What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Stars Go Cold
Dear Author,
(Guy 1) He is a trained and seasoned warrior. Perhaps he is a defender, a mercenary for hire, a bodyguard. A shadow that follows you, without you knowing. Are his intentions good/bad? He had seen and experienced more than most in his life. Is he mortal? Does he age slower than normal humans? He appears to be a man who has always known the world, the good and the bad. He seems to be focused, solid. He knows what and when to expect certain things. Then he meets (intentionally or not?) (Guy 2) and his life is flipped inside out.
(Guy 2) He is clumsy and innocent/naive. He has heard of the evil/bad, but has never experienced it first-hand. The people that surround him have both good and bad intentions. Is he just a pawn in some people’s eyes? Viewed more like a ‘product’ or ‘doll’. Born with the ability to bear children. (He knows and is educated about being a bearer). Is he (completely) human? Does he know of his true origins? Then he sees him (Guy 1) and his sheltered world changes.
Photo Description:
The two pictures show two different guys. The first one is black-haired, gray-eyed and has pointy ears. He is holding his head with one hand, as if something bad has happened and he is wondering what to do. The second one is blond, blue-eyed, and is sitting in shallow water like he has tripped and fallen.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
(Guy 1) He is a trained and seasoned warrior. Perhaps he is a defender, a mercenary for hire, a bodyguard. A shadow that follows you, without you knowing. Are his intentions good/bad? He had seen and experienced more than most in his life. Is he mortal? Does he age slower than normal humans? He appears to be a man who has always known the world, the good and the bad. He seems to be focused, solid. He knows what and when to expect certain things. Then he meets (intentionally or not?) (Guy 2) and his life is flipped inside out.
(Guy 2) He is clumsy and innocent/naive. He has heard of the evil/bad, but has never experienced it first-hand. The people that surround him have both good and bad intentions. Is he just a pawn in some people’s eyes? Viewed more like a ‘product’ or ‘doll’. Born with the ability to bear children. (He knows and is educated about being a bearer). Is he (completely) human? Does he know of his true origins? Then he sees him (Guy 1) and his sheltered world changes.
Photo Description:
The two pictures show two different guys. The first one is black-haired, gray-eyed and has pointy ears. He is holding his head with one hand, as if something bad has happened and he is wondering what to do. The second one is blond, blue-eyed, and is sitting in shallow water like he has tripped and fallen.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
119 pages, ebook
First published November 9, 2015
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Read
November 16, 2015This book made me angry. How the hell are you supposed to follow a narrative thread if the story jumps around in time every few paragraphs? Eventually I just ignored the flashbacks. The plot is confusing, ridiculous, and simplistic. The characters are cardboard cutouts. There is a flicker of a good story in there if it were to be told differently.
The word 'peak' is used when 'pique' is meant. There are a few punctuation, capitalization, and word choices with which I differ.
The word 'peak' is used when 'pique' is meant. There are a few punctuation, capitalization, and word choices with which I differ.
June 15, 2016
Рецензия - in progress
За разлика от множество други, аз нямах проблеми с флашбаковете и следенето на времевата схема. Малко е разпокъсана, да, обаче объркваща - едва ли.
Не съм голям фен на MPREG по принцип, но преодолях психологическата съпротива и просто се оставих на историята.
Най-големият ми проблем беше фактът, че не успях да бъда убедена в любовта между Жерар /така ли се транскрибира?/ и Авин. Мигновено привличане или не, това не ми е достатъчно. Всички онези събития, които могат да покажат защо Жерар се влюбва в Авин и обратното остават някъде между флашбаковете и настоящото.
Образът на родителите на Авин /в частност майка му/, макар и леко преувеличен, е ужасно достоверен - да, познавам такива родители.
Радвам се, че от един определен момент нататък Авин показва гръбнак и престава да бъде толкова мекушаво добър и послушен. А това, че околните преживяват шок от тази промяна не престава да ме учудва /още повече, че наскоро го преживях. Шокирах се от чуждия шок, честно./
Нещо, което ми липсваше е конфликт между главните герои. Неразбирателството помежду им се дължи на лоша комуникация и натрупана болка. Което не е конфликт.
Трябва да си призная, че ми беше трудно да следя действието извън взаимоотношенията на Жерар и Авин. Но фактът, че продължавах да мисля за историята около тях, след като свърших с четенето, показва че в нея има потенциал.
За разлика от множество други, аз нямах проблеми с флашбаковете и следенето на времевата схема. Малко е разпокъсана, да, обаче объркваща - едва ли.
Не съм голям фен на MPREG по принцип, но преодолях психологическата съпротива и просто се оставих на историята.
Най-големият ми проблем беше фактът, че не успях да бъда убедена в любовта между Жерар /така ли се транскрибира?/ и Авин. Мигновено привличане или не, това не ми е достатъчно. Всички онези събития, които могат да покажат защо Жерар се влюбва в Авин и обратното остават някъде между флашбаковете и настоящото.
Образът на родителите на Авин /в частност майка му/, макар и леко преувеличен, е ужасно достоверен - да, познавам такива родители.
Радвам се, че от един определен момент нататък Авин показва гръбнак и престава да бъде толкова мекушаво добър и послушен. А това, че околните преживяват шок от тази промяна не престава да ме учудва /още повече, че наскоро го преживях. Шокирах се от чуждия шок, честно./
Нещо, което ми липсваше е конфликт между главните герои. Неразбирателството помежду им се дължи на лоша комуникация и натрупана болка. Което не е конфликт.
Трябва да си призная, че ми беше трудно да следя действието извън взаимоотношенията на Жерар и Авин. Но фактът, че продължавах да мисля за историята около тях, след като свърших с четенето, показва че в нея има потенциал.
November 14, 2015
Tons of confusing misdirection in this one that really distracted from the story for me. I spent tons of time at the beginning of the book trying to figure out why Avin was marrying someone else when they said he was married to Gerard, I kept going back and making sure that Gerard had referred to him as his husband and I just ended up incredibly confused for the first couple chapters of the book. Which lead to why do they keep the marriage a secret, why didn't they tell everyone when they were found, that made no sense and I thought it had something to do with the secret reason why they abandon the ship but it turned out to have nothing to do with it whatsoever.
So then I couldn't figure out why there was all the secrecy around abandoning ship in the first place, why would they keep it a secret when they were following protocol the whole time? That made absolutely no sense? The time hopping was difficult to follow at first, but I eventually got used to it.
The characters really are the highlight here since the story had the issues above.
So then I couldn't figure out why there was all the secrecy around abandoning ship in the first place, why would they keep it a secret when they were following protocol the whole time? That made absolutely no sense? The time hopping was difficult to follow at first, but I eventually got used to it.
The characters really are the highlight here since the story had the issues above.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2015
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I'm very partial to Sci-Fi and I found this novella pretty good (and I'm not really a fan of mpreg!)
Thank You Ms. Kyle
November 21, 2015
this story was great would like to see more of it. It's always refreshing to read something with a new world, characters and culture. The story line is great but the time jumps a lot but it mpreg and I do love my mpreg. I really hope that the author decides to write more of this stoy there is so much potential specially for Akrond. Pleae Ms. Kyle think of doing a few sequels.
February 1, 2016
Page 49 of 119.
There's so many time skips and jumps that I am completely lost. Are we present, past, past two years, past three years, past ten years? They're married, then they're not, then maybe it's a secret? They're pregnant, they is no baby mentioned, maybe ?????
I'm lost and more frustrated than anything. If you really felt that a time skip was necessary, do the first half past, last half present OR a small intro in the present, the past, then finish up the present/resolve the issues. THAT makes sense.
This is confusing, and I'm half convinced that the author isn't labelling the time skips half the time, so I'm constantly wondering where in time I am? Like a Carmen Sandiego version of reading. Ugh.
There's so many time skips and jumps that I am completely lost. Are we present, past, past two years, past three years, past ten years? They're married, then they're not, then maybe it's a secret? They're pregnant, they is no baby mentioned, maybe ?????
I'm lost and more frustrated than anything. If you really felt that a time skip was necessary, do the first half past, last half present OR a small intro in the present, the past, then finish up the present/resolve the issues. THAT makes sense.
This is confusing, and I'm half convinced that the author isn't labelling the time skips half the time, so I'm constantly wondering where in time I am? Like a Carmen Sandiego version of reading. Ugh.
November 22, 2015
Loved this book. While the flashbacks were a bit confusing, it helped flesh out the MCs. I love MPREG and space operas and this was well done, especially since this is Destiny's first published book. As with any new author, there are quirks (lack of conjunctions, e.g. I am instead of I'm, a few poor word choices, and homonym errors) but the overall arc, world building, and strong plot made this an enjoyable read.
Thank you for writing this Destiny and I look forward to reading more from you in the future. Please tell me you're planning a sequel.
Cover is gorgeous!
I rate this 4 1/2 stars.
Thank you for writing this Destiny and I look forward to reading more from you in the future. Please tell me you're planning a sequel.
Cover is gorgeous!
I rate this 4 1/2 stars.
November 9, 2016
This book left me dazed and confused. Too many flashbacks, I wasn't always sure what was happening and when. Characters are irrational and childish. 2 stars.
January 17, 2016
This is my prompt! I was very happy that Destiny took a chance and picked it up when late in the game due to circumstances.
This story is has a futuristic feel to it. A romance that wasn't instant love and fluffy. Not everything want their way. Gerald was a halfling. His human genes were frown upon, giving him his dark black hair. Despite how hard he worked, there were still prejudices against him just because his mother was human.
He focused on his studies and excelled at them. He earned himself the title of Captain and his own crew on a new military ship. He and his crew were are in charge of finding and exploring new planets.
Then it flips to present time... this story has flashbacks. I think they worked well and easy to follow. As you get a glimpse at the present you get sneak peaks in the past. You watch Gerald and Avin fall in love, but they never voice it.
Miscommunication.
They were living a happy life on their ship before all hell breaks loose. Something so tragic that they remaining crew abandon ship and pretend the reason was because of pirates.
Pirates are pursuing them in the present time also.
They are secretly married. Only people from his crew know. The problem is... that Avin is engaged to Gerald's older brother. Who is a jerk. He's compeletly full of himself, and thinks he's the shit and can 'walk on water' personality. He doesn't care for Avin at all. He's been putting off their marriage for ten years. But when Avin hit his first heat, his fiance wasn't there for him, but Gerald was... Gerald is always there for him.
Something horrible happens to them in the past and it changes Avin. It hits him, both of them, hard. But they react differently and all Gerald wants is to make Avin happy. To do what is best for Avin(which is ultimately what makes Avin happy). Gerald assumes that Avin is in love with his brother... not him.
But a mutual friend of them finally intervenes when helps shed some truth to Avin when they end up back on the very ship that brought some much heartache.
I loved the epilogue and the happy ending. I'm happy that Avin finally grew a backbone and quick letting people walk over him and telling his parents and his fiance that he wants to live his life for him! He is more than just a bearer and in the end.
This story is has a futuristic feel to it. A romance that wasn't instant love and fluffy. Not everything want their way. Gerald was a halfling. His human genes were frown upon, giving him his dark black hair. Despite how hard he worked, there were still prejudices against him just because his mother was human.
He focused on his studies and excelled at them. He earned himself the title of Captain and his own crew on a new military ship. He and his crew were are in charge of finding and exploring new planets.
Then it flips to present time... this story has flashbacks. I think they worked well and easy to follow. As you get a glimpse at the present you get sneak peaks in the past. You watch Gerald and Avin fall in love, but they never voice it.
Miscommunication.
They were living a happy life on their ship before all hell breaks loose. Something so tragic that they remaining crew abandon ship and pretend the reason was because of pirates.
Pirates are pursuing them in the present time also.
They are secretly married. Only people from his crew know. The problem is... that Avin is engaged to Gerald's older brother. Who is a jerk. He's compeletly full of himself, and thinks he's the shit and can 'walk on water' personality. He doesn't care for Avin at all. He's been putting off their marriage for ten years. But when Avin hit his first heat, his fiance wasn't there for him, but Gerald was... Gerald is always there for him.
Something horrible happens to them in the past and it changes Avin. It hits him, both of them, hard. But they react differently and all Gerald wants is to make Avin happy. To do what is best for Avin(which is ultimately what makes Avin happy). Gerald assumes that Avin is in love with his brother... not him.
But a mutual friend of them finally intervenes when helps shed some truth to Avin when they end up back on the very ship that brought some much heartache.
I loved the epilogue and the happy ending. I'm happy that Avin finally grew a backbone and quick letting people walk over him and telling his parents and his fiance that he wants to live his life for him! He is more than just a bearer and in the end.
February 20, 2016
At the start it was confusing but as the story unfolded everything was coming together.
In the prologue Gerard is married to Avin. In chapter 1 which takes place three months later Gerard's brother is planning to marry Avin, who has been avoiding Gerard.
Avin is a bearer and marrying one is considered a great honor. Avin is engaged to Akond for 6 years and their wedding is continously being placed on hold/rescheduled because of issues on both sides. Fed up with it, Avin makes a rash decision and ends it with Akond. Avin finds himself in a peculiar situation with his heat just days away. He's scrambling to find a partner. Gerard, is Akond's half brother and good friend to Avin. When he finds a distressed Avin crying he comforts/talks to him. When Avin suggests Gerard can help him out, their relationship develops into something neither expected. The story spans their ten year relationship
When I read the prologue and then started the first chapter I wasn so sure this would be a story I wouldn't be able to finish. I'm really glad I stuck it out though to see how Avin and Gerard's relationship became so tattered.
I wanted to know more about the Dragonwanderer. It seemed like a very cool ship.
The ending was nice. I wish Avin could have firmly put Akond in his place because he was a douche bag . But I was glad to see Avin finally tell him off. I really liked this story and hope to see more by this author.
In the prologue Gerard is married to Avin. In chapter 1 which takes place three months later Gerard's brother is planning to marry Avin, who has been avoiding Gerard.
Avin is a bearer and marrying one is considered a great honor. Avin is engaged to Akond for 6 years and their wedding is continously being placed on hold/rescheduled because of issues on both sides. Fed up with it, Avin makes a rash decision and ends it with Akond. Avin finds himself in a peculiar situation with his heat just days away. He's scrambling to find a partner. Gerard, is Akond's half brother and good friend to Avin. When he finds a distressed Avin crying he comforts/talks to him. When Avin suggests Gerard can help him out, their relationship develops into something neither expected. The story spans their ten year relationship
When I read the prologue and then started the first chapter I wasn so sure this would be a story I wouldn't be able to finish. I'm really glad I stuck it out though to see how Avin and Gerard's relationship became so tattered.
I wanted to know more about the Dragonwanderer. It seemed like a very cool ship.
The ending was nice. I wish Avin could have firmly put Akond in his place because he was a douche bag . But I was glad to see Avin finally tell him off. I really liked this story and hope to see more by this author.
March 27, 2016
3.9 Stars for a mpreg story that is not only focused on the pregnancy and also one who does not make the MC seems like a girl with a dick....Not offence but sometimes I feel like I'm reading M/F instead what I'm really going for....
Thank God this book did have a good solid plot and was pretty entertaining with the flashbacks/lapses of time/or whatever they can be called. But it can be a little confusing at first until you get the hang of everything, for me there's a very simple way I managed this, I scan-read the beginning, going very fast and stopping by the really catching parts then after things finally started making sense(about 15% the book) I returned to the begining and started it over again.
Definitely Recommended.
Thank God this book did have a good solid plot and was pretty entertaining with the flashbacks/lapses of time/or whatever they can be called. But it can be a little confusing at first until you get the hang of everything, for me there's a very simple way I managed this, I scan-read the beginning, going very fast and stopping by the really catching parts then after things finally started making sense(about 15% the book) I returned to the begining and started it over again.
Definitely Recommended.
Want to read
January 10, 2016
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Is An Open Road event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
Did not finish
May 21, 2019Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews