Author A.E. Via
Title: Don’t Judge
Series: Nothing Special Book 4
M/M GAY ROMANCE CONTEMPORARY
Edited by: Tina Adamski
Cover Art by: Jay Aheer
PAGE COUNT – 330 pages
Release Date: June 26, 2015
Blurb:
Detective Austin Michaels didn’t think life could get any better after he was accepted into the most notorious narcotics task force on the East Coast, headed up by two of the baddest’ Lieutenants with the Atlanta Police Department – Cashel Godfrey and Leonidis Day.
Michaels knew he would fit right in as the team’s sniper, having received his fair share of commendations for marksmanship. He was just as badass as the rest of the twenty brothers that made up their team. But when Michaels lets their prime suspect get away from a huge bust with over a quarter of a million dollars in drugs, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it right.
Left with no other options, God chooses to bring in outside help, calling on his long-time friend and bounty hunter, Judge Josephson.
Judge was considered one of the best trackers during his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. After retiring, he used those skills to become one of the most sought out fugitive trackers in the country. When Judge gets a call from his old friend needing his help, he quickly tells God, yes.
Still embarrassed, and intent to prove himself, Michaels immediately volunteers to partner up with Judge to get their suspect back quickly and quietly. Neither man wanted or needed a partner. But, after Judge and Michaels get on the road, the hate/lust relationship they quickly develop between them will either make them heroes… Or get them killed.
Reviewed by Ellen:
DON’T JUDGE is the first book I have read by A.E. Via and it is spectacular! Two Alphas together in a fabulously dirty romance? Yes, please! I peeked at some of the reviews for this book and noted that early copies from Amazon had some editing issues. Rest assured, all of that has been corrected.
I have not read the other books in this series and DON’T JUDGE can absolutely be read as a standalone. I actually enjoyed the police-procedure talk because there is plenty of HAWT male-on-male action in this book. The scenes between Judge and Michaels are absolutely some of the steamiest M/M scenes I have EVER read – I mean, this author can really heat up the pages! I loved how Judge thought he was too old for the sexy, younger Austin Michaels, while Michaels, in turn, thought Judge was straight.
He chanced a look at Michaels and was shocked to see him slouched and confident riding with him. He had a dark pair of aviator shades on, staring out the window with one hand propped on the door. It was almost as if he didn’t know he was hot. And damnit if that wasn’t sexy in itself.
There is a fast-paced story here and the sexy times built nicely to a fantastic relationship. While there was no Insta-love, there was an instant attraction between these two stunning, sexy men:
It was the thick, silky, straight black hair the spanned across that broad chest that had Michaels’ mouth watering. Turn and look away, turn and look away. There was no way a guy like Judge was gay. If those dark eyes popped open and caught him gawking, then he was going to have a whole other set of problems.
A.E. Via’s books are new to me and I adored this one. The banter and passion between Judge and Michaels is sexy, intense and very readable. And did I mention the sex is off the charts? I loved how Judge doubted himself, and almost ruined his chances with Michaels. But there was no false or forced drama here, just real emotions between two very real men.
This was the man of Judge’s dreams, but he was fighting it all the way. He wouldn’t put himself back out there. Partners left you or they died on you; one or the other; but either way, you were left behind, devastated. Judge was too old to do devastated.
I absolutely loved DON’T JUDGE and am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
(ARC provided in return for an honest review.)
Excerpt:
Judge carefully scanned each document that was relevant to tracking someone. He could care less about what laws the man had broken, it wasn’t his job to determine if he needed arresting or if he as guilty. His job was to bring him in. “I take it you want this guy alive.” That comment got him a lot of stares.
“If you don’t mind.” Day said between clinched teeth.
Judge looked around. “You do understand this guy is a murderer. You think he’s gonna roll out a welcome mat for me.”
He watched God rear back in his seat and run his hands through his long hair. “I know that, Judge. Just try. I’m not telling you to get yourself killed. But if you don’t have to take a kill shot, I’d appreciate it.”
“I make no promises.”
“Of course not.” Day said drily. “you just make sure to bring my sniper back alive and you won’t have any beef out of me.”
Judge snapped back up, pulling his cane out of his mouth. “Excuse me.”
God grimaced and glared at Day. “I hadn’t exactly told him yet.” He whispered but Judge heard him loud and clear.
“Told me what, God?” Judge stood. “And it better not be what I think it is.”
“Judge. I need this guy in custody and I need it done quietly. So I want one of my guys to go with -”
“Hell no.” Judge backed up. “I don’t need any help you know that.”
“He’s not gonna be there to help you, he’s there to keep things quiet.”
“You think I need a goddamn do-gooder-baby-sitter, telling me how to do my fuckin’ job?”
“You know damn well I’m not saying that. I need assurance that this will keep kept quiet and I also know you wouldn’t be bothered with giving me updates.
Judge scoffed. “Quiet. You think I haven’t heard of these two.” He pointed to the two men that were introduced as Ruxs and Green. Now that he had a face to go with the names he knew who to point to. “These guys are the epitome of loud noise and ruckus.”
“Because that’s their job.”
“Fuck no.” Judge growled.
“You owe me, goddamnit!” God stood and came around the table to square off with him. Bookem stood and growled but didn’t attack. He’d never do that without command. God ignored the warning and stood directly in front of him. “Now, I’m asking for my favor. Are you going to refuse me, Judge?”
Son of a -. Judge gritted his teeth. God knew he’d never go back on his word. God gave him a few minutes to stew in his anger. All eyes were on him, waiting. Reluctantly he asked, “Who is he?”
“Detective Austin Michaels.” God replied. His voice and demeanor looked as if he was proud to present this guy.
Judge rolled his eyes when he saw Detective Michaels stand up. Of course it had to be him. The sexiest one of them all. Shit. When the man came over to glare at him, Judge had to be sure not to show his surprise or amusement. The little fucker. Actually he wasn’t so little. He was tall and built. Compact muscles over smooth ivory skin. No doubt he was as macho and straight as an arrow, those kinds usually were. Judge was eager to see how the man handled himself.
AUTHOR BIO:
A.E. Via is still a fairly new author in the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children.
While this is only her eighth novel, she has plenty more to come. So stalk her – she loves that – because the male on male action is just heating up!
Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, and where she’ll appear next.
Links