Blue Eyed Stranger (Trowchester Blues, #2) in Riptide Publishing

Apr 29, 2015 Vanessa North rated it really liked it

Really, really nice writing here.

Back when I was in college, I had friends who did all kinds of re-enactment stuff and always tried to get me to do it with them. Socializing in costume is basically my idea of hell, however, so I usually managed to avoid it, with the exception of a themed wedding I really couldn't say no to. So the idea behind this book? I was worried I would have a difficult with it. However, being a Beecroft fan and a fan of the first book in this series, I decided to give it a ...more

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Apr 18, 2015 Amber rated it it was ok

Shelves: genre-m-m-contemporary

I just didn't feel alot for this book or characters. Billy's suppose the be depressed. Closet case Martin's love is suppose to help him. I just don't see it. Martin should have been helping Billy to see a doctor in the beginning especially since he knew the score on the disease having a sister that had it. On top of that I never really could tell his his father was a homophobe/asshole or if he was someone that Martin didn't want to disappoint. It felt like the man's character wavered alot throug ...more

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Mar 19, 2015 Mark rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay-fiction

Modern day Saxons and morris dancers; I must admit while reading this book I actually learnt so much about what people get up to in their free time, how people keep history and traditions alive, etc. it introduced a whole new world to me. At the beginning I didn’t have a clue about the different traditions in morris dancing and its history or how the whole re-enactment scene brings history alive so spectators like myself can get a real impression of history first hand. By the end of the book I w Modern day Saxons and morris dancers; I must admit while reading this book I actually learnt so much about what people get up to in their free time, how people keep history and traditions alive, etc. it introduced a whole new world to me. At the beginning I didn’t have a clue about the different traditions in morris dancing and its history or how the whole re-enactment scene brings history alive so spectators like myself can get a real impression of history first hand. By the end of the book I was totally enriched about traditions and pastimes, although I knew they existed, never really bothered thinking too much about. Do you need to be a history buff or need an in depth knowledge of British culture to understand this book? No, not at all. It is all perfectly explained throughout the book, but slowly so you’ll need to be patient until things become clear if you’re not familiar with any of this for a story setting.

Martin is an history teacher who just loves to bring his history lessons alive and enthuse the children he teaches. Well, he definitely manages this and teaches them a history that is exciting, real and somewhat unconventional. Showing them the rich tapestry of different heroes from different, cultures, race and creed and not the generic, white anglo-saxon history that the syllabus dictates. Why? Well, Martin is black and feels that he needs to teach and show an all inclusive history. As a teacher myself I thought this idea was absolutely wonderful!! However, the school is run by a somewhat conservative regime under the headmistress and inevitably two world’s collide. In his free time he belongs a started a historical re-enactment club, Bretwalda, whose period is the saxons and frequent shows around the country entertaining the public with shows of battle scenes and saxon encampments.

Billy belongs to the local morris dancing side (team), the Griffins, another tradition going back to 15th century England. Kept alive all this time by the numerous clubs around the country. But even here there are regional variations and Billy’s team belongs to the Border Morris who dance with blackened faces.

I must admit it took me a few chapters to get into the whole scene of both of their hobbies not having a clue about either. But whether it was intentional or not, at the beginning as a reader I was kept guessing a little as to what all this could be until things are gradually revealed and it is perfectly clear. I loved the second chapter where Billy is introduced, mystical and mysterious and asking myself what exactly has he been doing sat in a graveyard all night. However, as I read further I realised that this was part of the ploy to bring across the suffering of Billy’s illness and works perfectly. I don’t know how Alex did it but she had me feeling sorry for him from the very first time we read about him. Then when we find out what he is suffering from it makes everything all the more poignant but there are brighter times ahead for him which made my heart lift by the end of the book.

Martin and Billy first meet when the organisers of an event double book them which leads to an altercation of soap opera dimensions. I loved this, these guys all in their respective traditional get-ups fighting out whose slot it is. It was just comical to think of these guys arguing in their get-ups while the public is looking on. Anyway, when Martin and Billy meet, Martin is taken aback by the shy and unassuming Billy. Billy has good days and bad days, and despite what happened this was one of his better days.

I loved the way that they both had their issues they had to overcome in order to find their HEA. Billy with his illness and Martin not being able to come out due to his parents, his job and fellow club members. After all Saxon warriors are real men, rough and tough, not gay. Oh the prejudices I could have screamed especially with the conservative school he was working for. No wonder he was banged up in the closet when he first meets Billy. But his love and care for Billy changes all this.

I also felt Billy’s pain, always putting himself down, believing himself to be worthless, always doubting himself and others, no self-confidence to speak of which would have him running away from everyone and anything. Cocooning himself up in his flat and shutting the rest of the world out. He would have days where too many people, too many noises, too much sensory input would have him running scared. My heart just wanted to reach out to him.

When these two were together you could just feel that they were so right for each other, but they both have to overcome their obstacles in their own way. In doing so they find a greater love for each other that just flourishes until they get to their HEA. Oh my I have read a number of HEA in my time as a reviewer but this one really was exquisite! Had me oohing and aahing all over the place for days.

Although this is the second book in the Trowchester Blues series it can be read perfectly OK as a stand alone. We meet one of the characters from the first book, Finn, when they have a cup of coffee in the bookshop. But there is no need to have any knowledge of Finn from the previous book as these guys don’t know him and just see him as the colourful bookshop owner that he is. So it’s more like a series of books based around a town and the individual stories of its inhabitants.

Another great addition to the Trowchester Blues series and can’t wait for the next one to be released. I’m seriously invested in this series now.