On Archimedes Street by Jefferson Parrish

OnArchimedesStreetLGTitle: On Archimedes Street

Author: Jefferson Parrish

Genre: Contemporary/Humor

Length: Novel (350 pages)

ISBN: 9781627982238

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Eric

Blurb: Description:

Just across the river from New Orleans, people cook, eat, ply their trades, pursue their hobbies, and live out their lives in the insulated bubble of Archimedes Street, lined with centuries-old live oaks. Honoria Abbott and Rita Simmons, Redemptorist professors and neighbors, are the salty matriarchs who rule the roost in this small fiefdom. Connoisseurs of M/M romance and aspiring matchmakers, they hatch a plot to awaken two of Honoria’s students to each other’s charms. The first step is to make Dutch and Flip roommates in Rita’s shotgun-double apartment.

Dutch Abbott, a coddled, narcissistic rich boy, is drawn to the down-to-earth Flip, a transfer student with good looks and a pugnacious attitude. Secure in his self-esteem, Flip Abbott starts to question everything he ever believed about himself after he meets the arrogant but undeniably brilliant Dutch.

Little do Honoria and Rita know that their matchmaking will swirl Archimedes Street into the eye of a domestic hurricane, complete with lost cats, teenage longing, shrewd trading of sexual favors, fierce culinary competition, and environmental activism sprinkled with a little white magic.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4380

Review: I found this book to be quite intriguing. The plot was very interesting. The novel actually reminded me of Downtown Abbey and the drama soap operas we find on television when they are mixed together. 

This book just got more and more interesting. The more I read, the more I wanted to know about them all. The beauty of it is how one boy Flip Abbott manages to find out how things work and at the same time he challenges every aspect of what he knows. The more he faces, the more he questions. And it ends up being that much more addictive for the reader.

If you like, society novels, humor, and the life of those that can afford to live in such a life, and then I would recommend it.

Pretty Sally Couldn't Marry Albert by Jefferson Parrish

PrettySallyCouldntMarryAlbertLGTitle: Pretty Sally Couldn’t Marry Albert

Series: A Valentine Rainbow

Author: Jefferson Parrish

Genre: Contemporary, Holiday

Length: Short (45 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 8th 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Recovering from a stroke, Albert struggles to help his sister deal with her husband’s death and the demands of single parenthood. Everyone puts on a brave face, but the family is overwhelmed and left with a hole in their hearts. The discovery of a stash of old valentines makes Albert nostalgic for the sunny days spent with his childhood friend, Harry. Albert’s nephew, Kyle, decides to find the long-lost Harry only to discover life hasn’t been kind to Harry either.

 Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4677

Review: Albert is recovering from a stroke. His family tries to get him to try to get better faster but he refuses.  He has in home-helpers and has to deal with strangers and his seventeen-year-old nephew helping him with basic needs such as using the bathroom. He has never been married or hasn’t really dated much. He considers himself asexual since sex has never been a big deal for him. Now nearing fifty, he is alone. One day his sister makes him open a box their mother had left them when she passed away. It contains all his valentines from when he was in school and many memories.

Wow! I am a new fan of Jefferson Parrish. This was another of those pleasant surprises.  The title did not woo me in but I am so glad I read this story.

It’s a beautiful story that is unique that Albert was Asexual. He never acted on his feelings thinking sex was important to a relationship.   Unhappy little girls with hurt feelings on Valentine’s Day brings us back to the day when it was required you swap with the entire class not just a few chose friends. I remember those days and I do agree it should be that way now.   The girls eager to read their uncles valentines and ask so many questions and the meddling Seventeen-year-old nephew were so cute and funny.   I loved the cryptic messages in the valentines and the flashbacks to Albert’s youth.

This story has nothing to do with a pretty girl wanting to marry Albert. Grab a copy to see what Pretty Sally Couldn’t Marry Albert really meant.  You won’t be disappointed

If you love a sweet story of family, broken men, stroke patients, recovery, cryptic messages, Valentine’s Day and need a great short story to make you smile this one is it!