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Farmingdale Gentleman's Club #1
A Game of Chances
Book one in the Farmingdale Gentleman's Club Series
Two men, too many secrets, and even more situations trying to keep them apart. Can love really conquer all?
A meeting brought on by seeming coincidence throws Marcus and Tanner together. After becoming friends, certain truths are revealed, leading to feelings of betrayal as well as a degree of danger.
Tanner has more secrets than one man ever should, not the least of which is that he's an operative for a gray-ops organisation that's something of a family business. Sharing even that much information could kill more than just his friendship with Marcus. When one misstep on Tanner's part plants possible danger in Marcus' lap, he does what he needs to do.
Marcus doesn't know that Tanner is after the man Marcus used to date, but he for damned sure finds out, and that's just the start of things. When a computer disc and men with guns come into play, Marcus has some decisions to make. Like whether he can forgive Tanner for making him love a lie... and how far Marcus is willing to go to secure his own happiness.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes involving weapons and violence, and some instances of drug/alcohol abuse. There are also references to paedophilia, non-consensual sex between an adult and a minor, prison gang-rape, and murder.
Two men, too many secrets, and even more situations trying to keep them apart. Can love really conquer all?
A meeting brought on by seeming coincidence throws Marcus and Tanner together. After becoming friends, certain truths are revealed, leading to feelings of betrayal as well as a degree of danger.
Tanner has more secrets than one man ever should, not the least of which is that he's an operative for a gray-ops organisation that's something of a family business. Sharing even that much information could kill more than just his friendship with Marcus. When one misstep on Tanner's part plants possible danger in Marcus' lap, he does what he needs to do.
Marcus doesn't know that Tanner is after the man Marcus used to date, but he for damned sure finds out, and that's just the start of things. When a computer disc and men with guns come into play, Marcus has some decisions to make. Like whether he can forgive Tanner for making him love a lie... and how far Marcus is willing to go to secure his own happiness.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes involving weapons and violence, and some instances of drug/alcohol abuse. There are also references to paedophilia, non-consensual sex between an adult and a minor, prison gang-rape, and murder.
170 pages, ebook
First published February 22, 2010
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 14, 2013
I didn't know what to expect when I read the author's warnings after the blurb. The pedophilia and rape turned out to be all in the past and were mentioned as part of an investigation and only in the broadest sense. The FGC is quite the set up and can tackle much of what the FBI, CIA and other letter named groups cannot. I liked Marcus and Tanner immensely and they made a great couple. Patty was a wonderful assistant director and was a strong, tough female lead character. The story is all action with a good dose of angst. Plot twists and turns kept the story moving right until the end. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2013
1.0 Star
Okay, obviously, this one didn't work for me. The storyline was all over the place. The characters were bland and uninspiring. The story would build to a climactic scene and then suddenly the author would take it off page. Instead of describing a scene unfolding, the author would often describe one character's perception of it, after the fact. Ugh. Frustrating. Much of this story is told (rather than shown) to us, second-hand if you will, through character perception. Too much inner monologue for my liking.
Bottom line: Not for me.
Okay, obviously, this one didn't work for me. The storyline was all over the place. The characters were bland and uninspiring. The story would build to a climactic scene and then suddenly the author would take it off page. Instead of describing a scene unfolding, the author would often describe one character's perception of it, after the fact. Ugh. Frustrating. Much of this story is told (rather than shown) to us, second-hand if you will, through character perception. Too much inner monologue for my liking.
Bottom line: Not for me.
October 3, 2015
2.75 stars
First half 1.5 stars, end was 4.5 stars. Story was bad to start with, slow moving with a huge massive info dump, and I only kept with it because I was reading it for a challenge. The quality began to increase after the first third and got to the point where I was really enjoying it, even though the scenario at the end felt irrelevent, almost like it was two stories in one. I will definitely read the next one.
Things I liked
A Unitarian church was mentioned!
Their love was palpable. I totally got it. The romance was sweet and it was cool that it wasn't instalove. (But it felt really detached for a long time.)
It took time for Tanner to recover. (view spoiler)
The movie Real Genius was referred to. I loved that movie.
It was cool that Marcus wasn't just a naive innocent but had his own stuff going on.
Things I didn't
It was all telling in all of the first half. I felt like I was reading a secondhand depiction. Things happened only in the background and I felt completely removed from they story.
The sister was awesome and kick ass but she was constantly referred to as being a bitch; even though they loved her and thought she was great, it was in spite of this. No man in her position would be called anything but powerful, resourceful, and excellent at his job. After she says something snarky and funny, Tanner thinks, "And that was the cold-hearted--on the outside--bitch he knew and loved."
Confusing writing such as, "...and if Marcus assumed Tanner was joking about not pretending they'd never fucked..." Huh? I knew what was happening and I didn't even understand that sentence.
Weird wording. At one point lube was referred to as "unguent." Talk about pulling me out of a scene.
They didn't always use condoms.
Tanner used the term of endearment "honey" even before they were a couple, and it just didn't sound like something he would say.
An ADA isn't a a highly paid attorney. It doesn't fit with the snobbery associated with the man in the book who is one. According to ehow.com, "SimplyHired.com lists the average salary for an ADA as $55,000, as of May, 2014. In comparison, the jobs website reports that the national average salary for a DA is $59,000, as of May, 2014." And if the job were high paying, why would the ADA rent an apartment, especially one which was later rented by someone trying to look drab without a lot of money?
I am going to read the second one. I'm hoping that the first half of this was rough because it was the beginning of the series and that now the scene is set, the next one will be more action oriented like the second half of this book.
First half 1.5 stars, end was 4.5 stars. Story was bad to start with, slow moving with a huge massive info dump, and I only kept with it because I was reading it for a challenge. The quality began to increase after the first third and got to the point where I was really enjoying it, even though the scenario at the end felt irrelevent, almost like it was two stories in one. I will definitely read the next one.
Things I liked
A Unitarian church was mentioned!
Their love was palpable. I totally got it. The romance was sweet and it was cool that it wasn't instalove. (But it felt really detached for a long time.)
It took time for Tanner to recover. (view spoiler)
The movie Real Genius was referred to. I loved that movie.
It was cool that Marcus wasn't just a naive innocent but had his own stuff going on.
Things I didn't
It was all telling in all of the first half. I felt like I was reading a secondhand depiction. Things happened only in the background and I felt completely removed from they story.
The sister was awesome and kick ass but she was constantly referred to as being a bitch; even though they loved her and thought she was great, it was in spite of this. No man in her position would be called anything but powerful, resourceful, and excellent at his job. After she says something snarky and funny, Tanner thinks, "And that was the cold-hearted--on the outside--bitch he knew and loved."
Confusing writing such as, "...and if Marcus assumed Tanner was joking about not pretending they'd never fucked..." Huh? I knew what was happening and I didn't even understand that sentence.
Weird wording. At one point lube was referred to as "unguent." Talk about pulling me out of a scene.
They didn't always use condoms.
Tanner used the term of endearment "honey" even before they were a couple, and it just didn't sound like something he would say.
An ADA isn't a a highly paid attorney. It doesn't fit with the snobbery associated with the man in the book who is one. According to ehow.com, "SimplyHired.com lists the average salary for an ADA as $55,000, as of May, 2014. In comparison, the jobs website reports that the national average salary for a DA is $59,000, as of May, 2014." And if the job were high paying, why would the ADA rent an apartment, especially one which was later rented by someone trying to look drab without a lot of money?
I am going to read the second one. I'm hoping that the first half of this was rough because it was the beginning of the series and that now the scene is set, the next one will be more action oriented like the second half of this book.
May 27, 2011
Very good m/m romantic suspense with lots of little twists and turns. The Farmingdale Gentleman's Club is a private grey ops organization. And I don't want to tell you anything else because being surprised by the twists and turns was a big part of what I liked!
May 28, 2015
When I started reading this I really wasn’t expecting it to turn into a thriller� kind of. (More on that later.) But it also overwhelmingly is a desperate, extreme-measures romance. Even though for the longest periods the main characters either don’t get to interact at all, or only in summary. (Near the start, mainly � perhaps during the first half of the book.)
I found it difficult to even stop reading, despite things going terribly bad at times. This certainly is not for the faint of heart. Om the other hand, I am most certainly faint-hearted and I tend to insist more than most that sex remain between the MCs only � and yet I completely comprehend that for the longest time here sex is not nearly as significant as other things, that it remains nothing more than a function and a means to an end until late in the story.
Oddly enough, once that point is reached there’s a lot of sex. Pretty much whenever the protagonists are together.
This is not really a thriller, since the narrative appears to avoid almost all scenes of action. Lots of fast-forwarding and recapping of anything approaching tense action. Which, by the way, I don’t mind. It simply makes categorizing this story that much harder.
Of course now I am ever so slightly concerned about continuing with the series because this was not easy reading. But so good. It’s actually funny how plot and in parts intensity reminded me of ; the similarities are obvious, although the quality of writing’s on a completely different level.
Edit: Well, that took care of the decision what to read next. Or rather what not to read. Turns out the next book is a twosome that turns into a threesome in the volume following that. I hate that kind of thing beyond words.
I found it difficult to even stop reading, despite things going terribly bad at times. This certainly is not for the faint of heart. Om the other hand, I am most certainly faint-hearted and I tend to insist more than most that sex remain between the MCs only � and yet I completely comprehend that for the longest time here sex is not nearly as significant as other things, that it remains nothing more than a function and a means to an end until late in the story.
Oddly enough, once that point is reached there’s a lot of sex. Pretty much whenever the protagonists are together.
This is not really a thriller, since the narrative appears to avoid almost all scenes of action. Lots of fast-forwarding and recapping of anything approaching tense action. Which, by the way, I don’t mind. It simply makes categorizing this story that much harder.
Of course now I am ever so slightly concerned about continuing with the series because this was not easy reading. But so good. It’s actually funny how plot and in parts intensity reminded me of ; the similarities are obvious, although the quality of writing’s on a completely different level.
Edit: Well, that took care of the decision what to read next. Or rather what not to read. Turns out the next book is a twosome that turns into a threesome in the volume following that. I hate that kind of thing beyond words.
February 26, 2010
Long and lengthy, but interesting, never a dull moment during the book and action packed. The clutter of action left no wasted thinking moments on wasted train of thoughts which kept me also absorbed to the specific details of this story. Quite an adventure and the results are endless and priceless.
Rocked my reading world.
Rocked my reading world.
March 30, 2010
It was OK. Not sure why it didn't appeal. The MCs were likable. The plot wasn't any more silly than usual. Perhaps the changing disguises were unsettling. Also I don't much like MCs who are forgiving and patient and forbearing and understanding.
June 25, 2014
I generally like complex stories and that's why Romantic Suspense involving grey ops and shadowy organizations appeal to me. However, this start to the Farmingdale series lacked the solidness of plot that characterizes the mainstream print versions I'm used to (Roxanne St Claire's Bullet Catchers or Cindy Gerard's Black Ops, for example). AGoC was convoluted (in the first half, anyway) rather than complex but I did last long enough to get to where I knew who was who and did what. Unless the writing is engaging (which I did not find, in this case) I tend to abandon it for something else but reminded myself of that world-building that goes on in this introduction to the series and plodded on.
I can't say I found Marcus and Tanner leapt off the pages for me. They were just average characters and Tanner wasn't the hard-nosed, cool, self-possessed individual I've come to enjoy and expect of a covert operative. Marcus and he together came across as any other gay couple in an M/M romance. While this isn't bad (it is what I buy and read everyday, after all), it's not what I want in my action-thrillers.
I didn't even find that much world-building and would have liked more! But I also needed more edginess to the story. I need less of that lovey-dovey sex. I wanted more grit and underlying violence (that means without the gore) and protags who behaved like experienced, mature men. But then, I am comparing Marcus and Tanner to the protags from mainstream het RS and those guys are always in their mid-late 30s, some hitting 40-41.
As if it weren't enough for me to have to grapple with comparing the quality of e-book Romantic Suspense to its mainstream print counterpart, I had to do a mental double-take when the mountain man appeared - with absolutely no connection to the story as far as I could make it. I'm especially miffed about the way this was tagged on just to pad the world-building. It really, truly had zilch to do with the plot which, by then, was apparently all wrapped up already.
I have bought the second installment, A Game of Skills, but unless that turns out much better, the Farmingdale Gentleman's Club isn't a series I can see myself following.
I can't say I found Marcus and Tanner leapt off the pages for me. They were just average characters and Tanner wasn't the hard-nosed, cool, self-possessed individual I've come to enjoy and expect of a covert operative. Marcus and he together came across as any other gay couple in an M/M romance. While this isn't bad (it is what I buy and read everyday, after all), it's not what I want in my action-thrillers.
I didn't even find that much world-building and would have liked more! But I also needed more edginess to the story. I need less of that lovey-dovey sex. I wanted more grit and underlying violence (that means without the gore) and protags who behaved like experienced, mature men. But then, I am comparing Marcus and Tanner to the protags from mainstream het RS and those guys are always in their mid-late 30s, some hitting 40-41.
As if it weren't enough for me to have to grapple with comparing the quality of e-book Romantic Suspense to its mainstream print counterpart, I had to do a mental double-take when the mountain man appeared - with absolutely no connection to the story as far as I could make it. I'm especially miffed about the way this was tagged on just to pad the world-building. It really, truly had zilch to do with the plot which, by then, was apparently all wrapped up already.
I have bought the second installment, A Game of Skills, but unless that turns out much better, the Farmingdale Gentleman's Club isn't a series I can see myself following.
July 14, 2014
Not knowing exactly what to expect from this book might have left me with a bit of a disadvantage. I'm not sure, but I found this book a bit confusing. There was very little explanation of what the whole Gentleman's Club was all about, and some of the terms used were very WTF in the beginning.
Don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy it. The characters and writing were interesting and definitely caught my attention. But... it seemed chaotic, I think is the best way to describe it. There was so much going on, too much to be honest. There were a lot of twists and turns, which did keep the story interesting, but it was also a case of falling from one thing into another.
There was also an issue, that I still have an issue with being just swept under the carpet. This left a bit of a nasty taste in my mind that I couldn't rid myself off. I found that a little unrealistic, but maybe that's just me lol.
I do however want to read the next one in the series. Hopefully I'll enjoy that one a little more.
Don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy it. The characters and writing were interesting and definitely caught my attention. But... it seemed chaotic, I think is the best way to describe it. There was so much going on, too much to be honest. There were a lot of twists and turns, which did keep the story interesting, but it was also a case of falling from one thing into another.
There was also an issue, that I still have an issue with being just swept under the carpet. This left a bit of a nasty taste in my mind that I couldn't rid myself off. I found that a little unrealistic, but maybe that's just me lol.
I do however want to read the next one in the series. Hopefully I'll enjoy that one a little more.
December 7, 2010
I'd missed out on this T C Blue release because it was with a different publisher to the 'normal' one. My poor eyesight also made me see the cover as historical rather than contemporary, with a little help from the title, but I finally got around to getting it. I wasn't disappointed and I'll be getting the sequel soon.
I liked the slow reveal of the character's ulterior motives and the complexity of the plot - which I won't go into because that would be spoilerish. I like trying to figure out what is going on rather than be served it on a plate, already cut into bite sized pieces. Wondering what Tanner was really up to added a nice edge to the developing romance - and getting a nicely fleshed out reveal made it worthwhile.
It did feel like there were at least two stories in sequence, but there wouldn't have been a proper happy ending for the first one so it was good to have it continue to a very satisfying happy ending.
I liked the slow reveal of the character's ulterior motives and the complexity of the plot - which I won't go into because that would be spoilerish. I like trying to figure out what is going on rather than be served it on a plate, already cut into bite sized pieces. Wondering what Tanner was really up to added a nice edge to the developing romance - and getting a nicely fleshed out reveal made it worthwhile.
It did feel like there were at least two stories in sequence, but there wouldn't have been a proper happy ending for the first one so it was good to have it continue to a very satisfying happy ending.
March 28, 2010
3 1/2
Let me start off by saying that I really like Blues' voice. The 1st 90 pages had me riveted. From there the story seemed to get sidetracked. Time, sometimes weeks and months were skipped over with Marcus happily being inducted in to the spy club by Tanner's bitchy sister and easily accepting the misdeeds that Tanner(not even his real name) had done. To top it off the last pages were mainly dedicated to a crazy man who just seems to be thrown in for no reason at all other than to make the book longer. The idea of the FGC and the chemistry between Tanner and Marcus made this a overall good read.
Let me start off by saying that I really like Blues' voice. The 1st 90 pages had me riveted. From there the story seemed to get sidetracked. Time, sometimes weeks and months were skipped over with Marcus happily being inducted in to the spy club by Tanner's bitchy sister and easily accepting the misdeeds that Tanner(not even his real name) had done. To top it off the last pages were mainly dedicated to a crazy man who just seems to be thrown in for no reason at all other than to make the book longer. The idea of the FGC and the chemistry between Tanner and Marcus made this a overall good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2010
Good story. Definitely some interesting choices made by the characters and I was a bit surprised by how the background ended up getting resolved. Can't say much more than that w/o spoilers, but I was pleased! Looking forward to continuing this series.
January 3, 2012
Enjoyable plotted story full of mystery. Marcus and Tanner were interesting couple, but at the end it started to bore me. In overall well developed story with a lot of mysterious twist and dramatic aspect.
August 28, 2014
Hmm, I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. Maybe because something's were just like WTF. I don't know. It was a good book which is the only reason I give it four stars, just something's didn't seem emotionally correct. *Shrugs*
August 6, 2010
The super-spy stuff was far-fetched, but I really liked the characters.
February 9, 2011
it just took me a long time to get thru this book. it's not that I didn't like it, but it didn't keep me engaged enough.
February 18, 2012
LOVED THIS BOOK!
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April 9, 2015I have read this one but cannot release the review until it's put up on Top2Bottom reviews.
June 21, 2015
Can not wait to read the next book in this series. The Los Angeles Public Library better hurry up and get the next book so I can recommend it to read. Very good start.
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