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Mercury Rising #1
Cherry Pie
Genre: LGBT Contemporary
John Ford packed up his life a year ago and moved from LA to small Mercury, North Carolina after the death of his long-term partner. He's been living in a kind of suspended animation, fixing up the old house he bought there, reclusive and alone. Until the day Connor Meecham appears.
Conn Meecham has returned home, only to find it isn't his anymore. Someone else owns his mother's house now. But Conn needs that house to find the man he left behind more than eight years ago--before the drugs, before prison, before his life derailed. Lonely, desperate, lost, Conn finds in John a kindred soul.
Mercury is a dying town. But John sets out to change that when he learns what it means to Conn. Through home improvements, sex, old friends, sex, misunderstandings, sex, and homemade cherry pie, John and Conn may finally discover that where they are now can be heaven on earth if they want it to be
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.
John Ford packed up his life a year ago and moved from LA to small Mercury, North Carolina after the death of his long-term partner. He's been living in a kind of suspended animation, fixing up the old house he bought there, reclusive and alone. Until the day Connor Meecham appears.
Conn Meecham has returned home, only to find it isn't his anymore. Someone else owns his mother's house now. But Conn needs that house to find the man he left behind more than eight years ago--before the drugs, before prison, before his life derailed. Lonely, desperate, lost, Conn finds in John a kindred soul.
Mercury is a dying town. But John sets out to change that when he learns what it means to Conn. Through home improvements, sex, old friends, sex, misunderstandings, sex, and homemade cherry pie, John and Conn may finally discover that where they are now can be heaven on earth if they want it to be
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2011
20 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Kane
54 books769 followersSamantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children, two boys and one girl. With a master’s degree in American history, she spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full-time writer and mom.
Series:
THE BIRMINGHAM REBELS
BROTHERS IN ARMS
THE SAINT'S DEVILS
THE 93RD HIGHLANDERS
MERCURY RISING
Series:
THE BIRMINGHAM REBELS
BROTHERS IN ARMS
THE SAINT'S DEVILS
THE 93RD HIGHLANDERS
MERCURY RISING
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
October 9, 2014
A nice, slow-burn Southern romance about an ex-con and a new-to-town rich boy. For some reason, I went into this story expecting something light. I was pretty far off base. This story is moody, with Conn and John both stumbling to find their way and both carrying heavy baggage.
Connor is back in town after a stint in prison, mostly due to consequences from addiction. He has a lot of personal demons, with his mother's recent passing and his troubled past relationships. John moved to Mercury, North Carolina to escape and start over. He also has had recent relationship troubles and loss, and is trying to figure out what he wants out of the rest of his life.
I think the strength of this story lies in the way the author created atmosphere. It felt like a dusty, old-fashioned Southern town, with its church ladies and nosy neighbors. I really got a sense of the setting, and it put me in the right frame of mind.
While this story is written quite well, I didn't love the constant communication missteps. I personally hate reading about miscommunications. It is something that I find really frustrating and not particularly enjoyable. Though I see why these guys had issues talking plainly to each other, I sort of wanted to shake them both.
I also didn't feel the love between Connor and John. Though I enjoyed reading about them as a couple, I didn't get emotionally invested.
All in all, this was a decent, broody story with thoughtful writing and an interesting cast of characters.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Connor is back in town after a stint in prison, mostly due to consequences from addiction. He has a lot of personal demons, with his mother's recent passing and his troubled past relationships. John moved to Mercury, North Carolina to escape and start over. He also has had recent relationship troubles and loss, and is trying to figure out what he wants out of the rest of his life.
I think the strength of this story lies in the way the author created atmosphere. It felt like a dusty, old-fashioned Southern town, with its church ladies and nosy neighbors. I really got a sense of the setting, and it put me in the right frame of mind.
While this story is written quite well, I didn't love the constant communication missteps. I personally hate reading about miscommunications. It is something that I find really frustrating and not particularly enjoyable. Though I see why these guys had issues talking plainly to each other, I sort of wanted to shake them both.
I also didn't feel the love between Connor and John. Though I enjoyed reading about them as a couple, I didn't get emotionally invested.
All in all, this was a decent, broody story with thoughtful writing and an interesting cast of characters.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
January 10, 2016
This is my first Samantha Kane read, and I found the writing strangely detached. The story has a melancholy, distant quality. I felt like I was wading through quick sand.
Both MCs carry massive baggage, and they absolutely refuse to own up to their needs and desires. I wouldn't call this miscommunication as much as an utter lack of communication. It's hard to miscommunicate if you're not talking.
I liked the sense of community in the small town, minus the vile sheriff, of course. Conn's friend Toby was great, and Miss Priss was just a hoot.
The steamy scenes were plentiful and well-written, but I kept waiting for FEELINGS, damn it; where were the feelings?
The ending left me strangely bereft. Was anything really settled? Tentative HEA at best.
Both MCs carry massive baggage, and they absolutely refuse to own up to their needs and desires. I wouldn't call this miscommunication as much as an utter lack of communication. It's hard to miscommunicate if you're not talking.
I liked the sense of community in the small town, minus the vile sheriff, of course. Conn's friend Toby was great, and Miss Priss was just a hoot.
The steamy scenes were plentiful and well-written, but I kept waiting for FEELINGS, damn it; where were the feelings?
The ending left me strangely bereft. Was anything really settled? Tentative HEA at best.
December 11, 2014
~*~*~*~*~ REVIEW OF NEW EDITION ~*~*~*~*~
Okay, first thing, this novella has been previously published with a different publisher about three years ago. I never read the first edition, so I don’t know how expanded or re-edited this version is. I can’t do any comparison. I definitely cannot give clues to those who have read the first edition whether getting this second edition is worth it.
I can, however, write an opinion of this one :)
After reading the genre for almost 6 years, I have grown slightly exhausted with M/M romance that deals with the ‘heavier’ part of the acceptance of homosexuality. Homophobia, bigotry, in addition mentioning characters’ internal conflicts to reach the happy ending… it’s all very realistic. However, these days I personally want my M/M romance to be slightly sweeter, with just a lighter side of angst, and a more positive outlook from the community. It doesn’t mean that external conflict is bad, but when it comes to that, I appreciate more shades of grey rather than black and white hatred.
And this was how “Cherry Pie” won my heart over. Set in Mercury, a fictional town in North Carolina, it has the feel of a small-town romance trope (which is one of my favorite when reading M/F romance), where the community is welcoming the ‘gays’, simply because one of them is the child of the town. The strong sense of support, from friends, the town matriarch – there is even a gay pastor at a local Unitarian church! – for the two main characters, John and Connor, created a story that I enjoyed immensely.
The conflict of this story came mainly from John and Connor and how they finally arrived to their happy end. Both men came to Mercury with a carrying baggage.
John Ford is a mid-thirty millionaire (so rich he didn’t really have to work anymore) who tries to move on from memories of his deceased partner, Steve. There is a slight mystery to what happened between John and Steve which pushes John to move from California which will be revealed later to readers. Meanwhile Connor (or Conn) is a prodigal son who returns to Mercury after having quite a hard life after he left town, which lands him in jail.
I loved how the romance slowly built between them. I loved that their different backgrounds created the layers of internal struggle that they need to overcome. John wanted to do things differently with Connor (compared to his previous relationship) but sometimes ended up taking the wrong approach. While Connor sometimes didn’t feel that he was worthy enough to speak what he wanted from John, considering his current situation. It was engaging but never went over-the-top dramatic.
So for me, Cherry Pie is a lovely story, even if it is a bit too convenient in the end. Still, it gave me heartfelt satisfaction which it is all that matters. I hope Ms. Kane continues with more characters from the town in the future, while giving updates on John and Connor, because I would love to have more small-town romance with an open and welcoming community in the MM genre.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Okay, first thing, this novella has been previously published with a different publisher about three years ago. I never read the first edition, so I don’t know how expanded or re-edited this version is. I can’t do any comparison. I definitely cannot give clues to those who have read the first edition whether getting this second edition is worth it.
I can, however, write an opinion of this one :)
After reading the genre for almost 6 years, I have grown slightly exhausted with M/M romance that deals with the ‘heavier’ part of the acceptance of homosexuality. Homophobia, bigotry, in addition mentioning characters’ internal conflicts to reach the happy ending… it’s all very realistic. However, these days I personally want my M/M romance to be slightly sweeter, with just a lighter side of angst, and a more positive outlook from the community. It doesn’t mean that external conflict is bad, but when it comes to that, I appreciate more shades of grey rather than black and white hatred.
And this was how “Cherry Pie” won my heart over. Set in Mercury, a fictional town in North Carolina, it has the feel of a small-town romance trope (which is one of my favorite when reading M/F romance), where the community is welcoming the ‘gays’, simply because one of them is the child of the town. The strong sense of support, from friends, the town matriarch – there is even a gay pastor at a local Unitarian church! – for the two main characters, John and Connor, created a story that I enjoyed immensely.
The conflict of this story came mainly from John and Connor and how they finally arrived to their happy end. Both men came to Mercury with a carrying baggage.
John Ford is a mid-thirty millionaire (so rich he didn’t really have to work anymore) who tries to move on from memories of his deceased partner, Steve. There is a slight mystery to what happened between John and Steve which pushes John to move from California which will be revealed later to readers. Meanwhile Connor (or Conn) is a prodigal son who returns to Mercury after having quite a hard life after he left town, which lands him in jail.
I loved how the romance slowly built between them. I loved that their different backgrounds created the layers of internal struggle that they need to overcome. John wanted to do things differently with Connor (compared to his previous relationship) but sometimes ended up taking the wrong approach. While Connor sometimes didn’t feel that he was worthy enough to speak what he wanted from John, considering his current situation. It was engaging but never went over-the-top dramatic.
So for me, Cherry Pie is a lovely story, even if it is a bit too convenient in the end. Still, it gave me heartfelt satisfaction which it is all that matters. I hope Ms. Kane continues with more characters from the town in the future, while giving updates on John and Connor, because I would love to have more small-town romance with an open and welcoming community in the MM genre.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
May 20, 2011
2.5 stars
I like Samantha Kane’s writing so when this m/m book came out I couldn’t wait to read it. One of the defining aspects of Kane’s books is how hot and sexy they are. Unfortunately Cherry Pie feels like a complete departure from any previous writing and comes across a little cold and unfeeling. There’s a noticeable lack of chemistry between the two men while money seems to solve most problems. I’m not entirely sure why these two men got together and just couldn’t really believe they were that compatible. This is an ok book but a disappointing one when compared to some of Kane’s more exceptional stories.
The story begins with Connor returning to his hometown after six years away. He camps out in front of his old family house until the new owner, John, lets him look around. Touched by Conn’s nostalgia and obvious need of help, John offers to let Conn live in the house if he helps with the restoration. This of course sets the two on a path to sticky emotional needs and casual sex that is anything but easy.
The plot is pretty generic and relies on the strength of the two men to capture readers’ attention. John is predictably a very wealthy man who can revitalize a town just because he wants to so the thin side plot of the town is unimportant. It lets the wonderful secondary characters have some much needed page space and adds to the Southern charm of the story but other than that it’s anemic and forgettable at best. Thus the story depends on Connor and John and their relationship being the focus.
This is where the problems emerge. On their own John and especially Conn are pretty interesting characters. John is struggling after the death of his partner and trying to change the course of his life. While he loved his partner, their relationship was flawed and imperfect and ultimately John wants something different in his life. The flip side to that is John is inconsistent, first not willing to sully his partner’s memory but later saying instead he doesn’t want the same thing. It’s not a gradual change and realization but more of a light switch change. Likewise I just couldn’t see a man like John with Connor. They never feel natural and easy together, but instead antagonistic and angry.
Connor is the far better character with his past as an ex-con and drug user. His reasons are understandable and he comes across as the more complex and interesting of the two. His characterization feels more fluid as he grows and changes, easily more natural than John’s awkward forced changes. Unfortunately there is just very little chemistry between Conn and John and even the sex scenes feel remote and cold. Supposedly John fights his feelings and doesn’t want to admit he’s in a relationship (which parallels how John’s ex treated that partnership) but really I just couldn’t see why either men would want the other.
The story should be good as it has all the right elements, good complicated men, a wonderfully vivid and Southern setting, great secondary characters with a lot of humor and charm, a lovely pace and feel to the prose but ultimately the sum of the parts just doesn’t work. One reason is the chemistry between the men but beyond that this is one of those vague feelings where for some indefinable reason, it just doesn’t work.
I like Samantha Kane’s writing so when this m/m book came out I couldn’t wait to read it. One of the defining aspects of Kane’s books is how hot and sexy they are. Unfortunately Cherry Pie feels like a complete departure from any previous writing and comes across a little cold and unfeeling. There’s a noticeable lack of chemistry between the two men while money seems to solve most problems. I’m not entirely sure why these two men got together and just couldn’t really believe they were that compatible. This is an ok book but a disappointing one when compared to some of Kane’s more exceptional stories.
The story begins with Connor returning to his hometown after six years away. He camps out in front of his old family house until the new owner, John, lets him look around. Touched by Conn’s nostalgia and obvious need of help, John offers to let Conn live in the house if he helps with the restoration. This of course sets the two on a path to sticky emotional needs and casual sex that is anything but easy.
The plot is pretty generic and relies on the strength of the two men to capture readers’ attention. John is predictably a very wealthy man who can revitalize a town just because he wants to so the thin side plot of the town is unimportant. It lets the wonderful secondary characters have some much needed page space and adds to the Southern charm of the story but other than that it’s anemic and forgettable at best. Thus the story depends on Connor and John and their relationship being the focus.
This is where the problems emerge. On their own John and especially Conn are pretty interesting characters. John is struggling after the death of his partner and trying to change the course of his life. While he loved his partner, their relationship was flawed and imperfect and ultimately John wants something different in his life. The flip side to that is John is inconsistent, first not willing to sully his partner’s memory but later saying instead he doesn’t want the same thing. It’s not a gradual change and realization but more of a light switch change. Likewise I just couldn’t see a man like John with Connor. They never feel natural and easy together, but instead antagonistic and angry.
Connor is the far better character with his past as an ex-con and drug user. His reasons are understandable and he comes across as the more complex and interesting of the two. His characterization feels more fluid as he grows and changes, easily more natural than John’s awkward forced changes. Unfortunately there is just very little chemistry between Conn and John and even the sex scenes feel remote and cold. Supposedly John fights his feelings and doesn’t want to admit he’s in a relationship (which parallels how John’s ex treated that partnership) but really I just couldn’t see why either men would want the other.
The story should be good as it has all the right elements, good complicated men, a wonderfully vivid and Southern setting, great secondary characters with a lot of humor and charm, a lovely pace and feel to the prose but ultimately the sum of the parts just doesn’t work. One reason is the chemistry between the men but beyond that this is one of those vague feelings where for some indefinable reason, it just doesn’t work.
January 6, 2016
Reread since book 2 is coming out in a few days. Not because that's really necessary, but just to refresh my memory on the characters and the town. Quick easy read. And just as lovely the second time.
---------Original Review 17 Sep 2014------------
I started out reading Samantha Kane's historical's and, for the most part, loved them. Historical's aren't much on my list these days, so I was thrilled to see a re-release of Cherry Pie. I had not happened upon Samantha Kane when it was originally published, so I was excited about a re-release :)
I grew up in North Carolina (Winston-Salem). And when I read novels that take place in specific locations, I try to hear the local accent in my head. It's weird, considering I spent nearly 20 years in North Carolina, but I cannot for the life of me hear that accent in my head. Oh, I recognize it when I hear it, and I can speak it when I hear it, but it just won't come to me at will.
I did love reading about Mercury, NC. Not sure if it actually exists, but it doesn't really matter. Samantha Kane captured small NC town really well. I did recognize when Connor and John went to Wilmington, though, and I could pretty much follow them where they went. My husband is from Wilmington and we go back there every now and again and we were just there a couple months ago, in fact. I could picture where they were so clearly.
As usual, I get off track a bit. It's all very important in my head, though.
I really enjoyed Cherry Pie. As much as I don't miss NC, I loved reading about the characters and their small NC town. Connor is an ex-conn who returns to Mercury looking for the person he used to be. When he went to collage, he really lost touch with that person and became someone he was not at all proud of. It happens and it's easy to stand on the outside and imagine that everything that happened to that person was brought on by that person. Addiction is interesting, though. It doesn't care who you are and once it sinks it teeth into you, you won't care either. Jail time probably saved Connor's life.
John has his own baggage to deal with. He moved to NC on the spur of the moment when his longtime boyfriend, Steve, died. After Steve died, John found out some not so good things and it scarred him a bit. It takes him some time to shake that. John is very successful in other avenues of his life, so he has the luxury to pick up and move anywhere. He chose Mercury, NC. Why? Well, you have to read the book to find out.
Both Connor and John have baggage to put behind them before they will be able to find happiness with each other. And they do. Beautiful, for sure.
Recommended.
---------Original Review 17 Sep 2014------------
I started out reading Samantha Kane's historical's and, for the most part, loved them. Historical's aren't much on my list these days, so I was thrilled to see a re-release of Cherry Pie. I had not happened upon Samantha Kane when it was originally published, so I was excited about a re-release :)
I grew up in North Carolina (Winston-Salem). And when I read novels that take place in specific locations, I try to hear the local accent in my head. It's weird, considering I spent nearly 20 years in North Carolina, but I cannot for the life of me hear that accent in my head. Oh, I recognize it when I hear it, and I can speak it when I hear it, but it just won't come to me at will.
I did love reading about Mercury, NC. Not sure if it actually exists, but it doesn't really matter. Samantha Kane captured small NC town really well. I did recognize when Connor and John went to Wilmington, though, and I could pretty much follow them where they went. My husband is from Wilmington and we go back there every now and again and we were just there a couple months ago, in fact. I could picture where they were so clearly.
As usual, I get off track a bit. It's all very important in my head, though.
I really enjoyed Cherry Pie. As much as I don't miss NC, I loved reading about the characters and their small NC town. Connor is an ex-conn who returns to Mercury looking for the person he used to be. When he went to collage, he really lost touch with that person and became someone he was not at all proud of. It happens and it's easy to stand on the outside and imagine that everything that happened to that person was brought on by that person. Addiction is interesting, though. It doesn't care who you are and once it sinks it teeth into you, you won't care either. Jail time probably saved Connor's life.
John has his own baggage to deal with. He moved to NC on the spur of the moment when his longtime boyfriend, Steve, died. After Steve died, John found out some not so good things and it scarred him a bit. It takes him some time to shake that. John is very successful in other avenues of his life, so he has the luxury to pick up and move anywhere. He chose Mercury, NC. Why? Well, you have to read the book to find out.
Both Connor and John have baggage to put behind them before they will be able to find happiness with each other. And they do. Beautiful, for sure.
Recommended.
August 6, 2017
4.5 Stars
Given the iffy title, I wasn't expecting a great deal out of this book and was really pleasantly surprised.
I knew the love story would hot because Samantha Kane is an excellent erotic writer who uses sexy times to deepen the connection between characters. And the book has that loveliness for sure but this romance is also emotionial rich and sexy.
Many themes are at play here but the one I think is exceptionally well down is returning to your Hometown. Connor as been in recovery for two years and out of prison for more than a year. He decides to go home (its been the the better part of a decade) to reclaim the parts of himself, heal others, and build himself anew. He has to deal with the fact that someone has bought his family home, his mom has passed while he was serving time for possession and selling sex (though the charge was changed to vagrancy), reckon with how the town has changed, pick up old connection, forge new ones and find work. He left town as a golden football star in a small Southern town. He returns as a much better man in recovery, mindful, out about his sexuality and his past.
John is new to town and healing from the grief of losing his partner.
Class, age , and power difference play out in this romance is a powerful and healing way. They are emotionial equals and the joy of this book is in watching John and Connor fall in love and become partners.
The small town stuff is great and there are some wonderful secondary characters.
The writing is superb. Emotionially compelling, realistic (with the fantasy of less homophobia than there might be and John being really rich), and sexy.
Can't wait for the next in the series.
Given the iffy title, I wasn't expecting a great deal out of this book and was really pleasantly surprised.
I knew the love story would hot because Samantha Kane is an excellent erotic writer who uses sexy times to deepen the connection between characters. And the book has that loveliness for sure but this romance is also emotionial rich and sexy.
Many themes are at play here but the one I think is exceptionally well down is returning to your Hometown. Connor as been in recovery for two years and out of prison for more than a year. He decides to go home (its been the the better part of a decade) to reclaim the parts of himself, heal others, and build himself anew. He has to deal with the fact that someone has bought his family home, his mom has passed while he was serving time for possession and selling sex (though the charge was changed to vagrancy), reckon with how the town has changed, pick up old connection, forge new ones and find work. He left town as a golden football star in a small Southern town. He returns as a much better man in recovery, mindful, out about his sexuality and his past.
John is new to town and healing from the grief of losing his partner.
Class, age , and power difference play out in this romance is a powerful and healing way. They are emotionial equals and the joy of this book is in watching John and Connor fall in love and become partners.
The small town stuff is great and there are some wonderful secondary characters.
The writing is superb. Emotionially compelling, realistic (with the fantasy of less homophobia than there might be and John being really rich), and sexy.
Can't wait for the next in the series.
September 24, 2014
I have always like this book but this time around I love this book. I don't know what was different this time around, I mean the characters or the story hasn't change. I guess I was just in a great mood to read it. The age gap work for me because they didn't harp on it. The secondary characters were interesting and alive. The story was sweet and bit tough for them. This book is the perfect beach read not really a tearjerker for me. I love that they didn't go straight "I love you's". Overall they were looking for something different and I was in the right mood to read this book and didn't even know it.
January 1, 2017
First read: Nov 2014
Second read: Jan 2017
Samantha Kane will always hold a special place in my heart as her Brothers in Arms series is the one that led me to MM. My life has been made so much richer because of these books and the MM community.
Anyway onto Cherry Pie: I really loved this one. It is just a slow falling in love for 2 damaged men. It is also about finding that your home is not a place, but a person. I did love all of the people in Mercury so that I why I am re reading this one and will be moving onto the next 2 books in the series.
Second read: Jan 2017
Samantha Kane will always hold a special place in my heart as her Brothers in Arms series is the one that led me to MM. My life has been made so much richer because of these books and the MM community.
Anyway onto Cherry Pie: I really loved this one. It is just a slow falling in love for 2 damaged men. It is also about finding that your home is not a place, but a person. I did love all of the people in Mercury so that I why I am re reading this one and will be moving onto the next 2 books in the series.
September 19, 2014
My Review:
LOVED this book! This book is about two lost men starting over in life in this dying little North Carolina town of Mercury.
For Conner this place represented home where everything was right in his life. Then he left, went to college, and his world flew apart...resulting in rehab and prison. Not exactly the all-American football hero who left this small town behind. After his release, he didn't know where to turn so he came back to the town and the house where he grew up. The house that was auctioned off when his mother died the year before.
John bought the house on a whim...a whim built from grief, stress, and not knowing what to do with his life after his partner of ten years died in Afghanistan. John doesn't want to take Conner in but something about the man speaks to him and despite his criminal past he asks him to move in and help him fix up the house.
Both men are rebuilding and healing and doing it through rebuilding this house. But there are complex issues behind their histories and scars that don't just go away. The way that the author explored and exploited those problems was really well done. Overall, it was just one of those books that I was really happy that I read.
The way that the story is put together is just so beautiful. These men have such a long way to go to heal, but they are doing it through each other and through this town. And this town with their visits to the porch eating cherry pie...it just made me smile. Even with Conner's checkered past, they embrace these two men...at least most of them do. The book made me smile. The romance made me tingle. And the character arcs inspired me.
The book is listed as #1 in the series. I definitely want MORE...I hope that #2 is coming SOON!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
LOVED this book! This book is about two lost men starting over in life in this dying little North Carolina town of Mercury.
For Conner this place represented home where everything was right in his life. Then he left, went to college, and his world flew apart...resulting in rehab and prison. Not exactly the all-American football hero who left this small town behind. After his release, he didn't know where to turn so he came back to the town and the house where he grew up. The house that was auctioned off when his mother died the year before.
John bought the house on a whim...a whim built from grief, stress, and not knowing what to do with his life after his partner of ten years died in Afghanistan. John doesn't want to take Conner in but something about the man speaks to him and despite his criminal past he asks him to move in and help him fix up the house.
Both men are rebuilding and healing and doing it through rebuilding this house. But there are complex issues behind their histories and scars that don't just go away. The way that the author explored and exploited those problems was really well done. Overall, it was just one of those books that I was really happy that I read.
The way that the story is put together is just so beautiful. These men have such a long way to go to heal, but they are doing it through each other and through this town. And this town with their visits to the porch eating cherry pie...it just made me smile. Even with Conner's checkered past, they embrace these two men...at least most of them do. The book made me smile. The romance made me tingle. And the character arcs inspired me.
The book is listed as #1 in the series. I definitely want MORE...I hope that #2 is coming SOON!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 5, 2017
With the theme of starting over, Cherry Pie captured my attention right away and I found myself attached to both Connor and John from the start. Both of them are looking for a new beginning after going through things that affected them deeply and left them each wanting a fresh start…and to rediscover themselves.
John is in Mercury trying to put behind him his grief and other feelings that arose after he loses his partner. Connor has returned to Mercury hoping to find himself again after losing his way to drugs and serving time. When the two first meet, it’s not an immediate sparks-flying moment. Things between them are slow burn, giving time for a friendship to develop first before moving forward-first physically but then eventually with feelings getting involved.
I loved the setting in this small North Carolina town, it felt like the exact place I would love to someday call home myself. There’s something to be said for a small town where you feel comfortable and like your among a big family, even if at times it seems like everyone knows everyone else’s business. It was the perfect backdrop for Connor and John’s relationship, even if it came with another character who provided friction thanks to an old grudge. The sheriff is none too happy to have Connor back in town, and makes his opinion known-and known widely. Thanks to the way a small town can envelop you and make you their own, we see Connor getting tremendous support which was wonderful to see.
Cherry Pie was a truly enjoyable story, and I’m really looking forward to reading the other books in this series as the author has me hooked. 4.5 stars, and I highly recommend this to any M/M romance fan, especially if you love stories of characters starting over. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content—where you’ll find Connor and John have plenty of chemistry to keep your attention ;-)
John is in Mercury trying to put behind him his grief and other feelings that arose after he loses his partner. Connor has returned to Mercury hoping to find himself again after losing his way to drugs and serving time. When the two first meet, it’s not an immediate sparks-flying moment. Things between them are slow burn, giving time for a friendship to develop first before moving forward-first physically but then eventually with feelings getting involved.
I loved the setting in this small North Carolina town, it felt like the exact place I would love to someday call home myself. There’s something to be said for a small town where you feel comfortable and like your among a big family, even if at times it seems like everyone knows everyone else’s business. It was the perfect backdrop for Connor and John’s relationship, even if it came with another character who provided friction thanks to an old grudge. The sheriff is none too happy to have Connor back in town, and makes his opinion known-and known widely. Thanks to the way a small town can envelop you and make you their own, we see Connor getting tremendous support which was wonderful to see.
Cherry Pie was a truly enjoyable story, and I’m really looking forward to reading the other books in this series as the author has me hooked. 4.5 stars, and I highly recommend this to any M/M romance fan, especially if you love stories of characters starting over. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content—where you’ll find Connor and John have plenty of chemistry to keep your attention ;-)
September 15, 2012
John moves from California to North Carolina after an apparent end to his relationship with Steve and a very broken heart. At first you wonder what happened to Steve but their past slowly unfolds. John bought an old "fixer-up" house and one morning Conner or Conn as we later come to know him as, shows up across the street watching the house. John finally talks to him and learns the house was Conn's mom's house and where he grew up. There are reasons he wasn't around to inherit it when his mom died. But John has a big heart, and is lonely, so he gives Conner room and board in exchange for helping him fix up the old house. Through all this, John starts facing his hurts and Conn deals with his checkered past and starts finding the scattered pieces of himself that he thought he'd lost--both helping each other.
John and Conn are two very sweet guys. They are vulnerable yet strong and are exactly what the other one needs. The town of Mercury is a bit of a character itself and is pretty colorful. There are a number of other characters who go a long way to add a lot to the story, and all around pieces of cherry pie with friends on a porch. It's a very good, feel good story and went straight onto my favorites shelf.
John and Conn are two very sweet guys. They are vulnerable yet strong and are exactly what the other one needs. The town of Mercury is a bit of a character itself and is pretty colorful. There are a number of other characters who go a long way to add a lot to the story, and all around pieces of cherry pie with friends on a porch. It's a very good, feel good story and went straight onto my favorites shelf.
September 22, 2012
This story was amazingly good. I expected to like it because I first saw it reviewed by Tom on Bear on Books blog, but I didn't expect that it would be as terrific as it was.
MC's Conn and John, both with very different, yet troubled pasts. It's a long slow climb for John who has to overcome emotional baggage and damage. Conn, though ostensibly more damaged when you first hear his circumstances, was already healing emotionally when he arrived in town and continues to grow and effect a change in those he's around, including John.
I'm not going into detail but if anyone usually likes the books I like, please read this one!
MC's Conn and John, both with very different, yet troubled pasts. It's a long slow climb for John who has to overcome emotional baggage and damage. Conn, though ostensibly more damaged when you first hear his circumstances, was already healing emotionally when he arrived in town and continues to grow and effect a change in those he's around, including John.
I'm not going into detail but if anyone usually likes the books I like, please read this one!
July 7, 2011
I found this one a little hard to get into at first, but it picked up and I enjoyed John and Conn's story. I even found the first couple of sex scenes in keeping with the story, but again I found them over used, espcially the last one. I really hate having one chapter end and the next begin with an ongoing sex scene. Sorry just a personal niggle of mine. But John and Conn worked for me as a couple, very sweet but still men.
May 25, 2011
A Recommended Read! Cherry Pie is a beautiful book with characters to love and a story that has just enough conflict to work through to make you hope for the HEA and rejoice with them when it arrives, even if it is packaged a little differently than you may have expected. To view this review in its entirety please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
August 8, 2019
"Cherry Pie" definitely goes on my keeper shelf. I won't go into the details of the story, but I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfort read. There is just something about the North Carolina setting and enthralling dialogue between two somehow reserved characters that pulls you in and won't let you go until you have finished the book.
December 4, 2011
Pretty good m/m romance about a wealthy guy who's recently moved to a small town in North Carolina from San Diego. One morning, he discovers the son of his house's former (deceased) owner sitting outside. Alas, I never got fully invested in the main characters as a couple.
April 29, 2011
I wasn't feeling the chemistry. It was a bit cold. I didn't really connect to the characters either. I'm not going to read this one again.
December 3, 2019
Conner returns home to find out that his family home has been sold. Conner was injured while playing college football and not only lost his scholarship, but became addicted to the pain killers that they gave him. He got into trouble and did his time both in jail & rehab. He is now clean & sober & just wants to move on with his life. John made it big by creating a game that made him millions. After his partner dies in the war, he moves to Mercury for the quite life & to try to move on. Turns out his partner was a douche. When Conner finds out the house was sold to John, not only is there an attraction there, but he works his way into John's heart by helping him fix the old house up. Not everyone is happy with the situation, the Sheriff is a real piece of work, but these two grow as a couple and help heal each other. I will most definitely be continuing on with this series.
October 14, 2014
3 Sweet Stars!!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy Samhain Publishing via NetGalley
Sweet MM book about unexpected love and second chances.
John moves to Mercury, North Carolina to start over and lick his wounds. Once he's there he sees a stranger in front of his house who is also there to lick his own wounds. But for Connor he's also there to find himself after a lot of bad choices. So what better way then coming back home. The only problem is that home is not the home he left, now that John lives there.
John is a bit grouchey but has a soft heart so he lets Connor stay in his hold house for room and board while he helps to fix it up. Connor was once the town prince but has lost his way. With John he wants more, he wants him to want him for being Connor not for a title.
"Sometimes, John, the lies we tell ourselves are the only thing that make the truth bearable."
John guards his heart but Connor makes his way in there with the help of this sweet town.
It was a nice quick read with a an uplifting story.
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April 17, 2013
2012 Review:
Yep, perfect. Just about perfect. In pretty much every regard. A really, really good book by an author who knows what she’s doing. Not smut, but not shy either.
Such a wonderful story. Both protagonists have their issues to deal with; both have their own ways of handling that; and it all comes together in a wonderful romance that does not require everything spelled out. ^_^
Man, I love good books.
It’s funny how long this book had been sitting in me to-read queue, always being pushed back by others. I guess I was concerned it would depress me. It did not. Yes, it dealt with some pretty rough issues, but they lay in the past. This was about overcoming the past. Also, the book made me laugh out loud a few times. That’s always precious. <3
Now, the truly bizarre thing here is that when I went to look up what else the author has written… uh. I found myself severely under-impressed.
It’s been clear for a long time that certain types of anachronism drive me up the walls, but yeah. That one book from a series involving m/m/f pairings set in… well, it seemed like your typical Regency, was awful. Not just the verbal anachronisms, but also the writing itself; the characters were paper-thin and annoying as well. Oh, and it was unabashed smut. Basically everything that Cherry Pie wasn’t.
I really have to wonder how that works…
Yep, perfect. Just about perfect. In pretty much every regard. A really, really good book by an author who knows what she’s doing. Not smut, but not shy either.
Such a wonderful story. Both protagonists have their issues to deal with; both have their own ways of handling that; and it all comes together in a wonderful romance that does not require everything spelled out. ^_^
Man, I love good books.
It’s funny how long this book had been sitting in me to-read queue, always being pushed back by others. I guess I was concerned it would depress me. It did not. Yes, it dealt with some pretty rough issues, but they lay in the past. This was about overcoming the past. Also, the book made me laugh out loud a few times. That’s always precious. <3
Now, the truly bizarre thing here is that when I went to look up what else the author has written… uh. I found myself severely under-impressed.
It’s been clear for a long time that certain types of anachronism drive me up the walls, but yeah. That one book from a series involving m/m/f pairings set in… well, it seemed like your typical Regency, was awful. Not just the verbal anachronisms, but also the writing itself; the characters were paper-thin and annoying as well. Oh, and it was unabashed smut. Basically everything that Cherry Pie wasn’t.
I really have to wonder how that works…
September 16, 2014
I LOVE a romance that is centered around small town life. Mercury, North Carolina is that town. In fact readers come to find out that “Mercury makes pretty good glue” and it’s not from a factory that doesn’t exist there. Mercury has its own type of cure all for those that look. It’s a true slow down compared to what John Ford left behind (ran from) in L.A. John is still going through that adjustment when a stranger shows up at his house looking for something that John is pretty sure he won’t find there.
Connor knows the Meecham house better than most. He goes there looking for something he lost along his way years ago. When readers meet Connor he is so lost and close to broken that you can’t help but want him to find that lost piece and the glue that will put it back together. While Connor is looking for his lost something he finds something he didn’t know he was looking for, John. Connor sees something in John that he never expected to be able to have.
Cherry Pie is all about the healing of old wounds in the way that is only possible in a small town. The title makes so much sense once Miss Priss steps onto the pages and lets her desires known. Once some special residents get involved It is easy to see what the coming home does for Connor and John. Mercury also acquires two men that it is in need of.
Connor knows the Meecham house better than most. He goes there looking for something he lost along his way years ago. When readers meet Connor he is so lost and close to broken that you can’t help but want him to find that lost piece and the glue that will put it back together. While Connor is looking for his lost something he finds something he didn’t know he was looking for, John. Connor sees something in John that he never expected to be able to have.
Cherry Pie is all about the healing of old wounds in the way that is only possible in a small town. The title makes so much sense once Miss Priss steps onto the pages and lets her desires known. Once some special residents get involved It is easy to see what the coming home does for Connor and John. Mercury also acquires two men that it is in need of.
December 19, 2015
Another great book by Samantha Kane. HEA and no cliffhanger.
I really love Samantha Kane's books and have read all of her Brother's in Arms series. I wasn't sure to expect from this book since it is an M/M story rather than an M/M/F story like the BIA books.
Cherry Pie tells a story where the characters develop their feelings slowly over a period of time. Connor was the town's high school football star but suffers a career ending injury in college. He becomes addicted to painkillers and his life spirals downward; he ends up in jail. He turns his life around and comes back to his home town to visit his old home and deal with his memories.
John is a wealthy entrepreneur who has purchased Connor's home after Connor's mother passed away. John's former boyfriend passed away and John moves from L.A. to Mercury N.C .He's having trouble coming to grips with things he found out after the boyfriend died.
This is a nice love story with some very hot scenes between Connor and John. If you've enjoyed other books by Samantha Kane I think you'll like this one. Don't be put off by the fact that it's an M/M love story. I've found that in most respects a well written love story is enjoyable no matter what the gender of the lead characters. This book has an HEA but I hope there will be more stories in this series.
I really love Samantha Kane's books and have read all of her Brother's in Arms series. I wasn't sure to expect from this book since it is an M/M story rather than an M/M/F story like the BIA books.
Cherry Pie tells a story where the characters develop their feelings slowly over a period of time. Connor was the town's high school football star but suffers a career ending injury in college. He becomes addicted to painkillers and his life spirals downward; he ends up in jail. He turns his life around and comes back to his home town to visit his old home and deal with his memories.
John is a wealthy entrepreneur who has purchased Connor's home after Connor's mother passed away. John's former boyfriend passed away and John moves from L.A. to Mercury N.C .He's having trouble coming to grips with things he found out after the boyfriend died.
This is a nice love story with some very hot scenes between Connor and John. If you've enjoyed other books by Samantha Kane I think you'll like this one. Don't be put off by the fact that it's an M/M love story. I've found that in most respects a well written love story is enjoyable no matter what the gender of the lead characters. This book has an HEA but I hope there will be more stories in this series.
December 16, 2019
At first I wasn't so sure I would enjoy this story. I'd never read a M/M book before and I just didn't think it would be my thing. Well, I was wrong. But I'm pretty darn sure it was Samantha Kane's writing that made it my thing. This was such a beautiful story about coming home, community acceptance, love, acceptance of ones self and letting go of your past to accept your future. It was very poignant and heart warming. Two lost souls fated to find each other and help each other with so much of their baggage. I don't think there was a character I didn't like, even the sheriff. Someone had to play the bad guy and he did it well. There's always going to be those who don't like who you are, so it was imperative the sheriff be who he was. It made the story realistic. But lucky for us, he played a very small role in this story, because this story was NOT about society and their lack of understanding and acceptance of homosexuality. Oh no, Samantha Kane made sure that this book was of self discovery and self love and self acceptance. She made the story about John and Conn. It was BEAUTIFUL and I cant wait for more Mercury, North Carolina!
January 1, 2015
★★★☆☆
Connor has come home to Mercury to find John in his family home that he bought after Conn's mother's death. Conn left Mercury eight years ago and hasn't had the easiest life through the life choices he'd made. John's licking his wounds after his 'partner' of ten years has died and John found out many uncomfortable secrets after his death and has left California and bought the house in Mercury wanting to make a fresh start.
This was an ok read, not too angsty even though both guys are licking their physic wounds and trying to rebuild their lives. I don't know if I'd invite a stranger to live in my house because it was his old house, but I will tell you that I went to my childhood home recently and asked the owners to let me tour the house to see the changes (I liked them all - ir wasn't my house anymore) so I can get that.
Connor has come home to Mercury to find John in his family home that he bought after Conn's mother's death. Conn left Mercury eight years ago and hasn't had the easiest life through the life choices he'd made. John's licking his wounds after his 'partner' of ten years has died and John found out many uncomfortable secrets after his death and has left California and bought the house in Mercury wanting to make a fresh start.
This was an ok read, not too angsty even though both guys are licking their physic wounds and trying to rebuild their lives. I don't know if I'd invite a stranger to live in my house because it was his old house, but I will tell you that I went to my childhood home recently and asked the owners to let me tour the house to see the changes (I liked them all - ir wasn't my house anymore) so I can get that.
September 17, 2014
Paige‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite coming from different walks of life, John and Connor were able to forge a friendship. I loved watching the growth in themselves and their relationship.
I thought they were well written characters. Both had flaws that they were afraid to share with each other. I loved the vulnerability that each showed. It made them real and I was lost in their world.
The support network that they had was unique. Their friends brought levity when necessary. The Southern hospitality that Connor and John showed especially after Sunday church was priceless.
The book was on the short side but felt complete to me.
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite coming from different walks of life, John and Connor were able to forge a friendship. I loved watching the growth in themselves and their relationship.
I thought they were well written characters. Both had flaws that they were afraid to share with each other. I loved the vulnerability that each showed. It made them real and I was lost in their world.
The support network that they had was unique. Their friends brought levity when necessary. The Southern hospitality that Connor and John showed especially after Sunday church was priceless.
The book was on the short side but felt complete to me.
January 20, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is a real feel good story, with some very poignant elements. It gives us some deep insights into the lives of two men, and how the past shapes their present. It gives us a view of a sleepy town and its politics, its needs and its characters. It gives us a love story that develops and merges two injured souls into a calm, delicious and intense relationship. It gives us hope for more, as it is clearly book 1 of a series.
Thank you Ms Kane, for a delightful read.
This is a real feel good story, with some very poignant elements. It gives us some deep insights into the lives of two men, and how the past shapes their present. It gives us a view of a sleepy town and its politics, its needs and its characters. It gives us a love story that develops and merges two injured souls into a calm, delicious and intense relationship. It gives us hope for more, as it is clearly book 1 of a series.
Thank you Ms Kane, for a delightful read.
October 22, 2012
I was looking for a "comfort read" and this was recommended. It is a pretty good comfort read - but I found there to be quite a bit of tension and angst in it. The thing about this story is that it is pretty short but it is not simple.
Basically it's about two really screwed up guys (nice guys) that find each other through an unusual and somewhat unrealistic set of circumstances - and reluctantly fall in love. These two have huge baggage, I mean seriously gigantic baggage, and yet they work so well together. It's really a beautiful story, an un-simple 147 page story that somehow works. I loved it.
Basically it's about two really screwed up guys (nice guys) that find each other through an unusual and somewhat unrealistic set of circumstances - and reluctantly fall in love. These two have huge baggage, I mean seriously gigantic baggage, and yet they work so well together. It's really a beautiful story, an un-simple 147 page story that somehow works. I loved it.
April 27, 2011
I liked this one and believed in the HEA at the end. It took me awhile to get there though. I didn't feel the chemistry or attraction between these two at first. I thought Connor was a different kind of hero and I liked him a lot. He moves back to his small, southern hometown and faces not necessarily prejudice because he is gay, but because of his troubled (drug use) past few years.
I had a harder time with John..or just understanding his attraction to Connor. Nice supporting characters and I liked the southern setting. Some cute moments that made me smile:)
I had a harder time with John..or just understanding his attraction to Connor. Nice supporting characters and I liked the southern setting. Some cute moments that made me smile:)
September 26, 2014
3.5 stars
I wonder if I purchased the second edition would it get a higher reading from me. I really liked it, I did feel like the editing was so disconnected. I always think I would have liked the backstory on both Johnny and Conner. We just seem to fall into a situation with them. I don't believe for one second I'm going to invite a stranger in to live because it use to his old house. That's so ridiculous. They didn't build or anything.
I wonder if I purchased the second edition would it get a higher reading from me. I really liked it, I did feel like the editing was so disconnected. I always think I would have liked the backstory on both Johnny and Conner. We just seem to fall into a situation with them. I don't believe for one second I'm going to invite a stranger in to live because it use to his old house. That's so ridiculous. They didn't build or anything.
January 25, 2016
I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team.
This was a sweet love story between John and Connor. They each have things in their pasts that they need to deal with and together they do that. I loved the small town aspect and how everyone would come over, that made it seems like a true small town book. The relationship was a slow burn but worth the wait. I can't wait to read the next book and hope we still see John and Connor in later books.
This was a sweet love story between John and Connor. They each have things in their pasts that they need to deal with and together they do that. I loved the small town aspect and how everyone would come over, that made it seems like a true small town book. The relationship was a slow burn but worth the wait. I can't wait to read the next book and hope we still see John and Connor in later books.
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