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Defending Devon
Devon’s father sends the college student on a European tour over the Christmas holidays, but instead of being elated, Devon feels abandoned and a little frightened. Devon has a secret no one knows—one that makes the others on the tour, and especially Drew, the handsome tour guide, think he’s a spoiled brat.
When Devon is accidentally left behind on a trip to a Bavarian castle, Drew escorts him back to the hotel, though he’s getting a little fed up with his behavior. When Drew locates Devon, however, he not only discovers Devon’s secret, but he finds out that someone is trying to kill the young man. Now Drew has to find a way to protect Devon, while falling more and more in love with him.
When Devon is accidentally left behind on a trip to a Bavarian castle, Drew escorts him back to the hotel, though he’s getting a little fed up with his behavior. When Drew locates Devon, however, he not only discovers Devon’s secret, but he finds out that someone is trying to kill the young man. Now Drew has to find a way to protect Devon, while falling more and more in love with him.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2013
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 27, 2016
Some people just seem to need a guardian, and Devon is one of them. For starters, he has an issue that he has been hiding for years, and it means he struggles academically – far more than necessary since he is not stupid. His father is cold and demanding, or so it seems, and Devon does not respond well to being demeaned and constantly berated. Who would? Then there is the problem of his father’s third wife and her underhanded way of pushing Devon away. And that is just for starters. So when Devon’s father sends him away on a European tour for Christmas, Devon is anything but happy. As it turns out, this is just the beginning of a potential adventure that changes into a struggle for Devon’s survival.
Devon has a lot to deal with in this story. His way of defending himself against his father is withdrawal, putting on a mask of arrogance, and pretending there is nothing wrong with him. He is far too quick to blame himself when something goes wrong, but he’ll never admit that he’s struggling. Being sent away hurts him deeply, so when he meets Drew on his flight to Germany, he is relieved and hopeful. Unfortunately, Drew seems far less interested and it isn’t until they meet again, and Drew turns out to be the tour guide for the trip Devon has been booked on, that their real problems start. Misunderstandings abound, communication is almost nonexistent, and multiple mishaps and accidents out of Devon’s control make everything worse.
Drew’s initial attraction to Devon surprises him, but he has to remain professional, or so he thinks. His distance from Devon makes everything worse, but from the looks of it, Devon is a misbehaving spoiled brat. It takes quite a while for Drew to figure out what is going on. Once he does? He still has his hands full protecting Devon and ensuring he stays alive, but their relationship begins to change for the better.
If you like heroes who need to be rescued from themselves as well as external enemies out to kill them, if two men who meet by accident yet are meant to be together are your thing, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with some very tender moments, then you might like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dark Hollows Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Devon has a lot to deal with in this story. His way of defending himself against his father is withdrawal, putting on a mask of arrogance, and pretending there is nothing wrong with him. He is far too quick to blame himself when something goes wrong, but he’ll never admit that he’s struggling. Being sent away hurts him deeply, so when he meets Drew on his flight to Germany, he is relieved and hopeful. Unfortunately, Drew seems far less interested and it isn’t until they meet again, and Drew turns out to be the tour guide for the trip Devon has been booked on, that their real problems start. Misunderstandings abound, communication is almost nonexistent, and multiple mishaps and accidents out of Devon’s control make everything worse.
Drew’s initial attraction to Devon surprises him, but he has to remain professional, or so he thinks. His distance from Devon makes everything worse, but from the looks of it, Devon is a misbehaving spoiled brat. It takes quite a while for Drew to figure out what is going on. Once he does? He still has his hands full protecting Devon and ensuring he stays alive, but their relationship begins to change for the better.
If you like heroes who need to be rescued from themselves as well as external enemies out to kill them, if two men who meet by accident yet are meant to be together are your thing, and if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with some very tender moments, then you might like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dark Hollows Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 27, 2013
2.5 stars
This was okay. The beginning was better than I'd expected and perhaps I let my hopes get a little too high... because the second half was a disappointment.
There were several elements here that I was surprised to find in such a short story, and I think it was these elements and my hope for how they'd be handled that kept me from liking the second half. The blurb talked about secrets, and I'll admit that my curiosity over why we weren't given any hints at all about what those secrets might be was what prompted me to read this. The secrets themselves were fascinating, especially in such a short and seemingly-light-hearted story.
Once Andrew and Devon got together again, though, everything else was overshadowed by their insatiable need to have sex as much and as often as possible. So these wonderfully unique issues that I'd been impressed by the story undertaking were suddenly magically solved right as it ends. Disappointing.
This was okay. The beginning was better than I'd expected and perhaps I let my hopes get a little too high... because the second half was a disappointment.
There were several elements here that I was surprised to find in such a short story, and I think it was these elements and my hope for how they'd be handled that kept me from liking the second half. The blurb talked about secrets, and I'll admit that my curiosity over why we weren't given any hints at all about what those secrets might be was what prompted me to read this. The secrets themselves were fascinating, especially in such a short and seemingly-light-hearted story.
Once Andrew and Devon got together again, though, everything else was overshadowed by their insatiable need to have sex as much and as often as possible. So these wonderfully unique issues that I'd been impressed by the story undertaking were suddenly magically solved right as it ends. Disappointing.
January 19, 2013
Devon is hiding on so many levels and uses his attitude as a defense. Andrew is drawn to him on the plane and lets things get out of hand which really causes problems when the run into each other on the tour. Devon is rocked by his encounter with Andrew which leaves him hurt and confused. An "accident" gives them a chance to work things out. When it turns out it was no accident it brings them closer together. What I love what the encounter with Devon's dad at the end.
January 24, 2013
This is a sweet, coming out / learning to accept and be true to yourself tale. The characters are nicely done. There's not a lot of depth, but for the length and plot it's not needed. This is a low angst, pleasant read that goes well with a cup of hot cocoa on a rainy day. The biggest drawback I found - at times, I stumbled over the typos and had to reread a sentence. I enjoyed it anyway.
April 17, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars A FAST AND SEXY TRIP! April 16, 2014
Devon's father and stepmother want to send him for a Christmas tour in Europe while they holiday in Aspen. Devon's not happy, about the trip, missing Christmas with his dad, or his problems in school. Before he leaves, his car is forced off the road. Just an accident. Or so it seems.
On the plane, Devon has a brief sexual encounter with a handsome young man named Andrew. When the plane lands, Devon thinks that is the last he will see of Andrew. But he hasn't met his tour guide yet. Nor is he ready for the troubles and danger that will pursue him.
A quirky, sweet and exciting story that moves along at a rapid pace, with side trips of fun and games. A nice read for a rainy afternoon. Nice writing and great characters leave you wanting more.
Devon's father and stepmother want to send him for a Christmas tour in Europe while they holiday in Aspen. Devon's not happy, about the trip, missing Christmas with his dad, or his problems in school. Before he leaves, his car is forced off the road. Just an accident. Or so it seems.
On the plane, Devon has a brief sexual encounter with a handsome young man named Andrew. When the plane lands, Devon thinks that is the last he will see of Andrew. But he hasn't met his tour guide yet. Nor is he ready for the troubles and danger that will pursue him.
A quirky, sweet and exciting story that moves along at a rapid pace, with side trips of fun and games. A nice read for a rainy afternoon. Nice writing and great characters leave you wanting more.
January 11, 2016
You'd hope that somebody writing a story set in Germany would at least spell the random German words correctly, but apparently something as simple as looking up words in an Eng-Deu dictionary eluded this author.
This was pretty terrible on all fronts though. Characters were unlikable, plot was transparent, the relationship went from hate to love instantly, and the writing is simplistic at best. Not worth the time I spent reading it.
This was pretty terrible on all fronts though. Characters were unlikable, plot was transparent, the relationship went from hate to love instantly, and the writing is simplistic at best. Not worth the time I spent reading it.
June 26, 2016
Great story, poor editing
I really enjoy Shannon West's writing and this book is no different. I just wish someone had proofread it before publication. The many errors threw me out of the story frequently while I tried to figure out what was meant.
I really enjoy Shannon West's writing and this book is no different. I just wish someone had proofread it before publication. The many errors threw me out of the story frequently while I tried to figure out what was meant.
March 3, 2013
1.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews