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Category: Erotica/Gay-Lesbian Erotica/Gay Fiction
Description: As a gay man, Aaron never dreamed he'd end up in Houston, Texas, helping a female friend raise her child. Then he learns that the child's father has just been released from prison. Will Travis threaten Aaron's new family? To find out, Aaron conceals his identity and meets Travis during the chaotic splendor of Mardi Gras, when no one is what he seems.

Travis is ruthless when it comes to locating his child. Otherwise, he's not the criminal Aaron expected. Aloof and intuitive, Travis works as a tattoo artist. The intricate tattoos on his body celebrate his commitment to Asatru, a Norse pagan religion. Meanwhile, Aaron is his polar opposite, a talkative Jewish sales rep from Las Vegas, who never misses a chance to have fun.

What they have in common is neither man can turn down a fight. Neither can resist their affair, which turns into an intensely erotic struggle as each seeks to master the other. As their lust deepens to love, Aaron knows he must tell Travis the true reason they came to meet. Meanwhile, he fears that the darkness inside Travis's soul may lead the man to break the law and end up back in prison...

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Action / Adventure / Series
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, 2011
eBookwise Release Date: December 2011

1 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [169 KB]
Words: 35280
Reading time: 100-141 min.

"...A very enjoyable read. I love Val Kovalin's writing. This novella has all that I came to expect from this writer--thoughtful research almost in every area this story touches, no matter how briefly; detailed, realistic characterizations; and strong sense of settings. It is her second book that reminds me again how much I really want to go to New Orleans. Mardi Gras seems so much fun! Have I mentioned that sex was as hot as always in this writer's stories, but it did not overtake the story at all? Oh, and I really, really liked the title and how it could be taken literally and metaphorically."--Sirius, Reviews By Jessewave

Travis lay atop Aaron, propped on his elbows and one knee. His erection pressed heavy and full against Aaron's stomach, and Aaron threw back his head on the mattress, groaning in delight. He imagined that big cock sliding between his lips. Or sinking into his ass, making him cry out with the overwhelming pleasure-pain of being stretched and filled. His mouth went dry with lust. "You're hung like a horse."

Travis paused with his mouth on Aaron's neck. "What? Really?"

"Get a condom," Aaron said. "Get inside me now!"

Travis lunged for the bedside table, and the mattress rolled with his motion. He retrieved a fistful of foil-wrapped condoms, which spilled across the blanket. He groped for one as Aaron pulled his T-shirt up around his neck.

A phantasmagoric tattoo blazed on Travis's back, a huge tree centered over his spine with its roots at his hips and its topmost branches fanning across his broad shoulders. No leaves ornamented the tree, throwing the focus on the vigorous three-dimensional quality of its bark and branches.

"What is this?" Aaron asked, amazed.

"Yggdrasil," Travis said. "The World Tree."

The tree looked intricate and alive, inked in shades of gray and black. Norse heathen images appeared between its branches--wolves, warriors, mountains, ravens, and ships--in subtle increases in color, mostly steel blue with glints of green.

"Aaron," Travis said his name for the first time, pleading. "Look at it later."

"Take off the T-shirt," Aaron said. "I want you naked."