Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it's cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.
James Gallway's life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of 18, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by 28, he's lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can't believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.
Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.
Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon Audio | Audible | iTunes
Tams gives this one 5 Stars...
E-book review July 2014... First, I see that the blurb says this can be read as a stand alone, but I suggest you read the series in order. I think that some recurring characters, especially Micheal, will make more sense that way. Michael Lamont is probably the nicest, most honest and caring guy you will ever meet. He's a full time nurse and works as the part time gay sexual surrogate for the Horizon's clinic. For him, it's not about what people automatically assume, he's just out to get laid. As most of the time, his job isn't even about the sex nor is there any actual sex involved. It's more about touch and the ability to see past someones scars, self loathing or various other issues and see the person, touch them, love them, make them feel wanted. He loves his jobs but it has cost him in the love department, as most men don't stick around when they learn the details. James Gallway has been confined to a wheelchair since he was five due to complications from Polio. He never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him not long after he got sick. Not having the use of your legs can sometimes make life a little boring, so James found solace in his thoughts and imagination. He wrote a best selling novel when he was just eighteen and followed that with several more. Ten years later his inspiration has dried up. He's a recluse and he's bitter. But a forced book signing is about to bring James out of his shell. The best way to describe Michael entering into James life would be a force of nature. There is a spark there that can't be denied, but James is bound and determined to wallow in his misery by himself, thank you very much. Micheal, however, will not be detoured. He is relentless and tenacious and refuses to give up. James is convinced that no man would ever want him, be able to truly love him and see past the wheels he has for legs. Michael is certain he can break down that tough exterior show James how to love, and be loved. James definitely makes him work for it. The last thing you want to do with a man as unsure as James is keep secrets, so when he finds out Michael's second hand he feels betrayed. James withdraws and Michael is despondent. James has to figure out for himself if he can love Michael unconditionally, as Michael loves him. So many feels! Anger, betrayal, denial, love, lust, hope... this book was a cornucopia of emotions. The push and pull between the two characters was engaging. As hard as James pushed back, Michael pulled him right back in, it made me very interested to see where it would all go. And then to watch Michael struggle with whether or not to tell James exactly what he did at the clinic, I knew it was a recipe for disaster, but I completely understand why he hesitated. Then the joy of watching James argue his case in side his head, he felt betrayed and lied too, perfectly natural. But then he knew Michael was an honest and kind person and that he'd fallen in love. Le Sigh. I have to say, the secondary characters in this story added depth to the men. Marnie was my favorite, I was like 'You Go Girl!' when she showed up at James house in her pink fur coat and her beehive hair doo, red lips pushing him out of the way with her walker. It was hysterical. I'm so invested in these characters, I love how Easton gave us these perfectly flawed people and gave them depth, reality and meaning and endeared them to us within the story. OH, and there was a story within the story in this particular book. I won't spoil the surprise, I'll just say it's a must read, my favorite of the three so far. And these two are by far the sexiest of the mens so far, the headboard, just Wow! I'm excited to see what's next on the Horizon *wink* and I hope it's Tommy's story. Narration review August 2016... I love when I listen to the audiobook companion of a book I read and loved and find something new in the audio version. Michael Stellman was absolutely perfect to narrate this story. While he doesn't have a wide range of tones, he is an amazing storyteller and the subtle nuances and inflections in his tones add something special to his ability. While Eli Easton did a wonderful job exuding the emotions of these two men in the written copy, I loved getting to listen to the story as well. Oh my gosh, my heart broke for James all over again. Hearing the pain in the words as his story was told, being stricken with Polio then abandoned by his mother. Then to hear Michael's side and, I have to say, the text from James saddened me in the book but to hear it described, I cried! And then a character that didn't really affect me in the book, Tommy, tugged on my heart strings in the audio version. Definitely a book worth listening too, the writing mixed with the narration are smashing success! But that's just my two cents... |
I've just started to get into audio.
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