Off Balance (Painted Bay #1) by Jay Hogan

 

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When JUDAH MADDEN flees his tiny suffocating home-town in New Zealand, for the dream of international ballet stardom, he never intends coming back. Not to Painted Bay. Not to his family’s struggling mussel farm. Not to his jerk of a brother. Not with his entire life plan in shreds. And certainly not into the tempting arms of MORGAN WIPENE, the older, ruggedly handsome fisheries officer who seems determined to screw with Judah’s intention to wallow in peace.

But dreams are fickle things. Shatter them and it’s hard to pick up the pieces. Hard to believe. Hard to start again.

But the hardest thing of all? Finding the courage to trust in love and build a new dream where you least expected it.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Damn, this cover! Not only is the cover spectacular, but the story is wonderful too. Jay Hogan's Off Balance captured me immediately, as the first page jumps us into a mesmerizing situation. My heart broke for Judah before the story even really began. 

Judah and Morgan's romance is complex. The two men work well together, with some fun first times, as Morgan's never acted on his bisexuality before. But, it's a tale with some tough angst at the core. Morgan's life revolves around the small town of Painted Bay. And, despite enjoying his time back home, Judah can't make a living in the small town. 

This is a tale with a serious health condition. The author excels in exploring it in an impressive manner. It's a guiding factor in Judah's life and the author handles it all with care. 

The storyline also follows Morgan's job, which is something I thought might be boring. It really isn't something I am interested in, but I enjoyed the way the author handles it. Honestly, I am still shocked that these two drastically different careers can be tackled together. The difference in their careers definitely parallel the differences in their characters. 

This is a story with a slew of family issues. I found myself mesmerized with some of the scenes. Judah and his brother are proof that there are always two sides to every story. I love their interactions and how loaded they are with depth. 

Written in first person pov, I love how easily the emotions jump off the pages. As well, the author transports the reader into the setting. New Zealand is one of the most breathtaking places on earth, and I love being reminded of it's beauty. The author also includes some intrigue and mystery that keeps things on the edge. 

Off Balance is a beautiful story of healing. Jay Hogan once again delights in a stunning story of learning how to pick up the pieces when you're life dreams are ended abruptly. It's a wonderful story which I highly recommend. 

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Escaping Camp Roosevelt by Bryan T Clark

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 87,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Karrie Jax

Goodreads Link

Blurb

“He’s a bad boy—cocky and damaged. So, why can’t I stop thinking about him?"


Broken Dreams

Sociable and unselfish, eighteen-year-old Tucker Graves loves two things—his darling little sister and the thrill of playing baseball. He never dreamed that he’d be homeless, but after a series of misfortunes, his life is nothing like he could have possibly imagined. Shocked and shattered, Tucker, his mother, and his baby sister now must brave the dangers of a dilapidated homeless encampment called Camp Roosevelt.


A Wounded Heart

Homeless since the age of fourteen, Dancer has mastered the tricks of living on the streets as a sex worker. The quiet, reclusive, and calculating ways of this twenty-year-old, green-eyed Adonis help him to survive. He hides his emotional scars from the world by interacting only with his clients, whose occasional bizarre requests he reluctantly fulfills. Dancer’s past has taught him to trust no one.


A Second Chance

When Tucker and Dancer come face to face on a stormy night, having been thrown together under the same roof, Tucker brings out a feeling in Dancer that he didn’t know still existed in him—desire. Neither man can deny the attraction he feels for the other. But some scars run deep, causing both Tucker and Dancer to question whether falling in love is even possible, especially when survival is on the line.


Bryan T. Clark is a multi-published, Rainbow Award-winning author and LAMBDA finalist.


*** One hundred percent of the royalties from the first year of this novel’s publication is being donated to the Larkin Street Youth Services/Castro Youth Housing Initiative. The CYHI provides transitional housing in the city of San Francisco, California, for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Fear of being raped, abused, or murdered should not be a part of anyone’s youth.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wow. Escaping Camp Roosevelt is so much more than I ever expected. Emotional and heart-breaking, Bryan T Clark grabbed my heart immediately with this amazing tale of forgiveness and moving forward. 

A story of two homeless teens, with one who's caring for his sister, the author excels in his exploration of the struggle of being homeless. The isolation, the loneliness, the desire to trust no one, and the desire to remain alone. The hardships, the fear, the inability to get ahead in life.

Tucker and Dancer are two young men who I just want to hug and help. One's a victim of his mother's meth habit, the other a runaway after suffering sexual abuse. Both of their backstories are soul crushing. In addition, the author does a wonderful job of demonstrating the common need of homeless teens to become sex workers, as a way to just survive.

Tucker's seizures were a tough read for me, as I was heartbroken for the way he developed them, and his inability to get proper care for them.

Their story is one of getting to know someone and learning to trust them. The  attraction is strong, but they have many complications to overcome. It's a story of making amends, making tough decisions, and fighting for love. It's about overcoming one's past, letting go of fear, and finding the strength to love. 

Escaping Camp Roosevelt is a superb story, full of all the feels, and will leave the reader falling in love with these two men. Bryan T Clark's tale of letting oneself live again is writing beautifully, both compelling and riveting. A tough, raw read, it has a happy ending. 

Bryan T. Clark is a Lambda Literary finalist and Rainbow Award winning author of gay romance, and contemporary books. He is also a funny, loving, family-oriented, and proud member of the LGBT community. Behind his computer, working on his next novel, Bryan writes romance with an emphasis on moral dilemma. His multicultural characters and riveting plots embody real life, filled with challenges, personal growth, and, of course, what we all desire—love.


In his work, he is known to push the boundaries with brilliantly crafted stories of friendship, love, complicated relationships, and challenges all woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.


When Bryan is not writing, he enjoys reading a great book, traveling, lying by a body of water soaking up the sun, and watching a good movie while snuggled up with his husband on the couch with their loyal companion Nettie, the Sheepadoodle.


Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan has made his home and life in the Central Valley of California.

Author’s website: www.btclark.com

Twitter: @BryanTClarkx2

Facebook: BryanTclarkauthor@facebook.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthor/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7875459.Bryan_T_Clark.com

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