RELEASE DAY REVIEW: 'Six Degrees of Lust' by Taylor V. Donovan
Title: Six Degrees of Lust
Series: By Degrees Book 1
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
Published: January 2, 2017 - 2nd Edition
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 350 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Bisexual; Suspense; Mystery; Law Enforcement; Angst: Moderate; HFN; CW: Off Page Murder; CW: Off Page Sexual Assault
About Six Degrees of Lust
New York City FBI team leader Samuel Shaughnessy lives for his immediate family and his job. After a marriage gone wrong he has stuck to a firm rule when it comes to relationships: he doesn't have them. Sexually active and emotionally unavailable keeps him satisfied, especially now that he is in hot pursuit of a serial killer targeting gay men.
Former firefighter Machlan O'Bannon now manages a successful sports bar in Houston and after years of waiting he's ready to stand up and be the man he always wanted to be: out, proud and drama-free. His politically-aligned family wants to keep him locked in the closet, but Mac just wants to meet the man of his dreams.
One man is as high strung as the other is laid back. A chance meeting brings the two men together, and one night of passion ignites a fire neither can fight. Their lives are not only miles apart, but as different as day and night. They don't want to get involved,but they might not be able to keep apart.
First Edition published by MLR Press, December 2011.
5 HEART READ
REVIEW:
Having read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Taylor V. Donovan’s Six Degrees of Lust a few years ago, I was so excited to have a chance to revisit it. This book has all of my favorite themes: Cops/FBI Agents, explosive chemistry between the MC’S, plus an engaging and compelling storyline with amazing secondary characters.
Donovan is a talented author who has definitely renewed my interest in her By Degrees series.
The story begins on a sinister tone in 1998 Houston, Texas. A deeply conflicted young man is spying on his recently graduated high school classmates while they party and he seems to have fixated on one in particular. There is a moment in his stalking where he witnesses something very upsetting. Shaken he resolves to do something……
“Not him, though. The lamb was going to be saved, no matter how long it took… no matter how many sacrifices had to be made.”
The author really builds up the drama in such a way that the reader becomes privy to this person’s innermost thoughts.
I could visualize the scene in my head playing like a movie. I was so caught up in the intensity of it that I found myself squirming in my seat!
From here the story fast forwards to New York City 11 years later. Samuel Shaughnessy is an FBI team leader and agent who has been investigating a series of murders involving young gay men. The team hasn’t been getting anywhere in finding the killer and their frustration is mounting. Especially for Sam himself, due to the victims’ sexual orientations.
Sam is growly at times, doesn’t share his feelings, is hard to communicate with, and is so very closed off. But he’s had some traumatic events happen in his past which have shaped him into the person he is. In particular, someone who doesn’t do relationships. He likes things nice and simple with a quick hook-up here and there.
This is the type of leading man that I love, and hate (in the best way), because they are often times the most frustrating. He’s all hard shelled on the outside but on the inside he just wants someone to love him and to love them in return.
You can’t resist an author who makes her men work to come together and Ms. Donovan certainly makes Sam work.
Machlan O’Bannon is a manager at a successful sports bar in Houston, Texas. He’s at a different point in his life as far as relationships go. Having hid in the closet for so long, for his politically driven family, he’s tired of lying to everyone and wants to live his life as an out, and proud, gay man.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Mac; or as Sam calls him, “Tex”. He’s such an upbeat and positive character with a great group of close knit friends. And he’s really looking forward to becoming part of a new venture his friend, Braxton, is involved with. Opening a gay night-club in New York City.
“When a good ole Texas boy meets a cynical New Yorker things will never be the same”
Sam and Mac accidentally bump into each other at the airport and this chance meeting ends up changing both their lives in so many different ways. What ensues is a three month long push and pull between two of the most stubborn men.
Here the author weaves her magic drawing you into their personal struggles. The dynamic of their developing “relationship” changes throughout the story as they learn about each other and the murder investigation unfolds, impacting Sam and his emotions. Sam insists on holding himself back and Mac silently pleads for more.
And all the while the chemistry between the two is downright steamy. I must say Taylor can write some very scorching sex scenes - and they were plentiful here!
One of the many things I enjoy about Six Degrees of Lust is that Donovan takes the time to create men and women who are complex, multi-dimensional and explores each of them individually - even the secondary ones. Right down to the members of Sam’s team.
With all the different personalities she creates an awesome world of kick ass FBI agents who draw you into their world!
Taylor V. Donovan weaves a wonderfully suspenseful novel in Six Degrees of Lust. By giving us players who are all inner-connected I found myself interested in what was happening to and around them. Add in thrilling, well written and descriptive investigation scenes and I was hooked. In fact the parts of the story where you’re in the killers mind were definitely creepy and chilling. Donovan definitely left me wanting more….again!
A copy of Six Degrees of Lust was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Dreamspinner Press, in exchange for our fair and honest opinion.
For Taylor V. Donovan's Guest Post and a Character Interview with Sam himself, CLICK HERE!
About the Author
Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of gay romance and suspense. She is optimistically cynical about humanity and a lover of history, museums, and all things 80s. She shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television, is crazy about fashion, and passionate about civil rights and equality for all.
When she’s not writing or making a living in the busiest city in the world, Taylor can be found raising her two daughters and their terribly misbehaved furry baby in their home.
For more of Taylor’s works be sure and visit her website.
