Yes, *gasps* I read off GA. Honestly, most of my time here is taken up with staff duties-which sort of stinks for my love of reading-but one of the things eBooks can do is give us an idea of what to aspire toward. Most of the authors I know online won't be traditionally published but the advent of eReaders and the exploding eBook market can be an invaluable tool to spread your stories, and make a bit of cash.
 
I love to read, but I do the mod queue here on GA, so I get a lot of serial works I am trying to keep track of plot wise for approvals, so when I do get a chance to read, I'll admit to a bit of an eBook obsession. It's done, complete, and in a handy reading format. It won't ever be my sole reading source, because I love so many of the authors on GA, but hey, I won't turn down free reads either!
 
Today I'm going to start sharing my weekly eBook reviews from my off-site blog. I'd also love to feature *complete* free stories from GA on my blog for my fans over there, so if you have one-and are willing to take my unvarnished opinion-pm me a link to your story!

I chose to review ZA Maxfield's Crossing Borders.

Plot synopsis: Tristan's got issues; he knows he does. So when his most recent girlfriend dumps him via messenger, and he can't stop staring at the messenger's cock while he's breaking the news, Tristan figures it's about time he makes some changes. He formulates a foolproof plan to get himself someone who can show him what he's been missing -- until who should crash his little adventure but Officer Michael Truax, the man who gave him a really expensive ticket for boarding without a helmet back when he was in high school.

Michael has been trying to catch Tristan for years...to give him a second ticket. Suddenly he's faced with his 'Sparky', all grown up -- and looking to get laid. The habit of protecting him isn't gone completely, but the opportunity is too much to resist. He figures the kid must know what he's getting into, so he takes him home. There, they carry on a cautious dance, only to find out that neither is what the other expected, and that together, they're hot enough to melt glass.
 

My Review:

<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6082786-crossing-borders" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Crossing Borders (Crossing Borders, #1)" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1231497603m/6082786.jpg" /></a><a
Honestly, I held off on this book for a while before purchasing it during a 50% rebate day at ARe. It seemed a tad cliché from the title, but really, the plot wasn't the focus for me when I read it. While that sounds silly, it's true. <br /><br />The characters made this story. 'Officer Helmet' aka Michael was interesting as seen through the eyes of 'Sparky' aka Tristan. As a fellow redhead, I soooo got Tristan's beef with his nickname. I loved the disparate ages-yet similar desires. It just went to show that opposites can be more alike than most think, and make it work.<br /><br />Not to say the plot wasn't interesting-if not exactly 'new'. I laughed my ass off as 'Sparky' plotted and planned to find a man at the bookstore coffee shop. The texts back and forth were witty and definitely made the scene even better. I liked that the will they or won't they aspect was resolved pretty quick, which left the actual relationship the focus, imo. <br /><br />Since the relationship was the focus, and the source of conflict in the end, I felt the plot arc fit, even if it did feel uneven. The author could have predicated that aspect a little better by seeding in small moments here and there earlier in the story. It would have also served to give us a more realistic interaction between Michael and Tristan-even newly together couples generally aren't that perfect. <br /><br />Still, this story was mostly full of warm and fuzzy feelings, even once the drama hit. As always, ZA Maxfield's writing flowed and I was sucked in start to finish. Definitely a recommend!
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