What do you think?
Rate this book
Fallout
When a Category 4 hurricane hits the Texas Gulf Coast and critically damages a nuclear reactor, the NRC brings in robotics engineer Derek Marshall and professor Sambit Patel to avert a disaster. Unfortunately, putting the men in the same room could be nearly as dangerous as the Derek’s out and proud, gruff, and occasionally obnoxious; Sambit is closeted, quiet, and reserved. Faced with isolation, ungodly living conditions, and the very real possibility of acute radiation sickness, they race against time to stabilize the reactor. But the attraction growing between them may be beyond their control.
On the surface, Derek and Sambit have nothing in common. They live in separate cities, come from disparate cultures, and have trouble just getting along, never mind navigating a relationship. All they have to hold them together is a few isolated weeks of trying to save the world, or at least the environment. Sambit is convinced the end of the assignment will be the end for them as well—and despite their many differences, he’s beginning to wonder how he’ll survive the fallout once Derek leaves him behind.
On the surface, Derek and Sambit have nothing in common. They live in separate cities, come from disparate cultures, and have trouble just getting along, never mind navigating a relationship. All they have to hold them together is a few isolated weeks of trying to save the world, or at least the environment. Sambit is convinced the end of the assignment will be the end for them as well—and despite their many differences, he’s beginning to wonder how he’ll survive the fallout once Derek leaves him behind.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2012
3 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Ariel Tachna
150 books407 followersAriel Tachna lives outside of Houston with her husband, her daughter and son, and their cat. Before moving there, she traveled all over the world, having fallen in love with both France, where she found her husband, and India, where she dreams of retiring some day. She’s bilingual with snippets of four other languages to her credit, and is as in love with languages as she is with writing.
Visit Ariel at her website http://www.arieltachna.com or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ArielTachna, or e-mail her at arieltachna@gmail.com.
Visit Ariel at her website http://www.arieltachna.com or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ArielTachna, or e-mail her at arieltachna@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 14, 2015
3.5 stars
After reading 1000+ MM stories over the year, it is getting harder and harder to find stories that can stand out above the rest or even offering something different. Which is why, I thought Fallout by Ariel Tachna definitely had a winning point.
I really liked the narrative and the originality of the setting (it felt refreshing!). Don't think I have ever read romance in a nuclear reactor site before. I was very much intrigued with the parts where Derek and Sambit must worked on the reactors. Even years from now, if I don't remember the story well, I will remember the setting *laugh*
I also liked the fact that the sex was kept to the minimum (thank GOD, considering the situation it wouldn't be appropriate anyway!). I liked the opposites characterization of both men, which was consistent throughout. Although I admit that after a while, I was tired with Sambit's stubbornness. His reasons for not willing to pursue the relationship felt lame because Derek had made his case convincingly. Simply put, Derek and his dog, Fido, won my heart better than Sambit.
After reading 1000+ MM stories over the year, it is getting harder and harder to find stories that can stand out above the rest or even offering something different. Which is why, I thought Fallout by Ariel Tachna definitely had a winning point.
I really liked the narrative and the originality of the setting (it felt refreshing!). Don't think I have ever read romance in a nuclear reactor site before. I was very much intrigued with the parts where Derek and Sambit must worked on the reactors. Even years from now, if I don't remember the story well, I will remember the setting *laugh*
I also liked the fact that the sex was kept to the minimum (thank GOD, considering the situation it wouldn't be appropriate anyway!). I liked the opposites characterization of both men, which was consistent throughout. Although I admit that after a while, I was tired with Sambit's stubbornness. His reasons for not willing to pursue the relationship felt lame because Derek had made his case convincingly. Simply put, Derek and his dog, Fido, won my heart better than Sambit.
June 5, 2012
I liked the set-up on this story. A terrible hurricane causes a potential disaster at a Texas nuclear plant. Derek and Sambit are among a small crew called in to secure the facility. Sambit is a mild mannered Indian man who believes in keeping his private life, private. He is a university professor who is there to use his theoretical knowledge to deal with the reactors. Derek is an out-and-proud, boisterous robotics expert from NASA. He's there to maneuver his robot into areas that are unsafe for people to enter.
The two men start off like oil and water, but quickly become attracted to each other. They struggle with their differences and with Sambit's reservations about their chances of making something work between them. All this, while dealing with the dangerous nuclear threat, and later, separation from one another.
As much as I liked the premise, however, I had some serious problems with the execution of the story. Derek starts off as a real dick and he really doesn't like Sambit much. But he makes a complete 180, deciding he not only likes Sambit, but wants him in practically a nanosecond. His change of heart is done with very little prompting and the magnitude of it left me scratching my head. It just days before Derek sets his sights on a relationship with Sambit and he's trying to figure out how they are going to live together in less than a week.
In the meantime, Sambit is fixated on how he and Derek could never be together because they live two hours away from each other. Yes, he had a long distance relationship that failed before, but that was intercontinental long-distance. Big difference. Both guys are way, way too focused on the long-term after just a few days and a hand-job between them.
I found that I didn't particularly like either character, either. Derek was too much of an ass at first and too pushy later. And Sambit was too wrapped up in his issues to reach out and take what he wants. I never felt any genuine emotion for them or between them. Then, the ending felt rushed. We waited the whole damn book for these two to get together and we actually only see a tiny bit of their HEA.
This one wasn't great for me.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
The two men start off like oil and water, but quickly become attracted to each other. They struggle with their differences and with Sambit's reservations about their chances of making something work between them. All this, while dealing with the dangerous nuclear threat, and later, separation from one another.
As much as I liked the premise, however, I had some serious problems with the execution of the story. Derek starts off as a real dick and he really doesn't like Sambit much. But he makes a complete 180, deciding he not only likes Sambit, but wants him in practically a nanosecond. His change of heart is done with very little prompting and the magnitude of it left me scratching my head. It just days before Derek sets his sights on a relationship with Sambit and he's trying to figure out how they are going to live together in less than a week.
In the meantime, Sambit is fixated on how he and Derek could never be together because they live two hours away from each other. Yes, he had a long distance relationship that failed before, but that was intercontinental long-distance. Big difference. Both guys are way, way too focused on the long-term after just a few days and a hand-job between them.
I found that I didn't particularly like either character, either. Derek was too much of an ass at first and too pushy later. And Sambit was too wrapped up in his issues to reach out and take what he wants. I never felt any genuine emotion for them or between them. Then, the ending felt rushed. We waited the whole damn book for these two to get together and we actually only see a tiny bit of their HEA.
This one wasn't great for me.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
June 8, 2018
Another great story. Don't let fear keep you from love
May 29, 2012
3.25/5
The minute I saw that Fallout was about a damaged nuclear reactor and two scientists being sent in to fix it, I knew I had to read this book. My inner science-nerd had to have it. I loved all the drama and the details based around the reactor but can see where that might be an issue for others. There is very little romance in the beginning of the book and a lot of technical details are being discussed. The details on the inner workings of the reactor and the repairs being made could overwhelm or bore someone not interested in that part of the story.
The first scientist brought in to work on the reactor is Sambit Patel. He’s a nuclear physicist, his job is to fix the reactor. He comes off as being rather priggish. The next scientist on the scene is Derek Marshall, he is the robotics engineer. His job is to get his robot into the areas too dangerous for humans. Derek is loud, abrasive and defensive. They have both perfected using their less than charming personalities to keep people from getting too close. At first I didn’t like either one of them because of this. As the book went on I learned that a lot of Sambit’s reserve comes from growing up in India and the cultural differences. Derek’s offensive attitude is a self-defense mechanism he has developed because of a past trauma. Both of them had a softer side and were even humorous once they opened themselves up. By the end I really liked them.
As they work on the reactor their relationship slowly begins to develop. They start out as reluctant coworkers and a fragile friendship starts to form. Right when the romance starts to pick up, Derek is sent home. Sambit is still stuck at the reactor and Derek is home dealing with the destruction from the hurricane. Their only communication is through texts, emails and phone calls. I’m usually all about the sex and passion but I found myself taking an interest in the issues they had to deal with in order to make a romantic relationship work. The emphasis is definitely on the development of their relationship but I don’t want to give the impression that there isn’t any sex, there are a few hot sex scenes too.
Overall I liked the book but I never got emotionally involved in the romance. I kept hoping to find myself loving the characters and their romance but it never happened, I liked them but never loved them. I did like how in depth the author went into the workings of the nuclear reactor. I was fascinated by Sambit’s Indian heritage and loved reading about their cultural differences. I even enjoyed seeing them work through their relationship issues. I would recommend Fallout to someone looking for something a little deeper and is interested in the technical/scientific aspects of the book.
The minute I saw that Fallout was about a damaged nuclear reactor and two scientists being sent in to fix it, I knew I had to read this book. My inner science-nerd had to have it. I loved all the drama and the details based around the reactor but can see where that might be an issue for others. There is very little romance in the beginning of the book and a lot of technical details are being discussed. The details on the inner workings of the reactor and the repairs being made could overwhelm or bore someone not interested in that part of the story.
The first scientist brought in to work on the reactor is Sambit Patel. He’s a nuclear physicist, his job is to fix the reactor. He comes off as being rather priggish. The next scientist on the scene is Derek Marshall, he is the robotics engineer. His job is to get his robot into the areas too dangerous for humans. Derek is loud, abrasive and defensive. They have both perfected using their less than charming personalities to keep people from getting too close. At first I didn’t like either one of them because of this. As the book went on I learned that a lot of Sambit’s reserve comes from growing up in India and the cultural differences. Derek’s offensive attitude is a self-defense mechanism he has developed because of a past trauma. Both of them had a softer side and were even humorous once they opened themselves up. By the end I really liked them.
As they work on the reactor their relationship slowly begins to develop. They start out as reluctant coworkers and a fragile friendship starts to form. Right when the romance starts to pick up, Derek is sent home. Sambit is still stuck at the reactor and Derek is home dealing with the destruction from the hurricane. Their only communication is through texts, emails and phone calls. I’m usually all about the sex and passion but I found myself taking an interest in the issues they had to deal with in order to make a romantic relationship work. The emphasis is definitely on the development of their relationship but I don’t want to give the impression that there isn’t any sex, there are a few hot sex scenes too.
Overall I liked the book but I never got emotionally involved in the romance. I kept hoping to find myself loving the characters and their romance but it never happened, I liked them but never loved them. I did like how in depth the author went into the workings of the nuclear reactor. I was fascinated by Sambit’s Indian heritage and loved reading about their cultural differences. I even enjoyed seeing them work through their relationship issues. I would recommend Fallout to someone looking for something a little deeper and is interested in the technical/scientific aspects of the book.
October 6, 2015
This is a fascinating and unusual story for many reasons. For one, it is set against the background of impending nuclear disaster, yet it is not a typical “disaster story”. The focus is firmly on how the affected people deal with the situation, with just enough technical detail to make it believable. The other aspect that sets it apart is the touching cross-cultural love story that is written with sensitivity and a real understanding of the different assumptions both men make about relationships. It is also interesting because there is a lot of technical detail both about robotics and about nuclear reactors – without that taking over or becoming boring.
Derek is a robotics engineer who works for NASA. He is out, proud, doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and doesn’t panic easily. He knows what to do when the latest hurricane hits, and even though he is pretty much cut off from everyone (since he refuses to leave), he takes the situation in stride. After all, he is well prepared. Only – he hadn’t counted on the hurricane doing real damage to a nearby nuclear reactor. When he is asked to bring his latest experimental robot to the site so it can help determine what is going on and how to fix what is wrong, he agrees to go – but only if the dog he found in the chaos around his house can come too. He will help, but only as long as things go his way.
Sambit is an Indian professor of nuclear engineering. He is in the closet for his family’s sake, quiet, withdrawn, wears a suit and tie at almost all times, and values manners. While he knows the theory of nuclear plants quite well, the actual working procedures (like passwords on sensitive computers) tend to surprise him. He doesn’t let that bother him though, and adapts quite quickly. What bothers him far more is having to work with the gruff American. But when he gets to know Derek better he discovers a softer core underneath all the bluster and gradually opens up.
‘Fallout’ is one of those books that made me wonder if the two men would EVER get it. If you like stubborn scientists who are too sexy for their own good, if love developing in a situation that otherwise spells disaster is your thing, and if the idea of two super-intelligent nerds falling for each other is what you’re looking for, you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Derek is a robotics engineer who works for NASA. He is out, proud, doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and doesn’t panic easily. He knows what to do when the latest hurricane hits, and even though he is pretty much cut off from everyone (since he refuses to leave), he takes the situation in stride. After all, he is well prepared. Only – he hadn’t counted on the hurricane doing real damage to a nearby nuclear reactor. When he is asked to bring his latest experimental robot to the site so it can help determine what is going on and how to fix what is wrong, he agrees to go – but only if the dog he found in the chaos around his house can come too. He will help, but only as long as things go his way.
Sambit is an Indian professor of nuclear engineering. He is in the closet for his family’s sake, quiet, withdrawn, wears a suit and tie at almost all times, and values manners. While he knows the theory of nuclear plants quite well, the actual working procedures (like passwords on sensitive computers) tend to surprise him. He doesn’t let that bother him though, and adapts quite quickly. What bothers him far more is having to work with the gruff American. But when he gets to know Derek better he discovers a softer core underneath all the bluster and gradually opens up.
‘Fallout’ is one of those books that made me wonder if the two men would EVER get it. If you like stubborn scientists who are too sexy for their own good, if love developing in a situation that otherwise spells disaster is your thing, and if the idea of two super-intelligent nerds falling for each other is what you’re looking for, you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 4, 2012
I like the narrative idea of two people finding each other under love and death situations: Everything is heightened.
But Sambit won't be rushed. And why should he? He doesn't know this obnoxious robotech guy from Adam, he doesn't wanted his private life outed to strangers, and oh, there's this whole nuclear reactor he needs to fix.
But Derek is persistant and stubborn. And lots of fun. But long distant relationships are difficult to balance.
I enjoyed watching them try to figure out how to overcome their obstacles. It was full of techno speak which lost me at times, but I always felt the possible reactor breach was real, and this lifted the tension and the suspense.
Provided by publisher via Netgalley with thanks.
But Sambit won't be rushed. And why should he? He doesn't know this obnoxious robotech guy from Adam, he doesn't wanted his private life outed to strangers, and oh, there's this whole nuclear reactor he needs to fix.
But Derek is persistant and stubborn. And lots of fun. But long distant relationships are difficult to balance.
I enjoyed watching them try to figure out how to overcome their obstacles. It was full of techno speak which lost me at times, but I always felt the possible reactor breach was real, and this lifted the tension and the suspense.
Provided by publisher via Netgalley with thanks.
December 31, 2015
This was a bit different in terms of story and setting. I dug that.
But my appreciation for all the nuclear science - which sounded real to me, (although I have no way of knowing if it was) - turned to boredom halfway through.
I also had issues with the relationship which quickly went from hookup to insta-love. (At least on Derek’s part.) It was hard for me to emotionally connect with this story or the characters.
But my appreciation for all the nuclear science - which sounded real to me, (although I have no way of knowing if it was) - turned to boredom halfway through.
I also had issues with the relationship which quickly went from hookup to insta-love. (At least on Derek’s part.) It was hard for me to emotionally connect with this story or the characters.
March 25, 2016
Definitely a book of 2 halves, the first was gripping and interesting, the second read like the author didn't really know where to take the story, I liked the difference between Sambit and Derek and how it turned into attraction. And how they pulled together to help, but then it went a little flat and just petered out
July 25, 2012
Reviewed first for Joyfully Jay:
Rating: 4.5 stars
When NASA Robotics Engineer Derek Marshall hears that a tropical storm is headed his way, he decides to ride out the storm at home. After all, living in Texas’ Gulf Coast he had been through plenty of storms, what was one more? Then the storm strengthened again and again, until Hurricane Elsa roared ashore as a Category 4, decimating everything in her path, including Derek’s neighborhood. Derek has just rescued an abandoned dog left behind in a house on his street when he gets a call from his boss telling him that his skills and special robot are needed now at a damaged nuclear reactor to help contain the situation. One helicopter ride later and Derek, Fido and Number Five, his robot, are deposited in front of Dr. Sambit Patel, professor of nuclear engineering at Texas A& M. Dr. Sambit has had his services volunteered by the university in hopes he can help cool the reactors.
Sambit Patel is astonished to see a grubby jeans clad man with a dog trotting beside him hand over some suitcases and prepare to go inside the power plant. Sambit’s attempts to stop him from bringing the dog inside end in a argument as weary stressed out Derek comes up against reserved, quiet Sambit. Adding additional fuel to the instant antagonism is the fact that Dereck is out, proud and in your face gay while Sambit is reserved and closeted about his sexuality.
But the dangers of radiation poisoning, isolation and poor living conditions start to bring the men together. Derek finds that the more he listens and works with Sambit, the more he appreciates his quiet introspective ways, intelligent mind and subtle beauty of his Indian physique. Sambit learns that the prickly, obnoxious front Derek presents to the world is a barrier that hides a sensitive, hurt soul. Plus he doesn’t miss the fact that Derek is gorgeous to look at either. Each man has a past that is holding them back from a closer relationship. And time is against them as they race against the clock and lack of information to cool down the reactor and keep the plant from having a nuclear meltdown.
Fallout spoke to me on so many levels not the least of which is the unexpected plot which revolves around a nuclear accident brought on by a hurricane. Ariel Tachna dedicated this novel to “ the heroes of Fukushima Dai-ichi, whose willingness to risk their lives to save others inspired this novel”, so it is clear who and what prompted the storyline for this novel. Natural disasters and nuclear power plants has been a hot topic in the news and rightly so given the extreme weather patterns we are now seeing. I myself sit 1 1/2 hours from the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Maryland and the protests in Japan are on the rise as their reactors come back on line. The relevance of this storyline is all around us.
How real does the nuclear disaster feel? Unbelievably so. I was glued to the book wondering where and how far Tachna was going with the meltdown. I don’t know where Ariel Tachna got her information about the inner workings of a nuclear power plant, the technical jargon, and the emergency repairs necessary to cool the rods but I felt as though I was getting insider information at all times. As Sambit and Derek maneuver the robot Number Five through debris strewn corridors, taking radiation readings as they calculate the quickest way to get coolant into the reactor without plant maps or detailed plant malfunctions, I never once doubted the authenticity of the information the author was giving us. In fact I began to wonder when and in what capacity she had worked in the nuclear field. Most of the time I felt like I was an interloper looking over the shoulders of the men as they scrambled to find the solutions they desperately needed before the power plant, themselves and all of Bay City became another statistic like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. You do not have to be a science geek to appreciate the drama and the technology that goes into this part of the story, all you need is your imagination and a reminder of the pictures we saw transmitted from Japan to feel the impact of each and every scene.
The second element of the novel that drew me in was the multicultural romance between Derek Marshall and Sambit Patel. The author’s close connections to India and its people comes alive through the character of Sambit Patel. The more we learn about Sambit the better we understand him and eventually come to love him as we do Derek. Tachna uses his thoughts and actions to acquaint the reader with some Indian customs, dress, cultural beliefs and even native cuisine such as sambar. We learn about Sambit’s past which had made him think that most relationships will not work out for him, his daily use of Yoga to relieve his stress that started in his youth, and where his reticence about his homosexuality stems from. The character of Sambit Patel could have easily been white but we would have been missing out had that been the case, and this book much less rich in flavor and dimension. I cannot stress how much I loved this part of the story and the character Sambit Patel.
Derek Marshall is also a wonderful creation. There are so many layers to his emotional makeup, including a horrific incident from his high school days that has shaped his outlook and his approach to society in general. Brilliant, abrasive, he strikes out before someone can hit him, yet he is also reflective, sensitive and more willing to take chances than the reserved Patel. He is full of dichotomies and that both appeals to and repeals Sambit. It is a delicate dance they engage in as their close proximity and 24/7 work hours starts to bring them to an understanding and acceptance of each other’s nature that changes into appreciation and need. And all the while, they never lose sight of the reason they are both there, that their individual talents need to mesh to help bring the power plant under control. It may be crazy but in many ways this is a rushed slow relationship built under pressure that exposes the best of both men to each other.
The rest of the story takes place with Derek once more at home having to deal with boredom and the ravaged remains of his neighborhood and infrastructure while Sambit has stayed behind, a choice made by a homophobic bureaucrat in charge of the recovery operations. We see Derek’s neighborhood start to clean up after the hurricane as he worries about the radiation levels Sambit and the others left behind are encountering. And as Sambit deals with the loss of Derek after his continual presence, we learn about Sambit’s insecurities and the past history that threatens the fragile foundation of their relationship. Again, Ariel Tachna’s description of how these men build their relationship, the barriers they have to overcome within themselves is as real as the natural disaster that brings them together.
If I had any quibble with this story, then I believe Derek answered it himself. Number Five is a robot that has a special place in Derek’s heart. The name comes from the movie Short Circuit which I loved. He hoped to patent it and has kept it close to him all this time. And part of me wondered how Derek felt about leaving it behind. But then Derek himself answered that he builds robots for space and came to terms with the fact that they would never come back at the beginning of his career. Plus Number Five was helping Sambit stay alive and healthy which would have been number one priority with Derek. So that quibble wobbled and vanished. There is no angst here but the story of a real,wonderful relationship between two men caught up in a natural disaster. This is an outstanding story that should not be missed.
Cover. This cover by Shobana Appavu is easily one of my favorite. Dramatic, beautiful and intense. Great job.
Read more of my reviews at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.5 stars
When NASA Robotics Engineer Derek Marshall hears that a tropical storm is headed his way, he decides to ride out the storm at home. After all, living in Texas’ Gulf Coast he had been through plenty of storms, what was one more? Then the storm strengthened again and again, until Hurricane Elsa roared ashore as a Category 4, decimating everything in her path, including Derek’s neighborhood. Derek has just rescued an abandoned dog left behind in a house on his street when he gets a call from his boss telling him that his skills and special robot are needed now at a damaged nuclear reactor to help contain the situation. One helicopter ride later and Derek, Fido and Number Five, his robot, are deposited in front of Dr. Sambit Patel, professor of nuclear engineering at Texas A& M. Dr. Sambit has had his services volunteered by the university in hopes he can help cool the reactors.
Sambit Patel is astonished to see a grubby jeans clad man with a dog trotting beside him hand over some suitcases and prepare to go inside the power plant. Sambit’s attempts to stop him from bringing the dog inside end in a argument as weary stressed out Derek comes up against reserved, quiet Sambit. Adding additional fuel to the instant antagonism is the fact that Dereck is out, proud and in your face gay while Sambit is reserved and closeted about his sexuality.
But the dangers of radiation poisoning, isolation and poor living conditions start to bring the men together. Derek finds that the more he listens and works with Sambit, the more he appreciates his quiet introspective ways, intelligent mind and subtle beauty of his Indian physique. Sambit learns that the prickly, obnoxious front Derek presents to the world is a barrier that hides a sensitive, hurt soul. Plus he doesn’t miss the fact that Derek is gorgeous to look at either. Each man has a past that is holding them back from a closer relationship. And time is against them as they race against the clock and lack of information to cool down the reactor and keep the plant from having a nuclear meltdown.
Fallout spoke to me on so many levels not the least of which is the unexpected plot which revolves around a nuclear accident brought on by a hurricane. Ariel Tachna dedicated this novel to “ the heroes of Fukushima Dai-ichi, whose willingness to risk their lives to save others inspired this novel”, so it is clear who and what prompted the storyline for this novel. Natural disasters and nuclear power plants has been a hot topic in the news and rightly so given the extreme weather patterns we are now seeing. I myself sit 1 1/2 hours from the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Maryland and the protests in Japan are on the rise as their reactors come back on line. The relevance of this storyline is all around us.
How real does the nuclear disaster feel? Unbelievably so. I was glued to the book wondering where and how far Tachna was going with the meltdown. I don’t know where Ariel Tachna got her information about the inner workings of a nuclear power plant, the technical jargon, and the emergency repairs necessary to cool the rods but I felt as though I was getting insider information at all times. As Sambit and Derek maneuver the robot Number Five through debris strewn corridors, taking radiation readings as they calculate the quickest way to get coolant into the reactor without plant maps or detailed plant malfunctions, I never once doubted the authenticity of the information the author was giving us. In fact I began to wonder when and in what capacity she had worked in the nuclear field. Most of the time I felt like I was an interloper looking over the shoulders of the men as they scrambled to find the solutions they desperately needed before the power plant, themselves and all of Bay City became another statistic like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. You do not have to be a science geek to appreciate the drama and the technology that goes into this part of the story, all you need is your imagination and a reminder of the pictures we saw transmitted from Japan to feel the impact of each and every scene.
The second element of the novel that drew me in was the multicultural romance between Derek Marshall and Sambit Patel. The author’s close connections to India and its people comes alive through the character of Sambit Patel. The more we learn about Sambit the better we understand him and eventually come to love him as we do Derek. Tachna uses his thoughts and actions to acquaint the reader with some Indian customs, dress, cultural beliefs and even native cuisine such as sambar. We learn about Sambit’s past which had made him think that most relationships will not work out for him, his daily use of Yoga to relieve his stress that started in his youth, and where his reticence about his homosexuality stems from. The character of Sambit Patel could have easily been white but we would have been missing out had that been the case, and this book much less rich in flavor and dimension. I cannot stress how much I loved this part of the story and the character Sambit Patel.
Derek Marshall is also a wonderful creation. There are so many layers to his emotional makeup, including a horrific incident from his high school days that has shaped his outlook and his approach to society in general. Brilliant, abrasive, he strikes out before someone can hit him, yet he is also reflective, sensitive and more willing to take chances than the reserved Patel. He is full of dichotomies and that both appeals to and repeals Sambit. It is a delicate dance they engage in as their close proximity and 24/7 work hours starts to bring them to an understanding and acceptance of each other’s nature that changes into appreciation and need. And all the while, they never lose sight of the reason they are both there, that their individual talents need to mesh to help bring the power plant under control. It may be crazy but in many ways this is a rushed slow relationship built under pressure that exposes the best of both men to each other.
The rest of the story takes place with Derek once more at home having to deal with boredom and the ravaged remains of his neighborhood and infrastructure while Sambit has stayed behind, a choice made by a homophobic bureaucrat in charge of the recovery operations. We see Derek’s neighborhood start to clean up after the hurricane as he worries about the radiation levels Sambit and the others left behind are encountering. And as Sambit deals with the loss of Derek after his continual presence, we learn about Sambit’s insecurities and the past history that threatens the fragile foundation of their relationship. Again, Ariel Tachna’s description of how these men build their relationship, the barriers they have to overcome within themselves is as real as the natural disaster that brings them together.
If I had any quibble with this story, then I believe Derek answered it himself. Number Five is a robot that has a special place in Derek’s heart. The name comes from the movie Short Circuit which I loved. He hoped to patent it and has kept it close to him all this time. And part of me wondered how Derek felt about leaving it behind. But then Derek himself answered that he builds robots for space and came to terms with the fact that they would never come back at the beginning of his career. Plus Number Five was helping Sambit stay alive and healthy which would have been number one priority with Derek. So that quibble wobbled and vanished. There is no angst here but the story of a real,wonderful relationship between two men caught up in a natural disaster. This is an outstanding story that should not be missed.
Cover. This cover by Shobana Appavu is easily one of my favorite. Dramatic, beautiful and intense. Great job.
Read more of my reviews at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
October 2, 2022
Kindle-Sort-ReRead
Dnf 31%
Found this far to dry. The science appears researched but never came to life. Any danger lost to the play of attitude. I don't get how dealing with a major life threatening emergency can read as so incredibly boring.
Sambit is robotic, stuffy buttoned up reason. I don't get why a teacher would remain largely in charge once the crew arrived.
Derek is teenage tantrums. A supposed NASA robotics engineer he's unprofessional, brash and rude to all. Considering the situation involves a possible nuclear meltdown that's not endearing.
Why he decided he suddenly trusted, possibly liked Sambit was a mystery.
Fido - the star is for Fido.
Dnf 31%
Found this far to dry. The science appears researched but never came to life. Any danger lost to the play of attitude. I don't get how dealing with a major life threatening emergency can read as so incredibly boring.
Sambit is robotic, stuffy buttoned up reason. I don't get why a teacher would remain largely in charge once the crew arrived.
Derek is teenage tantrums. A supposed NASA robotics engineer he's unprofessional, brash and rude to all. Considering the situation involves a possible nuclear meltdown that's not endearing.
Why he decided he suddenly trusted, possibly liked Sambit was a mystery.
Fido - the star is for Fido.
August 9, 2017
The story had a great start. I was excited about the setting and the plot and the Indian MC. But sadly at some point Derek acted like a lovesick creep who was determined to get Sambit no matter what. Didn't feel it understand that. It has his cute moments but over all sadly disappointing for me.
February 26, 2019
Nice enough.
November 30, 2020
It is always wonderful to reread a favourite! Lots of intelligent conversations about robots, nuclear disasters, floods, between two very different men are the makings for a good story!
January 23, 2023
DNF. I picked this up for free in 2015 because of the interesting setting (nuclear reactor) and I finally opened it up! I didn't get very far, though--maybe a quarter of the way through. Derek is really obnoxious and too many outlandish things were happening in the setup, so I stopped. A NASA robotics engineer and a random university nuclear physics professor get called in by The President to secure a damaged nuclear reactor they know nothing about. Sigh.
May 24, 2012
Set against the backdrop of a damaged nuclear reactor, Derek Marshall - a tough, out and proud, sometimes obnoxious robotics engineer is forced to work alongside the uptight and reserved Sambit Patel in order to get the critical, and potentially catastrophic, situation under control. What emerges is a classic tale of opposites attract - out of an initial mistrust and outward dislike of each other, the two men find that in actual fact they have more in common than they think. Tachna also adds a cultural dimension to the mix - Patel, born in India, must also deal with the constraints and expectations of his culture. This aspect, I felt, was done very well. The author doesn't overdo the Indian cultural references- giving just enough to add another layer to the story without it every feeling 'preachy'. It is obviously a subject she knows well and it was perhaps one of the aspects of the story I most enjoyed.
While the nuclear situation provides a tense and at times claustrophobic atmosphere to the story, the real story is the two men and their slow falling from distrust into love. Derek is a tequila drinking motorbike riding loner with a foul mouth - but he stole my heart when he rescues an abandoned dog in the first chapter. As we get to know him and his motivations, we see he isn't as tough as he makes out and he puts his heart on the line for Sambit. Sam too, undergoes his own transformation - from someone wounded by the past to someone who gives up his fear and takes a risk.
The characterizations are the strength of the story, but Tachna does a good job of presenting a post-hurricane environment (I loved her descriptions of the heat) and the urgency of the situation at the plant (without it getting too scientific for the average reader).
Fallout is a solid 3.5 stars read. There is perhaps nothing unexpected here, but for a satisfying light romance novella, look no further.
With thanks to dreamspinner press.
October 4, 2016
I enjoyed the first part of the story - the hurricane, the nuclear disaster, the small team put in place, the gradual change from antagonists to grudging admiration to attraction between Derek and Sambit.
I liked the tech details, the robots, what was going on. I'm sure reality could be different but I dont want a survival manual!!
The time at the reactor after they get more intimate was still good with the tension of the close quarters and still the pressure of the disaster. Interesting side characters though did enjoy Lyrica.
Once Derek had to leave I felt the impetous had gone - but maybe that was mirroring their relationship as that took a big slow down. Sambit really did put the brakes on and whilst we know the reason I didn't get the big feelings behind it. He is very much a product of his culture and that clash with Derek's American culture was big.
I wonder how long Sambit would have held out without the fortuitous meeting at the picnic but it was a nice catalyst, leaving a good ending.
3.75*
I liked the tech details, the robots, what was going on. I'm sure reality could be different but I dont want a survival manual!!
The time at the reactor after they get more intimate was still good with the tension of the close quarters and still the pressure of the disaster. Interesting side characters though did enjoy Lyrica.
Once Derek had to leave I felt the impetous had gone - but maybe that was mirroring their relationship as that took a big slow down. Sambit really did put the brakes on and whilst we know the reason I didn't get the big feelings behind it. He is very much a product of his culture and that clash with Derek's American culture was big.
I wonder how long Sambit would have held out without the fortuitous meeting at the picnic but it was a nice catalyst, leaving a good ending.
3.75*
December 27, 2015
Great book! I loved all the details about the nuclear reactor, and the setting in a nuclear power plant that is running a risk of turning into a nuclear catastrophe was very unique, and added a bit of suspense to the plot. I liked it especially because of the setting; I love stories where we see different kinds of professions and different kinds of people.
I also thought all the little details about Sambit's cultural background. I liked him especially because I felt like we shared the same sentiments about coming out.
I didn't like Derek's character in the beginning, but I found out why he acted that way and I guess that helped to mitigate how sour he was in the beginning. And he turned into a real sweetie as the book progressed.
Would recommend for someone looking for something different from the usual settings we see in contemporary romance.
I also thought all the little details about Sambit's cultural background. I liked him especially because I felt like we shared the same sentiments about coming out.
I didn't like Derek's character in the beginning, but I found out why he acted that way and I guess that helped to mitigate how sour he was in the beginning. And he turned into a real sweetie as the book progressed.
Would recommend for someone looking for something different from the usual settings we see in contemporary romance.
June 2, 2012
I appreciate details in a story but some of the robotics/nuclear descriptions had me zoning out. I felt like I missed a chapter (maybe I did with the zoning out part) when Derek went from disliking Sambit to deciding he was going to pursue a long-term relationship with him. I loved the mixing of cultures and I never can resist a good disaster.
September 8, 2012
Review Coming Soon!!!
Want to read
September 19, 2012mixed reviews
October 2, 2012
Amazing
Want to read
November 29, 2015Dreamspinner Press freebie Nov 29, 2015
Want to read
April 7, 2016Free at Dreamspinner Press on 11/29/15
April 26, 2017
A very engaging love story with a unique backstory. I found it to be very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews