Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Splat!

When a small creature has an unfortunate run-in with his car, Deacon Hearst wonders what in the world hit his windshield. A bird? A butterfly? No, that would make Deacon’s crazy life too simple. It is a fairy—or rather a Sidhe—with a gaze the color of the moon and thus eloquently named Mooneyes. The little creature's wing is broken, and it's shivering in the rain, and well... Deacon has a heart, after all.

While nursing Moon back to health, Deacon discovers Moon’s beauty is more than skin deep. Though they’re very different, especially in size, they’re alike in their loneliness, their need for affection. Despite the weirdness of the situation, Deacon finds himself falling for his not-quite victim.

Deacon thinks it's a hopeless—gah!—love, but what if it isn't? Moon might just have a few secrets of his own, secrets that could change everything in an instant and weave a different path for them both.

 

Book Review

No matter what walk of life one may come from, it seems that parental interference is inevitable. In 'Splat!' by Alana Ankh, Deacon's parents don't accept that he's gay. They think it's just a phase he will outgrow and keep pushing women at him. He is constantly assaulted with questions like: “When are you going to bring a girlfriend home?” Deacon is lonely, but will not betray his values and live a lie. While Deacon is wondering if he will ever find love, splat...he literally runs into Moon. Although Moon is a fae and tiny in comparison to Deacon, his problems are similar in that Moon ran away because his family is trying to force him into an unwanted marriage as well. Despite their differences, the men find that they are compatible in their feelings for one another. Just when they are beginning to sort things out, Moon's family interferes, with potentially disastrous results.

Deacon is trying to live as openly gay, but his parents disapprove. Deacon is a workaholic, putting much more effort into his job than necessary. He needs something to take up his time so he won't feel his crushing loneliness. Although it defies logic and causes Deacon to question his sanity, when he accidentally injures a fae named Mooneyes, Deacon knows he just can't leave Moon there to suffer and takes him home to see if he can help him.

Moon is touched by Deacon's gentleness and care, especially for a creature he never even knew existed, and it dispels some of the myths he's heard about all humans being cold and cruel to fae. Moon and Deacon exchange information about each other's world and find there are many misconceptions on both sides. Although Moon has magical powers, they will not work with his wing injured. Fortunately, being a fae, Moon has accelerated healing powers so it takes him less time to get better. Healing quickly is great, but it's a double edged sword. It also allows his family to track him down. Moon left because he was expected to marry a female fae. Like Deacon, he has no intention to hide his desire to be with another male. His parents attack Deacon, verbally and physically until Moon intervenes. They don't convince him to come home, but they do remind him that he can never have a love relationship with a human because his magical powers will eventually put Deacon in a position of servitude, rather than equality. Sadly, Moon decides they are right and casts a forgetting spell on Deacon. It breaks Moon's heart, but he loves Deacon so much, it would kill him to see him in such a position.

'Splat!' begins with a plot as charming as Moon himself. The concept of having a man and a fae fall in love, despite their difference in physical size, is a refreshing and unique concept. It gives the men time to get to know each other in spite of their differences rather than just hopping in bed. Moon and Deacon are great characters who are well defined and endearing. It was easy for me to become emotionally attached to Moon and Deacon and ride the ups and downs of their emotional roller coaster, hoping for a happy ending. If you like stories that are a bit different, with fairies, fantasy, supernatural beings, magical abilities, and true love, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, Alana, for a unique tale.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 127 pages/45415 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	11-February-2015
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/splat-by-alana-ankh-2640-b