Endangered Species (Time Served 1) by Onley James

Title: Endangered Species( Time Served 1) Word Count:222 pgs Genre:Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb:After spending his formative years in an abusive home, NICHOLAS WEBSTER has made a pretty good life for himself. He has friends, a lucrative job with Elite Protection Services, and a side gig that lets him help out those escaping the same abusive home situation he left behind. But no matter how many people he helps, he can’t escape the guilt over the one person he didn’t—his step-brother, Cyrus. CYRUS WHITAKER has spent the last twenty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, put there by the very person he vowed to protect. On the inside, he’s made strides to better himself so he can have a future on the outside. But just when he thinks there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he receives a new cellmate—the boy who put him away all those years ago. In trying to make things right, Webster has triggered a series of events that will ruin both their lives, or worse, end them. Somebody has framed him and sent him to a prison where they hope Cy’s need to get even will get rid of Webster for good. But they don’t know Cyrus or the bond they shared. A bond they still share. But can Webster figure out who’s doing this to them and why before Cyrus is forced to choose between hurting the one person he loves or spending his life in a cage? ENDANGERED SPECIES is the first book in the Time Served Series and is a spin-off of the Elite Protection Services Series. It is complete at 60,000 words and contains an HEA and no cliffhangers.

My Review:  Nicholas Webster, tech genius for Elite Protection Services  has finally pissed off the wrong person. He’s locked up behind bars and he doesn’t even know why. His world seems to be spinning out of control. The plot thickens when he’s  placed in a cell with the one man he  put behind bars. He was only seven when he was railroaded into testifying against his stepbrother who was convicted for his stepfather’s murder. Nicky’s evil mother was married to Cy’s drug addicted father. Quite a toxic situation which ended in murder. Nicky has always blamed himself, because he knows Cyrus is innocent. He tried to tell the truth, but it was a set up from the beginning. His mother plotted with the small town sheriff to cover up her crimes. The adults in authority twisted his words to suit their nefarious plans. Nicky’s evil mom killed Cyrus’ father and Cy got 25 years.

Cyrus the gentle giant, even at seventeen, he was the only one who cared about Nicky’s well being. He protected him from the monster that was his mother. Nicky’s mother was abusive and Cy tried to shield the younger boy from the worst of it. Fast forward 20 years, Cyrus is still trying to protect Nicky from monsters. Regardless of space or time, it’s instinctual for Cy to want to take care of Nicky. It’s clear that Nicky is not a little boy anymore,  but to Cy Nicky still means the world to him. He’s never blamed Nicky for him being behind bars.  Nicky on the other hand has been filled with guilt all these years. When Cyrus embraces him for the first time in 20 years, its feels like coming home.

Cyrus soon realizes that there is a game being played and its with Nicky’s life. Some of the guards are being tasked with making Nicky’s life hell. They’ve decided that they want Cyrus to do their dirty work for them, to get rid of Nicky by any means necessary. Cy knows he needs to play their game , until they can figure out what is really going on and get Nicky released. If they don’t,there is definitely others who will be willing to hurt Nicky.

Nicky suggests that Cy could rough him up a bit,  maybe make him his ‘prison bitch’, to keep the vultures away. For Cy, it’s definitely a hard no to hurting Nicky physically, but he has definitely noticed the sexy man Nicky has grown into. There is certainly chemistry between these two and since they are not related by blood, they decide to act on their passions. Things are definitely hot and heavy their first time and the dirty mouth that Nicky has on him turns Cy into an animal. Cy gives him exactly what he craves, hard and rough. The bruises are for sure real, no one has to know how much fun Nicky had while getting them.He is only too happy to show who he belongs to.

It seems Nicky is on the radar of the white supremacist group in the prison. With Nicky being white and Cy being half black,  they are not happy with the arrangement. Cy and a couple of his friends are  always watching over Nicky, but things come to a head when they catch Nicky by himself. Nicky can fight and he’s been trained very well by elite, but the odds are against him with 3 against one. Nicky doesn’t fare very well and by the time a friend gets to him, he already has bruises on his face.

Cyrus is furious and terrified when he sees Nicky. He comforts his man as best as he can. He knows he has to do something drastic to prove his point, or they will definitely come after Nicky again. That’s one thing behind bars you have to show strength through violence sometimes. Unbeknownst to Nicky, Cy goes after the white supremacist leader. By the time he is done with him , he ends up in solitary confinement. Nicky is worried about Cyrus and he knows he needs to protect his man , in the only way he knows. Nicky has been trying to piece together the reason behind his and Cy’s wrongful imprisonment. He is coming to the understanding that he has stumbled upon a criminal enterprise of the judicial system that spans not only the small fish, but also a lot of high powered people including corrupted police officers, judges and even senators. Nicky shows his evidence to his boss Linc and his lawyer and they believe that they can get his sentence overturned,  if he applies pressure.

Nicky knows exactly where to start. When he goes after the warden, he quickly caves to Nicky’s demand to be let out. Nicky’s paperwork is set for him to be released the next day. However, its not that easy to get Cy released since he’s been in solitary confinement for assaulting another inmate. Their last night together is raw and passionate especially when Cy thinks he might not ever get to hold Nicky again. It is bittersweet,  knowing that his man will now be safe, but he can no longer imagine his life without Nicky.

Nicky and his team work round the clock to get Cyrus free. They get the FBI involved and it doesn’t take long to see the deck of cards come tumbling down. When Nicky comes face to face with the crooked small town sheriff who instigated Cyrus’ arrest, he’s  able to get him on tape confessing to all manner of corruption, murder and even his abuse of Nicky. With the ball finally rolling, it’s not long before Cyrus is home in Nicky’s arms. Cyrus is finally able to reclaim his life, a life that he certainly doesn’t take for granted. With his loving husband by his side and all their adopted pets, they both live a blissful life. I give this my ratings of 5 – bring out the vibrators.

Infuriating(Elite Protection Services 4) by Onley James

Title: Infuriating(Elite Protection Services 4)    Word Count: 374 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb:What he fears is love.

JACKSON AVERY has everything in life, except somebody to share it with. But as the owner of one of the largest private security forces in the country, he’s got plenty to keep him busy until he finds ‘the one.’ After spending the last year dealing with the fallout of his best security agents falling for their clients, the last thing Jackson expects is to take one look at feisty camboy, Dayton Daniels, and almost instantly know that he’s it for him.

DAYTON DANIELS has been on his own since he was just fourteen years old. He’s spent his entire life scraping by, doing whatever’s necessary to survive. A severe learning disability has left Day unable to read and forced him to find creative ways to make a living. Camming allows him to earn money while keeping his clients at a distance, and Day has grown used to keeping everybody at a distance…until he witnesses a murder and Jackson Avery walks into his life.

Guarding Day is supposed to be a favor, a simple off the books job until they find out who killed a prominent attorney, but Jackson quickly realizes there is nothing simple about Day. He’s beautiful, smart, surprising, and Jackson is all in merely ten minutes after they meet. But Day, he can’t imagine a man like Jackson wanting to spend his life with somebody like him, and he is determined to do anything to send Jackson running in the opposite direction, no matter how much it hurts.

When Day starts receiving threatening emails, Jackson enlists his team to hunt down the killer. Day doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life living in fear, but every day he’s with Jackson, he falls a little harder, forming cracks in the walls he’s worked so hard to build up around himself. Can Jackson solve a murder and find a way past Day’s defenses to convince him there is such a thing as love at first sight and that everybody deserves a happily ever after, even him?

INFURIATING is the fourth book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains age-gap, Daddy-kink, voyeurism and lingerie with a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Warning: This book contains brief portrayals of childhood emotional abuse as well as discussions of past child sexual trauma and one scene of on-page physical violence to a main character at the hands of somebody other than the main character.

My Review: Dayton doesn’t believe in fairytales or happily ever afters. He knows nothing good ever happens in his life, he looks out for numero uno,  because nobody else will. He knows his self worth, he’s been taught this from an early age. He is not good for much else, besides laying on his back. These are things that have been cemented in his mind by people who were supposed to love and cherish him, but never did. Day’s severe learning disability  and his stutter has crippled him.All he knows how to do is be a camboy, and he’s damn good at it.His most prized possession is his virginity. Day’s come up with the brilliant plan to auction it off to the highest bidder.With his lithe, feminine body, long hair and his penchant for sexy lingerie,  he’s made it into a very lucrative career.That is until recently, when he witnessed one of his upscale clients get murdered on camera. There is only one problem,  he never saw the murderer’s face , but they most definitely saw his. Now he has to go underground and he needs protection from the best. The detective on the case calls in a favor to the boss of Elite Protection Services Jackson Avery.

Jackson is not too keen to take on this case, but he can’t spare any of his other guys. From the moment he lays eyes on the  defensive,mouthy, sassy Dayton , he knows he wants him. Jackson always gets what he wants. It doesn’t take them long to figure out that they are both attracted to each other. They both need to blow off some steam and what better way to do that, but to have some no strings attached fun. Day knows he wants to play with Jackson on camera,but he is surprised when Jackson agrees. When Jackson touches him for the first time, the camera and everything else disappears. He yearns for something,  he’s not sure what exactly,  but he knows Jackson is the only man who can fulfill that need. Jackson sees a vulnerability in Day that makes him  want to protect him,  but he knows he wouldn’t be allowed. When Day calls him ‘daddy’ , Jackson wants it to be real, because he knows that he has finally found the one.

As soon as their passion cools, Jackson can see Day withdrawing back into his armour. Jackson hates this, but he knows he needs to give him time.  He sees the broken boy that is Day, but as soon as he breaks down the walls a little,  it goes right back up. Jackson knows his boy uses sex as a shield, but he also sees beyond to the lonely, sad, beautiful soul inside. Jackson’s  need for the sweet little minx is insatiable,  he just can’t get enough of him. Even though Day is still in possession of his virginity,  they find lots of other things to do in their sexy times. Even with Day’s sometimes prickly nature, things are easy between the two men.There is a sense of comfort that  blankets Dayton whenever he’s with his ‘daddy’.

When Jackson has to go out of town on business,  he doesn’t  hesitate to take Day with him. They fall into a seemless pattern of doing things together. It feels natural for Jackson to hold Day’s hand,  hug him and kiss him. Day feels totally out of his element and  all his insecurities come to the fore. He really does believe he is not good enough for a man like Jackson,  given his career choice  and his learning disability. Jackson tries to make him feel as comfortable as he can. Although he’s  nervous, he still feels a sense of belonging when he is wrapped up in Jackson’s arms. Jackson knows the only way to get close to Day is opening up about his own life. Jackson allows Day to see the real man behind all the money and power he exudes. When Jackson takes Day with him to his business meeting, he learns yet another tidbit. He soon realizes there is more to Day than just a pretty face. Jackson  is pleasantly surprised  when Day smoothes out his business negotiations by reasoning with the client in Spanish. This avoids a huge fallout and saves Jackson a million dollar contract.

That night,  their relationship enters into another stratosphere  when Day decides to offer Jackson his virginity.  They have a passion filled  night and Jackson unleashes everything  he feels for Dayton. Day is freaking out when Jackson  takes him to meet his family. His defense mechanism pushes him to act outrageous, trying to make them think the worst of him. Jackson’s family sees right through him , and even though he’s told them things that he’s not proud of,  the mother still welcomes him with open arms. They have a one on one chat and Day sees for himself what a loving mom looks like, Day feels horrible for embarrassing Jackson.

Jackson is quiet on their way home and when Day starts to apologize , Jackson stops him. Jackson tells him to strip and wait for him, Day is confused yet aroused. Jackson is in full on daddy mode and let’s Day know he’s not mad. The spanking that Day receives is not excessive,  but it pushes him over the edge really quickly. It almost leaves him in a cathartic state. It is shortly after this cleansing release, that Day purges his soul to his ‘Daddy’. The tale he tells Jackson is one filled with sorrow where he loses his best friend who cherished him above all else, the only person who ever loved him.Dayton is filled with so much guilt because he feels responsible for her death, when in fact there was nothing he could have done since he was a child himself. Jackson gains insight as to why his boy tries to shut everyone out. Day finally realizes that he won’t be able to push his ‘daddy’ away so easily. Jackson is all in and he let’s Dayton know that his heart is safe and he believes he is the perfect boy for him.

Day’s stalker gets a little too close for comfort when he gains access to Jackson’s apartment and trips the alarm. Jackson is upset with himself for allowing this crazy person to get so close to them. However, they think that they might have narrowed down a lead. This lead ends up being a costly mistake for them. It ends up being a distraction and the real stalker swoops in and kidnaps Day. Level headed Jackson  is pushed to the brink after hours of Day being missing. To top it  off, they find Day’s phone with a text message to Jackson that doesn’t really give them much insight. The stalker slips up  by trying to broadcast through Day’s Only fans account.  Elite’s tech genius Webster is able to access the account remotely and finally  they’re able to get a clue where Day is being held.

Day’s stalker ends up being someone from his past. A dirty gross landlord that Day was forced to perform sexual favors in exchange for paying his rent when he was only a child. In his warped mind he believes that he is entitled to Day’s virginity. When Day realizes that his Only fans account has been activated, he starts taunting his stalker as a way to distract him. The stalker gets suspicious  and he becomes enraged and starts violently beating Day. By the time Jackson’s team finds his boy the damage is already done. Day is barely conscious,  but he’s able to tell Jackson how much he loves him. Jackson is shattered to see his boy so hurt. Jackson knows he has to give his boy peace of mind so he doesn’t hesitate to take out the trash. Nobody thinks too hard about it when the stalker ends up dead in the abandoned hotel.

It’s a long road of recovery for Day, but Jackson and all their friends and family are there for him. Day finds that he is afraid  of being alone and he is plagued by body dismorphism, since his face is not quite what it used to be. He starts feeling stronger when he reawakens his sexuality. It helps him to feel like himself again. Jackson is supportive and proud when his husband gets over this hurdle bit by bit.Day’s confidence is further invigorated when he gets a position of interpreter at Elite.  I loved watching Day coming into his own, learning how to accept love and family from the people around him. I give this my ratings of 5- bring out the vibrators.

Captivating (Elite Protection Services 2) by Onley James

Title: Captivating                        Word Count: 291 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Blurb:He just wants to be seen.

JAYNE SHEPHERD has spent his life blending in. He smiles. He laughs. He’s likeable. He’s also a sociopath. His emotions are limited. Love, fear, and desire don’t exist in his world. Until he meets Elijah.

ELIJAH DUNNE had everything. Third generation Hollywood royalty. Child star. Untouchable. Until one man ruined it all. Elijah fled LA to try to forget, but now, he’s back on top and back on a monster’s radar. Elijah doesn’t think he’ll ever feel safe. Until he meets Shepherd.

Elijah and Shep only have one thing in common. They both wear masks. Shep makes Elijah feel protected. Seen. Elijah makes Shep just feel. Now that he’s had a taste, he’s not about to let him go. Everybody warns that what they have isn’t real. Shep is obsessed with Elijah, not in love. But Elijah craves Shep’s obsession. He can’t imagine life without him.

In Hollywood, being a sociopath is more of a life skill than a diagnosis. Could Shep be the monster Elijah needs to finally slay his demons?

CAPTIVATING is the second book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains age-gap, cum-play, voyeurism and one very sexy interrogation scene with an HEA and no cliffhangers.

Warning: This book contains talk of past child sexual abuse.

My Review: He is a sociopath, not a psychopath.  That’s who Shepherd is, he can mimic emotions, and he has learned to be charming when he needs to be. Deep down inside though, he doesn’t feel anything, until he meets Elijah. Elijah is a famous actor who has recently been outed by the press. Now that his secret is out, he has been assaulted by crazy fans. He is in serious need of protection. From  the moment he meets Shepherd,  he knows there is something different about him. There is just something about him that makes Elijah not want to wear the mask that the rest of the world sees.

In the close confines of his home, Elijah sees how loyal Shepherd can be. He begins to trust that Shepherd puts him above all else and will protect him with his life.Elijah craves this all encompassing safety blanket that Shepherd promises. Elijah has  never felt safe after having been abused by an acting coach when he was 12 years old. His mother who was supposed to protect him,  covered it up and swept it under the rug  for a huge settlement. Elijah has built up his abuser as a monster in his mind. Just the thought of this monster causes him to have debilitating panic attacks. Elijah knows the only way he can get past this is to talk about what he has been through. He is ready for someone to finally see all of him. That someone is Shepherd.

For Shepherd,  Elijah is an enigma. He is the only one that has ever made him feel. He is intrigued by the beautiful boy who is plagued by secrets. Shepherd is plagued by a myriad of feelings all at once, lust , jealousy,  protectiveness, but the one that rides him the most is ownership. He feels an overzealous need to own this beautiful boy. He wants to be the one that makes him smile, the one that makes him feel safe and moreover cherished. He wants to chase away the demons he sees lurking in the depths of Elijah’s soul. Shepherd knows how dangerous his feelings can be, so he decides to open up to Elijah.  Instead of being scared , Elijah knows this is exactly the partner he needs. He needs to feel all of Shepherd’s attention and languish in his need.

Shepherd doesn’t know what love is, but he knows he would kill for this sweet boy. They take their relationship to the next level and their passion is unparalleled. Elijah knows he needs to maintain his fake relationship with Robby, his fake boyfriend his publicist chose, but he can’t always hide his feelings for Shepherd. Secrets always have a way of coming out, and when Elijah’s life implodes, Robby is hurt. Elijah feels sorry that he hurt Robby,  but he also feels  a sense of relief that he no longer has to hide behind a mask.

When Elijah’s demons come home to roost ,Elijah is forced to confront his childhood abuser. He is shaken and terrified , but he decides to expose him for the pedophile that he is. Elijah is stunned by the support he receives from social media and his closest friends stand by him. Shepherd is proud of his boy and showers him with love.Elijah decides to pursue his dreams. Shepherd finally knows the true meaning of love especially when he looks to the light in Elijah’s eyes. I give this my ratings of 4- lose the underwear.

Intoxicating (Elite Protection Services 1) by Onley James

Title: Intoxicating                    Word  Count:295 pgs
Genre: Contemporary  Gay Romance

Blurb: What he really lacks is discipline.

LINCOLN HUDSON has just been handed the easiest job in the world. Babysit the spoiled son of a conservative senator, keep him out of trouble, and receive a six-figure paycheck. A paycheck he desperately needs. Wyatt’s father claims he needs Linc’s firm hand and discipline. One look at him and Linc agrees. Wyatt needs discipline.

Being the closeted gay son of a family values senator has left WYATT EDGEWORTH with a reckless streak and a love of partying that just cost him eight months of his life and might cost his father his re-election. So now, he has a babysitter. A very sexy babysitter.

When Wyatt drunkenly confesses his attraction to Linc, they reach an understanding. Wyatt gets the companion he craves and Linc gets a paycheck, then, once Wyatt’s house arrest is over, they go their separate ways. For this to work, discretion is key, but with a reporter dogging Wyatt’s every move, that might prove impossible.

Staying together was never an option, but with each passing day, their feelings only grow. Will they risk it all for what’s supposed to be a harmless fling?

INTOXICATING is the first book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Warning: This book contains scenes which may trigger some people including self-harm, suicide attempt, past and present physical abuse, and implied past sexual violence.

My Review: From the very first moment Linc is tasked with guarding the Senator’s son , he knew he was in trouble.Being paid six figures surely sweetens the deal, especially  when it’s money that would help his sister take care of their dad. Lincoln knows he needs the money to care for his dad who needs round the clock care and should really be  in a home. He also knows he can’t walk away from the rich brat who pushes all his buttons. Wyatt is under house arrest after having a couple DUI’s. He is a brittle young man who feels like he’s never been loved by anyone or belonged anywhere. He knows he’s just a commodity to his parents. A commodity which has always been bent, molded and beaten to suit their perfect public image.

The first time Wyatt lays eyes on his new security detail, he knows he is in trouble.  Linc ticks every little box for any little gay boy who lusts after GI Joe. There is no way that someone  who’s in their early 40’s should be that hot. Wyatt gets so hot and bothered especially by the commanding tone Linc uses to lay out the rules. He didn’t expect that to be a kink for him, but it really turns his crank. After having such a visceral, cum-blasting reaction to Linc, he tries his best to avoid Linc.

Linc sees the vulnerability in Wyatt’s eyes, but there is just something in this beautiful broken boy that speaks to the demons inside him. He tries his best to keep it professional,  he makes sure the little brat follows the rules, but he also makes sure he has enough to eat. Linc knows that with his PTSD issues, he is not necessarily fit for polite society. Sometimes, he feels like he is a ticking time bomb, but there is something about Wyatt that makes him want to be normal.

Their first sexual interaction is definitely not normal. When Linc wakes up in the grips of a nightmare,  to find Wyatt underneath him, with both hands choking him, he is horrified. Even though Wyatt seems a little scared, he tries to soothe Linc. Linc is about to get off the kid and apologize when he notices something else, Wyatt is aroused. Linc tries, but he’s just not able to resist when he looks in Wyatt’s eyes and sees a hunger that matches his own. Linc suggests that they both do something to blow off some steam and get rid of their tension.Their chemistry together is earth shattering,  but Linc knows he cannot allow this thing between them to go any further. Wyatt feels rejected after their encounter. For him,  it was the best experience ever,but he sees how distant Linc has become.

Wyatt becomes even more rebellious after a run in with his father. When his father notices the bruises around his neck, he misinterprets the situation.Instead of concern, Wyatt overhears his father giving Linc carte blanche to punish him. His only request, just don’t leave any visible marks. Lincoln is sickened by this monster who he already suspected was never a caring father. Linc goes out to get some air and perspective after visiting his boss,who is also his old marine buddy.  He comes home to a party in full swing and finds Wyatt in the bathroom being cut by a goth girl. Lincoln gets rid of all the party animals and tend to his boy. He knows what he needs to do now.

It becomes clear that Wyatt needs a ‘Daddy’ and Linc is drawn into fulfilling that role. He sees Wyatt spiraling and knows that he is the only one that can curb his self destructive ways. He promises to give Wyatt what he needs, only if he never self-harms again. Seeing the need in Linc’s eyes, he wants to be a good boy for his daddy.After months of sharing the same space, they’ve finally accepted this attraction between them. Wyatt craves his daddy’s praises and punishments. Even though he is as delicate as burnished glass, Linc knows exactly how far to push. They live in domesticated bliss and slowly open up to each other. Wyatt opens up to Linc about the abuse he endured at a conversion camp he was sent to for a few years.  Linc aches for his boy ,wishing he could mend  his boy’s broken heart and body. Linc’s stable presence
helps Wyatt to get through all the political dinners he is forced to attend by his father.

Things finally come to a head, when Wyatt’s abuser corners him in a bathroom at one of these fancy dinners. Wyatt tries to be strong. When Linc sees the distress on his boy’s face, he is ready to pummel  the monster to the ground.Linc takes Wyatt to a private room to soothe him and things get a little bit heated between the two. Wyatt’s father catches him and Linc in  a  compromising position  and he is enraged. With all the mental strain that Wyatt is under, he needs a little release. He knows he promised his daddy,  but he needs to cut so his father’s poisonous words can be expunged. This time he goes a little bit too deep.  Linc finds him bleeding out, and all he can think is that he never got to tell his boy how truly, madly, deeply he is loved.

Linc is devastated and he is hanging by a thread in the hospital  waiting room. Wyatt’s father starts spewing his vile homophobic filth and shows no remorse that his son is dying. Linc goes ballistic and certainly tries to beat the hate out of him. He is  brought back to his senses, knowing that he needs not be there for his boy for his recovery. Wyatt undergoes surgery and it takes him a few days to regain consciousness. Wyatt is overcome by emotion,  when he sees how distraught his Daddy looks. He promises to get help and to never self-harm again. Linc professes his love for his boy. Linc is happy to  have his boy safe and sound. He encourages his boy to pursue his dreams.  Wyatt could never have believed he would be so happy. He has the loving support of his daddy / husband who indulges him and allows him to be as bratty as he wants to be. I give this my ratings of 4 – lose the underwear.