Raincheck

by Sarah Madison

Rodney isn’t like other gargoyles. No doubt it’s because of his fascination with humans and their culture. For decades he’s been content to observe from the shadows, but then a lonely human wanders onto Rodney’s rooftop one night and turns his world upside down. David Marshall is everything Rodney has wanted in all his years of solitude. Rodney manages to keep his crush and his identity a secret until David needs a gargoyle’s protection more than late-night conversations with a reclusive friend. Will David be able to see past the monstrous exterior to the true person within? Time is running out, and Rodney must try to grab onto life—and love—before it’s too late.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Short Stories, M M Paranormal

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
When I read the summary, I immediately felt intrigued. A gargoyle? That doesn't come frequent in stories imbued with paranormal element. As soon as the chapter starts, I am drawn to Rodney's voice as a character. He is a 150-years old gargoyle. He is used to being alone, a a keen observer of humans and life that passes him by. Until one night, when a 35-year old David Marshall walks into the rooftop, and he can actually hears Rodney. They are involved in conversations and become friends -- even if Rodney never shows his true self to David. And after decades in solitude, Rodney finds himself yearning ...

When I commented on her journal, Sarah Madison said that she had soft spot for Rodney, the Gargoyle-in-Love. I think that is truly shown on how she writes Rodney's character. He stands out for me -- with his love for books, his small token of collections, and his first-time feeling for David. Even when he conducts a voyeurism, I feel nothing but soft heart for him. All throughout the pages, I wish so badly for Rodney to find his happiness. There is the right amount of angst near the end, which tears up my heart a bit for Rodney's acceptance of his fate. But no worries, this story gives you HEA. A sweet one, as well.

The only thing that sort of stopping for for the perfect 5-stars is my sense of "lackness" in David as character. He is kind of "pale" compared to Rodney. I don't feel like I know him as much. And, I wonder if it's even possible for David to completely accept Rodney when he first sees him, without so much as freaking out.

A satisfying romance, albeit short. But when it is well-written, I have nothing to complain about.

[Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting paranormal story about a gargoyle crushing on a tenant of the building he rests on. Fun snarky gargoyle dialogue with a pretty sweet romance and a clever ending.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because it made me smile and i really enjoyed it.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I enjoyed this book, but I really wish it had been longer!

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

A very cute and sweet read! I absolutely loooved the premise of this story and Rodney, the gargoyle, was just too awesome for words. His love for books, his train of thought, his crush on David - all those elements were great and made this story enjoyable.
However, there were some things I had a few problems with: David's acceptance of Rodney is a bit too quick, too easy. Let's not forget that we talk about something that changes your complete outlook on the world and life. I mean if I met a mythical creature - I'd first probably pee myself and then spend the next hours/days/weeks/months rethinking everything I thought I knew about the world.
Then, the physical part: Accepting Rodney as a friend is one thing, but to throw yourself into interspecies sex like that? I'm not saying it's bad, just that I'd expect David to need a little more time to get used to the idea.
And finally, the resolution to the whole story seemed a bit too easy as well. I loved the build-up to it, very moving and emotional. The resolution itself felt like a bit of a let down compared to that, really.

An unusual story and just for that alone I'd recommend reading it. As it happens, it's also enjoyable and entertaining, even if not without flaws, so all the more reason to have a look at it :-D

[Eden Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed a bit of escapism, something short and quick to read that captured my emotions. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cry, I wanted to say, "Awww..." And I wanted to do it all on my lunch break. Yeah, it's a lot to ask of a short story. Luckily, I found just that in Raincheck, by Sarah Madison.

A gargoyle, infatuated with a human? Cool. The best part is that the ending wasn't transparent. Ms. Madison had me guessing right up until the end. The part where Rodney sat on the rooftop, contemplating what the next few minutes might bring? Brilliant. She drew me in, had my heart breaking, yet allowed me a little bit of hope. I felt so deeply for Rodney, his pain, his resignation, his regret.

His carefully kept little horde of "treasures" also had me sniffling, recalling the things we all keep tucked away that might be labeled "junk" by others, but to us is irreplaceable.

David was the perfect love interest, at a place in his life where he needed a change, to stop in his tracks and take a new direction, Rodney as his unseen career advisor. I love how David insisted being there for the end. Sniff. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

Wonderfully, fully engaging story. Sweet without being syrupy with a satisfying ending. Highly recommended.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, by far, one of the sweetest short stories I have ever read. What surprised me were the moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity that I was so not expecting. 'Raincheck' is a sweet story about looking beyond the outside and valuing what is inside.

Rodney is a hundred and fifty year old gargoyle. He's a little worried because the base he rests on during the day is cracking. If it falls during the day with him in his stone form, he will die. Once his base is gone, Rodney will have nowhere to return at the end of the night and he will cease to exist. One night he meets David, a tenant in the building. Rodney thinks David is the most beautiful man he's ever seen. He knows, though, that he can't show himself to David because that will end their burgeoning friendship. Until the night that Rodney rescues David from a mugger, and everything changes.

Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews

[Hal Evergreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Rounded up for Goodreads, because I am totally enamored with Rodney the gargoyle.

This story about a gargoyle who falls in love with a lonely human completely charmed me. I have never read or even heard of another romance that featured a gargoyle as a protagonist, so Raincheck felt really different for that reason. And Rodney is no ordinary gargoyle. Rodney is a sweet but tactless gargoyle with a love for all things human, particularly human literature. I found him completely endearing. David was a good character too, but he was much less fleshed out than Rodney. I really wish this story had been expanded to a full length novel so that both the romance and the gargoyle lore could have been explored more thoroughly. Still, I highly recommend it. I want to go back and read it all over again now.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVELY romance! The choice of the protagonist and only narrator be the gargoyle was perfect!

imagine it... a gargoyle


and a rich man


in love!
Oh great story... I really love it and it's a pity it's so short!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of this book states that the character(s) are lonely. I've read that before in descriptions; but the author, Sarah Madison, truely achieved that feeling. For me, this is the first time that a book evoked such abiding sadness and loneliness in and for the character. Your heart will just break for the Rodney/gargoyle character. Rodney is a very likable character and despite his century plus age, his gentle heart and naiveté are endearing.

The story sets up the pending intimate relationship between the duo in a believable way. Rodney and human, Dave, have a chance meeting where Rodney from the shadows calls BS on Dave's "I can't escape my guilded cage" excuse at an unhappy life. Over the course of a long period Dave seeks out Rodney despite never getting a glimpse of Rodney. Dave respects Rodney's desire to stay in the shadows, but values his conversations and budding friendship with Rodney. During this period of time Rodney is developing strong emotional ties and beyond friendly feelings for Dave. Rodney looks over Dave without Dave's knowledge and one night comes to his rescue. Dave's acceptance of Rodney as a gargoyle is really quite cute. It's at this part where the reader starts to see Dave's deeper feelings for Rodney as well. The culmination of the relationship is very tame with the focus being more on the feelings and not so much on the sexual act. Liking the characters so much, I would have liked a little bit more graphic description of their interlude as it felt a little abrupt. Overall, it was a very sweet and heartfelt story.

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This was such a good novella. I didn't quite know what to expect from a gargoyle's POV, but it was fantastic. While it is a kind of beauty and the beast theme, it is just so unique in the telling. I enjoyed every minute spent reading it. Rodney the gargoyle is a charmer and David, his very human source of attraction, is such a nice guy.
Yep, charming storytelling.
Review at http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued instantly by the blurb to this because I don't think I've ever read the story of a gargoyle before. I really enjoyed it and the only problem I had was its length - I was left wanted to read more! Great little read that I would definitely recommend :)

[H.B. Pattskyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet--a wonderful read. My only complaint: I would have liked it to be longer, only because I really enjoyed it and wanted more of it to enjoy! I guess as complaints go, that's not such a bad one ;-)

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

Another short story, which automatically makes it half a story. It was cute and technically well written and edited. Rodney the gargoyle was loveable (I actually shed a couple of tears for his predicament), but I felt unfulfilled at the story's conclusion.

[Davina · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending was kind of predictable but good, Rodney was sweet and engaging(i think). thou short its a must read

[Wave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story will warm your heart as you fall in love with Rodney.

Rodney stood on his concrete base every day until sunset ever since he had been shipped in a packing crate from England in the 1920′s to form part of the rain spout system at the Freemont building. There weren’t many of his kind left; the older buildings were being torn down and the newer ones weren’t commissioning gargoyles. As far as he could remember he was 150 years old. Recently the base on which he stood every day had been disintegrating fast and the crack in the concrete was getting bigger. Maybe one day his pedestal would go tumbling 30 storeys to the street, which would not be a good thing since it would take Rodney along for the ride.

One evening when the sun went down and Rodney came alive he was all set to fly but it was too early, so he hid in the dark in his usual spot behind the air conditioner on the roof. After midnight a man came up to the roof and it was obvious that he was angry about something. He had a bottle of whiskey in his hand and started drinking from it. When it appeared that he was going to smash the bottle Rodney suggested that it would be a pity to waste good liquor – of course he didn’t expect the man to hear him since no one ever had before. The man was startled when he heard Rodney’s voice and tried to see who was talking to him, but Rodney hid further in the darkness so that the man (David was his name) would be able to hear but not see him. David was angry because his father had issued an ultimatum – either toe the family line and get married to a woman or he was out on his ear. Unfortunately David had no skills but Rodney told him that at 35 it was time he flew the nest rather than freeload off his family. David took his advice.

Rodney’s main entertainment was looking through the skylight of David’s apartment at night and creating fantasies of them sitting opposite each other in his apartment reading the books in his huge collection, as well as playing chess, watching television or sharing meals, the sort of things that a couple would do. He would stay on his perch until almost daylight when he hurried back to his pedestal. No one knew what happened to a gargoyle who was not back in his spot before dawn, but he had heard that the gargoyle would turn to dust.

One night as Rodney was checking on David who was out for the evening he saw him being mugged and Rodney rushed to his rescue and flew him home. Would David be horrified to see what his friend looked like? Was a romance between a gargoyle and a human possible?

This was a delightful fantasy with a perfect ending. Rodney’s character was well developed and in David’s eyes he could do no wrong. Both MCs were three dimensional and the story provided the right level of heartbreak and angst which morphed into a very happy ending. There’s also lots of humour in the dialogue between David and Rodney. Although there wasn’t much sex, when it happened it was just right. I would have loved for this story to be longer so that Rodney’s background and his possible future with David could be more fully explored but Sarah Madison made the most of the minimal word count. As with the previous book I reviewed by this author, her prose and dialogue were much better than average and she did a great job on the world building.

If you’re looking for an unusual paranormal story with two well matched protagonists I would recommend that you read Raincheck.

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rodney has lived in Manhattan for decades, but he has never visited the Metropolitan Museum. He’s never browsed in one of the city’s famed bookstores, or enjoyed an espresso in a Greenwich Village café, or strolled through Central Park on a spring afternoon. He exists on the fringes of society, observing people and events, collecting odds and ends that attract him, making sardonic comments that no one hears.

Although Rodney yearns for a richer life, he accepts his limits. After all, there’s not much he can do about them. Rodney is a gargoyle, destined to spend each day on his base atop a nineteen twenties building as a hunk of inanimate stone. The setting sun sets him free to swoop between the skyscrapers on powerful wings and grab whatever scraps he can salvage of the city’s complexity and beauty. At dawn he hurries back to his perch, before he turns to dust.

Then one night a beautiful, sad young man climbs to the rooftop that is Rodney’s domain. Unlike other humans, David can hear Rodney’s voice. The two strike up an odd friendship, bonding in their mutual love of books and their frustration with the greed that is destroying New York’s past. Rodney hides in the shadows, afraid that a glimpse of his hulking body, leathery wings and vicious claws will drive his companion away. When David’s life is threatened, however, Rodney has no choice but to reveal his true nature.

I enjoyed this novella, the first gargoyle paranormal erotic romance I’ve encountered. If there are conventions to this sub-genre, I’m not aware of them. Hence I didn’t know what to expect (though of course I knew Rodney and David would eventually become lovers). The ending (which I’ll keep under my hat!) took me by surprise, an experience that I welcome.

Ms. Madison successfully brings Rodney to life (no pun intended), showing the reader his pain and his resignation. He’s such a sweet guy, you can’t help but love him. David is less fully fleshed out, but that is perhaps to be expected in a relatively short tale (65 pages) told from a single point of view.

Although the book does include a bit of explicit sex, it’s pretty mild compared to many of the MM books I read—not to mention the ones I write! There’s no coyness, however. I particularly liked the way the author describes Rodney’s physical reactions and the damage they do to David’s apartment. After all, human dwellings weren’t designed for seven foot tall creatures with wings!

A bit more local color would have enriched the texture of the story. I don’t think Ms. Madison is all that familiar with New York City. Aside from a mention of the Metropolitan Museum, there’s nothing specific to Manhattan in the tale, and that, in my opinion, weakens the book’s effect. New York is one of the few places in the US where it would be plausible to find a gargoyle, but to be honest, Raincheck could have been set anywhere.

This is a relatively minor criticism, from a reader who perhaps cares more than most about setting. Overall, Raincheck is a quick, satisfying, romantic read with a distinctly different premise and an appealing hero.

[Vivian ♪(┌・。・)┌ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lol.

Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system. It's just, it's so out of the norm, you know? Demons, vampires, werewolves, fairies/faeries,and even goblins-- psht. Been there, done that. I thought I'd sort of seen it all you know?

Then BAM!

Here comes a gargolye.

Anyway, in regards to the story, I thought it was a very sweet and short little novella. Very good to pass time when you're bored/lonely/grieving between angst-filled books.

I think, one of the main reasons this didn't get a four or five stars was because of the whole gargoyle shmazzle. I have nothing against gargolyes, it's just that sometimes I couldn't help but cringe at some of things I read. It's not that there was some intense or extremely cringe-worthy scenes, it's just that when I tried to imagine a gargoyle doing some of that shit I sort went all Woah woah. Back off a bit lad. I need to process some shit. I mean seriously, imagine a gargoyle (but turned to life, and fleshy with all blood and shit), masturbating . Can you? I can't. And when I tried it was like, again, Woah woah. Back off a bit lad. I need to process some shit.

Which also brings me to another point. I could not imagine what Rodney looked like. It's not that Sarah Madison didn't provide sufficient description or anything. I just-- I just couldn't imagine him like being intimate with David. I felt so. . . weird and a bit uncomfortable reading it.

But aside from that I thought it was such a cute story, and I definitely wouldn't deter you from reading it if it caught your eye. It was a nice in-between story.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one just grabbed me right away, as I thought the idea of a gargoyle was so unique. I was expecting a sort of gargoyle shifter – as if he wouldn’t appear as a gargoyle all the time. That’s not the case – Rodney is a gargoyle, for real. He perches on the stone base on the roof of the old building David lives in and is a true gargoyle. When the sun sets he can leave his perch and do things. Rodney has been around a long time. No one really knows why one gargoyle of each building can move around, but he can. There is also an unknown as to what happens if a gargoyle doesn’t return to the perch. One tried it, and he was assumed dead. Rodney has been content, if not happy, with his life. Then he meets David, who has just realized the wealthy life his father has set out for him isn’t the one he wants.

There are some scenes that you get to see how un-human Rodney is (when David leaves him a sandwich and he loves it except for the little wooden sticks holding it together that he eats until he realizes he isn’t supposed to) and others where you get to see how amazing Rodney is “Any cage where you have the key, where the goddamn door is open, only you’re too chickenshit to walk out of it, is no cage at all”. Spoken by a being truly caged.

I so enjoyed this story (and Sadie, when I get old I want to be like her) and it is written well, with imagination and care for the characters. My first Sarah Madison story will not be my last.

[Lasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This is the third book by Sarah Madison I have reviewed and once again, Ms. Madison did not disappoint me. Raincheck is the touching story of Rodney, a gargoyle who longs for human contact. Enter David Marshall, a man who lives in the building Rodney is perched on. The two meet on the roof of the building one night and begin a friendship that will eventually change both of their lives.

The premise of Raincheck seemed intriguing. I had never read a romance where the main character was a stone gargoyle during the day and allowed to take form at night. The novella is told from Rodney’s POV and the longing, melancholy and desire Rodney shows for the outside world is profound. Plus the attraction between David and Rodney reminded me of one of my favorite television shows, Beauty and the Beast and added to the fairy tale aspect of the book.

Raincheck is one of those books that you wish was longer as the characters, plot and setting are perfect. I highly recommended this story.

Dark Divas Reviews

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gargoyal? This was a short but fun read, never even thought of a gargoyal being a character. Ms. Madison's imagination worked for her. It was a little hard with the review only because of the length of the book. A steady pace that if it was longer, the characters would have had a chance to fill out more. I did like the story just it seemed a little rushed.
A hot gargoyal who'd have thought, a bit different than the normal mystical beasts that are usually found in paranormal stories. Ms Madison give Rodney life with her detail from David eyes. At first Rodney stays in the shadows, It has to be exhausting anytime youre seen they scream, faint or pray. (smiles) But David after being rescued by Rodney its not fear at all but excitement. I Both men have their share of naughty thoughts, until Rodneys time comes short... with not base to go back to, will Rodney survive the coming dawn? If you want a cute quick read then enjoy this one.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this and I absolutely adored Rodney! His voice throughout the story and his interests in human life were just so much fun to read about.

I thought the idea of a gargoyle as the main character was very interesting and different. I can only think of a few m/f stories I have read with a gargoyle character, and just one other author who is writing a m/m gargoyle story, so I really love that it's different and brings a whole new set of rules and conflicts that you can play around with.

I was kinda hoping that Rodney would turn human somehow by the end. I would love a story with Rodney getting used to being human and his life with David.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very sweet. Up until the very end I wasn't positive whether there would be a happy or sad ending. (It was happy.)

I loved the gargoyle mythos and would love to read more in that world. I wanted more about what happened that night in David's apartment--the best part was off page--but the story was the right length. My main quibble is that the ending wasn't really portrayed dramatically enough for what it was.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The focus of this lovely m/m paranormal romance is the developing relationship between the gargoyle Rodney and his human love interest. Since it is a novella, there is not much else going on, but the story is perfect for the length. Rodney's voice is adorable, you can't help but root for him. David isn't a POV character, but the reader is shown enough to make him believable.

[Cooper West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this story! It is a modern and romantic fairy-tale with unique, lovable characters. Rodney the gargoyle, particularly, was heartbreaking in his sincere affections and innocence. As Rodney's life as a gargoyle nears its end, the story turns very angsty but it is (as I always expect from Madison) happily resolved. It is a lovely story that I highly recommend!

[Clover · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really good story about a gargoyle finding love with a human.
Rodney was sweet and lovely. remind me a lot about the gargoyles tv show that went on tv some years ago. I loved that show and Rodney kind of remind me about the main character.

[ManOhMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Portia: This is a pretty short read. But, Sarah Madison has managed to pack a lot of punch in this little tale. There is angst, there is laughter and the sex is hot. The only reason I don’t grade this A, is because I wish that it had been longer. Highly recommend.

B+

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novella was interesting reading experience. I wouldn't mind reading more about Rodney and David.

[Merith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Rodney is someone, no matter his form, that you'd want to know and be friends with.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I really enjoyed this story! You can't help but love Rodney and feel for him. Plus, the gargoyle storyline was interesting. :)