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Love Unlocked
Writer's Lock
Spending a month in Paris to write his romance novel had seemed like the perfect plan, but one week in, Phil Pearson is suffering from a severe case of writer’s block. With barely a word written, he’s fed up and ready to cut his trip short.
When Laurent Marceau sees Phil in his café, it sends him hurtling into the past, opening old wounds and reminding him of the love he lost. But, after watching the aspiring writer struggle for inspiration, he surprises himself by offering to show him Paris through the eyes of a true Parisian.
Finally bursting with ideas, Phil is delighted to put pen to paper, albeit badly at first. As the writer finds himself falling in love for the first time, Laurent knows he needs to decide quickly if he’s strong enough to return his affections, or whether it would be better for them both if he walked away. He knows he may not have a choice, once Phil finds out the truth.
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked – a collection of seven short stories and novellas – unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
When Laurent Marceau sees Phil in his café, it sends him hurtling into the past, opening old wounds and reminding him of the love he lost. But, after watching the aspiring writer struggle for inspiration, he surprises himself by offering to show him Paris through the eyes of a true Parisian.
Finally bursting with ideas, Phil is delighted to put pen to paper, albeit badly at first. As the writer finds himself falling in love for the first time, Laurent knows he needs to decide quickly if he’s strong enough to return his affections, or whether it would be better for them both if he walked away. He knows he may not have a choice, once Phil finds out the truth.
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked – a collection of seven short stories and novellas – unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2016
34 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Milne
5 books12 followersVictoria Milne discovered fiction writing relatively late in life, back in 2012, and has loved every second of the journey. Her belief that life is one big adventure to be experienced to the max has stood her in good stead, but it has resulted in rather a lot of plot bunnies that don’t give her a minute’s peace!
A firm believer that consensual love should come without labels and without prejudice, these themes often appear in her stories, as do Victoria’s passions for martial arts, cooking, yoga, and loud music. It was no surprise when these subjects began to resonate in her writing, frequently taking center stage, and rather than fighting it she’s learned to accept and enjoy that these will always be indispensable elements in her work.
Although Victoria appreciates that stories don’t always have to have happy endings, hers always do—because everybody deserves to find their true love(s).
In 2016, Love Unlocked—the anthology in which her story “Writer’s Lock” was published—was a Rainbow Award finalist. The experience fueled her desire to learn as much about the mechanics of writing as she could. In 2017 Victoria completed her training with the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and became a full-time freelance editor. Victoria has always loved reading, and still can’t quite believe she’s been lucky enough to not only create books of her own but also help other writers perfect theirs too!
A firm believer that consensual love should come without labels and without prejudice, these themes often appear in her stories, as do Victoria’s passions for martial arts, cooking, yoga, and loud music. It was no surprise when these subjects began to resonate in her writing, frequently taking center stage, and rather than fighting it she’s learned to accept and enjoy that these will always be indispensable elements in her work.
Although Victoria appreciates that stories don’t always have to have happy endings, hers always do—because everybody deserves to find their true love(s).
In 2016, Love Unlocked—the anthology in which her story “Writer’s Lock” was published—was a Rainbow Award finalist. The experience fueled her desire to learn as much about the mechanics of writing as she could. In 2017 Victoria completed her training with the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and became a full-time freelance editor. Victoria has always loved reading, and still can’t quite believe she’s been lucky enough to not only create books of her own but also help other writers perfect theirs too!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 18, 2016
~3.5~
This is a quiet, low-key story about a man who aspires to be a writer and the composer who becomes his inspiration.
Phil feels more at home in Paris after a few weeks than he ever felt in London, but he worries that Laurent isn't ready to give away his heart again.
I liked the slow pace of this story, but I felt a little disconnected from the characters. The slightly stiff writing kept me at arm's length. I never felt the passion.
The ending was lovely, however, and I enjoyed the intimate portrayal of Paris.
This is a quiet, low-key story about a man who aspires to be a writer and the composer who becomes his inspiration.
Phil feels more at home in Paris after a few weeks than he ever felt in London, but he worries that Laurent isn't ready to give away his heart again.
I liked the slow pace of this story, but I felt a little disconnected from the characters. The slightly stiff writing kept me at arm's length. I never felt the passion.
The ending was lovely, however, and I enjoyed the intimate portrayal of Paris.
February 14, 2016
I've never been to Paris...until Victoria Milne took me on this beautiful virtual tour of the City of Love, as seen through the eyes of our intrepid would-be novelist Phil, under the wing of the rather lovely Laurent. He's a musician...need I say more? What I really loved about this story is that there was no shortcut to the happy ending, and the journey taken by the characters is both an individual and a joint one. There is no 'kiss and make it all better'. Phil and Laurent face their own challenges, and it makes the ending all the more real and worthwhile.
August 10, 2016
This story has more sweet than heat, with some emotional moments that hit a few tender points. I loved the slowly unfolding friendship and love between Phil and Laurent. It was particularly easy to connect with Phil’s search for inspiration and the way his real life and fictional world intertwine.
This is a very well-written story with likable characters. Phil and Laurent don’t change a whole lot as people, but they do change in how they see love and each other. It’s a hopeful story, full of promise they’ll find what they need and get their happy-ever-after. While it’s a fairly standard romance, there are enough fresh elements to keep it from feeling bland or recycled. Written with tenderness, warmth, and heart, it’s a cozy read perfect for a quiet afternoon and a cup of tea.
This is a very well-written story with likable characters. Phil and Laurent don’t change a whole lot as people, but they do change in how they see love and each other. It’s a hopeful story, full of promise they’ll find what they need and get their happy-ever-after. While it’s a fairly standard romance, there are enough fresh elements to keep it from feeling bland or recycled. Written with tenderness, warmth, and heart, it’s a cozy read perfect for a quiet afternoon and a cup of tea.
February 15, 2016
Paris, as the city of love, should be the ideal place for inspiring a romance novel. But Phil, a British editor spending four weeks there to try to write his first novel, is not finding it as easy as all that. Just when he’s ready to admit defeat and return to London, he meets Laurent in a café and everything changes. Their developing relationship isn’t without obstacles, but it’s also romantic and sweet. After all, with a setting like Paris, what else could I expect?
Laurent sees Phil sitting in his café, struggling to write. Phil reminds Laurent of his dead lover, Arnaud, and that is all that attracts him initially. Losing Arnaud five years earlier devastated Laurent, and he only just survived the heartache. Despite Phil’s external similarities with Arnaud, he is a very different man, and Laurent begins to appreciate him for who he is. Since Laurent writes songs he can relate to the creative process, and decides to help Phil overcome his writer’s block.
Phil loves Laurent’s attempts to kick-start his creativity. As his novel progresses, he falls in love with the Paris tourists don’t get to see. But when he finds out about Laurent’s past, and his own similarity with Arnaud, severe doubt sets in. Phil has to decide whether he can overcome Laurent’s still-present feelings for Arnaud, and his fears of making some serious changes to the life he knows.
Working through the past and figuring out if he’s ready to move on isn’t easy for Laurent. But dealing with a potential shadow over their love isn’t any easier for Phil either. While there is quite a bit of angst as they figure it out, the romantic overtones of the setting and their new romance left the stronger impression on me. I love Paris, and getting to revisit it through the eyes of Phil and Laurent was a treat.
If you like stories about “creative types”, if you want to know more about two men who have to deal with the past before they can move on to the future, and if you’re looking for a read that is as romantic as it is sweet with just a touch of angst, then you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Laurent sees Phil sitting in his café, struggling to write. Phil reminds Laurent of his dead lover, Arnaud, and that is all that attracts him initially. Losing Arnaud five years earlier devastated Laurent, and he only just survived the heartache. Despite Phil’s external similarities with Arnaud, he is a very different man, and Laurent begins to appreciate him for who he is. Since Laurent writes songs he can relate to the creative process, and decides to help Phil overcome his writer’s block.
Phil loves Laurent’s attempts to kick-start his creativity. As his novel progresses, he falls in love with the Paris tourists don’t get to see. But when he finds out about Laurent’s past, and his own similarity with Arnaud, severe doubt sets in. Phil has to decide whether he can overcome Laurent’s still-present feelings for Arnaud, and his fears of making some serious changes to the life he knows.
Working through the past and figuring out if he’s ready to move on isn’t easy for Laurent. But dealing with a potential shadow over their love isn’t any easier for Phil either. While there is quite a bit of angst as they figure it out, the romantic overtones of the setting and their new romance left the stronger impression on me. I love Paris, and getting to revisit it through the eyes of Phil and Laurent was a treat.
If you like stories about “creative types”, if you want to know more about two men who have to deal with the past before they can move on to the future, and if you’re looking for a read that is as romantic as it is sweet with just a touch of angst, then you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 14, 2016
Phil is trying to write a romance novel but he knows nothing of love. Laurent offers to help him find inspiration and we get to follow these two men along the way. It’s about love and loss and padlocks of course. There is food and music and pieces of Paris, it really is a lovely tale.
February 9, 2016
Writer's Lock is an absolute delight. For what can be better than a relatively new author writing about the struggles of an aspiring writer penning his first novel? They do say that it's best to write what you know... Which is exactly the advice given to protagonist Phil by Laurent, when he discovers the man sitting at a table in his cafe has come to the city of love to write a romance novel.
Laurent vows to help inspire Phil, who knows nothing of real-life love, though troubled events in his past threaten it all. These characters jump off the page at the reader; Phil's enthusiasm and despair at his writing, the turmoil that the revelation of Laurent's past brings him. Indeed the conflict in Laurent is also heart-wrenching, and it's lovely to see these two characters dance across the page. They move quickly but surely, as does the pace of the story, and will surely bring a smile to other readers' faces as they did mine.
Laurent vows to help inspire Phil, who knows nothing of real-life love, though troubled events in his past threaten it all. These characters jump off the page at the reader; Phil's enthusiasm and despair at his writing, the turmoil that the revelation of Laurent's past brings him. Indeed the conflict in Laurent is also heart-wrenching, and it's lovely to see these two characters dance across the page. They move quickly but surely, as does the pace of the story, and will surely bring a smile to other readers' faces as they did mine.
February 14, 2016
This is a really charming, slow-paced and sweetly written story about a first-time writier who goes to Paris to write a romance novel. He meets a waiter there who offers to show him inspiration, and the real Paris that the tourists don't see. The places are wonderfully described and it feels like we're right there with them, sight seeing.
But somehow, I didn't really completely gel with the story, and that's weird since I normally love stories like his. The writing was just not my cup of tea. Perhaps others will enjoy it better than I did.
But somehow, I didn't really completely gel with the story, and that's weird since I normally love stories like his. The writing was just not my cup of tea. Perhaps others will enjoy it better than I did.
February 14, 2016
I really, really loved this story!
Paris is the perfect backdrop for a perfect love story; it pulled me in right from the start, and I found it really difficult to put down when I had to.
It's a rollercoaster of mixed, strong emotions and romantic settings that had me in tears quite a few times. For me it's one of those stories I can read over and over again without getting tired of it!
Paris is the perfect backdrop for a perfect love story; it pulled me in right from the start, and I found it really difficult to put down when I had to.
It's a rollercoaster of mixed, strong emotions and romantic settings that had me in tears quite a few times. For me it's one of those stories I can read over and over again without getting tired of it!
February 21, 2016
I loved this story. I am so much like Phil. it felt like Victoria described the exact copy of me only of the opposite gender. unfortunately, I don't have my own french man to help me break our of my writer's block. Lucky Phil! I loved Laurent so much I didn't want the story to end. What I loved most though was diving into the Parisian atmosphere. Victoria made me want to see Paris's hidden treasures, not just the Louvre or the Eiffel Tour. She did an amazing job ♥
July 11, 2016
3.5 What I might have liked best about this story was that Paris itself was a character. I felt like I was visiting and learning right along with the character that was adopting it as his new home. The romance was quiet and gentle and simply made me happy to go along for the ride.
Want to Read
July 31, 2016Part of the Love Unlocked Anthology.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews