L C Chase

Good story. Semi predictable in Lucas's job and the climax, but it is written well, the characters were inventive and realistic, each with secrets in their pasts/present. The sex was hot (I may have paused in the middle of the last sex scene to, ehm, let my imagination wander), and all the scenes in the story felt organic and vital to the story. It wasn't a slow-burn or insta-love romance quite, but there was a heavy attraction from the beginning, and a few encounters until the first release show more of the sexual build up. There was action, mystery, tension (several different kinds), and a good ending. This is definitely recommended if you want a good, short, and surprisingly deep read about a surprising life-to-life connection made on a cross-country road trip. show less

"Oh how the mighty fall" came to my mind when I was reading this story. Rock stars are a special breed of people, and the leaders of the band are quite often the ones who determine what's what. Heath, the leader of rock band Splinter 7, definitely thinks he is the one in charge, and when Brett, a replacement guitarist, doesn’t fall into line, he gets irritated. The problem is that Brett has a plan, or rather, a point to make, and it takes Heath quite a while to understand what that might show more be.

What I really liked about this story was not just the slowly building heat between the two main characters; a heat that comes to an explosive resolution at the end. What I thought was really well done is the fact that Heath seems to be the stereotypical rock star at first glance – and yet, from the very beginning, he shows signs of potential to be more sensitive than he likes to have people think he is. It takes him a while to get there, and I was grinding my teeth in frustration as he slowly worked it out, but when he gets there, he jumps into the unknown without hesitation.

Brett is something else! He knows what he wants (and it isn’t a pseudo-act on stage) and holds out for it. He has his reasons – and they're good ones – but it's still hard for him to see Roarke jump into everyone's arms. Brett wants so much more and he uses the only strategy that will work: he plays hard to get. I loved the scenes where his turning away angers Roarke to the point he's almost ready to force himself on Brett for the stage kiss he seems to think is his due.

If you like stories about rock stars, if you enjoy reading about men who don’t behave as their stereotype "dictates", and if you're looking for a well-written read that is as hot as it is touching, you will probably enjoy this free short story. show less

‘A Fortunate Blizzard’ may start like a Christmas story, but that’s really only the initial setting and it ends up being so much more. It is a heartbreaking story about Trevor, an artist who faces permanent kidney failure because no donor has been found for seven years, but it is also about him courageously dealing with the realities of life and death, his struggle with accepting his fate, and the hope he is about to let go of. And I thought that was saddest of all – I mean, not to show more have any hope any longer? ‘A Fortunate Blizzard’ is a love story and a very romantic look at how two lonely men manage to connect and find themselves involved in a relationship that is as unlikely as it is beautiful.

Trevor is at the end of his rope. Time is, quite literally, running out for him. Dialysis only works for a set number of years, and according to his doctor, his time is going to be up very soon. And with his extremely rare blood type and not having found a donor in the last seven years, I can certainly understand how despondent he is. Then a blizzard stops him from flying home for Christmas, he meets Marc, and the attraction and connection are so strong that both men want more. But Trevor can’t do that to Marc – give him a relationship that might last for a year if they are lucky. Trevor has truly given up, but even then he is still selfless enough not to want to burden someone else with his issues. What Trevor wants to have and what he thinks he can have are so different, it boggles the mind.

Marc is a successful lawyer, but his life is empty. He is still trying to please a mother who rejected him when she found out he was gay, then kicked him out of her house and life when Marc turned eighteen. Even though he is very successful professionally, he has no social life, and his dream of becoming an artist was buried when he was fourteen years old and realized his mother would never respect him for becoming a painter. The connection Marc feels with Trevor is strong. But even though Marc insists he wants more, for as long as they can have it, he can’t convince Trevor to stay. But Marc is determined to save Trevor’s life, so he comes up with a plan. Now all he needs to do is find Trevor and convince him.

If you like stories about lonely men who are perfect for each other, if you want to find out more about what can happen to a man’s heart and soul when he loses all hope, and if you’re looking for a read that is deeply emotional, very touching, and that might make you cry more than once, then you will probably like this novella. It affected me profoundly, and I won’t easily forget Trevor and Marc.


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

Pickup Men is a romance that deals with some deep themes—homophobia, bigotry—but is fundamentally a sweet, light book. Tripp is a closeted rodeo champion; Marty is one of the few cowboys on the circuit to be openly gay. The novel begins with them already in a relationship, and L.C. Chase does a good job at both showing the ongoing, genuine if messy chemistry between the characters and showing how internalised homophobia could keep them apart. However, Chase isn't quite so good at show more maintaining balance and tone—some of the segues between scenes and chapters are awkward; some of the conflict feels forced and melodramatic; and the prose occasionally drifts towards the purple (excising the epithets would have helped immensely). Still, a sweet and engaging read. show less