Tuesday, June 12, 2012

THE TALKER COLLECTION by Amy Lane

Books 1-3 in the Series
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: May 11th, 2012
ISBN 9781613724903
Contemporary M/M
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Self-Purchase



All it took was a bus ride and an empty seat and before Brian Cooper can blink, Tate ‘Talker’ Walker sits next to him and they form a fast friendship that grows into something more. But not before both find that life is more than roses as these two find the strength to deal with what life throws at them. For friendship that turns to love, life is not a smooth ride for these two. One will learn to speak up; the other will have to learn to listen. Both Brian and Talker will find that in order to get their own happily ever after, they need to trust in themselves as well as in each other.

This was the first series of Amy Lane’s I have read and I have got to admit, I fell in love with both Talker and Brian. Amy Lane has such a wonderful way with words and in this collection there are three stories centered on these two characters. In each story the characters grow and learn and find their way in a world they are leery of. The writing is tight, characters grow with each story and the reader just cannot get enough of Brian or Talker. I loved how these two met and became fast friends. Amy Lane is a masterful storyteller as she lets these two main characters take center stage and show the reader how their lives take turns they are not expecting. The emotions you experience through this collection runs the gauntlet-you laugh, cry, smile, hate and worry even as the love that grows between these two amazing characters steals your heart.

Meet Brian Cooper and Tate ‘Talker’ Walker. Teammates on the track team and all it took for their friendship to begin was a lone seat next to Brian and the fact that both Brian and Talker needed one another. Friendship continues even as both go off to college and life throwing them curveballs as they navigate this thing called life. I fell for these two characters right off the bat. Both were sensitive young men and they clicked with one another. Friendship, love, and more follows as the reader is drawn into their stories in TALKER, TALKER'S REDEMPTION and TALKER'S GRADUATION. There were some wonderful secondary characters that helped move the story along at times but overall this was all about Brian and Talker.

THE TALKER COLLECTION is more than two people falling in love after finding one another. It’s about finding yourself in a world that has hurt you, beaten you down and tried to drown you in despair. For Talker and Brian, these two characters should have been down and out for the count over all that was done to them in their young life but Amy Lane shows how strong they really are even as life decides to toss a few more bombs their way. The growth of these two characters is wonderful to behold and when we see that final chapter between these beloved characters…well let’s just say tears were flowing and a smile was on my face.

Amy Lane is a talented and masterful storyteller who can deliver angst filled stories and give them a heart. I am eager to explore other Amy Lane books in the future and can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for her readers.

If you enjoy three stories that have heart and soul, has you run the gauntlet of emotions and leaves you breathless, then grab THE TALKER COLLECTION and settle in for hours of reading pleasure. I sincerely hope this author drops by Brian and Talker’s place again so we can see how they are doing in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of the book.

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