Second Chances
(Denver Diaries, Book 1)
by Rain Carrington
Release Date: November 7th 2015
Length: 197 pages
Genres: Gay (M/M), Contemporary, BDSM, Ménage/Multiple Partners, Romance
.jpg){kind=spacer}
Having everything he needed and wanted in his life for the first time, Brian Lauder was perfectly happy. He had a career that he loved, a home, friends and a submissive that he adored. One he thought he’d held at a big enough distance from to protect his heart. That was all before Morgan stepped back into his house and his life.
Morgan Cherik was everything a man could want. Beautiful, driven and eager to kneel for his Master, but he’d left without a word two years before to follow his dream, leaving Brian to pick up the pieces of a shattered heart.
Now he was back and Brian was torn between wanting to feel that love he’d never been able to shake for Morgan, or punish him and let him go. Then there was Pez, the young college student who had helped him heal. How could Brian let him go?
As Morgan begins to make amends, Brian knows that he cannot get over the other man who’d left his life for Brian’s happiness. Will the memory of Pez come between them, or bring them closer together?
AUTHOR NOTE: This book is part of a serial, the following installments coming out every four to six weeks. They are part of a larger collection I lovingly call the Denver Diaries. Each serial in the Denver Diaries will focus on a new couple or triple, and will play out over the next year or so. I hope you enjoy this first book!
.jpg){kind=spacer}
2 Stars for the Book
I gotta tell you, these guys are a huge work in progress and at first glance, there's not much to love. Essentially, this is a story about Brian. Morgan and Pez are secondary characters that revolve around him. That they both look up to Brian and think he's an amazing and uniquely powerful Dom is a little mind boggling because, frankly, the guy's a mess. Sure, he's decisive in the bedroom... usually, but his personal life is a completely different story. He analyzes every decision to death, second guesses himself, vacillates back and fourth, is constantly asking for outside input, even for the smallest of decisions, and actually goes so far as to make life changing relationship decisions on nothing more than his sub's say-so. Brian is reactive, not proactive. He fails to ground his subs so it's not at all surprising that they are out of control.
Morgan is not a likable character. Egotistical and self centered, even his submission is all about him. He says that he regrets the poor decisions he made in the past but doesn't consistently follow up his words with actions. He comes back to Brian, but it seems to be an impulsive action rather than a conscious decision. Morgan wants the rewards yet seems surprised when asked to change his old ways and make sacrifices to earn them.
Pez is the most engaging character by far. My heart breaks for him. He's so devoted to Brian; the Brian I liked initially that is flawed in many ways but takes care of him, and makes love to him as a Dom should. Enter Morgan, and the Brian he has known for years evaporates into a ball of nerves. Left on his own, Pez's world shatters. His story ends quite abruptly and I'm hoping it will be continued in book two.
5 Stars for the Sub-plot!
In addition to the soap-opera-worthy triangle there is a really interesting secondary story that involves Brian's work as a psychologist and the inmates at the women's prison where he works. It's my favorite part of the story and I'd read the second installment in the series for no other reason than to find out what happens to those characters. It's intriguing, thought provoking and unique.
4 Stars for the Author!
I had to remind myself that it happens; authors I enjoy write books that I don't care for every once in awhile. Rain's has a consistent and high quality writing style. I have no complaints in that department, and will continue to buy her books in the future.
Coming November 7th at the introductory price of .99 cents!
.jpg){kind=spacer}
LOL. I can see how you had mixed feelings on this one. I really dug Brian's craftiness in dealing with MOrgan, and I'm a softie for reconnection romance.
ReplyDeleteDon't put me in the giveaway, I've already got it!
What you see as a flaw in the story, I see as a strength. I enjoy reading about a character that I can relate to, or at least see as real. Brian is a mess, that is true. But who hasn't been a a total wreck when it comes to relationships? His struggles and indecisiveness just make him seem like someone I might know. Of course, as a Dom, I hope he gets his act together because Morgan needs some major work.
DeleteWe see eye to eye on Pez. He's my fave major character and his self destruction is heartbreaking. Can't wait for his redemption. Same for the subplot. I'm totally engaged with these ladies and look forward to reading about their progress.
Thank you so very much for your honest review, always appreciated! As this is an ongoing serial, I think you may be surprised in the books to come how the three of them change and grow. It is always my intention to show the very real and deep flaws that people have and help them through the changes in life to learn and grow, not only in their relationships but as individuals. My characters take on a very real life to me, and I am always thrilled to watch their progress and see how they learn from their many, many mistakes. I am very excited for you to read further and watch with me and my readers to see the great changes that will take place as these men go through some pretty heavy obstacles. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your honest review, always appreciated! As this is an ongoing serial, I think you may be surprised in the books to come how the three of them change and grow. It is always my intention to show the very real and deep flaws that people have and help them through the changes in life to learn and grow, not only in their relationships but as individuals. My characters take on a very real life to me, and I am always thrilled to watch their progress and see how they learn from their many, many mistakes. I am very excited for you to read further and watch with me and my readers to see the great changes that will take place as these men go through some pretty heavy obstacles. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAnxiously waiting for the next book! Loving this one so far. You never disappoint me, Rain. I love the way you work through the character's flaws so I'll wait until the serial is finished to rate the books ❤️
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting review. I think I might have mixed feelings too the blurb hits a bit of a sore spot but I do want to see how everything works itself out.
ReplyDeletehumhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
sounds intriguing....such mixed signals with the review lol
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review that was really helpful and showed what worked and didn't for you! I am intrigued by the blurb and really want to see how the story unfolds myself now.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to find out where Rain will take the story. Looking forward to the next book.
ReplyDeletegreat review and cant wait to read
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post. I'm looking forward to reading this.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release and looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDelete