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Eostre's Baskets #4
Covert Delivery
Aspen Starr is in a bind and not in a good way. His father is trying to use him to sweeten a business deal and being a bought boy toy holds no appeal. Just when he thinks he has no options left Sundae’s Custom Easter Baskets knocks at his door. Soon he finds himself blindly following a trail right into the path of a sexy new boss and a whole new mess of carnal complications.
Garren Thomas has rules and one of those is to never get involved with an employee. Easy to say, harder to enforce when Aspen is hired on. With each passing day Garren's control slips until all he wants to do is spend his days with Aspen in his bed.
When faced with giving into his desires, Garren sees his simple life being torn apart. Can he get Aspen out of his system without losing his heart? Aspen isn't much better off. He is drawn to Garren, but he can't help the fear that the secrets from his past will destroy it all. As Aspen's begins to lose himself within the confusion of sex and love one question plagues him: who sent the basket?
When you order a custom gift basket from the Goddess of New Beginnings, your sexily ever after is guaranteed. Eostre's Baskets from Loose Id.
When you order a custom gift basket from the Goddess of New Beginnings, your sexily ever after is guaranteed. Eostre's Baskets from Loose Id.
ebook
First published March 25, 2014
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68 people want to read
About the author
Draven St. James
11 books142 followersDraven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 21, 2014
A Hearts On Fire Review
2.75 HEARTS--Ever been to an amusement park more than once? And there's a ride that you are basically over with but somehow you end up riding it once more the next time you visit? You do?
Oh good because that's pretty much "Covert Delivery". I knew going in I would have to stretch my reality hold rubber band because a twink, with an evil father and creepy ancient admirer, receives five mysterious Easter eggs filled with $3000, a bus ticket, a new job and key to a new apartment is a bit of a stretch. This is book #4 of a Easter themed standalone series. I knew going in.
This is my first time reading anything from this author but I recognize the dominating, possessive top/ martyr, pretty (but doesn't see it) smaller man, aesthetic pretty well. The story is not unique. It's pretty reminiscent of MF Harlequin older romances. Sometimes, I had to remind myself I was reading MM. It could have been the smaller MC's name (Aspen) or the constant reminders of him being smaller, beautiful, delicate, having to be picked up and placed in his lover's lap, coddled and protected. Truthfully, I'd get tired of a guy like that.
Not Aspen!
Aspen is a psychometrist who has a dastardly, homophobic father that barters Aspen in a business deal to the evil, ancient, creepy Christopher. *cue creepy organ music* Aspen is threatened to be disowned if he doesn't not agree to be Christopher's boy toy. Just when life seems to get harder for Aspen, he receives a couple of Easter eggs with an answer to his needz, a new life. When he moves to Eugene and starts working for psychologist, Dr. Garren, he can't deny the attraction to the dominating doctor (Aspen knew from first glance Garren was dominating because he has great gaydar - his words)
Garren can't help wanting to protect his new employee because he's a smaller, blonde twink with sea foam eyes. *fake swoons* Garren doesn't sleep with employees...but Aspen's pull couldn't be denied. It seemed like every gay man in the book wanted Aspen. Everyone. *breathy sigh*
Aspen goes to leather bars to dance because he loves the music.
The. Music.
*blinks*
*blinks*
And Garren goes for the variety but neither participates in the scene so don't worry if BDSM is not your thing. At one point, Aspen brings a massive bear to his knees in one move and then is carried around like fine glass in the other. Granted Aspen is attacked but...c'mon.
The story is topsy-turvy for me. Some points weren't bad, I liked the psychology field being explored and Aspen wasn't so bad. Then the parts with Garren picking up and carrying Aspen around because of "my caveman-like, take charge attitude" was not cute. It was borderline repulsive and Garren could be comparable to the creepy men that Aspen had sniffing around.
The sex was hot, another plus. Not exactly memorable but not bad. It's Garren's caveman-ness afterwards that kind of ruined it. Of course, Aspen and Garren are made for each other. *bats eyelashes* The old 'he's too good for me, I can't be good enough for him' schtick reigns supreme and is repeated a little heavily throughout the story. I was over it the second time Garren thought this.
So "Covert Delivery" a sweet, slightly cheesy, Harlequin-esque story that can fill in when you're in the kind of mood that calls for a dominating alpha(?) and protecting/coddling/protecting/babying his twink.
*organ music plays off to crashing sea waves that match Aspen's eyes*
2.75 HEARTS--Ever been to an amusement park more than once? And there's a ride that you are basically over with but somehow you end up riding it once more the next time you visit? You do?
Oh good because that's pretty much "Covert Delivery". I knew going in I would have to stretch my reality hold rubber band because a twink, with an evil father and creepy ancient admirer, receives five mysterious Easter eggs filled with $3000, a bus ticket, a new job and key to a new apartment is a bit of a stretch. This is book #4 of a Easter themed standalone series. I knew going in.
This is my first time reading anything from this author but I recognize the dominating, possessive top/ martyr, pretty (but doesn't see it) smaller man, aesthetic pretty well. The story is not unique. It's pretty reminiscent of MF Harlequin older romances. Sometimes, I had to remind myself I was reading MM. It could have been the smaller MC's name (Aspen) or the constant reminders of him being smaller, beautiful, delicate, having to be picked up and placed in his lover's lap, coddled and protected. Truthfully, I'd get tired of a guy like that.
Not Aspen!
Aspen is a psychometrist who has a dastardly, homophobic father that barters Aspen in a business deal to the evil, ancient, creepy Christopher. *cue creepy organ music* Aspen is threatened to be disowned if he doesn't not agree to be Christopher's boy toy. Just when life seems to get harder for Aspen, he receives a couple of Easter eggs with an answer to his needz, a new life. When he moves to Eugene and starts working for psychologist, Dr. Garren, he can't deny the attraction to the dominating doctor (Aspen knew from first glance Garren was dominating because he has great gaydar - his words)
Garren can't help wanting to protect his new employee because he's a smaller, blonde twink with sea foam eyes. *fake swoons* Garren doesn't sleep with employees...but Aspen's pull couldn't be denied. It seemed like every gay man in the book wanted Aspen. Everyone. *breathy sigh*
Aspen goes to leather bars to dance because he loves the music.
The. Music.
*blinks*
*blinks*
And Garren goes for the variety but neither participates in the scene so don't worry if BDSM is not your thing. At one point, Aspen brings a massive bear to his knees in one move and then is carried around like fine glass in the other. Granted Aspen is attacked but...c'mon.
The story is topsy-turvy for me. Some points weren't bad, I liked the psychology field being explored and Aspen wasn't so bad. Then the parts with Garren picking up and carrying Aspen around because of "my caveman-like, take charge attitude" was not cute. It was borderline repulsive and Garren could be comparable to the creepy men that Aspen had sniffing around.
The sex was hot, another plus. Not exactly memorable but not bad. It's Garren's caveman-ness afterwards that kind of ruined it. Of course, Aspen and Garren are made for each other. *bats eyelashes* The old 'he's too good for me, I can't be good enough for him' schtick reigns supreme and is repeated a little heavily throughout the story. I was over it the second time Garren thought this.
So "Covert Delivery" a sweet, slightly cheesy, Harlequin-esque story that can fill in when you're in the kind of mood that calls for a dominating alpha(?) and protecting/coddling/protecting/babying his twink.
*organ music plays off to crashing sea waves that match Aspen's eyes*
April 2, 2014
It's a quick read and very light.
If you're in the mood for mushy sweet cheesy book, this one's for you.
I found that Aspen reminds me of Jory from A Matter of Time.
Garren was too over protective over Aspen, and I think maybe because it's too short, it became cheesy.
Overall, this one is what I need after a dark book for a buffer.
So, I liked it, but not too amused by it.
Nice book after all.
July 19, 2016
*sigh* I'm just so happy after reading this book. It was sorta what I expected, but it still surprised me. I've loved everything this author has written so far and I was thrilled when I read the blurb for this. I expected more issues with Aspen and Garren as they tried to figure everything out. But this was actually not the case, at least for me.
Everything with Aspen's father was done well and it added some drama to the story. I wasn't sure how that would all be resolved, but I was happy enough with the conclusion.
Aspen and Garren were very hot together while still being sweet. I enjoyed watching them come together and the little struggle they had, it felt real and it wasn't annoying like it can be sometimes. And Garren's story was so sad. I was so glad he was open with Aspen about his past, really, really glad.
I wish I could write a better review for this, but I'm not doing so good with reviews right now. But I would highly recommend this book. It was a nice read with some steamy sex scenes and a great couple.
Everything with Aspen's father was done well and it added some drama to the story. I wasn't sure how that would all be resolved, but I was happy enough with the conclusion.
Aspen and Garren were very hot together while still being sweet. I enjoyed watching them come together and the little struggle they had, it felt real and it wasn't annoying like it can be sometimes. And Garren's story was so sad. I was so glad he was open with Aspen about his past, really, really glad.
I wish I could write a better review for this, but I'm not doing so good with reviews right now. But I would highly recommend this book. It was a nice read with some steamy sex scenes and a great couple.
February 6, 2015
Color me surprised! This is a new author for me and I wasn't expecting this book to be so good. I love my twinks so I was all over Aspen. Cute, blonde, smallish boy who needed help. Me, me, me! I'll help. And Garren...big, brooding, emotionally scarred. Yeah, I love that!! Everything about this story hit my happy buttons. Not too sad or angsty but not sappy or overly sweet, just a fun book.
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January 11, 2021Rating removed due self-rating author
January 14, 2015
I'm not very good at writing reviews but this book caused me to be sleep drepived so that should tell you how much I liked it.
I've loved all of Draven's books so far and this one was no exception.
I loved Garren & Apsen and would love to read more about them!
I've loved all of Draven's books so far and this one was no exception.
I loved Garren & Apsen and would love to read more about them!
April 28, 2014
I liked this. It was cute. I read it while on a train from Chicago to STL. It was light and fun to read...minus Aspen's dad. Just what I needed at the time.
Overall, Aspen and Garren were cute.
Overall, Aspen and Garren were cute.
March 25, 2014
=RELEASE DAY= Madam Aus Awards 5 Sweet Peas to Covert Delivery by Draven St. James Cover: Syneca Featherstone http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
July 12, 2016
Kinda corny, but was a quick fun and fun. Sometimes your just in a moody for it.
April 4, 2014
A nice, easy read, but Aspen could very easily have been a Harlequin damsel in distress given the father trying to force him into a relationship with the creepy older man scenario.
September 7, 2014
3.5 stars
I'm such a sucker for an over-protective man. *sigh*
I'm such a sucker for an over-protective man. *sigh*
May 20, 2022
Nice and fluffy, just like an Easter story should be! If I had one complaint, it would be the "confrontation" scene. It was definitely lower key than I was expecting, but there was a follow-up that tied up the loose ends very nicely, so all is well!
And, as we all expected, the big surprise at the end! *grin*
And, as we all expected, the big surprise at the end! *grin*
April 4, 2014
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
4.25 Stars
This is an all round fun story that starts with a delivery and a hideous father!
Aspen is young, handsome and in trouble. With a completely dysfunctional family his father has decided to use him as a pawn to sweeten a business deal.....literally! He is to become a plaything for an older man. His fathers reckoning is:
‘If you’re going to be queer, I at least want to profit from your perversions’
When a delivery man turns up at his door with a brightly coloured egg that contains a mystery he finds himself faced with 3 choices.
Become a bottom boy for a man that reminds him of a corpse.
Be out on the street with his fathers deadline of tomorrow.
Follow the eggs.
The crazy new world that he finds himself in by ‘following the eggs’ leads him to a new life, new job and a very hot crush on his boss Garren.
Garren is delicious but completely closed off due to heartbreak in the past. You can feel the sexual tension simmering between the pair as soon as their eyes meet and it is obvious that things won’t cool down anytime soon. Garren has a work ethic that means he cannot and will not get involved with a work colleague but as the tension grows the inevitable happens and sparks well and truly fly.
This is quite a short book that you will not be able to put down. It has the right amount of everything. We don’t get to see much of Apens previous life but it is very clear that he has come out of a horrible situation a strong and balanced man. Garren has devoted his life to helping people who may end up angry and damaged by the world as he himself had. The pair of them together fit well and are beautiful together.
I thought I had worked out who the saviour was that had sent the mystery egg quite early on but found towards the end I had it completely wrong. So we get a little bit of mystery too! Great read and I would highly recommend it and needless to say I am looking forward to book 2!
4.25 Stars
This is an all round fun story that starts with a delivery and a hideous father!
Aspen is young, handsome and in trouble. With a completely dysfunctional family his father has decided to use him as a pawn to sweeten a business deal.....literally! He is to become a plaything for an older man. His fathers reckoning is:
‘If you’re going to be queer, I at least want to profit from your perversions’
When a delivery man turns up at his door with a brightly coloured egg that contains a mystery he finds himself faced with 3 choices.
Become a bottom boy for a man that reminds him of a corpse.
Be out on the street with his fathers deadline of tomorrow.
Follow the eggs.
The crazy new world that he finds himself in by ‘following the eggs’ leads him to a new life, new job and a very hot crush on his boss Garren.
Garren is delicious but completely closed off due to heartbreak in the past. You can feel the sexual tension simmering between the pair as soon as their eyes meet and it is obvious that things won’t cool down anytime soon. Garren has a work ethic that means he cannot and will not get involved with a work colleague but as the tension grows the inevitable happens and sparks well and truly fly.
This is quite a short book that you will not be able to put down. It has the right amount of everything. We don’t get to see much of Apens previous life but it is very clear that he has come out of a horrible situation a strong and balanced man. Garren has devoted his life to helping people who may end up angry and damaged by the world as he himself had. The pair of them together fit well and are beautiful together.
I thought I had worked out who the saviour was that had sent the mystery egg quite early on but found towards the end I had it completely wrong. So we get a little bit of mystery too! Great read and I would highly recommend it and needless to say I am looking forward to book 2!
April 10, 2014
Once again I have fallen completely in love with these two main characters. Aspen Starr mysteriously receives an easter basket with eggs filled with a hints towards his future. His domineering homophobic father,who he currently works for makes it easy for Aspen to walk away. His job is to perform psychological evaluations.
decides to follow the bunny trail. It leads to the offices of Burton and Thomas. Dr.Garren Thomas is completely attracted to Aspen and the feeling is mutual. There is a hot scene in a club where Garrens feels all protective of Aspen its very sexy and sweet. While evaluating a particularly violent client for defense attorneys Aspen is attacked thank god Taylor the other partner is there and intercedes. Of course,Garren rushes in feeling completely guilty he is so sweet and tender with Aspen battered and bruised Aspen feels so cared for and grateful. I love how Draven's characters in all his books come together and meet so sweet sexy and hot. Don't miss his Firehouse Six Series so good. Draven has a B.S.. in Psychology I think it really shows in this book he is very intelligent in how he weaves his story.
decides to follow the bunny trail. It leads to the offices of Burton and Thomas. Dr.Garren Thomas is completely attracted to Aspen and the feeling is mutual. There is a hot scene in a club where Garrens feels all protective of Aspen its very sexy and sweet. While evaluating a particularly violent client for defense attorneys Aspen is attacked thank god Taylor the other partner is there and intercedes. Of course,Garren rushes in feeling completely guilty he is so sweet and tender with Aspen battered and bruised Aspen feels so cared for and grateful. I love how Draven's characters in all his books come together and meet so sweet sexy and hot. Don't miss his Firehouse Six Series so good. Draven has a B.S.. in Psychology I think it really shows in this book he is very intelligent in how he weaves his story.
August 10, 2016
Title: Eostre's Baskets: Covert Delivery
Author: Draven St. James
Cover Artist: Syneca Featherstone
Publisher: Loose ID
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novella
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨♨
Book Rating: ★★★★¼
Eostre's Baskets: Covert Delivery is a pleasant, quick, and easy read. It is fairly short but is entertaining with a touch of angst and family drama. I like how the characters were given strong yet different personalities that came off the page to entertain us along with the story and the mystery of – Who sent the eggs?
Complete Review at WoDF - Eostre's Baskets: Covert Delivery
Author: Draven St. James
Cover Artist: Syneca Featherstone
Publisher: Loose ID
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novella
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨♨
Book Rating: ★★★★¼
Eostre's Baskets: Covert Delivery is a pleasant, quick, and easy read. It is fairly short but is entertaining with a touch of angst and family drama. I like how the characters were given strong yet different personalities that came off the page to entertain us along with the story and the mystery of – Who sent the eggs?
Complete Review at WoDF - Eostre's Baskets: Covert Delivery
May 20, 2014
Throughly enjoyed this book. As always, Ms. St.James's characters pulled at my heart strings. I love the straight laced Garren, but the quirky Aspen just stole my heart. A very good read. I couldn't put it down until I got to the end.
April 5, 2014
Cute read.
January 1, 2016
3.5 stars
November 15, 2016
Lots of fluff. Very sweet
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews