Showing posts with label Katie Porter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katie Porter. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2012

Review: Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Katie Porter

Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter
Samhain Publishing
Novel: 278pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Born to old Virginia money, film producer Kyle Wakefield’s conservative upbringing kept him in the closet. Only once did he venture outside: for a tempestuous teenage affair with Nathan Carnes. When Nathan’s self-destructive streak landed him in prison, Kyle slammed the door on youthful hopes. Despite Hollywood successes, he still hides his true self.

He thought he’d moved on, until his production company hires Nathan and his Second Chances stunt crew to work on the London set of a big-budget action flick. Watching Nathan risk life and limb with fellow ex-cons looking for a fresh start makes it tough for Kyle to keep his desires hidden.

Thirteen years have passed since Nathan’s teenage self-doubt led him to sabotage any chance of a future with Kyle. He’s come a long way since then, but despite their explosive sexual chemistry, Kyle treats their attraction like a deep dark secret.

Their matched Hollywood ambitions and a pain-in-the-ass director make cooperation essential. As the London holiday season casts its spell, the two men find themselves on the verge of falling in love again—even as old secrets and pain keep them shackled. The only hope of unlocking their hearts is a Christmas miracle.


Review:
I admit that my expectations were a bit high when I started reading this book (I have no idea why) but it just sounded like something I would really enjoy. I think I was frustrated by 85% of this novel and by the last 15%; I was glad that it was finally over. Nothing to do with bad writing but it felt like one continuous scene of fucking and beating around the bush and here is why...

Kyle Wakefield is a film producer and rich boy since birth. He's in London to work on the set of a big budget action flick during the Christmas holiday. It will save money, because the city is already decorated so they wouldn't have to go through the trouble of building a festive set (money and time is saved). The action flick calls for stunt crew and in comes Second Chances. A crew made up entirely of convicts wanting to begin life anew. Kyle has old history with the leader of Second Chances, Nate Carnes. They share a past of passion and old hurts; did 10 years of separation heal old wounds?

Let me tell you, NO it did not. These men clearly were very angry with each other and ruined the Christmas feel of the book. Don't get me wrong they were hot as hell and burned up the pages from their explosive reunion. However, every encounter felt like an angry one, even with moments of sweetness it dashed all to hell with their bitter feelings and bitter words. I am not 100% on board with them as a couple because they lost the opportunity to lure me in with their merry go round behaviour.

I was very interested in knowing about the Nate & Kyle from ten years ago. Their past and young love sounded so exciting and sweet and I wanted to get lost in that, but alas, I never got the chance. I was rushed into a HEA with a nice bow placed perfectly on top after 85% of angry sometimes-sweet sex, dirty talk, and wild stunts. I was really feeling the "meh".

Should You Read It? Ummmmm... If you like ultra alpha males and dirty, dirty sexy time. The writing is good and I will pick up another Katie Porter book but I was just expecting more. The HEA was too neat, and I feel like Kyle and Nate had more to say to each other.

3.5 Pants Off

Friday, December 7, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: Gimme A Stunt Man! by Katie Porter

Gimme A Stunt Man by Katie Porter


Nate Carnes  is an ex-con and an angsty chip-on-his-shoulder stud, but that’s his past and his personality. His profession? He’s a stuntman.

Nate is a romance hero, so of course he’s really great at his crazy-daring job. However, there’s more to his career ambitions. Sure he rappels down buildings and jumps from one zooming speedboat to another, but his company is called Second Chances—and employs only ex-cons. When men and women have nothing to lose, they make some crazy life choices!

So taking a job in London where Kyle Wakefield, the ex love of his life, is the movie producer…? Nate feels obligated. He owes it to himself to face the specter from his past, while protecting the fledgling company that means so much to him and his fellow ex-cons.

The research I did for his grand finale stunt, where he flips a Maserati, came from the bonus material available on the Casino Royale DVD. The bonus featured a segment on the stunts from the movie, including the scene where James Bond serves to avoid running over his lady love—and flips his Aston Martin DBS.

The only problem was that the sportscar was so well designed to hug the road that stunt coordinators couldn’t flip it! They tried ramps, various configurations to the tires, and a host of other tricks of the trade. In the end they installed an air canon in the passenger seat that shot a burst of air downward through a hole in the footwell. Boom! The air propelled the Aston into a series of flips that actually broke the record for the most in movie.


So yes, I did some research! But mostly, Came Upon a Midnight Clear is about second chances, just like Nate’s crew. It’s Nate’s chance to purge the pain of his troubled youth and reconnect with the rich, closeted man he’d never been able to forget. Kyle has his own issues to contend with, including how to keep his hands off the sexy stuntman he’s loved since they were wild teenagers. Such problems to have!


And in the spirit of this blog’s title, both men get their pants off—repeatedly. They’re gorgeous and horny and so very much in love…so yeah, that’s a given!

I just hope Nate’s attempt to practically fly a Maserati in the shadow of Big Ben doesn’t ruin their chances at a happily ever after. This romance is as nail-biting as an action movie, and as sexy as James Bond. Bring it!

***
What the critics are saying: Came Upon a Midnight Clear has been described as “masterful,” (Publisher’s Weekly), “a complex gift,” (Library Journal), and “the perfect piece of erotica: nuanced, complex, dirty, loving, and intimate (RT BookReviews). Not only did the folks at RT make Came Upon a Midnight Clear a 4½ Star Top Pick, they’ve selected it as a Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best Erotic Romance Ebook of 2012, as well as the Seal of Excellence for best romance novel of December—the first gay romance to receive either honor!


***
For more about Katie Porter, the co-writing team of Carrie Lofty and Lorelie Brown:

Don’t forget about our “Amazing Race to a Kindle” contest, which is going on now. Review Double Down on Amazon for your chance to win a gift certificate or even a Kindle Fire!

In January, Lead and Follow will launch the five-part “Club Devant” series of erotic romances set in a glitzy New York City burlesque club. RT BookReviews gave Lead and Follow 4 Stars and raved, “Fans of erotica will be left breathless as they cha-cha straight into a cold shower.”  


Where to find us:

http://KatiePorterBooks.com/
Twitter: @MsKatiePorter
Or individually: @carrielofty and @LorelieBrown


We'd like to give away a copy of CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR in any digital format. Just answer: Who is your favorite James Bond and why?


Thanks again to Pants Off for featuring Katie Porter and Came Upon a Midnight Clear!


Giveaway

  • Must be 18yrs or older
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  • Winner has 48hrs to reply to my email
  • Contest runs until December 11th 11:59pm EST