Guest Review: The Godfather’s Lover by Ann T. Ryan

Ann T. Ryan
The Godfather’s Lover
Dreamspinner Press, September 7, 2011

Backblurb:
Jarod Greene doesn’t know anything about love, but that didn’t stop him from taking an IT intern from the FBI up against the wall in a moment of confusion and passion. It certainly didn’t keep him from asking the wide-eyed intern to be his kept lover. And it’s not like Chris Wilkinson’s job or life was going anywhere. Why wouldn’t he want to be the kept man of the most powerful mob boss in Los Angeles? But Chris Wilkinson is more than he appears, and so is Jarod Greene.

In the City of Angels, where every foundation is cemented in lies, two men whose first words to each other were false are about to find out how far they’ll go to discover the truth—because nothing true comes without a price to be paid in blood, and that’s especially true if you’re the Godfather’s lover.

Genre & Keywords:
M/M Romance, Mafia, FBI, California

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 3 out of 3 flames
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Guest review by SharonS.:

This is my kind of M/M story. What is my kind you ask? I love it when there is a tough guy (assassin, mafia boss, special forces) who falls for the fun and flirty guy who isn’t impressed with all the money or power (excuse me while I :sigh:). They both keep secrets from each other and end up sacrificing to keep the other safe.

Even though this is a novella, the author was able to create two well developed characters that wormed their way into my heart. In the prologue we meet Jarod and Chris as children and get an idea of who they are going to be and why.

Jarod lost his mother and is raised by his father, a mafia crime boss. He is cruel and unforgiving and taught Jarod power and money are what matter. Jarod inherits his father’s position, but tries to do things differently. He can’t trust anyone and only has relationships devoid of emotion with his kept men. He has one best friend, his right hand man, Mike.

Chris grew up in an orphanage and even though he never had any money the priest that ran the orphanage taught him that love and family are the most important things in life.

Jarod and Chris have a drunken quickie behind a bar and go on their way. Jarod can’t forget the beautiful and sensual man he had and ends up tracking Chris down. He offers Chris the opportunity to be his kept man, but Chris isn’t what he appears to be.

I loved watching both men war with their feelings, each trying to keep the other at an emotional distance, but failing (of course!). My stomach fluttered with every touch and look that Jarod and Chris shared. The plot is pretty predictable, but there is some action, smexy loving, betrayal, suspense and even a ‘gotcha’ moment at the end. This is just a good story from a writing and character aspect. I am giving this 5 stars since it is my ‘type’ of story, but I think most readers will find this at least a 4 star read.

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Check out Ann T. Ryan’s website
Buy The Godfather’s Lover here

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