Author: Lexi Ander
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Length: 186 Pages
Category: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
At a Glance: Anyone who likes a fast-paced story of suspense and mystery, as well as some extended sexual tension, will find this a very worthwhile read.
Reviewed By: Sadonna
Blurb: Eager to escape the shadows of a tragic loss, Diego built a new life with his best friend, Beck. When he finally decided one night to admit that he’s in love with Beck, that new life takes a new, hot and happy turn. But happiness is easily shattered, as he’s learned all too well, and this time it’s ruined by the arrival of a mysterious package and then men bent on violence. Memories of a dead brother and an untouchable drug lord rise inevitably to the surface, and Diego dreads that the man he loves is mired in the world that Diego tried to escape. But Beck’s secrets aren’t so simple, and neither is the world in which Diego has been living…
Review: Yippee! I read the original version of this story some years ago when it was released through the original publisher, gave it 4 stars and bugged the author about the next book in the series. Then the publisher folded, leaving the series in limbo. Luckily, the series has been picked up by another publisher, the books expanded, and now is poised for a relaunch.
Diego is a young man who is special. He “sees” things in his dreams that frighten him, especially since they seem to be coming true. His abuela is the one person in his family he can go to about his dreams, and she does her best to protect him. She gives him what she hopes are the tools to protect him as he finishes growing up. When he loses his brother, and the authorities don’t seem to care, Diego and his best friend Denise work hard to make themselves strong so that they will never be at the mercy of the man they know is responsible for the disappearance.
Diego and Denise go to college together, and Diego works hard to make sure his sisters get the opportunity get out of the bad neighborhood they have grown up in as well. One of the other activities that Denise and Diego are involved in is parkour. Diego is pretty much the acknowledged local champion, and through his competitions he meets Beck. Beck is from the east coast and has moved to California to finish college and compete. They end up becoming roommates and best friends after Diego makes sure that Beck knows that he is gay and Beck confesses that he is too, so it’s not a problem. The real problem is that Diego is falling in love with Beck, but he’s afraid of ruining their friendship.
When they graduate college and move to San Diego together, they continue to be roommates. Diego has taken a job with a construction company while Beck and Denise both work for a mysterious security firm. Sometimes Beck is gone for days and when he returns, he’s a bit the worse for wear. But it’s security work, so he can’t talk about it. Diego begrudgingly accepts this, but he isn’t happy about it.
There are some other issues that have to be worked on, including Diego telling his family the truth about his sexuality and his feelings for Beck. Then there is the whole issue of the security firm really being a front for a much more powerful and mysterious organization that wants to get their hands on Diego and his abilities. And all of this ties back to Hector, Diego’s long missing brother, as well. Nothing is wrapped up at the end of this story, and we will have to wait for the next installment to see how Beck and Diego fare against the forces lined up against them. But at least now they are facing them together.
I thoroughly enjoyed this expanded version of the original story. We get a lot more background on Diego’s family and Beck’s past as well. The relationship with Diego’s parents and his abuela are also expanded in this version, giving us a better picture of why Diego is resisting his gifts and why he’s hell-bent on figuring out what is happening and why. The paranormal twists are threaded throughout the story but are further explained by the revelation that Beck’s employers aren’t exactly who Diego thinks they are. I’m really looking forward to seeing what will happen with Diego and Beck and how they are going to achieve their mission.
There is a lot of action in this story as well, so anyone who likes a fast-paced story of suspense and mystery, as well as some extended sexual tension, will find this a very worthwhile read. Highly recommended.
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