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The Danger in Bohemia
Will Mracek is forced to flee to Prague when he witnesses his boyfriend, powerful security magnate Jean Claude la Bête, commit murder. On the run, and with help from his cousin John, Will becomes an English teacher named Max Knight and does everything he can to blend in. Meeting Hadrian Walls, however, changes everything. Max falls in love with the grumpy ex-RAF, now bartender, and Hadrian finds himself doing the same, despite not knowing the secrets of Max’s dangerous past. But trouble has a way of coming home, and Max and Jean Claude will face each other one last time in a confrontation that sends both of them over the edge…
- GenresM M Romance
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2016
1 person is currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
H.E. Kollef
1 book2 followersH. E. Kollef is an author and aspiring librarian. She was born in New Jersey, spent her early twenties writing and teaching English in the Czech Republic and Korea, and is currently attempting an MSc in Library Science in the UK. It is possible that she was bitten by a peculiar bug as a child, one that encouraged wandering feet and a tumbling mind. Her favorite city is Prague and she recommends it to everyone she meets, especially if she thinks they’d enjoy romance, hearty beer, and snowy walks along the winding Vltava river.
Her latest project is H. E.’s first foray into the world of romance novels; it is a contemporary thriller; there are explosions. You can learn more about it, along with her previously published work, at HannahKollef.com.
Her latest project is H. E.’s first foray into the world of romance novels; it is a contemporary thriller; there are explosions. You can learn more about it, along with her previously published work, at HannahKollef.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 5, 2016
On the day when Will Mracek moves in with his boyfriend, Jean Claude, he decides to surprise him with a lunch date. Instead Will witnesses Jean Claude commit cold blooded murder. Will runs with nothing but the clothes on his back, and contacts his ex-Marine cousin, John, in Prague for help.
With the help of John's contacts, Will makes his way to Prague, becomes "Max Knight" and starts his life over. Max meets ex-Pat, ex-RAF, bartender Hadrian Walls, and the two quickly fall in love. However, when Jean Claude finds Max, he pulls out all the stops to get back the man who ran from him.
I really liked the supporting cast of the story, especially Max's cousin John and his boyfriend Karel. I liked the relationship between Hadrian, who has his own baggage, and Max, and didn't mind it's breakneck pace, but would have preferred seeing them together more. Jean Claude made a shudder inducing psychotic bad guy with the lengths he goes to in order to get Max back. I could also tell the author's obvious love for Prague, which comes across well in the story as well.
However, parts of the story did not flow well for me, with more than one jump in time that left me wanting more. For example, when Will was first on the run from Jean Claude in New York, the reader is told later snippets of what Will went through to become Max and get to Prague, but doesn't get to experience any of that journey, fear, or suspense.
The romance misses some support (another of those time jumps) so I had to suspend my disbelief at the depth of Hadrian and Max's affection. They see each, then it's weeks later, then a couple of months later. I would have really liked to have been shown more.
The action sequences also require some suspension of disbelief, but, as I'm a sucker for big action moments, that wasn't a drawback.
On the whole, the story has good bones, an interesting premise with likable characters, and a suitable bad guy. I'll look forward to checking out something else from the author.
Advanced Review Galley copy of The Danger in Bohemia provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
With the help of John's contacts, Will makes his way to Prague, becomes "Max Knight" and starts his life over. Max meets ex-Pat, ex-RAF, bartender Hadrian Walls, and the two quickly fall in love. However, when Jean Claude finds Max, he pulls out all the stops to get back the man who ran from him.
I really liked the supporting cast of the story, especially Max's cousin John and his boyfriend Karel. I liked the relationship between Hadrian, who has his own baggage, and Max, and didn't mind it's breakneck pace, but would have preferred seeing them together more. Jean Claude made a shudder inducing psychotic bad guy with the lengths he goes to in order to get Max back. I could also tell the author's obvious love for Prague, which comes across well in the story as well.
However, parts of the story did not flow well for me, with more than one jump in time that left me wanting more. For example, when Will was first on the run from Jean Claude in New York, the reader is told later snippets of what Will went through to become Max and get to Prague, but doesn't get to experience any of that journey, fear, or suspense.
The romance misses some support (another of those time jumps) so I had to suspend my disbelief at the depth of Hadrian and Max's affection. They see each, then it's weeks later, then a couple of months later. I would have really liked to have been shown more.
The action sequences also require some suspension of disbelief, but, as I'm a sucker for big action moments, that wasn't a drawback.
On the whole, the story has good bones, an interesting premise with likable characters, and a suitable bad guy. I'll look forward to checking out something else from the author.
Advanced Review Galley copy of The Danger in Bohemia provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
March 23, 2016
The Danger in Bohemia is a first time reading author H.E. Kollef for me, and the book was excellent. Ms. Kollef created an absolutely suspenseful, dangerous, adventurous and romantic tale that takes place in Prague. In her Author Bio it’s written, “Her favorite city is Prague and she recommends it to everyone she meets, especially if she thinks they’d enjoy romance, hearty beer and snowy walks along the winding Vltava river.” The Danger in Bohemia brings all this and more. Ms. Kollef’s architectural descriptions and a tour of the many sites in Prague really show the appreciation that she has for this city, and made me take time to look up many of the mentioned places just to see that architecture.
Max Knight is living a different life in Prague with the help of his cousin John. He leaves New York and escapes to Prague to hide from an evil ex who took his real life away from him. Even though John wants to protect Max, Max decides it’s time to stop hiding and try to live. John has his worries about Max, but Krael, John’s partner, believes in and supports Max in his endeavor to try and have a life outside of hiding. Max is a really sweet character, and he’s trying to hide his fears and be brave as he plans to keep everyone he cares about safe from his ex, no matter what.
Hadrian Walls has seen too much misery, being ex-RAF. He struggled with alcoholism but with help from Ivan, he became a better man. He has run across Max more than once and rescues him one night. Max takes a chance and meets with Hadrian, and he takes Max on a wondrous romp through the streets of Prague. Hadrian and Max find they have the love of books in common. Max has a unique talent with books, and Hadrian is a lover of science fiction. And Hadrian may be a little rough around the edges but he and Max make a good match, right along with John and Krael.
And then there’s Vaclav—he turns out to be a little hero.
There aren’t many times I mention the bad guy in reviews, but Jean Claude la Bete is definitely a crazed and creepy character. He’s a powerful businessman who’s into smuggling and murder, with many connections, and no one has been able to touch him. Jean Claude is repulsive and we see his possessive side for Max become dangerous.
As Max tells Hadrian, “Words can take you all kinds of dangerous places,” and Ms. Kollef proves it with this exciting tale. It’s very well written, with a good pace, some surprises, and is a definite page turner. There are nicely developed characters throughout the story, and I loved the play with John’s name and Hadrian Walls, which is an actual Roman monument.
I just want to give a mention to the anthology Random Acts of Kindness from Dreamspinner Press, which has the short story, One Cold Night in Prague, by H.E. Kollef that introduces John, Krael, Ivan, and Vaclav for the first time, and their characterizations continued to develop in The Danger in Bohemia.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Max Knight is living a different life in Prague with the help of his cousin John. He leaves New York and escapes to Prague to hide from an evil ex who took his real life away from him. Even though John wants to protect Max, Max decides it’s time to stop hiding and try to live. John has his worries about Max, but Krael, John’s partner, believes in and supports Max in his endeavor to try and have a life outside of hiding. Max is a really sweet character, and he’s trying to hide his fears and be brave as he plans to keep everyone he cares about safe from his ex, no matter what.
Hadrian Walls has seen too much misery, being ex-RAF. He struggled with alcoholism but with help from Ivan, he became a better man. He has run across Max more than once and rescues him one night. Max takes a chance and meets with Hadrian, and he takes Max on a wondrous romp through the streets of Prague. Hadrian and Max find they have the love of books in common. Max has a unique talent with books, and Hadrian is a lover of science fiction. And Hadrian may be a little rough around the edges but he and Max make a good match, right along with John and Krael.
And then there’s Vaclav—he turns out to be a little hero.
There aren’t many times I mention the bad guy in reviews, but Jean Claude la Bete is definitely a crazed and creepy character. He’s a powerful businessman who’s into smuggling and murder, with many connections, and no one has been able to touch him. Jean Claude is repulsive and we see his possessive side for Max become dangerous.
As Max tells Hadrian, “Words can take you all kinds of dangerous places,” and Ms. Kollef proves it with this exciting tale. It’s very well written, with a good pace, some surprises, and is a definite page turner. There are nicely developed characters throughout the story, and I loved the play with John’s name and Hadrian Walls, which is an actual Roman monument.
I just want to give a mention to the anthology Random Acts of Kindness from Dreamspinner Press, which has the short story, One Cold Night in Prague, by H.E. Kollef that introduces John, Krael, Ivan, and Vaclav for the first time, and their characterizations continued to develop in The Danger in Bohemia.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Read
June 7, 2016DNF --37%
Broken Heart - No Rating
Finding out your boyfriend is some sort of underworld boss is rough going, and for a man who spends his life repairing ancient books it is the biggest shock of his life. Packing up and moving to Prague was the last direction Max expected his life to go. Being an English language teacher is even less appealing. But it is the only life he can have. Hiding out in another country, with a new identity and trying his best to overcome the PTSD and agoraphobia he experiences as a result of watching his ex-boyfriend kill someone in their house, is tough. The last thing he needs is another boyfriend, one who is as mysterious and damaged as he is. But he can’t seem to get Hadrian out of his head, so he is determined to see where it goes.
Broken Heart - No Rating
Finding out your boyfriend is some sort of underworld boss is rough going, and for a man who spends his life repairing ancient books it is the biggest shock of his life. Packing up and moving to Prague was the last direction Max expected his life to go. Being an English language teacher is even less appealing. But it is the only life he can have. Hiding out in another country, with a new identity and trying his best to overcome the PTSD and agoraphobia he experiences as a result of watching his ex-boyfriend kill someone in their house, is tough. The last thing he needs is another boyfriend, one who is as mysterious and damaged as he is. But he can’t seem to get Hadrian out of his head, so he is determined to see where it goes.
September 6, 2016
This was a new-to-me author which is always a bit of a gamble but I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It also made me really, really want to visit Prague!
June 23, 2016
Review can be read at It's About The Book
The blurb for this book hooked me, as I do love a great cat and mouse story. This thriller by a new to me author proved to be just the ticket, delivering an edge of your seat read. The cast of characters was intriguing, the setting of Prague well featured, and the page turning action contained clever twists. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the POV of more than one character, as this technique collectively provided appreciated insight into their actions. A certain suspension of disbelief was needed to fully appreciate the Bond type levels of action, but all espionage/spy type aspects were plausibly presented within the frame of the story.
Will Mracek could be described as a mild mannered guy leading a solid life. He was happy with and proud of his career as a talented book restorer. He was also ecstatic to be moving in with his boyfriend, Jean Claude la Bete. That is, until he walked in on the guy unceremoniously executing a man by bullet. Will listened to his instinct to run, and run he did. Talk about starting a story with a bang, my heart was in my throat and I ended up reading this book in one sitting! The murder happens very early on in the book, so the only real peek the reader gets at the relationship between Will and Jean Claude is through Will’s reflections as the story progresses. I couldn’t help but feel a bit more time spent watching these two build as a couple would have lent more credibility to this key thread of the story.
Will and Jean Claude’s relationship was pretty new, but apparently quite intense. Will knew Jean Claude presided over a security firm, even dealt with some high level FBI related assignments, but he had never before seen a cold side to his demeanor. The man had always been charming, lavish and attentive. Alone, confused and afraid on the streets of New York after witnessing the shooting, Will realized he had someone he could count on – his cousin John, who ran a training program for English teachers in Prague.
Will made it to Prague (we find out how later), where he moved in with John and his partner, Karel. John is more than he seems on the surface. He has a checkered military past and lots of connections in the right shadowy places to help keep Will safe. Or so they thought. Through John’s intervention, Will changed his name to Max Knight, and enrolled in the program for English teachers, via which he hoped to eventually get a job and assimilate into life in Prague.
Will had a ton of heart. I liked him immensely and was hoping he’d be safe. After keeping his cool long enough to find his way to John, he was doing his best to keep his head down in Prague and start a new life as Max. Sure, he spent time kicking himself for not clueing in to any nefarious signs from Jean Claude, and he was constantly looking over his shoulder, but he was also making friends with his fellow teaching students, and learning to appreciate the history and beauty of Prague. The author has lived in Prague, and her love and knowledge of this brilliant city shines. The city felt like a character unto itself as I explored it alongside Max.
Max/Will soon appeared on the radar of one Hadrian Walls. Yep, I got that name correct, and isn’t it terrific?! A local barkeep, ex RAF Hadrian is nearly as big as a wall, and his personality is nearly as impenetrable. He’s a friend of John and Karel’s, and he’s pretty quiet about his dark past. Hadrian and Max got off on the wrong foot, but that changed as Hadrian felt a growing attraction toward Max, and oh yeah – he happened to save Max from a supposed mugger. The gruff yet endearing Hadrian was my favorite character in this book. He was a real stand up, still waters run deep kind of guy. He’d risk his own life to save the life of a loyal dog, yet he’d cut someone’s throat in a heartbeat if they had it coming. Once he had fallen for Max, he was all in.
Max felt a mutual attraction to Hadrian. He was so torn, and his frustration was palpable. He yearned for the normalcy of falling for someone, yet struggled with how he could drag an unknowing, innocent person into his life of secrecy and hiding. Before long, attraction won out. Hadrian and Max felt very right together, their lovemaking was revealing and vulnerable. These raw moments provided each man a clear window into the other’s soul, if not their absolute truths. Max was about to find out that he was not the only one living a life of deception and hiding. Sure enough, Jean Claude had found him.
The action really heats up from this point. Hadrian, John and Karel join forces with some completely unexpected allies. When face to face with Jean Claude once more, Max is forced to reach down inside himself for a reserve of strength he didn’t know he possessed. And he rocked it! Max’s ultimate will to live, in no small part due to his feelings for Hadrian, pushed him to desperate heights. One huge plot twist I did not see coming completely wowed me. It was awesome. I get so pumped when an author can pull off twists such as this one. All through the book, I was never quite able to guess what was going to happen next. It kept me on my toes so to speak, much the way Will/Max was feeling throughout the story.
There is an epic climax involving Jean Claude where all the best laid plans by John, Hadrian and crew pretty much get blown to hell, and nobody is going to come out of the chaos the same person they went in as.
I had a few niggles, such as wishing I’d seen more of Will with Jean Claude before the murder, and wondering why it took the connected Jean Claude so long to find Will. Those were minor though, as the compelling characters, budding romance, complex intrigue and nail biting action took a definite front seat.
There is still much to learn about the history of Hadrian, John, and Karel. Of course I also am eager to see where Will and Hadrian’s relationship leads them – in terms of love and adventures. Yes, there is loads of room here for a sequel, and I will happily be in line for it!
The blurb for this book hooked me, as I do love a great cat and mouse story. This thriller by a new to me author proved to be just the ticket, delivering an edge of your seat read. The cast of characters was intriguing, the setting of Prague well featured, and the page turning action contained clever twists. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the POV of more than one character, as this technique collectively provided appreciated insight into their actions. A certain suspension of disbelief was needed to fully appreciate the Bond type levels of action, but all espionage/spy type aspects were plausibly presented within the frame of the story.
Will Mracek could be described as a mild mannered guy leading a solid life. He was happy with and proud of his career as a talented book restorer. He was also ecstatic to be moving in with his boyfriend, Jean Claude la Bete. That is, until he walked in on the guy unceremoniously executing a man by bullet. Will listened to his instinct to run, and run he did. Talk about starting a story with a bang, my heart was in my throat and I ended up reading this book in one sitting! The murder happens very early on in the book, so the only real peek the reader gets at the relationship between Will and Jean Claude is through Will’s reflections as the story progresses. I couldn’t help but feel a bit more time spent watching these two build as a couple would have lent more credibility to this key thread of the story.
Will and Jean Claude’s relationship was pretty new, but apparently quite intense. Will knew Jean Claude presided over a security firm, even dealt with some high level FBI related assignments, but he had never before seen a cold side to his demeanor. The man had always been charming, lavish and attentive. Alone, confused and afraid on the streets of New York after witnessing the shooting, Will realized he had someone he could count on – his cousin John, who ran a training program for English teachers in Prague.
Will made it to Prague (we find out how later), where he moved in with John and his partner, Karel. John is more than he seems on the surface. He has a checkered military past and lots of connections in the right shadowy places to help keep Will safe. Or so they thought. Through John’s intervention, Will changed his name to Max Knight, and enrolled in the program for English teachers, via which he hoped to eventually get a job and assimilate into life in Prague.
Will had a ton of heart. I liked him immensely and was hoping he’d be safe. After keeping his cool long enough to find his way to John, he was doing his best to keep his head down in Prague and start a new life as Max. Sure, he spent time kicking himself for not clueing in to any nefarious signs from Jean Claude, and he was constantly looking over his shoulder, but he was also making friends with his fellow teaching students, and learning to appreciate the history and beauty of Prague. The author has lived in Prague, and her love and knowledge of this brilliant city shines. The city felt like a character unto itself as I explored it alongside Max.
Max/Will soon appeared on the radar of one Hadrian Walls. Yep, I got that name correct, and isn’t it terrific?! A local barkeep, ex RAF Hadrian is nearly as big as a wall, and his personality is nearly as impenetrable. He’s a friend of John and Karel’s, and he’s pretty quiet about his dark past. Hadrian and Max got off on the wrong foot, but that changed as Hadrian felt a growing attraction toward Max, and oh yeah – he happened to save Max from a supposed mugger. The gruff yet endearing Hadrian was my favorite character in this book. He was a real stand up, still waters run deep kind of guy. He’d risk his own life to save the life of a loyal dog, yet he’d cut someone’s throat in a heartbeat if they had it coming. Once he had fallen for Max, he was all in.
Max felt a mutual attraction to Hadrian. He was so torn, and his frustration was palpable. He yearned for the normalcy of falling for someone, yet struggled with how he could drag an unknowing, innocent person into his life of secrecy and hiding. Before long, attraction won out. Hadrian and Max felt very right together, their lovemaking was revealing and vulnerable. These raw moments provided each man a clear window into the other’s soul, if not their absolute truths. Max was about to find out that he was not the only one living a life of deception and hiding. Sure enough, Jean Claude had found him.
The action really heats up from this point. Hadrian, John and Karel join forces with some completely unexpected allies. When face to face with Jean Claude once more, Max is forced to reach down inside himself for a reserve of strength he didn’t know he possessed. And he rocked it! Max’s ultimate will to live, in no small part due to his feelings for Hadrian, pushed him to desperate heights. One huge plot twist I did not see coming completely wowed me. It was awesome. I get so pumped when an author can pull off twists such as this one. All through the book, I was never quite able to guess what was going to happen next. It kept me on my toes so to speak, much the way Will/Max was feeling throughout the story.
There is an epic climax involving Jean Claude where all the best laid plans by John, Hadrian and crew pretty much get blown to hell, and nobody is going to come out of the chaos the same person they went in as.
I had a few niggles, such as wishing I’d seen more of Will with Jean Claude before the murder, and wondering why it took the connected Jean Claude so long to find Will. Those were minor though, as the compelling characters, budding romance, complex intrigue and nail biting action took a definite front seat.
There is still much to learn about the history of Hadrian, John, and Karel. Of course I also am eager to see where Will and Hadrian’s relationship leads them – in terms of love and adventures. Yes, there is loads of room here for a sequel, and I will happily be in line for it!
May 24, 2019
Will Mracek flees when he sees his boyfriend, Jean Claude la Bête, murder someone. He winds up in Prague with his cousin where, with his cousin's help, he changes his name to Max Knight and becomes an English teacher. He tries very hard to stay under the radar, but when he meets ex-RAF, bartender Hadrian Walls, everything changes. The two fall in love, but Hadrian knows that Max is hiding something. When Jean Claude tracks him and takes him back, Max refuses to cooperate leading to a confrontation that will send them both over the edge.
Max and Hadrian were amazing together. Hadrian knew Max was hiding something and was hesitant to get involved but love changes everything. Both Hadrian and Max know they want to be together but will have to work to do that. The story was fast-paced and filled with danger. Jean Claude could be brutal and did not hesitate to take what he wanted using any means. It was filled with excitement, action, and mystery until the very end. I love stories like this and can't wait to read more.
Max and Hadrian were amazing together. Hadrian knew Max was hiding something and was hesitant to get involved but love changes everything. Both Hadrian and Max know they want to be together but will have to work to do that. The story was fast-paced and filled with danger. Jean Claude could be brutal and did not hesitate to take what he wanted using any means. It was filled with excitement, action, and mystery until the very end. I love stories like this and can't wait to read more.
March 24, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is a romantic suspense, with a slow-burn between Max and Hadrian. Jean Claude is not a man to be denied, and his pride will not let Will, the one man he’d truly felt affection for, escape him. He has plans for his errant bookbinder, and those plans also include hurting anyone who laid hands on his boy.
I really liked the suspense aspect. I generally do not enjoy random chapters narrated by people who are outside of the main story, but in this case it worked for me. With there being such a great separation between Will/Max and Jean Claude, and also with Jean Claude having so much power and reach due to his security contacts, it would have been impossible for Max and John to maintain any sort of tabs on Jean Claude’s movements. So, as the bits that I generally would not have liked were essential to building tension, I accepted them, and I admit they allowed me to enjoy the story more. There is a good bit of misdirection, some real cloak-and-dagger moments, actual peril, and an unlikely hero that kicked ass and took names. I had my suspicions, and was gratified that they were close to accurate. I also loved the rich detail of Prague. I truly felt as if I was there, seeing the fantastic architecture and tasting a rich boar goulash. The book’s pacing was excellent, with spare and appropriate foreshadowing. I never got the sense of being “handed” a clue, especially in the chapters narrated by Max/Will or Hadrian.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
If you like romantic suspense, with a dash of sexytimes, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
4.5 stars
This is a romantic suspense, with a slow-burn between Max and Hadrian. Jean Claude is not a man to be denied, and his pride will not let Will, the one man he’d truly felt affection for, escape him. He has plans for his errant bookbinder, and those plans also include hurting anyone who laid hands on his boy.
I really liked the suspense aspect. I generally do not enjoy random chapters narrated by people who are outside of the main story, but in this case it worked for me. With there being such a great separation between Will/Max and Jean Claude, and also with Jean Claude having so much power and reach due to his security contacts, it would have been impossible for Max and John to maintain any sort of tabs on Jean Claude’s movements. So, as the bits that I generally would not have liked were essential to building tension, I accepted them, and I admit they allowed me to enjoy the story more. There is a good bit of misdirection, some real cloak-and-dagger moments, actual peril, and an unlikely hero that kicked ass and took names. I had my suspicions, and was gratified that they were close to accurate. I also loved the rich detail of Prague. I truly felt as if I was there, seeing the fantastic architecture and tasting a rich boar goulash. The book’s pacing was excellent, with spare and appropriate foreshadowing. I never got the sense of being “handed” a clue, especially in the chapters narrated by Max/Will or Hadrian.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
If you like romantic suspense, with a dash of sexytimes, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
March 21, 2016
The Danger in Bohemia by H.E. Kollef
3.5 stars
M/M mystery/romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book had a great premise. It sounded intriguing and had both romance and some mystery in it.
Max is running - running for his life and worried that he's put himself and those he cares about in harms way. However, the only thing he can do is to keep living. While I wouldn't characterize his demeanor as meek, he certainly is not outgoing or even a little bit rough. He keeps his head down and lets his life kind of pass him by. Then, he meets Hadrian. Things change for Max after this, but it was not a very large change. Subtle changes that help Max feel more comfortable in his life.
Hadrian is kind of like a bull in a china shop when it comes to his life. You get hints of his past, but nothing super concrete. He is gentle with Max because he can see something haunts him. However, he knows what he wants and he wants Max.
Finally, you have John, Max's cousin. He's an odd character in this story, but I really enjoyed how protective he was of Max.
Overall, this was a story that could have been great, but kind of diminished in its delivery. It was hastily thrown together and you somehow end up with a nice bow at the end.
3.5 stars
M/M mystery/romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book had a great premise. It sounded intriguing and had both romance and some mystery in it.
Max is running - running for his life and worried that he's put himself and those he cares about in harms way. However, the only thing he can do is to keep living. While I wouldn't characterize his demeanor as meek, he certainly is not outgoing or even a little bit rough. He keeps his head down and lets his life kind of pass him by. Then, he meets Hadrian. Things change for Max after this, but it was not a very large change. Subtle changes that help Max feel more comfortable in his life.
Hadrian is kind of like a bull in a china shop when it comes to his life. You get hints of his past, but nothing super concrete. He is gentle with Max because he can see something haunts him. However, he knows what he wants and he wants Max.
Finally, you have John, Max's cousin. He's an odd character in this story, but I really enjoyed how protective he was of Max.
Overall, this was a story that could have been great, but kind of diminished in its delivery. It was hastily thrown together and you somehow end up with a nice bow at the end.
December 17, 2016
H.E. Kollef is a new author to me, but I was intrigued by the blurb, and very much interested in reading something set in Prague. I visited the city a zillion years ago, when it was still under Communist rule, and fell in love with the architecture. It was a wonderful chance to revisit through the eyes of this talented author. The story itself was a page turner, and one I enjoyed from start to finish. I had to suspend disbelief in the end, but I was rooting for the MC's, and therefore quite happy to buy into the HEA. If you like your love stories mixed in with a good dose of suspense you should give this a try.
October 23, 2016
A slow burner, but definitely better off for it.
Wonderful, atmospheric setting, (the author has SOLD me on visiting Prague!) and an interesting pair of central characters. The secondary cast also deserve a mention.
A good read.
Wonderful, atmospheric setting, (the author has SOLD me on visiting Prague!) and an interesting pair of central characters. The secondary cast also deserve a mention.
A good read.
September 18, 2016
My first by this author, and it's good!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews