Crossroads by Keta Diablo

Story: 7.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 15.5
Publisher: Phaze
M/M contemporary romantic suspense
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Blurb: Handsome ex-cop Frank McGuire is on a quest to locate his dead partner's missing son. Rand Brennan has an identity issue, exercabated since the death of his father. Hoping to find himself, Rand drops out of college, takes to the streets, and doesn't realize he's embroiled in duplicity and murder. In order to save Rand, Frank must confront the nefarious killers and...confront his long-suppressed feelings for Rand.
Elements: scenes of intense sexual activity

Review: Talk about a hard book to score. There were aspects of this story that cut like a knife. I felt the intensity, the passion and the conflict. Those passages in the story deserve a rating of 10. Thrilling moments, edge of your seat suspense. However, there were other aspects that left me so horrified that I wanted to put down the book….but I couldn’t. There are instances where a character is written to the point that they can’t be redeemed. I felt Frank rode this edge. The beginning sex scene is rape. Violent, aggressive, brutal rape. My stomach churned, but I think that is what Ms. Diablo wanted for a response otherwise why would she have written it this way?

I wish Rand would have realized who was in the room, before the sex occurred. Then I could almost understand the scene and the connection between Rand and Frank that follows. However, the enlightenment doesn’t occur until he’s alone. The story is brought back when you realize Rand wants Frank with the same intensity.

The sex, while aggressive and rough, from that point forward is consensual in an implied sort of way. It’s hot, descriptive and highly erotic.

This story is not for the meek. Be prepared for in your face angst and carnal lust that crosses accepted boundaries. But in the end, you’ll have read a story of two unforgettable men. Thankfully, this is the first in the series and Frank and Rand have time to explore their volatile relationship. I’ll be coming along with them, because as disturbing as some parts were, I’m hooked.