Take Down

Texas Heroes #1

by Jess Anastasi

Attraction sizzles when Danny Jones sets eyes on Deputy Jake Perez, despite meeting over the discovery of a mutilated corpse. But being with Jake could cost Danny his family, and being with Danny could cost Jake the very thing that brought him to Everness, Texas—revenge against the man who killed his brother. How much will Jake sacrifice to take down a psychotic criminal and finally see justice served?

After college, Danny thrived as a gay man in Houston. But when his mom’s cancer brings him back to small, conservative Everness, he must go back into the closet or risk the wrath of his abusive father—a choice made even harder when Danny starts to see a future for him and Jake.

As the body count rises and Danny becomes a target, Jake is caught between his vengeance and protecting the man he loves. He never wanted to end up in a backward town like Everness, but Danny is the best thing that ever happened to him. Jake needs to keep Danny safe as his secrets catch up to them—especially when the threat might be closer to home than they imagined.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Suspense, Mystery, LGBT, Contemporary, Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2019

About the author

Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn’t deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia. Find out more about Jess on her website www.jessanastasi.com

Reviews

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read TAKE DOWN from the moment I heard about it and I was not disappointed! I devoured this romantic suspense because I absolutely fell in love with both Danny and Jake. They were so perfect together and the way they leaned on each other for support was so sweet. Danny was the epitome of the cute boy next door -- nice, genuine and a little bit innocent. Jake was sexy, confident, and always knew just the right thing to say; he's a natural flirt and charmer but not in a sleazy way. He's also incredibly protective of Danny, especially as Danny is targeted and finds himself in the hospital on more than one occasion.

While the suspense was fairly predictable, it still built throughout the story and I loved watching Jake and Danny stand strong together through everything. I also really appreciated that Jake, who is out and proud, never pushed Danny to come out; he understands that it's up to each person when they come out and he constantly supports Danny in keeping things a secret.

I also really loved Gina! She was an amazing friend to Danny and was hilarious on top of it.

Content Warning: parent in remission from cancer; on page abusive and homophobic parent; past death of a brother; references to white nationalists, racism, and homophobia

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book blurb summarizes the story fairly well. Deputy Jake Perez has moved to Everness to avenge the death of his brother, when he meets Danny at the scene of a car accident. The attraction is instant between both men, but Danny can’t commit to a open relationship. Over the course of the coming week, as Danny’s life is put on the line over and over, both men have to choose if they want a life together or to pursue their respective life paths.

I’m going to break up my review into categories to help organize my thoughts.

The mystery wasn’t much of a mystery and it was mostly a matter of Jake working through the police department to come to a resolution. What had me rolling my eyes (which I did a lot) was the total implausibility of the detective focusing on Danny as a suspect. I know this was done to add dramatic attention, but it mostly just made me roll my eyes and grimace at “bad detective” trope.

This is an insta-romance. Jake and Danny meet at an accident scene and from there on out it’s a mental and emotional tug of war as both Jake and Danny struggle with the “Should we?” “Should we not?” This was predominantly Jake’s internal monologue and after a while, I fully admit I started skipping paragraphs. I got the point – Jake was strongly attracted to Danny, but Jake was here to take down his brother’s murder, and now Danny was getting hurt because of Jake.

Which comes round to Danny getting hurt. This began to feel a bit like a Het Romance and Damsel in Distress trope which is not my favorite. And from my reading fantasy days and sitting in on numerous medical panels at scifi conventions – getting shot in the shoulder just made me wince. Shoulders are incredibly complicated joints. You stick a cross-bow bolt through one you’re not going to be feeling fine after a couple of days.

Overall, a few of my quirks were poked in this selection. The internal “I shouldn’t date” monologues were a bit long, some of the medical aspects bumped me out of the story, and the “bad detective” trope made me roll my eyes.

Flip side – Danny and Jake were interesting characters and Jake was incredibly sweet, Jake worked with the sheriff and didn’t go rouge in his pursuit of his brother’s killer, and this does have a very satisfactory ending. This is going to be a story that will really be up to each readers own proclivities and likes and dislikes.

Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everness, Texas, is pretty much a stereotypical small town: predominantly white, full of people who call themselves Christian but don’t always live up to what Jesus preached, and with lots of family drama. The story starts with a bang when Danny opens his eyes after a car accident, then immediately becomes a murder mystery when the man in the other car is found to have already been dead before the accident. Unusual circumstances abound, the small-town pressures make things difficult, and the murder mystery definitely had my attention. With two men who have recently moved to town – Danny returning after college and Jake transferring in from Dallas – added to a variety of great secondary characters, the emotional tension was palpable from the first page.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[ttg · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I qualify this as "fine" for romantic suspense. I liked the Texas setting, and the MCs seemed fine. (shrugs)

Danny gets injured A LOT, to the point that it made me think this story would get the fanfic tag of "Danny Whump", so if you like lots of hurt/comfort, this may be for you.

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤A good beginning to a new series.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★

Jess Anastasi is a new to me writer, and if I am to go by her website, Take Down is her first foray into MM romance. And what a good attempt it was. She bought small town living and seasoned it with murder, mystery, suspense and an all around feel good romance that was lit from the first touch. And a small town MM story would not be complete if there was a dose of homophobia.

I was drawn in from the first explosive chapter, and fought sleep and study time because it was one of those can't put down books for me. The plot held nothing back and the reader knew they were going to in for the ride of their lives. But even though the scene was set, this author made sure that her main characters Deputy Danny Perez and back in the closet, hometown boy Danny, found what neither were looking for. They had the chemistry and the book was not so slow burn. I am glad the relationship, though the theme of insta-attraction played a key factor, took its time. Especially with what the men were facing with murders, keeping Danny safe and his family dynamics.

I look forward to the next book in the series, Locked Down, which is expected to be released in October. If you're looking for something a bit different, one click and get discover the town of Everness.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Dreamspinner Press
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: Texas Heroes #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

When Deputy Jake Perez meets Danny Jones at a crime scene, he never expects Danny to become so important to him. As the body count in their small town rises, Danny seems to be a target and Jake is caught between protecting the man he is falling for and vengeance.

This was a great romantic suspense. Danny and Jake were absolutely wonderful and I fell in love with them both so quickly. Danny was so sweet and genuine. He is a bit innocent but in a sweet way. Jake is a confident, sexy police officer who is determined to protect Danny and bring a man to justice. These two were just so sweet together and I loved how the leaned on each other for support and comfort. Also I loved that Jake never pushed Danny to come out to his parents and was ok staying quiet.

The suspense in this was a bit predictable but it was perfectly paced and worked well with the romance building. These two had a lot of stressful situations happen to them but they supported each other and stood strong in the face of danger and became a stronger couple for it. I just really enjoyed their story and how these two are slowly changing their community.

Also, Gina was an awesome friend and I loved her so much. I hope she finds herself someone.

TW: on page homomisic and abusive father; mother in remission from breast cancer; racism; past death of a brother; on page car accidents; references to white nationalists, racism, and homophobia

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Danny is back living in his small home town after college to help look after his sick Mum. He isn’t happy and is staying firming in the closet, afraid of what is father and the town will say. Jake, a cop has just moved to town for the purpose of revenge but when he meets Danny, romance takes over.

Take Down is a good romantic suspense story. The chemistry between Danny and Jake works well and I am, as always, a fan of the small-town setting. There is action right from the beginning and plenty going. I was entertained by Take Down but I wanted to love more than I actually did. I think the reason I didn’t completely fall in love with the story is that it is pretty predictable. There were no real surprises for me. That being said if you are a fan of romantic suspense, I’d say give Take Down a try. It is the first in a new series and I’ll be on the lookout for the next book to see how the series develops.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is an exciting and sexy romantic suspense. When Danny returns to his hometown, he the attraction he feels for the sheriff’s deputy who saves his life takes him by surprise. And the escalating violence that surrounds the men takes them both by surprise.

I really liked both Jake and Danny. Jake is a protector but he’s also lonely and grieving. Danny is struggling with his move back home and the difficult relationship he shares with his father. I’m not a fan of closeted characters, but for Danny it makes sense. There’s heat between the two but Danny brings an almost childlike innocence to the relationship that is really refreshing.

I found some of the writing a bit clunky in this book. I feel like the writing gets tighter by the end but at times unnatural dialogue and supporting characters that are often more types than people detract from the suspense and romance which are both well done. By the end, characters like Danny’s mum and the sheriff feel real enough to care about but there are too many stock characters who don’t add anything to the story.

[Natosha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. It is a long book page wise but with all the excitement and danger that is in almost every page, it does not seem like that long of a read. This, I do believe, is the first book I have read by Jess Anastasi, but it definitely will not be the last. This was a VERY GOOD read. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed his book. Definitely on my recommend read list.

Danny thought when he left for college in Houston that he would not be moving back to the small town of Everness again. But well laid plans and all that usually do not go according to plans and Danny’s definitely did not. When his mom was diagnosed with cancer Danny knew he had no choice but to give up the life of living open to move back home and go back in the closet in order to take care of his mom. He knew his dad would not take care of her so what choice did he really have. So Danny found himself living back at home with his homophobic father and working in the shop with him. Not the life he pictures for himself.

When on a part delivery one day, Danny’s life once gain takes another turn he never seen coming. After going around a bend in the road only to hit a vehicle that he did not see, Danny finds himself with his truck totaled and another vehicle with a very dead person inside. Once the pice arrive he meets the new Deputy, Jake.

The day could not get any worse or so Danny thought but that is when his truck blows up and then he learns the man in the other vehicle was already murdered before Danny hit them. But the one good thing to come out of it is Jake not only saved Danny’s life but he also sparked a huge interest in Danny that he did not expect.

Things between Jake and Danny progress rather quickly and the two become very close very fast but Danny knows that his father can never find out about the two of them. Not only do these two men get closer but unexpected accidents or better yet not accidents at all keep hapoeneding around Danny.

Jake and the other police officers do everything they can to try and figure out who is behind everything that is happening to Danny. Not only that but Jake is starting to wonder if all this is happening to Danny because of him and something from his pst.

Jake is going to have to work fast to try and figure out who is behind everything happening before Danny ends up hurt worse then he has been or worse, dead. Also what will happen once Danny’s dad finds out about the two of them. Will he accept them or will it make things impossible for Danny and Jake?

This was such a great read. I am truly looking forward to the next book in this series once it comes out. I will definitely be looking for it when it is available. Great read!!!


Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Jones left his comfortable job in Houston to return home to the small town of Everness to help his mom who has cancer. In Houston, he was out and comfortable, but when he returns, he has to go back into the closet or risk the wrath of his abusive father. Then he meets Deputy Jake Perez, a new resident who is on the trail of a psychotic killer. They meet when Danny runs his truck into a disabled car (at a blind curve) and Jake saves his life. There is instant attraction, but Danny doesn’t dare do anything about it. Then the bodies start piling up and everything points to Danny.

This was a story that started intensely with the accident and subsequent explosion. And it didn’t let up.

The characters of Danny and Jake are three-dimensional with issues, both internal and external that makes them realistic. The secondary characters, especially the sheriff, are there as strong support rather than just background. There was a strong attraction between the two main characters and grew organically as the story moved forward. I loved Jake’s sensitivity to Danny’s wish to keep his father from finding out about them and Danny’s determination to help his mom even though all he wants to do is get away from his father.

Although it’s pretty obvious who is doing all the killing, it works for the story because this is a romantic suspense and not a solid murder mystery. The author does a good job of building the suspense and keeping you on the edge of your seat when Danny disappears. Jake is the only one who believes Danny is still alive. Danny’s father is truly nasty—but the author introduces a bit of humanity to him when he realizes Danny is gone and everyone thinks he killed him. That was an interesting scene, well thought-out and well-done.

Details: the setting is a small town in Texas near Houston. But we really don’t know any details about it other than that – oh, and that there’s one bar in town. Still, the lack of details isn’t a big problem, but a little more would have been nice.

So… romance, suspense, murder, acceptance, and more combined to make a compelling read that keeps you turning the page. I definitely recommend this book.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love being kept on your toes til the end!

This is book one in the Texas Heroes series, I have already read book two and I don’t think reading out of order made any difference, except having spoilers from book one in book two.

I really enjoyed the way the tale tangled itself around Danny and Jake, the way I was kept on my toes with the whodunnit. I didn’t actually put the pieces together fast enough and all was revealed before I did! Loved that! The revenge that is Jake’s driving force isn’t fully laid out immediately in the book, but the blurb gives it away. I liked that very quickly it took a step back behind Danny’s safety.

I’m not giving anything away by mentioning Danny’s abusive father, it’s in the blurb, but that man is a nasty piece of work!

I didn’t think it was as explicit as book two, and it’s not really needed but the level of violence is much higher and quite graphic in places. It is needed, I think, to get the point across.

Both men have a say, in the third person, and both voices is clear and distinctive, showing their very different upbringings.

I like the way Ms Anastasi spins her tales, be one to watch I think. I found some M/F books this author writes too, and might try them! 4 good, solid stars.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this e-book from the Oakville Library but suddenly they have no record of it. Strange.

A gay man, Danny, comes home to his homophobic father who has berated him all his life to care for his cancer stricken mother. There he meets a gorgeous gay Hispanic cop who stirs his libido but dare he come out of the closet to woo him and risk rejection in a narrow-minded small town.

Jake has his own reasons for coming to a backwater and instant attraction was not in his plans to leave as soon as mission accomplished.

The M+M Romance has elements of Murder Mystery and Suspense. Reading about the pair obsessing over their sexual attractions like giddy school girls gets tedious after a while and they engage in endless petting. The one revelation is that the chief/sheriff has a much loved gay brother which explains his tolerance.

The author changes the point of view from one paragraph to the next without warning making it difficult for the reader to follow the plot. A consistent point of view is writing 101.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There wasn't much here that I didn't love. I've been on this romance binge for a few years now, but before that it was a mystery binge that lasted years. So when I come across a well written romance, that has a believable mystery plot, that is well fleshed out, I tend to fall in love. And I did just that with Take Down. Now, I'm not trying to compare the plotting to an Agatha Christie classic, but it's a step above most of the cozy mystery crap, that is hogging up so much bookstore shelving. It's a sharply written, fast paced narrative that kept me from putting the book down for longer than a minute or two. The two leads are engaging and believable as couple, and I'm really hoping they take up some page time in the sequel.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to the Texas Heroes series. Danny Jones and Deputy Jake Perez bring a lot of charisma and excitement to the story. There's lots of emotional moments with Danny and Jake. They both find themselves wrapped up in danger. Can't wait to see what Jess Anatasi has next for this new series.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & white supremacy mentioned
Homomisia
Outing
Physical & verbal parental abuse
Parent with breast cancer
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a brother

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad debut but even after reading it twice, couldn’t remember a thing about it so had to reread before book 3.