Tag: Beaten Track Publishing

Crying in the Rain by Debbie McGowan

814r5nBC0oL._SL1500_Title: Crying in the Rain
Author: Debbie McGowan
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (182 pages)
Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing (November 12th, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Blurb: For many years, Ade Simmons has been an outsider, trapped in an abusive relationship, seeking sanctuary in his job as a radio producer, and in the checklists he makes in an attempt to regain control of his sorry excuse of a life.

Actor Kris Johansson is patient, gentle and passionate – everything that Ade’s ex-boyfriend is not. When Kris takes a role in one of Ade’s plays, the attraction is mutual and instant. It is the turning point for Ade. Either he can stay on the same path, with Fergus – the bully, who has repressed, used and isolated him from his friends and family – or he can look in the other direction, towards Kris – the handsome actor with family and friends who readily accept him.

But, Fergus will not give up his punching bag so easily – can Ade finally find the strength to fight back?

ISBN: 978-1-909192-60-7

Product Link: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=132

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Crying in the Rain is the first book I’ve read by Debbie McGowan. This is one of those books that are both sweet between the MCs, but intense when it comes to their lives and the drama. It’s also one of those books that left me thinking about the characters after finishing the novel.

This story focuses on character’s Ade, a radio producer who is experiencing problems with his abusive ex, and Kris, an actor who is everything that is kind and compassionate and has an amazing array of friends. Another theme of this book is that of healing and coming to terms. Interestingly, what I really enjoyed was that despite his initial appearance of carefree and happy, there is also something that Kris needs to heal about, which is obviously completely aside from Ade’s issues with his ex, Fergus.

When Kris works on a radio play that Ade is producing the two become friends, and to some extent confidants. It’s clear that they both want more to happen, too, and slowly we see their relationship evolve. The emotions had me tossing back and forth between sadness, anger, happiness and laughter. I also liked the fact that Kris was more complicated than he initially appeared and was really interesting.

A secondary character that was by far my favourite was Shaunna, Kris’s ex-wife but the two are also best friends. They’ve been through a lot together and are each other’s confidants. They have a lovely relationship and I laughed when she became cheer squad for Kris and Ade’s fledgling relationship. There are a number of other minor characters who are more than interesting, including two of Ade’s more elderly neighbours and a friend that is trying to help him get Fergus out of his life.

This leads me to Fergus, throughout the book he is portrayed as a typical abusive villain that as readers, we encounter in countless books. I really enjoyed the epilogue for this book because here, we are presented with very much the typical solution to such a destructive and abusive character, except there is a twist and it makes it so much better. We are given a more tragic figure that actually had me feeling empathy for the man; especially after all he had done to Ade.

If it was written in the usual way and had an epilogue, I think I would have felt cheated out of words for Ade and Kris’s story. On the other hand, like many stories, this ending could have been a footnote. I can’t say too much, obviously, but all you need to know is that it is a great twist on something we’ve seen many times (actually, I think I’ve complained ever so slightly about an almost identical solution in another book recently).

All I can say is this a fantastic book. Read it and I hope you enjoy it! The characters and the plot are all great and interesting.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Unbroken by Larry Benjamin

perf5.250x8.000.inddTitle: Unbroken

Author: Larry Benjamin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel (266 pages)

Publisher:Beaten Track Publishing (September 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:My parents, unable to change me, had instead, silenced me. When they’d stilled my hands, they’d taken my words, made me lower my voice to a whisper. Later, I remained silent in defense, refusing to acknowledge the hateful words: Brainiac. Sissy. Antiman. Faggot.

Lincoln de Chabert’s life is pretty unremarkable until he comes home from kindergarten and announces he will marry his best friend, Orlando, when he grows up. 

His parents spring into immediate action, determined to fix him, igniting an epic battle of wills, as Lincoln is determined to remain himself, and marry whom he chooses, at all costs

Purchase Link: http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?ref=unbroken

Review: Lincoln knew when he was seven, he was going to marry a boy. In fourth grade, when Jose the new boy walked and smile, he was sure that would be the boy he would marry, though his family always told him boys don’t do this, boys don’t do that. They couldn’t change him, but they silenced him. Over the years, he is picked on and all through high school and middle school; Jose always came to his rescue, even though Jose’s girlfriend Elsie didn’t like it… Lincoln chose a college he was sure no one from his school would choose and was surprised to find Jose coming to the same college.

Wow! This is a beautiful story. I have to admit once I started I couldn’t put it down. The writing style is absolutely captivating. Each chapter starts with a date and a bit of history from that year and is rather humorous. It helps to break the seriousness of the story.

Lincoln is quite the lovable character. He is effeminate, but no way is he weak and very determined.  He knows what he wants and lets no one not even his parents tell him what to do and he doesn’t hide who he is.

This is a beautiful story of coming of age, coming out and also one of the most amazing love stories I have read in a while.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age tale. A story that follows a character from a childhood to manhood and quite simply, an amazing love story!