Title: Staged Whispers
Author: Cassandre Dayne
Genre: Contemporary, MMM
Length: Novella (100pgs)
Publisher: Naughty Nights Press (31st January 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½ – 3Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When secrets and tragedy threaten to destroy three lives, will the friends and lovers learn to face their personal demons or succumb to the horror of tragedy?
Cole Dumont, Dylan Wyler and Brandon Foster were old chums who decided just out of college to open Forever Green Lawn. Their business, catering to the wealthiest families in Fort Lauderdale, and their pristine reputation afforded them every indulgence.
Unable to disclose their gay lifestyle, they sequestered their dark desires, sharing passion as well as their lives. Terrified to admit their needs, they all hid behind a mask. The reasons were too damning to admit – at least for one of the men.
When a horrifying accident nearly claimed Dylan’s life, Cole and Brandon were given a last request, one they were unable to refuse. As Dylan’s mysterious past finally became known, a serious of mysteries dragged them all into a private hell. The truth was far too damning.
Purchase Link: http://naughtynightspress.com/nnpstore2/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=76
Review: Cole, Dylan and Brandon have been best friends and lovers for years, but they have all hidden secrets, which they have kept from each other. The three men opened their own business together, but have had to hide their sexual preferences from their clientele. Dylan’s past starts to haunt him, and Brandon and Cole have to fight for their lover, but some secrets are just too shocking to admit and Dylan ends up in a horrific accident.
This story is a good combination of horrors of the past, slight paranormal and distancing yourself from trauma, with a huge dollop of hot sex thrown in. Dylan is starting to be haunted by his past and it is driving him insane, but he keeps it hidden from Cole and Brandon so they don’t know what horrific things he has done in his past. Cole adores his men, but has kept his abilities hidden from them in fear of how they would treat him; he can sense something is seriously wrong with Dylan, but can’t get Dylan to open up. Brandon is more of the peacekeeper; he loves both his men, but doesn’t know what to do about the friction between them all.
I will be honest, while reading this book sometimes I thought ‘why don’t you confront him?’ or ‘why are you taking your time?’ because it seemed like there would finally be a confrontation, but the next scene they would be ‘shooting the shit’ or getting into an erotic encounter, and while that was hot, it was frustrating. I must admit the storyline was very good, with the emotional trauma being transferred into something that was more tangible and haunting, and uncertainty and fear playing a large part in all the men’s insecurities. The ending is something that shocked me because just as Dylan, Brandon and Cole seem to be getting their happy ever after, a phone call shatters Cole’s peace.
I will recommend this to those who love slight mysteries, haunting pasts, hot sex, strong love and an ending that is happy and shocking.