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Vertigo
After losing his lover to mental disorder, Dr. Hayden Curry throws himself into work, silently wishing he could experience something extraordinary in love. He finds his match in David, a creature Hayden revives after discovering him and hauling him back to his lab. Upon awakening, David asks Dr. Hayden’s help in discovering more about himself. Hayden agrees but senses secrets in David. Will he get to the bottom of things and be able to continue the special relationship he and David have, or will the secrets that come forward tear them apart?
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96 pages, ebook
First published January 20, 2012
32 people want to read
About the author
Michael Mandrake
57 books181 followersMichael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on romance but rather the mainstream and/or obscure plots we might encounter in everyday life and beyond. To find out more please visit https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 24, 2012
Dr. Hayden Curry is alone. He's had to institutionalize his lover, and his work - examining the natural and unnatural world - is a lonely and hard world. The London of 1916 is a very conservative place, and his unnatural bent leave him hiding big parts of himself.
When he is called in to examine a strange creature, part man and part animal, he is fascinated. He brings the carcass home to examine and is stunned when it turns out to be alive still. And when it turns human, into a beautiful man named David, he doesn't know what to think.
Especially when David cannot remember his past and forms an immediate connection and attraction to Hayden.
Hayden agrees to help David find out how he came to be, where he came from, and what he is. And in the meanwhile, the two fast become lovers. Companions.
But when David's secrets start to surface, and the truth of his past come to light, will the Hayden still want to be with him? Or will it be too much?
Michael Mandrake has written a very interesting, dark and twisted tale of romantic obsession here. It's very reminiscent of a Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker novel, and that's a very good thing. The very old fashioned feel to the prose makes the horror of the book so much sweeter, and the whole atmosphere just...works.
This is at heart a love story, and some love stories turn dark. Without giving away too much, there are hard choices to be made here, and horrible things have been done. This is not a light or sweet tale, but a heavy and philosophically dark tale.
Mr. Mandrake nailed this story. It has the feel of foggy moors and creatures hiding in the shadows. Creepy and romantic and shivery.
Curl up under the blankets and read. And enjoy.
Tom
When he is called in to examine a strange creature, part man and part animal, he is fascinated. He brings the carcass home to examine and is stunned when it turns out to be alive still. And when it turns human, into a beautiful man named David, he doesn't know what to think.
Especially when David cannot remember his past and forms an immediate connection and attraction to Hayden.
Hayden agrees to help David find out how he came to be, where he came from, and what he is. And in the meanwhile, the two fast become lovers. Companions.
But when David's secrets start to surface, and the truth of his past come to light, will the Hayden still want to be with him? Or will it be too much?
Michael Mandrake has written a very interesting, dark and twisted tale of romantic obsession here. It's very reminiscent of a Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker novel, and that's a very good thing. The very old fashioned feel to the prose makes the horror of the book so much sweeter, and the whole atmosphere just...works.
This is at heart a love story, and some love stories turn dark. Without giving away too much, there are hard choices to be made here, and horrible things have been done. This is not a light or sweet tale, but a heavy and philosophically dark tale.
Mr. Mandrake nailed this story. It has the feel of foggy moors and creatures hiding in the shadows. Creepy and romantic and shivery.
Curl up under the blankets and read. And enjoy.
Tom
February 22, 2012
Interesting story about a fallen angel, David, who has watched over Hayden since birth. David wants to be in Hayden's life, to be his everything. Hayden does not always agree with David's wants. David crosses the line for Hayden when he confesses the lengths he would go to be in Hayden's life. Trying to repair the damage causes David to become Satan's minion. I liked Hayden. David was harder to like because something wasn't quite right. I knew David was withholding information. I did like the ending though it was dark.
June 4, 2013
loved it! but then again, i'm not surprised in the least, i love all michael's stuff! this is one worth checking out if you like m/m and/or if you like your books with a paranormal character.
January 22, 2012
I'm the author. I think you'll like the story. It started as a steam punk when I wrote the short for it last year to go inside Riding the Rocket but then it morphed when I went to finish.
It's a paranormal historical with some horror elements. A surprising ending that hopefully won't disappoint.
Please read the excerpt.
http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com/2012/...
It's a paranormal historical with some horror elements. A surprising ending that hopefully won't disappoint.
Please read the excerpt.
http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com/2012/...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews