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Aligning North
Blake Manning spends his summers in his favorite national park, Yosemite. He runs an outdoor adventure company with three friends. This year he and his BFF/business partner, Ali, will serve as guides for a hike over the Grand Traverse Trail. Blake will find it’s not nature or the wildlife that are most hazardous, but traversing the uncharted waters of a potential relationship with one of the hikers, Zac North, who doesn’t appear all that happy about being the object of Blake’s attention.
Stormy weather and stormier tempers keep all the hikers on their toes as Yosemite tests them, bringing some closer together…and breaking others apart.
Part of "Summer Bigger Than Others - A Summer Anthology" from Beaten Track Publishing.
Stormy weather and stormier tempers keep all the hikers on their toes as Yosemite tests them, bringing some closer together…and breaking others apart.
Part of "Summer Bigger Than Others - A Summer Anthology" from Beaten Track Publishing.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2015
7 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 6, 2018
This short (about 100 pgs), sexy and fun story was a joy to read. The story takes place over the course of a 7 day hiking trip in Yosemite National Park. The author did an awesome job of creating multiple well-rounded characters, though of course the two MCs are then most well-rounded. The story itself has plenty of humor, some nice sentimental moments as well as scorching hot sex. Over all this was a big win in my opinion!
June 29, 2015
3.5 stars
It was a very nice story, one I would call 'meandering along' as there was no drama, no real highs (unless you count a rather hot sex scene, ha!) but likable characters all around. My guess - the next story might be about Chris and Jeremy.
It was a very nice story, one I would call 'meandering along' as there was no drama, no real highs (unless you count a rather hot sex scene, ha!) but likable characters all around. My guess - the next story might be about Chris and Jeremy.
July 2, 2016
I was given a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short story/novella originally written as part of the Summer Bigger Than Others anthology published by Beaten Track. The story takes place over the course of a 7 day hike through Yosemite National Park.
Blake is one of the guides for the hike, along with his best friend, Ali (they also co-own the company with two other men) . There are five hikers with them, two couples and our second MC, Zac.
I enjoyed the story. It flowed well and the MCs were likeable. Blake the "non-relationship" guy, and Zac just getting out of a three-year-long one. There isn't a ton of build up, but the attraction is quick (as it usually is) and believable. The story was well-written without any blaring typos.
Yes, the reader does not get a ton of background or history. Yes, I would have liked to have seen things explored a bit more. Yes, there were secondary storylines that I would have loved to known more about. But that being said, this is not a novel, so that was not its purpose. We kinda get the "You-Tube" video rather than the full-length movie. A bit more of a highlight reel, but the author gives us enough to make it a cohesive story.
I liked it and was glad to have a chance to read it. Zac was a bit of a surprise. Going from the quiet, seemingly shy guy, to the character he is by the end of the story made me like him more. Blake was pretty steadfast through the whole thing, though he admitted to being surprised himself, i.e. his extra treks he had to make into the woods... wink wink. The supporting cast was great... though I would love to read more of Chris's story if Ms. Faelan ever feels the call to write it.
This is a short story/novella originally written as part of the Summer Bigger Than Others anthology published by Beaten Track. The story takes place over the course of a 7 day hike through Yosemite National Park.
Blake is one of the guides for the hike, along with his best friend, Ali (they also co-own the company with two other men) . There are five hikers with them, two couples and our second MC, Zac.
I enjoyed the story. It flowed well and the MCs were likeable. Blake the "non-relationship" guy, and Zac just getting out of a three-year-long one. There isn't a ton of build up, but the attraction is quick (as it usually is) and believable. The story was well-written without any blaring typos.
Yes, the reader does not get a ton of background or history. Yes, I would have liked to have seen things explored a bit more. Yes, there were secondary storylines that I would have loved to known more about. But that being said, this is not a novel, so that was not its purpose. We kinda get the "You-Tube" video rather than the full-length movie. A bit more of a highlight reel, but the author gives us enough to make it a cohesive story.
I liked it and was glad to have a chance to read it. Zac was a bit of a surprise. Going from the quiet, seemingly shy guy, to the character he is by the end of the story made me like him more. Blake was pretty steadfast through the whole thing, though he admitted to being surprised himself, i.e. his extra treks he had to make into the woods... wink wink. The supporting cast was great... though I would love to read more of Chris's story if Ms. Faelan ever feels the call to write it.
July 15, 2015
just three words: Very Beautiful Portrait!!! ;) Well I could not come up with anything more clever with the P, but you'll understand when you read it... and you have too. Really good story and characters, recomended!!
July 18, 2016
Blake and Ali are longtime best friends who run a hiking/camping outfit, along with two other friends, in the Yosemite National Park for LGBTQ people. During this trip, Blake is very attracted to the quiet and slightly brooding Zac, who doesn't seem to be interested in Blake's small talk. Blake finds out how wrong he is when circumstances put them closely together a few days in and Zac lets Blake know what is on his mind.
The story is relatively drama free aside from a side plot with another couple. The story is a novella and focuses only on the week they spend hiking so we don't learn a great deal about the characters, but the point of the story is what happens on the hike and we don't need the backstory to enjoy it. It's an amazingly good story. Blake and Zac are very likable and make a smoking hot couple. I have to disagree with the reviews I've seen that say it's an insta-love story. No one is gooey and talking about being together forever from the moment they kiss. It is an insta-lust story. They are very attracted to each other and they act on it. Believe me when I say they are are hot together. The writing is polished. The dialogue is seamless. It was like watching a movie as I read. I would gladly re-read and recommend it to others. I hope we eventually get another story with Blake and Zac as well as one with Chris and Jeremy.
The story is relatively drama free aside from a side plot with another couple. The story is a novella and focuses only on the week they spend hiking so we don't learn a great deal about the characters, but the point of the story is what happens on the hike and we don't need the backstory to enjoy it. It's an amazingly good story. Blake and Zac are very likable and make a smoking hot couple. I have to disagree with the reviews I've seen that say it's an insta-love story. No one is gooey and talking about being together forever from the moment they kiss. It is an insta-lust story. They are very attracted to each other and they act on it. Believe me when I say they are are hot together. The writing is polished. The dialogue is seamless. It was like watching a movie as I read. I would gladly re-read and recommend it to others. I hope we eventually get another story with Blake and Zac as well as one with Chris and Jeremy.
June 27, 2016
2,5 stars
A free copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Two hot guys and the outdoors. Sounds great.
One who has never been in a committed relationship, the other one just on the rebound. Sounds great.
A small group of walkers, all coming with their own issues and problems, tackling a big hike. Sounds great.
There was a lot of promise in that blurb, but I hate to say that for me it didn't fulfil its promises.
I never really got to know either MC properly. Not even Blake who is telling the story. We find out that he is a teacher and that he has known Ali for a long time. We also know he loves the outdoors, but that's where it all ends. I'm sorry to say that Blake felt bland to me. There simply was not enough of depth to his character and as for emotions, I couldn't feel any of them.
Blake and Zac's attraction was physical at first (nothing wrong with that), but then they were hit by a serious case of insta-love, developing feelings with the speed of light. Feelings that were not substantiated by anything, not even their love making, which came across as a bit clinical. I have to admit that terms like 'gyrating hips' and 'stiff rod' tend to make me shudder.
I didn't fare a lot better with Zac. He seems to get over his break-up very quickly (just as Chris) and changes from a guy who is introvert and doesn't want to talk to Blake to start with (Why? Not sure a previous break-up is a good explanation for that?) to a sexually greedy extrovert. Sigh. I still don't know anything else about him.
As for Blake's relationship with Ali - the attempted banter between them felt forced and unreal, it just didn't seem to gel.
And the actual plot - it consisted mainly of hiking info - walking, setting up camp, cooking stuff etc etc. The author definitely has a good knowledge of hiking in Yosemite - or at least that's the impression I got - but some of the info was a bit on the boring side (like Ali's talk towards the end).
One other thing that niggled me:
Blake washes some of his clothes in the evening, puts them out to dry, but there is a big thunderstorm overnight, and I doubt these clothes ever got dry, even if they were put inside a tent. Just wondering....
So I'm sorry to say that this book didn't do anything for me, my main complaint being that there is absolutely no sizzle and chemistry between the MCs.
A free copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Two hot guys and the outdoors. Sounds great.
One who has never been in a committed relationship, the other one just on the rebound. Sounds great.
A small group of walkers, all coming with their own issues and problems, tackling a big hike. Sounds great.
There was a lot of promise in that blurb, but I hate to say that for me it didn't fulfil its promises.
I never really got to know either MC properly. Not even Blake who is telling the story. We find out that he is a teacher and that he has known Ali for a long time. We also know he loves the outdoors, but that's where it all ends. I'm sorry to say that Blake felt bland to me. There simply was not enough of depth to his character and as for emotions, I couldn't feel any of them.
Blake and Zac's attraction was physical at first (nothing wrong with that), but then they were hit by a serious case of insta-love, developing feelings with the speed of light. Feelings that were not substantiated by anything, not even their love making, which came across as a bit clinical. I have to admit that terms like 'gyrating hips' and 'stiff rod' tend to make me shudder.
I didn't fare a lot better with Zac. He seems to get over his break-up very quickly (just as Chris) and changes from a guy who is introvert and doesn't want to talk to Blake to start with (Why? Not sure a previous break-up is a good explanation for that?) to a sexually greedy extrovert. Sigh. I still don't know anything else about him.
As for Blake's relationship with Ali - the attempted banter between them felt forced and unreal, it just didn't seem to gel.
And the actual plot - it consisted mainly of hiking info - walking, setting up camp, cooking stuff etc etc. The author definitely has a good knowledge of hiking in Yosemite - or at least that's the impression I got - but some of the info was a bit on the boring side (like Ali's talk towards the end).
One other thing that niggled me:
Blake washes some of his clothes in the evening, puts them out to dry, but there is a big thunderstorm overnight, and I doubt these clothes ever got dry, even if they were put inside a tent. Just wondering....
So I'm sorry to say that this book didn't do anything for me, my main complaint being that there is absolutely no sizzle and chemistry between the MCs.
July 2, 2016
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review by the author through the MM Romance Group Don't Buy My Love program. My thanks to the author and the organizers of DBML. So this was a little disjointed but the sex was so hot that I moved it from a 3.5 to a 4. Blake and his best friend Ali run a LGBTQ friendly hiking group that specializes in hikes in Yosemite National Park. Blake, and the story is told from his POV, meet Zac who is the only singleton on the tour. Now I know this is a short book, but the movement from Zac, the shy guy, who doesn't meet anyone's eyes, who is seemingly very pensive to the guy who suggests let's play the 1000 questions about sex in a tent was just a little jarring. I kept re-reading passages thinking I missed something. It was very wait, what? Steamy, though!! The entire book is about the hike to various points in the park, and I must say the author has done his/her/ze (sorry, not sure) homework. Lots of detail about the park, about animals, the geology, etc. There are other couples along, some drama and a clearly lead-in into what will probably be another book featuring another character. But back to Blake and Zac - it was almost insta-lust, insta-like, insta-boyfriend but I could sort of feel the connection between the two. My issue was that I wanted more background, more depth. Hard to do in a short book, I realize, but if I had gotten some insight into Blake and why he was all about the casual and Zac, who has broken up with someone but seems to get over this person a little too quickly, I think this would have been a 5 star for me. Now for the smexy - dayuuum - camping and sexin' it up in a tent was hot. Zac and Blake just click sexually and you can feel the sexual chemistry. Now that scene at the slots with Chris - just a little creepy!! Not much goes on, other than the deepening connection between Blake and Zac . With the perilous hiking, I was waiting for something tragic to happen, but nope. Book just sort of meanders along with lots of jizz flying around and then it ends as sort of an HFN for Zac and Blake. This is a new to me author and will check out other reads.
July 5, 2015
4 Heart Review by Amber
Well, this was a surprisingly light, sweet and sexy little story. From the blurb I was expecting something totally different then what I got. This isn’t a bad thing, at all. This was a low to no angst cute romantic adventure story.
Zac North is rebounding from a difficult relationship and in order to gain some perspective keeps the hiking trip he was suppose to go on with his ex. He’s quiet, pensive, and distracted. He’s constantly deep in his own thoughts but knows this hike will be a challenge for him. But he’s more than ready to face it head on.
Blake Manning is the guide/owner of a hiking company. A natural outdoorsman he is the epitome of “being one with nature.” And while he is 100% comfortable hiking and wildlife he’s a novice when it comes to relationships. So it’s needless to say he is blindsided by the incredible attraction he feels for one of his hikers, Zac. Blake isn’t an idiot, however. He knows Zac has a huge “leave me alone” sign flashing big, bold and bright.
The attraction between the two is undeniable and impossible to ignore. In the wilds of Yosemite these two men come together in a surprisingly hot way. I mean we’re talking no real showers for days and I wasn’t bothered in the least.
I loved Blake’s patience and Zac’s openness was so endearing. I can foresee these two really having a fantastic relationship. It was a delight to see this quick glimpse of the beginning. I want more…I hope there will be more of these two. Also….Jeremy and Chris…I NEED that story too!!!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Well, this was a surprisingly light, sweet and sexy little story. From the blurb I was expecting something totally different then what I got. This isn’t a bad thing, at all. This was a low to no angst cute romantic adventure story.
Zac North is rebounding from a difficult relationship and in order to gain some perspective keeps the hiking trip he was suppose to go on with his ex. He’s quiet, pensive, and distracted. He’s constantly deep in his own thoughts but knows this hike will be a challenge for him. But he’s more than ready to face it head on.
Blake Manning is the guide/owner of a hiking company. A natural outdoorsman he is the epitome of “being one with nature.” And while he is 100% comfortable hiking and wildlife he’s a novice when it comes to relationships. So it’s needless to say he is blindsided by the incredible attraction he feels for one of his hikers, Zac. Blake isn’t an idiot, however. He knows Zac has a huge “leave me alone” sign flashing big, bold and bright.
The attraction between the two is undeniable and impossible to ignore. In the wilds of Yosemite these two men come together in a surprisingly hot way. I mean we’re talking no real showers for days and I wasn’t bothered in the least.
I loved Blake’s patience and Zac’s openness was so endearing. I can foresee these two really having a fantastic relationship. It was a delight to see this quick glimpse of the beginning. I want more…I hope there will be more of these two. Also….Jeremy and Chris…I NEED that story too!!!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 30, 2016
A copy of this book was given to me free by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Set during a week long hiking trip in Yosemite Park, this story focuses on Blake and Zac.
The story was a quick short read and I wished we had some more background on the 2 MCs. There were secondary characters like Jeff and Chris who spent the time arguing with Jeff leaving early. Why? Why were they arguing?
Blake and Zac progressed to insta-love pretty quick and we got a HFN with them. I don't know whether there will be anymore regarding these two or a book about Jeremy and Chris.
Set during a week long hiking trip in Yosemite Park, this story focuses on Blake and Zac.
The story was a quick short read and I wished we had some more background on the 2 MCs. There were secondary characters like Jeff and Chris who spent the time arguing with Jeff leaving early. Why? Why were they arguing?
Blake and Zac progressed to insta-love pretty quick and we got a HFN with them. I don't know whether there will be anymore regarding these two or a book about Jeremy and Chris.
December 5, 2015
Aligning North is a well-written, light and fun read without a lot of over-the-top angst and drama. Blake and Ali are two of the founders of a hiking tour group geared specifically toward members of the LGBTQ community. Since Ali and Blake have been best friends since they were kids, she doesn't hesitate to tease him unmercifully about his obvious attraction to Zac, one of the hikers that they will be guiding on this week-long trek. At first it seems that Zac isn't interested in Blake's attentions but in reality, he's just getting over a recent break-up. As their trek continues they get to know each other better and Zac begins to open up and relax. While these two men are growing closer, another couple on the trek are falling apart and this causes some tension for the rest of the group. It also provides the opportunity for Blake and Zac to give into their attraction for each other. Will their hook-up lead to something more or will it just be a pleasurable vacation fling?
The gorgeous cover drew me to this story and the blurb made it a must read for me. I am a huge fan of the great outdoors and in my youth, I really enjoyed camping, hiking and fishing so I was sure that I would be able to find something about this story that I liked. I'm also a former Meteorology and Geology major so I for one truly enjoyed the description of the geologic formations in Yosemite and that of the thunderstorms that plagued the group during the beginning of their hike. The descriptions were so well done that I could envision myself hiking along that trail myself! I really liked the main characters too, although there wasn't a lot of backstory or in-depth characterization to describe who they all were as people. I found that approach to be both refreshing and easy. I got to know them a little as they got to know each other. Well done! For me, this was a solid five star read.
The gorgeous cover drew me to this story and the blurb made it a must read for me. I am a huge fan of the great outdoors and in my youth, I really enjoyed camping, hiking and fishing so I was sure that I would be able to find something about this story that I liked. I'm also a former Meteorology and Geology major so I for one truly enjoyed the description of the geologic formations in Yosemite and that of the thunderstorms that plagued the group during the beginning of their hike. The descriptions were so well done that I could envision myself hiking along that trail myself! I really liked the main characters too, although there wasn't a lot of backstory or in-depth characterization to describe who they all were as people. I found that approach to be both refreshing and easy. I got to know them a little as they got to know each other. Well done! For me, this was a solid five star read.
Read
November 19, 2015Since I wrote this book, I won't be reviewing it. But I did want to mention, if you'd like to take a peek at the pinterest board for "Aligning North" it's located here:
https://www.pinterest.com/kcfaelan/al...
It was previously hidden until the book was released, but now it's open so you can see some of the images I used to inspire the story :)
https://www.pinterest.com/kcfaelan/al...
It was previously hidden until the book was released, but now it's open so you can see some of the images I used to inspire the story :)
July 21, 2015
I liked the concept of this one, Zac heading out on a camping expedition where he meets Blake, one of the guides. It was interesting but for me it went on a bit too long. This ends on with a definite HFN with possibilities.
November 17, 2024
Short and sweet, very little drama, but nothing terribly memorble. The premise was great and this would certainly work as a full-length novel so the characters could be more fully developed. Plus, it would be nice to see Zac and Blake get a true HEA. Chris deserves one too and perhaps Jeremy is the key. Jeff was a jerk and they should have left his sorry ass on the mountain.
This story was mostly well written. There were a couple of mild inconsistencies such as in the opening chapter when Blake is describing the skill level of the hike as not being for beginners, and by the next chapter, Zac admitted it was his first time and then via Jeff’s asshat behavior we can deduce that he is also inexperienced. All-in-all, I enjoyed this enough to explore more works by this author.
This story was mostly well written. There were a couple of mild inconsistencies such as in the opening chapter when Blake is describing the skill level of the hike as not being for beginners, and by the next chapter, Zac admitted it was his first time and then via Jeff’s asshat behavior we can deduce that he is also inexperienced. All-in-all, I enjoyed this enough to explore more works by this author.
April 6, 2018
Really enjoyed the little snippets of information about the setting, ei rock formations and animal behaviour. Low level angst for our MCs but a secondary pair took care of that for us. Some hot sweaty sex in a cave and it was over way too soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
A perfect hike. No mention of stinky socks.
July 1, 2016
A free copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Blake and three friends own a outdoor trekking business. They take turns bringing groups out hiking. This time around it's Blake and his best friend and business partner, Ali, turn to bring a group out. In the group of five one stands out to Blake. Zachary (Zac) has been a bit standoffish and Blake is drawn to his good looks. Blake makes it his business to see if he can get Zac to smile on the seven day trip and bring him out of his shell a bit.
It's a short story only spanning ten chapters so the relationship development builds very quickly. Within three days of knowing each other Blake and Zac start having a physical relationship.
There was a good amount of character development and I was happy to see we got the story behind Zac's behavior and why he was so quiet at first.
I have to admit I was a little confused as to why Blake inquired if Kerry and Blake has gone fishing since they had their fishing license until I looked it up on google. I enjoyed reading about something I didn't know much about.
Ali was a wonderful friend and she was such a fun person, teasing Blake the way she did. I enjoyed this story. I hope we get to see more of them or even a story for Jeremy and Chris.
Blake and three friends own a outdoor trekking business. They take turns bringing groups out hiking. This time around it's Blake and his best friend and business partner, Ali, turn to bring a group out. In the group of five one stands out to Blake. Zachary (Zac) has been a bit standoffish and Blake is drawn to his good looks. Blake makes it his business to see if he can get Zac to smile on the seven day trip and bring him out of his shell a bit.
It's a short story only spanning ten chapters so the relationship development builds very quickly. Within three days of knowing each other Blake and Zac start having a physical relationship.
There was a good amount of character development and I was happy to see we got the story behind Zac's behavior and why he was so quiet at first.
I have to admit I was a little confused as to why Blake inquired if Kerry and Blake has gone fishing since they had their fishing license until I looked it up on google. I enjoyed reading about something I didn't know much about.
Ali was a wonderful friend and she was such a fun person, teasing Blake the way she did. I enjoyed this story. I hope we get to see more of them or even a story for Jeremy and Chris.
Want to read
November 30, 2015Part of the Summer Bigger Than Others Anthology
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