AotM: Take What You Want (The Rock Gods #2) by Ann Lister (Review + Giveaway)

Take What You Want 

(The Rock Gods Book 2)

Amazon  ~  Goodreads

Mega rock star, Alex “Zander” Metcalf is burned out after nearly two years touring with his band, as well as emotionally drained after his sexual preferences were exposed by the media. He is ready for a long sabbatical – alone, and retreats to the east coast island of Martha's Vineyard; leasing an oceanside estate.

Alex seeks the quiet lifestyle of a recluse to write new material for his band, only to meet the handsome estate manager, Chase, and his gorgeous fiancée, Danni, living in the guest house on his property. Alex's hope of solitude is soon forgotten when he discovers Chase has a repressed bi-sexual side that is aching to surface and Alex is more than happy to help him explore it.

What neither Alex or Chase expects is the emotional power of their chemistry expanding to involve the three of them when Danni becomes entangled in their passion. Alex believes he has finally found his perfect menage relationship with Chase and Danni.

Sometimes two isn't enough and it takes three to complete the union of a fulfilled love. But, will their new relationship be strong enough to survive when real life wants to punish them for their unconventional love? And, can they be confident in the strength of their love to take the 'happily ever after' they can only give each other?

3.5 Stars!

(Alex and Chase 5 Stars!

Chase and Dani 4 Stars!

Alex and Dani 2 Stars!

Alex, Dani and Chase 2 Stars!)

This is Alex/Zander's story and as much as I love Alex I have to tell you this was definitely not my favorite story. Take What You Want had the potential to be absolutely wonderful but, unfortunately, Dani's character ruined it for me. I have no problem whatsoever with Ménage whether it is MMF, MMM or MFM (although I prefer MMM) but what I do have a problem with is a triad that is not well balanced and equal. There needs to be chemistry between all the players or it just doesn't work and while there was amazing chemistry between Alex and Chase, there was little to nothing when it came to Dani. She's just kind of thrown in there and she shouldn't have been.

What I Loved: Chase and Alex are great together. The sexual chemistry is off the charts from the very beginning and throughout the entire Rock Gods series you can feel that these two are connected. I loved both of them and while Chase sometimes aggravated me, I couldn't help but love his character.

The sex between the men was hot and I liked how passionate they were with one another. I totally would've been okay if the story was just about these two men and how Chase was adjusting to being in his first and only same sex relationship. I think there was plenty for these two to explore without adding a third into the mix even if Alex was looking for the perfect Triad.

What I Liked: Ann Lister is a great writer and even with content I didn't care for the story was technically well written. I liked the fact that this story was packed with steamy romance as well as plenty of angst.

What I Didn't Like: Unfortunately, I could spend a good hour speaking about what I Didn't Like but it all comes down to one thing really and that's Dani. Dani was one of the most hypocritical characters I have ever read. This woman wanted to explore sexual fantasies but only on her terms. As long as it is about her, she's fine. She discovers that Chase is bi-curious and wants him to think about what that means and pushes him to basically explore it while she's away for school. She wants to talk to him about things but quickly gets upset. She freaks out when she finds out he did what she pushed him to do and lashes out at him as if he intentionally set out to hurt her.

“That's what you say now,” she said. “But, I honestly don't see how this is going to work. You know I have an open mind about sexual things – obviously, otherwise us sleeping with Allison never would have happened, but this? This is … I don't know. It's a lot to deal with – even for me.” -Dani

(Excerpt) She had been a willing participant when Allison was invited to their bed and had loved watching Chase enjoy the pleasure offered by both she and Allison. Hell, she had even helped Chase roll on a condom and slide inside her friend. How much more accepting could she possibly be? Would Chase now want her there to help him penetrate Alex? Would she be as turned on watching him with Alex as she was while watching him with Allison?

How crazy and hypocritical can she be? First, she was fine when it was her sexual fantasy coming true, but now that it's his, she has a problem. Not to mention, she says she's fantasized about being with two men. Why not look at it as an opportunity for her as well?

She is an irritant and I really became sick of her character, I say kick her to the curb. Alex and Chase have incredible chemistry and I think it's obvious they work. They could spend some time building their relationship and then look together for a woman to complete their triad if that was what they wanted or needed.

Then to add insult to injury Dani and Alex suddenly find their connection.

(Excerpt) Danni nodded and looked at the floor. “You make me feel things,” she said. “Things I shouldn't feel with anyone but Chase, and that's not right. Going there with you would make me feel like I was cheating and I won't do that.”

How exactly does Alex make her feel anything? She barely spends any time with him and she certainly has trouble even tolerating him. Where did this supposed connection come from and when and how did it start? I didn't see it and I didn't believe it.

Overall, I can only recommend this story to either diehard Ann Lister fans, fans of this series or those who have no problem with MMF. However, I am really glad I read it, I kind of try to forget Dani exists and I just focus on Chase and Alex which makes me very happy. I don't fault Ann for writing about a menage, I don't fault her for filling it with angst but I truly, truly wish she could have come up with a way to make the characters fit better. I wanted Dani to be more likable and for all three to be a perfect match.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living on the island of Martha's Vineyard with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. Her 'behind-the-scenes' exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances.

The Rock Gods series gave her Bestselling Author status on Amazon. Beyond The Music, Book 7 in the series, reached #1 in Gay Erotica in the Pre-Order and held that spot for several weeks. The last book in the series launches the spin-off series, Guarding The Gods, which is releasing in early summer 2016.

Fall For Me, Book One in the series was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award. Each book in this series brings her two favorite elements together: musicians and the love between two men. These stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

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PLEASE NOTE: The paperbacks are US Only since we all know how expensive posting can be. The e-copies of the books for this month-long contest will be sent directly to Kindle. 

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