Designs of Desire

By: Tempeste O'Riley

Narrated by: Max Lehnen

Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Artist James Bryant has forearm crutches in every color from rainbow for fun to sleek black for business. He even has a pair with more paint splatters than metal. After his family's rejection and abuse from a man he thought loved him, James only just gets through the day by painting. He lives in constant fear that he's not worthy of anything, let alone love.

As CEO of his company, Carrington Enterprises, Seth Burns is a take-charge kind of guy, and he is instantly smitten by the artist helping with his newest project. When he witnesses James suffer a panic attack, a protective instinct he never knew he had kicks in. He truly believes nothing is unobtainable-including James-if he's willing to put in the time and effort.

James is shy and confused by Seth's interest in him as a person. With Seth's support, can he work through his fears to finally find the true love he deserves, or will someone finally land the crushing blow he won't survive?

©2013 Tempeste O'Riley (P)2013 Dreamspinner Press

Enjoyed it

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to this story. Max Lehnen did a wonderful job narrating and bringing the characters and emotion to life. All the characters were believable and developed well. I do not like books where I can't relate/connect to at least one of the characters and in this one I can connect with both. More so with Seth, with how protective and supportive he is of James. I would have reacted the same way he did throughout the entire story. I just wanted to coddle James and do everything for him. Like Seth, not because James can't do things himself but because you just want to do it for him. I loved how James slowly grew throughout the story to see himself the way everyone sees him and what he deserves. I was a bit confused as to why the "bad guy" was who it was, seemed to come out of no where for me. But in the end it did wrap up the whole story nicely and gave the MCs what they needed to move on and truly be happy.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Missed it's mark

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was not time well spent. The premise was a little off the mark, but I could have suspended disbelief for the story, but Max Lehnen is not a narrator that I enjoy listening to

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Standard HEA

Would you be willing to try another one of Max Lehnen’s performances?

Not anything he has done in the M/M genre. It's like listening to my 60yo uncle read a story. Ick.

Do you think Designs of Desire needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No - the storyline came to a good ending.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Very Touching and a bit of a thriller

If you could sum up Designs of Desire in three words, what would they be?

Sexy, thriller, touching

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Seth as he was a 'take charge' kind of guy. I thought James whined a bit too much.

What about Max Lehnen’s performance did you like?

VERY sexy, engaging voice... What I like about listening to books, is that I get to imagine what the narrator looks like ;)

I see someone gave him 1 start here, but I don't get that at all. I would definitely listen to another book by him

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Seth helping James through his panic attacks (I can relate).

Any additional comments?

I wish there was more sex in the book... or I should say, less sex that is soft and sensitive and more sex with abandon!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Narrator ruined this book

Reading what this book is about I loved it, but I wished I had listen instead. This has got to be one of the worst narrator ever! I got a headache listening to that horrible voice, I RETURNED THE BOOK!! I will definitely try to find the book and just read it

5 of 9 people found this review helpful

Designs of Desire

5 Stars for the book
3.5 Stars for the narration

I've read this book a few times now and have loved it each and every time I read it.
James is an adorable, really likeable character and you really feel for him with everything he has gone through in life. I'm not quite sure how he is still so happy and positive after being thrown out and treated like crap by his parents and family and then being completely mistreated by basically all of his ex's. I think him meeting Seth was a good thing. I'm glad that Seth was able to take the time to push past all of James' reservations about him and get him to see that Seth really did just want the best for him. Cute book and I really do enjoy this whole series.

Audio - ok, so, I have to say I wasn't fully impressed with the narration. I think I will just stick to reading this book even more in the future. It took me a little bit to warm up to the narrators voice, just something about it didn't really seem to fit James character, and what I had pictured in my head for him. The narration wasn't Bad or Great, it was just Meh for me... I'm glad I got it cause I love the book, but I'm not sure I will get around to listening to it again anytime soon.

Great start to a new series

I really enjoyed this story from a new to me author. The characters were vibrant and the story really kept me engaged. I have to run off to the next one.

Ok

The story itself wasn't that bad but I just can't get into this narrator. To me, he sounds like he's in his 60's and sometimes sounds like he's talking with food or something in his mouth.
I think reading it myself might make me like it more.

unacceptable

I was very disappointed, first by the poor writing, which included preachy comments, by the inadequate plot and by the poor character development. I can see no reason to empathize or even sympathize with either protagonist. The reading was labored, phrases were misread, and intonation was labored.

Great Story

Sweet love and a partner who encourage his boy. and help them break through his fears and his outlook on his self.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Designs of Desire is worth the money and the listening time because this audible book mirrors my years as a graphic design student
in ways that the main character James Bryant is exactly like me minus the boyfriend and sex

with that said YES I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book If you believe in second chances at love like I do then this is for you.