Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pandel's review against another edition
2.0
Really odd. Why is Mitch only 35 and yet acts like he’s never seen an iPhone? Maybe I missed what year it was. Sam talks a bit young but I’ll give it a pass cause he’s a sheltered Iowa kid. Don’t know why Randy was involved at all. No real love development in the story, just sex which shouldn’t be a replacement.
belladonnabookish's review
4.0
Read the new edition. I liked the flow better in the update, though I miss the raw quality of the 1st edition. The plot and character development seems more cohesive. If you were kinda on the fence with the 1st version...you may like this one better.
kristenmichele's review
4.0
Sharing, whore play, exhibitionism, voyeurism, spanking, DP, humiliation
christyduke_5117's review against another edition
5.0
I have read the original version of this story but when the opportunity came to read and review the updated and newly edited version, I was all over it. 'Special Delivery' is a favorite of mine by Heidi Cullinan and I figured this edition could only be better. I'm glad to know I was right. Sam and Mitch were already favorites of mine, and the beautiful new cover shows them off to perfection.
Somehow I had this picture in my head of the type of young man that Sam was before I opened the book. Maybe it was based on the description, or perhaps I just assumed (bad me) that Sam would be the shy, vulnerable twink who hooks up with a slightly older man. Some of that is true. However, there's a whole lot more to Sam than meets the eye. "He wanted to get married. But he wanted hot sex, too. Hot sex. He wanted to try it all, every position, every fetish. Well, not every fetish - a lot of them though. He wanted an orgy, or at least a threesome. All the things about sex his mother had said were bad, all the objectification, all the cold, meaningless encounters - that was what he was after. He didn't know why. He only knew he wanted it." Sam's mother died four years prior, leaving him in the care of an aunt and uncle who weren't exactly pleased to have to care for him. Think Harry Potter's aunt and uncle. When a chance meeting with gorgeous Mitch turns into an opportunity to leave Iowa and his hateful relatives and his lonely life to ride along in Mitch's eighteen-wheeler, I didn't blame Sam for jumping on that. Pun totally intended.
At twenty-one, Sam has no experience with a man like Mitch. Growing up gay in northern Iowa hasn't given him a lot of opportunities to "play" with strong, confident, and sexy men. Even so, Sam wants what Mitch is offering - uninhibited sex with a stranger, making Sam feel deliciously used and dirty. No wonder he jumps in the cab to experience more of that. "He thought of all the shit Delia gave him, of her constant criticisms, and lists of his sins. You want sins, Aunt? I'll show you sinning. I'll make the devil weep, I'll sin so bad." I need to say this right now before anyone reads further in this review. I love Sam, and I'm hoping I'm not showing him in the wrong light, because I think it might be easy to view this story as seedy when in reality it isn't—due to the sensitivity the author maintains to the subject matter. Is Sam a submissive who doesn't really understand that yet? Yes. Does he enjoy a little humiliation with his sex? Yes, sometimes. Has he allowed others to take advantage of his wants and needs because he wants to be loved so desperately? Oh, yes. And that's part of the secret, in my opinion, of Sam. Sam has an innate sweetness and sunniness to his personality and it works as such a foil for Mitch's thirty-three year old grouchy and laconic nature.
To touch on the kink in this story, yes, there is quite a bit of it. Mitch stretches Sam's boundaries often and gives him the opportunity to discover more and more of himself. He also, however, shows Sam that wanting what Sam wants, as long as it's consensual and no one gets hurt, is not wrong and Sam needs to embrace his desires. When Mitch introduces Sam to his best friend, Randy, with whom Mitch has shared many things throughout the years and not always stuff Mitch is proud of, Sam's experiences grow. What's even more amazing, however, is that Sam's sweet, gentle, mischievous, laughing personality helps to repair some old hurts in Randy and Mitch's friendship, and guides them to healing their relationship.
There's a beauty to watching Sam and Mitch's relationship grow. I'm not even sure whether I can really describe it, except to say there were times when Sam was the mature one and others when Mitch was. They both are so vulnerable and tiptoeing in total fear about not ruining this one chance they have been given for love. On that note let me mention Randy. Randy is Mitch's best friend, but they've been more and less than that for many years. Mitch and Randy used to cruise for twinks together while trucking and it gave them a reputation. The fact that it's difficult to get a bead on Randy's personality and his character makes it all the more interesting. The respect and trust that Mitch and Sam develop is very inspirational, particularly with Randy's positive and sometimes negative influence, and throughout the story I just wanted more of everything. I never wanted this story to end. Alas, it was not to be.
I loved the first edition of this story and I love this re-edited edition. I am madly in love with Sam and Mitch, and even fell for Randy by the end of the book. Sam and Mitch are such a good match, evidenced by Sam being able to unnerve Randy a bit which is practically unheard of. This is a love story from beginning to end. It's not, however, your run of the mill love story. It's definitely something different and that's part of the reason I love it so much. Thank you, Heidi, for gifting me with 'Special Delivery' a second wonderful time!
Somehow I had this picture in my head of the type of young man that Sam was before I opened the book. Maybe it was based on the description, or perhaps I just assumed (bad me) that Sam would be the shy, vulnerable twink who hooks up with a slightly older man. Some of that is true. However, there's a whole lot more to Sam than meets the eye. "He wanted to get married. But he wanted hot sex, too. Hot sex. He wanted to try it all, every position, every fetish. Well, not every fetish - a lot of them though. He wanted an orgy, or at least a threesome. All the things about sex his mother had said were bad, all the objectification, all the cold, meaningless encounters - that was what he was after. He didn't know why. He only knew he wanted it." Sam's mother died four years prior, leaving him in the care of an aunt and uncle who weren't exactly pleased to have to care for him. Think Harry Potter's aunt and uncle. When a chance meeting with gorgeous Mitch turns into an opportunity to leave Iowa and his hateful relatives and his lonely life to ride along in Mitch's eighteen-wheeler, I didn't blame Sam for jumping on that. Pun totally intended.
At twenty-one, Sam has no experience with a man like Mitch. Growing up gay in northern Iowa hasn't given him a lot of opportunities to "play" with strong, confident, and sexy men. Even so, Sam wants what Mitch is offering - uninhibited sex with a stranger, making Sam feel deliciously used and dirty. No wonder he jumps in the cab to experience more of that. "He thought of all the shit Delia gave him, of her constant criticisms, and lists of his sins. You want sins, Aunt? I'll show you sinning. I'll make the devil weep, I'll sin so bad." I need to say this right now before anyone reads further in this review. I love Sam, and I'm hoping I'm not showing him in the wrong light, because I think it might be easy to view this story as seedy when in reality it isn't—due to the sensitivity the author maintains to the subject matter. Is Sam a submissive who doesn't really understand that yet? Yes. Does he enjoy a little humiliation with his sex? Yes, sometimes. Has he allowed others to take advantage of his wants and needs because he wants to be loved so desperately? Oh, yes. And that's part of the secret, in my opinion, of Sam. Sam has an innate sweetness and sunniness to his personality and it works as such a foil for Mitch's thirty-three year old grouchy and laconic nature.
To touch on the kink in this story, yes, there is quite a bit of it. Mitch stretches Sam's boundaries often and gives him the opportunity to discover more and more of himself. He also, however, shows Sam that wanting what Sam wants, as long as it's consensual and no one gets hurt, is not wrong and Sam needs to embrace his desires. When Mitch introduces Sam to his best friend, Randy, with whom Mitch has shared many things throughout the years and not always stuff Mitch is proud of, Sam's experiences grow. What's even more amazing, however, is that Sam's sweet, gentle, mischievous, laughing personality helps to repair some old hurts in Randy and Mitch's friendship, and guides them to healing their relationship.
There's a beauty to watching Sam and Mitch's relationship grow. I'm not even sure whether I can really describe it, except to say there were times when Sam was the mature one and others when Mitch was. They both are so vulnerable and tiptoeing in total fear about not ruining this one chance they have been given for love. On that note let me mention Randy. Randy is Mitch's best friend, but they've been more and less than that for many years. Mitch and Randy used to cruise for twinks together while trucking and it gave them a reputation. The fact that it's difficult to get a bead on Randy's personality and his character makes it all the more interesting. The respect and trust that Mitch and Sam develop is very inspirational, particularly with Randy's positive and sometimes negative influence, and throughout the story I just wanted more of everything. I never wanted this story to end. Alas, it was not to be.
I loved the first edition of this story and I love this re-edited edition. I am madly in love with Sam and Mitch, and even fell for Randy by the end of the book. Sam and Mitch are such a good match, evidenced by Sam being able to unnerve Randy a bit which is practically unheard of. This is a love story from beginning to end. It's not, however, your run of the mill love story. It's definitely something different and that's part of the reason I love it so much. Thank you, Heidi, for gifting me with 'Special Delivery' a second wonderful time!
finiteworlds's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
red3horn's review
5.0
When you read a story, you want to get lost in it. Well, I want to get lost in it. I want to crawl inside the pages and see what the characters see, feel what they feel, want what they want. I want this so bad with every book I have ever read and I think for the first time, I actually got it. I was unsure about starting this book. I was reserved going into this; knowing it had been out there for a few years and that it was a reader favorite but how would I react to it? Putting my faith in the author I dug in and started. Within the first few pages my heart began to race, my skin felt alive, tingly if you will and I couldn't breathe. I read what Sam wanted, as he struggled with his fantasy of who he was and I became Sam. I felt what he was feeling, each rush he got, each touch, each breath each…it was intense to put it mildly. This book didn't leave me with a book hangover; this book left me mother effing strung out. I still haven’t recovered from reading it weeks later and to be honest, that feeling is back just writing this without looking at my notes/highlights.
What follows may possibly be a bit incoherent and chaotic rambling, but how can I be anything other a complete mess after reading this story?
Sam, where do I begin? I think I loved Sam because I could get Sam. I know that not everyone can understand what he wants but I got it. It’s just that. I got it, I got Sam. I loved how we get him and his sexuality thrust into our face in the first pages and then we get down to his vulnerability as he goes home and says a certain goodbye before work. The boy is lost in a way. He is complicated, he is layered and he just needs. Again, that is it. He needs. He needs to be able to experience what he wants; get out there and see if his deepest fantasies can not only come true but will they sustain his soul. Yeah, this story hit me that hard that I am talking about feeding ones soul but isn’t that what we all need?
Mitch you and big blue, you were beyond fantastic. Let me say that I grew up in a small drive thru town that had more truck stops than it did restaurants and I never thought of a semi truck as anything but a pain in the ass trying to get around as I crossed town. But after this, holy smut cab I can’t look at one without thinking about what goes on inside and yes I even saw one at lunch one afternoon and had to snap a picture. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.
So Sam is this young boy who meets Mitch and sees that what he wants he may get the chance to experience. I loved the first scene with these two, and the phone call and the last bit that has Mitch picking up Sam as they head out on the road trip to end all road trips. I loved the dynamic and the chemistry with Sam and Mitch, it was believable and it was addictive.
Their time on the road, it was beautiful. From the moments of Mitch taking care of Sam through the mountains, to the talks, to shopping…I loved every minute of it. How could I not? Special Delivery hit every single button that I have when it comes to romance. It hit every one and it hit me hard, so hard that I was lost and did nothing but read day and night until I finished. I couldn't stop reading. When you have each thing that you love in a book there is nothing else you can do.
Yeah, then there is that bit. Oh boy do I love a kinky story and this was KINKY! It was beyond hot that I was afraid someone was going to notice my flushed face as I read at my desk or the squirming I did when Sam and Mitch were at the bar, on the dance floor with…oh yeah. That was hot. I am not shy of sharing when it comes to sex as along as both parties involved are on board and this was done so well. It was intense and endearing at the same time to watch Mitch give Sam what he wanted and the way he would take care of him was amazing and then for Sam to turn around and give it right back? That knocked me on my ass. Now with sharing I have to bring up Randy. For me? I loved him. I got his place in Mitch’s life and how important he was and at the same time how much trouble he was. BUT the importance is what matters most. What I love about Heidi’s writing (it’s not secret I am a fangirl for it) is when her characters get in a bind, when to put it frankly, shit gets tough… they talk! Oh My effing Gawd can you believe that? Things get hard and folks talk, it’s a miracle! Kidding, but I am not; these boys have issues, it’s no secret but it’s laid out there for them to deal with and they do deal with it and what happens when the three of them get together was gorgeous. There is one scene where I did not expect to become overly emotional during it but I lost it, flat out Charlie Brown sobbing while I read it. It wasn't just the physical that was happening on the page that was so intense and meaningful but it was the absolute beauty of Sam, Mitch and Randy that way that is making me tear up now just thinking about it. It was stunning and the thoughts that go through Sam’s head were so honest and heartbreaking. Oh, I think I need a minute. Goodness.
This story was about more than the sexual exploration of Sam or even the relationship between him and Mitch. This book was about awakening and letting go of the things that weigh you down. This was a chance for Sam to be free in every possible way and be able to release, to find release and be free. Dammit. I am crying again. This book killed me.
Special Delivery, oh boy this book…it was off the charts sexy, it was intensely sensual it was kinky as fuck and it left me in a puddle more times than any words on a page should. I am once again strung out just reliving the book and writing this review. It was that good. For me, it was that good.
***Review copy rovided by the Publisher/Author***
Guest Post on and Giveaway on my blog, The Risque Redhead Reads.
Yeah, I do one of those things too. *shrugs*
What follows may possibly be a bit incoherent and chaotic rambling, but how can I be anything other a complete mess after reading this story?
Sam, where do I begin? I think I loved Sam because I could get Sam. I know that not everyone can understand what he wants but I got it. It’s just that. I got it, I got Sam. I loved how we get him and his sexuality thrust into our face in the first pages and then we get down to his vulnerability as he goes home and says a certain goodbye before work. The boy is lost in a way. He is complicated, he is layered and he just needs. Again, that is it. He needs. He needs to be able to experience what he wants; get out there and see if his deepest fantasies can not only come true but will they sustain his soul. Yeah, this story hit me that hard that I am talking about feeding ones soul but isn’t that what we all need?
Mitch you and big blue, you were beyond fantastic. Let me say that I grew up in a small drive thru town that had more truck stops than it did restaurants and I never thought of a semi truck as anything but a pain in the ass trying to get around as I crossed town. But after this, holy smut cab I can’t look at one without thinking about what goes on inside and yes I even saw one at lunch one afternoon and had to snap a picture. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.
So Sam is this young boy who meets Mitch and sees that what he wants he may get the chance to experience. I loved the first scene with these two, and the phone call and the last bit that has Mitch picking up Sam as they head out on the road trip to end all road trips. I loved the dynamic and the chemistry with Sam and Mitch, it was believable and it was addictive.
You don’t know something until you've stood outside it and looked at it objectively. Come see a sliver of the world with me, and I promise you a few months on the road will change your life completely.
Their time on the road, it was beautiful. From the moments of Mitch taking care of Sam through the mountains, to the talks, to shopping…I loved every minute of it. How could I not? Special Delivery hit every single button that I have when it comes to romance. It hit every one and it hit me hard, so hard that I was lost and did nothing but read day and night until I finished. I couldn't stop reading. When you have each thing that you love in a book there is nothing else you can do.
The underlying theme, though, was bondage and domination. And threesomes or more. Well…
Yeah, then there is that bit. Oh boy do I love a kinky story and this was KINKY! It was beyond hot that I was afraid someone was going to notice my flushed face as I read at my desk or the squirming I did when Sam and Mitch were at the bar, on the dance floor with…oh yeah. That was hot. I am not shy of sharing when it comes to sex as along as both parties involved are on board and this was done so well. It was intense and endearing at the same time to watch Mitch give Sam what he wanted and the way he would take care of him was amazing and then for Sam to turn around and give it right back? That knocked me on my ass. Now with sharing I have to bring up Randy. For me? I loved him. I got his place in Mitch’s life and how important he was and at the same time how much trouble he was. BUT the importance is what matters most. What I love about Heidi’s writing (it’s not secret I am a fangirl for it) is when her characters get in a bind, when to put it frankly, shit gets tough… they talk! Oh My effing Gawd can you believe that? Things get hard and folks talk, it’s a miracle! Kidding, but I am not; these boys have issues, it’s no secret but it’s laid out there for them to deal with and they do deal with it and what happens when the three of them get together was gorgeous. There is one scene where I did not expect to become overly emotional during it but I lost it, flat out Charlie Brown sobbing while I read it. It wasn't just the physical that was happening on the page that was so intense and meaningful but it was the absolute beauty of Sam, Mitch and Randy that way that is making me tear up now just thinking about it. It was stunning and the thoughts that go through Sam’s head were so honest and heartbreaking. Oh, I think I need a minute. Goodness.
This story was about more than the sexual exploration of Sam or even the relationship between him and Mitch. This book was about awakening and letting go of the things that weigh you down. This was a chance for Sam to be free in every possible way and be able to release, to find release and be free. Dammit. I am crying again. This book killed me.
Special Delivery, oh boy this book…it was off the charts sexy, it was intensely sensual it was kinky as fuck and it left me in a puddle more times than any words on a page should. I am once again strung out just reliving the book and writing this review. It was that good. For me, it was that good.
***Review copy rovided by the Publisher/Author***
Guest Post on and Giveaway on my blog, The Risque Redhead Reads.
Yeah, I do one of those things too. *shrugs*
nightpeaches's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I have some mixed feelings about this book; I really loved parts of it but other parts just didn't work for me. I liked the start of it a lot, it mixed good sex scenes with emotional angst in a really nice way. I'm a sucker for a young sub with a messy life, trying to figure his place in the world and being taken in by an older dom, so that dynamic worked for me from the get go. It went a bit off the tracks for me when Randy showed up, partly because I just never warmed up to him, so while I understand the purpose he served in the story it just made me feel like the main romance was treading water for a really long time. It also didn't help that that part of the book had a couple of kinks that I didn't really vibe with, which is very much a personal taste thing and not a judgement on the writing itself, but did lessen my enjoyment. The last part of the book was okay, but I would have liked to see more of them actually being together, especially considering the very last event in the book. While it was somewhat expected it was still surprising, considering that they had spent less than two weeks together – and almost half of that with a third person. It just made it a little too hard for me to suspend my disbelief at the end.
I have some mixed feelings about this book; I really loved parts of it but other parts just didn't work for me. I liked the start of it a lot, it mixed good sex scenes with emotional angst in a really nice way. I'm a sucker for a young sub with a messy life, trying to figure his place in the world and being taken in by an older dom, so that dynamic worked for me from the get go. It went a bit off the tracks for me when Randy showed up, partly because I just never warmed up to him, so while I understand the purpose he served in the story it just made me feel like the main romance was treading water for a really long time. It also didn't help that that part of the book had a couple of kinks that I didn't really vibe with, which is very much a personal taste thing and not a judgement on the writing itself, but did lessen my enjoyment. The last part of the book was okay, but I would have liked to see more of them actually being together, especially considering the very last event in the book. While it was somewhat expected it was still surprising, considering that they had spent less than two weeks together – and almost half of that with a third person. It just made it a little too hard for me to suspend my disbelief at the end.