Under the Gun by Michael Mandrake

Under the Gun by Michael Mandrake
No Boundaries Press

Short Novella: 56pgs

Rating: 3/5

Blurb:
Camdyn Hardy is a former cop who has his own private investigator business. Due to a misunderstanding from a client, he gets into an argument with his lover Tay. Right after, they breakup Camdyn is left alone to think about his future as a PI and his love life.

Malik Day was recently discharged under the DADT policy and is looking to get his life on track The main reason he joined was because he dreamed of being a ranking officer. Now that it’s been taken away, he desires to start his life anew and find someone to share it with.

After two weeks the men meet at a shooting range and find out they have a lot in common. Once they engage in a one on one match, they proceed to a bar to have drinks and get to know one another better. They both discover their affinity for guns as well as Camdyn’s need for a new partner at Camdyn & Associates. Malik is intrigued but afraid to ask him and decides to wait till they are closer. Camdyn is excited about this prospect as well but waits for Malik to say the word. Finally, in an erotic encounter, true feelings are revealed. 

Short Review:
Malik was discharged from the army under DADT policy after defending a fellow officer being beaten for being gay. He’s lost the chance to do what he truly loves and he’s stuck at home with his bible thumping parents. Out of job with no prospects popping up, Malik is feeling down in the dumps. Until he meets a sexy blond at a shooting range and suddenly things are looking up.

Camdyn just lost his partner in both business and love and he’s feeling down. With a successful PI firm, he searching for love and he thinks he might have found in the sexy black man at the shooting range. Skeptical to dive into anything serious, Camdyn is still willing to see if Malik has what he’s been looking for.

I have a few peeves with this one but also some good feelings. I was really annoyed by Camdyn’s dialogue, the whole ‘I’m cool talk’ didn’t really fit him as a character and I found myself dreading when I got to his pov. I did enjoy the struggle both men faced in the developing relationship; they both avoided jumping forward for good reasons. If it was an insta jump and shacking up, I would not have appreciated it as a reader.

Overall, it was an ok read but I found it hard to really connect to the characters *could be because of the length* Big shout out for it being an interracial romance, I always appreciate reading one. Plus the gun play added a little spice and variety. Would love to see how Camdyn and Malik’s relationship develops in the future.

3 Pants Off