Keeping Karma by Tory Temple (2nd Edition)

Tory Temple - Keeping Karma Cover sTitle: Keeping Karma (2nd Edition)

Author: Tory Temple

Genre: Contemporary, Other Paranormal

Length: Novella (138pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-63477-714-8

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (24th August 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Alex Myers is keeping deeper secrets than just his pet ferret, Karma, who is illegal in California. Both Alex and his twin sister, Tabitha, can “hear” the thoughts of animals. It’s an ability he puts to good use working at an emergency animal clinic while studying to become a veterinarian.

One night, local animal-control officer Dylan Travers comes into the clinic with an injured fawn, and it doesn’t take the two men long to act on their mutual attraction. But the closer they become, the harder it is for Alex to keep Karma and the rest of his menagerie from Dylan. And then there’s the matter of his ability…. Will Dylan even believe him if he tries to explain?

Add to that debilitating migraines from especially “loud” animals and a scheming coworker threatening the clinic, and Alex needs Dylan’s support more than ever. Alex just wants to keep his job, his pets, his lover, and his sanity. But he can’t do it alone.

First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2009.

Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/keeping-karma-by-tory-temple-7372-b

Review: Alex can hear animal thoughts, it helps him with his job at the emergency animal clinic but it does nothing for his love life when boyfriends can’t get away from him fast enough when he admits the truth. Meeting Dylan has Alex hoping that he can eventually confess the truth, but when a bad case of animal abuse has Alex passing out Dylan is sceptical of Alex’s confession. Dylan loves his job as an animal-control officer, meeting Alex is an opportunity that Dylan doesn’t want to miss. But Dylan has some doubts when Alex confesses he can hear animals’ thoughts, can Dylan accept Alex’s claim or will it drive the two men apart?

This is a cute story that has some super cute animals and a hot romance. Alex is a great character who is a little different, he can hear animals’ thoughts, which is great when they are injured but is distressing when they have been abused. Dylan is a great character who is just an everyday kind of guy, he loves animals and tries to help as many as he can. When these two meet they have a subtle attraction which quickly heats up, but Alex’s confession begin to drive them apart.

I liked this story and enjoyed the background friction between Alex and his co-worker Gordon; it adds a good dose of tension and adversity to the story. The relationship between Alex and Dylan is cute, Alex is a bit of a bumbler especially when he’s trying to talk his way around his ownership of Karma (his pet ferret) and both men can be mega cute with each other. Their relationship is hot, there are plenty of smexy times between them, and the animals’ antics are funny and sweet.

 The story is easy going and enjoyable, there isn’t much friction except for Gordon and it has some really cute animal adventures. Other than that it really is just a story about two men finding love and accepting their differences, it’s enjoyable but nothing to really get your teeth into.

I recommend this to those who love cute animals, sexy men, a touch of tension, accepting the truth no matter how strange and a very sexy relationship that overcomes cute annoying animals, and human differences.