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Condor #1
The Condor
Nobody ever said running a gay escort agency was going to be easy. Harry takes on more than he can chew when he recruits a new boy who might be straight, might just be confused, or might be interested in servicing someone other than the clients. Then there's a client whose specific kinks mean for the first time in years Harry will have to handle a job himself.
Long-time boyfriend Liam may be losing patience with having his life so influenced by hookers and emergency phone calls. Looks like he might become ex-boyfriend Liam... but is that such a bad thing? What should be done about the pushy bottom who won't go away until Harry agrees to dominate him? Is the new boy cut out for this business? There are vultures in the city. Harry is just a big, sparkly, gay one.
Words: 110,555
Long-time boyfriend Liam may be losing patience with having his life so influenced by hookers and emergency phone calls. Looks like he might become ex-boyfriend Liam... but is that such a bad thing? What should be done about the pushy bottom who won't go away until Harry agrees to dominate him? Is the new boy cut out for this business? There are vultures in the city. Harry is just a big, sparkly, gay one.
Words: 110,555
327 pages, ebook
First published July 12, 2012
7 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Isa K.
18 books132 followersIsa K is a writer and techie currently residing in New York. Anything published under 'Isa K' is fantastic smut, anything under 'IsaKFT' is just fantastic ;)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 29, 2016
Well, fuck me sideways—that was fun.
I dunno how much to share. Half the relish was in slowly piecing together the immensely satisfying parallels between the principals and their grossly inaccurate perception of themselves.
I think the rewards of parsing these things on your own far outweigh the smug triumph I might feel in crowing about them on your behalf.
So let's just be gratuitously vulgar, then, shall we?
Lawdy, did this bring out the fuckin' cunt in me, or what? Half the fun was in casting off these dusty rags of superego and slipping on the shiny fluorescent spandex of my id.
Nothing like a pert urban homo to put things in perspective.
New York is all about change—and money. Entire neighborhoods spring up from the crumbling bones of another nearly overnight, only to be annexed by yet another twenty years later.
So too are its denizens thusly flexible: we need such skills to survive here without resorting to the obvious but short-sighted path to enlightenment that leads one to push other people in front of subway trains.
As everyone does to a certain degree. We show our employers one face, our coworkers another—and our families another altogether. We have to.
Or people get hurt.
We don't even need to know how it works. We just do it. Usually until some crazy bullshit goes down that forces us to look more closely at the narrative we've built from the most flattering or useful pieces of our true selves.
But enough of all that armchair psychology—this one's about hoors!
Fucked-up, self-deceiving, horribly disingenuous hoors!
Hoors fucking other hoors, even!
I was in love from page one.
What can a manipulative baby-gay, a faggot Heidi Fleiss, and some sort of vaguely sociopathic savant (with a touch of the Syndrome and maybe even Asperger's as well) possibly have in common?
It is almost literally killing me not to say, but it's cool. Isa K.—that deplorable, scandalously talented, utterly wretched creature, god bless her black little heart—has said it quite well enough, here.
It's not perfect, of course. Very nearly nothing ever is. But there's kink and sex and awful, awful people doing awful things to one another. The subsequent hilarity is only slightly this side of wickedness—but allowing this woman to debase your eyeballs thusly proves to be a categorically rewarding experience, even if you choose not to read between the lines.
Which you should totally do, you know? Read between the lines? Cos there's hella juicy shit in there.
Behind an agreeably profane Memoirs-of-a-Mama-San exterior lies a more or less devastating examination of the space between how we perceive ourselves and how we truly are—plus hoors.
Highly recommended.
I dunno how much to share. Half the relish was in slowly piecing together the immensely satisfying parallels between the principals and their grossly inaccurate perception of themselves.
I think the rewards of parsing these things on your own far outweigh the smug triumph I might feel in crowing about them on your behalf.
So let's just be gratuitously vulgar, then, shall we?
Lawdy, did this bring out the fuckin' cunt in me, or what? Half the fun was in casting off these dusty rags of superego and slipping on the shiny fluorescent spandex of my id.
Nothing like a pert urban homo to put things in perspective.
New York is all about change—and money. Entire neighborhoods spring up from the crumbling bones of another nearly overnight, only to be annexed by yet another twenty years later.
So too are its denizens thusly flexible: we need such skills to survive here without resorting to the obvious but short-sighted path to enlightenment that leads one to push other people in front of subway trains.
As everyone does to a certain degree. We show our employers one face, our coworkers another—and our families another altogether. We have to.
Or people get hurt.
We don't even need to know how it works. We just do it. Usually until some crazy bullshit goes down that forces us to look more closely at the narrative we've built from the most flattering or useful pieces of our true selves.
But enough of all that armchair psychology—this one's about hoors!
Fucked-up, self-deceiving, horribly disingenuous hoors!
Hoors fucking other hoors, even!
I was in love from page one.
What can a manipulative baby-gay, a faggot Heidi Fleiss, and some sort of vaguely sociopathic savant (with a touch of the Syndrome and maybe even Asperger's as well) possibly have in common?
It is almost literally killing me not to say, but it's cool. Isa K.—that deplorable, scandalously talented, utterly wretched creature, god bless her black little heart—has said it quite well enough, here.
It's not perfect, of course. Very nearly nothing ever is. But there's kink and sex and awful, awful people doing awful things to one another. The subsequent hilarity is only slightly this side of wickedness—but allowing this woman to debase your eyeballs thusly proves to be a categorically rewarding experience, even if you choose not to read between the lines.
Which you should totally do, you know? Read between the lines? Cos there's hella juicy shit in there.
Behind an agreeably profane Memoirs-of-a-Mama-San exterior lies a more or less devastating examination of the space between how we perceive ourselves and how we truly are—plus hoors.
Highly recommended.
September 20, 2012
It's been five days since The Condor finished, and I'm still not mentally prepared for it ending. It's not possible for me to seperate the experience of reading The Condor from the narrative. As others have said, this was the most emotionally-involving reading experience of the year.
90% of that was of course Isa K.'s talented writing. I can't believe she gifted us all the opportunity to read this story for free. I will most certainly be buying a copy when it is published in book form.
The remaining 10% was the other readers, and I want to thank them for the best arguments, discussion, debate, and wild theories I have experienced on Goodreads. Reading The Condor was like participating in the Lost fandom, but with a far superior conclusion.
When it comes to describing why The Condor was so good, I become somewhat verklempt. Harry and Logan keep squeezing tears out of my eyes, and I need to re-read some hot Jude/Harry/Danny menage-sex to get over it. I'm not emotionally removed enough from the story to unpick it, but one day I will.
Just read it. Now. It's fabulous.
90% of that was of course Isa K.'s talented writing. I can't believe she gifted us all the opportunity to read this story for free. I will most certainly be buying a copy when it is published in book form.
The remaining 10% was the other readers, and I want to thank them for the best arguments, discussion, debate, and wild theories I have experienced on Goodreads. Reading The Condor was like participating in the Lost fandom, but with a far superior conclusion.
When it comes to describing why The Condor was so good, I become somewhat verklempt. Harry and Logan keep squeezing tears out of my eyes, and I need to re-read some hot Jude/Harry/Danny menage-sex to get over it. I'm not emotionally removed enough from the story to unpick it, but one day I will.
Just read it. Now. It's fabulous.
August 4, 2016
**4.5 stars**
This book should have a much bigger fan base. It is snarky, smutty, fantastic stuff. I loved every second of it. Very nice, Isa K.!!
"The Condor" was really a unique read. I found out after I read it that it was originally a serial. That makes a lot of sense. It reads like one, when I think about it. Each chapter kind of ends on a mini-cliffy and, as the reader, I had no idea what was going to come next. I was absolutely clueless about a lot of stuff about this book, especially who Harry was going to end up with. The book kept me guessing in the best possible way. It entertained me. So very much. It also had a lot going on, like I guess a serial would (I've never read one). There was drama with lots of the characters and many side plots, but it never felt busy or overworked. It just felt right.
I absolutely adored Harry's voice. He was hilarious, sweet, and a study in contradictions. Give me a dommy, top, muscle-boy who is also a wannabe twinky glitter goddess any day! Seriously, any day. I loved the little tastes of New York and the insights to the inner-workings of an escort agency. The whole vibe of the book was amazing.
I think the this author's strongest skill was her ability to make each character multidimensional. No one was exactly how they seemed. Each person had deeper emotions, deeper issues than what met the eye. The author so brilliantly crafted each character, from the drag queen mother hen to the PhD-seeking boyfriend. Each one was well-rounded. That takes talent, my friends.
As you can see, this book was a huge hit with me. I will certainly be reading everything else that I can get my hands on by this fabulous author!
This book should have a much bigger fan base. It is snarky, smutty, fantastic stuff. I loved every second of it. Very nice, Isa K.!!
"The Condor" was really a unique read. I found out after I read it that it was originally a serial. That makes a lot of sense. It reads like one, when I think about it. Each chapter kind of ends on a mini-cliffy and, as the reader, I had no idea what was going to come next. I was absolutely clueless about a lot of stuff about this book, especially who Harry was going to end up with. The book kept me guessing in the best possible way. It entertained me. So very much. It also had a lot going on, like I guess a serial would (I've never read one). There was drama with lots of the characters and many side plots, but it never felt busy or overworked. It just felt right.
I absolutely adored Harry's voice. He was hilarious, sweet, and a study in contradictions. Give me a dommy, top, muscle-boy who is also a wannabe twinky glitter goddess any day! Seriously, any day. I loved the little tastes of New York and the insights to the inner-workings of an escort agency. The whole vibe of the book was amazing.
I think the this author's strongest skill was her ability to make each character multidimensional. No one was exactly how they seemed. Each person had deeper emotions, deeper issues than what met the eye. The author so brilliantly crafted each character, from the drag queen mother hen to the PhD-seeking boyfriend. Each one was well-rounded. That takes talent, my friends.
As you can see, this book was a huge hit with me. I will certainly be reading everything else that I can get my hands on by this fabulous author!
August 28, 2013
Reviewed for The Blog Of Sid Love
‘Christ on a cracker! ’
This book is superb, amazing even … but I don’t have to like it ALL do I?
Have you ever wondered about the world of prostitution and how it REALLY works? Wondered how Escort agencies recruit their employees and their clients? What about the people who own these establishments? Who are they? But the most important question for me is. "How could they?"
Well, if you want answers then Harry is most qualified to provide them.
He is an ex prostitute, ex Dom, and ex twink. Nowadays he’s an effeminate Top in the body of a bear, the owner of a gay escort agency, recruiting his own ‘stock’ and clientele. In fact, you’ll get to see him recruit Danny (a straight boy) first hand. You’ll get all this with an exclusive look into the world of prostitution: the machinations, the kinks, the clients, the mind-set, the interactions and the malicious set ups.
The Condor is Harry’s story to tell, and he tells it well.
Allow me to begin with what makes this book really stand out.
The originality! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! I never knew what direction this was going in. There is no trope to define this plot and no category for me to slot it into, and I love that.
The humour! Again I give thanks. What could have been a pessimistic and gloomy perception is lifted by Harry’s unaffected and often cutting twink humour.
The characterisation is remarkable. Prostitute or pervert the author makes each uniquely human without adopting the hype and drama that usually shadows such easily stereotyped characters.
The Condor is an ingenious character driven puzzle stressing the superficial makeup of people. It gets really interesting when the author snubs customary cause and effect profiling in favour of something quite … unique. Read between the lines, interpret the character performances and you get to draw your own conclusions. For me the message is loud and clear. Everyone is a manipulative shit.
Now here’s the part that stings ….
Reading this novel is akin to running my hands over razor grass. Unsuspecting leaves with razor sharp edges that will slice. Just like Harry. He is so unaffected and belligerent about his lifestyle, the man makes me hiss. Allow me to demonstrate:
“Lately I've just started to rotate our stock around, convinced that clients can be tricked into thinking they have the variety they crave if they can't recognize the boy they fucked three months ago.”
Slice. Hiss.
“I'm not interested in souls. I'm interested in bodies. Your soul is immortal, but your body has a definite sell by date. Call me unscrupulous, but I can't always wait for prime stock to figure out their morals, their philosophies and to be comfortable in their sexuality all on their own.”
Slice. Hiss.
Between this, and Harry’s big ole gay heart I couldn’t get a handle his true self, and perhaps that’s the point. I held him at arm’s length for the entirety of this novel - too wary of those unsuspecting slices. Sure he softens it with good intentions and humour, but girlfriend - I ain’t any fool. I see you … or so I thought.
For a long time after finishing this story I focussed on theoffensive condescending aspect because it felt most pertinent in my mind, but then I realised that it was all relative. There is a romance here which serves to highlight the great elements of this novel, but I won’t tell because you’ll never guess who the love interest will be.
It is basic flaws, and not my personal discomfort that diminish my rating. This book needs a proof read. The excellent writing is spoiled by poor editing, which is not something I usually comment on but there where even words missing. Very shoddy. The chapters are serialised which interrupts the flow when read as a completed novel. I was never given a reason for ‘straight boy’ Danny’s obsessive attraction to Harry.
So should you read it?
I say yes, refer back to the good stuff and then remove your politically correct filter. There is fun to be had here, but also the risk that you realise how truly fickle your psyche and perception of others really is. The Condor leaves me with much to ponder. I may not have liked it all, but I can appreciate and admired it. Isa K certainly makes into onto my favourite author shelf.
Favourite quote.
“Sex is the great equalizer. Whores and debutantes all moan the same.”
‘Christ on a cracker! ’
This book is superb, amazing even … but I don’t have to like it ALL do I?
Have you ever wondered about the world of prostitution and how it REALLY works? Wondered how Escort agencies recruit their employees and their clients? What about the people who own these establishments? Who are they? But the most important question for me is. "How could they?"
Well, if you want answers then Harry is most qualified to provide them.
He is an ex prostitute, ex Dom, and ex twink. Nowadays he’s an effeminate Top in the body of a bear, the owner of a gay escort agency, recruiting his own ‘stock’ and clientele. In fact, you’ll get to see him recruit Danny (a straight boy) first hand. You’ll get all this with an exclusive look into the world of prostitution: the machinations, the kinks, the clients, the mind-set, the interactions and the malicious set ups.
The Condor is Harry’s story to tell, and he tells it well.
Allow me to begin with what makes this book really stand out.
The originality! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! I never knew what direction this was going in. There is no trope to define this plot and no category for me to slot it into, and I love that.
The humour! Again I give thanks. What could have been a pessimistic and gloomy perception is lifted by Harry’s unaffected and often cutting twink humour.
The characterisation is remarkable. Prostitute or pervert the author makes each uniquely human without adopting the hype and drama that usually shadows such easily stereotyped characters.
The Condor is an ingenious character driven puzzle stressing the superficial makeup of people. It gets really interesting when the author snubs customary cause and effect profiling in favour of something quite … unique. Read between the lines, interpret the character performances and you get to draw your own conclusions. For me the message is loud and clear. Everyone is a manipulative shit.
Now here’s the part that stings ….
Reading this novel is akin to running my hands over razor grass. Unsuspecting leaves with razor sharp edges that will slice. Just like Harry. He is so unaffected and belligerent about his lifestyle, the man makes me hiss. Allow me to demonstrate:
“Lately I've just started to rotate our stock around, convinced that clients can be tricked into thinking they have the variety they crave if they can't recognize the boy they fucked three months ago.”
Slice. Hiss.
“I'm not interested in souls. I'm interested in bodies. Your soul is immortal, but your body has a definite sell by date. Call me unscrupulous, but I can't always wait for prime stock to figure out their morals, their philosophies and to be comfortable in their sexuality all on their own.”
Slice. Hiss.
Between this, and Harry’s big ole gay heart I couldn’t get a handle his true self, and perhaps that’s the point. I held him at arm’s length for the entirety of this novel - too wary of those unsuspecting slices. Sure he softens it with good intentions and humour, but girlfriend - I ain’t any fool. I see you … or so I thought.
For a long time after finishing this story I focussed on the
It is basic flaws, and not my personal discomfort that diminish my rating. This book needs a proof read. The excellent writing is spoiled by poor editing, which is not something I usually comment on but there where even words missing. Very shoddy. The chapters are serialised which interrupts the flow when read as a completed novel. I was never given a reason for ‘straight boy’ Danny’s obsessive attraction to Harry.
So should you read it?
I say yes, refer back to the good stuff and then remove your politically correct filter. There is fun to be had here, but also the risk that you realise how truly fickle your psyche and perception of others really is. The Condor leaves me with much to ponder. I may not have liked it all, but I can appreciate and admired it. Isa K certainly makes into onto my favourite author shelf.
Favourite quote.
“Sex is the great equalizer. Whores and debutantes all moan the same.”
March 29, 2023
4.5
Well, this is definitely not your usual MM romance, but rather a hilariously unapologetic slice of life story told from the POV of Harry, a retired male escort.
Harry’s campy AF narration made this book super fun. The humor here is completely in your face, no holds barred, sometimes bordering on offensive — I’m sure a lot of people WOULD find it offensive, but I think I know where the author was coming from so it didn’t really bother me — and while it’s clearly one of the book’s highlights, for me it became just a little tiring after a while, because it’s pretty much constant, present in every chapter, in every paragraph. I appreciate comic relief as much as the next reader, but as I’m not an especially fun-loving individual overall, I was a bit overwhelmed. 🙈
It wasn’t all shits and giggles, though! Both Harry and the deceptively uncomplicated plot turned out to have hidden depths that made reading this book a very enjoyable experience. I think I’d like it more if it’d been told from the POV of say, Milan, instead, because I love mean SOBs and he was so beautifully catty, but of well.
There were a couple of typos here and there, and a general disregard for conventional punctuation (LOTS of missing commas), so the book could use a good edit or two, but I’ve seen worse.
I’d recommend it if you like snarky narrators, and maybe if you’re curious about the sex industry but can take things with a grain of salt.
Well, this is definitely not your usual MM romance, but rather a hilariously unapologetic slice of life story told from the POV of Harry, a retired male escort.
Harry’s campy AF narration made this book super fun. The humor here is completely in your face, no holds barred, sometimes bordering on offensive — I’m sure a lot of people WOULD find it offensive, but I think I know where the author was coming from so it didn’t really bother me — and while it’s clearly one of the book’s highlights, for me it became just a little tiring after a while, because it’s pretty much constant, present in every chapter, in every paragraph. I appreciate comic relief as much as the next reader, but as I’m not an especially fun-loving individual overall, I was a bit overwhelmed. 🙈
It wasn’t all shits and giggles, though! Both Harry and the deceptively uncomplicated plot turned out to have hidden depths that made reading this book a very enjoyable experience. I think I’d like it more if it’d been told from the POV of say, Milan, instead, because I love mean SOBs and he was so beautifully catty, but of well.
There were a couple of typos here and there, and a general disregard for conventional punctuation (LOTS of missing commas), so the book could use a good edit or two, but I’ve seen worse.
I’d recommend it if you like snarky narrators, and maybe if you’re curious about the sex industry but can take things with a grain of salt.
November 9, 2012
Thank you Isa!
*****************
"I wish I could say this story has a nice instructive moral for you to take home, but the things I've learned won't fit on a cross-stitch."
K, Isa (2012-10-18). The Condor (Kindle Locations 6441-6442). . Kindle Edition.
Oh sure, starts off with Harry telling his story all full of snark and witty common sense. I'm all laughing and wondering what's next? Delighted with this wild cast of characters. Harry's got it all under control.
I settled in, brain engaged, my sense of humor running amok... but it get's complicated.
As the story progresses, Harry seems to become more introspective, bearing more of his soul. More of his history unfolds, I start to see the reality behind the reality if you will. Maybe Harry is not who he thinks he is. Do I trust his perspective?
Guess what? It's not all sunshine an daisies! There are monkey's from outer space and polka!
Harry's journey to self realization and HEA is one I would not have missed for the world! Yes I recommend, and no, there is no gratuitous sex. (Of course there's sex, just not an overabundance of the titillating stuff!)
;P
*****************
"I wish I could say this story has a nice instructive moral for you to take home, but the things I've learned won't fit on a cross-stitch."
K, Isa (2012-10-18). The Condor (Kindle Locations 6441-6442). . Kindle Edition.
Oh sure, starts off with Harry telling his story all full of snark and witty common sense. I'm all laughing and wondering what's next? Delighted with this wild cast of characters. Harry's got it all under control.
I settled in, brain engaged, my sense of humor running amok... but it get's complicated.
As the story progresses, Harry seems to become more introspective, bearing more of his soul. More of his history unfolds, I start to see the reality behind the reality if you will. Maybe Harry is not who he thinks he is. Do I trust his perspective?
Guess what? It's not all sunshine an daisies! There are monkey's from outer space and polka!
Harry's journey to self realization and HEA is one I would not have missed for the world! Yes I recommend, and no, there is no gratuitous sex. (Of course there's sex, just not an overabundance of the titillating stuff!)
;P
March 11, 2013
Loved it.
This book is a lot like a demolition derby: fun to watch, things look worse than they are and everything banged up can be sorted out with a few whacks in the right place. Isa K's voice was hysterical--I'd read anything with this delicious helping of sarcasm and self-deprecation. Frickin' tickles me like nothing else. The characters were great. There were no goods guys and no bad guys--just a whole bunch of people trying to straggle through life the best they can while trying not to to wipeout completely. Everyone fucks up. Perfectly messy.
Favorite quote: There can't be just one.
"The last thing I need is Stanley Kubrick directing my life. It's fucked up enough under my own direction."
"There's a state of bliss that can be reached only by deliberately bringing your own worst fears into reality."
This book is a lot like a demolition derby: fun to watch, things look worse than they are and everything banged up can be sorted out with a few whacks in the right place. Isa K's voice was hysterical--I'd read anything with this delicious helping of sarcasm and self-deprecation. Frickin' tickles me like nothing else. The characters were great. There were no goods guys and no bad guys--just a whole bunch of people trying to straggle through life the best they can while trying not to to wipeout completely. Everyone fucks up. Perfectly messy.
Favorite quote: There can't be just one.
"The last thing I need is Stanley Kubrick directing my life. It's fucked up enough under my own direction."
"There's a state of bliss that can be reached only by deliberately bringing your own worst fears into reality."
October 29, 2012
The greatest strength in this story is the wonderful characters: human, fallible, with all kinds of quirks, virtues, and foibles. The author does an incredibly good job of making them start out at one end of the personality spectrum and end at the other. The guy supposed to be most jaded ends up being the most innocent, the "innocent" guy turns out to be a great actor, and finally, the crazy guy is crazy like a fox, he got what he wanted, aaaall of it. No one is all good or all bad, but the realistic mix of both we all are.
The end result of the above is a refreshingly original story based on a common plot: the hooker with a heart of gold. The final pairing makes all the sense in the world, two true capitalists in love. Enjoy!
The end result of the above is a refreshingly original story based on a common plot: the hooker with a heart of gold. The final pairing makes all the sense in the world, two true capitalists in love. Enjoy!
October 8, 2013
The Condor was a fun look at how the owner of a gay escort service runs his business. The characters made this book! They were unique and complex. Nothing was as it seemed. It was one contradiction after another and this is what propelled the book. At times it was lewd and offensive, but you know what? So is life sometimes, so I just went with it and enjoyed the ride. Harry, Harry, Harry…..I love him! Harry makes no apologies on how he runs his business and we get to learn firsthand how he accomplishes this. He’s funny and snarky and his heart comes shining through.
My only complaint is that I never understood why Danny wanted Harry so badly. Why did he want his approval and want to impress him? This made zero sense to me. I needed a convincing explanation in order to believe the lengths Danny went through to get Harry’s attention.
This was my first book by Isa K. but it certainly won’t be my last.
July 23, 2013
"And in a taxi full of hookers, away we go."
What else is there to say?
This is my new favorite. It was scandalously delicious, unashamedly wicked and just friggin' fabulous! I want more!
What else is there to say?
This is my new favorite. It was scandalously delicious, unashamedly wicked and just friggin' fabulous! I want more!
June 25, 2016
I'm going to give this one 3.5 stars. It was good and I liked the characters, especially Harry, but I'm rounding down for the extreme amount of typos and missing words. It was obviously self published.
I'm also rounding down for the condescendingly racist way some of the characters were portrayed and/or talked about. For example, does the black drag queen HAVE to use made up words like "you'is"? I hate when black people are made to speak "a certain way" in books, and this is coming from someone who is black and doesn't know anyone who speaks like that in real life.
Otherwise, this was a great book with a unique premise and I would be happy to read more about these characters.
I'm also rounding down for the condescendingly racist way some of the characters were portrayed and/or talked about. For example, does the black drag queen HAVE to use made up words like "you'is"? I hate when black people are made to speak "a certain way" in books, and this is coming from someone who is black and doesn't know anyone who speaks like that in real life.
Otherwise, this was a great book with a unique premise and I would be happy to read more about these characters.
September 16, 2012
Following The Condor while it was in progress was one of the highlights of my summer. I love this book. The characters are complex and humanly flawed. The writing is humorous, charming, and so insightful.
Edit 12/15/12: Now that this book has been edited and is available as an ebook, it's even better. And the two bonus stories at the end are fun and delightfully smutty. Read this! I highly recommend it.
Edit 12/15/12: Now that this book has been edited and is available as an ebook, it's even better. And the two bonus stories at the end are fun and delightfully smutty. Read this! I highly recommend it.
October 19, 2012
Loving this! It's serialised, so the only downside is waiting for the next chapter. But that can be part of the fun -- like when you're a kid and there are all those presents under the tree, but you're not allowed to open them until Christmas morning.
This is like that. But with hot guys having sex for money. So that's win/win right?
EDIT: I'm so sad that this ride is over. More please!
This is like that. But with hot guys having sex for money. So that's win/win right?
EDIT: I'm so sad that this ride is over. More please!
June 4, 2016
5 stars. Just loved this funny character based m/m bdsm romance that I believe started life as an online serialization. Harry is a larger than life twink in a Dom's body and owner of an escort agency with his chain-smoking partner Lena. He takes on troublesome new gay-for-pay escort Danny and equally troublesome new sub/client Logan. Meanwhile Liam, his lover of eight years is keeping secrets from him.
'This client is going to rock my boat. Part of me feels like the boat needs to be rocked and part of me feels like I'm overlooking the fact that the boat is made of cardboard. I will know within five minutes of starting the conversation. Which is what makes it so impossible.'
'This client is going to rock my boat. Part of me feels like the boat needs to be rocked and part of me feels like I'm overlooking the fact that the boat is made of cardboard. I will know within five minutes of starting the conversation. Which is what makes it so impossible.'
December 3, 2012
It's been some time since I was so impressed with a book. The title inspires nothing of the great story unfolding within the pages.
I loved the author's writing style and how, despite tense moments, there was still a sliver of humor to brigthen things. I loved the characters and their interactions. I loved the book!
I loved the author's writing style and how, despite tense moments, there was still a sliver of humor to brigthen things. I loved the characters and their interactions. I loved the book!
March 19, 2013
Another book by Isa K., and another solid 4 stars, maybe squeaking up to 4.5....Harry, you are a twink with a heart of gold
!!There is no way I can compete with the review that Joolz did which drew me in and made me decide to get this book, but I am sooo glad that I did....it's extremely funny, it's irreverent, it's shocking, it's painful sometimes but never, ever boring!!
This book is about hookers plain and simple, no beating around the bush, and mostly it's about Harry, the twink in the body of a bear, who is really just looking for love like the rest of us
. We learn about Harry's past (not at all pleasant), we learn about Harry's employees at the agency he runs with the scary Lena, his protegee Danny (whose real name is Linus), Harry's problematic customers including the slightly weird and spooky Logan, and eventually after lots of heartache, we dare to hope that Harry finally gets his own HEA.
March 14, 2016
March 2016 BoM in the MMQR. You can follow/join the discussion here:
People…are extremely complex and tend to see what they want to see. As a result it’s hard to know if the person you think you know is actually who the person is OR who you’re projecting them to be. This tends to apply to how you see yourself. That’s this book. Who are the people in this book? Well I’m still not quite sure, I know who I think they are, I know who Harry has told me they are, but I’m not convinced I really know anything real about a single character in this story. Least of all Harry.
What I do know is I liked Harry. I ended up thinking Harry was a nice caring guy….who just happened to be a re-retired hooker turned Procurer of male escorts & also the worlds softest Dom ever. You should read this…get to know Harry, maybe you can tell me who you think Harry (and everyone else in Harry’s life) is, cause honestly I still haven’t a clue.
People…are extremely complex and tend to see what they want to see. As a result it’s hard to know if the person you think you know is actually who the person is OR who you’re projecting them to be. This tends to apply to how you see yourself. That’s this book. Who are the people in this book? Well I’m still not quite sure, I know who I think they are, I know who Harry has told me they are, but I’m not convinced I really know anything real about a single character in this story. Least of all Harry.
What I do know is I liked Harry. I ended up thinking Harry was a nice caring guy….who just happened to be a re-retired hooker turned Procurer of male escorts & also the worlds softest Dom ever. You should read this…get to know Harry, maybe you can tell me who you think Harry (and everyone else in Harry’s life) is, cause honestly I still haven’t a clue.
August 30, 2013
3.5 STARS
I think the author wanted this to read more like a conversation with the reader. It begins that way and loses point somewhere not too far in. It makes an appearance occasionally and then becomes a little heavier at the end. The characters are really the only reason I continued with this book. It's a bit long, very little sex and the weirdest type of romance. It's just a very strange read.
I think the author wanted this to read more like a conversation with the reader. It begins that way and loses point somewhere not too far in. It makes an appearance occasionally and then becomes a little heavier at the end. The characters are really the only reason I continued with this book. It's a bit long, very little sex and the weirdest type of romance. It's just a very strange read.
September 14, 2013
This author is a good communicator. And to be a good communicator, you must be a good listener. I have these visions of her stopping, sitting in silence, waiting to allow things in, from others or her own self, for life's truths, fuck ups, 'duh' moments and smiles to wash over her and flow out from her fingertips to the page. From the opening sentence of this book, she had me in a verbal headlock and I knew I wasn't getting released until I read every word.
I want mid-afternoon pick-me-ups like those! Oh, you know the ones I mean. Ok, now you've got "Afernoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band jogging through your mind and it won't leave. Earworm! Earworm!
One of my early favorite lines from Harry, imagining what someone else is assuming he's thinking tells us a lot a out him, about how he thinks, his multifaceted nature. It does all come into play.
I was not easily able to determine where things were going or would end up and I love that. One of the few things that I was able to predict was the truth surrounding the first encounter with Logan - I did see that coming before Harry realized it. This was pretty much the only time in regards to the major events and reveals. I almost think this was maybe done on purpose given the role Logan would play in Harry's life. One small thing to give us as readers to tether Logan in Harry's story and make us curious about him, to remain interested. Believe me, there is interest.
Now Harry, talk about a fully painted picture of a character. Not a portrait but a full blown landscape. He's confident about work and people, how he can read them. But then, he has real doubts about the same and their feelings towards him. I think this explains his inability to have seen Danny's true feelings about him specifically much earlier on. I was like Harry and I didn't think it was that... deep. The clues were there but I, as the reader, and Harry as the man brushed them aside as something else. That or it was just denial. Perfect example:
First fave mention:
I won't talk much of Liam. Yes, he's definitely important, but given the state of their relationship, he and Harry, as the story opens, it's used as a catalyst for many things. It's not necessarily a front burner part of the story, in a sense. The one thing I'll say is that the dominoes of deception kept lining up and I could feel the cascade of lies as being a word away from starting the noisy, if orderly, clickity click of destruction. Luckily, all will get out alive, for the most part.
The dom/sub scenes between Harry and Logan are hot, like the but they are spiced with uncertainty, hesitation and, dare I say, fledgeling connection, dangerously bordering on cautious acceptance. We do get insights and forward momentum in all of them, the few that there are.
Must. Use. Phrase. And you know you'll use it, too!! ;)
Second fave mention: a way Harry uses to describe his own reaction to something is HA!
I won't spoiler tag this line so that I can show the quality of writing, and it's intriguing, to boot: this is from Harry - Danny's not my sunshine on my rainy day, but his storm cloud crackling provides much better ambiance.
Do I need to sigh to really tell you?
Just as life keeps us guessing, so too did this story. I really didn't know, couldn't foretell, what would happen (or not) between Harry and all of Danny, Logan and Liam. Well, Liam somewhat. That was pretty serious secrecy, what he did. And getting back to Harry and Danny for a moment, there must be something there between them. Why else the strong reactions? Cut-to-the-quick relief, hurt, hope, fear, desire and doubt. All so strong.
You never know who you may find, or who finds you, who you may end up spending your days and nights with. It feels like the author reached inside a part of me and laid out my story in the sense of emotions, connections and experiences that we've probably all encountered at some point. And it was all done within a story about a rentboy service. It feels like you're not reading but rather hearing Harry's complex inner voice first hand - complex like most of ours. That may seem obvious given the first person POV, but it's more than that. The knowledge level of the character the author has created here is off the charts.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone. Anyone. ANYONE.
Bonus: after you're done licking your chops clean on this one, go and read the little freebie Tinsel Is Like Bondage For Trees , you will salivate all over again. MWAH!
I want mid-afternoon pick-me-ups like those! Oh, you know the ones I mean. Ok, now you've got "Afernoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band jogging through your mind and it won't leave. Earworm! Earworm!
One of my early favorite lines from Harry, imagining what someone else is assuming he's thinking tells us a lot a out him, about how he thinks, his multifaceted nature. It does all come into play.
I was not easily able to determine where things were going or would end up and I love that. One of the few things that I was able to predict was the truth surrounding the first encounter with Logan - I did see that coming before Harry realized it. This was pretty much the only time in regards to the major events and reveals. I almost think this was maybe done on purpose given the role Logan would play in Harry's life. One small thing to give us as readers to tether Logan in Harry's story and make us curious about him, to remain interested. Believe me, there is interest.
Now Harry, talk about a fully painted picture of a character. Not a portrait but a full blown landscape. He's confident about work and people, how he can read them. But then, he has real doubts about the same and their feelings towards him. I think this explains his inability to have seen Danny's true feelings about him specifically much earlier on. I was like Harry and I didn't think it was that... deep. The clues were there but I, as the reader, and Harry as the man brushed them aside as something else. That or it was just denial. Perfect example:
First fave mention:
I won't talk much of Liam. Yes, he's definitely important, but given the state of their relationship, he and Harry, as the story opens, it's used as a catalyst for many things. It's not necessarily a front burner part of the story, in a sense. The one thing I'll say is that the dominoes of deception kept lining up and I could feel the cascade of lies as being a word away from starting the noisy, if orderly, clickity click of destruction. Luckily, all will get out alive, for the most part.
The dom/sub scenes between Harry and Logan are hot, like the but they are spiced with uncertainty, hesitation and, dare I say, fledgeling connection, dangerously bordering on cautious acceptance. We do get insights and forward momentum in all of them, the few that there are.
Must. Use. Phrase. And you know you'll use it, too!! ;)
Second fave mention: a way Harry uses to describe his own reaction to something is HA!
I won't spoiler tag this line so that I can show the quality of writing, and it's intriguing, to boot: this is from Harry - Danny's not my sunshine on my rainy day, but his storm cloud crackling provides much better ambiance.
Do I need to sigh to really tell you?
Just as life keeps us guessing, so too did this story. I really didn't know, couldn't foretell, what would happen (or not) between Harry and all of Danny, Logan and Liam. Well, Liam somewhat. That was pretty serious secrecy, what he did. And getting back to Harry and Danny for a moment, there must be something there between them. Why else the strong reactions? Cut-to-the-quick relief, hurt, hope, fear, desire and doubt. All so strong.
You never know who you may find, or who finds you, who you may end up spending your days and nights with. It feels like the author reached inside a part of me and laid out my story in the sense of emotions, connections and experiences that we've probably all encountered at some point. And it was all done within a story about a rentboy service. It feels like you're not reading but rather hearing Harry's complex inner voice first hand - complex like most of ours. That may seem obvious given the first person POV, but it's more than that. The knowledge level of the character the author has created here is off the charts.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone. Anyone. ANYONE.
Bonus: after you're done licking your chops clean on this one, go and read the little freebie Tinsel Is Like Bondage For Trees , you will salivate all over again. MWAH!
March 25, 2023
This is why I love this site: I randomly picked up this book after seeing a review one of my friends liked. I never would have found this gem on my own. I read it in one sitting & loved it!
Since I’m not in the reviewing mood, I’ll keep it concise: Great characters, kink & some really hot sex
Since I’m not in the reviewing mood, I’ll keep it concise: Great characters, kink & some really hot sex
December 15, 2012
Holy hole in a donut. Isa K, girl, where have you been my entire m/m-reading life?
This book. Words cannot even describe it. Or rather, I can't find the words to describe it. It's ingeniously written. The narrative is smooth, which is a great plus, and I don't hate the characters. There's this beautiful edge of moral ambiguity about the whole thing that brings it to life in a non-cheesy manner. I won't say it's perfect cuz I don't like what happened with the whole Liam/Harry/Logan and how that was resolved, but that's more a personal preference from my closet romantic, so w/e.
It's interesting and has those little truisms worked in in an ironic manner. It's interesting and calls on an age-old trope in m/m, but it's also deliciously quirky. It shows the whole prostitution thing from both sides and sheds nice light on both. And yet, it's not bleak or anything. I mean, shit happens, but...life just...goes on. Much like real life.
Oh, the irony that I read this so I could read bk 1.5 (It's called Tinsel Is Like Bondage for Trees. How could I possibly resist that?)...
This book. Words cannot even describe it. Or rather, I can't find the words to describe it. It's ingeniously written. The narrative is smooth, which is a great plus, and I don't hate the characters. There's this beautiful edge of moral ambiguity about the whole thing that brings it to life in a non-cheesy manner. I won't say it's perfect cuz I don't like what happened with the whole Liam/Harry/Logan and how that was resolved, but that's more a personal preference from my closet romantic, so w/e.
It's interesting and has those little truisms worked in in an ironic manner. It's interesting and calls on an age-old trope in m/m, but it's also deliciously quirky. It shows the whole prostitution thing from both sides and sheds nice light on both. And yet, it's not bleak or anything. I mean, shit happens, but...life just...goes on. Much like real life.
Oh, the irony that I read this so I could read bk 1.5 (It's called Tinsel Is Like Bondage for Trees. How could I possibly resist that?)...
February 5, 2017
В книге есть взлеты и падения. Вначале возникли смешанные чувства, которые развеялись середине истории, и превратились в расстройство в конце.
Несмотря на то, что события так и вертятся вокруг секса, в жизни главного героя его (секса) практически нет. Это при том, что есть завязки на отношения с тремя разными персонажами. Пришлось гадать, с кем-же в итоге останется персонаж? К сожалению, итоговый выбор больше всего разочаровал.
Дело даже не в конкретном герое, с которым остался Гарри, в нескольких сценах мне прям хотелось воскликнуть "Его! Выбери его!", проблема с обоснованием выбора, которого по сути нет. Просто так сложилось...
Ну как-бы я так не люблю((
И женственность персонажа. На нее не пожалуешься, ведь автор в первом же предложении пишет о том, что Гарри твинк запертый в теле медведя, и все же... От 32 -летнего героя ожидаешь большего.
Несмотря на то, что события так и вертятся вокруг секса, в жизни главного героя его (секса) практически нет. Это при том, что есть завязки на отношения с тремя разными персонажами. Пришлось гадать, с кем-же в итоге останется персонаж? К сожалению, итоговый выбор больше всего разочаровал.
Дело даже не в конкретном герое, с которым остался Гарри, в нескольких сценах мне прям хотелось воскликнуть "Его! Выбери его!", проблема с обоснованием выбора, которого по сути нет. Просто так сложилось...
Ну как-бы я так не люблю((
И женственность персонажа. На нее не пожалуешься, ведь автор в первом же предложении пишет о том, что Гарри твинк запертый в теле медведя, и все же... От 32 -летнего героя ожидаешь большего.
September 7, 2013
Wow! Really didn't see this one coming. I read the blurb and it sounded interesting and it's about an escort service. So I'm a little geared up for what I believe will be a little shallow and a lot sexy. I got it so totally backwards. This was such a good read. It had moments of deep introspection, fun characters, emotional situations, a few romps, and was filled with sarcasm. 5 stars.
February 2, 2014
The Condor revolves around a gay escort agency ruled by a memorable and freaking hilarious MC (Harry, twink in the body of a bear);
there's the right amount of kinky and hot sex, written by a really talented writer but more than anything there's a lot to read between the lines. I loved it, above and below the surface.
there's the right amount of kinky and hot sex, written by a really talented writer but more than anything there's a lot to read between the lines. I loved it, above and below the surface.
August 6, 2023
I had so much fun reading this book! It was another buried treasure of online-published original fiction, unique of its genre, untainted by clichés, and unrestrained in creativity. The author's intended message went beyond romance, but it was also seamlessly interwoven with the romance, and I'm a sucker for this type of story.
Harry's distinct narration voice - snarky, campy, and sometimes self-deprecating - was one of the highlights of this book. I was enchanted from the first sentence and just couldn't wait to hear more about his life story.
All the main characters in this book, including Harry the protagonist, were both flawed yet lovable in their own ways. Harry (32) was a brawny guy who mourned the loss of his twinkish beauty and a flaming queen with a dominant streak (yes! this story was told from Dom's POV!). Traumatised by his early experience with the sex industry, Harry attempted to run his escort agency in a more ethical model. During the process, he found that ethics were always under challenge at work as exploitation was inevitable in the sex industry. His inclination to cling to his initial impressions of others brought him a lot of trouble, which was the main driving force of this story. He had three potential love interests:
- Liam (late 20s or early 30s): Harry's long-term boyfriend/partner, a PhD student living off Harry's income but despising his profession
- Danny (21): the newly recruited twinky bratty "straight" boy who had hopelessly imprinted on Harry (he was adorable!)
- Logan (mid or late 20s): a closeted investment banker, the victim of a rape-fantasy prank during which his submissive kink was unearthed by Harry and later turned into a manipulative stalker to force Harry to be his Dom (he resembled Warrick from The Administration series in some ways!)
I'm not going to spoil, but I bet you already know who's the best fit!
At first, I felt a little bit uncomfortable about the offensive/stereotypical language used in some of the dialogues as well as the narration, but those niggles fade away after I read the author's blog post - White Writers; Black Characters. I got the idea that the characters (sex workers) in this book were deliberately acting out their alter egos through playing into the corresponding stereotypes.
It should also be noted that this is a self-published book with poor proofreading. I kept alternating between "irritated by the mistakes" and "fascinated by the clever writing". To be honest, deciphering the sentences with missing words/typos was no fun, but it did not dampen my love for the characters and their story.
Goodreads informed me Isa K had a sequel in plan? If the project hasn't been abandoned yet, I would be eager to read more about these guys!
Harry's distinct narration voice - snarky, campy, and sometimes self-deprecating - was one of the highlights of this book. I was enchanted from the first sentence and just couldn't wait to hear more about his life story.
All the main characters in this book, including Harry the protagonist, were both flawed yet lovable in their own ways. Harry (32) was a brawny guy who mourned the loss of his twinkish beauty and a flaming queen with a dominant streak (yes! this story was told from Dom's POV!). Traumatised by his early experience with the sex industry, Harry attempted to run his escort agency in a more ethical model. During the process, he found that ethics were always under challenge at work as exploitation was inevitable in the sex industry. His inclination to cling to his initial impressions of others brought him a lot of trouble, which was the main driving force of this story. He had three potential love interests:
- Liam (late 20s or early 30s): Harry's long-term boyfriend/partner, a PhD student living off Harry's income but despising his profession
- Danny (21): the newly recruited twinky bratty "straight" boy who had hopelessly imprinted on Harry (he was adorable!)
- Logan (mid or late 20s): a closeted investment banker, the victim of a rape-fantasy prank during which his submissive kink was unearthed by Harry and later turned into a manipulative stalker to force Harry to be his Dom (he resembled Warrick from The Administration series in some ways!)
I'm not going to spoil, but I bet you already know who's the best fit!
At first, I felt a little bit uncomfortable about the offensive/stereotypical language used in some of the dialogues as well as the narration, but those niggles fade away after I read the author's blog post - White Writers; Black Characters. I got the idea that the characters (sex workers) in this book were deliberately acting out their alter egos through playing into the corresponding stereotypes.
It should also be noted that this is a self-published book with poor proofreading. I kept alternating between "irritated by the mistakes" and "fascinated by the clever writing". To be honest, deciphering the sentences with missing words/typos was no fun, but it did not dampen my love for the characters and their story.
Goodreads informed me Isa K had a sequel in plan? If the project hasn't been abandoned yet, I would be eager to read more about these guys!
April 17, 2013
Wow... this book was way better than I expected. My top reasons for loving this:
1- the characters were fascinating (complex and upredictable, but still coherent personalities)
2- it didn't feel like there was too much sex. Considering the genre and that the main characters were hookers and their clients I was expecting to have to skip quite a bit of smut. In reality the all the sex scenes were important to the plot and I don't think there was even one unjustified kiss
3- there was an intresting plot and not even once did I feel like it's the same thing I read in 100 other books. Actually, I had a hard time stopping to do anoying things like sleeping and going to work :)
I'm not giving it 5 stars only because I give those to very few books (that reaaaally impress me).
1- the characters were fascinating (complex and upredictable, but still coherent personalities)
2- it didn't feel like there was too much sex. Considering the genre and that the main characters were hookers and their clients I was expecting to have to skip quite a bit of smut. In reality the all the sex scenes were important to the plot and I don't think there was even one unjustified kiss
3- there was an intresting plot and not even once did I feel like it's the same thing I read in 100 other books. Actually, I had a hard time stopping to do anoying things like sleeping and going to work :)
I'm not giving it 5 stars only because I give those to very few books (that reaaaally impress me).
September 20, 2012
I guess you would have to know me and my tastes to be able to determine if "BDSM lite" is an appropriate tag for this book. It is for me, maybe not for everyone. But I don't really see this as a BDSM book. Kind of a kitchen sink book with a few BDSM scenes that in my opinion were lite.
Anyhoo.... this was a really enjoyable WIP - lucky for us, Isa is a fast writer so it wasn't torture waiting for each new chapter. I didn't get enough Harry and Logan for my tastes, the wrap-up was a bit hasty, but the experience was fun.
Anyhoo.... this was a really enjoyable WIP - lucky for us, Isa is a fast writer so it wasn't torture waiting for each new chapter. I didn't get enough Harry and Logan for my tastes, the wrap-up was a bit hasty, but the experience was fun.
November 29, 2012
This book was recommended to my by Tammy. It would not normally catch my eye as prostitution is not something I am remotely interested in. However it was free and I thought, give it a whirl and see. It did manage to keep my interest up due to the amazing characters.
Fangtasia has written a great review!
Fangtasia has written a great review!
December 17, 2012
Enjoyable at turns, funny some places, offensive at others, all over the place sometimes.
Still not sure how and why straight guy Danny gets so hung up on Harry.
Needs proofreading.
It was okay.
Still not sure how and why straight guy Danny gets so hung up on Harry.
Needs proofreading.
It was okay.
March 20, 2014
So entertaining, I had trouble putting it down! Of course, I don't think this is a close to realistic account of what it's like running a gay escort service (no matter how much I wanted it to be because I had so much fun reading about it). For those who like more meaning in their books- Isa K skillfully weaves witty dialogue with poignant moments of introspection that touches on how one's expectations alter the way we perceive and interact. But forget all that- it's just a fun book! The story of Harry, the jaded "madame" with a heart o' gold, and his boys is in equal parts outrageous, hilarious and also touching and even a little heart-wrenching.
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