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Breathless
This is a 24k-word SHORT STORY which features lgbt+ themes (male-male romance) and a relationship between three people. Anatomy of two of these characters is VERY inhuman, and that anatomy is sometimes used in different ways than humans use their anatomy.
If that's the sort of thing you like reading, then you're in the right place!! ♥
◆◆◆
The Kholorua.
On Earth, we call them the Skyscrapers, or Whalemen. Giant, hundred-foot tall creatures that are generally docile but have a nasty habit of taking people home as souvenirs.
I became a whaleman souvenir about, eh, four years ago? Honestly, it's a great life. We're like their exotic pets--we’re given fresh, healthy food every day. Hell, our sanctuary is so large it takes almost a full day to walk end-to-end. There's seventy other humans, so apparently our whaleman thinks we're the cutest dog breed at the pet store, so to speak. Though the folks he's kidnapped are kind of backwater, and find it offensive that I'm a gay man unwilling to procreate with their women, so...I tend to keep to myself.
And then the whaleman dropped a Væliāḷu into the big pond in our enclosure and...did I mean to fall in love with him? No, I was just sunbathing naked when he popped his head out of the water and catcalled me. But after spending months and months with this amphibious Væli merman, I mean...he's charming, and impossibly hard to resist.
After almost a year blissfully alone together, neither of us expected another Væliāḷu to be brought in. Certainly not a female this time. Certainly not a female who will slowly start to die if she doesn't get pregnant soon...
We'd just started to get so close to one another, and her showing up throws my heart for a real loop, but damn it all--she's fucking adorable, guys, and I can't just let her die because I want to keep my sex life going.
I expected to be able to walk away from this, let those two play at lovebird, but...apparently, neither of them will let me.
And I think I'm in for a wild, wonderful time.
If that's the sort of thing you like reading, then you're in the right place!! ♥
◆◆◆
The Kholorua.
On Earth, we call them the Skyscrapers, or Whalemen. Giant, hundred-foot tall creatures that are generally docile but have a nasty habit of taking people home as souvenirs.
I became a whaleman souvenir about, eh, four years ago? Honestly, it's a great life. We're like their exotic pets--we’re given fresh, healthy food every day. Hell, our sanctuary is so large it takes almost a full day to walk end-to-end. There's seventy other humans, so apparently our whaleman thinks we're the cutest dog breed at the pet store, so to speak. Though the folks he's kidnapped are kind of backwater, and find it offensive that I'm a gay man unwilling to procreate with their women, so...I tend to keep to myself.
And then the whaleman dropped a Væliāḷu into the big pond in our enclosure and...did I mean to fall in love with him? No, I was just sunbathing naked when he popped his head out of the water and catcalled me. But after spending months and months with this amphibious Væli merman, I mean...he's charming, and impossibly hard to resist.
After almost a year blissfully alone together, neither of us expected another Væliāḷu to be brought in. Certainly not a female this time. Certainly not a female who will slowly start to die if she doesn't get pregnant soon...
We'd just started to get so close to one another, and her showing up throws my heart for a real loop, but damn it all--she's fucking adorable, guys, and I can't just let her die because I want to keep my sex life going.
I expected to be able to walk away from this, let those two play at lovebird, but...apparently, neither of them will let me.
And I think I'm in for a wild, wonderful time.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2021
About the author
Heather Relken
7 books111 followersI've been writing since 7th grade and have always had a love for all things fantasy! My grandpa introduced me to Zelda and Lord of the Rings, and from there my interests just expanded! I developed a love for culture and anthropology, for linguistics and biology, and slowly I've managed to puzzle piece together that perfect blend of interests into something I believe makes my writing unique, vivid, and out of this world!
That's the goal, at least ;]
I love my writing most when I'm able to showcase the coming together of two separate cultures and how those cultures would clash and interact. I love showing language barriers, subverting expectations, and toying with social taboo. Sometimes I use these in a strictly fantasy setting, but my truest passion is when I'm able to let loose and really flex my worldbuilding in the science-fiction universe instead! I never seem to get away from the romance genre, though, because I feel like the world could always use a little more love <3
That's the goal, at least ;]
I love my writing most when I'm able to showcase the coming together of two separate cultures and how those cultures would clash and interact. I love showing language barriers, subverting expectations, and toying with social taboo. Sometimes I use these in a strictly fantasy setting, but my truest passion is when I'm able to let loose and really flex my worldbuilding in the science-fiction universe instead! I never seem to get away from the romance genre, though, because I feel like the world could always use a little more love <3
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 9, 2021
Wow great short. LGBT+ and very well done.
September 5, 2021
So cute
I wish this book was like 5x longer, though. I NEED MORE!!! I loved it, though. Ten out of ten.
I wish this book was like 5x longer, though. I NEED MORE!!! I loved it, though. Ten out of ten.
September 10, 2021
Heather Relken has a knack for story telling, weather she is writing a novella or a MASSIVE novel. She has a way at captivating your attention and wanting more in all the right ways. For Heather, I know, writing something on this small of a scale was a challenge, but she pulled it off and made me crave more once again.
Her story brings you into a world where you meet a human, named Milo. He was taken by the Kholorua and lives in a sort of world that I can only explain as a fish bowl like place. The Kholorua will peak in sometimes to check on his “pets” and make sure they are taken care of. Milo finds himself alone, even with the other land dwellers around. He stays too himself on the beach where he soon finds his life long mate Vano, a Væliāḷu. They think it will be just the two of them, until a female Væliāḷu gets dropped off at the beach on the verge of death.
The three characters in this book are some of the most wholesome I have seen in awhile. There is no hidden agenda, just upfront and bold-face love between them. It’s quite a change of pace for me than what I normally read. Milo has a nonchalant humor that just had me smiling and feeling good anytime his character was talking. It really played well with Vano, who is very forth-right and the bantering between the two was cute as hell! Then Mri, our female to this trio, is pure and sweet as sugar cane. The three together were effortless and balanced each other well. It gave the book an airy floating type feeling, making you feel as if you were flowing through the book.
This story is perfect if you are looking for something quick and wholesome — with a touch of something naughty. I am a fan of Heather’s work to begin with, and this book (though shorter than her others BY FAR) was still as entertaining as one of her “monster size” books.
Breathless would be a good book to start with, as an appetizer of what you can expect from Heather. She has a unique style of writing and a story telling ability that truly sets her apart from the pack. Relken has an undeniable strength in her male POVs and this book is 90% just that. And her world building in this one is so subtle, you don’t realize it happening. I am truly mesmerized by what her mind comes up with.
I give this book 4.5 stars, but lets round up to 5 since I am confident I will revisit this book again! It has good character build and the world was very well explained, despite the shortness of the book. I do wish there was a bit more from Milo and the turmoil he put himself in mentally over possibly loosing Vano as a mate, but that is me being a greedy story monster and still enjoyed this book as a whole immensely. I would defiantly recommend this book, because if you love a good quickie, this one satisfies.
Her story brings you into a world where you meet a human, named Milo. He was taken by the Kholorua and lives in a sort of world that I can only explain as a fish bowl like place. The Kholorua will peak in sometimes to check on his “pets” and make sure they are taken care of. Milo finds himself alone, even with the other land dwellers around. He stays too himself on the beach where he soon finds his life long mate Vano, a Væliāḷu. They think it will be just the two of them, until a female Væliāḷu gets dropped off at the beach on the verge of death.
The three characters in this book are some of the most wholesome I have seen in awhile. There is no hidden agenda, just upfront and bold-face love between them. It’s quite a change of pace for me than what I normally read. Milo has a nonchalant humor that just had me smiling and feeling good anytime his character was talking. It really played well with Vano, who is very forth-right and the bantering between the two was cute as hell! Then Mri, our female to this trio, is pure and sweet as sugar cane. The three together were effortless and balanced each other well. It gave the book an airy floating type feeling, making you feel as if you were flowing through the book.
This story is perfect if you are looking for something quick and wholesome — with a touch of something naughty. I am a fan of Heather’s work to begin with, and this book (though shorter than her others BY FAR) was still as entertaining as one of her “monster size” books.
Breathless would be a good book to start with, as an appetizer of what you can expect from Heather. She has a unique style of writing and a story telling ability that truly sets her apart from the pack. Relken has an undeniable strength in her male POVs and this book is 90% just that. And her world building in this one is so subtle, you don’t realize it happening. I am truly mesmerized by what her mind comes up with.
I give this book 4.5 stars, but lets round up to 5 since I am confident I will revisit this book again! It has good character build and the world was very well explained, despite the shortness of the book. I do wish there was a bit more from Milo and the turmoil he put himself in mentally over possibly loosing Vano as a mate, but that is me being a greedy story monster and still enjoyed this book as a whole immensely. I would defiantly recommend this book, because if you love a good quickie, this one satisfies.
September 3, 2021
Two’s company but three’s a party in this steamy underwater ménage à trois
This is a short, standalone Sci-Fi Romance novella set somewhere in a not too distant galaxy. It is RH and LGBTQ. There are descriptive scenes of consenting interspecies sexual activity between two males and a female.
I love Heather Relken’s style of writing. She paints pictures with her words and they just draw me in. If steamy, consensual alien interactions are your thing, you will love this.
The galaxy is a vast place, housing the strange and unusual. Amongst the strange and unusual are a race of benevolent beings, more than 100 feet tall who like to collect other species as pets. They are often thought of as mythical beings; stories told to keep children compliant.
Milo, a human male, discovers just how real they are when he finds himself captured and wakes up in a seemingly idyllic beach side paradise. The complete opposite of his former home. Milo’s quiet life in his beachfront dwelling is interrupted by the arrival of Vano, a being who looks very much like the human description of mermaids, or a merman in this case. The two begin a passionate love affair until the arrival of Mri, a female of the same species as Vano, changes their dynamic. Milo has never been attracted to human females but mermaids are a different story. Two may be company but three's a party and all of them want to play.
This is a short, standalone Sci-Fi Romance novella set somewhere in a not too distant galaxy. It is RH and LGBTQ. There are descriptive scenes of consenting interspecies sexual activity between two males and a female.
I love Heather Relken’s style of writing. She paints pictures with her words and they just draw me in. If steamy, consensual alien interactions are your thing, you will love this.
The galaxy is a vast place, housing the strange and unusual. Amongst the strange and unusual are a race of benevolent beings, more than 100 feet tall who like to collect other species as pets. They are often thought of as mythical beings; stories told to keep children compliant.
Milo, a human male, discovers just how real they are when he finds himself captured and wakes up in a seemingly idyllic beach side paradise. The complete opposite of his former home. Milo’s quiet life in his beachfront dwelling is interrupted by the arrival of Vano, a being who looks very much like the human description of mermaids, or a merman in this case. The two begin a passionate love affair until the arrival of Mri, a female of the same species as Vano, changes their dynamic. Milo has never been attracted to human females but mermaids are a different story. Two may be company but three's a party and all of them want to play.
September 3, 2021
It’s too easy to fall in love with this writer
I’m not one who usually enjoys novellas, they are too short for my liking. However, Relken pulls you into the MC’s new world like no one else does. You immediately fall in love with the characters and it is the right amount of sweet and sexy!
I’m not one who usually enjoys novellas, they are too short for my liking. However, Relken pulls you into the MC’s new world like no one else does. You immediately fall in love with the characters and it is the right amount of sweet and sexy!
September 4, 2021
It is a really good book and It is really interesting.
September 4, 2021
Sweet and sexy little story. I loved the worldbuilding, the characters were cute, the sexy bit weird, but hot. It was short, so not much else to say. If you're looking for an unusual and sexy read for one afternoon, I'd recommend checking this out.
I'd love to read more in this universe, not necessarily smut.
I'd love to read more in this universe, not necessarily smut.
September 6, 2021
So lovely!!
This was such a beautiful love story with super erotic love scenes. Having read her work before, this story lives up to her truly lovely way with words!
This was such a beautiful love story with super erotic love scenes. Having read her work before, this story lives up to her truly lovely way with words!
December 15, 2021
I was given an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As in every one of Heather Relkens works the worldbuilding is amazing and the characters well rounded.
All three protagonists are adorably sweet and I love Milo's inner thoughts.
I also like that the whalemen are not portraied as evil, even if it makes you think about how pets might feel at adoption.
If you're looking for a sweet story with a generous side of alien spice this is it!
As in every one of Heather Relkens works the worldbuilding is amazing and the characters well rounded.
All three protagonists are adorably sweet and I love Milo's inner thoughts.
I also like that the whalemen are not portraied as evil, even if it makes you think about how pets might feel at adoption.
If you're looking for a sweet story with a generous side of alien spice this is it!
September 25, 2021
Very short story. If you’re looking to pick this up, you can finish in an hour.
This was a short but sweet with 1 mermaid and 1…merman?
Short but sweet merPEOPLE romance with a human man
No real plot, which is understandable for book this size.
I won’t reread but I will be checking out other books from this new-to-me author.
Safe Romance
MMF
3.5 stars
Happy reading!📚🧜♀️
This was a short but sweet with 1 mermaid and 1…merman?
Short but sweet merPEOPLE romance with a human man
No real plot, which is understandable for book this size.
I won’t reread but I will be checking out other books from this new-to-me author.
Safe Romance
MMF
3.5 stars
Happy reading!📚🧜♀️
September 4, 2021
You can always count on Heather Relken to give you amazing world-building and creative characters! Even in this short story, the amount of detail is incredible (including detailed descriptions of unique alien anatomy and intimate times). Her covers are always beautiful as well. Can't wait for more like this!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews