A MelanieM Review: Changing Tide by D.P. Denman

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Photographer David sails into Vancouver Island harbor looking to shoot Orca whales for a photograph book he has in mind and not much else. David’s 30 ft sailboat, Wanderer, is all the home he wants or needs. Then David hires Capt. Jack Lewis’ charter boat for a whale watching trip and everything changes. David’s anguished past has kept him from any sort of permanence, whether it is of a location or of the heart. David’s recent history is that of transience, always on the road or water as the case maybe. It’s his way of protecting himself and his heart from any additional pain and commitment. But meeting Jack Lewis and getting a taste of a relationship is making inroads into his heart and scaring him senseless.

When Jack Lewis looked into the eyes of the man who wanted to charter his boat, he was lost. David is gorgeous, mysterious, but the pain Jack also sees reflected back to him makes him want to take David into his arms and never let him go. Jack has had his fill of casual sexual relationships and hookups, especially in the case of Emerson, a young man who trades sex for status and perhaps money. David is everything that Emerson is not, David is older, fascinating, and as a freelance photojournalist, independent. Before he is aware that it is happening, Jack is falling for David and soon wants much more than perhaps David is capable of giving.

The unexpected relationship between Jack and David moves into dangerous waters as Emerson’s emotions and jealously spiral out of control combine with David’s fears of commitment and permanence. The emotions build until an explosion born of unresolved relationships and expectations shatter the bonds that holds all the men together.

Sometimes when you read a book, all the good elements you find in a story will be overwhelmed by the issues and outright problem areas also to be found at that same time. Unfortunately, that is the case with Changing Tide by D.P. Denman. In fact there are so many issues to be found within this story that I am going to start with the aspects I liked and enjoyed the most.

I loved the location. Denman does Vancouver Island proud by portraying the climate, landscape and natural marvels in such a way that I wanted to grab a plane, then charter a boat myself to see the wonders that Vancouver Island and the surrounding seas have to offer. This includes the majesty, and magic of whale watching. Even if I was not a naturalist, the passages where Jack spoke in awe of his experiences with Orcas would have reached me emotionally. Here is an excerpt:

“So tell me about these killer whales,” he shifted the conversation in a not so subtle new direction.

“I bet you’ve seen a lot of them over the years.”

“Quite a few. We’re getting to be old friends,” Jack smiled into his mug.

“Does any particular sighting stand out or do they all just flow together?”

“Some stand out, usually because of people’s reaction. A lot of them burst into tears at the sight of an orca.”

“Scared?”

“Amazed. It can be a bit awe-inspiring if you’re not used to it. Hell, it can be awe inspiring even if you are.”

“Nothing like Sea World, huh?”

“Not even a little. They don’t look like much when you see them out of context.

They’re just another fin in a tank.” The look on his face and the tone in his voice reflected the same awe he tried to describe.

That describes in a nutshell some of the highlights and problems with this story. It starts out well but somewhere around the middle it goes awry. Orcas are pretty amazing no matter how or where you see them (in my opinion) but he is saying that they are just another fin in a tank in captivity while his “voice is reflecting” awe? Something got lost there. And the following description of the encounter displays the same missed opportunity by the author. Its almost right but something in the writing is out of kilter.

“I was out in my old boat, a 30-footer. I killed the engine a few yards out of the straight, right in the middle of the water so we wouldn’t miss anything. Half the group was on the aft deck. A few of us were crouched at the bow and I saw this fin come up out of the water a few yards away. I knew it was going to be close so we called everyone up to the bow. The next thing I know I’m watching this animal as big as a semi come up from the deep almost right under us. The bastard broke the surface close enough to look me in the eye and suddenly all I could see was killer whale.”

An experienced captain is in a 30 ft boat with passengers. A huge orca’s fin breaks the surface of the water only a few yards away. And he calls the people over to the side? That makes no sense, and ruins Jack’s credibility as a native and experienced boat captain. But that is probably my mildest complaint with this story. We are still getting some wonderful descriptions of how it feels to be on the water, and in Denman’s hand, I defy anyone not to want to make Vancouver Island a vacation destination for any future travel plans.

The author also appears to be familiar with sailboats and her description of David’s small living area aboard the Wanderer felt authentic enough to make me a little claustrophobic. The same goes for Jack’s gorgeous house that faces the Sound. I would love to see that one too. Actually I would love to live there. From the descriptions of the views seen from inside the bedroom, that would have me moving in a heartbeat.

But this is not a travelogue, nor a real estate brochure. Nor even a finished product. And that brings me back to the issues and problem areas I spoke of earlier.

First would be the editing and format. My copy starts out with the first chapter mislabeled as the Epilogue. Now aside from the fact that an epilogue is found at the back of the book, an epilogue usually shows some sort of closure for the main characters or aspect of the story and this is not a epilogue in any way. It is merely a mislabeled chapter 1, not even a prologue. These items (and others) were easily corrected problems and I am flummoxed that they were left in. I hope it is due to a lack of experience and assistance but the book as received is not something I would expect a reader to pay money for. It is not polished in any way other than a nice cover.

Then there is the issues of characterization. My mildest complaint again is that the author shows little continuity starting with the fact that two of her characters have last names and one of her main characters, David, does not. Either all of them should have complete names or leave it on first names only for everyone in the book. There’s Crystal, David, Kathy, Cindy and Brett. Then there is Jack Lewis and Emerson Reid. Yes, it’s a small issue but descriptive of the bigger ones to be found with the characters and the narrative.

David is probably the only character I enjoyed as he also seemed the most fleshed out. His back history combined with his present situation seemed realistic He earns our sympathy and affection. Then there are all the others, primarily Jack and Emerson. It seemed as though the author had two personas for each of them and couldn’t decide on which was the one they wanted to use. So Denman used both. Jack is an enabling jerk, a selfish and lazy, he is shallow and self deceiving. Jack is also thoughtful, respectful of others, and too kind for his own good. And for me Jack is also finally unlikable. Then there is Emerson, a 23 year old of murky background and obvious mental and emotional issues. No one knows Emerson’s true back history so the idea is planted that he is both a gold digger as well as someone also so emotionally unstable that he lives in a fantasy world. Every one appears to know that something is really wrong with Emerson but no one suggests that he gets help.

Then Denman combines these two somewhat distasteful personas into a convoluted relationship and the story bogs down under its own issues. At times Jack is supposedly so sexually attracted to Emerson that he can’t stay away, having sex with him even after declaring his affections lie elsewhere. At other times Jack is treating Emerson like an annoying vagrant dog, petting him, giving out scraps then shutting the door on him. The author’s treatment of Emerson is no better. Emerson screeches like a “drama queen”, begs, pouts, shouts , lies and acts hurt. The reader is left unsure as to what they should be feeling about Emerson. Should it be pity or irritation or something more? And it’s not like these are realistic, layered characterizations but rather small distinct shallow ones that are constantly deviating from one scene to the next, as slippery as a fish out of water. And these two characters have the same scene over and over again throughout the story. This is a typical exchange between the two men:

Emerson pushed the door closed, wrapped arms around him and tried to kiss him. He grabbed his arms and pulled him right back off.

“We need to talk.”

“We can talk later. Fucking first,” Emerson tried to squirm out of his grip.

“This isn’t one of those visits,” his tone got Emerson’s attention.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. I just think you and I have reached a point where it’s time to end this.”

Emerson blinked back at him and the eager expression slid to a pensive scowl. “What?”

“It’s obvious you want something I’m not willing to give so I think it’s better if we stop seeing each other.”

“Who says I want something else?”

At some point you move on.”

“Why?” Emerson looked stricken.

“Because that’s how it works. Come on, Em, you know I’ve wanted out of this for a while. It’s just time,” he reached out to caress his arm and Emerson pulled out of reach.

“We don’t fit.”

29 Changing Tide DP Denman

“We’ve been fitting just fine until now,” he snapped, stricken turning to anger. “It’s because of him, isn’t it?”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Jack. That tall drink of whore you were with the other night.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with him. Besides, you and I have never been exclusive. Just because someone else shows up doesn’t mean I have to choose between you.”

Emerson reached out to slap him and he caught his wrist before the hand made contact.

“That’s not news to you so don’t pretend it’s any kind of insult.” “Let go of me,” Emerson snatched his hand back.

“It doesn’t matter,” he shook his head. “The point is we’ve been at this too long. Casual doesn’t last forever, right?

Now this scene goes on for another page or two. More dialog of exactly the same thing until Jack finally leaves but not before telling Emerson that he likes him and touching his cheek in a lover like manner, totally negating everything that Jack said prior. Talk about mixed messages and not just from Jack, but the author too. Then take this sad, irritating, and confused scene and repeat it in some form numerous times throughout the story. I said in some form because sometimes Jack stays and they have sex, then the same dialog picks up from there. There is no growth shown, no real change in how the men act or feel, just a repetition of the above back and forth argument and enabling behavior. Trust me when I said the exasperation sets in around the halfway point and never actually goes away.

And in between this never ending argument and emotional stalemate, Jack and David are trying to have a relationship that comes with its own issues as well.

So in between lovely descriptive scenes of Vancouver Island and water, the reader is forced to wade through pages of confused characterizations, dense dialog and what might have been a terrific little plot in another author’s hands. However, in Changing Tide the negatives ends up overpowering all the positive aspects. The writing is uneven, the narrative dense and repetitive and the format is rough and unprofessional.

And that’s so sad and unnecessary.

Given an editor, great or otherwise, with a ruthless, objective idea on how to write fiction, this story and this review might have been all together different. As it, I have to tell you to give it a pass.

Book Details:

I have none. Although the author’s website states that it will be released October 4th, although I am told it is scheduled for the 11th for publication, book facts such as page numbers, word counts, ISBN numbers are all missing.

Review: The Fall (The Fall #1) by Kate Sherwood

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

After his boyfriend dumps him for a younger man, Scott Mackenzie must figure out the mess his life has become. A part-time model, Mackenzie had allowed his ex to completely take over his life. Mackenzie lived in Nathan’s house and off Nathan’s income as Nathan’s disapproval of his profession saw Mackenzie’s modeling assignments dropping away until he was barely accepting job offers. Now the reality of his dependency is hitting Mackenzie hard as he tries to determine what to do next. He had purchased an old church to use for gay weddings on a whim and now that looks like his only avenue both as a home and new job. But Mackenzie is a gay fish out of water in a small town in rural Ontario. Both he and the church need a lot of fixing up and he doesn’t know where to start.

Joe Sutton is a rancher and on occasion when his twin needs help with his business, he is also a part time contractor. When his parents died, Joe and his twin brother did whatever was necessary to keep their family together on the land that had been a Sutton ranch for generations. In fact, Joe’s life now consisted of running the ranch and managing his large and sometimes unruly family, leaving little time for a relationship, something already made difficult by the fact that Joe is gay in a small town.

When Mackenzie contracts the Sutton twins for help restoring the church, the initial meeting between the only two out gay men around doesn’t go well. Joe isn’t looking for a relationship and Mackenzie is put off by the monosyllabic impression Joe makes. But a small connection is made, one that grows larger by the day. When Mackenzie’s past arrives to threaten their burgeoning relationship, Joe and Mackenzie must decide just how much they will sacrifice to stay together.

Have you ever read a story where you immediately fell in love with the characters and plot even if you can’t exactly pinpoint why? The Fall by Kate Sherwood is that story for me. I love these men and I loved their story. Everything about Mackenzie and Joe spoke to me. I felt connected to them by their idiosyncrasies and their personalities. I loved Joe’s family and Mackenzie’s dog, Griffin. I loved the town of Falls Creek, the church Mackenzie bought to refurbish and even the town’s Chamber of Commerce. How’s that for a lot of love? But that also makes for a very short review so I had to take a closer look to see if I could figure out my case of instant love for The Fall.

It turns out that I did not have to dig very deep for reasons to love this book. Starting with Kate Sherwood’s characters, everyone that Sherwood created for this story (with the exception of Nick) just captivated me. I found Mackenzie immediately endearing from the moment he murmurs to himself “no one puts Baby in the corner”, referring to himself. One reference and I was his. Mackenzie is someone who has a ton of growing up to do. He gradually let his ex take over his life until he was basically a kept man and Nathan his sugar daddy. At the moment we meet him, he is needy, spoiled by city life and a rich life style. This man is totally unmoored in every aspect of his life. This is our first introduction to Mackenzie:

“IT’S NOT like I was expecting an adorable little café. I knew that even Starbucks might be pushing it.” Mackenzie tried to loosen his grip on his cell phone before saying, “But Kristen, there’s not even a Tim Hortons! There’s a donut shop. It’s called The Donut Shop. It sells donuts. No pastries, no soup, no sandwiches. Just donuts. And coffee.” In the interest of full disclosure, he added, “And bagels. I don’t know what’s with the bagels. But there isn’t even a drive-through!”

Mackenzie has just arrived in town and already he is panicking. And he hasn’t even set foot in the church he owns to see how much work is needed just to make it safe. But even as adrift emotionally as Mackenzie is, we know he is worth sticking around to see what happens next. Gradually Mackenzie starts to grow up, accepting responsibility for his life and deciding to take charge of his future. Sherwood throws this character down an uneven path, making him stumble and fall. But as we watch Mackenzie pick himself up, often with verve and self depreciation, our connection to this character deepens with each new page.

The character of Joe Sutton starts off as the antithesis of Scott MacKenzie. Whereas Mackenzie has not had enough responsibility in his life, Joe has almost had too much, eschewing a social life for family and his ranch. Joe has become so reserved in demeanor that Mackenzie’s ebullience and vivacity puts him off, leading him to make assumptions about Mackenzie from his mannerisms and conversation. The thing is Joe is only partly wrong. There are many layers to Joe Sutton, and they are pealed back one by one as Joe and Mackenzie begin a casual sexual relationship that turns into an emotional commitment. Gradually we see the humor, the love of family and the land. Kate Sherwood’s portrait of Joe Sutton will win you over just as completely as Mackenzie’s.

All the characters are well done here, whether you like them or not. They are grounded in their human frailties , their complexities feel both real and recognizable. Of special note is Joe’s nephew with whom he has a father/son relationship. Five year old Austin is a special needs child, although the reason for that is never mentioned. Austin’s behavior (autism it seems to me) is well researched and authentic. And Joe’s relationship with Austin and the manner in which he interacts with his nephew brought more depth and warmth to a story I was already in love with. Add in the rest of the Sutton siblings and the dogs Griffin and Red, each characters in their own right, and you have a story brimming with people and pets not easily forgotten.

Sherwood’s dialog is especially noteworthy. It almost sparkles as it exits Mackenzie’s mouth, frothy, excitable, and very vulnerable. Joe’s dialog too is perfect for his character. It’s slow, thoughtful, and grounded. It all works. The plot comes to a happy resolution but leaves enough story threads hanging to carryover into another book. The Fall is the first in a series and I can’t wait to read the next installment. These characters and their town has me hooked. Consider The Fall highly recommended.

Cover art by Leah Kaye Suttle. I liked the cover but wish it had included more elements specific to the story such as the church. As it is it feels almost too generic.

Book Details:

ebook, 214 pages

Published December 16th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published December 15th 2013)

original title The Fall

ISBN 1627983902 (ISBN13: 9781627983907)

edition language English

url http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4438

series The Fall #1

Review: An Unsettled Range (Range Series #3) by Andrew Grey

Rating: 4 stars

Troy Gardener’s life is a mess. For years now he has been a happily married husband and father to his wife and daughter, working hard to get ahead to support them in comfort. He has refused to admit his homosexuality all his life, even to his gay brother. But deep inside, he knows the truth, and the guilt is killing him because he knows the people he loves will be the ones hurt the most by his coming out. So Troy has remained firmly closeted in his life and mind until circumstances throw open the door into his sexuality and his life is shattered. Now after losing everything dear to him, including his job, Troy heads west to the cabin his uncle left him and his brother. He needs time to reflect on his actions and try to find a way back into his daughter’s affections if possible. But Troy never counted on a blue eyed gorgeous ranch hand showing up on his property, upsetting his self imposed isolation and his heart.

Liam Southard is literally at a dead end after being thrown out of his house by his abusive father. Collapsed by the side of the road, miles from nowhere, lack of food and water has finally taken its toll on his abused body and soul. Then a miracle happens, and he is rescued by two men who take him back to their ranch to recover. Liam thinks he must be in heaven or the closest thing to it because when he comes to, he finds out he has been taken in by gay ranchers, who cloth him, feed him and give him a job and home. On his first day on the job, he heads into the mountains to investigate a smoke column and finds a gun being pointed at him, and a gorgeous stranger behind the trigger. His first introduction to Troy Gardener is a rude awakening for both men. Even a rocky start can stop Troy and Liam from thinking about the other but more obstacles must be overcome before they find their happily ever after.

I started Andrew Grey’s Range series by reading the last two published books in the series first. I loved them both and couldn’t believe that somehow I had missed this series so now I am going back to pick up the remaining books to acquaint myself with all the characters and the relationships mentioned in A Foreign Range(Range #4) and An Isolated Range (Range #5). Still reading them out of order just because I am curious to see if they stand up as singular stories (they do), I find the series just as beguiling and charming as ever.

Andrew Grey has managed to give us two characters in each book with backstories that range from abusive families, closeted individuals, and sometimes just haunted personalities that stay with you long after the book is finished. An Unsettled Range brings us Troy Gardener and Liam Southard, two characters in keeping with Andrew Grey’s marvelous creations for the Range series. Troy Gardener is a realistic mess of a man. Admittedly selfish and shallow, he has alienated his gay brother and lied to his wife and child with his self denial over his sexuality. Grey brings us a credible portrait of an agonized man finally looking at himself in the mirror and hating the image he sees. It is a shattering moment for Troy and the reader. And it enables the reader to find compassion for this man who otherwise might be too unlikable to root for.

Liam Southard’s past unfolds slowly throughout the book, the horrific details of his upbringing revealed in spurts. It is impossible not to love Liam from the first moment we see him collapsing by the side of the road. Our sympathy is engaged fully at that moment and never leaves this wonderful young ranch hand. Grey has made him the opposite of Troy, someone who has remained optimistic and great hearted, no matter the pain Liam has been through. He is such a lovely, believable character, and is a stand-in for all those young GLBTQ youth cast out of their homes like yesterday’s garbage. I just loved everything about this young man.

As always, Andrew Grey brings a multitude of issues into his story. In this case, it is water rights, Mining companies, and the rights of endangered species. A lovely irony with contrasted with the rights of gay individuals still being fought, especially out west. And we also have the plight of large cat rescue as well. All outstanding elements, all beautifully folded into a heartwarming story.

So, I am off to finish up the rest of the books. I think you will love them as much as I do. Here they are in the order they were written and released:
A Shared Range (Range, #1)

A Troubled Range (Range, #2)

An Unsettled Range (Range, #3)

A Foreign Range (Range, #4)

An Isolated Range (Range, #5)

A Volatile Range (Range, #6)

Cover art by LC Chase is beautiful, it not only speaks to the subject matter but brands the series.

All I Want Is You (Mountain Boys #1.5) by Marguerite Labbe

Rating: 4.75 stars

After the tumultuous events of the past year, Eli Hollister and Ash Gallagher have settled into their lives, taking their relationship one step further by moving in together at the Hermitage. Ash is still not satisfied, Ash wants a deeper commitment from Eli. Ash realizes that more than anything he wants to marry his strong-minded, independent lover, but Ash is uncertain about Eli’s views on marriage, especially marriage to him.

It’s their second Christmas together and this time Eli and Ash are headed to Tennessee to spend the holidays with Eli’s family, a visit fraught with anticipated family squabbles, too many people and not nearly enough space for Eli to keep his sanity and Ash work up the courage to propose. Either way it looks to be a memorable Christmas for both men deeply in love but will everything be resolved in time for New Year?

All I Want Is You is a wonderful followup to one of my favorite stories, All Bets Are Off (Mountain Boys #1), published last year by Dreamspinner Press. That novel charted the romance of professor Eli Hollister and former Marine Ash Gallagher from a rocky beginning when Ash turned up in one of Eli’s classes to a couple in love and committed to making their relationship work.

Marguerite Labbe’s characters have always been so realistic that it is so easy to identify with them, become attached to their happiness. We can relate to them because their emotions,expectations and problems mirror those of the people around us. From lovely settings to authentic relationship issues, the author delivers a remarkable portrait of two men working their way towards a Happily Ever After that is both realistsic and romantic. We get to watch as Eli and Ash get to know each other. We listen as they relate their backstories to one another, and exhibit the push/pull on each other that all new relationships exhibit. And when they full commit to each other as a couple, the reader is right there with them, as fully involved in their story and relationship as they are. So imagine how happy I was to hear that Marguerite Labbe was writing a Christmas story for Eli and Ash. And what a Christmas present to her readers it turned out to be.

We listen into Ash’s inner discourse ( I love Labbe’s dialog) on his decision to ask Eli to marry him and then slightly panic when he hesitates to go forward. Eli too has his hurdles to over come this holidays and it is a huge one. But the issues raised here about family are ones that have to be addressed and dealt with before another relationship can proceed, and this element will ring out as authentic because so many of us have been there too.

This is so much more than your typical Christmas story where the holidays themselves are central to the story but rather another step forward in Eli and Ash’s relationship. I hope and feel confidant that Marguerite Labbe will be bringing the boys back for further updates, perhaps even a wedding? What happy speculations stretch out before us, either way I can’t wait. But the real present here is that this wonderful story is free. Download your copy here and settle in to enjoy another warmhearted lovely tale about these captivating Mountain Boys.

Length: 71 pages

Lovely cover art by Fae Sutherland.

Review: Infected Lesser Evils #6 by Andrea Speed

Rating: 4.75 stars

“In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.”

When Roan gets a call from the police about a shifted Infected at Club Damage, that there are injured people, and the cat cornered in the club bathroom, he heads out to investigate and take down the cat. But almost immediately Roan realizes there is a larger problem than just an infected cat on the loose. The cat is dying and smells off, it has almost a chemical aroma to it. Then another cat shifts out of schedule and dies and then another. The autopsy reveals a chemical in their bloodstream, a new drug that forces the Infected people to shift early and die. Roan and the police force realize that someone has targeted all Infected’s and it’s up to Roan to find that person before they have a wave of cat deaths throughout the city.

Holden is also having a very bad day. He is beaten up by one of his john’s and needs Roan’s help to get back to his condo. But his john is not finished with him yet and an already anguished Roan takes on the role of an avenger something that is happening in greater frequency. Because the infected population is not only being targeted by a drug pusher, a serial killer is hunting them down as well. As Roan tries to find the supplier of the poisoned drugs and track the killer with Holden’s help, he also has to deal with increasing migraines and the fact that the lion just might be taking over. It’s almost enough to make Roan want to die if the virus would let him.

Lesser Evils is the sixth book in the Infected series that remains one of my all time favorites. This is quite simply a mesmerizing saga at every level starting with the central premise of an out of control virus. The virus is spreading throughout the human population with the disastrous effect of changing those infected into beings no longer completely human before killing them. The origin of the virus is unknown, although the speculations include the most favored “secret government agency trying to build a super soldier” one. But it could also include a feline virus not unlike the avian or swine bug run amuck. I love the idea of a nebulous background for the virus although it remains to be seen if the author leaves it this way or has something totally different planned for us and Roan. Trust me, it would be just like Andrea Speed to have some utterly confounding explanation just lying in wait for us in future books.

The Infected series also includes some of my favorite characters, again starting with the heart of the series, Roan McKitchen. He is an Infected child, born of an Infected mother instead of someone infected after birth. Roan is also the only known child to not only survive but thrive with the virus inside of him. But thriving physically is not the same as surviving emotionally or mentally and Roan continues to battle both his emotions and mental state as the virus mutates within him. And it is this constantly changing state that Roan finds himself in that speaks to so many fundamental questions within us. What does it mean to be human? Is who we are internally, in our mind and soul tied to who we are physically? If who you are physically is no longer within the realm of human specifications, does that outsider status remove you from the human condition and people all around you to the extent you can’t relate to them any more? Question after important question is brought up but the answers are constantly evolving as is Roan. I love the high level of complexity here and the fact that with each book, who and what Roan is becoming more bewildering and convoluted as well.

Just as there are no “reasonably” simple human beings, you won’t find them within these pages either. This includes Holden Fox, another favorite. Holden started out as a high priced hooker but now seems to be evolving into Roan’s investigative partner and fellow vigilante when necessary. He is not just familiar with the dark underbelly of society, but is a top denizen there. His outlook is a needed contrast to Dylan, Roan’s artist husband and part time bartender. Dylan, another beautifully layered portrait, loves Roan and is trying to accept the changes he sees in him. Dylan also is in the unpleasant role of being the one man who can never quite measure up to Roan’s true love, Paris Lehane and now must live with a ghost always present in their relationship. And then there are all the characters that circle around Roan, from the hockey players (Grey, Scott, Tank…all memorable) to Seb and Drop Kick, the police officers Roan works with. There is no such thing as a cardboard character in a Andrea Speed novel.

Lesser Evils tackles several problems at once, much the same as the other stories. One strand that is running through the last few books is that there seems to be a mysterious organization, perhaps one with white supremacists, that is targeting Infecteds, trying to wipe them out by various methods, in this case by poisoning a favored club drug. Only those infected by the virus die and die horribly. So Roan, the police, FBI and others are trying to track the source of the drug to its manufacturer in a race that also includes a antidote as more and more die on the streets. In addition, someone is hunting the Infecteds like big game and the police with a couple of exceptions don’t seem to be taking this as seriously as they would if the serial killer was hunting “people”. This infuriates Roan as he starts to feel like he must take the “savior” role he has always avoided.

As Andrea Speed pulls all these threads together, she also weaves Roan’s torment over his changing physical and mental state into the pattern as well. The lion inside is coming out more and more and Roan is struggling with his emotions and temper to the point he thinks Dylan is in danger. We feel his anger, the level of his depression and even his rage at those who remain unconcerned and removed from the plight of the Infected. The author forces us to think about what makes us who we are as Roan loses the certainly we take for granted. The virus also seems to be protecting him in startling ways even as it is morphing him into something the world has never seen before. And with increasing dread, we “hear” as the government starts to talk about making Infecteds register themselves, which sounds like a precursor to concentration camps, for their own good of course. As I stated, so many elements are in play here, and the future for all is becoming increasingly muddied. Especially for Roan, our most reluctant of heroes but for which race?

For even as Dylan reminds Roan that he is still human, and we know he is not, and Holden abjures Roan to renounce the human race and accept his non human status, Roan in his anguished, drugged state tries to find a median ground that probably does not exist. And we are there with him for every angst ridden step he takes in the journey before him and the rest of the world. And that is the cherry on top. The tantalizing glimpses that Speed allows us to see along Roan’s path. It’s these small windows that open up into a possible future for Roan and the other Infecteds that give me shivers and make me undeniably one of her biggest fans even when she leaves me and all the other readers hanging as she does here in Lesser Evils. Yes, even as we find out the new mutations the virus has caused in Roan, it also has a debilitating effect on him that turns into a cliffhanger at the end. *Head desk*. Roan pulls out all the deepest emotions in the reader because he is so well crafted, that he becomes real to us which makes the cliffhanger at the end so frustrating because we need to know what happens next. Sigh.

As I have commented on how much I dislike cliffhangers in other books, so that is the reason my head pounded when I found it here. So as we wait for Dreamspinner Press to bring out the next in the series and for this situation with Roan in the hospital to be resolved, I will placate myself by going back to the beginning and starting to read the series all over again, looking for new clues I might have missed, and uncovering elements the author may have hidden away. So even with the dreaded cliffhanger in place, grab this one up. Or if you are new to the series, go back to the beginning and become acquainted with one of the most complex and enthralling characters to cross a page.

Andrea Speed also compiles a playlist for each book. They can be found at her website In Absentia. Here are the books in the order they were written and should be read to understand the characters and the saga:

Lesser Evils

Cover: Cover by Anne Cain is just magnificent. The cover art is available for download as screensavers at Andrea Speed’s website.