Amelia C. GormleyBesprekingen

Chris knew that his parents would shun him if he came out. Matt was totally out with an accepting family so thought that Chris was over exaggerating his parent's reaction. His parents reacted just as he expected when Chris came out to his father. I was blown away by the way Chris's mother reacted. I thought his father was much more the likable character. Where his mother was just homophobic and ugly, his father was at least open to listening to Chris. Family is who you choose.

Three cheers for Satish for opening up communication. The other two dunderheads would have let everything go to hell. I enjoyed having Satish as part of the scene. All in all, this was a fun little series.

Topher Carlisle is looking forward to this summer. He's staying with his best friend, Mo, at her family's beach house on Lake Michigan. Well, he's staying at the house more than with Mo, since she'll be spending most of the summer working at a camp. But it's a free place to stay with easy access to getting in the daily swims he needs to keep in form to hold onto his swimming scholarship when he gets back to school. And he might even be able to make some money to bridge the difference between his scholarship and his full expenses.

Topher also thinks there might be a chance he could meet a guy or two at the beach. And he's not there long before he sees a total hottie. There's just one problem--he's Mo's straight, married father, Brendan. So Topher shakes that one off and tells himself he needs to get over it since Brendan will be staying at the house with him all summer.

And Topher finds a much-needed distraction in Jace, an artist from Chicago who is more than willing to be Topher's birthday one-night stand. But Topher lets Jace into a place where no one else is allowed to tread, and that just might come back to haunt him later.

As the summer goes on, everything starts to fall apart. Issues surface between Topher and Brendan. His night with Jace led to some unexpected results. And there's some family drama that Topher hoped he could stay out of that demands his attention. And none of this is good for someone like Topher who is nursing some long-standing issues as a result of emotional and sexual abuse in his childhood. Can he accept that it's okay to put those things in the past and move on? Is it possible for Topher to recognize the patterns he's stuck in so he can break out of them? And can he maybe, actually, find love?

--

I'm often a bit nervous when it comes to first-person narration. I find that it can be difficult for many authors to sustain a character voice for the entire length of a novel. And then there's the whole issue of only being able to show what the narrator sees, thinks, and feels. But when a good storyteller does first-person well, I find myself hooked from beginning to end. And this author has managed to construct a well-written narrative that never lost me at any point.

Topher's story is a complex one. There's not only a large cast of characters in his life during the summer of the story, but there's also the issues that haunt him from his past. And every one of those--the people and the issues--seem like they want to pull him in a different direction. There's definitely a great deal of tension throughout this story, though it never veers too far into the angst camp.

The only reason this doesn't pull a higher rating from me is pacing. It's not a tremendous problem--the writing is great, so I never felt myself wandering--but the story could probably have been shored up just a bit to add to the tension and drama. Still give this a solid recommendation, though.

May 2020
So, I finally got around to reading this. I wouldn't have picked this book up if it weren't for a challenge, but it fit a certain criteria and this was an opportunity to decrease my on-hold list.

I don't often even want to read post-apocalyptic books but, maybe because of our current circumstances, this book held my attention.


Original review - Sep 2015
Dropped at 22%.

I'm really not in the mood for something like this right now. Maybe I'll finish it at a later date, and maybe I wont.

this was a very good book to have my very first male on male experience in a book. it was an easy read, great storyline, and actually left me wanting more. I'm quite ashamed with myself that it took me so long to finish it. Gavin, I love his attitude especially with all the Crap he's been through and currently going through. Derreck reminds me of a shy virginal school girl in some ways. I'm highly intrigued on what goes on with those two in future books, and this is a book I would recommend for anyone who enjoys MM books, or is wondering how MM books are.

Good

4.5 stars. Acceleration is the second installment in Amelia C. Gormley’s absolutely fabulous Impulse series. Picking up right where Inertia leaves off, Gavin and Derrick are still in the early days of their romance. Both men bring more than their fair share of emotional baggage with them and sometimes their relationship is practically smothered by the weight of it. But as the title promises, there is forward motion as these two men work to overcome the residual damage and insecurities from their respective pasts. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.

4.5 stars. Amelia C. Gormley has a few surprises up her sleeve in Velocity, the final installment of her wonderful Impulse series. While the first two books in the series focused mainly on Derrick and his issues, it is finally Gavin’s turn to come to terms with the various problems he is facing. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.

4.5 stars.

Inertia one of those stories that is slow building, yet it is completely captivating. The pacing is unhurried and the plot unfolds at a realistic pace. The ending is more of a happy for now than happily ever after and I am looking forward to seeing where Amelia C. Gormley takes Derrick and Gavin in the Acceleration, the next book of the Impulse series. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.

Great science fiction start.

DNF. I enjoy a bit of BDSM in my reading but this was a bit much for me. Humiliation kink, no matter how much both parties eventually dig it, just doesn't do it for me. And the reason for all the sharing, plus the actual sharing just made me cringe.

I had really high hopes for this series since I love dystopian, post-apocalyptic stories.

One of many examples of a closeted young man trying to make things work with an out boyfriend, this is the story of Chris and Matt. They've known each other since high school and are now attending the same college. They love each other, but Chris is scared to death about coming out. And as the story develops, it becomes pretty obvious why.

Chris is on a baseball scholarship, urged along by his father. His dad is also a very macho man, who utters homophobic slurs every 5 minutes and doesn't even realize what he's doing. Chris is justifiably scared to come out, he fears he won't have a family left to come home to once he "admits" who he really is. And once he does come out? He learns a lot about them and himself, but it is not easy nor a very happy situation.

Matt is out and has his family's support. He doesn't want to be Chris's dirty secret, and while he doesn't give Chris an ultimatum, he is honest about his dwindling ability to deal with hiding who he is, and who they are to each other. When Chris comes out, Matt has a lot of learning to do as well. For him, it was unimaginable that Chris's family wouldn't come around, but that's what he has to deal with.

If you like realistic stories about young men who have to deal with homophobia and families who are less than understanding, if you enjoy reading about college students learning to deal with life, and if you're looking for a realistically written piece without a rose-colored perspective, you will probably like this free short story.

The continuation of James and Professor Carson's relationship takes the lack of ethical behavior on the professor's side several steps beyond his morally questionable activities in 'An Inch At A Time'. Set a few years after the events of that book, it is now two years ago that James has walked away from their relationship because he couldn't take the professor's demands any longer and, even more importantly, because he was afraid of losing himself, of having no limits and letting the man do whatever he wanted without regard to James's preferences or real needs. To note: even though this book was published first, it is actually the sequel to the events of book two (which is like a prequel, and contains the beginning of James and Evander's stormy relationship); it is easier to understand it if book two has already been read.

It has been two years since James has left Professor Carson, and as this story unfolds, it becomes very clear why he did. The professor kept pushing him, and while James is now unarguably an academic success, he is afraid. He knows he is prone to addiction (his episode with substance abuse when he was seventeen proved that), he saw how the professor had become his "drug of choice", and he is afraid that he will lose himself unless he can learn to put up some limits. Since he cannot do that inside the relationship, he had to leave. The accidental new contact via text makes James reconsider, since the professor's demands still make him hot and he wants what the man can give him, if only he can learn to push back.

I have to admit that my opinion of the professor isn’t very high after this book. His behavior was somewhat questionable in book one, but since his methods were successful, and James seemed okay with everything he had done to him, I believed it was all okay. Not so in this second story. James is clearly tormented by what further things the professor makes him do, yet he cannot seem to resists. The professor knows James is an addict – yet he never discussed limits with him? A safeword is all well and good, but if Carson gives it to someone he knows to be yearning for his approval, how is James expected to use it? Carson should know that. If he does, and is trying to teach some obscure lesson by overstepping what is decent, then it is so well hidden I did not find any evidence.

This book is deeply troublesome in many respects. The professor's unscrupulous pushing of James into situations of ever-increasingly doubtful consent made me angry. James tries to put up a fight, but I have no idea how successful he will be in the long run. Anyway, the way he resists, by starting to date another man, is highly questionable in itself. Only a third book might be able to clarify some of the murkiness this one left me in. I certainly hope the authors decide to write it! The psychological tension and uncertainties of this volume definitely warrant dome clarification, as far as I am concerned.

If you like stories with a definitely uncomfortable level of "use" of one man by a more powerful man for that one's amusement, if you enjoy characters struggling for emotional and mental independence, and if you want to know what happens to James and Evander after they conclude their very successful academic tutoring, then you should give this book a try. Just know that it contains some questionable morals, a third man introduced into what might or might not be an on-again relationship between James and Professor Carson, and a whole lot of uncertainty as to what will happen next.



NOTE: This book was provided by Riptide Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

This short book is about anything but a "standard" student/professor romance. The story takes the tutoring relationship between James, a failing student, and Evander Carson, his history professor, well into the realms of doubtful ethicality (if there is such a word) and delightful exploration of BDSM. To note: even though this book was published after the volume labeled one, it is actually the beginning of James and Evander's stormy relationship and, in my personal opinion, best read first.

James may think he knows what he's doing when he offers his body up as payment for a better grade, but he really has no idea what he's getting himself into with the professor. And while he very quickly does begin to understand history much better than he ever did before, he struggles with his apparent need for and enjoyment of discipline. One thing is abundantly clear: his statement about being an addictive personality who has now replaced previous cravings with those for spankings is very true.

Professor Evander Carson has a certain reputation (that of a pervert), and as the story progresses we begin to find out how far he is willing to go. While, in his mind, his rules are just this side of ethical, since James is the one who comes to him and he never takes a direct sexual payment, I would argue that his actions are at the very least questionable. He does use the promise of sex as a reward, and he knows that the spankings get James extremely excited; not that they leave him unmoved either. Ultimately, if you believe the end justifies the means, there is no arguing that the professor is successful.

If you like stories with a touch of the morally frowned upon, if you enjoy students getting spanked by their professors, and if you're looking for a read that is as hot as it is psychologically interesting, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Riptide Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

There is some excellent story-building here. The author weaves a tale of the government trying to create super-soldiers, but their efforts mutate into multiple viruses that turn the host into a zombie. As it spreads across the country, people go into survival mode, holing up in dorms, monasteries, and churches.

The Jugs, the ones that managed to truly become super-soldiers, now roam the country rescuing the uninfected and safely guiding them to Colorado where a safe zone is being created. The Jugs come across a small group lead by a power-hungry, twisted priest who believes the whole situation is a punishment by God and he gets medieval about punishment.

Rhys has been with this twisted group since he was 12, seven years. He's gay so you can imagine how the priest treated him. Rhys is about to be killed by a zombie when Darius rescues him.

At this point there is great character-building, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens on their journey to a safe-place. And maybe the 19 year old kid will fall in love within this scary world.

The record-scratch moment for me was when they discussed how to save Rhys, who, covered in zombie blood, had been exposed to at least one strain. They believe exposing him to other strains will save his life. Oh, and these strains can only be spread via fluid transmission during sex. And he has to have multiple partners daily to get exposed to a variety of strains for his best chance.

Here we are in this fresh take on a zombie apocalypse and it's interrupted daily with multiple partners at once, BDSM, butt plugs. REally, there is a bag of butt plugs available to "save lives". And some of the guys (hearts of gold!)penetrating Rhys nightly get bummed because Rhys doesn't seem to enjoy it. You cannot believe the amount of time spent on these big whiney soldiers lamenting that Rhys is not aroused in abandoned, zombie-infested buildings.It was gratuitous to the point that I could not stay in suspended disbelief.

Enjoyable enough story about Geoff, a masochist hemophiliac tattoo artist who picks up Robin, an experienced dom with some emotional baggage and a trust fund. They have a great weekend together after discussing a lot of BDSM 101 and having some communication issues and baggage around how to play together without doing serious injury to Geoff. The hemophilia parts were handled very well, including Geoff's frustrations and emotional baggage around being treated like he's breakable and having to learn to communicate plainly and with safety at the forefront with his partner. I found some of the interactions between the two of them a bit annoyingly juvenile, in terms of lying to one another about stuff that's going on. There was also something of a gear shift about halfway through the book that felt a bit off, and some of the pacing threw me. I thought the sex scenes were by and large pretty damn hot, though, and I recommend this one if you're looking for characters navigating safety, risk, sex, and kink frankly and realistically, making mistakes and not great choices and then doing better next time.

FGMAMTC Blog Review  New Strain Short Story

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.5 stars

Bane does an excellent job of tying up the Strain series. Separate storylines of characters from both of the previous books merge. The reader has witnessed the beginning and evolution of this pandemic. Now, the goal is to find a solution to combat this plague that would allow coexistence between all surviving members of the human race.

I like how there are different strains of the virus presented. It seems more realistic because diseases do mutate and adapt. Also, a tragedy of this magnitude is sure to bring out the best and worst in people. Nothing ever comes easily. It's a constant fight just to stay afloat.

The action and romance are great. The struggle is real. Elements of chance, karma, fate, luck, destiny, politics, religion, revenge, sacrifice and love are present. The mix of everything together keeps it interesting, and the end is satisfying.

I love this series and will look for more from this author.




***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

toni


FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.75 stars

I could not put this book down. The sex is hot. I love the characters. The whole idea of all the different types of viruses is original compared to most of the zompoc I've read.

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.75 stars

I could not put this book down. The sex is hot. I love the characters. The whole idea of all the different types of viruses is original compared to most of the zompoc I've read.

FGMAMTC Blog Review  New Strain Short Story

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.5 stars

Bane does an excellent job of tying up the Strain series. Separate storylines of characters from both of the previous books merge. The reader has witnessed the beginning and evolution of this pandemic. Now, the goal is to find a solution to combat this plague that would allow coexistence between all surviving members of the human race.

I like how there are different strains of the virus presented. It seems more realistic because diseases do mutate and adapt. Also, a tragedy of this magnitude is sure to bring out the best and worst in people. Nothing ever comes easily. It's a constant fight just to stay afloat.

The action and romance are great. The struggle is real. Elements of chance, karma, fate, luck, destiny, politics, religion, revenge, sacrifice and love are present. The mix of everything together keeps it interesting, and the end is satisfying.

I love this series and will look for more from this author.




***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

toni


FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

FGMAMTC Blog Review  Giveaway

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.75 stars

I love zombie-ish tales. This one was awesome. It totally kept my full attention the entire time. Most zompoc stories that I've read seem to pick up after the world has went down the toilet leaving a few survivors fighting for their lives. This book is about the outbreak. It's an inside look at the government designed virus. The reader gets to witness how the world was shaped, how the top military official, the psychotic mark, the religious fanatic and the rent boy played their parts.

The storyline follows Nico. He is one of the top male sex workers of time. The reader learns what's going on as Nico learns. This book is filled with political, social, economical, racial, moral and spiritual issues as well as death and the fight for survival of the human race. Underlying everything is the star-crossed romance between two young men.

Juggernaut was my first read of this series, but it has me hooked. I recommend it for sure.






***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni





FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

FGMAMTC Blog Review  Giveaway

FGMAMTC Blog Author Interview Where is the Strain Universe headed next?
4.75 stars

I love zombie-ish tales. This one was awesome. It totally kept my full attention the entire time. Most zompoc stories that I've read seem to pick up after the world has went down the toilet leaving a few survivors fighting for their lives. This book is about the outbreak. It's an inside look at the government designed virus. The reader gets to witness how the world was shaped, how the top military official, the psychotic mark, the religious fanatic and the rent boy played their parts.

The storyline follows Nico. He is one of the top male sex workers of time. The reader learns what's going on as Nico learns. This book is filled with political, social, economical, racial, moral and spiritual issues as well as death and the fight for survival of the human race. Underlying everything is the star-crossed romance between two young men.

Juggernaut was my first read of this series, but it has me hooked. I recommend it for sure.






***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni





FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

Satish!



Oh boy...I'm in lust for you, Satish! I would say forget James but I really like him with Satish. This love triangle of sorts is coming to a head! And Carson is sneaking into my Satish lovefest...



I don't know if I should root for #TeamCarson or #TeamSatish winning in the end for James' attention. I totally agree with Satish on Carson. I know the Professor has something up his sleeve.

Grr...don't want this series to end.

3.75 STARS