Chasing the Swallows

by John Inman

Sometimes an entire lifetime can be spent in the arms and heart of one person. It is not so with imaginations, for they go anywhere they wish. David Ayres and Arthur Smith are about to find that out. When they meet as young men within the garden walls of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, one man from one continent, one from another, an uncontrollable attraction brings them together. But it is something stronger than attraction that holds them there. It is love. Pure and simple. After forty years, when the fabric of their existence together finally begins to fray because of David's imaginary infidelities, it is with humor and commitment that they strive to remain in each other's heart. And turning fantasy into reality, they find, is the best way to do it.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2015

About the author

A Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of over forty novels, John has been writing fiction for as long as he can remember. Born on a small farm in Indiana, he now resides in San Diego, California where he spends his time gardening, pampering his pets, hiking and biking the trails and canyons of San Diego, and of course, writing. He and his partner share a passion for theater, books, film, and the continuing fight for marriage equality. If you would like to know more about John, check out his website at----
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars.



John Inman’s writing never ceases to amaze me. It simply doesn’t matter what genre he writes, it’s always amazing. This time he didn't deliver a thriller like Payback, or a funny sweet book like Paulie, he delivers a emotional charged romance that tugged at my heartstrings.

Chasing Swallows is a touching, beautiful story of two young men falling in love and staying together for 40 years, with all the ups and downs of a longterm relationship.

I loved David’s narration, his flashbacks about meeting Arthur 40 years ago within the garden walls of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano are touching and so emotional. With every word I felt the strong love between the older men.

“I promise, baby. If you lose sight of where we are, I’ll always be there to point the way.
I’ll always be there to remind you that you’re mine.
And I’m yours. I won’t let you slip away either, Arthur.
If you ever did, what would I have left?
What would there be left in this life to love if you weren’t here with me?”

But life isn’t perfect and both guys are struggling. Arthur with his declining health and David with the fear of missing out on something. He seeks refuge in imaginations, dreams of hot lovers he never had. Because there was always only one guy, Arthur, the love of his life. But doesn’t he know he hurts Arthur with his imaginary infidelities?

"I would never lie to you.”
“No.”
“I would never cheat on you.”
“No, Arthur. You wouldn’t.”
“Not even in my imagination, David. Not even in the deepest darkest cellars of my mind. Not even there.”

John is a wonderful storyteller, a gifted writer, he is a genius at weaving magical, deeply moving stories. The story is well paced and emotional, and the characters are loving and caring. I just couldn’t help falling for the beautiful narrative.

Thank you, John for a wonderful reading experience.

[Sofia]

I'm not going to rate this one - read up to 60% - skimmed the rest.

I was reading and although I had some eye-rolling at David's severe imaginitis, I'd find bits which were good, touching. Then something happened Arthur's early onset Dementia and I couldn't continue because this touches me very personally. I tried to reason with myself that it would be good to get another perspective than my very personal one but I couldn't, romances usually end up in happy places and I'm still far away from seeing that.

Rather disappointed about this as it was my first Inman and I've heard good things. Will have to try another.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once agin John Inman writes an awesome story. OMG I loved this one!!! This was about a long established couple and their struggles through the years. I loved, loved, loved it!

[Vince Burr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another touching 10-star read from John Inman about the kind of relationship we all dream of having but only a lucky, rare few ever obtain. I envied David for not only having such a perfect and understanding husband but also for realizing what he had before it was too late. All of Mr. Inman's books strike a nerve, but this one discovered a whole new bundle of them!

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and so poignant. This was such an honest and touching story of two men who have been together and in love (with some ups and downs) for 40 years. I cried (good tears, though!) through most of it.

[Beacullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Inman has done it again! If I could give this more stars I would, its that good. When I read that this book was about an older couple I didnt think I'd really be interested. I am SO glad I read it. David and Arthur's story is so sweet and so good, I couldn't put it down. The story is told in flasbacks from David about them meeting at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. They're both instantly smiten, and since Arthur is from the UK, they spend every second together expecting that their time together will soon end. They end up happily living together for over 40 years. Arthur is totally and completely in love with David, he's all he wants. Things are more complicated for David, he loves Arthur, but he takes that love for granted. He fantasizes a lot about other men, and he's very obvious about it. He doesnt seem to care that it hurts Arthur, to him its just harmless fantasy. I loved how David finally see's what he has been missing, and realizes its not too late to show Arthur exactly how in love with him he is, and has always been. This is really one of the most touching and sweet books I've read in a while. At the end they go back and relive their meeting, it could not have been written any better than it is. I loved this book and I really cant wait to read John Inman's next book.

[Lynn S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big John Inman fan, I've read everything he's written and I'll stop whatever I'm reading mid-sentence to pick up whenever he has a new release.
Chasing The Swallows is a book about two men, David and Arthur, who fall in love and stay together. Through the years the magic fades and only a unforeseen health scare has them reassessing their love and looking for a way to rekindle their passion. Maybe they never lost it in the first place, just misplaced it.
I couldn't love this book more. I had a lump in my throat the entire time and still do.
John, you're amazing, you never shy away from the tough subjects and find ways to make us think of our own lives and how we might just be letting things go unsaid, taking things for granted. Bravo!

[SoCal Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This was an emotional read. I loved it. More words to follow when I've had a chance to let it sink in. It is a beautifully touching story about two wonderful men in the downhill slope of their lives... loving and rediscovering. Its thought provoking, too. John Inman does it again. I'm such a huge fan of this author; he has great talent in a variety of writing styles, from humor to horror and in-between; never fails to amaze me. This one is beautiful. Recommended!!

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book read and reviewed for Boys In Our Books. You can find the original review here.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this and the characters.

[Aislinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and it made me feel for the characters, but it was not without its troubles. The CA settings of San Diego and San Juan Capistrano were lovely, and I adored Arthur. David was more problematic, as I believe he was meant to be. My challenge with him was not so much that he came across as less likeable, with his constant fantasizing and neglect of Arthur, but more, that his turnaround seemed a bit too instantaneous and complete once Arthur's diagnosis was made. That lessened my overall enjoyment of what would have otherwise been a four star read for me. I did, however, find the last few chapters quite emotional, and appreciated the storyline of a relationship that had been sustained through so many decades.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really liked Arthur, he's a total sweetie but I found David hard to like and skipped over his many fantasies after the first one. There were times where I felt like giving up on the book but I hung in there because I wanted to see how things turned out for Arthur and while it was bittersweet I was glad when David finally realized what was really important in life.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book, but it was a struggle for me to read. The time jumps mixed with the fantasies made it easy for me to put down. I eventually did finish it, and I did like the sentiment of the book.

[Pippii]

Fantastic...what can I say.....not much right now...amazingly sweet and sad ♥

[Stacey Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

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