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Van Zant Siblings #1
Survival Instinct
Days after discovering his husband was sleeping with his twin brother, museum curator Brian Van Zant's faced with another shocking loss. Both men are killed in a car accident, leaving him no answers, no closure. No chance to say, "I hate you," or "I love you," and not sure which he'd have said if given the chance. Now, Brian's running away from home. Just running, without a plan or a destination.Tobias Red Hawk is a Park Ranger in Montana, where being out of the closet still seems like a dream. After saving the life of blatantly gay and thoroughly attractive Brian, he begins to question his conviction of staying secretly gay. But before he can face his own identity crisis, there is a mystery to be solved at the top of the Bitterroot mountain range and the answers may lie in the myths of his childhood. And when Hawk’s past returns to kill him, both men discover there’s nothing like facing death up close to make a man find his survival instinct.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2010
About the author
Roxy Harte
44 books133 followersI write erotica, specifically erotica that explores the emotional and psychological elements of relations. DDLG, BDSM, LGBTQI, POLY.
I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world, have three adult children and many grandchildren.
Jazzi, my fur-pup, and five kitties, Roo, Karma, Dharma, Tilak, and Sadie, are very spoiled :)
I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world, have three adult children and many grandchildren.
Jazzi, my fur-pup, and five kitties, Roo, Karma, Dharma, Tilak, and Sadie, are very spoiled :)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 4, 2010
2.5 stars
Survival Instinct plays off basic concepts, throws in a lot of convenient coincidences, and ends up with a kind of boring, somewhat odd book. It’s not that the story is badly written or contains plot holes per se; it’s just that it uses the easy way out of problems by having everything happen conveniently exactly when the story needs it to happen. I’ll go into more detail in the review but the bottom line is that it’s not a horrible book and may appeal to those fans that like classic romance elements but for those looking for some fresh and unique, you’ll be as bored as I was.
Brian Van Zant has been living with his parents in the three months since his twin brother and husband were killed in a car accident – after he discovered them having an affair. Somewhat unmotivated to pick up his life, Brian is finally pushed to do so when his parents ask him to move out. Supposedly meant to jump start Brian into living again, he goes tearing off on a cross country drive only to end up stranded in a sudden snow storm in Montana. Rescued by sexy ranger Toby Hawk, the two feel immediate sparks and act on them. Now if only those pesky mountain lights didn’t signal trouble, the two could live happily ever after.
The plot moves along lightening fast. In fact, the short novella doesn’t spend any significant time on any element. It creates the tension, finds a fast solution, and moves on to the next issue. There are several independent issues brought up and addressed in the story such as Toby’s rescue of Brian, the two men getting together, Brian being *very* out while Toby is in the closet, the mystery of the action on the mountain, several near death moments, major discoveries, Brian’s new life and career, meeting Brian’s parents, random kinky sex, and a happy ending. I think there are few more I didn’t mention but the story just throws issue after issue at the characters with quick resolutions.
While this keeps the story moving swiftly it also negates the impact and importance of these various elements. From one moment to the next, you don’t get too invested since the issue is easily resolved. Brian almost dies but he’s pretty quickly over that and moving onto sex with Toby. There’s a mystery on the mountain but call the police and that’s over. This leads into the trope of convenience. Here whatever the story needs to be quick and easy, it gets. Sort of those “oh look” moments. Brian needs a place to stay, oh look only one place available. Toby wants to meet Brian’s parents, they just happen to show up. There is a major discovery and Brian happens to be an expert. Brian just happens to be able to save the day out of the blue, several times. These aren’t book throwing moments, they instead left me tired and disinterested with the frequency.
Additionally, there is the fact that Brian’s twin brother and husband have been dead for only three months and their betrayal, yet Brian comes across apathetic at best. He doesn’t appear depressed or grief stricken, but instead merely unmotivated to really do anything. He mentions feeling grief or having cried a lot or moving on, but all of these statements felt hollow without any real emotional impetus. They felt like lines Brian should say without the feeling behind them to make the emotions real. The story attempts to fully flesh out these characters but they never really came alive for me and always felt manipulated by the story.
Part of this is that the story had several really weird moments for me. Brian’s passionate relationship with Toby felt awkward from the beginning. Brian has a Native American fetish, which I found odd because there’s no real mention of it except he likes the movie “Last of the Mohicans,” and their sex scenes became increasingly weird. They get kinky with some domination and pain thrown in about halfway through the book but from out of nowhere. Where did this kink come in and why it is only included towards the end? Additionally some of the prose and terms felt forced such as when Toby says he’s never “fluid bonded” with anyone before. Or how for the first half of the book Toby calls Brian “Just Brian” even during sex, “Oh God… Just Brian.. Oh God.” The “Just” part is added or dropped kind of indiscriminately until it’s dropped entirely in the later half of the book. These are just a few of the examples of some moments that jerked me out of the reading experience.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend this title except for those fans that love the classically scripted romance. If you’re not the type to be bothered by obvious easy outs then this likely will be much more enjoyable and interesting. It’s a harmless, easy read that is likely fun fluff for the right reader. Unfortunately that wasn’t me.
Survival Instinct plays off basic concepts, throws in a lot of convenient coincidences, and ends up with a kind of boring, somewhat odd book. It’s not that the story is badly written or contains plot holes per se; it’s just that it uses the easy way out of problems by having everything happen conveniently exactly when the story needs it to happen. I’ll go into more detail in the review but the bottom line is that it’s not a horrible book and may appeal to those fans that like classic romance elements but for those looking for some fresh and unique, you’ll be as bored as I was.
Brian Van Zant has been living with his parents in the three months since his twin brother and husband were killed in a car accident – after he discovered them having an affair. Somewhat unmotivated to pick up his life, Brian is finally pushed to do so when his parents ask him to move out. Supposedly meant to jump start Brian into living again, he goes tearing off on a cross country drive only to end up stranded in a sudden snow storm in Montana. Rescued by sexy ranger Toby Hawk, the two feel immediate sparks and act on them. Now if only those pesky mountain lights didn’t signal trouble, the two could live happily ever after.
The plot moves along lightening fast. In fact, the short novella doesn’t spend any significant time on any element. It creates the tension, finds a fast solution, and moves on to the next issue. There are several independent issues brought up and addressed in the story such as Toby’s rescue of Brian, the two men getting together, Brian being *very* out while Toby is in the closet, the mystery of the action on the mountain, several near death moments, major discoveries, Brian’s new life and career, meeting Brian’s parents, random kinky sex, and a happy ending. I think there are few more I didn’t mention but the story just throws issue after issue at the characters with quick resolutions.
While this keeps the story moving swiftly it also negates the impact and importance of these various elements. From one moment to the next, you don’t get too invested since the issue is easily resolved. Brian almost dies but he’s pretty quickly over that and moving onto sex with Toby. There’s a mystery on the mountain but call the police and that’s over. This leads into the trope of convenience. Here whatever the story needs to be quick and easy, it gets. Sort of those “oh look” moments. Brian needs a place to stay, oh look only one place available. Toby wants to meet Brian’s parents, they just happen to show up. There is a major discovery and Brian happens to be an expert. Brian just happens to be able to save the day out of the blue, several times. These aren’t book throwing moments, they instead left me tired and disinterested with the frequency.
Additionally, there is the fact that Brian’s twin brother and husband have been dead for only three months and their betrayal, yet Brian comes across apathetic at best. He doesn’t appear depressed or grief stricken, but instead merely unmotivated to really do anything. He mentions feeling grief or having cried a lot or moving on, but all of these statements felt hollow without any real emotional impetus. They felt like lines Brian should say without the feeling behind them to make the emotions real. The story attempts to fully flesh out these characters but they never really came alive for me and always felt manipulated by the story.
Part of this is that the story had several really weird moments for me. Brian’s passionate relationship with Toby felt awkward from the beginning. Brian has a Native American fetish, which I found odd because there’s no real mention of it except he likes the movie “Last of the Mohicans,” and their sex scenes became increasingly weird. They get kinky with some domination and pain thrown in about halfway through the book but from out of nowhere. Where did this kink come in and why it is only included towards the end? Additionally some of the prose and terms felt forced such as when Toby says he’s never “fluid bonded” with anyone before. Or how for the first half of the book Toby calls Brian “Just Brian” even during sex, “Oh God… Just Brian.. Oh God.” The “Just” part is added or dropped kind of indiscriminately until it’s dropped entirely in the later half of the book. These are just a few of the examples of some moments that jerked me out of the reading experience.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend this title except for those fans that love the classically scripted romance. If you’re not the type to be bothered by obvious easy outs then this likely will be much more enjoyable and interesting. It’s a harmless, easy read that is likely fun fluff for the right reader. Unfortunately that wasn’t me.
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August 26, 2016
Good beginning (treatment for hypothermia? I'm sooo in), interesting until the midpoint and it all went downhill from there. When one of the MCs muses "it was a bit anticlimactic", I just nodded in approval.
Everything was sooo superconvenient - if the plot needed something, it was just there. MC needs to sneak through the woods? He's been a paintball hero and knows how to use cover. MC needs to shoot villain? He has hunting experience and killed animals before. MC needs to climb a wall of ice? He's an avid indoor climber. MC needs a second scientific opinion? He just happens to know THE expert in the field.
And then there were logical mistakes and highly improbable incidents... MC gets a perfect short right between the eyes of the villain, but never ever checked if the weapon he picked up from a random car was even loaded. MC used to climb indoors - which is totally different from climing with ice axes and spurs. Sometimes they use condoms, sometimes they don't. Maybe depending on the day of the week or the moon phase?
2 archeologists and experts on Native American culture met on a dig in Egypt. Because every archeologist has to dig through old Egyptian graves to get his PhD, regardless of his chosen field of expertise?
MC is totally upset by the death of a guy in his living room ("No, I can't go back in there, too horrible!"), but never ever thinks about the 4 men he killed on the mountain side. So it's panic inducing if somebody shoots someone in your house, but absolutely okay if you kill them yourself outdoors? Sheesh.
Personal highlight: After a blizzard MC is running on snow through a wood in late autumn/winter in Montana and afraid he might meet a rattlesnake. Find the mistake.
Maybe it was intended to be a humorous remark. It wasn't funny.
Other reviewers complained that they thought it impossible to get over the death of husband and twin brother so soon. That didn't bother me since he was still teared apart by it, but I found it hard to believe that his parents weren't mourning the death of their child. Not a single word about "we miss your brother too, we lost a child". Seems pretty coldhearted.
The whole second half consists of sloppy writing, simple sentences without rhythm and unbelievable character development, as if another writer had taken over to finish the story. Orif the 2nd half was just the first draft. Pity after the strong beginning that got me hooked.
Everything was sooo superconvenient - if the plot needed something, it was just there. MC needs to sneak through the woods? He's been a paintball hero and knows how to use cover. MC needs to shoot villain? He has hunting experience and killed animals before. MC needs to climb a wall of ice? He's an avid indoor climber. MC needs a second scientific opinion? He just happens to know THE expert in the field.
And then there were logical mistakes and highly improbable incidents... MC gets a perfect short right between the eyes of the villain, but never ever checked if the weapon he picked up from a random car was even loaded. MC used to climb indoors - which is totally different from climing with ice axes and spurs. Sometimes they use condoms, sometimes they don't. Maybe depending on the day of the week or the moon phase?
2 archeologists and experts on Native American culture met on a dig in Egypt. Because every archeologist has to dig through old Egyptian graves to get his PhD, regardless of his chosen field of expertise?
MC is totally upset by the death of a guy in his living room ("No, I can't go back in there, too horrible!"), but never ever thinks about the 4 men he killed on the mountain side. So it's panic inducing if somebody shoots someone in your house, but absolutely okay if you kill them yourself outdoors? Sheesh.
Personal highlight: After a blizzard MC is running on snow through a wood in late autumn/winter in Montana and afraid he might meet a rattlesnake. Find the mistake.
Maybe it was intended to be a humorous remark. It wasn't funny.
Other reviewers complained that they thought it impossible to get over the death of husband and twin brother so soon. That didn't bother me since he was still teared apart by it, but I found it hard to believe that his parents weren't mourning the death of their child. Not a single word about "we miss your brother too, we lost a child". Seems pretty coldhearted.
The whole second half consists of sloppy writing, simple sentences without rhythm and unbelievable character development, as if another writer had taken over to finish the story. Orif the 2nd half was just the first draft. Pity after the strong beginning that got me hooked.
September 11, 2019
I absolutely love Hawke and Brian. Brian is dealing with a betrayal by the two most important people of his life. And when the unthinkable happens he doesn't get the closure he needs. Hawke is in the closet except for a few people who know. Hawke saves Brian and they end up hooking up. They obviously have their differences, something is happening on Hawke's mountain and its hard to discuss they're relationship. At the end it seems they may go their separate ways unless they can figure things out. I love this book. They both had their own problems but they learn to trust and lean on each other.
January 18, 2017
I normally only review a book if it's absolutely brilliant (for me) or it tanks badly. This one is definitely very mid-stream on my rating list but after reading some of the reviews, the lack of research by the author and after looking for a sequel, I felt I had to comment.
Yes, I looked for a sequel as I thought the story showed relative promise and I thought I'd like to get to know more...maybe the characters would be fleshed out and the native American aspect would come to the fore....especially when a major archaeological find was part of the story's premise.
However, first, let's get one thing straight.... (*cough* 'scuse the pun) although this is book one in the Van Zant Siblings series, there is NO sequel, it's a stand alone book. Any connection to the next book is only in the name of the family and as there is no introduction to the MC's featured the next 3 books in this one, I fail to see how it is even part of a series. Even the genres are completely different. There is no BDSM, this is M/M romance and it's monogamous.
The story shows promise in the beginning with some self-depreciating humour and angst on the part of Brian, who then proceeds to almost kill himself. The rescue by and introduction of Tobias is also well done. The native American aspect was introduced but just never developed.
After Brian recovers, the story then starts to fail as he's shown to be so competent later on in the story...I mean, he has all the skills which were lacking in his earlier bad judgement so his knowledge and abilities are just too convenient a plot foil for the main story.
When a stealth helicopter was introduced, I seriously started to think about tanking this story. The author did not do her homework. Yes, stealth helicopters do exist but the actual utilisation of the technology is NOT going to happen on the top of a mountain, in snow. Stealth for helicopters involves radar reduction through the use of composite materials plus non-reflective/angled surfaces which minimise the airframe's physical signature. Blade noise can also be reduced but not to the extent as stated in this story. Noise reduction also depends upon map-of-the-earth flying techniques...this jest ain't gunna happen on top of a mountain in blizzard conditions. The bad guys were so incompetent that one phrase comes to mind; all the gear but no idea. Seriously, military grade equipment in the hands of idiots does NOT a good story make. ....*sigh*....
This has promise, I did enjoy the few hours it took to read but in hindsight, disappointing for what it could have been with a little more work. My opinion is of little consequence but I would suggest the author removes its 'series' tag and considers a sequel to expand on the world building already done and th eplot lines already developed but not utilised.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Yes, I looked for a sequel as I thought the story showed relative promise and I thought I'd like to get to know more...maybe the characters would be fleshed out and the native American aspect would come to the fore....especially when a major archaeological find was part of the story's premise.
However, first, let's get one thing straight.... (*cough* 'scuse the pun) although this is book one in the Van Zant Siblings series, there is NO sequel, it's a stand alone book. Any connection to the next book is only in the name of the family and as there is no introduction to the MC's featured the next 3 books in this one, I fail to see how it is even part of a series. Even the genres are completely different. There is no BDSM, this is M/M romance and it's monogamous.
The story shows promise in the beginning with some self-depreciating humour and angst on the part of Brian, who then proceeds to almost kill himself. The rescue by and introduction of Tobias is also well done. The native American aspect was introduced but just never developed.
After Brian recovers, the story then starts to fail as he's shown to be so competent later on in the story...I mean, he has all the skills which were lacking in his earlier bad judgement so his knowledge and abilities are just too convenient a plot foil for the main story.
When a stealth helicopter was introduced, I seriously started to think about tanking this story. The author did not do her homework. Yes, stealth helicopters do exist but the actual utilisation of the technology is NOT going to happen on the top of a mountain, in snow. Stealth for helicopters involves radar reduction through the use of composite materials plus non-reflective/angled surfaces which minimise the airframe's physical signature. Blade noise can also be reduced but not to the extent as stated in this story. Noise reduction also depends upon map-of-the-earth flying techniques...this jest ain't gunna happen on top of a mountain in blizzard conditions. The bad guys were so incompetent that one phrase comes to mind; all the gear but no idea. Seriously, military grade equipment in the hands of idiots does NOT a good story make. ....*sigh*....
This has promise, I did enjoy the few hours it took to read but in hindsight, disappointing for what it could have been with a little more work. My opinion is of little consequence but I would suggest the author removes its 'series' tag and considers a sequel to expand on the world building already done and th eplot lines already developed but not utilised.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
April 13, 2010
Great start to this story that will captivate you into reading more. Starts off with action and doesn't end there. My interest was held which says something about the way it's written.
But here's the thing, it seemed a little soon since the death of Brian's ex-husband and brother to have moved on and jumped into a relationship without coming to terms and finding closure in order to be with Hawk, but I get it. Even if it's fiction you need to have been in Brian's shoes to completely understand where this story went.
So you have my positive and some negative view from, but in all it's a story I won't easily forget and the characters being hot adds the sugar to the spice.
But here's the thing, it seemed a little soon since the death of Brian's ex-husband and brother to have moved on and jumped into a relationship without coming to terms and finding closure in order to be with Hawk, but I get it. Even if it's fiction you need to have been in Brian's shoes to completely understand where this story went.
So you have my positive and some negative view from, but in all it's a story I won't easily forget and the characters being hot adds the sugar to the spice.
February 25, 2019
While the premise of this is good the execution is terrible. This needs a decent editor and proofreader. It's riddled with errors of all kinds as well as obviously unresearched subjects. Scenes that could have been fabulous were just blah due to the lack depth of the subject and lack of any authenticity of actions. Finally, the abrupt ending that left so many dangling bits.....
I can't recommend this to anyone.
I can't recommend this to anyone.
Read
June 13, 2018 DNF 52% One word to describe this book is confusing amongst other things.. I think this would have been a great story. I loved the sadness for Brian not getting his closure over his hubby and brother. I felt I needed to keep reading but some of the scenes are needing to be rewritten and or confusing or just plan wrong to keep reading. This was a first time read for me for the author.
September 30, 2018
Oh...my
Finally finished reading Brian's story and oh my. I definitely want to know more. Do him and Hawk actually get together? Does Hawk come out of the closet? Does Brian ever mend the broken bridge with his family???
Finally finished reading Brian's story and oh my. I definitely want to know more. Do him and Hawk actually get together? Does Hawk come out of the closet? Does Brian ever mend the broken bridge with his family???
November 25, 2018
Hotness Personified!!
Roxy Harte writes hot, steamy and passionate M/M romances with some mystery and suspense. This combination is unmistakably mesmerizing. Can't wait to read more in this series!!!!
Roxy Harte writes hot, steamy and passionate M/M romances with some mystery and suspense. This combination is unmistakably mesmerizing. Can't wait to read more in this series!!!!
August 28, 2018
Couldn't get enough of it
I was absorbed in this book from the first chapter. Beautifully written. Give it a chance even if it's not your normal read.
I was absorbed in this book from the first chapter. Beautifully written. Give it a chance even if it's not your normal read.
September 9, 2019
Oh, so good! Brian and Hawk come alive...their story has great chemistry, intrigue, suspense and plenty if hotness!!!! I need a sequel, now!
Thank you for your review.
Thank you for your review.
September 12, 2019
Omg I am not usually up for reading mm. But oh hot damn this was a hot and great book. Great job. I can't wait to read more of your work
Read
April 19, 2010The story is a mix of funny and thriller, and it has the merit to have sidetracked me. When we met Brian, he is a recent widower of Michael, the man he was divorcing from after he found out he was cheating him with his twin brother Brandon; Brandon and Michael accidentally died together in a car crash before they were able to have a proper closure with Brian. Now Brian is in the middle of two different hurt: he is missing his brother and husband but at the same time he is angry with them. In a burst of energy, he decides to drive until a place he does not yet know where and instead gets stranded in the middle of a mountain during a snowstorm risking hypothermia.
When hunky ranger Hawk rescues him, there is no doubt Brian is gay: if the sticker on his car were not clues enough, the black thong with a pink bow in the centre of a pretty bum is probably the killer clue. So when Hawk has to go pretty intimate with Brian to give him all the body warm he can gather (included that of his own dog Shadow), the fact that also Hawk is gay seems a bonus and not a problem.
Hawk is living in a very small mountain town, where basically there is a townhouse, a diner, a hotel and nothing more else. When the townsfolk happen to know a stranger is in town, and said stranger has slept with their resident park ranger, counting 2 plus 2 is pretty easy; despite Hawk worries to maintain his closet a secret, people around seem to have not problem with him being gay, probably they are more interested in the chance of having a new resident: if Hawk is good enough to draw another man in town, the fact that this man will sleep in Hawk’s bed is not apparently a problem.
But Brian arrived in town running away from something, and the strange accident causing the death of both his husband and twin brother was too much a coincidence for me to think it was causal. While reading about Brian and Hawk’s developing relationship, I was also searching for some clue that linked Brian to some strange event; and instead I was completely out of track, and Brian was not the man in danger of the situation. On the contrary, pretty Brian with his rainbow stickers and black thong with a pink bow will have the chance to play the role of the hero, a role that Hawk, with his Native American origins perfectly matching Brian’s fetish with the Last of Mohicans, was expecting to fill.
As I said, there is a roller coast between danger and funny moments, all characters involved have their sudden turns, even the dog and Hawk’s grandfather, the old tribe shaman… no one is behaving like you would expect, and in the end, this gives the story a light feeling, the reader is always expecting for the unexpected.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QHZLGW/?...
When hunky ranger Hawk rescues him, there is no doubt Brian is gay: if the sticker on his car were not clues enough, the black thong with a pink bow in the centre of a pretty bum is probably the killer clue. So when Hawk has to go pretty intimate with Brian to give him all the body warm he can gather (included that of his own dog Shadow), the fact that also Hawk is gay seems a bonus and not a problem.
Hawk is living in a very small mountain town, where basically there is a townhouse, a diner, a hotel and nothing more else. When the townsfolk happen to know a stranger is in town, and said stranger has slept with their resident park ranger, counting 2 plus 2 is pretty easy; despite Hawk worries to maintain his closet a secret, people around seem to have not problem with him being gay, probably they are more interested in the chance of having a new resident: if Hawk is good enough to draw another man in town, the fact that this man will sleep in Hawk’s bed is not apparently a problem.
But Brian arrived in town running away from something, and the strange accident causing the death of both his husband and twin brother was too much a coincidence for me to think it was causal. While reading about Brian and Hawk’s developing relationship, I was also searching for some clue that linked Brian to some strange event; and instead I was completely out of track, and Brian was not the man in danger of the situation. On the contrary, pretty Brian with his rainbow stickers and black thong with a pink bow will have the chance to play the role of the hero, a role that Hawk, with his Native American origins perfectly matching Brian’s fetish with the Last of Mohicans, was expecting to fill.
As I said, there is a roller coast between danger and funny moments, all characters involved have their sudden turns, even the dog and Hawk’s grandfather, the old tribe shaman… no one is behaving like you would expect, and in the end, this gives the story a light feeling, the reader is always expecting for the unexpected.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QHZLGW/?...
February 11, 2016
There's few things I like more in my erotic romance than some delicious guy on guy lovin', and Ms. Harte delivers in SURVIVAL INSTINCT!
Park ranger Tobias Red Hawk's first impression of Brian Van Zant is that the incapacitated, hypothermic man in the car is insanely sexy. His second impression is that the pretty boy is going to die if Hawk doesn't get him warm, stat. Nursing Brian back to health isn't easy, but Hawk is happy to take one for the team, especially when the recovery turns into steamy snowed-in passion between the men. But Brian is just recovering from the ultimate betrayal and devastation; he's certainly not looking for anyone new in his life, while Hawk doesn't want to risk losing his heart to another tourist. However, it's soon clear that there's something more than just lust between the two of them. And when trouble descends on Hawk's small town in rural Montana, both men will have to be on guard before one of them gets killed.
SURVIVAL INSTINCT is the first book in the Van Zant Siblings series, and while I typically prefer an F in there with the MM, I totally dug this book! Hawk and Brian had great chemistry, their relationship felt organic. And even though the sex between the two happened quickly, they just fit so nicely together. Their sex scenes were soooo hot, even if the snowy setting was beyond frigid. There was a nice thread of danger that ran through the book, with the treasure hunters and the mystery on the Montana mountains. The only thing I was disappointed in was the culmination of said danger – it felt like such a let down after being all hyped up with anticipation. Still, I liked this book a lot, and BONUS: it was blissfully error free.
Bottom Line: Crazy sexy,delicious MM read that makes me think twice about skipping that genre if they're all this sexy! - See more at: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
- See more at: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
Park ranger Tobias Red Hawk's first impression of Brian Van Zant is that the incapacitated, hypothermic man in the car is insanely sexy. His second impression is that the pretty boy is going to die if Hawk doesn't get him warm, stat. Nursing Brian back to health isn't easy, but Hawk is happy to take one for the team, especially when the recovery turns into steamy snowed-in passion between the men. But Brian is just recovering from the ultimate betrayal and devastation; he's certainly not looking for anyone new in his life, while Hawk doesn't want to risk losing his heart to another tourist. However, it's soon clear that there's something more than just lust between the two of them. And when trouble descends on Hawk's small town in rural Montana, both men will have to be on guard before one of them gets killed.
SURVIVAL INSTINCT is the first book in the Van Zant Siblings series, and while I typically prefer an F in there with the MM, I totally dug this book! Hawk and Brian had great chemistry, their relationship felt organic. And even though the sex between the two happened quickly, they just fit so nicely together. Their sex scenes were soooo hot, even if the snowy setting was beyond frigid. There was a nice thread of danger that ran through the book, with the treasure hunters and the mystery on the Montana mountains. The only thing I was disappointed in was the culmination of said danger – it felt like such a let down after being all hyped up with anticipation. Still, I liked this book a lot, and BONUS: it was blissfully error free.
Bottom Line: Crazy sexy,delicious MM read that makes me think twice about skipping that genre if they're all this sexy! - See more at: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
- See more at: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
December 27, 2018
(Read before using Goodreads. Need to reread, but really liked initially.) This review is based on the 1st edition.
*Warning* Insta-love adverse people should probably read multiple reviews. It's not out of the range of plausibility due to the set up, but it was close to my limit. I'm not adverse per se, but I have to understand the why and how etc... The author has to make me believe it.
Well, I just finished my reread. This one was a mixed bag. It was recently republished, and if it was given a thorough once over - it could easily be a 4 to 5 star book. The story / plot itself was really good. The setting and the world were done well. I could easily visualize and was immediately engaged / drawn into what was happening. Had the editing / proofing been better, I'd have stayed that way.
I found Brian really interesting. He definitely didn't fit into one stereotype or another. He was not one dimensional. At times, his emotions were all over the place as well they should be considering all he'd been through. Ms. Henry did reveal a possibility for why things had deteriorated with his spouse. But we were not really given anything to understand what might have motivated the brother to such a betrayal. The timeline between the betrayal and deaths were confusing. As was exactly how it was discovered and the immediate aftermath etc... It just felt vital info was left out.
The present day stuff was clear, interesting, and engaging if not slightly over the top at times - especially with Hawks abilities, though still technically plausible.
The issue that really drops it down I guess would fall under the proofing, editing, formatting area. I was constantly thrown out of the story due to confusing shifts in time, place, and/or POV. There was often not anything separating these changes like new chapters or symbols in between paragraphs denoting the shift in scenes etc... I feel it was somewhat better as it progressed, but that may have been more about me being on guard for it and adjusting easier.
In summary, the plot was good, the characters great, the flow was confusing.
*Warning* Insta-love adverse people should probably read multiple reviews. It's not out of the range of plausibility due to the set up, but it was close to my limit. I'm not adverse per se, but I have to understand the why and how etc... The author has to make me believe it.
Well, I just finished my reread. This one was a mixed bag. It was recently republished, and if it was given a thorough once over - it could easily be a 4 to 5 star book. The story / plot itself was really good. The setting and the world were done well. I could easily visualize and was immediately engaged / drawn into what was happening. Had the editing / proofing been better, I'd have stayed that way.
I found Brian really interesting. He definitely didn't fit into one stereotype or another. He was not one dimensional. At times, his emotions were all over the place as well they should be considering all he'd been through. Ms. Henry did reveal a possibility for why things had deteriorated with his spouse. But we were not really given anything to understand what might have motivated the brother to such a betrayal. The timeline between the betrayal and deaths were confusing. As was exactly how it was discovered and the immediate aftermath etc... It just felt vital info was left out.
The present day stuff was clear, interesting, and engaging if not slightly over the top at times - especially with Hawks abilities, though still technically plausible.
The issue that really drops it down I guess would fall under the proofing, editing, formatting area. I was constantly thrown out of the story due to confusing shifts in time, place, and/or POV. There was often not anything separating these changes like new chapters or symbols in between paragraphs denoting the shift in scenes etc... I feel it was somewhat better as it progressed, but that may have been more about me being on guard for it and adjusting easier.
In summary, the plot was good, the characters great, the flow was confusing.
April 7, 2012
The story starts with Brian who is still wallowing following the death of his husband and twin brother, who just happened to be having an affair and he was in the process of divorcing his husband. Finally his parents can’t take it anymore and kick him out. In a snit he takes off for Seattle, only when he gets somewhere in Montana he crashes his jeep when an Elk crosses the road (although he claims it was a moose). He’s wearing flip-flops and shorts and when the rangers find him, he is nearly frozen to death. However due to the blizzard (unable to get to hospital) they leave him at the diner (in an apartment) with the ranger Toby to try and save him. It’s close but finally he keeps him alive and before long they are having hot sex, since Brian has a thing for native Americans. There is also a story with lights up on the mountain which they figure out are people trying to steal ancient Indian artifacts and Brian just happens to be an archaeologist who specializes in Native American artifacts. I had a few issues, mostly that Brian was from Cincinnati and was wearing shorts and flip-flops and yet it was snowing in Montana. I know it’s warmer in Ohio, but not THAT much warmer. And he got out of the car to walk in snow up to his knees? In flip-flops? He deserved to freeze to death. LOL It wasn’t a bad story though and it did keep me reading, but there were a few coincidences which seemed awfully convenient and I found Brian’s parents popping up the end kind of odd. Still, I enjoyed it despite a few issues.
April 13, 2010
Survival Instinct by Roxy Harte was a hard novel to get to grips with. There was plenty of great action to start and I loved the whole *stuck in a storm lets share our warmth* storyline at the start. But, after that the novel failed to fire for me. How the death of Brian’s brother and lover were dealt with was just too fast to be believable and the characterization of Tobias was not always appealing. While the style of writing was easy to read and reasonably entertaining, this was not an easy one to get through.
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October 15, 2011Several thing bother me in this book.
Too. much. use. of. mark.
Letting your 28 years old son live in your house under the pretense that he'd never live by himself, what a nonsense is that?
I have a lot of difficulties in believing that the Suede (or an other modern country) would buy artifact just like that.
The fact that the F.B.I just let the site without supervision is not credible.
These last too point were too present in my head while reading the story for me to be able to concentrate on the relation between the two MC.
Too. much. use. of. mark.
Letting your 28 years old son live in your house under the pretense that he'd never live by himself, what a nonsense is that?
I have a lot of difficulties in believing that the Suede (or an other modern country) would buy artifact just like that.
The fact that the F.B.I just let the site without supervision is not credible.
These last too point were too present in my head while reading the story for me to be able to concentrate on the relation between the two MC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2010
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking at trying a gay-erotic-romance because it is very well written, the erotica doesn't read like porn, and Roxy Harte creates well-developed characters to care about. This is my fourth Roxy Harte novel to read and I haven't been disappointed in any of them, which is saying a lot.
August 12, 2010
So sorry to have to give only two stars to this story. It reads more like a story outline than a fully fleshed out novel or even a novella. Way too fast in every respect. I hate it when a story just doesn't work out, because I know how much blood, sweat, and tears go into creating a work of fiction. I hope the author slows everything down and works on realism in her next effort.
April 17, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, very emotional. I'm not sure what I was expecting in a gay romance, because I honestly haven't read very many, but I liked it.
If you're looking for porn, this isn't the book. Survival Instinct makes you care about the characters and what happens next.
If you're looking for porn, this isn't the book. Survival Instinct makes you care about the characters and what happens next.
April 15, 2011
good story about grieving and forgiving and living again. with hot native american sex and mystery and kinky and lot of fun too !
May 18, 2011
MxM, Read in 2011
June 23, 2011
It is more like a 3.5 it was a good story but the action in the story went by too fast, however the love story was nice but if the story had them spend more time together it would have been nice
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