Fighting Vegas

Las Vegas Nights #4

by Ember-Raine Winters

Cliff

Coming out would ruin his career, but I was done hiding in his closet. Fed up with the games and being a dirty little secret, I did the only thing I could. I left. But fate’s a cruel bitch and my latest job puts me back in his sights.



Randy

I couldn’t give him what he needed. So I let him walk away and focused my attention on the only other thing I love, fighting. Seeing him again, I realize my mistake. I want him. Always. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him this time.



Can a closeted MMA fighter go against everything he knows to have the flamboyant designer he needs?

Genres: M M Romance

ebook

First published July 17, 2018

About the author

Paranormal romance author Ember-Raine Winters lives in sunny California with her two kids and a wolf. She likes her books like she likes her food: the spicier, the better! Readers who want to connect with her can join her Facebook group, Ember's Beautiful Babes, to join in the fun and learn more about how to get early access to her books.

https://www.facebook.com/Author-Ember...

Reviews

[Apolishedreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should have a content warning for homophobia and a description of a past rape scene.

I'll post my full review in a couple of days, maybe I won't be as critical as I am feeling right now.

*This was an ARC provided by the author*

[Kendra T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Randy is a closeted MMA fighter who is not interested in coming out until his career is over. Cliff isn't interested in being a secret on the side, so he takes off despite being in love with Randy. When they reconnect a year later, Randy is determined to get Cliff back.

The biggest frustration for me was the lack of communication and the wishy-washy back and forth with Cliff. I get that he was having to work out if Randy was worth waiting for, but he was almost too whiny at times for my liking. I also recognize that this was a 4th book in a series, but I don't read MF so I didn't read books 1-3. It said this is a standalone, so I should have been OK reading this, but there were definitely things that I didn't get or understand with the relationships of Cliff's besties because I didn't read the other books.

I did like Darren and Cassie as characters, and I loved seeing Uncle Randy with the baby. The story had some interesting parts to it, and I loved how the final fight situation with Max worked out. I was glad to see Randy and Cliff finally find happiness.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author

[Victoria Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Las Vegas Series!!!!! I love Cliff & Randy's story so much!!

[Cait's Creatures · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only my second book from Ember, but she's quickly becoming one of my go-to authors, especially for MM. I absolutely adored Cliff and Randy's story. I loved Cliff's flamboyant attitude, and Randy's super alpha personality. I loved the representation of homophobia in the world of fighting. I loved everything about this book. 

I haven't read the others in the series, so I don't know the other characters (but Lordy do I want to now!)  This was my first interaction with the fiesty, flirty Cliff. He was everything I always wanted in a friend: The person to tell you NOT to wear something because YES it makes you look fat, helps you decorate your house, but also is there for you no matter what. 

Randy was the guy I would love to lust over: broody, alpha with a past that makes you want to hug him and never let him go. An MMA fighter forced into the closet because his career would suffer if he ever came out of the closet, and in love with a man that doesn't want to be someone's dirty little secret. A year before, Randy chose his career over Cliff. But after a year of misery, he sees Cliff again and needs to make a choice: The fear of losing his career forever, or losing Cliff forever. 



What will he choose?

This book had it all; heartbreak, love, amazing sex scenes, a crazy ex, and MORE. Oh yes, I said MORE. What I loved about Professor Hot Pants was the inclusion of people's homophobia and how it affects the relationship and the people. I loved it even more in Fighting Vegas. We love to read romances with everyone accepting the couple, especially for MM because it's freaking life, people love who they love. But it's not reality. 

The reason this is four stars and not five is because I felt like it moved too fast. This book was jam packed with lots of action, but sometimes it felt like you were just processing something before it was over and something else was happening. 

Overall though, amazing book, amazing love, and amazing characters. LOVE.

**All images are from freeimages.com and pexels.com and all fonts are from CreativeMarket.com. For more info on the fonts and images used, please email caitscreatures@gmail.com**

[P Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one elses*

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I wasn’t left disappointed.

Cliff ended his secret relationship with Randy with a heavy heart. He wanted to be Randy’s everything but in the end he wasn’t enough for Randy to come out of the closet.

Randy lost the man he loved because he wouldn’t come out of the closet. Cliff’s back in Vegas - can Randy get back the man he loves?

I fell in love with Cliff and Randy - it was seriously hard not too. Randy took his sweet time getting his act together but I admired his sheer determination to get back the man, that held his heart.

Cliff was a gonna from the moment he saw Randy - sparks were flying like crazy between the two and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the fireworks that followed. These two guys had sizzling hot chemistry - I’m surprised I didn’t combust with the heat these two were generating.

Cliff’s girlfriends made me laugh - they were funny, supportive and entertaining. His friends were amazing throughout: always standing by him and loving him unconditionally.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

[Deli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book i read by that author. I got it as advanced readers copy, and what can i say....?
Its fantastic! It had me hocked with the first few sentences and didnt let me leave till i finished with the last.
Usually im very thrifty with 5 star reviews, but i feel this one really deserves it.
The author really understood to put me in Cliff and Randys world, taking me and my emotions on a rollercoaster while Randy and Cliff (supported by an amazing,funny bunch of friends) fight their battles.
Cliff is an out and proud guy who even flaunts his gayness. Hes a very strong character, knowing exactly what he wants, but at the same time just cute.
Randy as an MMA fighter is as deep in the closet as one can probably be, he wants Cliff back but is not really ready to out himself to the MMA world and facing what it would mean to his career. They are both totally different, but both strong in their own way and in the end, just perfect for each other.
The book has the perfect balance of anxiety,excitement, romance and just the right touch of humor too.
The book absolutely left me wanting to read more about this autor, especially about "Sparky" and Cliffs hilarious bunch of friends xD

[Up All Night With Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Fighting Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog

Holy Shit, Batman! I have NEVER read a MM romance as hot as Fighting Vegas by Ember-Raine Winters. If you have not popped your MM cherry yet, I suggest you pop it with Cliff and Randy. This book is bloody hot and you will gobble it up in one sitting.

Cliff has no issues admitting he is gay, in fact you can tell by the way he talks. Cliff is a hoot and loves with his whole heart but is tired of getting it broken. Now Randy is as closeted as they come! This MMA fighter refuses to admit he is gay even though he loves Cliff.

Cliff and Randy are in love but are both so stubborn! Cliff wants Randy to come out and Randy wants to stay in the closet! Needless to say, there are tons of heated arguments but you can feel the sexual tension and when they get it on, they get it ON. I will admit I wanted to punch Randy a few times because of his hard headedness but he eventually redeems himself.

I never thought I would be a lover of MM romances but dang! I will be reading all of Ember’s MM romances because her writing is just that great! If you do not read Fighting Vegas you are missing out!

**ARC provided for honest review**

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ ★Fighting love in Vegas

Set in the Las Vegas Nights world, this book is an obvious sequel, but stand-alone book, considering the backstories of the secondary characters, and all the other books are MF. I am edging on four stars because, though some chapters were stilted and this reader felt more meat was needed on the bone, the author made Cliff sassy enough to entertain and Randy just as arrogant to keep me vested.

I like a good sports related tale and this referenced it as Randy was an MMA fighter who had lost the man of his dreams when he refused to come out. Cliff, a decorator, found himself back at the scene of the crime, the one place he had avoided for one year. These two obviously had good chemistry and just needed help in getting back to the start.

I enjoyed the story [full stop]

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.

[Annie Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am addicted to MM Romance and MMA books - reading this one was a no brainer for me. It was my second book by this author and I'm pleased to see her writing grow and get closer to its true potential.

This book gives you a rough and tough MMA fighter paired with an over the top interior designer. Throw in a mix of supporting characters that does more than just hold up this story - they made me want to read their stories - kudos to the author for that accomplishment.

The plot is not new but the setting is interesting and there is a small twist in the story. All in all a well developed story that reads easy and smooth.

I'm very much looking forward to reading more books by this author.

3.5/5 stars

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting Vegas is my first time reading Ember Raine Winter's Vegas series and I am hooked.

Despite still missing his ex after a year apart, Cliff still struggles with coming out. As an MMA fighter, he is afraid that coming out will ruin his career. Upon being reunited, Cliff and Randy continue to struggle with the same issue.

This book had me hooked from the start! The writing style was great, with the reader being completely transported into their world.

The story will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, as you cringe, laugh, worry and sigh. The story is exciting, romantic and a fantastic romance.

I enjoyed Fighting Vegas so much, I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series by Ember Raine Winters. Note - It looks like they are all M/F Romance.

[Cynthia Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love this book amazing read with so.much emotions and push and pull and we see familiar characters from the Vegas Books.
Cliff not wanting to be a secret boyfriend to a closet gay. So he leaves and doesn't look till he has to go Vegas to help a guy makeover his gym.
Randy is a MMA and hiding a big secret. If he comes out he will lose his belt and his career. But since Cliff left he has not been the same.
After sometime and when things come to light will Randy be able to handle it all? Or will he lose what he wants the most? Will Cliff be able to trust Randy or will he not be able to see what is right in front of him?
Fantastic read with emotions and feels all over the place. From the first page it pulls you in and don't let go till the end

[Lee Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff and Randy are brought together after breaking up the year before. They were in love, one was not ready to be out to the world, and the other was not willing to be put away as a secret. The time has not diminished the chemistry between them as the tension between them escalates secrets are exposed the public and instead of pushing them together it pushed them apart. They each have friends to rely on support and help them see the choice to get their HEA. It was interesting meeting some secondary characters that could get their own story in the future. Look forward to more stories from author.

[Violet Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in The Las Vegas Nights Series. This book can be read as a standalone book. That’s how I read it, I have not read the previous books yet (which I plan to fix as soon as I can). However, I think that reading the previous book would enhance the reading. What an sensational book the writing was great. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters interesting. The characters were developed and thought out. Cliff and Randy are the MC’s of this book. I loved the nicknames and all of the name call. The friendship and loyalty was great too. This book was very enjoyable to read. I can recommend it as a good read. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relationship between a guy who is out and proud and a guy who is “halfway to Narnia” in the closet has no chance. I really liked how both Randy and Cliff transition their viewpoints. The guilt, egos, and drama just keep getting in their way. Their friends are ALWAYS there when they are needed and are a blast. Very hot, very sweet. I love how Randy works out his professional options (with help). This goes beyond second-chance romance.

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It has a great storyline that captivated me right from the start and kept me hooked all the way through. I absolutely love Cliff, he's flamboyant, hysterical, sarcastic, and also very loving. He and Randy are great together if only Randy could find the guts to come out of the closet and finally put his and Cliff's love and relationship first. It's a wonderful story that will have you laughing, screaming, and feeling the heat between these two guys.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[M B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

I need more oh my gosh this was an awesome book I couldn't put it down. I loved Cliff in all of the books and was so excited to see how he thought and the relationship with Randy wow! I couldn't have asked for a better book the characters were perfect. I want more of them all!

[Melissa Ledet · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

I absolutely loved this book. Cliff and Randy are beautiful and hot together. Love seeing all the characters from Las Vegas Nights series. This book can be read as a standalone. A fantastic read.

[Jennifer Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Las Vegas series all tho it is a stand alone and MM these characters are in the other books! Wow am I impressed in this book or what some crazy behind scenes but loved it! The drama & emotional cliff & Randy have omg love it!

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be raw and edgy. This book was emotional and heartfelt. Awesome work.

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I loved the story.

[Samantha Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always an amazing story

[Pati · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had such potential. Unfortunately, it failed on way too many levels. Between contradictory things that we were told, two different stalkers whose storylines were just left dangling, massive misogyny and missing words and missing punctuation throughout, it was all I could do to make myself finish it. I'm just glad that I picked this up free.

[Annie Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I liked about this book was Randy *cringe at his name though.
Cliff was a stereotypical "gay man" without any depth and only the dramatics.

The only think Markus (the ex) contributed to the story was a unqiue and unnecessary change of the way his name is spelt. The story felt seriously undeveloped and repetitive.