I bought my copy from Amazon - this is the first story by Charles Raines that I have read.

In my system, stars represent the grading of my overall enjoyment of the story; which is based on, characters, plot, heat level, errors & omissions, technique, readability, and the 'x' factor. My reviews are honest and unsolicited. I do not charge for reviews. The review is my own opinion and is not endorsed by The Carter Seagrove Project LLC.

The story is set in Marseilles - a good choice - and a city I know a little; it was entertaining to recall my memories of the streets - especially the Arab Quarter - and it felt like I was sauntering around them again. I say a good choice because the city provides a perfect backdrop for the story - intriguing, a little dangerous, romantic and yet all too real - I could literally smell and taste the city as I read the story.

The main character, from whose perspective the story is wholly told, is enigmatic - somehow ethereal - somewhat paradoxical, when you reach the end and understand how things truly stand between him and his daily talking companion. However, the main character is precisely drawn and coloured, yet he remains a puzzle - both the strength and weakness of the story - if you can call it a weakness.

His liaisons are beautifully crafted but for my money needed a little heat - there is sensuality in spades but it lacks a little something - a one-hander this most definitely is not (thankfully) - it is an erotic romance - still I would have preferred something more intimate, especially between Luc and our protagonist - seeing as it was going to be his first time. That said, the intimate scenes are well-balanced, coloured from a very masculine palette - the build up to the scene with the barber is especially well-crafted.

I enjoyed the little bit of suspense and mystery surrounding Mr Finland - diversionary it may have been, but essential.

The ending is 'clever' - that probably sounds like a back-handed compliment - it isn't meant to. However, as a metaphor, something got lost in translation (no pun intended) - but it didn't detract from the story.

The reason this did not get five stars - I did not wholly engage with the main character despite the fact that he narrated the story.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, captivating and evocative - I have already started another story by the same author - The Man With The Mandolin.

21st April 2015 

I knew I would not be able to help myself - I went back to the market and got the rest of the Sam Durell assignments. I've read Assignment to Disaster now and am absolutely hooked on the character and Edward S Aaron's style - punchy, acerbic, racy and action-driven ... but good ol' Sam has a heart too.

There were three assignments which I did not find at the book market; they were -:

• Mermaid (1979)
  
• Tyrant's Bride (1980)
  
• Death Ship (1983)
  

I'll be looking for those on Amazon and eBay to complete the set of 48.

So happy!

Alp
17th April 2015

I bought my copy from Amazon - this is James Lee Hard's debut story

In my system, stars represent the grading of my overall enjoyment of the story; which is based on, characters, plot, heat level, errors & omissions, technique, readability, and the 'x' factor. My reviews are honest and unsolicited. I do not charge for reviews. The review is my own opinion and is not endorsed by The Carter Seagrove Project.

Why did I like this story?

It's fresh, moves at a reasonable pace and held my attention - I read it in one sitting - approx. 118 pages -  (rare for me). It's a good story which is grounded
James didn't deliver a one-hander which would have been far easier - the heat level fell between three and four flames (using All Romance eBooks scale).
I liked Mark - the main character - he was drawn pretty well. I was rooting for him to succeed.
I like the masculine style; it isn't fussy or overly sentimental.

Why did I not rate it higher?

The ending was a little rushed; and would have preferred the last scene to have been much hotter.
I felt I needed to know what happened to Thomas - we get a hint at his issues but no resolution.
I would have liked to have seen a flashback to the High School days; a scene between Mark and Thomas when they were at school would have bridged the elements of the story more effectively for me.
I didn't warm to Mathew and thought he was a bit flakey. He fell somewhere between the knight in shining armour and the sugar daddy - there was the possibility of much more complex character - and a more complex relationship between him and Mark - and the story would have benefited from that being explored further.

Alp
12th April 2015

The mythical Bugatti Aerolithe. The car and it's disappearance inspired part of the plot in the Inspector Fenchurch stories Black Veil and Stradler's Game - I think this car epitomises the elegance, the style and the confidence of the inter-War period. The Aerolithe may have disappeared but there are 3 surviving Type 57SC Atlantic - featured in the second clip ... awesome!

I am a bit of a petrol-head - but more for the classics like this than for their modern counterparts - although many modern counterparts have their roots in the development of these classics.

This montage has many of my favoutites ...

If you're a fan of Inspector Fenchurch then you'll know that he is currently driving one of these (could not find a video clip - if you find one, please let me know)

http://www.powerful-cars.com/php/lancia/1935-astura-233c-aerodinamica.php

Spent a wonderful few hours with Emily and Julie at art and soul beads in Louisville today - at the Mellwood Art Centre - we were making rings with wire and stones - brilliant!

check them out - www.artandsoulbeads.com

love
Alp + Shannon

I am fascinated by machines - they seem to have a kind of supernatural quality about them - working without, seemingly, our intervention - somehow alien and yet strangely human - this collection is just a mash up of my current favourites.