Review: They can move to New York, but they can't escape their pasts
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2013
(I am going to rate this somewhere between a 4 and a 5 and round up.  So about 4.5 stars.)BEHIND THE SCENES marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Steve and Zack (Liz Borino's "MINE" series), as they move to New York to start a new job, along with Steve's sister Sunni, their nanny/cook Drew, and Drew's two adopted kids.  And a cat and a dog.What makes this different from the previous books is that is not a standalone novel, as the others were (well, except for maybe the last few paragraphs of CUTAWAY).  It is first installment of a four-book arc.  So the good news is: at least three more books after this one (yay!); the bad news is: we are going to have to be patient for the resolution of the key storylines that are introduced here.I would classify this as family saga with M/M romance, medium suspense, medium-light angst, and light BDSM.In addition to Steve and Zack's continuing exploration into the BDSM world and the periodic private switching, Drew finds a newly rekindled romance with a former fling, Alex.  Alex is Steve and Zack's consultant as they write for the HBO BDSM show "Behind the Scenes", but he is also the owner of the kink club where Steve and Zack start going to play.Steve and Zack.  What can I say?  As readers of the past books will know, their relationship has grown and progressed, and continues to do so in this book.  But they are still the characters we love, happy in their marriage and their lifestyle (when they can enjoy it).  Steve continues to seek to try to protect Zack from things Steve has no control over.  Zack is definitely becoming more assertive/outgoing when he wants to be.  However, in this installment the Steve/Zack relationship did not have some of the high-angst-moments such as in ACTION and CUTAWAY, possibly because they are more settled.Alex and Drew make a great addition to this saga.  Both have pasts, but Drew's is detailed more in this installment.  With Alex being a club owner and a probably more hard-core Dom, I think their play scenes have the potential to go into areas that Steve and Zack have no interest in trying.  Plus, Drew has some major issues he will need to work through as the relationship develops.  Alex's past was only mentioned in passing, not sure if any of it will come back to bite him later, and there was enough other stuff going on in this book without it.There are three antagonists is this book (or maybe two bad guys and a serious nuisance).  First, Rich from CASTING and ACTION follows Steve and Zack to New York, and is after revenge (or Zack).  Second, Drew's abusive delusional ex-boyfriend comes seeking to get back Drew and the kids.  Third, a celebrity reporter persistently hounds everyone involved in order to put her spin and sensationalist headlines on anything resembling a story (so much for the guys escaping this by moving to New York).  However, since this book is just the first in the new arc, none of these three sleazes gets what he or she deserves in this book.The ending, while less agonizing than a typical CSI-style season cliffhanger, will definitely leave you impatient for the next book (due out in July, I believe).I believe a new reader could read this book without having read the other four, as just enough of the backstory is given.  But seeing Steve and Zack now is more fulfilling for having known where they came from and how they got here.So overall, a solid installment in a great series, or beginning a new series.What stops me from giving this a full-out 5, besides the cliffhanger ending?  I think the main reason is a lack of super-heavy-duty angst.  I love tortured main characters.  The book contains lots of drama and many stressful / suspenseful / emotional moments, but few deeply heart-wrenching / nail-biting / edge of the seat and/or kleenex scenes.  I guess as a reader I can handle a lot of angst and suspense, and I am happiest after I am put through an intense emotional wringer with the characters.  But I know a lot of readers aren't always as eager as I am to watch characters suffer while reading.Disclaimer: I read two pre-final versions of the book prior to release and I have chatted with the authors about the series.  So I have a hard time claiming to be completely unbiased. But I tried my best to be in this review.