Part & Parcel

Sidewinder, Book 3

By: Abigail Roux

Narrated by: Brock Thompson

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nick O'Flaherty and Kelly Abbott had their happy ending in sight when a friend's call for help almost ended with them losing it to the blade of a knife. Now, in the aftermath of near disaster, both men are trying to heal and move on.

Moving on together, though, is harder than either of them realized it would be. Kelly struggles with simply being a lover instead of the doc while Nick is mired in his recovery. The distance between them inches along in stilted silence.

Desperately seeking solace, Nick finally gathers the courage to sort through the possessions his dear friend and fellow Sidewinder teammate, Elias Sanchez, left him when he died. Instead of comforting memories, Nick and Kelly find a stack of letters and strict instructions from Eli that prompt them to send out a call for assistance. With Eli's letters in hand, Sidewinder sets out on one last mission together, seeking peace and absolution from beyond the grave - and from each other.

©2015 Abigail Roux (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Sad to say goodbye, but what a fitting ending.

If you could sum up Part & Parcel in three words, what would they be?

I can't think of just three! I would summarize it as "The past defines who you are"

What did you like best about this story?

Nick and Kelly and how fiercely they love each other. They have lost their way, but just a little. It was such fun to listen as they rediscovered what drew them to each other.

Have you listened to any of Brock Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have. I will say that I didn't care for his narrations for the Sidewinders but that is not to say I didn't care for him. It's hard when You've listened to NINE books that gave these characters different voices. I just got used to the Cut & Run narrator, so Thompson just didn't nail some of the characters right for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was and yes I did!

Any additional comments?

This is it, the final hu-ra for the Sidewinder team. Nick is still on the mend from being stabbed and damn near killed while he, Kelly and the rest of the Sidewinder team did everything in their power to bring down the Vega cartel before they could kill Nick's best friend Ty, and Ty's husband Zane. By now Zane has pretty much become an honorary member of the team, having bled for them all more than once. The knife wound, subsequent surgery and long road to recovery aren't the only things hanging over Nick and Kelly. They've both lost their way, each of them were a compass for the other to light their way, all the secrets and lies has driven a wedge between them and Kelly is not sure he will find his way back to the love he feels for Nick. It's a letter from the only member of their psychotic team of misfits to meet an untimely demise that brings the whole of Sidewinder back together and quite possibly remind Nick and Kelly why they depend on, care for and love one another more than life itself.

Written fabulously by Abigail Roux, characters brought to life by Brock Thompson, the final book in the Sidewinder and Cut & Run series' does not disappoint. I was a little worried about this group of men I have come to know and love having to go through another rough and tumble ordeal, but thankfully, Roux lowered the body count and anxiety level of this book dramatically from the others in these two series. Part & Parcel brings the one character in the books we never really got to know to the forefront, Elias Sanchez. Through a series of letters and instructions, Sanchez takes his team on a trip down memory lane, making them all remember why they love each other like brothers, why they would put their lives in each other's hands, and in doing so he also reminds Nick and Kelly that their love for each other is what matters, not the jobs or the missions or the bullshit, just love.

I will say that I don't care very much for Thompson's narration, but that is solely because I've listened to all the Cut & Run books and gotten used to a particular voice for each character. That being said, Thompson did do a great job with the story including changes in inflection and tones to suit not only the character he was voicing at any given time, but to suit the situation at that time as well. I know it's an investment, but if you haven't listened to these books, I recommend that you do. It is literally an epic saga, but it is so much fun to take the ride with all these guys. Murder, Mayhem and Destruction is tampered by Love, Honor, Trust and Loyalty with these guys. Definitely a must read and/or listen series in my humble opinion. I'm really quite said to have to say goodbye.

Interesting and compelling story

Very well written and read. Story wanders a bit but it keeps you riveted and interested. Well development of all the characters.

The best book of the series. Both of them!

Man, I've laughed and cried so much throughout this book. My favorite quote is still "Lumpy plains" :P But.... "Prepare to be loved from beyond the grave" Damn you, Eli for breaking my heart! ;~; I feel like Sidewinder, and Zane, needed this book a lot.

And Abigail... I want to thank you for Digger's confession towards the end. As someone who finds herself in the same position that really warmed my heart. I think I've had almost word by word the same thoughts.

I also really like Brock Thompson as a narrator. Finally everyone gets their proper accents and he really makes the characters come to life.

I only wish there was a little bit more of Digger and Owen. But I do see why they don't fit in as PoW characters.

All in all: I absolutely adore this book!

Great M/M Romantic Suspense Series

This series is a spinoff of the Cut & Run series. It is also the last book of the spinoff (the main series has already ended :-(). This is a series that really should be read in order. Both the main series and the spinoff are a M/M Romantic Suspense series that follow the main couple of each across several books, 9 for the main series with Ty and Zane and 3 for the spin off with Nick and Kelly. Truthfully, you need to read both of these in chronological order to really get the most from both series. RedHotBooks did a reading order for both series, I recommend you check it out if you’re just starting the series.

This final book is different from the previous books in both series. Both series are a true Romantic Suspense series, in the suspense aspect. This book doesn’t not have the Sidewinder gang getting into nearly as much trouble as they have in previous books. That didn’t make it any less interesting. The characters in these series are so well developed, that I enjoyed traveling on this journey set to them by a fallen comrade, Elias Sanchez.

Sanchez died and at his funeral (not in this book but died several years ago), Nick’s mother gave him a package of stuff that Sanchez wanted Nick to have. Nick was very much in grief and put the package away to look at later. Now, Nick is dealing with his dad’s death (a man that Nick hated and for good reason). Nick is also dealing with his relationship with Kelly. Nick is also dealing with the fact that Kelly has been treating him more like a patient than a boyfriend (if you’re not familiar with this series, Kelly also goes by Doc because he was the medical guy on their team. He was also the only one from the Navy, versus the others who were all Marines). Nick decides to take a look into this box from Sanchez.

The letter to Nick from Sanchez is a pretty emotional one. He talks about “if you’re reading this, then I must be dead.” Sanchez wants Nick to get the entire team together and to go on a roadtrip. There are several letters with different tasks and they weren’t allowed to read the next letter until they had completed the previous task. Oh, and Sanchez declared no sex while on this trip. For several of the guys, that was not a huge problem, but for Nick, Kelly, Ty and Zane (yes Zane is on this pilgrimage, even though he was not part of Sidewinder), it was tough.

This was a fun listen, even it if was so different from the other books in the series. I loved seeing the softer side to all the guys. I think Zane really liked learning so much about his lover and friends through this process too. This book doesn’t have the disasters and action that the all the others do, but that didn’t make it any less fun.

If you’re a fan of Ty and Zane and the Sidewinder gang, this is a must read. I really enjoyed my time back with all of them. The story now does feel like it has been brought to a close, which the final Cut & Run book, Crash & Burn, didn’t have. There are some things that are brought up at the end. Huge spoilery type issues. Makes me wonder why these things were brought up at the end of the series. Things I didn’t expect to come. I don’t know if she is going to write anything more about these guys (I didn’t think so, but the ending has me wondering).

Narration
This is my first time listening to Brock Thompson. This series is now on it’s forth narrator (if you include the Cut & Run series). The first narrator Sawyer Allerde was a narrator that I didn’t like. It was one of the first books I’ve ever returned to Audible. He does the first two books. Sean Crisden then does the next three (which I listened to and really loved.). Then there is J. F. Harding who does the rest of the Cut & Run books (I read these books, because it appeared that they weren’t coming out on audio. They didn’t until the series was complete). Brock Thompson does all the Sidewinder books. I thought he did a great job. I read the first two Sidewinder books and listened to this one, since it was only one I hadn’t read yet when the audios came out. This isn’t a series that I will tout as a “must-listen”. I think the many changes in narrator make it one that some might enjoy more reading. I didn’t dislike the two narrators I listened to, (and I’ve heard good things about J. F. Harding narrating this series), but I know I’m less connected with the number of changes. I always disappointed when publishers change out narrators frequently.

I enjoyed Brock Thompson’s narration. I thought he did a good job with all the guys. I can’t remember if there were any women at all in this book. If there were, the parts were really minor, so I can’t comment on his voices for women. I liked the pace and tone he used. I thought he did a good job with the mannerisms for the guys.

Road Trip + Sidewinder = One Wild Ride

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely!
But only if they have kept up on the Cut & Run and Sidewinder series so far. This one isn't a standalone or good if read out of context.
Series fans should most definitely reach for this one. While the other books explore some pretty fantastic external conflict while not neglecting the internal conflict and development. This book leans hard on a journey of the heart and mind of this amazing team of guys. It will make them or break them as a group of friends and also, as lovers in Nick and Kelly's case.

What other book might you compare Part & Parcel to and why?

Hmm, this is tough. No one series really comes to mind to cover all the elements. This one has the military brotherhood going, healing from past hurts and secrets, and a romance. So, I'll go with Megan Erickson's Trust the Focus and Lisa Henry & JA Rock's Playing the Fool series for Road Trip journeys of the heart and romance. But as to camaraderie and military brotherhood, that would be Garrett Leigh's Between Ghosts, any of Marliss Melton's SEAL team series (though these are not m/m like the rest), to name a few.

Which character – as performed by Brock Thompson – was your favorite?

Now that is a toss up. I really didn't have any that were disappointing and pretty much enjoyed them all. But I think Digger and Owen matched best with what I pictured in my mind (see, pretty subjective criteria there. Haha). Digger cracks me up every time he opens his mouth or pulls something out of his bag.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but it's not fair to say that because this is a re-read for me. The first time through that is very possible though hard to tell. I get pretty caught up in the characters and the stories. But there are some painful, poignant moments and things get pretty tense nearer the end as hard truths surface. Like I said, hard to tell.

Any additional comments?

As I noted above somewhere, this one doesn't work well as a standalone or out of order. I would also note that just listening to the Sidewinder series without getting the appropriate Cut & Run series books in between is best. This one follows, Crash & Burn.

My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange of an honest review.

Great narration.

Would you consider the audio edition of Part & Parcel to be better than the print version?

I love them both

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nick O'Flaherty because he is key to keeping the Sidewinder team together and this book really illustrates that. It also shows how far from OK Nick is and how much he needs his team around him.

What about Brock Thompson’s performance did you like?

He uses different voices for each of the characters, and appropriate accents for each of them as well. I.E Nick has a Boston accent, Ty has an Appalachian accent and Digger has a Louisiana accent.

If you could take any character from Part & Parcel out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Nick because he needs all the good things.

Beautiful way to End... (But I still want more!)

Listen to this as part of the Cut & Run series (check online for the story order). These Sidewinder stories featuring Nick and Kelly are great on their own, but SO MUCH BETTER when listened to all together in order.

This 3rd Sidewinder book is just beautiful. One of their Recon Team died off-screen in the very first Cut & Run book. Now, years later, Nick and the team, troubled by their pasts, are brought together by their team-mate's ghost in the form of a package with letters and requests.

The Cut & Run series and Sidewinder stories have all been an incredible mix of fast-paced action and adventure, with angst and drama, humor and craziness, love and sex... It's a heady mix that has made these books one of the most beloved series among m/m romance readers.

Vegetables may not be real, but brotherhood is

What did you love best about Part & Parcel?

I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of camaraderie, brotherhood, and love the characters have for each other - and the way friendships deserve just as much work and dedication as any marriage. A roadtrip of epic proportions, Sidewinder finally takes time to lay ghosts and hurts to rest, and to begin healing as a team.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Part & Parcel?

Digger's secret, and the team's response to it. Nick's meltdown. The final scene at Eli's graveside.

Which scene was your favorite?

The great vegetable/berry/fruit debate. I thoroughly enjoyed every last word of Eli's letters, too, they built the character into a three-dimensional person instead of just Tragically Dead Teammate. The sad salsa music haunting rulebreaking Ty and Zane, and Zane not being sorry one little bit.

Any additional comments?

This is definitely one of my very favourite books in the entire series written by Roux. I still have hope we'll get more books in this series! Here, the blend of tragedy and comedy was perfect, and I have high hopes we'll see more of Sidewinder with a side of Zane. Speaking of...

I didn't enjoy this particular narrator quite as much as in the previous Sidewinder titles, partly because I had trouble telling characters apart at times. Zane in particular sounds bizarre - the grumbly, growly Texan is suddenly somehow a tenor with the lightest Transatlantic accent?

Amazing Narration and fantastic end to a series.

I feel almost depressed that this series is over. This was a great end though. It brought all the boys together for a final Hurrah...:)