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Brandon Shire
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Cold (Gay Romance) Kindle Edition

by Brandon Shire (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
Book 1 of the Cold Series - A Gay Prison Romance

Prison is a brutal, heartless, and demeaning environment. No one knows this better than a man sentenced to life in prison for murder. Lem Porter is a high-profile prisoner who had a solid career ahead of him in a field he loved until he killed his brother. He has spent almost eighteen years behind bars and doesn’t have much hope left.

Anderson Passero had it all. He built a career, a name, and a relationship with a man he thought he loved. Only after he very publicly landed in prison did he realize how ignorant he’d been. He has eight months left on his sentence and he is eager to go home and put prison life behind him. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will always carry these eight months with him, and they may just help him to understand what love really means.
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  1. Print length
    227 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    May 14, 2013
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Beautifully written. I know when I open a book by this author I am not going to be blindsided by hearts and flowers but it will be a real, in your face absorption of a read. Cold therefore did not disappoint.
  • Foxylutely Books

Highly Recommended. Sweet and romantic and lovely amidst the cold, hard reality of their lives in prison. This was really fabulous.
  • Joyfully Jay Reviews

A great book to get lost in from an obviously talented writer.
  • Busy Moms Book Reviews

An excellent example of great storytelling. What I loved about the emotional and physical connection between these two men was the hope I felt, it was profound and my heart was full reading it.
  • Sinfully Sexy Books

About the Author

Award winning writer BRANDON SHIRE is a distinct voice in contemporary gay fiction. Chosen as a Top Read in 2011, Best in LGBTQ Fiction for 2011 & 2012, and garnering several Honorable Mentions, as well as a Rainbow Award for Best Gay Contemporary Fiction, Mr. Shire has been labelled by readers and reviewers as a "Master Storyteller." Ten percent of the proceeds from the sale of any of Brandon's books are donated to LGBT Youth charities combating homelessness.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CT9X5WA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TPG Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 14, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 227 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1301558551
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

About the author

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Brandon Shire

Brandon Shire

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Great stories should not depend on gender or sexual preference of a character, but instead upon the strength of the characters and the honesty and urgency of the story.

Brandon Shire proves he understands the complexity of writing LGBT fiction from two very different viewpoints - serious and smexy. His serious fiction is written for those who enjoy a book which explores life's darker elements in a more literary form, while the smexy fiction is for those who enjoy a graphically erotic romance.

Regardless of the differentiation above, Brandon writes for people who enjoy being challenged, and for those who strive to understand situations they don't typically encounter. He pens raw, emotional stories about characters which readers will either love or love to hate.

Life and love are pretty damned special, but neither is always perfect. Life can be painful, and real love hard to find. Brandon's fiction is an exploration of the (sometimes) arduous search for the happiness we all desire.

BRANDON SHIRE was chosen as a Top Read in 2011, Best in LGBTQ Fiction for 2011 & 2012, and garnered several Honorable Mentions and a Rainbow Award for Best Gay Contemporary Fiction.

Visit his website for more information. brandonshire.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
99 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a beautiful prison love story with well-developed characters and clear writing. They describe it as an emotional read, with one customer noting the strong feelings for Anderson, and another mentioning its stark and brutal honesty. Customers appreciate the book's authenticity and consider it worth their time.

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Story qualityEmotional contentWriting qualityEnjoymentCharacter developmentAuthenticityBeauty
18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the prison love story in this book, with one customer noting it's a tale of redemption.

"...The love story was interesting to me. The setting just does not scream romance. Romance, however, is what we get. At times it was sweet...." Read more

"...This expands your mind and makes you see humanity in ways you might not otherwise: his blind MC in one series, prison inmates in this one, a man who..." Read more

"...It is a harsh world and portrayed that way. The story is beautifully crafted and takes the reader right into the world of inhabited by Lem and..." Read more

"This was a quick, page-turning read that I really didn't want to end. The characters were well-developed and it was easy to care for them...." Read more

9 customers mention "Emotional content"7 positive2 negative

Customers describe this book as an emotional read, with one customer noting the strong feelings between the characters, while another appreciates how it makes readers see humanity.

"...He is a gifted writer. Cold was an emotional read for me. I knew going in it would be difficult at times for me to read...." Read more

"...This expands your mind and makes you see humanity in ways you might not otherwise: his blind MC in one series, prison inmates in this one, a man who..." Read more

"...This was an emotional read. I don't typically read books in this genre but because of Brandon Shire's masterful storytelling, I will read more...." Read more

"...redemption, self-discovery, repentance, fear, happiness, and ultimately sadness...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's writing style, describing it as clear and emotional.

"I have to admit I love Brandon Shire. He is a gifted writer. Cold was an emotional read for me...." Read more

"I am a huge fan of Brandon Shire, and have found his writing to be emotional and honest. In my opinion, he's one of the best out there today...." Read more

"...That being said, I will not hesitate to read the next installment! Well done and highly recommended." Read more

"...To me, that is the mark of a true artist...." Read more

8 customers mention "Enjoyment"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book awesome and well worth their time, with one customer describing it as sweet.

"...Romance, however, is what we get. At times it was sweet. Again though, Mr Shire kept it real...." Read more

"...It's enjoyable, rather than heart-wrenching—and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Sometimes we need a bit of a breather...." Read more

"...It was all done superbly...." Read more

"...All I know is that I will read this again. So worth it. Thank you Brandon for sharing your talent with us." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters are well-developed and have interesting contrasts.

"...For me this was a story of contrasts. Contrasts between characters, contrasts within characters, contrasts in the environment...." Read more

"...The characters were well-developed and it was easy to care for them...." Read more

"...Brandon Shire has created such a realistic, flawed, yet loveable character in Lem that I was drawn to him right from the beginning chapters...." Read more

"This is truly a character driven novel. I can't put my finger on just one thing that I liked about this story. It was all done superbly...." Read more

5 customers mention "Authenticity"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, finding it realistic, with one customer noting it is drawn with stark and brutal honesty.

"...book to anyone looking for a beautifully written romance that is realistic...." Read more

"...fan of Brandon Shire, and have found his writing to be emotional and honest. In my opinion, he's one of the best out there today...." Read more

"...The prison environment is the other major character. Drawn with stark and brutal honesty, it becomes part of the heart and soul of who and what..." Read more

"...Brandon Shire has created such a realistic, flawed, yet loveable character in Lem that I was drawn to him right from the beginning chapters...." Read more

4 customers mention "Beauty"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one noting its colorful prose.

"...It's colorful in it's prose. You just feel like you're right there with these men & the world that surrounds them...." Read more

"Amazingly Beautiful..." Read more

"Sexy, Sweet, and Suspenseful..." Read more

"COLD by Brandon Shire is complex, beautiful and emotionally draining..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Frances Hampton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have to admit I love Brandon Shire. He is a gifted writer.
    Cold was an emotional read for me. I knew going in it would be difficult at times for me to read. No, not because I am a straight momma/granny. But because I have a child in prison. He will not be getting out in my lifetime. I know prison is a violent place. My son knows I do. However, much like Anderson, he tries to shield it from me. Because I love him I let him think he is doing that well. I have also grieved at his loss for a family of his own. What I loved most about this book was the hope it gave me. In my grieving I had not let in the possibility he could meet someone in there. So I would like to say thank you to Mr. Shire for showing me that.
    Cold is realistic. Prison is not nice. It is not easy. But it is home to millions of people all over the world. There is a "normalcy" to be found inside. Relationships, (good and bad), work, time to watch tv, play games read or just stare at the ceiling, along with meals and showers are a part of life there. So is extreme violence and never having a real moment of privacy. Mr. Shire writes that entire world in. It is strange to think of normalcy when you speak of prison but when you are there for years, that is what it is. I appreciate the glimpse into the day to day where monotony rules with fear. The violence that we witness is heart-pounding real but not gratuitous. As hard as those scenes were to read they were a necessary part of the story.
    The love story was interesting to me. The setting just does not scream romance. Romance, however, is what we get. At times it was sweet. Again though, Mr Shire kept it real. There are male with male sex scenes and it is clearly written. I did not feel at all uncomfortable reading it, (which has happened more than once in straight romance books). I believe it was because the sex was not just thrown out there for titillation. It was lovemaking, albeit in a strange place for me. I thought it beautiful.
    Anderson is getting ready for release and so we meet his sister and his mom. Hearing Anderson's thoughts on his mom's visit was especially interesting to me. I am happy that was not left out. we get to know Anderson fairly well. Not so much Lem. It is Lem who intrigues me so much. Maybe it is the mystery. Maybe it is the long sentence or a combination of the two. I want to know more about him.
    The story leaves off with Anderson being released and Lem thinking about parole. Happily there is another book coming, hopefully soon. I am looking forward to it.

    I recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautifully written romance that is realistic. As stated it has violence, language and sex, (male with male), so be aware of that. I really do hope that will not keep you away as it is a truly fascinating romance. Easily 5 stars.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Love Me Some Fiction
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Good, Solid Story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am a huge fan of Brandon Shire, and have found his writing to be emotional and honest. In my opinion, he's one of the best out there today. Cold (and the next in the series, Heart of Timber) are the last of his books that I bought to read.

    I enjoyed this book and once again was drawn into a world much different than mine. It's one I'm uncomfortable with: prison. I don't know why, but even as a child one of my greatest fears was that I'd eventually be put in prison, the military or be sent to boarding school. This was during a time that women seldom served in the military, and I'm female! Even so, I'm drawn to stories about people in prison. I guess I like the psychological scare it still gives me.

    It also gave the story a backdrop that isn't your usual setting. I love that about Brandon Shire. He is a master at creating worlds or characters that are unusual. This expands your mind and makes you see humanity in ways you might not otherwise: his blind MC in one series, prison inmates in this one, a man who spent years in a mental hospital, and a death you're aware of right at the beginning of another.

    Everything about the story was good, but I didn't get as much emotion from Cold. I suppose that's because of the setting. In prison it seems to me you'd try very hard to turn emotion off. So I get it, but it took the book from one I'd read a second time to simply a very good one time read.

    I would recommend this book for sure. It isn't a "Oh my God, you HAVE to read this book" like some of his others are, but it's a book well worth your time. It's enjoyable, rather than heart-wrenching—and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Sometimes we need a bit of a breather. For me, this was one of those. (The Afflicted series wasn't heart-wrenching either, but emotions were explored more. That made it a book that connected deeper for me.)

    I've moved on to Heart of Timber now. We'll see if that one continues to be "a very enjoyable read" or rips my heart and guts out like Shire has done in the past., Either way, I'm betting I'll be glad I read it. I almost hate to finish Heart of Timber. Once I do, I'll be out of Brandon Shire books until he releases a new one!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Foxylutely Books!
    5.0 out of 5 stars We found love in a hopeless place!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another beautifully written book by the wonderful Brandon Shire. I know when I open a book by this author I am not going to be blindsided by hearts and flowers but it will be a real, in your face absorption of a read. Cold therefore did not disappoint.

    The story centres on Lem and Anderson and their connection when they meet in the dim and soulless place of prison.

    Lem is a lifer who was convicted for the murder of his brother some twenty years ago. He is a giant of a man but a gentle one at that. He has lost all hope of ever having the life he set out to have when he was a younger man. Living his life with his love for the outdoors and the forestry job he so passionately adored but which was cruelly taken from him after he committed the ultimate crime of his brother's murder. Lem has accepted his punishment and will not consider any other life other that what he now has inside the prison walls. He is a man with no life, no fear and no hope. Each day he plods on with his now monotonous life, keeping himself to himself with his protective shield of fear he portrays to the other prisoners.

    Anderson has served eight years in prison after being betrayed by his lover and being a party to a crime he was blinded to avoid. We meet Anderson in the final eight months of his sentence which is also the books timespan. He has spent his time keeping his head down and out of trouble, waiting for the day he can walk out of the prison walls and continue with his life. But then he comes to the attention of an inmate who will not take no for an answer which results in a barbaric episode that brings a together Lem and Anderson in an explosive connection.

    OK just let me get this off my chest... I LOVE LEM! There I said it and I want to rave about with a placard proclaiming this. I just wanted to grab hold of that gentle giant and pour all my love for him in one ginormous hug. He had me in bits, absolutely so. He was so misunderstood and such a tragic soul. Little was said of his full background and why he came to be as he was so there is so much more to understand about Lem.

    Anderson was the more open of the pairing and at first he was petrified of Lem after what happened in that prison corridor but after time he could not ignore the invisible pull that transpired between them. It was a slow and torturous build up to their final connection but it was blissfully portrayed when the scenes of their togetherness were read.

    I loved the interaction with Anderson and his sister on her weekly visits (she is kick ass and a great secondary character!) and his mother was a force to be reckoned with. Talk about a lioness and her cubs!

    The ending was a heart wrench of a read. When I was reading it I was not aware there was another book in the making (yay!) so thinking there was nothing else but what happened I was in blubs. That beautiful man and that beautiful last night have left a lasting impression on me. I thought about it for days afterwards and still now get that heart stutter of a feeling. Wonderful read and cannot wait for the next in the series.
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  • NoOne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you so much Mr Shire
    Reviewed in Germany on October 3, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love is not easy to find, explore and much harder to hold. Is there even a thing like true love?
    And like you wrote, everything has its costs. The more precious it is, the more it costs. We do not find Happy Endings just laying there on the road. Five stars for your courage by creating this story.
    Dear potential reader, I would like to know, how the story goes on. And isn't it saying everything?
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  • LenaRibka
    3.0 out of 5 stars This book didn't work for me
    Reviewed in Germany on December 29, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am in a tiny minority here.
    But this book didn't make my heart race.
    There are some really hot scenes towards the end of the book, but even they were not able to save the impression of the whole story for me.
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  • Avid
    3.0 out of 5 stars Left feeling indifferent but not a bad read at all
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I just didnt connect with this book even though I really wanted to. This is the second book I have read by this author and I have to say I preferred the story of the first one (The Value of Rain) though I could see that the authors writing skills were much stronger in this latest book. I can see the author has a great ability to develop characters and he is always keeps his story to the point and does not over-fluff the plot - which I like. The sex scenes did arouse me which is good considering I am more of a visual person so clearly the attention to detail here was great without being stereotypically seedy prison sex. I finished the book very quickly but was just left feeling nothing. I didn't back and think 'great' and I didnt complain that I had spent hours of my life reading Shire's work. I have heard there is a second book and for sure I will give this a go - purely out of curiosity about the characters Lem and Anderson.
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  • Tracy Shayler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Book!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was not really sure what to expect from this book so it sat on my Kindle for a while until the second book in the series was downloaded. I have just finished reading Cold and although the ending was a little emotional I really did enjoy it.
    Lem has been in prison for nearly Twenty years after being convicted of killing his brother. He is a gentle giant and I love his character. Anderson was convicted of dealing and selling drugs and is near the end of his sentence. Although very different these two guys become friends and manage to deal with the violence and mental problems that come with being locked up. There is lots going on in this book and I found myself rushing to get to the next page as I so wanted these two men to give in to their feelings for each other. I found the ending a little emotional but am very happy I have the next book to start straight away!
    Great Characters, Good Story, Excellent Writing!
    Highly recommend!
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