Random Review: Becoming Kerry by Lynn Kelling #Review #Giveaway

Author: Lynn Kelling
Book: Becoming Kerry
Genres: BDSM, Bisexual, Contemporary, Drama, GLBT, Romance, Transgender
Collections: Breaking Gender, Seeking Submission
Editor(s): Lon Sarver, Rylan Hunter
Production Editor(s): Kaye O'Malley
Cover Designer(s): Siol na Tine
Cover Art Credit(s): Adapted from photos © Visivasnc & © MinervaStudio at Dreamstime.com
Proofreader(s): Emma Williams
Length: Novel
Word Count: 92,000
Chapter(s): 32
Publication Date: (Day-Month-Year) 08-08-2017
Serialization Date: (Day-Month-Year) upcoming

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

Kerry Sanderson’s life is falling apart. He’s crushing himself to fit into the boxes others have put him in: dutiful son, good boyfriend, real man. But even the small rebellions he’s fought for himself—moving into a sketchy part of town and becoming an exotic dancer—aren’t giving him the freedom he needs. Ewyn Garrity, a security guard at the gay club where Kerry dances, has found himself in protecting others. Everyone thinks he’s straight, but Ewyn doesn’t fit into simple boxes, either. When he meets Kerry, he makes a not completely innocent offer of company after work.

Ewyn and Kerry hit it off, each finding something he desperately needs in the other. But when Kerry is forced to confront the pain and self-doubt that keep him crushed in his boxes, he’s afraid that no one, not even Ewyn, will be able to love who he is when he finally, truly becomes Kerry.

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Review

Lynn Kelling books aren't for the faint of heart. Her dark, often erotic, romances are gritty and raw and intense. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I picked up Becoming Kerry, but by the end I was in absolute awe of Kelling's beautiful story of becoming who you were always meant to be. She has a way of writing characters who are larger than life but so real you can't help but become completely engrossed in their stories. 

Kerry Sanderson has not had the easiest life. At only twenty years old, Kerry has endured more in his short life than most people could withstand. Abuse--both mental and physical--bullying, identity issues, the traumatic loss of a loved one...the list is extensive. Kerry struggles with fitting in--with his family, friends, and the world at large. He tries so hard, contorts himself into impossible boxes to try to please everyone and of course this leaves him not only confused but lonely. When he meets Ewyn Garrity, it doesn't take long for him to find out that Ewyn accepts him just as he is. The feelings that develop between Kerry and Ewyn are fast and strong but I fully believed in their connection. It was genuine and authentic and each needed the other so badly and were so perfect for one another. Ewyn might even be a little too perfect, if there is such a thing, but for Kerry, for the story Kelling tells, he was just awesome. A knight in shining armor with a heart of gold, who loves his mother fiercely, and a comforting, easy presence that Kerry so desperately needs. That's not to say he's not intense, because he is, and when he turns all that focus toward Kerry it's a palpable thing. 

As for Kerry, he blooms under Ewyn's careful, attentive care. When he's severely injured and Ewyn's mother comes to help, the blooming continues. I was really fascinated by the way Kelling showed the dichotomy of Kerry's strength and combined that with his need to submit. Of course we all know, or should know, that it takes a person of great mental fortitude to be able to submit to another, but at first glance, Kerry might seem to be this waifish, demure person when the opposite is true. What he needs more than anything, what Ewyn gives so selflessly and fully, is a safe space to explore the feelings he's buried inside for so long. The ones that tell him he's other. That sometimes he wants to wake up in the morning, put on a pretty dress, makeup, and jewelry and be called she instead of he.  

Kerry's transformation--and I'm not simply talking about him embracing his female identity--into a strong, bold, confident woman was nothing short of beautiful and heartwarming. It's not without pain, but it's handled with such grace and respect that it's truly something special. This book is about a journey toward self-discovery and acceptance. It's also a beautiful romance that is tender and sweet even during the most intense sex scenes. It's also about family and forgiveness. While some people might not understand all of Kerry's actions toward his step-father, it's really not for us to say how and when and why someone should forgive another for causing them pain. I applaud Kelling for the way she dealt with Kerry and his family. It totally fit with Kerry's personality. 

Becoming Kerry is a truly stunning book that is at times brutally painful and then is sweepingly romantic and happy. I would urge you to read the publisher's note at the beginning of the book and heed the trigger warnings if you are sensitive to abuse, violence, and rape. But I also urge you to read the heartfelt author's note at the end because it's every bit as important and moving as the book itself. Do yourself a favor and be sure to pick up this book. It's inspiring, emotional, and will leave you with such a strong sense of peace and happiness.

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Random Five #Giveaway

It’s Random Five time! These are five random books that deserve to be read by everyone. When they were published has no bearing here. I read them, I loved them, and I’m sharing it with you. Also, one person will win their choice of one of them! So yay!

Here’s some fabulous Random Five books you need to get to reading!

My Brother’s Lover by Lynn Kelling

Growing up gay in a small town with no mother, Evan Savage learned the hard way to cherish his secrets above all else. Now he's 18, not even his father can hurt him anymore. When his long-lost twin brother Brennan shows up out of nowhere looking for a new home, Evan's world, and his very identity, comes crashing down around him all over again. Brennan treats nothing as sacred in his search for a family connection after their mother's death.

Frustrated and reckless, anonymous sexual encounters are just the first step on a journey of self-discovery for both Evan and Brennan. The sweetness of first love with twin brothers Alek and Luka leads them find in each other things they never knew they had lost...

...and lures them all into danger.

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Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan

The course of true love doesn’t always run clean. But sometimes getting dirty is half the fun.

Entomology grad student Adam Ellery meets Denver Rogers, a muscle-bound hunk of sexy, when Denver effortlessly dispatches the drunken frat boys harassing Adam at the Tucker Springs laundromat. Thanking him turns into flirting, and then, much to Adam’s delight, hot sex over the laundry table.

Though Denver’s job as a bouncer at a gay bar means he gets his pick of geek-sexy college twinks, he can’t get Adam out of his head. Adam seems to need the same rough play Denver does, and it’s damn hard to say no to such a perfect fit.

Trouble is, Adam isn’t just shy: he has obsessive compulsive disorder and clinical anxiety, conditions which have ruined past relationships. And while Denver might be able to bench-press a pile of grad students, he comes from a history of abuse and is terrified of getting his GED. Neither Denver nor Adam want to face their dirty laundry, but to stay together, they’re going to have to come clean.

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Fettered by Lyn Gala

Dylan Carter has always played second fiddle to his perfect older brother, but now that brother is implicated in a terrible crime, and Dylan's family is imploding. Dylan can’t hide anymore. Knowing he’s falling apart, he searches for something or someone to hold him together—and lands in a BDSM bar called the Stonewall.

Dylan doesn’t understand Miss Dolphinia, the hard-drinking queen who seems determined to play matchmaker. But more confusing is the way the powerful men in leather make him feel. In her wisdom, Miss Dolphinia sends Dylan off to a back room for his introduction to the world of erotic spankings and bondage.

Dylan’s teacher—for want of a better word—is the very dominant Vin Hauser. Vin likes to play hard, but he’s honest with himself—he knows all those men want is a strong hand, not a long-term relationship. Yet Vin can’t help but hope Dylan might be different.

With controversy over his brother’s sins stirring up danger around him, Dylan needs Vin’s support more than ever. But until he and Vin learn to trust each other, Dylan will have to face his fear and the growing threats alone.

Trigger warning: off-page violent hetero rape.

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King Perry by Edmond Manning

In a trendy San Francisco art gallery, out-of-towner Vin Vanbly witnesses an act of compassion that compels him to make investment banker Perry Mangin a mysterious offer: in exchange for a weekend of complete submission, Vin will restore Perry's "kingship" and transform him into the man he was always meant to be. Despite intense reservations, Perry agrees, setting in motion a chain of events that will test the limits of his body, seduce his senses, and fray his every nerve, (perhaps occasionally breaking the law) while Vin guides him toward his destiny as "the one true king." Even as Perry rediscovers old grief and new joys within himself, Vin and his shadowy motivations remain enigmas: who is this offbeat stranger guiding them from danger to hilarity to danger? To emerge triumphant, Perry must overcome the greatest challenge alone: embracing his devastating past. But can he succeed by Sunday's sunrise deadline? How can he possibly evolve from an ordinary man into King Perry? A Bittersweet Dreams title: It's an unfortunate truth: love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

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Trusting Thomas by KC Wells

Christmas is a time for goodwill to all, but Collars and Cuffs co-owner Thomas Williams receives an unexpected gift that chills him to the bone. A Dom from another Manchester club asks Thomas for his help rescuing an abused submissive, Peter Nicholson. Thomas takes in the young man as a favor to a friend, offering space and time to heal, but he makes it clear he’s never had a sub and doesn't want one.

Peter finds Thomas’s home calm and peaceful, but his past has left him unwilling to trust another Dom. When Thomas doesn't behave as Peter expects, Peter’s nightmares begin to fade, and he decides he’d like to learn more about D/s life. A well-known trainer of submissives, Thomas begins to teach Peter, but as the new submissive opens up to him, Thomas finds he cares more for Peter than he should. Just as he decides it’s time to find a permanent Dom for Peter, they discover Peter’s tormentor is still very much a threat. With their lives in danger, Thomas can’t deny his feelings for Peter any longer. The question now becomes, can Peter make it out of the lions’ den alive, so that Thomas can tell his boy that he loves him?

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 GIVEAWAY

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Contest ends May 3rd!

Winner will be contacted via email so please check your spam.

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