Executive Decision

by Alice Archer

Dar loved his career... until he did his job too well.Dar Riley never imagined his expertise as a dry stone waller would lead to a dead-end job he can't escape. He plods through the days with little to look forward to. A stone placed just so. A bath when he gets home.The stranger in the electric blue suit who compliments Dar's work is Pierre Catalan, owner of a multi-planet transportation empire--a polished, powerful man Dar considers way out of his league.When bad news blindsides Pierre, he lowers his guard, and Dar steps in with an executive decision of his own. Attraction intensifies a clash of wills into the possibility of something more--but without answers for impossible situations, love will die off-world before it can begin.Executive Decision is a speculative fiction romance set in an alternate reality, a standalone short story with an HEA.The original version of this story was published in 2015 by Dreamspinner Press in an anthology.

Genres: M M Romance, Science Fiction

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2015

About the author

Alice Archer has lots of questions. Scheming to put fictional characters through the muck so they can get to a better place helps her find answers.

She shares her stories with the hope that others might find some healing too. Alice has messed about with words professionally for many years as an editor and writing coach.

She also travels a bunch. Her home base is Eugene, Oregon.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Loved the premise of this sci-fi freebie

Both Dar and Pierre are stuck in stasis, trapped by circumstance as well as of their own making. However, they somehow connect after a personal tragedy, and in such a short time, Archer lends a common trope of opposites attract with an alternate universe vibe just to make it that more interesting.

Emotional with some sexy, these men quickly discover a way out of their confining lives but only if they can do it together.

I liked it. I only wish it were longer.

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t say I really know what happened in this book. A guy repetitively builds the same stone wall for three years. A different guy makes a lot of phone calls. Suddenly they are horny, and then they own a company together. ???

[Darlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the reviews, I feel like I read a whole different book. Maybe because I got it through Book Funnel Free. So, here's the thing...I had no reference to what the story was about from the beginning. No back page, no introduction, no prologue to introduce me as to what the story was about.

So, I'm left with a beginning that I had no idea who was Dar was or why he was working on a stone wall, nor did I have any idea that it was in the future. I learned as I read, but was still trying to get into the book when Dar meets a stranger/an Executive, Pierre. It wasn't until Dar and Pierre started to explain some things and learned that it was an inter-planetary.

So, for me, I felt it could have been a good story if I had some background information. I wasn't sure if I was on earth or somewhere else. Like it would have been nice to have some background into who Pierre was, his business, and what the gadget was that he had to use for reports/work, to help introduce me to what the story was possible about.

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately fell in love with this story from the otherworldly feel of the first few words. The opening very much reminded me of Margaret Atwood’s best sci-fi/fantasy works. You know we’re in a world that’s much like ours, but also totally different, and that’s not even the thing that instantly captures the reader’s attention—it’s the character we’re presented with right off the bat. He’s mysterious, suffering, and super, super sexy. This is why Atwood kept coming to mind as I read on into this story, because Archer pulls off that same sophisticated trick of drawing you in closer with beautiful details about this alternate time/place, while simultaneously peeling back the intriguing layers of the character you now are determined to get to know better.

I don’t give spoilers in my reviews, so I won’t give a plot summary, but suffice to say that this mysterious sexy man we meet in the first few paragraphs soon meets another man, someone who is equally as captivating, and also suffering in his own way. The chemistry between these two is off the charts—and that’s another thing I adore about the greatest of romance novels, sizzling chemistry. I can’t be satisfied with mere good looks or conventionally “hot” traits that authors usually use to convey the appeal of characters. I need characters to be psychologically interesting and to have a rich, multi-layered connection with each other to relish the eroticism of their relationship. Alice Archer literally NEVER fails to deliver on this. It’s always intense, and always amazing.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves M/M romance, speculative fiction, fantasy, and/or extremely well-written literary fiction.

[Sascia Weyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, I loved that booklet. It is a short read, but not less fascinating.
Taking place in a different kind of world, well, actually it is this earth but another time with travel over all the solar system. Having to meet two men of a very different background. Obviously one in the weak position as the other is in a superior one. Anyhow, the roles change, and it is the calm but determined low position worker to wake up the hard working boss to find pleasure and relaxation. Very tasty to follow them!
It is not a sugar sweet story, but somehow both: subtile AND direct, if you can imagine that mix.
Very well written, my first read of that author but definitely not the last. I indulged so much in the writing style and the story, that I want to give a 5 star for it, but anyhow I am desiring more of that love story! I wished there is a follow up book after that!
I received this book for free but leave a review freely and voluntarily because I really enjoyed reading it.

[DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This short story just didn’t grab me in any way. It’s hard to tell what’s really going on and by the abrupt end, we’re left with a lot of unfinished business. Dar and Pierre are unknown characters we follow through the story. Even by the end, I couldn’t tell you anything about them; who they are, where they’re from, age, appearance, etc. And as for world building, there’s none. We just have to figure things out on our own. I think the bones are there for a better story if it is reworked and expanded. As it is now, it just doesn’t work.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway. This short story packed a powerful punch. Two men who come from from different backgrounds find themselves at a crossroad. Had they not met at that exact moment in time they would have continued down separate paths but fate pushed them together. I loved the unique plot and strong character development. This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author and I look forward to reading more.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dar is in a contract of pure despair for him,  he loves his work only not the same year after year the only perk was the gorgeous guy he can watch never dreaming to make even a dent of an impression on the man. Only once Pierre meets the wallbuilder, he never knew just how much the man would come to mean to him. I just loved Dar's take charge attitude while dealing with the attraction they have brewing. Great sweet and spicy read.

[Xochitl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway so I decided to read it because I was curious about this author after reading just other one of her books. She present us an unusual love story written in an interesting fluid way that allowed me to follow the plot up and enjoyed it in one sitting. The story is witty and straightforward and I love the conclusion! Wonderful short story!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Requires you to read closely with attention (not a common requirement in the Romance genre). World-building and character backstories will not be spoon-fed to you in chapter after chapter of inner-monologues. And I for one am happy for the change. A little confusing but the ending left a huge smile on my face!

[Fancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

spectacular style and premise. caught me unawares and I adored it.