Hello my lovely readers,
today I wanna celebrate the surprise release blitz of Roan Parrish’s Natural Enemies, the novella which was published in the anthology Exposed, which is now out of print. 🙂
Natural Enemies is currently on sale with $.99 for one week, after that the price will be $3.99, as of April 25, 2018.
See this post for an excerpt, my review as well as a giveaway. ❤ Don’t miss all that. :3
Happy reading. 🙂
Natural Enemies by Roan Parrish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
Those who read and follow (most of ) my reviews have noticed I have praising words for every work by Roan Parrish so far because of the awesome talent she has, creating a captivating prose and having a vivid cast of interesting, unique characters.
With Natural Enemies there’s a novella written by her which is in the same high quality as the other books, full of dreamy phrases, lots of expressive scenes and vibrant descriptions.
The fact that this book has a botanic topic, roof gardening and guys who are taking care of plants in different ways is giving the book its vibrance, its vitality. The other fact that Stefan and Milo have a few arguments when they first met (and later), can almost not stand each other, is what makes it even more better and it shows how well Roan Parrish is able to create a solid enemies to lovers novella.
The book is short, as in the nature of being a novella but honestly I don’t felt there was anything missing. Yes, maybe the pace between Milo and Stefan could have been extended, more on the enemies side but when I think about their chemistry it’s actually fitting how they change their attitude and they are getting pretty soon physically. 😉
As I mentioned I love Parrish’s prose, the way she creates scenes you can actually see before your eyes, directly in front of you. As a pationate gardener myself and having a lots of love for plants and be happy when I’m around them I loved how the plants were such a extension of Milo’s feelings and rooted in his life (a shout out to his flat, I want to live in something like this <3); they are constant companions and the way he, as well as Stefan, talk, touch and take care about them is sweet and adorable. The tiny things like they touch the petals in a way to say hello to the plants, the way how in fact the plants are involved in sexual encounters, not being actually used (don’t worry), but how sexy talk or thoughts are mixed with this natural element, is simply marvelous. 🙂
I really enjoyed the small tension, the differences between Stefan and Milo and the way how the topic of the anthology (the book was released originally in Exposed, – with having a photoshoot for a calendar) was used in a intertextual way, how it was included in the story, and how it gave the book a nice scene, hilarious, funny, sexy, with great side characters (who I’d love to read full length books about. I mean, hello, how splendid was Van, the cool looking photographer with her bleached hair, the tons of earings, stylish clothes and being tattoed?! ❤ #instacrush)
Another fact I loved was that with Milo and Stefan we had a novella with two non-white MCs, Milo being a latino, and Stefan being a black man, having trouble in being accepted by his surroundings and other black people in his comunity because of his actions, the way he talks and how he is dressed.
The novella is definitely a must-have for all those who have already (all) Roan Parrish’s books, of course, but for those who haven’t read the author before I would totally recommend to maybe start with it, not just because with the length it’s a perfect start but it’s also shows the essence of Parrish’s writing, the way how she creates amazing scenes with eloquent words and dreamlike prose. :3 ❤
5 out of 5 stars for it. ❤
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Natural Enemies
Author: Roan Parrish
Genre: M/M, Romance
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Design: Roan Parrish
Length: 150 pages
Note: former releases in the anthology Exposed
Add to you bookshelf:
(click the button or this link)
PURCHASE LINKS
Sale: $.99, for one week; Price: $3.99, as of April 25, 2018
Amazon US
Barnes & Noble
Blurb
When opposites attract, love blooms in unexpected places.
Buttoned-up botanist Stefan Albemarle has felt like an outsider his whole life. As a result, he mostly keeps to himself—makes it easier not to notice that no matter how he tries, people think he’s a know-it-all and a snob.
Freewheeling urban gardener Milo Rios has worked hard to get where he is, and he’s passionate about his job at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He can get along with almost anyone, but no one has ever made him care enough to stick around.
When Stefan and Milo meet on Milo’s tour of the Botanic Garden, it’s hatred at first clash. But hatred quickly turns to lust as Milo shows Stefan how exquisite it can feel to lose the control he’s clung to for so long. As Stefan’s mask begins to slip, Milo sees a deep vulnerability in the prim academic. Once he’s experienced Milo’s world, Stefan can admit that he wants more from life than professional success. If they can work together, Stefan and Milo just might be able to cultivate the future they both yearn for.
Excerpt
Milo trailed off self-consciously as I looked around his verdant apartment. This was who he was. He was too many plants in a tiny space. Plants called to him because he took care of things, nurtured them, gave them what they needed to thrive.
I felt oversaturated—so full of feeling I almost didn’t recognize myself.
“Yes,” I told him. “You understand that each one needs something different than the one next to it. You respect those differences. You give each what it needs and you enjoy the way it grows.”
My voice wavered. When was the last time I spoke to someone who saw me? Who understood?
Milo crossed to where I stood near the bed. He cupped my face and looked into my eyes. “I do,” he said. “It’s good that they’re all different. It’s okay that they’re the way they are.”
His gaze was intense, and when his palm landed on my chest, over my heart, I gasped. Everything about him electrified me.
“I like that they want certain things,” he said, eyelids half closing as he slid that palm down my stomach and cupped my cock. I hardened in his hand and he leaned close. “I like the specificity. It’s what makes them what they are.” His grip tightened and I hardened further. “I like giving it to them.” He cupped my ass with his other hand. “I like giving them what they want. What they need.”
He pressed with both hands, squeezing my ass and my erection, and my whole body felt hot and needy.
He took my earlobe between his teeth. “Do you want that? Do you want to let me give you what you want?”
He bit down sharply and I slammed my hips forward without meaning to, trying to get more friction.
“Stefan.” His voice was flower petals and pollen and honey. He traced the shell of my ear with his tongue and it made me shivery and lightheaded.
“Yes, I— Oh, god, yes, I want it.”
“Good,” he purred, then his mouth claimed mine in a bruising kiss and his hands were everywhere.
Author bio – Roan Parrish
Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.
When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.
Author links / get in contact
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GIVEAWAY
There is a giveaway to win one of three prizes: 1) swag pack of Roan Parrish goodies or 2) 1 of 2 ecopies of any back catalog book by Roan Parrish (reader’s choice!)
Your chance to win *click*
Please note: the giveaway is not sponsored, administered or endorsed by Mikku-chan / A World full of Words.
Blogtour and release blitz hosted by/through A Novel Take PR.
Mikku-chan 