Review: The Flesh Cartel: Capture by Rachel Haimowitz and Heidi Belleau

Title: Capture
Series: The Flesh Cartel, #1
Authors: Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau
Published: October 1, 2012
Pages: 75 (ebook)
Genre: M/M erotica
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Riptide
Rating: C+
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
In this first installment of the exciting new psychosexual thriller, The Flesh Cartel, orphaned brothers Mat and Dougie Carmichael are stolen in the night from their own home. Taken to a horrifying processing facility, they are assessed, microchipped, and subjected to unspeakable brutality—all in preparation for sale to the highest bidder.

In a world where every person has a price, the beautiful and subduable PhD student Dougie is highly prized. His brother, a rough-edged MMA fighter, is less desirable—and potentially too dangerous—but he still has his own appeal.

Abused and locked up under round the clock surveillance, with no idea where they are or even why they’ve been taken, escape seems impossible, which leaves staying together their only hope. And after being separated once by the foster system, they'll do anything to keep it from happening again. Anything at all.

(Publisher's note: This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing, including explicit violence, non-consent, and forced incest.)

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Marq's thoughts:
I honestly don't know how to start this review. The content of this novella is disturbing, dark and violent. It hits all the uncomfortable hot buttons and makes you squirm while you're reading it. There were times where I had to "look away" and gather my thoughts before I continued reading. For being only 75 pages, this novella stays with you a very long time.

The Flesh Cartel: Capture is the first installment of a serial. Mat is a MMA fighter and his younger brother Dougie is a PhD student. Money is tight and Mat is doing everything he can to support his brother. Dougie feels like a burden to Mat because he feels like Mat is shouldering the responsibility too much.  This immediately gives you insight into their relationship as brothers. Mat is willing to do anything to protect Dougie and Dougie is willing to do anything to get rid of the responsibility load that Mat has been carrying.  Their lives change when they are abducted and taken to a facility where they are poked and prodded. They don't know what's going on but they do know that their lives are on the line.

I thought that Capture was wonderfully written and even though the subject matter was disturbing, I couldn't stop reading. Since this is a serial, nothing was resolved in the first installment. That's my only complaint. I want my start, middle, and ending at one time. But I'm going to stick with this serial because I have to know what happens to Dougie and Mat and what have they gotten themselves into. Who is this mysterious woman? Who are the characters that we met at the beginning? So many questions. I anxious to find out what happens next even though I have a feeling it's not going to be good. I just hope that there is a light at the end of this very dark tunnel.