Review: Long Time Gone (Hell or High Water, Book #2) by SE Jakes

When a tornado meets a volcano, nothing is safe.

Soldier of fortune Prophet Drews always worked alone—until Tom Boudreaux became his partner. But when Tom walked away three months ago, ostensibly to keep Prophet safe, Prophet learned the true meaning of being alone. Everyone knows that Prophet, a Navy SEAL turned CIA spook turned mercenary, can look after himself. Which means he must’ve driven his lover away.

 Even with half a world between them, Prophet can’t get the man out of his head. Maybe that’s why he’s in New Orleans in the middle of a hurricane, protecting Tom’s aunt. But the only looter around is Tom, bursting back into Prophet’s life. It turns out that Prophet’s been stuck in Tom’s head—and heart—too.

 Their explosive reunion gets even hotter when Tom is arrested for murder. As they fight to clear his name, they delve deep into his past, finding enemies among everyone they meet. Staying alive in such a dangerous world is hard enough, but they soon discover that fighting to stay together is the most difficult thing they've ever done.



*fans self*

What you will need while reading "Long Time Gone", Book #2 of the Hell or High Water series. Probably afterwards too.

Hot! Damn! Back again for round two! S.E. Jakes delivers a solid punch with "Long Time Gone". We catch up four months after the cliffhanger from book #1. I won't spoil what happens at the end of "Catch a Ghost" in case you haven't read this series yet. (Meaning: Start this series. Like now-ish)

However, you will be pretty happy with how "Long Time Gone" proceeds. Tom and Prophet are back in business, kicking asses and taking names! Don't think it's rainbows and butterflies because for these two, that is just not the case. Tom still has his "Voodoo" premonitions (thankfully it doesn't overshadow the story) and Prophet has that ghost situation. Does it read like a paranormal? *shakes head* No, not really. It's so subtle and I am grateful for this. Because if you have read my review for the previous book, you know where I stand with ghosts and psychics.

S.E. Jakes is known for having rugged, hot men action in scenes and in the bedroom. Rowr! She does not disappoint. At. All. *coughs*hurricane sex/ washing machine sex score*coughs* Nothing hotter than two big, strong brawny men trying to figure what a partnership can truly mean.

“You are so fucking good for me and so fucking bad for me at the same time." 

"It's not good if you don't have the mix of both. ”

Do these men figure it out? Sort of. (I mean hello this is book #2 out of 4, people!) There still is room to grow.

What we do get in this latest installment is more background on Tom's past, deep down in the Louisiana bayou. A category 4 hurricane is brewing and Prophet and Tom weather it together with a snarky as hell aunt Della and her two renters, older gay couple Dave and Roger. You will love these three.

Here's a sample of my favorite quotes from these characters:

“You're doing it wrong."
"Son, I've got a gun to your chest and you're telling me that I'm doing it wrong?"
"Yes"
"How?"
"Closer isn't better." He disarmed her with a swift motion, then offered the weapon back to her. "Further away you are, the less unpredictable I can be."
Della's eyes had opened wide with surprise, but she recovered fast. Took the shotgun back and said, "Okay. Knock again so we can start over.”

I love Aunt Della, wished there was more scenes with her and more interaction between her and Prophet.

Roger and Dave:

In the dark, Dave reached for Roger's hand as they watched the shadowed lovemaking. "Were we ever that beautiful?" 

"You still are," Roger told him. 

"Maybe we should make the most of the hurricane." 

"This is definitely foreplay." 

"It's like Tumblr, the live version.”

This couple was a hoot. And they got to live a dream of mine, being a voyeur to Tom/Prophet loving.

Do not confuse this story for being a drawn out PWP, that is farther from the case. There is a backwoods murder/mystery going on and Tom, unfortunately, is in the middle of it. We get to see where Tom comes from (bayou), how he grew up (it wasn't pretty), secret talents he has (hint: alligator) and how he is most deservedly the perfect partner for Prophet.

I love Tom...I think a smidge more than Prophet (alright a little more than a smidge). I'm a sucker for damaged heroes, what can I say?

Prophet is still as snarky and wisecracking as ever. He has a tendency to leave one in a state of frustration (from his smart mouth) and lust (from the rest of him)...lustration, if you will. I was happy Tom got to shine a little more in this book.

Oh, it sounds like I was in alpha love with this book, why not 5 stars? I was in total alpha lustration. Believe me. But...the niggles, they were present. The pacing was not as smooth as the book prior. It was a little braking here and there. Plus, at times, I questioned what exactly was going on, who's doing what, the characters seemed to know more than the reader and I want an invite to the party. Maybe if book #1 and #2 were combined, I'd rate higher, but since it wasn't...I'm going with 4 hearts. The murder/mystery gets solved with some muss and less fuss. We learn a few answers to some questions like Prophet's real name. Totally fitting, BTW

I liked how the book ended. Yes, it is a cliffhanger but it seems like a good spot for Tom and Prophet's partnership. They are finally realizing how to balance and share...well for Prophet and Tom, anyway.

A great combination of hot sex in hot places, memorable secondary characters, a bayou whodunit, snark and hotter kick ass action with mercenaries, spies and ex soldiers, oh my! Just another slice of S.E. Jakes' wonderful imagination.

Do I want to read book #3? Hell yes. Need to feed my Tom/Prophet addiction.

Would I recommend? See above. But please read the series in order, otherwise you will be lost.

Do not expect: immediate resolution. If you need instant gratification, you might suffer from lustration.
Do expect: an entertaining ride. ;D

A copy provided by author for an honest review.