C2’s review of With Abandon (With or Without Series, Book 4) by J.L. Langley
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain Publishing, 22 Mar 11

Matt Mahihkan has never lived anywhere except the Southwest, so when he gets a scholarship to a college in Georgia, he has to leave behind his family, his friends, and his pack.  Did I mention Matt is a werewolf – an adorable, klutzy, color-blind werewolf?  Because he is. His friend Keaton, who happens to be from Georgia, arranges for Matt to spend full moons with his former pack.  While getting ready to move, Matt texts Keaton’s brother Aubrey to introduce himself and ask some questions about his new home.  He and Aubrey continued to text each other and develop a friendship of sorts – so much so that Aubrey offers to let Matt stay in his condo.

Aubrey Reynolds takes his responsibilities very seriously.  He recently has taken over management of his family’s chain of hotels and is high up in the structure of his pack, as well.  Aubrey grew up knowing he’s expected to take over for his father and maintain the family’s place in society – both human and wolf.  And growing up in the conservative South, expectations are very, very high.  So anything unusual has to be carefully concealed – his human business connections can’t know he is a werewolf and no one, human or wolf, can know he is gay.  So when he meets Matt in person and discovers Matt is his mate, Aubrey sees all sorts of problems looming on the horizon. Aubrey initially tells Matt he doesn’t have room in his life for a mate.  But they have such instant rapport and Matt is so sweet and temptingly close-by…

As Matt settles into college, dealing with classes and homework and making new friends, Aubrey deals with problems at work. The board of directors doesn’t want to listen to a youngster, one of the board is blackmailing an employee, and the potential scandal if anyone finds out about his and Matt’s relationship weigh on his mind.

Deciding what to do about his relationship with Matt is hard for Aubrey – he isn’t just battling the opinion of others, he is battling with himself.  It is hard to completely change the way you look at your life when you have had a clear plan for so long.  Aubrey is suddenly forced to address new possibilities and is tempted to put himself ahead of the people depending on him, but he wants so much to live up to all the expectations of others. Along the way Aubrey and Matt learn the enemy isn’t always who you think it is and friends aren’t always what they seem.

The relationship between Aubrey and Matt is so sweet and fun.  Being with Matt lets Aubrey play and de-stress and being with Aubrey gives Matt someone to take care of and gives him some grown-up responsibilities. Even though they come together with different ideas – Matt doesn’t want a relationship anything like the one his parents have and Aubrey wants to continue his family’s legacy – they balance each other.  With Abandon can stand alone, but I recommend the whole series…the world keeps expanding and getting richer and the friendships continue to deepen and strengthen.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Love was never part of his plan…until it pounced.

As heir to an old and proud heritage, Aubrey Reynolds works and lives for his family, his employees and his pack. Agreeing to watch after a visiting werewolf is no big deal—until he discovers the newcomer is his mate. His very male mate…which is a very big deal, indeed. Revealing his sexuality was never part of Aubrey’s well-ordered life plan.

Much as he loved caring for his eight younger brothers, Matt Mahihkan knows it’s time to grab the opportunity to attend college in Atlanta. Realizing Aubrey is his mate should have been a delightful experience…except Aubrey treats him more like a dirty little secret than a lover. Yet Matt is a patient man. Aubrey can’t stay in the closet forever. Can he?

In time, they settle into a comfortable, if complicated, routine. Until a rogue werewolf with an axe to grind forces Aubrey to add to the wedge of secrets driving him and Matt apart, leaving Matt exposed to danger…and Aubrey forced to choose between love and duty.

Warning: Contains color abuse with a really bad sense of fashion, a southern accent from hell, sex on antique furniture, a pouncing playful werewolf, obnoxious siblings, liberal use of a color identifier and impatient sex. No lightning bugs were harmed in the making of this book.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of In His Mind (Raynes Paranormal Investigations, Book 3) by Cheryl Dragon
Contemporary Paranormal Erotic eBook short story released by Cerridwen Press 4 Feb 09

I don’t read male/male books very often, mostly because I’ve yet to find many that work for me. I tried this one because the blurb didn’t sound too bad and I’ve wanted to read Cheryl Dragon. So this was my chance. Unfortunately, this short story fell short just as so many have before it.

The biggest disappointment for me is there’s not a whole lot of emotion between these two men. Yes, there’s lust and the times they’re having sex, there’s plenty of emotion, but that’s all from the body. I didn’t read much emotion from the heart. Maybe I shouldn’t be looking for that in these books. But if the main characters begin a relationship, have sex, overcome issues, and fall in love just like a straight romance, why wouldn’t I get the same emotion in a m/m romance?

Adam and Parker have been attracted to one another ever since Parker came to work for Adam’s family’s paranormal investigations business. They’ve basically avoided each other, trying not to make things difficult for the family or the business. But on this case there isn’t any choice, all other family members are busy, so Adam accompanies Parker on a ghost hunting trip. Parker is a telepath and tries to stay out of Adam’s mind but doesn’t always succeed this night, gleaning a few tidbits from the man that he’s glad to hear. For the most part anyway.

Adam still has issues as far as his family is concerned. They have no idea about his lifestyle, especially his brothers, and he’s not sure he can tell them even now. Before these two even talk after setting up their equipment and getting ready to locate their ghost, they’re all over each other in a frenzied rush. Okay, I can see that since they’ve been wanting each other for a while and now they’re alone and it’s their chance. But it never really goes beyond that between them. They do talk about Adam finally telling his family, he’s afraid too, but maybe with Parker at his side he can do it.

In between all this they have help a gay ghost cross over so he will be with his lover who left him while they were both still alive. The paranormal part of this book is actually interesting, Parker’s telepathy and his ability to astral transport. Adam and Parker even share thoughts the closer they become, leading Parker to believe Adam is telepathic also and he should be tested. They do successfully end the case, so it’s time for them to face the music as far as Adam’s family is concerned.

That point about Adam’s family is a huge part of this story. It’s Adam’s main fear. They even come up with a plan on how to tell everyone for maximum support from his brothers. So when this story ended without that confrontation, I actually felt a little cheated. I wanted to see that confrontation and how Adam’s family did react to his news, any issues from of them, anything! Not one bit of that was included in this story. I was stunned to realize I was at the end and wouldn’t be getting that particular point after it had been dissected by Adam and then discussed by him and Parker throughout the story.

There just isn’t enough here to make me care about the characters all that much. I got the story I always want when I read erotica, but it’s the emotion that seems to be sacrificed after all is said and done.

Grade: D

Summary:
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Adam Rayne is in serious trouble. The new guy at work is hot and interested in him. Even worse, Parker Mullins is a telepath and can read every X-rated thought Adam has. Assigned to a case together for Rayne Paranormal Investigations, he and Parker are barely in the door when they give in. The case demands attention but so do the issues that have kept their relationship on hold. The sex makes Adam more sure of himself and ready to face any ghost with Parker’s help. But can he face his family with the truth and keep his job, family and the man he loves once this case is over?
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: