Embrace the Fire
Through Hell and Back Series, Book 3
Felice Stevens
M/M Romance
Release: 03.24.17
Audio Release: 10.31.17
Narrator: Kale Williams
Listening Length: 9 hours and 42 minutes
Cover Design: Reese Dante
Cover Photo: Varian Krylov/ Strangeland Photography
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Brandon Gilbert has spent years in hiding, but he's finally accomplished his dream of working as a public school teacher. When offered the chance to help bullied children, there was no way he could say no. Not to mention that meeting Dr. Tash Weber, the psychiatrist who helps them, a sad yet sexy older man, ignited a spark inside Brandon he'd never had before.
Though five years have passed since the death of his lover, Dr. Sebastian "Tash" Weber has no interest in relationships or love. But young, enigmatic Brandon awakens his heart and his desire. Despite Tash's best efforts to push him away, Brandon unlocks the passion for life Tash thought he'd lost forever.
Falling in love wasn't part of the plan for either Brandon or Tash, but neither family disapproval nor self-doubts can stop them from embracing the fire that burns between them. And when Brandon returns home to fight for a future he never imagined possible, he and Tash discover that the one thing worth fighting for has been with them all along.
EXCERPT
“Care to tell me what’s wrong?” Brandon zipped up his jacket.
“You don’t know? All weekend I’ve been deluding myself. We were caught up in this bubble we created, but now? Now that I have to come face-to-face with your brothers and Gage.” Tash shook his head. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Heart beating madly, Brandon swallowed. “Can’t do what?” Don’t do this, please; don’t hide yourself away.
“Us. You, me. We’re at different places in our lives. You’re starting out, and with Ash and Luke, you have a whole new world open to you—places to explore and new people to meet.”
Tash unbuckled his seat belt and opened the car door but didn’t get out. “I’m the opposite. I’m ready to settle down. I’m not interested in nightlife and the latest scene. I can’t and won’t ask you to give it all up.” Tash climbed out of the car and slammed the door.
The hell he says. If Tash thought he’d simply state his opinions like God and proclaim what Brandon should do with the rest of his life, he was in for a fight. He wrenched open the door. “I’m not giving anything up. I was never into that.” Brandon slammed the car door behind him with a vicious thump. “Who do you think you are? You say you don’t want to be with me, yet you then get the right to lay out my life in neat little puzzle pieces so it all comes perfectly together as you see fit.”
Tash had stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn around. Hopeful that was a sign he was at least listening, Brandon continued.
“Sure we were in a bubble; it was wonderful this weekend, beautiful and amazing.” He advanced on Tash and stood before him. “Don’t think I don’t know, maybe better than anyone, how something so perfect and magical can be ripped away with no warning.” He put a hand on Tash’s shoulder, hoping Tash wouldn’t move away from him. “And now the hard stuff begins—reality and all the trouble that comes with it. But aren’t you willing to try? See where this journey takes us?”
“Brandon, you’re—”
“Don’t say it. I’ll tell you what I am. I’ve been homeless and hungry. I’ve lived on the streets with rats, not knowing where I would sleep at night. Do you think I’m looking for a man whose only interest is a twenty-dollar glass of wine and where the next party is?”
Tash said nothing, and Brandon had no more strength to argue. Besides, they were at the clinic to do a job. Last time he’d screwed up by running out, and he’d be damned if he’d do it again.
Embrace the Fire is Book 3 in Felice Stevens' Through Hell and Back series. I highly recommend you read this series in the appropriate order, and not as a standalone.
I really liked Brandon and Tash in this story. Unlike the previous book, Brandon doesn't hold grudges against his brothers and understands they had reasons for disappearing from his life. Though he was young, he was mature beyond his years and worked hard to have the life he wanted. His total acceptance and love for Ash and Luke was just what I needed after the angst and drama between Luke and Ash in Book 2. Really, Brandon is caring, compassionate, empathetic, loving, nurturing, strong and an old soul. Though his actions throughout the book showed his character, his interaction, love, understanding and support of his mother showed just what kind of man he is. I thought Tash was an interesting character from his introduction in Book 2, honestly, at the time I thought Jordan should be with him instead, but the characters knew better! Tash had a lot of self-angst and drama to work through before he could accept his love for Brandon but he gets there.
Though this is a sad, angsty series, the story is not overwhelming. I didn't listen to the audio of the first book, but I can say that for the second book and this one, that there was plenty of sadness, a few tears but it was not too much or over the top for someone who doesn't like a lot of angst. This is not an easy series by any means, but it's so worth the sadness and heartbreak to see the happiness that these three men find.
The narrator of this story is Kale Williams and he does a fantastic job! I love that this series has the same narrator on all three books. The narrator has good diction, a good pace, and gives the characters individual voices. The narrator brought this story and the characters to life. His voice had the appropriate emotions for the story and really just allowed me to focus on the story and not him.
I thought this book did a great job of wrapping up the entire series, and showing the HEA's for all the characters in the book. This is one of the author's series that I've found myself reading over and over again, and I'll do the same with the audio!
Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars
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.
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GIVEAWAY
I don't listen to audiobooks, soI don't have a favorite narrator. I do love Felice's books though.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to audiobooks, being a non-English native is difficult for me to enjoy books by listening
ReplyDelete