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Origins

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"He saw me as his hero, but I'm nobody's hero."

At least that's what I tell myself. My name is Eric Cayden, and I'm a man with some pretty extraordinary abilities. It's because I have these superhuman powers, my best friend, Jordan, sees me as hero material. I'm not the only one in the world with special abilities, of course. Some people have already stepped up to the plate and made themselves martyrs, but I'm not about self-sacrificing for the greater good and all that crap. Not anymore. I've already bled for my country. Now, I just want to live a normal life in the shadows and make a lot of money doing odd jobs on the side. Is that too much to ask? Well, according to my friend, Jordan, I'm destined to be something better than a glorified errand boy. He thinks I have a higher calling. He thinks I can be a hero. Well, I'm not too sure about the hero part, but I do hate it when bad people get away with doing evil things. So maybe, just maybe Jordan has a point. We'll see, won't we?

Warning: This is a novelette serial series that will be coming at you fully loaded with hot, gay sex. Yes, there will be all kinds of bodily fluids splashing and squirting in all directions with each episode. Expect body parts to be sliced, diced, gouged, and even ripped apart because I don't half step. This is a series intended for adults only, who want a superhero that loves to play dirty... and by dirty, I mean grimy as hell.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2016

39 people are currently reading
171 people want to read

About the author

Nicholas Bella

94 books1,079 followers
About The Maniac Who Wrote These Books

I'm the author of deliciously dark, sexy, and thrilling MM fiction in various genres. I corrupt readers with salacious tales of possessive men staking their claims on the men who make their blood rise in certain places. I know... I should be ashamed, but I'm shameless. I'm a public menace that can't be stopped, and my characters are rude, sassy, charming, arrogant, and hotter than sinners in hell. They tell me what they want and I follow orders. When I'm not hunched over my keyboard typing away, I love to watch movies and TV shows (You should check out my reviews.)
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5 stars
105 (38%)
4 stars
72 (26%)
3 stars
59 (21%)
2 stars
26 (9%)
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8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for AGandyGirl.
773 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2016
Hmmmm. Well I have to say, I am a little disappointed in this first episode. First off, I am a HUGE Bella fan and as he knows, I will read anything and everything and honestly Amazon should just have an "auto-buy" for certain authors because I would certainly use it with this author, no question.

Now, this is the 3rd Series by Bella and following up on the first episodes from New Haven and Demon Gates this one felt lacking. I liked both main characters but the sex and chemistry between them seemed a little off. Perhaps it was the discussion of sex with others that happened numerous times or the first use of a CONDOM in a Bella book that threw Els and I a little off...



A CONDOM?? I have gotten so used to Bella's characters not needing these that even the word popping up had me doing a double take. LOL

In addition, I missed the possessiveness, the desire, the bond and the heat between our characters as these feelings are ever present in every sexual encounter within the other series.

Overall, there is no doubt I will continue with this series, the story and plot could develop into a amazing series for sure (as I know Bella is capable of greatness), but attention grabbing this one wasn't. I do hope the sex and perviness as well increases to what I am so accustomed to in Bella's work. Now, bring on more Vamps and Demons while I wait. Let's go!

***
Oh yes...pervy goodness coming our way. BR with Elsbeth...Sunday, 7/17

Profile Image for Gerbera_Reads.
1,695 reviews155 followers
August 24, 2018
** 3.75 stars **

This book was certainly entertaining. The plot was unusual and the writing style very light and easy to read. This is a story of Eric Cayden, a man with special abilities, who is a sort of merc but is persuaded to become a vigilante/hero by his sidekick/friend-with-benefits Jordan. I liked the banter between them that ranged from funny and sarcastic to sometimes tender. I liked how easy-going and approachable they were. The book was well-paced with some smexy and action times. I would have liked more background on both MCs - how Eric got his powers, where he came from and who his people are. There is some info about Jordan but very little which was slightly disappointing. Another thing that irked me was Eric's attitude - he was extremely arrogant and too full of himself most of the time but his one saving grace for me was how he treated Jordan - there were tender moments, gentle kisses and affection, pet names that showed that Eric despite his opinion that he is God's gift to the world cared about Jordan, that there is more to him that overinflated ego and devastatingly good looks. I liked this book and I think I will continue with the series, see how Jordan and Eric will get along.
Profile Image for Steph ☀️.
702 reviews32 followers
July 3, 2017
A promising start....

I'm not going to lie. I finished this book about three days ago. I have been putting off reviewing this book due to the fact that I did not want to be the first person to give it three stars since I love reading this authors' work so much! Nicholas has a wonderful deranged talent at scripting words into a wonderful, smutty story that is hard to put down. Not to mention that this stories have an actual plot!!!

Unfortunately, this book did not give me the same thrill reading as his other two series have. I don't feel that the two MC's, Eric and Jordan, have the chemistry needed. You can tell that they care for each other as friends, but nothing more.

I will definitely read the next book. Like I said it has promise and the author himself is an amazing storyteller of raunchy goodness ;)
Profile Image for SueBee★bring me an alpha!★.
2,417 reviews15.4k followers
venture-out
November 6, 2016

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Profile Image for Daria.
1,997 reviews42 followers
July 11, 2016

Nicholas Bella is full of surprises with this first book, in a new series. you can tell by the way he writes this he has a love of comic books.

Cobra is something new, different and is a great book to start the series. All the action of a comic book sans the illustration but as you read you get the picture. Its a short but keeps you reading with just the right detail, character and heat up until the end.

I'd have liked a bit more of how the "hero" got his specialness, but it didn't take anything from the story. Roomates/lovers mesh in life and fit what each other needs. A sexy bad ass and a sexy geek, a bit of snark and a tad bit of arrogance. Enjoy
Profile Image for Estevam (Impish Reviews).
194 reviews20 followers
November 8, 2019
Why did i read this? Im not the target audience and if not for the series name i wouldn't have read.
It turned out to be okay, i liked the action, some of the humor, the writing style could be better, but other than that a quick easy read, but then again is kinda meh.
Profile Image for Diverse.
1,179 reviews53 followers
July 24, 2016
I can tell I’m going to love this series! Who doesn’t love a vigilante? Eric/ Cobra has a soft spot for those in need… more so those who are getting their butts kicked and are defenseless. That’s how he met Jordan after all. Jordan is a wiz with computers and a friend with benefits for Eric.
What I loved most about this story is Eric/Cobra isn’t one of those vigilantes who lets you talk him out of doing what should be done. He kills the bad guys. He’ll convince them he won’t, take all the shiny stuff, and then kill them. It’s justice in a Batman meets Deadpool and has a baby named Lucifer kind of way.
This is set up in episodes, just like all of Nicholas’s work. Origins, episode one, really thrusts you into the story and we follow Eric’s POV even though Jordan has a lot to say. I adore him! It’s funny, hot, slightly dark but not as dark as Nicholas Bella has written. I have no doubt Eric and Jordan are going to come face to face with the stink of the city and also have no doubt that it’s going to be amazing.
This is a wonderful kickoff to this new series.
Profile Image for Mimi.
2,459 reviews
July 20, 2016
Something unexpected

This is not your typical Nicholas Bella book. I was looking for dark, deprived and kinky but this had me laughing unexpectedly. On one hand, this new side of Nicholas Bella had me not wanting to finish the book but I was like it is only 65 pages why not give it a try. And then on the other hand this was Nicholas Bella and I am a devoted fan of his work. This one left me confused and not wanting to read the second episode "Noble"
Profile Image for Christie Howell.
427 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2018
I loved it!

Nicholas Bella is such an amazingly creative author. He brings the paranormal and sexiness out in all his books, but this one has held me and had me intrigued and drawn in from the get go. I had a few surprised gaspy moments, but I mostly laughed at the time this guy uses. I loved it. Onto the next book.
Profile Image for ❤Sharonica-Logic❤.
580 reviews16 followers
February 23, 2019
Ahhh Cobra! My new favorite SuperHero! 😋

He can't fly, or spin a web, or turn green. BUT he can turn into a buxomy blonde, heal from gunshots, and is incredibly hot. His name is Eric, but he will become Cobra. This is the beginning of his origin story.

Goddess bless the delectable mind of Nicholas Bella!💋
67 reviews
September 10, 2019
Bella fan

Now this was... unusual. Badass sexy superhero type with little or no morals?! That’s just asking for trouble. It looses a star because its short.

I invested in the full series so I hope to not be disappointed.

This author’s stories are usually racy and wild rides. Currently I’m more shocked than entertained. Night & day to the Demon Gate Series.
Profile Image for Kassandra  Knight.
1,526 reviews3 followers
June 1, 2023
This review is for the whole series as I binge read them all.

What a roller coaster that ride was. I’m very much reminded of his other series with all the goings on and stuff. IYKYK. Excited to see if the spin-off comes to KU.

I recommend if you like these tropes.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
75 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2017
Calling Cobra

Why are all the sexy super heroes gay? Cobra is one badass mofo. Jordan his lover/business partner is the heart and brains of the duo, Cobra is the muscle and sex machine. Nicholas Bella is the king of raunchy smut!
Profile Image for joani.
1,645 reviews6 followers
January 18, 2018
A good beginning but

A bit to raunchy for me but I do like the characters. I am not really sure if I like it or not. I am on the fence, so I will read next episode in the series. Hopefully I will know one way or another.
Profile Image for Jen.
Author 8 books115 followers
January 23, 2018
I needed this today

So good. Recommend. Read something better than your favorite Netflix superhero. Also, I LOVE Cobra’s attitude about his moral high ground. It’s effing perfect. “So?” HA! <3
Profile Image for Rachel .
2,250 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2018
Awesome start to a series. Eric and Jordan had a wild adventure ahead with his series, love that its superheroes but with a dark twist its something more and not a sweet comic book story. Action and some witty friends come together to fight evil. Can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for Jenn (not Lily).
4,804 reviews27 followers
October 17, 2018
I needed to read something with an antihero, and, wow, does this apply! Eric might be a little bit of a hero, if you look at him with your eyes mostly closed...no, he's still kind of an asshole. This series is NOT going onto my TBR...
Profile Image for Scott McQ.
279 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2017
Main character is such a Mary Jane. Didn’t inspire me to want to continue the series.
676 reviews
July 17, 2018
Pretty good!

Not a bad start as far as novellas go. I'm already familiar with Nicholas Bella. And I like where he is trying to take these books! Can't wait to read what comes next!
Profile Image for Emalie.
484 reviews41 followers
December 29, 2018
I'm not sure about this one but I guess I'll get the second one as well since I'm currently on KU and those books are quite short. We'll see where it will go.
Profile Image for Anna.
963 reviews17 followers
April 5, 2019
Funny af! Sooo Nicholas Bella! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Courtney Wendleton.
Author 13 books72 followers
May 7, 2019
New Hero in Town

Liked it. Definitely my new favorite super hero. I do think it could have been beefed up in a few places, but over all great book.
187 reviews
March 21, 2017
Sexy Fun

Funny sexy antihero. You can't help getting hooked. Not as gritty as Haven but still plenty hot. Looking forward to more Cobra.
Profile Image for Pat.
1,586 reviews18 followers
October 11, 2016
This is only the second book of Nicholas's I have read as I have only just found him-- " where have I been"!
Again I fell into the pages following the journey of Jordan & Eric ( Cobra) .
Besides Cobra being downright dangerous & merciless .
He has to dress the part of The Gay Vigilante - ruthless & darn sexy.
Cobra has a sense of humour ( while reading you often chuckle)
He is sassy & cute.
Jordan is geeky always with his laptop .
He is a steadying influence well tries to!
They have a great rapport together which makes the book such an easy read .
Plenty of sex- with a touch of love that will grow .
A good story line which flows easily - on to book 2- Noble.
Written as Pat Jay
Profile Image for Sydney Whyte.
Author 4 books5 followers
July 31, 2016
Looks like I have a penchant for slightly egocentric, snarky and sassy character’s because this is what I got in the first of Nicholas Bella’s Gay Vigilante series, Origins, and I’m hooked.

Apparently all ‘super heroes’ have to have a beginning story – the how or the why of it. Not too much back-story in this episode but this is only the starting of Cobra’s (aka Eric’s) story. Eric and his faithful side-kick, Jordan. What a couple.

Of all the characters in all the series Nicholas has created to date, these guys are by far the most ‘normal’, even if one is a nerdy computer genius and the other is sporting the ability to transform his appearance, it would seem to anything he wants. We get to meet him in the opening scenes as a woman! Of all things.

Loved his self-assured demeanour, his sass, his spunk and his super strength. Super quick healing and impenetrable skin too. Makes for one successful vigilante hero.

Eric and Jordan’s loveable banter really caught my fancy, their rude camaraderie even when calling each other out on their diverse sense of fashion. There was enough vanity and insecurity on Eric’s part to tone down his arrogance, making him wholly likeable. And the glasses – for all that he had come into some amazing powers – we as yet know not how – Eric is not perfect. Defective eyesight helps him retain his humanity if not his humility. Anyway he mostly brags to Jordan, so what’s the harm. Jordan for all that they are not a proper couple – Really? Come on guys, you have joint bank accounts. Who’s in denial? – while worshipping the ground Eric walks on, can still hold his own. Sexual exclusivity comes secondary to emotional attachment and conscientiousness over sexual safety in this relationship. And a loving relationship it ‘really’ appears to be.

Carless, jobless, borderline itinerant, they need money. One of the relatable draws in this ‘Origins’ story. In steps their ‘employer’, a big corporation who has undoubtedly had information stolen from them. They hire Eric to take get it back from the evil Mr Henley while stipulating minimum torture and no murder. Hmmm, I’m suspicious. A corporation that is do-gooding? Am waiting with bated-breath for them to make a further appearance in future episodes. Maybe? For my part, I construed their parting shot to Eric, a little menacing.

Definitely this book reflected that superhero comic book feel. Fast paced, vengeance wreaking, heroic, intriguing, humorous, and super-sexy. Well maybe that last is not quite so comic book, but this is a Nicholas Bella episodic and promises to be epic. Waiting impatiently for further revelations; Cobra meting out well deserved punishments to dastardly, villainous people… And the introduction of a quintessential and necessary ‘master of evil’? We shall see.
Profile Image for Carol Miller.
108 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2016
Worth More Than 5 Stars!!

AAAAND...Nicholas Bella does it AGAIN!! No surprise though. Another series and what a great start. His fans look forward to whatever he writes because we know it will always be the cream of the crop when it comes to supernatural erotic gay stories. He holds absolutely NOTHING back. He writes a warning in every one of his books. Heed it well. Although this episode is actually a little mild.
This new series is about a man with hero-like abilities. Very strong, heals fast, bullets don't penetrate his skin, can jump high, moves faster than usual, impervious to sickness. At the start, people hire him to do their dirty work. His "sidekick" is Jordan, a man he once saved from being beaten to death. Jordan moved ing because he had nowhere to go. They became friends and eventually lovers but not exclusive. Jordan considers Eric to be a superhero but Eric feels far from one. After a Eric prevents a burglary at their favorite diner, they need to move from that area. After saving the people at the diner, Jordan once again tries talking Eric into being an actual superhero. Eric finally agrees. He decides his alias will be Cobra and gets himself a cool outfit and weapons. His first act is to kill a man who He had to deal with on last job. The man gets women, drugs them and kills them after he's had his way with t h them. Cobra infiltrates the house disables a few guards nd has to kill the rest. The man tries to cut a deal to save is own life. Of course, it doesn't work and Cobra walks away satisfied that this scrum is no longer walking the earth and is also about a half a million dollars.
It's a MUST to read this and enjoy details I purposely left out. To experience the wonder of Bella's world's also read his New Haven and Demon Gate service's. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Ana.
1,043 reviews
October 9, 2016
I wasn’t so sure about this book. It had some very interesting moments but there’s some others that made it hard for me to enjoy it too much.

The first scene was amazing, I couldn’t stop reading it then, I was very intrigued by what might happen, it was great, I think it was my favorite part of the book. There is also another scene with one of the characters in that scene, it was near the end, and it also was very good one.

The main characters were ok, Jordan was nice, I liked him the most. Now for the other MC he was a hard to like one, I believe he was made with that purpose, but he was an annoying guy, so arrogant, a sort of character I would generally like, but not this time, I just couldn’t care for him.

There were some unrealistic moments in the book that I didn’t like. I know is a fantasy story, is not about that, but there were moments that just weren’t coherent with the rest of the story, like the fact he needed a custom considering some of his abilities, other than that I think it was ok.
Even though I didn’t enjoyed it so much, is a first book of a series and, since the action moments were the ones I enjoyed the most, so I think there are good possibilities of getting great stories in the next instalments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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