M. Tasia

Day one, just started chapter two. This isn't a long novel. Probably that's good; already, the new-t0-me author has a bad habit that's diminished my enjoyment: many instances of telling, and showing and then telling (for maximum irritation). There are very few instances of showing thoughts and feelings. This habit makes for clunkier prose as well as irritated readers. I suspect I'm not going to get far...

Day 2: Whelp, DNF, bailing at 19%. The telling has only gotten worse, and I am out of patience for it since the plot is s l o w, thus useless for distraction. I would like this author to go back to school to learn both how to plot and how to show more and tell less, so her characters feel more real.… (mere)

This is a fast-paced novella packed with action and the introduction of a lot of characters! I'm sure that most of them will appear later in the series so I didn't stress too much about trying to remember them all. Gabe and Johnny are brought together in many ways but unfortunately incidents. First, Gabe pulls Johnny from a fire, but then both men have to deal with Gabe's unpredictable and violent ex. The fast progression of their romance works in this book because it's clear from the beginning what they are both looking for!… (mere)

Book 2 is about Sam. Sam is the ER nurse from book 1 who is stabbed while trying to protect Johnny in book 1. Sam has entered into a relationship with two of the ex soldiers who can easily to Brighton to provide security. They’ve entered into a committed threesome with an end date. When Spider and Dante have another job to go to…things with Sam will finished up. Oh these men! I wanted to smack them all as they hurt each other by not revealing how they all felt.
There’s a lot of action in this book! There’s suspense, danger and a lot of angst. The connection between the three men is sweet and endearing. It’s fast moving – but I think much of this series will be because of the short length of all of the novellas.… (mere)

Rick Johansson is the Librarian in this crazy little town of Brighton. He is recovering from a past relationship that left him physically and psychologically scarred. To his credit, he's managed to carve out a life for himself in this cozy town... he works happily at the library and is even getting slightly used to the attention of Bear.

Bear owns the diner in town. He couldn't' be more different from Rick. Bear used to be an enforcer for a motorcycle club and he too bears scars from his past life. But what's inside Bear doesn't match his burly exterior. He's convinced that he can't date someone like Rick - because how could Rick not be afraid of him?

There are a few false starts for these two ... after all Rick's anxiety and fear really are almost crippling. Once he realizes how comforting Bear's presence is though he gives in to it. They have a lovely relationship. It's slow and gentle... and Bear is very good at reading Rick's anxiety levels.

There's a sad twist in this story as Bear's sister shows up with her nephew... unfortunately, she is ill. I don't want to give all of this away! There's a huge twist about 2/3 of the way through and suddenly Bear and Rick find themselves in the middle of a dangerous situation.

This story is full of hurt/comfort AND packed with action!… (mere)