Title: Borderland
Author: F.E. Feeley Jr. & Jamie Fessenden
Genre: Horror
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing
Pages: 230
Reviewer: Maryann
About The Book
They were young.
In the prime of life and recently married.
And then the diagnosis came.
Cancer.
George and Jason make arrangements to travel back to George’s home state of Vermont so he may pass away in the town where he grew up, but a terrible storm diverts the couple into the gates of an out-of-the-way hotel called Borderland.
Sure, the employees are well dressed and polite. Sure, the food and entertainment are old-time fare. But it’s all a schtick, right?
Or is there something far more sinister at work here?
Welcome to the Borderland Hotel, where you may check in, but you’ll never, ever leave.
The Review
I’m familiar with Jamie Fessenden’s works but not F.E. Feeley Jr. Even so, I think “Borderland” was an amazing collaboration. The more I read, I felt the horror and twisted terror could be straight from the Stephen King playbook. The authors have expertly written highly emotional scenes between George and Jason, along with the horror of Borderland.
The relationship between George and Jason is a long lasting love, with romance, determination, friendship, commitment and fear of loss, as both find themselves saving each other. Not only do they face a fatal disease but they come face to face with evil of the unknown. Is there any possible way they can overcome both?
The authors transport us from the year 2020 to the 1920’s with their description of Borderland and the various styles and music of the era. Borderland is haunting in several ways, suspenseful, chilling and a heart-stopping page-turner!
There’s an abundance of characters that George and Jason become familiar with. When they become aware of the evil residing at Borderland, they fight to save themselves and the sadly, odd occupants of Borderland. Without the help of George and Jason could they have faced their fate?
The authors give us an in-depth look into many of the lost souls of Borderland. Miss Rebecca Thibault, the owner, the mysterious Mr. Harvey, Thomas the handyman, along with the staff, Tilly and Grace. Of course, there’s also the revengeful and evil menace that’s determined to destroy everyone.
This is a fantastic read – I congratulate Feeley and Fessenden, for a great collaboration. They have a unique chemistry and I hope they plan to continue as a writing team!
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.
