Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
About The Book
In ‘A House, a Dog, and an Old Truck’ the reader will get acquainted with Jeffrey, a mature art expert longing for a new creative start in his life after decades battling with painful memories. Jeffrey meets Stephen, an officer in the local police force, twenty years his junior. As their relationship progresses, Stephen helps Jeffrey emerge from his self-imposed isolation. In return, Jeffrey provides Stephen with safety, and helps him grow more self-confident. While they both realize that the age difference is not an issue in itself, they still remain secretive when it comes to their respective life stories. Until this finally catches up with them and events force them to open up to each other and win over their fears.
‘A House, a Dog, and an Old House’ is Morgan’s first major literary project and is at heart an attempt to answer the question ‘When is late too late for a relationship?’ It addresses a range of powerful issues from betrayal, to domestic abuse and abandonment. Morgan’s style is best described as analytical, with constant interactions between characters and with a good touch of humor and irony.
The Review
I was totally thrown off my reading schedule by the blurb for A House, A Dog, and an Old Truck. Morgan R. David brings to life Jeffrey Belmont and Stephen Sanchez, who definitely fit the mold of a true “odd couple”.
Jeffrey Belmont is in his fifties and has had a very interesting life. As the only child, he was isolated but he didn’t mind. He loved being surrounded by books. His mother was a teacher and his father a traveling salesman, but both parents encouraged his love for books and the arts, which earned him a scholarship and grant in Paris at Ecole du Louvre (Louvre Art School).
But living the life of many young gay men had its downfall and heartbreak for even Jeffrey. It was the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and lives and friendships were destroyed because of it. Now in his fifties, he has made an escape to Lakefield, Maine. Even though he’s an accomplished author, he’s taking on teaching art history at Lakefield High. He also likes to cook, and is an expert in cheeses.
Officer Stephen Sanchez is in his thirties and is Chilean. His parents have passed away, and he has become a surrogate father to his niece Manuela. His sister Marie works as a nurse and is quite the mother hen when it comes to Stephen. Stephen also has a knack for being an excellent handy man. For five years of Stephen’s life, he was in a horrible relationship and suffered greatly.
Jeffrey has bought an old red, 1977 Chevy truck, loose bumper and all, and he loves it! But that bumper gets him pulled over by Stephen. He gives grumpy Jeffrey a warning and advises him to get the bumper fixed.
But as fate has it, Stephen and Jeffrey run into each several more times. Jeffrey is terrified, and needs to find a way to tell Stephen he is not interested.
Both men are still dealing with personal struggles from the past that carry over to their fragile and growing relationship.
This debut novel by Morgan David is an outstanding undertaking. The words build stories, interact, interchange and manipulate. The author also educates his readers on art, artists, paintings and even the nuances of cheese. You can clearly see the amount of research that the author put into this novel.
David builds wonderful characters in Stephen and Jeffrey, with their different ages and life experiences, thoughts, hopes, fears, and emotions.
I also liked the cast of colorfil side characters: Maria, Stephens older sister; her daughter Manuela; Andre, long time friend of Jeffrey’s; Jeffreys Mum; and Lt. Stew Donnelly, a bit of a hero. And of course, Ginger!
There were a couple little glitches in the story but not enough to distract me.
“A House, A Dog and an Old Truck” is compassionate, emotional, romantic, and humorous as it deals with serious subjects, including AIDS, abuse and religion. There’s also danger, and a psychological dark side.
For a debut novel, I was very impressed and entertained. I’ll watch for more from Morgan David – I hope he writes some more interesting novels with his unique writing style.
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.
