“Lovers and Other Strangers” by Josh Lanyon

Finn Barret came home to recover from an accident that almost killed him. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but when he comes face to face with Conlan Carlyle again, his feelings change. Finn last saw Con in the arms of his brother, Fitch. The pain of seeing them together has never faded, but Finn will have to put his feelings aside as he tries to unravel the mystery surrounding his brother’s disappearance.  

“Lovers and Other Strangers” has Josh Lanyon’s signature style of intense angst and suspense. Lanyon’s blend of an unconventional romance and a suspenseful story works. I was glued to every page. I may usually like my romance a little less painful, but there is no denying Lanyon’s talent with the written word. “Lovers and Other Strangers” is an expertly told, intriguing story.

“Body Art” by Jordan Castillo Price

Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is how Ray Carloucci ends up as a driver for an aging couple instead of running his tattoo shop. So far, the most interesting thing about his new job is the possibly crazy, and definitely hot, neighbor Anton Kopec. Oh, and the body the landscapers dug up.  Now Ray has a job, a lover, and a mystery to solve.

Ray has great tattoos. His well-worn dress shirt and the tat that peaks out from the too-short sleeve is just one reason he’s so sexy.  Anton is a mystery in himself. Is he bipolar? Is he just eclectic?  It would be funny and really weird if Jordan wrote a book about two sedate gay men. Boy meets boy, and they live happily ever after.  More like, some kink, a secret or three, and likely a dead body or two, which is exactly why I love her work so much. She makes everything way more interesting. “Body Art” has a few fascinating people, a slightly spooky mystery, and some hot sex. It’s good stuff.

The only thing better than a Josh Lanyon or a Jordan Castillo Price book, is an anthology by Josh Lanyon and Jordan Castillo Price. The Art of Dying is seriously good reading material. Josh Lanyon’s story is an angst-filled whodunit. Jordan Castillo Price’s is a colorful mystery with a hot couple. These two talented authors never fail to impress me with their talent for writing thought-provoking, creative stories.