Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters) by A.E. Via #LGBT #Audiobook #Review #MMRomance #Contemporary

Erryn reviews ‘Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters)’ by A.E. Via. This book was released on October 14, 2015, and is 274 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Aiden Snow. It was released on December 19, 2019 and is 7 hrs and 31 mins long. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Why I read this book: I enjoy this author/narrator combo so was stoked to get this one.

***See below for link to contest

Duke Morgan owns and operates one of the largest bail bond companies in Atlanta. Not only does he bond criminals out of jail, he and his notorious group of bounty hunters will also track them down and ensure they show up for court.

Roman “Quick” Webb is Duke’s business partner and best friend. Both men are in their forties and have given up on the happily ever after with the ranch-style home, and white picket fence. They’d both tried it and failed miserably. But they have their friendship and they have the business.

When Quick’s son, Vaughan Webb returns – after seven years-from studying abroad with his law degree in hand, he’s back to claim what he’s always wanted…his fathers’ best friend…Duke Morgan. Vaughan has always claimed to be a classic gentleman with an old soul. He was focused and dedicated to becoming the man worthy of Duke’s love.

It’s a complex and messy situation as Duke and Quick figure out how to still be best friends when one of them is sleeping with his friend’s one and only son. But when Duke is hurt on the job, all the unimportant trivialities fall to the wayside and Vaughan and Quick put their heads together to save Duke.

Contains mature themes.

Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

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Erryn’s Review:

This isn’t the first A.E. Via book I’ve listened to so I believed I had some idea what to expect. And to a certain extent I was right. There was violence, and there were big burly men. There was plenty of testosterone. But there was also kindness and tenderness. Moments of pain. Instances of healing. That I didn’t expect, but maybe I should have.

Duke runs a bail bonds business in Atlanta with a private investigation arm. He’s successful by every measure possible and foresees a good run until it’s time to retire. He has two men in his life who are like business partners they are so invested. Quick is his best friend and always by his side. Judge also used to be close. He and Duke used to be very close. Like more than fuck buddies but less than partners. Duke had always assumed the relationship would grow into something deeper and more abiding, but Judge had other plans and eventually moved on, leaving Duke alone. And truly lonely. So he’s focused on building the business. Little does he knew his life is about to be turned upside down.

Quick’s grown son Vaughn has always had a crush on Duke. But he knew he was too young and spent considerable time becoming the man he believed Duke deserved. He stayed away from Atlanta so he could focus on his education, but now he’s back. Ready to claim what he believes is his.

To say that Duke is shocked is an understatement and I could understand that. Vaughn is about fifteen years younger and the son of his best friend. Duke has never looked at the young man as anything other than those two things. Would probably have continued to if not for Vaughn’s brash approach. Talk about a man on a mission. He knows what he wants and nothing but Duke’s complete capitulation will do.

Then, in one night, all their lives are turned upside down. Duke is injured on the job and life takes a dangerous turn. Things that had seemed important fall by the wayside as survival becomes paramount. Now, it would’ve been understandable if Vaughn walked away. But that wasn’t in the young man’s make-up and he steps up to do everything in his power to save Duke.

I rooted for the couple almost from the beginning. We don’t always get to choose who we are attracted to, but we do get to choose what we’re going to do about it. For Vaughn, that means action. For Duke, that means acceptance. I have to give props to Quick. Wasn’t easy for him to realize his boy was all grown up. Again, he had choices to make while watching the developing relationship.

I’ll note that this is also the beginning of a series and near the end of the book two characters got their own points of view. Man, I cannot wait for the next book. I definitely want to see where the story’s going to go. As for Duke and Vaughn, I had faith they’d get their happy ending. I just had to hang on to that belief through some tough times.

Aiden Snow narrates this series and he’s perfect for it. He’s got gruff down. His voice suits this group of strong and burly men. I’m glad to see he’ll be helming the entire series. Overall this was another great book by A.E. Via and I’m so grateful I had the chance to listen.

Erryn’s Rating:

10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

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A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for five years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over fifteen years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great new up and coming MM authors.

A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her. Writing.

A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her hardcore, play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes, but she won’t push herself into a whole other genre. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.

Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.