There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that gets my blood pumping harder than starting book one of a brand-new series by an author I like. 'No Boundaries' is the first installment in SE Jakes's series 'Phoenix Inc.', and I was so excited to read it. Now, what's inevitable in an introduction to a new series, is all the new names and backgrounds, which kind of get dumped on the reader. Although, for those readers familiar with this author's 'Men of Honor' series, some of these names will be familiar, and if you're not, then you might be a little confused, as the author seems to have taken the assumption that you've already read about Styx, Law, and Paolo.

Cole is twenty-three, a genius mechanic on vintage and classic cars and motorcycles, and holding a lot of secrets close to his vest. Luckily for him, three of his clients, Styx, Law, and Paolo, own Phoenix Inc., a private investigations company that employs, almost exclusively, ex-CIA and ex-military guys. Phoenix takes these practically burnt out guys and puts them to work, using their skills, in situations, though, where these men can finally win, and come out on top. Styx happens to be at the garage and witnesses Cole's reaction to a threatening note he was left. So Styx, in his infinite wisdom, assigns Marcus to look into Cole's stalker problem. Marcus is thirty-four, battle scarred, ex-CIA, and very good at his job. Unfortunately, Cole and Marcus set off a whole lot of emotional electricity and veritable storms around each other, and not all of it's good.

"Cole nodded as Marcus got closer. Marcus’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t like that Cole had spotted him before Marcus had spotted Cole. But he didn’t know that Cole had radar for men who moved like predators."

My heart went out to Cole, especially after hearing his story. He's an amazing young man, and I fell for him very easily. Marcus is a tough, cynical, man who spent way too many years being involved with users. He doesn't trust easily, or at all. In some ways, Marcus and Cole were very similar in their outlooks toward their fellow man. Hands down, they're incredibly sexy and hot together. Whether they're arguing, boxing, or hitting the sheets, these two can steam up the room.

Overall, I liked this story. However, in my opinion, the story didn't flow, and instead, it jumped back and forth, which was very confusing at times. The plot was good, and I would've loved to have seen it developed more. I adored Cole and I liked Marcus, and I would've enjoyed more background on each of them. But if you're a true fan of this author, and you've liked her other works, then this will definitely be a book for you.

NOTE: This book was provided by Samhain Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

SE Jakes is back and she brought a few old friends with her. No Boundaries is the first in a new series and is a spin-off of her Men of Honor series. Our favorite sexy trio is back for more intrigue, danger and hot sex.

While this story doesn't center around Law, Paulo, and Styx they do play an integral part in the story line and we get to spend some time learning what the boys have been up to.

Marcus works for Phoenix, Inc and has been kind of floundering since leaving the CIA. When he left he took his baggage full of nightmares and distrust. So when Styx asks him to take on a case at no charge he immediately doesn't trust the situation or Cole.

Cole is a damn good mechanic with a past that he is trying to forget. He may not be proud of the things that he has done but he survived and that was all that really mattered. But his past doesn't seem to want to let go of him and when things start to break bad he is thankful for the help that Styx offers even if he doesn't want it.

This story is all about trust. It's something that is so easily lost and almost impossible to get back. Both Marcus and Cole have their reasons for not trusting and only one reason to try again...love. But sometime love isn't enough and when you have a pyscho out to kill you those aren't the best of circumstances to try.

This story is fast paced and full of danger, mystery and stubborn men.

3.7 stars.. A great start the the book. Told with multiple POVS which I didn't mind as I'd read the previous books in the series... A fast moving story with a mystery of a stalker targeting Cole. Drama scenes happen in the first couple chapters which continue throughout and sexy scenes included. This contains two romance stories, one for Cole and Marcus and the other for the threesome of Stix, Law and Paolo. The story finishes at the 78% mark and has promos for other books.

Cole 23 worked at the repair shop, and has been getting threats.
Marcus 34 working for Stix, Law and Paolo they needed Marcus to help Cole.

I get carrying over characters from other series but for a first book in a new series this had A LOT of that.

No Boundaries was…innocuous.

Former rent boy turned mechanic Cole is being stalked. Luckily for him it comes to the attention of the boys of Phoenix Inc. Investigations – who decide to take on his case pro bono. Styx, Law and Paolo – ex. Special forces, CIA and law enforcement; have had varying degrees of hard lives; and part of their mission is to help the “lost boys” that they once were themselves. They also give out lots of relationship advice and play matchmaker (which when you consider that they’re making a ménage relationship work better than most people manage a couple – I guess they have room to talk).

Marcus Lowry is assigned to guard Cole – because pairing a super rich guy with a chip on his shoulder and a paranoia about being used for his money is the perfect match for a financially struggling, working class ex. Prostitute. Of course it’s hate at first sight – they’re both exactly the other’s type and the other’s Achilles Heel – but being as it’s a short book – they don’t hate each other for long – although there are intimacy and trust issues right up until the bitter end.

No Boundaries was a weird book. Styx, Law and Paolo were featured in Bound by Law, book 2 of the author’s Men of Honor series. I didn’t really feel like I needed to read that book to follow along with the plot of No Boundaries – but I wonder if I wouldn’t have enjoyed it more if I were more invested in these supporting characters. Then there’s Cole and Marcus – their characters weren’t especially well developed. I didn’t feel any real chemistry or emotion between them. Marcus in particular felt more like a stereotype and he kind of annoyed me. His family has more money than God and all he can do is whine about how the one man he loved used him for his money – to the point where he indiscriminately takes it out on anyone he perceives as having less money than he does. How about – considering he’s ex. Special forces and CIA – what he should be pissed off about is what a poor judge of character he apparently was.

There’s a HEA for all involved (except the stalker – he’s definitely not happy). The Styx, Law, Paolo trio seemed to get almost as page time as Marcus and Cole.

I really wanted to love this book because Bound by Law (Men on Honor #2) was my favorite book in the series, and this spin-off was like a sequel.
But I was faced with similar issues I have had in most of the books I have read by SE Jakes: The character building was sub-par, her transitions are jarring (not fluid), and the storyline itself are generally weak. Things just happen and then I find myself in a new scene. Unfortunately, I tend to feel like that when reading this author. But there is such potential in the story and I keep reading because I feel like one day, we will get there. But we didn't get there in this book.

what I liked:
* More Paolo, Law and Styx and the hotness!
Oh yes! The author manages to nail the chemistry with this trio. This is a menage that works and works well. did I mention Paolo, Law and Styx had an anniversary? Plus, was Styx such a sweetie or what? His guys have really brought out his tender side.
* A Clint and Jace sighting (though brief), it was nice to see C&J are still together.
* I loved the community service that Law is involved with. That was a nice touch to the story.

what I didn't like:
* I found The MC's chemistry was lukewarm. I didn't buy Marcus and Cole's passion. I just didn't "feel" the connection.
* I also disconcerted by Law, the jackass, who suddenly morphed into Cole's fairy godmother.
* The bad guy---how he just appeared out of nowhere, outsmarted 2 ex-special ops guys and a detective time and time again didn't do wonders for my confidence in Phoenix inc. It was just too easy for the antagonist.
* And then the showdown with the bad guy...

seriously? I really was expecting fireworks, but got such an anti-climatic ending. It was just a build up to nothing. At the end, I felt unsatisfied--like I just engaged in really boring sex.

Will I read book 2? Probably.



**Special thanks to Netgalley for the reading copy

This book jumped around a few times and I was so confused I had to go back and read whole pages to find out what was going on. I should have read the other book that was the story of how Styxx, Paolo, and Law got together because this book seemed like nothing but a follow up. I had no clue what was going on with them. I was lost on too much with this being book one in a series

★★★1/4

1.5

I have read several other books by S. E. Jakes and enjoyed them. In fact, I've given every other book by them a 4 or 5 star rating. So, I know they can pace a book, develop a character, write clear, concise scenes and believable romance between rough men. And it's a really good thing I've read these other books, because if I had to judge Jakes on this book I wouldn't believe it.

This book is rushed, clumsy, inconsistent, poorly edited, under-developed and just a bad example of writing, from an author I know is capable of more. Here is an example: In the final climatic scene the villain is killed (I don't think that's a spoiler, the villain always dies in this sort of book) and I couldn't even tell who killed them! POVs are all over the place, even though there are sometimes (but not always) headers inferring whose POV the section is supposed to be from. Characters were named that weren't in the book, so I didn't know who they were. I often couldn't' tell who was doing what or in what position someone was in during sex scenes. Names were swapped. It was just a bloody mess!

Part of this may come down to the fact that, as another reviewer pointed out (and that's the only indication I've seen) that this is a spin-off from another series. But this is no excuse and I take issue with this on multiple fronts. One, if you're calling it a new series, spin-off or not, I should be able to pick it up and read it without reading the previous series; otherwise it's part of the first series. It should be self-contained enough to allow this. Two: especially if nothing warns the reader that it is a spin-off! And as far as I can tell, nothing does. I feel lied to, as a reader, on this front. Tricked into picking something up that I was never going to be able to engage in without being forewarned.

This was a total fail, made even worse because I expected so much more.

I don't know...it wasn't BAD, it was just... I think for me the climax of the story was so abrupt that it didn't give me the emotional payoff.