Title: Riding with Heaven
Author: L.C. Chase
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Publisher: Loose Id
Buy link: Amazon.com (Second Edition)
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: 131 PDF pages
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
A guest review by Lasha
Summary Review: A thrill ride of a story that had me begging for more.
THE BLURB
When his flight home for his brother’s birthday is canceled due to a Category 5 hurricane on the Eastern seaboard, art major Evan McGrath places an ad on Craigslist for a rideshare from Colorado to South Carolina. He hadn’t expected an immediate reply, nor had he expected to fall head-over-heels for the handsome and mysterious driver, Lucas Briscoe.
As the miles disappear behind them Evan grows more and more attracted to the enigmatic Lucas, and the desire is mutual. The only problem is that a serial killer dubbed “The Domino Slasher” has just escaped a federal prison transfer, and funny little coincidences keep pointing toward Lucas – who looks like Heaven incarnate, but who could be the Devil in disguise.
THE REVIEW
One of my favorite books from last year was L.C. Chase’s Long Tall Drink. So I was really looking forward to this novella. From the blurb I figured it was a cross between Dexter and that 1986 classic movie, The Hitcher. I was pleasantly surprised it was neither, but another unique tale from Ms. Chase.
Art student Evan McGrath needs to get home to South Carolina. Answering an ad on Craigslist, he accepts a ride share with a hot, mysterious stranger named Lucas. As the two start their trip from Denver to South Carolina, the sexual tension is palpable between the two men. As they race across the country, trying to avoid the storm, Evan starts to wonder about his travel companion. With reports of an escaped serial killer making the news, Evan gets nervous. After all what does he know about Lucas really?
Riding With Heaven starts off slowly, but builds and builds to an exciting ending that even me, a former police officer, really didn’t see coming. I was on the edge of my seat throughout as the tension and suspense was nail-bitingly hot and terrifying at the same time. (Which is always a good thing when read a thriller in my opinion.)
But the best part of the book for me was the chemistry between the two main characters. Now each man carries some baggage, enough to be interesting, but not overwhelmingly angsty. Page after page I was drawn into their world as they grew closer and when they finally fell into bed? Holy hell…I am still feeling the heat!
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, because that would give away spoilers and ruin the suspense, but what I will say that as with Ms. Chase’s other books, this novella is well written, fast-paced and has some steaming hot sex scenes. The characters are fully fleshed out, each with some deep, dark secrets that add an interesting twist to an already intricate plot. Easily recommended.
I really enjoyed this book and the incredible chemistry between Evan and Lucas, but as the book drew to a close I was a little dismayed that so many threads were left hanging. We never really find out the whole backstory that connects Lucas to Domino, and Evan, who should probably have been in therapy after the whole ordeal, just… carries on and spends far more time thinking about Lucas than the horrifying experience he went through. It seemed we were being rushed toward the ending, which I found a little strange considering how nicely (and thoroughly) the book built to its climax.
Other than those couple issues, I would also strongly encourage people to read this. Thanks for the rec!
I loved Long Tall Drink and I’ve been looking forward to this one. I may have to bump it up the TBR mountain, but I’m starting to get nervous it’s going to come tumbling down one of these days and crush me! :help:
My understanding is that MLR Press’s books are uploaded to Amazon immediately on release, but I’ll double check and post the most current information later today.
I heard back from Kris Jacen editor in chief at MLR Press and here’s what she said:
“MLR Press uploads all our titles to Amazon and B&N at the same time that the titles are uploaded onto our site. It then has to go through their separate clearances before they activate the titles. Print copies of MLR books are typically available two weeks after the ebook is released but that also depends on the print house and them clearing the file through processing. PDF, ePub and prc formats (so that covers most ebook readers) are available from the MLR site on the day the title releases.”
Hope this helps.
Does anyone know what MLR press’s policy is about releasing books to Amazon?
A serial killer? 4.5? I’m all in!
I love me some serial killers too.
I’m off to buy now, sounds like a great combo of mystery & hawt men, YAY!
Enjoy! I think you will like it.
Great review Lasha, and since I also loved Long Tall Drink I will definitely get Riding with Heaven as soon as it comes out on Amazon.
Its a shame Loose Id doesn’t release on Amazon immediately, they lose sales that way.
Well I don’t suppose they really lose money by not releasing their ebooks on Amazon immediately. This way the revenues are kept in-house during the peak sales period when a book is first released, after which time readers have already bought it from the publisher or decided it’s not worth the money anyway.
I know they have at least lost some money from me in the past. If I read a review I like I’ll tend to buy it right then. If I have to wait days or weeks, it has probably slipped my mind by the time it is available.
What she said. 🙂
Like you, I was wary of this one from the blurb, but after your enthusiastic review, I think this might be one for me. After all, a road trip, hunted by forces of nature, hot chemistry…sounds outright delicious!
There is a serial killer too! 🙂
I loved Long tall drink, and seeing how rarely you give 4.5 stars, I will definitely get this one when it comes on Amazon. Thanks Lasha 🙂
Hi Sirius
I just found out from Loose Id that they have a new policy. Their books are not available on Amazon until 2 weeks after they are released on the LI website.
I rated Long Tall Drink a 5+, and I would have given this one 5 stars except for one thing towards the end, which wasn’t bad, but just kind of made it a little less perfect. However, I still loved this book.