REVIEW - Gangster Country by Kade Boehme
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| Book Title - Gangster Country Logan Marshall moves to New York to be a social worker where he feels he's needed most. Logan's always had it good. His Daddy is a preacher, sure, but he preaches a laid back, tolerant congregation who accepted Logan's sexuality gracefully. He's from a ranch in nowhere, Texas, which makes him a hot ticket in the clubs with his tight, work strengthened body and his cute accent. He's out of his element in New York, not looking for Mr. Right Now but Mr. Right. Gianni Rodriguez grew up in Brooklyn. Nothing could be further from the way he was raised than innocent, good hearted Logan was. Gianni is fascinated that people like Logan even exist. And parents that not only are God-fearing, but also accepting? As second in command of Los Cuervos, his brother's not-so-merry band of drug runners and pimps, Gianni's life would be in serious jeopardy if anyone ever knew the truth. That's why his growing attachment for Logan is a bad thing. When Logan's work collides violently with Gianni's life, Gianni has to decide if the man is worth risking everything, even his family-- the man that may not even want him once he realizes what a monster the man he's been sleeping with really is. Could Logan be Gianni's reason to go straight? Or will they both go straight to an unmarked grave? |
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| Kade Boehme is a southern boy without the charm, but all the sass. Currently residing in New York City, he lives off of ramen noodles and too much booze. He is the epitomy of dorkdom, only watching TV when Rachel Maddow or one of his sports teams is on. (That'd be Orioles, Seahwaks, Ravens, or Gators.) Most of his free time is spent dancing, arguing politics or with his nose in a book. He is also a hardcore Britney Spears fangirl and has an addiction to glitter. It was after writing a short story about boys who loved each other for a less than reputable adult website that he found his true calling, and hopefully a bit more class. He hopes to write about all the romance that he personally finds himself allergic to but that others can fall in love with. He maintains that life is real and the stories should be, as well. |
| The first time I read one of Kade's books, I knew I had found a brilliant writer. He writes stories so gritty and real, they tear you open. Gangster Country is right in line with this. I loved the characters, the setting, and the story line. I felt like my emotions had been through the ringer by the time I finished. I have yet to read one of his books without tearing up, my heart feeling like it's been split in two. A week back, some gay man asked why women would read m/m romances. Well, it is because of the stories like this. How can I not feel emotionally vested in the story? Love is love. And life is never fair. Doesn't matter if you are straight or gay, or anywhere on the spectrum. Human beings need love, crave it, gender be damned. A great love story is a great love story, and loss is universal. No one gets out unscathed. Logan is a mid twenties gay man from a small town in Texas. He is a good boy who's parents are a preacher/rancher and a teacher. They have always accepted Logan, and he had a great upbringing. He went into social work, but he needed to follow his calling and move away from home. He got a job with social services in New York City. Gianni has always been a part of the gritty streets, working for a gang since he was too little to understand. His older brother is the leader of their gang, and very powerful. Gianni is a hit man for his brother and has become very hard after all this time, even though he is only 29. He never finished high school, and doesn't know any other way to survive. He hides the fact that he is gay because it would get him killed, and his family would disown him. He needs them. Feeling he is doomed and dead inside, he never questions his life. His brother needs him. When Logan and his friends go out to a party one night, he meets Gianni. Turned off at first, they end up in an elevator together, and things go up from there. They are seeing each other frequently for over a year, but Logan knows little about Gianni's life. They meet up at Gianni's other apartment many nights a week, but Logan knows that Gianni is hiding bad things from him, and the relationship doesn't seem to be progressing. After an odd distancing from Gianni, Logan fears they are coming to an end. While looking into a child endangerment case, Logan's world goes to hell in a heartbeat. The mother murders both kids, and the father, a powerful bad guy, retaliates. Gunning down the cop who went with Logan in broad daylight, in front of a hospital, sends Logan into protective custody. Little does Gianni know, he has been sent to kill Logan. Sacrificing everything, Gianni saves his life. But his brother gets wind of it, and they both are looking at an untimely death. Will either of them live through it? What will happen when Gianni trades his life for Logan's? Can Logan ever move on? What would you do if you found out that the person you loved was someone you didn't even know? Why is life so unfair? Can goodness live in a violent heart? This book opens up so many thought provoking questions. Who decides what is right and what is love? Can opposites attract? What would you do for love? I completely adored this book and I know I will read it over and over. The hard truths of life are so beautifully explained by Kade Boehme. His books are so real, not some corny fairy tale. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It just is. |
Heidi Ryan gives Gangster Country
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