Endangered Species (Time Served #1) by Onley James

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

After spending his formative years in an abusive home, NICHOLAS WEBSTER has made a pretty good life for himself. He has friends, a lucrative job with Elite Protection Services, and a side gig that lets him help out those escaping the same abusive home situation he left behind. But no matter how many people he helps, he can’t escape the guilt over the one person he didn’t—his step-brother, Cyrus.

CYRUS WHITAKER has spent the last twenty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, put there by the very person he vowed to protect. On the inside, he’s made strides to better himself so he can have a future on the outside. But just when he thinks there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he receives a new cellmate—the boy who put him away all those years ago.

In trying to make things right, Webster has triggered a series of events that will ruin both their lives, or worse, end them. Somebody has framed him and sent him to a prison where they hope Cy’s need to get even will get rid of Webster for good. But they don’t know Cyrus or the bond they shared. A bond they still share. But can Webster figure out who’s doing this to them and why before Cyrus is forced to choose between hurting the one person he loves or spending his life in a cage?

ENDANGERED SPECIES is the first book in the Time Served Series and is a spin-off of the Elite Protection Services Series. It contains an HEA and no cliffhangers.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Endangered Species is a thrilling read by Onley James.  This is the first book in the Time Served series. If the rest of the series is like this, I can't wait!

As a spin off of Elite Protection Series, Webster is now in trouble and lands himself in danger. After finding something he shouldn't have in his research, he finds himself in prison, sharing a cell with his former stepbrother. 

There are many layers to this story, all of which are fascinating. There's the history between the men, which in itself is heart-wrenching, yet beautiful with the way they cared for each other. 

There's the danger in prison, which is present throughout. The guards have it out for Cy, and the fellows prisoners have it out for Webster. Their lives are constantly in danger and they have to be on their guard. 

Their relationship in itself is wonderful. They bonded through their experiences as kids, and they continue to love one another. I love the way their need to keep safe leads them to a sizzling sex life and falling in love. 

Then there's the overall case that Webster butted into. Cy has been wrongly imprisoned for the past 20 years. The case, and all the messy people involved, doesn't make things easy for these two. But you'll love how it all ends.

The writing continues to impress me. This author is absolutely addicting. The characters and their story are amazingly complex.  The author will grab your attention from the start and will take you on one hell of a ride. 

Endangered Species is riveting and needs to be read in one sitting. This Onley James book will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Definitely check this one out the next time you're in the mood for a danger/action/suspense thriller. 

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Rat Park by Marina Vivancos

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 71,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Dominic has lived with an empty ache inside him for as long as he could remember. Maybe it started when he was six, hiding beneath his blankets as the wild animal noises of one of mom’s parties echoed in his head. Maybe it began the first time an adult plied him with drinks just to watch him stumble about.

Or, maybe, it was that he couldn’t even imagine what being loved should feel like. 

Drugs washed all that away. It didn’t cure the ache, but it made him forget it for a while. Anything was better than being conscious. Than being himself. But life had another hard lesson for him: With drugs, the only way is down. 

Dominic hits rock bottom when he’s twenty-three. Turns out, rock bottom looks a lot like the bars of a jail cell. With little left but his own thoughts, Dominic has to decide: Is this what I want for the rest of my life? 

The world has never been kind to Dominic, but when he meets the Romeros, he wonders if that is about to change. Officer Catalina Romero seems to see something in Dominic that he is sure isn’t there. The more she pulls him towards her family, however, the harder it is not to go. 

All his resistance disappears under the force that is Flor Romero. Spitfire, stubborn Flor—even at sixteen, he refuses to be taken lightly. As he grows older, putting a stop to what Flor obviously wants to happen between them is harder than Dominic would ever want to admit. 

Dominic knows that he has too many demons to let anybody get too close. But life doesn’t prepare him for Flor, who just might be ready to fight tooth and nail for a place in Dominic’s life—and his heart. 

The question is, will Dominic’s past keep him from his future?

Review

My Stars - 5 Stars!

Marina Vivancos' Rat Park is an absolutely amazing book. From page one, I was sucked in, and couldn't put it down. 

It's a powerful story of drugs, self loathing, homelessness, and violence.

It's a exquisite tale of growing up too soon, seeing things a kid shouldn't see, and doing things a kid shouldn't be doing. It's about falling a victim to your circumstances.

The author dives into the downward spiral that happens when you have no self worth. She expertly writes what happens when you believe you don't deserve anything good; when you believe you are always meant to be a junkie. 

I love how Marina Vivancos expertly conveys the strength required to believe in yourself; to believe in your worth. Most impressive though may be the title and the meaning behind it. This was perfectly chosen. 

I love Rat Park. I wish I could give it 10 stars. Yes, it's that good. Seriously, just read it! It's exquisite and stunning. Marina Vivancos doesn't shy away from all the struggles that stem from the dangerous power that addiction has over one's life. The never-ending belief that being an addict defines you. The strength that comes with a feeling of self worth.

Author Bio

When Marina was a child she couldn’t sleep. Night after dissolving night she just couldn’t sleep. Nothing much worked – until she started making up stories in her head. Suddenly, the transition into unconsciousness was a smooth dive into calm waters.

Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did decades ago. 

Marina hopes to write in a variety of romance sub-genres, from contemporary to supernatural to sci-fi. Her style, however, tends to focus on character-centred stories that explore different facets of the human experience, such as mental health. She also enjoys writing explicit, drawn-out sex scenes, so expect those to be a prominent feature of her stories.

Marina tends to keep to herself unless prompted, so don’t be shy in approaching her!

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