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Things are moving forward for Pax. At 35 miles per day, to be exact. Their new tour may be unorthodox, but they do have fans, tucked away in the backwaters of England. Besides, there are whispers about bigger gigs, maybe even another album. But there's something wrong with Jamie. Michael doesn't want to believe it, but on the eve of their big break, the truth threatens to destroy everything.
- GenresM M Romance
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2015
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Ingela Bohm
18 books19 followersIngela Bohm lives in an old cinema, tucked away in a northern Swedish forest where she can wander around all day long and dictate her books. She used to dream of being an actor until an actual actor asked, “Do you really need to do it?” That’s when she realized that the only thing she really needed to do was to write. She has since pretended to be a dietician, a teacher, a receptionist and a cook, but only to conceal her real identity.
Her first imaginary friend was called Grabolina and lived in her closet. Nowadays she has too many imaginary friends to count, but at least some of them are out of the closet. Her men may not be conventionally handsome, but they can charm your pants off, and that’s all that matters.
Ingela’s more useless talents include reading tarot cards, killing pot plants and drawing scandalous pictures that no one gets to see. She can’t walk in heels and she’s stopped trying, but she has cycled 12 000 miles in the UK and knows which campsites to avoid if you don’t like spiders. If you see her on the train you will wonder what age she is.
Her first imaginary friend was called Grabolina and lived in her closet. Nowadays she has too many imaginary friends to count, but at least some of them are out of the closet. Her men may not be conventionally handsome, but they can charm your pants off, and that’s all that matters.
Ingela’s more useless talents include reading tarot cards, killing pot plants and drawing scandalous pictures that no one gets to see. She can’t walk in heels and she’s stopped trying, but she has cycled 12 000 miles in the UK and knows which campsites to avoid if you don’t like spiders. If you see her on the train you will wonder what age she is.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 20, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pax is on a cycling music tour of England. Playing at different venues despite the growing hostility towards them for having gay members in the group. Jamie has started on a downward spiral which only gets worst when he receives bad news about his mom. At the same time news comes to Pax about the chance to play in front of a large audience in Sweden. But the road to fame isn't an easy one with Jamie's drinking problem, obsessive fans with ulterior motives and scandal.
I really enjoyed revisiting the characters and seeing how Michael and Jamie were, to see how they dealt with discrimination and just working through any obstacle thrown at them. Jamie's downward spiral was a bit sad and Michael's inability to help sucked. I loved that Kate stepped up and the band in general did the intervention. Jamie's father was such a douche but his note to Jamie at the end kind of redeemed him a bit. I was happy with the turnout. I just wish more members of the group were acknowledged at the end since it was more or less a group effort.
Pax is on a cycling music tour of England. Playing at different venues despite the growing hostility towards them for having gay members in the group. Jamie has started on a downward spiral which only gets worst when he receives bad news about his mom. At the same time news comes to Pax about the chance to play in front of a large audience in Sweden. But the road to fame isn't an easy one with Jamie's drinking problem, obsessive fans with ulterior motives and scandal.
I really enjoyed revisiting the characters and seeing how Michael and Jamie were, to see how they dealt with discrimination and just working through any obstacle thrown at them. Jamie's downward spiral was a bit sad and Michael's inability to help sucked. I loved that Kate stepped up and the band in general did the intervention. Jamie's father was such a douche but his note to Jamie at the end kind of redeemed him a bit. I was happy with the turnout. I just wish more members of the group were acknowledged at the end since it was more or less a group effort.
July 14, 2015
book review of Ingela Bohm’s Release, which I received through the Goodreads Don’t Buy My Love program. I love music, so I am always drawn to stories that are music centric, especially ones revolving around the interworkings of a band. This one had all the makings of a classic struggle to stardom story, complete with addiction, outdoor music festivals, and stalkerish fans. There is so much angst and struggle within the band, especially with Michael and Jamie, though Cal begins to show some signs of it too in the later chapters.
What bogged the story down for me was how much time was spent in each of the characters heads with long, unbroken chunks of texts before action or dialogue took place. I never could quite emmerse myself in their story and get lost in it, which made it difficult to connect with the characters at times.
The co-dependence between Jamie and Michael rung through loud and clear, however, with Michael unable to truly be firm with Jamie or stand up to him when he was getting more and more out of control. It was clear that Michael’s own insecurities made him hesitate to take action, as if he was afraid that pushing Jamie would destroy a relationship he couldn’t fully function without. He came across as unable to fully live his own life. He was the singer, the front man, but Jamie was the one who truly seemed to shine, everyone else just came off as supporting cast.
I suppose that was because it was Jamie who’s issues were being focused on here, but so much time in Jamie’s head as he spiraled out of control made getting to know the others characters much more difficult.
I loved the idea of the story, I loved their struggle, and the things Jamie discovered about his mother. The bicycle tour was a totally new twist, I’d never read of anything like that before, in relation to a band and felt that was a really cool aspect to add. The people they met along the way, especially Adam and the part he ended up playing in their career, were interesting and unique.
There is so much sadness and pain in Jamie, I wanted to feel sorry for him and hope he’d pull it together, but I just couldn’t quite make that connection with him. In some ways, it lacked a bit of depth to it all, and there was nothing to set him apart from any other rocker character going through the same trials. In the end, I give this one three dancing hamsters.
What bogged the story down for me was how much time was spent in each of the characters heads with long, unbroken chunks of texts before action or dialogue took place. I never could quite emmerse myself in their story and get lost in it, which made it difficult to connect with the characters at times.
The co-dependence between Jamie and Michael rung through loud and clear, however, with Michael unable to truly be firm with Jamie or stand up to him when he was getting more and more out of control. It was clear that Michael’s own insecurities made him hesitate to take action, as if he was afraid that pushing Jamie would destroy a relationship he couldn’t fully function without. He came across as unable to fully live his own life. He was the singer, the front man, but Jamie was the one who truly seemed to shine, everyone else just came off as supporting cast.
I suppose that was because it was Jamie who’s issues were being focused on here, but so much time in Jamie’s head as he spiraled out of control made getting to know the others characters much more difficult.
I loved the idea of the story, I loved their struggle, and the things Jamie discovered about his mother. The bicycle tour was a totally new twist, I’d never read of anything like that before, in relation to a band and felt that was a really cool aspect to add. The people they met along the way, especially Adam and the part he ended up playing in their career, were interesting and unique.
There is so much sadness and pain in Jamie, I wanted to feel sorry for him and hope he’d pull it together, but I just couldn’t quite make that connection with him. In some ways, it lacked a bit of depth to it all, and there was nothing to set him apart from any other rocker character going through the same trials. In the end, I give this one three dancing hamsters.
July 25, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ok so this is the third book in the series and they should be read in order.
The road back to stardom for Pax Cymrica goes through the back roads of England via bicycle. After Jamie and Michael come out the short live success and stardom has faded and they are left to find their own way back to the top. And that way is by biking from villages to hamlets to give shows and sleeping in campgrounds; no tour bus and no fancy hotels to rest in. They haven't been dropped by their label but they aren't being supported by it either.
The trials Jamie and Michael face aren't just the ones that come from lack of celebrity accommodations. There is backlash to their relationship and stalker to boot. Jamie's own self-destruction and Michael's helplessness to do anything to stop it. Just when the band is handed what could be another big break for the band Jamie's actions/behavior could bring them down for good.
Michael can't help Jamie and has to let him heal on his own. Jamie is back home dealing with the loss of his mother and his drinking problem. Jamie's not sure he can overcome either one. It's not just Michael and Jamie who are struggling the band is also dealing with tabloids and the possible break up of the band.
I enjoyed the story but I'm not sure if I enjoyed as much as the previous two in the series. So areas dragged a bit and took some time to tie up some plot points. There were times I'm was really nervous about the outcome for Michael, Jamie, and Pax Cymrica but alas there is an HFN; which I was very thankful for.
Ok so this is the third book in the series and they should be read in order.
The road back to stardom for Pax Cymrica goes through the back roads of England via bicycle. After Jamie and Michael come out the short live success and stardom has faded and they are left to find their own way back to the top. And that way is by biking from villages to hamlets to give shows and sleeping in campgrounds; no tour bus and no fancy hotels to rest in. They haven't been dropped by their label but they aren't being supported by it either.
The trials Jamie and Michael face aren't just the ones that come from lack of celebrity accommodations. There is backlash to their relationship and stalker to boot. Jamie's own self-destruction and Michael's helplessness to do anything to stop it. Just when the band is handed what could be another big break for the band Jamie's actions/behavior could bring them down for good.
Michael can't help Jamie and has to let him heal on his own. Jamie is back home dealing with the loss of his mother and his drinking problem. Jamie's not sure he can overcome either one. It's not just Michael and Jamie who are struggling the band is also dealing with tabloids and the possible break up of the band.
I enjoyed the story but I'm not sure if I enjoyed as much as the previous two in the series. So areas dragged a bit and took some time to tie up some plot points. There were times I'm was really nervous about the outcome for Michael, Jamie, and Pax Cymrica but alas there is an HFN; which I was very thankful for.
December 22, 2015
Review also posted on http://www.wodfreview.com
I think I was expecting something a little different from the third installment in the Pax Cymrica series than I got. Something with a little less angst and a much smoother path to Jamie and Michael’s HEA. While Jamie and Michael do get their long awaited and hard fought HEA it’s not the sweet romantic kind nor is it complete. These boys still have a lot of work to do on securing a long and happy life.
Release cannot be read as a stand-alone and I would highly recommend reading all three to get the complete picture of Jamie and Michael’s thoughts and of course their lives. There is too much history that’s important to know and all of it combined gives a better understanding of where Jamie and Michael are coming from and how their relationship works, it’s a complicated one for such young men.
I love Ingela Bohm’s writing style. Her description of people and events made it easy for me to visualize. In this book Jamie struggles through some very dark times. His relationship with his father isn’t a healthy one and since his mother’s passing nothing has been the same. Jamie also battles alcohol dependency which make his thoughts a mess and his moods unpredictable. There were times I wondered why Michael stayed with him.
Ingela Bohm did an excellent job with all her characters and this story but Jamie’s character in particular. I didn’t feel like I was just reading words on a page but I was actually in his head as scary and as hard as it was to be there sometimes it made this series one of my favorites.
Is Jamie and Michael’s journey over? I really hope not, I’m not done with them.
July 28, 2015
(This book was received free in return for an honest review via the Goodreads Don't Buy My Love review program.)
One sentance at the end of this book perfectly summed up the entire story of Michael Vaughn and Jamie Gardiner, young English progressive rockers traveling and becoming famous in the 1970s.
It's been almost a year since I read book one and two. I suppose I could have reread them, but chose not too. Really I just wanted to see where this author chose to take her boys to complete their journey. As I read, I seemed to recall more about Michael in the first two books, but I felt book 3 focused more on Jamie. Jamie who was throwing his life and dream away, drowning it in a bottle of wine.
There's hints of addiction and depression. Dealing with the fans and the media, navigating the road to stardom is bumpy and rocky and filled with a host of characters, with tires slashed and blackmail threats along the way
The prior stories were filled with analogies and poetic turn of phrases. Not that they were lacking here, but toned down and further apart so when I did come across them they attached themselves with more meaning. (I wasn't beaten to death with them as in the first two stories.)
And so I'll leave those readers of this review with that one line, so absolutely perfect, it stopped me and held me, and deserves to be retold even if you never pick up this book.
One sentance at the end of this book perfectly summed up the entire story of Michael Vaughn and Jamie Gardiner, young English progressive rockers traveling and becoming famous in the 1970s.
It's been almost a year since I read book one and two. I suppose I could have reread them, but chose not too. Really I just wanted to see where this author chose to take her boys to complete their journey. As I read, I seemed to recall more about Michael in the first two books, but I felt book 3 focused more on Jamie. Jamie who was throwing his life and dream away, drowning it in a bottle of wine.
There's hints of addiction and depression. Dealing with the fans and the media, navigating the road to stardom is bumpy and rocky and filled with a host of characters, with tires slashed and blackmail threats along the way
The prior stories were filled with analogies and poetic turn of phrases. Not that they were lacking here, but toned down and further apart so when I did come across them they attached themselves with more meaning. (I wasn't beaten to death with them as in the first two stories.)
And so I'll leave those readers of this review with that one line, so absolutely perfect, it stopped me and held me, and deserves to be retold even if you never pick up this book.
June 19, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
It is rare that I am so conflicted with a book. Release is the third book in the Pax Cymrica series and the books must be read in order. I loved the first book in this series, Just Playing. The writing was evocative, visual, and lyrical, and Jamie and Michael were rare characters that captured a moment. The second book, The Road Taken, finally left them with some peace at the end. Release offers the men very little peace and has them taking many steps backward, while at the same time trying almost desperately to move forward. I will admit it was not what I expected or envisioned.
Jamie and Michael are more co-dependent than ever. Past events are finally catching up with them emotionally. But, the music here is secondary to their inner turmoil. For everything the men have been through, they are still so unsure of each other. That was the first difficult aspect to overcome. They both think that at any moment one of them will find someone else and leave. These guys are young at 21, but by this stage and with all their hard won battles, there is little stability between them.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
It is rare that I am so conflicted with a book. Release is the third book in the Pax Cymrica series and the books must be read in order. I loved the first book in this series, Just Playing. The writing was evocative, visual, and lyrical, and Jamie and Michael were rare characters that captured a moment. The second book, The Road Taken, finally left them with some peace at the end. Release offers the men very little peace and has them taking many steps backward, while at the same time trying almost desperately to move forward. I will admit it was not what I expected or envisioned.
Jamie and Michael are more co-dependent than ever. Past events are finally catching up with them emotionally. But, the music here is secondary to their inner turmoil. For everything the men have been through, they are still so unsure of each other. That was the first difficult aspect to overcome. They both think that at any moment one of them will find someone else and leave. These guys are young at 21, but by this stage and with all their hard won battles, there is little stability between them.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
July 25, 2015
This is the third installment in the story of Jamie Gardiner and Michael Vaughan and the prog band Pax. They begin the story on a bicycle tour of England. A fan photographer takes a liking to the band and is part of a review that gets the tour noticed. The band gets a bigger offer in mainland Europe. However, Jamie's personal demons get in the way of immediate success. The band also learns that not all fans can be trusted.
It is great to see Pax finally gain some measure of success. It takes too long to get there though. The characters are great, but the plot drags in places. The bike tour is quaint forty years later, but a bit too detailed. The second half of the book is paced better. Jamie's family issues as well as his personal issues lead to a short hiatus for him and questions about the band. How will the deal with addiction and a firm timetable for a new album? They also learn that the advice to never let fans get too close is very wise. I would give this three stars. I was give a copy in exchange for an honest review by Don't Buy My Love.
It is great to see Pax finally gain some measure of success. It takes too long to get there though. The characters are great, but the plot drags in places. The bike tour is quaint forty years later, but a bit too detailed. The second half of the book is paced better. Jamie's family issues as well as his personal issues lead to a short hiatus for him and questions about the band. How will the deal with addiction and a firm timetable for a new album? They also learn that the advice to never let fans get too close is very wise. I would give this three stars. I was give a copy in exchange for an honest review by Don't Buy My Love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews