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It's been a couple of decades since Wild Bill has been able to savor the bite of an ice-cold, freshly tapped keg. Twenty-odd years since the shivery pucker of a cheap, boxed wine has assaulted his palate. But that doesn't mean Bill's forgotten how to party.
Wild Bill and Michael have holed up in a week-to-week hotel in an iffy Milwaukee neighborhood, and even though it's been a year or two, the fringe art happenings are just as edgy as Bill remembers.
There's a girl covered in frosting in the middle of the hors d'ouvres table, and she's begging them to dip. And the host of the party wants to lure them into the range of his mechanical eye. It's all fun and games, until a tryst turns deadly.
Wild Bill and Michael have holed up in a week-to-week hotel in an iffy Milwaukee neighborhood, and even though it's been a year or two, the fringe art happenings are just as edgy as Bill remembers.
There's a girl covered in frosting in the middle of the hors d'ouvres table, and she's begging them to dip. And the host of the party wants to lure them into the range of his mechanical eye. It's all fun and games, until a tryst turns deadly.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
138 books2,133 followersAuthor and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the Midwest, from inner city Chicago, to various cities across southern Wisconsin. She’s settled in a 1910 Cape Cod near Lake Michigan with tons of character and a plethora of bizarre spiders. Any disembodied noises, she’s decided, will be blamed on the ice maker.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 31, 2024
A Near-Miss with Lake Michigan...
It's been a few weeks since Wild Bill fled Dr. Creepy's lair with a drugged up and vamped out Michael in the back of the van.
Michael officially retired from Vamp killing,
He's pretty much given up on the professor's cure,
That leaves one avenue left to protect humans from bad vampires, the "planned parenthood" approach...
The reaction to their safe-vamp-sex lecture generally produces one of two reactions:
1) the subject indulges their explanation but only halfheartedly believes them
2) the subject assumes that the Gothed up couple is into some kind of blood-fetish
There's a general feeling of hopelessness and uselessness as Michael drifts through his days.
Michael's melancholy is affecting Wild Bill in ways he'd rather not voice...
On the one hand, vampires are hugely attracted to dark and pensive (vamp heroin) donors, and Michael's somber moods simultaneously make Bill's teeth itch and his dick hard.
On the other hand, Bill hates seeing Michael so down - Sure, Wild Bill's first step toward pulling Michael out of a funk will always be sex, but in this episode of the Channeling Morpheus series, we get a glimpse at the deep connection that has formed between the guys.
Turns out, Michael's not the only Vamp Heroin Hunter in town...
In the aftermath of that run-in, the reader is treated to some glorious introspection from Wild Bill.
By the end of this book Bill and Michael have a very real conversation about what can be done, what should be done, and exactly why they're trying to prevent the spread of the Vampire virus.
The last bit of this book gave me a case of the warm fuzzies, and if you told me that Wild Bill could pull and "Awwwww" moment from me when I started this series, I probably wouldn't believe you.
Read all my Reviews in this Series:
01.0 - Payback - Read my Review Here.
02.0 - Vertigo - Read my Review Here.
03.0 - Manikin - Read my Review Here.
03.1 - Heaven Sent - Read my Review Here.
04.0 - Tainted - Read my Review Here.
05.0 - Rebirth - Read my Review Here.
06.0 - Brazen - Read my Review Here.
07.0 - Snare - Read my Review Here.
08.0 - Fluid - You're reading it!
09.0 - Swarm - Read my Review Here.
10.0 - Elixir - Read my Review Here.
10.1 - Jackpot - Read my Review Here.
10.2 - Canine - Read my Review Here.
Omnibus Reviews:
1-5 - Channeling Morpheus for Scary Mary - Read my Review Here.
6-10 - A Bitter Taste of Sweet Oblivion - Read my Review Here.
***I read this book as part of the Bitter Taste of Sweet Oblivion box set which was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review***
Then I saw the water slide.The boys have landed in Milwaukee - it's the longest they've ever settled in one place. They've got a by-the-week hotel room and Michael even scored a job at an all night veterinary clinic.
So that's how easy it was to net a vamp. It had never occurred to me that there was anyone else out there like Michael - and it made sense, if this guy was anything like my one and only, he knew damn well he was vamptastic.
It's been a few weeks since Wild Bill fled Dr. Creepy's lair with a drugged up and vamped out Michael in the back of the van.
Michael officially retired from Vamp killing,
He's pretty much given up on the professor's cure,
That leaves one avenue left to protect humans from bad vampires, the "planned parenthood" approach...
The reaction to their safe-vamp-sex lecture generally produces one of two reactions:
1) the subject indulges their explanation but only halfheartedly believes them
2) the subject assumes that the Gothed up couple is into some kind of blood-fetish
There's a general feeling of hopelessness and uselessness as Michael drifts through his days.
Michael's melancholy is affecting Wild Bill in ways he'd rather not voice...
On the one hand, vampires are hugely attracted to dark and pensive (vamp heroin) donors, and Michael's somber moods simultaneously make Bill's teeth itch and his dick hard.
On the other hand, Bill hates seeing Michael so down - Sure, Wild Bill's first step toward pulling Michael out of a funk will always be sex, but in this episode of the Channeling Morpheus series, we get a glimpse at the deep connection that has formed between the guys.
Turns out, Michael's not the only Vamp Heroin Hunter in town...
In the aftermath of that run-in, the reader is treated to some glorious introspection from Wild Bill.
"That was some quick thinking," I said. And what I really meant was, I'm sorry, I'm so fucking sorry.Personally, I think the reader knows Wild Bill better than he knows himself through the books which feature his POV. I think Bill dismisses his own epiphanies, and he certainly doesn't share his deeper moments with Michael... I always feel like I walk away from Wild Bill's books knowing way more about his fascinating, complicated character..
By the end of this book Bill and Michael have a very real conversation about what can be done, what should be done, and exactly why they're trying to prevent the spread of the Vampire virus.
The last bit of this book gave me a case of the warm fuzzies, and if you told me that Wild Bill could pull and "Awwwww" moment from me when I started this series, I probably wouldn't believe you.
Read all my Reviews in this Series:
01.0 - Payback - Read my Review Here.
02.0 - Vertigo - Read my Review Here.
03.0 - Manikin - Read my Review Here.
03.1 - Heaven Sent - Read my Review Here.
04.0 - Tainted - Read my Review Here.
05.0 - Rebirth - Read my Review Here.
06.0 - Brazen - Read my Review Here.
07.0 - Snare - Read my Review Here.
08.0 - Fluid - You're reading it!
09.0 - Swarm - Read my Review Here.
10.0 - Elixir - Read my Review Here.
10.1 - Jackpot - Read my Review Here.
10.2 - Canine - Read my Review Here.
Omnibus Reviews:
1-5 - Channeling Morpheus for Scary Mary - Read my Review Here.
6-10 - A Bitter Taste of Sweet Oblivion - Read my Review Here.
***I read this book as part of the Bitter Taste of Sweet Oblivion box set which was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review***
June 17, 2014
Oh no! Is this going the same way as The One I Have Suppressed #6 only with a girl?!
Oh thank fuck! It didn't, or else I would have burned my Kindle. *huge, no enormous relief* Dammit, #6 messed me up real bad...
Michael and Wild Bill is at a party where they meet a photographer who wants to do a photo shoot of them. And boy did they! Worth the whole book that! *Big grin*
Later there's a bad case of "water-willies"
PoorWild Wet Bill!
And there's a scene with handcuffs in the end. But not the way I had really wanted! Damn. But it was really sweet though.
Buddy read with Marco. His review here!
Oh thank fuck! It didn't, or else I would have burned my Kindle. *huge, no enormous relief* Dammit, #6 messed me up real bad...
Michael and Wild Bill is at a party where they meet a photographer who wants to do a photo shoot of them. And boy did they! Worth the whole book that! *Big grin*
Later there's a bad case of "water-willies"
Poor
And there's a scene with handcuffs in the end. But not the way I had really wanted! Damn. But it was really sweet though.
Buddy read with Marco. His review here!
June 19, 2015
I already read the next novella and now I can't remember what happens in this one. Um, there was a party and then Michael and Wild Bill learn a profound lesson:
Just change that to "dude with a Mohawk" and "boat."
(Take it from me, people who live on the water are generally weird.)
(Except maybe Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle. He had a house boat.)
(But boat people are usually more like Robert Shaw in Jaws than they're like Tom Hanks.)
(Or they're like my neighbor, Rick, who's so nice and normal I'm convinced he's a serial killer.)
(I'll stop talking in parentheses now.)
Creepy, sexy and compelling as usual! 4 stars!
March 23, 2018
Holy smokes this caused major ups and downs for me.
You've got a little exhibitionism going on that was uber hot.
You've got a little terror that caused some serious worry.
You've got a little more insight into these two who love each other pretty darn hard. They support and trust one another but each still have some insecurities.
As Bill watches Michael pursue his crusade of vamp education, they run into a bit of a snag which kinda upsetstheir Michael's whole mission. Is it time to reevaluate said goals??
You've got a little exhibitionism going on that was uber hot.
You've got a little terror that caused some serious worry.
You've got a little more insight into these two who love each other pretty darn hard. They support and trust one another but each still have some insecurities.
As Bill watches Michael pursue his crusade of vamp education, they run into a bit of a snag which kinda upsets
March 23, 2018
Mmmmm.....always such a delicious treat to read these shorts from JCP. I want to gobble them all up at once, but I force myself to wait between them and savor each one separately, anxiously awaiting the next course.
Like always, dark and sexy, our MCs Wild Bill and Michael are spreading the word about safe contact with vampires. Here we find them in a warehouse gallery in Milwaukee. Tasty treats abound: a mysterious mohawked stranger, a naked girl painted in cream cheese frosting, a kinky photographer, and a pink-haired vampire named Lolly. Not all are who they appear to be, and Wild Bill and Jeremy both despair.
A great installment, albeit with a very abrupt ending. Who knew vampires feared the water?
Like always, dark and sexy, our MCs Wild Bill and Michael are spreading the word about safe contact with vampires. Here we find them in a warehouse gallery in Milwaukee. Tasty treats abound: a mysterious mohawked stranger, a naked girl painted in cream cheese frosting, a kinky photographer, and a pink-haired vampire named Lolly. Not all are who they appear to be, and Wild Bill and Jeremy both despair.
A great installment, albeit with a very abrupt ending. Who knew vampires feared the water?
October 13, 2020
This was SO GOOD! A bit darker than the rest, imo, and very emotional.
As always, I loved Bill’s POV. There’s just something about him…
As always, I loved Bill’s POV. There’s just something about him…
May 11, 2012
This was probably the scariest story so far from Bill's POV. As usual, it was pretty emotional on his part, but this one just made me really sad for him. He comes soooo close to...nope, not gonna spoil it.
The exhibitionism scene in the beginning was so frickin' HOT!
I know I'm getting repetative with my reviews here, but I'm really loving this series!
The exhibitionism scene in the beginning was so frickin' HOT!
I know I'm getting repetative with my reviews here, but I'm really loving this series!
wrote
August 11, 2012About this Story
Michael’s vampire-hunting plans usually suck. At least they have up until this point. If it weren’t for Trey being who (or what) he was, I think Michael would have finally ended up having a satisfactory vamp experience.
It’s while we’re in Wild Bill’s point-of-view that we can really experience Michael, and in this story I feel very proud of him. He has allowed his mission statement to shift based on his experiences, rather than clinging zealously to the idea that all vampires must be eradicated. Trey is a good example of what Michael might have ended up like, if he’d never tracked down Wild Bill after the first ditching and ended up doing a hell of a lot of soul-searching.
In terms of their balance, the Michael/Bill relationship feels more evolved now. While Wild Bill might be (nominally) in charge, or at least he might think so, in the water-rescue scene we get to see how their relationship is so much more complicated and dynamic than that. Each of them take turns being the protected and the protector. And both of them try to steer things the way they want through coaxing and manipulation.
In this series, my favorite vampire handicap is the “water-willies.” It’s traditional lore that vampires can’t cross running water, but that weakness is never exploited to the point that sunlight aversion is. Having Bill wax philosophical about his watery grave was definitely a highlight for me here, exploring that kind of reverse-birth he’s hoping for as some sort of absolution. Personally, I adore the water, so it’s a stretch for me to explore Wild Bill’s abhorrence of it. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert swimmer like Michael, but there is something liberating about having an effective body weight one-tenth what it would be on dry land. It’s especially fun to contrast Bill’s water willies with Michael’s masterful swimming.
I also enjoyed the hotel room scenes with all the shabby props that came with the room. The ugly print on the wall. The green TV. The uneasy easy chair. The bleakness of the setting parallels the bleakness of the characters’ internal lives. Michael’s depression feels more real to me here. I started establishing the problem earlier on, but Wild Bill hadn’t quite labeled it for what it was yet, since wallowing in Michael’s darkness makes him feel so guilty.
Michael’s vampire-hunting plans usually suck. At least they have up until this point. If it weren’t for Trey being who (or what) he was, I think Michael would have finally ended up having a satisfactory vamp experience.
It’s while we’re in Wild Bill’s point-of-view that we can really experience Michael, and in this story I feel very proud of him. He has allowed his mission statement to shift based on his experiences, rather than clinging zealously to the idea that all vampires must be eradicated. Trey is a good example of what Michael might have ended up like, if he’d never tracked down Wild Bill after the first ditching and ended up doing a hell of a lot of soul-searching.
In terms of their balance, the Michael/Bill relationship feels more evolved now. While Wild Bill might be (nominally) in charge, or at least he might think so, in the water-rescue scene we get to see how their relationship is so much more complicated and dynamic than that. Each of them take turns being the protected and the protector. And both of them try to steer things the way they want through coaxing and manipulation.
In this series, my favorite vampire handicap is the “water-willies.” It’s traditional lore that vampires can’t cross running water, but that weakness is never exploited to the point that sunlight aversion is. Having Bill wax philosophical about his watery grave was definitely a highlight for me here, exploring that kind of reverse-birth he’s hoping for as some sort of absolution. Personally, I adore the water, so it’s a stretch for me to explore Wild Bill’s abhorrence of it. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert swimmer like Michael, but there is something liberating about having an effective body weight one-tenth what it would be on dry land. It’s especially fun to contrast Bill’s water willies with Michael’s masterful swimming.
I also enjoyed the hotel room scenes with all the shabby props that came with the room. The ugly print on the wall. The green TV. The uneasy easy chair. The bleakness of the setting parallels the bleakness of the characters’ internal lives. Michael’s depression feels more real to me here. I started establishing the problem earlier on, but Wild Bill hadn’t quite labeled it for what it was yet, since wallowing in Michael’s darkness makes him feel so guilty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2014
It's hard to narrow down exactly what I love about this series. Each book has shown me more and more about Michael and Wild Bill's inner strengths, vulnerabilities, and their weaknesses. Each book has held me enthralled with where the author has taken me on these characters’ journey. And each book has left me wondering if I can guess where it's all going to end up. 'Fluid' is book eight and is in Wild Bill's point of view.
Michael and Wild Bill have hung around in Milwaukee for about a month now. Michael has gotten a part-time job at an all-night emergency vet clinic, and they're living in a week-by-week motel. Seems almost domestic for them and I started to wonder if that's where the author was headed. I shouldn't have thought. I should've just kept reading. Michael and Wild Bill go to an artsy gallery showing where they end up posing for the gallery owner and his camera. Well, it's more than posing and who knew Michael had such an exhibitionist streak? After they liberate a pint of blood from him, they spot a female vamp heading out the door with a human. Michael decides to follow in case she's a bad vamp, and Wild Bill follows Michael to make sure nothing wrong happens.
Turns out the kid lives on a houseboat and he's not exactly what he says he is. Vamps don't do water, by the way. Showers? Fine. Baths? Okay, maybe. Creeks, lakes, rivers, seas, oceans? Not on your life. Against his very will, Wild Bill ends up on this houseboat to convince this kid that vamps are real, yadda, yadda, yadda. The kid happens to be another Van Helsing and Wild Bill almost dies. Michael saves him, but it brings about the talk they should've already had. You know, the one about Michael killing bad vampires and Wild Bill not wanting him to kill anybody. Oh yeah. That talk.
This was a dramatic addition to the series, although that isn't saying a whole lot, since every story has been filled with drama. But here Michael is pondering whether what they're doing, with trying to warn people about vampirism and teach vamps how to get blood safely, is even worth it or whether they're just spinning their wheels. Wild Bill comes to the realization that, no matter what, Michael is all he needs and wants. My sad face is getting worse because now there are only two books left.
Michael and Wild Bill have hung around in Milwaukee for about a month now. Michael has gotten a part-time job at an all-night emergency vet clinic, and they're living in a week-by-week motel. Seems almost domestic for them and I started to wonder if that's where the author was headed. I shouldn't have thought. I should've just kept reading. Michael and Wild Bill go to an artsy gallery showing where they end up posing for the gallery owner and his camera. Well, it's more than posing and who knew Michael had such an exhibitionist streak? After they liberate a pint of blood from him, they spot a female vamp heading out the door with a human. Michael decides to follow in case she's a bad vamp, and Wild Bill follows Michael to make sure nothing wrong happens.
Turns out the kid lives on a houseboat and he's not exactly what he says he is. Vamps don't do water, by the way. Showers? Fine. Baths? Okay, maybe. Creeks, lakes, rivers, seas, oceans? Not on your life. Against his very will, Wild Bill ends up on this houseboat to convince this kid that vamps are real, yadda, yadda, yadda. The kid happens to be another Van Helsing and Wild Bill almost dies. Michael saves him, but it brings about the talk they should've already had. You know, the one about Michael killing bad vampires and Wild Bill not wanting him to kill anybody. Oh yeah. That talk.
This was a dramatic addition to the series, although that isn't saying a whole lot, since every story has been filled with drama. But here Michael is pondering whether what they're doing, with trying to warn people about vampirism and teach vamps how to get blood safely, is even worth it or whether they're just spinning their wheels. Wild Bill comes to the realization that, no matter what, Michael is all he needs and wants. My sad face is getting worse because now there are only two books left.
June 20, 2015
Rating for the whole series
Bill's POV shorts are my favorite, this one no less. One of the best.
Overall thoughts on the series here
Channeling Morpheus 1-5 BR thread 12th June 2015
Bill's POV shorts are my favorite, this one no less. One of the best.
Overall thoughts on the series here
Channeling Morpheus 1-5 BR thread 12th June 2015
April 18, 2012
I was surprised by the plot twist and I was surprised because, with only two books to go, I have the impression that Michael and Bill are still distant. At the beginning, when Bill (his POV in this book) says they've been in Milwaukee for a little while and Michael even got a job, I had an impression of domesticity that was betrayed through the rest of the book.
I found interesting how Bill was attracted to Michael's misery, the whole installment is dark and cold, despite the blinding photo session. I usually find Bill's POV more interesting, but I've never wanted to be in Michael's head like in this book. Bill is a vampire with humanity and Michael is a human with a ruthless side, but I've never seen them so... hopeless. There is a sadness that really moved me.
There's something in the development of the story that I found unconvincing, but I can't point exactly what that is, but these two characters are amazing in their complexity. I want to read the other two books and I am almost afraid of reading them.
I found interesting how Bill was attracted to Michael's misery, the whole installment is dark and cold, despite the blinding photo session. I usually find Bill's POV more interesting, but I've never wanted to be in Michael's head like in this book. Bill is a vampire with humanity and Michael is a human with a ruthless side, but I've never seen them so... hopeless. There is a sadness that really moved me.
There's something in the development of the story that I found unconvincing, but I can't point exactly what that is, but these two characters are amazing in their complexity. I want to read the other two books and I am almost afraid of reading them.
October 3, 2015
4.5 rounded up. Beginning had Wild Bill too interested in other people. End was incredibly sweet and loving. As always, sex was very hot.
July 13, 2019
3.75 ⭐️
Enjoyable addition to the series. Was interesting seeing Wild Bill at a disadvantage and Michael being the one to save the day. I liked the interactions with the the girls too
Enjoyable addition to the series. Was interesting seeing Wild Bill at a disadvantage and Michael being the one to save the day. I liked the interactions with the the girls too
August 17, 2012
Review posted at Brief Encounters Reviews.
We're in Wild Bill's point of view once again in Fluid. Coming off of their hunt with the creepy doctor in Snare, the two have been keeping a dingy room in Milwaukee for a month, Michael working at an all night vet clinic. The story starts at a pretentious hipster art party where Bill and Michael once again prove to be entertainment in different ways for the people at the party, whether purposeful or the natural ability to draw the eyes of those around them. Bill once again has a snarky inner commentary about the kiddies around him, though now that they're further on in their relationship some of that is tempered as Bill is more apt to think and label his own guilt as Michael's moods spiral in different directions, often into depression -- something that Bill has never been shy about turning him on.
The two continue to try to spread their message -- well, Michael's -- about safe vamp sex, when they come across some vamp bait, a boy named Trey that just oozes enough tragic despair to attract every vampire within a mile going home with a vamp chick named Lolita. The problems start when Trey takes them home, hoping for some group fun, to his houseboat…
Fluid follows the format laid down by the previous stories in the series by continuing with the intricacies of Bill and Michael's relationship, while also introducing new elements into their relationship. The title seems to directly reflect the introduction of the myth of vampires crossing water into the story. We get to see what exactly happens in that situation when Trey practically drags them all back to his houseboat. Further than that, the water is important to Bill. From the perspective of someone who fears it, it allows him to contemplate death. To Bill, someone who feels tainted and dirty, a watery grave seems like a blessing, a washing away of sins and a cleansing of the world in his absence.
Of course, it is easier for Bill to bring himself out of dreary introspection, especially if it is for Michael. The longer their relationship progresses, the more their codependence becomes more complicated. Michael still lapses into depression anytime something reminds him of Scary Mary, or anytime he and Bill seems to have a disagreement about that killing problem of his. Of course, Bill actually loves Michael, so now that he's known that for a while now, we see him allowing himself to bring MIchael out of his depression instead of savoring Michael in his mood for himself. Of course, Bill sees Michael rather plainly, and his POV is much less muddled than Michael's -- at least where Michael is concerned. And Michael makes quite a bit of progress in this story, when what turns into a sort of backwards, strange hunt make him question the morality of his mission in a way he hadn't before. The compromise that comes from that is much more natural than it has been in the past, because in a way they're now better at communicating, which gives the series a feeling that the relationship is finally progressing into the home stretch.
The great thing about this series, besides Bill and Michael, is that every story really has something unique to offer. That's what makes this series so great as a first time read, and work so well as a series of short stories. You could put them all together as a whole and while the relationship would make sense stretch out end to end, their misadventures wouldn't, simply because they work best as episodes.
Once again,this is an amazing story among a great series, easily earning an A rating :)
We're in Wild Bill's point of view once again in Fluid. Coming off of their hunt with the creepy doctor in Snare, the two have been keeping a dingy room in Milwaukee for a month, Michael working at an all night vet clinic. The story starts at a pretentious hipster art party where Bill and Michael once again prove to be entertainment in different ways for the people at the party, whether purposeful or the natural ability to draw the eyes of those around them. Bill once again has a snarky inner commentary about the kiddies around him, though now that they're further on in their relationship some of that is tempered as Bill is more apt to think and label his own guilt as Michael's moods spiral in different directions, often into depression -- something that Bill has never been shy about turning him on.
The two continue to try to spread their message -- well, Michael's -- about safe vamp sex, when they come across some vamp bait, a boy named Trey that just oozes enough tragic despair to attract every vampire within a mile going home with a vamp chick named Lolita. The problems start when Trey takes them home, hoping for some group fun, to his houseboat…
Fluid follows the format laid down by the previous stories in the series by continuing with the intricacies of Bill and Michael's relationship, while also introducing new elements into their relationship. The title seems to directly reflect the introduction of the myth of vampires crossing water into the story. We get to see what exactly happens in that situation when Trey practically drags them all back to his houseboat. Further than that, the water is important to Bill. From the perspective of someone who fears it, it allows him to contemplate death. To Bill, someone who feels tainted and dirty, a watery grave seems like a blessing, a washing away of sins and a cleansing of the world in his absence.
Of course, it is easier for Bill to bring himself out of dreary introspection, especially if it is for Michael. The longer their relationship progresses, the more their codependence becomes more complicated. Michael still lapses into depression anytime something reminds him of Scary Mary, or anytime he and Bill seems to have a disagreement about that killing problem of his. Of course, Bill actually loves Michael, so now that he's known that for a while now, we see him allowing himself to bring MIchael out of his depression instead of savoring Michael in his mood for himself. Of course, Bill sees Michael rather plainly, and his POV is much less muddled than Michael's -- at least where Michael is concerned. And Michael makes quite a bit of progress in this story, when what turns into a sort of backwards, strange hunt make him question the morality of his mission in a way he hadn't before. The compromise that comes from that is much more natural than it has been in the past, because in a way they're now better at communicating, which gives the series a feeling that the relationship is finally progressing into the home stretch.
The great thing about this series, besides Bill and Michael, is that every story really has something unique to offer. That's what makes this series so great as a first time read, and work so well as a series of short stories. You could put them all together as a whole and while the relationship would make sense stretch out end to end, their misadventures wouldn't, simply because they work best as episodes.
Once again,this is an amazing story among a great series, easily earning an A rating :)
September 4, 2011
Fluid was another short from Bill's POV and like always: the story was entertaining, the sex was hot and Wild Bill's head is a pleasure to be in.
There are two things which bothered me with this one. First: the fact that Bill is portrayed as to always have shown peeks of his artistic side to Michael. Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but I, for the life of me, can't recall any mentioning of Bill actually displaying any artistic skills in front of Michael before. Mentioning of being artistic in the past? Yes. But actually doing random drawings and garnering attention from bystanders because of it (like Michael mentions in Swarm). No.
Second: Bill makes a few remarks in the beginning of the story which clearly state that he still hasn't gotten used to being in a monogamous relationship. I was surprised. I get that Bill is a wild child but it was he himself who said him and Michael fit together in every way possible. He even went as far as to say they'd finish each other's sentences and think as one. We also know he is crazy about Michael. So why the comments about liking someone else? Why thinking he might complicate matters with his wandering eye? Seriously: where did it come from?
This is not to say I don't like a little conflict in my story, because I really do, but I'd like it to be built up and not come out of left field.
What I did like was that older doubts and fears got resurfaced; Bill's moral compass, Bill's worries about Michael's lack of one and Michael's mission and his exceedingly strange condition.
Despite my peeves, the story was still entertaining (3,5 stars). I really like the fact that there is an ambiguous feel to the series. Although Wild Bill and Michael have a sense of freedom and are together, there is a definite sad undertone. Even their good moments carry a sense of melancholy.
So I'm really curious to see how JCP will give them their HEA. Onto the next one.
There are two things which bothered me with this one. First: the fact that Bill is portrayed as to always have shown peeks of his artistic side to Michael. Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but I, for the life of me, can't recall any mentioning of Bill actually displaying any artistic skills in front of Michael before. Mentioning of being artistic in the past? Yes. But actually doing random drawings and garnering attention from bystanders because of it (like Michael mentions in Swarm). No.
Second: Bill makes a few remarks in the beginning of the story which clearly state that he still hasn't gotten used to being in a monogamous relationship. I was surprised. I get that Bill is a wild child but it was he himself who said him and Michael fit together in every way possible. He even went as far as to say they'd finish each other's sentences and think as one. We also know he is crazy about Michael. So why the comments about liking someone else? Why thinking he might complicate matters with his wandering eye? Seriously: where did it come from?
This is not to say I don't like a little conflict in my story, because I really do, but I'd like it to be built up and not come out of left field.
What I did like was that older doubts and fears got resurfaced; Bill's moral compass, Bill's worries about Michael's lack of one and Michael's mission and his exceedingly strange condition.
Despite my peeves, the story was still entertaining (3,5 stars). I really like the fact that there is an ambiguous feel to the series. Although Wild Bill and Michael have a sense of freedom and are together, there is a definite sad undertone. Even their good moments carry a sense of melancholy.
So I'm really curious to see how JCP will give them their HEA. Onto the next one.
August 13, 2009
Wild Bill and Michael are at a arty party and end up "performing" for the photographer who's art is on display. Wild Bill sees a tasty treat but gets sidetracked. They notice another vampire there and when they see her going home with the treat they decide to teach them about safe eating. The guy lives on a houseboat and the other vamp bails. Wild Bill is freaking and ends up in the water. Michael saves him but seem the treat was hunting vampires as well. There is more self discover for both Michael and Wild Bill. What did Michael do to the human who tried to kill Bill? Would he have acted differently if it was reversed? Did he make the right choice with the other vamps he offed? As usual, just another little step in the journey that makes you want more and more. Sure there's hot sex but the character growth is always there and leaves you ready for the next step.
October 28, 2012
I hate it when I can't find the time to sit down and write a review before I start a new book. I tend to forget half of the things I wanted to mention in my review....specially since I continued on to the last installment in this series. crap crap crap!
anyways: I actually prefered these last two books to the previous ones. I think we got an uncovered glimpse in Wild Bills head. he was never my favorite but in this book I really learned to appreciate him. We see him way more vulnerable then before, he's still not opening up to Michael (men...puh) but thankfully Jordan shows us what's going on in his head :)
His feelings for Michael are off the chart, at one time he is actually tender. It's nice to see him like that. I had the impression we never got to meet the actual Wild Bill before. Liked it a lot
anyways: I actually prefered these last two books to the previous ones. I think we got an uncovered glimpse in Wild Bills head. he was never my favorite but in this book I really learned to appreciate him. We see him way more vulnerable then before, he's still not opening up to Michael (men...puh) but thankfully Jordan shows us what's going on in his head :)
His feelings for Michael are off the chart, at one time he is actually tender. It's nice to see him like that. I had the impression we never got to meet the actual Wild Bill before. Liked it a lot
August 9, 2011
Well, it's Michael and Wild Bill and JCP, so it's hard not to love it on principle. But there is more happening here. Bill & Michael seem to both be trying to come to terms with so many parts of their lives. In this one Michael takes a hard look at his mission and Bill tries to figure out how to be part of a couple and be a vampire. There are a few new character's introduced, but I hope they won't stay around too long, the story is always better with just Bill & Michael, in my opinion.
September 12, 2011
It is always a pleasure to spend time with Michael and Wild Bill, however, this was not one of the greatest times that I have spent with the boys. There was a melancholy feel to this book and I have no idea when Wild Bill started to feel like everyone around him would be interesting to fuck. Neither of them had sex with anyone else but Wild Bill's roving eye in the beginning felt out of character for him. I am hoping that the next book isn't so...depressing.
April 23, 2012
One thing I love about these books is that even though they are short, so much happens and the story keeps pushing forward. We learn something about Michael and Bill in every installment. Michael questions their (his) chosen vamp hunting path while Bill questions Michael's motives. They both have a wake up call when the tables are turned on them, and through it all, they come out stronger together in the end.
January 29, 2012
Ooooh Wild Bill nearly ran in to some deadly trouble. I really enjoyed this one. It was a bit darker then the others but I like how each story is quite different.
May 14, 2013
Droll, melancholic, hot for darkness and tears and so, so sweet on Michael : I'm so glad to be back in Wild Bill's head!
September 4, 2013
I kind of like this one, though still to angesty for me. I love wild Bill being scared of water. It makes him more real.
August 13, 2017
Какой-то панк с ирокезом скидывает Билла в реку. Майки, конечно, спешит спасать любимого вампира.
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August 3, 2009Fluid is almost a connecting book in the Sweet Oblivion series. There aren't surprising turns of event that are decisively for the continuation of the story, maybe what I noticed more is that Wild Bill is starting to realize that he is a vampire... really? didn't he know before?... I'm joking, what I mean is that even if he has the look of a young man, he is older than that, and living with Michael, barely legal, makes him realize that he has years and years behind the shoulder. The excitement to find a new and young prey every night is starting to wear off and probably Michael is growing on him, or so he thinks.
On the other side, Michael is always more in love with his vampire, but his love is no more an adoration thing; it's true that he is growing, but not tired of Wild Bill, he is starting to think that maybe there is something else in life than searching and killing renegade vampires. For how many you kill, other are out there, and they are only two alone against the world. Maybe working from the inside will be better? Teaching to vampires how to be a blood sucker without being a killer?
Both men have some thinking to do, what I love of this series is that, despite all the strange events, neither of them has ever thought to let it go, never once Wild Bill thought that maybe Michael would be better without him around, and never once Michael thought that out there there could be someone better that Wild Bill. They have to decide what to do of their life, but one thing they know, they will decide together and they will bring on that decision together... or at least I hope ;-) With the help of Michael, Wild Bill is becoming a better man... vampire, giving a sense to his life, and with the help of Wild Bill, Michael is finding who he wants to be. All in all Michael is a teenager with all the doubts and unsecurities of that age.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/71...
On the other side, Michael is always more in love with his vampire, but his love is no more an adoration thing; it's true that he is growing, but not tired of Wild Bill, he is starting to think that maybe there is something else in life than searching and killing renegade vampires. For how many you kill, other are out there, and they are only two alone against the world. Maybe working from the inside will be better? Teaching to vampires how to be a blood sucker without being a killer?
Both men have some thinking to do, what I love of this series is that, despite all the strange events, neither of them has ever thought to let it go, never once Wild Bill thought that maybe Michael would be better without him around, and never once Michael thought that out there there could be someone better that Wild Bill. They have to decide what to do of their life, but one thing they know, they will decide together and they will bring on that decision together... or at least I hope ;-) With the help of Michael, Wild Bill is becoming a better man... vampire, giving a sense to his life, and with the help of Wild Bill, Michael is finding who he wants to be. All in all Michael is a teenager with all the doubts and unsecurities of that age.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/71...
June 9, 2012
There were a couple of things I loved about this one. First, I LOVE how much more Wild Bill let us know about him in this one. My favorite quote of his (possibly from the whole series, but that might just be 'cause it's the most recent) is at the end when Michael is... ahem, "warming him up" and he says "but through the filter of my closed eyelids, I saw that dappled fairy-light, like sunlight glinting on waves, and I thought maybe I wasn't some kind of bloodsucking freak after all, and maybe good, wholesome things like sunshine and water wouldn't do me in."
That quote just says so much about his personality: that he's sensitive enough to appreciate simple things like sunlight and how it glints on water, and that he believes not being able to enjoy things like that make him evil. And perhaps is some sort of karmic (or divine, since he grew up Catholic) punishment for something? Anyway, it's beautiful. Bill's beautiful. And that just made me love him even more.
The other thing I loved that Bill told us more about was why he was so drawn to Michael. It was fascinating to watch how much he enjoyed Michael's sorrow and angst, and chose to help cheer him up anyway.
I also LOVED that it seems like Michael is growing up a little more. That he chose to not kill Trey because Bill WOULD be around to "feel guilty enough for the both of them." That he recognized that his willingness to kill vampires and the way he phrased his reluctance to kill the human hurt Bill's feelings. That he understood that maybe he needed to find another way to go about his mission of vampire education. All of these, to me, showed that he's maturing.
I want these two to be happy so much! Ever since the horrifically disastrous threesome, it seems like maybe they're taking baby steps toward it. JCP is a genius, I just hope she's a compassionate one and lets these two end happy!
That quote just says so much about his personality: that he's sensitive enough to appreciate simple things like sunlight and how it glints on water, and that he believes not being able to enjoy things like that make him evil. And perhaps is some sort of karmic (or divine, since he grew up Catholic) punishment for something? Anyway, it's beautiful. Bill's beautiful. And that just made me love him even more.
The other thing I loved that Bill told us more about was why he was so drawn to Michael. It was fascinating to watch how much he enjoyed Michael's sorrow and angst, and chose to help cheer him up anyway.
I also LOVED that it seems like Michael is growing up a little more. That he chose to not kill Trey because Bill WOULD be around to "feel guilty enough for the both of them." That he recognized that his willingness to kill vampires and the way he phrased his reluctance to kill the human hurt Bill's feelings. That he understood that maybe he needed to find another way to go about his mission of vampire education. All of these, to me, showed that he's maturing.
I want these two to be happy so much! Ever since the horrifically disastrous threesome, it seems like maybe they're taking baby steps toward it. JCP is a genius, I just hope she's a compassionate one and lets these two end happy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this whole series, but this one was my favorite. Written sort of back to front and front to back, with the two pieces weaving around each other until they finally met up. Reminded me of a strand of DNA.
The evolution of the characters was smooth and flowed easily through the chaos. Made my heart hurt with the numbness and the sharp edges, and then just deeply ache with it, right to the end.
The evolution of the characters was smooth and flowed easily through the chaos. Made my heart hurt with the numbness and the sharp edges, and then just deeply ache with it, right to the end.
July 24, 2016
Review of the whole series:
Ok, the main selling point for me here is the fact that I seriously didn't know where this was going, all the way through to the last installment - because nothing about this - not the characters, the story line, the sex - followed standard genre rules, whether it be erotica, paranormal or m-m.
The sex for example has a peculiar mix of too filthy (literally filthy, not only dirty - that, too) and too profound for erotica, the characters begin to show a psychological depth and ambivalence that you don't usually expect from paranormal and the romance is way too non-formulaic for m-m.
And that mix just makes this wonderful.
December 29, 2015
Well, this hits kind of close to home. I LIVE in Milwaukee :D So sad that we have creepy, mean, vampire killers roaming our shorelines, ready to drop any unsuspecting vampire over the side into the cold waters of Lake Michigan.
Actually getting a kick finding out that Bill went to school here. But guess meeting his "end" here kind of puts a damper on things.
Loving the series and, as always better, and better.....
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1st read - Nov 18, 2011
2nd read - Dec 28, 2015
Actually getting a kick finding out that Bill went to school here. But guess meeting his "end" here kind of puts a damper on things.
Loving the series and, as always better, and better.....
======================================
1st read - Nov 18, 2011
2nd read - Dec 28, 2015
May 16, 2012
4.5 stars. By far my favorite of the Sweet Oblivion stories. Very very emotional - told from WB's POV - and I didn't expect that. Painful and hot and sweet and scary. And did I mention HAWT??? What I love about JCP's writing? There is no scene or word that is superfluous. The sex in these stories does as much to advance the story as the dialogue. The connection between these two characters is amazing to watch. The last bathroom conversation? Perfection.
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