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Picked at the Peak
Aislin was surrounded by his extensive, but close-knit, family his whole life. He was the younger brother or the cousin they needed to protect and the kid’s favorite uncle, but he was never just Aislin. His overbearing family rarely listened to him, so sure they knew best. His adult years had all been about proving that the accident that damaged his leg as a teenager didn’t limit him.
He started a microbrewery business, bought a winery and decided to have... a baby.
The news shocked his family and friends, but he was determined to be a single parent. Not that Aislin wouldn’t love to have a partner, but dating never really worked out for him. It didn’t matter if he was gay, or single, or had a handicap. He was more than prepared.
He was not expecting the drastic change the next nine months would wreak on his life.
He started a microbrewery business, bought a winery and decided to have... a baby.
The news shocked his family and friends, but he was determined to be a single parent. Not that Aislin wouldn’t love to have a partner, but dating never really worked out for him. It didn’t matter if he was gay, or single, or had a handicap. He was more than prepared.
He was not expecting the drastic change the next nine months would wreak on his life.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2013
1 person is currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Nordwell
56 books166 followersHi! I'm Alicia, also known as Cia. I'm a huge bookworm and I also write straight and gay fiction online under both names. I love to mix modern and paranormal worlds! When I'm not reading for pleasure or writing, I'm beta reading for my author friends, doing photography, or taking care of my very patient family! You can find links to all of my free online fiction through my blog.
You can find a list of my free ebooks under the author name Cia_.
You can find a list of my free ebooks under the author name Cia_.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 4, 2013
2.5
A nice story about a man wanting to be a father and finding love along the way to making that happen.
A nice story about a man wanting to be a father and finding love along the way to making that happen.
November 2, 2013
Well, more like 2.5 stars.
The blurb sounded very interesting, but in the end it felt too - I don't know, smooth? easy? shallow? Well, there was a kid on the way, yes, it was way more present than I thought. The whole story flowed along, but for my liking it was a bit too smooth, even the 'conflict' was see-through from the beginning and then the resolution was another one of 'why do these people think they have to do it alone, instead of calling in the professionals'. Yes, they called the police but only after searching for proof by themselves. Thank god the author refrained from adding more drama to that. So, for me this read like a first effort for this writer and for me the result could have been better, perhaps with more help from the editor?
The blurb sounded very interesting, but in the end it felt too - I don't know, smooth? easy? shallow? Well, there was a kid on the way, yes, it was way more present than I thought. The whole story flowed along, but for my liking it was a bit too smooth, even the 'conflict' was see-through from the beginning and then the resolution was another one of 'why do these people think they have to do it alone, instead of calling in the professionals'. Yes, they called the police but only after searching for proof by themselves. Thank god the author refrained from adding more drama to that. So, for me this read like a first effort for this writer and for me the result could have been better, perhaps with more help from the editor?
November 1, 2013
3.5 stars
It's a cute novella about a guy who wants to raise a baby of his own with a hint of detective side story.
I like the portrayal of the family, and the fact that the MCs waited a while until each made his move.
Not earth shattering, but an enjoyable one.
It's a cute novella about a guy who wants to raise a baby of his own with a hint of detective side story.
I like the portrayal of the family, and the fact that the MCs waited a while until each made his move.
Not earth shattering, but an enjoyable one.
October 14, 2013
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
Picked at the Peak is a soft, family story that centers on Aislin, a brewmaster and vineyard owner who is taking the step to become a father. He’s on his own but this is something he truly wants. He comes from a very supportive, very close-knit family who smother him just a little bit because he had an accident that caused nerve damage to his leg and foot, so sometimes has difficulty walking. I felt sympathy for him more for the super sensitivity of his right leg, as I can only imagine how much more difficult that made things. Aislin himself has a positive attitude about things and he knows what he wants.
Aislin’s wine and now his specialty beers are well respected in the area. He is making a name for himself and is very happy to have survived economic downturns. He is trying to get everything set in place before the arrival of his baby, carried by a wonderful woman named Diane. There are some sweet moments as he progresses towards this, especially when he sees the ultrasound for the first time or when his family descends en masse to help set up the nursery.
A new brewery manager, Wheeler, has been hired to make things easier for Aislin and his wine manager, Raquel (an awesome friend to him, as well). There is a problem involving work that needs to be dealt with, as well as dealing with the maybe new relationship with Aislin’s friend, Lander, who works for Aislin’s dad. It did seem in the beginning they weren’t really close friends through this time but as it progresses the story makes it seem they have been good friends all along. In any event, Lander has been part of Aislin’s family and he needs that, considering how his own family is.
The mystery of this story is pretty easily solved and isn’t the main focus. There is more on Aislin’s impending fatherhood (and really, when his baby is being born and he is trying not to see anything too personal, “He failed, of course, and the memory would probably haunt him in straight dreams for years to come” made me laugh and reread it. Poor Aislin and girly bits), as well as himself and Lander. I completely understood Lander’s reluctance and I loved Aislin’s wish for independence. It was also appreciated that there was no magic fix for Aislin’s disability. He is a man who does what he needs and gets a pretty sweet HEA along with his new baby.
Picked at the Peak is a soft, family story that centers on Aislin, a brewmaster and vineyard owner who is taking the step to become a father. He’s on his own but this is something he truly wants. He comes from a very supportive, very close-knit family who smother him just a little bit because he had an accident that caused nerve damage to his leg and foot, so sometimes has difficulty walking. I felt sympathy for him more for the super sensitivity of his right leg, as I can only imagine how much more difficult that made things. Aislin himself has a positive attitude about things and he knows what he wants.
Aislin’s wine and now his specialty beers are well respected in the area. He is making a name for himself and is very happy to have survived economic downturns. He is trying to get everything set in place before the arrival of his baby, carried by a wonderful woman named Diane. There are some sweet moments as he progresses towards this, especially when he sees the ultrasound for the first time or when his family descends en masse to help set up the nursery.
A new brewery manager, Wheeler, has been hired to make things easier for Aislin and his wine manager, Raquel (an awesome friend to him, as well). There is a problem involving work that needs to be dealt with, as well as dealing with the maybe new relationship with Aislin’s friend, Lander, who works for Aislin’s dad. It did seem in the beginning they weren’t really close friends through this time but as it progresses the story makes it seem they have been good friends all along. In any event, Lander has been part of Aislin’s family and he needs that, considering how his own family is.
The mystery of this story is pretty easily solved and isn’t the main focus. There is more on Aislin’s impending fatherhood (and really, when his baby is being born and he is trying not to see anything too personal, “He failed, of course, and the memory would probably haunt him in straight dreams for years to come” made me laugh and reread it. Poor Aislin and girly bits), as well as himself and Lander. I completely understood Lander’s reluctance and I loved Aislin’s wish for independence. It was also appreciated that there was no magic fix for Aislin’s disability. He is a man who does what he needs and gets a pretty sweet HEA along with his new baby.
November 7, 2013
As most stories that revolve around men becoming daddies, this was very sweet. VERY sweet. Throw in a man with a disability, and I'm a goner.
Aislin (I could only find online where this was a feminine name. [yikes]) pushes back against his large extended family's overabundant, occasionally overbearing attentions to build successful businesses (a winery and micro-brewery) and even make the decision to become a single father through surrogacy.
While Aislin's disability comes up a fair bit, it isn't too much because it is something he and anyone he is with must deal with and be aware of.
The romance was very nice and definitely slow building (at least in story time it was). I enjoyed watching as the relationship developed and loved the devotion that quickly grew between them.
Most of the story was a gentle progression but there were two bits of angst toward the end to make the book just a bit more than a fluff-fest (even if there's nothing wrong with a fluff-fest).
3.5 stars rounded up because I'd recommend it if someone were looking for a sweet read that wouldn't cause more than a slight angst hiccup.
ETA: There were a few editing issues as well as a mixed up character name (possibly two).
Aislin (I could only find online where this was a feminine name. [yikes]) pushes back against his large extended family's overabundant, occasionally overbearing attentions to build successful businesses (a winery and micro-brewery) and even make the decision to become a single father through surrogacy.
While Aislin's disability comes up a fair bit, it isn't too much because it is something he and anyone he is with must deal with and be aware of.
The romance was very nice and definitely slow building (at least in story time it was). I enjoyed watching as the relationship developed and loved the devotion that quickly grew between them.
Most of the story was a gentle progression but there were two bits of angst toward the end to make the book just a bit more than a fluff-fest (even if there's nothing wrong with a fluff-fest).
3.5 stars rounded up because I'd recommend it if someone were looking for a sweet read that wouldn't cause more than a slight angst hiccup.
ETA: There were a few editing issues as well as a mixed up character name (possibly two).
January 2, 2014
4.5 Stars
This book comes with a sincere thanks to the author for such a vibrant and fresh addition to the genre, and a sincere recommendation from this reviewer. If you want a good-natured, light-hearted romp through an unconventional gay adult's life, then look no further; Alicia Nordwell has got the goods for you. Four and a half golden stars for an author to pay attention to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear she has some free reads up on her blog that I am dying to dive into.
Full Review
This book comes with a sincere thanks to the author for such a vibrant and fresh addition to the genre, and a sincere recommendation from this reviewer. If you want a good-natured, light-hearted romp through an unconventional gay adult's life, then look no further; Alicia Nordwell has got the goods for you. Four and a half golden stars for an author to pay attention to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear she has some free reads up on her blog that I am dying to dive into.
Full Review
March 3, 2014
This was an incredibly sweet story. My most favorite m/m stories include children, so I had to read this and I was not disappointed. Aislin was a great character who was a single gay man running a winery and he wanted nothing more than to be a father. While he achieved that goal there was still something missing in his life, Lander. Lander was a bartender/student working for Aislins dads bar and he secretly was crazy about Aislin. It was great that when Aislin's daughter was born Lander was there, they made a great family.
October 14, 2014
I didn't care for the cover but the blurb pulled me in. This was a cute story involving family. I think with the family so including in the story is what made the story very enjoyable. The drama at the end with the manager was a bit ridiculous but whatever it silly drama to the story. Overall this was good quick "cleanse the palate" read.(3.5 stars)
October 16, 2013
3 stars. Sweet romance between friends with a baby thrown in.
October 29, 2013
Great feel good story! Now.... If I could somehow get Ms. Nordwell to do another installment of the Pricolici.... I'd be in heaven!! (was that a good nudge?? Wonder if I should beg??...) ;-)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews