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Archive for the ‘Authors: D-F’ Category

Before I Wake by Eli Easton

Posted in Authors: D-F, B, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on May 13, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

blueTitle: Before I Wake
Author: Eli Easton
Length: 8,000 words
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Grade: B

Blurb:
Nurse’s aide Jonesy is drawn to Michael, the comatose victim of a hate crime whose homophobic parents have rejected him. Jonesey sits with Michael, reads to him, and encourages Michael to wake up. Jonesy may not be the smartest guy in the world, but he knows Michael needs him. And if he also thinks Michael is the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, well, Jonesy knows better than to hope for things that can never happen. Michael is lost in a dungeon, a dark and terrifying place. His only comfort is the sound of a man’s voice. Can Michael come back? Does he want to? Maybe Jonesy can convince him that some things are worth living for.

Review:
When the victim of a hate crime is brought into the hospital unit where Jonesy works, he feels immediately drawn to the young man. After seeing that Michael is alone with no-one to care for him, Jonesy decides to do all he can to talk to Michael and spend time with him outside work hours, hoping that this will help Michael to emerge from his coma.

This story is part of the fairy tale line of stories at Torquere and is loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty story. It was a very sweet tale with a likable narrator in Jonesy, who’s one of those big men who frighten people with his size but is really a nice and sweet, if a bit dim, guy who wouldn’t harm a fly. We learn lots about Jonesy through his narrative especially his past living with his aunt and his protective feelings for Michael. Jonesy’s loneliness comes through strongly and makes it all the more believable that he should latch onto Michael, and that he should come to care for him a great deal through the limited interaction that they share.

Another aspect of the story is showing us some of the difficulties faced by those with no support or adequate healthcare provision. As a Brit, used the the National Health Service, it’s baffling to me to see people given inadequate levels of care because they are currently unable to pay for it, and I thought the author had done a good job of showing Michael’s predicament without being too heavy handed about it. Jonesy really does become a modern-day knight in shining armour for Michael and I liked seeing how resourceful Jonesy becomes when faced with Michael’s need.

If I have any niggles about the story it’s that I felt slightly uncomfortable about the sex scene. The scene is written in a way which shows consent between both characters but Michael is still technically asleep/in a coma at the time. The sex wasn’t a necessary scene and could have easily been cut and I wondered whether it had been included because of publisher demands for this series of stories, rather than to forward the plot or characters.

The story ends on a hopeful note. Not really a HFN, but not a sad ending either and part of me really wanted to read on, to find out whether Jonesy’s hopes and dreams would be fulfilled. Maybe the author will write another story with these characters, I hope so.

Overall though this was a sweet story which was so lovely it made my heart ache a little. I really liked Jonesy and was quickly drawn into his narrative. I would recommend this story to those of you looking for a different type of romance but one which will touch your heart.

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Ballet Nights by H. Lewis-Foster

Posted in Authors: D-F, B, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on April 12, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

balletTitle: Ballet Nights
Author: H. Foster Lewis
Length: 7,017 words  (22 pdf pages)
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B

Blurb: 

Aaron is a banker who enjoys his single life to the limit. When he goes to the ballet with his friend Nick, Aaron finds the performance pretty dull. But he soon pays attention when the gorgeous Prince Charming takes to the stage, and he doesn’t hesitate when Nick invites him to another ballet. As Aaron spends more evenings at the theater, he meets Frank, a young European. Aaron is captivated by Frank’s accent and his sophistication, but Frank doesn’t fit into Aaron’s routine of bars and casual acquaintances. Aaron is determined to hang on to his old lifestyle, but will Frank tempt him to try something different?

Review:

I confess to being a bit of a ballet junkie, so that may have affected my enjoyment here, although there’s not that much “ballet” in the story. Aaron goes with his theatre reviewer friend Nick to the ballet, and can’t help the wise-cracks and interest in the lead male dancer’s package, which is a top of discussion later on the odds of it being stuffed. A bit later, he’s invited again, only this time due to various snarls, he arrives late and they refuse to let him in, so he has a drink in the theatre bar. He sees a hottie sitting alone and invites himself to join. They get to talking and Aaron enjoys himself. However when Frank leaves just as intermission comes, Aaron is informed that he was talking to non-other than the lead dancer he’d been perving over.

Yet another ballet trip, with Aaron taking the step to contact Frank (François), to Nick’s embarrassment, but Frank shows up and off they go. Only usually Aaron is all about just having fun in bed, but when Frank puts him off with a kiss, he’s puzzled that he went along with it and before long they are dating a lot and to Aaron’s surprise, not having sex, and he sort of likes it. Hmmm.

This story has one aspect which may drive readers crazy. It’s telling, not showing. It’s almost done as if Aaron is telling you about his relationship. You see very little interaction between him and Frank when they are out and even the first time they have sex is told as if Aaron is remembering what happened rather than being in the moment. However it seemed to work for me. Go figure. Perhaps because of the tone of the book, the whole thing being done that way worked.

I liked that Aaron wasn’t obsessed with Frank (or the nameless dancer) in a creepy way, but more in a “that’s hot, I’d do that” way. I think he was a typical guy, (straight or gay) observing the physiques of those he finds attractive, commenting on them, thinking about sex a lot, and enjoying it when it came his way. I liked that Frank, while at first puzzling Aaron, made him realize that just making out could be enjoyable and you didn’t have to have kinky swinging from the chandelier sex to be good sex. I also liked that Aaron kind of screwed up once they started long distance. I just thought he seemed real. The relationship wasn’t perfect, he got snippy with his friend when he started prodding him about being separated and it made him more relatable to me. Also the fact that despite getting involved with a ballet dancer, he never really got into it. He went so he could watch Frank but was usually bored by the rest. Again, probably a realistic reaction for most guys who don’t already enjoy it.

The fact that they don’t declare their love in the first week was nice. LOL It takes place over time to get there and includes time apart. Again, you don’t really see them during that time, but the style of storytelling worked. So it’s not hot and steamy, but it’s sweet and I think the fact they took their time worked for me.

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Sweets for the Sweet by Kit Dickson & Kat Davidson

Posted in Authors: D-F, C-, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , , on March 22, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Box of ChocolatesTitle: Sweets for the Sweet
Author: Kit Dickson & Kat Davidson
Length: 5,600 words
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Grade: C-

Blurb:
As teenagers, Joshua and Ian thought they were inseparable — until Josh’s family sent him off to military school. After years apart, the pair are reunited at last, but things quickly spiral out of control as both men struggle with their feelings towards one another and Joshua’s PTSD.

Review:
Josh and Ian are best friends and inseparable, until the lies of a teacher force them apart. Twelve years later, Joshua returns home after spending the intervening years in military school and the army where he finds that his old friend has followed his dreams and now owns a chocolate shop in town.

The blurb of this book sounded very promising and I’m always interested in stories which pick up on themes such as PTSD. However, I found that the short length of the story, coupled with a written style which involved far too much telling and not enough showing, meant that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I might.

The part that did work for me was in Josh’s weariness in returning home. He joined the military because of parental expectations and did his duty. Now he seems tired and a little bewildered to be free of the army. This seemed a very realistic portrayal of a man who has suffered through war and I felt a great deal of sympathy for him. I also liked Ian’s nervousness at meeting Josh again after all the years apart.

What worked less well was the rather ridiculous over-reaction of the boy’s parents at the beginning of the story, plus the sheer amount of telling of the background to the characters. The actual meat of the story involves a short conversation between the men in a supermarket, followed by another short conversation in the street. The rest is feelings or background told to the reader. Whilst I understood that we needed to know what the men had done in the years they were apart, the execution was a little dull and I became impatient to get to the action. I was also not convinced by the end of the story when the men barely speak before making a move. I would have been happier if there had been at least a shared acknowledgment that they are gay and attracted to each other before anything physical happened.

Overall, this is a sweet story but the writing didn’t work very well for me.

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Masks Off Too: Fool Me Twice by Missouri Dalton

Posted in Authors: D-F, C+, Paranormal, tagged , on March 19, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

masksofftoo-foolmetwice185Title: Masks Off Too: Fool Me Twice
Author: Missouri Dalton
Length: 19 pdf pages, 5200 words.
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m paranormal
Rating: C+

Blurb:

The Everglades have secrets, Professor Edmund Toussaint, the swamp’s lone vampire, knows this all too well. He’s lived there all of his life and hasn’t run into another of his kind since the fateful night he fed his maker to a crocodile. But things are changing, and another vampire might just be the only thing that will bring Edmund out of the swamp.
This story is also available in the Masks Off Too! anthology.

Review:

A well-written story with an intriguing setting that just tried to do too much within the limited word count.

Fool Me Twice opens with vampire Edmund in a typically mournful mood, hanging around in an area of Florida swamp that has special meaning to him. Not only is it where he died, it’s also where he killed his maker (the odious Lucas) and where his 300 year old gravestone is located. There was a strong evocation of Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire here, from the swampy setting to the morose, French colonial vampire, and I was intrigued. Edmund has made a virtue of his affliction by becoming an expert in night-blooming swamp flowers, and manages a life of sorts as an academic who teaches at night. I wasn’t entirely sure how he dealt with the practicalities of this (along with having to assume a new identity every few years while staying in the same area), but detailing that would have been beyond the scope of this story.

The first half of the story shows us Edmund’s daily life and illustrates just what a grumpy, isolated hermit he’s become. He’s terrified of other vampires, especially as the only one he’s ever met was such a nasty piece of work. However, when he agrees to attend a masquerade ball in order to help his university department obtain funding for future projects, he discovers that the potential benefactor he’s meant to be charming is another vamp. James Argent isn’t quite so quick to sniff out Edmund’s identity, but when he eventually does, Edmund discovers that he has a lot still to learn about his true nature.

I feel like this story has suffered from having to be short enough to fit in an anthology word-count limit, which is a shame as there’s the potential for a really interesting novella here. Instead of a fully developed romance we just have a frustrating tease, skating over lots of Edmund’s back story but not really satisfying in the here and now. Not only is there a fade to black on the sex scene, but we don’t get to find out much about the mysterious James either. From the little we did see of him I found him to be rather arrogant and patronising with his “little bat” endearments, so the way Edmund falls for him felt like too much, too soon. However, I’ve given the story a C+ because I thought the prose was flawless, the world-building intriguing, and it had the seed of a fascinating story here. I particularly loved Edmund’s crocodile!

In short, I feel this probably works well enough as an anthology story, but as a standalone it lacks both the erotic and romantic content to really satisfy an m/m romance reader. I do want to track down more of Missouri Dalton’s writing, though, because she certainly knows how to write beautifully.

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Coming Home by Missouri Dalton

Posted in Authors: D-F, B, Historical, tagged , on March 4, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

choclTitle: Coming Home
Author: Missouri Dalton
Length: 4,300 words (19 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m historical
Rating: B

Blurb:

He might be Alan Trent, but the sole survivor of the crashed RAF bomber isn’t sure. He can’t remember his name just the horror of the crash and flashes of the War. Whoever he is, he knows there’s someone waiting for him and that for some reason, he’s reminded every time he takes a sip of cocoa.

Review:

This is less a romance, than a story of a man’s rediscovery of who he is. Our main character wakes up in hospital following an RAF plane crash. He’s been badly injured, especially his face, and they don’t know who he is. His memory is also gone. Through a narrowing down of who was on the plane, and what they looked like, they determine he is Alan Trent. However when his wife comes to collect him, he just feels something is wrong. He hates living in the city, he can’t remember her at all, he just remembers that for some reason cocoa is soothing to him.

He’s struggling to accept his life as Alan Trent, when a friend flags him down at a veteran’s event, and tells him his real name. His wife doesn’t want to believe it, but he starts to have memories, and goes to the country village where his parents await. On the way, his friend explains that he lost him to another man, Callum. James now remembers having an argument with Callum about enlisting, but he can’t remember more, until several months later, Callum returns from his own tour abroad.

I really enjoyed reading of James’ struggles to remember his life, and also to deal with what we would now consider PTSD. He can sense there is something there at the edge of his memory, but he just can’t make it come clear. He tries his best to be who he’s told he is, but it’s just not working. I also thought the author did a good job of having the memories come back in bits and bites, and the descriptions used were very evocative of having things fit back together in your mind.

As I said, it’s not really a romance. He does reunite with Callum at the end, but the story his him getting his life back. Now it seems that he and Callum were living opening together in their village and his parents didn’t appear to have an issue with it, so I’m not sure how realistic that was, but I’m sure it happened and people just chose to believe they were “good friends”. I think this is definitely worth a read when you want something different from the usual romance. It is romantic, but much more of a character study of James than the couple in question. I do like stories by this author as they always seem to be just a little bit out of the norm, a refreshing taste once in a while.

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The Stable Boy by Megan Derr

Posted in Authors: D-F, B+, Fantasy, Romance, tagged , on February 20, 2013 | 2 Comments »

stableboy400Title: The Stable Boy
Author: Megan Derr
Length: 12,000 words
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Genre: m/m fantasy romance
Rating: B+

Blurb:
On a journey to meet his fiancé and begin wedding preparations, Prince Diggory is betrayed by his bodyguard, who intends to steal Diggory’s life. Left for dead in a river, the last thing Diggory expects is to live.

But surviving is only half the battle, and Diggory will have to figure out how to work around the constraints of a terrible curse if he hopes to stop the man who betrayed him and gain back his life.

Review:
This free story from Megan Derr contains all the things I love about her books. The story has a serious theme of betrayal and injury but it’s handled with such a deft touch that the tone of the book is light and breezy.

Prince Diggory wakes up after being betrayed and cursed by his bodyguard, Benoit. He was on his way to meet his fiance but now finds that the bodyguard has usurped his place and Diggory is unable to expose Benoit without the curse killing him. By luck Diggory finds employment as the stable hand to the prince and uses this opportunity to seek out a way to expose the deceiver without waking the dormant curse.

I really enjoyed this short which managed to combine a very likable character in Diggory with a certain amount of narrative tension. It’s obvious that Diggory and his prince fiance are perfect for each other and the scenes where they are together shine with Diggory’s attraction and the increasing regard from the prince. The use of the letters in foreshadowing the attraction was cleverly done and this, coupled with the on page interaction, allowed for the happy ending to take place.

For such a short story there’s a lot packed in but it never felt overcrowded. Instead I read quickly, eager to discover how Diggory would beak the curse and looking forward to a time. I also rather liked that Diggory was no soft-touch and the bloodthirsty way he dispatches his enemies provided me with a grim satisfaction.

Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable story, with the only downside being that we never really get to know the prince, and one I would recommend for those who want a free introduction to this author’s work.

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Game On by Summer Devon

Posted in Authors: D-F, B, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on February 16, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

16048565Title: Game On
Author: Summer Devon
Length: 18,000 words (68 pdf pages)
Publisher: Self-published (Amazon link, also avail at ARe)
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B

Blurb:

Grant Rensler knows he’s considered uptight, even at the law firm where he’s been working overtime to make partner—but he simply likes his privacy. When he discovers that some guy has been taking dips in his pool while he’s at work, he’s furious.

Ned Hill has been attempting to recreate one of his favorite movies to help him jump-start his creativity. When he’s found doing laps in a neighbor’s pool, he feels a little guilty about disturbing the homeowner, who flips out. Ned is intrigued by the man, so very different from his usual, more laid-back partners.

Then, when they run into each other again, Ned decides he’s definitely interested. He’s just got to convince Grant he’s not trying to ruin his life or career — and that the attraction of opposites can be good for him…Very, very good.

Review:

Grant is a lawyer who likes his wife a particular way. He is driven at work, likes his life just so and when he realizes that someone has been coming into his yard to use his pool when he’s at work he freaks. He immediately calls a security firm and while waiting the guy comes back. Oh he’s furious and he’s pretty sure the guy in the pool is slightly mentally unbalanced. But after throwing a hissy fit, the guy finally leaves. Grant refuses to admit he’s hot, and he’s probably nothing but trouble since he’s just like the jocks Grant was attracted to in school.

The next morning he has to make a very important presentation to a gaming company as his firm tries to get their business. Much to his dismay, when he walks in, the pool guy is the owner of the gaming firm. It doesn’t help that Grant has no interest in games. He’s far too responsible and logical, but does his presentation, then finally acts completely out of character and walks out. However Ned, the pool guy, gives them the contract and proceeds to come on to Grant, who to his own surprise, gives in.

I love prickly characters and Grant is as prickly as they come. His desire to be responsible, controlled and have his own space comes from a childhood with none of that which you find out later. And while Ned comes across as a flaky creative type, he’s much more logical and sensible that he seems. So maybe they aren’t quite as different as it seems at first light. I liked how Grant didn’t completely freak out about how he felt and how he acted. It seemed that Ned came into his life at a time he had to think about his life and if it was the way he really wanted it. I thought his story about his childhood while sad, was also sweet and the whole concept of “making your family” was well done.

I also enjoyed Ned’s relationship with his best friend, where really, they are both 12 year olds in adult bodies. They write notes to each other during the meeting, the friend sketching drawings, and playing with his food making it a fun and amusing relationship. I have to say I was delighted to see this was about gaming, an area I work in. I think the author must know someone game developers or work in the industry, because based on the ones I’ve met it, seemed pretty on-point. Flighty and creative and fun.

There was some evidence of “head hopping” which on the whole doesn’t bother me, but the POV often flitted from Ned to Grant and back pretty quickly. I was so enjoying the two men and the sexual tension between them it didn’t really bother me, but it may be a personal thing or not. A cute read to pick up for .99.

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Eye Candy and Achy Hearts by Adrianna Dane

Posted in Authors: D-F, B-, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on February 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

EyeCandyTitle: Eye Candy and Achy Hearts
Author: Adrianna Dane
Length: 7,000 words
Publisher: Amber Allure
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Rating: B-

Blurb:
Love and romance have eluded Jeffrey all his life. He still lives in his mother’s house, he hates his job as an accountant, and he’s never been in love. In desperation, he signs up as AchyHeart1945 for an online dating site. For three months, he enjoys late-night exchanges with a man using the screen name EyeCandy2933. What began as a way to ease Jeffrey’s aching, lonely heart erupts into a real-life sexual encounter when, on a whim, he invites his younger friend to join him in a one-night-only, no-string-attached, steamy hook-up. And EyeCandy2933 accepts.

But online fantasies can easily devolve into disappointment when confronted with reality. Will that be the case on this Valentine’s Day? Jeffrey has finally reached a point when he has to take a chance or go out of his mind. But when AchyHeart1945 finally meets EyeCandy2933, everything changes. For good or for bad is yet to be determined. Jeffrey may discover that love and romance at any age can be an amazing thing.

Review:
Hands up those of you who are looking for something hot, romantic and a bit slushy for Valentine’s Day? Well you’re in luck because this will be the perfect read for you!

Jeffrey is a bit of a sad and lonely man. He hates his accounting job and still lives with his mother. For the past three months he’s been conversing online with AchyHeart1945 and has decided to bite the bullet and ask for his fantasies to come true. The day arrives and AchyHeart1945 turns out to be everything Jeffrey has ever dreamed of but he’s too young and attractive to be interested in anything other than a one-nighter with Jeffrey.

I really liked the set up to the story, with one slight exception. Jeffrey’s character is quickly established as a nerd but I liked that he wasn’t too cliched. His feelings of nervousness at meeting his online friend were genuine, but manifested itself as a sort of internal drivel which became a little irritating after a while. However, after the men meet and start having sex, I was pleased that the internal ramblings disappeared and didn’t return.

The sex between the men is super-hot and I also liked how Jeffrey’s confidence grows throughout the encounter. The lust is mutual and I found myself caught up in the scene, in particular the sexiness of the minor cross-dressing. Once the sex is over, the pair talk and whilst their conversation tipped slightly into insta-love, I forgave that. This is, after all, a Valentine’s story and much can be forgiven at this time of year!

The story ends with a sweet and cute epilogue which left me happy to leave them well on their way to a HEA. We never really find out much about AchyHeart1945 but there’s enough shown in terms of his feelings for Jeffrey for such a short story.

Overall, this is the sort of story which will leave you with a smile on your face. There’s not a great deal to the plot – it’s mostly sex – but the characterisation of Jeffrey is good. I’d definitely recommend it to this any romantics out there looking for a sweet Valentine read.

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Goodbye Phillip by Summer Devon

Posted in Authors: D-F, B, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on February 13, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

goodbyephillipTitle: Goodbye Phillip
Author: Summer Devon
Length: 67 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Rating: B

Blurb:
I must have been on a new papa high! Whatever made me think I could prepare a gourmet christening dinner for our new baby girl? I hope he comes back with the christening cake soon–why is he calling me now? it’s getting late…hey babe! what do you mean my baby craziness is freaking you out? what do you mean you need some ‘me’ time?? what do you mean you’re at the airport??

Review:
This is a cute story which was originally written for the Goodreads m/m group. It tells of Stefan who discovers on the morning of baby Emily’s christening that his partner, Phillip, has left him. The first guests to arrive are Emily’s mother and her brother, Greg, who has only recently found out about Emily’s existence. Greg wants to be part of his niece’s life, but struggles with his attraction to Stefan.

I’m not always keen on stories with babies in them, but this one worked really well for me, mainly because the portrayal of life with a baby was very realistic. Emily is a cute baby but she’s also demanding as all babies are. I liked the way that the baby wasn’t just a prop for the story but real and an integral part of Stefan’s life.

The story is told through alternating points of view so we get to see what both characters are thinking. This made it easier to understand Greg in particular who could have come across as a little inconsistent were it not for the fact that we know how much he struggles with being forced into family responsibility. We get enough knowledge of his family to know why he now wants to feel free and unencumbered, but it was great to see how his affection for Stefan and Emily won him round in the end.

Stefan was a very sympathetic characters whose love for Emily shines through his narrative. He’s also rather impulsive and perhaps a little clueless about the feelings of others. This is how he ends up alone, but when it comes to Greg he seems to instinctively know not to push for more – perhaps because he has learned from his past mistakes. The relationship between Stefan and Greg moves slowly, and I liked that both men are cautious but want to make things work.

If I have any niggles it’s that I wished we could have seen the men outside their own interactions. Greg is partly closeted – mostly at work – and although this is dealt with towards the end, I would have liked to have seen the story been given a wider scope to show how Greg deals with that.

This was only a minor complaint as this was a well written and charming romance and I would recommend it.

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Feathers by Vincent Diamond

Posted in Authors: D-F, B-, Contemporary, Romance, tagged , on February 6, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

feathersTitle: Feathers
Author: Vincent Diamond
Length: 15,600 words (52 pdf pages)
Publisher: JMS Books
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B-

Blurb:

Two years after his father’s death, Brandon is still grieving, running his father’s store, watching his sister grow more depressed. Until Ramon saunters into his life bringing sunshine, blue skies, and an injured hawk. But Ramon has issues of his own to deal with, an abusive lover who won’t take no for an answer.

If Ramon can wriggle free of the ex, can Brandon take a chance on loving again?

Review:

You don’t find out much about Ramon in this story beyond what he tells Brandon, but I appreciated the pace of the story. Brandon is still not over his father’s death two years prior. At the time his sister quite college to come and help him run a feed/supply story, but they ended up selling the family farm to pay the bills. As well, when Brandon fell into a deep depression following his father’s death, his boyfriend left him. He’s hooked up now and then since, but isn’t sure a permanent relationship is in the cards for him. However with the UPS guy shows up and rescues an injured baby hawk, Brandon is smitten. However the first day they spend time together riding, Ramon gives off some weird yes/no vibes leaving Brandon confused but Ramon keeps coming back, but finally confesses he has a boyfriend. Oops.

Brandon backs off, hurt that he feels Ramon was playing him, and even after Ramon leaves his abusive boyfriend, he still can’t seem to make a clean break causing Brandon to back off even more. Of course eventually it works out. It is a romance. :-) But I liked that while Brandon wanted Ramon, he was prepared to wait until the guy had his act together. Ramon is only in his early 20′s, a college student and Brandon is 30, and this shows in their behaviour. Ramon is quick to flirt and push things even while with his boyfriend, whereas Brandon is the one to make him back-off. It’s how you imagine a younger man being more impetuous and ruled by hormones than logic.

I wish the abuse had been addressed a bit more. Several times at the beginning Ramon acts nervous that Brandon is mad at him, but then later he’s fine and seems to have suffered no ill-effect from being in an abusive relationship. But as the story is told only from Brandon’s POV you really don’t know what the whole story is.

This author is always able to bring to life people suffering from  personal loss and that pervading sense of sadness and mourning. You get the sense for Brandon’s loss even two years later. It’s not longer that overwhelming depression, but that gray cloud that exists over your life on a day-to-day basis. Ramon is less well-drawn but his care and compassion for animals comes through in his treatment of the injured hawk and his college major of vet technician. Readers who prefer a more character driven story that moves at a bit more sedate pace, will appreciate this story.

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