Sinders and Ash by Tara Lain

Title:  Sinders and Ash

Series:  N/A

Author:  Tara Lain

Genre:   Contemporary Fairy Tale

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Amber Allure (04/01/12)

Heat Level:  Moderate-Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb:   Work hard, stay anonymous and don’t expect much. That’s resort housekeeper Mark Sintorella’s philosophy of life. After being kicked out of his family home at sixteen for being gay, Mark knows what it takes to survive. But how is he going to stay anonymous when he wants to be recognized as a great fashion designer? And how can he control his expectations when he’s desperately attracted to Ashton Armitage, the son of the fifth richest man in America? If Ash doesn’t find a woman to marry, he’s going to lose his inheritance, but he can’t seem to resist the beautiful kid who cleans fireplaces while hiding behind a black cap and heavy glasses. And then this crazy elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, has Mark running around looking like a fashion model wearing gorgeous women’s clothes. The clock strikes twelve and the wedding follows the ball. Two beautiful princesses line up for attention. But one isn’t interested, and one isn’t even a woman. Who will be the bride? And will the shoe fit? Only the fairy godmother knows for sure…
Product Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SindersAndAsh.html

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Mark “Sinders” Sintorella is a throwaway kid who landed on his feet.  He might not have a glamorous life, working as a housekeeper in a ritzy resort, but he is saving money and one day he’ll be able to attend a fashion design school and really start living his dreams.

This is my favorite read this week…so far; a modern retelling of Cinderella…kinda.  There are no wicked stepmothers or evil step sisters, but there is a quirky fairy god father and a handsome prince, a bit of cross-dressing and mistaken identity and a lot of fun.

This is one of those books that would make a great made for TV movie.  Mark has been on his own since he was sixteen.  He learned the hard way that sometimes being invisible is a good thing.  He works hard, and is happy to stay in the background.  Falling in with Mr. Pennymaker’s mad schemes is fun and seemingly harmless.  In truth, the potential to meet high rollers in the fashion industry is an opportunity too tempting to pass up.  Falling in love with Ash is not in his five-year-plan.  Especially, given that Ash is deep in the closet and looking for a wife…of the female variety.

Ash has never had a reason to advertise his orientation.  On rare occasions, he pays discreet men to scratch that itch.  Not until Sinder did it occur to him that he could live a life other than the one laid out for him by his parents.  And the whole marriage clause in his grandfather’s will isn’t helping.  It’s hard to build a relationship, when you’re courting another woman.

The support cast of players are cute…especially Ash’s mom.  I can see her at a Pride Rally, as long as she has the right thing to wear.

Tara Lain is brilliant.  She writes love stories that feed my romantic soul.  Sinders and Ash is sweet and sexy and I highly recommend it.  I hope she is somewhere thinking of other poor charges that Mr. Pennymaker can work a little magic for.