Before meeting Zeke Roswell, Miles Winter’s priorities were clear: business, then pleasure. Before Zeke, he wouldn’t have cleared his desk earlier than usual, waiting for his artist lover to share his preparations for his latest gallery exhibit—on bondage. And he certainly wouldn’t have let Zeke try out some of the pieces on him, right there in the middle of his office. If he’d had any choice, that is.
Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
The concept of an ambush has a distinctly negative connotation considering that it means a surprise attack, but in Clare London's book, 'Ambush’, she presents an extraordinary type of ambush which proves to be anything but detrimental.
Miles and Zeke were introduced in 'True Colors’, the first book in this series. They're a complicated, but fascinating couple, still testing their limits and reassuring themselves and each other of the strength of their love. One of Zeke's goals is to get Miles to loosen up and try new things. Zeke wants Miles to experience being physically restrained and submissive, under his control, to trust him completely. He persists in the seduction, but is prepared to stop at any point, if he felt that Miles was truly distraught. As it turns out, even though Miles is feeling insecure and way out of his comfort zone, he's also extremely excited by it all.
After 'True Colors', I'd have said that it wouldn't be possible for things to heat up any more than they already had, but I'd have been wrong. Their performance in this interlude almost caused the mercury to burst right out of the top of the thermometer. Throughout it all, their hard-earned respect and love for each other burns hotter and shines more brilliantly than even their passion does. This story may be read alone, but I suggest reading 'True Colors' first, because without the background story, it won't be as meaningful. If you want to read a short, passionate story about two men who are very much in love, 'Ambush' would be a great choice. Thanks, Clare, for once again turning up the heat.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
This title was provided free by the author or publisher for review purposes. Review originally posted at Brief Encounters Reviews.
Rating: B
This sizzling hot short story is a sequel to London's 2009 novel True Colors (paperback version currently discounted on Dreamspinner's site), but you really don't need to have read the original as everything you need to know about Zeke and Miles is recapped in the first third of Ambush.
I picked Ambush for review because I'd enjoyed reading True Colors and thought it would interesting to revisit Zeke and Miles. Admittedly, it's a long time since I read the novel, but I could remember how it reminded me of a Harlequin romance with a twist: the millionaire, driven businessman clashing with the feisty, red-headed artist whose gallery he has bought. Sparks truly did fly when they were on page together, and it didn't take long for the lust to boil over. The sex was white-hot and very explicit, so I had high hopes for this short - and the two that are to follow over the next couple of months.
Ambush certainly didn't disappoint. The story is made up of one scene between the two men, taking place over no more than about twenty minutes in Miles' office after everyone else has gone home. This close focus on the two men, and the limited setting and time scale all gave a real intensity to their erotic encounter. As always, Clare London's writing flows smoothly and she gives just the right amount of background detail to set the scene, without detracting from the dynamic between the two men.
By now Miles and Zeke are an established couple, but it's clear to see that they still have a lot to learn about each other - sexually as well as emotionally. Partly this is because they are so very different. Miles is composed and logical—an "establishment animal"—whereas Zeke is far more intuitive and spontaneous.
Miles watched for signs of distress or tension, trying to pitch his responses to Zeke's more volatile moods.
It was never easy, being with Zeke.
This time Zeke springs a surprise on Miles by pulling out his bag of inspirational pictures and objects for an exhibition with a bondage theme. As the blurb makes clear, one of the pieces then gets used on Miles—but I don't want to give any more spoilers so I'm not saying which! This isn't really what I would describe as a BDSM story as it involves two novices playing with a fairly tame piece of play equipment, but that doesn't make the power exchange any less exciting. There's a real thrill for Miles in giving up control, especially as it's shot through with fear and nervous excitement. The resulting scene will be especially hot for anyone who enjoys suit porn, as there's a sharply dressed man in a state of partial undress getting very messy indeed!
The only thing that knocked this story's grade down from a potential B+ was the rather slow first third. It's hard to see how the author could have avoided this while still giving the back story, but the recapping of their history in their conversation wasn't as exciting as the rest of the story, and made the pacing rather uneven. I'm hoping that the next two stories are able to leap into the action quicker, now that us readers have been reminded of what happened before. I love the hints London gives us of what might happen in the next story, and am intrigued by Miles' newfound interest in bottoming for Zeke.
In short then, a must for anyone who's read True Colors and wants to catch up on the boys. And for new readers? If you enjoy men in suits getting down and dirty, this should do the trick. Indeed, anyone who enjoys a scorching hot story with well fleshed-out characters and interesting power dynamics should give Ambush a try. Definitely recommended.
I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to read this book. I admit that I’m a shameless fangirl of the first book in the series, True Colors by Clare London. It is one of my favorite M/M romances because Miles and Zeke stole this reader’s heart when the story was published years ago. I had heard rumors that Ms. London planned at some point to write a sequel to True Colors, but after time, I admit I began to lose any hope of reading more about them. Then to my happy surprise, Ms. London has written a short story continuing Miles and Zeke’s story a few short months after the first book left off.
Ambush is basically a small glimpse in the lives of Zeke and Miles. Zeke is a sexy and impulsive artist and Miles is a handsome, tough as nails business man. Even though they are polar opposites, Miles and Zeke have an intense and emotional connection together that is beautiful to watch. It’s apparent that not only do they love each other, they also like and respect each other too. Both men like to push each other out of their comfort zone, but in a gentle way without making the other person too uncomfortable. The bond and communication between them is amazing, and I was thrilled to read more about them.
Ambush is the second book in the True Colors series. It could be read as a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend for those who have not read the first book, True Colors, to read it first. This way you can truly understand and appreciate the amazing and dynamic relationship that Miles and Zeke have. I hope that Ms. London will hurry up and write the next installment of the series *cough* Carter’s story *cough* and I anxiously wait for the next book in this wonderful series.
3.5 Miles Winter is an executive. He works hard, with very long hours. He has achieved corporate success. Now, with the arrival of Zeke Roswell into his life, he has also achieved love life success. Zeke is an artist (the story of their meeting and falling in love apparently occurs in True Colors), one who rarely shares his projects with anyone beforehand. This time, however, he wants to come by the office to discuss the latest exhibit.
The story is a sex scene in Miles’ office, with just enough of the relationship showing through to make me want to go back and read the original. They are both still a little insecure, not really sure that the other understands how much they mean to each other, how good they are together. The sex is hot, and a stretching of boundaries for Miles. It’s a quick, easy read.
I really enjoyed True Colors and was happy to see short stories available giving us a further glimpse into the lives and relationship of Miles Winter and Zeke Roswell. This story was really freakin hot. Just...damn. Truly it is a very short story that is basically a sex scene between Miles and Zeke at Miles’ office.
As a reader, a sex scene just for sex really doesn’t do that much for me. However, a sex scene that is well written, hot and truly has the characters present in a way that allows me to connect with them, well THAT I enjoy! Clare London does that quite well in these Miles and Zeke short stories. If you liked True Colors, you will definitely want to read this short story.
A very hot short story where Zeke and Miles try something new.
It was great to read more about this couple and their fledgling relationship, where they are still testing boundaries, both a little unsure, but very willing to try new things. So sweet and oh, so hot!
This was a nice, typical hot scene with Zeke and Miles. I love that these two are still moving along with the same intensity as they had in the beginning of their relationship, but I really wish this were longer.
Sexy short of an after hours visit by Zeke to Miles office, along with a few samples from his next gallery exhibit on bondage. Time to get some practical, hands on experience with some of the exhibits.
kindle edition. Part two of a series involving an artist and his corporate boyfriend. Will only really flow well for you if you have read the book before it.