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Pax Cymrica: The True History #2
The Road Taken
Michael and Jamie have one simple rule to DON’T. Don’t touch. Don’t share rooms. Don’t even look at each other. But the music is the chemistry that made the band is gone, together with their happiness. What they need now is an innocent front, something to make people think they've broken it off. But when they ask Sapphire for help, they may just get more than they bargained for.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Ingela Bohm
18 books19 followersIngela Bohm lives in an old cinema, tucked away in a northern Swedish forest where she can wander around all day long and dictate her books. She used to dream of being an actor until an actual actor asked, “Do you really need to do it?” That’s when she realized that the only thing she really needed to do was to write. She has since pretended to be a dietician, a teacher, a receptionist and a cook, but only to conceal her real identity.
Her first imaginary friend was called Grabolina and lived in her closet. Nowadays she has too many imaginary friends to count, but at least some of them are out of the closet. Her men may not be conventionally handsome, but they can charm your pants off, and that’s all that matters.
Ingela’s more useless talents include reading tarot cards, killing pot plants and drawing scandalous pictures that no one gets to see. She can’t walk in heels and she’s stopped trying, but she has cycled 12 000 miles in the UK and knows which campsites to avoid if you don’t like spiders. If you see her on the train you will wonder what age she is.
Her first imaginary friend was called Grabolina and lived in her closet. Nowadays she has too many imaginary friends to count, but at least some of them are out of the closet. Her men may not be conventionally handsome, but they can charm your pants off, and that’s all that matters.
Ingela’s more useless talents include reading tarot cards, killing pot plants and drawing scandalous pictures that no one gets to see. She can’t walk in heels and she’s stopped trying, but she has cycled 12 000 miles in the UK and knows which campsites to avoid if you don’t like spiders. If you see her on the train you will wonder what age she is.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 19, 2014
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sequel to JUST PLAYING, and should be read in series--if possible.
It's 1976 and Mike and Jamie are young (20ish) men in a band, Pax Cymrica. The story takes place in Great Britain, but the boys met in school in Wales--at which point (this is from the first book) they had experienced an "unnatural attraction" to each other. At the time being gay was tantamount to social suicide, and might just end in homicide, so the boy are careful not to reveal their true affections.
In the band Jamie plays guitar, and Mike is lead vocals and bass guitar. Their drummer, Cam, is especially open-minded about the heat between Mike and Jamie, however their record label is NOT. They are given the ultimatum to quell their love, or get dropped form the label and tour.
While they agree to back down and "straighten up", it still is not enough. They are under constant surveillance, to the point that one of the men actually considers a beard wife to blow the suspicions away. In the meantime, the music suffers.
Mike is injured by an overzealous fan, prompting temporary replacement on bass by Zoltan, a virtuoso. This sends Mike into despondency--he can't play, he can't be with Jamie, and he feels forlorn over the sad state of his life; pining for a man he can never openly love. Mike knows this from experience--years before he even recognized his sexual orientation he was brutalized for his effeminate stature and manner.
So, now we have a snag in the band dynamic, and a jealous woman threatening to reveal Mike and Jamie's secret love. It seems Pax is doomed as a band--but they go down swinging, which leads to a surprising change in the fortunes of these four fledgling musicians.
It was a well-written tale with sympathetic characters. On Mike and Jamie desperately love each other, to the point that they make decisions that jeopardize their livelihoods and their lives. They know that what they want, a committed relationship, is outside of society's acceptance, and vainly attempt to conform with mixed results. Each man suffers in silence, in shame, for an agonizingly long time before a reasonable solution was found.
Reading this book, I kept hearing echoes of QUEEN and Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight." The long and difficult pathway to openness is really not one to be underestimated, and this story really harkens back to those dark days. I appreciated it for its cultural context, as well as its sincerity.
I felt like the story suffered, slightly, from having an unclear timeline. I never got the sense of WHEN we were--if days, or weeks, had passed between chapters. This was troublesome for me. Also, I really wanted Mike to stand up for himself more. He is such a defeated character, and I began to experience Jamie's frustration for his lack self-esteem. I nearly applauded when he FINALLY lashed out at Zoltan for insinuating himself so completely in the band that he wanted to displace Mike.
I was satisfied with the ending--HFN, if not forever. Definitely positive things happening for all the characters. The smexytimes were brief, furtive and emotional--for the most part,in keeping with the clandestine nature of the relationship. It was a good story that I feel would resonate with older readers of M/M romance.
This is the sequel to JUST PLAYING, and should be read in series--if possible.
It's 1976 and Mike and Jamie are young (20ish) men in a band, Pax Cymrica. The story takes place in Great Britain, but the boys met in school in Wales--at which point (this is from the first book) they had experienced an "unnatural attraction" to each other. At the time being gay was tantamount to social suicide, and might just end in homicide, so the boy are careful not to reveal their true affections.
In the band Jamie plays guitar, and Mike is lead vocals and bass guitar. Their drummer, Cam, is especially open-minded about the heat between Mike and Jamie, however their record label is NOT. They are given the ultimatum to quell their love, or get dropped form the label and tour.
While they agree to back down and "straighten up", it still is not enough. They are under constant surveillance, to the point that one of the men actually considers a beard wife to blow the suspicions away. In the meantime, the music suffers.
Mike is injured by an overzealous fan, prompting temporary replacement on bass by Zoltan, a virtuoso. This sends Mike into despondency--he can't play, he can't be with Jamie, and he feels forlorn over the sad state of his life; pining for a man he can never openly love. Mike knows this from experience--years before he even recognized his sexual orientation he was brutalized for his effeminate stature and manner.
So, now we have a snag in the band dynamic, and a jealous woman threatening to reveal Mike and Jamie's secret love. It seems Pax is doomed as a band--but they go down swinging, which leads to a surprising change in the fortunes of these four fledgling musicians.
It was a well-written tale with sympathetic characters. On Mike and Jamie desperately love each other, to the point that they make decisions that jeopardize their livelihoods and their lives. They know that what they want, a committed relationship, is outside of society's acceptance, and vainly attempt to conform with mixed results. Each man suffers in silence, in shame, for an agonizingly long time before a reasonable solution was found.
Reading this book, I kept hearing echoes of QUEEN and Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight." The long and difficult pathway to openness is really not one to be underestimated, and this story really harkens back to those dark days. I appreciated it for its cultural context, as well as its sincerity.
I felt like the story suffered, slightly, from having an unclear timeline. I never got the sense of WHEN we were--if days, or weeks, had passed between chapters. This was troublesome for me. Also, I really wanted Mike to stand up for himself more. He is such a defeated character, and I began to experience Jamie's frustration for his lack self-esteem. I nearly applauded when he FINALLY lashed out at Zoltan for insinuating himself so completely in the band that he wanted to displace Mike.
I was satisfied with the ending--HFN, if not forever. Definitely positive things happening for all the characters. The smexytimes were brief, furtive and emotional--for the most part,in keeping with the clandestine nature of the relationship. It was a good story that I feel would resonate with older readers of M/M romance.
August 26, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2016
I was given a copy of this book free by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
I had a really hard time getting into this book. I couldn't connect with either MC. In fact, I wanted to alternately tell them to either grow a pair or slap them.
I didn't read book 1 in the series and didn't realize when I signed up for this that is was book 2 in the series. The 2 guys never stopped whinging.
I am wondering if I didn't get on with this book because as a reader I tend to read books based in the twenty teens. This was 1976 and a totally different world.
The only saving grace was at about 80% when they finally decided to get together, but the journey to it was just too painful for me.
I had a really hard time getting into this book. I couldn't connect with either MC. In fact, I wanted to alternately tell them to either grow a pair or slap them.
I didn't read book 1 in the series and didn't realize when I signed up for this that is was book 2 in the series. The 2 guys never stopped whinging.
I am wondering if I didn't get on with this book because as a reader I tend to read books based in the twenty teens. This was 1976 and a totally different world.
The only saving grace was at about 80% when they finally decided to get together, but the journey to it was just too painful for me.
October 11, 2014
Just Playing and The Road Taken are the first two (hopefully not only two) books in the story of Jamie and Michael. Well, they are actually the story of Pax Cymrica, a rock band formed by Jamie and Michael. But more than the story of the band's ups and downs and personnel changes, it's the story of Jamie and Michael and the love they feel for each other beginning at a very early age. They begin to explore their attraction in a joint masturbation session while camping as young teens. There are many hurdles to their having a relationship. The highest of which is that it's the early 1970s and they want to be rock musicians. There just weren't out gay rock stars in the 1970s. Elton John and Freddie Mercury were both rumored to be gay, but no one dared say it as truth. There were very few out gay men or women in the early 1970s period.
When Jamie and Michael come to the realization that they can't be lovers and they can't force themselves to just be friends, they have to live completely separate lives. They form separate bands. They still live in the same town but have nothing to do with each other. An impromptu drop-in on Jamie's band practice to get in out of the rain turns into Michael stepping in to jam with them. Michael winds up joining Pax just before they take off on the road to success.
This is the beginning of their real struggle. To make it in a tough business. To continue to create and perform great music. To put on their stage faces and their interview faces and their fan faces without ever touching or staring longingly at each other or god help us, being alone together. The problem with this plan is that their chemistry, the feelings between them were what made the music they created so great. The love and longing between them came through clearly in the music they made together. Without the 'together' part, the music didn't cut it.
Someone comes up with the brilliant idea to involve Sapphire, a long-time groupie of the first band Pax toured with and then of Pax themselves, to act as a beard for one of the men, allowing them to be together behind that front. Michael just couldn't do it and the record executive (nicknamed: O'Devil) was beginning to scream about the sexual vibes flowing between Michael and Jamie onstage, so Jamie took the plunge with Sapphire. If you've ever read any gay fiction before, I don't have to tell you how that went.
During my reading of both these books, which I am reviewing as one because they felt like one, the end of Just Playing flowed right into The Road Taken, I was struck repeatedly by how different things are today in 2014 than they were in 1976. I know there aren't many out gay successful musicians even today. For some reason the world can accept homosexuality in many walks of life, but our athletes and musicians are supposed to maintain this societally imposed idea of 'masculinity' that doesn't include lovers of the same gender. I find it as ridiculous today as it was forty years ago. Seriously.
Ingela Bohm, a 'friend' on Goodreads, whom I didn't realize was an author, has created a cast of characters that draw the reader in. They feel real and you want to go to their concert to see the way Michael and Jamie play off each other on the stage. You want to hug Cal (their drummer and staunch supporter) for trying to allow them to be together in whatever way they can. You want to KILL O'Devil and beat Zoltan about the head and neck with his bass.
But most of all? You'll want Jamie and Michael to admit they are meant to be together and just be. Ingela Bohm generated some really strong emotions in me both about and toward her characters and their shitty situations. That's the hallmark of a great writer for me. If I feel like lashing out violently (aside from in my real life!) or long to hold one of the characters about whom I am reading while they get through their pain, or cry along with them, I feel deeply satisfied as a reader. I'm not always up for an emotional read, but sometimes it's just what I want. The Pax books packed (pun completely intended) an emotional punch.
And did I mention that Ms. Bohm also wrote song lyrics? It's difficult enough to write 600 compelling pages of quality gay fiction, but to write the songs that your characters sing? Ingela Bohm is a force to be reckoned with in this genre, and I look forward to reading more from her. The Road Taken ends at the beginning of 1977. I hope Michael and Jamie won't let Ms. Bohm sleep soundly until she gets them to a place in time where they can be together. The way two people in love deserve to be.
When Jamie and Michael come to the realization that they can't be lovers and they can't force themselves to just be friends, they have to live completely separate lives. They form separate bands. They still live in the same town but have nothing to do with each other. An impromptu drop-in on Jamie's band practice to get in out of the rain turns into Michael stepping in to jam with them. Michael winds up joining Pax just before they take off on the road to success.
This is the beginning of their real struggle. To make it in a tough business. To continue to create and perform great music. To put on their stage faces and their interview faces and their fan faces without ever touching or staring longingly at each other or god help us, being alone together. The problem with this plan is that their chemistry, the feelings between them were what made the music they created so great. The love and longing between them came through clearly in the music they made together. Without the 'together' part, the music didn't cut it.
Someone comes up with the brilliant idea to involve Sapphire, a long-time groupie of the first band Pax toured with and then of Pax themselves, to act as a beard for one of the men, allowing them to be together behind that front. Michael just couldn't do it and the record executive (nicknamed: O'Devil) was beginning to scream about the sexual vibes flowing between Michael and Jamie onstage, so Jamie took the plunge with Sapphire. If you've ever read any gay fiction before, I don't have to tell you how that went.
During my reading of both these books, which I am reviewing as one because they felt like one, the end of Just Playing flowed right into The Road Taken, I was struck repeatedly by how different things are today in 2014 than they were in 1976. I know there aren't many out gay successful musicians even today. For some reason the world can accept homosexuality in many walks of life, but our athletes and musicians are supposed to maintain this societally imposed idea of 'masculinity' that doesn't include lovers of the same gender. I find it as ridiculous today as it was forty years ago. Seriously.
Ingela Bohm, a 'friend' on Goodreads, whom I didn't realize was an author, has created a cast of characters that draw the reader in. They feel real and you want to go to their concert to see the way Michael and Jamie play off each other on the stage. You want to hug Cal (their drummer and staunch supporter) for trying to allow them to be together in whatever way they can. You want to KILL O'Devil and beat Zoltan about the head and neck with his bass.
But most of all? You'll want Jamie and Michael to admit they are meant to be together and just be. Ingela Bohm generated some really strong emotions in me both about and toward her characters and their shitty situations. That's the hallmark of a great writer for me. If I feel like lashing out violently (aside from in my real life!) or long to hold one of the characters about whom I am reading while they get through their pain, or cry along with them, I feel deeply satisfied as a reader. I'm not always up for an emotional read, but sometimes it's just what I want. The Pax books packed (pun completely intended) an emotional punch.
And did I mention that Ms. Bohm also wrote song lyrics? It's difficult enough to write 600 compelling pages of quality gay fiction, but to write the songs that your characters sing? Ingela Bohm is a force to be reckoned with in this genre, and I look forward to reading more from her. The Road Taken ends at the beginning of 1977. I hope Michael and Jamie won't let Ms. Bohm sleep soundly until she gets them to a place in time where they can be together. The way two people in love deserve to be.
September 2, 2014
A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Road Taken is the second book of the Pax Cymrica series. The moment I finished the first book, I had to start this one, because these boys and their awkward, difficult, overly complicated love-story sucked me right in, and simply would not let go.
The Road Taken starts off where the first book ended. Michael and Jamie are still wandering in unknown waters. The love is still there, but so is everything else. They have a chance to make it big, to become known to the big audience, but in order to succeed, they must forget the feelings they have for each other, and play by the rules set by other people. They try, and their efforts bring along all sorts of ugly, sad side-effects. There’s jealousy and envy, and a lot of self-pity, but at the end, their love still remains.
I must admit, Michael comes off a bit whiny. While reading, I sometimes wished he would just stand up for himself, even just one, and stop letting everybody walk all over him. Even Jamie, who really is very very lovable, was kind of ignorant when it came to Michael’s feelings. There were moments, when I felt Michael didn’t care for the band, that he was genuinely ready to give up, so long as he could be with Jamie. Jamie, on the other hand, was determined to hold on, and sometimes I felt he was fighting the wrong fight.
The nature of their relationship wasn’t a secret to anyone. Everybody knew what happened behind closed doors; people just choose to pretend they had no idea. And sometimes I felt Michael and Jamie didn’t think people knew, either, though they couldn’t have been more obvious. There were supportive characters in the book, along with those that could barely say the word ‘gay’ without gagging. The side-characters in this series are very distinctive, and they definitely give their own spice to the story. There’s Cal, who’s just too adorable (in a really gruff and crooked way), and who does his best to give support and advice when it’s needed – and sometimes when it’s not. And then there’s Zoltan, the bringer of all the pain in Michael’s life. No, really, the guy is not so lovable. But I still liked him. I felt he never meant to be mean, or condescending; that’s just how he is. He comes off as really confident and all-mighty and fabulous, but at the end, he’s just as likely to play by other people’s rules as anyone else. To me, once I really got to know his character, he came off as really insecure, riding the wave but only as fast as someone else allowed him to. And then there’s Sapphire… Yeah, I didn’t like her. I understand she was necessary to the story, but still no… did not like her. Which, I guess, was sort of the point.
Regardless of all the angsty moments and scenes and convos that were written so perfectly I admit getting a little emotional myself, this is a happy story. Sort of. Life is all about making the right decisions, about making compromises, and that's exactly what Michael and Jamie had to do. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And then there's a love. Maybe for these two, love is all that matters.
The Road Taken is the second book of the Pax Cymrica series. The moment I finished the first book, I had to start this one, because these boys and their awkward, difficult, overly complicated love-story sucked me right in, and simply would not let go.
The Road Taken starts off where the first book ended. Michael and Jamie are still wandering in unknown waters. The love is still there, but so is everything else. They have a chance to make it big, to become known to the big audience, but in order to succeed, they must forget the feelings they have for each other, and play by the rules set by other people. They try, and their efforts bring along all sorts of ugly, sad side-effects. There’s jealousy and envy, and a lot of self-pity, but at the end, their love still remains.
I must admit, Michael comes off a bit whiny. While reading, I sometimes wished he would just stand up for himself, even just one, and stop letting everybody walk all over him. Even Jamie, who really is very very lovable, was kind of ignorant when it came to Michael’s feelings. There were moments, when I felt Michael didn’t care for the band, that he was genuinely ready to give up, so long as he could be with Jamie. Jamie, on the other hand, was determined to hold on, and sometimes I felt he was fighting the wrong fight.
The nature of their relationship wasn’t a secret to anyone. Everybody knew what happened behind closed doors; people just choose to pretend they had no idea. And sometimes I felt Michael and Jamie didn’t think people knew, either, though they couldn’t have been more obvious. There were supportive characters in the book, along with those that could barely say the word ‘gay’ without gagging. The side-characters in this series are very distinctive, and they definitely give their own spice to the story. There’s Cal, who’s just too adorable (in a really gruff and crooked way), and who does his best to give support and advice when it’s needed – and sometimes when it’s not. And then there’s Zoltan, the bringer of all the pain in Michael’s life. No, really, the guy is not so lovable. But I still liked him. I felt he never meant to be mean, or condescending; that’s just how he is. He comes off as really confident and all-mighty and fabulous, but at the end, he’s just as likely to play by other people’s rules as anyone else. To me, once I really got to know his character, he came off as really insecure, riding the wave but only as fast as someone else allowed him to. And then there’s Sapphire… Yeah, I didn’t like her. I understand she was necessary to the story, but still no… did not like her. Which, I guess, was sort of the point.
Regardless of all the angsty moments and scenes and convos that were written so perfectly I admit getting a little emotional myself, this is a happy story. Sort of. Life is all about making the right decisions, about making compromises, and that's exactly what Michael and Jamie had to do. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And then there's a love. Maybe for these two, love is all that matters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2014
I have received this book in exchange for an honest review, many thanks to the author for being brave and believing in her story enough to do this.
If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with rockers at its core, stop right now. However, if you’re looking for a thoughtful imagining of the music business of the late 70’s and a story of love overcoming boundaries, please, oh please read on. It is worth it!
We are introduced to the characters of Jamie and Michael, up and coming stars of prog rock band Pax in book one and this is book two. These men are dealing with the ongoing awareness of their feelings while under pressure from their band, their manager, label and even themselves to be something/someone they are not. These pressures surmount to almost unbearable levels and have some fairly disastrous consequences. Fear not dear reader, for this is a story marketed as romance, you will have some.
The writing style is different from my usual reading, it even felt a little “translated”. Just some wording or phrasing that took a couple of reads to fully understand. This may even have heightened my experience with the book for I had to really concentrate.
The main characters come fully developed, but some secondary characters seemed, at times, superfluous. The setting was hard to define at the beginning of the novel but it does become apparent and will not detract from your enjoying the novel- once you find out. The plot, while a little slow at times as the characters discover, debate and continue to adjust, moves along just fine. Only once or twice I considered that an interaction or scene was unnecessary. Perhaps the LOTR references at the end felt a bit out of place for the period but again maybe not; I personally discovered Tolkien in 1982 as a 14y.o. so maybe there were some fans around in the late 70’s, it just read out of character.
I spent much of the first 40 pages trying to “place” this novel in a specific country and decade. While this is not a criticism of the author it was an intriguing writing style that kept me reading on. Once I had the era, the country was easy. As an avowed music lover myself this is the music of my youth, the era of gender fluid musicians and the constant media debate on how or what musicians were or were not doing to whom. I was emotionally torn at thinking if this might have been what it was like for Bowie or Freddie, and if so how awful. This was my journey with the novel. For you I’m sure this novel will spark memories or heighten awareness of the role the media play, even today, in taunting and harassing any personalities of note about their sexual identity. In my opinion, and why I do not purchase magazines, none of anyone’s business!
I would highly recommend this book for those who have an interest in historical romance where time and place add weight and depth to your reading enjoyment. Or if you just love angst and muso’s definitely give this a go!
If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with rockers at its core, stop right now. However, if you’re looking for a thoughtful imagining of the music business of the late 70’s and a story of love overcoming boundaries, please, oh please read on. It is worth it!
We are introduced to the characters of Jamie and Michael, up and coming stars of prog rock band Pax in book one and this is book two. These men are dealing with the ongoing awareness of their feelings while under pressure from their band, their manager, label and even themselves to be something/someone they are not. These pressures surmount to almost unbearable levels and have some fairly disastrous consequences. Fear not dear reader, for this is a story marketed as romance, you will have some.
The writing style is different from my usual reading, it even felt a little “translated”. Just some wording or phrasing that took a couple of reads to fully understand. This may even have heightened my experience with the book for I had to really concentrate.
The main characters come fully developed, but some secondary characters seemed, at times, superfluous. The setting was hard to define at the beginning of the novel but it does become apparent and will not detract from your enjoying the novel- once you find out. The plot, while a little slow at times as the characters discover, debate and continue to adjust, moves along just fine. Only once or twice I considered that an interaction or scene was unnecessary. Perhaps the LOTR references at the end felt a bit out of place for the period but again maybe not; I personally discovered Tolkien in 1982 as a 14y.o. so maybe there were some fans around in the late 70’s, it just read out of character.
I spent much of the first 40 pages trying to “place” this novel in a specific country and decade. While this is not a criticism of the author it was an intriguing writing style that kept me reading on. Once I had the era, the country was easy. As an avowed music lover myself this is the music of my youth, the era of gender fluid musicians and the constant media debate on how or what musicians were or were not doing to whom. I was emotionally torn at thinking if this might have been what it was like for Bowie or Freddie, and if so how awful. This was my journey with the novel. For you I’m sure this novel will spark memories or heighten awareness of the role the media play, even today, in taunting and harassing any personalities of note about their sexual identity. In my opinion, and why I do not purchase magazines, none of anyone’s business!
I would highly recommend this book for those who have an interest in historical romance where time and place add weight and depth to your reading enjoyment. Or if you just love angst and muso’s definitely give this a go!
August 17, 2014
I received a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ok this is the second book in a series; I would highly recommend reading the first book before this one. It will give you a better understanding as to why it sucks so much for them in The Road Taken.
The Road Taken finds our MCs, Jamie and Michael, headlining their own tour; what could be better for up and coming rock band. But after being found out by their manager they have been forbidden to be alone with each other for any reason. Trying to make the best of it they push on because it's all about the music. For the most part all is going well until Michael is injured by an over zealous fan. With Michaels injure he can't play the bass...enter Zoltan, the ultimate bassist.
With the arrival of Zoltan to the band Michael is feeling even more insecure and inadequate. Which causes even more problems for the band and for him and Jamie. Jamie is feeling the pressure to do more to take the pressure off of him and Michael from the record execs. He decides to get married to a former groupie. Sapphire agrees to beard for Jamie and Michael because she is looking for her own road to fame (now a days theses types of women are referred to as "jump-offs")hook up with someone famous to become famous. The problem is none of this is really helping the band and the music suffers and the band members are miserable and are on the verge of being dropped from their label.
I got really caught up in this story; fighting for Jamie and Michael to have their stolen looks, stolen moments, and their freedom to love each other. We have to keep in mind the story takes place during the mid to late 70's where people were nowhere near as tolerant as they are today. So even if they weren't famous they would still have to hide and down play their relationship. Oh did I mention the drummer, Cal, love him; Zoltan rubbed me the wrong way but that could be because I was just as jealous as Michael. May favorite part of the story is when Michael punch's Zoltan LOL. There is angst in the story but not as much as the first book (thank goodness). There were times I wanted Michael to move on and find his own dream and happiness if being a part of the band really wasn't what he wanted. This is only the second book by Ms. Bohm that I've read, with the prequel to this story being the first, I really enjoyed her style of writing it had a nice flow and feel to it; rather lyrical.
Ok this is the second book in a series; I would highly recommend reading the first book before this one. It will give you a better understanding as to why it sucks so much for them in The Road Taken.
The Road Taken finds our MCs, Jamie and Michael, headlining their own tour; what could be better for up and coming rock band. But after being found out by their manager they have been forbidden to be alone with each other for any reason. Trying to make the best of it they push on because it's all about the music. For the most part all is going well until Michael is injured by an over zealous fan. With Michaels injure he can't play the bass...enter Zoltan, the ultimate bassist.
With the arrival of Zoltan to the band Michael is feeling even more insecure and inadequate. Which causes even more problems for the band and for him and Jamie. Jamie is feeling the pressure to do more to take the pressure off of him and Michael from the record execs. He decides to get married to a former groupie. Sapphire agrees to beard for Jamie and Michael because she is looking for her own road to fame (now a days theses types of women are referred to as "jump-offs")hook up with someone famous to become famous. The problem is none of this is really helping the band and the music suffers and the band members are miserable and are on the verge of being dropped from their label.
I got really caught up in this story; fighting for Jamie and Michael to have their stolen looks, stolen moments, and their freedom to love each other. We have to keep in mind the story takes place during the mid to late 70's where people were nowhere near as tolerant as they are today. So even if they weren't famous they would still have to hide and down play their relationship. Oh did I mention the drummer, Cal, love him; Zoltan rubbed me the wrong way but that could be because I was just as jealous as Michael. May favorite part of the story is when Michael punch's Zoltan LOL. There is angst in the story but not as much as the first book (thank goodness). There were times I wanted Michael to move on and find his own dream and happiness if being a part of the band really wasn't what he wanted. This is only the second book by Ms. Bohm that I've read, with the prequel to this story being the first, I really enjoyed her style of writing it had a nice flow and feel to it; rather lyrical.
September 13, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Right, this review will touch on the Pax Cymrica: The True History series as a whole seeing as the two books are like part 1 and 2, but I'll focus more on The Road Taken.
First and foremost, I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. Which, thankfully, the second book doesn't end on. I mean, the first book didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger so much as an awkward moment, but still. I would not have been a happy camper if I had read the first book before the second was out and forced to wait indefinitely…
While the atmosphere of first book was more about the discovery and excitement of strange and new possibilities, the second was more subdued and just plain… sad. Not like depressing, emotionally draining, kind of sad, but a bleak, forlorn, kind of aching sadness. We have two characters, stuck in a perpetual limbo. There's pressure all around for them to be everything but who they really were. Up against those kinds of pressing stress, it's really no wonder that they would do whatever it took to try and make things better. I wont say how I feel about the way the problems were handled/solved since I'm torn between the idealistic and the realistic pros and cons of their situation.
Given the blurb summary, I was expecting something closer to denying their true feelings with a healthy dose of explosive chemistry. An emotional roller coaster if you will. What I got was more of a steady rolling decline. Well, to be fair, it had its moments of explosive emotional drama too. The characters were nice too, if not a little stereotypical. Well, first book anyways, they develop quite a lot more as people as the story develops. And all said, I liked the ending. Everything wrapped up nicely without pushing the "everything will work out perfectly because this is a story".
That said, the story sadly didn't speak to me. While it maintained a nice atmosphere throughout with a decent cast of characters, I couldn't really invest in either Jamie or Michael. It doesn't help that some parts/phrases/sentence structures/word choices ranged from odd to plain bizarre. It's especially jarring because overall, the book was nicely put together.
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Right, this review will touch on the Pax Cymrica: The True History series as a whole seeing as the two books are like part 1 and 2, but I'll focus more on The Road Taken.
First and foremost, I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. Which, thankfully, the second book doesn't end on. I mean, the first book didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger so much as an awkward moment, but still. I would not have been a happy camper if I had read the first book before the second was out and forced to wait indefinitely…
While the atmosphere of first book was more about the discovery and excitement of strange and new possibilities, the second was more subdued and just plain… sad. Not like depressing, emotionally draining, kind of sad, but a bleak, forlorn, kind of aching sadness. We have two characters, stuck in a perpetual limbo. There's pressure all around for them to be everything but who they really were. Up against those kinds of pressing stress, it's really no wonder that they would do whatever it took to try and make things better. I wont say how I feel about the way the problems were handled/solved since I'm torn between the idealistic and the realistic pros and cons of their situation.
Given the blurb summary, I was expecting something closer to denying their true feelings with a healthy dose of explosive chemistry. An emotional roller coaster if you will. What I got was more of a steady rolling decline. Well, to be fair, it had its moments of explosive emotional drama too. The characters were nice too, if not a little stereotypical. Well, first book anyways, they develop quite a lot more as people as the story develops. And all said, I liked the ending. Everything wrapped up nicely without pushing the "everything will work out perfectly because this is a story".
That said, the story sadly didn't speak to me. While it maintained a nice atmosphere throughout with a decent cast of characters, I couldn't really invest in either Jamie or Michael. It doesn't help that some parts/phrases/sentence structures/word choices ranged from odd to plain bizarre. It's especially jarring because overall, the book was nicely put together.
August 26, 2014
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
If I found Just Playing difficult to rate, I find The Road Taken impossible to review. I didn’t like it very much, or better said I didn’t enjoy reading it. I’m just not sure if it was my mood, that the book simply wasn’t for me, or if it was the book. I’ve seen some high ratings for the book, so I’ll just guess it was me.
One of the thing (and this is a personal thing) is that I dislike the use of dreams in books (unless PTSS-like dreams), and the book started (and ended) with pages worth of dreams. I understand what the author is trying to do with it, and the dreams are (so far as I read them) well done, but they only served to get me out of the story.
Most of the book confused me. Since I found it impossible to focus on it, it’s not strange that I missed certain things, but… well, how the hell did I miss them becoming so super famous that they sold out arenas? I seriously have no idea what happened apart from the whole Michael/Jamie stuff. And the Michael/Jamie interaction I didn’t like here. It felt unhealthy. I also didn’t understand the whole interaction within the band, and between the band and their manager. And having full on anal sex in a tour bus when your trying to keep it a secret? What’s wrong with a quiet and intimate frotting session?
I did really like the slightly poetic writing style, and the sex scenes were not only steaming hot, but also highly emotional, something I applaud the author for.
I guess I should really read it again when I’m in a different mood, but I probably won’t.
3 stars, because I’m convinced a large part of my dislike for the book is actually me, and not the writing.
If I found Just Playing difficult to rate, I find The Road Taken impossible to review. I didn’t like it very much, or better said I didn’t enjoy reading it. I’m just not sure if it was my mood, that the book simply wasn’t for me, or if it was the book. I’ve seen some high ratings for the book, so I’ll just guess it was me.
One of the thing (and this is a personal thing) is that I dislike the use of dreams in books (unless PTSS-like dreams), and the book started (and ended) with pages worth of dreams. I understand what the author is trying to do with it, and the dreams are (so far as I read them) well done, but they only served to get me out of the story.
Most of the book confused me. Since I found it impossible to focus on it, it’s not strange that I missed certain things, but… well, how the hell did I miss them becoming so super famous that they sold out arenas? I seriously have no idea what happened apart from the whole Michael/Jamie stuff. And the Michael/Jamie interaction I didn’t like here. It felt unhealthy. I also didn’t understand the whole interaction within the band, and between the band and their manager. And having full on anal sex in a tour bus when your trying to keep it a secret? What’s wrong with a quiet and intimate frotting session?
I did really like the slightly poetic writing style, and the sex scenes were not only steaming hot, but also highly emotional, something I applaud the author for.
I guess I should really read it again when I’m in a different mood, but I probably won’t.
3 stars, because I’m convinced a large part of my dislike for the book is actually me, and not the writing.
October 3, 2014
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I have absolutely no clue how I want to start this review. One thing I can say that I would recommend that you should read the first book Just Playing to fully appreciate the part 1 of the book. I haven't read that book yet and think that probably why I struggle with the first part of this book. In part 1 I was nearly drowned with all the angsty moments in this book. The character felt real and tragic with the struggle of wanted to be together but also wanted to be successful in achieving their goals in wanting to be musicians. Even though I struggle a bit to get thru part 1 I wanted to smack even single character(including Jamie and Michael) that was against Michael and Jamie. Part 1 mostly dealt with the struggle of conforming to what everybody wanted them to be and failing at achieving it.
Part 2 of the story is when everything just click for me. It the part of the story where everybody laid their stuff on the table. Michael and Jamie stop having inner monologue within themselves and start having an actual conversation with themselves and everybody involve or witnessing their drama.
Overall this story was nicely written and I would definitely recommend to anyone who looking for super angsty novel involving musicians.
I have absolutely no clue how I want to start this review. One thing I can say that I would recommend that you should read the first book Just Playing to fully appreciate the part 1 of the book. I haven't read that book yet and think that probably why I struggle with the first part of this book. In part 1 I was nearly drowned with all the angsty moments in this book. The character felt real and tragic with the struggle of wanted to be together but also wanted to be successful in achieving their goals in wanting to be musicians. Even though I struggle a bit to get thru part 1 I wanted to smack even single character(including Jamie and Michael) that was against Michael and Jamie. Part 1 mostly dealt with the struggle of conforming to what everybody wanted them to be and failing at achieving it.
Part 2 of the story is when everything just click for me. It the part of the story where everybody laid their stuff on the table. Michael and Jamie stop having inner monologue within themselves and start having an actual conversation with themselves and everybody involve or witnessing their drama.
Overall this story was nicely written and I would definitely recommend to anyone who looking for super angsty novel involving musicians.
August 21, 2014
Michael Vaughan and Jamie Gardiner's story picks up right after their band manager discovers their relationship. The guys had already talked to a groupie, Sapphire, about her covering for them. However, they take things too far when a marriage occurs. In the midst of all of this, the music is suffering as Michael and Jamie's songwriting magic is gone. Will they be able to save the band and their relationship? Something has to give.
This story is painfully accurate both for rock at that time and the music world in general. And given the setting, the comment about Freddie Mercury really hits home. This young band discovers that not only must they keep quiet, but they must write what the executives want. While the relationship resolves itself, the band suffers for it. The decision by Cal to take the band AWOL during tour was a bit much, but otherwise everything rings true. This leaves the readers wanting to know where Jamie and Michael go musically. I would give this a 4 star rating. The review was courtesy of a free copy for a honest review.
This story is painfully accurate both for rock at that time and the music world in general. And given the setting, the comment about Freddie Mercury really hits home. This young band discovers that not only must they keep quiet, but they must write what the executives want. While the relationship resolves itself, the band suffers for it. The decision by Cal to take the band AWOL during tour was a bit much, but otherwise everything rings true. This leaves the readers wanting to know where Jamie and Michael go musically. I would give this a 4 star rating. The review was courtesy of a free copy for a honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2014
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2.5 - 3
If you try to make me describe this book in one word, I would probably say it's a whirlwind. This is just full of complicated, painful emotions and (sometimes unnecessary, IMO) conflicts that frankly, I think the boys solely put onto themselves that I don't feel that sympathetic, not that I don't understand their way of thinking. Let me delve into that deeper in a bit, but by habit, I'd like to list down the positives first before I move on to the, uhm, not so good parts.
The writing's good; I can see great potential from Ingela Bohm. There are some lines from this book that are stunning to read and savor. The band's love for music was aptly described which is great because that's one of the main focus of this series, that and Jamie and Michael's love for each other. The prose improved, I think, and as always, I love the poetic, wistful tone. I don't feel that this book is translated, unlike Just Playing, where there are a few lines that made me scratch my head.
Also, like its prequel, this book had some great song lyrics too! I would actually love to hear those songs (including Fugue!) from the radio. And the Pax's struggle to be recognized due to the members eclectic tastes really shone through.
CAL!!! Ohmygosh, he's hands down my favorite character in the series! I think without him, everything would have ended tragically for all of them. He's their Yoda, their deus ex machina and he deserves all the love he can get. Let him meddle with these two boys' lives--those two need a keeper with the way I see things, honestly!
Oh, and some of the sex scenes are actually quite well-written! Porn with emotions is the best, y'all.
More than that though, the characters' struggles in both the music world and the world where homosexuality is still overtly frowned upon are really palpable all throughout the book. So though I can objectively see how hard it is for them to live their lives and just be together, I just can't really seem to connect with the main pair of this book and here's why:
Anyway, I'll be anticipating the third book because I want to see more of Cal, read more of their music and see more character growth.
Rating: 2.5 - 3
If you try to make me describe this book in one word, I would probably say it's a whirlwind. This is just full of complicated, painful emotions and (sometimes unnecessary, IMO) conflicts that frankly, I think the boys solely put onto themselves that I don't feel that sympathetic, not that I don't understand their way of thinking. Let me delve into that deeper in a bit, but by habit, I'd like to list down the positives first before I move on to the, uhm, not so good parts.
The writing's good; I can see great potential from Ingela Bohm. There are some lines from this book that are stunning to read and savor. The band's love for music was aptly described which is great because that's one of the main focus of this series, that and Jamie and Michael's love for each other. The prose improved, I think, and as always, I love the poetic, wistful tone. I don't feel that this book is translated, unlike Just Playing, where there are a few lines that made me scratch my head.
Also, like its prequel, this book had some great song lyrics too! I would actually love to hear those songs (including Fugue!) from the radio. And the Pax's struggle to be recognized due to the members eclectic tastes really shone through.
CAL!!! Ohmygosh, he's hands down my favorite character in the series! I think without him, everything would have ended tragically for all of them. He's their Yoda, their deus ex machina and he deserves all the love he can get. Let him meddle with these two boys' lives--those two need a keeper with the way I see things, honestly!
Oh, and some of the sex scenes are actually quite well-written! Porn with emotions is the best, y'all.
More than that though, the characters' struggles in both the music world and the world where homosexuality is still overtly frowned upon are really palpable all throughout the book. So though I can objectively see how hard it is for them to live their lives and just be together, I just can't really seem to connect with the main pair of this book and here's why:
Anyway, I'll be anticipating the third book because I want to see more of Cal, read more of their music and see more character growth.
September 11, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program in the M/M Romance group.
This is the second book in the Pax series, and here we see what happened with Jamie and Michael after they were told that they've got to hide their love away... literally.
Jaime and Michael are part of a rock band named Pax. After they struggled a lot to come to terms with their feelings for each other and finally stop fighting it their record label and manager tell them that what they obviously have cannot be, and that if they want to make it in the music business they have to stop that "unnatural" thing they have with each other. This actually made me wonder (and not for the first time) the nightmare that public figures had to go through back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's and how many untold stories probably brew in Hollywood and in the music business in general... In the end it is no different than it was for the boy next door who had to act like the guy sitting next to him in English class wasn't hot as fuck.. Except, perhaps, that being in the spotlight and the lack of privacy made everything more complicated, because if men in general were expected to live their lives in a conventional way (women, kids, blah blah) then actors and rock stars had it just as difficult or maybe more. You know, you're a rock star you're meant to sleep with tons of women and maybe even knock up one or two..
Anyway, Michael and Jamie decide to "follow the rules". Needless is to say that they fail time after time. What they felt for each other was stronger than anyone would ever understand. At some point they decide to go and get themselves a beard... (I was NOT happy about this BUT I am sure it was more common that we would think), of course said beard falls madly in love with the man she was covering for. Things go nasty, there are threats to go to the press and sell the story (damn 15 minutes of fame). There's also a new character, Zoltan. Turns out that Michael gets injuried and he has to stop playing the bass so they need someone who take over the instrument while their bassist gets better, and this someone is Zoltan. I cannot begin to tell you how much I disliked the guy, at least in the beginning I kinda warmed up to him by the end of the book. He was cocky because he knew he was good as hell, and didn't even try to hide that cockiness, he even made it very clear to Michael that he was there to stay.
I appreciate how the writer managed the whole creative jealousy thing. At some point when Zoltan appears Michael feels like he's not needed anymore. Jamie seems to be so impressed and dazzled with the new guy, working with him, asking for his opinion, his input here and there and Michael obviously resents that. Of course there was also other type of jealousy going on, but the strongest one was the creative one.
Michael keeps being this kid who's afraid of standing up for himself. He would just sit and listen how the new guy diminishes his work and practically calls it worthless, THAT frustrated me. I craved the moment when Michael would finally put a stop to that shit so I was glad when he finally did it.. It was good to see it.
By the end of the book things get lots better. Michael and Jamie come out to the public and are finally honest about their relationship and their feelings for each other, they had nothing to lose anymore. They had lost the contract even if they hid their love the best they could so they went with the what-the-hell choice and came clean. I applaud that, and while I'm not sure that's something that would have happened back in the day (or maybe it did and I'm just ignorant of it) I appreciate that an author brings out the possibility of it.
Nice read! :)
This is the second book in the Pax series, and here we see what happened with Jamie and Michael after they were told that they've got to hide their love away... literally.
Jaime and Michael are part of a rock band named Pax. After they struggled a lot to come to terms with their feelings for each other and finally stop fighting it their record label and manager tell them that what they obviously have cannot be, and that if they want to make it in the music business they have to stop that "unnatural" thing they have with each other. This actually made me wonder (and not for the first time) the nightmare that public figures had to go through back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's and how many untold stories probably brew in Hollywood and in the music business in general... In the end it is no different than it was for the boy next door who had to act like the guy sitting next to him in English class wasn't hot as fuck.. Except, perhaps, that being in the spotlight and the lack of privacy made everything more complicated, because if men in general were expected to live their lives in a conventional way (women, kids, blah blah) then actors and rock stars had it just as difficult or maybe more. You know, you're a rock star you're meant to sleep with tons of women and maybe even knock up one or two..
Anyway, Michael and Jamie decide to "follow the rules". Needless is to say that they fail time after time. What they felt for each other was stronger than anyone would ever understand. At some point they decide to go and get themselves a beard... (I was NOT happy about this BUT I am sure it was more common that we would think), of course said beard falls madly in love with the man she was covering for. Things go nasty, there are threats to go to the press and sell the story (damn 15 minutes of fame). There's also a new character, Zoltan. Turns out that Michael gets injuried and he has to stop playing the bass so they need someone who take over the instrument while their bassist gets better, and this someone is Zoltan. I cannot begin to tell you how much I disliked the guy, at least in the beginning I kinda warmed up to him by the end of the book. He was cocky because he knew he was good as hell, and didn't even try to hide that cockiness, he even made it very clear to Michael that he was there to stay.
I appreciate how the writer managed the whole creative jealousy thing. At some point when Zoltan appears Michael feels like he's not needed anymore. Jamie seems to be so impressed and dazzled with the new guy, working with him, asking for his opinion, his input here and there and Michael obviously resents that. Of course there was also other type of jealousy going on, but the strongest one was the creative one.
Michael keeps being this kid who's afraid of standing up for himself. He would just sit and listen how the new guy diminishes his work and practically calls it worthless, THAT frustrated me. I craved the moment when Michael would finally put a stop to that shit so I was glad when he finally did it.. It was good to see it.
By the end of the book things get lots better. Michael and Jamie come out to the public and are finally honest about their relationship and their feelings for each other, they had nothing to lose anymore. They had lost the contract even if they hid their love the best they could so they went with the what-the-hell choice and came clean. I applaud that, and while I'm not sure that's something that would have happened back in the day (or maybe it did and I'm just ignorant of it) I appreciate that an author brings out the possibility of it.
Nice read! :)
August 17, 2014
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I highly recommend reading Just Playing before reading this book. This book is written in the same format as the first book and continues a bit after the first one left off. Pax is really getting their feet off the ground. Jamie and Michael are still fighting their attraction to each other but this time the stakes have gotten bigger and the record company is on them to keep away from each other. They try to keep away but it's kind of ruining the band and messing with their creative spark. Taking advice from a fellow band member they try to put up a front of being straight. Talk of a fake marriage is brought up and so Jamie manages to talk a groupie name Sapphire, whom in book one he had relations with, into acting as a beard for them. Jealousy and pain ensues from their decisions.
I was a bit disappointed with the way the Jamie and Michael handled the situation. There didn't seem to be an outcry against them among their fans. I know it was 1976 but I thought they could have done things differently instead of entering into a loveless marriage with the expectation of having kids (a bit of a common thing to do to hide). Jamie still came off as a bit of a wishy washy jerk in this one and I hated that he let others control his actions and took their criticism seriously; allowing fear to rule his love for Michael. Michael I still wish he would grow a back bone and stop being so passive aggressive. It frustrated me to no end but it was realistic and the author did well in portraying relationships in this time period.
I loved Cal for trying to mend the band when he saw everything was going south. I wished readers got to see a bit more of him. He was just an awesome character for always supporting Jamie and Michael and for being a bit of a mother hen to the band members. The confrontation among everyone was awesome to see. Seeing Jamie and Cal call Sapphire out had me gleefully rubbing my hands. Michael finally losing his cool at Zolton had me mentally laughing (in a good way).
The story ended with a nice little punch and seriously finally had me sighing in happiness at the evolvement of Michael and Jamie's relationship. I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the series just so I can see more of their journey together.
I highly recommend reading Just Playing before reading this book. This book is written in the same format as the first book and continues a bit after the first one left off. Pax is really getting their feet off the ground. Jamie and Michael are still fighting their attraction to each other but this time the stakes have gotten bigger and the record company is on them to keep away from each other. They try to keep away but it's kind of ruining the band and messing with their creative spark. Taking advice from a fellow band member they try to put up a front of being straight. Talk of a fake marriage is brought up and so Jamie manages to talk a groupie name Sapphire, whom in book one he had relations with, into acting as a beard for them. Jealousy and pain ensues from their decisions.
I was a bit disappointed with the way the Jamie and Michael handled the situation. There didn't seem to be an outcry against them among their fans. I know it was 1976 but I thought they could have done things differently instead of entering into a loveless marriage with the expectation of having kids (a bit of a common thing to do to hide). Jamie still came off as a bit of a wishy washy jerk in this one and I hated that he let others control his actions and took their criticism seriously; allowing fear to rule his love for Michael. Michael I still wish he would grow a back bone and stop being so passive aggressive. It frustrated me to no end but it was realistic and the author did well in portraying relationships in this time period.
I loved Cal for trying to mend the band when he saw everything was going south. I wished readers got to see a bit more of him. He was just an awesome character for always supporting Jamie and Michael and for being a bit of a mother hen to the band members. The confrontation among everyone was awesome to see. Seeing Jamie and Cal call Sapphire out had me gleefully rubbing my hands. Michael finally losing his cool at Zolton had me mentally laughing (in a good way).
The story ended with a nice little punch and seriously finally had me sighing in happiness at the evolvement of Michael and Jamie's relationship. I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the series just so I can see more of their journey together.
August 30, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author Ingela Bohm for her generosity.
I read this book immediately following its prequel Just Playing and I recommend you do the same, as The Road Taken picks up where Just Playing finishes on a cliffhanger.
Michael and Jamie are now touring with their band Pax and have been forbidden to have even casual contact by the record execs because of their gay relationship. No looking at each other on stage, no visiting hotel rooms no matter how innocent, and they are being followed by a documentary film crew, so there is no getting away with anything. The music suffers. Michael, already lacking self-esteem, finds himself alone. He can't even get away from verbal insults by the roadies. After he sprains his wrist and the band must get a new bassist, Michael feels even more useless. He want to give it all up, but can't bring himself to leave Jamie. As for Jamie, he and band mate Cal decide that someone needs to get married. Jamie does, further sinking Michael in misery. The band is going downhill fast.
What happens to Pax? Well you need to read to find out and once again this is a great read. I struggled along with Michael and Jamie as they tried to find a way to be together and celebrated along with them when things went right. I seethed with jealousy along with Michael when Jamie married Sapphire. Ingela Bohm can surely write a descriptive scene and it never comes across overdone or cheesy.
I highly recommend fans of the m/m genre read this book along with its prequel. If you haven't read Just Playing you shouldn't even be reading this review! These books must be read together or you will miss vital parts of the story. Will there be more? One can only hope. Our author teasingly tells us "If they deign to talk to me about it, you'll meet them again in 2015." Fingers crossed!
I read this book immediately following its prequel Just Playing and I recommend you do the same, as The Road Taken picks up where Just Playing finishes on a cliffhanger.
Michael and Jamie are now touring with their band Pax and have been forbidden to have even casual contact by the record execs because of their gay relationship. No looking at each other on stage, no visiting hotel rooms no matter how innocent, and they are being followed by a documentary film crew, so there is no getting away with anything. The music suffers. Michael, already lacking self-esteem, finds himself alone. He can't even get away from verbal insults by the roadies. After he sprains his wrist and the band must get a new bassist, Michael feels even more useless. He want to give it all up, but can't bring himself to leave Jamie. As for Jamie, he and band mate Cal decide that someone needs to get married. Jamie does, further sinking Michael in misery. The band is going downhill fast.
What happens to Pax? Well you need to read to find out and once again this is a great read. I struggled along with Michael and Jamie as they tried to find a way to be together and celebrated along with them when things went right. I seethed with jealousy along with Michael when Jamie married Sapphire. Ingela Bohm can surely write a descriptive scene and it never comes across overdone or cheesy.
I highly recommend fans of the m/m genre read this book along with its prequel. If you haven't read Just Playing you shouldn't even be reading this review! These books must be read together or you will miss vital parts of the story. Will there be more? One can only hope. Our author teasingly tells us "If they deign to talk to me about it, you'll meet them again in 2015." Fingers crossed!
August 10, 2016
This is the second part of the Pax Cymrica series, and I found it every bit as good as the first. Second books sometimes suffer from not knowing where to go next, but there is none of that difficulty to be found here. The writing is smooth throughout, and the story feels just right as the next phase.
At times this was really hard to read. Michael has such a high degree of insecurity and almost painful self-loathing. The fact that he and Jamie aren't even supposed to be together, let alone be open about it, contributes greatly to Michael's state of mind. For some readers, this might feel like a bit much, but I appreciated the author's skill at writing such raw agony. The only way I can think to describe it is that it's emotionally erotic.
I loved the side characters in this one. It was fun to hate "O'Devil" (and I love Jamie's nickname for him). I developed significantly more respect for Patrick than I had in the first book and just how much he did for them behind the scenes. Zoltan regularly made me want to punch him, and . I had mixed feelings about Sapphire because I loved what she tried to do, and it's devastating the way she failed. I see why Jamie couldn't muster more sympathy for her, which makes the whole thing that much more human.
It felt to me like there's less sex in this one than the last, but I can't say for certain. It doesn't really matter; what's there is just the right amount and quality for the path the story takes. Michael and Jamie are really good together. Not just because they're sexy but because the depth of their love and friendship makes everything that much sweeter between them.
All in all, this is an excellent follow-up to book one. I was given the first two in exchange for honest reviews, but I liked them so much I immediately bought the whole set as soon as I finished the second one. I'm hooked, and I can't wait to see where these two go.
For outstanding writing, achingly real emotions, and a story that's held me captive, this gets 5 stars.
At times this was really hard to read. Michael has such a high degree of insecurity and almost painful self-loathing. The fact that he and Jamie aren't even supposed to be together, let alone be open about it, contributes greatly to Michael's state of mind. For some readers, this might feel like a bit much, but I appreciated the author's skill at writing such raw agony. The only way I can think to describe it is that it's emotionally erotic.
I loved the side characters in this one. It was fun to hate "O'Devil" (and I love Jamie's nickname for him). I developed significantly more respect for Patrick than I had in the first book and just how much he did for them behind the scenes. Zoltan regularly made me want to punch him, and . I had mixed feelings about Sapphire because I loved what she tried to do, and it's devastating the way she failed. I see why Jamie couldn't muster more sympathy for her, which makes the whole thing that much more human.
It felt to me like there's less sex in this one than the last, but I can't say for certain. It doesn't really matter; what's there is just the right amount and quality for the path the story takes. Michael and Jamie are really good together. Not just because they're sexy but because the depth of their love and friendship makes everything that much sweeter between them.
All in all, this is an excellent follow-up to book one. I was given the first two in exchange for honest reviews, but I liked them so much I immediately bought the whole set as soon as I finished the second one. I'm hooked, and I can't wait to see where these two go.
For outstanding writing, achingly real emotions, and a story that's held me captive, this gets 5 stars.
September 4, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the second story in the Pax Cymrica series, and you do need to read the first one to truly understand what is going on between Jamie and Michael in this one. Pax is now a successful band but Jamie and Michael have been forbidden to be around each other unless it’s on stage and it’s tearing them up. To make matters worse, Michael is injured on stage and has to be replaced temporarily by Zoltan, a very talented bassist. This causes a lot of problems because Michael is always dealing with his low self-esteem and insecurity, especially in his relationship with Jamie. It would seem they come up with the perfect way to finally be together when Jamie marries a friend who has ambitions of her own. She agrees to be their beard. If only she would hold up her end of the deal. And then the record company rears its ugly head where Pax’s creativity is concerned and that leads to no good. And a documentary film crew follows the band everywhere, which makes alone time even more difficult for Michael and Jamie, who have finally faced their relationship head on and decided they want each other. This book is angsty like the first, but not as much. They aren’t fighting their feelings for each other like they were in the first book. They are very much in love and by the second part of the book, they are willing to show it. They show a lot of bravery in the end and it works out in their favor. There are a lot of heartwarming moments. There is pretty hot sex. And loads of drama and emotion. This has been a fantastic series so far. I highly recommend it to everyone. I’m looking forward to starting the third book right away.
This is the second story in the Pax Cymrica series, and you do need to read the first one to truly understand what is going on between Jamie and Michael in this one. Pax is now a successful band but Jamie and Michael have been forbidden to be around each other unless it’s on stage and it’s tearing them up. To make matters worse, Michael is injured on stage and has to be replaced temporarily by Zoltan, a very talented bassist. This causes a lot of problems because Michael is always dealing with his low self-esteem and insecurity, especially in his relationship with Jamie. It would seem they come up with the perfect way to finally be together when Jamie marries a friend who has ambitions of her own. She agrees to be their beard. If only she would hold up her end of the deal. And then the record company rears its ugly head where Pax’s creativity is concerned and that leads to no good. And a documentary film crew follows the band everywhere, which makes alone time even more difficult for Michael and Jamie, who have finally faced their relationship head on and decided they want each other. This book is angsty like the first, but not as much. They aren’t fighting their feelings for each other like they were in the first book. They are very much in love and by the second part of the book, they are willing to show it. They show a lot of bravery in the end and it works out in their favor. There are a lot of heartwarming moments. There is pretty hot sex. And loads of drama and emotion. This has been a fantastic series so far. I highly recommend it to everyone. I’m looking forward to starting the third book right away.
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September 3, 2014**I was given this book by the author in exchange for a honest review as part of the M/M Group's DBML program**
Michael and Jaime's story continues in this book. If you haven't read the first book in the series, Just Playing, you should read that first. This book picks up several months after the first book ends. The guys are in a band together with drummer Cam. The band is doing well and has a record label. While Cam is open minded about Michael and Jaime's feelings for each other the label is not. They demand the guys stay away from each other or they will be dropped from their contract. The story that follows is a sad one as we watch the two young men hurt themselves and each other over and over again as they try to deny their feelings and make the record company happy. The book is set in the 1970's and we see the struggles that they go through due to the lack of acceptance for homosexual relationships. As the story goes on Jaime decides to marry a groupie to help hide his relationship with Michael. Nothing good comes from this and more people get hurt. The ongoing denial and lies not only take it's toll on the guys and their relationship but it also hurts their music. It was hard watching them destroy themselves on so many levels. I won't go into details due to spoilers but there is happiness for them at the end. I enjoyed this book and hadn't read this author until this series. I will definitely be trying her work again.
Michael and Jaime's story continues in this book. If you haven't read the first book in the series, Just Playing, you should read that first. This book picks up several months after the first book ends. The guys are in a band together with drummer Cam. The band is doing well and has a record label. While Cam is open minded about Michael and Jaime's feelings for each other the label is not. They demand the guys stay away from each other or they will be dropped from their contract. The story that follows is a sad one as we watch the two young men hurt themselves and each other over and over again as they try to deny their feelings and make the record company happy. The book is set in the 1970's and we see the struggles that they go through due to the lack of acceptance for homosexual relationships. As the story goes on Jaime decides to marry a groupie to help hide his relationship with Michael. Nothing good comes from this and more people get hurt. The ongoing denial and lies not only take it's toll on the guys and their relationship but it also hurts their music. It was hard watching them destroy themselves on so many levels. I won't go into details due to spoilers but there is happiness for them at the end. I enjoyed this book and hadn't read this author until this series. I will definitely be trying her work again.
July 4, 2015
Duplicate review from another site (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
(This story was received free via the Goodreads Don't Buy My Love read and review program in return for an honest review.)
Book Two picks up several months after the ending of Book 1. They boys, Jamie and Michael, along with their drummer Cal, are off touring. Jamie and Michael have been sleeping in separate rooms and trying not to come into contact with each other and their music suffers for it.
When Michael decides to give it all up, he intices Jamie to join him, and they put on a wild show at a festival. But the plan backfires, their music takes off, and they are forced to take in a new bass player, Zoltan, when Michael injuries his wrist.
Part two of the book is when the band does indeed implode, struggling with conflict within itself.
While I absolutely loved the authors use of descriptive phrases and lovely use of the English language, it was a bit exhausting to read this series back-to-back. The drama was a bit much for me. I ended up putting the books aside between book one and book two, and again between parts one and two of book two. Still, with a much needed happy ending, it was a very good read. The author is planning a third book in 2015, and I am sure I will be looking for it just to see what happens with the boys and the band.
(This story was received free via the Goodreads Don't Buy My Love read and review program in return for an honest review.)
Book Two picks up several months after the ending of Book 1. They boys, Jamie and Michael, along with their drummer Cal, are off touring. Jamie and Michael have been sleeping in separate rooms and trying not to come into contact with each other and their music suffers for it.
When Michael decides to give it all up, he intices Jamie to join him, and they put on a wild show at a festival. But the plan backfires, their music takes off, and they are forced to take in a new bass player, Zoltan, when Michael injuries his wrist.
Part two of the book is when the band does indeed implode, struggling with conflict within itself.
While I absolutely loved the authors use of descriptive phrases and lovely use of the English language, it was a bit exhausting to read this series back-to-back. The drama was a bit much for me. I ended up putting the books aside between book one and book two, and again between parts one and two of book two. Still, with a much needed happy ending, it was a very good read. The author is planning a third book in 2015, and I am sure I will be looking for it just to see what happens with the boys and the band.
August 2, 2015
Review also posted on http://www.wodfreview.com
4.5 Stars
I couldn’t wait to start reading The Road Taken, the second book in the Pax Cymrica: The True History series. Having just finished reading Just Playing – the previous book in the series – I was ready for all the angst and that heart in my throat anxious feeling I got reading Just Playing. While there’s still a lot of angst and I did have my heart in my throat more than a few times I didn’t feel the same anxiety, hence the loss of half a star in my rating.
I still absolutely love and adore Jamie and Michael but their story took a slower pace in this book. Gone was the frantic all-consuming need to be together replaced by a more cautious but sweeter romance. The pair still have major hurdles to jump to find happiness together, it is the seventies after all and being an out and proud gay couple takes bravery and confidence the latter still in short supply for these two but they’re working on it.
This story is beautifully written and I love where it has taken me so far. Ingela Bohm is a wonderful story teller and I can’t wait to begin reading book 3. I’m not finished with these two they’ve got their hooks into me and aren’t about to let me go just yet.
The second book in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and why would you want to, you’d miss watching a budding romance between two very special characters.
September 1, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Road Taken picks up shortly after Just Playing, which is the first book in this series. The first book was impressive. I was completely drawn into the writing style and the story of Michael and Jamie and my expectations here were high. The Road Taken gives us all of the angst of first book but in a way that keeps Michael and Jamie apart for most of the story. The thoughts are there, the looks are there, the longing is there, but they cannot be together. However, I found myself reading through the book wanting to get to the part where they could just be together. Michael and Jamie know they should be together, but follow along with the record executives’ demands and fight their feelings with everything they have for the sake of their careers.
It’s the passages where Michael and Jamie are together and the descriptions of how they see each other and feel for each other that again make the entire book for me, as it did its predecessor. There are just fewer scenes of the two of them really together in this book and the overall impact was compromised for me as a result.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Road Taken picks up shortly after Just Playing, which is the first book in this series. The first book was impressive. I was completely drawn into the writing style and the story of Michael and Jamie and my expectations here were high. The Road Taken gives us all of the angst of first book but in a way that keeps Michael and Jamie apart for most of the story. The thoughts are there, the looks are there, the longing is there, but they cannot be together. However, I found myself reading through the book wanting to get to the part where they could just be together. Michael and Jamie know they should be together, but follow along with the record executives’ demands and fight their feelings with everything they have for the sake of their careers.
It’s the passages where Michael and Jamie are together and the descriptions of how they see each other and feel for each other that again make the entire book for me, as it did its predecessor. There are just fewer scenes of the two of them really together in this book and the overall impact was compromised for me as a result.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
September 9, 2014
This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I had a hard time deciding on what kind of rating to give this book. This is the second book in what I presume will be a trilogy. The premise, two aspiring musicians growing up in the seventies, is promising. The writing is evocative of the time period and the scene but I feel very strongly that the book could have done with some better editing. I’m not talking typos and grammatical errors, I’m talking about flow. All the to-ing and fro-ing without any real resolution annoyed me so much I put the book down for a couple of days, and when I came back I had to read back to remember which one was Jamie and which one was Michael. The POV changes were also an issue for me. The angst, which I usually love, bored me. Characters flipped personalities with poor explanations for the change. I was not convinced by the ending which was nonetheless a relief from the back and forth. There is another book coming but I feel like maybe there is one great book in all of the author’s writing instead of three, long, okay books. I’m not sure I’ll be checking out the third, though I wish the characters well. I really think the deficits in the book are editing issues not an issue of talent, which the author does have in spades.
I had a hard time deciding on what kind of rating to give this book. This is the second book in what I presume will be a trilogy. The premise, two aspiring musicians growing up in the seventies, is promising. The writing is evocative of the time period and the scene but I feel very strongly that the book could have done with some better editing. I’m not talking typos and grammatical errors, I’m talking about flow. All the to-ing and fro-ing without any real resolution annoyed me so much I put the book down for a couple of days, and when I came back I had to read back to remember which one was Jamie and which one was Michael. The POV changes were also an issue for me. The angst, which I usually love, bored me. Characters flipped personalities with poor explanations for the change. I was not convinced by the ending which was nonetheless a relief from the back and forth. There is another book coming but I feel like maybe there is one great book in all of the author’s writing instead of three, long, okay books. I’m not sure I’ll be checking out the third, though I wish the characters well. I really think the deficits in the book are editing issues not an issue of talent, which the author does have in spades.
August 23, 2014
(This story was received free via the Goodreads Don't Buy My Love read and review program in return for an honest review.)
Book Two picks up several months after the ending of Book 1. They boys, Jamie and Michael, along with their drummer Cal, are off touring. Jamie and Michael have been sleeping in separate rooms and trying not to come into contact with each other and their music suffers for it.
When Michael decides to give it all up, he intices Jamie to join him, and they put on a wild show at a festival. But the plan backfires, their music takes off, and they are forced to take in a new bass player, Zoltan, when Michael injuries his wrist.
Part two of the book is when the band does indeed implode, struggling with conflict within itself.
While I absolutely loved the authors use of descriptive phrases and lovely use of the English language, it was a bit exhausting to read this series back-to-back. The drama was a bit much for me. I ended up putting the books aside between book one and book two, and again between parts one and two of book two. Still, with a much needed happy ending, it was a very good read. The author is planning a third book in 2015, and I am sure I will be looking for it just to see what happens with the boys and the band.
Book Two picks up several months after the ending of Book 1. They boys, Jamie and Michael, along with their drummer Cal, are off touring. Jamie and Michael have been sleeping in separate rooms and trying not to come into contact with each other and their music suffers for it.
When Michael decides to give it all up, he intices Jamie to join him, and they put on a wild show at a festival. But the plan backfires, their music takes off, and they are forced to take in a new bass player, Zoltan, when Michael injuries his wrist.
Part two of the book is when the band does indeed implode, struggling with conflict within itself.
While I absolutely loved the authors use of descriptive phrases and lovely use of the English language, it was a bit exhausting to read this series back-to-back. The drama was a bit much for me. I ended up putting the books aside between book one and book two, and again between parts one and two of book two. Still, with a much needed happy ending, it was a very good read. The author is planning a third book in 2015, and I am sure I will be looking for it just to see what happens with the boys and the band.
July 26, 2014
I've said it before and I don't mind saying it again, Ingela Bohm is a talented writer. The Road Taken is Book Two of the Pax series. It's a period piece, set in the 70's. You can imagine the hiding and ridicule that two men in love in a rock band would go through. What a rough road gay men and women have traveled and there is still work to be done. Thank the Gods it's not like it was back then. The book has a decidedly mourning feeling. It's heavy and I definitely felt the weight of her characters' depression being kept apart by the music industry record label.
Do yourself a favor, get to know this author. The PAX series, so far, are free reads so you have nothing to lose. Highly recommended!
Do yourself a favor, get to know this author. The PAX series, so far, are free reads so you have nothing to lose. Highly recommended!
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