Anastasia Rabiyah

Reviewed by EmmaRae
Review copy purchased for pleasure
Cover notes / Warnings: menage: graphic sex, menage

Review: When I searched for the receipt to this book to name the source, I really hoped it was a freebie. Alas, I was disappointed.

I've never read anything else from this author, but this novel was quite slow and boring in my opinion. There were some great parts, and the story had a great outline, but it seemed like a teacher assigned an outline and it was filled in by someone who didn't care. I did like the characters and the plot, but there was no heart in it. Twice I thought I'd finished the book, only to pick up my reader and find there was another chapter.

It's a great idea and a great plan, but in the world of ebooks it is a common theme and plot. With no characterization I didn't care about the book and felt no chemistry or connection. Often the characters did or said things that didn't make sense. It doesn't even stand-out in the erotica if you just wanted to read some sex one night.

I wasted $5 on this one. Hopefully I can save someone else $5.… (altro)

Graphic Intentions by Patricia Oshier Bruening

Scott and Derek are both damaged goods. Scott is an ex con, went in prison at 19 years old for killing his little brother while drunk driving. He has now a quite good life, making money as graphic novelist; the pain in his knee is only a reminder to not let him think that he is allowed to have a normal life. And so, even if a lot of people in his neighbor likes him, Scott is alone and convinced that it's right like that.

Derek is a former army officer who made a big mistake during a mission, and it caused the death of his men. He was not judged guilty, but his coscience makes the work for him as like the scars on his face. Derek is never allowed to forget and his loneliness is another of his punishment.

When these two meet, probably they realize that the conviction is ended and that maybe they are granted another chance to happiness. The story surprised me, I didn't expect it to be so interesting, since, I'm honest, I didn't know the author and I'm usually not expecting to much in a short story (less than 20.000 words). But the characters are really interesting, the plot quite unusual, since nor Scott or Derek are mistreated heros who need to be rehabilitated, they are guilty of their mistake, but they payed, and continue to pay, for their errors. And even when they meet each other, it's not all wine and roses, they are still two different and complicated characters that need to find a way to walk together.

Voyeur by Jon Michaelsen

Voyeur is not a romance but a tale of obsession. Kevin is a normal gay guy, with a nice apartment and a good job. He is doing pretty good, till the night he spots the man who lives across the street. From his apartment, Kevin could see every moves of the man and he becomes obsessed; he remains all his spare time in front of the window, even buys special equipments to see better. After sometime he even begins to neglect work and friends; finally he manages to meet the man and his dream seems to come true... but it's a dream or a nightmare?

Less than 60 pages it has a very stunning ending; really I didn't expect it and maybe I'm also a bit perplexed... I'm happy of it? is it what I was expecting or is it better?

This is the first book I read by Jon Michaelsen and in only 60 pages I can't really have a strong opinion on his writing, but for sure this short story is pretty original, and if you like a bit of twist in your usual romance, try it.

Pure Artistry by Carol McKenzie

Cameron is just out of a relationship with a woman, ended in a friendly way but that has left him with a void in his heart.

Eli, a gardener, broke with his last partner that left with their tools, and so now he is without work and lover.

They meet in an adult learning class art and Cameron notices Eli in a physical way from the first moment. But he is not ready to admit his first interest toward another male and drags Eli in a buddy friends relationship. Eli agrees to it to be near a man he is interested in, but at the same time he tries to understand if they can have something more.

The day-to-day routine they started is broken by a sudden event life and both Cameron and Eli have to face a crossroads: Cameron needs to recognize his true nature and Eli to move on his past relationship.

The story is nice, I like both Cameron and Eli. Eli at first seems stronger than Cameron, but then we have the chance to see that he is a man in need of a stronger figure beside him, maybe he is too sentimentalist, and, yes, also not so independent as he shows. Cameron, older and with a good work and a steady life, is the right man to give him all the reassurance he needs.

The story is not very long, less than 60 pages, and it's easy to read, but I feel like it was closed too soon: I would like to read a bit more of background for both Cameron than Eli, and also a bit more of their life together.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1600542409/?tag=elimyrevandra-20… (altro)