Dangerous Obsessions

Men of Danger #1

by Blake Deveraux

What can bring a strong career Marine to his knees?Daniel Deveraux is a man of action. He doesn't allow his life to be complicated by anything or anyone. He left the Marines after deciding that the don't-ask-don't-tell policy was more than he could abide. He returned home in search of a simple life, one devoid of the insanity he'd endured in Iraq. Love for him was a distant dream.Brandon Matthews is an exceptional man, both in body and in mind. His magnetic personality and exceptional good looks were an impenetrable wall behind which this damaged man safely hid. His journey found him working days as a carpenter, and nights as "eye candy" at a local gay bar.The two men find themselves on a tumultuous journey of emotional and sexual revelation that threatens to destroy them both. The intense sexual relationship binds them in a way neither one expects.The question remains—will the deep sexual bond bring the two men together in a deep and enduring love? Or will it destroy them?

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, M M M, Romance

208 pages, ebook

Published January 15, 2009

Reviews

[Daisiemae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can I give this book a 1/2 star? I didn't finish reading it, I just couldn't. (I got to page 92) The book got WORSE as I continued to read. The characters abuse each other verbally and physically,they don't trust one another, they cheat on each other, they have NO self esteem and frankly, they don't belong together...period. Abuse is not sexy, it's not romantic and it sure isn't love.
Brandon is a ghost of a character. The author kept saying Daniel the other hero (who is an ex-marine) thought Brandon had such spirit and was so strong. In my opinion, he had some TSTL moments. He WAS NOT a strong character, he kept making idiotic mistakes, infuritating Daniel and Daniel would start verbally and physically abusing him. I HATED it.

[Kassa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was caught between horrified fascination at the extensive abusive and dysfunctional relationship Brandon and Daniel were in, and laughing due to the absurdity of their sex and the purple prose. This book is so bad, I have to review it. Read on for more detail..

Brandon is a handsome and overtly sexual young man who has had to endure a lifetime of abuse. He was first raped when he was seven by a family friend. He was then sent off to military boarding school where he was further beaten, raped, humiliated and physically tortured for years with the most heinous of objects, culminating in necessary surgery to “fix” damaged parts of him. He then flees the cold looks of his family and continues to be raped, beaten and used in various ways for numerous years. After all of this, which continues through almost the entire book, Brandon is an incredibly broken and damaged young man who ends up with Daniel, an ex-marine with an anger control problem.

Although the premise of a severely emotionally and physically damaged man who meets someone who truly loves him and cares for him is one with tremendous possibility, sadly this story is nothing like that. Unfortunately Daniel and Brandon’s relationship reads almost like a warning of what kind of relationship never to get into. Daniel not only has anger problems, he also clearly has emotional and physical scars as well. His relationship to Brandon is completely and utterly unhealthy for the majority of the book. There is absolutely no communication whatsoever. They beat each other, they scream, say horrible things to each other, cheat and after each scene, they fall asleep without talking about what happened, only to wake up feeling better and great.

Daniel is supposed to be seen as this ultimate strong, handsome, god-esque character who alternates between screaming fits of rage and weeping tears of vulnerability. Neither of which are handled well by Brandon or Daniel. Daniel has no idea how to handle the emotional and mental problems of Brandon’s and thus ends up compounding them severely and repeatedly. The scene where Daniel has violent sex with his ex-boyfriend, the “whore” while Brandon watches unannounced is perhaps detrimental and falling asleep is not exactly the appropriate response. Daniel comes across as confused, angry, and lost. Leaving aside his porn-like, magnificent equipment, he offers very little to Brandon in the way of understanding or support. He does, however, offer great sex and lots of it.

Their dysfunctional relationship problems seem to culminate in a bizarre and somewhat horrifying BDSM scene where Daniel forces Brandon to beat another man, letting him exorcise tremendous anger onto a stranger with an approving smile. The author goes into some detail talking about Daniel’s well known past as a BDSM Master and how he sent numerous men to the hospital as he used the club and activities as an outlet for his unrelenting anger regarding his military past. Thankfully Daniel is said to feel shame about this but it’s really questionable as he uses and abuses young men because “he has to.” What anyone has to do, is call the police.

Unfortunately, this relationship is so far from what a healthy BDSM relationship is and instead lets the lifestyle be used as an excuse for abusive and unhealthy behaviors. Furthermore, the complete reversal of Daniel and Brandon’s relationship after that scene is almost laughable. They do not talk about what happened, instead three days later, a completely over sexed and crazed Brandon desperately needs to be screwed and begs Daniel to have sex with him. Daniel then, in tears, explains he can’t do it unless they will be equals without any sort of power play coming into their relationship. In a response that can only typify the absolute absurdity of the book, Brandon asks:


“You really don’t want to fuck me anymore Sir?”

Happily Daniel relents after a truly horrifying tale of Brandon’s past in which Daniel repeatedly begs Brandon to stop talking, he simply couldn’t take it and as a reader, I found myself agreeing with Daniel. The abuse is so prolific and extensive that decades of therapy are unlikely to make a dent in the problems Brandon has. However, Daniel is there to love Brandon and from then on, the purple prose and filled love tunnels finish off the story with no need to deal with the messy affects of the abusive pasts and current problematic relationship. Thankfully both men have incredibly impressive dicks so there is enough sex, angry and otherwise, to keep the prose and the men, coming.

There are unfortunately several issues on top of the poor characterization and relationship problems. Some of which were that the author rarely spoke of the characters, Daniel and Brandon, by name. Instead, they were always the sexy young man, the handsome marine and other such descriptive phrases. These two are almost Mary Sue with their brilliance and perfection, yet still flawed given the substantial and impressive abuse they’ve suffered and inflict on each other. It’s amazing how healthy Brandon is and how he can smile, laugh, fall in love and only occasionally have clear emotional breakdowns. But no worry, he’ll be fine with a good night’s rest. That also doesn’t touch how these two can have really painful anal sex with intense pain that’s ok because they can “take it". Lube is not a bad thing.

This unfortunate offering was a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. I hesitated seriously in writing this review as I acknowledge the work it must have involved in writing the story and the imagination. I’ve never quite seen so many euphemisms for someone’s love tunnel outside of a poorly written regency romance. However, the relationship was so clearly unhealthy and the characters themselves were beyond flawed, they needed serious therapy that I almost want to warn people reading the book that this kind of relationship is not ok. Nor should it be seen as romantic.

Thankfully the author dialed down the intense abusive past and present for the final part of the book, giving a happy ever after ending to a bizarre relationship. I actually found myself laughing towards the end and very kindly suggest the author think of writing comedy? I can see the author’s voice working with much more light-hearted material. On a positive note, I truly couldn’t put the book down. I’m considering buying the author’s next offering just to see what they can possibly do next.

[Dianne Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and fell in love with Daniel and Brandon.
You have to have the first of the book to let you learn about Daniel and Brandon. The are broken people and not all people find love in the mushy way. This book is well written and the story made me cry because I know that broken people need LOVE to and they do love each other. Most have trouble believing they deserve to be loved because they are so broken . This book was written from a male point of view by a male author and was not ment to be a harlequin romance. This book has a little bdsm in it and even has some great humor. I will keep this book and read again and I am waiting for other books this author might write. Would love to see a book about Ben and Quinton they made me laugh.

[Susan65 · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW...the reviews are either one star or 5 stars. Guess I need to decide for myself.

So i read it and wow is right. This is not your typical romance, not at all. It was very hard nosed, quite violent at times and absolutely outside my comfort zone BUT, once you got to understand the horrible pasts of both Brandon and Daniel its a lot easier to accept why they were the way they were. Thankfully the ending was a happy one...you really weren't sure until the last page.

Not everyone will be comfortable with this book. I almost put it down during one particularly violent scene but i am glad i saw it through to the end.

[Elisa Rolle]

This is not an easy book for me; truth be told I had to start it two times before being able to finish it, mainly since I had to find the courage to go over the first chapters, about a young man and his downfall towards Inferno.

When Daniel meets Brandon, the scene seems pretty much an ordinary romance; Daniel is a former Marine, with apparently a big heart, big enough to welcome and love damaged Brandon; Brandon is like a Fallen Angel, beautiful like an angel but with a dark past haunting him like all the fallens. The meeting of these two should be Brandon’s ticket to happiness, but instead the young man is not able to accept Daniel’s love. He puts himself into situations that are reasons for Daniel to cast him away, but instead Daniel is always ready to forgive and accept Brandon for who he is, more than Brandon is able to accept himself.

At first I thought the damaged one was only Brandon, but then we found that also Daniel has reasons to regret his past and maybe some sins he wants to expiate; maybe helping and loving Brandon is also a way to expiate those sins.

There is a lot of sex in Dangerous Obsessions, not always consensual sex and not always between Daniel and Brandon; for these two to become an exclusive couple the path is long, and probably not even the length of the novel will be enough. I had the feeling that both of them are arriving from experience where the sex, more than an intimate experience, was almost a bartering good, something you use to reach or buy something else. There are few times, when they are together, that I can see between them can be different, but as I said, the journey is long and full of obstacles.

I’m not sure I’m totally comfortable with recommending this novel to all the readers without warning. It can be an intense read, but you have to be prepared. And if you are more the romantic type, the one who wants to see everything through a pink glasses perspective, then maybe this is a little too strong for you.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1604359749/?...

[Simsala · Rating 1 out of 5]

0,5 stars

Detailed and spot on review from Kassa here

How to fill an asylum...

Two seperated padded cells for the MCs - to prevent them from accidentally killing each other....
One padded cell for the author for writing this crap...
One for the publisher for putting this book out there...
And one for me for reading and - with the help of Mr. Skip - actually finishing this story...must have been some kind of morbid fascination...couldn`t put the book down.

Not the worst book I have ever read but it comes close.
A train wreck waiting to happen-story, worst BDSM scene ever, purple prose, lunatic characters....
This was supposed to be a comfort zone buster? You have got to be kidding me...that was a bad joke at best!

The half star is for the funny typos.
A BDSM scene where "a whip got wailed" and left "whelps" on the back of the unfortunate sub...

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written from a male point of view and is very intense. If you are looking for a light read this probably isn't the book for you.
It is very well written and the character's weaknesses, hopes and fears will grab you. Daniel and Brandon are emotionally scarred people struggling to find love while fighting demons from their past; Daniel dealing with anger issues and Brandon with low self esteem. Their journey is both dark and funny and what they struggle through is enough to rip your heart out at times.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... I just. Wow, so many thoughts on this book, I'm not even sure what to say. I was bugged by the story itself and even the author's bio to some extent. A lot of (male and female) writers of erotic m/m fiction manage to write stories that are gritty and have a hard edge (see: Aleksandr Voinov, Jeff Erno, Jordan Castillo Price...) without quivering love channels, characters that burst into tears ever ten seconds, and pretty ridiculous dialog. Oh, and a lot of the female writers of m/m fiction aren't hermit soccer moms. Just sayin'.

If you're into stories with BDSM, this still might not be the book for you considering the main character's opinions on his past in the scene, and the (in my opinion) over the top club they end up at where one man is concerned over his partner getting out alive. Last time I checked it's all supposed to be consensual?

The abuse one of the main characters endured is heartbreaking stuff. But I didn't feel it, didn't feel connected enough to the character to care beyond going, "Ugh." But, mostly everything in this was one glossing over to the next without really digging in deep to the characters. Why did Daniel fall in love with Brandon? Picking him and taking care of him, I get, but why love him? That's all explained in the last few pages of the book, as if an afterthought when someone pointed out to the writer, "Hey, why does he love him so much?" and it was penciled in at the last minute.

That all said, though, this isn't the worst book I've ever read, not even in the top ten, and I did manage to finish it. Someone went to a lot of effort to get it out there and probably loves these characters. I just wish the writing conveyed why we should love them too.

2.5 stars, bumping to 3 for good reads. And, no, I won't be reading the rest of this series.

[Vizardlight · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't care if they beat up each other, the writing is just so bad. Sure the plot has meteor sized holes and it's jumping around from here and there. Makes no sense as a story. Poorly researched and poorly written.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...


So much drama, so much angst, but such a great read.

I must admit I've had this book on my shelf for quite a while. I'd walk past it and take it down, only to put it back. Why? I'd read the first few pages and was sucked in, but I put it back because I didn't want the story to end. I knew it had to--there's only 170 pages. I'm glad I read the book, I only wish I'd gotten to it a LOT faster.

Initially I wasn't impressed with Brandon. He grated on my nerves because he had so much baggage. That said, the farther I got in the book, the more I respected him and the more I fell in love with him. He's complex and Mr. Deveraux wrote him with such care, I felt like I was right there and could hug Brandon. Heck, I wanted to. The descriptions put me right in his shoes. I liked Daniel, even when he got irksome. Why? I understood his feelings and could identify with him. He's a good man trying to figure out how to get what he wants out of life. Loved it.

Before I go any further, there were a few things that kept me from fully enjoying this book. Many times the same descriptions were used for the same character. I liked knowing how hot both men were, but felt there were times when I didn't need to be told again. I enjoyed Mr Deveraux's story telling. There were times I wasn't sure where the characters lived, but it never yanked me from the story.

I do have to mention there are more than a couple scenes that aren't for the faint of heart. There's a great deal of sexuality in the story and Mr Deveraux handles the emotions behind the acts well. If the reader isn't expecting a BDSM scene, then it could come across as a shock. Don't get me wrong, the scene made the book and gave me greater insight into the characters. The scene scorched the pages of the book and left me needing a cold drink. Yeah, it's that intense.

There aren't many books with characters who stick with me after the last page. This book is one of those rare exceptions. I wanted to spend more time with Daniel and Brandon. Good for me, there's two more books in the series. I can't wait to get my hands on them. If they are anything like this book, they will be worth the read. If you want a book that's strong on emotion and sex as well as a pair of characters guaranteed to wrap around your heart, then this is the book for you.

[Miz Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Deveraux, an ex-Marine still angry about having to leave the military he loved because of their 'Don't ask don't tell' policy, is desperately trying to come to terms with the man he is. He meets Brandon at a gay bar and is instantly drawn to the slightly younger, handsome man. After an evening of being ignored, Daniel is set to leave until a chance encounter with Brandon ends up in a wild sexual encounter in a back alley.


After a misunderstanding has Daniel walking away, Brandon is brutally attacked and left for dead in the alley. Daniel, ashamed of the way he'd left things earlier, returns to find the bar closed and a beaten and abused Brandon. Daniel takes him home, nurses him back to health, and there begins the love story of Daniel and Brandon.


The conflict in this story doesn't come from an outside source, it comes internally from the two main characters. Daniel may be an Alpha ex-Marine, but he has just as many demons to conquer as Brandon, who believes he is unlovable after years of verbal and physical abuse.


Together the two men help to heal each other in ways neither could have ever imagined and move toward a trusting, healthy relationship, with lots of bumps along the way.


This was the first M/M book I've read and let me tell you it's not for the faint of heart. What these two men have been through and continue to go through is heart wrenching. Mr. Deveraux has penned two characters that you can't help but pull for.




It's a fairly dark journey these two men travel. So if you are looking for a story that is all hearts and flowers, this book is not for you. But, if you are looking for a story of two men and their emotional fight for happiness then this is it. This story is packed full of emotion, drama, and some damn hot sex. A story I won't soon forget.




BEST BITS: 1. So why the hell am I sitting in my truck outside a gay bar at 3:30 in the morning waiting for a man who makes me crazy just by his very existence?

2. Daniel sighed softly as he looked at the magnificent body lying in his bed. How could someone this beautiful be so difficult?


3. I get angry when I think about how people have used you, have mistreated you. I get angry when I realize that the man you should be has been replaced by the man others have made you

[Kirstin Mcfarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deveraux takes you in to a very bumpy relationship of two men, with very bumpy pasts. One is a Marine that has served 2 tours, and the other a waiter with an abusive past. They get together and fall in love basically.

While I liked the basis of the story, the beginning was very rough for me. I could barely understand what was going on, and after several reading’s finally understood what was going on. If you are a reader who is instantly drawn in to this book, I think it will be difficult for you to read.

Other than that, book has a nice flow to it. It’s very well written, the characters are very believable, and easy to feel empathetic towards. While I don’t think I could entirely relate to the situation that they were in, I fully understood why they did what they did, and the dynamics of the relationship.

I advise reading this when you have the time, especially the beginning, and getting in to the book. This is not a quick read, but one you have to get in to.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Purplegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to say abou this book? The first part was a roller coaster and just crazy. Daniel and Brandon are both broken and do things to each other that just didn't make much sense. But during that time, you can see that the problems in their relationship were caused by past physical, sexual and verbal abuses. If you can make it past the craziness, of the first part of the book, there is a breakthrough when the sordid pasts of Daniel and Brandon are explained. From then on, they still fight their demons but are able to be in a more stable relationship. Daniel and Brandon's relationship grows from that point.

You can tell they love each other, even through all the mess that they go through. I will move on to the 2nd book to see how they continue.

[Shaz]

I have given up on this one for the moment. Not due to the violence or the brutality. That's not my trigger. I just can't get into the story. it jumps around, it's erratic and really doesn't make sense. And the writing is just not my style. Add to that a word that instead of invoking the appropriate BDSM reference, gives me pictures of animals giving birth and cat litters.... honestly! Any editor with any small knowledge of this would know that whelps is not what is caused when hit by a belt (maybe if used as a sound issuing from the subs mouth), but that the correct word is WELTS!

Sorry, I'll try to revisit this at a later date, but for now it's a DNF

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read for enjoyment. I'm definitely not a harsh critic - where is the fun in that? I just re-read this series and enjoyed it almost as much as I did the first time. Below is my first review.

I read some of the reviews before re-reading this and can't say I disagree with them but I am so glad I have learned to read for pleasure and I don't look for things to criticize - I spend my money and time enjoying the many vast and different stories, characters and writing styles.

First review:
A book with lots of angst - true love triumphs though (as it should!). I look forward to the next in the series.

[Mahalia Levey]

Loved it

[Chancey "Does not give out 5's like candy" Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rerated after a review of ratings uploaded from personal ratings.