Jory Keyes spends his time drinking and cruising gay bars picking up one night stands. Then suddenly he becomes the only witness to a brutal murder. Although the killer vows to silence him, Jory refuses to go into witness protection. This puts him into conflict with Sam Kage, a very straight and very hot police detective. When passion flares between the two men, Sam is astonished. Is he really gay? And if so, what will this mean to his career, and his life? As the danger threatening Jory increases, Sam senses that nothing is as it seems, and wonders who is really after his newfound and forbidden love?
Why I bought it:
I’d heard so much about this series that when ARe had a sale… Nuff said.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ One of the many things I’d seen written about this series was the fact the editting – or lack thereof – left much to be desired. Sure it could be annoying at times, but I got so caught up in the story that I didn’t notice these kind of issues unless they were amazingly bad. Even then, it was pretty easy to dismiss because I was too interested in what was going to happen next.
Like~ The main character, Jory, was an absolute delight. I’m not sure I would have liked this series as much without him. In many ways, this character is what made it all work, which, in all honesty, is what you would hope since the books are written in the first person from his POV. 😛 He did occasionally come across as TSTL as well as a being a bit too good to be true because everyone adored him; however, he was extraordinarily appealing and just a downright engaging character to read.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ I’ve also seen comments that describe this series as being – for wont of better words – a dumbed-down version of Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series. There’s no doubt there are parallels, in particular in the first two books, but quite frankly how many stories out there do you know where one of the main characters is a closeted cop and his love interest is out and proud?? Yeah, there are slightly less then a gazillion. Case closed.
Like~ I dis/liked the fact the books in this series were more along the lines of ‘stay tuned for the next episode’ as opposed to self-contained sub-plots within a larger storyline. Let’s put it this way, I’m glad ARe had the sale otherwise I would have been seriously pissed off I’d only bought the first book given the way it ended. On the plus side, it gave me an excuse to have a reading marathon. What’s not to like about that. 🙂
So, what I think: I totally recommend this series, especially if none of the issues outlined above are things that will get your goat as a reader. If you’re anything like me you’ll be able to shrug these off pretty easily and just enjoy this series for what it is – a great read.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to.Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I'll second your review. I enjoyed this series muchly, and like you, got caught up enough in the telling that the bits of edit-fail didn't bother me. Like everyone in the books, I fell in love with Jory.
Okay, I have the first two and haven't hit them yet. Seems I have a ton of good stuff waiting for me these days. How come my reading mojo seems to be set on simmer rather than boil?
Great job.
Exactly the same thing, Kris – while editing issues usually drive me nuts, I got so drawn into the story that they didn't bother me (mostly).
When I read these, I had picked up the first book via FW, but none of the other books were available there or at ARE yet… so I was buying them from the epilepsy-inducing publisher website because I HAD TO KEEP READING. *ahem*
Does it help to know that this was actually a single book and the publisher chose to break it up? (Mary, I believe that's what you told me – please correct me if I'm imagining this!)
I had heard that Chris, I think it was said at Wave's site that it was something like 750 pages which is rather daunting to publish so it was broken up into more manageable chunks, hence the feel of “to be continued”.
Another good review of this series. I must get around to picking it up.
Thanks for sharing your views on this Kris. It sounds like the sort of thing I'd enjoy :).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one Kris, it sounds like a suspense thriller I would enjoy.
Great review.
Also re “The Windflower”, I'll be in touch once I give it another try and this time hopefully finish it!
Yay, a Kris review! What's the special occasion? 😛
Totally agree with your review. Really enjoyed the books (though I did notice the editing thing, and it did bug me) and loved Jory. I'd heard the books ended mid-sentance, so I made sure and had them all before I started reading. Editing-wise, I thought her books done through Loose Id were much better, though I still like the story of A Matter of Time best.
Wren: Jory was a total sweetie and the relationship he had with his boss was awesome – beautifully developed by the author.
Tam: It's only this last weekend that I've actually started reading again. Before that it was zip for weeks. The slump it had me. 😦
In all honesty, Tam, I wouldn't even bother starting to read these books until your mojo was back. If you're feeling 'meh' some things like the editting may just put you off them totally. I'd wait until the mood hits and then go for it. 🙂
I give up. It seems I'm the only one who doesn't like this series, and the protagonist, one bit. Oh well, it happens! 🙂
Chris: “Does it help to know that this was actually a single book and the publisher chose to break it up?”
Really?? That does make a lot of sense. As I said, the break up of the books was something I both disliked and liked. It meant that I could hunker down and go for a reading marathon, but the breaks themselves were frustrating. Just felt unnatural.
It's funny that we both read them one after the other. I'd definitely recommend buying them all if you're going to do it otherwise you'll just get pissed off when book 1 ends.
Jen: In all honesty, I was a bit surprised by how much I liked this series considering some of the things I'd heard. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to address those specifically in my tasting and offer up my thoughts on those issues.
Lea, welcome. 🙂
Good luck with The Windflower! I'll be interested to see if you make it this time. LOL.
Richelle: “Yay, a Kris review! What's the special occasion? :P”
Smart arse.
“Editing-wise, I thought her books done through Loose Id were much better, though I still like the story of A Matter of Time best.”
Me too! I thought Change of Heart was a good read, but like you still think this series is the author's best to date. 🙂
Sara, zOMG. You have a different opinion to me??You're banned from this site forever! 😛
Was it the fact you thought Jory was TSTL that bothered you? Just curious.
No way, Kris. You won't weed me out so easily 😉
I read the book a while ago, but yes, I remember that I rolled my eyes at Jory more than once. IIRC I was also irritated by the way everyone, especially if female, fawned all over him. I mean, I get it, he's gorgeous, witty, funny, sweet, the perfect lover and has beautiful hair. Let's move on! 😉
I also had some issues with plot holes in the story. And I detested the cop/love interest. Oh, and yes, the editing was too much even for me.
Hey, but the rest wasn't so bad! Just don't ask what the rest actually is ;).
[Mmh… I did like the boss.]
If I sound bitchy, well, that's probably because I am, a little. PMS and all that :P.
Sara, I was thinking the other day that I'm pretty sure I have PTPMS disorder; ie, post traumatic PMS, which basically means that I'm bitchy all the time. I think the Mumma and the BB would probably both agree. LOL.
Thanks for clarifying what didn't work for you about this series, Sara. I also mentioned in my tasting that there were times that he came across as being a bit too good to be true. I was able to move on, but I admit to rolling my eyes, especially when everyone was loving on him all the time. 🙂
PTPMS, eh? It seems reasonable to me. I clearly remember the day I realized I would have to deal with it Every. Month. for maybe 40 years.
Talk about shocking epiphanies.
*snort* My realisation was soon followed by 'I wonder how soon I can have a hysterectomy'. LOL.
*gloats about having had a partial hysterectomy*
I do not care for what I term episode books where one ends abruptly, can't stand that. So if i were to read this one I would also have to buy book 2…?
Chris: Stop bragging!
KC: “So if i were to read this one I would also have to buy book 2…?”
Yup. Otherwise you're gonna be a seriously smokin' KC. Steam everywhere in fact. 🙂
I've seen mixed reviews on this series. Sounds like I'd be able to enjoy them so will keep them in mind. I'll make sure to get them all at once so I can read them all together.
Nice to see a Kris tasting again.
Lily: I admit that I was a bit hesitant myself because of the mixed reviews, which is why I first delayed getting them and then they sat in my tbr pile for ages. Also why I wanted to address some of those issues in my tasting.
If you think you'll like them, I would definitely recommend getting them all at once. Makes for much less frustration. 🙂
“Nice to see a Kris tasting again.”
There will be one tomorrow too. I gotta sneak the April one in as well.
I really enjoyed this series. I liked
Jory, TSTL moments and all.
It's her latest book “Timing” that I have problems with. The characters are way to similar to Jory and Sam.
Sweet: “I liked Jory, TSTL moments and all.”
Me too. He occasionally reminded me of a one of those chicks in horror flicks who run up the staircase instead of away from the evil axe murderer. As I was reading, I was shaking my head at times and sighing 'oh, Jory'. LOL.
I haven't read Timing yet, but I'll keep in mind what you said about the similarities.
The lack of editing drove me batshit and I've yet to finish it. Do I assume from your review I should give it another crack?
Hmmm. If you didn't get too far into the first book before you gave it away, Sarah, then I would definitely give it another try and stick with it. If you got half- to two-thirds of the way into it and it was still driving you batshit, then I think you might need to give this one a miss.
Oh, I do like the sound of this. Bad editing drives me bat crazy, but if you can get drawn into the story…on the TBR list, which never seems to get smaller 🙂
Orannia: “…on the TBR list, which never seems to get smaller…”
Tell me about it. I got a delivery from The Book Depository today. My tbr just grew by *cough* quite a lot…