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Taking the Odds
Series · 6 books · 2007-2011

Books in series

Cheating Chance book cover
#1

Cheating Chance

2008

Nick O'Mallley is an agent for the Nevada Gaming Commission. He's also a Goth with a hearse he's restoring, and an ex lover he's only just getting over. Brandon Carr is a cop with the Riverside PD. Lucky for him, he's in Vice where his tattoos and biker boy looks serve him well. The two meet at a Goth convention in San Diego and the sparks fly immediately. So much so that a weekend fling turns into more and Brandon spends his four day weekend visiting Nick. Things aren't all sparks and roses though: the two do live a nine hour drive apart, and Brandon's not out. Add to that a murder right in front of them, a company trying to cheat the system and the Mexican Mafia, and Brandon and Nick's relationship will need to overcome a whole slew of obstacles in order to work. Despite everything, can Brandon and Nick make a go of it? Taken a chance on these two and find out.
Technique book cover
#1.1

Technique

2011

Nick is trying to remove all breakables and hide the adult toys before the horde (masquerading as children) that he's agreed to babysit arrives. When his lover Brandon, who happens to be a badass cop, finds and mocks Nick's pair of restraints, the two end up comparing their hardware...the hard way. This story originally appeared in Toy Box: Handcuffs.
Toy Box book cover
#1.1

Toy Box

Handcuffs

2007

Want a little bondage? Then handcuffs are for you. This toy box is all about what happens when a bunch of hot boys tie it up with a pair of cuffs. Ratchet from Jodi Payne and Chris Owen features the boys from the Deviations series, Tobias and Noah. Tobias is ready to play. Will Noah be ready when he comes home? In Technique, by James Buchanan, Nicholas and Brandon from Cheating Chance decide to give the regulation cuffs a try, with melting hot results. And in The Dare, by Lorne Rodman, the boys from Bullriders are back, proving that not everyone is fit to be tied. Familiar character, hot loving. That's the key to these hot stories.
Toy Box book cover
#1.2

Toy Box

Rope

2008

Ever dream of being tied up and had wicked things happen? That's what the ropes Taste Test is all about. In James Buchanan's A Little Trust, Nicky and Brandon from the popular Cheating Chance, have a near miss after a rotten day at work for Brandon. Can they make the most of the adrenaline? Cobalt Dynamus from HB Kurtzwilde features Alous, an aerialist who's invited to join a new act, one with two beautiful men who fly on silken ropes. Can he find a place at their center? Finally, Kiernan Kelly creates a world for country singer Travis, who needs some time away. His old friend Booger picks him up, and ties him up, and Travis has to figure out what's important in life. Wrap yourself up in this one today!
Inland Empire book cover
#2

Inland Empire

2009

Nicky and Brandon are back, and this time they're on Brandon's turf. Nicky's still on disability when he comes to Riverside to visit Brandon and pick up his 'Querida' from the Bakersfield's impound lot. Brandon loves having Nicky around, but at the same time, he's worried someone might find out that Nicky's more than just a friend. When Nicky becomes involved with the Task Force Brandon's on, the tension ratchets higher as Brandon's paranoia about being outed increases. Will his inability to step out of the closet mean the end of his relationship with Nicky? Or will the danger of the case they're on make it all a moot point? Find out in this exciting sequel to Cheating Chance.
All or Nothing book cover
#3

All or Nothing

2010

Blundering his way forward in his relationship with Nevada Agent Nick O'Malley, Riverside Detective Brandon Carr brings his daughter, Shayna, to Las Vegas to meet Nick. Nick has his own reasons for pushing Brandon toward a deeper commitment. But when the unthinkable happens, what every cop knows ends in tragedy, can Brandon hold it together long enough to solve the crime? As Brandon spirals into the hell of being a cop and a distraught parent will his love of Nick, and Nick's love for him, be enough to see them through? It's all or nothing and they can't afford to lose.

Authors

Jodi Payne
Jodi Payne
Author · 49 books

JODI spent too many years in New York and San Francisco stage managing classical plays, edgy fringe work, and the occasional musical. She, therefore, is overdramatic, takes herself way too seriously, and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after. For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music. Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.

Lorne Rodman
Author · 13 books
Lorne Rodman’s characters tend to reflect the wide array of personality traits possessed by the author; from shy and squeaky to bold and arrogant, they represent the best and worst of Lorne’s life. Humor and hot sex are trademarks of Lorne’s stories, as is pushing the envelope of what is proper and acceptable. Lorne’s hobbies range from searching for the ultimate gay porn story to attempting needlework with his toes.
Chris Owen
Chris Owen
Author · 58 books

I live and write in eastern Canada. I went to a bunch of schools, learned a lot of things, and now make stuff up because not to do so is unthinkable. I'm fond of fountain pens, Levenger's Circa system, and Steampunk fashions. I'm inspired by the day to day minutia of life, and find beauty in the way words go together. I like texture and richness of experience. I'm not shy. I'm happy, I'm learning, I'm living.

James Buchanan
James Buchanan
Author · 22 books

James Buchanan, the author of over ten gay novels and single author anthologies, lives in a 100 year old Craftsman in California with SexyGuy, two demon spawn and a heard of adopted dogs, cats, rats and fish. Between managing a law practice with SG, raising kids and writing books, James volunteers with the Erotic Author's Association, Liminal Ink, the EPIC Awards Committee as well as coordinates the newsletter for the ManLoveRomance Author's co-op. James has spoken and read at conferences such as Saints & Sinners and the Popular Culture Association. In the midst of midlife crises, James bought and learned to ride a Harley - it went with the big, extended cab pickup. James has been a member of CorpGoth since 1993 and been know to wear leather frock coats to court. If you don't find James at the computer working on the next book, you probably won't find the bike in the garage. Visit James at http://www.james- buchanan. com for more information on recent and upcoming releases.

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Taking the Odds