Placing Out
P.A. BrownHistorical romance
Available from Amber Quill Press
ISBN: 978-1-61124-093-1
April 2011
| Dylan Daniels, at the tender age of ten, is taken from his New York neighborhood home and shipped off to live in Nebraska. But at eighteen he has had enough and leaves when he realizes his preference in boys -- and that he has no wish to be a farmer. He becomes a high class hustler with a few wealthy men as his clients.
In 1933, with the Prohibition Era in the United States coming to an end, Dylan has a chance meeting with Ben Carter of the LAPD who is definitely in the closet with his sexuality. Ben is both attracted and repelled to the beautiful Dylan. Internal conflicts such as his job and other barriers keep him from accepting his own sexuality. Ben struggles with his brutal participation in the raids along with his fellow officers, and the barriers that keeps him from being with Dylan. Will Ben's internal struggle destroy him? Or will Dylan's love heal him and seal their love for one another?
This story is emotional and beautiful in its telling of this painful time in the United States history, of placing children in unfamiliar homes and of the Prohibition period. Dylan's hard luck life in a New York borough was a struggle in poverty, and his was one of many families that were torn apart at the time. Brown's portrayal of Dylan's life in New York is made clear to the reader by the description of the hardship people had to live with. The "placing out" of young children is a sad example of the government's actions to preserve the nation's families. I love that Dylan made the choice of leaving instead of staying where he knew he wouldn't be happy. The author's character Ben Carter is wonderful and full of deep angst. He is literally stuck in the middle due to the time period in history, and being a member of the LAPD. History has left its mark on the way it has treated our gay citizens, and Brown's description of violence done to them is horrific. I wept over the injustice of it all and know that many have suffered as a result. Dylan and Ben's struggle to live in that time period was a test pf strength and the ability to take a chance for a future left unsure. Brown has given the reader a look into the past that deserves to be remembered. I enjoyed this book on many levels. Dylan's compassion and humor, and his willingness to be boldly honest with Ben in who is and his place in the world. I am so happy that I have more of Brown's books to read for I was more than pleasantly pleased with Placing Out. I eagerly look forward to reading gmore of Brown's books.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Pomma J. |
