Genre: Sci-Fi, Erotic
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
David Jessman has found his lover; what he’s lacking is control of himself, the situation he’s in and the blond gunwhore known to him only as Bells. Bad as that is for a man used to being in charge, he’s finding that losing control may not be that terrible after all.
Warnings: m/m, BDSM, dark erotic romance, boss/employee, scifi, cyberpunk, biopunk
Author’s Note: The series must be read in order as the books comprise a single story.
The Review
David Jessman is surprised to find himself back in his 58th floor apartment, and that Bell is still with him. Jessman is addicted to this beautiful young gunwhore, and his expensive, mesmerizing cobalt blue cybereyes. Is Bell really young, innocent and harmless? Or was David a fool and a victim?
Bell had admitted to David that Megalli-Loran, his former corporation, had hired the zonewarrior to kill him. Why didn’t Bell follow through? He’d been paid twenty-thousand even in zonesscript – a large sum of money. The Freezone gunwhores and zonewarriors all made their money dealing in death, wither protecting or killing the client. What’ wa’s more profitable, a live client or a dead one?
So many thoughts are running through his head, but Jessman can’t worry about that right now. He needs to be at work in two hours, but he can’t resist the beautiful Bell. Jessman needs to find a way to keep Bell with him, but he’s confused. Maybe he could ask NeuroTech for certain considerations that would help, but he’s still too new to the corporation. He needs to find a way to keep Bell around permanently.
When Bell wakes up and there’s time to spare before Jessman needs to leave for NueroTech, he can’t refuse spending time the man. For Bell, Jessman’s apartment is a haven. This is a place he could relax and be safe from the Liberty City Freezone (LCFree). Jessman is so easy to control and he accepts whatever Bell wants. Bell doesn’t have to pretend or be used by other clients. He could stay with David forever.
But the corp and the zone didn’t mix for long.
Bell has commitments in the LCFree. Others of the Freezone rely on him for protection, and just his presence in the area helps. His broker, Katarina, will charge him extra for spending time in corpland. But his reputation and skills are valuable.
Loreli once belonged to a corporate master, but now she’s owner of the Fractured Mirror. Her preteen daughter Jayzee and other good friends, acquaintances, and people living in his shadow need his protection. He’s long kept them safe from gangers and the touch of the Dark Lady.
Both Bell and David want and need the same things, but there are always doubts. The one thing David knows for sure, as he leaves for work, is that Bell will be waiting in his apartment when he gets back.
Barnette’s “Through Neon Eyes” series continues with another unique tale – Control deals with Bell’s and David’s perceptions and expectations, and what they want and need from each other, and there’s a growing sense of danger. There’s also a deadly competition between three corporations: Megalli-Loran, NeuroTech and Polycyber. The worldbuilding is great in this dystopian future tale, blending steampunk, cybernetic enhancements and the conflict between the freezone and the corporations.
Even though this tale includes BDSM and erotica, it turns into something different as the story progresses and Bell and David spend more time with each other. Bell is definitely the stronger and more dominant personality, and he’s also very intelligent. David is submissive but he tries to be in control, and knows that’s a rule breaker. He’s never had a relationship that made him feel wanted, and he’s somewhat of a loner. Bell starts to turn David’s feelings around.
I’m enjoying the “Through Neon Eyes” series. I had a hard time putting Control down, and it kept me on the edge of my seat with all of its thrilling twists and turns. Something dangerous is going to happen, and soon. I’m excited to read the third book in the series, Promises 1.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.