M/M Review: Love and Loyalty by Tere Michaels

Love & Loyalty
~Tere Michaels


Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 412 KB
Print Length: 254 pages
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (September 8, 2009)
Publish Date:
ASIN: B002WTCIXO
ISBN-10: 1607376202
ISBN-13: 978-1607376200


Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father. Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea. Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance. Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, Faith & Fidelity, several months ago (my review here). I thought Love & Loyalty would be the same basic story, but it wasn't; it was different, but still enjoyable:

Jim Shea is an "out" police detective in Seattle. He's a workaholic, but a good guy; he's got a group of hetero friends that care about him and want him to be happy. He worked a murder case where the defendant was a high profile young man who allegedly killed a runaway girl, and he's gotten involved with her family during the trial. It's been a long, hard process and he's taken the verdict personally.

Griffin Drake is a Hollywood screenwriter. He's been doing action-packed movies that don't fulfill him and wants to tackle something that will make his career meaningful. He picks up on the trial and wants to do a story on the family, not the defendant. Ed, the dead girl's father, agrees to see Griffin, but asks Jim to be there for support.

After the initial meeting, Griffin flies home to Hollywood to work on the screenplay but gets writer's block. He asks Jim if he can come out and talk to him, to try to get focused on the case. The meeting turns into dinner and then more...

My thoughts: Love & Loyalty was a great read - Jim and Griffin were great together. Jim's gruff exterior was tempered by Griffin's more easygoing demeanor. Their relationship just kind of fell into place, and Jim was so cute when he realized he was falling for Griffin.

“How's the boyfriend?"

Jim gave him the finger.

"I'm not teasing, you know. Mimi and I discussed it - he's your boyfriend."

"We're dating. That's it."

"He's practically living with you. You introduced him to me and Mimi." Terry ticked off each thing on a finger. "Face it, Jim - he's your boyfriend."

Jim scowled. "Teasing anmesty over. Let's get back to the station."

"Boyfriend."

"Shut up."
- pg 170/171

Griffin had problems of his own, and while I was frustrated he didn't share them with Jim, I understood why. His best friend Daisy made me crazy!! (Okay, is it weird that even though he doesn't have a nickname in the book, in my head I think of Griffin as Griff? Who gives a nickname to a fictional character?)

Loved the secondary characters - Jim's partner Terry was great. I liked the hetero "Cabal" and the fact that they loved and cared for Jim, even though he grumbled and complained. Ed made me cry, 'nuff said.

Ms. Michaels expertly maneuvered the story along so that both Jim and Griffin lose someone important to them and turn to each other. The ending was sweet, if a bit fanciful. I would definitely recommend this book if you're a newbie to the m/m genre - it's not very graphic but conveys the emotions well.

My Rating:

Review: Faith and Fidelity by Tere Michaels

This book falls into my M/M Reading Challenge.

I had seen several reviews of this book around the blogosphere and my curiosity was piqued. I really, really liked this book...with one reservation; which I'll address at the end of my review.

Evan Cerelli is a NY City cop. His wife died one year previous to the events in this story, leaving him alone to raise 4 children - 2 teenage girls and a set of younger twins. He'd basically been going through the motions of living since his wife died, living his life in a fog. While at a retirement party for a fellow cop, he meets Matt Height, a former Detective who'd left the force a few years earlier after turning in a dishonest fellow cop.

Evan and Matt each see something familiar, I think, in the other, and they start meeting for beer and to talk about their losses - for Evan, his wife and for Matt, the job that he'd loved. Their meetings grew into a friendship, then something more. Matt started having dreams about Evan which confused and excited him; dreams about being with Evan. He fought the thoughts going through his head because he didn't want to ruin this friendship, one of the only friendships that he'd had in a long time.

One thing leads to another and Evan and Matt confront the feelings that have been developing between them. Both are concerned about their jobs, Evan's kids, and other people's reactions. They start the relationship and it grows deeper, until Evan starts having second thoughts.

I really liked this story. The scenes between Evan and Matt were so tender and sensual and emotionally charged. The wants and fears and desires were well-written and my heart ached for both men when things got rocky.

Ms. Michaels' secondary characters were engaging and a nice foil for Evan and Matt's relationship. I liked Evan's boss Vic, and his partner Helena - they were both open and accepting of this surprising relationship between Evan and Matt. Their concern for Evan was heartwarming and sincere. Evan's kids were realistic and enchanting, not obnoxious at all, and added another layer to this already intriguing story.

Here's my reservation: It was hard for me to believe that two previously heterosexual men would suddenly (or gradually, as the case may be) fall in love. I just don't see it happening; probably because of my belief that you're either born gay or you're not, you don't actually get to choose. BUT, the story was so well-written and engaging it was easy to fall right into it and take an interest in their lives.

I give Faith & Fidelity 4 1/2 out of 5 stars - I really enjoyed reading it!