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Dueling Divas
An Avondale Story
The Next Club Superstar contest is just the venue Nash Argento needs to further his career as a singer. There’s only one he has to dress in drag.
With the help of his best female friend, Nash negotiates the challenges of becoming a drag queen in order to compete. But his troubles are far from over. His key competitor is Stacey—a biological woman. Incensed, Nash tries to get her disqualified, but Stacey is desperate for the money, and with the help of her quirky divorcée best friend and the best friend’s lawyer, she manages to stay in the contest.
Bobby Carter is a lonely librarian looking for Mr. Right—and he’s looking in Nash’s direction. Nash seems to be everything Bobby needs… and then he brings Nash home for dinner and discovers Nash is his sister’s main competition. Nash and Stacey get to know each other and even become friends—and just in time. Someone is murdering the contestants one by one, and Nash and Stacey will need all the help they can get to escape the cruel fate the murderer has planned for them.
The Next Club Superstar contest is just the venue Nash Argento needs to further his career as a singer. There’s only one he has to dress in drag.
With the help of his best female friend, Nash negotiates the challenges of becoming a drag queen in order to compete. But his troubles are far from over. His key competitor is Stacey—a biological woman. Incensed, Nash tries to get her disqualified, but Stacey is desperate for the money, and with the help of her quirky divorcée best friend and the best friend’s lawyer, she manages to stay in the contest.
Bobby Carter is a lonely librarian looking for Mr. Right—and he’s looking in Nash’s direction. Nash seems to be everything Bobby needs… and then he brings Nash home for dinner and discovers Nash is his sister’s main competition. Nash and Stacey get to know each other and even become friends—and just in time. Someone is murdering the contestants one by one, and Nash and Stacey will need all the help they can get to escape the cruel fate the murderer has planned for them.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2013
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 13, 2013
As an avid fan and follower of Etienne's Avondale Stories, it was a surprise to read in Etienne Stories of another Avondale novel to be published by someone known to me, the author Antonio. Someone who would be considered a newbie to the MM genre. Antonio had a blog and I read his works, but I cannot seem to find it anymore.
Anyway, here's the blurb:
The Next Club Superstar contest is just the venue Nash Argento needs to further his career as a singer. There’s only one problem: he has to dress in drag.
With the help of his best female friend, Nash negotiates the challenges of becoming a drag queen in order to compete. But his troubles are far from over. His key competitor is Stacey—a biological woman. Incensed, Nash tries to get her disqualified, but Stacey is desperate for the money, and with the help of her quirky divorcée best friend and the best friend’s lawyer, she manages to stay in the contest.
Bobby Carter is a lonely librarian looking for Mr. Right—and he’s looking in Nash’s direction. Nash seems to be everything Bobby needs… and then he brings Nash home for dinner and discovers Nash is his sister’s main competition. Nash and Stacey get to know each other and even become friends—and just in time. Someone is murdering the contestants one by one, and Nash and Stacey will need all the help they can get to escape the cruel fate the murderer has planned for them.
Set in the same world frame as Etienne's Avondale.
So there you go. The plot is very interesting, although I found it a bit strange for an Avondale story, and written by someone other than the series originator, Etienne.
I seriously had my doubts.
When I first got hold of this book, I refrained from even opening it. Then when I did decide to open it, I could not wrap my brain around the difference in the writing style. 10% into the story, I set it aside and opened other books to read.
Curiosity is a fault of mine, so I decided to open it again. Just as soon as I did, I closed it once more. I simply could not continue reading it. I had to get into a mind-set that would finally make me open the book and actually finish it.
I opened it again, started from the very beginning and Surprise, surprise!
I got hooked!
I was reacting verbally saying OMG, OMG, over and over again when I read how one of the minor characters committed suicide after having been lovingly described as one of the sweetest young men in love with his partner.
And then just like that, the OMG turned into a fit of the giggles when I read about little Meggy shouting "Mr. Wow is here! Mr. Wow is here!" in reference to Nash. Not to mention Arlena's rave about bitches!
And how about the Drag Queen Lili LaRue!? OMG! I was reading all about her and always at the back of my mind I knew that I knew who Antonio was talking or writing about. All throughout the book I was missing it, frustrated me no end, until it finally hit me at 97% that Lili LaRue was almost identical to the larger-than-life Drag Queen: Rue Paul! How could I have missed it? Of course, by this time I was in hysterics.
I finished the book in 4 hours, not because it was tedious, but I had to take bathroom breaks and cook dinner!
You can be very sure that the style of writing is totally different and should never be compared to that of Etienne. My major mistake when I pre-judged this as an "attempt" that would surely fail. Why you think? Well, in all my readings of a book series, if another author would come in to write within that world, it would be an epic fail.
How happy am I to be not only proven wrong, but my presumption literally crashed and burned!
I so loved this book, I cannot believe it myself. It can literally suck the readers into trying to solve the murder mystery. It sort of flashed me back to the days when I read Agatha Christie and watched Murder She Wrote! I could not help taking notes and eliminating characters to find who-dunnit!
The writing was fast paced, the development of the story line was incredible and here is one last thing I noticed: while I was reading? I could "see" the characters, "hear" their words, and "feel" the anxiety of their fears, insecurities and happiness. When the drag queens sang? I could almost imagine being there as part of the audience and hear them perform. Now this takes talent!
If nothing else got me, it was the very last lines that made my imagination go a little bit more graphic: when little Meggy grabbed her camera to forever capture the image of her beloved family for "Her small world seemed perfect".
Dueling Divas by Antonio is the perfect compliment to the Avondale Stories. My regret is to have pre-judged and presumed on it to the extent of dropping it for several weeks.
Lesson learned.
I stand corrected.
I cannot wait for the next Antonio release.
Purchase link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Anyway, here's the blurb:
The Next Club Superstar contest is just the venue Nash Argento needs to further his career as a singer. There’s only one problem: he has to dress in drag.
With the help of his best female friend, Nash negotiates the challenges of becoming a drag queen in order to compete. But his troubles are far from over. His key competitor is Stacey—a biological woman. Incensed, Nash tries to get her disqualified, but Stacey is desperate for the money, and with the help of her quirky divorcée best friend and the best friend’s lawyer, she manages to stay in the contest.
Bobby Carter is a lonely librarian looking for Mr. Right—and he’s looking in Nash’s direction. Nash seems to be everything Bobby needs… and then he brings Nash home for dinner and discovers Nash is his sister’s main competition. Nash and Stacey get to know each other and even become friends—and just in time. Someone is murdering the contestants one by one, and Nash and Stacey will need all the help they can get to escape the cruel fate the murderer has planned for them.
Set in the same world frame as Etienne's Avondale.
So there you go. The plot is very interesting, although I found it a bit strange for an Avondale story, and written by someone other than the series originator, Etienne.
I seriously had my doubts.
When I first got hold of this book, I refrained from even opening it. Then when I did decide to open it, I could not wrap my brain around the difference in the writing style. 10% into the story, I set it aside and opened other books to read.
Curiosity is a fault of mine, so I decided to open it again. Just as soon as I did, I closed it once more. I simply could not continue reading it. I had to get into a mind-set that would finally make me open the book and actually finish it.
I opened it again, started from the very beginning and Surprise, surprise!
I got hooked!
I was reacting verbally saying OMG, OMG, over and over again when I read how one of the minor characters committed suicide after having been lovingly described as one of the sweetest young men in love with his partner.
And then just like that, the OMG turned into a fit of the giggles when I read about little Meggy shouting "Mr. Wow is here! Mr. Wow is here!" in reference to Nash. Not to mention Arlena's rave about bitches!
And how about the Drag Queen Lili LaRue!? OMG! I was reading all about her and always at the back of my mind I knew that I knew who Antonio was talking or writing about. All throughout the book I was missing it, frustrated me no end, until it finally hit me at 97% that Lili LaRue was almost identical to the larger-than-life Drag Queen: Rue Paul! How could I have missed it? Of course, by this time I was in hysterics.
I finished the book in 4 hours, not because it was tedious, but I had to take bathroom breaks and cook dinner!
You can be very sure that the style of writing is totally different and should never be compared to that of Etienne. My major mistake when I pre-judged this as an "attempt" that would surely fail. Why you think? Well, in all my readings of a book series, if another author would come in to write within that world, it would be an epic fail.
How happy am I to be not only proven wrong, but my presumption literally crashed and burned!
I so loved this book, I cannot believe it myself. It can literally suck the readers into trying to solve the murder mystery. It sort of flashed me back to the days when I read Agatha Christie and watched Murder She Wrote! I could not help taking notes and eliminating characters to find who-dunnit!
The writing was fast paced, the development of the story line was incredible and here is one last thing I noticed: while I was reading? I could "see" the characters, "hear" their words, and "feel" the anxiety of their fears, insecurities and happiness. When the drag queens sang? I could almost imagine being there as part of the audience and hear them perform. Now this takes talent!
If nothing else got me, it was the very last lines that made my imagination go a little bit more graphic: when little Meggy grabbed her camera to forever capture the image of her beloved family for "Her small world seemed perfect".
Dueling Divas by Antonio is the perfect compliment to the Avondale Stories. My regret is to have pre-judged and presumed on it to the extent of dropping it for several weeks.
Lesson learned.
I stand corrected.
I cannot wait for the next Antonio release.
Purchase link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
March 17, 2013
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Nash is hoping to get his singing career off the ground and with Layne’s (his best friend) help he enters a contest at a drag bar with its prize of a recording contest and $10,000. But he soon discovers he has tough competition in the form of Stacey, a full-time mother and wife, and after his initial shock of having female competition at a drag bar they soon have a friendly rivalry. Bobby has never had to come out to his family because he never saw a reason, but when he meets his sisters’ competition he knows that the time is now right, and soon Nash and Bobby are tumbling into love. But as the competition heats up so does the body count, as someone is picking off the competition and no one is safe.
Hmmm, I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I realised another author was writing an Avondale Story, but Etienne’s partner of 17 years Antonio has done a wonderful job of keeping the essence of Avondale alive. Nash usually wouldn’t be seen dead in women’s clothes, but it’s for a good cause, unfortunately he isn’t too happy that a female is allowed into the competition. Clashing with Stacey and her brother Bobby the sparks fly during the first night of the competition and then bumping into Bobby at the grocery store the sparks fly for a different reason. Bobby is amazed to finally find a guy to come out for and throws himself headfirst into love, supporting both his sister and Nash during the competition is great and they all have fun together, but the competition becomes scary as the performers are targeted, with the police investigating (we see Carl and George from previous Avondale stories) and the religious zealots protesting Bobby, Nash and their new friends are all in danger, but can the police discover the murderer before it is too late?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this story, the wonderful atmosphere during the competitions is brought to you in full so you can experience the joy and camaraderie that all the characters share, including the bitching, backbiting and support, as well as the coming together of a community in times of need. Bobby and Nash’s relationship does move fast and their sex life is inferred, but seeing them together you can see how quickly they fell for each other and why, they fit together seamlessly and are a well-suited couple. The storyline was really good and although a little gruesome and violent at times it was written really well, the mystery of the murderer was really good and although you might get a slight idea of who it is, you can’t be sure until the big unveiling.
I have to recommend this story to those who love murder mysteries, great full of life characters, a great competition, true love and a very happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Nash is hoping to get his singing career off the ground and with Layne’s (his best friend) help he enters a contest at a drag bar with its prize of a recording contest and $10,000. But he soon discovers he has tough competition in the form of Stacey, a full-time mother and wife, and after his initial shock of having female competition at a drag bar they soon have a friendly rivalry. Bobby has never had to come out to his family because he never saw a reason, but when he meets his sisters’ competition he knows that the time is now right, and soon Nash and Bobby are tumbling into love. But as the competition heats up so does the body count, as someone is picking off the competition and no one is safe.
Hmmm, I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I realised another author was writing an Avondale Story, but Etienne’s partner of 17 years Antonio has done a wonderful job of keeping the essence of Avondale alive. Nash usually wouldn’t be seen dead in women’s clothes, but it’s for a good cause, unfortunately he isn’t too happy that a female is allowed into the competition. Clashing with Stacey and her brother Bobby the sparks fly during the first night of the competition and then bumping into Bobby at the grocery store the sparks fly for a different reason. Bobby is amazed to finally find a guy to come out for and throws himself headfirst into love, supporting both his sister and Nash during the competition is great and they all have fun together, but the competition becomes scary as the performers are targeted, with the police investigating (we see Carl and George from previous Avondale stories) and the religious zealots protesting Bobby, Nash and their new friends are all in danger, but can the police discover the murderer before it is too late?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this story, the wonderful atmosphere during the competitions is brought to you in full so you can experience the joy and camaraderie that all the characters share, including the bitching, backbiting and support, as well as the coming together of a community in times of need. Bobby and Nash’s relationship does move fast and their sex life is inferred, but seeing them together you can see how quickly they fell for each other and why, they fit together seamlessly and are a well-suited couple. The storyline was really good and although a little gruesome and violent at times it was written really well, the mystery of the murderer was really good and although you might get a slight idea of who it is, you can’t be sure until the big unveiling.
I have to recommend this story to those who love murder mysteries, great full of life characters, a great competition, true love and a very happy ending.
April 23, 2013
3.5 Stars
This author weaves several lively plot lines throughout the book that include coming out, religious zealots campaigning against gays, friends and family accepting the appearance of a significant other, the relationship trials of several other contestants and an ongoing murder mystery. The dynamics among Stacey, Stacey’s husband, Nash, Bobby, the contestants and rest of the large cast of other characters are so much fun to read.
We get to experience the twisting camaraderie among the characters that include bitching, backbiting, friendship and unity as the group embraces one another in a protective embrace to keep each other safe....
Carli's full review can be found at
Live Your Life, Buy The Book
This author weaves several lively plot lines throughout the book that include coming out, religious zealots campaigning against gays, friends and family accepting the appearance of a significant other, the relationship trials of several other contestants and an ongoing murder mystery. The dynamics among Stacey, Stacey’s husband, Nash, Bobby, the contestants and rest of the large cast of other characters are so much fun to read.
We get to experience the twisting camaraderie among the characters that include bitching, backbiting, friendship and unity as the group embraces one another in a protective embrace to keep each other safe....
Carli's full review can be found at
Live Your Life, Buy The Book
August 9, 2016
This is a clever book about Stacey, a mother of three who enters a drag contest in order to win some cash to help with the renovation of her home.
She's the only biological female in the contest, and laughs ensue when she meets the other contestants.
Drag queens can be clever and funny - when they're done right, and this author manages to do just that.
As she attempts to win the Next Club Superstar Contest, we meet several interesting characters, some of them, a bit eccentric - and they work.
As for the love story in the book, that revolves around Stacey's younger brother, who manages to come out of his closet and find love before the story ends.
She's the only biological female in the contest, and laughs ensue when she meets the other contestants.
Drag queens can be clever and funny - when they're done right, and this author manages to do just that.
As she attempts to win the Next Club Superstar Contest, we meet several interesting characters, some of them, a bit eccentric - and they work.
As for the love story in the book, that revolves around Stacey's younger brother, who manages to come out of his closet and find love before the story ends.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews