Laura Lee (1) (1969–)

This is one of those books that is impossible to read without torturing sharing the most interesting bits with your friend/spouse/the stranger on the train sitting next to you.

The title is not quite accurate as the author herself confesses in the introduction. The book is broken into 80 categories of clichés, (Hope, Madness, Anger, Sex, etc.) which means there are many, many more than 80 clichés featured here. They are primarily English-origin, but every category also includes several international sayings, and whenever equivalents in other languages to a specific saying exists, she mentions them in the entry. So really, the balance feels more 50/50.

Breaking up the comprehensive listings are small breakout sections that cover a phrase more in-depth, and 1 question quizzes about foreign phrases and their meanings. Such as:

If a Dutch speaker says "It is as if an angel is pissing on your tongue." (Alsof er een engeltje over je tong piest.), what does he mean?
The meal is delicious
You speak beautifully
You are a great singer
You are lucky

Answer:
A. Apparently angel piss tastes like champagne

I'm quickly building a largish collection of language-origin books, so I found quite a few in this one that overlapped with others I've read lately, but my favourite still remains one that I've used for awhile, I could not have said where it came from until I read Speaking in Tongues, and it was included here too, as a favourite of the author's. It's Polish and I think it's the perfect way to say "sooo not my problem":

Not my circus, not my monkeys

Suitable for language lovers and those that want to torture share the love of language with friends and family.… (altro)

This review is also post on Book Reviews & More by Kathy.

Laura Lee’s Angel is a thought provoking faith-based male/male romance. It is a realistic and emotional story that is quite compelling and full of emotions. It will challenge the reader to contemplate how many religions handle the subject of homosexuality in both their clergy and their congregation. It will also raise questions about how your own personal beliefs fit in with your church’s stance and teachings.

In the aftermath of his beloved wife’s death, Paul Tobin’s passion for his ministry has waned and he is basically going through the motions as he performs his religious duties. But his chance meeting with the much younger Ian Finnerty proves to be life altering in many ways. Ian is an alcoholic gay man whose life is dramatically different from Paul’s. Ian has no faith and he drinks his way from one night stand to another. In helping Ian conquer his addiction to alcohol, Paul finds the inspiration he has lost. But it is his attraction to Ian that brings the most changes to his life. Paul must reconcile his newfound sexuality with his own lifelong beliefs as well as those of his church and his congregation.

Angel is a very contemplative and spiritual novel. It is a little slow moving in the beginning, but it gains momentum once Ian and Paul begin their relationship. There is an emotional intimacy between Paul and Ian that initially brings the two men together and their transition from friends to lovers is unhurried. While Angel is a romance, it is not an erotic romance, and their sex scenes are not graphic.

Ian and Paul’s theological discussions are quite detailed and informative. It is through these talks that Paul finds a renewed zeal for his ministry and Ian gains a better understanding of religion. Paul is often at odds with his own convictions and he struggles with his emerging sexual attraction and love for Ian.

Angel by Laura Lee is an insightful view into the intricacies of religion and homosexuality. This beautifully written and moving work of literary fiction challenges the reader to examine what it means to be a Christian.

I received a complimentary copy for review.… (altro)

Angel by Laura Lee

I really enjoyed this novel, Laura’s writing flows extremely well, the character descriptions and plot are easy to read and her words make you sit back and think. This is a male/male romance novel but I will say not a typical romance novel and the ending is not what I expected.

This is a story about a man who has lost his wife 6 years ago and suddenly finds himself attracted to another male. Oh before I forget to mention he is a Minister of his church and believes that his Church and religion is his calling. This story isn’t just about two men in a relationship this is a story of Christianity and one’s beliefs and dives into acceptance of yourself even when your church or people tell you something is wrong. It touches you and makes you think about acceptance.

Ian and Paul start off with a friendship and they help each other out with their own individual problems and how when you fall in love with a person it’s not always about sex or orientation sometimes is just about falling in love with that individual person.

This is a well written novel, I found myself very caught up in this story waiting to see what was going to happen and how Paul was going to reconcile his religion and his love of another man.

This is must read book, and I recommend anyone and everyone to sit down and pick up a copy of Angel. Don’t get me wrong though this is a male/male romance novel (which by the way is still one of my favorite genres) and there is some sexual content, but everyone should take a chance and read it.

I have rated it a 4 star rating for the story and for Laura Lee’s writing.
… (altro)