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Common Powers #1
Soul Bonds
Mitchell Collins is the king of denial. Five years after the death of his lover, Steve, he finds himself in a gay bar, wondering why he's even there. He has a rule he won't break: Don't take anyone home.
Sammi's trying to survive on the streets of Houston. It's not easy for someone with no money, no identity, and no friends. When Mitch meets Sammi, all thoughts of "safe" go flying out the window. He takes him home for the best sex of his life, not knowing that Sammi's a sex slave on the run from a man who'll do anything to get him back.
Sammi's trying to survive on the streets of Houston. It's not easy for someone with no money, no identity, and no friends. When Mitch meets Sammi, all thoughts of "safe" go flying out the window. He takes him home for the best sex of his life, not knowing that Sammi's a sex slave on the run from a man who'll do anything to get him back.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2008
12 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Lorenz
68 books316 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 12, 2009
Lynn Lorenz is a new author for me. I had bought the book Soul Bonds quite some time ago, but have always put off reading it. When I noticed that her third installment of the Common Powers series was out this week, and because I have this thing about reading books that are in a series in order, I thought I needed to get off my tush and read the darn thing. I am glad I did.
Sammi is a product of a foster care system that doesn’t work. Ever since a he was a young boy, he has been shifted from one home to another. Since the age of ten, he was sexually, physically and emotionally abused by the people who were supposed to look out for him, instead they just caused him heartache and pain.
At sixteen, he ran away and lived on the streets. With no education or other means to support himself, he became a prostitute to survive. When he first met Donovan, an older wealthy gentleman, he had thought all of his problems was solved. Donovan cleaned him up, became his lover and took better care of him than anyone had before. Unfortunately, Donovan wasn’t who Sammi thought he was and Sammi’s life became even more jaded than before.
Now at 23, Sammi is tired of the life he has been forced to live. Deciding to take a chance for a better life, he escaped Donovan’s clutches to start a new life. He knows that Donovan’s flunkies will be looking for him, but he believes he should try at to have at least one shot at happiness.
Sammi also has a secret ability that he has never shared with another. He is able to read other’s minds, which he usually works to his advantage when he can.
When Sammi spots a lonely handsome man at a local bar, he immediately knows that this man is his soul mate. The moment Sammi approaches the man and introduces himself to him, they both feel a connection between them they have never felt before.
Mitchell didn’t know why he was at the bar in the first place. Since his partners death several years ago, he has been lonely. Not one for one night stands or quickies in the bathroom stall, he was just about to leave when the most beautiful man he has ever laid eyes on approaches him. He feels an instant connection with him. Sammi seems to know his every thought and desire.
The more Sammi and Mitchell are around each other the more of an emotional connection they have together. They knew they were in love with one another before the night was over. So, when Sammi moves in with Mitchell after their first night together, neither thought they were rushing into anything…it just felt natural to both of them. Sammi shares his secret with Mitchell and they soon are able to communicate telepathically with one another. (it’s more of an emotional connection than words)
But, Donovan will never give up looking for his popular sex slave, and soon wrecks havoc on both Mitchell and Sammi’s life.
I really liked this book. My only complaint is there really isn’t much emotional angst between Mitch and Sammi. Even when Mitch loses his job, his house is broken into and other things…he kinda takes it in stride. I didn’t find that very believable. Mitchell is almost too perfect. I still liked him though…even if he is a Pollyanna…lol
Sammi of course steals the entire story. He is a survivor. His eagerness to work for his happy ending with Mitchell and the drive to better himself makes him a hero worth reading about. I loved him, and was very glad he and perfect Mitch found their happy ending. They deserved it.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. RUSH IN THE DARK…I HEARD there is a menage scene in it…say it ain’t so!
Sammi is a product of a foster care system that doesn’t work. Ever since a he was a young boy, he has been shifted from one home to another. Since the age of ten, he was sexually, physically and emotionally abused by the people who were supposed to look out for him, instead they just caused him heartache and pain.
At sixteen, he ran away and lived on the streets. With no education or other means to support himself, he became a prostitute to survive. When he first met Donovan, an older wealthy gentleman, he had thought all of his problems was solved. Donovan cleaned him up, became his lover and took better care of him than anyone had before. Unfortunately, Donovan wasn’t who Sammi thought he was and Sammi’s life became even more jaded than before.
Now at 23, Sammi is tired of the life he has been forced to live. Deciding to take a chance for a better life, he escaped Donovan’s clutches to start a new life. He knows that Donovan’s flunkies will be looking for him, but he believes he should try at to have at least one shot at happiness.
Sammi also has a secret ability that he has never shared with another. He is able to read other’s minds, which he usually works to his advantage when he can.
When Sammi spots a lonely handsome man at a local bar, he immediately knows that this man is his soul mate. The moment Sammi approaches the man and introduces himself to him, they both feel a connection between them they have never felt before.
Mitchell didn’t know why he was at the bar in the first place. Since his partners death several years ago, he has been lonely. Not one for one night stands or quickies in the bathroom stall, he was just about to leave when the most beautiful man he has ever laid eyes on approaches him. He feels an instant connection with him. Sammi seems to know his every thought and desire.
The more Sammi and Mitchell are around each other the more of an emotional connection they have together. They knew they were in love with one another before the night was over. So, when Sammi moves in with Mitchell after their first night together, neither thought they were rushing into anything…it just felt natural to both of them. Sammi shares his secret with Mitchell and they soon are able to communicate telepathically with one another. (it’s more of an emotional connection than words)
But, Donovan will never give up looking for his popular sex slave, and soon wrecks havoc on both Mitchell and Sammi’s life.
I really liked this book. My only complaint is there really isn’t much emotional angst between Mitch and Sammi. Even when Mitch loses his job, his house is broken into and other things…he kinda takes it in stride. I didn’t find that very believable. Mitchell is almost too perfect. I still liked him though…even if he is a Pollyanna…lol
Sammi of course steals the entire story. He is a survivor. His eagerness to work for his happy ending with Mitchell and the drive to better himself makes him a hero worth reading about. I loved him, and was very glad he and perfect Mitch found their happy ending. They deserved it.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. RUSH IN THE DARK…I HEARD there is a menage scene in it…say it ain’t so!
February 16, 2012
I re-read this recently, to see if I'd been too hard the first time around. For a sex-slave-with-paranormal-powers meets fated mate story, it's perfectly OK.
However, I still think that if your boyfriend is a rescued sex-slave then it is not recommended to say, during sex, "I'm your sex slave babe". I propose that your boyfriend would think sex slaves are the least-arousing thought on the planet, and I don't think he'll cum at mere idea.
However, I still think that if your boyfriend is a rescued sex-slave then it is not recommended to say, during sex, "I'm your sex slave babe". I propose that your boyfriend would think sex slaves are the least-arousing thought on the planet, and I don't think he'll cum at mere idea.
April 10, 2009
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Mitch is a nice guy who doesn’t take chances, doesn’t break the rules he’s set for himself, and never does anything to risk his safe, quiet, life. Until he meets Sammi in a gay bar and takes him home. His connection to Sammi is instant and intense and Mitch finds himself breaking every rule he’s ever made and then some.
Sammi turns Mitch’s ordered life upside down, but Mitch wouldn’t have it any other way. Despite getting into trouble at work over something related to Sammi (I’m not telling!), Mitch doesn’t make excuses. He accepts responsibility for his actions no matter how uncomfortable things are for him. Mitch learns to take risks and that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean being safe.
Sammi is running from Donovan, the powerful man who keeps him as a sex slave. He goes into the bar in order to find a pick-up who’ll take him off the streets for the night. When he realizes he can hear Mitch’s thoughts and sense his emotions, Sammi knows the two of them are meant to be together. The two of them form what Sammi calls a “soul bond”, a paranormal connection that I found delightful, if a little vague.
Sammi has been abused by nearly everyone in his young life. It’s hard to believe that he could survive all that he’s been through and still be such a sweet, lovable character. Sammi grows throughout the story; he realizes that he can better himself, that he can change, learn, and be free in ways he’s never hoped for before.
I would have rated this story much higher than 3 out of 5 if not for a few issues that brought my overall enjoyment down a notch or two. Some of the plot elements and character reactions didn’t feel very credible to me, namely the police interaction and Mitch’s initial reactions after a near run-in with Donovan’s goons. There was also a clinic scene where Sammi answers a questionnaire that takes up a full two pages. It does give a more in depth look at Sammi’s past, but I would rather have learned about it through exposition.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes sexy paranormal stories with memorable characters. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series.
http://iheartpaperbacks.wordpress.com
Mitch is a nice guy who doesn’t take chances, doesn’t break the rules he’s set for himself, and never does anything to risk his safe, quiet, life. Until he meets Sammi in a gay bar and takes him home. His connection to Sammi is instant and intense and Mitch finds himself breaking every rule he’s ever made and then some.
Sammi turns Mitch’s ordered life upside down, but Mitch wouldn’t have it any other way. Despite getting into trouble at work over something related to Sammi (I’m not telling!), Mitch doesn’t make excuses. He accepts responsibility for his actions no matter how uncomfortable things are for him. Mitch learns to take risks and that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean being safe.
Sammi is running from Donovan, the powerful man who keeps him as a sex slave. He goes into the bar in order to find a pick-up who’ll take him off the streets for the night. When he realizes he can hear Mitch’s thoughts and sense his emotions, Sammi knows the two of them are meant to be together. The two of them form what Sammi calls a “soul bond”, a paranormal connection that I found delightful, if a little vague.
Sammi has been abused by nearly everyone in his young life. It’s hard to believe that he could survive all that he’s been through and still be such a sweet, lovable character. Sammi grows throughout the story; he realizes that he can better himself, that he can change, learn, and be free in ways he’s never hoped for before.
I would have rated this story much higher than 3 out of 5 if not for a few issues that brought my overall enjoyment down a notch or two. Some of the plot elements and character reactions didn’t feel very credible to me, namely the police interaction and Mitch’s initial reactions after a near run-in with Donovan’s goons. There was also a clinic scene where Sammi answers a questionnaire that takes up a full two pages. It does give a more in depth look at Sammi’s past, but I would rather have learned about it through exposition.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes sexy paranormal stories with memorable characters. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series.
http://iheartpaperbacks.wordpress.com
November 3, 2016
This sucked so bad - I got to page 35 of 162 and had to stop to go cruise some reviews to see if it was just me, and No, it wasn’t. I only started this because the 3rd volume is listed in so many best of listopia lists on Goodreads, shoulda known when the 1st book is nowhere to be found on said lists. And yowzas, is this bad.
What I’ve managed to puzzle out of the plot so far: A terrified escaped sex slave on the run from his master and master’s goons in some Texas city with no ID, money, or friends, uses some kind of quasi-supernatural mental powers to con men in gay clubs into taking him home, trading his body for a place to stay. Instead of finding the usual suspects on the evening in question, our psycho - sorry, psychic twink realizes that his soul mate is in the club, and propositions the guy, they go back to the guys house, fuck like bunnies, have some sort of mental mind meld that the non-psycho - sorry, psychic - guy doesn’t question, and he goes to work the next day, telling the twink that he can stay in the apartment, and that he’ll take care of him. He calls the twink from work, twink talks him into phone sex, guy’s homophobe boss walks in on him wanking it in his cube, and fires him. Guy goes home to the twink, and they fuck like bunnies. Oh, and tell each other how much in love they are.
Huh? There’s so much wrong with the world building I don’t quite know where to start. The paranormal aspects are wonky and ill explained, the real world stuff, like don’t give a stranger the run of your place after you leave for work unless you want everything you own stolen, don’t jerk off in your work cubical, all that is like some kind of parallel universe. And the sex isn’t even good. There’s all sorts of florid purple prose, “backdoor”, “portal”, “the hot velvet of Sammi’s tight tunnel”, “the cleft between Sammi’s globes” etc.
So thanks to Goodreads, and some honest peeps on there, I know that it only gets worse from here. I’m still considering skimming through the rest of this drek to get the backstory for the next book, but I’ll have to be pretty bored when I do.
What I’ve managed to puzzle out of the plot so far: A terrified escaped sex slave on the run from his master and master’s goons in some Texas city with no ID, money, or friends, uses some kind of quasi-supernatural mental powers to con men in gay clubs into taking him home, trading his body for a place to stay. Instead of finding the usual suspects on the evening in question, our psycho - sorry, psychic twink realizes that his soul mate is in the club, and propositions the guy, they go back to the guys house, fuck like bunnies, have some sort of mental mind meld that the non-psycho - sorry, psychic - guy doesn’t question, and he goes to work the next day, telling the twink that he can stay in the apartment, and that he’ll take care of him. He calls the twink from work, twink talks him into phone sex, guy’s homophobe boss walks in on him wanking it in his cube, and fires him. Guy goes home to the twink, and they fuck like bunnies. Oh, and tell each other how much in love they are.
Huh? There’s so much wrong with the world building I don’t quite know where to start. The paranormal aspects are wonky and ill explained, the real world stuff, like don’t give a stranger the run of your place after you leave for work unless you want everything you own stolen, don’t jerk off in your work cubical, all that is like some kind of parallel universe. And the sex isn’t even good. There’s all sorts of florid purple prose, “backdoor”, “portal”, “the hot velvet of Sammi’s tight tunnel”, “the cleft between Sammi’s globes” etc.
So thanks to Goodreads, and some honest peeps on there, I know that it only gets worse from here. I’m still considering skimming through the rest of this drek to get the backstory for the next book, but I’ll have to be pretty bored when I do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2009
I give 4 because of the fun i had in the beginning (the scenes at the office are too funny__can't say more...).
But really it worth 3,5.
The story is really nice but it lacks of credibility (excuse my poor english, hope you'll understand!).
It's too bad we don't have much explanation about the "soul bond" thing.
But really it worth 3,5.
The story is really nice but it lacks of credibility (excuse my poor english, hope you'll understand!).
It's too bad we don't have much explanation about the "soul bond" thing.
dnf
February 19, 2017Waste of time, waste of money, whatever you spend to read this book is a waste.
February 28, 2011
While this book have several things that MIGHT annoy me, i.e. instant love and jumping straight into sex in the name of "soul mate", with a number of sex scenes ... but somehow Lynn Lorenz's writing is able to win me over instead.
I think the winning element is the character of Sammi. He's just an admirable rent-boy. Being a sex slave that endures abuse, he is able to stand up to Donovan (his master), getting away using his wit, to be able to land Mitchell (as his love) as well as a job of his own (later on). He stays hopeful and optimistic despite what life has brought him and never, for once, he blames his destiny. Mitchell, on the other hand, doesn't charm me enough. I don't feel a strength of his character, except for being "The One".
The power theme seems to be commonly acceptable in the world of the story since Mitchell doesn't really freak out when he realizes that he is "connected" with Sammi. I guess it helps me as well, to accept the instant love theme.
The ending wraps up a bit quickly (and pretty easy, I'd say), but again, Sammi wins me enough to stop me from complaining.
Mitchell's friend, Brian, is next. So yay ...
I think the winning element is the character of Sammi. He's just an admirable rent-boy. Being a sex slave that endures abuse, he is able to stand up to Donovan (his master), getting away using his wit, to be able to land Mitchell (as his love) as well as a job of his own (later on). He stays hopeful and optimistic despite what life has brought him and never, for once, he blames his destiny. Mitchell, on the other hand, doesn't charm me enough. I don't feel a strength of his character, except for being "The One".
The power theme seems to be commonly acceptable in the world of the story since Mitchell doesn't really freak out when he realizes that he is "connected" with Sammi. I guess it helps me as well, to accept the instant love theme.
The ending wraps up a bit quickly (and pretty easy, I'd say), but again, Sammi wins me enough to stop me from complaining.
Mitchell's friend, Brian, is next. So yay ...
maybe
September 17, 2018Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Bonds-Com...
July 10, 2010
OK, This book was a little weird. Sammi is on the run from Donovan. That's when he meets Mitchell. Him and Mitchell turn out to be Soul Mates and they bond instantly. Then it is up to them together to keep Sammi safe from Donovan. Which is no easy task because Donovan has his hired muscle out in droves to bring back Sammi.
I think the problem I had is that this book was all over the place. Sammi's "gift" and the reading of emotions and the bonding all seemed like we were going to a paranormal romance place. But then there was the all the really flowery and coded language ("his backdoor" or "his rose" "steel rod"... really )only that flowery language was peppered with the i(n my mind) more normal words (F*ck, C*ck, hole). And the sex was pretty basic. Until it turned into something not so basic. But that was shoved in at the end in the last 4 pages, so it made it seem really out of place. I mean if it was something that had been talked about or at least hinted at during the story, but.. it wasn't. Then you add to that the fact that there are 5 sex scenes in the first 30 pages, and then nothing until the totally different and out of sync one at the end.
Add all that to the fact that there are some stories that fell incomplete-- Brian, Mitchell's best friend, was in love previously with Mitchell's now deceased partner, Sammi's really identity, Moretti, Donovan's main guy had 2 rather long scenes where it was clear that he was a total homophobe on top of being a really awful person, but the fact that we spent so long with him made it seem like he was going to become some sort of important character. I can only assume some of that will come up in the next book because it is about Brian.
All in all, I liked Sammi, although I felt he was a little too... something. He was off somehow. Like I kept thinking he was going to sprout wings or turn into a demon or an alien... there was just something that felt not quite normal human about him. And Mitchell was just underdeveloped in general.
Sigh... I really wanted to like this book and I almost did, just not quite. But I'm committed and I'm going to read all 3 books eventually... just maybe not right away.
I think the problem I had is that this book was all over the place. Sammi's "gift" and the reading of emotions and the bonding all seemed like we were going to a paranormal romance place. But then there was the all the really flowery and coded language ("his backdoor" or "his rose" "steel rod"... really )only that flowery language was peppered with the i(n my mind) more normal words (F*ck, C*ck, hole). And the sex was pretty basic. Until it turned into something not so basic. But that was shoved in at the end in the last 4 pages, so it made it seem really out of place. I mean if it was something that had been talked about or at least hinted at during the story, but.. it wasn't. Then you add to that the fact that there are 5 sex scenes in the first 30 pages, and then nothing until the totally different and out of sync one at the end.
Add all that to the fact that there are some stories that fell incomplete-- Brian, Mitchell's best friend, was in love previously with Mitchell's now deceased partner, Sammi's really identity, Moretti, Donovan's main guy had 2 rather long scenes where it was clear that he was a total homophobe on top of being a really awful person, but the fact that we spent so long with him made it seem like he was going to become some sort of important character. I can only assume some of that will come up in the next book because it is about Brian.
All in all, I liked Sammi, although I felt he was a little too... something. He was off somehow. Like I kept thinking he was going to sprout wings or turn into a demon or an alien... there was just something that felt not quite normal human about him. And Mitchell was just underdeveloped in general.
Sigh... I really wanted to like this book and I almost did, just not quite. But I'm committed and I'm going to read all 3 books eventually... just maybe not right away.
November 3, 2012
Sweet story but very little depth
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- Sweet story of a guy who’s been abused finally finding a gentle, compassionate lover who treats him with respect.
- Mitchell’s best friend, Brian, is devoted and considerate. He’s one of my favorite parts of the book, actually, and I look forward to reading about his own romance in Rush in the Dark.
- There’s a stark, blunt scene that takes place in a free clinic and involves some personal questions from a social worker that I thought was very well done. Realistic and remote and heartrending.
CONS:
- Everything happens too quickly. This includes not just that the two main characters acknowledge their love for each other just hours after they met, but also that key dramatic scenes all through the book breeze by with just a touch of the suspense they could have had if they had been expanded upon. The plot is interesting and fairly suspenseful, but I wanted the book to have about 50 more pages of description dispersed throughout to give it some depth. We don’t even get to see the characters kiss or make love when Mitchell comes to Sammi’s rescue after their separation; the story skips forward by a week.
- For the majority of the story, the characters are apart. This separation is, of course, what leads to the angst that is so common in m/m stories (and this story has got the angst, full-blown). But I found the book a little hard to wade through because for the bulk of the story, both characters are hopeless and miserable.
- Some clumsy POV mistakes. In one chapter told from Mitchell’s perspective, for example, the text uses the name of one of the bad guys before Mitchell knows the guy’s name. Until he hears one of the other characters identify the guy, Mitchell ought to be thinking of the villain as “the big guy” or “the gorilla” or whatever.
Overall comments: This is a pleasant enough read with endearing characters and a healthy dose of emotional duress. If you’re looking for something with an in-depth plot or with a lot of detailed sex scenes, you might be disappointed by this one: the prose is sparse and the characters are apart too much for there to be a lot of sex in the book.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 5/10
PROS:
- Sweet story of a guy who’s been abused finally finding a gentle, compassionate lover who treats him with respect.
- Mitchell’s best friend, Brian, is devoted and considerate. He’s one of my favorite parts of the book, actually, and I look forward to reading about his own romance in Rush in the Dark.
- There’s a stark, blunt scene that takes place in a free clinic and involves some personal questions from a social worker that I thought was very well done. Realistic and remote and heartrending.
CONS:
- Everything happens too quickly. This includes not just that the two main characters acknowledge their love for each other just hours after they met, but also that key dramatic scenes all through the book breeze by with just a touch of the suspense they could have had if they had been expanded upon. The plot is interesting and fairly suspenseful, but I wanted the book to have about 50 more pages of description dispersed throughout to give it some depth. We don’t even get to see the characters kiss or make love when Mitchell comes to Sammi’s rescue after their separation; the story skips forward by a week.
- For the majority of the story, the characters are apart. This separation is, of course, what leads to the angst that is so common in m/m stories (and this story has got the angst, full-blown). But I found the book a little hard to wade through because for the bulk of the story, both characters are hopeless and miserable.
- Some clumsy POV mistakes. In one chapter told from Mitchell’s perspective, for example, the text uses the name of one of the bad guys before Mitchell knows the guy’s name. Until he hears one of the other characters identify the guy, Mitchell ought to be thinking of the villain as “the big guy” or “the gorilla” or whatever.
Overall comments: This is a pleasant enough read with endearing characters and a healthy dose of emotional duress. If you’re looking for something with an in-depth plot or with a lot of detailed sex scenes, you might be disappointed by this one: the prose is sparse and the characters are apart too much for there to be a lot of sex in the book.
September 9, 2013
Worst case of instant love I have come across yet plus too much sex. I know these guys are "bonded" but still. They also don't get a real chance to get to know each other in the book since they are apart most of the time.
Sammi is OK but Mitchell makes some pretty idiotic decisions there. I cant believe I find myself saying Edward Unconditionally is better. Yikes!
Sammi is OK but Mitchell makes some pretty idiotic decisions there. I cant believe I find myself saying Edward Unconditionally is better. Yikes!
June 2, 2011
I enjoyed the story. Sammi is sweet, which is odd considering what he's been through. At times he makes some decisions that make me want to smack him, but since he's been a sex slave for the last several years and not used to making his own decisions, I suppose that's par for the course. I really liked Mitchell. His acceptance of Sammi and drive to keep him by his side was heart-warming. May we all find someone as devoted as he. I plan to look at the rest of the series.
April 30, 2019
So.....😒
There really wasn’t much to this story nor really explanations of what’s going on between the two MCs. Of course, when a few the the ‘huh?’ moments are explained, it felt like it was in the wrong sequence if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Yeah, so this is a nope for me. Sounded like it could have been so much more, but sadly no 😔.
There really wasn’t much to this story nor really explanations of what’s going on between the two MCs. Of course, when a few the the ‘huh?’ moments are explained, it felt like it was in the wrong sequence if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Yeah, so this is a nope for me. Sounded like it could have been so much more, but sadly no 😔.
May 10, 2014
I would've liked this one more, but everything felt rushed to me. I like insta-love stories and understand the whole mate thing, but it felt odd to me that Mitchell, who had no clue about such things, was so accepting so quickly. A few pages in and he's saying, "I love you?" Even the relationship with Oscar felt rushed. After two days of employment he's offering to promote him from dishwasher to chef and saying he's the best employee he's ever had? 2.5 hurry-it-right-along stars
March 5, 2010
Another one that went back and forth for me. In the end, it was just too heavy on the paranormal (unlike the third in the series) and the overused reference "backdoor" just bothered me. However, the characters are fantastic and lovable, the storyline wasn't great, but good, and certainly kept me reading until the end. Happily, I might add.
January 9, 2015
The short review: this is one of the worst books I have ever read.
The long review can be found on my blog: here.
The long review can be found on my blog: here.
April 29, 2015
Insta love but good insta love. I like the paranormal touch. Cool.
February 19, 2018
3 heart review for Love Bytes Reviews
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
Oh I forgot there is a paranormal aspect to this book! Huh, must be the “powers” in Common Powers, duh! I read three of the books in this series several years ago, but I didn’t remember much about this one. I saw there was a new one released in December and decided it was time for a re-read.
This story is about Sammi and Mitchell, who find they have an emotional/psychic bond. Sammi is on the run from his abusive lover, and looking for a safe place to stay. He knows he has this ability, and uses it to find a man who can help him in a dark and crowded bar. Mitchell is in the bar to find a fuck and nothing more. He is immediately attracted to the young man who approaches him, and is shocked to feel strong emotions for him. He takes him home to fuck, and the bond between them is cemented. As the story progresses, we find out that Sammi is a sex slave, owned by a man named Donovan, about to be sold to a buyer in Italy. Mitchell is the safe harbor that he desperately needs. Sammi is also the beautiful lover that Mitchell needs. But he is trouble….
Mitchell makes some surprising bad mistakes, and does some stupid shit. I have to admit to the occasional eye-roll, questioning Mitchell’s bad decision-making skills, but overall I was able to just suspend reality and get in to the story. I liked Mitchell mostly, he is the strong stable adult that Sammi needs. Sammi is just a sweetie, so desperate for love and stability. He has no family, no education, and no hope for a future until Mitchell comes along. Mitchell and his best friend Brian help get him out of his bad life and in to a better one.
I used to read lots of books by this author, then somehow she fell off of my radar. Not for any reason, I just lost track of her. I remember having a nice chat with her in Chicago at GRL, and I need to catch up with her books! She’s a solid writer, her books are always enjoyable, and her sex scenes are smoking hot. Yes, the plot is kinda over the top at times, the bad guy is REALLY bad, and Mitchell does some goofy shit, but it all still works.
If you are looking for a short story with insta-love, some great characters, yummy sex, and a little sneaky bit of paranormal-ness, give this one a try.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
Oh I forgot there is a paranormal aspect to this book! Huh, must be the “powers” in Common Powers, duh! I read three of the books in this series several years ago, but I didn’t remember much about this one. I saw there was a new one released in December and decided it was time for a re-read.
This story is about Sammi and Mitchell, who find they have an emotional/psychic bond. Sammi is on the run from his abusive lover, and looking for a safe place to stay. He knows he has this ability, and uses it to find a man who can help him in a dark and crowded bar. Mitchell is in the bar to find a fuck and nothing more. He is immediately attracted to the young man who approaches him, and is shocked to feel strong emotions for him. He takes him home to fuck, and the bond between them is cemented. As the story progresses, we find out that Sammi is a sex slave, owned by a man named Donovan, about to be sold to a buyer in Italy. Mitchell is the safe harbor that he desperately needs. Sammi is also the beautiful lover that Mitchell needs. But he is trouble….
Mitchell makes some surprising bad mistakes, and does some stupid shit. I have to admit to the occasional eye-roll, questioning Mitchell’s bad decision-making skills, but overall I was able to just suspend reality and get in to the story. I liked Mitchell mostly, he is the strong stable adult that Sammi needs. Sammi is just a sweetie, so desperate for love and stability. He has no family, no education, and no hope for a future until Mitchell comes along. Mitchell and his best friend Brian help get him out of his bad life and in to a better one.
I used to read lots of books by this author, then somehow she fell off of my radar. Not for any reason, I just lost track of her. I remember having a nice chat with her in Chicago at GRL, and I need to catch up with her books! She’s a solid writer, her books are always enjoyable, and her sex scenes are smoking hot. Yes, the plot is kinda over the top at times, the bad guy is REALLY bad, and Mitchell does some goofy shit, but it all still works.
If you are looking for a short story with insta-love, some great characters, yummy sex, and a little sneaky bit of paranormal-ness, give this one a try.
September 18, 2018
This is going to be hard to review.
There are four sex scenes before the story gets started so I thought I was reading smut, Porn Without Plot which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but not what I thought this book was. There is immediate insta-love due to the Soul Bond which I’m actually used to being a fan of shifter stories but it didn’t actually work for me here because we have no character development and it’s from the MC that has no idea about the Soul Bond.
There are several hard eye rolls due to the MC’s being stupid. Seriously, they can read each other’s mind & feel the others emotions but seem to forget that. Sammie knows about his power & has used it for years but doesn’t use it when he should.
The author should have at least spoken with a cop about procedures before including police in her story.
Once the story got going and the plot came into focus I did begin to enjoy the story until I got to this little nugget; Sammi’s cock hardened beyond aching. Mitchell had submitted to him. Sammi was the dominant and he loved the way it made him feel. The power of it flooded him. This was what it felt like to take another man, to make him submit to you, to make him beg you to fuck him. What? The? Fuck?
So, rating this isn’t easy because I was able to get past the TSTL and enjoy Sammi even if Mitchell is useless. Brian, Mitchell’s best friend and a Private Investigator is a far more interesting character and I might be interested in his story.
So, 2.5 stars with a Meh? If you picked it up for free go ahead and read it.
There are four sex scenes before the story gets started so I thought I was reading smut, Porn Without Plot which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but not what I thought this book was. There is immediate insta-love due to the Soul Bond which I’m actually used to being a fan of shifter stories but it didn’t actually work for me here because we have no character development and it’s from the MC that has no idea about the Soul Bond.
There are several hard eye rolls due to the MC’s being stupid. Seriously, they can read each other’s mind & feel the others emotions but seem to forget that. Sammie knows about his power & has used it for years but doesn’t use it when he should.
The author should have at least spoken with a cop about procedures before including police in her story.
Once the story got going and the plot came into focus I did begin to enjoy the story until I got to this little nugget; Sammi’s cock hardened beyond aching. Mitchell had submitted to him. Sammi was the dominant and he loved the way it made him feel. The power of it flooded him. This was what it felt like to take another man, to make him submit to you, to make him beg you to fuck him. What? The? Fuck?
So, rating this isn’t easy because I was able to get past the TSTL and enjoy Sammi even if Mitchell is useless. Brian, Mitchell’s best friend and a Private Investigator is a far more interesting character and I might be interested in his story.
So, 2.5 stars with a Meh? If you picked it up for free go ahead and read it.
March 10, 2017
My G-d, no! No, no, no, no!! This has NOTHING to do with any of the insta-love and everything to do with, well, everything else; the writing, the editing, the pacing, the dialogue, everything!! Just NO!!
August 15, 2017
****This book has been updated and revised since my initial reading of it several years ago. Some critiques mentioned in this review may no longer apply.*****
*** 3 stars***
Lynn Lorenz is one of my favorite go to authors when I’m in the mood for an off the beaten path romance with a little extra. I became hooked on her stories the minute I read The Mercenary’s Tale and proceeded to devour the remaining four books in that remarkable series. If you haven’t read a Lynn Lorenz book yet, you are seriously missing out.
You know when you hit that state of ennui and can’t shake it off? I hate when that happens and the quickest way to kind of shake it off is to revisit past stories that have delighted me in the past. One of my early MM reads happens to be Soul Bonds ( Uncommon Powers 1) . Not to get off topic but, I’ve read the entire series and enjoyed it, my personal favorite being book 3 Edward Unconditionally. But Edward has been read a few times already and so I decided to give Edward a break and revisit Sammie and Mitchell for awhile.
Looking back there are a couple of flaws in the story but the connection between Sammie and Mitchell made it easy for me to over look them. Some people understandably, couldn’t and if you turn out to be one of them please don’t let it stop you from reading the other titles in the series because it really does get better. Anyway, Sammi has had a difficult life. He was raised in the foster care system until falling in the hands of Donovan, a brutal man who uses Sammi as a sex slave and makes quite a healthy profit off Sammi. Anything, including life on the streets of Houston, is preferable to being Donovan’s sex slave and so Sammi makes his escape with Donovan’s men in hot pursuit. Homeless, penniless and hopeless, Sammi, makes his way to a gay bar with the intention of finding someone to go home with for the night but there’s more to it than that. Sammi also has the power to read people and upon laying eyes on Mitch he knows without a doubt that Mitch is meant to be his Soul Bond.
About those flaws…
-So yeah, the book is a bit fast paced but tend to veer off to a few dead ends.
-It’s loaded with sex within the first 60 pages (full of “rosebuds” “starfish” and the like) which is off putting but again, I overlooked all that at the time and I do so now because this book is part of my newbie mm journey and no matter how flawed it is now, (reading it with experienced eyes), I can’t flay a book that played a part in me falling in love with mm.
-There’s a lot of angst and sadness due to Mitchell and Sammi spending a significant portion of the story apart.
You’ll come across interesting supporting characters like Brian and fall in love with him which is a good and bad thing. It’s a good thing because Brian is an awesome character that made reading this story so much fun the down side is that Sammi, Brian and even Donovan are fleshed out better than our second MC Mitch, which is sad since this is “his” journey as well.
Despite these flaws, Soul Bonds was a great book to revisit and I appreciate it for the simple fact that Lynn Lorenz, wrote an engaging story that made my reality melt away as I got lost in Sammi and Mitch's world, which is what I was in need of in first place. Re reading this story really emphasizes just how much her writing has grown since she penned this book almost 10 years ago. Trust me when I say she’s an incredible writer so don’t dismiss her even if you choose to skip this particular book.
January 20, 2017
Soul Bonds begins with Sammi on the run from Donovan, and that’s when Sammi heads towards a bar where he hopes to find someone who will hide him until he figures out what to do. Instead, what he finds is Mitchell, a man who’d lost someone and has never quite recovered from it, but upon meeting Sammi, he instantly starts to feel something again. Mitchell turns out to be Sammi’s soul mate, and not only can Sammi read Mitchell’s thoughts but Mitchell can read Sammi’s also. Not to mention, their attraction to each other is phenomenal, and they spend a couple of days getting to know each other quite well. It takes a chapter or two before that action ends and another type begins, starting with Mitchell being busted by his boss while doing something naughty. Talk about an embarrassing moment!
And, it isn’t long before Donovan makes an appearance. This guy is a total douche. He runs a high-end sex slave ring, and when Sammi escaped from his clutches, Donovan became frantic about losing his biggest sale. He’s leaving no stone unturned while looking for his prize. In a sense, this is where my angsy moments started because there’s no way I wanted Sammi, this sweet young man who’s survived some brutal moments in his young life, to be returned to this sleaze bag. So, as the tension mounts, it’s Mitchell, with the help of his friend Brian, who proves to be the hero of the story by not giving up on his soul mate.
Soul Bonds is book one in the re-released Common Bonds series, which I read some time ago. While it wasn’t my favorite in the series, it doesn’t hurt to read the books in order, to follow the events in the subsequent stories. Another thing is that I didn’t notice much of a change in the storyline, except that some parts seemed more fleshed out and there were fewer editing mistakes. I’m just glad to see this series has come back. Oh, and I do love the new cover.
Reviewed by Kim for The Novel Approach Reviews
And, it isn’t long before Donovan makes an appearance. This guy is a total douche. He runs a high-end sex slave ring, and when Sammi escaped from his clutches, Donovan became frantic about losing his biggest sale. He’s leaving no stone unturned while looking for his prize. In a sense, this is where my angsy moments started because there’s no way I wanted Sammi, this sweet young man who’s survived some brutal moments in his young life, to be returned to this sleaze bag. So, as the tension mounts, it’s Mitchell, with the help of his friend Brian, who proves to be the hero of the story by not giving up on his soul mate.
Soul Bonds is book one in the re-released Common Bonds series, which I read some time ago. While it wasn’t my favorite in the series, it doesn’t hurt to read the books in order, to follow the events in the subsequent stories. Another thing is that I didn’t notice much of a change in the storyline, except that some parts seemed more fleshed out and there were fewer editing mistakes. I’m just glad to see this series has come back. Oh, and I do love the new cover.
Reviewed by Kim for The Novel Approach Reviews
May 21, 2010
Sammi is another one of those boy-man protags I can but help falling for. Vulnerable, optimistic, cheery, fearful...that kind of mix that makes me go all protective.
I've had Soul Bonds since it came out in June 2008. After reading all the reviews and comments, I bought the 2nd and 3rd book. I'm not sure what took me so long to get to reading them but I think it's my reading phases. At the time I bought the books, I was 100% not into paranormals of ANY kind and I'd seen there were paranormal elements in the series.
While I still dislike paranormals, I found Sammi's ability to read Mitchell's mind did not spoil the story for me. I admit I was still skeptical that such a situation could ever work in RL and I still am but I guess I'm that reading phase where a bit of mind-reading won't spoil it for me. Thankfully, this wasn't overwhelming in Soul Bonds and the focus remained on normal, day-to-day stuff between Sammi and Mitchell.
Sammi's personality made him the more prominent character in this installment. First coupling occurs quick and easy after Sammi picks Mitchell up in a gay bar, zeroing on him through his 'soul-mate radar'. I'm not too clear about this but it sounded like Sammi would know a man is his soul-mate if he can read his mind. Whatever the case, he knows Mitchell is The One.
There's suspense later as Sammi's life-before-Mitchell catches up with him and while this is wrapped up quickly, it was sufficient, together with Sammi's likeable personality and the sweet romance, to make it a 4.5/5 star book for me.
Brian's (Mitchell's best friend) book is next.
I've had Soul Bonds since it came out in June 2008. After reading all the reviews and comments, I bought the 2nd and 3rd book. I'm not sure what took me so long to get to reading them but I think it's my reading phases. At the time I bought the books, I was 100% not into paranormals of ANY kind and I'd seen there were paranormal elements in the series.
While I still dislike paranormals, I found Sammi's ability to read Mitchell's mind did not spoil the story for me. I admit I was still skeptical that such a situation could ever work in RL and I still am but I guess I'm that reading phase where a bit of mind-reading won't spoil it for me. Thankfully, this wasn't overwhelming in Soul Bonds and the focus remained on normal, day-to-day stuff between Sammi and Mitchell.
Sammi's personality made him the more prominent character in this installment. First coupling occurs quick and easy after Sammi picks Mitchell up in a gay bar, zeroing on him through his 'soul-mate radar'. I'm not too clear about this but it sounded like Sammi would know a man is his soul-mate if he can read his mind. Whatever the case, he knows Mitchell is The One.
There's suspense later as Sammi's life-before-Mitchell catches up with him and while this is wrapped up quickly, it was sufficient, together with Sammi's likeable personality and the sweet romance, to make it a 4.5/5 star book for me.
Brian's (Mitchell's best friend) book is next.
August 21, 2012
Ohhhh, this book was just too full of dumb things. It's not worth rewriting my notes for, but here's some comments I made while reading the book --
Arrrrrg, another serious case of insta-love. Insta-love with telepathy. I may gag.
Here's a free clue for the MC -- having phone sex in an open cubicle in the middle of a work day is a REALLY STUPID IDEA.
Okay, and now we're getting Vatican City involved in purchasing sex slaves??? I may throw this one across the room in just a minute or two.
Aaaaaaannnnnnnndddddd....the MC's house gets broken into, but he doesn't even think of calling the cops until 24 hours later!
Oh for heaven's sake --
Okay, one good scene near the end -- which I'll spoiler tag just in case anybody actually reads that far --
How did this book end up on Romantic Times' list of mm romance "must haves"???
Arrrrrg, another serious case of insta-love. Insta-love with telepathy. I may gag.
Here's a free clue for the MC -- having phone sex in an open cubicle in the middle of a work day is a REALLY STUPID IDEA.
Okay, and now we're getting Vatican City involved in purchasing sex slaves??? I may throw this one across the room in just a minute or two.
Aaaaaaannnnnnnndddddd....the MC's house gets broken into, but he doesn't even think of calling the cops until 24 hours later!
Oh for heaven's sake --
Okay, one good scene near the end -- which I'll spoiler tag just in case anybody actually reads that far --
How did this book end up on Romantic Times' list of mm romance "must haves"???
March 11, 2022
'Soul Bonds' is book one in the 'Common Powers' series by the incomparable Lynn Lorenz. This is an author whom I greatly enjoy and try to keep reading as much as possible. Granted, I've definitely not been able to get to as many of her backlist as I would like, but I'm still working my way through. When I read the description for this book, my heart went out to Sammi, and that was just from the blurb. I had a pretty good feeling that this would be my type of story. I love it when I'm right.
The story begins with Sammi having just gotten away from Donovan, and vowing he's never going back. He knows living on the streets of Houston is going to be very hard since he has no money and no identity. He heads to a gay bar he knows figuring he can find someone to go home with, at least for the night. Now here the author throws in the tease. Something that was not mentioned anywhere in the description. It would appear that Sammi has a telepathic ability and he's been waiting for the person to have a soul bond with. The one person made just for him. And, Sammi is pretty sure that Mitchell is his. If he and Mitchell bond it will free Sammi from Donovan forever.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
The story begins with Sammi having just gotten away from Donovan, and vowing he's never going back. He knows living on the streets of Houston is going to be very hard since he has no money and no identity. He heads to a gay bar he knows figuring he can find someone to go home with, at least for the night. Now here the author throws in the tease. Something that was not mentioned anywhere in the description. It would appear that Sammi has a telepathic ability and he's been waiting for the person to have a soul bond with. The one person made just for him. And, Sammi is pretty sure that Mitchell is his. If he and Mitchell bond it will free Sammi from Donovan forever.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
February 2, 2016
Seriously, he was beaten in all of his foster homes? Yeah, foster care sucks but there are oodles of good foster parents out there! I have never once hit one of my kids and they've all been foster kids
Good that despite the urgency, Mitchell stopped to find condoms.
This is mostly sex but so far it's good stuff. The phone sex scene was really hot.
25-50 sexual encounters a year seems small for a sex slave. That's less than one a week even at the highest.
Really good depiction of claustrophobia. He held it together better than I would have.
I don't like that Mitchell didn't pick Sammi up and hold him because the cops were there. It's not like he even knew them.
Giving those pics to Sammi was hiding major evidence.
Well that was a BDSM experience I would never have thought of. The whole BDSM thing was kind of out of the blue. There was only one tiny hint earlier.
I don't think Mitchell saying he was Sammi's sex slave would have gone over well.
Excellent story, good peril.
4.5 rounded down because I'm so sick of foster parents being portrayed as evil. I've been a foster parent for over 15 years and almost all the foster parents I've come across, really care about or love their foster kids.
Good that despite the urgency, Mitchell stopped to find condoms.
This is mostly sex but so far it's good stuff. The phone sex scene was really hot.
25-50 sexual encounters a year seems small for a sex slave. That's less than one a week even at the highest.
Really good depiction of claustrophobia. He held it together better than I would have.
I don't like that Mitchell didn't pick Sammi up and hold him because the cops were there. It's not like he even knew them.
Giving those pics to Sammi was hiding major evidence.
Well that was a BDSM experience I would never have thought of. The whole BDSM thing was kind of out of the blue. There was only one tiny hint earlier.
I don't think Mitchell saying he was Sammi's sex slave would have gone over well.
Excellent story, good peril.
4.5 rounded down because I'm so sick of foster parents being portrayed as evil. I've been a foster parent for over 15 years and almost all the foster parents I've come across, really care about or love their foster kids.
Read
January 23, 2023Mixed feelings on this one. Some elements of the story were sweet such as Sammi really wanting to better himself and how both Mitchell and Sammi care so much about each other. But the plot was a bit odd at times with sex slavery, telepathic love and Mitchell, corporate executive behaving in a very non-corporate way
Some of the writing describing orgasms was also over the top but quite funny "They rode the rising crest of a mutual orgasm that promised to open a new world for both of them. With a final surge, the tidal wave broke over them and they shattered on the rocks."and "Together, they gathered the ecstasy building in each of them and blended it into an incredible ball of power, only to pass it back and forth between them."
2.5 stars
Some of the writing describing orgasms was also over the top but quite funny "They rode the rising crest of a mutual orgasm that promised to open a new world for both of them. With a final surge, the tidal wave broke over them and they shattered on the rocks."and "Together, they gathered the ecstasy building in each of them and blended it into an incredible ball of power, only to pass it back and forth between them."
2.5 stars
December 13, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
This book was just ok for me. The blurb grabbed my attention but some of this book was really farfetched. The whole soul mate thing had potential but fizzled out for me. This book had a lot of mumbled up story line and things just didn’t seem to mess. It wasn’t so horrible I couldn’t read it and had to stop, it just wasn’t that great that I am not sure if I will read the next one in the series.
Characters: well written
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: yes
Genre: M/M
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
This book was just ok for me. The blurb grabbed my attention but some of this book was really farfetched. The whole soul mate thing had potential but fizzled out for me. This book had a lot of mumbled up story line and things just didn’t seem to mess. It wasn’t so horrible I couldn’t read it and had to stop, it just wasn’t that great that I am not sure if I will read the next one in the series.
Characters: well written
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: yes
Genre: M/M
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
March 19, 2012
2.5 stars
This was okay. The instant-love thing between Mitchell and Sammi was not handled as well as I would have liked it to be. It was never explained well why it happened, or what the reason was. I'm hoping that, like Sammi and Brian's emotion-reading thing, it might get explained a little better in book 2. But it does frustrate me, even if that's true, that I have to read a 2nd book to make sense of the first.
The only thing that gets this the extra .5 star is Sammi. He totally charmed me and I have found myself thinking about him off and on in the days since I finished this, hoping that in book 2 he and Mitchell are working things out okay and that Mitchell is taking care of Sammi like he needs to be.
This was okay. The instant-love thing between Mitchell and Sammi was not handled as well as I would have liked it to be. It was never explained well why it happened, or what the reason was. I'm hoping that, like Sammi and Brian's emotion-reading thing, it might get explained a little better in book 2. But it does frustrate me, even if that's true, that I have to read a 2nd book to make sense of the first.
The only thing that gets this the extra .5 star is Sammi. He totally charmed me and I have found myself thinking about him off and on in the days since I finished this, hoping that in book 2 he and Mitchell are working things out okay and that Mitchell is taking care of Sammi like he needs to be.
April 1, 2012
Lynn Lorenz’s SOUL BONDS is a thrilling story full of suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. The characters enjoy an instant love attraction that normally annoys me, but in this case it works and I even had an instant attraction to Sammi and Mitchell.
I enjoyed the chase, the result of getting help from friends in the community, the HEA, and most especially what happens to the villain. Sammi is sweet, Mitchell is kind if a bit foolish, and his best friend Brian is steadfast and well-connected. This is a good novella to entertain a reader for an evening and an opening to a series full of promise. I’m looking forward to reading Brian’s story next.
Please see my complete review April 7, 2012: http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
I enjoyed the chase, the result of getting help from friends in the community, the HEA, and most especially what happens to the villain. Sammi is sweet, Mitchell is kind if a bit foolish, and his best friend Brian is steadfast and well-connected. This is a good novella to entertain a reader for an evening and an opening to a series full of promise. I’m looking forward to reading Brian’s story next.
Please see my complete review April 7, 2012: http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
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