Sun, Sea and a Contemporary Art Galley

Men in Love and at War #3

by L.J. Collins

Coming from an underprivileged background in the East End of London, Berkeley sets himself the challenge to escape poverty and do well for himself. Armed with a good brain and determination, he succeeds and wants for nothing, but there’s a bitter price to pay. Now the challenge is with himself, and he escapes to the quiet of Tenerife for love, only to lose it promptly. What now? With no career or prospects in the unfamiliar country, what is Berkeley to do? He decides to set up business opening an art gallery, yet knows nothing about art. Comical disasters, veiled threats and visitors of a spiritual nature, believing that he’s to be served up to the Devil himself ensue. The whole experience pushes Berkeley to limits he’s never encountered before, and he learns the hard way that what goes around really does come around to haunt you. Only love and true friendships can bring him back to the real world.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2014

About the author

Born and raised in London, Lee worked as a successful senior management consultant before moving to Tenerife to pursue a more fulfilling life and to focus on his writing.
For Lee, the writing process is all about when the mind and the fingers connect. He plans stories in his head, but when the fingers take over, something else comes out...but invariably, he is happy that he let his fingers do the talking.
He works with an amazing team at eXtasy/Divine books who inspire and encourage his writing. He calls Jay Austin, the Chief Editor in Charge, Laura McNellis, his editor and Carmen Waters, his artist, THE DREAM TEAM. No further explanation required...

Reviews

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an interesting series... this one was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat curious to see what would happen next.. the emotions were well written and felt real..

[Jane C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from the very beginning until the very end.

This is the third book I have read by the author, LJ Collins, and it is definitely the best so far! I often have trouble getting into a new story, but this book gripped me from the very beginning because it is so raw, true to life, and tells a bitter-sweet tale of somebody striving to make a new life for themselves in foreign lands which most of us only dare dream about.

Berkeley is such a likeable character who you quickly warm to, and that’s why it’s so easy to get engrossed in his roller coaster ride of ups and downs as he discovers new places, new men and a new business.

There were times when I was laughing out loud as I read about Berkeley’s comical disasters, but in the next breath I wanted to be there with him so I could give him a huge hug to make everything better for him.

All in all, Sun, Sea and a Contemporary Art Gallery is a very good read, and the fourth book in LJ Collins’ series ‘Computer Lover’ is already downloaded and ready to read!

[Birty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by the author, LJ Collins, and it is definitely the best so far! I often have trouble getting into a new story, but this book gripped me from the very beginning because it is so raw, true to life, and tells a bitter-sweet tale of somebody striving to make a new life for themselves in foreign lands which most of us only dare dream about.

Berkeley is such a likable character who you quickly warm to, and that’s why it’s so easy to get engrossed in his roller coaster ride of ups and downs as he discovers new places, new men and a new business.

There were times when I was laughing out loud as I read about Berkeley’s comical disasters, but in the next breath I wanted to be there with him so I could give him a huge hug to make everything better for him.

All in all, Sun, Sea and a Contemporary Art Gallery is a very good read, and the fourth book in LJ Collins’ series ‘Computer Lover’ is already downloaded and ready to read!

[Fay MMBookworm]

DNF at 43% This is a fast paced at the start of the book and continued on. The story is a basic narration of Berkeley's life with very little dialogue with characters. I tried to keep reading but it couldn't keep my attention. I'm happy to say the authors books after this one are WAY BETTER..since Ive read and loved the next one in this series (yah I don't read in order).
This is a story of Berkeley's life growing up as a kid finding his sexuality to being gay..working to support himself after he'd finished school studying accounting and business. Berkeley coming out at 27 saddened with his fathers death. Drugs and at 29 his mum died. He's yet to find love, when Roberto enters his life and then finding heartbreak. The story continued but meh sorry..