Age Rules (An Open Wounds and Breaking the Rules Crossover) by Michelle Frost & Jacki James

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Blurb

After spending twenty years serving in the US Navy while Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was in effect, Darren Davis is unapologetically out and proud. He knows exactly what he wants in a relationship, and up and coming MMA star Andre Harrison isn’t it. He’s too young, his time in Austin is too fleeting, and he’s definitely way too far in the closet. All Darren has to do is convince his traitorous heart that Andre isn’t the man for him.

It’s true what they say, one phone call really can change your life. Rushing home to Austin when his former hockey star father has a heart attack puts Andre Harrison on a path he hadn’t allowed himself to imagine. Between trying to mend his father’s health, keeping his MMA training on schedule, and hiding his growing attraction for hospital President Darren Davis, he finds himself succeeding on all counts except one. Try as he might, he can’t deny the connection he feels with the sexy silver fox, and wonders if something real could grow between them if they’d only break their own rules and give their feelings a fighting chance.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Gripping from the start, Age Rules is a fantastic crossover book written by Michelle Frost and Jacki James. 

Andre's a MMA fighter who's closeted due to his career. His famous father is one who constantly reminds him of the importance of being discreet with his sexuality. I always enjoy a good closeted athlete romance, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. 

Meeting Darren, Andre can't resist the older man who also has his eyes on the handsome fighter. Both can only resist so long. Their romance starts as a short-term sexual relationship, but soon they become more involved than they ever expected. I love the way the authors handle this.

The sex is definitely hot, including some bondage and control scenes, which by the way is sweet and emotional. It was more than I could have hoped for with the emotion of the bondage scene.

The angst is wonderfully developed, natural, and certainly realistic. With angst over the age difference, as well as the closeted status, both are important and relevant issues that are splendidly explored. 

One surprise aspect of this tale I enjoyed thoroughly is the father/son relationship between Andre and his father. I don't want to give anything away, but it's realistic and wonderfully developed. It made me angry, sad, worried, and more.

Andre and Darren's relationship involves facing one's fears, re-evaluating one's values, and deciding if one can live their truth. There's angst, romance, and great friends, in addition to the hot sex scenes. 

If you enjoy MMA stories, or age gap romances, definitely check out Age Rules. The writing is great, as I'd expect from Michelle Frost and Jacki James. For a co-written book they perfectly blended their series and writing styles. It is definitely going on my re-read list.

Take Down (Open Wounds #2) by Michelle Frost

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Blurb


Two men.

Harbor "the Viking" Rourke is known for being a badass inside and outside the cage. His life revolves around working to win the MMA Middleweight championship title, riding his Harley, and making his family proud. He doesn't have time for relationships until one anonymous hook-up has him questioning his choices and making the list of things he cares about a whole lot longer.

One shot at a championship title.

Life hasn’t been easy on Theo Smith. He's used to standing on his own two feet and jumping without a safety net. The crowning achievement of his self-built fitness and MMA empire would be wrapping the MMA Middleweight title belt around his waist. When a shot at the championship falls in his lap, he's thrilled, but shocked to find that for the first time there might be something in his life more important than getting ahead.

For either man to claim the title, they’ll have to take down the one that’s already won their heart.



REVIEW
My Rating - 4 Stars!

Take Down is the second book in the Open Wounds series by Michelle Frost.

It's an entertaining and fun romance between two MMA fighters, Habor and Theo. They had a hot hook-up back when they both didn't know who the other was. It was Harbor's first time with a man, despite knowing he's bisexual, and he definitely enjoyed it.

When they meet up again, the chemistry is still strong, and soon they end up dating and planning for a future together. They didn't plan on having to fight each other though. I found the sparring scene to be beautiful, as it was so darn emotional!

Theo and Harbor are very sweet together, offering each other tenderness, caring and love that they've never had before. Their love is strong and all-consuming, leaving the reader swooning. The trust they have in each other is wonderful.

The story contains an emotional and intense romance, between two powerful and strong men. The writing flows great, the character development is well done and the side characters are great. 

I definitely recommend Take Down and look forward to seeing what Michelle Frost comes up with next for this series. 

Carry and Drag by Michelle Frost

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Blurb:

Lift. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
Qualifying to compete on a national level is all that’s on power lifter Dagen Rourke’s mind. After an injury sidelined him the previous year, his only goal has been to overcome the physical challenges and mental demons to get back in the game. Falling into bed with the new artist at his brother’s tattoo shop was never part of his training schedule. Now he has to find a balance between the time he wants to give Ollie and the brutal training for what could be the most important competition of his life.
Run. Tattoo. Doze. Keep going.
Oliver Vos jumps at the chance to work at Vidar Rourke’s award-winning tattoo shop, Open Wounds. Getting out from under a nasty mentor and making it on his own is all Ollie has dreamed of for years. Unbeknownst to him, the room Vidar offers to rent him until he’s back on his feet would have him sharing space with tempting gentle giant, Dagen.
Living together is an adjustment, and when the heat between them morphs into something more will old insecurities and new tests drag them apart? Or will they find a way to carry the weight of their burdens…together?
Carry and Drag is the introductory novella to the contemporary MM romance series Open Wounds. This book contains mature content meant for adult readers.

REVIEW:

This is my first book by Michelle Frost. And I was pleasantly surprised. Carry and Drag was a wonderful book.

I love the writing style. It is fast, with a good plot, and some great characters.

Oliver is a tattoo artist who is starting his new job. He is told he will be rooming with Dagon, who is training at the attached gym for the Strongman Competition.  Dagen is not excited to be given a roommate, but Ollie was extremely grateful to be able to have a place to live with such low rent.  And, Ollie has never been good with jocks.

Dagen is recovery from an injury, while he is working on his training. He is a sweetie, a total homebody and completely lovable. Oliver is skiddish and closed off. He is trying to get a new start, but remains weary of trusting people. He arrives with busted knuckles and is hiding even more bruises. Dagen, however, is willing to work on knocking through Ollie's defenses and getting to know him.

Their attraction is immediate, but trust needs to be gained before they can do anything about that attraction. Their friendship is sweet, and slowly burns into more.

One of the best things about this book, is the secondary characters and the fact that we'll get their stories too.  I am excited to see what happens to all the men. They are all great characters who add to the story and are intriguing on their own.

The only flaw in this story is that it was short. It would be great to get more of Ollie and Dagen. I look forward to reading some more about them in the future books.

I am happy to have discovered Carry and Drag. It was a great read. Be sure to check it out for yourself.