Elizabeth L. Brooks

I really liked this paranormal story in a sci-fi setting.

Jereth is one of the few people who refuses to let the priests (professional telepaths and matchmakers in this futuristic world) find his one true love. He's like a "throwback" to the Blind Ages, when people looked for their partners without the help of telepathy, and never knew whether they'd found the right one. He thinks it's more romantic to look for a life partner "the old fashioned way". Until loneliness takes over and he seeks professional help.

To his shock the partner the priests find for him isn't a woman. It takes Jereth a while to adapt to the thought, but Caris quickly starts to work his way into Jereth's heart. Unfortunately, there are a few more obstacles to overcome, and I thoroughly liked the exploration of this futuristic society and its workings through Jereth's and Caris's eyes.

… (mais)

This is a version of the future where humankind has Awakened to telepathic abilities, and everyone has one perfect mate who fits their innermost personality. Their history says this sort of bond was formerly called “true love”—that made me chuckle—but now everyone can find their intended partner with the help of the priests, whose telepathic abilities are able to identify matches between people. That is, if you’re registered with their church and pay their fees. I guess some things never change... In this short glimpse into a future I found fascinating, Emery finds out what it’s like to find his mate—only to realize Jody’s life is threatened and since linked mates die within days of each other, Jody refuses to seal the link with him.

The tragedy of something like that happening is even worse than what we face today when a partner is terminally ill. Emery finds it very hard to deal with. He cannot be intimate with Jody, or share the kind of bond he has waited for all his life without endangering his life. He soon gets to a point where he knows he will go crazy if he doesn’t link, so why not share what time they have?

Jody has a different perspective. He doesn’t want to endanger his mate’s life, thinking at least he can go on living once he is dead. What is worse, a memory from his early childhood strengthens his resolve, and he is adamant his refusal is in Eremy’s best interest.

With both men trying to do what is best for the other, this is a touching love story that carries quite an emotional punch despite its relatively few pages. If you like futuristic stories about psi-abilities we may one day develop, if two men trying to sacrifice themselves for the other’s good sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a short read full of drama, love, and determination, then you will probably enjoy this free short story.… (mais)

1. [b:Just What the Doctor Ordered|20691518|Just What the Doctor Ordered (Take It Like A Man)|Lorne Rodman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391294757s/20691518.jpg|40009714] by Lorne Rodman - 4 stars, review here

2. [b:Just a Little Bit More|20691527|Just a Little Bit More (Take It Like A Man)|Mychael Black|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391295002s/20691527.jpg|40009735] by Mychael Black - 4 stars, review here

3. [b:Too Good|20691539|Too Good (Take It Like A Man)|T. Strange|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391295134s/20691539.jpg|40009751] by T. Strange - 3 stars, review here

4. [b:Monkey Suit|20653025|Monkey Suit|B.A. Tortuga|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391030460s/20653025.jpg|39948477] by B.A. Tortuga - 4 stars, review here

5. [b:The Perfect Size for You|20654577|The Perfect Size for You (Take It Like A Man)|Lily G. Blunt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391052406s/20654577.jpg|39950493] by Lily G. Blunt - 3.5 stars, review here

6. [b:The Games We Play, A Hammer Story|20656190|The Games We Play, A Hammer Story (Take It Like A Man)|Sean Michael|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391085840s/20656190.jpg|39952589] by Sean Michael - 4 stars, review here


NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of reviews of the individual stories on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (mais)

As an anthology, this worked really well for me. Lots of stories with hot men in uniform (even if UPS seemed to be in almost all of them), and some of them even had both main characters in some form of uniform.

1. [b:BestLaid Plans|22600209|BestLaid Plans|M. Durango|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404004370s/22600209.jpg|42085390] by M. Durango - 3 stars, review here

2. [b:Seven Steps to Heaven|22600389|Seven Steps to Heaven|Emily Moreton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404008856s/22600389.jpg|42085704] by Emily Moreton - 4 stars, review here

3. [b:UPSex|22601286|UPSex|Rob Rosen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404035621s/22601286.jpg|42087088] by Rob Rosen - 4 stars, review here

4. [b:Crossfire|22601386|Crossfire|Jon Keys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404038756s/22601386.jpg|42087208] by Jon Keys, 4 stars, review here

5. [b:The Queen's Guard|22601906|The Queen's Guard|Emma Jane|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404052179s/22601906.jpg|42087995] by Emma Jane, 3 stars, review here

6. [b:Nurse Levi|22602006|Nurse Levi|L.J. Hamlin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404053952s/22602006.jpg|42088148] by L.J. Hamlin, 3 stars, review here

7. [b:What Can Brown Do For You?|22290944|What Can Brown Do For You?|Hunter Frost|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400762606s/22290944.jpg|41673401] by Hunter Frost, 3 stars, review here

8. [b:Midnight Magic|22602426|Midnight Magic|Mychael Black|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404062777s/22602426.jpg|42088852] by Mychael Black, 4 stars, review here
… (mais)