Patric Michael - Conway's Curse

Patric Michael is another of my favourite authors; the man can write like nobody's business and, at some point in his stories, he usually has me in tears... but they're ALWAYS the good kind!

However, in his latest release - Conway's Curse - there's not a tear to be found.  Did I miss them? Nope... 'cause I was, for the most part, laughing too much. 

Regardless of the story that Patric writes, one thing is always constant - he can get us so completely and totally involved with what is happening on the pages that we, okay I, often forget about anything else.  And for someone for whom books have been a salvation over the many, many years I've been reading, that is still a marvel.  It also goes a long way to explain why he's a favourite.

And the cover for Conway's Curse is wonderful and very, very well suited to the story.  Just looking at Tion and Kail -- Tion in the towel and Kail in the leaves -- is enough to make me want to jump back into the story.  But actually I've already read it enough that I can recall just about everything that happens... the next best thing to reading it.
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Book info:
Patric Michael; Conway's Curse; Dreamspinner Press; June 2010

Summary:
It's while walking along a quiet road that Tion and Kail unexpectedly collide with Conway, a misguided man on a quest to resolve a potentially terrible truth: he's cursed with bad luck—bad luck that transfers to Tion and Kail in a most unexpected and inconvenient way!

Now they must aid Conway on his quest. Along the way, they'll meet duped villagers, a frighteningly ravenous "woof," and their only hope for salvation: a reluctant warrior wizard named Wylde who may be able to bring the trio, and himself, to an extraordinary happy ending.

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Some of my favourite authors - OR - What Ethan Day's Gay Day has done to my TBR

I've gotta say that Ethan Day's Gay Day is responsible for the huge increase in my TBR and my TBB; actually before Gay Day last September I didn't even have a TBB list.  But there you have it. 
The authors that show up on Ethan's Gay Day to tease and tantalise us poor lowly readers are phenomenal.  And many of them have become favourites:  Ethan Day, well Ethan's been a favourite of mine for over a year and each story just cements his place there.  But I've also found other authors (and they're in alphabetical order... no way can I put one ahead of another... they're all my faves for a reason!):

• Adrianne Brennan
• P.A. Brown
• Leiland Dale
• Jason Eddings
• S.J. Frost
• KImberly Gardner
• Andrew Grey
• Jambrea Jo Jones
• Geoff Knight (aka A.J. Ryan, aka Sam Cross)
• AJ Llewellyn
• Clare London
• Lynn Lorenz
• DJ Manly
• Z.A. Maxfield
• Patric Michael
• AKM Miles
• Johnny Miles (still waiting for May 15!)
• Jet Mykles
• Willa Okati
• Sloan Parker (just waiting for it to be released)
• Neil S. Plakcy
• Devon Rhodes
• Jaime Samms
• Lex Valentine
• Nix Winter 

and Amanda Young predates Ethan... actually I *found* Ethan through an interview that Amanda did with him.  Best. Interview. EVER! 

So, yes when I say that my TBR is unmanageable, I have the above authors to thank!  And a few more that I've kind of stumbled onto either through my own blind luck or have been led to by others.  But that's a whole different story--all about Book Sluts & Book Man Whores.  *grin*

The Santa Mug by Patric Michael

I have been reading and reviewing, just not here so much. What with all the wonderful Christmas stories and other to-review books, I've sadly let my little niche on the 'web languish.
Then I had a great idea! Well, actually another reviewer from Dark Diva Reviews showed me the way: literally. Helps when I visit other peoples' blogs y'know?

Dark Diva Autumn has, on her blog, posted some of her reviews for the Dark Divas. And the lightbulb flashed!
Without further ado The Santa Mug by Patric Michael (reviewed on Dark Diva Reviews here.)
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The Santa Mug by Patric Michael

The Santa Mug by Patric Michael
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: GLBT, M/M, Christmas


Link here

Summary: When Marlon died on Christmas Eve, Darren withdrew from the holidays, and life in general, until Max, the man who introduced him to Marlon, invites Darren to his parents' house for Thanksgiving. Darren agrees and is immediately overwhelmed by Max's large, boisterous family. He tries to retreat behind familiar barriers, but Max has other ideas for the reclusive young man. It's not until Max delivers Marlon's last Christmas gift, four years late, that Darren truly understands that love is the greatest gift of all.

Kathy’s Review: Patric Michael’s stories invariably leave me sniffing and hoping that the tears falling aren’t too obvious. And then they always, always leave me smiling, joyous and light-hearted. The Santa Mug, Patric’s entry in Dreamspinner Press’s Mistletoe Madness holiday series is very much a case in point.

It doesn’t matter how often I read Mr. Michael’s The Santa Mug, the reactions never differ. Each and every time I feel at first heartsick for Darren who’s closed himself off, trying to escape his pain. I can feel the sense of loss and of being lost that he experiences; the emptiness and the feelings of guilt that we nearly always feel upon the death of a loved one. Losing Marlon on Christmas Eve has made the holiday a travesty for Darren. At the same time, the loss of Darren’s spirit has hurt, very deeply, his friends and especially Max. Max whose dedication to his friends, both Marlon and Darren, and his whole-hearted love for Darren slowly begins to break down the walls that pain has built... and drat, here come the tears again!

Patric Michael is a magician when it comes to words and he is able to depict stark, yet overwhelming emotion, with clean and descriptive prose. His each and every word is imbued with feeling and richness and there is never any excess verbiage. With every word, he is able to build a world where love is magic and magic is all around. And, with wisdom, he imparts the truth that anything worth getting is worth whatever time, heart and effort necessary.

If you’ve never read anything by this wonderful author, now is the time to delve into a world of love, emotion and romance. Patric Michael’s The Santa Mug is a fabulous story with which to start.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Kathy!

For more Dark Diva Reviews, click here

Timeless by Patric Michael

Wow... this story has it all, and then some!  Patric Michael is a new-to-me author whose books have just jumped onto my favourite and auto-buy list.  His character delineations are superb, his conversation and descriptions witty, concise and very effective at carrying the story through to its conclusion.  I was entranced and very entertained; I was also very caught up in Nate's story and his connection with Andy over the years.  A good, good read with the requisite and very satisfying romance.  What a treat!

Book Info
Patric Michael; Timeless; Dreamspinner Press; June 2009

Description

Out since he was a freshman in high school, Nate meets Andy, who is gorgeous, and unfortunately, straight. They're best friends through thick and thin until a practical joke leads Nate to a surprise revelation:
If I had known just how thoroughly it would turn my world upside down, I would never have kissed Andy in that damned banquet room. I would have kissed him a hell of a lot sooner.