Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Supenseful Gay Romance (A- Grade), December 6, 2008
Ever since I read Dark Horse earlier this year, I have become a big fan of Josh Lanyon's writing. He is as author who writes incredible and realistic stories, with a romance thrown in between two strong men who seem to live on the edges of society. So is the case with his latest, Mexican Heat. Josh co-wrote Mexican heat with author Laura Baumbach, owner of the on-line publisher Man Love Romance Press. These two are a great writing duo and I can't wait to see what else they have in store. If their future books are anything like Mexican Heat, I will be there to read it.
Gabriel Sandalini is the self tortured hero of this story. He is an undercover SFPD Detective who has infiltrated the West Coast crime syndicate as a gunman. One night, while he is at a gay club, he catches the eye of one of the club goers. Gabriel doesn't think much of it, even though the stranger is quite the looker. Gabriel has other things on his mind such as helping take down the boss of the Mexican Mafia. As Gabriel makes his way around the club, he finds an empty office where he needs a moment of quiet, and is caught. The stranger who catches him, bends him over the office desk, and even though Gabriel tries to escape, he can't because the stranger has incapacitated him. One thing leads to another, and Gabriel is forced to have some hot and sweaty sex with the stranger. (Some may think this is a forced seduction scene. But we do see, that Gabriel could at any point stop everything that is happening to him. The stranger may hold him down and have his wicked way with Gabriel, but Gabriel has the strength and power to stop this man. The stranger even asks if Gabriel wants it, and Gabriel is very vocal in his answer, which is a very loud, yes.) This is one hot, HOT sex scene, especially because Gabriel doesn't know what this guy, who basically ravishes him, looks like. It is the best sex Gabriel ever has, because he likes to be dominated, and his one-night stand lover does that very well.
Gabriel is in for quite a shock when he comes face to face with this stranger again. Miguel Ortega is the second in command to a Mexican drug lord. He also still has a very deep interest in Gabriel, but Gabriel tries his hardest to stay away from Ortega because they don't have any chance of a future with one another. But since both of the crime families they work for will become business associates, Gabriel has no choice but to be around Ortega.
Ortega must go down to Mexico to meet some drug runners and Gabriel goes with him. These two have such incredible sexual tension between them, that they know that this business trip will end up with both of them in bed together. And when they arrive in Mexico, and Gabriel is almost blown up, Ortega is there to protect him. Gabriel can't help but give into Ortega's seductive techniques, and they spend a passionate night together in bed. This is another wonderful, hot sex scene between these two men. Alcohol is used in a playful way. Ortega has a way with his hands and mouth, and wants everything from Gabriel. He may want his body, but most importantly he wants his love. The reason Ortega is so protective over Gabriel is a bit twist to this story that I had no clue was coming till more than half way through reading.
Gabriel can't see how special he has become to Ortega. He denies his feelings for Ortega because he thinks that Ortega is his enemy. These two are surrounded by the possibility of death wherever they go and the fact that they may not have a future with one another, makes their relationship very poignant and emotional. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering if Gabriel and Ortega will be safe and happy. Something does happen to Gabriel, that I think went a bit too far, as if to cement what Gabriel and Ortega have between each other is very real. Other than that, I really could find no other complaints.
Mexican Heat is an excellent and suspenseful action pack story, as well as a romance that singes the pages with its heat. The attraction both Gabriel and Ortega have for one another is smoking hot, and one of the best romances I have read this year.
Katiebabs
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mexican Heat- A Joyfully Recommended Title , March 25, 2009
Gabriel Sandalini is an undercover vice cop working for crime lord Ricco Botelli. Imagine Gabriel's surprise when the anonymous and amazing guy he had a one night stand with the night before turns out to be Miguel Ortega, powerful drug lord Don Jesus Sanchez's right hand man. Botelli is marrying his sister Gina to Sanchez. Now Gabriel will have to work with Ortega and pretend the sex between them never happened, which is hard to do when it was the best sex of his life. Gabriel doesn't do emotion, so it should be no problem. His undercover position demands that he stay focused. Problem is, Gabriel is too focused on Ortega and Ortega is taking full advantage. Everything is not what it seems in this world of crime he has entangled himself in. Gabriel may need the help of his enemy to survive.
Mexican Heat's heart-pounding action becomes heart-warming emotion by the end. Its two parts blend perfectly to make one outstanding story. Gabriel is very guarded and yet Ortega sees right through him. He sees what Gabriel wants and maybe more importantly, what he needs. He pushes Gabriel, which is how, in part two, he won my heart. His unwavering loyalty and love for Gabriel is awe-inspiring. Mexican Heat is action-packed, thrilling, and full of twists and turns. It has very hot sex, intense emotion, and an angst-filled romance. Josh Lanyon and Laura Baumbach have penned a story that is impossible to put down until its dramatic ending. Once done, it's impossible to stop thinking about. I'm looking forward to more from this dynamic duo.
Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
sexy and substantial, December 20, 2008
I'm a fan of Josh Lanyon's and have read all of his published works thus far, so you can imagine that I was looking forward to the release of this particular novel. I've always liked the Adrien English series and have enjoyed the way that Mr. Lanyon crafts his characters.
Possibly the only recommendation I'd normally make to him is that he should make his books even more substantial. Longer, certainly. With a little more action.
This book, a collaboration with Laura Baumbach, is significantly more substantial, with a more complex plot and some heavy danger involved.
Here, Gabriel Sandalini, an undercover cop, finds himself near the end of his assignment, possibly about to participate in the takedown of a major drug lord. As his own position becomes more tenuous, he finds himself drawn to Ortega, the second-in-command for another drug lord.
The story of how the two men interact with each other and of what happens relative to the takedown is engrossing, and the other characters in the novel are well-drawn and interesting, even if at times they are more than a little stereotypical.
What's wonderful here is the two main characters and their passion for each other. Usually, when I read a "gay" novel, I'm disappointed by how much of the novel is just prelude to sex. Here, the sexy scenes are long enough and VERY explicit--enough to satisfy almost anyone who reads the novel for those alone. But the rest of the book is satisfying as well, and I didn't get the sense that everything revolved around the sex. (Although it didn't take long at all for the first sex scene--it's maybe 10 pages in--talk about jumping straight in!)
As always with Mr. Lanyon's work, the lead characters are multi-faceted and intriguing to read about. Gabriel is by turns funny, damaged, annoying, strong. Ortega is sexy, patronizing, enigmatic. Both are easy to like and even love.
I really like the fact that the two writers blended their work seamlessly. I honestly can't tell that two different people wrote this book; it's that nicely done.
I see from Mr. Lanyon's website that at least two more books are planned in this series. I can't wait! (I also plan to pick up Ms. Baumbach's books now, based on how much I liked this one.)
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