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You think you know the story of Dorian Gray, but you're wrong. The real story didn't end the way Oscar Wilde penned; in fact, it hasn't ended at all. The ageless beauty of Dorian Gray walks now in our world of cellphones and lattes and internet porn. His latest conquest is Gabriel Lawrence, a paranormal investigator with a secret or two of his own. But the trouble with a life as long as Dorian's is that the skeletons are threatening to overrun the closet... and not all of them want to stay dead.
Season 1: Overture introduces Gabriel to the truth of a world he had only suspected, where ghost hunting is the least of his worries. And at the heart of it all is the mysterious and fascinating Dorian Gray, as though he'd stepped out of the pages of the book bearing his name. But if he has, he hasn't come through alone. And this figure from a past Dorian had though long behind him bears a grudge nurtured for a hundred years and intends to tear down everything Dorian has built, a piece at a time. (click boxes to show/hide descriptions) Episode 1: A Meeting of Fate Episode 1: A Meeting of Fate
Gabriel Lawrence, a paranormal investigator from America, finds himself in London chasing down a supposedly haunted artifact. While there, he meets a man who calls himself Dorian Gray, who may not match the description from that famous story, but certainly has the attitude. And the seduction. And because ghost hunting isn't exactly a lucrative venture, Dorian's invitation into his world of opulence, decadence, and wealth may just prove too tempting for Gabriel to resist! Episode 2: Life of the Party Episode 2: Life of the Party
Gabriel's first glimpse into Dorian's lifestyle was only the beginning, and now he finds himself tumbling further down the rabbit hole. Dorian's birthday party introduces Gabriel to some of Dorian's friends, all as free-spirited and debauched as Dorian himself. Through them, he learns that he isn't the first that Dorian has drawn into his web this way, not even the hundred-and-first. And yet somehow, all of Gabriel's concerns instantly seem strangely inconsequential at Dorian's slightest touch, fueling Michael's fears that there is so much more to Dorian than they could guess. Episode 3: Ghost in the Closet Episode 3: Ghost in the Closet
The aftermath of Dorian's party leaves Gabriel and Michael reeling, and both become more determined than ever to wring some answers from this so-called 'Dorian Gray'. Dorian's continued hedging, though, pushes Michael beyond his limits, forcing him to reveal his presence. But what he could never have predicted is that Dorian isn't at all surprised... Episode 4: Shadow from the Past Episode 4: Shadow from the Past
The mystery of Dorian Gray continues to unfold when a presumed-dead figure from Dorian's past resurfaces, very much alive. But the reunion is anything but amiable, when his old "friend" decides to renew their acquaintance via something of a much higher caliber than simply sending flowers.
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Dorian grinned as his fingers tangled in the long fringe of hair partially obscuring his latest conquest's face. The university student's face didn't really matter, but his hair was interesting, something new with its bright streaks of red and blue and pale blond. The boy was practically channeling the Union Jack as he slid down Dorian's body, making the leather seats of Dorian's car creak. Dorian smiled to himself. Jack was as good a pet name as any. The vibrant colored strands brought out the paleness of Dorian's skin, and he spared a vain thought for his own elegance before pulling Jack's lips down over the bulge in his slacks. The tug of his hand was met with resistance, though, and the boy's lust-darkened eyes met his.
"Professor..." Jack breathed. Dorian knew that tone all too well. It meant the boy was trying to keep himself in check. Religious values, perhaps, or maybe just a battle against the taboo of fucking around with a teacher—or, more accurately, guest lecturer. Either way, Dorian knew the plea beneath those words. Jack was begging to be overpowered, to be left without a choice. A mere gesture, and the boy could be his, but Dorian relished the conquest, the slow, erotic disintegration of those walls modern young men built around themselves.
"Shh," Dorian soothed. "Just you and me now. You didn't follow me from the lecture hall to compare notes. You didn't step into this car to conduct the Inquisition." Dorian let his fingers trail sensually over the boy's features and along his unnaturally colored hairline. "You came to give me something. And you're going to give it, Jack."
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Crissy at Joyfully Jay
"Overall, I am pleased with this initial episode of Immortal Symphony. The basis of the story, played off of the original, is creative and fun. The characters are endearing. And the writing is captivating. I want more. I’m looking forward to the next installment. If you’ve ever read The Picture of Dorian Gray and wondered what if, this story is for you. If you are a fan of the paranormal, instant connections, and mystery, this is definitely a story for you. And if you just plain love serials, I recommend you read Immortal Symphony: Overture."
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Crissy at Joyfully Jay
"This episode is incredibly exciting from dreams of past lovers to secrets being revealed. I have so many questions now and hate when each episode ends, especially this one since it has turned out to be my favorite so far. With each installment of this serial, I am more and more intrigued and as always I cannot wait to see what these authors have for us in the future. ***Note: this review applies to the third episode only."
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Crissy at Joyfully Jay
"I’m so excited that this plot is beginning to grow and develop. This serial has been an entertaining play on a classic. It’s been sexy, yes. But now the authors are getting into the meat of the story. In this episode we find Dorian, Gabriel, and Michael tangled in a mystery that dates back centuries. The heat is turned up in this installment and the kink comes out to play. And I loved every burning second of it. Dorian with his massive amount of experience and Gabriel with his endearing innocence makes for scorching chemistry between the two. [t]hese authors are doing a wonderful job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. I am loving the mix of old and new in this serial and can’t wait for more. **Note: this review applies to the fourth episode only."
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Cryselle at Cryselle's Bookshelf
"I like the set up, I like the characters. Dorian is edgy and arrogant, Gabe is both cocky and ready for a bit of adventure, and there should be all sorts of sparks as they interact. This wasn’t a complete story arc, but I wasn’t expecting that, and I will be sniffing around for the next section."
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Salome Wilde at Sal and Tal Erotica
"From the graphic opening threesome of S. L. Armstrong and K. Piet’s new erotic romance serial Immortal Symphony (from Storm Moon Press), we’re in a world that kinky, pansexual dreams are made of. Just try to resist the moment the incomparable Dorian tops a woman while moaning over his shoulder for the man behind them to “Fuck us, pet.” I dare you. Once ... into Armstrong and Piet’s luscious take on Dorian’s inescapably hot, self-indulgent debauchery and troubled mind, I was riding high through the rest of the episode…and prepared to beg for more.
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Cole at The Armchair Reader
"[T]he sex in this story pretty much blew me away. Even with that first scene I wasn’t expecting quite the level of sex in this story, but I was happy with it anyway. I’ll be interested to see in the future stories, once Gabriel and Dorian become more important to one another, how Dorian’s sexual appetites with multiple partners will affect Gabriel. I can honestly say that I have no idea what to expect of the coming stories, and that is exciting"
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Gabbi at Top 2 Bottom Reviews
"Dorian Grey is exactly the way he’s always been portrayed. He’s handsome and spoiled at getting what he wants, and has a wicked and irresistible sexuality that draws others into his erotic life. Loved this first installment of this serial! It definitely begins and ends with a bang and I can’t wait to read what this amazing writing team has in store for us next! If you are looking for something unique with characters who will automatically fascinate you, then this serial will definitely be for you!"
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Crissy at Joyfully Jay
"As it is the second episode, the story is still developing. This episode is sexy, beyond sexy. Like, fan yourself hot. Wow, the scenes in this episode are erotic and kinky and completely provocative. There’s so much I look forward to in this story. I like that this serial has an edge. It’s a new and different twist on a classic. As I said before, I love the play off of The Portrait of Dorian Gray. I’m looking forward to what’s to come of this serial.
***This review applies to the second episode only.
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Linda at Paranormal Romance Guild
"Dorian Gray is alive and well in this story, and he is a man who lives in Scotland and lives out his every sexual fantasy. This is the first episode in a six part serial and although there is no end to the story the next episode will be out shortly. There is very explicit sex with a lot of dominance on Dorian's part and very little is left to the imagination. **Note: this review applies to the first episode only."
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Linda at Paranormal Romance Guild
"Against his brother's wishes, Gabriel Lawrence has decided to take Dorian Gray up on his offer to come to his mansion in Scotland. This story is filled with explicit sex, M/M/F, M/M, F/F. Little is left to one's imagination. This is a series, and the following book will follow shortly. This is a new Dorian Gray, and I can't wait to see what happens when innocent Gabriel delves more and more into Dorian's lifestyle. **Note: this review applies to the second episode only."
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Linda at Paranormal Romance Guild
"In this episode we finally find out what Dorian is, what we don't know is what his objective is with Gabriel. Why has Dorian chosen him and does he mean him harm? Since this is a serial it is necessary to read each one in order. The episodes contain explicit M/M sex and with each episode we will hopefully find out more about Dorian. **Note: this review applies to the third episode only."
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Lisa T at Attention Is Arbitrary
"So far this serial has had hot m/m sexiness, m/f/m ménage, and now a very exclusive orgy. Dorian doesn’t do things halfway. Honestly, there isn’t much forward movement in this episode, except to open Gabriel’s eyes to everything Dorian has to offer. Gabriel arrives at Dorian’s sumptuous estate and is instantly swept into a world of opulence and excess. While Gabe just wants to enjoy the fantasy; Michael is in desperately trying to get Gabe back to reality. The authors are still developing the plot so it isn’t clear yet what’s lying underneath the surface. I think the pacing is intentional and clever, but we’ll need to see some enlightening reveals soon.
**Note: This review applies to the second episode only.
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Lisa T at Attention Is Arbitrary
"A general understanding of the concepts within A Picture of Dorian Gray would be helpful, but the authors do a fine job of making clear what happened to Dorian, allowing for artistic license to let this version work. The authors then set off to explore and toy with the modern day version of sex, vanity and power. I don't think we're going to have to "worry" about too much morality showing up before some true fun is to be had by all. This is fast, quick, decadent, sinful and excessive. Everything Oscar Wilde warned us against. That was his message, I'm sure."
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Cole at The Armchair Reader
"This third part of the Immortal Symphony serial is definitely the part of the story that I was waiting for. [I] liked this story even more than the first two — specifically because we’re starting to get some real answers... Dorian is such a big character that his presence often takes over parts of the story, and ultimately, I feel like he’ll be the deciding factor as to where the story will go as it navigates the boundary between erotica and romance. **Note: this rating applies to the third episode only."
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Kassa at 3AM
"[T]he writing in this scene and the later scene with Dorian and Simone is simply wonderful. The deft use of language and the ease with which complex emotion is conveyed is surprising. The glimpses into Dorian’s maze-like past and a hint of the powers he possesses are intriguing and leave me wanting more. Overall I have to say this was a successful addition to the series. It’s well written, concise, informative, and sets up numerous future scenarios. There is any number of directions this serial could go and I have to say ... I’m curious to see what the authors choose. ***Note-this review applies to the third episode only."
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BookAddict at The Romance Reviews
"This is a reinterpretation of the Dorian mythos and it's much more my alley than the original. The first in this Immortal Symphony is written at an allegro pace. Not only is this first movement played in allegro, but it is also in forte. The BDSM harmony is a delightful pairing and music to my ears. I will be breathlessly anticipating more sumptuous sexual medleys the duo authors orchestrate to seduce me. This book is recommended to kinky sexual epicureans who enjoy a heteroflexible spread.
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Kassa at 3 AM
"The first episode is nicely independent and sets up the main players of the story. [T]he writing is very engaging. It’s punchy and direct, not beating around the bush but almost in your face with its drama and eroticism. The authors aren’t trying to hide or allude to anything, the story is upfront and almost brutal at times. It makes me very curious about future episodes and how much they’ll hinge on the sexual aspect. As a first episode, it’s captured my attention and made me eager to read future installments.
*This review applies to Episode 1 only"
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Cole at The Armchair Reader
"This second story does a pretty good job of extending and strengthening those things which stood out in the first story. I’m still really enjoying this serial and looking forward to the coming stories. I have to admit that this story started to edge closer to the line in my comfort zone, but that made this story all the more exciting for me. I never quite felt that it was in danger of going too far for me (it would have to be very, very far!), but there was a bit of a discordant mood in this story that felt as if it was perfectly set to make the reader feel Gabriel’s warring excitement and unease with the sex party and his part in it. **Note: this review applies to the second episode only."
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Jenre at Well Read
"As an opening to a novel this was pretty gripping. There's lots of sex, some of it m/f, and m/m/f, so if that's not your thing then you may not like this. I particularly liked the contrast between the two characters, the slick and worldly Dorian and the innocent and wide-eyed Gabriel - devil and angel. It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops.
[T]his was ... a terrific read and one which had me champing at the bit to read the next part."
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Jenre at Well Read
"This episode is taken solely from the point of view of Gabriel. Whilst part one provided the reader with a snapshot of the characters of Gabriel and Dorian - the innocent verses the worldly, this part focuses more on the relationship between Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel and Michael argue and snipe at each other but there is an underlying brotherly love and regard. Another aspect of this episode is Gabriel's debauchment by Dorian. I feel that the pieces have been put in place now and I shall look forward to seeing how Gabriel turns the tables on Dorian - for surely this must happen?! The story has gripped me already, the characters taking on life and seeping into my mind.
*Note: this review applies solely to the second episode"
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Release Date | February 08, 2013 |
Book Type | Serial |
Categories | Gay |
Cover Art | Nathie Block |
Keywords | BDSM, bisexual, urban fantasy, dark themes, ghosts, M/M, M/M/F, paranormal, violence, abuse themes |
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