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The Rest of Our Lives #1
The Rest Of Our Lives
Colm McKenna has led a guarded life. Gifted with a wintry soul and a photographer's eye, he can stop time as easily as he freezes water, or call down cold north winds. He thinks he is alone and unique in the world. Then, seemingly by accident, he meets handsome writer Aidan Gallagher, his opposite, a fiery young man who quickens Colm’s heart.
In this lighthearted, gay romantic fantasy, can two male witches whose passion reincarnates century after century, find a way to express their love for each other again? Can this enchanting pair finally succeed after so many lifetimes?
A 2010 finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance!
In this lighthearted, gay romantic fantasy, can two male witches whose passion reincarnates century after century, find a way to express their love for each other again? Can this enchanting pair finally succeed after so many lifetimes?
A 2010 finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance!
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2009
2 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Dan Stone
5 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This is Dan^^Stone, where ^=space.
Biography:
Dan Stone is the author of the gay romantic fantasy "Ice on Fire: The Test of Our Lives," sequel to the Lambda Literary Award finalist "The Rest Of Our Lives" (Lethe Press). He is an author, poet, photographer/digital artist, life coach, and college instructor whose fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in Charmed Lives: Gay Spirit in Storytelling, White Crane Journal, A&U Magazine, Astropoetica, Mostly Maine, Bay Windows, Chiron Review, Gents, Badboys, and Barbarians, New Gay Male Poetry, and Rebel Yell: Stories by Contemporary Southern Gay Authors.
This is Dan^^Stone, where ^=space.
Biography:
Dan Stone is the author of the gay romantic fantasy "Ice on Fire: The Test of Our Lives," sequel to the Lambda Literary Award finalist "The Rest Of Our Lives" (Lethe Press). He is an author, poet, photographer/digital artist, life coach, and college instructor whose fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in Charmed Lives: Gay Spirit in Storytelling, White Crane Journal, A&U Magazine, Astropoetica, Mostly Maine, Bay Windows, Chiron Review, Gents, Badboys, and Barbarians, New Gay Male Poetry, and Rebel Yell: Stories by Contemporary Southern Gay Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
probably-not-for-me
December 19, 2016Okay, granted... I might be totally overreacting, but in the few pages I've read of the sample I've encountered three things that made me at least uncomfortable:
WHAAAAT? Sorry, but I don't think that's funny at all.
***
At Pride...
Why? Do you think something's wrong with them? Since there is no explanation given, this comes off as judgemental at best.
***
WTF has bottoming to do with anything??? Grrrr.
You also ran like a girl.
WHAAAAT? Sorry, but I don't think that's funny at all.
***
At Pride...
I scrupulously avoided snapping shots of dog-collared boys on leashes...
Why? Do you think something's wrong with them? Since there is no explanation given, this comes off as judgemental at best.
***
"Are you the bottom? [...] The pattern has been for him to pursue you and to take you, totally transforming your life [...]. It's been the pattern regardless of your respective genders. So the question would be how is that pattern playing out in this lifetime?"
WTF has bottoming to do with anything??? Grrrr.
November 14, 2014
Throughly enjoyed this adventure, and it kept me guessing! Even towards the end of the book, I thought I knew where it was going and I was begging it not to go there, fully expecting it to and leave me feeling a little abused for having read it. It didn't go there! It left me pleased and satisfied. I think one of the reasons I was so worried that it would go there (I'm not going to say exactly there `go there' is, as I don't want to spoil too much), is that Dan Stone did such a good job of dealing with one of my own personal relationship issues in his main character, Colm--not feeling good enough for the person who claims to love him to actually stay around for. In that sense, the uncomfortable feeling I had in many parts of this novel demonstrate the strength of writing to be able to capture such emotion to pass it on to the reader in a personal way. While I'm excited to hear that there is a squeal in the making, The Rest of Our Lives is perfectly satisfying as a stand-alone novel, in a good way! It was nice to read a gay story that left me feeling charmed and hopeful.
October 20, 2017
I had fun with this. In some ways it triggered in me the same emotions I get when I read Eric Arvin. That possibility of seeing beyond or further or deeper.
collision of two neutron stars
March 8, 2017
This is an excellent read for paranormal lovers!!!!
April 25, 2018
The Rest of Our Lives
By Dan Stone
Lethe Press, 2009
Five stars
“Whose lives are we living?”
I missed this one when it was released back in 2009. Back then, I didn’t have a Kindle and had not yet begun my mission to read my way through the entire gay romance “canon.” I’m so very glad I found this. Wryly amusing, thoughtful, intensely romantic, and in spite of its magical content, both contemporary and realistic.
Aidan Gallagher and Colm McKenna are fire and ice. Colm, however, raised in apparent isolation in a devout Southern Baptist family, has no understanding of his strange power to stop time and freeze things. Until he meets Aidan and discovers the truth about who he is, he thinks he is alone. There is a parallel with the set-up of the Harry Potter narrative, but here we’re dealing with adults who are both magical and fully integrated into their world. For Colm and Aidan, their magical gifts are just like their artistic gifts—something that’s simply part of them. It is a fantasy that seems, somehow, plausible, because it’s rooted in spirituality.
What makes this book so lovely, and such a pleasure to read, is the author’s light touch. Colm is a bottled-up person, for sure. When he begins to grasp the full implications of his history, he immediately sees the negatives, and reacts accordingly. Aidan, on the other hand, appears to take nothing too seriously, except the intensity of his feelings for Colm. What both of these young men have to face is spiritual tie that has bound them together for millennia, and the uncertainty of what their shared past implies for the rest of their lives.
Ultimately, this book addresses the conflict between the ideas of fate and free will, and explores the power of love to conquer fear. It is a romantic romp, but also a profound quest for some deeper truth that most of us try not to think about.
By Dan Stone
Lethe Press, 2009
Five stars
“Whose lives are we living?”
I missed this one when it was released back in 2009. Back then, I didn’t have a Kindle and had not yet begun my mission to read my way through the entire gay romance “canon.” I’m so very glad I found this. Wryly amusing, thoughtful, intensely romantic, and in spite of its magical content, both contemporary and realistic.
Aidan Gallagher and Colm McKenna are fire and ice. Colm, however, raised in apparent isolation in a devout Southern Baptist family, has no understanding of his strange power to stop time and freeze things. Until he meets Aidan and discovers the truth about who he is, he thinks he is alone. There is a parallel with the set-up of the Harry Potter narrative, but here we’re dealing with adults who are both magical and fully integrated into their world. For Colm and Aidan, their magical gifts are just like their artistic gifts—something that’s simply part of them. It is a fantasy that seems, somehow, plausible, because it’s rooted in spirituality.
What makes this book so lovely, and such a pleasure to read, is the author’s light touch. Colm is a bottled-up person, for sure. When he begins to grasp the full implications of his history, he immediately sees the negatives, and reacts accordingly. Aidan, on the other hand, appears to take nothing too seriously, except the intensity of his feelings for Colm. What both of these young men have to face is spiritual tie that has bound them together for millennia, and the uncertainty of what their shared past implies for the rest of their lives.
Ultimately, this book addresses the conflict between the ideas of fate and free will, and explores the power of love to conquer fear. It is a romantic romp, but also a profound quest for some deeper truth that most of us try not to think about.
November 3, 2012
Interesting and very funny, but I was just a little disappointed with the romance
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- This is a funny, funny book. The humor begins on page 1, really gets going by about page 10, and continues until the end. Here’s an early favorite: “I hated gay parties especially because the pressure was particularly acute at such affairs to be witty or charming, or just a hottie.”
- There are tons of little details that combine to create a really intriguing fictional world. Aside from Colm’s ability to freeze the world around him and Aiden’s ability to light a small fire in his palm, they can also do very funny, interesting things when they mix their powers together: “A little mixing of science and magic made our bathroom into a meteorological laboratory. By simultaneously heating and cooling the air and water, we could create miniature thunderstorms in the shower.”
- The characters seem realistic. They have disagreements, they each have faults, they’re not both super-model gorgeous (although they each THINK the other is, naturally), etc.
- Occasionally the writing is just spot on, concise, and pretty brilliant, with sentences that made me pause and re-read them three or four times because they’re so well-phrased.
CONS:
- I found the romantic element just the tiniest bit disappointing. The relationship is less dramatic than those of many other romances, but that didn’t bother me too much because I liked the characters. I guess the main thing that disappointed me was that the guys go through a breakup (temporary, of course) that lasts for almost 75 of the book’s 225 pages. Then when the guys get back together, the make-up scene wasn’t as sweet and cleansing as I wanted it to be.
- A pretty big deal is made out of the sex; in all of their previous lives, Aiden and Colm always had an explosive sexual attraction, even when they had nothing else. But the sex in the book is never shown. (Think of a PG-rated movie, where you see one character taking his overshirt off and then you see the two people in bed, either clothed or covered with a sheet, the next morning.) I’m okay with inexplicit sex scenes, but the characters’ sexual roles (top/bottom) are a recurring plot point that plays a big part in their idea of how to make their relationship work in this lifetime. And most of the time, when I was reading a “morning-after” scene, I couldn’t tell who had done what role-wise.
Overall comments: I think this is a worthwhile read, especially if you’re looking for something funny and/or different from the usual romance. If you’re looking for sex, though, this one’s not for you--the characters have a lot of sex, but those scenes are fade-outs.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- This is a funny, funny book. The humor begins on page 1, really gets going by about page 10, and continues until the end. Here’s an early favorite: “I hated gay parties especially because the pressure was particularly acute at such affairs to be witty or charming, or just a hottie.”
- There are tons of little details that combine to create a really intriguing fictional world. Aside from Colm’s ability to freeze the world around him and Aiden’s ability to light a small fire in his palm, they can also do very funny, interesting things when they mix their powers together: “A little mixing of science and magic made our bathroom into a meteorological laboratory. By simultaneously heating and cooling the air and water, we could create miniature thunderstorms in the shower.”
- The characters seem realistic. They have disagreements, they each have faults, they’re not both super-model gorgeous (although they each THINK the other is, naturally), etc.
- Occasionally the writing is just spot on, concise, and pretty brilliant, with sentences that made me pause and re-read them three or four times because they’re so well-phrased.
CONS:
- I found the romantic element just the tiniest bit disappointing. The relationship is less dramatic than those of many other romances, but that didn’t bother me too much because I liked the characters. I guess the main thing that disappointed me was that the guys go through a breakup (temporary, of course) that lasts for almost 75 of the book’s 225 pages. Then when the guys get back together, the make-up scene wasn’t as sweet and cleansing as I wanted it to be.
- A pretty big deal is made out of the sex; in all of their previous lives, Aiden and Colm always had an explosive sexual attraction, even when they had nothing else. But the sex in the book is never shown. (Think of a PG-rated movie, where you see one character taking his overshirt off and then you see the two people in bed, either clothed or covered with a sheet, the next morning.) I’m okay with inexplicit sex scenes, but the characters’ sexual roles (top/bottom) are a recurring plot point that plays a big part in their idea of how to make their relationship work in this lifetime. And most of the time, when I was reading a “morning-after” scene, I couldn’t tell who had done what role-wise.
Overall comments: I think this is a worthwhile read, especially if you’re looking for something funny and/or different from the usual romance. If you’re looking for sex, though, this one’s not for you--the characters have a lot of sex, but those scenes are fade-outs.
November 6, 2010
I really wanted to like this book. And after reading several very nice reviews, I thought I would like it. Unfortunately though, it just hasn't really lived up to my expectations.
I do very much like the idea of the story. The concept is absolutely appealing: two lovers chasing each other across time, fated to come together again and again -- who wouldn't love that? The writing isn't half bad, either. So for these reasons, I can definitely understand why others have enjoyed it so much.
So what was my problem then? Well, for me at least, I think this story's fatal flaw is in its tendency to "tell" rather than "show" - if you know what I mean. One of the biggest draws to this book was the idea that these two lovers have been together over and over again in many lives past -- but when the reader is brought back in time with them to observe these past lives, there just isn't any sense of being there with them - no sensory detail or imagery to help the reader feel connected. It was all told more than shown - which gets kinda boring, to be honest. Ultimately, the whole story suffers from this problem - too little sensory detail, not enough specifics, not enough interactive dialogue, not enough exploration of these past-life scenes. As a result, I've made it about half-way through now, and I still don't really feel particularly attached to the characters or their story. Honestly, I've gotten bored, and even though I almost never do this, I think I'm gonna give it up.
Bottom Line: Wonderful and attractive concept for a novel, and many people have certainly enjoyed it. Personally, though, it just didn't do it for me. Too much "tell" and not enough "show" = boring.
I do very much like the idea of the story. The concept is absolutely appealing: two lovers chasing each other across time, fated to come together again and again -- who wouldn't love that? The writing isn't half bad, either. So for these reasons, I can definitely understand why others have enjoyed it so much.
So what was my problem then? Well, for me at least, I think this story's fatal flaw is in its tendency to "tell" rather than "show" - if you know what I mean. One of the biggest draws to this book was the idea that these two lovers have been together over and over again in many lives past -- but when the reader is brought back in time with them to observe these past lives, there just isn't any sense of being there with them - no sensory detail or imagery to help the reader feel connected. It was all told more than shown - which gets kinda boring, to be honest. Ultimately, the whole story suffers from this problem - too little sensory detail, not enough specifics, not enough interactive dialogue, not enough exploration of these past-life scenes. As a result, I've made it about half-way through now, and I still don't really feel particularly attached to the characters or their story. Honestly, I've gotten bored, and even though I almost never do this, I think I'm gonna give it up.
Bottom Line: Wonderful and attractive concept for a novel, and many people have certainly enjoyed it. Personally, though, it just didn't do it for me. Too much "tell" and not enough "show" = boring.
May 9, 2010
Colm McKenna has lived his entire life feeling as if he’s different than everyone else. Not only is he gay, but he also possesses some very unique abilities which nobody else seems to have, and he fears that if anyone were to find out, he would be ostracized even further. Colm can freeze time. He can influence the weather. He can cause objects or people to immobilize. What he doesn’t know yet is that he is an elemental witch.
When Colm one day encounters another person who seems to also possess unexplained powers, he can hardly believe it’s true. Aidan Gallagher is also a witch, but his gift relates to the element of fire. Whereas Colm is by nature calm and cool, Aidan is a ball of energy. He can levitate objects, spontaneously start fire, and most impressively, he can communicate telepathically with Colm.
The two immediately are drawn to one another, and it is obvious to everyone that they’re a perfect match. They complement one another so well, providing a perfect balance. The conflict arises, however, when they discover that they have been down this road before in numerous lifetimes previously. Their pattern has been to connect with one another and eventually separate. Colm begins to fear that the course of his current life is destined to face the same tragic outcome, and he sets out to protect himself from the eventual heartbreak he assumes he’s destined to endure.
Although I generally do not gravitate towards books of a paranormal or fantasy theme, I was utterly captivated by this story. Initially it was the writing and crisp dialogue which captured my attention, but as I continued to read, I became engrossed in the story itself. The book has a rather lighthearted feel, and yet it delivers an emotionally gripping message.
It is very rare to encounter a storyteller who can so effectively draw the reader into a narrator’s head as did this author. Colm was a character with whom I empathized and cared deeply about. The chemistry that he had with his love interest Aidan was explained in such an idyllic and romantic manner that it continually pulled at my heartstrings. I almost felt as if there were an underlying Dom/sub dynamic that existed for this couple, and I was in awe of the way that Aidan was so loving and protective of his boy.
The banter and often-campy dialogue that was employed made me feel like I was in the middle of a crowded gay bar, and I found it amusing—often laughing right out loud. Yet in spite of this lightheartedness, I also felt the depth of Colm’s emotion as he bared his soul to the reader. The romantic scenes were described so poetically and beautifully that they were literally breathtaking.
I’d like to share a quote, just to highlight this author’s amazing writer’s voice:
This book possessed every quality that I love about romance. Two perfectly-matched central characters are brought together under the most opportune circumstances. They connect and realize they were made for one another. Their intimacy is both beautiful and heart wrenching because of the underlying fear that it’s just too-good-to-be-true. It leads to a conflict of which only love can resolve.
The secondary characters were also extremely well crafted. They were fleshed out just enough to become understandable and likeable. The author rather skillfully used these colorful characters to infuse humor into the plot. My personal favorite was Aidan’s Aunt Lu, an extremely outspoken voice of reason with a garish, larger-than-life personality.
This is an extremely well-written and carefully edited story which is sure to touch your heart. Even if you’re not a fan of the paranormal and do not relate so well to witchly tales, the love story itself is more than worthy of the time it takes to read it. I’m thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to experience this book and this author, and I cannot wait to see more of his work.
Love wins, and so will you if you give this book a chance. It is certainly one of my favorite reads of the year!
When Colm one day encounters another person who seems to also possess unexplained powers, he can hardly believe it’s true. Aidan Gallagher is also a witch, but his gift relates to the element of fire. Whereas Colm is by nature calm and cool, Aidan is a ball of energy. He can levitate objects, spontaneously start fire, and most impressively, he can communicate telepathically with Colm.
The two immediately are drawn to one another, and it is obvious to everyone that they’re a perfect match. They complement one another so well, providing a perfect balance. The conflict arises, however, when they discover that they have been down this road before in numerous lifetimes previously. Their pattern has been to connect with one another and eventually separate. Colm begins to fear that the course of his current life is destined to face the same tragic outcome, and he sets out to protect himself from the eventual heartbreak he assumes he’s destined to endure.
Although I generally do not gravitate towards books of a paranormal or fantasy theme, I was utterly captivated by this story. Initially it was the writing and crisp dialogue which captured my attention, but as I continued to read, I became engrossed in the story itself. The book has a rather lighthearted feel, and yet it delivers an emotionally gripping message.
It is very rare to encounter a storyteller who can so effectively draw the reader into a narrator’s head as did this author. Colm was a character with whom I empathized and cared deeply about. The chemistry that he had with his love interest Aidan was explained in such an idyllic and romantic manner that it continually pulled at my heartstrings. I almost felt as if there were an underlying Dom/sub dynamic that existed for this couple, and I was in awe of the way that Aidan was so loving and protective of his boy.
The banter and often-campy dialogue that was employed made me feel like I was in the middle of a crowded gay bar, and I found it amusing—often laughing right out loud. Yet in spite of this lightheartedness, I also felt the depth of Colm’s emotion as he bared his soul to the reader. The romantic scenes were described so poetically and beautifully that they were literally breathtaking.
I’d like to share a quote, just to highlight this author’s amazing writer’s voice:
For every push or shove there was a caress, for every pinch or
bite, a sweet kiss. It was a wrestling match and a dance. There were
a couple of moments when I could’ve sworn both our feet left the
floor, and I couldn’t tell which was the more powerful force—the
lightning in the sky behind him or the lightning flashing in his
eyes. I had no idea that another body could connect so completely
and so perfectly to mine, or that it was possible for two people to
arrive at the same awareness at the very same split second, like a
single comet streaking across the sky, seen only by two pair of eyes,
and to have those most seminal words form simultaneously and
appear unmistakably in two minds, transforming everything like
the proverbial thunderbolt hitting the tower:
“I love you.”
This book possessed every quality that I love about romance. Two perfectly-matched central characters are brought together under the most opportune circumstances. They connect and realize they were made for one another. Their intimacy is both beautiful and heart wrenching because of the underlying fear that it’s just too-good-to-be-true. It leads to a conflict of which only love can resolve.
The secondary characters were also extremely well crafted. They were fleshed out just enough to become understandable and likeable. The author rather skillfully used these colorful characters to infuse humor into the plot. My personal favorite was Aidan’s Aunt Lu, an extremely outspoken voice of reason with a garish, larger-than-life personality.
This is an extremely well-written and carefully edited story which is sure to touch your heart. Even if you’re not a fan of the paranormal and do not relate so well to witchly tales, the love story itself is more than worthy of the time it takes to read it. I’m thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to experience this book and this author, and I cannot wait to see more of his work.
Love wins, and so will you if you give this book a chance. It is certainly one of my favorite reads of the year!
December 13, 2009
An adorable, witty story about two male witches destined to fall in love. I've always been fascinated by reincarnation, so this book was right up my alley. Although written in first person, both main characters were well fleshed out and came through surprisingly well. They each had their own quirks and issues, their individual personalities ringing clear amid all the drama. I'd certainly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, classic romance with a paranormal twist.
For those of you looking for an erotic thrill (you know who you are), you won't find that here. When mentioned, the physical intimacy is brief and not explicit in any way.
For those of you looking for an erotic thrill (you know who you are), you won't find that here. When mentioned, the physical intimacy is brief and not explicit in any way.
May 26, 2017
Loved it!
See Kassa's review, I agree with everything she said. And then go read the book!
4/17 re-read: I forgot to mark that I re-read this. (I'm not totally sure about the exact dates. I'm guessing with April.)
I enjoyed it - I think what I liked the most about it (probably the first time as well) is that it's very different from the typical m/m book. Refreshing. And it does a great job of balancing the serious romantic stuff with the funny stuff to keep it light and sweet but still emotionally impactful. I don't know if I would give it five stars again, but I'm definitely going to read the sequel.
See Kassa's review, I agree with everything she said. And then go read the book!
4/17 re-read: I forgot to mark that I re-read this. (I'm not totally sure about the exact dates. I'm guessing with April.)
I enjoyed it - I think what I liked the most about it (probably the first time as well) is that it's very different from the typical m/m book. Refreshing. And it does a great job of balancing the serious romantic stuff with the funny stuff to keep it light and sweet but still emotionally impactful. I don't know if I would give it five stars again, but I'm definitely going to read the sequel.
April 7, 2010
I loved this book. The only part I didn't like was that I wanted there to be more when it ended. Not to be all gushy, but there's so much working well here: the narrative voice, some interesting world building, a lot of likable characters. I found Aidan to be a bit of an enigma right through the end of the novel, but I think that's okay as the point is that this is Colm's story, it's about the choices he makes for himself.
November 6, 2017
Do you need a little Practical Magic in your life?
Sure you do.
Dan Stone's The Rest of Our Lives is a funny, romantic, and fascinating read about love and other powerful forces.
With writing as clear as a bell, the author takes us on a journey within a journey with this young couple and what a ride it was.
Sure you do.
Dan Stone's The Rest of Our Lives is a funny, romantic, and fascinating read about love and other powerful forces.
With writing as clear as a bell, the author takes us on a journey within a journey with this young couple and what a ride it was.
June 2, 2010
to be published
July 26, 2016
4.25 Stars. It's not necessary but I would love a sequel of some sort.
September 19, 2017
Meet Colm and Aiden, two male witches who continue to meet each other again life after life, always breaking up or being broken up before they die – until the next time. The concept may have been done before, but Stone pulls it off like a champ, with the boys being polar opposites of each other – fire and ice magic. The characters are interesting, the plot turns sufficiently, and Stone’s sense of humor is on point. Truly a grand start to the series.
March 10, 2017
This was an enjoyable M/M romance.
March 17, 2022
Loved the book. The author is an awesome person and great writer
February 2, 2010
4.5 stars
This is a light-hearted and wonderfully charming love story, perfect for a summer afternoon. The contemporary romance with a paranormal twist is filled with witty prose, great one liners, and a cast of fabulous characters. The author’s love of magic is easily translated to the language and writing, leaving a fun and entertaining journey as these lovers from across the ages search for the clues to get it right this time. The sensuality and chemistry fairly sparks between the main characters yet the lack of explicit language and erotica only enhances the appeal of this captivating tale.
The story is about Colm McKenna who has always thought he was a freak, or delusional. He struggles with creating a sense of normalcy to a life he thinks is weird and insane. To this extent, he has an outrageous life coach and a best friend/boss who try to offer him advice and support. When Colm meets Aidan, he sets the tone of their relationship by literally running away. Once the two realize they are a pair of re-incarnated lovers known to each other for well over 2000 years, both men start to look deeper at the relationship and their own needs. Helping, or not helping, matters are a cast of characters from psychics, witches, ghosts, ex-lovers, drag queens, to an entire host of past lives. It’s no wonder the path to eternal love with paranormal powers is rather rocky.
Told in first person from Colm’s point of view, he is clearly the main character and driving force of the narrative. It’s his struggle to discover and understand the power he holds while embarking on this century’s love affair with Aidan. Colm has a delightfully wry and witty sense of humor that is used liberally within the pages. This humor keeps the story light and fun without allowing the drama and angst to overwhelm and bring too much of a somber note to the telling. Several passages are laugh out loud hilarious. Colm’s frustration and confusion over choices and seemingly pre-destined paths can drag on slightly; however, this was an intended result to show his decisions and active choices. Too often in his past, Colm allowed decisions to be made for him and even presently, he admits to wishing someone would tell him what to do. Instead, when Colm finally accepts responsibility and takes action on his own, it’s clear he’s broken his own destructive patterns.
The first person narrative is not wholly successful as Colm is occasionally a weak voice. Added to this is the somewhat problematic character of Aidan who is still very much the same man he has been through the ages. Aidan has always been the one leaving a heart broken Colm in whatever incantation Colm appears from harem girl to alter boy, and although Aidan works hard to break that cycle in modern time his efforts are mysterious and ill-explained. Although Aidan is an energetic, vivacious, and outgoing person, he retains a very hidden personality that is glimpsed through Colm’s photography. Additionally, Aidan has several threads that are dangled for the reader without resolution, such as his ex-lover Daman. However, Aidan’s opposing and entertaining personality fits perfectly to Colm’s.
The cast involved are interesting if not entirely needed. Aidan’s aunt is a great character and helps both men understand their past and present, while her advice is mysterious and confusing. Apparently witches can never just say what they mean, a frustration Colm experiences to no end. Additional characters of Kermit, Dr. Nike, and the drag queens are fun but not wholly necessary and especially Dr. Nike wears a bit as the scenes with her repeat. This theme of only seeing and hearing what each person wants is repeated in both the main characters and the fun supporting cast.
Overall, this is a heartwarming and wonderfully romantic tale with humor, wit, charm, and a thoroughly engaging story. The lighthearted writing and prose weave a captivating love story that you won’t want to put down with a lovely and romantic ending to an eternal love affair. While the story does leave some unanswered questions and fairly begs for a sequel, you won’t be disappointed.
This is a light-hearted and wonderfully charming love story, perfect for a summer afternoon. The contemporary romance with a paranormal twist is filled with witty prose, great one liners, and a cast of fabulous characters. The author’s love of magic is easily translated to the language and writing, leaving a fun and entertaining journey as these lovers from across the ages search for the clues to get it right this time. The sensuality and chemistry fairly sparks between the main characters yet the lack of explicit language and erotica only enhances the appeal of this captivating tale.
The story is about Colm McKenna who has always thought he was a freak, or delusional. He struggles with creating a sense of normalcy to a life he thinks is weird and insane. To this extent, he has an outrageous life coach and a best friend/boss who try to offer him advice and support. When Colm meets Aidan, he sets the tone of their relationship by literally running away. Once the two realize they are a pair of re-incarnated lovers known to each other for well over 2000 years, both men start to look deeper at the relationship and their own needs. Helping, or not helping, matters are a cast of characters from psychics, witches, ghosts, ex-lovers, drag queens, to an entire host of past lives. It’s no wonder the path to eternal love with paranormal powers is rather rocky.
Told in first person from Colm’s point of view, he is clearly the main character and driving force of the narrative. It’s his struggle to discover and understand the power he holds while embarking on this century’s love affair with Aidan. Colm has a delightfully wry and witty sense of humor that is used liberally within the pages. This humor keeps the story light and fun without allowing the drama and angst to overwhelm and bring too much of a somber note to the telling. Several passages are laugh out loud hilarious. Colm’s frustration and confusion over choices and seemingly pre-destined paths can drag on slightly; however, this was an intended result to show his decisions and active choices. Too often in his past, Colm allowed decisions to be made for him and even presently, he admits to wishing someone would tell him what to do. Instead, when Colm finally accepts responsibility and takes action on his own, it’s clear he’s broken his own destructive patterns.
The first person narrative is not wholly successful as Colm is occasionally a weak voice. Added to this is the somewhat problematic character of Aidan who is still very much the same man he has been through the ages. Aidan has always been the one leaving a heart broken Colm in whatever incantation Colm appears from harem girl to alter boy, and although Aidan works hard to break that cycle in modern time his efforts are mysterious and ill-explained. Although Aidan is an energetic, vivacious, and outgoing person, he retains a very hidden personality that is glimpsed through Colm’s photography. Additionally, Aidan has several threads that are dangled for the reader without resolution, such as his ex-lover Daman. However, Aidan’s opposing and entertaining personality fits perfectly to Colm’s.
The cast involved are interesting if not entirely needed. Aidan’s aunt is a great character and helps both men understand their past and present, while her advice is mysterious and confusing. Apparently witches can never just say what they mean, a frustration Colm experiences to no end. Additional characters of Kermit, Dr. Nike, and the drag queens are fun but not wholly necessary and especially Dr. Nike wears a bit as the scenes with her repeat. This theme of only seeing and hearing what each person wants is repeated in both the main characters and the fun supporting cast.
Overall, this is a heartwarming and wonderfully romantic tale with humor, wit, charm, and a thoroughly engaging story. The lighthearted writing and prose weave a captivating love story that you won’t want to put down with a lovely and romantic ending to an eternal love affair. While the story does leave some unanswered questions and fairly begs for a sequel, you won’t be disappointed.
June 1, 2011
Publisher: Lethe Press
Released: May 25, 2009
Pages: 228
ISBN-10: 1590211472
ISBN-13: 978-1590211472
Stars: 4.0
I’m pretty sure I must have been a gay man in a past life. I love gay men. No one else understands a woman or what she’s looking for in romance quite like a gay man. My first boyfriend in public school turned out to be gay, a major high school crush was gay; my first lover was bisexual and I spent the entire year from the summers of 1994 to 1995 in Vancouver hanging out with gay men. Man, do they know how to party! Up until October 2003, I always had a gay man for a close friend, but my dear friend Don died of HIV-complicated issues that month and there really hasn’t been anyone like him since. There’s definitely a pattern there and of course there’s the fact that I’m still single at 47. Yes, I’m quite sure I was a gay man in a past life.
I have never read a gay romantic fantasy before but The Rest Of Our Lives by Dan Stone is exactly that. It’s utterly delightful in a Bewitched kind of way and I would love to see John Waters direct the movie version. If you love The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, or To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (as I do), you’re going to enjoy The Rest Of Our Lives like Divine loved her Marilyn Monroe-blonde wigs. However, The Rest Of Our Lives isn’t raunchy like a John Waters film, it’s incredibly sweet, enchanting, sexy, thoughtful and romantic, as well as unabashedly gay. There are even a few chapters set in Provincetown!
Colm and Aidan are two passionate, beautiful souls who have been linked together lifetime after lifetime: one fire and the other ice – unable to exist without the other.
Colm McKenna has spent his whole life feeling like an outsider and a freak. A natural blonde elemental witch who has the ability to control water & ice, freeze everything around him and literally stop time, he was raised by his Aunt Belle in St. Clair, North Carolina and never felt as if she or anyone else in his family truly understood him. When we join him in the present chapter of his life, Colm is a quiet, shy, isolated assistant manager (clueless about his own beauty) of a rare bookstore/photographer in Washington, DC whose ice-blue eyes spot the dark and dangerously handsome Aidan Gallagher for the first time at the annual Pridefest parade. Aidan just happens to be an elemental witch as well, only his element is fire and where Colm “creates stillness, he creates motion and the warming of the South Wind.”
Colm’s boss and good friend Kermit later introduces them at a house party but Colm doesn’t trust that his dreams might come true and that a man who is perfect for him not only actually exists, but truly wants to love him forever. (I suffer from the same stultifying fear.) It takes a cast of colourful characters including Aidan’s psychic Aunt Lu and Colm’s dying Aunt Belle to ultimately convince Colm that in this lifetime, his and Aidan’s destiny will be different from that of their past lives, and they will get to live happily ever after.
Even against a fairy tale backdrop, Dan Stone knows how to write compelling characters and great chapter titles too. Some of my favourites in this book are “Cool, Colm and Collaborated”, “Humping Through The Ages”, “Hex Upon The Beach” and “For Whom The Belle Told.” He obviously has a wonderful sense of humour. For every moment of humour there is also one of poignancy, so by the time I read the final chapter and Colm’s mother’s letter to him, I had tears in my eyes. This is a charming paranormal love story that will burn bright in your imagination long after you read the last page!
I want to live in the world that Dan Stone created in this novel and I want to spend the rest of my life with the Aidan that I hope is out there for me. Sigh…
Released: May 25, 2009
Pages: 228
ISBN-10: 1590211472
ISBN-13: 978-1590211472
Stars: 4.0
I’m pretty sure I must have been a gay man in a past life. I love gay men. No one else understands a woman or what she’s looking for in romance quite like a gay man. My first boyfriend in public school turned out to be gay, a major high school crush was gay; my first lover was bisexual and I spent the entire year from the summers of 1994 to 1995 in Vancouver hanging out with gay men. Man, do they know how to party! Up until October 2003, I always had a gay man for a close friend, but my dear friend Don died of HIV-complicated issues that month and there really hasn’t been anyone like him since. There’s definitely a pattern there and of course there’s the fact that I’m still single at 47. Yes, I’m quite sure I was a gay man in a past life.
I have never read a gay romantic fantasy before but The Rest Of Our Lives by Dan Stone is exactly that. It’s utterly delightful in a Bewitched kind of way and I would love to see John Waters direct the movie version. If you love The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, or To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (as I do), you’re going to enjoy The Rest Of Our Lives like Divine loved her Marilyn Monroe-blonde wigs. However, The Rest Of Our Lives isn’t raunchy like a John Waters film, it’s incredibly sweet, enchanting, sexy, thoughtful and romantic, as well as unabashedly gay. There are even a few chapters set in Provincetown!
Colm and Aidan are two passionate, beautiful souls who have been linked together lifetime after lifetime: one fire and the other ice – unable to exist without the other.
Colm McKenna has spent his whole life feeling like an outsider and a freak. A natural blonde elemental witch who has the ability to control water & ice, freeze everything around him and literally stop time, he was raised by his Aunt Belle in St. Clair, North Carolina and never felt as if she or anyone else in his family truly understood him. When we join him in the present chapter of his life, Colm is a quiet, shy, isolated assistant manager (clueless about his own beauty) of a rare bookstore/photographer in Washington, DC whose ice-blue eyes spot the dark and dangerously handsome Aidan Gallagher for the first time at the annual Pridefest parade. Aidan just happens to be an elemental witch as well, only his element is fire and where Colm “creates stillness, he creates motion and the warming of the South Wind.”
Colm’s boss and good friend Kermit later introduces them at a house party but Colm doesn’t trust that his dreams might come true and that a man who is perfect for him not only actually exists, but truly wants to love him forever. (I suffer from the same stultifying fear.) It takes a cast of colourful characters including Aidan’s psychic Aunt Lu and Colm’s dying Aunt Belle to ultimately convince Colm that in this lifetime, his and Aidan’s destiny will be different from that of their past lives, and they will get to live happily ever after.
Even against a fairy tale backdrop, Dan Stone knows how to write compelling characters and great chapter titles too. Some of my favourites in this book are “Cool, Colm and Collaborated”, “Humping Through The Ages”, “Hex Upon The Beach” and “For Whom The Belle Told.” He obviously has a wonderful sense of humour. For every moment of humour there is also one of poignancy, so by the time I read the final chapter and Colm’s mother’s letter to him, I had tears in my eyes. This is a charming paranormal love story that will burn bright in your imagination long after you read the last page!
I want to live in the world that Dan Stone created in this novel and I want to spend the rest of my life with the Aidan that I hope is out there for me. Sigh…
April 24, 2016
Independent review for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I loved the IDEA of this book. Imagine, living your life over and over but not remembering the one you love each time?
Colm can't remember Aiden. But Aiden knows Colm, has done since the dawn of time when Colm's soul resided in a female. Aiden just need Colm to remember.
As I said, I loved the idea of this story, loved that Aiden always left, loved that Colm decided her was going to leave this time. Of course, that didn't quite work but still.
Some reviews talk of the humour, but I must have missed it, cos while it was amusing in places, I didn't find it laugh out loud funny.
It it, in my opinion, almost clean. I've filed it on my YOUNG ADULT shelf, with a view to 16+
It is also single POV, told entirely from Colm's POV. But I found him a weak narrator and not very interesting in parts, and I think that even if Aiden had his say, in the first person, as Colm does, it would have bumped the rating up from me. There is a wonderful supporting cast of characters too, who could have had a say.
I have Aiden and Colm's follow up story to read next.
A good tale, which just fell a little bit short for me.
3.5 stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Divine Magazine**
I loved the IDEA of this book. Imagine, living your life over and over but not remembering the one you love each time?
Colm can't remember Aiden. But Aiden knows Colm, has done since the dawn of time when Colm's soul resided in a female. Aiden just need Colm to remember.
As I said, I loved the idea of this story, loved that Aiden always left, loved that Colm decided her was going to leave this time. Of course, that didn't quite work but still.
Some reviews talk of the humour, but I must have missed it, cos while it was amusing in places, I didn't find it laugh out loud funny.
It it, in my opinion, almost clean. I've filed it on my YOUNG ADULT shelf, with a view to 16+
It is also single POV, told entirely from Colm's POV. But I found him a weak narrator and not very interesting in parts, and I think that even if Aiden had his say, in the first person, as Colm does, it would have bumped the rating up from me. There is a wonderful supporting cast of characters too, who could have had a say.
I have Aiden and Colm's follow up story to read next.
A good tale, which just fell a little bit short for me.
3.5 stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Divine Magazine**
July 9, 2012
I have to admit a couple things before getting to my review. I am both ADHD and an avid reader. This is a tricky combination that results in my getting really bored really fast with story lines that don’t move along well. Also, if story get all bogged down with excruciating detail I can’t help but skim until the action gets good again. Well, I can honestly say I was hooked on this story within the first few pages and ended up reading every line all the way through.
It is a fun combination of romance, metaphysical action, and coming to find one’s self, gifts, flaws, and true love. The way it left off there is a ton of room for more stories with these characters. I only hope that Dan Stone gives us more!
It is a fun combination of romance, metaphysical action, and coming to find one’s self, gifts, flaws, and true love. The way it left off there is a ton of room for more stories with these characters. I only hope that Dan Stone gives us more!
August 26, 2016
I was a bit worried this would be too paranormal for me from the blurb, but actually it is a great blend of contemporary with added extra's! Enjoyed it a lot.
Whilst it is Colm and Aiden, it is really about Colm finding himself.
I liked that whilst 'the rest of our lives' usually refers to the future, in this case it was their previous incarnations. A bit of humour in the situations, lots of sadness and Colm always being left. Which is what sets him off on his real voyage of discovery!
Those wanting lots of sex in their stories will be disappointed but I felt that the behind the closed door approach here was right - the story was about them as witches, not about their relationship per se.
Whilst it is Colm and Aiden, it is really about Colm finding himself.
I liked that whilst 'the rest of our lives' usually refers to the future, in this case it was their previous incarnations. A bit of humour in the situations, lots of sadness and Colm always being left. Which is what sets him off on his real voyage of discovery!
Those wanting lots of sex in their stories will be disappointed but I felt that the behind the closed door approach here was right - the story was about them as witches, not about their relationship per se.
August 13, 2010
I think this book is in the Romance category, although it has some SciFi and mystery aspects to it, but since I've read a total of one romance novel in my life, I'm not exactly certain. The pair of lovers in this book happen to be men, and I suppose you could also say the book is about gay witches, but that makes the book sound comic for some reason, and even though I did laugh at some of the clever dialogue, the overall tone of the book is as serious as love itself. I was deeply moved by the characters and recommend the book to anyone who likes a good love story with a paranormal twist.
July 28, 2013
I so want to love this. Love the magic, the story, the settings, etc... but i just dont feel the love of MC's for each other. I dont know why. Theres seems to be a wall between them.
But i might reread this in the future, and hoping to see their feeling more clearly
But i might reread this in the future, and hoping to see their feeling more clearly
January 15, 2015
Why did I wait so long to read it?! Sequel please!
Audible Edition:
Story - 4.5 stars
Performance - 4.5 stars
Overall - 4.5 stars bumped up to 5 stars
Audible Edition:
Story - 4.5 stars
Performance - 4.5 stars
Overall - 4.5 stars bumped up to 5 stars
October 25, 2015
2009 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Read
July 19, 2013Couldn't finish it.
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