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Boys of the Zodiac #8
Scorpio: The Heart To Help
From the moment Colin Braugher meets millionaire Grady James, he has the other man’s number—spoiled, obnoxious, and worst of all, fake. Every word out of Grady’s mouth is cheesy and insincere to Colin’s ears, which is just as well, since Colin has reason to dislike the other man before he even arrives in Chicago. After years of being ignored by James Foundation, Grady is arriving to take over the small Heart to Help charity where Colin volunteers. Colin sees nothing but unwanted changes and self-aggrandizement in his beloved charity’s future.
For his part, Grady wants only the best for his grandmother’s favorite charity. Confused by his cold reception, alone in a strange city, and fascinated by a man who seems to want nothing to do with him, Grady is at loose ends. Until Colin gives an inch, and Grady knows he can have so much more than that if Colin would only see the man he truly is...
Gay / Contemporary / Exhibitionism / Public Places / Series
For his part, Grady wants only the best for his grandmother’s favorite charity. Confused by his cold reception, alone in a strange city, and fascinated by a man who seems to want nothing to do with him, Grady is at loose ends. Until Colin gives an inch, and Grady knows he can have so much more than that if Colin would only see the man he truly is...
Gay / Contemporary / Exhibitionism / Public Places / Series
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2010
1 person is currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Craig
112 books173 followersJamie Craig is actually a pen name for the collaboration of authors
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 20, 2010
Grady James moves to Chicago to take over the running of his late grandmother's favorite charity foundation, Heart To Help. He's excited at the prospect of a fresh start away from his controlling father but is disappointed with the reception he gets from some of his new coworkers, especially Colin, a foundation volunteer. Colin thinks Grady is nothing more than a spoiled, rich guy looking to take over the foundation on a whim but despite this neither man can deny for long the attraction they feel for each other. After spending some time together Colin is starting to think maybe Grady's not as bad as he first thought when a decision Grady makes brings them into conflict.
After getting through that set back Grady and Colin begin to slowly work towards a relationship of sorts. It's not always easy as Colin has to adjust to being with someone so different from what he's used to. Just as things are beginning to look up for them allegations of past misconduct begin to surface. Will they find a way to clear up the lies before they lose the foundation and each other?
I really enjoyed reading The Heart To Help. It's a well written and entertaining story with well-drawn and likable characters. At first it doesn't appear that Grady and Colin have enough in common to form any type of relationship especially given Colin's impressions of Grady. However as the story develops, and they grow closer, their strong feelings and the chemistry between them shines through and I found myself really enjoying their story. The author's writing style is very engaging, whether it's a humorous, too many tequila shots drunken kiss scene, a fun-filled family evening playing Rock Band or the super hot sex scenes.
When the tone turns serious towards the end of the story the author's did so in an interesting and believable way. The dynamics of Grady and Colin's relationship shifts and that was presented quite well. This leads to an emotional ending that is equal parts loss and pain as well as the start of a happy future. The Heart To Heal has a traditional romance feel to it which I enjoyed. The office romance, the pairing of a rich sophisticated man with an inexperienced younger man and the fact that once they start a relationship there is plenty of give and take on both sides. Neither man is completely dominant throughout and that worked quite well given their personalities.
Overall this latest offering from Jamie Craig is an entertaining and engaging story. I really liked both Grady and Colin and my only complaint was that I would have liked to have seen a bit more of them after the false allegations are cleared up. The ending scene is sweet and clearly shows a nice HEA for Grady and Colin. Recommended.
After getting through that set back Grady and Colin begin to slowly work towards a relationship of sorts. It's not always easy as Colin has to adjust to being with someone so different from what he's used to. Just as things are beginning to look up for them allegations of past misconduct begin to surface. Will they find a way to clear up the lies before they lose the foundation and each other?
I really enjoyed reading The Heart To Help. It's a well written and entertaining story with well-drawn and likable characters. At first it doesn't appear that Grady and Colin have enough in common to form any type of relationship especially given Colin's impressions of Grady. However as the story develops, and they grow closer, their strong feelings and the chemistry between them shines through and I found myself really enjoying their story. The author's writing style is very engaging, whether it's a humorous, too many tequila shots drunken kiss scene, a fun-filled family evening playing Rock Band or the super hot sex scenes.
When the tone turns serious towards the end of the story the author's did so in an interesting and believable way. The dynamics of Grady and Colin's relationship shifts and that was presented quite well. This leads to an emotional ending that is equal parts loss and pain as well as the start of a happy future. The Heart To Heal has a traditional romance feel to it which I enjoyed. The office romance, the pairing of a rich sophisticated man with an inexperienced younger man and the fact that once they start a relationship there is plenty of give and take on both sides. Neither man is completely dominant throughout and that worked quite well given their personalities.
Overall this latest offering from Jamie Craig is an entertaining and engaging story. I really liked both Grady and Colin and my only complaint was that I would have liked to have seen a bit more of them after the false allegations are cleared up. The ending scene is sweet and clearly shows a nice HEA for Grady and Colin. Recommended.
November 1, 2010
Colin Braugher thinks he gets Grady James all figure out. Grady is the son of millionaire Oliver James, and he knows that Grady will be all spoiled, obnoxious, and fake. Colin is determined not to like Grady, oh, no, not when the other man struts into Chicago, taking the position as the boss of Heart to Help Foundation, and definitely will ruin everything the employees have done there. Colin loves that foundation, his best friend Gwen is the best person in there -- Grady will just make a mess out of it. However, Colin is not prepared to find that Grady is getting into his skin. Especially after they share a kiss when Colin is a bit drunk. Then he sees Grady might not be as bad as a person he thinks. But still it doesn't explain all the rumors that makes Grady leaves New York to Chicago, right?
This story has all the 'traditional elements' of romance that I love. Here's Colin with all his "prejudice", thinking that Grady is just another spoiled brat. Of course, as readers, we know that Grady is not as simple as that. Grady is trying to prove to everyone that he is more than just Oliver James's son. So there's that pull and push of the tradtional love, when the two guys succumb to the attraction and learning about each other. The ending is just the kind you expect from a story like this.
I love every single moment of it ... I like office-love theme, I simply need more stories of this; then adds a couple of secondary characters like the charming Noelle (Colin's sister), the competent Gwen (Colin's best friend), and even one sexy actor who makes Grady jealous ... and well, this just a plain winner for me.
This story has all the 'traditional elements' of romance that I love. Here's Colin with all his "prejudice", thinking that Grady is just another spoiled brat. Of course, as readers, we know that Grady is not as simple as that. Grady is trying to prove to everyone that he is more than just Oliver James's son. So there's that pull and push of the tradtional love, when the two guys succumb to the attraction and learning about each other. The ending is just the kind you expect from a story like this.
I love every single moment of it ... I like office-love theme, I simply need more stories of this; then adds a couple of secondary characters like the charming Noelle (Colin's sister), the competent Gwen (Colin's best friend), and even one sexy actor who makes Grady jealous ... and well, this just a plain winner for me.
February 16, 2013
Right off the bat I didn't like Colin, but he later grew on me. I understood that his behavior toward Grady was because he saw Grady as a threat to the charity and his best friend, Gwen's, position within the charity. However, Colin's attitude was childish and unnecessary especially since Grady didn't do anything to warrant it.
I was thinking there would be more to the story of Colin's ~reverse-classism~ ( I'm using that term very facetiously), but none ever really came. He didn't grow up with money like Grady did, but did some rich kids he went to school with treat him like crap or something? Not much of Colin's background is really explored or explained. His mother seemed a lot older than she was and his sister, Noelle randomly started to be mentioned in name only until we finally meet her. Was she adopted or had their mother been drinking while pregnant? Not much is said about how Noelle acquired fetal alcohol syndrome, just that she's the reason Colin joined the charity in the first place.
I'm quite surprised that Colin's attitude toward Grady was not the result of the major conflict toward the end. I was so sure Colin would've chosen to not believe Grady (again), but I was happy it didn't go down like that.
I felt the sex scenes were a bit too long. Or maybe they felt that way. Don't get me wrong, they were hot. However, I thought they unbalanced the plot of the story. Good characterization seemed to have been sacrificed for drawn out sex. I was aslo surprised with how quickly Colin gave into Grady's advances considering how adamant he was in the beginning of the book.
Though the timeline of the book didn't bother me much, I wish it had extended to the end of the play. I also kind of wished we got a glimpse of Aturo and Colin's outing. That would've been a perfect opportunity to see Colin flesh out his feelings for Grady. There were a few other scenes that we're told and not shown happened that I also felt were missed opportunities for more character development.
In the end, I felt I got to know Colin and Grady well enough, but not as much as I would've liked. However, I did like the book overall. I would also like to see an Aturo/Leon story in the future, but that's highly unlikely considering Jamie Craig no longer seems to be writing any more. Sad times.
4 Stars.
I was thinking there would be more to the story of Colin's ~reverse-classism~ ( I'm using that term very facetiously), but none ever really came. He didn't grow up with money like Grady did, but did some rich kids he went to school with treat him like crap or something? Not much of Colin's background is really explored or explained. His mother seemed a lot older than she was and his sister, Noelle randomly started to be mentioned in name only until we finally meet her. Was she adopted or had their mother been drinking while pregnant? Not much is said about how Noelle acquired fetal alcohol syndrome, just that she's the reason Colin joined the charity in the first place.
I'm quite surprised that Colin's attitude toward Grady was not the result of the major conflict toward the end. I was so sure Colin would've chosen to not believe Grady (again), but I was happy it didn't go down like that.
I felt the sex scenes were a bit too long. Or maybe they felt that way. Don't get me wrong, they were hot. However, I thought they unbalanced the plot of the story. Good characterization seemed to have been sacrificed for drawn out sex. I was aslo surprised with how quickly Colin gave into Grady's advances considering how adamant he was in the beginning of the book.
Though the timeline of the book didn't bother me much, I wish it had extended to the end of the play. I also kind of wished we got a glimpse of Aturo and Colin's outing. That would've been a perfect opportunity to see Colin flesh out his feelings for Grady. There were a few other scenes that we're told and not shown happened that I also felt were missed opportunities for more character development.
In the end, I felt I got to know Colin and Grady well enough, but not as much as I would've liked. However, I did like the book overall. I would also like to see an Aturo/Leon story in the future, but that's highly unlikely considering Jamie Craig no longer seems to be writing any more. Sad times.
4 Stars.
March 30, 2013
This is the second of Jamie's books that I have read, and like the first it was fantastically written. The balance of the storyline was nigh perfect. My only complaint if it can even be called that is I wanted to know how things pan out AFTER the end of the novel. I've also got to say, that while many books with romances between a rich and a middle/working class character were "inspired" by Fifty Shades, this book is truly original in that there is no over-the-top sex; and rather than falling helplessly in love from first encounter Colin shows resistance, disgust or disdain even for Grady. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship.
September 15, 2014
★★★★ I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking this book. Colin is not too happy when the big boss’ son, Grady, is sent to Chicago to take over the charity foundation where he has been working. He is sure that he is there to work an angle and is nothing more than a spoiled rich boy. Grady sees Colin and knows that he wants him. And true to a Scorpio’s nature (I should know, I am one!), he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.
April 29, 2011
Another winner from Vivien and Pepper. They're like that old trusty steed. You can always count on them.
February 19, 2012
Very good romance. After a rocky beginning, Grady and Colin ended up making a very cute couple. I loved that their sexual encounters evolved over the course of their relationship.
October 27, 2011
Cute story. Loveable characters!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews