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Book Review: “Painted on My Heart” by Kindle Alexander

by | Feb 11, 2017

This is my first Kindle Alexander book (I know, weird). It’s probably not a surprise though that I loved it. Painted on My Heart is a delightful, yet pretty intense, story between a millionaire real estate developer and an artist.

Arik, the real estate developer, is also a bit of a playboy. He has guys around the globe, but he’s not looking to be tied down. That changes though when he meets Kellus, an artist whose work he’s admired for some time. For Arik, he’s not used to having his advances turned away. Kellus, however, doesn’t want a relationship because of the disaster his first love was–and continues to be.

Arik simply doesn’t take no for an answer, though, no matter how much Kellus pushes back. Kellus pushes back because, among other things, his life is dominated by his art and his drug addict ex who keeps turning up to cause trouble.

I love these characters. While Arik comes off as a controlling dick early in the book, his deepening desire for Kellus morphs him into solid boyfriend material. It’s pretty incredible the lengths that Arik will go to prove to Kellus that he’s worth of the millionaire (even when most guys would probably walk away because it’s too much trouble). And Kellus, the man needs all the love and hugs he can get. He’s got more baggage than anyone should have to hold. Sometimes I wanted to slap him for not allowing Arik to help him more, but it’s also what makes Kellus such a strong character because he wants to make everything right on his own.

There’s also a rich batch of supporting characters with Arik’s family, who are simply a hoot. I expected them to be more as if they came from Dynasty or Dallas, but in fact they’re more like a rich Modern Family.

Watching Arik and Kellus take one step forward and two steps (and sometimes more) back brought on all the feels. Kindle Alexander knows how to weave a romance with a ton of obstacles for the lovers to overcome. While this was my first Kindle book, it definitely won’t be the last because I want to see more characters fall in love through their words.

Audiobook Review: “Wolfsong” by TJ Klune, Performed by Kirt Graves

by | Feb 3, 2017

Each time I read a TJ Klune novel I find myself in awe. I’ve only read three books–How to Be a Normal Person, Murmuration and now Wolfsong–and I’m always blown away by his storytelling. I’d love for him to one day teach a class about how he creates and crafts a story as I would sign up for that with no hesitation.

I don’t usual pick up paranormal books either, but two lines in the blurb caught me. First, “Ox was 16 when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.” And then, “Ox was 23 when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his blood red eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.” (Actually, the shocking thing about the blurb is that it gives away large chunks of what happens in the first half of the book.)

As you can probably guess by the title, Wolfsong deals in werewolves. Ox isn’t one. He’s just a guy who was told by his dad that he wouldn’t amount to much. One day, Ox meets Joe, the boy–a little tornado, who would change everything. Joe’s family are werewolves and Joe was abducted by an evil wolf, looking for power. Joe has to talk to Ox. Has to find out who Ox is.

That begins a journey that runs a decade (maybe a bit more) that runs the gambit from coming of age and first love to making hard choices about the survival of family and pack. Like some other books by TJ, it’s hard to discuss the book without giving things away that are best experienced by the reader for the first time. Not only is the story of Joe and Ox powerful as a romance (albeit a far form normal one) and as an intense journey of self discovery, but the intertwining stories of their friends and family and the importance of Joe and Ox to them is as beautiful as it can be devastating.

Kirt Graves, in his audiobook debut, does an extraordinary job. I have to call out his performance of Joe. Joe ages from nine into his early twenties and his transformation over the years from little tornado to a battle worn twenty-something is beyond perfect. Graves also does a perfect job as Ox, who narrates the story. Ox is complex and goes through so many ups and downs over the course of the eighteen hour plus book, Graves captures the joy, fear, unsureness, heartbreak and everything else so incredibly. (Just recently released is Graves’ performance of Klune’s Murmuration and I think I’m going to have to pick that up and see what he’s done with that incredible book.)

Even if paranormal isn’t your thing, I’d recommend giving this a try because there’s so much great here that goes far beyond werewolves.

NOTE: I received a free audiobook for an honest review for Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast.

Book Review: “The Otto Digmore Difference” by Brent Hartinger

by | Feb 3, 2017

Otto Digmore is one of my favorite characters that was introduced in Brent Hartinger’s Russel Middlebrook Series. Otto was introduced when Russel went to camp in The Order of the Poison Oak. He was an interesting teenager to read about, especially back in 2005, not only was he gay but he was also living with scars on his face and body, which were the result of a fire when he was younger.

Like other characters form the YA series, Otto made the jump into Russel Middlebrook: The Futon Years, where we get to see everyone as college graduates in their mid-20s. Otto has now struck out with his own series of books with The Otto Digmore Difference being the first (coming out on February 21).

As with The Futon Years, I loved this book and it’s wonderful that Otto finally has the spotlight. This book picks up right after the events in The Road to Amazing. Otto returns to L.A., discovers his apartment door has been vandalized and that his CW sitcom has been cancelled. His agent isn’t being much help either, her assistant however thinks there’s a movie he needs to audition for.

The trick is that Otto needs to read for the director, who had to miss is audition in L.A. So, Otto, along with Russel, are on an adventure to get Otto to a meeting with the director before the movie is cast. This leads to a cross country road trip which is so fun. It’s just like a movie–which is perfect since Otto and Russel both love movies. Hartinger uses the typical movie plots to frame Otto’s story so well.

This book really digs deep on Otto–from his relationship with his scars and what they mean for his life to his feels on Russel, showbiz, his childhood and where he is in his life at age 26. Reading what motivates him was fascinating because he is the very different character in the Russel universe–which of course make the title of this book very appropriate. As you can expect with two characters thrown together for so many days, a lot of things come to light. Russel’s reactions to learning so much about his long time friend are, at times, intense. He learns things he likely never would’ve otherwise.

I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing where Otto goes from here. This book is an excellent introduction to Otto if you’ve never read any of the Russel books…and it’s even more perfect for those of us who’ve watched Otto in the background for so many years.

NOTE: I received a free, advanced, copy of this book in exchange for beta reading (as well as prep for an interview with Brent Hartinger for Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast, episode 70).

“Rent” at 20

by | Feb 1, 2017

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 20 years since I first heard music from Rent. I was living in Humboldt County, just like I am now, and during the spring of 1996 it was all the buzz coming out of New York. The internet wasn’t like it is today though–no YouTube for example–so what I could see came from TV. “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” had the cast on as it opened on Broadway in April. The Tony Awards celebrated the show as it won a number of awards, including best musical.

In August 1996, the original Broadway cast recording was released and I ate that up. I remember going on my lunch hour from where I worked in Fortuna to the mall in Eureka  to get the CD and it was an incredible listening experience. Finally seeing the original cast at the Nederlander Theatre in September 1996 was one of the most epic nights in the theatre I’ve had to this day.

Over the years I’ve seen the show a number of times–on Broadway, off-Broadway (in a 2012 re-staging by original director Michael Grief), on tour and done by a Brooklyn-based theatre group. I always love it and it’s still something that, 20 years on, still feels fresh and vital.

I was psyched when Humboldt State’s Center Arts series announced the Rent 20th Anniversary Tour was coming to play at the University’s theatre. I was lucky enough that our friend Clint put in our order for tickets with his season ticket order so we got to purchase before single tickets went on sale. I may have gone a little crazy and picked up tickets for both nights of the run.

The tour uses the original set design and costumes (with maybe some small differences). The cast is all in top form, which made me so happy. Over the years there’ve been times where some of the cast isn’t up to my expectations. Across the board this cast completely inhabited the show and brought their own takes to the characters. Some particular call outs in the cast include Kaleb Wells as Roger, Danny Harris Kornfeld as Mark and David Merino as Angel. Well’s Roger seemed angry, a lot, at his situation. I’ve never seen a Roger like that and it was an interesting take on the character. Kornfeld’s Mark had an interesting playfulness at times that was enjoyable. Merino’s Angel was solid, but what drew me to his performance was some of the business he had going on in the background–a touch, a look at another character as if trying to comfort. He wanted to be everyone’s angel.

It struck me, as I sat in the theatre waiting for the performance, that it was interesting I was back in Humboldt. Will and I first saw Rent on Broadway in ’96, as I mentioned, while we still lived here. It was just two years later we moved to New York. We stayed in the big city for fifteen. Now as Rent turns 20, we’ve been back here for over two years.

Meanwhile, even though the musical is rooted in the mid-90s, so much of it resonates today. AIDS is still an issue. Gay, bi and trans people still fight to feel safe and to hang on to the equality we’ve got. Many of the lyrics hit home in these Trump times, especially the ones about measuring your life in love.

Yes, I had an amazing time last night. I’m looking forward to going back tonight and sharing with Will and other friends.

 

 

Book Review: “A Coal Miner’s Son” by T.A. Chase

by | Jan 15, 2017

This is the first time I’ve read T.A. Chase as a solo writer (instead of the books she writes with Devon Rhodes). I loved A Coal Miner’s Son, which is the West Virginia entry in Dreamspinner Press’ States of Love series.

The blurb drew me in–a story about two men from vastly different backgrounds finding love. James Callahan and Cai Rees have known each other forever. When he was young, James came to Willow Hollow with his father, the owner of the town’s coal mine (and for that matter of the entire town). James befriended Owain Rees, Cai’s younger brother, at a young age and the two remained best friends and hang out together when James is in town on mine business. Cai, however, has never felt comfortable being friends–or more–with the boss’ son.

What I loved about this book is that Cai and James weren’t brought together in any of the ways I thought they would be. I don’t make it a point to try and guess things about plots, but for this one I had some ideas on how I figured it would go down–and it didn’t happen that way at all. The way the men came together was perfect and the lead up to the moment their connection was made had a nice buildup.

I enjoyed the setting of the book–out in rural coal country. The peek into that life, as well as James’ desire to live there because he’d always felt more connected to Willow Hollow rather than the fancy, rich surroundings he grew up in, gave the book a lot of depth. This is not the normal setting for contemporary gay romance (at least not that I’ve read) and that was one of the things that drew me to this book… and made me love it so much.

Book Review: “Empty Net” by Avon Gale

by | Jan 15, 2017

I sprinted right into Empty Net by Avon Gale as soon as I was done with Power Play because Power Play had the first chapter of Empty Net. There was no way I couldn’t take a break between books.

Gale has written some amazing characters in this series who have trouble navigating social situations–Courtnall in Breakaway, Drake in Power Play and now there’s Laurent St. Savoy in Empty Net.

St. Savoy was briefly introduced in Power Play as the evil goalie for the evil Ravens. As Empty Net begins we find that St. Savoy has been traded to the Spitfires. No one is happy about this–except the team’s owner, who we know from Power Play love to stir up drama.

Issac Drake might be the least pleased of everyone. As the Spitfires goalie, he’s not thrilled at suddenly having competition for his starting spot. Plus, St. Savoy and Drake have bad history (which I won’t spoil if you haven’t read Power Play). However, Drake has to step up since he’s the Spitfires captain and get St. Savoy integrated into the team.

It’s not easy because St. Savoy has had a horrible time at the hands of his father. It’s been a life of hearing that he wasn’t good enough, that no one could possibly like him  as well as some violence when he didn’t do as he was told. Of course, Drake’s life growing up wasn’t great either and it actually gives the two some common ground.

Each of them also feels an attraction to the other. St. Savoy doesn’t know what to do with that since he’s been told so often that no one will like him. Drake, on the other hand, isn’t sure he could, or should, pursue a relationship with someone as damaged as St. Savoy is.

Of course, since this is a romance novel, they do make a go for it. Drake is such a hero as he does everything he can to help St. Savoy–first by simply feeling a part of the team to helping him see that he can be loved. St. Savoy, meanwhile, has an amazing internal dialogue as he fights against what he’s been told forever. The ultimate choices he makes are inspiring.

I devoured this book, as I have the others in the series, and it’s all because of how Gale spins the story. I mentioned in the review of Power Play that I felt her storytelling skills were evolving fast as she wrote these books. Empty Net was another terrific leap from Power Play. I know book five is coming soon and she’s writing book six. I’m eagerly looking forward to these future installments.

 

Book Review: “Power Play” by Avon Gale

by | Jan 1, 2017

I didn’t think it was possible to love Avon Gale’s Scoring Chances series more than I already did–and then I read Power Play. This book leaves behind the Jacksonville Sea Storm, although the team along with Riley and Ethan do have cameos. This time the focus is on the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the ECHL. The GM is looking to stir up trouble by hiring former Boston Burin Misha Samarin as the head coach and former Montreal Canadiean Max Ashford. Years earlier, Max’s NHL career ended after an on-ice accident involving Misha. The Spitfires GM is hoping for a clash, but Misha and Max aren’t willing to play that game. They’re there to coach hockey.

What Misha and Max don’t expect is to fall for each other. Gale does a tremendous job with the couple’s courtship. Even though Max is quick to forgive Misha for the accident, Misha carries a lot of guilt that Max initially thinks is just because of Misha’s Russian upbringing. He soon learns there’s much more to it than that. As the two navigate their way towards being an open couple they go through a lot–because they both have some baggage they don’t necessarily want to talk about to anyone much less each other. In this book, even more than the previous two, then men come from difficult backgrounds and that makes it all the more compelling as they find their way to each other.

There’s also the matter of goalie Issac Drake, openly gay and headstrong. He’s got some baggage as well that he doesn’t want interfering with the Spitfires. His struggles create a strong supporting storyline that is excellent–and one I’m not going to give away in any fashion.

I feel like I’ve watched an already strong writer grow in her storytelling techniques through these three books so far. Well done, Avon Gale!

Between a superb romance and the mystery surrounding Issac, and a great dose of hockey action. Power Play was a great read to close out 2016. Issac takes center stage in Empty Net, so that’s going to be one of my first books of 2017 to read for sure.