Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Choices
SERIES: Golden Collar, Book 1
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
AUTHOR: Grace R. Duncan
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 15 Hrs & 57 Mins
RELEASE DATE: 1/6/16
BLURB:
Golden Collar: Book 1
Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hire—until one night they’re caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.
Bathasar doesn’t want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for now—despite the abuse he may suffer.
The peace doesn’t last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim’s new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he’ll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?
A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.
REVIEW:
I really wanted to LOVE this book, but something just seemed off. I loved the idea of an outlaw gypsy who gets caught and is given a choice…go to prison or become a pleasure slave. I mean…Oh Hell Yeah!! I saw angst and I saw escape plans being made and love winning out. I was mostly right. Somewhat.
I liked Teman. I liked that he had spunk and just wanted to live his life with his best friend by his side. I liked that he made the choice to become a pleasure slave and I really liked that we got to see his training into a pleasure slave. I loved the fact that his first thought was how to escape. I was happy that he found love. A love that he wasn’t even expecting at all and the love of a good man.
Bathasar…I liked that he hated his father. I like that he wanted, no NEEDED to be a better man than his father and he is. I have to say that I like the fact that he met and fell in love with Teman. I think his most
This is a work of EROTICA. I mean, there is sex happening ALL THE TIME!! Lots of sexy times and really…it was very descriptive. I don’t mind sexy times and I don’t mind lots of sexy times, but sometimes, it felt a bit excessive at times.
I wanted more. I wanted more of Teman thinking about escaping. I wanted more friendships based on more than attractiveness and sexy times. The secondary characters…I really felt more of them I thought I would. They grew on me. I really give them props for coming up with the bonds of friendship and love.
Grace writes a wonderful story, don’t get me wrong. I really loved the world-building and the characters…the story premise is wonderful. I wanted to be see more, feel more, be shown more. I think that is the flaw with me. I needed a bit more. But that doesn’t take away the fact that this story was pretty good. There are so many characters, some that you just see for a minute and then those whose presence you saw over and over again. The way that Grace draws you in, is so beautiful and really…just breathtaking.
Overall, this story has some great world building. It also has some interesting characters and a really intriguing story of erotica. I will say that this story isn’t for everyone, I will be honest in saying that some people would have a hard time dealing the amount of sex in the story, but for me…I found that it helped drive along the story of Teman and Bathasar and their friends.
Narration:
I have to say that I’ve heard some of Joel’s narrations before, however, I have to say…this one…I Absolutely LOVED IT!!
I loved the accents, the melodious way in which Joel’s voice really drew you into the story…just Damn!! I have to say that I could listen to this man read anything and find it absorbing.
I loved the variations of his voice while narrating the story. I always knew who was speaking and never felt confused.
Joel Leslie is another narrator to watch for!!
RATING: 
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