Boystown Series by Marshall Thornton

Boystown by Marshall Thornton

I just finished reading/devouring the first six installments of the Boystown series. In three days! Yes, the series is that good. Now I have to find a way to do justice to the books without giving all kinds of spoilers. So I apologize in advance, if I fail at that.

Boystown is a neighborhood in Chicago, named that for the concentration of gays and gay businesses in the area. It was one of the first recognized gay villages in the USA.

Our hero is Nick Nowak, a Polish former cop. When he and his progressive boyfriend were gay bashed, Nick is outed against his wishes. The Chicago PD is notoriously corrupt, but it’s the standard anti-gay attitudes of the day that force Nick to resign.

He might as well have died in that attack as far his Catholic family is concerned. Not only do they refuse to have a “fag” in their family, but he chose to become a private eye.

The Boystown stories follow Nick as he solves crimes, finds the missing, and saves lives. This is a series of detective stories and should not be mistaken for a romance, although there are elements of romance present.

The stories take place in the early 1980’s, when I was still in high school. All the little bits of news that get thrown in to establish the era are things that I remember: the attempted assassinations of President Reagan and the Pope, the Tylenol poisonings.

With the exception of GRID. It was called AIDS by the time I was aware of the disease syndrome.

The way the different characters deal with the disease varies from “I’ve either already got it or I don’t” to “I’m never having sex again.” In between are men who chose how their life would end, men who find God, and men who learn how to use a condom.

This was an era when condom use was mainly to prevent pregnancy; although it was mentioned in high school health class, very few people were using them to prevent the spread of STDs. Maybe that was different in the cities.

Nick is a complicated man capable of fidelity, but not always practicing it. A “happily” closeted man, forced out by someone he trusted. A protector, who loses that sense of personal rightness when forced to protect himself and others. But overall, a good man as even his harshest critic is eventually forced to admit.

If you haven’t read the series, you should give the first story a try. You won't be able to stop there.

This is gay fiction, not m/m romance. So leave your expectations at the door.

Driving into the Sun by Dev Bentham

Driving into the Sun by Dev Bentham
Review by A.B. Gayle

This makes it two out of two for this author's books so far for me. The character's backgrounds form an important part of her stories. They have affected who the character is and the issues they are dealing with.

Perhaps an expert in the field may be able to find an error or two, but from the point of view of a novice in the subject, her dealing in this case with a Native American seemed respectful and informed.

The complexity and gradual, realism of forging a strong bond won't satisfy the readers who insist on insta-lurv and perfect characters, but boy does it make a welcome change because of that.

And the last scene on the ferry at Seattle was extra good as I did that on my long road trip there earlier this year. She got that part spot on. Right down to the clunking as cars rolled into place. Magic.

Now to see if she can make it three from three.

A Dish Served Cold by Andrew Ashling

A Dish Served Cold by Andrew Ashling
Review by A.B. Gayle

This is one of those rare occasions when the Epilogue not only works brilliantly but adds a whole new dimension to the book which made me want to read it all over again.

There's a lot going on beneath the surface. Take the time to get to know the situation and the characters and, because it's first person POV, remember that the narrator can sometimes be harsher on himself than he needs to be.

Some reviewers have reacted to the blurb, which is understandable. This bit particularly: “There is one upside to almost getting raped. It proves that you're at least desirable to someone.”

Those sentences need to be read with a sardonic tone rather than a heartfelt one. The narrator (and assumably the author's) reaction to rape is by no means condoning it. Perhaps the full quote from the book sums the situation up better after the narrator averted an attempted rape by use of words and threats.

“You're awfully quiet, dear” my mother said in the car on the way home.

“Oh, I'm just a little bit tired, that's all,” I answered.

In fact, I was mulling over the events of that afternoon. Why hadn't I told on Geoffrey? What had tipped the scales? Well, I was not too sure. I truly pitied the guy. It couldn't be easy being him, what with his looks, and his craving for young boys. And like my mother always said: “Nobody deserves to be made a slave. I don't care what they're supposed to have done. It not only degrades the victim, it also degrades us as a society”. I tended to agree with her. If you think that was noble of me, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. There was also a considerable measure of self preservation involved. I would have had to recount the whole sordid affair in embarrassingly intimate details to the police and almost certainly repeat it again publicly in court. The story would have been all over the papers. Who needed this kind of notoriety? School was hard enough without being known as the boy who almost got fucked in the ass. No, thank you very much, it was enough that Geoffrey had believed I was prepared to involve the authorities.

Thoughts of an altogether different nature raged also through my mind. Until today I had paid little attention to my looks. It had come as a surprise to me that my appearance could drive somebody as far as to lose control and throw all caution to the wind. As distasteful as the whole episode had been, it was also kind of flattering in a weird, twisted way. Maybe, I thought, I can make Sean Denham see what Geoffrey Singer had seen.

That quote in the blurb is trying to convey the narrator's attitude to life in general rather than his attitude to rape itself.

In fact, the following shows that not only does he hate the act, but he pities the man who actually commits rape (later in the story) on another character who had made his body freely available to a basketball team:
"If only he had let him. If only he had asked. Instead, the dirt bag had masturbated in him."

The story is, in essence, about a young man gradually developing a sense of what's right and wrong in his society and acting on it. He hates bullies who abuse their power and hurt those who aren't in a position to fight back, on all levels: sexual, psychological and eventually political.

Port in a Storm by Douglas Black

I really enjoyed this unconventional tale of being swept off your feet by a mysterious lover. I would have jumped at the chance to go somewhere--anywhere!--with Jake. It's a good thing Alex was a little smarter than that.

I really liked the chemistry between Jake and Alex. I must admit that I was rooting for Jake from the beginning. There was just something about him that I found very intriguing.

Alex is a young man in need of being reminded that he didn't have to be what his parents thought was best for him. Jake provided the impetus he needed to find his own way in life. His mother had done an amazing job of surgically implanting those apron strings.

And of course, the plentiful, hot and varied sex.

You would never know that Mr Black's brilliant debut novel was originally published without benefit of editors. He has recently revised and republished the story with Loose-Id. I intended to add that book to my shelves when it is released October 14th.

And just look at that new cover!

The Other Man edited by Paul Fahey

The Other Man

An Anthology of Essays on Infidelity collected by Alan Fahey
review by A.B. Gayle
Gay non-fiction

To say that “The Other Man” is all about infidelity is short-changing the subject and defining the concept by very narrow values. While it’s true that for many readers and reviewers, infidelity is a deal breaker, the fact that these essays are all based on actual experiences makes them an intriguing study of this taboo topic.

Each essay shows a different aspect of the picture, making the issue less black and white and much more complex.

Firstly, Jeffrey Ricker details how while young, single and desperate he often found himself hooking up with married men when he used online dating services.

Glen Retief discovered while living in a country where gay men were forced to remain in the closet, that his rival was not a single person but many.

The more traditional concept is explored in the next story by Jason Schneiderman. After being cuckolded by his last boyfriend the author had been determined to ease his way into his next relationship: “no longer falling into bed on first dates” only to discover that the man he is platonically dating already has a boyfriend who lives in another city. Unwittingly, he has become “The Other Man.” They decide to make it “just sex” and the person he is with is candid about their relationship with his current boyfriend. The strange thing is, that by eliminating the pressure of forming a committed relationship and worrying about love, the author relaxes and finds he really enjoys the time they spend together as well as the great sex. Time doesn’t stand still though and gradually things change.

The next two stories, by Austin Bunn and Tom Mendicino also involve straying husbands but are totally different.

Some of the contributors to the anthology are authors, others have blogs. This was how I discovered Jeff Mann whose story visits an experience he drew on for a few of his stories.

The strength of the anthology rests in the variety of slants each author contributes to the topic. The writing style is varied and the prose flows smoothly. No single story stands out or drags the others down by being inferior. I only found one typo: palette for palate.

I found the book an intriguing study of a subject that is instantly dismissed in MM romance as a deal breaker. Infidelity or just Open Relationships are a lot more than that. For many gay men, it is precisely this narrow view of the subject that turns them off reading MM romance. Perhaps if more females read this anthology they would see why.

It is a testament to the ability of the writers that these essays are as entertaining as well as informative. We are privileged to see honest glimpses of their lives.

There is a longer version of this review on my Goodreads shelf.

Tinseltown by Barry Brennessel

And now for something different... This is not your typical romance, and is not explicit, but it's one heck of an example of fine storytelling.

OMG! I love Barry Brennessel's voice, and Tinseltown is one incredible read. Micah is an adorable character who makes me feel downright sane! My quirks are nothing compared to his. He is an average guy, deliciously flawed, looking for love, and totally captivating.

The first time I saw the title for this book, I assumed it would be about Hollywood. It's not, although the protagonist is studying film. Loved finding out about "Tinseltown" though, and Micah's adventures there.

I found it really clever how the author used film and television devices to gently push the story along. Micah's life definitely has it's ups and downs, aided and abetted by his own personal Greek chorus and other narrative voices, which I absolutely adored.

The story tells of Micah's journey, how he matures (as much as he can), until he finally reaches a place in his life that is right, though far removed where he'd once thought he'd be. Lot's of TV and movie trivia here, and some references brought back memories. All the characters, no matter how small a role they played, were fully realized--some you may even think you know. All in all, Tinseltown is a delightful, if occasionally sad tale about those who enter Micah's life for a reason, a season, or forever.

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough, and it's very easy to see why it won a Lambda Literary nomination and a Rainbow Award.

And who knew three little words could be so funny? "We do that."

The Billabong by Jack Byrne

The Billabong by Jack Byrne – four out of five stars

Jim Kelly has lost his family and now fights to eke out a living in the Outback of the late 1800’s. It’s backbreaking work in a less than hospitable environment. The multitude of deadly wildlife is only one of the hazards he faces.

When one of those dangers nearly takes his life, Mark Turner comes to his aid. Mark is a man of secrets and contradictions. Jim knows the man is hiding something. But since Mark saved his life, he’s willing to overlook that, especially as he finds himself drawn closer and closer to him.

When Mark finds himself in danger, Jim must decide if he is willing to risk everything to help the other man.

I very much enjoyed the descriptions of life in the Outback, and of the land itself. It’s fairly obvious that the author knows what he is talking about as far as animal handling and ranching practices are concerned.

Even though The Billabong is not the author’s first work, Mr Byrne is still new to the scene. I’m glad to report that with a few minor exceptions, the writing style is well developed.

The Billabong is a classic slow burn, with aspects of hurt/comfort and gay for you.