Title: Play Dead
Author: Julia Talbot
Length: 4,000 words (18 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m/m paranormal (shifters/vampires)
Rating: B
Blurb:
Werewolves Beck and Kayne are just looking for a place to hole up for a night or two when they enter a seemingly abandoned house in the French Quarter of New Orleans. They get more than they bargain for when they enter the bedroom, though. What on earth are they going to do with a vampire?
Blurb:
Beck and Kayne are werewolves without a pack. They were chased out of their old pack because of their relationship and as a result, Kayne has suffered a permanent injury to his leg which Beck feels guilty for. So they move from place to place, squatting in empty buildings. This time, the ramshackle cabin isn’t as empty as they expected, in fact there is a guy sleeping, or perhaps he’s dead. He won’t wake up so they decide to check out the fridge and sneak some food before leaving, only to find it full of blood. Uh oh. It’s also wake-up time for the resident. Only things don’t go quite as expected, Frank – yes, Frank – offers them some money for food and a place to stay if they’ll let him feed from them. Beck is cautious and wary, but Kayne is all in favour of the plan.
If you like your sex growly and bitey, this is the book for you. Between Frank feeding and the pups, as he calls them, nipping, there is lots of marking going on. You don’t find out much about Frank, he’s made this offer before, but most people run, but these two intrigue him and offer him some excitement and interest that he’s not had in many years. You get to know the two werewolves through their interactions with each other, and they do come across as pups much of the time, Kayne all bouncy and impulsive, Beck a little pouty and grumpy trying to keep him out of trouble and a bit jealous of Frank’s attentions to Kayne.
I’m going to be honest, the reason I rated this as I did, is simply because I liked it. It left me smiling and I liked the characters and the way they behaved more with a tinge of animal, than as humans who happen to shift. Also Frank’s pleasure as he found someone to pull him out of his eternal ennui, and his enthusiasm, was well written and made him seem more alive. There are moments of humour, especially when they first find Frank and in their play as well. I know others may find it a bit short with not much time to develop the relationship, although I found it seemed to fit pretty well. I think if you just want something fun and with a touch of teeth, it’s an enjoyable read that leaves you with a smile.
