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Dangerous Ground #1
Dangerous Ground
It's complicated...
Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt have been partners and best friends for three years, but everything changed the night Taylor admitted the truth about his feelings for Will.
Taylor agreed to a camping trip in the High Sierras -- despite the fact that he hates camping -- because Will wants a chance to save their partnership. But the trip is a disaster from the first, and things rapidly go from bad to worse when they find a crashed plane and a couple of million dollars in stolen money.
With a trio of murderous robbers trailing them, Will and Taylor are on dangerous ground, fighting for their partnership...and their lives.
Followed by Old Poison.
Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt have been partners and best friends for three years, but everything changed the night Taylor admitted the truth about his feelings for Will.
Taylor agreed to a camping trip in the High Sierras -- despite the fact that he hates camping -- because Will wants a chance to save their partnership. But the trip is a disaster from the first, and things rapidly go from bad to worse when they find a crashed plane and a couple of million dollars in stolen money.
With a trio of murderous robbers trailing them, Will and Taylor are on dangerous ground, fighting for their partnership...and their lives.
Followed by Old Poison.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2008
121 people are currently reading
2451 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
223 books5,418 followersAuthor of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews
June 20, 2023
3.5 stars
I am intrigued enough to continue this Will and Taylor journey. 🥳🤞
I am intrigued enough to continue this Will and Taylor journey. 🥳🤞
September 2, 2012
REVIEW COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2, 2012
3.5 stars
Buddy read / my first but certainly not my last Josh Lanyon read
Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt, Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, have been partners for three years. When Taylor tells Will how he really feels about him a lot of things changed because Will refused to get romantically involved with his partner. Will liked stability, reliability and predictability and he thinks that the commitment-shy Taylor is a bad relationship risk. After doing some soul-searching, Taylor is convinced that he couldn't go on working side by side with Will and at the same time denying his feelings.
For the last six weeks Taylor had been out of commission due to a "routine op" that had gone awry. And when Will was sure that Taylor would survive, Will had been angry. Yes, he was terrified to the very core that he would lose his partner, but at the same time he was angry because Taylor had brought it on himself. His ego hurt, he'd simply gone looking for trouble and when he found it, he neglected to follow procedure and acted contrary to common sense.
Will suggests a camping trip in the High Sierras to save their partnership. Even though Taylor hates camping he agrees. Unfortunately the trip is doomed from the get-go. When they find a crashed plane and recover two million dollars from the Black Wolf Casino heist, Taylor and Will are standing on dangerous ground. A trio of murderous robbers is trailing our MC's…
Despite that I'm not a camping lover either I did enjoy the setting of Dangerous Ground. I think the action and suspense part of the plot are well executed and thrilling. Will and Taylor are likable yet difficult characters with depth. As the story moved along, it was rewarding to see their emotional struggle and you really get to see where Will and Taylor were coming from and where they were going. And one thing's for sure: they didn't wear their hearts on their sleeves. Now and then I wanted to give them a nudge and I was hoping that they would come clean already.
I have to admit that I'm quite amazed how much the author packed into this short read and he handled everything very well. Dangerous Ground is an engagingly written novella that left me wanting more. Hence, I'll be checking out the follow-up Old Poison.
Taylor's lashes lifted. "Did you mean it? What you said before about taking it one day at a time?"
"Yeah, I meant it. Of course I did. I'm not letting you go without a fight."
Taylor said carefully, "As your partner or--?"
"As your friend, my lover, my partner. All of it. One day at a time," Will said. "Starting with today." And this time his kiss was a promise.
3.5 stars
Buddy read / my first but certainly not my last Josh Lanyon read
Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt, Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, have been partners for three years. When Taylor tells Will how he really feels about him a lot of things changed because Will refused to get romantically involved with his partner. Will liked stability, reliability and predictability and he thinks that the commitment-shy Taylor is a bad relationship risk. After doing some soul-searching, Taylor is convinced that he couldn't go on working side by side with Will and at the same time denying his feelings.
For the last six weeks Taylor had been out of commission due to a "routine op" that had gone awry. And when Will was sure that Taylor would survive, Will had been angry. Yes, he was terrified to the very core that he would lose his partner, but at the same time he was angry because Taylor had brought it on himself. His ego hurt, he'd simply gone looking for trouble and when he found it, he neglected to follow procedure and acted contrary to common sense.
Will suggests a camping trip in the High Sierras to save their partnership. Even though Taylor hates camping he agrees. Unfortunately the trip is doomed from the get-go. When they find a crashed plane and recover two million dollars from the Black Wolf Casino heist, Taylor and Will are standing on dangerous ground. A trio of murderous robbers is trailing our MC's…
Despite that I'm not a camping lover either I did enjoy the setting of Dangerous Ground. I think the action and suspense part of the plot are well executed and thrilling. Will and Taylor are likable yet difficult characters with depth. As the story moved along, it was rewarding to see their emotional struggle and you really get to see where Will and Taylor were coming from and where they were going. And one thing's for sure: they didn't wear their hearts on their sleeves. Now and then I wanted to give them a nudge and I was hoping that they would come clean already.
I have to admit that I'm quite amazed how much the author packed into this short read and he handled everything very well. Dangerous Ground is an engagingly written novella that left me wanting more. Hence, I'll be checking out the follow-up Old Poison.
Taylor's lashes lifted. "Did you mean it? What you said before about taking it one day at a time?"
"Yeah, I meant it. Of course I did. I'm not letting you go without a fight."
Taylor said carefully, "As your partner or--?"
"As your friend, my lover, my partner. All of it. One day at a time," Will said. "Starting with today." And this time his kiss was a promise.
December 13, 2018
Audio - 2 stars
5 novella box set, 660 pages, 20 hours and 7 minutes of Derrick McClain's hitching narration. Will I make it? Only time will tell. My excuse for trying to push through...IT WAS ON SALE!!!
Story - 3 WTF? stars
I hope this series gets better. For now, I feel like I've been dropped in the middle of a story, and I have to figure out what I missed.
5 novella box set, 660 pages, 20 hours and 7 minutes of Derrick McClain's hitching narration. Will I make it? Only time will tell. My excuse for trying to push through...IT WAS ON SALE!!!
Story - 3 WTF? stars
I hope this series gets better. For now, I feel like I've been dropped in the middle of a story, and I have to figure out what I missed.
December 20, 2017
***2.5 - 3 Stars***
This was confusing as hell at times...
I listened to the audiobook and actually had to check if I really listen to the first book in this series or if my MP3 player developed a life of its own and fast-forwarded to the next one without me noticing. I was thrown right into the story -which is normally not a bad thing-, but somehow I had a feeling I missed out on some important background info and that left me scratching my head so hard I'm pretty sure I lost some hair.
It got better after a while and Adrian Bisson did a good job with the narration, but the dialogue between Will and Taylor was a bit -I can't put my finger on it- stilted (?) contrived (?) sometimes as well and I had problems to feel their connection.
Normally I'm a huge fan of Josh Lanyon's books, but this one was my least favorite so far. I don't give up easily, though, so I dived right into book #2. ;-)
This was confusing as hell at times...
I listened to the audiobook and actually had to check if I really listen to the first book in this series or if my MP3 player developed a life of its own and fast-forwarded to the next one without me noticing. I was thrown right into the story -which is normally not a bad thing-, but somehow I had a feeling I missed out on some important background info and that left me scratching my head so hard I'm pretty sure I lost some hair.
It got better after a while and Adrian Bisson did a good job with the narration, but the dialogue between Will and Taylor was a bit -I can't put my finger on it- stilted (?) contrived (?) sometimes as well and I had problems to feel their connection.
Normally I'm a huge fan of Josh Lanyon's books, but this one was my least favorite so far. I don't give up easily, though, so I dived right into book #2. ;-)
April 18, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Still very much meh*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 18.04.2018
I decided to re-read this one because I found myself wanting to re-read book #4, but since I don't remember the series I needed to read them again. Overall, there is nothing special about this short story about the Special Agents partners and best friends for three years. Both made a strong deep bond, and one of the reason the bond got so strong is the fact that both a gay. However, Taylor is in love with his partner, and while Will finds Taylor attractive and all that, he doesn't want to screw up their partnership. There's also the fact that Taylor's past relationships never last long. So they are now on a hiking vacation trop to try to get back on track after a shooting, and Taylor expressing his feelings with Will turning him down. But can they really get past it? The book does have potential though. Filled with action and friendship and a hot sex scene. However, for me, there's something missing to make the go from alright to good. It's just incredible meh.
Besides, just for one hour, he’d like to feel like he belonged to Will. He already knew Will
didn’t belong to him, but to belong to Will -- would be good. Even if just for a little while.
First read review:
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Very meh*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
This book was awfully meh. I felt like I didn't really connect with Taylor MacAllister (31) and Will Brandt (how old is he?), and I didn't really feel their relationship/friendship. The plot was interesting, but I had hope we had gotten something deeper, more meaningful, but what to expect with short stories? Overall, it was alright, but not something I'd recommend expect if you need something light and fast forward just to pass time. Don't know if I'll continue with the series though...
“Did you mean it? What you said before about taking it one day at a time?”
“Yeah, I meant it. Of course I did. I'm not letting you go without a fight.”
Taylor said carefully, “As your partner or--?”
“As your friend, my lover, my partner. All of it. One day at a time,” Will said. “Starting with today.” And this time his kiss was a promise.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book One
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Taylor MacAllister?
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars.
September 2, 2012
This is a fun little read...no great shakes! 3.5 Stars
The novella starts with our two MC's stumbling on a crashed plane in the High Sierra's National Park. The plane had been hijacked 4 months previous by a gang that had ripped off a Casino for the tidy sum of 2.3 million, killing two deputies in the getaway!...Oooh but they didn't just stumble on it by accident, no, they had been up in the Sierras camping most weekends, actively looking for the missing plane or some clues at least to it's whereabouts! Not really sure how that worked as Taylor had been shot in the line of duty 6 weeks previous to the camping trip and was still recovering from the wound and not yet fully fit!? That is basically the adventure plot to the book and Will and Taylor dip in and out of this during the course of this short read.
It is actually quite difficult to review this book with out giving away all of the details as you are drip fed information through out and move between the present and the past 6 weeks with snippets of information but not quite the whole picture, until you near the end of the read.
I loved Will and Taylor and their relationship and it was a relationship as they had been partners in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and best friends for the last 3 years. They complimented each and had a similar sense of humour. Their differences also grounded them both, where Will was reliable and stable and a complete control freak, Taylor was savvy and tough, although a little quick to shoot his mouth off. They were as close as Brothers and knew each others nuances inside out......and they are of course both pretty hot, so when it comes to physical attraction.....why do they get it SooOoo wrong!?!
I have to say I laughed...a. lot. with this book and it wasn't just their humorous banter that got me, it was the steady stream of; awkwardness, silence, sulking, more silence, anger, Oooh fisty cuffs, awkwardness, bickering, unrequited love, confusion, friendly banter, jealousy, SEX..WooHoo, AWKWARD, back to silence, bit of action, Oooh another nice bit and eventually YES they get it!!!...and somewhere in there Taylor get those nice puppy dog eyes....loved that bit:)
Gosh....Who would think that after 3 years they would have such a communication problem....boys, I don't know!!
It's a short read, not a lot of substance to it because of that. But I think I enjoyed it more for all the pouty sulking action than anything else, I have more of his books and I will definitely read the next in this series.
The novella starts with our two MC's stumbling on a crashed plane in the High Sierra's National Park. The plane had been hijacked 4 months previous by a gang that had ripped off a Casino for the tidy sum of 2.3 million, killing two deputies in the getaway!...Oooh but they didn't just stumble on it by accident, no, they had been up in the Sierras camping most weekends, actively looking for the missing plane or some clues at least to it's whereabouts! Not really sure how that worked as Taylor had been shot in the line of duty 6 weeks previous to the camping trip and was still recovering from the wound and not yet fully fit!? That is basically the adventure plot to the book and Will and Taylor dip in and out of this during the course of this short read.
It is actually quite difficult to review this book with out giving away all of the details as you are drip fed information through out and move between the present and the past 6 weeks with snippets of information but not quite the whole picture, until you near the end of the read.
I loved Will and Taylor and their relationship and it was a relationship as they had been partners in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and best friends for the last 3 years. They complimented each and had a similar sense of humour. Their differences also grounded them both, where Will was reliable and stable and a complete control freak, Taylor was savvy and tough, although a little quick to shoot his mouth off. They were as close as Brothers and knew each others nuances inside out......and they are of course both pretty hot, so when it comes to physical attraction.....why do they get it SooOoo wrong!?!
I have to say I laughed...a. lot. with this book and it wasn't just their humorous banter that got me, it was the steady stream of; awkwardness, silence, sulking, more silence, anger, Oooh fisty cuffs, awkwardness, bickering, unrequited love, confusion, friendly banter, jealousy, SEX..WooHoo, AWKWARD, back to silence, bit of action, Oooh another nice bit and eventually YES they get it!!!...and somewhere in there Taylor get those nice puppy dog eyes....loved that bit:)
Gosh....Who would think that after 3 years they would have such a communication problem....boys, I don't know!!
It's a short read, not a lot of substance to it because of that. But I think I enjoyed it more for all the pouty sulking action than anything else, I have more of his books and I will definitely read the next in this series.
October 4, 2024
3.5 Stars
A bit slow off the mark, but once the action and romance kicked in (at around 40%) I found myself suddenly and excitedly engaged.
You can't really go wrong when it's Lanyon writing about two alpha males working together in law enforcement!
An abrupt ending, but I'm not at all surprised. I'm intrigued enough to read further with the series so that's always a good thing.
A bit slow off the mark, but once the action and romance kicked in (at around 40%) I found myself suddenly and excitedly engaged.
You can't really go wrong when it's Lanyon writing about two alpha males working together in law enforcement!
An abrupt ending, but I'm not at all surprised. I'm intrigued enough to read further with the series so that's always a good thing.
December 29, 2016
Written September 8, 2014
3.7 Stars - A promising start at full speed for another good romantic crime series
Book #1
The first part in the audiobook Volume #1 - Armed and Dangerous: Four Dangerous Ground Novellas. ~ A three hours listening.
I felt that good familiar feeling immiedetly. This was another gentle, slow lingering start to a wonderful intense love story from Josh Lanyon's skillful pen.
***********************************************
From the book blurb:
***********************************************
Taylor and Will are on a camping trip in the High Sierras. Will wants a chance to save their work together and a successful partnership. Taylor is just up on his legs after a shooting incident a few days after he, when he was drunk after a wet night, opened his heart to his friend and colleague. Something that wasn't received that very well by Will.
The trip is a kind of disaster and when they find a crashed plane and a couple of million dollars in stolen money there is soon a lot of action going on. There is a man and two other who want that bag with money.
But danger can bring people together and soon Taylor gets a little of what he longs for.
***********************************************
As always, to JL's somewhat low-key and slowly evolving manly stories, about (sexy, thoughtful and thinking) Manly Men, it is a very attractive deep male raspy voice who is the narrator (Adrian Bisson). ~ Five stars to him!
***********************************************
Yay! - ...some dance moves on the kitchen floor
Dangerous Ground had all lot of what you can expect and wish from a short Lanyon novella. ~ An intense feeling, full speed, a steamy sweaty male atmosphere, exciting with action loaded scenes, hot and sexy moments.
I'm really happy, this was a good start for the next four novels. My ears are already longing for the headphones.
Next up #2 - Old Poison.
I LIKE - Oh yeah! Give me a JL story and I'm a big goofy smile
*****
The Dangerous Ground Series. Five novellas so far.
3.7 Stars - A promising start at full speed for another good romantic crime series
Book #1
The first part in the audiobook Volume #1 - Armed and Dangerous: Four Dangerous Ground Novellas. ~ A three hours listening.
I felt that good familiar feeling immiedetly. This was another gentle, slow lingering start to a wonderful intense love story from Josh Lanyon's skillful pen.
***********************************************
From the book blurb:
** Special Agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security, Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt have been partners and best friends for three years. But everything changes the night Taylor admits the truth about his feelings for Will.
Yeah. It's complicated... **
***********************************************
Taylor and Will are on a camping trip in the High Sierras. Will wants a chance to save their work together and a successful partnership. Taylor is just up on his legs after a shooting incident a few days after he, when he was drunk after a wet night, opened his heart to his friend and colleague. Something that wasn't received that very well by Will.
The trip is a kind of disaster and when they find a crashed plane and a couple of million dollars in stolen money there is soon a lot of action going on. There is a man and two other who want that bag with money.
But danger can bring people together and soon Taylor gets a little of what he longs for.
***********************************************
As always, to JL's somewhat low-key and slowly evolving manly stories, about (sexy, thoughtful and thinking) Manly Men, it is a very attractive deep male raspy voice who is the narrator (Adrian Bisson). ~ Five stars to him!
***********************************************
Yay! - ...some dance moves on the kitchen floor
Dangerous Ground had all lot of what you can expect and wish from a short Lanyon novella. ~ An intense feeling, full speed, a steamy sweaty male atmosphere, exciting with action loaded scenes, hot and sexy moments.
I'm really happy, this was a good start for the next four novels. My ears are already longing for the headphones.
Next up #2 - Old Poison.
I LIKE - Oh yeah! Give me a JL story and I'm a big goofy smile
*****
The Dangerous Ground Series. Five novellas so far.
August 26, 2021
Series- Dangerous Ground
Book-Book 1-Dangerous ground
Pages- 108
Summary
Will and Taylor are special agents in the Department of Diplomatic Security and have been working partners for four years. Their relationship reached into troubled waters when Taylor admitted his feelings to Will. Then before Will could clarify the situation, Taylor got shot. After Taylor's recovery, Will took him camping to a remote NP to improve their relationship.
Romance
Will and Taylor have a great friendship and Will doesn't want to destroy it But Taylor doesn't care about the consequences. Both of them are opposite to each other.
This series is one of Josh Lanyon's books where romance and smut are in heavy doses(I am already on to book 2), so I think the happy trend will continue.
The mystery of the plane crash is okayish but the MCs and action are interesting enough to keep us invested in the story. I feel this collection of short novellas/ series is worth reading.
Note
If you are planning to read the book please avoid the blurb. And, the audiobook narration is not very good, but it improves a bit from the 2nd book onwards.
Book-Book 1-Dangerous ground
Pages- 108
Summary
Will and Taylor are special agents in the Department of Diplomatic Security and have been working partners for four years. Their relationship reached into troubled waters when Taylor admitted his feelings to Will. Then before Will could clarify the situation, Taylor got shot. After Taylor's recovery, Will took him camping to a remote NP to improve their relationship.
Romance
Will and Taylor have a great friendship and Will doesn't want to destroy it But Taylor doesn't care about the consequences. Both of them are opposite to each other.
This series is one of Josh Lanyon's books where romance and smut are in heavy doses(I am already on to book 2), so I think the happy trend will continue.
The mystery of the plane crash is okayish but the MCs and action are interesting enough to keep us invested in the story. I feel this collection of short novellas/ series is worth reading.
Note
If you are planning to read the book please avoid the blurb. And, the audiobook narration is not very good, but it improves a bit from the 2nd book onwards.
April 12, 2015
Yep....
I think I love these boys.
Please pour some vino and let's move onto the next one!
*4 love-em-more-please stars*
I think I love these boys.
Please pour some vino and let's move onto the next one!
*4 love-em-more-please stars*
April 20, 2024
Read some mixed reviews wich may have made me not going for this one earlier. Shouldn't have bother cause this was right up my alley. Taylor and Will are special agents. They also been partners and best friends for years. Now they are on a hiking trip together and while reading we get glimpses of their back story. When they find a crashed plane and a load of money we also get a mystery mixed with the tension between the guys.
November 7, 2021
This is really more of a novella, but Josh Lanyon manages to put in lots of action and emotion into this book, which is not only a beautiful stand-alone romance...but also sets the stage for the remaining books of the series. I love her books...all her books. Josh Lanyon is a master at creating a sense of place, and painting characters who feel so alive and make us care for them. A crashed plane...a dead hijacker...and a backpack full of money with three gun carrying people looking for it and instead finding our two guys who only wanted to go camping and explore their growing friendship and feelings that are much more than mere friendship. For being a short book, it deliciously sets the atmosphere for Special Agents Will Brandt and Taylor MacAllister to maybe have “more” with one another.
August 18, 2015
Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt are partners in the Department of Diplomatic Security. The two are best friends, and also have feelings for each other. But when Taylor tried to take things further, Will rejected him. The two decide to go on a camping trip to repair their working relationship, but things go south when they come across a plane crash connected to a casino heist.
If there's one thing Lanyon's known for, it's his awesome crime mysteries. The mystery in 'Dangerous Ground' was definitely not one of those. From start to finish, the plot was just a series of coincidences strung together. It was also very predictable, with cookie-cutter bad guys and a lack of any action from the MCs. I was bored, and skimmed some of the action parts.
The romance was just minimally better than the action. I think the main problem was that the book starts in the middle of Will and Taylor's story. Everything that happened beforehand (Will trying to keep a distance, Taylor getting shot), is told in stages throughout the book. It made for a disjointed reading experience, and the two characters just fell flat. Though the sex was hot, so there's that.
Overall, 2 stars from me. I think the main problem was the length. The story Lanyon's tried to tell needed more than just a hundred pages. Hopefully the next novella, Old Poison, will be an improvement!
If there's one thing Lanyon's known for, it's his awesome crime mysteries. The mystery in 'Dangerous Ground' was definitely not one of those. From start to finish, the plot was just a series of coincidences strung together. It was also very predictable, with cookie-cutter bad guys and a lack of any action from the MCs. I was bored, and skimmed some of the action parts.
The romance was just minimally better than the action. I think the main problem was that the book starts in the middle of Will and Taylor's story. Everything that happened beforehand (Will trying to keep a distance, Taylor getting shot), is told in stages throughout the book. It made for a disjointed reading experience, and the two characters just fell flat. Though the sex was hot, so there's that.
Overall, 2 stars from me. I think the main problem was the length. The story Lanyon's tried to tell needed more than just a hundred pages. Hopefully the next novella, Old Poison, will be an improvement!
June 21, 2017
Audible
3,8 stars!
Adrian Bisson, you got the BEST out of this book.
You're the reason WHY I was listening to it.
You're the reason WHY I stopped to listen to the music during my running.
You're the reason WHY I was not able to skip the first sex scene that lasted 3 km! (I'm not a sprinter, BTW)
You're the reason WHY I forgot to roll my eyes.
You're the reason WHY.
Not the best of Josh Lanyon: too much ROMANCE, too much RELATIONSHIP, too much CLICHÉ for my test.
Too much spoken and unspoken thoughts about to be or not to be friends/lovers/partners.
Thanks God they were interrupted by some actions.
BUT THIS VOICE. OMG.
1 star as a bonus for the VOICE.
Want to read
May 3, 2016FREE at ARe and Amazon today, 5/3/16!
December 18, 2024
This entire series is my favorite JL series.
Oh, and, I forgot to add, this series is also safe for me! IYKYK
Oh, and, I forgot to add, this series is also safe for me! IYKYK
January 22, 2013
Dangerous Ground is book one in a series by Josh Lanyon revolving around Taylor MacAllister and Will Brandt, two agents for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Partners on the job, best friends, and perhaps more.
As much as my head appreciated the concept of kicking off a series with a couple under pressure, uncertain, and in turmoil—I just couldn’t talk my heart into the idea. The emotion and air felt too unclear and shaky between Taylor and Will, which was the point actually. They were on dangerous ground in the mountains and their relationship. But without any kind of previous attachment or background with these guys, I could not find my footing in the story or relationship.
Now I’m not saying Taylor and Will were not hot. Haha…Lanyon knows his way around simmering sexual tension and things unsaid. The chemistry was certainly alive and kicking on the page!
Even when Will didn’t touch him, when he just stood next to him, Taylor could feel his nearness in every cell, his skin anticipating Will’s touch”
But a big part of my Lanyon love was missing here as well. A sense of place or center. Mr. Lanyon can paint a picture and setting so perfectly. I can see the colors, smell the air, and hear the creaks & whispers. A spooky museum, big ole mansion, a bookstore with dust and mystery in every corner, and other fun places often play major roles in a Lanyon tale and help me understand the characters more. Will and Taylor are away from home and on unfamiliar ground in more ways than one here. The land around them does play into the adventure, but you can tell it was not their usual playground. I really can’t wait to see these two in action at home and on the job.
I had fun here with Lanyon, but I need more. I can’t see or feel Will or Taylor yet.
Off to book two…
October 30, 2014
This is a review of an audiobook.
I think I'm in love. With this amazing narrator's voice.
Listening to Adrian Bisson is such a wonderful experience. He can tell me stories every night and I will never get bored, just hearing that voice.
I'm not sure I can review the book itself properly. The story could have been told in Latin and I'd still end up loving it. Having not listened to an audio book in years and definitely not an MM Romance, I suspect it's mostly the beauty of novelty for me, but because it had left me elated, I'm going to overlook all the little things that I could have minded reading it instead and give it all 5 stars!
To be fair, I should add that the story was good too. In typical JL fashion, it has two hot MCs with the sparks flying between them, some suspense and a sweet HFN ending. Will and Taylor came alive from the narrator's voice. I lay in bed with my eyes closed and pictured their world so vividly, I couldn't get enough of it. Now I'm so eager to carry on with the series.
For all Josh Lanyon's fans - highly recommend to try it on audio. It's simply brilliant!
I think I'm in love. With this amazing narrator's voice.
Listening to Adrian Bisson is such a wonderful experience. He can tell me stories every night and I will never get bored, just hearing that voice.
I'm not sure I can review the book itself properly. The story could have been told in Latin and I'd still end up loving it. Having not listened to an audio book in years and definitely not an MM Romance, I suspect it's mostly the beauty of novelty for me, but because it had left me elated, I'm going to overlook all the little things that I could have minded reading it instead and give it all 5 stars!
To be fair, I should add that the story was good too. In typical JL fashion, it has two hot MCs with the sparks flying between them, some suspense and a sweet HFN ending. Will and Taylor came alive from the narrator's voice. I lay in bed with my eyes closed and pictured their world so vividly, I couldn't get enough of it. Now I'm so eager to carry on with the series.
For all Josh Lanyon's fans - highly recommend to try it on audio. It's simply brilliant!
May 7, 2020
This was one of my first m/m books and the start of the series that introduced me to Josh Lanyon’s writing (and that was a happy, happy day for my reading life, let me tell you).
I liked it a lot, but despite my love for rereading, I never touched it again because...reasons.
Among other things, I remembered the main events of the series pretty well and...yes, okay, I’ll admit that I was a bit afraid it wouldn’t stand up to a second read as well as it did the first time. Also, reasons. *Spoiler for the rest of the series*
I’m happy to report that Taylor is just as amazing as he was 5 years and roughly 850 books ago and that I can still get annoyed at Will with the same fervor of my new-to-the-genre old self.
I would kick myself a bit for waiting this long to remind myself of how great these two are together when Will stops being Will, but at least I was clever enough to wait for the last book to be released and until I had my amazing buddy readers to keep my hand and let me rant to my heart’s content. That alone made this second read way better than the first.
I liked it a lot, but despite my love for rereading, I never touched it again because...reasons.
Among other things, I remembered the main events of the series pretty well and...yes, okay, I’ll admit that I was a bit afraid it wouldn’t stand up to a second read as well as it did the first time. Also, reasons. *Spoiler for the rest of the series*
I’m happy to report that Taylor is just as amazing as he was 5 years and roughly 850 books ago and that I can still get annoyed at Will with the same fervor of my new-to-the-genre old self.
I would kick myself a bit for waiting this long to remind myself of how great these two are together when Will stops being Will, but at least I was clever enough to wait for the last book to be released and until I had my amazing buddy readers to keep my hand and let me rant to my heart’s content. That alone made this second read way better than the first.
February 23, 2013
2.5 Stars
This was just an ok start to Lanyon's Dangerous Ground series. Taylor and Will are openly gay federal agents who are both partners and friends. Taylor wants more, however Will doesn't want to ruin their friendship or work relationship by taking things any further.
Lanyon has a great way of bringing everything alive around you. While Taylor and Will are camping, they stumble across a plane crash site along with a couple of million dollars. They find themselves in the middle of a chase while trying to work out their feelings for one another. It was a fun and exciting setting.
Unfortunately, the characters fell a little flat. I liked both of them well enough separately but I didn't feel much chemistry between them. Nothing stood out with them.
Hopefully things will pick up as the series continues.
This was just an ok start to Lanyon's Dangerous Ground series. Taylor and Will are openly gay federal agents who are both partners and friends. Taylor wants more, however Will doesn't want to ruin their friendship or work relationship by taking things any further.
Lanyon has a great way of bringing everything alive around you. While Taylor and Will are camping, they stumble across a plane crash site along with a couple of million dollars. They find themselves in the middle of a chase while trying to work out their feelings for one another. It was a fun and exciting setting.
Unfortunately, the characters fell a little flat. I liked both of them well enough separately but I didn't feel much chemistry between them. Nothing stood out with them.
Hopefully things will pick up as the series continues.
September 2, 2012
This was my first book by Josh Lanyon and it was an enjoyable little read. Will and Taylor were a very cute couple, there was plenty of action and witty, snarky dialogue. My only complaint was it was too short! I'd like to read more from this writer, hopefully a full-length novel next time.
Thanks ladies from the Corrupt Me group for reading this with me. It was fun!
Thanks ladies from the Corrupt Me group for reading this with me. It was fun!
May 26, 2013
Dangerous Ground is the first book of the same-named series and No. 17 in my Josh Lanyon shelf.
Guys, what an awesome read! Take two hot guys, suspense, crime and some breathtaking moments of danger, a not too long read.... and fortunately four more follow ups and you see a happy Tina. :D
Four stars for the introducing book. And now straightaway to book two 'Old Poison'.:)
August 1, 2017
doing the re-re-read to prepare for #6 Blind Side - like anyone could ever forget Will and Taylor *scoff*...
July 31, 2018
2.5 stars
WTH did I just read? Seriously.
I didn't think a day would come I will write a negative review for a Lanyon book, but here it is.
First of all, I expected this to be a mystery in a real Lanyon fashion and what I got was an action movie (?), which played a significant part in my disappointment. Had this been an enjoyable read I would have rated it highly despite my expectations. But since it was not, my unfulfilled expectations only added to the frustration. The only mercy is that it was short and that the writing flowed.
The two sex scenes in the book were frustrating. So yeah, the opposite of sexy.
The plot was okay, just not my thing. I rarely like action packed books, and this was no exception. It was hard to suspend my disbelief at times, But who needs logic, right?
Anyways, this was a very disappointing read for me, and I don't think I'll continue reading the series.
WTH did I just read? Seriously.
I didn't think a day would come I will write a negative review for a Lanyon book, but here it is.
First of all, I expected this to be a mystery in a real Lanyon fashion and what I got was an action movie (?), which played a significant part in my disappointment. Had this been an enjoyable read I would have rated it highly despite my expectations. But since it was not, my unfulfilled expectations only added to the frustration. The only mercy is that it was short and that the writing flowed.
The two sex scenes in the book were frustrating. So yeah, the opposite of sexy.
The plot was okay, just not my thing. I rarely like action packed books, and this was no exception. It was hard to suspend my disbelief at times, But who needs logic, right?
Anyways, this was a very disappointing read for me, and I don't think I'll continue reading the series.
November 30, 2020
Uhm... not the Josh Lanyon I was looking for. It was so different.
The story involved more sex and feelings and relationshippy stuff than any other JL book I read. The focus was not on the crime-solving. And even that part was OTT, which in not entirely unusual I admit.
And I didn't like the writing either. 3rd person dual pov and I had a hard time telling them apart.
This must be one of the author's early works. And if so, she got way better over time.
It was interesting and exciting enough that I kept going back to it. And since I already have the whole bundle I will continue.... after I finish my faves from the author.
2.5 stars rounded up
The story involved more sex and feelings and relationshippy stuff than any other JL book I read. The focus was not on the crime-solving. And even that part was OTT, which in not entirely unusual I admit.
And I didn't like the writing either. 3rd person dual pov and I had a hard time telling them apart.
This must be one of the author's early works. And if so, she got way better over time.
It was interesting and exciting enough that I kept going back to it. And since I already have the whole bundle I will continue.... after I finish my faves from the author.
2.5 stars rounded up
February 12, 2017
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - January 7, 2017
3.5 Stars
The narrator takes some warming up to, for sure. I kinda hated how he read Will's part at first. But, he started to grow on me, as did this story. I think I enjoyed it a lot more this 2nd time through.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW - September 1, 2012
3 Stars
Group "Corrupt Me" - Buddy Read
This book was nothing special. I did like the characters - being introduced to Will & Taylor made me like their chemistry enough to read on in the series.
But the book itself was 1) too short and 2) too generic. Having read the Adrien English series, I realize that Josh Lanyon has a way of ending books in a way that makes me feel like he was in the middle of a sentence and just stopped. After each book, including Dangerous Ground, I'm left with a "huh?" in my head.
Glad to have read it, will read book 2, but doubt I will remember much about this a month from now. In a nutshell: doesn't stand out in a crowd of other really good M/M romance books out there.
3.5 Stars
The narrator takes some warming up to, for sure. I kinda hated how he read Will's part at first. But, he started to grow on me, as did this story. I think I enjoyed it a lot more this 2nd time through.
***********************
ORIGINAL REVIEW - September 1, 2012
3 Stars
Group "Corrupt Me" - Buddy Read
This book was nothing special. I did like the characters - being introduced to Will & Taylor made me like their chemistry enough to read on in the series.
But the book itself was 1) too short and 2) too generic. Having read the Adrien English series, I realize that Josh Lanyon has a way of ending books in a way that makes me feel like he was in the middle of a sentence and just stopped. After each book, including Dangerous Ground, I'm left with a "huh?" in my head.
Glad to have read it, will read book 2, but doubt I will remember much about this a month from now. In a nutshell: doesn't stand out in a crowd of other really good M/M romance books out there.
December 24, 2014
Yikes, this did nothing for me! I really did have high hopes, but I felt like story this started in the middle of the book and we were to assume a lot of things already. I actually went back and checked GoodReads and Amazon to make sure I had the book order correct because I was so lost. Maybe the chemistry between the MCs picks up later in the series, but I felt nothing for them in this book.
I'm going to quit while I am ahead and shelf the rest of this series DNF. Cannot recommend. Maybe I'll have better luck with some Josh Landon stand alones?
I'm going to quit while I am ahead and shelf the rest of this series DNF. Cannot recommend. Maybe I'll have better luck with some Josh Landon stand alones?
April 18, 2014
very short but pleasant enough action-packed read. Not really a mystery in this one, it was much more about the romantic relationship between the two guys.
January 4, 2011
I read Dangerous Ground last night and really enjoyed it. I must say that its been awhile since I've read M/M written in 3rd person POV and had forgotten how confusing all the "he"s can be. Lol. But I liked getting both characters perspective, too. I really liked how it started right in the middle of Taylor and Willl's conflict and I was given only bits and pieces of their past at a time. I can't wait to see wear their next adventure takes them.
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