Grown Men by Damon Suede

Title: Grown Men

Series: HardCell Universe: First transmission

Author: Damon Suede

Genre: Science-Fiction

Length: Novella (101pgs)

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (30^th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Every future has dirty roots.

Marooned in the galactic backwaters of the HardCell Company, colonist Runt struggles to eke out an existence on a newly terra-formed tropical planetoid. Since his clone-wife died on entry, he’s been doing the work of two on his failing protein farm. Overworked and undersized, Runt’s dwindling hope of earning corporate citizenship has turned to fear of violent “retirement.”

When an overdue crate of provisions crashes on his beach, Runt searches frantically for a replacement wife among the tools and food. Instead he gets Ox, a mute hulk who seems more like a corporate assassin than a simple offworld farmer.

Shackwacky and near-starving, Runt has no choice but to work with his silent partner despite his mounting paranoia and the unsettling appeal of Ox’s genetically altered pheromones. Ox plays the part of the gentle giant well, but Runt’s still not convinced he hasn’t arrived with murder in mind.

Between brutal desire and the seeds of a relationship, Runt’s fears and Ox’s inhuman past collide on a fertile world where hope and love just might have room to grow

Purchase Link: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/grown-men

“Seedy Business”

HardCell Universe: second transmission

Free novelette written for the M/M Romance group’s “Hot Summer Days” event.

Revenge can get sticky.

This prequel to Grown Men* is a crazy sci-fi short about sperm piracy and sibling rivalry gone seriously wrong.

When corporate mercenary Beirn agrees to a sleazy organ harvest job, he walks straight into his worst nightmare, a trap set by the twin brother he betrayed. Against his better judgment, Beirn teams up with a semen smuggler to save his own skin and hopefully make amends to the only family he has left.

Loathing turns to lust as the two men grapple with their violent impulses and their growing desire. In one terrible night, impossible feelings will force Beirn to understand the brother he betrayed and the mistakes he’s made.

Warning: double-crosses, dirty sex, and designer testicles

* These stories can be read in any order.

You can get the Grown Men prequel Seedy Business for free here: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-seedybusiness-612751-143.html

Review: Runt is contracted as a terra-former and trying to eke out an existence on a backwater planet.   He’s doing the best he can; trying to do the work of two.   When the supplies arrive he thinks the worse when he spots Ox. Ox is starting anew and the pair gets along well but when Runt finds his kill-kit he thinks the worse.

This is a great story line with a good plot and some fantastic world-building. Ox is a gentle giant who wouldn’t hurt a fly.  He’s running from something in his past and he is quite happy to be on the newly terra-formed planet with Runt.  Runt really wanted a new clone-wife but got Ox, he admits that Ox makes life easier and the two start to become good friends. The progression of the relationship was good.   I liked that they were friends before they became something more and that there was no pressure on either side.

I thought that the way that this book was written was brilliant.   It was paced well.   It’s told from Runt’s POV.   We got to know what Runt wanted, what he hoped for, but we also got to know his personality as well.  Then Ox is introduced and we get a whole range of different emotions and fears from Runt. We then follow the progression of their friendship and Runt’s revelation about Ox.

Now, I have to admit I had read Seedy Business a while ago so I already knew what Ox was running from but I must admit Damon Suede knows how to tell a story because even though I knew that I didn’t know why Ox was there.  I mean was he sent there to kill Runt or not? Was this some sort of bargain that Ox had made with HardCell?

So I recommend this to all those who love science-fiction, erotic sex scenes, a slight mystery and a friends to lovers, gay for you, happy ever after. I really can’t wait for the next transmission.