Review: King of Dublin by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau

Reviewed by Whuppsy
King of Dublin by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 375pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Twenty years after a deadly pandemic ravaged the world, Darragh Fergus Anluan and the people of his village have carved out a hard but simple life in the Irish countryside. But with winter comes sickness, and Darragh must travel to Dublin in search of medicine. What he finds there is a ruined city ruled by a madman, where scavenging is punishable by death . . . or conscription.

Ciaran Daly came to Ireland with aid and optimism, but instead was enslaved by the so-called King of Dublin. After months of abuse from the king and his men, he has no reason to believe this newcomer will be any different. Except Ciaran finds himself increasingly drawn to Darragh, whose brutish looks mask how sweet and gentle he really is.

The tenderness Darragh feels for the king’s treasured pet is treason, but it’s hardly the only betrayal brewing in this rotten kingdom. Rebellions and rival gangs threaten the king’s power, but not nearly as much as Darragh and Ciaran—whose only hope for freedom is the fall of the king.

* This title contains the following sensitive themes: dubious consent, explicit violence and non-consent

Review
Let me begin with saying that this book contains some very harsh things. Rape, non-consent, dubious consent, lots of violence and mental and physical torture. If you are sensitive to any of these things, this probably won’t be the book for you. That being said, this book was pretty damn good. It was such a good book of survival, hope and love. There was so much going on in this book that it hooked you from the very first page. I was!!

So you meet Darragh from the very first page. He’s this kind, sweet, naïve young man. He left his village in order to find medicine for his people. He comes to Dublin in to find some and gets caught by the King of Dublin’s men. He’s taken to the see the king and is told that in order to get the medicine that he needs, he has to serve the king. He agrees to this, anything to save his people. Then he sees Ciaran for the first time.

Darragh is the kind of guy that most people would hope to find in their lives, sweet, kind and so very innocent. Honest to a fault. He’s not had the experience of dealing with the lies and duplicity that he’s now involved in. He’s just trying to make it through to get the meds that his village so badly needs. He’s now caught up in this madman’s game. He’s now doing things that he never thought he’d do. Then to add more on his plate, he finds that he’s attracted to the king’s “Boy”. Darragh knew that he liked other guys, but being where he’s from he’s never had an opportunity to try anything. Now, he does and it’s more than he thought it’d be.

Ciaran is a young man whose life didn’t turn out the way the thought it would. He’s come from a very privileged background. Ciaran has such high ideals that he can help those that are suffering. He wanted to help his people and instead he got raped and has become the pet of the king. He has had to hide who he really is inside in order to survive. To lie and let himself be taken by people not of his choosing. To be tortured both emotionally and physically. He starts to believe of himself that he’s unclean. That he’s nothing more than a whore. That he’ll never really be free. He sees Darragh and his path is changed yet again.

This story drew me in from the very beginning. To see how these two young men are thrown into this harsh and ugly and very violent place and what they both do in order to find some bit of comfort and yes, hope as well. The fact that they find someone who asks for nothing more from the other to be themselves is amazing. They have their own issues that need to be dealt with, and yet they still find that strength to hold on and hope for something better.

The secondary characters were just what you’d expect them to be. They are hard and angry people. They have had to survive in a world gone mad. That they now have this batshit crazy man claiming to be their king, they do bad things horrible things in order to live another day. To survive this madman’s whim. Some that are there are just as evil as the king and others are just doing what they must to survive. Even doing things that they would likely not do before hand, just to survive and keep the people with them alive and together. The character that I enjoyed the most was Rabbit. He’s this sweet, kind young man who just wants to be loved and belong. Even during this harsh, horrible new world, he’s this kind young man who helps Darragh and Ciaran.

There were times in this story that I wanted to smack Ciaran. I get where he was coming from, but it was that rashness of youth and the belief that he knows best that keeps getting him in trouble. I will say that it was so nice to see someone as wonderful as Darragh take the time and has the patience to keep chipping away at Ciaran’s shell. He needed to see that there wasn’t all bad left in the world. That there were people out there who still were kind and giving that could love and be there for others. Nothing sinister in their words, actions or deeds. Darragh just wants to love him. He makes some mistakes, but the true intention behind everything he does, is for the love of Ciaran.

This book has lots of sexual content. Most of it was truly not good. It was so awful reading about what Ciaran had to do to survive. The humiliation and degradation that he felt was heart breaking. That he was forced to do this to allow these things to happen and to not be able to defend yourself against it. So very sad. It hurt to read and to feel Ciaran’s emotions, was just so damn hard.

Please read this book. It shows that no matter what happens in this life, that there are people out there that love and have hope. They have faith that being with the ones who you love and care for, being part of a community matters. It was a hard read. There were things happening in this story that hurt my heart, but I pushed through it. I wanted to see how it would end. I wanted to see how they came together and what they had to go through in order to be together. This story gave so much hope and love that I was still sad to see it end. But I was happy that it have the guys get where they were going and to make it back, not whole…but something else.

5 Pants Off

Review: A Package Deal by Mia Kerick

Reviewed by Whuppsy
A Package Deal by Mia Kerick
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 260pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Robby Dalton is the perfect all-American boy. He played the sports his father chose for him in high school, attended the college his father selected, and has worked hard to conform to his father's macho views. But emotionally he doesn’t fit anywhere, and he can’t connect with a woman beyond a few uninspired dates. Robby’s not in the closet, because he’s never guessed he’s gay. Now he owns a small commercial construction company, and one night after work he runs into Savannah Meyers. He finds her fascinating and agrees to a date, thinking maybe this woman would be different.

But Savannah has her own agenda. She is looking for a love match for her roommate, Tristan Chartrand, whom she rescued from the streets years ago. He’s like a brother, and her only family, so she wants him safe and happy. Her plan seems to begin well, because when Robby meets Tristan, he’s surprised to find it’s Tristan he wants, not Savannah. But some people in Robby’s life don’t approve of Tristan’s lowly station in life, and some don’t approve of Robby being gay. Some people are full of hate and violence, and Robby and Tristan will need courage and strength if a loving future is to be part of the deal.

Review
This is the story of two men, Robby Dalton and Tristan Chartrand and one woman, Savannah Meyers who brings them all together.  Robby who has had a pretty apathetic attitude regarding dating in the past and yet he keeps trying.   This is the story of how his life is forever changed.

Now Robby grew up with a very domineering father who never once gave Robby what he’s always wanted, his approval.  His father has steered his life the way that he felt that it should be run, never what would make Robby happy.  Robby has grown up allowing his father to have that kind of power over his own feelings about himself and what his life should be.  Now, that being said, Robby also has this friend, Mike, who he allows to walk all over him as well.  It’s almost the very same way he allows his father to walk all over him.

Tristan is this heartbreakingly beautiful character who you will just fall in love with.  His life is this sad, horrible existence.  Abused, homeless and at times a male prostitute anything in order to survive his life on the streets.  Tristan survived for nearly ten years on the streets and he didn’t come away from the experience whole.  He has nightmares about the things that he’s suffered in the past.   He survived, and yet even with that horrible past, he’s this amazing natural sweetness to him.  He is almost childlike in his enthusiasm to learn new things and experience the better things in life.  He now has an apartment with Savannah and a good job as a waiter. He is content with his life and the way that it is.

Savannah ran away from home when she was 13 years old.  She met Tristan after she’d been on the streets a short while before she met Tristan.  One of the first flashbacks that is shown from Savannah’s POV is Tristan taking a gang-rape in her place.  He did it to protect her and protect her he did.  After that horrible experience, Tristan takes her to this Outreach Place for homeless teens.  She gets off of the streets and makes a vow to herself to find Tristan again and save him the way he saved her.  Savannah kept her word, she grew up and started going to college and found him working in the diner for a place to stay.  She got him cleaned up and in better shape in order to make something of himself.  The two of them create this Family.

Robby sees Savannah at a diner that he frequents and she’s this beautiful young woman.  He’s taken by her looks and asks her out.  Savannah agrees and Robbie is thinking maybe his luck has changed.  They meet for their date and as they are getting to know each other, in walk Tristan.  Robby is taken aback by his reaction to this man.  Tristan is possibly the most beautiful thing that Robbie has ever seen.

What Robby and Tristan don’t know is that Savannah has a plan, she wants to expand their Family, but it has to be the right person.  She is vetting Robby and thinks that he’s the perfect person to join them.  Savannah wants so very much to help others who are in the situation that she and Tristan found themselves in.  However, in order to do that, she knows that she will have to leave Tristan.  This is where Robby comes in.  He’ll be the person who will take care of Tristan while she’s out helping others and finding herself in the process.

Savannah helps Tristan and Robby meet and get to know each other, slowly pushing them towards one another.  Robby is taken with both of them, but more so, Tristan.  As Robby and Tristan get to know each other and as time goes on they realize that they are falling for each other.  This is part of Savannah’s overall plan to get Robby and Tristan together and to faze herself out of the romantic portion of their relationship.

Mike, Robby’s best friend finds many numerous ways to try and come between Robby and Tristan and Savannah.  He beats up on Tristan.  Goes behind Robby’s back and tattles to his father regarding his relationship with Savannah and in part with Tristan.  He’s that stereotypical macho jerk.  I hated him, however, he was always allowed to treat Robby the way he wanted and Robby never stood up for himself with Mike, so I get why Mike is having a hard time letting go of his friend, or as I like to refer to Robby’s relationship with Mike, his whipping boy.

I also HATED (and yes I meant every capital letter in that word) how Robby let everyone walk all over him.  How he never stood up for himself and most of all NEVER stood up for his relationship with Savannah and Tristan.  They deserved that and so much more.  I had to put the book down a couple of times and curse Robby out.  Then calm myself down in order to continue reading.  I wanted to smack him multiple times throughout this book.

Tristan, on the other hand-I truly LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Him!!  I loved watching him grow and become more confident.  How he had this childlike wonder and how he fell for Robby, was way beyond sweet to me.  I swear, you will just want to hug him and protect him from anything that could possibly hurt him.

Overall, I really adored this book.  I found it quite enjoyable, aside from not really respecting and wanting to smack Robby throughout most of the book. You will see how you can be broken and put back together again. You will never the same, but different and just maybe even better.  You will see that you can create your very own family and truly love and take care of each other.

I will say that this book is far more an emotional read than a sexy one.  There was a tiny bit of sex towards the end, but it really worked in this book.  The sexy wasn’t the steamy kind, just pretty loving and not erotic.  If that’s what you’re looking for, this is not the book for you.  This book has just so much.  There is abuse, some sexual that was off pages in a flashback and yet there was the promise of so much more.  Happiness, love, hope and most of all FAMILY!!  Those of blood and those we create.

4 Pants Off

Review: Roughing It by Holden Wells

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Roughing It by Holden Wells
Hela Press
Novella
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
cott Thompson, rock star, has spent years burying the pain of a tragedy in his past by indulging in reckless, often injury-inducing adventures during the band's downtime. His latest brings him deep into the backwoods, where he's taken captive by a group of hired rednecks for 48 hours of physical, sexual and psychological torture. He expects the pain and degradation going into to--but he doesn't expect the instant attraction he feels for the leader of the group, a dark-eyed enigma of a man named Johnny Lee.


Review
Wow. Just Wow. This is the story of Scott Thompson and Johnny Lee. And what a story it is!! This story blew me away!!

Scott is a rock star who has had some pain and tragedy in his past. He’s a thrill-seeker who as he’s getting older is trying to do something that has always been a fantasy for him. He’s set up a weekend with this mysterious group called The Company. They set-up and give you the fantasy that you’ve always dreamed of. Hardcore Fantasies. So hardcore that you have to sign a waiver that relieves them of any liabilities short of death. That’s some hardcore stuff right there.

Scott has this Deliverance fantasy that he’s had since he was a teenager and he decides to go for it now. The story starts as Scott is in the bayou and he gets caught by Johnny Lee and his 2 cohorts. Scott’s fantasy starts off with a bang and just keeps on going from there. What Scott goes through is just….WOW!! Physical, Sexual and Psychological torture. It’s what he’s paid for and boy does he get it. It’s so pervasive throughout the entire story.

Now this was just a novella, but from the moment I picked it up and started reading, I was hooked!! I didn’t stop until the book was over and even then, I didn’t want it to be over. I wanted more. I was pulled along for the ride and I didn’t want to get off. It was Dark. It was Intense. It was worth taking the risk of reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories that are outside of your comfort zone. Who like their stories dark and intense. Who aren’t afraid to see into the mind and soul of someone who is hurting and looking for something. Following it to wherever it goes. I would like to caution anyone who has had any kind of abuse in their past that this might not be the book for you.

4 Pants Off

Review: Choices & Changes by K.L Belanger

Choices & Changes by K.L Belanger
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 258pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
On the cusp of his twenty-fifth birthday, Bo Sanford grows frustrated with his directionless life. Slaving away at his father’s construction company all week and partying every weekend leaves him little time for introspection, but he knows it’s time for a change. When his best friend, Mac, drags him to a college party, Bo catches sight of a girl. But not just any girl—the girl of his dreams: a delicate blonde-haired beauty with a pink scarf and a smile that promises warmth and humor. There’s just one problem: she isn’t a girl.

Even after Bo discovers the truth, he keeps seeing Erick, and the choice to follow his heart despite the obstacles has profound repercussions on not only his sense of self but his relationship with his family and even his job. Being with Erick makes him all the more determined to be his own man and claw his way out from under his father’s thumb.

But Erick faces choices of his own: the choice to get involved with someone redefining his sexuality, the choice to trust again, and even the choice to believe love can last beyond the temporary.

Review:
Bo Sanford is tired and just wants to rest, but his best-friend Mac has other ideas. He wants to hit up some frat parties for some female companionship, but all Bo can think of is sleep. Working construction is a tough job, and dealing with the boss aka his father is even tougher, so Bo is strung out and just wants some sleepy time. Too bad Mac is uber persuasive and Bo finds himself heading to the party anyways. So Bo decides he's just gonna drink some cheap beer, hang and then go home but no hook-ups. Until his eyes land on the most stunning girl he's ever seen, and maybe the night is starting to look up. Well, Bo's bubble gets busted fast when Mac points out that his dream girl isn’t a girl after all and Bo does the only thing he can think of, he runs.

Maybe a little fresh air will clear the drunken haze but Bo knows that he's not drunk and clearly he just found a man very attractive. When the very person of his torment comes to greet him and offers him a beer. What Bo really wants to do is run, but when Erick takes a seat beside him Bo finds that the man is easy to talk to. Suddenly they're meeting each other at a diner and Bo is in freak out mode but behind that entire freak out is that Erick is easy to talk to. Erick isn't looking for any form of relationship, so Bo's friendship is all he needs despite the attraction sizzling in the air.

The men begin a genuine friendship, but it has the feel of first love. They spend hours just talking on the phone, and is always glad to be in each other’s company. Erick is Bo's solace when it comes to dealing with the stress of work, an overbearing father, and whatever hardships might happen in his day. But while Bo is sharing everything Erick seems to be holding a lot back. Because Bo is risking it all for their relationship and maybe Erick isn't as in it to get it as he thought.

This book has a lot to like, because it focuses on the developing friendship between two men who found each other. The romantic aspect of it all takes a backseat, and getting to know both Bo and Erick is front and centre. Bo is a man, for the first time in his life is attracted to person of the same sex, but this book is not about the GFY (gay for you) trope, it far surpasses that because Bo is attracted to Erick, not because he's male but simply because he's Erick. Conflict is provided due to Erick's past and this is the part I didn't like so much about the story. I think Erick should have just talked about it to begin with, and the revisit from the ex-boyfriend wasn't needed (that part really took away from its uniqueness). I am also not 100% on their romantic relationship, yes their friendship is solid so by the time it starts to lead into the physical stuff, and they still felt like best-friends to me. Not a bad thing, but most definitely not the best approach.

Overall, Choices and Changes is a perfect title. Bo has to make choices, and deal with the drastic changes in his life that comes in the form of Erick. It’s about a young man finding his place in the world, and building a life from there.

Should You Read It? Yes, if you want to read a solid story based on a real relationship without all the sex. It’s a character driven story, with a little something special going for it. You could say its GFY but it is so much more than that. I really enjoyed reading it, and look forward to reading more about Bo and Erick (say it is so).

4 Pants Off

The Flesh Cartel #3: Choices by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz

The Flesh Cartel #3: Choices by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz
Riptide Publishing
Short Story: 67pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
The Flesh Cartel returns for a compelling second season with "Choices." Brothers Mat and Dougie Carmichael thought nothing could be worse than being snatched from their home and brutally dehumanized in preparation for sale as sex slaves. But they learn their suffering has only just begun when they’re shipped to their new master’s home.

Professional trainer Nikolai Petrovic is a master of his trade. His ultra-rich clientele pay him to create perfectly tailored playthings, and Mat and Dougie are the latest in a long line of men who have walked into his remote mountain home as terrified victims and left it permanently altered: subdued and obedient, ready and even eager for a life of service.

To achieve this, Nikolai must take a drastically different tack with each brother. Dougie, manipulated with affection and denial. Mat, controlled by pain and fear. The one thread in common for both men is choice. Nikolai prides himself on never forcing, but will Mat and Dougie submit willingly to his vision, or will they first need to learn the price of disobedience?

This title is part of the The Flesh Cartel, Season 2: Fragmentation serial.

Review:
Warning: This review is more rant than review. I cuss a lot, hate on Nikolai, and want him to be killed by gigantic black bears.

Choices picks up right after where episode 2 left us, where Dougie has to get all up in Mat to make sure that they get sold together. I don't even need a refresher, because all the episodes are tattooed to my brain. I might be permanently scarred, and the way I feel about this series is just too hard to place in words. I fucking love it, but then I feel like it’s too much of the same thing (like how much more disgusting can they get short of killing either Dougie or Mat). Let’s just get this out there, I hate everyone in this series that isn't Dougie or Mat, so yeh that goes for two faced ass wipe Nikolai. I don't think he can redeem himself ever, even if he cuts off his balls in penance.

Dougie and Mat have left the facility, Dougie placed in isolation and Mat placed with lunatic guards on something as wholesome as an RV. The trepidation of not knowing what to expect is deep within his gut but at least there is the norm of rape and cum in his face. Just another one of those same shit different day. Downside, he doesn't know where his brother is, and he's feeling both the guilt and the rage. While Dougie is pretty much close to losing his mind, being locked in the dark without water, food, and no other human contact. He struggles with what might be worse the daily tortures or suddenly none. It's a hell on earth for the Carmichael brothers.

Then in comes, saviour Nikolai who I hate more than everyone combined. He's there to train the brothers, and bring them to their full potential, but I only have two words for him: Fuck You. He's doing the double task of good cop, bad cop with his choices/consequences speech and I am calling "bullshit" but I do give him credit that he's an excellent manipulator, but what can I say...when you're on top the only thing left is down. So I see him being a nasty bastard for some time, with his "I'm so excellent at training slaves and I know everything". Your neutral feelings mean squat, just makes you all the more bastard, because at least with facility we knew that they were just disgusting. Nikolai is something else entirely.

Nothing big happened in this one, unless you count Nikolai being in the whole damn episode. It’s clear now that Dougie and Mat will be put through the grinder during training, and they better have their wits with them because ultimate trainer man of consequences is about to bring his A-game. I wanna commit character murder in the worst way.

It’s quite apparent what my feelings are for this serial, but I do love it because its bringing out such strong emotions in me. I fear to think that people can be so cruel, but then you think of the selling of flesh/human trafficking in reality and I know that they can be. What I am really wanting is all these MOFOing bastards to get covered in all natural honey and get dumped in a bear (giant black bears) infested forest *nods head* and they rip them apart from the legs up.

The Flesh Cartel is...sick, genius, terrifying, too much, not enough, and so totally addictive I can't wait to read episode 4 (though douche face is gonna be all up in that one too).

Be afraid, be very afraid!

SideNote: That cover is so awesome it pisses me off, Nikolai looks way too cool in that chair *grrr*

4 Pants Off

Review: Epi #1 Capture

Review: Epi #2 Auction

Review: Flesh Cartel: Auction by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz

The Flesh Cartel: Auction by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz
Riptide Publishing
Short Story: 60pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
In episode two of The Flesh Cartel, the dark purpose behind Mat and Dougie Carmichael’s abduction is revealed. Though Dougie is protected from the worst of the guards’ brutality, he’s disgusted to find himself halfway to broken—despairing of escape and terrified of pain. Mat holds onto hope despite repeated rapes and beatings, but threats toward his brother teach him well to lay aside his pride and pick his battles carefully.

Worn down by days of unrelenting fear and abuse, Mat and Dougie are packaged and marketed with the same ruthless efficiency as any consumer product: Dougie the prettyboy twink, Mat the rabid pit bull. They are led to the auction block as the showpiece of the house’s collection.

Mat would rather be beaten to death than play the role of obedient slave for sale, but Dougie, desperate not to be separated from his brother, strikes a deal with the pitiless Madame who runs the auction house and controls both their fates. It might just be enough to keep them together—slaves, but together—assuming Mat even wants to be after Dougie fulfills his end of his deal with the devil.

(Publisher's note: This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing, including explicit violence, non-consent, and forced incest.)

Review:
I don't even have the words, no freaking words. The second instalment in this explosive serial is just as gut wrenching, heartbreaking, and brilliant just like the first (probably even more so).

Auction is the continuation of where Captured left us, with Dougie and Mal processed and placed in the facility. There status as a human being completely stripped from them, raped and abused their future seems uncertain. You would think finally being placed the abuse would stop, but each day they are meant to suffer and treated no better than animals. Mal is slowly losing his will to fight back, because what is the point; he still has to listen to them torture and rape his little brother. All he can do is scream his throat raw but it never stops it never ends. Dougie thinks of himself as weak, because he never fights back and takes it like the good little hole they call him. If only he was as strong as his brother, if only....

Seriously, this book was just so heart wrenching and excellently written.  Slowly all is being revealed, and we get a closer look into how this slave facility works and how they pick their targets. Plus, all the mind fuck that goes on there. They are able to utilize the brothers and bend them to their will so they can get the best possible amount of money for them when they go up for auction. Dougie the pretty, obedient one and Mat the ruthless thug built like a fighter. Apart they could probably fetch a decent amount of money, but together "cha ching!"

As much as I love this series, I am having a problem with this slave business. If I were a client on this creepy elusive list I would want nothing from these guys no matter how pretty the merchandise. I don't do used goods, and man do these guys get used. I just don't understand, this clientele is willing to spend so much and yet they don't care that even the guards has been all up in it (unless they do not know).

This brings me to the people who work at the facility. I'm just wondering if they picked them up on the highway to hell. How can people be so abusive (were they already like that or did the perks of the job look so pretty they couldn't resist that downward spiral to bastardry). Like that, Stanford experiment back in 71 where regular guys went bat shit crazy after being given a bit of power. Yes, these guards fascinate me cause of their evilness.

This read was once again an emotional roller-coaster for me. So much brutality that never lets up. Just when I thought there would be a little breather for the boys, shit goes awry and becomes worse. What they have to see done to each other, what they have to do to each other makes cringe. Yet, they still manage to hold on to some semblance of themselves. Auction ends on a high gripping scene that has me anticipating Season 2 (gawww) Psychosexual indeed!

Should You Read It? If you loved the first, then it’s a guarantee you will love this one. Lots of info is slowly unfolding, the characters are interesting, and the story gripping. Heidi & Rachel deliver some excellent writing with nothing spared for those with delicate sensibilities. I am both thrilled and horrified about what will happen next. The reader gets to know Nicholai a bit better and I am anticipating if I am going to like him or completely hate his guts. Awesomely written, explosively tragic, and I just can't get enough.

SideNote- I pray for the day when someone will put an explosive in the Madame's mouth and watch her head explode (oh beautiful day will you ever come true!)

4.5 Pants Off

Review: The Flesh Cartel: #1 Capture

Review: The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz

The Flesh Cartel #1: Captured by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haomowitz
Riptide Publishing
Short Story: 70pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
In this first installment of the exciting new psychosexual thriller, The Flesh Cartel, orphaned brothers Mat and Dougie Carmichael are stolen in the night from their own home. Taken to a horrifying processing facility, they are assessed, microchipped, and subjected to unspeakable brutality—all in preparation for sale to the highest bidder.

In a world where every person has a price, the beautiful and subduable PhD student Dougie is highly prized. His brother, a rough-edged MMA fighter, is less desirable—and potentially too dangerous—but he still has his own appeal.

Abused and locked up under round the clock surveillance, with no idea where they are or even why they’ve been taken, escape seems impossible, which leaves staying together their only hope. And after being separated once by the foster system, they'll do anything to keep it from happening again. Anything at all.

(Publisher's note: This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing, including explicit violence, non-consent, and forced incest.)

Review:
I just don't have the words to describe how this story just turned my world on its head. I had seen the warnings and read about how intense it was but it is a different feeling when you start to reading. My heart literally felt like it was going to come out of my chest, and I noticed that my breathing had changed (I even stopped breathing at one point). You get sucked in and once it has you, there is just no letting you go.

Mat is a MMA fighter and all he has on his mind is winning. Winning means money and that money will be able to help provide for his brother to finish his PhD. Dougie knows what Mat gave up for him to provide that he gets the best. Now he comes home with bruises and money and Dougie has no clue what's doing but whatever it is, it can’t be good. Suddenly Dougie is faced with men breaking into his home, and maybe the reasons for Mat bruises have finally caught up to him.

What comes to pass is a plan so sinister that it left me shaking (quite literally). For me the impact lies with the writing and the emotional web it spins. Yes, there is violence and it is crippling but it's experiencing that violence through Mat that broke me. Imagine someone hurting the most precious person in your life, and you are helpless to stop it. You can only sit there locked in a cage and do nothing. That scared me. The brothers are then taken to a facility to be cleaned, made to perform, and speak to robots passing as people. Because only robots can be so unfeeling, uncaring, at the pain they are inflicting.

From the get go this book screams sex, most of it extremely violent and all of it non-consensual. It’s like watching a movie mystery take shape, and all question just leads to WHY. Why the hell are they doing this? Why did they choose Dougie? What will happen next? How will Dougie remain any form of normal after this? Can this shit get any worse? Seriously, can this shit get any worse? I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

This really played on a few fears of mine (hey Heidi and Rachel get out of my head). No matter how crazy or how unbelievable the story there is a fine line of realism. People/children are taken everyday due to human trafficking and pushed into a life of sexual slavery. All I kept thinking not like this, I hope never like this because that fucks my shit up and by shit, I mean my mind. It also feels like science fiction, some dystopian world made of taking unsuspecting humans and turning them into the perfect sex mates/pets (broken and without a thought of their own). I think fans of the manga Ai No Kusabi would like this one. It really has that feel.

So yes, The Flesh Cartel is explosive, it’s wicked, and it’s violent. It is made of awesome. Do be cautious when going into reading this one, there are warnings for a reason. Use them; there should be no surprises so no one can complain (just saying). Get ready for vile characters (they probably go home to their spouses and kids) that will make your blood boil and all you wanna do is go Jet Li on their asses. It’s not a romance, there is no fluff and stuff but there is love. It shines through in Dougie and Mat, which makes your heart break even more for them.

I do not know what expect in the next episodes but I am freaking looking forward to it. I just know shit is about to get critical, after all its Heidi and Rachel. I have my big woman pants on (or off) and I am ready.

All I can say is "dolla dolla billz yawl" money makes people evil when you have and can make too much of it.

4.5 Pants Off