Summer Spirit Book Summary:

Ryan Kinkaid, a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Ryan has what most New Yorkers want — his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71st Street. However, at age forty-one he discovers he is lacking one very important thing in his life: a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. A four-month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren was the answer.

Renting a house built in 1810, kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this tale of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Review:  In the beginning, I wasn’t really sure what this book was about.  I haven’t read much gay literature besides E. Lynn Harris and Summer Spirit is significantly different and that’s not all bad.  There is a great lagging in the first 25% of the book because you want to know what it’s all about.  I guess this was Jay’s way of introducing us to his characters.  As a reader, I was searching for a story line, which wasn’t coming quick enough for me.  The descriptions mostly contain meeting for coffee, eating, and having sex, but I longed for something more solid.  All of that boredom changed when Ryan and Lauren moved into the old house in Portsmouth.

Ryan is a likeable enough character, who is desperate to find a steady relationship.  I found myself rooting for him to succeed.  Lauren seemed to portray a typical New Yorker enjoying the art scene and all the activity New York offers, while wanting a serious relationship at the same time.  Jason, Ryan’s friend, was the stereotype of the young, promiscuous, and effeminate gay guy, that a lot of people imagine.  I especially enjoyed that the stereotype was broken by focusing on Ryan’s desire to really want to have a meaningful relationship.  There was a scene when Ryan thinks that Eric is gay and tries to kiss him.  For me this broke another stereotype because people always seem to think that gay people always know when someone else is gay.  Not to mention, Eric doesn’t react badly, like we would think.

There are some interesting twists which can’t be revealed because they make this story a little special and different.  I loved reading about the old big house, the mystery, and the antiques. Hell, I even enjoyed the scruffy cat Brownie and I don’t even really like cats that much in real life.  I’m allergic.  However, I’m putting out a caution for those that don’t like reading about sex because there is plenty of it and it’s very descriptive.  All in all it’s a different, light read.  G. Jay also has another Ryan Kincaid mystery coming out soon called Autumn Reveal.

G. Jay’s writing style is easy and the novel can be read quickly, within a few hours since it’s just a little over one hundred pages.

G. Jay’s Bio:

A communications graduate of the City Universities of New York, and after twenty-nine years as a human resources administrator, Jay decided to apply his understanding of the complexities and foibles of the human character in a more creative way.

Like the main character, Ryan Kinkaid, Jay is a gay man who believes in love and commitment. He and his husband have been together for over thirty years and live on the West coast of Florida with their two cats. A transplant from New York, Jay continues to travel regularly to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to connect with the New England life which he so loves.

G. Jay’s web site:

http://www.gjayb.com/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Summer Spirit blog tour site:

http://summerspiritmystery.blogspot.com/

Link to Summer Spirit excerpts:

http://www.gjayb.com/excerpts.htm

Format/Price: $3.99 ebook

Pages: 132

mobi ISBN: 9781938008665

ePub ISBN: 9781938008672

Publisher: Publish Green

Release: October 15, 2012

Kindle buy link ($3.99):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RT6L8A?tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy link ($3.99):

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-spirit-g-jay/1113508642?ean=2940015504538

iBookstore buy link ($3.99):

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/summer-spirit/id571016500?mt=11&uo=4

MyBookOrders.com buy link ($3.99):

https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/969

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