Baton Rouge Bingo by Greg Herren

Reviewer: Bob Lind, Echo Magazine

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Pages: 192

When Scotty Bradley’s father is kidnapped by unknown bad-guys, he and his ex-FBI lover Frank suspect it may have something to do with the theft of LSU’s tiger mascot by a militant animal-rights group. On a hunch that they might find either of them, Scotty and his strong-willed mother go to a secluded cabin in the bayou north of New Orleans, and discover the body of the organizer of the group, who was a close friend of Scotty’s mom. Suspicion falls on the organizer’s estranged daughter, who was one of the veterinary students taking care of the tiger at its campus compound. Meanwhile, Scotty and Frank also need to deal with Taylor, Frank’s gay teen nephew, who was sent to live with him by his homophobic parents. A ransom note provides a clue that the kidnapping may be related to a “deduct box” related to the misdeeds of a former Louisiana governor.

Greg Herren is a master storyteller, using colorful, relatable characters in diverse relationships, in order to spin a unique and entertaining story that keeps the reader intrigued through the last page. This is his sixth in the series about private investigator Scotty Bradley, and I hope he keeps them coming. Don’t miss this one. Five stars out of five. 

http://gregherren.com/ 

Haze by Michael Chavez

Reviewer: Alan Chin

Publisher: Regal Crest

Pages: 203

When Andrew, a timid and obese college student, falls for Nat, the two find a happiness Andrew had never dreamed possible. But when a joy like Andrew’s becomes too profound, too perfect, the gods become jealous, and rain down misfortune. First tragedy strikes the couple, tearing them apart. Then Andrew’s best friend, Ilario, is the victim of a hazing attack, and commits suicide. Andrew tries and fails to wreak revenge on Efron, the ringleader of Ilario’s hazing.

Years later, Andrew crosses paths with Efron, now a cocky lawyer who cheats on his wife with men, over a shady business deal. The two men become both lovers and adversaries, and Andrew attempts to vindicate the guiltless prey that Efron seeks to destroy.

Michael Chavez has created an intricate plot (albeit highly implausible) and a distinctive cast of characters. It is first and foremost a story about whether integrity can withstand the assault that modern society presents us with, both in our personal lives and in big business. It is a study in how far the human spirit can bend without breaking.

Much of the story centers on working in the construction industry and also in the courtroom when a business dispute is taken before the law. I was impressed with the depth of knowledge the author demonstrates in both the construction business and law field.

At times the story is gripping, other times it plods along at an even pace. There are several plot twists that make it difficult to suspend belief, but all in all the story is interesting and well told. My only minor complaint was that it was wrapped up a little too neatly for my tastes.

http://www.mjchavez.com/

Welcome Home, Capt Harding by Elliott Mackle

Reviewer: Bob Lind, Echo Magazine

Publisher: Lethe Press (Aug. 2013)

Pages: 200

Five stars out of five

In this third (of three) novels featuring Captain Joe Harding, a gay Air Force administration officer during the Vietnam era, Joe has finished his tour of duty overseas and is working stateside, assisting one of his mentors assigned as the base commander. Unknown to others there, they also have been given the duty to observe, document and report on any potentially serious misbehavior among the pilots and other officers, a situation that can be dangerous to them if discovered. Adding to the complexity of the situation is that Joe is now able to get together more frequently with his lover, Cotton, the nineteen year old son of an important state department official whom Joe first met when he visited overseas with his mother. Then there is Sam, now a TWA pilot, whom Joe had played with overseas, before he met Cotton.

Joe is given an assignment, to coordinate an important air show at the Northern California base, a seemingly-uncomplicated task that becomes anything but, when a hotshot pilot’s carelessness threatens to make it a deadly disaster. The challenge involves many of Joe’s contacts, both there and overseas, and a bit of trickery, all in the name of safety. It’s an assignment he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

As mentioned, this is the end of a trilogy with this character, although you really do not need to have read any of the earlier novels to thoroughly enjoy this one. As in all of his previous books, Mackle shows his talent for providing realistic, fully-nuanced characters, which drive the story throughout. This action/adventure novel is something you will not want to put down.

http://www.elliottmacklebooks.com/

Vamp by Rob Rosen

Reviewer: Alan Chin

Publisher: MLR Press

Pages: 233

Jack’s life is finally about to improve. He gets a call from a lawyer informing him that his only living relative has died and left him a sizable fortune and lavish estate in San Francisco. Jack soon finds that his new mansion comes equipped with a humpbacked manservant, Igor, and a coffin in the basement.  So far so good. The bad news? Jack learns that he comes from a long line of  vampires, and now must become one himself, which he does. While testing out his new superhuman abilities, Jack stumbles upon Steven, a hot werewolf. Their sparks of attraction can be seen from Mars.

But then the news turns bad again, when Jack discovers someone or something is trying to destroy him. With Steven’s aid, he elicits the help of a pack of werewolves led by Blake. Jack soon finds out that he is mixed up in an ancient feud. With the help of Steven and Blake’s pack, he must stay ‘alive’ long enough to figure out what to do to survive.

Vamp is not a story of monsters reining terror on humans, but rather a very campy, sexy tale of the challenges of being a supernatural being.

I’m not a fan of novels about supernatural beings, nor am I a big fan of comedies. I found this book, however, to be a fun, sexy romp. It is a character driven plot, and its quirky characters held my interest throughout. Rosen has a unique brand of humor that pulls the reader in and keeps him/her snickering. This is a highly original twist on the whole vampire/werewolf genre. Snarky, saucy, witty. It will keep you howling.

http://www.therobrosen.com/

Missing by Drake Braxton

Reviewer: Alan Chin

Publisher: Seventh Window Publications

Pages: 214

While attending a 20^th high school reunion in Alabama, Blain Harrington’s husband disappears. The police are no help. Blain sets out to find the love of his life, only to discover that everything is not as it seems. What starts as a search to recover his lover, morphs into a hunt to find himself.

The first half of Braxton’s debut novel is a bit difficult to read, because the protagonist quickly turns into a whiny, self-absorbed, unlikeable fellow. At the halfway point, the author turns the plot on its head and the reader discovers everything that came before is not what it seemed. That’s when the book becomes interesting.

The story follows Blain’s journey of grief, drugs, booze and sex all the way to the bottom, and then the long climb back up. I’m not sure Blain becomes any more likable in the second half of the book, but the reader understands the character’s motives and hardships. Helping Blain along his journey are two close friends, one a saint and the other a devil, who seem to mirror the battle going on inside Blain’s head.

There are sections of this story that are extremely well written, although sizable portions of it are told through tedious dialog.  Also, I feel the plot lacks imagination. All in all, however, Missing is an interesting read that I can recommend.

http://drakebraxton.wordpress.com/

The Heavens Rise by Christopher Rice

Reviewer: Bob Lind, Echo Magazine

Publisher: Gallery Books (Oct. 2013)

Five Stars Out of Five

Niquette (Nikki) Delongpre lived with her upper-class parents in New Orleans, while they were finishing their showplace estate which they called Elysium, in a swampy bayou area outside of the city. Nikki had been a popular girl in prep school, where she dated Anthem Landry, a handsome but somewhat dim blue collar transfer. They had been apart only a short time, when Nikki went on one date with Marshall Ferriot, who tried to force himself on her, ending the date prematurely. A lasting effect from that evening was that both Marshall and Nikki got infected by a strange parasite, present in the untreated well water in Elysium’s recently-finished pool. Not long after, Nikki and her family vanished, and their wrecked car suggested that they may have died in an accident en route to the estate, though no bodies were ever found in the bayou.

Nikki’s disappearance affected all those she knew, but especially Anthem, who fell into an alcoholic haze soon thereafter. Their best friend had been Ben Broyard, a slight but outspoken gay teen, who now spent much of his time trying to befriend Anthem and try to get him sober. Marshall had attempted suicide, and ended up in a comatose state in a long-term care facility, where the nurses swore that he somehow could control people and small animals just by making eye contact.

Fans of the talented Mr. Rice have been awaiting his new book for over three years, and will not be disappointed. Taking his first giant step into the supernatural genre, the author delivers an engrossing (though a bit overly complex and gory) tale of the mysterious bayou country, with its racial and class disconnects, political and corporate corruption, personal greed and revenge, and regrets for actions that could not be undone. It’s not primarily a “gay book” in itself, though the character of Ben is fully nuanced and somewhat pivotal to the story. Well-written, highly imaginative and worth your time.

http://www.christopherricebooks.com/