A Long Con

The Bent Zealots MC #7

by Layla Wolfe

The true story of a giant fake.
BERKELEY. I didn’t want to leave New York and return to Rough and Ready, the scene of so much youthful horror. Who else would help my mother, the queen of all hoarders, her garbage piles of home shopping network crap, her mummified cats? Discovering my one-month-old twin in the freezer was the crowning glory. On top of it all, someone breaks in and steals our silverware. What. The. Fuck.
I’m out for blood.
ROYAL. I was just a former WWE wrestler with a traumatic brain injury running small-time hustling ops when the most chiseled stud I’ve ever beheld comes tearing into a Bent Zealots party. Berkeley’s chasing my runner who has stolen his forks and knives, so I take him aside to soothe him. Soon we’re in his bedroom between stacks of junk, the walls adorned with his talented, stunning paintings. And we’re locked in a compromising position.
The brain injury gave me an immunity to fear. The only thing I’m terrified of is admitting I’m gay.
I can resist everything but temptation.
BERKELEY. Royal is my manager, selling my undiscovered Marcel Duchamp original for straight bank. But when it goes missing, we’re off on a crazy, fucked-up mission into the killing fields and sushi restaurants of Mexico, the pink-painted deserts and Navajo rezzes of Arizona.
I couldn’t have picked a better partner for this quest. Royal is a shredded Christ on a bike, though I’ll never admit I’m a bit in love with him. Why fall in love when I’ve got to go on the run again?
You can't con a con. The longer I’m partnered up with this musclehead, the harder I fall.
Publisher’s Note: This book is not for the faint of heart. It contains scenes of graphic gay sex, illegal doings, consensual bondage and discipline, frottage, Kinbaku, themes of Daddy dominance, hunt clubs, deadly fugu, and violence in general. It’s a full-length novel of 60,000 words. There are no cheating or cliffhangers, and there are HEAs for all.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, Gay

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Bestselling author Layla Wolfe likes to bring you alpha males--sometimes two at a time--and the kick-ass women who love them. Her BARE BONES MC series explores the dark, disturbing life of the biker club in Arizona. Her spinoff series THE BENT ZEALOTS MC is a gritty MM saga. THE ASSASSINS OF YOUTH MC is a spinoff set in Utah. For a FREE COPY of THE BARE BONES #1, sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.subscribepage.com/d3s7p6

You can find her at:
www.laylawolfe.com
www.facebook.com/layla.wolfe
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/layla...
https://www.instagram.com/layla_wolfe...
www.twitter.com/LaylaWolfeAutho
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Layla Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book I was trying to recreate the feeling of Raiders of the Lost Ark. You know, when they are either chasing down an artifact or being chased and people keep dying in these absurd ways. They are either hiding from someone or tracking someone down and the suspense keeps the friction riding high between the two guys.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the misadventures of one gay man and another assumingly straight man with lots of STEAM
Ms. Wolfe writes some of the quirkiest stories with the most outrageous characters. Be ready for crazy names (Ira Hogshead, Twinkletoes, Artsy Dodger and others), a preposterous plot and explicit M/M doings! I enjoy the Bent Zealots so much, the majority are gay but cut, manly MC men. Be aware some of the humor is on the dark side.
Berkeley Moynihan has come home to Rough and Ready, Arizona b/c his mother is dying. She started hoarding stuff after he moved to NY to study art, which in itself is an amazing story. Who falls on their head and ends up able to fake a Picasso? Anyway, while cleaning out the house, he sees someone stealing his silverware. He gives chase and meets Royal Palakiko aka “Samoan Slammer” a former WWE fighter who himself had a head trauma incident. Whoa…is he gay-curious or what?
Their search for fake and stolen art takes them on a remarkable journey where they discover their physical attraction and eventual love for one another. Some of the situations are dark. There is explicit M/M action. But if that wouldn’t bother you, I know you will enjoy reading about this crew of MC men who like men.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book and it comes highly recommended if you enjoy gay fiction.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Con by Layla Wolf is the seventh book in The Bent Zealots MC series. I have not read the previous books in this series, but I was not lost starting with this one. This book is written in dual POV which really allows me inside the minds of both characters.
I loved the humor, edge, and love in this book. Great blend that kept me turning the pages.
Berkley his mom is a hoarder, he hates going home. He can read but cannot write. I love the talking to us the reader that Berkley does. He has a traumatic brain injury gives him the gift of painting. Everything strikes him as wonderous and cosmic. I loved his character. A true artist and just so pure with his art that it is raw.
Royal, he has a brain injury as well. It makes him unemotional. Use to be a WWE wrestler. He has a heart of gold. He tries to hide it but Berkley really brings it out in him. He has zero fear.
I liked how this story progresses very naturally. I also liked the motorcycle club as a whole. I would love to read the books I missed and read future books. There is a lot of story here I would love to read more of. When you want an edgy MC romance this is the one to pick up.



Five Shooting Stars

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Con, book seven in the Bent Zealots MC follows Berkeley Moynihan and Royal Palakiko. When Berkeley comes home from New York to Arizona to visit with his dying mother, he discovers that she’s become a hoarder in the time he has been gone and decides that it’s time to clean up the mess. When he finds a thief in the house, he chases them down. The pair discover one of Berkeley’s paintings that Royal was supposed to sell has been stolen, and they decide to work together to get it back. The only problem is that pair can’t keep their hands to themselves.

[debbie mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. This MM erotic romance does not disappoint! Berkley and Royal's story sucked me right in! Berkley is an artist in New York who has to return Rough and Ready because of his terminally ill mother. Royal is a shredded Christ on a bike and Berkley's manager. Hold on tight and enjoy the all the feels you get on their wild and crazy quest. Cant wait to see what's next!

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG there was so much to love about this book. From the start you never knew what to expect. Berkeley was a guy with house problems. And Royal was thought to be a normal guy hanging with bikers, but on they were so much more.

I received an advanced copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE FANTASTIC WHIRLWIND!!!
Rack 'em up! Layla launches one explosive spin, tapping all the emotions running rampant, throwing this bad boy into a tizzy with stunning results, binding this baby together piece by piece. Twixt and twined and put through the wringer with a bounty of inexplicable events and unintentional circumstances, blasts this little fella roaring to life brilliantly. Highlighting impressive scenario's, that punch dead center, ramping up the zeal and delight with such intensity and precision, tempting our characters in ways they never saw coming. The attraction and chemistry sizzles from the pages, alluring and mesmerizing, until you feel the electrifying hum through your veins. The characters are authentic and genuine with depth and qualities that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and colorful descriptions so rich and lively, they blend and flow smoothly. Remarkable job Layla, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back in Rough and Ready where we meet artist Berkeley and con man and ex pro wrestler, Royal. Sparks fly when they meet and then travel together to get back a stolen painting of Berkeley's. This story has it all, laughs, gun fights and hot sex.

[Susan Foulkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful!

This book has all the trademarks of a Layla Wolfe novel, and more...

Two engaging main characters in Berkeley and Royal
Hot M/M action
Cracking dialogue
An interesting sub plot courtesy of Berkeley's mother
And lots of nefarious deeds and action...

This is a must read for fans of the Bent Zealots.

[Lorrie Gedert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of this author and love her books, if your into books that suck you in and keep you glued to the storyline then look no further!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/3/2021)! 🎁

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you have read any of the other Bent Zealots MC books and loved them then you can't pass this book up.
2 men with different different backgrounds find themselves in a con and chasing a bad guy but finding love along the way.

[Teressa Mirault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this book for review.
This book bounces from the POV of each of the main characters, so if that and MM isn't your thing, don't get this book.
For those of us who like both, you WANT this book!
The story flows quickly and keeps you guessing what is going to happen next.
I would recommend this book to anyone into MM romance.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just not to my taste. I just didn't buy into two such people, having survived traumatic brain injuries, who also happened to be criminals, oh and gay too. Then there was the plot; how many things could these two had thrown at them?

Berkeley has to change his identity because he got caught in his forgeries, and yet, he is somehow successfully hiding from the feds by cleaning his mother's house? Was Royal Hawaiian, Samoan, or Mauri? He was described as all three throughout the story, but I felt like this was remarkably culturally insensitive. I wasn't clear on how this painting kept being stolen and why. Was there some kind of secret society that these folks were a part of? Was the Hunt Club just a one-off, or was it tied together? Why were Royal and Berkeley told to check out the one guy's tattoo if it was never mentioned again?

I also found the whole switch aspect of this relationship to be confusing. We are introduced to Royal as someone who craves dominance, but is scared of giving that power to a man, due to his experiences as a youth. Berkeley was a Dom who left his sub in New York, seemingly without backup, and never to return (this seemed irresponsible to me). These roles were pretty well set until, suddenly, both characters decided that they wanted to switch. I thought it felt true to Berkeley's character, but Royal was so strongly submissive that I didn't like how awkward it became reading him try to not only be dominant, but talk like he's a Daddy.

Finally, to top it all off, I didn't particularly care for being preached at throughout this book. While I'm not Catholic, I didn't like the casual phrase that "that's what Catholic's do" when describing Royal being sent to conversion therapy. I didn't like Berkeley telling me that God gave men weaknesses and temptations so it's His fault when we chose to indulge in them and therefore hedonism is His will - basically this same argument could be used for anything up to and including arson and murder, so why is it acceptable with the "small" stuff but not bigger concerns? Where is the line?

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered on Booksprout for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This author is new to me. Reading the story description, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I must have been in the mood to experiment with a truly far-out and wacky story. The two main characters are both suffering from traumatic brain injuries. One man, Royal, is in denial about being gay, is a biker, formerly a star WWE wrestler before his injury. His injury left him immune to feeling fear, so sometimes he gets himself into perilous situations. The other dude, Berkeley, isolates himself, is lonely and stuck in his own shell, but he presents himself as a Dom. A very talented painter, a savant, yet he makes a living by forging masterwork paintings. Berkeley can visually ‘see’ peoples’ emotional states, which appear to him in various colors. The men’s injuries are separate and unrelated, but as the story proceeds, you can see these injuries help smooth the way to establishing their relationship. The storyline takes the reader on one continuous fun-house ride. From cleaning out a hoarder’s Mid-Century mod house, to teaching a painting class to gay bikers. Racing from Arizona to Mexico and back, chasing down the missing painting of Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase that Berkeley himself had forged, meeting a terrifying man whose idea of fun is shooting down supposed “criminals” with high-powered rifles. Then watching the same man die at their sushi table from eating poisoned fish (karma’s a bitch). All this while Royal and Berkeley grow closer, exploring love. It’s quite the ride, fast-paced and fun. The author had a very enjoyable way of presenting the characters, their thoughts, their personal quirks, and all the unexpected, sometimes shocking, sometimes humorous events they found themselves dealing with. I would definitely recommend this book to others, and I’ll be looking for more books by this author. 4.5 stars.

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Con is Book #7 in The Bent Zealots MC Series.
This is Berkeley Moynihan and Royal Palakiko’s story.
The beginning of their story is a little creepy with Berkeley finding his dead twin in the freezer. He is home to help his mother clean up her house and she is the “queen of all hoarders”.

Royal was once a WWE wrestler. Who had a brain injury and with that injury actually came a savant like power of being able to paint and replicate famous painters paintings. He uses this talent to his benefit.
He’s also in a MC called the Bent Zealots an MC that has a lot of gay men in it.

Berkeley meets Royal after Berkeley was chasing a person who broke into his hoarder mom’s house and stole the silver. Royal is not out he may have no fear now but he does have one. He doesn’t want to admit he is gay.

A Long Con is quite a story. Make sure you read the Publisher’s Note: This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or that doesn’t like gay romance. There is a lot of BDSM theme as well. Fortunately for me I am good with the story. It has adventure, is hot as h*ll and a good story once I got passed Berkeley’s twin being in the freezer. Ugh!

Oh and I did get an ARC but I actually read this from Kindle Unlimited. Why not let the author get a little something for it when I can.

[Niki Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have enjoyed Ms. Wolfes biker series, I had a hard time getting into this story. The beginning was very confusing , I had a hard time understanding the language and had to go back several times to make sure I understood what was going on. AS the story progressed it was easier to follow but it seemed to jump from one thing to another without explanation as how you got there. Berkeley and Royal were interesting characters, their injuries were similar so it made it easy for them to relate to each other. Both were big alpha males with submissive tendencies, trust issues and con men making them the perfect couple but strange all the same. I know Ms. Wolfe said she tried to make it like an Indian Jones adventure and I can see that theme in the storyline. However , there were so many secondary characters introduced that it distracted me from the adventure trying to figure out how they got there, where they fit in and what was their purpose to the main goal. Ms. Wolfe's MC series are not for the faint of heart, they are raw, dark and many would find the reality she is trying to show disturbing. Her characters are usually likable or they grow on you in future stories, the storylines are interesting and keep your attention. While not my favorite of the series, I still enjoyed the read but would have to give it 3 and 1/2 stars.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! The story of Berkeley and Royal is a thrilling ride to find a stolen painting, dealing with a hoarder's house and finding love with someone you never thought you'd find. The two meet when one of Royal's lackeys steals the silverware from Berkeley's house. Berkeley is instantly attracted to Royal. Both have suffered brain injuries, and begin to bond over that fact. Berkeley's injury has given him an amazing ability to paint which leads the two men to Mexico to retreive a painting that Berkeley painted and is passing off as a famous artist's original. Along the way, Royal finds himself becoming more attracted to Berkeley and struggling to deal with it at times. They finally manage to not only get back the painting but also acquire a famous rug that they end up displaying in Berkeley's home that they have made their own. Through it all, they have had help from the Bent Zealots motorcycle club and in the end find themselves wanting to become members.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are in the mood for a wild ride with a couple of what initially appear to be amoral characters this is the book for you. I was not sure for the first few chapters if I liked these guys enough to finish their story, but the detailed world the author built full of the desert and the criminal enterprises both petty and life threateningly serious kept me reading. The relationship between the two MCs was hot, hot. Lots of books claim to be about "broken" men finding love but these two men really are broken in real, physical ways as well as emotionally when the book begins. Together they adapt to each other's physical problems and they do grow emotionally as their relationship develops. I will be checking out other volumes in the Bent Zealots series.

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full steam ahead! Such a smoking hot MM couple in The Bent Zealots Series

I absolutely love Berkeley and Royal. An unfortunate illness of Berkeley’s mother takes him back home to Arizona, not really wishing to leave New York. While searching through a mountain of mess or the HSN fetish she seems to have (mummified cats?), he realizes that a painting that should have been long sold, was actually stolen. He and Royal decide to work join forces to rack it down and it’s all ‘OMG’ from there.
Insanely hot moments of M/M sex that can melt your device. The most erotic of dreams, “I was face-f**king Berkeley against the mattress….I just thought I’d spill my load on the bed with the eroticism of the dream.” ~Chapter 10 – Royal
Having not read any of the other books in the series, I was not disappointed and will definitely go back and check out the rest of the Bent Zealots MC.


**I receive this ARC copy on Booksprout in exchange for my honest review**

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has been on my TBR list a long time but when I had a chance to get a free copy of this story I couldn’t resist. Since this is the first story I’ve read by this author I was expecting something a little more mc. I read a lot of MM books so the sex and violence were not a trigger for me. I found this author to think way outside the box. The sex is hot. The violence maybe a little strong enough to be noted but it’s the odd things that made this story a stand out. First having two hot guys with injuries somewhat similar so attracted to each other was sadly entertaining. Then the mother hoarder and what was in the freezer even made me stop. I will read more from this author. My attention was held the whole way through the book.

[William Kibler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very weird-a** book for me. LOL. I didn't understand most of the slang (although I caught the drift of what the characters were saying). It's an age thing -I'm probably way out of the author's normal demographic. However, I did find the characters enjoyable and likable. This book felt like a graphic novel put into words with the descriptions of secondary characters, death, and destruction popping off the pages. While the author sets up interesting backgrounds for the main characters (TBIs for both), they don't utilize the consequences of those injuries for much story development. The injuries are used like a weak plot device to provide the story with some color. These two main characters could just as easily have been injury-free and still continued with the same chain of events in the storyline. The author didn't delve into the ramifications of having a TBI. The attraction between the two main characters was believable, but the transient nature of their lifestyles. along with their sudden sexual self-realizations made the ending of the story seem far-fetched.

[EQUUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and ms. Wolfe's writing style, but I must say that this one is not one of my favorites. It's good, violent, hot with some elements of BDSM and dark humor, definitely not for the faint of heart and I don't have a problem with that. I actually love it but I think this time the author tryed to cram too much in one story. It's a fast paced, gritty story but inconsistent at some points and that includes the personalities of the MC's. Despite some issues it's still a good read and I'm looking forward for the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read this book as an ARC reviewer.

[Elsie Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Book 7 brings all the feels that you could possibly want. I went and purchased the first 6 books to catch up but with the Dual POV you get to know these characters without having to read the first books. It is an incredible story and one that will leave you fighting for these characters. The world building is phenomenal and the way Layla writes it will pull you in and satisfy you. The Long Con is not one to be missed!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is tough for both Berkeley and Royal. Berkeley has a mother who is terminal and a hoader. He has to come home to help her and it is the last place he wants to be. He is also a gifted artist compliments of a brain injury. Royal, his manager, also suffers from a brain injury and it affects the way he emotes. They are not exactly a match made in heaven but this is a pair that despite their crazy circumstances works. And what a story we get about them!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tinna Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a steamy story of two men who are broken psychically and emotionally yet end up finding love.

Berkley is an artist . He found his gift and passion for art after a traumatic injury to the head. Royal is a former WWE wrestler who also suffered an injury to the head which left him emotionally detached. Their journey brings them closer and results in some steamy scenes that will leave you hot and bothered. A fantastically written book that will you hungry for the other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gloria Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I definitely enjoyed reading this gay biker Bent Zealots MC book. A Long Con featuring both Bentley (Artsy Dodger) and Royal (Samoan Slammer) going on a journey following a stolen item across the country. It’s well written, definitely interesting characters with chemistry, action, drama, biker mayhem and a fantastic storyline. I definitely recommend this book and series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nissy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Royal and Berkley were good together. From the beginning the both had great chemistry. I loved their journey and finally their HEA. I had originally thought that their story my be too bloody or gory or even too violent. It did have a little bit of all of that, but the way it was written just did not feel overly violent or gory. Truly enjoyed this read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in this series and is Berkeley and Royals’ story. These two are from totally different backgrounds but have one common factor and that is a head injury. These two find themselves working together on a con chasing fake and stolen art, and they just happen to find love along this journey. This is a well written story which is unique and quirky and is a humorous story which is not for the faint-at-heart. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[tburbr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layla Wolfe delivers another good, quirky book. I enjoyed the characters (new and old). The story was good, if not as smooth flowing as some of her other books. Looking forward to future works from Layla Wolfe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.