Author: Lily G. Blunt
Cover Art: Jay Aheer at Simply Defined Art
Release Date: January 19, 2018
Genre/s: paranormal, gay romance, contemporary, polyamory
Length: 77, 000 words
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When Colin searches for his missing colleague and buddy in the hills of northern England, his life is changed forever. Not only does he find Shaun living in a cabin with the mysterious and undeniably gorgeous Zach, but he also discovers the reason Shaun went AWOL in the first place. Colin wants to draw his friend away to safety, but Zach soon mesmerises him, and he's happy to stay in his company, for now.
Passing hikers, Wes and Dane, need some assistance, and the three men are willing to oblige. Thus begins a friendship that develops into much more.
The five men each have their own secrets. Some are shared, others are kept hidden. It's only a matter of time before they are exposed and the consequences could change everything for them all.
It has been a while since I had read a book by this author (sorry Lily), but wow, what a re-introduction back to her books. I admit I was pulled into the book as soon as I started reading. Each chapter, is told by one of the five men, but I have to say I never got lost or confused, this seemed to enhance the story more.
We first meet Colin, who is looking for his friend Shaun, who seems to be missing. Colin and Shaun used to go walking in the hills together, and this is where Colin looks for Shaun - and finally spots him, but he is not alone. Now enter both Shaun and Zach, who seem to have a special bond, but Colin has no idea why.
While Colin is with Shaun and Zach, finding out why Shaun went missing, and finding out a secret about Zach too, nearby are Wesley and Dane. Wesley and Dane are on vacation, staying in a cabin nearby to Zach and Shaun. The five all meet, and seem to get on really well, although Wesley feels a little uneasy.
The friendship between the five men seems solid, and they love spending time together, but standing in the way is the big secret that Zach and Shaun keep hidden, but then it seems like everyone has a secret, and some are confessed - but not the one that could change how everyone feels.
However, outside forces seem to be working against the five, and the biggest secrets are soon revealed, but not how anyone wanted to find out. Add into this, there seems to be something else more sinister going on, although nobody has any real idea what......
This is the first book that I have read that has been about five men together, and it really does work, each one of them had their place, and nobody was left out. To be honest, it is strange how it all worked, but it really did. I would love to read more stories like this.
Colin yelped and stumbled back. The penknife fell from his grip as he connected with the solid ground and landed on his arse.
âWhat the fuck?â Colin gaped at the wild beast in front of him, not five feet away, and apparently protecting Zach, who stroked the wolfâs back as if he were petting a huge dog.
Colin blinked, hoping to clear his vision. Had he knocked his head? Was he dreaming? Had he been drugged too?
The wolf sniffed the air and pawed the grass, its tongue now lolling to the side of its mouth. Teeth, sharp and white and scary, distracted Colin from the animalâs other features. The scent of damp fur and woodland soil filled his nostrils, and warm panting breath ghosted over his face.
The wolf was real enough. No vision. No dream.
âWhat the fuck?â Colin said, keeping his eyes fixed on the animal as it slunk away to the trees. His heart pounded and his mind was a whirl of confused thoughts. He tried to swallow around a thick lump in his parched throat. âWhat the fuck just happened?â
Zach said nothing but offered a hand to Colin, which after a few seconds pause, Colin grasped. Between the two of them, they easily hauled his bulky frame to standing. He scanned the grass for his knife, relief racing in his veins when he spotted it nestled among two nearby clumps of greenery.
Colin glanced away from the knife in the direction the wolf had headed. Could it really be Shaun? âI don't understand.â
âOf course, you don't.â Zachâs mouth curved into a warm, genuine smile. His eyes glimmered, and some of the tension lifted from Colinâs shoulders. âYou must be Colin. Shaunâs sexy boss. Heâs told me all about you.â
âWhat?â Colinâs pulse still pounded, and confusion turned his thoughts to sludge, but his heart fluttered at the hope those words kindled. What the hell was happening? What was this arsehole saying? Shaun had never tried anything on with Colin, not even when theyâd been drunk. And had Shaun really⦠turned into a⦠what the actual fuck?
âYou didnât think he was interested in you?â Zach arched an eyebrow, and his eyes sparkled. Again.
Before Colin could commit himself to an answer or ask any questions about the precarious state of his sanity, there was movement to his side.
Shaun stood naked, his hands cupped over his groin, a little unsteady on his feet. âChuck us your T-shirt, Zach,â he rasped, not making eye contact with Colin, his cheeks scarlet.
Without hesitation, Zach shed his top and threw it at Shaun, leaving his own fine torso on display. Smooth, defined, firmâperfect. No wonder Shaun had hooked up with him. Colin wouldnât stand a chance with this guy in the picture, even if Shaun had liked him once upon a time.
Why was he even thinking about such things right now? Heâd just seen Shaun turn into a wolf, and now he was back again as himself. And shortly before that, this ridiculously handsome man had been sucking on his neck and was now acting as if he knew things about Shaun that Colin didnât even know. Was he losing his mind?
Colin dragged his gaze back to Shaun, his chest and nakedness now hidden from view by the oversized T-shirt. He staggered closer to Colin, his legs unsteady as if he were drunk. Shaun collapsed into Colinâs arms, maybe a deliberate move rather than an uncontrolled stumble. As much as Colin wanted to hug him to his chest, he needed answers. Anger bubbled to the surface and exploded. Colin gripped Shaun by his biceps and held him back at armâs-length.
âWhat the fuck is going on? What did I just see?â It took all of Colinâs willpower not to shake the answer out of Shaun. âAnd whatâs this fucking guy been doing to you?â
Shaun trembled beneath his touch, and his voice was hoarse and uneven, not its usual sweet timbre. âItâs okay, Col. I promise you, Iâm okay now.â He placed his palm on Colinâs shoulder. âI know itâs a lot for you to take in all at once. Iâm sorry I didnât get the chance to explain before.â
His words didnât tell Colin anything. âWhy the hell didnât you tell me you were leaving and where you were going? Iâd have listened⦠and helped you.â What the fuck could Colin have done to help if Shaun was aâ?
Zach cleared his throat, distracting them both. He moved closer, running his long fingers down those taut abs of his until they came to rest on the waistband of his perfectly clinging jeans.
Shaun gazed at Zach, over his body, the renewed flush of arousal evident in his eyes. Colinâs heart sank but gave a hopeful flip when Shaun looked back at him with that same darkened expression. âHey, how about we go inside? I can get dressed, and then explain whatâs been going on with me.â
For a moment, Colin feared he might be overpowered or drugged or something like that once they got him inside the cabin, perhaps in the same way Shaun might have been. He eyed his knife lying on the ground, tempted to bend down and scoop it up for some protection.
Zach chuckled, and in a smooth yet swift motion slid past Colin. âI think you dropped this.â His mouth nestled close to Colinâs ear, his voice deep, his breath cool. A curl of interest coiled its way around Colinâs groin at the closeness of the man. Zach gripped Colinâs hand, turning his palm face-up, and placed the missing knife softly against his skin.
Colin couldnât help but let out a gasp. He hadnât witnessed the knife being retrieved from the ground. Whoever this man was, he was fast. He would probably dodge any knife or fist that Colin hurled his way. No way was Colin walking from this meadow without finding out who this man was. He pocketed the knife, despite his doubts about its usefulness now.
Zach glided away, entwined his fingers around Shaunâs hand, and pulled him towards the cabin. With an encouraging look over his shoulder, Shaun waved his free hand behind him. âCome on. We need to talk.â
Colin really had no choice, so he followed them. He needed to find out what had happened to Shaun and what the hell was going on between him and Zach.
About the Author
Lily G. Blunt enjoys writing contemporary gay romance and paranormal stories. She loves to explore the relationship between two or more men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of feelings between them. Lily is often inspired by the lyrics to songs and is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head. Only a few of these ever make their way to the page. Lily reviews for several blogs and has recently launched Gay Book Promotions, an online book promotion service for authors of LGBT+ romance and fiction. She loves to hear from readers and other authors.Contact and Social Media Information
Amazon | Amazon UK | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Gay Book Promotions
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