Shock & Awe (Sidewinder, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Oct 23, 2013 Adara rated it it was amazing

This story will really benefit from you having read about the characters previously in the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux and Madeline Urban. There will not really be any intro to the characters or lead-up into the story. It takes place immediately after the events of Touch & Geaux (book 7) and before the events of Ball & Chain, book 8 in the Cut & Run series (expected release, March 2014).

For those unfamiliar with Cut & Run, one of the main characters of that series, Ty Grady, was a Marine on This story will really benefit from you having read about the characters previously in the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux and Madeline Urban. There will not really be any intro to the characters or lead-up into the story. It takes place immediately after the events of Touch & Geaux (book 7) and before the events of Ball & Chain, book 8 in the Cut & Run series (expected release, March 2014).

For those unfamiliar with Cut & Run, one of the main characters of that series, Ty Grady, was a Marine on a Special Operations team. The team of 6 was called 'Sidewinder', from hence came the name of this spin-off series for two of the other team members, Nick and Kelly.

Kelly is recovering (from events in Touch & Geaux) in his remote cabin in Colorado. Without question, Nick goes with him to help him recuperate, since Kelly can't even roll over in bed or sit up without help just yet. After seeing Ty & Zane together, Kelly becomes bi-curious, very specifically about Nick. Kelly talks Nick into kissing him on a whim, even though Nick's never thought about Kelly in that way any more than Kelly has about him like that, before now that is.

Now both of them are wondering how their friendship will change because they've known each other for so long that neither one can put anything past the other. But that also means they know exactly what each other wants and needs. Is throwing caution to the wind really the best idea for them? (Well, except for the whole Kelly-is-injured-and-Nick-doesn't-want-to-break-him issue.)

Now, for those who have read the end of Touch & Geaux, you have an idea of what is going to happen at the end of this little interlude of theirs. Bad timing and all that. (view spoiler)

But, there is a tidbit of bonus Sidewinder short story in the back of the book called Bait & Switch. It's a few (unspecified) months later, after Kelly has healed. (Oorah!)

Both stories are incredibly sexy shorts (even if you're not already familiar with the characters, but moreso if you are), and I cannot wait for Ball & Chain to come out. =) ...more

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May 23, 2014 SueM rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: military-mercs, favorite-series, friends-to-lovers, bingo-challenge, injury-illness, spin-off, ipad-marvin

3.5 stars
Having read this after I had read Ball & Chain, I had a fair idea where this was heading.

Following on from Touch & Geaux, where Kelly was shot saving Nick's life, Nick stays with Kelly while he recovers from his chest wound. Both men are feeling vulnerable after the events of New Orleans, and Kelly's inhibitions are lowered further by his need and use of pain relievers. Now with both men in living in each other's pocket through necessity, they find that there may be more between them th ...more

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Oct 31, 2013 Fangtasia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Nick and Kelly? Off. The. Charts. Hawt!

It felt a bit "off," their conversation pattern, and how quickly they became involved. That might be a function of their background together, along with the fact that I haven't read Touch & Geaux yet. My mistake. Which will be corrected immediately. ...more

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May 14, 2014 Arch Bala rated it really liked it

Shelves: best-covers

From the Cut & Run series, we’ve got here a couple springing from the Sidewinder team. Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott finally discovered that they have something that they could share more. The story picked up after the events in Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run Series Book #8) and it was just a quick narration of both men deciding whether they should be pursuing what their hearts was telling them or just remain friends / brothers-in-combat.

Shock & Awe to put it simply is a walking sex novella. Really ...more

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Dec 21, 2013 Chrissy rated it it was amazing

sucked right in to Kelly and Nick's relationship. Can't wait to get more of these two! i'm pretty sure i can call myself a fangirl of this series. So many hot alpha males. Hot sex, great banter, action and just all around keep you reading all night long stories! total book hangover from Ty, Zane, Nick and Kelly. Need more now!! ...more

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Oct 27, 2013 Wendy❤Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sex-partner-mm, theme-gfy, theme-friends2lovers, 5stars, series, app-kindle, loanable

*fist pumps* Yes! Nick and Kelly – totally hot, and so much less drama than Ty and Zane. I really needed that (but I’m afraid it’s about to come in the next installment). For now, I’ll bask in the glow of two guys who were already friends and already connected taking that one final step over the curiosity threshold into hella hot sex and emotional commitment. *big happy face*

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Sep 24, 2013 skyline rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, 2013, read-more-than-once, favorites

I devoured this book. This was so awesome it couldn't have been more awesome <3 <3 <3
I always liked Nick in Cut & Run series but now I just love him. Kels cracked me up :D God I love those two *swoon*
I need more, I crave for more... Hope the next book is 10,000 pages long. ...more

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