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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
Well this was a bit different.
As per the blurb, Nick and Brandon meet up at a goth convention and sparks fly immediately. However, being a cop, Brandon is deeply in the closet and makes no apologies. Nick is a Nevada Gaming Control Agent and has never hidden who he is. Such a set up is perfect for lots of drama and this did not disappoint.
So… there's some hard core man on man action - it is intense with some kink and bondage - but overall pretty darn hot. This was very low on the fluff and hearts and flowers - but plenty of out of control lust and relationship shenanigans that caused a bit of whiplash.
Oh. And there's a murder. It involves the tampering of slot machines and money laundering. There was quite a bit of info dump regarding all the gaming regulations required in and out of Nevada - most of which went over my head.
Despite all of that, it was entertaining with just enough feels to satisfy my romance requirements. It will be interesting to see how these two forge ahead and compromise. I foresee a lot more crazy and great makeup sex...
As always, a great BR with the girls! You know who you are!
As per the blurb, Nick and Brandon meet up at a goth convention and sparks fly immediately. However, being a cop, Brandon is deeply in the closet and makes no apologies. Nick is a Nevada Gaming Control Agent and has never hidden who he is. Such a set up is perfect for lots of drama and this did not disappoint.
So… there's some hard core man on man action - it is intense with some kink and bondage - but overall pretty darn hot. This was very low on the fluff and hearts and flowers - but plenty of out of control lust and relationship shenanigans that caused a bit of whiplash.
Oh. And there's a murder. It involves the tampering of slot machines and money laundering. There was quite a bit of info dump regarding all the gaming regulations required in and out of Nevada - most of which went over my head.
Despite all of that, it was entertaining with just enough feels to satisfy my romance requirements. It will be interesting to see how these two forge ahead and compromise. I foresee a lot more crazy and great makeup sex...
As always, a great BR with the girls! You know who you are!
drez80's review against another edition
3.0
I started off really liking this book, but Brandon quickly irritated me. Flirting with and touching women when he's out with Nicky. Granted they were pretending Brandon was straight, but he still had no right to be touching a woman like that. And why did Brandon feel the need to pretend to that extent? They weren't out with Brandon's friends or co-workers, so why the need to flirt and touch the woman? It just didn't make sense. He did get better by the end, verbally flirting with no touching, but it wasn't enough to make me like him. And while I liked Nicky for the most part, why did he let Brandon get away with everything and why did he apologize to Brandon? After the way Brandon treated him and what he said in his VM, Nicky had every right to do whatever he wanted, and it really irked me that Nicky kept trying to call him and leaving messages and sending emails and trying to IM Brandon. Nicky is the reason I don't read as many MF books anymore. Why do you continually call, IM, email, etc. a guy who told you to get lost or who doesn't treat you right? It just makes you look weak and desperate. And please stop taking the guy back just because he apologized. He should have to earn it. The fact that Nicky apologized to Brandon just made all of that worse.
divapitbull's review against another edition
4.0
Cheating Chance sounded like an interesting diversion as the main character Nicky O’Malley is involved in the Goth lifestyle. He has long waist length black hair, dresses in frock coats and bondage pants (he lost me with the cinchers and knee high Doc Martens), drives a beat up hearse named Querida (because that’s what Gomez calls Morticia and means “I desire you”) and lives in a black house decorated with lots of Victorian furniture, red velvet and vampire cookie jars. He has been known to affectionately be referred to as Dracula and The Prince of Darkness. It’s interesting, although it still seems a little like playing dress up to me. But Nicky is good guy, he’s easy to like. Nicky lives in Vegas and is an agent for the Nevada Gaming Commission – which is something you will learn more than you could ever possibly want to know by the end of the book.
Rebounding off the end of a serious relationship Nicky meets Brandon “I’m not out, nor do I ever intend to be as long as I’m a cop” Carr at Convergence 11 a Goth Convention in California. Brandon is very sexy in his Biker Goth attire with all his Harley riding tattoos and piercings and spiked black hair. Nothing like working Vice to allow for a little leeway in appearance. Nicky and Brandon hook up for some immediate hot sex even though neither of them are the “one night hook up type”, but they click and one night turns into the whole weekend turns into exchanging email addresses.
But it’s not all about the Nicky and Brandon romance with copious amounts of sexy times. Happy to report that they’re both game for switching things up and neither is effeminate or twinky. There’s some light BDSM and I like the they stress the trust factor. Oh sure there’s some relationship drama. Brandon can’t stop hitting on chicks (even though he has no intention of doing anything about it) which hurts Nicky’s feelings. Then there’s the big relationship conflict in which Brandon takes the whole “Ross and Rachel, We were on a break” routine to delusional levels –but thankfully the boys work it out.
Which is good because by now the mystery of Nicky’s murdered ex. co-worker is in full swing. Nicky is a “person of interest”, Nicky and Brandon get up to some Love Boat style sleuthing and the Mexican Mafia makes an appearance. Apparently Nick’s ex. Co-worker, turned private sector programmer was involved in some sort of illegal gambling scheme. It’s embarrassing that that’s as descriptive as I can be because Cheating Chance delivered a fairly comprehensive, detailed description of the Gaming Industry and the ways in which people can attempt to cheat it. On the one hand it really was quite interesting; and on the other at times so technical I felt like I was reading a text book (for a class I was sadly about to fail).
But overall the story, despite all the Mexican Mafia drama was fairly light and fun. I’m invested in Nicky and Brandon and I’m glad there are 2 more books in the series.
Rebounding off the end of a serious relationship Nicky meets Brandon “I’m not out, nor do I ever intend to be as long as I’m a cop” Carr at Convergence 11 a Goth Convention in California. Brandon is very sexy in his Biker Goth attire with all his Harley riding tattoos and piercings and spiked black hair. Nothing like working Vice to allow for a little leeway in appearance. Nicky and Brandon hook up for some immediate hot sex even though neither of them are the “one night hook up type”, but they click and one night turns into the whole weekend turns into exchanging email addresses.
But it’s not all about the Nicky and Brandon romance with copious amounts of sexy times. Happy to report that they’re both game for switching things up and neither is effeminate or twinky. There’s some light BDSM and I like the they stress the trust factor. Oh sure there’s some relationship drama. Brandon can’t stop hitting on chicks (even though he has no intention of doing anything about it) which hurts Nicky’s feelings. Then there’s the big relationship conflict in which Brandon takes the whole “Ross and Rachel, We were on a break” routine to delusional levels –but thankfully the boys work it out.
Which is good because by now the mystery of Nicky’s murdered ex. co-worker is in full swing. Nicky is a “person of interest”, Nicky and Brandon get up to some Love Boat style sleuthing and the Mexican Mafia makes an appearance. Apparently Nick’s ex. Co-worker, turned private sector programmer was involved in some sort of illegal gambling scheme. It’s embarrassing that that’s as descriptive as I can be because Cheating Chance delivered a fairly comprehensive, detailed description of the Gaming Industry and the ways in which people can attempt to cheat it. On the one hand it really was quite interesting; and on the other at times so technical I felt like I was reading a text book (for a class I was sadly about to fail).
But overall the story, despite all the Mexican Mafia drama was fairly light and fun. I’m invested in Nicky and Brandon and I’m glad there are 2 more books in the series.
teresab78's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars I really liked Nick although I thought he deserved better than Brandon. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about gambling and slot machines but enjoyed the "mystery" and liked that it took us different places. The sex was hot though some of the elements seemed thrown in last minute to spice things up; it didn't always fit the scene.
The best part of this book was the points I got in Scavenger Hunt!
The best part of this book was the points I got in Scavenger Hunt!
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic read and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! While the story has a lot of tech-speak (which feeds my techno-geeky-heart) it doesn't overpower the story nor does it take the reader away from the plot.
Why I loved this read: Nicky and Brandon's attraction slaps you in the face, wakes you up and takes you on a pleasure ride you don't want to come back from! There is a lovely rope bondage scene that is so accurate in its depiction that you don't have to know much about shibari to 'see' it or enjoy it. One of the many things I love about James Buchanan's writing is the raw sexuality that just oozes from the characters. There is plot, romance, a cop, a goth, and sex in a hearse. What's not to love!?!
Summary: Vice Detective, Brandon Carr, despite his tattoos and bad-boy cool, lives in the closet with no intention of ever coming out. Then he meets Nevada Gaming Agent, Nick O'Malley, at a Goth convention and his perfectly constructed world starts to crack. Nick's passions for him, a restored hearse and rope bondage might drown Brandon's will. With the odds stacked against them they try to move from simply sex to something more. Sparks fly as the pair probes a world of cheating, murder, drugs and money laundering. The investigation repeatedly derails their relationship, finally forcing Brandon to choose between staying in the closet and saving Nick's life. #1 in the Taking the Odds Mystery Series
Why I loved this read: Nicky and Brandon's attraction slaps you in the face, wakes you up and takes you on a pleasure ride you don't want to come back from! There is a lovely rope bondage scene that is so accurate in its depiction that you don't have to know much about shibari to 'see' it or enjoy it. One of the many things I love about James Buchanan's writing is the raw sexuality that just oozes from the characters. There is plot, romance, a cop, a goth, and sex in a hearse. What's not to love!?!
Excerpt: “Sex doesn’t solve things, Nicky.” Sucking on the denim as Nick tried to unzip his pants, Brandon’s mouth kept getting in the way of Nick’s fingers.
It felt so incredible. “It’s pretty much all I’ve got to offer.”
Brandon stopped. “That’s not true and you know it.” As the sky finally cut loose with drum beats on the roof, Brandon stood, pushing his long black hair out of his eyes. “You’re smart, you’re sexy, you’re stable... more or less.” Brandon’s arms looped across Nick’s waist. “There’re some freaky things going on when you get hissy. You make some stupid decisions. All in all you’re pretty well pulled together.” Brandon’s hands cupped Nick’s butt cheeks as he pulled Nick in. “I, on the other hand, on top of the usual levels of cop paranoia, am pushing thirty and still living in the closet. I don’t know what the fuck you see in me, Nicky, but I’m glad you saw something. Life was starting to get real lonely. I’ve never been so thrown by someone, wanted to be with them so much.”
He’d never had anyone this hot before; never had anyone this interested in him before. Jake had wanted someone to worship him. Nick had done it at first because it was a game, and later because, well, that’s just how they were together. But Brandon was wanting, and offering, something a lot more satisfying.
“Like right now?” Nick slid out of his jeans and shoes and onto the table. “Right here?”
“Shit, Nicky.” Brandon yanked his wallet from his back pocket. Tossing it on the table, it fell open, the gold shield flashing as more lightning broke. “Fuck, I’m going to have to start investing in Trojan with you around.” His hands worked his own belt loose as Nick dug the condom from beneath a wad of ones and fives. “Oh hell, I don’t have any lube.”
nicola949's review against another edition
4.0
This book is lots of fun with two gorgeous main characters.
Brandon (biker/tattoos) who works Vice, and Nick (long haired goth) an agent with the Nevada Gaming Commission.
The characters work well together and the sex scenes are hot with a bit of bondage thrown in. The story is fast-paced, following Nick as he uncovers mob involvement involving gaming machines. On the relationship side, Nick deals with an ex-lover and he and Brandon have their ups and downs.
The only downside is the somewhat technical explanations provided about the laws concerning gaming and how the chips inside gaming machines work. Some of this is required to tell the story but could have been reduced a bit. Still a fun read.
Brandon (biker/tattoos) who works Vice, and Nick (long haired goth) an agent with the Nevada Gaming Commission.
The characters work well together and the sex scenes are hot with a bit of bondage thrown in. The story is fast-paced, following Nick as he uncovers mob involvement involving gaming machines. On the relationship side, Nick deals with an ex-lover and he and Brandon have their ups and downs.
The only downside is the somewhat technical explanations provided about the laws concerning gaming and how the chips inside gaming machines work. Some of this is required to tell the story but could have been reduced a bit. Still a fun read.
emma_srak's review against another edition
5.0
Heard this was a series, looking forward to reading the next one.
jerseygirl2912's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. The mystery plot, the romance, the main characters. Especially the main characters. I like that they are not perfect, have their secrets, have mood swings and the relationship didn't start smoothly. That makes it real and believable for me.
And I loved the kink.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
And I loved the kink.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
maya56's review against another edition
4.0
A good story. Perhaps a bit too much detail on the inner workings of a slot machine but it was necessary to the mystery. Well written characters with depth - sometimes you just didn't like them and other times you were cheering them on. Kinbaku...yum!!!
Nicky's hair BROKE MY HEART!
Nicky's hair BROKE MY HEART!
scarlett__r90's review against another edition
3.0
Nice enough story and characters, but nothing really stood out at all as anything more than average, if I'm honest. It was a nice read, but that's all.