Padme's Library: Imagines by NR Walker

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Imagines by NR Walker

Title: Imagines

Author: NR Walker

Series: Imago #2

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: April 10, 2017

Cover Design: Harper By Design

Summary:
Imagines is the Latin plural for Imago, and the only thing better than one metamorphosis, is two.

Jack Brighton and Lawson Gale have been together for six months and are very much in love. Lawson’s work ensuring the survival of the Tillman Copper is demanding as ever, and Jack’s work with the regeneration of the bushfire-ravaged national park is just as hectic.

When Jack suggests they take a short trip, Lawson agrees. But then he is offered a two-week research position in tropical Queensland to help determine why the Ulysses butterfly is on the decline. Figuring they could combine work and pleasure, Jack and Lawson go on their first vacation together.

Working alongside renowned professor Piers Bonfils isn’t easy. But personal and professional differences aside, Lawson is offered a more permanent role in Queensland. Torn between his new life in Tasmania with Jack and a dying species of butterfly he feels compelled to save, Lawson has to decide where his fate lies.

But fate changes the rules. On a research expedition into the depths of the rainforest, suddenly it's not only the butterflies’ existence that hangs in the balance

A butterfly’s life cycle never changes. From larvae to imago, their course is plotted by design. Jack and Lawson need to determine where they stand, if they live through it. Because the only thing more incredible than one imago is two.

My favorite geek and his ranger are back and what a delicious welcome it is. Lawson and Jack have been together for six months now and have loved every minute of it. As they begin to plan a little vacation a work crisis has arisen that requires Lawson's expertise in all things butterfly and suddenly their little getaway becomes a working holiday. Which is about all you'll get from me concerning the plot.

Imagines is a beautiful look at the couple's journey that blends the obvious passion for each other with the passion they both feel for their work, which is something most couples desire but never quite get. NR Walker's scenery description is practically a character in itself and it's done so stunningly natural that you don't even notice it being a place and not a person.

Is Imagines as good as Imago? Probably not, sequels rarely are but it's about as close as an author can get. Personally, I think the only thing different is the lack of the "wooing" factor, now that's not to say it's a copy of book one because it most certainly is not. You have a couple in an established relationship but it is most definitely not boring and the boys are definitely not blasé about what they have, there is still lots of learning and discovery to be had. We meet their families, albeit briefly but memorable, we see them both in their occupational prime, well Lawson anyway but considering Jack is on vacation he too manages to get his feet wet, but most importantly we see them continue to grow as a couple.

When it comes right down to it, Lawson and Jack have what most of us want. Their journey made me smile, laugh, cry, bite my nails, turn on the old AC at times but mostly Imagines made my heart flutter. Whether we hear from Lawson and Jack again, I don't know, I'd like to think we haven't seen the last of them but if we have the Imago duology is a beautiful journey of love, laughter, heart, and of course butterflies that I can't possibly begin to recommend enough.

RATING:

Imago #1
Summary:
Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a quest from an old professor to find an elusive species that may or may not even exist.

Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton, is an ordinary guy who loves his life in the sleepy town of Scottsdale. Along with his Border collie dog, Rosemary, his job, and good friends, he has enough to keep from being lonely.

But then he meets Lawson, and he knows he’s met someone special. There’s more to catching butterflies, Jack realises. Sometimes the most elusive creatures wear bowties, and sometimes they can’t be caught at all.

Lawson soon learns there are butterflies he can’t learn about it in books. They exist only in a touch, in a kiss, in a smile. He just has to let go first, so these butterflies can fly.

Imago is the story of finding love, bowties, and butterflies.

Who knew geekiness could be so appealing? Well, I could because I find intelligence to be extremely sexy but in this case Jack does too. Lawson sees himself as a social outcast, not that he's complaining about that title it's just how he sees other people categorizing him. Jack on the other hand loves his geek and intelligence side, it's refreshing and add in those bowties, well lets just say he's in hook, line, and sinker from the getgo. As for Lawson's opinion of Jack? Pretty perfect too but he doesn't understand why Jack is so enamored with him.

Their first interaction may not be super smooth but circumstances quickly change that and their chemistry is as bright as a wild bush fire that only the drought stricken Australian land could equal. Throw in butterflies, Tasmanian devils, incredible food, amazing friends, Rosemary the dog, and what Imago brings you is an incredibly fun and overall lovely story. I have to say that one of my favorite things about Lawson is his geekiness has not made him desperate for love or companionship. As for Jack, I love that he may have a bit of jockiness(for lack of a better word) about him that helps his confidence but has not left him arrogant.

Some might see this as a story of insta-love but I see it as a story about finding your other half, of not realizing your lonely until the prospect of being alone again is a terrifying nightmare you never want to face. Jack and Lawson were both satisfied with how their lives were but once they faced their week together coming to an end that is when it became real. So whether you term that inst-love, soulmates, or something else is up to you but what I call it is re-readable.

RATING:

Author Bio:
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don't let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She's been writing ever since...