Who would’ve thought that a British
hitman would fall in lust at first sight with an American felon? It could
become deadly for both.
Aiden Moriarty is a Florida ‘herbalist’
who works with a performance-enhancing drug used by many athletes. One of them
is baseball star Ivan Salerno, who was caught using the drug and is now on the
brink of getting suspended. Because of Ivan’s connections with a rogue mob
boss, Aiden is taken into a witness-protection program, working along with
baseball higher-ups until he testifies.
The mob boss, Augustine Ora, has hired
former British military officer and his best hitman Devlin ‘Brit’ Crawford to
do the job. Ora has instructed Devlin to go to Miami, kidnap Aiden and take him
to the local airport to be transported to Havana, Cuba, to be executed by Ora’s
top officers.
However, when Devlin receives the email,
the pictures of the blue-eyed felon catch his eye and he is moved to go in a
different direction. Instead of delivering Aiden to the airport, he has
thoughts of taking him away and saving him from Ora’s wrath.
This move puts himself and Aiden, as
well as his assistant, Miranda Ashley, in huge danger. Will Devlin keep Aiden
safe despite the odds, or will he fail, causing Ora and his men to come after
him?
Reader Advisory: This book contains the
use of racial slurs.
General Release Date: 6th October 2015
“I…”
Aiden’s breath caught in his chest, tightening until he could barely breathe.
He knew Brit wanted to get Ora, and in all honesty, so did he. Sure, Aiden
desired to tell the story and clear his name, but being with Brit—even if it
meant complete boredom—was becoming a lot more important. “Brit, please.”
“No,
don’t do that, Aiden. Believe me, I have confidence that I’ll make it out fine,
but just in case I don’t…”
“You’re not going without me, Brit. I don’t care
if I have to jump on the back of that truck. Ora’s a dangerous dude, and you
might need my help or Miranda’s.”
Brit
turned, eyes narrowed, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Really, Aiden? If anything, I’d say
m’girl’s help, but I need her to drive you to my contact.”
“Oh, so
now you’re discrediting me because I’m not a gun-slinging crazy like Miranda?”
“No, not
at all, Aiden, but I doubt you’d be helpful, m’kay? Ora would kill you on sight,
just to make sure Ivan gets away scot-free.”
Aiden
shook his head, knowing that was true. “Maybe, but…” Aiden ran his hand through
his hair and closed his eyes. Brit was being so damn stubborn, but Aiden found
it extremely sexy. “Like I said, I’m not doing a damn thing without knowing
you’re okay. I know it’s only been a few days, but I feel something for you.”
Brit
stepped forward, closing the space between them. Brit’s dark brown eyes met his
gaze and Brit reached up, cradling Aiden’s cheeks in his large hands. He moved
Aiden’s hand out of his line of vision and inched close, so close their lips
were nearly touching. “As I do for you,
Aiden,” Brit whispered and slinked his hand around his neck.
Aiden
focused on Brit’s mouth and swiped his tongue over his own top lip.
Damn.
Brit’s
thick lips parted for him, inviting Aiden to do just what he’d desired to do
the first day they met. He gripped Brit’s broad shoulders, massaging them while
he pulled Brit close, making sure he wouldn’t step back and stop him from what
he ultimately wanted. “You’re not running from me this time, Brit.”
“Do you
see me going anywhere?”
Aiden
smiled wryly, yanking Brit into his body, crashing them together. The impact
nearly knocked the wind out of Aiden, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. He stared
into Brit’s eyes, seeing the intensity there, the heat meaning he had to feel the
same way. Aiden couldn’t help but melt at the sight and before he knew it, his
mouth crushed Brit’s head-on, driving the larger man slightly off his feet.
God damn.
Buy link for On
the Run: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/on-the-run
REVIEW
This is the first time I've read anything by Michael Mandrake. I was thoroughly intrigued from the very beginning. The blurb grabbed me and I was over the moon excited to read it.
I loved the premise of this book. The hitman (Devlin Crawford) falling for the crook/ target (Aiden Moriarty) and with the help of Devlin's wife/friend/ partner (Miranda Ashley) they are going to fight against the odds to beat a huge mob boss! What's not to love about that?
Here was my main issue. I'm never a fan of insta love and though it was more insta lust it was a bit unbelievable. The chemistry didn't work and the dialog wasn't working with the scenes. I couldn't get into these characters. I tried so very hard. And I did adore Aiden. There was something about him that spoke to me.
Great plot. I love the ideas and the pacing was good but emotionally it fell a little flat for me. I will also say the grammar was great I had zero issues. I think the chemistry and dialog were my main issues. But it was entertaining that's for sure.
Writing for
Yourself or Writing to Market
Michael
Mandrake
We
as authors have heard this many times before. Do we write for ourselves or do
we pen books according to what sells? First, before you determine what area you
fall into, what do they mean?
When
writing for yourself, you write what you and your muses and/or characters
enjoy. In my opinion, it means the Amazon bestsellers charts don’t influence
anything you write. The hot tropes don’t faze you no matter how popular they
are. You, as the author, do what you can to promote and make it successful.
Writing
to market is following trends. You look at books in the top twenty and craft a
book on that same genre or subgenre hoping it’ll be a bestseller too. When
readers want another vampire who doesn’t sparkle, you write that book! And
hopefully, your wonderful bloodsucker is the new anti-Twilight.
*snickers*
In
both cases, what is the common thread? Hope. Luck. Whatever you want to call
it. All authors whether they write for market or for themselves seek to have a
popular release. It might not be 50
Shades popular, but being seen on bestsellers lists is a big boost for
one’s already fragile ego.
Looking
at myself, I can say I’m more of a hybrid. I do write for myself and my
characters first, but I also pay attention to the market. That doesn’t mean I
jump on the next bandwagon, unless it fits what I like to write.
In
m/m, I’ve seen a lot of readers ask for more shifters. Though I’ve read a few
and seen many authors be successful with that subgenre, shifters aren’t high on
my try list. I have done one for an anthology, but I have no interest in doing
them on the regular.
Another
is MPreg. I haven’t read many, but I could definitely see this as something I’d
try. Yet and still, it isn’t high on my writing list either.
What
is?
More
paranormal, maybe some sci-fi, speculative fiction. More crime suspense and
mystery, with gay male characters. Yes, my Michael muse has been begging for it
and although it means a lot more tireless research, I’m game for it.
To
close, I don’t feel there’s anything wrong with writing to market or for
yourself. As an author, you should do what works best for you. The most
important thing is to keep writing and learning your craft and hopefully, we
will all gain some readers along the way.
About Michael
Mandrake:
Michael Mandrake pens complex
characters who are already comfortable in their sexuality. Thorough these
characters, he builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream
plots we might encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the
media.
To find out more please visit Michael's website. You can also check out Michael's blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram,Tumblr and Ello.
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