Artistic Appeal Art Stories Book 2
M/M Romance
Dreamspinner Press
October 20, 2011
200
Reviewed by: Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team
Book one ended at Christmas time and now we begin book two the same way. Dieter and Gerald are having another Christmas party only this time they have an ulterior motive: finding a boyfriend for Brian. Brian had been married and has a nine year old daughter named Zoe. Since revealing he is gay, he has had no one in his life. Dieter and Gerald hope to change that. But, the best laid plans of mice and men applies, because things don’t work out as they expected. The man they hoped to fix him up with is not the one that appeals to him; instead it is Nicolai Romanov, a deaf art restorer who has been working with Gerald and Dieter.
Brian and Nicolai hit it off right away but not without some obstacles, such as Nic’s deafness and Brian’s lack of knowledge when it comes to sign language. Brian has also not revealed his sexuality to anybody but a few close friends and relatives. He has also never been with a man. Learning sign language is just one thing that Brian has to deal with; he has to tell his daughter Zoe, for whom he has custody, that he is into men and not women. But is Brian underestimating what nine year olds today are actually aware of? Can he finally come out of the closet and be who he really is?
As usual being gay comes with a whole slew of problems, an ex-wife who can use it to try and regain custody, a mother and father who think of you as being a deviant and unable to raise a child, and the everyday prejudice that many people have against gays. Brian also has to deal with Nic’s ex, Justin, who after leaving him a year ago suddenly wants him back. Justin seems to be unable to take no for an answer. What trouble will he cause for Nic and Brian? Nic and Brian have a lot to overcome, but can they do it together? Can love win out?
Of course, we can’t forget that Brian is still working to get Dieter back his paintings from Austria. There was never any doubt that after Gerald won there would be an appeal, only this time Brian is in charge. Will Brian be as lucky as Gerald? Even though the appeal system can drag on for years, Dieter, Gerald and Brian have no intention of giving up. These paintings are Dieter’s legacy and he wants what was taken from his family during the war.
This novel contains explicit sex, love and committed friendships along with a court case that could set a major precedence where foreign countries are involved. This is a series that has to be read in order since there are recurring characters and a recurring storyline. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.