What do you think?
Rate this book
Immortal Symphony: Overture #3
Overture: Ghost in the Closet
You think you know the story of Dorian Gray, but you're wrong. The real story didn't end the way Oscar Wilde penned; in fact, it hasn't ended at all. The ageless beauty of Dorian Gray walks now in our world of cellphones and lattes and internet porn. His latest conquest is Gabriel Lawrence, a paranormal investigator with a secret or two of his own. But the trouble with a life as long as Dorian's is that the skeletons are threatening to overrun the closet... and not all of them want to stay dead.
Season 1
Overture introduces Gabriel to the truth of a world he had only suspected, where ghost hunting is the least of his worries. And at the heart of it all is the mysterious and fascinating Dorian Gray, as though he'd stepped out of the pages of the book bearing his name. But if he has, he hasn't come through alone. And this figure from a past Dorian had though long behind him bears a grudge nurtured for a hundred years and intends to tear down everything Dorian has built, a piece at a time.
Episode 3: Ghost in the Closet
The aftermath of Dorian's party leaves Gabriel and Michael reeling, and both become more determined than ever to wring some answers from this so-called 'Dorian Gray'. Dorian's continued hedging, though, pushes Michael beyond his limits, forcing him to reveal his presence. But what he could never have predicted is that Dorian isn't at all surprised...
Season 1
Overture introduces Gabriel to the truth of a world he had only suspected, where ghost hunting is the least of his worries. And at the heart of it all is the mysterious and fascinating Dorian Gray, as though he'd stepped out of the pages of the book bearing his name. But if he has, he hasn't come through alone. And this figure from a past Dorian had though long behind him bears a grudge nurtured for a hundred years and intends to tear down everything Dorian has built, a piece at a time.
Episode 3: Ghost in the Closet
The aftermath of Dorian's party leaves Gabriel and Michael reeling, and both become more determined than ever to wring some answers from this so-called 'Dorian Gray'. Dorian's continued hedging, though, pushes Michael beyond his limits, forcing him to reveal his presence. But what he could never have predicted is that Dorian isn't at all surprised...
37 pages, ebook
First published April 12, 2013
27 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Armstrong
56 books133 followersSupport S.L. Armstrong & K. Piet on Patreon!
S.L. Armstrong has been writing for as long as she can remember. Art and reading have played a large part in her life since young childhood, but around fourteen, writing became her passion. Voraciously consuming every book in front of her opened up hundreds of worlds in her head, and she soon wanted to create worlds for other people as well. She has a particular fondness for gothic horror, horror, high fantasy, urban fantasy, and romance novels. The authors she turns to time and again are Stephen King, L.J. Smith, V.C. Andrews, R.L. Stine, and Anne Rice, among others. She has no shame in picking up the young adult novels she loved as a child, and she will talk your ear off about grammar and punctuation.
After she married her husband over seventeen years ago, she began to truly delve into the world of writing for public consumption. It was sheer chance that she stumbled on M/M fanfiction, and she's not looked back. Though fanfiction will always have a fond place in her heart, she soon grew tired of playing in other people's sandboxes. When she discovered M/M romance, and how it was now a legitimate branch of romance writing, she knew her course. S.L. plans to release F/F, M/M, M/F, and multiple partner books as she continues her writing career. M/M romance is where her heart lies, no matter what else she may write or read, and it's where she keeps returning to. There is something about two men passionately in love that just makes her heart melt, and she has no intention of giving that up anytime soon.
S.L. Armstrong lives in Florida with her husband, partner, two dogs, and twelve cats. She hates the heat and longs for a northern, snowy climate. She writes with K. Piet on a number of projects, but she also writes her own solitary titles as well.
S.L. Armstrong has been writing for as long as she can remember. Art and reading have played a large part in her life since young childhood, but around fourteen, writing became her passion. Voraciously consuming every book in front of her opened up hundreds of worlds in her head, and she soon wanted to create worlds for other people as well. She has a particular fondness for gothic horror, horror, high fantasy, urban fantasy, and romance novels. The authors she turns to time and again are Stephen King, L.J. Smith, V.C. Andrews, R.L. Stine, and Anne Rice, among others. She has no shame in picking up the young adult novels she loved as a child, and she will talk your ear off about grammar and punctuation.
After she married her husband over seventeen years ago, she began to truly delve into the world of writing for public consumption. It was sheer chance that she stumbled on M/M fanfiction, and she's not looked back. Though fanfiction will always have a fond place in her heart, she soon grew tired of playing in other people's sandboxes. When she discovered M/M romance, and how it was now a legitimate branch of romance writing, she knew her course. S.L. plans to release F/F, M/M, M/F, and multiple partner books as she continues her writing career. M/M romance is where her heart lies, no matter what else she may write or read, and it's where she keeps returning to. There is something about two men passionately in love that just makes her heart melt, and she has no intention of giving that up anytime soon.
S.L. Armstrong lives in Florida with her husband, partner, two dogs, and twelve cats. She hates the heat and longs for a northern, snowy climate. She writes with K. Piet on a number of projects, but she also writes her own solitary titles as well.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 11, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
3.5 stars
This third part of the Immortal Symphony serial is definitely the part of the story that I was waiting for. The dynamic between Gabriel, Michael and Dorian changes quite drastically after the second story, where Gabriel partook in the casual drug use and orgiastic (very public) pleasures in celebration of Dorian's birthday. But what is a common evening of debauchery for Dorian is quite honestly uncomfortably hedonistic to Gabriel. Always the good boy in comparison to his twin brother Michael's more outlandish actions, this story shows more than ever before how the addition of Dorian to the brothers' lives has had an affect on them. Gabriel, who has always had trouble letting loose and giving up control to participate in the kinds of things like Dorian's sex party, finds that he quite likes forcing himself to explore new opportunities and experience life in a more hedonistic way. Michael's whole existence, however, is a testament to the partying lifestyle of excess drugs and sex, one which ultimately cost him his life. Seeing his brothers actions hits Michael the hardest. This drives a firm wedge between Michael and Dorian, and when Gabriel doesn't seem as upset at Dorian and Michael feels he should, Michael decides to take over his brothers body and show Dorian his displeasure. The resulting confrontation between the two pushes open the door to Dorian's secrets, until they start spilling out into the light.
While I liked this story even more than the first two -- specifically because we're starting to get some real answers -- I'm still very of two minds about this series and the characters. First, I really adore the writing of Dorian's character, but I don't actually like Dorian at all. I say that I really adore the writing of him because I've suspected all along that my emotions are purposefully being manipulated as far as how I feel about him. He's really not likable at all except in that pre-karma way, the "he's going to get what's coming to him" way, whether that be literal or the satisfaction of watching him start to have real feelings for someone. That's why I can't say I categorically hate Dorian, though he does make me uncomfortable. He's a much more complicated character than that. In fact, he's the character that really parallels the overall unfolding plot, because the reveal of his secrets drives the plot forward (which we see in this story as flashbacks). These two authors are really using this unusual medium to explore non-traditional romance characters. Dorian is such a big character that his presence often takes over parts of the story, and ultimately, I feel like he'll be the deciding factor as to where the story will go as it navigates the boundary between erotica and romance.
The second part of how I feel about this serial is that as far as the overall plot and the emotional growth of the characters, this serial is still in it's infancy, so those things like how I don't' like Dorian very much have very little impact about how I feel about the story overall. I suppose, I should just say that while I'm reviewing and having to give each little story in this serial a rating, I'm really reserving judgement for myself.
Readers who buy the Season Pass (all six Overture season episodes in one) will get an overall discount but also some freebies. The first of those freebies came out with this story in the form of a short story. "The Melody" goes far back in time to an innocent and young Dorian. We get to meet Basil, an artist that young Dorian loves with all the infatuation of a boy and who is also a character importantly referenced to in the first story. While the scene between the two isn't completely instrumental to the main story (you don't have to read it), I did really enjoy being able to get to see him and see who he really was to Dorian at that age. Plus, seeing Dorian as positive, hopeful and undamaged gives me a lot of hope that we'll soon get to see a real change in Dorian in the main story as well.
The fourth story in the Immortal Symphony serial is out now!
3.5 stars
This third part of the Immortal Symphony serial is definitely the part of the story that I was waiting for. The dynamic between Gabriel, Michael and Dorian changes quite drastically after the second story, where Gabriel partook in the casual drug use and orgiastic (very public) pleasures in celebration of Dorian's birthday. But what is a common evening of debauchery for Dorian is quite honestly uncomfortably hedonistic to Gabriel. Always the good boy in comparison to his twin brother Michael's more outlandish actions, this story shows more than ever before how the addition of Dorian to the brothers' lives has had an affect on them. Gabriel, who has always had trouble letting loose and giving up control to participate in the kinds of things like Dorian's sex party, finds that he quite likes forcing himself to explore new opportunities and experience life in a more hedonistic way. Michael's whole existence, however, is a testament to the partying lifestyle of excess drugs and sex, one which ultimately cost him his life. Seeing his brothers actions hits Michael the hardest. This drives a firm wedge between Michael and Dorian, and when Gabriel doesn't seem as upset at Dorian and Michael feels he should, Michael decides to take over his brothers body and show Dorian his displeasure. The resulting confrontation between the two pushes open the door to Dorian's secrets, until they start spilling out into the light.
While I liked this story even more than the first two -- specifically because we're starting to get some real answers -- I'm still very of two minds about this series and the characters. First, I really adore the writing of Dorian's character, but I don't actually like Dorian at all. I say that I really adore the writing of him because I've suspected all along that my emotions are purposefully being manipulated as far as how I feel about him. He's really not likable at all except in that pre-karma way, the "he's going to get what's coming to him" way, whether that be literal or the satisfaction of watching him start to have real feelings for someone. That's why I can't say I categorically hate Dorian, though he does make me uncomfortable. He's a much more complicated character than that. In fact, he's the character that really parallels the overall unfolding plot, because the reveal of his secrets drives the plot forward (which we see in this story as flashbacks). These two authors are really using this unusual medium to explore non-traditional romance characters. Dorian is such a big character that his presence often takes over parts of the story, and ultimately, I feel like he'll be the deciding factor as to where the story will go as it navigates the boundary between erotica and romance.
The second part of how I feel about this serial is that as far as the overall plot and the emotional growth of the characters, this serial is still in it's infancy, so those things like how I don't' like Dorian very much have very little impact about how I feel about the story overall. I suppose, I should just say that while I'm reviewing and having to give each little story in this serial a rating, I'm really reserving judgement for myself.
Readers who buy the Season Pass (all six Overture season episodes in one) will get an overall discount but also some freebies. The first of those freebies came out with this story in the form of a short story. "The Melody" goes far back in time to an innocent and young Dorian. We get to meet Basil, an artist that young Dorian loves with all the infatuation of a boy and who is also a character importantly referenced to in the first story. While the scene between the two isn't completely instrumental to the main story (you don't have to read it), I did really enjoy being able to get to see him and see who he really was to Dorian at that age. Plus, seeing Dorian as positive, hopeful and undamaged gives me a lot of hope that we'll soon get to see a real change in Dorian in the main story as well.
The fourth story in the Immortal Symphony serial is out now!
May 4, 2013
4.5 stars
Review originally wrtitten for Joyfully Jay
After Dorian’s birthday party/orgy, Gabriel finds himself in the midst of a strange dream about an old lover of Dorian’s and their volatile relationship. A dream in which Joshua, Dorian’s former lover, is suffering severely. Several strange things happen in his dream, but Gabriel is unable to piece them together before he wakes up. And when he does wake up, he can’t really remember the dream.
When Gabriel realizes that he is alone in bed after such a strange night, he and Michael go in search of Dorian who he finds entertaining an old friend. After Dorian treats Gabriel poorly, Michael takes offense and pushes his way into Gabe’s body to give Dorian a piece of his mind. Michael is surprised to find out that Dorian knew about him the entire time, and even more surprised when Dorian uses magic to force him from Gabriel’s body.
When Gabriel recovers from the possession and realizes what happened to Michael, Dorian has a lot to answer for. But Dorian turns the tables on Gabriel, and both men are forced to take some of their ghosts out of the closet.
The Immortal Symphony serial is progressing pretty well. In this episode, my interest is piqued even more than before. We learn a little of Dorian’s past, as well as Gabriel and Michael’s. There are a few questions that are raised that I am looking forward being answered. Whereas Dorian has so many secrets they’re driving me crazy, I finally feel like we’re making progress on his past and his hoard of secrets.
Dorian is still his vain, self-absorbed self, but there are cracks in his arrogant armor, and Gabriel seems to find those cracks. For some reason he has a vulnerable side when he is alone with Gabe, and I really like that vulnerability in him. Also, Dorian’s substance and alcohol abuse is hit upon in this episode. It is a subject that has left me twitchy and a little uncomfortable since the beginning. And even if a solid reason is not given for it yet, it leaves the door open to hope that there will eventually be an explanation.
My favorite part of this episode is the inclusion of Michael’s POV and his history. I have been intrigued by the mystery of Michael from the first episode. I love his protective nature and his attitude. He is possible the sanest, most level-headed of the entire cast. And his past is expanded upon although there is still not a reason given as to why he’s attached to Gabe, but, again, I feel that there is a reason for it that will be given later in the serial.
And finally Gabriel has found his voice. When his twin and their bond are threatened, Gabriel finally stands up to Dorian. I was so happy to see him with a backbone. He still has a way to go to not be so easily manipulated by Dorian, but he’s making progress. He’s finally figured out that there is something not quite right about Dorian. Only time will tell what Gabriel will do about it.
The world-building is opening up even more. I knew all along that some sort of magic was involved, but now it’s more defined, given more of a life and rules. The introduction magi and glyphs, as well as being able to see and banish ghosts, are new and exciting. This world is shaping up to be fun and quite mysterious.
This episode is incredibly exciting from dreams of past lovers to secrets being revealed. I have so many questions now and hate when each episode ends, especially this one since it has turned out to be my favorite so far. With each installment of this serial, I am more and more intrigued and as always I cannot wait to see what these authors have for us in the future.
Review originally wrtitten for Joyfully Jay
After Dorian’s birthday party/orgy, Gabriel finds himself in the midst of a strange dream about an old lover of Dorian’s and their volatile relationship. A dream in which Joshua, Dorian’s former lover, is suffering severely. Several strange things happen in his dream, but Gabriel is unable to piece them together before he wakes up. And when he does wake up, he can’t really remember the dream.
When Gabriel realizes that he is alone in bed after such a strange night, he and Michael go in search of Dorian who he finds entertaining an old friend. After Dorian treats Gabriel poorly, Michael takes offense and pushes his way into Gabe’s body to give Dorian a piece of his mind. Michael is surprised to find out that Dorian knew about him the entire time, and even more surprised when Dorian uses magic to force him from Gabriel’s body.
When Gabriel recovers from the possession and realizes what happened to Michael, Dorian has a lot to answer for. But Dorian turns the tables on Gabriel, and both men are forced to take some of their ghosts out of the closet.
The Immortal Symphony serial is progressing pretty well. In this episode, my interest is piqued even more than before. We learn a little of Dorian’s past, as well as Gabriel and Michael’s. There are a few questions that are raised that I am looking forward being answered. Whereas Dorian has so many secrets they’re driving me crazy, I finally feel like we’re making progress on his past and his hoard of secrets.
Dorian is still his vain, self-absorbed self, but there are cracks in his arrogant armor, and Gabriel seems to find those cracks. For some reason he has a vulnerable side when he is alone with Gabe, and I really like that vulnerability in him. Also, Dorian’s substance and alcohol abuse is hit upon in this episode. It is a subject that has left me twitchy and a little uncomfortable since the beginning. And even if a solid reason is not given for it yet, it leaves the door open to hope that there will eventually be an explanation.
My favorite part of this episode is the inclusion of Michael’s POV and his history. I have been intrigued by the mystery of Michael from the first episode. I love his protective nature and his attitude. He is possible the sanest, most level-headed of the entire cast. And his past is expanded upon although there is still not a reason given as to why he’s attached to Gabe, but, again, I feel that there is a reason for it that will be given later in the serial.
And finally Gabriel has found his voice. When his twin and their bond are threatened, Gabriel finally stands up to Dorian. I was so happy to see him with a backbone. He still has a way to go to not be so easily manipulated by Dorian, but he’s making progress. He’s finally figured out that there is something not quite right about Dorian. Only time will tell what Gabriel will do about it.
The world-building is opening up even more. I knew all along that some sort of magic was involved, but now it’s more defined, given more of a life and rules. The introduction magi and glyphs, as well as being able to see and banish ghosts, are new and exciting. This world is shaping up to be fun and quite mysterious.
This episode is incredibly exciting from dreams of past lovers to secrets being revealed. I have so many questions now and hate when each episode ends, especially this one since it has turned out to be my favorite so far. With each installment of this serial, I am more and more intrigued and as always I cannot wait to see what these authors have for us in the future.
April 22, 2013
I’m very torn about this serial. On the one hand I think it’s very well written with some clever twists and a touch for drama. There are so many intriguing and absorbing aspects about this story that I get sucked in just when I think I’m done. This installment created more questions and I’m too intrigued and caught to give up now. At the same time, however, I actively dislike both Gabriel and Dorian as characters and find them insufferable. Thankfully this part focuses more on the secondary characters and flashes into Dorian’s past so I could enjoy it more, but I still can’t stand either protagonist and actively wish bad things happen to them.
This time Gabriel has a flashback into Dorian’s past and his lover Joshua. This scene is really well written and kind of trippy. It’s meant to confuse and portray that sense of disembodiment that Gabriel is clearly feeling throughout the scene. Additionally it makes me really anxious and eager to see if Gabriel will go through the same fate, and considering my dislike of him I kind of hope he does. He deserves it. But moving on the writing in this scene and the later scene with Dorian and Simone is simply wonderful. The deft use of language and the ease with which complex emotion is conveyed is surprising. The glimpses into Dorian’s maze-like past and a hint of the powers he possesses are intriguing and leave me wanting more.
I especially liked Michael’s more upfront involvement. He stands out as a character I can understand and appreciate while Gabriel continues to be perhaps the very definition of too-stupid-to-live. Dorian’s smugness is expected and I find it somewhat boring. He’s insufferable, which is how I found the original Dorian as well. I don’t really see Gabriel as being anything special; he doesn’t seem that bright or intuitive. Even his re-telling of his, or more accurately Michael’s, past doesn’t quite yield any real depth to the character from my perspective. I still think Gabriel should be smarter and more in control than he currently is.
Overall I have to say this was a successful addition to the series. It’s well written, concise, informative, and sets up numerous future scenarios. There is any number of directions this serial could go and I have to say, despite myself, I’m curious to see what the authors choose. I’ll probably always hate Gabriel and Dorian but the story itself is enough to keep me going for now. I also found this one easily enough to pick up on its own without needing to remember too much from the previous edition.
Oh and for those that have the season’s pass – which I recommend – the free story is very sweet. It’s a bit of Dorian’s past with Basil and how they first came to start their affair. It shows a much less jaded side of Dorian but also shows how he’s basically the same man, then and now. It’s a sweet glimpse and just long enough.
This time Gabriel has a flashback into Dorian’s past and his lover Joshua. This scene is really well written and kind of trippy. It’s meant to confuse and portray that sense of disembodiment that Gabriel is clearly feeling throughout the scene. Additionally it makes me really anxious and eager to see if Gabriel will go through the same fate, and considering my dislike of him I kind of hope he does. He deserves it. But moving on the writing in this scene and the later scene with Dorian and Simone is simply wonderful. The deft use of language and the ease with which complex emotion is conveyed is surprising. The glimpses into Dorian’s maze-like past and a hint of the powers he possesses are intriguing and leave me wanting more.
I especially liked Michael’s more upfront involvement. He stands out as a character I can understand and appreciate while Gabriel continues to be perhaps the very definition of too-stupid-to-live. Dorian’s smugness is expected and I find it somewhat boring. He’s insufferable, which is how I found the original Dorian as well. I don’t really see Gabriel as being anything special; he doesn’t seem that bright or intuitive. Even his re-telling of his, or more accurately Michael’s, past doesn’t quite yield any real depth to the character from my perspective. I still think Gabriel should be smarter and more in control than he currently is.
Overall I have to say this was a successful addition to the series. It’s well written, concise, informative, and sets up numerous future scenarios. There is any number of directions this serial could go and I have to say, despite myself, I’m curious to see what the authors choose. I’ll probably always hate Gabriel and Dorian but the story itself is enough to keep me going for now. I also found this one easily enough to pick up on its own without needing to remember too much from the previous edition.
Oh and for those that have the season’s pass – which I recommend – the free story is very sweet. It’s a bit of Dorian’s past with Basil and how they first came to start their affair. It shows a much less jaded side of Dorian but also shows how he’s basically the same man, then and now. It’s a sweet glimpse and just long enough.
September 20, 2013
Hangovers from drugs and booze are hell. When it's mixed with outer body experiences or even past life viewing, it is a killer.
Gabriel continues to be drawn into Dorian's web. This good twin is ready to party on the wild side. His first rebellion draws the ire of his twin, Michael. Michael only knows too well the allure of drugs and unprotected sex. His life is an example of what not to do. He can't do anything to prevent Gabriel from plowing forward, but he can take control to give Dorian a piece of his mind.
This third installment by talented duos S.L. Armstrong and K. Piet is a bridge to the next installment. Or at least, this reader hopes so. There is no sex in this short tale, instead Dorian's past is exposed and the twins come clean about their supernatural ability.
The story is written tightly as one would expect from this duo. The thing which is disappointment is the shortness. Yes, it is a serial. It seems as if more questions are raised and the reader is still left hanging. It does make me want to tune in to read the next two in the serial to find out what happens. How will this relationship unfold now that Gabriel is feeling betrayal from multiple fronts?
This m/m serial is recommended to paranormal lovers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews