Darker theme but written w sense of humor - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
I do NOT consider this to be a STAND-ALONE read. That is because there are two series, written by two authors, about two different MCs, that unite together to tell the readers about Tenillo, Texas. Therefore, for maximum reader satisfaction, to prevent spoilers, and for immersion in the dynamic world building, these need to be read in order, alternating the series. The first story to be read is Boss from the Time Served MC, followed by the first in the Ares’ Infidels MC series, Sin’s Enticement. Other reasons include multiple reoccurring characters, concurrent timelines and overarching themes.
Cee and Ciara are working together to weave stories about people that are determined to clean up and save their city from coercion, drugs, blackmail, murder and whatever other nefarious crimes are being committed in the shadows. These combine to build a dynamic and ever changing story universe with each new reveal, but with two distinct styles. This has made it more interesting for me and I for one am looking forward to the next in the series.
A couple of notes from me:
- There are some seriously hilarious scenes in this story, one of which caused me to laugh until I had tears running down my face AND I still couldn’t quit laughing. So loved the LOL dialogue, just like the previous two stories in the Time Served MC series.
- I may not be able to look at a pickle the same way again … and I am wondering if I tried what Brea did if he would have the same reaction 😍
- I would love to surprise my husband like Brea does Chef. Just wish it had been earlier in the story so we could have had at least one or two complete scenes with it …
** If you have not read the previous stories in the series, the following may contain spoilers. There are numerous topics that are potential triggers for sensitive readers, so please review the examples listed below **
⛔️ Contains references to, or scenes detailing, subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some, including: adult language; derogatory terms; mental health challenges; steamy adult intimate scenes with dominance, submission, restraints, spanking for pleasure, “bottom” play, etc.; violence stereotypical of the genre such as kidnapping, abduction, murder, death, torture, assault, fighting, betrayal, coercion, blackmail, threats, subterfuge, money laundering, gun running, cheating, prostitution, human trafficking, mafia / cartels, drug use, drug manufacturing, drug distribution, as well as the mental, physical and sexual abuse of females and/or children, etc.
** Caution: Contains scenes with reference to, or detailed graphic violence against females and/or children that fit into the storyline, but may be a trigger for some **
There are very few grammatical issues primarily comprised of incorrect word tense, missed words and extra inserted words. I am mentioning these for readers such as myself that visualize the story as it is read, because errors interrupt the flow.
There were a few things that I think should have been addressed during the story with Brea given her background. Brea is a recovering addict, even though nothing is really mentioned about her sobriety, the struggles with addiction past or present, or the timeline with her child when everything went down. I didn’t reduce my rating, because this still remains a series that I will read again and the storyline, characters, etc. are so strong.
In this story, Brea, aka Pickle, is an ex-con that served time for a parole violation after she saved a child from an abusive parent (fairly graphic details of this scene). There is an ex-con that she found herself attracted to about a year after her husband’s death. This has now transitioned to her being in love with him, but she is determined to fight it for multiple reasons.
Marques, aka Chef, is a former football player that went into teaching science after an injury forced his retirement. He went to jail after he “cooked” up a mixture for the men involved in the loss of his daughter, not for killing the men, but for where he made the cocktail.
Chef was released about 5 years ago and came to Tenillo, Texas due to Pop’s support. He knew as soon as he met Brea that she was someone very special to him, but she was married and not available, so he left town about a year later so he could start fresh somewhere else. After Brea’s husband passed and some time had passed, he returned to town determined to take his shot when the time was right. Then he overhears something while helping Boss and Jenn that changes everything.