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Pins and Needles
The truth is rarely seen on the surface, and getting to it might mean digging deep….
After a devastating accident and a long stay in the hospital, the last thing petroleum engineer Sean Wilkinson wants to deal with is the settlement the oil company tries to force on him. He’ll never be able to work in his field again, his education is all but useless, and his surgeons are pessimistic about whether he’ll ever walk again. He needs someone in his corner, but most lawyers take one look at his tattoo-covered father and turn their backs. It’s just Sean’s luck that the one attorney willing to give him a chance is also the hottest guy he’s ever seen.
As a trial lawyer, Nate Delany has a lot to prove—to his father, the world, and himself. Sean intrigues Nate, and he struggles to reconcile the gifted tattoo artist he can’t stop fantasizing about with the quiet, brilliant engineer. His investigation reveals facts left out of the accident report—including an illicit affair, greedy coworkers, and a vicious corporation that will do anything to protect its bottom line. When Sean’s life is threatened, winning Sean’s case, and his heart, becomes a lot more dangerous.
After a devastating accident and a long stay in the hospital, the last thing petroleum engineer Sean Wilkinson wants to deal with is the settlement the oil company tries to force on him. He’ll never be able to work in his field again, his education is all but useless, and his surgeons are pessimistic about whether he’ll ever walk again. He needs someone in his corner, but most lawyers take one look at his tattoo-covered father and turn their backs. It’s just Sean’s luck that the one attorney willing to give him a chance is also the hottest guy he’s ever seen.
As a trial lawyer, Nate Delany has a lot to prove—to his father, the world, and himself. Sean intrigues Nate, and he struggles to reconcile the gifted tattoo artist he can’t stop fantasizing about with the quiet, brilliant engineer. His investigation reveals facts left out of the accident report—including an illicit affair, greedy coworkers, and a vicious corporation that will do anything to protect its bottom line. When Sean’s life is threatened, winning Sean’s case, and his heart, becomes a lot more dangerous.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2017
48 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Thomas
8 books354 followersA.J. Thomas writes romantic suspense. She’s earned a Bachelor’s degree in Literature from the University of Montana and worked in a half-dozen different jobs from law enforcement officer to librarian before settling down. Life as a military spouse has tossed her around the country so many times she doesn’t know how to answer when people ask her where she’s from, but she delights in living as a perpetual tourist, visiting new places and discovering amazing things.
Her time is divided between taking care of her three young children, experimenting with cooking and baking projects that rarely explode these days, and embarrassing her husband with dirty jokes. When she’s not writing, she hikes, gardens, researches every random idea that comes into her head, and develops complicated philosophical arguments about why a clean house is highly overrated. Her work has won multiple awards, including the 2013 AMB Ovation Award for Best LGBT Inter-racial Romance, and the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Gay Contemporary Fiction.
Blog: http://ajthomasromance.blogspot.com/
Website: http://ajthomasromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJ.Thomas.Ro...
E-mail: ajthomasromance@gmail.com
Her time is divided between taking care of her three young children, experimenting with cooking and baking projects that rarely explode these days, and embarrassing her husband with dirty jokes. When she’s not writing, she hikes, gardens, researches every random idea that comes into her head, and develops complicated philosophical arguments about why a clean house is highly overrated. Her work has won multiple awards, including the 2013 AMB Ovation Award for Best LGBT Inter-racial Romance, and the 2014 Rainbow Award for Best Gay Contemporary Fiction.
Blog: http://ajthomasromance.blogspot.com/
Website: http://ajthomasromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJ.Thomas.Ro...
E-mail: ajthomasromance@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
August 5, 2017
I enjoyed Pins and Needles, but not quite as much as I've liked the other books I've read by this author. The pacing felt a bit slow for me. Still, I found the story intriguing and I liked both MC's and I didn't mind sticking it to the rich oil company, either.
Sean Wilkinson had a lot of disadvantage growing up, but he worked hard and overcame it. People often made assumptions about him, based on class and his tattoos and the fact that his closest-thing-he-has-ever-had-to-a-father, Hawk, looked disreputable. So Sean learned how to blend in, when he went to college and because he was brilliant, he did well and got a good job (for as long as it lasted, anyway). Sean is a gifted tattoo artist and, now, a brilliant engineer, but he presently feels that all that education, that he still has gobs of loan debt for, is pretty useless if he can't work in the field he was educated for.
Sean always played his cards close to his chest, never really letting other people get to know him. Very few people make it past the wall. Hawk, of course, as well as the family friend and fellow tattoo artist, Tonya, and now Nate. No one on the rig really knew him at all, and he liked it that way, in spite of the fact that he was having an affair with his boss, and had been since he was an intern. Not the best judgement there, for sure, but he was 19 when that started, and spending weeks or months at sea...well.
Nate Delaney, on the surface would seem like the over-privileged guy with everything handed to him, but he has family issues, just like everyone. He discovered that no matter how hard you work, sometimes the only thing people see is your last name and that they will make assumptions about how much was handed to you vs. how much you earned -- and sometimes that includes your own family.
Also, his parents bent over backward to accommodate the bigoted attitude of their oldest son so that they could get to know their grandchildren, but in the process of doing that, they essentially erased Nate from the family photo albums and family gatherings. He spent many years feeling like his family didn't care about him at all. That made me so angry. And what made me even angrier was that his parents thought that would even be ok! That they didn't see how that would make a person feel less-than or unwelcome.
After Nate quit his fathers's firm, deciding that striking out on his own would be more fulfilling, he took Sean is his first client. The case seemed pretty cut and dry, but they were fighting an oil company that has gobs of money and teams of attorneys. But there is more here than just an accident claim. There's also a question of intellectual property and there might just be someone trying to kill Sean, as well. Sean's having a rough year, for sure -- give the guy a break, already!
The romance is slow burn, which I always like in a romance, there is some steam, but not a ton, and I love the theme of family -- sometimes the best family is the chosen family. Hawk and Tonya were both great characters -- particularly Hawk.
Hawk may have looked like a thug with all the tattoos and the Harley and the lack of cash, but he didn't have to take in his ex-girlfriend's 12 year old son when he got tossed out for being gay. He didn't have to teach him a trade, so that he could both support himself and his art. He didn't have to stick around when Sean was nearly killed in an accident on the oil rig. But he did. And he never asked for anything in return. That's what real family does. He gave a damn and I admire that. Hawk was more family than anyone Sean was blood related to.
I also enjoyed the intrigue bits, though the big reveal was a touch over the top, in my opinion (but thank goodness for monologuing villains, who don't think things through!). All in all, I'd give Pins and Needles 4 stars.
----------------------
ARC of Pins and Needles was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Sean Wilkinson had a lot of disadvantage growing up, but he worked hard and overcame it. People often made assumptions about him, based on class and his tattoos and the fact that his closest-thing-he-has-ever-had-to-a-father, Hawk, looked disreputable. So Sean learned how to blend in, when he went to college and because he was brilliant, he did well and got a good job (for as long as it lasted, anyway). Sean is a gifted tattoo artist and, now, a brilliant engineer, but he presently feels that all that education, that he still has gobs of loan debt for, is pretty useless if he can't work in the field he was educated for.
Sean always played his cards close to his chest, never really letting other people get to know him. Very few people make it past the wall. Hawk, of course, as well as the family friend and fellow tattoo artist, Tonya, and now Nate. No one on the rig really knew him at all, and he liked it that way, in spite of the fact that he was having an affair with his boss, and had been since he was an intern. Not the best judgement there, for sure, but he was 19 when that started, and spending weeks or months at sea...well.
Nate Delaney, on the surface would seem like the over-privileged guy with everything handed to him, but he has family issues, just like everyone. He discovered that no matter how hard you work, sometimes the only thing people see is your last name and that they will make assumptions about how much was handed to you vs. how much you earned -- and sometimes that includes your own family.
Also, his parents bent over backward to accommodate the bigoted attitude of their oldest son so that they could get to know their grandchildren, but in the process of doing that, they essentially erased Nate from the family photo albums and family gatherings. He spent many years feeling like his family didn't care about him at all. That made me so angry. And what made me even angrier was that his parents thought that would even be ok! That they didn't see how that would make a person feel less-than or unwelcome.
After Nate quit his fathers's firm, deciding that striking out on his own would be more fulfilling, he took Sean is his first client. The case seemed pretty cut and dry, but they were fighting an oil company that has gobs of money and teams of attorneys. But there is more here than just an accident claim. There's also a question of intellectual property and there might just be someone trying to kill Sean, as well. Sean's having a rough year, for sure -- give the guy a break, already!
The romance is slow burn, which I always like in a romance, there is some steam, but not a ton, and I love the theme of family -- sometimes the best family is the chosen family. Hawk and Tonya were both great characters -- particularly Hawk.
Hawk may have looked like a thug with all the tattoos and the Harley and the lack of cash, but he didn't have to take in his ex-girlfriend's 12 year old son when he got tossed out for being gay. He didn't have to teach him a trade, so that he could both support himself and his art. He didn't have to stick around when Sean was nearly killed in an accident on the oil rig. But he did. And he never asked for anything in return. That's what real family does. He gave a damn and I admire that. Hawk was more family than anyone Sean was blood related to.
I also enjoyed the intrigue bits, though the big reveal was a touch over the top, in my opinion (but thank goodness for monologuing villains, who don't think things through!). All in all, I'd give Pins and Needles 4 stars.
----------------------
ARC of Pins and Needles was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2020
4 Hearts
I'm impressed!
In all actuality though, I’m not that surprised by my like of this because I do love me some romantic suspense.
This starts off with Sean, who by no means has had it easy in life. He’s conquered many obstacles and just when things have finally fallen into place, he suffers an absolutely horrific accident while on an oil rig support ship, leaving his long term goals and his body in ruins. When his case catches the eye of lawyer Nate, Sean’s grateful that someone is willing to help him navigate the many complications that have suddenly materialized in what seems like a straightforward situation. It is anything but.
Nate in turn, has been struggling his whole life to win the approval of his father. When said father fails to see that Nate truly is excellent at his job, it forces him to quit the firm and start anew on his own. Sean’s case will not only prove his worth, but the intriguing young man stirs many many things, and Nate’s determined to be his champion.
Suffice it to say, these two connect on multiple levels despite their disparate backgrounds, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. There’s all sorts of roadblocks - ex’s, corporate greed, family bigotry, personal insecurity and doubt - all against a backdrop of multiple attempts on their lives. This kept me on my toes in and amongst the technical aspects of oil drilling, the intricacies of various laws, and showcasing the artistic side of Sean as well his brilliant engineering mind. Nate is no slouch either, and though these two have a few missteps, they actually do communicate well with each other. It doesn’t hurt at all that the UST and the sexy smex were very well done. Be forewarned though, there are some major dick head assholes in this story that made me want to cut a bitch multiple times. Grrr.
Please be aware that the narration by Jason Riley is simply a straight forward read through. If you’re looking for a theatrical production with varied voices, you’re not going to find it here. I admit, there were times I was confused as to who was speaking, but Riley’s delivery was pleasant and had inflection which still allowed me to greatly enjoy this story.
Overall, this was a big hit for me despite my small disappointment in not seeing a huge courtroom drama. However, I obviously liked what I got, and this author is now definitely on my radar!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
I'm impressed!
In all actuality though, I’m not that surprised by my like of this because I do love me some romantic suspense.
This starts off with Sean, who by no means has had it easy in life. He’s conquered many obstacles and just when things have finally fallen into place, he suffers an absolutely horrific accident while on an oil rig support ship, leaving his long term goals and his body in ruins. When his case catches the eye of lawyer Nate, Sean’s grateful that someone is willing to help him navigate the many complications that have suddenly materialized in what seems like a straightforward situation. It is anything but.
Nate in turn, has been struggling his whole life to win the approval of his father. When said father fails to see that Nate truly is excellent at his job, it forces him to quit the firm and start anew on his own. Sean’s case will not only prove his worth, but the intriguing young man stirs many many things, and Nate’s determined to be his champion.
Suffice it to say, these two connect on multiple levels despite their disparate backgrounds, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. There’s all sorts of roadblocks - ex’s, corporate greed, family bigotry, personal insecurity and doubt - all against a backdrop of multiple attempts on their lives. This kept me on my toes in and amongst the technical aspects of oil drilling, the intricacies of various laws, and showcasing the artistic side of Sean as well his brilliant engineering mind. Nate is no slouch either, and though these two have a few missteps, they actually do communicate well with each other. It doesn’t hurt at all that the UST and the sexy smex were very well done. Be forewarned though, there are some major dick head assholes in this story that made me want to cut a bitch multiple times. Grrr.
Please be aware that the narration by Jason Riley is simply a straight forward read through. If you’re looking for a theatrical production with varied voices, you’re not going to find it here. I admit, there were times I was confused as to who was speaking, but Riley’s delivery was pleasant and had inflection which still allowed me to greatly enjoy this story.
Overall, this was a big hit for me despite my small disappointment in not seeing a huge courtroom drama. However, I obviously liked what I got, and this author is now definitely on my radar!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
January 16, 2018
I enjoyed this, more than i thought i would. The story is mystery-legal first and romance second. I would have loved more smexy times. The chemistry between Sean and Nate was believable and kept me turning pages. Sean's insecurities broke my heart, but i am glad he had Nate and Hawk.
November 13, 2018
I know I took my time reading this one, which wasn't necessarily due to my reading schedule, but rather because I felt a bit torn over the story.
I absolutely loved the case. And by that I mean the legal dispute between our MC Sean and his employer, a gas/oil company. What happened to him on that ship was terrible and the things that led to his injuries, including an illicit affair, were truly interesting.
I also loved Sean's dramatic background as a boy raised by a single mom who gets thrown out of the house for being gay at age 12. He grew up with one of his mom's ex-boyfriends, Hawk, who runs a tattoo studio. Hawk acts as his dad and gets him through school AND college , which is totally awesome if you think about it...
I also liked Nate's background as the son of a successful lawyer who tries to set foot in his father's company, but who never manages to win his father's respect, until he leaves and takes on Sean's case.
Nate's family is another story which totally broke my heart.
All in all, it should be a 5 star read, clearly, but I simply did not connect with Sean and Nate...
Sean - who has to cope with a life-altering handicap, seems to be annoyed at his disability, but it is not the big mental abyss I would have assumed it was for him. He seemed to be more upset about his employer trying to patent his invention than about suddenly missing a limb...
And Nate... Nate simply doesn't have a personal life, because he's a workaholic. He falls for Sean, which is something I can somehow understand considering Sean is hot and covered in beautiful tattoos, plus he's super vulnerable at the time of the story and therefore triggers Nate's protective insticts, but I don't see them as a match that fairy tales are made of.
The story is a great thriller, though. And my personal highlight is the interaction between Sean and his former boss Bruce who may or may not have something to do with what happened to Sean. Their 'acquaintance' was something that really piqued my interest and carried the story for me. Of course, I also wanted to see Bruce suffer, LOL.
The ending really touched me, too.
Oh yeah, and for those who love it, there are LOTS of tattoos in this story ;-)
All in all, this is a solid 4 star read that I found pretty awesome as a thriller while the romance wasn't the most exciting one for me.
I absolutely loved the case. And by that I mean the legal dispute between our MC Sean and his employer, a gas/oil company. What happened to him on that ship was terrible and the things that led to his injuries, including an illicit affair, were truly interesting.
I also loved Sean's dramatic background as a boy raised by a single mom who gets thrown out of the house for being gay at age 12. He grew up with one of his mom's ex-boyfriends, Hawk, who runs a tattoo studio. Hawk acts as his dad and gets him through school AND college , which is totally awesome if you think about it...
I also liked Nate's background as the son of a successful lawyer who tries to set foot in his father's company, but who never manages to win his father's respect, until he leaves and takes on Sean's case.
Nate's family is another story which totally broke my heart.
All in all, it should be a 5 star read, clearly, but I simply did not connect with Sean and Nate...
Sean - who has to cope with a life-altering handicap, seems to be annoyed at his disability, but it is not the big mental abyss I would have assumed it was for him. He seemed to be more upset about his employer trying to patent his invention than about suddenly missing a limb...
And Nate... Nate simply doesn't have a personal life, because he's a workaholic. He falls for Sean, which is something I can somehow understand considering Sean is hot and covered in beautiful tattoos, plus he's super vulnerable at the time of the story and therefore triggers Nate's protective insticts, but I don't see them as a match that fairy tales are made of.
The story is a great thriller, though. And my personal highlight is the interaction between Sean and his former boss Bruce who may or may not have something to do with what happened to Sean. Their 'acquaintance' was something that really piqued my interest and carried the story for me. Of course, I also wanted to see Bruce suffer, LOL.
The ending really touched me, too.
Oh yeah, and for those who love it, there are LOTS of tattoos in this story ;-)
All in all, this is a solid 4 star read that I found pretty awesome as a thriller while the romance wasn't the most exciting one for me.
September 3, 2017
Pins and needles got me hooked right away and I really enjoyed this “new-author-to-me”. There’s a lot of stuff that I like in this one : opposites attract to each other, a good intrigue, a lawyer, a show of strength to raise above shitty dealt cards.
Nate has spent his life trying to please his parents but lost himself a bit in the process. Weary, he decides to quit his father’s law firm, taking a case dismissed by one of the partners to start his own business. His new client is Sean.
Sean hasn’t had an easy life to say the least but worked hard to thrive as a tattoo artist and as an engineer. He’s almost there to have a financially secured job but a horrific accident leaves him in a wheel-chair. The settlement proposed by his company is not going to make it and Nate steps in at the right time for a negotiation.
It’s a slow burn between Nate and Sean, each of them facing challenges brought out by Sean’s accident, by the case and by their attraction. Granted, it’s a little low on the steam and I wouldn’t have minded an ending more focused on the HEA than on the mystery. However, I was delighted by the intrigue, the very endearing MCs, all the side characters, be it Sean’s entourage or Nate’s family and the development of the Nate and Sean’s relationship.
A special thumbs up for the cover : makes perfect sense with this very enjoyable story.
Nate has spent his life trying to please his parents but lost himself a bit in the process. Weary, he decides to quit his father’s law firm, taking a case dismissed by one of the partners to start his own business. His new client is Sean.
Sean hasn’t had an easy life to say the least but worked hard to thrive as a tattoo artist and as an engineer. He’s almost there to have a financially secured job but a horrific accident leaves him in a wheel-chair. The settlement proposed by his company is not going to make it and Nate steps in at the right time for a negotiation.
It’s a slow burn between Nate and Sean, each of them facing challenges brought out by Sean’s accident, by the case and by their attraction. Granted, it’s a little low on the steam and I wouldn’t have minded an ending more focused on the HEA than on the mystery. However, I was delighted by the intrigue, the very endearing MCs, all the side characters, be it Sean’s entourage or Nate’s family and the development of the Nate and Sean’s relationship.
A special thumbs up for the cover : makes perfect sense with this very enjoyable story.
December 22, 2021
I forgot how much I liked this book. Reread.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, honestly. It was even headed to be a 4.5 star read there for a little while.
I was intrigued by both the MCs and the mystery of Sean's accident. Thomas did a really great job in the first 65% of weaving a great balance between the two. But then the last 35% was totally about the mystery, with some extra-dramatical twists, and it didn't have the same pull on me that it had previously.
A lovely epilogue tried to make up for it, but I lost the momentum of being invested in Sean and Nate.
Overall, still an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, honestly. It was even headed to be a 4.5 star read there for a little while.
I was intrigued by both the MCs and the mystery of Sean's accident. Thomas did a really great job in the first 65% of weaving a great balance between the two. But then the last 35% was totally about the mystery, with some extra-dramatical twists, and it didn't have the same pull on me that it had previously.
A lovely epilogue tried to make up for it, but I lost the momentum of being invested in Sean and Nate.
Overall, still an enjoyable read.
August 25, 2017
"I've always found that art and science are really just different reflections of reality. Different ways of appreciating the same thing, of understanding the world and showing it to others."
Sean Wilkinson always tried to combine both in his life. Emanated from a difficult childhood he found a new home and a surrogate father in Hawk, a gentle from-head-to-toe tattooed giant who taught Sean not only his love for art and how to bring it to life, but also encouraged him to make something of himself, to follow up on his fascination of science, which earned Sean two degrees, one in chemistry and one in petroleum engineering. Working as a tattoo artist and as an engineer on a ship belonging to an oil company was everything he could have hoped for in life, until an accident destroys not only his chance for a thriving career -not to say almost his life-, but it also left him damaged and...
"I think I have more scar tissue than skin, and I'm..." He was broken, although he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.
Sean, never someone who trusts easily and who rarely -with a few exceptions- shows his true self to people around him, has to rely on legal help when it becomes apparent that his employer is determined to fob him off with peanuts.
Nate Delany's family background is as different from Sean's as they come, but that does not mean his family life is all sunshine and roses. Cursed with a homophobic brother -and to some extent equally homophobic parents who allow for him to be pressed into the role of the black sheep of the family- he has his own problems to deal with. As a young underrated lawyer working for the law firm of his father, he pulls the brake when everything he earns for his work is empty promises and dismissive comments from his own father. Somebody else getting all the credit for a big case is the final straw for him to leave the firm in order to stand on his own feet.
His first official act is to take over Sean's case. Umm, just to make it clear: Sean's by Nate's father's firm dejected case. Yeah, maybe there was a bit of a desire for revenge involved and a way to prove himself to his father, but as soon as he meets Sean he is enraptured by his personality and inner strength and the only thing that matters to him is to seek justice for Sean. Well, apart from the fact that he might be about to fall for his client hook, line and sinker, which is not the best idea in regards to lawyer/client ethics.
When it looks like there could be a chance for succes to get Sean the compensation he deserves, it turns out that Sean's accident might have been anything but, and the search for the background of the deed ends up on more attempts on Sean's life. Ethical problems could be the least of Nate's concerns to keep him from having a chance for love with Sean.
This was once again a story that made me undergo a whole range of feelings. I few pages in and I was already pissed off. Umm, not that I did not like the story, quite the contrary, but Nate's father and his protégé made me so angry I was almost in need of a lawyer myself for plotting a double murder in my head. And don't even get me started on Nate's brother...
I totally adored Sean, though. How he called Nate's father out on his attitude was simply priceless. But what I admired the most was his strength and the way he bounced back from his injuries to find his own niche in life. How he came to accept himself and find new self esteem. And I loved Nate for helping Sean accomplishing that.
"I still can't believe a guy like you could actually be interested in someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Nate asked, swiveling to face him head-on. "Someone who's quite likely a genius, stronger than anybody I've ever met, and loyal to a fault?"
Despite all the differences, Sean and Nate were absolutely the perfect match for each other and more than cute and loveable together.
I never would have thought that this would be a story that even made me choke up a bit at times. Family plays an important role here and the way this role is conveyed in this book due to some awesome side characters like Hawk and Tonya, Sean's coworker at the tattoo studio, but also due to Nate's gift for Sean at the end made me appreciate once more how precious it is to have someone you can call 'family'.
"Family is about more than sharing a few bits of DNA with someone. It's about who you want to build and share your life with."
The mystery part was exceptional and kept me guessing all the time about what was going on. I mentally plucked the petals of a flower saying "He did it"/"He did it not" as to who was the perp. Yes, of course I had my suspicions and in a manner I was right, but it still surprised me how much more there was than meets the eye.
I would have enjoyed this book more, though, when it wouldn't have been so heavy on "lawsuitbabble" in regards to the case and technical terms to describe the procedure on an oil rig, although I know this is totally on me due to the fact that I'm not a native English speaker. Especially at the beginning I had to look up almost every other word and that ripped me out of the reading flow and spoiled the fun a bit.
Overall this was an enjoyable read which I can really recommend!
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession Dirty Books Obsession
January 20, 2022
It’s such a shame that this author hasn’t released more books, my experience with her work has been consistently positive and this one was no exception.
One of the things that make her books stand out among the hundreds of others in the genre is the way she comes up with characters that don’t fit the usual molds. Enter Sean: the first—I’m pretty sure—engineer (unless you count the software ones) I’ve ever encountered as an MC in an m/m book. Granted, he doesn’t fit the cliché of an engineer either, but that only made his character more interesting. Even though Nate is a lawyer, a much more represented profession in the genre, he also hides some surprises under the surface.
I think the characters and their interactions were my favorite thing about this book, even with the slight miscommunication they had at some points, but I also appreciated the unusual plot and I managed to be surprised by the resolution of the “mystery” even though I’d correctly guessed the identity of one of the people responsible.
While I did appreciate how Nate dealt with his family situation——I’m not sure I’m completely satisfied with how his relatives were portrayed. His brothers were consistent, , but some of the decisions/actions his parents took didn’t feel completely coherent with how they’d behaved in the past and how they acted during the book itself. I know it’s not all black and white with real people and some situations don’t have easy solutions, but I can’t help wondering why they never
That said, I liked that not everything was magically solved by love and fairy dust and I could chalk it all up to Nate’s parents being realistically flawed. Also, the family stuff took much less time and focus than my mini-rant might lead you to believe, so don’t be put off by my mentioning it.
One of the things that make her books stand out among the hundreds of others in the genre is the way she comes up with characters that don’t fit the usual molds. Enter Sean: the first—I’m pretty sure—engineer (unless you count the software ones) I’ve ever encountered as an MC in an m/m book. Granted, he doesn’t fit the cliché of an engineer either, but that only made his character more interesting. Even though Nate is a lawyer, a much more represented profession in the genre, he also hides some surprises under the surface.
I think the characters and their interactions were my favorite thing about this book, even with the slight miscommunication they had at some points, but I also appreciated the unusual plot and I managed to be surprised by the resolution of the “mystery” even though I’d correctly guessed the identity of one of the people responsible.
While I did appreciate how Nate dealt with his family situation——I’m not sure I’m completely satisfied with how his relatives were portrayed. His brothers were consistent, , but some of the decisions/actions his parents took didn’t feel completely coherent with how they’d behaved in the past and how they acted during the book itself. I know it’s not all black and white with real people and some situations don’t have easy solutions, but I can’t help wondering why they never
That said, I liked that not everything was magically solved by love and fairy dust and I could chalk it all up to Nate’s parents being realistically flawed. Also, the family stuff took much less time and focus than my mini-rant might lead you to believe, so don’t be put off by my mentioning it.
October 29, 2018
Loved loved loved this one. This is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last. Well written, well edited, well plotted, nice, slow burn romance, respectful depiction of disability, and wonderful characters, main and side characters. Sean and Nate came together at a perfect time in each other's lives, both needing a change, and were wonderful together. There was a couple of cases of misunderstanding, but it was due more to their own issues, and lack of proper communicating the issues. than any big stupid thing, which I loved. Sean is thinking Nate can't love a broken man, while Nate is just trying to preserve his professional ethics, but neither are great at communicating this.
June 8, 2019
** 4.5 stars **
This is my first time reading this author, and I liked it. The story was compelling, the characters were less than perfect and I don't mean appearance wise, the mystery was well-written and kept me guessing till the end. Both MCs had time to get to know each other, their relationship progressing from initial friendship into something more.
Sean Wilkinson is a young man whose ideal life was cut short and now he has to pick up the pieces. A horrible accident left him severely injured and fighting to get justice. He was always smarter than most but that put him in positions where he could get easily hurt. A chance meeting with an attorney willing to take his case gives him the will to get back on his feet and possibly find happiness. But what if the accident was no accident at all?
Nate Delany worked hard to get his father's approval but no matter what he does, somebody else always gets the credit. So he decides to finally spread his wings and hopefully prove his father wrong. His first case puts him in the path of a young man who will show him that simply drifting is not enough, that it's time to start living.
I liked both men. They weren't perfect but they understood each other and had a lot in common. I really liked how Sean viewed the world, how he understood early on how to relate to people that are different from him. I am glad to say that Nate stood firm against his father and all he did to impede his progress, I liked his integrity and how hard he worked to help Sean. Their feelings had time to grow even under all the strain they were. The case turned from simple to dangerous and murderous during the course of several months. There were so many suspects but in the end it was a partial surprise as to why and how. I enjoyed Nate talking about the process of getting ready for the trial but unfortunately Sean's talk about engineering made my eyes glaze over.
I really liked the side characters and the tattoo shop that played a big part in Sean and Nate developing feelings. The story was told in dual POV, had a bit of steam and a bit of angst. I will definitely read more work written by A.J. Thomas. I recommend it.
This is my first time reading this author, and I liked it. The story was compelling, the characters were less than perfect and I don't mean appearance wise, the mystery was well-written and kept me guessing till the end. Both MCs had time to get to know each other, their relationship progressing from initial friendship into something more.
Sean Wilkinson is a young man whose ideal life was cut short and now he has to pick up the pieces. A horrible accident left him severely injured and fighting to get justice. He was always smarter than most but that put him in positions where he could get easily hurt. A chance meeting with an attorney willing to take his case gives him the will to get back on his feet and possibly find happiness. But what if the accident was no accident at all?
Nate Delany worked hard to get his father's approval but no matter what he does, somebody else always gets the credit. So he decides to finally spread his wings and hopefully prove his father wrong. His first case puts him in the path of a young man who will show him that simply drifting is not enough, that it's time to start living.
I liked both men. They weren't perfect but they understood each other and had a lot in common. I really liked how Sean viewed the world, how he understood early on how to relate to people that are different from him. I am glad to say that Nate stood firm against his father and all he did to impede his progress, I liked his integrity and how hard he worked to help Sean. Their feelings had time to grow even under all the strain they were. The case turned from simple to dangerous and murderous during the course of several months. There were so many suspects but in the end it was a partial surprise as to why and how. I enjoyed Nate talking about the process of getting ready for the trial but unfortunately Sean's talk about engineering made my eyes glaze over.
I really liked the side characters and the tattoo shop that played a big part in Sean and Nate developing feelings. The story was told in dual POV, had a bit of steam and a bit of angst. I will definitely read more work written by A.J. Thomas. I recommend it.
January 26, 2022
4 solid stars. I really enjoyed both MCs and found them very distinct and original. Sean really is a genius and a complex character. Nate is also very intelligent and they compliment each other. The way they fall for each other came through even though there was a bit of miscommunication that felt unnecessary (and not placed where you would expect). I really enjoyed the mystery and the fact that we were not following a police officer but a lawyer was a nice change of pace. I felt that the pacing could have been better, both when it comes to the relationship and the mystery. The balance between the two was nice though. The ending felt rushed and I wish we had spent more time with our MCs as a couple. You have to be ready for the jargon because we have it in engineering, lawyering and tatooing so be ready. Otherwise a very nice book that I would recommend.
August 24, 2017
Pins and Needles by A.J. Thomas is a complex story about a young man (Sean) who receives life changing injuries while working for a petroleum company. The reader is brought into the story after the fact during the recovery and while Sean's "Dad" is looking for an attorney to represent them. This brings Nate Delaney into the picture, a young lawyer, who has been trying to prove himself to his father over the last two years only to keep getting shut down day after day. Nate has had enough and is leaving his fathers firm when he gets word that Hawk, Sean's Dad, was turned away earlier in the day. It's the perfect set up for multiple reasons.
When Sean and Nate meet the first time, There is attraction despite the situation of Sean being in a hospital bed and on serious pain meds. Once Sean gets out of the hospital these two start developing that lovely unresolved sexual tension that I just love. I enjoyed how the author really had them get to know each other. In addition, the traumatic injuries that Sean is dealing with were not ignored in the storyline as Sean dealt with insecurities and Nate became a better listener.
However, I have to be honest, I almost stopped reading this book. It seemed to drag until about 40% and then the conflict was so perfect it was annoying -- not to mention it could have been so easily prevented it just made me mad. Miscommunication v misunderstanding v insecurity = perfect storm this is not what I expect from this author who writes well-rounded, well-thought romances with a touch of crime, mystery, and, of course, passion. So, yes - I was dissappointed. Additionally, if you have no idea about fracking and the oil industry or engineering this book has the potential to confuse you quite easily. I was constantly having to look up terms,(which I don't mind) and I was still confused about certain aspects including pumps, pressure, thrusters, yada yada ... it made my head hurt 😉 - I did however, understand the chemistry and medical jargon so yay for me!
Anyhow, back to Sean & Nate, Once these two learned how to talk the story picked up. Then however, it went back to the case and figuring out what went wrong that led to Sean's Accident. From this point, the plot just sort of bounces around and I found myself forgetting who certain characters were when they would show up again later in the book. There seriously is a lot going on in this book - family drama, homophobia, murders, attempted murders, engineering, medical jargon, legal jargon, and a budding romance -- it's quite a busy book!
Then, it's just sort of over. Not really a cliffhanger. But I guess a Happy for Now..not too far into the future and pretty abruptly. It left me feeling like after all the "work" of the story...we didn't get much "happy times." If you are going go make me work that hard while reading a romance, please give me more happiness at the end...-- *sigh*
Overall a good book ~ 3 stars
Review Copy of Pins and Needles provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest Review.
When Sean and Nate meet the first time, There is attraction despite the situation of Sean being in a hospital bed and on serious pain meds. Once Sean gets out of the hospital these two start developing that lovely unresolved sexual tension that I just love. I enjoyed how the author really had them get to know each other. In addition, the traumatic injuries that Sean is dealing with were not ignored in the storyline as Sean dealt with insecurities and Nate became a better listener.
However, I have to be honest, I almost stopped reading this book. It seemed to drag until about 40% and then the conflict was so perfect it was annoying -- not to mention it could have been so easily prevented it just made me mad. Miscommunication v misunderstanding v insecurity = perfect storm this is not what I expect from this author who writes well-rounded, well-thought romances with a touch of crime, mystery, and, of course, passion. So, yes - I was dissappointed. Additionally, if you have no idea about fracking and the oil industry or engineering this book has the potential to confuse you quite easily. I was constantly having to look up terms,(which I don't mind) and I was still confused about certain aspects including pumps, pressure, thrusters, yada yada ... it made my head hurt 😉 - I did however, understand the chemistry and medical jargon so yay for me!
Anyhow, back to Sean & Nate, Once these two learned how to talk the story picked up. Then however, it went back to the case and figuring out what went wrong that led to Sean's Accident. From this point, the plot just sort of bounces around and I found myself forgetting who certain characters were when they would show up again later in the book. There seriously is a lot going on in this book - family drama, homophobia, murders, attempted murders, engineering, medical jargon, legal jargon, and a budding romance -- it's quite a busy book!
Then, it's just sort of over. Not really a cliffhanger. But I guess a Happy for Now..not too far into the future and pretty abruptly. It left me feeling like after all the "work" of the story...we didn't get much "happy times." If you are going go make me work that hard while reading a romance, please give me more happiness at the end...-- *sigh*
Overall a good book ~ 3 stars
Review Copy of Pins and Needles provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest Review.
November 17, 2024
4 stars for an original and grippingly suspenseful story. 2 stars for a largely one-sided romance. So 3.5 stars, it is. A.J. Thomas wove a compelling tale that I couldn't put down, even if the romance let me down.
In his 22 years, Sean Wilkinson made mistakes, found successes, and endured a series of traumas, culminating in an explosion on an oil rig where he loses his leg. Although he often feels damaged beyond repair, he pulls himself up to pursue a settlement with the aid of a certain GQ model, erm, attorney.
Despite outward appearances, Nate Delany is no golden boy. Smart and driven, he seeks but fails to earn a fair chance from his father. When he leaves the family firm and takes Sean's case, he is prepared to prove himself - but he isn't quite prepared for Sean. As their relationship transcends attorney and client, the case also transcends an ordinary corporate liability case into one involving greed, theft, and murder.
Let me get my crying out of the way. The romance felt unbalanced. Nate’s feelings for Sean? I never doubted his respect for Sean, his admiration of the engineer’s intelligence and the artist’s talent, his determination to treat Sean as fully capable and his remorse whenever he fell short. Nate went above and beyond for Sean, risking not only his career but his life for him.
So why am I crying again? Because I was never convinced that Sean’s feelings for Nate ran much deeper than lust and gratitude. Sean’s point-of-view scenes rarely included the sentiments found in Nate’s. Even as other characters claimed that Sean cared deeply for Nate, it didn't come across that way to me. His actions during the book's climax? I felt like he would have done that for anyone, including gross creepy Bruce. Heck, I even felt that his feelings for Bruce read as deeper and more genuine! And while familial love was an important component of Sean’s story, those feelings also resonated more strongly. I don’t mind a slow-burn romance, but I want to believe in the happy ending. Instead, the epilogue made me nervous about their future, nervous that Sean still seemed detached and aloof with Nate. Everything in the epilogue came back to Nate’s feelings for Sean, what Nate did for Sean. What did Sean do for Nate? Slept through his brother’s wedding! Sean was the center of Nate's world, but Nate seemed like an afterthought to Sean.
Romance rant aside, I very much enjoyed the overall story arc, which combines suspense and family drama and corporate intrigue and mystery with a heaping of legalese and petroleum engineering (and as an attorney married to a chemical engineer, I ate those latter two up). Even as I formed suspicions, the twists and turns ensured that I never quite figured everything out.
Since it doesn't appear that Thomas will revisit these two, I have no choice but to accept defeat on the romance front. But I have enjoyed Thomas' work, especially the Least Likely Partnership series, and I will happily read more in the future.
Read for SBTB January - March 2018 Quarterly Challenge: a book with a three word title.
In his 22 years, Sean Wilkinson made mistakes, found successes, and endured a series of traumas, culminating in an explosion on an oil rig where he loses his leg. Although he often feels damaged beyond repair, he pulls himself up to pursue a settlement with the aid of a certain GQ model, erm, attorney.
Despite outward appearances, Nate Delany is no golden boy. Smart and driven, he seeks but fails to earn a fair chance from his father. When he leaves the family firm and takes Sean's case, he is prepared to prove himself - but he isn't quite prepared for Sean. As their relationship transcends attorney and client, the case also transcends an ordinary corporate liability case into one involving greed, theft, and murder.
Let me get my crying out of the way. The romance felt unbalanced. Nate’s feelings for Sean? I never doubted his respect for Sean, his admiration of the engineer’s intelligence and the artist’s talent, his determination to treat Sean as fully capable and his remorse whenever he fell short. Nate went above and beyond for Sean, risking not only his career but his life for him.
So why am I crying again? Because I was never convinced that Sean’s feelings for Nate ran much deeper than lust and gratitude. Sean’s point-of-view scenes rarely included the sentiments found in Nate’s. Even as other characters claimed that Sean cared deeply for Nate, it didn't come across that way to me. His actions during the book's climax? I felt like he would have done that for anyone, including gross creepy Bruce. Heck, I even felt that his feelings for Bruce read as deeper and more genuine! And while familial love was an important component of Sean’s story, those feelings also resonated more strongly. I don’t mind a slow-burn romance, but I want to believe in the happy ending. Instead, the epilogue made me nervous about their future, nervous that Sean still seemed detached and aloof with Nate. Everything in the epilogue came back to Nate’s feelings for Sean, what Nate did for Sean. What did Sean do for Nate? Slept through his brother’s wedding! Sean was the center of Nate's world, but Nate seemed like an afterthought to Sean.
Romance rant aside, I very much enjoyed the overall story arc, which combines suspense and family drama and corporate intrigue and mystery with a heaping of legalese and petroleum engineering (and as an attorney married to a chemical engineer, I ate those latter two up). Even as I formed suspicions, the twists and turns ensured that I never quite figured everything out.
Since it doesn't appear that Thomas will revisit these two, I have no choice but to accept defeat on the romance front. But I have enjoyed Thomas' work, especially the Least Likely Partnership series, and I will happily read more in the future.
Read for SBTB January - March 2018 Quarterly Challenge: a book with a three word title.
November 12, 2018
Major price drop at DSP today: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/boo...
September 4, 2017
3.75 stars rounded up
My first A.J. Thomas, thanks to my friend Irene. It was solid in writing, interesting in family dynamic, smart in technical details, and strong in characterization.
I loved both Nate and Sean -- and I think Sean's occupation as petroleum engineer as well as an artist is a unique combination I rarely find in M/M romance.
I still thought it was dragging a bit in the middle, though. It took me a good night sleep to get back into it again around 2/3rd of the book.
My first A.J. Thomas, thanks to my friend Irene. It was solid in writing, interesting in family dynamic, smart in technical details, and strong in characterization.
I loved both Nate and Sean -- and I think Sean's occupation as petroleum engineer as well as an artist is a unique combination I rarely find in M/M romance.
I still thought it was dragging a bit in the middle, though. It took me a good night sleep to get back into it again around 2/3rd of the book.
April 24, 2022
Wow, this book really had me hooked.
Usually, the plots in romance novels are only there to embed the love story into a nice setting.
That is definitely different here, so if you only want a fluffy romance this might disappoint.
However, even though the romance was very slow burn and rather embedded in the story than the other way round, for me this book was close to perfect.
Sean had an accident on a ship where he had just started working full-time, that cost him one leg and all his dreams of a work as an engineer.
Nate is a lawyer who works in the company of his father but never gets credit for the work he does.
When he decides to leave the law firm and work somewhere else a secretary mentions a case that has been turned down but might be just right for him to work on.
The company Sean worked for wants things settled and of course, they won`t take responsibility for the accident or pay more than a fraction of what Sean needs to cover his medical bills. And certainly, they will not acknowledge that Sean also has a legal claim on the construction of the oil pump that was used on the ship, although Sean more or less developed it on his own as an intern, before coming on board as a full-time employee. Instead, they even blame him to not having obeyed orders and therefore causing the accident himself.
The story has quite some difficult vocabulary if you are not a native speaker like me, that sometimes makes it difficult to understand what this whole construction and patent claim is all about.
If this sounds complicated, you got it right. This book has a lot going on, besides the slowly developing love story, so you need to be open for that or you won`t enjoy it.
For me, this even contributed to the reading pleasure and I really haven`t read a romance story that felt so genuine and "whole" in a long time and don`t worry it is not too difficult to understand what is going on, even if you miss some of the technical terms....
If you are looking for more than a hot couple jumping into bed and descriptions of their hot sex, look no further, this is it!
Definitely recommended and despite a few minor flaws, 4.5 stars from me!
Usually, the plots in romance novels are only there to embed the love story into a nice setting.
That is definitely different here, so if you only want a fluffy romance this might disappoint.
However, even though the romance was very slow burn and rather embedded in the story than the other way round, for me this book was close to perfect.
Sean had an accident on a ship where he had just started working full-time, that cost him one leg and all his dreams of a work as an engineer.
Nate is a lawyer who works in the company of his father but never gets credit for the work he does.
When he decides to leave the law firm and work somewhere else a secretary mentions a case that has been turned down but might be just right for him to work on.
The company Sean worked for wants things settled and of course, they won`t take responsibility for the accident or pay more than a fraction of what Sean needs to cover his medical bills. And certainly, they will not acknowledge that Sean also has a legal claim on the construction of the oil pump that was used on the ship, although Sean more or less developed it on his own as an intern, before coming on board as a full-time employee. Instead, they even blame him to not having obeyed orders and therefore causing the accident himself.
The story has quite some difficult vocabulary if you are not a native speaker like me, that sometimes makes it difficult to understand what this whole construction and patent claim is all about.
If this sounds complicated, you got it right. This book has a lot going on, besides the slowly developing love story, so you need to be open for that or you won`t enjoy it.
For me, this even contributed to the reading pleasure and I really haven`t read a romance story that felt so genuine and "whole" in a long time and don`t worry it is not too difficult to understand what is going on, even if you miss some of the technical terms....
If you are looking for more than a hot couple jumping into bed and descriptions of their hot sex, look no further, this is it!
Definitely recommended and despite a few minor flaws, 4.5 stars from me!
February 4, 2018
Ok, I admit it...I almost missed out on this one, but...
when this one came across my radar in the form of the audio book I was going to turn it down. I said 'Oh, I'll take 'Off the Beaten Path' please and thank you' and a little voice came along and whispered in my ear (and by whispered I mean e-mailed me) 'Pins and Needles' is really good too' they said...so I went back to audible.com and listened to the sample again and said yeah this could be good...what the he!!? Why not and that's how I got to be here writing this review...because you were dying to know, right? I know I'm babbling but hey work with me on this. I've been known to be entertaining.
Ok first off there's a lot of legalese here but for me that was actually a good thing because this story is based on a legal case one that starts when petroleum engineer, Sean Wilkinson is hurt...we're talking lost one leg and nearly lost the other as a result of a work related accident, but because Hawk, the man who's been Sean's father for the past 10 years looks like a tattooed biker most lawyers are just walking away that is until Nate Delany walks into his hospital room and as luck would have it Nate looks more like a GQ model than a lawyer.
Essentially everything that happens in this story from Nate and Sean's relationship is linked to Sean's case even Nate's relationship with his father which is tenuous at best becomes linked to Sean's case and there's a whole string of events in between that ultimately tie back into Sean's case. So truly I loved all the legalese...would I want it in every book no but it worked well with what was going on in this one.
The secondary characters in this story were an interesting collection. Let's start with Nate's family. Nate has two brothers...Steve and Matt or Matthew...one's cool, one's not, in that order. Nate's parents...while I won't necessarily say that they're bad people neither would I say that they're anyone I'd like to know. Did I agree with their choices? No. Was it something that I would have done if faced with the same situation? No, but we all have to make our own choices and live with the consequences of them, so to each their own.
Given the already strained relationship between Nate and his father it really came as no surprise when the quality of Nate's work as well as his work ethic are called into question at his father's law firm leading Nate to make the choice to walk away and set up his how law office and resulting in his first meeting with Hawk and a only somewhat conscious Sean.
Sean's family is a little more complicated. Sean's life hasn't been easy. He's been abandoned, abused, past from foster home to foster home and yet somehow he's managed to rise above things and along the way he's found both a friend and a substitute father in Hawk as well as a valued friend in Tanya the other artist at Hawk's Tattoo Studio. Sean's doesn't let a lot of people into his life and to be honest he's not been given a lot of reason's to trust, so Nate's really got his work cut out for him if he's going to get past Sean's considerable defenses.
Sean's not only incredibly intelligent but he's also very artistically gifted and while he may appear as nothing more than a simple tattooed thug...I think that's basically what Nate's father called him, he's not. Sean is so, so much more and thankfully Nate is really quick to see this.
Both the author A.J. Thomas and the narrator, Jason Riley are new to me and I'm really glad that I listened to that little birdy who whispered in my ear that this one was good because she was right and I'm definitely going to be checking out more by this author but also more by this narrator. His voices brought this story to life and added richness to the characters and an overall depth that impressed me. Definitely a narrator that I'm interested in hearing more from.
With everything that's going on in this story don't expect any flash, bangs in the smexy times department because they're not going to happen the relationship between Sean and Nate is definitely a slow burn and with Sean's past anything different just wouldn't have seemed right to me. But having said that when things do finally burn...they were scorching hot between these two...after all there was that time in the tattoo parlor...and...sorry, you'll just have to read the book to find out or listen to the audio...cause that works too, right?
While the ending for Sean's case seemed a little bit over the top I can't truthfully say that I was bothered by it. What intrigued me the most other than Sean and Nate because I really, really liked this pairing...was what was beginning to happen between Nate and his dad at the end. I could so be persuaded to hang around for more of Nate and Sean and to see what's going to happen with Nate and his dad...another book would be nice but I could be happy with a nice long story...I'm not greedy, really I'm not...much.
*************************
An audiobook of 'Pins and Needles' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
when this one came across my radar in the form of the audio book I was going to turn it down. I said 'Oh, I'll take 'Off the Beaten Path' please and thank you' and a little voice came along and whispered in my ear (and by whispered I mean e-mailed me) 'Pins and Needles' is really good too' they said...so I went back to audible.com and listened to the sample again and said yeah this could be good...what the he!!? Why not and that's how I got to be here writing this review...because you were dying to know, right? I know I'm babbling but hey work with me on this. I've been known to be entertaining.
Ok first off there's a lot of legalese here but for me that was actually a good thing because this story is based on a legal case one that starts when petroleum engineer, Sean Wilkinson is hurt...we're talking lost one leg and nearly lost the other as a result of a work related accident, but because Hawk, the man who's been Sean's father for the past 10 years looks like a tattooed biker most lawyers are just walking away that is until Nate Delany walks into his hospital room and as luck would have it Nate looks more like a GQ model than a lawyer.
Essentially everything that happens in this story from Nate and Sean's relationship is linked to Sean's case even Nate's relationship with his father which is tenuous at best becomes linked to Sean's case and there's a whole string of events in between that ultimately tie back into Sean's case. So truly I loved all the legalese...would I want it in every book no but it worked well with what was going on in this one.
The secondary characters in this story were an interesting collection. Let's start with Nate's family. Nate has two brothers...Steve and Matt or Matthew...one's cool, one's not, in that order. Nate's parents...while I won't necessarily say that they're bad people neither would I say that they're anyone I'd like to know. Did I agree with their choices? No. Was it something that I would have done if faced with the same situation? No, but we all have to make our own choices and live with the consequences of them, so to each their own.
Given the already strained relationship between Nate and his father it really came as no surprise when the quality of Nate's work as well as his work ethic are called into question at his father's law firm leading Nate to make the choice to walk away and set up his how law office and resulting in his first meeting with Hawk and a only somewhat conscious Sean.
Sean's family is a little more complicated. Sean's life hasn't been easy. He's been abandoned, abused, past from foster home to foster home and yet somehow he's managed to rise above things and along the way he's found both a friend and a substitute father in Hawk as well as a valued friend in Tanya the other artist at Hawk's Tattoo Studio. Sean's doesn't let a lot of people into his life and to be honest he's not been given a lot of reason's to trust, so Nate's really got his work cut out for him if he's going to get past Sean's considerable defenses.
Sean's not only incredibly intelligent but he's also very artistically gifted and while he may appear as nothing more than a simple tattooed thug...I think that's basically what Nate's father called him, he's not. Sean is so, so much more and thankfully Nate is really quick to see this.
Both the author A.J. Thomas and the narrator, Jason Riley are new to me and I'm really glad that I listened to that little birdy who whispered in my ear that this one was good because she was right and I'm definitely going to be checking out more by this author but also more by this narrator. His voices brought this story to life and added richness to the characters and an overall depth that impressed me. Definitely a narrator that I'm interested in hearing more from.
With everything that's going on in this story don't expect any flash, bangs in the smexy times department because they're not going to happen the relationship between Sean and Nate is definitely a slow burn and with Sean's past anything different just wouldn't have seemed right to me. But having said that when things do finally burn...they were scorching hot between these two...after all there was that time in the tattoo parlor...and...sorry, you'll just have to read the book to find out or listen to the audio...cause that works too, right?
While the ending for Sean's case seemed a little bit over the top I can't truthfully say that I was bothered by it. What intrigued me the most other than Sean and Nate because I really, really liked this pairing...was what was beginning to happen between Nate and his dad at the end. I could so be persuaded to hang around for more of Nate and Sean and to see what's going to happen with Nate and his dad...another book would be nice but I could be happy with a nice long story...I'm not greedy, really I'm not...much.
*************************
An audiobook of 'Pins and Needles' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2017
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I enjoyed Pins and Needles a lot. I'm kinda shocked because it was a true slow burn with the romance. It was minimum at best, and the plot was really informative. To be honest, what first drew me to the story was the blurb. Felt very real, and something that I haven't read a billion times over now. I deserve a cookie of some sort because whenever I hear the word FRACKING my eyes usually glaze over and I become distracted by something else. I've heard it on countless political shows, movies, court shows and everything else. Never would have imagined it to be in my reads but this was good. It was different and I loved the buildup for the romance.
Nate and Sean together were very good for one another. Each guy is lacking in the personal romance and real life feels. I like that they were so different from one another, but totally compromising and interesting to the other. Nate made me fall for him so much more. Always been the outcast from his uber conservative family decides to take a stand, and be his own man. Not caring what his father thinks, he branches out on his own. His very first case is against a multimillionaire company and their employee. Sean's life hasn't been easy at all. Never having the love he's had from parents he's like a lost boy. Not realizing the entire time he's had all the love from Hawk that he could ever want. We really don't know the real Sean. I think because he's always been second choice to his mother the only way he can survive is by adapting to his surrounding. That's heartbreaking in itself.
The plot for this story was so thoroughly researched and written really well. I learned some new things, and loved how it was intertwined with the romance. Yes the plot was more then the romance, and normally it would be an issue for me, but every single piece was important for the story. It made complete sense in the end. I really enjoyed the side characters. Hawk & Tonya were really good for Sean's soul. I love how tattooing brought Sean & Nate on another level. Loved seeing Nate's ruthlessness come out when he turned his professional face on. Sean was spectacular in himself as well.
All in all, I thought this was a really good solid story. Excellent writing and story telling. A definite slow burn with the romance. I mean really, really, really slow burn. If you can't handle it then skip it. The story actually has substance so be prepared to actually be wow'd. I look forward to more books from Thomas.
September 3, 2018
It's been too long since I've had a new A.J. Thomas to read, and this one was worth the wait.
Nate is a trial lawyer working in his father's law firm. He's tired of waiting for his father to see his worth and the hard work he puts into his job and sets out to start his own practice. Sean is newly disabled in an oil rig accident and the company's settlement offer is paltry at best. Nate's the first lawyer to take his case seriously.
The law here is very well done and even the antics that go on in the second half of the book are sadly not far from the truth either, lol. It was a little obvious who the whodunit was, though Thomas does give the reader a few suspects to choose from. It was a bit of a stretch that Nate was handling this case all on his own, especially with all the time he's spending at the tattoo parlor and his other cases, even if they're minor ones, though there was at least an explanation why he was having trouble getting help. I liked that the ethics in getting involved with your client isn't ignored either.
But what I really liked was this story took its time. The relationship isn't rushed. Sean's dealing with a lot after his injuries and just trying to walk again is a challenge. Ms. Thomas doesn't go the disgruntled paraplegic route. Sean's got struggles and pain and a lot on his plate, but he doesn't become bitter or angry or disillusioned. His kinda-dad Hawk is great too and I wish we'd gotten a little more of him.
Nate's got his own issues, and it's neat that they're both going through somewhat similar journeys in this story, each one out to prove they're better and worthier than how they think others see them. Nate especially has to deal with a homophobic brother, and the way his parents have decided to deal with the situation is less than ideal for him. I was pleasantly surprised with where that subplot ended up going with his parents.
I really enjoyed this one, so much so that I stayed up until 1:00 AM to finish it. I did think it got a little overstuffed in a few places and I would've liked more resolution on one or two subplots, but I did like that the epilogue didn't end with the wedding ring/proposal scene that has become cliche at this point. The ending here was much more touching and more appropriate to these characters.
Highly recommend.
Nate is a trial lawyer working in his father's law firm. He's tired of waiting for his father to see his worth and the hard work he puts into his job and sets out to start his own practice. Sean is newly disabled in an oil rig accident and the company's settlement offer is paltry at best. Nate's the first lawyer to take his case seriously.
The law here is very well done and even the antics that go on in the second half of the book are sadly not far from the truth either, lol. It was a little obvious who the whodunit was, though Thomas does give the reader a few suspects to choose from. It was a bit of a stretch that Nate was handling this case all on his own, especially with all the time he's spending at the tattoo parlor and his other cases, even if they're minor ones, though there was at least an explanation why he was having trouble getting help. I liked that the ethics in getting involved with your client isn't ignored either.
But what I really liked was this story took its time. The relationship isn't rushed. Sean's dealing with a lot after his injuries and just trying to walk again is a challenge. Ms. Thomas doesn't go the disgruntled paraplegic route. Sean's got struggles and pain and a lot on his plate, but he doesn't become bitter or angry or disillusioned. His kinda-dad Hawk is great too and I wish we'd gotten a little more of him.
Nate's got his own issues, and it's neat that they're both going through somewhat similar journeys in this story, each one out to prove they're better and worthier than how they think others see them. Nate especially has to deal with a homophobic brother, and the way his parents have decided to deal with the situation is less than ideal for him. I was pleasantly surprised with where that subplot ended up going with his parents.
I really enjoyed this one, so much so that I stayed up until 1:00 AM to finish it. I did think it got a little overstuffed in a few places and I would've liked more resolution on one or two subplots, but I did like that the epilogue didn't end with the wedding ring/proposal scene that has become cliche at this point. The ending here was much more touching and more appropriate to these characters.
Highly recommend.
October 12, 2017
4.4 Stars.
So, I totally loved this book. There was a lovely slow burn. There was a bit of a mystery. There was a little bit of a confusion towards the end, but I persevered.
I really liked how these two apparently dissimilar men grew into a relationship. One an attorney. The other an engineer and tattoo artist. They have much more in common than they realize, especially when they don't pretend to be anything else other than what they are to each other.
Defending Sean from a big oil company in an injury suit, Nate finds that seemingly straightforward case of negligence turns into something much more complicated and dangerous.
All the characters, the secondary ones, too intrigued me. I was aghast at the treatment Nate received from his brother because of his sexuality. I loved the family that Sean created out of fellow tattoo artists.
There's not a lot of sex in this book, but there is a lot of tension and a lot of action, which suits me just fine. The writing was very good and kept me riveted the entire time through the climax and down to the lovely HEA.
So, I totally loved this book. There was a lovely slow burn. There was a bit of a mystery. There was a little bit of a confusion towards the end, but I persevered.
I really liked how these two apparently dissimilar men grew into a relationship. One an attorney. The other an engineer and tattoo artist. They have much more in common than they realize, especially when they don't pretend to be anything else other than what they are to each other.
Defending Sean from a big oil company in an injury suit, Nate finds that seemingly straightforward case of negligence turns into something much more complicated and dangerous.
All the characters, the secondary ones, too intrigued me. I was aghast at the treatment Nate received from his brother because of his sexuality. I loved the family that Sean created out of fellow tattoo artists.
There's not a lot of sex in this book, but there is a lot of tension and a lot of action, which suits me just fine. The writing was very good and kept me riveted the entire time through the climax and down to the lovely HEA.
November 12, 2017
3.5 STARS rounded up to 4
I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this story. I really liked the characters and their interactions. Let me be honest... the science explanations kinda put me to sleep, but I understand the necessity of them. However, I really thought the ending was OTT. I also guessed who the bad guy was way before anyone else, and that kinda bothered me. I definitely would read this author again.
I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this story. I really liked the characters and their interactions. Let me be honest... the science explanations kinda put me to sleep, but I understand the necessity of them. However, I really thought the ending was OTT. I also guessed who the bad guy was way before anyone else, and that kinda bothered me. I definitely would read this author again.
February 2, 2018
I enjoyed most of the story, especially because it's told from the dual points of view of both Sean and Nate. It even reminded me in the beginning of the John Grisham novels I loved back in high school (and god that sentence made me feel old). The characters were well developed, the plot was captivating, there was enough legalese and suspense to keep me fully engaged without being too over the top, I just wish the romance side would have been more developed.
I struggled in the middle because of the miscommunication brought on when Nate tries to distance himself from Sean because getting involved with a client could get him disbarred, and Sean thinks Nate is rebuffing him because of his injury, and it just really bothered me. The suspense in the story brought on because of the sabotage to the boat and Sean's recovery I felt were more than enough without adding this unnecessary drama that could have been avoided with a simple conversation.
The narration was okay, but there wasn't a lot of embellishment to Jason Riley's reading, which made it feel a little flat for me personally - but then I like a "performance" and to hear the emotion in the narrator's voice.
Riley's narrative style was a bit fast-paced, which I know will appeal to those people that constantly love to speed up their audiobooks, but for me, especially in the conversational portions of the story, it became confusing at times, because Riley doesn't really use a lot of distinctive character voices so sometimes with his faster-paced speaking style I was confused who was speaking at certain points and had to rewind to re-listen to portions again for clarification.
Those niggles aside, the listen was mostly entertaining, Riley has a nice tone of voice that's quite appealing, and I would definitely give something else of his a listen in the future to see his growth. With only the mild speed bump in my enjoyment in the middle of the story, I found the rest to be quite engaging, I liked the characters, and the ending had me sighing.
If you like good hurt/comfort stories, with some suspense and action thrown in I'd definitely recommend giving this a shot.
3.5 Stars
Audio copy of Pins and Needles provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
lost-interest
January 30, 2022This was off to a really good start, but then slowed down a lot! I forgive all the technical talk about legal stuff, oil pumping rigs, and even tattoos (who tattoos over fresh scars anyways???), but the interacting was just going slow slow slow, and then they were hung up on bad communication. The two presumably outspoken guys can not say what they mean out loud?
Next problem was that I could not feel the chemistry. All the words were there, but I was not buying it.
I made it to 65% when I made a notation "Even the sex is boring.". Me. I don't even give a rats ass about the sex scenes in books.
A real pity, I loved the story idea!
Next problem was that I could not feel the chemistry. All the words were there, but I was not buying it.
I made it to 65% when I made a notation "Even the sex is boring.". Me. I don't even give a rats ass about the sex scenes in books.
A real pity, I loved the story idea!
September 24, 2017
This is only my 2nd book by this author. The title is apt - I was on pins and needles for most of the time while reading this excellent story of suspense, intrigue, and romance among the ruins.
Okay, so that latter part is a bit hyperbole - there are no actual ruins, per se. What is in ruins however is a promising career, a father/son relationship, and an invention that could revolutionize a part of the oil industry.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...
This is a complex story, and it would behoove the reader to read slowly and carefully, much in line with the slow progression of the story. As it is so often the case, all is not what it seems, and it takes some time to untangle the many threads that make up this particular plot.
The book begins by introducing us to Nate Delany, a young lawyer working for his father's well-known company, who is basically the do-boy for another lawyer, and whose briefs, as eloquent and well-researched as they are, are not getting credited to him, but the "supervising" attorney. Nate is frustrated, especially as his father doesn't seem to realize that the brilliant briefs "written by" the supervising attorney are actually his son's work and believes that Nate is just a slacker, unable to run the company himself. At the end of his rope, Nate quits.
On his way out, his assistant gives him the name and number of a man who had an appointment with the supervising attorney, but who was apparently deemed too rough, with too many tattoos, to warrant the jerk's time.
Nate makes a call. Nate makes a visit to the hospital where he meets Sean Wilkinson, whose former foster father Hawk was the man rejected by Nate's father's lawyer. As Nate hears what happened to Sean, he can't help but be intrigued by the young man who after a terrible accident lost not only his leg, but also his livelihood and his career as a petroleum engineer.
Hounded by his employer's lawyers to agree to a ridiculous settlement after the accident, Sean needs someone in his corner to help him navigate these new rough waters. And Nate is just the guy to do that.
Both MCs have their own personal struggles and rather different personality-wise.
Sean, with his difficult early life and rough upbringing, isn't quick to trust anyone and plays his cards rather close to his chest. He's not only a brilliant engineer, but also a fantastic tattoo artist, who learned the craft in his foster father's shop. Hawk is perhaps the closest thing to a real father Sean has, and their relationship is very close and supportive. He doesn't have any close friends; in fact even the people with whom he spent months at sea don't really know him at all, including his boss, with whom Sean has had an affair since he interned with the company at 19.
Nate, on the other hand, had a rather normal, if affluent, childhood and appears to most people as someone who had everything handed to him - with his last name being so well-known and the assumptions which come with that. His personal struggles aren't as obvious, but they're just as real. Nate has to prove himself repeatedly at his father's company, more so really than any other newly minted attorney would have to, because he's his father's son. In addition, his parents have more or less forsaken him because their older son is a bigot and doesn't want his children or his wife anywhere near Nate. Since, you know, homosexuality clearly rubs off and we must think of the children. For years, Nate hasn't been able to spend holidayrs or any quality time with his family; it's as if he's been erased. No photographs of Nate are displayed at their house - it's as if he doesn't even exist. His name isn't ever mentioned around the older son, and his brother's kids have zero relationship with him.
Taking on Sean as his first client after quitting his father's firm seems like a great idea at the time, even if it's just fighting for Sean to get the biggest possible settlement for the accident that cost him one of his legs, but there's a lot more to their case than just that. See, Sean invented something that's been used on the ship, and the case now also involves intellectual property rights.
And someone may be out to kill Sean to silence him.
The romance that develops between Nate and Sean is by design a super slow burn. Not only is Sean seriously injured and still recovering from the accident, but he's also Nate's client, and there are a bunch of ethical issues to consider before the two of them can be together. As an added detriment, when Nate tries to find another law firm to represent Sean and remove the ethics issue, he finds that many firms will not even consider taking him on, because of who Nate's father is. No matter how brightly the attraction burns between them, Nate must first and foremost consider that any romantic relationship they might have could adversely impact Sean's day in court.
Underneath all the suspense and intrigue, the point this book drives home time and again is that of family. Not necessarily the one you're born into, but the one you choose, the one you make for yourself. And for that, Sean had a great example in Hawk, his mother's ex-boyfriend, who took him in, no questions asked, when Sean was kicked out at home for being gay. A man who never asked for anything but was there time and again when Sean needed him. A man who not only gave him a home but also a way of paying the bills, when he taught him the fine art of tattooing. Nate has an example too, really - that of how NOT to treat your family. While I believe his parents loved him, they never even considered how hurtful their behavior was when they excluded Nate to appease their older son's homophobia and bigotry.
My only niggle came toward the end of the book, during the big reveal as to who was behind all the bad things that happened. It felt a little over the top, and the villain really came out of left field, to be honest. Sure, the explanation made sense, but the way it all went down was a little... too much, I guess.
Still, this was definitely an enjoyable read, with a satisfying HFN, and I would recommend you give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Okay, so that latter part is a bit hyperbole - there are no actual ruins, per se. What is in ruins however is a promising career, a father/son relationship, and an invention that could revolutionize a part of the oil industry.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...
This is a complex story, and it would behoove the reader to read slowly and carefully, much in line with the slow progression of the story. As it is so often the case, all is not what it seems, and it takes some time to untangle the many threads that make up this particular plot.
The book begins by introducing us to Nate Delany, a young lawyer working for his father's well-known company, who is basically the do-boy for another lawyer, and whose briefs, as eloquent and well-researched as they are, are not getting credited to him, but the "supervising" attorney. Nate is frustrated, especially as his father doesn't seem to realize that the brilliant briefs "written by" the supervising attorney are actually his son's work and believes that Nate is just a slacker, unable to run the company himself. At the end of his rope, Nate quits.
On his way out, his assistant gives him the name and number of a man who had an appointment with the supervising attorney, but who was apparently deemed too rough, with too many tattoos, to warrant the jerk's time.
Nate makes a call. Nate makes a visit to the hospital where he meets Sean Wilkinson, whose former foster father Hawk was the man rejected by Nate's father's lawyer. As Nate hears what happened to Sean, he can't help but be intrigued by the young man who after a terrible accident lost not only his leg, but also his livelihood and his career as a petroleum engineer.
Hounded by his employer's lawyers to agree to a ridiculous settlement after the accident, Sean needs someone in his corner to help him navigate these new rough waters. And Nate is just the guy to do that.
Both MCs have their own personal struggles and rather different personality-wise.
Sean, with his difficult early life and rough upbringing, isn't quick to trust anyone and plays his cards rather close to his chest. He's not only a brilliant engineer, but also a fantastic tattoo artist, who learned the craft in his foster father's shop. Hawk is perhaps the closest thing to a real father Sean has, and their relationship is very close and supportive. He doesn't have any close friends; in fact even the people with whom he spent months at sea don't really know him at all, including his boss, with whom Sean has had an affair since he interned with the company at 19.
Nate, on the other hand, had a rather normal, if affluent, childhood and appears to most people as someone who had everything handed to him - with his last name being so well-known and the assumptions which come with that. His personal struggles aren't as obvious, but they're just as real. Nate has to prove himself repeatedly at his father's company, more so really than any other newly minted attorney would have to, because he's his father's son. In addition, his parents have more or less forsaken him because their older son is a bigot and doesn't want his children or his wife anywhere near Nate. Since, you know, homosexuality clearly rubs off and we must think of the children. For years, Nate hasn't been able to spend holidayrs or any quality time with his family; it's as if he's been erased. No photographs of Nate are displayed at their house - it's as if he doesn't even exist. His name isn't ever mentioned around the older son, and his brother's kids have zero relationship with him.
Taking on Sean as his first client after quitting his father's firm seems like a great idea at the time, even if it's just fighting for Sean to get the biggest possible settlement for the accident that cost him one of his legs, but there's a lot more to their case than just that. See, Sean invented something that's been used on the ship, and the case now also involves intellectual property rights.
And someone may be out to kill Sean to silence him.
The romance that develops between Nate and Sean is by design a super slow burn. Not only is Sean seriously injured and still recovering from the accident, but he's also Nate's client, and there are a bunch of ethical issues to consider before the two of them can be together. As an added detriment, when Nate tries to find another law firm to represent Sean and remove the ethics issue, he finds that many firms will not even consider taking him on, because of who Nate's father is. No matter how brightly the attraction burns between them, Nate must first and foremost consider that any romantic relationship they might have could adversely impact Sean's day in court.
Underneath all the suspense and intrigue, the point this book drives home time and again is that of family. Not necessarily the one you're born into, but the one you choose, the one you make for yourself. And for that, Sean had a great example in Hawk, his mother's ex-boyfriend, who took him in, no questions asked, when Sean was kicked out at home for being gay. A man who never asked for anything but was there time and again when Sean needed him. A man who not only gave him a home but also a way of paying the bills, when he taught him the fine art of tattooing. Nate has an example too, really - that of how NOT to treat your family. While I believe his parents loved him, they never even considered how hurtful their behavior was when they excluded Nate to appease their older son's homophobia and bigotry.
My only niggle came toward the end of the book, during the big reveal as to who was behind all the bad things that happened. It felt a little over the top, and the villain really came out of left field, to be honest. Sure, the explanation made sense, but the way it all went down was a little... too much, I guess.
Still, this was definitely an enjoyable read, with a satisfying HFN, and I would recommend you give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
August 15, 2018
Audiobook review4,5 stars
I don't have enough words to say how much I enjoyed this book! The first part of the book was amazing. Heartbreaking. Anger inducing. Awe-inspiring. Plain and simple everything you might want from a book and so much more.
A horrible accident at work has left Sean with only one leg, increasing hospital bills, and on top of that, the company he worked for is trying to force him to sign a settlement that won't even cover the hospital stay and recovery, let alone the pain and suffering he's been going through. Enter Nate, a trial lawyer striking out on his own and in need of a good case to sink his teeth into. During the weeks and weeks they spend together, something more than client/lawyer is brewing.
I fell head over heels in love with both Nate and Sean the moment they appeared on the page, and they held me captive to the very last word. The slow burn romance that develops between them is just right. It's tentative, yet the connection between them is strong, and it grows stronger every time they meet. And together they make each other whole.
Family is about more than sharing a few bits of DNA with someone. It's about who you want to build and share your life with.
The second part of the book sadly didn't wow me as much. Some of the suspense related twists were a bit too much to be believable for me, and the magic of the first part was dimmed a bit. It was a bit too much focus on that part and not enough of the amazingness that was Nate and Sean and their relationship.
This seems to be the first book Jason Riley's ever narrated (I might be wrong, so don't hang me). I did not know this going in, in fact I did not know this until a minute ago when I tried to find out if I'd listened to other works of his. So yeah, I had no indication of that while listening to the book. He has a great flow and pacing, and a great voice to listen to. What I did miss was the performance and true feeling, he tried at times but not really consistently. Then again, that's highly subjective and a matter of preference, and I do think that as he narrates more and more books, we can expect great things to come.
All in all, Pins and Needles is a book I'd highly recommend to anyone liking contemporary romance with a lot of substance and bit of suspense in the mix.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
September 10, 2017
First time reading this author and I must say I really enjoyed this. Sean is badly injured on the boat / oil rig he was working on which cost him his leg and almost losing the other. While seeking legal help the universe stepped in ! Nate had been taken advantage of over the past two years in his fathers legal firm and was treated like crap. After being overlooked for the work he completed he threw in the towel and decided to go solo. While his dad showed no support or understanding, Nate pushed away his family desires of being loved and recognized regardless of being gay, and decided to take on Sean's case. What really started as a tragedy slowly blossomed into friendship and eventually love. The dynamic between Sean & Nate was typical where two damaged souls protected themselves but once they let love in they were all in. Hawk was a great father to Sean and loved him regardless of not being a biological parent and Nates dad eventually came around. There was lots of mystery and a few twists and turns. If you enjoy a good legal and thriller with a hint of tattoos being thrown in then this is worth reading 😎
October 7, 2017
Tried the sample, couldn't stop reading - bought!
This was awesome! Read it more or less in one sitting and I'm sad I already finished it. The story and the characters totally pulled me in and I guess will stay with me for quite some time.
This was awesome! Read it more or less in one sitting and I'm sad I already finished it. The story and the characters totally pulled me in and I guess will stay with me for quite some time.
September 27, 2017
Wow, just wow! This story was amazing! Where to start? This is a romance, but it’s also a mystery/thriller, a hurt-comfort story, and a simply-can’t-put-it-down book that packs a wallop.
Sean Wilkinson loses a leg in a freak accident on board an oil drilling ship when his lover, who happens to be twice his age and his boss, orders him to dismantle a hose or risk losing not only the ship, but the invention the two have put together over the past two years that makes fracking efficient and cost-effective. Refusing to blame his lover, he’s nevertheless devastated when the man doesn’t show up at the hospital and he’s facing multiple surgeries to save his other leg and hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills. It hurts even more that he was an intern on the ship for two years and now that he’s graduated, it was only his third day on the job as a petroleum engineer when the disaster occurred.
Nate Delaney has been working in his father’s prestigious law firm for the past two years, since finishing his law degree. An associate of one of the other attorneys—because his dad doesn’t want to show prejudice—Nate worked sixty to eighty hours a week to win a patent lawsuit for his dad’s firm and his boss has not only taken the credit for it, he’s discredited Nate in front of the clients, his father, and the entire law community. On his way out the door to freedom, his personal assistant tips him to a potential lawsuit involving an oil company and that’s how Nate and Sean eventually meet and set out to win Sean’s case.
But there’s more to this story than a negligence case against the company that hired Sean. There’s an entire side plot about the fracking invention that Sean created, primarily on his own time during the school year, and then shared and tested with his lover and boss when he was interning. The ownership and rights to patent the invention are questionable and form the basis for a deadly plot that nearly ends in murder.
There’s also the love between Sean and his pseudo-foster father, Hawk, Sean’s mother’s former boyfriend who has taken care of Sean since he was in his early teens. Sean has worked all his life to overcome his poverty and the circumstances that brought him to living on the streets, willing to do whatever was needed to survive, before he landed at Hawk’s place, initially just to panhandle a meal. Hawk is his real father, in all but name, and he protects his charge fiercely, while providing him with a tattoo business in which he can practice his art—something that clearly relaxes Sean and helps him focus. And then there’s the love that develops between Sean and Nate Delaney, something Nate tries to avoid because he fears it violates his code of ethics but can’t seem to stop, regardless of his best intentions.
My review is a very simplistic summary for such a multifaceted story. The author obviously researched this topic to the minutest detail—from the law and all its implications to the engineering of the invention and life in the oil industry. And though much of the complexity of Sean’s invention and the oil industry is above my interest and ability to comprehend, I’m nevertheless left in awe at the pure beauty of the complexity described. Amazing is not a strong enough word.
The author takes the time to fully develop the characters, making them real people with real relationships and real problems. The secondary characters were also rich in detail and felt like close friends and family members. Two days after reading this, I still feel connected. This was not one of those stories you should count on reading in one day—it needs time to be savored. But if you want a fulfilling experience, one that leaves you feeling like your world was rocked, this should be the book to strongly consider. I very highly recommend this story.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review
Sean Wilkinson loses a leg in a freak accident on board an oil drilling ship when his lover, who happens to be twice his age and his boss, orders him to dismantle a hose or risk losing not only the ship, but the invention the two have put together over the past two years that makes fracking efficient and cost-effective. Refusing to blame his lover, he’s nevertheless devastated when the man doesn’t show up at the hospital and he’s facing multiple surgeries to save his other leg and hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills. It hurts even more that he was an intern on the ship for two years and now that he’s graduated, it was only his third day on the job as a petroleum engineer when the disaster occurred.
Nate Delaney has been working in his father’s prestigious law firm for the past two years, since finishing his law degree. An associate of one of the other attorneys—because his dad doesn’t want to show prejudice—Nate worked sixty to eighty hours a week to win a patent lawsuit for his dad’s firm and his boss has not only taken the credit for it, he’s discredited Nate in front of the clients, his father, and the entire law community. On his way out the door to freedom, his personal assistant tips him to a potential lawsuit involving an oil company and that’s how Nate and Sean eventually meet and set out to win Sean’s case.
But there’s more to this story than a negligence case against the company that hired Sean. There’s an entire side plot about the fracking invention that Sean created, primarily on his own time during the school year, and then shared and tested with his lover and boss when he was interning. The ownership and rights to patent the invention are questionable and form the basis for a deadly plot that nearly ends in murder.
There’s also the love between Sean and his pseudo-foster father, Hawk, Sean’s mother’s former boyfriend who has taken care of Sean since he was in his early teens. Sean has worked all his life to overcome his poverty and the circumstances that brought him to living on the streets, willing to do whatever was needed to survive, before he landed at Hawk’s place, initially just to panhandle a meal. Hawk is his real father, in all but name, and he protects his charge fiercely, while providing him with a tattoo business in which he can practice his art—something that clearly relaxes Sean and helps him focus. And then there’s the love that develops between Sean and Nate Delaney, something Nate tries to avoid because he fears it violates his code of ethics but can’t seem to stop, regardless of his best intentions.
My review is a very simplistic summary for such a multifaceted story. The author obviously researched this topic to the minutest detail—from the law and all its implications to the engineering of the invention and life in the oil industry. And though much of the complexity of Sean’s invention and the oil industry is above my interest and ability to comprehend, I’m nevertheless left in awe at the pure beauty of the complexity described. Amazing is not a strong enough word.
The author takes the time to fully develop the characters, making them real people with real relationships and real problems. The secondary characters were also rich in detail and felt like close friends and family members. Two days after reading this, I still feel connected. This was not one of those stories you should count on reading in one day—it needs time to be savored. But if you want a fulfilling experience, one that leaves you feeling like your world was rocked, this should be the book to strongly consider. I very highly recommend this story.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review
February 12, 2018
The first half of this book was purely character driven.
We meet Nate just as he is making a life-changing decision, a bit rashly but it was a long time coming. He is fed up and ready to take his law career in a different direction. It happens to be perfect timing because it leads to us meeting Sean.
We also meet Sean in the midst of a life change, though hardly his choice. He is recovering from a devastating work-related injury and Nate is going to assist him with getting what he needs to help get his life back.
Their friendship develops and things seem to be moving along just fine in the chemistry department, albeit slow but there is nothing wrong with a slow burn. Sean is so complex. His life has been filled with lots of downs and just a few ups, but he has persevered. He keeps everything close and nobody can get in. His walls are so well placed that even he doesn't realize that there hasn't been a person to make it past them since Hawk until it is almost too late. In fact, he is so well versed in keeping people from knowing the real him that he doesn't realize he has let his guard down until Nate is firmly in place.
Then, of course, things start to get murky. Nate and Sean cannot have a conversation that makes sense to save their lives, they both make assumptions and can't seem to be on the same page, misunderstanding everything each is saying or hearing things the other is not saying. They finally figure things out, their sexual chemistry is palpable. Each touch, ngh. Just so good. Now it should be smooth romantic relationship sailing.
But, nope, because now we are embroiled in a mystery and suspense. Lives and livelihoods are in danger. Everyone is a possible enemy, Sean can't trust any of the things he has known as truth for years and we can trust no one.
(How Sean can possibly have a relationship after all of this without some serious time to heal emotionally is beyond me.)
I was not expecting the extreme suspenseful turn halfway through the book. That may just be on me for not seeing it coming, though I didn't trust any of the guys on that darn ship!
Anyway, for the most part, I enjoyed this book. I particularly love the "family you choose" aspect and it is comforting to know that Nate has found his people with Sean. Hawk is perfect in all the ways, I could just smother him in hugs and kisses.
I could have smacked some sense into Nate's parents and Sean's mom better not ever cross my path...
We meet Nate just as he is making a life-changing decision, a bit rashly but it was a long time coming. He is fed up and ready to take his law career in a different direction. It happens to be perfect timing because it leads to us meeting Sean.
We also meet Sean in the midst of a life change, though hardly his choice. He is recovering from a devastating work-related injury and Nate is going to assist him with getting what he needs to help get his life back.
Their friendship develops and things seem to be moving along just fine in the chemistry department, albeit slow but there is nothing wrong with a slow burn. Sean is so complex. His life has been filled with lots of downs and just a few ups, but he has persevered. He keeps everything close and nobody can get in. His walls are so well placed that even he doesn't realize that there hasn't been a person to make it past them since Hawk until it is almost too late. In fact, he is so well versed in keeping people from knowing the real him that he doesn't realize he has let his guard down until Nate is firmly in place.
Then, of course, things start to get murky. Nate and Sean cannot have a conversation that makes sense to save their lives, they both make assumptions and can't seem to be on the same page, misunderstanding everything each is saying or hearing things the other is not saying. They finally figure things out, their sexual chemistry is palpable. Each touch, ngh. Just so good. Now it should be smooth romantic relationship sailing.
But, nope, because now we are embroiled in a mystery and suspense. Lives and livelihoods are in danger. Everyone is a possible enemy, Sean can't trust any of the things he has known as truth for years and we can trust no one.
(How Sean can possibly have a relationship after all of this without some serious time to heal emotionally is beyond me.)
I was not expecting the extreme suspenseful turn halfway through the book. That may just be on me for not seeing it coming, though I didn't trust any of the guys on that darn ship!
Anyway, for the most part, I enjoyed this book. I particularly love the "family you choose" aspect and it is comforting to know that Nate has found his people with Sean. Hawk is perfect in all the ways, I could just smother him in hugs and kisses.
I could have smacked some sense into Nate's parents and Sean's mom better not ever cross my path...
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