Category Archives: Marie Sexton

May 13, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Never a Hero by Marie Sexton

Title: Never a Hero by Marie Sexton
Tucker Springs Series Book Five
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Length: 167 pages/Word Count: 45,000
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Everyone deserves a hero.

Owen Meade is desperately in need of a hero. Raised by a mother who made him ashamed of his stutter, his sexual orientation, and his congenitally amputated arm, Owen lives like a hermit in his Tucker Springs apartment. But then hunky veterinarian Nick Reynolds moves in downstairs.

Nick is sexy and confident, and makes Owen comfortable with himself in a way nobody ever has. He also introduces Owen to his firecracker of a little sister, who was born with a similar congenital amputation but never let it stand in her way. When she signs the two of them up for piano lessons—and insists that they play together in a recital—Owen can’t find a way to say no. Especially since it gives him a good excuse to spend more time with Nick.

Owen knows he’s falling hard for his neighbor, but every time he gets close, Nick inexplicably pulls away. Battling his mother’s scorn and Nick’s secrets, Owen soon realizes that instead of waiting for a hero, it’s time to be one—for himself and for Nick.

The Review:

Never a Hero by Marie Sexton is a beautiful addition to the fabulous Tucker Springs series. Owen Meade and Nick Reynolds find redemption and love in this engrossing and heartwarming romance.

Growing up with an emotionally and verbally abusive mother, Owen Meade is now virtually a recluse. His past experiences have left him with incredibly low self-esteem and little self confidence. Owen is very uncomfortable with people’s reactions to his congenitally amputated arm so he has created a safe world where he has little contact with anyone.

Nick Reynolds is compassionate and his easy acceptance of Owen’s self-perceived flaws brings Owen out of his shell. There are definite sparks between the two men but whenever their relationship ventures into lovers’ territory, Nick pulls back. This back and forth continues for much of the story until Nick is forced to reveal the reason why he keeps pushing Owen away.

Owen and Nick spend much of Never a Hero battling their personal demons. Nick’s friendship gives Owen a fresh perspective on past events and Owen gradually makes positive changes in his life. Nick is not as together as he first appears and as Owen gains self-confidence, their roles reverse.

As with the previous two novels in the Tucker Springs series, Nick and Owen are dealing with serious issues. Marie Sexton handles these topics with compassion and sensitivity. The characters’ reactions to their situations are realistic and their transformations are unhurried.

Marie Sexton’s Never a Hero is a sweet, slightly angsty and very sexy romance. Owen and Nick are well-rounded, sympathetic characters who find love while they triumph over their pasts. Old and new fans of the Tucker Springs won’t want to miss this fast-paced, emotional filled love story.

Read my reviews of the other Tucker Springs novels HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Marie Sexton, Never a Hero, Rated B+, Review, Riptide Publishing, Romance

September 10, 2012 · 3:58 am

Second Hand by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

Title: Second Hand by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton
Tucker Springs Series
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Erotic, Romance
Word Count: 50,000
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Paul Hannon moved to Tucker Springs for his girlfriend, but she’s left him with a house he can’t afford and a pantry full of useless gadgets. All Paul wants is to get back to normal, even if he’s not sure what that is anymore. When he wanders into Tucker Pawn for a gift to win her back, he meets El Rozal, pawn shop owner and all-around cynic.

El Rozal doesn’t do relationships, especially not with clueless straight boys still pining for their ex. El may make his living dealing in castoffs, but that doesn’t apply to men. Still, when Paul starts clearing out his old life, pawning kitchen equipment he never wanted in the first place, El is drawn to Paul in spite of himself.

Paul and El have nothing in common except a past full of disappointments. There’s no reason to believe the two of them could fit, but in El’s line of work, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. When it comes to love, El and Paul may learn that secondhand doesn’t mean second best.

The Review:

Fans of Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton are going to LOVE Second Hand, their co-authored release in the Tucker Springs series. It is a delightfully charming romance between two appealing protagonists who are going to steal your heart.

Open a dictionary, look up oblivious and you will find a picture of Paul Hannon. His self-confidence is so low he cannot conceive of anyone being interested in him, let alone notice when they are. But his innocence is also quite endearing and he is just so darned likable you cannot help but root for him to get his act together.

Emanuel “El” Rozal is cynical, world weary and cannot believe how incredibly naive and clueless Paul is. But he genuinely likes Paul and he takes him under his wing. El’s family is a little dysfunctional, but they are a close-knit and loving clan. They are involved in one another’s lives and El displays a great deal of concern for his various family members.

Despite appearances to the contrary, Second Hand is not a “gay for you” story. Rather, it is a journey of self-awareness for Paul as he comes to terms with his long-repressed sexuality and his desire for a “normal” life. Paul fell into his relationship with his ex and he allowed her to steer the course of their future. His attraction to El forces him to re-examine his teenage sexual experimentation with a male friend and re-define what he wants out of his life.

El and Paul’s relationship begins as friendship and slowly grows into something deeper and more meaningful. While there is a great deal of introspection from both Paul and El, Second Hand is a light, angst-free read. It is quite humorous with plenty of witty banter between the characters.

Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton take a rather unusual approach to storytelling in Second Hand. The story alternates between both protagonists perspectives which is nothing out of the ordinary. What is unusual is Paul’s point of view is first person while El’s is third person. Despite the shift, the story flows well, and I definitely enjoyed getting inside both of the characters’ heads.

I highly recommend this fast-paced and highly entertaining romance. Although Second Hand is the second installment of the Tucker Springs series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erotic, Heidi Cullinan, M/M, Marie Sexton, Rated A, Riptide Publishing, Romance, Second Hand, Tucker Springs