Tag: T.C. Mill

Sojourn Home by T.C. Mill

71DDsHxFpaL._SL1500_Title: Sojourn Home

Author: T.C. Mill

Genre: Sci-Fi / Kinks & Fetishes

ISBN: 9781627570558

Length: Short Story (39 pages)

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

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Mirin’s husband returns from business off world bearing a new scar, one carved by a lover’s knife. It’s not the realization Kanovan has another lover—their relationship is an open one—or the extreme play he’s engaged in that troubles Mirin, so much as the fact it’s left such a permanent mark. Kanovan’s come home with minor changes before, habits he’s picked up on his trips among the stars. But this is something that will force both men to re-evaluate what they want from this marriage, and what they’re willing to do to get it.

Product Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Sojourn-Home.aspx

Review: Scars, marks, possessiveness. Dark cravings and a limited knowledge that expands with every year, with every sojourn home.

As short a story as this one was, it was also a bit thought-provoking. Karavan is Mirin’s husband and his job wants him to travel off world frequently and for a long time. I feel Mirin’s longing for his husband from the very first line of the story and the intensity of his emotions only grows as the story unravels. When he discovers a mark, a permanent one at that, from another lover on Karavan’s shoulder, Mirin is assaulted with feelings he at first doesn’t recognize. He knows that Van likes to spice up things in bed. He knows Van craves pain and makes him delirious with passion. He doesn’t understand it though, yet always tries to give Van what he wants. Likewise, Van never denied Mirin anything. Yet this mark changes things.

The story goes through a series of events that have both characters trying to re-evaluate their relationship, trying to get past the new sudden tension straining their effortless until now connection. It is a difficult journey Mirin must make in order to understand his husband’s cravings, and of course, he must face the fact that he is jealous not so much of his husband’s lover as he’s at the fact that someone has marked what is his.

We see the shift happening and the power play taking a prominent though subtle place in the story. For a text that includes blood-play this was very smooth, sweet, and easy to read. Not that heavy in the emotional side as it was perhaps mesmerizing, erotic, and sensual even. However when climax in the intensity was needed at the final outlet, I felt as if the text failed to provide it.

Overall it was a nice story revolving around the scar-theme, merging with emotions and love in an already established relationship. The end was somewhat sentimental and even though I didn’t quite like the fact that Karavan kept going on with other lovers when away on business, it still maintained a certain romance in it.

 

Unnatural Means by T.C. Mill

unnaturalmeans_3d_500Title: Unnatural Means

Author: T.C. Mill

Genre: Erotic Fantasy

ISBN: 9781627570176

Length: Short Story (27 pages)

Publisher: Storm Moon Press (June 23rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Confessor Isak is charged with the task of forcing Sain to confess his sins of murder and witchcraft before inevitable execution. Torturing in the name of the Divine is difficult enough, but the process is nothing new to him, and he is confident he can affect Sain’s salvation. This time is different, though, when he begins to feel Sain’s seductive magic takes hold of him. Suddenly, Isak isn’t at all sure it will be Sain who breaks under pressure to find release.

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

Product Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Unnatural-Means.aspx

Review: As much as I like fantasy stories, witchcraft and a plot with dubious consent, I believe this one didn’t hold much interest for me. The plot was fairly transparent; you know from the blurb and the beginning of this short what will happen. So as I tried to let myself enjoy the ride, (see I don’t really mind knowing the plot beforehand) I found it a bit bland, a bit flat.

Sain is a witch accused of murdering his Master by unnatural means, aka magic, Isak is a Witch-Confessor tasked to salvage his eternal soul, and the logical step therefore is either Isak breaks him in the process, or Sain bewitches him and gets to escape his life.

There are things that made me raise an eyebrow here. For example, Sain never confesses or denies killing his former master. Through half-truths, we understand he is guilty. He also proceeds to tell Isak that he is what he is and can’t ask for forgiveness about it, it would be like apologizing for living and breathing (yes that part I liked). What made me wonder was Isaks’ entire behavior and his seduction that never really materialized. The creepy pervert in me was so set upon  reading this story as it promised dark and vile tortures heavily linked to the Spanish Inquisition’s ones what with the Pear of Anguish making a slight appearance. I was frankly disappointed that so many wicked devices were introduced yet never made it to the spotlight, besides the little lash. And even when the lashing was performed the emotional state, the intensity in which it should have left me as a reader, the agony for the poor witch, was never there. In general, this story failed to make a connection with me at all times. I failed to feel the eroticism of the seduction, I failed to see Isak’s torment at losing touch with his faith, and I failed to see the agony and desperation of imminent death and/or torture, the aftermath of it. When finally Isak makes his mind and acts upon his decision, I felt no relief, no joy, or even comprehend the why on earth he’d do such a stupid thing, for his feelings never felt strong enough to require such thing.

So overall, this was a bit of a stilted read that could have been much more. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love it either.

 

Thornless Rose by T.C. Mill

71I89DYI9WL._SL1500_Title: Thornless Rose     

Author: T.C. Mill     

Genre: Science Fiction     

Length: Short (79pgs)     

Publisher: Storm Moon Press (26th July 2013)    

Heat Level: Explicit     

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3 – 3½ Hearts  

Reviewer: Pixie     

Blurb: Tyrel Uvieras, a bodyguard serving the Union of planetary governments, has been assigned his most interesting charge yet: Verithe Jerrith, Union’s ambassador to what might be the most cursed planet in the galaxy. Something distinctly unsavory surrounds Corrina, whose first contact with Union space came through the stolen equipment of a stranded spaceship. Yet, Union policy requires an answer to the Corrinans’ request for negotiations. The best they can do is sending a well-prepared diplomatic party—if it’s possible to prepare for what they find on the planet’s surface.

Tyrel and Verithe discover a mutual attraction, though Tyrel also thinks Verithe perhaps too lighthearted given their dire mission and certainly too gentle—like a thornless rose—to survive long in a dangerous world without protection. Tyrel tries to provide that protection, but the two men are captured in what is just the beginning of their descent into barbarity and treachery. They will be called upon to make unbelievable sacrifices and confront the “curse” of Corrina that brings out people’s darkest desires, endangering sanity and soul. Even their feelings for each other might not give them the strength to endure.     

Purchase Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Thornless-Rose.aspx    

Review: Tyrel is a bodyguard and has been assigned his newest charge, an ambassador who is assigned the task of negotiating with a primitive planet. Verithe is an ambassador for the Union of planetary governments; he is heading for negotiations with Corrina, a planet, which is called, cursed. Verithe and Tyrel find themselves stranded on the planet’s surface and fighting for their lives, but the one thing they don’t fight is their attraction to each other. Tyrel wonders how Verithe will manage such a hostile territory with his lighthearted and gentle nature and Verithe wonders if Tyrel will be able to ignore the seductive pull of the violence and danger. 

This is a great science fiction story that takes us on a journey to a primitive world where only the strongest survive. Verithe is heading to the cursed planet Corrina after they demanded negotiations, not knowing what they face but knowing already what the Union has decided. Tyrel has one job and that is to keep Verithe safe, unfortunately keeping him safe proves harder than he thought when the Corrinan’s aren’t happy with the way negotiations are going. The two men survive by sheer will and a survivor from a previous expedition, after they are betrayed by one of their own, now they just have to wait for rescue and pray that it comes in time. 

This story is wonderfully written; it gives us enough back-story so we aren’t left in the dark over what they are facing on the planet and lets us know that their time on the planet isn’t going to be easy. Verithe seems like a gentle soul and although he doesn’t like violence accepts that sometimes it is the only way. Tyrel is a character that is harsher; he will do what must be done but sometimes loses himself to the violence. Both characters coming together balance each other out and Tyrel sees the steel running through Verithe and Verithe helps to keep Tyrel tempered. Their sexual relationship is very hot, but at first came out of nowhere when they were still in a very precarious position, it was also a shock because although there was vague murmurs about attraction there wasn’t any indication that it was that strong.

I loved the way Corrina was portrayed as a primitive violent place where you could easily let your inner dark side take over, letting yourself be seduced by the darker undertones of survival of the strongest. I liked how Verithe somehow managed to keep Tyrel leashed and how Tyrel loved the more easygoing Verithe. This is a really good storyline that is original and has plenty of action; it has a love developing in horrid conditions and has friendships emerging with the less violent Corrinan’s.

I recommend this if you love science fiction, primitive planets and inhabitants, strong characters, hot sex, action and danger and a very satisfying ending.