The past few years haven’t been kind to fading film star, Roman Pasquale. But then again, he was never very kind to anyone else either. He’s had time to reminisce on his mistakes and to accept responsibility for how he hurt others. Now that Global Studios has turned their back on him, he’s had to sell his grand estate and start over in a modest apartment.
His former co-star, actress Maude Simons, suggests that he meet with new playwright, Max Vogel. Not only will he get the chance to be the star again, Roman can really use the money. What he doesn’t expect, is how strongly he’s attracted to the easy going, confident young man—and the very wicked thoughts he has about him.
Playwright and director, Max Vogel, is delighted that the great Roman Pasquale has agreed to star in his play. What he was unprepared for however, was the intense physical spark that ignited the moment they met. He’s been warned of Roman’s reputation for being difficult to work with, but he’s willing to take the risk—even though his career depends on the success of this one play.
Max needs to coax a heartfelt performance out of Roman and Roman needs to live up to his resolve to be a better man. But maybe the real issue is whether or not the director and actor can resist the passion they have for one another, a lust so strong that it catches them unaware. Is their lust really love? Or will the drive for success destroy any hope for a happily-ever-after?
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of fisting and references to childhood rape.
Publisher's Note: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
Every now and then
one comes across a writer of historical romance which tantalizes and
captivates. And when the writer is also the deliverer of M/M genre, the icing
on the cake is double chocolate. Morticia
Knight is just that writer. She has captivated my curiosity and sense of
history from the first book in the Gin
& Jazz series, Hollywood Bound, to the latest release, Play Acting.
Through the
decade of the Roaring Twenties Ms. Knight
has introduced us to characters I have grown to love and those I have harbored
ill feelings towards. Just as I though the great, egotistical Roman Pasquale
should fall from grace, Ms. Knight,
turned my world upside down and made me fall in love all over again.
Silent movie film
star, Roman Pasquale’s career was coming to a close. Talking pictures will soon
be the rage; as well as stage productions, both of which Roman had no
experience. Additionally, Roman has alienated any and all potential friends,
suitors, acquaintances, with his harsh personality and his past, tumultuous
love affair with Jack.
Max Vogel, a playwright
and friend to Will and Andre, was drawn to Hollywood, with the task of staging
his play, utilizing big name film stars, to draw a crowd. Max wanted Roman, and
in more ways than one.
Roman and Max are a
chemical romance. The neurons immediately fired and their chemistry volcanized
from the moment they were in the same room. Together, the two men make stage
history, ending the Roaring Twenties, ushering a new form of media entertainment,
as Hollywood and Broadway were taken by storm.
Ms. Knight came full circle with the series, beginning
with Roman’s love affair and obsession with Jack (Hollywood Bound) to finding
himself in Play Acting. Morticia Knight added depth to Roman’s
soul as he embraced himself, tossed away the self-doubts and found love and
happiness in the arms of Max.
The Gin and Jazz series was not a quick fix
for a gay man of the 1920s. The series drew on the turmoil and complexities
that men with certain proclivities must come to endure in order to guarantee self-acceptance
in a world where star power was everything.
Thanks to the brilliant
writing of Ms. Knight, Roman grew
into his own skin, maturing as an actor and a man, with a timeless heart and a
love for the decades. When I picked up the book, I was transformed into the
Roaring Twenties, every nuance, every idiom was well-researched on the part of
the author, lending to its authenticity of a time period novel.
Roman and Max were
sensual and sexual in their explorations. Among the classic love story’s, Roman
and Max have found a place in my top ten.
Do you allow any misgivings concerning
historical romance to deter you from picking up this book- a classic, which
should not be missed.
Play Acting- an extremely well written novel of hurt, forgiveness
and love.
Definite S.E.X.
A five handcuff
review
