What do you think?
Rate this book
Taking the Odds #3
All or Nothing
Blundering his way forward in his relationship with Nevada Agent Nick O'Malley, Riverside Detective Brandon Carr brings his daughter, Shayna, to Las Vegas to meet Nick. Nick has his own reasons for pushing Brandon toward a deeper commitment. But when the unthinkable happens, what every cop knows ends in tragedy, can Brandon hold it together long enough to solve the crime? As Brandon spirals into the hell of being a cop and a distraught parent will his love of Nick, and Nick's love for him, be enough to see them through? It's all or nothing and they can't afford to lose.
350 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
James Buchanan
136 books381 followersJames Buchanan, the author of over ten gay novels and single author anthologies, lives in a 100 year old Craftsman in California with SexyGuy, two demon spawn and a heard of adopted dogs, cats, rats and fish. Between managing a law practice with SG, raising kids and writing books, James volunteers with the Erotic Author's Association, Liminal Ink, the EPIC Awards Committee as well as coordinates the newsletter for the ManLoveRomance Author's co-op. James has spoken and read at conferences such as Saints & Sinners and the Popular Culture Association. In the midst of midlife crises, James bought and learned to ride a Harley - it went with the big, extended cab pickup. James has been a member of CorpGoth since 1993 and been know to wear leather frock coats to court.
If you don't find James at the computer working on the next book, you probably won't find the bike in the garage.
Visit James at http://www.james- buchanan. com for more information on recent and upcoming releases.
If you don't find James at the computer working on the next book, you probably won't find the bike in the garage.
Visit James at http://www.james- buchanan. com for more information on recent and upcoming releases.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 15, 2015
Another book I finished 1,046 years ago.
Um...hm. Okay, I really liked the way Buchanan wrote this one. Brandon really grew as a character and I ended up feeling good about his relationship with Nicky.
Excellent wrap up to the trilogy.
June 7, 2017
At the center of this series, it has always been about Brandon and his fear of revealing his true self - and how that affects every aspect of his life, especially his relationship with Nick. Despite his best efforts at resisting, Brandon has survived several reveals, and to his surprise, his world did not implode into utter devastation. However when his worst nightmare comes true, will he and Nick be strong enough to withstand the possible horrible outcome?
Understandably, due to the serious situation of this entry, the gratuitous smex takes a backseat. In turn, a spotlight shines on how much these two click out of the bedroom that makes it just work everywhere else, especially as they wrestle with their own guilt, terror, and doubts. Because of that, despite being pushed to their very limits, they do weather the horror and come out stronger.
Overall this was a decent series with a mixed bag of crime solving mystery, suspenseful action, eyebrow raising hot smex (with some bdsm that's heavy on the B), and lurve. One of these things should catch your interest, if not all of them.
Ingela, Otila, Rosa, Sofia, and Taintedskyee - loved the company as always!!
Understandably, due to the serious situation of this entry, the gratuitous smex takes a backseat. In turn, a spotlight shines on how much these two click out of the bedroom that makes it just work everywhere else, especially as they wrestle with their own guilt, terror, and doubts. Because of that, despite being pushed to their very limits, they do weather the horror and come out stronger.
Overall this was a decent series with a mixed bag of crime solving mystery, suspenseful action, eyebrow raising hot smex (with some bdsm that's heavy on the B), and lurve. One of these things should catch your interest, if not all of them.
Ingela, Otila, Rosa, Sofia, and Taintedskyee - loved the company as always!!
December 11, 2013
4.0 Stars
Holy toledo. This one was intense. I loved it, but it was stressful. A good GR buddy of mine was kind enough to warn me ahead of time that this book dealt with . Whoa. That is some heavy sh*t. I can't imagine a worse nightmare for a parent. That theme has the subtlety of a huge, wet, stinky blanket. The positive: the gloves and masks come off. No more pretenses. Who has the time? Or the energy? The negative: ugh, I can't imagine a lower low. Everything is surreal and the decisions one makes during such a stressful time can be ... well, off. I can't say more without giving stuff away but suffice it to say that JB tackles another SUPER HEAVY topic. The whole made for a toilsome and - frankly, at times - depressing tale. True to form, however, JB delivers the goods in the end!
Bottom line: a stressful and ominous tale but oh, so very worth it.
Holy toledo. This one was intense. I loved it, but it was stressful. A good GR buddy of mine was kind enough to warn me ahead of time that this book dealt with . Whoa. That is some heavy sh*t. I can't imagine a worse nightmare for a parent. That theme has the subtlety of a huge, wet, stinky blanket. The positive: the gloves and masks come off. No more pretenses. Who has the time? Or the energy? The negative: ugh, I can't imagine a lower low. Everything is surreal and the decisions one makes during such a stressful time can be ... well, off. I can't say more without giving stuff away but suffice it to say that JB tackles another SUPER HEAVY topic. The whole made for a toilsome and - frankly, at times - depressing tale. True to form, however, JB delivers the goods in the end!
Bottom line: a stressful and ominous tale but oh, so very worth it.
April 26, 2010
Per my agreement with James Buchanan, which was implicit when she started to write books that I could not put down, she is contractually obligated to continue writing this series until she dies of a record breaking old age.
This book was definitely not without its flaws, not the least of which being that the "whodunnit" was glaringly obvious before anything was even "dun". There were also things near the beginning that had me rolling my eyes, although I could not tell you what they were now. I was completely sucked in to this story.
I adore Nicky and Brandon and this story, while totally gut wrenching and even, in places, nearly tear inducing (which for me and my stone cold heart means most people will probably be sobbing), was a really great installment in the progression of their relationship. I have never read another story where the word "bitch" was such a heartwarming term of endearment.
And oh my gosh, I love Brandon's stepmom! He always made her sound so awful but she's wonderful. If I didn't already have a mom I'm perfectly satisfied with, I'd want her.
So basically, while I don't have empirical proof, I can only assume JB intends to write at least another book in this series because I feel like Nicky and Brandon are just getting started. I will be waiting for it very impatiently.
This book was definitely not without its flaws, not the least of which being that the "whodunnit" was glaringly obvious before anything was even "dun". There were also things near the beginning that had me rolling my eyes, although I could not tell you what they were now. I was completely sucked in to this story.
I adore Nicky and Brandon and this story, while totally gut wrenching and even, in places, nearly tear inducing (which for me and my stone cold heart means most people will probably be sobbing), was a really great installment in the progression of their relationship. I have never read another story where the word "bitch" was such a heartwarming term of endearment.
And oh my gosh, I love Brandon's stepmom! He always made her sound so awful but she's wonderful. If I didn't already have a mom I'm perfectly satisfied with, I'd want her.
So basically, while I don't have empirical proof, I can only assume JB intends to write at least another book in this series because I feel like Nicky and Brandon are just getting started. I will be waiting for it very impatiently.
May 9, 2011
Hands down, the best out of the series, IMO. While I loved the first two and how Brandon was working through his problems with being in the closet, they just had too much sex for my liking. This one, though, this one had just the right amount of hot, rope tying sex but also more suspense to it than the others. I loved it.
Brandon, while still an asshole at times (but, you know, who can blame him? His daughter was just kidnapped!), he didn't act like the douche bag he was in the previous two books because he's more or less out in this one and he just doesn't give a shit anymore because what's there to live for if his daughter is dead? Nicky, sweet Nicky *sigh* I still love him. You see a kind of whole new side to him in this one with him trying to appease Brandon and get him to start thinking clearly and everything. He gets thrust into having his house invaded by Brandon's family so he has to be on his best behavior but also because Brandon puts him into certain situations that make Nicky evaluate what Brandon is to him and instead of leave Brandon like anyone else probably would, he stays and helps Brandon get over his temporary insanity.
I pretty much knew who the kidnapper was from the beginning but I wasn't absolutely positive until about the 60% mark. There were a few WTF moments of me screaming at my kindle asking it why they didn't just do it this way or that way but that's pretty much the norm for me when it comes to suspenseful mysteries.
Other than that, I immensely enjoyed it and I hope there will be more of Brandon and Nicky to come especially since I'm curious as to whether the rift between Brandon and his dad will ever get settled and how Shayna does months down the road after her kidnapping to see if she's healing or not and how Brandon and Nicky are settling in as a live-in couple. I definitely recommend this series.
Brandon, while still an asshole at times (but, you know, who can blame him? His daughter was just kidnapped!), he didn't act like the douche bag he was in the previous two books because he's more or less out in this one and he just doesn't give a shit anymore because what's there to live for if his daughter is dead? Nicky, sweet Nicky *sigh* I still love him. You see a kind of whole new side to him in this one with him trying to appease Brandon and get him to start thinking clearly and everything. He gets thrust into having his house invaded by Brandon's family so he has to be on his best behavior but also because Brandon puts him into certain situations that make Nicky evaluate what Brandon is to him and instead of leave Brandon like anyone else probably would, he stays and helps Brandon get over his temporary insanity.
I pretty much knew who the kidnapper was from the beginning but I wasn't absolutely positive until about the 60% mark. There were a few WTF moments of me screaming at my kindle asking it why they didn't just do it this way or that way but that's pretty much the norm for me when it comes to suspenseful mysteries.
Other than that, I immensely enjoyed it and I hope there will be more of Brandon and Nicky to come especially since I'm curious as to whether the rift between Brandon and his dad will ever get settled and how Shayna does months down the road after her kidnapping to see if she's healing or not and how Brandon and Nicky are settling in as a live-in couple. I definitely recommend this series.
June 3, 2018
4.3 Stars
Okay, well...for a minute there I thought the kidnapper might have been someone other than who I originally thought it was, but no - it was definitely the one telegraphed throughout the whole story as weird & obsessive. So, I'm a bit disappointed at how that angle wasn't more developed or at least having a few more options for who took Shayna.
But that said, OMG I loved the way the emotional aspect of this case really broke Brandon. And how it meant he had to reach out, get help, accept he wasn't a superhuman cop but a normal person dealing with a tragedy he's previously only had to involve himself in peripherally by investigating or delivering bad news. I can't really imagine how that would feel, but it was written in such a way that seemed authentic - especially given his personality.
I also loved how in this installment the sex didn't seem superfluous or inserted for titilation. JB really did an excellent job this go round with taking the reader through Brandon's headspace so to better understand his needs and the catharsis he gets from letting Nicky tie him up and use him that way. I also loved how the relationship grew. Yes, some of it was via ultimatums (which I don't like, especially when the answer has to be given in 4 days or less) and some of it due to being publicly outed and their lifestyle exposed...but I wonder if, without that impetus, Brandon would have let things with Nicky stagnate into complacency. Glad that Nicky was willing to put his foot down and ask for what he wanted, what he deserved...even if it was kind of shady to spring it on Brandon like that.
The book ends on a definite HFN/most likely HEA, but I wouldn't mind a follow up on how they are coping with a more conventional relationship and how they're both handling parenthood. I'd also like to see if/how Brandon's dad comes around; I think that acceptance would do Brandon a world of good and help him be more secure in all of his relationships. Given it's been a very long time since we got this one, I won't hold my breath though.
Still, best of the series IMHO.
(And it's weird because I know James is a woman, but she's got a distinctive writing style that isn't typical for what *I* tend to read in MM Romance written by women...and for some reason that makes her books very interesting to me.)
Okay, well...for a minute there I thought the kidnapper might have been someone other than who I originally thought it was, but no - it was definitely the one telegraphed throughout the whole story as weird & obsessive. So, I'm a bit disappointed at how that angle wasn't more developed or at least having a few more options for who took Shayna.
But that said, OMG I loved the way the emotional aspect of this case really broke Brandon. And how it meant he had to reach out, get help, accept he wasn't a superhuman cop but a normal person dealing with a tragedy he's previously only had to involve himself in peripherally by investigating or delivering bad news. I can't really imagine how that would feel, but it was written in such a way that seemed authentic - especially given his personality.
I also loved how in this installment the sex didn't seem superfluous or inserted for titilation. JB really did an excellent job this go round with taking the reader through Brandon's headspace so to better understand his needs and the catharsis he gets from letting Nicky tie him up and use him that way. I also loved how the relationship grew. Yes, some of it was via ultimatums (which I don't like, especially when the answer has to be given in 4 days or less) and some of it due to being publicly outed and their lifestyle exposed...but I wonder if, without that impetus, Brandon would have let things with Nicky stagnate into complacency. Glad that Nicky was willing to put his foot down and ask for what he wanted, what he deserved...even if it was kind of shady to spring it on Brandon like that.
The book ends on a definite HFN/most likely HEA, but I wouldn't mind a follow up on how they are coping with a more conventional relationship and how they're both handling parenthood. I'd also like to see if/how Brandon's dad comes around; I think that acceptance would do Brandon a world of good and help him be more secure in all of his relationships. Given it's been a very long time since we got this one, I won't hold my breath though.
Still, best of the series IMHO.
(And it's weird because I know James is a woman, but she's got a distinctive writing style that isn't typical for what *I* tend to read in MM Romance written by women...and for some reason that makes her books very interesting to me.)
October 6, 2015
3.5 stars
A good conclusion to this series. I like the character growth over the whole series.
BR thanks for the company girls, needed it to complete the series :D
January 15, 2011
This was my favorite of the series so far...I hope there are more. I love Nicky and Brandon and this book really stretched them both as characters. There was a lot of angst in this book and if you're a parent, even more so. I worried to the end about how it was going to work out. My only complaint, and it's a very small one, is that Brandon can't seem to find his authentic "voice". Sometimes he uses poor grammar and sometimes he doesn't. It was inconsistent enough and so in contrast with his upbringing, that it pulled me out of the story every time.
did-not-finish
June 19, 2012I don't think I can finish this book. Its been sitting on my "currently reading" shelf for several months and I've finally decided to kick it off. Every time I start reading it, I want to throw my Kindle against the wall after the first few words.
I mean, I really like this series and I like Nicky and I kinda like Brandon, even though Brandon is a total idiot most of the time and almost always treating Nicky like shit. To be honest, the sex and the relationship are hot but the mysteries have been kinda boring. And this mystery is way over the top and ridiculous! Plus, I think its way too obvious who the bad guy is...although that has yet to be revealed.
And then the Kid is just too annoying
Anyway, I hope Nicky and Brandon's story is finished, or else I will have to figure out someway to finish this book.
I mean, I really like this series and I like Nicky and I kinda like Brandon, even though Brandon is a total idiot most of the time and almost always treating Nicky like shit. To be honest, the sex and the relationship are hot but the mysteries have been kinda boring. And this mystery is way over the top and ridiculous! Plus, I think its way too obvious who the bad guy is...although that has yet to be revealed.
And then the Kid is just too annoying
Anyway, I hope Nicky and Brandon's story is finished, or else I will have to figure out someway to finish this book.
September 2, 2010
Nicky and Brandon are one of my favorite M/M couples and despite the mystery aspect of the story being a bit weak I loved this book. These guys have been through a lot in the previous two books and are once again put through the wringer in this one. Very well-written and with a wonderfully varied cast of characters this mystery/suspense story is also emotional and super hot. I love the dynamics of Nicky and Brandon's relationship and I'll miss them. However I was very happy with the way the story ended and there was a big smile on my face when I read the last line of the book. Highly recommended!!
June 27, 2010
Very good m/m romantic suspense, being the continuing adventures of Nicky and Brandon. With a beloved series, I always worry that a new release won't live up to the previous books, but I should've known better. So go. Go get the first book, Cheating Chance, and read it. I'll wait. :)
April 23, 2010
I liked this book but I don't think it was a any where near as good as the laast two in the series. The story felt choppy. The scenes jumped from point to point and niether Nicky nor Brandon had the same "feel" as in the last two books. Nicky came off as bratty and actually a little stupid. I mean seriously, I had the villon figured out practically from the beginning and I was waiting for all the characters to catch up. Brandon completely falling apart like that and the really stupid more in the kitchen just felt contrived. Dian and Brandon's dad were like total stereotypes. I enjoyed Brandon's stepmom but seriously, she found an album with BDSM nude picks of her stepson and was OK with it and actually though they were beautiful before shutting the book quickly?? Nicky has an outburst in a police interview about his BDSM relationship with Brandon explicitly explaining that Brandon is the bottom and this doesn't make the rounds of the law enforcement community? I have never read a James Buchanan book before that I didn't love. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't comparing it to James's other work and if I didn't already care much in Nicky and Brandon. James seemed to want to illustrate the pressures that LEO's face in this country and I liked the mention of a realbook that deals with these issues. I applaud the intent but wish more attention was paid to the story and characters than the issue.
April 22, 2010
James is one of my fave authors at the moment. I devoured this ebook in two nights - just had to keep reading to see what happened. I loved how Nicky stayed true to himself, but still managed to be exactly the support that Brandon needed. The story was sexy, angsty, beautiful and kept me wanting more. I didn't think I could be in love with Nicky and the series more than I was before, but I am.
December 25, 2014
OK. I admit it. I am a bad person. I really did not care about the abduction of Shayna, I guessed even before it happened who did it.
However, I did like the development of Brandon and Nicky.
Brandon's collapse after the kidnapping, his thoughts of suicide, and the eventual ending were really well written. I enjoyed this final instalment into the lives of the 2 men.
However, I did like the development of Brandon and Nicky.
Brandon's collapse after the kidnapping, his thoughts of suicide, and the eventual ending were really well written. I enjoyed this final instalment into the lives of the 2 men.
August 14, 2011
I loved this book. This was a lose sleep kind of book for me, but it was so worth the time I spent finishing it instead of going to sleep! I'm glad to know Brandon and Nicky got their HEA, but I would still love to read more about them.
October 21, 2017
Once I started this series I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, except the ex wife and child, total whiney bitches, but hopefully after this book the will get better.
March 11, 2013
This book reminds me of Steinback and that famous quote of his: "I've done my damndest to rip a reader's nerves to rags."
Well congratulations, book. You've ripped my nerves into shreds and set them on fire and rolled up the remains into a burrito and ate it for lunch and shitted it out. That's how ragged my nerves were the entire journey of this book.
Consider the mystery, which is no mystery at all. Here we have Velma - so obviously the criminal that she might as well have it tattooed on her forehead with red ink, trailing breadcrumbs the size of Texas everywhere, and what does everyone do? Freak out.
I mean, come on: someone disappears; you get a package that links you to said disappearance, a stalkerish package, and then coincidentally you had a stalker that stalked you everywhere, and then COINCIDENTALLY some woman shows up to be stalkery on your yard. You don't think you might be on to something here? Whadya need, a sign?
So what am I supposed to do now that I've solved the mystery the moment the Velma's mentioned? Freak out, I guess. Which I did a lot the entire book. At one point everyone was standing around in the kitchen freaking out, and I was there right there freaking out with them. That's the (pick one:) high/low point of the book.
Everyone is screaming and crying and being messed up and THERE'S JUST SO MUCH FEELS that I simultaneously wanted to puncture everyone's kidneys with a blunt object and shake them and tell them to man up and cry with them and maybe have a couple of mental breakdowns together over scones and I just can't
So yeah. I had to skip stuff because I just can't handle description of someone getting off their bike or having sex or watching TV when there's SO MANY THINGS WAITING TO HAPPEN. The whole time I was waiting for Nicky to be abducted and terrorized. Or for them to find some bones. Or for shit to explode. ANYTHING.
But by the time anything finally happened, it was close to the last 10% of the book. My nerves are frayed. The pacing's all wrong. Nothing climatic can ever live up to my expectations now. And because it's been such a hell of a roller coaster, I can't even bring myself to enjoy the ending of the journey with these two characters because I'm too busy putting myself back together like a game of Tetris.
In that regards? It's a great book. Not great in any other sense, because it lagged and hmm-hawed some bits, and it felt like there's too little focus on their relationship - with a mystery that's not at all mysterious as a trade-off. Only the last 5% or so is about their relationship, and it feels like they just picked up on a conversation that strayed into the weather a while. The ordeal didn't make them stronger, or weaker - it was just an intermission that got in the way.
But in the sense that it made me care about the two MCs enough that I risked public embarrassment just to shout at them through my phone? In the sense that the whole time I was reading it I had to clutch the seat of my chair just to stop myself from hurting someone?
It succeeded.
Thanks for ripping me into shreds.
What else is there to be said? The writing for the entire series is extremely functional; nothing special and nothing awful. The mysteries in the first two books aren't mysteries, and the mystery in this one is -- let's not get me started. The characters were great, if terribly unlikable at times. The sex, appreciated even by an asexual.
Why don't I just describe what it isn't instead?
If you need a light, fluffy read, this isn't it.
If you need a mystery, this isn't it.
If you need lots of feels and romance, this isn't it.
If you need to be happy, relaxed, and calm, this isn't it either.
If you need anger issues, this is it.
Well congratulations, book. You've ripped my nerves into shreds and set them on fire and rolled up the remains into a burrito and ate it for lunch and shitted it out. That's how ragged my nerves were the entire journey of this book.
Consider the mystery, which is no mystery at all. Here we have Velma - so obviously the criminal that she might as well have it tattooed on her forehead with red ink, trailing breadcrumbs the size of Texas everywhere, and what does everyone do? Freak out.
I mean, come on: someone disappears; you get a package that links you to said disappearance, a stalkerish package, and then coincidentally you had a stalker that stalked you everywhere, and then COINCIDENTALLY some woman shows up to be stalkery on your yard. You don't think you might be on to something here? Whadya need, a sign?
So what am I supposed to do now that I've solved the mystery the moment the Velma's mentioned? Freak out, I guess. Which I did a lot the entire book. At one point everyone was standing around in the kitchen freaking out, and I was there right there freaking out with them. That's the (pick one:) high/low point of the book.
Everyone is screaming and crying and being messed up and THERE'S JUST SO MUCH FEELS that I simultaneously wanted to puncture everyone's kidneys with a blunt object and shake them and tell them to man up and cry with them and maybe have a couple of mental breakdowns together over scones and I just can't
So yeah. I had to skip stuff because I just can't handle description of someone getting off their bike or having sex or watching TV when there's SO MANY THINGS WAITING TO HAPPEN. The whole time I was waiting for Nicky to be abducted and terrorized. Or for them to find some bones. Or for shit to explode. ANYTHING.
But by the time anything finally happened, it was close to the last 10% of the book. My nerves are frayed. The pacing's all wrong. Nothing climatic can ever live up to my expectations now. And because it's been such a hell of a roller coaster, I can't even bring myself to enjoy the ending of the journey with these two characters because I'm too busy putting myself back together like a game of Tetris.
In that regards? It's a great book. Not great in any other sense, because it lagged and hmm-hawed some bits, and it felt like there's too little focus on their relationship - with a mystery that's not at all mysterious as a trade-off. Only the last 5% or so is about their relationship, and it feels like they just picked up on a conversation that strayed into the weather a while. The ordeal didn't make them stronger, or weaker - it was just an intermission that got in the way.
But in the sense that it made me care about the two MCs enough that I risked public embarrassment just to shout at them through my phone? In the sense that the whole time I was reading it I had to clutch the seat of my chair just to stop myself from hurting someone?
It succeeded.
Thanks for ripping me into shreds.
What else is there to be said? The writing for the entire series is extremely functional; nothing special and nothing awful. The mysteries in the first two books aren't mysteries, and the mystery in this one is -- let's not get me started. The characters were great, if terribly unlikable at times. The sex, appreciated even by an asexual.
Why don't I just describe what it isn't instead?
If you need a light, fluffy read, this isn't it.
If you need a mystery, this isn't it.
If you need lots of feels and romance, this isn't it.
If you need to be happy, relaxed, and calm, this isn't it either.
If you need anger issues, this is it.
November 29, 2010
*SIGH* I can't believe this series is over. That was one of the reasons why I was hesitant to read this book...I didn't want my time with Nicky & Brandon to end. However, I saw in an interview that James Buchanan hasn't completely shut the door to a fourth book. *madly crossing fingers* I do hope there is a fourth book...and I think there is a place for it. There are so many things I still want to know - how do Nicky & Brandon cope living in the same city? Will they live together? Nicky's new job will be so different from his current one - will he like it? How will Brandon's colleagues react? Will Brandon's father come around and accept his son for exactly who he is? See, lots of questions :)
This book for me was quite like the first in that the main focus was the mystery and how the characters worked through it whereas in the second book the focus was more on the relationship and less on the suspense. Both worked, I just found All or Nothing more suspense-focused, although it was fascinating to see how Nicky & Brandon coped with the trauma. Particularly Brandon. That scene halfway through the book...in the kitchen...with the gun. The thing that struck me the most was all the swirling emotions in that scene - it wasn't mechanical or distant. James Buchanan wrote Brandon's emotions in vivid colour and they leapt off the page. I could feel...Brandon's desperation to stop thinking/feeling...just stop. Completely put me through the wringer, but that's the hallmark of a great author IMHO. Plus...I love that the characters feel real. They make mistakes, don't communicate, say and do the wrong thing. They aren't perfect...but they are perfect for each other :) *pull out tissue*
And while waiting for another Nicky & Brandon book *still madly crossing fingers* I have Hard Fall to read :) And I believe Hard Fall will have not one but two sequels!
This book for me was quite like the first in that the main focus was the mystery and how the characters worked through it whereas in the second book the focus was more on the relationship and less on the suspense. Both worked, I just found All or Nothing more suspense-focused, although it was fascinating to see how Nicky & Brandon coped with the trauma. Particularly Brandon. That scene halfway through the book...in the kitchen...with the gun. The thing that struck me the most was all the swirling emotions in that scene - it wasn't mechanical or distant. James Buchanan wrote Brandon's emotions in vivid colour and they leapt off the page. I could feel...Brandon's desperation to stop thinking/feeling...just stop. Completely put me through the wringer, but that's the hallmark of a great author IMHO. Plus...I love that the characters feel real. They make mistakes, don't communicate, say and do the wrong thing. They aren't perfect...but they are perfect for each other :) *pull out tissue*
And while waiting for another Nicky & Brandon book *still madly crossing fingers* I have Hard Fall to read :) And I believe Hard Fall will have not one but two sequels!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2014
Wow........
This book deals with a very devastating theme. But I felt that it was handled appropriately. We live it with Nicky and Brandon.....I felt like I was right there with them. I thought each character handled the situation in a very realistic way.
Brandon's daughter....they call her Princess, well that was their first mistake! She is spoiled horribly and acts like a bitchy teenager not a 8 yr old! She is whiny and irritating.
We got to meet Brandon's ex-wife (bitch)
His Dad (asshole)
His stepmom (saint)
The ex-wife's husband, who is called Daddy by Princess, is NEVER seen on page....that was weird.....if he was called Daddy we should have met him on page!
Yes, it was easy to figure out the bad guy....but that's ok.
So I am giving this one 5 stars and putting it on my Favorite list! It just worked for me!
This book deals with a very devastating theme. But I felt that it was handled appropriately. We live it with Nicky and Brandon.....I felt like I was right there with them. I thought each character handled the situation in a very realistic way.
Brandon's daughter....they call her Princess, well that was their first mistake! She is spoiled horribly and acts like a bitchy teenager not a 8 yr old! She is whiny and irritating.
We got to meet Brandon's ex-wife (bitch)
His Dad (asshole)
His stepmom (saint)
The ex-wife's husband, who is called Daddy by Princess, is NEVER seen on page....that was weird.....if he was called Daddy we should have met him on page!
Yes, it was easy to figure out the bad guy....but that's ok.
So I am giving this one 5 stars and putting it on my Favorite list! It just worked for me!
October 31, 2013
I really love this book, although the mystery was written in the way that pretty makes the villain obvious. But, it's the emotional roller coaster and the guys are stronger for living through all this drama. The secondary characters are well developed and I really liked that Manny Orozco made another appearance. I am happy with how the series ended. I won't lie, I would welcome another book - I think that it would be wonderful to revisit Nicky and Brandon and tie all those pesky loose ends. James, as a writer, has come a long way and I can't imagine what he would be able to do now with these two now - almost four years after this book was released.
Reading this made me want to reread all my old favorites.
Reading this made me want to reread all my old favorites.
May 3, 2011
This book doesn't quite measure up to the other two in the series. The mystery part is pretty obvious, and it also feels a little over the top and unnecessary. Nicky moving into the parts of Brandon's life that involve his daughter and ex-wife would be difficult and emotional enough without such an over-the-top reason to bring them all together. In fact, I thought the mystery detracted from the ongoing story of the two men because it put them in such a highly-charged situation that it didn't feel quite real. I like this series, though, and I hope there's a fourth book where the two men can work on what being partners and parent(s) and out at work entails without the melodrama.
November 19, 2012
I now have another favorite couple - Nicky and Brandon. I loved this last story. It was very intense emotionally, showcasing Brandon's darkest thoughts based on past experiences when his daughter is kidnapped while both were visiting Nicky. Both MC's were very believeable, even though it did not show Brandon in a favorable light. To me, that's good writing. As others have said, I knew the villian early on, however that did not detract from the emotional drama that unfolded. I'm glad the guys got a happy ending and I like the way it ended, leaving room for more future storyline if the author decides to revisit them.
Read
January 23, 2023The third instalment in the story of Nick and Brandon.
"Despite all the differences - out and not quite out, biker Goth vs. vampire-Victorian Goth, cop and gaming control - he and Nicky just meshed."
Follows the same formula as previous books, solving a crime (this one a very personal one) and addressing personal issues in their relationship. Sex with bondage thrown in. Quite an entertaining story but did have some heavy emotional elements.
"Despite all the differences - out and not quite out, biker Goth vs. vampire-Victorian Goth, cop and gaming control - he and Nicky just meshed."
Follows the same formula as previous books, solving a crime (this one a very personal one) and addressing personal issues in their relationship. Sex with bondage thrown in. Quite an entertaining story but did have some heavy emotional elements.
November 29, 2010
Of the three book in the series, I like All or Nothing above all. Yes, I did make the right call on the suspect. What was more interesting was how it played out in the story and the reason why the suspect did what they did.
I like Brandon a hell of a lot better in this book than the two previous books. In this book Brandon begins to recognize what is really important in his life.
I like Brandon a hell of a lot better in this book than the two previous books. In this book Brandon begins to recognize what is really important in his life.
November 21, 2016
All or Nothing the final book in the Taking The Odds trilogy was hard to rate. Nicky did grow on me and didn’t aggravate me nearly as much as he did in the 2nd installment Inland Empire. I’m still not sold on him in the toppy/dom department but whatever he and Brandon have going on – it seems to work for them. He didn’t exactly start off on the right foot with me, when Brandon arrived with his daughter Shayna for a visit – there were a couple of moments where it actually looked like Nick was jealous of a 9 year old and about to throw a hissy but luckily he reigned it in. (And then later on when the shit hit the fan – he truly did rise to the occasion).
Brandon, at Nicky’s urging actually; is making an effort to re-connect with his daughter and deal with his commitment issues and move forward with Nicky. His ex. Wife having an impromptu week long training and needing an on the spot baby sitter presents the perfect opportunity for Brandon to spend some quality time with his daughter – and what better time to head out to Las Vegas and take the next step in his relationship – by letting her get to know Nicky. The beginning – with Nicky, Brandon and Shayna spending time together was OK – like 2 ½ stars OK. Nicky and Brandon do get their share of sexy times throughout the story. I’m not sure how I feel about the bondage aspect. I think I could warm up to it – but I’m sort of a "wham-bam" girl – so the lead up was kind of “For the Love of God, Get on with it already”!! I won’t lie though, Nicky calling Brandon “Bitch” during sex was hot.
Then the unthinkable happens – which isn’t a spoiler because it’s referenced in the official blurb as “ the crime every cop knows ends in tragedy” and further queries if Brandon “the distraught parent” will “hold it together long enough to solve the crime". So in other words, Shayna gets snatched. This would have been hard for me to read if I had children, or probably any sort of maternal instinct towards human children. Since I don’t – it stayed at the 2 ½ stars level of interest with low angst. ( I will say the scenario around the snatching served to remind me of why I don’t allow anyone to watch my dog.) Shayna’s abduction sets the stage for Brandon’s ex. Wife Dian and his step mother Edith (sweet, strong, wonderful character) to descend upon Nicky’s home.
As the hours drag on and turn into days, and we spend a lot of time talking about the getting through the basics of day to day life; the food that the Jewish Community Center sent home with the family, whether we want to have chili-cornbread casserole or cheese kugel or ziti, the fact that Edith can clearly tell that Nick is more than “just a friend” - and all the while it really isn’t clear to anyone that Brandon is slowly unraveling. Until he finally does unravel at 62%, and when he does…he does it spectacularly! And then things pick up and the remainder of the book was a definite 3 ½ stars for me. Part of me suspects because there is something heart wrenching-ly sexy about a completely tortured and broken Brandon (but that actually sounds a little sick) so I’m going with the fact that the plot picks up and things seem to start moving quicker from that point on.
The ending is very satisfying. Brandon deals with his closet-case issues, and his commitment issues, the mystery is solved (wasn’t hard to figure, there really only could have been 1 perp), everybody’s happy (except for Brandon’s father who’s a bit of an ass) and my boys got their HEA. Nicky however did get points deducted for clearly not being a dog lover.
Brandon, at Nicky’s urging actually; is making an effort to re-connect with his daughter and deal with his commitment issues and move forward with Nicky. His ex. Wife having an impromptu week long training and needing an on the spot baby sitter presents the perfect opportunity for Brandon to spend some quality time with his daughter – and what better time to head out to Las Vegas and take the next step in his relationship – by letting her get to know Nicky. The beginning – with Nicky, Brandon and Shayna spending time together was OK – like 2 ½ stars OK. Nicky and Brandon do get their share of sexy times throughout the story. I’m not sure how I feel about the bondage aspect. I think I could warm up to it – but I’m sort of a "wham-bam" girl – so the lead up was kind of “For the Love of God, Get on with it already”!! I won’t lie though, Nicky calling Brandon “Bitch” during sex was hot.
Then the unthinkable happens – which isn’t a spoiler because it’s referenced in the official blurb as “ the crime every cop knows ends in tragedy” and further queries if Brandon “the distraught parent” will “hold it together long enough to solve the crime". So in other words, Shayna gets snatched. This would have been hard for me to read if I had children, or probably any sort of maternal instinct towards human children. Since I don’t – it stayed at the 2 ½ stars level of interest with low angst. ( I will say the scenario around the snatching served to remind me of why I don’t allow anyone to watch my dog.) Shayna’s abduction sets the stage for Brandon’s ex. Wife Dian and his step mother Edith (sweet, strong, wonderful character) to descend upon Nicky’s home.
As the hours drag on and turn into days, and we spend a lot of time talking about the getting through the basics of day to day life; the food that the Jewish Community Center sent home with the family, whether we want to have chili-cornbread casserole or cheese kugel or ziti, the fact that Edith can clearly tell that Nick is more than “just a friend” - and all the while it really isn’t clear to anyone that Brandon is slowly unraveling. Until he finally does unravel at 62%, and when he does…he does it spectacularly! And then things pick up and the remainder of the book was a definite 3 ½ stars for me. Part of me suspects because there is something heart wrenching-ly sexy about a completely tortured and broken Brandon (but that actually sounds a little sick) so I’m going with the fact that the plot picks up and things seem to start moving quicker from that point on.
The ending is very satisfying. Brandon deals with his closet-case issues, and his commitment issues, the mystery is solved (wasn’t hard to figure, there really only could have been 1 perp), everybody’s happy (except for Brandon’s father who’s a bit of an ass) and my boys got their HEA. Nicky however did get points deducted for clearly not being a dog lover.
November 24, 2021
Esse livro me incomodou tanto que pros e contras não é o suficiente...Existe um drama policial muito bom escondido no meio desse livro mas ele foi enterrado pela necessidade de cenas de sexo tão fora de hora que chegam a ser constrangedoras mesmo a autora tentando muito convencer que bareback é a forma espiritualmente superior de foder...Fora isso os coadjuvantes do Brandon continuam melhores que os do Nicky e os antagonistas continuam uma bosta que só servem pra gerar 2 capítulos ruins de ação no final do livro
Read
December 19, 2010As in all the real relationships there are different stage to reach, and in this third enstalment in the Nicky and Brandon’s story they have reach a very important level: in book 1 they met, in book 2 they established the basis for a long-term relationship and now in book 3 they need to test it.
Nicky and Brandon are not exactly family guys, or at least Nicky isn’t. Brandon has an ex-wife and a daughter, but he has never played the role of “daddy”, indead his daughter calls daddy her stepfather. But maybe due to the fact that his relationship with Nicky is moving from dating to living together, Brandon wants for his daughter to meet Nicky; it’s strange since his relationship with Nicky is far from being ordinary family stuff, but it seems than Brandon is taking it as a second chance to be a father.
Sincerely they are not exactly skilled in dealing with a nine years old girl, and both of them adopt the tactics to grant her everything she wants, even if it’s not good for a little girl. Moreover, Shayna is a clever little girl, and Brandon trying to hide the true nature of his relationship with Nicky is not helping. Brandon is for sure paranoic and Nicky is right in telling him that more he tries to hide the true, more he is making it evident, but I didn’t feel as if he is doing something wrong; probably the only wrong thing he did was to come to visit Nicky after weeks they didn’t see each other with a little child tagging along, so that it was impossible for them to steam off the pent-up desire they built. And indead Brandon’s insistence in staying in the closet with his family and at work is growing old, he should stop and think twice on his priorities in life.
Nicky at first is the voice of reason, and his advices to Brandon are right; maybe he is spoiling a bit Shayna, trying to buy her off, but nothing too much. Problem is that Nicky the boyfriend wins over uncle Nicky, and he convinces Brandon to let Shayna with a friend; of course when she gets missed at their friend’s home while they are having sex at home, Brandon’s guilt is something almost unbearable.
The two female figures that enter the novel at this moment are exactly at the opposite: Brandon’s ex-wife, Dian, is the one who is feeding Brandon’s guilt, with remarks on how inadeguate he is, and basically she is pushing him away from Nicky; Brandon’s stepmother, Edith, is instead the one who is encouraging Brandon to share his trouble with Nicky. The author is good in giving to both of them a positive perspective, even Dian has indead her justifications for behaving as she does.
Even if Taking the Odds is a thriller series, dealing with cops and criminals, this side of the story is really behind the scene, even more in this episode.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608201473/?...
Nicky and Brandon are not exactly family guys, or at least Nicky isn’t. Brandon has an ex-wife and a daughter, but he has never played the role of “daddy”, indead his daughter calls daddy her stepfather. But maybe due to the fact that his relationship with Nicky is moving from dating to living together, Brandon wants for his daughter to meet Nicky; it’s strange since his relationship with Nicky is far from being ordinary family stuff, but it seems than Brandon is taking it as a second chance to be a father.
Sincerely they are not exactly skilled in dealing with a nine years old girl, and both of them adopt the tactics to grant her everything she wants, even if it’s not good for a little girl. Moreover, Shayna is a clever little girl, and Brandon trying to hide the true nature of his relationship with Nicky is not helping. Brandon is for sure paranoic and Nicky is right in telling him that more he tries to hide the true, more he is making it evident, but I didn’t feel as if he is doing something wrong; probably the only wrong thing he did was to come to visit Nicky after weeks they didn’t see each other with a little child tagging along, so that it was impossible for them to steam off the pent-up desire they built. And indead Brandon’s insistence in staying in the closet with his family and at work is growing old, he should stop and think twice on his priorities in life.
Nicky at first is the voice of reason, and his advices to Brandon are right; maybe he is spoiling a bit Shayna, trying to buy her off, but nothing too much. Problem is that Nicky the boyfriend wins over uncle Nicky, and he convinces Brandon to let Shayna with a friend; of course when she gets missed at their friend’s home while they are having sex at home, Brandon’s guilt is something almost unbearable.
The two female figures that enter the novel at this moment are exactly at the opposite: Brandon’s ex-wife, Dian, is the one who is feeding Brandon’s guilt, with remarks on how inadeguate he is, and basically she is pushing him away from Nicky; Brandon’s stepmother, Edith, is instead the one who is encouraging Brandon to share his trouble with Nicky. The author is good in giving to both of them a positive perspective, even Dian has indead her justifications for behaving as she does.
Even if Taking the Odds is a thriller series, dealing with cops and criminals, this side of the story is really behind the scene, even more in this episode.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608201473/?...
June 18, 2011
Closeted cop Brandon is trying to move one step forward in his relationship with Nicky by taking his daughter, Shayna, to stay with them in Vegas for the long Christmas/New Year holiday. It's not easy, trying to juggle between responsibility as a dad and his needs of Nicky. Nicky, on the other hand, doesn't want to settle being a secret. He wants Brandon to decide what their relationship should be. Before Brandon can make a decision, something terrible happens. His daughter is kidnapped ...
I read the second book awhile ago and only now return to Nicky and Brandon. I like this one, I think this is more intense, not only because there's a child kidnapping, but also in terms of Brandon and Nicky handling the outcome and in defining what they are. I think Brandon makes a good progress, EVEN if he is still feeling uncomfortable to get out of the closet. I'm just happy that he doesn't push Nicky away or blame Nicky when it seems that the kidnapping has something to do with Nicky.
One of the most intense moments is probably when out of desperation . If it's made on screen, I will probably will not be able to take my eyes off it. It's one of the pivotal moments, and helps Brandon making a decision in the end.
I like the secondary characters, Ada, Nicky's colleague, and Edith, Brandon's stepmom. The two ladies do help Nicky and Brandon going to the right direction. It's just nice to read characters interaction with other people, not just between the two of them.
As for the kidnapper, I guess that plot from million miles away. But that's okay, it doesn't damper the experience of reading this what-so-ever. I do think it's a good sequel to the series. Even if there are no more books, I'm pretty satisfied with the way it is being wrapped up.
I read the second book awhile ago and only now return to Nicky and Brandon. I like this one, I think this is more intense, not only because there's a child kidnapping, but also in terms of Brandon and Nicky handling the outcome and in defining what they are. I think Brandon makes a good progress, EVEN if he is still feeling uncomfortable to get out of the closet. I'm just happy that he doesn't push Nicky away or blame Nicky when it seems that the kidnapping has something to do with Nicky.
One of the most intense moments is probably when out of desperation . If it's made on screen, I will probably will not be able to take my eyes off it. It's one of the pivotal moments, and helps Brandon making a decision in the end.
I like the secondary characters, Ada, Nicky's colleague, and Edith, Brandon's stepmom. The two ladies do help Nicky and Brandon going to the right direction. It's just nice to read characters interaction with other people, not just between the two of them.
As for the kidnapper, I guess that plot from million miles away. But that's okay, it doesn't damper the experience of reading this what-so-ever. I do think it's a good sequel to the series. Even if there are no more books, I'm pretty satisfied with the way it is being wrapped up.
September 10, 2014
All or Nothing concludes the journey of Nicky and Brandon in the Taking the Odds series.
It's holiday season, Christmas and New years just around the corner when Brandon visits Nicky for the first time in months, this time with a little something extra in toe; his nine-year-old daughter, Shayna. Following from the last book, Brandon is trying to bridge a gap he built between himself and his daughter and learn how to be a responsible father.
In normal circumstances, that may not be easy, but when his daughter is kidnapped, normal goes out the window and everything spirals out of control. Together, Nicky and Brandon must deal with the grim reality of Shayna being taken, all the while trying to keep their relationship hidden from the prying eyes of Brandon's family and ex-wife.
Parts of this really got me. What Brandon went through, and the detail that it was written in, tore at my heartstrings. I didn't find it overly dramatic or wrong, as I felt it was quite realistic given the circumstances.
Still, it wasn't my absolute favorite. It may have been where I stopped reading one day and picked up the next, but the ending didn't impact me much at all, and the mystery aspect of it was a complete flop. There was really no mystery, I knew pretty quickly who it was, which was a shame because true suspense would've further caused a lot of tension for the reader that was just missing.
Also, I've noticed a few times that the "r" word was used, and it's a personal thing for me, but it just immediately tears me out of whatever else is going on. I think there are a lot of alternative words to use, but that was the one chosen, and it did bother me a bit.
Nevertheless, this was a really great series that I enjoyed.
It's holiday season, Christmas and New years just around the corner when Brandon visits Nicky for the first time in months, this time with a little something extra in toe; his nine-year-old daughter, Shayna. Following from the last book, Brandon is trying to bridge a gap he built between himself and his daughter and learn how to be a responsible father.
In normal circumstances, that may not be easy, but when his daughter is kidnapped, normal goes out the window and everything spirals out of control. Together, Nicky and Brandon must deal with the grim reality of Shayna being taken, all the while trying to keep their relationship hidden from the prying eyes of Brandon's family and ex-wife.
He was hollow. No other word could describe it. There was this big empty mess inside and every so often it heaved and threatened to swallow his sanity.
Parts of this really got me. What Brandon went through, and the detail that it was written in, tore at my heartstrings. I didn't find it overly dramatic or wrong, as I felt it was quite realistic given the circumstances.
Still, it wasn't my absolute favorite. It may have been where I stopped reading one day and picked up the next, but the ending didn't impact me much at all, and the mystery aspect of it was a complete flop. There was really no mystery, I knew pretty quickly who it was, which was a shame because true suspense would've further caused a lot of tension for the reader that was just missing.
Also, I've noticed a few times that the "r" word was used, and it's a personal thing for me, but it just immediately tears me out of whatever else is going on. I think there are a lot of alternative words to use, but that was the one chosen, and it did bother me a bit.
Nevertheless, this was a really great series that I enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews