As some might have noticed, I have taken a more active role in the GA News Blog. I will continue to do so while Robert (aka Trebs) is taking care of his health and wish him all the best in his recovery. With that being said, I don't know about anyone else, but I always enjoy having a story brought to my attention that I haven't yet read. That's what Monday's on the Gay Authors News Blog is all about. Whether it's as part of the CSR Book Club or whether it's in the form of a review. Today, we've been given a review by YettieOne of Layla's story "Guitars and Crossdressers." We hope you enjoy this review and if you haven't already checked out the story, why not go check it out now! Also, if there's a story you have enjoyed, why not review it for the blog? We're always looking for reviews!

Reviewer: YettieOne
Status: In Process
Word Count: 68,586

Last week I decided I wanted to find something by someone I’d never read before, and something that didn’t normally appeal to my sense of reading choices. I find it is good to spice it up every once in a while, get a different flavour from a new writer, or just have an adventure with something new.

In this instance it was the Crossdressers element of the title of this story that caught my attention, and as something I’ve never really understood or ventured into as a gay man I decided to give this story a go.

Well, I can honestly say I am pretty glad I did, for I’ve been caught up in one of the most extraordinary sagas of drama and intrigue that I’ve come across in a long time.

The author, Layla, manages to rope you into a seductively alluring story that quietly builds the tension, taking the reader on a voyage of discovery as we find out about the life, joys, hurts, ups and downs of Asher and his family.

We are introduced to four brothers who have come through a tough childhood, had to face the trials of the loss of their mother and brother, an alcoholic father, a brother on the run, and a life lived close to borderline of poverty. We meet the central character, one of the middle brothers, Asher who’s caught up in a world of denial, guilt, abuse and self loathing that makes his angst real, vivid and alive for the reader.

His brothers are a mixed bunch of delinquents, who have survived any way they can, yet maintain a core loyalty that is often found in families where kids have had to learn to stand together to survive the loneliness and isolation of a difficult and trying childhood. The wonderful thing I found in each character is despite their dark side, they each have a rough edge to their characters, a sense of realism that makes each person leap off the screen and become alive in your minds eye.

Layla’s use of words is interesting, emotive and damn right clever to say the least. The plot is never simple, weaving with twists and unexpected events, turns and wonderful little hiccups that you are able to relate too, chuckle about, an adventure you rapidly become a part of as you read.

I love the way I’ve become lost in the characters of the story. I feel a need to see them survive, become more in life and find happiness. They are rogues, hard guys bread to be tough, survive in a world of liquor, drugs and prostitution, life on the streets, or just off of it. It is a tale of love won and lost, a boys fear, ripping apart the only thing that truly brought him happiness, and the downwards spiral into depression as a result of lies and half truths.

Yet there is hope, sparks of genuine goodness in the men that we follow along this journey. They are not perfect, but they are gems all the same. I’ve loved discovering the ins and outs of their lives, the trips to Mexico, the brother that’s into woman’s clothing, the nephew that is so sweet and innocent you just want to cuddle him.

There is a father figure in Morgan, a kind soul who is an icon of all those that love and care, even when it is tough love. There is a speed demon Granny, the kind we all wish we’d had, a kitten you can’t help but fall in love with, and all the sweet rides that a motorcycle fan could wish for.

I’m not going to use spoilers from the story, but I will say this. If it is something fresh, a little different, even though it deals with difficult subject matters, the ugliness of life at times, and the stark realities of depression and self harm, then this is a story that will woo you and capture your heart. Before you know it, you’ll be a fan like the dozens of other readers that follow every new chapter with baited breath. I hope that like me, you find as many reasons to enjoy, follow and rate this story.