Rescued
Felice Stevens
M/M Romance
Narrator: Charlie David
Audio Release: 03.14.17
BLURB:
Ryder Daniels is all too familiar with rejection. His parents cut off contact because he’s gay and his boyfriend left him, choosing drugs over love. Aside from his rescued pit bull, his only joy is hanging out with his younger brother. Then his mother does the unthinkable and forbids them to see each other, leaving Ryder devastated and alone. His friends urge him to date, but Ryder would rather throw himself into working at the dog rescue and figuring out a way to see his brother again.
When Jason Mallory’s girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to get married, he shocks everyone by breaking up with her instead. He believes he's too busy for a relationship now that the construction company he started with his brother is taking off. When he discovers a group of abandoned pit bulls and calls the local dog rescue group to pick them up, an uncomfortable encounter with Ryder causes Jason to question feelings he’s hidden deep inside for years.
Jason and Ryder build a friendship, until an unexpected kiss sparks the attraction they’ve been fighting. Jason gives Ryder unconditional love and helps him reconnect with his brother while Ryder shows Jason the passion he’s always missed in relationships. Together they must battle through their family differences and ugly prejudices. Only then can they prove that once you find the right person to love, there’s no turning back.
When Jason Mallory’s girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to get married, he shocks everyone by breaking up with her instead. He believes he's too busy for a relationship now that the construction company he started with his brother is taking off. When he discovers a group of abandoned pit bulls and calls the local dog rescue group to pick them up, an uncomfortable encounter with Ryder causes Jason to question feelings he’s hidden deep inside for years.
Jason and Ryder build a friendship, until an unexpected kiss sparks the attraction they’ve been fighting. Jason gives Ryder unconditional love and helps him reconnect with his brother while Ryder shows Jason the passion he’s always missed in relationships. Together they must battle through their family differences and ugly prejudices. Only then can they prove that once you find the right person to love, there’s no turning back.
EXCERPT
Ryder bent close to him, whispering softly. “Don’t worry. You trust me, don’t you?” Ryder kissed that secret spot behind Jason’s ear, dragging the wet trail of his tongue down Jason’s neck. An ache, sweet yet painful, grew within Jason and he tremble under the pinpricks of nerves running riot through him.
“Do you trust me, Jason?” Held within Ryder’s arms, he peered up into his friend’s face. Trust him? He’d better. This was life-changing for him, like a fucking volcanic eruption of epic proportions. He opened his mouth, but no words came out, so he merely nodded. Shivers racked him as Ryder tucked him closer into his hard chest.
A warm palm cupped his face, the thumb stroking his cheek. Jason was one step away from breaking down and falling apart in Ryder’s arms. Another shiver rolled through him.
“Hey, listen to me. Relax. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to,” Ryder murmured, calm and strong, one hand caressing Jason’s face, the other circling his back with soothing strokes.
What did he want? He had no fucking clue. Now that the time was here, with Ryder standing before him so open and honest, he had to be honest with himself. He licked his dry lips, suddenly shaky with nerves that popped up all over the place. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or, um...”
Helplessness was not a feeling he normally experienced. He was used to being in control, giving orders. But here, he was in so over his head he was completely lost. He was hurtling down a runaway rollercoaster without a seat belt. Death defying and dizzying.
“Shh. I’ll take care of you.” Ryder smoothed back his hair. “I love your hair.” He dragged his fingers against Jason’s scalp, tugging at the curls. “So damn soft and beautiful. Do you know the first time I saw you, I wanted to grab you by it and kiss your gorgeous mouth?”
Jason groaned and pressed himself against Ryder. “Do it now, then.” He grabbed Ryder around his neck. “Kiss me. I can’t fucking stand it anymore.”
Ryder pushed him down on the bed, caging him between his arms. “Don’t you want me to touch you?” Their lips touched, and Jason bit back a moan as he arched his body .
“God yes,” he ground out, frantic to keep Ryder’s lips on his. But Ryder seemed content to tease him with tantalizing, soft kisses.
“Where do you want me to touch you?” Ryder’s warm breath kissed his throat. “Here?” Ryder kissed Jason’s collarbone, working his way across Jason’s neck, nipping and sucking. “I’m going to mark you, let everyone know this is mine.” Ryder bit down on his shoulder, sucking the skin into his mouth.
Story: 5 Stars!!!
Narration: 4.5 Stars!!!
Overall Rating: 5 Stars!!!
Rescued is one of those stories that just stays with you and that I can read or listen several times and still love it. I just love Ryder and Jason and have always thought that the progression from friendship into more was very realistic.
I loved that Jason was so patient with Ryder, who was so wary of getting involved with a supposedly straight man. I loved that Jason set himself to righting every wrong that Ryder had suffered, be it with his parents or finding a way so Ryder and his brother could meet under the radar of Ryder's mother. Not that there weren't a few instances in which I'd have wanted to slap some sense into Jason, but he made up for it... eventually. I loved Ryder, too. I loved how persistent he was in wanting to keep in touch with his brother. My heart broke for how much he wanted his family to just accept him, too. Jason and Ryder were just perfect for each other, their love and chemistry transcended the pages and I adored every scene they were together.
Listening to the audiobook was as much of an emotional rollercoaster as reading it. I got all choked up, laughed, cried, melted and fell in love with this fantastic book and its characters. Charlie David did a great job bringing these characters to life, doing justice to Felice's story with his narration. If I could've asked for more, was perhaps that Jason and Ryder's 'voices' sounded too similar in the narration sometimes, but that didn't diminish in any way my enjoyment of the audiobook.
If you haven't listened to Rescued or read it yet, please, do yourself a favor and do it now, you won't regret it. This is definitely one of my favorite Felice Stevens books!
Highly recommendable!
*** Audible code provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my listening pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn't until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth's court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/felicestevens/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/FeliceStevens
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/felicestevensauthor?ref=hl
Newsletter: http://felicestevens.us8.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=d43061d90bf2256eb322ed69f&id=586ac8fa57
No comments:
Post a Comment