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The Two Gentlemen of Altona (Playing the Fool) Paperback – December 29, 2014

by Lisa Henry (Author), J. a. Rock (Author)

4.1 524 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Playing the Fool

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Mischief, thou art afoot.

Special Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness is having a rough week. Not only is he on a new diet, but he's also been tasked with keeping Henry Page-the world's most irritating witness-alive. Which is tough when Mac's a breath away from killing the Shakespeare-quoting, ethically challenged, egg-obsessed Henry himself. Unless killing isn't really what Mac wants to do to him.

Con man Henry Page prefers to keep his distance from the law . . . though he wouldn't mind getting a little closer to uptight, handsome Agent McGuinness. As the sole witness to a mob hit, Henry's a valuable asset to the FBI. But he's got his own agenda, and it doesn't involve testifying.

When evidence surfaces of a mole in the FBI office, Mac and Henry are forced to go into hiding. Holed up in a fishing cabin, they're surprised to discover that their feelings run more than skin deep. But as the mob closes in, Henry has to make his escape. And Mac has to decide how far he's willing to go to keep Henry by his side.

Book 1 of 3

Playing the Fool
Print length

194 pages
Language

English
Publication date

December 29, 2014
Dimensions

5.24 x 0.45 x 7.99 inches
ISBN-10

1626492190
ISBN-13

978-1626492196
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Lisa Henry
261
Paperback
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Lisa Henry
227
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...One of the best books I've read this year. It's funny and entertaining, lighthearted and exciting." - Prism Book Alliance

"It's jam packed with delightfully snarky humour, spark-flying witty banter and has two extremely appealing MC's who bounce off each other; working up some great tension. Both exasperation when they first encounter each other, and sexual, when the attraction starts to kick in. " - Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

"With plenty of brilliant and enjoyable dialogue, ...[this]...was a fast-paced, suspenseful romance." - The Romance Reviews

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riptide Publishing (December 29, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 194 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626492190
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626492196
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.45 x 7.99 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.1 524 ratings

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J. A. Rock
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J.A. Rock is an author of LGBTQ romance and suspense novels, as well as an audiobook narrator under the name Jill Smith. J.A.’s books have received Lambda Literary, INDIE, and EPIC Award nominations, and 24/7 was named one of the best books of 2016 by Kirkus Reviews. When not writing or narrating, J.A. can be found reading, collecting historical costumes, and failing miserably at gardening. They live in the Ohio wilds with an extremely judgmental dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.
Website: www.jarockauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jarockauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ja.rock.39
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Lisa Henry
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Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.
Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn't know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she's too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.
She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.
She shares her house with too many cats, a dog, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.
Lisa has been published since 2012, and was a LAMBDA finalist for her quirky, awkward coming-of-age romance Adulting 101, and a Rainbow Awards finalist for 2019’s Anhaga.
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4.1 out of 5

524 global ratings

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Neil S. Plakcy, author of mystery and MM romance novels

FBI agent and con man romance

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020

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This book was a lot of fun, and it only misses five stars because I felt a bit cheated by the cliffhanger ending.

At first it's hard to see how this book can play out -- Mac is a tough FBI agent and Henry is a witness to a murder. They play off each other well, and both show depth of character.

But it's hard to get over the professional problem of a LEO having a relationship of any kind with a witness, and that problem hangs over the book. Every time they get close, an outside force stops them from getting romantic, rather than Mac's understanding of the moral implications.

Great characters and snappy dialogue-- just a flawed premise. This is book 1 of 3 though, so those problems may disappear in future books.

2 people found this helpful

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Smitten with Reading

A rating...

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2014

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My Review:
This is definitely a romance like no other. Mac is an FBI agent. Henry is a habitually lying con-man. But Henry saw the local mob boss kill a man so now he's the FBI's key witness. Mac's job is to keep him alive, but Henry doesn't trust him to do that. Over the years, Henry's developed his own ability to survive and it doesn't mesh with Mac's methods at all. It requires a bit more of shady survival skills, but if they work... Yeah, this isn't your normal romance.

This story is both funny and heartwarming at the same time it's completely heartbreaking. Henry- I just wanted to wrap him up and keep him safe. He has this snarky smartass blase attitude that hides some really deep mental wounds and hurt. To a certain extent, Mac is able to see glimpses of that when Henry isn't pushing all his buttons and making Mac wish he could kill him, himself. But even Mac doesn't realize the full extent of how bad off Henry is mentally.

This is the 1st of 3 books coming out back-to-back. Thank goodness they are releasing quickly. Because while the suspense part of the story is wrapped up in this book, the two guys romance is definitely not. And normally I have that, but it's totally necessary for these two characters...because they aren't there yet and they don't need to rush it. BUT don't let that stop you from grabbing this book because it is so good and I will guarantee that you will fall in love with Mac and Henry. While they aren't quite ready yet for their HEA, I love them both so much and the potential is there for amazingly romantic and sweet times ahead. I can't wait to go on this journey with Lisa Henry and J.A Rock as they develop and mold these guys. It's definitely going to be a fun and crazy ride...and while I see angst in the future, I think Henry will manage to keep things pretty happy and light. It's just a good mix.

7 people found this helpful

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…

okay writing technically good BUT

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022

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A lot of things are problematic to me here. I mean SPOILERS Henry here is a victim of child sexual abuse, and just the scene with him and Mac at the lake, with Mac backing him up into a tree and telling Henry he can make him talk and that Henry would like it as Mac squeezes his neck??? Dear Lord I mean anyone who thinks that’s okay please go to therapy. Please go to therapy and get some help I’m not kidding. And for goodness sake. Everyone keeps calling Henry KID. Good God he’s a 25 year old MAN, not a kid. Even Mac calls him kid which weirds me out and also I’m like dude you are only six years older than him. What’s up with that??

Has anyone ever read Chaim Potoks the Chosen and The MC saves the ants from the fireplace to show his kind nature well I could not get that out of my head when Mac just crushed those ants underfoot, my mind could not get that parallel out of my head.

Also can I just say the acting out the Shakespeare play put me off. It quite explicitly put these two men in a F/M dichotomy and hello!!! I came here to read a romance between two MEN. If I wanted F/M id go read that.

The relationship is just left hanging in the end too

Having said all this you can tell the authors do have a talent for writing and crafting a story. I cannot take this away from them. But still, the problematic things are what’s causing me to return the next two books in the series. Maybe I’ll come back to it if I see the problematic stuff is taken care of. Anyway Mac needs therapy to be I don’t know better?? And Henry here needs it to heal.

If you’re looking for a solid M/M romance that is absolutely one of the most beautiful and healthy romances you will ever read may I recommend Tal Bauer and his Executive Office series.

I’d still suggest getting this book and make your own conclusions. I mean it WAS well written but yeah see above

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Amazon Customer

Good... and frustrating...

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2015

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Henry and Rock writing together have produced my three favorite M/M novels. This one was good too, but not on the same level The Good Boy, When All the World Sleeps, etc. unfortunately. I liked this. I like the characters and want to see it work out for them... But I was frustrated by the short length of this book and by the fact that by the end of the book, we still really don't 'know' Henry. What these authors do so well- what makes me really love their books- is create great, complex characters that readers can become totally immersed in... For me, that is lacking in this story so far. That being said, I did enjoy this and am really looking forward to the rest of this series. Just wish this book would have been longer and... I don't know... just more.

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Tracey Cramer-Kelly

Unexpectedly Charming

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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I was unexpectedly charmed by this story and by the developing opposites-attract romance between Mac and Henry. Both are complex characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. Mac is a bit stiff and by the book, a curious mix of vulnerable and aggressive, with a sweetness under a gruff exterior (which I really loved). Henry comes off as a goofball but he’s really just protecting himself from a rough past by not allowing anyone to know who he really is. I laughed at the witty dialogue as well as Henry’s shenanigans (and Mac’s response to them), the sensual scenes were just right (not too much/not too little), and I cheered at the developing trust between the two (which doesn’t come naturally to either of them). The mystery is wrapped up by the end of the book, but there’s no HEA for this couple; you have to continue on to the next (2) books in the series. BUT, the characters are so intriguing I almost can’t help myself!

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Sandra

Too open, too shallow... Dissaponting

Reviewed in Spain on October 12, 2020

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To tell you the truth, not sure whether to leave it at 3 or 2.5 stars. I'm a little... Confused by this book.

It's not the best romantic suspense out there, not only because it's predictable (it's not very difficult to intuit who the mole is from almost the beginning) but also because everything works out very strangely.

What convinced me least of all was that it is inconsistent in many aspects. As I said before, the suspense part is not the best, it feels more like an excuse to bring together these completely opposite characters (an FBI agent and a reformed con man) than part if tge plot as it is.

Out of the two MCs, Henry is the most elaborate one, the one with the most nuances, and that is why I understand that the readers of the reviews I have read prefer him; but he also seems somewhat unbalanced in his development if you want my opinion. He's a character with a traumatic past, but sometimes acts weirdly for what the aurhors want to sell us (a smart man and a master of escape).

Another think I didn't quite like was the way the authors left breadcrumbs from their past (flashbacks and comments) with the intention of developing it further in the following books, because the way it was done left me with a sour taste in the mouth, like it was not the best way they could have pulled it.

Little do we know about Mac. I guess that in the next books they will elaborate and deepen he's history... But it remains to be seen. I hate when writers leave everything "to the next books" because it is good to leave things so you want to keep reading, but if you abuse it... Maybe I won't feel up to continue, you know? And that what happens to me with this one. Should have they elaborated mare this characters as of now... And this would have been different.

And this all takes us to the open and, why not, unsatisfactory ending. Am I a fan of the cliffhangers? Not really. But I am less so when the general feeling that remains is of having read part of a novel and not the entirity of it. It's like it doesn't have enough plot (mostly filler) or romantic progress to end it there either.

I'm not sure if I will read the second book. Time will tell... But I'm definitely not dying to discover how their story goes. A pity.

Natália Pereira

So worth it!

Reviewed in Brazil on August 17, 2017

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This is so, so great! That are so many things that I love Mac, for starters, is an awesome character, and I just love how his features are different from what we are used to, he is handsome but bald and kind of struggling with his weight. It`s so refreshing. Henry is a mistery that we have the need to discover, and I adore that we get his pov too, so we can see past his mask and glimpse his vunerabilities. I can`t wait to read the second book in the series.

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ThursdayNext

Fun and light romance novel

Reviewed in Germany on January 27, 2017

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As a light romance novel this book was a quick and fun read, and I therefore gave it 4 stars, because I think that is what it is supposed to be.

As a crime story... not so much. The main focus of this book is about the rather amusing conversations the two main characters have with each other. There is not a whole lot of character development, and the suspense won't kill you either.

Be warned though, the story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so the book doesn't really work as a standalone.

Charleyrose

So damn funny should come with a health warning

Reviewed in Australia on April 25, 2017

Verified Purchase

Lisa Henry is gifted. Make no mistake about that. This book was seriously funny and very, very well written. Mac was wonderful, tortured and exasperated and the perfect foil for the wise-cracking Henry. I really, really, cannot recommend this book highly enough. The dialogue was diabolically funny, I think I nearly popped a kidney laughing. Thanks Lisa I love books like that. This series was wonderful. Aussie authors rock!!!! 6 Stars.

Tabbygray

FBI meets tempting con man, with donuts and Shakespeare thrown in.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2015

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Henry Page is pretending to be Toby Seacole, student and poet, and is scamming a sweet old lady, who turns out to have a mobster son. Who shoots his right hand man in his mother's kitchen, which is witnessed by Henry. Who, in a fit of good citizenship (not something that happens to him very often) calls 911. As Henry and authority don't get on at all well, he decides to run for it, which is something he has off to a very fine art.

FBI agent Mac doesn't take long to realise the rather attractive police officer he passed on his way to the crime scene - isn't a police officer. As this is quite an embarrassment, he's determined to track Toby, or Henry, down - also, Henry, or whatever he calls himself, is the only witness to the murder, and the only chance they have at putting the mobster behind bars.

At first I didn't like Henry - his constant joking and chattering was annoying, but you gradually realise he's scared, he doesn't like authority (he's a con man, after all) and he has a lot of problems of his own. And, actually, he can't help himself - he likes people and he likes winding Mac up. Mac seemed a bit grim, but that turned out to be lack of sugar. And embarrassment.

They make a lovely pair, although I can't see how they will work out, given the fact that Mac is an honest straightforward cop, and Henry couldn't stay on the straight and narrow if his life depended on it. But they're adorable together.

The story has lots of twists, guns, threats, general mayhem, great one liners and silly behaviour (including an impromptu staging of The Taming of The Shrew), and lots of Henry running away. It's great fun and an enjoyable read.

Be warned, though - if you like the book, get the second one before you actually finish the first, as there's a cliff hanger ending. The main story wraps up nicely, and just as Mac and Henry are finally going to get some time alone - I was left, on the train, with no access to wifi to get the second in the series, thinking 'what? what just happened? Baaad authors! *taps them both on the nose with a rolled up newspaper*

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The Two Gentlemen of Altona (Playing the Fool) Paperback – December 29, 2014

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