Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Fraud Twice Felt
Author: J.T. Hall
Series: The Oddities #2
Heroes: Derwin Bryant/Elliot Leed
Genre: MM Paranormal
Length: 368 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: May 29, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Three weeks after solving his old boyfriend’s murder, bounty hunter Derwin Bryant is trying to let go of the past and embrace his new life with Elliot Leed, a former rentboy and fellow Oddity. Elliot, meanwhile, is trying to adjust to working at Bob’s Bail Bonds and having a real relationship despite his strange power of Object Reading. Hanging over the couple is the fear that Roy Yoshiro, notorious gang lord, will make good on his threats to claim Elliot. If that happens, not even Derwin’s superhuman strength will be enough to protect the man he loves.
Their concerns are overshadowed when Derwin’s friend asks for help finding her missing son. It’s not long before the case takes Derwin and Elliot back to the crime-ridden underbelly of the city and straight into Yoshiro’s clutches. Two gangs are vying for power, and Derwin and Elliot get caught in the middle of their very public fight.
Derwin and Elliot must find a way to thwart both gangs’ plans and escape alive. This time, one misstep could spell disaster for all the inhabitants of Nis.
Review: This story is the follow up to Murder Once Seen, which should really be read first to get the bigger picture of what’s what in this world. A few weeks after that story ended, we find Derwin and Elliot still together trying to make things work mostly for Elliot as he tries to make a life outside of prostitution and the streets.
Things are going pretty well for the guys, though Elliot still has some doubts here and there about Derwin and his feelings. But, a new case brings them together in new ways as they find themselves in the middle of a gang way. Gang Leader, Roy, whose clutches Elliot had barely escaped, now has a hold again and becomes an important player in this installment. But Derwin and Elliot agree to work together with Roy so that everyone gets what they want.
It was really nice to see Elliot making progress with his confidence and self-worth. Though I wish we had seen more relationship-wise, he and Derwin are definitely making forward progress. They have a yin/yang sense about them which carries over from the first book. Elliot likes things a little on the edgier/kinkier side, and Derwin requires Elliot’s resulting pain to feed and recharge his Oddity. I especially liked how they switched roles a bit this time around while still getting what each of them needed.
This didn’t grab me quite as much as the previous book, and I found the first half to be rather slow. It isn’t until things really heat up with the gangs that much starts happening. We are introduced to some new characters, and there are some new elements at play as well. I’m definitely enjoying this series so far though and really like Elliot and Derwin as characters. I am looking forward to seeing how they make out on the next case!
Overall Impression: I liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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