RELEASE DAY REVIEW: 'Stranger in Black' by Devon Rhodes
Title: Stranger in Black
Author: Devon Rhodes
Published: August 10, 2016 2nd Edition
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 69 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Novelette; HFN
Devon Rhodes is a 2016 GayRomLit Featured Author
BLURB:
Before Christian can end his relationship with a closeted cheater, he needs to see the evidence firsthand. He disguises himself and attends a masquerade ball escorted by a friend, in search of the Stranger in Black. When he finds him, he gets something entirely different—and much more erotic—than he expected. Wearing a black-and-gold mask, Jarrod is on the hunt for Chris, the “other woman” his best friend’s fiancé is having an affair with. But a sexy vision in a white gown captures his attention and takes his breath away, which is strange, since he’s gay. One by one, the pieces fall away, exposing their dual deception. After the masks—and the pants—are off, Christian and Jarrod must work together to support a friend… and maybe become something more than strangers.
5 HEART READ
REVIEW:
Oh my God! From the beginning pages of Devon Rhodes’ Stranger in Black, where Christian’s “Chris” friends are “prepping” him for the masquerade ball, to the very last pages of the epilogue, where I found myself wanting more - I was captured.
If the blurb is a little confusing to you don’t worry, you catch on right away as to what’s up in this story.
Although cheating lovers and disguising one’s self to get to the truth are not new tropes Devon Rhodes gives you so much to chew on in this book it’s actually fun.
Characters with witty charm, sarcastic humor, great friendships, an arching theme with supportive players, along with a relationship that starts out surprisingly “bold” yet finds two men taking the time to get to know each other beyond their burning desire.
And let’s just say when these “guys-guys” hook-up it is illustrative. Down to “reviling in foreskin”.
Rhodes’ little twists and turns here and there, and things she keeps under wraps ‘til the precise moment, are what keeps you intrigued and rooting for Chris and Jarrod.
Such as what Chris and Jarrod even look like. As their first encounter, and shocking hook-up, happens at a masked ball, where their deception is more than just a costume, all they have to go by is sound and feel. So how do they know who the other is or let alone find him again? When they discover their true identities for the first time so do we as a reader.
Without giving too much away Stranger in Black is a wonderful feel good book. It had me grinning through every turn of the page, hopeful with every word I read and actually happy for where things ended up. If you like your HFN give this great little novelette a read. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The only thing that disappointed me: That it is not available in print so I might get Devon’s autograph.
An advanced reader copy of Stranger in Black was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Dreamspinner Press, in exchange for our fair and honest opinion.
If you like Stranger in Black you may also enjoy Parker's Profile by L.D. Blakeley.
Devon has always had her nose in a book and her head in the clouds! She's been at home raising her girls for well over a decade. And during that time, she rediscovered--quite accidentally--the art of romance, specifically erotic romance. One day her muse whispered an idea in her ear, and she sat down at the laptop to try to do it justice. As they say, the rest is history!
When she's not lost in her imagination, you can find her at home in beautiful Oregon.
