Saving Sonny James

Vásquez & James #4

by Lou Sylvre

Vasquez & Book Four Sequel to Finding Jackie Luki Vasquez and his still newlywed husband are back home after pulling off a harrowing desert rescue of their teenage nephew Jackie. But the events of the last couple of years have begun to catch up with Luki―loving Sonny James and letting Sonny love him back has left gaps in his emotional armor. In the gunfight that secured Jackie’s rescue, Luki’s bullet killed a young guard, an innocent boy in Luki’s mind. In the grip of PTSD, memories, flashbacks, and nightmares consume him, and he falls into deep, almost vegetative depression. Sonny devotes his days to helping Luki, putting his own career on hold, even passing up a European tour of galleries and schools―an opportunity that might never come again. But when Luki’s parasomnia turns his nightmares into real-world terror, it breaks the gridlock. Sonny realizes what he’s doing isn’t working, and he says yes to Europe. Enter Harold Breslin, a dangerously intelligent artist’s promoter and embezzler whose obsessive desire for Sonny is exceeded only by his narcissism. When Harold’s plan for Sonny turns poisonous, Luki must break free of PTSD and get to France fit and ready in time to save his husband’s life.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, LGBT, Mystery Thriller, Action

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2013

About the author

Lou Sylvre loves stories and likes to conjure them into books. When the stories are about love, the sweethearts on her pages are most often men who end up loving each other and likely saving each other from unspeakable danger. As if you’d want to know more, she’ll happily tell you that she is a proudly bisexual woman—a mother, grandmother, and cat-herder (with a dog). Her love of languages is no doubt a result of her interestingly mixed up heritage. Her over-the-top love of her rainbow-colored demi-tasse set cannot be adequately explained. She also loves music coffee, chocolate, and wild roses. As a writer, she works closely with lead cat assistant Boudreau St. Clair. Lou grew up in the Los Angeles area, where barefoot was always best for a kid. She now lives in the lush, rainy part of the Pacific Northwest, and hearing from a reader unfailingly brightens the dismal weather. Her email is [email protected].

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
amazon.com/author/lousylvre
http://www.sylvre.rainbow-gate.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLouSyl...
https://www.facebook.com/sylvrebarwel...
https://twitter.com/Sylvre
https://mewe.com/i/lousylvre
https://www.instagram.com/sylvre/
(and she’s pretty sure she still has a tumblr account…)

Reviews

[Sandi ♥'s way too many M/M books · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Sonny and Luki! Not as good as the others though.

[Kade Boehme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah this series! MORE PLEASE!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ~ Lou Sylvre, you really know how to start off a book, huh? Introducing me immediately to the deranged mind of a narcissistic psychopath. Since my enjoyment of the 'Vasquez & James' series has increased with each book I've read, it stood to reason that I was instantly hooked from the very first sentence. That is also the sign of a good writer. 'Saving Sonny James' brought me back to my guys, to the mystery, the action, the heartbreak, and to the love. So much love.

"But whatever the act of shooting that green-eyed guard had done to Luki's brain, Sonny couldn't get past it. He wanted to help his husband, but this thing today… Luki leaving, more than anything else… It had finally opened Sonny's eyes to the cold, hard fact that he couldn't do anything for Luki because Luki wouldn't let him."

It was physically painful for me to experience, with Sonny, the changes the PTSD and depression wrought in Luki. Seeing Luki doubt himself, and not feel strong, confident, worthy, or deserving, was more than heartbreaking. Dramatic? Maybe. Honest? Yes. Luki is such a strong character that it threw me for a loop and forced me to see him in a more realistic light. Of course, when the psycho stalker freak abducted Sonny…well, there was no place on the planet, or off, where he could hide from Luki's wrath.

I enjoyed this fourth book in the series. As always, the author has provided me with strong characters and an interesting tale. I would have been interested to see the rescue of Sonny occur in a not so hasty manner, as I think that could've been fascinating to watch Luki be pitted, mentally, against the protagonist. However, it was not to be and the author showed me an excellent time. Thank you, Lou.

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

[Josy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler-free review for the whole series:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[LiveYourLife BuyTheBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

★☆•°5 Stars - KAPOW°•☆★
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review

Lou Sylvre has always painted the love between Luki Vasquez and Sonny James as deeply soulful and reverent - the power of their genuine and transcendent love culminates beautifully in this satisfying and suspenseful story. ♥ This is book 4 in a highly character driven series - the stories must be read in order.

Ok, I already loved these two to distraction, but wow, Lou Sylvre truly takes that feeling up a few notches with this powerful, touching story. I experienced so many emotions while reading, everything from anger to love, heartache to joy. This included many “shouting at my e-reader” moments! As stated in the blurb, as the story opens, Luki is dealing with PTSD, triggered by his having killed a young guard during the rescue of his nephew. The author presents a marvelous depiction of a man who has always been known to everyone (including himself), as the consummate cold- as- ice bad ass, navigating through despair and emotional fragility, onlyl to emerge even stronger after facing his vulnerabilities. As someone who has grown to admire the strong and confident Luki, I found this scenario both heartbreaking and fascinating to witness.

This story is a profoundly captivating, instrospective view into Luki’s head and… into his heart. Luki’s heart is, undeniably, his husband Sonny. Ahh, sweet, beautiful, talented, patient, Sonny. (Of all of the book characters I have living in my head, Sonny is at the top of my list as being one I’d love to spend time with in reality.) Even Sonny’s considerable and steadfast love and support is not enough to pull Luki out of his tailspin. Reconnecting in the form of their sensual lovemaking helps spark a bit of a respite for Luki, however it soon becomes apparent that Luki actually feels Sonny’s closeness is a detriment (no, I will not spoiler why!). The two agree that Sonny should depart on a planned trip to France to lecture and conduct workshops on weaving, the art form that he is renowned for. Not to worry, during Sonny’s absence Luki enlists the company and wisdom of good friends and family, as well as a good dog ;-) Sonny, while realizing a dream in undertaking this trip, had been hoping that Luki would be able to travel with him, and is still hopeful Luki will be able to join him for part of the trip. Unfortunately Sonny realizes pretty quickly that maybe he should have gone over the travel arrangements more carefully. It comes to pass Sonny’s colleague from the past, and the man who planned Sonny’s travel itinerary, has long had designs on Sonny, and not of an artistic nature. Poor Sonny, it was as difficult watching him come to the dreaded awareness that he had misplaced his trust in a madman, and would possibly never be seeing Luki again, as it was to watch Luki struggling with the PTSD.

I want to commend the author on creating such compelling characters, and for weaving all of the plot points together seamlessly. Elements from Luki and Sonny’s histories were brought to the present in latent and fluid, evil and heroic manifestations. I loved the significance they all represented. Luki’s conflicted emotions were palpable as his inner strength battled to defeat the PTSD, and as he came to terms with the realization that Sonny was probably in real danger in France. I could feel Sonny’s helplessness and bravery, both in loving his husband no matter the presence of Luki’s demons, and in facing the human demon he later became confronted with. It was very gratifying to me that there was no miraculous “the love of my life needs me” cure for Luki. Rather, he worked hard at facing his issues and had significantly conquered them before heading off to save Sonny. In fact, Luki had been feeling felt well enough to consider joining Sonny before even coming to realize that the silence from Sonny was insidious, and not due to time differences and techno glitches. As Luki devised a plan to save Sonny, we witnessed the new and improved version of his bad ass self at work. I like it. A like it a lot. Sonny does too :-)

As usual I have left out major spoilers – this story is definitely one to savor and experience as it unfolds. The plotting is clever and engaging. It starts out with intense emotional introspection and builds to tantalizing suspense. Surprises come out of left field and serve only to enhance the overall appeal. The love between Luki and Sonny is so profound as to transcend words. It melts me. They melt me. Thank you Lou Sylvre for these beautiful men, and their exceptional love. More please :-)

[Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

This book is part of a series and must be read in order. Luki and Sonny are back home and Luki is suffering from the after effects of shooting a young guard during the rescue of their teenage nephew Jackie. Sonny is reaching the end of his patience as Luki seems to slip further away everyday and Luki can't seem to pull himself out of his downward spiral. When Sonny gets into trouble it brings Luki to awareness, and when Sonny sets off for his European tour Luki begins to seek the help that he needs. When Sonny becomes impossible to contact Luki begins to worry and sets off to find his missing husband, Sonny desperately needs his husbands help as an obsessed art agents plans for him turn deadly.

Sonny and Luki are back and this time Luki has to deal with PTSD before he can run to Sonny's rescue. Luki begins to realize that he has to improve and get help if he is to continue in his role of Sonny's protector and husband and the beginnings of his recovery comes just in time when he realizes that something isn't quite right. Sonny's dreams of an exhibit is Europe comes to fruition but it soon goes wrong when he notices that there is something wrong with his phone and email, and his agents behavior makes him wary.

This is another brilliant Vasquez and James story which delves into PTSD. Luki isn't the tower of strength that we have come to know and love, he was hit hard with the death of the young guard in Finding Jackie. It was something he has done many times before but this time he feels guilt, but Luki can't get the image of green eyes out of his mind, he has tumbled into a world that is gray and suffers from nightmares. As he swims through the fog in his mind he ignores all around him, until he gets a wake up call and realizes what he is doing to Sonny. Sonny is as lovable as ever but he is struggling with Luki's illness, he feels helpless but knows nothing he is doing is helping, Sonny has tried all that he can to help Luki, but Luki refuses professional help and there is nothing that Sonny can do except love Luki. As the book progresses we see how both of the feel and although their love is strong and they would stand by each other through anything, Sonny can't put his life on hold forever and Luki gets the kick in the ass he needs to get help.

The book then shifts to the action part with Luki recovering enough to begin to function as a human being and realizing that something is wrong with Sonny in Paris. Sonny finds himself in trouble with no way out and Luki sweeps in like a vengeful angel with the help of an old flame. This is a really well written story that has us seeing strife in paradise as Luki struggles with his demons. We feel Sonny's frustration as he sees Luki fall under the weight of his demons and we are encouraged when Luki begins to fight back against the demons. But then comes the twisted man who wants Sonny for his own, and while Luki runs to the rescue he still has to fight against the PTSD that try's to pull him under.

I recommend this to those who love action Luki style, an incredible love, dealing with demons, danger, hot loving and a great ending.

[C. Zampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My main heartfelt thought when I finished this book? That, if you love Luki Vasquez only because he is a bad-ass, then you will not be able to handle this installment in the Vasquez and James saga.

If you feel as I do, and you love Luki and Sonny because they're real, they're very human---sunshine, sex, grit, bad-assery, sincere emotions---then this might be the most important contribution to the series.

Like the blurb says, Luki is undergoing a severe case of PTSD. I will admit that, at first, I chided him (I know him so well, I can talk to him like this, you know)for being a wimp. It had only been in the line of defense, Luki. Snap out of it, I holler, slapping him like in the movies to shock him out of his depression.

But, then, as I read further and got deeper into his head---the why's, the trigger points---that have cause his trauma to cripple him, I fully understand his mental collapse. And I wonder if, even as tough and---yes, bad-ass---as he is, if he has what it takes to surface from this deep abyss.

And, as always, no plot revelelations, so you can only know by reading the book yourself.

And then there's Sonny's part in this story. It's one of those awful things in books and movies when the reader/viewer sees something ominous on the horizon, but the character cannot. And we're agry at Sonny the he doesn't quite see, and---oh, damn, how I LOVE my Sonny---that alone was frustrating, the helplessness the reader feels in not being able to flash warnings for him.

This part of the story was delicious in it's creepiness, and built the suspense and tension wonderfully with the reader looking on in dread. Thanks to Ms. Sylvre's fine presentation, we can see inside the 'bad guy's' head and we know exactly WHY he feels the way he does toward Sonny. Sonny just brings out that in folks, the need to be inside his sunshiny inner sanctum, to be close to him. And this part makes for a fantastic sub-plot---well, really a thread weaving within the plot, the catalyst to bring Luki around.

One thing I truly loved about this combination of plot scenarios was the Ms. Sylvre did NOT---as so many stories might---use Sonny's crisis to miraculously bring Luki from his very real darkness.

No, Luki worked very hard to battle his demons on his own, realistically. No miracles, just a fierce need to return to life as he knew it.

And---very importantly---this was a tale of a husband's tenacity to hang on to what he loves. And that's what Sonny James is all about. He's seen his Luki through a lot of ordeals, and yet he's remained strong and stood by his side. His love, so powerful, so sweet, has been one of my biggest pleasures of this series. And Sonny did not fail this time. But...but...as in real life, even Sonny has limits. This battle of Luki's might even be too strong for the lovely Mr. James.

And, by the way, I enjoyed a wonderful glimpse into Sonny's artistic life, his lectures, shows where his stellar weaving work is featured, a nice peek into the artist, not just the lover of Luki Vaszquez.

And this time...when it's Sonny who needs the strong arms...when it's Sonny who needs to be saved, all the way in Paris...Luki Vasquez----

Aha! I almost spilled the beans! Oh, no, you're not getting that out of me. Just read it. You'll love the guys just as much, probably even more than ever.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again it was a treat to visit Luki & Sonny. It would seem that misadventures are a plague on their lives; but that term would appear to be a misnomer as these happenings are rather less than minor and are full of suspense and intrigue. And of course this most recent one is no exception.

This time we have Miss Sylvre almost reversing their roles. Almost. Luki Vasquez starts out in this story full of self-doubt whereas Sonny James, although inwardly seriously questioning the wisdom of following through with his upcoming planned trip (a trait usually reserved for Luki) he plunders full force into it anyway.

Of course, per usual, Lou's descriptions allow the reader to fully experience each character's emotions while feeling as if you are actually present in each scene. And also present in this one, not unlike as in the others of this series, will be the biting of your lip in desperation to turn the page to learn what happens next; only to have this scenario repeated on the next page as well. Also, the love scenes in this book are just that, Love Scenes; full of sensual sensitivity and the obvious love of one partner for the other.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book with my 5 out of 5 stars and although this story will be a great read on its own, it will be a stupendously wonderful read if you first get an understanding of the most interesting lives of Sonny James & Luki Vasquez; that sequence would be: Loving Luki Vasquez, Delsyn's Blues, Finding Jackie, Yes, and of course Saving Sonny James. These can all be found on Dreamspinner Press (dreamspinnerpress.com/store/).

[Nickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS (although just small ones)...........................
... .....................

...........................
... .....................


What can I say about Lou Sylvre's book Saving Sonny James? A veritable work of art. I laughed. I cried. I set on the edge of my seat. It was awesome.

This book takes place fairly quickly after Sonny and Luki get back from Finding Jackie. Luki is suffering from PTSD. He's moody, irritable, scary, and SCARED. An altogether un-Luki. Sonny has been offering the chance to teach in Paris and decides to go after a fairly violent episode with Luki.

Luki promises to do the work to get better and off Sonny goes. We don't hear from him for quite a while in the book. I was on the edge the whole time asking "Is Sonny all right? Has Breslin hurt him yet?" I wanted to skip through until I got those questions answered but I didn't. I did the work with Luki.

I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the book. I will say to keep a tissue handy and to bite your lip so you don't find yourself yelling at your Kindle or other reading device.

[Nicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete review posted at TWLIB Reviews

Right from the beginning, Luki and Sonny have been up to their ears in a long dance of highly volatile drama. Three books covering the loss of Luki nasty and corrupted half-brother, discovering he had nephews and the brother had abused his sons, to losing one of his best agents. The biggest change of all is Luki falling in love with Sonny James...

Rating 3.5

[Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this latest adventure of Sonny & Luki, I love this couple and so far have loved all of them, I do feel sort of sorry for them, so much seems to happen to them, but I suppose it wouldn't be much of a tale if it didn't. I don't know if there any more in the pipeline but I look forward to any more tales of Luki & Sonny that Ms Sylvre cares to write.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving Luki Vasquez hasn’t always been easy for Sonny Bly James, but it’s always been worth the risk to have given his heart to the man who’s made of ice but melts at the sight of a husband he treasures above all else.


Read the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luki and Sonny are a unique couple; neither of them remind me of any other M/M characters out there, and that's what makes them so good. This series has lots of emotions and ups and downs, but also lots of sweetness - all with very beautiful writing.

[Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars I do love Luki & Sonny

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing seems to get better for Sonny James and Luki Vasquez. Just when all of the horrors seem to have died down, a trip to Europe as part of a group of artists--something that should be run-of-the-mill--is not the trip Sonny expected it to be. And when Luki can't reach him, thousands of miles away, he knows something's up and he needs to go help. But will this be the trauma that pulls them apart? Or will it be the thing that finally breaks down all of the walls and binds them together forever?

[Mtsnow13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

MtSnow reviews 'Saving Sonny James' (Vasquez & James Book 4) by Lou Sylvre (Released by Dreamspinner Press; October 18, 2013, 216 pgs)

Professional badass Luki Vasquez and weaver Sonny James meet for the first time in Loving Luki Vasquez, and they might make a sizzling couple if they can ever get past the impulse to run the other way every time romance comes into view. Then again, they have to stay alive if they’re ever to see their wedding day, and tribulation, cruelty, and greed has a way of demanding attention at all the worst moments. Together, they pack a lot of resources to fight for love. If they can hold out, they just might win the enduring love and family they were meant to share.

This is the fourth book in the series and we get to see if Sonny and Luki have what it takes to stick it out through even more tough times.  We were provided a copy of the every book in this series, and I figured I'd dig in and see what I thought. I am also rereading and reviewing the other books in this series.

Cover Art by Reese Dante

 

Saving Sonny James (Book 4 of Vasquez & James)

by Lou Sylvre

Cover Art: Reese Dante

M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: October 18, 2013  (ebook)

Length: Novel

 

A Vasquez & James Novel

Luki Vasquez and his still newlywed husband are back home after pulling off a harrowing desert rescue of their teenage nephew Jackie. But the events of the last couple of years have begun to catch up with Luki—loving Sonny James and letting Sonny love him back has left gaps in his emotional armor. In the gunfight that secured Jackie’s rescue, Luki’s bullet killed a young guard, an innocent boy in Luki’s mind. In the grip of PTSD, memories, flashbacks, and nightmares consume him, and he falls into deep, almost vegetative depression.

Sonny devotes his days to helping Luki, putting his own career on hold, even passing up a European tour of galleries and schools—an opportunity that might never come again. But when Luki’s parasomnia turns his nightmares into real-world terror, it breaks the gridlock. Sonny realizes what he’s doing isn’t working, and he says yes to Europe. Enter Harold Breslin, a dangerously intelligent artist’s promoter and embezzler whose obsessive desire for Sonny is exceeded only by his narcissism. When Harold’s plan for Sonny turns poisonous, Luki must break free of PTSD and get to France fit and ready in time to save his husband’s life.

The cover: Nice style and continuity with previous covers. Love the suit and gun, and the fadeout of the kissing couple hints just enough at the contents to make the reader curious.

The story: How much depression and sadness can these guys go through?! Again, all very real, and very human, but I just want these guys to get a break. But then, we wouldn't see personal growth, and a newly married couple going through real life reality checks, right?

Even though at times Sonny and Luki seem to have more bad luck than good, we always get to see their interactions with each other and what they each are going through. It helps to see how the support of our better halves has the potential to make us better people. The idea that anyone can get PTSD feels very authentic and realistic and gave me food for thought on how the mind heals, and what it might take to recover to some degree.

A very good story overall, and I like the sinister narcissistic villain aspect added. Made the story interesting. We see what it takes for Luki to pull himself together for his lover and husband, Sonny. Recommended!

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just my notes

I'm uncomfortable with this sociopath being a sociopath even before he was a victim of pedophiles, that he wasn't created by that.

Starts off with a lot of telling. Pages of it--the entire prologue and a good chunk of chapter one--before any action at all.

I dislike the word sex being used for genitals.

Sonny keeps giggling.

OMG, I have a friend who used to laugh like Woody Woodpecker!

Sometimes Sonny sounds like a simpleton. (I hope that's not an offensive term.) Not stupid, just naive and simple. Like in the middle of sex.

Really good PTSD and therapy stuff with DBT and EMDR which are real therapies to help with anxiety and high emotion based disorders like PTSD. It happens way too fast but with the constraints of the story, it was necessary.

So so so much telling.

Page 67 and already a third sex scene. I'd rather the time was spent showing me stuff.

The timeline is all messed up. Sonny's only been there three days but that was the first stop, right? And Luki has had a lot of time to fix himself. But Sonny has only been gone from his rooms for a day?

Why do authors do that? Make temptation there when it doesn't advance the story any? No way would Luki be thinking that, not with Sonny, the man who is his life, missing and in danger. Nothing happens but still.

The French culture and geography felt authentic as did the medical care. It was very impressive.

Luki says the most perfect romantic things.

Sonny doesn't compliment Luki hardly ever while Luki compliments him constantly.

Lots of peril and danger and action and OMG he's gonna die moments. Perfect in that regard.

Started out a two but was a five plus by the end so 4 stars because the ending is what counts.

[Shirley Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha! And here I thought Sonny and Luki might catch a break in their struggle to maintain their happily ever after. The joke's on me!

In this installment in the adventures of Vasquez and James we find Luki struggling with the events that took place in the previous book. Plagued by depression and PTSD, Luki retreats into himself--leaving Sonny to figure out how to help heal his husband and failing miserably.

I don't blame Sonny. It was hard for me to see Luki acting this way myself and I wasn't at the receiving end of his behavior. So even though I was sad to see Sonny go, I was supportive of his decision. But in Lou Sylvre fashion, the story had only started.

From the way the author went about bringing the effects of suffering from PTSD to the way she never wavered in strengthening Sonny and Luki's love for each other, Lou Sylvre did an amazing job in bringing forth another emotion-packed story where Sonny and Luki once again fight their way through in order to be together.

What I have come to love about these characters is the fact that they are flawed. They get mad at each other, push the other away, question and hesitate, but still their love is always present. As a follower of the series, I have enjoyed seeing them grow as individuals and as a couple. And it is in this installment that we get to truly see the strides they've made.

Lou Sylvre always manages to surprise me with the way she weaves the story to include the conflict, the emotions and the mystery without taking away from Sonny and Luki's relationship. Through every twist and turn, the journey that is Sonny and Luki's romance stays at the forefront--at times sweet, at times intense and always compelling.

[Blue Bayou . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I love Sonny, Luki and Lou so I knew I was going to love the story. I've had this book since its release but stopped reading at chapter 2 shortly after downloading. Why? Well I have a really hard time reading rape(s)/pedophiles stories. So after the prologue I am kind of freaking out. I kept reading but stopped, Lou is a wonderful writer but I didn't want to go there, even for Lou. And not to mention this all could happen to Sonny. No!
So I am going through my reader cleaning out the 'not reading that again' and ran into Saving Sonny James. Time to get my big girl pantries on and finish. (and I saw there is a 4th Sonny/Luki story)

This was not my favorite book. The rape/pedophile reference is just that, a reference. I knew starting in that Sonny was going to need to leave Luki so Luki can get himself back together but this all felt so contrived. Harold seemed so two dimensional. I really didn't want to know as much as I did about him and I still didn't know that much. There was a lot of 'Harold needed Sonny' but why? Luki shows up just as soon as things start with Harold and Sonny and saves the day and it all seemed so easy. (The biggest question for me was why was Harold doing what he was doing to Sonny? That made no sense)
The writing is fantastic. The love scenes are just that, love scenes. Sonny and Luki are still Sonny and Luki. I think I would have preferred more internal emotional angst instead of external angst. There was a lot going on with Luki, the PSTD and Sonny and that could have been the whole story for me.
Still I can't wait for their continuing story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Saving Sonny James' in a way was a bit of a misnomer. This book was more than saving Sonny. Luki first had to save himself.

Luki and Sonny are in their own way polar opposites and yet, like magnets they attract each other. Their love is strong it's solid, it's the foundation of who they each are.

I love the conversations between these two men, they are honest and even though how much they love each other always comes through at the same time they are honest with each other. Luki is lost he can't seem to find his way back to the strong, protector that he's been and Sonny knows that he isn't going to be able to fix things. So as much as it hurts he does the one thing he doesn't want to do. He leaves to go on a tour in France. It should be an exciting time for him and he wishes for nothing more than to have Luki go with him. But that's not how it works out.

Suddenly Sonny is unreachable and Luki has been working diligently to get back to the core of who he is and to be reunited with his husband. Panic sets in, but Luki knows he can't give in he needs to do the one thing that he does better than anyone else. He needs to Save Sonny James, but can he?

Usually when I read a story like this I don't want to know who done it until the end. This was not the case in this story and while I worried that this might be the Vasquez & James book that wouldn't hold my interest, I would have to say that concern was unfounded. At just over 200 pages and in spite of the fact that I am in the middle of organizing a house to go onto the real estate market, I think the fact that I read this book in a day speaks for how well it held my interest.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one almost didn't work for me... Luki is Sonny's rock... even when he is down... he is the ROCK of the relationship... until he's NOT... how is Sonny supposed to figure out how to deal with Luki's issues... he can't! Luki must look to himself to find the answers, and, of course, Sonny is the motivation! I kept looking for my "badass" Luki, and I would see little bits and pieces of him every now and then... but I was worried that he was lost forever... then... BAM! He is back... maybe it took a little help from some friends, old and new... but when the going got tough... Luki got going! Saving Sonny, the one man he did and would probably ever love was his goal and NOTHING was going to stop him from reaching that goal! The writing was superb... the characters stepped up to the plate and got the job done... and the Luki we know and love found out a bit more about himself than he was comfortable with... but if it meant getting his Sonny Bly James back... it was all good!

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ♥♥♥♥♥..
This was my favorite of the series. Dude, it only goes higher and higher. Poor Luki in this one, he was dealing with PTSD bad, and goodness Sonny stuck with him through everything. I was sucked in from beginning to end. It was so beautifully written. Hell the other books had emotional scenes, but the scene where Luki had his first flashback had me in tears, I couldn't process it. It effected me so much more because it was Sonny POV at this point, and he has given himself heart, soul, blood, tears and everything else. I see so much growth in Luki, Lou did an amazing job with his growth and development in each of the series. What does Luki do best, he protects people. He goes up and above for the people he cares about and in this installment it wasn't nothing new. It was harder because while trying to protect Sonny, Luki had to protect his mind.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars--I love this series and I love Luki and Sonny, but I have to admit that I did not enjoy this one quite as much as the previous three. I thought the portrayal of Luki's PTSD was well done, but Sonny's conflict with Harold was less satisfying. That story line was a little over the top, and it conclude too quickly. For me, too much time, in the book as a whole, was spent on inconsequential bits and not enough time on the more important things. The ending, however--once Sonny left the hospital--was wonderful.

Although my opinion of this read is less stellar than the earlier ones, my feelings for the series as a whole have not diminished at all, and I am looking forward to starting book #5 very soon.

[Sucajo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I find myself thinking that Sonny and Luki deserve to live a peaceful life together from here on out, filled with loving, weaving and Luki being a total badass. Then I realise that would mean no more books and I quickly push that idea to the back of my mind. This book started off by breaking my heart. It was incredibly painful to see Luki so vulnerable and it was clearly breaking Sonny's heart, too. As the story progressed and Luki struggled to overcome his demons, we saw his old nature shining through and in the end he turned badass and that's the best part of a Vasquez and James story for me!

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different

I enjoyed this one but not as much as previous stories. Sonny and Luki just felt a little too different. Mostly Sonny, since one thing I don't remember is him giggling so much. Luki I understand, he was going through coping with PTSD. The inclusion of Jesse seemed too contrived. Just too coincidental to even feel real. And then, just how many psychopaths can one couple attract?

BUT, it was still a beautiful story of love and strength in the connection. It was still Lou Sylvre's way with words. And it was still very exciting and suspenseful. I still loved reading about this couple.

[Marinieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luki and Sonny are in the middle of a difficult situation after rescuing their nephew Jackie.
The PTSD that Luki is suffering is making Sonny feel He is losing the battle against the ghosts of the events that happened.
When Sonny accepts the invitation of going overseas for an exhibit of his work, danger looms toward him and Luki needs to pull himself together to find and rescue the man he loves.
Another great book in this series.
Looking forward to the next one.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou, you've outdone yourself! Book #4 and I love Sonny and Luki more than ever :) I truly hope these characters keep telling you their stories for a long time!

[Gwendolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright.

[Secretobcession · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I was really looking forward to this book, but was somehow sadly disappointed. I love these guys, but this time the storyline just didn't thrill me. Meh.

[Cerulean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars