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Fabric Hearts #1
Tartan Candy
Listening Length: 7 hours and 21 minutes
Finlay McIntyre (aka Raven) is a successful adult film star with a penchant for kilts, until an accident cuts short his stardom and leaves him with zero sexual desire, lowered self-esteem, and no job. He knew his porn career wouldn’t last forever, but he wasn’t prepared for retirement at twenty-eight. While trying to figure out the rest of his life, Raven agrees to attend a high school reunion. That’s when a malfunctioning AC unit in his hotel room changes everything.
Caleb Sanderson, an entrepreneur with his own HVAC business, has no idea what to expect when he steps into Raven’s hotel room to fix his AC unit. They’re attracted to each other, but Caleb, closeted, can’t afford a gay relationship, not with his mom pressuring him to produce grandchildren. If he wants to keep Raven—who no closet could hold—he’ll need to tell his family the truth. But Raven has a few secrets of his own. He refuses to reveal his porn past to Caleb, a past that might be the final obstacle to Caleb and Raven having any kind of relationship.
Finlay McIntyre (aka Raven) is a successful adult film star with a penchant for kilts, until an accident cuts short his stardom and leaves him with zero sexual desire, lowered self-esteem, and no job. He knew his porn career wouldn’t last forever, but he wasn’t prepared for retirement at twenty-eight. While trying to figure out the rest of his life, Raven agrees to attend a high school reunion. That’s when a malfunctioning AC unit in his hotel room changes everything.
Caleb Sanderson, an entrepreneur with his own HVAC business, has no idea what to expect when he steps into Raven’s hotel room to fix his AC unit. They’re attracted to each other, but Caleb, closeted, can’t afford a gay relationship, not with his mom pressuring him to produce grandchildren. If he wants to keep Raven—who no closet could hold—he’ll need to tell his family the truth. But Raven has a few secrets of his own. He refuses to reveal his porn past to Caleb, a past that might be the final obstacle to Caleb and Raven having any kind of relationship.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 25, 2016
*3.5 stars*
I've read a TON of porn star books, and they usually tend to be angsty affairs. This one was no different. I really enjoyed the slow relationship development (but with lots of attraction right from the start), and the plot, though I had a few niggles that dropped down my rating a tad.
Raven is a former porn star who is trying to find his way after an accident leaves him unable to work in the adult film industry. This book is totally hurt/comfort, which I've read time and time again but can't really get enough of. Raven is shy about his body after his accident, and I liked how Caleb was patient in breaking down his barriers.
To be honest, I had a hard time picturing Raven as a porn star. He is a quiet, introverted person, and doesn't have that exhibitionist streak that I sometimes see in porn star characters. I know that Raven has some trauma and hang-ups after his accident, but this book leaned a little towards "magic healing dick" syndrome for my taste. Caleb brought back Raven's sexual desire really easily, though their physical relationship took a long time to develop, which I appreciated.
I also tend to like closeted characters, and I enjoyed how K.C. Burn portrayed Caleb. He was sexy, kind, and patient, and a good match for Raven. I liked the chemistry between the two guys, though the whole kilt thing felt just kind of thrown in there for the heck of it. I mean, Raven isn't even Scottish or anything! I have yet to see someone casually wearing a kilt in public just like a pair of pants.
My biggest beef with this story was the ending, which wrapped up WAY too nicely and easily for my taste. I would, however, love a follow-up story with Jaime, Caleb's cousin, or Raven's geeky Ren Fair friend. I sense some good things to come!
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I've read a TON of porn star books, and they usually tend to be angsty affairs. This one was no different. I really enjoyed the slow relationship development (but with lots of attraction right from the start), and the plot, though I had a few niggles that dropped down my rating a tad.
Raven is a former porn star who is trying to find his way after an accident leaves him unable to work in the adult film industry. This book is totally hurt/comfort, which I've read time and time again but can't really get enough of. Raven is shy about his body after his accident, and I liked how Caleb was patient in breaking down his barriers.
To be honest, I had a hard time picturing Raven as a porn star. He is a quiet, introverted person, and doesn't have that exhibitionist streak that I sometimes see in porn star characters. I know that Raven has some trauma and hang-ups after his accident, but this book leaned a little towards "magic healing dick" syndrome for my taste. Caleb brought back Raven's sexual desire really easily, though their physical relationship took a long time to develop, which I appreciated.
I also tend to like closeted characters, and I enjoyed how K.C. Burn portrayed Caleb. He was sexy, kind, and patient, and a good match for Raven. I liked the chemistry between the two guys, though the whole kilt thing felt just kind of thrown in there for the heck of it. I mean, Raven isn't even Scottish or anything! I have yet to see someone casually wearing a kilt in public just like a pair of pants.
My biggest beef with this story was the ending, which wrapped up WAY too nicely and easily for my taste. I would, however, love a follow-up story with Jaime, Caleb's cousin, or Raven's geeky Ren Fair friend. I sense some good things to come!
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
March 1, 2016
Soooooo, kilts.
'Nuff said.
Come for the kilts, stay for the MC’s!
I’ve always been a KC Burn fan. I’ve read most of the books by this author and listened to many on audio. When this one was offered up at the clubhouse, this Peach pounced and reading Tartan Candy reminded me how much I enjoy this author’s words.
The two MC’s have the opposites attract thing going on pretty hard and their meet cute is movie worthy. This is a slow burn story, but that fit considering where the two guys were in their lives.
Caleb comes from a large family and almost lost his mother when he was in high school. His family is close and their opinion means the world to him. He admitted to himself in high school that he was gay, but with his mother’s health at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the thought of causing her more stress firmly put him in the closet. As he’s gotten older it’s been easier to stay in then come out and since he didn’t have anyone to come out for, he’s just it alone and deflected his families well-meaning attempts to fix him up with all the single ladies.
Then there’s Raven. He’s a former porn star, who was in an accident that cut his career short. He’s floundering a bit now as he finishes his business degree and tries to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, much sooner than he had planned. He’s been on his own for years and the porn studio he was a model for, Idyll Fling, basically saved him from a life on the streets. One of the things I really liked about Raven was his unapologetic reaction to his previous line of work. He’s not ashamed and good for him. He made no excuses, enjoyed his life and appreciated the opportunity for a better life he wouldn’t have had otherwise with his sorry excuse for a mother. It may be a pretty Pollyanna kind of view, but it was refreshing to read something other than pain and regret from a former porn star.
The one thing these guys have in common is loneliness. Caleb can only be himself with his best friend, his out and proud cousin, Jaime. So, big family that loves him, but only one person knows him. Raven has acquaintances but has always kept a certain distance between himself and others. It’s pretty much all he knows. He really thinks all he has going for him is his looks, which, by the description, is fiiiiine. Add the red streaked black hair and his trademark kilt and it’s no wonder Caleb was a smitten kitten when he first laid his eyes on Raven.
As I mentioned, this is a slow burn of a story. Both dudes have issues that they are finally willing to deal with to be able to offer up their best selves to one another. How much does that sound like couple’s therapy? Sorry. Not sorry. It was actually very sweet because they weren’t just trying to be better so they won’t be lonely anymore, they truly see the value in what they need to do to be together.
I would be completely remiss in my reviewing ‘duties’ if I didn’t mention the secondary characters. There were some really great ones that I would most definitely like to read about if the author turns this into a series. Caleb’s cousin Jaime, is awesome. He’s unapologetically gay around his family and while he camps it up a bit around them, he’s also fiercely protective as well. He’s the guy you want to have your back. Raven’s friend Will from the studio is an absolute sweetheart and I can tell he’s lonely too. I need to see him happy. Raven didn’t realize that Will was truly a friend until he left the studio, but Will is right there for Raven as they embark on their business venture, Tartan Candy. And finally, Francesca, that girl rocks. She gets setup on a date with Caleb and she’s got his number pretty quick. She turns into a good friend to Caleb at a time when he really needed one. It’s always great to read a female in an MM book that you want to have drinks with.
The ending felt a little rushed. There was still the big reveal of the big secret, the necessary angst and recovery to be wrapped up in a pretty short period of time. It was done well, I would have just liked a smidge more to make sure in my heart of hearts that these boys were A-OK. Overall though, it was a comfortably sweet and easy read. It made my heart schmoopy-happy and made me love the characters both separately and together.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
'Nuff said.
Come for the kilts, stay for the MC’s!
I’ve always been a KC Burn fan. I’ve read most of the books by this author and listened to many on audio. When this one was offered up at the clubhouse, this Peach pounced and reading Tartan Candy reminded me how much I enjoy this author’s words.
The two MC’s have the opposites attract thing going on pretty hard and their meet cute is movie worthy. This is a slow burn story, but that fit considering where the two guys were in their lives.
Caleb comes from a large family and almost lost his mother when he was in high school. His family is close and their opinion means the world to him. He admitted to himself in high school that he was gay, but with his mother’s health at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the thought of causing her more stress firmly put him in the closet. As he’s gotten older it’s been easier to stay in then come out and since he didn’t have anyone to come out for, he’s just it alone and deflected his families well-meaning attempts to fix him up with all the single ladies.
Then there’s Raven. He’s a former porn star, who was in an accident that cut his career short. He’s floundering a bit now as he finishes his business degree and tries to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, much sooner than he had planned. He’s been on his own for years and the porn studio he was a model for, Idyll Fling, basically saved him from a life on the streets. One of the things I really liked about Raven was his unapologetic reaction to his previous line of work. He’s not ashamed and good for him. He made no excuses, enjoyed his life and appreciated the opportunity for a better life he wouldn’t have had otherwise with his sorry excuse for a mother. It may be a pretty Pollyanna kind of view, but it was refreshing to read something other than pain and regret from a former porn star.
The one thing these guys have in common is loneliness. Caleb can only be himself with his best friend, his out and proud cousin, Jaime. So, big family that loves him, but only one person knows him. Raven has acquaintances but has always kept a certain distance between himself and others. It’s pretty much all he knows. He really thinks all he has going for him is his looks, which, by the description, is fiiiiine. Add the red streaked black hair and his trademark kilt and it’s no wonder Caleb was a smitten kitten when he first laid his eyes on Raven.
As I mentioned, this is a slow burn of a story. Both dudes have issues that they are finally willing to deal with to be able to offer up their best selves to one another. How much does that sound like couple’s therapy? Sorry. Not sorry. It was actually very sweet because they weren’t just trying to be better so they won’t be lonely anymore, they truly see the value in what they need to do to be together.
I would be completely remiss in my reviewing ‘duties’ if I didn’t mention the secondary characters. There were some really great ones that I would most definitely like to read about if the author turns this into a series. Caleb’s cousin Jaime, is awesome. He’s unapologetically gay around his family and while he camps it up a bit around them, he’s also fiercely protective as well. He’s the guy you want to have your back. Raven’s friend Will from the studio is an absolute sweetheart and I can tell he’s lonely too. I need to see him happy. Raven didn’t realize that Will was truly a friend until he left the studio, but Will is right there for Raven as they embark on their business venture, Tartan Candy. And finally, Francesca, that girl rocks. She gets setup on a date with Caleb and she’s got his number pretty quick. She turns into a good friend to Caleb at a time when he really needed one. It’s always great to read a female in an MM book that you want to have drinks with.
The ending felt a little rushed. There was still the big reveal of the big secret, the necessary angst and recovery to be wrapped up in a pretty short period of time. It was done well, I would have just liked a smidge more to make sure in my heart of hearts that these boys were A-OK. Overall though, it was a comfortably sweet and easy read. It made my heart schmoopy-happy and made me love the characters both separately and together.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
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February 26, 2016Review originally posted at Sinfully.
3.5 stars
Raven had a plan. He would get his business degree and save as much money as he could so years later when he was done with porn he could easily move onto something else. When his career ends unexpectedly at 28 years old, he is left scarred and lost. The acting is in Raven’s past and he has no idea what his future will be. A gig escorting one of his studio’s best clients for the public events at a high school reunion is turning into a nightmare, but puts him right in the path of a sexy AC repairman.
Caleb Sanderson is instantly attracted to the gorgeous man in room 305. Caleb is 32 and runs his own AC repair business. As far as his family is concerned he needs to find a woman and start a family. The only one in his family who knows he is gay is his cousin Jaime who came out to the family years ago. Caleb knows Jaime has been accepted by most of the family, but he has other reasons for keeping quiet.
I adored Raven! Raven’s life leading up to his porn career was not easy. He is not ashamed of what he’s done, but he knows how people have tried to shame and judge him when they find out about his job. He fears dropping the porn bombshell before he and Caleb really get to know each other and decides to wait to see if anything real will develop. Other than his self-consciousness about his injury he owns who he is, preferring to wear kilts to pants and streaking his black hair red. On the opposite end though, there is such an innocence and enthusiasm in Raven as he progresses through his first ever relationship, goes on his first date and starts to fall in love. Raven realizes the mistakes he made after his accident in pushing people away and goes about rectifying the situation with his best friend Will and even spies an opportunity for a new business venture.
My feelings about Caleb were a little more conflicted. Caleb is everything Raven needs when they are together. He is intuitive and respectful of Raven’s discomfort and limitations and he obviously really cares about him. But Caleb’s lies and his reasoning for hiding really bothered me. He is also using his cousin Jaime to deflect attention from himself at family gatherings. Every time he sees his family and entertains conversations about being set up with a woman and making a date, he is making it harder to get out of the lies, and while his reasons for keeping quiet were valid as a teen, they are not anymore. Even knowing that if he wants to keep the man he loves he has to come clean to his family, he goes through with yet another deception and involves Raven in it.
While both men were keeping some secrets, I got the feeling that Raven would definitely have told Caleb his, but Caleb would have gone on deceiving his family as long as he could. Even Jaime is getting tired of his games. Jaime was a wonderful secondary character, who brought a good energy to the story. I enjoyed both his relationship with Caleb and his growing friendship with Raven and I’d love to see him get a story in the future.
I know there are people who don’t read books with porn stars for the reason that sex occurs on set while the MC’s are dating, but rest assured that Raven’s done with porn when this book starts. In fact he is so self-conscious of his scars and his limitation of motion that he has sworn off sex until he meets Caleb.
While I enjoyed the majority of the book, I was a bit disappointed at how quickly and neatly everything tied up in the end, especially considering the appalling behavior Caleb exhibits. Aside from that, the story moved along well and I thought the relationship between the MCs developed at a natural pace. If you love a man in a kilt and are looking for a sweet, low angst love story, Tartan Candy will check all those boxes.
3.5 stars
Raven had a plan. He would get his business degree and save as much money as he could so years later when he was done with porn he could easily move onto something else. When his career ends unexpectedly at 28 years old, he is left scarred and lost. The acting is in Raven’s past and he has no idea what his future will be. A gig escorting one of his studio’s best clients for the public events at a high school reunion is turning into a nightmare, but puts him right in the path of a sexy AC repairman.
Caleb Sanderson is instantly attracted to the gorgeous man in room 305. Caleb is 32 and runs his own AC repair business. As far as his family is concerned he needs to find a woman and start a family. The only one in his family who knows he is gay is his cousin Jaime who came out to the family years ago. Caleb knows Jaime has been accepted by most of the family, but he has other reasons for keeping quiet.
I adored Raven! Raven’s life leading up to his porn career was not easy. He is not ashamed of what he’s done, but he knows how people have tried to shame and judge him when they find out about his job. He fears dropping the porn bombshell before he and Caleb really get to know each other and decides to wait to see if anything real will develop. Other than his self-consciousness about his injury he owns who he is, preferring to wear kilts to pants and streaking his black hair red. On the opposite end though, there is such an innocence and enthusiasm in Raven as he progresses through his first ever relationship, goes on his first date and starts to fall in love. Raven realizes the mistakes he made after his accident in pushing people away and goes about rectifying the situation with his best friend Will and even spies an opportunity for a new business venture.
My feelings about Caleb were a little more conflicted. Caleb is everything Raven needs when they are together. He is intuitive and respectful of Raven’s discomfort and limitations and he obviously really cares about him. But Caleb’s lies and his reasoning for hiding really bothered me. He is also using his cousin Jaime to deflect attention from himself at family gatherings. Every time he sees his family and entertains conversations about being set up with a woman and making a date, he is making it harder to get out of the lies, and while his reasons for keeping quiet were valid as a teen, they are not anymore. Even knowing that if he wants to keep the man he loves he has to come clean to his family, he goes through with yet another deception and involves Raven in it.
While both men were keeping some secrets, I got the feeling that Raven would definitely have told Caleb his, but Caleb would have gone on deceiving his family as long as he could. Even Jaime is getting tired of his games. Jaime was a wonderful secondary character, who brought a good energy to the story. I enjoyed both his relationship with Caleb and his growing friendship with Raven and I’d love to see him get a story in the future.
I know there are people who don’t read books with porn stars for the reason that sex occurs on set while the MC’s are dating, but rest assured that Raven’s done with porn when this book starts. In fact he is so self-conscious of his scars and his limitation of motion that he has sworn off sex until he meets Caleb.
While I enjoyed the majority of the book, I was a bit disappointed at how quickly and neatly everything tied up in the end, especially considering the appalling behavior Caleb exhibits. Aside from that, the story moved along well and I thought the relationship between the MCs developed at a natural pace. If you love a man in a kilt and are looking for a sweet, low angst love story, Tartan Candy will check all those boxes.
November 19, 2016
My rating and my opinion of this story should absolutely be taken with a grain a salt. Mea culpa. You see, I did not read the whole blurb.
Somehow, someway, when I first saw this audio come out I read most of the blurb but somehow missed the line that clearly states "He refuses to reveal his porn past to Caleb, a past that might be the final obstacle to Caleb and Raven having any kind of relationship."
IF I had read that - I would have known to stay far, far away from this kind of story, as anyone who knows me knows I hate miscommunication and lying. I cannot stand it.
And this story is basically one HUGE miscommunication setup.
David Ross's narration was not bad, but it was less than stellar, and it just wasn't good enough, for me, to make up for the annoyance of the plot.
The final straw, though, was having such an incendiary reveal so rage inducing, which was followed by quick forgiveness and an HEA epilogue which gave me no time at all to process everything and come down from the rage.
It's almost a week later, and I'm still mad whenever I think about Caleb's behavior. I needed more chapters so Caleb could really grovel before Raven accepted his apology. I was unprepared. And, again, that's on me.
Audio copy of Tartan Candy (Fabric Hearts #1) provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
April 2, 2016
Might be my mood, but I loved this book! It was slow, but totally endearing and it was long but nothing I found too much or not needed. Yes, this had a great pace, believable development, nice characters and a main couple you only could fell in love with. *sigh*
Give me more like this anytime!
Give me more like this anytime!
March 15, 2021
Raven has to rebuild his confidence and establish himself since he can no longer be a porn star. He starts to feel something for the sexy air-con repair man but is scared to make a move.
Thankfully he takes a chance on Caleb and does not regret it.
Thankfully he takes a chance on Caleb and does not regret it.
February 16, 2016
Raven is a hot mess, and I love him!! He faces the world with an unflinching directness that I appreciated, recognizing his faults and yet still putting himself out there. Caleb is a hot mess, and I spent most of the book wanting to smack him. Closeted and hiding, despite the fact that his mother will be more disappointed in the end for having her only child lie to her all these years, as well as having a best friend who is his first cousin and out, proud, and accepted by the family, did not endear him to me. Yes, yes, I know, not everyone lives the same truth, but the reason for his holdout is what hacked me off. Like there aren’t alternative options available than knocking up a woman the old fashioned way?
Despite the awkwardness of Caleb, Raven still flips for the man (yes, even knowing why Caleb’s seeking Narnia), and the chemistry between the two is astounding. The book has a slow burn that is wonderful, and I give five full flames for that buildup! I appreciated how KC wrote the caring and nurturing of body and heart between the two men. The trope is fairly standard, but the situation with Raven’s post-accident scarring and resultant physical limitations was written incredibly well and gave the book a very unique feel. The pacing is on point, with only one or two stutter spots in the book. Caleb’s outing and the subsequent response from his overly-pressuring mother was resolved in what I felt was a lovely manner.
Unfortunately, the reason for his outing ties into the ending of the book, and I was very disappointed with how it played out. For all the strength building that is written into Raven throughout this book, I was staggered that that the ending was so incredibly abrupt. It tied up so neatly and so quickly that you could have put a bow on it, and was, to my mind, completely implausible and absolutely shocking in its travesty. However, despite my unhappiness with the ending, the rest of the book is so good that I would still recommend it. Three and a half stars - that I’m rounding up since I can't do halves here, because it deserves to go that way rather than down.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
Despite the awkwardness of Caleb, Raven still flips for the man (yes, even knowing why Caleb’s seeking Narnia), and the chemistry between the two is astounding. The book has a slow burn that is wonderful, and I give five full flames for that buildup! I appreciated how KC wrote the caring and nurturing of body and heart between the two men. The trope is fairly standard, but the situation with Raven’s post-accident scarring and resultant physical limitations was written incredibly well and gave the book a very unique feel. The pacing is on point, with only one or two stutter spots in the book. Caleb’s outing and the subsequent response from his overly-pressuring mother was resolved in what I felt was a lovely manner.
Unfortunately, the reason for his outing ties into the ending of the book, and I was very disappointed with how it played out. For all the strength building that is written into Raven throughout this book, I was staggered that that the ending was so incredibly abrupt. It tied up so neatly and so quickly that you could have put a bow on it, and was, to my mind, completely implausible and absolutely shocking in its travesty. However, despite my unhappiness with the ending, the rest of the book is so good that I would still recommend it. Three and a half stars - that I’m rounding up since I can't do halves here, because it deserves to go that way rather than down.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
February 5, 2017
2.5 Stars
The bummer with the audio on this one was that the narrator's style highlighted my niggles with the story itself when I read it, so it didn't translate well to audio for me. The narrator has a voice that's easy to listen to and all, but his tone was too even and I clocked out all too easily when the inner dialogs started. And there were a lot of them. So, when all the truths finally came out and their was some real emoting happening it was a little jarring and showcased how rushed the resolution and HEA were. I noticed it when I read the book, but I had the characters built up in my head so it didn't really bother me, I just didn't feel the affect of the MC's as much in the audio to let the niggles go.
The bummer with the audio on this one was that the narrator's style highlighted my niggles with the story itself when I read it, so it didn't translate well to audio for me. The narrator has a voice that's easy to listen to and all, but his tone was too even and I clocked out all too easily when the inner dialogs started. And there were a lot of them. So, when all the truths finally came out and their was some real emoting happening it was a little jarring and showcased how rushed the resolution and HEA were. I noticed it when I read the book, but I had the characters built up in my head so it didn't really bother me, I just didn't feel the affect of the MC's as much in the audio to let the niggles go.
March 16, 2018
Männer im Kilt
Auf die neue Serie von KC Burn war ich schon sehr gespannt und wurde nicht enttäuscht.
Zur Handlung. Raven war einmal ein erfolgreicher Pornodarsteller, doch ein schwerer Unfall beendete vorzeitig seine Karriere. Um sich finanziell über Wasser zu halten jobbt er als Escort und Model im Kilt. Bei einem Auftrag streikt die Klimaanlage in seinem Hotelzimmer. Dadurch lernt er Caleb kennen. Doch aufgrund seiner von dem Unfall zurückgebliebenen Narben hat Raven Komplexe und hält sich für zu unattraktiv für den gut aussehenden Handwerker.
Caleb hat sich mit seiner kleinen Reparaturfirma einen Lebenstraum erfüllt. Dass er schwul ist, weiß in seiner Familie nur sein Cousin Jaime. Denn Caleb traut sich nicht, sich vor seinen Eltern zu outen. Bislang war das auch nicht nötig, da er keinen Partner hatte. Das ändert sich erst, als er Raven kennen lernt.
Raven und Caleb haben einen schwierigen Start. Denn Raven hat nicht nur körperliche Probleme, der Unfall hat bei ihm auch schweren, psychischen Schaden hinterlassen. So ist er lange Zeit nicht in der Lage, körperliche Nähe zuzulassen, da er glaubt, seine Narben würde Caleb abstoßend finden. Nur mit viel Geduld und beginnender Liebe kann ihn Caleb vom Gegenteil überzeugen.
Die Geschichte der beiden Männer hat mir gefallen. KC Burn schildert glaubhaft den inneren Kampf Ravens mit den Folgen seiner schweren Verletzungen. Nicht ganz so sympathisch fand ich Caleb. Mit seiner Heuchelei und Feigheit vor dem Outing verletzt er am Ende sogar seinen Freund und braucht den sprichwörtlichen Tritt in den Hintern, den er dann von seinem Cousin erhält.
Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Folgen der Serie.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
Auf die neue Serie von KC Burn war ich schon sehr gespannt und wurde nicht enttäuscht.
Zur Handlung. Raven war einmal ein erfolgreicher Pornodarsteller, doch ein schwerer Unfall beendete vorzeitig seine Karriere. Um sich finanziell über Wasser zu halten jobbt er als Escort und Model im Kilt. Bei einem Auftrag streikt die Klimaanlage in seinem Hotelzimmer. Dadurch lernt er Caleb kennen. Doch aufgrund seiner von dem Unfall zurückgebliebenen Narben hat Raven Komplexe und hält sich für zu unattraktiv für den gut aussehenden Handwerker.
Caleb hat sich mit seiner kleinen Reparaturfirma einen Lebenstraum erfüllt. Dass er schwul ist, weiß in seiner Familie nur sein Cousin Jaime. Denn Caleb traut sich nicht, sich vor seinen Eltern zu outen. Bislang war das auch nicht nötig, da er keinen Partner hatte. Das ändert sich erst, als er Raven kennen lernt.
Raven und Caleb haben einen schwierigen Start. Denn Raven hat nicht nur körperliche Probleme, der Unfall hat bei ihm auch schweren, psychischen Schaden hinterlassen. So ist er lange Zeit nicht in der Lage, körperliche Nähe zuzulassen, da er glaubt, seine Narben würde Caleb abstoßend finden. Nur mit viel Geduld und beginnender Liebe kann ihn Caleb vom Gegenteil überzeugen.
Die Geschichte der beiden Männer hat mir gefallen. KC Burn schildert glaubhaft den inneren Kampf Ravens mit den Folgen seiner schweren Verletzungen. Nicht ganz so sympathisch fand ich Caleb. Mit seiner Heuchelei und Feigheit vor dem Outing verletzt er am Ende sogar seinen Freund und braucht den sprichwörtlichen Tritt in den Hintern, den er dann von seinem Cousin erhält.
Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Folgen der Serie.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
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February 26, 2016This was different than I expected though I am honestly not sure exactly what I expected but what I got was well… yeah.
Told from the dual POV’s of our MC’s, we meet Raven first as he is working as an escort to the despicable human being named Jeremy during the weekend of his high school reunion. Raven is sporting a nice kilt, in the Royal Stewart plaid complete with a sporran and of course, he is eye candy for doing so. But Raven, he is bored and he really is just there for the money and Jeremy is an ass so Raven attempts to find other things to do. When his first night leaves him with a sweltering hotel room, in Florida, with a broken AC, the repairman who shows up turns a crank Raven thought was dead and gone. You see, as the blurb states, Raven is a retired porn star and his retirement was forced due to an accident that left him unable to perform yet this dude walks into his room to make the room cold and ends up making Raven hot. Yup. I went there with the puns.
Said repairman, also known as Caleb, has the hots for one pale skinned Raven as well but neither man acknowledges the attraction nor really talk to one another when they first meet. They have a lot of fantasies about one another but there is no interaction with them for some time. Caleb, comes from a traditional Cuban family who does not know he is gay… I have a thing for boys in the closet and what Caleb goes through with snide comments from his family hurt. I was worried how this would go about, how he would be able to attempt anything with Raven with his family not knowing about his sexuality and would it create unnecessary angst.
So, they do finally find a way to see one another again with a purposely broken A/C unit, a kilt and a quiet understanding of want, things get a bit awkward. I do like that Raven has ghosts from his accident and his porn past colliding. This relationship, if one is going to happen at all will be doubly difficult as both men are arriving with baggage but I get Raven’s hang-up when it comes to intimacy.
Now, I really wanted to like this book. I did, it has all the trappings and tropes that I love but at about 35% I, well… got bored.
What makes this book not work for me is the time the MC’s spent apart. I get it, they have separate lives but I came to read a romance and it’s hard to read a romance when the MC’s aren’t together. The other thing that makes this not work for me and something I was waiting for the most though, was for Raven to become Finlay, to drop the candy coated fancy name. To keep using his porn name became pretentious and really kept me from connecting to him the way I wanted to. Yes, I know they why is briefly stated but why even give us a name duality if it’s going to be glossed over like that?
I did like that Caleb was patient with Raven’s injuries and issues with sex. I like that Raven was patient with Caleb’s reasons for not being out to his family but when Caleb finds out what Raven does and then how the book ends? It just was off for me and I never felt the romance between these two men.
Sometimes books work and sometimes they didn’t. Sadly, this one didn’t work for me regardless of the kilt factor.
Told from the dual POV’s of our MC’s, we meet Raven first as he is working as an escort to the despicable human being named Jeremy during the weekend of his high school reunion. Raven is sporting a nice kilt, in the Royal Stewart plaid complete with a sporran and of course, he is eye candy for doing so. But Raven, he is bored and he really is just there for the money and Jeremy is an ass so Raven attempts to find other things to do. When his first night leaves him with a sweltering hotel room, in Florida, with a broken AC, the repairman who shows up turns a crank Raven thought was dead and gone. You see, as the blurb states, Raven is a retired porn star and his retirement was forced due to an accident that left him unable to perform yet this dude walks into his room to make the room cold and ends up making Raven hot. Yup. I went there with the puns.
Said repairman, also known as Caleb, has the hots for one pale skinned Raven as well but neither man acknowledges the attraction nor really talk to one another when they first meet. They have a lot of fantasies about one another but there is no interaction with them for some time. Caleb, comes from a traditional Cuban family who does not know he is gay… I have a thing for boys in the closet and what Caleb goes through with snide comments from his family hurt. I was worried how this would go about, how he would be able to attempt anything with Raven with his family not knowing about his sexuality and would it create unnecessary angst.
So, they do finally find a way to see one another again with a purposely broken A/C unit, a kilt and a quiet understanding of want, things get a bit awkward. I do like that Raven has ghosts from his accident and his porn past colliding. This relationship, if one is going to happen at all will be doubly difficult as both men are arriving with baggage but I get Raven’s hang-up when it comes to intimacy.
Now, I really wanted to like this book. I did, it has all the trappings and tropes that I love but at about 35% I, well… got bored.
What makes this book not work for me is the time the MC’s spent apart. I get it, they have separate lives but I came to read a romance and it’s hard to read a romance when the MC’s aren’t together. The other thing that makes this not work for me and something I was waiting for the most though, was for Raven to become Finlay, to drop the candy coated fancy name. To keep using his porn name became pretentious and really kept me from connecting to him the way I wanted to. Yes, I know they why is briefly stated but why even give us a name duality if it’s going to be glossed over like that?
I did like that Caleb was patient with Raven’s injuries and issues with sex. I like that Raven was patient with Caleb’s reasons for not being out to his family but when Caleb finds out what Raven does and then how the book ends? It just was off for me and I never felt the romance between these two men.
Sometimes books work and sometimes they didn’t. Sadly, this one didn’t work for me regardless of the kilt factor.
February 26, 2016
Title: Tartan Candy
Author: K.C. Burn
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Barb
Release Date: February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance, Kilts
Page Count: 206
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Love Love Love Raven and Caleb
K.C. Burn is a new author to me and I was pleasantly surprised by this unique story. Raven is a popular porn star but after an accident that leaves him damaged with no sexual desire, he is forced to become an escort (without benefits). He attends a 3 day HS reunion with Jeremy, a douche of epic proportions, as his companion. Raven’s signature look is wearing a variety of Tartan kilts, which garners him a lot of attention. Caleb is an HVAC contractor who is deeply in the closet to his family. They meet when Raven needs his air conditioner serviced in his room at the hotel during the reunion. There is immediate attraction to each other, awakening a desire in Raven he thought he had lost forever. I loved how Ms. Burn wrote the angst that Caleb had to go through not being out to his family. There are expectations on Caleb that he cannot live up to. As Raven and Caleb’s sexual chemistry explodes and their relationship grows stronger, the need for Caleb to come out to his family escalates. I am not going to give away the explosive ending but you will love how Ms. Burn gives Raven and Caleb their HEA.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Barb from Alpha Book Club
Author: K.C. Burn
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Barb
Release Date: February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance, Kilts
Page Count: 206
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Finlay McIntyre (aka Raven) is a successful adult film star with a penchant for kilts, until an accident cuts short his stardom and leaves him with zero sexual desire, lowered self-esteem, and no job. He knew his porn career wouldn’t last forever, but he wasn’t prepared for retirement at twenty-eight. While trying to figure out the rest of his life, Raven agrees to attend a high school reunion. That’s when a malfunctioning AC unit in his hotel room changes everything.
Caleb Sanderson, an entrepreneur with his own HVAC business, has no idea what to expect when he steps into Raven’s hotel room to fix his AC unit. They’re attracted to each other, but Caleb, closeted, can’t afford a gay relationship, not with his mom pressuring him to produce grandchildren. If he wants to keep Raven—who no closet could hold—he’ll need to tell his family the truth. But Raven has a few secrets of his own. He refuses to reveal his porn past to Caleb, a past that might be the final obstacle to Caleb and Raven having any kind of relationship.
Love Love Love Raven and Caleb
K.C. Burn is a new author to me and I was pleasantly surprised by this unique story. Raven is a popular porn star but after an accident that leaves him damaged with no sexual desire, he is forced to become an escort (without benefits). He attends a 3 day HS reunion with Jeremy, a douche of epic proportions, as his companion. Raven’s signature look is wearing a variety of Tartan kilts, which garners him a lot of attention. Caleb is an HVAC contractor who is deeply in the closet to his family. They meet when Raven needs his air conditioner serviced in his room at the hotel during the reunion. There is immediate attraction to each other, awakening a desire in Raven he thought he had lost forever. I loved how Ms. Burn wrote the angst that Caleb had to go through not being out to his family. There are expectations on Caleb that he cannot live up to. As Raven and Caleb’s sexual chemistry explodes and their relationship grows stronger, the need for Caleb to come out to his family escalates. I am not going to give away the explosive ending but you will love how Ms. Burn gives Raven and Caleb their HEA.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Barb from Alpha Book Club
December 31, 2016
4 Hearts
Narrator: David Ross
This was a sweet slow burn story with a great narrator to give it a lift.
Raven is still recovering both physically, and emotionally, from a motorcycle accident that ended his career in the porn industry. He is no longer flexible, his body is severely scarred (to him), and he has closed himself off to the prospect of being with any man, ever again.
Enter the sexy Caleb Sanderson, a hotel contracted HVAC repairman. Raven takes one look at him, and wants. He doesn’t understand his reaction to the man, but he needs to see him again. Breaking the AC unit in his hotel room, where he has finished a job of ‘companion’ for a sleezeball who needed a ‘date’ for his high school reunion, he finds himself hitting on the older man, and friendship and romance take over his never intentions.
These two are really sweet together. They work on their relationship slowly, while Raven tries to figure out how to tell Caleb about his old career. The story flowed easily, there was low angst, and rather than Raven using his injuries to completely back off from Caleb (even though his internal monologue told him to), he reacted in the right way, allowing their relationship to grow.
Caleb took things slow, giving Raven time to come out of his shell. I really enjoyed his easy going attitude. He didn’t push, indicate frustration, or make Raven feel bad about his resistence to show his body.
I wasn’t really keen on the drama that unfolded later in the story, and I thought it was a little anticlimactic, but it did follow with the mostly low angst vibe that I enjoyed. I could have done without it entirely, but I understand that the story was leading up to it, so accept it being there.
There was some pretty hot kilt lifting, and I’ve gotta say, the sexy stuff was deliciously provocative and gave me an enjoyable buzz.
The narration was pretty good, although where accents are involved, it can be a bit tricky. Lucky I am pretty ignorant to accents, because I am the destroyer of all things pronounciation. Truly, I am horrible at it. I can tell a fake british, or aussie accent, and some other accents sound odd and not quite right to me, but that is probably my issue. I thought David Ross did pretty well. I usually enjoy his voice skills, and I really don’t have any complaints with this one.
If you’re looking for a sweet slow burn romance, with an erotic twist, this is definitely a story I would recommend.
I received a copy from the publisher, in exchange for an honest opinion
Narrator: David Ross
This was a sweet slow burn story with a great narrator to give it a lift.
Raven is still recovering both physically, and emotionally, from a motorcycle accident that ended his career in the porn industry. He is no longer flexible, his body is severely scarred (to him), and he has closed himself off to the prospect of being with any man, ever again.
Enter the sexy Caleb Sanderson, a hotel contracted HVAC repairman. Raven takes one look at him, and wants. He doesn’t understand his reaction to the man, but he needs to see him again. Breaking the AC unit in his hotel room, where he has finished a job of ‘companion’ for a sleezeball who needed a ‘date’ for his high school reunion, he finds himself hitting on the older man, and friendship and romance take over his never intentions.
These two are really sweet together. They work on their relationship slowly, while Raven tries to figure out how to tell Caleb about his old career. The story flowed easily, there was low angst, and rather than Raven using his injuries to completely back off from Caleb (even though his internal monologue told him to), he reacted in the right way, allowing their relationship to grow.
Caleb took things slow, giving Raven time to come out of his shell. I really enjoyed his easy going attitude. He didn’t push, indicate frustration, or make Raven feel bad about his resistence to show his body.
I wasn’t really keen on the drama that unfolded later in the story, and I thought it was a little anticlimactic, but it did follow with the mostly low angst vibe that I enjoyed. I could have done without it entirely, but I understand that the story was leading up to it, so accept it being there.
There was some pretty hot kilt lifting, and I’ve gotta say, the sexy stuff was deliciously provocative and gave me an enjoyable buzz.
The narration was pretty good, although where accents are involved, it can be a bit tricky. Lucky I am pretty ignorant to accents, because I am the destroyer of all things pronounciation. Truly, I am horrible at it. I can tell a fake british, or aussie accent, and some other accents sound odd and not quite right to me, but that is probably my issue. I thought David Ross did pretty well. I usually enjoy his voice skills, and I really don’t have any complaints with this one.
If you’re looking for a sweet slow burn romance, with an erotic twist, this is definitely a story I would recommend.
I received a copy from the publisher, in exchange for an honest opinion
October 6, 2016
*Rounded up to 3.5 stars!*
A book with plenty of slow-burn and UST is a go-to for me, and Tartan Candy definitely fits the bill. Add in an out and proud guy who wears kilts and I’m all over that. The cover for this book is fabulous, and deserves lots of cover love. The two MC’s, Raven and Caleb, are written well and their relationship develops in a way that feels genuine and authentic. Lots of sweet moments for these two, and like I mentioned, a pretty great build-up. I really like the contrast between the two characters, Raven and his flamboyance and Caleb with his straightforward, sort of every man aura. It was a bit hard for me to accept the reasons for Caleb’s fear of coming out, and feel like this takes away from Caleb’s good qualities. But overall, Raven and Caleb together really works and I found myself cheering for them and wanting their HEA.
I like the way KC Burn portrays these two, both together and apart. There are some great secondary characters, especially Caleb’s cousin, Jamie. He proved quite the foil for Caleb and I really like the way Burn uses him to highlight Caleb’s flaws. Raven, well he is quite lovable and his vulnerability and low self-esteem resulting from his accident only endears him more. That really is the strongest aspect of the book, how these two nurture one another. Unsurprisingly, Raven’s reluctance to reveal his past and Caleb’s fear results in secrets which in turn causes problems. I thought the coming out was a tad over the top and overly dramatic, and the build-up of the fallout Caleb expects from his family fell a bit flat for me, but overall, the happily ever after is very satisfying.
Tartan Candy is a cute, fun book and I recommend it … especially for any and all who love kilts!
*Reviewed for Diverse Reader*
A book with plenty of slow-burn and UST is a go-to for me, and Tartan Candy definitely fits the bill. Add in an out and proud guy who wears kilts and I’m all over that. The cover for this book is fabulous, and deserves lots of cover love. The two MC’s, Raven and Caleb, are written well and their relationship develops in a way that feels genuine and authentic. Lots of sweet moments for these two, and like I mentioned, a pretty great build-up. I really like the contrast between the two characters, Raven and his flamboyance and Caleb with his straightforward, sort of every man aura. It was a bit hard for me to accept the reasons for Caleb’s fear of coming out, and feel like this takes away from Caleb’s good qualities. But overall, Raven and Caleb together really works and I found myself cheering for them and wanting their HEA.
I like the way KC Burn portrays these two, both together and apart. There are some great secondary characters, especially Caleb’s cousin, Jamie. He proved quite the foil for Caleb and I really like the way Burn uses him to highlight Caleb’s flaws. Raven, well he is quite lovable and his vulnerability and low self-esteem resulting from his accident only endears him more. That really is the strongest aspect of the book, how these two nurture one another. Unsurprisingly, Raven’s reluctance to reveal his past and Caleb’s fear results in secrets which in turn causes problems. I thought the coming out was a tad over the top and overly dramatic, and the build-up of the fallout Caleb expects from his family fell a bit flat for me, but overall, the happily ever after is very satisfying.
Tartan Candy is a cute, fun book and I recommend it … especially for any and all who love kilts!
*Reviewed for Diverse Reader*
Read
August 20, 2016In Queue
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
March 16, 2016
3.5 bumped to 4 stars because I did like it.
Raven is a porn star forced into retirement due to an automobile accident who meets Caleb, a closeted A/C repairman, while attending a weekend event at a hotel as a paid companion. They have instant attraction, but take their time developing their relationship. It was interesting to see them both come to terms with their relationship and who they are. I would have liked it to have just a bit more story after the resolution of their conflict.
Raven is a porn star forced into retirement due to an automobile accident who meets Caleb, a closeted A/C repairman, while attending a weekend event at a hotel as a paid companion. They have instant attraction, but take their time developing their relationship. It was interesting to see them both come to terms with their relationship and who they are. I would have liked it to have just a bit more story after the resolution of their conflict.
February 16, 2017
A hottie in a kilt. Yum! This was a sweet story. Quite enjoyable.
July 19, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because the narrator and most of the book worked for me and still no 1/2 stars here on GR.
I want candy, I want candy...eye-candy that is...
After being seriously hurt in an accident Raven's career in the adult film industry comes to an unexpected and abrupt end. Struggling with his battered self-esteem, no job and no interest in sex. Raven accepts an offer to attend a high school reunion with an acquaintance of his former employer as their escort, companion, date whatever title you want to give it but Raven's very clear that there are no sexual favors involved. Sadly his client turns out to be a jerk, cutting the evening short Raven returns to his room only to discover that the air-conditioner in his room has broken down. This turns out to be the highlight of his day when Caleb the HVAC person contracted to service the hotel's system shows up at his door.
Raven's libido definitely sits up and takes notice at the sight of the sexy service man and Caleb isn't immune to the dark haired beauty who opens the door when he makes his service call. Problem is awakened libido or not Raven's got issues to get past before he's ready for a relationship that involves getting physical and Caleb needs to find his way out of the closet he's locked himself in.
However, whatever the issues may be on both sides them men are definitely attracted and spending time with each other and getting to know each other is not something that either of them truly has an aversion to.
Raven's life has been kind of sucky. He got dealt a bad hand when it came to parents. Mom was less than interested in being a decent mother and dad was less than present. So when he came out to his mom at the age of 18 it also meant coming home to his belongings on the front porch and changed locks on the front door. Raven picked up his things and did what he had to in order to make his way in the world. He's not ashamed of his time as a porn star but that doesn't mean he's taking out any billboards for it either. He wants to tell Caleb but not until they've had a bit of time together to cement their relationship.
Caleb just needs to man-up and find his way out of the closet. He's convinced himself that he can never be gay because his momma wants grandchildren and it's his duty to provided them and the family would never accept him being gay never mind that they accept his cousin Jamie who is unrepentantly gay and still part of the family and loved.
Mostly I really liked this story. I liked Raven and thought he was pretty damned courageous person. I loved how kind and caring Caleb was towards him and how he treated Raven. Taking him on dates and not pushing him for more than he was willing to give. I loved that Caleb enjoyed being able to just curl up with Raven and kiss and cuddle. It was so sweet and romantic and then it fell apart for somewhere around 85 - 90% (sorry, I listened to the audio here to this is a guesstimate).
Anyways, this is towards the end and the point at which Caleb finally finds out about Raven's career in adult films. Caleb's reaction blew me out of the water. I went from "I adore you, Caleb" to "Caleb you are a freakin' bag of dicks".
David Ross was the narrator for this audiobook and ironically I've only listened to one other audio book by this narrator and I have to confess it did not go well for me, so this is where the irony comes in because I enjoyed Mr. Ross's narration of this story. His voices were good and they worked for me. They suited the characters and while they maybe weren't totally consistent with what I imagined they still felt appropriate for the characters, so like I said they worked and they were expressive giving depth and feeling to his narration.
I have to admit I was looking forward to this story and up until around 85% I was really enjoying it, unfortunately the last part of the story took away from things in a big way. So I'm going to move on to 'Plaid Versus Paisley' and cross my fingers and hope that things end up a whole lot better.
I want candy, I want candy...eye-candy that is...
After being seriously hurt in an accident Raven's career in the adult film industry comes to an unexpected and abrupt end. Struggling with his battered self-esteem, no job and no interest in sex. Raven accepts an offer to attend a high school reunion with an acquaintance of his former employer as their escort, companion, date whatever title you want to give it but Raven's very clear that there are no sexual favors involved. Sadly his client turns out to be a jerk, cutting the evening short Raven returns to his room only to discover that the air-conditioner in his room has broken down. This turns out to be the highlight of his day when Caleb the HVAC person contracted to service the hotel's system shows up at his door.
Raven's libido definitely sits up and takes notice at the sight of the sexy service man and Caleb isn't immune to the dark haired beauty who opens the door when he makes his service call. Problem is awakened libido or not Raven's got issues to get past before he's ready for a relationship that involves getting physical and Caleb needs to find his way out of the closet he's locked himself in.
However, whatever the issues may be on both sides them men are definitely attracted and spending time with each other and getting to know each other is not something that either of them truly has an aversion to.
Raven's life has been kind of sucky. He got dealt a bad hand when it came to parents. Mom was less than interested in being a decent mother and dad was less than present. So when he came out to his mom at the age of 18 it also meant coming home to his belongings on the front porch and changed locks on the front door. Raven picked up his things and did what he had to in order to make his way in the world. He's not ashamed of his time as a porn star but that doesn't mean he's taking out any billboards for it either. He wants to tell Caleb but not until they've had a bit of time together to cement their relationship.
Caleb just needs to man-up and find his way out of the closet. He's convinced himself that he can never be gay because his momma wants grandchildren and it's his duty to provided them and the family would never accept him being gay never mind that they accept his cousin Jamie who is unrepentantly gay and still part of the family and loved.
Mostly I really liked this story. I liked Raven and thought he was pretty damned courageous person. I loved how kind and caring Caleb was towards him and how he treated Raven. Taking him on dates and not pushing him for more than he was willing to give. I loved that Caleb enjoyed being able to just curl up with Raven and kiss and cuddle. It was so sweet and romantic and then it fell apart for somewhere around 85 - 90% (sorry, I listened to the audio here to this is a guesstimate).
Anyways, this is towards the end and the point at which Caleb finally finds out about Raven's career in adult films. Caleb's reaction blew me out of the water. I went from "I adore you, Caleb" to "Caleb you are a freakin' bag of dicks".
David Ross was the narrator for this audiobook and ironically I've only listened to one other audio book by this narrator and I have to confess it did not go well for me, so this is where the irony comes in because I enjoyed Mr. Ross's narration of this story. His voices were good and they worked for me. They suited the characters and while they maybe weren't totally consistent with what I imagined they still felt appropriate for the characters, so like I said they worked and they were expressive giving depth and feeling to his narration.
I have to admit I was looking forward to this story and up until around 85% I was really enjoying it, unfortunately the last part of the story took away from things in a big way. So I'm going to move on to 'Plaid Versus Paisley' and cross my fingers and hope that things end up a whole lot better.
February 1, 2019
Tartan Candy (Fabric hearts, 1, French edition)
By KC Burn
Dreamspinner Press, 2017
Four stars
I love finding the French editions of American m/m novels. They’re not only fun to read, but they keep my mind working and update my vocabulary.
This surprisingly sweet and touching story puts together two unlikely romantic heroes. Caleb Sanderson is a half-Cuban HVAC repairman. Raven McIntyre is a retired porn star, recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle accident that left him unfit for close-ups before his career was over. Caleb is deeply in the closet because of his large, procreation-obsessed family. Raven, on the other hand, has been on the streets since he was locked out by his mother at eighteen. The only family he’s ever had are the men he worked with at Idyll Fling studios. Neither of these young men has ever come close to having someone to love.
Instant attraction is stock-in-trade for gay romance, but these two guys take their time, neither of them secure enough to trust the other. Caleb sees Raven as beyond his reach and is intimidated by his self-assured glamour. Raven, on the other hand, is convinced that the scars that ended his career have also ended any possibility for love in his life. Only the electric physical connection that Caleb and Raven share when they meet each other offers them the hope that there might be something there for them after all.
All romantic trauma relies on secrets, which are so easy to misinterpret as lies. Caleb has his closet, in spite of his openly gay cousin, Jaime. Jaime is Caleb’s smoke screen, allowing him to stay hidden from his parents and himself. Raven has his ruined career, about which he refuses to feel shame, but which he knows gives other people pause. People’s assumptions about porn stars mask the humanity of the pretty boy on the screen. Self-doubt and the fear it causes sets up potential disaster, even as Caleb and Raven begin to realize that each of them might just be the Prince Charming they feared they’d never meet.
Prejudice is simply judging someone else without knowing who they really are. There is lots of different kinds of prejudice in Tartan Candy, and as the author casts light on these biases, she opens a path to happiness for her heroes, if only they can find the courage to walk it.
By KC Burn
Dreamspinner Press, 2017
Four stars
I love finding the French editions of American m/m novels. They’re not only fun to read, but they keep my mind working and update my vocabulary.
This surprisingly sweet and touching story puts together two unlikely romantic heroes. Caleb Sanderson is a half-Cuban HVAC repairman. Raven McIntyre is a retired porn star, recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle accident that left him unfit for close-ups before his career was over. Caleb is deeply in the closet because of his large, procreation-obsessed family. Raven, on the other hand, has been on the streets since he was locked out by his mother at eighteen. The only family he’s ever had are the men he worked with at Idyll Fling studios. Neither of these young men has ever come close to having someone to love.
Instant attraction is stock-in-trade for gay romance, but these two guys take their time, neither of them secure enough to trust the other. Caleb sees Raven as beyond his reach and is intimidated by his self-assured glamour. Raven, on the other hand, is convinced that the scars that ended his career have also ended any possibility for love in his life. Only the electric physical connection that Caleb and Raven share when they meet each other offers them the hope that there might be something there for them after all.
All romantic trauma relies on secrets, which are so easy to misinterpret as lies. Caleb has his closet, in spite of his openly gay cousin, Jaime. Jaime is Caleb’s smoke screen, allowing him to stay hidden from his parents and himself. Raven has his ruined career, about which he refuses to feel shame, but which he knows gives other people pause. People’s assumptions about porn stars mask the humanity of the pretty boy on the screen. Self-doubt and the fear it causes sets up potential disaster, even as Caleb and Raven begin to realize that each of them might just be the Prince Charming they feared they’d never meet.
Prejudice is simply judging someone else without knowing who they really are. There is lots of different kinds of prejudice in Tartan Candy, and as the author casts light on these biases, she opens a path to happiness for her heroes, if only they can find the courage to walk it.
February 22, 2018
Nach einem schweren Verkehrsunfall muss der Pornodarsteller Raven mit gesundheitlichen Problemen kämpfen und seine Karriere beenden. Zwar war ihm schon vorher klar, dass er irgendwann zu alt für den Job sein würde, doch so ein Ende hätte er dann auch nicht erwartet. Auf andere Menschen wirkt Raven sehr selbstsicher und gelassen. Doch der Unfall hat auch mental Spuren hinterlassen und es ist ihm auch nicht möglich mit einem anderen Menschen auf Tuchfühlung zu gehen. Das lässt sein Liebesleben natürlich völlig brach liegen. Als er jedoch den Handwerker Caleb kennenlernt, hat er das erste Mal wieder Interesse. Doch die Ängste scheinen fast zu übermächtig.
Caleb ist völlig hingerissen von dem Mann im Kilt, der jedoch kaum erreichbar scheint. Aber dann entwickelt sich etwas zwischen ihnen. Eigentlich möchte Caleb mehr, respektiert jedoch Ravens Zurückhaltung. Und je mehr er von ihm und dem Unfall erfährt, desto besser kann er Raven auch verstehen. Doch nicht nur Raven hat so seine Probleme. Auch Caleb fühlt sich oft überfordert - und zwar von seiner Familie. Die ist riesig, neugierig und furchtbar liebenswert. Aber auch schrecklich nervig und will ihn ständig an die Frau bringen. Doch Caleb ist nicht out und fürchtet nichts mehr als die Liebe seiner Eltern zu verlieren.
Es ist wirklich sehr nett zu lesen, wie Raven und Caleb einander näherkommen und kennenlernen. Mitwisser ist von Anfang an der Cousin von Caleb, der ihn auch immer unterstützt und deckt. Raven, der zwar genügend Erfahrung mit Sex gemacht hat, ist auf der Beziehungsebene und in der Datingwelt völlig unbedarft. Und so muss er erst lernen und sich auch langsam aus der Deckung wagen, will er eine ernste Chance mit Caleb haben. Dass dieser nicht out ist, ist für Raven erst einmal kein Problem.
Für den Leser wird es aber mit der Zeit zum Problem. Denn Caleb - so putzig und liebenswert er auch ist, ist ein schrecklicher Feigling und gegen Ende hin, bekommt er dann auch noch ein paar sehr heuchlerische Charakterzüge, die mir nicht gefallen haben. Aber das ist dann auch der Situation geschuldet, in die Raven und er geraten. Dabei hätte Caleb durchaus mehr Vertrauen in seine Eltern haben können und vielleicht damit nicht ganz soviel Porzellan zerschlagen müssen.
Dennoch bleibt es eine nette und humorvolle Lektüre, bei der es aber durchaus noch ein wenig Luft nach oben gibt.
Caleb ist völlig hingerissen von dem Mann im Kilt, der jedoch kaum erreichbar scheint. Aber dann entwickelt sich etwas zwischen ihnen. Eigentlich möchte Caleb mehr, respektiert jedoch Ravens Zurückhaltung. Und je mehr er von ihm und dem Unfall erfährt, desto besser kann er Raven auch verstehen. Doch nicht nur Raven hat so seine Probleme. Auch Caleb fühlt sich oft überfordert - und zwar von seiner Familie. Die ist riesig, neugierig und furchtbar liebenswert. Aber auch schrecklich nervig und will ihn ständig an die Frau bringen. Doch Caleb ist nicht out und fürchtet nichts mehr als die Liebe seiner Eltern zu verlieren.
Es ist wirklich sehr nett zu lesen, wie Raven und Caleb einander näherkommen und kennenlernen. Mitwisser ist von Anfang an der Cousin von Caleb, der ihn auch immer unterstützt und deckt. Raven, der zwar genügend Erfahrung mit Sex gemacht hat, ist auf der Beziehungsebene und in der Datingwelt völlig unbedarft. Und so muss er erst lernen und sich auch langsam aus der Deckung wagen, will er eine ernste Chance mit Caleb haben. Dass dieser nicht out ist, ist für Raven erst einmal kein Problem.
Für den Leser wird es aber mit der Zeit zum Problem. Denn Caleb - so putzig und liebenswert er auch ist, ist ein schrecklicher Feigling und gegen Ende hin, bekommt er dann auch noch ein paar sehr heuchlerische Charakterzüge, die mir nicht gefallen haben. Aber das ist dann auch der Situation geschuldet, in die Raven und er geraten. Dabei hätte Caleb durchaus mehr Vertrauen in seine Eltern haben können und vielleicht damit nicht ganz soviel Porzellan zerschlagen müssen.
Dennoch bleibt es eine nette und humorvolle Lektüre, bei der es aber durchaus noch ein wenig Luft nach oben gibt.
September 22, 2017
Not for me.
March 18, 2018
Ein guter (in sich abgeschlossener) Start in eine Serie.
Kilts & Bad Boys, was will man mehr 😜
https://elmaliest.wordpress.com/2018/...
Kilts & Bad Boys, was will man mehr 😜
https://elmaliest.wordpress.com/2018/...
December 27, 2016
** 2 disappointed stars **
This was about a 3 star read most of the way through. I liked Raven, and being inside his head, and understanding him. Caleb was a very sweet guy, and perfect for Raven.
Their meeting and start of relationship was very insta attraction, but I felt it worked. After one little heated kiss in the beginning, these guys take it real slow due to Raven's insecurities. I liked that they took their time to get to know one another, and just dated with a bit of making out instead of going all the way. It was a very slow build. It was very sweet when they finally had sex, but the sex is not the focus of this story. It just happened naturally as part of taking their relationship to the next level. I can appreciate that.
The title, Tartan Candy, is a reference to Raven setting up "Tartan Candy" as a small business where he and his friend, Will, can do model gigs, being "eye candy" in kilts. Tartan being the name of the pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours on the kilts.
(several of these are referenced in the book as kilts Raven owns and wears.)
The Tartan Candy work is in the background, though. There really isn't much referenced to it in the story. The focus is Raven and Caleb's relationship, and Caleb has nothing to do with the Tartan Candy. Only that he absolutely loves his man in a kilt.
I did feel the story was a bit repetitive. The characters feelings and thoughts of events were repeated a lot. Like Raven's accident and scars. They were of course a big part of the story, but I felt it got brought up too many times. Like I couldn't help but think "I heard you the first few times.
I also found it weird that the author praised her own writing in a way? I felt the author was set on telling me about the importance of course in creative-writing. The references felt really out of place, and the third time it was referenced, I had to roll my eyes.
Almost unworldly in his beauty -- and no, Caleb had never regretted the creative-writing elective he'd taken when getting his college HVAC technician diploma -- Raven was simply stunning. Black dress shirt, bright red plaid kilt, and hair that matched both. Raven looked almost regal, but his smile was approachable.
---
[On their dates] Instead, they'd talked about school (they'd both taken creative writing as electives.
---
For a moment, he wondered if Raven's love of reading had developed after the accident, for lack of anything else to keep him occupied, but then he remembered that they'd both taken creative-writing courses in college.
Weird, right?
I'm also not too happy about some descriptions the author made through the characters. Like Caleb saying that knitting equals gay.
He needed a fucking hobby. For a second, an image of himself knitting a sweater came to mind, making him laugh. Not only would that effectively out him to his family, he didn't require a whole lot of knitwear in Orlando.
I got really offended that Caleb views men knitting as automatically outing them as gay. When is that a rule? Also, I wasn't all too impressed with Raven saying:
Simultaneously, the two of them shuddered, and Raven giggled, just a bit. He hadn't realized women could be that weirdly cool.
---spoilers underneath---
What really knocked the rating down from 3 to 2 star, is the way Caleb reacted to Raven's secret being outed. Caleb was a totally sweet, gentle, and patient character throughout 80-90% of the book. Despite of the few niggles I mentioned above, I really liked both characters. But then Caleb turned around and had the biggest assholish reaction. It shocked me! And then it was suddenly straightened out, and wrapped up so quickly that I didn't have time to get over the shock before they had made up, and the story had ended with an epilogue. It felt me flabbergasted and reeling, especially since the whole book had been about taking things slow, and a slow build up. Raven forgave way too quickly, Caleb should have grovelled much, much more because of the mean things he said to Raven! This whole episode totally ruined my impression of the book, and Caleb as a character.
---end spoilers---
All in all, it was an okay book, with niggles, and one big WTF moment from me. It might not bug you, so give it a try if you want to.
The next book is about Will, Raven's friend and work partner in Tartan Candy. I'm looking forward to his story.
This was about a 3 star read most of the way through. I liked Raven, and being inside his head, and understanding him. Caleb was a very sweet guy, and perfect for Raven.
Their meeting and start of relationship was very insta attraction, but I felt it worked. After one little heated kiss in the beginning, these guys take it real slow due to Raven's insecurities. I liked that they took their time to get to know one another, and just dated with a bit of making out instead of going all the way. It was a very slow build. It was very sweet when they finally had sex, but the sex is not the focus of this story. It just happened naturally as part of taking their relationship to the next level. I can appreciate that.
The title, Tartan Candy, is a reference to Raven setting up "Tartan Candy" as a small business where he and his friend, Will, can do model gigs, being "eye candy" in kilts. Tartan being the name of the pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours on the kilts.
(several of these are referenced in the book as kilts Raven owns and wears.)
The Tartan Candy work is in the background, though. There really isn't much referenced to it in the story. The focus is Raven and Caleb's relationship, and Caleb has nothing to do with the Tartan Candy. Only that he absolutely loves his man in a kilt.
I did feel the story was a bit repetitive. The characters feelings and thoughts of events were repeated a lot. Like Raven's accident and scars. They were of course a big part of the story, but I felt it got brought up too many times. Like I couldn't help but think "I heard you the first few times.
I also found it weird that the author praised her own writing in a way? I felt the author was set on telling me about the importance of course in creative-writing. The references felt really out of place, and the third time it was referenced, I had to roll my eyes.
Almost unworldly in his beauty -- and no, Caleb had never regretted the creative-writing elective he'd taken when getting his college HVAC technician diploma -- Raven was simply stunning. Black dress shirt, bright red plaid kilt, and hair that matched both. Raven looked almost regal, but his smile was approachable.
---
[On their dates] Instead, they'd talked about school (they'd both taken creative writing as electives.
---
For a moment, he wondered if Raven's love of reading had developed after the accident, for lack of anything else to keep him occupied, but then he remembered that they'd both taken creative-writing courses in college.
Weird, right?
I'm also not too happy about some descriptions the author made through the characters. Like Caleb saying that knitting equals gay.
He needed a fucking hobby. For a second, an image of himself knitting a sweater came to mind, making him laugh. Not only would that effectively out him to his family, he didn't require a whole lot of knitwear in Orlando.
I got really offended that Caleb views men knitting as automatically outing them as gay. When is that a rule? Also, I wasn't all too impressed with Raven saying:
Simultaneously, the two of them shuddered, and Raven giggled, just a bit. He hadn't realized women could be that weirdly cool.
---spoilers underneath---
What really knocked the rating down from 3 to 2 star, is the way Caleb reacted to Raven's secret being outed. Caleb was a totally sweet, gentle, and patient character throughout 80-90% of the book. Despite of the few niggles I mentioned above, I really liked both characters. But then Caleb turned around and had the biggest assholish reaction. It shocked me! And then it was suddenly straightened out, and wrapped up so quickly that I didn't have time to get over the shock before they had made up, and the story had ended with an epilogue. It felt me flabbergasted and reeling, especially since the whole book had been about taking things slow, and a slow build up. Raven forgave way too quickly, Caleb should have grovelled much, much more because of the mean things he said to Raven! This whole episode totally ruined my impression of the book, and Caleb as a character.
---end spoilers---
All in all, it was an okay book, with niggles, and one big WTF moment from me. It might not bug you, so give it a try if you want to.
The next book is about Will, Raven's friend and work partner in Tartan Candy. I'm looking forward to his story.
February 26, 2016
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
I cannot tell you how much I fell in love with this book!
Raven is a man who fought for his own sense of worth when his mother changed the locks when he was just eighteen and left his belongings on the door step. It was an event that should have left him broken but with determination he pulled himself up and got on with his life. He ended up as an adult film star and was damn proud of what he achieved. An accident a year ago took all of it away from him but worse than losing his job he lost his confidence when it left him with life changing injuries and scars he is embarrassed about. He can barely look at his scars so how could he ever expect anyone else to?
Caleb Sanderson runs his own business and has a large family who don’t stay out of his life and the face he presents to them every day is fake. Realising he was gay as a young teen he chose to hide it from his parents when his mother became ill and since then the timing has never been right for him to be honest, a fact not helped by his mother’s constant hints for grandchildren and his family trying to fix him up with next nice girl.
Over a broken air conditioning unit Raven and Caleb meet and it knocks them both off their game. For the first time since the accident Raven feels attraction, he feels his body respond to another man and it’s dizzying and leaves him in a panic. Caleb has never seen anyone so beautiful, his mind is plagued with the memory for days and when he gets a call back to fix the unit again the pair end up kissing and touching. This time Raven really does panic and Caleb has no idea what’s going on just that he wants to calm the man.
Raven is such a vulnerable character and Caleb is like this gentle giant who slowly and carefully starts to pull him out of his shell. The fact that Caleb isn’t out to his family helps him to take things slowly but he soon realises that he may just have met the man that could force that issue. Never before has he felt like someone was worth risking his family for but Raven has secrets of his own and they could make or break this fragile new relationship.
This book is all about the feels and there is a ton of them as Caleb slowly gains Ravens trust. The first time Raven bares his body and soul to Caleb is beautiful and Caleb worships the man in front of him – the scars don’t matter and he is like a balm to the broken man he is falling in love with. Raven grows and changes so much during the story and it is mainly down to Caleb’s love and careful handling of him.
Coming out doesn’t prove to be the catastrophe that Caleb has built up in his mind but the way it happens is pretty epic. Jaime, Caleb’s out and proud cousin, is the crutch for Raven when it happens and such a good secondary character throughout the story. The ending was perfect – pretty much like the entire story!
I’m just left with one question – I wonder whether Jaime will get his own story
I cannot tell you how much I fell in love with this book!
Raven is a man who fought for his own sense of worth when his mother changed the locks when he was just eighteen and left his belongings on the door step. It was an event that should have left him broken but with determination he pulled himself up and got on with his life. He ended up as an adult film star and was damn proud of what he achieved. An accident a year ago took all of it away from him but worse than losing his job he lost his confidence when it left him with life changing injuries and scars he is embarrassed about. He can barely look at his scars so how could he ever expect anyone else to?
Caleb Sanderson runs his own business and has a large family who don’t stay out of his life and the face he presents to them every day is fake. Realising he was gay as a young teen he chose to hide it from his parents when his mother became ill and since then the timing has never been right for him to be honest, a fact not helped by his mother’s constant hints for grandchildren and his family trying to fix him up with next nice girl.
Over a broken air conditioning unit Raven and Caleb meet and it knocks them both off their game. For the first time since the accident Raven feels attraction, he feels his body respond to another man and it’s dizzying and leaves him in a panic. Caleb has never seen anyone so beautiful, his mind is plagued with the memory for days and when he gets a call back to fix the unit again the pair end up kissing and touching. This time Raven really does panic and Caleb has no idea what’s going on just that he wants to calm the man.
Raven is such a vulnerable character and Caleb is like this gentle giant who slowly and carefully starts to pull him out of his shell. The fact that Caleb isn’t out to his family helps him to take things slowly but he soon realises that he may just have met the man that could force that issue. Never before has he felt like someone was worth risking his family for but Raven has secrets of his own and they could make or break this fragile new relationship.
This book is all about the feels and there is a ton of them as Caleb slowly gains Ravens trust. The first time Raven bares his body and soul to Caleb is beautiful and Caleb worships the man in front of him – the scars don’t matter and he is like a balm to the broken man he is falling in love with. Raven grows and changes so much during the story and it is mainly down to Caleb’s love and careful handling of him.
Coming out doesn’t prove to be the catastrophe that Caleb has built up in his mind but the way it happens is pretty epic. Jaime, Caleb’s out and proud cousin, is the crutch for Raven when it happens and such a good secondary character throughout the story. The ending was perfect – pretty much like the entire story!
I’m just left with one question – I wonder whether Jaime will get his own story
March 14, 2016
Raven is an ex-porn star who never regretted his profession. He gets injured in a way that leaves horrible scarring and the result is an end to his career and a huge dent in his self-esteem. He takes jobs as an escort – minus the sex – to make ends meet and that’s where he meets Caleb.
Caleb is in the closet, an HVAC expert and hot. He fixes Raven’s AC one night and the two strike up a slow burn attraction/relationship.
The chemistry between them is heated, but Caleb reluctance to come out and Raven’s personal fears keep them apart for a bit.
Eventually they give in to temptation and they find that there’s more to their attraction than lust and they begin to build a relationship. But… they’re both hiding things and when those things come out it may be the end of their budding relationship.
**
There were parts of this that I just loved: the slow burn, the chemistry between the two, the very real feel to Raven’s emotions and his own ability to recognize his own vanity/needs as far as the spotlight goes, Caleb’s desire to be a “good son” and the Romance Convention connection.
Things that I didn’t like as much: I didn’t quite understand Caleb’s need to be in the closet in the first place, nor did I understand exactly why Raven hid his career for so long, and I thought the ending was abrupt – both in the climactic fight and subsequent forgiveness.
All in all, it was a captivating read with characters I really enjoyed, steamy sex, interesting secondary characters and a sweet love story.
Highly recommended 4.5 of 5 stars
Caleb is in the closet, an HVAC expert and hot. He fixes Raven’s AC one night and the two strike up a slow burn attraction/relationship.
The chemistry between them is heated, but Caleb reluctance to come out and Raven’s personal fears keep them apart for a bit.
Eventually they give in to temptation and they find that there’s more to their attraction than lust and they begin to build a relationship. But… they’re both hiding things and when those things come out it may be the end of their budding relationship.
**
There were parts of this that I just loved: the slow burn, the chemistry between the two, the very real feel to Raven’s emotions and his own ability to recognize his own vanity/needs as far as the spotlight goes, Caleb’s desire to be a “good son” and the Romance Convention connection.
Things that I didn’t like as much: I didn’t quite understand Caleb’s need to be in the closet in the first place, nor did I understand exactly why Raven hid his career for so long, and I thought the ending was abrupt – both in the climactic fight and subsequent forgiveness.
All in all, it was a captivating read with characters I really enjoyed, steamy sex, interesting secondary characters and a sweet love story.
Highly recommended 4.5 of 5 stars
February 26, 2016
If a book makes me cry not only sad tears but happy and frustrated tears then it’s an automatic 5 for me.
I can’t remember the last KC Burn books I’ve read? I did the Toronto Tales on audio (AMAZING) And I’ll probably do this one as well, when they put it on audio.
We’ve got Raven, an ex-adult film start who on the outside is very confident but the inside is very insecure, and this accident didn’t help. He’s had a hard life, and has worked hard for everything in it.
Caleb, is much like Raven. Confident on the outside but living a lie. He’s from a big mixed family and is firmly in the closet, even though his best friend and cousin is out to the same family.
As Raven has been hired to be an escort for a weekend and Caleb is hired to fix the PTAC unit inside the same hotel room Raven is staying in, sparks fly the first time they meet. Raven can’t get Caleb out of his head and sabotages the unit just to get to see Caleb one last time.
When these two meet and greet for the second time you can tell we’ve got something special going on.
The sweet, shy dance they do until Caleb puts his foot in his mouth is amazing. Been a while since I’ve read ‘courting’.
Of course the make is is pretty good as well.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
I can’t remember the last KC Burn books I’ve read? I did the Toronto Tales on audio (AMAZING) And I’ll probably do this one as well, when they put it on audio.
We’ve got Raven, an ex-adult film start who on the outside is very confident but the inside is very insecure, and this accident didn’t help. He’s had a hard life, and has worked hard for everything in it.
Caleb, is much like Raven. Confident on the outside but living a lie. He’s from a big mixed family and is firmly in the closet, even though his best friend and cousin is out to the same family.
As Raven has been hired to be an escort for a weekend and Caleb is hired to fix the PTAC unit inside the same hotel room Raven is staying in, sparks fly the first time they meet. Raven can’t get Caleb out of his head and sabotages the unit just to get to see Caleb one last time.
When these two meet and greet for the second time you can tell we’ve got something special going on.
The sweet, shy dance they do until Caleb puts his foot in his mouth is amazing. Been a while since I’ve read ‘courting’.
Of course the make is is pretty good as well.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
April 2, 2016
Here's the problem I had reading the entire book....
It's Florida. It's hot. There is frequent commentary about how hot it is, and how hot (not in the fun way) the characters are. One of the MCs is an air conditioner repair man so this is often a plot point.
...and one of the MCs is frequently wearing a kilt.
Kilts are made of wool.
Kilts are really really warm. Which you need in Scotland.
So I spent the book having sort of vicarious heat stroke.
It's Florida. It's hot. There is frequent commentary about how hot it is, and how hot (not in the fun way) the characters are. One of the MCs is an air conditioner repair man so this is often a plot point.
...and one of the MCs is frequently wearing a kilt.
Kilts are made of wool.
Kilts are really really warm. Which you need in Scotland.
So I spent the book having sort of vicarious heat stroke.
July 14, 2016
2.5 stars because I liked Raven so much. Between the insta love, too many thoughts, too much telling and not enough showing, It was just an ok read. I got so bored that I set it aside several times. Furthermore, I just have to say that I am disgusted by the fact that this Dreamspinner Press book contains so many errors. With all of their price gouging I'd expect that they would give their authors top notch editing and yet they don't. *sigh*
April 23, 2017
I almost gave up on this one but I'm glad I didn't. The first half of this book was tough to get through, the 2 MC barely spent any time together and I found that frustrating.
The second half of the book was much better and though it didn't blow me away, I ended up caring about Raven's and Caleb's happy ending.
The second half of the book was much better and though it didn't blow me away, I ended up caring about Raven's and Caleb's happy ending.
April 5, 2016
Fun, sweet, and low angst. Caleb was being an ass at the climax, but there was no prolonged conflict. Made it easier to forgive him
September 30, 2017
I think Raven was a bit too quick to forgive but in my heart I'm glad, I liked these two together.
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