Tag: Naomi Brooks

Out of Options by Naomi Brooks and Angelia Sparrow

81XnY8WvLqL._SL1500_Title: Out of Options

Series:  Like it or Not

Author:  Angelia Sparrow & Naomi Brooks

Genre: M/M, contemporary, dubious consent

Length: Short (27 pages)

Publisher:  Storm Moon Press (June 22nd, 2013) 

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer:  Cat

Blurb: When Connor’s rent money is due and not even hooking can make up the shortfall, he is willing to do almost anything. So when playboy Jarrett makes him a very generous offer, he doesn’t look too closely at the terms—and lives to regret it. Because now he’s literally, a slave to Jarrett’s sadistic appetites, and the longer he stays, the more he feels his own identity slipping away.

Note: This story was previously published in the Like it or Not anthology.

Purchase Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Out-of-Options.aspx

Review: This is a short story and was part of the Like it or Not anthology. The anthology is a collection of stories with dubious or non-consent.

In this story, Connor goes on the street occasionally to earn his rent money. He meets Jarrett a playboy that offers to help if he gets in a bind. When the job Connor has plays out and he has run out of options, he takes Jarrett up on his generous offer of help. Their first time together had left him wanting more of Jarrett. He was the first of his clients to be kin and considerate of Conner’s needs as well as his own. Not reading the contract Jarrett insisted on; was one of the worst decisions Connor had ever made.

This story is not for the faint of heart. I guess this one I will call dubious consent, since Conor did sign the contract and Jarrett even brought up that fact. Never trust a stranger. Perhaps never trust a friend that much for that matter. This one really makes you sit up and think. I will say I found it pretty hot though. I found it well written and intriguing, the characters very deep and interesting even surprising. I never saw the twists coming.

If you like stories of college men, playboys, hot sex, very rough BDSM and dubious consent this is for you! Wickedly hot!

Tiocfaidh Ár Lá by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

Note:  Tiocfaidh ár lá (Irish pronunciation: [ˈtʲʊki aːɾˠ ˈl̪ˠaː]) is an Irish language phrase which translates as “our day will come,” the day bringing a united Ireland.

18460320Title: Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Author: Angelia Sparrow, Naomi Brooks

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781627570510

Length: Short Story (35 pages)

Publisher: Storm Moon Press (September 6th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: After enduring a brutal assault, IRA explosive expert Seosamh O’Brien, fled his war-torn homeland for America. Now Joe Colson, he wears his scarred face like armor and keeps out the whole world, protecting the meager little life he’s carved out for himself as an illegal immigrant in the Boston slums. But a night programmer with a face like an angel and an elfin grin full of mischief gets past the armor and scars, and into the softer places of Joe’s heart, before he quite realizes what is happening.

Previously released as part of the Carved in Flesh Anthology.

Product Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Tiocfaidh-%C3%81r-L%C3%A1.aspx

Review: This story has a very melancholy feel to from start to finish. Even as it has a HEA, it still struck me as a melancholic one. Joe is an Irish man living in the states working night shifts as a security guard. The night job suits him as his face is deeply scarred and he hates the look on people’s faces when they see him. From the very beginning, you get the idea that Joe is merely going through routine functions in life and not actually living. His depression is glaring and thing only start changing when a young programmer, Ryan, joins him in his breaks. Ryan is different from most people, he doesn’t stare, doesn’t comment on his scars and certainly doesn’t feel or act awkward around Joe. An attraction hovers and finally both act upon it, even as Joe believes, it’ll not lead anywhere.

The fact that the main character doesn’t expect anything from life and/or doesn’t believe anything good will happen to him, makes this read peculiar. This behavior/belief accompanies Joe from start to end and with good reason. He is not your average character. Joe is in fact a former terrorist, a man who has committed murders and the scars on his face are a result of revenge from anti-IRA people. While having nightmares about his crimes Joe is also set upon his deeds. He acknowledges them and knows he’ll eventually pay for them.

The romance to his life is unexpected. Ryan is young and drop dead gorgeous. A guy like him I’d find hard to believe would go for an old man like Joe that has not only twice his years but is deeply deformed, and so does Joe. I half expected Ryan to drop him in the end, through the entire read I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. However, this was the only thing that kept my attention for the story is nice, sweet, smooth, and quite transparent.

As a non-Irish reader, I found it a nice read even as I knew that the main character was not the hero type but actually a criminal. However, I read a review from an Irish reader and according to it, the story has many false facts and not proper research. So heads up if you’re Irish, this might cause you so discomfort.