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Game On, Game Over
Game On – John Jones, alias Aidan Whittaker, is undercover in Tajikistan to broker a deal with tribal leaders, a mission complicated when two Americans arrive to document the Silk Road and one starts asking very awkward questions. The other, Scott Landon, is a different kind of trouble; young, gay and single-minded, he clearly wants John. Unwilling to jeopardize his operation John rejects Scott, despite being attracted to him, but then events spiral out of control; will this be the start of a new life for both of them – or is it Game Over?
204 pages, ebook
First published October 8, 2011
4 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Chris Quinton
46 books99 followersChris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was about ten, and it was probably the best gift she'd ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 21, 2011
4.5 stars
This book is divided into two parts. The first one takes place in Tajikistan, and the second one in UK.
In the first part, Scott and John (Aidan) met. Since the beginning, they had some chemistry although John hid it behind mask as a grumpy anthropologist. When John appeared to be killed in an attack, Scott was devastated, but somehow didn't believe that John has died. He started an investigation, and managed to locate where John lived. In the second part, Scott moved to the town where John (now goes by his real name, Aidan) lived, and tried to woo him. First as friend, and then lover.
I love the slow development of the second part. It's fun to see how Aidan is even grumpier than when he was in first part. Oh, there's an additional main character on the second part. A cat who likes to stay in Aidan's house, despite Aidan's hatred toward it.
This is a nice book. The characters are likeable, even when Aidan is grumpy. Both are males, not damsel in distress. It shows the difficult lives of journalists, sometimes they face challenges like the MI6 agents.
This book is divided into two parts. The first one takes place in Tajikistan, and the second one in UK.
In the first part, Scott and John (Aidan) met. Since the beginning, they had some chemistry although John hid it behind mask as a grumpy anthropologist. When John appeared to be killed in an attack, Scott was devastated, but somehow didn't believe that John has died. He started an investigation, and managed to locate where John lived. In the second part, Scott moved to the town where John (now goes by his real name, Aidan) lived, and tried to woo him. First as friend, and then lover.
I love the slow development of the second part. It's fun to see how Aidan is even grumpier than when he was in first part. Oh, there's an additional main character on the second part. A cat who likes to stay in Aidan's house, despite Aidan's hatred toward it.
This is a nice book. The characters are likeable, even when Aidan is grumpy. Both are males, not damsel in distress. It shows the difficult lives of journalists, sometimes they face challenges like the MI6 agents.
October 13, 2011
John is a MI6 (equivalent CIA) spy on a mission in a former Soviet block country, trying to broker a deal to shore up Western support against the Taliban. In his "real" life, he is also a talent linguist, writer and archeological specialist. Closing in on 40, he has made the conscious decision to forgo love and commitment for his career.
Scott is a photographer, 25 but not new to risky situations. He is in the area of the dig John is assistant director of, working with a jerky journalist to photograph the Silk Road for a book, and maybe catch a scoop in local politics while he is there. His attraction to John is immediate, but not returned immediately. That won't stop him though - he sets his mind to it and pursues John with single minded purpose.
Scott and his boss get into a bit of trouble, necessitating a rescue, which puts not only them, but the dig, in trouble. As they are evacuated, the worst happens, and Scott and John are separated, possible for good.
The chemistry between these two men is immediate and believable. The storyline rocked along, taking us nicely into the lives of these two men, unlikely as they might initially be together. We suffer when they do, and I felt for Scott when he though he lost John.
Then the second half of the book happens, and the tone changes to a lighter, funny mood as reflected by the sleepy English countryside. Scott begins his quest to find John and let him know he wants him for more than just a night of sex.
Ms. Quinton weaves a nicely told tale here. At first a thriller, then a romantic comedy, I was captured immediately and charmed by the banter in the second half of the book. Loved the feline nemesis. And fell in love with these two guys. I would love to see them revisited.
Two HUGE thumbs up here!
Tom
Scott is a photographer, 25 but not new to risky situations. He is in the area of the dig John is assistant director of, working with a jerky journalist to photograph the Silk Road for a book, and maybe catch a scoop in local politics while he is there. His attraction to John is immediate, but not returned immediately. That won't stop him though - he sets his mind to it and pursues John with single minded purpose.
Scott and his boss get into a bit of trouble, necessitating a rescue, which puts not only them, but the dig, in trouble. As they are evacuated, the worst happens, and Scott and John are separated, possible for good.
The chemistry between these two men is immediate and believable. The storyline rocked along, taking us nicely into the lives of these two men, unlikely as they might initially be together. We suffer when they do, and I felt for Scott when he though he lost John.
Then the second half of the book happens, and the tone changes to a lighter, funny mood as reflected by the sleepy English countryside. Scott begins his quest to find John and let him know he wants him for more than just a night of sex.
Ms. Quinton weaves a nicely told tale here. At first a thriller, then a romantic comedy, I was captured immediately and charmed by the banter in the second half of the book. Loved the feline nemesis. And fell in love with these two guys. I would love to see them revisited.
Two HUGE thumbs up here!
Tom
October 26, 2011
This is a book full of interesting contradictions. John/Aidan is an agent, but also an archeologist. Scott is attracted to him, but John/Aidan cannot allow this to interfere with his secret mission (of course, it does, and chaos ensues). The first half of the book reflects this more turbulent situation, whereas the second half is almost too quiet and relaxed. I loved how the situations and the language in each half of the book reflected what was going on in the story as well.
John/Aidan is a dedicated agent but also an enthusiastic archeologist and a passionate gay man. He is determined to finish his mission, but when he does decide to change his life, he does so with the skill and stealth I would expect of a former secret agent. His complete withdrawal is understandable, his hesitation over Scott wasn’t as easy for me to follow. I loved his ‘tense’ encounters with the neighbor’s cat which is such a contrast to the terrorists before, but that makes it only all the funnier.
Scott may be ‘just’ an archeologist, but, deep down, he is a fighter as well. When in danger he holds up to what is needed and the way he follows John/Aidan to track him down? Definitely worthy of an agent himself. The reunion was as slow as the first meeting was fast. Passion was the driver for both, but the way it showed itself was very different. I really liked that.
If you like adventure stories with a touch of science, if a little bit of added humor makes the story even better for you, and if you want to see a former secret agent settle down, you will probably like this book.
John/Aidan is a dedicated agent but also an enthusiastic archeologist and a passionate gay man. He is determined to finish his mission, but when he does decide to change his life, he does so with the skill and stealth I would expect of a former secret agent. His complete withdrawal is understandable, his hesitation over Scott wasn’t as easy for me to follow. I loved his ‘tense’ encounters with the neighbor’s cat which is such a contrast to the terrorists before, but that makes it only all the funnier.
Scott may be ‘just’ an archeologist, but, deep down, he is a fighter as well. When in danger he holds up to what is needed and the way he follows John/Aidan to track him down? Definitely worthy of an agent himself. The reunion was as slow as the first meeting was fast. Passion was the driver for both, but the way it showed itself was very different. I really liked that.
If you like adventure stories with a touch of science, if a little bit of added humor makes the story even better for you, and if you want to see a former secret agent settle down, you will probably like this book.
November 22, 2013
Really enjoyed this tale of two men who meet (and part) while on an archaeological dig in Tajikstan, and then meet again in Avebury, England. These are two very cool locations - and if Avebury was perhaps more vividly written as a setting, the half set in Tajikstan contained the more vividly written adventure, so that balanced out rather well.
The sex scenes were hot, the romance evolved nicely, and the characters (both main and otherwise) were engaging. I particularly enjoyed 'That Bloody Cat' who features in the Avebury half, with plenty of well-observed feline detail.
I had a few LOL moments on public transport while commuting with this book on my Kindle... The funniest line was 'Bugger the cat!' but I'll have to let you work out the context of that for yourself...
Nice one, Chris!
The sex scenes were hot, the romance evolved nicely, and the characters (both main and otherwise) were engaging. I particularly enjoyed 'That Bloody Cat' who features in the Avebury half, with plenty of well-observed feline detail.
I had a few LOL moments on public transport while commuting with this book on my Kindle... The funniest line was 'Bugger the cat!' but I'll have to let you work out the context of that for yourself...
Nice one, Chris!
February 7, 2015
Scott is a freelance photographer who whilst in Turkistan meets Aiden, an undercover MI6 operative. Whilst being evacuated, Aiden is shot ans Scott is told that he died from his wounds.
Fast forward a year. Scott has never forgotten Aiden and eventually tracks him down to a small english village.
The build up to the HEA is slow and interesting. Scott slowly breaks down Aidens defences.
Best part of the book though was Aiden's war with 'That Bloody Cat'.
Fast forward a year. Scott has never forgotten Aiden and eventually tracks him down to a small english village.
The build up to the HEA is slow and interesting. Scott slowly breaks down Aidens defences.
Best part of the book though was Aiden's war with 'That Bloody Cat'.
October 25, 2011
This book in its entirety wasn’t quite what I expected from the blurb. Part one was fraught with tension in every aspect, moving along at a fast pace. Okay, the setting was perhaps a little romanticized, but not so much as to appear unrealistic, and the rivalizing tribesmen’s knives and bullets were certainly real enough. I liked the descriptions of life at the archeological site and the way this emphasized John/Aidan’s professor persona. He was very believable as adept yet half-hearted spook, and his ready retirement when he had the opportunity was only logical.
The romance fit the setting just fine with its surging, adrenaline-fueled passion. What suffered a bit during the first part were the other characterizations, the secondary cast’s as well as Scott’s, but the latter is remedied as we get to be in Scott’s head more often during the second part.
I had a few small issues with this book too:
After the fast pace of the Tajikistan part, the book grinds to an almost full-stop once the plot focuses on Avebury. As we see Aidan through his days (the highlights of which seem to be his daily skirmishes with the neighbor’s cat), the story starts dragging. In regard to Scott, Aidan ponders over the same hangups on and on. When he asked himself for the umpteenth time what Scott could possibly want with him, I even found myself asking the same question. The way Scott tracked Aidan down might have come across as stalkerish, but it actually didn’t since Aidan needs to be pushed towards his own luck.
And the setting? If there was one cliché missing about what I always thought of as “typically heart-of-the-country English”, I didn’t notice it. Cozy cottages with open fireplaces, hedged back gardens with flowering white lilas, roses-covered potting sheds, nosy neighbors, standing stones, sheep and crows, a pub rife with gossip – all check, down to the human extras populating the scene. It worked, though – the setting was perfect for Aidan’s and Scott’s slow reunion. It was skillfully written, too, with just the right amount of self-deprecation and humor to keep it from turning into a parody. What had started as a fast-paced action-adventure turned into a sweet and wholly satisfying romance, and I closed the book with a sigh and a smile.
Warmly recommended.
Review originally written for reviewsbyjessewave.com
The romance fit the setting just fine with its surging, adrenaline-fueled passion. What suffered a bit during the first part were the other characterizations, the secondary cast’s as well as Scott’s, but the latter is remedied as we get to be in Scott’s head more often during the second part.
I had a few small issues with this book too:
After the fast pace of the Tajikistan part, the book grinds to an almost full-stop once the plot focuses on Avebury. As we see Aidan through his days (the highlights of which seem to be his daily skirmishes with the neighbor’s cat), the story starts dragging. In regard to Scott, Aidan ponders over the same hangups on and on. When he asked himself for the umpteenth time what Scott could possibly want with him, I even found myself asking the same question. The way Scott tracked Aidan down might have come across as stalkerish, but it actually didn’t since Aidan needs to be pushed towards his own luck.
And the setting? If there was one cliché missing about what I always thought of as “typically heart-of-the-country English”, I didn’t notice it. Cozy cottages with open fireplaces, hedged back gardens with flowering white lilas, roses-covered potting sheds, nosy neighbors, standing stones, sheep and crows, a pub rife with gossip – all check, down to the human extras populating the scene. It worked, though – the setting was perfect for Aidan’s and Scott’s slow reunion. It was skillfully written, too, with just the right amount of self-deprecation and humor to keep it from turning into a parody. What had started as a fast-paced action-adventure turned into a sweet and wholly satisfying romance, and I closed the book with a sigh and a smile.
Warmly recommended.
Review originally written for reviewsbyjessewave.com
January 29, 2013
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
John Jones/Aidan Whittaker is on a negotiation mission, his plans begin to be derailed by Babcock who is sticking his nose where it could cause trouble. Scott just wants to take pictures… and get in the hot archaeologists bed, but he gets more trouble when his boss Babcock arranges a meeting with a local tribal leader.
This is an interesting combination of settings, you have the first part of the book set in Tajikistan near the Afghanistan boarder which is dry, dusty, dangerous and fraught with tension then in the second part of the book you have the quaint village of Avebury, Wiltshire in England which is green, lush, quiet and fraught with murderous stories of the long dead.
In the first part we have John Jones MI6 Negotiator who is trying to broker a deal with some of the tribal leaders, his cover is that of an archaeologist, complications set in when a reporter turns up sticking his nose in where it’s not wanted and his photographer who John feels an instant attraction to, there is danger, a recuse mission, hot sex, a parting of ways and a gun-fire fight which ends with John’s life hanging in the balance.
In the second part we have Scott Landon Photographer who has been affected more than he thought over what happened to John, he starts to investigate when he realises that all may not be as it seems and it leads to the discovery of Aidan Whittaker expert of Ancient Languages and Literature and an archaeologist. From then on we see Scott’s pursuit of Aidan as he tries to become friends and something more.
This is a brilliantly woven story about two men who get their wires crossed, both of them thinking the other doesn’t want them when they both actually want the same thing. We see Scott trying to get through to Aidan that he wants more than just quick sex, while Aidan thinks that Scott couldn’t want an older man with a damaged leg who just wants to settle down in the little village he found.
So this is a great book that has a little of everything for everyone, danger, tension, hot sex, gun-fights, slow romance, quaint setting, local hauntings and nosy villages... oh and keep an eye out for the cat TBC (That Bloody Cat) that does battle with Aiden every chance he gets. I highly recommend this one, so get this book, read it and enjoy.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
John Jones/Aidan Whittaker is on a negotiation mission, his plans begin to be derailed by Babcock who is sticking his nose where it could cause trouble. Scott just wants to take pictures… and get in the hot archaeologists bed, but he gets more trouble when his boss Babcock arranges a meeting with a local tribal leader.
This is an interesting combination of settings, you have the first part of the book set in Tajikistan near the Afghanistan boarder which is dry, dusty, dangerous and fraught with tension then in the second part of the book you have the quaint village of Avebury, Wiltshire in England which is green, lush, quiet and fraught with murderous stories of the long dead.
In the first part we have John Jones MI6 Negotiator who is trying to broker a deal with some of the tribal leaders, his cover is that of an archaeologist, complications set in when a reporter turns up sticking his nose in where it’s not wanted and his photographer who John feels an instant attraction to, there is danger, a recuse mission, hot sex, a parting of ways and a gun-fire fight which ends with John’s life hanging in the balance.
In the second part we have Scott Landon Photographer who has been affected more than he thought over what happened to John, he starts to investigate when he realises that all may not be as it seems and it leads to the discovery of Aidan Whittaker expert of Ancient Languages and Literature and an archaeologist. From then on we see Scott’s pursuit of Aidan as he tries to become friends and something more.
This is a brilliantly woven story about two men who get their wires crossed, both of them thinking the other doesn’t want them when they both actually want the same thing. We see Scott trying to get through to Aidan that he wants more than just quick sex, while Aidan thinks that Scott couldn’t want an older man with a damaged leg who just wants to settle down in the little village he found.
So this is a great book that has a little of everything for everyone, danger, tension, hot sex, gun-fights, slow romance, quaint setting, local hauntings and nosy villages... oh and keep an eye out for the cat TBC (That Bloody Cat) that does battle with Aiden every chance he gets. I highly recommend this one, so get this book, read it and enjoy.
February 5, 2012
3.5
I'm a bit Jekyll and Hyde about this book. The book is setup as two separate parts and I absolutely enjoyed the first part. It had action, adventure, academics, secret lives, and sexiness. I liked both characters and had a good sense that John was a likable person that was just trying to avoid complications in his mission. I did feel some connection with him and Sam.
Part two just left me a bit flat, John (Aidan) was so crumudgeony that it really took away from his personality and the story as a whole. I kept reading in hopes that he would get a clue, it came a bit too late for me. I absolutely loved the first part, didn't quiet have the patience for the second part. I do love the time and effort that the author takes in developing a sense of place and history for the story. Still a good read, but having a taste of the first part just left me craving more in the second.
I'm a bit Jekyll and Hyde about this book. The book is setup as two separate parts and I absolutely enjoyed the first part. It had action, adventure, academics, secret lives, and sexiness. I liked both characters and had a good sense that John was a likable person that was just trying to avoid complications in his mission. I did feel some connection with him and Sam.
Part two just left me a bit flat, John (Aidan) was so crumudgeony that it really took away from his personality and the story as a whole. I kept reading in hopes that he would get a clue, it came a bit too late for me. I absolutely loved the first part, didn't quiet have the patience for the second part. I do love the time and effort that the author takes in developing a sense of place and history for the story. Still a good read, but having a taste of the first part just left me craving more in the second.
January 20, 2013
3.5 stars
A good contemporary MM Romance between an John, MI6 agent and Scott, a photographer, after they meet on an archeological dig in Tajikistan. I admit I much preferred the first half of the story where the action takes place mostly on the dig site. The second half of the book, which takes place about a year after they last saw each other in Tajikistan, is set in Avebury, England. While I enjoyed the push & pull between the two men, it didn't have quite the same intensity as the previous half. It also seemed a little over-done at times, with John dwelling too much on the age difference between them, as well as a few too many scenes concerning a cat... All up, not a bad story....
A good contemporary MM Romance between an John, MI6 agent and Scott, a photographer, after they meet on an archeological dig in Tajikistan. I admit I much preferred the first half of the story where the action takes place mostly on the dig site. The second half of the book, which takes place about a year after they last saw each other in Tajikistan, is set in Avebury, England. While I enjoyed the push & pull between the two men, it didn't have quite the same intensity as the previous half. It also seemed a little over-done at times, with John dwelling too much on the age difference between them, as well as a few too many scenes concerning a cat... All up, not a bad story....
December 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The struggle between John/Aidan trying to deal with being undercover and having to figure out who he is again when that falls away was very well written. I liked Scott's persistence and I'm glad Aidan finally came to his senses. They were cute together.
September 23, 2013
The first book I've read by this author. I liked it. Although, it felt like two short stories instead of one novel. The first, Game On, is an action/adventure story. The second, Game Over, is the romance.
January 9, 2012
I liked the side characters as well as the main characters.
TBC = grumpy cat. Funny thing is, Aiden is grumpier. :D
TBC = grumpy cat. Funny thing is, Aiden is grumpier. :D
March 19, 2016
Exciting action story in the first half; nice slow-building romance in second half. I really liked it overall.
May 20, 2017
受很主动，性格很好，整体也都不错。不过少了点反追的情节，要不然会更萌
October 13, 2015
I really liked most of this book. It is split into two very distinct parts, with the first part set in Tajikistan, just over the border from Afghanistan. John/Aiden is a complicated man who is an archaeological and linguistic expert as well as a secret negotiator for MI6. Scott is a free lance photographer who ends up at the same dig as John. After connecting in several ways, they're separated by circumstances. The events in this half of the book were written tightly, with a strong plot.
The second half of the book is set in Avebury, a charming village in the Wiltshire region, home of a huge stone circle. I visited the site last summer, so it was a real pleasure to read about it again here. I felt a strong sense of place and enjoyed the village folk we meet as part of the story. My only niggle with the story was here, where I did like both main characters, though Aiden's crustiness got old at times.
The second half of the book is set in Avebury, a charming village in the Wiltshire region, home of a huge stone circle. I visited the site last summer, so it was a real pleasure to read about it again here. I felt a strong sense of place and enjoyed the village folk we meet as part of the story. My only niggle with the story was here, where I did like both main characters, though Aiden's crustiness got old at times.
November 28, 2012
A book of two parts. The first part takes place in Tajikistan around an archaeological dig on the old silk road. John an archaeology professor is also an MI6 operative on an undercover mission to destabilise the Taliban influence in the area. Scott is a photographer on job for a lunatic journalist writing a book on the silk road. Action packed story with kidnap, rescue and a burgeoning relationship between John and Scott. On escaping the area John is badly wounded and taken from the rest of the group by helicopter so setting up the second part of the book - Scott's search to find John (or what happened to him).
The second part of the book is what I have trouble with in that John is such a bad tempered, grumpy nasty piece of work and unwilling to appreciate the lengths that Scott had gone to to find him that I was left with the thought that it would have been better had he been killed by the snipers bullet. Even the happy ending didn't fully compensate the bad feelings that John (Aiden) had engendered through the second part of the book.
The second part of the book is what I have trouble with in that John is such a bad tempered, grumpy nasty piece of work and unwilling to appreciate the lengths that Scott had gone to to find him that I was left with the thought that it would have been better had he been killed by the snipers bullet. Even the happy ending didn't fully compensate the bad feelings that John (Aiden) had engendered through the second part of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2011
I found both Aidan and Scott to be interesting characters and despite their differences they made a great couple. The book was written in 3rd person POV and the reader gets an inside view for both Aidan and Scott which makes it easy to connect with both MCs. What started as an instant lust and attraction successfully avoided the trap of instant love. While their attraction was more or less evident from their interaction and thoughts, the falling in love took a while to happen and it was more subtly done. Aidan's grumpiness almost stole the show a couple of times and provided an overall humorous tone for the book. As far as character development goes it's probably more evident in Aidan, but since his life underwent a big change it seemed natural and fit with the overall story.
After this fan girl rant I guess it's pretty obvious I loved this book and will be checking out this authors other works.
After this fan girl rant I guess it's pretty obvious I loved this book and will be checking out this authors other works.
September 6, 2013
I'm a bit ambivalent about this book because the two halves are so very different. The first half set in Tajikistan was packed with danger and incident and really had my pulse racing a few times. I loved that part of it, the scene setting, the secondary characters, the feeling of peril, the growing attraction between the protagonists even though it was so clearly a very bad idea.
But the second half lost me a bit. It was much quieter and much more of a romance. I enjoyed the village setting - a great contrast from the first half - and the secondary characters were well drawn. I can understand the need to have that change of pace due to - well I won't do spoilers, but there is a good reason for it - but the conflict being 'will they be together?' not 'will they both survive?' made it feel a bit flat to me. So only 4 stars. If it had been as OMG edgy all the way through it would have been a clear five, plus a bit for archaeology.
But the second half lost me a bit. It was much quieter and much more of a romance. I enjoyed the village setting - a great contrast from the first half - and the secondary characters were well drawn. I can understand the need to have that change of pace due to - well I won't do spoilers, but there is a good reason for it - but the conflict being 'will they be together?' not 'will they both survive?' made it feel a bit flat to me. So only 4 stars. If it had been as OMG edgy all the way through it would have been a clear five, plus a bit for archaeology.
October 28, 2011
I like I enjoyed it. It's well written, entertaining and has characters with well developed personalities. The story is written in two distinct portions. The first takes place in Tajikistan. It's fast paced, filled with action and danger and contains lots of details on the archaeological dig site. The second is much slower and takes place in a small village in the English countryside. While the tone is much lighter here, you still have some wonderful local townspeople, and some great historical facts. While some readers found the differences between these two sections distracting, I didn't. I found them realistic based on the changes that had taken place in Scott and Aidan's lives.
I intend to enjoy this one again in the future and will be looking for other books by this author too.
I intend to enjoy this one again in the future and will be looking for other books by this author too.
July 16, 2014
2.5
Eh, this was like two books smushed together and it just didn't work. The first half is exciting. There is an MI6 agent, an adventurous photographer, border skirmishes with the Taliban, a cool archaeological dig and a sexy lust-at-first-sight element.
Then in the second half we get the MI6 agent turning into a crotchety small village dweller and, I kid you not, 80% of the story deals with his fight with an annoying house cat; 10% deals with what he eats at the pub.
The chemistry between the MCs has by this point also taken some serious knocks and their romance is just not believable.
So really good first half and disappointing second half.
But the author can definitely write and I wouldn't be adverse to checking out her other work.
Eh, this was like two books smushed together and it just didn't work. The first half is exciting. There is an MI6 agent, an adventurous photographer, border skirmishes with the Taliban, a cool archaeological dig and a sexy lust-at-first-sight element.
Then in the second half we get the MI6 agent turning into a crotchety small village dweller and, I kid you not, 80% of the story deals with his fight with an annoying house cat; 10% deals with what he eats at the pub.
The chemistry between the MCs has by this point also taken some serious knocks and their romance is just not believable.
So really good first half and disappointing second half.
But the author can definitely write and I wouldn't be adverse to checking out her other work.
January 5, 2013
I finally finished this book! Pfeew.
I liked it, especially the first part of it. I fell in love with Scott. The way he seduced John/Aidan was really amusing, I couldn't get enough of it. The second part I didn't really like that much. It was too slow for me, especially after reading all the action from the first part. I got frustrated with the second part because I already barely had time to read the past 2 weeks that I got disappointed whenever I picked up the book to read and not much seemed to happen. I think when I have more time to read I'm gonna re-read this book and hopefully I'll enjoy it more.
I liked it, especially the first part of it. I fell in love with Scott. The way he seduced John/Aidan was really amusing, I couldn't get enough of it. The second part I didn't really like that much. It was too slow for me, especially after reading all the action from the first part. I got frustrated with the second part because I already barely had time to read the past 2 weeks that I got disappointed whenever I picked up the book to read and not much seemed to happen. I think when I have more time to read I'm gonna re-read this book and hopefully I'll enjoy it more.
October 8, 2011
This story was enjoyable, I give you that, but something was off. I liked both main characters. of course. Aidan was intelligent, comical and interesting. Scott was simply Scott, I didn't connect to him at all.
I have to admit, the plotted action in Tajikistan was a bit boring, at least there were some comical scenes. I did like interaction between Aidan and Scott, but mostly that was it. In the last part of the plot we got amusing scenes between Aidan, Scott and the cat. I liked it.
In general it was a good story!
I have to admit, the plotted action in Tajikistan was a bit boring, at least there were some comical scenes. I did like interaction between Aidan and Scott, but mostly that was it. In the last part of the plot we got amusing scenes between Aidan, Scott and the cat. I liked it.
In general it was a good story!
June 19, 2013
This book was recommended to me by 6 different people over the past month so I decided to pick it up and read it. I did enjoy it, both sections were totally different but both were enjoyable.
I liked Scott's pursuit of John/Aiden throughout the story and was happy to see that persistence pays off.
I liked Scott's pursuit of John/Aiden throughout the story and was happy to see that persistence pays off.
February 15, 2015
For some reason this story just didn't click for me! I really liked the Scott character and while there was a certain endearing charm about Aiden I just didn't feel the connection. The sex was descriptively hot but I didn't feel the emotion of it.
November 4, 2011
Started out wonderful then just got stupid. I barely cared anymore by the end.
October 11, 2015
2,5 stars, loved the plot in part one, but didn't really care about Scott.
I also had some issues with the age difference.
I also had some issues with the age difference.
August 24, 2013
It was ok, but maybe too short, the character development as well as story line could have been stretched out more
October 26, 2015
2012 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
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