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Cold Country #1
In From the Cold
* This edition is no longer available. *
______
Nathan Truman was 18 years old when he ran away from home to enlist in the Marines. Born the son of one of the wealthiest families in Tennessee, Nathan had everything and threw it all away to be a nobody.
Quinn Anders was 18 years old when his heart was broken for the first time. Born the son of a law enforcement officer, Quinn lost everything to become somebody.
Sixteen years ago, Nathan and Quinn were best friends with a secret.
Tragedy brings Quinn and Nathan together again. Grief sends them into each other’s arms. Hate threatens to separate them forever.
______
Nathan Truman was 18 years old when he ran away from home to enlist in the Marines. Born the son of one of the wealthiest families in Tennessee, Nathan had everything and threw it all away to be a nobody.
Quinn Anders was 18 years old when his heart was broken for the first time. Born the son of a law enforcement officer, Quinn lost everything to become somebody.
Sixteen years ago, Nathan and Quinn were best friends with a secret.
Tragedy brings Quinn and Nathan together again. Grief sends them into each other’s arms. Hate threatens to separate them forever.
302 pages, ebook
First published April 29, 2011
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622 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
September 3, 2011
Ok m/m romance about a sheriff's deputy and a country singer who were each others' firsts in high school, but who've taken different and equally self-destructive paths since then... and that doesn't end when tragedy brings the singer back to their hometown. This book had a lot of unrealized potential, which was unfortunately overshadowed by somewhat choppy writing and the absolutely worst case of pronoun confusion I've ever encountered.
November 25, 2011
Tension. This book is all about tension.
Quinn is a country singer who has hit the big time. Since leaving his Tennessee hometown, he has battled drug and alcohol addiction, hard times, family fights and an attraction to his best friend that broke that friendship.
Nathan is a deputy in the same small town he and Quinn are from. Twice divorced, former Marine Corp, from a wealthy family, Nate is happy enough. As long as he can keep ignoring Quinn.
When a crisis involving Quinn's father, the sheriff of the town they both grew up in, forces Nate to call Quinn back home, the old pains and attractions boils back up. The tension between these two men is intense - can they find some common ground to get through this tragedy?
Ms. Celeste has created a tale that crackles with tension here. The tension between two old friends who became more than that. Between fathers and sons. Family. And when the worst happens, all that grief and old hurt and love and anger and lust and history spills out and over and consumes these two hurting men.
But the tension doesn't stop there. As the search for the man responsible for this crime intensifies, additional players come onto the scene and make Nate and Quinn even more tense. Because Quinn has been keeping secrets from everyone. Secrets that hurt Nate, bringing back all his hurts and wants. And when a TBI agent questions both men, they realize their secrets are anything but hidden.
And the tension builds.
What I appreciated most about this hot, intense and very very satisfying book was the tense interplay between Nate and Quinn, and how it relates to the reason why Quinn's father was shot. As the two lovers get closer to each other, the danger gets more real and closer to home. And when it overtakes them and one of the guys is in danger, we feel how close to the line both men are.
And just when we thought it couldn't get any harder to breathe, something even worse happens. I swear, I thought I was going to grind my teeth to powder, and the tension in my shoulders gave me a headache. Because I came to care about these two characters - their wasted years, the circumstances they let come between them, the stupid misunderstandings, the wasted pride. It is like when the air gets heavy and your lungs fill with humidity and something has to give right before a huge summer storm rolls in. All that potential and energy and you know it's going to erupt and you wait and you wait and you hope it will happen and it just keeps building and you need it to just BURST or you will.
Only when the lightening starts and the rains falls, it frees you up. Here, we just gasp and bleed and hope these two can put the pieces back together and that they will be alright again.
And hellfire, when I got to the last page, only then could I relax a little. But the tension is still there. And damn it, it's GOOD. And DAMN IT I WANT MORE.
So Ms. Celeste did her job. Left me wanting. And I really can't ask for more than that, can I?
Tom
Quinn is a country singer who has hit the big time. Since leaving his Tennessee hometown, he has battled drug and alcohol addiction, hard times, family fights and an attraction to his best friend that broke that friendship.
Nathan is a deputy in the same small town he and Quinn are from. Twice divorced, former Marine Corp, from a wealthy family, Nate is happy enough. As long as he can keep ignoring Quinn.
When a crisis involving Quinn's father, the sheriff of the town they both grew up in, forces Nate to call Quinn back home, the old pains and attractions boils back up. The tension between these two men is intense - can they find some common ground to get through this tragedy?
Ms. Celeste has created a tale that crackles with tension here. The tension between two old friends who became more than that. Between fathers and sons. Family. And when the worst happens, all that grief and old hurt and love and anger and lust and history spills out and over and consumes these two hurting men.
But the tension doesn't stop there. As the search for the man responsible for this crime intensifies, additional players come onto the scene and make Nate and Quinn even more tense. Because Quinn has been keeping secrets from everyone. Secrets that hurt Nate, bringing back all his hurts and wants. And when a TBI agent questions both men, they realize their secrets are anything but hidden.
And the tension builds.
What I appreciated most about this hot, intense and very very satisfying book was the tense interplay between Nate and Quinn, and how it relates to the reason why Quinn's father was shot. As the two lovers get closer to each other, the danger gets more real and closer to home. And when it overtakes them and one of the guys is in danger, we feel how close to the line both men are.
And just when we thought it couldn't get any harder to breathe, something even worse happens. I swear, I thought I was going to grind my teeth to powder, and the tension in my shoulders gave me a headache. Because I came to care about these two characters - their wasted years, the circumstances they let come between them, the stupid misunderstandings, the wasted pride. It is like when the air gets heavy and your lungs fill with humidity and something has to give right before a huge summer storm rolls in. All that potential and energy and you know it's going to erupt and you wait and you wait and you hope it will happen and it just keeps building and you need it to just BURST or you will.
Only when the lightening starts and the rains falls, it frees you up. Here, we just gasp and bleed and hope these two can put the pieces back together and that they will be alright again.
And hellfire, when I got to the last page, only then could I relax a little. But the tension is still there. And damn it, it's GOOD. And DAMN IT I WANT MORE.
So Ms. Celeste did her job. Left me wanting. And I really can't ask for more than that, can I?
Tom
May 27, 2017
Re-read before the sequel. And yes! To all of this still!
Jan 4, 2012
Ah, holy hell Mercy. I can't fucking believe you did this to me. I have GOT to start reading reviews before I throw myself heart and soul into something expecting a nice, angst-filled coming home romance. My (punched in the) gut tells me to give this 2 stars but my head and my heart are begging for 5. You sure know how to tear a girl apart.
So, in the beginning the story follows the blurb. Tragedy brings country music star Quinn Anders home to his small minded home town, where his first love Nathan Truman left behind his lucrative family business to become first a marine and then a member of the sheriff's department. The love/hate crackles between them as they first grieve the tragedy and then try to find their way in worlds that could not be more opposite. They might be getting to a point where they could forgive all the secrets between them and accept who they could be to each other, and then whammo: an event all but shatters their trust and threatens to tear them farther apart than they have ever been. I swear to you I sobbed like a baby when .
Oh Mercy, Mercy, I promise that I will try to pay better attention to your blurbs. Especially the . Then maybe I won't be blindsided by your amazing story telling. I know you have 2 more stories planned in the lives of Quinn and Nathan. I also know that they won't be easy. But I'll follow where you lead, because even though my gut is begging me not to, my head and my heart just won't listen. They enjoy what you do to us too much to quit now.
Jan 4, 2012
Ah, holy hell Mercy. I can't fucking believe you did this to me. I have GOT to start reading reviews before I throw myself heart and soul into something expecting a nice, angst-filled coming home romance. My (punched in the) gut tells me to give this 2 stars but my head and my heart are begging for 5. You sure know how to tear a girl apart.
So, in the beginning the story follows the blurb. Tragedy brings country music star Quinn Anders home to his small minded home town, where his first love Nathan Truman left behind his lucrative family business to become first a marine and then a member of the sheriff's department. The love/hate crackles between them as they first grieve the tragedy and then try to find their way in worlds that could not be more opposite. They might be getting to a point where they could forgive all the secrets between them and accept who they could be to each other, and then whammo: an event all but shatters their trust and threatens to tear them farther apart than they have ever been. I swear to you I sobbed like a baby when .
Oh Mercy, Mercy, I promise that I will try to pay better attention to your blurbs. Especially the . Then maybe I won't be blindsided by your amazing story telling. I know you have 2 more stories planned in the lives of Quinn and Nathan. I also know that they won't be easy. But I'll follow where you lead, because even though my gut is begging me not to, my head and my heart just won't listen. They enjoy what you do to us too much to quit now.
November 29, 2012
There were a lot of things I didn't like about this one.
The love story more or less sprung to life when both MCs met again after years apart (having been secret High-School-Sweethearts). No real explanation. One of the MCs was deeply closeted, but the whole coming to grips with his orientation was very shallow and drowned in some not very sexy sex scenes. It was a strange mixture of sappy dialogue and senseless actions. Most characters remained shallow and stereotypical (e.g. the confident, clever, pretty little sister of Nate).
Then a brutal and imho totally bizarre torture and rape scene that damaged one of the MCs, but not so much that he couldn't have sex with his boyfriend three weeks later in time for the HEA - WTF?
This was really not a good read for me. I immensly dislike rape here as a plot instrument - it doesn't serve any good purpose for the story and it is not dealt with in a way I find emphatic or insightful. Maybe I am over-sensitive on that, but I just think that this topic is not to be played with in this manner. Actually it made me angry.
I am disappointed because I read another book by this author and liked it very much.
The love story more or less sprung to life when both MCs met again after years apart (having been secret High-School-Sweethearts). No real explanation. One of the MCs was deeply closeted, but the whole coming to grips with his orientation was very shallow and drowned in some not very sexy sex scenes. It was a strange mixture of sappy dialogue and senseless actions. Most characters remained shallow and stereotypical (e.g. the confident, clever, pretty little sister of Nate).
Then a brutal and imho totally bizarre torture and rape scene that damaged one of the MCs, but not so much that he couldn't have sex with his boyfriend three weeks later in time for the HEA - WTF?
This was really not a good read for me. I immensly dislike rape here as a plot instrument - it doesn't serve any good purpose for the story and it is not dealt with in a way I find emphatic or insightful. Maybe I am over-sensitive on that, but I just think that this topic is not to be played with in this manner. Actually it made me angry.
I am disappointed because I read another book by this author and liked it very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2012
I had to reread this because I couldn't remember what it was about. The writing just wasn't good. A lot of time was spent telling more than showing. I thought Nate's turnaround was a bit quick and Quinn calling him 'baby' practically every dialogue exchange was annoying. And I don't know how their dirty talk could turn anyone on, very cringe-worthy.
I don't think the reason behind the crimes was fleshed out well. Neither was Nate's "recovery." I hardly think anyone would be up for sex of any kind only a few weeks after what happened. Making light of rape and ptsd recovery seems to be a recurring thing with m/m authors as of late. I wish Nate had actually gotten the help he needed during his disappearing act. And no matter how much I loved someone, I would let them use me as an outlet for their pain. The power of love isn't going to cure the problem.
I wish the author spent time on Emma. I felt like she was just a throwaway character and wondered why she was put in the book in the first place other to compare and contrast. I also would've liked a prologue or a flashback to both their last night together before Nate ran off and Nate's wedding. Being told and not shown about those part made the story feel incomplete.
Basically this whole story was one big info dumb.
I don't think the reason behind the crimes was fleshed out well. Neither was Nate's "recovery." I hardly think anyone would be up for sex of any kind only a few weeks after what happened. Making light of rape and ptsd recovery seems to be a recurring thing with m/m authors as of late. I wish Nate had actually gotten the help he needed during his disappearing act. And no matter how much I loved someone, I would let them use me as an outlet for their pain. The power of love isn't going to cure the problem.
I wish the author spent time on Emma. I felt like she was just a throwaway character and wondered why she was put in the book in the first place other to compare and contrast. I also would've liked a prologue or a flashback to both their last night together before Nate ran off and Nate's wedding. Being told and not shown about those part made the story feel incomplete.
Basically this whole story was one big info dumb.
April 10, 2023
Very enjoyable story. It's been ages since I've read a Mercy Celeste novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed In From the Cold.
I've owned the next book in the series already, and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.
I've owned the next book in the series already, and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.
September 25, 2014
I had to read this 'cause it's set in Middle and East TN, where I have spent about 80% of my life. Unfortunately, because I've spent so much time here, I noticed all the niggling geographic research failures.
A few examples:
1. MC Nathan talks about leaving a key in a "mail slot" by the front door of his mountain lakeside cabin. Sorry, no. In this state we frequently have streetside mailboxes even in suburbs that are inside of town -- any mail carrier would laugh his ass off at the idea of stopping to walk up to a front door to slip mail into a mail slot out in the country.
2. Nathan and MC Quinn supposedly go to a Macy's store in Chattanooga. Sorry, but there is no Macy's in Chattanooga. The closest Macy's is in Nashville.
3. The author gets the distances all wrong. At the beginning of the story, Quinn is said to have driven 200 miles from Nashville to get to the (unnamed) small town where Nathan lives. This town is somewhere outside Chattanooga. But Chattanooga is 130 miles from Nashville, so this town must be 70 miles away from Chattanooga. Nonetheless, the guys supposedly drive into Chattanooga to go shopping. Not only is that a looooong way to go shopping, in most cases it's not going to make geographic sense. Chattanooga is in the southeastern corner of TN -- the bottom right-hand corner of the TN parallelogram. Almost any town that's 70 miles away from Chattanooga but still inside of TN is going to be closer to other towns/cities with malls -- especially Knoxville, Cookeville, or Murfreesboro -- than they will be to Chattanooga. It's possible, but not terribly likely, to find a town that would fit -- especially when the narrative mentions that the "mountain" on which the "mountain" cabin resides is actually a big hill rather than a true mountain (the eastern border of TN straddles the Great Smoky Mountain National Park -- real mountains, not hills!), meaning that this little town can't be on TN's eastern boundary.
4. It's mentioned several times that Quinn has performed multiple times at the Opry. Then, later, Quinn says that he was stoned "the first time I stepped on stage at the Opry" and "the first time I stood on stage at the Ryman" -- as though being at the Opry meant being at the Ryman Auditorium. Sorry, but the Opry hasn't been broadcast regularly from the Ryman since 1974, when the new Opry House was opened (there are rare special occasions when it still does).
All of these issues could have been avoided with a bit of quick Internet factchecking.
And then there's the writing. It was frequently stilted and often confusing, with so many "he"s and "his"s flying around that it was often impossible to tell who was doing what to whom. These irritated me so much that I'm gonna give you three examples. First:
And then there's the plotting and characterization. First, the two MCs jump back into bed instantly after 16 years of separation, madly denying their feelings the entire time. And then, cmon, this Bad Guy is entirely too psychotic for words. Whatever happened to realistic villains? And I came close to chucking the book when the MC . And then apparently only three weeks after all this, our heros are magically having sex again?? Really?????
And then we don't even get any real resolution even in the epilogue.
Soooooooo...... yeah.
A flat 2 stars. It could easily be 1.5 or so.
A few examples:
1. MC Nathan talks about leaving a key in a "mail slot" by the front door of his mountain lakeside cabin. Sorry, no. In this state we frequently have streetside mailboxes even in suburbs that are inside of town -- any mail carrier would laugh his ass off at the idea of stopping to walk up to a front door to slip mail into a mail slot out in the country.
2. Nathan and MC Quinn supposedly go to a Macy's store in Chattanooga. Sorry, but there is no Macy's in Chattanooga. The closest Macy's is in Nashville.
3. The author gets the distances all wrong. At the beginning of the story, Quinn is said to have driven 200 miles from Nashville to get to the (unnamed) small town where Nathan lives. This town is somewhere outside Chattanooga. But Chattanooga is 130 miles from Nashville, so this town must be 70 miles away from Chattanooga. Nonetheless, the guys supposedly drive into Chattanooga to go shopping. Not only is that a looooong way to go shopping, in most cases it's not going to make geographic sense. Chattanooga is in the southeastern corner of TN -- the bottom right-hand corner of the TN parallelogram. Almost any town that's 70 miles away from Chattanooga but still inside of TN is going to be closer to other towns/cities with malls -- especially Knoxville, Cookeville, or Murfreesboro -- than they will be to Chattanooga. It's possible, but not terribly likely, to find a town that would fit -- especially when the narrative mentions that the "mountain" on which the "mountain" cabin resides is actually a big hill rather than a true mountain (the eastern border of TN straddles the Great Smoky Mountain National Park -- real mountains, not hills!), meaning that this little town can't be on TN's eastern boundary.
4. It's mentioned several times that Quinn has performed multiple times at the Opry. Then, later, Quinn says that he was stoned "the first time I stepped on stage at the Opry" and "the first time I stood on stage at the Ryman" -- as though being at the Opry meant being at the Ryman Auditorium. Sorry, but the Opry hasn't been broadcast regularly from the Ryman since 1974, when the new Opry House was opened (there are rare special occasions when it still does).
All of these issues could have been avoided with a bit of quick Internet factchecking.
And then there's the writing. It was frequently stilted and often confusing, with so many "he"s and "his"s flying around that it was often impossible to tell who was doing what to whom. These irritated me so much that I'm gonna give you three examples. First:
He moved slowly inside him, withdrawing and sliding gently back inside. He had no idea it would feel this good to be penetrated. His cock trapped between their bodies throbbed-- it sounds like the same guy doing the penetrating is also getting penetrated at the same time, right? And:
He spun to face the door at the sound of the key scraping in the lock and there he stood. He looked like something the cat dragged in. He needed to shave, badly, and dark circles that looked painfully like bruises rimmed his eyes. His shoulders sagged under the weight of his new job-- same problem. Who spun? Whose eyes, whose shoulders? Or:
He didn’t really expect Nate to kiss him. After years of denying anything between them existed, he wasn’t about to believe something could. His mouth was harsh against his. His fingers threaded through his hair, holding him gently. He leaned him back against the bar, hovering over him as the kiss became frenzied.Huh? You get the picture.
And then there's the plotting and characterization. First, the two MCs jump back into bed instantly after 16 years of separation, madly denying their feelings the entire time. And then, cmon, this Bad Guy is entirely too psychotic for words. Whatever happened to realistic villains? And I came close to chucking the book when the MC . And then apparently only three weeks after all this, our heros are magically having sex again?? Really?????
And then we don't even get any real resolution even in the epilogue.
Soooooooo...... yeah.
A flat 2 stars. It could easily be 1.5 or so.
November 30, 2014
5 angsty, sad, tragic, hot, lost love-found love stars
Mercy Celeste is an auto-buy for me now.
Poor Quinn and Nate. What a tragic history and difficult journey they had to get their HEA.
Mercy Celeste is an auto-buy for me now.
Poor Quinn and Nate. What a tragic history and difficult journey they had to get their HEA.
June 24, 2012
There’s a lot of pain behind the words in this book, behind the characters. It’s a strong, intense read.
In From the Cold is primarily about two men, Nathan Truman and Quinn Anders; who were childhood best friends, youthful, quasi-lovers, who have let time, denial and self destructive behaviours distance them.
Nathan left home after graduation and enlisted. Now he's the deputy sheriff in his home town, and the Sheriff, Theo, Quinn's father has been shot. Nathan is the typical small town, in denial, 'marry a woman have a family' kind of character. It hasn't worked, and he's fractured as a person. Having to contact Quinn sets up all kinds of feelings and conflict.
Quinn was hurt when Nathan left after graduation. After a night of emotional significance to him. He's living a life many would love, but in reality it's a lie, and without the right person there, he's been self destructivee and hit rock bottom. When he gets the phone call about his father from Nathan he's been sober for approximately 3 years. Quinn is also conflicted about seeing Nathan again as well as the circumstances in which he's going to see him.
When Quinn comes home, he and Nathan are thrown together, there is a murder to be solved, a murderer on the loose, and feelings are running high. Plus, sexual tensions reappear and cravings for substances and sex dog both during a stressful time. In amongst this you get to meet Nathan's family, who you know are wealthy, but they're portrayed as pretty average, caring, family oriented people. They are like family for Quinn as well, and pick up the same role now that he's back in town, as if he's never been away.
In From the Cold is interestingly written in a style best described as clipped, a quick back and forth between character’s POV’s. The dialogue, scenes and timelines move at a fairly frenetic pace. It was good and it suited the content, by and large, but there were a few areas that were positively ADD, without meds.
Both MC’s narratives were pained, but they were different in their delivery. Quinn lacked a filter between his brain and his mouth, Nathan had too much of a filter - 'Nate's voice was rough, distant, almost angry. Controlled. He had control down to a science.' Quinn had little biological parent interaction growing up. His career can best be described as a hedonistic, Peter Pan lifestyle. It swallowed him up. Nathan had a rock solid career, family that supported him, in more ways than even he knew; but he had experienced denial, living in a war zone and divorce, all of which scares the shit out of a person and tightens actions and behaviours right up.
The MC’s were both flawed and damaged. I like flawed and damaged. Although I can’t say I loved either of them - both were selfish, difficult and aggravating – they were, however, interesting and mesmerising. When they were in-sync they worked, but it was hard for them to get in-sync. I usually have to love at least one MC in a book to rate it 4 stars and above. Mercy Celeste seems to have immolated this pretty concrete parameter of mine.
If you haven't read the book maybe don't read anymore. I've tried to be cryptic but I don't want to spoil anything.
I know people feel that this book was dark, and, yes, I suppose it was, but I could have taken more. I wanted more; post event flashbacks would have been fine with me. I felt what happened either should have happened earlier, to draw out more post event emotions, and have it unfold in a better timeframe. I felt it was rushed and that did the book a disservice. Or, because I enjoyed the rest of the book, maybe what I’m actually saying is that the book should have been longer, to incorporate more post event development. Things progressed too quickly three weeks after a major physical and psychological event, specifically emotionally. I had a problem with this aspect of the book, but I'm picky about this.
I thought long and hard about the rating here. I enjoyed the book, the journey. It's worth 4.5 stars, but I can't give it that. The reason it's not 5 stars is that the last quarter isn't strong enough from a psychological standpoint for me, it could have been, it toyed so close to it, but it was rushed. Post event didn't have enough meat or time to develop like it should have. The writing is strong, but Beyond Complicated set the bar for me, so 4 stars it has to be.
PS: I don't care if there is a sequel. I will definitely read one if it comes along, however, I'm happy where it ended. I got enough out of the ending and epilogue to satisfy me.
Slightly less cryptic review here -
Review also posted here
In From the Cold is primarily about two men, Nathan Truman and Quinn Anders; who were childhood best friends, youthful, quasi-lovers, who have let time, denial and self destructive behaviours distance them.
Nathan left home after graduation and enlisted. Now he's the deputy sheriff in his home town, and the Sheriff, Theo, Quinn's father has been shot. Nathan is the typical small town, in denial, 'marry a woman have a family' kind of character. It hasn't worked, and he's fractured as a person. Having to contact Quinn sets up all kinds of feelings and conflict.
Quinn was hurt when Nathan left after graduation. After a night of emotional significance to him. He's living a life many would love, but in reality it's a lie, and without the right person there, he's been self destructivee and hit rock bottom. When he gets the phone call about his father from Nathan he's been sober for approximately 3 years. Quinn is also conflicted about seeing Nathan again as well as the circumstances in which he's going to see him.
When Quinn comes home, he and Nathan are thrown together, there is a murder to be solved, a murderer on the loose, and feelings are running high. Plus, sexual tensions reappear and cravings for substances and sex dog both during a stressful time. In amongst this you get to meet Nathan's family, who you know are wealthy, but they're portrayed as pretty average, caring, family oriented people. They are like family for Quinn as well, and pick up the same role now that he's back in town, as if he's never been away.
In From the Cold is interestingly written in a style best described as clipped, a quick back and forth between character’s POV’s. The dialogue, scenes and timelines move at a fairly frenetic pace. It was good and it suited the content, by and large, but there were a few areas that were positively ADD, without meds.
Both MC’s narratives were pained, but they were different in their delivery. Quinn lacked a filter between his brain and his mouth, Nathan had too much of a filter - 'Nate's voice was rough, distant, almost angry. Controlled. He had control down to a science.' Quinn had little biological parent interaction growing up. His career can best be described as a hedonistic, Peter Pan lifestyle. It swallowed him up. Nathan had a rock solid career, family that supported him, in more ways than even he knew; but he had experienced denial, living in a war zone and divorce, all of which scares the shit out of a person and tightens actions and behaviours right up.
The MC’s were both flawed and damaged. I like flawed and damaged. Although I can’t say I loved either of them - both were selfish, difficult and aggravating – they were, however, interesting and mesmerising. When they were in-sync they worked, but it was hard for them to get in-sync. I usually have to love at least one MC in a book to rate it 4 stars and above. Mercy Celeste seems to have immolated this pretty concrete parameter of mine.
If you haven't read the book maybe don't read anymore. I've tried to be cryptic but I don't want to spoil anything.
I know people feel that this book was dark, and, yes, I suppose it was, but I could have taken more. I wanted more; post event flashbacks would have been fine with me. I felt what happened either should have happened earlier, to draw out more post event emotions, and have it unfold in a better timeframe. I felt it was rushed and that did the book a disservice. Or, because I enjoyed the rest of the book, maybe what I’m actually saying is that the book should have been longer, to incorporate more post event development. Things progressed too quickly three weeks after a major physical and psychological event, specifically emotionally. I had a problem with this aspect of the book, but I'm picky about this.
I thought long and hard about the rating here. I enjoyed the book, the journey. It's worth 4.5 stars, but I can't give it that. The reason it's not 5 stars is that the last quarter isn't strong enough from a psychological standpoint for me, it could have been, it toyed so close to it, but it was rushed. Post event didn't have enough meat or time to develop like it should have. The writing is strong, but Beyond Complicated set the bar for me, so 4 stars it has to be.
PS: I don't care if there is a sequel. I will definitely read one if it comes along, however, I'm happy where it ended. I got enough out of the ending and epilogue to satisfy me.
Slightly less cryptic review here -
Review also posted here
May 12, 2017
Nathan and Quinn, best friends growing up, first love, together till Nathan could not admit to loving a man. Nathan joined the Marines, wound up in law enforcement. Quinn, became a singer and got lost in the world of addiction. Tragedy brings them back together in the little town where they grew up.
Well this ain't your Mama's romance. It's tough, gritty and tense. It's full of heartache, miscommunication, and missed chances. If you know that life is not all roses, give this book a chance, you will be rewarded.
Well this ain't your Mama's romance. It's tough, gritty and tense. It's full of heartache, miscommunication, and missed chances. If you know that life is not all roses, give this book a chance, you will be rewarded.
October 3, 2015
Well, I have to say this was not at all predictable. This didn't go like I expected at all and I'm not sure it worked. I like stories that break formulas, but not when they're all over the place, and that's kind of what happens here. For that reason, the first half is about a five until we get into the WTF? part where I'd say we had a two. Fortunately that part was a lot shorter.
There was way too much talking. They don't even stop during sex. Some of the dialog was moderately funny but so much was pointless. They were alternately pissed off and sweet with sarcastic teasing, and the switch back and forth was random. I often lost track of who was saying what, too.
There was also too much description and neither this nor the talking told me how the characters were feeling. "Showing" rather than "telling" doesn't mean pointing things out. It means let me feel what they're feeling. Let me see what others are seeing in their tone and body language. This especially true in the climax of the story. I felt really removed.
There was a part where they didn't use a condom, but another part where one character had to
The characters were at times appealing and at other times I couldn't stand them. I do like that having sex with a man made someone bisexual not automatically gay. I did like that there was an aftermath to something horrific in the climax. Too often fictional media pretend that everything is just fine once the bad guys are caught.
Overall I enjoyed the story. I just wish that the ending was as strong as the beginning.
There was way too much talking. They don't even stop during sex. Some of the dialog was moderately funny but so much was pointless. They were alternately pissed off and sweet with sarcastic teasing, and the switch back and forth was random. I often lost track of who was saying what, too.
There was also too much description and neither this nor the talking told me how the characters were feeling. "Showing" rather than "telling" doesn't mean pointing things out. It means let me feel what they're feeling. Let me see what others are seeing in their tone and body language. This especially true in the climax of the story. I felt really removed.
There was a part where they didn't use a condom, but another part where one character had to
The characters were at times appealing and at other times I couldn't stand them. I do like that having sex with a man made someone bisexual not automatically gay. I did like that there was an aftermath to something horrific in the climax. Too often fictional media pretend that everything is just fine once the bad guys are caught.
Overall I enjoyed the story. I just wish that the ending was as strong as the beginning.
December 23, 2011
This was so not what I was expecting from Mercy Celeste. All the other books of hers, that I’ve read, were nice angsty contemporary romances. Boy meets boy. Boy acts the fool. Boy forgives Boy. Boys live happily ever after.
In From the Cold was that and so much more. The suspense of this novel was pretty intense and there were several scenes, near the end, that were amazingly horrific. If lifetime ever gets a clue and starts making LGBT moves, this would make a great movie.
“If you loved it so much, why not rate it a 5?” Well, now that Mercy has opened the door to romantic suspense, I want more. I want to see the evil in the bad guy, the fear in the good guys. There’s a taste of that in In From the Cold, but I want more…sue me, I’m greedy.
There are 2 more books planned for this series and I look forward to seeing if Mercy can do it again. I think she can. Buy the book, read the book…then you decide. Highly recommend!!
In From the Cold was that and so much more. The suspense of this novel was pretty intense and there were several scenes, near the end, that were amazingly horrific. If lifetime ever gets a clue and starts making LGBT moves, this would make a great movie.
“If you loved it so much, why not rate it a 5?” Well, now that Mercy has opened the door to romantic suspense, I want more. I want to see the evil in the bad guy, the fear in the good guys. There’s a taste of that in In From the Cold, but I want more…sue me, I’m greedy.
There are 2 more books planned for this series and I look forward to seeing if Mercy can do it again. I think she can. Buy the book, read the book…then you decide. Highly recommend!!
April 13, 2012
Hmmm..... I should have loved this book. It had all of the right elements - strong plot line, enduring love, hurt/comfort. It seemed to be well-written, with some minor editorial issues and pronoun confusion.
For some reason I couldn't get into it. Maybe I have been desensitized to some of the parts that should have had a high emotional impact by my recent reads, but I felt that these areas were glossed over a bit. So..... I didn't care like I should have. I didn't get the heart-twisty feeling that I love. It's likely just me or my mood, but thats what my review is supposed to be about - my opinion. How the book made me feel. And it kind of didn't- at least not like I had hoped it would. Maybe I'll reread it to see if I'm just off tonight.
For some reason I couldn't get into it. Maybe I have been desensitized to some of the parts that should have had a high emotional impact by my recent reads, but I felt that these areas were glossed over a bit. So..... I didn't care like I should have. I didn't get the heart-twisty feeling that I love. It's likely just me or my mood, but thats what my review is supposed to be about - my opinion. How the book made me feel. And it kind of didn't- at least not like I had hoped it would. Maybe I'll reread it to see if I'm just off tonight.
January 2, 2016
So not for me.
I wish, I really, really wish, there had been trigger warnings or any warnings associated with the blurb for this.
Rape, torture. This was WAY darker than I like to read. I forced myself to finish. But...well, wasn't the right book for me.
I wish, I really, really wish, there had been trigger warnings or any warnings associated with the blurb for this.
Rape, torture. This was WAY darker than I like to read. I forced myself to finish. But...well, wasn't the right book for me.
Want to read
November 2, 2014Big price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 11/2/14
August 31, 2013
Man this was really horrible! I am not even upset about it, really. Bad writing, bad plot, and the weirdest dirty talk ever. Oh well, off to the next one.
July 17, 2017
I was liking this just fine until the plot shift towards the end. It seemed VERY unnecessary and I can't figure out why something that extreme was thought a good idea. I liked the push/pull between Nathan and Quinn. My heart broke over Quinn's dad. I see there's a sequel that shifts this into a menage and I'm curious, but reading reviews leaves me hesitant(plot points outside of the menage). I'll have to think on it.
Read
September 12, 2018Had this on my bookshelf forever and noticed Book 2 coming out soon. Thought I'd better jump in and read Book 1.
Oh dear! What a mess. The conversations were all over the place and Nathan's..... I can't. Yes I can. No I can't...... annnnd back again - made my head spin!
Quinn's "I need you inside of me so badly I can't see" was way too soon. The characters were shallow and not enough of a connection for me. I tried and sadly, failed :(
DNF @ 52%
Oh dear! What a mess. The conversations were all over the place and Nathan's..... I can't. Yes I can. No I can't...... annnnd back again - made my head spin!
Quinn's "I need you inside of me so badly I can't see" was way too soon. The characters were shallow and not enough of a connection for me. I tried and sadly, failed :(
DNF @ 52%
April 21, 2014
1.5 Stars
Beautiful cover by Dan Skinner, but sadly, the story didn't work for me.
The blurb basically says it all. I just had three main issues with the book. First was the writing style: It felt like the story was being told backwards, like there's a whole bunch of history behind Nathan and Quinn's relationship that gets conveniently thrown into conversation, revealing key elements in their past without the reader having any clue about it. It's as if the author got lazy in developing the plot from point A to B and just dropped bits of information to fill the readers in and left them piece it all together in the end. It was very frustrating.
Second is the theme. The lines are pretty much sarcastic like a romantic comedy, but there's massive amounts of angst that's enough for a drama yet there's an element of suspense about crime solving in the beginning. I just didn't know what the story wanted to be.
And third was the dialogue. Any book (no matter how well it's written) that uses the term "bitch" to refer to either men when they're having sex is just WRONG. Not to mention that the more I read about Quinn and Nathan's conversations, the more I question their gender.
I had to push myself to finish this book and couldn't wait for it to end. Not a very pleasant reading experience.
December 14, 2014
The first 75% or so of the book is an old friends reconnect story. Quinn and Nathan had been best friends since childhood and had fallen in love as teens. After the first time they have sex Nathan takes off and they only see each other one more time in the next 16 or so years. A family crisis brings Quinn back home and the two are forced to admit they've never stopped loving each other. Everything was moving a long just fine for me through this part. It seemed they fell back together way too easily but whatever. They were happy, I was happy, they were hot together, I was still happy. Then BAM from out of nowhere shit got crazy. There was a huge event that I did not even a little bit see coming. I finished the book feeling a little traumatized. Overall I think this event took away from the story. I don't mind dark events in my stories but this came at the end of the book and then there wasn't adequate time to deal with the seriousness of the situation or the fall out. I also thought the way they worked out Nate's anger was really inappropriate and disturbing. I have this weird "morning after" feeling with this book. I was there but I'm still not sure wth just happened.
April 29, 2013
This is a 3 because I couldn't stand . I think that, in all candor, I might be influenced by the fact that this theme pops up too frequently in Mercy Celeste's writing. Perhaps if this was the only book of hers that I had read involving that particular theme, I wouldn't feel quite so uncomfortable about it. But it isn't, and I do. The book was actually pretty well-written, but I view the key crisis in the story in context with her other books, and in doing so, that diminishes my sense of any independent value the crisis might have had for this story. Again, I will restate that the book is actually solid on its own terms for much of the story, but , so I'm not sure if I can recommend it.
February 4, 2012
3.5 stars. Fair warning that there is a lot of brutality in this book. There is also a lot of disappointment and self-loathing and violence. It was sad to see how these men had wasted so much time in their lives either trying to forgot or trying to remember the past - and how they thought they were fooling everybody. Their reaction to seeing each other for the first time in over 5 years is visceral - you just know something big is going to happen. And it does.
I had to finish the book in one sitting - I couldn't stand not knowing how it would turn out. Even though I pretty early on figured out the murder mystery plot, I was in no way prepared for the fallout from it.
This is the first Mercy Celeste books I've read, but it won't be the last.
I had to finish the book in one sitting - I couldn't stand not knowing how it would turn out. Even though I pretty early on figured out the murder mystery plot, I was in no way prepared for the fallout from it.
This is the first Mercy Celeste books I've read, but it won't be the last.
May 13, 2017
In Queue
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by JLoves2Read from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by JLoves2Read from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
May 10, 2012
A newly-famous country singer sees his estranged first love--now a cop--for the first time in years over his father's deathbed. In the face of tragedy and new dangers, can these men find each other again?
You know how sometimes a book isn't, objectively speaking, really great writing, but it hits all the right buttons for you and you just have to read it again after finishing it? This book did that for me. I think Celeste may be one of those authors for me.
You know how sometimes a book isn't, objectively speaking, really great writing, but it hits all the right buttons for you and you just have to read it again after finishing it? This book did that for me. I think Celeste may be one of those authors for me.
July 23, 2012
I couldn't decide between 2 stars and 3. In the end I gave it three just because there is HEA. Halfway through the book I wasn't sure I want to read the rest. I couldn't connect with neither character. Both were so annoying and their thoughts were all over the place. I honestly was glad I finished it. They both went through so many issues that each one would be good for one whole book and here they are both still alive at the end. Thank god. I didn't like them but Im glad for their happy end.
May 13, 2012
Hmmm, 3.5 on this one. A little too saccharine in parts (a few too many I love yous and other declarations) and I almost always hate murder mysteries in a romance.
The ending wrapped very nicely (almost unrealistically) but I have to admit, I did love the epilogue.
Still it's classic Mercy, as in HOT and it's an enjoyable, solid story.
The ending wrapped very nicely (almost unrealistically) but I have to admit, I did love the epilogue.
Still it's classic Mercy, as in HOT and it's an enjoyable, solid story.
December 27, 2012
Another great read from Mercy Celeste! Love Nathan and Quinn, their story is full of life and all it's love, loss and misfortunes. I look forward to reading the sequel "Cold Shadow of Doubt" when released in early 2013.
April 13, 2015
Could not put this down - please note this is not a happy sweet story, but it is very good - riveting, tense, sad, and dark.
September 21, 2019
The nicest thing I can say about this is that it is emotionally incompetent. On a WTF level.
June 10, 2017
A 4.5 star review by The Blogger Girls
So, twenty percent into Cold Shadow, the sequel to this book, I’d realized that I was missing a few key elements to continue. Since it had been five years since I’d read the first book, and stupidly forgot to review it, I went back to the beginning and started over.
Best. Decision. Ever.
I’d seriously forgotten how much I loved this book and it was amazing to go back and experience it all over again. But, prepare yourself, there are a ton of emotions: sadness, grief, and horrific acts of violence and hatred. But, there is also unconditional love and reunited lovers who have been through hell and back, fought off their own demons, and both come out like the shining stars they were meant to be.
Quinn and Nate were best friends from childhood, they were everything to each other, and that included being each other’s firsts…in every way. But, Nate struggled heavily with his sexuality and his intense need and love for Quinn, and so he bolted…straight into the Marine Corps. Without telling anyone, including his family. Quinn was unashamedly gay, and fell into despair, drugs, and alcohol to help lessen the pain at the loss of his one and only true love. At the same time, his career as a country music star took off. These two small town southern boys could not have been more opposites if they tried. And if a traumatic series of events hadn’t unfolded, I doubt they would have every gotten their happy ending. Fortunately, by the end, all is right in their world.
Now, I get to go back to Cold Shadow and try to reconcile all I’d relearned here and try to wrap my mind around that book being a MMM, with Drew, our resident FBI agent in this book, and Nate and Quinn. I think there were a few clues here, so I am going in with an open mind and looking forward to seeing how our boys handle this upcoming change in their relationship. But, as Quinn and Nate have said, once you’ve experienced the worst that can happen to a person, everything else is a piece of cake.
So, twenty percent into Cold Shadow, the sequel to this book, I’d realized that I was missing a few key elements to continue. Since it had been five years since I’d read the first book, and stupidly forgot to review it, I went back to the beginning and started over.
Best. Decision. Ever.
I’d seriously forgotten how much I loved this book and it was amazing to go back and experience it all over again. But, prepare yourself, there are a ton of emotions: sadness, grief, and horrific acts of violence and hatred. But, there is also unconditional love and reunited lovers who have been through hell and back, fought off their own demons, and both come out like the shining stars they were meant to be.
Quinn and Nate were best friends from childhood, they were everything to each other, and that included being each other’s firsts…in every way. But, Nate struggled heavily with his sexuality and his intense need and love for Quinn, and so he bolted…straight into the Marine Corps. Without telling anyone, including his family. Quinn was unashamedly gay, and fell into despair, drugs, and alcohol to help lessen the pain at the loss of his one and only true love. At the same time, his career as a country music star took off. These two small town southern boys could not have been more opposites if they tried. And if a traumatic series of events hadn’t unfolded, I doubt they would have every gotten their happy ending. Fortunately, by the end, all is right in their world.
Now, I get to go back to Cold Shadow and try to reconcile all I’d relearned here and try to wrap my mind around that book being a MMM, with Drew, our resident FBI agent in this book, and Nate and Quinn. I think there were a few clues here, so I am going in with an open mind and looking forward to seeing how our boys handle this upcoming change in their relationship. But, as Quinn and Nate have said, once you’ve experienced the worst that can happen to a person, everything else is a piece of cake.
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