Les amants d'Altona

Playing the Fool #1

by Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock, Caroline Minic (Translator)

L’agent spécial Ryan « Mac » McGuinness a une rude semaine en perspective. Il a non seulement commencé un nouveau régime, mais il a également reçu l’ordre de garder Henry Page – le témoin le plus agaçant au monde – en vie. Ce qui risque d’être difficile car Mac lui-même est à deux doigts de le tuer de ses propres mains, lui et ses citations de Shakespeare, son éthique douteuse, et son obsession des œufs... à moins qu’il n’ait pas vraiment envie de le tuer.

Escroc de son état, Henry Page préfère garder ses distances avec la justice... même s’il aimerait bien se rapprocher un peu plus de son protecteur collet monté et beau gosse, l’agent McGuinness. En tant que seul témoin d’un meurtre orchestré par la pègre, Henry est devenu un atout majeur pour le FBI. Mais il a son propre objectif, et cela n’inclut pas de passer devant un tribunal.

Lorsque la preuve de l’existence d’une taupe au sein du Bureau fait surface, Mac et Henry n’ont d’autre choix que de se planquer. Coincés dans une cabane de pêche, ils sont surpris de découvrir que leurs sentiments l’un pour l’autre vont bien plus loin qu’une attirance physique. Mais avec la mafia qui se rapproche inexorablement, Henry n’a plus d’autre choix que de s’enfuir. Et Mac va devoir décider jusqu’où il est prêt à aller pour garder Henry à ses côtés.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, Crime, LGBT, Audiobook

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 27, 2014

About the author

I like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Dang, I HATED this book.

It gave me the most awful donut cravings. So I couldn't resist sneaking into a bakery. One donut didn't make the trip home.



A second one didn't survive me snapping a pic.



And do I really have to confess that the last two were gone before I finished The Two Gentlemen of Altona? Grmbl.

So the Two Gentlemen of Altona is nothing like the Henry & Rock collaborations I’ve read before. And you know what? In my opinion that’s a good thing! In this book, there are no tragically damaged characters to unabashedly manipulate you into shedding big emo tears. It’s a remarkably lighthearted and amusing ride instead!

Special agent Mac is a donut loving cranky bald guy. He’s also a little chubby. So ever since he started a diet the donuts are off-limit. Hence the cranky part. Then there’s his non-existing love life… but hey, at least he’s good at his job! That is, until he manages to let an important witness to a murder disappear from right underneath his nose. Said witness, the young and charming con man Henry Page, soon discovers that fooling a sugar-deprived FBI cop was perhaps not his best idea, as he tries to outrun both Mac and the murderer’s hit men…

There’s a lot to love about these authors’ promising first book in a brand new series, that vaguely reminds me of a M/M version of Janet Evanovich’ bestselling Stephanie Plum series. It’s fast-paced, uncomplicated and pretty damn funny. Whereas the chemistry between the MCs doesn’t convince me entirely, any lack thereof is made up for by their snicker-worthy dynamics. And I applaud the authors for making Mac bald and giving him a bit of a paunch. It’s always a relief when I don’t have to read ongoing twaddle about MCs resembling six-packed Ken dolls.

“I know what I’m not good at.”
“Let’s start there. What aren’t you good at? Besides running.”
Mac opened his mouth. “Running?”
“Yeah. You run with your arms kind of flapping.”
Was this little shit seriously criticizing the way he ran? “May I remind you that when you saw me, I was running after the guy who’d just tried to kill you.”
“And maybe you’d’ve caught him if your arms weren’t flapping.”

If you enjoy solving crimes along with your well-developed MCs, this book will possibly leave you with an empty stomach though. It’s the equivalent of junk food — of a fresh donut with chocolate sprinkles on top — after all. The focus is on the banter between the guys, resulting in a sadly neglected crime plot. The MCs may find themselves in life-threatening situations, there’s no sense of real danger to really keep you on the edge of your seat. It isn’t until the last quarter that the character development turns serious, with the first hints of drama kicking in (more like what you’d expect from Henry & Rock). It feels like a departure from the preceding cheekier tone and I wonder if it’s partly to blame for the ending that just seems… to fizzle out?

Also be forewarned that the ending will leave you hanging due to both a cliffhanger and numerous failed attempts at the ‘insertion of tab A into slot B’ due to a persistent case of force majeure. The sequel is expected to be published in February 2015 though, so luckily it’s not that long a wait!

[Lisa Henry]

J.A. Rock and I wrote this. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did writing it.

I think we can all agree our lives need more Shakespeare-quoting, ethically-challenged, egg-obsessed conmen in them. Also, candy.

Wow. Did you see how I typed "candy" there, without even flinching?

American English. I'm finally getting the hang of it!

Oh, and anything you want to ask about The Two Gentlemen of Altona, here's as good a place as any!

UPDATED TO ADD: You can now read an excerpt online at http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titl...

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I really, really liked this. The humour was just right for me, and I adored the layer of tragedy beneath Henry's exterior. I mean, I actually seriously adore Henry. All of him. Mac's not good enough! Mac doesn't deserve Henry!

I knew going in that it was a cliffhanger ending, so I was okay with it, and it's not too long to wait before books #2 and #3. I can deal. Right? I totally don't need the next book right this second, curse you, JA and Lisa . . . *ahem*. Anyway, I thought the writing in this was great. These two authors only get better together with time. I did definitely experience the odd jarring moment where I heard a line clear as a bell in Lisa's 'voice' or JA's voice, but I guess when you read a lot by any two authors, that's gonna happen. But listen to this:

"A disconcerting meal [of a] lump of greyish meat next to a web of mashed potatoes spackled onto the tray."

Is that not every hospital meal you've ever (not) eaten?? A disconcerting meal. That's lovely. And Henry's lines get all the points, but I can't quote because I'll spoiler it all for you.

The plot was well-paced, and actually pretty much perfect for me. I didn't have a single one of those "Oh, FFS!" moments. This reminded me of a Josh Lanyon, actually, in the best possible way, but with much better humor.

So why not five stars? Because I would have liked less sexual contact. It's coitus interruptus all the way with Henry and Mac, and I felt like it was unnecessary fanservice; like the authors thought we wouldn't read the book unless they wrote in fondled balls and an almost blow job for a great big dick. I mean, I do want fondled balls, but with these guys I would have been fine with the undertone of sexual tension being drawn out until book three (as long as I got a goddamn mind-blowing conclusion in bed for them).

But, yeah, this was great. And I love the covers for this series. Recommended.

ETA: Oooh, oooh: Secondary characters! Remy! Oh, Remy. Let me save you and love you and wrap you up like the woobie you are.


Full disclosure: This is like that awkward moment in French where you have to decide if you're using tu or vous, but I think I'm at the point where I have to say that Lisa is my friend (and where she says "Emma who?"), so, there's that. Usually when my friends write books I worry I'm being over-generous as much as I try very hard not to be, but with Lisa it actually means I think I'm bloody picky.

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I liked it but i wanted to strangle Henry most of the time. And too many cock-blocks for my taste, i will maybe read the rest.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

I'm the first to admit that romantic suspense isn't really my thing, but I LOVE Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock so I felt compelled to give this a go. And this book was a pretty nice introduction to a new series, even if it ended on a huge cliffy and gave me the WORST case of blue balls (female equivalent, of course!).

Sometimes romantic suspense can be really serious and intense. This isn't one of those books, thank god. It was really clever, easy reading with a fast pace that kept my attention. I also enjoyed the sort of offbeat characters. Henry was deliciously complex, with loads of walls up and secrets, enough to fill an entire series, I'm sure! I loved Mac's grumpiness, struggles with dieting (we all hear you!!), and sort of antisocial personality. It was refreshing. One question: Was anyone else thinking of Mac from Life Lessons? Two romantic suspense cop M/Ms with the same name... I kept thinking of that series!

Though I enjoyed reading this one, I also had no problems putting it down and moving on to other things. I wasn't dying to keep reading about these guys. I'm not sure why, but this story wasn't as engaging as I would have expected. I don't know if it was because of the lack of heat or the fact that this felt very much like an intro story, but I wasn't itching for the next chapter.

I'm going to continue the series because I'm SO curious how this relationship will progress. And we better get some nookie! *glares at Lisa and J.A.*

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

[Ingie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written January 31, 2015

4 Stars - Outrageously funny! - I fell head over heels.

Book #1

This was quite different to other Lisa Henry books I read. I mean neither positive or negative, just something completely different.



A light-hearted fun "Catch Me" comedy
A con character who changes shape like a chameleon and a slightly pudgy FBI agent who longs to jail a murdering criminal (...and to find a ordinary nice boyfriend to love).

The Two Gentlemen of Altona is the first, of three, serial crime-romances in the new Playing the Fool series by two pretty well known M/M authors, Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock. For me both known as writers of much darker stories. ~ Quite surprising and funny, they wrote this. Here is an applauding new fan.

***********************************************

Indianapolis, Indiana U.S.

# Special Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness is a hard working man who miss the chance to get a criminal suspect when he is tricked by the witness at the crime scene. A witness with a very attractive neat little butt, a credible smile and quick feet.

# Con man Henry Page Sebastian Hanes , is a Shakespeare-quoting, ethically-challenged, egg-obsessed 25 years old, —a fleeing soul— who prefers to keep his distance from the law.

Soon meet their paths again and this adventure (and laughter party) can begin.

“It would probably be more miraculous if I had a sugar hit,” Henry suggested.
“Is that so? Are you planning on blowing my budget on junk food?”
“Sugar is good for shock,” Henry told him. “That’s why in old movies, if somebody is in shock, they always give them a very sweet, milky tea. If it’s a woman, they slap her too, but that’s probably not medically recommended.”

***********************************************

The first half was outrageously fun.
I can't remember when I last read a book like this one. I giggled, laughed out loud, tears ran, and I fell in love with these characters at once. Then it became more seriously but that light-hearted comedy-feeling remained.

Hooray for another two charmer characters to love.
It is strange that two such pretty predictable, for this comedy genre, main characters can feel so incredibly fresh to follow. Not quite perfect men, obvious character deficiencies, cute fragile self-confidence now and then, and also evident connection problems. But gee so amazing charming these guys are.

...Or perhaps I should say, Gee!, what amusing charming fun everything here actually were. I want to spend more time at the FBI office in Indianapolis.

“Let’s start there. What aren’t you good at? Besides running.”
Mac opened his mouth. “Running?”
“Yeah. You run with your arms kind of flapping.”
Was the little shit seriously criticizing the way he ran? “May I remind you that when you saw me, I was running after the guy who’d just tried to kill you.”
“And maybe you’d’ve caught him if your arms weren’t flapping.”

As a first part of a three-part serial ended this book as expected: Hanging in the air. It's just to dive right into book two as soon as possible. I want to see how this unfolds and I want to see if there will be a grand HEA-romance, and if they ever get to it.

Next up: #2 - The Merchant of Death.

***********************************************

I LIKE - hilarious giggling reads



********
**ARC kindly provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. January 2015**

Buddyread with my bestie Sofia January 29-31.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into with this, but overall, I had a good time!

Ryan “Mac” McGinnis is bound and determined to arrest an infamous mobster, and he knows the only way he can do that is to get witness Henry Page, to testify he saw said mobster shoot one of his lackeys. The thing is, Henry has no reason and no plans to do such. He wants to stay alive, and promising to point the finger is not going to help him maintain such a reasonable goal.

What ensues is a comedy of errors with some dashes of suspense. There’s a lot of cat and mouse as Henry puts Mac through his paces. When danger lurks too close, they’re forced to run and inevitably, close quarters reveal some interesting developments.

Where this shines is the juxtaposition between benign con man Henry, whose sparkling congenial and wily personality battles the no nonsense, by the books Mac, who is aggravated but also helplessly charmed by Henry’s antics. There’s definitely fun and funny chemistry plus great banter between these two leading to a very nice build up as they dance around each other while trying to not die. However, this was one big cock tease where the ultimate culmination is rudely interrupted at the end, setting the stage for the next book. Grrrrr.

Regardless, the writing is top notch! I was entertained, and I look forward to revisiting opposites Henry and Mac, if only to see them do more than just circle each other.

[Rosa, really · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable start to a new series. Loved Henry and Mac's conversations--their snappy dialogue reminded me of a fast talking 40s movie in some parts. Such as this scene where Henry yet again gives Mac some super helpful diet advice:

"You know what you should try?" Henry tossed a couple of candies into his mouth.
"No advice necessary."
"Quinoa."
"Please."
"Have you ever had it?"
"What?"
"Quinoa."
Mac sighed. "No."
"It's good. It's a pseudocereal."
"That means nothing to me."
"All the grains look like little sperms when you cook them."
[....]
"Good," Mac said. "Because I want to feel like I'm eating little sperm. The only thing that could make this god-awful diet better is if it included something that looked like sperm."

I applaud Mac's patience, because if Henry had tried that conversational topic with me he would've found himself on the ground with all his candy missing. Fucking quinoa, my ass.

I must admit I was a bit distracted by all the Shakespeare references. My brain kept nattering away--Sebastian and Viola, huh? Is this based on Twelth Night? Wait, is that yet another name from yet another play? Which play? (Probably all the damn plays.) What am I missing? Goddammit, I need to stop filling my brain with reruns of Morse and Midsomer Murders and pics of Dylan O'Brien. But that may be more of an issue with the voices in my head than this particular book.

My only real complaint is that Two Gentlemen feels more like a first act than a complete novel. I like it when there are some plotlines left hanging, gives me something to mull over when I'm looking forward to the next book, but it felt rather like everything was left hanging at the end of this one. Luckily, the rest of the series (The Merchant of Death and Tempest) should be out shortly.

**Copy provided by Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.**

[Exina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Two Gentlemen of Altona is book one of the Playing the Fool series.

Positives: humor and the mystery. I don’t mind the cliffhangers and unanswered questions – it’s a series after all.

Negatives: too long, too slow, low heat, no sparks, no sex. A bit melodramatic ending.

Actually, it is not an MM romance, at least, not yet. Hope it will be, eventually. I might give a chance to book two.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series title is Playing the Fool, now I'm sure future books will elucidate this further, but right now I feel like the Fool. *wags finger* Evil Henry and Rock.

This is playful and charming with a strong dose of understated pain. Deep pain. The kind that you ignore, but when you're weary suddenly comes upon you like a Mac truck. But the laughs, they lure you away, trick you, deceive you and on your merry way you go. After all, no one wants to linger too long in the dark.

That is precisely why this story is an abrupt departure from the unrelenting gloom and misery that Henry proudly wears as a hallmark. Here, you laugh. You gambol along and chase until you almost grasp it--only to smash your nose against the sliding glass door as your quarry escapes. Evil, but sometimes it's a delight to play the fool.

Overall, Catch me if you can with a few pricks of melancholy.

Favorite quote:

“So you have trouble believing people would want to protect one another, but you’re willing to risk your life to protect some abstract idea of ‘humanity’?”

[~✿ Tala✿~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Enjoyable read that kept my attention and had me rooting for the MCs. There was a lot of unique scenes, Henry was a fascinating and really frustrating character.

Very little in the romance department but Criminal Intentions by Cole McCade has trained me to embrace the slow burn😂!! Hopeful that next book we get more time between Henry and Mac.

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Suspenseful, fun and witty AF. Book, I liked you, a lot.

This is the story of when the FBI agent and the con man go on the lam together, and kind of maybe begin to develop some fuzzy feelings for one another amidst the chaos.

There are some bad guys and some good guys, and a lot of eggs.

Shakespeare is quoted righteously. (Twins named Sebastian and Viola? Seriously, perfection to thine own ears.)

Onward, to the next book!!!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review might have spoilers

I finished this book two days ago, and I'm still not quite sure exactly what to write about it. I know that I liked it, but this feels very much like a 'part 1' than a full completed book, so I feel as if I'm giving a rating without the full picture. But even so, here's my review:


The first half of the book was very slow. The mystery aspect is very much so in the background, and is just being set up for the second half. What makes the first half readable is the humour. The authors have done a great job of writing Henry as a funny character, without making him annoying. There are jokes, one-line zingers and a few hilarious scenarios. This helps to alleviate the boredom and slow pace before we get in to the second half, which is where the action and mystery really come to the fore. The mystery isn't particularly suspenseful, but it will keep you guessing.

The romance aspect of the book is there, but don't expect Henry and Mac to fall in love easily. Both of these men are proud, and they don't like depending on others. There's also a whole lot of UST, emphasis on the 'U'. The two come close to having sex a few times, but personal hesitancy and bad-timing always get in the way.

Personally, I didn't mind the lack of sex, but readers who really hate being left hanging will likely be disappointed. I'd say the same for readers who don't like cliffhangers or unresolved endings. As I wrote in the beginning, this book feels like the first part to an entire book. The primary mystery is solved, but the romance, and another plotline that's introduced right at the end, are left up in the air. There are also a lot of unanswered questions, which I assume will be answered in the next book, The Merchant of Death.

However, that doesn't mean that 'The Two Gentlemen of Altona' isn't enjoyable. There's humour, some angst, an engaging mystery and even a couple of action scenes. Had there been some steam and a more concrete understanding between the two MCs, I would have bumped up the rating an extra star. As it is, I liked it and I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.

*ARC provided through NetGalley

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entire romantic suspense novel and nary a handjob or blowjob in sight. *disapproving frown* Now, I know I'm a horny bunny, and I understand that sex isn't the be all and end all of romantic relationships - really, I do - but in my romance novels? I wants it. I needs it. I needs it baaaaaad.

My lady bits were having serious sympathy pains for Mac and Henry's blue balls.

Otherwise, I enjoyed this book. I loved Rock and Henry's writing, I felt the novel built towards the conclusion in a natural manner that avoided being melodramatic, and I loved, loved, LOVED Mac and Henry together. Mac was gruff and intelligent and a little bit in denial; Henry was charming and a little over the top and emotionally wounded. Together, they were two flawed, mostly average characters who had completely believable chemistry on page.

I'm looking forward to more from this series, but hoping for hot monkey sex more romantic feels in the next book.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, and not what I was expecting. Interesting characters and a sweetly predictable plot, I definitely liked it and I'll scoot right on up to the 2nd one kinda wish I had known it was a cliffhanger before I started it (though it is not a very intense one).

[nark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up! this was such a humorous & fun book.

i liked both henry & mac and i’m definitely gonna read the sequels. always love a good criminal/agent romance!

super annoyed by all the cockblocks though…🙄

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this might frighteningly resemble a stream-of-consciousness review but I honestly don't care because this was fun and clever and complex and one of the best leading-men-duo character studies I've read and I love it.

Ok.

Mac is tired, worn out, and tightly wound. And a good agent. And wants more. And doesn't know exactly what that "more" is or will or could be.

Henry, well, Henry is intelligent, and seen and done a lot in his young life, but has some blind spots that almost taste naive. Only, it's not that. There are things he should have had and learned when younger but was not afforded many of those opportunities. There is nearly a bottomless pit of things we haven't learned about him, either, so it seems only fitting. My gosh, Henry, I need to know more.

Back to Mac, he needs to know more, too. He wants to know more about the real Henry.

*clears throat and holds up two fingers*

Here are the reasons this will be a rather complicated challenge: Henry feels like he doesn't know his real self anymore and Mac isn't quite sure how to help, though he starts to try.

I think they will figure it out. See...

*motions for you to come closer*

... they each carry the key to freeing the other. Uh, they just have to, ya know, find 'em.

So.

This is woven together all throughout beautifully. That completely natural and unsteady back and forth of a ride as you get to know someone, especially someone completely unexpected and occupying a "type" you didn't even know existed because they're one of a kind. Nary a stumble to be found.

The dialogue, my gosh. It's like Henry and Rock simply put recorders down and let these guys have at it. It didn't feel "written", it just is what it is. I love when I almost forget I'm reading and instead feel a part of the world the authors have created and am getting to know these characters at the same time they're getting to know each other. It's kind of a rare thing.

On the surface, these two don't appear all that unique, a Feeb and a grifter. But that's just it, they're unlike anyone else, and now their paths have crossed and they're skidding and dodging and colliding along, uncertainty their only sure thing.

Or is it?

The connection between Mac and Henry is spread out before us as-is, no fake-ittude or cheap cheats. I wasn't given anything in advance, nor was I left behind, wondering what happened or how did they get there. My seat was right next to them, feeling and experiencing everything simultaneously.

Immediate.

Gripping.

Silly.

Generous.

Brave.

As I type this, I'm replaying scenes in my head. This will be one I grab from the shelf (literally!) to read again and again, and not just to see if I missed any of the fun references. ;)

I'm excited to read the next books in this series. For as much as we learn about Mac and Henry, there is that bottomless pit of discoveries yet to excavate. The "cliffie" is just a bonus. :D

ETA: one of my favorite forms of blasphemery (new word alert!) is used in this book, and that is "fuckton", as in a shit load.
Ok, carry on...

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5?

Ends cliffishly.

Russo does a good job with differentiating the voices.

Not super crazy about Mac at this point but I'm intrigued enough to continue on with the next episode.

[Julio Genao]

this comes out on my birthday!

[Lilia Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you RichardFalstaffTobySeacoalHenryPageSebastianHanes. Oh yes I do.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good things about reading this book AFTER everyone else are two folds: 1) I know what to expect : cliffhanger, no sex (yay!), and how the story is basically a set-up for two more books; 2) I don't have to wait for the sequels (they're here!).

I found this book VERY fun -- and it was such a relief after almost a month without 4* category MM books (trust me, it was the longest dry spell ever for MM romance since I started reading this genre back in 2008). I don't read many Henry/Rock's collaboration before simply because they don't write I want to read. However, this looks look different than the rest of them. I couldn't help to get excited with the idea of an FBI man and a con-man (Hello MM version of White Collar!).

And yep, this was darn entertaining! It was fast-paced, filled with sexual tension and snappy rat-tat-tat dialogs (I love those kind of dialogs, I really do!), as well as two characters that I just ended up rooting so much. Both Mac and Henry were likable and I couldn't wait to see them finally being together. I thought it would worth the journey.

I won't write long reviews, you could read others instead (here, check out: Katinka's or Emma Sea's since they did great job with it)

... on to book #2

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this has got layers. There are layers everywhere. Mac got layers. Henry probably much more so. Even the story has got layers, not to mention the layers in the writing. So let's mention them. There is the sweet layer, by which I mean, real candy and confectionery which gave me one hell of a sugar craving.

Then there is the snark layer and the humour layer which were entertaining. Then the other softer, more apt to hurt layers who wrapped themselves at my softer bits and tugged away. Shakespeare the master of the humorous snark which zings home truths right to the heart is another such layer which Henry and Rock enjoy playing with here.

I don't especially enjoy peeling onions but I enjoyed starting to peel Henry and Mac and I want to continue peeling the next installment soonest.

Thank you Ingela for getting the craving to read this immediately and for taking me along.

BR with Ingela

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuck you. I have donuts and you don't, nah nah nah.

Mac is a Special Agent. He’s addicted to coffee and he loves sweets, but unfortunately he’s on a diet. It makes him cranky, plus his witness is driving him crazy.

Henry is a con man. He’s hates guns, he's terrified of thunders and he can’t stand silence. As the only one who witnessed a mob hit he’s valuable for FBI. He doesn’t believe that agents will keep him safe, so he opposes them and runs away. Soon he gets caught by Mac and goes hiding with him in a cabin, where they discover some feelings for each other.

Henry is like a ninja. It crackes me up how easily he can sneak out or steal something. I adore him, but he has a tendency to run away a lot. And I just want Mac to take care of him and cuddle him so much or handcuff him to the bed, so he won’t get away ever again.

I'm so curious what happens next. So many questions, so little answers. On to the next one!

**ARC kindly provided by Riptide via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con man meets G-man in this fun, funny, smart, and suspenseful read!

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Nick J. Russo's narration of this mystery!

As the sole witness to a murder by a mob boss, Henry Page is now the FBI's best shot at putting the bad guy away. But it's a little tricky here because Henry isn't that good a guy himself. Henry isn't even his real name. See, Henry is a con man who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and though he calls in the murder (because hey, he's not a "bad" guy), he doesn't intend to stick around for the fall out.

Special Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness is the one who has to find Henry, protect him, and ultimately get him to testify, which means getting him to stick around. Which is not Henry's strong suit. This occurs with hilarious results.

The writing is sharp, smart, funny, and very engaging. The narration is spot on and fantastic with terrific timing and great character voices.

My only complaint is the (what I would call a) "Quantum Leap" ending. The initial story told is finished, but the end jumps to the beginning of a new story thread before coming to a cliffhanger-type ending.



That's all right, it just makes me hungry for the next story in the series! Now I just have to wait patiently for the audio to come out. *cough, cough*



Highly recommended!

Audio copy of The Two Gentlemen of Altona (Playing the Fool #1) provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARGH! Henry is annoying. I want to slap him.



Doing the right thing sometimes makes life complicated. Henry Page is a seemingly sweet college boy staying with an older lady. Some people think he is conning her out of money with sex. This is half true. However, the way Henry charms people out of their money is not exactly a con nor exactly illegal. The problem is when he witnesses a murder by a wanted criminal. He wants no part of testifying. His good deed was calling the cops and reporting it. Special Agent Ryan McGuinness, aka Mac, feels differently. He is going to nail this criminal and Henry is going to help him, even if it kills him.

This story is humorous and different than what I'm used to from Ms. Henry and Ms. Rock. The two main characters are opposites. Mac is a stand-up guy who is made to look like a fool multiple times by Henry. A reader who tends to take life seriously and is responsible will feel bad for Mac. Mac is stuck with irreverent criminal who lies easier than he breathes. Duo authors do a great job of creating the odd couple. Henry is annoying and though he seems to be someone with a sad past, I'm not sure I care. Henry is the kind of person who grates on my nerves. He takes and doesn't give. He is self-centered and deludes himself as being a loyal friend. He seems to be running from something which is not yet revealed. This should generate sympathy but honestly, I kept hoping he would be killed so that Mac could receive a bit of reprieve. It should be interesting to see how Henry can be redeemable.

The plot of this story is interesting and I do want to find out what happens next. This first book is just a teaser setting up for the next one. The characters are in place, the conflict is building and the plot is thickening. The ending is a cliffhanger. It makes a reader want to read the next book immediately. Recommended for romantic suspense readers who enjoy an ornery male driving a sane man to drink.

*provided by NetGalley

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book won me over, despite two issues. One is the title, which, while a nod to one main character's Shakespeare obsession, didn't bring to mind a con-man-meets-cop contemporary thriller romance. I put it off for a while because the title didn't pull me in. More seriously, the ending is a cliff-hanger. There's a lot of sexual tension in this book, a lot of sparks flying, and not a lot of emotional payoff, before the... cliffie!

I'll read reviews for the next one, and if it's still not resolved in any real way, I'll wait for the series to finish before buying. I need the books I read to at least find a moment of rest, some kind of HFN, to comfortably set them aside. And this one doesn't provide that at all.

If that's not a drawback for you, then this is a fun ride. Special Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness is FBI to the bone, a solid, sober and slightly-humorless agent whose biggest satisfaction in life is putting criminals behind bars where they belong. Henry Page is a small-time con-man who witnessed a murder, and in a moment of insanity called 911 and actually waited for the cops to show up. Now he's Mac's prime witness, if Mac can only keep Henry from disappearing out of the FBI's reach, and keep the mobsters from shooting him.

This one has some action, nice tension, a mismatched pair of MCs whose banter was entertaining, and some good secondary characters. There is a lot of back-story to these two men, and not all of it is on the table by the end of the book. It was a 5-star read for me, right until I turned the last page... and realized that actually was the last page.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun... I'm not sure how to classify it. Not technically a romance because the two people who are attracted to each other don't get together (maybe later in the series?) nor do they really seem to be in love, just interested. Not quite a mystery, although there is an Unknown Culprit, because no one really investigates. Not a crime drama because the crime is the background.

Henry witnesses a murder and reports it even thought it would be safer for him not to, because although he's sort of a con man (in a low-victim, rentboy sort of way) he's basically a decent person. Mac is a FBI agent who needs to keep him alive and present to testify. Mac is short-tempered (partly because he's on a healthy diet with no caffeine or sugar) and Henry is either charming or annoying depending on your banter preferences.

In case you didn't pick up on the title allusion, there are many Shakespeare references.

I enjoyed this a lot, although I wish I had realized at the start that it was a cliffhanger.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

Really, really enjoyed this one, which makes me feel super happy because there haven't been a lot of adult M/M romances I've enjoyed a lot lately.

FANTASTIC narrator! He made the book. It might honestly even be 4.5 stars (like it matters). Hilarious to listen to.

Unconventional characters, exciting plot that keeps me guessing and wanting more.

Really, just fab. Home run.

[Macky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Henry and JA Rock are well known for being being dark, angsty and kinky; generally putting their protags through all kinds of hell. But these two authors have also got a wicked sense of humour and it shines in this brilliant FBI/con man/murder caper that, being exactly my type of funny, really tickled me, as well as satisfying in the plot and love/hate relationship stakes as well.

It's jam packed with delightfully snarky humour, spark-flying witty banter and has two extremely appealing MC's who bounce off each other; working up some great tension. Both exasperation when they first encounter each other, and sexual, when the attraction starts to kick in. I loved, loved, loved this book and now have two more favourite men to add to my "couples I heart" shelf.

I can't see anybody not falling hard and fast for Shakespeare loving Henry Page's annoying, but at the same time, endearing pain in the ass, cheeky, conman and Ryan 'Mac' McGuiness's dour, pissed off, cranky ass agent. When they're in each other's company, playing off each other, it really makes for some funny, laugh out loud moments as well as some entertaining, opposites attract chemistry. From the start Henry becomes Macs nemesis as he cant help fucking with the no nonsense cop and it annoys the hell out of Mac that he's the only one who seems to be affected by the young grifter, as Henry charms the pants of most people he comes into contact with; manipulating them by using his larger than life, lovable rogue personality to dupe them. Except in the beginning, the grumpy agent isn't the only one who's not really taken in by the sweet talking con artist. Mob boss and bad guy, Dean Maxfield, who Henry witnessed shooting a man to death, wants him dead so it's down to Mac to make sure that doesn't happen, but not without a few trials and a lot of tribulation, due to the fact that with Henry (aka Richard Falstaff...Toby Seacoal...Sebastian Haynes...etc etc...) he's definitely got his job cut out for him.

What Henry doesn't factor into the equation though is the attraction he begins to feel for Mac, which doesn't make it easy when a hitman is brought into the mix, bringing them the realisation that there's a mole in the Bureau, forcing the two of them to join forces and go into hiding in a out of the way cabin belonging to Mac's family, that no one else knows about. Unfortunately against Mac's better judgement, they have to combine both of their talents to stay under the radar, until Maxwell goes to trial, when hopefully Henry can testify. Being used to changing his identity at the drop of a hat gives Henry a bit of an upper hand when it comes to disappearing off the map, but it seems this time he may need the help of his agent too.

For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1HDAQPb

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's mostly a lighthearted romp, the characters are anything but shallow and far from perfect. The push/pull attraction between the two MCs was delightful- it also felt real to me. These two are keeping their cards close to their chests and watching their attraction grow,seeing them reveal more of themselves is, for me, the very best part of reading romances.
The burn is oh-so-slow. Like, really slow. But there is UST and banter and some teasing...and cuddling...and I was totally satisfied with that. It felt realistic- neither guy is casual about sex.

I feel I should warn readers that there is a cliffhanger in the romance sense. This is not the kind of series that involves a large cast of characters, each with their own story. This is more like Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series (oh, that it would be as good!) in that there's no instant HEA here. These guys are going to have to work for theirs and their story will be all the more satisfying because of it. Hopefully.
So far so good. :)