Genre: Contemporary, Gaylit
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
When set medic Koa Sanders meets actor/stuntman Loren McCall, sparks fly. Loren himself just went flying — and got knocked out — in a dangerous collision stunt, setting off all Koa’s protective instincts. At the end of the day, when Loren suggests he wouldn’t mind having someone at home for post-head-injury monitoring, Koa tells himself it’s only to make sure the actor is okay. By the time he leaves the next morning, they’ve tested the question very thoroughly … and they want to see each other again.
Loren is already thinking about drawing the line under stunt work. When his agent sends word of a potentially career-changing audition, he decides this is the time to take the leap. He’s facing a huge loss in the coming months. Getting a big part will complicate matters in a big way. But Koa’s right there, telling Loren he’ll help.
Neither man was looking for a boyfriend; neither is willing to dismiss their instant connection. Loren isn’t used to needing help; Koa isn’t used to someone wanting it. And if they get through the year’s challenges together, their lives will change forever.
The Review
Koa Sanders is thirty-six, and is working his way up through the medical field: EMT, Paramedic, Physicians Assistant, and now getting experience as a set work medic. His first time on set, he’s ready to watch a car crash scene at a farmers market that’s filled with booths of all sorts. There are dozen’s of extras and two stunt people. Koa is on alert, and when one of the stunt people doesn’t get up, he gets concerned. Even though their vitals are good, he’s worried about a possible head injury. When the director calls for a second shoot, Koa objects, but is overruled – the show must go on.
Loren McCall is forty. He started in movies at the age of eighteen, a long time dream of his. He’s not a major film star, but he’s played all sorts of bit parts, in film and TV. He’s currently writing his memoirs, and works nights as a word processor for a law firm to help make ends meet. One thing Loren was taught – and believes – is to always have a job.
After the second shoot, a long conversation, and with Loren being a little wobbly, Koa wants him to go to the ER to be examined. Loren has his reasons for not going, but makes an offer to Koa to come home to look after him insted. Concerned about Loren possibly having a concussion, Koa can’t refuse. He does his job as a medic, and checks on Loren throughout the night.
As Koa and Loren become fast friends, Koa learns so much about Loren, and gets to read a draft of Loren’s memoirs. Loren grew up in a loving home, until his father, a state trooper, was killed in an accident. When his mother remarried, Loren’s life took a turn for the worse. His step-father and step-brother were abusive, and his biological brother Rob became their ally. Loren had no other choice but to run away.
There was only one person he could depend on, a state trooper and friend of his late father. From there Loren never looked back. He lived with two loving women: Annie Chestnutt, a lawyer, and Gwen McCall; bookstore owner. He did everything he could to help these two wonderful, tough ladies and loved every minute of it. He couldn’t have been happier in his new life, and they encouraged him to live his dream.
While Gwen has passed on, Annie and Loren are still very much in each others lives. Annie is not well, and both she and Loren have accepted that her time is running short.
When Koa meets Annie, things begin to change. Good things happen for Loren, including gettting a staring role in a movie – a gay romance. His life becomes hectic, but Koa plans to be there for both Loren and Annie. Her condition is deteriorating, and a near tragedy with Koa makes Loren re-evaluate his life again.
Caluen has penned a wonderful – and at times heartbreaking – story about the life of Loren McCall. With all he’s lost, he’s still found those who were willing to help him, no matter what, and he’s grown to be a better man. And Koa Sanders is just adorable – laid back, calm, and has a special understanding of Loren, even when things are difficult.
The story deals with family dynamics – a family that became dysfunctional and abusive, versus one that was built on a foundation of love. It’s also about the difficult decision to reconnect with your biological family.
Koa he has a loving family in Hawaii, and has a great relationship with his sister Lani. Even though his family have hopes for his return, they they accept whatever decision he makes.
I loved the author’s depiction of Hollywood, filmmaking and actors – how they don’t always make it to the top, and how long it takes for some to get there.
I highly recommend Drama Queen, the second story I have read by Alexandra Caluen. This one really impressed me – it has all the feels and emotions to bring joy and a tear to your eye. Well worth the read!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
