A Matter of Courage

Hong Kong Nights #2

by J.C. Long

Winston Chang has spent much of his young life admiring the Dragons who have kept his area safe and fought off the gangs that would bring violence to their area. Now that he’s an adult, he wants nothing more than to join the Dragons and live up to those standards.

The opportunity presents itself when his passion and knowledge of cars is just what the Dragons need. One of their own has been killed and his death seems linked to his involvement with the illegal racing scene known as the Dark Streets. Winston is needed to infiltrate the scene and find out who is responsible and why.

Steel has always been Winston’s best friend, and Winston has always been there to get him out of trouble. Just as the stress in Winston’s life reaches its peak, the relationship between Winston and Steel begins to change in ways neither of them expected.

Will Winston and Steel be able to find the courage to face not only the unknown killer stalking the Dark Streets racers but also their growing feelings?

Genres: M M Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2017

Reviews

[Alisa]

I always get excited when I find a new author and/or a new series and the first book in this series was both for me. I really enjoyed book one, A Matter of Duty, and was eagerly awaiting this book. I'm quite glad to say that this book was also really good. The couple here was set up in book one and they were important side characters there.

This book starts a few months down the road from the end of the first book. As the blurb states, Winston ends up going undercover in an effort to gather information and to prove that he's mature enough to finally become a member of the Dragons. The stress of this situation also ups the tension between Winston and Steel. Steel's worried sick about Winston and has to finally start forcing himself to acknowledge that he's in love with his best friend.

I love a good friends to lovers story and this one was well done. There's just enough tension between the two guys to keep you interested but not so much that it seems over the top or unrealistic. These two were sweet together and you could really feel the emotion between them. I had been rooting for them since the last book so I was really happy to see them get their hea.

There are a lot of scenes with the Dragons as a whole so we get to see a lot of Noah and Wei, as well as a bunch of side characters. These side characters are not only important to this plot but will be important to future books. I had to do a bit of author stalking research but I found out who the next couple will be and I'm over the top excited. Nothing beats a good enemies to lovers story so I have high hopes for it.

If you're looking for a new series with good writing and a plot that is a bit outside the norm then I highly recommend this series. This one could be read as a standalone but I think you would enjoy it a lot more if you read book one first.

[Milly Molly]

This book is the second in the Hong Kong Knights series, the underlying theme in the series is the Dragons rather than the main characters as the MC's in this book are Winston and Steel instead of Noah and Wei who featured in the first book. This book is set a few months after the first one and centres on Winston, his determination to prove himself so he can become a Dragon and Steel who has his troubled childhood brought back to him by events that happen to Yao an adorable kid.

This is a friends to lovers story between the impetuous, hot headed Winston and the cautious, protective Steel. They come from very different backgrounds so they see the world from very different perspectives.
We watch as Winston and Steel grow and change through the book, both through their interactions with each other but also due to other events in the book. As the story is told from both Winston and Steel's POV we can see them struggling with their relationship as it goes into previously uncharted areas.

The plot is a great one, I really enjoy books that have juicy storyline in addition to the romantic aspect and this one was great at interspersing suspense in between Steel and Winston's developing relationship. The secondary characters were all well developed and helped drive the storyline as well as hint towards possible events in future books.

Although it is the second book in a series it can definitely be read as a standalone but I'd recommend reading the first book to gain maximum enjoyment. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Elaine Gray]

Love this book. I couldn't put it down. I finished it book in one night. Winston was obsessed about joining the Dragon's gang. His mother and his friend Steele didn't want him but he wouldn't listen. I love how Steele interacted with Yao. He reminded of his childhood and how he grew up. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Maya]

I picked this book because I'm fond of friends to lovers trope. Illegal drug racing plot served just to spice things up.
It's a complex world and the writing didn't immediately draw me in.
Winston is brash and hothead. He wants membership in gang Dragons at any cost. Steel, who is already a member of Dragons just wants Winston who is his best friend since childhood, alive and well. The age difference between them is four years, but the gap in upbringing and consequently in characters is very obvious. I liked Steel more than Winston. He is loyal to his friend and doesn't even question doing anything for Winston. I didn't get the same impression from Winston, but both of them change during the story which makes it so compelling.
Winston is sent to participate in street races as a way for Dragons to find more about murder of their own. Wei, their boss is fiercely protective of his people. Winston sees this as a way to prove himself. Steel on the other hand, is aware of the risk to his friend. He tries to be there for Winston, but he grapples with his feelings and makes matters worse between them.
Winston's and Steel's relationship hovers over the precipice. They are more than friends, but not yet lovers. Neither of them seems willing to make final step and it makes for delicious slow burn. They even toy with each other sexually, but it's not until the end that they make the final step. The accent here is definitely more on emotional than sexual side of relationship.
We never doubt they are interested in each other. They are not so lucky. Instead, they are plagued by uncertainty and misunderstandings, but problems allow their relationship to steadily grow and change them both for the better. I definitely liked the second half of the book better than first, because the characters made more sense. The author did good job describing their wants and fears. Mounting tension drives the plot, as faceless villain manipulates both bad and good guys. The pacing is excellent with great balance between romance and suspense.
The POV switches between main characters so we get to know both men. It's a solid story with characters who mature as they pursue their dreams.

I received copy of this book in exchange for review.

[Isabelle Adler]

As with all J.C. Long's books, this was a very enjoyable blend of romance and action. If you're a fan of the 'friends to lovers' premise, you're going to love this book. Winston's and Steel's rocky journey to find love and overcome their troubles and insecurities is an emotional ride that is integrated seamlessly into the story of the Dragons' struggle to keep the peace. The last pages kept me on the edge of my seat with tension.
The sights, sounds, and flavors of Hong Kong create a vivid backdrop to the story. It was as if the city was a character in itself, one that was both pretenseless and mysterious.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

*I only wish I knew what happened to Yao! I grew fond of him, and I was hoping to see what became of him.

[Becca]

5*

This has been one heck of a series so far. Just wow. This one brought some surprises and some heartache, but nothing more than the shock of betrayals that are coming. I knew one of the guys was bad, but I had no idea he was this far gone. I'm anxious to get book #3 to see how this is going to play out. Tensions are rising. Lies and secrets are becoming overwhelming and war is on the horizon. And tensions are high in the Dragons as decisions are made and other mobs are trying to close in. And it's now time to close ranks for sure to see who can put up or shut up and who's going to make it out alive. And no one has proved it more lately, than Winston. I wanted to shake Steel but after hearing his story, I got why he felt the way he did. I really can't wait to get the next book. It's a great series.

[JR]

In this book, the story revolves around Winston and Steel. They have a hard time acknowledging their feelings for each other. When Winston goes undercover to the Dragons and the police information on illegal street racing, their relationship hits a pot hole.

To say I really enjoy this series is an understatement. I am intrigued with the setting, characters, and subject matter. It's fast paced, complex, and fun. J.C. Long has become a must read for me.

[Cat]

A Different View of Life

A Matter of Courage is the second in the Hong Kong Nights series, and while it is technically standalone-worthy, I don’t recommend reading it until you’ve read the first book, A Matter of Duty. This book picks up shortly after the end of the first, and though I’ve not read that one, it became readily apparent quite quickly that this is a story arc where characters and storylines are going to build through the whole of the series.

This installment focuses on Winston and Steel, best friends since they were ten years old who are now dancing around the attraction they feel for each other. Things are complicated, though, by Steel belonging to the Dragons and Winston not – yet. Duties for the Dragons keep both men occupied and force separations that become emotionally wider with each task.

I enjoyed the premise of this story in that the Dragons gang, while definitely a gang, focuses on protection of their area rather than running drugs and/or guns. It’s a white hat gang, peculiar and unique, and I became quite the fan of the group. This story assumes that you have read A Matter of Duty, because there is clearly backstory that isn’t explained. That threw me, but as I went along, I found myself curious about going back and reading the first simply because the second was so interesting and intriguing.

Winston and Steel share a very close bond already, and watching their character growth as they ford the path from friends to lovers touched my heart. Very realistic stumbling blocks that I could absolutely see happening in regular life, and while there is a little angst, it isn’t overpowering, just frustrating in the best possible way.

There is a wide cast of characters, and you are expected to know who they are. There isn’t much in the way of explanation, so I found myself with what could easily be inaccurate views of some of the Dragons’ members. However, each character, Dragon or not, contributed in a way that fit the story without taking the focus from Winston and Steel. Wit and charm abound in these character interactions, and they provided much-needed insight and camaraderie to both men.

My one and only issue was the wrap-up. It was very abrupt, and there was no effort made to see Winston and Steel as a functioning couple. The pinnacle of the story hits and then immediately we are into the epilogue, with no resolution to the MC relationship, not even an HFN. It clearly marks that there is another book coming, because there has to be with the ongoing storyline, but I felt that more effort could have been given to wrap up the ending for these two characters better.

I’m rating this at three stars because of the ending, but I do still recommend reading both existing books in this series. This is a new author to me, he has great talent, and I look forward to seeing what he delivers next.



I voluntarily read an ARC copy of this book for Divine Magazine from NineStar Press with hopes for but no obligation to provide a review.

**Same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.**

[ItsAboutTheBook]

Review can be read at It's About The Book

3.5 stars

I loved the first book in this series. A Matter of Courage takes us back to the streets of Hong Kong with the Dragons. The Dragons are a gang but the good kind. The kind that watches over their turf and it’s people without all the illegal dealings of the other other gangs utilize to keep power. So they’re the good guys! This book features Winston the younger wannabe Dragon from the first book and his best friend Steel. It’s very much a best friend to lovers story. I found it to be extremely angsty. Some people may love this but I missed the gritty dangerous feel of the first book. There’s danger and murder but it lacked the intensity and desperation to catch the killers I liked so much in the first book. People died. They tried to solve it by going undercover in illegal street races. It was secondary to the romance for sure. The guys came across as really young to me. Both over react frequently and can’t admit their feelings. They don’t give off the smart tough guy vibe I get from all the other characters from the Dragon organization. They are flawed but likable however. Just don’t expect anything like Noah and Wei. Where Noah and Wei had amazing sexual tension, Steel and Winston had angst. The murder mystery was the most interesting part to me but ultimately fell kind of flat. I like the behind the scenes scheming of the rival villains but this one ended up being kind of uneventful to me.

Winston is VERY angry at his uncle Detective Hong. I get where he’s coming from. I do. But he flies off the handle over and over when it comes to Hong. He won’t listen to reason or keep himself under control despite everyone asking him to. For someone trying so hard to prove he’s not a kid and ready to officially be a Dragon he can’t control himself on this issue. For me a little of this would have gone a long way. His reactions every time Hong is even mentioned just made him feel immature to me. Nobody can even have a conversation with him about it without him losing it. Not even when they’re trying to solve murders. There is some resolution to this drama thank goodness. Steel came from an awful upbringing. Luck brought him to Winston’s family who were ultimately his savior from a very bad life. Through them he found the Dragons. Steel is terrified that if he takes a chance with Winston he will lose everything. His emotional struggle was understandable. He doesn’t want to hurt Winston or risk their friendship. He’s totally fine with randomly hooking up with Winston however. Steel had moments I wanted to smack him too. The guys do some growing up and facing their problems in the book. Despite the frustrating MCs I did like this book. I enjoy the world created in this series. The power struggles between the gangs and the corruption within the Police Department keep me intrigued. Honestly it might be unfair to try to compare this and future couples to Wei and Noah but I couldn’t help it. Like I said before. I missed the dark gritty intensity the first book had.

[Jayne]

This was a joy to read, a book set in the backstreets of Hong Kong, where two fictional gangs mainly keep out of each other’s way until one is suspected of murdering a member of the other.

There was more than a whiff of The Fast & The Furious about this, with muscle cars, sassy side characters and a young man trying to prove himself in order to be accepted by the people he looks up to. And I loved it for that. The action scenes were well-written and not too long, and didn’t seem gratuitously shoe-horned in, adding sparkle to an already interesting plot. Show me a beefed-up Mustang and you’ve got me at the first rev, TBH. The family scenes provided grounding and balance, and the sex just added extra spice where needed.

I had no idea that besties jerked off together “just for fun.” It seemed that everyone knew about Winston and Steel, other than the two main protagonists, which got a little frustrating by the end when it was teased out to the max. (No spoilers.) Yet it’s so refreshing to read an M/M romance that is a) not set in the US and b) brash and ballsy but at the same time, adorable (and not in a “pass the bucket” type of way,) whilst not playing by the rules. The head of the “good” gang, The Dragons, is tough but fair, happily paired up with Noah, a cultured Englishman. I was kept guessing throughout the book as to whose side Noah was on, and it was clever touches like that, as well as the growing tensions between Winston and Steel, that made it such an enjoyable read.

I loved the way that all the gay characters are positive ones. The real issue Winston had was whether Steel was interested in him as more than a friend. Steel’s sexuality was fluid. He was a mesmerising character, strong yet vulnerable, with a deep sense of loyalty. I didn’t pick up any angst of whether friends and family would accept them being together. The world of the Dragons was an accepting place for a diverse selection of people. And that was a beautiful thing.

Finally, this book held a definite Asian flavour. It is easy to slip into the mindset that city life is the same all over the world, but it’s important to make the distinction between cultures, and I found that it worked here, from names of the characters to the attitudes and family rituals, and that gave the book its soul.

So this book had it all for me; a burgeoning romance between friends who actually like each other, ferocious street racing, the importance of family, tension between rival gangs, set against the colourful backdrop of Hong Kong. A great book.

[The Novel Approach]

Winston Chang has always wanted to be a true member of the Dragons. However, he runs up against people in his life who care for him and don’t necessarily want to see that happen. His mother, his Uncle Allen, and his best friend, Steel, all have their individual concerns, but Winston is ready for the challenge, to show his maturity and go undercover in the Dark Street—illegal street racing—to help find a murderer.

Steel and Winston have been the best of friends since the age of fourteen, after Steel climbed through Winston’s window. Steel found a caring family with the Chang’s, one he could call his own, though there are times that Steel doesn’t know what he truly wants, and feels that Winston could do better without him. Both Steel and Winston have their own thoughts about matters of the heart, but not speaking up leads to misunderstandings.

Someone has been plotting against the Dragons and Johnny Huang’s rival gang, the Twisted Viper’s, and it causes conflicts and creates the on-going mystery. Will the issues get resolved, or will these gangs go to war against each other?

A Matter of Courage is book two in the Hong Kong Nights series, and a direct sequel to A Matter of Duty, picking up a few months after its end. Winston and Steel are first introduced in that book, and in its storyline, you begin to see the special connection the two men share. The major plot arc of the series is the rival gangs of Hong Kong. The Dragons, led by Wei Tseng, serve the Eastern District and protect it from terror, crime and drugs. There’s suspense, corruption in the HKPD, and lots of action and wild descriptions of the street racing in this installment. Along with Wei Tseng, Noah Potter is also back, and we are treated to many scenes with the Dragon members. There is an abundance of side characters who also return from the first novel, as they each play an important part in the continuation of this exciting and suspenseful series.

Besides the fact I got a great story, I like J.C. Long’s style of writing. He keeps the chapters short and meaningful, and I’m ready for book three!!

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach

[A.J. Raven]

A Matter of Courage is an enjoyable action-packed MM romance story from author J.C. Long that you should check out!

I’m always looking for enjoyable stories from writers I haven’t read before. So, I’m glad that I got to know about A Matter of Courage from J.C. Long. It’s definitely a very entertaining read that has action coupled with an enjoyable take on the ‘friends-to-lovers’ trope.

Now, I haven’t read A Matter of Duty, which is book one in the Hong Kong Nights series. But even then I was able to be intrigued by A Matter of Courage and I kept reading. The events in A Matter of Courage pick up a few months after the events in the first book.

We have Winston going undercover to gather information. He wants to prove himself worthy of joining the Dragons. I liked how J.C. Long showed the stress Winston experiences, making the character relatable. The story also shows Steel worrying about Winston. Slowly, the two of them start coming together. There’s a lot of sexual tension between the two characters and I’m here for all of it!

Full review on TheGeekiary: http://thegeekiary.com/courage-matter...

[Antoinette]

"A Matter of Courage" is a very enjoyable, action packed friends to lovers story. Winston and Steel have been best friends for a decade, both have more than friends feelings for each other although it takes Steel longer to realize it. This is the second book in the series and once again the Dragons who is murdering people, this time illegal street racers, in their territory. This means Winston who has wanted to be a Dragon since he was a kid gets his shot. Winston is sent undercover as a street racer to get into on the murderer all while dealing with his feelings and relationship with Steel, his father's death and what he sees as his uncle's betrayal. Steel knows he has to protect Winston but he's battling his self regarding his feelings. Dangerous gangs and corrupt cops along with a sweet love story, what's not to like, 4.5 stars. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Ann]

A really well written book based around gang wars in Hong Kong surrounding the MCs. Easily able to read and understand without having read book one.

[Amber]

3 Hearts

Nooooooo! What happened here? Ugh…I really, truly do not know what happened here. I was so looking forward to Winston and Steel’s story. I felt the tension in A Matter of Duty and I just knew this was going to be so good and so HOT but it was neither of those things. I felt no real chemistry or heat between Winston and Steel. I was hoping as things progressed we’d get more of the emotional connection but I didn’t believe it and it saddens me greatly to admit that. The street racing was intense and action packed, the murder investigation story line kept my attention but the romance between Winston and Steel fell short.

Winston and Steel have been friends for most of their life. Both men have been through a lot so their friendship has been solid. Recently, however both men start looking at their longstanding friendship in a new light.

As things between the Dragon’s and the Twisted Vipers get more volatile, Winston puts himself in a very dangerous position.

Both men are scared to lose their friendship but can’t ignore what’s developing between them.

Like I mentioned I liked the action of the book and we get some Wei and Noah too.

Good writing. Good storytelling. It just lacked the punch I was expecting between Winston and Steel.

This isn’t a standalone and there’s a lot of stuff going on with the police and the gangs so you’d want to read book one before starting on this one.

It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for Book3 as it all seems to be coming to a head.

This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[Bretton Coppedge]

This sequel gives you the story you’ll be begging for if you’ve read the first one. I think everyone loves a good friends to lovers story and this is one of the most unique I’ve read because it’s in the context of the larger conflict between the warring gangs. The greater conflict and the romantic conflict get equal screen time and I like that. In the first book you get the impression that the unresolved sexual tension between Winston and Steel has been going on for a while, but in this book you learn that they’ve both been in love with each other for the past decade. They’ve been best friends ever since they met and hearing about that meeting and how influential it was in Steel’s life was really heart breaking.

Steel and Winston are definitely meant for each other and like everyone else in the story, you’ll be asking why they haven’t gotten together before but I think it makes sense because their friendship is so important to them. The Dragons are important to them both as well and this story continues the Dragon’s conflict with the Twisted Vipers but this time they have the help of at least some of the police which I think bodes well for the Eastern District. I really liked the reconciliation between Winston and Hong, his cop uncle, I think it was a long time coming and I hope that Hong reconciles with the rest of the Dragons.

If you like gritty sexy romantic thrillers, or exotic romances then I think you’ll love this series. The first is good and I recommend reading it first but this is capable of standing alone. I can’t wait for the next sequel to see the continuation of the Dragon’s story.

[FantasyLiving]

Rating and review will be BMBR blog on 3/30