FanLit

An enlightening view from Daniel’s side of the evening. Alec, for his apparent superficiality, is another intriguing character and seems to be a great friend to Daniel. The procurement process for Malik’s services was fascinating….seems there will also be familial consequences with a controlling mother who isn’t the biggest fan of her daughter in law. "You contracted Nox," he went on, softer and somehow barer for it. "Not a friend. Our engagements are finite by design. No repeats. No reach-outs. This is where our transaction ends." He paused, the smallest fracture in the smoothness. "You won't see me again." Daniel and Nora’s lives weren’t the only ones changed that night, will “Malik” make a life change as well, or is that “transaction” really over? Kudos to your attention to detail on the professional lives of Nora, Daniel and all your other characters, for that matter; you’ve either lived a varied life, do excellent research, have interesting people you glean facts from, or some combinations of all I mentioned, lol.

🫰 Should’ve taken that psychology elective in college, lol.

@HHP67‘s post you quoted reminds me: How does one go about finding someone with Malik’s, um “skill set”? If he is not a previous lover/reference, what search title would “Malik” (his name for the night) be looked up under: “Love Chef”? “Culinary Specialist of the Erotic Arts?” Initially, he seemed quite professional in both his culinary & copulatory abilities….then his one on one encounter with Daniel became very proprietary, which made me wonder if this wasn’t a first time for them; yes Daniel said the encounter was new but he easily could have been referring to the night in general, or sharing his lover with his wife. “I don't bring a script. I bring appetite and a talent for listening to what isn't said." “I'm not here to ruin your furniture. I'm here to bring back texture. Hunger needs edges." If “Malik”doesn’t bring a script, does he often get involved with his clients? If he hadn’t previously, is he willing to now? “You know, I've been doing this a long time,"…. "Met a lot of people. Helped more than a few." …. "But your husband," he went on, and something complicated moved across his face, respect, heat, a tenderness he didn't owe her. "he…struck a chord." "Daniel," he said, almost clinically, "is the most fascinating man I've ever fucked."… “What makes him…dangerous, intoxicating…is that he doesn't know it. He has no idea how much gravity he throws. The want in him. The hunger." None of that sounds as though he’s willing to stay detached (if he wasn’t already involved). Daniel’s been keeping secrets, either from Nora, himself or both, what does his life look like now? I can’t wait to see where you bring Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont on this journey of discovery; whether they stay Mr. and Mrs. at the end of it remains to be seen. Oh yeah-does Hal have a crush on Nora? For a brief moment, I thought he was going to be the cook/third party, lol.

Your reaction was spot on….I was shaking at the end of the chapter.

Thank you for saying this. As a heterosexual female who has enjoyed gay erotica for years, (mainly MM) I’ve often felt when a female is included in a storyline that isn’t lesbian geared, that the author didn’t like women.

WOW. Two thoughts came from this: Be careful what you wish for. Don’t asks a question that you really don’t want the answer to. You have created an incredible scenario for these two people (three? Was Malik an excuse or surprise?) A memorable birthday for Nora, indeed. I have no sides right now; This might be your most interesting journey yet. (and that’s saying something, lol)

“That boy has no idea who he’s dealing with.” No, Ms. Veronica, you have no idea who you’re dealing with. I'm Team River all the way, his circumstances may be strained but he is every bit an equal to the people he was dining with, maybe even more; Xavier did Zayn a favor setting these two up together. How does it appear Harry is acceptable but Zayn is not? Is Harry closeted? The other Monroes seem to accept Zayn as he is, why was that not enough to stand up to Leonardo, especially his sister? Whether River and Zayn fall in love or not, Zayn needs River there as his support on this trip, whether he realizes it or not. Hypocrisy is not exclusive to the rich, just more annoying among them, lol. “Truth?” Zayn’s voice was sharp now, incredulous. “You insulted my aunt in front of everyone. Do you even realize what you did down there?” Is it okay for your aunt and former lover to insult your “boyfriend of three years” in front of your whole family, Zayn? “She raised me when my mother couldn’t.” There is much to unpack on this trip. Looking forward to round, I mean chapter 3.

Thank you for taking us on another odyssey full of passion, love, pathos, strength and pursuit of the path to peace. You tell your stories in many different places with many different people…. amongst the amazing, intriguing and engaging characters of this story, the South is one of the most captivating. This story feels like it only could have been told below the Mason Dixon Line.

Tara is lucky Max loves her because her lack of food boundaries on a regular basis would be an issue for me, lol. “I had a fleeting thought that life might be complicated until I figured out how to keep the peace between two people who were mine to protect. And whoa! Back it up there, Max. Tara’s yours because you love her. Roman is just a necessary add-on to Sam and Ben …” Max’s conscious self may keep resisting but he’s already fallen for Roman….his thoughts and physical reactions tell everything. “I considered it fitting that the only printed photo in my apartment concealed the weapon that I’d be willing to draw without hesitation for the people in that picture.” Now he’s going to need two new pics, a group one that includes Roman, as well as one (or several) with just he and Roman together. 👨‍❤️‍👨 Harry Malcom Melone-Max’s father is PTSD for him….war isn’t only fought with body armor & bullets shot from the chamber of a gun, there’s no real protection or “thick skin” from the verbal and emotional bullets shot from the chamber of parental disapproval. “From people who cared about me, compassion and empathy were unacceptable. Anyone who felt an ounce of pity for me, was someone I’d let down. And that wasn’t happening today.” 😔 The additional legacy of General Melone. 🤬 He’s under the doghouse as far as being a parent is concerned, I’m very surprised Ms. Vera doesn’t have major beef with how he treats their son. “He didn’t say anything, but the slight quirk to the corners of his sensual-lipped mouth was becoming familiar to me as a marker for the real Roman Cruz-the man behind the cool and collected composition he usually showed to the world.” “Who’s Carter?” Roman asked the question with calm in his tone, but it was a measured composure. Deliberate. Not entirely casual.” Now as a trained professional, it’s part of Max’s job to be able to pick up on verbal cues but his ability to do this with Roman comes from a decidedly personal perspective, one usually accompanied with intimate familiarity (and they are just starting out!!!!) LOL. . “Roman Cruz was an unrepentant, stupidly hot hedonist. A pot to my fucking kettle.“ “Catching feelings”aside, it is a bee-yoo-ti-ful thing when your emotional mate is also a perfect sexual match to you, too. 🔥🔥 Enjoyment of the snarky game of dozens aside, I’m with Max in feeling the verbal “kick to the teeth” Tara gave….that should’ve been an A & B conversation, not an A/B/C convo, although the nakedness of it allowed Tara and Roman to assess each other, as well as send their own codes to each other regarding Max. Tara’s “soldier” to Max was her stamp of approval. “You didn’t give me a chance to set my own rules. But that shit ends now.” The shit is about to hit the commitment avoidance fan in a BIG way when Roman lays out his rules, LOL!! Thing is, I think he’ll like it.

“Just food for thought”….and a delectable morsel it is, indeed. This makes perfect sense; Sam and his life was such a glorified unholy mess when he came back to Miami, I didn’t think to decipher Sam’s part in his relationship with Max, except that he loved him. It does “take two to tango” Poor Max, he did fuck up but he wasn’t the only one, hence why Roman is stronger than Sam in this sense & is the right partner for Maximilian. (I love both names together-Roman and Maximilian sounds so regal, that is what should go on their wedding invitations, lol) For all the guilt Max carries around about Sam, I hope that he gets to hear this perspective from someone, he deserves the validation.

For some reason, I feel the incident involved a miscarriage with Ms. Vera that also indirectly involved Max. Is there a sliver of subconscious resentment in Max’s treatment of Sam over the years because of what happened? The misfits already have an idea about Max’s importance to Roman, given that he broke his rule about dancing with anyone at his club when he danced with Max opening night at Deseos; (only Ben and his staff would understand the significance of that). Since Max has been at both clubs since the opening & the wedding, I suspect Roman’s staff has been discreetly checking him out, taking his measure to see if he’s a worthy consort for the “King”…. I think they approve and are keeping their own counsel until they need to.

I think it also bears remembering how this all started: Ben asked Roman to look after Max the night of his wedding to Sam; while he didn’t exactly instruct Roman to distract Max with sex, Ben (as Roman’s best friend) already knew that Roman was genuinely attracted to Max. While there may be lingering insecurity of Sam and Max’s connection on Ben’s part, he would never have pushed Roman in Max’s orbit solely as a diversion. Ben also has a way of looking after his personal flock, he has no problem shepherding R & M together because in his world, all his loved ones are happily paired up. (ask Tara, lol)

Such a fantastic comment. You always notice the subliminal of a situation in your comments-connections & substitutions that I think even the authors don’t always realize; I don’t know if psychological analysis is your calling or a natural inclination but you do it well.

I hope this posting is a sign you are feeling better. “Roman was always hot, but not until now had I realized that all the times our paths had crossed and he’d smiled, they’d been politely guarded. He was always on, even in safe places like his clubs”…. “and at Ben and Sam’s house for BBQ’s when it was just friends and family.” “His smile was so different right now, it was suddenly blatantly obvious that he just knew how to keep himself on lock in public like Sam used to.” “Just like you do.” You don’t get over loving someone for twenty years in a few months but Max is healing and rebound or not, Roman Cruz is his future….consciously or not, Roman’s already let his guard down around Max (hence the real smile) and Max is way more relaxed around Roman than he’s comfortable with-both in bearing witness to his feelings for Sam & his feelings of inadequacy to be in a deeply intimate relationship; all this runs concurrently with the vulnerability Max feels because he’s actually falling for Roman at the same time, in a way you convincingly portray. (it does happen) Oh, and by the way Max, this ain’t a one night stand no more my friend, you’s having you an affair, mi amigo. Henry Malcon Melone has a lot to answer for, he had a treasure of a child and treated him like trash, so much so that not even the unconditional love and acceptance of the two most important people in Max’s life to this point (his mother and Sam) was able to make up for it. Whether intentionally or accidentally done, military man or not, Henry Melone (I forget his rank) owes one Maximilian Melone an apology. “And damnit, I liked it when Roman Cruz smiled.” That lasso’s already looped around Max & he’ll go down kicking and screaming but Roman’s the one to hog tie him into the love he deserves (hell, he might like that position, lol) By the way, you say sex scenes aren’t your forte but I can’t tell; you do it very well, in two languages no less, lol. Roman has acquired the most precious of his misfit toys, ever, one that’ll take care of him right back. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🩹💝

Nope, so far Sam & Max are my favorite individual characters. I wanted them together at first and while nothing will change the love they have for each other (they were each other’s first loves), I see now the sense that Ben makes for Sam & that Max needs a different partner. Hopefully, each in a new relationship will allow them to fall back into the ease they have with each other without the awkwardness they currently have with Sam’s marriage to Ben, though I suspect Ben (and Roman later on) will always have that frisson of insecurity over how much Sam and Max meant to each other.

I like Max and Roman’s type of sex, as well as their approach to sex with each other; allowing for each one’s ways to be, while making what I think are little exceptions for each other they normally wouldn’t make, all with the goal of mutual control and satisfaction, lol. These two loyal and loving men are already falling for each other, whether they realize it or not….each will fight it every step of the way, which will make the capitulation blazing hot. 🔥❤️‍🔥; both deserve the good solid love they will give to each other. I think previously Max and Tara flirted with the idea of procreating together, I hope they go through with it….what a stunning combination of DNA that child will be, outside and in. Will either wait to be in stable relationships for that possibility, or seize the day, as it were? You’ve introduced an engaging cast of characters in this story series, I like them very much, though I do have a preference for Sam and Max, lol. Thanks for the new chapter. 🙏 🎁

Bruno and Lily got together with their respective baggage, yet managed to create a beautiful family together; for 10 years, Bruno loved all three of his sons because they were his sons-he loved them from birth, took immense pride in their disparate personalities and infused his values into them, which they accepted as their birthright. Why was Lilly unfaithful? Why did she try to pass of her two eldest sons as her husband’s? We don’t know, but it was wrong. Why did Bruno instantly turn on his prides and joys once he found out they weren’t biologically his? Why did it not matter that they loved him unconditionally, that his stance only softened on Daniel once he was confirmed as biologically his? Why did that affection turn into something sexual? Why did Bruno then brutalize Lucian and Peter for being born and not sharing his DNA? We don’t know, but it was wrong, very, very wrong; those children should never have paid the price for their parent’s mistakes. Now, Lucian is a spoiled masochist, stuck in his own hurt and consumed with destroying Bruno, blaming Peter and Daniel for not wanting the same vengeance over their childhood….Peter is trying to rise from the ashes of his fucked up childhood by putting Bruno totally out of his life and doing the best he can….Daniel wound up molding himself into the perfect sacrifice, catering to Bruno’s moods and covering for his brothers (had Daniel proved to not be biologically Bruno’s there’s no doubt that Daniel’s efforts would be in vain). Are these boy’s temperaments like their respective fathers? I don’t know if glimpses of Bruno’s youth will be shared to give some idea to how he could go from the best father in the world to the worst so utterly; it won’t justify his treatment of the boys but it can provide some base of understanding. As it stands, Lucian doesn’t seem to realize that he may sacrifice himself on the altar of reprisal; there is a saying about revenge: “If you seek revenge, dig two graves”. Life is not all sunshine and roses and happy endings….as bleak as this story is, it depicts a reality as well (and you are telling it well).

Lane & Stone are already part of the family….looks like a mutual love fest between Lee and Lane, as well as Lee and Stone (of course that one’s a little more “complicated”, lol) The “biker” gang is amazing (the star struck moment with Ford was cute!!) & it’s wonderful to see Stephen land on his feet (hopefully personally, as well as professionally)….Lane is going to be the bestest dog owner, lol. Speaking of moments (and “complicated”), to badly paraphrase lyrics from a Prince song: “I feel the heat/the heat between he and him”. It’s multilayered, more than lust; definitely more than either can handle or walk away from.

Enjoying the visit back to this world. Loving adult Lee & his soulmate (?) Stone; chemistry was crackling between them after the exchange of a few words. Each seems to be what the other needs; Stone’s instant, intense tendre toward Lee was endearing. Did Lee’s bio unit reproduce by accident or do they need an innocent physical and emotional punching bag made of their own flesh? I’m glad Lee fucked his sperm donor up, probably was a whole lot of therapy right there.

With all that this chapter revealed: blurred boundaries and apocalyptic discoveries, the one question that stayed with me is: why is Blake literally fucking around with Colton with all he has going on with Jackson and Daisy? That hookup in the bathroom was damned risky….Colton seems to hate having sex with Blake, yet I’m pretty sure Blake isn’t forcing him. I know in Ch. 1 when they hooked up down by the river: “One was trying to forget something, the other was trying to feel anything at all.” but Colton is a wild card, a messed up mass of confusion and bad news who will definitely have something to say if Blake gets into anything serious with either member of the Bell family.

I was also hollowed out by a narcissist (though never officially diagnosed because therapy was an abhorrent enemy to him, I am all but certain my father has narcissistic personality disorder and/or borderline personality disorder). As a child, I didn’t have a Nick in my life but fervently wished I did….there is no feeling like loving someone and then wishing they were gone or dead so you’d feel safe. My father was my first love-before God, brother and son and he wrecked me for all future relationships…. I left but wound up trying to save my father and family life in future relationships, not realizing that the only person I could save was myself. I was Nick (my mother was broken) and Bobby and no match for him. I hope Nick allows Bobby into his life now but I hope they’ve both moved on, imo they both need new partners.

Cash is the kind of friend anyone would be lucky to have. You suuuuuure know how to write some sexual and emotional tension, lol. You’ve done a good job bringing readers to the heat in place and people…I’m nervous about a Jackson/Daisy/Blake triangle ‘cause either Jackson or Daisy are liable to be deeply hurt & I’m already invested in both (Blake too, I reckon but he’s the one doing the potential heartbreaking, though he may be taking on more than he expects with Jackson). Colton is also a wild card-is he gay? Bi? Does his animosity towards Jackson come from deeper feelings that are not hate? What/why is there a connection between he and Blake? What will his reaction be if he cottons on to Blake’s attraction to Jackson? The supporting cast are as entertaining as your main characters; couple them with the southern locale and it puts me in the mind of a Tennessee Williams play….nicely done.

What an excellent, masterful, thoughtful review. I wish you the very best.

Parents/adults assess their children….watch them grow and either break or bind-break them down or apart with criticism or apathy, or bind them together with love, acceptance and encouragement; criticism should be constructive & that child should know it comes because their grownups care about them. Adrian was a very sensitive child born to damaged parents-an apathetic mother and a father that seemed to have armor of his own (alcoholism & a cruel cynicism-might his son be a reflection of himself he’s uncomfortable seeing?) As my heart aches for the Adrian child who received no love at all, the glimpses of his childhood explain, not excuse. Some people endure horrific circumstances and decide they will be a force for love, others decide the world owes them something and the only way they’ll get it is by taking it, even (or especially) if others suffer for it….by choosing this path, (which I know he felt he had no other choice) Adrian doomed himself to failure as a father and a husband, because he took and never truly gave of himself; he continued the cycle of bad parenting begat him onto Bobby. The fact he’s in therapy indicates he’s hit a bottom of some sort and wants to do things differently….hopefully he’ll be receptive to the hard look he has to take at himself & his actions in order to be and do better. 🤞

I also found Adrian’s discovery of Nick & Bobby as lovers a full circle moment, as Nick heard the same words between father and son when he caught them fucking in the shed: “Fuck...Nick..." Bobby moaned. "I love you," he whimpered, his face digging into Nick's shoulder. Nick's hands came up, fingers spread out, tracing up Bobby's back, all the way to his neck, where they finally lingered. "I love you, too..." Nick groaned, his hips pistoning passionately into Bobby. "So fucking much..."