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Have A Little Faith In Me
When Rocky met Dex, it was hate at first sight. Country superstar Dex Dexter represented everything that budding rock star Rocky McCoy had left behind him in the Deep South – the religion, the homophobia, the hypocrisy, the lies. And Rocky represented everything that Dex had denied, had turned away from, had refused…
When Rocky met Dex, it was love at first touch. Double booked in the same slot on the main stage at CrossFest, they fought for the microphone like two dogs fighting over a bone. And when their hands met…
Rocky has had enough. “No more falling for straight guys. No way. No matter how hot. Especially if the ‘straight guy’ looks to me like a major closet case.”
Dex has had enough. “No way. I can’t be gay. I can’t lose my family, my friends, my career. I can’t.”
What they’ve had enough of doesn’t matter. It’s what they’ve never had enough of that will bring them together…
When Rocky met Dex, it was love at first touch. Double booked in the same slot on the main stage at CrossFest, they fought for the microphone like two dogs fighting over a bone. And when their hands met…
Rocky has had enough. “No more falling for straight guys. No way. No matter how hot. Especially if the ‘straight guy’ looks to me like a major closet case.”
Dex has had enough. “No way. I can’t be gay. I can’t lose my family, my friends, my career. I can’t.”
What they’ve had enough of doesn’t matter. It’s what they’ve never had enough of that will bring them together…
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2015
26 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Brad Vance
61 books245 followersBrad Vance is the author of over twenty books. He's hard at work on the sequel to Stabitha. Keep up with Brad at BradVanceAuthor.com, or email him at BradVanceAuthor@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
March 15, 2015
Different...and I liked it, a lot. This is the first Brad Vance I have read, but there will definitely be more once my credit card bills become more manageable.
I am presuming that Brad is a man? It's hard to know these days. He/she writes m/m sex like a man, it's not so graphically descriptive....his focus is more on the plot and the attraction and the love rather than the physicality of the "in-and-out" which is my preference.
The story starts with the "Battle of the Bands" and the initial meeting of Dex and Rocky (Norman). We know these guys will end up together, yet this meeting is full of both lust and loathing. The next 80% of the novel then goes back to the past and tells both characters' stories from being little boys, to the present time. The final percentage is about their acceptance for one another, their attraction for one another and the ultimate coupling.
This was a 4 x star for me. I just feel the reader needed a "present day" chapter or two in the middle of the story, not just the beginning and the end chapters.
Great characters....Great plot. Loved it.
I am presuming that Brad is a man? It's hard to know these days. He/she writes m/m sex like a man, it's not so graphically descriptive....his focus is more on the plot and the attraction and the love rather than the physicality of the "in-and-out" which is my preference.
The story starts with the "Battle of the Bands" and the initial meeting of Dex and Rocky (Norman). We know these guys will end up together, yet this meeting is full of both lust and loathing. The next 80% of the novel then goes back to the past and tells both characters' stories from being little boys, to the present time. The final percentage is about their acceptance for one another, their attraction for one another and the ultimate coupling.
This was a 4 x star for me. I just feel the reader needed a "present day" chapter or two in the middle of the story, not just the beginning and the end chapters.
Great characters....Great plot. Loved it.
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July 25, 2015
Have a Little Faith in Me is certainly not going to be for everyone. The role of religion and the bigotry that is all too often justified by it and how it has shaped these men's lives is prominent. And while I am angered by the bigotry we see, I am also heartened by watching the MC's overcome their programming and become happy and healthy individuals, in spite of the obstacles thrown their way.
This book starts out in the present time, when Rocky and Dex meet. But then, to give the reader a real taste of how Rocky and Dex really got to where they are and the experiences that shaped them, we then travel back in time to see first hand, events from childhood, and adolescence and then them as young adults finally making their way in the world. I find this method of story telling more powerful than if the MC's just talked about it with each other, and it works better, for me, than using flashbacks, as well. We get to know Rocky and Dex very well this way and we learn what all they had to overcome to get to where they are when we first meet them.
When we meet Rocky, he is an out and proud gay man who fronts a rock band. He is who he is and to hell with anyone who doesn't like it. His family is very religious with his father being an especially power hungry and bigoted Evangelical preacher. From the time he was a small child, he had been told that gays and secularists were going to hell and the devil is lurking to take you. Such a dramatic and self centered point of view, if you ask me.
His only familial ally growing up was his grandmother, and she, I think, was a bit torn at times, but she never once tried to make him feel less than. She encouraged his art and his music, even when she had to go behind Rocky's father to do it. He was home schooled until his freshman year of high school and that is when he really began to grow into his own person (much to the chagrin of his family). Even way before that, however, he was questioning, at least to himself, the beliefs his family held. Having his eyes opened by so much music while also discovering that he was gay was really a turning point for Rocky and he never looked back.
And Dex's family was the very picture of dysfunction. His parents are miserable, his dad a lazy drunk and his siblings practically run wild. The only thing keeping Dex sane was music. Dex had a pretty good idea that he was gay when he found himself attracted to his gay best friend, but Dex was too filled with self loathing over his attraction and church telling him how sinful it was and the obviously closeted preacher encouraging Dex to suppress his feelings. Dex, also, was a very hard worker. He really wanted a chance to make his life better and when he lucks into an opportunity to make music professionally, he jumps at it. Being the leader of a country music band, though, is not exactly conducive to Dex finally accepting who he is and so he remains closeted.
Dex and Rocky don't actually get together until late in the book, but it was worth the wait. Seeing them together, finally, and seeing them both happy gave me exactly what I needed.
This book starts out in the present time, when Rocky and Dex meet. But then, to give the reader a real taste of how Rocky and Dex really got to where they are and the experiences that shaped them, we then travel back in time to see first hand, events from childhood, and adolescence and then them as young adults finally making their way in the world. I find this method of story telling more powerful than if the MC's just talked about it with each other, and it works better, for me, than using flashbacks, as well. We get to know Rocky and Dex very well this way and we learn what all they had to overcome to get to where they are when we first meet them.
When we meet Rocky, he is an out and proud gay man who fronts a rock band. He is who he is and to hell with anyone who doesn't like it. His family is very religious with his father being an especially power hungry and bigoted Evangelical preacher. From the time he was a small child, he had been told that gays and secularists were going to hell and the devil is lurking to take you. Such a dramatic and self centered point of view, if you ask me.
His only familial ally growing up was his grandmother, and she, I think, was a bit torn at times, but she never once tried to make him feel less than. She encouraged his art and his music, even when she had to go behind Rocky's father to do it. He was home schooled until his freshman year of high school and that is when he really began to grow into his own person (much to the chagrin of his family). Even way before that, however, he was questioning, at least to himself, the beliefs his family held. Having his eyes opened by so much music while also discovering that he was gay was really a turning point for Rocky and he never looked back.
And Dex's family was the very picture of dysfunction. His parents are miserable, his dad a lazy drunk and his siblings practically run wild. The only thing keeping Dex sane was music. Dex had a pretty good idea that he was gay when he found himself attracted to his gay best friend, but Dex was too filled with self loathing over his attraction and church telling him how sinful it was and the obviously closeted preacher encouraging Dex to suppress his feelings. Dex, also, was a very hard worker. He really wanted a chance to make his life better and when he lucks into an opportunity to make music professionally, he jumps at it. Being the leader of a country music band, though, is not exactly conducive to Dex finally accepting who he is and so he remains closeted.
Dex and Rocky don't actually get together until late in the book, but it was worth the wait. Seeing them together, finally, and seeing them both happy gave me exactly what I needed.
March 9, 2015
I love stories about characters that have really had to fight to escape their backgrounds in order to find real freedom and happiness. This is the case with Rocky and Dex, both musicians who as kids, then teenagers, grow up in the deep south and although coming from very different backgrounds are still similar in many ways.
They both first meet at a music festival and there cause a scene that soon becomes a media highlight for all the wrong reasons. Rocky is out, but Dex isn’t although Rocky immediately picks up on the fact that Dex is an extreme closet case.
After this we are taken back and read about their upbringing. Rocky is the son of an extremely bigoted minister and Dex the eldest son from a family that really can’t be called anything else but white trash. The one thing they both have in common though is their love for music and this initially takes them on very different paths.
For me Rocky was the more rebellious one and at the beginning and had the stronger personality. He seemed to question more the reason for things compared to Dex. His father is a minister but of the religious nutcase kind in my books, all fire, brimstone, hell, damnation and gays are sinners; therefore he doesn’t have it easy at home. However, he is an only child and his grandmother thank goodness was at least a little more understanding and acted as a buffer many a time between Rocky and his father. As I was reading this the one message that was clear for me was how the attitudes and intolerance of some people are just so bigoted and all in the name of religion. Although in the public eye Rocky’s father represents and talks about what perfect family life is supposed to be, there was definitely no love for Rocky at home behind closed doors. Hypocrisy at its worst. Rocky’s father obviously portrays an extreme, but to think of having a father like this just made me so mad. Rocky manages to escape by going to College and there he finds his freedom at last but has to make up for lost time quickly.
Dex is the eldest son in his family, both parents having no time for their children and therefore by default tries to make sure his younger brothers and sisters are cared for. Again his family being just as bigoted in their attitudes towards homosexuality as anyone else but maybe without the extreme religious angle from Rocky’s father.
Everyone, everything, said NO to what he wanted to say, to do. Nobody’s immune to the culture around them. It soaks into you in ways you can’t even see, even as you declare yourself free of it.
Well, both guys manage to escape their backgrounds but at different times and different ways. At College Rocky finds his freedom and forms a band. Dex gets discovered by a record label magnet for country music. I liked the balance a lot here Rocky was able to find his freedom in his music and became famous through his own creative power. Dex’s musical career took a different path where he became a “product” more or less for the record label doing their bidding. Dex plays the game as he sees it as a way of lifting his family out of the slums, not for the sake of his parents but for his siblings to make sure they get a better future. I found this very admirable in one respect as Dex had to put is own happiness second to ensure the future of his siblings, but this keeps him firmly banged up in the closet.
He was dying inside and he knew it. He wondered what kind of soul you could still have if you denied yourself love your whole life.
I also loved the way that you get to feel Dex’s anguish, constantly denying himself that one thing that could make him happy. The internal struggle between letting the dam break and being true to yourself, or keeping it all pent up and hoping that a good portion of “pray the gay away” will help. This for me was actually heart-breaking to read, to think that anyone could put themselves through this just for the sake of keeping up appearances. In the end that dam breaks and even I got such relief at Dex’s coming out. I could just feel a whole weight lifted off my shoulders too. It sill takes a lot of courage even today depending on family attitudes and that is probably the most difficult thing; the fear of being excommunicated from your family.
This book for me was a story about two boys who have had to battle the most awful bigotry imaginable in order to find their final happiness. They do and it is a perfect HEA. Leaves me wondering though how many never really manage to break that mould and quite possibly remain miserable and closet cases for the rest of their lives. It shows the reader the struggles that a lot of gay men and women have to go through. Not only the external ones of having to fight against the attitudes of others but also the internal emotional struggles as well. When you know you can’t conform to what every one is telling you what you should be. Casting off the chains that bind you, accepting who you really are and not listening to those who don’t have your best interests at heart.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
They both first meet at a music festival and there cause a scene that soon becomes a media highlight for all the wrong reasons. Rocky is out, but Dex isn’t although Rocky immediately picks up on the fact that Dex is an extreme closet case.
After this we are taken back and read about their upbringing. Rocky is the son of an extremely bigoted minister and Dex the eldest son from a family that really can’t be called anything else but white trash. The one thing they both have in common though is their love for music and this initially takes them on very different paths.
For me Rocky was the more rebellious one and at the beginning and had the stronger personality. He seemed to question more the reason for things compared to Dex. His father is a minister but of the religious nutcase kind in my books, all fire, brimstone, hell, damnation and gays are sinners; therefore he doesn’t have it easy at home. However, he is an only child and his grandmother thank goodness was at least a little more understanding and acted as a buffer many a time between Rocky and his father. As I was reading this the one message that was clear for me was how the attitudes and intolerance of some people are just so bigoted and all in the name of religion. Although in the public eye Rocky’s father represents and talks about what perfect family life is supposed to be, there was definitely no love for Rocky at home behind closed doors. Hypocrisy at its worst. Rocky’s father obviously portrays an extreme, but to think of having a father like this just made me so mad. Rocky manages to escape by going to College and there he finds his freedom at last but has to make up for lost time quickly.
Dex is the eldest son in his family, both parents having no time for their children and therefore by default tries to make sure his younger brothers and sisters are cared for. Again his family being just as bigoted in their attitudes towards homosexuality as anyone else but maybe without the extreme religious angle from Rocky’s father.
Everyone, everything, said NO to what he wanted to say, to do. Nobody’s immune to the culture around them. It soaks into you in ways you can’t even see, even as you declare yourself free of it.
Well, both guys manage to escape their backgrounds but at different times and different ways. At College Rocky finds his freedom and forms a band. Dex gets discovered by a record label magnet for country music. I liked the balance a lot here Rocky was able to find his freedom in his music and became famous through his own creative power. Dex’s musical career took a different path where he became a “product” more or less for the record label doing their bidding. Dex plays the game as he sees it as a way of lifting his family out of the slums, not for the sake of his parents but for his siblings to make sure they get a better future. I found this very admirable in one respect as Dex had to put is own happiness second to ensure the future of his siblings, but this keeps him firmly banged up in the closet.
He was dying inside and he knew it. He wondered what kind of soul you could still have if you denied yourself love your whole life.
I also loved the way that you get to feel Dex’s anguish, constantly denying himself that one thing that could make him happy. The internal struggle between letting the dam break and being true to yourself, or keeping it all pent up and hoping that a good portion of “pray the gay away” will help. This for me was actually heart-breaking to read, to think that anyone could put themselves through this just for the sake of keeping up appearances. In the end that dam breaks and even I got such relief at Dex’s coming out. I could just feel a whole weight lifted off my shoulders too. It sill takes a lot of courage even today depending on family attitudes and that is probably the most difficult thing; the fear of being excommunicated from your family.
This book for me was a story about two boys who have had to battle the most awful bigotry imaginable in order to find their final happiness. They do and it is a perfect HEA. Leaves me wondering though how many never really manage to break that mould and quite possibly remain miserable and closet cases for the rest of their lives. It shows the reader the struggles that a lot of gay men and women have to go through. Not only the external ones of having to fight against the attitudes of others but also the internal emotional struggles as well. When you know you can’t conform to what every one is telling you what you should be. Casting off the chains that bind you, accepting who you really are and not listening to those who don’t have your best interests at heart.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Want to read
August 1, 2015Amazon Freebie 8/1/15
February 1, 2015
Brad's books are always either a hit or miss with me. This was a definite miss.
I wanted a love story. I wanted to see these two people get to know each other and fall in love. What I got was two individual stories. I got to see how these guys grew up.
How Rocky dealt with being a preachers kid in the Deep South of Georgia. Finally escaping his fathers clutches and heading off to college. Living as an openly gay man. Joining a band and making a career.
How Dex hid being gay, growing up also in the Deep South of Biloxi, MS. I got to see Dex fall in love, only it was with his HS best friend Alex, not Rocky. Surviving Katrina. Getting a record deal and moving his family to Nashville.
A good 75% of this book is told in the past tense, before these guys even meet. I understand wanting to tell where your characters come from, and I definitely want a backstory, but honestly by 50%... I was getting pissed! I was ready to throw my iPad or just close the book all together and DNF it.
I can't say if the characters had chemistry or not, because we only see them together in MAYBE 4 or 5 scenes. This was not enough time to get to know them as a couple.
Bottom line, this was told as two individual autobiographies, not a love story! It wasn't a badly written book, I just didn't get what the blurb offered me!
I wanted a love story. I wanted to see these two people get to know each other and fall in love. What I got was two individual stories. I got to see how these guys grew up.
How Rocky dealt with being a preachers kid in the Deep South of Georgia. Finally escaping his fathers clutches and heading off to college. Living as an openly gay man. Joining a band and making a career.
How Dex hid being gay, growing up also in the Deep South of Biloxi, MS. I got to see Dex fall in love, only it was with his HS best friend Alex, not Rocky. Surviving Katrina. Getting a record deal and moving his family to Nashville.
A good 75% of this book is told in the past tense, before these guys even meet. I understand wanting to tell where your characters come from, and I definitely want a backstory, but honestly by 50%... I was getting pissed! I was ready to throw my iPad or just close the book all together and DNF it.
I can't say if the characters had chemistry or not, because we only see them together in MAYBE 4 or 5 scenes. This was not enough time to get to know them as a couple.
Bottom line, this was told as two individual autobiographies, not a love story! It wasn't a badly written book, I just didn't get what the blurb offered me!
January 31, 2015
Brad has done an amazing job with this story of two men evolving from a family life of denying who they really are. Rocky had a famous evangelist father who convinced many that gays were dangerous and going to hell. Rocky who was sheltered at first from the reality of the world until he met his best friend that introduced him to the music and the life he could have, even the life of a gay man. Dex grew up in a dysfunctional family; father a drunk, mother who was somewhat religious, and siblings who were wild. Dex even fell in love with his best friend, but completely denied it. Dex had feelings of attractions towards men, but convinced himself he couldn't go there. The story tells of their individual upbringings and how they finally ended up where they in life. The two gorgeous men, one gay (Rocky) and one was straight (Dex) were both musicians/singers in the world of country and rock. When the two meet on stage over a scheduling error, the two felt something between them, still not admitting it to themselves. The world saw the looks on their faces on YouTube....Their promoters wanted a duet....This is a beautiful story of two men who finally realized who they were and what they wanted. If you love MM Romance and Love, you will love this one. Must Read.
March 6, 2015
I really liked this concept and the meeting of these two MC's. However, the author quickly begins a series of chapters relating to flashbacks for both MC's and this becomes too long and tedious. Completely disrupting the flow of the new relationship. When we finally get back to that new relationship, there's no time spent on the development of their attraction and coming together. Especially for Dex. He's so deeply in the closet and there's no transition shown for him to overcome all his deep seated issues. Way too much time spent on flashbacks and not even close enough time spend on the journey of the MC's falling in love and overcoming their problems. Once they are together, I love them but I wanted to spend the time with them on their journey and there isn't any or enough of that story. Overall, disappointed.
February 4, 2015
Just not enough...
It started out good with Rocky and Dex and I was prepared for their passionate romance that Dexter would deny and co.e to grips with. No, instead we were thrown back into the past and had to suffer their in tot a l boredom. These were the 2000 for crying out loud and yet they it was told was if Norman Jr. Was living in the 1950's. It just didn't fit. Then we finally reach the present and they love each other and it's happily ever after. So they meet one maybe two times in the beginning and once at the end....then fast sex...love...forever...?? This really was just a way to express religious hate towards the gay community, which is justly relayed. Nothing worse then a hypocritical man of God, who twist the
The words of the Lord to spread hate.
It started out good with Rocky and Dex and I was prepared for their passionate romance that Dexter would deny and co.e to grips with. No, instead we were thrown back into the past and had to suffer their in tot a l boredom. These were the 2000 for crying out loud and yet they it was told was if Norman Jr. Was living in the 1950's. It just didn't fit. Then we finally reach the present and they love each other and it's happily ever after. So they meet one maybe two times in the beginning and once at the end....then fast sex...love...forever...?? This really was just a way to express religious hate towards the gay community, which is justly relayed. Nothing worse then a hypocritical man of God, who twist the
The words of the Lord to spread hate.
August 30, 2015
As nice as the backstory was - where was the romance??? It started with their first and second meeting, then flashback to their respective lives, starting with Rocky at age 6 and when finally reaching the today from the beginning - wham! I love you's and HEA. Great. Wonderful. - Not! I wanted more of their story TOGETHER!!!
I'm thoroughly miffed.
2 stars for the writing that got me to finish this book.
I'm thoroughly miffed.
2 stars for the writing that got me to finish this book.
Read
May 28, 2015I won't rate it since I couldn't finish it.
February 13, 2015
Dex Dexter comes from a southern homophobic upbringing, with music as his only outlet for his true soul. Rocky McCoy is the son of a homophobic southern preacher who lays the ills of the world at the doorstep of all gay men and women.
For Rocky music and art are his salvation. The story takes the reader through their journey from the past to the present time of their meeting. Dex is buried so deep in the closet that a team of horses could not bring him out. Rocky is out and proud, which makes Dex all the more abhorrent to Rocky since he knows that Dex is a gay man.
This story was so much more than I thought it would be. It is about two men with similar family backgrounds, who take divergent paths, but wind up in the same place and time. Destiny, fate? Whatever it was, it brought them together after their difficult path to adulthood. Does love conquer all? I don't know, but in this story love and faith make life worth living. Always a wonderful experience to find that hidden gem of a story.
February 1, 2015
OMFG !!!! This has got to be one of my favourite of Brad's books BY FAR !!!
Absolutely loved it, loved the dual pov's, the way Brad wrote this is AMAZING !!! It will make you laugh, cry, and angry in places, but not angry at Brad angry at the bigotry !!
Brad has highlighted the modern day societies homophobia amazingly and left me wanting more of Dex and Rocky !!
Absolutely loved it, loved the dual pov's, the way Brad wrote this is AMAZING !!! It will make you laugh, cry, and angry in places, but not angry at Brad angry at the bigotry !!
Brad has highlighted the modern day societies homophobia amazingly and left me wanting more of Dex and Rocky !!
January 31, 2015
2 singers, one openly gay & the other so deep in the closet. One night of a battle sing off & everything changes. Then the book goes back to Rocky & Dex's past & their religious background in the south. I really enjoyed this book. A great read! 2hot singers, what's not to like ;) Well Done Brad!!
March 9, 2016
Exceedingly well written book about two musicians, one country, Dex, one rock, Rocky, who meet at a music festival and nearly come to blows because the festival reps scheduled their sets at the same time. When they get in each other's faces, turns out they have incendiary chemistry and videos and pictures taken of them arguing with each other clearly see it. All heat and smoldering looks. Then the book takes an interesting turn into flashbacks and we see their parallel rise to stardom. Both were raised in the Bible thumping south. Rocky's father was a minister who traveled the country and world preaching against gays. Dex' upbringing was focused on his family wanting him to go out for football, his ticket to fame for a Southern boy. He wants to be a musician and meets a friend who introduces him to different types of music and thus begins his troubled feelings about his sexuality. Rocky's life takes off in college but he finds himself always falling for the unattainable. When he meets Nico, as a reader, I cringed, because I knew what would happen. But the Nico/Rocky period was captured so well. Sexy, fraught and sad. So I was a little confused on the time line because we track their respective rise to stardom during the flashbacks and then we come to the point that was described in the beginning of the book. Wasn't entirely clear how much time passed. Rocky and Dex together - sweet, sexy - a little bit anticlimatic but well done. I was struck, though by the absolutely wonderful writing. Strong, emotional, moving, funny, descriptive, evocative. Found myself savoring and re-reading passages because they were so good. I think this is my first Brad Vance and dug around in my Kindle and found I have a few others I've bought. So guess I'll be reading those and more.
January 31, 2016
Have A Little Faith In Me is not your average romance story. Yes we do have the opposites attract scenario as Rocky, an out and proud rocker, and Dex, a country crooner who is in total denial about his own orientation, are forced to share a stage during an overbooked festival. The attraction that sparks between them as they face off on the stage is buried way down deep though beneath their mutual animosity. After the show, they each go their separate ways, hoping to never meet again. But their fans really enjoyed those sparks and the animosity apparently because they are each urged to do another show together by their managers and friends. While they try to come to a decision about facing off on stage again, they find themselves reminiscing about their pasts and the people and events in their lives that had the most influence over who they are as men today. The author takes a unique approach here by devoting several chapters to each man's journey from childhood to adulthood. As we all know, prejudices abound, no more so than with religious zealots and each man internalized these attitudes and beliefs and responded to them in their own unique way. There is definitely a lot of emotion here and the author really pulls it all out of you as a reader, depending on your own personal beliefs. Personally I was very sad and angry throughout this part of the story as my heart broke for each of these troubled young men. This is not a story that sets out to titillate the reader with explicit love scenes but more of an account of how two men finally learn to love and accept themselves for who they truly are, the first step that anyone must take before they can open their heart to another.
Well-written and most definitely an emotional story, I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
Well-written and most definitely an emotional story, I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
February 1, 2015
Hot musicians..yes please!!
I was really excited to read this book when I read the synopsis..not often will I pass up a story about two hot musicians falling in love!
I really like Brad's writing...it drew me into the story, and really allowed me to 'be' in the characters head space.
I liked how the story involved the struggles with society that the LGBTQ community still faces, and how that drives a persons life decisions...it's shocking and disheartening to me that there is still such inequality and hate today. People should not have to fear being who they are!!
I loved the MC's and the chemistry between them.
The only thing I would have liked to see altered would be the amount of time we see the main characters together.
We get to really learn who they each are individually but I really would have liked to see them, and the development of their love, a little more.
Overall, a great book that I recommend!
I was really excited to read this book when I read the synopsis..not often will I pass up a story about two hot musicians falling in love!
I really like Brad's writing...it drew me into the story, and really allowed me to 'be' in the characters head space.
I liked how the story involved the struggles with society that the LGBTQ community still faces, and how that drives a persons life decisions...it's shocking and disheartening to me that there is still such inequality and hate today. People should not have to fear being who they are!!
I loved the MC's and the chemistry between them.
The only thing I would have liked to see altered would be the amount of time we see the main characters together.
We get to really learn who they each are individually but I really would have liked to see them, and the development of their love, a little more.
Overall, a great book that I recommend!
March 28, 2015
Yikes what a big disappointment for me. If your looking for a sweet love story with very little passion, well maybe this book is for you.
If your looking for something hot, steamy, intense, passionate, love affair do not waste your time.
I do not like reading books with a lot of flashback scenes, and unfortunately most of this book is just that. You are introduced to Dex and his band, and Rocky and his band then at 13% the author takes you back to their childhood to try to build foundation to why each character is who they are now. The problem is this flashback lasts until about 87% when they finally consummate their relationship. Then the author gives you about 5 pages of 1 experience, which really was very vanilla. I skimmed through most of it I was so bored. Then you get the epilogue. The End.
Keep searching, there are much better stories out there.
If your looking for something hot, steamy, intense, passionate, love affair do not waste your time.
I do not like reading books with a lot of flashback scenes, and unfortunately most of this book is just that. You are introduced to Dex and his band, and Rocky and his band then at 13% the author takes you back to their childhood to try to build foundation to why each character is who they are now. The problem is this flashback lasts until about 87% when they finally consummate their relationship. Then the author gives you about 5 pages of 1 experience, which really was very vanilla. I skimmed through most of it I was so bored. Then you get the epilogue. The End.
Keep searching, there are much better stories out there.
July 28, 2016
I got to start out by saying, I loved this book but it's very difficult for me to review. First off, I bought the book because it was on sale and I thought it would be ok for a cheap read. The first few chapters I kind of hate read, finding flaws wherever I could....then the flashbacks started.
The flashbacks totally took the book to a different level. The author was able to convey so much pain and longing that was so easy for me to connect with. It brings the song "Killing Me Softly" to mind.
I so appreciated the references to music I wasn't familiar with, and thankfully due to internet sites I was able to watch the videos and follow along with the words to great music I might have never known. I also enjoyed the original lyrics by the author that really should be set to music.
Thank you Brad Vance for a truly memorable book.
The flashbacks totally took the book to a different level. The author was able to convey so much pain and longing that was so easy for me to connect with. It brings the song "Killing Me Softly" to mind.
I so appreciated the references to music I wasn't familiar with, and thankfully due to internet sites I was able to watch the videos and follow along with the words to great music I might have never known. I also enjoyed the original lyrics by the author that really should be set to music.
Thank you Brad Vance for a truly memorable book.
March 30, 2015
A story of two seemingly different guys who grew up in a time when being gay was drummed into them as being morally wrong, by their families. One eventually breaks free and lives his life as an openly gay man and the other still buries his true self in order to maintain his burgeoning singing career. A double booking of stage time brings the two men together and sparks fly. The tale jumps back in time and lets us into the lives of the two MC's from when they were young boys, showing us the sad way they were forced to live, growing up with abuse, up to the present day when they discover that they aren't enemies but are actually perfect for each other and have much in common if only they can let themselves accept that fact.
October 30, 2015
This is a tough one to rate. I did not love it at all. It was OK to me. I think what bothered me the most is the way the story jumped around. We are in the present, then all of a sudden we are thrown into the past of Rocky, then the past of Dex, then more past of Rocky, then more past of Dex, then all of a sudden we are in the present again and all is well. I appreciate knowing a bunch of the history, but I would've preferred to read more about how they actually got together rather than all of the back story.
It was a pretty decent story overall about a country musician and a rock musician. My favorite part was when they were on stage together. :-)
It was a pretty decent story overall about a country musician and a rock musician. My favorite part was when they were on stage together. :-)
do-not-finish
August 21, 2015DNF at 30%
Hm. Well, I loved the plot. In fact, I read one with rather similar idea (rock star versus country singer against the world, titled A Little Bit Country). But the executions and writing style for this one just felt off for me. The MCs were exasperating, there were too many bigotry and prejudice served in a plate for me to digest. The long flash back chapters were the last straw, I just couldn't pull through.
Hm. Well, I loved the plot. In fact, I read one with rather similar idea (rock star versus country singer against the world, titled A Little Bit Country). But the executions and writing style for this one just felt off for me. The MCs were exasperating, there were too many bigotry and prejudice served in a plate for me to digest. The long flash back chapters were the last straw, I just couldn't pull through.
February 4, 2015
Loved it
This was a great book! Great characters, storyline with angst and a happy ending! Dex and Rocky find their way to eachother, through all the stress and family issues they deal with. Well written, I really enjoyed it!!
This was a great book! Great characters, storyline with angst and a happy ending! Dex and Rocky find their way to eachother, through all the stress and family issues they deal with. Well written, I really enjoyed it!!
June 19, 2016
"Words of love, so soft and tender, won't win a girl's heart anymore.
If you love her, then you must send her
Somewhere where she's never been before."
John Phillips, The Mamas & the Papas
It's appropriate to start this review with lyrics, because this is a story about music and the words are kinda appropriate.
I've been a fan of Brad's writing for years. Each book has been different. From raunchy BDSM erotica to realistic gritty historicals to jock sports romance. There's been animals, disabilities, kidnappings, Greek islands, so when I heard he was writing about rockstars. I figured it was just Brad trying something different.
Now I love music, but I'm not a big fan of the sub genre, so I didn't rush out to buy it when it was first released. But I decided to give it a go when it finally escaped from the KU jail.
For a couple of chapters, I was afraid I was going to get yet another "Rockstar Romance" with its predictable bad boys. My fears were compounded when I started ticking off all the cliches: rock concert, pushy manager, hair, tatts, posturing, the vibes, the ego, the angst, the melodrama.
Then it changed.
And Brad Vance led me down a path "I've never been before."
Like Rocky, his gutsy Rockstar hero, "Have a Little Faith" breaks a lot of the unwritten MM romance rules. For starters, God and religion play a major role. The harsh reality of being gay is explored. He absolutely shatters the one which insists as many scenes as possible should involve the two MCs interacting as they explore their growing relationship. Then there are the ones about backstory that I often espouse: split it up, spread it out, have it revealed at relevant points and avoid the dreaded flashback!
It's almost funny reading reviews which complain about each of these rules being broken. Because, for me, the book works well precisely for that reason. And it works because Brad, as a talented author, knows those rules, questions them and then breaks them.
In this book, who the characters are and why they are like they are IS the story.
The fact that they get together at the end is made so much more believable because we've seen who they are. What went into their formation. Yet also why they are so right for each other. Why Rocky, the strong defiant survivor, a man who is prepared to take on the world would be interested in a closeted homophobic jock, no matter how hot he is. Why they need each other. What each can bring to the relationship. Why it will work. Why insta lust but avowed hatred can turn to love.
Rather than describe how this happens, I'll let the author take us into the mind of the Preacher's Son who was raised to believe sodomy was a sin before he even knew the meaning of the word.
But as he started to think for himself, he realized that the:
And it wasn't just about gay people. It was anyone who was different.
I'll leave you to find out, because you really need to know who Dex is, to understand that.
After I finished, I went back to the blogs Brad wrote around that time.
Take character's backstory for example. This blog he wrote back in July 2014 sum up why he wrote the book this way: https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/07/0...
There's lots of good stuff there, but this quote stood out.
But for me, if you just say (and you’ve heard this pet peeve before), “Here’s Rocky the Rock Star and he Really Rocks, here’s some sex,” then why should I care if he falls in love or not? If characters are nothing more than the same paper dolls with different outfits (rock star, soldier, barbarian, billionaire, vampire, collect ’em all)…who cares?
And I suppose, I think, I guess, that a lot of readers have their own ideas of “the rock star” or “the billionaire,” and are only looking for the paper doll, they don’t want an author to get between them and their idea of what a hot rock star is like. I don’t get that. I like, no, I want, need, to surrender to an author, I want that author to create a real person who I want to spend time with.
And "surrendering to an author, means being willing to trust them. Why? Because he respects the intelligence and sensitivity of his fans. He loves us and that's why he's interested in leading us into places we've never been before.
Perhaps by veering so far from the norm, it can't be classified as a true romance. But it makes an interesting read. Different from the norm. You end up caring deeply for both characters. They are influenced by and the products of their environment, but it doesn't change who they are underneath. The fighter and the protector.
So if you're brave enough to take that journey. Do.
And when you've finished, if, like me, you're interested in the creative process. Here's links to some other blog posts about the book which was originally envisioned as a series of sexy traditional rockstar genre shorts to make him heaps of money. This one may not have achieved the same reward, but it is a great depiction of men who have had to overcome the adversity surrounding their upbringing. A much more memorable and rewarding journey.
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/08/3...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/09/2...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/09/0...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/10/2...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2015/01/2...
If you love her, then you must send her
Somewhere where she's never been before."
John Phillips, The Mamas & the Papas
It's appropriate to start this review with lyrics, because this is a story about music and the words are kinda appropriate.
I've been a fan of Brad's writing for years. Each book has been different. From raunchy BDSM erotica to realistic gritty historicals to jock sports romance. There's been animals, disabilities, kidnappings, Greek islands, so when I heard he was writing about rockstars. I figured it was just Brad trying something different.
Now I love music, but I'm not a big fan of the sub genre, so I didn't rush out to buy it when it was first released. But I decided to give it a go when it finally escaped from the KU jail.
For a couple of chapters, I was afraid I was going to get yet another "Rockstar Romance" with its predictable bad boys. My fears were compounded when I started ticking off all the cliches: rock concert, pushy manager, hair, tatts, posturing, the vibes, the ego, the angst, the melodrama.
Then it changed.
And Brad Vance led me down a path "I've never been before."
Like Rocky, his gutsy Rockstar hero, "Have a Little Faith" breaks a lot of the unwritten MM romance rules. For starters, God and religion play a major role. The harsh reality of being gay is explored. He absolutely shatters the one which insists as many scenes as possible should involve the two MCs interacting as they explore their growing relationship. Then there are the ones about backstory that I often espouse: split it up, spread it out, have it revealed at relevant points and avoid the dreaded flashback!
It's almost funny reading reviews which complain about each of these rules being broken. Because, for me, the book works well precisely for that reason. And it works because Brad, as a talented author, knows those rules, questions them and then breaks them.
In this book, who the characters are and why they are like they are IS the story.
The fact that they get together at the end is made so much more believable because we've seen who they are. What went into their formation. Yet also why they are so right for each other. Why Rocky, the strong defiant survivor, a man who is prepared to take on the world would be interested in a closeted homophobic jock, no matter how hot he is. Why they need each other. What each can bring to the relationship. Why it will work. Why insta lust but avowed hatred can turn to love.
Rather than describe how this happens, I'll let the author take us into the mind of the Preacher's Son who was raised to believe sodomy was a sin before he even knew the meaning of the word.
But as he started to think for himself, he realized that the:
....whole system is all about sinning. You can have the sin, as long as you’re punished. The system needs you to sin, so that it can continually re-exert control over you through the punishment, so they can point to you and say to the others, ‘let that be a lesson!And later
....you can’t be tempted to sin if you don’t watch TV, or go to the movies, or listen to the radio, because they were all about sex, sex, sex. The Reverend rarely talked about other kinds of temptation. He never admonished any of his significantly obese parishioners to resist the urge to overeat, never admonished his business-owning parishioners not to cheat on their taxes. No, it was sex that was the Reverend’s preoccupation.And when the Christian lobby grew more political
If you didn’t use negative words in your speech, the enemy was defanged – they couldn’t run a pull quote displaying your ignorance and hatred if all the words were about love, and defense, and “building strong families.”
....You didn’t have to say that the gays wanted to destroy marriage, if you said you were “defending marriage, protecting marriage.” You didn’t have to say that gay people couldn’t marry because gay sex was a sin and sin put you outside God’s love; you just said that “marriage is about love, the love between a man and a woman,” and everyone knew what you meant. You didn’t have to say that gay people were unfit parents when instead you could say that “a child needs a mother and a father.Note, these quotes are scattered through the book (just like backstory usually is) but I'm pulling them together as they so accurately reflect the thought patterns of a sector of society which continues to have a huge impact.
And it wasn't just about gay people. It was anyone who was different.
There were plenty of people around him who were racist. Miss June was always talking about the “damn niggers,” but she’d be immediately told by the other old ladies to keep her voice down –it wasn’t thinking it, but saying it, that was wrong. “They can’t help it if they were born that way” was about the kindest thing the other old birds had to say on the subject.
....Like the secret codes used to denounce the gays, cloaked in positivity, everyone (white) said that “it wasn’t segregation, just that everyone would just be happier and better off, keeping with their own people.”But Rocky is sensitive enough to question and is brave enough to embrace the truth when he realizes he is one of "them".
Nobody’s immune to the culture around them. It soaks into you in ways you can’t even see, even as you declare yourself free of it.And once he escapes those restrictions,
It was freeing to Rocky, to think this way. Everything in his life had been so regimented, the idea that these things could just be “random,” just…happen impromptu, startled him.But the process took time. There were stages to go through. A rite of passage lined with thorns.
No more gods on posters, no more gods on screens, the ones who had taken the place of the invisible God he’d been raised to worship, the God in whom he’d lost his faith long ago. Now, finally, he had a flesh and blood god he could touch. And worship, with his own flesh.
He saw so many pictures of “hot” guys, shirtless, with great bodies and decent-enough features, but in most of those faces, there was just no heat there. They stood and posed and to Rocky, they were like empty vessels. So lacking in that extra something that they just sucked the air out of the scene.Obviously, Rocky is not just another HAWT rock star! So how does a man like this end up with Dex?
I'll leave you to find out, because you really need to know who Dex is, to understand that.
After I finished, I went back to the blogs Brad wrote around that time.
Take character's backstory for example. This blog he wrote back in July 2014 sum up why he wrote the book this way: https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/07/0...
There's lots of good stuff there, but this quote stood out.
But for me, if you just say (and you’ve heard this pet peeve before), “Here’s Rocky the Rock Star and he Really Rocks, here’s some sex,” then why should I care if he falls in love or not? If characters are nothing more than the same paper dolls with different outfits (rock star, soldier, barbarian, billionaire, vampire, collect ’em all)…who cares?
And I suppose, I think, I guess, that a lot of readers have their own ideas of “the rock star” or “the billionaire,” and are only looking for the paper doll, they don’t want an author to get between them and their idea of what a hot rock star is like. I don’t get that. I like, no, I want, need, to surrender to an author, I want that author to create a real person who I want to spend time with.
And "surrendering to an author, means being willing to trust them. Why? Because he respects the intelligence and sensitivity of his fans. He loves us and that's why he's interested in leading us into places we've never been before.
Perhaps by veering so far from the norm, it can't be classified as a true romance. But it makes an interesting read. Different from the norm. You end up caring deeply for both characters. They are influenced by and the products of their environment, but it doesn't change who they are underneath. The fighter and the protector.
So if you're brave enough to take that journey. Do.
And when you've finished, if, like me, you're interested in the creative process. Here's links to some other blog posts about the book which was originally envisioned as a series of sexy traditional rockstar genre shorts to make him heaps of money. This one may not have achieved the same reward, but it is a great depiction of men who have had to overcome the adversity surrounding their upbringing. A much more memorable and rewarding journey.
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/08/3...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/09/2...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/09/0...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2014/10/2...
https://bradvanceauthor.com/2015/01/2...
November 10, 2016
I enjoyed this book, but I felt there was so much focus on the MCs' background that the present relationship happened in the blink of an eye. And there was no distinct separation between past and present. So when the past caught up, it took me a minute to figure that out. And it seemed like the fell in love without even really spending any time together. So it wasn't quite believable. I liked the backstory, but felt there was too much of it and not enough present buildup of a relationship. They were just suddenly together.
January 29, 2020
I liked the guys together and was intrigued by their dynamic. However, most of the book was focused on their pasts and not them together. When they did come together if felt rushed. Good elements, but just wanted Rocky and Dex together more
August 6, 2015
I tried to come up with a good and structured review but … I’m too impatient and not a good writer so here’s all I could think to tell about this story.
First of all, I would like to start with the “Synopsis vs content” topic.
To speak honestly, I only bought this book because it was free on amazon and I have a hard time resisting the temptation of adding more books to my TBR. I know it’s bad but I don’t care. I told myself “Why not?” but really, I knew nothing about the story or the author or whatever. I read the resume, partially, if I remember correctly and it wasn’t that would have usually picked but I was ready to give it a try anyway. I thought this wasn’t going to be something wonderful and beyond expectations, maybe I thought this would be an “okay read”. But I wasn’t nowhere near the truth and I’m so glad about that because it was a really good surprise! Not shallow at all, like I was expecting. I was fast hooked up to the story and the characters and it wasn’t too angsty or dramatic so everything’s good.
Secondly, the building of the characters and their past was really the winning side of the book because it was emotional and everything felt so … real and convincing, we could really get attached to the characters and the struggles they had to face. I was really surprised because I expected an “insta-attraction” and lust “en veux-tu, en voilà”!
The only thing that bothered me and that I didn’t really appreciated was the way the characters accepted their attraction to each other and the way they became a couple right away. I mean, one of the guy is a closet case and he just decided to end his career to be with Rocky after having met him on only two occasions. And maybe the L word came too fast. Well, between these two, everything was too fast but I really appreciated their individual history!
Finally, I would like to say that most of the time, I prefer to avoid any religion-related story because I have my opinion on the topic and I have a really hard time understanding how certain people can achieve to think the way or the things they think! Anyway, in this case, I wasn’t aware that religion would take so much space in this story but it didn’t make me freak out, it was a good approach… sadly. I know that this is a fiction with fictional facts and characters but unfortunately, in most cases, “la réalité dépasse souvent la fiction” (the reality often goes beyond the fiction? Don’t know how to translate). I wasn’t uncomfortable while reading this so I “enjoyed” the topic.
Really good book, better surprise!
First of all, I would like to start with the “Synopsis vs content” topic.
To speak honestly, I only bought this book because it was free on amazon and I have a hard time resisting the temptation of adding more books to my TBR. I know it’s bad but I don’t care. I told myself “Why not?” but really, I knew nothing about the story or the author or whatever. I read the resume, partially, if I remember correctly and it wasn’t that would have usually picked but I was ready to give it a try anyway. I thought this wasn’t going to be something wonderful and beyond expectations, maybe I thought this would be an “okay read”. But I wasn’t nowhere near the truth and I’m so glad about that because it was a really good surprise! Not shallow at all, like I was expecting. I was fast hooked up to the story and the characters and it wasn’t too angsty or dramatic so everything’s good.
Secondly, the building of the characters and their past was really the winning side of the book because it was emotional and everything felt so … real and convincing, we could really get attached to the characters and the struggles they had to face. I was really surprised because I expected an “insta-attraction” and lust “en veux-tu, en voilà”!
The only thing that bothered me and that I didn’t really appreciated was the way the characters accepted their attraction to each other and the way they became a couple right away. I mean, one of the guy is a closet case and he just decided to end his career to be with Rocky after having met him on only two occasions. And maybe the L word came too fast. Well, between these two, everything was too fast but I really appreciated their individual history!
Finally, I would like to say that most of the time, I prefer to avoid any religion-related story because I have my opinion on the topic and I have a really hard time understanding how certain people can achieve to think the way or the things they think! Anyway, in this case, I wasn’t aware that religion would take so much space in this story but it didn’t make me freak out, it was a good approach… sadly. I know that this is a fiction with fictional facts and characters but unfortunately, in most cases, “la réalité dépasse souvent la fiction” (the reality often goes beyond the fiction? Don’t know how to translate). I wasn’t uncomfortable while reading this so I “enjoyed” the topic.
Really good book, better surprise!
March 30, 2016
Sekedar info, sebelum membaca Have A Little Faith In Me, saya mengawali bacaan lain dari pengarang yang sama berjudul Would I Lie to You?, namun saya putuskan mereview dulu novel ini karna mumpung masih fresh dalam ingatan meski telah selesai dibaca beberapa hari yang lalu.
Novel dibuka dengan adegan bersitegang antara bintang rockstar Norman Rocky McCoy dengan penyanyi country Dex Dexter saat melakukan cek sound. Dari pertemuan itu tumbuh rasa ketidaksukaan serta ketertarikan antara satu sama lain. Rocky yang dari semenjak awal sudah diketahui oleh publik sebagai gay ternyata memiliki ketertarikan pada Dex yang dinilainya sebagai orang yang arogan. Tanpa disangkal Rocky bisa tahu kalau Dex Dexter adalah tipe pria gay in denial. Ia sempat menjalani beberapa kali hubungan dengan pria semacam ini dimasa lalu dan berujung kepahitan.
Dex sendiri mengalami pergulatan batin yang sama dan sering meyakinkan dirinya kalau ia tidak menyukai Rocky dan segala bentuk dan atribut kebebasannya sebagai gay didepan publik. Hal ini mengingatkan dirinya kembali ke masa lalu dengan sahabatnya, Alex, yang juga seorang gay. Hubungan saat remaja inilah yang membawa dampak besar pada dirinya hingga saat ini sampai kemunculan seorang Rocky dalam hidupnya.
Brad Vance berhasil membangun chemistry antara dua tokoh utama dalam novel ini, dan yg tak kalah hebatnya lagi chemistry antara Dex dan Alex juga sama kuatnya. Tokoh2 lain spt Korey, Alex, menjadi daya tarik tersendiri karna masing2 memiliki kaitan langsung dgn masa lalu Rocky dan Dex. Brad Vance yang gemar dengan plot campuran (timeline maju mundur) sempat membuat saya bingung di novel sebelumnya Would I Lie to You? dan plot semacam ini kembali menghias disini.
Meski endingnya sudah bisa diduga , namun saya berharap authornya bisa mengeksplor lebih sisi romantisme Rocky-Dex mengingat dari 4 bab terakhir hanya 2 bab yang menegaskan hasrat dan seksual itu terjadi.
Novel dibuka dengan adegan bersitegang antara bintang rockstar Norman Rocky McCoy dengan penyanyi country Dex Dexter saat melakukan cek sound. Dari pertemuan itu tumbuh rasa ketidaksukaan serta ketertarikan antara satu sama lain. Rocky yang dari semenjak awal sudah diketahui oleh publik sebagai gay ternyata memiliki ketertarikan pada Dex yang dinilainya sebagai orang yang arogan. Tanpa disangkal Rocky bisa tahu kalau Dex Dexter adalah tipe pria gay in denial. Ia sempat menjalani beberapa kali hubungan dengan pria semacam ini dimasa lalu dan berujung kepahitan.
Rocky shook his head. "The dude is a closet case. I saw it. He wants it, but he's never had it. His gayginity is intact. and i mean it. Never again. Iam going to find a nice homo and settle down."LOL
Dex sendiri mengalami pergulatan batin yang sama dan sering meyakinkan dirinya kalau ia tidak menyukai Rocky dan segala bentuk dan atribut kebebasannya sebagai gay didepan publik. Hal ini mengingatkan dirinya kembali ke masa lalu dengan sahabatnya, Alex, yang juga seorang gay. Hubungan saat remaja inilah yang membawa dampak besar pada dirinya hingga saat ini sampai kemunculan seorang Rocky dalam hidupnya.
Brad Vance berhasil membangun chemistry antara dua tokoh utama dalam novel ini, dan yg tak kalah hebatnya lagi chemistry antara Dex dan Alex juga sama kuatnya. Tokoh2 lain spt Korey, Alex, menjadi daya tarik tersendiri karna masing2 memiliki kaitan langsung dgn masa lalu Rocky dan Dex. Brad Vance yang gemar dengan plot campuran (timeline maju mundur) sempat membuat saya bingung di novel sebelumnya Would I Lie to You? dan plot semacam ini kembali menghias disini.
Meski endingnya sudah bisa diduga , namun saya berharap authornya bisa mengeksplor lebih sisi romantisme Rocky-Dex mengingat dari 4 bab terakhir hanya 2 bab yang menegaskan hasrat dan seksual itu terjadi.
March 8, 2015
FiveStars
This was my first novel of Brad Vance's but it won't be my last. This was aheart-warming, gut-wrenching, realistic journey with our Hero's, who are both struggling internally with their sexuality, during a time when it wasn't as accepted to come out. The story is told in dual POV's, and I loved that aspect.
Both men have a gift when it comes to music. The author including lyrics of songs added an extra personal touch to an already heart-warming story.
When Norman aka Rocky meets Dex, they can't stand each other but there is also an attraction they are fighting and the author describes it so good that you can't help gobbling up the pages just to feel more heat from this chemistry.
The author does a phenomenal job of capturing your attention from Page 1 and you gladly let your heart follow this beautiful, sexy journey with two men who deal with disappointment, adversity, pain in a way that will have you cheering for them to get what they need and most heartfully deserve!
"And when I thought i'd lost it all, You're the one who was there for me, When I had no faith in myself, you had a little faith in me" ....Beautiful!!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Reviewer: Kimberley
FourStars
I was a little disappointed that the story was mostly regarding the past lives of Dex and Rocky. I would have liked a little more present day story. I get that the author wanted you to have a clear picture of how they grew up, and he did an excellent job of writing that. I found Rocky's dad disgusting with his views of gay people. The author took on a very big subject of bigotry, but wrote and expressed it very well.
Dex and Rocky were great characters. I felt for Dex having to hide his sexuality while growing up, loved his part when Katrina came. I think that was one of my favorite parts, made the story more real. I felt Rocky on the other hand let guys like Nico use him and he had to struggle more with relationships. I loved the ending with how they ended up being together, nice closure for the story.
It was a good story and I look forward to reading more by this author.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sherry
This was my first novel of Brad Vance's but it won't be my last. This was aheart-warming, gut-wrenching, realistic journey with our Hero's, who are both struggling internally with their sexuality, during a time when it wasn't as accepted to come out. The story is told in dual POV's, and I loved that aspect.
Both men have a gift when it comes to music. The author including lyrics of songs added an extra personal touch to an already heart-warming story.
When Norman aka Rocky meets Dex, they can't stand each other but there is also an attraction they are fighting and the author describes it so good that you can't help gobbling up the pages just to feel more heat from this chemistry.
The author does a phenomenal job of capturing your attention from Page 1 and you gladly let your heart follow this beautiful, sexy journey with two men who deal with disappointment, adversity, pain in a way that will have you cheering for them to get what they need and most heartfully deserve!
"And when I thought i'd lost it all, You're the one who was there for me, When I had no faith in myself, you had a little faith in me" ....Beautiful!!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Reviewer: Kimberley
FourStars
I was a little disappointed that the story was mostly regarding the past lives of Dex and Rocky. I would have liked a little more present day story. I get that the author wanted you to have a clear picture of how they grew up, and he did an excellent job of writing that. I found Rocky's dad disgusting with his views of gay people. The author took on a very big subject of bigotry, but wrote and expressed it very well.
Dex and Rocky were great characters. I felt for Dex having to hide his sexuality while growing up, loved his part when Katrina came. I think that was one of my favorite parts, made the story more real. I felt Rocky on the other hand let guys like Nico use him and he had to struggle more with relationships. I loved the ending with how they ended up being together, nice closure for the story.
It was a good story and I look forward to reading more by this author.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sherry
January 31, 2015
There were some nice turns of phrase and observations, from "...like a cobra dance that Dex couldn't stop watching" to "Dex willed time to dilate,...to justify every extra second;" and, "...self-segregation was more powerful than any law."
In two particular cases, Vance did an excellent job at his own distillation of key moments. First, Rocky looked at Dex's face and then the moment was gone. "He'd seen the look on a thousand men, that moment of freedom, of joy in being themselves, that they just as quickly buried, deep in the ground, before someone else did it for them." Second, he noted, "Nothing unleashes the creative process like a period of delirious happiness that shatters a long streak of misery."
And, as always, Vance's work is replete with a breath of cultural references, including those that I missed, such as Todd Flanders, Monolith in 2001, and what a Freddy Mercury "We are the Champions" pose looks like.
Vance's growth as a writer comes across in how he is beginning to use his grasp of social trends and pop culture icons from the period for a bite to his commentary. We see Rocky ponder two examples, American evangelicals' influence on African governments' persecution of gays and the perceived exploitation of college athletes by their schools. As his characters move beyond just condemnation of the hypocrisy around them to express opinions through the lens of their own sexual identity from the margins of society they take on added dimensionality.
"The whole system is all about sinning. You can have the sin, as long as you're punished. The system needs you to sin." One of the smartest choices was having Rocky's father represent the changing messages from opponents of marriage equality, which went through dramatic changes during the past decade and a half in which the story unfolded. It framed the idea that the personal is political quite effectively.
A few rough spots remain in phrases like "A stone, a boulder, in each of their guts, alchemically transformed into something lighter than air, and release from the body..."
Vance manages to tug heart-strings with this latest melody and develop his craft. Well done.
In two particular cases, Vance did an excellent job at his own distillation of key moments. First, Rocky looked at Dex's face and then the moment was gone. "He'd seen the look on a thousand men, that moment of freedom, of joy in being themselves, that they just as quickly buried, deep in the ground, before someone else did it for them." Second, he noted, "Nothing unleashes the creative process like a period of delirious happiness that shatters a long streak of misery."
And, as always, Vance's work is replete with a breath of cultural references, including those that I missed, such as Todd Flanders, Monolith in 2001, and what a Freddy Mercury "We are the Champions" pose looks like.
Vance's growth as a writer comes across in how he is beginning to use his grasp of social trends and pop culture icons from the period for a bite to his commentary. We see Rocky ponder two examples, American evangelicals' influence on African governments' persecution of gays and the perceived exploitation of college athletes by their schools. As his characters move beyond just condemnation of the hypocrisy around them to express opinions through the lens of their own sexual identity from the margins of society they take on added dimensionality.
"The whole system is all about sinning. You can have the sin, as long as you're punished. The system needs you to sin." One of the smartest choices was having Rocky's father represent the changing messages from opponents of marriage equality, which went through dramatic changes during the past decade and a half in which the story unfolded. It framed the idea that the personal is political quite effectively.
A few rough spots remain in phrases like "A stone, a boulder, in each of their guts, alchemically transformed into something lighter than air, and release from the body..."
Vance manages to tug heart-strings with this latest melody and develop his craft. Well done.
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