Family Jewels by MJ O’Shea

Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6318
FamilyJewelsBlurb
Corbin Ford, aka the Nightwatchman, named for the antique pocket watches he leaves behind at jobs, has been in the cat-burgling business for years. His father was. His grandfather was. His mother is still one of the most renowned thieves. Corbin likes his high-profile heists, priceless paintings from private collections, artifacts from museums, but his favorite? Jewels. Sparkly, beautiful jewels. If they’re famous, better yet.

Interpol agent Luke Eldridge has one goal and one goal only: to catch the Nightwatchman. Luke’s been after him for months, but getting the slip time and again is getting embarrassing. Luke has never even laid eyes on the bastard, but he’d happily strangle him. And then arrest him.

When Luke meets Corbin, the man of his dreams, he falls hard and fast… only to catch Corbin red-handed with his hand in a jewelry case at the scene of the highest-profile murder that’s rocked the international world in years.

Review

SPOILER WARNING AT THE END OF REVIEW

Corbin is a thief, he meets Luke in a bar, they hook up and find each other irresistible. Their one night stand goes on and the next thing you know – boyfriends! But… Luke is not the businessman he pretended to be and is in fact a policeman on the lookout for Corbin!

When Luke finds out Corbin agrees to help the police solve a murder in exchange for leniency but when the time comes to face the trial can Corbin go through with it?

**

I really enjoy MJ O’Shea’s writing. I loved Corbin and Luke and really loved their bumbling attempts at being emotional with one another. The sexual tension and the tension surrounding the mystery were great. I don’t know how believable the interactions were (in terms of cops and robbers) but it wasn’t a stumbling block.  Up until the very end I really, really loved this book.

For me the big stumbling block was this………(SPOILER ALERT)

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There is a huge cliff hanger at the end of the book that gives us neither a HEA or HFN! I hope and pray there is a sequel but none has been listed as far as I can see.

To me – if there is no sequel – I have to lower the rating of this from a 5 to 3 (maybe even lower) because I was devastated by the ending!

I couldn’t believe we were left hanging there with our dear couple separated – possibly never to be together again.

What we are left with is not nearly satisfying enough and it was painful.

So….

I generously give this a 3 in the hopes that there is a sequel awaiting us.

3

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Knight of Ocean Avenue by Tara Lain

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6281

KnightofOceanAvenueBlurb

How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor’s license he so desires, and fear of his mother’s judgement blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.

Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?

Review

Billy can’t find a woman who “sticks”. He’s been involved, seriously, three times and they all sort of fizzle out. One day he “rescues” a beautiful redhead from a bully only to find out he’s the stylist hired to help his sister for her wedding to a rich guy.
Chase, aka Shaz, sees the hunky Billy and falls into lust. But Billy is straight, Shaz has a boyfriend and a vision of his future and that future doesn’t include blue-collar straight boys.

When Shaz and Billy spend time together “sprucing” Billy up for potential future dates with a socialite pegged to be Billy’s next girlfriend they find a mutual attraction. When Billy ends up in the same bar as Shaz one night, the attraction goes from potential to realized and now the pair have some serious decisions to make.

**
I loved Billy! He was a sweet, gentle soul. His heart is so big and he is just in need of someone to recognize his diamond in the rough. Shaz was the perfect shiny foil to his understated Billy’s fabulousness. The couple had amazing chemistry and the story felt real and authentic. I totally bought in and loved every minute of it.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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