“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Title: Inside Out
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 200
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: Former mercenary Bull Krebbs now heads up security at his nightclub in Harrisburg, PA. Working the door night after night, he’s seen it all. Though tough on the outside, he’s a little hurt that people find him unapproachable. Then he pulls a cute twink out of line to perform a random search, and he’s surprised when the guy giggles and squirms.
Zach Spencer, graphic artist, twink, and seriously ticklish, isn’t intimidated by Bull. He’s in awe, and when Bull saves Zach from being trampled on the dance floor, Zach finds his inspiration for the superhero in his graphic novel.
Soon Zach wants more and makes his move by asking Bull on a date. Though small, he has a backbone of steel. He’ll need it—their happily ever after is thwarted at every turn, including by Bull’s interloping mother showing up unannounced and enemies from Bull’s past threatening to pull him to the other side of the world.
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Review: I was very excited to read this book; the cover alone is wonderful enough to sell it. The best part, though, is the fabulous story. These two men are so very different, but alike in some ways also. On the outside they would seem to be too different, but when you get down to the chewy middle, they are perfect for each other.
Bull Krebbs is well over six feet tall, bald and muscular, the perfect kind of guy to have running the security at a night club. Luckily for Bull, he also owns half of the club he works in. His business partner is the only person Bull is close to and as far as he is concerned, that is plenty good enough. Well, it is enough until the night a cute little twink starts to giggle while Bull is frisking him. As much as Bull tries to deny it, he is quickly smitten with Zach Spencer.
After being rescued not once but twice by Bull, Zach has finally found the inspiration for the hero in the comic he is writing. After another run-in at the grocery store, Zach decides to just try talking to Bull. When he and his friends go to Bull’s club, the two men agree on a lunch “date” to discuss what a day in the life is like for Bull when he is at work.
When Bull rescues Zach for the third time, I do believe that was the charm. They end up going out on a date and that leads to them quickly moving into the dating game together. It has been years since Bull has even tried to date and Zach hasn’t been interested enough in a guy for anything past more than a date or two. Of course, as soon as they start getting closer, the obstacles start to pop up.
Bull’s mother shows up, unannounced, and considering their relationship, this is NOT good news. On top of that, Zach’s uncle decides to make an appearance. This is the same uncle who not only abused Zach but ran him off from the rest of the family after he came out.
The biggest shock for them, however, will come crawling out of Bull’s past. The father of a former lover, who just happens to want Bull to go back to his old career, puts their relationship in jeopardy, and it will take a little self-defense and a lot of honesty to get these men back on the right track.
Like I mentioned earlier, I loved these two guys. They both had troubles in their past and they both shied away from commitment due to them. It basically came down to them being willing to take a leap of faith to find out if they could make a go of it. Andrew Grey once again has proven that he can write about just about any topic there is in the M/M genre. This book is full of surprises and all of them were wonderful. Oh, and did I mention Jesse Jackman is on the cover?! While reading the book, I was struck by how simply perfect Jesse was for the cover. Another great read from Andrew Grey. I don’t know how in the world he does it, but it just seems like his books get better and better as they go. I promise you don’t want to miss this one.
You can buy Inside Out here:
