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His Soul to Take

by C.M. Torrens (Goodreads Author)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 94 ratings · 30 reviews

Simon has waited centuries for someone like Robert, but their first meeting is intended to be their last: Robert’s time on Earth is up, and it is Simon’s place to take him out of this world and into the next. Instead, Simon makes a split-second decision to save Robert’s life, though he is uncomfortably aware he has only postponed the inevitable.

Robert quickly falls for Sim...more

ebook, 104 pages

Published April 20th 2011 by Dreamspinner Press (first published April 19th 2011)

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Sep 29, 2011 Feliz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, contemporary, jw, m-m

Simon, aka Death, is a person walking the earth, a living, breathing being, capable of emotions, rarely seen by the living and only speaking to the souls of the dead he’s supposed to send through the portal. Actually, Death is rather prone to depression due to the fact he’s the loneliest person on Earth.

Thrown out by his father, Robert Lasker is working as an exotic dancer to make ends meet. He’s not ashamed of what he does for a living, but unlike his friend Jerry, he doesn’t particularly enjoy...more Simon, aka Death, is a person walking the earth, a living, breathing being, capable of emotions, rarely seen by the living and only speaking to the souls of the dead he’s supposed to send through the portal. Actually, Death is rather prone to depression due to the fact he’s the loneliest person on Earth.

Thrown out by his father, Robert Lasker is working as an exotic dancer to make ends meet. He’s not ashamed of what he does for a living, but unlike his friend Jerry, he doesn’t particularly enjoy it either. Robert’s biggest dream is finding someone to love and settle down with, but he’s afraid he has nothing to offer to anyone. However, when he meets handsome Simon, the attraction between them is immediate and mutual, and Robert’s dream seems well within his grasp for the first time.

For the first time in centuries, a living human being looks at Simon and actually SEES him – and it doesn’t take more than one smile from Robert for Simon to take the leap. Literally. Because when the stage lights that are supposed to mortally injure Robert crash down, Simon jumps to Robert’s rescue, thus for the first time defying his duty and altering a soul’s course of life and death.

But the flight of fancy of one Death can’t change the course of the greater whole. Robert’s fate has been altered, and it has to be brought back on track soon. Over the course of three short days, actually, during which Simon must face a terrible decision: leaving Robert oblivious to his true nature and losing him forever afterwards – or be honest with Robert, risking to condemn Robert to the same existence Simon has come to loathe so bitterly?

This was a beautiful, thought-provoking story. The premise alone – imagine meeting your death and falling in love with him. Or imagine you knew the exact number of days that are left to you on earth. How would you spend them? Would you try to make amends and right past wrongs? Even worse, imagine you knew the number of days your loved one has left. Would you share this knowledge or rather hide it to prevent unnecessary grief? Unanswerable questions that are nevertheless approached here. Robert and Simon are thrown into an impossible situation and released from it in a conclusive and very fitting way.

I found the characterizations well done. Both Simon and Robert are surrounded by their own air of loneliness, of desperation for companionship that makes them perfect for each other. So it was no wonder they quickly developed deeper feelings for each other. While I’m normally not a fan of characters rushing into a commitment, it worked here, in the face of an uneviteble fate and an unpostponable decision.
Glimpses at Simon’s past life were worked seamlessly into the story, giving him solid ground to root his motivations in, and I understood and felt compassion for his struggle to come to a decision regarding Robert.
Robert was such a sweet, innocent soul, it was impossible for me not to like him, even if I found him almost too good to be true. The way he came to terms with Simon’s true nature appeared a little too easy – are they both so desperate for company that they ‘d put up with anything, or are they really already this committed? I couldn’t tell. However, in the end there was no doubt it was the latter.

Oh and a honorable mention is due to one of the supporting characters, Reaper. HE was like I’d picture Death incarnate – mean, greedy, cruel, arrogant. And – to my surprise- ambitious. I’d love to see Reaper brought to fall, preferably by a love of his own!

I had some minor problems with the writing, mostly due to the way “he” and “him” referred to both heroes unambiguously, or sentences started with a indistinct “he” which was only one ore two sentences later clearly attributed to one character. This made for arduous reading at times.

I picked it up because the blurb made me curious as to how someone would go about making Death a lover without turning him into a token Joe Black – and I wasn’t disappointed. This was sweet, sad, gentle, passionate, a little bit scary and then sad again. This story takes the “happily ever after” literally – I can’t think of an ending that could have been more perfect for those two. Highly recommended.

Reviewed for Reviews By Jessewave here: http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/201...(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Apr 20, 2011 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-owned, m-m, paranormal, sniffle

I very much enjoyed this book.
I wasn't sure how the author would pull off the story of Death and Robert, but she did.
If you enjoy a bit of angst and seemingly impossible situations , this is a good book for you!
And it's good to be reminded, as in the case of Roberts father, that sometimes you do run out of time to do the right thing!
Recommended!

6 likes · like · see review

Jun 03, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5/5 stars

When Death takes an altogether too healthy interest in Robert Lasker, the man’s life, such as it is, is destined to change in significant and unusual ways. Far from living a life of privilege, Robert was turned out by his father before becoming an exotic dancer to help pay the bills. Other than his friend and fellow dancer, Jerry, Robert is alone in the world, working just to make ends meet and wanting nothing more than to find someone to share his life with.

When Robert meets Simon, a...more 4.5/5 stars

When Death takes an altogether too healthy interest in Robert Lasker, the man’s life, such as it is, is destined to change in significant and unusual ways. Far from living a life of privilege, Robert was turned out by his father before becoming an exotic dancer to help pay the bills. Other than his friend and fellow dancer, Jerry, Robert is alone in the world, working just to make ends meet and wanting nothing more than to find someone to share his life with.

When Robert meets Simon, a handsome and mysterious stranger, it looks like his wish may come true. Their attraction to and interest in each other is intense and entirely mutual; Simon’s interest, in fact, runs soul deep, but he also harbors a secret that will have a major impact on Robert’s future. A freak accident at work might have taken Robert’s life had Simon not been there to save him; that one act of intervention served to redirect Robert’s destiny, a path that must be brought back on course, regardless of the heavy price both men will have to pay to make it happen.

His Soul to Take is a bittersweet story of two men whose lives intersect under the most incredible and unbelievable of circumstances. It is a story that might have you asking yourself what exactly you would do if you knew the number of your remaining days on Earth. How would you make amends and attempt to right past wrongs? How would you learn to accept your mortal fate, knowing that immortality is a viable, albeit arduous option? How would you, could you, say goodbye to the man you love, especially when there’s no one to tell you what lies beyond the portal to the other side, no one to reassure you that what you’re gaining is better than all you’re leaving behind?

When you’ve called Death by name, embraced him, known him intimately, and loved him, how could you ever let him go?

C.M. Torrens has written an incredibly heart wrenching story, one that is not only sweet and seductive, but is also incredibly thought provoking and emotionally wringing. Go ahead and let the tears fall; every single one you shed while reading this story is well worth it.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com

Shelves: m-m-romance, paranormal-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5/5 stars

When Death takes an altogether too healthy interest in Robert Lasker, the man’s life, such as it is, is destined to change in significant and unusual ways. Far from living a life of privilege, Robert was turned out by his father before becoming an exotic dancer to help pay the bills. Other than his friend and fellow dancer, Jerry, Robert is alone in the world, working just to make ends meet and wanting nothing more than to find someone to share his life with.

When Robert meets Simon, a...more 4.5/5 stars

When Death takes an altogether too healthy interest in Robert Lasker, the man’s life, such as it is, is destined to change in significant and unusual ways. Far from living a life of privilege, Robert was turned out by his father before becoming an exotic dancer to help pay the bills. Other than his friend and fellow dancer, Jerry, Robert is alone in the world, working just to make ends meet and wanting nothing more than to find someone to share his life with.

When Robert meets Simon, a handsome and mysterious stranger, it looks like his wish may come true. Their attraction to and interest in each other is intense and entirely mutual; Simon’s interest, in fact, runs soul deep, but he also harbors a secret that will have a major impact on Robert’s future. A freak accident at work might have taken Robert’s life had Simon not been there to save him; that one act of intervention served to redirect Robert’s destiny, a path that must be brought back on course, regardless of the heavy price both men will have to pay to make it happen.

His Soul to Take is a bittersweet story of two men whose lives intersect under the most incredible and unbelievable of circumstances. It is a story that might have you asking yourself what exactly you would do if you knew the number of your remaining days on Earth. How would you make amends and attempt to right past wrongs? How would you learn to accept your mortal fate, knowing that immortality is a viable, albeit arduous option? How would you, could you, say goodbye to the man you love, especially when there’s no one to tell you what lies beyond the portal to the other side, no one to reassure you that what you’re gaining is better than all you’re leaving behind?

When you’ve called Death by name, embraced him, known him intimately, and loved him, how could you ever let him go?

C.M. Torrens has written an incredibly heart wrenching story, one that is not only sweet and seductive, but is also incredibly thought provoking and emotionally wringing. Go ahead and let the tears fall; every single one you shed while reading this story is well worth it.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 23, 2011 Ami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-and-half-stars_rating, mm-fantasy-paranormal-futuristic, mm-angels-demons-gods

4.5 stars
It's been awhile since I rate a book with 4.5 stars (near perfect), but this one deserves it. This story has all the right ingredient for my taste:

(1) A love story that involves Death. I can't help it, write love story involving Angels, Demons, including Death, and I'm sold. There is something profound in love story involving those beings, something almost impossible but also imaginably beautiful.

(2) The sense of angst, loneliness, and hope is so thick throughtout the book. Robert is a...more 4.5 stars
It's been awhile since I rate a book with 4.5 stars (near perfect), but this one deserves it. This story has all the right ingredient for my taste:

(1) A love story that involves Death. I can't help it, write love story involving Angels, Demons, including Death, and I'm sold. There is something profound in love story involving those beings, something almost impossible but also imaginably beautiful.

(2) The sense of angst, loneliness, and hope is so thick throughtout the book. Robert is a lonely soul, he only has one best friend, he is not on speaking term with his only family (his father), and he wonders whether if he dies, someone will remember him. So he draws to Simon -- as Simon also has this loneliness in him, a deep angst, of walking on the Earth as long as he is as Death, where nobody can see him except the souls that are dying. The interaction between Robert and Simon is tender but as the story progress, you cannot help to feel that there is an impending finality hangs above them.

3) The characters are fleshed out well, even if it's only a novella. This includes the secondary character, the mysterious Reaper.

4) The ending feels realistic, the way that it should be, even if it's not the "common" HEA.

So, if I have complaint about this story it will be

(1) ... the book summary is a bit misleading: ... his curiosity about Simon's true nature turns to suspicion, all but erasing his memories of the man. Simon must fight to make him remember ... and to stop Robert from making a grisly mistake ... Yeah, there is NO such thing as that. It makes me feel annoyed a bit because it creates this expectation from me but I cannot find it in the book.

(2) Wish it could be a little longer because the part with Robert's dad is very good, but it doesn't happen till the end. I wish I could have more background on that, as well as Robert's friendship with Jerry.

All in all, great character-focused storyline, a perfect amount of tenderness and angst, and a well-written realistic ending (for a story with supernatural theme in it) makes this a wonderful story.(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Tutu added it

Sometimes it only takes a well placed scene to make or break a story.
This is the case with His soul to take. Without the ending, this would have been an enjoyable story for me, but not that much more. The pace is mellow, the characters are likable but not extraordinary and the writing could use some improvements. BUT! It’s a big but as you can see from the caps lock. The story toys a bit with your emotions and prepares the setting for the big finale. You know that something important is coming b...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Deeze rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Deeze by: R.B.

Shelves: tissues-needed

Oh WOW. I'm really not sure what to say except RB I think I hate you lol. Damn my eyes are red and sore and my daughter thinks I'm an idiot lol. Such emotion at the end. I was so scared thinking it could not possibly end the way I wanted, but like another book I read, this ended exactly how it should.

A really great read if your in the mood to cry lol. Seriously a tear jerker but as RB pointed out in her review its about loneliness, about hope and chance to love, about death and bad decisions yo...more

10 likes · like · see review

Oct 31, 2011 Hellen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites, fantasy-paranormal, m-m-romance, m-m-favorites

"What if it falls?" Robert asked.
"You don't believe that I could catch you before you fell?"
Robert grinned. "You'd keep a catwalk from falling?"
"If that's what it took."

This book was everything I hoped for and more. I can't do it justice at all. Death must break the link between Robert's soul and his body but, instead of fulfulling his duty, he falls in love with him. It was bittersweet and complex and oh so romantic. It wouldn't be the same without the heart-wrenching prose. C.M. Torrens manage...more

6 likes · like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Vio rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Vio by: R.B.

Shelves: awesome, cried, highly-recommended, loved-it, unusual

Fabulous - My emotions were all over the place happy, sad, desperate and anxious all rolled into one this is a unique and unusual love story that had me in tears lots and lots of tears, quite literally this was special and a joy to read. My heart ached for Simon what a cold and lonely existence he lived until dear sweet Robert arrives to bring warmth and love back into his life. I loved it and the ending is perfect you will not be disappointed its worth every little tear!

R.B...Thank you for reco...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2013 Vladimir rated it 3 of 5 stars

As the saying goes "Love Conquers All."

The story has a decent plot, referring to Death as a collective set of unseen immortal beings who administer the transition of mortals' souls into the afterlife. In a jist, it tells about the forbidden love between Death and a human he fell in love with named Robert.

As good as the plot may be, there were a couple of things I didn't like.

Robert was one-dimensional and pretty much bland. Even though a 3rd person POV was used to tell the story, I didn't get mu...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 02, 2011 ManOhMan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Reviewed by Markie: It's a story of romance, and death(literally). This novella is extremely well written, and kudos to the author for the imagination it must have taken to write it.

His Soul to Take is a quick, entertaining read for fans who like their romance mixed with a bit of the paranormal. I will definitely look for this author in the future.

A

3 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2011 Kira rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, paranormal

I liked it. I'm not big on reading paranormal, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one.

It's a quick read, there are some very nice twists and I loved the ending especially after thinking for the whole story "how can this ever end happily?!".

Nice characters, well-written little story. Worth a read.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 28, 2011 Betryal rated it 4 of 5 stars

**** 4.5 ****

I was deeply and emotionally impressed with this story. The author was so specific and precise in writing this one scene that comes more towards the end of the book. It was so heart rendering and heart breaking that you'll want to have those tissues handy.

Fan-fawking-tabulous and a recommended read if you haven't read it yet.

6 likes · like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Carlo Vella rated it 5 of 5 stars

A must read!! Wish the story was longer. It kept me interested all the way through. Loved the theme and the plot but I think we all knew what was going to happen. Still, a marvellous and entertaining story (and you don't get that very often with MM stories) Wonderful!

1 like · like · see review

Nov 17, 2011 Td rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Td by: R.B.

Shelves: angst, paranormal, sniff

Thank you, RB, thank you. It's amazing to me how this short novella brought out such deep emotion. This worked for me, it so worked. I'm still teary eyed. Loved it!

5 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2013 Meggie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, paranormal

This story didn't speak to me. Sure, in general this is a fine plotted unique romance, but personally, I couldn't connect with the MC's.

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Apr 23, 2011 Moniqee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Something different from the normal Reaper story. A chilling romance that is nicely executed though the ending could lead to a sequel.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Ayanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, reviewed

3.5/5 rounded down because its brevity actually worked against it, though what was there was really good.

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Jun 05, 2011 Tara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, paranormal-romance, read-in-2011

This was a great story. After centuries of being alone, Death wants one thing for himself, Robert. Robert is on Death's list, but he can't do it and he fears his involvement may lead Robert to suffer. At the same time he wants to protect Robert from making the same mistakes he did. Well done all around. I would, as always have liked a little more background on Death. The author also seems to be setting up a series, but I hope they can all stay fresh, so it doesn't become a formula retelling ever...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 Susan65-Coug :-) rated it 4 of 5 stars

More like a 4.5.

Holy crap this made me cry...I usually don't cry over books, ever!!! The ending was just so full of emotion and I was feeling it from Simon's perspective, Robert's perspective, his dad's perspective and from his friend Jerry's too. The ending was just so raw and real and painful and loving, all rolled into one. I'm gonna need a stiff drink after this one.

This was just a totally different kind of m/m romance...and in this case, different was good and it worked. I will remember th...more

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 30, 2011 Nena Clements rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a darker story than I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. The love scenes are tender and the emotion rings true. It has an unusual plot. Death discovers he is attracted to a young man whom he is supposed to take to the other side. Instead he falls in love and the other man likewise. I found myself aching for the man, though I couldn't figure out any resolve to his delimma. I wanted him to have satisfaction, but the circumstances seemed hopeless. The author takes us on an emotional jou...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-supernatural, m-m-romance

It left me bawling in the final pages and sad after even though it had a HEA.

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2011 R.B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, paranormal, romance, favorites, bittersweet

4* ... 5* for my teary eyes... It's very nice short story. About loneliness, about hope and chance to love, about death and bad decisions you often can't take back.

11 likes · like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Tammy K. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-content, fairytales-retold, mm-romance, goodreads-author

I loved it. Loved the characters. Loved the story line. Loved the emotional ride. Loved the ending. I have one request ... more please.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Jenn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

Somewhere between a 2 and a 3. It was just too short or else the right length but too much sex instead of character and plot development. They meet and then one of the MC's is at a club dancing. Death saves him and they are in love. Then there is sex and more sex. Then a brief background into Death's past but it just wasn't developed enough for me. It was sweet and nice though.

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May 11, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, glbtq, paranormal-supernatural, drama-angst, grief-and-loss, romance, my-a-list-authors, my-favorites-and-rereads

Original and well written, this story had me happy at the beginning, biting my nails halfway through, and bawling like a baby at the end. Definitely and engaging and satisfying read for me.

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Monika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, mm-vampire-paranormal

This was a really good short, everything you need to make a great read, loved the characters even the evil one. It's a paranormal with angst, love, a bit of suspense and my fave a happily ever after...in more ways than one.

5 likes · like · see review

Nov 16, 2011 Mandi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-mm, paranormal-mm

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

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Jan 11, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of The Ghost on My Couch

Shelves: paranormal, m-m-glbt, kindle-lendable

3.5 stars

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Nov 05, 2011 Nightcolors rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, contemporary, ebook, glbt, paranormal, romance

4.5 stars.

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About C.M. Torrens

C.M. Torrens writes stories of characters and dark new worlds. People falling in love or finding it in dark and strange places and discovering hope in the bleak circumstances. Beyond that, she tries not to put herself into a genre box.

She lives in the Midwest with her furry canines, the fattest most spoiled corn snake ever to grace the planet and her wonderful family. She is often described as 'st...more

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