The Big Dangerous Ground Re-Read!

[Loretta]

Gah! That seen where Will watches Taylor being shot and thinks he's dead just punches me right in the heart. Up until that happened, I think Will ignored just how deeply Taylor had woven himself into Will's heart. Will didn't think Taylor was a good long term risk and was trying to protect himself. How agonizing to suddenly realize just how important someone is to you after it's too late.

I loved how Taylor just kept going and going and going in his determination to get back to Will.

Do you think Taylor ever told Will he was the first and only one Taylor had ever bottomed for? I think that would have helped Will's insecurities about how serious Taylor was.

[Trio]

I agree - I totally think if Taylor had been more upfront and honest with Will things would have gone along differently. I don't understand how two guys can be together both physically and over a long period of time, and yet still not disclose so much!

[Kim]

Always thought Will never got that he was the one that never committed to a relationship.
Once Taylor committed he was all in...on the other hand asshole Will...went off to Paris....lost his memory...
Want to see Will suffer a lot...

[Teal]

You and me both, Kim! It's nice to know I'm not the only one hoping to see Will suffer. ;)

[Kim]

That Paris thing really pissed me off...
Hoped Taylor would have walked out on Will...
And really hoped Will would have to have worked a lot harder to get Taylor back.
Was hoping Taylor walked out on Will.

[Teal]

It sounds like maybe the shoe is finally going to be on the other foot, in the book Josh is writing now...

[Jordan]

Ah, thanks Loretta!

[Jordan]

Poor Taylor keeps getting hurt! It's always Taylor, so far anyway (into book two, too) which, I think, almost undermines his ability as an DS agent.

[Jordan]

Yes, omg, I think having Taylor finally come clean about bottoming for Will would be an interesting scene for sure. Wonder how Will would react?

[K.]

Kim wrote: "Always thought Will never got that he was the one that never committed to a relationship.
Once Taylor committed he was all in...on the other hand asshole Will...went off to Paris....lost his memory..."

This! I'm still so pissed of at Will for Paris thing. Which is the reason why I haven't managed to open book 5.

On the bright side whenever I think of whining over not having two POV's...all i have to to do is think of Will and I will stop wishing for second POV.

[Teal]

K. wrote: "On the bright side whenever I think of whining over not having two POV's...all i have to to do is think of Will and I will stop wishing for second POV..."

Too funny. :D.

I don't dislike Will, I swear -- it's just that I reeeeeeeally wish someone would smack him upside the head and tell him he's a bad boyfriend.

[Trio]

oh for goodness sake!!! People, Will isn't back together with David - he isn't doing anything wrong, he's just a clueless guy and Taylor is over thinking all this stuff. Maybe Josh will smack Taylor upside the head with a sanity stick and he'll see that Will is giving as much as he can and if he wants to be with Will he'd better be glad for what he gets.

K. - I hope some day we can get together and hash out this stuff... between Will and Jason, together we make a happy medium ;)

[Jordan]

:-D

[Jordan]

The more I listen, the more I get used to the narrator. Might also mean he's getting more used to the characters too.

[KC]

K. wrote: "This! I'm still so pissed of at Will for Paris thing. Which is the reason why I haven't managed to open book 5."

Then I would definitely recommend opening book 5, especially for that reason; always good to have some closure and understand and maybe forgive our favorite characters, or our favorite characters' favorite people, when they piss us off ;-)

[KC]

Teal wrote: "It sounds like maybe the shoe is finally going to be on the other foot, in the book Josh is writing now..."

Uh-oh. Poor Will... [insert here the emoticon with the wide eyes]

[Johanna]

Calathea wrote: "Since we're rereading/relistening Dangerous Ground... how/when/why did you read it? Was it your first Josh book? If it wasn't what made you decide to go for this series and not, say, Holmes & Moria..."

I read the first book of the series at Christmas 2011 when I had the print version of Josh Lanyon Collected Novellas #1 with me in Thailand. I have such clear, vivid memories of Khao Lak's natural, quiet beach — and even the exact spot — where I got to read those lovely, lovely novellas the first time. Dangerous Ground was served in wonderful novella company with Cards on the Table, Snowball in Hell and In Sunshine or In Shadow. So, it actually wasn't Dangerous Ground novella that I liked the best in this collection. The Dangerous Ground series is a series that grew on me only later on.

Oh, and if I have to pick a team, I'd be Team Taylor. But I do like them both equally. :-)

[Johanna]

Trio wrote: Totally Team Will!!! I thought Taylor was a whiny little B - but once the details about his kink started to work their way into the stories, Taylor got a lot more interesting to me ;)"

:-D

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "But my students love this. They do it every birthday circle:

"If you could bring one thing, what would it be? And it can't be a boat!"

"If you were rescued from a desert island, would you rather leave in a private jet or a yacht?"

Real life quotes. :)"

LOL!

[Johanna]

Kirsten wrote: "This was one of the first Josh books I read and I really liked the sense of place that suffuses all of Josh's books. The Sierras really come alive here."

Yes, I feel the same way. The whole series reads like a movie to me. It's very visual, fast moving and action packed.

[Johanna]

Ame wrote: "And I'm a Taylor girl. Always. Though I certainly don't dislike Will. Much."

:-D

[Johanna]

Teal wrote: "But I finally did buy the second book, and from there never looked back. By the end of book 3 (Blood Heat) I would have sold both my grandmothers to get my hands on book 4. Fortunately that wasn't necessary. ;)"

Heh. I'm having a blast reading through these comments! :-)

[Johanna]

Loretta wrote: "Gah! That seen where Will watches Taylor being shot and thinks he's dead just punches me right in the heart. Up until that happened, I think Will ignored just how deeply Taylor had woven himself into Will's heart. Will didn't think Taylor was a good long term risk and was trying to protect himself. How agonizing to suddenly realize just how important someone is to you after it's too late."

Very true!

[Johanna]

Loretta wrote: "I loved how Taylor just kept going and going and going in his determination to get back to Will.

Oh yes. Maybe it's his feisty determination mixed with his smartass humor that makes Taylor so irresistible? :-D

[Johanna]

KC wrote: "K. wrote: "This! I'm still so pissed of at Will for Paris thing. Which is the reason why I haven't managed to open book 5."

Then I would definitely recommend opening book 5, especially for that re..."

Yes to what KC said, K. I'm starting to think you really need to read Kick Start. :-)

[Johanna]

It seems that I'm back home just in time to take part in the Old Poison reread and discussion! Woo hoo! :-D

Is a book per week speed okay with you guys? That way we'd probably be done with the reread just before Blind Side comes out.

So, feel free to expand the discussion to Old Poison whenever you feel like it!

For some reason Old Poison has always been my favorite in this series. I can't pinpoint why exactly, but I think it has something to do with the way we get to know both men better in this second book.

[K.]

Johanna wrote: "KC wrote: "K. wrote: "This! I'm still so pissed of at Will for Paris thing. Which is the reason why I haven't managed to open book 5."

Then I would definitely recommend opening book 5, especially ..."

I'm sad to say that once again i didn't listen to my gut feeling, instead I took the advice here and read Kick Start....i'm just speechless. And quite shocked.

I think my blood actually reached boiling stadium within first chapters. I thought that I might have slightly overreacted about Will in book 4, but nope. will just has crossed too many lines for me. I didn't think I could start to dislike him more, but it did happen.

Before book five I was kinda hoping that Taylor would come to his senses and dump Will. Now I'm hoping that Josh would kill Will off. Taylor deserves better. Hell even David deserves better!

[Teal]

I had a feeling that Kick Start wouldn't work for you, K. :( Personally, I loved it, but I'm at a point now where I'd pay money just to read about these guys mowing the lawn or going to the grocery store. Yeah, I've got it bad...

[Calathea]

As we start the week with Old Poison, I'm preparing metally (as much as possible) for David Bradley...

For some reason I get the very distinct image of the officers in the TV show J.A.G.G.

Still, we never decided who marry David off to so he wouldn't be able to intrude Will and Tay's life anymore... suggestions?

[Jordan]

Will had always seemed more like the senior agent to me. He's always cool and collected. :-)

Maybe David needs his own book?

[Kirsten]

Jordan wrote: "Will had always seemed more like the senior agent to me. He's always cool and collected. :-)

Maybe David needs his own book?"

I don't think anyone would want to read it! =P

[Kirsten]

K. wrote: "This! I'm still so pissed of at Will for Paris thing. Which is the reason why I haven't managed to open book 5. s..."

LOL! I had the exact opposite reaction to that book. I was so pissed at Taylor for being mad because of an illness Will couldn't control. Taylor did everything wrong regarding Will's recovery, imo.

[Teal]

Kirsten wrote: "I was so pissed at Taylor for being mad because of an illness Will couldn't control. Taylor did everything wrong regarding Will's recovery, imo...."

Hmmm, I didn't interpret Taylor's reactions in Paris as anger, at all. He was afraid Will's real thoughts and feelings about their relationship were being exposed, and that hurt. A lot. And if his interpretation was true, their relationship was over. So.

These two guys do trigger some strong side-taking, don't they!

[Jordan]

Taylor himself, somewhere, comments that David cant be all that bad. And judging by what I read with him in OP, he's a stand up guy. For the most part. It must be hard to have your lover sorta dump you for another guy when you thought he might seriously be long-term material, and he doesn't actually breakup with you. I think Will said "not right now, things are crazy at work since my partner got shot", or words to that effect.

[Jordan]

I must admit, it's been too hard for me to stick to one a week, because they're so addictive and because the audio bunches several of them together. I'm starting number four on tomorrow's commute. :-) but I'll do my best to remember my comments from each.

...and I thought I wouldn't have time for this reread. :-P

[K.]

Teal wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was so pissed at Taylor for being mad because of an illness Will couldn't control. Taylor did everything wrong regarding Will's recovery, imo...."

Hmmm, I didn't interpret Taylor..."

i still think that amnesia showed Wills true feelings. Combined with his endless pining after David..there had to be a reason why Josh wrote it like that. I think that was the book where all chances of me believing that Will actually loves Taylor ended. He had amnesia and Taylor the guy he was supposed to be in love with might as well has ceased to excist. All that mattered to him was David. His instincts pointed toward David. While he didn't have his all memories, he still had his subconcious, instincts, gut feeling..not one of those things pointed toward Taylor being anything but his best friend, because his feelings toward Taylor doesn't go deeper than friend.

Book five only confirmed that. How Will didn't want to take him home to meet his family. and Taylor saw right through his deception.
How little respect does Will have for Taylor. I mean he resigned both of their jobs, without even a thought that he might need to discuss it with Taylor...who does something like that? A guy who has no respect, trust and who doesn't see his boyfriend as equal person that's who.

Anyone picked up on how desperate Will was to not have Taylor stay in Paris? Like what was he running from? Will resigns, lies to Taylor about the Paris job offer...why? Unless he did do something there that he knew Taylor wouldn't like...Like sleeping with David or somebody else while he was alone in Paris?

[Calathea]

K. wrote: "Teal wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was so pissed at Taylor for being mad because of an illness Will couldn't control. Taylor did everything wrong regarding Will's recovery, imo...."

Hmmm, I didn't int..."

I trust the author that the main couple is/stays the main couple despite some bumps in the road. ;-)

[Kim]

I really hoped Taylor would have walked out on Will in Paris.
He got off to easy.

[K.]

Mymymble wrote: "K. wrote: "Teal wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was so pissed at Taylor for being mad because of an illness Will couldn't control. Taylor did everything wrong regarding Will's recovery, imo...."

Hmmm, I..."

Yep, I agree. I lost respect for Taylor as well there. I don't understand how he could stay in relationship with Will after that. And Will didn't really get that he did anything wrong either...he said he was sorry, while he truly wasn't.

Now I honestly thought that perhaps i got book 4 ending wrong, but came book five and it was worse than I imagined!

[Johanna]

Jordan wrote: "I must admit, it's been too hard for me to stick to one a week, because they're so addictive and because the audio bunches several of them together. I'm starting number four on tomorrow's commute. ..."

Well, our schedule doesn't have to be book-per-week. We can definitely make the reread/discussion as fast as you guys like. Whatever speed you all enjoy the most. Whatever feels most convenient to you all. Let's talk about our schedule together, shall we. Thougths?

[Johanna]

Also -- since this is a REread, and since Taylor/Will dynamics raise such strong emotions in us :-) I think even though we'd proceed book by book we obviously also need to discuss the series as a whole the same time. Do you guys agree?

[Johanna]

Mymymble wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Also -- since this is a REread, and since Taylor/Will dynamics raise such strong emotions in us :-) I think even though we'd proceed book by book we obviously also need to discuss t..."

LOL. Guilty as charged, yes. :-D

[KC]

Johanna wrote: "Also -- since this is a REread, and since Taylor/Will dynamics raise such strong emotions in us :-) I think even though we'd proceed book by book we obviously also need to discuss the series as a w..."

They do, don't they. Raise strong emotions. :-) I think it would be good to have both options open - talking about them individually but also generally. Just in case there's urgent need to talk about a particular scene, out of order, as it were. :-)

[Jordan]

I only vaguely remember what happens in Paris. But I'm getting there! Maybe then I'll understand more of your feelings on the matter.

[Jordan]

I think it's pretty obvious this will have spoilers in it. And yes, we should talk about the series as a whole all the way through. I will once I remember the Paris details. Lol.

[Trio]

lol, getting caught up on this thread and actually laughing out loud :)
David's own book...? I would definitely read that. I do feel sorry for him the way he lost out to Taylor. I'll have to put some thought into who he could be with though because he's a strong guy and obviously likes strong guys since he liked Will.

[Trio]

yes to discussing the series as a whole
agree, we shouldn't bother about spoilers since this is a reread for all of us.

[Calathea]

Given that this is a Josh Lanyon book/series, do you think we are given incomplete information by the characters' flawed POV?

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~]

Trio wrote: "lol, getting caught up on this thread and actually laughing out loud :)
David's own book...? I would definitely read that. I do feel sorry for him the way he lost out to Taylor. I'll have to put so..."

I'm still rooting for David/Alonzo. :D

[Trio]

Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "I'm still rooting for David/Alonzo. :D ..."

oh wow Linda, really?