Senate candidate Parker Livingston chose his political dreams over a future with the man he loved. He lives with constant regret about not having Jackson Kane in his life. Or his bed. And when a strange woman is found murdered in Parker’s apartment, Jackson is the only person Parker trusts to help clear his name. Jackson never forgave Parker for the way their relationship ended. He moved on, … moved on, built a name for himself as a criminal defense attorney and swore he’d never let heartbreak back in. But when Parker shows up on his doorstep, wild-eyed and handsome and desperate for his help, Jackson can’t say no. Parker is a lot of things, but he’s no murderer.
Forced back together, searching for answers, their attraction returns with a vengeance. Any distraction–personal or professional–could be deadly. The murderer is still at large, and he’s made it clear one of them is his next victim.
This book is approximately 74,000 words
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DAMAGE CONTROL is the first instalment in Kate McMurray’s contemporary, adult LAWS OF ATTRACTIONS erotic, M/M romance series. This is attorneys Jackson Kane, and senate candidate Parker Livingston’s story line.
NOTE: DAMAGE CONTROL is a M/M romance story line and contains sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Jackson and Parker) DAMAGE CONTROL follows the rekindling romance between college sweethearts and attorneys Jackson Kane, and senate candidate Parker Livingston. A young woman was found murdered in Parker Livington’s apartment, and our hero is the prime suspect for all of the apparent reasons. Believing himself targeted for his run for the state Senate, Parker knows of only one attorney he can trust with his life, and his heart. Enter former lover and ex-boyfriend Jackson Kane. What ensues is the focus on the investigation into the woman’s murder, as Jackson and Parker struggle with their on-going attraction and unwavering love for one another.
Five years earlier Parker destroyed Jackson’s life when an opportunity to enter politics meant keeping secret their love and their affair. Eight years together as partner and lovers meant nothing when politics beckoned, and the potential fall-out of their relationship could have damaged Parker’s hopes of a seat in the Senate. Destroyed by the man he loved, Jackson walked away only to be pulled back into the life he had pushed out of his mind.
The relationship between Jackson and Parker is one of broken hearts, and desperate attempts to avoid the elephant in the room. Jackson isn’t willing to place his heart back into the line of fire knowing their attraction to one another continues to burn with the fiercest of needs. Well-to-do, Republican and gay, Parker’s desperate attempts to beg forgiveness is clouded by his race for the state Senate, a race that, once again, threatens the relationship with the man that he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Jackson’s law partner Michael Reed, as well as police detective Gavin Shaw. There may be an understated attraction between Reed and Shaw, an attraction that is hampered by Reed’s marital status to his wife Julie.
DAMAGE CONTROL is a story of regret, broken hearts, friendship, forgiveness and love. The premise is spicy, edgy and riveting but the main focus of the story line remained on the couple in question pushing the murder investigation into the background. The romance is one of second chances; provocative and dramatic; the characters are spirited, realistic and brilliant. Kate McMurray addresses the current wave of political divisiveness including the battle lines drawn for same sex relationships, health care and the faltering economy. DAMAGE CONTROL is an intelligent, passionate and reflective story line.
Between 3.5 to 4 stars- Damage Control is an interesting book. Right away I was pulled into this story. The characters and plot intrigued me, the pace was up-tempo, and the writing smooth and inviting. I loved the idea of a second chance romance between college sweethearts Parker and Jackson. The idea that Parker was closeted due to his political pursuits and affiliations made things all the more interesting, albeit frustrating to a certain degree. I had never read this author before, but I especially loved how well-developed the chemistry between Jack and Park was from the get go. This wasn’t one of those cases where you struggle to see that connection or the long-held residual feelings. There was a palpable draw between the men and it definitely made their romance believable and easy to root for. I also liked the mystery element to the story, at least at the beginning. Unfortunately, despite an excellent start, some of my excitement for Damage Control fizzled as the book continued.
There was so much good to Damage Control that it’s hard to tease out exactly when it became too much. While I appreciated the characters talking about their issues with the past and present and acknowledging how they could move forward, the rehashing got repetitive real quick and I just wanted to see Park and Jack move forward. Eventually that did happen, but the multiple takes on the same conversation considerably slowed the pace in the middle of the book. I also was a bit disappointed in the mystery subplot. There was a lot of build-up and the ending was fairly intense, but it just wasn’t what I expected. It felt sensationalized or overblown, and in comparison to the second-chance romance, it didn’t measure up. And finally, I struggled a bit with Parker. His decision to leave Jackson was always a bit convenient to me. The fact that he was able to keep a long-term relationship that was pretty well in the open out of the public eye was far-fetched. It may have back in college and maybe I’ve seen too many smear campaigns play out in real life, but I just didn’t wholly buy it. Overall, Damage Control was a book that drew me in quickly and completely. Even when I didn’t fully jive with the characters, I was rooting for them and was invested in their story. I think if you’re a fan of second-chance romances and the political aspects of Damage Control catch your interest, this is certainly a title worth picking up. As far as I understand this is the first in a series, and I definitely plan to stick around to see what and who is up next.
*eARC received via Netgalley*
I love mysteries and was excited to read this story. I should have paid more attention to the fact that it was political because that certainly affected my opinion. And it’s definitely only my opinion.
You have a gay man who has gone back in the closet to run as a Republican. For some reason he thinks that’s a good thing. That always turns out well in politics The hypocrisy of a gay man defending the Republican party while hiding he’s gay from that party. Save me from stupid. I skipped the political portions because I’d never like Park’s character otherwise.
The mystery was the reason I came for the book and it wasn’t enough to keep my annoyance at the politics of this story. I expected more from Jack and it’s always disappointing when an author claims a character is a terrific lawyer but then doesn’t make him one. If an author is going to write a character as professional, he needs to be so.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
I really enjoyed this book which combines a second chance romance with a political murder mystery. I loved the legal issues raised, and the twist which brought the criminal to justice.
Jack and Park spent eight years together until Park left as he wanted a republican political career – which would not happen with a boyfriend in the picture. So, for the last five years he has been living a lie. When he needs a criminal lawyer though, it is Jack’s office that he goes to first. As we learn more about these two, my admiration for Jackson could only grow, and for Park, well maybe there wasn’t a lot there in the first place!
As the murder case draws to a conclusion, the men have admitted how they feel, but Jack will not be in a closeted relationship – so we know that there has to be a major change on Park’s behalf. It is interesting being present as he weighs up his current career against losing the man he loves for a second time. The fact that he has a significant financial cushion, and other businesses which could replace the senatorship didn’t make me feel too sorry for him, but I did understand that he was ambitious and wanted to effect change from the inside. Let’s just say I liked Jack’s brand of honesty better!
An intriguing, chemistry laden story with plenty of mystery and legal issues of ethics thrown into the mix. I find Kate McMurray’s writing style to be conducive to continual turning of the pages, so do make sure you have plenty of time when you start this book, as you will be sucked in and suddenly find you forgot dinner.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Damage Control by Kate McMurray to read and review.
This is a fantastic M/M second chance romance. Jackson and Parker are both strong passionate characters and I just wanted them to find a way to make things work. Unfortunately a few years ago Parker made a decision that put his political aspirations above their relationship. Now he finds himself in trouble and he’s certain no one will defend him the way Jackson will. Being around each other is difficult though. They didn’t break up because they didn’t love each other and it’s clear they still care regardless of what they say. Now dealing with the past seems to be the easy part. The future is not as clear.
I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it.