Title: Dueling Divas
Series: An Avondale Story
Author: Antonio
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: Novel (260pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18th March 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: The Next Club Superstar contest is just the venue Nash Argento needs to further his career as a singer. There’s only one problem: he has to dress in drag.
With the help of his best female friend, Nash negotiates the challenges of becoming a drag queen in order to compete. But his troubles are far from over. His key competitor is Stacey—a biological woman. Incensed, Nash tries to get her disqualified, but Stacey is desperate for the money, and with the help of her quirky divorcée best friend and the best friend’s lawyer, she manages to stay in the contest.
Bobby Carter is a lonely librarian looking for Mr. Right—and he’s looking in Nash’s direction. Nash seems to be everything Bobby needs… and then he brings Nash home for dinner and discovers Nash is his sister’s main competition. Nash and Stacey get to know each other and even become friends—and just in time. Someone is murdering the contestants one by one, and Nash and Stacey will need all the help they can get to escape the cruel fate the murderer has planned for them.
Set in the same world frame as Etienne’s Avondale Stories
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3648
Review: Nash is hoping to get his singing career off the ground and with Layne’s (his best friend) help he enters a contest at a drag bar with its prize of a recording contest and $10,000. But he soon discovers he has tough competition in the form of Stacey, a full-time mother and wife, and after his initial shock of having female competition at a drag bar they soon have a friendly rivalry. Bobby has never had to come out to his family because he never saw a reason, but when he meets his sisters’ competition he knows that the time is now right, and soon Nash and Bobby are tumbling into love. But as the competition heats up so does the body count, as someone is picking off the competition and no one is safe.
Hmmm, I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I realized another author was writing an Avondale Story, but Etienne’s partner of 17 years Antonio has done a wonderful job of keeping the essence of Avondale alive. Nash usually wouldn’t be seen dead in women’s clothes, but it’s for a good cause, unfortunately he isn’t too happy that a female is allowed into the competition. Clashing with Stacey and her brother Bobby the sparks fly during the first night of the competition and then bumping into Bobby at the grocery store the sparks fly for a different reason. Bobby is amazed to finally find a guy to come out for and throws himself headfirst into love. Supporting both his sister and Nash during the competition is great and they all have fun together. But, the competition becomes scary as the performers are targeted, with the police investigating (we see Carl and George from previous Avondale stories) and the religious zealots protesting Bobby, Nash and their new friends are all in danger. But, can the police discover the murderer before it is too late?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this story. the wonderful atmosphere during the competitions is brought to you in full so you can experience the joy and camaraderie that all the characters share, including the bitching, backbiting and support, as well as the coming together of a community in times of need. Bobby and Nash’s relationship does move fast and their sex life is inferred. But, seeing them together you can see how quickly they fell for each other and why. They fit together seamlessly and are a well-suited couple. The storyline was really good and although a little gruesome and violent at times it was written really well, the mystery of the murderer was really good and although you might get a slight idea of who it is, you can’t be sure until the big unveiling.
I have to recommend this story to those who love murder mysteries, great full of life characters, a great competition, true love and a very happy ending.
Thanks for the review. Bobby and Nash do get together fast but they’re slightly based on Etienne and I- we moved in together at the end of our first date and have been together going on 18 yrs. Wild- eh. But it does happen- I can attest to that. Thanks for the recommendation!