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Fresh Hell #0.5
Choke
Rush just needs a job. He never expects to gain a whole new life and fall in love.
After suffering a career-ending injury on the football field, Rush has no other choice but to start over. The bills are mounting, and his luck is getting worse by the day. When he interviews for a sportscaster position at a large sports channel in his area, he’s on his last hope. Except the man in charge sees a different path for Rush, and it doesn’t include Rush saying no.
When Alaric overhears Rush getting propositioned in exchange for a leg up at his station, he can’t let the harassment stand. One interview with Rush later, and Alaric sees something in the man he can’t shake. With every encounter afterward, Rush climbs a little deeper beneath his skin. But taking Rush on a holiday getaway is the final nail in the coffin, leaving Alaric unable to keep lying to himself. Rush is the one. Now, he just needs Rush to fall in line.
Choke is the prequel to Charity Parkerson’s Fresh Hell series, where it’s something different every day in the battlefield known as life. These are a combination of sports, bi-awakening, and several other sub genres with interconnecting characters.
After suffering a career-ending injury on the football field, Rush has no other choice but to start over. The bills are mounting, and his luck is getting worse by the day. When he interviews for a sportscaster position at a large sports channel in his area, he’s on his last hope. Except the man in charge sees a different path for Rush, and it doesn’t include Rush saying no.
When Alaric overhears Rush getting propositioned in exchange for a leg up at his station, he can’t let the harassment stand. One interview with Rush later, and Alaric sees something in the man he can’t shake. With every encounter afterward, Rush climbs a little deeper beneath his skin. But taking Rush on a holiday getaway is the final nail in the coffin, leaving Alaric unable to keep lying to himself. Rush is the one. Now, he just needs Rush to fall in line.
Choke is the prequel to Charity Parkerson’s Fresh Hell series, where it’s something different every day in the battlefield known as life. These are a combination of sports, bi-awakening, and several other sub genres with interconnecting characters.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2023
93 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Charity Parkerson
316 books1,427 followersCharity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 4, 2023
Yaawn. Not really bad, but not quite right either.
It's just the prelude to a series, so I didn't expect a big elaborated story. But a little more depth would have been helpful, I couldn't connect with the characters at all.
It doesn't really build up an appetite for the actual series either, even though I found Omri's introduction in this book interesting. But book one of the series doesn't have a lot more pages, so I'm just speculating that it will lack depth for me here as well. 🥴🤷🏼♀️
It's just the prelude to a series, so I didn't expect a big elaborated story. But a little more depth would have been helpful, I couldn't connect with the characters at all.
It doesn't really build up an appetite for the actual series either, even though I found Omri's introduction in this book interesting. But book one of the series doesn't have a lot more pages, so I'm just speculating that it will lack depth for me here as well. 🥴🤷🏼♀️
March 17, 2023
Oh so good
Alaric and Rush were just as same as they were different. Both were hurt from a sports injury but grew up so differently, one in a religious abusive family and the other one a single mother. Alaric had to have control of everything even love but once he met Rush all that changed.
Alaric and Rush were just as same as they were different. Both were hurt from a sports injury but grew up so differently, one in a religious abusive family and the other one a single mother. Alaric had to have control of everything even love but once he met Rush all that changed.
May 2, 2024
Rush and Alaric
This was okay. I had such a hard time connecting with Alaric. He was so mercurial. Rush was like a little golden retriever just waiting for Alaric’s approval.
Alaric has this great need for control. And when Rush is temping him and Alaric won’t do anything about it, Rush goes to leave. Alaric gets mad at Rush and calls him a coward. Sir. You are the one who wants total control but you get upset when Rush won’t take it? Make up your mind. That made me so mad.
In the end, Alaric does come around some and was a better man for it. I know this is just a prequel to the series, but I wish it had been a little longer.
This was okay. I had such a hard time connecting with Alaric. He was so mercurial. Rush was like a little golden retriever just waiting for Alaric’s approval.
Alaric has this great need for control. And when Rush is temping him and Alaric won’t do anything about it, Rush goes to leave. Alaric gets mad at Rush and calls him a coward. Sir. You are the one who wants total control but you get upset when Rush won’t take it? Make up your mind. That made me so mad.
In the end, Alaric does come around some and was a better man for it. I know this is just a prequel to the series, but I wish it had been a little longer.
April 28, 2023
3.50 stars (**Minor spoilers**)
A novella about an emotionally hardened older man, Alaric, and a man who desperately need a job, Rush.
While interviewing for a job with his company, Alaric overhears Rush being sexually harassed by one of his employees. Furious, he personally takes Rush under his wing and offers him a job as the host of an upcoming new show he is planning to make. But after taking Rush on a getaway weekend to NYC, Alaric discovers it's time to finally tear down the emotional walls he has so carefully built around his heart.
Rush cannot believe his good fortune when the owner of the company he wants to work for intervenes during his interview for the job. After meeting Alaric, Rush is excited by being ordered to have dinner with the man later that evening. During the dinner, Rush learns about Alaric's plans for a new show and the job he wants Rush to fill. (Well, possibly two positions.)
Alaric is emotionally deprived individual who has built layer upon layer of protection around his heart. He doesn't know how to love or be loved. He trusts no one. But during a trip to NYC, he begins to realize the Rush could possibly be "the one" to tear down those protective walls.
What follows is a tale of acceptance, self-realization and the relinquishing of power for both men.
The prose is excellent and the plot runs fairly smoothly. The MCs interactions are, at times, alternatively harsh, raw and caring. The gradual build up of heat between Alaric and Rush is well-paced, but flawed due to Alaric's damaged emotions. And the battle for power in their relationship is a major plot point this is wonderfully told.
World building is good for a story of this short length. Unfortunately, editing errors, as is so often the case with most books I read, detracted from the flow of the book. Otherwise, this read was enjoyable and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
A novella about an emotionally hardened older man, Alaric, and a man who desperately need a job, Rush.
While interviewing for a job with his company, Alaric overhears Rush being sexually harassed by one of his employees. Furious, he personally takes Rush under his wing and offers him a job as the host of an upcoming new show he is planning to make. But after taking Rush on a getaway weekend to NYC, Alaric discovers it's time to finally tear down the emotional walls he has so carefully built around his heart.
Rush cannot believe his good fortune when the owner of the company he wants to work for intervenes during his interview for the job. After meeting Alaric, Rush is excited by being ordered to have dinner with the man later that evening. During the dinner, Rush learns about Alaric's plans for a new show and the job he wants Rush to fill. (Well, possibly two positions.)
Alaric is emotionally deprived individual who has built layer upon layer of protection around his heart. He doesn't know how to love or be loved. He trusts no one. But during a trip to NYC, he begins to realize the Rush could possibly be "the one" to tear down those protective walls.
What follows is a tale of acceptance, self-realization and the relinquishing of power for both men.
The prose is excellent and the plot runs fairly smoothly. The MCs interactions are, at times, alternatively harsh, raw and caring. The gradual build up of heat between Alaric and Rush is well-paced, but flawed due to Alaric's damaged emotions. And the battle for power in their relationship is a major plot point this is wonderfully told.
World building is good for a story of this short length. Unfortunately, editing errors, as is so often the case with most books I read, detracted from the flow of the book. Otherwise, this read was enjoyable and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
January 18, 2023
YES!
Everything loyal readers expect from this author.
Everything loyal readers expect from this author.
July 8, 2023
DNF ~5%
Bad writing, and a dynamic that is fucking creepy and manipulative, not hot.
Bad writing, and a dynamic that is fucking creepy and manipulative, not hot.
June 26, 2024
It was too fast to really enjoy the story. I did not like Alaric's stalking behavior. He was creepy as hell.
There were multiple editing errors and it kept pulling me out of the story.
It was clearly a D/s relationship but it was not done right. The bracelet Rush wore was perhaps like a collar ? No contract signed for a D/s relationship.
I liked that Rush did not let Alaric bully him. Oh, and by the way, what was the deal with Rush's name ? I kept thinking he was "rushing" somewhere !!
So, not a good one !
There were multiple editing errors and it kept pulling me out of the story.
It was clearly a D/s relationship but it was not done right. The bracelet Rush wore was perhaps like a collar ? No contract signed for a D/s relationship.
I liked that Rush did not let Alaric bully him. Oh, and by the way, what was the deal with Rush's name ? I kept thinking he was "rushing" somewhere !!
So, not a good one !
May 22, 2024
I have to admit that at the start every time Alaric spoke with that deep, commanding 'Daddy' voice I literally had goosebumps! This is kind of a weird but compelling story, mainly due to Alaric, he's an anomaly, he's hard to process, almost robotic, he makes me think of an autistic person who is super smart and intelligent but lacking big time in the emotional department. It's a gorgeous but painful tale.
April 13, 2025
I’d prob give it more like 2.5 stars but good reads doesn’t do halfsies.
The writing felt off Like as if it wasn’t originally written in English(could just be me). But for a quick read it wasn’t terrible to get through. Story line was nice. Both main characters had their issues/flaws. I wouldn’t say a slow burn but I wouldn’t say it was too fast past either. Kinda in the middle. I don’t know that I would continue this series but I’ll look at other work from the author forsure.
The writing felt off Like as if it wasn’t originally written in English(could just be me). But for a quick read it wasn’t terrible to get through. Story line was nice. Both main characters had their issues/flaws. I wouldn’t say a slow burn but I wouldn’t say it was too fast past either. Kinda in the middle. I don’t know that I would continue this series but I’ll look at other work from the author forsure.
March 6, 2025
What I needed
After reading a few duds, this is exactly what I needed. I was so invested. I was rooting for them from the beginning. And was pleasantly surprised with the ending. I wanted it then was like no it’s too soon, maybe there will be a part 2, then wham. My boys got their HEA.
After reading a few duds, this is exactly what I needed. I was so invested. I was rooting for them from the beginning. And was pleasantly surprised with the ending. I wanted it then was like no it’s too soon, maybe there will be a part 2, then wham. My boys got their HEA.
April 27, 2024
OooLaLa!!!
The strength and vulnerability of the MMC was exhilarating! Fresh and fast-paced, they take your breath away. It is so much fun going on this ride. ;) I personally wanted more!! But it's good to be denied, right!?
The strength and vulnerability of the MMC was exhilarating! Fresh and fast-paced, they take your breath away. It is so much fun going on this ride. ;) I personally wanted more!! But it's good to be denied, right!?
May 9, 2024
my review on Choke by Charity Parkerson
I loved this book. It was intimate and heartwarming. The story between Rush and Alaric was intensifying and made me believe in something out of this world.🌎
I loved this book. It was intimate and heartwarming. The story between Rush and Alaric was intensifying and made me believe in something out of this world.🌎
November 27, 2024
Rush and Alaric
This story was surprisingly sweet. I enjoyed this prequel very much. I made assumptions based on the title. I expected more BDSM elements (there were some). However, it turned out to be a hurt/comfort story and I loved it. Great start to the series.
This story was surprisingly sweet. I enjoyed this prequel very much. I made assumptions based on the title. I expected more BDSM elements (there were some). However, it turned out to be a hurt/comfort story and I loved it. Great start to the series.
March 3, 2023
Great start
I highly enjoyed another series by this author & I'm hoping this next series is just as amazing as the last one!
I highly enjoyed another series by this author & I'm hoping this next series is just as amazing as the last one!
March 31, 2023
Rated
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
May 20, 2023
❤️❤️❤️
June 21, 2024
prequel
This prequel definitely makes me want to read the series, I’m excited to see what’s to come and what characters we are going to see
This prequel definitely makes me want to read the series, I’m excited to see what’s to come and what characters we are going to see
dnf
September 10, 2025The BDSM part was not to my taste. So I DNFed.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews