Author: Lynn Lorenz
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2nd Edition)
Length: 246 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: For me, this is a 5 star read. After reading this second edition, I loved how Lynn Lorenz segued all three stories into one.
Reviewed By: Kim
Blurb: Matt and Lane grew up together, best friends, sharing almost all their secrets. But on the last day of college, those secrets spilled in one night of passion and tore them apart, sending Matt to the West Coast and Lane home to New Orleans.
Now, Hurricane Katrina is set to destroy New Orleans. This might be the worst time to try for a second chance, but nothing can keep Matt from Lane. The man he let get away.
For Lane, no hurricane can pry him from the city, especially without Sebastian. The older man has been a dear friend and his landlord since Lane returned from college. Sebastian refuses to flee, preferring to stay in his Creole cottage in the French Quarter and ride out the storm.
Sebastian’s life becomes intertwined with Lane’s, as Matt finds out when he’s drawn into capturing Sebastian’s memoirs of being gay in New Orleans. The elder gentleman’s stories are full of surprises and lessons for the young men.
The most important ones Sebastian teaches them—and himself—are that second chances don’t come along often, and you’re never too old to fall in love.
First Edition published as Pinky Swear, Pioneers, and C’est La Vie by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure, 2010.
Review: I came across Pinky Swear, Pioneers, and C’est La Vie while cleaning out my Fictionwise cache last year, the three original stories that make up New Orleans Second Lines. I totally enjoyed Matt and Lane’s story, especially as boys. Matt reminded me of my eldest, who would bring home a bone like Matt did. And yes, this mom would have had the same reaction as Lane’s mom did at finding such a thing. I also thought the pinky swear ritual the boys had between them was adorable. Unfortunately, I also had my moments with both of them as they showed their immaturity when it came to a physical relationship, but I easily forgave them because of their age.
Mostly, though, what brought this all together and made it a favorite, and a reread, was Sebastian LaGrange. He may have started off as a secondary character in Pinky Swear, but he grew even more as a main character in Pioneers. I got to know his story of what it was like to be gay and young in New Orleans. His ups and downs, and the fear and sadness he went through when the AIDS epidemic was at its peak in the 80s. And even though he thinks that love ended when his soul mate, Frank, died, years later, along comes Raymond Chou to woo this sweet old man.
OMG, C’est La Vie, was so sweet! It’s very rare to read a story about a much older couple, and Lynn Lorenz told it so beautifully. I love how the courtship between these two developed, and knowing Sebastian’s insecurities just made him even more human to me. Sebastian LaGrange just didn’t know what a sexy man he was until Raymond came along and reminded him that he was still a young man at heart and deserved a second chance at love.
For me, this is a 5 star read. After reading this second edition, I loved how Lynn Lorenz segued all three stories into one. I’m so glad New Orleans Second Lines is out in paperback!
You can buy New Orleans Second Line here:
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