Genre: Gay Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: Novella
Brad Weston is the chief of staff for a Republican California state senator, and it seems like he has everything going for him. Sam Fuller, fresh out of college, is also working for the GOP as Weston’s aid. They work hard for their party, even when they face constant homophobia, but neither really knows how bad they’re discriminated against until Weston enters an antique shop, looking for a present for his boyfriend for their anniversary. The enchanted trinket he finds exposes Weston to all the hate in the world, and the revelations change their lives forever.
This was a great gay read, sweet and satisfying. It’s a novella (shorter than a novel), so I would highly recommend this as something to read during your public transport commute, or right before bed. Even though it’s light and fun, this book explores a few heavy contemporary gay issues, mostly around conservatism and being gay, open or otherwise.
Gay republicans have been spotlighted in the news, and so many of them are ridiculed by either their own party and/or the LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes I wonder what it would take for me to work in a party that doesn’t respect my social views/freedoms. Coatsworth offers some interesting perspectives on the matter.
Coatsworth has quite a few short stories and novellas out—including several free reads. Check out his website/blog: http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com. Besides having his own website, Coatsworth is also the founder of Queer Sci Fi, a social group devoted to LGBTQ+ speculative fiction. Readers, writers, and science fiction/fantasy lovers gather to discuss current affairs, have their work critiqued, explore literature, and create friendships. Check out their website: https://www.queerscifi.com.
B. A. Brock is a reviewer for DSP and QSF. He enjoys reading, writing, running, family and food, and fills his life with bent bunk. He especially loves to discuss LGBTQ+ literature. His website is http://www.babrockbooks.com. You can find him on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/BABrockBooks.
Dreamspinner Press–Where Dreams Come True… International publishers of quality gay romantic fiction since 2007. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
DSP Publications–Off the Beaten Path. Worth the Journey. http://www.dsppublications.com
Harmony Ink Press–LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fiction. http://www.harmonyinkpress.com