ARTISTIC APPEAL by Andrew Grey

A Bottled Up Story, Book 6
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: October 21st, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61372-127-8
ASIN: B005Y0RX7E
Contemporary Gay (M/M)
E-Book
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Author


When Brian Watson took over the case of “The Lady in Blue” from his friend, Gerald Young, he knew it was going to be a long road for him and for the case now that it is in appeals. Being the center of two match making pals on the other hand had him nervous…and hopeful. After a disastrous marriage and subsequent divorce, Brian finds the strength to admit what he knew all along-he was gay. When he meets Nicolai, a deaf art restorer, at Gerald’s Christmas party, sparks fly between the two but there are looming warning clouds on the horizon. Nicolai is enjoying being independent again after a bad break up but he can’t deny he enjoys Brian’s company and finds himself falling for the young man. Can a jealous ex, a complicated court case and more help bring these two men together or will it tear their fragile relationship apart?

When I saw that one of my favorite authors was going to do a sub-series in his wonderful Bottled Up series, I was concerned—and intrigued. Was this going to bomb the series or would it enhance it? I was apprehensive but eager to see how Mr. Grey incorporated it and I was surprised at how well it fits in. Granted this is a different part of the Bottled Up Series and it fits and I was surprised at how well it fits in. Granted there are new characters to fall in love with but the storyline is well written and though it continues where LEGAL ARTISTRY left off, ARTISTIC APPEAL features a few new characters that will steal your heart. The story moves at a nice even pace, the reader is drawn into Brian’s romance with Nicolai as well as the continued story of the case of “The Lady in Blue”. It made the reading of this newest addition into the Bottled Up series quite enjoyable and addicting.

We meet Brian Watson in LEGAL ARTISTRY and now he is the focus of this newest book by Andrew Grey. Brian is a divorced dad who has denied that he loves men and after his divorce, he finally admits what he knew all along-he is gay. Now he is navigating dating, raising his daughter and trying to stay calm whenever his ex-wife tries to get more money out of him then she is allowed. Meeting Nicolai at his friend’s Christmas party leaves Brian stunned. Nicolai is sweet, kind and deaf. The sparks flying between Brian and Nicolai get really hot at times. I was afraid the computer screen would start smoking, especially as these two finally give into their desires. The characters are delightful-very well rounded, life like and very enjoyable. The secondary characters were intriguing and had me wondering if they may show up in future books of this series.

ARTISTIC APPEAL is quite an enjoyable story to enjoy on a cold autumn evening. Andrew Grey has another winner on his hands with this one and I am eager to see what he comes up next in this series. If you enjoy a well written, engrossing story of two people finding one another, a legal case that will keep you intrigued until the very last page and a love that blooms even amid the issues both men face, then grab ARTISTIC APPEAL & settle in for your reading pleasure.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this story.