Title: Keeping Karma (2nd Edition)

Author: Tory Temple

Genre: Other Paranormal, Contemporary

Length: Novella (120 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 24, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 1/2 – 4 Hearts

Blurb: Alexander Myers and his twin sister Tabitha were born with the incredible ability to “hear” the thoughts of animals. Alex has managed to keep this a secret and has actually used it to his advantage for his job, working in an emergency animal care clinic and volunteering at the animal shelter while he studies to become a veterinarian.

One night while Alex is working the front desk, Dylan Travers, a local animal control officer, comes in with an injured fawn. When Alex and Dylan become involved, it gets harder and harder for Alex to keep his secret. On top of that, Alex has a little menagerie of his own in his apartment, including a ferret called Karma, who he’s not supposed to have as a pet. As the two men become closer, Alex worries about how Dylan will react if Alex tells him about his pets and then his special ability.

Add to that debilitating migraines from especially ‘loud’ animals, and a dangerous co-worker who Alex butts heads with, and life is suddenly far more exciting than Alex would like. Will he be able to keep his job, his pets, his lover and his sanity?

ISBN: 978-1-63477-714-8

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa & Pixie

Lisa’s Review ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Tory Temple is a new author for me so I wasn’t to sure what to expect. I have never really been a fan of new authors works but only because I have a certain type of book that I like. However this one was pretty damn good. I love the different aspect of this story and the fact that the main guy could hear the animals around him. It pretty much rocked.

Alex and his twin sister could hear the thoughts of animals, although Alex more than Tabby. He was going to school and working at the emergency animal care clinic. He enjoyed it quite a bit. Although his gift is helps him when animals are in trouble, it has a hefty price. He is left with horrible migraines, but Alex will take it as long as he can help an animal.

Then the sexiest man in uniform shows up with a severely injured fawn. Alex is attracted to him, just as Dylan is taken with him. It goes pretty good even though Alex is afraid of telling Dylan about his gift. He has done it before and it never turned out good for him. But Dylan is very persistent about being with him, so Alex agrees.

This story is pretty even paced and kept my attention throughout the story. These guys are perfect together, however I had a few issues with it. For one Dylan never believed Alex about his gift, and it never got fixed. Also the story doesn’t just end like a I am used to it just seemed to stop instantly, which was a drop for me. Even though it is even paced and kept my attention, the story really is missing something to make it really good. I also didn’t much care for the repetitive talk from the animals, it made the story seem lacking a bit. Also Gordon and his evil plot were just nuts. It felt like the author just threw that in for a little more meat, however it was more off to me. It was just so far off because there is no motive other than the guy just wanted money. Every part of the story that had him in it, just felt like added filter for me. So it brought the story down in my eyes. Other than those issues though, I did enjoy it the story.

Pixie’s Review ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts

Alex can hear animal thoughts, it helps him with his job at the emergency animal clinic but it does nothing for his love life when boyfriends can’t get away from him fast enough when he admits the truth. Meeting Dylan has Alex hoping that he can eventually confess the truth, but when a bad case of animal abuse has Alex passing out Dylan is sceptical of Alex’s confession. Dylan loves his job as an animal-control officer, meeting Alex is an opportunity that Dylan doesn’t want to miss. But Dylan has some doubts when Alex confesses he can hear animals’ thoughts, can Dylan accept Alex’s claim or will it drive the two men apart?

This is a cute story that has some super cute animals and a hot romance. Alex is a great character who is a little different, he can hear animals’ thoughts, which is great when they are injured but is distressing when they have been abused. Dylan is a great character who is just an everyday kind of guy, he loves animals and tries to help as many as he can. When these two meet they have a subtle attraction which quickly heats up, but Alex’s confession begin to drive them apart.

I liked this story and enjoyed the background friction between Alex and his co-worker Gordon; it adds a good dose of tension and adversity to the story. The relationship between Alex and Dylan is cute, Alex is a bit of a bumbler especially when he’s trying to talk his way around his ownership of Karma (his pet ferret) and both men can be mega cute with each other. Their relationship is hot, there are plenty of smexy times between them, and the animals’ antics are funny and sweet.

 The story is easy going and enjoyable, there isn’t much friction except for Gordon and it has some really cute animal adventures. Other than that it really is just a story about two men finding love and accepting their differences, it’s enjoyable but nothing to really get your teeth into.

I recommend this to those who love cute animals, sexy men, a touch of tension, accepting the truth no matter how strange and a very sexy relationship that overcomes cute annoying animals, and human differences.