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Justin South
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SNIPPITS FROM A 4.5/5 REVIEW OF PAUL & SAM“…a hauntingly sweet tale of young men finding each other and falling in love”
“The writing style reminded you of a beautiful poem that flowed so effortlessly”
“…an engrossing read that made you want to read faster to find out what happened next”
“It was sweet, kind, and sexy with a touch of mystery you just couldn’t help but enjoy. A recommended read.”
Read the full review at: http://sexyforreview.blogspot.com.au/...
Check out the 25% excerpt at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
I’m inspired when I read a review where it’s obvious the reviewer has read the book thoroughly and understood all the fine nuances and subtleties of the various story lines and how they come into play in the overall picture. It never ceases to amaze me what real readers ‘see’ in one’s work and their interpretations of one’s writing intentions. And sometimes, it’s hard to stay dry-eyed when I read their opinions and comments, often in awe at the time devoted to the task.
Such is the case that’s happened to me twice this week when earlier I read a most wonderful review of Paul & Sam by Bénédicte Girault and again today when contemplating the beautifully woven words of Mel Leach.
No book is ‘perfect’, I know Paul & Sam’s isn’t. These boy’s stories are complex as they were in real life. However, however good or bad readers may judge the book, Paul & Sam, nevertheless, is an example of my writing style and a portrayal of real life events experienced by youths I have counselled.
These reviews are in themselves worthwhile reading, both providing interesting viewpoints and observations to reflect upon. It gives me pleasure to present the two reviews here. For the benefit of French readers among us, I offer Bénédicte’s version in French first, followed, for English readers, by Mel’s. Merci, Bénédicte and thank you, Mel.
Nov 24
Paul & Sam est un roman MM avec du mystère et un meurtre. Leur histoire est assez intense, avec une once de supranaturel, comme la brève description ci-dessous l'indique:
âgé de 19 ans, Paul vit comme un solitaire, menant une existence tourmentée. Une nuit, il rencontre Sam dans des circonstances extraordinaires. Il découvre Sam pour qui il est le héros adoré pour avoir sauvé la vie de son cousin après une attaque lâche qui s'était déroulée sur une plage deux ans plus tôt.
Aveuglé par l'engouement pour son héros et dévastée par la mort récente de Tim, son frère jumeau, Sam intervient passionnément auprès de Paul, lui demandant de devenir son partenaire. Tout en hésitant, Paul est aspiré dans un labyrinthe par la présence psychique de Tim - le jumeau décédé - qui lui laisse des messages cryptiques. Que recherche Tim ? Est-ce qu'il demande à Paul d'identifier le coupable qui a presque provoqué la mort de son cousin ? Paul pourra-t-il déchiffrer les cryptogrammes de Tim pour résoudre le mystère entourant son décès?
Suivez le parcours de Paul vers l'amour et le bonheur. Partagez la passion des deux jeunes hommes, leurs efforts pour surmonter l'insécurité et développer leurs forces individuelles. Admirez la bonté et la générosité de la famille de Sam car elle vient en aide aux moins fortunés.
Ce livre n'a manifestement pas eu le succès qu'il méritait. à cela, je vois plusieurs raisons : la première, la couverture esthétiquement très belle mais qui laissait sous-entendre une histoire torride, sans forcément une histoire très fouillée derrière (dont j'étais, je l'avoue) ; le fait que beaucoup de gens s'arrêtent à une simple couverture ; sans parler que l'auteur est australien et que cet anglais est plus difficile à lire pour les lecteurs habitués à un anglais américain.
Je vous en prie, allez au-delà de tout ça. Ce livre le mérite amplement.
Entre Sam qui n'arrive pas à surmonter la douleur d'avoir perdu son frère jumeau dans des circonstances étranges et dont la police a conclu au suicide un peu trop vite et Paul qui se retrouve à la rue, après que ses parents aient découvert qu'il était gay, se noue une profonde amitié. Lorsque le père de Sam prend Paul sous son aile, comme il le fait avec n'importe quel jeune homme qu'il trouve abandonné et seul dans un certain parc de la ville, Paul a du mal à faire confiance en cette figure paternelle bienveillante.
Tout ce livre n'est que poésie, douceur, tendresse, retenue et très bien écrit. On est loin des mots qui ne veulent rien dire ou des romans surfant sur la vague de l'érotisme débridé. Tout a son importance, que ce soit les mots utilisés ou les personnages qui interviennent et qui ont tous un rôle à jouer dans le dénouement de cette enquête passionnante.
La présence fantomatique de Tim ajoute une petite touche de surnaturel qui permet d'alléger un peu les moments de tension, mais toujours à bon escient. L'auteur dénonce également quelque chose auquel nous avons tous assisté impuissant : le fait que les gens haut placés se croient au-dessus des lois et agissent en toute impunité.
En conclusion, un livre que je recommande vivement à tous les amateurs d'enquêtes criminelles avec une once de fantôme.
Nov 27
Paul & Sam is a YA romance about young love, first love, coming of age and self-discovery. It’s a story about acceptance, the importance of friendship and loyalty and overcoming obstacles to find one’s place in this world. It is written with a classical beauty; a poetic quality, that at times is almost lyrical. The story has a sweetness and innocence that immediately draws you to the main characters. Paul, having been kicked out of his home at the age of 16 for being gay, has become experienced in the ways of sexual encounters as a way of quelling the loneliness of life on the street; yet is inexperienced in the ways of love even though he longs to meet that special someone. Sam, withdrawing into himself after the assault on his cousin and the murder of his twin brother, is gay and a virgin, but yearns to meet the hero he has long held in his heart and mind; the boy who saved his cousin after a horrendous assault. The assault and the murder, brushed off by the authorities as accidents and misadventures, provide an element of mystery to their story. Both boys are very different, yet both so vulnerable and both exhibit the passion of virginal innocence, yet in different ways. Paul with a street-sense tough exterior yet vulnerable heart; Sam a more “heart-on-his-sleeve” type of guy.
I am actually glad that this book was self-published (via Smashwords). Had it gone the traditional publisher route, particularly with an American publisher, I fear much of the Aussie English terminology would have been edited from the text, to the detriment of the tone and feel of the book. The phraseology added so much to the mood of the moments. The sexual encounters in this book were love scenes in the truest sense. “His golden skin glowed in the soft incandescent lighting, which glistened his eyes in rapturous adventure. His swoony face signified a tapestry of emotions, of pleasurable discovery, fascination, excitement and contentment. His presence stole my heart.” Instead of utterances of expletives and clenching channels, Mr. South delivers the “opium of romance” with passages such as, “’I want to hear the mounting body noises and the blasts of canons and roars of comets and the fanfares of trumpets. I want to see the white lights and flashing stars and feel the uncontrollable shudders, the electric bolts and jolts and spasms. Then I want to experience the afterglow and twilight pleasures…’” The poetic writing style places you right in the emotional intensity of the moment.
In addition to the beautiful love story there is a paranormal element as well as an element of mystery, as we follow the main characters in their pursuit of justice in a case involving persons of power and privilege and a corrupted justice system. The story contains a cast of characters that warm your heart with their fierce dedication and loyalty to one another and show us what being a family is all about. A beautifully written story delivered with a writing style that you just don’t see too much anymore.
~~~
Paul & Sam is available from Smashwords where it has ranked No. 1 in Gay Fiction and Suspense/Thriller categories for nearly 4 weeks running, since its Nov 1 release.
A description and excerpt is also available at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Hello everybody. Hi, I’m back from an unscheduled absence and keen to restart promoting books from the Journeys to Love Collection like Paul & Sam. Here are some 5 star reviews from Amazon…
1. “I fell asleep with a smile on my face” wrote Lily in her 5 star Amazon review of Paul & Sam…
Paul & Sam's story is written eloquently and emotionally to the point I simply had to read the story until I finished it...which was 3.45am.
As I was reading this story, I felt that Justin South gave me a time to escape from reality...daily life stresses and I really appreciated that...There is so much to say about this story; it had suspense, paranormal events, sensuality, friendship, a sense of belonging to start afresh, social issues such as homelessness, and off course love....how wonderful is that for a story!
Thank you Justin for writing Paul & Sam story ...I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
2. “This is the first story that I've read from Justin, the plot twists were brilliantly written. It started so innocent and ended with justice” wrote Dragon 35.
3. “I found out that Paul and Sam is based on true life events” wrote Tracy Shayler on Amazon…
This was a beautifully written book dealing with rape, murder mental abuse, acceptance, love, sexuality and family. The characters grew on me and I adored Paul and Sam and the relationship that developed between them. I enjoyed the way the pieces of the puzzle were put together to capture and bring the murderers to justice plus overall I loved the writing, storyline as well as the characters.
For weeks after finishing this book I found my thoughts keep going back to these exceptional men they had certainly invaded my mind. It was around this time I found out that Paul and Sam is based on true life events which only breaks my heart more but also gives me hope that if more authors write books like this more people will be educated! I will most certainly be reading more from Justin South. Highly recommended!!!
4. "This was a better sweet story, with so many twists and turns. I can't understand how Paul's family could be cold and stupid. Everyone should have a family like Sam's - they are there for their sons no matter what. There’s truly some sick people in the world, and some special ones that look out for you even when you can't see them” wrote Jazett Fortner
5. “This book tells the story of Paul, a homeless gay teenager, and how he met Sam who will change his life forever for the better” wrote Angela Stiver in her review on Amazon...
The only word I would use to describe the book is quaint. It is like reading something from a previous era. This book tells the story of Paul, as a homeless gay teenager, and how his guardian angel instrumented a chance encounter for him to meet the person who will change his life forever for the better - how he met Sam. But it is much more than just their story. There are drama, love and intrigues all mixed in together. It is above all a story about hope. I am not going to out any spoilers. You will have to read it for yourself. Justin South is a great writer, and I am looking forward to reading more of his works.
6. “Paul and Sam is a beautiful love story. I recommend everyone read it. If you don't you are missing something extraordinary!” wrote Neena Givens as her 5 star review
“Thanks for the journey” wrote Chantal in her Amazon review of Paul & Sam…
What a story!! I couldn't put it down. Heartache, love, hope and *warning spoiler alert* a good dose of comeuppance. It's content however may not be for everyone, having said that it is well written and I recommend it to all. Thanks for the journey.
Come and enjoy the journey too. Get your Paul & Sam ebook at:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Sam-Journe...
Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Happy reading.
I haven’t revealed their book cover in this group as it may be deemed inappropriate for under aged members.
The following is a short synopsis:
19yo Paul lives a lonely, tormented existence. One night he meets Sam in extraordinary circumstances. He discovers Sam hero-worships him for saving his cousin’s life after a cowardly beach incident two years previously.
Blinded by his infatuation for his hero and devastated by the recent death of Tim, his twin brother, Sam passionately pleads to Paul to become his partner. While deciding, Paul is drawn into Tim’s psychic maze of cryptic messages. Does Tim empower Paul to identify the culprit who caused his cousin’s near death? Can Paul decipher Tim’s cryptograms to solve the mystery surrounding his passing?
Follow Paul’s journey to love and happiness. Share the passion as two young men overcome insecurities and develop their innate strengths. Admire the kindness and generosity of Sam’s family as it assists others less fortunate. Deliberate the madness of revenge leading to the exposure of evil judicial corruption and a suspenseful court case.
Cheers all,
Justin