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Xu
Fight or flight? This has always been the way of Lindo Santiago’s life, and he has always chosen to fight. He has prepared for world championship boxing glory his entire career. From the Mexican slums to the hard streets of Hollywood, he gave it everything. Lindo thought he was ready until his world title shot arrived and almost killed him. Now, forced to retire by the California State Athletic Commission, he has defied the odds by surviving a three-month coma and severe brain injury.Forced to choose a new path, to live a different life, Lindo is certain he can do it, with the help of Xu, a mysterious spirit force of a man who emerged in the darkest days of Lindo’s coma. Xu and Lindo’s homosexuality are his biggest secrets. Encouraged to take his first vacation ever, Lindo flies to Honolulu where Xu becomes more potent, yet more mysterious. Signs are everywhere that Lindo must choose between love and death, and he also must decide whether to enter into a relationship with a hot local, Turner Cypriano. But if he does, what will that mean for Xu?
123 pages, ebook
First published October 14, 2010
79 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Llewellyn
288 books452 followersA.J. Llewellyn lives in California, but dreams of living in Hawaii. Frequent trips to all the islands, bags of Kona coffee in the fridge and a healthy collection of Hawaiian records keep this writer refueled.
A.J’s passion for the islands led to writing a play about the last ruling monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani as well as a non-erotic novel about the overthrow of her kingdom written in diary form from her maid’s point of view.
A.J. never lacks inspiritation for male/male erotic romances and on the rare occasion this happens, pursues other passions such as collecting books on Hawaiiana, surfing and spending time with friends and animal companions.
A.J. Llewellyn believes that love is a song best sung out loud.
A.J’s passion for the islands led to writing a play about the last ruling monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani as well as a non-erotic novel about the overthrow of her kingdom written in diary form from her maid’s point of view.
A.J. never lacks inspiritation for male/male erotic romances and on the rare occasion this happens, pursues other passions such as collecting books on Hawaiiana, surfing and spending time with friends and animal companions.
A.J. Llewellyn believes that love is a song best sung out loud.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 22, 2010
This was fabulous! Loved the couple, loved the interaction, loved the narration … everything.
What I thought was really great was the care AJ took with creating the characters. The first half of the book is setting up Lindo, what he’d just gone through and how he was adjusting to the unexpected (and forced) down time. Friendly and engaging, Lindo sets out to explore his little piece of Hawaii. He meets some really interesting characters.
It isn’t until nearly half way through the story that Lindo meets Turner, the man he would fall for. How they meet, how they kept bumping into each other all over the island, how they were finally able to connect during a very difficult situation … very classy.
Definitely recommend. I see an AJ Llewellyn buying spree in my future.
What I thought was really great was the care AJ took with creating the characters. The first half of the book is setting up Lindo, what he’d just gone through and how he was adjusting to the unexpected (and forced) down time. Friendly and engaging, Lindo sets out to explore his little piece of Hawaii. He meets some really interesting characters.
It isn’t until nearly half way through the story that Lindo meets Turner, the man he would fall for. How they meet, how they kept bumping into each other all over the island, how they were finally able to connect during a very difficult situation … very classy.
Definitely recommend. I see an AJ Llewellyn buying spree in my future.
August 16, 2011
This was a beautiful story of one man's fight back from near death and the healing that allowed him to love freely. Lindo Santiago was almost a champion prize fighter until he was beaten into a coma during his championship fight. With the help of a top brain surgeon and a special gift from a friend, Lindo wakes to a life totally alien to him. Deeply closeted and banned from fighting, Lindo rents a condo in Hawaii for at least a month. Lonely and not knowing exactly where he will fit in, Lindo slowly explores the beauty if the island allowing nature to heal his soul. Llewellyn weaves a deeply spiritual story using his knowledge of Hawaii and the folk lore of the natives. When Lindo meets a mess of a man named Jesse and is taken to a boxing match, Lindo sees his old life from the other side of the ring. He forms an almost instant bond with the boxer and aids in the boxer's recovery. The man that completes Lindo's life circle and pulls him out of the closet is Turner Cypriano. The first part of this story dwells on Lindo's healing while the second part dwells on his actually grabbing life and living. I would heartily recommend this story to anyone looking to read something heart warming. This is not the typical A.J. Llewellyn story, it's better.
April 14, 2018
This is such a fascinating book on so many levels. There is the spiritual element of a very close encounter with death and how Lindo deals with that. There is the mystery of Xu, and Lindo's emotions as he desperately tries to reclaim some sort of a life after 3 months in a coma. It had me spellbound. Overcoming almost-death like that can't be easy, and his struggle is told so vividly that I was involved from the very first page.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 1, 2010
Man oh man...I am not the weepy kinda guy but the ending of this book tugged at my heart strings. I wondered who Xu was and I got the feeling he was a ghost or an angel, but the revelation was both beautiful and inspiring. I thought the author's depiction of Lindo's lonely journey to a new life was riveting and his blossoming relationship was convincing. I liked Lindo so much and felt...I don't know..I rooted for the guy from the outset. I wanted him to win.
Great story.
Great story.
February 1, 2011
Xu
by A. J. Llewellyn
Fight or flight? This has always been the way of Lindo Santiago’s life, and he has always chosen to fight. He has prepared for world championship boxing glory his entire career. From the Mexican slums to the hard streets of Hollywood, he gave it everything. Lindo thought he was ready until his world title shot arrived and almost killed him. Now, forced to retire by the California State Athletic Commission, he has defied the odds by surviving a three-month coma and severe brain injury.
Forced to choose a new path, to live a different life, Lindo is certain he can do it, with the help of Xu, a mysterious spirit force of a man who emerged in the darkest days of Lindo’s coma. Xu and Lindo’s homosexuality are his biggest secrets. Encouraged to take his first vacation ever, Lindo flies to Honolulu where Xu becomes more potent, yet more mysterious. Signs are everywhere that Lindo must choose between love and death, and he also must decide whether to enter into a relationship with a hot local, Turner Cypriano. But if he does, what will that mean for Xu?
Lindo is an injured boxer who boxed in a match that he shouldn’t have Boxed in the first place. The Doctor who saved his life and the few people left who didn’t think he was a washed up old has been sat with him as the California State Athletic Association decided that he was no longer allowed to box. So Armed only with the money he had saved a man named XU only he could see Lindo take a long needed Vacation to Hawaii.
Everything in Lindo’s life changes in Hawaii.. The islands work his magic on his body and soul however with all go things there must be some sadness. A new friend takes Lindo to a Boxing Match and he is front and center to see the same injury he suffered from inflicted on another. Suddenly he feels his world come crashing in… Can XU pull Lindo back again or is there something else he needs to remember and do.
I want to start this review a little differently than I normally do.. Honestly there is nothing normal about how I do anything but that is neither here nor there right now lol.. I don’t do sports I don’t follow sports I am not a huge fan of sports. Sadly that is spoke by a onetime Varsity cheerleader. But I have been around boys most of my life. my brother (who is no longer with us) is only 18months younger than I am so I tended to hang with the boys(go figure) So I know something about sports I even played them as a younger person. So I know basics about most…
Ok so now on to the present… I know something about boxing and its very basic.. You beat the other person to a pulp and first one to falls and doesn’t get up looses. ( I not a stupid girl I know there is more to it than that) I also know that these men and woman are perfect honed machines. Hands down that is what they are. The Sacrifices they make for this sport is staggering. What I didn’t know and what I am learning is How few rules there really are regarding injury and how easily its hidden away and swept under the rug. Did you know that Boxers shouldn’t box if they have had any kind of head injury. If they are sparing and the sparring partner gets in a lucky shot to the head or the eye they shouldn’t box in the “big” match. Boxers Fight with injuries that can KILL them.. Boxing is the only Sport You have a High Chance of Dying doing. Boxers hide injuries from loved ones, Trainers, Managers, Promoters and other Boxers( this one does makes sense though) Up until recently MRI’s where not Normally Run on Boxers who sustained head injuries. The lack of Good medical care has resulted in Many deaths and life altering injuries. That to me is heart breaking. NASCAR has better Medical care for their Injured Drivers than the Boxing Association has for their Boxers. Granted they have made it harder for Boxers Benched ( I don’t know if that’s the right word) to go over sea’s or to another country to box. BUT it’s not enough. I think We should demand better medical standards for our Boxers. I don’t know what can be done and I think I know who I will talk to about it and Add more Later when I get more answers on what we can do.
AJ is Passionate about this topic.. Everything you read pertaining to boxing this book is true.. He himself lost a good Friend and Boxer and he made it one of his many goals to educate and help to make changes so no more boxers lives were lost in this sport. It is a pager turner you will not want to put this book down and I feel that it’s an Educational MUST read. OF course the Sex Is hot and our Boxer and his new lover are even hotter. Sweltering sex aside the Story is Real, heart Felt and really makes you think and want to get up and do something to help make a change. I can’t wait to read the Follow up (hint Hint AJ I want a book 2 please)
On a Scale of 1-100 for over all Reading I give it a 100!!!!! This is one of those books that you will read and come away changed.
On a Scale of 1-100 On hotness and Sex Over all I have to Give it a 101… I haven’t read an AJ Book that wasn’t Hot.
by A. J. Llewellyn
Fight or flight? This has always been the way of Lindo Santiago’s life, and he has always chosen to fight. He has prepared for world championship boxing glory his entire career. From the Mexican slums to the hard streets of Hollywood, he gave it everything. Lindo thought he was ready until his world title shot arrived and almost killed him. Now, forced to retire by the California State Athletic Commission, he has defied the odds by surviving a three-month coma and severe brain injury.
Forced to choose a new path, to live a different life, Lindo is certain he can do it, with the help of Xu, a mysterious spirit force of a man who emerged in the darkest days of Lindo’s coma. Xu and Lindo’s homosexuality are his biggest secrets. Encouraged to take his first vacation ever, Lindo flies to Honolulu where Xu becomes more potent, yet more mysterious. Signs are everywhere that Lindo must choose between love and death, and he also must decide whether to enter into a relationship with a hot local, Turner Cypriano. But if he does, what will that mean for Xu?
Lindo is an injured boxer who boxed in a match that he shouldn’t have Boxed in the first place. The Doctor who saved his life and the few people left who didn’t think he was a washed up old has been sat with him as the California State Athletic Association decided that he was no longer allowed to box. So Armed only with the money he had saved a man named XU only he could see Lindo take a long needed Vacation to Hawaii.
Everything in Lindo’s life changes in Hawaii.. The islands work his magic on his body and soul however with all go things there must be some sadness. A new friend takes Lindo to a Boxing Match and he is front and center to see the same injury he suffered from inflicted on another. Suddenly he feels his world come crashing in… Can XU pull Lindo back again or is there something else he needs to remember and do.
I want to start this review a little differently than I normally do.. Honestly there is nothing normal about how I do anything but that is neither here nor there right now lol.. I don’t do sports I don’t follow sports I am not a huge fan of sports. Sadly that is spoke by a onetime Varsity cheerleader. But I have been around boys most of my life. my brother (who is no longer with us) is only 18months younger than I am so I tended to hang with the boys(go figure) So I know something about sports I even played them as a younger person. So I know basics about most…
Ok so now on to the present… I know something about boxing and its very basic.. You beat the other person to a pulp and first one to falls and doesn’t get up looses. ( I not a stupid girl I know there is more to it than that) I also know that these men and woman are perfect honed machines. Hands down that is what they are. The Sacrifices they make for this sport is staggering. What I didn’t know and what I am learning is How few rules there really are regarding injury and how easily its hidden away and swept under the rug. Did you know that Boxers shouldn’t box if they have had any kind of head injury. If they are sparing and the sparring partner gets in a lucky shot to the head or the eye they shouldn’t box in the “big” match. Boxers Fight with injuries that can KILL them.. Boxing is the only Sport You have a High Chance of Dying doing. Boxers hide injuries from loved ones, Trainers, Managers, Promoters and other Boxers( this one does makes sense though) Up until recently MRI’s where not Normally Run on Boxers who sustained head injuries. The lack of Good medical care has resulted in Many deaths and life altering injuries. That to me is heart breaking. NASCAR has better Medical care for their Injured Drivers than the Boxing Association has for their Boxers. Granted they have made it harder for Boxers Benched ( I don’t know if that’s the right word) to go over sea’s or to another country to box. BUT it’s not enough. I think We should demand better medical standards for our Boxers. I don’t know what can be done and I think I know who I will talk to about it and Add more Later when I get more answers on what we can do.
AJ is Passionate about this topic.. Everything you read pertaining to boxing this book is true.. He himself lost a good Friend and Boxer and he made it one of his many goals to educate and help to make changes so no more boxers lives were lost in this sport. It is a pager turner you will not want to put this book down and I feel that it’s an Educational MUST read. OF course the Sex Is hot and our Boxer and his new lover are even hotter. Sweltering sex aside the Story is Real, heart Felt and really makes you think and want to get up and do something to help make a change. I can’t wait to read the Follow up (hint Hint AJ I want a book 2 please)
On a Scale of 1-100 for over all Reading I give it a 100!!!!! This is one of those books that you will read and come away changed.
On a Scale of 1-100 On hotness and Sex Over all I have to Give it a 101… I haven’t read an AJ Book that wasn’t Hot.
January 8, 2015
This story had an interesting premise: boxer recovers from a coma after a bout gone bad. While in that coma, he sees a being, Xu, who is a source of comfort and connection. Once he wakes, he travels to Hawaii to figure out what he's going to do next with his life, and the rest of the story is about events that occur to him while he's there. The bit of supernatural flavor and spirituality throughout the book is interesting, but I feel as if it could have been more fully developed and connected to Lindo. There didn't seem to be a central plot arc, rather a series of events. I did like the characters, but the relationship with Turner was a bit insta-love, and I didn't really feel the chemistry between them. It could have used a stronger line editor as well - there were enough missing/incorrect words that it would throw me out of the story here and there.
June 13, 2012
Such a lovely book. Boxing was, is and will be one of my favorite sports and Llewellyn managed to capture the very essence of it. Very good job indeed! The training, the double-crossing, the injuries and the hiding that takes place, the cheating and all, yes very, very well done.
So this is the story of Lindo Santiago that raised from the streets of Mexico to the world ranks of boxing, a great athlete that got played by his very own manager and promoter. Lindo participated in a match that cost him two months in a coma and a very serious brain injury. His surgeon and best friend Marcella did whatever she could and eventually saved his life… or did she??
After the decision of the California State Athletic Association that Lindo can no longer box there is nothing left for him to do but to take a long vacation and heal his troubled body and soul. Onward to Hawaii Lindo starts with baby steps a new life and with the help of the island’s magic he starts to realize how much he still has left. Perhaps his fighting days are over, but he has a life to live and love to let in his heart.
The author indeed has a magic touch in her hand when she introduces us the Island. It literally feels like we’re there, like we could smell the breeze and the flower’s fragrance. Absolutely perfect!
While in Hawaii Lindo goes with an acquaintance to a boxing match where he becomes witness of a repetition of his own fight. The young boxer falls head down and Lindo watches the coming days as he falls into a coma with no hopes of coming back.
Lindo also finds love and while it has its ups and downs he and Turner become unseparated. The chemistry between them is almost palpable and the two of them are such a charming couple. Until Turner hear Lindo talk in his sleep, whispering the name of another man…
What? You thought I forgot Xu didn’t you? Of course not, but I had to leave him up for the end. You see while I loved the story of Lindo the boxer that fight death and moves on even if all his former life has took an end, I somehow didn’t quite liked Xu and “his” part in the story. You see Xu is an angel that helped Lindo overcome his coma and stay alive even when all odds were against him. Xu also has a certain sexual intimacy with Lindo. Well, call me old fashion, but this simply wasn’t my cup of tea and I’ll leave it at that.
All in all this was a very nice story that I enjoyed reading and if you are into boxers that overcome their difficulties and fight for their life, with the help of angels or not, go ahead and give it a shot.
So this is the story of Lindo Santiago that raised from the streets of Mexico to the world ranks of boxing, a great athlete that got played by his very own manager and promoter. Lindo participated in a match that cost him two months in a coma and a very serious brain injury. His surgeon and best friend Marcella did whatever she could and eventually saved his life… or did she??
After the decision of the California State Athletic Association that Lindo can no longer box there is nothing left for him to do but to take a long vacation and heal his troubled body and soul. Onward to Hawaii Lindo starts with baby steps a new life and with the help of the island’s magic he starts to realize how much he still has left. Perhaps his fighting days are over, but he has a life to live and love to let in his heart.
The author indeed has a magic touch in her hand when she introduces us the Island. It literally feels like we’re there, like we could smell the breeze and the flower’s fragrance. Absolutely perfect!
While in Hawaii Lindo goes with an acquaintance to a boxing match where he becomes witness of a repetition of his own fight. The young boxer falls head down and Lindo watches the coming days as he falls into a coma with no hopes of coming back.
Lindo also finds love and while it has its ups and downs he and Turner become unseparated. The chemistry between them is almost palpable and the two of them are such a charming couple. Until Turner hear Lindo talk in his sleep, whispering the name of another man…
What? You thought I forgot Xu didn’t you? Of course not, but I had to leave him up for the end. You see while I loved the story of Lindo the boxer that fight death and moves on even if all his former life has took an end, I somehow didn’t quite liked Xu and “his” part in the story. You see Xu is an angel that helped Lindo overcome his coma and stay alive even when all odds were against him. Xu also has a certain sexual intimacy with Lindo. Well, call me old fashion, but this simply wasn’t my cup of tea and I’ll leave it at that.
All in all this was a very nice story that I enjoyed reading and if you are into boxers that overcome their difficulties and fight for their life, with the help of angels or not, go ahead and give it a shot.
August 24, 2020
Lindo is a world boxing champion, during a fight he takes a hit to the head which puts him in a coma. Once he wakes up from a coma, he is forced to retire from boxing. He goes to Hawaii for a vacation for the first time. When he wakes from coma, he has Xu in his mind as a spirit force who helped me during the darkest days of his coma. While in Hawaii he meets Turner Cypriano, who works many of different jobs just to afford to live in Hawaii.
The two men clash to begin with but once they get past the miscommunication they start on the journey of a relationship. Lindo is worried that if they start a relationship that he will lose Xu.
This was an okay book, but it was still a bit confusing at times. I enjoyed both Lindo and Turner separately but I didn’t buy them as a couple, I think they weren’t together long enough in the book for me to get a feel for their relationship.
The two men clash to begin with but once they get past the miscommunication they start on the journey of a relationship. Lindo is worried that if they start a relationship that he will lose Xu.
This was an okay book, but it was still a bit confusing at times. I enjoyed both Lindo and Turner separately but I didn’t buy them as a couple, I think they weren’t together long enough in the book for me to get a feel for their relationship.
February 19, 2013
I feel as if I got the bonus of reading a travel book about Hawaii while reading this story. I’ve never been there, but now I really want to go! I couldn’t imagine being in Lindo’s shoes – having been through something as monumental as a near death experience and then having to learn to live a different and unfamiliar life. The mystery of Xu was intriguing and I loved how that mystery was solved/revealed at the end of the book. Looks like I’ll have to check out “Xu Again” in order to see how Lindo’s life and budding romance move forward.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews