Damage Control

Kate McMurray

Jun 2018 · Sold by Carina Press

About this eBook

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, 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

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Alissa Davis

Ratings and reviews

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.

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.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FIVE-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ > > Judging a Book by it's Cover < < Greyscale composition with accents in my favorite blue. Both men are smartly and sharply dressed in suits. Synopsis pulled me in and intrigued me. This will be the first time reading this author. Can't wait to give her a try! > > Looking Deeper < < POV ~> Third person Former college sweethearts and eight-year lovers reunite after five years apart when now-politician Park returns home from a fundraiser to discover his apartment is a crime scene. Not trusting anyone other than one of New York's most successful lawyers, he turns to his ex, Jack, for representation. "I think sometimes that it's like there are rubber bands connecting our hearts, and the farther we pull away from each other, the harder we snap back." It's rare for me to find a book that I just want to devour whole, to the point of reading through the onset of a migraine. This was a fantastic story with strong and sexy lead men. Their chemistry was magnetic. Dialogue was smart and the interactions were believable. I was hooked from beginning to end and loved every page in between. It had a fluid grace with loads of dynamic energy and intrigue! Naturally, this story was one giant conflict but it all unfolded beautifully and was resolved naturally. Predictability was quite low. The conclusion was not as solid as I would have liked, only implying they'd have their HEA but with the mention of another book in this series, I'm hoping we'll be allowed to follow them in the background of whomever is given the next book... (Gavin, maybe? Gavin and Reed? I'd LOVE that!) Overall, despite the lack of satisfying ending, I absolutely loved this author's way of writing a book. The content, characters, and writing style were wonderful and I truly enjoyed the book. . Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.575 ~ Stars: 5 ========================== ⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

About the author

Kate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she's not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She's active in Romance Writers of America, serving on the boards of Rainbow Romance Writers and RWANYC. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with two cats and too many books.