Title: Hunter’s Hunt
Author: Chris T. Kat
Genre: Erotic Romance / BDSM (light)
Length: Novelette
Publisher: Torquere Press (September 18th 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Wanted: one bear. Must be burly and hairy, and strong enough to paddle. Hunter Bell is on the prowl, and he knows just where to find his prey: at the Bear Trap, a gay leather bar he’s more than a little familiar with. So many men, so little time. He’s just about to pounce on his choice of the evening when a newcomer enters the bar, turning everyone’s head. Adrian Michaels is everything Hunter despises in a man. He’s lean and boyish looking, and he has the deepest dimples Hunter’s ever seen.
And yet there is an immediate attraction, one that neither man can deny. They’re both too astonished to do anything about this apparent interest in one another, and they waste their opportunity. Now it’s up to Hunter to forget about his stereotypical preference and go for the guy that’s just entered his dreams. If only he can admit to himself that Adrian’s what he really wants…
Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=4016
Review: This short story has a very simple plot, an old-time classic he’s-not-my-type where the protagonist suddenly realizes he’s into a man who doesn’t check even one box of his preferences. In addition, this story has the insta-lust/insta-love thing going on for which I don’t actually care. This thing “I took one look at you and fell head over heels” is a total red flag for me. So how come I liked this?
I have no idea how it happened but I can safely declare that I was bewitched by this read in the exact same way Hunter got bewitched by Adrian. Those words in this text must have had some kind of a spell, because I was enwrapped in there from page one and when I came out of it I was even slightly bedazzled.
The plot was not challenging at all, but it flew so effortlessly. The character’s emotions were not only easily accessible but they kind of stuck with you and made you feel along with the characters with a smile plastered on your face, which you only notice after your face start to feel sore from its constant presence.
And he’s another thing that baffled me; the spanking. Hunter is this mean bear who’s in the hunt for a guy of his caliber, strong enough to handle what he can dish out. Is in a mean state to dish out pain, power, struggle, and hard sex. Instead, he’s stranded with Adrian, who’s the exact opposite of what Hunter’s looking for. And he turns mellow, caring, and considerate. Their only “rough play” is spanking and by all that is right with the world I should have disliked the Hell out of this. I’m still baffled that not only I liked it, I found so damn suiting this pair, and so very erotic, that I have my mind made. There is some serious spell in this book. It’s enchanted, no other way about it.
I suppose I should have expected this on some level as Ms. Kat’s work up until now has left me quite satisfied. She made this pair work and she did it with a dose of humor I can’t resist. I loved these men, loved their banter, and loved how they interacted, the awkwardness, the coming together. I found them hot and sexy, sensual and erotic. So much so that I didn’t mind at all the elements that usually put me off. No, not only I didn’t mind them, I found them mandatory into making this read the enjoyable and fun one it is.
For me this story worked, and it worked well. Recommended!