Erryn reviews ‘Promises Part 5 (Bounty Hunters)’ by A.E. Via. This book was released on August 27, 2018, and is 330 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Aiden Snow. It was released on April 7, 2020 and is 9 hrs and 3 mins long. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I love this series.
Duke Webb has run the most successful bail recovery agency in Atlanta for over 20 years. That’s because he has a team of trained, competent hunters backing him up to keep his name feared on the streets. But Duke knows that nothing can go on forever. That’s what leads him to start his new training program.
Kellam Knight has studied martial arts under his sensei, Quick, since he was 8 years old. A tossed-out reject from high-society, Kell has a problem fighting on the right side of the law. When Quick offers Kell the opportunity to join Duke’s training program, he’s all in. Except he’s not prepared for the straight, over-confident, extremely disciplined, sexy man Brian has recruited to be his partner.
Tyrell Jenkins’ world was flipped upside down when his father never returned home from his last deployment. He’d been Ty’s teacher, mentor, his guide to living a righteous life as a good man. When Brian King – his father’s most trusted comrade – finally comes to him with the truth, he doesn’t come alone. He comes with trained men hidden in the shadows…and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a brotherhood unlike any other.
Erryn’s Review:
See my review of Promises Part 1 here.
See my review of Promises Part 2 here.
See my review of Promises Part 3 here.
See my review of Promises Part 4 here.
I was so pleased to see this series continue with another generation. I’d fallen in love with characters from the previous books. Don’t worry if you haven’t read them – it would be helpful, but isn’t necessary. I mean, I believe Duke and Vaughn should tie the knot. Duke’s not getting any younger. Neither is Quick, and he’s the first to admit they need a new group of hungry young men so the older ones can settle back and handle the paperwork and investigations while the yearlings do the take-downs. We don’t see Quick’s Doctor Chauncey, but he’s mentioned. Dana and Ford are as horny as ever. Hello, what were they doing in the break room? Finally, it’s Brian and Sway. Sway is off camera for this one, but Brian is front and center.
Okay, all caught up? Now for the new guys. Kellen Knight has had a rough go of it. Rejected and evicted for being gay, he turned to Quick as his Sensei and, eventually, confessed all and asked for help. He’s been working at the dojo ever since, but Quick sees the young man has potential. He might be slight, but he has mad fighting skills.
Tyrell Jenkins’ father was an important influence in his life. When he didn’t return from a deployment in Afghanistan, Ty’s life turned for the worst. He took responsibility for his mother, and made his own way in the world. When he needs help the most, a man steps out of the shadows, claiming to be Ty’s father’s best friend. Ty recognizes the former Army Ranger, Brian, and when he’s offered a helping hand, he takes it.
Duke has taken Quick and Brian’s advice and paired up the unlikely team of Kell and Ty. Both is skeptical of the other, but eventually they learn to trust. Eventually they show the old guys a trick or two.
This book is what I like to term a slow burn. Ty’s father taught him to be respectful, especially of the person he chooses for a mate. For a lifetime partner. He treats Kell with love in a way rarely seen these days. In a way I think we would all love to be treated that way. Kell, for his part, has other gifts to bestow upon Ty – just not the kind that costs money. In the end, it’s a short time before they’re together, but it just worked. And my heart sang just that little bit.
My only complaint is the women in the story. Aside from Ty’s mother, there weren’t any good strong female characters. I feel the author missed an opportunity and I hope in future books she’s more respectful of her female characters.
Aiden Snow has helmed all the Bounty Hunter books and he’s done a great job. I love his deep voice that suits these rough and tumble men. I’ve enjoyed all five books and am thrilled to see the author has set up at least one more. She spoke of this book being a passion project and that was very clear. Well done and I can highly recommend the story.
Erryn’s Rating:
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 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.
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