Carlos Hazday

Shifting Sands, the conclusion to Jack Kirby's Las Vegas Trilogy is the best-titled entry of the series. Constant change seems to be the theme of the main characters lives. Sex and death play a large role but the overriding emotions are love and respect. The mostly gay group of men starring in this tale create an un-traditional family constantly battling adversity and more often than not succeeding. I wish the author had tackled the fourth installment to help answer the myriad questions I have. We're provided updates on most of the cast at the end, but that wasn't enough. Good novel and series you'll enjoy reading.

You do not need a spreadsheet or a pad and pencil to read this chapter. Honestly. If you pay close attention, you'll be able to decipher the convoluted relationships tying most of the cast together. And that's half the fun of reading Desert Fantasies, the second entry in Jack Scribe's Las Vegas Trilogy. Young Cray Gamble escapes the darkness of his family life in Provo and runs away towards the bright neon lights of Las Vegas. The bad boy with a good heart who befriends him on his first day in town starts him on a journey that will take the teen from the Greyhound bus station to the executive floor of the luxurious Barcelona Resort. Along the way, he'll encounter not only fellow students at Green Valley High School but hotel executives, prostitutes, bullies, crime bosses, and assorted denizens of the desert playground. It's a fast-paced tale you'll find difficult to put down. The author weaves real-world references adroitly which help the reader relate to the characters and at times will elicit a chuckle or two. They are all appropriate for this date specific story even if some seem silly today. What man of twenty-six asks a teen not to text because it's too confusing? A well-written tale with few technical issues. This is one to read, enjoy, and return to.

@JeffreyL Thanks, Jeff. My guys may not verbalize lovey-dovey stuff constantly, but when they say something, they mean it and it's from the heart. I think we know how much they mean to each other.

@bbonnett3 Sorry/not sorry about the tears. LOL Repeating myself, I may once in a while write a sad scene but I prefer the waterworks to come from happy or sentimental events. As for Mr. Trump, sorry but no go. I realize many readers voted for him and still support him but I didn't and I don't and this is one occasion where my personal feelings definitely influence my writing. I refuse to write anything positive about him. He hasn't done anything to prove to me he deserves to be included in the story except as an object of scorn. And I don't have an issue writing about Republicans, I've done so before and will do so again, but not Trump. On a separate note, what the kids at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS are doing these days shows a kid CJ's age can have an impact in our national dialogue. I love it when my characters reflect the real world.

@spikey582 The hugging took place in the first scene! Ritchie tackling CJ started it all and then we Tom and JP stepped up to the plate. Take a look at my reply to DaddyDaveK, one of the reasons for the bar scene and having JP and Tom be the first to hear about the engagement is I wanted to feature Elite members so all that was very much on purpose since I've relegated them to the background while concentrating on the Squad a lot more. Thanks for validating my intentions. I've tried to differentiate the characters all along. It hasn't been easy considering the size of the cast but I didn't want a bunch of clones. Like the conversation with Dragon, had it been Doc meeting CJ in front of the bar it would have been different because they have different personalities. They don't all have to be cut from the same mold in order to be friends. Once again, thank you for validating my efforts. Thank you for the praise. And I hope you're happy CJ's joining the Athletic Department instead of the Young Dems or Young Reps on campus. About Ritchie

@Buz Damn! Second chapter in a row I help generate tears. I think I recall the next chapter's kinda mellow so you might be able to put the tissues away.

There's still time for him to flip out like he did after CJ got laid for the first time when he went to Chicago! Thank you and I'm so glad you liked it.!

Thank you! I love it when I get a chance to talk about the behind the scenes aspect of the story. Prime reason for the scene? It was fun to write. Second one? The event actually took place on that date and this year's incarnation is coming up. In no particular order: CJ claims he doesn't want to buy the title for Ozzie but that's exactly what he's doing. It's normally Owen supporting CJ and I wanted to show it goes both ways. It was a chance to show the Elite and the Squad socializing almost as equals instead of a bunch of teens and a group of adults. The kids are ALL growing up. Having Brett show up to support Ozzie and the conversation between Thiago and CJ allowed me to show Papa had come around but had taken some work to get him there. Same with fleshing out the wedding plans a bit. We now have a better idea of when and that it won't be a little wedding and could turn into an 'event'. Since I'm on a roll- The athletic department reception began percolating when Georgetown hired Ewing. I wanted to get CJ involved in something other than politics and this fit. Chipper's visit and the gathering in the basement was usual stuff but it allowed me to reintroduce Carson and set lay the groundwork for future developments. Okay, I admit I had a blast writing Ritchie's part and having Ethan be the one to throw an arm around his shoulders. Please keep asking questions/making comments like this!

Thanks, buddy!

Oooops, forgot to share this one with the other two. Part of my CJ soundtrack.

LMAO! Thank you, Parker. I'm trying to cram a lot into these chapters. The five scenes in this one I tried to thematically keep together using the proposal as the common thread but I realize it's still not as smooth as your chapters. I'm working on it. I swear. Only problem's every time I expand a scene to encompass an entire chapter, it means the book gets longer and I don't want to overstay my welcome so to speak. I'd pay to see a real picture of Alexander Ludwig (who I used initially as a guide for Ozzie's looks) dressed the way I described him. He's the more laid back of the two so I don't expect him to be that bad as the wedding's planned.

Don't you love it when a big, tough Marine gets all sentimental?

Remedial math for you, Chris! The proposal took place Valentine's Day 2017, since they say the wedding will take place in a year, that means 2018. We better get our tuxes ready, the wedding's around the corner.

PIG! OINK!

@Potterslashfan Moi? Sappy? Damn! Gotta fix that problem. While I'm trying to give ALL the Elite and Squad members a little airtime, this book concentrates on CJ and Owen the way the last one focused on CJ and politics. Harley will be back and as of right now I know he's the featured guest star in at least two future chapters. The possibility of Harley remaining asexual crossed my mind but I veered away considering how much I've already diversified the two groups. I don't think Brett was so much opposed to the marriage as to the guys up and moving. Him losing his parents while he was a teenager may have something to do with it. Compensating? He didn't have a lot of time with his parents so he wants as much as possible to be there for his son.

I keep trying to show the relationships between the main characters evolving. My feeling's that by now Ritchie's fully integrated into the household and much more comfortable with the surroundings. His rock used to be CJ; now he has Cesar, Brett, and Owen as additional role models.

@tabaqui I try to alternate sharing reactions from the dads. This time it seemed right to have Brett be the emotional one. Cesar tends to be a bit more analytical and calm. But trust me, he'll get his moment in the limelight again! Cake? Wedding cake? Do I need to start thinking about that?

No, no, no... Thank YOU! Glad you liked it, buddy. He moves to Jacksonville and starts work at Starbucks next chapter.

I used to hate him while he played for the Knicks. The HEAT and the NY team used to have such a rivalry... Once he returned to Georgetown last year he returned to my good graces. I'm sure he's thrilled with that! LOL

I look forward to Fridays just as much. Reading the initial reactions from readers while having my morning coffee is a great way to start the day. THANK YOU!

I hope the reaction was positive. I dislike writing sad events and prefer happy content when dealing with emotions.

Step away from the TV. Those damn shows are rotting your brain. Does this look like a character in Dallas? LOL

@Reader1810 Hush, lady. You're gonna ruin my reputation. The last chapter was mushy and this one sentimental? I think a sappy spirit's possessing me. You should have shared these since you already looked them up...

They walked home holding hands. Both had silly smiles pasted on and leaned into each other often to exchange a kiss. Patrons and staff of Martin’s Tavern mobbed them after CJ proposed and Owen accepted. The well-wishers included the establishment owner who refused to accept payment for the meal. “We’re home!” CJ shouted as he took the stairs to the basement. “Hurry up, the show’s about to start. Took you guys long enough!” “Ummm, Ritchie, could you record it? I don’t think Ozzie a

Far from perfect, It Stays in Vegas is still a great story worth investing a little time to read. I have done so three times in the past few years and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. Set in the fast-paced world of a luxury mega-hotel casino in Las Vegas, the author takes us into the sometimes-sordid world of the hospitality and gambling industries. Drew works at Nero’s Forum and meets Al, Trish, and Bob when they stay at the resort for a weekend. What follows is a tale of romance, intrigue, and behind-the-scenes shenanigans that will keep you turning pages. Throw in some hot sex and you will be reading way past your bedtime. The first in a trilogy, the story has some deficiencies easy to overlook when caught up in the fast-moving action. Dialogue is at times stilted and some of the sex scenes are a bit cheesy. In the decade since written, styles have evolved and what was acceptable back then has an amateurish ring these days. Do not allow these minor flaws keep you away. Engaging characters and an intricate plot compensate for any technical deficiencies. I guarantee you will enjoy this novel.