Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Kevin Branigan thought he was moving to Austin, Texas, for a job. Instead, he got a life.

Kevin Branigan begins a new life in Austin, Texas, working as a bouncer at his brother’s bar. A teacher by trade, he’s had a hard time getting work and is still hurt over a catastrophic break-up. Doing something completely different seems like a great idea, and being close to his brother, Jack, and Jack’s husband, Tito, is another benefit to his changed circumstances.

Things are looking up until Tito intervenes in a drunken fight at the bar one night. Tito stops a patron from beating up his girlfriend, but it could be very bad if news gets out that Tito, a retired boxer, slugged the guy. Kevin takes the fall, and winds up being arrested.

Sentenced to community service in a gay church, Kevin begins to think that the signs are all bad. However, late one night at the bar, he’s seduced into a hot threesome with two of his co-workers. He finds himself drawn into this dangerous mix, as well as to a hunky undercover cop, Cruz Dixon. Unfortunately Cruz appears to have a boyfriend. Or does he? Can Kevin win over Cruz, who’s captured his heart and his mind? Can he really make a life for himself in the World Capital of Music? Or are his days as Austin’s newest bouncer numbered?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of ménage a trois, ménage a quatre and voyeurism.

Publisher's Note: This book has previously been released by Totally Bound Publishing. It has been expanded, revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

 

Book Review

This was such a fun book to read - as much the second time around as when I read the first edition. The story is about new beginnings, family, and finding love. It's told with elegance, humor, and a deep insight into human nature - all of it: the bad and the good both get exposed for what they are. I love it when a story is honest like this, giving a full picture of the characters and leaving nothing out. Somehow it makes everything that happens more real.

I loved Kevin from the very start. He's just had a horrible breakup with his boyfriend, and what does he do? Start a new life in a new city, to try to put it all behind him. He sees "signs" everywhere, but doesn’t let them stop him. He's such a giving person and will do anything to protect his brother, Jack, and his husband, Tito. Not to mention Tito’s adorable sons who are being kept away from him by a vengeful mother who doesn’t like the fact that Tito stopped earning lots of money as a boxer.

Cruz is the enigmatic cop Kevin falls for. The man isn't out, and initially shies away from a deeper connection because he's been burned as well. It took me a little longer to figure out Cruz, but I agree with Kevin: he's a guy worth the effort of getting to know him.

This is a great read with wonderful observations about human nature, and one that doesn't shy away from the serious issues. All of it wrapped up in the humor of Kevin’s unique outlook on life, ensuring that there is never a dull moment.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 118 pages/36875 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-September-2015
Price	$4.50 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/the-bouncer