REVIEW TOUR
Book Title: Confessions of a Gay Curmudgeon
Author: Andy V. Ambrose
Publisher: Nine Star Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: September 2, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Literary/Genre Fiction
Theme: Older gay man searching for love
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 62 100 words/292 pages
It is a standalone story.
Warning: references to nonconsensual situations, no HEA or HFN
Blurb
Confessions of a Gay Curmudgeon recounts the adventures of Viktor, a fifty-year-old gay man in New York City trying to get back into the land of the living after the breakup of a twelve-year relationship. The novel examines the lives of a group of middle-aged gay men, exploring new facets of their sexuality while dealing with all the changes middle age brings.
Buy Links
Excerpt
SATURDAY AFTERNOON—FLOUNDERING
My erections aren’t what they used to be.
Well, Dr. S told me to write about the first thing that comes into my mind, so it’s what I’m doing. “Don’t think. Just write,” he said. “Stop censoring yourself, Viktor. This will help you in your therapy too, Viktor.”
Okay, okay. If that’s what the shrink ordered, let’s see if this works. We’re supposed to listen to our shrinks, right? That’s their job, right? They know how to get us out of whatever fucking funk we’re in, right?
So here we go. I’m writing about the first thing that comes to my mind and it’s my erections. Here it is, a lovely Saturday afternoon, sun shining, snow melting, spring a’coming, a perfect time to enjoy life. And what am I doing? Sulking in my apartment obsessing about my cock.
Hell of a problem to have on a day like today, isn’t it? Shit, be honest, Viktor. You’re supposed to be honest with this writing thing, aren’t you? That was Dr. S’s other directive, wasn’t it? Honesty. He was full of directives last session, wasn’t he? Oh well, maybe I need some directives.
So where was I? Oh yes. Gorgeous day, shitty mood, focusing on my cock when I should be enjoying life.
Oh, come on. It’s not just about my cock. I know that. After all, I did my share of screwing around when I was younger. Not that I was the biggest stud around in my heyday, but during those few glorious weeks my sex life got going, I learned how to have a good time. Yes, I did! But then I met Gio and fell in love. And he fell in love with me. And we had twelve years of bliss—more or less—until he left me last year.
About the Author
Andy V Ambrose grew up in the Boston area and moved to New York City after college. He worked in book publishing for many years, wearing many hats: Editorial, Copyediting, Proofreading, and Production. This is his first novel featuring Viktor, a fifty-year-old gay man trying to get back into the world of the living after the end of a twelve-year relationship. To relax, Andy loves to ride his bike, read, watch foreign and independent movies, and travel. He’s only made it to three continents so far but hopes to visit the rest soon. He lives in New York City.
Social Media Links
Facebook | Twitter: @AndyVAmbrose1 | Instagram
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Confessions of a Gay Curmudgeon by Andy V. Ambrose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Refreshing, eye-opening, different, brutally real. Those are the four things that come to mind after reading this. I’ll admit, I was growing tired of reading what felt like the same stories recycled over and over again – different characters, different towns – same predictable angst and happy endings. This story was so refreshingly different that I dove in with both eyes open. Meeting Viktor, who wasn’t another young, fit, ripped-abs, big D man, was so wonderfully I wanted to just shout, “Yes!” Getting to know him more was a little brutal for this fifty-something woman who is also growing increasingly grumpy and less patient with the stuff that life throws at me – and that’s where this was eye-opening. Yes, Viktor was a curmudgeon, maybe not as patient as he once was, maybe not as compassionate, maybe not the same but he was so damn real and wonderful. Life is change. It’s how we react to that change that makes the difference. Like the salmon swimming upstream to what it knows is his death, do we slow down and circle in that pool just awaiting the end? Or do we continue to try to jump that next waterfall – giving it everything we’ve got? I know which one I’d choose.
