Practice makes perfect in this gay romance set in a world of art, science, and magic.
Ash is at the end of his rope when his artwork inexplicably starts opening portals to distant places. On discovering these portals, Ash is swept away to a magical forest enclave by its charismatic leader, Samuel Graythorne. Ash’s talents flower under Graythorne’s mentorship, honing his skills through mastery of intention and emotion. But he is soon caught in the web of Graythorne’s ambition and rivalry, threatening to unravel his newfound family, a new love, and a magical practice that promises to change his life.
David Gray is a retired scientist who finally has time to explore the adventure of writing fiction. His novels and short stories live somewhere in the intersection between romance, fantasy, and science fiction, with cozy themes and happy endings. He lives with his husband in sunny San Diego, where they dote on their jungle kitty Bagheera.
This quick MM romance consists of a teacher student dynamic where a struggling artist is looking to ignite the spark that has somehow gone out. His art lacks passion and so he embarks on a journey of self discovery that includes the intrigue of magic- both good and bad.
🌶️🌶️ /5 Ash, an aspiring artist whose works are magically coming to life, gets recruited to join a magical commune. Through the guidance of his mentor, Samuel, and the exploration of how sex enhances the power of his artwork, Ash develops his skills and artistic prowess. He connects with another apprentice, and they ultimately build a lasting relationship.
The story explores the sexual and emotional relationship between master and apprentice, as well as the carefree communal forest enclave. This homoerotic tale addresses non-consensual (trigger warning) sexual play, light aspects of BDSM, and sexual exploration without being overly dramatic or spicy. This is a short read, and as a result, the characters wound up feeling a bit two-dimensional. Additionally, the story was simple, straightforward, and somewhat underdeveloped. Personally, I felt that it read like simple gay erotica dressed up to make a marketable short story.