Title: What the Water Gave Me Series: A Checkmate Short Author: Lex Chase Genre: Fantasy Length: 12 pages Publisher: DSP Publications (December 15, 2015) Heat Level: 0 Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: Commemorating the National Day of Silence.
When Timmy Dalton is found face down in the Kypto Green River, high school student Hogarth Dawson denies he saw any sign of trouble. If Garth ignores his guilt, he can go on being the bubbly arm candy of Captain Chivalry, the leader of the Power Alliance. But guilt is a villain that can never be beaten, and Garth must learn to live with the consequences.
Review: I have to say the book What the Water Gave Me seemed more like someone thinking aloud as to what they knew about the events and what they could have done different but extremely short. It seemed like there should have been more to the story.
Well written and emotional.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Checkmate Ever After, 2nd edition Series: Checkmate, #1 – #4 Author: Lex Chase Genre: Fantasy Length: Novel (314 pages) Publisher: DSP Publications (December 15, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: The day disgraced superhero Memphis Rook literally fell into Hogarth Dawson’s lap, you could say it was fate. But the brawny Rook did nearly crush Garth’s pancreas.
What started as two ships passing in the night ended on the weirdest adventure of their lives. Together, Rook and Garth form Checkmate, a daring super duo that keeps Axis City safe from a rogue’s gallery of nefarious villains, dastardly masterminds, and a coalition of calamity. Fighting evil wherever it appears—from reality shows to comic book conventions—Checkmate serves up knuckle sandwiches of justice.
But by day, they’re a couple of broke losers who can barely afford a burger and navigating a weird thing called a relationship. Ain’t true love grand? Rook and Garth may be in over their heads, and even super heroes fail sometimes, but they’re ready to take a stand when no one else will.
Don’t hate the players, because Checkmate owns the game.
1st Edition of Pawn Takes Rook published by Dreamspinner Press, 2013.
1st Edition of Cashing the Reality Check published by Dreamspinner Press, 2013.
1st Edition of Conventional Love published by Dreamspinner Press, 2014.
Review: This a great book about Hogarth and Rook as each story unfolds we get a closer look into both their lives. It is both serious and humorous at times. I loved how well-developed the characters were and how they seemed to fit together perfectly.
Of course along the way there are things that happen that make you think about the situations as they occur. In Pawn Takes Rook is where Rook and Hogarth meet after Rook is attacked and disgraced. In Cashing the Reality Check both are looking to enter the alliance but are refused.
Conventional Love takes us on a journey where a superhero turned villain decides to try his hand at world domination no matter the cost. What The Water Gave Me is a sad tale of a friend’s murder and the thoughts of what could have been done if only they had tried harder to communicate with Timmy. Hindsight is always 20/20. Miracle in Axis City is a cute Christmas short with a lot of warm feelings and hot sex.
Each of these stories is great but when read together makes the book seem so much better.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: The first time Hogarth Dawson sees superhero Memphis Rook, he comes to Hogarth’s rescue by cracking the heads of two thugs like eggs into a skillet. Hogarth is utterly smitten, but he soon discovers the superhero Power Alliance has ejected Rook for failing to protect a civilian.
Hogarth devises a plan that will reinstate Rook and might even earn Hogarth a place in Power Alliance roster. But what he expects to be a simple few missions rescuing kittens and helping little old ladies cross the street turns into a shocking reality of citywide chases, foiling robberies, and facing his ex. Then Hogarth discovers the beating Rook saved him from wasn’t a chance attack. It’s possible Hogarth is just a pawn in Rook’s game….
Review: Hogarth (Garth or Ho depending on who says it) is attacked and being beaten when he is rescued by Rook, a superhero who has been kicked out of the Power Alliance for failing to save a civilian, when Garth discovers this, he swears that he will help Rook get his license back and hopefully be admitted himself to the Alliance. Trying to ignore his attraction to Rook, Garth sets out with Rook on missions to rescue innocent citizens, but he gets more than he bargained for when he crosses paths with his ex-lover Captain Chivalry (Darren). Rook knows more about Garth than he should and admitting the truth to Garth opens more questions than it answers.
Superheroes ahoy! This is a cute story that delves into our comic book geek side and draws out our inner sidekick, as we join Garth and Rook at the beginning of their adventure. Garth has wanted desperately to join the Power Alliance as a Kitbasher (technopath) but after two attempts is still hoping, getting the opportunity to help Rook redeem himself, he grabs it with two hands and soon discovers that being a superhero is harder than it seems. Rook discovers something surprising about Garth and eventually tells him the truth. But, before they can delve into it further, Garth’s life is put at risk when a desperate man falls to the way of evil.
I found this story to be fun and amusing, but filled with the wonders of superpowers, danger and secrets being revealed. Garth and Rook make a strange couple who swing between infatuation and annoyance, they have great banter between them and make a great superpower couple, although they do have a few cross words *cringe*. Garth’s ex, Chivalry is a character that is great… watch out for him as he hides firmly in the closet and gives us an excellent twist to the story. This is a wonderful light-hearted story with a way of making the characters come to life so that you can fully appreciate Chivalry’s s-curl and sparkly teeth, Garth’s imaginative techno powers and Rook’s life giving power.
I have to recommend this to those who adore comic book superheroes, superpowers, a secret hidden, a brilliant twist, hot sex, danger, a cool rescue and a great ending.
Title: What the Water Gave Me
Title: Checkmate Ever After, 2nd edition