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Inferno
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In Inferno, passion burns hotter than hell…
After the murder of a notorious rent boy in the relatively new gay nightclub Inferno, Moonlight Cove cop Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are presented with a bewildering array of suspects, all with links to the dead man.
Zack's chief suspect is arrogant club owner Dante Jardine, a man not so easy to unravel, and even more difficult to pin down. Soon the cops are knee-deep in bodies and Zack's priorities become more muddled the longer he is around Dante.
When his professional and personal lives begin to merge, Zack finds himself walking a dangerous road between being a good cop and giving in to his growing desire…
In Inferno, passion burns hotter than hell…
After the murder of a notorious rent boy in the relatively new gay nightclub Inferno, Moonlight Cove cop Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are presented with a bewildering array of suspects, all with links to the dead man.
Zack's chief suspect is arrogant club owner Dante Jardine, a man not so easy to unravel, and even more difficult to pin down. Soon the cops are knee-deep in bodies and Zack's priorities become more muddled the longer he is around Dante.
When his professional and personal lives begin to merge, Zack finds himself walking a dangerous road between being a good cop and giving in to his growing desire…
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
July 16, 2012
4,5 stars
Ami did all the words here (and snatched away my favorite testosterone-line...*sniffs indignantly*), so I thought...
You like sweet romance...
....knights in shining armour
...the air full of love and pink bubbles...
...sorry, this book is not for you!
What you get is...Luci and his fallen angels singing Halleluja...*coughs*...okay...
(NSFW!!!)
...a serial killer
...killing gay men at the nightclub
(just "Inferno", but I loved the pun with the name...)
police procedure/murder investigation...
(picture has a double meaning, you`ll see...)
...Zack, a beautiful closeted gay cop
working on the case with his partner Claire...
but unfortunately getting his brain cells maliciously short-circuited by raging hormones and his unruly dick...
...because of him, Dante, owner of Inferno, prime suspect and asshole par excellence
forbidden passion...
(no visible goodies but...)
I tried to put this under a spoiler tag, but GR didn`t let me...
...and the consequences
...tears
hope...
...tiramisu
Yum! (Zack and Dante had fun and I`m gaining weight just looking at it...)
...HEA?
Ami did all the words here (and snatched away my favorite testosterone-line...*sniffs indignantly*), so I thought...
You like sweet romance...
....knights in shining armour
...the air full of love and pink bubbles...
...sorry, this book is not for you!
What you get is...Luci and his fallen angels singing Halleluja...*coughs*...okay...
(NSFW!!!)
...a serial killer
...killing gay men at the nightclub
(just "Inferno", but I loved the pun with the name...)
police procedure/murder investigation...
(picture has a double meaning, you`ll see...)
...Zack, a beautiful closeted gay cop
working on the case with his partner Claire...
but unfortunately getting his brain cells maliciously short-circuited by raging hormones and his unruly dick...
...because of him, Dante, owner of Inferno, prime suspect and asshole par excellence
forbidden passion...
(no visible goodies but...)
I tried to put this under a spoiler tag, but GR didn`t let me...
...and the consequences
...tears
hope...
...tiramisu
Yum! (Zack and Dante had fun and I`m gaining weight just looking at it...)
...HEA?
July 18, 2012
I hugely enjoyed this book, and I give it five stars, but man, it's a weird hybrid.
Awesome sex. Hot, hard, I'm gonna push you over that desk and fuck you until you scream sex. An actual plot! A good one! And long! Hours and hours of happy reading. And a wonderfully nuanced and believable female secondary character who actually functions within the story as more than a romantic confidant.
Well worth the price.
Awesome sex. Hot, hard, I'm gonna push you over that desk and fuck you until you scream sex. An actual plot! A good one! And long! Hours and hours of happy reading. And a wonderfully nuanced and believable female secondary character who actually functions within the story as more than a romantic confidant.
Well worth the price.
September 30, 2014
Written March 25, 2014
4 1/2 Stars - breathless with excitement, intensity and sizzling incredible heat
A few words was enought: It was a *Swoon & OMG* book for Gina (5 stars). When she says 'that', it's usually a very great read for me as well. ~ It was the right assumption, again. (...Now I know who to shadow.)
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
The detective Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are investigating a murder case in the relatively new nightclub Inferno. The club owner Dante Jardine, former cop and openly gay, is a dangerous goodlooking man and the attraction is there immedetly. It almost drools from several directions...
These two cops, Zack and Claire, gets more raw cases to investigate and basically all the characters here are suspected killers, including the spellbinding nightclub owner Dante.
Suspected murderer or not - Zack can not resist the temptation. It is desire and sweaty bodies and a nightclub full of gay guys. Our detective, who partially still is in the closet, he becomes completely absorbed by all desire, and he gladly steps in the office on Inferno's third floor.
It's intense, rough and mostly about frustrated emotions and huge needs. This isn't in anyway sweet and tender. Inferno is mostly about quick loveless heat and steam. Men is fu***ng men as h@rny bunnies in the nights in the dark corners in the Inferno nightclub (or in Dante's office..).
This story is raw and it's about to buy or sell sex, need for drugs and drinks, to take or to be taken, dark sex-smelling rooms in the nightclub and also fear for HIV. Basically everyone is angry, frustrated, secretive and shamelessly brazen. Add to that; ugly daring in both ways and in their tongue.
...And then suddenly it happened - it was so very heartbreaking sweet also.
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
It was so much hassle and puffing. The story wandered back and forth, there was uncertainty and hard harsh words, and terrible crime events. I had to wait a long time for a little romance, but my god it was worth it. ~ There are certainly a whole lot to say about these two men.
# Zack, the cop, and our more traditional hero, took many stupid decisions, was spiky and irascible. Sometimes I had the urge to yell at him (as his lovely colleague Claire also rightly did, eventually). Sometimes I just wanted to hug and comfort him. He was completely captivated by the incredibly hot and utterly unscrupulous Dante.
# Dante, well gee, he was not the easiest man to love, even if everyone had dire lust after him. Corrupt, heartless and ruthless. But finally we got to see him, the nice, warm and sensitive side, and what I loved him to the end. A man worth trying to conquer. Zack really took the right decision when he finally decided.
...oh Dante, you seduced me too.
Want to read a tough, slightly raw and incredibly steamy hot novel - don't miss picking up this crime-romance. It sizzles and bubbles of steamy heat from the first to the last page.
- Dante is, what a dear GR friend usually call those unforgettable, masculine, hot alpha men; he is a genuine larger-than-life hero..
- Zane is another gorgeous main character. He is brave, willing, needy, humane and so gracious (..and his Puck.. **swoon** - I so wanted to see him too ).
A beautiful deliciously messy couple. ~ I wish I could peek through the keyhole .
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
I'm completely exhausted and forgive any minor flaws and the MC's manners in the beggining. Inferno is such amazing thrilling book. I just must round up my stars to five. They are sparkling...
I LIKE - awesome, hot and totally captivating
~~~~~~~~~
Big Thanks to dear Gina, you made it possible!
4 1/2 Stars - breathless with excitement, intensity and sizzling incredible heat
A few words was enought: It was a *Swoon & OMG* book for Gina (5 stars). When she says 'that', it's usually a very great read for me as well. ~ It was the right assumption, again. (...Now I know who to shadow.)
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
The detective Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are investigating a murder case in the relatively new nightclub Inferno. The club owner Dante Jardine, former cop and openly gay, is a dangerous goodlooking man and the attraction is there immedetly. It almost drools from several directions...
“You're a terrible tease.”
“I don't tease, I deliver,” Dante said. “You'll see."
These two cops, Zack and Claire, gets more raw cases to investigate and basically all the characters here are suspected killers, including the spellbinding nightclub owner Dante.
Suspected murderer or not - Zack can not resist the temptation. It is desire and sweaty bodies and a nightclub full of gay guys. Our detective, who partially still is in the closet, he becomes completely absorbed by all desire, and he gladly steps in the office on Inferno's third floor.
‘They ground their bodies slowly against the other and the kiss became the most heart-stopping, soul-destroying meeting of mouths Zack had ever known.’
It's intense, rough and mostly about frustrated emotions and huge needs. This isn't in anyway sweet and tender. Inferno is mostly about quick loveless heat and steam. Men is fu***ng men as h@rny bunnies in the nights in the dark corners in the Inferno nightclub (or in Dante's office..).
This story is raw and it's about to buy or sell sex, need for drugs and drinks, to take or to be taken, dark sex-smelling rooms in the nightclub and also fear for HIV. Basically everyone is angry, frustrated, secretive and shamelessly brazen. Add to that; ugly daring in both ways and in their tongue.
...And then suddenly it happened - it was so very heartbreaking sweet also.
‘With his breath caught in his throat, Zack lifted his finger. He wrapped it gently around Dante's. The two of them stood side by side staring out over the the dance floor with fingers entwinted like a pinky swear and Zack more than a little in love.’
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
It was so much hassle and puffing. The story wandered back and forth, there was uncertainty and hard harsh words, and terrible crime events. I had to wait a long time for a little romance, but my god it was worth it. ~ There are certainly a whole lot to say about these two men.
# Zack, the cop, and our more traditional hero, took many stupid decisions, was spiky and irascible. Sometimes I had the urge to yell at him (as his lovely colleague Claire also rightly did, eventually). Sometimes I just wanted to hug and comfort him. He was completely captivated by the incredibly hot and utterly unscrupulous Dante.
# Dante, well gee, he was not the easiest man to love, even if everyone had dire lust after him. Corrupt, heartless and ruthless. But finally we got to see him, the nice, warm and sensitive side, and what I loved him to the end. A man worth trying to conquer. Zack really took the right decision when he finally decided.
...oh Dante, you seduced me too.
‘Zack threw an arm around his neck and hung on. “It's not not meaningless,” he said into Dante's ear. “Not anymore.”
Want to read a tough, slightly raw and incredibly steamy hot novel - don't miss picking up this crime-romance. It sizzles and bubbles of steamy heat from the first to the last page.
- Dante is, what a dear GR friend usually call those unforgettable, masculine, hot alpha men; he is a genuine larger-than-life hero..
- Zane is another gorgeous main character. He is brave, willing, needy, humane and so gracious (..and his Puck.. **swoon** - I so wanted to see him too ).
A beautiful deliciously messy couple. ~ I wish I could peek through the keyhole .
~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~
I'm completely exhausted and forgive any minor flaws and the MC's manners in the beggining. Inferno is such amazing thrilling book. I just must round up my stars to five. They are sparkling...
I LIKE - awesome, hot and totally captivating
~~~~~~~~~
Big Thanks to dear Gina, you made it possible!
July 16, 2012
Scarlet Blackwell's stories are my weakness or guilty pleasure, depends on how you see it. She could give me anything, and I would still read hers. I think she has broken every single rule of theme I usually avoid in a romance story -- she probably will write about tentacle sex or beast sex and I'd still read them *lol*.
This full length novel (first one in awhile after strings of novellas and shorts) is one of her better stories. It has the formula that makes me come back for her time and time again: PRICK characters who's border in being kings of ass-holes, deliciously intense chemistry (and the testosterone drip -- words courtesy of Sims :p -- is insane!) and HOT SMUT (I swear, I took a long shower after their second interlude).
The story is written mainly from Zack's point of view. He's the detective whose strong attraction towards the Inferno club owner, Dante, makes Zack trying so hard to pin the murders on Dante. In one of those stupid things you will probably condemn police officers to do, in the middle of murder investigation, Zack acts on his sexual tension with Dante. Yes, yes, stupid but OMFG so frickin' HOT. And trust me, that's not the only stupid thing Zack does; but he can always claim that lust drives him insane *grin*.
Dante is so fucked up (he's an ex cop who has been abused in his childhood, and has trust issues, and pretty much fucks anything that moves -- and such an ass-hole), it's actually a delight to read him. I like the secondary character, mainly Zack's partner, Claire. It's nice not having a bitchy female in a book.
The murder investigation is pretty good. There's a list of suspects and the murderer kills the people on the list one by one. The police procedural portion takes around 3/4 part of the book. There's a slight "oops" that ends the first part, with Dante acting like the prick that he is ().
The last 1/4 part is mainly the 'romance' part, with Zack tries to win Dante's heart. The part where Zack makes Dante jealous, again leads to some HOT sex (*fans self*). And the one where Zack tries to make Dante gets out with him on a dinner date is adorable.
The ending is cute -- I love the Midsummer Night's Ball competition. I know it's probably a bit over-the-top cheesy, but it helps Zack shakes Dante a bit, so I'm good :p.
While the true HEA might not be believable -- what with Zack's job as detective and Dante having trouble with the concept of fidelity before -- it warms my heart anyway.
One thing for sure, I will probably re-read few chapters of this story for these items alone: tiramisu and police crime scene tape (sigh)
PS: For review with PICTURES, check out Simsala's :D
This full length novel (first one in awhile after strings of novellas and shorts) is one of her better stories. It has the formula that makes me come back for her time and time again: PRICK characters who's border in being kings of ass-holes, deliciously intense chemistry (and the testosterone drip -- words courtesy of Sims :p -- is insane!) and HOT SMUT (I swear, I took a long shower after their second interlude).
The story is written mainly from Zack's point of view. He's the detective whose strong attraction towards the Inferno club owner, Dante, makes Zack trying so hard to pin the murders on Dante. In one of those stupid things you will probably condemn police officers to do, in the middle of murder investigation, Zack acts on his sexual tension with Dante. Yes, yes, stupid but OMFG so frickin' HOT. And trust me, that's not the only stupid thing Zack does; but he can always claim that lust drives him insane *grin*.
Dante is so fucked up (he's an ex cop who has been abused in his childhood, and has trust issues, and pretty much fucks anything that moves -- and such an ass-hole), it's actually a delight to read him. I like the secondary character, mainly Zack's partner, Claire. It's nice not having a bitchy female in a book.
The murder investigation is pretty good. There's a list of suspects and the murderer kills the people on the list one by one. The police procedural portion takes around 3/4 part of the book. There's a slight "oops" that ends the first part, with Dante acting like the prick that he is ().
The last 1/4 part is mainly the 'romance' part, with Zack tries to win Dante's heart. The part where Zack makes Dante jealous, again leads to some HOT sex (*fans self*). And the one where Zack tries to make Dante gets out with him on a dinner date is adorable.
The ending is cute -- I love the Midsummer Night's Ball competition. I know it's probably a bit over-the-top cheesy, but it helps Zack shakes Dante a bit, so I'm good :p.
While the true HEA might not be believable -- what with Zack's job as detective and Dante having trouble with the concept of fidelity before -- it warms my heart anyway.
One thing for sure, I will probably re-read few chapters of this story for these items alone: tiramisu and police crime scene tape (sigh)
PS: For review with PICTURES, check out Simsala's :D
May 16, 2013
Updated May 2013. Buddy re-read for me with Monique, Kris, Macky, Ijeoma, Sara, Lily and Adriane. Enjoyed it Ladies, many thanks. 5 stars and a Huge
This is a terrific book, full of twists and turns...did he, didn't he, will they, won't they?? Dante and Zack were an extremely hot couple
, red hot sex, and it has to be said, a fair few temper tantrums on Dante's part...but you'll forgive him when you discover his background. Zack did come across as fairly arrogant to start, but when he locked eyes with Dante
, the game was over..he'd had it 
...it was lurve people!! There were characters in this book that I didn't particularly like...cop Michael Miller who was Zack's former f**k Buddy and firmly in the closet like Zack himself, the murderer (well, duh!!), Ben, Donovan...oh dear, most of them ended up dead didn't they, tut tut?? The character I liked the most was Claire, Zack's partner, she was wonderful, so supportive of Zack even when because of his actions, their case against the murderer and probably their jobs were going down the toilet...she still stood up for him and tried to tell him it would all work out...great to have friends like that!!
September 28, 2014
This was super hot, but the story meandered. The first half focuses on a murder investigation and police procedures, with one of the MCs, Zack, a closeted detective, fucking the main suspect, Dante, the owner of the nightclub where a young rent boy/junkie is strangled.
As the homocides pile up, the investigation drags on. Zack compromises the investigation by screwing Dante in Dante's office. The police procedures (obtaining sensitive medical information without a warrant, for example) were a joke. The actions of the suspects were also ridiculous. Who would keep coming back to a club where a murder (and eventually multiple murders) took place? I would imagine all the clientele would stay away, particularly the three who had known the first murder victim and been investigated by the police.
I never got a good handle on Zack or Dante. Dante, in particular, wasn't very likable. He was cold and distant, and I didn't believe he could be faithful. He took stupid risks and didn't defend himself at all during the investigation, which wasn't believable despite his childhood and background.
The last 30 percent of the book took a nosedive into angst and drama and tears, none of which gelled with the first half. The last two chapters were sweet, but it was too little, too late.
I liked the steam between the MCs (could have done without the vivid descriptions of Dante fucking dozens of other men), and I liked Claire, Zack's partner.
The who-done-it become obvious and was resolved easily.
Also, I wish British authors would set their books in England or in a place with which they're familiar. This story, supposedly set in California, did NOT feel like California. There was no meat to the setting at all.
Even though I'm bitching, I'm still giving it 3 stars because the story WAS original and KINKY and mostly enjoyable. Plus, I liked the idea of Zack in that fairy costume restrained with police tape.
As the homocides pile up, the investigation drags on. Zack compromises the investigation by screwing Dante in Dante's office. The police procedures (obtaining sensitive medical information without a warrant, for example) were a joke. The actions of the suspects were also ridiculous. Who would keep coming back to a club where a murder (and eventually multiple murders) took place? I would imagine all the clientele would stay away, particularly the three who had known the first murder victim and been investigated by the police.
I never got a good handle on Zack or Dante. Dante, in particular, wasn't very likable. He was cold and distant, and I didn't believe he could be faithful. He took stupid risks and didn't defend himself at all during the investigation, which wasn't believable despite his childhood and background.
The last 30 percent of the book took a nosedive into angst and drama and tears, none of which gelled with the first half. The last two chapters were sweet, but it was too little, too late.
I liked the steam between the MCs (could have done without the vivid descriptions of Dante fucking dozens of other men), and I liked Claire, Zack's partner.
The who-done-it become obvious and was resolved easily.
Also, I wish British authors would set their books in England or in a place with which they're familiar. This story, supposedly set in California, did NOT feel like California. There was no meat to the setting at all.
Even though I'm bitching, I'm still giving it 3 stars because the story WAS original and KINKY and mostly enjoyable. Plus, I liked the idea of Zack in that fairy costume restrained with police tape.
May 16, 2013
15/5/2013 Reread ( third time) and Buddy read with :
Monique
Ijeoma
Kris
Sara
Lily
Adriane
Bev
This is my original review I read this non stop in one sitting, then as soon as I'd finished it I went back to the beginning and read it again! Honestly. Fantastic! A proper m/m crime/romance full of twists, turns, ups and downs. Sexy, exciting, SIZZLING chemistry between the two male leads that jumps of the page, a great plot that keeps the tension wound up to maximum, serial murders, obsession, hot hot sex and some of the best secondary characters in a gay fiction book that I've ever come across! It was great to see a woman in a m/m romance actually given a main role that enhanced the story, not just portrayed as the background family member ( mum, sister etc ), jealous ex of the closeted gay guy or the proverbial gay guys BFF!There were times in the story when I didn't know if it could or would ever be resolved and the shocking choices made by both the main guys and the inevitable outcomes had me on the edge of my seat all the way to it's fabulous, perfect conclusion. Absolutely brilliant!
edit after buddy read .. 15/5/2013
Well as they say third times a charm! Not going to add much to my original review because first impressions always count and those were mine. All I can add is I enjoyed and loved it just as much as the first and second time around,! Hot, exciting and at times exasperating as hell. Zack and Dante i'll be getting all hot and bothered with you again sometime in the future. Scarlet you rock! Thanks girls for another great buddy read, its always a pleasure with friends like these!
Monique
Ijeoma
Kris
Sara
Lily
Adriane
Bev
This is my original review I read this non stop in one sitting, then as soon as I'd finished it I went back to the beginning and read it again! Honestly. Fantastic! A proper m/m crime/romance full of twists, turns, ups and downs. Sexy, exciting, SIZZLING chemistry between the two male leads that jumps of the page, a great plot that keeps the tension wound up to maximum, serial murders, obsession, hot hot sex and some of the best secondary characters in a gay fiction book that I've ever come across! It was great to see a woman in a m/m romance actually given a main role that enhanced the story, not just portrayed as the background family member ( mum, sister etc ), jealous ex of the closeted gay guy or the proverbial gay guys BFF!There were times in the story when I didn't know if it could or would ever be resolved and the shocking choices made by both the main guys and the inevitable outcomes had me on the edge of my seat all the way to it's fabulous, perfect conclusion. Absolutely brilliant!
edit after buddy read .. 15/5/2013
Well as they say third times a charm! Not going to add much to my original review because first impressions always count and those were mine. All I can add is I enjoyed and loved it just as much as the first and second time around,! Hot, exciting and at times exasperating as hell. Zack and Dante i'll be getting all hot and bothered with you again sometime in the future. Scarlet you rock! Thanks girls for another great buddy read, its always a pleasure with friends like these!
August 7, 2016
So I think this is my first Scarlet Blackwell read. It was a hot sexy read, an okay read and a boggling read (well in the last quarter of the book) because it seems like the author wrote 3 books in 1. So I was stumped on how to rate Inferno. So I'm breaking my review in thirds to try and work out a summary rating.
Follow along if you will:
Inferno based on the premise--FIVE STARS
A serial killer is on the loose and Detective Zack, a still-in-the-closet cop is mostly aroused but dissatisfied. (Seriously a stiff breeze would have turned him on...and this is before the ever-arousing Dante) There's a murder of a rent boy at Dante's club 'Inferno' and based on his strong attraction to Dante, Zack's prime suspect. The author shows Zacks struggle with his attraction to Dante. This good cop's about to go bad. And Dante...he is a little anti-hero-ish, the devil incarnate? Not really but he plays Zack like a fiddle and makes one great antagonist for this book. I liked that. I liked the steamy buildup, Zack having Dante sex nightmares/wet dreams, jerking off at all hours of the day cause he's consumed with Dante. Oh yeah me likey.
But see then...
Inferno based the actual delivery of 'suspense'--THREE STARS
The suspense was not as strong as I felt it started off in the story. I easily guessed the serial killer and . But hey there is Dante, who's violet eyes, big...staff ;) and honey lip gloss (complete with gloss stick) helps soothes Zack's fears) But Dante can't carry this lackluster finish of the serial killer 'suspense'.
But wait the story's not finished. Then there's...
Inferno based the last quarter of the book--TWO STARS
It's a drama glitter stew with bitch slapping, excessive tears, tiramisu sex games or foul play (depends on who you ask), a fairy costume pageant(no I'm not making this up!) gold hotpants, glitter lip gloss & strawberry flavored lube!
How in the hell did Zack start "Inferno" like this:
And then ends the story like this:
*scratches head* Um...WTF? Did a secret alien ship of drag queens abduct trapped-in-the-closet!Zack and exchange him with:
a gold lamé hot pants and miniskirt wearing, diva-like!Zack?
<~~~~my face for the last 25% of this book.
Now I appreciate a good hot gold lamé pant like the next girl but um...I think we've crossed into the land of overkill, population one (well maybe Zack's fellow pageant contestants are receiving their work visas there too) where slaps and tears are delivered like candy.
So in conclusion, I've learned tiramisu can be used as a sex toy, how to appreciate a good bitch slap and apparently I need to go pick up a pair of gold hot pants cause it brings all the boys to the yard, it works for Zack's yard (Kelis, apparently had it wrong, it's not milkshakes but gold lamé and glitter lip gloss brings the boys to the yard)
So what's the average rating? On Planet Drama, this book probably scores 10 honey lip glosses and a tiara (stars are so last season) but here on Earth, I'm rating it 3.25 STARS
Follow along if you will:
Inferno based on the premise--FIVE STARS
A serial killer is on the loose and Detective Zack, a still-in-the-closet cop is mostly aroused but dissatisfied. (Seriously a stiff breeze would have turned him on...and this is before the ever-arousing Dante) There's a murder of a rent boy at Dante's club 'Inferno' and based on his strong attraction to Dante, Zack's prime suspect. The author shows Zacks struggle with his attraction to Dante. This good cop's about to go bad. And Dante...he is a little anti-hero-ish, the devil incarnate? Not really but he plays Zack like a fiddle and makes one great antagonist for this book. I liked that. I liked the steamy buildup, Zack having Dante sex nightmares/wet dreams, jerking off at all hours of the day cause he's consumed with Dante. Oh yeah me likey.
But see then...
Inferno based the actual delivery of 'suspense'--THREE STARS
The suspense was not as strong as I felt it started off in the story. I easily guessed the serial killer and . But hey there is Dante, who's violet eyes, big...staff ;) and honey lip gloss (complete with gloss stick) helps soothes Zack's fears) But Dante can't carry this lackluster finish of the serial killer 'suspense'.
But wait the story's not finished. Then there's...
Inferno based the last quarter of the book--TWO STARS
It's a drama glitter stew with bitch slapping, excessive tears, tiramisu sex games or foul play (depends on who you ask), a fairy costume pageant(no I'm not making this up!) gold hotpants, glitter lip gloss & strawberry flavored lube!
How in the hell did Zack start "Inferno" like this:
And then ends the story like this:
*scratches head* Um...WTF? Did a secret alien ship of drag queens abduct trapped-in-the-closet!Zack and exchange him with:
a gold lamé hot pants and miniskirt wearing, diva-like!Zack?
<~~~~my face for the last 25% of this book. Now I appreciate a good hot gold lamé pant like the next girl but um...I think we've crossed into the land of overkill, population one (well maybe Zack's fellow pageant contestants are receiving their work visas there too) where slaps and tears are delivered like candy.
So in conclusion, I've learned tiramisu can be used as a sex toy, how to appreciate a good bitch slap and apparently I need to go pick up a pair of gold hot pants cause it brings all the boys to the yard, it works for Zack's yard (Kelis, apparently had it wrong, it's not milkshakes but gold lamé and glitter lip gloss brings the boys to the yard)
So what's the average rating? On Planet Drama, this book probably scores 10 honey lip glosses and a tiara (stars are so last season) but here on Earth, I'm rating it 3.25 STARS
July 8, 2013
OK, I went in with my eyes wide open, knowing exactly what to expect with this book, a classic among M/M romance/suspense books that is dearly loved by the vast majority of my GR friends. I knew it was a harsh love story between two deeply flawed characters but that the sex was smoking hot and that the story was riveting. I have been saving this one for months for the perfect time, an unhurried weekend with no interruptions. I finally got the chance over the 4th of July weekend up at a cabin with 48 hours of no TV, no computer, just beer, the lake, fireworks and a hammock.
I didn't like it! And if I am not mistaken, this is the first book I can officially label "Everyone Liked it But Me" so I believe I will start a shelf with that name. I did not like MC Zach, the closeted cop who threw his career away for MC Dante, who I really did not like, an ex Vice cop and current gay bar Inferno owner. I didn't feel their connection in the beginning, a kind of "insta-lust" in Zach's eyes that ruined his life. I didn't think the sex was all that and a bag of chips. The murder mystery, while well done and entertaining, was not what I really wanted to read. *shrugs* I don't know how to explain it other than, it wasn't for me.
Instead of turning you away from this book, I am going to recommend you read reviews from others because I pretty much stand alone in not liking this. Maybe the fact that I just read The Final Line, Kendall McKenna has ruined me for all other M/M romance? Man, how much would THAT suck?
I didn't like it! And if I am not mistaken, this is the first book I can officially label "Everyone Liked it But Me" so I believe I will start a shelf with that name. I did not like MC Zach, the closeted cop who threw his career away for MC Dante, who I really did not like, an ex Vice cop and current gay bar Inferno owner. I didn't feel their connection in the beginning, a kind of "insta-lust" in Zach's eyes that ruined his life. I didn't think the sex was all that and a bag of chips. The murder mystery, while well done and entertaining, was not what I really wanted to read. *shrugs* I don't know how to explain it other than, it wasn't for me.
Instead of turning you away from this book, I am going to recommend you read reviews from others because I pretty much stand alone in not liking this. Maybe the fact that I just read The Final Line, Kendall McKenna has ruined me for all other M/M romance? Man, how much would THAT suck?
July 15, 2012
This is Scarlet Blackwell doing what she does best: delicious, morally ambiguous alpha males who act like assholes, fuck passionately, and generally do everything in an over-the-top manner. I liked that the mystery part of this story didn't get lost in the shuffle. I'm a big fan of detective novels, and this worked pretty well as a police procedural. The detectives do actual detective work, and when things go south, there are real consequences. It's not a perfect book, but I had a great time reading it. Sometimes that's all I ask for.
May 10, 2013
This was my first Scarlet Blackwell book and I was blown away just from the beginning.
There is a gay cop who is still in the closet and there is an ultra sexy murder suspect and the unavoidable getting together of the two. And then there is a good mystery to solve.
Does male hotness have a name? Yes, a name with five letters:
D A N T E
Poor beautiful looking-for-love Zack has absolutely no chance to not fall for this bastard, the hot as hell asshole par excellence!
What I really loved about the book is the fine balance between the murder and romance elements. These books are so hard to come by.... this one is excellent written! I just couldn't put it down and had to keep reading... Definitely recommend this one.
June 25, 2013
Need to say this book does have situations of rape in it so if you are sensitive to that just a heads up. I loved this book. Loved the story the sex was freaken hot, and Dante wow just melted me. I felt for him, I thought he was an ass, and I still wanted him. But in the end it is so much more clearer on his back story, I would've loved more. Zack was a mess when it came to Dante. I really would love more of these 2 men. And more to Dante. 4.5 flaming hot stars for Dante and his Inferno!
Zack
Zack
November 20, 2014
In Inferno, passion burns hotter than hell and its true.If you are looking for sappy romance,lovable heroes and fascinating sidekicks this book is not for you.
But if you wanna read about rough sizzling passion.
Tug of war between hate and love.
A Good story with one after another victims of
Here
Read this book.
I really loved this story,it got me hooked from the first page.Though the ending was a bit rushed but did have a intriguing plot.
Zack Stewart Moonlight Cove cop
Was presented with a bewildering array of suspects, all with links to the dead man, in Inferno new gay nightclub. Zack's chief suspect is arrogant club owner.
Dante Jardine,
A man not so easy to unravel, and even more difficult to pin down.
But soon the bodies start piling and Zack's priorities become more muddled the longer he is around Dante. When his professional and personal lives begin to merge,how can Zack stop himself to give in to the temptation when he never felt such attraction before.
So
So if you like Jerk as a hero and nice mystery,read this like now!!!
But if you wanna read about rough sizzling passion.
Tug of war between hate and love.
A Good story with one after another victims of
Here
Read this book.
I really loved this story,it got me hooked from the first page.Though the ending was a bit rushed but did have a intriguing plot.
Zack Stewart Moonlight Cove cop
Was presented with a bewildering array of suspects, all with links to the dead man, in Inferno new gay nightclub. Zack's chief suspect is arrogant club owner.
Dante Jardine,
A man not so easy to unravel, and even more difficult to pin down.
But soon the bodies start piling and Zack's priorities become more muddled the longer he is around Dante. When his professional and personal lives begin to merge,how can Zack stop himself to give in to the temptation when he never felt such attraction before.
So
So if you like Jerk as a hero and nice mystery,read this like now!!!
July 23, 2012
This book was a mass of contradictions. And you know, I really didn't give a flying flip. It often made no sense what-so-ever, and was all kinds of all over the place. At the 80% mark, I was dumbfounded as to who the hell these characters were and what they had done with the guys from the other 4/5ths of the book. Then at 92% when Zack was donning golden glitter, shimmering lip gloss, and diamante pearls around his eyes I gave up all pretense of caring what was going on. The last 20% of the book was so damn much fun, I couldn't bring myself to be bothered that it totally did not make a lick of sense with the rest of it. So there you have it. Buy it, read it, love it. And at the end when you find yourself transported into a world of fairies, angels and pixies, just sit back and enjoy the ride. This might be the love affair of the century after all.
August 4, 2016
What in the ridiculous fuck did I just read?
I recently read a great romantic suspense and thought I would keep that momentum going and since this one had some great ratings, I though I would give this one a go. This book is EXACTLY what I can't stand about this genre. While it had a good premise and actually a good little mystery going the bumbling police cumfuckery and OTT relationship between the MC's fucked this shit up for me.
Zack, who is a police Detective, is investigating a murder in Dante's club. Of course, immediately upon seeing Dante, Zack is overcome with lust and it's insta-magic boner time (insert epic eye rolling). So much lust, that he makes Dante suspect numero uno and does everything he can to pin the murder on Dante. The kid who was murdered, Cory, was a prostitute, a intravenous drug user and HIV positive. It comes out during the course of the investigation that Dante fucked Cory multiple times and though they had protected sex he did not know Cory had HIV. Though he had previously lied about his relationship with the murder victim and the evidence against him is piling up....this does not stop Zach...a COP....from fucking Dante (his #1 suspect) in his office and leaving the 'sticky' physical evidence behind while his partner is right downstairs. Their sexual encounter turns Zach into an obsessed little bitch in heat for Dante. He finds out that Dante had fucked MULTIPLE men with HIV and many others....and yet this does not stop him from riding Dante like a bull at every opportunity. Dante tells him he must wear a condom even for a bj and rim job....Zach (the decorated COP) still fights Dante about wearing protection because "I wanna taste you". Ugh. Obviously, the dumbass gets himself caught and him, his partner and a colleague all try to cover up Zach's involvement with Dante so that the killer doesn't go free. So Zack and his friends all conspire to hide and destroy evidence. Even though Zach's career and those of his co-workers is on the line because of his last explosive cum drop, Zach still goes back to the magic dick and leaves MORE physical evidence that yup you guessed it, has to be disposed of after being used by the killer to plant evidence. Then wonders never cease....they are all caught, the killer fucking walks, Zach and colleagues careers are destroyed. Despite Dante still admittedly spreading that magic dick around to anyone who wants him, Zach still is like a dog with a bone (hahaha see what I did there?) and starts to stalk and beg Dante for some attention. Then cuz this is fiction of course, Zach miraculously gets his job handed back to him despite telling the POLICE COMMISSIONER he was salivating for Dante's cock and that's why he messed up but then uses his sexuality and non-existant sexual discrimination to get out of trouble...gets his job back for him and his colleagues and all is forgiven cuz everyone understands going crazy for good cock. FUCK YOU Ms. Blackwell. Jesus. I have never read a more convoluted, contrived and idiotic story. Ok, ok, I'm sure I have but DAMN. I kept reading thinking it would get better. This book could not be this highly rated by so many people. Everything about this fucking catastrophe is OTT and ridiculous. The sex was kinda hot but all I could think about was how fucking pathetic and idiotic Zach was for risking his and his friends careers not to mention, his fucking health on a guy who treated him like shit just because he dicked him down so good (this is actually mentioned as a reason for his obsession). Dante always wore protection but through to the end of the book neither Dante or Zach ever went to get tested DESPITE DANTE FUCKING MULTIPLE MEN WITH HIV. Fuck this book, man.
Only thing good about it....I learned a alternate use for dental dam *wink, wink*.
I recently read a great romantic suspense and thought I would keep that momentum going and since this one had some great ratings, I though I would give this one a go. This book is EXACTLY what I can't stand about this genre. While it had a good premise and actually a good little mystery going the bumbling police cumfuckery and OTT relationship between the MC's fucked this shit up for me.
Zack, who is a police Detective, is investigating a murder in Dante's club. Of course, immediately upon seeing Dante, Zack is overcome with lust and it's insta-magic boner time (insert epic eye rolling). So much lust, that he makes Dante suspect numero uno and does everything he can to pin the murder on Dante. The kid who was murdered, Cory, was a prostitute, a intravenous drug user and HIV positive. It comes out during the course of the investigation that Dante fucked Cory multiple times and though they had protected sex he did not know Cory had HIV. Though he had previously lied about his relationship with the murder victim and the evidence against him is piling up....this does not stop Zach...a COP....from fucking Dante (his #1 suspect) in his office and leaving the 'sticky' physical evidence behind while his partner is right downstairs. Their sexual encounter turns Zach into an obsessed little bitch in heat for Dante. He finds out that Dante had fucked MULTIPLE men with HIV and many others....and yet this does not stop him from riding Dante like a bull at every opportunity. Dante tells him he must wear a condom even for a bj and rim job....Zach (the decorated COP) still fights Dante about wearing protection because "I wanna taste you". Ugh. Obviously, the dumbass gets himself caught and him, his partner and a colleague all try to cover up Zach's involvement with Dante so that the killer doesn't go free. So Zack and his friends all conspire to hide and destroy evidence. Even though Zach's career and those of his co-workers is on the line because of his last explosive cum drop, Zach still goes back to the magic dick and leaves MORE physical evidence that yup you guessed it, has to be disposed of after being used by the killer to plant evidence. Then wonders never cease....they are all caught, the killer fucking walks, Zach and colleagues careers are destroyed. Despite Dante still admittedly spreading that magic dick around to anyone who wants him, Zach still is like a dog with a bone (hahaha see what I did there?) and starts to stalk and beg Dante for some attention. Then cuz this is fiction of course, Zach miraculously gets his job handed back to him despite telling the POLICE COMMISSIONER he was salivating for Dante's cock and that's why he messed up but then uses his sexuality and non-existant sexual discrimination to get out of trouble...gets his job back for him and his colleagues and all is forgiven cuz everyone understands going crazy for good cock. FUCK YOU Ms. Blackwell. Jesus. I have never read a more convoluted, contrived and idiotic story. Ok, ok, I'm sure I have but DAMN. I kept reading thinking it would get better. This book could not be this highly rated by so many people. Everything about this fucking catastrophe is OTT and ridiculous. The sex was kinda hot but all I could think about was how fucking pathetic and idiotic Zach was for risking his and his friends careers not to mention, his fucking health on a guy who treated him like shit just because he dicked him down so good (this is actually mentioned as a reason for his obsession). Dante always wore protection but through to the end of the book neither Dante or Zach ever went to get tested DESPITE DANTE FUCKING MULTIPLE MEN WITH HIV. Fuck this book, man.
Only thing good about it....I learned a alternate use for dental dam *wink, wink*.
August 21, 2012
4.5*
Review time! So, I had a good night's sleep so I'm ready to review. Zack and Dante, my two darlings. Right away, this book grabs you because of the witty banter between Zack and his partner, Claire. Zack and Claire are two detectives assigned to investigate the murder of a gay man at Dante's club, The Inferno. The attraction between Zack and Dante is immediate. Dante is tall, dark, HAWT, aloof, gorgeous, a true alpha male. Zack compares him to Lucifer, himself. Zack is no slacker in the looks department either, and attracts lots of attention from the club patrons when he goes to investigate, but the only man he can see is Dante and he is totally out of his depth with him. Because of this, he acts completely out of character - aggressive, belligerent and unprofessional. But cut the man some slack, people! Dante was melting my kindle, so imagine poor Zack going up against that in person.
Dante makes no apologies for his sexual appetite or for the fact that he frequents the back room of his club (this makes for a very funny interrogation) and it's all Zack can do to pay attention to Claire's questions, instead of fantasizing about Dante doing all kinds of sinful things to him. Needless to say, this causes serious problems. Zack, in his refusal to acknowledge his feelings for Dante, seems intent on pinning the murder on him. Yes, there is lots of circumstantial evidence, but no amount of logical deduction from Claire can sway him. A first arrest (made in the backroom of the club no less) gets thrown out, but reveals that Dante had sex with the victim the night of the murder (something he's negelected to mention). Zack arrests him, it gets thrown out, they butt heads in the interrogation room and the ride begins! Literally. Because, somehow Zack grows a pair, storms into Dante's office at the club and they do the horizontal tango on Dante's desk. Color me daggone ecstatic.
Yes, yes, I can hear you now. Zack isn't the most ethical of cops (sleeping with your murder suspect is a definite no no) but to hear Claire tell it, this is a first for him. The murder angle itself, once revealed, is kind of weak and implausible but then again, I'm not a fan of murder mysteries so that's the least of my worries. What IS great is the push and pull between Zack and Dante - first the denial, then the fall out after they get physical, then the reluctant acknowledgement of attraction on both their parts...and there is a reveal re Dante's past that humanizes him in our eyes, even though Zack thinks he's just a horny bastard.
Things go pear-shaped at 89%. I'm not sure where the author's head was at, but she totally lost me. I wanted to smack their heads together and knock some sense into them, especially Zack. The resolution re Zack's job was also a little hokey, and the fancy dress ball...*shudders*, but all's well that end's well. The issues at the end weren't enough to detract from how much I LOVED this book.
Another hit by Scarlet Blackwell. I may have issues with some of her characters but I've never outright disliked one of her books.
Read.it.
PS. I wonder where I can find some crime scene tape ha ha!! You had to be there lol.
Pictorial review by Simsala - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Review time! So, I had a good night's sleep so I'm ready to review. Zack and Dante, my two darlings. Right away, this book grabs you because of the witty banter between Zack and his partner, Claire. Zack and Claire are two detectives assigned to investigate the murder of a gay man at Dante's club, The Inferno. The attraction between Zack and Dante is immediate. Dante is tall, dark, HAWT, aloof, gorgeous, a true alpha male. Zack compares him to Lucifer, himself. Zack is no slacker in the looks department either, and attracts lots of attention from the club patrons when he goes to investigate, but the only man he can see is Dante and he is totally out of his depth with him. Because of this, he acts completely out of character - aggressive, belligerent and unprofessional. But cut the man some slack, people! Dante was melting my kindle, so imagine poor Zack going up against that in person.
Dante makes no apologies for his sexual appetite or for the fact that he frequents the back room of his club (this makes for a very funny interrogation) and it's all Zack can do to pay attention to Claire's questions, instead of fantasizing about Dante doing all kinds of sinful things to him. Needless to say, this causes serious problems. Zack, in his refusal to acknowledge his feelings for Dante, seems intent on pinning the murder on him. Yes, there is lots of circumstantial evidence, but no amount of logical deduction from Claire can sway him. A first arrest (made in the backroom of the club no less) gets thrown out, but reveals that Dante had sex with the victim the night of the murder (something he's negelected to mention). Zack arrests him, it gets thrown out, they butt heads in the interrogation room and the ride begins! Literally. Because, somehow Zack grows a pair, storms into Dante's office at the club and they do the horizontal tango on Dante's desk. Color me daggone ecstatic.
Yes, yes, I can hear you now. Zack isn't the most ethical of cops (sleeping with your murder suspect is a definite no no) but to hear Claire tell it, this is a first for him. The murder angle itself, once revealed, is kind of weak and implausible but then again, I'm not a fan of murder mysteries so that's the least of my worries. What IS great is the push and pull between Zack and Dante - first the denial, then the fall out after they get physical, then the reluctant acknowledgement of attraction on both their parts...and there is a reveal re Dante's past that humanizes him in our eyes, even though Zack thinks he's just a horny bastard.
Things go pear-shaped at 89%. I'm not sure where the author's head was at, but she totally lost me. I wanted to smack their heads together and knock some sense into them, especially Zack. The resolution re Zack's job was also a little hokey, and the fancy dress ball...*shudders*, but all's well that end's well. The issues at the end weren't enough to detract from how much I LOVED this book.
Another hit by Scarlet Blackwell. I may have issues with some of her characters but I've never outright disliked one of her books.
Read.it.
PS. I wonder where I can find some crime scene tape ha ha!! You had to be there lol.
Pictorial review by Simsala - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
March 15, 2014
OH. MY. GOD. INFERNO is so the right title for this book! This was my first book by this author and it is so not going to be the last!
This book is all kinds of intense hotness and dysfunctional characters! I loved loved loved it! A young rent boy is murdered at the nightclub Inferno, owned and run by Dante Jardine *oh swoon*, wait one more…*swoon* Ok onto the review. Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are assigned to investigate the murder. The obvious suspect to Zack is Dante, all the evidence points to charismatic owner. Zack is way way in the closet, when he sets his eyes on Dante he throws his common sense out the window and gives into his desire to be with him. Zack starts to call Dante “the ice man” and honestly is so fits. What you see is a man who gives nothing away, he appears and acts unfeeling, controlled, out for his own satisfaction and nothing more. Zack on the other hand to me appears to be a man with an obsession, and that is Dante of course. Despite the fact he is determined to pin the murder on Dante he also has to be with him. Zack knows his obsession could cost him everything and he really doesn’t care. This is more then physical for Zack, he wants to get past the ice wall and he is going to risk everything to get there. There were times in this book I just wanted to yell and scream at both Zack and Dante! I don’t have the most patience at times, and these two characters made me want to hurt them! Haha! And I loved Zack’s partner Claire, another good strong female character I can get behind and enjoy.
This murder/crime story is captivating, riveting and I couldn’t get enough and couldn’t put it down! It has twists, surprises and plenty of steam OMG OMG OMG!
And I have to do this one more times: OMG DANTE!! *swoon*
This book is all kinds of intense hotness and dysfunctional characters! I loved loved loved it! A young rent boy is murdered at the nightclub Inferno, owned and run by Dante Jardine *oh swoon*, wait one more…*swoon* Ok onto the review. Zack Stewart and his partner Claire Keaton are assigned to investigate the murder. The obvious suspect to Zack is Dante, all the evidence points to charismatic owner. Zack is way way in the closet, when he sets his eyes on Dante he throws his common sense out the window and gives into his desire to be with him. Zack starts to call Dante “the ice man” and honestly is so fits. What you see is a man who gives nothing away, he appears and acts unfeeling, controlled, out for his own satisfaction and nothing more. Zack on the other hand to me appears to be a man with an obsession, and that is Dante of course. Despite the fact he is determined to pin the murder on Dante he also has to be with him. Zack knows his obsession could cost him everything and he really doesn’t care. This is more then physical for Zack, he wants to get past the ice wall and he is going to risk everything to get there. There were times in this book I just wanted to yell and scream at both Zack and Dante! I don’t have the most patience at times, and these two characters made me want to hurt them! Haha! And I loved Zack’s partner Claire, another good strong female character I can get behind and enjoy.
This murder/crime story is captivating, riveting and I couldn’t get enough and couldn’t put it down! It has twists, surprises and plenty of steam OMG OMG OMG!
And I have to do this one more times: OMG DANTE!! *swoon*
August 19, 2012
As other people have said in reviews, there are parts of this book that were great and other parts that were a bit unbelievable, but for me I just couldn't put the book down and had to keep reading. You could feel what was coming, knew it wasn't going to be good, but as much as you want to not read it, you just have to keep going. Dante is an ass, pure and simple. Does he have any redeeming qualities? Not really, but I just loved him. As far as Zack, I just kept shaking my head, wanting to scream at him to actually think before he made another bad decision and there were many. The main focus was the murder mystery and I think the author did a good job, balancing that with Dante and Zach's unusual relationship. I will say that the last 15% of the book made me a little bit disappointed, things changed too much and were not consistent with how the story began and some parts very unbelievable and seemed to be done to provide the happy ending that everyone would want. That being said, it was an intense and enjoyable read and I think people will either really enjoy this book or completely dislike it.
May 16, 2013
If you're looking for cotton candy kisses and tender words, keep on walking. If you're looking for two very complicated men, who live for the moment without apology AND have a boat load of baggage...then you've come to the right place.
Zack was such a difficult character to like at first. I just wanted to shake some sense into him. Calling him an asshole would have been a compliment. But, as I got to know him, and as the story progressed,
he grew on me. I began to root for him at the end.
Dante is sex on legs. Everyone wanted him but no one loved him. How sad is that? Zack wanted him...wanted him in jail and in his bed. What the hell was he thinking? Dante is an addiction to many men, Zack being the most addicted. His back story is tragic and sad but I wanted more details. Dante is one of my new fave characters.
Dante and Zack together were like a volcano on the verge of eruption...and just as toxic.
The majority of this story is a murder mystery with their budding romance (if you can call it that) thrown on top. The mystery does not take away from their story but actually makes it more intense.
This story will not be for everyone, but I was drawn in immediately and could not put it down until it was finished. I loved it.
Zack was such a difficult character to like at first. I just wanted to shake some sense into him. Calling him an asshole would have been a compliment. But, as I got to know him, and as the story progressed,
he grew on me. I began to root for him at the end.
Dante is sex on legs. Everyone wanted him but no one loved him. How sad is that? Zack wanted him...wanted him in jail and in his bed. What the hell was he thinking? Dante is an addiction to many men, Zack being the most addicted. His back story is tragic and sad but I wanted more details. Dante is one of my new fave characters.
Dante and Zack together were like a volcano on the verge of eruption...and just as toxic.
The majority of this story is a murder mystery with their budding romance (if you can call it that) thrown on top. The mystery does not take away from their story but actually makes it more intense.
This story will not be for everyone, but I was drawn in immediately and could not put it down until it was finished. I loved it.
January 20, 2013
This was one of the hottest books I have ever read.
I loved this book so much. I started reading this and from what people have told me you either love or hate Scarlet Blackwell's books. Well I have to say I loved this one. It was one of the hottest books I have ever read and it just got me, it really did. It has encouraged me to read more of her books.
Dante and Zach were two hot MC's. I just wanted to watch them ripping each others clothes off. Some of it kind of pissed me off, but when I read it I loved every minute. Especially the sweet ending. It was just trying to adjust to the type of book.
It is not for everyone. The crime and the graphic scenes will put some people off. But I as a real fan of this one. I wish it had been a bit longer to give a longer ending. But the one we got I enjoyed. It had the sweetness I wanted for the two characters.
The secondary characters all added something to this story. And I learned something new from the book. Highly recommend it. :)
I loved this book so much. I started reading this and from what people have told me you either love or hate Scarlet Blackwell's books. Well I have to say I loved this one. It was one of the hottest books I have ever read and it just got me, it really did. It has encouraged me to read more of her books.
Dante and Zach were two hot MC's. I just wanted to watch them ripping each others clothes off. Some of it kind of pissed me off, but when I read it I loved every minute. Especially the sweet ending. It was just trying to adjust to the type of book.
It is not for everyone. The crime and the graphic scenes will put some people off. But I as a real fan of this one. I wish it had been a bit longer to give a longer ending. But the one we got I enjoyed. It had the sweetness I wanted for the two characters.
The secondary characters all added something to this story. And I learned something new from the book. Highly recommend it. :)
August 10, 2012
This is one hot read. I loved the mystery and intensity present throughout. Zack is a little frustrating at times in the way he treats people and his actions, but I was really rooting for him by the end. He is overwhelmed by his reaction and need to be with Dante, and it was a thrill to watch it all play out.
Dante is a smoking hot dominating force. He is quite the slut, having it all at his disposal on a daily basis. His not feeling worthy or capable of having relationships (due to reasons explained in the story) play big factors into this, as well as explaining the cold, uncaring persona he shows to everyone.
These are two pretty complicated guys, but when they are together, the sparks ignite. After a while, I found I didn't really care much about who the murderer was, as much as I wanted to see where things would go for Zack and Dante. Once this story got rolling, I could not put it down until I finished.
Dante is a smoking hot dominating force. He is quite the slut, having it all at his disposal on a daily basis. His not feeling worthy or capable of having relationships (due to reasons explained in the story) play big factors into this, as well as explaining the cold, uncaring persona he shows to everyone.
These are two pretty complicated guys, but when they are together, the sparks ignite. After a while, I found I didn't really care much about who the murderer was, as much as I wanted to see where things would go for Zack and Dante. Once this story got rolling, I could not put it down until I finished.
Read
June 12, 2013Review coming soon...
July 26, 2012
A Scarlett Blackwell book that I almost loved! I don't dislike all of her books, but there's always something about them that turns me off. This would have been possibly 5 stars for me except for a few character flaws. For this book, I must say the reason I couldn't love the book was because Zack was a blithering idiot.
Zack Stewart is a good cop. Well, he was a good cop until prime suspect in a series of murders, Dante Jardin, makes him lose his ever-lovin' mind. Dante is the owner of the gay nightclub, Inferno, and is basically Zack's Achille's Heel. I spent this whole book yelling, "What the Hell, ZACK?!?" Zack makes bad decision after bad decision just to chase some ass. OMG - Zack, if my loved one was killed , I can't even begin to explain the hell that would follow. This book gives cops a bad name.
Dante is the MC you LOVE to hate. He is gorgeous sure, but can he be any more of an asshole? As we unravel his character and peel off a few layers, you do see glimpses of what lies beneath, but I felt that there was SO much about Dante at the end that we still don't know or got full closure to. That's one reason I couldn't give the book 5 stars. I need a little more finality at the end.
All in all, there were times I was loving this book. But the ending was almost implausible. Zack really fucked up but at the end of the book it was almost like when a movie ends with the MC waking up from a dream. What a cop out! The mystery at the end became a little predictable, but it was still entertaining. I want to say the sex in the book was hot, but I was almost too scared to enjoy any of it!
Zack Stewart is a good cop. Well, he was a good cop until prime suspect in a series of murders, Dante Jardin, makes him lose his ever-lovin' mind. Dante is the owner of the gay nightclub, Inferno, and is basically Zack's Achille's Heel. I spent this whole book yelling, "What the Hell, ZACK?!?" Zack makes bad decision after bad decision just to chase some ass. OMG - Zack, if my loved one was killed , I can't even begin to explain the hell that would follow. This book gives cops a bad name.
Dante is the MC you LOVE to hate. He is gorgeous sure, but can he be any more of an asshole? As we unravel his character and peel off a few layers, you do see glimpses of what lies beneath, but I felt that there was SO much about Dante at the end that we still don't know or got full closure to. That's one reason I couldn't give the book 5 stars. I need a little more finality at the end.
All in all, there were times I was loving this book. But the ending was almost implausible. Zack really fucked up but at the end of the book it was almost like when a movie ends with the MC waking up from a dream. What a cop out! The mystery at the end became a little predictable, but it was still entertaining. I want to say the sex in the book was hot, but I was almost too scared to enjoy any of it!
May 23, 2013
Rating: 2.5 with a slight round up to a 3
I have been going back and forth on how to rate this book and how to review it. I have to say I went into it with high hopes as I was on a killer book streak with my boys. Inferno was much more cop drama than I was expecting and the first half of the book dragged for me. I did love Zack and his place in the closet (I have a soft place for boys like that), adored the few POV's we got from Claire and was curious about Dante. BUT this wasn't a book that had me turning the pages...not until 51% in where I was going to toss it on the dnf shelf did it turn itself around enough to keep me going.
The story in general wasn't bad. There were a few things that had me rolling my eyes like how many times "Christ" is said by our MC's, (it was A LOT) and the use of typical British words/slang that just would not be used by adult men who live in the beach communities of Southern California (where I live).
**Review Clarification: I tend to rate a book on what I can remember about it, my favorite parts, quotes etc. and I have a hard time telling this story to my friend, whom I bounce all my stories off of before reviews, without pulling out my Nook for reference.
I have been going back and forth on how to rate this book and how to review it. I have to say I went into it with high hopes as I was on a killer book streak with my boys. Inferno was much more cop drama than I was expecting and the first half of the book dragged for me. I did love Zack and his place in the closet (I have a soft place for boys like that), adored the few POV's we got from Claire and was curious about Dante. BUT this wasn't a book that had me turning the pages...not until 51% in where I was going to toss it on the dnf shelf did it turn itself around enough to keep me going.
The story in general wasn't bad. There were a few things that had me rolling my eyes like how many times "Christ" is said by our MC's, (it was A LOT) and the use of typical British words/slang that just would not be used by adult men who live in the beach communities of Southern California (where I live).
**Review Clarification: I tend to rate a book on what I can remember about it, my favorite parts, quotes etc. and I have a hard time telling this story to my friend, whom I bounce all my stories off of before reviews, without pulling out my Nook for reference.
August 23, 2012
4.5 Stars. This one was kissing the 5 star mark, but missed by a hair for me. Great heat between the mcs and smoking sex but Zach came accross as a little bit of a girl to me. Also, the resolution of the job issue seemed to easy. Up to that point, I was going full five stars ahead. It was a super good book and I had a really hard putting it down. Definately recommend this one.
November 12, 2016
1.5 Stars
This one was tough to rate. On the plus side, this book was fast-paced and loaded with twists and turns. It was steamy and sexy with plenty of man-love. On the negative side, I couldn’t stand the MCs …
I had a couple other issues with the book. The story was glaringly lacking when it came to proper police and court protocol. It highlighted SB’s unfamiliarity with criminal procedure and irked the sh*t out of me. I don’t expect all aspects of an m/m book to be legally accurate but it should at least have the basics. Near the beginning of the story, Zack and his partner (Claire) obtained medical information from a medical clinic without a warrant. Not only did they learn about a victim’s HIV status but they were also given a list of the victim’s past sexual partners and their HIV status too. Um, HELL NO! That is confidential information that would never be released without a court order. Or, if it was, that clinic would be shut down and the doctor’s license would be in jeopardy. Later and through another source, Zack and Claire learn about Dante’s past because Dante’s psychiatrist has loose lips and spilled his guts to someone about their private sessions. Do they report the doctor? No. Zack and Claire don’t even bat an eye. In fact, Claire eventually tells Dante she knows. Ugh! That is so not okay with me; it’s disgusting.
BTW, what was up with that ending? A sheer, pearlescent chiffon short skirt; gold lamé hot pants with ass cheeks hanging out; gold body glitter; and shimmering wings. WTF? Need I say more?
Bottom line: the ends do not justify the means and I had no respect for these protagonists; if I don’t respect them, I can’t like them. Period.
This one was tough to rate. On the plus side, this book was fast-paced and loaded with twists and turns. It was steamy and sexy with plenty of man-love. On the negative side, I couldn’t stand the MCs …
I had a couple other issues with the book. The story was glaringly lacking when it came to proper police and court protocol. It highlighted SB’s unfamiliarity with criminal procedure and irked the sh*t out of me. I don’t expect all aspects of an m/m book to be legally accurate but it should at least have the basics. Near the beginning of the story, Zack and his partner (Claire) obtained medical information from a medical clinic without a warrant. Not only did they learn about a victim’s HIV status but they were also given a list of the victim’s past sexual partners and their HIV status too. Um, HELL NO! That is confidential information that would never be released without a court order. Or, if it was, that clinic would be shut down and the doctor’s license would be in jeopardy. Later and through another source, Zack and Claire learn about Dante’s past because Dante’s psychiatrist has loose lips and spilled his guts to someone about their private sessions. Do they report the doctor? No. Zack and Claire don’t even bat an eye. In fact, Claire eventually tells Dante she knows. Ugh! That is so not okay with me; it’s disgusting.
BTW, what was up with that ending? A sheer, pearlescent chiffon short skirt; gold lamé hot pants with ass cheeks hanging out; gold body glitter; and shimmering wings. WTF? Need I say more?
Bottom line: the ends do not justify the means and I had no respect for these protagonists; if I don’t respect them, I can’t like them. Period.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2013
Wow! Lots of hot gay male sex. No talk, intensity, push, grab, do it, throw an insult, walk away.
Dante is hot, gorgeous, irresistible. Everyone wants sex with him. Dante chooses someone, is rough, takes what he wants, then says “get the hell out.” Dante owns a gay nightclub. Detective Zach meets Dante when he investigates a murder at the club. Zach is obsessed the moment he sees Dante. They have sex even though Dante is a murder suspect. During the rest of the book, Zach makes stupid decisions because of his obsession with Dante. It’s like watching a train wreck. I wanted to watch. I liked it. The author didn’t think too hard about some of the story, but it was good because it was odd.
There is a happy ending for the couple which I always want, but a scene close to the end was too odd for me. It was rainbows and lollipops and detracted from the book. It did not fit.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 4,720 (485 KB) 282 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: about 21 with self pleasuring and rear door activity. Setting: current day Southern California. Copyright: 2012. Genre: erotic gay male romantic suspense.
Dante is hot, gorgeous, irresistible. Everyone wants sex with him. Dante chooses someone, is rough, takes what he wants, then says “get the hell out.” Dante owns a gay nightclub. Detective Zach meets Dante when he investigates a murder at the club. Zach is obsessed the moment he sees Dante. They have sex even though Dante is a murder suspect. During the rest of the book, Zach makes stupid decisions because of his obsession with Dante. It’s like watching a train wreck. I wanted to watch. I liked it. The author didn’t think too hard about some of the story, but it was good because it was odd.
There is a happy ending for the couple which I always want, but a scene close to the end was too odd for me. It was rainbows and lollipops and detracted from the book. It did not fit.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 4,720 (485 KB) 282 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: about 21 with self pleasuring and rear door activity. Setting: current day Southern California. Copyright: 2012. Genre: erotic gay male romantic suspense.
September 23, 2012
Simsala said most of what's there to say. And yes, I loved it too.
Totally incredulous, the whole thing off course, which made it all the better for escaping reality. Oh boy! The instant, smoldering attraction between Zach and Dante! The heat of passion! The intensity!
I liked very much how Dante was human, after all, though I'd have wished for a little more background of him. We get Zach's POV, Claires, and for a very short time, a murder victim's but nothing of Dante, which makes him even more mysterious.
oh and by the way-- hearts and flowers? We get BOTH, if not precisely at the same time.
Totally incredulous, the whole thing off course, which made it all the better for escaping reality. Oh boy! The instant, smoldering attraction between Zach and Dante! The heat of passion! The intensity!
I liked very much how Dante was human, after all, though I'd have wished for a little more background of him. We get Zach's POV, Claires, and for a very short time, a murder victim's but nothing of Dante, which makes him even more mysterious.
oh and by the way-- hearts and flowers? We get BOTH, if not precisely at the same time.
August 14, 2012
My first Blackwell and well...! five stars even if I did have moments like Emma Sea said in her review.. Read her spoiler (it's not a spoiler, in my opinion).
(Some parts of my review may be spoilerish so proceed as warned)
It's always such an extra treat to get a good story and find it's a long book. In my Sony 600, it came up to 500 lovely pages. Despite the now-negligible clumsy start, the story developed in directions that kept surprising me. While I was sure I'd get my HEA (I will not buy/read anyone who doesn't give me that), both Zack and Dante were protags I wasn't expecting to find in a romance, even a romantic murder mystery.
That said, the book stays strongly romance genre because, apart from the mushy neediness inserted sporadically towards the last quarter of the book, Dante, our bad-boy protag is a very bad boy. He fucks just about anything that's alive yet he remains 100% uncontaminated. That's a tad unbelievable in this day and age - and especially when two (or is it three?) of the men he had sex with had HIV, and the fact that all this sexual merry-go-round was happening within his club. Surely the man must be a walking hive or viral activity! Ugh.
What I liked - a lot:D - was the fine balance between the murder and romance elements. These books are so hard to come by that I can easily excuse any flaws. Other than the niggle in the early part of the book, the rest of my 500 pages flowed smoothly and had me reading straight through until I finished the book last night.
I find food-with-sex scenes trite so I skimmed the tiramisu scenes just to see where to resume reading. Oh, that reminds me I have a piece of yummy carrot cake to eat. The sex scenes were fine, as I'm sure the tiramisu one was, but I found myself more interested in the development of the characters and their relationship, not to mention the murder investigation. These progressed at a pace that kept me riveted to the story and to have this happening in a single, full-length story is truly a treasure these days!
On second thoughts, the moments of mushiness are perfectly fine! Dante is such a tortured man hell-bent on self-destruction even if he puts up that cool, in-control facade; Zach is such a moron to give in to his lust and compromised himself, not to mention his colleagues and the entire investigation. If I were Claire, I'd have shot off his dick! But oh, that was such a tender scene between Claire and Dante (no, nothing sexual) and I love it when my protags have friends/colleagues who care deeply about them. The career consequences of Zach's stupidity was wrapped up rather unrealistically but again, I needed that because there was already so much else at stake where the protags' emotional and psychological health were concerned that a bit of good news, no matter if it's a little fanciful, was welcome.
If there was a moment of doubt as to whether I liked this book, it would be imagining Zach arriving at the King of Midsummer Night's Dream Night at Inferno dressed in his "sheer, pearlescent chiffon skirt" complete with fairy wings (and more, go read the book to find out!). I laughed out loud at first but as the pages went by, I started to think differently and found his whole outfit distasteful...but Dante thought he was gorgeous and I guess that's all that matters.
(Some parts of my review may be spoilerish so proceed as warned)
It's always such an extra treat to get a good story and find it's a long book. In my Sony 600, it came up to 500 lovely pages. Despite the now-negligible clumsy start, the story developed in directions that kept surprising me. While I was sure I'd get my HEA (I will not buy/read anyone who doesn't give me that), both Zack and Dante were protags I wasn't expecting to find in a romance, even a romantic murder mystery.
That said, the book stays strongly romance genre because, apart from the mushy neediness inserted sporadically towards the last quarter of the book, Dante, our bad-boy protag is a very bad boy. He fucks just about anything that's alive yet he remains 100% uncontaminated. That's a tad unbelievable in this day and age - and especially when two (or is it three?) of the men he had sex with had HIV, and the fact that all this sexual merry-go-round was happening within his club. Surely the man must be a walking hive or viral activity! Ugh.
What I liked - a lot:D - was the fine balance between the murder and romance elements. These books are so hard to come by that I can easily excuse any flaws. Other than the niggle in the early part of the book, the rest of my 500 pages flowed smoothly and had me reading straight through until I finished the book last night.
I find food-with-sex scenes trite so I skimmed the tiramisu scenes just to see where to resume reading. Oh, that reminds me I have a piece of yummy carrot cake to eat. The sex scenes were fine, as I'm sure the tiramisu one was, but I found myself more interested in the development of the characters and their relationship, not to mention the murder investigation. These progressed at a pace that kept me riveted to the story and to have this happening in a single, full-length story is truly a treasure these days!
On second thoughts, the moments of mushiness are perfectly fine! Dante is such a tortured man hell-bent on self-destruction even if he puts up that cool, in-control facade; Zach is such a moron to give in to his lust and compromised himself, not to mention his colleagues and the entire investigation. If I were Claire, I'd have shot off his dick! But oh, that was such a tender scene between Claire and Dante (no, nothing sexual) and I love it when my protags have friends/colleagues who care deeply about them. The career consequences of Zach's stupidity was wrapped up rather unrealistically but again, I needed that because there was already so much else at stake where the protags' emotional and psychological health were concerned that a bit of good news, no matter if it's a little fanciful, was welcome.
If there was a moment of doubt as to whether I liked this book, it would be imagining Zach arriving at the King of Midsummer Night's Dream Night at Inferno dressed in his "sheer, pearlescent chiffon skirt" complete with fairy wings (and more, go read the book to find out!). I laughed out loud at first but as the pages went by, I started to think differently and found his whole outfit distasteful...but Dante thought he was gorgeous and I guess that's all that matters.
July 18, 2012
3.5 stars. 5 stars for the first part of the book.
I loved the first three quarters of this. Seriously, it was like watching a car crash in slow motion, and I mean that as a compliment.
Zack is a detective, investigating a murder in Dante's club. And he gets way too involved. First of all he hates Dante because he's in lust with him (and Dante knows it), and he really, really wants to prove Dante is the killer. Then he visits the club when he's off duty. And then he leaves his DNA in places he shouldn't...
Yep, I told myself as I was reading. Zack is in the shit now. Behaviour like this has consequences, Zack. You don't screw your prime suspect, however hot he is. And when covering that up becomes your focus instead of trying to find the killer, you're in all sorts of trouble.
But then it went wrong for me.
The ending was the sticking point for me. I couldn't get past it.
On the plus side, I loved the chemistry between Zack and Dante. Scarlet Blackwell does alpha bastards so very, very well. And I loved Zack's partner Claire. She was a well-rounded character on her own and, for once in m/m, wasn't there to be a woman scorned.
This is still a good book, if you can suspend your disbelief in order to get to the HEA.
I loved the first three quarters of this. Seriously, it was like watching a car crash in slow motion, and I mean that as a compliment.
Zack is a detective, investigating a murder in Dante's club. And he gets way too involved. First of all he hates Dante because he's in lust with him (and Dante knows it), and he really, really wants to prove Dante is the killer. Then he visits the club when he's off duty. And then he leaves his DNA in places he shouldn't...
Yep, I told myself as I was reading. Zack is in the shit now. Behaviour like this has consequences, Zack. You don't screw your prime suspect, however hot he is. And when covering that up becomes your focus instead of trying to find the killer, you're in all sorts of trouble.
But then it went wrong for me.
The ending was the sticking point for me. I couldn't get past it.
On the plus side, I loved the chemistry between Zack and Dante. Scarlet Blackwell does alpha bastards so very, very well. And I loved Zack's partner Claire. She was a well-rounded character on her own and, for once in m/m, wasn't there to be a woman scorned.
This is still a good book, if you can suspend your disbelief in order to get to the HEA.
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