Author Name: Lissa Kasey
Book Name: Candy Land
Series: Hidden Gem
Book: Three
Should be read as a series
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4904483.Lissa_Kasey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Shobana Appavu
Release
Date: April 25, 2016
Blurb:
Cameron “Candy” Michelson Jr.
doesn’t have time for distractions. He’s too busy restructuring the red-light district
into an adult playland for City M and running the Hidden Gem. But when his
companion, Avery “Ivy” Laurent, grows closer to Jack, an investigator for the
Institute of Scientific Study, Candy can’t hide his jealousy. Nor his own
interest in Jack.
Ivy is crazy about Jack, but
he’s also in love with Candy. Ideally, Ivy longs for all three of them to be
together, but between Jack’s nonexistent libido and Candy’s supercharged needs,
Ivy isn’t sure how to make it work.
When Jack gets called in to
help the City M police department investigate a series of violently murdered
companions, both Candy and Ivy brace for trouble. But nothing prepares them for
Candy becoming the prime suspect.
In a future landscape of
corrupt government officials, brutal BDSM crimes, and a host of dark creatures,
Candy, Ivy, and Jack must work together to find the killer, save themselves—and
learn how to trust each other.
Pages or Words: 100,000 words
Categories: BDSM, Fantasy, Gay Fiction,
M/M Romance, Ménage, Paranormal, Romance, Shifters, Urban Fantasy
Excerpt:
Candy groaned when he realized he
was the most innocent in the dark side of the world of the three of them.
Him innocent. Unbelievable.
Dom, whore, and pimp, he shouldn’t
inch at the idea of death and blood, but he did. Fuck. Had Paris known how
worthless he was going to be when it came to monsters, gore, and the
supernatural shit of the world?
He glanced at Jack, sighing over
his natural boy-next-door beauty. His dark blond hair was long, curling around
his ears, and somewhat unruly. It looked soft, and Candy longed to run his fingers
through it. He’d met more handsome men than Jack, Paris and Shane being prime
specimens of men, but something about him drew Candy in deep. His eyes were a
soft shade of honey brown, with specks of dark chocolate that glistened if the
light hit them just right. He always held himself apart, shoulders squared,
head high. Con dent, Candy thought. But every once in a while he’d get a
glimpse of something lurking beneath all that bravado—a childlike innocence and
fear. It was the little boy hiding his heart behind the badge that made Candy
want Jack so bad. He wanted to take that fear away, show him that while the
world might not be safe, he wasn’t alone anymore.
Had Ivy even gotten to taste those
thick lips? Or experience Jack’s strong arms wrapped around him? Had he chased
away the overconfident man and fearful child long enough to see the real Jack?
Did Candy have a chance? Should he even care if his death was just around the
corner? Fuck. If there was anything he hated it was uncertainty. Whatever Aki
saw would happen. Candy had no doubt about that. If he was going to die today
or even a year from now, shouldn’t he just live every moment like it was his
last? What would Jack do if Candy threw himself at him? Kissed the breath out
of him? Asked to be held? Candy growled to himself and shook his head. He
didn’t know where to start, but somehow he was sure aggression wouldn’t be
welcome.
Jack stayed on his heel while Candy
wandered, but seemed to be inspecting the property himself, maybe looking for
clues that had been missed by the police. He had this nervous habit of biting
his lip when he was deep in thought. Candy had noticed it ages ago, and it
drove him nuts. It was an almost boyish cuteness that made Candy want to kiss
Jack just to stop him from worrying at his lip, but now he knew it wouldn’t be
welcomed and it irritated him. His tight pants bit into his lling cock. It
wasn’t fair to be attracted to someone so badly.
He’d looked up the term Ivy had
left for him after his last client: asexuality. A lack of emotional interest in
sex. There were a dozen divisions within the term, some even sex- or
relationship-averse, meaning they were repulsed by sex. Did sex disgust Jack?
Was that why he hugged himself whenever he entered the Gem and refused to meet
anyone’s eyes? Candy had thought it was just shyness, and maybe it partially
was. He just didn’t quite understand. How could someone be physically able to
have sex, but not want to? If he asked Jack, would he answer?
Candy sighed to himself and headed
up the stairs. Even the stairs were caked in grease and grime. Ivy had lived
here for several years, walking those steps in bare feet. Candy didn’t want to
see, but he had to get his mind off Jack. The nastiness of the Red Delight
client rooms would hopefully wilt his erection. If he’d been home he would have
found a spare moment with Ivy to alleviate some tension. Here there was nothing
but sticky floors, stained walls, and the stench of years of cigarette smoke.
Jack followed him up the stairs.
Neither of them spoke or touched anything. A door at the far end was still
marked with the yellow paint used by the police to indicate the crime area.
Jack rubbed his nose and grabbed Candy’s arm before either of them could make a
step toward that door. “It still smells of death up here. We should go back
down. There’s nothing to see, right? You don’t want the actual building, just
the land.”
“Ivy is too free with information,”
Candy said, somewhat annoyed. How was it fair for Jack to know so much about
him when Candy knew almost nothing about Jack?
“He worries about you. Wants to
take care of you.” “Funny. I’d say he does the same for you.”
Jack shrugged. “He’s a friend. I
thought he was your friend too.”
Candy stepped into Jack’s personal
bubble. “I fuck him regularly. We’re more than just friends.”
Jack didn’t step back, nor did he
appear to be shocked by Candy’s words, which stole some of Candy’s anger. Ivy
had obviously not been dishonest with either of them. Though Candy had never
expected him to fully disclose his sex life to Jack. “Why does that matter?”
Jack asked finally. “I’m friends with Shane and Aki doesn’t mind. I know they
have sex often.”
Did Jack really not know? Maybe he
didn’t get that Ivy wanted more than friendship. Hell, Candy would have liked
to get to know Jack on a more personal level too, only his hackles were always
raised by the man. He had this feeling that Jack would have to be the man of the
relationship. The guy in charge, the Dominant, and Goddess knew Candy hated to
give up control. Not that he didn’t like occasionally having someone hold him
down and pound into him. Fuck, his head was messed up. And why did Jack smell
so damn good?
Candy stood close enough that if he
leaned forward just a bit he could finally capture Jack’s abused lip. When had
he grown tall enough to nearly meet Jack eye to eye? And the strength of Jack’s
hand on his arm... Candy knew it could hold him, maybe even be enough to
restrain him. He sucked in a deep breath; his cock ached to be touched and
leaked in his pants. It made him angry. He was never rational when angry. Paris
had been trying for years to teach him to bury that wild emotion and had
failed. Candy opened his mouth to say something scathing, only Jack spoke first.
“I never got to thank you for the
book,” Jack said. “At least not in person. I’m sure Ivy told you I was
grateful. But I really do like it. It’s like owning a piece of history. I’m in
awe that you even found it.”
An odd mash of glee filled Candy’s
gut. Jack liked the book. He knew that, of course, Ivy had told him so, but it
was different hearing it from the man himself. The anger fell away. Did Jack
really see him?
“The cake too. That was pretty
amazing. I have the rest of it in my freezer. Been eating it a little at a
time. Ivy helped me cut it into slices so I could freeze it and unthaw it as I
want. I’ve never been a huge fan of sweets, but the lemon and strawberry mix is
good. I’ve never had anyone give me anything. Thank you.”
Candy gave in to his need to touch
and be touched. Even if it meant Jack shoved him away, he had to step forward,
close that space and try. He leaned
forward, not daring to kiss Jack, but enough to rest his forehead on Jack’s
shoulder, arm loose around his waist. He kept their hips apart so as not to
startle Jack with his erection. He almost expected Jack to step back. But he
didn’t. His arms circled around Candy’s back, patting his shoulder lightly.
“The new hair color is good,” Jack
told him. “Makes me think of flowers. Not that you’re flowery, but I’m sort of
hoping spring comes soon. I don’t like the cold very much.” He seemed to be
rambling now. Breathing a little hitched. Candy couldn’t recall Jack ever
speaking to him so much. “More you than that brown I saw you with at Solstice.
And I’m glad the jacket ts. When I saw it last week I told Ivy it would be
perfect for you. I don’t know when your birthday is, but if it makes you feel
better you can pretend it’s a present for your birthday, or maybe a late
Solstice present.”
The clothes, or at least the
jacket, had been from Jack? Candy wished they were in a better place. He would
have shoved Jack against the wall and proved to him how great sex could be.
Only he couldn’t imagine touching anything in here and not coming away with
some nasty disease. “Thank you. The coat is nice. Warm.”
Jack rubbed Candy’s arms. “That’s
what I thought when I saw it. That it would keep you warm, and the color is
nice. Bright, like your hair always was.” He hesitated in his touch, but Candy
moved closer to him, assuring him that it was okay. “It’s been a while since I
saw you last. I hope you’re doing okay. I mean, I’m sure Ivy would have told me
if you weren’t, but it’s good to see for myself that you’re looking good....”
Jack thought he looked good? Manny
appeared on the stairs a moment later, saving Candy from doing something
stupid, like stealing a kiss from Jack.
“Oscar’s finished,” Manny told him.
He said nothing about the embrace that would have embarrassed Candy had anyone
else seen.
Candy pulled away reluctantly. He
couldn’t meet Jack’s eyes as he made his way downstairs. If he had, he’d have
said something stupid, like ask if they could go back to his place afterward.
Jack probably would have taken the proposal badly anyway.
Yohan didn’t look any happier. And
the offer was even lower. Candy took the screen and added a small sum of money
to it. This was their final offer. “Take it or leave it,” Candy told him.
“You’re ripping me off,” Yohan
protested. “Just because you can.”
Candy shrugged. Jack took the
screen and glanced over it. “Looks fair to me. The condition of the building is
questionable. I noticed more cracks in the walls and ceiling than the building
code would allow, even for an older structure. There’s substantial water damage
upstairs, so the roof is bad. Probably should have been replaced years ago. And
then there are the health code violations....”
“I’ll take your offer,” Yohan said,
most likely to shut Jack up before he could air the long list of problems with the
property. Oscar stepped in to get his signature and thumb print on several
e-documents.
Candy couldn’t help but grin at
Jack, who gave him a nonchalant shrug. “Everyone out to the bus,” Candy
instructed the companions. “You’ll be heading to Cardinal Sins.”
“What will we be doing there?” one
of them asked.
“Paris will interview each of you
and find a suitable job. Most likely serving drinks, food, maybe cleaning or
cooking. He’s pretty well stocked in companions right now.” And all of these
whores were well past their prime. Candy would have to find out where Yohan had
sold the others to. There weren’t many brothels left in City M, and he hated
the idea of any whore being left to be abused by some asshole pimp.
“No more whoring?” another clarified.
“Not likely.” He
ushered them toward the door.
Jack still stood between him and
Yohan. Yohan had several bags
packed and there was a car that
wasn’t part of Candy’s entourage parked near the curb. “Will you be leaving
town, then?” Jack asked Yohan. “I’d like to know where to nd you in case more
questions come up about this case.”
Yohan shook his head. “Not my
problem anymore. That belongs to him now too.” He waved his hand at Candy and
made his way out the door and down to the car.
There was another unmarked car
parked across the street that Jack saluted lightly. The passenger window rolled
up, and as soon as Yohan’s car eased away from the curb, the black sedan
followed.
“Ino,” Jack informed Candy. “He’ll
let me know if Yohan leaves town or hides out somewhere. I really do want to
know where he goes, just in case.”
Candy nodded, a little shocked by
Jack’s foresight. If Candy had been thinking ahead, he’d have put one of the
guards on the task. It was just more proof that he hadn’t gotten enough sleep.
He watched the former companions all board the bus and sent a text off to Paris
that they would be in need of immediate healthcare as well as clothing and
jobs. Oscar held out the last of the documents for him to review and sign.
Moments later, with money transferred, it was time to return to the Gem and to
Ivy. If only he could bring Jack with him. He knew for certain Ivy wouldn’t
mind at all.
Jack stood less than two feet away.
He was looking around, a confused expression on his face. “Everything okay?”
Candy asked him. He reached out to touch Jack’s arm. Oscar was already headed
back to the car when Jack’s eyes widened in alarm and the same instant
something sliced into Candy. For a moment he stood there, startled, confused at
the odd, growing, wet heat suddenly pouring down his back, and then the fiery
pain that erupted from his back and through his stomach. Hot pokers seemed to
melt through his body, driving mind-numbing pain to every nerve.
His breath faltered as blood filled
a lung. He choked on the rising fluid and spit out a gush of red and froth. The
world turned into a wild swirl of fading colors, all centering on Jack’s face.
His expression was horrified, and then a moment later, Jack was no longer there
and a black tiger leapt at Candy.
5 out of 5 stars
Candy Land is the 3rd and final release in the Hidden Gem series. This is not a standalone book so it really should only be read in series order. That being said I did not read the series in order, and realized half way through that even though I have all the books, I somehow missed reading Cardinal Sins. But that really did not deter my enjoyment of this book in the slightest.
So I really want to talk about the plot of this one with someone.. so please HURRY UP AND READ IT!!! Seriously, there are a lot of twists, turns, and some intriguing plot points that develop in this story. Pay close attention to the cover of the book, do you see those wings in the foreground? Keep those wings in mind as you read because that is one of those intriguing plot points. Well at least for me it was a killer, intriguing plot point.
Most of Candy Land focuses on the relationship developing between Candy, Ivy, and Jack which is intertwined with the investigation that Jack is working on. The investigation hits pretty close to home for everyone in the group as the killer that Jack is trying to find is targeting prostitutes. The killings are grisly and whoever the killer might be they are using BDSM tools and props with their kills. Of course Candy is one of the top Doms in the city and the police, against Jack's word, set their eyes on Candy as a suspect. The rest of the story I will leave for everyone to read and discover on their own because anything more that I'd share would be spoilers for some big plot points.
So what can I say about Candy Land other than I absolutely devoured it and wanted more when it was finished. I really need to go back through and re-read all of the books in the series just because they are that good. Lissa Kasey really gets the sci-fi/fantasy aspects to her stories amazingly right. I grew up feeding my reading addiction with authors like Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey. I can honestly say I would hold this up against a Valdemar book in terms of characterization, world building, and pacing of the story. Even on this, the third and final book in the series, the author continues world building, and adding depth and growth to her characters. That is classic aspects to the best in the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
Then of course there is the relationship aspect added to the fantasy elements. You've got Jack, who's asexual, Candy who's hypersexual, and then Ivy who's in between both of them. Getting the dynamics to work amongst these three takes a lot of skill. I really enjoyed watching Ivy break down Jack's walls, and then work on Candy to bring him around to looking at Jack as someone more than just a friend. Ivy may be sweet but he's got both his men wrapped around his finger, and I absolutely loved that, and love the three of them together.
I could rave about Candy Land until I'm blue in the face but the best way to experience it is to pick it up and read it. It's so worth the read, and even a re-read or three to catch all the little things you may have missed the first read through. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good urban fantasy with strong characters, and a solid, well written storyline.
Buy the book:
Meet the author:
Lissa Kasey is more than just romance. She specializes in depth
characters, detailed world building, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to
your book reader. All stories have a side of romance, emotionally messed up
protagonists and feature LGBTGA spectrum characters facing real world problems
no matter how fictional the story.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lissa.kasey
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLissaKasey/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/parisbvamp
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/parisbvamp/
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