reviews by Jeremy Laugan
 Finding Peace by Andrew Barriger iUniverse, 2003 ISBN 0595288235 216 pages |
I just finished FINDING PEACE and
it was even better than I anticipated. I was able to move through the
story very smoothly without having to refer back to the first book,
Finding Faith. There are nice little reminders and mini-flashbacks to
Finding Faith that keep the reader in tune at all times without being
redundant or monotonous. Barriger’s story moves along at a pretty good clip that doesn't allow the reader to get anywhere near bored. The protagonists, Taylor and Tom, were so incredibly busy with so many irons in the fire that toward the end I was almost exhausted. Wayne and his boyfriend Eric were a really sweet and hot young couple to be brought into the family. And what a family it was: in-laws, outlaws, friends and neighbors a-plenty. I liked the way some of the more tense situations were handled, too. Taylor is put to the test in many situations that were resolved with aplomb, insight and integrity rather than anger, hate and violence. All in all it was an excellent read—I just wish it were longer. But then, I had complained previously that I had waited long enough for this sequel, and it was well worth it. Even through tragedy, the boys became stronger and met the challenge without fear and with more determination than ever. I recommend this book to anyone at any age. It will appeal to a much wider audience than the other books I read. Thanks for the good read...JJL |
| The Boyfriend by Keith Morrisette reviewed by Jeremy Laugan Teen passion, wit, humor & anger I finished THE BOYFRIEND a few days ago. It sorta left me with an emotional hang-over and I've not been able to stop thinking about it. That's why I didn't post this right away. I wasn't sure what I wanted to say or how to say it. I'm a reader only, no-way am I a writer. Actually it left me somewhat upset and frustrated. I even had a couple of dreams about it. I guess that means Keith's a really good writer because I just really got into Keith's boys. And I know, I was forewarned at the get-go, (Keith's web site), that he doesn't write sappy/sweet endings. I think midway through the story I wanted not to believe him because those two guys were such a hot couple. TB will definitely stay in my ever expanding library. It's very unusual for me to order a book without at least 1 review unless it's by an author I already know whose work I like a lot. Keith was a good risk. I would also like to thank him for letting these older teens have sex (I've noticed most writers are terrified to even mention sex and teens on the same continent), which makes the story sooo much more real. But thanks also for not getting into crude parts of things by too many details. I'm not happy about having to wait till spring of '04 to read Keith's new LITTLE SECRETS, LITTLE LIES after reading the excerpt at his website but maybe by then I will have gotten over the impact of THE BOYFRIEND. Anyhow, mucho thanks for the great read...jjl |
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