No Tea, No Shade

Viva! Series #1

by Clancy Nacht

When Hank’s father catches him in a not-so-innocent childhood embrace with the neighbor Hank’s older brothers refer to as “Ladyboy Lindsey,” he forbids Hank ever to see his best friend again and sends Lindsey home in tears. Later, despite landing on opposite ends of the social and sexual spectrum in high school, neither can forget the boy who gave him his first kiss. While Hank becomes a sports star and bully, Lindsey throws himself into an elaborate sexual game played from afar for Hank's benefit. When Hank's football scholarship takes him away to college, their tenuous bond seems severed for good.

After Lindsey finds his calling as drag diva Miss Anne Thrope, embracing both his male identity and the natural androgyny of his intersex body, he's finally in control of his world...until the night his first love disrupts Miss Anne’s show after a decade of silence. Hank’s dysfunctional behavior, crazy father, and their bittersweet history together threaten to destroy their fragile new romance before it's truly begun. Should they let go of the past, or is this unique love one worth saving?

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Cross Dressing, Intersex, M M Contemporary

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2013

About the author

Clancy Nacht is a bisexual genderqueer person who lives in Austin with a husband, and three feral rescue cats. Clancy has published several ARe bestselling contemporary romantic thriller m/m and m/f stories. Three of her books have been honored with Rainbow Awards; Le Jazz Hot won for #1 Best Bisexual/Transgender Romance & Erotic Romance. In 2013, Black Gold: Double Black was a runner up for a Rainbow Award and in 2015, Gemini won an Honorable Mention for Gay Erotic Romance at the Rainbow Awards. Her books have been nominated for several Goodreads M/M Readers Choice Awards.

Reviews

[Anyta Sunday · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been really cool with more expansion.

All the elements and backstory are there to make a terrific novel, unfortunately in places it reads more like a synopsis for a really cool story. I don't feel absorbed 'in' the scenes, because the story rushes along without taking the time to deepen the conflicts, and things are resolved too easily to be satisfying. Hank barely had to apologize and then he and Lindsey were giving their relationship a go. The ‘father’ the villain, is hateful one moment, and then inviting them both to Christmas the next.

Despite the uneven feel of the story, I could sense something really intriguing in here. Hank and Lindsey’s backstory, whoa! If that had really been shown on page as if it were happening in the here and now, that would have been quite powerful.

This is a quick read . . . oh, and quite hot in places. ;)

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions]

First another mm author very recently released a book by this name. No Tea No Shade so yeah copy pop culture phrases. That's not over done.

Second it's no T, no shade.

Tea is a drink... T stands for truth. This title makes no sense unless it's them being denied their tea beverage and forced to sit on the sun wishing for some shade.

Also the more current phrase is now all T, all shade. Still just T and not tea

Source: http://logosrupaulsdragrace.wikia.com...

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the idea (drag queens!), disappointed in the execution. It's very rushed, with lots of telling instead of showing. The individual elements never really come together in any sort of satisfying way, and I resented the family drama for taking page time from the main characters' relationship.

Anyta's review is spot on.

[Thursday Euclid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: the author is my frequent collaborator and this novel is dedicated to me. If you believe this means I cannot be objective and you desire an objective review, please feel free to disregard my opinions.

This novel is a sexy, snarky soap of a story in the best possible way. This reminds me of Dallas, but with drag queens, an ex-football jock, and hot gay sex. (So, pretty much, it's perfect for my tastes.) I laughed aloud at Lindsey's sharp tongue, his distinctive worldview, and some of the situations in which they find themselves. I also choked up and covered my mouth with my hand reading some passages, so caught up in the events unfolding that I couldn't detach enough to calm down. It's a short novel that left me with the same feeling of delicious wickedness as having watched my favorite nighttime soap.

This book is also incredibly meaningful to me. I'm a queer transman living in Texas, where this book is set. While I do not have the ability to speak first-hand to what it's like to be a drag queen or intersex, I am familiar with the similar issues which face my segment of the queer umbrella. This story was written not about perfect people but about humans whose differences from the mainstream impact their lives without defining them. I found it inspiring, appreciated the representation, and thought it was empowering, sexy, and gave agency to character types who have historically lacked it. Lindsey defines his own masculinity. Lindsey's body is not a freak show to Hank; it's beautiful and not fetishized.

Also, not a knock on the previous reviewer's criticism of the title, but to explain for those who may not be big drag fans (yet): All tea, all shade (or all T, all shade; Loose Id's editors determined correct spelling of the slang to be "tea" and house style must be followed) means something different from no tea, no shade. If Gay-sha, the other drag star at Viva, had been the protagonist, it would have had a different dynamic and a different name. The drag queens I listen to are still using both. Perhaps it is different in that reviewer's scene. Despite the increased homogeneity fostered by RuPaul's Drag Race, different regions still have very distinctive usages and styles.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet second chance story for two little boys who lost their best friend and first love in one fell swoop. Lindsey and Hank played childhood games before they knew "the rules". Many years later after some interesting and disturbing interactions they meet again.

I loved the beginning of this story. It was strong, unexpected and charged in. What unfolded was well done and emotional. As horrid as Hank seemed, he was never one dimensional and as the rest of the story played out he became far more interesting in many ways than his flamboyant counterpart, Lindsey.

Lindsey, has moments that shine and others that play into cliches, especially her role as Miss Anne Thrope, a headliner drag queen.

Now it is easy to cast a parent into the monster role and leave it, but there is actually a very interesting twist with Prescott, but is somewhat fumbled since we never get the full story, There's still an unresolved question by the end and the explanation of the one part was hasty and not as elegantly told as the rest of the story. It almost comes across as slapstick instead of the pivotal point in the story.

The rather abrupt crisis that interrupts this pivot seems clumsy and a distraction and the reader never gets the answer. Then there's an awkward time jump and the conclusion. Overall, entertaining and not to be taken too seriously though I'd kinda been misled by the opening scene.

Favorite quote:

"Honey, most men aren’t worth your tears. None of them are worth the trouble of having to fix your makeup.”

~~~~~ A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~~~~
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews

[Elisa Rolle]

I was curious about this novel due to the particularity of the main character, that if you want to define in a simplicistic way, is an hermaphrodite. To be more specific, Lindsey was diagnosed with the Klinefelter's syndrome, that means he has one extra X chromosome: male have XY chromosomes, female XX chromosomes; a human with XXY, having the Y chromosome is considered a male, but genetically he is both male and female.

In the novel Lindsey has a very feminine look, but his behaviour is totally male, so much that he is brave and bossy, even with Hank, the former high school quarterback who was his juvenile crush. That didn't end well, so bad indeed that Hank is on the verge of suicide; his high school girlfriend, well aware of who is Hank's real love interest, pushes him to go and look for Lindsey, who is now performing as a drag queen in a local night club.

Hank was a real surprise, I started the novel fully expecting to be enthralled by Lindsey and eventually my favorite was Hank. He was a mix of fury inside a fluffy ball, a power that unleashes only if the ones he loves are in danger.

The story flows smooth and basically without bumps, and to my taste maybe a little too fast: I was enjoying both Hank than Lindsey's characters so much that I would have liked to stay with them for a little longer. All the interactions with both parents are very quick, and I think there is space for at least another novel, or maybe a "coming back together" novella.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FEP51ZK/?...

[Shelby P · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a weird book. I liked the spark I saw in Lindsey (although I don't like male characters with female names) when he was heckled on stage. That's more of what I expected from this book. A sassy drag queen finding love. Well the drag queen really wasn't sassy or exciting or anything. I got bored very quickly with the narration. We were told a lot of things but I was waiting for the dialogue and interaction between the characters.

Hank also was interesting in the beginning but then his character fizzled as well. I don't know what make the author throw that "he could be my brother" plot into the story. Made no sense whatsoever. Even when we find out it's not true, Hank is still wondering if it could be true because his brother's kids look like Lindsey.

I did enjoy the "Papa Don't Preach" number and Papa Hunk (although found that a bit unbelievable to his character.) This book I felt was just too disjointed and the characters could have been developed better.

[Moonlite_Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lindsey and hank have known each other since childhood but because of Hanks father, were separated as children and forbidden to be friends. Hank goes on tryna do the straight jock thing and Lindsey continues to be out and proud.

After years have gone by hank stops by during one of Lindsey's drag shows and that's when there acquaintance starts again.

In this story we see how Hank has been an asshole with Lindsey when growing up. They went from best Friends to nothing. Hank has always wanted Lindsey but never wanted to disappoint his father. But it never stopped for him which explains his stalking and going back to look for Lindsey.

I have read other books by this author that I can say I've really enjoyed and one I loved which happens to be another cross dressing theme. In This one there was several things i really didn't like and couldn't stand.

-first of all the mention of hank havin such a huge dick that Lindsey couldn't take it so hank bottomed most of the time. I've seen people get fisted, DP'd and used dildos of unbelievable sizes. So hank bein so hung that couldn't be taken was just b.s. to me.

-the mention of Lindsey not having so much to tuck in when dressing in drag. I felt like WTF was hank feeling when Lindsey fckd him if he had a small dick.

-hank never talked to his father about an issue that came up between them. Hank just kept putting it off and we never saw them resolve it which seemed pretty important. Or why none of his brothers talk to his father no more.

-there's a part when Lindsey asks hank to flash one of his drag friends to show him how big he is. That seemed real fckin stupid.

-also, hank is suppose to be using a cane from an injury but we rarely see him use it. [Ese pareció que era de ganas.]

Lindsey coulda had potential but nope. I'm tryna think if there was anything I especially loved from this book but can't think of anything. It turned out a disappointment and a let down to what I've come to expect from this author.
Again if you want something better with the same theme Le Jazz Hot was alot better.

[Tj · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I really didn’t connect to the characters. Hank went from totally jerk to fool in love. I just thought his character a bit wish-washy. Lindsey’s character was more even keeled. The two of them fit together though and the story was cute.

Now the writing itself was not as well executed as it should have been. I enjoyed the descriptions. The plot was good and could have made a really good book. I think the author just crammed too much into too little. The characters aren’t developed enough. The critical points aren’t well developed. They skim over everything and then develop “easy” solutions. There isn’t the growth of the story that could turn the book into an excellent read. It makes the story too soft but without the mushy feel that make “soft” books comfort reads.

Overall it was an ok read but really missed the mark on execution of the plot. The book itself is a nice read but not one I would recommend or would say worth the read.

[Lidia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too intense for being so short, seem to me that there are much things,sentiments,emotions in this plot and also the characters are complex . I didn't like Hank very much, and the vibe that envelops all story, so maybe is for this motiv that I aren't been in tune with this book.

[Becky Condit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please leave comments on Roux's 5 sweet pea review at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....

“You’re going to move in with him? Her? Whatever that Lindsey person is? You’re still with it?”

This is the second book by Ms. Nacht that I’ve had the pleasure to read and let me repeat that it has been a pleasure! “No Tea, No Shade” is a tale about two men who began their relationship years before as children who grew up as next door neighbors and best friends. Their connection was strong even while so young but parental disapproval brought their relationship to a devastating end. Both Lindsey, an effeminate boy, and Hank, a tough jock-to-be, suffered from the break and it affected them through the following years. Now adults, they have reconnected. Hank’s life has been filled with turmoil and he is consumed with self-loathing. It takes the fortuitous timing of an unexpected email to halt Hank’s attempt to bring an end to his suffering and prompt him to make some big changes that would bring him back to the only person he ever truly loved, Lindsey.

A quick recap of this book would be to say it is a story about a drag queen who meets up with a former classmate/best friend/bully and as they clear the air about past grievances, they quickly became important players in each other’s future. Conflict. Time. Resolution. Sounds simple enough but trust me, my words cannot do justice to the magic that I feel Ms. Nacht creates with her words. It’s not just the storyline, the characters, the emotions—it’s a sum total that far surpasses what these individual elements bring. She blends them together into something truly remarkable. And it’s that magical talent that allowed me to accept the reasons for Hank’s abhorrent behavior towards Lindsey and forgive him for it. It also helped me see that Lindsey actually liked some of Hank’s mistreatment. Her characters are not individuals I recognize in my own life but I can visualize them as real people. Lindsey and Hank are real to me because Ms. Nacht does her job so well. Not only did this story reach down and tug my heart, it captured my imagination and forced me to rethink what I thought I knew about gay relationships. I confess to being no expert as most of that knowledge comes from my two years of reading M/M romance and erotic fiction. It was enlightening and refreshing to see the roles that Lindsey and Hank play in their relationship. My interest was captured and sustained throughout the story.

As I already stated, this is my second read and review of a Clancy Nacht book. In the first review (“Celibacy NOW!”, another fantastic story), I mentioned that I am not a big fan of her cover art. But I have to say that it is her books that have taught me that the old saying “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” is true! Based on the cover art alone, I assumed that her writing would involve comic book type characters and storyline—not my choice of reading material. I have no idea what compelled me to look past the picture but I am so glad that I did. I’ve come to realize that the cover does not necessarily reflect the story within but can simply be a representation of the author’s personal style. Another small problem I had with this story is the title. I searched the book to find out what “No Tea, No Shade” is referring to because I was sure that I was missing something important but came up with no explanation. I was lucky enough to meet Clancy Nacht at the recent GRL retreat in Atlanta and had the opportunity to ask her what the title means. She shared that it is a phrase used in the drag show community. I would have never figured that out on my own, but in the big scheme of things it doesn’t matter. I can let this little hiccup pass. Reading this book was satisfying and rewarding. I look forward to reading more of her books and those she co-authors with frequent writing partner Thursday Euclid. I will no longer let cover art keep me from experiencing new and exciting things like a Clancy Nacht book. I recommend that you read “No Tea, No Shade” and discover for yourself what an amazing book this is.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read this authors work, it won't be the last! The book drew me in almost instantly and I couldn't put it down. Lindsey, the main character in the story, and his alter ego Miss Anne Thrope were so intriguing. Lindsey was kind of broken from being separated from his friend Hank as a child and acted out as a young man, as an adult, he was lonely. His alter ego Miss Anne Trhope was the perfect Queen!!! Hank broke my heart with his desire to please his father. But once he decided to live for himself there was no stopping him. When the two of them reconnect, it's explosive! Add in some family secrets and the story has it all! The book is well written, fast paced and I really didn't want it to end.