Book Review: I’d Kill For You by G.A. Hauser

Reviewed by Susan65

Title: I’d Kill For You
Author: G.A. Hauser
Heroes: Dee Williams/Karl Mullens
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 211 Pages
Publisher: The G A Hauser Collection, LLC
Release Date: May 1, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Working undercover was not one of Dee William’s favorite assignments, but when things in his life got too complicated he decided to accept the offer. Dee was to infiltrate one of LA’s most violent street gangs, and help the authorities build a RICO case against the gang leader. What Dee finds is that the gang is not the real target of the Bureau. They are out to net bigger fish, leaving Dee to broker drug deals worth millions of dollars and placing his life on the line.

Karl Mullens was trapped. His sister, who had died of an overdose, had left him to pick up the debt, and that meant Karl was forced to join a gang he despised, to repay it. With the lives of his family in the balance, Karl endures the violence and pressure from the gang, until a new member joins them, goes through the brutal hazing and begins to show the top dog just how much of an asset he is by bringing big hauls of cash and heroin into their pockets.

What neither Karl nor Dee expected was the risky attraction that formed between them, and soon, both men learn each other secrets and sexual desires. Desires that place them in greater danger.

The only thing left for each man is the hope of getting out alive. But now Dee and Karl know they have an ally in this gang of murderers and thieves. Each other. And there is no doubt the bond they have created together gives them one choice; to kill to protect one other.

And on the mean streets of the worst areas of LA, death means nothing…
But Dee finds, love means…everything.

Review:

If fluff is your thing, keep walking. There was nothing pretty about this story at all. It was gritty, dark, harsh, and most times it appeared to be a hopeless, no-win situation for two men who are in way over their heads. Karl and Dee show their love and affection for each by doing anything and everything to keep the other man safe. Their phrase of true love was: “I’d kill for you” and they meant it, literally, they meant every word.

Dee is an undercover narcotics agent who has figured out quite quickly that Karl is not your typical gang banger. Karl was forced into the gang right out of high school to pay off his sister’s debt. Karl and Dee have an instant and all-consuming attraction to each other but realize the hopelessness of the situation and spend most of their time just trying to survive. Karl knows something is off with Dee, but Dee won’t blow his cover.

Dee is so done with the drugs and the violence and fear and just wants the case to be over. He is pissed that, no matter how much evidence he collects, it never seems to be enough. Plus, he wants protection and immunity for Karl, which is not easy to acquire because to the other agents, Karl is just as guilty as the rest of the thugs.

Karl is just a sweetheart. He wanted to be schoolteacher, not a gang member. He never fit the profile of a gun wielding thug, but to protect his life and his family’s, he had no choice but to be the lapdog of the gang leader. Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse before Karl and Dee get a chance at their happily ever after.

So, if you are looking for a down and dirty, gritty and violent read about two men who spend every waking moment in a living nightmare, than I’d Kill for You is the book for you. The only fluff is during the few stolen moments that Karl and Dee can squeeze in, and even then, the overwhelming stress of gang life is wearing on them both. Fortunately, GA Hauser writes an ending that allows the reader to finally take a breath and also gives Dee and Karl a nice new beginning without the fear of retaliation from the gang.

Overall Impression: I really liked it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*