Title: Junction X
Author: Erastes
Genre: m/m fiction
Print length: 200 pages
Publication date: October 25, 2011
Rating: Five Stars
Blurb: Set in the very English suburbia of 1962 where everyone has tidy front gardens and lace curtains, Junction X is the story of Edward Johnson, who ostensibly has the perfect life: A beautiful house, a great job, an attractive wife and two well-mannered children. The trouble is he’s been lying to himself all of his life. And first love, when it does come, hits him and hits him hard. Who is the object of his passion? The teenaged son of the new neighbours.
Edward’s world is about to go to hell.
Review:
This was one of those books that must be given a five star review. Even if by the end of it, you might wish you never picked it up. I bought it with the expectation of being entertained; it was recommended to me along with three other books that were mainly written for entertainment, and had little else of value. Therefore I was completely blindsided by the sheer starkness and reality of this novel, tucked so unceremoniously among those of lesser worth. Saturated with heavy anxiety, this book followed me around for days. I can't say I honestly wish I didn't read it, but I will say that it affected in ways I would have never expected. I will not be re-reading it; it will probably stay with me forever.
Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Junction-X-ebook/dp/B005ZKJ2IG/ref=cm_cr-mr-img
More titles by Erastes:
Title: Muffled Drum
Author: Erastes
Genre: m/m historical romance
Print length:
Publication date: July 4, 2011
Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars
Blurb: Bohemia, 1866
They met in a port-side tavern, their lust-filled moments stolen from days of marching and madness. After eighteen months, Captain Rudolph von Ratzlaff and First Lieutenant Mathias Hofmann have decided to run away from everything they hold dear. Resigning their commissions is social suicide, but there's no other choice. Someone will eventually see Rudolph's partiality toward Mathias.
Now their plans have gone horribly awry... When Mathias goes to Rudolph's tent after their last battle, his lover looks at him without a hint of recognition. Mathias can hardly believe the man he knew is gone. He wants to fill in so many of Rudolph's missing memories, but the doctor says a shock could result in permanent damage. The pain of seeing Rudolph on a daily basis, when Rudolph doesn't remember their love, is excruciating. Now Mathias must decide whether he wants to fight for the man he loves or forget him completely…
Review by Gerry A. Burnie:
Having written over ten successful novels to date, it seems author Erastes has decided to challenge herself with a devilishly complex theme, i.e. loss of memory, which is what Muffled Drum [Carina Press, July 4, 2011] centres around. And if that wasn't challenging enough, she has also chosen an obscure but bloody war, The Austro-Prussian War-- 14 June - 23 August, 1866.
Although I have in my possession a sabre/bayonet from this very era, inscribed "Cavalry de La Chat, 1867," it is a not a war I am familiar with; nor is it a period that has been frequently exploited as a background or setting for novels
In this story, Captain Rudolph von Ratzlaff and First lieutenant Mathias Hoffman, two young, handsome, army officers, have decided to resign their commissions and run away together. However, there is one more battle to fight, and following that Hoffman follows through with his resignation, but von Ratzlaff has sustained an injury that has left him with "selective" amnesia--meaning he can remember everything except the past two years and his lover Hoffman.
As is Eraste's wont, there are delicate touches of irony sprinkled throughout that remain on the palate until the story is finished, i.e.
"The scent of sweat and horse rose up in the heat they generated. Concentrating on the unique taste and feel of Mathias's mouth, Rudolph swore to remember this moment throughout the day to come. When I'm cold from the death around me, or blazing with the thunder of the charge, I will remember this--this moment. It is this that men fight for--Mathias is my reason to fight, my haven. My home."
Such was not to be, however, and also complicating the scenario is a Frau Ratzloff & family who are waiting at home, and a predatory ex-lover whom von Ratzlaff seems to be remember for all his non-predatory charms.
However, in the end love triumphs over adversity, and so the story ends in a typically romantic fashion.
***
Critically speaking I give full marks for the bold tackling of a complex issue, such as a lover, still very much in love, faced with the dilemma of his partner's amnesia--especially since the former has gambled his all for a "happy ever after" relationship.
The choice of such an interesting, but little remembered war, was also a bold but typical Erastian venture, and her attention to detail--i.e., "leutnant" for lieutenant, and "rittmeister" for captain--add greatly to the credibility.
My one quibble (although it does not change the ranking) is that I did not find this story as compelling as some of her other novels. However, since these were five-star stories too, it is merely a matter of degree.
Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Muffled-Drum-ebook/dp/B005078OKG/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368060965&sr=1-1&keywords=erastes
More titles by Erastes:
Title: Muffled Drum
Author: Erastes
Genre: m/m historical romance
Print length:
Publication date: July 4, 2011
Overall reviewer rating: Four and a Half Stars
Blurb: Bohemia, 1866
They met in a port-side tavern, their lust-filled moments stolen from days of marching and madness. After eighteen months, Captain Rudolph von Ratzlaff and First Lieutenant Mathias Hofmann have decided to run away from everything they hold dear. Resigning their commissions is social suicide, but there's no other choice. Someone will eventually see Rudolph's partiality toward Mathias.
Now their plans have gone horribly awry... When Mathias goes to Rudolph's tent after their last battle, his lover looks at him without a hint of recognition. Mathias can hardly believe the man he knew is gone. He wants to fill in so many of Rudolph's missing memories, but the doctor says a shock could result in permanent damage. The pain of seeing Rudolph on a daily basis, when Rudolph doesn't remember their love, is excruciating. Now Mathias must decide whether he wants to fight for the man he loves or forget him completely…
Review by Gerry A. Burnie:
Having written over ten successful novels to date, it seems author Erastes has decided to challenge herself with a devilishly complex theme, i.e. loss of memory, which is what Muffled Drum [Carina Press, July 4, 2011] centres around. And if that wasn't challenging enough, she has also chosen an obscure but bloody war, The Austro-Prussian War-- 14 June - 23 August, 1866.
Although I have in my possession a sabre/bayonet from this very era, inscribed "Cavalry de La Chat, 1867," it is a not a war I am familiar with; nor is it a period that has been frequently exploited as a background or setting for novels
In this story, Captain Rudolph von Ratzlaff and First lieutenant Mathias Hoffman, two young, handsome, army officers, have decided to resign their commissions and run away together. However, there is one more battle to fight, and following that Hoffman follows through with his resignation, but von Ratzlaff has sustained an injury that has left him with "selective" amnesia--meaning he can remember everything except the past two years and his lover Hoffman.
As is Eraste's wont, there are delicate touches of irony sprinkled throughout that remain on the palate until the story is finished, i.e.
"The scent of sweat and horse rose up in the heat they generated. Concentrating on the unique taste and feel of Mathias's mouth, Rudolph swore to remember this moment throughout the day to come. When I'm cold from the death around me, or blazing with the thunder of the charge, I will remember this--this moment. It is this that men fight for--Mathias is my reason to fight, my haven. My home."
Such was not to be, however, and also complicating the scenario is a Frau Ratzloff & family who are waiting at home, and a predatory ex-lover whom von Ratzlaff seems to be remember for all his non-predatory charms.
However, in the end love triumphs over adversity, and so the story ends in a typically romantic fashion.
***
Critically speaking I give full marks for the bold tackling of a complex issue, such as a lover, still very much in love, faced with the dilemma of his partner's amnesia--especially since the former has gambled his all for a "happy ever after" relationship.
The choice of such an interesting, but little remembered war, was also a bold but typical Erastian venture, and her attention to detail--i.e., "leutnant" for lieutenant, and "rittmeister" for captain--add greatly to the credibility.
My one quibble (although it does not change the ranking) is that I did not find this story as compelling as some of her other novels. However, since these were five-star stories too, it is merely a matter of degree.
Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Muffled-Drum-ebook/dp/B005078OKG/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368060965&sr=1-1&keywords=erastes
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