Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
In the near future, political and cultural divisions have pushed America to the brink of civil war over States’ rights.
Daniel Ridley is a newly ordained missionary, raised in the heart of the separatist South and in ignorance of the broader world. He is sent to Boston as a missionary for the Christian Nationalist Evangelicals to preach the Word of God and to advocate for a government based on religious scripture. He’s not sure why God chose to burden him with same-sex attraction, but he’s confident his faith will give him the strength to resist that temptation. But he’s not prepared for the hostility he faces up North, and his secret mission—to find an elusive killer and bring him to justice—only complicates his task.
Jaxtyn Keller is a young gay man and perpetual college student who leads a Buddhist worship group at his university in Boston. He believes everything in the universe is connected, and everything happens for a reason. Unlike most of the citizens in his terrorism-plagued city, he’s convinced the only way to hold the country together is for both sides to truly see each other.
The two men meet by chance, and each sees in the other an opportunity to achieve his goal.
As the national crisis accelerates, however, Daniel’s cherished beliefs collide with the harsh reality of separatist violence, and he is soon torn between duty to his church and his growing feelings for Jaxtyn. When their lives are threatened, the two men must find a way to overcome their differences and accept their love for each other, while they fight to both save themselves and prevent a civil war.
The Review
Daniel Ridley and Marcus Johnson have completed their Christian Nationalist Evangelist missionary obligations. Daniel has been at the top of the class four years in a row. Marcus is Daniel’s best friend and roommate. He often worries and is frustrated with Marcus because he questions the wisdom of the leaders. He also believes Marcus knows certain things that Daniel doesn’t want to know about.
Daniel has his own sin to deal with. Same sex attraction has plagued him for years, but he puts his faith in God that he will be changed.
They have been attending the South Carolina, Sangre de Cristo Missionary College, and are leaving in the spring for Boston. Marcus had heard there was violence at the polling places in there. They will go to Boston and preach for political progress – that everyone will accept Jesus and the Christian Nationalist Religion. Their sacred mission will take them out into a world they think they are familiar with. When they have watched the Good News Network, it always showed celebration and cheering crowds listening to Pastor Logan. They are also on a secret mission for the Pastor.
Jaxtyn, Sylvie and Skylar are roommates who all attend U Mass Boston. Jaxtyn loves to meditate, and leads a group. He works part-time at the library to help with rent and spending money. He believes in science, and that the universe is made of invisible particles of vibrating energy. He also feels a sense of foreboding about this election with the control of congress – it could mean the end of the union, with the establishment of religion governed in separate states. The Christian Nationalist Evangelical missionaries, or CeeNees, have suddenly showed up everywhere, and are avoided by many. The CNE want their religion adopted and forced on all of society.
As Jaxtyn and Sylvie are making their way through the long lines at the polling station, tragedy strikes. All of a sudden, there’s a series of pops and a loud boom, and the polling station is thrown into chaos.
Back at their apartment, the three roommates watch the tablet feed. Nine people are dead and dozens injured. Drone footage shows CeeNees pulling guns from under their red coats, with one attacker killed by security. The CNE are recognizable by what their red shirts and white slacks.
Jaxtyn doesn’t believe that violence is the way of the CNE. He thinks they are confused, misguided and wrong but not killers of innocent people. He believes that there has to be a way to connect with them, if the country is to survive.
Six months after the election, Daniel and Marcus are now on their way to Boston. It’s a difficult journey – at every layover, they are asked to show their ID and tickets. Their clothing is very recognizable and carries a bad reputation. The terror attacks have increased, and Marcus and Daniel wish they could have their guns that were checked into containers. Even Marcus’ empty holster has to be put away. They aren’t welcomed in Boston, and are repeatedly told that “no one wants trouble.”
On a layover, they are approached by Sylvie, who humiliates them, but Jaxtyn is there to stop her. He knows she drank too much, and the excitement of the protest is urging her on. Daniel becomes interested in Jaxtyn and the tattoo on his neck. On the next layover, Jaxtyn actually talks with Daniel and introduces himself. They have a discussion, and Jaxtyn tells him of the Open Lotus.
Daniel and Marcus stay in Boston and start to connect with Jaxtyn, Sylvie and Skylar. They begin to learn that everything is not what it seems. What have they gotten themselves into? Danger is coming for finds Daniel and Jaxtyn.
Patrick’s latest tale is very intense, intriguing, suspenseful and filled with deception, brainwashing, violence, forceful politics and different beliefs.
The interaction between Jaxtyn and Daniel is very important, sending the message that society “can agree to disagree” without violence and hatred. Maybe it’s possible to remain friendly and respectful to one another – even those with close relationships can work out their differences.
Daniel, first and foremost, wants to bring people to Jesus and God. He’s very trusting and naive. The more time he spends with Jaxtyn, the more he starts to reevaluate things. For his part, Jaxtyn tries to get Daniel to see that not all of life has to do with religion. As frustrating and difficult as it is at times, Jaxtyn stays open-minded and discusses his opinions with Daniel on topics of religion, racism, homophobia, abortion, tattoos, and more.
There are some very interesting and different insights here. The viewpoint of the story isn’t all one-sided, which underlines the importance about being able to share in opinions or beliefs without hostility.
I highly recommend Into the Lions Den. It held my interest throughout, and was very thought provoking, the discussions between Daniel and Jaxtyn thoroughly entertaining. Once again, Patrick has written an outstanding new novel.
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.
