Smolder

Vertex

by Soren Summers

Ambitious office drone Zachary Glazer just wants to come home for the holidays, but strange things are happening in the snowy town of Huster.

There’s this man at work with a razor smile and a cadre of alluring executives. There’s that handsome stranger who just moved in next door, the one with a perfect body and a shrouded past. And what about those fires all over town?

Huster is supposed to be quiet, and boring, and cold. Why all this weirdness? Why now? The questions stack up like kindling in the back of Zach’s mind, and a single spark is all it will take for his whole world to go up in flames.

This romantic horror story is approximately 40,000 words in length.

Genres: M M Romance, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Paranormal, Science Fiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2016

About the author

Hi, Soren here. After 15 years spent working in lifestyle journalism and public relations I decided it was time to stop selling other people’s stories and start telling my own. I’m obsessed with writing about ordinary people struggling against overwhelming supernatural odds. I’ve also been told that I’m kind of charming. No, really.

I love video games, staying home on the weekends, and geeky guys. I'm great with animals and I have a soft spot for cats, dogs, and geeky guys. My favorite edibles are pizza, coffee, and geeky guys. My favorite shows are RuPaul's Drag Race, Better Off Ted, and anything that has geeky guys in it. Also my friends say I have a one-track mind but they have no idea what they're talking about.

Reviews

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't give half stars but it's 4.5 Stars.

http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...

The well named Smolder was incredibly interesting, the characters very well developed, especially given the word count. I’m also giving a big shout out to Mrs. Wexler. You rock, Tabitha. I liked Zach a lot, but I fell right into Nathan – ah, Nathan – I even yelled at Zach in my only status update on Goodreads because of my Nathan adoration, I love it when a book can pull that passion from me. Monster was awfully close to being my Book of the Year in 2016 and Soren Summers is without a doubt one of the brightest, more clever writers I’ve read in quite some time, and I’m not pigeonholing him in this genre when I say that. The Vertex series is looking mighty shiny in his hands after book #1.5 being such a good follow-up to the force that is Monster. Do yourself a huge favour and pick up Smolder or Monster and start your addiction to this series as soon as possible. 4.5 Stars!

Re-read in March 2020 Loved it as much this time around and still noticed that Zach annoyed me a couple of times because, hello, Nathan is hot, and not just because he's gorgeous. That boy has skills.

You can read Smolder without having read any of the other Vertex series books. It's definitely worth it because it's just that bit different in the (mm) genre and it's well written and edited, plus it's engaging, humorous, and has an edge to it.

I would definitely love a follow up book for this pair.

[Soren Summers]

Hey everyone,

Smolder is a lighter holiday-themed story with a little more humor than you'll find in my other books. It may be read as a standalone and features a different main couple from the one seen in Monster and Parasite.

Just to be clear, this is not Vertex book #1.5. You can find the actual book #1.5 (Siren) for free on my website. Smolder isn't part of the series and may be read on its own, but it is set in the same universe, so expect to find similar concepts and perhaps one or two characters in common.

That's all, think yew.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate this one. I liked it, it wasn't bad, but I wish it would have had more pages, more depth in the plot and the characters interaction. Still, quite entertaining.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smolder is not the next book for Jarod and Gabriel but it’s got 2 new guys and I see there may be a lot of people dropping in and out of this sci fictiony world while Vertex moves its tentacles about. The company Zach works for is in the middle of a merger with a new company to them, always fun times when you need your job and there’s a merger. More interesting for us readers when it’s Vertex taking over, if you read Monster you’ll know what I’m saying. While Vertex has its interesting points I wouldn’t wanna work for them and the people at DomestiCore seem more like my kinda people. You know how some of your work mates just say what they want because you pretty much all get along? Tobi Wexler has this family style company in Huster with employees that are loyal and weird. I reckon if I’m reading Soren Summer’s books the people are going to have some weirdness.

“We’ll see you back upstairs, Phyllis,” Stuart calls out. “You should smile more. You keep scaring the interns.”
“Eat a dick, Stuartson.” Phyllis stuffs the rest of her pastry into her mouth and stalks for the exit, chewing furiously.

There's a new hot guy moving into Zach's complex. He's so hot he's smoldering. They have a dick of a landlord and there's a dog. I love my dogs so I'm all for reading about peeps who look out for dogs like Zach and Nate. I really like Nate's way of looking out for the little brown dog, and what's with the dog saying ruff? I'm sure he did. I think I'm stoned, lol.

Funny and sexy and sweet too. Not horror or darker as Monster is.
http://cockyreviews.com/smolder-soren...

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a sequel to Monster but it's set in the same urban fantasy world that's not really too different to ours. I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't a sequel but it is still an excellent book. I'm just hoping that Soren Summer's is building up all these stories and that the people from each story get to meet and take down the big bad.

Smoulder is another excellent read

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smolder
By Soren Summers
Self published, 2016
129 pages
Four stars

This is the second book in the Vertex series, set in a recognizable modern world that doesn’t seem dystopian at first. The common thread, established with Summers’s first book, “Monster,” is the dark corporate presence of Vertex, a vast global research and manufacturing conglomerate whose motto is “All for the betterment of mankind.” Vertex is known to do a lot of good in the world. But it’s the other stuff they do that worries people.

We meet Zach Glazer, personal assistant to the fatherly CEO of DomestiCore, Tobias Wexler. He’s a year into what seems like the beginning of a career, his first job away from his slightly smothering parents. Then a potentially revolutionary product draws the attention of John Hargrove, CEO of Vertex, whose minions descend on the small city of Huster like a swarm of Armani-clad locusts.

And then it gets really weird.

As Zach’s best friend and co-worker Stuart Stuartson grows strangely distant, Zach discovers a new neighbor, the impossibly beautiful Nathan, who is prone to under-dressing for winter and being unable to do simple things like turn on his stove.

“Monster” was more action-packed and adventure-like; while “Smolder” is a slow burn (heh), a bit more romantic, based largely on Zach’s status as an innocent outsider watching the sinister advance of Vertex as it begins to unravel the life he’s trying to hard to build. As with “Monster,” the little characters often give us surprising insights into human nature, and there is an emphasis on how people care for each in the face of adversity (and creepy corporate imperialism).

I really enjoyed this, and want to know where Summers will take us next time.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was such a precious read! And Soren Summers is definitely the author I will follow closely for whatever it is he might write next. This is the second book he wrote that I read, the first one being Monster, and while I loved Monster, I enjoyed this one even more for some reason. His style is amazing, the writing is vivid, very well paced, it feels structured and serious, but it is also sexy and dark, and I adore the humourous bits that seep through. Also, I am not too big on descriptions, and I hate when writers do too much of those, but damn, I could read Soren Summers describing how boys look for something like zillion pages and I wouldn't get bored--this guy has a true gift! The characters feel very real, and are very easy to relate to, especially Zach. I wasn't a huge fan of Nathan, I kinda cheered for Zach/Stu to happen (yeah I know!! shoot me!!) but this still left me super satisfied with the way it ended. I don't like fluff, and this isn't exactly fluffy, more like really nice that makes you feel warm and I don't even know what I'm saying except that I loved it and every bit of this story is just perfect!

[Harper Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the alternate universe that Soren Summers has created! I've never loved a supernatural element with a horror twist more than I do in the universe where the big bad Vertex rules all. If you haven't read Monster, I suggest picking it up. Smolder can be read as a standalone but it will make so much more sense if you have the background info surrounding the oddities that occur. 4.5 stars of magically delicious goodness!

[Line]

Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Smolder-Soren-...

[Pamela Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Vertext novel

This was a decent read in this book we have different characters than from the previous three books of this series . In this book we meet Nathan one of Vertex test subjects who has escaped from his facility it's not stated it it's the same one from the previous book's seeing that Vertex has many such facilities around the world . This book revolves around Nathan/ex test subject and Zach and employ of a company that Vertex has come to town to make a merger with but of course nothing with Vertex is ever what it seems they are really there too try and bring Nathan back into the fold plus also the company they want to take over has created a new flame resistant material . Which they need since Nathan is a fire starter . In the meantime Vertex has put everyone under their control in the company the only way to free the people from Zack 's company is to drive Vertex out it won't be easy but with Nate's help they do just that . But of course with Vertex it's never truly over .

[Nerdy Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soren Summers is one of my favorite discoveries of 2016. He blew me away with his take on romantic horror with Monster and Smolder; his follow-up kept me just as engaged.

Check out my review for Monster here: http://gaybook.reviews/2016/12/23/mon...

What should you know about Smolder? It doesn’t follow our MC’s Gabriel and Jarod from the first book. We pick up with new guys, however, the storyline ties into a series of events that occur in Monster.

Smolder takes place in the same universe, and Vertex is still the big bad with overarching abilities.

Zachary works for Tobias Wexler, the CEO of DomestiCore, a company that is about to merge with Vertex. He’s a glorified personal assistant.

Nathan is Zachary’s next door neighbor. His incredibly hot (haha you’ll see what I did there if you read both books. I made a corny funny!) next door neighbor. Zachary is caught spying on Nathan through his window while he settles into his new apartment. Rather than make things awkward, Nathan comes over to introduce himself and asks for Zachary’s help with a minor home repair. Cheesy? Absolutely but it works, and it’s a pretty adorable way to make the reader fall for Nathan.

At work, things are stressful for Zachary. He’s only been in his position for six months. He’s wondering if he will be able to keep his job once the merger happens. He’s assured that he will. He has goals. He wants to get a promotion and do so much more. He wants to show his parents and his ex back home that he’s cut out for big city life in Huster.

The opening scene of the book takes place at a meeting with the CEO of Vertex Jonathan Hargrove, Tobias Wexler, and Ayesha with Zachary sitting in and taking notes. Ayesha works in human resources for Vertex (which is a funny and highly accurate title for her job). She’s beautiful and impressive much like Jonathan Hargrove and the rest of employees at Vertex. They all seem perfect. Perfect looks, perfect clothes, perfect jobs.

SOMETHING ISN’T RIGHT IN DODGE and it all begins with an awkward encounter between Zachary and his friend Stuart.

Um, did I say how much I love Soren Summers? His stories start off slow, and I always find myself saying, “Uh… is anything interesting going to happen here?” BUT HE’S SO BRILLIANT BECAUSE THAT’S HOW IT’S ALL SUPPOSED TO GO DOWN. The slow burn people, the slow burn, is so worthwhile.

I didn’t think this story would work considering the short page length, but it does. It works because I know there’s more to come in the universe where Vertex rules all and I am on board for the ride.

4.5 scorching (haha another corny funny) stars. I honestly crack myself up writing these reviews.

Reviewed for Gay Book Reviews
http://gaybook.reviews/2016/12/26/smo...

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the protagonist and how Hargrove was portrayed and utilized within this story. I also loved how this novel enriched the mythology of the Vertex universe. The love story was kinda underdeveloped and so was some of the plot points, but whatever. I had fun.

[Denise White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was a good read .... I liked both MC'S and the plot...it gives more insight into Vertex as well ... Off to Parasite ....

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach

4.5 Stars

There’s a reason I loved this book. It’s for very much the same reason Soren Summers’ debut novel, Monster, made my Best of 2016 list. This author knows his way around the telling of a story that keeps you on the hook with a little eerie, a little awesome, and a little romance—which is a great juxtaposition when you find yourself rooting for a happy ending amidst the absence of pleasance that is this -verse’s default setting.

Related to but not necessarily intertwined with book one in the Vertex series, Summers gives us a further look at the workings of the corporation and its leader, Jonathan Hargrove, in Smolder. Working for the betterment of mankind is the party line, but it’s evident that the methods of Hargrove’s madness are somewhat at odds with humanity’s overall wellbeing. He’s creepy as hell, to be blunt about it, and this book only makes him seem more so; somewhat more malevolent too. Vertex is inclined to spread its self-proclaimed beneficence like a virus swooping in unchecked from place to place. And, in this case, from person to person—let’s just say that Hargrove’s headitors give the term hostile takeover a new meaning, and their latest prey, DomestiCore, has something Vertex covets.

There’s a catch, though—and there’s always a catch, isn’t there?—that being that Hargrove and his drones purposefully harvested and then unwittingly nurtured a formidable foe…maybe one who had some influence in the events at the end of Monster? For certain there’s a question mark in my mind over the way we left Jarod and Gabriel, one I hope might carry over into future books in a “you reap what you sow” kind of way; though it’s hard to nock Smolder into the series timeline, so I may be way off base.

Smolder is told in the present tense, as was Monster, which isn’t always a storytelling style I warm up to, but for this series it works so well. The way Summers guides readers through “real-time” revelations of all the unusual (or downright macabre) events gives readers a more intimate sense of involvement in every scene, and complements the atmosphere he fashions throughout the narrative. Told from Zachary Glazer’s point of view, he is a loyal DomestiCore employee and the personal assistant to the company’s founder, Tobias Wexler. Zach is the kind of man who keeps lists and has his life goals mapped out, determined to be more and better than his ex-boyfriend predicted he’d ever be. But Zach isn’t exactly on the fast track to success, and his career plans start to derail little by little with Vertex’s intrusion in DomestiCore’s business.

And then, his personal life takes on an interesting plot twist when a new guy moves into his apartment complex.

Nathan is that guy. He’s an enigma who catches Zach’s eye for any number of reasons, and intrigues him—and readers, by association—with some unusual behaviors and innocent requests that make him seem more child than man. Or, at least, unprepared to live on his own in the real world. There’s something different about Nathan, something about him that makes him seem “other”, and we get to learn why he isn’t like other guys right along with Zach, the more suspicious of and smitten with Nathan Zach becomes. There are things about Nathan that just aren’t normal. But, then again, normal in this series is entirely relative.

As the mysteries of both Nathan and Nathan’s connection to Vertex play out in intersecting storylines, Summers adds a little tension in Smolder in the growing connection between Nathan and Zach. They begin with a series of awkwardish encounters that endeared me to both characters with the quickness, those interactions becoming increasingly fraught with attraction and tension and the eventual suspicion on Zach’s part that Nathan is hiding something. Finding out exactly who Nathan is—and what he can do—drives the story along. Not only was it easy to root for Nathan and Zach to find their way to each other, it was also great just to hope they’d live through what I’m going to start calling the Vertex Effect because where there is Vertex, there’s always some sort of creepy effect left in its wake.

While Smolder‘s length doesn’t provide the word count necessary to delve deeper into the horror that pervades Vertex and its business practices like Monster does, it’s still a delicious taste of the malevolence and manipulation this series is building around. Would I recommend reading this book without having read Monster first? Not really, but, then again, I am a bit biased toward the book. Monster is the genesis, the origin story, and Smolder succeeds at adding another layer of intrigue to the already firm foundation of dread laid in book one. I want more.