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Winging It
alternate cover for 9780992732066
Another movie star's memoir saying how wonderful everyone has been? Not quite. Jimmy Carlton leaves a successful career with the BBC for an actor's life in Hollywood where he becomes a household name and a rich man. But Jimmy has a past his fans know nothing about and Winging It shows us his life with total honesty. He is frank about the men and women he meets in Hollywood: the (male) producer who trades a movie contract for a night with Jimmy; the virginal goddess film star who insiders know to be a nymphomaniac; the all-action male who always gets the girl in the last reel but with whom Jimmy has a passionate gay relationship. Then Jimmy comes as near to death as it's possible to do without ending up in a mortuary. If that really was the face of God he saw as life seemed to be ebbing away then everything has to change. But was it?
Another movie star's memoir saying how wonderful everyone has been? Not quite. Jimmy Carlton leaves a successful career with the BBC for an actor's life in Hollywood where he becomes a household name and a rich man. But Jimmy has a past his fans know nothing about and Winging It shows us his life with total honesty. He is frank about the men and women he meets in Hollywood: the (male) producer who trades a movie contract for a night with Jimmy; the virginal goddess film star who insiders know to be a nymphomaniac; the all-action male who always gets the girl in the last reel but with whom Jimmy has a passionate gay relationship. Then Jimmy comes as near to death as it's possible to do without ending up in a mortuary. If that really was the face of God he saw as life seemed to be ebbing away then everything has to change. But was it?
- GenresLGBT
Paperback
First published November 23, 2013
16 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Carlton
8 books4 followersI'm bisexual, my brother Jimmy was bisexual and the books published in my name were actually written by me (some) and by Jimmy (some). Jimmy was flagrantly and flamboyantly gay from his late teens, but his life permitted that; I was not. I married (a man, with whom I am still friendly) and raised children and had it not been for Jimmy's encouragement I might have lived my whole life without acknowledging my true nature. Our books explore the borders of human sexuality where the feminine and the masculine meet and cross and I owe an unpayable debt of gratitude to the straight male who runs Mandrill Press. His unquestioning acceptance has been and is a source of strength and happiness -- especially so as he does not himself write erotica and I know he doesn't really like the explicit sex in my and Jimmy's books. As well as my own blog, www.kccarlton.com, I have my own page on the Mandrill Press website at www.mandrillpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 9, 2016
I received this book for free through goodread's first reads giveaway. I am so confused, because I'm not sure if this story is true or not. Either way..this story is very interesting. It describes a very crazy lifestyle of an actor. If you want to read about gay lifestyle, kinky things and finding God…this is a book for you =).
August 24, 2014
I have never read a book with so much detail of this life style. I am thinking this is a true story??? I did love the last part of the book. It was so true about God's redeeming love. I don't know if I should recommend this book or not.
November 19, 2014
I was lucky to recieve this book for free through goodread's first reads giveaway
To be honest, I didn't read the warning about the detailed descriptions of sexual acts included in the book when entering the giveaway. I entered because I was interested in the plot. That's all. It was only after I had won the book, when I read the warning and was very confused. I usually don't read those kind of books. I mean: books whose main topic is sexual intercourse. I have tried them. I tried "50 shades" out of curiosity, and got rid of the book after just first 50 pages. Don't see the point of that kind of descriptions. But it was totally different with this book. I liked it and I enjoyed it, i got involved till the very end.
It's not that I suddenly started to enjoy descriptions of the act. I didn't. I was shocked at first, I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut. I kept reading though. And I have to admit that this got the message delivered and helped to form my opinion about the characters, lifestile they were leading and environment surrounding them. I was there. Fully involved. When I accepted this nakedness around which the story evolved, it totally got under my skin. I was there with those guys instead of beeing just a passive observer from aside. What I did understand very quickly was that those descriptions were merely a tool of showing the objective Picture not the Picture itself. And the tool was chosen right. I approve of that.
At one point, after about 120 pages I got used to the fact of never ending sexual acts, and it became a little bit boring. Nothing ever changed. I thought to myself, that's enough. Another hundred pages would just be too much. But it did change.
The ending was beautiful and made me rethink once more what i had read in those first pages. It gave a completely different angle to look at things. And it got the job done, it worked my brains. I love the books, which don't spoon-fead me. This is one more reason I liked the book. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.
""The past is another country. They do things differently there". They do. And the reason they do things differently is that they are different people. When I look back from here at the things I did then, I see them from a perspective that was not available to the young man I was". This book gave both perspectives to look at the characters life. It was really nice.
I could give 5 stars to this book, but the reason I don't is that I missed a little bit of psichological analysis. Cause and effect. It led me to a nice journey but it never told me why I am going there. I would have liked to know more about the reasons the main character's life went the way it went. And I just couldn't believe that one ride in the car could have gotten him there. There had to be more in his past what formed him the way he was. There had to be more going on in his brains. And there had to be more inner processes happening while he was transforming from gay to straight. More moral dilemmas. You just can't wake up one day knowing that you are no more a gay. I would love to read more about those dilemmas and thougths forming in one's head. Otherwise it was a good read.
I am very glad that I won and read this book because I doubt I would buy it on my own. Thank you.
To be honest, I didn't read the warning about the detailed descriptions of sexual acts included in the book when entering the giveaway. I entered because I was interested in the plot. That's all. It was only after I had won the book, when I read the warning and was very confused. I usually don't read those kind of books. I mean: books whose main topic is sexual intercourse. I have tried them. I tried "50 shades" out of curiosity, and got rid of the book after just first 50 pages. Don't see the point of that kind of descriptions. But it was totally different with this book. I liked it and I enjoyed it, i got involved till the very end.
It's not that I suddenly started to enjoy descriptions of the act. I didn't. I was shocked at first, I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut. I kept reading though. And I have to admit that this got the message delivered and helped to form my opinion about the characters, lifestile they were leading and environment surrounding them. I was there. Fully involved. When I accepted this nakedness around which the story evolved, it totally got under my skin. I was there with those guys instead of beeing just a passive observer from aside. What I did understand very quickly was that those descriptions were merely a tool of showing the objective Picture not the Picture itself. And the tool was chosen right. I approve of that.
At one point, after about 120 pages I got used to the fact of never ending sexual acts, and it became a little bit boring. Nothing ever changed. I thought to myself, that's enough. Another hundred pages would just be too much. But it did change.
The ending was beautiful and made me rethink once more what i had read in those first pages. It gave a completely different angle to look at things. And it got the job done, it worked my brains. I love the books, which don't spoon-fead me. This is one more reason I liked the book. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.
""The past is another country. They do things differently there". They do. And the reason they do things differently is that they are different people. When I look back from here at the things I did then, I see them from a perspective that was not available to the young man I was". This book gave both perspectives to look at the characters life. It was really nice.
I could give 5 stars to this book, but the reason I don't is that I missed a little bit of psichological analysis. Cause and effect. It led me to a nice journey but it never told me why I am going there. I would have liked to know more about the reasons the main character's life went the way it went. And I just couldn't believe that one ride in the car could have gotten him there. There had to be more in his past what formed him the way he was. There had to be more going on in his brains. And there had to be more inner processes happening while he was transforming from gay to straight. More moral dilemmas. You just can't wake up one day knowing that you are no more a gay. I would love to read more about those dilemmas and thougths forming in one's head. Otherwise it was a good read.
I am very glad that I won and read this book because I doubt I would buy it on my own. Thank you.
August 24, 2014
There is a naked honesty about this book that is almost frightening. It told me more than I could ever have wanted to know about sex between gay men and if that was all there was to the book I would never recommend it--but what this really is is a testament to the love of God; a love that will not turn its back on anyone, no matter what.
April 15, 2015
WINGING IT
Author: K C Carlton
Type of Book: Paperback
Length: 205 pages
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Drama, LGBT Fiction
Publisher: Mandrill Press www.mandrillpress.com
Publication Date: 11-26-2013
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a paperback copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
* This book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic sexual content and adult situations.
I am not sure whether to classify this book as fiction or non-fiction. In fact, the author wasn't really sure either. However, since James Carlton is not the real name of the person this book is about I guess that is why this book must be classified as fiction.
In 2011 the author's brother died at the age of 68, leaving behind a laptop with his memoirs on it. A private investigator was hired to discover if the memoirs were real and his response was that the memoirs were true as far as Jimmy remembered them. He states that the details may not be 100% accurate, but they are accurate as far as Jimmy remembered them.
This is the story about James (Jimmy) Carlton. The story begins when he is 18 in the 1950s in England and details his struggles with his sexuality. It also contains graphic descriptions of his introduction to the act of sexual intercourse and more.
In today's society Jimmy would be labelled a bisexual, but that word did not even exist in the 1950s.
He wrote with great detail (a bit too much detail in my opinion) about his sexual experiences which is why I say that this book is not suitable for children. In fact, it is probably too graphic for many adults. * Note* These sex scenes are sometimes homosexual encounters and sometimes heterosexual encounters, but they all take place between consenting adults.
However, this book is not just about sex. It is an interesting look at the changing views of society over time and it is a frank look into the life of an actor during a very turbulent era.
- I'm not sure if I should add a spoiler alert heading to this review because nothing I write gives away any more of the story than what is written on the back cover of the book. But if you are a purest and do not want any information given away I suggest first that you do not read the book description on the back cover, and second that you do not read any further into this review.
James moved to California in the 1960s and began a successful (and very lucrative) career as an actor. After a few trysts with men his sexual preference changed to solely women and he had more than his fair share of sexual exploits. James had finally come into his own, or so he thought. He avoided the stereotype of the actor who finds himself hooked on drugs and/or alcohol. In fact, Jimmy was in exceptional shape, ate a healthy diet and was the very definition of "physically fit".
But Jimmy's life was not predictable. He could have remained in California and lived comfortably for the rest of his life. In fact, he had enough money that he could easily have settled into comfortable retirement in his Venice Beach home. Instead he decided he wanted to travel throughout the United States.
One October day while driving in Arizona, Jimmy experienced chest pains and shortness of breath.
Those chest pains set off a chain of events that should have resulted in his death. (Read the book, you'll see that the heart attack was minor compared to what happened in the next few minutes).
This near-death experience changed his life. "So there I was, early forties, a millionaire a few times over, starting on a new life with not a care in the world if you discount the knowledge that never quite left me that a man whose had one heart attack that no-one can explain can have another."
Jimmy ends up a lay brother in a California monastery. Who could have predicted the path his life would take? Certainly not Jimmy.
I found this book absolutely fascinating. The fact that it is labelled as fiction does not matter. Is it fact or fiction? I'm still not completely sure, but it is definitely an interesting (an eye-opening) read.
I rate this book as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
More information about this author can be found on the Mandrill Press website or at http://kccarlton.com
To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Author: K C Carlton
Type of Book: Paperback
Length: 205 pages
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Drama, LGBT Fiction
Publisher: Mandrill Press www.mandrillpress.com
Publication Date: 11-26-2013
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a paperback copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
* This book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic sexual content and adult situations.
I am not sure whether to classify this book as fiction or non-fiction. In fact, the author wasn't really sure either. However, since James Carlton is not the real name of the person this book is about I guess that is why this book must be classified as fiction.
In 2011 the author's brother died at the age of 68, leaving behind a laptop with his memoirs on it. A private investigator was hired to discover if the memoirs were real and his response was that the memoirs were true as far as Jimmy remembered them. He states that the details may not be 100% accurate, but they are accurate as far as Jimmy remembered them.
This is the story about James (Jimmy) Carlton. The story begins when he is 18 in the 1950s in England and details his struggles with his sexuality. It also contains graphic descriptions of his introduction to the act of sexual intercourse and more.
In today's society Jimmy would be labelled a bisexual, but that word did not even exist in the 1950s.
He wrote with great detail (a bit too much detail in my opinion) about his sexual experiences which is why I say that this book is not suitable for children. In fact, it is probably too graphic for many adults. * Note* These sex scenes are sometimes homosexual encounters and sometimes heterosexual encounters, but they all take place between consenting adults.
However, this book is not just about sex. It is an interesting look at the changing views of society over time and it is a frank look into the life of an actor during a very turbulent era.
- I'm not sure if I should add a spoiler alert heading to this review because nothing I write gives away any more of the story than what is written on the back cover of the book. But if you are a purest and do not want any information given away I suggest first that you do not read the book description on the back cover, and second that you do not read any further into this review.
James moved to California in the 1960s and began a successful (and very lucrative) career as an actor. After a few trysts with men his sexual preference changed to solely women and he had more than his fair share of sexual exploits. James had finally come into his own, or so he thought. He avoided the stereotype of the actor who finds himself hooked on drugs and/or alcohol. In fact, Jimmy was in exceptional shape, ate a healthy diet and was the very definition of "physically fit".
But Jimmy's life was not predictable. He could have remained in California and lived comfortably for the rest of his life. In fact, he had enough money that he could easily have settled into comfortable retirement in his Venice Beach home. Instead he decided he wanted to travel throughout the United States.
One October day while driving in Arizona, Jimmy experienced chest pains and shortness of breath.
Those chest pains set off a chain of events that should have resulted in his death. (Read the book, you'll see that the heart attack was minor compared to what happened in the next few minutes).
This near-death experience changed his life. "So there I was, early forties, a millionaire a few times over, starting on a new life with not a care in the world if you discount the knowledge that never quite left me that a man whose had one heart attack that no-one can explain can have another."
Jimmy ends up a lay brother in a California monastery. Who could have predicted the path his life would take? Certainly not Jimmy.
I found this book absolutely fascinating. The fact that it is labelled as fiction does not matter. Is it fact or fiction? I'm still not completely sure, but it is definitely an interesting (an eye-opening) read.
I rate this book as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
More information about this author can be found on the Mandrill Press website or at http://kccarlton.com
To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
July 20, 2014
I had reservations about reading Winging It and I have reservations about writing this review. K C Carlton—Katie—the author—is a fellow author of mine at Mandrill Press. She was introduced by S F Hopkins (Suzie), with whom I started Mandrill Press two years ago. I’ve known Suzie for years; I’ve never met Katie. And even as I write that I know I’m dodging the issue because I cannot shake the conviction that Katie and Suzie are more than just friends—that K C Carlton is a pen name allowing S F Hopkins to publish the books she does not want to put her own name on. Have I asked her? Not yet. I suppose writing this review, and knowing that she’ll read it, is my sneaky way of asking the question. What caused my reluctance to read Winging It was Suzie’s warning: that it contained graphic descriptions of sex between two men and an account from someone who was there at the time of how the BBC ignored what, really, it knew about the paedophile and pederast Jimmy Savile.
I’m aware there’s a risk in saying that I didn’t want to read about the mechanics of gay sex; you identify yourself as homophobe (or people think you have) and that could lead to all sorts of trouble. It would also be incorrect. In one of my books I have this passage: ‘I have no problem with queens, you understand, heaven forfend and quite the reverse, some of my best friends et cetera, but it’s such a dirty business. All that shit on the end of your knob.’ Which, as it happens, describes my position as well as the speaker’s.
Anyway, I did read it and now I’m writing this review because, leaving aside my reservations about the subject matter, it’s a very well written book indeed and one that needs—not deserves; needs—to be widely read.
I’ll give Katie this: she’s catholic in her sexual depiction. We get lots of the hetero stuff as well as the gay (I could have done without the information that the Doris Day de nos jours couldn’t keep her knickers on to save her life). But what made the book for me was something I could not have expected and about which Suzie/Katie had given not a hint. It begins when Jimmy, the first person protagonist, says, “God. Ah, yes. God. I’d managed this far without Him. That changed.” It certainly did. The ending is sad, bittersweet, but happy at the same time. The only previous review of this book that I have seen ends with the words, “Not many books make me cry, but this one did.” Me too, mate. Me too.
I’m aware there’s a risk in saying that I didn’t want to read about the mechanics of gay sex; you identify yourself as homophobe (or people think you have) and that could lead to all sorts of trouble. It would also be incorrect. In one of my books I have this passage: ‘I have no problem with queens, you understand, heaven forfend and quite the reverse, some of my best friends et cetera, but it’s such a dirty business. All that shit on the end of your knob.’ Which, as it happens, describes my position as well as the speaker’s.
Anyway, I did read it and now I’m writing this review because, leaving aside my reservations about the subject matter, it’s a very well written book indeed and one that needs—not deserves; needs—to be widely read.
I’ll give Katie this: she’s catholic in her sexual depiction. We get lots of the hetero stuff as well as the gay (I could have done without the information that the Doris Day de nos jours couldn’t keep her knickers on to save her life). But what made the book for me was something I could not have expected and about which Suzie/Katie had given not a hint. It begins when Jimmy, the first person protagonist, says, “God. Ah, yes. God. I’d managed this far without Him. That changed.” It certainly did. The ending is sad, bittersweet, but happy at the same time. The only previous review of this book that I have seen ends with the words, “Not many books make me cry, but this one did.” Me too, mate. Me too.
December 13, 2014
I received this book through goodreads giveaway, so here is my review:
I usually don't like these kind of books, but this one was a nice read. It was entertaining and, at the same time, a little depressing, especially with the human behaviour described in this book. Simultaneously, also made me think about the meaning of life and God.
It was a good read.
I usually don't like these kind of books, but this one was a nice read. It was entertaining and, at the same time, a little depressing, especially with the human behaviour described in this book. Simultaneously, also made me think about the meaning of life and God.
It was a good read.
January 31, 2019
When I read the one and only review of this book, I thought the reviewer did a good job selling me and my curiosity won the end result.
I have just wiped the tears from my eyes but I know they won't be the last and this book will stay with me for quite awhile.
I commend Katie, the older sister who this book was given to do that she could share what her brothers life was like from a point of sexual awakening through many very interesting yet to me very honest and humbling accounts of the many roads some of those awakenings and just good old fashioned growing up in general, took him.
I found this book fascinating, and perhaps it's my own generational thinking, but I did not find this book to be any more offensive than the majority of the books I enjoy.
I think there is a lot to learn from seeing first, well second or third hand actually, someone's personal growth, their sexual and non sexual relationships. I feel a kinship with both Jimmy and his sister Katie and feel honored to be allowed a look at things I would never be privy to had I not given this book a chance.
I will recommend this book to my many friends and family and wish and pray that Jimmy is with our Lord and is at peace. I for one believe he deserves it and is there were any sins he may have felt he committed, that he has paid with his honesty and humility by sharing his very personal relationships with his family, his childhood friends, those who he shared his body and desires with, those he learned from, those he worked with, etc....until his final days when he kept giving of himself by leaving this beautiful story.
Please do not apologize for your brother Katie....he has given nothing but his own truth that he shares and to this reader, there is nothing but warmth and entertaining life lessons.
I will say that Jimmy's sexual tastes may not be my own but I felt no overtly in your face descriptions that I've found in books not rated even erotica.
I will say, I spent a good long time trying to figure out his true identity and found his life so interesting and refreshing in how he never pretends fault to be on others, how even as he describes some despicable folks he has met, never are his opinions cruel or uppity...
I wish I had the honor of meeting Jimmy, I think he would be quite a wonderful friend to have.
Thank you for sharing this lovely man with us.
If you enjoy a look at a real coming of age, with all the conflicts of not being sure of your sexuality and life in general....this is for you.
If you are not offended by same sex or even sexual exploits in detail...never overtly crude by any means them this book is for you,
but if that bothers you then don't bother because you'll miss an incredible story and getting to know an incredible man.
If you are open to God, but not fanatical, or at the very least can appreciate someone's relationship based on his own awakening to the idea of him or his own mortality and the questions that come from that....this is for you.
If a pleasant, lovely, naive boy growing up and learning lessons about himself and others in England in the 50-60s then finding himself in beautiful California and a different career path into the veiled world of acting interests you...this book is for you...
This book was worth every word....I will read it again...and that's my own truth!😁😘
I miss Jimmy already
I have just wiped the tears from my eyes but I know they won't be the last and this book will stay with me for quite awhile.
I commend Katie, the older sister who this book was given to do that she could share what her brothers life was like from a point of sexual awakening through many very interesting yet to me very honest and humbling accounts of the many roads some of those awakenings and just good old fashioned growing up in general, took him.
I found this book fascinating, and perhaps it's my own generational thinking, but I did not find this book to be any more offensive than the majority of the books I enjoy.
I think there is a lot to learn from seeing first, well second or third hand actually, someone's personal growth, their sexual and non sexual relationships. I feel a kinship with both Jimmy and his sister Katie and feel honored to be allowed a look at things I would never be privy to had I not given this book a chance.
I will recommend this book to my many friends and family and wish and pray that Jimmy is with our Lord and is at peace. I for one believe he deserves it and is there were any sins he may have felt he committed, that he has paid with his honesty and humility by sharing his very personal relationships with his family, his childhood friends, those who he shared his body and desires with, those he learned from, those he worked with, etc....until his final days when he kept giving of himself by leaving this beautiful story.
Please do not apologize for your brother Katie....he has given nothing but his own truth that he shares and to this reader, there is nothing but warmth and entertaining life lessons.
I will say that Jimmy's sexual tastes may not be my own but I felt no overtly in your face descriptions that I've found in books not rated even erotica.
I will say, I spent a good long time trying to figure out his true identity and found his life so interesting and refreshing in how he never pretends fault to be on others, how even as he describes some despicable folks he has met, never are his opinions cruel or uppity...
I wish I had the honor of meeting Jimmy, I think he would be quite a wonderful friend to have.
Thank you for sharing this lovely man with us.
If you enjoy a look at a real coming of age, with all the conflicts of not being sure of your sexuality and life in general....this is for you.
If you are not offended by same sex or even sexual exploits in detail...never overtly crude by any means them this book is for you,
but if that bothers you then don't bother because you'll miss an incredible story and getting to know an incredible man.
If you are open to God, but not fanatical, or at the very least can appreciate someone's relationship based on his own awakening to the idea of him or his own mortality and the questions that come from that....this is for you.
If a pleasant, lovely, naive boy growing up and learning lessons about himself and others in England in the 50-60s then finding himself in beautiful California and a different career path into the veiled world of acting interests you...this book is for you...
This book was worth every word....I will read it again...and that's my own truth!😁😘
I miss Jimmy already
November 24, 2015
Not sure how I feel about this one to be honest. I don't think I like the guy the whole book is about. The cover is way misleading, most of the book the Main Character hooks up with women, and that's post his "gay phase". A lot of the plot didn't sit well with me. Kinkshaming, out "growing" gayness, etc. Bleh.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews