Title: Red Sunset
Series: Sequel to Blue Moon
Author: Rowena Sudbury
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 17th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Finding love in the wrestling arena is unlikely, and a relationship based on the illusion of control isn’t easy. Scott O’Doul and Brad Fraser have managed both: one night under a blue moon’s light they found they meant more to each other than either expected. Their comfortable world is shattered when Brad is released, and he must head to Japan if he wants to keep wrestling. The work is exciting but lonely—six weeks seems an eternity. Once Brad and Scott reunite, they vacation at a lakeside cabin and find the miles apart have brought them closer—but they’ll need courage if illusion of control is to become the heart of love.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3792
Review: This was a decent enough story I didn’t mind read, but it held no real interest for me. Reading the blurb, I expected wrestling, fighting, and tension. Didn’t get them and perhaps that is the main reason why it did do much for me.
But going back and recalling the entire read, I’m afraid the whole plot was a bit bland.
The characters have already been introduced at Blue Moon and here it’s them simply continuing their journey. Brad is fired from his team and although unfair, he must go on and look for something else. His previous Japan team wants him back and therefore a separation from his lover Scott is imminent. Brad leaves. Scott remains, they both miss each other and when he comes back they feel even more attached and in love and their relationship more real.
But it was just that; a plain plot with no tension, no big highs or lows. There was the part in the middle of the book where things were supposed to go south, but even that was plainer than plain, it held nothing to make your blood boil. I think I spent most of the read waiting for something to happen.
Even the romantic relationship between the men was mild and lukewarm. The slight mention of a slap and the illusion of kink will put every kink lover off. The dynamic of such relationship was lost in this book and any appeal it could have had on that part was lost.
In the end, this was a read that while not bad or awful I felt I gained nothing from.