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Review: Promises 1 – Michael Barnette

Promises 1 - Michael Barnette

Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk, Erotica, BDSM, Romance

LGBTQ+ Category: Gay

Reviewer: Maryann

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About The Book

With his life– and emotions– turned upside down David finds himself unable to concentrate on his work because his mind is just not on his research. His thoughts are on the new experiments he’s been part of in his apartment. Experiments that are whetting new found appetites for things more satisfying than food or money. Research involving his own psyche and an addiction called Bells.

Trigger Warnings: Strong BDSM content (series), violence, blood.

Note: these books should be read in order: Zoner,  ControlPromises 1

The Review

David Jessman has made his way to NeuroTech, and is ready to start his day. He’s in much better shape than most of his co-workers, and has been given a much bigger cubicle, better computers, expensive lab simulators – it all makes him feel powerful, with a promising career ahead of him. NeuroTech has made him very aware of the importance of the work he perfomed for Magilli-Loran (ML).

He is still under probation, and is being watched by senior members of the corporation.  NeuroTech needs his expertise, efficiency and work ethics, but today is not his day. NeuroTech Miami is competing against the top corporation, Polycyber, number one in getting military contracts and enhancement of soldiers. If he gets dehired it will mean certain death. And yet, David’s mind is consumed with thoughts of Bell – he can’t stop thinking about the beautiful young man’s cobalt blue eyes.

As Bell waits for David’s return, he thinks how easy it would be to fall in love, if he let himself. Relationships are too risky in his line of work, both dangerous and suicidal. He has many issues weighing on his mind – he once thrived on death, and was the Dark Lady’s own personal messenger. The weight of that would be with him forever.

Still, he couldn’t live in the past. Jessman can’t protect himself – he’s not a zoner, and it would be impossible for him to live in the Liberty City Freezone. There’ wa’s something about David Jessman that makes Bells want to trust him.

What will happen when David is called on the carpet at work? And there’s even more danger coming their way, as Magilli-Loran still wants David dead. And as David picks up bits and pieces about Bell, will he figure out what Bell really is?

Promises 1 is the third installment from the “Through Neon Eyes” series. Read book one, Zoner, and book two, Control, before this one.

The series is set in a dystopian world of cyber enhancement, steampunk and experimentation with humans.  “Through Neon Eyes” is a series of dark, suspenseful thrillers with heavy BDSM/erotica. It also has a strong psychological edge, as David’s and Bell’s minds are consumed with thoughts about each other. But as Bell knows “zoners and corps” don’t last long.

Barnette has me on pins and needles – I can’t wait to see what happens next. All I know for sure is that it’s going to get more chaotic… and exciting.

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.