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Friday, January 6, 2012

~REVIEW of Evangeline Anderson's THE ASSIGNMENT~


The Assignment (Assignment, #1)
4 of 5 stars

Opening Line: "This is gonna take some getting used to."

Set in the early 1980’s (which kept me visualizing Starsky and Hutch and hoping for descriptions of Magnum-esque moustaches) THE ASSIGNMENT is a su-weet read. Just long enough at 161 pages and certainly steamy enough, I can see myself returning to this story again and again. Filled with suspense, random humour, genuine emotion and sexual tension so palpable it just about killed me, Valenti and O’Brian are a couple so deliciously hot and manly that you simply won‘t be able to get enough of them. Plus with cover art this good how can you go wrong?

Detectives Nicholas Valenti and Sean O’Brian have been best friends and partners for 6 years. Often teased because of their open affection, they’ve got each others backs on or off duty. Through danger, donuts and divorce there isn’t anything one of them wouldn’t do for the other including taking a bullet or giving the occasional back massage. That’s a good thing too because Captain Harris’s latest case is going to test the boundaries of even their tight relationship.

Nick and Sean’s assignment sees them going undercover at the infamous gay resort, Ramjack. Potentially they will be busting the notorious drug dealer who’s been flooding the cities gay bars with bad cocaine. It’s a plum job that’s going to look real good on their resumes, just as long as these hetro boys can convince everyone at the RamJack they’re really a gay couple that is. But just how far are these partners willing to go?

Once engaged in their roles as the "sugar daddy" and his "boy toy" the sexual heat literally jumps off the pages. Forced to ‘fake’ their affections in public Valenti and O’Brian’s discovery of each other though soft caresses and first kisses is beautifully done. And because Sean and Nick don’t start out as gay characters watching their miscommunications, emerging feelings and unfamiliar foreplay unfold is also interesting and exciting. Because of the way most men are, when the gentle embraces carry over into their private suite they don’t talk about their feelings or what’s happening between them, they just continue to misinterpret each other and wonder… The sex scenes here are erotic, tender and very satisfying. Eventually Valenti and O’Brian are left to deal with strong emotions neither anticipated having and a very straight world to go back to.

My only real disappointment would be the abrupt resolution to their big case. Its just over. However because I was still in shock from the previous events it just didn't matter.


A bonus 26 page short story called I’LL BE HOT FOR CHRISTMAS has also been included here. This takes place a year after the RamJack case and involves Valenti suddenly pulling away and distancing himself from an increasingly sexually frustrated and pissed off O’Brian. Could it have anything to do with his new and much younger partner? Sean becomes determined to find out what’s going on even if that involves kidnapping. Cheers

12 comments:

  1. Hey Buggy I'mmmmm back and also proud to be VERY tired. In that short time I managed to go Zip Lining in the jungle, Cave tubing in Mayan caves, Snorkeling the coral reef and almost died Sea Kayaking....note to self always make sure the drain plug is on tight before going in 3 to 6 foot waves. After 2 hours in the ocean I was lucky enough to be picked up by a fisherman's boat and was told without joking that those waters have a lot of big sharks...LOL...in other words a normal Rhoger vacation. Now, on to the book: Great review Buggy but not really my style. I find that resorts with names like the Ramjack are likely to be a pain in the ass....now if the main characters would have been Angelina Valenti and Halle O'Brian then THAT would have made a great story. Wouldn't even have too change the name of the resort.

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  2. Rohg Baby, You and your amazing wit back! Thanks for giving me a laugh regarding "the Ramjack" resort being a pain in the ass. I'm assuming your resort didn't require leather wear for dinner?

    SO glad you had an amazing time. You vacationed like everyone should but very few do. We should all come home exhausted with scars and stories to tell. I usually try to have a brush or two with death myself while travelling, it keeps things interesting and also keeps you young.(plus I'm a bit of a klutz so it just tends to happen) I have never been zip lining though (its on the list)

    Yes, very jealous of you my friend but glad to have you back. Now I'm hoping you return to your reading and reviewing this year.

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  3. Reading is on my New Years resolution list. I could actually write a book on some of the stuff that has happened to me on my trips...LOL...I sent you a couple of photos of the place on your E-mail. And no! None of them are of us naked or in leather. As you will see neoprene is part of the menu though.

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  4. Thanks for the photos Rohg, your wife is pretty hot in the neoprene! I'm jealous... no not of your wife(or the wetsuit) but the amazing vacation. I loved the sunrise photo and have stolen it as my screen saver.

    I'm sorry I haven't written back sooner but I've been working a second job in Vancouver the last week and this commuting on the Fairy's (ha) is kicking my ass. Very long days and no time to play. If Only I could be living the life of leisure like you.

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  5. LOL...right now the life of leisure is getting side jobs to be able to pay this trip and plan for the next. But the one good thing about retirement is that I now do have time to do it. Be careful and take care of yourself.

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  6. So with taking this 2nd job I've been contemplating a trip. I was thinking Thailand but now I'm leaning towards Vietnam. Have you been to either place?
    I still can't believe you're retired, you must have had a good job and taken it early?

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  7. I guess after 30 years it was time for me to go, I don't really miss the job just the people. As for your destinations I haven't been there but one of my friends actually did both and he liked Thailand but that's just someone else's experience.Me...well, I would go back for another stint in Europe but I would go to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. The only thing stopping me is of course the $$$...LOL

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  8. Roge you went away and didn't invite me? sounds like you had a blast, good for you.

    Ramjack, a pain in the ass (lol). It was a pain for some people. I miss you Rhoge!!!!

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  9. I miss you too D. We would have had a blast with the old gang on that island.

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  10. Is that what happened, Did we all get voted off the island?

    I miss our times over on Chapters too. Remember when D got cancelled for being too dirty and continually losing her pants. LOL, yes the good ole days Now she never wears them

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  11. LMAO!!! I still don't even know what the hell that was all about, pfft to them.

    Those were the best days.

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  12. I never got cancelled, but my reviews were squeaky clean, never an underlying tone or sexual comment. Even angels could read them...not like some people I know...he he he.

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