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Crimes & Cocktails #1
Mexican Heat
SFPD detective Gabriel Sandalini might as well have put a gun to his own head. One red-hot sexual encounter in a bar’s back room has put two years of deep undercover work in jeopardy—two years of danger and deception as he worked his way into crime boss Ricco Botelli’s inner circle. Gabriel can’t afford emotional entanglements. Hell, he can’t afford emotions. But that was before he had a name to pin on that anonymous one-off—Miguel Ortega.
Miguel Ortega doesn’t trust anyone, but tough, street-smart Gabriel brings out the conquistador in his Spanish blood. But distractions are nothing short of deadly right now, not with his boss’s impending marriage to Botelli’s sister, which will ensure peace—and massive drug profits—for both families.
On a trip to Mexico to set up drug supply lines, a violent confrontation proves they’ve got each other’s backs—to a degree.
Then one savage act changes everything, testing not only their fragile bond, but Gabriel’s will to live.
Miguel Ortega doesn’t trust anyone, but tough, street-smart Gabriel brings out the conquistador in his Spanish blood. But distractions are nothing short of deadly right now, not with his boss’s impending marriage to Botelli’s sister, which will ensure peace—and massive drug profits—for both families.
On a trip to Mexico to set up drug supply lines, a violent confrontation proves they’ve got each other’s backs—to a degree.
Then one savage act changes everything, testing not only their fragile bond, but Gabriel’s will to live.
242 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2008
About the author
Laura Baumbach
49 books311 followersLaura Baumbach is the best-selling, multi-award winning, acclaimed author of short stories, novellas, novels and screenplays. Most recently, Mexican Heat, written in collaboration with Josh Lanyon, has been chosen as a FINALIST for Best Gay Romance in the 2009 Lambda Literary Awards, a FINALIST in the 2010 EPPIE Awards, and has received an Honorable Mention at the 2009 San Francisco Book Festival. Laura was nominated for Best GBLT Author 2008 in the LRC's Best Of Awards for 2008. Her adventure story The Lost Temple of Karttikeya won the 2008 EPPIE Award for Best GLBT novel. Her sequel to the best-selling novel A Bit of Rough, Roughhousing, was 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
April 9, 2016
Por mí y por todos mis compañeros.
Yes, the characters DO know ENGLISH.
No, NOBODY here knows SPANISH. In fact, this book is an INSULT to the Spanish language.
Part of my negative opinion of this book is because of the novel itself but I can't deny that the bad use of my mother language was determining for my bad rating. Oh, I translated the sentences for better understanding by non-native speakers. But first, I must talk about the story.
*******************************************************
It's a book everybody seems to love, but for me it was bad. First of all, I think it's not constant. The first chapter is an instalust scene and sex on a desk. And that's wow, an erotic book? But then the plot changes and it turns into a mafia-spies movie that I found slow and tedious. At half of the book it turned into a drama and a surrealistic action scene. I found a lot of ups and downs and I couldn't understand the point of it all.
It was difficult for me to follow the characters' way of thinking and in the end I was bored to listen to them. The first part of the book we are in Gabriel's head, and in the second one we are in Miguel's. With the change, I felt like the other MC was a stranger and not someone we have been with the whole story. Changing the POV was confusing to me although the two parts are very different.
If I had to choose the parts I liked most I'd say, weird it is, the first sex scene and some of the second part of the book, when Gabriel becomes . They were very cute in that moment, Gabriel trying to come to terms with his new situation, and Miguel trying to help him in the way he thinks better. I found that very refreshing but it didn't last long. Because then they have to defend themselves and it was so unreal. It felt like Neo fighting against the Smiths, but wait, it's not a sci-fi book.
I can't comprehend how a book made by two authors can be like this. I couldn't stop thinking this book have been written in parts by each author and then joined like in a puzzle. It didn't felt complete, if that makes sense.
*******************************************************
After all of this is said, I can't help myself from commenting about the Spanish language. It's the Mexican mafia against the Italian one. A lot of Spanish speakers appear and that's fine. But I must say, the Spanish is AWFUL. Sometimes there are HUGE mistakes. Sometimes it's just CHILDISH. So, you can imagine that it didn't turn me on. Not AT ALL.
***************************************
Those are funny, but the word "Sí" has an accent. "Apasionadamente" alone sounds very very very weird. And we must use the "¿" at the beginning of the questions:
"¿Sí?"
***************************************
Sounds weird. We don't usually use sentences with no verb. "Amante muy joven" is not quite correct, we would have to add something in an exclamation way, like
"Eres un amante muy joven" or "¡Qué amante más joven! or "¡Qué joven eres!" or even "Jovencito".
Et cetera.
***************************************
Thanks to Crt for noticing this one!!! This is totally wrong. "Grande" is an adjetive, and its superlative is "enorme", or "muy grande", but "muy enorme" is a double superlative and it's not correct.
"Enorme, gatito, enorme."
***************************************
This... Listen, I had to look it up in wordreference.com and in rae.es because it made me have doubts about my own language!!! "Párvulo" (with accent, that is) is practically only used for children who are very very young, or those who go to preschool, but I've never heard it like an adjetive like in that sentence or context.
***************************************
Just no.
About the form. In Spanish exclamative forms are not written like this. We should add something like nouns or verbs or even conjugation and adverbs:
"Usted es un pavo regordete y magnífico" or "¡Menudo pavo más regordete y magnífico!" or "¡Qué pavo tan regordete y magnífico!"
About the content... Sounds weird. It's an understatement. Because, please, who talks about turkeys like this? Really? Sexual innuendos are different in every language. In Spanish you can talk about snakes or little soldiers or little birds, but turkeys are not included in that list!!! When I hear "Put that beautiful, fat and huge turkey inside of me, oh yeah!" I'll now that's the definition of hotness. But in my dictionary, that's not sexy at all.
***************************************
No accent in "León", although it's not that important, because in English names have no accents, so could be forgiven. The same with "María", it has no accents, but "Jesús" and "José" have. So, make a choice, use or not use, but don't confuse me!
Nuevo León
Jesús, María y José
***************************************
This is my favorite one! I couldn't credit this one. I could hear Groucho saying: "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?".
This is not school, so I won't explain all the grammar rules. But I must say, there is something called NUMBER and something called GENDER. If you use a male word, the adjetive must be in the male form. If you use a plural word, the adjetive must be in plural, too. It's totally different than in English. Also, "mío, mía, míos, mías" have accent. So, the correct form of saying that sentence would be:
"Madre mía."
Because "Mía" here is female and singular. "Míos" is male and plural. Double mistake.
***************************************
There is some preposition missing, "de". And "Dios" is always with a capital letter. Correct form:
"Madre de Dios."
***************************************
This is correct, but I laughed a lot! I have never heard this one before. "Hijo de puta" is common, even "hijo de la gran puta", but this variation is new for me. It was funny hearing this.
***************************************
This is Tarzan talking. Miguel is Spanish, so this Tarzan talking doesn't fit him, not at all. In Spanish verbs have conjugations, with rules depending on the ending in the infinitive form (although there are exceptions), to say it in some way. And thanks for using the initial "¿" this time. I appreciate it. The correct sentence would be:
"¿Comprendes?"
***************************************
This one killed me. Another problem with number. And the initial "¡" is missing. The correct form in plural is:
"¡Señores!"
***************************************
Weird as hell. Not sure what the authors really wanted to say.
"Mi gran amigo del amor."
"Mi amigo del gran amor."
"Mi amoroso gran amigo."
No fucking idea here.
*******************************************************
With all of this I pretended to make it clear my disbelief that this book was the work of two authors. Because they are two, the resources are doubled, aren't they? But they haven't even bothered to look it up in dictionaries or to ask some native Spanish speakers if the language is correct. It's not as if there weren't users in the net who can help you with Spanish! Yeah, I know I make mistakes while writing in English, and I respect everyone who makes an effort to talk in a foreign language. But this is a book, and I expect a minimum of quality in language.
You can say all you like. You can say immigrants or children of immigrants talk an awful Spanish in the States. Maybe. But you can't fool me into thinking they talk bad Spanish in Mexico too! Yes! They travel to Mexico and even them can't say "Señores" properly. Ha. Ha. Ha. Hilarious.
Stop a moment, shall we?
Wikipedia says (28/01/15):
Third language in the Internet. Second language as lingua franca. Second language in number of people as their mother language (after Mandarin Chinese). Third language in number of global speakers (after Mandarin Chinese and English).
Enemies of Cervantes... beware.
Don't worry. English is and will always be the most versatile language ever. Relax.
But it's a scary thing anyway, yeah? Maybe Spanish-speaking countries are not amongst the richest right now but nothing lasts forever.
All this tantrum is because I'm tired of finding bad Spanish in English books. I'm tired of seeing all the self-indulgence and lack of humility of English-speaking authors when writing a book that includes a Latino who can't even speak his own language properly. Spanish language is becoming more powerful, not less, and showing a little respect wouldn't come amiss. I think it's time to switch gears. Just saying.
All in all, If there is a Holy Grail of the Worst Spanish in a Book, this is it.
Yes, the characters DO know ENGLISH.
No, NOBODY here knows SPANISH. In fact, this book is an INSULT to the Spanish language.
Part of my negative opinion of this book is because of the novel itself but I can't deny that the bad use of my mother language was determining for my bad rating. Oh, I translated the sentences for better understanding by non-native speakers. But first, I must talk about the story.
*******************************************************
It's a book everybody seems to love, but for me it was bad. First of all, I think it's not constant. The first chapter is an instalust scene and sex on a desk. And that's wow, an erotic book? But then the plot changes and it turns into a mafia-spies movie that I found slow and tedious. At half of the book it turned into a drama and a surrealistic action scene. I found a lot of ups and downs and I couldn't understand the point of it all.
It was difficult for me to follow the characters' way of thinking and in the end I was bored to listen to them. The first part of the book we are in Gabriel's head, and in the second one we are in Miguel's. With the change, I felt like the other MC was a stranger and not someone we have been with the whole story. Changing the POV was confusing to me although the two parts are very different.
If I had to choose the parts I liked most I'd say, weird it is, the first sex scene and some of the second part of the book, when Gabriel becomes . They were very cute in that moment, Gabriel trying to come to terms with his new situation, and Miguel trying to help him in the way he thinks better. I found that very refreshing but it didn't last long. Because then they have to defend themselves and it was so unreal. It felt like Neo fighting against the Smiths, but wait, it's not a sci-fi book.
I can't comprehend how a book made by two authors can be like this. I couldn't stop thinking this book have been written in parts by each author and then joined like in a puzzle. It didn't felt complete, if that makes sense.
*******************************************************
After all of this is said, I can't help myself from commenting about the Spanish language. It's the Mexican mafia against the Italian one. A lot of Spanish speakers appear and that's fine. But I must say, the Spanish is AWFUL. Sometimes there are HUGE mistakes. Sometimes it's just CHILDISH. So, you can imagine that it didn't turn me on. Not AT ALL.
***************************************
"Si, mi gatito, si""Yes, my kitty, yes."
"Apasionadamente, si?""Passionately, yes?"
Those are funny, but the word "Sí" has an accent. "Apasionadamente" alone sounds very very very weird. And we must use the "¿" at the beginning of the questions:
"¿Sí?"
***************************************
"Mi pequeño gato encantador travieso""My little lovely wicked kitty."
"Beautiful... so very beautiful. Delicious. Amante muy joven.""Beautiful... so very beautiful. Delicious. Very young lover."
Sounds weird. We don't usually use sentences with no verb. "Amante muy joven" is not quite correct, we would have to add something in an exclamation way, like
"Eres un amante muy joven" or "¡Qué amante más joven! or "¡Qué joven eres!" or even "Jovencito".
Et cetera.
***************************************
"Enorme, gatito, muy enorme.""Enormous, kitty, very enormous."
Thanks to Crt for noticing this one!!! This is totally wrong. "Grande" is an adjetive, and its superlative is "enorme", or "muy grande", but "muy enorme" is a double superlative and it's not correct.
"Enorme, gatito, enorme."
***************************************
"Mi gatito parvulo""My infant kitty"
This... Listen, I had to look it up in wordreference.com and in rae.es because it made me have doubts about my own language!!! "Párvulo" (with accent, that is) is practically only used for children who are very very young, or those who go to preschool, but I've never heard it like an adjetive like in that sentence or context.
***************************************
"Usted pavo regordete magnífico!""You magnificent chubby turkey!"
Just no.
About the form. In Spanish exclamative forms are not written like this. We should add something like nouns or verbs or even conjugation and adverbs:
"Usted es un pavo regordete y magnífico" or "¡Menudo pavo más regordete y magnífico!" or "¡Qué pavo tan regordete y magnífico!"
About the content... Sounds weird. It's an understatement. Because, please, who talks about turkeys like this? Really? Sexual innuendos are different in every language. In Spanish you can talk about snakes or little soldiers or little birds, but turkeys are not included in that list!!! When I hear "Put that beautiful, fat and huge turkey inside of me, oh yeah!" I'll now that's the definition of hotness. But in my dictionary, that's not sexy at all.
***************************************
"Nuevo Leon""Nuevo Leon"
"Jesús, Maria y José.""Jesus, Mary and Joseph."
No accent in "León", although it's not that important, because in English names have no accents, so could be forgiven. The same with "María", it has no accents, but "Jesús" and "José" have. So, make a choice, use or not use, but don't confuse me!
Nuevo León
Jesús, María y José
***************************************
"Madre mios"(There is no literal expression here, which would be "Mother mine!")"Oh my God!"
This is my favorite one! I couldn't credit this one. I could hear Groucho saying: "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?".
This is not school, so I won't explain all the grammar rules. But I must say, there is something called NUMBER and something called GENDER. If you use a male word, the adjetive must be in the male form. If you use a plural word, the adjetive must be in plural, too. It's totally different than in English. Also, "mío, mía, míos, mías" have accent. So, the correct form of saying that sentence would be:
"Madre mía."
Because "Mía" here is female and singular. "Míos" is male and plural. Double mistake.
***************************************
"Madre dios."(There is not a literal expression here, either. It is trying to say something like "Mother of God".)"Oh my God!"
There is some preposition missing, "de". And "Dios" is always with a capital letter. Correct form:
"Madre de Dios."
***************************************
"Hijo de mil putas.""Son of one thousand whores."
This is correct, but I laughed a lot! I have never heard this one before. "Hijo de puta" is common, even "hijo de la gran puta", but this variation is new for me. It was funny hearing this.
***************************************
"Let me handle this. ¿Comprender?""Let my handle this, understand?"
This is Tarzan talking. Miguel is Spanish, so this Tarzan talking doesn't fit him, not at all. In Spanish verbs have conjugations, with rules depending on the ending in the infinitive form (although there are exceptions), to say it in some way. And thanks for using the initial "¿" this time. I appreciate it. The correct sentence would be:
"¿Comprendes?"
***************************************
"Señors! Let us conduct our business indoors like gentlemen.""Gentlemen! Let us conduct our business indoors like gentlemen."
"Señors! Señors!""Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" or maybe "Misters! Misters!"
This one killed me. Another problem with number. And the initial "¡" is missing. The correct form in plural is:
"¡Señores!"
***************************************
"Easy, mi amigo grande del amor.""Easy, my big friend of love."
Weird as hell. Not sure what the authors really wanted to say.
"Mi gran amigo del amor."
"Mi amigo del gran amor."
"Mi amoroso gran amigo."
No fucking idea here.
*******************************************************
With all of this I pretended to make it clear my disbelief that this book was the work of two authors. Because they are two, the resources are doubled, aren't they? But they haven't even bothered to look it up in dictionaries or to ask some native Spanish speakers if the language is correct. It's not as if there weren't users in the net who can help you with Spanish! Yeah, I know I make mistakes while writing in English, and I respect everyone who makes an effort to talk in a foreign language. But this is a book, and I expect a minimum of quality in language.
You can say all you like. You can say immigrants or children of immigrants talk an awful Spanish in the States. Maybe. But you can't fool me into thinking they talk bad Spanish in Mexico too! Yes! They travel to Mexico and even them can't say "Señores" properly. Ha. Ha. Ha. Hilarious.
Stop a moment, shall we?
Wikipedia says (28/01/15):
Approximately 470 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it second only to Mandarin in terms of its number of native speakers worldwide. There are an estimated 548 million Spanish speakers as a first or second language, including speakers with limited competence and 20 million students of Spanish as a foreign language.
Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and it is used as an official language by the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the Union of South American Nations, among many other international organizations.
Third language in the Internet. Second language as lingua franca. Second language in number of people as their mother language (after Mandarin Chinese). Third language in number of global speakers (after Mandarin Chinese and English).
Enemies of Cervantes... beware.
Don't worry. English is and will always be the most versatile language ever. Relax.
But it's a scary thing anyway, yeah? Maybe Spanish-speaking countries are not amongst the richest right now but nothing lasts forever.
All this tantrum is because I'm tired of finding bad Spanish in English books. I'm tired of seeing all the self-indulgence and lack of humility of English-speaking authors when writing a book that includes a Latino who can't even speak his own language properly. Spanish language is becoming more powerful, not less, and showing a little respect wouldn't come amiss. I think it's time to switch gears. Just saying.
All in all, If there is a Holy Grail of the Worst Spanish in a Book, this is it.
July 28, 2012
REVIEW COMPLETED JULY 28, 2012
"You are an angelic demon. Beautiful on the outside. Passion, rage, and chaos on the inside. You burn my heart. You have since that first night. You haunt my dreams and when you
Loved Part I!! Mexican Heat was on its way to a five-star rating when I hit Part II and the sugar factor.
SFPD undercover detective Gabriel Sandalini has scored a long-term gig as one of Ricco Botelli's hired guns. Gabriel wants to meet the little weasel Benny. Instead of Benny, though, he has a special encounter with Miguel Ortega. Miguel Ortega is in fact Antonio Lorenzo, an FBI undercover agent who is "working" for Mexican drug lord Don Jesus Sanchez. Gabriel and Antonio don't know their true identities though. Antonio surprises Gabriel in a back room at the Club Madrone while he is sniffing around. They have a smokin' hot sexual encounter. Gabriel and Antonio meet again when Don Jesus is seeing his future bride Botelli's sister Gina.
Gabriel. He is young, restless and tough. He doesn't like emotional entanglements and complications. That's why he prefers casual sex--as in maybe even a little bit risky, a bit rough and silent. And certainly never with the same partner twice. With his life on the line 24/7, Gabriel can't afford emotional attachments. Well, you're in for a surprise, gatito.
Antonio. He is the calm and rather quiet guy. He is certainly not restless. Let's face it, compared to Gabriel he is the calm sea. Gabriel exudes a tough but suave confidence, a genuine presence. Antonio looked like he'd strolled out of the pages of GQ. He is definitely dee-lish! And when it comes to sex Antonio likes to dominate Gabriel.
Here comes a spoiler warning, however, I think you should read this part of my review as well to get the whole picture. I believe it's the most important and heartbreaking part of Mexican Heat.
I really enjoyed this book so much. The authors have written a very compelling and thrilling story, and I liked their "voice". The plot is very good and the main protagonists are wonderful and complex. Throw in some action and suspense and some fabulous sex scenes and Baba is truly happy. BTW, the first and second sex scenes are incredibly erotic, super steamy and utterly sensual. Loved, loved them! It could have been perfect. But. As I said before there was this sugar factor when I hit Part II. I mean I love a sweet romance between two great guys. Of course it was sweet and very emotional at times, however, when the sweetness begins to hurt my teeth, then it's simply too much. Further, the repetitiveness of "the younger man" and "the slighter man" etc. annoyed me a little bit. On top of that, I felt the ending was too rushed as well. Considering my issues I downgraded it to four stars. Still a very good read though, and I'd love to read the sequel, that's for sure.
"You are an angelic demon. Beautiful on the outside. Passion, rage, and chaos on the inside. You burn my heart. You have since that first night. You haunt my dreams and when you
Loved Part I!! Mexican Heat was on its way to a five-star rating when I hit Part II and the sugar factor.
SFPD undercover detective Gabriel Sandalini has scored a long-term gig as one of Ricco Botelli's hired guns. Gabriel wants to meet the little weasel Benny. Instead of Benny, though, he has a special encounter with Miguel Ortega. Miguel Ortega is in fact Antonio Lorenzo, an FBI undercover agent who is "working" for Mexican drug lord Don Jesus Sanchez. Gabriel and Antonio don't know their true identities though. Antonio surprises Gabriel in a back room at the Club Madrone while he is sniffing around. They have a smokin' hot sexual encounter. Gabriel and Antonio meet again when Don Jesus is seeing his future bride Botelli's sister Gina.
Gabriel. He is young, restless and tough. He doesn't like emotional entanglements and complications. That's why he prefers casual sex--as in maybe even a little bit risky, a bit rough and silent. And certainly never with the same partner twice. With his life on the line 24/7, Gabriel can't afford emotional attachments. Well, you're in for a surprise, gatito.
Antonio. He is the calm and rather quiet guy. He is certainly not restless. Let's face it, compared to Gabriel he is the calm sea. Gabriel exudes a tough but suave confidence, a genuine presence. Antonio looked like he'd strolled out of the pages of GQ. He is definitely dee-lish! And when it comes to sex Antonio likes to dominate Gabriel.
Here comes a spoiler warning, however, I think you should read this part of my review as well to get the whole picture. I believe it's the most important and heartbreaking part of Mexican Heat.
I really enjoyed this book so much. The authors have written a very compelling and thrilling story, and I liked their "voice". The plot is very good and the main protagonists are wonderful and complex. Throw in some action and suspense and some fabulous sex scenes and Baba is truly happy. BTW, the first and second sex scenes are incredibly erotic, super steamy and utterly sensual. Loved, loved them! It could have been perfect. But. As I said before there was this sugar factor when I hit Part II. I mean I love a sweet romance between two great guys. Of course it was sweet and very emotional at times, however, when the sweetness begins to hurt my teeth, then it's simply too much. Further, the repetitiveness of "the younger man" and "the slighter man" etc. annoyed me a little bit. On top of that, I felt the ending was too rushed as well. Considering my issues I downgraded it to four stars. Still a very good read though, and I'd love to read the sequel, that's for sure.
April 2, 2014
Oh boy.
This is my first time reading from either of these authors (Yes, I know. What rock have been hiding under? Lemme alone) So I'm not sure if this was their better work or worst. Mexican Heat isn't horrible but there are flaws. Well to me anyway.
I'm not sure if each author chose a half to write and tried to blend it together because it's definitely reading like 2 separate books trying to meld. The first half I thought was rougher than the second half. Especially after the main character's first hook up in the club, it dragged. I was B-O-R-E-D especially in Mexico.
We have a undercover cop, Gabriel/Gio falling for an under boss, Ortega. Ortega and Gio met on a one night stand and now learn their crime factions will be working together. And there's sex and a sort of HFN ending. Good for them. There's plot twists and surprises, bullets, and a shocking disability.
I'm not rehashing the plot-this book is too popular for you not to look it up. I'm going to rate this 3 stars because it's just one of those books where it sort of worked, sort of didn't.
So let me discuss my issues:
- If Gabriel is not interested in Gina(his undercover 'charge' is in love with Gabriel)...why would he care about her well being after his own tragedy? If he didn't seem to really care in the first half...why?
- A blind man shooting a gun? Really? Let's be fucking honest...would you go into a room with a blind man packing a gun? If you would, you're going to love this book.
- The whole weird meld of two books that portrayed different sides of the main characters. I wished it was consistent through out.
-And my biggest issue which I couldn't stop scratching my head about. The part where I went:
Gabriel's asshole...first it felt electric pulses, then it was described as his "palsied channel" (I'm going to get to this) and then it had a seizure.
I was worried that it would need life support or some CPR to his ass because its going through some serious shit. I don't get squicked out by the lamer adjectives for asshole, for the most part. But palsied channel...
PALSIED CHANNEL!
Well the good thing about it is if I ever decide I want to become a drag queen...I have a good name.
*sigh*
I'm not that anxious to read more of this series but if it is ever released, I'd take a gander to see if it actually got better. Plus I'd read more from both authors...not any time soon. But in the future, so it counts for something. Right?
This is my first time reading from either of these authors (Yes, I know. What rock have been hiding under? Lemme alone) So I'm not sure if this was their better work or worst. Mexican Heat isn't horrible but there are flaws. Well to me anyway.
I'm not sure if each author chose a half to write and tried to blend it together because it's definitely reading like 2 separate books trying to meld. The first half I thought was rougher than the second half. Especially after the main character's first hook up in the club, it dragged. I was B-O-R-E-D especially in Mexico.
We have a undercover cop, Gabriel/Gio falling for an under boss, Ortega. Ortega and Gio met on a one night stand and now learn their crime factions will be working together. And there's sex and a sort of HFN ending. Good for them. There's plot twists and surprises, bullets, and a shocking disability.
I'm not rehashing the plot-this book is too popular for you not to look it up. I'm going to rate this 3 stars because it's just one of those books where it sort of worked, sort of didn't.
So let me discuss my issues:
- If Gabriel is not interested in Gina(his undercover 'charge' is in love with Gabriel)...why would he care about her well being after his own tragedy? If he didn't seem to really care in the first half...why?
- A blind man shooting a gun? Really? Let's be fucking honest...would you go into a room with a blind man packing a gun? If you would, you're going to love this book.
- The whole weird meld of two books that portrayed different sides of the main characters. I wished it was consistent through out.
-And my biggest issue which I couldn't stop scratching my head about. The part where I went:
Gabriel's asshole...first it felt electric pulses, then it was described as his "palsied channel" (I'm going to get to this) and then it had a seizure.
I was worried that it would need life support or some CPR to his ass because its going through some serious shit. I don't get squicked out by the lamer adjectives for asshole, for the most part. But palsied channel...
PALSIED CHANNEL!
Well the good thing about it is if I ever decide I want to become a drag queen...I have a good name.
*sigh*
I'm not that anxious to read more of this series but if it is ever released, I'd take a gander to see if it actually got better. Plus I'd read more from both authors...not any time soon. But in the future, so it counts for something. Right?
July 16, 2011
^^MUY PICANTE!^^
More of my reviews and writings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
What a treat this book was, a first for me by both authors and I really liked their gritty writing style. The cover is ridiculously sexy and that alone was one of the reasons, why this book was calling me to do a little pants losing. It was like reading a classic crime/mob book, filled with drugs and sexy men who know how to carry a gun.
Gabriel Sandalini is an undercover cop, deep in the drug trade. All he needs is a little more Intel and he will blow the roof of the whole operation. A little meeting with an informant at a club, Gabriel is hoping for something good but the person he’s supposed to meet doesn’t show. Well, the night is not a complete bust when he spots a hot looking man, who looks like he knows how to take care of business. A quick hook-up turns out to be more intense than Gabriel expected, and a lot more meaningful. Though he knows this was only a one-night thing, and that’s how he likes it.
That’s until his one nightstand turns out to be a gangster himself, and second in command to one of the biggest drug lords. It seems Gabriel life is about to get interesting. Miguel Ortega carries himself with class and an air of superiority, and it irks Gabriel something fierce. It seems that Miguel is gonna be apart of the take down when Gabriel team moves in. If that doesn’t leave Gabriel feeling sour, seems all those emotions he never wanted is making an appearance, and for the wrong freaking man.
Well there are a few surprises at play here, and some seriously shocking ones I never saw coming. The book is divided into two parts, and part 2 is my fave. Emotional yet intense, sweet but also tragic. I fell in love more with each character in part 2. Not saying that part 1 wasn’t good and molten lava hot. There is something bittersweet about a scarred man and his return from the anger and pain.
I liked Gabriel’s character, just could have done without the sarcastic comments all the time. I just wanted a more serious and caring persona from him. Ortega aka Lorenzo is every woman’s panty wetter. He is delicious, Spanish and intoxicating like the Tequila, he loves to savour. Together they are a perfect balance of classy and street punk.
I could have read this book in winter and melted the snow all around me, a super hot read for the summer. Bring a small fan or portable A/C cus this book is a guaranteed burn. A definite pants losing.
More of my reviews and writings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
What a treat this book was, a first for me by both authors and I really liked their gritty writing style. The cover is ridiculously sexy and that alone was one of the reasons, why this book was calling me to do a little pants losing. It was like reading a classic crime/mob book, filled with drugs and sexy men who know how to carry a gun.
Gabriel Sandalini is an undercover cop, deep in the drug trade. All he needs is a little more Intel and he will blow the roof of the whole operation. A little meeting with an informant at a club, Gabriel is hoping for something good but the person he’s supposed to meet doesn’t show. Well, the night is not a complete bust when he spots a hot looking man, who looks like he knows how to take care of business. A quick hook-up turns out to be more intense than Gabriel expected, and a lot more meaningful. Though he knows this was only a one-night thing, and that’s how he likes it.
That’s until his one nightstand turns out to be a gangster himself, and second in command to one of the biggest drug lords. It seems Gabriel life is about to get interesting. Miguel Ortega carries himself with class and an air of superiority, and it irks Gabriel something fierce. It seems that Miguel is gonna be apart of the take down when Gabriel team moves in. If that doesn’t leave Gabriel feeling sour, seems all those emotions he never wanted is making an appearance, and for the wrong freaking man.
Well there are a few surprises at play here, and some seriously shocking ones I never saw coming. The book is divided into two parts, and part 2 is my fave. Emotional yet intense, sweet but also tragic. I fell in love more with each character in part 2. Not saying that part 1 wasn’t good and molten lava hot. There is something bittersweet about a scarred man and his return from the anger and pain.
I liked Gabriel’s character, just could have done without the sarcastic comments all the time. I just wanted a more serious and caring persona from him. Ortega aka Lorenzo is every woman’s panty wetter. He is delicious, Spanish and intoxicating like the Tequila, he loves to savour. Together they are a perfect balance of classy and street punk.
I could have read this book in winter and melted the snow all around me, a super hot read for the summer. Bring a small fan or portable A/C cus this book is a guaranteed burn. A definite pants losing.
November 23, 2015
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REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK JULY 10, 2013: 3 STARS
I'm going to dnf this because I can't bear a book I loved so much in print ending up so blah in audio! The only reason I can come up with for not liking it is the narration.
It's Jim Bowie again and while he sounds different and I prefer his enunciation here, the audio production is not very good. It has a very small vibration which, while making the narrator's voice slightly gravelly, you can tell it's not a natural quality - as in when the narrator puts on a gravelly tone for a particular character.
In this audio production, it just sounds like a less-than-professional job. It affected my listening pleasure very much, I'm afraid. I have read Mexican Heat twice and loved it both times but it turned out very flat in audio. Even the sex in the hotel ended up boring and I wished they would hurry and finish so I could get on with the story.
It didn't help, either, when the narrator stopped, sounded like he was talking to someone, realized it and apologized then re-narrated from a few paragraphs back! I don't know how to produce an audiobook but I'd think you could cut and splice?
Anyway, I expect a more professional job for an audiobook I paid #15 for. It if had been available on Audible.com, I'd have bought from them then gotten a refund for a poor job but I bought from MLR and this will be my first and last!
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REVIEW OF 2ND READING Oct 26, 2010:
Heart-stopping action and heart-warming romance right up to the very last word! I've enjoyed many M/M and M/F romantic suspenses the second time around but none as much as Mexican Heat.
I can't help feeling terribly sad that this is the last I'll see of Antonio and Gabriel and wish South of the Border would be put back on sale since the sequel to MH is unlikely to happen.
Ortega's irresistible sexiness was even more pronounced this time and Gabriel was even cuter. Normally, I would be too exasperated with someone as prickly as him but he's so strong and capable in his own right that I found myself completely seeing what Miguel saw in him. I got even more out of their time together in the aftermath of the showdown than i did the first time I read this book. Antonio's love for Gabriel touched me on several levels as I put myself in Gabriel's shoes.
Wonderful, wonderful love story.
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February 2009 review:
I'm going to be counting the months and weeks until the next installment is out. I hope there IS one. No way is this story over!
Mexican Heat is my cup of tea since I love romantic suspense and being in my MM phase, it has the best of both worlds for me. Miguel was the consummate undercover hero. Sexy, unflappable and deadly, he got me all hot and sweaty though the air-con in my bedroom was at full blast. Gabriel, on the other hand, was prickly and as volatile as his Latino counterpart was cool.
Both men are part of undercover operations from different agencies - Gabriel is from the SFPD while Miguel is from the FBI though neither knows that. As far as Gabriel is concerned, he's falling for the bad guy and he just can't do that, can he? While he's shittin' himself to follow through with the op and get out alive, he's hating the fact that the man he can't get enough of will be going down with the rest of the villains. After all, Miguel is the 2ic of Sanchez, the Mexican druglord that Gabriel's mob-boss, Botelli, wants to partner-up with.
Playing cat and mouse all the way, the two men attached to two different factions have to make nice to seal the deal except they're making much more than nice. I liked that this was a "real" romantic suspense in that it wasn't one of those page-after-page of non-stop sex with a dash of mystery thrown in. What sex scenes there were was intense and when there wasn't any sex, the sexual tension, nevertheless, burnt up the pages since both protagonists are together from start to end.
Baumbach and Lanyon have succeeded in giving me a dispassionate, lethal hero in Miguel who maintains his undercover role throughout the sting yet is clearly falling head over heels for Gabriel. I followed every thump of his heart for the younger man and man, when he hears Gabriel is a cop...
The latter part of the story deals with how the two men adjust to reality following the end of their operation. Though they are no longer undercover, the danger is not over and while they continue to fight for their survival, they also have been given the chance to test their love for each other.
Miguel as Antonio, his real name, is a protective motherhen who drives Gabriel nuts but I'm glad to be given a chance to experience this loving, tender side of a man who has had to do some unmentionable things (no details given so not to worry) to become the right-hand man of the Mexican druglord.
I have absolutely NO negative remarks for Mexican Heat. I'd waited a few weeks for this story to come out in e-book and it was everything I hoped it would be. Now, if only I could get my hands on South of the Border, which apparently is a short short story about Antonio and Gabriel after the events in MH.
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK JULY 10, 2013: 3 STARS
I'm going to dnf this because I can't bear a book I loved so much in print ending up so blah in audio! The only reason I can come up with for not liking it is the narration.
It's Jim Bowie again and while he sounds different and I prefer his enunciation here, the audio production is not very good. It has a very small vibration which, while making the narrator's voice slightly gravelly, you can tell it's not a natural quality - as in when the narrator puts on a gravelly tone for a particular character.
In this audio production, it just sounds like a less-than-professional job. It affected my listening pleasure very much, I'm afraid. I have read Mexican Heat twice and loved it both times but it turned out very flat in audio. Even the sex in the hotel ended up boring and I wished they would hurry and finish so I could get on with the story.
It didn't help, either, when the narrator stopped, sounded like he was talking to someone, realized it and apologized then re-narrated from a few paragraphs back! I don't know how to produce an audiobook but I'd think you could cut and splice?
Anyway, I expect a more professional job for an audiobook I paid #15 for. It if had been available on Audible.com, I'd have bought from them then gotten a refund for a poor job but I bought from MLR and this will be my first and last!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
REVIEW OF 2ND READING Oct 26, 2010:
Heart-stopping action and heart-warming romance right up to the very last word! I've enjoyed many M/M and M/F romantic suspenses the second time around but none as much as Mexican Heat.
I can't help feeling terribly sad that this is the last I'll see of Antonio and Gabriel and wish South of the Border would be put back on sale since the sequel to MH is unlikely to happen.
Ortega's irresistible sexiness was even more pronounced this time and Gabriel was even cuter. Normally, I would be too exasperated with someone as prickly as him but he's so strong and capable in his own right that I found myself completely seeing what Miguel saw in him. I got even more out of their time together in the aftermath of the showdown than i did the first time I read this book. Antonio's love for Gabriel touched me on several levels as I put myself in Gabriel's shoes.
Wonderful, wonderful love story.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
February 2009 review:
I'm going to be counting the months and weeks until the next installment is out. I hope there IS one. No way is this story over!
Mexican Heat is my cup of tea since I love romantic suspense and being in my MM phase, it has the best of both worlds for me. Miguel was the consummate undercover hero. Sexy, unflappable and deadly, he got me all hot and sweaty though the air-con in my bedroom was at full blast. Gabriel, on the other hand, was prickly and as volatile as his Latino counterpart was cool.
Both men are part of undercover operations from different agencies - Gabriel is from the SFPD while Miguel is from the FBI though neither knows that. As far as Gabriel is concerned, he's falling for the bad guy and he just can't do that, can he? While he's shittin' himself to follow through with the op and get out alive, he's hating the fact that the man he can't get enough of will be going down with the rest of the villains. After all, Miguel is the 2ic of Sanchez, the Mexican druglord that Gabriel's mob-boss, Botelli, wants to partner-up with.
Playing cat and mouse all the way, the two men attached to two different factions have to make nice to seal the deal except they're making much more than nice. I liked that this was a "real" romantic suspense in that it wasn't one of those page-after-page of non-stop sex with a dash of mystery thrown in. What sex scenes there were was intense and when there wasn't any sex, the sexual tension, nevertheless, burnt up the pages since both protagonists are together from start to end.
Baumbach and Lanyon have succeeded in giving me a dispassionate, lethal hero in Miguel who maintains his undercover role throughout the sting yet is clearly falling head over heels for Gabriel. I followed every thump of his heart for the younger man and man, when he hears Gabriel is a cop...
The latter part of the story deals with how the two men adjust to reality following the end of their operation. Though they are no longer undercover, the danger is not over and while they continue to fight for their survival, they also have been given the chance to test their love for each other.
Miguel as Antonio, his real name, is a protective motherhen who drives Gabriel nuts but I'm glad to be given a chance to experience this loving, tender side of a man who has had to do some unmentionable things (no details given so not to worry) to become the right-hand man of the Mexican druglord.
I have absolutely NO negative remarks for Mexican Heat. I'd waited a few weeks for this story to come out in e-book and it was everything I hoped it would be. Now, if only I could get my hands on South of the Border, which apparently is a short short story about Antonio and Gabriel after the events in MH.
January 31, 2014
Mexican Heat is smoking HOT!!!
GOD. This book is amazing. It has so much to offer and I got so much from reading this book. Words cannot describe this book, but one word I can use for this book is HOT. The plot was Hot, the characters were Hot, the overall theme was HOT. I am a girl who loves mm romances and books like this are the reason why. Its hard for me to read books like this, because they can be so popular and I would not like them. This was not the case with this book.
Gabriel, well he was just a sassy character. I loved him from the first page, even when he pissed me off I loved him. He was a smart ass, reckless, brave and cocky. But I loved him, because even with all that he was a lovable character, that had survived a hard life. Its not hard to see where he got his tough guy image from. Just read the first chapter and you can see him complexity.
.
Antonio was just a sweet and caring guy. He confused me at times, but then I figured it out, he was a brilliant actor. The way he fell for Gabriel, melted my heart and kept me reading and hoping and praying that they would finally get together. He was an worldly man who had a lot of experience and in turn it attracted Gabriel to him. Well that is my opinion anyway.
Gabriel and Antonio!
This is a crime/romance book with brilliant characters and a fantastic story. This must be read, it is just to good to pass up. Just hope the sequels come out one day. My heart might break after reading the blurbs. They sound so good, but there has been a lot of talk of her not releasing them.
Highly recommend this! Even if waiting for the sequels could kill you.
GOD. This book is amazing. It has so much to offer and I got so much from reading this book. Words cannot describe this book, but one word I can use for this book is HOT. The plot was Hot, the characters were Hot, the overall theme was HOT. I am a girl who loves mm romances and books like this are the reason why. Its hard for me to read books like this, because they can be so popular and I would not like them. This was not the case with this book.
Gabriel, well he was just a sassy character. I loved him from the first page, even when he pissed me off I loved him. He was a smart ass, reckless, brave and cocky. But I loved him, because even with all that he was a lovable character, that had survived a hard life. Its not hard to see where he got his tough guy image from. Just read the first chapter and you can see him complexity.
.
Antonio was just a sweet and caring guy. He confused me at times, but then I figured it out, he was a brilliant actor. The way he fell for Gabriel, melted my heart and kept me reading and hoping and praying that they would finally get together. He was an worldly man who had a lot of experience and in turn it attracted Gabriel to him. Well that is my opinion anyway.
Gabriel and Antonio!
This is a crime/romance book with brilliant characters and a fantastic story. This must be read, it is just to good to pass up. Just hope the sequels come out one day. My heart might break after reading the blurbs. They sound so good, but there has been a lot of talk of her not releasing them.
Highly recommend this! Even if waiting for the sequels could kill you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2017
Re-read February 7 2017
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Let me start with the most important thing about this book: It has a 25 pages long sex scene!!! That was some hot sex! :D
--- This review is filled with spoilers. Read at your own risk---
This is one great read! I never expected to like this as much as I did. I thought this entire book would consist of Gabriel and Antonio falling in love while deeply undercover in the Sanchez and Botelli crime family. I thought it would drag a little there because one can only read so much about being undercover and not being able to be yourself. But I was wrong.
I thought it was brilliantly done to have the first part written from Gabriel’s POV and the second part from Antonio’s POV. The first part does consist of these two meeting while both undercover. But instead of it being boring, it was fast paced. These two share an immediate connection and are wildly attracted to each other. And damn, that sex scene in Mexico… freaking hot!
But when Gabriel’s cover is blown the shit hits the fan and Gabriel is seriously injured, that is where part two starts, from Antonio’s POV. No more cover stories to tell each other, so the only option is to be honest. Antonio has already realized his undying love for Gabriel and he just wants to take care of a blind, but not helpless, Gabriel. Gabriel has trouble accepting help from anyone, so Antonio has his work cut out for him.
But these two are perfect for each other, so after a lot of patience from Antonio Gabriel realizes he can trust him and...aaaaww....insert tender moments here...
I loved the fact that Gabriel did not have some miraculous recovery. He was still blind at the end of the book (I guess the authors wanted to write more books in this series, but never did). But he was definitely not helpless and with Antonio’s help he found ways to cope with his blindness and to still be his badass self.
Action in the first part and hurt/comfort, love and tenderness in the second part. This was awesome.
------------------
Let me start with the most important thing about this book: It has a 25 pages long sex scene!!! That was some hot sex! :D
--- This review is filled with spoilers. Read at your own risk---
This is one great read! I never expected to like this as much as I did. I thought this entire book would consist of Gabriel and Antonio falling in love while deeply undercover in the Sanchez and Botelli crime family. I thought it would drag a little there because one can only read so much about being undercover and not being able to be yourself. But I was wrong.
I thought it was brilliantly done to have the first part written from Gabriel’s POV and the second part from Antonio’s POV. The first part does consist of these two meeting while both undercover. But instead of it being boring, it was fast paced. These two share an immediate connection and are wildly attracted to each other. And damn, that sex scene in Mexico… freaking hot!
But when Gabriel’s cover is blown the shit hits the fan and Gabriel is seriously injured, that is where part two starts, from Antonio’s POV. No more cover stories to tell each other, so the only option is to be honest. Antonio has already realized his undying love for Gabriel and he just wants to take care of a blind, but not helpless, Gabriel. Gabriel has trouble accepting help from anyone, so Antonio has his work cut out for him.
But these two are perfect for each other, so after a lot of patience from Antonio Gabriel realizes he can trust him and...aaaaww....insert tender moments here...
I loved the fact that Gabriel did not have some miraculous recovery. He was still blind at the end of the book (I guess the authors wanted to write more books in this series, but never did). But he was definitely not helpless and with Antonio’s help he found ways to cope with his blindness and to still be his badass self.
Action in the first part and hurt/comfort, love and tenderness in the second part. This was awesome.
October 11, 2012
I had no idea this was a Josh Lanyon book...until the end. As much as I like his books, I hate every single ending. It's always like we were in the middle of a scene or a paragraph and...I turn the page and get the "About the Author" page. The first few times I thought my kindle was broken. Would it KILL you to give us a The End, Mr. Lanyon? Sheesh! (*shakes fist in air*) :)
Ok, with that off my chest, the book was really entertaining were it not for the one storm cloud overhead: the fact that it felt totally unrealistic Miguel's intensity of feelings towards Gabriel. Really? One night over a desk at a club and you're in love? Nope...not believing that...especially taking into consideration what he was willing to give up in Part 2.
Now, if I read this book with an "umbrella", so to speak, allowing myself to suspend notion of reality (this is a romance novel, after all. We don't actually WANT it to be that realistic, do we?), and be shielded from this storm cloud, than I found myself really loving Miguel, and his dedication to Gabriel and Gabriel's eventually yielding to him.
Entertaining enough. As with all Lanyon series I've read (if he takes over the writing of this), the individual books typically fall short, but redeem themselves when the entire series is taken into consideration.
PS - one happy thought: having lived in SF for many years, I LOVE books that are based there! Very accurate descriptions as well. Oh, and one more happy thought: how HOT are the chests of the guys on the cover. HOLY MOLY!!!!!!
September 2, 2012
”Beautiful on the outside. Passion, rage, and chaos on the inside.”
Mexican Heat is a story with two halves. Different worlds each with their own dangers. The first part of this journey captures the suspense, heat, and danger of life in a crime family with a dark, sexy energy. A dangerous game filled with hidden secrets and emotions that could get one killed. Crime bosses, undercover assignments, guns, drugs, violence, struggles for control, and lust rule the pages. I could feel the coiled tension in my blood in some scenes. The clash, explosion, and heat between all the characters was palpable and intense. I savored every touch, sigh, and glance!
Then…BOOM!
Part two will tear your heart to bits! This story turns to such heartwarming concern, care, and tenderness it will sweep you right off your feet. An emotional storm of events that will change everything. In my attempt to express the power and strength of these men, the words fragile, spirit, longing, and loss come to mind, but really all I want to do is swear! :D These men grabbed ahold my heart with such fucking force and love! Passion and pain breathes and leaps off the pages. My heartbeat went from full tilt to all stop with every new twist and turn. Gabriel and Antonio are two pure adrenaline jolts of heat, passion and rage! Unforgettable forces of nature that stole my heart.
I realize I haven’t said much about the plot or characters here, but I don’t want to rob readers of the surprise, shock, and love found here between these men. Just know it hit me with love and hope.
I highly recommend this powerful journey. BUT…This series appears to stop here for now. The other books have not been published yet. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but you will want more!
Two very addictive men that have so much more to say. Fingers crossed we see more real soon. I’m willing to beg! :)
October 11, 2012
1.5 Stars
I'm going out on the limb again: I did not like this book. Eek! *ducks* The characters - especially Gabriel - irked the sh*t out of me.
Gabriel was a self-absorbed, acerbic a$$hole who was reckless and immature. It was hard for me to believe that he was this bad ass undercover cop when he said and did things that made him seem so incompetent. Like asking a drug lord why he didn't take a bigger cut of the profits ... are you sh*tting me?!?
But what really put a knot in my thong? Gabriel was downright cruel and abusive towards Antonio all the way up to the end of the freaking book. Even while Antonio lay in the f*cking hospital bed recovering from a gunshot wound that he got while saving Gabriel's sorry ass, he was still offensive and rude. What an ingrate! Although the authors "told" us that Gabriel's behavior was a defense mechanism to the betrayal he felt during his childhood, I just didn't see it. He had a mom who loved and cherished him, unconditionally. Yes, his step-dad was a prick but come on. Gabriel's childhood was far from tragic. Even if - for arguments sake - he had had a brutal upbringing, that doesn't excuse his meanness. Not only was Gabriel mean, he never ... not even once ... showed any appreciation for all that Antonio did for him (hello, "thank you" much)!?! At the beginning of the book, I had such a hard time liking Gabriel that I eventually gave up and just tried to accept him. Honestly, even that proved to be too much of a challenge. In the end, his mean-spiritedness and ungratefulness acted as an insidious poison that ruined the book for me. He never softened or showed affection towards Antonio, unless he needed or wanted something. He was a hard-core surly jackass all the way to the end. And I, for one, was not a fan.
Antonio's character was just the opposite of Gabriel's. Antonio was mature, sensitive, charming, and suave. I liked him immensely and immediately. Sadly, his persistence at loving (and seeking love from) Gabriel when Gabriel was nothing but immature, reckless, and cruel eventually soured me towards Antonio too. His infinite patience and willingness to overlook Gabriel's hurtful comments (which he doled out fairly frequently) approached sainthood and was unrealistic. After a while, I got so irritated with him for not standing up to the SOB!!!
When Gabriel, I originally thought it a cheap plot device to resuscitate Gabriel's fledgling character (e.g., the experience would help him to learn to appreciate life and loved ones like Antonio). Nonetheless, I was hopeful that Gabriel would gain some much need perspective on the world and his place in it (i.e., the sun didn't rise and set on his pathetic ass) but NOPE! He was a selfish prick all the way through. Well, at least he was consistent. (That's me ... always looking for the silver lining.)
Which brings me to my final point of contention: when Gabriel took up a gun again. Come on. What's next? He going to learn how to drive? Okay, seriously, Gabriel was learning to shoot again using a "stationary target?" Not a moving target, mind you (where Gabriel could maybe hear it), but a stationary one. Uh, how did he locate this target? Lick it??? Anyway you cut it, it was outrageously ridiculous and incredibly irresponsible for two former cops who should have a healthier respect for the lethality of firearms and be more cognizant of others' (i.e., innocent bystanders) safety.
Bottom line: I wanted to like this book but didn't. I must admit, the characters pissed me off enough that I did manage to read through to the end. If that counts for something, well then there you have it.
I'm going out on the limb again: I did not like this book. Eek! *ducks* The characters - especially Gabriel - irked the sh*t out of me.
Gabriel was a self-absorbed, acerbic a$$hole who was reckless and immature. It was hard for me to believe that he was this bad ass undercover cop when he said and did things that made him seem so incompetent. Like asking a drug lord why he didn't take a bigger cut of the profits ... are you sh*tting me?!?
But what really put a knot in my thong? Gabriel was downright cruel and abusive towards Antonio all the way up to the end of the freaking book. Even while Antonio lay in the f*cking hospital bed recovering from a gunshot wound that he got while saving Gabriel's sorry ass, he was still offensive and rude. What an ingrate! Although the authors "told" us that Gabriel's behavior was a defense mechanism to the betrayal he felt during his childhood, I just didn't see it. He had a mom who loved and cherished him, unconditionally. Yes, his step-dad was a prick but come on. Gabriel's childhood was far from tragic. Even if - for arguments sake - he had had a brutal upbringing, that doesn't excuse his meanness. Not only was Gabriel mean, he never ... not even once ... showed any appreciation for all that Antonio did for him (hello, "thank you" much)!?! At the beginning of the book, I had such a hard time liking Gabriel that I eventually gave up and just tried to accept him. Honestly, even that proved to be too much of a challenge. In the end, his mean-spiritedness and ungratefulness acted as an insidious poison that ruined the book for me. He never softened or showed affection towards Antonio, unless he needed or wanted something. He was a hard-core surly jackass all the way to the end. And I, for one, was not a fan.
Antonio's character was just the opposite of Gabriel's. Antonio was mature, sensitive, charming, and suave. I liked him immensely and immediately. Sadly, his persistence at loving (and seeking love from) Gabriel when Gabriel was nothing but immature, reckless, and cruel eventually soured me towards Antonio too. His infinite patience and willingness to overlook Gabriel's hurtful comments (which he doled out fairly frequently) approached sainthood and was unrealistic. After a while, I got so irritated with him for not standing up to the SOB!!!
When Gabriel, I originally thought it a cheap plot device to resuscitate Gabriel's fledgling character (e.g., the experience would help him to learn to appreciate life and loved ones like Antonio). Nonetheless, I was hopeful that Gabriel would gain some much need perspective on the world and his place in it (i.e., the sun didn't rise and set on his pathetic ass) but NOPE! He was a selfish prick all the way through. Well, at least he was consistent. (That's me ... always looking for the silver lining.)
Which brings me to my final point of contention: when Gabriel took up a gun again. Come on. What's next? He going to learn how to drive? Okay, seriously, Gabriel was learning to shoot again using a "stationary target?" Not a moving target, mind you (where Gabriel could maybe hear it), but a stationary one. Uh, how did he locate this target? Lick it??? Anyway you cut it, it was outrageously ridiculous and incredibly irresponsible for two former cops who should have a healthier respect for the lethality of firearms and be more cognizant of others' (i.e., innocent bystanders) safety.
Bottom line: I wanted to like this book but didn't. I must admit, the characters pissed me off enough that I did manage to read through to the end. If that counts for something, well then there you have it.
April 23, 2011
Opening Line: "He sauntered past the two shirtless, muscle-bound bouncers, the C-note he slipped the man on his right earning his passage through Club Madrone's front door--and a quick grope over his ass."
This was some damn fine M/M romantic suspense, however I’d have to admit that I struggled a bit with the first 'part' of Mexican Heat, being more of a romantic and not really into the whole Scarface gangster aspect. (Yeah I kept picturing Tony Montana’s world) This is a great action adventure though and the second 'part' which I absolutely adored more then made up for (my) shaky beginnings.
As well as a fantastic story the love scenes here are very, very good, with an intriguing balance set between dominance and submission. That first encounter in the nightclub office… Wow, now there’s a definite multiple read scene.
I also loved Antonio’s sweetness; his understanding and unwavering love of Gabriel and the slow removal of his ‘Gatito’s’ walls will just break your heart. There were a couple of things I didn’t “see” coming and one predictable reveal, although that didn’t bother me as it just made sense to the overall story. All in all a worthy read from the M/M genre with action, romance, suspense, tequila drinking (games), undercover cops, drug lords, mob boss’s, gun play, explosions, misguided vixen’s, sweet love makin and more twists and turns then the worm in the bottom of the bottle.
Police Detective Gabriel Sandalini is deep undercover for Italian mob boss Ricco Botelli, willing to do almost anything at this point to bring the shark down. When he randomly hooks up with a sexy and dominant stranger at a night club Gabriel never expects to see the man again, and that’s just the way he likes it. However when his boss Botelli teams up with the Mexican mob Gabriel’s sultry nightclub stranger -Antonio Sanchez, makes a reappearance, as the drug lords lieutenant.
Now it looks like Gabriel is going to have to take down his lover too. That is if he can make it through the next couple of days. Because his boss’s fiancée Gina can’t keep her hands off him, Sanchez is watching his every move (and making a few of his own) and if that weren’t enough of a distraction he may have just been made by the cartel. Then here’s the whole man love issue and I don’t imagine that’s taken too lightly in the lawless gangster world either. Yes Gabriel has his hands full and while part 1 of this book maintains a level of breathtaking suspense part 2 gives us a heart warming romance. And that’s just how I like it. Salud.
This was some damn fine M/M romantic suspense, however I’d have to admit that I struggled a bit with the first 'part' of Mexican Heat, being more of a romantic and not really into the whole Scarface gangster aspect. (Yeah I kept picturing Tony Montana’s world) This is a great action adventure though and the second 'part' which I absolutely adored more then made up for (my) shaky beginnings.
As well as a fantastic story the love scenes here are very, very good, with an intriguing balance set between dominance and submission. That first encounter in the nightclub office… Wow, now there’s a definite multiple read scene.
I also loved Antonio’s sweetness; his understanding and unwavering love of Gabriel and the slow removal of his ‘Gatito’s’ walls will just break your heart. There were a couple of things I didn’t “see” coming and one predictable reveal, although that didn’t bother me as it just made sense to the overall story. All in all a worthy read from the M/M genre with action, romance, suspense, tequila drinking (games), undercover cops, drug lords, mob boss’s, gun play, explosions, misguided vixen’s, sweet love makin and more twists and turns then the worm in the bottom of the bottle.
Police Detective Gabriel Sandalini is deep undercover for Italian mob boss Ricco Botelli, willing to do almost anything at this point to bring the shark down. When he randomly hooks up with a sexy and dominant stranger at a night club Gabriel never expects to see the man again, and that’s just the way he likes it. However when his boss Botelli teams up with the Mexican mob Gabriel’s sultry nightclub stranger -Antonio Sanchez, makes a reappearance, as the drug lords lieutenant.
Now it looks like Gabriel is going to have to take down his lover too. That is if he can make it through the next couple of days. Because his boss’s fiancée Gina can’t keep her hands off him, Sanchez is watching his every move (and making a few of his own) and if that weren’t enough of a distraction he may have just been made by the cartel. Then here’s the whole man love issue and I don’t imagine that’s taken too lightly in the lawless gangster world either. Yes Gabriel has his hands full and while part 1 of this book maintains a level of breathtaking suspense part 2 gives us a heart warming romance. And that’s just how I like it. Salud.
October 3, 2015
Started out rough but quickly turned into a good action romance, with that hurt/comfort vibe which I love. The romance took an appropriate while to develop although it then progressed very quickly.
Also had a lot of danger and near-death stuff. I always like that in a book. I think that says something not so good about me.... If anyone knows of other M/M books that have a lot of danger/action/near-death, comment in the notes!
There were several sex scenes and they were so steamy I was afraid my e-reader would overheat. Some of it was even original which is kind of hard to do without straying into the really kinky.
I particularly like how they dealt with injury. It wasn't like someone gets hit on the head with a brick and wakes up fine a few minutes later. There were aspects to the consequences that handn't even occurred to me and this made it all the more realistic. I also think they dealt with the characters' reactions after the fact pretty well.
I definitely want to read the next one.
Also had a lot of danger and near-death stuff. I always like that in a book. I think that says something not so good about me.... If anyone knows of other M/M books that have a lot of danger/action/near-death, comment in the notes!
There were several sex scenes and they were so steamy I was afraid my e-reader would overheat. Some of it was even original which is kind of hard to do without straying into the really kinky.
I particularly like how they dealt with injury. It wasn't like someone gets hit on the head with a brick and wakes up fine a few minutes later. There were aspects to the consequences that handn't even occurred to me and this made it all the more realistic. I also think they dealt with the characters' reactions after the fact pretty well.
I definitely want to read the next one.
October 15, 2012
3.5 stars
Part One: Loved it! There's not one thing I would change. Sadly, I can't say the same about Part Two. First, I think the POV should have stayed with Gabriel. I got a pretty good understanding of what he was going through but not enough for my liking. This was such a pivotal point in Gabriel’s life so I wanted to experience it with him. I didn’t think we learned anything from having the story from Antonio’s perspective. It was the same emotions over and over again.
Also, the story took a turn in Sapsville but since I was already hooked I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would. It was tolerable because I always felt these emotions from Antonio in Part One and knew his feelings were heading in this direction. Now, if this were coming from Gabriel, it would have gone downhill at a lightning fast speed.
Even so, I hope we eventually get more of these two.
Part One: Loved it! There's not one thing I would change. Sadly, I can't say the same about Part Two. First, I think the POV should have stayed with Gabriel. I got a pretty good understanding of what he was going through but not enough for my liking. This was such a pivotal point in Gabriel’s life so I wanted to experience it with him. I didn’t think we learned anything from having the story from Antonio’s perspective. It was the same emotions over and over again.
Also, the story took a turn in Sapsville but since I was already hooked I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would. It was tolerable because I always felt these emotions from Antonio in Part One and knew his feelings were heading in this direction. Now, if this were coming from Gabriel, it would have gone downhill at a lightning fast speed.
Even so, I hope we eventually get more of these two.
March 19, 2011
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It had lots of gun fighting and danger and sexual tension! Doesn't all that compliment each other perfectly?! It does become very romantic towards the end. And I loved both of the main characters!
On the other hand, this didn't feel like one of the usual Lanyon novels. Maybe that was a lot to do with Baumbach's influence? I really don't know because I haven't read any if her other work. If she does plan to write more books in this series, I will continue to read them.
I really enjoyed this book. It had lots of gun fighting and danger and sexual tension! Doesn't all that compliment each other perfectly?! It does become very romantic towards the end. And I loved both of the main characters!
On the other hand, this didn't feel like one of the usual Lanyon novels. Maybe that was a lot to do with Baumbach's influence? I really don't know because I haven't read any if her other work. If she does plan to write more books in this series, I will continue to read them.
October 26, 2010
When two of my favorite authors join forces, I guess I can rest assure that the story will be amazingly good.
This story contains two parts: Part one is where we see how the relationship is built from Gabriel's point of view. We are treated by an explosive scorching hot sex in chapter one. Then we follow the story as Gabriel realizes that the man he hooks up with is a second lieutenant of his boss's future partner. What he doesn't realize that the man, Miguel Ortega, is hiding a secret of his own. Part two is taken from Antonio Lorenzo -- the real name of Miguel Ortega. He's actually an undercover FBI agent. He falls hard for Gabriel, and when the FBI bust leaves Gabriel blinded, crippled, and in coma for three weeks, Antonio decides that he will spend the rest of his life taking care of Gabriel.
OMG!!! I'm so in love with this story. This is the kind of story that just works for me. The two guys have strong voice of their own, even if they're different in characters. Gabriel is the younger one, he's the lone-wolf type, detached, adrenaline junkie, and reckless. Antonio is more mature, patient, and when he makes a decision that Gabriel is his, he is not letting go. Plus, the sex is HOT!!!
Part one is hot and fast-paced, part two is more emotional and intimate. I love how Antonio sticks with Gabriel, despite the hurtful words that the broken man lashes out to him. Despite that, you know that there is a strong bond between the two of them. It might not be an easy relationship, it will take A LOT of work from both side (especially due to Gabriel's being blind and hurt and can no longer work as a cop) but it's the one that sticks.
It's too bad that the fate of book #2 is undetermined since Josh Lanyon leaves the ship *sigh* ...
This story contains two parts: Part one is where we see how the relationship is built from Gabriel's point of view. We are treated by an explosive scorching hot sex in chapter one. Then we follow the story as Gabriel realizes that the man he hooks up with is a second lieutenant of his boss's future partner. What he doesn't realize that the man, Miguel Ortega, is hiding a secret of his own. Part two is taken from Antonio Lorenzo -- the real name of Miguel Ortega. He's actually an undercover FBI agent. He falls hard for Gabriel, and when the FBI bust leaves Gabriel blinded, crippled, and in coma for three weeks, Antonio decides that he will spend the rest of his life taking care of Gabriel.
OMG!!! I'm so in love with this story. This is the kind of story that just works for me. The two guys have strong voice of their own, even if they're different in characters. Gabriel is the younger one, he's the lone-wolf type, detached, adrenaline junkie, and reckless. Antonio is more mature, patient, and when he makes a decision that Gabriel is his, he is not letting go. Plus, the sex is HOT!!!
Part one is hot and fast-paced, part two is more emotional and intimate. I love how Antonio sticks with Gabriel, despite the hurtful words that the broken man lashes out to him. Despite that, you know that there is a strong bond between the two of them. It might not be an easy relationship, it will take A LOT of work from both side (especially due to Gabriel's being blind and hurt and can no longer work as a cop) but it's the one that sticks.
It's too bad that the fate of book #2 is undetermined since Josh Lanyon leaves the ship *sigh* ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2011
This was a great m/m action/thriller/romance. Written by two authors, one of whom I'm a major fan, it was extremely satisfying in all areas. The suspense was powerful, the romance arc was poignant, and the overall story was engaging enough to keep me up way past my bedtime to finish it.
I'm not sure what I expected from this story, but it surprised me with its gritty realism contrasted with its surprisingly tender romance. It succeeded in all aspects of the genre.
I'm not sure what I expected from this story, but it surprised me with its gritty realism contrasted with its surprisingly tender romance. It succeeded in all aspects of the genre.
July 26, 2013
This book started off with a bang (pun so intended), shortly followed with a bang of a different sort (I’m on a roll!) but then it petered off a bit and I was left waiting…
But then they went to Mexico and the book got a lot more interesting. Then there was the Secret Revealed then the Big Showdown immediately followed by the Great Sadness. Then the book took a left turn and started off in an entirely new direction.
If I didn’t find out right before I read this book that it was co-authored, I would swear the author had a split personality. There were two clear, distinct writing styles throughout the whole thing. It was weird. I found myself having to switch gears in my head quite a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book and it seemed to work pretty well since they had two different POVs. It was just a little bit different. A little bit… odd. It wasn’t as smooth and cohesive as some other author collaborations I have read. I think I am fortunate that I have never read any of either author’s other works. If I had I am almost positive that I would have spent a great deal of time trying to figure out which author wrote what scene and that would have pulled me out of the book and I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it as much as I did.
I really liked the storyline of part 1 and the beginning of part 2. I loved Gabriel’s snarky attitude and his Napoleonic complex. Miguel was suave and sexy in the first two-thirds of the story but then he turned into a big ole’ sappy wuss in the last third. He got on my nerves a bit. And the ending was very abrupt. One thing I really did like about this story was that
All in all, I liked this story but the author collaboration was just not my cup of tea.
But then they went to Mexico and the book got a lot more interesting. Then there was the Secret Revealed then the Big Showdown immediately followed by the Great Sadness. Then the book took a left turn and started off in an entirely new direction.
If I didn’t find out right before I read this book that it was co-authored, I would swear the author had a split personality. There were two clear, distinct writing styles throughout the whole thing. It was weird. I found myself having to switch gears in my head quite a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book and it seemed to work pretty well since they had two different POVs. It was just a little bit different. A little bit… odd. It wasn’t as smooth and cohesive as some other author collaborations I have read. I think I am fortunate that I have never read any of either author’s other works. If I had I am almost positive that I would have spent a great deal of time trying to figure out which author wrote what scene and that would have pulled me out of the book and I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it as much as I did.
I really liked the storyline of part 1 and the beginning of part 2. I loved Gabriel’s snarky attitude and his Napoleonic complex. Miguel was suave and sexy in the first two-thirds of the story but then he turned into a big ole’ sappy wuss in the last third. He got on my nerves a bit. And the ending was very abrupt. One thing I really did like about this story was that
All in all, I liked this story but the author collaboration was just not my cup of tea.
March 8, 2013
4.5 Stars
This should of been a five star book but the non-ending really annoyed me. It only needed a few more pages and I would of been so much happier.
The story is done in two parts. Part one was full of drama and intrigue, as we followed the two MC in the middle of drug lords working together to import and sell their products. So well done I couldn't stop reading.
Part two was watching the men try and recover from the aftermath of being undercover for so long and learning how to deal with the tragedies that this undercover work had left them with. It was again interesting, and very touching to me. The way they came together and grew while healing took place was my favourite part of the book, but as I said earlier, the ending was just way too abrupt for my taste.
I would re-read this as I did enjoy it, but I am writing my own ending in my head.
This should of been a five star book but the non-ending really annoyed me. It only needed a few more pages and I would of been so much happier.
The story is done in two parts. Part one was full of drama and intrigue, as we followed the two MC in the middle of drug lords working together to import and sell their products. So well done I couldn't stop reading.
Part two was watching the men try and recover from the aftermath of being undercover for so long and learning how to deal with the tragedies that this undercover work had left them with. It was again interesting, and very touching to me. The way they came together and grew while healing took place was my favourite part of the book, but as I said earlier, the ending was just way too abrupt for my taste.
I would re-read this as I did enjoy it, but I am writing my own ending in my head.
August 15, 2009
When two high profile and award winning authors collaborate on a book there is going to be significant buzz surrounding the outcome and for “Mexican Heat” this was no different. I’ve been reading rave review after rave review on this book since the print release and that’s only continued for the electronic release. Of course I read it later because I’m just slow that way but I expected a solid offering from two authors with great writing ability and thankfully that was exactly what I received. The authors somehow merge their distinct literary voices to produce a cohesive and well written story that has all the hallmarks of a beloved, keeper book.
Gabriel is a fascinating character with his snappy dialogue, trash talking mouth and charismatic personality. He’s described early on as a “little firecracker” and it’s certainly an apt description of the always in motion and nervy man. His disarming charm, shown infrequently but surprising and fresh when it appears, keeps the man a mystery of nerves, stress, and adrenaline. His unwitting attraction and need for Miguel causes him no end of frustration, angst, confusion and ultimately love yet the complex and never easy journey is neither the sole focus nor readily solved. The authors refuse the quick fix with an easy happy ever after and instead allow the genuine flaws of the man to compete with honest emotion.
Miguel is a slick character with his rich history and dominating personality. His complicated and involved past and present are well drawn giving a depth to the smooth and crisp clear vision his character offers. His attraction to Gabriel is instantaneous and for him, mostly untroubled as he easily sees past the façade of the younger man to the true motivations and emotions. Miguel’s unwavering support and desire for Gabriel create the backbone of a complicated relationship. Their chemistry and interaction was incredibly hot and certainly titillating, with the authors giving detailed sex scenes hot enough to turn the temperature up even more against the steamy latin background.
Although this story was well written and quick paced, the book was not without a few missteps. Although minor, it was at times clear these were two authors not always successful in merging their distinct styles. I’m curious to see what would have been the outcome if both wrote the same story yet separately. Additionally the two parts to the book were slightly jarring as the pacing and feel of the book turned completely around at Part two. The first half of the book is hot and fast, suiting Gabriel’s point of view with lots of action between a colorful and rich cast of secondary characters. The build up of tension, both sexual and physical, is done well so that at the climax the book shifts into Part two, where the characters and action start a languid slide from the peak of action. The steamy setting of the first half of the book is incredibly lush with vivid imagery which turns to a cooler, slower, easier pace of the second half. The alternating points of view fit with the narration and pacing styles, yet didn’t blend as well as they could have. At the same time, this was certainly no detraction from the story which griped my attention from the start and refused to let go well into the night.
Mexican Heat is a thrilling and action packed story revolving around two complicated men with an explosively hot sexual chemistry and sizzling erotic sex scenes more than enough to tease and delight. Combined with rich scenery and a creative imagination, this wonderful story will definitely leave you wanting more in the best possible way. Whether you are new to these authors or long time fans, you want to buy this book. It is that good and possibly spawned an entirely new and wonderful drinking game. Here’s to hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment.
http://kassa-rvws.livejournal.com/135...
Gabriel is a fascinating character with his snappy dialogue, trash talking mouth and charismatic personality. He’s described early on as a “little firecracker” and it’s certainly an apt description of the always in motion and nervy man. His disarming charm, shown infrequently but surprising and fresh when it appears, keeps the man a mystery of nerves, stress, and adrenaline. His unwitting attraction and need for Miguel causes him no end of frustration, angst, confusion and ultimately love yet the complex and never easy journey is neither the sole focus nor readily solved. The authors refuse the quick fix with an easy happy ever after and instead allow the genuine flaws of the man to compete with honest emotion.
Miguel is a slick character with his rich history and dominating personality. His complicated and involved past and present are well drawn giving a depth to the smooth and crisp clear vision his character offers. His attraction to Gabriel is instantaneous and for him, mostly untroubled as he easily sees past the façade of the younger man to the true motivations and emotions. Miguel’s unwavering support and desire for Gabriel create the backbone of a complicated relationship. Their chemistry and interaction was incredibly hot and certainly titillating, with the authors giving detailed sex scenes hot enough to turn the temperature up even more against the steamy latin background.
Although this story was well written and quick paced, the book was not without a few missteps. Although minor, it was at times clear these were two authors not always successful in merging their distinct styles. I’m curious to see what would have been the outcome if both wrote the same story yet separately. Additionally the two parts to the book were slightly jarring as the pacing and feel of the book turned completely around at Part two. The first half of the book is hot and fast, suiting Gabriel’s point of view with lots of action between a colorful and rich cast of secondary characters. The build up of tension, both sexual and physical, is done well so that at the climax the book shifts into Part two, where the characters and action start a languid slide from the peak of action. The steamy setting of the first half of the book is incredibly lush with vivid imagery which turns to a cooler, slower, easier pace of the second half. The alternating points of view fit with the narration and pacing styles, yet didn’t blend as well as they could have. At the same time, this was certainly no detraction from the story which griped my attention from the start and refused to let go well into the night.
Mexican Heat is a thrilling and action packed story revolving around two complicated men with an explosively hot sexual chemistry and sizzling erotic sex scenes more than enough to tease and delight. Combined with rich scenery and a creative imagination, this wonderful story will definitely leave you wanting more in the best possible way. Whether you are new to these authors or long time fans, you want to buy this book. It is that good and possibly spawned an entirely new and wonderful drinking game. Here’s to hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment.
http://kassa-rvws.livejournal.com/135...
February 14, 2011
I loved the story, loved the characters. It's impossible to talk about the book without revealing one of the major plot twists. The book is in two parts, the first is narrated by Gabriel Sandalini, an undercover cop who's young and restless. When the narration switches to Miguel Ortega, there is more than a change in the point-of-view, because we find out that Miguel Ortega is in fact Antonio Lorenzo, an FBI undercover agent.
The first part has the same pace of Gabriel's personality: fast, dangerous, with little time to ponder. The second part mirrors Antonio's more reflective and patient attitude. In the first part we see how the two protagonists meet and how strong their attraction is; the second part shows how they stay together, how the attraction turns to love.
I loved both Gabriel and Antonio and at the end of the book I think that both retained their mystery. We have glimpses of their past, but we never know how they came to be the men they are and what they bring into their relationship except for their attitudes toward life in general. While Gabriel seems to realize that he needs Antonio, his help and his dominance, as if Antonio were the only one who could contain is energy and heal his hurt, Antonio seems the one who is able to see inside Gabriel and pours his love onto the young and injured man, fulfilling his own need to love. The two complete each other on every level and in every aspect of their life.
And it broke my heart, but I appreciated that the authors didn't choose the easy way of making Gabriel's injury temporary. It was bitter and it was better that we saw it through Antonio's eyes, because I am sure it would have been painful to know what Gabriel's thoughts were, but we got to see how Antonio reached out to him, enduring the bouts of anger and despair of his lover.
I don't know if I'd like to know more about them, I must confess that for me the story is told, but if the sequel is written, I will surely read it.
The first part has the same pace of Gabriel's personality: fast, dangerous, with little time to ponder. The second part mirrors Antonio's more reflective and patient attitude. In the first part we see how the two protagonists meet and how strong their attraction is; the second part shows how they stay together, how the attraction turns to love.
I loved both Gabriel and Antonio and at the end of the book I think that both retained their mystery. We have glimpses of their past, but we never know how they came to be the men they are and what they bring into their relationship except for their attitudes toward life in general. While Gabriel seems to realize that he needs Antonio, his help and his dominance, as if Antonio were the only one who could contain is energy and heal his hurt, Antonio seems the one who is able to see inside Gabriel and pours his love onto the young and injured man, fulfilling his own need to love. The two complete each other on every level and in every aspect of their life.
And it broke my heart, but I appreciated that the authors didn't choose the easy way of making Gabriel's injury temporary. It was bitter and it was better that we saw it through Antonio's eyes, because I am sure it would have been painful to know what Gabriel's thoughts were, but we got to see how Antonio reached out to him, enduring the bouts of anger and despair of his lover.
I don't know if I'd like to know more about them, I must confess that for me the story is told, but if the sequel is written, I will surely read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2011
Listening on audio and the narrator is just not suited for this story about drug cartels and tough guys. He's dry, soft-spoken, a bit monotonous, speaks with lots of pauses and "reading" too much of the story instead of acting and his falsetto, OMG please pass me some cotton for my bleeding ears. I keep picturing a well groomed, sweater vested, sweet little man reading this to me and it's distracting especially when he reads the dirty sex bits. I will persevere, however, because I enjoy self-torture and the story is pretty good.
Ok, so despite my complaints about the narration, I did eventually fall completely into the story between two beautiful men. So much so, that when it ended I was a little sad to leave this couple behind to move on to the next book. To me that is the mark of good storytelling. I'm not a big fan of mob stories and drug cartels but I am a fan of love stories that feel genuine and this was one of the good ones. Somewhere about a third of the way in the story switches gears and really zooms in on the characters so I definitely recommend sticking with it if the blurb puts you off in any way.
Ok, so despite my complaints about the narration, I did eventually fall completely into the story between two beautiful men. So much so, that when it ended I was a little sad to leave this couple behind to move on to the next book. To me that is the mark of good storytelling. I'm not a big fan of mob stories and drug cartels but I am a fan of love stories that feel genuine and this was one of the good ones. Somewhere about a third of the way in the story switches gears and really zooms in on the characters so I definitely recommend sticking with it if the blurb puts you off in any way.
July 31, 2014
This was my second Josh Lanyon, but I won't compare it with Fair Game (the first book I read by him) because it was co-authored and I can't say which writer wrote which parts.
Overall, it was tight and well-paced. People warned me about the story getting sappy and overly dramatic after the 50% mark and they were right, but like I said in one of my status updates, my tolerance to sappiness and drama is pretty high.
My biggest issue with the story was the bad Spanish used throughout the book. It was embarrassing. Especially since the authors could have easily consulted a native speaker for those bits. Also, they could have researched the medical parts better.
Overall, it was tight and well-paced. People warned me about the story getting sappy and overly dramatic after the 50% mark and they were right, but like I said in one of my status updates, my tolerance to sappiness and drama is pretty high.
My biggest issue with the story was the bad Spanish used throughout the book. It was embarrassing. Especially since the authors could have easily consulted a native speaker for those bits. Also, they could have researched the medical parts better.
May 18, 2012
4.5 Stars
Loved and adored this couple, a great crime/thriller which wowed me. Hot, to die for action, erotic loveliness in all its glory. Gabriel and Antonio are awesome together and yep that chemistry is wild and sexy. Gabriel is way to smart for his own good, brash and foolish. I loved him warts and all, then there's Antonio, the sweetheart loves Gabriel so much, dreamy love. I find a lot of these older m/m romances have a lot more going for them than the more recent books that seem to be flooding the genre. This is and will be a top favourite of mine *contented sigh*. Now where is the sequel? It has to be one of the most anticipated books, I wish the authors could come up with an agreement on it. We have been left hanging too long, an update would be appreciated.
Loved and adored this couple, a great crime/thriller which wowed me. Hot, to die for action, erotic loveliness in all its glory. Gabriel and Antonio are awesome together and yep that chemistry is wild and sexy. Gabriel is way to smart for his own good, brash and foolish. I loved him warts and all, then there's Antonio, the sweetheart loves Gabriel so much, dreamy love. I find a lot of these older m/m romances have a lot more going for them than the more recent books that seem to be flooding the genre. This is and will be a top favourite of mine *contented sigh*. Now where is the sequel? It has to be one of the most anticipated books, I wish the authors could come up with an agreement on it. We have been left hanging too long, an update would be appreciated.
June 4, 2016
An excellent m/m romance from Baumbach & Lanyon. A beautifully written thriller full of twists and turns and hot sex. Made me cry.
"That's it, my little one," Antonio whispered in the shiny black hair. "Let go. I have you safe now. It's all right for brave men to cry on days like these..."
"That's it, my little one," Antonio whispered in the shiny black hair. "Let go. I have you safe now. It's all right for brave men to cry on days like these..."
September 15, 2012
Oooh; angsty, hurty, undercovery, sensual goodness with guns, alcohol, and a beach house!
3.892 stars
3.892 stars
July 8, 2013
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What can I say about Mexican Heat that hasn't already been said?
This book is extremely beautiful and kind of heart breaking.
One of the things I'll make special mention of is the writing. In specific, perhaps, the pace of the book is excellent. At first, the book was hot, then the plot became extremely interesting, characters were well developed, relationships were built, and still while maintaining the hot factor. I found the details in this book to be really interesting too. For example, I'm guilty of sometimes skimming pages that are just pages and pages of details about the type of fibers that make up the carpet, but the details of the settings were always engaging and I never skimmed a paragraph.
Gabriel and Antonio were an awesome couple. Gabe, a fidgety, scrappy, smart-mouth, and Antonio an understanding, powerful, patient man. I can't decide which of the two characters I love more, so I'll say I love them most as a couple.
SPOILERS:
This book really surprised me, and I'm sure you can guess which part. I was shocked when sweet Gabriel was blind, and even more surprised that he never regained his sight. It make the book feel more real to me, and added an interesting twist to the story. I tried really hard not to cry when Gabriel cried in the book.
I'm EXTREMELY looking forward to the next addition in this series. I read up on it and it sounds amazing.
All in all, this book is a staple for MM readers.
What can I say about Mexican Heat that hasn't already been said?
This book is extremely beautiful and kind of heart breaking.
One of the things I'll make special mention of is the writing. In specific, perhaps, the pace of the book is excellent. At first, the book was hot, then the plot became extremely interesting, characters were well developed, relationships were built, and still while maintaining the hot factor. I found the details in this book to be really interesting too. For example, I'm guilty of sometimes skimming pages that are just pages and pages of details about the type of fibers that make up the carpet, but the details of the settings were always engaging and I never skimmed a paragraph.
Gabriel and Antonio were an awesome couple. Gabe, a fidgety, scrappy, smart-mouth, and Antonio an understanding, powerful, patient man. I can't decide which of the two characters I love more, so I'll say I love them most as a couple.
SPOILERS:
This book really surprised me, and I'm sure you can guess which part. I was shocked when sweet Gabriel was blind, and even more surprised that he never regained his sight. It make the book feel more real to me, and added an interesting twist to the story. I tried really hard not to cry when Gabriel cried in the book.
I'm EXTREMELY looking forward to the next addition in this series. I read up on it and it sounds amazing.
All in all, this book is a staple for MM readers.
April 7, 2013
Oh, where to start. Should I tell you that this pushed every button I have to push. Should I tell you that it just blew me away. Or should I tell you how I really feel? This was an incredible read. So well written. A taut, tense, thrilling ride, one of the best I have ever been on. Smouldering hot sex, didn't hurt either.
Undercover cop, Mexican drug lords, Italian drug kings, oh my!! Gabriel, SFPD goes undercover to bring these bad guys down. In the process he meets Miguel, the second in command of a Mexican drug lord. When Miguel and Gabriel come together worlds collide, sparks fly and I needed a cold shower.
I am sad to see there there are no more of the marvelous characters. I hope they see the light of day in the future. They deserve that much.
"Hoy me he vuelto a enamorar...
y nuevamente ha germinado la pasión,
en el jardín donde reinó la soledad
nació la flor que hace felíz mi corazón.
Hoy me he vuelto a enamorar
atrás quedaron esos años de agonía,
y justo en medio de mi triste soledad
llegaste tú, para alegrar el alma mía."
"Today I've fallen in love ...
and passion has sprouted again,
in the garden where solitude reigned
born flower makes my heart happy.
Today I've fallen in love
gone are the years of agony,
and right in the middle of my sad loneliness
you came to cheer my soul."
Alejandro Fernandez
I give it a sombrero full of stars.
Undercover cop, Mexican drug lords, Italian drug kings, oh my!! Gabriel, SFPD goes undercover to bring these bad guys down. In the process he meets Miguel, the second in command of a Mexican drug lord. When Miguel and Gabriel come together worlds collide, sparks fly and I needed a cold shower.
I am sad to see there there are no more of the marvelous characters. I hope they see the light of day in the future. They deserve that much.
"Hoy me he vuelto a enamorar...
y nuevamente ha germinado la pasión,
en el jardín donde reinó la soledad
nació la flor que hace felíz mi corazón.
Hoy me he vuelto a enamorar
atrás quedaron esos años de agonía,
y justo en medio de mi triste soledad
llegaste tú, para alegrar el alma mía."
"Today I've fallen in love ...
and passion has sprouted again,
in the garden where solitude reigned
born flower makes my heart happy.
Today I've fallen in love
gone are the years of agony,
and right in the middle of my sad loneliness
you came to cheer my soul."
Alejandro Fernandez
I give it a sombrero full of stars.
October 19, 2012
When I first started this book I didn't expect to get teary eyes at all....whelp I was wrong!
"You are an angelic demon. Beautiful on the outside. Passion, rage, and chaos on the inside. You burn my heart. You have since that first night. You haunt my dreams ........OMG, I think this has to be one of my quotes/lines that I've read in a while.
This book had lots of great things going for it. I enjoyed the writing style, the story itself kept ya engrossed and wanting to know how everything was gonna turn out....some twists and turns, smokin hott sex, sweet & tender moments as well as heartbreaking and life changing events!
I was not expecting much when I picked up this book & I'm glad to say that I was wrong. Don't let some of the reviews sway you away from reading this...at least pick it up and give it a chance.
"You are an angelic demon. Beautiful on the outside. Passion, rage, and chaos on the inside. You burn my heart. You have since that first night. You haunt my dreams ........OMG, I think this has to be one of my quotes/lines that I've read in a while.
This book had lots of great things going for it. I enjoyed the writing style, the story itself kept ya engrossed and wanting to know how everything was gonna turn out....some twists and turns, smokin hott sex, sweet & tender moments as well as heartbreaking and life changing events!
I was not expecting much when I picked up this book & I'm glad to say that I was wrong. Don't let some of the reviews sway you away from reading this...at least pick it up and give it a chance.
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April 18, 2014And this is a good example of why dual authorship doesn't work for me, as 98% of them are such flimsy over-the-top tromps-of-tardation..they are such a turn-off..I won't even read either writer's solo work after.
There's an opening sex scene in this that is just soo beyond lame..
I can't fathom 'any writer' agreeing to co-author & release this kind of dime-store-floozy-cheeze-material without using a new pen name.
It's just that bad.
This Review sums it up in a nutsack for me.
There's an opening sex scene in this that is just soo beyond lame..
I can't fathom 'any writer' agreeing to co-author & release this kind of dime-store-floozy-cheeze-material without using a new pen name.
It's just that bad.
This Review sums it up in a nutsack for me.
July 2, 2013
Phew, this one was hot!! 5 stars and a visit from those dancing girls I think
Shortie review, others are really good. Gabriel, Antonio, covert ops, the old coup de foudre, hot and steamy, really nasty baddies, stupid tarts out for revenge....what more could you ask for?? Fabulous.
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