Amazon Publish America Charis Books Outwrite Books Category:  Gay/Lesbian/Bi Publisher: Publish America ISBN-10:  1424192668 Type: Fiction Pages: 251 Copyright: December 2007 ISBN-13: 781424192663 TWO of HEARTS proves that appearances are deceiving, in more ways than one. The focus of this debut novel is on the flawed character. Every one of the characters has a little bit of darkness in them, even the 'heroes' Nazir Malcolm Bashir and Devery DeWayne Dawson.  Six months after the suicide of fashion designer - adult film star - crack head Reynaldo Keram Gilliam, and the once highly-publicized romantic menage-a-trois he shares with Nazir Malcom Bashir and Devery DeWayne Dawson falls apart, an unknown first love now believes he has a second chance at love. Nazir's and Devery's mourning period is derailed when they meet three men whose sweet facades mask a savage, dark side that transforms the beauty of love. Omigod D'Haiti, Auddonis Greer, and Massiah believe they have what it takes to become someone very special; someone strong, sexy, and sensitive.  One of these three wants to be the one who seduces and charms Nazir and Devery, body and soul.  As unwitting objects of desire and unwilling victims, Nazir and Devery find themselves trapped between links in their pasts, which consumes them in an obsession of a stalker. From San Diego to Los Angeles, dreams are turned into nightmares as one man searches for a desperate and uninhibited passion that he believes only the Two of Hearts can fulfill. Excerpt Sunlight slipped through the slots of the mesh wire, hurting his one good eye. His head ached, his stomach felt awful. When is this bitch going to feed me? Sick, painful memories sneaked into his consciousness. HE had the eerie feeling he was hanging in limbo. Without his wonderful, inviting smile, his features seemed to be a little off center. His eyes held something of strangeness. When his moaning woke her, it was shortly after twelve midnight. At some point, he must have dozed off. Again. HE writhed in the grip of an agonizing nightmare when he felt a hand on his shoulder. It must be time for his medication. About damn time! HE opened his eyes to see the nurse staring down at him, her face alarmed. She peered at his ragged face, listening for a chance phrase to fall from his lips. Somehow, she knew his terrible dreams were the key to the strangeness that was destroying his recovery. But perversely, at the same time that the nurse strained to learn his secret, she was terrified that she might actually find out. His bony fingers reached out for her. His throat made a gargling sound as he stared at her breasts. “You're pretty, you're like red, raw meat to a tiger. I'm still alive. I will still wait. And I'm still hoping.” Given, love is joy. Taken away, it is agony. The chilling expression on his bandaged face terrified her as he hissed, “I can't stay away from either of them. They're both in my soul. Whether they want to believe it or not, they are my soul mates!” His breathing was becoming more ragged as he made a solemn declaration. “I may not have been their first love, but I won't certainly be their last. I love them today, I'll love them tomorrow just the same. I will love them both till my very last breath.” And, everything in time, heals.

Gripping and Honest
Your novel is a work of uncompromising, honesty,and nail-biting action that slowly builds up to a suspenseful ending that I am sure will lead to another book. The realism of the dialogue made me feel as if I were eavesdropping on a private conversation. Although not a unique idea to have the various characters' point-of-view tell the story, I thought the premise was great. Two of Hearts held my attention to the very end. The twists and turns weren't as tight as a Agatha Christie mystery, but I think that was the intention as this was not a true mystery. You've got a great new voice that is sorely needed in this genre. I think your readers will find a certain truth within themselves!

Complex and Emotional Debut
I thought your first book was great in that I became very interested in what drove the actions of your various characters. By exploring their thoughts which dictated their actions, I felt as I were eavesdropping on their sessions with a shrink. The issues you explore haven't really been upon in other books. The honesty in which you write should garner you many fans, and thank you for a breath of fresh air. It seems most novels now are just about sex, but you manage to move the story forward, as if it were a character itself. Looking forward to the sequel!

Really Enjoyed the Book
Well, well, well... It seems you have a lot going on: love, sex, obsession, emotional manipulation, black gay domestic violence... I like the how your characters compromise themselves to love and be loved. How many of us in real life can relate to that?! There is a lot of description, were you influenced by Toni Morrison? I didn't lose interest because, if I am wrong, it was laying the groundwork towards the end of the book (which I think was a little rushed, but this being your first?) I won't hold that against you. The action was well-paced, I wasn't rushed because, as in real life, things take time to form and I found myself being inside the charatcers' heads, like that HE!