S.E.X. Review~ Equality by Helena Stone

Buy Links: Pride | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Length: 58,300 words

Dublin Virtues Series

Patience (Book #1) Pride | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Renewal (Book #3) Pride | Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Blurb

Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barratt has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a yes-vote cost them their relationship or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?

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Author Bio

Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.

The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.

Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.

Helena can be found in the following places:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Facebook Author Page
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Pinterest

Email: helenastoneauthor@gmail.com

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Helena Stone’s series Dublin Virtues, continued with her latest release Equality. Lorcan and Eric were introduced in book 1- Patience, as best friends to Troy and Xander. The four men quickly formed a friendship and bond which assisted them in achieving not only personal goals, but fighting for equal marriages rights for the gay community in Ireland.

Ms. Stone delivered well-developed characters with real issues, wants, and concerns as Lorcan fought inner demons and unacceptance from his family- against marriage equality. Lorcan’s struggle was handled with tact and true feeling, not sugar-coated and superficial. Together, Lorcan and Eric made a lovely couple with much to hold on to and a bright future ahead.

I enjoyed Ms. Stone’s ability to keep all the characters an integral part of her tale, past and present, and the introduction of Chris along with Shane’s (book one) return, gave me hope for an interesting book three. Secondary characters, especially Lorcan’s gran added a new dimension to Equality and substantiated the open-mindedness of people.

I would recommend reading the books in order so better experience the full affect and portrayal of all the characters.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

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2017 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Patience by Helena Stone

Patience is a virtue. But what if you wait too long?

While Xander Ekman’s dream of becoming a successful artist has come true, his love life has gone from bad to worse. Sick of the endless string of one-night stands, he accepts the challenge when his best friend, Erik, bets him that he can’t be celibate for a month. Now all he needs is a reminder to keep his distance in the heat of the moment.

Troy Moriarty doesn’t have time for love. He’s too busy trying to keep his recently opened tattoo parlor afloat. Besides, ever since the man who was supposed to be his business partner abandoned him to run the shop on his own, he has a hard time trusting others.

When Xander turns to Troy for a tattoo that will remind him to be patient, the attraction is instant. But faced with Xander’s month of celibacy, Troy’s trust issues, and a nemesis lurking in the background, their relationship may be doomed before it has a chance to begin.

Xander was on the fast track to sexual destruction when his best friend Erik proposed a bet to get his one night stand attitude under control- Stay celibate for a month.

To keep himself in check Xander sought out local tattooist Troy to place a permanent mark in his hand as a reminder for patience and the step back he needed to not simply look for instant sexual gratification.

Helena Stone's first book in her new series Dublin Virtues was wonderfully written with sweet and conflicted characters. 

Patience was a story of finding a purpose in the bigger scheme of life where true love and lasting relationships were within grasp.

Troy and Xander were perfect for each other- wading through their own insecurities to find themselves better together than apart. 

Secondary characters Erik and Lorcan added a little something extra and I look forward to their story.

Well written and held my attention- Patience was...

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link
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2017 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Scenes From Adelaide Road by Helena Stone

Can a young man find the courage he never knew he had when faced with losing everything he holds dear?

A few months before his final exams in secondary school, nineteen-year-old Lennart Kelly discovers he’s inherited a house on Adelaide Road in Dublin from a grandfather he never knew. Having been ignored, bullied and abused for as long as he can remember, Lennart can’t wait to leave behind his father and the small town he grew up in. Moving away as soon as he finishes his exams doesn’t cure his deep-rooted insecurities though.

Meeting twenty-three-year-old Aidan Cassidy in a gay club on his second night in Dublin, scares Lennart. Used to being ignored and ridiculed, he doesn’t trust the attention he receives and can’t believe a man like Aidan could possibly be interested in him. It takes infinite patience and understanding from Aidan to slowly coax Lennart out of his shell.

But the past refuses to stay where it belongs and Lennart’s father is determined to take the house in Dublin off his son by whatever means necessary. Just when Lennart is learning to trust and embrace life, a violent attack threatens everything he holds dear. Suddenly Lennart is in danger of losing his house, the man he’s grown to love and maybe even his life. If Lennart wants to protect Aidan and safeguard his future, he’ll have to find the courage he never knew he had.

Scenes From Adelaide Road by Helena Stone was a tale of new discovery and acceptance. Immediately, when I read the blurb I was intrigued and looked forward to reading about Lennart and Aidan’s journey. Unfortunately, the book did not hit the mark.

Lennart moved to Dublin after inheriting a house from a grandfather he knew little about. Looking forward to starting his new life, Lennart was his own worst enemy- standing in the way of his own happiness.

It fast became plausible that 19 year old Lennart should not be left to his own devices. He was whiny and self-absorbed and his repeated self-doubt detracted from the overall feel of the book. His immaturity seeped through the author’s characterization of him which led me to wonder how this young man could possibly survive in Dublin.

Aidan was a nice young man with issues of his own and although only a few years older than Lennart, seems years apart.

Lennart’s selfishness radiated throughout his personality and character thus making it difficult for me to connect.

Scenes From Adelaide Road was not the book for this reviewer.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Frisky but Nothing to Kinky

A three handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link

2015 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.