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Moments in Time #1-3
Moments in Time
Moments In Time: Books 1-3
Moment of Impact
Beyond Collin Fitzpatrick’s dorm room, the students of his conservative college think he’s straight, as does his Catholic family, who'd disown him if they learned the truth. Inside, he’s safe with his sexy roommate Tanner D’Amico. Tanner wants to show the world how much he loves Collin, but Collin’s not sure he’s ready for the impact stepping outside will make.
Moment of Truth
Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he's living in a beach house on Fire Island, and for the first time, he and Tanner can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, and doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness. Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.
Moment of Clarity
Spending the summer on Fire Island brought Collin and Tanner closer than ever, but back in their conservative college town, new challenges confront them.
When Collin's relationship with Tanner becomes an issue in his brother's custody battle and Tanner struggles with feelings for his heartbroken friend Wendy, Collin wonders if everyone would be better off without him. In order to save them both, Tanner must make it clear his love for Collin is all that matters.
Moment of Impact
Beyond Collin Fitzpatrick’s dorm room, the students of his conservative college think he’s straight, as does his Catholic family, who'd disown him if they learned the truth. Inside, he’s safe with his sexy roommate Tanner D’Amico. Tanner wants to show the world how much he loves Collin, but Collin’s not sure he’s ready for the impact stepping outside will make.
Moment of Truth
Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he's living in a beach house on Fire Island, and for the first time, he and Tanner can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, and doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness. Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.
Moment of Clarity
Spending the summer on Fire Island brought Collin and Tanner closer than ever, but back in their conservative college town, new challenges confront them.
When Collin's relationship with Tanner becomes an issue in his brother's custody battle and Tanner struggles with feelings for his heartbroken friend Wendy, Collin wonders if everyone would be better off without him. In order to save them both, Tanner must make it clear his love for Collin is all that matters.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2015
15 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Karen Stivali
47 books359 followersKaren Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker, and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 2, 2015
#1 Moment of Impact
#2 Moment of Truth
#3 Moment of Clarity
I think there is no need to say that I reject every kind of discrimination. But here in this book I was aggravated. Yes, I'm perfectly aware that the world is full of assholes and intolerance, I'm not trying to make light of all those people. However, I also don't tolerate it the other way around.
I live in a secular country but 94% of the population is Catholic. 70% are believers, but many more made the First Communion, even if after some time they forget everything about it only to remember it in the day of their wedding. I made the First Communion myself. And... 88% of the population here says that homosexuality should be accepted by society.
So, yes, we have the processions during the Holy Week and we have the Gay Pride Day. People can marry and people can divorce. Gay people can marry, too, since 10 years ago. We watch movies by Almodóvar with all his trans and we also watch über conservative shit. So what? I'm not religious but my culture is Catholic. Spanish History is marked by Catholicism. It's very meaningful that Arabs lived in Spain for 800 years and still Catholicism survived and fought back. We may do things slowly but we do them.
I've visited more castles and cathedrals and churches throughout Spain than I can count. It's historic heritage, after all. It doesn't matter how small the town is, there will always be a church, older than some countries or not, but it's very weird not to find one.
All my grandparents go to church and one of those churches gets full of prostitutes every Sunday. The priest welcomes them and I bet he is proud that the manages to attract the "black sheep" to his mass. What is the problem?
Why every time a Catholic character comes into scene immediately something rings into our head: "Bigotry!"? In my short experience, Catholic people are not the most intolerant out there. Mostly, they let people live. Catholicism is based on love and respect. The thing is, there are some who follow those principles, and there are some who don't. I don't think it's fair that we judge the main majority just due to a bunch of bastards that make too much noise. The USA has a lower percentage of Catholic people, about 24%. How come only 60% of the people in the States say homosexuality should be accepted by society? It's very senseless to say Catholic people are the guilty ones in the hate towards homosexuality, isn't it? Or maybe there are other factors apart from religion that determinate the open-mindedness of people? Can we honestly say that all Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox, Protestant, etc people welcome everybody with open arms? So how come Catholics are always the bad ones? I have some theories myself but I won't explain them here.
In this book I have the feeling this message is drummed into us: not every bigot is Catholic but every Catholic is a bigot. Just stop and think: how many books have you read that a Catholic is included (MCs or family or friends) in it and there are problems of acceptance of homosexuality? It's too much of a coincidence for me that they usually coincide. I have to think really hard to find an example of the opposite.
Yes, I know that the homosexuality marriage became legal in the States just some days ago, and I celebrate. USA has lots of influence, so of course this will spread to other countries. Spreading the equality. But please, let's stop the stereotypes. I bet gay stereotypes annoy real gay men, and religious stereotypes annoy me, too. I have no way to find out if Catholic people in the States are more fanatical or not but my American teacher told me that the people he sees going to the Gay Pride Gay in Madrid are "unthinkable" to be found back at home, he says that "everybody" goes there.
#2 Moment of Truth
#3 Moment of Clarity
I think there is no need to say that I reject every kind of discrimination. But here in this book I was aggravated. Yes, I'm perfectly aware that the world is full of assholes and intolerance, I'm not trying to make light of all those people. However, I also don't tolerate it the other way around.
I live in a secular country but 94% of the population is Catholic. 70% are believers, but many more made the First Communion, even if after some time they forget everything about it only to remember it in the day of their wedding. I made the First Communion myself. And... 88% of the population here says that homosexuality should be accepted by society.
So, yes, we have the processions during the Holy Week and we have the Gay Pride Day. People can marry and people can divorce. Gay people can marry, too, since 10 years ago. We watch movies by Almodóvar with all his trans and we also watch über conservative shit. So what? I'm not religious but my culture is Catholic. Spanish History is marked by Catholicism. It's very meaningful that Arabs lived in Spain for 800 years and still Catholicism survived and fought back. We may do things slowly but we do them.
I've visited more castles and cathedrals and churches throughout Spain than I can count. It's historic heritage, after all. It doesn't matter how small the town is, there will always be a church, older than some countries or not, but it's very weird not to find one.
All my grandparents go to church and one of those churches gets full of prostitutes every Sunday. The priest welcomes them and I bet he is proud that the manages to attract the "black sheep" to his mass. What is the problem?
Why every time a Catholic character comes into scene immediately something rings into our head: "Bigotry!"? In my short experience, Catholic people are not the most intolerant out there. Mostly, they let people live. Catholicism is based on love and respect. The thing is, there are some who follow those principles, and there are some who don't. I don't think it's fair that we judge the main majority just due to a bunch of bastards that make too much noise. The USA has a lower percentage of Catholic people, about 24%. How come only 60% of the people in the States say homosexuality should be accepted by society? It's very senseless to say Catholic people are the guilty ones in the hate towards homosexuality, isn't it? Or maybe there are other factors apart from religion that determinate the open-mindedness of people? Can we honestly say that all Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox, Protestant, etc people welcome everybody with open arms? So how come Catholics are always the bad ones? I have some theories myself but I won't explain them here.
In this book I have the feeling this message is drummed into us: not every bigot is Catholic but every Catholic is a bigot. Just stop and think: how many books have you read that a Catholic is included (MCs or family or friends) in it and there are problems of acceptance of homosexuality? It's too much of a coincidence for me that they usually coincide. I have to think really hard to find an example of the opposite.
Yes, I know that the homosexuality marriage became legal in the States just some days ago, and I celebrate. USA has lots of influence, so of course this will spread to other countries. Spreading the equality. But please, let's stop the stereotypes. I bet gay stereotypes annoy real gay men, and religious stereotypes annoy me, too. I have no way to find out if Catholic people in the States are more fanatical or not but my American teacher told me that the people he sees going to the Gay Pride Gay in Madrid are "unthinkable" to be found back at home, he says that "everybody" goes there.
Want to read
December 2, 2015This 3-book collection is on sale for $0.99 at Amazon US today! 12/2/15 http://www.amazon.com/Moments-Time-Ka...
February 24, 2017
Moment of Impact: 3.75 Stars
I enjoyed it. The MCs were likable and had chemistry. I just wish the story had started before they started doing hanky panky because then it wouldn't have felt like their feelings went from 0 to 60. Very enjoyable overall.
Moment of Truth: 4.5 Stars
I loved this one! Emotional, sexy with some angst- I was all about this one.
Moment of Clarity: 4 Stars
Drama, drama, drama. Drama with the family, drama at their dorms, drama with friends. I did feel like it was too much thrown at them and felt borderline OTT- but I found myself still sucked into their story and wanting to see how it all played out.
Series Rating: 4.08 Stars
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it in the bundle because it would've driven batshit crazy to wait for each installment. If you like:
-Friends to lovers
-Roommates stories
-Steamy romances (this was sexier than I expected)
-Angst
and
-A strong HFN
Then give this series a chance.
I enjoyed it. The MCs were likable and had chemistry. I just wish the story had started before they started doing hanky panky because then it wouldn't have felt like their feelings went from 0 to 60. Very enjoyable overall.
Moment of Truth: 4.5 Stars
I loved this one! Emotional, sexy with some angst- I was all about this one.
Moment of Clarity: 4 Stars
Drama, drama, drama. Drama with the family, drama at their dorms, drama with friends. I did feel like it was too much thrown at them and felt borderline OTT- but I found myself still sucked into their story and wanting to see how it all played out.
Series Rating: 4.08 Stars
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it in the bundle because it would've driven batshit crazy to wait for each installment. If you like:
-Friends to lovers
-Roommates stories
-Steamy romances (this was sexier than I expected)
-Angst
and
-A strong HFN
Then give this series a chance.
December 3, 2017
Overall?!? I didn’t really didn’t like the last two novellas in this bundle :-/!! He first novella was wonderful and the sec scenes were PHENOMENAL [holy shit are they wonderful], and the author writes absolutely wonderfully. BUT, there’s a crap load of CHEATING [yes, there’s cheating!!] and all kinds of contrived drama, and the last two novellas just ruined it for me!! Had these novellas been based merely on the sex and writing, my rating would have been much MUCH higher!! But seeing as there were many things here that I hated, I couldn’t rate it any higher than 2 stars!! The two stars are in honour of what went right and I wanted to save this book from getting a 1 star rating, but I couldn’t - in honest conscience - rate this anything that indicated I LIKED everything this bundle contained :-/!! I’m bummed I couldn’t like this, but given some very HARD limits, I just couldn’t!!
I felt like the MCs were fucked around with just for the heck, drama, and angst of it, and I hated it!!
I WILL read the next novella [ie 3.5] only because I own it, but I am sure I’ll get equally as pissed :-/!!
UGH x 100 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬!!
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD! NOTE THAT THE QUOTES ARE CONSIDERABLY LONGER AND NATURALLY WILL REVEAL MORE. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!!***
Moment of Impact #1: An undeniable 4.5 star rating :-)!!
*** Thoughts to come. In the meantime: Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful novella :-)!!
Moment of Truth #2: An unfortunate 2.5 star rating!! The sex scenes get a solid 4 star rating, but the events toward the end of the book knocked that rating down to 2 stars!! I rounded up to 2.5 in honour of those scenes but couldn’t rate higher because the “ending” pissed me off THAT much!!
*** I heard snippets about the “BIG misunderstanding” and I am really hoping it isn’t what I think it is! Also, someone mentioned something about “grey area” ... mmmmm if something is grey enough to be in that area, I probably wouldn’t be so generous in my assessment [most are nicer than me in that regard - haha]. Something tells me I will NOT like what might happen there. That being said, I’ll have some faith in the author, will give the benefit of the doubt, and will put myself into a specific mindset for whatever’s to come [I’m preparing myself for whatever it is] so that I can maybe NOT be so rigid in my assessment!
Boys, you better not disappoint me!!
One of THEE sexiest and hottest sex scenes/moments ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @ 39% ...
“I groaned, and Tanner chuckled again, glancing down my body. Precome trickled onto my stomach. Tanner nodded toward my erection. “You might want to take care of that before you venture down to the bathroom. Unless you’re looking for a hands-free way to carry your towel.”
My cheeks heated, and my heart picked up speed.
He held my gaze, eyes dark with desire. He’d said I might want to take care of it. I shot a quick look at the door.
“It’s locked,” he said, reading my mind.
My face burned hotter as my hand went to my cock. I’d jerked off in front of him more times than I could count, but there was still a rush of self-consciousness every time I started. The first stroke alone felt so good, it lessened some of the embarrassment. The second elicited a low moan from Tanner, which made my dick jump, and took the heat in my face lower, to my throat. By the third stroke, Tanner was rubbing his own bulge as he watched, and all I wanted was for us both to get off.
I cupped my balls with my free hand, lightly touching the puckered skin. Jesus. This wasn’t going to take long. Tanner ran his fingers up and down my thigh, then slid them up my torso and flicked my nipple.
“Fuck.” The word came out as a whisper as my head pressed back into the pillow. My eyes fluttered open. The look on Tanner’s face—intense, full of lust—urged me to pump faster. My hips rose off the bed. The tip of my cock was so red, I doubted any blood was left to color my face.
“So fucking hot,” Tanner said, his eyes locked on my dick. He knelt alongside me, unzipped, and pulled out his erection. I went to reach for it, but Tanner caught my wrist and moved my hand back to my balls. “No. You.”
I loved that he wanted to watch. His fingers traced the underside of his cock. I loved to watch him too. Loved it too much. I teetered on the brink for a few more precious seconds. Make it last. Make it last. Just one more stroke. One more. One. One. One. Tanner’s hand braced against my chest as he thrust into his fist and I tumbled over the edge. The world went black as hot streaks painted my body. Mine. His. Oh God.”
~ Holy baby Moses 😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️!!
Another ridiculously HOT [<— imagine the word “hot” being 10 feet high] quote @ 50% ...
“He inched me up against the wall, stroking my chest, being careful not to go too near the raw skin. His fingers made quick work of what was left of my zipper, and he went onto his knees to remove my pants. I tried to help but hissed when I bent. “Don’t,” he said. “Let me take care of everything.”
So I did. I backed up against the wall, resting my head against the cool smooth paint, and waited. Tanner took his time. Caressing my legs, slipping his fingers between my thighs to tease my ass and taint. Then he went to work on my foreskin. Generally we just used it to stroke, then slicked it down and out of the way when we meant business. Tonight he decided my foreskin was the business. He rolled it up past the crown of my cock, then ran the pads of his fingers around the sensitive fold of skin. My cock swelled, begging to be the main attraction. With a gentle grip, he lightly pinched the skin between his thumb and index finger, giving a little tug that sent electric zips straight to my balls. Jesus, Tanner. Where’d he learn that? Holding my cock with one hand, he used the other to dip his finger inside my foreskin and trace the wetness that had accumulated. The tip of my cock strained against his fingers as I struggled to keep breathing.
By the time he finally, blissfully decided to show me some mercy, I was so revved up I could barely see straight. With one painstakingly slow stroke, he unrolled the skin, stretching it over my swollen length, pulling it taut enough that I sucked in a sharp breath when the bit just under the head got a solid tug. His thumb went straight there. He knew that was my favorite spot to be rubbed. I could come from touching just that one tiny area, massaging those nerve endings, feeling the come bubble up the length of my shaft.
He moved so slowly and intently it killed me to wait. I wanted to buck, but he slammed a hand onto my chest, holding me steady against the wall.
“Don’t move,” he whispered. “Your tattoo will hurt. All I want you to feel is pleasure.”
“I do.”
“Not yet...”
The gleam in his eye made me groan. He dropped to his knees once more and took a long, slow lick. The wetness combined with the breeze of the fan felt electric. He licked the sides, the top, the base, then huffed to mix his warm breath with the cool air. My cock twitched like mad, begging to be stroked or sucked or fucked—anything—desperate for release.
Tanner traced a finger over my hip bone, just under the ink. “So fucking sexy. Not to mention that you’re the first tattooed guy I’ve ever been with.”
I grinned. I loved being his first anything. I always thought of Tanner as so much more experienced than me. Doing firsts together seemed like the coolest thing I could possibly offer him.
Holding my hip steady with a firm hand, Tanner sank his mouth down onto my cock. He swallowed it whole, till the head bumped the back of his throat. No gagging, just a sensual moan that almost had me shooting the second I heard it.
Up and down he licked and swiveled, using his hands along the shaft while his tongue twirled and lapped at the precome flowing out of me. I couldn’t last much longer. “Tanner, I can’t… I need… I have to.”
“So come,” he said, leisurely sliding my dick back into his superwet mouth. He sucked harder, drawing me all the way in, still licking circles against the underside. Jesus. Can’t last. Too good. I clawed at the wall, finding nothing, then sank my hands into Tanner’s silky mane. Tangling my fingers in his hair released its coconut-lime scent, and I was surrounded by him. His fingers, his mouth, his aroma. It overwhelmed me. My cock was thick and full, ready to burst. With three final pumps into that beautiful mouth, I exploded, straight down his throat. I felt him swallow, knew he was sucking every last drop from me, but it was too much to keep up with and some ran down his chin. I wiped it with my finger, then pulled him up to my mouth, sliding the finger between his lips before I ravished him with my mouth.
His dick was rock hard, jutting from his shorts. I started stroking without even bothering to take his pants the rest of the way off. I loved the way he looked with a huge erection sticking out of his clothes. Like he was so desperate and so consumed by the need for sex, he’d forgotten the most basic skills like how to disrobe.
I stroked him fast, knowing how close he was to coming, then stopped, releasing his dick the moment before I knew he’d come. He groaned in disappointment, but he’d taught me the stop-and-go game. Taught me too well. I could do it for hours, sensing each time he was about to orgasm and stopping all stimulation until he settled down enough to wait. Cruel while you’re doing it, but so worth the reward.
That moment when you don’t have to wait another second and you finally let go—it’s unreal. Like every orgasm you managed to tamp down is now bursting to get out along with all its other orgasm buddies. The amount of come is doubled, tripled, or more, like you could keep shooting forever and not run out. Pass Go. Collect $ 200. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
I edged him four times. Each time his moans of protest grew louder. I distracted him by sucking his nipples. Nipping his neck. Kissing him hard and fast until he’d whimper. I never thought of myself as controlling, but when it came to orgasms, I loved giving them but loved it even more if they were superintense and entirely on my terms.
“Collin, please. Now.”
He was about to burst. I could feel it. Every inch of his body seemed taut, tensed, stretched to its limit. I pumped him faster, the way he liked to stroke himself when he was ready. In half-a-dozen strokes I heard the groan that tipped the balance. The ridges of his cock swelled and pulsed. I got my mouth on him just in time to swallow his load, sucking him deep into my throat so he could finish in the warmth and safety of my mouth.
“Holy Christ, Collin. Where do you learn this shit?”
“I seem to remember someone encouraging me to watch porn.”
~ FUUUUUUUUCK that’s scorching ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!! Also, important note: Porn [GAY porn] helps everything 😉😍😍😍😍😍😍!!
Moment of Clarity #3: Very unfortunate 1 star rating!! Did NOT like this!!
I felt like the MCs were fucked around with just for the heck, drama, and angst of it, and I hated it!!
I WILL read the next novella [ie 3.5] only because I own it, but I am sure I’ll get equally as pissed :-/!!
UGH x 100 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬!!
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD! NOTE THAT THE QUOTES ARE CONSIDERABLY LONGER AND NATURALLY WILL REVEAL MORE. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!!***
Moment of Impact #1: An undeniable 4.5 star rating :-)!!
*** Thoughts to come. In the meantime: Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful novella :-)!!
Moment of Truth #2: An unfortunate 2.5 star rating!! The sex scenes get a solid 4 star rating, but the events toward the end of the book knocked that rating down to 2 stars!! I rounded up to 2.5 in honour of those scenes but couldn’t rate higher because the “ending” pissed me off THAT much!!
*** I heard snippets about the “BIG misunderstanding” and I am really hoping it isn’t what I think it is! Also, someone mentioned something about “grey area” ... mmmmm if something is grey enough to be in that area, I probably wouldn’t be so generous in my assessment [most are nicer than me in that regard - haha]. Something tells me I will NOT like what might happen there. That being said, I’ll have some faith in the author, will give the benefit of the doubt, and will put myself into a specific mindset for whatever’s to come [I’m preparing myself for whatever it is] so that I can maybe NOT be so rigid in my assessment!
Boys, you better not disappoint me!!
One of THEE sexiest and hottest sex scenes/moments ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @ 39% ...
“I groaned, and Tanner chuckled again, glancing down my body. Precome trickled onto my stomach. Tanner nodded toward my erection. “You might want to take care of that before you venture down to the bathroom. Unless you’re looking for a hands-free way to carry your towel.”
My cheeks heated, and my heart picked up speed.
He held my gaze, eyes dark with desire. He’d said I might want to take care of it. I shot a quick look at the door.
“It’s locked,” he said, reading my mind.
My face burned hotter as my hand went to my cock. I’d jerked off in front of him more times than I could count, but there was still a rush of self-consciousness every time I started. The first stroke alone felt so good, it lessened some of the embarrassment. The second elicited a low moan from Tanner, which made my dick jump, and took the heat in my face lower, to my throat. By the third stroke, Tanner was rubbing his own bulge as he watched, and all I wanted was for us both to get off.
I cupped my balls with my free hand, lightly touching the puckered skin. Jesus. This wasn’t going to take long. Tanner ran his fingers up and down my thigh, then slid them up my torso and flicked my nipple.
“Fuck.” The word came out as a whisper as my head pressed back into the pillow. My eyes fluttered open. The look on Tanner’s face—intense, full of lust—urged me to pump faster. My hips rose off the bed. The tip of my cock was so red, I doubted any blood was left to color my face.
“So fucking hot,” Tanner said, his eyes locked on my dick. He knelt alongside me, unzipped, and pulled out his erection. I went to reach for it, but Tanner caught my wrist and moved my hand back to my balls. “No. You.”
I loved that he wanted to watch. His fingers traced the underside of his cock. I loved to watch him too. Loved it too much. I teetered on the brink for a few more precious seconds. Make it last. Make it last. Just one more stroke. One more. One. One. One. Tanner’s hand braced against my chest as he thrust into his fist and I tumbled over the edge. The world went black as hot streaks painted my body. Mine. His. Oh God.”
~ Holy baby Moses 😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️!!
Another ridiculously HOT [<— imagine the word “hot” being 10 feet high] quote @ 50% ...
“He inched me up against the wall, stroking my chest, being careful not to go too near the raw skin. His fingers made quick work of what was left of my zipper, and he went onto his knees to remove my pants. I tried to help but hissed when I bent. “Don’t,” he said. “Let me take care of everything.”
So I did. I backed up against the wall, resting my head against the cool smooth paint, and waited. Tanner took his time. Caressing my legs, slipping his fingers between my thighs to tease my ass and taint. Then he went to work on my foreskin. Generally we just used it to stroke, then slicked it down and out of the way when we meant business. Tonight he decided my foreskin was the business. He rolled it up past the crown of my cock, then ran the pads of his fingers around the sensitive fold of skin. My cock swelled, begging to be the main attraction. With a gentle grip, he lightly pinched the skin between his thumb and index finger, giving a little tug that sent electric zips straight to my balls. Jesus, Tanner. Where’d he learn that? Holding my cock with one hand, he used the other to dip his finger inside my foreskin and trace the wetness that had accumulated. The tip of my cock strained against his fingers as I struggled to keep breathing.
By the time he finally, blissfully decided to show me some mercy, I was so revved up I could barely see straight. With one painstakingly slow stroke, he unrolled the skin, stretching it over my swollen length, pulling it taut enough that I sucked in a sharp breath when the bit just under the head got a solid tug. His thumb went straight there. He knew that was my favorite spot to be rubbed. I could come from touching just that one tiny area, massaging those nerve endings, feeling the come bubble up the length of my shaft.
He moved so slowly and intently it killed me to wait. I wanted to buck, but he slammed a hand onto my chest, holding me steady against the wall.
“Don’t move,” he whispered. “Your tattoo will hurt. All I want you to feel is pleasure.”
“I do.”
“Not yet...”
The gleam in his eye made me groan. He dropped to his knees once more and took a long, slow lick. The wetness combined with the breeze of the fan felt electric. He licked the sides, the top, the base, then huffed to mix his warm breath with the cool air. My cock twitched like mad, begging to be stroked or sucked or fucked—anything—desperate for release.
Tanner traced a finger over my hip bone, just under the ink. “So fucking sexy. Not to mention that you’re the first tattooed guy I’ve ever been with.”
I grinned. I loved being his first anything. I always thought of Tanner as so much more experienced than me. Doing firsts together seemed like the coolest thing I could possibly offer him.
Holding my hip steady with a firm hand, Tanner sank his mouth down onto my cock. He swallowed it whole, till the head bumped the back of his throat. No gagging, just a sensual moan that almost had me shooting the second I heard it.
Up and down he licked and swiveled, using his hands along the shaft while his tongue twirled and lapped at the precome flowing out of me. I couldn’t last much longer. “Tanner, I can’t… I need… I have to.”
“So come,” he said, leisurely sliding my dick back into his superwet mouth. He sucked harder, drawing me all the way in, still licking circles against the underside. Jesus. Can’t last. Too good. I clawed at the wall, finding nothing, then sank my hands into Tanner’s silky mane. Tangling my fingers in his hair released its coconut-lime scent, and I was surrounded by him. His fingers, his mouth, his aroma. It overwhelmed me. My cock was thick and full, ready to burst. With three final pumps into that beautiful mouth, I exploded, straight down his throat. I felt him swallow, knew he was sucking every last drop from me, but it was too much to keep up with and some ran down his chin. I wiped it with my finger, then pulled him up to my mouth, sliding the finger between his lips before I ravished him with my mouth.
His dick was rock hard, jutting from his shorts. I started stroking without even bothering to take his pants the rest of the way off. I loved the way he looked with a huge erection sticking out of his clothes. Like he was so desperate and so consumed by the need for sex, he’d forgotten the most basic skills like how to disrobe.
I stroked him fast, knowing how close he was to coming, then stopped, releasing his dick the moment before I knew he’d come. He groaned in disappointment, but he’d taught me the stop-and-go game. Taught me too well. I could do it for hours, sensing each time he was about to orgasm and stopping all stimulation until he settled down enough to wait. Cruel while you’re doing it, but so worth the reward.
That moment when you don’t have to wait another second and you finally let go—it’s unreal. Like every orgasm you managed to tamp down is now bursting to get out along with all its other orgasm buddies. The amount of come is doubled, tripled, or more, like you could keep shooting forever and not run out. Pass Go. Collect $ 200. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
I edged him four times. Each time his moans of protest grew louder. I distracted him by sucking his nipples. Nipping his neck. Kissing him hard and fast until he’d whimper. I never thought of myself as controlling, but when it came to orgasms, I loved giving them but loved it even more if they were superintense and entirely on my terms.
“Collin, please. Now.”
He was about to burst. I could feel it. Every inch of his body seemed taut, tensed, stretched to its limit. I pumped him faster, the way he liked to stroke himself when he was ready. In half-a-dozen strokes I heard the groan that tipped the balance. The ridges of his cock swelled and pulsed. I got my mouth on him just in time to swallow his load, sucking him deep into my throat so he could finish in the warmth and safety of my mouth.
“Holy Christ, Collin. Where do you learn this shit?”
“I seem to remember someone encouraging me to watch porn.”
~ FUUUUUUUUCK that’s scorching ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!! Also, important note: Porn [GAY porn] helps everything 😉😍😍😍😍😍😍!!
Moment of Clarity #3: Very unfortunate 1 star rating!! Did NOT like this!!
July 12, 2021
I liked it. Collin and Tanner and their merry band of friends and family - Wendy, Jason, Eric, Tim, Sean, Quinn, Brian, Gino, Mrs. D'Amico - provide just enough angst in each book to make you wonder (for at least a few pages) if Collin and Tanner's relationship will survive perceived infidelities, tense family situations, old-school Catholic guilt, lawyers, etc. A fun "beach read" with loads and loads of loads sex!
There is a new fourth book in the series Moment Of Silence featuring Jason and Collin's brother Quinn.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
There is a new fourth book in the series Moment Of Silence featuring Jason and Collin's brother Quinn.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
November 20, 2016
Great Series
I had been listening to Karen Stivalli's podcasts recently, I adored her personality and figured I just had to read her books. After reading a Tonight I bought the 3 books as one & really enjoyed this. It felt like one book to me, with its ups and downs, slight angst, sexy and sweet. I had so much fun reading and remembering Fire Island, so authentic the details about summer life there, brought back memories. Looking forward to reading book four. Thank you Binge on Books for your podcast and showing me this side of the author.
I had been listening to Karen Stivalli's podcasts recently, I adored her personality and figured I just had to read her books. After reading a Tonight I bought the 3 books as one & really enjoyed this. It felt like one book to me, with its ups and downs, slight angst, sexy and sweet. I had so much fun reading and remembering Fire Island, so authentic the details about summer life there, brought back memories. Looking forward to reading book four. Thank you Binge on Books for your podcast and showing me this side of the author.
December 7, 2017
*** DNF at 60% ***
Not my cuppa. You'll probably like it.
If you're okay with annoying side character. And stupid MC, weak MCs.
Just pissed me off.And it's boring.
What's wrong with my choices lately.?
I'm even pissed at my self for picking some random books without reading reviews.
I don't care about the ending, I'm tired.
Not my cuppa. You'll probably like it.
If you're okay with annoying side character. And stupid MC, weak MCs.
Just pissed me off.And it's boring.
What's wrong with my choices lately.?
I'm even pissed at my self for picking some random books without reading reviews.
I don't care about the ending, I'm tired.
January 23, 2016
M/M is my "go-to" genre and my favorite is GFY. This wasn't GFY themed but still very good. Over the three books young love was explored, it was sweet and satisfying. There was turmoil and drama with family and friends but not too angsty with the MCs although they did have challenges. I am not an angst-lover so I really enjoyed the journey.it was sexy and interesting. I'd recommend. Not a huge fan of the cover though...the guys, in my imagination were much different.
December 8, 2015
I didn't feel like Collin and Tanner's relationship was real. They didn't really resolve any of their arguments or work to become a stronger couple. They mostly just resolved things with sex. I really wanted to like these three books. The descriptions for them sounded great but I was left disappointed.
February 8, 2016
At times, it was a bit too raunchy for me, but when I got passed that, I really did enjoy Collin and Tanner’s story!
March 28, 2020
DNF.
"Moment of Impact" - This one had a good enough e-sample that I bought the three-part collection. But holy crap, I hate Tanner. Our main character Collin's suffered emotional child abuse and at 20 is repressed and has shit to get over. But pushing Collin and nearly outing him is manipulation. ...Ugh, it gets worse: Look, when you threaten someone, making their fear about your hurt feelings is manipulative. Collin's gonna be prone to self-blame... Yep. Predictable ending. I did not like this one at all. It's fatally flawed.
And the other two are the same characters?
I'm out.
"Moment of Impact" - This one had a good enough e-sample that I bought the three-part collection. But holy crap, I hate Tanner. Our main character Collin's suffered emotional child abuse and at 20 is repressed and has shit to get over. But pushing Collin and nearly outing him is manipulation. ...Ugh, it gets worse: Look, when you threaten someone, making their fear about your hurt feelings is manipulative. Collin's gonna be prone to self-blame... Yep. Predictable ending. I did not like this one at all. It's fatally flawed.
And the other two are the same characters?
I'm out.
February 16, 2017
Moment of Impact: 4*
Moment of Truth: 4.5*
Moment of Clarity: 3*
Way to ruin a great storyline, author! I totally loved this whole thing, until chapter 19, about 87% of this bundle, then it became totally hare-brained and unbelievable. The epilogue was nice enough and I already read the 4th book of the series and loved it, otherwise this would have been the end!
Now I'm up to date for the release of the 5th book of the series!!!
Moment of Truth: 4.5*
Moment of Clarity: 3*
Way to ruin a great storyline, author! I totally loved this whole thing, until chapter 19, about 87% of this bundle, then it became totally hare-brained and unbelievable. The epilogue was nice enough and I already read the 4th book of the series and loved it, otherwise this would have been the end!
Now I'm up to date for the release of the 5th book of the series!!!
December 8, 2015
This is a review for all three parts of this series, which was a fabulous story!
Moment of Impact
This new adult m/m romance is the story of Collin and Tanner. Collin always assumed his roommate Tanner was straight, a carefully cultivated secret by Tanner who in fact has lusted after Collin since they met. When the truth is finally revealed, a hot and lusty affair ensues. But Tanner wants more than a secret relationship and Collin is torn between his conservative Catholic upbringing and the reality of his feelings for Tanner. Will he be willing to come out of the closet or risk losing the one man he loves?
I really enjoyed this story! The sexual attraction between Tanner and Collin is smoking hot and several steamy love scenes ensue as these two men uncover the truth about their feelings for each other. But though the sex is steamy, the underlying emotion is equally important, and the story told from Collin's point of view shows the depth of his difficulty in accepting his own sexuality and the idea of coming out of the closet. The story captures well the college experience, the difficulty in expressing one's sexuality when they are gay and the fear of censure and embarrassment. Tanner and Collin were both likeable and friendly characters and I found their romance to be really sweet. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in their relationship! 4 sexy stars.
Moment of Truth
This is the second story for Collin and Tanner, first introduced in Moment of Impact (which ended on a happy note and can be read as a standalone). Summer has come and Tanner has invited Collin to come with him to Fire Island, a resort area, to work for the summer. It's a different place than Collin has ever been before, one where being gay isn't a big deal and they are able to spend time together while earning money for the next year of college. But being out of the closet still isn't that easy for Collin, and Tanner's bisexuality is also worrisome to him, with the number of attractive girls who see Tanner as the prize they want too. Will the summer bring them closer together or tear them apart?
I loved this story! Even if you haven't read the first part of their story, it would be easy to dive right into this one as it's easy to get right into the story as Collin and Tanner start their summer together. I thought it was a really smooth read, keeping me interested from the first page as they head to Fire Island, get jobs there and go about the business of really learning how to trust and rely on each other. Their attraction to each other has only gotten stronger and leads to several sexy, tender and emotional love scenes that cement their feelings. But at the same time, there are other players in the game, attractive young twenty something's who are equally as interested in Collin and Tanner and like any new relationship, their insecurities for their new found relationshhip can sometimes be overwhelming. I thought all of their emotional experiences were really realistic and although the story is told only from Collin's point of view, Tanner's thoughts are equally represented. He's the stronger one in their couple, secure in his feelings for Collin. It's Collin who is dealing with showing his feelings for Tanner while still being unsure of how to behave publicly. Overall, I found this very entertaining, lighthearted and sexy with a good dose of sweet romance too. 5 stars.
Moment of Clarity
This third and final installment in the Moments in Time series starts off with Tanner and Collin returning back to school from their summer together. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the series as they adjust to life at school again, and the difficulties in being a gay couple in a small town, particularly in a college dorm environment. Collin's point of view is spot on and I really felt a connection to him. His thoughts and actions ring true. It was great to see him reconnecting with his brother Sean, even as that new found relationship adds to the tension of the story. I think both Tanner and Collin are well described, interesting and likeable characters, each with their own foibles and charms. The sexual attraction between them leads to some well written, steamy and touching scenes. The relationships they have with friends and family highlight all the nuances of being young gay males and made for an interesting and enjoyable read. 4.5 stars for this, and the series overall.
Note: this story was provided by the author for review.
Moment of Impact
This new adult m/m romance is the story of Collin and Tanner. Collin always assumed his roommate Tanner was straight, a carefully cultivated secret by Tanner who in fact has lusted after Collin since they met. When the truth is finally revealed, a hot and lusty affair ensues. But Tanner wants more than a secret relationship and Collin is torn between his conservative Catholic upbringing and the reality of his feelings for Tanner. Will he be willing to come out of the closet or risk losing the one man he loves?
I really enjoyed this story! The sexual attraction between Tanner and Collin is smoking hot and several steamy love scenes ensue as these two men uncover the truth about their feelings for each other. But though the sex is steamy, the underlying emotion is equally important, and the story told from Collin's point of view shows the depth of his difficulty in accepting his own sexuality and the idea of coming out of the closet. The story captures well the college experience, the difficulty in expressing one's sexuality when they are gay and the fear of censure and embarrassment. Tanner and Collin were both likeable and friendly characters and I found their romance to be really sweet. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in their relationship! 4 sexy stars.
Moment of Truth
This is the second story for Collin and Tanner, first introduced in Moment of Impact (which ended on a happy note and can be read as a standalone). Summer has come and Tanner has invited Collin to come with him to Fire Island, a resort area, to work for the summer. It's a different place than Collin has ever been before, one where being gay isn't a big deal and they are able to spend time together while earning money for the next year of college. But being out of the closet still isn't that easy for Collin, and Tanner's bisexuality is also worrisome to him, with the number of attractive girls who see Tanner as the prize they want too. Will the summer bring them closer together or tear them apart?
I loved this story! Even if you haven't read the first part of their story, it would be easy to dive right into this one as it's easy to get right into the story as Collin and Tanner start their summer together. I thought it was a really smooth read, keeping me interested from the first page as they head to Fire Island, get jobs there and go about the business of really learning how to trust and rely on each other. Their attraction to each other has only gotten stronger and leads to several sexy, tender and emotional love scenes that cement their feelings. But at the same time, there are other players in the game, attractive young twenty something's who are equally as interested in Collin and Tanner and like any new relationship, their insecurities for their new found relationshhip can sometimes be overwhelming. I thought all of their emotional experiences were really realistic and although the story is told only from Collin's point of view, Tanner's thoughts are equally represented. He's the stronger one in their couple, secure in his feelings for Collin. It's Collin who is dealing with showing his feelings for Tanner while still being unsure of how to behave publicly. Overall, I found this very entertaining, lighthearted and sexy with a good dose of sweet romance too. 5 stars.
Moment of Clarity
This third and final installment in the Moments in Time series starts off with Tanner and Collin returning back to school from their summer together. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the series as they adjust to life at school again, and the difficulties in being a gay couple in a small town, particularly in a college dorm environment. Collin's point of view is spot on and I really felt a connection to him. His thoughts and actions ring true. It was great to see him reconnecting with his brother Sean, even as that new found relationship adds to the tension of the story. I think both Tanner and Collin are well described, interesting and likeable characters, each with their own foibles and charms. The sexual attraction between them leads to some well written, steamy and touching scenes. The relationships they have with friends and family highlight all the nuances of being young gay males and made for an interesting and enjoyable read. 4.5 stars for this, and the series overall.
Note: this story was provided by the author for review.
January 16, 2016
The first 3 books center around Collin and Tanner. Collin is Quinn’s (book 4) brother, and I have to say up front that Collin and Tanner are absolutely sweet. With them we get both ends of the spectrum of “coming out” stories, and they both mesh so well.
I want to stress that while reading the first 3 books prior to reading book 4 isn’t imperative, I felt “off” during parts of Moment of Silence and now having read the first 3 I got so much information that I had missing before. So read in order. It’s always best. There’s a reason books are part of a series.
Collin is secretly in love with his roommate, who’s been having casual sex with his best friend, Wendy. When Collin is having trouble faking sleep one night, he’s in for a surprise when Tanner’s… friendship is turning into something incredibly different.
Moment of Impact is the boys’ story of discovering their wants, Collin’s coming to terms with his sexual preferences and falling in love.
Moment of Truth is basically one long fuckfest, which I loved, btw. Collin and Tanner are on Fire Island during summer vacation prior to senior year. They work, they have fun, they learn to be with each other love each other deeply. They also learn to trust one another when a little drama stumbles on their path.
Moment of Clarity is my favorite, when Tanner, who’s had an easier coming out experience is getting a taste of what it’s like to be slapped in the face by people’s opinions, their fears and their hypocrisy. Tanner’s foundation is shaken to the core, and that affects Collin tremendously, which in turn makes him decide on a course of action. One that is, to be honest, so idiotic, but oddly logical.
Stivali did a great job with the first 3 titles, and I dare say I enjoyed them a little more than I did book 4, though Quinn really is a doll.
I want to stress that while reading the first 3 books prior to reading book 4 isn’t imperative, I felt “off” during parts of Moment of Silence and now having read the first 3 I got so much information that I had missing before. So read in order. It’s always best. There’s a reason books are part of a series.
Collin is secretly in love with his roommate, who’s been having casual sex with his best friend, Wendy. When Collin is having trouble faking sleep one night, he’s in for a surprise when Tanner’s… friendship is turning into something incredibly different.
Moment of Impact is the boys’ story of discovering their wants, Collin’s coming to terms with his sexual preferences and falling in love.
Moment of Truth is basically one long fuckfest, which I loved, btw. Collin and Tanner are on Fire Island during summer vacation prior to senior year. They work, they have fun, they learn to be with each other love each other deeply. They also learn to trust one another when a little drama stumbles on their path.
Moment of Clarity is my favorite, when Tanner, who’s had an easier coming out experience is getting a taste of what it’s like to be slapped in the face by people’s opinions, their fears and their hypocrisy. Tanner’s foundation is shaken to the core, and that affects Collin tremendously, which in turn makes him decide on a course of action. One that is, to be honest, so idiotic, but oddly logical.
Stivali did a great job with the first 3 titles, and I dare say I enjoyed them a little more than I did book 4, though Quinn really is a doll.
August 12, 2016
***3.5 Stars
Sex, sex and more sex. Sex on practically every page. But holy crap……I really liked these books and that really, really surprises me! I’m one of those that wants more story than sex so it’s no surprise that I didn’t love how much sex there was but I fell in love with Collin and Tanner. Their romance is sweet and the guys are adorable, if you can look past all the sex.
There is a lot of angst but there are some very sweet moments, I even found myself tearing up a time or two. I did have one very big niggle and that’s Tanner’s best friend Wendy, she was beyond annoying. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to stay friends with her after how she acted but I guess there needs to be some characters like her in stories just to cause drama.
The next story in this series focuses on two different characters that are a part of Collin and Tanner’s friends and family so I’m sure they will be in the story just not the focus of it and I’m sad about that. I’m not ready to give them up yet.
This series is hard for me to pigeon hole. It’s my opinion that sex in romance – any genre of romance - is fine, sometimes necessary but there is a point when the amount of sex makes the story erotic romance meaning more sex than romance or erotica which is just nothing but sex and the romance or plot takes a back seat. Looking at this particular series, taking into account how much sex there is I would have said it’s erotica plain and simple but this author was able to make me feel the heart stopping first time love between Collin and Tanner and I have to applaud her for that!
January 18, 2020
Read the 2019/November ebook on Amazon US
Written in 1st person from Collins' POV, I enjoyed the story. I really wish it included a dual POV and maybe some drop ins from Wendy.
These are very young men exploring and learning about love and passion through inexperience. Tanner may have more life experiences but the sheltered life Collin came from was a little insufferable to read at times. More like something coming from the 80's or 90's era, unfortunately some families and communities are still ignorant and intolerant. Oh, well... sucks to be them.
I will say some reviews I read mentioned "so much sex"... Therefore, I expected a lot of sex. I assumed penetration, that was not the case at all over these 3 books.
These are relatively inexperienced college boys experimenting with each other as frequently as you could expect young boys would living in a dorm room environment. None of it was "raunchy", there was no "alpha" personality really, just lots of hands, rubbing, oral and passionate emotions.
Enjoyed the light (for me) read and ignored some of the childish angst. Happy reading!
Written in 1st person from Collins' POV, I enjoyed the story. I really wish it included a dual POV and maybe some drop ins from Wendy.
These are very young men exploring and learning about love and passion through inexperience. Tanner may have more life experiences but the sheltered life Collin came from was a little insufferable to read at times. More like something coming from the 80's or 90's era, unfortunately some families and communities are still ignorant and intolerant. Oh, well... sucks to be them.
I will say some reviews I read mentioned "so much sex"... Therefore, I expected a lot of sex. I assumed penetration, that was not the case at all over these 3 books.
These are relatively inexperienced college boys experimenting with each other as frequently as you could expect young boys would living in a dorm room environment. None of it was "raunchy", there was no "alpha" personality really, just lots of hands, rubbing, oral and passionate emotions.
Enjoyed the light (for me) read and ignored some of the childish angst. Happy reading!
June 29, 2018
Ebook-box-set and audio-book: 4 stars
Tanner and Collin‘s story is a roller coaster of emotions. My heart hurt so much for Collin and his brothers for the way the grew up. And I get why it‘s so hard for Collin to overcome his fears and insecurities.
The book starts with Tanner making a bolt move and I loved him instantly ;)
These two just gave me all the feels and flutters ♡
I didn‘t know it could feel like this – being with someone, wanting them so much you couldn‘t breathe.
I also bought and loved the audio version of all three parts. Great narrator!
(The box set price is fine, individually the books are really expensive in my opinion)
Tanner and Collin‘s story is a roller coaster of emotions. My heart hurt so much for Collin and his brothers for the way the grew up. And I get why it‘s so hard for Collin to overcome his fears and insecurities.
The book starts with Tanner making a bolt move and I loved him instantly ;)
These two just gave me all the feels and flutters ♡
I didn‘t know it could feel like this – being with someone, wanting them so much you couldn‘t breathe.
I also bought and loved the audio version of all three parts. Great narrator!
(The box set price is fine, individually the books are really expensive in my opinion)
February 22, 2018
book 1- 4 stars
This book is about discovering and accepting ones self. I felt it was pretty abrupt ending but found it was more of a part 1 or 3.
Book 2- 2.5 stars
Really didn't enjoy part 2. I am not a fan of books that flirt with the cheating idea.
Book 3- 3.5-4 stars
I was absolutely convinced this was going to be a suicide story. I cried ugly tears but I hated how dark it was.
I wouldn't reread this series but I felt it was worth reading once.
This book is about discovering and accepting ones self. I felt it was pretty abrupt ending but found it was more of a part 1 or 3.
Book 2- 2.5 stars
Really didn't enjoy part 2. I am not a fan of books that flirt with the cheating idea.
Book 3- 3.5-4 stars
I was absolutely convinced this was going to be a suicide story. I cried ugly tears but I hated how dark it was.
I wouldn't reread this series but I felt it was worth reading once.
October 5, 2019
Stunning
This book was the whole package for me. Lots of passion, very emotional, lots of hot and steamy sex scenes. Not crazy about the psycho beach girl or Wendy for that matter, but I loved Tanner’s mom and Collin’s brother’s after a bit.
This book was incredible and will stay with me for a long time.
This book was the whole package for me. Lots of passion, very emotional, lots of hot and steamy sex scenes. Not crazy about the psycho beach girl or Wendy for that matter, but I loved Tanner’s mom and Collin’s brother’s after a bit.
This book was incredible and will stay with me for a long time.
July 8, 2019
Moment In Time!!!🔥🔥🔥
This was a really great read with so much entertainment!!! This story had me blushing and crying at the same time!! This book had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down!!
This was a really great read with so much entertainment!!! This story had me blushing and crying at the same time!! This book had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down!!
April 17, 2019
Bless this series' little heart- so cute, yet still angsty enough to keep me interested. Winner.
May 18, 2019
So. Much. Sex. I’m filthy. But it was also sweet and romantic.
March 20, 2020
Keeps evolving
This has three books about the same couple in it. In each book the couple evolves more. It is not the same issues happening again and again.
The sex scenes are extremely hot, the characters are full of life and the story stays interesting.
This has three books about the same couple in it. In each book the couple evolves more. It is not the same issues happening again and again.
The sex scenes are extremely hot, the characters are full of life and the story stays interesting.
March 10, 2016
This is a strong *I LIKED IT* three stars.
This review is for all three books read as a whole. There’s no way I can parse out my thoughts for each installment since I blazed through this like the smut reading fiend that I am.
When I purchased this the other day, it was $0.99 on Amazon. (It still is as of today, Dec. 21, 2015.) So really…just go get it.
This is the story of two college-aged guys, dorm-mates, in their senior year. One who totally knows himself as bisexual, the other from a super-duper strict Catholic household who mostly knows himself, but is afraid for lots of valid reasons I could understand—especially at that age.
I liked this enough to say that I like this author’s writing style and have no excuse as to why it’s taken me so long to read her books.
However, I’ve got some quibbles—and I’m still working out how I feel about them.
There are some instances of lack of communication and some miscommunications that can be easily pinned on the age and maturity of the characters. There was some difficult bigotry to contend with that was, frankly, hard to get through. And there are some valid fears of acceptance—or lack thereof—especially when, at this time in life, most kids are still a little financially and emotionally dependent on their family.
It could be the fact that this is three stories packed into a collection, but I also found this to be very top-heavy in the sex scenes. Is that something I can complain about? I’m undecided. Because also, these guys are in their early twenties—THAT’S WHAT YOUNG BOYS DO.
So on one hand, I get it. I truly do. And I can’t say the sex was repetitive or redundant. Frankly, they were all scorching hot, and quite often very intimate and beautiful.
But, on the other hand, it sometimes felt as though these guys were attempting to solve problems with the sexy times and use it in place of productive communication and building a sustainable relationship. Again, I can easily chalk that up to the age of the characters. I’m just not convinced that every single sex scene was important to the overall plot or growth of the characters.
And it’s like…stacking a bookcase from the top down. You can’t do that without the threat of the books and the bookcase tumbling down on your head. Start at the bottom with the heavy books…the encyclopedias from 1979 you’ve been hauling around since your first apartment because your grandpa gave them to you. They’re meaningful for reasons, they're full of knowledge--some that never changes, and they’re sturdy. They’re the foundation and will give the rest of your bookcase stability for all the pretty books you love to showcase.
So yeah, I wish there had been a bit more character building to give these guys a foundation I could fully believe in. And if I haven’t said it enough…I’m kind of a picky and greedy reader who is simultaneously very easily entertained. While I was a bit disgruntled about not getting everything I wanted in character development, I was truly entertained by the author’s style…and these guys DID get under my skin enough that I was rooting for them the whole way. Also, it bears repeating; the sex was often nuclear and often intimate in the ways I like.
I'm following the series because there's definitely enough here that tells me I want to. And, well, I already bought book four--and read it, review coming soon.
Also posted on BackPorchReader.com.
This review is for all three books read as a whole. There’s no way I can parse out my thoughts for each installment since I blazed through this like the smut reading fiend that I am.
When I purchased this the other day, it was $0.99 on Amazon. (It still is as of today, Dec. 21, 2015.) So really…just go get it.
This is the story of two college-aged guys, dorm-mates, in their senior year. One who totally knows himself as bisexual, the other from a super-duper strict Catholic household who mostly knows himself, but is afraid for lots of valid reasons I could understand—especially at that age.
I liked this enough to say that I like this author’s writing style and have no excuse as to why it’s taken me so long to read her books.
However, I’ve got some quibbles—and I’m still working out how I feel about them.
There are some instances of lack of communication and some miscommunications that can be easily pinned on the age and maturity of the characters. There was some difficult bigotry to contend with that was, frankly, hard to get through. And there are some valid fears of acceptance—or lack thereof—especially when, at this time in life, most kids are still a little financially and emotionally dependent on their family.
It could be the fact that this is three stories packed into a collection, but I also found this to be very top-heavy in the sex scenes. Is that something I can complain about? I’m undecided. Because also, these guys are in their early twenties—THAT’S WHAT YOUNG BOYS DO.
So on one hand, I get it. I truly do. And I can’t say the sex was repetitive or redundant. Frankly, they were all scorching hot, and quite often very intimate and beautiful.
But, on the other hand, it sometimes felt as though these guys were attempting to solve problems with the sexy times and use it in place of productive communication and building a sustainable relationship. Again, I can easily chalk that up to the age of the characters. I’m just not convinced that every single sex scene was important to the overall plot or growth of the characters.
And it’s like…stacking a bookcase from the top down. You can’t do that without the threat of the books and the bookcase tumbling down on your head. Start at the bottom with the heavy books…the encyclopedias from 1979 you’ve been hauling around since your first apartment because your grandpa gave them to you. They’re meaningful for reasons, they're full of knowledge--some that never changes, and they’re sturdy. They’re the foundation and will give the rest of your bookcase stability for all the pretty books you love to showcase.
So yeah, I wish there had been a bit more character building to give these guys a foundation I could fully believe in. And if I haven’t said it enough…I’m kind of a picky and greedy reader who is simultaneously very easily entertained. While I was a bit disgruntled about not getting everything I wanted in character development, I was truly entertained by the author’s style…and these guys DID get under my skin enough that I was rooting for them the whole way. Also, it bears repeating; the sex was often nuclear and often intimate in the ways I like.
I'm following the series because there's definitely enough here that tells me I want to. And, well, I already bought book four--and read it, review coming soon.
Also posted on BackPorchReader.com.
December 18, 2015
This three book compilation is one you will want to get!
Moment of Impact (Moments in Time #1)
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC and wow was I blown away. The book hooks you from the first line and doesn't let go. Collin's attraction to his college roommate, Tanner - something he never thought he could ever acknowledge - takes a hard turn into possibility in the very first chapter and boy do sparks fly.
I have to tell you all – You’re going to adore these characters. Anyone struggling with their identity — who they really are, not just who people want them to be — will be able to connect with these characters. Moment of Impact weaves a brilliant love story between Collin and Tanner. Your heart alternates between swelling with hope, breaking at the trials and fears they have to face and keeps you wondering - can they survive the impact of their choices.
Moment of Truth: (Moments in Time #2)
I was given an ARC for review and couldn't wait to dig in.
This story picks up shortly after book 1. Collin and Tanner are spending the summer on Fire Island, a place where being "out" is okay. Collin struggles but is happier than ever to be with Tanner. Collin is truly falling for Tanner and not having to hide them being together is both wonderful and terrifying all at once. But being free sometimes causes miscommunication. And flirting isn't always seen as innocent.
The relationship ups and downs Tanner and Collin go through in this book tug on your heart so much. When you're in love, you do dumb things, thinking you're doing them for the right reasons. (I wanted to shake Collin and yes, I yelled at my book several times.) Tanner and Collin have to admit the truth to one another. And the ride to that truth is wild and hot and will totally hold you in its thrall. You won't want to stop reading once you start.
Moment of Clarity: (Moments in Time #3)
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
This is the third and final story in the Moment's in time collection. Tanner and Collin are back home. Having spend the summer together in a place where neither of them had to hide is now replaced with the return to school and all the old prejudices. When friends at school discover their relationship, all hell breaks loose. The acceptance Collin found over the summer is destroyed. Friend become enemies and hate challenges them at every turn.
Wendy's break up has her turning to Tanner, her best friend much to Collin's distress. Collin begins to question everything and when his and Tanner's relationship effects his own brother's family, Collin wonders if everyone might be better off if he lets Tanner and Wendy have a "normal" life together.
I am so in love with these characters. Love isn't supposed to be so hard, yet it seems that everyone wants to keep them apart. At least that's Collin's take. I cheered and cried with this story. I felt everyone of Collin's doubts and Tanner being torn into two directions. Have tissues ready for this one folks because you will get all the feels, good and bad. But remember Love WILL find a away if you look hard enough. It only takes a single moment of clarity, to know what's truly important.
Moment of Impact (Moments in Time #1)
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC and wow was I blown away. The book hooks you from the first line and doesn't let go. Collin's attraction to his college roommate, Tanner - something he never thought he could ever acknowledge - takes a hard turn into possibility in the very first chapter and boy do sparks fly.
I have to tell you all – You’re going to adore these characters. Anyone struggling with their identity — who they really are, not just who people want them to be — will be able to connect with these characters. Moment of Impact weaves a brilliant love story between Collin and Tanner. Your heart alternates between swelling with hope, breaking at the trials and fears they have to face and keeps you wondering - can they survive the impact of their choices.
Moment of Truth: (Moments in Time #2)
I was given an ARC for review and couldn't wait to dig in.
This story picks up shortly after book 1. Collin and Tanner are spending the summer on Fire Island, a place where being "out" is okay. Collin struggles but is happier than ever to be with Tanner. Collin is truly falling for Tanner and not having to hide them being together is both wonderful and terrifying all at once. But being free sometimes causes miscommunication. And flirting isn't always seen as innocent.
The relationship ups and downs Tanner and Collin go through in this book tug on your heart so much. When you're in love, you do dumb things, thinking you're doing them for the right reasons. (I wanted to shake Collin and yes, I yelled at my book several times.) Tanner and Collin have to admit the truth to one another. And the ride to that truth is wild and hot and will totally hold you in its thrall. You won't want to stop reading once you start.
Moment of Clarity: (Moments in Time #3)
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
This is the third and final story in the Moment's in time collection. Tanner and Collin are back home. Having spend the summer together in a place where neither of them had to hide is now replaced with the return to school and all the old prejudices. When friends at school discover their relationship, all hell breaks loose. The acceptance Collin found over the summer is destroyed. Friend become enemies and hate challenges them at every turn.
Wendy's break up has her turning to Tanner, her best friend much to Collin's distress. Collin begins to question everything and when his and Tanner's relationship effects his own brother's family, Collin wonders if everyone might be better off if he lets Tanner and Wendy have a "normal" life together.
I am so in love with these characters. Love isn't supposed to be so hard, yet it seems that everyone wants to keep them apart. At least that's Collin's take. I cheered and cried with this story. I felt everyone of Collin's doubts and Tanner being torn into two directions. Have tissues ready for this one folks because you will get all the feels, good and bad. But remember Love WILL find a away if you look hard enough. It only takes a single moment of clarity, to know what's truly important.
December 24, 2015
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Moments in Time is an anthology comprising of the first three novellas in the series by the same name from author Karen Stivali. These books have been on my reading radar for a good while now, and when the opportunity to read and review the latest addition to the series came about, I decided this was the perfect time to get the books, especially since the original trilogy was on sale on the publisher's website. And while I may have been late to the Moments in Time party, I'm glad I finally made the time to read this series because I have officially become a Collin + Tanner fangirl and adore the three Fitzpatrick brothers.
Because I read the three-book anthology, Collin Fitzpatrick and Tanner D'Amico's love story had a continuous flow to it. I didn't have to wait for the next installment--which I know can be somewhat frustrating. Instead of getting a happy-for-now ending for the first two books had I read the three novellas separately, I felt that I got the complete reading experience and the happily-ever-after ending I was looking for. But this wasn't "merely" a story about two guys falling in love with each other; this was about one young man's journey of self-acceptance and living the life he wants in spite of the prejudices of others.
I'm giving the Moments in Time: Books 1-3 anthology a five-plus-star rating, which is the average rating for all three of the novellas based on the ratings I gave each one. I went ahead and reviewed the books individually on my book blog, though my suggestion would be to buy the anthology and read it is if it were one complete novel. You can choose to buy the novellas piece by piece and not even all at the same time, but because these first three in the overall series are about just one couple, I feel it'll be better on the reader's end to go for the anthology, which, by the way, is still very much on sale for a mere 99 cents, so hop to it! ♥
Moments in Time is an anthology comprising of the first three novellas in the series by the same name from author Karen Stivali. These books have been on my reading radar for a good while now, and when the opportunity to read and review the latest addition to the series came about, I decided this was the perfect time to get the books, especially since the original trilogy was on sale on the publisher's website. And while I may have been late to the Moments in Time party, I'm glad I finally made the time to read this series because I have officially become a Collin + Tanner fangirl and adore the three Fitzpatrick brothers.
Because I read the three-book anthology, Collin Fitzpatrick and Tanner D'Amico's love story had a continuous flow to it. I didn't have to wait for the next installment--which I know can be somewhat frustrating. Instead of getting a happy-for-now ending for the first two books had I read the three novellas separately, I felt that I got the complete reading experience and the happily-ever-after ending I was looking for. But this wasn't "merely" a story about two guys falling in love with each other; this was about one young man's journey of self-acceptance and living the life he wants in spite of the prejudices of others.
I'm giving the Moments in Time: Books 1-3 anthology a five-plus-star rating, which is the average rating for all three of the novellas based on the ratings I gave each one. I went ahead and reviewed the books individually on my book blog, though my suggestion would be to buy the anthology and read it is if it were one complete novel. You can choose to buy the novellas piece by piece and not even all at the same time, but because these first three in the overall series are about just one couple, I feel it'll be better on the reader's end to go for the anthology, which, by the way, is still very much on sale for a mere 99 cents, so hop to it! ♥
September 21, 2016
Hmm, there is plenty to appreciate here. It's a sweet read about two university-aged guys falling in love. And it is sweet. It's nice to see a confident bi character. It's nice to see Catholic and Jewish characters. It was nice that the guys didn't go from virginal to straight porn sex in an instant and that sex could be something other than penetrative. I liked that there wasn't a lot of angst about who did what to who and what that did or didn't make them. I liked Collin coming exploring himself for the first time and Tanner's patience with him. And I just plain liked Collin and Tanner.
However, the plot often felt like little snippets of life between extended sex scenes. There was far too much sex for me. Not that I mind a lot of sex, but the balance of sex to plot felt too heavily weighted toward sex. I got bored with it. I thought a lot of the conflict felt contrived (and often predictable) and the easy way everything miraculously resolved itself in the end was too pat and easy to be believable.
Lastly, I had major concerns with the representation of women in the novelettes. There are basically only six women in the whole book. One is the classic saintly mother. Of the other five, one was willing to abandon her friends for a boyfriend and willing to steal another's lover. A second was a wife/mother who cheated on her husband, abandoned her children and was vilely homophobic. A third was a homophobic mother that disowned her gay son and the last was a girl who actively pursued a man she knew to be in a committed, monogamous relationship. I get that this is a book about men loving men, but why does that mean women are so often only presented as the enemy? As if we can only be saints, which less face it removes them from the human realm and consideration, or dangerous to the male characters in the book?
For the most part however, I enjoyed this and have no real qualm recommending it to readers.
However, the plot often felt like little snippets of life between extended sex scenes. There was far too much sex for me. Not that I mind a lot of sex, but the balance of sex to plot felt too heavily weighted toward sex. I got bored with it. I thought a lot of the conflict felt contrived (and often predictable) and the easy way everything miraculously resolved itself in the end was too pat and easy to be believable.
Lastly, I had major concerns with the representation of women in the novelettes. There are basically only six women in the whole book. One is the classic saintly mother. Of the other five, one was willing to abandon her friends for a boyfriend and willing to steal another's lover. A second was a wife/mother who cheated on her husband, abandoned her children and was vilely homophobic. A third was a homophobic mother that disowned her gay son and the last was a girl who actively pursued a man she knew to be in a committed, monogamous relationship. I get that this is a book about men loving men, but why does that mean women are so often only presented as the enemy? As if we can only be saints, which less face it removes them from the human realm and consideration, or dangerous to the male characters in the book?
For the most part however, I enjoyed this and have no real qualm recommending it to readers.
December 15, 2015
Moments in Time is three stories combined into one book. This is the first book I've read by Karen Stivali and I loved it.
Collin is from a very strict Catholic family and is believed to be straight by all of those who know him. Tanner is bi, out and proud and very interested in Collin. Tanner and Collin are college roommates and form a sexual relationship. It doesn't take long before they fall in love.
Through all three stories, Moment of Impact, Moment of Truth and Moment of Clarity, Tanner and Collin deal with real life issues. Collin comes out to his friends and family. While most of his friends are supportive, his family is not. Tanner, who has never been in the closet, must learn how to deal with the backlash of being outted at college. I am very impressed with how the author dealt with the trust issue Collin had because Tanner is bi.
This book was an emotional roller coaster, but one that I was so happy to ride. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Collin is from a very strict Catholic family and is believed to be straight by all of those who know him. Tanner is bi, out and proud and very interested in Collin. Tanner and Collin are college roommates and form a sexual relationship. It doesn't take long before they fall in love.
Through all three stories, Moment of Impact, Moment of Truth and Moment of Clarity, Tanner and Collin deal with real life issues. Collin comes out to his friends and family. While most of his friends are supportive, his family is not. Tanner, who has never been in the closet, must learn how to deal with the backlash of being outted at college. I am very impressed with how the author dealt with the trust issue Collin had because Tanner is bi.
This book was an emotional roller coaster, but one that I was so happy to ride. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 17, 2016
Bought the bundle and was into it from the first to the last page.
Normally I don't really like first person stories but reading out of Collin's point of view was very interesting and I guess otherway round or in third person wouldn't have been so exciting.
The ups and downs in their relationship were very authentically. The sorrow both of them was palpable. I had sometimes a big stung in my heart.
The sex between them both was great, nice to read about, hot and sexy, at the beginning a bit vanilla later hotter, more confident.
During the whole series you could see the change in their relationship, how it grew.
A 5 stars story for me cause I really liked the character and her behaviour. :3
Normally I don't really like first person stories but reading out of Collin's point of view was very interesting and I guess otherway round or in third person wouldn't have been so exciting.
The ups and downs in their relationship were very authentically. The sorrow both of them was palpable. I had sometimes a big stung in my heart.
The sex between them both was great, nice to read about, hot and sexy, at the beginning a bit vanilla later hotter, more confident.
During the whole series you could see the change in their relationship, how it grew.
A 5 stars story for me cause I really liked the character and her behaviour. :3
January 1, 2016
Love at first chapter
If you've read the first chapter then you'd know why you must read this set. It was perfection through and through, and so real you could taste it (not literally, of course). The love making scenes were sexy and never over the top. I loved the character struggles, and their believable dialogue. I was really worried that this was going to be the type of story that starts out on fire then simmers down at the end - but it stayed consistently entertaining the whole way through. Loved it
If you've read the first chapter then you'd know why you must read this set. It was perfection through and through, and so real you could taste it (not literally, of course). The love making scenes were sexy and never over the top. I loved the character struggles, and their believable dialogue. I was really worried that this was going to be the type of story that starts out on fire then simmers down at the end - but it stayed consistently entertaining the whole way through. Loved it
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