Rowan Speedwell

4.5 stars.

Rowan Speedwell's Illumination is a wonderful romance that beautifully illustrates how love can triumph and flourish despite overwhelming odds.

Adam Craig lives his life in the limelight and on the road while Miles Caldwell panics the minute he leaves his property. A chance encounter brings them together and they enjoy a few passion-filled weeks while Adam takes a much needed break following the end of his band's latest tour. But Adam's escape is only temporary and no matter how show more much he dreads leaving Miles, he has obligations that he cannot avoid. A long distance relationship is the only option for Miles and Adam but individual issues soon take their toll. Miles's insecurities and fears cause him to doubt Adam's feelings for him and his inability to express himself causes serious communication problems for the couple.

Of the two men, Miles is the most emotionally fragile. A traumatic event in his past has left him so scarred he is virtually a hermit and he spends most days lost in painting beautifully detailed illuminations. His sister Lisa and close friends Rob and Doug provide him with unwavering support but they also enable Miles as he continues to avoid facing his problems. He is socially inept and has such a difficult time reading other people it is no surprise he continually doubts Adam's intentions.

Adam is such an incredibly confident character that it is at first difficult to see what lies beyond his rocker image. While he reached stardom with very little effort, he has had to completely bury his sexuality in order to maintain his position as the band's front man. He is growing weary of life in the closet but coming out could have a devastating impact on his musical career. After he returns to CA, Adam remains pretty steadfast in his efforts to keep his relationship with Miles on track but he is soon plagued by doubts after Miles stops communicating with him. After Adam renews an old friendship he is back on the nightly party circuit where he uses drugs and alcohol to cope with his growing uncertainties.

Illumination might have a few familiar themes but it is a refreshingly unique novel. Miles is dealing with some pretty debilitating psychological issues but they are just one facet of this multi-layered character. His past is heartbreaking and it is quite gratifying to see him finally taking steps to conquer his debilitating fears. Adam is not the stereotypical drug addicted rock star who is about to crash and burn. His use of drugs is recreational but far from harmless. This part of the storyline is a cautionary tale of how even casual use of drugs can have potentially catastrophic consequences.

Adam and Miles are instantly attracted to one another and they are very quick to act on their passion. Their sex scenes are playful but intensely sensual. What begins as a physical relationship quickly becomes much deeper as they get to know one another. As the more intuitive and observant of the two, Adam fully recognizes that something is not quite with Miles, but he does not let that interfere with his growing feelings for him. Miles is charmingly clueless about, well, pretty much everything, but he is aware that his feelings run much deeper than just sexual attraction.


I was pretty much captivated by Illumination right from the very first page. I was dying to uncover the secrets of Miles's past and Rowan Speedwell does an excellent job giving a little hint here and there which of course just made me even more curious. The complete story is revealed pretty late in the story, but is well worth the wait.

Final verdict: an emotional yet angst-free romance that is verrry sexy. show less

It is easy to forget what is really important when you spend all your time making money, doing "the right thing" for the family, and ensuring you remain in control of the world around you at all times. It may look nice from the outside, but if you've spent your entire life feeling stifled by it, you might need a change. That is what this story is about: a man looking for beauty in a life that is filled with "rules" instead of enjoyment.

Chandler's world is cold and lonely. That is, until a show more comment from ex-wife number three gets him so riled up he decides to do something atypical: he hires an artist, Neil, who is an ex-tagger and adorably chaotic, to paint a mural in his office. And even before Neil starts with the job, Chandler does something else atypical: he gives Neil free rein as to the subject of the painting. Now, admittedly, this may be because he simply has no idea what to ask for, but it is a tiny second step in the right direction.

Neil is the total opposite of Candler. He is chaotic, impulsive, loves his life, and he may not have all the worldly goods he might want, but he lives free of most rules. His preconceptions about Chandler are numerous, and while he decides to loosen the man up a little, he doesn't really believe it will work. When it does, and he finds himself falling for the billionaire, he is shocked. He cannot imagine it working, so he withdraws.

The clash of worlds in this short story is palpable and well done. There is more than the extreme difference in the size of their bank accounts between these two men. It is the family and upbringing they have had, their education, and their very attitude to life – rules are there to be obeyed versus rules are there to be broken. Seeing the "dance" between them as they learn about each other and as they start to understand more about the man behind the image was fascinating. I loved how Chandler's romantic side came out and how Neil's playfulness brought them both joy.

If you like "rich versus poor" stories written like a modern fairy tale, if you enjoy reading about two men learning about each other and falling in love, and if you're looking for a read that is as hot and passionate as it is sweet, then you will probably like this book.


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

‘Night and Day’ is set in a truly different world from the reality of 2016 – or even the “real reality” of 1933 - and the language used in the telling, as well as the somewhat unusual events that occur, clearly reflect that. The other element that jumped right out at me was the fact that this story is told in second person- highly unusual but very effective for a setting somewhere between fantasy and paranormal. That alone pulled me right in, but so did Nate’s desperate need for show more a job and a place to be, as well as the mystery around the Starlight Lounge. If you’re looking for a “realistic historical” – this is not it. If you’re willing to suspend your disbelief, and to open your mind to an alternate reality full of interesting possibilities, then walk right in… you won’t be disappointed.

Nate is desperate. The Great Depression was not a fun time for most people, and Nate is at the bottom of the totem pole. He’s been dishonorably discharged because he is gay, has no home and no money, but someone named Harry recommended he try to apply as a singer at the Starlight Express. The owner, Rick, is right there and willing to listen to Nate audition. The first hint that something strange is going on is when he exclaims “Zeus fuck!” – and I am not going to say more so I don’t spoil the effect of the story.

In very lyrical language, one mystery is heaped on another as Nate delves into a world he never would have suspected exists. There are gangsters, secrets, friendships and tests of loyalty, and a whole cast of interesting, if slightly mad, secondary characters. But above all, Nate discovers that he doesn’t have to be alone any longer and as strange as the solution may be, it is all he ever wanted.

If you like unusual stories of the more than fantastical kind, if a lonely man finding miraculous and unexpected company is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read full of mystery, quirkiness, and not a shred of reality in sight, then you will probably like this novella. It boggled my mind, made me laugh, and satisfied my inner romantic.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

It is probably every art history professor's dream to travel back in time to visit his or her favorite period, to meet the artists they study, and to talk to them about their work. Of course, since time travel is not something we are capable of yet, this remains a dream. But what if there was a way to go back in time and to find the 'object of your admiration?

Daniel, in this charming tale full of historical details and archeological wonders, gets this opportunity. Quite by accident, and show more never fully explained, but that didn't stop me from adoring the story. Daniel, although very different from the people inhabiting 15th century Florence and Milan, has enough understanding of history to sort of know what he is doing. Except for his attraction to Giacopo – that pushes him in a conflict of what to do. Save Giacopo and risk a paradox, or let him continue as history seems to indicate – and run into certain death less than a year later?

Giacopo is one of Leonardo Da Vinci's models, but he isn't just a good-looking young man. He has ambitions, is politically involved by necessity, and more than a little interested in Daniel from the very first time they meet. He becomes Daniel's guide and I loved his ability to think about "when" Daniel comes from and deal with it. Giasopo is curious and full of wonder, and not someone Daniel could ever forget. He is also a risk-taker and not likely to want to stick with a "normal' path through life. Luckily, he may not have to.

Daniel happens to land at a critical point in time, 1497, and the ensuing potential paradox ends up neatly explaining what happened rather than confusing me. I loved that, and the emotions between the two men, as well as the depth of Daniel's despair, kept me turning the pages. If you like time travel stories with a twist, if you enjoy art history and explorations of what the past may have been like, and if the developing relationship between a man from the past and one from the present interests you, you may like this book.




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less