Light of the Body

Pembroke Eve Chronicles #2

by Mark Alders

Light of the Body continues the adventures of Jacob, Callum, Suzy, Zane and Mr. Barnaby in the town of Pembroke Eve about two months after the events of Shadows of the Mind.

Jacob and Callum, now living together with Jacob's parents, are disturbed by a dog barking in the distance one night while getting intimate.

Jacob finally insists they investigate the reason for the dog barking and a strange man confronts them as they venture into their backyard. The events that follow are completely weird to say the least, even for Pembroke Eve standards. The man bites Callum in the scuffle that follows, and as Jacob soon finds out, that bite is a transference.

Callum is now pregnant!

In fact, the whole town have been infected, with half acting like living zombies and the other half in the hospital in the same condition as Callum. What is causing this outbreak? Only Jacob and his friends, Zane and Mr. Barnaby seem to be unaffected. But they need to find Suzy. She's missing and the townsfolk that are the living zombies have been saying: "Suzy is the right one."

What is she the right one for? And what's more, are these events all connected?

Genres: M M Romance, Menage, Paranormal, Fantasy, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Gay

225 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I live in Melbourne, Victoria, in the land of Oz. According to my own Teenage mis-adventures, I am just an ordinary guy with a penis which likes to get me into trouble…a lot. I’ve seduced trees, copulated with watermelons, and had nice old ladies pick ants off my naked body. Yep, that’s me. Mark Alders. All round nice guy and with my brain firmly in my pants, exactly where it belongs!

So what about the here and now? Well, I am a mild, mannered post office worker by day. I have a mortgage to pay and a partner named Lee who I have been with for *cough* twenty one years *cough.* At night, my muse, the bitch, forces me into bondage and makes me sit at my computer and type out stories about men having sex with each other…all the time…over and over…in varying degrees of WTF, too!

I mean, I have stories out there about alien spiders needing humans to nourish their eggs, red-skinned aliens whose balls glow when they are sexually excited, beings who cock dock with their victims to drain them of their life force, and a young man who discovers puberty is just the start of his problems as he comes into ‘magolescence’ on his eighteenth birthday and his penis turns into a snake!

Ah, the life of a story teller. The fun never ends.

Reviews

[~~~Heather S.~~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story and so freaking hot!! Even better than the first, can't wait for the next!

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I must admit that Mark Alders mind must be a fascinating place. The plot bunnies must go insane in the maze;) Anyway, loved this story. The characters continue to grow. Once again you are mostly involved with Jacob and his continued adventures but just as in real life you are given more information on the other characters in the story.

I have always enjoyed how the author makes the unbelievable, believable. I mean, really, insectmans? In what other way would I ever think that could be believable but the author makes it work. You get drawn into the drama of Jacob's crazy life. I look forward to more from this series.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what to say about this book. First I thought it was better than the first, it seemed to flow smoother and the pace was quicker. Also it wasn't confusing like the first one so it was much easier to stay with the story. The first one i never knew what was going on.

the only thing i didn't like was the development of the relationship between Jacob, Callum, and Zane. I like couples and am not a fan of three way relationships. that's just my own personal bias though and I didn't like how Callum was in the hospital for 90% of the story, he is my favorite of the three.

when Jacob and Zane where hooking up while Callum was in a comma I couldn't help but feel like he was cheating on Callum and I really didn't like that.

Of course overall it is a good story with superb writing and as always great humor.

I will read on in the series but really hope they don't add anymore lovers to this triangle

[Nancy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could possibly happen to the people of Pembroke Eve now? I laughed when Jakey described how he felt when Callum was pronounced "knocked up". From then on things got very strange LOL. I loved meeting Mr. Barnaby's "friend" and hope to see more of him too. Cracked me up that he got heartburn....

I thought at first the introduction of Zach things would get a bit sticky but I think it works for them. I guess we'll know more in the next few books.

This town is just full of surprises!

[Heather C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this sequel to Shadows of the Mind. I couldn't wait to see what kinda trouble Jacob and his friends would find.

Oh, wow! I don't know where to begin. This one starts out fast and never slows down. I think the whole books spans less than 24 hours. Lots of craziness and WTFs in this one!! Oh, and did I say it is hot, too?

So the townfolk have experienced an invasion and now an infestation. What's next? And will we see Aloysius again?

On to book 3 now.

[Lexi Ander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading the book last night and I had to be the adult, stop and go to bed so that I could get at least 6 hours of sleep before I had to go to work. Plugged my kindle in so that it would be fully charged the next day. I tried to stop at a good place...Jacob and Zane are in the priest hidey-hole in the library and the bug-boys are tearing up the house looking for them. Zane kisses Jacob...and I of course had to go to bed. What the hell! So I consoled myself with the thought that I can get to work early and read a little then, and then on break, and on my lunch hour...you get the idea.

I dreamt all night. Callum's dying. Bug-boys are over running the town. Zane is a copy and he's trying to make a copy of Jacob like the one in the tunnel. I'm telling you, all night I am fighting bug-boys and trying to save Jacob from getting pregnant.

So I rise on time, hurry through my morning routine (the quicker I am the more time I will have to read). Leave the house early, excited, grab my triple shot starbucks and go to work...and my kindle is sitting at home plugged in...

I went into convultions...they had to administer CPR...I tried to play sick so I could come home and get my kindle...and no one believed me.

It was the longest day ever!

I came home and sequestered myself because I had to know if my sweet Callum was going to be okay...why the hell was Zane kissing on Jacob...why the hell was Jacob allowing it...was Suzy going to get saved..oh my god Zane is so hot can we keep him...tough luck Suzy....ohya the bug-boys....oooh! Zane snapped their heads off...why is Jacob biting the it-thing?....how can you miss a heart hanging from the ceiling?....

I LOVED this book. I am in love with Zane, Callum is still my boy and Jakey...well I have 15 minutes before I should go to bed and so I will be starting book three tonight.

The Kindle WILL be in my tote before and I go to sleep.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start this review out by stating that I don’t normally enjoy sci-fi. Generally, it’s a little too outlandish for me, which is odd because I love paranormal, but whatever, I won’t go into the strangeness of my mind. This book is sci-fi, there are alien bug men, impregnated humans procreating more bug men and a bug man eating non-flying dragon. Got all that? I know, a bunch of buggy things going on! Now, you may be sitting there thinking, wft? I know I was, but honestly, it was a really good book! I’m quickly learning that Mark Alders is an author whose books I have to go into with an open mind, knowing that they’re probably not going to be what I expect them to be. As with the first book of this series, what made the book so enjoyable for me was the protagonists. Jacob is a slightly odd hero, who has been in touch with his sexuality since his early teen years. He has no problem with who he is or telling and showing anyone else and I love that. He’s also brave, although it seems as if his bravery stems from his emotions. He possesses great love for his town and his friends and when both are threatened, steps up to protect them. Jacob’s boyfriend, Callum, wasn’t as prevalent in this book, but happens to be my favorite character in the series. He’s charming and sweet, he literally pisses his pants when he’s scared and as the author states in the book at various times, he thinks with his dick a lot. Really, what’s not to like about Callum? Then, there’s Zane, who seems to be the naturally brave, stand behind me, because I’ve got this kind of guy. Every poor bug men infested town needs one of those!

Early in this book Callum gets taken out and impregnated by a bug man. Thus, it’s up to Jacob and Zane to save Callum and the rest of the town. The adventure, trouble, and screwin’ around (literally) that transpires from there, makes for a really fun, enjoyably bizarre read.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I loved the first book in the series, this 2nd installment had the right combination of ingredients (and I'm not talking chocolate here Mark;) to make this a 5 star read for me!

Of course there were the wacky twists and unexpected turns that I'm now realizing shouldn't be a surprise in one of Mark's books (absolutely fascinating imagination and creativity that comes through in spades in the development of the story, rich descriptions, and interesting characters), but what pushed it up a notch for me was the heightened level of emotion I experienced while reading it (got a little sniffly while learning about Zane's history - can I say I love him?!) and the greater focus on the relationships, ummm WOW!

I can't wait to continue the series - I'm definitely hooked! I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for something that's rich with plot and humor, and definitely a little different!!!

[MsMiz (Tina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark your mind is a maze of outstanding ideas...these are just getting better and better. I have totally fallen for Jakey, Callum and Zane.

[Leaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark did it again. This book rocked!! The first book creeped me out and this one creeped me out even more. WTF is up with this town?? I would so be out of there, LOL. I'm not giving anything away because it would be too much to tell you, so the best thing to do is read it...Looking forward to the 3rd book but at least I have a few days to get my mind back right, lol... Great book Mark really!! Before you read this one make sure you read ... Shadows of the Mind(Pembroke Eve Chronicles, #1) first or else you will be lost, plus number one is as good as this one (number 2)!!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 for the second installment of Mark's series. I'm really enjoying the characters and I'm anxious to see Jacob, Callum, and Zane explore their relationship.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book of the SciFi series was inventive to say the least, maybe inspiration came from "invasion of the Body Snatchers" but was so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with the gang from the first book, all characters being developed and with plenty of surprises along the way. A real roller coaster ride of a read.
4 stars

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The oddness from book one just continued right to book 2. :-)
This was an interesting story that kept me engaged. There were a few things that made me go "Huh??"...and hat wasn't even the alien stuff. lol In book 1, Jacob and Callum become very fast loves. They are still together in this book, but then when Callum becomes "ill", Jacob is running off to solve the mystery while lusting for Zane and wanting him. Then says that he and Callum, even though they live together, aren't exclusive. Huh? If that were the case, I would have liked to see that dialogue prior to Jacob just becoming a horn dog and wanting Zane. I couldn't tell if it was true or just Jacob making an excuse. I am looking forward to the next adventures in the town of "What the hell ELSE can happen to these poor people".

[Phil Ansell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this second book as much as the first one, Shadows of the Mind, but this book was even funnier, I'm still laughing at parts now! I also loved how the characters seem to get naked at the most inappropriate times, i.e. whilst hacking away at a load of insect men. And as for the final chapter, wow! ;)

[Tamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMI, Chronicles #2 is even more off the wall. Callum is bitten by a mysterious stranger and is now PREGNANT??? Jacob's hunt begins for the reasons why so many of the townsfolk are ending up in the hospital in the same or worse condition than Callum. And to also find out why Suzy is the "ONE".

Another funny, weird, off the wall creation by Mark Alders. As always, an enjoyable read :)

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a unique and interesting read! Mark has a mind for twists and inventiveness! I think my favorite part was in the wall. What an erotic expression of need between friends. Plus, Zane is my favorite Mark Alders character!

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I loved the first book in this series, the second one hit me strangely. I guess I also ave a problem with a non monogamous relationship. It was a romp though and lots of fun, just not my cup of tea.

[Rosebee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the weirdest series (major suspension of disbelief required), but it's also quite unique and very interesting.

[James Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a jumble of creations thrown in with sexy men and you know what...Mark Alders made it work. Fantastic read!

[Jaimee Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short review. I'll only say that the m-preg was not important to the story at all, much to my dismay. O.O