Book Review & Giveaway: Six Degrees of Separation by Taylor V. Donovan

Title: Six Degrees of Separation
Series: By Degrees, Book 2
Author: Taylor V. Donovan
Genre: Romantic Suspense, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by author
Published: August 30, 2013 by Taylor V. Donovan

In the sequel to Six Degrees of Lust, F.B.I. team leader Samuel Shaughnessy and bar manager Machlan O’Bannon are exploring a new phase in their non-relationship. The intention is to take it slowly but power plays are still their favorite activity, and it isn’t long before lines begin blurring. After ending their friends with benefits agreement no rules are left in place to guide them, and soon enough the only thing that’s clear is that neither man is fighting hard enough to reestablish the boundaries.

Their particular situations haven’t improved in the three months since their first encounter. Sam is still focused on his immediate family issues, and everything indicates Mac will have to go to war with his own family before he can reclaim his freedom. The last thing they need is additional complications.

But when the opening of a night club brings Mac to New York City and a break in the Leviticus investigation leads Sam to Houston, they discover how closely their worlds have been connected from the very beginning. Hiding from the life-altering collision is not an option. Will they take the easier road and go their separate ways, or will they come to terms with their past and take a chance on each other?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Awesome continuation of a stellar romance with great secondary characters and strong suspense plot.

The Set Up: FBI Agent Sam Shaughnessy may be ready to pursue his relationship with Texan Mac O’Bannon but he first must make peace with his troubled past, including his ex-wife Gabi. Mac needs to be honest with Sam about his family situation as well. But in amongst the two men’s relationship changes, Sam and his FBI team are closing in on a serial killer targeting men who look like Mac’s friends.

Why I Read this Book: Loved book one (my review) and HAD to read book two as quickly as I could after finishing book one.

What I Liked: Book one set up Sam and Mac’s relationship but book two deepens it. We get the scorching lust in book one but book two adds the intense emotional intimacy. Instead of just the bedroom, Mac and Sam begin building a life as partners, such as Mac setting up a date for Sam and Sam’s overwhelmed reaction to this. I don’t want to spoil any of the emotional developments but I was so satisfied with Sam and Mac’s honest, open communication with each other which made the sex even hotter, in my opinion. I love that Sam finally acknowledges he has needs in regards to his relationship with Mac and how they both respond to this is stellar. The ending was magnificent between Sam and Mac but still leaves lots more meat-on-the-bone for future relationship progression.

What I Also Liked: I admitted in my review of book one that I was a tad overwhelmed with all the secondary characters but felt the ensemble cast hit its stride here in book two. I loved the backstory we get on Mac’s friends, especially Brax and Chris, along with Chris’s unrequited love interest, the Cajun chef, Remy. Sam’s FBI team members are awesome characters and I can tell there are some stories brewing there (I’m so “shipping” bad-ass Zane and straight-boy Duncan!) Even Sam’s abused sister, her son and Sam’s mom are good characters who showcase the complexity of Sam’s relationships. On Mac’s side we have some development with his rich, soap opera inspired family and their ongoing quest to keep him living in the closet. A new detective, Eric, from Houston is introduced here and his emails with Logan, Sam’s best friend, are the building blocks of a great relationship that I need today! I really grew to love this ensemble cast and can’t wait to read each of their stories—hopefully very soon!

The plot of the serial killer continues from book one and may be even more creepy here. Sam and his team get closer to the killer by following some of the killer’s mistakes, including attacking a young teenager, and this is suspenseful. Some of the descriptions of the murders are graphic, especially at novel’s end, but they all serve to further the plot and kept me riveted.

What I Didn’t Like: This is a series I almost wish I came to late so I had 8 or 10 books to catch up on. But with me reading an ARC of this book two, I have a looong time to wait for the next and in the immortal words of Jay-Z, “I got no patience and I hate waitin’.”

IMO: I know book one is expensive but each of these two novels are close to 400 pages long and well worth paying the full price. I loved the romance, the characters and the suspense plot and highly recommend it.

J9’s Rating:

 

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Thanks to Taylor V. Donovan, one lucky winner will receive digital copies of the series, which will include: Southern Winterland (Book 0.5), Six Degrees of Lust (Book 1), 60 Percent Proof (Book 1.5), and Six Degrees of Separation (Book 2). Good luck to all who enter!

• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years old or older to enter.
• Giveaway open Internationally. Void where prohibited by law.
• Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.
• See Rafflecopter form for information on how to enter this giveaway.
• Please read TBV's Giveaway Policy before entering.
• Giveaway ends 9:01 pm (Pacific Time) on 9/12/2013.

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