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Mine #1
Casting
Steve Michaels had one goal for the drink just enough to get through the press conference in promotion of Ben’s Life, the new television series he’s directing. Plans change for him when the seedy producer of the show zeroes in
his seduction efforts on Zack Greene, the bad boy of the moment. Now, Steve has to make sure Zack doesn’t sue.
Instead of finding the hardened bad boy he expected, Steve finds a vulnerable man whom life has beaten down. Can Steve help build him back up with a loving structured relationship? Find out how being cast in right roles enriches their careers and lives.
his seduction efforts on Zack Greene, the bad boy of the moment. Now, Steve has to make sure Zack doesn’t sue.
Instead of finding the hardened bad boy he expected, Steve finds a vulnerable man whom life has beaten down. Can Steve help build him back up with a loving structured relationship? Find out how being cast in right roles enriches their careers and lives.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Liz Borino
22 books77 followersLiz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 3, 2018
It was very insta-love and insta-d/s and it didn't work well for me. I didn't feel the chemistry - it felt very clinical. Plus that secondary female MC - WTH?
March 10, 2013
Casting introduces us to Steve and Zack. Fresh out of rehab, Zack is trying to be himself. He wants to take his life and his career as an actor in a new direction now that he has a different outlook in life. During a press junket, Steve watches as Zack rejects the advances of a producer he works with and sets off to make sure that Zack is not a threat to the producer or the show he is directing. However, Steve finds himself being drawn to Zack. He sees something in him that he can't resist and asks him out for coffee.
And so it starts.
The writing was very good. Although a short story, it managed to pack a lot of information and insight into both characters. I loved them. Steve, the strong Dom with an honest heart and a sexy body in tight leather pants and Zack a tortured soul who usually keeps to himself but opens his heart and soul to Steve. What's not to love?
I appreciated that Liz Borino developed Steve and Zack's relationship slowly. It would have been hard for me to accept the pairing if they didn't communicate so much from the start. I enjoyed their dialogue, the emotions they portrayed and the chemistry between them. But I especially loved how they talked honestly about their needs and their expectations. I think that gave them a solid start. After reading Casting, I totally fell in love with Zack and Steve.
And so it starts.
The writing was very good. Although a short story, it managed to pack a lot of information and insight into both characters. I loved them. Steve, the strong Dom with an honest heart and a sexy body in tight leather pants and Zack a tortured soul who usually keeps to himself but opens his heart and soul to Steve. What's not to love?
I appreciated that Liz Borino developed Steve and Zack's relationship slowly. It would have been hard for me to accept the pairing if they didn't communicate so much from the start. I enjoyed their dialogue, the emotions they portrayed and the chemistry between them. But I especially loved how they talked honestly about their needs and their expectations. I think that gave them a solid start. After reading Casting, I totally fell in love with Zack and Steve.
March 10, 2013
This prequel was really well done. The writing is much better then the books that follow it, but I think that is because this was written after the main stories.
When I say this I instantly downloaded it. I have read the first two books in this series and I really enjoy the characters of Steve and Zach.
Now I am looking forward to the third book, which I will read as soon as possible.
When I say this I instantly downloaded it. I have read the first two books in this series and I really enjoy the characters of Steve and Zach.
Now I am looking forward to the third book, which I will read as soon as possible.
March 12, 2013
Casting: Prequel for Mine Series by Liz Borino.
For those of us who have followed Steve and Zack on their wonderful journey together in Hollywood, this story has seemed like a long time coming. It started with Action, then got deeper with Cut Away finally giving us a glimpse of their happy ever after in It’s a Wrap, now we take a step back to the beginning of their relationship. This story follows Steve and Zack as they meet for the first time and fall in love.
The production company holds a press party for Ben’s Life to get the buzz about the show up as they start the auditions, Rich Glenn is there with Steve Michaels the two them have known each other since collage. Rich is the first to notice Zack Greene as he steps in the venue. He decides to go make a move on Zack after the group of females move away. Steve tells him it probably is not the best idea, they didn’t even know if Zack was gay or not. Rich said Zack just hadn’t met the right guy. Steve prepared himself to clean up after Rich because he really wanted Zack for the show. It took everything Steve had not to claim Zack that first night, but there was something about him that Steve wanted for himself, not just for one night or two, but forever.
After a couple days of seeing each other on and off Steve is thinking things like Zack is his, he loves Zack and is wondering where their relationship is going. So, so get Zack out of his mind he goes to the local BDSM club, The Dungeon and agrees with his old lover to share a scene. But he can’t get Zack out of his mind so he bows out of the scene and goes to get Zack. He takes him home with him for a week.
During that week, they come up with a contract for their relationship with rules and consequences after Steve explains to Zack what type of relationship he is looking for.
Things are going good for the two of them for almost a month, Steve convinces the production company VP that Zack is the guy for Ben’s Life over Rich’s objections, but when he doesn’t hear from Zack that day he goes to his apartment to see how Zack’s cold is doing only to find him not sick with a cold but laid flat with the flu. He takes Zack home to nurse him back to health. After three days Zack is feeling better and cements his love with Steve by telling him he’ll accept the collar.
This story of how our two guys got together is delightfully romantic, and stirring in the fact that both men has things they had to overcome to become one and they worked on it together and made their love flourish. Ms. Borino has listened to her readers to give us the story of how Steve and Zack first met, with all the little comments made through the series we really wanted to know! And boy, did Ms. Borino listen to us and deliver on her promise. A five star read and a wonderful ending to this series. This also gives a little back story on the Rich/Steve/Zack dynamics that played out if Action. You must read this series if you like gay erotica, and this book is a definite must read when starting the series. Thank you very much, Ms. Borino for giving us this wonderful world to play in for a while.
For those of us who have followed Steve and Zack on their wonderful journey together in Hollywood, this story has seemed like a long time coming. It started with Action, then got deeper with Cut Away finally giving us a glimpse of their happy ever after in It’s a Wrap, now we take a step back to the beginning of their relationship. This story follows Steve and Zack as they meet for the first time and fall in love.
The production company holds a press party for Ben’s Life to get the buzz about the show up as they start the auditions, Rich Glenn is there with Steve Michaels the two them have known each other since collage. Rich is the first to notice Zack Greene as he steps in the venue. He decides to go make a move on Zack after the group of females move away. Steve tells him it probably is not the best idea, they didn’t even know if Zack was gay or not. Rich said Zack just hadn’t met the right guy. Steve prepared himself to clean up after Rich because he really wanted Zack for the show. It took everything Steve had not to claim Zack that first night, but there was something about him that Steve wanted for himself, not just for one night or two, but forever.
After a couple days of seeing each other on and off Steve is thinking things like Zack is his, he loves Zack and is wondering where their relationship is going. So, so get Zack out of his mind he goes to the local BDSM club, The Dungeon and agrees with his old lover to share a scene. But he can’t get Zack out of his mind so he bows out of the scene and goes to get Zack. He takes him home with him for a week.
During that week, they come up with a contract for their relationship with rules and consequences after Steve explains to Zack what type of relationship he is looking for.
Things are going good for the two of them for almost a month, Steve convinces the production company VP that Zack is the guy for Ben’s Life over Rich’s objections, but when he doesn’t hear from Zack that day he goes to his apartment to see how Zack’s cold is doing only to find him not sick with a cold but laid flat with the flu. He takes Zack home to nurse him back to health. After three days Zack is feeling better and cements his love with Steve by telling him he’ll accept the collar.
This story of how our two guys got together is delightfully romantic, and stirring in the fact that both men has things they had to overcome to become one and they worked on it together and made their love flourish. Ms. Borino has listened to her readers to give us the story of how Steve and Zack first met, with all the little comments made through the series we really wanted to know! And boy, did Ms. Borino listen to us and deliver on her promise. A five star read and a wonderful ending to this series. This also gives a little back story on the Rich/Steve/Zack dynamics that played out if Action. You must read this series if you like gay erotica, and this book is a definite must read when starting the series. Thank you very much, Ms. Borino for giving us this wonderful world to play in for a while.
March 9, 2013
This short story is the prequel to a M/M trilogy completed before this work was begun. It depicts the first encounter of the leads and their fallling for each other.
To give Caesar its due, writing is quite good.
Not even the fluid writing can make up for the rather disconcerting plot loopholes though; there are several but I can only quote one without giving the plot away: the leads wake up together and decide they will have breakfast after one has groomed himself; the following line they are having breakfast but nobody has ever been in the bathroom.
The BDSM element is essential to the plot and that is utterly unfortunate.
Halfway through the story, during a very mature dialogue the leads are having about a potential relationship, the dom lists his own duties... which are essentially those of any decent human being who is involved in any kind of relationship. Why should the sub accept to relinquish control and bear punishments in exchange for benefits that should belong to any relationship and without which the same relationship could only be considered abusive really escapes me.
I suppose the point the author is trying to make is that our dom is a responsible man unlike many pain addicts that people the BDSM world.
Point made and taken, but once again being attentive to the other's need should be the basis of any relationship (even between friends or relatives): we know this is not always the case but those are called "disfunctional" relationship for a reason, are they not?
Sex scenes are indifferent if not boring and convey little of the depth of emotions supposedly involved.
I really think it is a good thing that this prequel is available for free: anybody will be able to make his own mind.
After all the series has received many raving reviews: obviously it must have some merits even if I fail to see any.
Personally, after reading this work and the blurbs of the next three volumes, which seem full of contrived angst and drama, I will quit this series now and be happier for it.
To give Caesar its due, writing is quite good.
Not even the fluid writing can make up for the rather disconcerting plot loopholes though; there are several but I can only quote one without giving the plot away: the leads wake up together and decide they will have breakfast after one has groomed himself; the following line they are having breakfast but nobody has ever been in the bathroom.
The BDSM element is essential to the plot and that is utterly unfortunate.
Halfway through the story, during a very mature dialogue the leads are having about a potential relationship, the dom lists his own duties... which are essentially those of any decent human being who is involved in any kind of relationship. Why should the sub accept to relinquish control and bear punishments in exchange for benefits that should belong to any relationship and without which the same relationship could only be considered abusive really escapes me.
I suppose the point the author is trying to make is that our dom is a responsible man unlike many pain addicts that people the BDSM world.
Point made and taken, but once again being attentive to the other's need should be the basis of any relationship (even between friends or relatives): we know this is not always the case but those are called "disfunctional" relationship for a reason, are they not?
Sex scenes are indifferent if not boring and convey little of the depth of emotions supposedly involved.
I really think it is a good thing that this prequel is available for free: anybody will be able to make his own mind.
After all the series has received many raving reviews: obviously it must have some merits even if I fail to see any.
Personally, after reading this work and the blurbs of the next three volumes, which seem full of contrived angst and drama, I will quit this series now and be happier for it.
August 26, 2016
3.5 stars--I shouldn't have liked this book. The writing felt...inexperienced. It didn't flow particularly well. There were several problems with vocabulary--incorrect words being used, ones that were very similar in spelling but different in meaning to words that would have been appropriate. The editing, in general, was a bit weak. In addition, it didn't feel as if most of the BDSM parts came from the voice of experience.
As I said, I shouldn't have liked it, but for some inexplicable reason, I did. It wasn't great, mind you, but it had a certain charm nonetheless. I definitely plan on reading more in this series. It certainly has potential!
As I said, I shouldn't have liked it, but for some inexplicable reason, I did. It wasn't great, mind you, but it had a certain charm nonetheless. I definitely plan on reading more in this series. It certainly has potential!
October 5, 2014
This was a short little step back in time of the Mine series to see where Steve and Zach's relationship began. I loved watching them grow and change throughout this story. Liz develops characters that you just want to get to know or be a part of their life. You could feel the passion and love between both men. The flow was great and it was just long enough to give you a taste of how it all began for them. If you have read Action, I would definitely recommend that you pick up this one as well.
August 1, 2015
I'm so on the fence about this book. For the first 2/3 of the book, I was bored out of my mind and found both main characters incredibly annoying. During the last 1/3 of the book, I was finally invested in the story and liked the main characters. I settled on 3 stars because at no point did I hate or love anything about it. For the record, I would much rather end a book on a good note so I definitely felt the book was a worthwhile read.
December 1, 2013
A very interesting little read. I don't think that I could be in a relationship quite like this one. I do enjoy a little play like this but not to the extent described in Zack and Steve's relationship.
March 11, 2013
Man I love this book! I fell in love with Steve and Zack in "Action" but this book is how they met and got together. So wonderful. The scene with Steve explaining his need to dominate to Zack was priceless! I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes M/M with a good dose of BDSM too.
May 19, 2014
Great Beginning
Going into this book knowing it is the first in a series that will tell Zach and Steve's story. They connect quickly but to move forward Steve has to be honest about what he wants and needs. Then he has to hope Zach wants it too.
Going into this book knowing it is the first in a series that will tell Zach and Steve's story. They connect quickly but to move forward Steve has to be honest about what he wants and needs. Then he has to hope Zach wants it too.
March 10, 2013
first book i read by her, i loved it, and enjoyed it.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews