Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
The Earth shook the morning actor Ethan Bradley arrived in Los Angeles looking for a second chance. He hoped his former producers Reese Matheson and Toby Griffiths meant it when they said to look them up if he were ever in LA because he had no other options. The pictures the paparazzi took at the wrap party for their London show made sure of that. What he wasn’t counting on was the reception he got from their manager, Arthur Frye. He was absolutely the kind of together guy Ethan wished would notice him, and for more than his pretty face and talent. Too bad Arthur only sees Ethan as a complication.
Arthur Frye has his hands full with his best clients—and best friends. The last thing he needs is another diva to care for, especially one who has a reputation for causing trouble. He has a strict rule against getting involved with the talent, no matter how pretty they are. Only Ethan Bradley shines for real, and when Arthur realizes his nice-guy innocence is genuine, he’s ready to do anything to help Ethan get his career back on track and get him out of LA. He’s too much of a temptation, and Arthur can’t afford to lose focus…not even for a chance at happiness for himself. Especially not when his star clients are about to risk their professional and personal happiness with their newest creation; a musical about two boys falling in love in the 1960s featuring music written by Reese’s grandfather, whose health is in decline.
Ethan Bradley shakes things up wherever he goes, and Arthur Frye is afraid he’ll be left in the wreckage if he gets too close. Can these two opposites find love on solid ground?
The Review
Manager Arthur Frye, thirty-seven, has always had his plate full, taking care of everyone from his parents – Bernard and Ella – to Reese Matheson, Tobias Griffiths, Jesse Black, and so many others. He and his friend, Patrica Wilson, are senior members of Slade Artist Management.
He feels put upon when a young Ethan Bradley asks for help. He can’t even have a day off. To keep his clients happy, he neglects himself. He realizes that he has no one to take care of him, no one to love. But knowing that Reese is dealing with his grandfather, Thomas Matheson’s, health, Arthur puts everything else on hold. Except for Elvis, the howling, spoiled and disgruntled cat.
At twenty six, Ethan Bradley’s world was turned upside down by ugly rumors. Now he has returned from the UK, and is begging for help from Reese. He’s lost everything, and he can’t go home to Iowa. The last place he wants to be is Los Angeles, where earthquakes are his biggest fear. He hopes that Reese can find him a small part in a show.
Reese has his hands full with his grandfather’s delicate health issues. The house is already crowded, with Jude and his brother Bailey both living there. The only one Reese can call on is Arthur Frye, his manager.
Once Arthur gets Ethan settled, he has to figure out what to do with him. He doesn’t know how the bad publicity will get. He’s not happy about Ethan – there’s something about him that grates on Arthur. All Ethan wants is to find work, and to not have Arthur so upset with him.
Arthur begins to see there’s more to Ethan than just trouble. He sees how helpful the young man is during the show rehearsals. Ethan is especially observant with the two young men in the show, Bailey and Sean, and he’s also a big help to choreographer Jesse Black. Will Arthur break his one golden rule – “don’t date the talent”?
I was really taken with Ethan, and felt sorry for him. He was young and naive when he got into show business, and of course he would have a crush on Reese. The pictures of him and Reese were innocent, but the gossip rags and stupid people started destructive rumors.
Arthur is the perfect fit for Ethan. He has always taken care of others, and Ethan really needed someone to watch out for him. But Ethan also takes care of Arthur and the spoiled Elvis the cat.
Merrill’s third installment in the “Forces of Nature” series, Earthquake Ethan, was my favorite of the three. It’s filled with drama, humor, and intimate moments of love. I highly recommend it.
Want to find out more about Reese Matheson or Tobias Griffith check out Hurricane Reese and Typhoon Toby. Will there be another storm brewing?
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
