Hot Lava

by Rob Rosen

Multiple double-crosses and scams are afoot involving two scheming pimps, several rogue cops, dangerous Japanese businessmen, a cross-dressing lawyer, Mormon bad guys, and incarcerated drug dealers, all under the watchful eye of our heroes, Chase and Brandon—not to mention their drag alter-egos, Liza and Judy—in this laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy/murder mystery. Witty banter, outlandish escapades, death and depravity, plus friends, lovers, and other assorted crazy characters await. Take a Hawaiian vacation with Chase and Brandon and get yourself into some Hot Lava!

Genres: M M Romance, Gay, Mystery, Romance, Contemporary, Humor

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2011

About the author

Multi-award-winning and best-selling author/editor/anthologist Rob Rosen is the author of Sparkle: The Queerest Book You'll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d'Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, Genie in a Vodka Bottle, Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe, and D.B. and Me. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can read some of his best ones in Short Spurts, Short Spurts 2, and Short Spurts 3. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this one 4 stars on entertainment value and humor. This book had me laughing in so many places with it's ridiculous band of investigators that I lost count. God, these guys were just funny as hell. Then we get their scary girl friend added in and what an adventure. It is kind of skeezy with prostitute act (even he thought so) but it was done in such a way that it wasn't offensive, to me anyways. There were so many suspects and twists and turns that I did get a little confused once in a while but I didn't even care. This wasn't a deep love story more of a fun romp but there was a main couple throughout. Kind of. Great if you're in the mood for something quirky.

[Kassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Those fans who read the utterly delightful Divas Las Vegas by Rob Rosen know that this author can write some hilarious madcap insanity. If you haven’t read the book, seriously why not and Hot Lava follows in that lauded tradition. While I didn’t laugh out loud as much with Hot Lava, nor did I end the book kissing the ground that I’d read it (like I did with Divas), the humor and clever writing combines with a lightening fast pace to produce a fun, witty, and very entertaining light story to chase away any winter doldrums. Although I don’t think it managed the same highs as Divas, Hot Lava is an easy book to recommend and fans will definitely want to read this.

This particular installment introduces the reader to Chase and Brandon. Chase is the first person narrator of the story and recently laid off from work. So the two best friends immediately decide to take Chase’s severance package and go on an expensive, outrageous vacation to Hawaii. The fruity libations are already flowing when Chase spots a pretty hot looking fellow traveler named Will with one hitch. Will is handcuffed to someone Chase immediately assumes is a terrorist and there to blow up the plane. After a little clarity is offered the foursome later share a limo ride from t he airport. This sets off a chain reaction of events that leads to murder, mayhem, prostitution (in drag no less), confusion, shopping, sexual escapades, and maybe love.

The plot is filled with obvious contrivances and manipulations. The thread of the murder mystery and numerous offshoots honestly never did make a lot of linear sense. There are several leaps in logic and long explanations that didn’t really offer me much more insight. The characters would work out problems and explain new developments but it all felt too madcap and confusing. Yet at the same time I kind of didn’t care. This isn’t a serious murder story so I didn’t let the plot holes or leaps in logic bother me much – and they certainly didn’t bother the mostly drunk characters either. The pretty loose and manipulated plot is a vehicle to keep the story going and move the characters from one ridiculous situation to the next. I would have preferred if the plot made more sense and I could follow it easier but like I said, I could get over this and enjoy the story for the sheer entertainment value.

The novel has a lot of entertainment value for sure. The characters are over the top caricatures that offer some great witty dialogue and sassy actions. The first person narrator, Chase, often speaks to the reader in parenthesis offering additional insight and explanation. Some of these are very funny and just add to the boozy, less than intelligent impression of the cast. Some of these are a bit heavy handed, apologizing for obvious writing or foreshadowing which feels like a cop out instead of a sly wink. In fact this trick is used quite often so if this turns you off – and I know some readers hate it – then be warned going into it.

However for the most part these additions are just obvious and what the reader is already thinking so I didn’t find them too annoying, although I could have used less of those and more linear plot. The characters are not so developed as simply entertaining. Chase and Brandon are on vacation and so want sun, sand, alcohol, shopping, pampering, and cute men at every opportunity. They are surprisingly kind, generous, witty, funny, shallow, loving, not very smart, and self effacing which helps keeps their exaggerated personalities from overwhelming the story or reader. You can’t help liking these two and that makes their wild ride all the more fun to witness.

There is a lot of sexual tension and eroticism in the novel but it’s mixed well with humor. The writing in these scenes tends to be slightly corny and slides into purplish prose. On the one hand it suits the characters and rather brash and frivolous story but it also kept the sex scenes somewhat cringe inducing for me. I found them more ridiculous than sexy but that will vary depending on reader writing preferences. The rest of the story offers an incredibly fast pace, even tone, and clever wit. Rosen knows how to write really good comedy and it’s on display well in this novel. I think fans of the author will really enjoy this light, breezy read while those new to the author will discover a gem.

[Nerine Petros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Lava is a mystery novel set in Hawaii, and the descriptions of the scenery around these guys made me pant for a holiday, even though I share a fear of flying with Chase, one of the main characters in the story. I found it interesting that the three main characters share the limelight in this novel - without a ménage in sight.

Chase and Brandon are best friends, and as soon as I started reading, I was plunged into their personalities, especially Brandon. Brandon feels huge to me, and manages to support Chase and give the story a comedic slant without taking over the dominant role. I could feel his lust for anything male and his zeal for life in every action or comment made. Brandon's appearance in his midriff-revealing, pink striped bathing top and flip-flops with orange flowers on them just sealed the deal for me as I fell in love with this character. Brandon is the type of person I would love to share a drink with.

Chase felt a little more withdrawn to me, but that may have been because he recently lost his job. This didn't make him any easier to grasp as a character and Chase's sharp wit and sarcastic rejoinders as he bounces off Brandon make this duo inescapably likeable to me. Chase makes lifelong friends quickly and is a solid friend who would do anything for anyone in trouble, even at risk to himself.

Will pulls up as the third member of this motley crew, but I didn't get into him right away. Will is introduced on the plane ride, and re-introduced as a staying character a little bit further in. He and Chase start something and this is what I felt made the connection strong enough to last until I could get a little further into the story and meet Will a little more. A fed, Will is a little more straight-laced again, giving Rob mountains of room to manoeuvre between the three men, and he uses this to the story's advantage.

Not usually a fan of mystery, Rob weaved the plot really well making me more aware of the characters and where they were at in the moment than the overall case the boys are all working on. This, more than anything, made Hot Lava really easy to read and even when the scenes should be holding more tension than a James Bond movie, I was laughing. Enjoyable, and if you're going to read it, make sure you have time, because at almost 300 pages, Rob leaves nothing untied and you won't want to put it down. Nx

Note: Review written for Queer Magazine Online.

[Pamela Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unabashedly ridiculous, over-the-top story which went on a little too long for my liking.

Not much of a romance but there is a lot of heat between Chase and Will. I loved their interludes. Brandon added a further sparkle to this madcap adventure.

Crazy hijinks abound in this story. Quite amusing for the most part. Still, all that non-stop OTT humor and whacky commentary drags after awhile. The mystery was alright but there were so many things happening that I got a little turned around.

Not my cup of tea but it definitely will appeal to those who enjoy a little OTT zaniness and insane snappy fun in their stories.

[Elisa Rolle]

I was taken a bit aback from this novel since at the beginning it seemed so much similar to the previous book I read by Rob Rosen, Diva Las Vegas, that I had to go back to that book to check if maybe I hadn’t forgotten some supporting characters there who were having here their own story. Like in the previous book, a young and pretty gay man who suddenly is without a steady job; thank to a lucky cash availability he decides to spend a good share of that sum in a classy holiday with his best gay friend. In the previous book the two partners in crime are Em and Justin, here are Chase and Brandon, like in the previous book they become unwillingly involved in a thriller subplot while at the same time trying to get laid as much as possible, even if one of them has indeed a crush on a fascinating, but a bit mysterious man. And of course when the things go barrelling into danger, our two gay heroes decide to take out their drag costume and impersonating the perfect femme fatale.

Other than the main structure of the plot, what you can find again in Hot Lava is the light and funny tone that made of Diva Las Vegas one of the favourite gay readings of last year. Even if Chase and Brandon are actually involved in very dangerous situation, and indeed a young man, Lenny, as much as pretty and gay as them, is brutally killed more or less in the second chapter, I have never had the feeling that out two men were really in danger; both Chase than Brandon took the experience like a way to lighten up they already fantastic vacation time in a posh hotel at Waikiki beach.

What instead was probably only in the background in the previous novel and that now instead comes centre stage is the romance side of the story: Chase meets his Mr Right Will in the first chapter and he will be a constant in all the following plot; the romance side is as much important as the thriller and the comedy, and in the end, I think this story will appeal even more the romance reader than the previous one. I remember that Diva Las Vegas was good, but I had the feeling that Em was only “playing the field” and that finding love was not really his main target. Now it’s not Chase in this story set out with that idea in mind, but he stumbles upon love in the path and of course he is able to recognize a good thing when he sees it.

I will recommend Hot Lava to all the readers who liked Diva Las Vegas, and in a way, if you haven’t read that one, trying Hot Lava for the first time maybe is a good idea, above all if you are a romantic reader, since, as I said, the romance side of the story I think is better developed here than there.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/12...

[Jon O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books by Rob Rosen. Just like the others, I was not disappointed by this one. Rob Rosen has a humorous way to deliver the punchlines again and again, and cheekily too. I giggled a few times, amazed by how funny he could make the conversation between the characters. I am not usually fond of men dressing in drags, but Rosen made the plots interesting enough that I would not mind much. And yeah, the plots. Not just some simple story line, but one with good twists and turns to keep the readers wondering as much as the spy-ish characters. If I ever need of a good humor in gay fiction, Rosen's work is a safe bet.

[Seiran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this utterly ridiculous, at least to start with. I thought the writing style and characters were annoying as hell. Being way too slutty and considering how much they drank they should have been fall-down-drunks.

But it got a little better half way through, and especially with the introduction of Koni. He was a smart kid with a not so pretty background as a prostitute and drug dealer, but I felt he was a nice balance to over-the-top Chase and Brandon.

This is really not my cup-of-tea, but others have really enjoyed the mad cap of a story, so I would make your own decision on reading it.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This light-hearted, comedic mystery will please even the most jaded of Rosen's readers. Chase and his best friend, Brandon, take off on a Hawaiian vacation with all the stops pulled out. They meet a hot Federal Agent, Will, on the plane while he's escorting a prisoner back to Hawaii. Almost before you can say Aloha, the prisoner has escaped and Chase is getting it on in a bathroom with Agent Will. The three main characters are very likable and manage to turn a two week vacation into a three ring circus of hot men and dead bodies.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve read Sparkle, then you’ve read Hot Lava. The main difference is the setting, and Hawaii makes a beautiful setting for any kind of story. This book is full of fun, friendship, love, and drinking. Rob Rosen establishes a decent mystery detective murder case that kept my interest and kept me reading. The dynamic duo can be a bit much all at once, but their campy hijinks are great too.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Entertaining story that was at times very funny but then would drag a bit. There's a lot going on in this book and overall I enjoyed it.

[J.B. Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as much a humorous thrill-ride as Divas Las Vegas, but also surprisingly tender and gritty in moments. Love the wry style and zippy quips. Lots of fun!

[⚓Dan⚓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read three of Robs books now and loved all of them.
His sense of humor shines through each.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the zaniest books I've ever read, a little like Glen & Tyler, but much more madcap. It was necessary to just suspend my disbelief and go along with the story or I would have been nitpicking all day. I don't think it was intended to be realistic at all as it was so over the top that no one could possibly believe that anything like this would ever happen. So I went with that and had a blast. I was constantly laughing out loud, especially in the first half, and although most of the humor was slapstick, there were some things that were not so much and even funnier. (The MC isn't supposed to be that smart.) The sister had just asked if the plot was out of some book her brother read:

"He doesn't read," I whispered in return, in case there really were security cameras hidden somewhere.

That still makes me chuckle. (I suppose that since they were bad guys, they could have gotten hold of illegal video with audio surveillance equipment, but this was written several years ago, and I don't think that if it existed, anyone could get it easily. These were local thugs, not big international theives or anything. I'm positive this was intentionally humorous.)

The voice of the narrator was personal, like the reader is a close friend he's telling the story to. He and his best friend bicker and complain about each other constantly but are also completely in synch mentally, which is something they also point out. They also have sort of questionable morals much of the time, but where it's important, their hearts are in the right place. So it's catty and snarky but with really interesting characters. Each one was distinct, too, no cookie-cutters here. Even the FBI guy didn't act anything like a stereotypical FBI guy and the police procedures were ridiculously bad. But they were supposed to be. There were a number of different cultures/races/religions represented, although the two Japanese guys had small dicks. I think it was part of that scenario that was happening, and not because the author was saying all Asian people are small in that area, but it gave me pause. The sister was also awesome and not in that stereotypical really cool, chic, alternababe that always seems to be one of the narrator's best friends.

One really gross thing was that one of the guys had sex with strangers and rimmed them without even knowing if they had bathed recently. That just seems way too personal to do with a stranger, especially not knowing how they were in the hygiene department. Another thing was that they went on and on about how stupid this character was and yet he was smart enough to get out of shackles. But then, they call each other (and themselves) dumb all the time in an almost affection way. It was another funny subtlety in that they kept figuring out really tough stuff and then were oblivious to something really obvious.

I have a question, though. During sex, one of the narrator mentioned that the prostrate got hard during penetration. I've never heard that before but this book was written by a gay man. So does anyone know anything about that?

Anyway, I loved this book, but I know it's not for everyone. If you don't mind stories that don't always make sense, that are convoluted and silly, but that make you laugh out loud, you might really like this. I sure did.

[Elin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this utterly ridiculous, at least to start with. I thought the writing style and characters were annoying as hell. Being way too slutty and considering how much they drank they should have been fall-down-drunks.

But it got better, especially with the introduction of Koni. He was a smart kid with a not so pretty background as a prostitute and drug dealer, but he was a nice balance to over-the-top Chase and Brandon.

The mystery was a bit confusing at times, and I found it too unbelievable how easy the gang stumbled on clues and managing to get out of one sticky situation after the other.

The romance between Chase and Will felt completely non-existent. Sure, maybe there were some attraction. But the feelings that Chase apparently had for Will after an awkward limo ride from the airport and some bathroom sex felt unrealistic.

And lets not speak of them whoring themselves out just to get more clues, felt a bit too much.

In the end, I eventually started to ignore the ridiculousness of it all, and I actually enjoyed the story. It was fast paced, and kinda hilarious at times.

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am giving this two stars for the location and good descriptions of Hawaii but this is about the silliest book I've ever read. I disliked the writing style. The author makes so many jokes it takes forever to get to the meat of the story. He also has an unfortunate urge to use the word "turgid" in his sex scenes which is off-putting. I read another of his "airplane" stories and the sex scene in that was identical to one here minus some more er, descriptive prose.
The two protagonists are boring and annoying and the humor is around third grade level. Add to that the world's dumbest FBI agent (travels with a handcuffed prisoner and hitches a ride in a limo, but doesn't notice his suspect somehow has picked up the wire part of a champagne cork, then seeks anonymous sex in a hotel's lobby restroom - really??) and you have the basis of a truly stupid story. Sorry. Could not deal with the nonstop stupidity and the endless drinking. How were these guys not puking their guts out with the combinations of drinks and drunks? Ugh.

[Choyang · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Hot Lava', by Rob Rosen (paperback)

Funny and a bit OTT...ok, a lot OTT!

Rob's books are so outrageous and funny, but with some truths embedded in with the silliness, that whenever I am stressed and/or just want to laugh my butt off, I reach for Rob's books and end up with a huge smile on my face!

And yeah, this book has it's moments of "Holy Cannoli!" & "wtf?" hair-raising moments, for sure! The fun part is seeing how the author gets his characters both into trouble...and then tries to save their butts to get them back out! Love Rosen's sense of humor and creativity!
Oh, and some smokin' sexy scenes, too! (grin)

Loved the Hawaiian locations, plus all the convoluted bits about the Mormon's forms of world conquest, plus all the other silly scenarios! This was a very fun read!

Two thumbs up! 👍👍

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable madcap but improbable story. This book had me laughing countless times with the crazy things these guys got up to and the comments they threw at each other. Not exactly a Booker prize winner but a definite easy holiday read. If Rob Rosen hasn't written a follow up book with these characters he should think about it. The characterisations were great and the author has such an easy style (without going into long protracted sex scenes that too many newer novels feel the need to include)

[Aya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. It started well enough, gave me a few chuckles to start me off and those little trysts in public bathrooms - I lived for those. But then this 262 paged book felt like it was 1000 pages long. I kept losing interest and lost track of how many times I put this down to read something else. So, what did keep me going? I had to know what the hell was going on in this elaborate Lenny, Jed, Liko thing. The whole mystery kept me guessing and I had to satisfy my curiosity. 2.5 stars.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I laughed out loud several times when reading this romp of a book about Chase, his friend Brandon and the assorted characters they meet along the way. It's more a mystery/adventure than a romance but there is some hot action for Chase after he meets federal agent Will.

It's completely ridiculous but fun. The mystery/story is completely impossible but no worse than many movies where amateurs manage to solve criminal cases. I'd read more by Rob Rosen.

[Wende · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a madcap comedy of errors. It was not really a love story but a lust story. Chase and Will were hot and were lusty for each other. The mystery was well done in a funny type of way. This book did not pretend it was a great novel but rather just a fun read. My favorite character was Brandon. Maybe he will get his book soon.

[*Nan* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is described as funny and over the top but at times I just found it annoying . I enjoy humor in a book but this didn't appeal to me. I didn't connect with Brandon or Chase and the story didn't do much for me. If it hadn't been for the two challenges I was reading this book for, I probably would have put this book on my DNF shelf

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some laugh out loud moments with Chase and Brandon and their alter egos Judy and Liza.
A mystery that kept twisting and turning to the end keeping me interested until the last page .
A great cast of secondary characters, maybe if anything a little on the long side but a great read.

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable reading, funny, sometimes a little too much. First time I say this, but maybe I would have prefer a shorter version for that kind of plot.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. It was intentionally OTT, but the clichés and situations just didn't appeal to me. It had some truly funny moments and endearing characters, but just wasn't my cup of tea.