No Place For the Wicked (The Brantley Colton Mysteries #3) by Rodd Clark

Brantley Colton can’t escape being drawn into another series of twisted murders after several naked bodies are unearthed, discarded like garbage. Finding the killer will be tough enough…but when he learns the culprit is a prominent State Senator from Maine, Colton realizes bringing him to justice will become his greatest challenge. He is swept into a sordid, sexual world of bondage and discipline, violence and pain only to discover that the evil in some men’s souls is incomprehensible.


**This story is a suspense/thriller that contains adult situations of graphic sex, language, and violence. The story is intended to entertain, not to condone or glorify illegal or immoral activities. This book is unsuitable for sensitive readers and those under the age of 18.**

Disclaimer: Even though the word ‘rape’ is not used, we do have situations of M/M forced penetration without any prep, lubrication, or protection. We are also given a very brutal D/s scene between a novice and a Dom. I understand that the book says’ graphic sex’   but I felt that it just didn’t cover it. Also this is between the murderer and one of his victims. But of course the vic didn’t know it at the time.

Once again Colton is back in the Portland area, He’s rented a cabin for what he feels like is his last few weeks, months on earth because of the cancer that is eating away at his brain. But instead of the peaceful retreat, he again gets tangled up in solving string of murders. But two things are causing him issue’s one, the murderer and two the setting.

I do have to add, I do enjoy mystery books, although they are not my favorite or my go to choice.  Having said that, with each of these I went it with an open mind, but these   are just not my cup of tea. Once again, we can’t seem to keep the MC names straight. I find that annoying, either call him Colton or call him Brantley.  Another point, in book two the cancer played a huge part, but it’s only mention in passing here, and doesn’t seem to be effecting him in anyway. Where in book two, it was starting to cause a problem? We also went back to multi people talking, but at least this time it stop for chapters, so not as confusing. One big thing I did enjoy, at the end was Colton allowed the last victim to have his say to the murderer before they carted him off to jail.

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Short Ride to Hell (The Brantley Colton Mysteries #1) by Rodd Clark

 For Brantley Colton, his crusade was over. There was nothing in the abyss left for him. Whatever he had once believed in had become a lie. There was no light at the end of the tunnel, just a long highway ahead, a dark road without signposts to direct him. Where would he go from here? The finality in his soul belied some joy in the closing moments. It was over, he could die now…but he couldn’t die happy. It had only been a few hours since he had put the Winter Glade Motel in his rear-view, but it seemed longer. Colton drove the desolate highway but felt tired and needed sleep. The air conditioning was on high to fend off the humid Florida evening. The air against his face was the only thing preventing him from drifting into dangerous sleep; even so he contemplated the series of events that had him traveling down 1-75 in the middle of the night…with the blood stains of the murdered man still present on his shirt. He had used an alias to register at the motel, paid in cash but feared something had been left behind which could tie him to the murder. He needed time to finish the job at hand and his sloppy second-guessing had placed him in peril. Colton had never been one for prayer, but felt like it was a good time to drop to his knees, to confess his crime and ask for forgiveness. Not that it would have done any good for him.

Disclaimer – This book contains scenes of raw brutalities that are inflicted on the women who are kidnapped, raped and then killed. We also have a lot of consensual sex between MM and MF and well as non-consensual.  

We have three voices telling three version of the same story. A guy on a personal mission Colton, an FBI pro-filer Reston and then the serial killer they both are after. Colton has lost someone to this killer and has been tracking him from State to State as well as trying to stay one step ahead of Reston.  But as the trail heats up the killer abducts another victim. Can they find her before it’s too late?

In my opinion you have three stories being told by three different voices or three MC telling ‘talking’ during the same book is difficult for the best authors to pull off. And this author just didn’t do it. This story left me confused and frustrated before I got passed the third chapter. Which led to skim reading, or turning in my first DNF.  I never understood how a ‘normal’ guy could keep posing as this or that to get the families to talk and the FBI not catch on? I also got no empathy connection with Colton even though this is ‘his crusade’ He just comes off has another two-bit dime store P.I. I did enjoy the getting the inner working of the serial killer, obviously not the rape, killing part, but how we got there.

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Double Take by J.K. Pendragon

 Studying magical science at the prestigious Kemet Academy is a privilege and dream come true for Teka, a poor student from D'mt. But focusing on school doesn't mean xe can't also admire Hasani, the handsome graduate student overseeing Teka's work.

Then late one night at the school library, Teka runs Hasani and is completely astonished when the stern, quiet man xe knows by day acts so flirty and casual, it's like he's a different person. When the late night encounter leads to dating, Teka can scarcely believe xyr luck.

But the luck plays out when xe discovers why Hasani seems so different between night and day, a discovery that seems to have no resolution except heartache…

Warning: This story contains incest

This was a very… different book that anything that I have read.  It does have a taboo subject, there is incest between brothers, but it wasn’t done in a trashy way and it wasn’t the main focus of the story either.

I did enjoy how different the story was, it really wasn’t what I went into it thinking it would be.  I did enjoy the twist of the magical training that was taking place.  And I did also enjoy the other twists that happened throughout the story. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give away anything that happens in the story.

But I will say this, I was shocked by the story, but I did enjoy it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read.  But be sure to go into it with an open mind!

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Unbearable: A Dark Erotic Romance by Alaska Angelini

 In the eyes of society, I’m the perfect man. Charitable, kind hearted…a role model to all.

For the ones seeking death, I’m their salvation. They think when they come to my door that I’ll assist with the one thing they’re afraid to do alone. Die. Little do they know, I have a lot more in store than a one way ticket to heaven or hell. Four weeks of being my slave and I’ll grant their suicidal wish…or so they think.

When Death sought Diane, I wasn’t leaving her a choice to seek out my help. Her pain and determination was more than I’d ever seen and I knew I was the only one who could save her. Even if it meant becoming the hell she was so desperate to escape.

But will it be enough to make her choose life? Will I be able to let her go when she gets better? Or will the Master in me deny freedom to the perfect slave?

WARNING: THIS IS A DARK EROTIC ROMANCE AND CONTAINS DISTURBING SITUATIONS, DUBIOUS CONSENT, EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT, AND VERY GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. (Also includes knife play/blood play, consensual cutting, and breath play. If you are not comfortable with these situations, DO NOT read this book!

Warning: This is a very dark themed book that contains EXTREME BDSM practices including: knife play, blood and breath play.  If any of those things bother you then do not read this book.

This book left me speechless.  It has taken me a day to even process how I feel about this book.  While I have not personally experienced a tragedy quite as devastating as Diane’s, I came close, and I am able to empathize with her degree of despair.  I can understand reaching a point where you are so immersed in emotional pain that physical pain is the only stimuli that makes sense and can reach you.

While the practices in this book are extreme it seemed to fit with the story and Ms. Angelini used the BDSM scenes to drive the relationship aspect of the story.  The trust and obedience Master required of Diane facilitated a deep bond between them that was further strengthened by their mutual sufferings.

I was impressed by Ms. Angelini’s ability to create a book that while describing one woman’s struggle with suicide, still managed to include a deep and encompassing romance.  Her ability to balance all the themes and still make this a romantic story makes me anxious to read more of her books in search of other dark gems.

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The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds by Charley Descoteaux

 All he ever wanted was to be a normal guy….

Phil Brask spends his days in the basement of his mentor's Victorian home, converting legal documents into electronic format. When the pipe feeding the water heater bursts, Lee Redding arrives in the plumber’s truck and draws Phil away from the narrow focus of his computer and camera lens. Lee gives Phil hope for a life beyond the walls he’s constructed using the nesting habits of migratory birds and dense legal files, a guided tour through a world filled with romance and music…maybe even family. But there’s a reason Phil retreated behind those walls, why he panics at a simple touch.

Lee has a good life—working with his uncle and on his mother’s farm, playing bass in a horrible metal band, and hooking up when he pleases—but he’s always suspected something was missing. When he meets the hot photographer with the icy-blue eyes, he knows exactly what that something is. Phil isn’t like other guys, but neither is Lee beneath his carefree exterior. Maybe Lee's the perfect guy to show Phil that everything doesn’t have to be done the hard way and "home" isn't a four-letter word.

Warning this book contains descriptions of past assault.

This was a drama and angst filled tale of the “strange birds” finding love and acceptance together.  We read books about the “pretty people” meeting someone and falling in love, but it was nice to read a book about two men who are damaged being able to find someone to love.  Phil and Lee both evoked a ton of emotion from me.  I was pulling for them from the beginning but at times it was so hard to watch them work through their issues. 

Phil has many neuroses left over from a past assault and how he handles himself on a daily basis and how he has preserved through life was just amazing and inspiring to watch.  Whether or not we fit society’s description of a perfect partner we all deserve love and it was beautiful to watch these two men fight for their chance at it.

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The Companion by Lloyd A. Meeker

 Shepherd Bucknam hasn’t had a lover in more than a decade and doesn’t need one. As a Daka, he coaches men in the sacred art and mystery of sexual ecstasy all the time, and he loves his work. It’s his calling. In fact, he’s perfectly content—except for the terrors of his recurring nightmare and the ominous blood-red birthmarks on his neck. He’s convinced that together they foretell his early and violent death.

When Shepherd’s young protégé is murdered, LAPD Detective Marco Fidanza gets the case. The two men are worlds apart: Marco has fought hard for everything he’s accomplished, in sharp contrast to the apparent ease of Shepherd’s inherited wealth—but their mutual attraction is too hot for either of them to ignore.

Shepherd swears he’ll help find his protégé’s killer, but Marco warns him to stay out of it. When an influential politician is implicated, the police investigation grinds to a halt. Shepherd hires his own investigator. Marco calls it dangerous meddling. As their volatile relationship deepens, Shepherd discovers his nightmares might not relate to the future, but to the deadly legacy of a past life—a life he may have to revisit before he can fully live and love in this one.

As a warning this book contains discussions of past child abuse in one of the main characters.

The main plot of this book was very interesting but it was the side plots where this book got a little convoluted.  The main plot in this book is Shepard wanting to help in the investigation to find out who murdered his best friend; however one of the side plots deals with the purpose of life and discusses other such existential questions. 

While everything was handled in a very clear way, I just did not care for this particular plot twist. The thoughts this book evokes are very interesting and the plot line worked wonderfully to further the growth and development of the main character I just was not a big fan of it.

Overall it is a good,  well written m/m romance novel.

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Payment Series by Cassandra Carr

Catrina Carter is in over her head. Way over her head. She’s in debt and, short of bankruptcy, which wouldn’t happen fast enough to pay the creditors nipping at her heels, Catrina has few choices. Eviction is coming any day, and even though she traded in her great car for a “more affordable” model, it's about to be repossessed too. Catrina goes to Debt Management Associates, or DMA, for help.
The cost for DMA's help is something she never thought she could pay, but out of options, Catrina agrees to serve a man who pays her debt in full, and begins training in how to please him. Jared. Her new benefactor. He is tasked with helping Catrina get her life back on track, in addition to taking his pleasure with her and ordering her to oblige friends, colleagues, and even total strangers sexually on his whim.
When Catrina leaves the DMA program after her one year term of service, will she be able to keep the lessons Jared literally spanked into her topmost in her mind, or will old habits rear their designer heads?

NOTE: The Payment Series is a serial. They are best read in order and are not really standalone stories.
WARNING: This series contains material some readers might find objectionable, such frequent punishments, anal play and humiliation. If these themes bother you, please do not purchase this series.

WARNING BEFORE WE GO ANY FARTHER.  THE AUTHOR HAS ALSO PLACED WARNINGS ON THIS SERIES BUT MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO HANDLE ABUSIVE AND DISTURBING SCENES BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THE REVIEW WILL NOT BE DESCRIBING THOSE SCENES BUT THAT IN NO WAYS INDICATES THE ABUSE SCENES ARE NOT INTENSE.

The Payment Series is made up of three novellas by Cassandra Carr.  While you can purchase all three separately, they also come as a whole book which is how I read them.  I can honestly say by the time I had gotten to the second installment, I knew rating this book was going to be very difficult.  I adore this author’s work and writing style.  So far there hasn’t been a book she has published that I haven’t enjoyed reading, but this series gave me times where it would have been easier to walk away from the story than endure the events that happen.  Even though I felt the panic and intensity, I still couldn’t put the book down.  I have to admit it, I would read a book four IF the author wrote one.

Catrina as most young women who had not been taught the value of budgeting money found herself in debt for a huge amount.  With eviction looming over her head and debt collectors coming after her, she investigated a program that her friend had used to help her become financially stable in the past.  The plan put in place for her, AFTER she agreed and signed a contract, was she would be trained and auctioned off to a benefactor who would agree to pay off her debt in exchange for her living with him for a determined amount of time.  As repayment she would allow him to use her mouth and anal area for sex not only with him but with whoever he decided would have that right.  She would endure multiple spankings and her punishment for her bad choices would be up to him with the only rule, he could not do harsh physical damage to her body.  This also included public nudity at any location he desired.  Along with this punishment she would be reminded why she was in this situation and take responsibility for her actions.

Now it is very important that you remember she agreed to this and signed the contract and she has a right to get out of it with strict “early withdrawal penalties” so this wasn’t non-consensual, but it was vulgar and went way past the line of abuse, which is where I had some really difficult times while reading the book. With that being said, I also have to say I could understand the program, reinforce negative behavior with negative consequences and make her take online classes regarding finance so she is better prepared once she leave.   

While the motive for this program was explained and I found brilliant, the method gave me chills.  The time frame set for her was a year with Jared, the man who “saved or bought” her.  There were times I wanted to hate him, other times he made perfect sense and I hate to admit this, there were moments I could understand her attraction to him.  Catrina was written in a way that I found my emotions followed along with hers. 

So the first part of the book, which is sold independently as Prized, was good for me.  It explained how she got in this situation and her steps in training to get out of the debt and prepare herself to be sold. We were introduced to Raoul her trainer at the institution and watched as she discovered how desperate her life had become that she was willing to sell herself for financial freedom.

 The second book titled Possessed was by far the hardest for me to read.  It was the year she was with Jared and the abuse she endured.  Not only did she suffer physically, she also had emotional and mental break downs that lead to her wondering if she would ever come out of this in one piece

The third installment is sold as Purgatory and I think this one left me feeling let down and confused.  I would have sworn she would have learned from the year of hell but she struggled with this new freedom and the old thought process that got her in the situation in the first place. The ending left me feeling like I was cheated after enduring the second book and feeling like I had no real closure. 

ONLY and I will repeat ONLY if you like a dark twisted read, would I recommend this book series and believe that you would enjoy this.  For those looking for fluff or light darkness, please enter at your own risk because this book goes beyond that. While I will certainly continue to read more of Cassandra Carr’s books and love her style, this book left me feeling very emotionally raw and uncomfortable.