One Life to Lose by Kris Ripper

What’s a loner to do when he’s fallen for not one man, but two?

Cameron Rheingold is the kind of guy who takes a book to a bar. He’s a loner by nature, but he has to engage with the community to keep his movie theater business afloat. When two young men stay after a Cary Grant film showing to chat, Cameron thinks he might have made some new friends—but their interest is more than friendly.

Josh is charismatic, and every smile is a little bit seductive. Keith is sweet and kind, with a core of steel Cameron can sense even when Keith’s on his knees. Cameron is willing to be the couple’s kinky third, but that’s it. He refuses to risk complicating things with his growing devotion, even if being with Josh and Keith feels more right than anything else ever has.

When the three of them are attacked by the killer roaming La Vista, Cameron must decide what’s more important: pretending the assault never happened and he’s the same loner he used to be, or coming clean to Josh and Keith about how much he loves them, even if they can never return his feelings.

Book 4
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Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed One Life to Lose. I found myself quite taken with Cameron while reading The Queer and the Restless, so I was excited to get his story so quickly, especially when I saw that he was entering into a ménage relationship with two men. With that said, the story felt incomplete, unfinished. That’s not to say that the story was chopped off, but more that I wasn’t ready for it to end when it did because I felt like it was just getting to the good part – the actual relationship. Logically, I get what the author was doing. Emotionally, when I got to the final page and saw the Riptide logo that indicated I’d reached the end of the book, I wasn’t prepared for it. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the guys. I wanted to see them get up the next day and watch their relationship continue to develop and solidify. However, that was not the message the author seemed be trying to send. I think that Ripper wanted to focus on the message that Josh summed up rather nicely when talking to Cameron, that “you work at it [life] every day on the strength of your hope” – that you have to hope that your efforts and hard work will pay off, whether it be in your professional life or your personal life and relationships. And Ripper certainly made the boys work for their relationship.

I am beyond pleased to share that the La Vista killer is caught in One Life to Lose, and that I was correct in my suspicion as to who the killer was. However, his motive and rationalization for why he was killing blew my mind. It’s scary to think that the LGBTQA community could have to fear that mindset coming from someone within their own community, from someone they should feel safe around, even if the character was BSC (bat excrement crazy). Unfortunately, the La Vista crew lost another person they knew and nearly lost Cameron as well. The PTSD Cameron experiences as a result of the attack is frighteningly realistic and I commend Ripper on how well Cameron’s fears and anxieties broadcast off the page. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve never been in a similar situation, yet I had no problem understanding and empathizing with Cameron’s anxieties and “unreasonable” fears (his characterization of his fears). I’m also glad that Ripper didn’t “force” Cameron’s friends to help him deal with his feelings after the attack and stayed true to Cameron’s introverted personality. Finally, the author’s choice to reveal the killer’s identity well before the end of the book worked well because it enabled me to shift my focus from the mystery and to the men, their relationship, and Cameron’s healing.

While I’ve only read book three, I enjoyed the transformation that Cameron underwent as he opened himself up more to those around him. Josh and Keith were not only the catalyst Cameron needed to socialize more, but they “forced” him to see himself through their eyes, thus making him more open to others. Because of it, Cameron finally began to feel comfortable in his own skin and as if he really had a chance of returning the Rhein to its former glory – that being the theater as a business central to the community and one that fostered socializing. Although this is a ménage relationship between Cameron and an established couple, Josh and Keith, the author does a wonderful job of making their intimate moments sensual. Rather than writing graphic sex scenes solely to titillate the reader, the sex scenes focus on the trust and communication needed between the three of them, making them far more intimate than a steamy sex scene would. The BDSM is written the same way, the scenes, while intense, are not graphic – I felt the trust and power exchange first between Josh and Keith, and then later when all three men are playing together. While it’s clear what is going on, Ripper writes the scenes in such a way that it leaves much to the reader’s imagination, thus making them sensual and seductive… and very, very hot. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed One Life to Lose, both getting to read Cameron’s story and catching up with the characters from book three. I look forward to the next book in the series and I absolutely must find time to read the first two books.

Also Available in the Queers of La Vista Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Gays of Our Lives post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our The Butch and the Beautiful post.

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our The Queer and the Restless post.

Kris Ripper lives in the great state of California and hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. Kris shares a converted garage with a toddler, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Kris is genderqueer and prefers the z-based pronouns because they’re freaking sweet. Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.

Connect with Kris

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of One Life to Lose (Queers of La Vista #4) by Kris Ripper to read and review.

The Queer and the Restless by Kris Ripper

He must overcome his fear if he's going to embrace her and her free spirit...

Ed Masiello has been on testosterone for a year, is working his dream job as a reporter, and is finally passing as a man (so long as you don’t ask his abuela). But the investigation of a murder case is starting to take over his life. Afraid he’s becoming obsessed, he goes to the local club to relax, and meets the flighty, whimsical Alisha.

Alisha is a free spirit who’s tossed aside ambition for travel and adventure. Her approach to life is a far cry from Ed’s, and while Ed has always assumed that meeting his goals would make him happy, Alisha is much more content than him — despite all the plans she can’t yet fulfill.

As their relationship heats up, so does the murder case. Alisha thinks Ed needs a break, but someone’s got to find this killer, and he wants to be there when it all goes down. Besides, taking off into the great unknown with Alisha is crazy. But opting for what’s safe is just another way of living in fear, and Ed vowed to stop living like that a long time ago.

Book 3
Buy Links

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Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆
***SEMI-SPOILER WARNING: THE FINAL PARAGRAH OF THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT SOME READERS MAY CONSIDER A SPOILER.***

I’ve only read a few transgender romances, but The Queer and the Restless is the first I’ve read in which the romantic interest was a woman rather than a man, so it offered a relationship dynamic I’ve yet to encounter. And I must say that, for the most part, I enjoyed the heck out of the book. I read romances in order to be entertained, to be swept up in someone else’s life, and to take joy in their happy endings, but I also read romances to learn about other places and other people’s ways of life – don’t scoff, historical romances are why I aced the sections on English feudal systems in world history classes in high school and college. For me, The Queer and the Restless was a trip to an unchartered destination with friends I’d yet to meet and, upon reaching the end of the journey, was not only glad I took it, but really hope that the author lets me catch up with Ed and Alisha in a future installment. I suppose I should note that I haven’t read the previous books in the series and didn’t feel as though I was missing out on anything, but upon looking at the blurbs for books one and two, the main characters in both of those books did make appearances in this installment, so fans of the series will have the chance to catch up with them.

Ed is a budding young journalist who also happens to be a FtM transgender who has always been attracted to women but didn’t fully understand his sexuality until he realized that his fascination with his best friend, Cameron, wasn’t that he was attracted to Cam, but that he wanted to be Cam. On top of that, he grew up in a Mexican-Italian home and has been shunned by his Italian-American father because he could not accept that Ed could no longer live his life as a woman, which forces Ed to “sneak home” to visit his grandmother – the one family member whose unconditional love is needed, yet hurts at the same time because of her continued use of feminine nouns and adjectives when speaking to Ed in her native Spanish. Yeah, Ed’s got a lot going on that he’s dealing with and that doesn’t even take into consideration his five het male roommates who have no idea he’s transgendered or the difficulties in dating. Needless to say, with all this and a bit more buzzing around in his head, I wasn’t all that surprised when he didn’t know how to respond to Alisha’s flirting and invitation. It was actually a rather cute scene when looking at it from the outside because Alisha knows Ed is transgendered, so that awkward conversation is avoided, and she seems genuinely attracted to Ed as a person, not as an “adventure” to be taken, but Alisha is a lesbian and Ed has trouble wrapping his head around the fact that she’s interested in him. As Ed takes a chance on Alisha, he discovers a level of acceptance and happiness he was beginning to wonder if he’d ever find in a relationship. But there’s a killer on the loose in La Vista and Ed’s personal and journalistic goals come into conflict in a way he never expected and if he doesn’t figure it out soon, he may lose the girl or the job, or both.

I hope no one takes offense, but I need to say that I am beyond relieved that this book was written by an author who identifies as genderqueer because it makes me feel less ignorant to know that even members of the LGBT community get confused when it comes to transgender issues. At the same time, it makes me sad because I suspect that the author is close to someone who has experienced the same issues that Ed faced in his romantic relationships because they’re written in a way that seems extremely personal. However, Ripper uses Ed and Alisha’s relationship to not only illustrate the misunderstandings, but also to educate readers in a way that is entertaining and heartwarming – at least for me it was. Now for the semi-spoiler. The author infuses one of the few examples of realism in the book that I don’t like – the failure of the killer to be caught. I love it when books contain realistic elements, as I tend to find it easier to connect to or become invested in the characters, except when the crime is left unsolved and it’s not clear that the thread will be continued in the next installment. I don’t like unsolved mysteries in books, especially murders, because there are far too many of them in real life. Despite that minor complaint, it didn’t affect my rating because I rarely “punish” an author for tapping into one of my pet peeves, especially when it’s a minor issue in an extremely enjoyable book (and as I said before, I haven’t read the previous books, so for all I know, this is a continuing thread). The Queer and the Restless was a fascinating read that I found to be both entertaining and informative. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment because I need to see if Cameron finds his happiness.

Also Available in the Queers of La Vista Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Gays of Our Lives post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our The Butch and the Beautiful post.

Kris Ripper lives in the great state of California and hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. Kris shares a converted garage with a toddler, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Kris is genderqueer and prefers the z-based pronouns because they’re freaking sweet. Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.

Connect with Kris

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Queer and the Restless (Queers of La Vista #3) by Kris Ripper to read and review.

The Butch and the Beautiful by Kris Ripper

Jaq Cummings is a high school teacher who really wants a committed relationship—as long as it doesn’t keep her out late on school nights or interrupt Sunday mass with her dad. She is absolutely not about to fall for the hot-mess divorcée she hooks up with even if said hot mess pushes all her buttons. Jaq’s white knight days are over.

But one hookup with Hannah becomes two, then coffee, then more incredibly hot sex. And unlike most of Jaq’s exes, Hannah’s not looking for someone to come on strong. In fact, Hannah comes on plenty strong enough for both of them. But she’s just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s in the process of moving across the state, and Jaq can’t take a chance on yet another relationship where she defaults to being a caregiver instead of a partner.

Just when Jaq decides her relationship with Hannah is far too precarious, a crisis with a student reminds her of her priorities and makes it clear that sometimes, you have to take big risks to get what you really want.

Book 2
Buy Links

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Riptide Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆
3.5 Stars.

This is the second installment of the Queers of La Vista series, and our narrator didn't disappoint. Jaq is the butch of this tale, and I appreciated how she wasn't automatically in charge.

Jaq's narration was priceless, the self-deprecating inner monologue was humorous but not over-the-top, earning more than a few chuckles out of this serious woman. Witty, ironic, and intelligent, I enjoyed Jaq's voice.

I won't rehash what the story entails, as it's in the blurb and other reviews. The highlight of the book is Jaq herself, with her father, friends, and students an absolute delight to read. All interaction with the students had my undivided attention, and I wish the story would have revolved about that instead of romance.

While I felt Jaq was a fully fleshed-out character, Hannah just fell flat. The author kept having everyone warn Jaq how Hannah was cray-cray, but she was one-note (pop in for smexy time). I will admit the playful banter was amazing, the lead up to bed was filled with intensity and chemistry, but once there... wasn't feeling it. Slightly clinical, almost (self and mutual) masturbatory in nature instead of forming a connection together. Hannah's turn, then Jaq's turn.

For me, and maybe it was my mood, as it took me the better part of three days to read this short book, the pacing was very slow, with not much occurring between Jaq and Hannah hooking up during the first half of the book. I kept waiting for the plot to reveal itself and Jaq kept me reading, but other than the cast of side characters and Jaq, I wasn't into the romance and between-the-sheets action (which was repetitive in nature).

All-in-all a good installment in the series and I recommend to FF fans.

Also Available in the Queers of La Vista Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Gays of Our Lives post.

Kris Ripper lives in the great state of California and hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. Kris shares a converted garage with a toddler, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Kris is genderqueer and prefers the z-based pronouns because they’re freaking sweet. Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.

Connect with Kris

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Butch and the Beautiful (Queers of La Vista #2) by Kris Ripper to read and review.

Gays of Our Lives by Kris Ripper

Emerson Robinette only leaves his apartment to get laid and go to work. Having MS—and trying to pretend he doesn’t—makes everything more complicated, especially his fantasies of coming on strong and holding a guy down. Finding a partner who’ll explore that with him isn’t Emerson’s idea of a realistic goal.

Until a chance meeting with a hipster on a bus makes him reconsider. Obie is happy, open-hearted, and warm; what’s more, he gets his kicks being physically dominated, spanked, and teased until he’s begging. It would be perfect, except for one thing: Emerson isn’t made for happiness, and he doesn’t see how a guy like Obie would settle for a cynic like him.

But as far as Obie’s concerned, the only thing keeping them apart is Emerson. Can Emerson handle a boyfriend who’s more invested in his future than he is? Emerson’s barely convinced he has a future. But when Obie’s smiling at him, anything seems possible.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Riptide  Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
I wavered between 3 to 4 stars while reading, deciding to round up to 4 solid stars.

Kris Ripper is a new-to-me author, with an easy-to-read writing style, quick pacing, and genuine characters. Emerson is suffering from MS, has a negative view of the world because of his illness, and generally pushes people away. The introverted GED teacher was prickly, always having his spines out to poke anyone who gets too close. I fear many readers won't get Emerson, but I was able to empathize with him for the most part, even when he was at the height of his asshattery.

Emerson's self-deprecating inner monologue was hilarious – I'm not one for over-the-top comedy, but the way Emerson's narrative was written, it truly balanced the darker periods in the book.

Obie is a strong, positive character, a great balance for the reluctant Emerson. Patient in the extreme, after managing his BFF who acts exactly like his new boyfriend.

I applaud the author on giving a realistic, non-fluffy view of MS and how it affects the daily life of those inflicted, as well as those who love them. In Emerson's monologue, he himself expresses how there is no erasing it, good and bad days. I enjoyed how the author was being ironic by not only pointing out how romance books would ignore this issue, but making it the focal point. Most readers want fantasy, a world without pain and issues, but Gays of Our Lives was messy with reality, which is what kept me engaged.

I give a solid 5 stars on how MS was represented, the true-to-live emotions and traits Emerson expressed (which I'm sure rubbed some readers wrong), and how fluidly the romance flowed. So why did I waver between 3 or 4 stars? While I loved the story and the characters, there was a ton of redundancy of everyday events on repeat, no doubt to build the relationship between Emerson and Obie without coming off as insta (this is most definitely a slow-burn romance). Without another thread of conflict introduced, Gays of Our Lives couldn't support the page count without losing my interest. Either there should have been some conflict, maybe explaining what happened to the drag queen, or it should have been shortened to a novella in length. This is only my opinion, one I would have given when wearing my editor hat. Otherwise, I truly did enjoy this heartwarming, endearing storyline.

Recommended for MM romance fans, particularly those who are into the hurt/comfort trope.

Will I read more by this author? Most definitely. If the opportunity to read more from this author arises, I won't hesitate to jump at the chance.

Kris Ripper lives in the great state of California and hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. Kris shares a converted garage with a toddler, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Kris is genderqueer and prefers the z-based pronouns because they’re freaking sweet. Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.

Connect with Kris

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Gays of Our Lives (Queers of La Vista #1) by Kris Ripper to read and review.