The Carnal Interests Trilogy by Madelein Lee (NC-17)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: None
Why this must be read: I love how the three stories lead you through the episodes, taking up right after "Need To Know" to the end of the series. It's a telling place to start, in that she uses it to explain why Bodie and Doyle are split up as much as they are after that. Cowley's actions make sense in the context of the story and, even if it's not normally the way I see him, it's built on enough evidence to be believable. For me, anyway. Though I admire the character, I've never warmed up to him, so YMMV on this.

Bodie and Doyle are well-written, their relationship something they have little control of until they truly face what's between them. The ending of the last story is a perfect set up for another; I certainly wish there would be.


Carnal Interests


The Selling Hours


The Good Morning Soldiers

Comments

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I am very late in my readings (to say the sad truth, very late in everything), but I intend to read the stories you rec as soon as possible. I cannot catch up with my own recs, the others', the DtCA stories (not all read and commented), the new stories in Incognito and my desperately stalled last chapter. How just do the other people?

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure anyone stays completely caught up; I know I don't! I did get through the DtCA stories but I think the only new Incognito story I've read is the one you rec'd. Managed to read all the Santa Pros stories, though. But then there's three stories I'm writing that are at difference stages of completion (lucky none are due until Spring.) And I'd like to post at least three more recs before my time is up on the Crack van.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Wow! You're not kidding about this crying for a sequel! An interesting premise. The way the tension kept building made me not want to stop until I found out how it ended. I did like the Lads here. Thanks for the rec.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

You're welcome; I'm glad it worked for you. I've always wondered if she meant for it to end this way or if there was another story planned. I'd love to know how Doyle reacted to the changed situation.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Yes, and I had the same thoughts about this one that I had after reading Heat Trace. Bodie now has a huge, deep, dark secret that he must keep from Ray. Can he do it? Or will it eat at his conscience? Will he be able to live with himself? Will Ray forgive him if he finds out?

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

My take on "Heat Trace" is that Doyle is so damaged, Bodie could get away with just about anything. Here, while I think Doyle would ultimately forgive Bodie (Bodie did after all have little choice in the matter,) it would take awhile before he'd let him out of the doghouse.

The story I've always wanted a sequel to is "Yellow Brick Road." While there's the happy ending, I've always wondered at the difficulty of getting past all that mistrust.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about the Ray of Heat Trace. As for the Ray of this one, I suppose I all depends on how deep the love goes, because Bodie did break a trust. I think I'm venturing into spoiler territory now, so I'd better stop. ;-)

I'm not familiar with Yellow Brick Road. I don't see it at Hatstand or the Circuit Archive. Is it online, and who is the author? I'd like to read it.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with Yellow Brick Road. I don't see it at Hatstand or the Circuit Archive. Is it online, and who is the author? I'd like to read it.

Unfortunately, it's not on-line but it is available from Gryphon Press. It's by Kate Maclean and I recommend it highly. Her take on Bodie and Doyle is dark but not so dark I couldn't buy into the story.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

OK, thanks. As it happens, I decided to do some research myself, and I see that nellhowell has reviewed it on her zine recs page.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I'd forgotten about that, so I went and reread it. I agree with everything she writes about it; it's well worth the price.