Erasure

by Misa Buckley

When Malik Foster crashes back into his life after a three year absence, Damaris wants nothing to do with his ex-lover. Especially once he learns that Malik has cybernetic implants - something made illegal by the Restoration. Dam does not want a Purity Squad beating down his door. Yet neither does he want to leave Malik to their less than tender mercies. He agrees to use his surgical talents to remove the tell-tale tattoo that's been branded on to Malik's wrist.

As they reignite their past relationship, Dam learns about the life Malik has led since the Restoration came into power. He has to face the fact that his future as a plastic surgeon is increasingly insecure in a city that's becoming ever more obsessed with "natural" bodies. Then the Purity Squads come looking for Malik, and they know an escape is now or never.

But can there be an escape from a regime that wants to erase anyone not falling into their definition of human?

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2014

About the author

Misa Buckley grew up watching Doctor Who and reading her sister's Harlequin novels. Now she writes romance with her peculiar touch of weird.

When she's not writing, she likes to paint, crochet, and attempt to play guitar. She lives in the north-west of England with her husband, adult son. a daft dog and a crazy cat.

Reviews

[Pippa Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked.
The world building was concise, summing up a bleak, and scary setting with a quasi-religious group forcing the populous backward in terms of technology. The relationship between the two central characters was taunt and touching, and beautifully played out. I don't think a single word was wasted. The sex scenes were tastefully done (and in detail if you're worried they might have been glossed over), and the inner turmoil of both characters were believable and engaging, without being OTT on the angst.

What I didn't like.
This was only my second m/m story, and I can't say I'm a huge fan - my preference is definitely for m/f or f/f. Having said that, this was a short, snappy and emotionally satisfying read, and I'd come back for more of it. I did feel their escape could/should have been done in more detail.

In conclusion.
If you're a newbie to m/m romance (like me) and/or a newcomer to scifi romance as a genre, this is a great place to start. Tight world building that won't overwhelm even the least technically minded, well done sex scenes, well balanced between the two characters, and emotionally satisfying. Be warned though - this is a short story, not a novella or novel.

[Malin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive read a few from this author and I believe this is her first m/m. I like her world building (as a scifi writer) although as much of the story is behind closed doors this doesnt shine as much as some of her other stories. Her approach to characters seems to have carried over nicely and its good to read characters who are no less complex than in het stories(probably more complex than many het stories actually). There's no doubt she's on a learning curve with this story but there's certainly still plenty good here. I look forward to seeing more from her along these lines.