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The Avondale Stories #5
Magic Fingers
"An Avondale Story" David Majors should be looking forward to a long and prosperous life: after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he's attending college courtesy of Uncle Sam and riding the fast track to success. He's tall, fit, and good-looking, so shouldn't the world be his oyster? But underneath his clothes-and beneath the surface-David is a mess of scar tissue and insecurity. Then he meets Kevin Boxer, another former Army Ranger. Their first night together, Kevin stares David's scars in the face and doesn't flinch, instead showering David with the passion and attention he craves but never imagined possible. Slowly but surely, Kevin helps David rebuild his confidence, and the two of them begin to build their life together. But their journey is far from over, and it turns out Kevin may need David to help him heal some scars of his own.
240 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 20, 2011
Overall
Although this books is promoted as stand alone (part of the Avondale series), I don't think readers who aren't already familiar with the characters from the other Avondale stories will take much from this novel. Although the initial premise is interesting and promises emotional and psychological exploration, the story mainly just follows Kevin and David from their first passionate meeting through to many years later.
The difficulty of finishing the novel is that if you haven't read any of the previous Avondale books, very few, if any, of the characters hold much meaning, so the reader is just guided through everyday life while constantly waiting for something to happen. Nothing does. This may be a good read for fans of Avondale who want to know more about this couple, who I'm guessing make appearances in the other novels (which is why the story got 2 stars instead of 1), but I wouldn't recommend it to the random reader.
Strengths
This story has a very interesting concept that I was eager to see explored: A man deprived of his manhood in modern day America. I've dealt with similar concepts before, but the social environment was never the same, although certain implications still stood true. In Magic Fingers, David not only has to come to terms with his injury, but he has to face others judging him in a very personal, intimate manner. And until he meets Kevin, he's never come across someone who hasn't walked out. There was a potential for great emotional and psychological depth to be explored here.
The writing wasn't bad, but it did feel a little stiff--or at least not strong enough to make up for the lack of story. It was good enough that I did finish the novel, even though the plot and characters didn't entice me.
Weaknesses
This story lacks any real plot line. Although plenty of things happen from beginning to end, none of them are explored thoroughly or as a driving focus of the story, except maybe David's injury. But even that isn't given it's due as while it affects multiple things in the story, it never really goes beyond surface tension. The lack of plot is the biggest weakness of this story as it takes two characters and gives them easy challenges that they always overcome, sometimes with the help of family and friends. The conflicts are always outside sources that are taken care of within a few pages. This read more like a happy dream-fantasy than a novel.
I was also a little disturbed with how David told his father about his injury. Perhaps that shows my own prejudice, but I don't know many sons who would just drop their shorts in front of their father. This was after several other incidents (the party where David first walks around naked in front of other people) that made me feel very disconnected to the characters. They live in a very different world from me and the author never helped me bond with them.
Spoilers below
*
*
*
I think the most frustrating part of this story is that there are so many potential points of interest that could have been developed. David's injury obviously caused him plenty of previous psychological issues, but when Kevin accepts him (instantly) there is little further drama, except when David is expected to walk around nude or tell his family. Potential for emotional/psychological development that was never touched upon.
Kevin's family is pretty messed up, but he's turned out alright, probably due to his great aunt's and grandmother's influences. The book blurb is probably referring to this as the scars that David will help him heal, but these didn't feel like scars so much as scratches from a pricker bush. Band-aids and kisses made them all better.
Finally, they adopt Kevin's nephew, who has abandonment issues, which they talk about and are careful about, but never really need to face. Another potential for developing characters that was left as something that was talked about but never explored.
All these points suffer from the reader being told the story instead of shown it. Even the writing style goes along these lines, as the first person perspective switches between the two leading males as if they are taking turns telling someone their life story. I think this would have worked better if we were shown one major event in their lives instead of being told about all of them.
Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
Although this books is promoted as stand alone (part of the Avondale series), I don't think readers who aren't already familiar with the characters from the other Avondale stories will take much from this novel. Although the initial premise is interesting and promises emotional and psychological exploration, the story mainly just follows Kevin and David from their first passionate meeting through to many years later.
The difficulty of finishing the novel is that if you haven't read any of the previous Avondale books, very few, if any, of the characters hold much meaning, so the reader is just guided through everyday life while constantly waiting for something to happen. Nothing does. This may be a good read for fans of Avondale who want to know more about this couple, who I'm guessing make appearances in the other novels (which is why the story got 2 stars instead of 1), but I wouldn't recommend it to the random reader.
Strengths
This story has a very interesting concept that I was eager to see explored: A man deprived of his manhood in modern day America. I've dealt with similar concepts before, but the social environment was never the same, although certain implications still stood true. In Magic Fingers, David not only has to come to terms with his injury, but he has to face others judging him in a very personal, intimate manner. And until he meets Kevin, he's never come across someone who hasn't walked out. There was a potential for great emotional and psychological depth to be explored here.
The writing wasn't bad, but it did feel a little stiff--or at least not strong enough to make up for the lack of story. It was good enough that I did finish the novel, even though the plot and characters didn't entice me.
Weaknesses
This story lacks any real plot line. Although plenty of things happen from beginning to end, none of them are explored thoroughly or as a driving focus of the story, except maybe David's injury. But even that isn't given it's due as while it affects multiple things in the story, it never really goes beyond surface tension. The lack of plot is the biggest weakness of this story as it takes two characters and gives them easy challenges that they always overcome, sometimes with the help of family and friends. The conflicts are always outside sources that are taken care of within a few pages. This read more like a happy dream-fantasy than a novel.
I was also a little disturbed with how David told his father about his injury. Perhaps that shows my own prejudice, but I don't know many sons who would just drop their shorts in front of their father. This was after several other incidents (the party where David first walks around naked in front of other people) that made me feel very disconnected to the characters. They live in a very different world from me and the author never helped me bond with them.
Spoilers below
*
*
*
I think the most frustrating part of this story is that there are so many potential points of interest that could have been developed. David's injury obviously caused him plenty of previous psychological issues, but when Kevin accepts him (instantly) there is little further drama, except when David is expected to walk around nude or tell his family. Potential for emotional/psychological development that was never touched upon.
Kevin's family is pretty messed up, but he's turned out alright, probably due to his great aunt's and grandmother's influences. The book blurb is probably referring to this as the scars that David will help him heal, but these didn't feel like scars so much as scratches from a pricker bush. Band-aids and kisses made them all better.
Finally, they adopt Kevin's nephew, who has abandonment issues, which they talk about and are careful about, but never really need to face. Another potential for developing characters that was left as something that was talked about but never explored.
All these points suffer from the reader being told the story instead of shown it. Even the writing style goes along these lines, as the first person perspective switches between the two leading males as if they are taking turns telling someone their life story. I think this would have worked better if we were shown one major event in their lives instead of being told about all of them.
Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
July 13, 2012
A Hearts on Fire Review
Etienne's "Magic Fingers" is fifth book in his Avondale series about two men falling in love while each man battles their personal obstacles. This is a first time read from this author for me. According to the book's description, both men are former soldiers of the U.S. Army. David Majors is battle scarred and insecure of a very significant injury he received (SPOILER ALERT: He had genital damage via grenade during his tour and had a penectomy.) David is insecure about his body and looks for sex in gay bars in Jacksonville, FL. There he meets Kevin Boxer, supposed to be a one-night stand hopeful but becomes the love his life.
Sounds good right? Two former soldiers finding love and Kevin was billed as helping David exorcise his personal battles of his disfigurement. Also, Kevin has his own personal scars that David might needs to help him overcome as well. From what the book description and the above mentioned, you might expect angst ridden alphas males dealing through emotions and grappling their way into love. Maybe even some trials and tribulations on that quirky road leading to love? Well readers get to reach that pinnacle with both men...at page thirty. Kevin and David meet, have that one night stand that extends over a weekend, then days, into a vacation and then love.
The story peaks at page 30, yet is a 200+ page novel. And were those pages very, very long.
In "Magic Fingers", I enjoyed Etienne's including hot button topics of current American culture and gay culture. He touched upon injured war veterans, coming out to their families, bigotry, the difficulty same sex couples face with legalities such as leaving property for your partner when the other passes, adoption, becoming an accountant and even dealing with the T.S.A. at airports.
The author's execution of these issues varied as was the pacing of the story and the tone, sometimes forthright, sometimes elusive, sometimes nonsensical, mostly flat. The characters did not really emote anything after page thirty. The comments were dry and at some points unnecessary. An example of this being pages of Accounting 101 - even one of the characters remarked that accounting information was boring. If the character let's the reader know it's also boring, there's a problem. Why include tedious information?
The author repeats this including details upon details of extraneous information with weak executions leaving many chapters at odd points and uneven flows into chapters. At first I enjoyed the blunt delivery of the characters but then they just became one-dimensional, repetitive and...boring. And then the important issues such as Kevin's family history and the supposed scars that he have were never discussed. He never brought up issues with his family until much later after these men declare their love. The author gave pages on how to set up a living will or purchasing a home and setting up leases but didn't detail the more important information a reader would like to know.
Also there's one scene that I though that was degrading in my opinion but apparently helped David from feeling like a "freak" by having other gay men place bets while watching his lover give him a prostate message during a party. David has body image issues and what his lover decided is seeing him come in front of an audience of virtual strangers (Maybe series readers might know of these couples but I didn't). And these place bets. Don't worry folks, the men won the bets.
What might have made the story better? Maybe a nonobjective editor or beta reader or critique group that would help point of these concerns. The ending of the story was disjointed. The dialogue became weird (David pulled down his pants in front of his father & his father creepily asked him how he and his partner have sex) at times or just plain ridiculous (see previous example). Also there was no plot line or interesting events to drag this story for more than thirty pages. This was a short story stretched into a novel with nothing supporting the length to make "Magic Fingers" interesting.
I gave the story an extra star, making it a total rating of two, because I do believe the author had great intentions with choosing such a flawed chracter as David Majors. I've never read of a hero with genital damage to his extent.
Who would I recommend this story to? Current fans of Etienne's Avondale series as they would probably appreciate the references of past featured couples, lovers of drama-less romance stories and enthusiasts of gay accountants' love lives.
Etienne's "Magic Fingers" is fifth book in his Avondale series about two men falling in love while each man battles their personal obstacles. This is a first time read from this author for me. According to the book's description, both men are former soldiers of the U.S. Army. David Majors is battle scarred and insecure of a very significant injury he received (SPOILER ALERT: He had genital damage via grenade during his tour and had a penectomy.) David is insecure about his body and looks for sex in gay bars in Jacksonville, FL. There he meets Kevin Boxer, supposed to be a one-night stand hopeful but becomes the love his life.
Sounds good right? Two former soldiers finding love and Kevin was billed as helping David exorcise his personal battles of his disfigurement. Also, Kevin has his own personal scars that David might needs to help him overcome as well. From what the book description and the above mentioned, you might expect angst ridden alphas males dealing through emotions and grappling their way into love. Maybe even some trials and tribulations on that quirky road leading to love? Well readers get to reach that pinnacle with both men...at page thirty. Kevin and David meet, have that one night stand that extends over a weekend, then days, into a vacation and then love.
The story peaks at page 30, yet is a 200+ page novel. And were those pages very, very long.
In "Magic Fingers", I enjoyed Etienne's including hot button topics of current American culture and gay culture. He touched upon injured war veterans, coming out to their families, bigotry, the difficulty same sex couples face with legalities such as leaving property for your partner when the other passes, adoption, becoming an accountant and even dealing with the T.S.A. at airports.
The author's execution of these issues varied as was the pacing of the story and the tone, sometimes forthright, sometimes elusive, sometimes nonsensical, mostly flat. The characters did not really emote anything after page thirty. The comments were dry and at some points unnecessary. An example of this being pages of Accounting 101 - even one of the characters remarked that accounting information was boring. If the character let's the reader know it's also boring, there's a problem. Why include tedious information?
The author repeats this including details upon details of extraneous information with weak executions leaving many chapters at odd points and uneven flows into chapters. At first I enjoyed the blunt delivery of the characters but then they just became one-dimensional, repetitive and...boring. And then the important issues such as Kevin's family history and the supposed scars that he have were never discussed. He never brought up issues with his family until much later after these men declare their love. The author gave pages on how to set up a living will or purchasing a home and setting up leases but didn't detail the more important information a reader would like to know.
Also there's one scene that I though that was degrading in my opinion but apparently helped David from feeling like a "freak" by having other gay men place bets while watching his lover give him a prostate message during a party. David has body image issues and what his lover decided is seeing him come in front of an audience of virtual strangers (Maybe series readers might know of these couples but I didn't). And these place bets. Don't worry folks, the men won the bets.
What might have made the story better? Maybe a nonobjective editor or beta reader or critique group that would help point of these concerns. The ending of the story was disjointed. The dialogue became weird (David pulled down his pants in front of his father & his father creepily asked him how he and his partner have sex) at times or just plain ridiculous (see previous example). Also there was no plot line or interesting events to drag this story for more than thirty pages. This was a short story stretched into a novel with nothing supporting the length to make "Magic Fingers" interesting.
I gave the story an extra star, making it a total rating of two, because I do believe the author had great intentions with choosing such a flawed chracter as David Majors. I've never read of a hero with genital damage to his extent.
Who would I recommend this story to? Current fans of Etienne's Avondale series as they would probably appreciate the references of past featured couples, lovers of drama-less romance stories and enthusiasts of gay accountants' love lives.
August 14, 2011
The story was interesting and unique. Everything developed really fast in this story or all plotted events happened fast. There was a lot of developments in character lives true the story. In general it was unique writing style, which was hard one too. But, Mainly because a lot of emotions were left out, like they weren't important. I liked the plotted story, even If it was without emotions.
August 10, 2011
2.5 strong beginning but then wanders off into dullness
October 19, 2012
Someone told me to skip this book and I should of listened. =(
April 28, 2012
3 1/2 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
David Majors was devastatingly injured during his last tour of duty and after being rejected by dates because of his injuries, he is fast losing hope of finding someone who can accept him scars and all, Kevin Boxer is also looking for someone to share his life and won’t let David’s injuries get in his way. These two men will support each other through the coming years no matter what is thrown at them and come out the other side even stronger.
I thought this story was really good and I was shocked at the extent of David’s injuries but thought he was an extremely strong character as he was able to continue on with his life even after the rejections he suffered at the hands of his callous dates. Kevin’s support was incredible and showed that not all men are b******s. The way that he was so matter of fact over the injuries and worked around them and also encouraging David to act like there was nothing wrong and being matter of fact about it with other people was inspiring.
The only problem that I had with this book was that it didn’t affect me enough emotionally, this book should have had me reaching for the tissues but it didn’t, the characters were a bit too bland and straightforward, when David was explaining to his father the truth about his injuries I couldn’t feel any emotion coming off him, there was no passion behind his words, he could have been telling his dad what he had for supper for all the effect it had on me and I think it was a great shame because if anything should have had me sobbing my heart out that would have been it.
So fantastic story but slightly shallow characters, but, I would recommend this for the story alone.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
David Majors was devastatingly injured during his last tour of duty and after being rejected by dates because of his injuries, he is fast losing hope of finding someone who can accept him scars and all, Kevin Boxer is also looking for someone to share his life and won’t let David’s injuries get in his way. These two men will support each other through the coming years no matter what is thrown at them and come out the other side even stronger.
I thought this story was really good and I was shocked at the extent of David’s injuries but thought he was an extremely strong character as he was able to continue on with his life even after the rejections he suffered at the hands of his callous dates. Kevin’s support was incredible and showed that not all men are b******s. The way that he was so matter of fact over the injuries and worked around them and also encouraging David to act like there was nothing wrong and being matter of fact about it with other people was inspiring.
The only problem that I had with this book was that it didn’t affect me enough emotionally, this book should have had me reaching for the tissues but it didn’t, the characters were a bit too bland and straightforward, when David was explaining to his father the truth about his injuries I couldn’t feel any emotion coming off him, there was no passion behind his words, he could have been telling his dad what he had for supper for all the effect it had on me and I think it was a great shame because if anything should have had me sobbing my heart out that would have been it.
So fantastic story but slightly shallow characters, but, I would recommend this for the story alone.
August 21, 2011
Magic Fingers written by Etienne is a story about two former Army Rangers, both served in Iraq and Afaganistan but at different times and different units so they never met, they both left the army to go to college and moved to the same area, attending two different schools, they eventually meet in a gay bar. David is injured while in afganistan by a grenade, he unfortunately lost his penis in the explosion, leaving him bereft and finding it difficult to take on a lover whos understanding about his impairment. That is until he meets Kevin, the two quickly fall in love and the story moves from there. I found it difficult to get a real feel about the characters, they seemed two dimensional, the story itself interesting, it discussed the drawbacks homosexuals have in the military, as well as coming out to a family, and some of the legal aspects of protecting your same sex lover, but there seemed to be a lack of real emotion though out the story that left it bland. I don’t see myself recommending this book to others.
October 3, 2011
I really enjoy Etienne's writing, and this book did not disappoint me. This story is about two alpha males both ex military,over coming obstacles, old injuries but in the mean time they find love.
Etienne's story telling gives us just enough sex to show us even with limitations imposed on them from an injury the love they have for each other.
This story has a grandmother coming to live with them and the men trying to adopt his newfew.
Great addition to the Avondale series.
Etienne's story telling gives us just enough sex to show us even with limitations imposed on them from an injury the love they have for each other.
This story has a grandmother coming to live with them and the men trying to adopt his newfew.
Great addition to the Avondale series.
Read
August 25, 2011I won't give this a star-rating at all, because I didn't finish it.
This was the first book by Etienne I tried, and I'm not on the same wavelength with the style of writing.
I got about one third through it and then gave up. Not for everyone, though the story blurb was interesting enough.
This was the first book by Etienne I tried, and I'm not on the same wavelength with the style of writing.
I got about one third through it and then gave up. Not for everyone, though the story blurb was interesting enough.
couldn-t-get-through
February 21, 2020So...this couple was flavorless and I was trying to push through but then a character said, “Mike and I aren’t like most gay men. For that matter we don’t particularly like most gay men—all too many of them are way too gay for us” and I knew I was done. Just no.
October 8, 2014
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
Review from the first when I read it the first time
I liked this book, it felt very male in its style and some might struggle with they way the flow feels like your being barked at and this is exacerbated by the first person perceptive that flips between David and Kevin. But it works for these characters as they are ex military and are not the most verbose people. I like that this story takes place over a few years of their life and it is the story of their life together, I also liked that the injury David suffered was handled with sensitivity and honesty keeping it from being the main focus of the story. This defiantly was not a story about a poor hard done by man, but the story of a man trying to make a life for himself and those he loves but this is not really a love story but a life story, and a blooming good one at that. My only complaint would be the book ended very abruptly, I would have liked to know the outcome of the airport incident and maybe a little of a tie up but then maybe I am just being greedy as I really liked these men as a couple and as people.
Review from re-reading it.
OK the first difference I found this time was my opinion of the writing style, because I have read more from this author I am used to and like the style. The story is still as compelling and I still feel a bit cheated by the ending. I spend a good couple of minutes thinking some of the book was missing then I remembered that it was the ending. Instead of being angry this time it has made me want to read the next book just in case it gives me the skinny on the court case and what happens with their little family and I want to know more about George and Mike so i guess i will have to read more of this series now!
Review from the first when I read it the first time
I liked this book, it felt very male in its style and some might struggle with they way the flow feels like your being barked at and this is exacerbated by the first person perceptive that flips between David and Kevin. But it works for these characters as they are ex military and are not the most verbose people. I like that this story takes place over a few years of their life and it is the story of their life together, I also liked that the injury David suffered was handled with sensitivity and honesty keeping it from being the main focus of the story. This defiantly was not a story about a poor hard done by man, but the story of a man trying to make a life for himself and those he loves but this is not really a love story but a life story, and a blooming good one at that. My only complaint would be the book ended very abruptly, I would have liked to know the outcome of the airport incident and maybe a little of a tie up but then maybe I am just being greedy as I really liked these men as a couple and as people.
Review from re-reading it.
OK the first difference I found this time was my opinion of the writing style, because I have read more from this author I am used to and like the style. The story is still as compelling and I still feel a bit cheated by the ending. I spend a good couple of minutes thinking some of the book was missing then I remembered that it was the ending. Instead of being angry this time it has made me want to read the next book just in case it gives me the skinny on the court case and what happens with their little family and I want to know more about George and Mike so i guess i will have to read more of this series now!
April 4, 2015
A love story for the ages...David Majors is a former Army Ranger that got his dick blown off in the war.He feels like a freak and wonders if he is destine to only find love with his dildo. In walks Kevin also a former Army Ranger who has mental wounds from a dysfunctional family. It's love at first sight, Kevin accepts David's dicklessness and sees the man, and with the magic fingers is able to bring David into an orgasms he never experienced even when he had a dick. I mean for goodness sake Dave was a top and now he's a bottom getting his prostrate massaged with Kevin's magic fingers makes him cum again and again. This novel is a keeper with such laughable scenes as Dave walking proudly and dickless around the Y, Dave and Kevin showing new friends how they achieve sexual satisfaction thru Kevin's magic fingers, Dave showing his dad his dickless features, and Dave's mom crying over her poor dickless child...Talk about your penis envy. This book is suppose to be a serious novel, but I found myself giggling at dickless Dave and his loving man Kevin...Also the author throws in an adoption of a child/nephew (we get your standard heartless straights who can't raise a child), and also an old wise woman who accepts this couple!Also let me not forget the big confrontaion between our happy couple and a cruel and heartless TSA personnel and thank goodness a reporter who happens to be a friend of David's filming of what happens...Oh this book is so bad it's good!
December 25, 2015
Etienne's "Magic Fingers" is fifth book in his Avondale series about two men falling in love while each man battles their personal obstacles. This is a first time read from this author for me. According to the book's description, both men are former soldiers of the U.S. Army. David Majors is battle scarred and insecure of a very significant injury he received (SPOILER ALERT: He had genital damage via grenade during his tour and had a penectomy.) David is insecure about his body and looks for sex in gay bars in Jacksonville, FL. There he meets Kevin Boxer, supposed to be a one-night stand hopeful but becomes the love his life.
Sounds good right? Two former soldiers finding love and Kevin was billed as helping David exorcise his personal battles of his disfigurement. Also, Kevin has his own personal scars that David might needs to help him overcome as well. From what the book description and the above mentioned, you might expect angst ridden alphas males dealing through emotions and grappling their way into love. Maybe even some trials and tribulations on that quirky road leading to love? Well readers get to reach that pinnacle with both men...at page thirty. Kevin and David meet, have that one night stand that extends over a weekend, then days, into a vacation and then love.
Sounds good right? Two former soldiers finding love and Kevin was billed as helping David exorcise his personal battles of his disfigurement. Also, Kevin has his own personal scars that David might needs to help him overcome as well. From what the book description and the above mentioned, you might expect angst ridden alphas males dealing through emotions and grappling their way into love. Maybe even some trials and tribulations on that quirky road leading to love? Well readers get to reach that pinnacle with both men...at page thirty. Kevin and David meet, have that one night stand that extends over a weekend, then days, into a vacation and then love.
August 17, 2011
I wanted to like this book; I really did. The MC are ex-military, army rangers...totally my thing. One of them is seriously injured, so the possibility of a hurt/comfort theme...totally my thing. Throw in a kid, which I couldn't predict from the blurb...totally my thing. Unfornately, the unemotional writing just didn't get me there. Most of the dialog was stilted and sounded monotone to me and there were hardly any internal dialogues. Could this be one of those instances where a male writer just writes differently than a female? If so, then I plead ignorance because most of the M/M books I read are authored by women.
I do have to give props to Etienne for tackeling an unusual injury. David returns from combat with an injury that affects him sexually. I don't want to give anything away, but when reading the other MC description of the injury, I received a visceral reaction in my gut. I felt shocked. I've never read about this type of injury before.
Like other reviewers, I agree that the first half of the book was better than the second half. So based on the unusual injury and the better first half, I rounded up my rating from a 2.5 to a 3.
I do have to give props to Etienne for tackeling an unusual injury. David returns from combat with an injury that affects him sexually. I don't want to give anything away, but when reading the other MC description of the injury, I received a visceral reaction in my gut. I felt shocked. I've never read about this type of injury before.
Like other reviewers, I agree that the first half of the book was better than the second half. So based on the unusual injury and the better first half, I rounded up my rating from a 2.5 to a 3.
August 24, 2011
Etienne has hit one out of the ballpark with this one.
He takes an extremely sensitive subject (loss of a body part in a grenade attack) and handles it with discretion.
This is the story of two strong men, alpha-males if you will, both of whom are former Army Rangers, and one of whom sustained a serious injury.
There is just enough sex to demonstrate that people who love each other can please each other, despite the limitations imposed on one of them.
The human element is very much present, particuarly when Kevin's widowed grandmother comes to live with them, and finally when they adopt his nephew.
Another Avondale story filled with interesting characters—some new, some familiar.
He takes an extremely sensitive subject (loss of a body part in a grenade attack) and handles it with discretion.
This is the story of two strong men, alpha-males if you will, both of whom are former Army Rangers, and one of whom sustained a serious injury.
There is just enough sex to demonstrate that people who love each other can please each other, despite the limitations imposed on one of them.
The human element is very much present, particuarly when Kevin's widowed grandmother comes to live with them, and finally when they adopt his nephew.
Another Avondale story filled with interesting characters—some new, some familiar.
August 21, 2011
As usual, Etienne doesn’t disappoint with this latest installment of his Avondale Series. He tackled a serious combat injury (don’t want to say here what it was because I don’t spoil it for people that haven’t read the book yet) in, what I thought, was a really good way. He had both of his MC’s growing throughout the book. While, so far, most of the books have had a “mystery” theme to them, this one doesn’t, but it introduced us to wonderful new men in Avondale. I hope we hear more from them again. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 22, 2011
I had a really hard time with this book. I wanted to like it, because going by the blurb it sounded like the kind of books I enjoy reading. But it felt flat, no emotion. And that's too bad, because a lot of stuff happened to them and felt as if their reaction was "oh, well it happened and now let's move on".
May 22, 2016
Well written story. One I have read more than once.
An author who writes interesting stories and is worth following!
An author who writes interesting stories and is worth following!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews