The Powers Of Love, Book I: Origins [Paperback]

J. M. Snyder (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Powers of Love | Publication Date: October 14, 2008

Vic Braunson is a city bus driver who falls in love with Matt diLorenzo, a swimmer he meets at the gym. Something about Matt brings out the best in Vic--literally. Every time they have sex, Vic gains new superhuman powers from his lover. Can they learn to live with these abilities without losing each other? Previously available only in electronic format, these three stories in J. M. Snyder's best-selling series, The Powers of Love, have now been combined for a paperback edition! Included are the tales......The Powers Of Love (The story that started it all, a winner in the 2007 Amber Quill Heat Wave Contest. When Vic meets Matt for the first time, sparks fly. When they finally consummate their relationship, there's no denying the energy between them. But the next morning, Vic awakens to find his mind crowded with a myriad of thoughts, none of them his own. After their second night of making love, Vic is filled with unparalleled strength. Oh, and now he can fly. Just what exactly is going on here? And how does he tell Matt without alienating his new lover or ruining their budding relationship? Or does Matt know something he, himself, is only now discovering?)......Matching Tats (Vic's latest tattoo makes Matt decide he might want to get inked, too. He'd like a heart with his lover's initials in it. Vic likes the idea, and agrees to get the same tattoo, with Matt's initials inside. They have fun deciding where to put the tattoos--a spot Vic hasn't already covered turns out to be pretty hard to find. Once they decide where to get inked, Matt may not be able to go through with it. He's more than a little skittish when it comes to needles, and watching the tattoo artist at work is frightening. With the powers love gives him, however, Vic finds a way to help Matt overcome his fears.)......With This Ring (Matt's ex, Jordan, confesses all to a tabloid and spills Matt's secret in the process. After the article appears, Matt receives a phone call from a research scientist at a local condom factory who claims to have a solution to his little 'problem.' The offer is tempting--the powers Vic receives from Matt are unpredictable and scary. Matt wants to keep his lover safe, and is eager to hear what the scientist has to suggest. Vic is willing to try the cure and lose his superhero abilities for his lover's peace of mind...even if it means losing the special mental connection they share, a bond formed by the powers, a bond that has become such a part of their lives together that neither is quite prepared when it suddenly disappears.)

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602729158
• ISBN-13: 978-1602729155
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,424,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.M. Snyder is an author of gay erotic and romantic fiction who started in self-publishing and currently works with multiple electronic publishers such as Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses. A resident of Richmond, Virginia, Snyder's short stories have appeared online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies published by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica, and Ravenous Romance.

For information on all Snyder's stories, both in print and available electronically, as well as exclusive excerpts, monthly contests to win free books, free fiction, signed copies, and purchasing information, please visit my website at http://jmsnyder.net.

Positive feedback as well as occasional hate mail can be forwarded to the author at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Powers of Love, March 28, 2009

By 

Kassa - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Powers Of Love, Book I: Origins (Paperback)

The concept of superheroes living amongst everyday people is one that never fails to intrigue and entice readers. Your neighbor who could be your savior has been delighting since Superman was a reporter and Spiderman was a college student. Matt and Vic slide in perfectly with some great company, and although this is a stand-alone title, there are endless possibilities to the world Snyder creates.

Vic is a bus driver with a rough, alpha-male outwardly appearance and develops a lingering crush on a co-worker's boyfriend, Matt. Vic is charming and honest in his attempts to create opportunities to see Matt, looking for him in the local gym, trying to ask his co-worker out to drinks in hopes of Matt being there, showing a vulnerable side at odds to the stereotype created with the shaved head, tattoo, and muscular appearance. Vic has an immediate appeal to anyone who has had a crush on someone unattainable, which makes his chance meeting and ultimate pursuit of Matt entertaining.

Matt is not an easy guy to chase either. He seems elusive at first and standoffish, leaving Vic wondering if Matt is interested in him at all. Their friendship is strictly within platonic bounds for quite a while before the resulting chemistry electrifies between two attractive, sexy men. Once Matt has made a commitment though, he throws himself in fully and with all his heart.

Unfortunately for Vic and Matt, steamy sex is not the end of all problems and Vic's new powers lend an entirely new meaning to the phrase "consequences of sex". Lucky for Matt, Vic is focused on him and their love, not willing to give up someone he's worked so hard to finally have. What's a little floating and increased strength when you have someone as sexy and loveable as Matt in your life?

The hint of a back-story and some intriguing new powers of Vic's, round out an incredibly entertaining story. In a cross between a comic book and a romantic love story, Snyder has combined both skillfully, leaving you wanting more. Thankfully there are several more books in the series, starting next with "Matching Tats," then "The Bonds of Love" and finally, "With this Ring."''

5.0 out of 5 stars The Powers of Love, December 4, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Powers Of Love, Book I: Origins (Paperback)

Vic Braunson wants Matthew diLorenzo, but Matt is his co-worker's boyfriend. When Kyle and Matt break up, Vic attempts to contact Matt but he never sees him again. Months later, Matt hops on the bus Vic is driving and a friendship is born. After Vic and Matt make love, Vic notices changes in himself. How is he able to sense what others are thinking and feeling? When he starts floating off the ground and gains phenomenal strength, Vic talks to Matt and finds out that Matt's been hiding something from him.

The Powers Of Love is a story about love under extraordinary circumstances. Matt and Vic have to trust in the power of their love when their relationship turns from normal to unconventional. It's a very good story.

Vic Braunson's muscular body is covered in tattoos. After seeing his latest one, his lover Matt diLorenzo wants one too. They decide to get matching tattoos but Matt is afraid of the needles, blood and the noise the machine makes. With a little help from Matt's special power, Vic makes everything alright.

Matching Tats is terrific! Its sexy and romantic and a lot of fun. I love the way Matt and Vic interact with each other. They have such a strong connection. Matching Tats is incredibly hot and tender. It's a great sequel to The Powers Of Love.

Vic Braunson's lover Matt diLorenzo gives Vic superpowers when they make love. Only a few people know about Matt's ability. Jordan Dubrowski is one of them. Jordan and Matt were friends a long time ago, but Jordan kidnapped Matt to try and use his powers. Now Jordan is in jail, but he's just told a tabloid about Matt and his unique abilities. Vic's worried that someone is going to start coming after Matt. When Dr. Channarayapatra tells Matt that he knows about his powers and he has a way to stop them, Vic is very suspicious. Matt wants to keep Vic safe. He's worried about the sometimes dangerous situations his powers put Vic in. But is the doctor a good guy and do they really want all of Vic's powers to go away?

In With This Ring, I got a taste of what things are like when Matt and Vic are just ordinary men. I didn't like it anymore than Vic and Matt did. They are still awesome guys but I missed their private connection as much as they did. With This Ring has some great super powered moments. Vic's hot hands and his ability to float are hilarious. I love Vic's protectiveness of Matt and Matt's devotion to Vic. Matt and Vic's adventures really are like an erotic comic book! With this Ring is another great story in the Powers of Love series.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5.0 out of 5 stars The Powers Of Love 1: Origins by J.M. Snyder, October 19, 2008

By 

Elisa (Italy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Powers Of Love, Book I: Origins (Paperback)

The Powers of Love by J.M. Snyder

Vic is a simple man with a tough look: shaved (in all body), muscular and shy. He meets Matt, but when knows he is the new buddy of a co-worker, he back up, fearing to proprose himself. Matt is a quite handsome man, not impressive, but somewhat alluring.

Months pass and Vic learns that Matt is now free and they soon begin to see each other but Matt impose a rule: not sex on the first date. But the first date pass and also the second, and also some weeks and the months and still Matt refuses to make sex with him. Finally on the New Year Eve, the fireworks happens also in Vic's house, not only outside. And it's a beautiful night and they speak of love.

But the morning after strange things happen to Vic: he reads minds, he has extraordinary strenght and he can fly! He is not at all happy with that, he is scared and he fears to loose Matt. But maybe Matt is part of the problem...

A strange and brief tale, I believe J.M. Snyder is considering to write more about this couple. Stil it's very interesting cause the character of Vic is irresistible: he looks like a wild bear and instead is a teddy bear. I'm curious to see what J.M. Snyder will do with this wonderful character.

Matching Tats by J.M. Snyder

We have seen Matt and Vic in The Powers of Love: Matt has the ability to give supernatural power through sex and Vic, who is just a sturdy man with a tender heart receives all of these powers.

Even if Vic is stronger and bigger than Matt, he is a submissive by nature. He loves to bottom, but he is a really strong bottom, commanding and demanding. And he has a passion for tattoo. Tattoo turns him on and now Matt want a tattoo for himself, a tattoo which claims his love for Vic.

But Matt fears the pain and Vic has to find a way to soothe him.

A really short story, maybe you will appreciate better if you have just read The Powers of Love. Vic is a really tender character: he has a rought look, but he is like a teddy bear and Matt is overwhelmed by this man, by all the love this man can share. Hot and joyful sex scenes.

With This Ring by J.M. Snyder

Another adventure in the Vic and Matt's series. They are partners since 5 years and more or less they have learnt to live with the "powers" that Matt passes to Vic during sex. Vic sometime has to stay at home, when the daily power prevents him to go to work, but all in all he is pretty comfortable with them. He is not an usual superhero, he doesn't use the powers to do "great" things, instead he is an ordinary man who helps the people around him, like those retired grandparents who help the kid to cross the street outside school.

But Matt is always worried for his man, he hates when he puts himself in danger, even if he is doing so to help the other. And so when a doctor for a R&D department of a condoms firm suggests that he has a solution for their problems, Matt is willing to try. But loosing the powers means also loosing the telepathic connection he has with Vic: are they ready to become "normal" lovers?

What I like in this series, is that the paranormal element is dealt as an almost "normal" event in the day-to-day life of Vic and Matt. All in all they remain a simple gay couple, who like to do normal thing, like doing shopping (well Matt likes it) and cuddle on the couch in front of the television. Vic has not changed from the simple bus driver who was when he first met Matt, he still considers himself an all too simple man, someone not worthy of Matt's love, who always is wondering why an handsome man like Matt should decide to be his lover. For this reason Vic is very jealous of his man, and even if he is totally convinced of Matt's loyalty, so is not for the other men, that he always believes ready to steal Matt from him.