Bonds of Denial

Well, this one kind of came out of left field! I almost didn't read it when I heard there was no BDSM in it, given that it was part 5 in a series of books set in a BDSM club called The Den. This was the first M/M pairing so I hadn't read the other books, and you don't need to in order to enjoy this story. But after reading JustJen and Vallie's 5 star reviews, I was sold, BDSM or not.

34YO Rockford Fielding, ex-military man and Army brat, has denied his gay self since he was 14 years old. He works security at the BDSM club The Den where he spots the beautiful male escort Carter Montgomery and realizes he can't deny his gay tendencies any longer. He sees Carter as a perfect way to explore his gay side completely anonymously because of show more Carter's profession. This is the jumping off point of the book and the rest is a beautiful love story between these two unlikely characters. The build up was slow, the tension was high, the romance was sweet and the sex was Hot. As. Fire. I loved every minute!

Highly recommended for plain 'ol M/M romance fans everywhere. It's just a sweet love story between two good men. What they do for a living does not define either of them in any way, shape or form. show less

I'm very much in the minority here in not raving over this book. I did not read the other books in this series but I cannot see that it would have made a difference as this read like a stand alone. The author's premise for this story was a good one. Rock is a closeted ex-military man with tons of sexual identity doubts. Carter is a high priced escort that Rock hires in hopes of getting laid. Carter had a boat load of self esteem insecurities over his chosen profession. Almost all of the story was a series of "dates" with Rock struggling with his sexual identity and Carter playing the ever patient pal while struggling with his own problems. Now while Carter is a nice guy, I can't see a high priced escort, who is NOT getting paid, helping show more Rock overcome his insecurities. I was bored enough with the endless baby steps to wonder why the hell it was so important that Rock identify as gay. I felt that the pace of the story was very slow and there was not enough meat to the plot to keep my attention. I believe that this story would have made a much better short story. show less

This is the second time I read a gay romance from an author who is clearly experienced in writing heterosexual romances (this is part of a series, Wicked Play, which is mostly heterosexual aside from one story about a menages a trois), and to my surprise, I found the author managed to express the issue of a gay relationship in a very convincing way. This is probably due to the fact the focus of the story is the romance, and if you are open enough as a writer, and you don't bring yourself in the story, but write the point of view of your characters, it doesn't matter if they are straight, bisexual or gay, that is the strength of a writer.

Rockford "Rock" Fielding is a closed former military man, who is now working in the security field, show more and in particular at the Den, the BDSM club whose partners are more or less the main characters of the previous stories in the series. While the other stories are centered around the BDSM world, Bonds of Denial is far from it, the only link the way Rock meets Carter Montgomery. Carter is a high-paid escort, who frequents the Den as guest of one of the members. He underwent a background check performed by Rock who is now fascinated by the man, so much he decides to hire him from one night. Rock isn't considering that fascination can lead to love, and that he will be probably forced to finally come out of the closet.

Carter on the other side is almost at the end of his 10 years contract as an escort, and he is maybe considering his options; not that Rock is an easy getaway from is previous life, Carter is sincerely attracted by Rock, but maybe, more than before, Carter is free to consider a relationship as a possibility. It wasn't easy to have a boyfriend while you are an escort, but truth be told, Rock never lets Carter's job to interfere with their romance, if not for worrying about Carter when he is "on the job".

Very nice "hustler" romance, happily ever after and all. Both Carter than Rock's characters were complex enough to have the reader care for them, and I appreciate a lot the author didn't judge them, nor Carter for his work as an escort, or Rock for being still in the closet at 34.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GKBHJJ8/?tag=elimyrevandra-20 show less

Carter Montgomery and Rockford Fielding’s lives are similar yet very different. Twenty years have passed since a man has tempted Rock. Each night, he watches over the Den through his monitors as others fulfil their every desire. All the while denying his true desires; Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been a part of his life for so long. Even now with his prominent military career behind him those cravings go unfulfilled. That is until his growing fascination with a frequent guest at the Den snags his attention. Each time Carter visits the Den Rock’s fascinations grows.

Carter is weary when, with only four months left on his contract, he is assigned a new client. After a very awkward encounter with his new client, Rock, he is left show more feeling uncertain. The second date goes a little smoother but leaves both men wanting more. Deciding to see each other outside of the agency – is a first for both.

This book can be read as a stand-alone. I was impressed with this story. This is more than just your typical erotic romance, it has an incredible story and amazing dialogue. I was impressed with Lynda Aicher’s writing style. show less

This is a wonderful story where the heroes grow and change their point of view. It tenderly treats the love story as well as the issues one hero has when he finally acknowledges that he is gay and is then able to go on from there with his life. Well done!

Rock is deeply in the closet and has been watching Carter through survellience cameras at the Den for almost a year before he finally hires him as an escort. Carter has been an escort for almost ten years and isn't sure he's going to renew his contract once it's up. There's something about Rock and their connection that makes him offer to see Rock outside the bounds of escort services. There's lots of ups and downs as these two navigate the troubled waters of who they are and acceptance of themselves. Excellent read, I forgot how much I loved this author.
GLBT

Carter and Rock were fantastic characters. both sad and lonely with different issues and they came together so beautifully and I enjoyed them even when they were defensive and pushing each other away. The side characters were great as well.