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Mobry's Dick
Genre: LGBT Paranormal
Late-19th-century illusionist Alain Mobry, a short, homely man with a clubfoot, is known primarily for his elaborate clockwork automata. But his private life is even more complex than his mechanisms. Mobry is a homosexual and a member of the Green Carnation Club, a secret gathering place for gay men of the theater. He's also dabbled in "real" magick. There are hints of it in an illusion called the Fountain of Youth--in which a beautiful youth called Puck, never seen in public, emerges from a diorama and disappears back into it--and in a profane automaton Alain has devised specifically to entertain the Green Carnation's members. He would like his creation to be for one man in particular, a fellow magician with whom he's infatuated. But he never gets the chance to offer his gift...
Over 100 years later, a peculiar item turns up at an outdoor flea market. It looks something like a blunt-nosed artillery shell to Cameron Waters, the young real estate broker who buys the piece out of curiosity. It looks like the legendary automaton known as Mobry's Dick to Paul Patrillo, a graduate student who's been researching the history of stage magic.
While Cameron inches his way out of the closet and Paul struggles to free himself from a sugar daddy who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, the unlikely pair grow closer as they tackle the mystery of Mobry's Dick.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2010
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About the author
K.Z. Snow
57 books273 followersThis says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH7rt4...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 14, 2011
Mobry’s Dick is about, well… Mobry’s dick. It tells the story of fictional nineteenth century illusionist Alain Mobry who was so motivated by his dick that he invented a clockwork dick which appears to have the magical ability to make all of your dirty wishes come true. We also follow the story of present day (and currently in the closet) Cameron, who finds the clockwork dick at a flea market, and his soon to be love interest Paul, who happens to be an Alain Mobry expert and is seeking the magical clockwork dick. Of course there is schmexing aplenty.
This story actually started out sort of cool. K.Z.Snow’s writing is fast paced, funny, and easy to read. And the plot was interesting, while it lasted. But it soon gave way to, ah… passions. Repressed passions, misplaced passions, expressed passions… by the time I was midway through I found myself skimming through the dirty parts to get to the plot. And the dirtier the escapades became, the more the plot suffered for it. When everything was said and done (and done again, then again… and a little bit more) the bad guy ended up not being so bad, scary or smart, and there was a weird connection between Alain Mobry, magic and reincarnation that wasn’t explored nearly as much as… use your imagination here ;)
I’m immensely grateful to K.Z.Snow and the Goodreads firstreads program for giving me the chance to read Mobry’s Dick. My expectations for erotica aren’t very high. Regarding bodice rippers (what is the m/m equivalent of a bodice ripper? Crotch grabber? Lol) my expectations are even lower. Therefore I didn’t go into this book with expecting stellar writing, but I did look forward to a little more storyline. Every bit of this book is phallic centered in one way or another and when the sexy times started, the ah… not so sexy times ended. If you are looking for dirtiness, lots and lots of dirtiness, this is the book for you.
Not that I am opposed to dirtiness ~ usually that is the best part of a book, right? But this is all dirtiness. Compared to other smutty books I've read, this could easily be 3 stars. But compared to other books in general ~ sorry, 2 stars it is. The actual story here simply wasn't fully developed enough.
This story actually started out sort of cool. K.Z.Snow’s writing is fast paced, funny, and easy to read. And the plot was interesting, while it lasted. But it soon gave way to, ah… passions. Repressed passions, misplaced passions, expressed passions… by the time I was midway through I found myself skimming through the dirty parts to get to the plot. And the dirtier the escapades became, the more the plot suffered for it. When everything was said and done (and done again, then again… and a little bit more) the bad guy ended up not being so bad, scary or smart, and there was a weird connection between Alain Mobry, magic and reincarnation that wasn’t explored nearly as much as… use your imagination here ;)
I’m immensely grateful to K.Z.Snow and the Goodreads firstreads program for giving me the chance to read Mobry’s Dick. My expectations for erotica aren’t very high. Regarding bodice rippers (what is the m/m equivalent of a bodice ripper? Crotch grabber? Lol) my expectations are even lower. Therefore I didn’t go into this book with expecting stellar writing, but I did look forward to a little more storyline. Every bit of this book is phallic centered in one way or another and when the sexy times started, the ah… not so sexy times ended. If you are looking for dirtiness, lots and lots of dirtiness, this is the book for you.
Not that I am opposed to dirtiness ~ usually that is the best part of a book, right? But this is all dirtiness. Compared to other smutty books I've read, this could easily be 3 stars. But compared to other books in general ~ sorry, 2 stars it is. The actual story here simply wasn't fully developed enough.
May 19, 2010
Fascinating. KZ Snow intertwines the mysterious history of magician Alain Mobry and his clockwork invention with the current day meet-and-romance of Cameron and Paul. There's magic, and magick, deception, greed, hurt/nurturing, portentious dreams, bad hook-ups, love denied, love found...all wrapped up in a smart, witty and satisfying story.
April 21, 2019
M/M Romance 2019 Re-Read Challenge
A well written dual story: steampunky historical flashback to a contemporary setting. The characters and premise were well orchestrated and genuine. The romance in both stories was satisfying and properly cultivated. A delightfully entertaining read.
A well written dual story: steampunky historical flashback to a contemporary setting. The characters and premise were well orchestrated and genuine. The romance in both stories was satisfying and properly cultivated. A delightfully entertaining read.
June 1, 2010
4.5 stars
This is a fascinating book which is part historical and part contemporary. The story flows seamlessly between the two as we are first introduced to Alain Mobry, a magician and illusionist who performs shows using his clockwork pieces during the late nineteenth century. He creates a special automaton with the hope of sharing it with the man he's falling in love with. Sadly for Alain he doesn't get that chance. Luckily for him though that what he does get is even better. Alain's story is at times heartbreaking but is quite beautiful in the end.
In the present day the story is about Cameron and Paul. Their story develops slowly from their first meeting at a flea market where Cam buys the artifact, Mobry's Dick, that Paul is looking for. Paul and Cam are very different men and I really enjoyed how the author was able to get me to like them while at the same time I didn't always like what they did. Ultimately they worked really well together, both in their quest to find the truth of Mobry's Dick, as well as on a more personal level.
There's mystery and suspense in the story, a wonderful sense of humor throughout, sexual exploration on the part of 'newly' gay Cam and the slow bloom of love between two men who at first appear to have nothing in common. That 'slow bloom' was really well done. This is not an insta-love story rather these are two men connecting and slowly, with all the ups and downs of real life, discovering in each other a love that could last a lifetime. I really liked the tie-in between the Cam and Paul with Alain. Mobry's Dick is a well written and interesting story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and highly recommend it.
This is a fascinating book which is part historical and part contemporary. The story flows seamlessly between the two as we are first introduced to Alain Mobry, a magician and illusionist who performs shows using his clockwork pieces during the late nineteenth century. He creates a special automaton with the hope of sharing it with the man he's falling in love with. Sadly for Alain he doesn't get that chance. Luckily for him though that what he does get is even better. Alain's story is at times heartbreaking but is quite beautiful in the end.
In the present day the story is about Cameron and Paul. Their story develops slowly from their first meeting at a flea market where Cam buys the artifact, Mobry's Dick, that Paul is looking for. Paul and Cam are very different men and I really enjoyed how the author was able to get me to like them while at the same time I didn't always like what they did. Ultimately they worked really well together, both in their quest to find the truth of Mobry's Dick, as well as on a more personal level.
There's mystery and suspense in the story, a wonderful sense of humor throughout, sexual exploration on the part of 'newly' gay Cam and the slow bloom of love between two men who at first appear to have nothing in common. That 'slow bloom' was really well done. This is not an insta-love story rather these are two men connecting and slowly, with all the ups and downs of real life, discovering in each other a love that could last a lifetime. I really liked the tie-in between the Cam and Paul with Alain. Mobry's Dick is a well written and interesting story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and highly recommend it.
June 4, 2010
This starts with a prologue at turn of the century where gay magician Alain Mobry is doing one of his shows. He’s renowned for automaton machines, the clockwork mechanical tricks. He’s crushing on another magician known as “The Turk” who sort of shows interest but also shuns him leaving Mobry confused. Then in present day Cam is hanging out at a flea market and runs into hot guy Paul who’s looking for a specific object. Cam actually finds it and buys it and Paul tells him it’s one of Mobry’s gadgets, a "dick". Cam’s not sure he’s gay, in fact is trying to be straight but Paul makes him question that. He later finds out Paul may not be who or what he thought and he has to cope with that, while figuring out the mystery of the dick and dealing with the results of Paul pissing off his ex who wants the gadget. I won’t say too much more and I’m not a huge fan of historicals but I thought there was just enough in this for me not to lose interest. Once it gets to a certain point in history, it focuses on the present day which I appreciated and while I’m not sure I loved what Cam got up to after he decided he’s gay (the romantic in me) I’m pretty sure it made complete sense realistically. The mystery of the dick, what happened to Mobry and whether Cam and Paul would finally get their act together kept me reading. It was a great read with a touch of everything, drama, mystery, humour, hot smexin’. :-)
I just realized that we are soon going to have to start indicating WHICH turn of the century. Not 2000, but 1900.
I just realized that we are soon going to have to start indicating WHICH turn of the century. Not 2000, but 1900.
August 7, 2010
4.5 stars
K.Z. Snow has simply become one of my favorite authors. Her writing is just so divine. When I first started, I was worried because this story looked like a historical -- not a genre that I like. The story started from Alain Mobry's time ... then moved to present time, where Cameron Waters, a 24-year-old real estate broker ends up purchasing the peculiar item, known as Mobry's Dick, as well as meeting Paul Patrillo, a graduate student who has vast knowledge on the history of stage magic.
The story is so captivating ... the description of Mobry's life, the idea of his magic and what happens when he disappeared over 100 years ago as well as how Cameron and Paul develops their relationship. Cameron is still in the closet when he meets Paul. But the meeting makes him realizes his attraction. However, at the same time, he is worried that Paul just uses him to get the item.
And Oh My God, the way these two going back and forth just grabs my heart. The attraction is so strong but they don't immediately go for it (there are some issues, you need to read it yoursel). I almost want to scream to them, "Cameron, Paul, come on you guys, you love it each other, please don't do something stupid!". I'm so engrossed with their life, I burst out crying when they finally make it.
It's just so profound, so beautiful, so magical. It blows me away ...
K.Z. Snow has simply become one of my favorite authors. Her writing is just so divine. When I first started, I was worried because this story looked like a historical -- not a genre that I like. The story started from Alain Mobry's time ... then moved to present time, where Cameron Waters, a 24-year-old real estate broker ends up purchasing the peculiar item, known as Mobry's Dick, as well as meeting Paul Patrillo, a graduate student who has vast knowledge on the history of stage magic.
The story is so captivating ... the description of Mobry's life, the idea of his magic and what happens when he disappeared over 100 years ago as well as how Cameron and Paul develops their relationship. Cameron is still in the closet when he meets Paul. But the meeting makes him realizes his attraction. However, at the same time, he is worried that Paul just uses him to get the item.
And Oh My God, the way these two going back and forth just grabs my heart. The attraction is so strong but they don't immediately go for it (there are some issues, you need to read it yoursel). I almost want to scream to them, "Cameron, Paul, come on you guys, you love it each other, please don't do something stupid!". I'm so engrossed with their life, I burst out crying when they finally make it.
It's just so profound, so beautiful, so magical. It blows me away ...
September 1, 2010
An interesting story of unrequitted love, dreams, longings, and new beginnings. The opening chapters that set up the Victorian backstory are wonderful, complete with magic (and magick), clockwork automotons, illusionists, and a secret gay men's club. Alain Mobry is such a fantastic character that I would dearly love to Ms. Snow explore him in greater detail.
As for the contemporary romance, it was beautifully handled. Cameron's coming out & acceptance of his gayness seemed a bit too easy, but the way it played out (like a kid in a candy store) ultimately made it work. Finally, I must commend Ms. Snow on the erotic elements. While I don't mind them, I generally don't find M/M sex scenes particularly arousing. With Paul and Cameron, however, they were both hot and sweet, sexy and tender, at the same time. There is real romance there, true (and hopefully lasting!) love, to bring it all together.
I wouldn't count myself a fan yet, but I'm certainly curious to explore some of Ms. Snow's other books.
As for the contemporary romance, it was beautifully handled. Cameron's coming out & acceptance of his gayness seemed a bit too easy, but the way it played out (like a kid in a candy store) ultimately made it work. Finally, I must commend Ms. Snow on the erotic elements. While I don't mind them, I generally don't find M/M sex scenes particularly arousing. With Paul and Cameron, however, they were both hot and sweet, sexy and tender, at the same time. There is real romance there, true (and hopefully lasting!) love, to bring it all together.
I wouldn't count myself a fan yet, but I'm certainly curious to explore some of Ms. Snow's other books.
March 22, 2012
3.5 stars.
A quirky M/M paranormal romance story, taking place in both past and present times, that revolves around the creation of a clockwork automata - Mobry's Dick. (and yes, the name is accurate!) The story switches between the events that led to its creation in the late nineteenth century by the illusionist Mobry, and the events in current time where the automata has been newly rediscovered. Often, stories that alternate between timelines can be on the confusing side, but that's not the case here. K.Z. has mastered this to-ing and fro-ing as both timelines seem to accurately capture the feel of each era, thus remaining quite distinct. It really is only at the end when both times are linked to a third era, that you can truly understand what Mobry's Dick actually is.
The novel is well written and stays true to K.Z.'s unique style - a little dark, a little cruel, a touch of paranormal mystery, a touch of magic, and love with the hope of a bright future.
A quirky M/M paranormal romance story, taking place in both past and present times, that revolves around the creation of a clockwork automata - Mobry's Dick. (and yes, the name is accurate!) The story switches between the events that led to its creation in the late nineteenth century by the illusionist Mobry, and the events in current time where the automata has been newly rediscovered. Often, stories that alternate between timelines can be on the confusing side, but that's not the case here. K.Z. has mastered this to-ing and fro-ing as both timelines seem to accurately capture the feel of each era, thus remaining quite distinct. It really is only at the end when both times are linked to a third era, that you can truly understand what Mobry's Dick actually is.
The novel is well written and stays true to K.Z.'s unique style - a little dark, a little cruel, a touch of paranormal mystery, a touch of magic, and love with the hope of a bright future.
May 30, 2010
5 stars
This is the sort of K.Z. Snow book I like the best--well developed characters, a solid plot, a little bit of a mystery, all told well with good solid writing. It even had a little bit of magic--or maybe magick. Since I like historical fiction, I enjoyed the past intermingled with the present. KZ also writes slightly older men (in this case, Cameron, age 24) who are realizing they are gay and coming out slowly and shyly very well (Bastards and Pretty Boys and The Prayer Waltz had similar characters).
I was a little bit disappointed with Jude in Chains but Mobry's Dick is K.Z. back up to her usual high-quality writing and story. Definitely recommended.
This is the sort of K.Z. Snow book I like the best--well developed characters, a solid plot, a little bit of a mystery, all told well with good solid writing. It even had a little bit of magic--or maybe magick. Since I like historical fiction, I enjoyed the past intermingled with the present. KZ also writes slightly older men (in this case, Cameron, age 24) who are realizing they are gay and coming out slowly and shyly very well (Bastards and Pretty Boys and The Prayer Waltz had similar characters).
I was a little bit disappointed with Jude in Chains but Mobry's Dick is K.Z. back up to her usual high-quality writing and story. Definitely recommended.
September 22, 2010
Very good paranormal romance about guy who purchases an extremely mysterious object at a flea market and is not prepared for all of the interest it generates.
October 26, 2010
I`ve read several unusual and/or weird books in the m-m romance genre but Mobry`s Dick beats them all.
November 17, 2010
3.75 Stars
Not quite sure why, but this book didn't work for me...at least not like others by this author.
Not quite sure why, but this book didn't work for me...at least not like others by this author.
February 7, 2011
could have been a 5 star for me.. but the second part was not so well done as the first part which was great!
but i really enjoyed this.
but i really enjoyed this.
October 25, 2015
2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews