Random Review: A Matter of Priorities by Jon Keys #Review #Giveaway

Author: Jon Keys
Book: A Matter of Priorities
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Publication date: August 29, 2017
Length: 52 pages

Reviewed by Jenn


Synopsis

After being disowned by his family, Cooper judged his self-worth by his latest hookup. But circumstances change as he learns about true love.

Cooper Diaz is a better-than-average college student with a major in architecture and a love of dogs. But while he plays the role of campus playboy, in reality, he believes no one would care enough to worry about him—except his best friend, Liam. His expectations are simple—searching for the latest hookup. His newest obsession is his professor, Lucas Nyman, who has asked Cooper to work as part of the team for an out-of-class project, which he eagerly accepts.

At a celebratory evening at Professor Nyman's home, Cooper is invited to fulfill his latest fantasy--a ménage à trois with the professor and his husband. But the fun turns into something much weightier when pillow talk turns into friendly advice from the pair whose bed Cooper has shared. After a close call that leaves Cooper shaken and a confession from Liam, Cooper begins to realize that life is not as he envisioned.

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Review

This is a short, sexy read about two college best friends. Cooper and Liam have been best friends with benefits for years. 

Cooper Dias was disowned by his parents when they learned he was gay. Cooper buries that pain in sex, often not caring if he's being safe or not. Who would care anyway if anything happened to him anyway?

Liam cares what happens to Cooper, Liam cares a lot. Cooper is his best friend and Liam takes such good care of him. He stands by and watches Cooper hooking up constantly, all the while being there and supporting Cooper.

Cooper has a massive crush on one of his professors and one night ends up in bed with he and his husband. The ménage a trois is hot and everything Cooper hoped it would be. What he isn't expecting is for these men to care enough to talk to him about the risks he's taking with his health. 

After a close call with his health, Cooper and Liam have a heart to heart conversation. Cooper finally begins to understand that just because his family threw him away doesn't mean no one cares about him. He begins to see that his life isn't exactly as he thought it was.

My heart aches for Cooper, replacing love with sex is a lonely way to live. Liam is an amazing friend and I found myself wanting an HEA for these guys. This is a short, but enjoyable read.

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Random Review: Tackling the Subject by Jon Keys #Review #Giveaway

Author: Jon Keys
Book: Tackling the Subject
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Publication date: August 1, 2017
Length: 183 pages

Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

Sam struggles with issues from high school, and his biology tutor triggers them all. Gordy isn't sure he wants to deal with the trouble Sam represents.

Sam Doherty, a twenty-two-year-old Computer Science major is struggling to pass the required classes in biology. While Sam is out and proud, he's secretly dealing with an assault he suffered in high school. Sam may be the president of the campus Gay-Straight Alliance, but he's struggling to find balance in his life. When he realizes he needs help with his class, he signs up for a biology tutor, but the guy who arrives for their meeting sets off all his triggers.

Gordy Hager is a biology whiz kid, the best tutor at the University Help Center—and the star tackle on the football team. Sam despises him at first sight. Gordy is the brainless caveman athlete that Sam still has nightmares about. Unable to control his reactions, he drives Gordy away and makes it plain he will never ask for his help. One week and a failed quiz later, Sam knows he has to swallow his pride and get help.

But while Gordy might be a nice guy, he isn't going to help someone as insulting as Sam. Sam's determination pays off, and he gets Gordy’s assistance, but his grades are only the first pothole their relationship hits. From their discovery that they both are gay to supporting each other against family, their connection has more than its share of issues. But when their worst fears come to fruition, they struggle with a way to save Gordy's college football career and face Sam's issues of intimacy.

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Review

I'm huge fan of both hurt/comfort and New Adult books so when I saw the blurb for Jon Keys' Tackling the Subject, I couldn't wait to dig in. A jock and a nerd, opposites attracting only added to my excitement. I loved the premise, but this one fell just a tad short for me. While I did mostly enjoy the book, there were a few things that detracted from my overall impression. 

Sam Doherty is out and proud and needs a biology tutor in the worst way. He's a wiz with computers and coding, but genes and mitosis are out of his realm of understanding. So, like any struggling student, he goes to the Student Help Center to request a tutor. He does not expect super jock and star football player Gordy Hager to walk through the door. To say that these two get off on the wrong foot is more than a little understatement. Their first impressions of one another leave a lot to be desired and they part ways less than amicably. It's not until Sam is completely at the end of his rope that he tries to contact Gordy again and and again and again, with no luck. Finally he resorts to begging, and this finally makes Gordy give him another chance. 

Once these two start becoming friends, I was all in. For a bit. Sam's over the top reactions to everything Gordy says and does got frustrating. For his part, Gordy was inordinately sweet and understanding, maybe too much at times, but once Sam's issues and his past come to light it helped me understand Sam better. It doesn't necessarily forgive some of the things he says and does, but it did explain. But really, once I got past all of that, I was really rooting for these guys to get their HEA. The romance was slow to build, but I liked that. It worked for these two that they became such good friends first before the romance and intimacy were added. This is a really quick read and for the most part kept me engaged. The writing was as bit choppy in places, the pace a little slow at times, but overall, a nice story of two guys who are really good for one another. Give this one a try, I think you'll like it.

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Random Review: Crossfire by Jon Keys #Review #Giveaway

Author: Jon Keys
Book: Crossfire 3rd edition
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Publication date: July 18, 2017
Length: 120 pages

Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

Murder, kidnapping and a disappearance. Trooper Rick Anthis could use a break. But he hopes it isn't too late in coming.

Rick Anthis, a forty-five-year-old veteran of the Colorado State Police and his husband, Gabriel Thorkelson, a deputy sheriff in a nearby county, enjoy the peace of their suburban Boulder home, but the neighborhood's tranquility is shattered by three rapid-fire gunshots. The pair’s quick reaction allows Rick to witness the abduction of his eight-year-old buddy, Jacob, by his father.

In their quest to find the boy, the clues are sparse and time is of the essence since Jacob is diabetic, a condition Gabriel is far too familiar with. A search of the father's apartment yields nothing more than an old hiking map that narrows the search down to a few hundred square miles. Rick and his CSI team are on the hunt, but with every bit of progress they make, they are thwarted, especially when Gabriel turns up missing.

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Review

Sometimes a short story really hits the spot. One that's just long enough to let you escape for a little while, that has characters and a plot that keeps you completely engaged. Jon Keys' Crossfire was just such a book. Fun, well written, and a story line that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was my first book to read by him but it won't be the last. 

Set in picturesque Boulder, Colorado, Crossfire is the story of two men who have been together a long time, Gabe and Rick. Both men are older, work in law enforcement, and are happily married. How awesome is that? I don't know about you, but I REALLY enjoy a story about a couple who have have been together for a long time, that have history, and a strong relationship. Gabe and Rick like their quiet life, their home and their neighborhood. Rick especially likes his nine year old next door neighbor Jacob. The play football in the front yard, have him over for barbecue, and it's obvious the boy needs a male role model. Jacob's parents fight constantly and their screaming matches can be heard up and down their otherwise quiet street. One night Rick and Gabe are enjoying a nice evening together only to be interrupted by the sounds of gunshots coming from next door. Both men are skilled officers of the law so they jump into action and arrive just in time to see Jacob's father stuff him into a car and disappear. 

Rick is beside himself with worry and vows to do whatever it takes to find Jacob and return him to safety. He's in charge of the investigation and the search to find Jacob, which turns frantic as more time passes because Jacob is diabetic and has to have his medication. The search takes Rick and his team through mountains, on horses, and into caves. The story moves quickly, as it must because it's not a long book, but it's not too fast. I was frantically turning pages hoping Rick makes it in time to save Jacob. When Gabe also turns up missing, things get even more fraught with danger and excitement. I really liked how Jon Keys kept the story flowing and the action moving. 

This was a really fun, at times sexy, exciting book. If you've never given Jon Keys a try, Crossfire is definitely a great place to start! 

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