So because I read the Lauren Dane book Laid Bare, which had a M/M(/F) relationship Amazon, pusher that it is recommended this series. I had yet to read anything in the romance or erotica genre that was a relationship that was just between two men (or women) with no third in the mix. It was either free or very low priced so I decided to give it a go.
These three novellas are the story of Bobby and Thor, although we don't know it's Bobby yet, he's a masked man who watches Thor work over subs on the St. Andrews Cross with envy, wishing it were him (Oh did I also mention this was a very BDSM flavored book?). Thor spends his free time flogging and whipping willing subs, women publicly, his partner on the platform takes care of the men, but for weeks now the masked man has been watching him clearly itching to say something, ask for something, but holding his voice for now.
Can't say I blame our masked man for lusting after Thor he's 6'+ of hulking long haired sex on a stick who rides a motorcycle and wears a freaking kilt. Seriously, you'd have to be a solid ZERO on the Kinsey scale to not at least give him a second look.
After biding his time he asks for an encounter, in a private room at club Abyss. While Thor hasn't been flying his rainbow flag it isn't a secret that he is attracted to both men and women, he just hasn't found the man he wants to make a permanent partner. Bobby on the other hand has kept his desire for men a big secret, due to his upbringing, how he feels his family would react and their mutual social circle who see him as a big time womanizer. This first encounter creates a paradigm shift for both men.
In the second volume, Unmasked, their second encounter happens on the floor of Abyss at Thor's station. Thor hasn't tied a man to his cross and Bobby has a lot to lose being found out but wants to escalate their relationship. Through the events of the evening identities are revealed and once the shock is settled Thor tells Bobby he needs to make a choice.
In Revealed, the final installment the begin together, and what that would look like out of the club with their real lives as a construction worker and a lawyer. Thor gives him a list of tasks, things he needs to deal with and make right before they can embark on their own relationship. Yes, there is the M/M element, and the D/s element, but in the end they are just two people looking for that person to be there at the end of the day who shares your life with you.
They are three bite sized stories that tie together to make an enjoyable journey through a point in time for Thor and Bobby, Lissa writes characters who could be your neighbor, or the guy in line behind you at the dry cleaner, who also happens to flog lucky little subs on the weekend.
It's clear to me that the M/M dynamic is different, as are the mechanics obviously, than your typical romance erotica pairing, but that doesn't distract from two people looking for love. I'm not about to go rent gay porn on pay-per-view, but this likely won't be the last male-centric romance I read.
If you're open minded enough not to be off-put by it it's a truly enjoyable set of reads, and I'd suggest picking up some more from Lissa Matthews, as well as a couple of other authors who are out there doing it, and doing it well and not in that sleazy salacious way that makes even the kinkiest of us squidgy, while still keeping it hot and steamy.
p.s. Lissa mentioned today we might get a new read of life with Bobby and Thor and where they are now... yes please... I will also say that Lissa is one of those new breed of author who uses social media to connect and interact with her readers and I for one love her for it.
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