Jacob Williams was used to men hitting on him, but little does he realize Guy Franks has waited hundreds of years to find his mate and nothing was going to dissuade him from a relationship, even the man himself. When someone starts killing models, Guy knows its time to claim the man fated to be his.
Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.
When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life he told her to go have fun.
During those seconds she isn't writing she remembers she has children who humor her with games of 'what if' and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.
Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.
She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres..
as crazy as a calmes book but without the interpersonal nuances.
i mean... shit.
that did not go well at all.
again with the deranged motivations and the batshit psychology; minus the appealing setup; plus bonus ignorance of the NYC fashion scene or modeling or... anything, really.
so many discordant missteps i stopped taking notes because i knew it would be over soon.
and with sex no less superficial than a dick-doodle in the margins of a notepad?
I’ve read several Amber Kell stories and I consider them to be easy to read popcorn reads. I tend to forget the stories very easily (sometimes while reading) but most of the time they are interesting enough fluff when you’re in the mood for something simple, easy, with lots of hot sex. Modeling Death is along those lines but attempts to be something more involved too. That didn’t work as well for me this time unfortunately since the story line is kind of silly and the ending utterly ridiculous. The romantic connection between the protagonists is totally rushed, zero to married in a few hours, and the characters are over the top perfect in every way so it’s hard to really connect and care about them. As an easy, forgettable read, it’s not bad.
Jacob is a top male model, traveling the world and working constantly. He’s in New York for a few weeks, staying with his cousin, and immediately runs into a gorgeous, growly man. Though he attempts to turn down said man, Guy isn’t anywhere. Guy’s determined to make Jacob realize they’re fated mates and nothing’s going to stop him.
The story starts with model Jacob describing how perfect he is. This is pretty appropriate since the novella reminds readers constantly how amazing, wonderful, stunning, beautiful, kind, charming, and practically glowing Jacob is. Don’t forget that Jacob is very laid back and accepting of all of this; he’s not arrogant or egotistical due to his good fortune. Instead he has a very rational and mature explanation for why none of the numerous and constant accolades go to his head. He’s in essence the absolutely perfect person and the story never tries to change that.
This is one reason I think of such stories as popcorn or fluff reads. The main protagonists are pretty thin and shallowly developed. There isn’t a lot of nuance or depth to either man. Jacob and Guy share narrating duties but the focus is firmly on Jacob. There’s not much to Guy except he’s rich, handsome, growly, and instantly possessive of Jacob. The romantic connection is instant and moves along incredibly quickly so there is no real build up to their love. They’re just fated mates and that’s the end of any issue or question there.
The plot about some nameless person killing models is also pretty thin and weakly developed. The end culprit is obvious and ridiculous. Likewise the writing has some problems. The descriptive quality is pretty low and there are several editing mistakes. The dialogue tends to be very simplistic and repetitive while the characters don’t have much purpose to their actions. Now having said all of that you’re not reading this for a well written, compelling story. It excels in being an easy to read, relatively fun light story. This is one of the stories I reach for when I want something totally uncomplicated and forgettable but easy to read. The chemistry is hot and the characters are familiar and have a very classic dynamic while the pace is quick enough the novella literally flies by.
Aw, man! What the heck happened?! I was really enjoying this book almost to the very end, but then the conclusion was so abrupt and so Scooby-Doo Mystery-ish that I just had to give a BIG WTF. What a huge let-down.
To be fair though, let me talk about all the reasons that I liked this book up to that point.
1.) Two seriously hot, hot MCs. Jacob is a model so really, 'nuff said. But he is also kind, generous, and sweet - his personality is even better than his looks. Guy is a super-gorgeous, rich, and powerful mage that simply adores Jacob. These two men together...talk about sizzling. 2.) Murder mystery. Someone is killing models and Guy is investigating. When he finds a possible connection between the models and his own beloved mate, Jacob, it's even more important to solve this mystery 3.) Interesting world creation. I liked Ms. Kell's world of hidden magic with mages and Magic Councils, etc. This has a lot of potential for future sequels.
This book was on a 4 star track for me but I just can't overlook the ending. I don't want to give everything away but this was the definition of anti-climactic. *sigh* SO close and yet so far...
This book DID receive a lot of strong ratings (some even from my friends) so definitely check those out before deciding whether to read this book or not. Even though I didn't like the ending, I liked the rest of the book enough to give Book #1 in this series a try.
I love the stories that Amber Kell writes for us! Yes, there are always those little, annoying things that are missed along the way to getting it published that drives me half insane... but, I really don't care! I feel like I am talking with an old friend when I read one of her books, and this one was no exception. A little drama, mystery, and magic goes a long way to bring Jacob and Guy together... and the "who done it?" It was a good one... I didn't see it coming. Also, it was good to spend time with Will and Cash and now I look forward to book 3 of this series!
Fairly average book for me. I was rather disappointed that this book just didn't have alot of paranormal aspects to it and didn't do anymore world building. This was pretty much an Alpha male, insta-love mating bond book. I really didn't feel real attached to the characters and they felt pretty shallow to me. Guy was the growly alpha male determined to get and protect his mate and Jacob the level head pretty boy. Most of the book was spent on the two getting together and having sex the plot was just an afterthought.
I can't say I loved it but I didn't hate it either but, oh boy, did it end weirdly. It seemed a little abrupt and unfinished but at least it filled in the gap I had in the series. Not sure if I'll bother reading anymore of it, I suppose it will depend on funds and if the blurb sounds interesting enough for me to spend them on it.
This continues to be one of my favorite series from this author...I enjoy the characters and the plot, and I especially like getting read a longer story from this author! Very enjoyable, I really loved this one!
Good paranormal m/m romance about a centuries-old wizard who runs into a model at a club and realizes the model is his fated mate. Too bad someone's out there, killing models...
Charming and stunningly handsome model, Jacob Richmond, is back in town from yet another photo shoot overseas. Tired and desperate just to sleep he meets his cousin David at a dance club. He is going to stay at David's place, but his cousin wants to show Jacob off to his friends. After a quick "Hello" Jacob goes to exit the club only to be accosted by a burly stranger. Then, to his aid come Guy Franks, magical investigator for the Wizard's Council. Jacob is grateful, but when even Guy gets too forward he brushes him off and leaves with nothing in mind but privacy and sleep. Guy is investigating a magical crime involving the murder of models, but he is smitten by Jacob. Little does Jacob know that Guy is convinced that they are mates. Guy uses his every skill to ensure that they meet again.
Modeling Death is number two in the series Hidden Magic by Amber Kell. Will and Cash, from the first book, make cameo appearances in this one, but really this book can be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy gay romance, with a spice of magic, and the intrigue of an unsolved crime, this is the book for you. While there are explicit sex scenes in the tale, this is really a sweet story centring on the charm of the characters and the game of romance. Kell has the reader's attention from the opening pages and entices them along to the very end, with no dull spots or boring bits. At just 145 pages this book is a quick read and ideal for busy people who want to escape for a short time. Kell really is an excellent writer and this book will not disappoint.
If you are the jealous type you may hate Jacob and his amazing social success, but if not you will love him. Yes, he is a success, but he is the type of kind, friendly person that most people want things to go right for. The reader instantly likes him and also, perhaps, understands his desire for privacy and real friendship. Guy will appeal more to the alpha types, though he too demonstrates that he can be soft and caring. He is the 'tough guy' who is soft inside. He too is a success, but like Jacob he has worked for it. As the older man, he is more knowledgeable and 'in control'.
There is the intrigue of the crime, but really this book is firmly themed around romance. Sometimes we really do meet our 'sugar daddy'. Sometimes love really does happen and life falls into place. Luck also features as a theme. The idea that good things tend to happen to good people is certainly prominent is today's society. We attract our luck. We make people like us and want to do things for us by being charming and friendly.
Modeling Death was an excellent light read. I read the book in a bit of a stressed time and it really picked me up. I am happy to award it 5 stars.
Sometimes, when you meet someone, you just know that they are the one. When Guy Franks meets Jacob Williams, he realizes that Jacob is the man he's been looking for all his life, which considering he's a wizard, is a long time. When Guy rescues Jacob from an obnoxious drunk, Jacob is grateful, but not so much that he's ready to jump into bed with the stranger. Guy is determined not to let him go and with or without his magic, starts plotting a way to get Jacob in his life forever.
Jacob is a really nice, considerate, hard-working guy who is dedicated to his job as a model and interested in learning photography for his retirement years. Jacob is absolutely charming. When he comes to New York for a shoot, he stays with his cousin, David. Jacob is not interested in a relationship at the moment, but after meeting Guy, he has little choice in the matter. Once he gets to know Guy, he realizes that even though he seems pushy and rough, he's not that way with him at all. Guy treasurers Jacob and wants to protect him. When Jacob offers to help the police catch a murderer, Guy goes ballistic, but soon realizes that it's the only way. Jacob becomes a hero of sorts and Guy is even more proud of him.
Guy is used to getting his way, regardless of what anyone else wants. When he meets Jacob, he's almost blinded by his aura and realizes he's met his soul mate. Unfortunately for him, Jacob has other ideas and doesn't just fall at his feet the way Guy is used to people doing. That makes him even more of a challenge. Guy sets up a job for him at his sister's studio which inadvertently puts Jacob in the path of a psycho who is murdering models, but admires Jacob's courage. Despite family opposition, Guy bonds with Jacob and they grow closer and more in love all the time.
One of the nicest surprises of this story was the invitation and subsequent attendance of Cash and Will's wedding. It was nice to visit with them again, and delightful to discover, until now, unrevealed magic abilities which make a huge difference in everyone's perception of Jacob, including his own. I'd recommend this story to anyone wanting a love story with suspense and adventure, and, of course, a happy ending. Thanks, Amber, for the magical romance.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Sometimes it only takes an instant to know your fate. Guy is certain the beautiful model he meets by chance in a bar one night is his mate. Yet Jacob is not quite as willing to give into Guy’s domineering ways. When Guy realizes Jacob could be the next target of a serial killer, he has to decide whether to confide in Jacob about his magic or try to protect the man without him knowing.
Modeling Death is a decent enough book with extreme characters and a focus more on sex appeal than the murder-mystery portion. The main characters, Jacob and Guy, are thinly developed and pretty shallow. They are one-dimensional in that they are simply perfect exaggerations. Jacob is gorgeous, sweet, super successful but never bitter or mean instead he’s the most kind model there ever was, the most hard working, the most beloved of all clients and photographers. He’s so perfect that it’s hard to feel any connection since he never steps out of that perfection into any realness. Likewise Guy is simply there to grunt, grumble and be possessive over Jacob while being filthy rich, handsome, and loving.
The story has a murder mystery plot with a serial killer going after models but this never really materializes much. Additionally there is a paranormal aspect with Guy being a wizard and Jacob having some kind of latent magic he doesn’t know about but this element isn’t well described so much as simply stated. The writing is decent with an emphasis on the cute interactions between Jacob and Guy. There are a few sex scenes to satisfy fans and mostly this serves as an easy enough to read but forgettable story.
This is apparently a sequel to an existing book but I think it easily can be read on its own. Fans of the author are likely to appreciate the book as it stays within the same parameters as most of her books. The same positive and negative qualities seem to persist from book to book without much change so if you’re familiar with Kell you know what you’re getting. It’s a fun book to pass the time with.
Guy, being the self-serving type, does take a while to warm up to. But by the end everyone’s suitably mushy.
Regarding the killer tons of questions are left unanswered (even such simple ones as how). Then again that aspect of the plot hardly provides the main interest. It’s all about the lovey-dovey stuff.
Not much else to say, I’m afraid.
2011 Review:
This was an great sequel to what I remember as a very enjoyable book. Sequel only in the magical background and connected through a character who appeared in book one and is a protagonist of book two. Couple number one makes an appearance through to phone calls and in person only in the epilogue. So it’s not the tightly connected sort but very satisfying for someone who liked the first one too.
So yeah. Very sweet. It was nice to see Guy becoming so totally devoted to Jacob and of course Jacob held the usual appeal of the ‘bottom’ type protagonist the author favours. Okay, let me amend that. One of the best bits about this book was that sexual preferences that way were not taken for granted and ended up being entirely equal. *pumps her fist in the air* Yes! That usually makes me happy, especially after so many, many books with the standard division in body types, personality traits and sexual position.
Anyhow, to get back to what I was about to say, Jacob’s charm magic certainly worked on me. He was just so sweet and nice and his effect on people was illustrated even more than told (although there was that too).
Being the nitpicky sort and slowly drifting back from the blindness necessitated by reading a long series of silly bits, I should add that while the writing was entertaining and all, perhaps there were a few too many repetitions. Exposition style things only have to be said once; adding a paraphrasing of the same attitude in three small paragraphs in one and a half pages seemed a touch overdone. It wasn’t jarring though.
It was fluent, but had a few WTF. For example the telling someone about the existence of wizards, magic and so on felt way too unclimatic. Sure it is such boring news, you'd rather go home to sleep since you are tired and do not want to find out more. The reaction felt fake. Also Guy mentions investigation and Jacob doesn't react at all. Nothing like What investigation? Since it wasn't mentioned to him before.
And Guy seemed to change too much. I had an image of him and he started acting out of character a little. Just didn't feel right.
This isn't the same version of the book that I read. This is the older one. I am really starting to love this series though. Jacob and Guy are perfect for eachother and it was great to see Guy's happy ending after meeting him in book one. There was one editing issue. Jacobs last name is Richmond but he was called Reynolds once. And I noticed in the blurb for the older version his name is Williams. odd.
I loved this book. It is the second one in a series. This one is about Guy finding his mate and he does with Jacob who is a model. These two went through some up and downs in their relationship but they worked it out and fell further in love with each other. I can not wait to read the next book in this series. Erin
I liked this book. It had an unexpected ending and a main character who's a decent, nice, non conceited, not an a-hole model. I also liked the mystery aspect. Trying to guess who the creep was while also getting to see their relationship develop was fun. A good read that I'd recommend.
I didn't care for this one at all. It had potential but just never reached it. It was predictable and a bit sappy. If it was a movie, I would say the acting was bad. I struggled to finish it, but stayed with it to the end anyways.
"Guy threw back his head and laughed. "They are the perfect couple." Jacob wrapped his arms around Guy. "No, we're the perfect couple, but we'll let them be second place." Guy smiled and kissed his mate, letting him know without words how happy he was to finally have found his perfect mate."
I absolutely LOVED this book! It may be a short story, but it packs quite a punch. If you enjoy model murder mysteries with a magical twist, you DEFINITELY need to get your hands on this Amber Kell tale.