REVIEW: Backstrokes by Dylan Madrid!!

"After almost being expelled from a prestigious Chicago music conservatory for a prank gone wrong, twenty-two-year-old pianist Crawford Paul returns home to Northern California for what he predicts will be another boring summer. Concerned his scholarship is now at risk, Crawford accepts the only job he can find: accompanying a glamorous seven-year-old named Isabella to a community swimming pool for lessons. There, Crawford is befriended by a nanny named Nina, an aspiring fashion designer who finds it difficult to hide her disdain for children.

When Crawford meets Armando Leon, a lifeguard and Isabella's swimming instructor, he accepts Armando's offer to help him overcome his fear of water by way of private swimming lessons. As friendship turns into a summer affair, their lust for one another turns to love. When Crawford receives a chance of a lifetime audition, he is torn between returning to Chicago or staying in California to start a new life with Armando. As the end of the summer inches closer, Crawford and Armando fear they will be separated forever."

Backstrokes by Dylan Madrid was a nice short novel about a man named Crawford who is trying to find out who he is, who he wants to be and what he wants to do with his life.

The writing was pretty simple, but still very nice with lovely prose. It was descriptive and very atmospheric, if not a bit too slow at times because of the 'mood' of the setting.

Crawford was a solemn character who begins to find out more about himself when he meets Armando and the two, fairly quickly, fall in love. They fall in love after one date and a couple of mention moments of meeting up -  I did not believe it, but I accepted it.

The book focuses more on music, so the title is a bit odd, but that's okay.

Overall, Backstrokes was a good, quick, & simple read !

-A

REVIEW: Caught in the Crossfire by Juliann Rich!!

"Two boys at Bible camp; one forbidden love.

That is the dilemma sixteen-year-old Jonathan Cooper faces when he goes away to Spirit Lake Bible Camp, an oasis for teen believers situated along Minnesota's rugged north shore. He is expecting a summer of mosquito bites, bonfires with S'mores, and photography classes with Simon, his favorite counselor, who always helps Jonathan see his life in perfect focus.

What he isn't expecting is Ian McGuire, a new camper who openly argues against phrases like pray the gay away. Ian is certain of many things, including what could happen between them if only Jonathan could surrender to his feelings. Jonathan, however, tosses in a storm of indecision between his belief in God and his inability to stay away from Ian. When a real storm hits and Ian is lost in it, Jonathan is forced to make a public decision that changes his life."

Caught in the Crossfire by Juliann Rich is a cute story about a boy named Jonathan who struggles with his love for is fellow camper Ian and his Christian faith. The book is very short and moves along quickly, sometimes too quickly, but Rich is entirely capable of creating characters with personalities that are 3 dimensional and thankfully real.

I thought that the romance between Jonathan and Ian was sweet, albeit quick and I really appreciated Jonathan's turmoil over being a Christian, while having not only romantic feelings for another boy, but sexual ones as well. Rich doesn't just label him Christian and be done with it, the character is completely Christian and prays and has faith and is in love with his religion and is very hot and cold with Ian because of itwhich causes quite a bit of conflict.

Ian was also interesting and has a complex background which bonds the two boys.

The writing is great and Rich does provide some great details, but at times, because the book is under 200 pages, the story felt rushed and jumpy, but it didn't deter me from enjoying it.

It is a great summer read!

- A

REVIEW: Tristant and Elijah by Jennifer Lavoie!!

"Tristant Whitfield has had a secret crush on straight Elijah Cambridge since the start of high school. He’s okay keeping his distance, but when Elijah starts visiting him at work and bringing his favorite coffee, Tristant begins to wonder if there’s something more there.

Then Elijah uncovers a scandalous old letter from Tristant’s great uncle tucked away in a book, and the two boys begin a journey through journals and letters to discover the real Uncle Glenn and the secrets he hid from his family. And Tristant realizes that Elijah has been hiding something as well.

A secret that just might change everything."

Tristant and Elijah by Jennifer Lavoie was a pretty great read! It was sweet and most definitely a unique high school "gay" story, because while it did deal with coming out, it didn't go through the usual tropes, such as people finding out and drama ensuing or one of the guys being a jock who is terrified of coming out and has girlfriend to cover up the fact he is gay - being honest, I don't mind those tropes if written well, but it was seriously awesome to read a book about gay high school students where that was essentially a nonissue.

There is a slight mystery in this book concerning a journal that I felt was pretty clear from the moment of introduction simply because this novel is "gay fiction", but the end result of the mystery was amazing - it truly could serve as its own story...

Tristant was a great protag and Elijah was a great love interest - and all of the side characters were funny and had their own distinct personalities which I always find refreshing.

The writing was clear and fluid and moved the story along at an even pace.

I really recommend this one!

-A