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Csr Discussion Day: The House Always Wins By Andr0Gene

Cia

Entry posted by Cia in CSR- Can't Stop Reading

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Wow... the next to last CSR for 2013. I can't say how much I've appreciated the readers who stuck with our book club and have helped keep it going this year. This month we have a great review from Renee Stevens about And0grene's story, The House Always Wins. Share your thoughts about the story.

 

Don't forget to suggest a story for December!!

The House Always Wins


by Andr0gene

 

Review by Renee Stevens

 


Before I became a beta reader for Andr0gene, I first read his story The House Always Wins. While I have read all of his stories since then, this story remains my favorite. Though, “Colorado Games” and his “Confounded” series remain a close second! When “The House Always Wins” was chosen for the CSR’s November story, I decided it was high time I re-read the story, for probably the tenth time.

 

The story “The House Always Wins” follows Jason Carter, or JJ, in the days after he has been kicked out of his home for no other reason than he was gay and was caught in a very compromising situation by his ultra-religious step-father. With very little money and nowhere to go, he points at a map and catches a bus to wherever his finger points to, Las Vegas.

 

After being accidentally injured just outside of a casino, JJ finds himself a guest of the hotel and casino. He’s given time to mend, but eventually he has to be on his way. Before leaving, he decides to try his luck with the slot machines, only to find himself much worse off than he was when his journey began. Now, not only is he homeless, but he’s also completely broke. An unfortunate string of events leads up to an offer that is just too good for JJ to refuse.

 

Michael Black, the owner of the casino that JJ has been staying at, has found himself in a peculiar situation. He needs a boyfriend, yet had neither the time nor the inclination to find one. He proposes a business deal that sounds too good to be true; pretend to be his boyfriend for a month and JJ will walk away with a cool twenty thousand. JJ quickly accepts, after all, he doesn’t really have any other options at the moment. Besides, how hard can it be to pretend?

 

Actually a lot harder than he thought. The story follows the month that JJ spends with Michael. When Michael’s nosy mother shows up, JJ has to make sure she believes that he’s in love with Michael and Michael is in love with him, which includes sharing a bed with the man he’s supposed to love. Lines become blurred to the point where it can be difficult to distinguish exactly what is the truth and what is the lie.

 

“The House Always Wins” in an interesting story and I quickly became engrossed in JJ’s plight. Andr0gene shows his skill with this story in that he hooked me from the start and refused to let go until I finished reading, as evidenced by how many times I have re-read this story. It has quickly become one of my go to stories when I want something that I just know I’m going to enjoy.

 


Thanks for the review, Renee!! Okay guys, share your thoughts AND include your suggestion for next month's CSR!

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Renee Stevens

Renee Stevens 26,952

Posted

As my review already points out, I absolutely love this story by Andr0gene!  I don't know as I could say much more than what I've already said in my review, but I am going to take this opportunity to suggest the following story for next months book club story:

 

Two of a Kind by Cia

 

Not only is this a wonderful story, but I know Cia is never going to suggest one of her own stories for the book club, what do the rest of you think?

 

While Two of a Kind is the second book in the series, it does stand alone and is in a tie as my favorite with the third book... If we have to choose the first book in a series, then I'm perfectly fine with the CSR book club doing the first book in the series as I thoroughly enjoy the entire series:

 

Bonds Unbroken by Cia

 

 

Anyone willing to second that nomination? Or third it? 

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joann414

joann414 4,131

Posted

I loved The House Always Wins.  One of my fav parts is when JJ and Michael's mom plays with the x box and she beats him like a dog.  He wins Michael's mother over in a heartbeat.  Watching Michael fall in love with JJ was so heartwarming.  Androgene writes her characters with just the right amount of emotional personality that keeps the story at a warm and entertaining level that doesn't have a lot of angst, but tons of fun.

 

If you haven't read this, it's a must read.  Great story to curl up with to read in one sitting.  I've read it twice and enjoyed it very much both times.  Colorado Games is a great read also!

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Mann Ramblings

Mann Ramblings 22,921

Posted

Bonds Unbroken by Cia

 

 

Anyone willing to second that nomination? Or third it? 

 

I second it!! :D

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Cia

Cia 59,363

Posted

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Aww, you guys are sweet.

  • Like 3
Mann Ramblings

Mann Ramblings 22,921

Posted

Bonds Unbroken by Cia

 

 

Anyone willing to second that nomination? Or third it? 

 

I third it! :D Looks like we have a winner!!!

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Renee Stevens

Renee Stevens 26,952

Posted

One of my fav parts is when JJ and Michael's mom plays with the x box and she beats him like a dog. 

 

That part was absolutely hilarious!  Especially when Michael comes up and rats her out about her spending a lot of her time at the arcade when she's there.

 

The only gripe I have about the entire story is the ending... It kept me wanting more and I sincerely hope that Andr0gene revisits these characters at some point in the future.  Even if it's a short story!

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wildone

wildone 17,894

Posted

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I think the thing i like most of The House Always Wins had to been the fact that Michael and with the help of JJ think that they are pulling the wool over her eyes. I felt from the beginning, Mother knows all ;) .

 

I'm glad this story got the opportunity to be the CSR Discussion. I read it a while back and might be tempted to read Andr0gene's other stories now :)

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Renee Stevens

Renee Stevens 26,952

Posted

I think the thing i like most of The House Always Wins had to been the fact that Michael and with the help of JJ think that they are pulling the wool over her eyes. I felt from the beginning, Mother knows all ;) .

 

I'm glad this story got the opportunity to be the CSR Discussion. I read it a while back and might be tempted to read Andr0gene's other stories now :)

 

I don't think you'd be disappointed Steve.  I've read all of them a couple of different times as I thoroughly enjoy Andr0gene's writing.  The House Always Wins remains my favorite, but Colorado Game is a very very close second...

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joann414

joann414 4,131

Posted

I'd love to see Colorado Game discussed later on.  Androgene is a wonderful storyteller.  But, I'm all for Cia's Bond's Unbroken next

  • Like 3
Suvitar

Suvitar 1,600

Posted

I´ve read The House Always Wins few times and I really loved it every time. It´s a wonderful story, with many funny scenes and great characters. Loved Colorado Games too  :thumbup: 

  • Like 4
Slytherin

Slytherin 24,194

Posted

Great story.. And when JJ and Michael's mom play Xbox is one of my favorite parts too, Jo Ann.. so is the scen when JJ gets a little too much to drink and Michael and a guard takes him upstairs :P Loved the carachters in this story, warm and funny story :)

  • Like 3
Renee Stevens

Renee Stevens 26,952

Posted

so is the scen when JJ gets a little too much to drink and Michael and a guard takes him upstairs

 

The knock-knock part...

 

 

"Ey, d'you know Clp... Cipso... Calypso? Ding ding," I said, trying to knock him on his forehead. That one went way wide. Then, when Scott Freeman, the security chief, gave a helping hand, he became my new best friend. "Beam me up, Scotty. I'm a wee bit tipsy."

 

ROFL... Classic...

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Ron

Ron 6,104

Posted

I enjoyed the story as much through the second read as I did the first but the last chapter continues to be abrupt in comparison to the rest and feels awkward.

 

What I do enjoy is Michael's experienced and worldly manner as contrasted to JJ's naïveté. The young man's experience with romance and relationships consist of secretly grabbed dalliances and so he doesn't realize when he actually is being romanced. This is painfully obvious when all that he can reach for from past experience is his being grateful for training in how to give a amazing blow job. That is no bad thing ;) but he's lost otherwise.

 

The rest is wonderful and amusing filling. I will read it again sometime in the future, no doubt.

 

Thanks for the review, Renee

Thanks for the effort to keep this going, Cia

Thanks to the author, andrOgene

  • Like 3
Andr0gene

Andr0gene 13,994

Posted

I may rewrite the ending, it is indeed rushed, or feels that way to me. It's been pointed out to me, and I may me able to do so. I have a lot of free time upcoming and...in the mood to write. In fact, I wrote another story, on and off, during the past three years. Renee has read it, but it's been altered since. We will have to see.

 

I thank you all very much and hope to be more present in the coming weeks. I regret to not having been here, when it was selected as a featured story. Thank you!

 

A.

  • Like 2
Slytherin

Slytherin 24,194

Posted

Nice - something to look forward to running-around-smiley-emoticon.gif

  • Like 1

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