My Own Private Biscuit

Some Like It Haute #2

by Dann Hazel

A great meal. A rousing symphony. Two perfect men. But can they make beautiful music together? Toby enjoys a success beyond his wildest dreams. He is not only a damn fine musician, he is also the first chair trumpeter with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

In New York, he earns a good living doing what he loves the most. Yet, he suffers from a nagging feeling that something is missing. The Manhattan lifestyle is great, but his romantic life consists mostly of Grindr hookups.

A summer Tour of the South finds Toby in Asheville, North Carolina—his childhood home and still the home of a certain high school crush. Thomas Bischoff--or as all his friends call him, Biscuit.

Abruptly, he stumbles on the news that Biscuit is married! The news hit Toby like a hammer.

Then, later, he makes yet another Biscuit's married life isn't going well. Might there be a glimmer of hope? And how can hope translate into action when there are 700 miles between them?

And even if things could work out between them, how can they blend two lives separated by a dozen years and their own extra baggage?

What will it take for Toby to claim his own private Biscuit?

MY OWN PRIVATE BISCUIT is the second book in Dann Hazel's Some Like It Haute Gay Romance Series . In this novel, Dann adds a new ingredient to the romantic and culinary mix of the series--music!

TABLE OF CONTENTS If you like these tropes in your gay romance, you'll like MY OWN PRIVATE
Second Chance Romance
Unrequited Love
Friends to Lovers
Foodies and Chefs

Trigger
Drug addiction
A suicide inference

267 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2023

About the author

Dann Hazel writes fiction and nonfiction books, articles for magazines, columns for syndication, and short stories. Most of his work deals with gay and lesbian themes and issues. Dann's articles have been published in Atlanta Magazine, Dancemagazine, and The Guide. His book, Moving On: The Gay Man's Guide to Coping When a Relationship Ends, will be released by Kensington in June of 1999.
In 1976, Dann received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English (cum laude) from Newberry College in Newberry, SC. For two years, he studied theology as a pre-ministerial student until he "got cold feet" and decided to pursue another field. His graduate degree in Education, with a concentration in adolescent behavioral disorders, was earned at The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in 1987.

In the past, he has taught high school English and journalism, and has worked as a radio broadcaster. For almost six years, he was an educational therapist for high school and college patients in a psychiatric hospital in the Charleston area. He has also worked as a curriculum designer and director of a grant program in a local college. He is a member of the Board of Directors of WeAreFamily; an organization devoted to educating youth-service organizations of the needs and concerns of gay and lesbian youth. He is also a member of AFFA (Alliance for Full Acceptance). Currently, Dann lives with his partner, Josh, in Summerville, SC.

Reviews

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading other reviews, there has been a mixed bag about the writing, but it's great for a future movie, IMHO.

The storyline is both encouraging and troubling: two guys who were intimate in high school and shared a connection are now separated by their careers and goals. Toby is part of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and seeks romantic satisfaction through random hookups. His best friend from high school, Biscuit, is a band director at a high school in Asheville, NC, and is married to a staff member at the famous Grove Park Inn. Toby is surprised to learn about Biscuit's marriage as he prepares to perform with the NY Orchestra on their summer trip south, including a stop in Asheville. Biscuit is surprised by Toby's phone call before the trip and shares that his marriage may be ending.

Dann Hazel skillfully develops the story as Lars undergoes rehabilitation for his drug issues while Biscuit navigates being supportive, despite feeling that their divorce is inevitable and that the distance between them is not getting any closer. Toby's visit makes the prospect of a future together more appealing, yet the narrative explores various challenges that make reconciliation less likely.

The mixed reviews on the writing appear to stem from transitions akin to movie scenes; the cuts showing Toby's hookups fail to convey the intimacy that he longs for, which ultimately isn't real love. Our author’s background in journalism, magazine writing and such may lend to this narrative style.

Some of the saddest moments in this book arise from Lars's reflections on his substance-abusing parents, his overwhelming sense of unworthiness for love, and regrets about the numerous drug-fueled hookups he’s experienced.

Toby's support for Biscuit during this challenging time with Lars is commendable. Yet, it takes a true friend to reveal the lack of genuine love Toby has received from those he pursues as romantic interests.

The ending is mixed; it delivers both a devastating conclusion and hope for Toby and Biscuit. Both outcomes are tearful, a contrast of emotions, and abrupt. The writing style has the potential for a compelling movie, but given the cast of at least 15 characters, a character list would be helpful. It's not a long read, and I believe it's best enjoyed in a few sittings to help with this large character count. The ending was unexpected from Dann Hazel, though I had imagined multiple possible conclusions for this book.

I enjoyed the references to places in Asheville as I also live in North Carolina, and there appears to be some political commentary that was also interesting. North Carolina is not New York City nor Asheville, but it’s a very welcoming, diverse, and well-populated area of our State.

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This love story was a long time in the making. The m/c’s, of which there seemed a few, all told their story in their own way. Some with success some with failure. A sadness shrouded the story to me. Even with the happy ending for the two I felt the melancholy. It didn’t hurt the story but it did affect it for me. The book was a bit different as the perspectives were told by various players. Again, just an observation and not a criticism. In fact, it was an interesting approach. I was engaged throughout the reading quite curious to see how it all played out. It had it’s emotional tugs, too. The marriage of two m/c’s was tumultuous but also gave the story an edginess to it. The book drew you in, it kept you reading and it left me not unsatisfied but somehow not as happy as I wanted to feel either. An intriguing journey. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Thrilled Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with how to rate this book. Some parts were very good, but the end just wasn't satisfying. Unfortunately, many male writers in this genre tend to speak of sex instead of showing sex...and this book is a perfect example. In addition, there was just too much of the minutiae that is not interesting to me. Who cares what the female roommate thinks about a friend with benefits? Why be so repetitive? I really loved the dog, but alas that was not enough.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read both books in this series and although the stories are good and they do keep me reading to the end to see what happens, I’m not a fan of the writing style of this author in these book's, I wanted to to give this author a chance that’s why I read the second book in the series but again liked the story but not the writing style but again everyone is different I’m just one person it doesn’t work for, so give it a chance for yourself.

[Jerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn story, with the relationship fifteen years in the making. Toby has his exciting life in New York City that’s slowly losing its shine.
Biscuit is settled into married life with a house, a dog, and a husband who seems to be less a partner and more a critic. Neither seem to be happy.
There’s lots of strife and lots of things falling into place rather too easily in some ways. If marital stress isn’t your thing, you should avoid this one.

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very layered and twisty story. Biscuit and Toby were childhood best friends and almost first loves. Toby left Asheville for New York to pursue his music career. This isn't a traditional formulaic love story. There are twists, turns, detours, and questions that are never answered. It demanded that I sit down and pay attention to what was happening. It was slightly messy like real life and it just made things better.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has a great life doing what he loves except someone to go home to all the time. He is about to go home where his old crush lives and he will be stunned when he finds they are married. How will it all go? Can he overcome his broken heart? How will life go for them both? See just what is going to happen

[Altivo Overo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex mixture of light and dark

Break-ups and betrayals, stirred together with careers and finally the resumption of a long interrupted relationship. Well written and developed, but not very comfortable on the whole.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but not great. I was able to finish it, I just didn't like the writing style. It didn't work for me, but you might like the style.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was something missing in this story. Not sure what it was but it was a struggle to finish. Not a bad story just not a very good story.