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Unnatural Selection #3
Next of Kin
In a sequel to 'Every Move You Make', Nick and Anton have settled happily into married life. But on the eve of their 3rd anniversary, Nick disappears, apparently leaving Anton for another man. Anton refuses to believe it. His search for the truth takes him half way around the world, while Nick's friends work to discover what really happened to Anton's husband.
This novella is the third story in the 'Unnatural Selection' series.
This novella is the third story in the 'Unnatural Selection' series.
150 pages, ebook
First published June 15, 2012
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Ann Somerville
52 books280 followersAnn Somerville grew up in one of Australia’s prettiest small cities. In 1989, she left Australia with a BA and a burning ambition to see more of the world and its people, and to discover this ‘culture’ thing people kept telling her about. In 2006, she returned home to Southeast Queensland with two more degrees (this time in science and IT), an English husband and a staggering case of homesickness, vowing never to leave Australia again.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
Her long, plot-driven fiction featuring gay and bisexual characters has been published by Samhain Publishing and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 17, 2015
The first thing that you will notice about 'Next of Kin' is the change in narrator. Instead of Nick telling us everything, we get to delve into the character that is Anton.
I'm not sure if this was simply because of the direction the story went, or if the decision was made before the story unfolded, whichever it was, I enjoyed the change if pace. I always liked Anton, now even more so.
In terms of plot, I think Ann stretched this one to breaking point. It was complex, internationally based and risky.
Unlike the first two installments, I felt the passing of time in this one, I am not sure if it was because of pacing issues, or the lapse in the storyline. But, whichever it is, I didn't like feeling the weeks drag by for Anton and Nick.
I felt like some of the trains of thought were a bit tenuous, some of them, leaps of faith and a little too obscure to be the first, second, or third leads.
I liked the bigger roles for the supporting characters in this one, it gave them more dimension.
Once again, the romance, love and support between Anton and Nick was quite nicely done. Probably the least graphic, this time also includes a hefty dose of sweet and fluffy.
All in all, not the best ending, but books 1 and 2 would be hard to beat!
*Note: An electronic copy of this book was provided to me in return for an honest review*
I'm not sure if this was simply because of the direction the story went, or if the decision was made before the story unfolded, whichever it was, I enjoyed the change if pace. I always liked Anton, now even more so.
In terms of plot, I think Ann stretched this one to breaking point. It was complex, internationally based and risky.
Unlike the first two installments, I felt the passing of time in this one, I am not sure if it was because of pacing issues, or the lapse in the storyline. But, whichever it is, I didn't like feeling the weeks drag by for Anton and Nick.
I felt like some of the trains of thought were a bit tenuous, some of them, leaps of faith and a little too obscure to be the first, second, or third leads.
I liked the bigger roles for the supporting characters in this one, it gave them more dimension.
Once again, the romance, love and support between Anton and Nick was quite nicely done. Probably the least graphic, this time also includes a hefty dose of sweet and fluffy.
All in all, not the best ending, but books 1 and 2 would be hard to beat!
*Note: An electronic copy of this book was provided to me in return for an honest review*
November 2, 2012
I don't usually read two books in a series in a row, but when I saw that Next of Kin was narrated by Anton instead of Nick, I just had to. Unfortunately, we don't see a whole lot of Anton's sparkling personality in this one, because it's quite a harrowing story.
Policeman Nick and biologist Anton are married now, and happily settled down. Then one day, Nick just doesn't come home. His homophobic superior officer refuses to take his disappearance seriously -- it's not like gay marriage is a real commitment, right? Anton is forced to rely on his own resources and the couple's determined group of friends to seek out his husband, desperately hoping the search won't end in a body.
The science fiction element in this series is once again an important player, as it becomes clear that Nick's disappearance is likely linked to his "vee" status, medically-induced vampirism. But it's mostly a romantic suspense story (though not without some laughs) and certainly suspenseful. I recommend reading the other books in the series first though, since it will have more impact if you already know Anton and Nick as a couple.
Policeman Nick and biologist Anton are married now, and happily settled down. Then one day, Nick just doesn't come home. His homophobic superior officer refuses to take his disappearance seriously -- it's not like gay marriage is a real commitment, right? Anton is forced to rely on his own resources and the couple's determined group of friends to seek out his husband, desperately hoping the search won't end in a body.
The science fiction element in this series is once again an important player, as it becomes clear that Nick's disappearance is likely linked to his "vee" status, medically-induced vampirism. But it's mostly a romantic suspense story (though not without some laughs) and certainly suspenseful. I recommend reading the other books in the series first though, since it will have more impact if you already know Anton and Nick as a couple.
March 18, 2020
The first half of the story sets up the heartbreak in the middle, but have faith! (#steadfastAnton!) I almost cried for a good chunk of the second half, and both my daughter and I wanted to smack Nick's supervising officer upside the head. What fantastic friends -- I'd love a story about Charlotte and Beth sometime or one about Harry and Angus!
August 12, 2019
3.65 stars.
May 27, 2020
Like its predecessors in the "Unnatural Selection" series, this installment is more or less a procedural thriller, but unlike its predecessors, the POV and hero of the story is not copper Nick but his university professor husband, Anton. This time around, it's up to Anton to do the saving and crime-solving, with help from friends.
As in the second book, Nick and Anton are a stable and adorkable couple. Also as in the second book, there is not much of sci-fi edge, even as Nick's status as a "vee" is highly relevant and indeed the reason behind the entire kidnapping plot. I wish that angle had been pushed even more, for some of my favorite parts in the whole series were the What if? speculations about the world's reactions to the fictional ISH "vampire virus".
So, more purely a Kidnapping Thriller. Nicely written and certainly worth the time of readers who enjoyed the other books, but otherwise no great shakes.
As in the second book, Nick and Anton are a stable and adorkable couple. Also as in the second book, there is not much of sci-fi edge, even as Nick's status as a "vee" is highly relevant and indeed the reason behind the entire kidnapping plot. I wish that angle had been pushed even more, for some of my favorite parts in the whole series were the What if? speculations about the world's reactions to the fictional ISH "vampire virus".
So, more purely a Kidnapping Thriller. Nicely written and certainly worth the time of readers who enjoyed the other books, but otherwise no great shakes.
March 8, 2013
I am sad that I cannot read more about Anton and Nick.
In fact since in most of this book Nick is missing so I missed their interaction. It is a nice somewhat predictable story but i wish that this book wasn't the last so far. It was great in that we get to see how much further they had come in the relationship and Anton's mettle. He was just amazing as a man on mission. However I would rather see how they do as a couple more! Please!!
In fact since in most of this book Nick is missing so I missed their interaction. It is a nice somewhat predictable story but i wish that this book wasn't the last so far. It was great in that we get to see how much further they had come in the relationship and Anton's mettle. He was just amazing as a man on mission. However I would rather see how they do as a couple more! Please!!
August 20, 2012
I actually liked this book a lot more than I liked the first 2 books in the series. Whereas readers were reading from Nick's POV in the previous book, in this one, reader's get the POV from Anton. It made for an interesting read and I found Anton was more likable. Although it's a bit cliche, it is written really well and readers get to know Anton better.
January 29, 2013
I liked this well enough but I needed more depth with the story telling and characters. Nick and Anton are nice characters but they don't pop of the page for me. I sort of liked the plot in this story, but sometimes it came across as a little "preacher pray tell". The idea and characters were there but really needed more direction and fleshing out for me to be fully into the story.
August 31, 2012
I like this series and the MCs Anton & Nick so it was easy to sit back and go for the ride. This time around it felt like an Agatha Christie like mystery. We were led Anton's point of view. I do so enjoy her writing style.
October 8, 2012
My review of all three books of this series can be found on my blog.
August 3, 2012
another solid book
February 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this series!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews