Hot Reads... Falling

An Amazon.com #1 Bestseller in gay erotic fiction!
An Amazon top ten bestseller on the gay erotica list for 8 straight months!
Amber Allure #1 Bestseller!
A Fictionwise Erotica Bestseller!
Just Erotic Romance Reviews Gold Star Award Winner!

 

As the leader of an elite British group that hunts criminals of the magic world, Christian Wetherly comes to the U. S. undercover, posing as a British cop, to investigate a series of murders he suspects have been committed by a dark mage. He never expects, however, to find himself intensely attracted to the American police detective in charge of the case. Christian has long struggled with his hidden desires and hasn’t admitted them to anyone. But Alec Anderson stirs something deep within him that’s difficult to ignore.

Still...even if he could master his fear of coming out, Christian’s dedicated himself to protecting the world from magic terrors. It’s a dangerous life an ordinary human could never understand or accept. And to complicate matters, Alec’s emotionally vulnerable, still grieving the death of his previous lover, a fellow cop killed in the line of duty. So Christian’s determined to keep his true occupation and powers hidden from Alec.

Neither man can deny the powerful chemistry that burns between them, and both realize they’re falling hard for one another, yet with so many secrets and complications, a relationship seems impossible.

When the two men become the target of the dark magic, however, and clues about an ancient legacy come to light that indicate Alec may not be exactly what he seems, can they find the strength to tear down all the barriers between them and risk their hearts in order to save each other’s lives?

Buy it now!

Genre:  Contemporary fantasy gay (M/M) erotic romance
Release date:  January 13, 2007
AQP Heat Level:  3 (Amber Quill's hottest level of sensuality)
Length:  Novel (84K words)
Price (electronic):  $6.00
Price (paperback): $14.50 (often on sale at Amazon for much less)
ISBN (electronic):  978-1-59279-656-4
ISBN (paperback):  978-1-59279-701-1

Available in ebook formats at:  Amber Allure, Fictionwise
Available in paperback at:  Amazon, Borders, and other online bookstores.

Excerpt...

         Alec batted at his pillow, kicked off the covers, then pulled them back on when he got too cold.  He needed the sleep...his mind just wasn’t cooperating.

But when his thoughts turned to Christian Wetherly, his mind was the least of his problems.  He remembered again the way Christian’s hand had felt on his shoulder, the way his blue eyes had darkened with desire, how heat and electricity had pulsed between Christian and him as they stood close together. 

As it had earlier in the day, Alec’s body reacted.  His balls grew achy, his cock stirred, and no amount of tossing and turning helped alleviate it.

Finally, when he couldn’t stand it any more he got up.  “Cold as arctic hell outside and I have to take a frigging cold shower!”

But he opted for a hot one instead, hoping the heat would be soporific, help him relax so he could get to sleep.

As he soaped himself, he cupped his balls with one hand and slid his other along his erection.  Memories of how many times he and Drew had showered together right here, touching and teasing, hot, slippery hands working over and into hot, slippery body parts coursed through him. 

He closed his eyes and tried to pull Drew up in his memory, imagining his large muscular body shimmering with water droplets, his bulging pecs and biceps, his short blond hair clinging to his head, his laughing hazel eyes making promises Alec knew he’d keep. 

Drew had been built like a linebacker, several inches taller than Alec’s six-feet, and thirty pounds heavier.  He’d been a mischievous, playful lover at times, and other times, had liked it hard and fast, even a bit rough.  Alec had never really gotten into the rough stuff much, but he’d always played along because it had been a big turn-on for Drew.  On more than one occasion he’d let Drew tied him up or handcuff him and do things to him that he hadn’t ever let anyone else do.  Things that made him squirm uncomfortably if he thought about them too much.  But the times he’d liked best were when their joinings were slow and truly intimate.  And probably because those encounters hadn’t happened as frequently as the playful or frenzied ones, after Drew died, Alec had found he’d missed them the most. 

It was one of those he focused on now, trying to remember how it had felt to have Drew’s big hands roaming his body, sliding over his shoulders, then moving down his chest and abs until his palms brushed against Alec’s shaft and his fingers teased whorls in the wet, dark curls surrounding it. 

With his hands, Alec traced the same path.  He imagined he could hear Drew murmuring to him, telling him how much he loved Alec’s cock, how he loved watching it grow harder and harder and rise up to meet his touch.

Alec closed his eyes and let himself drift in the fantasy.  He could almost....almost picture Drew kneeling in front of him.  A twinge of sadness crept through him that the memories were beginning to fade around the edges, that he couldn’t quite see Drew in Technicolor anymore.  It was more like watching him through a soft-focus lens now, in watercolor tones.  But the hands on his cock felt good and it was easy to loose himself once again in the fantasy they were Drew’s. 

One hand fondled his balls, while the other curved around his erection, tugging on the skin behind the head in a slow motion.  The heat of the shower, the hot water pounding on his back, and the slick, foamy soap only added to the pleasure. 

He imagined Drew’s tongue laving his swollen cockhead, felt the tip grinding against the slit, then following the contours of the sensitive ridge on the underside.  He thought he was prepared for what came next, but when his length was surrounded in the moist heat of a sucking mouth, he groaned. 

“Damn, that’s good,” he murmured, amazed at how real the sensation was. 

He could almost feel a warm hand snake around to cup his ass and draw him closer, while the other stroked the base of his cock in counterpoint to the incredible suction on the head.  Then, just as he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, the devouring mouth began to move up and down on him, drawing him deep until he felt his ultra-sensitive tip brush against the back of a throat, slowing sliding him out until only his cockhead remained in the heat, then swallowing him again.  Over and over, hot mouth working his hot, slick shaft.

The sensation was ecstasy.  And hell.  He didn’t remember Drew ever being this gentle, yet at the same time didn’t remember it ever feeling quite this sensuous either.  Maybe it was because it had been so long since he’d been with someone, or maybe because his old memories truly were fading so he was making up new variations that had never actually happened, but he’d never felt so overwhelmed with sensation before.

A burning tingle built in Alec’s balls and his cock pulsed with excitement.  He wanted it to go on and on, but his body craved release.  He tried to thrust faster, but the hand—no, now it was two hands on his ass—restrained him, held him in place, forcing him to accept the slow, thrilling torture.  He slid his fingers into the thick, damp hair of the man who seemed to know intuitively how much pleasure he could stand and just how to keep him hovering at the edge in a delicious way. 

The motion increased; so did the wet suction, until Alec’s entire body vibrated and low moans escaped him.  “Oh, God...” 

One of the hands released his ass and moved back to the front, to stroke his balls, then tickle beneath them.  Alec bucked in response.  His body was on fire, and his entire existence zeroed in on the amazing mouth working his cock in a way it had never been worked, and the teasing fingers at play at the very root of him.

And then he was over the edge, his body convulsing, cum jetting from him in hot waves until he was spent and weak-kneed from satisfied exhaustion.

Eyes still squeezed tightly closed, he slumped against the wall in the shower and tried again to picture his fantasy lover’s face.  But when he did, he went rigid with shock.   It wasn’t Drew’s hazel gaze staring up at him....instead, the eyes were a brilliant sapphire blue, and they were filled with a sizzling intensity that washed over Alec in rippling waves.

“Christian,” he whispered.

We belong together, Alec. 

The softly spoken words reached into a part of Alec that had been barren for months, and filled him with a longing so deep he could barely breathe.

Alec’s eyes fluttered open, and the moment they did and he came back to the reality of standing in the shower, the shower Drew had painstakingly tiled, where they’d played and loved for three years, a knot formed in his stomach.

How could Christian Wetherly have invaded his fantasies like that?  Brazenly pushed Drew aside, and taken over? 

No, damn it.  He didn’t want this.  He wasn’t ready to let go of Drew yet, wasn’t ready to move on.  It’s still too soon.

But when he closed his eyes and tried to recapture Drew’s image, he could no longer see it.  Only the thick waves of dark hair, the warm planes and angles of a new and expressive face, and the startling blue eyes that seemed to see into his soul.

Reviews...

In a world where Ordinaries aren’t aware mages exist, things can get complicated. Thirty years ago, a powerful dark mage and psychopath, Rogan, murdered every member of the Ansley Family, without obtaining the powerful charm he sought. He heartlessly slaughtered crowds of Ordinaries and mages at the Gathering massacre. It is believed he is close to obtaining ancient artifact containing the Vargazian Ritual, with which someone other than an Ansley can activate the power of the amulet. He must be prevented at any cost.

In America, there is a rash of serial murders with no discernable cause of death. Christian Wetherly, Director of the Bureau of Dark Magic Affairs, knows exactly who the murderer is, but he must be very tactful because most of the world does not know magic exists. Detective Alec Anderson is not happy to baby sit some tight-assed, stuffy Brit, but when he and Christian meet they feel an electric, magnetic attraction, too powerful to ignore for long. They have very realistic dreams about explicitly detailed love-making together. Alec’s lover was killed eighteen months ago and feels guilty about his feelings for Christian, but they are falling hard for one another. Both know they were meant to be together, but Christian knows when a mage tries to tell an ordinary about magic: it never, never, never goes well. Is there any possibility their relationship will survive this bombshell, that they’ll both survive the coming battle and maybe have a life together?

I loved this book. If it isn’t the first of a long series, I will be heartbroken. I had to read it again as soon as I’d finished, because it was just that good. I fell in love with Christian and Alec, as well as several secondary characters. Such supporting characters as Alec’s mentor, Chris’ housemates and top agents are well-developed and endearing. They help move the plot along at a fast but steady clip, without even the suggestion of a lag.  Christian and Alec’s characters are so well developed I felt I knew them personally. They are both handsome, sexy, sensual men who are noble, strong, dependable heroes who came alive for me. Their relationship is enviable and that without even taking into consideration their sensuously described, luscious sexual encounters that left me panting and squeezing my thighs together. There are some rocky spots, too. Alec has grown up believing in only what he can see, touch and prove. Chris hasn’t come out yet and fears the reactions of his mother and friends.

I was delightfully entertained, stimulated intellectually and sexually. I began thinking as though there really are mages who live among us. I found it was enlightening and titillating to see inside a man’s feelings and responses to sexual stimulation with a loving partner. That part was scorching hot, but I would have been intrigued by this story even without the very enjoyable and explosive sex, which is what I love in any good book.  Although the male love story theme may be considered controversial subject matter for some and I usually avoid them, I found that it did not detract from this novel.  In fact, the outstanding male on male sex was so carnally passionate, so tenderly loving, that I felt touched right down to the depths of my soul. There were no editing mistakes that disrupted the flow of my reading. The author’s voice is superb. The plot is leagues above and beyond the average book; Falling is one of the best I’ve read. There are several plot twists in Falling that left me on the edge of my seat.  Because the plot was so efficiently developed, I never found myself confused or annoyed, and the magic and action filled scenes left my heart palpitating in excitement. For all these reasons, I believe this book is deserving of the Gold Star Award.

---Karen Haas, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

5 Hearts!  "Enthralling, amazing and fascinating, Falling is everything that I want out of a novel. The plot centers around Christian and his Bureau's attempts to capture and destroy the one man capable of turning the world evil. When Christian follows the leads to America and meets Alec, this story explodes! The two men are drawn together by an unexpected attraction, but at the same time, they know how desperately they need to work together to find the killer. When Alec and Christian begin to make love, I was glued to the page! Their attachment almost brought me to tears. As Ms. Rhodes returns to the plot, there are a number of interesting twists. Magic plays a large part of this book. The characters, major and secondary, are so well-described that I was pulled into the story. I read continually, excited to find what would happen next. The plot flowed smoothly, easily changing from love to magic to evil and back. I would love to find that Ms. Rhodes uses this setting for another book. It was simply marvelous! Brava, Ms. Rhodes!"

---Marcy Arbitman, The Romance Studio

 "With a story line reminiscent of a certain wizard series mixed in with that fantasy trilogy about a ring that rules them all, FALLING is an addictive, thrilling adventure chock full of evil villains and handsome heroes.   Christian and Alec are a great couple and a fabulous duo.  Truly noble, both are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the other and the world from a terrible tyrant.   Be prepared to stay up all night because you won't be able to tear yourself away until the very end!" 

---Isabelle Spencer, Romance Reviews Today

5 Stars!  "A must read m/m romance writer! The backdrop of "Falling" is an adventure fantasy involving mages, not the type of setting I would envisaged for emotional story telling, which is Rhodes' strength. I am proved wrong as the plot of magic and villians are very much secondary to the emotions build-up and interplay between her two characters. The love is so real, the emotions intense and the characters amazingly well developed and believable. Rhodes's men are such sensitive and vulnerable characters and Christian and Alec are no exception. Each man has his own ghosts to overcome but when they do acknowledge the attraction, their romance is sizzling and their sex intimately hot. Just look at the cover! I love Rhodes' writings. I also strongly recommend the lovely "The Professor's Secret Passion" and the deeply emotional "Souls Deep", her two other M/M romances under Amber Quill Press." 

---R. Parklane, Amazon.com  

5 Kisses!!  "Falling is a non-stop read, the kind of fast-paced story with a meaty paranormal plot and occult background into which the reader will be immediately entranced. From the first sentences, there's no turning back as author M. L. Rhodes cranks up the plot and turns up the heat. The characters are well defined, including those whose lives lie in the past. The plot is a roller coaster of events and convolutions. Falling is a wonderful story which works both on the levels of paranormal/occult fantasy, and as a heart-warming and touching m/m romance. This is a re-reader definitely."

---Frost, TwoLips Reviews

4 Cups!  "...a very well-told story of love and magic that had me hooked from the get go.  Alec and Christian make a great couple, each complimenting the other, and surprises that will delight the reader are around every corner.  Falling is definitely a keeper!"

---Matilda, Coffee Time Romance

4 Angels!  "...Sizzling heat...  M. L. Rhodes takes a well-crafted plot, adds some interesting and tight secondary characters, and creates a story with intrigue and excitement that breathes life into the pages."

---Linda, Fallen Angels Reviews

"Falling is a book that shows how the ordinary world can hide unexpected things.  M.L. Rhodes builds a wholly believable world where all the things we imagine as magic exist alongside the ordinary world.  You fall in love with Alec and Christian from the very start.  The sexual tension between the two men is so high that when they finally get together it will set you on fire.  This book was impossible to put down once I began reading, so Falling has just been added to my keeper shelf and I will be looking for other books by M. L. Rhodes.  I definitely recommend this book for m/m romance fans."

---Sabella, Joyfully Reviewed