Review by Jen B.
TITLE: Raising the Ante
SERIES: The Kings: Wild Card
AUTHOR: Charlie Cochet
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 91 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2021
BLURB:
Former firefighter Frank Ramirez has never been afraid of the heat, until it came in the form of the sweet and sinful Joshua Sterling.
Frank’s days of rushing into burning buildings might be behind him, but as the owner of one of the most prestigious gay nightclubs in Florida, he’s still putting out fires. Lately it’s been one disaster after another, making Frank grumpier than usual. If that wasn’t enough, someone is out to sabotage his business.
Joshua has a plan. He’s done pining after the man of his dreams and ready to do something about the sizzling attraction between them. He sets out to help Frank, and as executive assistant to billionaire Colton Connolly—and friend to his mayhem-magnet husband—Joshua knows a thing or two about managing chaos.
When a hidden threat raises the stakes, Joshua and Frank are put to the test. Can they win the fight for their love… and their lives?
REVIEW:
Frank and Joshua first met in the first Four Kings book (Ace and Colton). There were definitely sparks, but Frank had no intention of following through on any of them, much to Joshua’s disappointment.
Joshua is Colton’s PA and right-hand man, and both Ace and Colton are friends with Frank who owns the private gay club they go to. With each encounter, Joshua believes more and more they have something and is finally able to put his plan into motion when his services are needed to help Frank out of a bind with planning for an upcoming Gala.
This short story felt rushed to me, while, at the same time, made sure it had the requisite elements of denial of feelings, not wanting to get into a relationship but then suddenly giving in and then it’s full steam ahead, but, before that can happen, things happen involving Frank’s club and a disgruntled ex-club member who threatens to ruin everything.
Things resolve quickly, and Frank and Joshua get back on track with their relationship. This was not one of my favorites for the reasons stated above, but the characters are sweet and it was nice to see them get their HEA.
The real story I’ve been looking forward to and which has been building up for quite some time is Joker and Gio, and we get another glimpse of that coming to a head. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long for that one and this it’s a bit more involved than this short novelette turned out to be.
RATING:
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