Author: Eli Easton
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 240 Pages
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it’s cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his spare time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.
James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he’s lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.
Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the Sex in Seattle series by Eli Easton, and I was so very, very ready to read Michael’s story. His job as a home health nurse was definitely not the most interesting thing about him. Michael’s job as a sex surrogate was what I couldn’t wait to read about to find out how he would be able to maintain a private life outside of his professional life. I can honestly say I was not disappointed.
Now, we met Michael in the previous books, if only peripherally. He has a very unique job as a sexual surrogate, and it was fun to get to know Michael better and learn more about his job. Michael has not had much luck with relationships due to his surrogacy. Most of the men he has dated can’t handle what he does to help people through their issues, so he isn’t quite so quick to divulge his second career when he begins dating a new man.
When Michael hears about a book signing being done by his all time favorite author, he is ecstatic. J.C. Guise is very reclusive, and this is his first foray in the public eye. When Michael meets the man, he is shocked to find out that he is not only in a wheelchair, but he is one of the most handsome men Michael has ever met. Michael feels an instant attraction to the man, but he can’t get a read on whether or not the feelings are mutual. When he steps up and asks the man out, he is shot down pretty quickly but doesn’t give up.
He eventually convinces James to go out with him, and they begin to form a bond and a relationship unlike anything either of them has had before. James is slow to trust anyone after the disappointments of his childhood, but Michael is able to slip behind the walls James uses to protect himself, and they are well on their way to a HEA when Michael’s job threatens to destroy everything they have built together.
In my opinion Eli Easton has struck gold again with The Mating of Michael. I believe the sexual surrogacy was depicted well and Michael’s job was explained in an honest and forthright fashion. Most people, myself included, probably don’t know much about what a surrogate does, but I am sure many have some assumptions. Those assumptions were quickly laid to rest when I found out what he really does with his clients. The biggest mistake Michael makes is to not share all the pertinent details of his job with James, and he does end up having to pay the price for that.
Before I read this book I would have said that the second book of the series was my favorite, but now I would have to say Michael’s story has stolen my heart. I would highly recommend reading the other two books in the series because they were so darned good, but it isn’t necessary at all. This book could very well stand alone and still be a great read. I highly recommend reading James and Michael’s story. This is definitely not a book to miss.
You can buy The Mating of Michael here:
I had to immediately buy this.
It’s a tragedy I haven’t had the chance to read any of Eli’s books, Marilyn! I really do need to correct that because I see nothing but raves for her work.