Nora Roth

This story starts harmless enough: a tantalizingly intense rivalry between two men, followed by a gradually developing grudging admiration (on Jesse's side), then catastrophe hits when it becomes clear what Cameron went through while he and Jesse were becoming friends, then more. For me, the emotional intensity of the separation was crushing and the only thing that kept me going was the understanding of what a "mulligan" is: "a player getting a second chance to perform a certain move or show more action". A fitting title for a story about two young men almost addicted to arcade games, and the one ray of hope I kept clinging to during the last third of the story.

Jesse is eighteen, in his last year of high school, and the arcade is his home. Well, it could be, since he spends every free minute in there to the point where the owner frowns at him for having too many wins. One day, during an air hockey game, that changes. Cameron, the previous holder of a lot of high scores, returns from college - and wins the air hockey game. For Jesse that only means one thing: the game is on!

But Cameron isn't what Jesse expected. Almost without noticing, he charms Jesse into liking him. In typical teenager fashion Jesse doesn't really think about why Cameron is back, or why he looks so exhausted most of the time. Jesse does manage to grow up a little and give Cameron comfort when he needs it most. But then something happens that tears them apart, and Jesse loses it. That's when the real challenge starts.

If you like stories about young men learning to deal with life, if you enjoy reading about a simple friendship hanging onto so much more, and if you're looking for a read that is intense and emotionally draining, yet uplifting, then you will probably like this short story. I think it's brilliant, and will definitely read it again; knowing how it ends will make the second read even more interesting. show less

There are a few really fun ideas in this story, and that made it very entertaining to read. The first is a summer camp for shifter kids, so they can learn to shift and be among like-minded children. Then there is the main character, Noah, who has been coming to the camp since he was a kid, and who is now a counselor. And funniest of all there is a goat called Milly and she definitely has her own ideas about what Noah should be doing. And I still don’t know if she’s a shifter or not. show more Hilarious!

Noah never knew he was a shifter until his first shocking transformation. It established that Noah’s father was a shifter, but he never wanted to be and refused to teach Noah what he needed to know. Even now Noah is more than a little uncomfortable with shifting, but he copes - the kids and their needs take precedence. But when the kids Noah is responsible for run away in the middle of the night, following the goat – or so they say – Noah discovers there is someone else who might be far more interesting than running the summer program.

If you’re looking for a light read that is very entertaining and has some fun characters to get to know, you might like this short story.


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

This is a story full of secrets and mystery, leading to tension and an action-filled ending. At first glance, the two main characters don't seem to fit together at all, but slowly building trust and a need to protect each other soon takes care of that.

Evan is an experienced cop, and when he finds Beau in his house, stabbed and bleeding, his first reaction is to all it in. He has a very hard time wrapping his head around the idea that his fellow officers are corrupt, as Beau keeps hinting. It show more takes time and Beau opening up for Evan to start believing that Beau may be right. By then, of course, it is almost too late...

Beau is secretive, mysterious, and doesn't let anyone tell him what to do. He trusts Evan, but that's pretty much it. He's very young and has no clue how to get himself out of the mess he's in, but being around Evan helps him redefine his priorities. He's a great guy with a wonderful sense of loyalty, and I'd love to find out more abut him.

If you like stories about men in trouble and on the run, if two men with very different backgrounds getting to know each other sounds interesting, and if you're looking for a read full of mystery, suspense, and some great comic relief, then you will probably like this novella.


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