More Books Recs Than You Can Shake a Stick At – BGFP episode 204
On this week’s show, Jeff and I review the gay romantic comedy Analysis Paralysis from Jason T. Gaffney.
In books, I review the sweet contemporary romance Family Camp by Eli Easton and Jeff reviews Balefire by Jordan L. Hawk.
Jay from Joyfully Jay talks with Jeff about the blog’s Reading Challenge Month, which gives blog visitors the chance to discover some new books and win some big prizes. Jay also recommends books she’s been reading: Soul on Fire by Tal Bauer, Dealing in Death by L.J. Hayward and The Witchstone Amulet by Mason Thomas.
Remember, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast anytime at BigGayFictionPodcast.com.
Quick Review: Family Camp by Eli Easton
Family Camp by Eli Easton
Nice guy schoolteacher Geo is a brand-new foster dad to 5-year-old Lucy and surly pre-teen Jayden. A week at family camp should be the perfect bonding experience for all of them, but things get off to a rocky start when Geo’s car runs out of gas on the drive up to Big Bear. A breathtakingly handsome good-Samaritan helps them out, and they’re soon back on the road.
Pro baseball player Travis loves returning each summer to the camp that his family runs. It’s home to him. Helping an attractive, but clueless dad and his kids on his drive in wasn’t any trouble, but an off-hand comment gives Travis the impression that Geo has no interest in providing a forever home for his foster kids.
Travis was adopted. Maybe Geo isn’t so cute after all.
When Geo shows up at Camp Evermore, Travis tries his best to avoid him, which proves difficult since Travis’ job is to make sure that the campers, allof them, have the best possible time.
After sharing a series of outdoor activities (canoeing, hiking, sing-a-longs) Travis is drawn to Geo, Lucy and Jayden. They might be a new family, but Travis can see that they’ve got something special. After spending more time together, Travis and Geo iron out their misunderstanding – Geo is, in fact, doing everything in his power to adopt Lucy and Jayden.
The kids start to come out of their shells, making friends and bonding with Geo. Even some dramatic moments (because what’s family life without a series of unexpected disasters?) can’t deter this newly formed family.
Some of the camp moms point out that the flirtatious attraction between Geo and Travis hasn’t been particularly subtle. Their quiet moments shared after lights out and stolen kisses in the woods just aren’t enough. At the parents-only party on the last night of camp, Travis takes Geo back to his room at the main house and they spend an amazing night together. They want to make things work despite the obstacles facing them.
Travis receives word that a tabloid site has published a picture of him kissing Geo and he immediately leaves for L.A.
On the final morning of camp, Geo is disappointed and a little broken-hearted that Travis didn’t even say good-bye. He also must console his kids, because if there was anyone who loved Travis more than Geo, it would be Lucy and Jayden.
Travis is given the choice of denying the picture or telling the truth. He does what no other pro baseball player has ever done – he comes out of the closet.
Once the details of his career are ironed-out, Travis has Geo, Lucy and Jayden come to one of his games. After Geo wraps his head around being the boyfriend of a famous athlete, they all live happily ever after – as a family.
I’m so glad that I read ‘Family Camp’. It was the perfect end of summer read.
I loved Geo and Travis so very much. Two terrific characters who over the course of the story open their hearts, learn to trust and create a family that was perfect for them.
I really loved all the secondary characters as well, they provided a great support system for our heroes on their journey towards love.
Speaking of journeys, though the bulk of the story takes place over the course of just seven days, I didn’t feel like the romance felt rushed or unrealistically insta-love-ish. I think the author made the most of the interactions the characters had, building the foundation of their feelings one camp activity at a time.
This review originally appeared in episode 204 of the BigGayFictionPodcast.
The One Month Anniversary Episode! – Big Gay Author Podcast episode 9
Congratulations to us!
The show celebrates its one month anniversary and I kick things off by talking about the Three Day Novel Contest and September’s Story A Day Challenge.
We also talk about talk about our decision to leave Dreamspinner Press and the opportunities it offers to reset Jeff’s author career, which will be documented in future episodes. Jeff also discusses his September plans, which includes attending Rachael Herron’s 90 Days to Done class.
I review two helpful books: Newsletter Ninja by Tammi Labrecque and 15-Minute Dictation by Sean M. Platt and Neeve Silver.
Remember, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast anytime BigGayAuthorPodcast.com.
What I’ve Been Reading: August 2019
Interview with the Authors of ‘In Case You Forgot’ – BGFP episode 203
Jeff and I both chat about some narrative fiction podcasts we’ve listened to lately. I review the podcast The Two Princes, which was absolutely wonderful and the kind of story I wish Disney would tackle. Jeff reviewed the Gay Future Podcast, another audio fiction show, and Pocketful of Stardust by J.P. Barnaby and Rowan Speedwell.
Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar join Jeff to talk about their debut novel, In Case You Forgot. Frederick and Chaz share how they worked together on this first collaboration, the inspirations for Kenny and Zaire, favorite scenes in the book. They also share what they’re working on next.
Remember, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast anytime at BigGayFictionPodcast.com.
Brokeback and Story Beats with Anne Hawley – Big Gay Author Podcast episode 8
This week Jeff and I welcome author and Story Grid certified editor Anne Hawley to the show. Anne has been working with Story Grid creator Shawn Coyne on the very first Masterwork Experiment where her task has been to analyze Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx at the beat level and then use those beats to create a new, fresh story. In the discussion, Anne explains what the Story Grid method is, what it’s been like to work on the Masterwork Experiment and how her writing style has changed as a result.
Remember, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast anytime at BigGayAuthorPodcast.com.