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DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE
by Jay Mandal
BeWrite Books 1-904224-40-7"Different Kind of Love" is a collection of gay fiction that could have been stellar instead of being above average. Majorities of the stories in this collection revolve around single gay men in England who happen to meet a man or a woman, and somehow develop a romance or a friendship; a worn out plot device after the first few stories. Then there are a few outstanding stories that go beyond the over-used plot device, revealing Mandal's talent for humor, drama, and heart-felt voice.
"Head Over Heals" is a humorous ditty about Craig and his spontaneous lover Ashley who go to a theme park with friends where Ashley pops the biggest surprise to Craig.
In "Operation Lonely Hearts" a single gay man trying to find love in the classifieds has a rough time deciphering the adds, straight and gay have different meanings in their abbreviations. Keeping his sexuality a secret from his friends and family, he keeps seeing a stranger he is highly attracted to, but always with his friends around. Unknowing to him, it is his friends who are controlling his destiny, giving him a shot in the ass to happiness.
Gordon, a nurse, befriends a 15-year-old street kid named Joe. At first, Joe is weary of Gordon and his friendly ways, thinking Gordon wants something. But all Gordon wants is to help Joe who has bleak issues about his future and wants to find love now, for he might not be alive in the future in the most heart wrenching tale "Little Venice."
In the charming, "Cupid" Andrew looses his suit to the waves of the ocean at the beach. But Mike, who swims by, is there to help him out. Andrew soon discovers Mike is straight and little bit too understanding and kind to him. Why? The answer pops up later like cupid's arrow.
In "Child of Liberty" one of the more interesting uses of the tired plot, Lindsey, a straight woman in her thirties, meets John, a gay man, at a wedding reception. They strike up a tight relationship and take a trip to Venice where they decide to take their relationship further and make a baby together, only bringing them closer and redefining the nature and definitions of their love and sexuality.
Rob a bisexual, married, and raising a child with Lynne, he also splits his life with Richard. All is fine with the relationship until Lynne has a secret that she is scared to tell Rob. Thinking that Lynne is going to ask Rob to choose, he disappears for the night. Richard and Lynne come together and look for Rob, bonding and sharing their own secrets that could strengthen the three-way relationship in "The Pursuit of Happiness."
In "Alex and Andrew" Mandal switches style to tell a familiar story, developing the romance of two men, one in L.A. and the other in England, using email, phone conversations, and when in person, just dialogue.
In "Cold Light of Day", one of the heavier stories, Jamie, dealing with his best friend''s marriage who he is in love with, quickly bond with Paul who is dealing with his own kind of love loss in his life.
"A Different Kind Of Love" is exactly that, different. It is not in your face about being gay, it is not hardcore, although it does cut right to the bone about true human emotions that go beyond straight or gay, it is about being human and lonely and in love. Mandal has written a fine collection and it is the perfect introduction to any readers wanting to take a chance with something...different
Review by Mike Purfield
Critical Raves for Mike Purfield's "Dirty Boots."
"If you're looking for a good read, something you've never experienced before, then this is the book for you." Paul Kane of Terror Tales.
Rated 3 out of 4 by Unhinged Magazine.
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