Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Series Review & Giveaway: WAKE & CALM by K. Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn




Buy Links: 

Wake (Book #1) - Pride | Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Calm (Book #2) - Pride | Amazon US | Amazon UK 


Cover: Emmy Ellis


Wake

Carter Hamilton and Riley Porter-Wright room together as Harvard undergraduates. An immediate friendship forms, but as the years pass it deepens into something neither man understands. As attraction simmers under the surface, lines begin to blur. When they move back to Manhattan, they gradually slip into the lives their families have envisioned for them.

Both men marry, but in time, Riley realizes he's ended up in a passionless relationship like his parents' while his career takes center stage. Although he loves his wife, Carter misses the emotional and physical connection he shared with Riley.

The weight of Riley's feelings and his growing discontentment with his life eventually push him to tell Carter the truth about how he feels. Shocked and unable to face his own feelings, Carter rejects Riley.

As each man comes to terms with the lies they've told themselves, each other and the people around them, they find their lives changing in ways they never imagined. They soon discover that the truths they've been longing to tell shake the foundations of their friendship.
Carra's Review

Even though by the end of this story I was left adrift and wanting for resolution for Riley and Carter, I still really enjoyed Wake's angst-ridden storyline and wonderful characters.  With the prologue giving a glimpse into the uncertain and pained future of both men, I already knew it was going to be a tense and rocky ride.

While at times the pace of the story might seem to drag, it was actually necessary for the authors to cover the different segments of the mens' lives at length to show the progression of their deeply connected friendship and the eventual emotional and physical relationship the develops between the two best friends.  Seeing both of their feelings evolve, then watching as they let life drive them apart and dealing with the angst and tension made for a really great read--if a bit frustrating when you know Riley and Carter really belong together.

Their story is not resolved in this book, so keep that in mind when you start reading; it continues on in Calm, so when Wake finishes you'll find an uncertain future with a lot of loose ends.  Even so, the complexity of the characters and the fact that as a reader you'll know there is much more to come for them will have you wanting to know more and to make sure they get their happy ending just like I wanted.

Wake was an excellent story that really grabbed my attention, and though I was left wanting and needing at the end it was still a 5-star read for me.  The writing and characters are just that good where even though there's no resolution between Riley and Carter and there's more drama and angst without any hope for happiness in sight, this is still a fantastic read that left me wanting for more.  This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content (M/F/M), and as the extended blurb on Goodreads states, there's also infidelity and other adult situations as well.
Calm

A love worth the wait.

When Riley Porter-Wright comes out as bisexual and confesses his feelings for Carter Hamilton, it severs their friendship. Carter's rejection forces Riley to move on and he's shocked to learn Carter's marriage has fallen apart.

Overwhelmed by his failure as a husband and father, Carter misses Riley, but feels guilty for disappearing after Riley's coming out. After Riley extends an olive branch, the former friends agree to repair their relationship.

Slowly, Carter pieces together a new life. He admits his attraction to men, and confesses his feelings for Riley. Leery of Carter's initial rejection, Riley turns his focus on a new man, Will Martin.

Riley and Carter's renewed rapport intensifies, and Will becomes insecure. Will's resentment increases until he issues an ultimatum, forcing Riley to refocus his energies away from Carter.

Disappointed, Carter fosters new friendships with men like Jesse Murtagh. Aware of the changes in Carter's life, Riley is uncomfortable knowing Carter has moved on.

Carter and his ex-wife, Kate, navigate new waters as their children learn their parents are dating other people. Will can't deal with his jealousy and ends his relationship with Riley.

Unattached for the first time in years, Riley and Carter slowly transition their friendship into a relationship. Carter comes out and leaves his job, accepting the reality of being disowned.

Riley and Carter go public with their relationship, but worry the fallout will affect their families. Drawing strength from each other, they meet the challenges of being an out couple head on.
Carra's Review

After reading Wake, I was so very ready to jump right into Calm to see what was in store for Riley and Carter since everything was left unresolved at the end of the first book.  And just like in Wake, there's no quick answers and there's plenty for them to go through separately before they'll even get their turn.

 For me, knowing from the blurb that they will eventually get their time together made it hard to see them each having separate relationships before that could happen.  It was difficult because as a reader you KNOW Riley and Carter really belong together, so watching them with other people was hard when all you want is for them to get to the point when it is THEM together, not them with other men.

 But as with the first book, the journey for them to get to that point was needed...and while at times it was a bit frustrating, it all made up who these men were.  Be prepared for just as much angst and tension this time around, even knowing from the blurb that Riley and Carter do get their chance together eventually--the authors are just not going to make it easy to get there for the characters or us readers, because honestly real life just isn't that easy.

 Calm was another 5-star read for me, even with just as much wanting and frustration here the second time around.  Getting to experience the growth and development of the characters, and seeing their journey from start to finish was quite satisfying, and I hope we get to see more of the supporting characters in a future story as I'd really like to see them find their own happiness.  This story is for readers 18+, again for adult language and situations, and sexual content.

About the Authors

K. Evan Coles is a mother and tech pirate by day and a writer by night. She is a dreamer who, with a little hard work and a lot of good coffee, coaxes words out of her head and onto paper.

K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. Youíll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. Sheís especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.

Brigham Vaughn is starting the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn't let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can't wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
GIVEAWAY!
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