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Knights #1
Silent Knights
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Paul Stanton thought he had it all, a great job, a beautiful condo and a stable relationship with his soul mate. When his lover dumps him for another man, Paul is forced to rethink his life. He visits his childhood home in rural Pennsylvania rather than spend the holidays alone in San Francisco. But only a few days with his family is enough to convince him that you can't go home again.
Paul leaves for the airport in the midst of a snowstorm. Stranded in the woodlands, a chance meeting between him and a hunter is his only option for survival. He knows the type. A backwoods bigot like the men he grew up with. But what choice does he have? A few days with the Mountain Man convinces Paul there's more to Andy Reynolds than meets the eye. But is it enough to bind two men who have nothing in common except their sex?
Paul Stanton thought he had it all, a great job, a beautiful condo and a stable relationship with his soul mate. When his lover dumps him for another man, Paul is forced to rethink his life. He visits his childhood home in rural Pennsylvania rather than spend the holidays alone in San Francisco. But only a few days with his family is enough to convince him that you can't go home again.
Paul leaves for the airport in the midst of a snowstorm. Stranded in the woodlands, a chance meeting between him and a hunter is his only option for survival. He knows the type. A backwoods bigot like the men he grew up with. But what choice does he have? A few days with the Mountain Man convinces Paul there's more to Andy Reynolds than meets the eye. But is it enough to bind two men who have nothing in common except their sex?
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2010
4 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Gale Stanley
91 books321 followersGale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.
Some things never change.
Blog: http://galestanley.blogspot.com/
Some things never change.
Blog: http://galestanley.blogspot.com/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 1, 2016
This book had nearly everything I despise in a romance. Instalove, forced tension, terrible dialogue, boring sex, a protagonist who can't stop thinking about his douchebag of an ex...
And from the looks of it, the sequel is worse.
And from the looks of it, the sequel is worse.
December 1, 2010
Silent Knights starts promising. Paul Stanton is on his way to the airport after a visit to his family in rural Pennsylvania. We’re following his thoughts and learn about his, not so joyful, relationship with his parents and his recent breakup with his boyfriend Craig. The description of the snowstorm he’s in, is vivid and you know something is going to happen. And yes, a tree nearly crushes him and he has to leave his car.
Then we switch to Andy Reynolds. He’s hunting in the woods until the storm makes it impossible to see tracks in the snow and he decides to return to his cabin. Riding his ATV he suddenly sees a figure on the road – Paul – and avoiding a crash he steers his ATV to the side and before he knows it, he’s heading for a tree and lying face down in the snow. So far we haven’t learned much about Andy’s background, but when Paul comes to his ‘rescue’ we learn all about Andy’s gruff side. He feels an immediate attraction to Paul, but still manages to snap at him.
This nice set-up leads to the two men being condemned to each other's company until the snowstorm passes. And once they’re back at Andy’s cabin we know that Paul feels attracted to Andy as well. Only neither of the two men wants to feel the attraction. So, an odd play of push-and-pull starts, accompanied by phrases in italic silently exclaiming ‘What a dick’ the other man is, or just to ‘Fuck him’. They’re dancing around each other while having an awkward dialogue, of which I’m not sure that it was meant to be that way. It’s obvious that they are from different worlds: Paul being a city guy, Andy the mountain man.
And then this slips into their conversation:
“"I just asked where you buy all this great take-out you mentioned." [Andy]
"I live in San Francisco.” [Paul]
Andy's eyebrows shot skyward. Okay, now the proverbial cat was out of the bag. If Andy hadn't already pegged him as gay, he knew it now for sure. He waited for Andy to make some disparaging remark about faggots.”
And there I had one of the ‘huh?’ moments I started to have progressively. So, there are no straight guys in SF? None at all?
When Andy keeps his mouth shut, it causes Paul to fantasize about him in an erotic way. And then it’s bed time and I experienced another ‘huh?’ moment when we get treated to a detailed erotic dream from Paul. Not about him having sex with Andy. No, about him having sex with his ex-lover Craig! And with detailed, I mean detailed, going on for pages... And to be honest, I can hardly understand why Paul’s thoughts about missing Craig and feeling empty without him, had to follow this dream, on top of this all.
These and other examples didn’t make Paul a great hero for me. And it was hard for me to feel connected with this couple at all. In the beginning it’s kind of a riddle what they see in each other, except for the fact that their c*cks seemed to like what was in front of them. Additionally I thought that the absence of some sort of gay radar and the continuing wondering about the sexuality of the other man was dragged out a bit too long as well. I jumped for joy when they – finally – got to the smexy time together, which started with a hot kiss.
Eventually, after some hot smexing and when the snowstorm is over, Paul returns to San Francisco. And then the story gets another twist, which involves the ex-lover Craig. I liked this extra dimension to the book – which could’ve easily ended before Paul left – because it sort of surprised me and made Paul’s attraction to Andy a little bit more insightful. I’m glad the author didn’t settle for an easy, early ending but continued the story.
Another thing I enjoyed is that Andy knows what he wants and doesn’t unnecessarily complicate things. It’s good when at least one of the heroes is vigorous and ready to take certain steps without having his ex making things clear. It makes the HEA the more convincing in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed Silent Knights as a nice quick read, with which I spent a few hot hours on a cold night, while cuddled up in the corner of the couch with a warm blanket.
http://erotromreader.blogspot.com/201...
Then we switch to Andy Reynolds. He’s hunting in the woods until the storm makes it impossible to see tracks in the snow and he decides to return to his cabin. Riding his ATV he suddenly sees a figure on the road – Paul – and avoiding a crash he steers his ATV to the side and before he knows it, he’s heading for a tree and lying face down in the snow. So far we haven’t learned much about Andy’s background, but when Paul comes to his ‘rescue’ we learn all about Andy’s gruff side. He feels an immediate attraction to Paul, but still manages to snap at him.
This nice set-up leads to the two men being condemned to each other's company until the snowstorm passes. And once they’re back at Andy’s cabin we know that Paul feels attracted to Andy as well. Only neither of the two men wants to feel the attraction. So, an odd play of push-and-pull starts, accompanied by phrases in italic silently exclaiming ‘What a dick’ the other man is, or just to ‘Fuck him’. They’re dancing around each other while having an awkward dialogue, of which I’m not sure that it was meant to be that way. It’s obvious that they are from different worlds: Paul being a city guy, Andy the mountain man.
And then this slips into their conversation:
“"I just asked where you buy all this great take-out you mentioned." [Andy]
"I live in San Francisco.” [Paul]
Andy's eyebrows shot skyward. Okay, now the proverbial cat was out of the bag. If Andy hadn't already pegged him as gay, he knew it now for sure. He waited for Andy to make some disparaging remark about faggots.”
And there I had one of the ‘huh?’ moments I started to have progressively. So, there are no straight guys in SF? None at all?
When Andy keeps his mouth shut, it causes Paul to fantasize about him in an erotic way. And then it’s bed time and I experienced another ‘huh?’ moment when we get treated to a detailed erotic dream from Paul. Not about him having sex with Andy. No, about him having sex with his ex-lover Craig! And with detailed, I mean detailed, going on for pages... And to be honest, I can hardly understand why Paul’s thoughts about missing Craig and feeling empty without him, had to follow this dream, on top of this all.
These and other examples didn’t make Paul a great hero for me. And it was hard for me to feel connected with this couple at all. In the beginning it’s kind of a riddle what they see in each other, except for the fact that their c*cks seemed to like what was in front of them. Additionally I thought that the absence of some sort of gay radar and the continuing wondering about the sexuality of the other man was dragged out a bit too long as well. I jumped for joy when they – finally – got to the smexy time together, which started with a hot kiss.
Eventually, after some hot smexing and when the snowstorm is over, Paul returns to San Francisco. And then the story gets another twist, which involves the ex-lover Craig. I liked this extra dimension to the book – which could’ve easily ended before Paul left – because it sort of surprised me and made Paul’s attraction to Andy a little bit more insightful. I’m glad the author didn’t settle for an easy, early ending but continued the story.
Another thing I enjoyed is that Andy knows what he wants and doesn’t unnecessarily complicate things. It’s good when at least one of the heroes is vigorous and ready to take certain steps without having his ex making things clear. It makes the HEA the more convincing in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed Silent Knights as a nice quick read, with which I spent a few hot hours on a cold night, while cuddled up in the corner of the couch with a warm blanket.
http://erotromreader.blogspot.com/201...
September 22, 2012
Audiobook...short easy listen.
December 3, 2012
2.5 Stars
Attorney Paul Stanton was recently dumped by his boss/lover. He reluctantly trudges home to rural Pennsylvania to see his estranged family and his sister's new baby. After spending just a few days with the family, however, Paul decides to brave a blizzard in an effort to get to the airport and onto a flight headed back to San Francisco. He's stranded in the woods when a fallen tree blocks the road. A chance encounter with a handsome hunter, Andy Reynolds, saves Paul's life and he ends up staying a few days in Andy's cabin, waiting out the storm.
This was an insta-love or at the very least insta-lust story, which I'm generally not a fan of. Moreover, I did NOT like Paul. He's an arrogant ass who's too full of himself. I despise characters who wallow in self-pity and are so self-absorbed in their woe-is-me ritual that they mistreat others. Irksome. Irksome. IRKSOME!!! Paul's painful childhood is hinted at but his reaction to it seems out of proportion. He is an uptight, condescending, ingrate and I for one felt that he and his asshole ex deserved each other. What saved this book from a 1-star rating? Andy. I liked him. He was personable, down-to-earth, and humble. His presence made the intolerable Paul palatable. But just barely. To his credit (or more likely, Andy's) Paul did get better in the end. But not by much.
Bottom line: lots of sex without much substance; a short, Christmas insta-love story between a loveable Mountain Man and a City Slicker (who's unfortunately an irritating asshole).
Attorney Paul Stanton was recently dumped by his boss/lover. He reluctantly trudges home to rural Pennsylvania to see his estranged family and his sister's new baby. After spending just a few days with the family, however, Paul decides to brave a blizzard in an effort to get to the airport and onto a flight headed back to San Francisco. He's stranded in the woods when a fallen tree blocks the road. A chance encounter with a handsome hunter, Andy Reynolds, saves Paul's life and he ends up staying a few days in Andy's cabin, waiting out the storm.
This was an insta-love or at the very least insta-lust story, which I'm generally not a fan of. Moreover, I did NOT like Paul. He's an arrogant ass who's too full of himself. I despise characters who wallow in self-pity and are so self-absorbed in their woe-is-me ritual that they mistreat others. Irksome. Irksome. IRKSOME!!! Paul's painful childhood is hinted at but his reaction to it seems out of proportion. He is an uptight, condescending, ingrate and I for one felt that he and his asshole ex deserved each other. What saved this book from a 1-star rating? Andy. I liked him. He was personable, down-to-earth, and humble. His presence made the intolerable Paul palatable. But just barely. To his credit (or more likely, Andy's) Paul did get better in the end. But not by much.
Bottom line: lots of sex without much substance; a short, Christmas insta-love story between a loveable Mountain Man and a City Slicker (who's unfortunately an irritating asshole).
December 15, 2010
Finally...... A cover with some smokin hot men!! Not boys who look like they're still in high school, butt ugly, an odd alien race, etc. Normal, down to earth hot men. Thank you Gale Stanley for having great taste!!
Book is pretty damn good so far. Liking this author, loving the characters!!
Just finished the book was pretty happy with it. Yeah, the I Love You's came a little earlier than I like, but the story was just so sweet and I loved both Paul and Andy. It was a quick read, yet had plenty of steamy scenes. It was pretty realistic, so I understand how the characters fell in love so quickly. It was like they had been waiting for each other and never even realized it. I don't know if this is the first m/m book by this author, if so I am very impressed. I hope she continues to write more.
Book is pretty damn good so far. Liking this author, loving the characters!!
Just finished the book was pretty happy with it. Yeah, the I Love You's came a little earlier than I like, but the story was just so sweet and I loved both Paul and Andy. It was a quick read, yet had plenty of steamy scenes. It was pretty realistic, so I understand how the characters fell in love so quickly. It was like they had been waiting for each other and never even realized it. I don't know if this is the first m/m book by this author, if so I am very impressed. I hope she continues to write more.
November 21, 2016
A sweet story.
December 17, 2010
This book lost me at condoms in combination with vaseline as a lubricant.
December 23, 2013
2.5 stars.
This story had potential, but it tried to cram too much into too little time.
I've come to expect insta-love in Holiday reads, but I think this one carried that trope a bit too far. Paul has just been dumped by the guy he thought was "the one", Andy is hiding out after losing his love, but just a couple of days together, and they're both in love? They have deep conversations about their lives, but those mostly happen off page, so we miss that connection. There are important details of both of their lives that don't come out until the very end of the story, and are barely given any attention at all, given what they mean. And Paul's ex, Craig, was stereotypically TOO bad, just SOO skeezy and gross. Then, after just two days together, Andy is willing to move across the country to be with Paul. Too much, too fast, IMO, even for a holiday read, especially without any real holiday magic. This didn't even have the heartwarming, sweet moment I've come to expect, Christmas was barely even a mention, of Paul having to spend the holidays with his family, who he hates.
This story had potential, but it tried to cram too much into too little time.
I've come to expect insta-love in Holiday reads, but I think this one carried that trope a bit too far. Paul has just been dumped by the guy he thought was "the one", Andy is hiding out after losing his love, but just a couple of days together, and they're both in love? They have deep conversations about their lives, but those mostly happen off page, so we miss that connection. There are important details of both of their lives that don't come out until the very end of the story, and are barely given any attention at all, given what they mean. And Paul's ex, Craig, was stereotypically TOO bad, just SOO skeezy and gross. Then, after just two days together, Andy is willing to move across the country to be with Paul. Too much, too fast, IMO, even for a holiday read, especially without any real holiday magic. This didn't even have the heartwarming, sweet moment I've come to expect, Christmas was barely even a mention, of Paul having to spend the holidays with his family, who he hates.
December 31, 2012
Ehh.
This is the story of Paul, a lawyer from San Francisco, and Andy, who is currently living in a small cabin in the back woods of Pennsylvania. They meet on Christmas Eve. Paul has reluctantly gone back to his childhood home in PA to visit his family, but he can't stand the strain any more and leaves on Christmas Eve. But he gets stranded on the road in a snow storm. Andy is out deer hunting, and nearly runs into Paul on his four-wheeler as Paul struggles through the snow on foot (I had definite thoughts about people who are TSTL here). Insta-Love happens literally over night. Very mild complications ensue, but all comes out right in the end.
This is the story of Paul, a lawyer from San Francisco, and Andy, who is currently living in a small cabin in the back woods of Pennsylvania. They meet on Christmas Eve. Paul has reluctantly gone back to his childhood home in PA to visit his family, but he can't stand the strain any more and leaves on Christmas Eve. But he gets stranded on the road in a snow storm. Andy is out deer hunting, and nearly runs into Paul on his four-wheeler as Paul struggles through the snow on foot (I had definite thoughts about people who are TSTL here). Insta-Love happens literally over night. Very mild complications ensue, but all comes out right in the end.
December 15, 2018
2.8 Stars
Bah humbug, again. I'm just not finding any love with the Holiday audiobooks this season (well, other than the 4th Christmas Angel installment). Usually, for me, the narration can improve my experience of the story...or if it's only an average performance then it would not influence the rating. I can't say the same this time around. I was thinking I'd re-read it via ebook next year, maybe, but then I saw Bitchie's review and yeah, no. Not gonna bother.
Bah humbug, again. I'm just not finding any love with the Holiday audiobooks this season (well, other than the 4th Christmas Angel installment). Usually, for me, the narration can improve my experience of the story...or if it's only an average performance then it would not influence the rating. I can't say the same this time around. I was thinking I'd re-read it via ebook next year, maybe, but then I saw Bitchie's review and yeah, no. Not gonna bother.
October 22, 2010
Picked it out because I liked the cover, the story didn't disappoint.
October 24, 2010
2.5 stars
November 21, 2010
Clare C's Review
Silent Knights is my first exposure to Gale Stanley, and I was very pleased by the experience. Paul and Andy are both unhappy men. Each has isolated themselves in their own way. Paul distanced himself from his family and spent the time pursuing plastic relationships. Andy fled to the mountains of Pennsylvania. A snowstorm traps them together right around Christmas.
They share some amazingly sweet and erotic moments that force them to come to terms with what they truly want from life. I liked the way Paul had to return to the place from which he fled in order to move forward. There was a poetic completion Ms. Stanley’s plotting. The pace of the story was perfect, though in some places the conversation carried the story instead of the narrative, and the characters were developed in a way that let the reader closely connect with them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more by this talented author.
4 Tea Cups!
Silent Knights is my first exposure to Gale Stanley, and I was very pleased by the experience. Paul and Andy are both unhappy men. Each has isolated themselves in their own way. Paul distanced himself from his family and spent the time pursuing plastic relationships. Andy fled to the mountains of Pennsylvania. A snowstorm traps them together right around Christmas.
They share some amazingly sweet and erotic moments that force them to come to terms with what they truly want from life. I liked the way Paul had to return to the place from which he fled in order to move forward. There was a poetic completion Ms. Stanley’s plotting. The pace of the story was perfect, though in some places the conversation carried the story instead of the narrative, and the characters were developed in a way that let the reader closely connect with them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more by this talented author.
4 Tea Cups!
March 11, 2014
Sometimes, a 300-page-book would be more effective as a short story without feeling too rushed or even incomplete --> kind of like cliff notes. This is an example of a short book that “could be” prolonged nonsensically to explain a simple, essentially angst-free, plot. Don’t get me wrong, I like those extended plots as well (especially when the expansion includes sex scenes), but this condensed style worked fine for Silent Knights. I didn't feel like I missed anything too important and also it is fun to fill in the blanks once in a while -->kind of like a fanfiction. =)
The story is basic, uncomplicated, a little cheesy, and a lot predictable (which I like too, when in the mood), but overall is well written. However, there are a couple of inconsistencies, which I don’t mind that much in longer reads (guessing they are harder to catch in a sea of words), but HERE they were obvious and undermined the story a bit.
The story is basic, uncomplicated, a little cheesy, and a lot predictable (which I like too, when in the mood), but overall is well written. However, there are a couple of inconsistencies, which I don’t mind that much in longer reads (guessing they are harder to catch in a sea of words), but HERE they were obvious and undermined the story a bit.
December 15, 2010
2.5 I probably would have liked this better, insta love and all, if I hadn't read the blurb for the sequel. Paul isn't the most likeable character anyway, but all the talk of being together, not sharing, no threesomes, being romantic and wanting just someone to love came across as SO hypocritical when you know that within two years, Alex already isn't enough for Paul and he is adding a third to make Paul happy. At that point Paul is no better than cheating Craig, and I wanted Alex to find something worthy of him.
May 11, 2011
Review by Kerri:
WOW! This book delivers a lot in short length of time. But it works to the reader's advantage.
Both characters are flawed and likeable. Ms. Stanley is most definitely talented when it comes to writing M/M erotica.
The emotions run high in this one, and the sex is smokin'. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed. And while the snowbound scenario has been done many times before, Ms. Stanley makes it her own and it works quite well.
This author is new to me, but I will look at her other works.
A+
WOW! This book delivers a lot in short length of time. But it works to the reader's advantage.
Both characters are flawed and likeable. Ms. Stanley is most definitely talented when it comes to writing M/M erotica.
The emotions run high in this one, and the sex is smokin'. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed. And while the snowbound scenario has been done many times before, Ms. Stanley makes it her own and it works quite well.
This author is new to me, but I will look at her other works.
A+
December 18, 2011
Silent Knights packs a lot of good in its all too thin page count. I liked that the characters are a little older and that they have a good idea what life is about. I also liked that the sex wasn't the main focus of the story. It was hot, but it wasn't overpowering. The pace felt very organic and natural, not rushed as some short stories are wont to do.
I give Silent Knights four stars.
October 22, 2010
I thought the author did a great job setting the scene, felt like I was there. And I liked the characters.
December 22, 2010
I like the way the characters were developed. There was actually a story along with the sex.
December 22, 2010
I read the author's paranormal stories and decided to give this one a shot. It was my first MM story and I liked it. I'll read more in this genre.
December 27, 2010
A sexy holiday romance.
April 4, 2011
This was my first Gale Stanley book and I really enjoyed. Paul and Andy were great together and I thought the story was well done. I liked the bumps in the road on their relationship.
November 1, 2012
Paul is having the holiday from you know where and now he's trapped in the snow with a mountain man. Sometimes you find live in the most interesting places.
June 19, 2013
2.75 rating. It was an okay read, but I just didn't click with the characters like I usually do :(
December 17, 2010
2.5 Stars
March 18, 2012
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews