I.D. Locke's Blog
February 3, 2022
Review of Cold Blood by T. Strange
Cold Blood is the second book in the series Bound To The Spirits by T. Strange. I read the first book, Rattling Chains, and greatly enjoyed it so I was excited to read the next one. The second book continues with the same main characters from the first so it is advised that Rattling Chains be read first to get the best quality reading experience. You won’t be lost though if they’re read out of order as the author gives very brief summaries of what went before where it’s relevant in the new book.
Harlan is slowly evolving, or perhaps emerging, from his very reclusive shell in book two. It’s done in a slow, cautious way that makes it believable given how sheltered and protected he was growing up at The Centre. He’s still plagued by personal/relationship doubts and he struggles to creep outside of his comfort zones but he is growing. He’s becoming more comfortable and confident in his work and personal life, too. We learn more about his work partner, Hamilton, which was interesting and new characters are introduced that I believe will be steady regulars in future books.
The mystery aspect of this was good and kept me guessing what was going on until the end of the story where it was revealed. New powers have developed for not only Harlan but other characters and there were some unexpected twists in the climax. Harlan’s relationship with his boyfriend, Charles, also grew in this which I liked.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I hope the author continues with this series. If you like the paranormal with some mystery and romance stirred into the mix, this series will hit those buttons for you.
Harlan is slowly evolving, or perhaps emerging, from his very reclusive shell in book two. It’s done in a slow, cautious way that makes it believable given how sheltered and protected he was growing up at The Centre. He’s still plagued by personal/relationship doubts and he struggles to creep outside of his comfort zones but he is growing. He’s becoming more comfortable and confident in his work and personal life, too. We learn more about his work partner, Hamilton, which was interesting and new characters are introduced that I believe will be steady regulars in future books.
The mystery aspect of this was good and kept me guessing what was going on until the end of the story where it was revealed. New powers have developed for not only Harlan but other characters and there were some unexpected twists in the climax. Harlan’s relationship with his boyfriend, Charles, also grew in this which I liked.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I hope the author continues with this series. If you like the paranormal with some mystery and romance stirred into the mix, this series will hit those buttons for you.
December 28, 2019
Review of Rattling Chains by T. Strange
I received an advance copy of Rattling Chains by T. Strange in exchange for an honest review of the novel. It is a full-length m/m romantic novel with a paranormal theme involving ghosts and some very light BDSM (spanking and mild bondage). The story primarily focuses on Harlan, his thoughts and reactions.
Harlan is one of the main characters and he sees ghosts. All the time. Everywhere. And it distresses him (which is a fairly normal reaction, one would think). He’s lived an extremely sheltered life in the Center, a place for special people like him, where his parents basically abandoned him when he was a child of five. You really feel for him as he deals with suddenly being thrust out into the “real world” to start living his life now that he was into his twenties. The Center did their best to prepare him for life outside of the Center but he’s got issues and away from the protective wards of the Center, the outside world is scary and rough on him.
Harlan has been assigned to work with a police officer, C. Hamilton, as a police medium. They go to various sites around Toronto, Ontario, and the GTA (Greater-Toronto-Area) so Harlan can lay to rest troublesome spirits. During one of these jobs Harlan meets his love interest, Charles, who happens to be co-owner of a BDSM club called Rattling Chains.
The author does a very good job in showing the reader how tough a time Harlan has with confidence in himself, being out in the world and having to interact with people and learning how to have an intimate relationship with someone. The slow build up to actually being intimate is well done, too, with stumbles and unsure steps that feel right and in keeping with Harlan’s character and the sheltered life he had as well as personal insecurities he carries.
Charles is a very nice guy and just what Harlan needs on several levels. He’s patient both with the sexual aspect of their relationship (which includes spanking, Harlan’s kink) and the regular doing-life side. He provides/acts as Harlan’s anchor out of a genuine desire to help Harlan and just rolls with the punches/weirdness that Harlan brings without making Harlan feel or appear to being simply humoured.
C. Hamilton (whose name you learn near the very end, which amused me) was difficult at first and you really felt for poor Harlan in having to deal with this individual. Near the end you find out why the cop was behaving the way they were and apologies are made. Their relationship does evolve from hostile (on C. Hamilton’s part) to an actual partnership at a nice, natural pace as they work together, which makes it believable to me.
There is a bit of a mystery involved with ghosts appearing where they shouldn’t be and a show-down at the end to resolve that. The tension of that show-down is well written and does make the reader wonder if all the living involved in that show-down will get out alive.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and took a little extra delight in the fact that it was set in Canada because I am Canadian and there’s so few books that seem to be set in Canada. It was satisfying to see Harlan slowly come out of his shell and find someone who appreciated him for the person he is. The scenes with spanking are mild, not overly descriptive and there’s only a few so if there’s hesitancy to read something with that sort of thing, it shouldn’t be a problem to most readers.
Harlan is one of the main characters and he sees ghosts. All the time. Everywhere. And it distresses him (which is a fairly normal reaction, one would think). He’s lived an extremely sheltered life in the Center, a place for special people like him, where his parents basically abandoned him when he was a child of five. You really feel for him as he deals with suddenly being thrust out into the “real world” to start living his life now that he was into his twenties. The Center did their best to prepare him for life outside of the Center but he’s got issues and away from the protective wards of the Center, the outside world is scary and rough on him.
Harlan has been assigned to work with a police officer, C. Hamilton, as a police medium. They go to various sites around Toronto, Ontario, and the GTA (Greater-Toronto-Area) so Harlan can lay to rest troublesome spirits. During one of these jobs Harlan meets his love interest, Charles, who happens to be co-owner of a BDSM club called Rattling Chains.
The author does a very good job in showing the reader how tough a time Harlan has with confidence in himself, being out in the world and having to interact with people and learning how to have an intimate relationship with someone. The slow build up to actually being intimate is well done, too, with stumbles and unsure steps that feel right and in keeping with Harlan’s character and the sheltered life he had as well as personal insecurities he carries.
Charles is a very nice guy and just what Harlan needs on several levels. He’s patient both with the sexual aspect of their relationship (which includes spanking, Harlan’s kink) and the regular doing-life side. He provides/acts as Harlan’s anchor out of a genuine desire to help Harlan and just rolls with the punches/weirdness that Harlan brings without making Harlan feel or appear to being simply humoured.
C. Hamilton (whose name you learn near the very end, which amused me) was difficult at first and you really felt for poor Harlan in having to deal with this individual. Near the end you find out why the cop was behaving the way they were and apologies are made. Their relationship does evolve from hostile (on C. Hamilton’s part) to an actual partnership at a nice, natural pace as they work together, which makes it believable to me.
There is a bit of a mystery involved with ghosts appearing where they shouldn’t be and a show-down at the end to resolve that. The tension of that show-down is well written and does make the reader wonder if all the living involved in that show-down will get out alive.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and took a little extra delight in the fact that it was set in Canada because I am Canadian and there’s so few books that seem to be set in Canada. It was satisfying to see Harlan slowly come out of his shell and find someone who appreciated him for the person he is. The scenes with spanking are mild, not overly descriptive and there’s only a few so if there’s hesitancy to read something with that sort of thing, it shouldn’t be a problem to most readers.
November 18, 2019
New books posted to Ao3
I have begun posting some works as free-reads over on Ao3. Most are not posted anywhere else but some are things that I've also got posted to my author journal.
You can find all that goodness here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ID_...
Right now, the majority of works posted to Ao3 are in my Divine Worship World. This is a world set in the distant past when gods walked the world. All pairings are a god with a mortal and I highly suggest you pay attention to any tags/warnings. These guys are a kinky, lusty bunch.
I will be adding more works as I write them. Comments/questions are appreciated.
You can find all that goodness here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ID_...
Right now, the majority of works posted to Ao3 are in my Divine Worship World. This is a world set in the distant past when gods walked the world. All pairings are a god with a mortal and I highly suggest you pay attention to any tags/warnings. These guys are a kinky, lusty bunch.
I will be adding more works as I write them. Comments/questions are appreciated.
November 18, 2017
Absolute Destiny delay
I had said I'd try and keep up with the posting schedule for Absolute Destiny. Life has conspired against me and it's looking like that isn't going to reliably happen.
Last Sunday my brother passed away suddenly. I'm his closest immediate family (our mom passed away last year) and it's looking like he didn't have a will. Disposal of his estate falls to me, which I'm fine with although the task seems daunting.
He also lived over 1400km/900 miles away so there's going to be travel in my future in order to start shutting down his life. This new responsibility along with my other contractual writing obligations means that something I'm just doing because I need to tell that story gets pushed to the back of the line. I apologize for that to my readers but its life's love of curve balls that has messed with my intentions.
Last Sunday my brother passed away suddenly. I'm his closest immediate family (our mom passed away last year) and it's looking like he didn't have a will. Disposal of his estate falls to me, which I'm fine with although the task seems daunting.
He also lived over 1400km/900 miles away so there's going to be travel in my future in order to start shutting down his life. This new responsibility along with my other contractual writing obligations means that something I'm just doing because I need to tell that story gets pushed to the back of the line. I apologize for that to my readers but its life's love of curve balls that has messed with my intentions.
November 1, 2017
Absolute Destiny 8
The next chapter of Absolute Destiny is now up for your reading pleasure. It is very much R-rated and NSFW at all. Enjoy!
https://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75723...
https://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75723...
October 2, 2017
Absolute Destiny 7
I'm a day late in posting this but it s now up for your reading pleasure. Very much R-rated and NSFW at all. Enjoy!
https://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75434...
https://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75434...
September 2, 2017
Absolute Destiny-Chapter 6
A day late but the next chapter of Absolute Destiny is now up for your reading pleasure on my author journal. It is NSFW so use caution where viewing. Also be advised that this story will now be updating on a monthly basis (I did warn that would happen once I reached a certain point of written chapters).
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75252....
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/75252....
August 26, 2017
Looking for beta readers
I've posted this to the FB Goodreads m/m group so apologies to those seeing this twice but I REALLY need some beta readers. NOW.
I'm in need of at least 2 possibly 3 beta readers for a new, long-term m/m sci-fi story that will be posted on a monthly basis to a website where I'm a guest author. The main characters are created species of mine set in a far off galaxy in the future. There will be violence, action, romance, plot and quite a good bit of sex (fully described, no fade to black). There will be sounding kink but I don't think these guys are into BDSM (or they just haven't told me yet).
I would need fairly quick turnaround times of a week, but since I only send 1 chapter per month (about 8K in size), I don't think that's unreasonable. I DO NOT need grammar checking as I have someone dedicated to that. I DO need checking for consistency, plot holes, WTF?! moments, etc. as well as comments/suggestions to help me put the best story I can out there.
This new story, Escape Velocity, is set to go live in October and I'd like to be able to send out the first chapter in September which is just a week away at this point. You do not have to have read the other stories in my Dream Time World to know what's going on as they're all stand alones. However, if you have, you may be happy/excited to know that this new one features Tohan, whom you met as a secondary character in Some Velvet Morning.
If you're interested/want more details, please email me at: silverirondog at gmail dot com
I'm in need of at least 2 possibly 3 beta readers for a new, long-term m/m sci-fi story that will be posted on a monthly basis to a website where I'm a guest author. The main characters are created species of mine set in a far off galaxy in the future. There will be violence, action, romance, plot and quite a good bit of sex (fully described, no fade to black). There will be sounding kink but I don't think these guys are into BDSM (or they just haven't told me yet).
I would need fairly quick turnaround times of a week, but since I only send 1 chapter per month (about 8K in size), I don't think that's unreasonable. I DO NOT need grammar checking as I have someone dedicated to that. I DO need checking for consistency, plot holes, WTF?! moments, etc. as well as comments/suggestions to help me put the best story I can out there.
This new story, Escape Velocity, is set to go live in October and I'd like to be able to send out the first chapter in September which is just a week away at this point. You do not have to have read the other stories in my Dream Time World to know what's going on as they're all stand alones. However, if you have, you may be happy/excited to know that this new one features Tohan, whom you met as a secondary character in Some Velvet Morning.
If you're interested/want more details, please email me at: silverirondog at gmail dot com
August 15, 2017
Absolute Destiny-Chapter 5
The next chapter of Absolute Destiny is now live on my author journal for your reading pleasure.
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/74556....
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/74556....
August 2, 2017
Absolute Destiny-Chapter 4
Hey folks, the new chapter of Absolute Destiny is up (sorry for the minor delay, yesterday got away from me). Be advised that this chapter is NSFW (unless you're reading it on your phone. Then have at!) due to nudity as well as some spanking and forced orgasm. You're welcome and enjoy.
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/74283....
http://id-locke.dreamwidth.org/74283....
