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Dante Dombruso has always been his family’s armor. It’s his job to keep them safe. But he feels he failed them eighteen months ago, when a mysterious arsonist set a fire intended to wipe the Dombrusos off the map. Now Dante is driven to make things right, yet with each day that passes, the trail grows colder and his frustration increases.
When a lead finally surfaces, Dante’s husband Charlie insists on joining the chase, even though they could be barreling into a potentially lethal situation. Charlie’s nothing like Dante, who spent his life in organized crime. How can Dante do his job if he’s totally focused on protecting the man he loves? And what will Charlie think of him once he sees just how far Dante’s willing to go to keep his family safe? But Charlie isn’t taking no for an answer.
Time is running out. Can Dante find whoever was behind the attack before they strike again? Because next time, the Dombruso family might not make it out alive.
This Firsts and Forever Series novella is part MM love story, part thriller, and is approximately 34,000 words in length. It contains graphic sex and explicit language, and is intended for adults only.
When a lead finally surfaces, Dante’s husband Charlie insists on joining the chase, even though they could be barreling into a potentially lethal situation. Charlie’s nothing like Dante, who spent his life in organized crime. How can Dante do his job if he’s totally focused on protecting the man he loves? And what will Charlie think of him once he sees just how far Dante’s willing to go to keep his family safe? But Charlie isn’t taking no for an answer.
Time is running out. Can Dante find whoever was behind the attack before they strike again? Because next time, the Dombruso family might not make it out alive.
This Firsts and Forever Series novella is part MM love story, part thriller, and is approximately 34,000 words in length. It contains graphic sex and explicit language, and is intended for adults only.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2017
58 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
58 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 12, 2017
It was a sweet story. I read it solely because I wanted to find out who the culprit was. And I enjoyed every single bit of it. :)
March 1, 2017
This is a must for fans of the series.
This short interlude returns to the circumstances surrounding the fire that nearly killed the entire Dombruso family and Dante's frustration at not having been able to catch the perpetrator.
As always Alexa's writing has the right amount of snark and humour and it was great to spend some time with Dante and Charlie again.
This short interlude returns to the circumstances surrounding the fire that nearly killed the entire Dombruso family and Dante's frustration at not having been able to catch the perpetrator.
As always Alexa's writing has the right amount of snark and humour and it was great to spend some time with Dante and Charlie again.
February 17, 2017
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
This novella, told from Dante Dombruso’s point of view, wraps up the arson storyline from book 11, The Distance. In the year and a half since a fire that could have killed most of Dante’s family, he has been investigating the arson, along with the police department’s investigator Cameron Doyle, and seeking the people who set it and the people who hired them. At the top of Dante’s list of suspects is his cousin Jerry and the rival Messina family. When a solid lead finally appears Dante, supported by his closest family members, goes on the hunt, but when the time comes will he be able to do what has to be done in order to ensure the safety of his loved ones?
We really get into Dante’s head here for the first time. This lingering investigation is just the latest way Dante feels he has failed to protect his family and the guilt is eating at him. Dante has been carrying the weight of what he considers his obligation to protect his family since he was a child. When both Charlie and Vincent insist on being a part of things it ratchets up Dante’s fears. He worries what Charlie will think of him if he actually has to take out Jerry, and about Vincent not being there for his husband and children, but mostly he fears that if anything happens to Charlie during all of this, he won’t be able to go on without him. Charlie really is his rock and is able to ground him like nothing else.
With so many stories and new characters since Dante and Charlie’s story played out in book two, All In, there hasn’t been much more than peripheral page time for them, so I was thrilled to get Dante’s view of how his life with Charlie has changed. Dante and Charlie’s relationship has deepened and evolved, both emotionally and sexually. They have a tremendous amount of love and respect for each other and by the end of this novella it is clear that they have truly become equals in the relationship. They are sweet and sexy and fun to read.
I really liked spending a lot of time with the original core of Dombrusos and seeing Dante and Vincent working together. Alexa Land managed to convey how much these two brothers understand each other and the bond they share. Of course it wouldn’t be a Firsts and Forever story without an appearance by Nana, wreaking some havoc and spreading love.
There were a couple of occasions of mild info dump, reminding us who is who and what has happened surrounding the fire in The Distance. I found this a bit unnecessary and a bit of an interruption in the flow, considering the family tree and recap sections at the start of the story. Other than that hiccup, the story moved well with plenty of action, humor, love and sex (with spanking!), a giant penis and plenty of appearances from characters you know and love. There was good balance between spending time with Dante and Charlie quietly as a couple, and the investigation plot. I was happy with how it all wrapped up and that not everything played out as I expected.
With Dante and Charlie now feeling free to move on with their lives, I hope we’ll be getting peeks of them again in upcoming books. Once again, with some focus here on Cameron Doyle, there is now another character’s story I’m eagerly awaiting.
This novella, told from Dante Dombruso’s point of view, wraps up the arson storyline from book 11, The Distance. In the year and a half since a fire that could have killed most of Dante’s family, he has been investigating the arson, along with the police department’s investigator Cameron Doyle, and seeking the people who set it and the people who hired them. At the top of Dante’s list of suspects is his cousin Jerry and the rival Messina family. When a solid lead finally appears Dante, supported by his closest family members, goes on the hunt, but when the time comes will he be able to do what has to be done in order to ensure the safety of his loved ones?
We really get into Dante’s head here for the first time. This lingering investigation is just the latest way Dante feels he has failed to protect his family and the guilt is eating at him. Dante has been carrying the weight of what he considers his obligation to protect his family since he was a child. When both Charlie and Vincent insist on being a part of things it ratchets up Dante’s fears. He worries what Charlie will think of him if he actually has to take out Jerry, and about Vincent not being there for his husband and children, but mostly he fears that if anything happens to Charlie during all of this, he won’t be able to go on without him. Charlie really is his rock and is able to ground him like nothing else.
With so many stories and new characters since Dante and Charlie’s story played out in book two, All In, there hasn’t been much more than peripheral page time for them, so I was thrilled to get Dante’s view of how his life with Charlie has changed. Dante and Charlie’s relationship has deepened and evolved, both emotionally and sexually. They have a tremendous amount of love and respect for each other and by the end of this novella it is clear that they have truly become equals in the relationship. They are sweet and sexy and fun to read.
I really liked spending a lot of time with the original core of Dombrusos and seeing Dante and Vincent working together. Alexa Land managed to convey how much these two brothers understand each other and the bond they share. Of course it wouldn’t be a Firsts and Forever story without an appearance by Nana, wreaking some havoc and spreading love.
There were a couple of occasions of mild info dump, reminding us who is who and what has happened surrounding the fire in The Distance. I found this a bit unnecessary and a bit of an interruption in the flow, considering the family tree and recap sections at the start of the story. Other than that hiccup, the story moved well with plenty of action, humor, love and sex (with spanking!), a giant penis and plenty of appearances from characters you know and love. There was good balance between spending time with Dante and Charlie quietly as a couple, and the investigation plot. I was happy with how it all wrapped up and that not everything played out as I expected.
With Dante and Charlie now feeling free to move on with their lives, I hope we’ll be getting peeks of them again in upcoming books. Once again, with some focus here on Cameron Doyle, there is now another character’s story I’m eagerly awaiting.
June 27, 2017
*** This novella in this wonderful series, is how we see Dante and Charlie travel to erase the threat to the family.
In a previous book, the whole family was trapped in a burning building, and the arsonist was never found. Here we have a peek at Charlie and Dante's ongoing love and devotion. They and some other family members travel to get the arsonist and remove the threat.
Hot lovin', action, guns and suspense are here for this quick tale. The culprit is a huge surprise !
I like this series, the marvelous characters, the fun, the deep darkness at times, and the intense love these folks have for one another...
ENJOY !
========
In a previous book, the whole family was trapped in a burning building, and the arsonist was never found. Here we have a peek at Charlie and Dante's ongoing love and devotion. They and some other family members travel to get the arsonist and remove the threat.
Hot lovin', action, guns and suspense are here for this quick tale. The culprit is a huge surprise !
I like this series, the marvelous characters, the fun, the deep darkness at times, and the intense love these folks have for one another...
ENJOY !
========
February 23, 2017
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews.)
To anyone who has been reading Ms. Land’s Firsts and Forever series, picking up this book is a given. If you, like me, loved Dante and Charlie’s original story, you will be super happy to see we are revisiting them as the main characters in this new novella. It has been eighteen months since the fire where Dante and the entire Dombruso clan were almost killed, and it is eating Dante up not being able to find out who did it. He has his suspicions and his finger is firmly pointed to his cousin Jerry who he removed from the leadership position in the family business when Jerry took a hit out on one of their other cousins. I enjoyed seeing things from Dante’s perspective in this one. Turns out he isn’t completely the confident self-assured man we assumed he was.
There is only one problem, Dante, as I said, suspects Jerry had something to do with the fire, but Jerry is off the radar. He is rumored to be working with a rival family. Could they be the ones behind the fire?
Ms. Land takes us along through a fast-moving story, with some drama and even a car chase in this one. I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what comes next. If you enjoyed the other books in her series, you’ll enjoy this one. This one is much shorter than her other books, and deals with just the chase and arson investigation. We did get hints of things to come, and I’m sure there is more coming in the series. I’m not sure there are any more family members who could possibly be gay, since, to keep it honest… there are way to many gay men in one family as it is. There are plenty of side characters that will probably carry the series on. As usual, Nana appeared in the pages, but very briefly. She is by far my favorite.
I recommend this novella to anyone who has read the series. It has too many back references to work as a standalone in my opinion, but I don’t think it was written as one anyway. One final note. Ms. Land’s stories always end in happy endings. Some of the details in the stories might push the impossibility barrier, but they are always so much fun to read. I think of them as one of my guilty pleasures. Keep them coming!
To anyone who has been reading Ms. Land’s Firsts and Forever series, picking up this book is a given. If you, like me, loved Dante and Charlie’s original story, you will be super happy to see we are revisiting them as the main characters in this new novella. It has been eighteen months since the fire where Dante and the entire Dombruso clan were almost killed, and it is eating Dante up not being able to find out who did it. He has his suspicions and his finger is firmly pointed to his cousin Jerry who he removed from the leadership position in the family business when Jerry took a hit out on one of their other cousins. I enjoyed seeing things from Dante’s perspective in this one. Turns out he isn’t completely the confident self-assured man we assumed he was.
There is only one problem, Dante, as I said, suspects Jerry had something to do with the fire, but Jerry is off the radar. He is rumored to be working with a rival family. Could they be the ones behind the fire?
Ms. Land takes us along through a fast-moving story, with some drama and even a car chase in this one. I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what comes next. If you enjoyed the other books in her series, you’ll enjoy this one. This one is much shorter than her other books, and deals with just the chase and arson investigation. We did get hints of things to come, and I’m sure there is more coming in the series. I’m not sure there are any more family members who could possibly be gay, since, to keep it honest… there are way to many gay men in one family as it is. There are plenty of side characters that will probably carry the series on. As usual, Nana appeared in the pages, but very briefly. She is by far my favorite.
I recommend this novella to anyone who has read the series. It has too many back references to work as a standalone in my opinion, but I don’t think it was written as one anyway. One final note. Ms. Land’s stories always end in happy endings. Some of the details in the stories might push the impossibility barrier, but they are always so much fun to read. I think of them as one of my guilty pleasures. Keep them coming!
February 17, 2017
I love this series, and Dante and Charlie are imminent favorites. I can't wait for the next installment! But, now Cam needs his book!!!!!!! What an interesting way to tie up some loose ends from previous books... I didn't see that coming :-) if you haven't read any of the Firsts and Forever series, grab book 1 and get started!
February 22, 2017
FANTASTIC HIT
Any time you get to spend with Dante and Charlie is fantastic. Charlie always brings out the best in Dante, to see it from Dante's POV is very refreshing. To see what he really thinks and feels behind all his brooding stares and terrifying scowls is enlightening. Dante, has always been a bit of a mystery, this story gives us the opportunity to really get to know him as a man. We get to see into his past, to where the need to protect the family and those he loves tragically began. I think this was a fantastic story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS FABULOUS SERIES!!!!
Any time you get to spend with Dante and Charlie is fantastic. Charlie always brings out the best in Dante, to see it from Dante's POV is very refreshing. To see what he really thinks and feels behind all his brooding stares and terrifying scowls is enlightening. Dante, has always been a bit of a mystery, this story gives us the opportunity to really get to know him as a man. We get to see into his past, to where the need to protect the family and those he loves tragically began. I think this was a fantastic story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS FABULOUS SERIES!!!!
March 1, 2017
ugh... I don't know... I picked it up because I read the series and I like Dante and Charlie... mind that I still haven't read book 13, coz at some point I get tired of the firsts and forever series... well, I was kinda hoping reading about Dante and Charlie will make me want to go back and read #13, but alas,
NO...
maybe later... ?
I am not saying Never, but I don't know, this series doesn't excite me like before.
"it's not the book, it's me... "
NO...
maybe later... ?
I am not saying Never, but I don't know, this series doesn't excite me like before.
"it's not the book, it's me... "
October 6, 2018
4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed Alexa Land’s Armor. Dante is larger then life in almost every installment of her series and so this peek into his mindset and his hunt for Jerry was completely fulfilling. Charlie was strong but loving, Vincent was the man we know and love, it was great watching Constantino and Andreo interact with family. I was particularly impressed with how well Land wrote the action scenes. This was a good solid cap on this arc of the series.
Yes!
I really enjoyed Alexa Land’s Armor. Dante is larger then life in almost every installment of her series and so this peek into his mindset and his hunt for Jerry was completely fulfilling. Charlie was strong but loving, Vincent was the man we know and love, it was great watching Constantino and Andreo interact with family. I was particularly impressed with how well Land wrote the action scenes. This was a good solid cap on this arc of the series.
Yes!
March 12, 2017
Great novella!
I found this a very enjoyable follow-up to All In, Charlie and Dante's original story. I dislike the way the sex was depicted in that one. It gets some explanation and changes in this story. Aside from that, it ties up the arson and a few details from that part of the story arc. Dreo and Connie were a part of this story too and Vincent. I liked seeing them again.
I hope we'll see Cameron in a story soon and there's another new character in Nana's house. Nana was only a small part near the end of this story but had a small disaster as usual! Perhaps the stories aren't everyone's cup of tea but I enjoy the way Alexa blends some serious issues into lighthearted and humorous reads.
I found this a very enjoyable follow-up to All In, Charlie and Dante's original story. I dislike the way the sex was depicted in that one. It gets some explanation and changes in this story. Aside from that, it ties up the arson and a few details from that part of the story arc. Dreo and Connie were a part of this story too and Vincent. I liked seeing them again.
I hope we'll see Cameron in a story soon and there's another new character in Nana's house. Nana was only a small part near the end of this story but had a small disaster as usual! Perhaps the stories aren't everyone's cup of tea but I enjoy the way Alexa blends some serious issues into lighthearted and humorous reads.
February 28, 2017
Another great add to the series. I already loved Dante so getting to read something from his POV was even better. We finally get answers and this part of the plot is closed, can't wait for the next book and the new drama that awaits. Can't wait for the next.
February 28, 2017
I can't help it -- I have a huge soft spot for Charlie and Dante (from All In, the second book in this series), and I loved this opportunity to revisit them four years later. You need to be a fan of the series already because there's a massive amount of backstory, but if you are, this one will probably be a stand-out for you.
February 17, 2017
Good addition to the series.
An enjoyable romp, as unbelievable as the previous books. Still it was nice to catch up with Dante and Charlie and to meet what are probably going to be future characters in the series.
An enjoyable romp, as unbelievable as the previous books. Still it was nice to catch up with Dante and Charlie and to meet what are probably going to be future characters in the series.
February 17, 2017
Thank You
Loved loved loved it! This is my favorite couple and I was so happy to read how much the have grown and changed together! Short but has it all from Nana to the hot steamy. A must read for series lover! But now I want a certain rough Irish cop to get his HEA.
Loved loved loved it! This is my favorite couple and I was so happy to read how much the have grown and changed together! Short but has it all from Nana to the hot steamy. A must read for series lover! But now I want a certain rough Irish cop to get his HEA.
June 15, 2017
This is a rating that I never believed I'd be forced to give to what had been my all time favorite series. I sadly have to give this a 1 star rating due to the heartbreaking fact that I really did not like it. It's roughly 90% info dumps about past stories. Stories that I have purchased multiple copies for friends and family because I loved them so much. Stories that I've re-read just because I loved them so much. Stories that I Do NOT NEED RECAPPED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
As a devoted reader of this series I already know ALL OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND THEIR STORIES! I've already paid hard earned money on their stories! I WANT A NEW BOOK!! NOT a book riddled with INFO DUMPS OF THE OTHER BOOKS!
Sadly, this is not the first time that I've had this complaint about this series....
Sadly, I stopped reading several other series in 2016 because of this same problem...
Once a series gets so big the author needs to decide whether they want to give their LOYAL readers a FULL STORY or if they want to drive away their loyal readers who have been with them from the start in order to give new readers ALL OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND THEIR STORIES in each and every book!
It is my humble opinion that if the author truly wants NEW readers they should be encouraged to start the series at the beginning. Not spoil the previous books with all of the info dumps in these following books. That way NEW readers can be encouraged to actually buy the other books in the series and LOYAL READERS WON'T be driven away with all the info dumps.
As a devoted reader of this series I already know ALL OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND THEIR STORIES! I've already paid hard earned money on their stories! I WANT A NEW BOOK!! NOT a book riddled with INFO DUMPS OF THE OTHER BOOKS!
Sadly, this is not the first time that I've had this complaint about this series....
Sadly, I stopped reading several other series in 2016 because of this same problem...
Once a series gets so big the author needs to decide whether they want to give their LOYAL readers a FULL STORY or if they want to drive away their loyal readers who have been with them from the start in order to give new readers ALL OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS AND THEIR STORIES in each and every book!
It is my humble opinion that if the author truly wants NEW readers they should be encouraged to start the series at the beginning. Not spoil the previous books with all of the info dumps in these following books. That way NEW readers can be encouraged to actually buy the other books in the series and LOYAL READERS WON'T be driven away with all the info dumps.
June 4, 2017
Quick read. Love Dante and Charlie, wish it was longer!
March 13, 2017
He's Not Alone
Dante is so responsible that he carries everything that happens in the family on his shoulders. He been looking for the people who tried to kill his family for over a year. But he is finding out that he doesn't need to do it alone, he has backup. There is always a little madness and mayhem when dealing with the Dombruscos. With Nana in the mix, you wouldn't or couldn't have it any other way. Enjoy I did.
Dante is so responsible that he carries everything that happens in the family on his shoulders. He been looking for the people who tried to kill his family for over a year. But he is finding out that he doesn't need to do it alone, he has backup. There is always a little madness and mayhem when dealing with the Dombruscos. With Nana in the mix, you wouldn't or couldn't have it any other way. Enjoy I did.
February 18, 2017
Got interesting at 78%.
January 10, 2018
I didn't love Dante's and Charlie's romance in their own book and so wasn't really compelled to have a novella about them.
No worries, this book is much more about the whole cast than just a couple story. It is nice to resolve the story arc in the first half of this series but this does going to crazy town and it isn't my favorite.
I did love spending time with everyone.
No worries, this book is much more about the whole cast than just a couple story. It is nice to resolve the story arc in the first half of this series but this does going to crazy town and it isn't my favorite.
I did love spending time with everyone.
February 25, 2017
I get why authors continue series that are popular, and I enjoy revisiting characters from other books in a series, but at some point it all gets to be too much.
May 12, 2017
I love Love Love Love Dante and Charlie. They're like my most favorite couple in this series.
However, I'd give this book 4 instead of 5 because:
1) On the journey to finding the culprit (this story was about capturing Jerry and Messina, right) most of what Charlie and Dante did was fucking, which I'm not complaining but wasn't um satisfying.
2) Too much Nana related craziness, and I'm maybe one of the few who don't really enjoy her scenes.
3) Why break Cam's heart????????????
I enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed the other books so far.
But, I'm giving it 5 stars anyway, because I'm just too biased right now.
However, I'd give this book 4 instead of 5 because:
1) On the journey to finding the culprit (this story was about capturing Jerry and Messina, right) most of what Charlie and Dante did was fucking, which I'm not complaining but wasn't um satisfying.
2) Too much Nana related craziness, and I'm maybe one of the few who don't really enjoy her scenes.
3) Why break Cam's heart????????????
I enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed the other books so far.
But, I'm giving it 5 stars anyway, because I'm just too biased right now.
February 18, 2017
Another great read
I fell in love with this series from the first book. The love just reaches out and grabs you from the first word. Family not only blood but those who cross our paths and fill in those empty spaces we never knew were there are most important. Each book brings that to life from a different place. Thank you Alexa
I fell in love with this series from the first book. The love just reaches out and grabs you from the first word. Family not only blood but those who cross our paths and fill in those empty spaces we never knew were there are most important. Each book brings that to life from a different place. Thank you Alexa
February 20, 2017
So much packed into a perfect addition to the series.
This may be a novella, but it's not missing a thing. Wow, I don't know how she packed so much into this book. I love that this answers so many questions about the fire, plus we get to re-visit one of my favorite couples and see how they are really doing.
This may be a novella, but it's not missing a thing. Wow, I don't know how she packed so much into this book. I love that this answers so many questions about the fire, plus we get to re-visit one of my favorite couples and see how they are really doing.
April 21, 2023
Eh. I'm glad to have the arson solved and the whole thing with Jerry done, but it felt like the majority of this was refresh/recap and introspection. Nothing wrong with that, just not what I was hoping for, I guess.
February 21, 2017
Excellent Addition!
Great revisiting Dante and Charlie can't wait to read more in the series. Excited for the next full length book.
Great revisiting Dante and Charlie can't wait to read more in the series. Excited for the next full length book.
February 23, 2017
Loved it! Every word was just right. Dante and Charlie amazing together. I'm so looking forward to Cam's story. My heart hurt for him. He needs a great story.
February 28, 2017
Like all the others I loved this book
Like all the others I loved this book. I hope that in one of the books to come Darwin will be able to finish his transition
Like all the others I loved this book. I hope that in one of the books to come Darwin will be able to finish his transition
August 17, 2017
Finally we get an end to that mystery. Jerry was still not redeemable and I wouldn't have had any issue with him being dead.
December 30, 2017
Armor
Happy to read a conclusion to the arson from a previous book. I’ve always loved Charlie and Dante so it was great to see them again.
Happy to read a conclusion to the arson from a previous book. I’ve always loved Charlie and Dante so it was great to see them again.
September 7, 2018
This book made me love Dante even more! I don't know why I skipped it when I read the rest of the series. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews