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Technically Dead
When Brandon Roland’s parents kicked him out for being gay, he turned to prostitution to get by—something that almost cost him his life when he was attacked by strangers. Bran was saved by a vampire named Heath, and during their year together, Bran’s life was good—but then Heath sent him packing for reasons unknown.
That was twelve years ago, and Bran’s come a long way since then. He has an education, a job as a social worker at a vampire/human youth shelter, friends, and a tattoo he adds to annually to commemorate another year without the love of his life.
The trouble with being a very old vampire is that the older you are, the less you feel. Heath is over nine hundred—he was sure he'd never experience emotion again, but he never counted on Bran. When Heath accidentally stumbles back into Bran’s life, it changes more than either man thought possible—and then history literally catches up with them and turns their lives inside out.
That was twelve years ago, and Bran’s come a long way since then. He has an education, a job as a social worker at a vampire/human youth shelter, friends, and a tattoo he adds to annually to commemorate another year without the love of his life.
The trouble with being a very old vampire is that the older you are, the less you feel. Heath is over nine hundred—he was sure he'd never experience emotion again, but he never counted on Bran. When Heath accidentally stumbles back into Bran’s life, it changes more than either man thought possible—and then history literally catches up with them and turns their lives inside out.
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2012
9 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Tia Fielding
65 books227 followersTia Fielding is a Finnish author who loves witty people, words, peppermint, sarcasm, autumn, and the tiny beautiful things in life.
Tia identifies as genderqueer but isn’t strict about pronouns. Why? Because luckily, in her native language there aren’t gender-specific pronouns.
These days, preferring to live in the middle of nowhere with her fur babies is as big of a part of her psyche as writing. Tia likes to recharge in nature and tends to watch where she’s going through her cell phone’s camera.
In 2013 Tia’s novel Falling Into Place was recognized by the industry’s Rainbow Awards in the Best LGBT Erotic Romance (Bobby Michaels Award) category.
In 2019, her novel Four (Love by Numbers #2) won a Rainbow Award in the Best Transgender Contemporary category.
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/spoondrawer/
Twitter: @tiafielding
Email: tiafielding@gmail.com
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tiafielding
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 12, 2014
With blurb like so, I really want to love this one. The one who got away is one of my favorite themes in romance (gay or not). It gives foundation for some emotional reunion or some angst. I expect that what I can get from here.
Alas ... what I get is nothing but flatness :(
The story has four parts. The first part is the present Bran. The second part is the present Heath (after reuniting with Bran). The third part has (what supposed to be) action and a sinister plan. The four part is the aftermath.
When I start the first part, I actually like that the story starts with the present. While I'd like to read about Bran's painful past and how he met Heath, I also think it's done that way more than once. So it's different. I like reading about Bran's day-job at the shelter. I like finding out about his friends -- ALTHOUGH, I totally dislike the part where Bran involves in sexual intercourse with his ex (Ric) and his ex's new lover (Kris). Ric and Kris are two of Bran's best friends and they like to invite Bran to their bed, once in awhile. Well, I'm never one liking threesome, in any kind of situation ...
ANYWAY, when Heath and Bran finally meets (which ends the first part), I expect some angst. But they get along pretty quick, no drama. In fact, Heath tells Bran that he apologizes for kicking Bran, and that he loves him. Oh, by the way, because he can't forget Bran, Heath ends up turning someone (who reminds him of Bran) into vampire. I am like, WHAT?! And Bran, no reaction? Really? It's just flat :(
There's a subplot about Heath being kidnapped by an insane Elder, and it should've picked up the tension a bit. But that one is resolved quick, without any climax -- at that point, I have an itch to throw my Kindle but I figure it is not my Kindle's fault. After that part, my interest just doing freefall.
It's disappointing -- all the built-up deflates like balloons. For me, personally, this one doesn't feel like having a 'story', and it is also, borrowing MandyM, "extremely unemotional" and without excitement. I'm sure there will be readers who enjoy this. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them.
Alas ... what I get is nothing but flatness :(
The story has four parts. The first part is the present Bran. The second part is the present Heath (after reuniting with Bran). The third part has (what supposed to be) action and a sinister plan. The four part is the aftermath.
When I start the first part, I actually like that the story starts with the present. While I'd like to read about Bran's painful past and how he met Heath, I also think it's done that way more than once. So it's different. I like reading about Bran's day-job at the shelter. I like finding out about his friends -- ALTHOUGH, I totally dislike the part where Bran involves in sexual intercourse with his ex (Ric) and his ex's new lover (Kris). Ric and Kris are two of Bran's best friends and they like to invite Bran to their bed, once in awhile. Well, I'm never one liking threesome, in any kind of situation ...
ANYWAY, when Heath and Bran finally meets (which ends the first part), I expect some angst. But they get along pretty quick, no drama. In fact, Heath tells Bran that he apologizes for kicking Bran, and that he loves him. Oh, by the way, because he can't forget Bran, Heath ends up turning someone (who reminds him of Bran) into vampire. I am like, WHAT?! And Bran, no reaction? Really? It's just flat :(
There's a subplot about Heath being kidnapped by an insane Elder, and it should've picked up the tension a bit. But that one is resolved quick, without any climax -- at that point, I have an itch to throw my Kindle but I figure it is not my Kindle's fault. After that part, my interest just doing freefall.
It's disappointing -- all the built-up deflates like balloons. For me, personally, this one doesn't feel like having a 'story', and it is also, borrowing MandyM, "extremely unemotional" and without excitement. I'm sure there will be readers who enjoy this. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them.
April 3, 2013
Review posted on World of Diversity Fiction
The beginning of this book really disappointed me it was unorganized, confusing and just plain didn’t make sense. The story didn’t start moving until about 35% into the book and for me that’s way too far normally I’ve pretty much lost interest by then but I stuck it out hoping things would get better and they do, for a while, then it loses me again near the end.
Tia Fielding’s character Bran, who is the main focus of this book, was wonderfully written I got a real sense of who he was and that had me connect with him fairly soon in. He was the only reason I continued to read it, I wanted to know about his life with the Elder Vampire Heath and what caused there split.
Unfortunately she didn’t do as well with her other characters. Bran’s friends Ric, Kris, Tony and Adam are important people in Bran’s life but I felt like I never got to know them therefore I didn’t really care about them. Also the relationship he has with Ric, Kris and Tony really threw me and honestly I don’t know why the story went there, for added sex scenes perhaps, one ménage scene with Ric and Kris and his on-off sex with Tony was just that sex. I had no heart racing or awwe moments, there was no feeling of love between these guys and it’s my understanding they do love each other, I wish that came through with the writing.
There are some good things in this story, places where the story flowed and moves along smoothly. Bran and Heath reunite and following that part of the story was a joy to read. Then there’s a storyline that brought some almost page turning excitement until the conclusion which was frustrating and in my opinion totally out of character. The epilogue where everything should be all wrapped up left a lot of loose ends. There is an HEA for Bran and Heath but unless there are plans for a sequel I feel cheated.
I was torn as to the number of stars to give it, I didn’t love the book but I didn’t hate it. So I broke it down like this and gave it an average.
3.5 stars for Bran and Heath and their Vampire/ Human relationship
3 stars for the good parts that grabbed me in the middle
1 .75 stars for the confusing and up and down storyline.
This story had potential, it just needed the rough edges to be smoothed out a bit.
I will definitely look at reading something else from this author.
Want to read
July 12, 2012LOVE this cover. LOVE!
September 22, 2012
~WHEN VAMPIRES AREN'T SEXY!!~
I am so disappointed in this book, after I was so excited for a pants losing. Well, there was no pants losing and I am inclined to forget this book in the next week. There’s so much that really throws the book off and leaves you feeling like you are trying to connect a puzzle. It was jumbled and had no flow and eventually it just fell flat, I am a fighter so I stuck it out in the hopes of it getting better. There was no such luck. I was taught that if you don’t have anything good to say don’t say it (I think I already said the no good >.<). I will just share why this book did not work for me.
Bran is a social worker at a shelter that caters to human and vampire youths. He knows about life on the street because he had to spend some time there and did some things in order to survive. When he is beaten up almost to death, he is later rescued by a vampire and brought back to health. The vampire is called Heath and they begin a relationship. Bran was with him for 1 year and was in so much love he thought their life together was perfect until Heath kicked him to curb without any form of an explanation. 12 years later Bran is still reeling from the loss, but now he has his job and his friends.
The road to Bran finding stability wasn’t an easy one, after Heath broke his heart he spiralled out of control. With the drinking, and partying and almost ruination of his young body he had hit rock bottom. When he gets into a bar fight and is injured he has spend some time in the hospital, its there he meets the man who would then become his lover and give him a new meaning to life. Now he has it made with lots of partners to share his bed, until he bumps into Heath and he throws his life upside-down once gain.
I really tried to like this one but the only great thing about it is the cover. The story and the characters are all over the place and the entire time I was like "what is the point?" I am no editor and I barely know how to use the comma but something should have been done to create a better a flow of the plot and overall delivery. The entire thing is a jumble of scenes, which at often time has nothing to do with each other, and I spent the whole time reeling and trying to catch up. For instance, Heath was reflecting on his life and suddenly he's talking about someone called Lilac. I believe Lilac is a horse, but the jury is still out on that one.
I felt no sympathy for Bran as a character in fact I could barely tolerate him. I am still trying to figure out if he really is in love with Heath or he just missed the coolness of a vampire body. Because that’s all he goes on about, how he just wants to be close to a vampire to be wrapped up in the blood and sex. He really irks me! Also, he's supposed to be 32 but something went wrong because all I was getting is that he’s still twenty he just has a job now and a house. He has the mood swings of a child and the personality of a doorknob. I am moving on cus I have nothing nice to say. I have no feelings for anyone in this book I neither like nor dislike them; I am just "whatever".
A whole bunch of crazy happens in rapid succession and none of it made sense (at least to me). It really was a great big disappointment and nothing gelled. Vampires are supposed to be awesome and stuff and no one was awesome and stuff, absolutely no one. The cover is exceptional though. This one did not work for me but I do not speak for everyone because "one mans garbage is another mans treasure". I do have one question, where did the vampires come from and how did humans find out about the existence? I think I missed that as a part of the story, but because nothing else made sense I would like that part to.
I am so disappointed in this book, after I was so excited for a pants losing. Well, there was no pants losing and I am inclined to forget this book in the next week. There’s so much that really throws the book off and leaves you feeling like you are trying to connect a puzzle. It was jumbled and had no flow and eventually it just fell flat, I am a fighter so I stuck it out in the hopes of it getting better. There was no such luck. I was taught that if you don’t have anything good to say don’t say it (I think I already said the no good >.<). I will just share why this book did not work for me.
Bran is a social worker at a shelter that caters to human and vampire youths. He knows about life on the street because he had to spend some time there and did some things in order to survive. When he is beaten up almost to death, he is later rescued by a vampire and brought back to health. The vampire is called Heath and they begin a relationship. Bran was with him for 1 year and was in so much love he thought their life together was perfect until Heath kicked him to curb without any form of an explanation. 12 years later Bran is still reeling from the loss, but now he has his job and his friends.
The road to Bran finding stability wasn’t an easy one, after Heath broke his heart he spiralled out of control. With the drinking, and partying and almost ruination of his young body he had hit rock bottom. When he gets into a bar fight and is injured he has spend some time in the hospital, its there he meets the man who would then become his lover and give him a new meaning to life. Now he has it made with lots of partners to share his bed, until he bumps into Heath and he throws his life upside-down once gain.
I really tried to like this one but the only great thing about it is the cover. The story and the characters are all over the place and the entire time I was like "what is the point?" I am no editor and I barely know how to use the comma but something should have been done to create a better a flow of the plot and overall delivery. The entire thing is a jumble of scenes, which at often time has nothing to do with each other, and I spent the whole time reeling and trying to catch up. For instance, Heath was reflecting on his life and suddenly he's talking about someone called Lilac. I believe Lilac is a horse, but the jury is still out on that one.
I felt no sympathy for Bran as a character in fact I could barely tolerate him. I am still trying to figure out if he really is in love with Heath or he just missed the coolness of a vampire body. Because that’s all he goes on about, how he just wants to be close to a vampire to be wrapped up in the blood and sex. He really irks me! Also, he's supposed to be 32 but something went wrong because all I was getting is that he’s still twenty he just has a job now and a house. He has the mood swings of a child and the personality of a doorknob. I am moving on cus I have nothing nice to say. I have no feelings for anyone in this book I neither like nor dislike them; I am just "whatever".
A whole bunch of crazy happens in rapid succession and none of it made sense (at least to me). It really was a great big disappointment and nothing gelled. Vampires are supposed to be awesome and stuff and no one was awesome and stuff, absolutely no one. The cover is exceptional though. This one did not work for me but I do not speak for everyone because "one mans garbage is another mans treasure". I do have one question, where did the vampires come from and how did humans find out about the existence? I think I missed that as a part of the story, but because nothing else made sense I would like that part to.
September 4, 2012
I did it. I managed to finish the book.
Besides the fact that the story veered from one thing to another, never centering around one topic, it contained large passages of useless information. I wasn't interested in having Bran reminisce that people found him attractive, while he saw himself as ordinary. I didn't find any interest in the human-like routine applied to the vampires. And I was less than thrilled about Bran hopping from one bed to the next, especially when said bed belonged to supposedly friends, not fuck buddies. From the start, I could not invest emotionally with the characters so everything took on a soap opera feel, as I watched from afar the drama of the characters and mostly just rolled my eyes a lot.
Besides the fact that the story veered from one thing to another, never centering around one topic, it contained large passages of useless information. I wasn't interested in having Bran reminisce that people found him attractive, while he saw himself as ordinary. I didn't find any interest in the human-like routine applied to the vampires. And I was less than thrilled about Bran hopping from one bed to the next, especially when said bed belonged to supposedly friends, not fuck buddies. From the start, I could not invest emotionally with the characters so everything took on a soap opera feel, as I watched from afar the drama of the characters and mostly just rolled my eyes a lot.
November 27, 2013
The first part was soooo long and tedious. I sat there waiting for something to happen and all that happened was life as usual (for the universe). I kept waiting for...I dunno, someone to get attacked or killed or exploded or something, but nope.
The way it's split into parts is at once too boringly unequivocal and awkward. The way the first part ended really, really annoyed me. It was actually okay up until then, and then it started drowning in kitschiness. the LSD gimmick also annoyed me. A lot. Probably more than it should rightly do, but it did.
The rest of it was rather cringe-worthy. A lot happens and you think something's going to come of it, but really, it just fizzles out, ends not with a band, but with a whimper. I really wish the author would have used the plot points xe introduced for something rather than letting them magically resolve themselves if you ignore them long enough.
So, overall, a rather commonplace, humdrum sort of read, actually extremely exasperating at many times.
The way it's split into parts is at once too boringly unequivocal and awkward. The way the first part ended really, really annoyed me. It was actually okay up until then, and then it started drowning in kitschiness. the LSD gimmick also annoyed me. A lot. Probably more than it should rightly do, but it did.
The rest of it was rather cringe-worthy. A lot happens and you think something's going to come of it, but really, it just fizzles out, ends not with a band, but with a whimper. I really wish the author would have used the plot points xe introduced for something rather than letting them magically resolve themselves if you ignore them long enough.
So, overall, a rather commonplace, humdrum sort of read, actually extremely exasperating at many times.
January 6, 2015
Holy FUCK!!
Check out that cover!! (and what an awesome blurb)
MUST. HAVE.!!
Check out that cover!! (and what an awesome blurb)
MUST. HAVE.!!
April 6, 2021
Second chances
I liked the story though the most action happened in the middle and the last half kind of trailed. Lots happens but it almost felt like another book. I liked the self reflection Bran went through at the end.
I liked the story though the most action happened in the middle and the last half kind of trailed. Lots happens but it almost felt like another book. I liked the self reflection Bran went through at the end.
September 5, 2012
This book has left me really confused, in the sense that I don't know whether I liked it or not. I do not normally read "paranormal books" and I only picked it up, because my best friend is really obsessed with the living dead and I thought "why not".
At least now I know, why not. Because it's not my thing. The characters were really flat and shallow (but compared to the deeply troubled and mentally ill characters I'm used to, that's hardly surprising, really) and we're talking about Bran and Heath here, the whole personality of each of the secondary characters could be summed up to one word. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but wonder: What's the point?
The constant change of subjects didn't help very much. If I had to compare this book to anything, it would be to a TV show like Supernatural (without the M/M romanceunfortunately). With every couple of chapters, the main plot would change, just like seeing a new episode. Unfortunately I only thought of that now, but while reading the book, it was extremely tiring. And there were not even meaningful conversations to support it.
I also never got how there could be so many gay men. Or let me get this right: how there could be only gay men in the plot. Seriously, did we meet even one straight guy? And what about the straight/homosexual ratio? I understand that the book is set in another reality, but one where LGTB people are being kicked out of their house, and yet they are the only ones we see. It would be far more plausible, had there been one, one straight couple. Oh yeah, Franco and Lilith. But they weren't a real couple anyway.
Furthermore, reading through the many sex scenes was really uncomfortable, and this is coming from someone who reads NC-17 slash. I wasn't prepared for them, and I like to be able to differentiate between my literature and my porn. What's more, and that goes to every aspiring writer out there, do not ever, under any circumstances, begin a book with a sex scene. It's fairly okay to add one somewhere in the middle or end, but not in the beginning. Because if the reader then expects a cheap book, one that is not even considered literature, like the ones they give away with magazines, then it's your fault.
On the other hand, at least the characters didn't remain stagnant, but grew up and changed, most of all Heath. If only that happened to every book I read.
At least now I know, why not. Because it's not my thing. The characters were really flat and shallow (but compared to the deeply troubled and mentally ill characters I'm used to, that's hardly surprising, really) and we're talking about Bran and Heath here, the whole personality of each of the secondary characters could be summed up to one word. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but wonder: What's the point?
The constant change of subjects didn't help very much. If I had to compare this book to anything, it would be to a TV show like Supernatural (without the M/M romance
I also never got how there could be so many gay men. Or let me get this right: how there could be only gay men in the plot. Seriously, did we meet even one straight guy? And what about the straight/homosexual ratio? I understand that the book is set in another reality, but one where LGTB people are being kicked out of their house, and yet they are the only ones we see. It would be far more plausible, had there been one, one straight couple. Oh yeah, Franco and Lilith. But they weren't a real couple anyway.
Furthermore, reading through the many sex scenes was really uncomfortable, and this is coming from someone who reads NC-17 slash. I wasn't prepared for them, and I like to be able to differentiate between my literature and my porn. What's more, and that goes to every aspiring writer out there, do not ever, under any circumstances, begin a book with a sex scene. It's fairly okay to add one somewhere in the middle or end, but not in the beginning. Because if the reader then expects a cheap book, one that is not even considered literature, like the ones they give away with magazines, then it's your fault.
On the other hand, at least the characters didn't remain stagnant, but grew up and changed, most of all Heath. If only that happened to every book I read.
July 28, 2012
This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm
I interviewed Tia Fielding when I read her other book Chuffed and she asked if I was going to read this book. I told her Hell yes and I now want to tell her she better be a fast writer because she now has 2 books I want to read like yesterday!!
I loved that in this world vampires where out and part of society and I love this story of old love becoming new love. I also liked that the cover of the book was directly related to Bran and his tattoo's, I loved the concept of them and the way the feeling of being tattooed was described was so accurate, well it was for how I feel when I get inked.
This is basically the story of how Heath and Bran got back together after Heath was an idiot. It chart their relationship through its changes and how his 'family' made up of friends reacts and supports them. I look forward to book 2 and I hope we get to see a lot more of Logan and some of the other Vampires we meet in this one!! Well I am assuming there will be a book 2 Oh I hope so!!!!!!
I interviewed Tia Fielding when I read her other book Chuffed and she asked if I was going to read this book. I told her Hell yes and I now want to tell her she better be a fast writer because she now has 2 books I want to read like yesterday!!
I loved that in this world vampires where out and part of society and I love this story of old love becoming new love. I also liked that the cover of the book was directly related to Bran and his tattoo's, I loved the concept of them and the way the feeling of being tattooed was described was so accurate, well it was for how I feel when I get inked.
This is basically the story of how Heath and Bran got back together after Heath was an idiot. It chart their relationship through its changes and how his 'family' made up of friends reacts and supports them. I look forward to book 2 and I hope we get to see a lot more of Logan and some of the other Vampires we meet in this one!! Well I am assuming there will be a book 2 Oh I hope so!!!!!!
August 18, 2012
3.75 - rounded up to 4. Great beginning and ending, but the middle dragged a bit for me. At one point, I was sure the story was over, but there was at least a third left to the book. :)
February 22, 2018
J’étais super emballée après avoir lu le synospis, ce livre m’attirait vraiment. J’étais impatiente de le lire…et j’ai été déçue…
J’ai même voulu l’abandonner à un moment donné, c’est dire ! C’est lent, c’est fade… Pourtant l’idée de départ était bonne.
Je ne suis pas contre les flash back, mais là, je trouvais qu’ils s’inséraient bizarrement.
On suit la vie de Bran de nos jours et on a droit à des retours en arrière concernant sa rencontre avec le vampire, entre autre. Cependant, c’est à peine survolé… on aimerait des détails, plus de développement, que ce soit dans le passé comme dans le présent.
Je ne me suis pas spécialement attachée aux personnages. Les vampires cités m’intriguaient vraiment et au final je n’ai pas eu ce que j’attendais.
Je ne parlerai pas du "mode de vie" du héros, franchement certaines situations m'hérissaient le poil sans rentrer dans les détails.
Et pour parler de l’épilogue, il ne sert strictement à rien (oui je suis toujours obligée de faire une remarque sur l’épilogue ^^)
Une plume sympa, de bonnes idées mais trop peu et/ou mal exploitées…
J’ai même voulu l’abandonner à un moment donné, c’est dire ! C’est lent, c’est fade… Pourtant l’idée de départ était bonne.
Je ne suis pas contre les flash back, mais là, je trouvais qu’ils s’inséraient bizarrement.
On suit la vie de Bran de nos jours et on a droit à des retours en arrière concernant sa rencontre avec le vampire, entre autre. Cependant, c’est à peine survolé… on aimerait des détails, plus de développement, que ce soit dans le passé comme dans le présent.
Je ne me suis pas spécialement attachée aux personnages. Les vampires cités m’intriguaient vraiment et au final je n’ai pas eu ce que j’attendais.
Je ne parlerai pas du "mode de vie" du héros, franchement certaines situations m'hérissaient le poil sans rentrer dans les détails.
Et pour parler de l’épilogue, il ne sert strictement à rien (oui je suis toujours obligée de faire une remarque sur l’épilogue ^^)
Une plume sympa, de bonnes idées mais trop peu et/ou mal exploitées…
October 26, 2020
A light, easy read that hits plenty of vampire tropes -- . I appreciated that the main character has casual sex without it being pathologised or demonised.
But it didn't really deliver on the feels the way I want from a romance. The characters were pretty underdeveloped, and there was never a real sense of tension in the relationship arc. A shame, because the summary suggested something with much more emotional depth.
But it didn't really deliver on the feels the way I want from a romance. The characters were pretty underdeveloped, and there was never a real sense of tension in the relationship arc. A shame, because the summary suggested something with much more emotional depth.
February 20, 2018
J'ai lu les 3 premiers chapitres et j'ai laissé tomber. Le "ménage à trois" du départ ne m'a pas du tout plu, on passe d'un évènement à l'autre sans vraiment de transition et il y a trop de longueurs inutiles, le résumé est carrément plus attrayant que ce que j'ai lu.
dnf
June 5, 2018 dmf @ ~10%
N4M
I love the cover though.
N4M
I love the cover though.
February 13, 2022
Al principio se hace muy aburrido y cuesta engancharte. Conforme vas avanzando te llegas a enganchar algo. Pero la trama es algo deficiente.
August 2, 2012
2 1/2 - 3 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Bran has come a long way since his ex-lover, Heath, kicked him out. He now works as a social worker at a vampire/human youth shelter, but he still harbors bitterness towards Heath. When Heath walks back into his life he has a lot of thinking to do. Can he forgive the vampire that tossed him out on the street? Heath might have made a mistake twelve years ago when he thought that he would never love, but meeting Bran again invokes all those emotions and he wants another chance.
This is quite a good story about humans and vampires that intermingle. Not always brilliantly, but for the most part they get along. Bran has had a lot of ups and downs since he last saw Heath, but he still blames Heath for kicking him out and for no other vampire being willing to bite him. Heath has felt guilt over kicking Bran out, but felt it was for the best. Now, after twelve years he has run into Bran again and he wants another chance. But, Bran has made no bones to his friends over what Heath did to him, and it isn’t an easy reunion.
Bran is an awkward character to really get to know, because yes, he is kind and nice and everyone seems to love him, but he also has no qualms about using his friends for sex and solely blaming Heath for what has happened to him. But, when Heath turns up again, Bran seems to take great pains in making the vampire squirm. Which disgusted me, and it isn’t until Heath nearly dies that Bran pulls his head out of his arse. Am I being harsh about Bran? Maybe. But, from where I was sitting he was using Heath in the first place, living in his house, eating his food, living a life of luxury, not doing anything but taking advantage of Heath and is then all angsty when Heath kicks him out. And Bran makes sure that anyone he became friends with in the future knew how much Heath had betrayed and abandoned him. Seriously grow the hell up.
Heath is a character that I really liked and I thought that he had a lot going for him. But, I cringed when he seemed to become a whipped dog for Bran, Heath never did anything wrong! How is Heath kicking him out much worse than Bran’s parents kicking him out? Bran actually seemed more bothered that he couldn’t get a vampire to bite him! *sigh ~climbing down from soapbox~* Don’t get me wrong Heath and Bran are well suited and Bran is a nice character, but he laid the blame all on Heath and he shouldn’t have.
The storyline for this one is a bit up and down, and I really wasn’t sure where it was going. I mean there was a plot when someone from the past turns up who is vaguely connected to Heath, but the plot fizzles out in unsatisfying fashion and you are left with a puzzled expectation of what is to come. I really like the everyday shelter stuff that we saw with the young vampires and humans, and would have liked a deeper storyline there. I was surprised with the direction that the story turned in, and I enjoyed watching Heath and Bran together towards the end, I also liked the fact that it showed how hard it was for newly turned vampires.
So, I am going to recommend this to those who love vampires, a human who has had a hard life, forgiveness, hot sex and a happy ending.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
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Bran has come a long way since his ex-lover, Heath, kicked him out. He now works as a social worker at a vampire/human youth shelter, but he still harbors bitterness towards Heath. When Heath walks back into his life he has a lot of thinking to do. Can he forgive the vampire that tossed him out on the street? Heath might have made a mistake twelve years ago when he thought that he would never love, but meeting Bran again invokes all those emotions and he wants another chance.
This is quite a good story about humans and vampires that intermingle. Not always brilliantly, but for the most part they get along. Bran has had a lot of ups and downs since he last saw Heath, but he still blames Heath for kicking him out and for no other vampire being willing to bite him. Heath has felt guilt over kicking Bran out, but felt it was for the best. Now, after twelve years he has run into Bran again and he wants another chance. But, Bran has made no bones to his friends over what Heath did to him, and it isn’t an easy reunion.
Bran is an awkward character to really get to know, because yes, he is kind and nice and everyone seems to love him, but he also has no qualms about using his friends for sex and solely blaming Heath for what has happened to him. But, when Heath turns up again, Bran seems to take great pains in making the vampire squirm. Which disgusted me, and it isn’t until Heath nearly dies that Bran pulls his head out of his arse. Am I being harsh about Bran? Maybe. But, from where I was sitting he was using Heath in the first place, living in his house, eating his food, living a life of luxury, not doing anything but taking advantage of Heath and is then all angsty when Heath kicks him out. And Bran makes sure that anyone he became friends with in the future knew how much Heath had betrayed and abandoned him. Seriously grow the hell up.
Heath is a character that I really liked and I thought that he had a lot going for him. But, I cringed when he seemed to become a whipped dog for Bran, Heath never did anything wrong! How is Heath kicking him out much worse than Bran’s parents kicking him out? Bran actually seemed more bothered that he couldn’t get a vampire to bite him! *sigh ~climbing down from soapbox~* Don’t get me wrong Heath and Bran are well suited and Bran is a nice character, but he laid the blame all on Heath and he shouldn’t have.
The storyline for this one is a bit up and down, and I really wasn’t sure where it was going. I mean there was a plot when someone from the past turns up who is vaguely connected to Heath, but the plot fizzles out in unsatisfying fashion and you are left with a puzzled expectation of what is to come. I really like the everyday shelter stuff that we saw with the young vampires and humans, and would have liked a deeper storyline there. I was surprised with the direction that the story turned in, and I enjoyed watching Heath and Bran together towards the end, I also liked the fact that it showed how hard it was for newly turned vampires.
So, I am going to recommend this to those who love vampires, a human who has had a hard life, forgiveness, hot sex and a happy ending.
August 15, 2012
Ver flat and disjointed. Most ineffective and chaotic use of flashbacks ever seen. Lots of telling and not showing in this unaffecting tale of vampire love. The natural tension that exists between a mortal human and his ageless vampire lover dwindles to nothing. A cohort of former lovers and f*** buddies merely serves as a noisy and meddlesome distracted. This review bounces around, with no clear structure or narrative arc, much like this book.
One example of generally FLATNESS and lack of creative tension: vampire Heath/Hyatt doesn't like tattoos. Human lover Bran/Mac/Mace has them, and doesn't understand Heath/Hyatt's distaste. Since Bran/Mac/Mace's serial tattoos are a significant plot thread, the reader would expect some dramatic dialog about this. But no, the author reveals the cause for Heath/Hyatt's dislike of tattoos in an off camera side note.
Also, there is really no need for both MCs to have more than one name each!
One example of generally FLATNESS and lack of creative tension: vampire Heath/Hyatt doesn't like tattoos. Human lover Bran/Mac/Mace has them, and doesn't understand Heath/Hyatt's distaste. Since Bran/Mac/Mace's serial tattoos are a significant plot thread, the reader would expect some dramatic dialog about this. But no, the author reveals the cause for Heath/Hyatt's dislike of tattoos in an off camera side note.
Also, there is really no need for both MCs to have more than one name each!
August 15, 2012
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't find it flat at all. I liked the two MC's as well as the secondaries. Some reviews said it seemed like they weren't in love, but I disagree. In many books there are "mates" but this doesn't mean there isn't choice. In fact, the premise of this is how you suffer for those choices. I like the view of the future where there are vamps in the world, but I didn't care for the vamp structure dynamics, but I'm not overly interested in that. It certainly didn't detract from the book, but some will love it more than I did.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't find it flat at all. I liked the two MC's as well as the secondaries. Some reviews said it seemed like they weren't in love, but I disagree. In many books there are "mates" but this doesn't mean there isn't choice. In fact, the premise of this is how you suffer for those choices. I like the view of the future where there are vamps in the world, but I didn't care for the vamp structure dynamics, but I'm not overly interested in that. It certainly didn't detract from the book, but some will love it more than I did.
August 15, 2012
The blurb and cover caught my attention unfortunately the story didn't live up to my expectations. I didn't find Bran very likable which made it hard to care about his relationship with Heath. Overall a disappointing read.
August 20, 2012
Really innovative approach to story-telling! Again, this is another one that will probably offend people who like a mainstream approach to M-M romance, but I love authors who take risks and Tia Fielding isn't afraid to do that!
October 2, 2012
For a book that was focused on the relationships of the characters instead of plot, it was good. However, some things felt out of place and as if they weren't needed(The whole Lilith/Heath's sire thing seem really random, imo). This doesn't stop me from wanting to look for her other books though.
April 2, 2016
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
While this book did have a few redeeming qualities, due to a lack of editorial contribution I would not recommend.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
While this book did have a few redeeming qualities, due to a lack of editorial contribution I would not recommend.
August 2, 2018
This was pretty disappointing. It was okay in parts. However in most of it the author was telling a lot more than showing. One of the main characters wasn't even there for more than a quarter of the book. The plot idea had so much potential but was pretty poorly executed unfortunately.
July 25, 2012
Ami and MandyM said it all...
March 22, 2014
3.5 stars.
August 19, 2012
Just loved it! And that cover, gorgeous!
July 22, 2012
Can't wait for sequel!
not-going-to-read
July 22, 2012Seeing some reviews I don't like unemotional books and free sex for the sake of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2012
I liked it very much. This is the first book I read from this author and definitively no the last one.
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