Counterpunch

Counterpunch (Belonging, #3) by Aleksandr Voinov
Storm Moon Press

Novel: 173 pages

4.5 out of 5

Blurb:
Brooklyn Marshall used to be a policeman in London, with a wife and a promising future ahead of him. Then he accidentally killed a rioter whose father was a Member of Parliament and had him convicted of murder. To ease the burden on the overcrowded prison system, Brooklyn was sold into slavery rather than incarcerated. Now, he's the "Mean Machine", a boxer on the slave prizefighting circuit, pummelling other slaves for the entertainment of freemen and being rented out for the sexual service of his wealthier fans.

When Nathaniel Bishop purchases Brooklyn's services for a night, it seems like any other assignation. But the pair form an unexpected bond that grows into something more. Brooklyn hesitates to call it "love"—such things do not exist between freemen and slaves—but when Nathaniel reveals that he wants to help get Brooklyn's conviction overturned, he dares to hope. Then, an accident in the ring sends Brooklyn on the run, jeopardizing everything he has worked so hard to achieve and sending him into the most important fight of all—the fight for freedom.

Review:
I was excited to read this, not only for the awesmazing cover (count those abs) but because this would be my first book by Aleksandr Voinov. I had previously read a short story by him that was a part of an anthology; clearly, it was just a small slice of something big.  Counterpunch had me freaking out, and I can say I was not disappointed. Mr Voinov has just become a must read author by me, I love his gritty writing style and the amazing characters he created. Whether you hate or love them, I guarantee you will remember them.

Counterpunch is the third book in the Belonging series, I have not read the previous books before but I will be on them like white on rice. As you may see this book can be read as a stand alone, and I implore you to read it. I guess I should warn you that this book contains slavery, there is dub-con/no-con, and it’s violent. I won’t warn you against it though, why should it matter if you are looking for a great read, and by gawd have you found it.

Brooklyn Marshall is a slave, but he wasn’t born one. An accident while on the job led him to his life of being owned. He is a puppet to people he can’t see, all he knows is to fight and win. He trains, fights and every now and again, he is sold to highest bidder. So they can say they had boxing champ Brook Marshall bent over something. It comes with being a slave though; the freemen have all the power. Whether its being f*cked or doing the f*cking, he is being used. He hates it, and the anger shows because he once could make his own choices.

In walks in Nathaniel Bishop, looking all businessman and suave. Brook thinks its gonna be just another one of those tricks, where a man can say he had boxing heavy weight Brook Marshall at his mercy, but both men get so much more. There is sex, but with Nathaniel it’s a lot more than just f*cking there is an underlying of I will let you Brook conquer me. Nathaniel also comes in the form of hope and equality; he treats Brook like so much more than property and offers him his life back.

The awesomeness is strong in this book, whether you are a fan of boxing or not you will be standing your ass up and cheering. Brooklyn Marshal is one of the most snarkiest bastard you can’t help loving. No matter his I don’t give a feck attitude, you can tell he cares deeply. Mr Vonoiv really captures the human behaviour quite well; the animals some become when they have power over someone. Some of these characters are so two faced its ridiculous, but you can’t hide behind masks forever. They try to break Brooklyn, and it becomes clear that you can’t keep a fighter down. He always comes back up swinging and its total KO, because my Brook has found his something worth fighting for.

For all that is sweet and holy, this book is incredibly sexy without all the fluff and stuff. I am in some serious love with Brook, he oozes sexuality and I you just wanna get him naked. I have a huge character crush on him, just seeing him naked with some boxing gloves on (ah the imagery). This book is the Brooklyn Marshall show, no character or situation can outshine him. The overall package of this story is a hit, and I recommend you read.

What I really want to say is that “this book is the 'shit' and so is the cover”.

 "Funny how the usual niceties like manners and overall courtesy evaporated or become at least optional when slaves were involved".  From: Counterpunch

4 1/2 Pants Off

Go Ahead Take Those Pants Off

*Review Requested*