REVIEW with EXCERPT: 'Unfreezing' by Parker Avrile

Title: Unfreezing

Author: Parker Avrile

Published: December 20, 2016

Publisher: Self-Published/Paris April Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance

Length: 88 Pages

Tags: Gay; M/M; Novelette; May/December; HEA; Disorder: Agoraphobia; CW: Mentions of 911

About Unfreezing

A VIP invitation to the Oscars. A phobic screenwriter. Desperate to attend, Chance hires Nolan to put him on that red arrivals carpet.

Chance looks like success. The white-hot gay screenwriter of the moment has wangled a coveted invitation to attend the Academy Awards. But he has a secret-- severe agoraphobia that keeps him from leaving Manhattan. Sometimes he can't even leave his building. Chance has tried everything. Except Nolan...

It's a complication that his hired genius is such a hottie, but Chance needs to play it cool. He can't risk chasing him away. With the help of his talented Jack Russell Terrier, Nolan can train Chance to operate a telepresence robot to walk the red carpet. The stunt will be great publicity for both of them.

Nolan can't get involved with a client. Thing is, Chance is so damn sexy. Training him every day leads to touching, but Nolan needs to keep it casual. The sophisticated older man is way out of his league.

Chance wanted him. The question was, did he want him for a night, or did he want something deeper? If he was just fooling around, it could get messy for the job if they got too deep too fast. Nolan was still debating what he should do when Chance hooked his arm in his to walk him down the street to Chance's building.

"You live in the same building where you work?"

"Yeah, actually..." Chance hesitated as if debating with himself about how much he should say. "Not too many people know this, but I own that building."

Nolan knew Chance had money. Of course he had money, or he couldn't hire Nolan in the first place. But Manhattan real estate money? "Representing hot models must pay a lot better than I thought."

"I do all right."

At this hour, the doorman and the guy at the podium usually signed people in, but they recognized Chance and waved him up.

"Do they know you own the building?"

"Actually, they don't. I have a holding company."

Nolan wondered why Chance had told him. Of course. The obvious reason. He wanted to impress his younger date. Either that, or it wasn't even true-- but Nolan's spidey sense told him Chance wasn't lying. He'd spin a story about a celebrity but not about this.

"I don't want to be bothered by maintenance about every little thing when I'm trying to work or just live my life."

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you're the king."

Chance's apartment was surprisingly small-- more a large hotel suite than a home. Floor-to-ceiling windows. A treadmill. A king-sized bed. A desk. A tiny wet bar with a mini-fridge and a coffee maker. Less floor space than you'd think. There was a temporary feel to the place, although apparently he'd lived there for years.

"Coffee? Or... I know." Chance waggled a black and red bottle of Tia Maria. "I make a mean espresso martini."

"I'm fine." Nolan's heart was pounding. He didn't need any stimulants on top of Chance's intoxicating presence.

Chance touched his face, turning his chin toward the floor-to-ceiling glass. Both of them gazed out at an infinity of city lights. "Do you want to do this?"

"I... I don't know if it's a good idea. You're a client."

"I know that all too well. I'm tempted to fire you so we can date. But I can't. I really need you to do this job for me."

"We can take things slow. Get to know each other a little better."

Chance slid around to embrace him from behind so they could both look out at the glittery holiday lights of December in Manhattan. Their bodies fit together well, even through clothes, since they were almost exactly the same height.

"Sure. Nice and slow. Nice and slow and easy..."

4 HEART READ

REVIEW: I always enjoy Parker Avrile's books and Unfreezing is no exception. This winter themed novelette takes us on a different journey than that of Parker’s characters in the Runaway Model world.

Chance Lanconi and Nolan Condor are the main characters in this love story. Due to his agoraphobia Chance hires Nolan to make him a robotic likeness. One so life like he can operate it from the comfort of his own home while having a “presence” at the Academy Awards.

What Chance hadn’t counted on was his white hot attraction to Nolan. Which seems to be reciprocated; and is making it challenging for either man to remain professional.

Yet as smitten as they are over one another they find themselves struggling. Chance’s fear of leaving his home and Nolan’s insecurities over what he feels is being “nerdy”, plus their age difference, threaten to pull them apart before they can even get started.

But when push comes to shove they begin to see how the other lifts them up and where that support may lead them, individually, and as a partnership.

Parker describes Chance and Nolan, their lives and circumstances, and writes in such a way that engrossed me. I celebrated and cried right alongside this couple.

Unfreezing is a wonderful escape from everyday life. If you enjoy this book I can assure you you will also enjoy Parker’s The Runaway Model series.

With worlds that are truly beautiful and real life circumstances and situations that put you right there in the mix, Parker’s magic is something you don’t want to miss.

A copy of Unfreezing was provided to Kimmers Erotic Book Banter, by Parker Avrile, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.