Pivot

by Kim Davis

After being robbed by a black assailant, white Chicago dentist Mark Cross is hesitant to go out at night, let alone get involved in an interracial relationship, but that’s exactly what happens after he meets Darren Nichols, a black high school teacher and basketball coach. When Mark and Darren are introduced at a party, their attraction to each other is immediate and intense, and they soon begin dating.


As their relationship progresses, Mark realizes he loves Darren. But he’s hesitant to ask Darren to move in with him because Darren’s last relationship ended poorly and Darren is scared to get involved with another man so quickly after that experience. Mark also worries he doesn’t live up to Darren’s expectations and fears Darren ultimately longs for a man who isn’t white. And Mark is still haunted by the man who mugged him and harbors fears about black men in general.


Despite his worries and insecurities, Mark asks Darren to move in with him and Darren agrees. Though they both bring baggage to their bond, Mark and Darren work hard to build a life together. But when Darren invites over some of the guys he plays basketball with, Mark suspects one of the players, Terrance, is the same man who assaulted him. Mark shares his suspicions with Darren, but Darren isn’t convinced his friend could do something so terrible.


Mark is determined to uncover the truth, but will he jeopardize his relationship with Darren in the process?

Genres: M M Romance

140 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Kim Davis is a writer, an editor, and an occasional adjunct English instructor. Her first novel, Clean Hands, was published in 2012 and her last two novels, Collusion and Daddy Issues, were published by JMS Books. Her work has also been published in the Detroit Free Press and the Metro Times. Born and raised in Detroit and a former resident of Philadelphia and Brooklyn, she currently lives in Evanston, Illinois.

Reviews

[Nicci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally Posted at TWLIB Reviews

Pivot by Kim Davis is an M/M Romance book of an interracial couple that didn’t leave me with any warm and fuzzy romantic notions for the main characters. The story did not convince me Mark and Darren actually belong together as a couple. They lacked chemistry and by story end, I felt the story and characters’ concerns are still open for resolution.

I came this close to giving this book a DNF. Every book deserves its chance under the sun. So I pushed to the ending even if it almost slayed me. If I read Pivot in paperback form, I would’ve slung it across the room in frustration.

The main reason why I read Pivot, I wanted to see how the author handled multicultural and multiracial issues that may come about when the couple is interracial. The author does address the usual cadre of racial stereotyping, dark skinned vs light skinned, and how to define what is considered black. The dark skinned man supposedly commits the crime. The light-skinned man is acceptable by the fact he is a “light-skinned” black man. The white man pairing up with the black man maintains a superior attitude and he feels he’s right on every subject and event with little to no consideration for his lover’s thoughts or feelings.

Conclusion - The Mark Cross character drew nothing but ire from me. He is one of the most unpleasant characters I have read in a long time. Darren, his boyfriend, the light-skinned black man wasn’t exactly thrilling.

“I swallowed down the disappointment I felt because Darren had called Deena rather than me after his accident.”

After all that has happened Darren calling his sister first seems logical to me. Darren is in surgery at this point, and this is how Mark feels. He’s more concern about who knows first than about the health of his lover. Even here, Darren can’t get a break from Mark with this negative thinking. I wished we had a deeper insight into Darren’s characterization. Perhaps, I wouldn’t come away thinking his internal strength is more of a doormat.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little goody while trolling through a blog and cued up the sample. Really enjoyed it and then bought it. The book opens with a flashback with Mark, who is white, being mugged by a black man. He'd just attended a party at his friends' home and was walking home. Fast forward a few years and after declining to attend parties at his friends' home because of the mugging, he finally goes to one and meets Darren, a black man. The two connect big time. Frankly, I think things move a little too quickly which is why I think they ran into problems with trust. I think the racial issues were handled well and at times, I really didn't like Mark. Being a woman of color, I totally understood Darren's position and, though he made me nuts, I understood Mark's as well. Being in a relationship isn't easy and when you add the interracial component, that raises the level of complexity significantly. The sexy times were lovely - a little too fast for me but I am a smut queen so wanted more, more, more. Mark's and Darren's family issues were handled well and were realistic. I've heard stories about parents like Mark's from my friends in interracial relationships. I really liked the secondary characters. Usually in a book this short, you are unable to really connect with anyone other than the MCs but I have to say, that Jay and Brian made an impression on me as did Carlos!! I like the author's writing style - breezy, clear, good dialogue. Some issues were glazed over a bit but given the nature of the book, it worked. I liked both MCs - connected with Mark and despite his nuttiness he clearly loved Darren. And Darren is a real sexy beast. That fight with Carlos - whew!! The books ends nicely but rather abruptly and I thought perhaps there might be a book 2, but this appears to be a standalone. I particularly liked the title and given Darren's profession, it made total sense. Looking for more from this author and will check out her backlist.