Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay, Bi
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Lies. We use them to misdirect, gain power over others, and even protect those whom we love. Sometimes, we even use them to convince ourselves of cold, hard truths. We can’t help it. Lying is a part of who we are.
Matteo
43, Owner of La Maison de M… rich, powerful, keeper of secrets. Oh, and surrogate father to a mansion full of exotic dancing man-children.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no saint. I deal in the pleasures of the flesh. Wealthy men come to La Maison, searching for a good time—a place where they can indulge in their fantasies away from the judgemental eye of society. My private club provides them with that. So what if I use the opportunity to add to my fortune? Like I said, I never claimed to be a saint.
Perhaps he’s my punishment. Ares. The annoying cockroach who keeps resurfacing in my life. Just the mention of his name infuriates me. The man has no manners or class and does everything he can to get under my skin! So why does my heart keep begging for more?
Ares
47, International arms smuggler, purveyor of exotic goods, and devilishly handsome… in that rough and scary kind of way.
I’m wearing him down. No matter how many times Matteo tells me that he hates me and never wants to see me again, I know that deep down, it’s all just for show. Really, he wants me. He’s stubborn and proud and likes to pretend that he doesn’t have feelings for me. But if that were true, why does he keep turning to me whenever he needs help?
I know I hurt him, and if he ever found out the truth, he’d never speak to me again. But I can’t let him go. He means too much to me, and I’ll never stop loving him. No matter how many times he threatens my life or tells me to rot in hell, it’s simply his version of flattery.
Content Warning: Violence, alcohol abuse, foul language, and loads of steamy scenes.
The Review
At forty-three, Matteo Sabarino keeps himself in top shape and can get anyone he wanted. He’s also a very powerful and intelligent man. But he never lets those things go to his head. His big responsibility is La Maison de M, and the young men that mean more to him than anything: Diesel, Jared, Isaac, Teo, twins Gunnar and Anders, Rafael and Levi. This little group at times is a handful, and they act like children, but Matteo loves every one of them. He wants his boys to have the bes,t as their lives have always been troubled. Matteo found his own way through life by himself, didn’t need any commitments, and no one touched his heart. He lost his entire family, leaving him with the family legacy and all of their secrets.
Ares is forty-seven, a most powerful international criminal and a ghost. He’s also the top gun trader and smuggler, and is feared in the criminal world. He’s known for murder and money laundering, and “takes care” of any issues that might threaten his world. But he never hesitates to help those he trusts. He saved his head of security, Elijah, from death. He aided Joris with opening his bar, and it became the perfect place for Ares to do laundering and gun running. There aren’t many people whom Ares trusts and who are loyal to him.
On the night of the twins’ birthday party at La Maison, Matteo is enjoying himself. He loves the boys, and is giving them an unforgettable party.
But for Matteo, the buzz ends quickly when Ares makes an appearance. Matteo and Ares have been acquaintances for a long time, but they rub each other the wrong way. Ares has come to check on Matteo, as November is coming up, a reminder of a time, twelve years before, that is heartbreaking and filled with bad memories for Matteo. Matteo has a lot on his mind, and he really doesn’t want Ares around.
After the parties, there’s always business to take care of. The Book of Sins has brought danger to La Maison, but they’ve never failed to handle it. Chase and Matteo are in a discussion about a new case connected to it. Chase will be gone for a while, as Marc is setting up a takedown. Curious about the missing pages of profile four in the Book, he asks Chase what he knows. Apparently the guy who originally found the book owed Ares, and he gave the pages to him. The information is powerful and could be used in the criminal underworld for blackmail. It could also destroy Ares.
Ares again makes a visit to La Maison, and meets Jared. He’s really concerned about Matteo as they’ve known each other a very long time, and Ares risked his life for him. When he asks for him, no one seems to know where he is, other than he is away.
Matteo needs time away from the La Maison – the boys, the business, the Book of Sins, and memories of his family. He knows just the place – a property he bought ten years earlier under an assumed name. But there’s just someone he can’t hide from, and sometimes old enemies catch up with you. Will these two hearts come together, or will it be too late for Matteo and Ares?
Matthew Dante finally delivers with the novel followers of the “Book of Sin” series, have been waiting for, The Chameleon. These two men have struggled through a complicated history. The story is littered with pain and guilt, leavened with moments of banter, humor and steamy intimacy. There’s also a healthy dose of suspense, excitement and danger.
Ares and Matteo may be dangerous men, but they have are big hearts and a love that has lasted a long time, and Ares knows how to get under Matteo’s skin.
I highly recommend The Chameleon. Dante’s writing is brilliant – he keeps readers on edge with clear and precise reveals, and all the danger and excitement of this epic story.
The “Book of Sin” series starts with books one and two: The Collector, and The Broker. There’s never a dull moment with Matteo’s boys and the “Book of Sin”.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
