"...After having read both of the previous books in this series, Matt and Vic quickly became two of my favorite literary characters. Having enjoyed the first two books so much I was really looking forward to reading this third and longer installment to their story...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...I am looking forward to further installments of this series and I do recommend The Bonds of Love and the entire series to any fan of superheroes and to fans of M/M love stories."--Woodland Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews
"5 Angels!...Recommended Read!...Ms. Snyder has created a phenomenal plot that held me spellbound from the very start. The love between Matt and Vic is shown in how they love being able to read each others mind, sharing their every thought...Together they need to hold on to each other and their love to keep them safe from the outside world. Thanks go to Ms. Snyder for an incredible story."--Teresa, Fallen Angel Reviews
"5 Stars!...For action/adventure readers, there is plenty of intrigue and action to get their hearts pumping. They can live vicariously through the superhero adventure. This action adventure superhero novel takes the superhero novel to the next level. It doesn't close the door on the relationship behind the hero...The erotica reader will enjoy the sex scenes between Matt and Vic, but they will get more than their crotch throbbing. They'll be on the edge of their seats wanting more...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."--Fred Towers, Rainbow Reviews
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 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, and 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?"
"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 blade, 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.
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