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Anagama Fires

by Sarah Black (Goodreads Author)

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 80 ratings · 23 reviews

Lucien Durand and Colin Ferguson have lived and loved as partners in life and art for more than twenty years. But happily ever after is never easy. Over time, Lucien begins to resent how Colin's work overshadows his own art, and their relationship falls apart. Colin leaves with nothing but a backpack, and Lucien goes on alone, getting some counseling, developing a practice...more

ebook, 104 pages

Published August 11th 2010 by Dreamspinner Press (first published August 10th 2010)

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May 07, 2013 Nina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay, romance-adult, second-chance, 4-star, read-05-2013

Quick review because, um, I have trouble in writing reviews more than a day after finishing a book. It's either the moment a finish it or, usually, never. Appreciate the effort.

Second chance romance, when it's done well, is one of my favourite things in the world. See? It's even got its own pretty shelf. There's just something that gets me about two people who love each other so much that they can't help but come back to each other and work through the issues that separated them even after spend...more Quick review because, um, I have trouble in writing reviews more than a day after finishing a book. It's either the moment a finish it or, usually, never. Appreciate the effort.

Second chance romance, when it's done well, is one of my favourite things in the world. See? It's even got its own pretty shelf. There's just something that gets me about two people who love each other so much that they can't help but come back to each other and work through the issues that separated them even after spending years apart.
If I had to find a fault in this book it would be that I wanted these guys to actually talk about their issues, not just get over them. I wanted live angst and out loud conflict. Instead, they just overcame them. Okay, I'm saying it as if it were a bad thing - it's not, obviously. It's just that my inner monster, who, in case you didn't know, feeds on romance and angst, was not completely satisfied.
That said, this remains a sweet novel, with top-notch writing, as usual for Sarah Black, and an interesting introduction to something I knew absolutely nothing about. Not that now I know much more, but that might be me.
Two things I particularly loved were the fact that the MCs are older than the average age of romance novel protagonists and James. Oh my, he is such an adorable little thing. His relationship with Adam, mirroring the one Lucien and Colin had when they were younger, was simply heartwarming, and the sculpture - actually, the sculpting process was incredibly sensual. What bugged me was the implied threesome between James, Adam and the White Bear guy. It's just implied, and the MCs aren't even remotely involved, so it should not bother me, but it does. I'm a picky, prissy bitch, that's right, but this offends my delicate sensibilities! That's not true, I have no delicate sensibilities. It simply conflicts with my deep-set need for perfectly monogamous relationships in my romance books.
One last thing I want to mention are the wonderful scenes with Lucien and Colin in bed. I'm not talking about sex, but about the tender moments of holding each other and talking quietly about nothing. My inner monster also feeds on that kind of thing. It has a very full belly now.

Now holy fuck, can someone tell me why this review did not end up being as short as I was planning it to be? I suppose I'm overcoming my difficulties in delayed review writing.(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 25, 2010 Feliz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m

This was a sweet, quiet love story between two mature men who split after a long-term relationship, but find their way back together. It was circled around the process of making raku ceramics, and there was a lot of technical terms of which I didn't understand one word in five. But what do you know, this wasn't important! It was awesome how the process of sculpting, glazing and firing was used as pictures for the loss and re-building of the relationship. Like a fantasy worldbuilding, something y...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 11, 2013 Kaje Harper rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, m-m

Wow. This is an easy book to admire, slightly harder to love deeply, and yet one I'll definitely reread. There is a lot happening here, and for all the happy ending, it doesn't neatly slot into the usual romance tropes. This story is a tribute to the idea that love happens, and it doesn't make either of you perfect, and sometimes it's still worth living with the imperfections, to have that person in your life.

Lucien and Colin lived and worked together as potters and ceramic artists for over twen...more Wow. This is an easy book to admire, slightly harder to love deeply, and yet one I'll definitely reread. There is a lot happening here, and for all the happy ending, it doesn't neatly slot into the usual romance tropes. This story is a tribute to the idea that love happens, and it doesn't make either of you perfect, and sometimes it's still worth living with the imperfections, to have that person in your life.

Lucien and Colin lived and worked together as potters and ceramic artists for over twenty years. But over that time, things gradually came between them. Colin is an artist, of the kind that breaks molds and redefines a genre. His work is bold and brilliant, and attracted world-wide attention. Like many great artists, Colin is rather oblivious about everything outside his art. He's very sure of his vision, and that translates to also being sure in daily life, striding forward without paying attention to whether he's going the right direction for the man he loves.

Lucien is an artist in a quieter, more subtle way. He creates pieces with love and care, bowls that caress the hand and become deep favorites. He's also a softer personality, and was dragged along behind Colin. And gradually resentment built, for Colin's success and his certainty and his obliviousness and his entitlement. At the end of the twenty years, as Lucien and Colin put their newest great pieces into the hottest Anagama kiln and fired it up, Colin was baffled and restless, and Lucien was resentful and close to crying. And in the morning when Lucien woke, with the kiln still cooling, Colin had packed a bag and left for Thailand. As the book opens they haven't seen each other for five years.

It's tempting to blame Colin at this point, for being an insensitive asshole. And he is. But it's Lucien who sees a therapist, stays at the pottery and goes on quietly with his life and his art, although he has never opened that kiln full of potentially priceless art. It's Colin who hasn't created a new piece in five years, and spends his time digging ponds in his Thailand backyard.

One day Lucien looks up to see a young man coming down his road. It's not Colin, although for one heart-stopping moment he thinks it is, but James, Colin's nephew. And it's the beginning of an avalanche of events, engineered by Colin to bring them back together.

One thing I admire about this book is that Sarah Black doesn't really rehabilitate Colin. He's still a genius asshole with sensitivity problems and a sense of entitlement. Although he tries, somewhat, to do better. And Lucien doesn't become a tough independent man who asserts his rights and forces Colin to acknowledge his equality. That's how regular M/M would go, and I might have loved those more-perfect men better. But what the author creates here are two men whose flaws and defects remain, but who both find that the hole in their souls when they are apart is too painful to bear. And who are willing to try whatever it takes to get back together. If Colin's "whatever" takes the form of a lot of high-handed stage managing, and Lucien's is a collapse into letting Colin have his way, that doesn't invalidate how they feel about each other.

A fascinating book about two very flawed men who don't overcome those flaws, but move forward in spite of them. There's quite a bit of pottery lore here, bordering on too much had I been in an impatient mood, but as it was, interesting in its own right. I began to wish I could really see the glazes (and the guys.) I'm beginning to think this author is at her best with the realities and complexities of an existing relationship, after the first intense falling-in-love has happened. A book I will reread, and I expect one that will have new things to say that I missed on a fast first read.
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Sep 10, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: artists, hardly-any-shmex, irritating-mc, slow

3.75 Stars.

I adore Sarah Black and see her as someone that is truly gifted at her craft. She is one author that really makes me realise that authors are artists to. I tend to forget that when I read alot of the more mundane m/m books which dont have as much effort in their writing and plot.

I adore how Sarah challenges herself by writing about characters that are deeply flawed or about tough subjects. The reason this one doesnt get a higher rating for me is I simply couldnt connect with the chara...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Don Bradshaw rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-romance, friends-to-lovers, artists

Finally a book about two mature men instead of youngsters. Colin Ferguson and Lucien Durand had been lovers and fellow sculptors for years until professional jealousies and insecurities got in the way. They took a break from each other and Colin moved to Thailand where he stopped working. Now nearing their fifties the men are reunited when Lucien asks Colin to come home. I don't know anything about ceramics or the different firing processes and was apprehensive about reading this book. It seems...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2010 Kassa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Oy I had trouble with this one. I didn’t like any of the characters, the romance fell flat, and the only good thing – the pottery detail – was added in such minute detail my eyes often glazed over. I did like the information on how to fire and glaze the pottery, since this is pretty interesting and offered in such incredibly finite detail. There is so much though that it overwhelms the story and the telling is not saved by the bland and unlikable characters.

The story follows the main character...more Oy I had trouble with this one. I didn’t like any of the characters, the romance fell flat, and the only good thing – the pottery detail – was added in such minute detail my eyes often glazed over. I did like the information on how to fire and glaze the pottery, since this is pretty interesting and offered in such incredibly finite detail. There is so much though that it overwhelms the story and the telling is not saved by the bland and unlikable characters.

The story follows the main character of Lucien. He’s been living alone for the past five years since his long time partner (of twenty five years) walked out one day after a fight. Neither man is over their relationship but Colin has taken to living in Thailand while Lucien remains in their home. Their stalemate is finally called off when Colin’s young nephew James appears at the ranch, this finally lets Colin and Lucien reconnect and maybe move on.

The initial problem with the story is that the information about Colin and Lucien is offered very sparingly. First it takes nearly half the novella to understand that Colin and Lucien had a fight over Lucien’s growing resentment and Colin walked out. This isn’t explicitly said but offered in tiny bits as neither Lucien nor Colin wants to apologize or talk about the past. They get together again and simply forget the past. So it takes the reader a while to understand the dynamics of their relationship, which is complicated and should be interesting given how long two strong personalities have been together.

Unfortunately Lucien comes across as a weak, bland character. He gives in to Colin constantly and always excuses his lack of reaction by saying it’s worthless to get upset at Colin. So instead that gives Colin free reign to act like an asshole (and boy does he) with no repercussions since he’s an artistic genius. Everyone gives in to Colin’s wild demands and though Lucien attempts to maintain control, he lets himself get walked on every single time. Apparently Lucien’s motto is it’s better to be with Colin, no matter how aggravating than be alone so everything else is not worth the drama of standing up for himself.

This dynamic is not one that is enjoyable to read and the secondary relationship of James and Aaron is utterly forgettable. They meet, have sex, and then are considered an established couple pretty fast. Yet they are pretty unimportant in the face of Colin’s over the top personality and the secondary characters all exist to give more information about the pottery process. This is the best part of the book as the raku pottery and firing process is fascinating and shown in extreme detail. Clearly the author knows a lot about the subject and threw in every single thing. This is a double edged sword since this is the best part by far but it’s so much information my eyes kind of glazed over from it. I wish there hadn’t been such huge blocks of it but it kept my interest more than anemic characters.

I think if you can connect to the hurt/comfort theme of Lucien and Colin’s relationship, the story will appeal to readers. If you find, as I did, that Lucien is spineless and Colin is an ass, then you may not like it as well as others. While I didn’t like the romance at all, the firing pottery process is fascinating enough to warrant at least another star.
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5 likes · like · see review

Sep 12, 2010 Michael rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-drama, gay-fiction, gay-romance, gay-artist

I gave this book two stars but that is totally based on Goodread's definition of two stars..."it was okay". On a personal scale I'd have given the book 3.5 stars.

If you want a book where you ask yourself during each chapter, "Why is he with this prick?", then you'll love this book.

If it doesn't bother you watching a nice person be a total doormat...a leaf in the wind to a self-centered asshole, dig in.

If it doesn't bother you to see a person manipulate a lover with lies and secrets. You should...more

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 13, 2010 Lily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, m-m, loved-it

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this story. All of the characters are likable and three dimensional and the different relationships in the book captured my interest. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of the pottery techniques and of the pieces themselves and even though sometimes it felt a bit too technical I did wish that I could actually see the process and the pieces when they were finished.

The storyline flows well as the author skillfully shares Lucien and Colin's past and present as well as...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Reggie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: art-perfoming-art, established-couple

Ms. Black is a talented author. This book is close/over that blurry line of Literature. It is not about 'liking' the characters or falling in-love with the characters. It's about the characters' Story. Like with most couples, opposites attract. This works well for love and passion, but what about for life? This is their story, about their struggles to love each other, live together, work together and like each other, too. Coupleness is not easy and it is not always pretty, but when it works- it...more

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May 22, 2013 Mercedes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge, mm-romance

I knew I would love this story from the blurb. I enjoy reading stories about "mature people"? What would be the right term here? Calling them older people makes me think AARP crowd. Well, anyway these guys are in their late 40s-50s. They have been together for 20 years. but this book is their story about how they come together again after being apart for 5 years. I LOVED this couple. I think there may be some people out there who may see Lucien as a doormat but he is not. I think this is REAL li...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 16, 2013 Susinok rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, glbt

Oh my GOD I did not expect such detailed and completely CORRECT pottery information in a book. I loved this! It made the book even better for me, and the story itself was very good.

I made pots for 20 years as a hobby, I took classes, I went to the biannual ceramic conference, read the books, even fired a wood kiln (twice).

I love seeing my hobbies crop up in books, but pottery is not often used as a backdrop. Thanks Sarah for doing this and for getting every detail right. :)

And so see Volkus men...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, done, ebook, gay, romance

2.5 stars. Ok short m/m romance about two potters, both nearly fifty, who've been together most of their lives... until the past five years. The more famous, who was the one who left, sends his nephew to his former lover to learn more about firing pottery. I did have a niggle about this one - the story took place over about a week. On the first day, puppies were born. A few days later, the same puppies were running around and getting underfoot! Whoops. Plus there was waaaaay too much information...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Kate added it

*Pokes around disgruntled looking for more story*. I understand that Colin was in a huge hurry to organize everyone's lives, including Lucien's. However, he skipped a few important bits.

Sarah has done a really interesting job of placing the reader in the mind of careful, methodical Lucien and then rushing the story-telling like whirlwind Colin blows through Lucien's life. But it doesn't quite come off right. Very, very close though.

I liked the metaphor of the pottery and I learned a lot of cool...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Greg rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Sarah Black. She is a good storyteller who doesn't use sex scenes to fill up the pages of her book. She can actually write. The thing I like about this book is the main characters are not some young, built,incredibly handsome young guys, but older men who have already seen their time in the sun and how they reconnect. Her stories and characters are believable. Give this one a chance, I don't think you will be disappointed.

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Mar 04, 2012 Penny rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. I had a hard time enjoying this story due to the main character Colin. It was hard to understand how Lucien could love him, or for that matter even liked the grouchy character.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 08, 2011 Arzu rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, mm-romance, ebooks-owned

When you look at my rating, you can see that I had trouble with this book. I didn't like Colin at all. I couldn't stop asking myself "Lucien why do you put up with this nonsense?" Unfortunately, Lucien's behaviour gave a weak image of his character. I mean, it's normal to do a lot for the person you love, but to accept him overrunning, manipulating your life ... I don't know. Not my cup of tea!!
And then sometimes the pottery details were just TOO much. It's always interesting to have some inform...more

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May 30, 2012 Jess Candela rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2010

3.5
Good story, well-written, but I had difficulty liking Colin

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Mar 01, 2012 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it

Reviewed by: Don
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M Contemporary

Check out the review on http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

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Jul 15, 2011 MsMiz (Tina) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt-all, pnr

3.5

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Oct 07, 2012 Idamus rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

A kinda meh book, didn't connect to any characters

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Aug 27, 2012 Anke rated it 2 of 5 stars

2 stars - it was ok. There was way too much about pottery in this book than I cared for; in fact it resulted in me even liking the romance of the secondary characters more than the one of the MCs, as their relationship was questionable, at least for me.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2012 Alyosha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, drama-drama-drama, established-relationship, artists, multiple-pairings, separation, power-imbalance, pricks, money-money

Hats off to Sarah Black for writing so well that even when I sort of hated the characters a bit I still loved the novel. 3.5 stars

1 like · like · see review

Sep 12, 2010 Gaa-chan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: artists-performers

2.5 stars

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May 23, 2013 Kris (KindleRomance) marked it as to-read

Shelves: 00-acquire

May 22, 2013 Aimee marked it as to-read

Shelves: established-couples, second-chances, read-right-the-fuck-now

May 22, 2013 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) marked it as to-read

May 13, 2013 Plainbrownwrapper marked it as to-read

Shelves: i-own-it

May 13, 2013 Jerry marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Karl rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 12, 2013 Bookbee marked it as wish-list

Shelves: 1, must_have_grabby_hands, dreamspinner

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