Skin Deep

by Drew Zachary

In a world where extrasensory talent is acknowlegded but not trusted, it's not easy to be Razzi, a young man with an "extra". Especially when someone in the complex where he lives fingers him for a crime he didn't commit. Dannen Garniner is the Protector sent to investigate him, and he's fascinated by Razzi in spite of himself. Who wouldn't be fascinated by a kid who can change his appearance at will? But it goes deeper than that, as they soon find out. Can Dannen and Razzi both face their fears about their abilities, and about letting someone else get close?

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Gay, Contemporary, Science Fiction

80 pages, Nook

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Drew Zachary is the pen-name of co-authors Chris Owen and Vic Winter.

"Born in the wilds of Canada, Drew grew up with an axe in one hand and a book in the other. Drew's love of writing is outshone only by his love of men. Lucky for him, he can combine the two.

From his father, Drew learned how to wield that axe, fix a carburetor and bake a mean can of beans using fire, gas or electricity. From his mother, he learned how to rotate the tires, turn apples into just about anything from cider to pie to a meatless lasagna, and how to swim. At twelve Drew ran away to join the circus, only to run away from it when he realized just how badly elephant poop stinks.

When Drew ran out of books to read he started writing his own and never looked back. His home is filled with books, unfinished manuscripts and his grandmother's knick knacks. His best friend is a dog named Barney and his pet fish keep him entertained for hours.

Drew writes about love because he still believes in it. Even though he's never found that special man himself, he's never given up hope. Well, never on a permanent basis, anyway."

Source:www.drewzachary.com

Reviews

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story about Razi , who has been taught all his life that his 'extra' his 'glamour' is the only thing of worth in his life. He lives in a society where people with 'extra' are sometimes used and marginalized.
He then meets Protector Dannen ( cop) and he slowly learns that he is worthy of love.
This was a touching story and because of the interesting paranormal aspect of it, different from other hurt-comfort theme.
I could have done with a bit less sex ( can't believe I just said that! ) and more story.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 3 out of 5]

0-40% pretty good

41-100% mostly just one sex scene after another

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this book. I didn't realize how good it was. Razzi is a person with 'Extra' abilities. In a sense, he's a shape shifter, but not the way we usually understand it. He can change himself and his environment into something, usually beautiful and pretty ones. As a result, people often used him for their own amusement. He also was often seen with suspicion because he can easily get away if he committed a crime, so policemen often questioned him. Not only that, Razzi suffers from psychological scars because his own parents often 'used' him by showing off his abilities to their friends.

One day, there was a report of crime in Razzi's apartment building. The authority sent Dennen. Unlike other enforcer, Dannen is attracted to Razi but didn't want to use him. This surprised Razzi. The rest of the book is about how they deal with their attraction to each other.

This is a beautiful book, that deals with the outer and inner appearance issue very smartly. The magic and paranormal elements are interwoven to the story nicely that we feel what Razi (and Dannen) feels.

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has an interesting premise! It features Razi, an extra-normal who can use glamour to alter his appearance, and Dannen, a protector. Razi is extremely self-conscious and anxious about his real looks which he hates, so he always uses glamour to change his face and body into something other people would like to look at - until he meets Dannen. So this story is really about accepting yourself as who you are and Dannen plays a huge part in how Razi can finally come to terms with just that.

The whole investigation part was more for show than anything else and the plot was... pretty thin. I think I'd have liked the book a lot more if it was shortened to about half of its size. Oh and if the giggling and Dannen's general literal happiness were tuned down a little bit. As it was, this is mostly a story where lots of sex happens. It's cute and sweet, but just feels really... long sometimes. Even though it really isn't objectively speaking.

[Lexi Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly sweet story about Razi who hides himself with glamour believing that his glamour is his only worth. It took a robbery and a visit from a Protector to reset the course of Razi's life. Dannen was only following up on an investigation when he meets Razi. Dannen sees something in Razi's eyes, beyond the glamour and the magic.

I felt for Razi. As you watch his world unfold you can see why he believes what he does and can't help to hope that Dannen can win his trust.

[Erotic Horizon]

Skin Deep by Drew Zachary (2005)

[Manuela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read other books by the same author and loved them, but this one just didn't work for me.