Xavier Mayne's Blog, page 4
June 16, 2014
4.5 hearts from MM Good Book Reviews for Frat House Troopers
Lisa at MM Good Book Reviews has given Frat House Troopers a 4-and-a-half heart rating in her recent review. I love that Lisa enjoyed the humor in the book: “This is one book that will make you laugh your ass off.” She hits on the plot points she’s most interested in, and then wraps up with this:
I am amazed with the way this story is told. It has its serious parts to it, but it has more humor than most mysteries have. I was quite pleased by it. I would love to get my hands on the next book in this series. It has already shown promise.
Thanks, Lisa! And you’ll be happy to know that Wrestling Demons, the second caper in the series, is already available, while the third (A Wedding to Die For) is on the way.
Frat House Troopers is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook editions.
June 12, 2014
“Sassy, sweet, and joyful”: Alex Akira reviews Frat House Troopers for Rainbow Book Reviews
Alex Akira recently reviewed Frat House Troopers for Rainbow Book Reviews, and it’s a pretty great read. He begins by giving what is, to me, high praise from a fellow author:
Frat House Troopers is a fast, fun-filled read. It took me a moment to adjust to the author’s voice, but once I did my enjoyment of the story increased, as did my admiration for its author. Xavier Mayne has gifted his story with both a sweet innocence and a sense of voyeurism.
Back when I wrote FHT, I had no plans to become a published author; the very idea of having a “voice” was not even in my head. It seems generous, then, to be credited with that intention. I appreciate it very much! I also very much like the way that he wraps up the review:
I would slot this one under seriously entertaining and have to say that the repeated clothes shopping scenes were some of the funniest I’ve read in a while. I mentioned that there is a quality of innocence to this work, but for sure it is balanced by a goodly amount of heated stuff of fantasies. It’s sassy, sweet, and joyful and well, I did tear up a bit toward the end.
Thanks, Alex!
Frat House Troopers is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook editions.
June 10, 2014
Third in the Brandt & Donnelly Capers series due out at year’s end
I’m really excited to announce that the third book in the Brandt & Donnelly Capers series will be published by Dreamspinner Press at the end of 2014. The working title is A Wedding to Die For, and all I can say about it right now is that it involves intrigue, excitement, and plenty of sexytimes for Ethan, Gabriel, and some new characters that I think you’ll enjoy getting to know.
The action of this one picks up right after Wrestling Demons concludes, and you’ll get to see the troopers take their relationship to a new level. And of course Bryce and Nestor will be helping out, as usual!
I’ll keep you posted on the book’s progress. Meanwhile, I’ll be hard at work on the next books in the series!
June 9, 2014
5 kisses for Wrestling Demons from Top2Bottom Reviews
Many thanks to Susan at Top2Bottom Reviews for her 5-kisses review of Wrestling Demons. Her take on the book has a kind of poetic beauty to it, which I quite like:
This story demonstrates how pettiness, envy, purposeful indifference, and bigotry can erode all that is good within the human spirit. Yet, this tale also shows the powers of love, friendship, and acceptance, and how these things can lift a man to stand on his own, even against the whole world.
Her review is detailed and perceptive, and I love the conclusion she comes to:
Long story short (too late!), Wrestling Demons is a realistic, compelling tale about two boys who learn some harsh truths about the world and their own community, but also learn some beautiful things about the nature of love. Mystery and crime buffs will also enjoy solving the case along with our state troopers. Highly recommended.
Thanks, Susan, and thanks to Top2Bottom Reviews for taking the time to write about Wrestling Demons.
June 7, 2014
Wrestling Demons gets 4.5 stars from World of Diversity Fiction
Jay at World of Diversity Fiction has given Wrestling Demons 4-and-a-half stars, noting in particular the balance in the book between the maturing relationship of Brandt and Donnelly and the new relationship between Jonah and Casey.
I loved this story, the development and discovery that Jonah and Casey went through was beautiful. Their story provoked tears, joy and anger in me so in my book that is a great story. … The mix on Brandt and Donnelly with Jonah and Casey was good giving them all their time on the page.
I have found that keeping this balance is a challenge as I’ve been writing the next capers in the series. I love Brandt and Donnelly so much that I have a hard time keeping the new characters who show up in check. I guess it’s a lucky author who has too many stories to tell!
Thanks, Jay, for the great review. I appreciate it so much!
Wendy at Hearts on Fire gives Wrestling Demons 4 hearts
Thanks to Wendy for the great review at Hearts on Fire Reviews. Her take on Wrestling Demons is one I really like, because she gets at something I think is important—and that a lot of people miss. Here’s what I’m talking about:
While I loved getting an update on Brandt and Donnelly, Jonah and Casey really made this book special for me. … Casey had a little more distance to travel to reach the point of thinking of his best friend in a sexual light, but it seemed so natural when it came. They were both more than a little in love with each other already, so rather than feel like a shocking GFY romance, this felt more like a story where two people acknowledged the love of their life and grabbed hold of that feeling with both hands. The fact that they both happened to be the same sex was almost secondary.
If you’ve read any of my work, you know that gay-for-you (GFY) is pretty much at the heart of M/M romance for me—it involves challenging not only the characters’ sense of themselves, but our overall sense of how sexuality works. Wendy gets that, and I hope other people do as well. Thanks, Hearts on Fire!
May 13, 2014
Jackie at the Novel Approach gives Wrestling Demons 4 stars
Jackie, writing at The Novel Approach, has given Wrestling Demons 4 stars. I will admit to being nervous about writing a sequel to Frat House Troopers, which many people loved. That’s why Jackie’s summary made me so happy:
There are many subplots in this book, but I believe they all worked well together, and I believe that comes directly from the wonderful writing style of the author. Xavier Mayne has an unquestionable talent for making me fall in love with all of the characters in a book. I think this was a very entertaining and heart wrenching addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next book so I can check back in with the troopers and their large group of friends.
I’m happy to report that the next installment in the “Brandt & Donnelly Capers” series is in the hands of Dreamspinner Press as we speak, and I hope that a contract for its publication will be forthcoming soon. I have many more Brandt & Donnelly capers in development!
May 10, 2014
5 Hearts for Frat House Troopers audiobook from Hearts on Fire
Reviewer Asabat from Hearts on Fire Reviews has given the audiobook version of Frat House Troopers 5/5 hearts. Aside from the now-familiar accolades that narrator Peter Brooke has been earning universally for his work on bringing the book to life, Asabat also provides some very interesting perspective on the sexual-identity politics at work in the text.
Xavier Mayne’s superb writing skills, humorous dialogues, creative scenes, and fabulously hot characters (you can’t help but love them) make this novel an enjoyable read. I listened to the audio book three times in a row; not just because I enjoyed the novel, but to make certain I was following the author’s sexual-identity postulations.
High praise indeed. But it was intrigued by the mention of the sexual identity issues, and found this further on in the review:
But let’s get it straight: most of the characters in this novel claim/swear to God/really, really mean it when they say they are not gay. There’s a character who identifies himself as purely straight, but has a boyfriend with whom he lives and regularly schtupps. Doubtless, there will be gay readers who find the above theories offensive, if they don’t pause to realize we are talking theories; maybe reality, maybe not. Such “theories,” although interesting to contemplate, are what most in the gay community would call “in denial and/or deeply closeted, and/or all f**ked up.” …
All things considered, Frat House Troopers is an entertaining, interesting read/listen and well worth your time. And professor, there’s the contention that every straight guy in every straight bar is only six beers away from having sex with a gay man. Relax gay bar owners—you won’t go out of business: it’s just a theory.
This is the first review I’ve received that uses the word schtupp. How awesome is that? Thanks, Asabat, for the review. I’m glad that my bizarre sexual-identity theories have provoked some thought. I hope more readers are similarly provoked!
Frat House Troopers is available in paper, audio, and ebook.
5 Hearts for Frat House Troopers Audiobook from Hearts on Fire
Reviewer Asabat from Hearts on Fire Reviews has given the audiobook version of Frat House Troopers 5/5 hearts. Aside from the now-familiar accolades that narrator Peter Brooke has been earning universally for his work on bringing the book to life, Asabat also provides some very interesting perspective on the sexual-identity politics at work in the text.
Xavier Mayne’s superb writing skills, humorous dialogues, creative scenes, and fabulously hot characters (you can’t help but love them) make this novel an enjoyable read. I listened to the audio book three times in a row; not just because I enjoyed the novel, but to make certain I was following the author’s sexual-identity postulations.
High praise indeed. But it was intrigued by the mention of the sexual identity issues, and found this further on in the review:
But let’s get it straight: most of the characters in this novel claim/swear to God/really, really mean it when they say they are not gay. There’s a character who identifies himself as purely straight, but has a boyfriend with whom he lives and regularly schtupps. Doubtless, there will be gay readers who find the above theories offensive, if they don’t pause to realize we are talking theories; maybe reality, maybe not. Such “theories,” although interesting to contemplate, are what most in the gay community would call “in denial and/or deeply closeted, and/or all f**ked up.” …
All things considered, Frat House Troopers is an entertaining, interesting read/listen and well worth your time. And professor, there’s the contention that every straight guy in every straight bar is only six beers away from having sex with a gay man. Relax gay bar owners—you won’t go out of business: it’s just a theory.
This is the first review I’ve received that uses the word schtupp. How awesome is that? Thanks, Asabat, for the review. I’m glad that my bizarre sexual-identity theories have provoked some thought. I hope more readers are similarly provoked!
Frat House Troopers is available in paper, audio, and ebook.
April 28, 2014
Top2Bottom Reviews gives Husband Material 5 kisses
Thanks to Susan at Top2Bottom Reviews for giving Husband Material the coveted 5 Kisses rating. Here’s what I really love about this review—Susan really nails it:
Riley and Asher’s interaction is the focal point of most of the book. Riley isn’t gay, but he longs to be seen as beautiful and worthy of love. Asher could be that for him if Riley could let go of his preconceived notions of what love is. Every scene with just the two men is fraught with realistic dialogue, amiable friendship, and sexual tension.
What a beautiful way to sum up the relationship between Riley and Asher. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks again, Susan!
