Review: Tia Fielding delivers once again.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 20, 2014
Jasper Blue aka ‘Red’ is a Country singer who has reaped the rewards of his success but now lives with his demons and finds himself unable to find the words and lyrics for his latest album. Six years ago he found the strength to deal with his alcoholism but there is not a day that goes by when he doesn’t live with the temptation or relive his imagined failures. Just because he no longer drinks does not mean he is cured.Long time friend and producer Kenny suggests they bring in a songwriter and when they manage to hire the very talented and popular Cade Wallace things begin to look up. Cade arrives at Reds house and for the next couple of months the two men find the lyrics within themselves for the next album but also so much more. Never has Red felt so ‘safe’ as he does when he is with Cade.Red lives in the closet and in his own words he is so far in there that he would probably need a torch to find his way out. You will grow to love this strong, needy and very loving man who has so little faith in himself. He lives almost in seclusion but has a very strong group of friends and family who provide a support system when required.Cade is a trucker and never stays in one place too long. Like Red he has a strong support system in his friends but he is looking for someone and not somewhere that he can call home. It hurts him to think he may have found this with Red but with circumstances out of his control he may lose it just as quickly.The first time these two men ended up in bed together my heart broke a little. With the after affects of his alcoholism causing Red shame and embarrassment Cade was so gentle with him. I think this was where the relationship changed and although neither men knew at the time there was no going back from this point.With the album finished and Red terrified for his career if his adoring public find out he is gay Cade leaves and returns to his trucking. This is devastating for both men. In the past Red would have turned to the bottle to help deal with his feelings and loss but if he is to keep his promises to his family and have any chance of getting back the man he loves he has to fight more than his fear of drinking.There are some amazing secondary characters in this book who love these two men and would do anything to help them including showing a beaten up country singer that bravery and honesty can reap spectacular rewards both on stage and off.Review originally published on Prism Book Alliance