Review: Addicted to this series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2014
Sometimes you read a series because you love them, sometimes you read them because you are intrigued and sometimes you read them because from the first book it’s been like a train wreck and you simply can’t wait to see what the author will come up with next. I mean that in the nicest way, from the very first book in Heidi Cullinan’s Special Delivery series, I was hooked. There is something about this crazy group of men that have somehow banded together to make this strange yet special family. These are books that will challenge you, for some the subject matter will be too much, and for others like me while there may be aspects that totally squiggy you out, but you just can’t stay away. All of these books deal with aspects of BDSM play and in this one there were some areas that will most definitely challenge a lot of readers including me. I don’t like needles, I seriously hate getting shots and there was a needle play scene in this book that had me crawling out of my skin, but I had to read it; I couldn’t stop I had to see how it played out and to me that proves how easy it is to get wrapped up in the characters. While Tough Love isn’t for everyone, for those willing to stretch your comfort zone I highly recommend this book and this series.Crescencio “Chenco” Ortiz has not had an easy life; kicked out of his Mother’s home after he comes out and explains his need to be a female impersonator he moves to find the father he never knew only to be berated and terrorized by the dying man. Now that he’s gone he feels he can move on with his life until he gets notice that his home is being taken from him. Frustrated and at the end of his rope, Chenco is trying to wrap his brain around his problem when he meets a leather daddy who seems like a nice guy until his friend shows up, a friend Chenco recognizes and send him running.Steve Vance doesn’t know why the little Hispanic twink intrigues him but he does. After seeing him at his attorney’s office throwing a fit, he later finds him vulnerable and scared in an alley. He’s just making headway with him when one of his friends causes him to flee. Not one to be easily deterred, Steve vows to find the young man and help him in any way he can.I really don’t know where to begin with this review because so much happens in this story that it made my head swim. Chenco is really in a bad place and while he’s worried about what the immediate future holds, he’s a fighter. I admire his strength and everything he’s had to endure in his short 24 years. He’s got character and grit and quite a bit of sass. It’s hard not to like him and hard not to smile as I think back about various scenes in this book. Steve has many years and a lot of experience on Chenco and doesn’t feel he’s worthy of being with him. He has baggage, a lot of baggage and in addition his sexual proclivities are something he isn’t sure Chenco will be able to handle. While he recognizes a submissive nature in Chenco he’s not sure the young man can handle his darker edges. In addition, Chenco meeting his half brother, his half brother’s husband, their best friend, and his husband has his head spinning especially when they all welcome him into the fold with open arms and vow to help him with his dream of taking his show on the road.This was one of those books I just couldn’t put down; once I started I had to know what was going to happen to these characters because they had to crawl through the depths of hell to figure out their very complicated relationship. There are many scenes involving BDSM practices and kinks and some go beyond the “norm.” There are of course M/M sexual practices, exhibitionism, and some very frank discussions. We see all of the players from the first two books and in addition some new characters are introduced yet they all are important to the story and help to move the plot forward.Tough Love is not for everyone; however it is an intriguing and highly emotional story. While some might not think their love is normal, for them it is perfect and I loved watching them find that out.Review copy provided for an honest review.