Review: The Wind Your Voice, The Rain Your Tears
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 6, 2014
Vinny Shields, of M.E. Sanford's 'The Wind Your Voice...The Rain Your Tears', has been drifting through life, satisfied with just getting by, not giving much thought to anything, until a tragedy happens and Vinny is forced to see that everything isn't as black and white as he thought. Vinny realizes that there are so many things he has merely accepted as true, which are, in fact, deceptions. Vinny has been living a lie which, until now, even he has wholeheartedly accepted.Vinny is just an ordinary guy with a small-town mentality and he doesn't like to rock the boat. Vinny does all the things that are expected and accepted by his conservative, Christian upbringing. He helps his family; he works hard at his job; he goes to church, and he has a girlfriend. Like a lot of people, Vinny does these things because that's what he's supposed to do, yet none of it is making him happy. There's a stirring of discontent which is causing problems in his heart and mind. When his brother, Danny, causes him to question how he feels, Vinny is lost, suddenly unsure of everything as his neat little world threatens to come crashing down around him. He begins to realize that he's not really living at all. His new awareness causes lots of conflict as he tries to sort out his situation. The problem escalates when he becomes attracted to a man, Tristan, who is obviously gay. The realization that Tristan is nothing like he'd expect a gay man to be necessitates a reevaluation of his whole belief system. In order to be with Tristan, Vinny needs to be true to his own feelings, despite what his family or other townspeople think. Vinny can no longer hide behind a mask of ignorance and indifference. If he's ever to be happy, he has to make a stand, regardless of the consequences.Tristan has experienced a lot of pain and disappointment in his life. His career as an actor and model is cut short by a debilitating accident; this turn of events causes him to lose not only his profession, but his boyfriend, and everyone associated with him. With nowhere else to go, Tristan comes home to his loving mother and siblings whom he dearly loves, but finds little solace there. Tristan's father has deserted his family, leaving him to help support them. Tristan has to work two jobs to help make ends meet. Tristan is exhausted, but he doesn't complain. Even though the jobs are far from the glamorous ones he has had before, he's not below doing what is necessary to pay the bills, even when it means subjecting himself to the judgmental insults he endures. Tristan is a good man; he knows who he is and what he wants; but he fears that he will never find it. With his eyeliner, foundation, and color-streaked hair, Tristan stands out like a sore thumb in this small, conservative town, but he's refuses to hide who he is because it makes them uncomfortable.It's odd when Tristan and Vinny become friends, but they make it work, while their feelings grow stronger. As Vinny changes, so does their relationship. Tristan and Vinny discover that there's a lot more to their relationship than either could ever have imagined, but it's not an easy path.  There are many unforeseen obstacles with which they have to deal, but in the end, truth and love triumphs.This a tale of triumph and tragedy, but above all, it's one of hope. This is M.E.'s first published work and I think it is an excellent start. I believe his work will continue to grow with more time and experience. I, for one, will be following his career with a close eye. I recommend this book to those of you who like an emotional, meaningful story, with lots of character growth, twists and turns, and important life lessons. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series. Thanks, M.E., for letting me be part of Vinny and Tristan's  journey.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.