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Altered States #0.5
Altered States
Official Description: New Orleans Police Detective Sam Garrett can't believe his bad luck when he's assigned to investigate a string of gay-bashings turned deadly in the French Quarter. Especially when he realizes Travis Boudreaux, his new, hot, and most-likely-straight partner, plans to use him as bait. The worst part? They’ve got no back-up because the rest of the city is preoccupied by another series of killings — the victims drained of blood.
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
This son of a bitch has been underneath my skin ever since he transferred into the department. Word has it that he's one of the best damn homicide detectives in the city, but the fact of the matter is that he's a Grade A arrogant asshole. Pretty much every time he opens his mouth, I want to slug him – or stick my tongue down his throat, I'm not always really sure which, or even if I want to choose one. My libido doesn't seem to give a tinker's damn that I'm pretty sure he's straight, and while jerking off in the shower is starting to get pretty damn old, I foresee a lot more of it in my future – because the Chief just paired us up to work a new case…
Photo Description: Handsome man, dressed in a suit, could be a business professional, with just a touch of a smirk as an expression.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
This son of a bitch has been underneath my skin ever since he transferred into the department. Word has it that he's one of the best damn homicide detectives in the city, but the fact of the matter is that he's a Grade A arrogant asshole. Pretty much every time he opens his mouth, I want to slug him – or stick my tongue down his throat, I'm not always really sure which, or even if I want to choose one. My libido doesn't seem to give a tinker's damn that I'm pretty sure he's straight, and while jerking off in the shower is starting to get pretty damn old, I foresee a lot more of it in my future – because the Chief just paired us up to work a new case…
Photo Description: Handsome man, dressed in a suit, could be a business professional, with just a touch of a smirk as an expression.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.
41 pages, ebook
First published May 27, 2012
28 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Harner
12 books44 followersAlternate name for Laura Harner.
Raised in California, Laura likes it hot, which explains why she ended up in Arizona via such diverse places as Japan, Maine, and Florida, and many more places in between. After retiring from the US Navy, she found a niche working for land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Though she has held many jobs around the world, her favorite was working and living in Grand Canyon National Park. Working (and eating) in New Orleans was a close second. You will find many of her books are set against the rich backdrops provided by coastal Louisiana and northern Arizona.
When asked how she started writing, Laura tells of waking on Boxing Day a few years ago, with a woman named Elena MacFarland yammering in her dreams, demanding her story be told. Despite never attempting to write fiction before that morning, Laura ignored all of the holiday visitors and the Highland Destiny series was born. She doesn’t believe it was a coincidence that the great grandmother who died when Laura was just a baby was named Elena MacFarland. Destiny does play a hand.
Laura became a full-time writer in 2012, and now she spends her time writing, watching her Arizona Diamondbacks, and working on her very own version of the Willow Springs Ranch in northwestern Arizona.
Raised in California, Laura likes it hot, which explains why she ended up in Arizona via such diverse places as Japan, Maine, and Florida, and many more places in between. After retiring from the US Navy, she found a niche working for land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Though she has held many jobs around the world, her favorite was working and living in Grand Canyon National Park. Working (and eating) in New Orleans was a close second. You will find many of her books are set against the rich backdrops provided by coastal Louisiana and northern Arizona.
When asked how she started writing, Laura tells of waking on Boxing Day a few years ago, with a woman named Elena MacFarland yammering in her dreams, demanding her story be told. Despite never attempting to write fiction before that morning, Laura ignored all of the holiday visitors and the Highland Destiny series was born. She doesn’t believe it was a coincidence that the great grandmother who died when Laura was just a baby was named Elena MacFarland. Destiny does play a hand.
Laura became a full-time writer in 2012, and now she spends her time writing, watching her Arizona Diamondbacks, and working on her very own version of the Willow Springs Ranch in northwestern Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
July 1, 2016
Sam Garrett, New Orleans Police Detective is assigned to investigate a string of gay bashings. Much to his annoyance, he is paired with a new partner, the unbelievably hot and most likely straight Travis Boudreaux.
I didn’t read any reviews before, so I was pretty shocked by how their investigation ended. Thankfully, the story takes a surprising twist at the end, so it’s all good.
Altered States is an awesome and intriguing prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye, first book of the Altered States series.
I didn’t read any reviews before, so I was pretty shocked by how their investigation ended. Thankfully, the story takes a surprising twist at the end, so it’s all good.
Altered States is an awesome and intriguing prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye, first book of the Altered States series.
May 28, 2013
Go grab a bag of M&M's and a glass of tomato juice and enjoy the ride that's Altered States!
Huh, you say? Tomato juice, you say?
Yeah, well, I'll explain later. First, let's talk about that cover for a bit. If you're anything like me, you always firmly tell yourself not to judge a book by its cover and then end up sneakily avoiding it because of it anyway. And boy, does this cover give me MC Hammer flashbacks! It's definitely not a good idea to write off Altered States because of this though. For this short prequel - it's only 35 pages long - to the second book in the series, Deep Blues Goodbye, is fast paced, action packed, sexy pulpy fun! And if that isn't enough; it's also free and comes with a main character who is a tough, café au lait colored gay cop with pierced nipples.
But I get carried away a little. So what's Altered States, that was originally written as part of the Love is Always Write event for the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads, all about?
New Orleans Police Detective Sam Garrett's assigned a case to investigate gay-bashings in the French Quarter. A group of sick bastards is hunting black gay men down to sexually abuse and murder them. Sam realizes that trying to lure this group in is probably going to be a pain in the ass. Then his arrogant, by-the-book and probably as straight as they come new partner, Travis Boudreaux, comes up with an interesting little plan of his own...
Boudreaux looked at me, then lowered his eyes. I thought he was staring at my feet. Embarrassed because I was naked, maybe? Then very slowly, very deliberately, his gaze raked up my body, lingered for a moment on my now slightly interested dick, then up my chest to my face. His mouth twitched into an unmistakable smirk. That was the look that made me want to slug him. "Get dressed, Garrett. You're perfect for what I have in mind." It wasn't until the door swung shut behind him that I realized what he was thinking. The straight prick figured to use me as bait.
That's right! And before Sam can get used to that unnerving idea, his partner is pressing into him in one of the local gay clubs, pretending to have the hots for him. But either Travis is a great actor, fucking with Sam's head, or there's something he's not telling. And what if the predators take the bait, zero in on them, but their back up fails to show up?
When Altered States was originally published and it was not yet clear that this would actually be a teaser for a paranormal romance (PNR) series, the major twist towards the end threw some people off. No wonder. If you're expecting a crime story with tough cops trying to solve hate crimes, it can be a somewhat confusing experience to suddenly bump into mythical creatures. Something else that you might want to take into account, is that there's not much character-depth or build up to the climax (of both the case and Sam's love life). Altered States is altogether too short for that.
Anyway, definitely make sure to give this prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye a shot. The well-written bumping and grinding will almost make you forget that these guys are supposed to be working on a rather grim case. And also because this short will give you a great, free (!) impression of a juicy and sexy new PNR series.
And finally, although the twist may now no longer be considered a spoiler, I still won't give anything away other than that I hope you enjoyed your tomato juice...
Huh, you say? Tomato juice, you say?
Yeah, well, I'll explain later. First, let's talk about that cover for a bit. If you're anything like me, you always firmly tell yourself not to judge a book by its cover and then end up sneakily avoiding it because of it anyway. And boy, does this cover give me MC Hammer flashbacks! It's definitely not a good idea to write off Altered States because of this though. For this short prequel - it's only 35 pages long - to the second book in the series, Deep Blues Goodbye, is fast paced, action packed, sexy pulpy fun! And if that isn't enough; it's also free and comes with a main character who is a tough, café au lait colored gay cop with pierced nipples.
But I get carried away a little. So what's Altered States, that was originally written as part of the Love is Always Write event for the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads, all about?
New Orleans Police Detective Sam Garrett's assigned a case to investigate gay-bashings in the French Quarter. A group of sick bastards is hunting black gay men down to sexually abuse and murder them. Sam realizes that trying to lure this group in is probably going to be a pain in the ass. Then his arrogant, by-the-book and probably as straight as they come new partner, Travis Boudreaux, comes up with an interesting little plan of his own...
Boudreaux looked at me, then lowered his eyes. I thought he was staring at my feet. Embarrassed because I was naked, maybe? Then very slowly, very deliberately, his gaze raked up my body, lingered for a moment on my now slightly interested dick, then up my chest to my face. His mouth twitched into an unmistakable smirk. That was the look that made me want to slug him. "Get dressed, Garrett. You're perfect for what I have in mind." It wasn't until the door swung shut behind him that I realized what he was thinking. The straight prick figured to use me as bait.
That's right! And before Sam can get used to that unnerving idea, his partner is pressing into him in one of the local gay clubs, pretending to have the hots for him. But either Travis is a great actor, fucking with Sam's head, or there's something he's not telling. And what if the predators take the bait, zero in on them, but their back up fails to show up?
When Altered States was originally published and it was not yet clear that this would actually be a teaser for a paranormal romance (PNR) series, the major twist towards the end threw some people off. No wonder. If you're expecting a crime story with tough cops trying to solve hate crimes, it can be a somewhat confusing experience to suddenly bump into mythical creatures. Something else that you might want to take into account, is that there's not much character-depth or build up to the climax (of both the case and Sam's love life). Altered States is altogether too short for that.
Anyway, definitely make sure to give this prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye a shot. The well-written bumping and grinding will almost make you forget that these guys are supposed to be working on a rather grim case. And also because this short will give you a great, free (!) impression of a juicy and sexy new PNR series.
And finally, although the twist may now no longer be considered a spoiler, I still won't give anything away other than that I hope you enjoyed your tomato juice...
May 29, 2012
I was completely into this story and was surprised it is only 35 pages. Thought it was a pure 'cop' mystery type and what? what is that at the end? Cool, I think....hell I will keep reading this to find out where it is going....uhhhhhh....dammit a LiaW cliffie..hee
I look forward to finding out how our sexy bad boy is sitting up at the end;)
I look forward to finding out how our sexy bad boy is sitting up at the end;)
July 24, 2014
What a pleasant surprise!
My first of Laura Harner, and be sure, my friends, not the last one!
I belong to the readers who read Acknowledgements. You too? No? You have to start to do it!
It is where I FIRST saw the name of Laura Harner.
I had a very good memory, I can keep in mind names and events that nobody need, me inclusive.
I don't do it on purpose, I just remember a lot of unnecessary things.
But sometimes it helps.
My last book was The Bible Boys of Dan Skinner and he spoke his special thanks to Laura Harner in the Acknowledgements. It is WHY when I browsed through Amazon and came across the book by the author Laura Harner I HAD to add it.
Besides it was for FREE!!!
A great start for an interesting series, I'm hooked.
It could be a wonderful start for a new affection-I really enjoyed her writing!
And you know what? It is still free on Amazon!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Altered-States-...
So, don't hesitate, because if I LIKED A PARANORMAL NOVEL...it has to have something...and it has.
Period.
May 28, 2012
What kept this from being a five star read for me was I was a little (okay a lot) confused in the beginning. I couldn't figure out who was who. So with bent confused it took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did wow. Wasn't expecting it to be like it was at all...
And the ending... WTF when is the next one? Better be soon I want more now.
And the ending... WTF when is the next one? Better be soon I want more now.
May 30, 2012
To be honest, I am mainly in state of confusion. Until the last chapter. Because that twist in the end is awesome. ALTHOUGH, I have a feeling that it is made intentionally like that, so when there's a sequel coming in August, we have to pay for it (this one is free) *snicker*. Good marketing plan, though!!
February 28, 2013
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume One.
First off I just need to vent. I think the guy in the pic looks like an uber-sleeze. OK. Moving on.
3.5 stars After finishing this story, I scrolled back up to the top of the page, saw the title out of the corner of my eye and thought, "OH, now I get it!" So yeah, I actually thought the ending was kind of cool and it redeemed a lot for me. I was starting to get annoyed when Sam was in the hospital and talking a lot about that separate murder case but then it all came together and I actually thought it was a cute little twist.
The story itself was good. Jumpy at first to give you enough background on Sam and the situation but once the case started it was pretty straight forward. The Lieutenant and her decision did piss me off though and I wish we'd gotten a little resolution on that
This is prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye.
June 15, 2012
I'm torn between like and dislike - it started sooo good. I loved the slow built of tension, the short relief and then the peak - all well done. Both MCs were believeable. But then...dang...suddenly the whole focus changed. It is not a complete story but the beginning to a new series and it ends with a cliffhanger.
When you download your book to your ereader you'll get a sneak peak into the coming book which dissapointed me. Why? Because where is Sam?
When you download your book to your ereader you'll get a sneak peak into the coming book which dissapointed me. Why? Because where is Sam?
April 13, 2013
I think that this book was a great intro to a new series. It was short but it felt pretty well developed for only 35 pages. I love sexy cops and this is like sexy cops with a twist. And a non-white MC? Very cool. I'm not into that cover but I'll let it slide. I'm certainly moving forward and reading what's up next!
July 15, 2012
There were a lot of things I really liked about this one. I loved the narrator. I appreciated that the author was able to have a black narrator without feeling obliged to have him sound like a street thug.
I also enjoyed the scene at the club when Travis reveals his attraction--SO hot!
And I appreciated the warning about the cliffhanger ending. I'm okay with those so long as I know they're coming.
I also enjoyed the way that both of the important cases were described enough for me to know what was going on, but not enough for me to get bored or start trying to make connections between them.
There were a few things I didn't like as much: scenes jump around so much at the beginning, it was hard for me to figure out what was happening. First Sam's talking to a hooker, then he's in the morgue with Travis and it sounds like he's meeting Travis for the first time, but then Sam's talking about how Travis is handling the case, and it's not clear until the middle of that scene that it's a week later.
Anyway, this was delightful in spite of my niggles, and I will definitely be reading the next installment. 3.5 stars rounded up for being free.
I also enjoyed the scene at the club when Travis reveals his attraction--SO hot!
And I appreciated the warning about the cliffhanger ending. I'm okay with those so long as I know they're coming.
I also enjoyed the way that both of the important cases were described enough for me to know what was going on, but not enough for me to get bored or start trying to make connections between them.
There were a few things I didn't like as much: scenes jump around so much at the beginning, it was hard for me to figure out what was happening. First Sam's talking to a hooker, then he's in the morgue with Travis and it sounds like he's meeting Travis for the first time, but then Sam's talking about how Travis is handling the case, and it's not clear until the middle of that scene that it's a week later.
Anyway, this was delightful in spite of my niggles, and I will definitely be reading the next installment. 3.5 stars rounded up for being free.
September 1, 2012
What a wonderful idea L.E. Harner envisioned. Vampires in America, here and now in New Orleans LA. The prequel is a must-read to meet Sam Garrett and Travis Boudreaux from the beginning. To see who they were, to feel the chemistry, the heat between them, and see what fate had in store for them.
The addition of T.A. Webb for Deep Blues Goodbye, Book 1, has added a measure of tough darkness to the storyline. Characters come alive and the story is crisp and exciting.
4.5****'Stars - Altered States
Sam Garrett, Cop, Black and Gay, a detective with the NOPD, is the 6th or 7th officer to be partnered with Travis Boudreaux. They are looking into a specific style murder appearing to be serial. The black, gay community has had a rash of rape, torture, murders. Since Garrett fits the bill as a target, he will be used as a decoy. Sam is attracted to Trav, but assumes he loves the nightlife and the women.
During that very same time, the NOPD has arrested another perp for another series of crimes, and during his walk from the police station to the car for court, he disappears the instant he hits the sunlight...now revealing to the human world the existence of Vampires. The newsrooms all over the country focus on this, and all sources that the police have are trying to keep peace in this fair city.
After nights of fishing at the local bars, Sam and Travis find they are on their own, and think they have hooked the gang. They decide to make a plan, the electricity between them is hot and Sam finds out truths about Travis Boudreax, truths they both wish to explore. Travis is not all he seemed, and the steamy meeting with them gives Sam hope of exploring a happily ever after with Travis. They go out with no backup and things go down that they do not expect. Fade to black!
The addition of T.A. Webb for Deep Blues Goodbye, Book 1, has added a measure of tough darkness to the storyline. Characters come alive and the story is crisp and exciting.
4.5****'Stars - Altered States
Sam Garrett, Cop, Black and Gay, a detective with the NOPD, is the 6th or 7th officer to be partnered with Travis Boudreaux. They are looking into a specific style murder appearing to be serial. The black, gay community has had a rash of rape, torture, murders. Since Garrett fits the bill as a target, he will be used as a decoy. Sam is attracted to Trav, but assumes he loves the nightlife and the women.
During that very same time, the NOPD has arrested another perp for another series of crimes, and during his walk from the police station to the car for court, he disappears the instant he hits the sunlight...now revealing to the human world the existence of Vampires. The newsrooms all over the country focus on this, and all sources that the police have are trying to keep peace in this fair city.
After nights of fishing at the local bars, Sam and Travis find they are on their own, and think they have hooked the gang. They decide to make a plan, the electricity between them is hot and Sam finds out truths about Travis Boudreax, truths they both wish to explore. Travis is not all he seemed, and the steamy meeting with them gives Sam hope of exploring a happily ever after with Travis. They go out with no backup and things go down that they do not expect. Fade to black!
May 3, 2015
I can't believe I almost missed out on this one. The cover doesn't do much for me so I never even bothered to read the description. But when I saw the sequel on Amazon's KDP free list my interest was piqued and I grabbed this short prequel at the same time. So glad I did. It, Deep Blues Goodbye, and Deadly Shades of Gold really are just one big story...or not even really that big. I read all three in a day. And Holy hell are they hot!
Keeping this review solely to this actual story, the reader is introduced to the two main characters, Sam and Travis. They are both fabulous. Sam makes for a wonderful narrator. He's a gay, black, New Orleans Police detective. I wish like crazy that wasn't worth mentioning, but well spoken gay black men in fiction are few and far between. He was a joy - smart, sarcastic, sexy, and honest in his lustiness. Travis was the consummate straight-man, practically Boy Scout material...or so you're initially led to believe.
There was an unexpected twist in the end. I'd read enough reviews to know what was coming, so it didn't hit me as such a WTF moment as it did others. It really was a genre changer though. I think when viewed as the first 35 or so pages of a larger story it makes perfect sense and has good timing. If I had stopped at the end of this short story, without continuing on I would have found it completely obnoxious and uncalled for.
Keeping this review solely to this actual story, the reader is introduced to the two main characters, Sam and Travis. They are both fabulous. Sam makes for a wonderful narrator. He's a gay, black, New Orleans Police detective. I wish like crazy that wasn't worth mentioning, but well spoken gay black men in fiction are few and far between. He was a joy - smart, sarcastic, sexy, and honest in his lustiness. Travis was the consummate straight-man, practically Boy Scout material...or so you're initially led to believe.
There was an unexpected twist in the end. I'd read enough reviews to know what was coming, so it didn't hit me as such a WTF moment as it did others. It really was a genre changer though. I think when viewed as the first 35 or so pages of a larger story it makes perfect sense and has good timing. If I had stopped at the end of this short story, without continuing on I would have found it completely obnoxious and uncalled for.
April 19, 2013
Another short but sweet read from Laura Harner with her writing partner Mr TA Webb.
Well actually I can't say that this was a sweet read....it features gay bashing, vamps and death, so altogether not very pleasant but it does feature the very lovely Travis Boudreaux
who is my kind of police officer...well, except for the fact that he's gay!! He and Sam made a really good couple until Travis was and Sam was and left with dreadful injuries....in fact Sam didn't know that Travis was a vamp until Travis sat up in his coffin at his own funeral and asked what was going on!!
Book number 2 up next....surely Travis and Sam can get back together??
August 24, 2012
This is fast-paced, sexy cops, and mystery with a big giant WTF ending. I was really getting into these characters and the story, but holy cow, was this way too short. I needed more and am really looking forward to reading this as a series.
Read
January 24, 2023Part of Love is Always Write - Volume 1
Read the story without reading the blurb. Started as a good cop story then had me bamboozled with the vampire murders and the strange ending! It all makes sense now as I found out this short story is a cliffhanger lead into a paranormal series.
Read the story without reading the blurb. Started as a good cop story then had me bamboozled with the vampire murders and the strange ending! It all makes sense now as I found out this short story is a cliffhanger lead into a paranormal series.
December 30, 2015
Altered States
Short story written for Don’t Read in the Closet Events, this was a great quick read that hit all my requirements; sexy bad boy, a little angst, action, murder mystery, pairing of two detectives (one openly gay and the other ??), and hot-hot-hot!
Yay - two authors that are new to me and I’ll definitely be looking for other books written by TA Webb and Laura Harner.
The ending threw me for a loop and I quickly realized this was a prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye – whew!
If you like a good murder mystery & erotic m/m romance, I suggest you pick this up.
Short story written for Don’t Read in the Closet Events, this was a great quick read that hit all my requirements; sexy bad boy, a little angst, action, murder mystery, pairing of two detectives (one openly gay and the other ??), and hot-hot-hot!
Yay - two authors that are new to me and I’ll definitely be looking for other books written by TA Webb and Laura Harner.
The ending threw me for a loop and I quickly realized this was a prequel to Deep Blues Goodbye – whew!
If you like a good murder mystery & erotic m/m romance, I suggest you pick this up.
March 18, 2019
2nd read - May 20, 2013
Starting a re-read because I've finally gotten to Book #3 in my list and figure I should refresh. So I'm, re-reading the Prequel and Book 1 or 2 or whatever they call it :) I found that the Prequel was free on Amazon so I picked it up to have the complete set :)
I've read the following two books and find that this was a great lead in. Got to know the characters and their circumstances.
Recommended.
1st read - Jul 15, 2012
Good story build up. Loved the characters. Fantastic ending.
Starting a re-read because I've finally gotten to Book #3 in my list and figure I should refresh. So I'm, re-reading the Prequel and Book 1 or 2 or whatever they call it :) I found that the Prequel was free on Amazon so I picked it up to have the complete set :)
I've read the following two books and find that this was a great lead in. Got to know the characters and their circumstances.
Recommended.
1st read - Jul 15, 2012
Good story build up. Loved the characters. Fantastic ending.
June 18, 2012
Hmm==I didn't really care for the twist/ending. It didn't seem to fit the story. Then I read the excerpt for the new story which is written from the point of view of Trav & some guy named Danny. What happened to Sam Garrett who was in this short story? Why bother setting up this Trav & Sam Garrett storyline if you're creating a new pair with this Danny character? Kind of made this story seem like a waste.
May 30, 2012
Holy crap the ending shocked me...so totally NOT what I was expecting. WOW
November 16, 2012
The writing was very good and the story was good right until the end when the author decided to introduce the vampires. And... end the story at the same time.
August 29, 2014
Slight spoiler ahead. Then again, if you've seen the "Genre tags" on the right side of this page, not really...
I probably should have read the blurb more thoroughly before. Then I'd have known that this was just the prequel (and less a standalone story) of a vampire series.
Because all was pretty good right up until the ending. But the ending itself??
Felt tremendously rushed... Like: Btw, there are vampires walking among us humans on this earth was only worth a footnote. Why write a prequel for a vampire mystery series at all if the most important stuff gets only mentioned in passing?
The sudden vampire twist within the romance part of the story -- okay, sudden within the plot of this particular story, not if the reader is familiar with the series in a whole -- came out of nowhere.
If you ask me, the whole thing would have been a pretty good read without the paranormal component. Or it would have helped at least if that part had been introduced a bit more smoothly and in a less rushed fashion.
For fairness sake's, I have to admit that I really, really don't like vampires. Like at all. (Ok. True Blood being the exception to that rule. Sue me. ;P )
And usually, I avoid reading anything that has fangs and bloodsucking in it quite successfully. So that probably didn't help the books case to win me over...
I probably should have read the blurb more thoroughly before. Then I'd have known that this was just the prequel (and less a standalone story) of a vampire series.
Because all was pretty good right up until the ending. But the ending itself??
Felt tremendously rushed... Like: Btw, there are vampires walking among us humans on this earth was only worth a footnote. Why write a prequel for a vampire mystery series at all if the most important stuff gets only mentioned in passing?
The sudden vampire twist within the romance part of the story -- okay, sudden within the plot of this particular story, not if the reader is familiar with the series in a whole -- came out of nowhere.
If you ask me, the whole thing would have been a pretty good read without the paranormal component. Or it would have helped at least if that part had been introduced a bit more smoothly and in a less rushed fashion.
For fairness sake's, I have to admit that I really, really don't like vampires. Like at all. (Ok. True Blood being the exception to that rule. Sue me. ;P )
And usually, I avoid reading anything that has fangs and bloodsucking in it quite successfully. So that probably didn't help the books case to win me over...
October 9, 2014
For those of you who doubt the ‘freebie’ method of selling books… Altered States was a ‘freebie’. It caught me totally off guard and as a direct result of reading said ‘freebie,’ I will be purchasing at least one if not more of the rest books in the series. For the record, this is not the first time that this has happened. It’s actually a common occurrence. Lesson learned. ;)
As you’ve gathered, Altered States caught me by surprise. It’s one of those instances where I didn’t read ‘all’ of the description before I downloaded the book. I can’t remember exactly how it was brought to my attention, but I’m definitely glad that it was. The writing style grabbed me as well as the characters. Sam Garrett was an interesting character and Travis soon became a favorite as well. The story was short and sweet and even though the ending made me want to grab the next book immediately, it wasn’t a case of ‘I didn’t get enough’… it was more a case of ‘what happens next.’
Deep Blues Goodbye is the first ‘official’ book in the Altered States series and it is co-authored by T.A. Webb. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
As you’ve gathered, Altered States caught me by surprise. It’s one of those instances where I didn’t read ‘all’ of the description before I downloaded the book. I can’t remember exactly how it was brought to my attention, but I’m definitely glad that it was. The writing style grabbed me as well as the characters. Sam Garrett was an interesting character and Travis soon became a favorite as well. The story was short and sweet and even though the ending made me want to grab the next book immediately, it wasn’t a case of ‘I didn’t get enough’… it was more a case of ‘what happens next.’
Deep Blues Goodbye is the first ‘official’ book in the Altered States series and it is co-authored by T.A. Webb. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
June 26, 2015
It wasn't immediately clear at the beginning who was who and I'm still not clear on whether Sam was out at work or not because he starts off giving the impression he's private then suddenly we hear he's always been completely out.
The description of the victim seemed almost vouyeristic.
Then fact they were pulled off the case the moment they requested backup was brow wrinkling as was their decision to continue regardless. Information on another case (not theirs) kept getting thrown in which I found annoying.
It lost any shred of believability when the character strolls into danger thinking it'll be fun? this from a seasoned cop? without any clear plan for escape. The identified attacker had me rolling my eyes, so few people were named and him being fat and ugly, it was obvious.
And then the ending. WTF. That's not a story twist it's a last minute genre chance. Maybe the promised sequel is set in space, lets cover all bases!
The description of the victim seemed almost vouyeristic.
Then fact they were pulled off the case the moment they requested backup was brow wrinkling as was their decision to continue regardless. Information on another case (not theirs) kept getting thrown in which I found annoying.
It lost any shred of believability when the character strolls into danger thinking it'll be fun? this from a seasoned cop? without any clear plan for escape. The identified attacker had me rolling my eyes, so few people were named and him being fat and ugly, it was obvious.
And then the ending. WTF. That's not a story twist it's a last minute genre chance. Maybe the promised sequel is set in space, lets cover all bases!
March 5, 2013
This is absolutely a trip and a half! It isn't very long and is a prelude so to speak to Deep Blues Goodbye (Altered States #1) I am reluctant to say too much about it, as I don't want to give it away.
New Orleans police Det. Sam Garrett is partnered with Travis Boudreaux, who has a reputation for not keeping his partners. He seems like very bad ass and Sam's not looking forward to it, especially with Sam being gay and Travis being belligerently straight. They come together to try and stop a group that is injuring and killing gay men. What follows, caught me by surprise.
So what would you do if you found out vampires were real? That's the question that is put forth and will be answered in Deep Blues Goodbye.
I love a mystery, I love New Orleans, I love LEO, I love vampires. Win, win, win, win
I give it a pot of jambalaya worth of stars.
New Orleans police Det. Sam Garrett is partnered with Travis Boudreaux, who has a reputation for not keeping his partners. He seems like very bad ass and Sam's not looking forward to it, especially with Sam being gay and Travis being belligerently straight. They come together to try and stop a group that is injuring and killing gay men. What follows, caught me by surprise.
So what would you do if you found out vampires were real? That's the question that is put forth and will be answered in Deep Blues Goodbye.
I love a mystery, I love New Orleans, I love LEO, I love vampires. Win, win, win, win
I give it a pot of jambalaya worth of stars.
February 13, 2013
1.5 stars
I gather that I'm in the minority here, but for me this whole story was nonsense. Up to chapter 6 this was a rather nice, engaging cop story, although I was curious how the author would get over the hurdle of the death of the love interest and what the reasoning would be behind all that (or whether this would end as a bittersweet story with no HEA). So consider me surprised when out of the blue suddenly there was the solution to this pitfall: Travis turned vampire! Cool! No hint during all the pages beforehand that he already was a vampire or during the last chapter where that happened. The whole thing was rather disappointing.
I gather that I'm in the minority here, but for me this whole story was nonsense. Up to chapter 6 this was a rather nice, engaging cop story, although I was curious how the author would get over the hurdle of the death of the love interest and what the reasoning would be behind all that (or whether this would end as a bittersweet story with no HEA). So consider me surprised when out of the blue suddenly there was the solution to this pitfall: Travis turned vampire! Cool! No hint during all the pages beforehand that he already was a vampire or during the last chapter where that happened. The whole thing was rather disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2016
Excellent short story that begins the 'Altered States' series. This story should be read FIRST, this is not just a prequel. Cops Travis and Sam set themselves up to catch some gay bashers but things do not go to plan..
'Travis held his hands up. "I won't push. This is your show... just know I'm not looking for a one-off. And I'm not looking to make it public. I don't do out at work. You think you can handle that, we can talk after this case wraps. But you gotta know you have me wound so tight I about blew my load on the dance floor."'
'Travis held his hands up. "I won't push. This is your show... just know I'm not looking for a one-off. And I'm not looking to make it public. I don't do out at work. You think you can handle that, we can talk after this case wraps. But you gotta know you have me wound so tight I about blew my load on the dance floor."'
June 9, 2015
OK. I admit, my initial thought was to give this a 2 just because of the darn cliffhanger!!!! Yeah, yeah. I know it was listed as such in the tag but good god, I was just getting over being upset when BAM. Ending. But the story was really good and I loved the start of these 2 characters. When I saw that a book was written to follow this up, it made me super happy and I am giving the 4 star rating that it deserves.
August 15, 2014
I don't often read paranormal, but I like the author, so I figured why not? I rather liked it. And, of course it is a prequel to a series and I know from experience that Laura Harner likes cliffhangers, so the question becomes...read the two that are out now and chance it or wait for the series to be completed? ... Damn.
I really liked the interaction between Sam and Travis. They were hot. I do hope to see more of them in the main series. Much more.
I really liked the interaction between Sam and Travis. They were hot. I do hope to see more of them in the main series. Much more.
May 31, 2012
loved this story.
i loved the pacing, the setting in New Orleans is always fun and loved the suspense. the MCs were 100% likable and chemistry b/w them was hot!
it had lots of surprises. which is hard to do in short story but the author did a great job and then ..... it ended on the mother of all cliff hangers!
great story!
i loved the pacing, the setting in New Orleans is always fun and loved the suspense. the MCs were 100% likable and chemistry b/w them was hot!
it had lots of surprises. which is hard to do in short story but the author did a great job and then ..... it ended on the mother of all cliff hangers!
great story!
June 24, 2012
Really good for such a short, free read! Wasn't expecting the twist at the end and now I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. Don't want to spoil anyone but...
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