Garrick Masters has a sinful gift when it comes to bringing other men to their knees. Just like the night he seduced his straight best friend, Callum Bradshaw. The handsome Kiwi lad easily succumbed to Garrick's charms, opening his mind and heart at the same time. But Garrick's heart opened up too and if he wants them to be more than just friends then he will be forced to face what he fears most—giving up control.
Callum tackled his biggest fear the night he explored his sexuality with Garrick... taking a risk. It more than paid off for him though and he's starting to catch a glimpse of what a future with Garrick would be like, and it's one filled with excitement and the fulfilment of his rawest desires. But how do you capture the heart of a man who refuses to be tamed?
Meanwhile their next game night is fast approaching and it's set to be another three-player event. And this time one of them will do the unthinkable when they make the ultimate power play.
Genre: Dark, steamy romance. Length: 70,000 words. WARNING: Power Play is an edgy gay romance that explores d/s elements and dark themes. Please do not proceed if this bothers you.
Zane lives way down under on the west coast of New Zealand; the wet side. He is a fan of ghost stories, sport, ducklings and nights out that usually lead to his head hanging in a bucket the next morning.
He enjoys creating characters who have flaws, crazy thoughts and a tendency to make bad decisions. Zane’s stories are emotionally-charged and don’t shy away from darker themes. After all, they do say there is no light without the dark.
I loved both these books. There dark and sexy. Callum is completely under Garrick ‘s power. He’ll do just about anything Garrick, and Garrick demands a lot. The sex is hot, but involves a great deal of humiliation. Callum can’t believe how much this turns him on. If reading about sexual humiliation is offensive to you, then stay away.
After reading one of Zane’s books I tend to read some very light romance before I can tackle something so powerful again. I just keep coming back for more. I can’t wait for book 3.
A rather disappointing second book that lacks the fun and giddy excitement of the first but comes with a very slow pace at a story that already doesn't have much going on, at times shockingly juvenile dialogue and crass sex talk.
The only reason this is not a two-star review is the cliffhanger I did not see coming and the last sex scene that carries so much weight and insight into the male psyche, M/M sex and the top/bottom roles, it's like packing an emotional punch. The writing reads heavier and more significant, because what is happening during that scene is very significant. It's like a different author took over and I want that type of author to take over the next book too; if it is anything like that last chapter, then I really look forward to it.
Menzy is a pretty good story teller. I liked the plot and was interested in seeing were things were going. I found mysef skipping/skimming over some of the sex scenes.I know that this is M4M erotica but I though some of these scenes were a little too long. I wanted more story!
This book is a little twisted with humiliation kink which may be taboo or trigger for some. Although I wouldn't want to be part of humiliation kink, I enjoy reading about it. I enjoy reading things that are twisted and different. I do like the relationship that develops between the 2 men and their sex scenes are disturbingly hot. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens.
This is the sequel to Zane Menzy's Game Night. It is best to read the first book prior due to spoilers and content. Here, Garrick and Callum pick up from where we left off in Game Night; engaged in a heady affair of passion and kink. Both men are aching for something more but are scared of admitting their true feelings. Which one of them is going to give first, or is it already too late and they're pushing each other away...
Again, I would recommend this book to readers that have read the first novel Game Night. This is NOT a standalone. Personally I had mixed feelings about the first novel, but I will gladly say that this sequel dispelled a lot of my mixed emotions. Here we get to see more of the vulnerable sides of the main characters and I really enjoyed getting more into Gerrick's POV and how he felt about Callum. In the previous book I felt Callum was portrayed as more of a fill-in who was there at the right time for Gerrick to get his rocks off. But Menzy allows both the main characters to really flourish in this novel - we feel their desires, wants and their fears. I really enjoyed this novel and I am very exicted for the next novel in this series.
*MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW* The first part of this book was a little dry it was a more of a retelling of everything that happened in the first book. Personally I didn't think it was necessary because without reading the first book I think the reader would lose a lot of context. The summarized version of Game Night in the beginning is something I thought was boring and I was like get to the point already... I really struggled with Game Night because I didn't like how Gerrick treated Callum but Menzy made up for that in this novel. I cannot stress enough how much my opinion changed about Gerrick with Power Play. The gentle touches, the longing looks and the desire for more with Callum; made me swoon for Gerrick and instantly had me cheering him on. I'm not entirely sure about their relationship though when it comes to adding a third. Here, we have Nicky - who just so happens to be Callum's sister's boyfriend's son (what a mouthful) so almost kind of Callum's nephew (considering his sister says this boyfriend is the one). Plus Nicky is a lot younger then Callum and Gerrick, he's 18 years old and a virgin. Of course this threesome... was instigated by Gerrick but it just rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like it was just gonna cause so much awkward tension between Callum and Nicky. Afterall Callum is also Nicky's boss, and now that Callum was Nicky's first this could lead to some warped attachment Nicky has for the man - which can only be intensified because Nicky had a crush on Callum to begin with. Needless to say this has the potential to cause a lot or problems for Callum in the future, not to mention Nicky is not the innocent everyone believes him to be.
In addition, the last little tidbit in this novel had me screaming! Tim makes an appearance again. Honestly, I was never a fan of Tim in Game Night and frankly Gerrick is a much better mate then Tim could ever be. First, Tim completely ransacks Gerrick's house and then we find out he's the one that's marrying Callum's ex Misty. OMFG I was dead. All I could think was this Misty girl really downgraded if she's marrying Tim. Afterall we all know what Callum is packing and what Tim certainly is not LOL. So after all these fun surprises I am so excited for the third novel!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Menzy really writes some hot sex scenes. It was great to revisit Callum and Garrick, and adding to the cast Callum's sister's boyfriend's son (whew) ratcheted up the heat intensity to 10. In this tale, Menzy shows that he can write sweet romance, as well as steamy D/s scenarios, and that's great. Also, props to the writer for the "feminization" banter, which is more prevalent than many people may assume.
Glad to know there is another novel coming in this series. Both this and the Candy Boy books have me hooked on Menzy and his Kiwi tales of lust, perversion, and romance.
Absolutely Awesome Read, well written, great characters, Awesome story line, easy read to hold you on their journey, this genre might not be for everyone but its a really wonderful story cannot wait for more from this Author.
I just love the way you mix the story and erotica... the buildup and anticipation is more than enough! I just love how each of characters have their own darkness...
Garret is into kink and he's shown Callum that he enjoys it too. Garret pushes all of Callum's buttons and the more he pushes the more Callum enjoys it. I enjoyed the book.
now....where is book 3??????? i never wouldve read this if i knew it wasnt finished!
i dont like garrick but i hate julie even more
none of the plot twists really shocked me, but i was right about every single one.
nicky being the one to hang up all those posters LOL good for him!
honestly garrick was so manipulative, and he needs to grow up just a little.
everyone needs to stop treating callum like a boy and just tell him misty is getting married! i dont see why theyre keeping it from him. especially garrick like hello youre the one whos fucking him, he obviously doesnt luke her anymore MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.
theres honestly too much going on for this book not to have an ending. I NEED BOOK 3!!!!
I quite liked this book. Callum and Garrick are interesting characters with much-appreciated kinky sides to them. I admire the "live and let live" attitude most of the characters have, without the unnecessarily angsty burden so many book have about "what other people will think." If it feels good, they do it. And good for them. And I especially the amount of foot play - both for pleasure and for punishment - that the book contains. "Feet" is a fetish I'm fond of reading about, and far too often it's ignored by writers of erotica. I'm looking forward to Game Night #3. Let's hope we get even deeper into Callum & Garrick's kinky side. They definitely need to go to that BDSM resort...
So fair warning there is some seriously dubious consent in this book. Generally consent problems are a trigger for me but if I am warned about them beforehand I can take the book for what it is. What is sexy in smut may be terrible in real life but if you can keep it in the realm of fantasy it can be a good read nonetheless.
I enjoyed this book. Sex was hot and I actually cared about the two main characters (even Garrick) which was a surprise for this type of book.
What is wrong with these people??!! Garrett is seriously in need of psychological help. I'm sure there's a story there but he didn't elicit any sympathy from me. His behaviour is appalling - the way he demeans and degrades Callum - and what the hell was that with NIcky? Callum needs a solid dose of reality and being with a decent human being. I'm somewhat sickened and disgusted at them all quite frankly. I though the ending was both revolting and yet deserved. Cant do another book though. I'm in need of a really hot shower and lots of soap....
New Zealand author Zane Menzy writes some nasty, nasty books. 😁 Some very very hot and nasty books. Gay BDSM is the general theme doused with a gallon or two of humiliation, rough sex and a penchant for alpha vs. subs where subs are lower in status because they take it in the ass and have little cocks compared to the alphas. Occasionally though, an alpha gets poked in his bussy and loses his status as an alpha. I've read a few of his books. Definitely a straight to gay thread through all of them so far.
Zane Messy makes me mental! I absolutely love and hate the rollercoaster ride of feelings I experience with his books. Anger, frustration, intrigue, intense horniness, fear of what is going to happen next, and I really enjoy the stories he weaves. I've come a long way since I gave up on Mike Freeman's story, but Callum and Garrick story I'm all in for even as messy as they are.
I thought this was TWO books or I wouldn't have started it! Where is book 3? it's been 5 years. Anyways well done Z.
The author does a great job fleshing out his characters in his stories and I love sarcastic banter between friends. This is the third time I've read the first two books. I'm picking up Kiwi slang to throw at my sister since she's moved from the US to NZ. Only complaint is the third book is so long in coming.
I was surprised that the story of this was actually interesting and kept me wanting to read it. This was not only focused on the spice but the developing feelings of Garrick and Callum. I actually wouldn't mind reading more of their story especially with the way the last chapter ended.
I think everyone else has covered how well Zane does the whole dominant submissive dynamic so let me just talk about that one scene. Good god. When Callum got on his knees out of pure unadulterated hunger for the cock of a more powerful man, when he debased himself just to wallow in that feeling that shit almost took me out fr. You won't regret buying this book if you like D/s.
Zane writes like no other author! Some of the sex is outlandish, but I find myself mesmerized and unable to stop reading! I CAN'T WAIT for book three, the second one was so good, with twists and turns and stuff you just couldn't see coming!
again, didn't like that another dude was involved. this one especially felt nasty. neither of them really had an issue with it so whatever I guess but I didn't like the dynamic they had until the last bit I guess.
When I saw this was available, It was an awesome surprise because I didn't even realized there was going to be another book but I was so happy there was and I can't wait for the next one. Each one of these ends on a cliff hanger, this one more so than the first one. This was a fun, steamy short read that I devoured in one sitting and that twist at the end man, loved it! I always love that Zane is never afraid to go there with their characters.