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MC Securities #3
Loving Daniel
*Can be read as a standalone.
Twelve years ago, Daniel McCafferty walked away from the man he loved without a backward glance. He threw himself into his father’s business as heir apparent of their vicious criminal empire in Manchester. Forced to deny who he was, who he loved, he buried himself in work and drink.
Christian’s life is steady. He has a good business, good friends, but he’s never had a lasting relationship. Second cousin to Daniel, they fell hard for each other one hot summer long ago. When Christian needed him the most, Daniel walked away. It broke something inside him. Over the last year, Christian asked Daniel for help with a lowlife named Bryce. Daniel gave it. Unstintingly.
When Daniel’s father dies unexpectedly, Christian stands by him. Offers him comfort. But when Bryce rears his ugly head again, and Christian is in grave danger, Daniel whisks him away to Europe. Away from normality, Daniel and Christian are thrown together in the heat of the Mediterranean sun. Daniel’s walls tumble, and for the first time he thinks that just maybe, it can work. All he has to do is keep secret the real reason he left Christian.
Twelve years ago, Daniel McCafferty walked away from the man he loved without a backward glance. He threw himself into his father’s business as heir apparent of their vicious criminal empire in Manchester. Forced to deny who he was, who he loved, he buried himself in work and drink.
Christian’s life is steady. He has a good business, good friends, but he’s never had a lasting relationship. Second cousin to Daniel, they fell hard for each other one hot summer long ago. When Christian needed him the most, Daniel walked away. It broke something inside him. Over the last year, Christian asked Daniel for help with a lowlife named Bryce. Daniel gave it. Unstintingly.
When Daniel’s father dies unexpectedly, Christian stands by him. Offers him comfort. But when Bryce rears his ugly head again, and Christian is in grave danger, Daniel whisks him away to Europe. Away from normality, Daniel and Christian are thrown together in the heat of the Mediterranean sun. Daniel’s walls tumble, and for the first time he thinks that just maybe, it can work. All he has to do is keep secret the real reason he left Christian.
- GenresM M Romance
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2019
20 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Moone
23 books137 followersBiography
My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!
My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head...he probably has a point!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 10, 2019
In the paraphrased words of the Kaiser Chiefs - "Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, do you know what you do to me?"
This, the third in what has been an excellent first contemporary romance series from the usually historical pen of Ruby Moone, was my absolute favourite.
There's something uniquely appealing about a 'hard man' who falls in love and will do anything for his loved one and Daniel's been doing just that for his second cousin Christian since he was forced to walk away from him 12 years earlier.
One of the main influences in this story is in a coffin when it starts, and I'm quite glad about that because I'd have liked to put Daniel's father in one myself.
The feel of the dodgy criminal underworld of Manchester was so very well done and from events in this book, I suspect it's not actually the last time we'll venture to those parts.
Or rather, I hope it isn't because I really want to know more about Eric Daly and I'm fascinated with both Asher and Tassos.
Moderately steamy, but chock full of all the emotions, this is a fab read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This, the third in what has been an excellent first contemporary romance series from the usually historical pen of Ruby Moone, was my absolute favourite.
There's something uniquely appealing about a 'hard man' who falls in love and will do anything for his loved one and Daniel's been doing just that for his second cousin Christian since he was forced to walk away from him 12 years earlier.
One of the main influences in this story is in a coffin when it starts, and I'm quite glad about that because I'd have liked to put Daniel's father in one myself.
The feel of the dodgy criminal underworld of Manchester was so very well done and from events in this book, I suspect it's not actually the last time we'll venture to those parts.
Or rather, I hope it isn't because I really want to know more about Eric Daly and I'm fascinated with both Asher and Tassos.
Moderately steamy, but chock full of all the emotions, this is a fab read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
October 10, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Loving Daniel is the third book in the MC Securities series and it’s certainly my favorite so far. There’s plenty of angst and action, along with a pair of main characters that felt fully developed from page one. Daniel and Christian are second cousins who grew up worlds apart. The end of their whirlwind love affair leaves Christian struggling to understand what went wrong. Daniel grows into a cold and distant man who works constantly to prevent himself thinking too much about what he left behind. I love an angst-ridden protagonist and they don’t get much more angsty than Daniel. He’s broken in more ways than one and I could almost feel the pain rolling off him. Christian is less easy to read sometimes, but his desperation to find some kind of peace between Daniel and the past they share is palpable. It makes their relationship believable and engaging almost from the start.
Loving Daniel does have some pacing problems initially. As strong as the characters are, the story limps along for the first quarter of the book until really finding its stride. From then on, it never feels slow or sloggy. There is also a completely unnecessary marriage sham tossed into the mix and it’s only on page for a couple of chapters. It serves no purpose and stands out as this glaring, what the heck moment. It doesn’t hurt the overall story by any means, but it just feels awkward.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Loving Daniel is the third book in the MC Securities series and it’s certainly my favorite so far. There’s plenty of angst and action, along with a pair of main characters that felt fully developed from page one. Daniel and Christian are second cousins who grew up worlds apart. The end of their whirlwind love affair leaves Christian struggling to understand what went wrong. Daniel grows into a cold and distant man who works constantly to prevent himself thinking too much about what he left behind. I love an angst-ridden protagonist and they don’t get much more angsty than Daniel. He’s broken in more ways than one and I could almost feel the pain rolling off him. Christian is less easy to read sometimes, but his desperation to find some kind of peace between Daniel and the past they share is palpable. It makes their relationship believable and engaging almost from the start.
Loving Daniel does have some pacing problems initially. As strong as the characters are, the story limps along for the first quarter of the book until really finding its stride. From then on, it never feels slow or sloggy. There is also a completely unnecessary marriage sham tossed into the mix and it’s only on page for a couple of chapters. It serves no purpose and stands out as this glaring, what the heck moment. It doesn’t hurt the overall story by any means, but it just feels awkward.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
October 5, 2019
Wow! Okay so - this book is part of Ruby Moone's MC Securities Series. I haven't read the first two books in this series, but I will now! Daniel and Christian have a past. Twelve years before the time of this story... the two young men fell in love. It was a whirlwind... they were second cousins... Daniel wasn't out and his father's business interests definitely fell on the wrong side of the law. When Christian's father died suddenly, Daniel was there for a few days... then withdrew completely from Christian's life.
And now... twelve years later is where Loving Daniel picks up. This time, Daniel's father has died. Daniel isn't sorry his father is gone but he's still at loose ends... he's lost because he lost a father that was a horrible man and a criminal....but the man was still his father. Christian appears... offering himself as a way to "be there" for Daniel. This is the first point at which the reader has a clue to how convoluted and buried Daniel's emotions are.
Things get worse. Because his father is gone... there's a power struggle in the world of crime Daniel's father inhabited. Christian is a direct route to Daniel because people know that in his past...he's gone to Christian's aid. This connection results in Christian nearly being killed. When he wakes up... Daniel is there... holding his hand and pretending to be his husband.
Things continue to get more and more confusing for Christian. He moves in with Daniel for protection... but sense there's something going on with Daniel. He feels, sometimes, as though they are drawn together but other times Daniel is firmly planted behind a wall. I absolutely loved the push and pull between Daniel and Christian. It was frustrating and heart-wrenching in all the best possible ways. Moon is slow to reveal the past that is keeping Daniel away from Christian so the frustration is real!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The switching perspective between the main characters was well-crafted and the voices were distinct! Sure, there is a lot of frustrating moments, but they read as real to me. I was invested in this relationship from the moment I realized how messed up it was because of something mysterious that happened in the past!
And now... twelve years later is where Loving Daniel picks up. This time, Daniel's father has died. Daniel isn't sorry his father is gone but he's still at loose ends... he's lost because he lost a father that was a horrible man and a criminal....but the man was still his father. Christian appears... offering himself as a way to "be there" for Daniel. This is the first point at which the reader has a clue to how convoluted and buried Daniel's emotions are.
Things get worse. Because his father is gone... there's a power struggle in the world of crime Daniel's father inhabited. Christian is a direct route to Daniel because people know that in his past...he's gone to Christian's aid. This connection results in Christian nearly being killed. When he wakes up... Daniel is there... holding his hand and pretending to be his husband.
Things continue to get more and more confusing for Christian. He moves in with Daniel for protection... but sense there's something going on with Daniel. He feels, sometimes, as though they are drawn together but other times Daniel is firmly planted behind a wall. I absolutely loved the push and pull between Daniel and Christian. It was frustrating and heart-wrenching in all the best possible ways. Moon is slow to reveal the past that is keeping Daniel away from Christian so the frustration is real!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The switching perspective between the main characters was well-crafted and the voices were distinct! Sure, there is a lot of frustrating moments, but they read as real to me. I was invested in this relationship from the moment I realized how messed up it was because of something mysterious that happened in the past!
October 11, 2019
Loving Daniel by Ruby Moone is the third book in the MC Securities series and the third time I’ve been fortunate enough to read her brilliant work. This story can be read as a standalone (although you would get more satisfaction from the unfolding events with the background of the other characters found in Trusting Jack and Finding Finlay).
Daniel is haunted by his past. He is deep, quiet and brooding – a guarded man with walls a foot thick between him and the rest of the world. The only bright spot in his life was a summer in his teens where he fell in love with his second cousin, Christian.
Christian has loved Daniel since they were teenagers. He has never understood what drove Daniel away and has pined for him ever since. Reaching out to him in the recent past, for help with the seedier side of life, only made the ache worse.
Ruby Moone has really found her stride with this edition to this thrilling series. I devoured this book in 3 sittings over 2 days – I could not put it down! The tension she weaves and the suspense that builds, is exquisite and intense. I gasped, cried and giggled – enthralled all the way through.
You know it’s a well written story when you want to make friends with the secondary characters! And I sincerely hope her next book is about Asher and Tassos!
I highly recommend Loving Daniel for readers who need some grit and a strong story line in their erotic reads. Ruby Moone pulls no punches and the readers enjoyment benefits immensely from this.
Daniel is haunted by his past. He is deep, quiet and brooding – a guarded man with walls a foot thick between him and the rest of the world. The only bright spot in his life was a summer in his teens where he fell in love with his second cousin, Christian.
Christian has loved Daniel since they were teenagers. He has never understood what drove Daniel away and has pined for him ever since. Reaching out to him in the recent past, for help with the seedier side of life, only made the ache worse.
Ruby Moone has really found her stride with this edition to this thrilling series. I devoured this book in 3 sittings over 2 days – I could not put it down! The tension she weaves and the suspense that builds, is exquisite and intense. I gasped, cried and giggled – enthralled all the way through.
You know it’s a well written story when you want to make friends with the secondary characters! And I sincerely hope her next book is about Asher and Tassos!
I highly recommend Loving Daniel for readers who need some grit and a strong story line in their erotic reads. Ruby Moone pulls no punches and the readers enjoyment benefits immensely from this.
October 6, 2019
Loving Daniel is the third book in Ruby Moone's MC Securities Series. Having loved the first two books, I was thrilled to get a chance to review this one too.
Daniel and Christian are ex lovers, until Daniel walked away without Christian even knowing why. Now twelve years later, they end up spending some time together and the sparks are still there.
What follows is a great second chance romance, as these two exes try to deal with the danger they are facing, as well dealing with a whole lot of pain from their past. Their story revolves around lies and secrets from years ago, as well as the intense need to protect one another and a strong bond between the two.
The writing is good, but the start is slow, and the story seems to drag at times. But by the end, it was everything I wanted and I fell in love with this tale. I love the way they slowly reconnect and new information comes to light.
Overall, Loving Daniel is a good read. Ruby Moone combines sexual tension, high emotions, and action to create a great story. Daniel and Christian's journey is long and painful, but well worth it in the end.
Daniel and Christian are ex lovers, until Daniel walked away without Christian even knowing why. Now twelve years later, they end up spending some time together and the sparks are still there.
What follows is a great second chance romance, as these two exes try to deal with the danger they are facing, as well dealing with a whole lot of pain from their past. Their story revolves around lies and secrets from years ago, as well as the intense need to protect one another and a strong bond between the two.
The writing is good, but the start is slow, and the story seems to drag at times. But by the end, it was everything I wanted and I fell in love with this tale. I love the way they slowly reconnect and new information comes to light.
Overall, Loving Daniel is a good read. Ruby Moone combines sexual tension, high emotions, and action to create a great story. Daniel and Christian's journey is long and painful, but well worth it in the end.
October 14, 2019
This was a highly anticipated book for me since the first one and Ruby Moone did not disappoint. When you meet Daniel, he's a dangerous man who obviously cares for Christian, but there's something preventing him from being happy and choosing a life with him. Fast forward to this book, you delve into Christian and Daniel's past as they work through the hurt caused by Daniel's actions twelve years previous. It's a mixture of a second chance romance and the two men growing together and finding love after so many years. Like the others in the series, I loved this book and highly recommend it!!
April 16, 2020
4.5 really enjoyable
I was pretty sure I’d like Daniel and Christian’s story and I was right. Second chance with angst, criminals and a little bit sticky-sweet at the epilogue but that’s okay. It was kind of easy to guess the big secret and the plot was engaging enough to hold my interest.
I was pretty sure I’d like Daniel and Christian’s story and I was right. Second chance with angst, criminals and a little bit sticky-sweet at the epilogue but that’s okay. It was kind of easy to guess the big secret and the plot was engaging enough to hold my interest.
May 28, 2020
As Usual, Our Worries Surpass Reality!
This is the ups & downs, angsty & dangerous coming together of cousins Daniel’s and Christian’s love tale. I was somewhat intrigued by the MCs' relationship in a semi-criminal family. Although the story was interesting, it didn’t live up to Ruby Moone’s usual storytelling prowess. The story was a bit long-winded, the angst became a bit tedious and some parts of the story didn’t seem based in reality. An okay read. Rating: Slightly better than 3⭐️⭐️⭐️.
An aside: I suspect a separate romance tale for both Asher and Travis.
This is the ups & downs, angsty & dangerous coming together of cousins Daniel’s and Christian’s love tale. I was somewhat intrigued by the MCs' relationship in a semi-criminal family. Although the story was interesting, it didn’t live up to Ruby Moone’s usual storytelling prowess. The story was a bit long-winded, the angst became a bit tedious and some parts of the story didn’t seem based in reality. An okay read. Rating: Slightly better than 3⭐️⭐️⭐️.
An aside: I suspect a separate romance tale for both Asher and Travis.
February 8, 2020
Reviewed by Cindy
I’ve really been enjoying this series by Ruby Moone. Her characters are flawed and they don’t always make the right decisions and I think that’s why I like them.
Daniel McCafferty is no different. He gave up the man he loved to keep him safe even though it almost killed him to do it.
Christian has learned to live without Daniel but he’s never really felt alive since he left.
I loved how the author slowly pulls the story out of both characters so that we can see the situation from both points of view. As the details unfold, the reader starts to realize how much of a tragedy their parting really was, especially for Daniel.
Christian has good people in his life. His friends and co-workers at MC Securities have his back and it’s obvious that they really care about him. Daniel? Well he’s got some loyal people in his life, although the ones who really love him are too far away to really be what he needs when things get tough for him.
Watching them find their way back to each other is heart-wrenching and beautiful and it has just the right amount of angst. The pain the both endure leaves scars that can’t be seen, but they are definitely still painful.
It’s nice to see the couples from the first two books back for some cameos and but I also like that the author doesn’t let them overshadow Christian and Daniel’s story. It’s a like a quick visit with old friends.
One of the things I like the most is that while there is a good bit of steamy, well written sex in this book, the two men spend a lot of time talking things out and actually trying to fix things instead of just trying to screw their issues away. It makes them easier to relate to and helps to make them feel like real people to me as a reader.
I don’t know if there’s going to be more to this series, but I hope so. Ruby Moone has done a brilliant job of creating an interesting, compelling world for her characters and I’m not quite ready to let it go yet.
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I’ve really been enjoying this series by Ruby Moone. Her characters are flawed and they don’t always make the right decisions and I think that’s why I like them.
Daniel McCafferty is no different. He gave up the man he loved to keep him safe even though it almost killed him to do it.
Christian has learned to live without Daniel but he’s never really felt alive since he left.
I loved how the author slowly pulls the story out of both characters so that we can see the situation from both points of view. As the details unfold, the reader starts to realize how much of a tragedy their parting really was, especially for Daniel.
Christian has good people in his life. His friends and co-workers at MC Securities have his back and it’s obvious that they really care about him. Daniel? Well he’s got some loyal people in his life, although the ones who really love him are too far away to really be what he needs when things get tough for him.
Watching them find their way back to each other is heart-wrenching and beautiful and it has just the right amount of angst. The pain the both endure leaves scars that can’t be seen, but they are definitely still painful.
It’s nice to see the couples from the first two books back for some cameos and but I also like that the author doesn’t let them overshadow Christian and Daniel’s story. It’s a like a quick visit with old friends.
One of the things I like the most is that while there is a good bit of steamy, well written sex in this book, the two men spend a lot of time talking things out and actually trying to fix things instead of just trying to screw their issues away. It makes them easier to relate to and helps to make them feel like real people to me as a reader.
I don’t know if there’s going to be more to this series, but I hope so. Ruby Moone has done a brilliant job of creating an interesting, compelling world for her characters and I’m not quite ready to let it go yet.
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
April 6, 2020
Love Wins Over Hate
Twelve years is a long time to be separated from the one you love. Especially when he left you abruptly without an explanation.
Now you are attending his father's funeral and you discover the spark is still there.
When your life is in danger he steps up to save you.
And you can't help yourself.
You agree to let him try...
Twelve years is a long time to be separated from the one you love. Especially when he left you abruptly without an explanation.
Now you are attending his father's funeral and you discover the spark is still there.
When your life is in danger he steps up to save you.
And you can't help yourself.
You agree to let him try...
October 18, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Daniel has given in and helped Christian a few times in the past year and it’s making it harder and harder for him to stay away. Christian has never gotten over the pain of Daniel walking away and now he has Daniel barging in to help him because they feel he is in danger.
I felt bad for Daniel with how he grew up and how he was forced to work with his father, though he has done an admiral job of distancing himself from that life and living a very lonely life. Christian has had the support of his friends and family though seems to still have kept people at a distance. I hated watching Daniel continue to pull himself away from Christian even when everything was working out though I was proud that Christian was able to walk away when he felt it was necessary. I was even gladder when he has the courage to go back for them to talk it out and figure out their relationship.
The cover art is great, I love the visual of Daniel and how it’s similar in style to the previous books but also different.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Daniel has given in and helped Christian a few times in the past year and it’s making it harder and harder for him to stay away. Christian has never gotten over the pain of Daniel walking away and now he has Daniel barging in to help him because they feel he is in danger.
I felt bad for Daniel with how he grew up and how he was forced to work with his father, though he has done an admiral job of distancing himself from that life and living a very lonely life. Christian has had the support of his friends and family though seems to still have kept people at a distance. I hated watching Daniel continue to pull himself away from Christian even when everything was working out though I was proud that Christian was able to walk away when he felt it was necessary. I was even gladder when he has the courage to go back for them to talk it out and figure out their relationship.
The cover art is great, I love the visual of Daniel and how it’s similar in style to the previous books but also different.
November 13, 2021
Well, this was a great ending to the MC Securities series and I'm actually sad to see it end. For me, this one was the best book out of the three. As I said in my review of book two, I've read some of Ms Moone's historical books and they are good, but I like her contemporary better. Personal preference...
This is the conclusion of the series where we get Daniel and Christians story.
They are second cousins and had a summer love 12 years ago. When Christians father is killed in an accident, Daniel leaves Christian without a word after the funeral, never to heard of again. He is devastated, but gets on with his life opening MC Securities with his best friend.
Daniel has had a real hard life and upbringing. He was forced to be part of his father criminal business and was forced to leave Daniel to keep him safe. He's always kept his feelings for Christian a secret. When Daniel's father dies he believes he is finally free. But then Christian is attacked and gravely wounded. We know from the beginning who is behind the attack and Daniels swears to make him pay.
The book wasn't overly steamy but the feelings were there in spades. The tension between them was palpable and you could feel the devastation of both men wanting to be together.
It was a great conclusion of the series, but I wouldn't mind if there would be a story for Asher and Tassos. Or Eric Daly.
Highly recommended!
This is the conclusion of the series where we get Daniel and Christians story.
They are second cousins and had a summer love 12 years ago. When Christians father is killed in an accident, Daniel leaves Christian without a word after the funeral, never to heard of again. He is devastated, but gets on with his life opening MC Securities with his best friend.
Daniel has had a real hard life and upbringing. He was forced to be part of his father criminal business and was forced to leave Daniel to keep him safe. He's always kept his feelings for Christian a secret. When Daniel's father dies he believes he is finally free. But then Christian is attacked and gravely wounded. We know from the beginning who is behind the attack and Daniels swears to make him pay.
The book wasn't overly steamy but the feelings were there in spades. The tension between them was palpable and you could feel the devastation of both men wanting to be together.
It was a great conclusion of the series, but I wouldn't mind if there would be a story for Asher and Tassos. Or Eric Daly.
Highly recommended!
September 15, 2022
It's been several years since I'd read book one and two in this series, although both really great reads I remember more of the first one than the second, so a couple of characters in this story were a little vague in my memory, but Michael and Jack I recall totally. But none of that impeded me in this one, it is a stunning stark read, the pain between Daniel and Christian literally oozes of the pages. Along with that we get the death threats which send them on the run. This story, beside being intense and thrilling, is about as angsty as you can get, it's a fabulous story.
January 2, 2022
Very well written and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews