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Common Powers #3
Edward Unconditionally
Series: Common Powers ; Previous Book: Rush in the Dark
Genre: LGBT Paranormal
When Jack meets Edward at a traffic stop, his world is rocked -- and not for the better. Edward is the gayest man he’s ever seen, and Spring Lake is a small town just getting comfortable with its own new gay couple, Brian Russell and Rush Weston. Unlike Edward, Rush and Brian are big, strapping, manly men. But manly isn’t what turns Jack on. It’s Edward -- everything about the younger man drives Jack wild with desire and the need to control Edward’s wild, impetuous spirit.
For Edward, his attraction to “bad boys” has been his romantic downfall. His heart’s been broken so many times he’s lost count. When he meets Jack, Edward falls for the all-American by-the-book lawman, but finds his attempts rebuffed and his pride severely wounded. Jack’s straight, or at least says he is, but Edward knows that look in Jack’s eyes, he’s seen it before from other men. How can a man so right be so wrong?
Edward tempts Jack beyond anyone he’s ever met and his desire for Edward builds each time he encounters the younger man, until he can no longer deny it or himself. But Edward doesn’t want sex on the side, he wants forever. He wants the fairy tale.
Can Jack give Edward what he wants or will Jack’s fear of being ridiculed for his choice of a partner keep them from their Happily Ever After?
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual situations.
Genre: LGBT Paranormal
When Jack meets Edward at a traffic stop, his world is rocked -- and not for the better. Edward is the gayest man he’s ever seen, and Spring Lake is a small town just getting comfortable with its own new gay couple, Brian Russell and Rush Weston. Unlike Edward, Rush and Brian are big, strapping, manly men. But manly isn’t what turns Jack on. It’s Edward -- everything about the younger man drives Jack wild with desire and the need to control Edward’s wild, impetuous spirit.
For Edward, his attraction to “bad boys” has been his romantic downfall. His heart’s been broken so many times he’s lost count. When he meets Jack, Edward falls for the all-American by-the-book lawman, but finds his attempts rebuffed and his pride severely wounded. Jack’s straight, or at least says he is, but Edward knows that look in Jack’s eyes, he’s seen it before from other men. How can a man so right be so wrong?
Edward tempts Jack beyond anyone he’s ever met and his desire for Edward builds each time he encounters the younger man, until he can no longer deny it or himself. But Edward doesn’t want sex on the side, he wants forever. He wants the fairy tale.
Can Jack give Edward what he wants or will Jack’s fear of being ridiculed for his choice of a partner keep them from their Happily Ever After?
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual situations.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2009
17 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Lorenz
68 books316 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
January 21, 2010
Edward was such a great character and Jack's reaction was exciting to watch.
Edward is something of a flamboyant soul that attracts Jack's stoic and repressed heart like a super magnet. The first scene is quite funny and I could picture it in my head perfectly as I read it. Jack is not healthy though and thankfully, impetuous Edward has a gift that can help him with the problem. Little do they realize that the health issue is bigger then just headaches and blurry vision.
Edward is on a mission to leave his broken heart behind in Atlanta. His plan is to get reacquainted with his grandmother in a south Texas town he eventually affectionately calls Hooterville. The time Edward spends with his Meemaw is touching. Edwards love for his dog is astounding and Jack's helplessness to stand up against it is intriguing to watch.
Jack has his own issues with control and reputation. After digging his way out and moving his way up from very humble beginnings, he is hypersensitive to what others think. Being Police Chief is his identity and he has ruthlessly suppressed his need for companionship along the way to reach his goal. Edward is everything he is attracted to personally but in such a small town he knows that relationship will garner everything he is scared of: ridicule and gossip as well as the possible loss of his job and respect of his townsfolk.
What is more important to Jack? Edward will have nothing less than total commitment, no closets or secrets or hidden agendas. Can Jack overcome his fear and reach out?
There is not a lot of sex in this book. Jack and Edward don't hook up in that way until well past the middle of the book, but their imaginations/fantasies are very good up to that point as well.
We meet back up with Mitchell and Sammi (from book 1) and Rush and Brian (from book 2) several times. They all play a part in bringing Jack and Edward to the boiling point. Sammi and Edward become quite good friends and the gang is all there for Edward as he faces some sad facts of life.
It was a very good way to wrap up this trilogy but I would have loved to have seen a more comprehensive epilogue. I hated to part way with the three couples.
Edward is something of a flamboyant soul that attracts Jack's stoic and repressed heart like a super magnet. The first scene is quite funny and I could picture it in my head perfectly as I read it. Jack is not healthy though and thankfully, impetuous Edward has a gift that can help him with the problem. Little do they realize that the health issue is bigger then just headaches and blurry vision.
Edward is on a mission to leave his broken heart behind in Atlanta. His plan is to get reacquainted with his grandmother in a south Texas town he eventually affectionately calls Hooterville. The time Edward spends with his Meemaw is touching. Edwards love for his dog is astounding and Jack's helplessness to stand up against it is intriguing to watch.
Jack has his own issues with control and reputation. After digging his way out and moving his way up from very humble beginnings, he is hypersensitive to what others think. Being Police Chief is his identity and he has ruthlessly suppressed his need for companionship along the way to reach his goal. Edward is everything he is attracted to personally but in such a small town he knows that relationship will garner everything he is scared of: ridicule and gossip as well as the possible loss of his job and respect of his townsfolk.
What is more important to Jack? Edward will have nothing less than total commitment, no closets or secrets or hidden agendas. Can Jack overcome his fear and reach out?
There is not a lot of sex in this book. Jack and Edward don't hook up in that way until well past the middle of the book, but their imaginations/fantasies are very good up to that point as well.
We meet back up with Mitchell and Sammi (from book 1) and Rush and Brian (from book 2) several times. They all play a part in bringing Jack and Edward to the boiling point. Sammi and Edward become quite good friends and the gang is all there for Edward as he faces some sad facts of life.
It was a very good way to wrap up this trilogy but I would have loved to have seen a more comprehensive epilogue. I hated to part way with the three couples.
May 28, 2012
Its a toss up between 4.5 and 5 stars so Winston deserves that half star! Enjoyed this story so much Jack, Edward and especially Winston the best matchmaker going around, he cracked me up with his first meet and greet with Jack, I couldn't stop laughing at the comedy of errors after that special introduction. Adorable and a perfect pick me up!
October 29, 2011
This book was exactly what I needed :) it kept me entertained and rooting for Jack and Edward until the end.
Oh, I forgot about Winston! I'm so sorry, buddy! You're the best!
Oh, I forgot about Winston! I'm so sorry, buddy! You're the best!
August 23, 2014
2.5 stars
Dear god, this was like a soap opera gone horribly wrong (like more wrong than usual). There were so many misunderstandings, a completely unexplored psychic element, and whiplash-inducing InstaLove.
The characters were completely flat: the serious chief of police living his lonely, uncomplicated life and the rich, flamboyant party-boy who's had his heart broken one too many times. The two MCs, Jack and Edward, meet when Jack pulls over Edward for speeding. Edward's bulldog bites Jack (why is never explained; for the rest of the book, the dog is mellow and sweet), and Jack arrests the dog and Edward, sort of. He then agrees to doggysit said bulldog, even as he's waiting for proof of rabies shots. Yeah, WTF is right. Everything about this screamed slapstick.
The resolution (Edward being scared to love; Jack being scared to come out and lose the respect of the small Texas town) is reached way too easily, and everything is neatly tied into a bow. There are some totally irrelevant details (about Edward's dad, about two homophobic mechanics, about Edward's "gift") thrown in, for interest, I suppose, but the topics were dropped and never really explored. Even Edward's relationship with his grandma didn't work for me; they don't see each other for almost 20 years, but immediately they're super close. Nope, don't buy it.
There were cute moments, but only a couple steamy scenes. This was a fast, cute read but utterly forgettable.
Dear god, this was like a soap opera gone horribly wrong (like more wrong than usual). There were so many misunderstandings, a completely unexplored psychic element, and whiplash-inducing InstaLove.
The characters were completely flat: the serious chief of police living his lonely, uncomplicated life and the rich, flamboyant party-boy who's had his heart broken one too many times. The two MCs, Jack and Edward, meet when Jack pulls over Edward for speeding. Edward's bulldog bites Jack (why is never explained; for the rest of the book, the dog is mellow and sweet), and Jack arrests the dog and Edward, sort of. He then agrees to doggysit said bulldog, even as he's waiting for proof of rabies shots. Yeah, WTF is right. Everything about this screamed slapstick.
The resolution (Edward being scared to love; Jack being scared to come out and lose the respect of the small Texas town) is reached way too easily, and everything is neatly tied into a bow. There are some totally irrelevant details (about Edward's dad, about two homophobic mechanics, about Edward's "gift") thrown in, for interest, I suppose, but the topics were dropped and never really explored. Even Edward's relationship with his grandma didn't work for me; they don't see each other for almost 20 years, but immediately they're super close. Nope, don't buy it.
There were cute moments, but only a couple steamy scenes. This was a fast, cute read but utterly forgettable.
May 27, 2012
4.5 stars. I'm so glad that I read this one. Just loved Edward and Jack, but my favorite was definitely Winston.
March 17, 2011
Funny thing, even if described as "the gayest man ever seen", I never feel that Edward is that flamboyant. At least, he doesn't end each of his conversation with "darling", he doesn't feel "flaming". WAIT, am I stereotyping?!? Sorry, not my intention.
Anyway, I LOVE this book, even more than Sammi and Mitchell's. I think the main charm comes from both guys (whereas in Soul Bonds, I only care for Sammi). Both Jack and Edward have a hurtful past but they go along in life doing what they do best. It's wonderful to read that these two lonely soul finally find each other.
Winston, the dog, is a scene stealer. I would like to think that he plays a better matchmaker than the other men (who invite Jack and Edward for a game of poker). I must say that Winston done a very goob of bringing them together.
Small niggles: when Sammi kisses Edward just to get Jack to react. I'm not comfortable with that; I know it means nothing, it is definitely not cheating, but it's just not to my liking, okay? AND at the end, with Jack's burst of anger, which I think is a bit weird. Because I don't really get any hint from what Edward is saying to his mom, that he is planning to leave Jack. It leaves me with a "HUH, what the hell happened there??"
It's a good story, emotional in some parts, with two likeable men.
Anyway, I LOVE this book, even more than Sammi and Mitchell's. I think the main charm comes from both guys (whereas in Soul Bonds, I only care for Sammi). Both Jack and Edward have a hurtful past but they go along in life doing what they do best. It's wonderful to read that these two lonely soul finally find each other.
Winston, the dog, is a scene stealer. I would like to think that he plays a better matchmaker than the other men (who invite Jack and Edward for a game of poker). I must say that Winston done a very goob of bringing them together.
Small niggles: when Sammi kisses Edward just to get Jack to react. I'm not comfortable with that; I know it means nothing, it is definitely not cheating, but it's just not to my liking, okay? AND at the end, with Jack's burst of anger, which I think is a bit weird. Because I don't really get any hint from what Edward is saying to his mom, that he is planning to leave Jack. It leaves me with a "HUH, what the hell happened there??"
It's a good story, emotional in some parts, with two likeable men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2009
This is really an amazing story: once again it's the characters i felt in love with in the first ten pages!!!
I can't say which one i prefer: they are both so loveable.
The story is really well written: extremely funny moments (i found myself laughting out loud lots of time) and extremely sad too.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I can't say which one i prefer: they are both so loveable.
The story is really well written: extremely funny moments (i found myself laughting out loud lots of time) and extremely sad too.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
May 14, 2010
Lynn Lorenz did this story right. Its a comfort read without being too fluffy. She also made me cry by pushing one of my buttons but she couldnt have done that unless she totally sold me on the characters which she did, in spades. She also made me laugh and cringe and want to smack the guys upside the head. AND! She totally made me want to lick Jack all over his furry chief of police body. mmmm!
At one part in the book, I thought 'oh no! This is where she is totally going to get it wrong' but she didnt. She made believable gay characters. Thanks, Lynn!!
At one part in the book, I thought 'oh no! This is where she is totally going to get it wrong' but she didnt. She made believable gay characters. Thanks, Lynn!!
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June 5, 2009The Common Powers series by Lynn Lorenz it's probably the only series were the paranormal powers of some of its characters are less important than the story, so less important that sometime you even forget that they exist.
Edward is a full flamboyant gay man from Atlanta. From a wealthy family, that maybe could not approve his "lifestyle", but would never let him live under their social status, Edward has never considered himself worthy of the love of a good man, and so he has always chosen the bad boys, but unfortunately not the "good" type of bad boys. When the last in a string of profiteers, clears out his bank account, Edward's mother, the one who manages Edward's money till his 40 years, gives him only one option: going in Texas and takes care of his ailing grandmother (a woman he has not seen in 15 years), while the scandal fades away in Georgia.
Edward takes his red sporty car, his Louis Vuitton matching suitcase set, his little bulldog named Winston (who has a matching wardrobe with his daddy), and drives as fast as he can toward Spring Lake in Texas, obviously infringing the speed limit and being halted by Jack, the handsome chief of police of Spring Lake. To 35 years old Edward, but with a behavior of a teenager, Jack appears as an unreachable man, handsome but too much older, and obviously straight. To Jack instead Edward appears like a forbidden fruit, someone he can't never imagine to have for his own in the small town where he lives. Maybe if Edward was more mainly, able to face the hardness to live in such a context... but no, Edward is lithe and gentle, screaming gay like a neon in the night.
Jack is deeply in the closet, and at 45 years old he has almost reached that phase in live when almost doesn't matter. He is not like so many other men, going in the city when the urge is too much, he has simply became comfortable with his quiet life and his loneliness. But first Winston and then Edward make him realize that he is not at all content with his life and that he wants Edward, and also Winston. Yes, since Winston is a very important character in the story, and I believe that the little dog recognized at first glance the right man for his daddy, and took the right move to be sure that the two got together.
Even if the book is very much focused on Jack and Edward's relationship, the sex doesn't arrive soon. And it's right like that, since it's not simple for Jack letting go years of conditioning and self-deprivation. Here maybe there is the only point of the book that made me wonder: there is obviously some secret in Jack's past, something that pushed him, in a good and bad way, to become the man he is now, but this aspect is not fully developed, remain something vague that we see only through some blurry image of Jack's memories.
On the other hand, Edward is fully developed, and I loved so much when he said that he wanted the fairy tale, for once in his life he wanted a man who loves him unconditionally, for who he is right now, without changing him... it's not only a desire for a dream lover, it's also the desperate cry of a rejected child. On the outside Edward seems sexy and funny, but he is for real a man with a desperate need of love. And Jack has so much love hidden inside, that he is obviously the right match for Edward, when he will decide to let it go.
The story is nice, it has obviously its funny moment, but it's mostly more romantic and sweet than light, and less erotic than expected, even if the sex you find, it's really good.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607374129/?...
Edward is a full flamboyant gay man from Atlanta. From a wealthy family, that maybe could not approve his "lifestyle", but would never let him live under their social status, Edward has never considered himself worthy of the love of a good man, and so he has always chosen the bad boys, but unfortunately not the "good" type of bad boys. When the last in a string of profiteers, clears out his bank account, Edward's mother, the one who manages Edward's money till his 40 years, gives him only one option: going in Texas and takes care of his ailing grandmother (a woman he has not seen in 15 years), while the scandal fades away in Georgia.
Edward takes his red sporty car, his Louis Vuitton matching suitcase set, his little bulldog named Winston (who has a matching wardrobe with his daddy), and drives as fast as he can toward Spring Lake in Texas, obviously infringing the speed limit and being halted by Jack, the handsome chief of police of Spring Lake. To 35 years old Edward, but with a behavior of a teenager, Jack appears as an unreachable man, handsome but too much older, and obviously straight. To Jack instead Edward appears like a forbidden fruit, someone he can't never imagine to have for his own in the small town where he lives. Maybe if Edward was more mainly, able to face the hardness to live in such a context... but no, Edward is lithe and gentle, screaming gay like a neon in the night.
Jack is deeply in the closet, and at 45 years old he has almost reached that phase in live when almost doesn't matter. He is not like so many other men, going in the city when the urge is too much, he has simply became comfortable with his quiet life and his loneliness. But first Winston and then Edward make him realize that he is not at all content with his life and that he wants Edward, and also Winston. Yes, since Winston is a very important character in the story, and I believe that the little dog recognized at first glance the right man for his daddy, and took the right move to be sure that the two got together.
Even if the book is very much focused on Jack and Edward's relationship, the sex doesn't arrive soon. And it's right like that, since it's not simple for Jack letting go years of conditioning and self-deprivation. Here maybe there is the only point of the book that made me wonder: there is obviously some secret in Jack's past, something that pushed him, in a good and bad way, to become the man he is now, but this aspect is not fully developed, remain something vague that we see only through some blurry image of Jack's memories.
On the other hand, Edward is fully developed, and I loved so much when he said that he wanted the fairy tale, for once in his life he wanted a man who loves him unconditionally, for who he is right now, without changing him... it's not only a desire for a dream lover, it's also the desperate cry of a rejected child. On the outside Edward seems sexy and funny, but he is for real a man with a desperate need of love. And Jack has so much love hidden inside, that he is obviously the right match for Edward, when he will decide to let it go.
The story is nice, it has obviously its funny moment, but it's mostly more romantic and sweet than light, and less erotic than expected, even if the sex you find, it's really good.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607374129/?...
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July 14, 2017У автора заело пластинку: мне нельзя его хотеть, связываться с ним опасно, но я все равно хочу его, он лучше всех, такой красивый, такой чуйственный, но мне ведь нельзя его хотеть - и так далее по кругу. Причем оба персонажа страдают этой херней после каждого столкновения друг с другом. Раздражающая фигня.
А, да. Паранормальный аспект показан ровным счетом никак. То есть он как бы есть, но непонятно зачем. Книга легко обошлась бы и без свехрспособностей ГГ.
А, да. Паранормальный аспект показан ровным счетом никак. То есть он как бы есть, но непонятно зачем. Книга легко обошлась бы и без свехрспособностей ГГ.
May 27, 2010
I was somewhat hesitant to buy this book as I couldn't see myself finding Edward a sexy, attractive protag. He's described as "the gayest man he's ever seen" by Jack Whittaker, the hunky manly chief of police from the earlier book. I was too used to masculine, manly-men protags in my romances, being female and straight so um...Edward, Joey (Z A Mitchell) and other gay protags like them, I wasn't sure.
I ended up loving EU and adoring Edward. I could see why Jack would freak out at the thought of coming out and it being known that Edward, the gayest man he'd ever seen, was his lover.
I did find parts of Edward and his grandmother a little long and skipped many of those pages, reading only enough to know he comes to love her dearly.
I enjoyed seeing Mitchell and Sammy and relieved that there wasn't any weird menage or group sex this time! Common Powers is an enjoyable series, despite the group sex scene in Book 2. If you haven't read the book yet and don't care for menages, you can skip those pages as they don't make any difference to the story at all.
I ended up loving EU and adoring Edward. I could see why Jack would freak out at the thought of coming out and it being known that Edward, the gayest man he'd ever seen, was his lover.
I did find parts of Edward and his grandmother a little long and skipped many of those pages, reading only enough to know he comes to love her dearly.
I enjoyed seeing Mitchell and Sammy and relieved that there wasn't any weird menage or group sex this time! Common Powers is an enjoyable series, despite the group sex scene in Book 2. If you haven't read the book yet and don't care for menages, you can skip those pages as they don't make any difference to the story at all.
June 23, 2010
Edward Unconditionally by Lynn Lorenz – What do I love best about this book, which is third in the Common Powers Series? Edward, of course. He has a relationship with his bulldog that’s eerily reminiscent of the relationship one of my BFF’s has with his Dachshund’s. Edward isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and has a heart as big as Texas. He is also not your typical straight-acting, uber-masculine gay man providing proof that nelly guys need love too! Edward just is. The book is sweet, funny, and determined in the best sense of the word. In Edward, Lorenz created a character who half stumbles, half barrels through life, yet always pushes forward as if a force of nature all his own. He can’t help himself – it’s all he knows.
From my post, The Inside Reader on Elisa Rolle's Reviews & Ramblings -
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/98440
From my post, The Inside Reader on Elisa Rolle's Reviews & Ramblings -
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/98440
February 8, 2013
Wow, OK- going against the crowd here. While the writing was fine, and once in a while had a few gems, I found the book to be cliche after cliche - check the box romance. Just not my book.
August 14, 2017
Loved the beginning of this book, but it all went downhill very fast after I hit the 30% mark.
January 14, 2013
4.5 Stars
Chief of Police, Jack Whittaker, meets Edward at a traffic stop. Edward is flamboyant, over-the-top, and probably the gayest man Jack has ever seen. Spring Lake is a small town just getting comfortable with its own new gay couple, Brian Russell and Rush Weston. When Edward meets Jack, he falls for the all-American by-the-book lawman, but finds his attempts rebuffed and his pride severely wounded. Jack is straight, or at least says he is. Edward's history with bad-boys has left him broken-hearted more times than he can recall. Edward tempts Jack more than anyone he's ever met and his desire for Edward builds each time he encounters the younger man, but Edward doesn't want sex on the side, he wants forever. He wants the fairy tale. Is Jack man enough to stand up for what he wants or will his fear of being ridiculed for his choice of partner deny him and Edward their HEA?
This is my favorite book of the series. I loved both MCs. And, Winston (Edward's dog) stole the show. I absolutely ADORED him!!! Jack and Edward's story was incredibly sweet. I loved the contrast of their characters. At first blush, I was hard pressed to see them together for the long haul but as the story progressed I fell in love with them as they fell head over heels for each other. The PNR aspect was more pronounced in this book as Edward's healing power played a more prominent role in the story. Like Ami, I was uncomfortable with Sammi's ploy to light the proverbial fire under Jack's butt. I understand that it was just an act and not cheating per se but I felt it was manipulative nonetheless and out of bounds IMHO. Just saying.
Bottom line: A thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to the Common Powers series. I loved Edward and Jack but Winston most of all!
Chief of Police, Jack Whittaker, meets Edward at a traffic stop. Edward is flamboyant, over-the-top, and probably the gayest man Jack has ever seen. Spring Lake is a small town just getting comfortable with its own new gay couple, Brian Russell and Rush Weston. When Edward meets Jack, he falls for the all-American by-the-book lawman, but finds his attempts rebuffed and his pride severely wounded. Jack is straight, or at least says he is. Edward's history with bad-boys has left him broken-hearted more times than he can recall. Edward tempts Jack more than anyone he's ever met and his desire for Edward builds each time he encounters the younger man, but Edward doesn't want sex on the side, he wants forever. He wants the fairy tale. Is Jack man enough to stand up for what he wants or will his fear of being ridiculed for his choice of partner deny him and Edward their HEA?
This is my favorite book of the series. I loved both MCs. And, Winston (Edward's dog) stole the show. I absolutely ADORED him!!! Jack and Edward's story was incredibly sweet. I loved the contrast of their characters. At first blush, I was hard pressed to see them together for the long haul but as the story progressed I fell in love with them as they fell head over heels for each other. The PNR aspect was more pronounced in this book as Edward's healing power played a more prominent role in the story. Like Ami, I was uncomfortable with Sammi's ploy to light the proverbial fire under Jack's butt. I understand that it was just an act and not cheating per se but I felt it was manipulative nonetheless and out of bounds IMHO. Just saying.
Bottom line: A thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to the Common Powers series. I loved Edward and Jack but Winston most of all!
May 5, 2012
4.5 stars
Without question the best of the series.
I loved everything about this one...especially Edward and his quirky ways. I started giggling almost from page one. Yes some parts weren't meant to be funny and a bit of angst is always good but for the most part...i laughed my butt off.
Without question the best of the series.
I loved everything about this one...especially Edward and his quirky ways. I started giggling almost from page one. Yes some parts weren't meant to be funny and a bit of angst is always good but for the most part...i laughed my butt off.
July 10, 2012
I love it... unconditionally ♥♥♥
March 11, 2022
I love a bratty bottom, and I really love a swishy, bratty bottom. Seeing as how I really adored the first two books in this series and I'm becoming a big fan of Lynn Lorenz, once I read the description of this third installment I couldn't wait to read it. Within minutes of beginning, I was in love with Edward. "The idea of being on a farm gave him the heebie-jeebies. He was so not a Country Living kind of guy. More like Metropolitan Design. Sleek leather, minimalistic window treatments, grass-mat flooring. No livestock in the house. Not lace curtains, tacky, multicolored chintz, and those god-awful oval rugs from the fifties." When I discovered that the Jack mentioned in the description was none other than the chief of police whom I met in book two, I was over the moon happy!
Edward Beauregard has been sent to Spring Lake by his mother to check on his grandmother and, even though he's thirty-five, he dare not say no. At least, not if he values his trust fund, and he definitely does. His dear, departed father made the ruling that Edward can not inherit his trust fund until he's forty. As if he would have stopped being gay before that! Ridiculous! The timing is excellent, though, since he just had another embarrassing and public breakup in Atlanta and it's time to go somewhere to lick his wounds. So, Edward and his best friend, Winston, his bulldog, head to Spring Lake, Texas. All I'm going to say about Edward's first meeting with Jack, is that I laughed so hard I snorted.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Edward Beauregard has been sent to Spring Lake by his mother to check on his grandmother and, even though he's thirty-five, he dare not say no. At least, not if he values his trust fund, and he definitely does. His dear, departed father made the ruling that Edward can not inherit his trust fund until he's forty. As if he would have stopped being gay before that! Ridiculous! The timing is excellent, though, since he just had another embarrassing and public breakup in Atlanta and it's time to go somewhere to lick his wounds. So, Edward and his best friend, Winston, his bulldog, head to Spring Lake, Texas. All I'm going to say about Edward's first meeting with Jack, is that I laughed so hard I snorted.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
July 6, 2012
This was cute...and sad!
First off, I must say that I didn't read the previous 2 books of this series; someone told me that this one was the best so I jumped straight into it. And honestly, I didn't have any trouble following. I guess you could call this a PNR, but there isn't much world building or paranormal elements. Only a few characters have a special power, in this case, Edward has the power to heal others. Not sure where it comes from...its just there. I did identify the previous 2 couples and enough of their back story was given not to cause me any confusion.
My FAVORITE character was Winston, the bulldog!
Edward and Jack were an okay couple. Not too much going on there to get excited about though. :(
What else totally upset me was that
I liked this okay, but I probably won't be reading the other books of the series.
First off, I must say that I didn't read the previous 2 books of this series; someone told me that this one was the best so I jumped straight into it. And honestly, I didn't have any trouble following. I guess you could call this a PNR, but there isn't much world building or paranormal elements. Only a few characters have a special power, in this case, Edward has the power to heal others. Not sure where it comes from...its just there. I did identify the previous 2 couples and enough of their back story was given not to cause me any confusion.
My FAVORITE character was Winston, the bulldog!
Edward and Jack were an okay couple. Not too much going on there to get excited about though. :(
What else totally upset me was that
I liked this okay, but I probably won't be reading the other books of the series.
February 22, 2011
Kinda boring, to be honest...
There was very little chemistry between the two main characters because they didn't spend enough time together to form any kind of emotional or intellectual connection. I honestly can't understand how or why they fell in love. When they're together, they don't converse all that much, or interact in any meaningful way. They spend most of the book thinking about each other, and fantasizing about each other, yes, but they interact more with secondary characters than with each other... and then all of a sudden, they're in love. And I'm like...what the heck? How did that happen? (O.o)
And frankly, I'm disappointed with Edward. He's so boring and annoying for a character who's supposed to be super gay. I don't know. I just didn't feel anything for him at all. Maybe I'm bias. I just finished reading Marie Sexton's Strawberries for Dessert, and am still reeling from my infatuation with Cole, whose over-the-top gayness is charming, entertaining and sexy as all heck. So when I came upon Edward...ugh... I guess he just couldn't compare.
So yeah, that's my two cents...boring plot, nonexistence chemistry, mediocre characters... The 2 stars are for the dog.
There was very little chemistry between the two main characters because they didn't spend enough time together to form any kind of emotional or intellectual connection. I honestly can't understand how or why they fell in love. When they're together, they don't converse all that much, or interact in any meaningful way. They spend most of the book thinking about each other, and fantasizing about each other, yes, but they interact more with secondary characters than with each other... and then all of a sudden, they're in love. And I'm like...what the heck? How did that happen? (O.o)
And frankly, I'm disappointed with Edward. He's so boring and annoying for a character who's supposed to be super gay. I don't know. I just didn't feel anything for him at all. Maybe I'm bias. I just finished reading Marie Sexton's Strawberries for Dessert, and am still reeling from my infatuation with Cole, whose over-the-top gayness is charming, entertaining and sexy as all heck. So when I came upon Edward...ugh... I guess he just couldn't compare.
So yeah, that's my two cents...boring plot, nonexistence chemistry, mediocre characters... The 2 stars are for the dog.
July 12, 2011
This is my favorite of the Common Powers so far. I loved Edward's relationship with his grandmother. I think because this story was a bit longer than the other two and the other couples from the first two books make appearances here, we learned quite a bit about Jack and Edward. Jack's isolation and pain came through loud and clear as well as his fear of losing control of his nice little compartmentalized life. Edward just blows right through all that and while he desperately wants Jack, he also will not force Jack into doing anything he doesn't want to in revealing his sexuality. When Jack is there for him when Olivia was in the hospital, it's obvious that Jack's love for Edward trumps his fear of rejection by the townspeople. I was so glad for their HEA and I hope there are more Uncommon Powers books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2015
Originally read on April 26, 2014.
Re-read on April 9, 2015.
4 stars.
John, the closeted Chief of Police of a little western town..totally swept off his feet by an absolutely ADORABLE pair - flamboyant Edward and his cute little dog, Winston.. Add some heartbreak and some really funny moments - and you get this gem of a book!
Broke me out of my book funk in no time.
Re-read on April 9, 2015.
4 stars.
John, the closeted Chief of Police of a little western town..totally swept off his feet by an absolutely ADORABLE pair - flamboyant Edward and his cute little dog, Winston.. Add some heartbreak and some really funny moments - and you get this gem of a book!
Broke me out of my book funk in no time.
July 15, 2014
I LOVED Edward! I loved his tenacity; I loved his open heart; I loved his ability to be exactly who he is. One of my favourite characters ever!
November 15, 2017
Edward Unconditionally is the third story in the Common Powers series. The MCs in these books have unusual powers and in this one Edward is able to heal or at least remove pain from other people. When he meets the chief of police he realizes that the chief is very ill, perhaps dying. There are major consequences when Edward tries to heal this closeted man, which leads Edward to realize he has to rein in his powers sometimes.
When Edward is reunited with his grandmother she has to tell him not to heal her, which is difficult since she is the one person in Edward’s life who loves him unconditionally.
This may be the sweetest book in the series and I want to read it again.
When Edward is reunited with his grandmother she has to tell him not to heal her, which is difficult since she is the one person in Edward’s life who loves him unconditionally.
This may be the sweetest book in the series and I want to read it again.
November 13, 2011
This review was originally published on my blog Joyfully Jay
This book is part of my Goodreads Bingo challenge. The category is "Gay Men with Pets" which fits this book perfectly as Edward's dog Winston has a big role (there he is looking adorable on the cover). I originally picked this book up because it was on a list of books with flamboyant main characters. I didn't read the rest of the Common Powers series which is totally out of character for me (my book OCD usually means I can't stand to read only part of a series!). But I had no trouble picking this book up even with characters from the first two stories making an appearance.
In Edward Unconditionally, Edward Beauregard is coming to Spring Lake, TX to visit with his ailing grandmother. He is also fleeing from a recent bad (and public breakup) and looking to get out of Atlanta for a while. Upon entering town he is stopped for speeding by Jack Whittaker, the chief of police. Jack is immediately frustrated by Edward who challenges his authority a bit, and even more annoyed when Edward's dog Winston bites him in the ankle. Jack must hold Winston until his health papers arrive, and lack of other proper options send Winston home with Jack for a while, throwing the men together a bit.
Edward is attracted to Jack, but wary after so many bad relationships with men who didn't really care about him. He knows his need to be loved and his desire for bad boys often get him in trouble. He is too gullible and quick to give his heart to those who take advantage of him. He has also led a bit of a shallow life of parties and changing jobs, backed up by his trust fund (although his mother tightly controls the purse strings). And Jack is totally in the closet, holding himself together with a rigid lifestyle after a very difficult childhood. He is completely hot for Edward, but terrified of people in the small town finding out he is gay and losing everything he has worked for. Especially because unlike the other two out gay men in town, Edward is very femme and clearly stands out as gay. Yet both men find themselves totally drawn to the other and increasingly struggle with their feelings. The book does a great job of showing that temptation and desire each man feels as their emotions build throughout the story.
The book is primarily a contemporary but there is a bit of a paranormal bent as well. Edward has a healing power that enables him to use touch to draw someone's illness out of their body. (I don't think this is a spoiler as this sort of paranormal connection is the link in the series.) His grandmother Olivia is sick and Edward has been sent by his mother to cure her. During the trip he bonds with his grandmother after going years without seeing her (Edward's parents kept them apart) and his grandmother's unconditional love really helps give Edward confidence and support.
The main characters from the first two books also appear in this story. Brian plays the biggest role since he works for Jack on the police force. The four men take a pretty active role in helping to get Jack and Edward to admit their feelings for each other and find their HEA.
Overall I enjoyed the book. The build was a little slow for me. I would have liked the guys to get together sooner (although things are quite hot when the finally do). Especially because it felt like they go from zero to life partners in about 20 minutes toward the end. But I think the book does a nice job of showing the issues each man has to deal with and how each resolves them without resorting to too much of a quick fix. Edward learns to slow down and not be quite so impulsive and wild. He begins to see the joys in the small town and like being away from the craziness of his past life. And Jack learns that it is sometimes worth taking a risk and giving up control to experience love and happiness. I liked both characters and would recommend the book.
This book is part of my Goodreads Bingo challenge. The category is "Gay Men with Pets" which fits this book perfectly as Edward's dog Winston has a big role (there he is looking adorable on the cover). I originally picked this book up because it was on a list of books with flamboyant main characters. I didn't read the rest of the Common Powers series which is totally out of character for me (my book OCD usually means I can't stand to read only part of a series!). But I had no trouble picking this book up even with characters from the first two stories making an appearance.
In Edward Unconditionally, Edward Beauregard is coming to Spring Lake, TX to visit with his ailing grandmother. He is also fleeing from a recent bad (and public breakup) and looking to get out of Atlanta for a while. Upon entering town he is stopped for speeding by Jack Whittaker, the chief of police. Jack is immediately frustrated by Edward who challenges his authority a bit, and even more annoyed when Edward's dog Winston bites him in the ankle. Jack must hold Winston until his health papers arrive, and lack of other proper options send Winston home with Jack for a while, throwing the men together a bit.
Edward is attracted to Jack, but wary after so many bad relationships with men who didn't really care about him. He knows his need to be loved and his desire for bad boys often get him in trouble. He is too gullible and quick to give his heart to those who take advantage of him. He has also led a bit of a shallow life of parties and changing jobs, backed up by his trust fund (although his mother tightly controls the purse strings). And Jack is totally in the closet, holding himself together with a rigid lifestyle after a very difficult childhood. He is completely hot for Edward, but terrified of people in the small town finding out he is gay and losing everything he has worked for. Especially because unlike the other two out gay men in town, Edward is very femme and clearly stands out as gay. Yet both men find themselves totally drawn to the other and increasingly struggle with their feelings. The book does a great job of showing that temptation and desire each man feels as their emotions build throughout the story.
The book is primarily a contemporary but there is a bit of a paranormal bent as well. Edward has a healing power that enables him to use touch to draw someone's illness out of their body. (I don't think this is a spoiler as this sort of paranormal connection is the link in the series.) His grandmother Olivia is sick and Edward has been sent by his mother to cure her. During the trip he bonds with his grandmother after going years without seeing her (Edward's parents kept them apart) and his grandmother's unconditional love really helps give Edward confidence and support.
The main characters from the first two books also appear in this story. Brian plays the biggest role since he works for Jack on the police force. The four men take a pretty active role in helping to get Jack and Edward to admit their feelings for each other and find their HEA.
Overall I enjoyed the book. The build was a little slow for me. I would have liked the guys to get together sooner (although things are quite hot when the finally do). Especially because it felt like they go from zero to life partners in about 20 minutes toward the end. But I think the book does a nice job of showing the issues each man has to deal with and how each resolves them without resorting to too much of a quick fix. Edward learns to slow down and not be quite so impulsive and wild. He begins to see the joys in the small town and like being away from the craziness of his past life. And Jack learns that it is sometimes worth taking a risk and giving up control to experience love and happiness. I liked both characters and would recommend the book.
July 25, 2010
Edward Unconditionally is the 3rd book in this series. We are in Spring Lake, TX and we get to know the Police Chief Jack Whittaker. He is the not quite 45 and has been living in this town for at least 15 years. He has made his own way, carved out a career he is proud of, owns his own house... but he is alone. Which is great for him because he likes to be in control. Enter Edward Beauregard III, of the Atlanta Beauregards who is the exact opposite of control. Edward is on his way to town to visit his dying grandmother, when he gets pulled over by Jack. As soon as they meet the sparks begin to fly, but Jack likes his control, and the respect of the town and he is doesn't want to risk all that. But Edward is really hard to resist. And Edward, he just wants someone to love him unconditionally.
I think that this was a sweet love story. It was definitely better than the last two and Edward and his dog, Winston, are so lovable! I must say however that there were some huge things introduced but left unresolved. First there is the story of Jack's past. It is implied that he was engaged but broke it off and that there is some big reason that he is the way he is and we never really get that story. Plus it seems that he is actually closeted and has had other lovers so there is this big chunk of his life missing. And what happened to his dog? Plus there is the unresolved issue of the horrible homophobic and abusive mechanic... I really wanted some sort of justice doled out to him. And what happened with the officers that did have a problem with the chief being gay? Then again there are the issues of the powers people have. There was early incident that was never quite discussed...
I know a good story leaves you wanting more, but there were so many unanswered questions. It took so long for Jack & Edward to actually even get together once, (I mean it was less than a week in the book), but I could have skipped some of those days to get to the answers to some of these other questions.
However, I did like it. It was sweet and really who doesn't feel like Edward? And it did manage to move me to teary eyes as well. Overall a good book.
I think that this was a sweet love story. It was definitely better than the last two and Edward and his dog, Winston, are so lovable! I must say however that there were some huge things introduced but left unresolved. First there is the story of Jack's past. It is implied that he was engaged but broke it off and that there is some big reason that he is the way he is and we never really get that story. Plus it seems that he is actually closeted and has had other lovers so there is this big chunk of his life missing. And what happened to his dog? Plus there is the unresolved issue of the horrible homophobic and abusive mechanic... I really wanted some sort of justice doled out to him. And what happened with the officers that did have a problem with the chief being gay? Then again there are the issues of the powers people have. There was early incident that was never quite discussed...
I know a good story leaves you wanting more, but there were so many unanswered questions. It took so long for Jack & Edward to actually even get together once, (I mean it was less than a week in the book), but I could have skipped some of those days to get to the answers to some of these other questions.
However, I did like it. It was sweet and really who doesn't feel like Edward? And it did manage to move me to teary eyes as well. Overall a good book.
July 20, 2013
The idea of unconditional love is very appealing, and this is a classic, stock m/m romance. Sex is delivered up like dessert, the reward for sticking with the story.
I did like both Edward and Jack - the sort of "screwball comedy" set up between the flamboyant big-city queen and the macho repressed small-town cop is right out of an (imaginary gay) Frank Capra movie.
But of course Edward is the queeny, gym-bunny perfect hot boy toy (even at the ancient age of 35). And Jack, interestingly older for this genre at 45 (when I still felt like a young man) is big and butch and has remained stereotypically repressed and closeted in order to escape a bad childhood.
The author does give you enough fleshing out of these characters to make you care about them - to see them as real people and not just set pieces. And again, I like the screwball comedy set up (as in Bringing Up Baby) of an goofy animal - Winston the little bulldog - as a linking character. The idea of training Winston - moderating life with some control, as opposed to unthinking hedonism or repressive self-control - is a nice metaphor for the shifting relationship between these two men.
And I liked the cast of characters scattered around Jack and Edward - interesting and believable enough, although they really are used as convenient props.
The best was Olivia - Edward's grandmother. She is a key element in the driving of the narrative.
The "magic" element (which seems to be linked with a previous story about Sammi and Mitchel) appealed to me (who wouldn't want to be able to do this?) but didn't feel incorporated in any sort of integrated way into Edward's personality or his life - like the secondary characters, Edward's "power" rather seems a prop that is brought out when it seems useful.
This is a fun read. I'll be looking for more of this author's work.
I did like both Edward and Jack - the sort of "screwball comedy" set up between the flamboyant big-city queen and the macho repressed small-town cop is right out of an (imaginary gay) Frank Capra movie.
But of course Edward is the queeny, gym-bunny perfect hot boy toy (even at the ancient age of 35). And Jack, interestingly older for this genre at 45 (when I still felt like a young man) is big and butch and has remained stereotypically repressed and closeted in order to escape a bad childhood.
The author does give you enough fleshing out of these characters to make you care about them - to see them as real people and not just set pieces. And again, I like the screwball comedy set up (as in Bringing Up Baby) of an goofy animal - Winston the little bulldog - as a linking character. The idea of training Winston - moderating life with some control, as opposed to unthinking hedonism or repressive self-control - is a nice metaphor for the shifting relationship between these two men.
And I liked the cast of characters scattered around Jack and Edward - interesting and believable enough, although they really are used as convenient props.
The best was Olivia - Edward's grandmother. She is a key element in the driving of the narrative.
The "magic" element (which seems to be linked with a previous story about Sammi and Mitchel) appealed to me (who wouldn't want to be able to do this?) but didn't feel incorporated in any sort of integrated way into Edward's personality or his life - like the secondary characters, Edward's "power" rather seems a prop that is brought out when it seems useful.
This is a fun read. I'll be looking for more of this author's work.
March 15, 2015
2.5 stars.
I agree with this bit from Irie’s review.
There was no explanation for why everyone had all these powers and everyone took it in stride when they found out about them.
The writing was grocery list style and a bit boring. I doubt I would read the author again.
I agree with this bit from Irie’s review.
There was very little chemistry between the two main characters because they didn't spend enough time together to form any kind of emotional or intellectual connection. I honestly can't understand how or why they fell in love. When they're together, they don't converse all that much, or interact in any meaningful way. They spend most of the book thinking about each other, and fantasizing about each other, yes, but they interact more with secondary characters than with each other... and then all of a sudden, they're in love. And I'm like...what the heck? How did that happen? (O.o)
There was no explanation for why everyone had all these powers and everyone took it in stride when they found out about them.
The writing was grocery list style and a bit boring. I doubt I would read the author again.
March 7, 2011
This is the first book I've read by Lynn Lorenz, though it is the third book of a series, where each book can stand alone. I chose it because it was so highly rated on both Goodreads and Amazon, and I wasn't disappointed.
Both main characters were well written and I had no problem with the little fantasy of Edward's ability to heal others. It was the source of a lot of angst for him in the story which worked well.
I especially liked that Edward's character showed many feminine traits not only with his "pretty" looks, but things like his being very emotional and shedding tears easily. After reading so many m/m books where both guys are manly-men (even if one is submissive to the other), it was refreshing to have this character type represented. I've known gay men as friends who exhibited many feminine traits, so I found it very true-to-life and endearing. Highly recommend!
Both main characters were well written and I had no problem with the little fantasy of Edward's ability to heal others. It was the source of a lot of angst for him in the story which worked well.
I especially liked that Edward's character showed many feminine traits not only with his "pretty" looks, but things like his being very emotional and shedding tears easily. After reading so many m/m books where both guys are manly-men (even if one is submissive to the other), it was refreshing to have this character type represented. I've known gay men as friends who exhibited many feminine traits, so I found it very true-to-life and endearing. Highly recommend!
January 8, 2013
I liked this book so much more than the first book in the series. Haven't read the second one yet but this one was just as terrific as my GR friends have said. Edward and Jack are the perfect couple - excellent antagonists at the beginning and fit together like puzzle pieces by the end. I also love a slow burn story as well as those with an MC hiding in the closet and this one hits both story lines. It was also nice to see Mitchell and Sammi again and to see how their relationship has progressed. I now have to go back and read #2 so I can get Brian and Rush's story. They were great as secondary characters. And Winston, oh my gosh, he was just precious! So all around a win:win book.
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