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Victor Bayne, the psychic half a PsyCop team, is a gay medium who's more concerned with flying under the radar than in making waves. He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic (or "Stiff") from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner's retirement party, and it seems like his dubious luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer surfaces who can change his appearance to match any witness' idea of the world's hottest guy.
Six years ago, Noah Wheeler went to meet his boyfriend, Dante Cerreto, at the airport, and his world ended. Dante was kissing someone else and claimed to be in love. So Noah took his heartbreak and closed the door on the big picture of what he thought his life would be, focusing instead on the piece of the dream he got to keep, being a father. Six years later, Dante wants to make up for lost time, but he's going to have to take a crash course in communication and seduction. Noah's not going to fall in love just to be broken again.
Blackjack dealer and stripper Adrian West has lived in Las Vegas long enough to be numb to beggars on the Strip. Their destitution is a sad, ugly part of reality in a city where people win or lose it all at the tables every single day. So he's at a loss to explain why the homeless man in the suit catches his eye. Why he can't just keep on walking like he always does.
Jay is always on the run - always looking for the next place to start a new life. But no matter how much he moves, he can't escape the painful memories that haunt him. As he settles into his latest job in the warehouse at a glass bottle factory, he finds himself the target of his co-workers' teasing. When he takes a stand against one of the bullies, a fight breaks out. His boss, a war vet named Reese, steps in, and Jay accidentally shoves him to the ground, revealing Reese's prosthetic leg.
Ash Winters is barely holding on, near drowning in his own darkness and fear. He lives a gray shadow of a life, sullen and cynical, unable to remember hope or happiness - much less the distant, fading glitterball of love. It has to be a sick joke of the universe that he finds himself hooked up with good-humored Essex boy Darian Taylor, a wannabe model in a sparkly jacket and a fake tan. Darian may not be an intellectual giant, but he's hysterically funny, and he's got the courage to challenge Ash to live again.
The three metahuman races exist in careful balance, working to maintain a fragile peace. Nick and his fellow Daywalkers successfully master their natural bloodlust. The Sentinels, armed with both magic and steel, repress their warlike instincts. And even some Nightwalkers, normally their natural enemies, have deserted the Court of Shadows to join the triple alliance. Nick Jameson is deeply involved with two such Nightwalkers - handsome Lorcan and powerful Rory.
Victor Bayne, the psychic half a PsyCop team, is a gay medium who's more concerned with flying under the radar than in making waves. He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic (or "Stiff") from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner's retirement party, and it seems like his dubious luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer surfaces who can change his appearance to match any witness' idea of the world's hottest guy.
Six years ago, Noah Wheeler went to meet his boyfriend, Dante Cerreto, at the airport, and his world ended. Dante was kissing someone else and claimed to be in love. So Noah took his heartbreak and closed the door on the big picture of what he thought his life would be, focusing instead on the piece of the dream he got to keep, being a father. Six years later, Dante wants to make up for lost time, but he's going to have to take a crash course in communication and seduction. Noah's not going to fall in love just to be broken again.
Blackjack dealer and stripper Adrian West has lived in Las Vegas long enough to be numb to beggars on the Strip. Their destitution is a sad, ugly part of reality in a city where people win or lose it all at the tables every single day. So he's at a loss to explain why the homeless man in the suit catches his eye. Why he can't just keep on walking like he always does.
Jay is always on the run - always looking for the next place to start a new life. But no matter how much he moves, he can't escape the painful memories that haunt him. As he settles into his latest job in the warehouse at a glass bottle factory, he finds himself the target of his co-workers' teasing. When he takes a stand against one of the bullies, a fight breaks out. His boss, a war vet named Reese, steps in, and Jay accidentally shoves him to the ground, revealing Reese's prosthetic leg.
Ash Winters is barely holding on, near drowning in his own darkness and fear. He lives a gray shadow of a life, sullen and cynical, unable to remember hope or happiness - much less the distant, fading glitterball of love. It has to be a sick joke of the universe that he finds himself hooked up with good-humored Essex boy Darian Taylor, a wannabe model in a sparkly jacket and a fake tan. Darian may not be an intellectual giant, but he's hysterically funny, and he's got the courage to challenge Ash to live again.
The three metahuman races exist in careful balance, working to maintain a fragile peace. Nick and his fellow Daywalkers successfully master their natural bloodlust. The Sentinels, armed with both magic and steel, repress their warlike instincts. And even some Nightwalkers, normally their natural enemies, have deserted the Court of Shadows to join the triple alliance. Nick Jameson is deeply involved with two such Nightwalkers - handsome Lorcan and powerful Rory.
The world of genetic experimentation is highly regulated. Mikkel's beautiful creations are as illegal as they are magnificent, and none so miraculous as Icarus, his perfect lover and companion. But love and good intent may not be enough to protect their little enclave. A new child may just tip the scales and place Icarus and his Master at risk.
I loved this story. It's not very sexual and certainly not explicit, but there's a sensuality in the physical love showed between Icharus (1KRV5) and his "maker," Miguel. It's also a short book, and most of it is not focused on sex. I loved this about this book, though I listen to plenty erotica and don't have a problem with sex in a book. But this author wrote a short book with some depth which takes significant skill. Neither men are simple beings; each have their faults and struggles, physically and emotionally. And neither see his partner has perfect, yet love each other still. And their love is not an easily created or easily held aspect of their relationship.
Ultimately, to me, this story is about men who have diverging inner calls, but each one seeks to answer it. Sometimes answering their calls creates tension, but ultimately..... The story is also about the extent a person will go to answer an inner demand, a call. And it's about the wonderful roots and development of love and love as an innate aspect of being. I know that sounds a bit mushy, but the book was not that at all. It's not your basic HEA romance. It has a lot more depth, and it does not seek ease. As a result, it's beauty comes from its realism, which is rarely easy or simple but can still be love-filled.
I hope that there will be more books from this author.
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What do you get when you combine the Icarus and Pygmalion myths, steampunk, stem-cell science and the general complexities of emotion? - A unique, well-written short story that makes you think about the meaning of life and humanity, presented through the lens of an unconventional relationship.
Be warned: this story is not full of warm and fuzzies nor angst as it is normally presented. The relationship between the main characters is complex and made more so by their mutual inability to articulate their feelings and the precarious nature of the life they lead.
At times not what I had expected.
By the end more than I could have hoped for!
The narrator did an outstanding job. Wonderful voice!!! Great story in a well cultivated world meticulously grown as any flesh peddlers work in their laboratory lovingly is. Very immersive. At the end I wanted more.
Very interesting, unusual short story narrated flawlessly. I wouldn't normally listen to a sifi book, but found myself wanting to know more about the world where this was set. Overall a good way to pass a couple of hours