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Afflicted II (2012)

by Brandon Shire(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

148028985X (ISBN13: 9781480289857)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

TPG Books

series

Afflicted

review 1: I totally enjoyed this book. Hunter and Dillon are both fascinating characters and it was interesting learning more about each of them. Additionally, Margie has a new love interest, which is good!There was some drama in the book (which I enjoy) but mostly this book was about Hunter and Dillon's love. It's rare in a romance that the story doesn't become sugary and cloying, but instead keeps the heat turned up full blast but still gives each character his or her own sense of self. This series does that, and because of it I not only can read it, I love it. Another thing I loved, loved, loved was that Mr. Shire didn't force himself to follow the hallowed "romance formula". He broke that formula big time with the party scene. That formula, those rigid rules of what makes a "rom... moreance", are what usually keep me far away from books classified as such. It's time the romance genre updated itself and allowed for more flexibility in what characters do, and Shire went for it. I've seen other gay fiction do this, too. It's a shame romance written for m/f is still stuck in the fairy tale mode regarding people's behavior and expectations of love. We all love our own unique way. They romance genre should reflect that.The sex was even more graphic than in the first book, so if there are readers who shy away from too many details, be forewarned. For those of us that feel graphic sex is part of any authentic hot love story, you won't be disappointed.I'm hoping there will be a book 3.
review 2: This review applies to both books in this mini-series, as it's quite difficult for me to separate the stories when they are so strongly intertwined. I bought this book solely because one of the heroes is blind, and I have a weak spot for blind heroes and was in the mood for a gay romance story. I absolutely adored Hunter who is such a strong and self-reliant hero, despite having been protected and nearly suffocated by his mother's love before in his life. He has fought long and hard to become the independent man he is today, living alone in the city and owning a successful audio book production company. One evening he hooks up with Dillon, a professional male escort, and what started out as a very expensive 250$ night of great sex, soon turns into something more neither man has expected. Brandon Shire does an excellent job of showing me Hunter's way of experiencing the world. He learns and assesses a lot of things by smell and hearing. He doesn't know what Dillon looks like when they start off their relationship but desires him because of his smell.Dillon nowadays is a successful escort, but started out as a lowly street hustler after having been kicked out by his parents when they were told of his homosexuality. Dillon and Hunter are an unlikely pair but as the story progresses, it is wonderfully portrayed that each can give the other what they need to blossom and grow stronger. I go with a solid B for this book and recommend it to anyone who loves gay romances with wounded heroes. B less

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