Hunter's Story Continues

The sequel to my short story, Desert Falcon, was accepted for publication!

For those who wanted to know what happens to Hunter after his return to the United States, here's a little appetizer:

PAPD officer Mark Bowman can't believe his eyes when he catches sight of a live Saker falcon in the middle of JFK airport's terminal hall. The bird comes with a falconer, Hunter Devereaux, whose exotic beauty and charming attitude immediately hit home with Mark. But Mark is deeply in the closet and determined to remain there, since he wants to keep his job.

As the cop's and the falconer's paths cross again and again, Mark's resolve dwindles. When he finally gives in to his attraction to Hunter, he finds himself happier than he has ever been before. But a resentful society and their own deeply ingrained fears and insecurities threaten to tear the lovers apart. Can there be a shared future for them against all odds?  

Prospected publication date is August/ September, 2011

Review: Life Lessons

Life Lessons by Kaje Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was one of the books I closed with reluctance. I didn't want it to end, it was so good. Way good. Outstandingly good. This is an exceptional read in so many ways!
First, it was a really good mystery, of the kind the French call an "roman policier". The classic kind, the one that allows the reader to follow the police's investigative process step by step, even along to dead ends and grub work. Then it turned into a murder chase, with red herrings dropped along the way, just like the detectives might find one clue after the other, and it ended in a thriller - worthy, nailbiting, edge-of the seat hostage situation complete with standoff and shootdown.But as if this wasn't enough, there were two wonderful main characters, so complete and well drawn and - sorry - F***ing real, they took my breath away. The out-and -proud teacher and the deeply closeted cop are almost stereotypes. but these two were anything but. The out one wasn't in your face or flamboyant. The closeted one was not in denial or ashamed, and for a change he had several good reasons to stay in the closet, except for his job. I know I'm repeating myself, but these two were the most believable real persons I've come across in a while.
Even the best books have their flaws, and I won't deny this had a few, too. With all the police procedure, interesting and plot-important as it was, the beginning was a bit slow, and the way Tony (who is a schoolteacher in his mid-twenties) was constantly referred to as "boy" or "kid" was rather bothersome, but really, the awesomeness of the whole rest outweighed those minor flaws by far.


This book hit me hard and stayed with me long after the last page. Don't miss it, really, it's absolutely worth it. I can't recommend it highly enough.



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Review: Ink Illusions

Ink Illusions by Val Kovalin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a great read. The story touched many difficult topics, handling all of them with sensitivity and respect. The pairing of a Norse Pagean with a Jew is fascinating and unusual. I loved the hints at Travis's religion and Tony's backstory which never turned into infodump but were worked seamlessly into the narrative flow. Characterization is one of this author's fortes, and thus I wasn't surprised that both Travis and Tony were likeable, realistic persons, down to Travis's anger issues. If anything, Tony was almost too good to be real, though saved by his inner insecurities and the moments he lost control.
I loved Rosemary and Belinda, and I particularly loved the way the author used a child's worldview to get her message of tolerance across without hammering anything in. A wonderful, heartwarming read, backed by wide knowledge, with an intelligent plot and a flowing narrative voice. And it doesn't hurt that it contains some seriously hot eroticism.
Highly recommended.



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