Moving Toward the Light by Rick R. Reed

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: eXcessica
Horror, Suspense
To Purchase
Blurb: Miranda had been through it all in her young life: homelessness, the victim of a crime that made national headlines and losing those closest to her. Now, she barely gets by in a rat-hole apartment in uptown Chicago, drowning her sorrows in alcohol she’s too young to buy, and making ends meet by turning tricks.

And, just when she thinks it can get no worse, it does. With the lure of easy cash before her, she blows off her shift at McDonald’s and heads home with an older guy she met in a bar. But when she gets there, she finds the guy has a party all set to go, when what Miranda had in mind was one-on-one. After a brutal assault and rape, Miranda winds up in the hospital, clinging to life.

In the half world between life and death, she finds Jimmy Fels, her dearest love, the boy who had died years before to save her. His appearance is enigmatic, but comforting and Miranda is just beginning to discover that he has returned to avenge her.

The men will pay. And Miranda finds, through her connection with a long-lost love, that vengeance is truly sweet.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, violence, and rape.

Review: Is it violent? Yes. Is it emotional? Yes. Will you turn the last page and wonder how Rick Reed pens such disturbing stories? Yes. And then, like me, you can’t wait for him to write another one.

This is a short story and every page takes you faster down Miranda’s unpleasant journey. Her life spiraled out of control before she ever had a chance at normal. She broke my heart. This is her story and it is a tragic one. From the opening paragraphs, my belly began churn. The descriptions of her alcohol addiction were so vivid, I was able to put myself in her shoes and it’s more than uncomfortable. It is gut-wrenching. I can’t even put into words the scene with the men. Thankfully I don’t have to because Rick has done a disturbingly good job of taking his reader into dark, vile places.

For lovers of horror, this is an intense read. The paranormal elements are believable and the story is gripping.

Reckless by Rick R. Reed

Story: 9

Presentation: 9

Total: 18

Publisher: eXcessica

m/m fiction

To Purchase

Blurb: Paul wasn't looking for anything special that rainy autumn afternoon when he met Max in a Chicago Starbucks. But Max was-a simple, uncomplicated romp while his boyfriend was out of town on business. And Paul was only too happy to oblige.

There was only one problem: Paul was HIV positive. And just a few weeks after his hot encounter with Max, a letter arrived for him, containing some legalese about HIV infection being a criminal act, with a few chilling words:

Dear Paul,
You infected me. You didn't tell me. You need to pay.
All the best,
Max

Those words turned Paul's world upside down. He had told Max. Hadn't he? They had used a condom. Hadn't they?

Come along for a heart-pounding ride full of secrets and lies.

Warnings: This title contains homosexual content and M/M sex.

Review: The warning needs to include instant attraction, the dangers of giving in to lust, regrets then curl-the-toes tension and a conclusion that cuts like a knife. Reading Reckless left me emotionally bleeding. The story is an intimate glimpse into a pivotal and defining moment in Paul’s life. I found the writing smooth and the descriptions painted the story perfectly. Life isn’t always beautiful. Read Reckless and see why.