Tag Archives: Cut & Run Network

Book Review: Crash & Burn (Cut & Run Series Book 9) – Abigail Roux

Posted on June 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Crash and BurnCut & Run is one of my favorite series’ of all time and for it to come to an end was a bit bittersweet because I loved Ty and Zane and with their own story coming to an end feels like the ending of a new era – or maybe I’m just being overly dramatic.

So off to the final installment of the series called Crash & Burn. The most awaited wedding of Tyler Grady and Zane Garrett is finally happening here plus a ton of complications to go with and the author trying to tie up every loose ends.

I just have four main criticism about this last installment of the ever-so-thrilling and wonderful Cut & Run series.

The first one would be about Zane’s lack of POV. He doesn’t feel that present in the story. I loved how they finally tie the knot but after that – I just lost him along the way.

Speaking of being present, this ninth series was a bit like the previous installment where there’s just too much of fucking Nick O’Flaherty. He just became my most disliked character in this series to be honest.

The other thing that bothers me and also involves the self-absorbed Nick was Kelly’s dwindling characterization. Was he really a part of the Sidewinder or was it just my imagination all throughout the series? God, he became such a weakling since he hooked up with Nick.

The last thing that kinda ticks me off was how the author tried to connect everything. I mean does she really find the need to fill every loop-hole? It just felt forced and over the top at times.

I know what I’m saying may sound too critical but hey, at the end of the day I’m still a fan of Ty and Zane and I loved these boys. Although I’m sad that this would be the end of their own series, I’m still happy that they finally got their own happy-ever-after. I’m surely going to miss them and they’re probably be the only reason I’ll read more from the Sidewinder series.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Published March 28th 2015 by Riptide Publishing (first published March 1st 2015)

About The Author
Abigail Roux was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in sarcasm and painful historical accuracy, she currently spends her time coaching high school volleyball and investigating the mysteries of single motherhood. Any spare time is spent living and dying with every Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers game of the year. Abigail has a daughter, Little Roux, who is the light of her life, a boxer, four rescued cats who play an ongoing live-action variation of ‘Call of Duty’ throughout the house, a certifiable extended family down the road, and a cast of thousands in her head.

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Book Review: Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) – Abigail Roux

Posted on September 27, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

I’m first to admit that I’m not Nick O’Flaherty’s biggest fan because I find his character a bit overbearing especially after his overexposure in Ball & Chain (Cut & Run #8). In Shock & Awe, Nick was okay but it was the irresistible and uber-adorable Kelly Abbott that made my heart melt like Hershey’s. The first Sidewinder book didn’t impressed me much but it was enough to tease me more in anticipation to its second installment that is Cross & Crown.

Now having read the whole thing, I was somehow at a loss. I don’t know whether I should hate the book or not. In Cross & Crown, Nick O’Flaherty was assigned to solve a homicide that involves a witness with amnesia and his boyfriend / former recon teammate Kelly Aboot acting as his consultant in the case. Then there’s ex-CIA hitman Julian Cross (Warrior’s Cross and Armed & Dangerous) all leading them to a web of treasure hunting, Irish mob and well, some unnecessary brouhaha.

The Irish mob connection  with Nick feels a bit forced and almost unlikely with Nick’s rep from the Cut & Run series. It’s just a bit off, good thing he’s actually Irish.

The movie National Treasure was mediocre at best and this books feels like the movie adapted into a book. I really feel bad saying this. I wished I’ve the same love for Nick and Kelly similar to Ty and Zane but of course Ty and Zane are like in a totally different league. (Oh can I just say that Nick’s totally overreacting on Ty, what a drama queen!) I know that this is Nick and Kelly’s adventure but right in this book, Nick was just beyond oversell.

Now, a bit of a good stuff here is we get a glimpse of Tyler and Zane! Yay! We also have Julian of course who is now married to Cameron! These characters actually made the book attractive because seriously, it’s overload with information – fictional or not.

I’d still recommend for people to read it especially my fellow Cut & Run series disciple. This is after all the Sidewinder team – the team of our very own “doll”

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Warrior’s Cross – Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Posted on May 24, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

I’ve read this book after reading the first eight books of Cut & Run series but don’t get me wrong though, this is a stand-alone book and if you happen to be curious about the characters in this one – meaning the main characters Julian Cross and Cameron Jacobs, then you can read the fifth series of Cut & Run – Armed & Dangerous but that won’t be fun if you won’t read the Cut & Run series right? Anywas, the events that transpired here happened before Armed & Dangerous so if you don’t have the time or you don’t want to read the Cut & Run series, you can just enjoy reading this one.

Cameron Jacobs is an open book. He considers himself a common waiter with normal friends, boring hobbies, harmless dogs, and nothing even resembling a secret… except a crush on a tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man who dines alone at his restaurant on Tuesday nights. All it takes is one passionate night with Julian Cross to turn Cameron’s world on its head.

Julian’s love and devotion are all Cameron could have hoped for and more. But when his ordinary life meets and clashes with Julian’s extraordinary lifestyle, Cameron discovers that trust and fear can go hand in hand, and love is just a step away from danger (source.)

The story’s actually fairly simple. An ordinary looking guy who works as a waiter in a fine-dining restaurant fell for his customer who’s also been attracted to him for like the longest time now. I’m not really digging the whole story. I thought it was repetitive and has a very weak storyline. I thought it’s the worst from the Cut & Run network of books. Though, I loved Julian Cross’s character – I thought the story didn’t give him justice. Cameron Jacobs’ well – as the book implies – is truly unremarkable. I think his character have more to offer in Armed & Dangerous. Here though, his character’s just plain flat. It was Julian’s character and his driver Preston who actually piqued my interest more than Cameron. Hey, don’t be discourage though, I thought the whole thing’s still readable – or better than some but I highly suggest that if you’re going to read this one – make sure you take some time off and immerse yourself in the world of Cut & Run.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Ball & Chain (Book 8 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 24, 2014 | Leave a comment
via riptidepublishing.com

via riptidepublishing.com

Now, I’ve to agree with most of the reviews I’ve read about this book before & after reading it. The duo took the supporting roles here – clearly, this was more of a Nick O’ Flaherty book than Ty and Zane and I’m a bit disappointed. It’s like the screen time were focused more on Nick and Kelly (Abbott) and their budding relationship. Gosh, I keep on hoping that the other half of the book would focus more on Ty and Zane but the whole thing was like a Sidewinder love story. And the last few pages was focused more on Nick! OMG! The final proposal of Ty when Zane finally said yes was sweet and I don’t know – my heart goes to Ty because he was so sweet, sincere and all! I just love this guy.

Home from their unexpected deployment, the former members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder rejoin their loved ones and try to pick up the pieces of the lives they were forced to leave behind. Ty Grady comes home to Zane Garrett, only to find that everything around him has changed—even the men he went to war with. He barely has time to adjust before his brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man. But that isn’t all Deuce asks Ty to do, and Ty must call for backup to deal with the business issues of Deuce’s future father-in-law.

Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott join Ty and Zane at the wedding on an island in Scotland, thinking they’re there to assuage Deuce’s paranoia. But when bodies start dropping and boats start sinking, the four men get more involved with the festivities than they’d ever planned to.

With the clock ticking and the killer just as stuck on the isolated island as they are, Ty and Zane must navigate a veritable minefield of family, friends, and foes to stop the whole island from being destroyed (source)

In this book, there’s too much happening. Too many suspects, too many twist and turn and too many dying! Oh, did I say too many pages for Nick (you see, I love Nick but this isn’t supposed to be his book! Cmon’ now Abi!) Oh well, I’m just glad that we still have Ball & Chain to linger over the impending goodbye of Ty & Zane’s adventure. Gosh, I don’t think I’m ready for the last book – I mean, I don’t think I’m ready to let go of them just yet. Let me cry my eyes out first… see you in the ninth book!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Touch & Geaux (Book 7 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

This book was totally heartbreaking to read. I don’t think I’d be able to reread it anytime soon. I’m not used to Ty and Zane fighting this much after reading the first 6 books in the series. Here, a lot of secrets have been revealed and a lot of bad, bad guys are after Ty, Zane and the rest of their crew (Sidewinder!)

After having their faces plastered across the news during a high-profile case, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have become more useful to the Bureau posing for photo ops than working undercover. Just as Zane is beginning to consider retirement a viable option, Ty receives a distress call from a friend, leading them to a city rife with echoes from the past.

New Orleans wears its history on its streets, and it’s the one place Ty’s face could get him killed. Surrounded by trouble as soon as they land, Ty and Zane are swiftly confronted with a past from which Ty can’t hide—one with a surprising connection to Zane’s.

As threats close in from all directions, both men must come to terms with the lives they’ve led and the lies they’ve told. They soon discover that not all their secrets are out yet, and nothing lasts forever.

So at the beginning, Zane’s about to propose for Ty to marry him but they have to fly to New Orleans ASAP for some emergency. Turns out, that emergency’s a highly traumatic journey to their past! Ouch! I’m hurting by simply remembering everything that happened in the book! It was the Sidewinder reunion commemorating the birthday of their fallen comrades. The revelations of Ty are just beyond! Zane was beyond mad thinking if he really knows Ty or if what Ty have shown him all this time was simply a ploy to do his mission?! Ouch again! I admit that Ty was I the wrong here. He’s crazy shit but surely, they could talk some sense into this right? LOL. Oh well, it’s just crazy – everything that happened to this book was just crazy and I don’t know. It’s painful, beyond painful! The best thing that I loved about this was the ending – it was bittersweet moment for both of them! Awee – this book hurts but at the end of the day (err…the novel) I still love both of ‘em. Abigail, please don’t do this again…

 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Shock & Awe (Book 1 of Sidewinder Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

18005253From the Cut & Run series, we’ve got here a couple springing from the Sidewinder team. Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott finally discovered that they have something that they could share more. The story picked up after the events in Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run Series Book #8) and it was just a quick narration of both men deciding whether they should be pursuing what their hearts was telling them or just remain friends / brothers-in-combat.

After barely surviving a shootout in New Orleans, Sidewinder medic Kelly Abbott has to suffer through a month of recovery before he can return home to Colorado. He’s not surprised when fellow Sidewinder Nick O’Flaherty stays with him in New Orleans. Nor is he surprised when Nick travels home with him to help him get back on his feet—after all, years on the same Marine Force Recon team bonded the men in ways that only bleeding for a brother can. He’s very surprised, though, when Nick humors his moment of curiosity and kisses him.

Nick knows all of Kelly’s quirks and caprices, so the kiss was a low-risk move on his part . . . or so he thought. But what should’ve been a simple moment unleashes a flood of confusing emotions and urges that neither man is prepared to address.

Now, Kelly and Nick must figure out what they mean to each other—friends and brothers in arms, or something even deeper?—before the past can come back to ruin their tenuous future (source)

Shock & Awe to put it simply is a walking sex novella. Really, it’s just sex, sex and sex and less talk. It’s funny (especially Kelly – oh my, he’s kinky! Lol) and it does not require too much thinking. Kelly’s just so adorable especially whenever he’s demanding Nick to kiss him. And I just love his stubbornness – the guy’s horny every time! LOL

Really, you just gotta read the whole thing to peek at the fire that started between them and then go read “Ball & Chain (Cut & Run series Book #8)” to read more of the progress in their relationship.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Stars & Stripes (Book 6 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 22, 2014 | Leave a comment
via goodreads

via goodreads

This book would have to be the sweetest and funniest in the series! This was also the book where both of our character finally came out to their respective families! Yay! Exciting times!

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have managed the impossible: a few months of peace and quiet. After nearly a year of personal and professional turmoil, they’re living together conflict-free, work is going smoothly, and they’re both happy, healthy, and home every night before dark. But anyone who knows them knows that can’t possibly last.

When an emergency call from home upsets the balance of their carefully arranged world, Ty and Zane must juggle family drama with a perplexing crime to save a helpless victim before time runs out.

From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears—and their families—to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world

From the beginning until the end, I find myself grinning from ear to ear. The text jokes their sharing at the office was just HI-llarious I’m laughing my a$$ of for real! I also loved how they now have Smith & Wesson (the two evil cats of Julian Cross) in their care and “conspiring” against Zane. LOL. That was just funny! Oh, you just gotta love Ty’s grandpa right? The coming out scene with Ty’s family quite touching to be honest! I love how they totally accepted Zane in the family and I was tearing up because Ty have been keeping that secret for like the longest time now!!! I’m so glad for both of them!

Then we have Zane’s wealthy family in Texas and his Monster Mom! I just love how everyone (except his Mom) notices how Zane’s so happy with Ty! Ty’s just hilarious and gave some of the best punch lines here! Gosh, I’m totally waving Team Ty’s flag here yeah? LOL. I just love how both of them complimented each other so much! I somehow wished that they were actually real!!!!!!! Or yes, please – I’ve been dying to post something here about it – they have to make this series into a film! I swear. Oh hell, If I have the money in the world. I’d do it in a heartbeat! This book’s a complete package of some sort. It’s funny, romantic, action-packed with a very nice finish! Oh, I love you Abigail Roux!

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

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Book Review: Armed & Dangerous (Book 5 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 21, 2014 | Leave a comment
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via goodreads

This is the first solo effort of Abigail Roux in the Cut & Run series and I’ve to say that she’s done a damn good job on keeping the fans hungry for more Ty and Zane adventure! This book was LOVE! We meet new characters – a version of Ty (if I may say) by the name of Julian Cross! And some big revelations as well as some sweet-sweet moments from Meow Mix and Lone Star!

Left alone in Baltimore after his unpredictable lover bails, Special Agent Zane Garrett takes his frustration out on everything in his path until he is ordered to Chicago to back up an undercover operative. When he gets there, though, he finds himself face to face with his wayward partner, Special Agent Ty Grady. They have to deal with the uncertainty lingering between them while they work to retrieve their intended mark, a retired hit man and CIA wet-works operative named Julian Cross.

Ty, once a marine and now an FBI hotshot, has a penchant for being unpredictable, a trait Zane can vouch for. Zane is a man who once lived for his job but has come to realize his heartbreaking past doesn’t have to overshadow his future. They’re partners, friends, lovers, and the go-to team for unusual cases. With Cross and his innocuous boyfriend, Cameron Jacobs, in tow, Ty and Zane must navigate the obstacles of a cross-country trek, including TSA pat-downs, blizzards, their uncooperative prisoners, CIA kill teams, a desperate lack of sleep or caffeine, and each other. Ty and Zane are determined to get Julian Cross to DC in one piece, but it’s starting to look like it might be the last thing they do.

Now this effort of Abigail Roux’s crazy good! First, can I just say how relieved I am that Zane was finally part of Ty’s black ops (even as a mere back up) and he was able to finally give the gift he bought for Ty in Book 3.  Awwee… that compass pendant!!! Yes!

“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet.
Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you gave me direction when I was lost. You showed me the way.” He looked up to meet Ty’s eyes. “You’re like my very own compass.”

Ty’s still my man here – the crazy, the sweet man I’ve come to know and Zane’s still the understanding guy who gladly tolerated his lover. Gosh, I swear these two are dynamites! The confrontation between Nick O’Flaherty and Zane went smoothly though and what a revelation from Nick! I was aghast upon learning one of Ty’s secret. Oh, my heart broke from what they’ve been through. I’m also glad that Zane’s all very understanding and Ty loving him was just awwee-worthy.

The other couple (Julian Cross & Cameron Jacobs) was  getting on my nerves especially Julian but after reading Warrior’s Cross (their story in the Cut and Run network) I think I finally understood them.

Now Ty’s always delivering the funny banters here and the hot sex’s still there! Yay! I’m just glad that they are really getting to know each other more – I love the progress in their relationship and Zane being sweet and all like Ty. *sigh* I just love these two.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

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Book Review: Divide & Conquer (Book 4 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban

Posted on May 20, 2014 | Leave a comment
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This is the last book that both Abigail and Madeleine co-authored and as usual, the book still has its magic! In Divide & Conquer, Baltimore, Maryland, is a city in alarming distress. Rising violence is fanning the flames of public outrage, and all law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are catching blame. Thus the FBI’s latest ideas to improve public relations: a municipal softball league and workshops for community leaders. But the new commitments just mean more time Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have to spend apart when they’re happily exploring how to be more than by-the-book partners.

Then the latest spate of crime explodes in their faces—literally—throwing the city, the Bureau, and Ty and Zane’s volatile partnership both in and out of the office into chaos. They’re hip-deep in trouble, trying to track down bombers and bank robbers in the dark with very few clues, and the only way to reach the light at the end of the tunnel together requires Ty and Zane to close their eyes and trust each other to the fiery end. [source]

Here, we see a lot of conflicts amongst our characters and we meet the Sidewinder team (Ty’s Recon team). The duo’s affection for each other is growing each day with them being assigned to deskwork after their successful undercover job from the last book. Here, the two are always on the brink of dying after getting the ire of the group terrorizing the city of Baltimore. This was also the part of the series when Ty finally came out to his team and getting the shock of his life when his bestfriend (Nick O’ Flaherty) in the team admitted loving him for a long time now and the sucker kissed him and Ty kissed him back and enjoyed it! WTF?! You see, (now this is getting spoiler-ish) Zane went blind for a time due to an explosion and Ty took care of him and in all fairness to Ty, he admitted the incident to him. Now would this be the reason for Zane not to say I LOVE YOU back to Ty? Now, you’ve got to read the whole thing! It’s maddening, it’s still swoony and you’d learn more about Ty and Zane and the Sidewinder team. Ugh, I’m still upset about the kiss but I guess I’m quite glad it happened…you gotta check it out peeps.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

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Book Review: Fish & Chips (Book 3 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban

Posted on May 19, 2014 | Leave a comment
via dreamspinnerpress.com
via dreamspinnerpress.com

Now, this is easily my favorite amongst the series because this is the part of the series where, finally, one of them (it’s our sweet Ty) uttered those stupid words. Fish & Chips may also be the funniest among the series when the duo was assigned to do an undercover assignment posing as a married couple! Yay! How exciting is that?! Ty especially has to go under some drastic makeover sporting platinum blond hair—whoot hoot! We also learned more about Tyler’s ability to mimic accents! I would love to hear that sexy British accent.

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are back on the job, settled into a personal and professional relationship built on fierce protectiveness and blistering passion. Now they’re assigned to impersonate two members of an international smuggling ring-an out-and-proud married couple-on a Christmas cruise in the Caribbean. As their boss says, surely they’d rather kiss each other than be shot at, and he has no idea how right he is. Portraying the wealthy criminals requires a particular change in attitude from Ty and Zane while dealing with the frustrating waiting game of their assignment. As it begins to affect how they treat each other in private, Ty and Zane realize there’s more to being partners than watching each other’s backs, and when the case takes an unexpected turn and threatens Ty’s life, Ty and Zane will have to navigate seas of white lies and stormy secrets, including some of their own.






 





Ty’s such a character here, and I love how the two could easily be affectionate with each other (of course with the undercover thingy and all), but it was fun seeing them able to do that without having to worry about the people around them. Ty’s such a sex kitten here, and he’s very funny as well, especially with that “beefcake” question. LOL. That got me rolling on the floor, to be honest. We also see here the sweet side of Zane. C’mon, man, stop over-analyzing everything. Goodness!





It’s ridiculous how both authors could come up with such a good story line! It was concise, yet you won’t ask for more because there was enough stuff going on with our characters. The Italian biatch was really funny as well, and Ty was just hilarious, being crazy and all. Oh, how I totally adore these two. Fish and chips is pure magic! I can’t wait to reread it! Ciao!

							

	
			

				
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