The Bonds of Love (MM)
Vic and Matt

Professional Reviews

Fallen Angel Reviews: 5 angels out of 5, Recommended Read.
"Snyder has created a phenomenal plot that adds a depth to the original story and held me spellbound from the very start. The love between Matt and Vic is shown in how they love being able to read each other's mind, sharing their every thought. I enjoyed watching the powers that Vic obtains manifest, and how Vic and Matt react to them."

Literary Nymphs Reviews: 3.5 out of 5.
"J.M. Snyder has again done a terrific job in writing the way these lovers interact with each other as well as with other characters."

Obisidan Bookshelf.
"An unusual but enjoyable story ... Snyder knows how to place strikingly realistic details just where they are needed, which provides the reader with total, vivid escapism. It's one of her unique strengths as an author ... I enjoyed The Bonds of Love, and I think many readers will, too."

Rainbow Reviews: 5 out of 5.
"Snyder writes strong characters, plots and moves from the bedroom to the streets with ease. I believe all readers who enjoy erotica, action, and more will enjoy this gay novel. I highly recommend it, especially to the gay superhero geeks like me."

Reader Review by Elisa Rolle.
"Another enstallment in the Matty and Vic's saga, this time, lucky for us, pretty long to let us savour more of this perfect couple ... With this novel finally I have the chance to read a bit more of Vic and Matt. Above all of Vic, who is a really interesting character. He continues to describe himself like a big guy with very little to draw a man like Matt, but more I read of him, and more I like him."

Simply Romance Reviews: Grade A (Outstanding Read).
"Held me captive! ... I found myself smiling and even had tears in my eyes at times. A tale which can elicit so much emotion definitely earns a high mark in my book ... It definitely has found a place on my keeper shelf."

Two Lips Reviews: 4½ out of 5, with a "heat level" of 1½ out of 3.
"You know a book touches your heart and soul when you get mad reading something that is happening to a character and wish you could help as well ... J.M. Snyder has done it again ~ written a book that makes you feel as if the characters are real people that you know, love, and would do anything for."

Excerpt

One image flashed in Vic's head, undeniable. A gun, crammed down the front of the black guy's jeans, the safety off. At least one of his friends had a knife, folded in the fist balled in his hoodie pocket. Crossing to stand behind his lover, Vic lowered his voice so no one else would overhear. "Come on, Matty. Time to go."

His lover started, "I'm --"

Vic quieted him with a hand on his back. "Now."

Matt glanced around the store, confusion on his face. Opening the mental connection they shared, Vic pointed out the gun and knife. "Shit," Matt whispered. As he reached for the Slurpee lids, his hand hit a stack of the cups and they clattered to the tiled floor.

The noise set the gunman into action. "You fuckers on the ground!" he hollered, waving the pistol in the air. The cashier screamed and dropped behind the counter, out of sight. Cat food cans went rolling, the freezer door slammed shut as the customers hurried to obey. The cat food lady sobbed. Matt sank to his knees and tried to gather up the offending cups.

"On the floor," the gunman barked. He turned full circle, gun leveled, looking for a reason to shoot. When he saw Vic, the gun swung to a stop between them. "You, asshole. Didn't you hear me?"

Vic stared at the barrel, unperturbed. A strange feeling of calm descended over him and he stepped in front of Matt to block his lover from the gun's aim. "I heard you."

His low voice infuriated the gunman. "Then get the fuck on the floor!" When Vic didn't move, the guy shook his head in disbelief. "Motherfucker."

"Get on the floor, man!" one of guy's friends pleaded, the one with the knife. "We ain't gonna kill you, dude. Just get down and no one gets hurt."

Somehow, Vic didn't believe that. "Change of plans," he said, popping another chip in his mouth. He took a moment to chew it -- in the silence of the store, broken only by quiet sobs and Matt fiddling with the cups, the sound that the chip made as he ground it between his teeth seemed unnaturally loud to his own ears. Choosing his words, Vic announced, "Give me the gun. And you, the knife."

The kid gaped, surprised Vic knew of his weapon. ::I know,:: Vic added mentally.

The kid's jaw dropped. "Who the hell are you?" he whispered.

"Hand them over," Vic replied, ignoring the question. "And no one gets hurt. How's that sound?"

For a breathless second, he almost hoped it had worked. The kid with the knife had it out now, but he held it by the hilt, ready to drop it and run. The third friend stayed by the door, waiting for the signal to bolt. But this was the gunman's show, and he wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. "What're you gonna do?"

Vic took a step to close the distance between them. "You stay right there!" the gunman warned, his voice ratcheting up a notch. "You hear me?"

As if he didn't, Vic moved closer. If he could just reach the guy, he knew he could bring him down -- the strength that flooded his system ran like adrenaline through his veins, energizing him. If he could just get close enough to tackle him ...

The gun went off. Vic saw a lick of flame, smelled the acrid odor of gunpowder and smoke, and heard the deafening rapport a second before something small and hard and metal punched him in the center of his chest. The energy in his body flared to life -- the gun shots rang out, two, three, each accompanied by another hard knock that rattled him down through his core. The energy swirled through him, in him, around him, dazzling like bright light. Far away he heard Matt cry out for him, the sound of his name like anguish in his lover's voice.

Then the light washed over him like the tide, and everything disappeared.