Genre: Paranormal Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Most prisoners believe their punishment is unfair, but for Ryan Tarkett, it’s true. While serving his sentence, an attack sets off a chain of events and forces Ryan to speed up the timeline on an insane escape plan. Spurring him on are memories of his past, his one love, who he met in juvie, and the driving desire for freedom. When Ryan believes he has nothing left to lose, escape from prison becomes the only option.
Ryan’s desperate journey isn’t easy as he tries to evade capture. Past regrets and confusion about his sexual orientation dog him as he deals with the loss of Thomas. When a stranger gives Ryan the chance at a new life, somewhere he might begin to feel safe, he may learn to trust again.
But in his mountain hideaway, Ryan feels as if he is being watched. Something lurks in the surrounding woods. Flashes of a figure give the impression he is being followed or, worse, hunted. Alone and lonely, Ryan fears he is losing his mind. When his new shadow seems intent on sticking around, Ryan starts to suspect this is no ordinary Wolf.
Prisoner is a different kind of love story, where a mystery waits to unfold.
The Review
After an unfortunate, trauma inducing crime, acting to protect his twin sister, Prisoner 793 was sentenced and came to accept that as his new name. He was sent to juvenile detention center at the age of 14, where he met Thomas and took him under his protection. They grew close, and a special relationship developed between them.
Unfortunately, when 793 turned eighteen, he had to leave Thomas behind. Having been tried as an adult, he was transferred to maximum security prison. Now, separated from Thomas, he looks forward to the day when they can be together again.
At twenty-seven, 793 has served twelve years of his sentence, and has thirty-eight years left. He had two cell mates that he learned a lot from: Big Bastard and the strange Leander.
In order to avoid attention 793 has always kept his head down, has done what he was told and has talked to no one. He always thinks about Thomas, and writes to him, waiting for for the day they would be together again. But a tragic turn leaves 793 devastated and forces him to move up his escape plan. By the skin of his teeth, it works, but he ends up alone and on the run in a world he’s no longer used too.
Desperate to find a place where he can live and hide before the authorities find him, he’s always on the move, until he takes a chance to steal away on a yacht. When the yacht docks at a waterfront house, he makes his escape. But he’s caught by a young man, Tristan Steele.
Tristan is an orphan, a graduate student and wealthy due to the loss of his parents. Tristan makes an unbelievable offer to 793, thinking it’s the right thing to do.
DeGraham crafts a very dark tale of prison life, which follows Prisoner 793 through his life from juvenile detention to maximum prison and after. The story hilights the unfairness of the justice system, and gives us an in-depth look at prison, prison guards, rules and regulations that are often overlooked and all that’s involved in the way of prison life.
The author also delves into how 793, Thomas and Tristan deal with their feelings and conflicts in love and sexuality. Tristan is a life saver who shows kindness and offers help that gives freedom and a new life to 793.
For me, the one character that stood out most was Leander Morel, one of 793’s cell mates for a time. Other prisoners never approached Leander – he was known for the unexplainable, including hexes, curses, visions and dark magic. I wonder if Leander had something to do with the shocking ending of the novel.
At the beginning of each chapter, the author has interesting quotes by famous individuals, which are thought provoking and fit each chapter perfectly.
I highly recommend Prisoner, the beginning of the new series “Steele Pack” by Gigi Graham. The novel was gripping from the very start, suspenseful, and emotional on so many levels. I couldn’t put it down.
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.