Body and Blood

by Michael Schiefelbein

As a sixteen-year-old Catholic seminarian, Chris Sieb had a deep crush on fellow student Jack Canston. Now, twenty-five years after parting ways, Jack has transfered to the Kansas City diocese where he once again encounters Chris - now Father Sieb - a devoted priest and closeted gay man. After seeing each other for the first time, the two rekindle their boyhood yearnings, beginning a secret relationship.
Their reverie is brief, however, abruptly shaken when another closeted priest in the diocese, a former classmate of the two, dies suddenly, an apparent suicide. Shortly thereafter a letter arrives at the archbishop's office claiming that more was going on than anyone ever expected. As his secret affair continues, Chris begins to realize there is something horribly wrong with Jack, some dark secret he's withholding, one somehow connected to their deceased classmate - and that the threat it represents is closer than he could ever guess. Now his one chance to survive lies in finally uncovering the truth.

Genres: Gay, M M Romance, Mystery, Religion, LGBT, Fiction, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2007

About the author

Michael Schiefelbein, after spending ten years studying for the priesthood, graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He is a professor of writing and literature in Memphis, TN.

Reviews

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS]

Audio 4 Stars
Story dnf @ 36%

[heardtheowl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. As a mystery novel, I had no idea until the very last page what the outcome would be. Makes it a total thumbs up for me. I loved the interactions between the two main characters, and how in the end the one went with his heart and not what the church said.
I also really enjoyed the inside look to the mysterious life of a Catholic Priest. Yeah - I got a bit of a priest kink. What bad Irish Catholic girl doesn't? 0_o Don't answer that. It's just a fantasy kink. My real priests...ewwww. lol. ^_^

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Michael Schiefelbein takes the reader on a religious journey.

This time it is into the lives of gay Catholic priests and the desperation and loneliness of wanting love, wanting to love, having someone love them..and yet they must lead lives of quiet desperation in an attempt to adhere to their vows of celibacy and the Vatican's edicts of allowing no gay men become priests and that any gay priests must be reported!

Schiefelbein shows us the destruction of their psyche, the deception that must be lived out and at the same time focuses on 3 priests and the nightmare of their gay love. Gripping tale of the love these men wanted at any cost. How each had their own personal demons to fight and..the desperation of trying to live double lives. I couldn't put it down!

The author studied in a monastery for 10 years before leaving so his novels are rich in religion and the debates between gays and Christianity.

[oriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok eu tenho um monte de sentimentos contraditórios quanto a este livro e sinto apenas a necessidade de articular tudo o que me está a passar pela cabeça, então isto não vai ser das reviews mais concisas ou ordenadas, desculpa lol. À medida que eu lia este livro eu tinha quase a certeza que o ia acabar e dar umas 4 ou 5 estrelas, realmente estava a ADORAR, desde o início que estava completamente agarrada pronta pra saber o que ia acontecer a seguir, não conseguia parar de especular sobre o que iria acontecer, tentava ler entre todas as linhas, enfim tudo o que é esperado de um bom mistério/suspense. No entanto quando chega ao finalzinho da terceira parte eu fiquei um pouco... desiludida? Não sei se desilusão convém bem o que eu senti, se calhar estava demasiado distante da emoção da história mas a morte do Danny pra mim foi quase anti-climática, não sei, aconteceu tudo muito depressa. Também achei que apesar de bem tratado a explicação para o comportamento errático do Jack foi a mesma vibe, a tensão recorrente do livro realmente realçava que estava tudo conectado com a morte do Eddie e os agressores do Jack serem três gajos mencionados uma vez e que nunca aparecem de novo deixou-me um pouco ??? Pronto, sei lá, estava toda a gente a falar de um plot twist então estava realmente à espera de alguma revelação explosiva e aquele momento de "oh meu deus faz tudo sentido agora" mas no final não foi bem assim, e aquela explicação à última da hora que afinal o Eddie e o Danny estavam-se a comer all along veio tão depressa e esquecida tão igualmente depressa que nem teve tempo de a processar, se calhar também estava com as espectativas erradas mas pronto né. A maneira como salta imediatamente do momento da morte do Danny para o Chris já desordenado e a aparecer num casamento sem sentir qualquer conflito interior por ter literalmente visto ALGUÉM MORRER EM FRENTE DELE??? Opá desculpa fica difícil de acreditar. Gostei que pelo menos no final o Chris e o Jack não ficam juntos porque realmente não havia futuro para esses malucos, amém! Enfim, apesar de toda a confusão dos últimos capítulos, ainda consegui apreciar o final ambíguo mas ainda assim otimista. De resto, eu realmente adorei o estilo de escrita, como já disse antes, fiquei agarrada ao enredo logo desde o início, e nesse sentido Schiefelbein é incrível a construir toda aquela tensão constante que sentes no ambiente da história, realmente dá aquele sentimento de uma garrafa de gás a ser apertada, prestes a explodir a qualquer momento (daí aquele final apressado me ter decepcionado tanto lol), mas foi um solid read tbh, provavelmente vou ler mais deste autor que parecer ter escrito vários livros neste gênero e que parecem bem interessantes!! Queria MUITO dar 4 estrelas mas com aquele final não dá, infelizmente.

[Vora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too soapy for my taste. I really enjoyed The Vampire series by the same author, but this novel is a disappointment . Chris is whinny and annoying and John is not that interesting too. A book I 'll gladly forget.

[Robert Velasco · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book jacket sound like it was going to be a murder mystery but it wasn't it.

[Kurt Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on my OK list, but I didn't find it incredibly stimulating.

[Maryjane Coons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda wished the ending was a little different.

[James Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Sieb and Jack Cranston were in seminary together and both went on to become priests. They had a very close relationship, maybe too close. Jack left right after graduation but now, 25 years later, is back and he and Chris are trying to return to their original closeness.

However, there are questions and mysteries that make that seem almost impossible. There is even a death of another priest to even further complicate things. Will they return their original friendship, will they be more, or will events tear them apparently? And finally, what would the really healthy outcome be? Will they be able to overcome the problems of 25 years of separation to make a life going into the future?

There is a well-written look at the difficulty of being in an unwelcoming, on many levels, institution, trying to come to grips with who you are and what you want to do with your life.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and felt the voices were very real and convincing, particularly the voice of the narrator, Chris. I'm not Catholic, so I don't have a dog in the fight between the Catholic Church and its stance on homosexuality. However, I did have a problem with the dismissive attitude Chris had at times toward the people who came to him for spiritual guidance and confession. I also felt at times that Chris and Jack simply didn't respect the jobs they chose to do. (Hey, no one forced these guys to become priests and stay in the priesthood!) Also, the "mystery" part of the book felt like an afterthought. The real story here is the one between Chris and Jack and the novel really came to life for me when it focused on their tumultuous relationship.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Chris is reunited with his boyhood friend, Father Jack. They quickly become involved in a closeted sexual relationship. Chris finds that Jack is hiding some very dark secrets from him, and through all that Chris tries, he is not able to help Jack or their relationship.
The Archbishop is on a hunt for all homosexuals in the church and forcing them to leave, based on his strong belief that this will avoid any further scandal and embarrassment to the church, after a shock that Father Eddie committed suicide. To make matters worse, a young boy Danny is playing both Chris and Jack to his will.
Michael S. is a great writter. I love everything that he has written and can't wait until his next novel. I devoured this book and could not put it down.

[R.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, well-structured book about a pair of Roman Catholic priests grappling with their gayness in the midst of the Church's sex abuse scandals. I found the characters compelling, and I am impressed by the deep respect coupled with criticism that Schiefelbein affords Catholic spirituality and institutions. The writing rings true and at times has a matter-of-fact sexiness that I find appealing.

I practice the Christian faith as a Canadian Anglican. I would recommend this book, perhaps counter-intuitively, for people like myself who are considering ordination in settings that are not yet fully affirming of queer people. I found it raised important questions about integrity, truth-telling, spirituality, mental illness, and churchly institutions in gentle but powerful ways.

[Nora aka Diva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow just. The author stayed mainly with one point of veiw, that of the main character with random one page monologues from a secondary character. At times it was difficult to realize the switch. A bit boring as well. Although I think they tried to "spice" it up a bit with gay sex. Perhaps a story about catholic priests was just too much for me since I am a recovering catholic.* I didn't care for this story much and by the end I didn't give two shits what happened to the main character or his lover, sadly enough. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.


*Yes I mean that in the same sense of how an alcoholic going sober is a recovering alcoholic. ty.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This unsettling, steamy story of two gay Catholic priests, Fathers Jack and Chris, who go their separate ways as teenage seminarians after a brief courtship but are then reunited 25 years later, is an intriguing portrayal of passion and turbulence in a relationship where a person's choices don't always reflect his beliefs.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely paced read but sort of a letdown after the vampire books. The protagonist is too predictable and it's too easy to see that the antagonist will not be the villain. Too preachy (pardon the pun) with the pro gay marriage stance (most of us are already on that bus). Nice style, restrained sexuality (this is a positive for me). I'll keep reading him.

[Stéphanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too soapy for my taste. I really enjoyed The Vampire series by the same author, but this novel is a disappointment . Chris is whinny and annoying and John is not that interesting too. A book I 'll gladly forget. .

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different read by far

[Zac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, fast and easy just the way I like my boys ;)

[Tom Ratliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 priests in love...imagine! And one with a secret...I think this writer might ought to stick with Vampire stories...closeted priests is an old story...

[Katie M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unimpressive gay priest thriller.

[Lori Rumore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, even though there was a lot of discussion about the Catholic Church, which I don't really care for, but, overall, a compelling story.

[Barbara English · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was OK, thought there would have been more mystery to it.

[Brian Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better work than the vampire books. Interesting story. Definitely a beach read.

[Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story about finding ones way in life.