Blog Archives
The Last Revision: A Novel
Patrick Smith’s The Last Revision is a reflective, deeply personal novel about memory, aging, love, grief, creativity, and the uncertain future waiting for humanity. The narrator, Bill, looks back over a century of life from a care residence, moving between his present-day physical limitations and vivid memories of childhood, family, romance, work, art, Buddhist practice, and life in New York City. Smith describes the book as a “memoir hypothesis,” and that’s an apt label. This book blends autobiographical fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, and climate fiction into an intimate portrait of one person trying to understand what his life has added up to.
The novel unfolds through thirty-three themed chapters. A wheelchair, a photograph, a song, a visitor, or a physical sensation can send Bill into a memory spanning decades. His recollections include childhood accidents, boarding school, running the New York City Marathon, training as a massage therapist, returning to acting later in life, and building a marriage with Andres. These transitions give the story the loose, associative rhythm of an actual mind looking backward. Bill’s voice is conversational, opinionated, funny, and occasionally irritable, which keeps the book from becoming overly solemn.
The novel is at its strongest when Bill considers the people who encouraged him and the small decisions that gave his life meaning. Teachers, friends, family members, artistic mentors, and Buddhist leaders continue to shape him long after they’re gone. His relationship with Andres provides the emotional center, particularly as Bill remembers learning to express affection openly after years of fear and internalized shame. One sentence captures the philosophy running through the book: “Take care of the person right in front of you.” Smith returns repeatedly to the idea that a worthwhile life is built through attention, encouragement, dialogue, and the willingness to keep participating in the world.
Readers who enjoyed Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie will recognize a similar interest in aging, mortality, relationships, and the lessons that become clearer near the end of life. Smith’s novel, however, covers a broader and more idiosyncratic landscape. It mixes personal recollection with an imagined future shaped by climate disaster, political instability, technological change, and war. The result feels like a memoir viewed through a speculative lens. Its ideal audience includes readers of character-driven literary fiction, autobiographical novels, LGBTQ+ historical fiction, Buddhist fiction, novels about aging, and near-future climate fiction. It will especially appeal to people who enjoy reflective storytelling more than fast-moving suspense.
The Last Revision is ultimately a warm, candid examination of what remains when careers end, bodies weaken, loved ones die, and memory begins rearranging the past. Smith finds meaning in creative work, hard conversations, enduring love, and moments of physical freedom, including the simple pleasure of swinging through the air on Bill’s hundredth birthday. The novel’s episodic structure asks readers to settle into Bill’s company and listen as one memory opens into another. By the final pages, his life feels neither polished nor reduced to a tidy lesson. It feels fully inhabited, filled with regret, humor, affection, conviction, and a stubborn readiness to greet one more day.
Pages: 210 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GZJH4M7R
False Bay
False Bay is a literary novel with strong elements of magical realism, ghost story, family saga, and social history. Set around Cape Town’s False Bay, it moves through the lives and deaths of a wide cast: Ella, Veronica, Sebastian, Godfrey, Manuel, Mother Angels, Father Innocent, Mary, Liz, and others whose stories overlap through love, trauma, faith, race, sexuality, apartheid, memory, and the sea. The book is not built like a neat plot machine. It feels more like a chorus of voices calling across water, each one adding another piece to a strange, painful, often funny picture of a community marked by beauty and damage.
Dunn lets almost everyone speak, including the dead, the wounded, the guilty, animals, saints, ghosts, and people who have been ignored or pushed to the margins. That choice could have become messy, but mostly in a way that feels true to the book’s world. Life here is not tidy. Grief interrupts jokes. Violence sits beside gossip. A drowning can be tragic and absurd in the same breath. I found the shifts in voice especially effective when they revealed how differently people remember the same wound. No one owns the whole truth. Everyone carries a shard of it.
The writing has a plainspoken sharpness that I appreciated. It can be blunt, even shocking, but it rarely feels careless. Dunn writes about sex, abuse, disability, addiction, racism, queerness, Catholic guilt, and spiritual hunger without polishing the edges too much. That gave the novel force. At times, I did want a little more space to breathe between tragedies, because the book piles pain upon pain. Still, the humor saves it from becoming grim. Veronica’s theatrical wit, the recurring Bloody Marys, the cats, the braais, and the local Cape texture all keep the book alive and human. The genre blend also works well: as literary fiction, it is interested in memory and voice; as magical realism, it lets ghosts and visions feel as ordinary as weather; as a Cape Town social novel, it keeps asking who gets seen, who gets forgiven, and who is left outside.
I would recommend False Bay to readers who like layered, character-driven literary fiction that is strange, candid, and emotionally full. It will especially appeal to people interested in South African stories, queer histories, Catholic imagery, family secrets, and novels where place becomes almost a character of its own. For readers willing to sit with discomfort, contradiction, and dark humor, False Bay offers something memorable: a haunted, salty, bruised novel that keeps listening to the people history usually leaves underwater.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0FPN7VT82
Of Teeth & Claws
Of Teeth & Claws is a queer Southern horror novel about Alex Burkhart, who returns to Jasper Mill, Tennessee, after being outed and estranged, only to find his hometown stalked by a brutal creature tied to old secrets, witchcraft, and the boy he once loved: David Stone, now a young officer caught in the monster’s path. Around Alex gathers one of the book’s best inventions: Belle, Justine, and Grace, a grandmotherly trio with wine, weed, bite, and real occult weight. The result is part werewolf story, part small-town mystery, part second-chance romance, with blood on the porch boards and tenderness in the underbrush.
The book can be grisly, campy, foul-mouthed, romantic, and sincerely wounded within a few pages, and that volatility gives it a live-wire charm. The opening murder is nasty and theatrical, but the book’s deeper hook is not gore; it is the way shame travels through families, towns, courtrooms, pulp true-crime books, and queer childhoods. Alex’s voice has a sharp, self-protective humor that keeps the story from sinking into misery, even when the pain underneath is unmistakable.
I liked the chosen-family warmth. Belle, Justine, and Grace could easily have become comic-relief eccentrics, but they feel loved into being: funny, meddlesome, occult, occasionally ridiculous, and fiercely protective. The romance between Alex and David also gives the monster plot a pulse beyond survival. The book is not always subtle, but that bluntness fits its appetite. It’s a novel of big feelings, old wounds, and supernatural retribution, and I respected its refusal to be decorous.
This is perfect for readers looking for LGBTQ+ horror, queer romance, paranormal fiction, Southern gothic, and small-town supernatural mystery. Fans of Grady Hendrix’s blend of horror, humor, and regional texture may find familiar pleasures here, though A.J. Grea leans more openly into queer longing and occult melodrama. Of Teeth & Claws is bloody, funny, wounded, and oddly sweet.
Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0GJ8L2B1T
The Complexities of Dating
Kissing Toads follows a woman now in her 50s who shares her journey of looking for her Prince Charming and the journey of self-discovery she wound up on in her quest for true love amid societal expectations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The book concept was initially inspired by one of my middle-aged girlfriends who, fresh off a divorce, dove headfirst into the online dating scene. As she regaled me with stories of her disastrous dates, I found myself laughing out loud and wanting to tell a similar story.
However, I actually wrote chapter 4, “Nash,” first. I wrote it during the height of the Me Too movement in 2017 or 2018. I never intended to publish it or even share it; I was just reacting to the many stories I was hearing from women all over the country and decided to write a fictional story that represented the ways in which women were treated at that time (late 80s/early 90s) by law enforcement and the society in general. Then, when COVID hit and we were quarantined at home, I found that creative writing became a good way for me to channel my anxiety. I took the Nash story and I built around it.
In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Haha. Well, sure. There are definitely trace elements of the real me in this story. However, the main events and characters are fictional. Although, I will admit that here was one part that was 100% accurate. The dogs. My family did have four Golden Retrievers when I was a kid: Toby, Liberty’s Lady Annabelle, Starbelle, and Cooper. There was indeed an oil-on-canvas portrait of Toby (the mutt) hanging in my childhood home, and Annabelle and her pups were allegedly the spawn of President Ford’s dog (albeit, I can offer no proof of it—just my mom’s testimony). On my website, there is a picture of Toby’s portrait as well as a picture of Toby and me in my childhood backyard for anyone who would like to see them. https://www.kissingtoadsnovel.com/
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I really wanted to explore the complexities of dating and finding one’s sexual identity in the late 20th century from a feminist perspective. I wanted my generation, Generation X, to be highlighted and celebrated in a way that I don’t see too often. I also wanted it to be an honest reflection of what it was like to come of age during this time period. So many of these rom-com or coming-of-age novels that I read don’t feel raw or real. I wanted mine to have that sort of authenticity. That’s why I decided to craft it as a fictional memoir.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I am about 75% done with my next book called The Station. It is very different than Kissing Toads, however. The Station could be categorized as magical realism or even paranormal literature. It is essentially a story that explores the questions about what happens to us when we die. Like Kissing Toads, it does include moments of humor as well as moments of heartbreak. And yes, there may be a love story embedded in there as well.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
A feminist tale at heart, Kissing Toads is a fictitious memoir that tells the story of a now 50-something-year-old woman named Annie who takes the reader on her decades-long quest to find her “Prince Charming.” Believing that if she kisses enough toads, she will eventually find her prince, Annie has one goal as a budding young woman: fetch herself a man. Set in the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, the reader follows Annie throughout young adulthood as she searches for her soulmate amid the backdrop of misogyny, a loving but overbearing mother, and gender and societal expectations. Sometimes cheeky, sometimes heartbreaking, Kissing Toadsexplores Annie’s messy yet authentic misadventures in dating. But just when you think you’ve reached the happily-ever-after, brace yourself for an exhilarating plot twist. Kissing Toads is not just another coming-of-age tale; it’s a celebration of self-discovery, liberation, and the courage to write your own fairy tale.
Ashes
Alice Reaper’s past clings to her like a shadow. Ever since the haunting night at the funeral home, her life has been consumed by nightmares and the oppressive weight of unseen terrors. Isolated from those she once loved, Alice resigns herself to a life devoid of joy or peace. But when Viviana enters her world, a glimmer of hope cuts through the darkness. For a moment, everything feels possible—until it doesn’t. Can Viviana pull Alice from the depths of despair, or will the shadows swallow her whole?
Ashes, by David Edgar Grinnell, is an evocative exploration of grief, despair, and the journey toward healing. Told in the raw, intimate perspective of first-person narration, readers experience Alice’s turmoil as if it were their own. Her father, Oscar, and other supporting characters add layers to the narrative, showing the different ways people live with—and sometimes succumb to—trauma. Grinnell doesn’t just present pain; he holds a mirror to it, reflecting its complexity and its power to shape lives.
While Ashes dives deeply into themes of sorrow and loss, it offers solace to readers who see their struggles mirrored in the characters. Tarot card readings and philosophical exchanges between Alice and Viviana provide moments of introspection and guidance, carving a path toward hope. The story is as much about finding light in the dark as it is about acknowledging the darkness itself.
Grinnell deftly weaves elements of Gothic tradition, paganism, and tender romance into the narrative, adding depth and dimension to the story. Viviana, with her Gothic charm and fascination with the dark arts, brings an air of mystery and intrigue. Though the spark between Alice and Viviana feels sudden, their unfolding relationship is both poignant and deeply satisfying. The romance balances the novel’s weightier themes, offering warmth and connection amid the bleakness.
One of the novel’s standout features is its cast of characters. Despite their youth, they carry a profound sense of wisdom. Their voices resonate with thought-provoking reflections, often quoting classic literature in ways that feel both meaningful and natural. These moments of insight elevate the story, offering readers not just entertainment, but inspiration.
At its core, Ashes, by David Edgar Grinnell, is more than a tale of grief—it’s a story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of love. Readers drawn to Gothic themes, explorations of mental health, or heartfelt LGBTQ+ romances will find much to cherish in this beautifully crafted novel. It’s a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, there’s a chance to heal and move forward.
Pages: 368 | ISBN : 978-1736867587
The Affirming Faith Community
bacon grief follows a pair of young men whose online meeting ignites a journey of self-discovery and acceptance amidst the challenges of reconciling their identities with their faith and societal expectations. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I like to say the story is forty percent true. In other words, my now husband and I met online and went through some of the journeys that Tim and Charlie go through in the book. Fictionalized memoir in that way, I suppose.
Charlie and Tim are intriguing and well-developed characters. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
To my knowledge, bacon grief is one of the only works of fiction for teens and tweens to celebrate and affirm both faith and sexuality. In most of the works for this age group and, honestly, for adults as well, faith is a common thread that LGBTQIA+ people tend to walk away from. Which is totally fine, it’s part of their story. But it isn’t my experience, and I knew there were others. Gratefully, the affirming faith community seems to be trending upward and so queer people that want faith can more easily find it. I think that’s Tim and Charlie’s experience also.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think I’m mostly trying to put a humorous book out into the universe that is geared towards reluctant readers that will hopefully allow queer teens and tweens of faith to find themselves. I tried not to be overly didactic, but I did long for readers to feel accepted by the book and, hopefully, by a community of believers outside of it.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My picture book debut, Silas on Sundays, arrives June 4 from Wildling Press. It is a return to these themes but from a younger perspective. Silas is a gender nonconforming child with accepting parents and, ultimately, they find an affirming faith community. It’s dedicated to Nex Benedict.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
After meeting online and given the green light to attend a youth group at another church, Tim and Charlie become fast friends with more and more in common. When they consider more than friendship, Tim is faced with his reality and the choice to reconcile faith and sexuality or walk away from it all.
Club X: Vampire in the Closet
Club X: Vampire in the Closet by S.P. Somtow delves into the complexities of high school life through the lens of Fluke, Kim, Polo, and Danger, four students grappling not only with typical adolescent challenges but also with the extraordinary. Set within the confines of an elite, all-boys Catholic school in Thailand, the narrative unfolds against a backdrop of teleporting nuns, a potentially vampiric English teacher, and the unexpected intrusion of Donut, the principal’s daughter, into their tight-knit group.
Somtow skillfully weaves a tale of mystery and camaraderie, employing alternating perspectives to flesh out the distinct personalities of each protagonist. As the narrative progresses, the addition of Donut introduces both cohesion and conflict, enriching the group dynamic. While the storyline veers into the supernatural realm rapidly, it maintains a sense of playful absurdity without veering into excess. Beneath the fantastical veneer lies a narrative imbued with poignant themes of identity, friendship, and burgeoning romance. Somtow deftly navigates topics such as individuality and gender identity, portraying them as integral components of the characters’ growth amidst the fantastical backdrop. Despite the escalating absurdity, the core experiences remain grounded in the relatable struggles of adolescence. The novel’s frequent shifts in perspective are navigable due to the distinct voices of each character, enhancing the reader’s immersion in the unfolding adventure. While the conclusion leaves room for interpretation, it tantalizingly hints at future exploits, suggesting a continuation of the captivating journey.
Club X: Vampire in the Closet offers a compelling blend of mystery, humor, and heartfelt exploration, promising an engaging reading experience with lingering mysteries yet to be unveiled.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B09MJQQ9R9
DEAR GOSEI
John Forrester’s upbringing, marked by privilege within a well-to-do family, might suggest a life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite his affable nature and intelligence, John’s existence is marred by familial challenges: a father with rigid religious beliefs, a distant mother, and the overshadowing presence of an older brother. These complexities form the backdrop of his relatively carefree childhood until a harrowing event at 14 alters his trajectory, casting him into a world of uncertainty. The once vibrant and hopeful young man now stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the decision between forgiveness and vengeance.
Dear Gosei distinguishes itself as a nuanced exploration of the aftermath of sexual abuse, taking the reader on an emotional journey that is as unsettling as it is profound. The narrative centers around John, whose resilience and inner strength in adversity are heart-wrenching and admirable. His character is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for courage and endurance. The portrayal of John’s mother invokes a complex mix of emotions, from frustration over her apparent neglect to a reluctant empathy for her choices. Similarly, Douglas, John’s father, initially appears dismissive, yet as the story unfolds, his infuriating actions become somewhat understandable within the broader context of their fractured family dynamics. While Dear Gosei confronts the reader with the uncomfortable realities of abuse, it is ultimately a narrative imbued with hope. The characters are skillfully crafted to evoke a spectrum of responses, from anger and perplexity to empathy and tears. The book challenges readers to navigate the murky waters of moral ambiguity, understanding, and forgiveness. It serves as a beacon, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is a healing potential and a better tomorrow.
For those seeking a story that offers more than mere escapism, one that provides a raw yet inspiring examination of the human condition, Dear Gosei will resonate deeply. It is a compelling read for mature audiences, promising a glimpse into the trials and triumphs of its characters and a reflection on the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0C7NGKWGZ
