BLOG TOUR STOP: Take by Ella Frank: Review, Excerpt, Trailer, and Giveaway

Logan Mitchell is a man who’s always been more than happy to take what he wants. It’s a philosophy that’s proven lucrative in both his business and personal life, and never was it more apparent than the night he laid eyes on Tate Morrison. After pulling out all the stops and convincing the sexy bartender to give him a try—he’s hooked.

Now, Logan finds himself in a predicament that demands more from him than a smart-ass answer and his innate ability to walk away when things get too deep.

He has a choice to make, and it’ll force him to do something he’s never done before—take a chance.

Tate Morrison knows all about taking a chance. He took the biggest one of his life the night he showed up at Logan’s apartment to explore his unexpected reaction to the man.

Ever since then, he’s thought about little else.

At first he was convinced his attraction was based solely on his body’s curiosity. But the more time he spends with the silver-tongued lawyer, the more Tate realizes that their physical chemistry is only the beginning.

He’s starting to catch a glimpse of what life with Logan would be like, and it’s one full of excitement and satisfaction—a far cry from what he had in the past with his soon to be ex-wife.

Each man will face their fears as they begin to understand the true meaning of give and take. Their feelings for one another will be tested, as will their very beliefs. But now that they’ve found love where they least expected it, will they be brave enough to reach out and take it?

Releasing July 8, 2014

In Try, Logan Mitchell persuades Tate Morrison to try something he has never done before – sex with a man. In turn, Tate makes Logan try something out of his comfort zone as well – a monogamous relationship, and as these two make every attempt to stay true to their word, a connection is formed – one that neither wants to let go of despite the overwhelming feeling they have to run because of how out of character it is.

When Take begins, the fall out of Logan and Tate’s relationship and their true feelings for one another are front and center. Not only do they need to decide what it is they feel for each other and put a proper title on it, but Tate also has to come out to his family – a family whose religious beliefs shun and condemn homosexuals. Everything is moving at hyper speed, and Tate’s head is spinning. He needs time to think and figure out what he truly wants and then be willing to live with the repercussion of whatever decision he makes.

Logan knows what he wants – Tate, and he desperately wants to take him, but he knows that if he tries to move this forward too quickly, he will lose Tate for good, which is Logan’s biggest fear. So, Logan needs to sit back and wait for Tate to figure it all out, which as readers, we know that that is easier said than done. But Logan’s heart is involved now; the easy, uncomplicated hook ups he’s used to are a thing of the past, so if he truly wants to try and make his relationship with Tate work, he’s going to have to do a bit of give and take.

Just like with Try, Ella Frank’s writing and character development took hold of me as I started reading Take, and it didn’t let me go until I finished the text. What I loved most about book 2 is that readers are able to understand Logan a bit more. As he exposes his past to Tate, we are sitting right next to them, trying to figure out what happened that turned Logan into the manwhore that he was. We also see the softer, more loving side of Logan. He’s definitely someone you want in your corner, and the way he steps up and stands up for Tate shows who he is underneath the cockiness and filthy mouth.  Logan’s transformation from book 1 to 2 clearly illustrates how strong his feelings are for Tate and what he’s willing to do to keep the man who consumes his mind, body, and heart.

Tate definitely comes into his own in Take as well. Because everything is so new at the beginning of the relationship, and he’s exploring a side of his sexuality that he’s never considered before, in Try, he’s a bit timid and reserved, but he doesn’t stay that way. He’s just as stubborn and demanding as Logan is and that definitely is shown throughout the second book, especially in the bedroom. Logan is used to dominating, but Tate wields the command at times, which is something Logan’s not used to giving up, but he gladly does so for Tate.

The sex in Try is off the charts hot, and it continues to be in Take, but the meaning of their sexual interactions changes. What used to be just about the physical connection is now more about the emotional one. They are both extremely sexual individuals, so it makes sense that sex would play a big part in their relationship, but what they weren’t counting on, especially Logan, is that a strong sense of intimacy factors into it as well, changing up the dynamic of who they are and what they ultimately want from each other.

Logan and Tate were willing to try to make a relationship work, and they took what they had to give to one another, so what’s left to tempt them…forever maybe? It will be interesting to see what Logan and Tate have to endure to get to that point because I’m sure it’s not going to be smooth sailing, especially with the complication that readers are left with at the end of Take.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples

“That’s your truck?”

“Yes.”

“It’s so…”

“So what?” Logan challenged as he pulled his keys from his pocket.

“Old?”

“Excuse me. I’ll have you know I was driving this baby all through college and she still runs like a dream.”

Tate watched as Logan walked over to run his hand over the scratched-up tailgate, and he was amazed that he even made that look sexy. Like he was stroking a lover.

“And it’s a she, huh?”

Now around at the passenger’s side, Logan opened the door and looked at him over the bed of the truck. “Yeah. Jealous?”

Laughing, Tate walked over to where Logan stood with a hand on the door and kissed him slowly on the mouth.

“I’m jealous of anything you stroke like that.”

“Get in the truck, Tate.”

“Or else?”

Logan stepped forward, crowding him back against the inside frame of the vehicle. “You’re not ready for the or else…”