New Release Review: No Sacrifice by Grace R. Duncan #Review #Giveaway

Title: No Sacrifice
Author: Grace R. Duncan
Self Published
Publication Date: April 3, 2020
Length: 579 pages

Reviewed by Sammy

Synopsis

Patrick has taken his acting talents from high school all the way to a role in a major television show. But as the show progresses, his life of absolute certainties crumbles when he finds himself reacting to the kisses of his male costar. He refuses to accept it, reminding himself he’s happily married to a woman and has a sweet son, Avery. So, straight. Right?

One night he goes to drink his worries away and meets the gorgeous Chance Dillon. After too many drinks, Patrick spills his problems to Chance, who helps him realize he’s probably bisexual, and the new understanding helps him sleep better. It turns out Chance is a sound technician on the same set, and the two become fast friends.

Their friendship grows, Patrick’s marriage ends, and he returns from his family’s home in Hawai’i with Avery who captures Chance’s heart. Patrick and Chance’s romance blossoms, giving both dreams of a life together as a family of three. When Patrick is outed by the press to his unaccepting mother, he pushes Chance away to spare him the mess Patrick's life has become. By the time he realizes his mistake, it may be too late.

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Review

Patrick is married and he and his wife, Emily, are both actors—which means when they are on different sets, like now, they don’t get to see very much of each other. That, among other reasons, is why their marriage just isn’t working and he and Emily come to an agreement to divorce—amicably. But things in Patrick’s life are just beginning to unravel. He finds himself attracted more and more to his co-star—relishing the kisses they share on camera. But he can’t be gay—he is married and a father—surely he is straight? Patrick is about to meet a man, Chance, who will help him understand that there is more than just straight or gay out there and that Patrick is most probably bisexual.

So begins a journey for Patrick of coming out, self-discovery, and learning about his own sexuality—sometimes having to explain it to others and deal with their doubt and derision. Patrick may not be the smartest of men but he has a good heart and if Chance is willing to stick by him they have a chance of having a relationship Patrick desires more than anything else.

Grace R. Duncan has re-released her novel, No Sacrifice. While I do wish the author had taken some time to edit the original story some, there is no doubting that this is a feel good novel—more fluff than drama sometimes with all too easy fixes for some major problems. From things like wanting to see his son more and his former wife easily giving up sole custody to his not worrying about being out as bisexual until the press report it and suddenly he realizes his family will find out and panics—there are some plot elements that seemed a bit too contrived. I am still struggling with why his very Catholic family was okay with him being on a gay TV show with multiple partners but not with being bisexual—that just didn’t make any sense to me.

What was lovely about this novel was the relationship that develops between Chance and Patrick. In many ways this felt realistic and the time the author spent on this facet of the novel was well worth it. I do wish that the pretty constant inner dialogue and lesser important page fillers had been edited a bit—they got repetitive and boring to read, if I’m frank. This novel had very little angst—but a great deal of soul-searching. With a main character coming to terms with his sexuality after leading a life he knew was intrinsically not fully truthful to himself or his immediate family that introspection made a great deal of sense and worked well.

I think that No Sacrifice could use a bit of tightening up in terms of the long-winded plotline. This novel deals with important subject matter—the delineation of what it means to be bisexual and recognizing it as a valid and honest sexual orientation. It also shows us just how important it is for one to be true to themselves—even if that means family will be hurt by it or dismissive of it. The story is a good one—a bit long and a bit to easily resolved, at times, but still a lovely romance.

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Series Review: Forbes Mates by Grace R. Duncan #Review #Giveaway

Read Blurbs and Purchase

Forbes Mates Series

HERE 

Review 

The Forbes Mate series by Grace Duncan is a paranormal set of stories featuring different types of shifters—from wolves to jaguars. While the stories intersect somewhat in terms of characters, each story could be read as a standalone, if needed, and features different characters but this set is best read as a connected series. All the stories are based on the same pack—and most of the mates are found in either different packs, the human world and in one case an entirely different species. A few of the books had a nicely developed mystery element to it and all of them were about discovering your destined mate. It was fascinating to read about this shifter world in which there were destined mates (those fate brought together through no choice of their own) and chosen mates. This idea that a mate was out there for each of the men highlighted in these stories made it interesting to see just how the author would mix that up and make it a different kind of journey for each of her main characters.

While I felt all the stories were good, there were two that stood out most to me. The first was book three, Acceptance, featuring the bisexual Dr. Miles Grant and his soon to be mate, Quincy Archer who happened to be a jaguar shifter and, in essence, a prince and heir to his pack. I really enjoyed watching these two come together. The mystery element in this story was the strongest and honestly so was the humor that was present throughout the novel. While Quincy’s French accent was problematic, I felt it was also a critical part of who he was and provided some of the more funny passages.

The other strong book, in my opinion, was number four—Forgiveness. Way back in book one a character and what happened with his mate were referenced as the reason that Tanner was so reluctant to claim Finlay as his mate while he was still a teenager with limited life experiences. That wolf was Eric and his mate—a female—broke their chosen bond and nearly destroyed Eric who took to his wolf form and basically disappeared. In Forgiveness he is back and terrified to realize that there is actually a second chance at happiness in the form of a new wolf to the Forbes pack—Ben. Honestly this was the slowest burning romance in the group and also the sweetest. Yes, there was no doubt an overabundance of angst and yes, there could have been some editing here to make the story tighter but still, the redemption for both of these characters was so needed and deserving I overlooked some flaws that otherwise slowed the story down a bit.

From the beginning book, Devotion to the last, Forgiveness I must say that one factor stood out for me—all of these novels could have been shortened, in my opinion. The base story in each was really good but getting to the meat of the story sometimes just took too long with too many passages feeling as though they were reworked from previous ideas already presented earlier in the story. Honestly I think this series would have really shined as a series of novellas rather than four long novels and a short story, Hope, tacked on to the end. I also think the author’s ability to write a unique shifter story excelled the more she wrote about the pack—hence my choices for the best of the four. I loved that the writing got better as the series went on—a sign of a writer who is really paying attention to their craft.

All in all, the Forbes Mate shifter series is well worth the read if you are a paranormal fan and enjoy a bit of angst with your romance. The added elements of mystery (in two of the novels) and the humor found in the third one really made for a pleasant trip into a fascinating shifter world lovingly created by a great storyteller.

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Re-Release Celebration: Forbes Mates Series by Grance R. Duncan #Excerpt #Giveaway

Everyone’s got one… But can they keep them?

Join us in celebrating the re-release of the Forbes Mates books! The celebration tour has a $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway and lots of fun excerpts from the books. Devotion is also on sale for 99¢ for the whole tour, so you can get started on the series! 

You can follow the tour here (http://www.grace-duncan.com/fm-tour) – hope you have fun!

Forgiveness

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083ZXGD7J/

Ben’s love can help Eric find the forgiveness he needs… if Eric can accept it.

Nine years ago Eric Joyce went wolf when his chosen mate broke the bond, and he hasn’t walked on two legs since. Convinced he lost his friends when he ran out on them, he cut himself off from the pack. But a surprising visitor prods him back down the mountain, and he finds himself welcomed warmly.

Ben Arellano grew up in Texas with a human Catholic mother who didn’t understand a thing about wolves–and didn’t try to learn. He’d spent his whole life being told his wolf was a demon that needed to be exorcised, surrounded by a wolf pack made up of good ole boys who had no tolerance for his Mexican ancestry or his bisexuality. When he’s given the opportunity to relocate to an accepting pack in Pittsburgh, he jumps at the chance.

When Eric and Ben meet for the first time, neither is ready for it. Where Ben expects rejection, Eric is convinced yet another mate will leave, break the bond, and put him through the same hell all over again. Can they get past their reservations and have a happily mated life?

Excerpt from Forgiveness – Forbes Mates 4

Eric nodded. “Uh, so… hey, could we get some food? I’m starving.”

Ben smiled, letting the conversation go. “Sure. Is there anything you’d like? Since you have not eaten it in nine years….”

***

“Taco Bell,” Eric said, staring at the big pink and purple sign across the street.

“Um….”

Eric turned and blinked at Ben over his hesitation. “What’s wr—oh!” He dropped his face into his palm. “Wow, that was good, Eric. Let’s ask your Mexican mate to take you to the most fake Mexican restaurant on the planet.”

Ben threw his head back and laughed. “It is okay, cariño. If that’s what you really want, I will take you. Just so you recognize it is not really Mexican food.”

Eric grinned. “Nah, I know that. And it’s okay. I’d be just as happy with, like, a Big Mac or something. I mean, none of it’s real food, anyway, you know.”

Ben nodded. “True.” He started the car and backed out. “Do you truly want McDonald’s?”

“I do. Honestly, I’m fine with that. I don’t mind not having Taco Bell. Besides, as much as we’ll probably stick together, there will be times we’re apart. I can save my heretical eating for then.” Eric winked.

Ben laughed again. “Very well.”

Neither spoke as Ben navigated traffic through the parking lot and busy streets. As they approached the drive-through menu, though, he turned to Eric. “You should probably cover your nose.”

Eric raised his eyebrows. “You think so?”

Ben nodded. “Yeah. It’s going to be strong here. Trust me.”

Eric shrugged a shoulder but did as Ben suggested. The second the window was down, he was glad he had. The exhaust and overabundance of restaurant smells hit him hard, even with his hand over his face.

“Are you sure you want a Big Mac?”

Eric nodded. “Fries too.”

“Got it.” Ben turned to the menu board, and Eric did his best to simply ignore the smells and sounds around him, focusing instead on Ben’s scent and voice. Ben put in the order—for two of the same of everything—and Eric worked on filters again.

He supposed he should have more patience with himself, but it was really getting to him that the reminders of Ben as his mate still bothered him. The simple idea that Ben’s scent, voice, and touch were the only things that didn’t make him nuts shouldn’t get to him so. He wanted to forget all that, wanted to just be happy that Ben was there, that he had a destined mate at all. But the fear that it’d end just like it had with Kim still lurked inside him.

Shaking his head at himself, Eric pulled his wallet out and removed some of the money Tanner had given him that morning, a minuscule part of the balance he’d learned about.

When they got to the payment window, Eric handed the money to Ben, glad when he didn’t even say a word, simply passed it over to the clerk. She made the change, and they moved on.

Ben rolled his window up, and Eric breathed a sigh of relief. “How are you?”

“Annoyed,” Eric said, sighing. “I’m done with the lack of filters already.”

Ben chuckled. “I can imagine. I can only imagine, but I forced myself to unfilter earlier, so I have a small idea.” He shook his head. “I do not envy you, cariño.”

Eric smiled, leaned in, and kissed Ben on the cheek. He paused to take a deep inhale of Ben’s scent. “Gods, I could smell that all day,” he whispered.

Ben kissed his temple, and Eric sat back. “What do I smell like to you, cariño?”

“Spice carried on a fresh breeze,” Eric said, then blushed.

Ben just grinned. “So you’re a poet.”

Eric’s color got worse. “Hardly. I don’t know where that came from.” He shrugged.

Ben kissed his cheek. “I like it, cariño.”

“What do I smell like to you?” Eric asked, tilting his head.

“Leather. Something sweet, and… home.”

That did all sorts of crazy—but good—things to Eric’s insides. “I’ve never been someone’s home before.” He dropped his gaze to his hand. “None of this feels even remotely familiar,” he confessed. “Before… I mean… I have to admit.” He looked up and met Ben’s gaze. Ben nodded and Eric sighed. “I did love her. I don’t… I don’t think it was what it should have been, not to be together like we were supposed to be.”

Ben didn’t speak for a long time. “My wolf might not understand. But I do. What happened before… you cannot help that. And I understand you cared for her. I hope, someday, you can love me.”

Eric swallowed. “I… I think I will. I don’t… fuck.” He took a deep breath. “I am frustrated with myself that I can’t just let go and let it happen, you know?”

Ben nodded. “I know, cariño.” He reached up and brushed a thumb over Eric’s cheek. “Give it time. I have only been here a day.”

Eric blew out a breath. “I know. This is only my third day back. I’ve never been the most patient person on the planet.” He chuckled. “Especially when it comes to my own shortcomings. I’m impatient with my impatience.”

Ben laughed as he pulled up to the second window. “That’s not so bad, really.”

Eric focused on covering his nose and working through the smells, putting his frustration with himself aside. He tried to concentrate on not smelling the wrong things and felt better when he could take his hand away from his nose and not be overwhelmed. He was going to have to thank Chad for that advice.

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