I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Divide & Conquer
by
Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban
It is part of the Cut & Run #4 series and is a erotica, romantic suspense in eBook edition that was published by Dreamspinner Press on October 14, 2011 and has 313 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Cut & Run, Sticks & Stones, Fish & Chips, Armed & Dangerous, Stars & Stripes, Touch & Geaux, Ball & Chain, Shock & Awe, Cross & Crown, "Bait & Switch", Crash & Burn, Part & Parcel, "Brick & Mortar Books", "Dine & Dash", "High & Tight", "Shake and Bake", Past & Presents, "Shake and Bake"
Fourth in the Cut & Run erotic romantic suspense series revolving around two FBI partners, partners in every sense of the word: Ty and Zane.
In 2011, Divide & Conquer won the Library Journal: Librarian’s Best Romance Books of the Year for Best Ebook Romance Books of the Year.
My Take
I do enjoy this series. Zane and Ty are such he-men, so contrary to the stereotype of gay men, and it’s fun to read as Urban/Roux blend all the worries and joys of relationship issues with law enforcement suspense. He loves me, and does he love me reign throughout with Ty accepting that it’ll take Zane awhile to get there. At least until Nick pushes the wrong buttons!
Those of you in law enforcement will get a kick out of Ty’s parkour moves and the response of off-duty police officers and volunteers. Made me remember people responding for 9/11, made me feel proud. However, those of you with car love affairs will be appalled by the Bronco’s involvement!?
It’s funny in this installment because no one yet knows about Ty and Zane’s relationship. It is a fun group of people, and they obviously like each other, know each others’ foibles, and don’t hesitate to tease with those comments that sucker me right in:
“‘Well,’ Alston said, just loud enough for Ty and Zane to hear, ‘McCoy did say you two were pretty.'”
Oh, lord, the tension that Urban/Roux introduced when we learn who drives Ty to the hospital…! The future possibilities for that drove me nuts! *Where’s that blood pressure cuff!*
Oh, oh, ohhh, that scene where Graham is delivering the envelope to Zane and he hears Zane and Ty fighting just inside…too funny. It’s followed up by Zane realizing he needs more shiny things to keep Ty occupied, oh, LOL. Ty just needs to be doin’, not sittin’ on the sidelines!
Then the dance scene…ohhhh…it was so sweet. Just gets better when we find out about Ty’s singing voice, LOL.
Ah, geez, we find out why Ty dreams, and it’s not pretty. It happened in Afghanistan.
WTF? “Apparently being gay makes you incapable of having someone’s back in a fight,”
This bit where Ty feels like he’s putting himself on the line for Zane…I can see his point, but Urban/Roux tend to spring this one on us in every book. It’s like they come to the checklist, and it says to introduce conflict, so they pop it in. Irritating.
Hmmm, I’m wondering if Urban/Roux slip cut & run into every story… Oh, man, I was wondering where the T-shirts had gone. At last, Urban/Roux gave in with that rock-paper-scissors T. I do love the guns!
It is male-on-male in this, and so worth reading for the characters and how they cope with this forbidden relationship. No…it’s not the forbidden you’re thinking of either! *grin*
The Story
It’s that hero streak in both Zane and Ty that finds them representing the FBI in PR mode as Baltimore is hit by a series of bombings. Ty, in particular, is targeted for his statements. And anyone with him is also in danger.
The Characters
Special Agents Zane Garrett and Ty Grady (a former staff sergeant) are partners in the field and in the bedroom. Annie is Zane’s little sister, and the only one in the family who knows. Grandmother Elsie Griffin was Ty’s great-grandmother who was blind, gives Ty some insight into what Zane is facing. Deuce is Ty’s younger brother, the one with the gimpy leg from that motorcycle accident. He’s also a successful psychiatrist, which comes in right handy.
Marine Force Recon Team Sidewinder
Ooopsies, Ty forgot it was his weekend to host the boys: Nick O’Flaherty is Ty’s oldest friend and a kindred spirit now a policeman up in Boston and a Red Sox fan; Owen Johns, a Yankees fan, is now in upstate New York; Kelly Abbott from Colorado was their medical officer; and Digger, a.k.a., Duruand Garrigou, is from the bayou.
Fellow agents include Michelle Clancy, Scott Alston, Fred Perrimore, Harry Lassiter, and Lydia Reeves. Special-Agent-in-Charge Dan McCoy is their boss. Dolores is from PR and works for White Strips.
Elaina is Special Agent Shannon‘s young daughter, and they’re both a bit in love with Ty. Tank is the fireman who took Ty down. Bulldog is a fellow fireman. Dr. Jameson treats Zane, suggests Ty call Zane’s family. Ryan Morelli is the hot waiter at Chiapparelli’s who drives Ty wild. Leticia seems to be the maître d’hôtel. Now, the Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille is more Ty’s style. Alicia Harrison is the reporter for WBAL TV 11 News.
Pierce Sutton is the maniacal leader, Ross Tanger, Hannah Myles is getting bored, and Graham Lewis is developing a conscience, and together, they have their own agendas.
The Cover and Title
The cover is simple with its horizontal ruled white background with its giant pink plastic piggy bank, broken down the middle, and patched back together with a couple of crisscrossing band-aids. It’s so appropriate for what the bad guys are doin’ in Baltimore, LOL.
The title could be a reaction to that kiss, or perhaps its not saying I love you, but it certainly does end with a Divide & Conquer attitude.
