Sandy M’s review of The Talented Mr. Rivers (Tough Love, Book 2) by HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Loveswept 13 Sep 16
For me, HelenKay Dimon is one of the best when it comes to gay romance. I’ve read some others over the years that just don’t fire on all burners – too much emphasis on alphaness, not enough emotion, love, or romance, or lack of a good storyline, just to name a few things. Ms. Dimon gives readers a perfect balance of all of those items, plus a lot more. I now enjoy reading gay romance much more than ever before, thanks to her talented writing.
This story picks up after the events in the last book, Mr. and Mr. Smith, with Hunter, who works for the BND, a German CIA equivalent, finally tracking down Will Rivers, the only known survivor of the explosion at the Rivers family home. Bad guys are still after Will, so Hunter needs to make sure he’s safe. He also wants more from Will, despite the fact he’s not sure what that “more” is. Just when he’s about to kick his plan into place to move Will to someplace safer, former characters in the series pop up to take over the mission, which doesn’t make Hunter happy at all, but, in the end, he doesn’t have much choice.
Will has never been involved in the family “business,” the killing and blackmailing and everything else criminal. He was sent away, he feels, so he wouldn’t be exposed to any element in which his family participated. He’s not sure he can trust Hunter either, since the man worked for this sister, who died in the explosion. It seems he may not be able to trust anyone. But he does know he wants Hunter. They both tap dance around the other, while flinging smoldering looks and sexy innuendoes at one another. You feel the tension and heat emanating off the page during these scenes. That heat leads to sizzling, sensual sex, even during inopportune times – these two can’t keep their hands, mouths, and tongues to themselves.
In between all of this, both agencies are working together to bring down Pentasus, the murderous business of Will’s family. They learn Peter, Will’s brother, is still alive and make sure he will make contact with Will to further their agenda, along with the family’s main competitor, who is just as scary as Peter. Though he’s been instructed to put the mission above all else, Hunter’s feelings for Will become more and more conflicted. Will begins to see the real Hunter, and though trust is still difficult to give, he’s the first to acknowledge his feelings and want a real relationship between them.
It’s good to see the entire team again. Fisher and Sean are doing well together since their book, MaMS, which is especially nice because Fisher and Hunter had a thing going in that story. The banter between them all is fun at times, and the camaraderie is still there after all they’ve been through together. The action is fast-paced and comes into play on several fronts, ending in an explosive showdown in which, for a few moments, it’s not known who survived and who didn’t and who’s going to take blame for certain actions. What I like most, however, is the love that works its way through these two men. Watching them evolve into that emotion is a treat to see. Love is love and should be shown as such, no matter gender, race, color, whatever. That’s what HelenKay Dimon does better than most.
Grade: A
Summary:
As the son of an international crime lord, Will Rivers only inherited one thing after his father died: trouble. The Pentasus organization deals in kidnapping and murder, and Will wants no part of the power grab that’s tearing leadership apart. But the only way he’ll be able to escape is with some help from his former bodyguard, Hunter Cain, whose sculpted body and brooding looks keep Will awake at night. Somehow, Hunter has resisted the tension between them . . . until, suddenly, he gives in.
As a German intelligence officer working deep undercover, Hunter has a very good reason to keep Will in the dark about his identity and his intentions. Although the sex is hot, Hunter’s true feelings are a growing liability. Now the only way to save Will from his old life is to push him deeper into danger. But when two strong men are each determined to protect the other, the heat isn’t just combustible. It’s a firestorm.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
