Kage

Be Warned

This series is freaking awesome. Absolutely engrossing. Just wow. There are no words.
I admit I did get frustrated with the main characters quite a few times for angst that is everywhere in these books. I tell you your heart will be shredded. But somehow just when I think, "There is no way they are going to do this because of a misunderstanding..." Bam something happens I totally did not see coming and I'm lost in this wonderful, horrible, lovely, gritty, cuddly, sad world. Jeez my heart is going to be stitched together with duck tape and floss. That is just how amazing this story is.

Not to mention the narrator. Ya, I could listen to his voice all day long just because it's that awesome. His voices for Cage and Jamie where so perfect it hurt. And when he brought the heat to a love scene it was panty melting.

****All that said I totally recommend this series. Hands down so worth every penny. HOWEVER you must have ALL three books before you start reading/ listening, because the cliff hangers at the end are absolute murder. Seriously. MURDER. You will die if you do not heed my warning! I know cliffies are hated by many but this series is worth it. You won't be disappointed if your a MxM romance fan.****

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Gay fifty shades with a little mafia vibe included

This is really very much like the mm version of fifty shades, but i think i liked this version better. First, the author writes a lot better (which is not an impossible task at all). Second, it might just be the mm storyline but the characters seems more real. It is of cause a fairytale of a young naive (not-gay) man falling for the rich, troubled and lonely MMA fighter, who needs him to function. It is a comming out story for the college student and sort of a dom-sub story (without the whips) due to the personality of the MMA fighter, mostly. I liked that it is infact the MMA fighter who does not have a problem with being gay (he has too many other issues to deal with). It kind of creates an extra layer to an otherwise straigthforward story and makes it stand out a little. It is however not meant to stand alone so unless you commit to listening to all three of the books it wont make much sence. I liked the narration.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

KAGE INSTANTLY WON ME OVER

I have several MMA series in my library but Kage is by far the best I've listened to. I've purchased several M/M books and returned all of them except Kage and one other. I like stories where sex fits into the story instead of trying to fit a story around sex. This is a story of triumph, growth, and acceptance. It also has suspense, thrills, mystery, and Hot-Hot Sex.

I was immediately hooked on Kage and Kage was immediately hooked on Jamie. Kage notices the gay tendencies in Jamie so he takes advantage of an opportunity to hire Jamie as his personal publicist. Kage didn't realize Jamie was straight and had girlfriend until Jamie arrives the first day. Later it comes out that she's an x-girlfriend.

Kage works on building a relationship with Jamie and Jamie finds himself being attracted to Kage and having sexual thoughts and feelings about him. It never crossed Jamie's mind that he could be gay. Everyone in Kage's inner circle knows Kage is gay.

I usually don't give *Spoilers* but I was so happy for Jamie. When Jamie's parents and friends find out that he and Kage are a couple...all of them are accepting. Jamie's dad doesn't like it but he loves Jamie so he has a talk with Kage about his true intentions toward Jamie.

Now for the Villen. Kage's uncle, Santori, owns a hotel/casino where Kage lives and trains. Since only Kage's inner circle knows he's gay, Santori sees Jamie as a vulnerability and hindrance who will keep Kage from winning the MMA championship.
Santori also has two thugs who do his dirty work.

This series is full of mystery, suspense, thrills, fun, sad secrets, and hot-hot M/M sex.
I was drawn in at the very beginning of the story. I listened to all three books back-to-back and was sad when the series was over.

J. F. Harding is now in my top 5 favorite male performers. His voice for Kage was mesimerizing. He of course also did Jamie's voice, Jamie's parents, siblings, and friends. Also Kage's friends, uncle, thugs, and employees. Every voice was distinctively different and never a concern about who was speaking.

This series is absolutely without doubt worth a credit and I recommend this series to anyone who likes MMA.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

The author really knows how to write a story. It wasn't all about the sex; there was so much build up. I almost couldn't take the antici....pation, in a good way. The author and narrator really take you on the emotional journey, as corny as it sounds. It was a roller coaster of sexual tension, frustration, awkwardness, and humor. Can't wait to start the next one.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Why haven't I heard more about this trilogy??? WOW

First things first.... CLIFFY WARNING but totally worth it and all 3 books are out so just make sure you have them all ready!

I'm just diving into the world of m/m romance because I tried a few here and there and never really enjoyed them but this trilogy is awesome! The only thing negative I can say is that it's a slow starter but once it grabs you... your done for. I'm speeding my way through them all! I love the MMA fighter bad boy story line! I haven't gotten far enough into the series to know what is really going on but there is a secret background going on that makes this story very exciting. Both Kage and Jamie are strong smart men and when there lives collide it's like magic. I love that we get a lot of time with the characters so it isn't an insta-love and they are both such interesting characters. This book was fun, exciting and don't let me forget HOT!!!!!!!!!!!

The narration is PERFECT! I've never listened to J.F. Harding but I watching for more of his work!

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

The fighter and the man who fought for him

Maris Black has a knack for developing rich characters through point-of-view perspective, and in Kage we become intimately familiar not only with the narrator, straight college jock Jamie Atwood, but also with the object of his instant obsession, aspiring mixed-martial-arts star Michael Kage. The first book stays with Jamie’s narrative, and yet it allows us to really get to know not only the relentless fighter Kage shows the world but the vulnerable young man only Jamie sees.

The trilogy is driven by the irresistible gravitational pull between the two athletes, and how their connection is twisted, broken, and reforged by their own demons, both internal and, in Kage’s case, external. The pacing, story, characterization, and narration are all top-notch, and you even learn a bit about MMA fighting to boot.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Laugh Out Loud

Few things can be more Kafkaesque than a story of gay male romance written for women by a woman who seems to have no idea how men speak and behave toward each other. For example:
.
I smell like sweat, blood, and fear, but I wanted you to smell it on me, Jamie.
I want you to smell it on me the first time I f__k you so you'll know who I really am. I need you to know me.

I need my stomach to stop hurting.

The narrator was great. I marvel that he kept from being overtaken by howls of laughter as he read this.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The best of its genre – exciting, sexy, satisfying

Where does Kage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This wonderful book is in fact the best gay sexual romance I have ever read. When I refer to the book I mean the trilogy itself, as you will want to read all 3 books to get the full story.

What did you like best about this story?

Quite frankly, the steamy sex scenes, which are unmatched in my experience of reading other books. I loved the way that Jamie was portrayed as a complex character. He can only accept love or sex with a man, which is what he desires but won't acknowledge himself, if it is forced upon him, and in those circumstances he is a joyful recipient.

Which character – as performed by J. F. Harding – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Kage, as he was depicted as the powerful dominant protector.

If you could take any character from Kage out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Kage, Although I'm sure he would order for me from the menu without asking me. He's a very controlling person, but with very kind and vulnerable side.

Any additional comments?

I wish there would be a fourth Kage book, as their situation as it ends at the third novel is rich with potential.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mind Blowing!

Words can't express how much I loved this book! I laughed...cried...cheered....I adored Kage and Jamie....this author is wonderful! The narrator of this one is perfection...voices are incredible...can't wait to start the next one!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

OK just WOW...

This book was like on Avon Gale book on STEROIDS!!!! I was eating up every word. I typically don't like high intensity books but it sneak up on me so quietly that by the end I immediately bought the second book. The emotion was great. The smexy time was hot. Not quite Damon Suede hot but still very good. This author is now a must buy.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful