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The Ivory Solution #1
Scourge
When two young men set up an amateur sting to expose a pastor's pedophilia, they gather plenty of evidence not just of the pastor's predilections but of something even more sinister. Out of their depth, they call in FBI experts to investigate.
Meanwhile, Clint Buchalla, investigative reporter for the Washington Ledger, is sent to Atlanta to interview a man about his top-secret study. Clint is so angry at his editor for cutting his vacation short that he gets drunk and winds up in bed with the man he was supposed to interview, Dr. Rodney Poucher. But it's exuberant grad student Lucien Cormier, Rod's houseboy with benefits, who really captures Clint's attention... when he isn't busy investigating the sharp drop in birth rates in metropolitan Black and Hispanic communities.
Rodney's findings lead him, Clint, and Lucien to a meeting with the deputy director of operations of the FBI. But they only have so much time to figure out what's going on and arrest those involved-and for Clint and Lucien to work out whether the spark between them can span the distance between Atlanta and DC.
Meanwhile, Clint Buchalla, investigative reporter for the Washington Ledger, is sent to Atlanta to interview a man about his top-secret study. Clint is so angry at his editor for cutting his vacation short that he gets drunk and winds up in bed with the man he was supposed to interview, Dr. Rodney Poucher. But it's exuberant grad student Lucien Cormier, Rod's houseboy with benefits, who really captures Clint's attention... when he isn't busy investigating the sharp drop in birth rates in metropolitan Black and Hispanic communities.
Rodney's findings lead him, Clint, and Lucien to a meeting with the deputy director of operations of the FBI. But they only have so much time to figure out what's going on and arrest those involved-and for Clint and Lucien to work out whether the spark between them can span the distance between Atlanta and DC.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 19, 2012
Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
Scourge is the first of The Chronicles of Old Town series by Etienne. It is really the story of how one investigative journalist, Clint, finding himself in the middle of a huge story. Unfortunately, he has to sit on it until the powers that be, including the FBI no less, finalize their investigation and approve the release of said story.
The plot starts out simply with one of the more commonplace scandals that seem to rock our world today: pedophilia. It involved a pastor and two men who take it unto themselves to finally put an end on this Bobbin' Bobbins sexual proclivities. Their stunt works, but then it also opens the doors to a darker, more sinister and dangerous secret involving white supremacist movements that may just be equivalent to The Holocaust.
The white supremacist movement, through some complicated twists and turns, managed to place unknown substances into some popular sodas that were very popular amongst the minority population. Catching the eye of the CDC, it managed to significantly decrease the population growth of the minority groups to almost zero. This is when we readers realize just what The Ivory Solution means: when minor groups are slowly made extinct and the Caucasian groups see a rise in their population trends.
Scourge is the first volume to this frightening tale of sexual slavery, pedophilia and white supremacy activities. Clint Buchalla finds himself sitting on what could be the hottest story of the decade. As he weaves his way through the web of deceit and manipulation, he meets Lucien.
Lucien is, in fact, a student who has an obsession with cleanliness and loves to cook up some of the more delicious Cajun cuisine described on paper. He is also someone who is not shy to express himself and soon gets involved with Clint not just in the housekeeping way but also in between the sheets. Soon, however, Lucien learns that being with Clint completed him and made life easier. Clint, in return, for the first time in his life, finds companionship, and finally love. Love is something which had never bit him before so this was quite an eye opening and life changing event for him that he is not about to let go of Lucien.
Scourge is first and foremost a mystery involving some of the more complicated tasks of investigative journalism. Weaved within the story is a romance that does not hit the Scorching Hot rating for erotica. I would place this at about a two (2) at most, and yet the romance between the men is tangible and real. So yes, contrary to the author's claims that he does not write romances, this is a beautiful romance that slowly evolves from pure fun to the forever kind of love.
There is none of the damsel/twink in distress nor the scorching erotica that we may be accustomed to reading these days. Instead, we have a story that reflects the horrors of child abuse as seen on television these days. The uncovering of a sinister child porn syndicate by Canadian authorities just recently brought this story closer to home.
On an aside, in this story, we also get to meet the boys of The Burdens of Truth (Avondale Stories #6), David and Paul. Clint meets, gets to know them and finally become friends with the young men and their dads. Later we we will discover that it is Clint who will finally get the chance to write their story and publish it as a novel or The Burdens Of Truth as we read it.
I first read this book last year when it was first released and I absolutely loved it. When I found that the second book, Cleanse, was released, I discovered that I needed to read this once more to get the story straight and fresh in my mind. This second read was just as enjoyable but more intense as I found myself seeing more details that I surely missed on that first and rushed read.
For those of you who like mysteries and investigative journalism with just the hint of romance in your stories, Scourge is that book to pick to be followed quickly by Cleanse - which I will do now!
Note: I got really hungry while reading this book. The Cajun cuisine described here just sent my mouth to water in the middle of a great mystery which can be a bit distracting. I finally just put down the book, go to the grocery, get some andouille sausage and cook up a pot with chicken legs. Good thing we have this readily available here and yes, it was a hit!
Scourge is the first of The Chronicles of Old Town series by Etienne. It is really the story of how one investigative journalist, Clint, finding himself in the middle of a huge story. Unfortunately, he has to sit on it until the powers that be, including the FBI no less, finalize their investigation and approve the release of said story.
The plot starts out simply with one of the more commonplace scandals that seem to rock our world today: pedophilia. It involved a pastor and two men who take it unto themselves to finally put an end on this Bobbin' Bobbins sexual proclivities. Their stunt works, but then it also opens the doors to a darker, more sinister and dangerous secret involving white supremacist movements that may just be equivalent to The Holocaust.
The white supremacist movement, through some complicated twists and turns, managed to place unknown substances into some popular sodas that were very popular amongst the minority population. Catching the eye of the CDC, it managed to significantly decrease the population growth of the minority groups to almost zero. This is when we readers realize just what The Ivory Solution means: when minor groups are slowly made extinct and the Caucasian groups see a rise in their population trends.
Scourge is the first volume to this frightening tale of sexual slavery, pedophilia and white supremacy activities. Clint Buchalla finds himself sitting on what could be the hottest story of the decade. As he weaves his way through the web of deceit and manipulation, he meets Lucien.
Lucien is, in fact, a student who has an obsession with cleanliness and loves to cook up some of the more delicious Cajun cuisine described on paper. He is also someone who is not shy to express himself and soon gets involved with Clint not just in the housekeeping way but also in between the sheets. Soon, however, Lucien learns that being with Clint completed him and made life easier. Clint, in return, for the first time in his life, finds companionship, and finally love. Love is something which had never bit him before so this was quite an eye opening and life changing event for him that he is not about to let go of Lucien.
Scourge is first and foremost a mystery involving some of the more complicated tasks of investigative journalism. Weaved within the story is a romance that does not hit the Scorching Hot rating for erotica. I would place this at about a two (2) at most, and yet the romance between the men is tangible and real. So yes, contrary to the author's claims that he does not write romances, this is a beautiful romance that slowly evolves from pure fun to the forever kind of love.
There is none of the damsel/twink in distress nor the scorching erotica that we may be accustomed to reading these days. Instead, we have a story that reflects the horrors of child abuse as seen on television these days. The uncovering of a sinister child porn syndicate by Canadian authorities just recently brought this story closer to home.
On an aside, in this story, we also get to meet the boys of The Burdens of Truth (Avondale Stories #6), David and Paul. Clint meets, gets to know them and finally become friends with the young men and their dads. Later we we will discover that it is Clint who will finally get the chance to write their story and publish it as a novel or The Burdens Of Truth as we read it.
I first read this book last year when it was first released and I absolutely loved it. When I found that the second book, Cleanse, was released, I discovered that I needed to read this once more to get the story straight and fresh in my mind. This second read was just as enjoyable but more intense as I found myself seeing more details that I surely missed on that first and rushed read.
For those of you who like mysteries and investigative journalism with just the hint of romance in your stories, Scourge is that book to pick to be followed quickly by Cleanse - which I will do now!
Note: I got really hungry while reading this book. The Cajun cuisine described here just sent my mouth to water in the middle of a great mystery which can be a bit distracting. I finally just put down the book, go to the grocery, get some andouille sausage and cook up a pot with chicken legs. Good thing we have this readily available here and yes, it was a hit!
November 27, 2012
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
WARNING: Some scenes in this book may offend or be disturbing to victims of sexual abuse. (An adult pretending to be a much younger boy) Two young men set out to bring down a paedophile preacher when they discover the man preys on pre-teen boys and girls, they discover more than they bargained for and have to call in help. Clint is an investigative reporter who is sent to interview Rodney, who works at the Centers for Disease Control, concerning some findings Rodney has discovered. As the two cases collide the FBI are consulted and Clint has the story of a lifetime. While the investigation proceeds Clint begins to fall for Lucien, Rodney’s houseboy, and they try to make a long distance relationship work.
This is a very interesting story that has plenty of mystery that keeps you piqued. Bringing down a paedophile is Trent and Aiden's goal but discovering a more sinister plot has Trent and Aiden reaching out for help. Clint is given the story of a lifetime even before he realises the full impact of what Rodney has to offer him, being in the right place at the right time gives this reporter an exposé that has long reaches and terrible impacts. Lucien begins to fall for the successful journalist Clint but living in two different States is a struggle but they soon find a way to be together.
I have to say that the storyline to this book is very interesting, starting out with two young men setting up a paedophile to expose him to his congregation which leads to a much more complex thread as his connections to a white supremacy group are discovered… we then discover, through Rodney, a plot that would have a devastating effect on the non-white population and the weaving investigation as the FBI are brought in to discover the masterminds. Through all this we have Clint who does his job with compassion and determination, and we have Lucien who is still studying but who Clint feels drawn to and the pair of them begin a relationship.
There are some sex scenes in this with various characters, now some of those scenes are with an adult pretending to be a much younger boy so if you are disturbed by the image of paedophilia please be cautious through the earlier scenes in this book. Etienne has used great compassion when writing about the effect that sexual abuse has on the victims and how the victims reacted and coped, the storyline hasn’t been done for shock value, and it has been well woven and fits in well with the various other plot lines.
I will recommend this to those who love gritty mysteries, well woven stories, complex plots, finding love unexpectedly and a very good happy ever after, with lingering questions for the next book.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
WARNING: Some scenes in this book may offend or be disturbing to victims of sexual abuse. (An adult pretending to be a much younger boy) Two young men set out to bring down a paedophile preacher when they discover the man preys on pre-teen boys and girls, they discover more than they bargained for and have to call in help. Clint is an investigative reporter who is sent to interview Rodney, who works at the Centers for Disease Control, concerning some findings Rodney has discovered. As the two cases collide the FBI are consulted and Clint has the story of a lifetime. While the investigation proceeds Clint begins to fall for Lucien, Rodney’s houseboy, and they try to make a long distance relationship work.
This is a very interesting story that has plenty of mystery that keeps you piqued. Bringing down a paedophile is Trent and Aiden's goal but discovering a more sinister plot has Trent and Aiden reaching out for help. Clint is given the story of a lifetime even before he realises the full impact of what Rodney has to offer him, being in the right place at the right time gives this reporter an exposé that has long reaches and terrible impacts. Lucien begins to fall for the successful journalist Clint but living in two different States is a struggle but they soon find a way to be together.
I have to say that the storyline to this book is very interesting, starting out with two young men setting up a paedophile to expose him to his congregation which leads to a much more complex thread as his connections to a white supremacy group are discovered… we then discover, through Rodney, a plot that would have a devastating effect on the non-white population and the weaving investigation as the FBI are brought in to discover the masterminds. Through all this we have Clint who does his job with compassion and determination, and we have Lucien who is still studying but who Clint feels drawn to and the pair of them begin a relationship.
There are some sex scenes in this with various characters, now some of those scenes are with an adult pretending to be a much younger boy so if you are disturbed by the image of paedophilia please be cautious through the earlier scenes in this book. Etienne has used great compassion when writing about the effect that sexual abuse has on the victims and how the victims reacted and coped, the storyline hasn’t been done for shock value, and it has been well woven and fits in well with the various other plot lines.
I will recommend this to those who love gritty mysteries, well woven stories, complex plots, finding love unexpectedly and a very good happy ever after, with lingering questions for the next book.
December 2, 2013
I just... this book... I don't even... what can I...?
So.
This book.
This book is *so* weird. A bad kind of weird, at that. It was awkward and jerky and heavy, both the prose and the dialogues and the story and the romance (should I even call it that way when it felt anything but?).
And boy, I don't even wanna start on the sex scenes. I'll admit: I prefer my books dirty and very detailed in that department (so what? sue me!) but I don't mind fade-to-black if the story make up for it. This obviously didn't. The chemistry between the MCs was zero to none:
"This should tide you over for another ten minutes. Is it safe to kiss you out here on the porch?"
"Yes, it is. The screen is a dark fiberglass, the trellises at each end of the porch hide us from the neighbors on either side, and the backyard ends in some woods, so have at it."
Dark fiberglass... oh yes! I love it when the boys talk dirty, so sexy!
By the time he'd shed his final garment and pulled the sheet off Clint, they were both fully tumescent.
I mean, really? Tumescent?! I don't even...
"Whatever shall we do to kill the time?"
"This," Lucien said, kissing an intimate portion of Clint's anatomy..."
Seriously?! I have a four letter word for you: cock, or even dick (if you're not into cocks)...penis if you want to go a little crazy and use a five letter word instead!
And what's the deal with the effing Jacuzzi? I mean, do we really have to read about it every five seconds?! Who cares!
The sad part is, the secondary plot was actually quite interesting, I liked the idea behind it, not so much its execution (Why, why so many dialogues?! They were almost unbearable to read, with tons of useless details, I cringe remembering it).
[1.5 stars - Pick It For Me - December Challenge]
So.
This book.
This book is *so* weird. A bad kind of weird, at that. It was awkward and jerky and heavy, both the prose and the dialogues and the story and the romance (should I even call it that way when it felt anything but?).
And boy, I don't even wanna start on the sex scenes. I'll admit: I prefer my books dirty and very detailed in that department (so what? sue me!) but I don't mind fade-to-black if the story make up for it. This obviously didn't. The chemistry between the MCs was zero to none:
"This should tide you over for another ten minutes. Is it safe to kiss you out here on the porch?"
"Yes, it is. The screen is a dark fiberglass, the trellises at each end of the porch hide us from the neighbors on either side, and the backyard ends in some woods, so have at it."
Dark fiberglass... oh yes! I love it when the boys talk dirty, so sexy!
By the time he'd shed his final garment and pulled the sheet off Clint, they were both fully tumescent.
I mean, really? Tumescent?! I don't even...
"Whatever shall we do to kill the time?"
"This," Lucien said, kissing an intimate portion of Clint's anatomy..."
Seriously?! I have a four letter word for you: cock, or even dick (if you're not into cocks)...penis if you want to go a little crazy and use a five letter word instead!
And what's the deal with the effing Jacuzzi? I mean, do we really have to read about it every five seconds?! Who cares!
The sad part is, the secondary plot was actually quite interesting, I liked the idea behind it, not so much its execution (Why, why so many dialogues?! They were almost unbearable to read, with tons of useless details, I cringe remembering it).
[1.5 stars - Pick It For Me - December Challenge]
December 6, 2012
Another great read by Etienne.
He treats a difficult subject (pedophelia) with a gentle hand and still manages to get the point across. The victims, all of whom we meet as adults, are treated with respect and their stories told with compassion.
The pedophile preacher comes to a bad (and justly deserved) end.
All in all a very satisfying story, and I'm looking forward to book two of this series.
He treats a difficult subject (pedophelia) with a gentle hand and still manages to get the point across. The victims, all of whom we meet as adults, are treated with respect and their stories told with compassion.
The pedophile preacher comes to a bad (and justly deserved) end.
All in all a very satisfying story, and I'm looking forward to book two of this series.
November 19, 2012
I so enjoyed this it was fast paced and told a long and involved story but kept my interest the whole way through. I loved that we met some much loved charters from this authors other books and met some new ones. This story deals with some tough things but does it well, I am hoping we get more of this story in the future.
December 15, 2013
I really did enjoy this book. It was a really different story. I can hardly wait for the sequel to this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews