A TAIL IN TWO CITIES

Review

A TAIL IN TWO CITIES-T.H. Ailward

ISBN: 1-934166-69-3

ISBN: 978-1-934166-69-7

January 2007

Erotic Gay Fantasy Romance - Short Story

London, England and Lagiros, a mirror image of London, England-Present Day

Michael Serrana works as a "Human Suicide Prevention" executive at a charity organization in Lagiros. Basically, he is a guardian angel, but being a guardian angel is not at all what Michael thought it would be. There are too many rules and regulations that hinder his helping humans and the pay sucks. While in London to stop his newest ‘client,’ Charles Sandys, from killing himself, Michael gets an unexpected surprise.

Charles is a politician, forty-ish and is having a "mid-life crisis." Michael and other guardians can mind-scan humans, which allows them to pinpoint the source of their depression, enabling them to know what type of ‘good’ thoughts to send them. But Michael is having trouble scanning Charles’s thoughts, as he senses a resistance. When he pushes further into Charles’s mind, Michael realizes what the problem is... someone else is occupying Charles’s body. Is it a demon possession?

It is against the laws of Lagiros for a demon to possess a human, but Benodiel Nephalim, or just Ben, as he likes to be called, was trying to figure out why Charles was depressed. Ben heard his thoughts while walking down the street outside Charles’s apartment and got curious. Besides, Ben is a famous film director in his world, whose movies focus on humans and getting up close and personal with one is like research to him. Michael admonishes Ben for his behavior but knows he does not mean any harm. When Ben becomes interested in helping Charles, Michael reluctantly agrees. Although he is attracted to Ben, in Michael and Ben’s world, demons are treated like second class citizens. Besides, if Ben knew who Michael’s mother is, he would not want to date him.

A TAIL IN TWO CITIES operates on two levels and succeeds on one, but falls a little short on the other. The angels who live in Lagiros are not ethereal beings but they have jobs, ride the subway, worry about money and wonder how to keep their wings clean when it rains. Also, they have prejudices, mainly against demons. Michael and Ben’s relationship is sweet and their back and forth banter is charming. But their relationship never really seems to take off. There is no explicit sexual language in A TAIL IN TWO CITIES and all lovemaking is only hinted at. The details in A TAIL IN TWO CITIES-from Michael being an agnostic and hating harp music-are just plain fun and fascinating.

Although the romance between Ben and Michael does disappoint, A TAIL IN TWO CITIES is full of great details, humorous moments, and two very unusual characters; plus has the most creepy and yet beautiful cover are I have ever seen.

Nickole Yarbrough