[ADVANCED REVIEW} People of Pride- 25 LGBTQ Americans

Author: Chase Clemesha, MD 

Publisher: Capstone

Pages: 65 Pages (e-book)

Formats: ebook

Rating:  3 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy

So as an LGBTQ person, it is brilliant to see books designed for the younger generation of the community celebrating and recognising people in the past/present who are influential in some sort.

The downside- and to be fair I did forget as I read this book- is that it is all about Americans. There’s nothing wrong with this in itself; except for the fact that there are heaps of influential people part of the LGBTQ community throughout the world that needs to be celebrated and word still needs to get out (for example Alan Turing is always worth a mention!)

Generally speaking, People of Pride is an excellent and accessible read for the younger reading people; the author doesn’t condescend the reader and there’s a brief paragraph with some illustrations.

[e-book] The Weight of It All by N.R Walker

I’m currently going through a stage of comfort reading and anything by N.R Walker is usually a go to reread with no hesitations, but more so in particular this novel and its sweet little short A Very Henry Christmas.

The most important question for this review is where do I start?

The best thing about this book- well let’s be honest anything written by N.R Walker- is the believability of the characters she writes. For a piece of fiction to be successful you need to be able to either relate or empathise with the characters and in The Weight of It All (TWOITA) you can’t help but empathise Henry, an individual who’s just been dumped by his boyfriend of eight years for being too fat and having an “old man” lifestyle.

Henry is nothing short of simply a superb narrator and character; you can’t help but life him because he’s not only a funny person but also a character who’s got their flaws and strengths, a richly drawn character that you can’t help feel like would be your friend if they existed in real life.

At its core TWOITA is a story about acceptance and loving oneself; for despite Henry attending a gym in order to try to get his boyfriend back, we see him being encouraged by his hunky personal trainer Reed to achieve greatness in his life.

Speaking of Reed, as the other main character he’s nothing short of totally loveable, believable and amazing; he is also richly drawn out with his own background and faults and fears and desires; another example of how we all have our own paths to follow and the message of accepting ourselves is truly universal.

By the end of TWOITA you can’t help but fall in love with everyone in the novel- well the ones who you should fall in life with anyway.

Rating- 5/5 stars.

[e-book] Throwing Hearts by N.R Walker

N.R Walker is one of my favourite writers of all times; along with Renae Kaye and Sean Kennedy. As an Australian reader it’s always great to support local writers in a genre where we need more Aussie romance.

The story revolves around Leo- a young gay lad- who, while he isn’t working, volunteers at his local activity centre that pairs a younger LGBTQIA with an older member of the community- and Merrick; a local business owner busy with his clay making business.

They meet when the local activity centre decides to have an outing to the local clay making business.

This is a refreshing piece of work that I’ve read in a little while as while it also N.R Walker’s trademark good writing and humour; it also features older members of the queer community and they are given such strong character and plot; it’s invigorating!

The story moves along at quite a strong pace which is enjoyable and the “angst” that you normally find in piece of writing as this is also not atypical; indeed it was a good “blindside” but it again was refreshing to see it and I’m grateful for it.

Another great read from N.R Walker which I highly recommend

The Shearing Gun- Renae Kaye

I happened to stumble across Renae Kaye by accident- I was randomly browsing the Dreamspinner Press website- and the cover for this novel caught me eye; along with the title. Thankfully I decided to purchase the e-book and I haven't looked back- Kaye has become one of my favourite authors!

Most novels in gay romance take a focus on the life in the city; the “big smoke” so to speak. But this novel takes the opposite approach- gays in the countryside and with recent news and opinion pieces in the Australian media- it's a story that even in fiction needs to be told.

The main focus of the novel is of Henry “Hank” Woods; the shearing gun that the title refers to, a closeted mid 20s Australian footy player who has compartmentalised his work life and his “love” life.

This all comes crushing down when the new GP (Elliott) comes to town and challenges Hank and his ability to keep his love life away from his ability to keep it away (literally!) from the small country town.

After a football incident and the inevitable teasing and what ifs, Hank and Elliott start a tentative relationship while juggling work needs and also their need to keep their relationship a secret from the other people in their small country town.

The strength of the novel is Kayes' writing and characterisation- you are constantly laughing and experience a wide range of emotions while rooting for Hank and Elliott. The small things that Kaye puts into her writing- like the nickname Hank gives Elliott- really pays off as that is what we do in Australia.

Without giving too many spoilers I can say that the “cliffhanger” wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be- thankfully! If it was I don't think I could have handled the extra shot of “the feels!”

Author: Renae Kaye

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages: 214

Formats: E-Book, Novel, 

Rating:

Upcoming Posts

So with a few days left of my extend sick leave I am going to put them to good use by posting more reviews this week and continue with at least bi-weekly postings, hopefully more!

Anyway to give a clue as to what I'll be posting I'll let you know about some of my favourite authors at the moment- Anna Martin, Renae Kaye and Sean Kennedy.

I am literally reading most/all their works at the moment and therefore I'll be spreading their works to as many people as I can.

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

[Novel/E-book] The Isle of Wight [Book 1]

I was browsing through the Dreamspinner Press website and I came across this novel and I was slightly skeptical as to if I should buy it or not- after all I love my weepy M/M romances, but this one I wasn't too sure.

In the end I did- and brought the sequel at the sometime- hoping on the off chance that I would get hooked on it.

And I did.

The story line revolves around Liam who has promised his late best friend Alex that he would spread his ashes on the Isle of Wight and Sam; who quickly develop a "holiday romance" that's not quite a holiday romance. They fall in love quite fast- so fast that it almost made me think "are you shitting me?!?!"

But to Sue Browns' credit; I kept on reading and she used the cliched holiday romance and turned it on its head by making the "fall in love quick and deep" as part of Sam's trait; with which his entire family gives him shit for it.

The entire novel revolves around their romance; but yet it doesn't forget why Liam is on the Isle of Wight in the first place. This subplot is dealt with gently and respectfully while silently tugging on your heat strings.

Rating: 4 stars

[Novel] Tigers and Devils

It seems like a long long time ago that I was recommended this novel online by someone I chat occasionally with, but they knew enough about me that they knew I am a one eyed Collingwood supporter. But this novel still remains as my favourite go to read for when I'm bored or feeling a bit down.

Told from the view of Simon Murray, a mid 20years independent film festival manger; the novel revolves around the relationship between him and Declan Tyler, another 20something footy player whose potential is being held back by constant injury.

The writing of this novel is nothing if not superb as well as the characters and story arc; supporting characters are fully developed and you feel as if they're your best friends as well as Simons'. When the characters go through troubled times; you ache for them deeply which is further proof of how well Kennedy writes.

What is interesting is that this novel is now available as a second edition; which in my mind is not needed. While I accept the premise of second editions (after all, some errors are only picked up after publishing), I honestly believe that the minor changes to the novel (basically some tidying up of sentence structures, additional similes etc.) were not needed.

Most of all, this novel makes me ache for the day we get an out AFL player (ideally at Collingwood :P). If you like your romance without too much sexyness, but yet realistic I highly recommend this book. Plus it's always fun trying to pick out the locations of your home town.

Author: Sean Kennedy

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages: 376

Formats: Paperback, e-book, audiobook

Rating:  5 stars

Batman

Movie Poster

I sadly have to admit I'm a late convert to this new Batman movie franchise, but I'm thankful I was afforded the opportunity to see all 3 of them on the big screen in a row. And all I could keep thinking was "Best! Movie! Franchise! Ever!"

I also have to admit liking the Batman movies of the 80s/90s- I mean yes the George Clooney one was a tad iffy but it was still an enjoyable movie. And yes compared with this trilogy; hell this movie alone; you can see how outdated the previous movies are, but 13 years is a long time and this movie is the start of a new journey, one that cannot be compared to the old one, but rather just admired and respected for a differing direction.

Directed by Christopher Nolan; the first thing noticeable about the movie is the tone and and direction this movie takes. You could tell from the instant the movie starts that it was going to be "gritty" for a lack of a better word and this movie doesn't disappoint. Another noticeable thing  is that apart from the opening studio logo; there is no opening credits.

The most important thing to note about this movie is the casting. Nolan has chosen an impeccable cast with Christian Bale, Katie Holmes (though her role was recast for

The Dark Knight

), Gary Oldman, Cilian Murphy in leading roles for this movie and all are perfect.