Reviewed by Tidal
TITLE: In the Flesh
SERIES: Flesh #1
AUTHOR: Ethan Stone
PUBLISHER: DSP Publications
LENGTH: 320 Pages
BLURB:
Reno Detective Cristian Flesh is an out and unashamed cop, but his slutty ways might be his downfall. Cristian lives by a strict set of personal rules, preferring hook-ups and anonymous encounters to committed relationships. His guidelines work for him… until one of his tricks is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect.
Leave it to handsome lawyer Colby Maddox to save Cristian’s life. He takes the case and the attraction between them is quick and undeniable. After several passion-filled encounters with Colby, Cristian unexpectedly wants to break all his rules. However, before they can contemplate a future together, they’ll have to clear Cristian’s name and find the real murderer.
REVIEW:
This is a definite on the edge of your seat thriller that I could not put it down.
Cristian is flawed, and arrogant. Many people find him off putting with his frank candor; however, this well-crafted self-defense mechanism has served him well. It keeps people off balance or keeps them from getting too close as he plans his next move.
The characters in this book are made up of good guys, bad guys, crooked televangelist, and hustlers. Cristian is unapologetic about being a sexually active gay man and very much into “no-strings encounters.” As brash as he comes across he is honest and always out to save the underdog too. That quality is what makes you care about him. One of his tricks from the night before turns up dead and he unfortunately Cristian discovers his body the next morning when he decides to stop by for a visit. He is immediately the main suspect.
The strength that Ethan Stone brings with this story is a wonderful assortment of characters and we get to know all of them well. The masterful trick he pulls of in doing that is the story does not get convoluted, complicated, or hard to follow. Many books offer a limited amount of villains to choose from so it is rather easy to figure out. That is not the case here. The characters take us into places many people have never gone and many writers are careful about not offending readers. That is not even on his radar and that makes this story so fresh.
The sex scenes in this book are raw and steamy occurring in places that make sense and coming across as an afterthought. The story is gritty, moves fast, and never gets boring. Cristian also has a hot lawyer, Colby Maddox, and there is wicked hot sexual tension there too. The dynamics between the two men as they balance their professional relationship and their sexual tension is gripping. It is very realistic observing how each wrestle with their own demons as then come to terms with who they are and what they want.
Suddenly all the rules and defense mechanisms that use to make Cristian’s life simple and manageable are not working any more. Colby challenges all his rules. Cristian has worked hard to earn his name; now together they are move heaven and earth to clear it. This book and series is definitely worth your time and money.
RATING: 
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