I enjoyed the character of Jerry - he's an FBI agent who is apparently brilliant at his job but has a personality that rubs others the wrong way. He iI enjoyed the character of Jerry - he's an FBI agent who is apparently brilliant at his job but has a personality that rubs others the wrong way. He is a master with research, details, etc., but never seems to get to stay on and actually solve a case. He gets partnered with John - who is the (straight) dashing hero-agent, driven by events from the past.
I thought it would be weird when John gets zapped and is able to read people's minds, but it worked out okay. In the midst of the difficulties and stress this caused, there was humor to be found in John being able to understand the cats and in his being able to know when Jerry's thoughts took a sexual turn.
The "bad guy" was pretty well telegraphed, but the bigger mystery - the case John's been trying to solve - is still there, which means a sequel. Soon, I hope!...more
Likes: - Trying to figure out just what happened to the world to get to where the story takes place - some future dystopian time. I love it when you doLikes: - Trying to figure out just what happened to the world to get to where the story takes place - some future dystopian time. I love it when you don't have all the info just dumped out in the beginning. - Told in Tarin's 3rd person POV, which makes for entertaining misunderstandings and a joyfully unreliable narrator. He's been living in the woods for 8 years - since he was 11 - and to experience his interactions with the men who are "civilized" is very, very cool. - There is a nicely kept balance between the humor and the very serious situations of learning to live in the men's compound, where there are strict rules with stricter punishments.
Dislikes: - Sometimes the story dragged in the middle, with scenes that didn't necessarily move it forward. I agree with other reviewers that this is likely due to the serialization of the book in its initial offering. - An ending that was really a "to be continued..."
Highly recommended and looking forward to the sequel. ...more
Very good story following Michael as he comes home from war and deals with his PTSD along with coming to terms with being gay. He meets and falls for Very good story following Michael as he comes home from war and deals with his PTSD along with coming to terms with being gay. He meets and falls for Jay, a friend of his sister's. He works on his self-esteem and anxiety issues in his head and in counseling. He suffers the memories and nightmares of the attack that cost him hearing in one ear and the life of a good friend, and confronts his abusive ex-stepfather. Despite these deep issues, the story is gently told. The relatives are loving characters with interesting personalities. Jay is incredibly good. This makes you wish that all the soldiers who come home broken could be treated with such love. ...more
Eden Winters is just a dang good writer. I was skeptical of the premise - getting revenge after being betrayed by a lover - but there was enough meat Eden Winters is just a dang good writer. I was skeptical of the premise - getting revenge after being betrayed by a lover - but there was enough meat to the story and the process that my skepticism was overcome by being sucked into the story of two men who learn to let go of the things keeping them down and open themselves to new possibilities. And, I admit, it was damn satisfying to see the score settled....more
Strangely, I really liked this book. I say strangely because there were things I think I should have had problems with, but I enjoyed it anyway. The wStrangely, I really liked this book. I say strangely because there were things I think I should have had problems with, but I enjoyed it anyway. The world building was not extensive, and on a few occasions I thought I'd missed something as there were some references that I don't think were explained. Yet I got it. There was a lot of sex, but it wasn't repetitious and there was enough BDSM to keep it interesting. The plot was actually pretty simple and minimal, but when the characters moved into action it kept you on the edge of your seat. The thing I liked most, though, was the way the two guys talked. To be honest, I don't know if this was the author's intention or if it wasn't. Colton and Killian seem like they've been around a long long time, and some of their speech patterns reflected an older age, a more formalized style. Other times, their talk was peppered with modern slang and wry asides. It worked for me. I liked these men, two very stubborn, strong beings who found themselves slowly unraveling for each other. I'd read more, definitely. ...more
This was a rather difficult book to read, but well-done all told. The start was a bit slow for me, and I admit I put it down once or twice. It got goiThis was a rather difficult book to read, but well-done all told. The start was a bit slow for me, and I admit I put it down once or twice. It got going, though, and seemed to race onward. Some reviewers have expressed difficulties with a therapist doing a patient, but that didn't bother me much. Even the strongest man can give in to temptation. And given where Kaspar (the therapist) ends up, clearly he had issues from the very start. I liked that Logan was stronger (emotionally) than he first appeared. ...more
It took me a long time to move past the cover and actually read the book. Thank goodness the story lived up to the lovely picture on the front! KZ canIt took me a long time to move past the cover and actually read the book. Thank goodness the story lived up to the lovely picture on the front! KZ can really make a study of personal growth and maturity in a short book. I guess the age thing has bothered some readers, but I didn't mind it. I found it interesting that both the older man (age 28) and the younger one (17/18) were able to see into themselves and accept who they'd been and then make the necessary changes. Jon (the older man from whose perspective this story is) is not perfect by any means, but he's very human as he tries to deal with the unexpected events that pop up in the story. ...more
I really enjoyed getting lost in this story. At its most basic, it's a hero's journey tale, with Adrian and Tom each having their own journey, but togI really enjoyed getting lost in this story. At its most basic, it's a hero's journey tale, with Adrian and Tom each having their own journey, but together. The cast of characters is interesting and entertaining, and even though the straits are dire in most cases, the mood is light. Action, angst, hurt, comfort, shifters, drug dealers, dream-walking...it's all good fun....more
This is a lovely finish for the Bound boys Oliver and Vincent. They get to experience some freedom to be who they are while at Vincent's country home.This is a lovely finish for the Bound boys Oliver and Vincent. They get to experience some freedom to be who they are while at Vincent's country home. They also have to deal with some issues that may be too much to handle. The love scenes are superb, and the strength of the characters draws you in to their minds and hearts. ...more
This is a book to turn to when you're looking for something different. Yes, it has the actors/movie-making stuff, but the set-up is unique, and the chThis is a book to turn to when you're looking for something different. Yes, it has the actors/movie-making stuff, but the set-up is unique, and the characters of Ben - the producer/director - along with his daughter give the story life and complexity beyond the norm. The book is well-written, the characters are well-drawn and a few surprises along the way keep you wanting more. I also enjoyed the bits of t.v/movie script that begin each chapter....more
Oh my. It would be easier to list the things I didn't like about this story than the things I did, but that wouldn't be very nice, would it?
I loved tOh my. It would be easier to list the things I didn't like about this story than the things I did, but that wouldn't be very nice, would it?
I loved this. Loved. It. It's a fantasy, a well-done fantasy, with excellent world-building. The cities, forests, fields, castles - all the settings were wonderfully detailed without boring the reader. The background - a conflict between the forces of the Church and the mystical people called h'naran and their human allies - was well-thought out and complex without overwhelming. Clearly, Ms Abbott has a lot more of their history in her possession than she gives us, which makes the parts we do get that much more believable. The main characters are suitably conflicted and complicated, and when they do stupid things you quite understand why they do them.
I don't read much yaoi, but from what I do know the two main characters fall into those tropes - the strong older man (Michael) and the young, seemingly-weak man (Stefn). Their beginning is brutal and non-consensual. The development of their relationship is a roller-coaster of emotion, including unraveling defenses and sudden realizations along with the push and pull of people who don't quite believe what's happening between them.
Some of the elements I liked: conspiracies, unknown history that comes to light, good friends, a big baddie, several characters who could easily be bad but aren't quite and you understand their motivation; horses; castles; magic gone awry; bondage; hurt/comfort; sex used in magical ways; and one of the most heart-pounding awesomesauce rescue scenes I've read in a while. The kind where you can see it happening in slow-motion.
It took me four days to read this, because I wanted to savor it. I put it down frequently so I wouldn't rush through it.
One caution: There are some brutal scenes of torture, including rape. They're not overlong or overly described, but they aren't off-page either. This doesn't bother me, but if you're squeamish, well, you've been notified.
Have I mentioned that I think Jan Irving writes terrific sex? Well, she does.
What I particularly liked about this story was that the submissive man waHave I mentioned that I think Jan Irving writes terrific sex? Well, she does.
What I particularly liked about this story was that the submissive man was the older one by about 20 years than the Dominant man. And usually, I don't care for that dynamic (it may be stereotypical, but I usually like my Doms older, wiser, bigger, alphaier, etc.). But Irving made it work for me. I think it was because Kyle (the older one) thought a lot about being so much older, how he's a grown man with a sexual history and here he was getting totally turned on by the things that his much younger lover was introducing him to, pulling him out of his vanilla world. Jesse didn't present himself as the alpha-dom-know-it-all, but more like a confident man who happens to get off on being in charge in the bedroom. Whatever - I just liked it!
The two men have a history of communicating telepathically, and I found this interesting but saw it more as a device to move some of the plot points along. It didn't bother me.
Jesse's younger brother, David, is a well-rounded character and I hope to see him in a story when he comes of age!...more
Kim Dare does it again. I liked how Harland had to show Alasdair that he wasn't going to be the total prick Alasdair's ex had been, that Domination waKim Dare does it again. I liked how Harland had to show Alasdair that he wasn't going to be the total prick Alasdair's ex had been, that Domination wasn't equal to humiliation and that submission wasn't weakness. With the great sex scenes we've come to expect from Kim....more
I wasn't at all sure I'd like it. I should know better: Sean Kennedy doesn't disappoint. His story-telling is terrific. Here we have Jay, who is one oI wasn't at all sure I'd like it. I should know better: Sean Kennedy doesn't disappoint. His story-telling is terrific. Here we have Jay, who is one of the few survivors left after a plague hits the earth. A plague that turns the victims into zombies (who tend to be violent but don't seem to eat brains). Jay goes on the run and ends up with a former lover, Dave, who is a victim of the disease. But Dave still retains some humanity, enough that the two men forge a bond and carry on through a few adventures and...?...more
From time to time Clare London writes a story that's outside the box, as they say. This is one of them. There's a paranormal element to it that keeps From time to time Clare London writes a story that's outside the box, as they say. This is one of them. There's a paranormal element to it that keeps you wondering just what is going to happen, and leaves you wanting more.
The story is short (about 30 pages) so it's hard to say too much without giving things away. The official blurb is a good descriptor. Clare does get the feel of the era across, and a bit of the working conditions in the mills. Edward is defined clearly, and without beating over the head with it we learn what he gave up to take on his responsibility.
My only quibble is that I wish this had been a longer book. I would have liked to know more about how Edward's Victorian peers (and employees) might be reacting to his taking a beautiful young man into his home. And of course, I wanted more information about Mori and his 'people'.
******* A warning about the ending ****************** * * * * * * * * * This is not an HEA or even an HFN. ...more
**spoiler alert** This is mostly an adventure story, with some romance in the middle. Landon gets captured when the mission he's on goes awry, but tha**spoiler alert** This is mostly an adventure story, with some romance in the middle. Landon gets captured when the mission he's on goes awry, but that turns out to be not so bad because he gets to live on a tropical island with a beautiful man who wants him as a companion for three months. Given that Landon comes from an abusive situation with two brothers who treat him like dirt, he comes to like this new life. Then there is the break up where Kirith thinks Landon is too young and has too much ahead in life to stay with him, so he hooks him up with some friends who do black ops sort of stuff. Landon goes because he thinks Kirith has tired of him.
Another attempt at kidnapping Kirith is successful; Landon and friends go to the rescue, but Kirith's been broken by drugs the madman has given him. There follows the period of will he or won't he recover.
I'm not a fan of the 'he's got his whole life ahead of him' trope (or 'he's too good for me' trope), but I liked the characters enough to get over it. Kirith is mysterious and brooding. Landon is smart but naive. The secondary characters - Kirith's daughter and brother - are pretty well drawn so you come to have feelings for them too....more
I've put this under sci-fi, but it's really an Alternate Universe story, set in a United States where slavery is part of the order of things. It is a I've put this under sci-fi, but it's really an Alternate Universe story, set in a United States where slavery is part of the order of things. It is a very intense read, and includes graphic violence, including rape. I wouldn't classify it as Romance at all, just compelling fiction.
I may have liked this even better than the first one (Sacred Fate). Maybe because now I'm familiar with the world and the setting, etc. This story takI may have liked this even better than the first one (Sacred Fate). Maybe because now I'm familiar with the world and the setting, etc. This story takes place before, during and after the story in Sacred Fate. There is heavy world-building - this is a place that has evolved in such a way that there are no women, so it's all men all the time, and the men have become hermaphroditic (This is more crucial in the first book). The language is sometimes stilted, trying to be sort of medievalish. There's a complex cast of characters. We do get to see Rohyr and Lassen again, which is fun.
****Some spoilerage ahead****
Dylen and Riodan meet when they are young, and of course their love can't last due to the social/class restraints of this world. Years pass. (Not to worry, people are long-lived here) Dylen seeks out Riodan for help for his dying Father, but Riodan scorns him, which not only breaks Dylen's heart but hardens him to love and to Riodan in particular.
Lucky for Dylen, the king visits the sort-of-brothel where he works and (you'll know this if you read the first book) it turns out that Dylen is the king's half-brother. So Dylen's fortunes turn and he ends up at court and has a job in the king's employ. His and Riodan's paths cross, and Riodan tries to apologize and account for his own stupidity. Dylen isn't having any of it. Finally, the king intervenes and puts them on a mission together, and they have to deal with their issues. ...more
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