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Guns & Hoses Universe
Then & Forever
LIstening Time: 4 hrs., 49 min.
Officer Jake Silverstone was content to be alone and only hooking up to satisfy his needs. He’d already had the love of his life and after he gave his heart away twelve years ago and had it shattered into a million pieces, knew he would never risk that kind of pain again.
Cody Kidd made the biggest mistake of his life when he allowed his father to send him away from the man he loved. Now that his father was dead and buried, he could return to the man who still owned his heart. The most he could hope for was forgiveness, but he was determined to have more because without the love of his life, he really had no life at all.
This book contains M/M sexual situations and is intended for readers of legal age in the country in which they reside.
Officer Jake Silverstone was content to be alone and only hooking up to satisfy his needs. He’d already had the love of his life and after he gave his heart away twelve years ago and had it shattered into a million pieces, knew he would never risk that kind of pain again.
Cody Kidd made the biggest mistake of his life when he allowed his father to send him away from the man he loved. Now that his father was dead and buried, he could return to the man who still owned his heart. The most he could hope for was forgiveness, but he was determined to have more because without the love of his life, he really had no life at all.
This book contains M/M sexual situations and is intended for readers of legal age in the country in which they reside.
Audiobook
Published October 1, 2018
17 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Cothern
80 books307 followersBrenda is an Amazon and ARe best-selling author and resides in Tampa, FL with her husband, six cats, a dog, a turtle named Tammy, and a rabbit named Alice. She is active in the Tampa Bay GLBT, kink, & leather communities, and the owner of Florida Leather & Fetish Pride Weekend event which includes a Mr. & Ms. title contest.
When not putting the voices in her head on paper, Brenda is attending book and fantasy/Sci-fi conventions to meet fans. She also attends leather/kink events as Ms. Florida Leather & Fetish Pride 2016 and teaches about the leather and kink lifestyle.
She would love to hear from you! Visit her on the following:
Website: www.bcothernbooks.com
(Where you can find several FREE reads!)
Facebook: Brenda Cothern Books
Facebook Fan Page:
Brenda Cothern Books, Inc.
Goodreads: Brenda Cothern
Smashwords: BCothernBooks
Google+: Brenda Cothern Books
Twitter: BCothernBooks
Authorgraph: BCothernBooks
For signed digital autograph, please send her a request through Authorgraph! A personalized autographed PDF for the book will be signed and sent to you!
If you enjoy her books, please show your support by giving them stars and/or writing reviews on the various online sites where they can be purchased.
When not putting the voices in her head on paper, Brenda is attending book and fantasy/Sci-fi conventions to meet fans. She also attends leather/kink events as Ms. Florida Leather & Fetish Pride 2016 and teaches about the leather and kink lifestyle.
She would love to hear from you! Visit her on the following:
Website: www.bcothernbooks.com
(Where you can find several FREE reads!)
Facebook: Brenda Cothern Books
Facebook Fan Page:
Brenda Cothern Books, Inc.
Goodreads: Brenda Cothern
Smashwords: BCothernBooks
Google+: Brenda Cothern Books
Twitter: BCothernBooks
Authorgraph: BCothernBooks
For signed digital autograph, please send her a request through Authorgraph! A personalized autographed PDF for the book will be signed and sent to you!
If you enjoy her books, please show your support by giving them stars and/or writing reviews on the various online sites where they can be purchased.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 2, 2019
We all have things we're not proud of: I just read Ms. Cothern's. I remembered trying to make myself read this from before and placing it on my ReadsInLimbo shelf to try again but I'm calling this one. DNF @ 73% and I skipped A LOT! I really wanted to love this trilogy but I felt the author put a step in the right direction- Guns & Hoses was excellent!- but then stumbled badly twice. The premise was good but the execution was terrible: thye emotions of Jake/Jacob and Cody were just. not. there. (Or anywhere.)
April 28, 2019
In true Brenda fashion she uses too much of his partner, his past lover, his ex-boyfriend et.c. instead of their names and sooo much of them when their not needed. Towards the end of the book it became better. But it jumps from one to another point of view really fast, sometimes you just can't catch up.
Narration by Jordan Lee
I read it as an audiobook and he was really atrocious. If you listened to the narrators in youtube videos about human interest stories you have an idea of how he read it. Really disconnected from the story, like a robot. It kind of works for those stories but not so much in fiction. The other thing he did was that he didn't have any pauses between obvious paragraphs. It was like he read it for the first time and the whole book wasn't divided in to paragraphs at all.
All of her books I've read so far have had bad narrators, but this was by far the worst. I usually try to look past the narrators when I judge a book, but this time I just couldn't.
Otherwise it was an ok story line, not entirely my cup of tea though.
Narration by Jordan Lee
I read it as an audiobook and he was really atrocious. If you listened to the narrators in youtube videos about human interest stories you have an idea of how he read it. Really disconnected from the story, like a robot. It kind of works for those stories but not so much in fiction. The other thing he did was that he didn't have any pauses between obvious paragraphs. It was like he read it for the first time and the whole book wasn't divided in to paragraphs at all.
All of her books I've read so far have had bad narrators, but this was by far the worst. I usually try to look past the narrators when I judge a book, but this time I just couldn't.
Otherwise it was an ok story line, not entirely my cup of tea though.
April 29, 2020
4.5 Stars...
This was such a good story I loved the characters their story was heartbreaking and intense . From start to finish I was hooked just waiting for the moment they finally got it together and got their HEA. Very well written with a few editing issues but not enough to take away from the story that was being told. I loved the supporting characters and even got a very good surprise to see Mike and Johnny in this series. I wanted love to give this a five star rating but I felt like Jacob and Cody's story still had more to tell and wasn't finished . Like did Cody make his probation? I can assume he did but I don't know for sure. Did he and Jacob finally move in together like what happened next with them? Did he finally forgive Janie and talk to her? These are the questions I still had once I finished this story. I love the Guns and Hoses series and I really enjoyed this story I just wished there was more.
This was such a good story I loved the characters their story was heartbreaking and intense . From start to finish I was hooked just waiting for the moment they finally got it together and got their HEA. Very well written with a few editing issues but not enough to take away from the story that was being told. I loved the supporting characters and even got a very good surprise to see Mike and Johnny in this series. I wanted love to give this a five star rating but I felt like Jacob and Cody's story still had more to tell and wasn't finished . Like did Cody make his probation? I can assume he did but I don't know for sure. Did he and Jacob finally move in together like what happened next with them? Did he finally forgive Janie and talk to her? These are the questions I still had once I finished this story. I love the Guns and Hoses series and I really enjoyed this story I just wished there was more.
November 2, 2017
A lot of cop fun
The end of this book was edited poorly, it was a fairly stark difference from the beginning, and was very distracting to pick out what was intended when verbs have the wrong tense, homophones are used, and punctuation is missing (or extra punctuation is included).
The story itself was excellent however, and made up for the editing errors. This was a beautiful second chances romance between Jake and Cody. I connected emotionally with both characters and found myself cheering for them throughout the book. This made the end very sweet for me, though I wonder how they are going to handle being a couple while being partners at work for any long term since they don't really hide their feelings well.
The end of this book was edited poorly, it was a fairly stark difference from the beginning, and was very distracting to pick out what was intended when verbs have the wrong tense, homophones are used, and punctuation is missing (or extra punctuation is included).
The story itself was excellent however, and made up for the editing errors. This was a beautiful second chances romance between Jake and Cody. I connected emotionally with both characters and found myself cheering for them throughout the book. This made the end very sweet for me, though I wonder how they are going to handle being a couple while being partners at work for any long term since they don't really hide their feelings well.
December 31, 2021
12 years of huge misunderstanding get fixed in a couple of weeks
Years of misery caused by a parent who should have known better. Two main character’s points of view couldn’t be more different, and it takes a while to make sense of it all, the seeming betrayal and callousness is actually the opposite. The end missed explaining why Jake would need a new police partner, and a early (or very overdue) marriage proposal could have added to to fun
Years of misery caused by a parent who should have known better. Two main character’s points of view couldn’t be more different, and it takes a while to make sense of it all, the seeming betrayal and callousness is actually the opposite. The end missed explaining why Jake would need a new police partner, and a early (or very overdue) marriage proposal could have added to to fun
January 2, 2020
I didn’t enjoy this entry as much as books 1-3. The angst between the two men lasts a long, long time. I wish we spent more time with them as a happy couple.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
May 20, 2023
Narration: -10
Story was ok
Story was ok
March 26, 2017
Good read
A good addition to the series. Both MC's were likable and I enjoyed their chemistry. Hope we get another book in the series.
A good addition to the series. Both MC's were likable and I enjoyed their chemistry. Hope we get another book in the series.
April 21, 2017
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews.)
I really like this author, and Guns & Hoses is personally my favorite of her series. I’m going to keep it brutally honest here though and say that this one didn’t work that well for me. I’m not going to just dump that out there and not explain, so let me give you my impressions.
I found this particular installment to be a little unbelievable to start. We have one MC, Jacob Silverstone, whose heart was ripped out twelve years previously when his long-term boyfriend, Cody, left for the military instead of going to college and becoming a police officer with Jacob. And he did it in secret. He said he would meet Jacob the next morning, and never showed up. Then Cody’s father told Jacob that Cody had enlisted in the army, where they would make a true man out of him.
Now it is twelve years later, and Jacob, who now goes by Jake, stops a motorcycle hurtling across the Tampa city line. When the bike stops, and the man removes his helmet, it is Cody. Jake is less than thrilled and gives him a ticket and goes on his way, furious that Cody has shown up in Tampa again.
Then Jake shows up at work to find out his new trainee/partner is none other than Cody Kidd. The same Cody that tore his heart out all those years ago. Sparks fly, but not good ones. This was where I kind of disconnected. The two men danced around each other, neither wanting to tell the other that they were still in love with the other, until they did, and then they had a fist fight… etc, all on their way to a HEA. Kind of unbelievable.
My biggest problem with this book was the head hopping. The viewpoint changed from one sentence to another, and I was never quite sure whose head I was in. I had to pause a few times to catch up. I understand what the author was trying to do with the constant back and forth, but it might have worked better with breaks in between. There was also a spot where they were talking about shrapnel, which seemed to allude to someone being lost when Cody was wounded with shrapnel, but it was dropped instantly after one line, so I’m not sure. That section needed more.
Finally, a smaller pet peeve, the book was riddled with small errors. From the motorcycle rider being asked for an insurance card (which would only stick out to a Florida biker like myself because Florida ridiculously doesn’t require insurance to operate a motorcycle), to one name being incorrect (Jake instead of John), to quite a few words being either incorrect or the wrong tense.
As I said in the beginning, I really like this author, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was disappointed in this current offering.
I really like this author, and Guns & Hoses is personally my favorite of her series. I’m going to keep it brutally honest here though and say that this one didn’t work that well for me. I’m not going to just dump that out there and not explain, so let me give you my impressions.
I found this particular installment to be a little unbelievable to start. We have one MC, Jacob Silverstone, whose heart was ripped out twelve years previously when his long-term boyfriend, Cody, left for the military instead of going to college and becoming a police officer with Jacob. And he did it in secret. He said he would meet Jacob the next morning, and never showed up. Then Cody’s father told Jacob that Cody had enlisted in the army, where they would make a true man out of him.
Now it is twelve years later, and Jacob, who now goes by Jake, stops a motorcycle hurtling across the Tampa city line. When the bike stops, and the man removes his helmet, it is Cody. Jake is less than thrilled and gives him a ticket and goes on his way, furious that Cody has shown up in Tampa again.
Then Jake shows up at work to find out his new trainee/partner is none other than Cody Kidd. The same Cody that tore his heart out all those years ago. Sparks fly, but not good ones. This was where I kind of disconnected. The two men danced around each other, neither wanting to tell the other that they were still in love with the other, until they did, and then they had a fist fight… etc, all on their way to a HEA. Kind of unbelievable.
My biggest problem with this book was the head hopping. The viewpoint changed from one sentence to another, and I was never quite sure whose head I was in. I had to pause a few times to catch up. I understand what the author was trying to do with the constant back and forth, but it might have worked better with breaks in between. There was also a spot where they were talking about shrapnel, which seemed to allude to someone being lost when Cody was wounded with shrapnel, but it was dropped instantly after one line, so I’m not sure. That section needed more.
Finally, a smaller pet peeve, the book was riddled with small errors. From the motorcycle rider being asked for an insurance card (which would only stick out to a Florida biker like myself because Florida ridiculously doesn’t require insurance to operate a motorcycle), to one name being incorrect (Jake instead of John), to quite a few words being either incorrect or the wrong tense.
As I said in the beginning, I really like this author, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was disappointed in this current offering.
March 30, 2017
Another awesome story by Ms Cothern. I have loved all the books in this series and this one was just as great. This book is well written with well developed characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and just fell in love with Jake and Cody. Can't wait to see what comes next.
April 1, 2017
Then & Forever
Jake and Cody have been in love with each other forever but something happen that tore them apart but fate has brought them back together. The characters Brenda writes are so good. You feel their emotions and love and pain.
Jake and Cody have been in love with each other forever but something happen that tore them apart but fate has brought them back together. The characters Brenda writes are so good. You feel their emotions and love and pain.
April 1, 2017
REVIEWED FOR LOVE BYTES
Then & Forever is the latest book in the Guns and Hoses Universe and instead of being about the men at the Firehouse this one sees us inside the Police Department. This is a friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and a second chance story. But before any of that happens you have to understand the history and it’s one of miscommunication, deep lasting hurt and a love so deep that a 12 year absence hasn’t changed how both these men feel.
Jake Silverstone left school and joined the Police Academy – which is exactly what he had planned to do but he hadn’t planned on doing it alone. He’s good at his job but after having his heart broken as a teen his personal life has been non-existent. He has a small group of friends, an even smaller group that know who he really is, and every now and again the odd hook-up to scratch an itch. Cody Kidd gave up the only important thing in his life twelve years ago out of a sense of duty but his sacrifice has never stopped hurting. He has finally been able to return home and is the new rookie at the Tampa Police Department – better late than never! His partner on the force is Jake and for the first time in over a decade these ex-lovers come face to face and have to deal with their pasts.
This story felt a little different to what Brenda usually gives us and the whole twelve years of yearning that the story begins with felt a bit far fetched. Cody spent a lot of the time walking on egg shells and in all honesty it could have gone either way for most of the story as the hurt ran that deep and forgiveness wasn’t quick in coming.
Some parts of the story, particularly the conversations, were difficult to follow as it jumped backwards and forwards between the two men. There were also enough editing issues that it was difficult not to be thrown out of the story, oftentimes these were very basic errors that could and should have been picked up easily before publishing. I have enjoyed a lot of Brenda’s books but this was not one of my favourites.
Then & Forever is the latest book in the Guns and Hoses Universe and instead of being about the men at the Firehouse this one sees us inside the Police Department. This is a friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and a second chance story. But before any of that happens you have to understand the history and it’s one of miscommunication, deep lasting hurt and a love so deep that a 12 year absence hasn’t changed how both these men feel.
Jake Silverstone left school and joined the Police Academy – which is exactly what he had planned to do but he hadn’t planned on doing it alone. He’s good at his job but after having his heart broken as a teen his personal life has been non-existent. He has a small group of friends, an even smaller group that know who he really is, and every now and again the odd hook-up to scratch an itch. Cody Kidd gave up the only important thing in his life twelve years ago out of a sense of duty but his sacrifice has never stopped hurting. He has finally been able to return home and is the new rookie at the Tampa Police Department – better late than never! His partner on the force is Jake and for the first time in over a decade these ex-lovers come face to face and have to deal with their pasts.
This story felt a little different to what Brenda usually gives us and the whole twelve years of yearning that the story begins with felt a bit far fetched. Cody spent a lot of the time walking on egg shells and in all honesty it could have gone either way for most of the story as the hurt ran that deep and forgiveness wasn’t quick in coming.
Some parts of the story, particularly the conversations, were difficult to follow as it jumped backwards and forwards between the two men. There were also enough editing issues that it was difficult not to be thrown out of the story, oftentimes these were very basic errors that could and should have been picked up easily before publishing. I have enjoyed a lot of Brenda’s books but this was not one of my favourites.
April 8, 2017
I like the characters, but I want more.
Sometimes Brenda Cothern's books feel like a prelude to a bigger story. Sometimes they feel like an interlude. This book felt like a bit of both.
I really want more. I also really want to never see the word "however" in Brenda's writing. I could erase the word every time it was used, and the book would flow so much better.
I enjoyed this book, and I would like to see more. More pages. More character development. More of Tig and Flame from the first book in this series...
Sometimes Brenda Cothern's books feel like a prelude to a bigger story. Sometimes they feel like an interlude. This book felt like a bit of both.
I really want more. I also really want to never see the word "however" in Brenda's writing. I could erase the word every time it was used, and the book would flow so much better.
I enjoyed this book, and I would like to see more. More pages. More character development. More of Tig and Flame from the first book in this series...
September 7, 2017
I enjoyed he book. Was not happy about the ending. A little abrupt. I have a feeling there will be another in the series. Missed reading about the guys from the earlier books.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews