True Colors

True Colors #1

by Clare London

From the very first, Zeke Roswell and Miles Winter are like oil and water. After a tragic fire claimed his brother's life, Zeke's personal and professional life spiraled out of control, and now he has no choice but to sell his gallery to cover his debts. Enter successful entrepreneur Miles, who buys it and plans to make a commercial success out of Zeke's failure.

Their initial hostility stands no chance against the strong passion that ambushes them. Zeke's talent and lust for life intoxicate Miles, and Zeke finds Miles's self-assurance and determination equally fascinating. But it's not until an unsolved mystery of violence and stolen sketches threatens to sabotage any chance at happiness that Miles and Zeke realize they have a chance at all.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay, Erotica, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2009

About the author

Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.

Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.

All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!

Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.

Reviews

[Daisiemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare London is a fairly new author for me. Before I read True Colors, I had only read a short story by her. Even after I bought True Colors, it sat unread in my e-files for a couple of weeks. Since I am notorious for arranging and rearranging the books I will be reading, I am very disappointed with myself for constantly putting this book on the back burner. Shame on me!

In one word, True Colors is simply AWESOME!

When Zeke Roswell’s older brother died, Zeke’s world as he knew it came to an end. Although in some ways he had a love/hate relationship with his brother, Zeke also looked up to him, and was even inspired to become an artist like his brother was. His brother wanted Zeke to have something of his own, so he had bought Zeke his own gallery so Zeke could display his own work and the works of other artists.

One of the problems with the gallery is Zeke does not have a head for business. With his artist temperament and flare for the dramatic, anything that resembles figures or numbers is just Greek to him.

When Zeke’s brother was killed in a horrible fire everything changed. Zeke went into a financial crisis and had to sell everything to cover the funeral cost and even to survive. Even if it means selling his fledgling gallery which he loves.

As soon as Miles Winter found out Zeke’s gallery was for sale, he knew he could make it into a successful venture. As an entrepreneur by trade, Miles his very business savvy and runs his whole life like a tight ship. His serious nature and often subtle manner gives the impression of him being a cold businessman. He knows this isn’t true, but he often uses this to his advantage when dealing with others. Especially when he wants to get his way.

Miles and Zeke meet on the day that Zeke is signing the ownership of the gallery to Miles’ company. Despite wanting to hate Miles for taking his business, Zeke is conflicted between wanting to choke Miles where he stands to having a budding respect and fascination for the cool, calm and collected Miles Winter.

Surprisingly, Miles allows Zeke to continue to live above the gallery and offers him a job as a head coordinator in the next gallery opening. Zeke takes the offer and they begrudgingly start working together.

I really loved how both Miles and Zeke’s character evolved throughout this book. Zeke is bitter and angry; Miles is more closed off toward others. As they get to know one another, they start respecting the other man. Soon they start liking one another and an attraction starts to slowly build and before each other are aware it happens they fall in love with one another.

I enjoyed watching them come to terms with their feelings toward one another. The chemistry they have between them was amazing. I was addicted to reading about them from the moment they met. Their fire and ice personalities drew me into their world and I found myself cheering them on as a couple, and as they grow into better men as their story progressed.

Needless to say, I hated for this book to end. Even though Miles and Zeke won my heart, I was equally excited to read about the secondary characters, Carter and Red, and their possible budding romance. I read somewhere that Ms. London is writing a sequel to this book, focusing on Carter and Red’s relationship. I really hope that is true, because I would love to see them end up together. (Carter really needs to find some happiness! Poor Guy!)

I loved everything about this book. I loved it so much I just bought it in paperback, too. The dialog, the fast paced storyline, the love Zeke and Miles find with one another, and of course, the mystery of who set the fire and so on. Plus, the sexual chemistry between Miles and Zeke was intoxicatingly hot; I had to crank the air down and practically froze my poor husband to death. WHEW!

I almost forgot to mention that even though Miles has never been with a man, I do not consider this a Gay for You storyline. Both he and Zeke (who has had many experiences with men and women) are bi-sexual. Miles has just never really acted on his homosexual attractions to other men. Miles had done some heavy petting, with other men, but until he met and fell for Zeke he never really acted on them.

I can’t wait to read more by Clare London!

For those who are interested, she has an interesting website. Visit it at:

http://clarelondon.net/

5+ stars…LOVED IT!

[~Nicole~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is messy af yet I couldn’t put it down. I don’t even know what to say about it. It’s a character-focused book and the guys are ..particular (Zeke more than Miles). I always loved this author’s story telling and writing and I love her complex and unique characters . There was something very attractive at this book and at the same time something felt off. The guys talked and talked and still it felt like they weren’t making any progress,it felt like they were talking in riddles, there’s always this heaviness and secrecy all throughout the book. Zeke and his chip on the shoulder annoyed me most of the times yet I understood where he was coming from. He was,though the stereotypical aloof , broody and tortured artist , I give him that. Miles was a little …weird and yet I liked him a bit more despite the fact that I should have liked Zeke more because brooding bohemian (androgynous) artists are my kryptonite.
Anyway this was interesting, intense and totally baffling yet it sucks you in . There was too much sex imo , kind of bored me and I had to skip some of it and they fought too damn much because Zeke was hurting and angry and lashing out but despite all these complaints this was a very interesting and intense read.

[JenMcJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know Miles and Zeke. It was a fun ride watching two seemingly opposite men find their way to each other. At times I really felt the heartache of all involved and caught myself tearing up. This isn't really a tear jerker, but somehow it still brought them out in me.

I had difficulty with some of the dialog from Zeke. Maybe I am just not deep enough to get what he was trying to say, but some of his outbursts didn't make sense to me.

The secondary characters are just as fascinating as Miles and Zeke and could have been a staring couple in their own right.

Not to give too much away but this would be a five star read if the "baddie" hadn't turned out to be so stereotypical to m/m romances.

slight spoiler:







It is my pet peeve, not everyone else’s, but it detracts from the story for me when authors portray the only main character woman as crazy and heartless

[Cyn Coons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve truly enjoyed everything that I’ve read by Clare London and this is no exception. She’s got a way of having her characters angst that allows you to wallow in their misery without pushing it over the top. She’s also got a gift of making her characters just flawed enough to be real while still keeping it believable. Throw in sex scenes that are enough to scorch the type off the page and I am one happy, happy girl.

Zeke is an artist, who through some pretty nasty circumstances, is selling his gallery to Miles, an entrepreneur. Normally, artists and entrepreneurs don’t mix, but there’s something that draws these two together. Miles wants to see the artist that’s hiding behind Zeke’s troubled past and, though Zeke won’t admit to it, he’s looking for a way to let that artist out.

It’s a complicated web that ties the boys together. The supporting characters in this one are just as important as the main characters. Let me just say that I would give up something fairly vital to read a sequel and find out what happens to the main characters’ best friends. There seemed to be something brewing between the two of them–something that would be just as explosive as the chemistry between the two main characters if it was ever written out.

I can’t sing the praises of this one enough. It’s got everything I’m looking for in a m/m romance–characters that I can believe in, amazing chemistry, gorgeously written smut and a need to find out what’s going to happen–that will keep me up far past my bed time.

Everything by this author is an instant buy for me. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to come up with next!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a little bit to get into the story, seemed kinda slow in the beginning for me, but soon the pace started to pick up. I liked how Zeke and Miles' relationship developed slowly, so slowly it seemed that neither really realized it was happening at first and sort of took them book by surprise. They were complete opposites, but as their relationship changed so did they and ended up complimenting each other so well. While there was a sort of mystery going on in the background, it really wasn't needed due to the fact of having these strong MCs and their story was what was intriguing to me. I look forward to reading more about these two and hopefully Red and Carter in the future.

[AliciaJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was entranced from the very beginning of this story. Both Zeke and Miles seemed so separated from the world around them, so insulated. Zeke by his grief and anger, Miles by his seeming boredom with his life. I really felt their distance, which actually made it difficult at first to connect with the story. But then the two meet, and the fireworks began. This is a deeply moving story of how these two finally learn how to engage with the world around them by giving in to the connection between each other. I don't think either of them ever actually say "I love you", but the things they do say hold so much deeper meaning that "I love you" would have seemed redundant. I was totally entranced by their story and fell a bit in love with them both by the end. I'm glad I actually bought this one since I'm sure it's going on my favorites shelf to be re-read again and again.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This turned out to be a very good and intense m/m romance after a sort of shaky start – I almost put the book away because there were so many different people introduced in the first few pages and I couldn’t figure out who was important and who was peripheral. But in the end? Totally redeemed, because Clare London deftly tied in those seemingly extraneous introductory bits.
-------------
Just as enjoyable when I reread it. :)

[Kassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I didn’t intend to read this so fast. I thought I would read the first few pages just to get a feel for the story and then put it down for later. Well, I ended up completely absorbed in the story and didn’t want to put it down until I finished. While not without problems, this book is still engaging, interesting, creative, and absorbing with great complicated characters and a solid, well-written story. There is even a mystery side plot that is unfortunately completely unnecessary and distracting but is unlikely to really take away from the book. The elements are telegraphed early and often so shouldn’t be any big surprise to readers but will fit in with the romantic ending.

This is mostly a character driven story with a small mystery woven into the plot. The majority of the action revolves around Zeke and Miles as they are first antagonistic and then sexual with each other while negotiating the minefield of personal expectations, disappointments, emotional baggage and the outside art world. While there are some conflicting personalities, the main characters have it rather easy and the majority of drama is self created. The few adversarial people are soon won over by Zeke’s charm and any pesky journalistic problems are swept aside by the ease of money, privilege, and of course artistic temperament.

There is the mystery of the stolen/lost sketches with a few other elements related to that but all the clues are given freely and often throughout the story so the ending is rather telegraphed. While this was slightly annoying, the bigger annoyance was the prolonged confrontation and confession scene between the culprit and the characters. This involved an intelligent, meticulous, calculating, and amoral person suddenly confessing all to them in a groan-inducing moment. If you remember similar scenes from books and movies when the evil person always confesses everything before attempting to kill the hero? This was that scene without the threat of death.

Unfortunately not only was this annoying, but it was completely unnecessary. I didn’t feel either the mystery or the resolution really added anything to the story, characters, or the writing. Just as the resolutions to the mystery of the missing sketches was ridiculously easy and totally unbelievable. Well I suppose it could be believable but it takes quite a bit of suspension of disbelief to accept the explanations the author has offered for the missing two sketches. Neither one felt authentic or keeping with the characters of either man, instead the answers are easy and tidy, wrapping up all possible problems and questions into neat, tight bows.

However as much as I’ve disagreed with the mystery portions, they are certainly not a reason to avoid the book as it is a smaller aspect of the story which focuses for the majority on the characters and their burgeoning relationship. Both Zeke and Miles are absorbing and intricate characters. Zeke is a very moody artist with lightening fast changes from anger and rage to fear and isolation. His range of emotion which is always loud and obvious often directs itself at the first available target and the implication is that though by the end of the story he certainly has matured, this tendency to yell first and think second is likely to continue. However, Zeke undeniably has talent and is emotionally fragile due to the tumultuous relationship with his brother Jacky before he died.

Miles provides much needed calm and serenity to the outlandish and emotive Zeke, creating complimentary personalities that suit each other even if on first glance they would be more likely to kill each other. Miles’ quiet fascination with art and its impact, even while being color blind; lend intensity to the man’s personality as well as his interactions with Zeke. His awe of Zeke’s talent and growing connection to the man allows for a lot of forgiveness for the more unlikeable aspects of that personality, even if Miles is slow in stopping some unjustified rants. Together these two posses important facets that work well in a passionate relationship, though not always easily.

Secondary characters such as Carter and Red are completely wonderful and no doubt will have their own story coming in the future. Red is very interesting in that he acts as an interpreter of Miles for the reader. While Miles is very controlled and precise, Red’s internal musings and commentary interpret Miles’ real personality versus his projected one down to his needs, wants, and confused feelings for Zeke. Carter is a supportive friend and while he is not exactly necessary to the story, his self imposed isolation contains an alluring aspect that had my attention gravitating towards him during his scenes. I do like a wounded, quietly angst filled man.

The character progression and slow maturation of the relationship was a wonderful element to the story, especially considering Zeke and Miles never get sexual until well into the story. However, after that there is no shortage of steamy erotic sex scenes so the author didn’t scrimp on that. The third person writing style with changeable point of view worked well and never created any confusion. The prose was tight and clean with hints of humor woven into the dialogue and descriptions. The vitality of art, movement, and emotion created within the writing was felt repeatedly and created an interesting setting for the story. Like I said, I wasn’t expecting to get sucked in but I absolutely was. While I didn’t appreciate the mystery portion and felt the book would have been better ended at page 200, this isn’t enough to stay away from the story. Be sure to check this out! You may groan at the end (or not) but you won’t mind it too much.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 1 out of 5]

Omg at 10% and this is so slow.

I really hate how the first two povs are females. I really had no interest in them or their orgasms. If I wanted to read about lusty females I'd read MF.

Then it switches to some random friend of zekes pov for a really slow and boring scene.

Then to miles and his slutty friend for a boring and confusing conversation. It's written in distant 3rd person which I don't like or connect to at all. It really annoys me the way it's written with stuff like "the blonde stood to the left" or "the taller man spoke" and just crap like that.

Then we get slutty Zekes pov and can't say I like him either or that he's so irresponsible and slutty. Don't care to read about him and trying to seduce his suppliers. He wastes all his money so why not trade sex for stuff. And is always drunk and passing out

What about this am I supposed to like or find interesting?

And now extensive physical details of women. Jeesh should have just stuck to reading MF

Oh joy even though he's already met zeke he apparently has a girlfriend we get to read about him having sex with. So far this is all MF. Very boring MF

Oh goody the self reflecting while describing your reflection scene. Boring at 17%

And I can't tell the difference between Zeke's and Carter's pov since they are just merged as one clusterfuck

20% slutty Zeke's tries to seduce his dead brothers lover. I'm so tired of all these mm books being about sluts. It's so beyond old and just another stereotype. The first 20% of this book is a complete fail IMO. It's one of the worst supposed "mm" books I've read.

Then 22% it skips three months. The two guys in this "mm" book have been together for two short short scenes. And wtf is up with the POVs? We suffer through the pov of Every minor character and their umbrella. It's ridiculous.

23% DNF the art talk is just so boring. The whole story has been boring and not even worth trying to continue on. It took months to get this far.

[Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a treat. Wild child Zeke paired with the button-downed Miles. I have to say I love the art world setting here, I haven't read a lot of books dealing with that subject and I found it fascinating. More so I think because Miles is color blind so he had a more visceral connection to all the art he collected and found interesting to him. I know the next art show I go I'll be looking at what's around me from a different perspective.

I love these opposites attract kind of stories because really it's all about what they have in common. That's the fun of this read for me, seeing Zeke and Miles realize that they actually compliment each other and strengthen each other. The chemistry between them is really off the charts hot but it's really the quiet moments between them that drew me in: Miles watching Zeke draw night after night, Zeke planning an art show just for Miles. Lovely little moments like that are wonderful to read about.

I love the progression here, it's slow and rich. I like how the story develops with the lost sketches of Zeke's older brother Jacky.

The villain is a bit cardboard but she works and she is definitely crazy. One weak point for me was Jo and the first sketch. I'm not even sure why she was in the book other than to point out Zeke's bisexuality and for him to give her the sketch to hold on to? That part just didn't work for me. I think Zeke or Carter could have had it and it would have made for a stronger reasoning behind it.

I wish we could have seen more of Red and Carter. I enjoyed these two men and hope we get to read their story.

This was a really satisfying read and one I can recommend to any lover of contemporary MM fiction. I know I'll be heading off to read the novellas London has done for these characters. I just don't want to let them go.

[Fangtasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

True to what I expect from this author: good characterization, interesting plot, and scorching hot sex scenes.

I had a couple of niggles: when did Carter become such good friends with Miles? If it happened on page, I missed it. Also, I knew who the villain was during the first scene she's on. The resolution to the "mystery" was a bit...how shall I say this? Too easy and passionless. At least that's how it felt to me. Finally, this story had a bit too much sex. I never thought I'd say this last, but feel it's true in this book. Though I have to say, there is one particular sex scene describing a type of stimulation that I had never before read about, in the hundreds of m/m romances I've read. Five stars for originality in that one, it knocked my socks off. You'll know which one it is the moment you read it.

In summary, well-written and worth the purchase price. Also recommend
The Tourist by Ms. London.

[L-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost 5 stars for me. I'm not sure if this is almost 5 stars because I read it as part of a buddy read, but at any rate, I really enjoyed it.

Zeke Roswell is an artist who has lost everything - his brother, his gallery, his art. Miles Winter is an extremely successful young entrepreneur who steps in and buys Zeke's gallery. Both Zeke and Miles have trouble truly relating with other people, so when you mix the two of them together, conversation is stilted at best and borderline antagonistic. Zeke sees Miles as the man who is taking his gallery away and is very defensive.

I loved these two characters and the very slow burn of their relationship. I am not a fan of insta-love and I'm becoming a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers genre. I really enjoyed the mystery of this book even though the ending was very predictable. I just really loved the intensity between the two characters and the brilliance of Zeke as an artist as well as the brilliance of Miles as a business man. Although they are complete opposites, they truly complement each other. Very enjoyable read for me!

[Michelle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this first from Ms. London, and I think it has some very well-realized main characters and an emotional depth to the story that was lacking in Sparks Fly (a very different book.) I reread it immediately (as I do with most m/m romance books) and it was just as good on the second read. In reading this story, you can see how each man develops a deeper, richer understanding of himself and what he needs and wants in a partner.

There isn't much suspense about the ending (there rarely is) but I would rate this one of the top twenty contemporary urban m/m romances I've read over the last six months. And the setting is fresh and interesting. I believe you'll be glad you read it.

[djeterg19 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Clare London book and I genuinely enjoyed it. I liked the interaction between Zeke and Miles. The mystery wasn't much of a mystery but it also wasn't the main focus of the book. Red and Carter were also very enjoyable as secondary characters. Overall a good read!

[Elizabetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take one hot, passionate, mercurial artist…

add one cool, collected, sexy entrepreneur…

and shake vigorously.

What really hooks me in is the simmering attraction between Zeke and Miles. I get drunk on it. Good to remember; the story starts slowly and you have to be patient as the author carefully sketches out personalities and setting.

But patience pays off as the guys get a bead on each other and we get a sweet, slow-burn romance. The reader sits comfortably, we get it, as we wait for Zeke and Miles to catch on too. Some good prurient fun.

Zeke has been stuck for a year, grieving for older brother, Jacky, killed tragically in a home fire. A brother much like himself— both of them gifted artists, bright stars in that rarified world. But the remnants of a rocky sibling rivalry keeps Zeke wrapped up in guilt and remorse. Jacky has left behind a lot of hurt and misunderstanding; his cavalier treatment of those close him leave deep scars…

Because of Jacky’s death, in one year, Zeke loses everything: his ambition, his muse, and his beloved gallery where he was going to make his mark in the art world.

On the surface, Miles wears his success well. His brilliance is in the business deal and his drive to excel. He also loves art and plans to resurrect Zeke’s abandoned art gallery putting Zeke, once again, in charge. But underneath the polished and fastidious entrepreneur hides a desire to cut loose and explore another side to his sexuality. Zeke gets to him. The business arrangement forged by the two men sets the stage for a magnetic attraction— lots of heated exchanges, lingering glances and heaving chests.

Zeke and his art are wild, passionate, kinetic— he melts Miles’s cool control, teaches him to look at art in a different way. Miles color blindness also propels an awareness at the form and movement of the work. A shift in perception allows for discovery and melding of two very different personalities.

And… what IS it about flirtation and romancing at an art gallery exhibition? The cool cats gathered in their cool threads, glasses of wine in hand, slowly perusing the paintings on display, slowly perusing each other. Glances across a crowded room. The promise of some hot sexing. Does it to me every time.

There is a bit of a mystery woven in the romance, a smaller thread that answers some questions about the guys. There is a lot of sex, and it is luscious and revelatory. It is balanced with wonderful discussion of the art— Zeke’s work, his brother’s work, the gallery hangings. The author has taken care to fully render each of these aspects, so much so that by the end you really feel as if you’ve gotten to know the characters, and what motivates them.

Which brings up the secondary characters: Carter Davison, Zeke’s best friend and Jacky’s long-time, long-suffering lover, and Red De Vere, Miles’s bestie who nearly steals the show. These two guys deserve a story of their own. And there are two women, Jo and Remy, who’s inclusion is confusing and off-putting at first, but explained eventually.

I so enjoyed this sensual feast. Hot and steamy, the writer pours the sex on— these guys who can’t get enough of each other burn the pages up and I’m so looking forward to the sequels. (for my review of book 5 which can be read directly after this one, go to: Flying Colors, Book 2)

For this review, give-aways, author interviews, and much more:

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story-- even when I wanted to slap Zeke, the temperamental artist. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did like it because I only read it as a prequel to Flying Colors, a book from which I heard Clare London read at GRL Atlanta. After her reading, I knew I had to have that book but being the logical, sequential person I am, I knew I had to read this one first.

What did I like? I was very impressed with the characterization. These men were three dimensional, not the least bit shallow, and the author took the time to build their personas for us, as well as provide background information critical to their present behaviors. The story was complex and interesting and the chemistry between the two was dynamite. Add to that the fact that my favorite books have slow burn/sexual tension, a first time or gay for you theme, and a story to go with it. This was a winner.

Miles Winter, a sharp, dedicated business tycoon with no family and only one best friend, Red DeVere (who is going to get his own book) buys an art gallery from Zeke Roswell, an artist who fell from public view after his famous artist brother, Jacky, was killed. Zeke's personal and professional life went into a tailspin, and he's lucky he survived but angry with Miles when he buys the building. Miles surprises him with an offer of employment as Art Director. He accepts the challenge and finds that he not only can apply his skills in this job, but he has the capacity to form a relationship with an unlikely match-- Miles himself.

Miles is shocked by his reactions to Zeke and slowly, very slowly, the two begin a romantic relationship. I'm glad the author took the time to let this relationship happen slowly or it wouldn't have been so believable.

There's some underlying drama with a mystery surrounding ownership of a set of famous sketches that Zeke's brother created before his death and the climax to that comes near the end of the story after the second show at the gallery. Surprises await both the attendees at the show and the reader as more than a new art piece is revealed.

If you're looking for heat along with a good story, never fear, these guys burn up the sheets. I'm going to start Flying Colors today because I can't wait to see the memorable secondary characters, Red and Carter, have their own story. I highly recommend this to readers of M/M romance who enjoy a well thought out story along with their romance.

4.5 stars rounded up for the complexity of the characters

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Like fire to ice, I'll melt you with my love. The flame's gonna burn until the walls come down. Like fire to ice, I'll touch you to warn you, the burning won't stop until the walls come tumbling down.” ~ Noel At first glance, Miles and Zeke of 'True Colors' by Clare London, seem to be like fire and ice, as different as two men can be, but their hearts are in the same place. Their differences add friction and sparkle; the similarities provide comfort and love.

Zeke is spontaneous and eccentric, even for an artist. He's exceptionally handsome, brilliant, talented. He's also flamboyant, rebellious, difficult, and, since his brother died, very self-destructive. Under his outrageous facade, Zeke is in excruciating pain. Either by accident or design Zeke has lost everything, including his passion for creating art. The grief he feels from losing his brother is crushing him. He uses sex and alcohol to dull the pain, but it also destroys his creativity. He needs inspiration and purpose. He needs a challenge and Miles is there to present him with more challenges than he can imagine.

In all outward appearances, Miles is perfect. He's handsome, rich, popular, cool, calm, and very rich. Seemingly, Miles has everything he could ever want. Yet, he's restless and dissatisfied. He's searching for something which has so far eluded him. He's fascinated with Zeke, attracted to his bohemian lifestyle and in awe of his talent. Miles's respects Zeke's grieving period, but also gently shoves him to back to his art, because he believes that Zeke's talent is extraordinary and should be expressed and shared. Miles is not willing to stand by and let him throw is gift away. As he and Zeke start their dance of seduction, Miles realizes that it will take a great deal of patience and resolve before he and Zeke learn to dance together successfully.

This is a hot, sexy love story, full of angst, and involving an amazing amount self-discovery. It's myriad subplots lead the reader up, down, and sideways as its mysteries unfold in unexpected, but interesting ways. If you like a passionate read with secondary characters as interesting at the main ones, a story which will keep you on the edge of your seat, not only with its steamy sex, but, also with its mystery, intrigue, suspense, and revelations, then you will love 'True Colors'.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Charly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked some parts of it very much but was disappointed by others

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- Hot sex scenes--frequent and descriptive without overshadowing the story. And there’s one scene in which the characters only kiss that is just fabulous.
- Sweet, romantic gesture and ensuing moment between the two main characters at an art show.
- Hints at a lovely secondary romance that I hope, hope, hope London will write another book about. Please, Ms. London, if you read this, consider a second volume about those two.
- Good descriptions of the art that is central to the storyline. Many authors who describe paintings, photographs, etc. never give you a real idea of what the artwork actually looks like; they talk vaguely of “colors” and “lines” and “emotions.” London uses those descriptors too, but I had a pretty strong sense of the pieces’ actual appearances also.

CONS:
- Fragmented ending. There’s a plot point hinted at all through the story that is resolved at the end, but at the conclusion, I couldn’t help scratching my head a bit at the WAY it’s resolved. I suppose I was expecting a big, Agatha Christie-like, dramatic revelation at the end, so perhaps I’m being overcritical about the resolution of the plot.
- London sets her reader up for a certain development in the characters’ sex lives that never materializes. I felt remarkably let down at the end of the book because the story led me to believe that a particular step in their relationship was imminent and yet I never got to see it.
- One character who’s temperamental and frustrating. Seems like almost every conversation they have turns into an argument, and it’s always the same guy who turns it that way.

Overall comments: This is an enjoyable book despite the shortcomings of the story’s close. If you’re the type of reader who wants everything nicely wrapped up when you finish a story, though, I think you’ll be similarly disappointed in the ending; there are hints that perhaps London was being rushed by an editor and didn’t have time to draft a fully realized conclusion to the story.

[Jilrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a bit surprised how much I liked this book overall. At 20% I was concerned I wouldn’t finish. It just took off after that. I can’t explain what was different. Maybe the interactions between Miles and Zeke were better, I’m not sure. Whatever the reason, I can recommend this book. Miles starts repressed or controlled, maybe even cold, but then he loosens up and becomes vulnerable and needy. Zeke is just needy the whole way through the story. ;-) Secondary characters get a lot of screen time; so much that they aren’t really secondary. I felt sorry for Carter. He was a little pathetic in the early going. I think he grew as much as Zeke did. Yes, even though Zeke is needy, he grows. He’s loses the brat needy and becomes touchy feely needy by the end. does that even make sense? Then there’s Red. Yeah, I didn’t like him at first. I thought he was going to try to get between our main characters. I was wrong. Malia, Miles’ employee starts off a little obnoxious too. She changes, but it’s a direct result of loving her job once Miles chills out and Zeke becomes the awesome boss. We see Tony every now and then, too. He’s another one of Miles/Zeke’s employees.

This is primarily a love story. The angst is normal relationship growth. Miles & Zeke not wanting to be vulnerable and the first one to say the other matters. Paradoxically, neither one wants to chase the other off by being too clingy. They finally get through that mental block, and while they never say it, they love each other. This part is very well done.

In addition to the love story with all it’s angst, there is the mystery of fires and missing sketches. I think I’ll skip the spoiler info and just say it’s a little cliché but not.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone give me a medal. I finished it!!!!

I've had this on my TBR for what? A year? Somewhere around there, probably less. Still, the cover kept taunting me when I would look at my TBR. I finally said "Why not?" I saw the rating and thought it should be good. To be honest, I have no idea where the high ratings are coming from. Did they read the same thing I did? I was almost ready to give up at 8% in. For me, it was SO slow. I kept wanting something to happen. Maybe have the two MC's together more? I don't know. By 20% I was ready to throw in the towel. It was still slow, but it was around 10pm and I didn't want to start a new book so I kept going. At 40% I said FINALLY! But, then, for me, it was still slow. I finally went to bed around 1am and made it to 70%. Woke up this morning and said if I don't finish it by 10am I am going to DNF. I gave myself a time limit, because today is a new day time for a new book (or two). Well, I finished it in time. Now, I am here ranting about it.

How many POV's do we need? We have some random girl named Jo, Malia (she works for Miles), John (he works for Miles), Red (best friend of Miles), Carter (best friend of Zeke), Zeke, Miles, hell even the bartender Marty got in on the action. Did we really need all that?

I thought Miles was some big shot? Why did he need Red to call him secure transport? Couldn't he have called his own people?

I'm sorry, I am probably being a major bitch here. I just had to get out my frustration.

Needless to say I won't be reading any further into the lives of Miles and Zeke.

My 2 stars are for Zeke's temper :)

Maybe I just don't get art?

[Merwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. It was a long and satisfying read. I keep being amazed at Clare London's ability to write hot and sexy yet very tasteful sex scenes. The cover does not do the book justice... It should've been something more "artsy" I think.

The only let-down for me was that I was expecting a scene with Miles bottoming... During their first time together, Zeke said something that I took as a hint that Miles bottoming would be like a step towards a deeper connection between them or something... also some of the dialogue also made me expect them to eventually do it without a condom. These are by no means required or automatically expected, of course not; but I felt like a lot of the interaction between the couple was leading up to these two things and they never happened.

Also, I'm convinced a final scene between Carter and Red was missing! I didn't feel that their story "ended".

And finally, Miles was not as unique a character to me as the other ones. I never felt like I had a grasp on him, on his character.

But overall, a great book.

[ElaineY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally read this. A hand injury that's causing a lot of pain and a hectic schedule diminished with my enjoyment of reading these past weeks. As a result, I found True Colors a little too long, sagged a bit in the middle but, thankfully, finished well.

Zeke was like a huge jigsaw puzzle in its box. Tip it out and there're like a zillion different pieces that are supposed to fit...somehow. Most of the time, he was a jumble of colors and emotions but like Miles, I plodded on, determined to finish this picture even if I didn't know how each piece of Zeke fitted.

And the finished picture was a good one because if Zeke made a beautiful picture, Miles was just the right frame to show him off.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out slowly, takes its time introducing the characters and setting up the story. Then, as the story takes shape and the characters come together, it grabs you and keeps you hooked until the end. When Zeke and Miles are together, you can almost feel the sexual tension in the room. These two are smokin hot together. I especially like how the tension level does not seem to lessen as their relationship progresses.

Miles' friend, Red, is fabulous. I would love to see him and David get together and really hope we get to see more of them in the future.

There are a lot of clues along the way to solve the mystery, but a few twists as well. I'm really looking foward to reading more about these guys.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This almost works, it's a nice slow burn. Zeke is the up and coming artist who has lost it all and is now just living in the bottle. Miles is the super successful businessman who doesn't have much outside of his success. But the POVs are confusing because we open with women and there are a lot of women in this. There are reasons for it, but it makes it a bit tough to get started. I did like the resolution although the mystery was a bit "pat". I want to read the next book, I liked Carter and Red!

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I wanted: an easy read with romance, a touch of angst but ultimately, a happy ending.

Zeke and Miles are such opposites, but cannot escape each other's gravitational pull. Thank goodness! As the reader can see how their differences will compliment each other and they will make an unstoppable team.

Another great book, Clare!

[Vallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 wonderful stars!

I love stories about artists where we get to read about how the art was created or get details deascription of the art work. Zeke's voice sounded so real to me, so different, so unique. I am not writing a review, but I highly highly highly recommend this book to mm fans who like steamy romance with really strong character development. So worth it.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! speak of emotion and gut wrenching developments! this book is really great on the character side - there is real depth there and I loved how the relationship developed. also there is a lot of sparks.
it was a bit low on the plot ... which I expected after reading the description.

nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think there is much I can add that I haven't already said in my "currently reading" updates. I absolutely loved this book. This is my first Clare London book, but it won't be my last. I loved the two main characters and how well they were tied to the minor characters. A+

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars.

[Ms. Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2 1/2 Stars~ At times this read was drawn out. Towards the end I found myself bored with all the "talking" and the story was too easily/conveniently wrapped up.