Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Life has been known by a series of constants. Violence, anger, drugs, sex, death, heartbreak, pain, fear and the most common, hunger. Always hunger. Not the kind that can be satisfied with food, but the kind born of circumstance. The kind that not only claws within a gut, but settles into a heart, consumes a mind. Deeper. Encircles, penetrates the soul. Hunger for something more, something better, safer. Always just out of grasp.

Craving. Starved.

It’s part of me.

Who I am.

Born of blood and violence, hunger is my fate.

Yet, the slightest things can change the directions of a life. An unplanned circumstance, random act—a connection—a chance event, like a lightning strike, fate trumped.

Jamie is my lightning strike.

Tek Cain

Tek Cain was cultivated from birth to lead the motorcycle gang, Crimson Eight. Jamie Ryan, his best friend, is destined to be his second. But forbidden desires have them questioning everything they know, and an undeniable bond makes them want more than their supposed brotherhood can provide. Their love could get them killed, but they are bound to each other—from the cradle to the grave.

 

Book Review

I truly adore Jo Peterson, definitely as a person, but she constantly blows me away with her writing. 'Roped' is book four in her 'Guards of Folsom' series and each book I think “There's no way she can meet or exceed the previous book”. But, each time, she does, and I believe I'm going to stop wondering how she does it. I have certain authors that no matter what they write, be it romance, paranormal, contemporary, urban fantasy, or a combination of all, I always enjoy their work. SJD Peterson is one of those authors. I want to live in her books and I really want to go to Guards of Folsom, the incredible BDSM club featured in these books. Perhaps, someday, the author will take me to her inspiration. *grins*

Motorcycle gang. A world I have no understanding of except what I've read and/or seen on TV. A violent, misogynistic world of crime, drugs, sex, fear, and brutality. A world where being gay isn't just not allowed, it's a death sentence. This is the world that Tek and Jamie were born into. At eighteen when they both become full fledged members of Crimson VIII, Jamie already knows he's in love with his best friend. Tek, however, is working on denial by screwing anything that moves and is female, even though he keeps hoping he'll eventually feel something. These times where Tek and Jamie are immersed within the gang life are dark times with bloodshed and violence and these scenes were difficult to read but understandable based on the motorcycle culture. When the Feds confront Tek and Jamie with their surveillance outing them as lovers in exchange for a deal, Tek and Jamie know they have no choice but to disappear and head to the East Coast and far away from home. Crimson VIII will kill them for being gay and neither man is willing to rat out their fellow members.

From the beginning of this book I was struck with how different it is in relation to the prior books in the series. So, if you're expecting a story similar to 'Pup', 'Tag Team', or 'Pony', you won't get it. However, entwined amongst the darkness is a powerful story of love and friendship which sheds moments of very intense light into the dark. Jamie and Tek have been together from the moment of birth and their motto of “cradle to grave” isn't just a saying for them. Hiding from the gang and the Feds leads them to New York where Tek gets a job as a bouncer at Guards of Folsom. The club offers some insight for both Jamie and Tek as neither of these men is familiar with the BDSM lifestyle. Interestingly, both of these men are dominant tops, so watching and learning at the club becomes quite entertaining. Of course, they get the best of the best to learn from, i.e. Tackett, Blake, Bobby, Rig, Micah, and Ty.

"Life has a strange way of steering you directly down the path you were meant to travel, ending up at a place you were meant to be. I don't know if I ever believed in the whole destiny, fate, mumbo jumbo or if it was simply a coincidence. All I know is that behind the door of a BDSM club in New York City, I found a job, amazing friends, and discovered a whole new side of me. Damnedest things, those coincidences."

I'll be honest and admit that the majority of my enjoyment of this book happened when Tek and Jamie met up with the Folsom guys whom I already love. That isn't to say I disliked the earlier part of the book. Not at all. It was simply different. Now, I might need to have some words with the author, because she left me hanging a bit at the end. Although, she's also set it up that the next book is probably going to blow everything else out of the water. I grew to adore Jamie and Tek, Jo, so thank you for their story. Now, could you hurry up with the next one? *big grin*

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook, print and audio
Length	Novel, 210 pages/63451 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	12-May-2014
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle, $19.95 audiobook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/roped-by-sjd-peterson-109-b