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Hank Edwards
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Hired Muscle Kindle Edition

by Hank Edwards (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
See all formats and editions
In October 1941, the violence of Baltimore's warring mob families is escalating. The danger has decimated many of the businesses around DuMochelle's restaurant where Barry waits tables. When a mob boss and his family begin to frequent the restaurant, a romantic relationship develops between Barry and Vinnie, a bodyguard. Vinnie resists, fearing for Barry's safety and concerned that Barry will want nothing to do with him if he discovers his role in the family. But their passion cannot be denied, and Vinnie is trapped between the love he wants and the only life he's known. As the rival mob family moves in for the kill, Vinnie and Barry find themselves caught in the crossfire.
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  1. Print length
    71 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    July 9, 2014
  5. File size
    2369 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LNSF0JO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Startled Monkeys Media (July 9, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 9, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2369 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 71 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the author

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Hank Edwards

Hank Edwards

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Hank Edwards has been writing gay romantic fiction for more than twenty years. He has published over thirty novels and dozens of short stories. His writing crosses many sub-genres, including romantic comedy, contemporary, paranormal, suspense, mystery, and wacky comedy.

He has written a number of series such as the funny and spooky Critter Catchers, Old West historical horror Venom Valley Series, suspenseful Up to Trouble series, and the very erotic and very funny Fluffers, Inc., He is also part of the shared universe Williamsville Inn series of contemporary gay romance books that feature stories by Brigham Vaughn as well. He's written a YA urban fantasy gay romance series called The Town of Superstition, which is published under the pen name R. G. Thomas.

No matter what genre he writes, Hank likes to keep things steamy, kind of sassy, and heartfelt. He was born and still lives in a northwest suburb of the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
12 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Short but satisfying
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Mobsters in the 40s, sexy and very enjoyable. Perfect evening read with low angst, fun setting and just sexy enough
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susana
4.0 out of 5 stars Short but intense
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Barry and Vinnie, waiter and bodyguard, forge a relationship in a time where trust is scarce and dangers follow you wherever you go. Their chances at a HEA are slim, but they are willing to risk their lives to try... Will they survive?
Set in Baltimore in the 1940s, this is the story of Barry, a sweet and shy waiter at a restaurant, and Vinnie, bodyguard of one of the mob bosses. Against all the odds, they manage to connect through a few of polite exchanges and an off-the-charts chemistry. But they live in a world where violence and treason are commonplace, and soon they will both experiment it. I really liked the dark atmosphere of the story, reminiscent of black and white gangster movies, and the fact that their relationship feels deep despite their little time together. It is a quite short story, but the love story reads as something completed, there is a sense of fulfilment.
I liked it a lot
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is a really sweet story about Vinnie, a man who's dangerous mobster physique hides his shy personality, and Barry, a compassionate waiter who's just trying to make a living during a hard time.

I would have given this 5 stars if it were longer but even though it's short, it is still worth picking up. I recommend this to anyone who like affectionate characters, sweet romances, and a side-dish of action.
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Tam Ames
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting time period for a romance
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2013
A large part of the appeal of this story is the setting. Set in 1941 when the world is changing. There are rumblings of the war in Europe, Baltimore has suffered some decline and it seems a gang war may be heating up. Barry works at a nice restaurant and when the mob family start coming regularly he meets Vinnie, one of the body guards. There is some subtle flirting and then finally after some time, Vinnie invites Barry to a hotel room, although he cancels and later makes it up with a ticket to the movies, although he says he has business. Nosy parker Barry can’t resist finding out what and nearly gets himself in big trouble.

This is rather the mob body-guard with the heart of gold story. Vinnie has a secret, he can’t read and he doesn’t know anything else except what he does, but he doesn’t like it. Barry accepts him as he is and is willing to give up his life and run away with Barry. However when the opposing crime family finally makes a move on Vinnie’s boss, while they are eating at Barry’s restaurant, all hell breaks loose. Both Vinnie and Barry save the family, however Vinnie is badly shot.

Vinnie has not had much experience with men before, in bed, Barry is definitely the more experienced in gay sex and takes the lead. It was kind of nice to see the bigger stronger man feeling a bit unsure of himself. And Barry may be smaller and a waiter, but he’s the one with a head on his shoulders who kind of leads them away from the life of crime, while Vinnie would probably just continue to go along, never trying to make changes.

I wasn’t sure about Barry seeming to be so open about their relationship at the end of the book. Barry makes it clear his boss hires many young gay men being gay himself, so to be a bit more open at work was not a big deal, but I don’t think the mob are known for being tolerant, although Barry did save the man’s kids. The ending was a bit predictable, in part because this is a romance, so I knew what was coming, but if you are looking for something set in a different era it’s a good choice, even if perhaps a bit idealized for romance’s sake.
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