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The Contenders #2
The Boxer
Former boxer Dane Connelly faces losing it all, everything he fought for in The Janitor. He's hiding problems with his fight-damaged eyesight from his uptown lover, Noel Atherton. How can he be a man for him if he can't see to fight or to paint? And now the vicious killer Narone, who almost broke him in the ring, is out on parole, looking for payback. Dane is desperate to protect the man he loves.
But Noel has had enough of sleeping alone in their empty bed, aching for Dane, so he devises various exotic scenarios to seduce him, giving his lover the sexual domination he needs. He knows Dane is not being upfront with him, and after being patient for months he's growing alarmed something is really wrong. Now Noel has to use his body and his heart to fight for his beloved boxer.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices, violence.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2010
129 people want to read
About the author
Jan Irving
51 books199 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 14, 2010
From the first book The Janitor I fell for Dane and Noel. From the outside I viewed him as an overly large buffed up guy with the mind and mannerisms of a little boy bottled up inside that you can’t help but fall affectionately for. Noel is the total polar opposite with the small slender build, but he’s got a bite and he knows how to use it.
It was refreshing to see them back again in this book, to read about the problems and turbulence in their life over one thing, fear. Dane feared Noel would walk out on him, Noel feared Dane didn’t love him anymore and he’d return to being invisible. They both feared the foe that returned to haunt them and not to mentioned the battle Dane had ahead of him with needing surgery. Read how they deal with all of these obstacles and battle to keep their love alive. I did and it impacted me on some sensitive levels.
Truly a heartfelt story worth reading. There’s many tender moments, the book was touching and at one time I almost broke down in this one part that tore me up.
It was refreshing to see them back again in this book, to read about the problems and turbulence in their life over one thing, fear. Dane feared Noel would walk out on him, Noel feared Dane didn’t love him anymore and he’d return to being invisible. They both feared the foe that returned to haunt them and not to mentioned the battle Dane had ahead of him with needing surgery. Read how they deal with all of these obstacles and battle to keep their love alive. I did and it impacted me on some sensitive levels.
Truly a heartfelt story worth reading. There’s many tender moments, the book was touching and at one time I almost broke down in this one part that tore me up.
December 23, 2010
^^THIS BOOK CAN BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF ME ANYTIME!^^
What can I say that I haven’t said already, I freaking love Dane and Noel. These two definitely have a part of my heart, I just love them together and will never tire of reading about them. I have gone back to simply read over The Janitor numerous of times, and no one is as surprised as me by how much I love them. I bought the Janitor by mistake and I am so happy I did, it was one of the best mistakes of my life.
Noel and Dane are back and I don’t know if I should say better than ever, cus there are a few problems that arise. I can say that they still love each other wholeheartedly, and they are still burning hot. The dynamic of their relationship is so sexy. We have the brawny and strong Dane, the slight and sophisticated Noel, and who is in charge makes things just so sexy.
I think this series is all about healing, these are two far from perfect characters who come alive for each other. They say opposites attract, and for this series it is true. Noel is the intellect and the over thinker, Dane is the voice of reason, he is a pure soul and the world is just too mean for him. Some might describe Dane as being stupid or maybe retarded. I say far from it, he is smart in his own rights, he doesn’t need big words and first rate education. He gets his point across by being honest and keeping it simple. He is no pretender, Dane my man is contender.
An old enemy is back and it creates tension for the couple, a distance I never saw coming. It was beautiful to watch them find their way back to each other. After all the BS they been through, they both deserved an awesome HEA.
My opinion is a little bias cus I think these guys are great and I have no bad words for them. So what is the writing is simple, teachers always said to me KISS (keep it simple stupid), sounds bad but you get my drift. There is nothing to wrap your head around just a very beautiful story about finding love is the most unlikely place, and the most unlikely person.
I am gonna end this with a few lines from the sexiest scene in this book. (my opinion).
“You want it straight up?” Dane’s voice was dark, gravelly, sexy.
In contrast, Noel’s voice was a thread as he admitted, “I want to be fucked. Fuck me. Take me like a stranger.”
I died a little at that part but made it back to read the rest. I effin love these guys and will continue to randomly pick up their story and read it over.
What can I say that I haven’t said already, I freaking love Dane and Noel. These two definitely have a part of my heart, I just love them together and will never tire of reading about them. I have gone back to simply read over The Janitor numerous of times, and no one is as surprised as me by how much I love them. I bought the Janitor by mistake and I am so happy I did, it was one of the best mistakes of my life.
Noel and Dane are back and I don’t know if I should say better than ever, cus there are a few problems that arise. I can say that they still love each other wholeheartedly, and they are still burning hot. The dynamic of their relationship is so sexy. We have the brawny and strong Dane, the slight and sophisticated Noel, and who is in charge makes things just so sexy.
I think this series is all about healing, these are two far from perfect characters who come alive for each other. They say opposites attract, and for this series it is true. Noel is the intellect and the over thinker, Dane is the voice of reason, he is a pure soul and the world is just too mean for him. Some might describe Dane as being stupid or maybe retarded. I say far from it, he is smart in his own rights, he doesn’t need big words and first rate education. He gets his point across by being honest and keeping it simple. He is no pretender, Dane my man is contender.
An old enemy is back and it creates tension for the couple, a distance I never saw coming. It was beautiful to watch them find their way back to each other. After all the BS they been through, they both deserved an awesome HEA.
My opinion is a little bias cus I think these guys are great and I have no bad words for them. So what is the writing is simple, teachers always said to me KISS (keep it simple stupid), sounds bad but you get my drift. There is nothing to wrap your head around just a very beautiful story about finding love is the most unlikely place, and the most unlikely person.
I am gonna end this with a few lines from the sexiest scene in this book. (my opinion).
“You want it straight up?” Dane’s voice was dark, gravelly, sexy.
In contrast, Noel’s voice was a thread as he admitted, “I want to be fucked. Fuck me. Take me like a stranger.”
I died a little at that part but made it back to read the rest. I effin love these guys and will continue to randomly pick up their story and read it over.
Read
November 6, 2010I really did like the previous book in this series, The Janitor, like I liked this one, even if, in both of them, there was something that sometime made me frown. Dane is a big man, a boxer, but he is also a simpleton; he has not really any physical problem, on the contrary, he is in a perfect physical shape, and he is also very strong (good thing since he is a boxer), but his brain simply sees the world in a different way from most people. I wouldn’t say he is retarded, Dane is plenty capable of understanding good and bad, he is more than capable to love, well, maybe he is not really able to hate, but that is not enough reason to say that he is a blockhead.
Dane knows how to love, and who he wants to love, and he is deeply in love with Noel. Noel is a college professor, he is wealthy and sophisticated, but he was also very shy and scarred in body and mind. Probably if Noel was aware of his worth, he would have been able to conquer anyone, but it was Dane who approached him, who, day after day, courted him pushing the man out of his protective shell. Now Noel is fiercely possessive of Dane, if Dane decided to give all of him to Noel, now Noel wants all of him, and he is not willing to share the man with anyone else, and the only prospective to loose him is unacceptable.
Maybe since he is naïve, maybe since he has not a strong core, even if he has a strong body, Dane prefers to be dominated during lovemaking, and Noel, even if he doesn’t fit the character in a physical way, is plenty of capable to play the role. That is what have me frown now and before: all the Daddy and bad boy scenario was sometime too much for me, I really felt like, while in an ordinary situation, with both men plenty capable of understanding the lines between reality and fantasy, a similar scenario was clearly a sex fantasy, between Dane and Noel the lines were blurry. The only reason why, probably, I could accept it in the end is that Dane had only his mother, I didn’t remember anything about a father, and so I don’t think he was a sexually abused child; with this basis, what Noel and Dane have between them is clearly a sexual game, between two consenting adults, and though totally right and good. Moreover, Dane’s previous sexual experiences were cold and detached, no one was able to fulfill his desire to be loved and cherished; Noel instead is able to understand him, and his desires.
Again, as the previous book, this was not an easy story, but I appreciated a lot the effort of the author to write something original, and above all not superficial.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00427ZKD4/?...
Dane knows how to love, and who he wants to love, and he is deeply in love with Noel. Noel is a college professor, he is wealthy and sophisticated, but he was also very shy and scarred in body and mind. Probably if Noel was aware of his worth, he would have been able to conquer anyone, but it was Dane who approached him, who, day after day, courted him pushing the man out of his protective shell. Now Noel is fiercely possessive of Dane, if Dane decided to give all of him to Noel, now Noel wants all of him, and he is not willing to share the man with anyone else, and the only prospective to loose him is unacceptable.
Maybe since he is naïve, maybe since he has not a strong core, even if he has a strong body, Dane prefers to be dominated during lovemaking, and Noel, even if he doesn’t fit the character in a physical way, is plenty of capable to play the role. That is what have me frown now and before: all the Daddy and bad boy scenario was sometime too much for me, I really felt like, while in an ordinary situation, with both men plenty capable of understanding the lines between reality and fantasy, a similar scenario was clearly a sex fantasy, between Dane and Noel the lines were blurry. The only reason why, probably, I could accept it in the end is that Dane had only his mother, I didn’t remember anything about a father, and so I don’t think he was a sexually abused child; with this basis, what Noel and Dane have between them is clearly a sexual game, between two consenting adults, and though totally right and good. Moreover, Dane’s previous sexual experiences were cold and detached, no one was able to fulfill his desire to be loved and cherished; Noel instead is able to understand him, and his desires.
Again, as the previous book, this was not an easy story, but I appreciated a lot the effort of the author to write something original, and above all not superficial.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00427ZKD4/?...
December 20, 2011
I loved The Janitor and I loved The Boxer. More Dane, more Noel, Mr Trent, Gilbert, more love for their pets and a HEA that is beautiful. In this installment new friends join the crew in Ally and Sean, it is lovely that they find these two because they need assistance in different ways. Ally basically becomes like a son to the two men. There is tension, a bad guy makes a return and miscommunication dogs the men but not enough to make it too angsty or overly dramatic, it's just right to give the novel some extra interest. The sex scenes were upped a little, and I'm not compaining. I loved Mr Trent and Dane's words to one another on the wedding aisle, a teary moment for me. This book and the previous book (The Janitor) are just joyful and I hope Ms Irving continues on with the series because there are characters there to move on with. If it is continued I hope Dane and Noel thread through the other books because, to me, they feel like much loved members of my extended family. This series is definitely one you can get emotionally invested in.
August 24, 2013
A short stiry where we get to catch up with Dane and Noel and see hot they are coping with the aftermath of the events of the first story The Janitor.
There was a couple of new young characters that broke my heart, and an ending that had me crying happy tears.
A lovely ending to the story of a sensational couple.
There was a couple of new young characters that broke my heart, and an ending that had me crying happy tears.
A lovely ending to the story of a sensational couple.
January 13, 2012
I like this couple and series a lot. I thought the second book wasn't as good as the first one, but it's still an asset to the first book.
January 12, 2018
I was disappointed by this one. I loved the first book but this one just didn't have the same feel. Now it wasn't bad it just wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Still I enjoyed the characters and seeing them trying to overcome obstacles that came up in their relationship. Dane is still just a wonderful character. It was so good to see him trying to live up to Charlie and the good he did.
December 8, 2016
I really liked it, liked both of the characters. The love between them wo so right. Thank God the sex scenes were few and meaningful. And I simply loved Noel. Loved him for not leaving. even when he was so angry and stressed he did not leave. I really do not believe in the HEA of a couple when one of them up and leaves at the first sign of trouble. It really does not spell love, not at all.
November 8, 2011
This was a nice ending to Dane and Noel's story.
I have to admit I had some difficulty getting back into the story for the first half of the book. The Janitor left me with a certain impression of the two: big Dane, simple and naive, submissive to his lover and Noel, sure of himself, enjoying his new found freedom. Like before, the author was not very detailed with specific dates so it took a while to understand how much time had passed since the fight with Narone. Equally, the issues between the main characters took a while to figure out and it was a bit frustrating trying to understand what could have separated Noel and Dane.
But beyond that, the story was just as real and emotional.
It was a good sequel, giving closure to a few things and detailing other more. There is no recipe for a perfect relationship and I liked reading about Dane and Noel working together to build their future despite differences. Like Dane said: 'You gotta go the distance'.
I have to admit I had some difficulty getting back into the story for the first half of the book. The Janitor left me with a certain impression of the two: big Dane, simple and naive, submissive to his lover and Noel, sure of himself, enjoying his new found freedom. Like before, the author was not very detailed with specific dates so it took a while to understand how much time had passed since the fight with Narone. Equally, the issues between the main characters took a while to figure out and it was a bit frustrating trying to understand what could have separated Noel and Dane.
But beyond that, the story was just as real and emotional.
It was a good sequel, giving closure to a few things and detailing other more. There is no recipe for a perfect relationship and I liked reading about Dane and Noel working together to build their future despite differences. Like Dane said: 'You gotta go the distance'.
Read
October 19, 2010I will state right at the beginning that I am not a fan of boxing; it’s just one of those sports that really don’t appeal to me in the slightest. Having said that however, I’d heard far too much about both books in Jan Irving’s The Contenders series—The Janitor and The Boxer—to pass up the opportunity to indulge. Besides, I’ve read other stories by the very talented Jan and more than just enjoyed them: I really had nothing to lose. Getting to know Dane and Noel now that they’ve been together for a while was almost as wonderful as being introduced to them in the first place.
When reading Dane and Noel’s stories, you can’t help but all in love with both men… but I think it’s Dane that really owns my heart.
There is something so wonderfully innocent about Dane; yes, many people may think him ‘simple’, but there is something intuitive about Dane that allows him to understand more than may be first apparent. I really don’t think that’s he is particularly naïve—although he does tend to see the best in people—but I think it’s that he sees with his heart. He is the kind of person to whom most people will gravitate and he has a basic enjoyment of anything and everything, which can be a lesson to all of us.
Since the first book—The Janitor—Noel has done a fair amount of maturing; due, of course, in part to Dane’s presence in his life. But more than that, Noel is finally living his own life and not just sitting back and letting others take control; it’s nice to see the changes in him.
But as I started to read The Boxer I was dismayed to find that there is trouble in paradise and my heart broke for both men. It doesn’t take long until we find ourselves utterly caught up in the varying degrees of tension in this story.
Once again Jan Irving has created a vehicle for her heroes that is not only a seriously engaging story, but The Boxer is also a journey. One in which we discover love, friendship, danger, fear, sorrow and, ultimately, a joyous homecoming.
Kathy K.
When reading Dane and Noel’s stories, you can’t help but all in love with both men… but I think it’s Dane that really owns my heart.
There is something so wonderfully innocent about Dane; yes, many people may think him ‘simple’, but there is something intuitive about Dane that allows him to understand more than may be first apparent. I really don’t think that’s he is particularly naïve—although he does tend to see the best in people—but I think it’s that he sees with his heart. He is the kind of person to whom most people will gravitate and he has a basic enjoyment of anything and everything, which can be a lesson to all of us.
Since the first book—The Janitor—Noel has done a fair amount of maturing; due, of course, in part to Dane’s presence in his life. But more than that, Noel is finally living his own life and not just sitting back and letting others take control; it’s nice to see the changes in him.
But as I started to read The Boxer I was dismayed to find that there is trouble in paradise and my heart broke for both men. It doesn’t take long until we find ourselves utterly caught up in the varying degrees of tension in this story.
Once again Jan Irving has created a vehicle for her heroes that is not only a seriously engaging story, but The Boxer is also a journey. One in which we discover love, friendship, danger, fear, sorrow and, ultimately, a joyous homecoming.
Kathy K.
September 9, 2016
2.5/5
The charm that made me loved the first book was lost here - left behind a dry choppy story.
Dane, who I adored, is so infuriatingly frustratingly to bear in this book. Their relationship which bloom from compassion seemed to be hanging on obligation and desperation instead.
Most of all, I resented this book for degrading these characters I once loved.
The charm that made me loved the first book was lost here - left behind a dry choppy story.
Dane, who I adored, is so infuriatingly frustratingly to bear in this book. Their relationship which bloom from compassion seemed to be hanging on obligation and desperation instead.
Most of all, I resented this book for degrading these characters I once loved.
February 5, 2011
The Boxer by Jan Irving is a marvellous story. The troubles Dane faces both within himself and professionally alone made me fall in love with the gentle giant. I felt for Noel when he was at a crossroads with how to move forward. Although his ways backfired, they also brought the two together.
Time stands still for no one and that was a perfect orchestration in the moving hospital scene. I loved the addition of the younger couple and Dane taking the boy under his wing. What really moved me was how Noel stood up for his man and at the same time recognized that his love had pride and found a way to let him have both. For Noel watching his lover battle Narone couldn’t have been easy and his strength was commendable.
I’d recommend this read to all my friends.
-- Cia, Siren Book Reviews
Time stands still for no one and that was a perfect orchestration in the moving hospital scene. I loved the addition of the younger couple and Dane taking the boy under his wing. What really moved me was how Noel stood up for his man and at the same time recognized that his love had pride and found a way to let him have both. For Noel watching his lover battle Narone couldn’t have been easy and his strength was commendable.
I’d recommend this read to all my friends.
-- Cia, Siren Book Reviews
July 21, 2010
The relationship between the two men was a lot smoother and more believable in this second book. I enjoyed revisiting them and thought this book smoothed out some of the rough edges of the first. However there was a lot more of the 'Daddy' thing in this one and it really creeps me out. It was alomost enough to make me give a lower mark but that didn't seem fair since it is part of the characters and I knew that going in.
March 3, 2011
It’s not the typical homoerotic story, Jan Irving uniqueness of writing is not for the faint of heart. The Boxer is dirty, gritting and raw perfect combination for those seeking a rough erotica love story. I recommend reading the first book as well. Reviewed by Dana Breen
DIVA RATING: 3 Divas
HEAT RATING: Spark
Link:http://www.deviantdivaseroticbookrevi...
DIVA RATING: 3 Divas
HEAT RATING: Spark
Link:http://www.deviantdivaseroticbookrevi...
November 2, 2021
I'm a sucker for main characters with mental and physical challenges, so that's what drew me to this series. What made me give it five stars and a spot on my favorites list was how much I cared about the characters. By the end of the series, I wanted to spend more time with them. This is also a series that I have read more than once and one of the rare times I liked the second book in the series even better than the first.
February 27, 2013
2.5 stars
I wanted to care. I just couldn't. I'm not sure what the first book had that this one didn't but I was just underwhelmed by it all. Dane's behavior got old real quick and this makeshift family came off as corny instead of heart warming. The only times I enjoyed this story was when Dane and Noel had relations.
I wanted to care. I just couldn't. I'm not sure what the first book had that this one didn't but I was just underwhelmed by it all. Dane's behavior got old real quick and this makeshift family came off as corny instead of heart warming. The only times I enjoyed this story was when Dane and Noel had relations.
February 8, 2012
I may have rated this book a bit higher but for the "Daddy" games. I don't have a problem with the Daddy/boy scenario but in this instance it just didn't work for me. The writing style and presentation did not allow it to become realistic for me.
February 4, 2011
the story was good but i preferred the 1st one.
January 13, 2011
See The Janitor's review. :)
Read
September 6, 2012why did i do it? put myself through the torture of reading another irving novel... guess i thought it would be better. Boy was i wrong.
December 4, 2011
3.5 stars rounded up.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews