Title: Sky Full of Mysteries
Series: N/A
Author: Rick R. Reed
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 14, 2018
Heat Level: 3/5
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 220 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Science Fiction
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38371890-sky-full-of-mysteries
Synopsis:
Meet the Author:
Synopsis:
What if your first love was abducted and presumed dead—but
returned twenty years later?
That’s the dilemma Cole Weston faces. Now happily married to
Tommy D’Amico, he’s suddenly thrown into a surreal world when his first love,
Rory Schneidmiller, unexpectedly reappears.
Where has Rory been all this time? What happened to him two
decades ago, when a strange mass appeared in the night sky and lifted him into
the heavens? Rory has no memory of those years. For him, it’s as though only a
day or two has passed.
Rory still loves Cole with the passion unique to young first
love. Cole has never forgotten Rory, yet Tommy has been his rock, by his side
since Rory disappeared.
Cole is forced to choose between an idealized and passionate
first love and the comfort of a long-term marriage. How can he decide? Who
faces this kind of quandary, anyway? The answers might lie among the stars….
My Review:
Rick Reed has been on my To Be Read radar for a while now,
and so when the opportunity came up to read and review his latest release, I
eagerly jumped on it.
This story centers around Cole and Rory, a young couple
moving in together, new in their relationship, and living life in the
Midwestern city of Chicago. Reed's knowledge of the neighborhoods and attention
to detail of the city is impressive, immediately immersing the reader into the
gay 1990's in this well-known city.
Having lived as an out gay man during the 90's, I was
impressed as I too recalled the history at the time. Bars and clubs were the
preferred gathering place, smartphones didn't exist, nor did the hookup apps -
and so how did young gay men find each other? Either by sitting in said bars or
through the city's local hookup phone lines. I had forgotten all about those
phone lines, and I found myself transported back to my youth while reading this
story - well done Mr. Reed! It was an enjoyable walk down memory lane.
The mystery in this novel is what happens to Rory - a
self-proclaimed Sci-Fi nut, who goes missing. The reader knows why, but the
details about the event are never explored, keeping the entire incident a true
conundrum. Even Rory himself doesn't remember the details of his abduction.
The book focuses on the development of the characters.
What's going on in their heads, how Cole deals with his lover's sudden
disappearance, and what happens to the people from Rory's life who are left
wondering, "What happened?"
Twenty years later Rory returns.
We get to see how the characters from the beginning of the
story have changed, how life has progressed, and how they react to Rory's
sudden reappearance.
There are some scintillating and steamy scenes between Rory
and Cole, but I'm not entirely sure I would have called this an M/M Romance, as
I'm not convinced there was a Happily Ever After, or even a Happy For Now
ending. There is a sudden disappearance involving aliens, but I'm not sure I
would have called this book a Sci-Fi adventure, as the details of the abduction
are left to the reader's imagination and the Sci-Fi aspect isn't truly
explored.
But what you do get is a solid story, steeped in 90's gay
culture, vivid descriptions and amazing character development.
If you're looking for a story that's just a touch different
than your average book, I'd recommend this.
As I said above, Mr. Reed has been on my To Read list for a
while. That hasn't changed, and with this book, I've now found another author
whose talent for telling a story takes me out of reality for a while as I
explore his worlds. Nicely done Mr. Reed! Nicely done.
I'll be sure to check out other novels by this author.
(Advanced Reading Copy supplied by the author for a fair and honest review.)
Rating:
Available At:
Rick R. Reed draws inspiration from the lives of gay men to craft
stories that quicken the heartbeat, engage emotions, and keep the pages
turning. Although he dabbles in horror, dark suspense, and comedy, his
attention always returns to the power of love. Rick is the award-winning and
bestselling author of more than 50 works of published fiction and has been
recognized by Lambda Literary as "a writer that doesn't disappoint."
Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA with his beloved husband and their Boston
terrier.
Catch up with Rick Reed here...
Thanks for reading and reviewing the book. I'm so happy you liked it!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
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