REVIEW: 'Lover' by T.M. Smith
Title: Lover
Series: A Survivor Story #2
Author: T.M. Smith
Published: April 19, 2018
Publisher: Self-Published/TTC Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Mystery/Thriller; Suspense
Length: 218 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; M/M/M; Menage; May/December; Comfort Hurt; Law Enforcement; HEA; CW: PTSD, Violence, Off-Page Murder
NOTE: There are tags or CW we chose not to disclose for sake of story arc.
About Lover
Life has not always been kind to Shannon Dupree. On the outside he’s carefree and fun loving, but when it comes to his past he’s evasive and secretive. Running away from emotionally bereft parents at just fifteen, Shannon escapes life with them but steps into the waiting arms of the devil.
Rory Landers is a rising star at the Bureau. His personal life, however, is nothing to write home about. He hopes to take his limited relationship with Frank Moore to the next level when they finally solve the Langford murder case, but that doesn’t turn out as planned. On the plus side, he meets free-spirited college senior Shannon Dupree.
Rand Davis finds himself fortysomething and single when his partner of more than a decade is unfaithful. Taking over the Cold Case Squad frees up some of his time, and Rand welcomes newfound friendships within the Langford-Moore family circle. He thinks relationships are not in the cards for him until he meets an agent with an attitude and a vivacious blond that make him want so much more.
Past, present, pain, and suffering collide, ushering in the possibility of a life and love worth fighting for. Although their personalities couldn't be more different, their three hearts beat the same. Shannon, Rory, and Rand learn the definition of love, commitment, and strength and if they allow themselves, the trio will find all that and more—in each other.
4 HEART READ
REVIEW:
Lover is a thrilling journey you don’t want to take if you haven’t yet read the first book in T.M. Smith’s A Survivor Story series. Which by the way is fantastic! For those who have read Survivor, you’re gonna love the secrets this book reveals about Taylor Langford’s parents deaths, the behind-the-scenes, as well as the build-up of more thrills that bring Detective Davis, Agent Landers and the loveable Shannon Dupree together. Within a three year time span during the Langford investigation, Smith introduces readers to the three main characters of Lover: Shannon Dupree, running from abuse at the tender age of eighteen. Rory Landers, undercover agent on a five year cold case who has fallen for a man he’s meant to protect. And Rand Davis, newly appointed Senior Detective who is beginning a new life after his long-time boyfriend cheated on him. Each looking for “that guy” to complete him.
Smith truly knows how to weave a tale and capture an audience. Little by little these men become part of each other’s lives and you can feel the tension build as to where the murder mystery is going to lead.
From here, as with the previous installment in the series, Smith walks us through seven years as these three men meet by fate, face desires, mount obstacles, grow, change and realize what they may be looking for may be nothing of what they imagined.
Five years after fleeing, Shannon is getting ready to make a new life with the support of his friend Taylor Langford and no longer fears an unexpected arrival from his ex. For Rory and his partner, Connie, their unsolved missing person case is heating up into a serial killer investigation; as a result Smith expertly brings Rand into the mix when he and Rory must partner together to try and solve it.
Smith truly knows how to weave a tale and capture an audience. Little by little these men become part of each other’s lives and you can feel the tension build as to where the murder mystery is going to lead.
Smith builds up Lover to be a thrilling suspense read and at its culmination a romance is born.
Upon first meeting the “killer” I could almost predict the twist… but oh how delightful it is. And speaking of twists, for those who’ve read Survivor – you’re in for a real treat with the true web of deceit in Taylor’s case. And I’m willing to bet there’s more where this came from.
Smith builds up Lover to be a thrilling suspense read and at its culmination a romance is born. Overall it’s a story about three men’s path to love, not about the sex. A little heavy on the end, Smith does spice it up with some passion, a little joining and a happily-ever-after. What I enjoy most about her A Survivor Story series is T.M. Smith’s knack for being able to weave together the story line, setting a stage for the characters interaction and the plot. Lover is no exception as she introduces “Mannie” to readers… and Blair. Their attraction and emotions bleeding off the pages. Oh pleeeeease bring us their fantastic journey Ms. Smith! A copy of Lover was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Enticing Journey Book Promotions, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
If you missed book #1, Survivor, get caught up with Kimmers’ 5 HEART read recommendation where she says:
“A good writer leaves you wanting more of their men, and side characters, and T.M. Smith has done just that with Survivor. Each character having a poignant rapport that extends beyond the pages making it so easy to picture every scene as it unfolds. I was mesmerized from beginning to end.”
Meet the Author
A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel. Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!
For more from T.M. be sure and visit her website!
