Can't believe I waited so long to read this, but it's definitely going in my "favorite books of all time" category. Hysterically, laugh-out-loud funnyCan't believe I waited so long to read this, but it's definitely going in my "favorite books of all time" category. Hysterically, laugh-out-loud funny. Poignant and heartbreaking. A very nuanced presentation of southern hospitality, racism, homophobia, traditional values, community, and family....more
I get asked to read debut novels all the time, and I'll be honest, I usually grimace. It's an awkward situation when you're not thrilled with the bookI get asked to read debut novels all the time, and I'll be honest, I usually grimace. It's an awkward situation when you're not thrilled with the book and have to deliver an honest opinion which might not be what the author wants to hear. In this case, however, I was beyond pleasantly surprised. This story captured my heart, and the deeper I got into the story, the more invested I became.
As has been stated in several other reviews, the strength of the narrative is the layered characterization. With both main characters, there is a believable arc, where they at first appear to be a certain way but as you get to know them better they seem to change. In truth, it's like peeling an onion, and we're seeing who they really are on the inside.
Though the story eventually depicts some graphic sex, the gradual GFY plot is a slow build. A platonic relationship develops between the "straight" and gay main characters, then blossoms into a romance. As with most GFY stories, it clearly can be argued that the straight character was never truly straight to begin with, and I think the author demonstrates that quite clearly.
I wonder how well this book would be received had the author chosen to tell the story from Michael's POV rather than Carlos'. In my view, Michael was the sympathetic character, and though at first it appeared Carlos was the one in need of a savior, ultimately Carlos rescues Michael. I guess you could say they rescued each other, and perhaps this is what makes the story so special. It definitely contains two heroes, though each of them is noticeably flawed.
If you visit the author's website, you'll find a detailed map which depicts the setting of the story, and it's obvious the author devoted a lot of time and thought to the world building. You don't really consider world building and setting to be so important in a contemporary story, but I think when you read a story such as this, where the details are described so vividly, it is easy to appreciate the skill and effort involved.
I'm fairly transparent about what I like and make no pretense about how I personally judge and rate my books. I'm an emotional reader and cherish the stories that touch my heart and move me. This is one of those stories. Some of the plot is tough, I won't lie. Forced separation plots always tear me up, but the final outcome is worth all the angst.
This story felt reminiscent of a black and white, gumshoe detective film. Told in the first person, the narrative read like a voice-over, authentic anThis story felt reminiscent of a black and white, gumshoe detective film. Told in the first person, the narrative read like a voice-over, authentic and laced with straightforward frankness, circa 1930-something. I kept waiting for the narrator to wax nostalgic about life not amounting to a hill of beans.
The irony: I found the story quite refreshing. Unique, maybe? It's so different than anything I've read within the m/m genre. Seems this author could easily write these kinds of novels but with heterosexual protagonists, and they'd appeal to a much broader audience. I'm grateful she's woven gay characters into her plot, featuring them center-stage. Overall, an amazing talent, quite impressive.
Not only is the story an excellent period piece, but it's also a riveting mystery. The main character, Frankie, actually is not an official detective, not even a P.I. He's an insurance investigator trying to prove fraud when he suspects a client is trying to cash in by faking her death. The love interest in the story is Sam, the actual police detective.
Much of the backstory is presented in flashback, and in a couple instances confused me. I got the timeline twisted in my head, but it's all ironed out in the end. The cynical noir style of the book doesn't evoke emotion like most of the m/m books I enjoy, yet there were some touching scenes that tugged at my heart. For instance, I really felt the main character's grief when he lost his baby brother during a mob hit gone awry. And I really rooted for Frankie and Sam's happily-ever-after.
If I had to identify a weakness, it would be the mystery itself. Pretty straightforward and predictable. But I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing. The manner in which a story is told and the depth of characterization are far more important than whether or not the plot is predictable. One could argue that most plots, good or bad, are to a degree predictable. And that's not to say that there weren't a few twists and surprises along the way.
I don't really possess the credentials or education to be overly critical of a book this well-written by an author this intelligent and talented. Truly an enjoyable read, and I'll probably explore a bit more of this author's back list as a result....more
New to this author, I approached this book with no expectations and came away pleasantly surprised. The author's style of storytelling presents a seriNew to this author, I approached this book with no expectations and came away pleasantly surprised. The author's style of storytelling presents a series of fluid scenes that feel very cinematic. Not as much in a big screen sort of cinematic way, but more like an HBO series. An expansive, eclectic cast of supernatural characters are fleshed out masterfully, not with massive info-dumps but through shown revelations woven into the story itself. Told in multiple points of view, the story clips along rapidly, paced perfectly. At one point I suddenly realized I'd completed 85% of the book, and it was two hours past bedtime. That's exactly the level of engagement and personal investment I look for a story to evoke.
Readers often complain about dialogue not being realistic, and I have to say that most of the time I question whether it's realism they're really looking for. Good dialogue in a fictional story is punchy. It's engaging and funny, and it's laced with quick-witted sarcasm and snappy come-backs. I don't experience a lot of that sort of dialogue in real life. I experience stammering, unfinished sentences, interruptions. But entertaining fictional dialogue represents the things we all wish we were quick enough to think of in real life situations. And this author seems to have mastered this talent. And speaking of the cinematic feel of the story, this factor greatly contributed to that particular effect.
The story contains mystery, intrigue, lots of surprises. And the preternatural creatures, immortals, were cleverly and creatively fashioned in such a unique way that I didn't feel they'd been borrowed or copied from other fantasy stories. I found it most interesting that the supernatural realm seemed to be like a carbon copy - the photographic negative - of how we traditionally view the supernatural. Good is evil; evil is good. It's kind of a mind bender, and perhaps some might squirm a bit if their sensibilities are offended by blasphemy. But for me, it felt refreshing and delightfully naughty.
I have to separate the sex scenes from the stylistic aspects of the story and the truly entertaining plot. And normally I wouldn't be able to do this so easily, but this particular story is so well executed that I can honestly see an R-rated screenplay version of it in my mind's eye. The sex, regardless of what one might think of it (good or bad), is dispensable. However, there's no denying that the story does contain plenty of extremely graphic sex, and so I'd be remiss if I didn't comment. This is perhaps the only tiny bit of criticism I have with the story. Almost all the scenes involved very rough anal sex where no lubrication is used. It seemed the author was slightly obsessed with the fantasy of screwing so hard that it destroys the bottom's asshole. Not my thing, so I was kind of grossed out.
I get the power play... and I thrilled at the Dom/sub dynamic that was portrayed. My heart ached for the sympathetic characters (especially Kid). And I loved how flawed every one of the angelic beings were. The story ends with only partial resolution, sort of a cliffhanger, and I'm dying for the next installment.
Really, I wish every book I picked up compelled me to keep turning pages the way this one did. A fantastic story, and I want more, more, more....more
This hauntingly gripping story became a one-sitting read for me, a page-turner the likes of which I have rarely experienced. Raw authenticity translatThis hauntingly gripping story became a one-sitting read for me, a page-turner the likes of which I have rarely experienced. Raw authenticity translated a Hollywood-esque, mystery plot into a heart-rending tear-jerker. Many of the elements felt so real I found myself wondering if the author had experienced some of what he described.
Child sexual abuse, PTSD, repressed memories, murder, abuse, panic attacks... and romance! Conventional wisdom suggests this would be an over-the-top mix far too incredulous for a reader to buy into. But somehow it worked, beautifully.
The main character, a psychotherapist named Tom, possessed a handful of sympathetic flaws. I quickly empathized with him, the way he over-invested in his patients, his self-destructive habit of falling for unobtainable straight guys,and his somewhat unhealthy introversion.
But the real star of the show, Kevin, grabbed hold of my heart and wouldn't let go. A thirty-something man who's haunted by nonsensical flashes of memory, he struggles to maintain control of his life as a series of stimuli trigger intense, debilitating panic attacks.
Tom, in his infinite wisdom, immediately sets out to "fix" his patient... or to be precise, his ex-patient. As the two begin to fall in love, Tom can't quite figure out how to support Kevin as his life-partner and lover rather than as his psycho-analyst.
I think the mystery element of the story proved most riveting. I couldn't pull myself away, and when at last the big reveal occurred, my emotions were so frayed (more like ripped to shreds) I wasn't sure if I wanted to hug the author or punch him square in the mouth.
I confess I have a tendency to over-rate stories, to give authors the benefit of the doubt. In this case, I don't think I can possibly rate this story high enough. To me, it's beyond a five star read. ...more
This little gem was a delightful afternoon quickie. At the risk of dropping a spoiler, the ending proves to be a bit of a mind-bender, leaving the reaThis little gem was a delightful afternoon quickie. At the risk of dropping a spoiler, the ending proves to be a bit of a mind-bender, leaving the reader with multiple possible interpretations. That's not to say it isn't a feel-good, happy ending. I could see where some might complain the ending came too abruptly, but I sort of liked that it did. It gave me pause and made me think for a bit about possibilities.
Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes what we think of as a perfect life can prove to be far less than perfect after all. ...more
What a thrilling pleasure read! This story and the writing craft of the author pushed all my buttons. The fast paced action had me on the edge of my sWhat a thrilling pleasure read! This story and the writing craft of the author pushed all my buttons. The fast paced action had me on the edge of my seat, and the emotional struggles of two truly endearing protagonists pulled at my heartstrings. Add to this the heated, sensual sex scenes--and you've got m/m romance at its best.
Luxorian Fugitive is a sci-fi romance featuring an all-gay cast of interesting characters. Captain Danaverse is a stubborn, dominant alpha male (my favorite). He wants to have his cake and eat it too... and he does. The main love story, though features Security Chief Liam and an enigmatic passenger on their commercial/freight spacecraft. The mystery man, Hadrian, at first appears to be a criminal fugitive, but as the story unfolds, he becomes more complex than he at first appears.
Overall a quick read (because I couldn't put it down). Look forward to future stories in the series....more
This here's some kinky shit. Fisting. Pony play. Spanking. A BDSM relationship dynamic. And yet the story itself is all so very wholesome and dare I sThis here's some kinky shit. Fisting. Pony play. Spanking. A BDSM relationship dynamic. And yet the story itself is all so very wholesome and dare I say, formulaic? We get angst. We get conflict-resolution. We get romance and a syrupy sweet HEA.
Obviously the writing craft is top rate with flawless editing. That's a given with this author. And the first-person narrative, being conveyed authentically, in character, really impressed me. This became a very quick read for me because I didn't want to put it down.
The bruised, broken, and beautifully flawed main character, Roe, stole my heart. His self-depreciating, unpretentious manner pulled me immediately into his corner, and the underlying turmoil he wore like an albatross around his neck made my heart bleed for him. I loved how his true character was revealed, not with words, but by the story itself. And Travis Loving completed him so marvelously. Travis's love is what saves Roe, and he does it in all the right ways. Travis becomes Roe's protector, his cheerleader, his biggest fan, but he does it so subtly and in such a way he doesn't spook the young man who's already been shafted by life in almost every way imaginable.
I'm not sure about that ending, though. It's almost too perfect. But hey, this is MM Romance, after all. Overall, an absolutely spectacular read.
Wow, another delightful short story by Sedonia! This one just might be my favorite so far. I absolutely love the way she portrays softer, effeminate gWow, another delightful short story by Sedonia! This one just might be my favorite so far. I absolutely love the way she portrays softer, effeminate gay male characters. And Genji, the main character of this story, really touched my heart. ...more
I wasn't quite expecting such a powerfully emotional impact. This book and the storytelling within its pages delivered quite a wallop, leading the reaI wasn't quite expecting such a powerfully emotional impact. This book and the storytelling within its pages delivered quite a wallop, leading the reader through an emotional journey of highs and lows worse than a roller coaster ride. I savored the delightfully slow buildup leading into the romance. Then the full-on passion erupted and swept me off my feet as my heart soared to the highest peak only to suddenly come crashing back to earth, devastated and utterly crushed.
The story at first seemed like a gay-for-you romance, the central character Noah being introduced as heterosexual. A more holistic view of the man, however, leads me now to believe he was the type of guy who's searching his whole life for who he his. It's not until he finds love that he really figures it out. It's not until that trans-formative epiphany that his life finally makes sense.
Robert, on the other hand, has known and embraced his sexual orientation since early on in life. But his self-acceptance hasn't come without a cost. Abandoned by his folks, he develops very thick skin and learns to survive. These survival skills don't allow him to trust many people. And they certainly don't allow him to open his heart and really love another human being. Until... Noah.
Don't pass this one up! Please, if there's any single book I've read over the past couple years that I'd call a MUST READ, this is it. But prepare yourself. Get a full box of tissues ready. ...more
I've been a fan of this author, and particularly this series, since the first book, but Wrestling With Passion is definitely my favorite. Honestly, itI've been a fan of this author, and particularly this series, since the first book, but Wrestling With Passion is definitely my favorite. Honestly, it's heartening to see an author emerge in this manner, improving his craft with every release. Although talent factors into the mix, an obvious dose of very hard work has gone into the effort to hone D.H. Starr's writing craft skills.
The boys of the Wrestling series are now all grown up. They're young men in college, and the author has done a fantastic job of fleshing them out, layering their characters. Derek follows his emotions and allows his heart to bleed for those less fortunate. He has a soft spot for the underdog and downtrodden. Scott, though not cold-hearted, faces life far more pragmatically. The two complement each other, bringing out the best in one another.
Scott and Derek's biggest challenge, though, is to manage compromise within their relationship. Scott always wants to protect Derek, but Derek sometimes feels smothered. Derek sees the goodness in others, and he gets frustrated when Scott expresses skepticism. And Scott becomes annoyed and feels under-appreciated when Derek thwarts his efforts to shield him from harm.
Yet through each of their challenges, their love deepens. And the lovemaking is hot, passionate, and sensual.
I love the story and even more so, the writing. Looking forward to more by this author....more
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