Review: The Firefighter and the Artist- A surprising and satisfying read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 9, 2012
This is the second book in a loosely knit series that could stand alone.  The main character in the first book makes appearances and there are mild spoilers regarding his story, but nothing that really confuses in this one.  Like the first, it was a light-weight read that dealt with an interesting issue.  In this story, one of the characters has already gone public with his sexual orientation, but it takes the keen insight of the other main character to help him understand why he still isn't content with his life.The story centers mainly around the artist from the first story, Rodney Mansfield, or Roman as he goes by for his artist name.  His specialty is large paintings of nude men and his work is already on the road to recognition.  Rod has a secret crush for a handsome firefighter who works the station in Laguna, but he has never had a chance to pursue his feelings more than trying to stroll by for a chance see the man on his shift and observe him.  It is during the art festival that Rod's dreams of contact happen, but not in the way he wanted or expected.  His friend Jerry a surfer is working his booth and Jerry spots Hunter, the firefighter, and wants him too which crushes any hope that Rodney had toward Hunter.  Rodney is a short, flamboyantly gay man and he is aware that Hunter, while gay, would not embrace his kind of gay so with a heavy heart, Rod is a true friend and helps Jerry by sharing his insights of what will interest Hunter to start a relationship.  (Everyone should have a friend like Rodney- what selflessness!)Hunter has a tough go trying to live up to his dad's expectations, working as an openly gay man as a firefighter, and struggling to figure out why his good life just doesn't seem enough.  Hunter is taken by a painter's work at the art festival and meets Jerry.  Jerry is openly gay, but he has the appearance of a manly gay unlike the little artist who for some reason has caught his eye and is lodged in his thoughts.  He dates Jerry and gets talked into being Rodney's next model.  It is while modeling that Rodney delivers some hard facts for Hunter to think on.  Can Hunter come to terms with what he learns about himself before he loses his chance at happiness?I found this story was a good example of don't judge a person too hastily.  Rodney and Hunter by appearance and vocation seem to fit certain niches on the surface, but underneath things are far from what they seem.  While Rod is a little man, artistic and flashy with his gayness, he is also a black belt in karate and scholarly with an insight into people particularly Hunter.  Hunter, by appearance and vocation, would not set anyone's gaydar chiming.  But not only is he gay, he prefers to not be the alpha male in the relationship along with the fact that he would prefer to teach and loves literature.There is a little external conflict, but much of the story is this odd acquaintance that becomes something more between Rodney and Hunter that has aspects that are slow moving and aspects that leap right in when it comes to their relationship.Another enjoyable installment to this series!