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Graceland
"To get to "Love Me Tender," they'll have to shake things up. "
Kevin Fraser has a good life-a good job, good friends and a nursing degree within his grasp. There's not a lot of excitement to be found in Asheville, but so what? He doesn't need excitement. Or love, for that matter. Until a big man with an Elvis fixation and the voice to match shows up in his ER and changes his point of view.
A diabetes diagnosis isn't the end of the world, just one more problem Owen Hicks doesn't need. It hasn't been easy finding his place in the Cherokee tribe, his family and the world at large since he came out. On top of that, learning to manage the disease that killed his mother is a daunting challenge. He counts himself lucky that the nursing student he befriended in the hospital is willing and able to help.
As their fast friendship deepens into something both of them want-yet fear-pressures from without and within stretch their bond to the breaking point. The only way to find the strength to love each other is to find the courage to let go...and hope love is strong enough to bring them together again.
Warning: This book contains medical drama, relationship drama, sex, silliness and a Cherokee Elvis. Sorry, no fried banana sandwiches. Thank ya very much.
Kevin Fraser has a good life-a good job, good friends and a nursing degree within his grasp. There's not a lot of excitement to be found in Asheville, but so what? He doesn't need excitement. Or love, for that matter. Until a big man with an Elvis fixation and the voice to match shows up in his ER and changes his point of view.
A diabetes diagnosis isn't the end of the world, just one more problem Owen Hicks doesn't need. It hasn't been easy finding his place in the Cherokee tribe, his family and the world at large since he came out. On top of that, learning to manage the disease that killed his mother is a daunting challenge. He counts himself lucky that the nursing student he befriended in the hospital is willing and able to help.
As their fast friendship deepens into something both of them want-yet fear-pressures from without and within stretch their bond to the breaking point. The only way to find the strength to love each other is to find the courage to let go...and hope love is strong enough to bring them together again.
Warning: This book contains medical drama, relationship drama, sex, silliness and a Cherokee Elvis. Sorry, no fried banana sandwiches. Thank ya very much.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
5 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
91 books450 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 4, 2012
Very good m/m romance about a nursing assistant and a slightly overweight Elvis impersonator who isn't managing his diabetes very well. Definite bonus points for breaking out of the perfect white male mold of so many m/m romances - not only is the Elvis impersonator a bit overweight, he's Cherokee and the nursing assistant is black.
July 8, 2012
I would first like to give Ally Blue a high five for the beautiful cover art!
This story had several aspects that were different than other m/m stories and I appreciated and liked the differences. Both MCs were men of color (Owen was Cherokee and Kevin was African American), they were not perfect specimens of manhood, the story dealt with family issues involving racism and family member disapproval more so than the family being upset that Owen or Kevin were gay.
The story focuses on Kevin and Owen evolving from friends to lovers. Graceland was a normal and sweet read. Nothing monumental happened in the story. It flowed nice and easy. There was very little angst. There were some points that were brought up in the story that could have been expanded on but, I suppose, that would have made the whole story too "cluttered".
The ending was fitting but I felt it was abrupt. I would have liked an epilogue. All and all, it was a good read.
Kevin's roommate was dating a Russian, and I love Russians in stories so I wish there was more of them. lol
This story had several aspects that were different than other m/m stories and I appreciated and liked the differences. Both MCs were men of color (Owen was Cherokee and Kevin was African American), they were not perfect specimens of manhood, the story dealt with family issues involving racism and family member disapproval more so than the family being upset that Owen or Kevin were gay.
The story focuses on Kevin and Owen evolving from friends to lovers. Graceland was a normal and sweet read. Nothing monumental happened in the story. It flowed nice and easy. There was very little angst. There were some points that were brought up in the story that could have been expanded on but, I suppose, that would have made the whole story too "cluttered".
The ending was fitting but I felt it was abrupt. I would have liked an epilogue. All and all, it was a good read.
Kevin's roommate was dating a Russian, and I love Russians in stories so I wish there was more of them. lol
January 25, 2015
This is a pairing I don't read about every day in m/m romance: a black man and American Indian. Hooray, for diversity. It also had a few other unusual romance elements: Owen is an Elvis impersonator, he's described as having a "gut," and he's just been diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that killed his mother.
He meets Kevin, a nursing student, when he's rushed to the hospital. Kevin is the only one who is able to calm him down. They're immediately attracted to each other, but are hesitant to take the next step. Instead of jumping into a romance, Owen and Kevin become best friends.
The diabetes angle was handled very realistically. Owen doesn't just change his habits and conquer his disease. He struggles to change his diet and exercise habits. He doesn't want to give up his sweets and doesn't follow doctor's instructions with his medications. More than once, he messes up and ends up the hospital. I imagine a lot of people initially struggle with this drastic lifestyle change, no matter how much they want to live. Kevin is understandably frustrated and angry with how Owen jeopardizes his health.
This was a slow build. Kevin and Owen get to know each other and their families. Owen's uncle doesn't approve of the relationship (I'm never quite sure why: because Kevin's black or because he comes from wealthy family). Kevin's mother doesn't think Owen is good enough for him. But there's no major angst there. The families express their opinions, but don't shun or threaten the pair. Hooray, for not manufacturing drama.
This book had so many different elements, and they all meshed well together. I enjoyed getting to know these unconventional MCs and reading this unconventional story.
He meets Kevin, a nursing student, when he's rushed to the hospital. Kevin is the only one who is able to calm him down. They're immediately attracted to each other, but are hesitant to take the next step. Instead of jumping into a romance, Owen and Kevin become best friends.
The diabetes angle was handled very realistically. Owen doesn't just change his habits and conquer his disease. He struggles to change his diet and exercise habits. He doesn't want to give up his sweets and doesn't follow doctor's instructions with his medications. More than once, he messes up and ends up the hospital. I imagine a lot of people initially struggle with this drastic lifestyle change, no matter how much they want to live. Kevin is understandably frustrated and angry with how Owen jeopardizes his health.
This was a slow build. Kevin and Owen get to know each other and their families. Owen's uncle doesn't approve of the relationship (I'm never quite sure why: because Kevin's black or because he comes from wealthy family). Kevin's mother doesn't think Owen is good enough for him. But there's no major angst there. The families express their opinions, but don't shun or threaten the pair. Hooray, for not manufacturing drama.
This book had so many different elements, and they all meshed well together. I enjoyed getting to know these unconventional MCs and reading this unconventional story.
August 2, 2012
3.5*
Two average normal guys, Owen is a Cherokee Elvis impersonator, works in his uncle's antique shop and Kevin is african-american nursing student from a very well to do family.
Kevin first sees Owen as Elvis in a club and then again the next day when he is brought into the ER and diagnosed with diabetes.
Owen is overweight and has a few bad habits but Kevin really likes him and they start as friends and progress slowly to lovers.
They both have a family member who is less than supportive of their partner, not so much being gay, but of who they choose to date. I think it was well done, usually one family is over the top supportive and the other Is evil, but here there is neither.
I did feel some of the 'glares' they received was maybe overdone, not that it doesn't happen, it was just a lot of it in the book, I felt a bit hit over the head with it.
All in all a slow friends -then lovers story, with a few (very) small bumps in the road between two very likable normal guys. A nice change from all the rich, powerful, built, gorgeous and successful guys that usually make up the MC's of most books!
I wouldn't have minded a few more pages or maybe an epilogue.
Two average normal guys, Owen is a Cherokee Elvis impersonator, works in his uncle's antique shop and Kevin is african-american nursing student from a very well to do family.
Kevin first sees Owen as Elvis in a club and then again the next day when he is brought into the ER and diagnosed with diabetes.
Owen is overweight and has a few bad habits but Kevin really likes him and they start as friends and progress slowly to lovers.
They both have a family member who is less than supportive of their partner, not so much being gay, but of who they choose to date. I think it was well done, usually one family is over the top supportive and the other Is evil, but here there is neither.
I did feel some of the 'glares' they received was maybe overdone, not that it doesn't happen, it was just a lot of it in the book, I felt a bit hit over the head with it.
All in all a slow friends -then lovers story, with a few (very) small bumps in the road between two very likable normal guys. A nice change from all the rich, powerful, built, gorgeous and successful guys that usually make up the MC's of most books!
I wouldn't have minded a few more pages or maybe an epilogue.
August 12, 2016
This was my first Ally Blue novel and it won't be my last. This book wasn't very long but it was a full-bodied story. You don't see much diversity in m/m romance so it was a pleasant surprise to read about a Cherokee man and black man finding love.
Usually in friends to lovers books the guys are already friends when we meet them. I liked very much that we got to see how Owen and Kevin meet and how they became friends first. The guys were pretty normal, average guys too. It was nice to see that Owen had a gut and not an six pack. Although Kevin's parents were well off, he was a nursing student and not some hot shot doctor.
I also liked how Owen's diabetes was handled. I'm not surprised he ended up in the hospital so many times because it's very hard to break bad habits, I know this first hand. I'm just curious how he managed to pay all those hospital bills.
I came to care very much about the outcome of the characters. Usually when I finish a book and am about to write my review, I can't even remember the characters' names. Didn't happen here. I feel like I personally know Kevin and Owen. I was very impressed with this book and will seek out more novels by Ally Blue.
Usually in friends to lovers books the guys are already friends when we meet them. I liked very much that we got to see how Owen and Kevin meet and how they became friends first. The guys were pretty normal, average guys too. It was nice to see that Owen had a gut and not an six pack. Although Kevin's parents were well off, he was a nursing student and not some hot shot doctor.
I also liked how Owen's diabetes was handled. I'm not surprised he ended up in the hospital so many times because it's very hard to break bad habits, I know this first hand. I'm just curious how he managed to pay all those hospital bills.
I came to care very much about the outcome of the characters. Usually when I finish a book and am about to write my review, I can't even remember the characters' names. Didn't happen here. I feel like I personally know Kevin and Owen. I was very impressed with this book and will seek out more novels by Ally Blue.
August 3, 2012
Graceland Ally Blue
Graceland written by Ally Blue, a story of two loving and caring gentlemen who quietly deal with their identity. Graceland's has a clearly defined plot, raising and falling action and resolution. The characters verbal exchanges are so fresh and uncensored which brings laughter, sorrow, and other emotions.
Ms. Blue key characters Kevin and Owen learn a great deal about the meaning of unconditional love. Lessons regarding developing self confidence and truly accepting yourself as you are and stand unwavering for the ideals you believe in. There are a host of colorful secondary characters that add a balance, tolerance, patience and true friendship in the book Graceland.
With a book entitled Graceland two things come to mind one Elvis Presely and two a place where a person can be happy, content, comfortable.
If you enjoy a great time with belly laughs and thunderous applause visit a spot in town that has Karaoke night or talent night.
Kevin Fraser, an African American nursing student whose parents are doctors meets Owen in the hospital.
Kevin, Sahara, LaRon and Pam work together in the hospital's ER and as a stress reliever one evening they hit the club for entertainment and a couple of drinks. Kevin believes this man, Owen, is his heartthrob after watching Owen's impersonation of The King Elvis Presley.
Ms. Blue's settings are remarkably life-like of an emergency room along with the towns Ashville and Greenville, South Carolina
Owen Hicks is an extraordinary Elvis impersonator. His persona if possible could raise Elvis from his resting place. Elvis Presely would be in awe of Owen's performances. Owen is a very large man, Cherokee heritage and proud of his ancestry and its moral standards. Owen has a brother Jeffrey and endearing aunt and uncle as his immediate family since the death of his parents. Owen and Jeff's mother recently died from health issues surrounding diabetes. Owen works with his Uncle Mitchell and Aunt Winnie Owl in their antique shop which carries Native American artifacts and old books, jewelry, etc. This shop, Owl's Antiques, is frequented by tourist as well the locals.
Ms. Blue delivers plenty of drama as Kevin and Owen become friends because Owen refuses to accept responsibility for his health, therefore, has several visits to the hospital's ER. Jeff knows of his brother's sexual orientation and jokes about it often however Uncle Mitch is not amused nor does he accept Owen's lifestyle. Uncle Mitch is prejudice and homophobic.
Throughout the book a reader can feel the compassion, tolerance and the off- color humor. About mid-way of the book I found the jokes, Owen's actions a bit stale. I did appreciate the kid-gloves approach Ms. Blue takes showing how people can become more accepting of cultures and behaviors that differ from their own. Ms. Blue shares a few historical facts that I and perhaps many readers may not have been aware of and gave me pause. As a result, Ms. Blue piqued my curiosity which lead me to investigate further the historical information about Cherokee and slavery after completing Graceland.
Kevin's mother, Dr. Colleen Fraser's attitudes is a mirror image of Uncle Mitch about loving an individual outside of one's ethnic background. This plays a key role in Graceland.
The sensual nature of the lovemaking between Kevin and Owen is bewitching. Ms. Blue's depictions leaves the reader breathless as the two become comfortable with themselves, their relationship and how they demonstrate their love. The acts of lovemaking are mesmerizing. Ms. Blue brings fire and heat to the pages. As a reader, I rejoiced for Kevin and Owen's leap of faith and love.
However, the constant episodes of Owen's self-loathing and hospitalization grew tiresome for me.
Graceland's conclusion/resolution was nicely done and not a moment too soon.
Graceland written by Ally Blue, a story of two loving and caring gentlemen who quietly deal with their identity. Graceland's has a clearly defined plot, raising and falling action and resolution. The characters verbal exchanges are so fresh and uncensored which brings laughter, sorrow, and other emotions.
Ms. Blue key characters Kevin and Owen learn a great deal about the meaning of unconditional love. Lessons regarding developing self confidence and truly accepting yourself as you are and stand unwavering for the ideals you believe in. There are a host of colorful secondary characters that add a balance, tolerance, patience and true friendship in the book Graceland.
With a book entitled Graceland two things come to mind one Elvis Presely and two a place where a person can be happy, content, comfortable.
If you enjoy a great time with belly laughs and thunderous applause visit a spot in town that has Karaoke night or talent night.
Kevin Fraser, an African American nursing student whose parents are doctors meets Owen in the hospital.
Kevin, Sahara, LaRon and Pam work together in the hospital's ER and as a stress reliever one evening they hit the club for entertainment and a couple of drinks. Kevin believes this man, Owen, is his heartthrob after watching Owen's impersonation of The King Elvis Presley.
Ms. Blue's settings are remarkably life-like of an emergency room along with the towns Ashville and Greenville, South Carolina
Owen Hicks is an extraordinary Elvis impersonator. His persona if possible could raise Elvis from his resting place. Elvis Presely would be in awe of Owen's performances. Owen is a very large man, Cherokee heritage and proud of his ancestry and its moral standards. Owen has a brother Jeffrey and endearing aunt and uncle as his immediate family since the death of his parents. Owen and Jeff's mother recently died from health issues surrounding diabetes. Owen works with his Uncle Mitchell and Aunt Winnie Owl in their antique shop which carries Native American artifacts and old books, jewelry, etc. This shop, Owl's Antiques, is frequented by tourist as well the locals.
Ms. Blue delivers plenty of drama as Kevin and Owen become friends because Owen refuses to accept responsibility for his health, therefore, has several visits to the hospital's ER. Jeff knows of his brother's sexual orientation and jokes about it often however Uncle Mitch is not amused nor does he accept Owen's lifestyle. Uncle Mitch is prejudice and homophobic.
Throughout the book a reader can feel the compassion, tolerance and the off- color humor. About mid-way of the book I found the jokes, Owen's actions a bit stale. I did appreciate the kid-gloves approach Ms. Blue takes showing how people can become more accepting of cultures and behaviors that differ from their own. Ms. Blue shares a few historical facts that I and perhaps many readers may not have been aware of and gave me pause. As a result, Ms. Blue piqued my curiosity which lead me to investigate further the historical information about Cherokee and slavery after completing Graceland.
Kevin's mother, Dr. Colleen Fraser's attitudes is a mirror image of Uncle Mitch about loving an individual outside of one's ethnic background. This plays a key role in Graceland.
The sensual nature of the lovemaking between Kevin and Owen is bewitching. Ms. Blue's depictions leaves the reader breathless as the two become comfortable with themselves, their relationship and how they demonstrate their love. The acts of lovemaking are mesmerizing. Ms. Blue brings fire and heat to the pages. As a reader, I rejoiced for Kevin and Owen's leap of faith and love.
However, the constant episodes of Owen's self-loathing and hospitalization grew tiresome for me.
Graceland's conclusion/resolution was nicely done and not a moment too soon.
April 16, 2015
The cover really didn't begin to tell the tale of what's inside... This is nothing like I expected from the cover, and everything and more that I expected from the blurb. This book is fantastic. Let me break down why I loved it:
Owen, a burly Cherokee Elvis impersonator, steals every scene completely. He is an AMAZING character and a beautiful soul I wish I could count among my real life friends and definitely a "book friend" I want to visit again. He's complex in a way that I rarely see in fiction, and romance tends to be even more hesitant to deal with real world problems like racial tension, body image, and health concerns.
I was a little nervous Ally Blue might falter in her depictions of two very different men than are usually given a happily-ever-after in m/m romance, that it might grow patronizing or hit a sour note, but for me at least it was consistently a winner, solid, not triggering or "cheap." I didn't feel she exoticized the characters. They're both fully developed and richly unique individuals.
Now, for the romance... It's a slow burn. It's a really good, really intriguing dynamic between them as their very natures draw them together. They fulfill needs in one another. It's not the drag race to orgasm you find in some books but rather a push-and-pull that builds on itself until there's really no alternative but to fall into one another completely.
This one has stuck with me, and now, long after I first read it, I'm moved to write a review because it stayed in my mind.
Owen, a burly Cherokee Elvis impersonator, steals every scene completely. He is an AMAZING character and a beautiful soul I wish I could count among my real life friends and definitely a "book friend" I want to visit again. He's complex in a way that I rarely see in fiction, and romance tends to be even more hesitant to deal with real world problems like racial tension, body image, and health concerns.
I was a little nervous Ally Blue might falter in her depictions of two very different men than are usually given a happily-ever-after in m/m romance, that it might grow patronizing or hit a sour note, but for me at least it was consistently a winner, solid, not triggering or "cheap." I didn't feel she exoticized the characters. They're both fully developed and richly unique individuals.
Now, for the romance... It's a slow burn. It's a really good, really intriguing dynamic between them as their very natures draw them together. They fulfill needs in one another. It's not the drag race to orgasm you find in some books but rather a push-and-pull that builds on itself until there's really no alternative but to fall into one another completely.
This one has stuck with me, and now, long after I first read it, I'm moved to write a review because it stayed in my mind.
Read
August 4, 2012Really sweet, quite slow-moving romance - but I don't mean that in a negative way. It felt like real life, and the characters were appealingly human, with a mix of endearing traits and flaws. Also, what is not to love about a Cherokee Elvis? I do have a weakness for Elvis impersonators, I must admit. And the King himself, naturally.
February 21, 2016
4.5 stars. Owen Hicks is an overweight, diabetic, Cherokee Elvis impersonator. Kevin is an African American nursing student. To be together they have to overcome social pressures from family, financial differences, and Owen's inability to control his illness.
May 9, 2013
Very enjoyable story. I liked the storyline and the fact that the MCs aren't the usual gorgeous/perfect white males.
June 6, 2013
Mm, interesting. Enjoyed the medical aspect... I'm a nurse.... Not really an Elvis fan per say, but it was received. Needed more dimension out of Kevin and Owen, and the abrupt ending...
August 13, 2016
Can't say anything bad about this book. I was deeply invested in the characters and was reluctant to say goodbye to them at the end. Recommended!
nope
March 17, 2017Not reading because: Look, when I'm trying to decide whether I should trust a white author to write an interracial romance (involving a Native character), finding an oblivious and microaggressive exchange with a queer Native woman at the top of that author's Twitter feed is not going to encourage me to read their book.
December 4, 2012
Ally Blue tries to tackle several issues with this story about a romance between a Native American Elvis impersonator and an aspiring nurse. Firstly despite the cover, Owen Hicks is not your typical male model type (Which makes the cover ridiculous). He's large, overweight, out of shape, has poor eating habits and as a result has diabetes. Secondly, Kevin Fraser is African American and comes from a wealthy background which causes friction between the two men's families.
What I liked about this story is the way the friendship between the two men are built up, the amount of heart and warmth in the story and the way the health issues is handled in showing how a real person would deal with it. I've had the experience in the past of finding a friend who had slipped into a diabetic coma so I know how scary an illness it can be.
The ending was the one negative I found because it felt abrupt and not completely resolved despite it being of the HEA variety. It really needed an epilogue to put this in the 5 star mm romance book range. But this story was surprisingly sweet and appealing especially for those who like hurt/ comfort stories that's pleasantly humorous with very little angst.
What I liked about this story is the way the friendship between the two men are built up, the amount of heart and warmth in the story and the way the health issues is handled in showing how a real person would deal with it. I've had the experience in the past of finding a friend who had slipped into a diabetic coma so I know how scary an illness it can be.
The ending was the one negative I found because it felt abrupt and not completely resolved despite it being of the HEA variety. It really needed an epilogue to put this in the 5 star mm romance book range. But this story was surprisingly sweet and appealing especially for those who like hurt/ comfort stories that's pleasantly humorous with very little angst.
April 21, 2015
3.5 stars
It has been awhile since I read anything by Ally Blue after I overloaded on the Bay City books by reading them all back-to-back. (I know better than that!)
Kevin is a nurse who befriends Owen following Owen's trip to the ER. Their friendship becomes more despite the expressed misgivings of Owen's uncle and Kevin's mother.
Kevin and Owen are an engaging couple who seem aware of their differences and are okay with them. Their humor with each other is pithy and sarcastic without being mean and had me smiling to myself. Recommended.
A contradiction in the story:
It has been awhile since I read anything by Ally Blue after I overloaded on the Bay City books by reading them all back-to-back. (I know better than that!)
Kevin is a nurse who befriends Owen following Owen's trip to the ER. Their friendship becomes more despite the expressed misgivings of Owen's uncle and Kevin's mother.
Kevin and Owen are an engaging couple who seem aware of their differences and are okay with them. Their humor with each other is pithy and sarcastic without being mean and had me smiling to myself. Recommended.
A contradiction in the story:
July 16, 2012
As I usually expect from Ally Blue, this is indeed a nicely written friends-to-lovers story. Even so, personally I could not become truly invested in the main characters' relationship. I did not understand Owen's thinking and how he continued to . Kevin was a mostly supportive presence, though his decision in the climax felt too forced and lacking in maturity especially since he had the professional background as a nurse. Still, I would encourage giving this one a try because of its unusual mix of interesting characters and plot elements.
January 27, 2013
Graceland gets an extra star for the unusual MC's. Imperfect bodies, low income, Elvis impersonation, racial issues - I loved it all! The actual story had some dull points and is only worth about three stars, maybe less, but Owen and Kevin were incredibly interesting. I wish there were more realistic, contemporary m/m romance novels like this one. For example, did you know that gay men generally have lower income than straight men? You would never believe it with all the money many MC's throw around in m/m books.
July 12, 2012
This story was enjoyable enough, but at the end I didn't get the feeling of completeness. Both Kevin and Owen are interesting individuals and as a couple comical and pulling. But as I said, it felt unfinished.
July 13, 2012
Enjoyable read. I liked that the MC's were very non traditional characters, but I still liked their chemistry. It took me a little longer to read than I thought it would, but I liked it. It wasn't very action oriented, and sometimes I didn't get the love, but overall, I liked it.
Did Not Finish
May 25, 2016Not sure about that blurb, but Ally's an auto-buy. She doesn't seem to release many books lately, so I'm excited!
July 5, 2012
4.5 stars
July 20, 2012
I like the slow build up for the romance in this story. Having family members with diabetes, I felt the transition to learning how to cope with the disease was really well done.
July 20, 2012
Great read.
September 4, 2013
Sweet and slow, but that wasn't my disappointment with it. Somehow even though the story arc was complete it lacked the complexity and detail I needed to feel connected to the MCs.
September 23, 2012
3.75 stars
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