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Priorities #1
Prior Commitment
Old town, new flames
Casey Bridge knows what people are thinking, whether he wants to or not. When he returns to Pryor, Washington, he’s roped into helping with the town’s annual Christmas Carnival--as though they didn’t shun him and his entire family for years. But when he hears something worrying in a stranger’s thoughts, he can’t keep himself from jumping in to help--repeatedly.
Noel’s life is falling apart, and his last possible refuge is in little old Pryor, Washington. When that fails him, he spirals down into depression...and luckily lands in the arms of a local psychic. A very attractive local psychic with a very strong saving-people-streak. Will that be enough to save him or will they be waylaid by a prior commitment?
Casey Bridge knows what people are thinking, whether he wants to or not. When he returns to Pryor, Washington, he’s roped into helping with the town’s annual Christmas Carnival--as though they didn’t shun him and his entire family for years. But when he hears something worrying in a stranger’s thoughts, he can’t keep himself from jumping in to help--repeatedly.
Noel’s life is falling apart, and his last possible refuge is in little old Pryor, Washington. When that fails him, he spirals down into depression...and luckily lands in the arms of a local psychic. A very attractive local psychic with a very strong saving-people-streak. Will that be enough to save him or will they be waylaid by a prior commitment?
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2016
26 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Raven de Hart
29 books17 followersAfter years on hiatus, Raven de Hart returned to writing her tantalizing tales and salacious stories of gay erotica and romance. Her first novella, Wild Ride, is available through Torquere Press. On top of that, she has been featured in various anthologies. When not writing or researching, she can be found tending her herb garden, playing with her Basset Hounds, drinking far too little, and trying to figure out this new-fangled Internet fad. More information can be found at http://dehartslist.blogpot.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 7, 2017
2.5 hearts
This was a really interesting story and I enjoyed quite a lot of it, but the main theme of the story was poorly handled in my opinion.
Casey is the middle son of a family mainly consisting of psychics, each have a unique ability. Casey can hear people's thoughts, Garrett the eldest son can see into the future, Patrick the youngest, doesn't have any powers and their mother can detect people's emotions. One night a few days before christmas, Casey unwillingly hears Noel's thoughts. Casey hears Noel’s intention of committing suicide later that night. Obviously he provides comfort and somewhere to stay for Noel, to help him out of this depression.
I think this was my major issue with the story, the way Noel’s suicidal thoughts were handled. Maybe the book was too short to really give suicide and depression the amount of time it deserves to express it properly. Then again I have see some authors do it well with only a few words. Some of it is OK, like Casey not having sex with Noel the night of his attempted suicide because he felt it was too soon (nah duh). Generally though it was kind of pushed to the side or joked about. Casey even told his whole family, when it wasn't really their business and even if they could detect emotions, I don’t think it was his place to share Noel’s struggles with strangers.
Then Noel’s depression just wasn’t done right. This book is set over three days and Noel goes from wanting to commit suicide to being just fine. There was no depth there and considering that's what the story was about, it made everything feel much more shallow, like Casey and Noel’s relationship for example. That didn’t work for me at all, I felt no chemistry between the two and thought the romance lacked any sort of passion.
What I did really really like was the interaction and friendship between the three brothers. That was fun to read and the banter felt like how real brothers would talk to each other.
I would’ve enjoyed this story a lot more if the major theme had been done a bit more carefully, that may have even improved the connection between Noel and Casey. I did enjoy seeing psychics in action and I definitely enjoyed these brothers together, they get my 2.5 hearts all to themselves!
This was a really interesting story and I enjoyed quite a lot of it, but the main theme of the story was poorly handled in my opinion.
Casey is the middle son of a family mainly consisting of psychics, each have a unique ability. Casey can hear people's thoughts, Garrett the eldest son can see into the future, Patrick the youngest, doesn't have any powers and their mother can detect people's emotions. One night a few days before christmas, Casey unwillingly hears Noel's thoughts. Casey hears Noel’s intention of committing suicide later that night. Obviously he provides comfort and somewhere to stay for Noel, to help him out of this depression.
I think this was my major issue with the story, the way Noel’s suicidal thoughts were handled. Maybe the book was too short to really give suicide and depression the amount of time it deserves to express it properly. Then again I have see some authors do it well with only a few words. Some of it is OK, like Casey not having sex with Noel the night of his attempted suicide because he felt it was too soon (nah duh). Generally though it was kind of pushed to the side or joked about. Casey even told his whole family, when it wasn't really their business and even if they could detect emotions, I don’t think it was his place to share Noel’s struggles with strangers.
Then Noel’s depression just wasn’t done right. This book is set over three days and Noel goes from wanting to commit suicide to being just fine. There was no depth there and considering that's what the story was about, it made everything feel much more shallow, like Casey and Noel’s relationship for example. That didn’t work for me at all, I felt no chemistry between the two and thought the romance lacked any sort of passion.
What I did really really like was the interaction and friendship between the three brothers. That was fun to read and the banter felt like how real brothers would talk to each other.
“His brain is hard for me to get into. I can only get a little bit past the surface most of the time. So I know what he’s thinking right then, but that’s about it.”
“Weird,” said Garrett. “Maybe it’s fading, and you’re going normal.” I focused in on him without ever looking up from my coffee cup and spoke his thoughts as I got to them. Or the ones I could before they zipped past. “I miss this. I should see these guys more. Especially Patrick. He lives so close. Guess he’s not losing it. Casey, you’re a jackass. Pineapple. Asparagus. Seventy-three.” I grinned at him. “Bite me.”
I would’ve enjoyed this story a lot more if the major theme had been done a bit more carefully, that may have even improved the connection between Noel and Casey. I did enjoy seeing psychics in action and I definitely enjoyed these brothers together, they get my 2.5 hearts all to themselves!
May 18, 2019
2.5 Stars
Chelsea's Review says it all. I really should have back out when ; being psychic seemed like a convenience, for Casey to read Noel's thoughts, to make that okay. After that, everything seemed too easily wrapped up.
Chelsea's Review says it all. I really should have back out when ; being psychic seemed like a convenience, for Casey to read Noel's thoughts, to make that okay. After that, everything seemed too easily wrapped up.
December 5, 2023
I must have started and not finished this book once before because I remembered the first of it. It was ok. The story is told entirely from Casey’s point of view. He can hear what people are thinking so he knows that Noel is considering suicide when he meets him. I felt that the story was kind of a downer. I liked Casey’s family for the most part, but his mother didn’t seem very understanding for some one with her abilities.
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November 17, 2019
Oddly Themed Christmas Tale
I did not understand the whole “it is Christmas do not invite a stranger home with you” theme that seems to run throughout this story. I found Casey’s mother’s emotional reaction equally odd and out-of-place for a Christmas story. These are weird people, and not because of the minor paranormal traits.
I did not understand the whole “it is Christmas do not invite a stranger home with you” theme that seems to run throughout this story. I found Casey’s mother’s emotional reaction equally odd and out-of-place for a Christmas story. These are weird people, and not because of the minor paranormal traits.
May 15, 2023
Not A Happy Ever After.
I have read this book via Kindle Unlimited after it was suggested by Kindle.
After reading the blurb, I was looking forward to reading this novel and the start of the series.
Though I liked the two main characters, I wasn't a fan of Casey's mother, who is meant to be an empath, yet is angry towards Noel due to his parents sending him money and Noel wanting to buy the family "token gifts" as a way to say thank you to them.
His dad was well rounded and I enjoyed his interaction with Casey.
I also enjoyed the dynamic between Casey and his brothers.
I felt that the subject matter of Noel's original intention was constantly being brought up by Casey to Noel. This came across as belittling Noel's state of mind, even after, when they were having pillow talk, and subsequent days after then.
Also, I felt that Casey is constantly reading Noel's thoughts, even during their adult fun, this came across as very invasive and kind of creepy.
Ending as it did, Casey having concerns of Noel applying for a job and wanting to stay at Casey's, tells the reader that they will not end in a long term relationship.
So this is one of those Happy For Now types of relationships, or maybe a 'one and done' for the holidays types.
Unfortunately it's not the sort of novel that I prefer, so I won't be continuing with the series of books.
I have read this book via Kindle Unlimited after it was suggested by Kindle.
After reading the blurb, I was looking forward to reading this novel and the start of the series.
Though I liked the two main characters, I wasn't a fan of Casey's mother, who is meant to be an empath, yet is angry towards Noel due to his parents sending him money and Noel wanting to buy the family "token gifts" as a way to say thank you to them.
His dad was well rounded and I enjoyed his interaction with Casey.
I also enjoyed the dynamic between Casey and his brothers.
I felt that the subject matter of Noel's original intention was constantly being brought up by Casey to Noel. This came across as belittling Noel's state of mind, even after, when they were having pillow talk, and subsequent days after then.
Also, I felt that Casey is constantly reading Noel's thoughts, even during their adult fun, this came across as very invasive and kind of creepy.
Ending as it did, Casey having concerns of Noel applying for a job and wanting to stay at Casey's, tells the reader that they will not end in a long term relationship.
So this is one of those Happy For Now types of relationships, or maybe a 'one and done' for the holidays types.
Unfortunately it's not the sort of novel that I prefer, so I won't be continuing with the series of books.
December 26, 2022
First of all, this was too short a story to properly handle a character with depression and suicidal thoughts. Then, the whole idea that Christmas was just for family time made no sense when they were running a booth at the town festival. It might be slightly odd to bring a stranger home no matter the time of year, but it was necessary when the alternative was a person being stranded, and Noel having some money after talking to his parents didn't suddenly free up motel rooms in the area or make travel arrangements possible at such a busy time of year. Casey's parents, especially his mom, were just odd, which had nothing to do with their connection to the paranormal. Finally, the end was just so abrupt and lacking. It isn't even a proper HFN.
November 6, 2023
There is a trigger here, thoughts and vocalizing of suicide.
This is a Christmas story and is quite sad at the start as our hero tries to help a suicidal young man. Casey is a wonderful character who works with children but seems to know exactly how to help Noel. When I started this I wasn't too impressed at first, wasn't interested in the psychic part, but I'm so glad I persevered, it turned into a lovely, humorous tale. My displeasure was later, the mother was very ungracious in the second half and that annoyed me, it took a faceless stranger to shame her for her unkind assumptions. the whole family were psychic in one form or another, no such thing as secrets in that house, embarrassing at times but it gives us a laugh. A good read.
This is a Christmas story and is quite sad at the start as our hero tries to help a suicidal young man. Casey is a wonderful character who works with children but seems to know exactly how to help Noel. When I started this I wasn't too impressed at first, wasn't interested in the psychic part, but I'm so glad I persevered, it turned into a lovely, humorous tale. My displeasure was later, the mother was very ungracious in the second half and that annoyed me, it took a faceless stranger to shame her for her unkind assumptions. the whole family were psychic in one form or another, no such thing as secrets in that house, embarrassing at times but it gives us a laugh. A good read.
December 20, 2018
Cute story
Cute. Not a lot of depth or character development and a hanging ending. But s cute holiday story and a quick read.
Cute. Not a lot of depth or character development and a hanging ending. But s cute holiday story and a quick read.
August 21, 2021
The One!
Prior Commitment: Its sad how some people in a town others with special abilities. It was a good romance and a great family bond.
Prior Commitment: Its sad how some people in a town others with special abilities. It was a good romance and a great family bond.
December 26, 2022
That was cute. The ending kind of.. uh.. wasn't as complete as I'd have liked, but that's maybe just me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews