Pen Name – Doctor Chicken

Title:  Pen Name – Doctor Chicken

Author:  KC Burn

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  200 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Sometimes Stratford Dale feels like Doctor Chicken consumes his life. It’s his pen name for a series of wildly popular children’s books. They were his brainchild; he meant for them to be a way to pay his many bills while he pursued his dream of publishing graphic novels. But the Doctor Chicken contract was a raw deal. Instead, he churns out book after book for a pittance, leaving him broke and no closer to his dreams.

Stratford’s dreams of love have fared no better, but he’s still trying. After yet another disastrous date, he’s intrigued by a man going into a cooking class—so he takes the class too. Vinnie Giani is a successful, self-made man who is charmed by Stratford’s bow ties, sharp humor, and clumsiness—which leads to an opportunity to take Stratford in for stitches. Vinnie is, above all, responsible, having taken on the care of his mother and sisters from a young age. Perhaps it’s natural when he begins to treat Stratford more as a child who needs a parent than as an equal partner. But when Vinnie tries to “fix” Stratford’s career woes—including the Doctor Chicken problem—and ends up making the situation worse, their fledgling relationship may not withstand the the strain created by blame and lies.

Review:  With a name like Pen Name – Doctor Chicken I figured this would be a pretty cute read and I was right, although there was also a bit of angst as well!

Stratford’s (and yes I totally love this name!) life is not going the way he’d hoped. Not only is his job sucking the life and creativity out of him it’s also keeping him on the edge of poverty. Stuck churning out children’s books, and more, on demand with little pay keeps him from his graphic novel dreams. If his pitiful finances and horrid apartment aren’t enough, his attempts at finding love leads to one of the most cringe worthy and awkward dates possible. It’s both depressing, hilarious, and sadly not as shocking as one expects. When Stratford meets Vinnie at least his love life starts turning around.

Vinnie has been the man of the house for years after the death of his father, helping raise his sisters and taking over the family business, but his life has been on hold, a.k.a. he still lives with his mother. With his sisters all but grown it’s time for Vinnie to start his own life, which he does by joining a cooking class, where he will soon meet Stratford. As their relationship progresses Stratford starts opening up, but Vinnie has been keeping a secret that skittish, gun-shy Stratford won’t appreciate, especially after Vinnie tries to “fix” Stratford’s life.

This story isn’t full of explicit sex but it is cute and funny. Toward the end I felt like there was more telling than showing but overall it’s a nice light read. The date will have you peeing your pants with laughter and a very awkward hero will make you smile. If you like a sexy alpha man that is used to taking care of people and a cutie that doesn’t know his own worth this book will suit you nicely.

Reviewed by Jules