Between Enemy Lines

by Rigby Taylor

Set in subtropical Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Between Enemy Lines is not only a nail-biting thriller, it’s also a love story in which two young men discover that love is about more than sex. In his new school, Robert has trouble conforming to the expectations of his peers and is severely provoked by a fellow student; an acolyte of the fundamentalist Headmaster whose dogmatic Old Testament beliefs have led him to the brink of insanity. Relationships, morality, values, courage, friendship and what it takes to be a ‘man’, are but some of the themes explored in this gripping tale. When he falls in love, Robert's life falls into place - until attempts on both young men’s lives force them to take extreme measures, the consequences of which pose an ethical dilemma that could destroy their new found happiness.

256 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Profile

I live on several acres of rainforest in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia with my partner.
I've published five novels:- 'NumbaCruncha' 'Sebastian', 'Jarek', 'Dome of Death', & 'The Price of Freedom'; a biography - 'Dancing Bare' , and a volume of short stories:- 'Time to Think'.
I write the sort of fiction I like to read - fast paced with some danger and heroes who are decent, honest, reliable and unafraid to make decisions, and who reckon that more than enough is too much.
I have always enjoyed the symbolism of Renaissance Art in which, among other things, purity, honesty and truthfulness is depicted by nudity. Titian’s “Sacred and Profane Love” and Michelangelo’s "Sistine Ceiling" and “Doni Tondo” are obvious examples.
It is in that sense that I use nudity in my novels. Only the good guys run around naked. Nude is not rude! Actions can be evil or good; bodies are merely natural vessels and, if well maintained, are admirable.
My characters live in the real world, not in a ghetto. They just happen to be gay and any sex is part of the story, not gratuitous or explicit.
All my novels are set in tropical Australia.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books where I can say I ended up reading it because I know the author. He was kind enough to ask for my opinion on it. I feel bad that he ended up waiting so long for me to get to it because I had a few library books I had to read before getting to it. It was definitely worth the wait.

It centers around an Australian teen named Robert, who lives Brisbane. He is in Year 12 (their version of senior years for those of us in the US). He has just transferred to a new school, which has a really religious headmaster. He knows he is going to have no shortage of difficulties due to his mixed French-Indian heritage.

As he settles into the new requirments of the school, he learns that he must get involved in some sort of sport. He decides he wants to get into wrestling. The school doesn't have a team, but the school's gym teacher is willing to work with him. Before long, they get to know each other and fall in love. It is a love they know will lead to trouble, but Robert and Brad try to find a way to be together. Fortunately, Robert's parents are supportive of their relationship.

Besides the suspected trouble they might find themselves in, they also their lives keep ending up in danger from gay bashers connected to the school.

The writing is pretty strong in this self-published work. Taylor does a great job of bringing the reader into the minds of both Brad and Robert as well as Roberts parents and headmaster. The story builds the suspence keeping the reader on the edge of the seat until it builds into a surprising climax.

[Kylie Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story allot, though was upset by the ending, it has left me feeling torn. Everyone deserves to live there lives as they see fit as long as they do no harm to others. It upsets me greatly that Gay get repeatedly bullied, bashed, etc when they deserve acceptance just like everyone else. Murder, be it self defense or other wise and to get away with it is unacceptable, esp when blaming it on some one else no matter how evil that person may be. Been that it is not a true story, i am hay that the couple got to live out the rest of there lives as happily as they could and the little bastard that made everyone's lives a living hell got what he deserved.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The parents accepted the relationship a little too easily. The headmaster was a bit too stereotypically religious. The romance started and continued without much questioning of whether they should continue under the pressures they faced. I think the supporting characters should have been more dimensional than they were.