulo police officer flirting with LC
Renn bouncer at Crave
Styx military buddy LC is hung up on. Whereabouts unknown
Greg Damon's mentor when he was a teen.
LC AKA Law
Dedicated to my love, David Bowie and Ziggy Stardust.
Some books just need to stay 5 star books in your head, and this entire series is one of them. I was less than impressed by reading this again and have put it and the whole series on my re-reading no shelf.
Bummer.
I'm going to keep it at 5 stars because that was my initially thought.
For those who haven't read this and plan to, knowing who-is-who can get very confusing. Here is a short list of who we met in book 1:
Damon co-owns club Crave
LC co-owns club Crave Damon's best friend (mentions Styx)
Jessie is Damon's dead sub
Tanner is Jessie's Ranger friend
Rex Navy buddy of Damon's wants Sawyer
Paulo police officer flirting with LC
Renn bouncer at Crave
Styx military buddy LC is hung up on. Whereabouts unknown
Greg Damon's mentor when he was a teen.
LC AKA Law
Dedicated to my love, David Bowie and Ziggy Stardust.
April 19, 2024
Tanner quiere cumplir la promesa que le hizo a su compañero de equipo cuando murió en sus brazos, pero para eso tiene que entrar en un Club BDSM y proponerle a su dueño que lo "someta" a él como lo haría con su novio fallecido. El problema con Tanner es que el no se considera sumiso, y no se siente capaz de dejarse someter, aunque sea una sola vez, por nadie. Pero cuando conoce a Damon, siente su dominio, tiene miedo de ser visto con el ser mas débil.
Sin embargo, Tanner no es el único con miedo, Damon también tiene miedo, podrán entre los dos superar la muerte del hombre que los obligo a estar juntos? Podrán ambos entender lo que realmente necesitan del otro?
La trama es bastante sencilla, una pareja de hombres, donde ninguno sabe lo que quiere, pero creen saber lo que quiere el otro. La cantidad de tira-y-jala entre los dos hace la primera parte del libro, bastante monótona. Sin embargo, poco a poco vas conociendo a los personajes, y quizás no terminas de empatizar con ellos, pero empiezas a ver por donde quería ir el autor, y que quería mostrar en la narración y le vas agarrando el gusto.
Sin embargo, la mezcla de puntos de vista, sobre todo porque incluyen a una pareja que no es la prota en este libro, hace que la trama se desvié mucho mas de lo que debería, obligándote a devolverte y leer de nuevo algunos párrafos para identificar quien es el narrador en ese momento.
En fin, le voy a dar otro oportunidad a la serie, porque me gustan mucho los libros de BDSM con protas militares (o policías), así que leeré el próximo libro de la serie esperando que sea menos repetitivo que este.
Sin embargo, Tanner no es el único con miedo, Damon también tiene miedo, podrán entre los dos superar la muerte del hombre que los obligo a estar juntos? Podrán ambos entender lo que realmente necesitan del otro?
La trama es bastante sencilla, una pareja de hombres, donde ninguno sabe lo que quiere, pero creen saber lo que quiere el otro. La cantidad de tira-y-jala entre los dos hace la primera parte del libro, bastante monótona. Sin embargo, poco a poco vas conociendo a los personajes, y quizás no terminas de empatizar con ellos, pero empiezas a ver por donde quería ir el autor, y que quería mostrar en la narración y le vas agarrando el gusto.
Sin embargo, la mezcla de puntos de vista, sobre todo porque incluyen a una pareja que no es la prota en este libro, hace que la trama se desvié mucho mas de lo que debería, obligándote a devolverte y leer de nuevo algunos párrafos para identificar quien es el narrador en ese momento.
En fin, le voy a dar otro oportunidad a la serie, porque me gustan mucho los libros de BDSM con protas militares (o policías), así que leeré el próximo libro de la serie esperando que sea menos repetitivo que este.
April 2, 2019
Overall book rating: 3.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
I’m on a re-read spree it seems. Actually I’m just in the mood for something and seeing as I can’t get a grasp on that “something” I’m randomly working my way through what ever I feel at the moment.
Round two of this one...well I’m going to say it. It made me see lots and lots of little niggles that I may have overlooked the first time. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it. It’s maybe more that I could see all the little things that feels “missing” that could have made this a GREAT read instead of a good one.
All in all, I still love me a struggling soldier. And I think the combination of the light BDSM and the breaking down of emotional barriers was a good one.
9 December 2014 - First Read
Conflicted about this book. It started of very much like what I was in the mood for. And then it just mellowed out. I still liked the story but it was not at all what I expected after that opening scene.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
I’m on a re-read spree it seems. Actually I’m just in the mood for something and seeing as I can’t get a grasp on that “something” I’m randomly working my way through what ever I feel at the moment.
Round two of this one...well I’m going to say it. It made me see lots and lots of little niggles that I may have overlooked the first time. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it. It’s maybe more that I could see all the little things that feels “missing” that could have made this a GREAT read instead of a good one.
All in all, I still love me a struggling soldier. And I think the combination of the light BDSM and the breaking down of emotional barriers was a good one.
9 December 2014 - First Read
Conflicted about this book. It started of very much like what I was in the mood for. And then it just mellowed out. I still liked the story but it was not at all what I expected after that opening scene.
October 24, 2014
***3.5 Great Start Stars***
"You like my weakness."
"That's not weakness, baby. That's surrender - and they're not the same thing at all."
This was a great start to the series. I loved both Damon and Tanner. Two strong, vulnerable and damaged men. The push and pull was the perfect amount of angst and the steam was STEAMY. It was a quick read, but thoroughly engaging and I was hooked. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
However, there were a few things that bugged me. There were too many times where the author awkwardly swapped POV's. It would take me a few sentences to realize, which messed with the flow of my reading and then I'd have to go back and re-read with the understanding that now I'm in an alternate POV.
Also there were obvious consistency errors (i.e. They sat down to eat lasagna and then two paragraphs later one of the MC's was taking a bite of his steak). And finally, I had a hard time fully picturing the MC's. No clear-cut description is given above and beyond the usual (broad shoulders, killer abs, blonde/dark hair....gorgeous cock - well, Damon was 10 inches...I appreciated that specific detail).
Overall, a great start to what looks to be an intriguing and steamy series!
December 5, 2014
I love S.E Jakes, I love her writing, but this book is was not one of my favorites. This story is a little confusing, and I didn't felt deeply connected with the MCs. They have hot and lots of sex, but romance was missing IMO. Too many breakups, coming and going... and well... I wanted them more stable...
August 18, 2015
BR with Nick, Cory and Mishyjo!
There may be spoilers below.
I wasn't really sure what to expect, because aside from S.E. Jakes' Hell or High Water series, her work has usually been a miss for me. But I actually quite liked 'Bound by Honor'.
Tanner James made a promise one year ago to Jesse, his dying teammate, that he would submit for Jesse's boyfriend for a BDSM scene at least once. Damon Price has been in mourning for a year, and he's not too happy when Tanner shows up at his club. The two get off to a very rocky start, but lust wins out and they can't keep their hands off each other.
I can't say that I liked the first 20% or so of the book. The borderline dub-con was random and ridiculous. It seemed to be thrown in for no apparent reason. And if It didn't seem plausible, and left a bad taste in my mouth, along with that first over-the-top sex scene.
But, thankfully, the book got a whole lot better after the first quarter. The angst, the secrets and the sordid pasts kept me hooked. These two alpha males don't share their feelings easily, and seeing them struggle to finally get all of their demons off their chests was equal parts entertaining and frustrating.
And of course the hot kinky sex! I have to admit: S.E. Jakes can write some really great sexytimes. What make it even better is that there's an acknowledgement between the two that they have to discover what the other likes. There's no magical mental manual, or an "anything goes" attitude, as there so often is in BDSM books.
There's also a mystery, which was interesting but a tad distracting. The mystery seemed to have little to do with Tanner and Damon, and was more about setting up Law, Paulo and Styx's story for book 2. That was fine, but I would have preferred that the book remain focused on just Tanner and Damon.
I enjoyed book 1 of the Men of Honor series. If it wasn't for the skeevy beginning, and the distracting mystery aspect, this could easily have been 4 stars. As it is, I liked it and I'm really looking forward to reading Bound by Law next!
There may be spoilers below.
I wasn't really sure what to expect, because aside from S.E. Jakes' Hell or High Water series, her work has usually been a miss for me. But I actually quite liked 'Bound by Honor'.
Tanner James made a promise one year ago to Jesse, his dying teammate, that he would submit for Jesse's boyfriend for a BDSM scene at least once. Damon Price has been in mourning for a year, and he's not too happy when Tanner shows up at his club. The two get off to a very rocky start, but lust wins out and they can't keep their hands off each other.
I can't say that I liked the first 20% or so of the book. The borderline dub-con was random and ridiculous. It seemed to be thrown in for no apparent reason. And if It didn't seem plausible, and left a bad taste in my mouth, along with that first over-the-top sex scene.
But, thankfully, the book got a whole lot better after the first quarter. The angst, the secrets and the sordid pasts kept me hooked. These two alpha males don't share their feelings easily, and seeing them struggle to finally get all of their demons off their chests was equal parts entertaining and frustrating.
And of course the hot kinky sex! I have to admit: S.E. Jakes can write some really great sexytimes. What make it even better is that there's an acknowledgement between the two that they have to discover what the other likes. There's no magical mental manual, or an "anything goes" attitude, as there so often is in BDSM books.
There's also a mystery, which was interesting but a tad distracting. The mystery seemed to have little to do with Tanner and Damon, and was more about setting up Law, Paulo and Styx's story for book 2. That was fine, but I would have preferred that the book remain focused on just Tanner and Damon.
I enjoyed book 1 of the Men of Honor series. If it wasn't for the skeevy beginning, and the distracting mystery aspect, this could easily have been 4 stars. As it is, I liked it and I'm really looking forward to reading Bound by Law next!
December 30, 2018
*** Here we have the deeply intense book #1 in SE Jakes "Men of Honor" series.
Army Ranger Tanner, 6'3", blonde, blue eyes, and tough as nails.
Damon, 6'5", black haired and dressed in leather,
ex Delta Force co-owns a BDSM Club.
He's mourning the loss of his partner, Jesse, who served with Tanner, who held Jesse when he died.
Tanner has a message for Damon from Jesse; and a promise to the dying man. Tanner shows up to deliver the message and Damon is hurt and angry. (Let me tell you now, this story has BDSM, some humiliation and graphic details of previous abuse.)
Later when Tanner is drugged and bound by two men, Damon rescues him.
With Damon's strength and understanding, Tanner finds the help he truly needed. Meanwhile Damon's business partner, JC, has kept secret, the violent attacks and rapes happening outside the Club. There are clues that point to their past. So, we have that mystery to solve and our MCs have conversations to deal with their relationship. Lots of dirty talk, and actions, hot erotic sex with spanking and bondage.
There is also much emotion, with care and comfort.
They have deep thoughts and twisting feelings, and must reveal their pasts to heal.
This is an intense tale of healing one's inner wounds to be able to find peace. It's so well written, interesting, sexual and action packed.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
==============
Army Ranger Tanner, 6'3", blonde, blue eyes, and tough as nails.
Damon, 6'5", black haired and dressed in leather,
ex Delta Force co-owns a BDSM Club.
He's mourning the loss of his partner, Jesse, who served with Tanner, who held Jesse when he died.
Tanner has a message for Damon from Jesse; and a promise to the dying man. Tanner shows up to deliver the message and Damon is hurt and angry. (Let me tell you now, this story has BDSM, some humiliation and graphic details of previous abuse.)
Later when Tanner is drugged and bound by two men, Damon rescues him.
With Damon's strength and understanding, Tanner finds the help he truly needed. Meanwhile Damon's business partner, JC, has kept secret, the violent attacks and rapes happening outside the Club. There are clues that point to their past. So, we have that mystery to solve and our MCs have conversations to deal with their relationship. Lots of dirty talk, and actions, hot erotic sex with spanking and bondage.
There is also much emotion, with care and comfort.
They have deep thoughts and twisting feelings, and must reveal their pasts to heal.
This is an intense tale of healing one's inner wounds to be able to find peace. It's so well written, interesting, sexual and action packed.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
==============
January 10, 2015
BR with Adam, Nick, and Mishyjo. I must admit that I was a poor buddy because I only made one update while I was reading, but that's because I didn't want to stop reading lol.
I love S.E. Jakes characters. You won't see them buying flowers for each other or taking long walks on the beach holding hands. You will see them having all sorts of hot sex. You will also see them showing each other that they do care, but they show them in their own unique way, sometimes without even having to say 'I love you'.
I previously read No Boundaries, so I had some experience with Law, Paulo, and Styx. I didn't realize that they were a part of this series until after I read the other book :). I'm very excited to get their full story.
Tanner and Damon were a great match for each other. Damon would push Tanner when he knew he needed it and eventually, Tanner did the same to Damon.
I thought this was a great start to the series and I'm really looking forward to reading the next books. The best part is that Adam, Nick, and Mish will be with me the whole way!
I love S.E. Jakes characters. You won't see them buying flowers for each other or taking long walks on the beach holding hands. You will see them having all sorts of hot sex. You will also see them showing each other that they do care, but they show them in their own unique way, sometimes without even having to say 'I love you'.
I previously read No Boundaries, so I had some experience with Law, Paulo, and Styx. I didn't realize that they were a part of this series until after I read the other book :). I'm very excited to get their full story.
Tanner and Damon were a great match for each other. Damon would push Tanner when he knew he needed it and eventually, Tanner did the same to Damon.
I thought this was a great start to the series and I'm really looking forward to reading the next books. The best part is that Adam, Nick, and Mish will be with me the whole way!
May 21, 2019
3.5*
I can't make my mind up about this one, some of it I loved and other parts drove me batshit.
The boy references were completely doing my head in by halfway through the book but I wanted to see where Damon and Tanner were going and if they'd make it so I kept reading.
I find LC fascinating and want to know more about him and Styx and whether the hot young detective is going to be able to break through his pain.
The BDSM moments weren't particularly hard, they fit within the story and didn't seem to be there just because or as sex for sex's sake but I felt the connection more between the two men when they weren't doing a scene.
I can't make my mind up about this one, some of it I loved and other parts drove me batshit.
The boy references were completely doing my head in by halfway through the book but I wanted to see where Damon and Tanner were going and if they'd make it so I kept reading.
I find LC fascinating and want to know more about him and Styx and whether the hot young detective is going to be able to break through his pain.
The BDSM moments weren't particularly hard, they fit within the story and didn't seem to be there just because or as sex for sex's sake but I felt the connection more between the two men when they weren't doing a scene.
July 12, 2012
1.5… barely...
Went something like: story. sex. story. sex. story? nope still sex. story but still centered on sex etc. etc. Could have still liked it even with the abundance of sex, which by the way at some point became just as entertaining as reading the dictionary (no offense to those of you who find immense enjoyment in that), but what really killed (murdered, dismembered, slaughtered, annihilated... *ahem* yeah, I think you get the picture...) it for me were the characters.
Not that I didn't care about them, I guess somewhere I did otherwise I would have stopped reading somewhere at the beginning, it's just that they seemed all over the place. With everything; their intentions, their thoughts, their behaviour, it was maddening!
It took a long time before I finally got around to reading this and mostly did because I wanted to read the fourth book in the series, but still thought it would be wise to start at the beginning. Well... I should have just read some of the reviews here and I would have remembered why I couldn't get myself to read it sooner.
(be warned: pointless ramble that has nothing to do with the story)
Considering I rarely (try almost never) write a review (there may be one or two floating around somewhere) it kind of sucks that I decided to review this *big sigh* But it all just kept ghosting around upstairs and demanded to be put down in "ink".
I can see why some people liked this. Unfortunately, for me the bad just kept overshadowing the good, to put it simple.
Went something like: story. sex. story. sex. story? nope still sex. story but still centered on sex etc. etc. Could have still liked it even with the abundance of sex, which by the way at some point became just as entertaining as reading the dictionary (no offense to those of you who find immense enjoyment in that), but what really killed (murdered, dismembered, slaughtered, annihilated... *ahem* yeah, I think you get the picture...) it for me were the characters.
Not that I didn't care about them, I guess somewhere I did otherwise I would have stopped reading somewhere at the beginning, it's just that they seemed all over the place. With everything; their intentions, their thoughts, their behaviour, it was maddening!
It took a long time before I finally got around to reading this and mostly did because I wanted to read the fourth book in the series, but still thought it would be wise to start at the beginning. Well... I should have just read some of the reviews here and I would have remembered why I couldn't get myself to read it sooner.
(be warned: pointless ramble that has nothing to do with the story)
Considering I rarely (try almost never) write a review (there may be one or two floating around somewhere) it kind of sucks that I decided to review this *big sigh* But it all just kept ghosting around upstairs and demanded to be put down in "ink".
I can see why some people liked this. Unfortunately, for me the bad just kept overshadowing the good, to put it simple.
March 31, 2019
✮4 Stars✮
October 11, 2013
I have to say I really enjoyed this one, but the beginning was difficult for me. The first scene between Tanner and Damon....OMG! I so wanted to reach in grab Damon and hit him hard, and then hit him again!! While reading this scene I kept thinking “nope, it is not going to end badly, Damon will stop himself.” But OMG he didn’t!! And then poor Tanner has to pick himself up and get himself home.... Yes, i am ranting, I am getting mad all over again thinking about it.... I will move on...
Once i got myself past “that scene” I started to enjoy this book more. Tanner and Damon were not an easy couple. Both are hard edged, stubborn and broken. Although, Tanner shows his tender vulnerable side a lot easier then big bad Damon and it was easier to love him. But more then once I wanted to yell at Tanner “don’t do that!” I could almost hear the scary music in the background that tells you something “bad” is going to happen!!
Oh should I mention the sex was intense, steamy and i swear I drooled a little....
So do I need to say that I was emotionally “into” this book? No, I don’t think I do.
Onto LC’s story....YAY!!
Once i got myself past “that scene” I started to enjoy this book more. Tanner and Damon were not an easy couple. Both are hard edged, stubborn and broken. Although, Tanner shows his tender vulnerable side a lot easier then big bad Damon and it was easier to love him. But more then once I wanted to yell at Tanner “don’t do that!” I could almost hear the scary music in the background that tells you something “bad” is going to happen!!
Oh should I mention the sex was intense, steamy and i swear I drooled a little....
So do I need to say that I was emotionally “into” this book? No, I don’t think I do.
Onto LC’s story....YAY!!
March 30, 2011
This first book of the Men of Honor series by S.E. Jakes tells the story of Tanner and Damon. Tanner is an Army Ranger who has spend the last year mourning the loss of his best friend Jesse on the force and in their Special Ops team after his untimely death in battle. Left in a position where Jesse was slowly dying and all he could do for his friend was ease his pain, they have time to talk before Jesse passes and Tanner is rescued 10 hours later. He is left with a request from Jesse — to wait one year and then visit his boyfriend Damon, the owner of a BDSM club and a famous local Dom and repeat to him his dying wish — that Tanner sub for Damon for one night. Tanner is a soldier through and through. He is honorable, honest, tough and smart. There is no way that he can deny his friend’s request, no matter that he’s a top and has never bottomed for anyone, much less subbed. BDSM is not his scene, though he doesn’t begrudge anyone their lifestyle. Yet, in honor of his fallen friend and hoping to alleviate his lasting guilt that he couldn’t save his friend, he heads to Crave at the one year anniversary of Jesse’s death, needing to bear this one night of submission to put his grief behind him.
Damon has been grieving for Jesse for the past year, caught in a helpless cycle of denial, pain, and guilt over Jesse’s death and the failure of their relationship. He feels guilty that he fought with Jesse before he left. From past experience in the forces himself, he knows that no soldier can go into battle with other things on his mind and expect to make it out alive. He also feels guilty for the secrets he’s kept from Jesse, from everyone over his life but his best friend LC, and wonders if he had confided in Jesse, would it have made a difference in their relationship anyway? Would it have balanced a relationship that was built upon Damon fixing a broken Jesse and not asking for anything in return? When Tanner comes to the club with his request, it angers him — at Tanner, at himself, and at Jesse, who wouldn’t leave the forces for him and got himself killed. Therefore, he takes Jesse’s dying wish, and in anger, forces a public scene on Tanner, on a man who he knows isn’t a sub in a mockery of Jesse’s dying wish.
Despite their explosive first meeting, both Damon and Tanner can’t seem to stay away from one another. As the days go on, as their relationship progresses into something neither one expected, they start to realize that maybe Jesse knew what he was doing when he set up their meeting. Though both of them seem to make mistakes at every turn, they start to understand that being vulnerable to one another and together is better than being safely closed off and alone, and that what they expect of each other they should be able to live up to themselves. They have a lot to learn about themselves before a relationship between them can actually work, but it is worth it to try. Still, they are both stubborn fools and no matter how they might initially identify as a Dom or sub, or how those identities change over the course of the story, it is like pulling teeth to get either of them to really submit to the other in any way.
Though there is some variation on the roles they play (and they get very complicated when they, or we, try to understand them as either Dom or sub), both of these men are Alpha males (ergo, lots of masculine growling, fighting, and sexing). For Damon, being a Dom is a part of his life that has grown out of his fear to relinquish control in any way, to anyone. For Tanner, he hasn’t allowed himself to admit that what he really desires is to bottom. Originally, he sees this as submitting (especially since the situation is in a BDSM context) and he hates that his attraction to Damon is strong enough to get him to give up his cherry for the first time, no matter how many times he insists that he’s a top. Damon does all he can to steer the progression of their relationship into a sort of training for Tanner to become his sub, though there isn’t really anything in play but power dynamics (no whips, etc.). Their relationship is a bit of a runaway train and it is Damon’s only way of pretending that he’s in control of it. Though he has been outgrowing the BDSM community for some time, only staying with it for Jesse’s sake (who needed to submit to him), it is his only way of controlling his feelings for Tanner and the guilt he feels. On the other hand, Tanner very soon realizes that he needs Damon and more importantly, that Damon needs him, and he sets out to fight for Damon when Damon starts to break down and refuses to fight for himself. The dynamics of the characters in this story, and also the secondary characters (LC’s book is next, but he is a very important character in this book as well) are so layered that it was thrilling to read this book, which relied mostly on internal conflict to usher the plot along. I think this can be difficult for a reader to enjoy unless it is done very well, because having so much conflict within a relationship can make the book overly angsty, while at the same time turning the reader off of the characters (too whiny, TSTL, etc.). This book was set up to be an ansty read from the very beginning, but I was pleased to find out that the characters don’t dwell on their emotions too much, just enough to convey their feelings to the reader, so the book didn’t feel overly dramatic.
For the full review, please visit Reviews by Jessewave.
Damon has been grieving for Jesse for the past year, caught in a helpless cycle of denial, pain, and guilt over Jesse’s death and the failure of their relationship. He feels guilty that he fought with Jesse before he left. From past experience in the forces himself, he knows that no soldier can go into battle with other things on his mind and expect to make it out alive. He also feels guilty for the secrets he’s kept from Jesse, from everyone over his life but his best friend LC, and wonders if he had confided in Jesse, would it have made a difference in their relationship anyway? Would it have balanced a relationship that was built upon Damon fixing a broken Jesse and not asking for anything in return? When Tanner comes to the club with his request, it angers him — at Tanner, at himself, and at Jesse, who wouldn’t leave the forces for him and got himself killed. Therefore, he takes Jesse’s dying wish, and in anger, forces a public scene on Tanner, on a man who he knows isn’t a sub in a mockery of Jesse’s dying wish.
Despite their explosive first meeting, both Damon and Tanner can’t seem to stay away from one another. As the days go on, as their relationship progresses into something neither one expected, they start to realize that maybe Jesse knew what he was doing when he set up their meeting. Though both of them seem to make mistakes at every turn, they start to understand that being vulnerable to one another and together is better than being safely closed off and alone, and that what they expect of each other they should be able to live up to themselves. They have a lot to learn about themselves before a relationship between them can actually work, but it is worth it to try. Still, they are both stubborn fools and no matter how they might initially identify as a Dom or sub, or how those identities change over the course of the story, it is like pulling teeth to get either of them to really submit to the other in any way.
Though there is some variation on the roles they play (and they get very complicated when they, or we, try to understand them as either Dom or sub), both of these men are Alpha males (ergo, lots of masculine growling, fighting, and sexing). For Damon, being a Dom is a part of his life that has grown out of his fear to relinquish control in any way, to anyone. For Tanner, he hasn’t allowed himself to admit that what he really desires is to bottom. Originally, he sees this as submitting (especially since the situation is in a BDSM context) and he hates that his attraction to Damon is strong enough to get him to give up his cherry for the first time, no matter how many times he insists that he’s a top. Damon does all he can to steer the progression of their relationship into a sort of training for Tanner to become his sub, though there isn’t really anything in play but power dynamics (no whips, etc.). Their relationship is a bit of a runaway train and it is Damon’s only way of pretending that he’s in control of it. Though he has been outgrowing the BDSM community for some time, only staying with it for Jesse’s sake (who needed to submit to him), it is his only way of controlling his feelings for Tanner and the guilt he feels. On the other hand, Tanner very soon realizes that he needs Damon and more importantly, that Damon needs him, and he sets out to fight for Damon when Damon starts to break down and refuses to fight for himself. The dynamics of the characters in this story, and also the secondary characters (LC’s book is next, but he is a very important character in this book as well) are so layered that it was thrilling to read this book, which relied mostly on internal conflict to usher the plot along. I think this can be difficult for a reader to enjoy unless it is done very well, because having so much conflict within a relationship can make the book overly angsty, while at the same time turning the reader off of the characters (too whiny, TSTL, etc.). This book was set up to be an ansty read from the very beginning, but I was pleased to find out that the characters don’t dwell on their emotions too much, just enough to convey their feelings to the reader, so the book didn’t feel overly dramatic.
For the full review, please visit Reviews by Jessewave.
August 7, 2021
Not a fan of the cover. That face! Ugh.
Since I picked this for the MM heat, I can't complain about getting it. Just... no other feelings whatsoever. No real connection. And the sentences/ paragraph starts are weird. Hard to tell who was talking a lot of times.
2.5 stars.
Since I picked this for the MM heat, I can't complain about getting it. Just... no other feelings whatsoever. No real connection. And the sentences/ paragraph starts are weird. Hard to tell who was talking a lot of times.
2.5 stars.
August 29, 2014
This is not a good book. Where do I begin? Let's just start listing problems, shall we? This may contain spoilers, but I don't care enough to tag them.
It's like a shitty m/f romance novel except with two guys. Everything is so over the top. Damon is "well over six foot five" and has a 10-inch cock. 10 inches y'all! He's very proud of it too. "And I plan on putting my ten inches inside your virgin ass and filling you until you beg me to come." I don't know about you, but my virgin ass would run screaming from a 10-inch cock. That's longer than my forearm! Thanks, but no thanks.
So, on to the story. Early on, there's a point where Tanner is about to be raped by a couple of guys at a different club who are apparently well known for drugging and raping other men. Damon's friend LC knows this, but as another reader pointed out, he lets Damon finish eating his pasta before mentioning it. So Damon goes to rescue Tanner from these rapists, and his solution is to put on a show for them with Tanner because, well, he's gotta give them something to satisfy them! Then they just leave the men to their own devices; no need to, I don't know, report them to the police or do anything to prevent them from continuing to rape other guys, because that's just what they do. Well, okay then.
The writing is sloppy. There's one scene where Damon takes off his own shirt and jeans, Tanner drags Damon's naked body to his, then grinds against him, the friction against Damon's jeans nearly undoing him. Wait, what?? Damon's supposed to be naked! So maybe it's a typo and it was Tanner's jeans? Except then Damon's hand slides down Tanner's crack and he's naked as well. Ok so no one's wearing jeans? Or is Damon suddenly wearing them? I'm so busy trying to figure out where the jeans went that I don't even care about the sex.
There is little to no character development. I still don't feel like I know who these guys are. Their train of thought is completely disjointed and illogical. It's like the author wanted to mention several feelings, memories, and opinions, but just threw them all together without trying to make any sense of them.
The plot isn't good enough to distract from these other problems. It's (get this) about a rapist who's attacking guys outside Damon and LC's club. Ohhh, so this rapist is a problem and must be stopped! I see.
The final straw for me was Damon incessantly calling Tanner boy. He also calls him sweet boy and (*barf*) baby boy. Just, no. The word was used 177 times in this book. After An Unlocked Heart, I seriously cannot take any more of that pet name, especially when combined with sweet or baby.
So yeah, I gave up at 70%, and it took a lot of effort to make it that far.
It's like a shitty m/f romance novel except with two guys. Everything is so over the top. Damon is "well over six foot five" and has a 10-inch cock. 10 inches y'all! He's very proud of it too. "And I plan on putting my ten inches inside your virgin ass and filling you until you beg me to come." I don't know about you, but my virgin ass would run screaming from a 10-inch cock. That's longer than my forearm! Thanks, but no thanks.
So, on to the story. Early on, there's a point where Tanner is about to be raped by a couple of guys at a different club who are apparently well known for drugging and raping other men. Damon's friend LC knows this, but as another reader pointed out, he lets Damon finish eating his pasta before mentioning it. So Damon goes to rescue Tanner from these rapists, and his solution is to put on a show for them with Tanner because, well, he's gotta give them something to satisfy them! Then they just leave the men to their own devices; no need to, I don't know, report them to the police or do anything to prevent them from continuing to rape other guys, because that's just what they do. Well, okay then.
The writing is sloppy. There's one scene where Damon takes off his own shirt and jeans, Tanner drags Damon's naked body to his, then grinds against him, the friction against Damon's jeans nearly undoing him. Wait, what?? Damon's supposed to be naked! So maybe it's a typo and it was Tanner's jeans? Except then Damon's hand slides down Tanner's crack and he's naked as well. Ok so no one's wearing jeans? Or is Damon suddenly wearing them? I'm so busy trying to figure out where the jeans went that I don't even care about the sex.
There is little to no character development. I still don't feel like I know who these guys are. Their train of thought is completely disjointed and illogical. It's like the author wanted to mention several feelings, memories, and opinions, but just threw them all together without trying to make any sense of them.
The plot isn't good enough to distract from these other problems. It's (get this) about a rapist who's attacking guys outside Damon and LC's club. Ohhh, so this rapist is a problem and must be stopped! I see.
The final straw for me was Damon incessantly calling Tanner boy. He also calls him sweet boy and (*barf*) baby boy. Just, no. The word was used 177 times in this book. After An Unlocked Heart, I seriously cannot take any more of that pet name, especially when combined with sweet or baby.
So yeah, I gave up at 70%, and it took a lot of effort to make it that far.
September 5, 2016
This book is about two men who have been wounded in their past, both too proud to admit it, and both looking for something they think they need - only to find out that is only part of the truth. While the book is labelled as a BDSM title, and it can be read it as such, I don't think that is actually true in the “literal” sense of the word. The characters play with domination and submission because they think they need it, but for me, that wasn't what the story was about.
Tanner is trying to deal with losing Jesse, a team mate, during a military mission. Jesse's last wish was that Tanner see Damon, Jesse's boyfriend, to submit to him. Tanner doesn't think he's a submissive (and he isn't, not in that sense of the word), but goes to see Damon anyway. The misunderstandings and pain these two manage to inflict on each other before they sort themselves out are scary.
Damon carries a dark secret - and isn't any more a Dom than Tanner is a sub. He may like to dominate, on occasion, but that isn't who he is. Tanner needs to figure out what happened in his past to make him think he is before there is any hope.
This story is intense, not for the faint hearted and more about the psychology of two wounded men finding healing in each other than anything else. I look forward to the next volume, and am hoping that LC can find a solution for his problems as well.
Tanner is trying to deal with losing Jesse, a team mate, during a military mission. Jesse's last wish was that Tanner see Damon, Jesse's boyfriend, to submit to him. Tanner doesn't think he's a submissive (and he isn't, not in that sense of the word), but goes to see Damon anyway. The misunderstandings and pain these two manage to inflict on each other before they sort themselves out are scary.
Damon carries a dark secret - and isn't any more a Dom than Tanner is a sub. He may like to dominate, on occasion, but that isn't who he is. Tanner needs to figure out what happened in his past to make him think he is before there is any hope.
This story is intense, not for the faint hearted and more about the psychology of two wounded men finding healing in each other than anything else. I look forward to the next volume, and am hoping that LC can find a solution for his problems as well.
July 23, 2016
3.5 stars
Having already read the Hell or Highwater books and really liking them, I am backtracking and a bit late to this series.
I had a bit of trouble connecting with Damon and Tanner's relationship. I really didn't understand it. I was actually more intrigued by LC's story and I will definitely be moving on to his book.
Having already read the Hell or Highwater books and really liking them, I am backtracking and a bit late to this series.
I had a bit of trouble connecting with Damon and Tanner's relationship. I really didn't understand it. I was actually more intrigued by LC's story and I will definitely be moving on to his book.
December 22, 2014
I have read this (and the other books in the series) multiple times now and I still love it/them.
I loved the fact that the characters sort of 'battled' their way into love. It wasn't all gentle and lovey-dovey but raw and impassioned.
Others have criticised the appropriateness of the BDSM scene at the start of the book but because this wasn't actually a Dom/sub relationship I wasn't fazed by it. In the context of the story it made sense.
I read books like this for their escapist qualities. I don't nit-pick the 'rightness' of everything. I know that not every Dom has a 10 inch willy. I know that not every Dom is a millionaire with his own private dungeon/club. I know that not every army person can 'handle' every gun/fight/situation without breaking a nail. To truly enjoy these types of books you need to be able to suspend your reality/incredulity and dive head-first in the fantasy created by the author. If you can do this then this series is wonderful and wonderfully erotic.
What a ride...
Originally posted on Amazon.com
I loved the fact that the characters sort of 'battled' their way into love. It wasn't all gentle and lovey-dovey but raw and impassioned.
Others have criticised the appropriateness of the BDSM scene at the start of the book but because this wasn't actually a Dom/sub relationship I wasn't fazed by it. In the context of the story it made sense.
I read books like this for their escapist qualities. I don't nit-pick the 'rightness' of everything. I know that not every Dom has a 10 inch willy. I know that not every Dom is a millionaire with his own private dungeon/club. I know that not every army person can 'handle' every gun/fight/situation without breaking a nail. To truly enjoy these types of books you need to be able to suspend your reality/incredulity and dive head-first in the fantasy created by the author. If you can do this then this series is wonderful and wonderfully erotic.
What a ride...
Originally posted on Amazon.com
May 6, 2017
YUMMY!! What a pairing Tanner and Damon are!! 5 stars and a quick visit from those dancing girls
Not going into a lot of detail otherwise I will self-combust (again!!) Damon is the owner of a club called Crave, and his partner in the business is LC (Law), both ex military. The men's backgrounds are not pretty, but you'll have to read the book(s) in the series to discover more. Damon's old boyfriend Jesse, a Ranger, has been killed in South America and his best mate Tanner was with him at the time. Jesse's dying wish was that Tanner go to Damon and submit to him...they are both broken men and need each other. What ensues is a hard, sometimes downright painful look at what two men who are obviously meant to be together will do to avoid their fate. I loved it and am already halfway through book 2 which is LC's story.
September 26, 2013
Great start of the Men of Honor series with a great balance of steamy scenes and and strong emotions.
It's a gritty, tough love between Tanner and Damon. Their relationship isn't an easy ride. Both of the guys have baggage and not all of it gets resolved.
S.E. Jakes did an excellent job with the supporting characters. I am looking forward to Law's story.
June 10, 2011
2.5 stars
This book is extremely hard for me to rate. On one hand, I love the premise, the BDSM (more like just bondage but whatevz), the military dilemma and the guilt both men have over Jesse dying. But on the other hand, it's just all sex.
I'm going to make it absolutely clear that Damon was a fucking bastard in the beginning. He treated Tanner like shit all because he was pissed at Jesse for making Tanner promise something before he died. Of course, Damon was already pissed at Jesse for dying. I hated Damon. He was a prick to top all pricks. I really liked Tanner, though. He's an honorable guy. He wouldn't even break his promise to Jesse no matter how much he didn't want to go through with it. He got hurt from that promise, though. It was extremely sad, and yes, I teared up a bit because he's such a strong, confident man and Damon fucked him over! And not in a good way!
However, Damon did turn around. He did some grovelling (even though it didn't seem like enough for me) and got back into Tanner's (and my) good graces. The plot of the story is kind of divided between something from Damon's past coming back to haunt him, which is related to LC (Damon's best friend) and Tanner coming to terms with the fact he's a submissive. In all honesty, no matter how much I hated Damon in the beginning, he is good for Tanner. And Tanner is good for him.
Like I said earlier, there was a lot of sex. I mean, I felt like I was being suffocated by it. The MCs thought the best way to solve a problem was by fixing it with sex and that's no way to solve problems. Sure, they'd talk a little about the problem after the sex but more often than not, they skipped the resolution all together. And because of that, the problems Damon had with Tanner re-upping into Delta Forces was never resolved. Besides all that, I was often confused by the timeline. At times, the description of whats given made it seem like days or weeks had passed but in reality, only a day or two had passed. Just the sex made it feel like weeks had passed because if it hadn't then these boys are extremely horny!! They must of had sex like twenty times a day AT LEAST!!!
Overall, I did enjoy the parts that had plot. The sex was good and fine but I felt like I was drowning. I would have appreciated this a lot more if things had been resolved but they weren't. If you're looking for a PWP, you've got yourself a winner.
This book is extremely hard for me to rate. On one hand, I love the premise, the BDSM (more like just bondage but whatevz), the military dilemma and the guilt both men have over Jesse dying. But on the other hand, it's just all sex.
I'm going to make it absolutely clear that Damon was a fucking bastard in the beginning. He treated Tanner like shit all because he was pissed at Jesse for making Tanner promise something before he died. Of course, Damon was already pissed at Jesse for dying. I hated Damon. He was a prick to top all pricks. I really liked Tanner, though. He's an honorable guy. He wouldn't even break his promise to Jesse no matter how much he didn't want to go through with it. He got hurt from that promise, though. It was extremely sad, and yes, I teared up a bit because he's such a strong, confident man and Damon fucked him over! And not in a good way!
However, Damon did turn around. He did some grovelling (even though it didn't seem like enough for me) and got back into Tanner's (and my) good graces. The plot of the story is kind of divided between something from Damon's past coming back to haunt him, which is related to LC (Damon's best friend) and Tanner coming to terms with the fact he's a submissive. In all honesty, no matter how much I hated Damon in the beginning, he is good for Tanner. And Tanner is good for him.
Like I said earlier, there was a lot of sex. I mean, I felt like I was being suffocated by it. The MCs thought the best way to solve a problem was by fixing it with sex and that's no way to solve problems. Sure, they'd talk a little about the problem after the sex but more often than not, they skipped the resolution all together. And because of that, the problems Damon had with Tanner re-upping into Delta Forces was never resolved. Besides all that, I was often confused by the timeline. At times, the description of whats given made it seem like days or weeks had passed but in reality, only a day or two had passed. Just the sex made it feel like weeks had passed because if it hadn't then these boys are extremely horny!! They must of had sex like twenty times a day AT LEAST!!!
Overall, I did enjoy the parts that had plot. The sex was good and fine but I felt like I was drowning. I would have appreciated this a lot more if things had been resolved but they weren't. If you're looking for a PWP, you've got yourself a winner.
September 16, 2013
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4.5 TOPPIN FROM THE BOTTOM STARS
OK OK, I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK.... THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKING HOT!!!! DID I TELL YOU THAT THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKING HOT???? CAUSE IT WAS....
THERE ARE ELEMENTS IN THIS BOOK THAT I TRULY ENJOYED AND SOME THAT WAS JUST OK WITH ME
ENJOYED...
THE SEX
THE CONNECTION
THE STRENGTH OF BOTH DAMON AND TANNER
THE FRIENDSHIP BTWN LC AND DAMON
THE SEX
UMMM YA THE SEX
THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKIN HOTT
ARMY~BADASS~ALPHAS
And I was like, oops here's another mini....
CAUSE IN MY HEAD ALL I COULD PICTURE WAS THIS
Then I would just melt cause my heart hurt from some of the things they said to each other...
"Just don't give up on me, Damon. Please"
Because I'm not letting you get away with your bullshit excuses anymore. If you don't love me, don't want to be with me, that's fine-I'm a big boy and I can handle it. But I don't know what the hell else is going on between us. This is way beyond Jesse and your fear of me dying. And if I leave for this mission without things resolved between us, I'm not coming back here to you, for my own goddamned sanity. Ball's in your court, the way it's been for the past few weeks. But you needed to see that even though I got hurt, I'm still here. I want to be here. And I wasn't going to let your last memory of me revolve around me passed out in a goddamned hospital bed. Let tonight burn in your memory and we'll see if you're man enough to handle it this time." WEEP
My not so much enjoyed????
Nothing to write about!!!
If you want a really smexy read, with lots of hot sex, great characters and a good story line READ THIS BOOK
Mare SLiTsReaD Reviews
http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2013/0...
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4.5 TOPPIN FROM THE BOTTOM STARS
OK OK, I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK.... THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKING HOT!!!! DID I TELL YOU THAT THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKING HOT???? CAUSE IT WAS....
THERE ARE ELEMENTS IN THIS BOOK THAT I TRULY ENJOYED AND SOME THAT WAS JUST OK WITH ME
ENJOYED...
THE SEX
THE CONNECTION
THE STRENGTH OF BOTH DAMON AND TANNER
THE FRIENDSHIP BTWN LC AND DAMON
THE SEX
UMMM YA THE SEX
THE SEX WAS FREAKING SMOKIN HOTT
ARMY~BADASS~ALPHAS
And I was like, oops here's another mini....
CAUSE IN MY HEAD ALL I COULD PICTURE WAS THIS
Then I would just melt cause my heart hurt from some of the things they said to each other...
"Just don't give up on me, Damon. Please"
Because I'm not letting you get away with your bullshit excuses anymore. If you don't love me, don't want to be with me, that's fine-I'm a big boy and I can handle it. But I don't know what the hell else is going on between us. This is way beyond Jesse and your fear of me dying. And if I leave for this mission without things resolved between us, I'm not coming back here to you, for my own goddamned sanity. Ball's in your court, the way it's been for the past few weeks. But you needed to see that even though I got hurt, I'm still here. I want to be here. And I wasn't going to let your last memory of me revolve around me passed out in a goddamned hospital bed. Let tonight burn in your memory and we'll see if you're man enough to handle it this time." WEEP
My not so much enjoyed????
Nothing to write about!!!
If you want a really smexy read, with lots of hot sex, great characters and a good story line READ THIS BOOK
Mare SLiTsReaD Reviews
May 12, 2011
I got 38% in before I decided not to continue. Tanner is an Army Ranger, who is going to see a Dom to honor the final request of a dying friend, Jesse. He feels guilty he couldn't save his Jesse's life, so he feels honor-bound to go. Damon Price was Jesse's boyfriend and still isn't over his death a year later. He's angry that Tanner has come and agrees to top him, and ends up humiliating him in front of the patrons of his BDSM club. He regrets his actions and goes to Tanner, asking for a second chance. Tanner agrees, then stands him up, but gets himself into trouble and Damon rescues him. They get together again but then Tanner leaves. For me, although the sex was very hot, the back and forth of "I'm sorry, let's try again *leaves*, I'm sorry, let's try again *leaves*" was too frustrating. And I thought Damon was a jerk. I couldn't get into the mystery that the author was working into the story because I was too annoyed with Damon and Tanner.
This book got good reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, it just didn't work for me.
This book got good reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, it just didn't work for me.
July 20, 2013
~~~
This isn't a full review simply because I'm anxious to get on with the series.
Since I discovered this series by reading an upcoming sequel
Catch a Ghost I already know there is a long way to go and good things to come. I didn't find the quality of the writing to be what I expected from the author, but I think it's going to improve as the series progresses. I liked the story and the characters, but didn't become emotionally involved. HOWEVER, the next book in this series has me intrigued. Some foreshadowing of what's to come has me pretty interested so... On to the next book.
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
This isn't a full review simply because I'm anxious to get on with the series.
Since I discovered this series by reading an upcoming sequel
Catch a Ghost I already know there is a long way to go and good things to come. I didn't find the quality of the writing to be what I expected from the author, but I think it's going to improve as the series progresses. I liked the story and the characters, but didn't become emotionally involved. HOWEVER, the next book in this series has me intrigued. Some foreshadowing of what's to come has me pretty interested so... On to the next book.
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
March 30, 2016
Reread 3/29/16.
On the second time through this book, things jumped out that I didn't focus on originally, probably because the first time I was mostly like ohhh maaaa gawwww because of all of the hot sex and I was newer to the m/m genre and had not yet read some of the amazing books out there. But anyway, I did not love the "I'm turning into a chick" comments every time some emotion threatened to surface. I am also over the "little boy", "sweet boy" "baby boy" stuff. Tanner was supposed to be a hard ass Delta Force 26 year old man - and yet everyone and his brother called him "boy" when talking to him. I get that this might be a power exchange thing with he and Damon but when others, including LC, did it, it just seemed condescending and dismissive. Between that and the chick comments, my feathers were ruffled.
On the second time through this book, things jumped out that I didn't focus on originally, probably because the first time I was mostly like ohhh maaaa gawwww because of all of the hot sex and I was newer to the m/m genre and had not yet read some of the amazing books out there. But anyway, I did not love the "I'm turning into a chick" comments every time some emotion threatened to surface. I am also over the "little boy", "sweet boy" "baby boy" stuff. Tanner was supposed to be a hard ass Delta Force 26 year old man - and yet everyone and his brother called him "boy" when talking to him. I get that this might be a power exchange thing with he and Damon but when others, including LC, did it, it just seemed condescending and dismissive. Between that and the chick comments, my feathers were ruffled.
August 16, 2012
I'm so happy a reading challenge pushed me into reading this book. There were a few little typos here and there but the story and suspense surpasses any issue that I might have found. I loved Tanner and confused ass. So happy Damon was there to straighten him out. I loved the secondary characters Paulo & LC, can't wait to read the next in the series. Hot soldiers fighting their way into love? Hot sex scenes with an even hotter back story? I thought it was pretty unique on how Tanner and Damon met. I was a little hesitant on how these two with their grief could find love but they did. Can't gush enough. Definitely will read this entire series.
February 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I can't believe I've missed this series and I am totally grateful to the Scavenger Hunt challenge for helping me to find it. The characters are amazing - so real, and beautifully developed throughout the story. I liked the author's writing style, it is written from multiple pov's but my only complaint was sometimes it was difficult to figure out which "he" they are talking about when multiple characters are in a scene. That's honestly the only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
September 4, 2012
Ugh, what a mess. At no point in this narrative did I have any idea what was going on. I felt like I was reading in a language that I just barely speak. It's just a mass of confusing, meandering sub-plots and flashbacks, I think (since it was so indecipherable and all).
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