H. C. Brown (1) (1961–)

This was an odd love story to me. Ryland is an Ecatnie, a feline shifter and in this case a saber tooth tiger, who was left on Earth by his parents. Lor is a Fae who has been observing Ryland secretly for five years. Both beings are in love with each other but Lor is holding back for his own reasons. Holding back is a risky move on a world where you are bonded to your mate for life but sexual promiscuity is encouraged. The conflict between Lor and Ryland bothered me as did trying to grasp the Fae world's customs. It needed more world building for my tastes.… (mer)

Blood Sacrifice by Stormy Glenn, 4 stars

I really liked this story. It is written with lots of humor, and made me laugh at some of the inner thoughts of both main characters. Yet there is a somewhat serious undertone as well, when 'free will' for demons becomes an issue. The stance Stormy Glenn takes here is that being born a demon is no different from being born a human, or a shifter, or anyone else. It is just genes. Does it mean you have to like it? Her answer is a resounding 'no'. I thought that playing with that idea made for a great story.

Aside from that? Jory is a great character who keeps Isaac, the demon, slightly unbalanced. The surprising twist about who Jory is was as delightful as the bantering betweeen the two main characters.



Enslaved by H.C.Brown, 2.5 stars

While ths story has an interesting cast of characters, it took me a long time to figure out who the main guys were. The setup was longer than the actual struggle and solution, and it kept me from enjoying the story. The core of the idea (that a lover/mate can also want to be a slave) was interesting, but that conflict didn't become clear until the very end - when it was already solved. I would have loved to see the main characters realize this earleir and struggle with it more.… (mer)

At the end of the previous story Paul and Nash had just begun a relationship and overcome their first obstacle. This story picks up exactly where the previous one ended and both men now face the challenge of building real trust, and the development of deepening feelings on both sides.

Nash may have recognized that he hurt Paul when he seemed to be interested in a previous lover, and has made amends, but his real problem is that he's still hung up on his reputation as a 'badass Dom'. And what he thinks that means (not being emotional and not showing any sort of vulnerability) stands in the way of having a real relationship with Paul. He does learn and redeem himself, and watching that happen was interesting as well as fun.

Paul is more than patient, and even though he clearly shows his displeasure, he does so hoping that Nash will understand why he has to do it. Paul wants more than a D/s relationship which is a succession of exciting scenes (although he doesn't mind that at all), but he wants more. Allowing Nash the time and room to grow into understanding and being able to handle that is a monumental task, and comes with growing pains, but Paul figures it's worth all the suffering.

If you enjoy reading about hot sex with a hint of domination, if you like reading about developing D.s relationships with all their complications, and if you and don't mind a certain lack of openness between the participants while they figure it all out, you will probably like this short story.


… (mer)