There are good guys, bad guys, and then there’s Lucky.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter flaunts his past like a badge of honor. He speaks his mind, doesn’t play nice, and flirts with disaster while working off his sentence with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. If he can keep out of trouble a while longer he’ll be a free man–after he trains his replacement.
Textbook-quoting, … replacement.
Textbook-quoting, by the book Bo Schollenberger is everything Lucky isn’t. Lucky slurps coffee, Bo lives caffeine free. Lucky worships bacon, Bo eats tofu. Lucky trusts no one, Bo calls suspects by first name. Yet when the chips are down on their shared case of breaking up a drug diversion ring, they may have more in common than they believe.
Two men. Close quarters. Friction results in heat. But Lucky scoffs at partnerships, no matter how thrilling the roller-coaster. Bo has two months to break down Lucky’s defenses… and seconds are ticking by
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Diversion, Book 1 is a thought-provoking novel that has frankly scared me spitless because the monsters are not paranormal entities or supernatural beings. It is about the care and controls put in place by our government to ensure the safety of the medications manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry. There are staggering costs associated even with legal drugs and a diversion of a shipment of any of them especially controlled substances has public safety, mental health, and mortality consequences in our communities. In each very well-written book of the Diversion series, our featured author gives readers a novel focusing on two men–the lovers who are the heroes–that operate to keep the supply chain for pharmaceuticals safe.
When readers first enter the story, they meet former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter who successfully intercepts a shipment of pharmaceuticals as part of a training exercise for the company and his new replacement with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau (SNB). After serving two years of a ten-year sentence, Lucky was approached by SNB to work off the remaining eight years of his sentence. Figuring it was much better than spending those eight years behind bars, Lucky served with a great amount of resentment and regret for the past choices that landed him in jail. With only months left on his sentence, Lucky is at the point of his agreement where he is responsible for training the replacement who happens to be everything he isn’t.
Lucky’s replacement is Bo Schollenberger, a former Army veteran who earned a doctorate of pharmacy only to lose it stealing drugs for his uninsured university boyfriend. But it seems that Bo had been wrestling with his own personal demon of addiction. As a gay combat veteran during “Don’t ask, don’t tell”, Bo spent the war feeling isolated and alone. His return home provided no relief as he battled Post Traumatic Stress disorder with the help of the generic form of Xanax.
When Bo and Lucky are paired on an assignment looking into a drug diversion ring, they are forced to share living quarters. Both men come to understand that they are not too different from each other and that any perceived differences are actually complements which improve the quality of their partnership. In addition to developing respect for each other from a professional perspective, Lucky realizes Bo has been abused by his father long before military service did its fair measure of psychoemotional damage. He comes to want to shield, protect, and love Bo only to discover Bo still possesses a measure of determination and a willingness to fight!
It can NOT be emphasized how extraordinarily awesome this story is. Time is spent in this review to convey the sheer beauty of the pairing of “Lucky” Lucklighter and Bo Schollenberger. The information about drug diversion is fascinating and writer Eden Winters does an amazing job weaving the information into an M/M romance novel, but the story behind these two SNB agents is simply astounding. EVERYTHING in this novel is done exquisitely: an amazing premise, incredible world-building, off-the-chart character development, impeccable pacing, and extraordinary balance. All these contribute to one outstanding start to a truly remarkable novel!
Well I truly enjoyed this read. I loved Bo and then Lucky was just hilarious. Both MCs were very likeable and Lucky was really funny. I enjoyed the side characters as well. This book was about reformed felons who are now working for an agency to go undercover to find corporations that are operating illegally. I found the story to be good, and the characters to be very interesting. I look forward to seeing how the relationship of these two progresses and to read about what they get up to next. This was a new to author and narrator and I look forward to reading and listening to more by both.
an interesting voice for sure! 🙂
Action packed MM Contemporary crime drama Romance. Lucky only had two months left of his eight years working for the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau and his boss Walter has paired him with ‘newbie’ Bo so that he can train him as his replacement. Lucky hasn’t let himself get close to anybody for years but working and living with Bo he realises that they have things in common, neither of them are working with the Bureau by choice and they’ve both got a lot of baggage from their pasts. Pageturning, twists and turns, angst and lots of heat. Absolutely fantastic first book in the series.
I absolutely love this story! I first read it several years ago as part of an anthology, and I loved it just as much reading it again. The backdrop is interesting and intriguing and the characters are complex with flaws and plenty of past issues and traumas. Both of the romance MCs have made bad choices in the past that led to their being convicted of crimes. They are ‘rescued’ from long prison terms by joining a state narcotics diversion department to catch criminals. Lucky is a real jerk to start and pretty unlikable…but he has reasons, and it’s not all black and white. He is responsible for his circumstances, and he accepts it (though not gracefully), but there are layers of pain, guilt, and self-negation hidden behind his bravado and ‘I don’t give a da**” attitude. Bo has a past he hides, too. It takes these two a while to breach each other’s defenses, but when they do, it’s a house on fire. HOT! I liked the slow, real feeling of them opening up and supporting each other. Those are some pretty deep conversations. I also really liked the way Lucky’s memories were incorporated so seamlessly into the story, revealing his past little by little. Lucky is a fantastic anti-hero, and I couldn’t help empathizing with him. I even felt a little sorry for Victor. I know he was a drug-lord and a criminal, but he almost came across as sympathetic. There is some action. drama, and suspense, lots of entertaining banter, and an exciting culmination to the case.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Talk about opposites, Lucky and Bo are pretty much opposite in every way except that they both have built up walls in different ways to keep anyone from getting to see them as they really are. The fact that Lucky was once on the wrong side of the law and Bo is a totally straight shooter is the least of their differences. What is amazing is that the author makes us see how perfectly they fit together and fill in the holes in each others’ life. The plot about drugs being diverted is unfortunately a realistic take on things that are actually happening and our two main characters fit perfectly into that story. I definitely look forward to reading more in this series as it is a perfect mix of gritty realism, steamy romance and great snark.
February 3, 2015 – Shelved (Other ebook Edition)
Finished Reading Add a date (Other ebook Edition)
Review Diversion by Eden Winters is the start of a great series by the same name. I liked her character development and humor that is sprinkled throughout this story.
Lucky is a con. He can usually smooth talk his way out of anything… that is until he gets caught and sent to prison. But while most that would be the end of the story, it is just the beginning for Lucky. True to his name he gets Lucky and gets a job that suits his particular talents. He also gets partnered with the one man sure to keep him on the straight and narrow
Bo he does everything by the book. He is a health nut, quiet man who loves his job. He gets nervous, and has a past that will make you weep. He does his best to reform Lucky…Lucky does his best to corrupt Bo. Together they are an unstoppable team that really works.
The back stories on both men make them the men they are today. There is sorrow, love and passion in this story. I love a good story with heart and soul like this one. I am looking forward to seeing how Ms. Eden makes this a series. I would love to see Bo and Lucky again and see just where the relationship ends up. I think these two were made for each other. Bring on the Diversion stories.
Five Shooting Stars (less)
This was a really good read. The characters are well developed and blend perfectly with the action. Not just Lucky and Bo either. I thought Walter was just the kind of boss/mentor/father figure Lucky needed even if he didn’t think so. Where I think the author really shined though was in the last few chapters. Even with us getting more details of the pasts these guys had throughout the story, which I loved by the way, it still can’t top how everything went after the climax. Well written and perfectly executed.
My favourite tropes – two completely opposite men, forced proximity, and enemies-to lovers. This ticks all my boxes, and I was a bit worried that it’s going to fall flat, but that was NOT the case here.
Lucky was hilarious, I loved his snark and the way he taunts poor Bo, but also has a deep caring side. Bo was just wonderful, with his no-nonsense attitude, darkness and frustrations. The two of them in close quarters were something else. The build-up was excellent. They just push each other’s buttons and the chemistry between them is so strong. They were seriously hot together. I enjoyed the romance, I the connection between the two of them was pretty solid. They were good for each other – just the right combination of emotional, playful, sexy and passionate. The plot was really exciting and well-thought-out. This touches on some heavier subjects too, and I liked the conflict. I thought the writing was very good, and the flashbacks were very well incorporated. Oh, and the epilogue! My poor heart!
All in all, this was a very balanced book and a really enjoyable read. I loved it and I will be diving into the rest of the series as soon as possible.
*I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews ans am leaving am honest and unbiased review*
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I really rather enjoyed this!
Lucky is. . .well, lets just say, he is who he is, and he ain’t changing for no-one. He made a mistake years ago, and in a few months he will have paid his dues to society, and be a free man. He just gotta get through the last few weeks, and he’s home free. He never expected to be sucked into a new case, AND with a new partner, no less.
Lucky is quite a unique character, and he takes some getting used to, and for a while, I wasn’t sure whether I would like him very much. But I stuck with him, and I am so glad I did!
He is who he is, and stuff everyone else. But Bo creeps up on him, and Lucky is sideswiped by how much he enjoys the kid’s company. (Although Lucky calls Bo kid, I’m not really sure there was much between them!) Being sent undercover together, Lucky lets Bo into his heart far deeper than anyone did before. Bo, also, lets Lucky in, and once they decide they are doing *this* they are all in.
The thing with the drugs (legal ones, just illegally dealt with!) got a bit confusing to ME, but I think that might be because I’m UK and I have no real idea how things like this work in the States. BUT I it didn’t really affect my enjoyment, I just kinda glazed over some of the more long winded explanations!
Only Lucky has a say, though, and I really REALLY wanted to hear from Bo! Especially once he let Lucky in.
This is the first in the series, I would like to read more. I love Lucky and Bo together, and I’m interested to see where life takes them!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
T-Rex & Teddy Bears
Lucky and Bo make a good team. They’re well-matched with their snark and their smarts. The quick jabs between them made me smile and they have a ton of chemistry together. We got glimpses of them softening and opening up but I do wish we saw more of their relationship developing. Perhaps we’ll see more of that in the next one. I really enjoyed the suspense in this book and pity anyone who tries to beat this remarkable team.
This is the first story I’ve listened to by this author. I have the audio version because I drive a lot so I really enjoy audio books. This story made me happy I’ve found this author. The story hooked me from the start. I enjoyed the wrong side of the law, the right side of the law, the flashbacks to the previous relationship and the current questionable relationship. I enjoyed the difference in personality types and the snarky thoughts going on. I liked not only was the sex hot but some of the outfits described were entertaining by themselves. I think the narrator really matched the story and made this book enjoyable. I’ve had books where the narrator ruined the book and believe me those give me a headache even if the story is good. This narrator and author made everything so identifiable and realistic. I will be recommending this to my friends.
Such a fun M/M read with compelling characters and a gripping story! I’ve started listening to the first 3 books in a box set from Audible, and it features Darcy Stark as the narrator (he’s narrated several of my titles and I ADORE him!). The voices for Lucky and Bo are amazing, injected with so much personality. Of course Lucky is favorite character, as I love a man who can make me laugh (it’s how I decided who to marry after all, best decision of my life). Anyway, lovers of M/M romance with lots of steam will enjoy this one. It’s got some interesting elements of suspense to keep things interesting. Totally recommend this one!