Title: Orion Rising
Author: S.A. Meade
Genre: Futuristic/Science Fiction
Length: Novella (130pgs)
Publisher: Total E-Bound (19th March 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Michael and Paul fight to survive in a land frozen by endless winter. Will the ice between them thaw once and for all?
Michael Wright has given up thinking he’s anything more than a number-cruncher. When he’s summoned to verify the outcome of renowned meteorologist, Paul Clarkson’s latest research Michael is happy to escape the drudgery of a grey cubicle at the Met Office.
At Station 17 he finds himself working side by side with a brilliant scientist and charismatic man who stirs a lot more than respect. The attraction is mutual but, after a few snatched hours of passion, internal politics and a vengeful adversary tear them apart.
When Michael returns to Station 17 two years later he discovers that the world isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Paul is forbiddingly distant and the fire that once burned between them has turned to ice. The violence of deadly storm reignites their relationship – but will the disastrous aftermath of another destroy their love once and for all?
Purchase Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1589
Review: Michael is asked to verify a meteorologist’s findings and as they work together become close, but work separates them. When they meet again, two years later, Paul is cold and hard towards Michael. But, the thaw sets in and they begin again, then disaster strikes. Can Michael tame the storm that is Paul or is the ice to thick?
This is a really well written futuristic science-fiction story that shows a future that is bleak and cold. The climate is harsh, the rain is acid, and there are no plant life and little animal life. There are Domes for protection and this is the world in the future. Michael is a weather statistician who is called to verify Paul’s work. The results mean a bleaker future, but Michael and Paul come together with a kernel of hope. which is dashed when Michael is called back to Met Office. Two years later Michael is back at Station 17, but Paul is like ice towards him.
This is one of those books that pulls you in two directions; the story-line was brilliant. Earth of the future with harsh weather that just keeps getting worse and little hope for improvement and two men chancing upon love in those harsh conditions. But, Paul is a bit of a prick and a control freak and I really found it hard to believe that Michael just took Paul back so easily the second time especially after the way he treated Michael and the way he abused his work position to punish Michael.
While Paul is a complete prick, in some circumstances, when he is thinking with his head and heart instead of his pride, he is a sweet considerate man and he is a great match for Michael. Michael knows that Paul is the man for him, so he holds on to his hope. The sex is passionate and explosive between them and circumstances keep getting in their way every time they try to be together.
The detail and description are quite exquisite, Michael’s reaction to having fresh vegetables for the first time was fantastic. The image, that we are given about our world, really was bleak; acid rain, snow so thick it covers buildings, just amazing imagery. The only thing that I was left with was a hope for an explanation of how the world had ended up like that… was it just global warming? was it the natural climate?… or was there a man-made disaster that triggered it?
With this one I will recommend it to those who love futuristic Earth plight, hot passionate men, intense sex, conflict, danger and a happy ending.