The Mature Men's Book Club discussion

What has the club read so far?

Alans wrote: "What has the club read so far?"

Hello Alan, well it has been a while since your request that is the problem of not keeping up a site, my apologies this will give you an overview.

I have several books that I'm currently reading. I often read a chapter from one and then move on to the next and cycle through so here goes the current reading list:

, which I started today for Remembrance Day I've been reading a lot of J.M. Snyder's short stories and am hoping to use one or two with the students in the QSA at work. In addition to this I'm also reading
, , , and

Electronic reading is great...five books on the go at one time plus a cookbook, the Bible, and an educational tome and all weighing in at 221g.

That is how I work my handcrafts, knitting needlepoint, it seems to keep the "mundaness" out of it, now I rarely do this with books, unless I leave home on a trip, forget my current book, then I must have any book....
If there is anything unclear about the bible, just ask me I had it rammed down my throat for many years as a child.......!!

Just finished reading The Hanging Shed by Gordon Ferris. This was a really great read. Historical fiction with some rather disturbing content with respect to child abuse and how abuse can lead to one who abuses set in Scotland following WWII. Now its on to finishing the other two I have on the go and selecting another short read to heat things up before starting another longer tome. I would recommend this to others in the group.

I've just cracked open for a little change of pace from my more serious reading. I just hope it lives up to its title.

I just finished . Certainly not for the younger set but it was still also not what I had expected. I would have like a little more same-sex action. Not likely one that I will read again but I'm sure there are many out there who will like it. I'm just ready to start as well as finish up and . I hope to finish one of the latter two very shortly so I can get at another short m/m story.

This is an excellent read. by Canadian author Brian Francis chronicles a mother's acceptance of her late, gay, son through a series of flash backs through their lives brought back to her when a volunteer, Timothy, starts to visit her in her nursing home.

The writing style draws you into the story and the time frames easily. There are some bits of humour that really hit home for me as they perfectly describe people in my own life. I fully understand Joyce's reluctance to acknowledge her son's homosexuality in a small town in the 1980s. It is even more difficult for her to acknowledge that her son, John, died of AIDS and because of her controlling nature had been unwilling to share his adult life with her.

My own mother still struggles to use the word husband in reference to my partner when speaking with her friends at church in Woodstock, but both of my parents were willing participants in our adult lives. Based on the story my mother would only be a few years younger than the character in the novel.

Canadian society, even in the largest urban centres was not open to the 'gay lifestyle' at that time. It is a very changed world today. Unlike Joyce my parents were at least open to accepting and acknowledging myself and my husband within the family. I'm very much looking forward to the February and being able to further discuss the novel with Mr. Francis. The names of the fictionalized towns interest me as I think I may know which real towns they are modelled on and would like to confirm my suspicions.

I would easily recommend this to anyone, and I look forward to investigating other titles from Mr. Francis.

I'm at it again with another short romantic read this time. Just finished First Flames by Drew Hunt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Simon, a stodgy librarian, falls for an attractive rent boy, Mark. A very touching story of two men falling in love one who feels he is not worthy of another man's affection and the other who has come through some very difficult times and been forced into an existence that he would rather not have. Circumstances bring the two together in Simon's home as Mark recovers from injuries sustained in trying to help his pimp after an explosion that takes the pimp's life. While Simon cares for Mark the two develop deep feelings for each other and finally are able to express themselves as the celebrate their first Christmas.

Now that I have read the first in this series I'll have to seek out the next one to see how this story develops.



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Still working on and . Now if I could only let my mind not wander from these and if work would not interfere it would be wonderful.

Just finished Whitetail Rock (Hot Summer Days) by Anne Tenino

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A very touching story of star crossed lovers and dealing with past memories and emotional scars. Learning to trust, to explore, and to love. Nick has been scarred emotionally as the only person of colour in a small town, add to that the fact that he is gay makes the scars even harder to deal with as it has caused him to develop issues of trust. Then he meets Jergan, the new motorcycle cop in town. Jergan, is meets Nick at his parent's store when Nick is home from college. He immediately is drawn to Nick and Nick to Jergan.



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Now back to my other two.

Calvin's Cowboy by Drew Hunt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I just kept reading last night, I was waiting for updates to my computer to finish installing but was so close to finishing I just kept going.

I did enjoy Calvin and Brock's dancing around each other before finally admitting that they had fallen in love. There was more than once I would have liked to shout at these two "Just admit it...you're in love.", but unfortunately you can't really do that with fictional characters. It's hard for some to admit that you can fall in love at first sight. I know I did...its been nearly 19 years since that day and we're still together and madly in love.

It is not always easy to return to your home town and then to be confronted with people from your past that you would rather just not know. Calvin is brought back to his home town in Texas from New York to sell his parent's home after they move to Florida. The house needs repair and when the contractor shows up there is one of his nemeses from High School John (Brock) Brockwell. Brock has changed over the years and is coming to terms with himself as a gay man in a very small town. Calvin is immediately smitten by this impoverished cowboy and things progress from there.



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Still progressing through and . I haven't decided what to open next. I'm torn between , , or , any suggestions?

Just finished Mysterious Skin by Scott Heim

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A very hard hitting story of two boys, their very different lives and the secret they share.

It is very hard for me to relate to either of the main characters on a personal level as the secret they share is so far from any personal experience in my life. At the same time it is hard not to sympathize with them. What is most poignant in this story is that this type of abuse continues to devastate too many young lives. That the pedophile coach could make Neil believe that what they were doing was an expression of love is scary in its own right. That the encounter between the boys and the coach left Brian so emotionally scared that he represses the memory is a testament to the harm that people like the coach can cause.

Brian searches out Neil who confirms his memories and they begin to deal with the memories of the abuse together. It is at times like this that I pray that abuse like this will end. After reading this I hope that none of the students I teach have had to go through anything like this yet I know that like Brian they may have repressed the knowledge or like Neil have been led to believe that it is true affection, but are not willing to share their secret for many years. I can only hope that if any of them have been abused in this way that they will find the strength to heal.



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Now to finish for my book club meeting at the end of the month and .

Just finished The Letter by Willa Okati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A wonderful story of true love and the tests we put it through when we take it for granted.

There can be no greater sign of undying love than sacrificing a profitable career for love. I know as my husband gave up his career to allow me to pursue my profession in a new city over ten years ago. We at least did not go through the angst of contemplating separating before making the decision to move and for him to leave full time work.

I started this series at the end so now I'll have to go back to the beginning and read and . I added them to my wish list shortly after starting The Letter.



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Still have to finish and before the end of the month. I figure I'll be done them both in a matter of days though. Just have to love the eReader. It makes it so easy to carry around a whole library in only a few ounces.

Just finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It seems you are never too old to run away with the Circus. This is a wonderful story of love and life with the Circus during the depression. Sara Gruen's writing is both engaging and at times she had me in stitches with laughter.



“When you are five, you know your age down to the month. Even in your twenties, you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties, something strange starts to happen. It is a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm--you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you are not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it.”

― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants



“Keeping up the appearance of having all your marbles is hard work, but important.”

― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants



“Must protect my little pockets of happiness.”

― Sara Gruen



“Don't mind Russ," he says. "He's a good kid underneath all those holes, although it's a wonder he doesn't spring a leak when he drinks”

― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants



“Why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus?”

― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants



Just love some of the quotes.





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Now I have to finish and . Still trying to choose what to open next. I'll have to take a good look through my KOBO library.

Just finished . It's really too bad that the bullying that Jeff describes in these short stories happens every day. As adults we must really examine how we interact with each other, the children are watching and picking up our bad habits.

It looks like I'll have to start next. It' sitting on my Kobo ready to go.

Just finished Cold Serial Murder by Mark Abramson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Not as engaging as the first in the series but I'm still looking forward to the next installment .



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I'll be starting on Sunday.

Just finished Maybe With a Chance of Certainty last night by John Goode

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If only all high school romances could end so well. I'll now have to get the next instalment The End of the Beginning to see what happens now.



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Just finished Stone Canyon by AKM Miles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a great read. I really enjoyed the story line. I just wish I could afford the kind of apartment Abel had in Oklahoma City. The loft sounded just fabulous. I'm not sure I would want the responsibility of looking after the Stone Canyon ranch but it sounds like it would be a nice relaxing spot too. Now only if fiction were real...Ahh well.



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I'm looking forward to more from AKM Miles in the future. I'm still working on finishing Shattered Glass and Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner. I haven't decided what to start next but I know I have a lot to choose from.

Just finished Shattered Glass by Dani Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I got so wound up in the action that I couldn't stop. Shattered Glass (Shattered Glass, #1) is an action packed crime drama with its fair share of family complications for both genetic family and chosen family. Oh and the torrid sex isn't bad either. This was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more fromDani Alexander.



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Just finished The Scottish Prisoner: A Novel by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A great read. I do like historical fiction and this fit the bill well. It is unfortunate but necessary that series books such as this leave so many story lines dangling at the end, especially when you don't have the next in the series to begin reading immediately. I will eventually have to read others in this series as I want to know more about Lord John Gray and his more intimate relationship with Jamie Fraser. I like the fact that not all the love affairs were one sided but reflected the reality of society.



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Now to select a new one while I finish .

Just finished Something about Trevor by Drew Hunt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another great read from Drew Hunt. There can't be anything better than finding love. When Paul finally realizes that he loves Trevor, he falls hard and fast. It is nice to see how Paul defends their relationship against the local homophobes and the empowerment it gives him. Trevor has been hurt too many times in the past and it is nice to see someone who is willing to defend him and protect him. We all like a little protection now and then.



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I will now have to start reading by Helen Humphreys for the book club meeting at the end of the month. I still have to finish and , as well. It will be busy as exams are approaching rapidly and then all the marking.

Just finished Coventry by Helen Humphreys

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This story follows the lives of two women from WWI and WWII in Coventry England. Harriet meets Maeve as she leaves the train station after seeing her new husband off on his way to Ypres early in WWI. They make their way across the city returning to Harriet's flat never really exchanging enough information to find each other again. Fast forward to 1940 and WWII where Harriet is on fire watch duty on the roof of Coventry Cathedral when the Germans attack. She and another young fire watcher are forced to flee when the Cathedral is hit. The young fire watcher is new to Coventry and Harriet leads him across the city to find his mother (Maeve) during the height of the attack. In the process of finding Maeve, Harriet also finds peace within herself and dealing with the effects to two wars.

This is a great read which once I started I had great difficulty putting down. The German attack on Coventry in 1940 was meant to cripple its industrial potential in the war effort but the resulting fire storm destroyed much of the city. It has been said that the British government had forewarning of the attack but did not mount a defence of the city to keep the Germans from discovering that they had broken their cipher code.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history and particularly the history of WWII as it brings the reality, horror, and courage of war home.




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I'm still working on , and . I'll have to slow down the reading now that May is here and all the marking of final assignments and exams is here.

Into Deep Waters by Kaje Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A wonderfully romantic story of love in a very difficult period of history. Daniel and Jacob meet on board the USS Gageway shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbour. Hesitant to acknowledge their attraction to one another at first the two soon fall in love. They struggle to find private moments together aboard ship and while on leave. When their ship is sunk they are separated by injuries which send one of them state side while the other continues through the horrors of the Pacific theatre in WWII. They find one another again after the war and continue to struggle with family and society before they can finally marry nearly 70 years after their first meeting.

I loved this story and its connection with the history of the period. The High School where I teach was built as a war memorial after WWI and the students who served and did not return during WWII are an important part of the school's culture.

The scene of the wedding for Daniel and Jacob really rang true for me as it brought back memories of my own wedding to my husband in 2001. We made it legal in 2003 after the court ruling here in Ontario that started the push towards full legal recognition of same-sex marriage here in Canada by 2005.

This truly was a great read and I look forward to more.



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Just finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Kite Runnier is a thrilling read of love and loss in difficult times, of coming to terms with circumstances and customs, of learning to live again.

Amir and Hassan two boys from different sides of the tracks growing up, one the respectable son, one the secret son. Culture deems that one is less than the other and when thd chips are down will they follow with society and culture or will they overcome. Sadly culture and society win, until the priviledged son returns to Kabul now rulled by the Talaban to rescue the orphaned son of Hassan to face his deamons both physical and mental. When he can, like Hassan stand proud and defend those around him.

Redemption for Amir comes in the life of the young orphan Sohrab and seeing the joy of life returning to him after all of the sorrow that he has been subjected to in his young life.

Despite all the naysayers let yourself get lost in story it will only help to raise your spirits and make you feel better.



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I'm still working on . I regret I'm going to have to slow down my reading for the next month or so as Exams and Summative marking will have to take presidence outside of commuting time to and from work.

I've finally finished Bertram Cope's year by Henry Blake Fuller

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Bertram, a graduate student, is pursued by two of three young ladies and an older man in the university town as he completes his studies all the time missing his companion from home. The ladies live with the matron Medora Phillips who engineers many of the encounters between Bertram, the young ladies and Basil Randolf, the older man.

This is written in a very different style of writing than I'm accustomed to from modern fiction. I read this for its historical significance, as the first published gay themed novel in North America. The relationship of Bertram and Arthur Lemoyne is treated in a very matter of fact way. The relationship is not seen favourably by Medora and her crew. Basil on the other had was hoping to attract Bertram to his own cause.

It never got to the point where I lost myself in the story and felt that I could not put the book down as I often get with more modern novels.



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I've started and as shorter reads during exams and summatives at work. I don't want to start anything too long or involved as I won't have as much time until the end of June.

Just finished Anchors Aweigh by Janey Chapel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A wonderful story of love and devotion. Devotion to each other and devotion to duty. Cooper and Eli find each other soon after entering training as Navy SEALS. As training ends they find themselves very much in love but separated by duty. Devoted to each other they endure the separation in the time of DADT. During their separation Cooper becomes the man Eli knew he could be as a leader.




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I know I said I was slowing down my reading but this was rather short and a day of medical appointments along with the hurry up and wait of public transit left lots of time for reading. Now I'll have to look for another book to read commuting to and from work. I'm working on but know that won't last long either especially after today.

Ok I know I keep saying I've got to cut down with exams and such starting up soon but then I open another short read and well...

I just finished Eyes Wide Shut by Meredith Shayne




Another of these where you just want to shout "Oh just get over it." at at least one of the characters, but the Australian out back can't be the easiest place to be 'out there' either.

Adam is a fly in doctor working the Australian out-back and Chris is a miner. In and out of a relationship that seems to be going nowhere until Adam in injured in a mine collapse while trying to bring out injured miners. Chris has been unwilling to let others know who he really is until this time and now I'll have to read the squeal Rust Red: Galvanized to find out what happens.

Despite wanting to reach out and just slap Chris to wake him up the story is well written and draws you into the action.



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Now I've got and to finish.

Well this one clears my reading deck for the present. I'll have to find something to read on the commute to and from work but that should not be a problem.

I just finished Foxe Tail by Haley Walsh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Some things are just hard to say. For Skyler Foxe that is coming out to his students and colleagues at work. Skyler is drawn into a web of murder and deceit that he feels obligated to investigate along with his best friend Detective Sidney Feldman. Now I'll have to get the next in the series Foxe Hunt to see what happens.

Every once in a while a good murder mystery is a little fun. Add in a gay theme and a little romp in the sack every once and a while and you've got a winning combination.



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All of the the exams for my department are in the office for copying and now it is just summatives that may come in early and waiting for exams to start in early June as I clean up the last of the term marking.

Here I go again. I just finished Life Lessons by Kaje Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I don't think I could ever do what Tony does for Mac. Going back into the closet would be just devastating. I'm glad to say that although there are times and places where discretion is the best course my husband and I do not have to hide ourselves from public scrutiny frequently.

Mild mannered teacher Tony Hart is caught up in a murder of a fellow teacher at his school where he meets Detective Jared MacLean (Mac), the investigating officer. The murderer is on the loose and the investigation is not going well. The murderer, afraid that he had been seen starts to look for ways to intimidate and threaten one person who might identify him.

Heavily closeted Mac is attracted to Tony and Tony likes his men strong. The two find that they share an affinity for understanding each other in many ways particularly when they meet as they are looking after their respective children.

Rescuing each other psychologically from their respective demons the two fall madly in love and strike a deal to protect Mac and still be with one another. Will they be able to maintain their relationship a secret. What will happen if it gets out.



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Exams start on Thursday and Friday with grade nine practicals so reading is going to have to slow down soon. I'm still working through and will be getting into . I will be starting on Friday for the Mature Men's Book Club's meeting at the end of June.

Well I just finished And To All A Good Night by Kaje Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Mac and Tony are separated by their secret and family over Christmas and a suicide case could help Mac come to terms with his reality.

I really must now look for the next instalment.



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and after doing a system re-set on my Kobo have opened ready for tomorrow. I'm still working on .

I just finished Dirty Play by Kyle Adams

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Not being into RPG this is not the kind of thing that I would normally read but the play between the players was excellent.



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I'm still working on and for the end of the month. The exams has started rolling in with four sets of grade nine practical exams to start marking this week so I'll have to slow down a little on the reading.

I finally finished The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A very difficult read. Mary's writing style is very scholarly and not as flowing as one might expect from a more contemporary author. I'm thankful that I read some other Greek comedies and such in high school. It is also good that I still remember some of my ancient history. I at least have some knowledge of the Peloponnesian wars and the animosity between the Athenians and the Spartans.

The love between Lysis and Alexis is evident throughout the novel even though there is really no expression of the intimacy that one knows they must have shared. The clearest evidence of their love, for me, occurs in the latter part of the novel when the two men are found sleeping under shared cloaks as they flee Athens after the murder of Myron, Alexis' father. It is also clearly shown when Alexis, though injured himself, in the battle for Athens goes with the the body of his lover Lysis and is able to take some comfort from what he is able to do for his dead lover.

This is certainly not a book that I would recommend to just any reader, but if you have some knowledge or keen interest in ancient history Last of the Wine will be just for you.



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It was quite a marathon (pun intended) to finish at this time of the year let alone the complexity of the novel.

I'm just about finished , and am also well on my way to finishing . I've just opened to finish for the meeting at the end of the month.

OK, summer is finally here. I figure I have about four more hours of work to finish up but have just finished a short little read.

Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A lovely romance and an awakening to who Hunter really is and who he wants to be with. I look forward to reading more of Cooper Davis' work in the future.

Some times it is hard to come to yourself. Hunter Willis has fallen for his best friend Max and over a summer vacation he comes to know who he really is and what they both want.





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I'm getting into and am almost done . I'm converting over to a VOX reader and just opened for another easy summer diversion.

OK, as I said yesterday, summer is here and the reading is up. I just opened this short read and have already finished. Broken Dreams by Justin James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A wonderfully short story and very romantic. The twist at the end sent me for a bit of a loop and wondering what next.



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Ahh...I love summer, so much time to read. I just finished Into the Light by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I opened this one at random as I get familiar with my new VOX so now I'll have to go back and read the others in sequence to become more familiar with the characters. It is nice to know that Chris has finally discovered himself in Ryan. A great read, and I look forward to reading more.



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Almost finished and getting into . Now I'm off to find the first volume of the Dark Horse Series on my VOX.

Just finished The Dogs Of Rome by Conor Fitzgerald

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An interesting read, though a little predictable as murder mysteries go.

Alec Blume, an American/Italian police commissioner in Rome is the lead investigator for the murder of a animal activist, husband of an Italian Senator. During the course of the investigation he finds ties between a high profile Italian crime family and the victim and becomes aware of a level of corruption within the justice system and the influence of powerful people who want a nice tidy end to a not so tidy case. Alec seems to be the only one to want to catch the real killer. Re-assigned to a lesser case he finds that the same killer is involved and pieces together the full story always a step behind either the killer or the crime family trying to protect it's own.

During all this he meets an FBI 'agent', Kristen, who he falls for distracting him from his pursuit of the killer just long enough for the killer to slip away and cause more havoc. In one way or another justice is served and the back biting of the various branches of the Italian Justice system continue to gnaw away at each other just as the dogs that were set at each other in the fighting pit that the activist Clemente was trying to protect.

The analogy of the dog fighting pit and the under dog who manages to win the day and Alec and the Italian Justice system is very strong and, for me, led to some of what became the predictability of the novel. One can easily sympathize with Alec as he struggles against a system more interested in protecting it's reputation and appearance than of real justice and truth. As he jets off to New York to get his 'teeth fixed' and in pursuit of Kristen on can only hope that he will be able to find the truth and justice he seeks.



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Well into and I've started . I'll have to find another one to start now.

Just finished The Fix by Anne Tenino while I was doing the laundry.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I love the characters of Nick and Jurgen but I have to admit I was expecting a little more in terms of length and character development. It seems the book was over before it began unlike Whitetail Rock. I guess I'm still waiting to see where this story goes.



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I'm continuing with
and . I got a copy of this morning and am disappointed that it is a DRM pdf file. It is not as easy to read on my KOBO VOX as I would like. Had to find additional reading software to start at it.

I just finished Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a great read, very emotional at times. I have to admit that few novels have led me to research like this one has. I needed to actually see the setting visually, not because the descriptions were not vivid but because I wanted to see the real thing. The same was true for the Cathedral. As historic fiction this was great.

Death Comes for the Archbishop, is the fictionalized story of the first Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico and his Vicar as they establish the church in New Mexico after the purchase of the land by the United States. The two men travel the vast territory together and separately as they meet the people they will serve. Through the hardships of life in a new territory the two men forge a very close relationship as friends and colleagues.

This was the book selection for July 2012 for the Mature Men's Book Club and I don't know that I would have run across it if this had not been the case. I like historical fiction but this is not the area of the globe that I would have likely looked at. This is a great read for anyone interested in historical fiction.



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I'm still working through
and . I'll have to choose a new short read or two but I've got lots to choose from.

Russian River Rat by Mark Abramson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Finished this one last night. I was not expecting the identity of the culprit in this one. A very good read.

This is the third in the series from Mark Abramson. Tim Snow gets wrapped up in a web of crime and murderous revenge of his boyfriend Nick Musgrove's EX and his prison boyfriend. Aided by his Aunt Ruth they make there way through the hazards that threaten life and love to uncover the murderer and solidify their loves.

I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series, Snowman.



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I'm still working through Dark Horse, and The Fox and The Bear. I already have another one in mind to open before reading the next in Mark Abramson's series.

Summer and living is easy...With heat and humidity causing a lack of sleep there is lots of time for reading. I just opened this today and already I'm done reading Gavin and Ashley by Rob Mathews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A very quick read. Yes I just couldn't resist the title. My husband is always teasing me about "Oh you have such are rare name, and I keep telling him that when I grew up I only knew of one person in high school with the same first name and he entered just as I was graduating. So to me it was a rare name. We watch a lot of British and Australian TV shows and of course every were we look there is that rare name.

I actually quite glad that the title did catch my attention as there was a lot of action packed into just 60 pages. Finding oneself, finding love, horrible crimes, saving the life of your new love from a serial killer.

I'll have to investigate more of Rob Mathews work, this one has really caught my attention.



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Back to and . Now I have to find another new one for tomorrow.

I just finished re-readig Invisible by Jeff Erno

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A very poignant read on the bullying problem that exists in our education system. This is a must read for educators. As students and teachers we all have to tools to put a stop to the bulling crisis in our midst we just need the courage to put the tools into action.

I know I will be recommending this short read to my work colleagues in hope that they will be part of the solution in our school community.





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Just finished Dark Horse by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


OK, shoot me. I just could not tear myself away from this after last night. Heat warning!

Dan Wheeler, bad boy, dark horse. Dan led a hard life until he met Justin and becomes a event horse trainer. Justin, suffers a head injury while competing leaving Dan torn between his love for Justin and the reality that he will not recover. In comes Evan and Justin from California to buy an event horse for Even's sister Tat.

Dan's honesty and concern for Tat's safety on a powerful horse and the stable owner's need to sell up to look after their son Justin lead Evan to propose buying the whole stable and moving everything to his place in California including Dan.

The sexual heat builds between Dan and Jeff and Dan and Evan despite the relationship which already exists between Evan and Jeff. Shortly after the sale and move Justin dies and the heat between the other three continues to build to an ultimate climax. Will this new relationship work, emotionally, sexually, and professionally?

Off to read the next short instalments before moving on to the second full novel in the series.



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The temperature and humidity have finally backed off so hopefully there will be some sleep tonight, but first off to my Book Club meeting.

I just finished Sometimes You Just Know by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


OK, OK...I'm at it again I just could not put this one down. It's so nice to have a great love story and a hot one never hurts either.

It's not clear to me yet if this was intended as a back story to
or a lead story to the novel but either way a great read. It highlights the intensity of the relationship between Dan and Justin, the speed of its development etc. I know many would scoff at 'love at first sight aspect' of the story but from my own experience sometimes you just know it's right.



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Still working through and . I've just started and will start at the beginning of next month.

Just finished Rough Broke by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


At it again...Rough Broke is a little more back story into the life of Dan Wheeler. It's hard to have an abusive father who rejects you for who you are. Dan is one of the key characters in the
series. This short read gives some detail to his early life and how he became the hard man of mystery in the novel and how horses have brought him around from what could have been an ever harder life.



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Off to find on my VOX while I continue to work on and . Still planning to start at the beginning of the month. I figure I have the best part of three days after my hernia surgery at the hospital to read to my heart's content.

I just finished Hard Landing by Stephen Leather last night.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow! What a read. Got started at this one tonight after dinner, suddenly realized that I hadn't done the dishes about 11:10 and then came back to finish up.

Crime, prison, murder, drama...what more could you ask for. It took a while to start to put some of the pieces together as the opening scene leaves you wondering why until much later when it all starts to make sense. Written in a way where each scene seems almost independent of those around it until you start to see the linkages to undercover cop Dan 'Spider' Sheppard's efforts to catch drug lord Gerry Carpenter in an incriminating situation which will clinch the case against him to keep him behind bars for a very long time.

If crime drama is your thing with a little Special Forces thrown in for good measure this is for you.



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Just finished Riding Through Fire by Kate Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A great backgrounder on the relationship between Evan and Jeff. Two of the other main characters in the
series. Very hot relationship if it continues the way it starts. Again this gives one more feeling for the various characters in the novel.

I feel I need to take a little break before reading the next novel in the series,
, just to come up for air. I'm very much looking forward to reading it but I need to cool my jets a bit before getting into what has been an excellent series so far.



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I'm still working on . I finished last night. It was very hard to put down but does not really fit into the m/m genre. I'm starting shortly as it is the August read for my book club. I'll have to find something else to fill in the gap but that should not be difficult.

I just finished Cowboy by J.M. Snyder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was somehow hoping for an ending that would have seen Kent, Marcus, and Luke coming to some mutually beneficial relationship but Kent's near total lack of emotion in his relationship with Marcus for two years also made the conclusion not unexpected.

A good read that satisfied my penchant for Cowboys for the time being. The burning heat between Marcus and Luke is a definite contrast to the purely sexual function of the relationship between Marcus and Kent. The strong silent type is certainly the stereo type for the Cowboy but it can make relationships very difficult.



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I'm still working through and . I'll start at tomorrow.

I'm at it again, just couldn't stop this afternoon and have just finished Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A great read. The disappearance of Richard Lewis Bancroft, actor after a brief marriage and a child re-appearing in his son's life as R.B. Lewis, author. Finding a way to be with his son despite his ex-wife's steadfast refusal to allow him into his life as a child. Richard is taken by Manuel Guzman, baseball player in the 1960s the two separate in Richard's attempt to protect Manuel in a very homophobic world. The marriage is a sham and when it breaks down they manage to find each other again and build a life together.

Finding an enduring love through the lies and deceptions of a woman scorned. The tenacity of Michael to find the truth about his grandfather leads him to discover the skeletons in his grandmother's closet.





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Now to finish up and start . I'll probably still have to find another one quickly, but that should not be a problem.

I had been expecting a long wait at the Service Ontario office to renew my driver's licence and health card so I though a short read would fill the time and then it took no time at all but still I couldn't put down this little one.

Just finished In Over His Head by Kate Sherwood




OK this leaves me waiting for more....

The story of two young men obviously from very different sides of the tracks and the dirty little secrets of family members and past lives coming to cross between them.

So...when is the sequel? Will Aiden be able to deal with Cade's past and his Uncle's deceptions?





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So now its back to finishing , , and . Can't say I'm finding it very easy to get into the last one.

Went looking for another short distraction yesterday and finished Kiss and Tell by Cherie Noel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The domestic violence angle was unexpected but is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Tony is trying to escape an abusive relationship when his nurse Kevin first sees him and does his best to help in a system that is dominated by shelters for abused women and the few supports that exist for gay men. Kevin becomes attached to Tony and to help Tony feel safe takes in a third. Enter Tony's art teacher Neil...

A likeable story that addresses an issue that is too easily glossed over. So much emphasis it put on abused women in our society that it is difficult to admit that men can also be abused by their partners male or female. Supports for men in abusive relationships can be difficult to find even in the largest cities.





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I'm almost finished and working my way through and .