AMAZON REVIEWS
All of the reviews are taken
directly from Amazon.com and are only altered to correct misspellings.
5 STAR REVIEWS
OUCH!!!...Larry
Coles, you did it....,
........you “Wiccan-ed” up
this addictive read.......and now I can’t stop.
(Here is my approach to
obtaining / reading / reviewing Gay romance tales in book form (you could see
it as seeking the holy grail of that genre—or as looking for the “Addictive
Read”). Selection of read materials is based mainly upon purchase of new
stories by favorite authors or on comments/reviews by others of you in these
online “Book” pages. Re the latter, sometimes I feel correctly steered by you
(the “Keepers” filling my shelves), other times mislead—occasionally badly (the
“Throwaways”). Rarely, I come across the “Addictive,” those I can reread at
least monthly (see below starred *** area for a list…and for some of the
“near-Addictive” as well). For some reads, I’ll want to share comments with
you, as follows. Thanks for sticking with me so far.)
Please just let this reader
say, Larry Coles, if you are anything at all like the magical Tommy Ford,
then—facts aside that you’re already taken and I’m way too old—I could fall for
you. Further I say: Shame on you for creating this need, this addiction for at
least a monthly read of what you’ve created here. (Aren’t there Federal laws
against that?) Well now, with all that out of the way, let me pour out to you,
my circle of fellow addictees here today, some random impressions concerning
just how I fell into this hellish cycle of read and reread. Without giving away
plot points, they include:
Discovering this author being
the first in memory who’s shown me it “takes a village” to make a writer...for
he certainly has that (just read his lengthy Acknowledgments, his Dedication
and Memorium).
My firm belief that what makes
this work so rereadable, so “returnable to” is that Larry gives us this special
creature (Wiccan or not), this Ford, Tommy “who “ (notice
use of “who” and not “that”) lifts and carries our spirits as few other
characters in this genre have done. Tommy’s the most self-effacing / look
forward to be with / gets under your skin, individual one could imagine. He’s
most often pleasantly upbeat—and sometimes playfully smartass—to wit, the most
wannabe-with gay character you’re likely to meet. He is, in his very being,
magically “addictive.” Wanting the best for him makes us all feel better.
My thinking that, from a
certain point of view, we’ve been given a real life Fairy-tale, one starring a
Sterling Prince who is perfect in most every way...and a troubled King in need
of saving. We all love such stories and learn from their morals. Along this
line of thought, for those of you out there looking for something “heavy”
(read: lots of tongue and penetrations) then you should know that what author
Coles has fittingly given us is “Sex-Lite.” It’s the lack of sledgehammer
emotions that endears the oh-so-likable central character to us, and we come to
see that’s what makes Tommy Ford who he is: straight arrow, loyal and true, the someone you’d want as your own partner.
My finding that, being a
non-“Greek” college graduate, I learned a lot from this book. Somebody
obviously did his studying (or lived the life) before starting to write. A peek
into such a non-‘animal house’ environment was both interesting and amusing. I
appreciate it, Mr. Writer, and following is a final thought and improvement
wish for you.
Larry Coles, you are my
favorite male, gay romance writer of all time, and you’d be absolutely
perfect...if only you straighten out your use of the pronouns, “who” and
“that.” I began to cringe over this matter shortly into and then throughout the
book. As pronouns, “I” believe it is preferrable to use “who” when relating to
humans/people, and “that” when writing of objects and non-humans. You did use
“who” on occasion, but rarely (here’s an example from Page 177: “With all due
respect, Doctor Young, any woman ‘who’ raises two children and works her way to
a doctorate in psychology is not a woman ‘that’s’ going to be a pushover.”).
You did get it half right, but, in future, please be consistently correct—‘who’
for people. Thank you, sir. Many successes to you in the future, Larry. We’re all
anxiously awaiting that next one.
A different
kind of story,
It is very good
to stumble across a book that doesn’t fall into stereotypes. This book doesn’t
make every jock or frat boy into a total as***le or homophobe. The characters
are central to the plot and by the end of the story I cared about Tommy and
Mark. More importantly it does turn some stereotypes on their heads. While the book is original in many places, I
do have a quibble with just how ‘perfect’ Tommy turns out to be. Not a huge
quibble, but enough to give some pause. Mark had more flaws, but they added to
his character, but the story, as it unfolds, makes me wonder just how smart
Mark really was. Regardless, the book is a fun read and solid story. I hope the
author decides to revisit these characters in the future.
Fun Fraternity
Hazing!,
My fraternity big
brother didn’t fall in love with me, except in my fantasies of the time. In
this lovely book, a delightful young freshman named Tommy (who is also a
“wizard,” after a fashion) falls hard for his big brother Mark in his newly
pledged fraternity. Big problem: Mark is straight and going out with a bXXXh
from Hell, which reflects poorly on Mark’s judgment. Thing is, Mark gets
increasingly smitten with his little brother, though he doesn’t know why. After
Tommy and his dorm mate and best pal Kyle wrap up their pledge period as super
star pledges, Mark is so smitten that he asks Tommy to spend the night with him
the night before going “active.” It is not a fraternal request and it leads the
two to falling head over heels in love with each other. Mark has trouble coping
with his own self-image issues and struggles to understand what he wants not
only from Tommy but also from his girlfriend. The conflict seriously hurts not
only Mark but also Tommy. I was sorry that the author used an assault against
Tommy as a strategem for getting the two guys together again. While such an
assault was not impossible in the story, and a subplot throughout the book did,
in fact, seem to point toward just such an event, it might have been more
moving and realistic to see Mark try to win Tommy back without the assault
giving him the opportunity. Still, the character development, including those
of some of the secondary characters, and the beautifully described love between
the major characters justifies a good score and recommends reading the book.
Enjoy!
Good Guys All
Around,
This is a story of
postive role models for gay men. The backgorund is a college setting, where
acceptance of a gay life is given freely. There’s some magic, the kind your
grandmother spoke of: traditions in strength, honesty, courage, that bring
about a positive change, not Dante’s Cove shenanigans. But mostly it is the
story of Tommy, who falls in love with straight guy Mark. Mark feels the
connection with Tommy but is otherwise occupied with his girlfriend. When that
relationship goes bully-up for the umpteenth time, Mark opens his eyes and
heart to Tommy. Their love is honest and heartfelt. But Mark’s insecurities leads him to break up with Tommy. The time apart mature’s
Mark, him finding acceptance and strength in his love for Tommy. It also helps
Tommy find the road of forgiveness. When Tommy needs Mark the most, he is
there. In the end they pledge a love to each other forever.
A
“Don’t-Put-Me-Down” Book,
By:
Kris Kleeberg “Kris the
Romantic” (In (sigh)
This book was a
title I picked up based on reading other customer reviews and which I agree
with almost entirely. Larry Coles is a good writer and can tell a tale with
verve and heart-warming simplicity. I have looked up the publisher, P.D.
Publishing on the webpage, and Mr. Coles at this time has no other titles
available. I would be interested in reading some of his other works; especially
some of his vampire novels and gay romances. I hope Mr. Coles can find a
publisher for his other titles. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished
it and was lost in the world of the characters up to the last page! To Mr.
Coles, keep up the good work and I hope you find a way to share some of your
other works with us, your reading public.
Heart warming gay romance. A most refreshing plot.,
It is good to
read about gay love in campus where there is no gay bashing and fellow students
try to understand and accept their gay friends. This story in a college is well
written, its plot original and refreshing. Tommy is a freshman with a positive
attitude and has a flair in earthly magics. He fell in
love with Mark a senior who is in all appearance totally straight with his
permanent and temporary girl friends. Their evolving love is credible, engaging
and heartwarming, with a little magical help. Mark coming to terms with who he is, Tommy’s hearbreaking moments are convincingly
told. I also have a wonderfuly time reading about the workings of fraternity,
pledges and “brotherly” support and care. The fraternity brothers, Oscar, Jack,
Dave, Ken, Kyle are equally interesting. I love the interaction among these
young men and would have loved to read more about Jack and Ken. How about more on these characters.
Awesome Book,
I just finished
reading this books and it was one of the best books I have read in a long time.
The characters were real and the plot was wonderful as well. Once I started
reading the book I had a hard time putting it down. Larry really showed how
some people can get over their prejudices about gay men and understand how they
feel. My favorite character was Mark as
I think he grew the most in this story realizing what and who he is and realizing
he is actually a very sensitive guy. I would recommend this book to all young
guys that are coming out.
3 STAR REVIEWS
Blurry Monet,
A good read and
an interesting fantasy about campus life, but I dock it a notch for its
uninspired cover and for some terrible typos which detracted from my reading
pleasure. The hero is called “Mark” most of the time but at least once he’s
called “Marked,” as though he was in the past tense all of a sudden. Too bad
there isn’t a magic wand that would rid a novel of typos just by waving your
stick over the book. Nevertheless the magic theme is strong, and the struggles of
the two lovers are sharply observed, though the problems Mark has with his
girlfriend are a little contrived—no woman is that awful, it feels like a setup
to make Mark gay in reaction to the fact that he’s engaged to a monster.
Wouldn’t there have been more conflict if Mark was actually torn between two
sympathetic people, instead of an angel and a devil? There’s a brutal rape in the story and we get
the inside view of a rapist’s weird mind. Here is where Mr. Coles’ writing
really shines. I suppose the cover image, of the two crossed paddles, alerts
you to the fact that the best parts of the book are about pain and suffering
and the pleasure others seem to find in it. Perhaps akin to this is Coles’
invariable recourse to tortured metaphor. Here’s Mark in a low moment: “As snow
blanketed the ground, Mark imagined it becoming a blank canvas. He wondered
what type of painting would depict his future: a blurry Monet, a twisted and
warped Picasso, or a contemporary monstrosity that made no sense to him. In his
heart, he was convinced that it wouldn’t be a peaceful still life.”
2 STAR REVIEWS
Good book for
juevenile readers,
I have been a
mentor for an Out Youth group in my hometown. This book would be a great fit in
their library. It has a interesting story line and
provides some level of fantasy for a younger audience. I read this along with
several other adults. Although, we did enjoy our read, none of us would be
recommending it to other adults. It’s not on pare with
some great fiction that we have read in the past. Instead, it is ideal for a adolescent or young adult.