Bought and Paid for: A Jan Phillips Novel

Rating:
Summary: Review of Bought and Paid For by Cheri
Review: Bought and Paid For by Michael Halfhill is about a boy on the cusp of his eighteenth birthday. Jan Phillips has recently completed high school at Saint Dominic's Academy under the tutelage of Father Sobinski, and his impoverished mother wants him to get a job. Joy Phillips has six mouths to feed and feels it's time her eldest son pulls his own weight. Having been given an ultimatum, Jan goes out in search of work, but comes up empty handed.

Jan first hears about the "Tenderloin District" in Philadelphia from a friend who confides in him that he goes there and makes money by having sex with old men. Having been sheltered by his mother and Father Sobinski his whole life, Jan is repulsed when his friend suggests that with his good looks he could make a fortune.

With his mentor Father Sobinski relocated to Rome, and his mother kicking him out of the nest, Jan sees no alternative than to try to make money the way his friend suggested. Jan sets off in search of work. He leaves his row house in Kensington, and takes the bus to the "Mary-Go-Round" in Center City where sex can be bought.

The extremely wealthy, handsome, and charismatic Tim Morris, notices and takes an interest in the beautiful blond boy, who he dubs Goldilocks. Tim keeps an eye on Jan from his penthouse window, which conveniently overlooks the Tenderloin District. Tim notices that Jan hasn't made any money so decides to meet the boy.

After listening to Jan's story and impressing the poor boy with his wealth, Tim makes him a business proposition. "Your mother needs money and she has you, I have money and I want you. It would be a simple exchange." Should Jan try to convince his mother to sell him, her own son? Jan is not yet aware of his own sexuality, having lived his life in a social-sexual vacuum. "Jan has been taught all his life that...he would be damned for being queer."

Bought and Paid For is multi-dimensional fiction at its best. There is the romantic layer that details the love that develops between Jan, who falls in love with his moody mentor Tim. Jan is a complex character who is not just another pretty boy--he's smart too. As the story unfolds, you learn why Tim behaves the way he does and why he finds love and intimacy so scary.

A truly wonderful character is Mrs. Santos, Tim's trustworthy housekeeper, confidant, and friend. She does more than cook delectable meals and run the household, she has a wisdom that gets Tim though his emotional rough spots. Mrs. Santos becomes a surrogate mother to Jan once he moves in with Tim.

Another layer deals with the espionage aspect of the story as the characters find themselves in sticky and dangerous situations. The reader discovers that Tim is grooming Jan for clandestine international activities of the Mundus Society-but for what purpose? You have to read the book to find out.

Michael Halfhill is a talented storyteller. In Bought and Paid For, using third person narration, Halfhill captures the reader from the minute the first word is read. The intriguing, suspenseful, and sometimes disturbing story of Jan Phillips and Tim Morris goes way beyond an older man falling for a much younger, impressionable boy. Finding out what Tim really wants from Jan is part of what keeps the reader engrossed in the story. The other part is living vicariously through Jan as Tim teaches him about a world he has only read about in books.

Aside from any moral judgments about this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was enamored with Jan and Tim. Some may be offended by the age difference and circumstances leading to Tim's capture of Jan's heart, but others might see the relationship as that of two consenting adults who fall in love. Halfhill makes us root for the characters despite what's deemed morally unacceptable. Bought and Paid For has everything from romance, love, sex, religion, politics, prostitution, family, society, and morality issues to international intrigue. I give my highest praise and five stars plus for the first effort by Michael Halfhill. I eagerly await the sequel Scimitar.



Rating:
Summary: Worth a read, maybe, but not worth buying
Review: I bought this book because it looked very interesting, and I wasn't disappointed. The book *is* very interesting, and it's a fun read and goes fast.

However, the discriptions in this book are very sparse. It's hard to get a good idea of what is going on, and it's hard to like the characters when there's so little reason that you can see for why they do things. Show, don't tell, is the first rule of writing and the author seems to prefer to tell.

Also, the grammar in this book is terrible. I can't blame the author for this; it's the editor's fault. But it's very hard to get into a story when you're happily reading along and there's a comma where there shouldn't be, or "your" instead of "you're." If the editor didn't care enough to even read over this book (and I find it hard to believe that he/she did, since there's a grammar mistake about every other page) then why should we care enough to read it?

Anyway, don't get me wrong, I definitely did enjoy "Bought and Paid For." Instead of paying $14 to buy it though, I heartily recommend trying your local library first.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing
Review: I have to say the description of this book sounded amazing, but when I got it I was kind of disappointed. It did not seem like a story about love, but this criminal expedition that these "two lovers" were on with an occassional rape once in a while. It could have been better.

Rating:
Summary: I thought it was a great read.
Review: I read Tygrestick's review and I'd have to say I disagree with the comment regarding the character development in this book. The action in this book takes place over a relatively long period of time so rather than develop his characters through explanations of their every thought and move on every page, this author chooses to develop his characters through their actions/reactions AND thoughts over the course of the entire book (i.e. over the course of time): very much of a "show" not "tell" approach. Isn't it events and actions over the course of life that shape character anyway? Is every action a thought out process that merits pages of description? Perhaps this is a subtler means for the reader to understand and relate to the characters rather than a direct psychological or emotional approach to character development.
I was surprised when my positions on the characters that I liked/disliked initially were completely reversed by the story's end. The subplot (which in and of itself was totally surprising: international intrigue!) moves along at a brisk pace but then stops to refocus on the characters; in doing so, the action becomes secondary to the characters (which seems to be the point) and the characters unfold to expose their complexity and depth which to me, made them seem more and more real: as you get to know people, you see those hidden parts -sometimes you like them and sometimes you don't.

In addition, just out of curiosity I got out my copy and reread it, looking for the grammatical errors Tigrestick mentioned (which I didn't notice the first time I read the book) and wasn't able to find any. Maybe it's just me, I found myself caught up in this story and maybe didn't notice any technical errors because the story was interesting and unpredictable.
Yes, technical errors are distracting but honestly if the story's interesting and you understand what's being said what does it matter? I can't remember a single book I've read where there wasn't at least one typo -if it was that annoying I'd stop reading and watch television instead.

This is a very interesting book; unlike anything I've read in gay fiction. I picked it up at the very least expecting a coming of age or coming out story (of which I've read too many) with the usual assortment of sad, sour and sympathetic characters but to my surprise, found something quite unexpected and refreshing.
Overall, though shorter than most books I read I found it fulfilling, enjoyable and recommendable.


Rating:
Summary: TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
Review: In the afternoon that it takes to read this book, you will experience jet lag, and time zone changes, be inundated with symbolism, beautifully depicted scenery, and an unexpected love story between a full grown adult male, and the young man he discovers. History, architecture, Catholicism, Under World Orders, and Male Prostitution keeps the reader rivited by this well written work of fine art that deserves high praise for its information as well as its entertainment. This author can be compared to someone from another place and time as he is poetic,eclectic and articulate. Rythmic, well chosen and timed words never miss a beat. Full of passion, pain, and heart, we hope to read more about the life of Jan Phillips in the future. Take us on a tour again, Mr. Halfhill with Jan as our host.

Rating:
Summary: Male version of "Pretty Woman" + "My Fair Lady" + some 007!
Review: Jan Phillips is an 18 year old recent high school grad, who heads to Philadelphia after being thrown out of his small town PA home by his widowed mother, who can't afford to care for him anymore. He heard from other boys that good looking, masculine guys can earn money hustling in the Tenderloin district in the city, which he decides to try, although he is still a virgin and not even sure of his own sexuality.

On his first night hustling, Jan has the good fortune to attract the attention of Tim Morris, who lives in a luxury apartment overlooking the hustling area. He is attracted to Jan more than just sexually, but sees in him the possibility of a protege for his secret work as an attorney and head of the US branch of an international activist cartel. He "grooms" Jan, helping him through an exploration of his sexuality, making him into the perfect boytoy for his needs, but also teaching him manners and about culture, areas in which the small town boy was lacking. With the help of his able assistant/bodyguard, Han, Tim buys a pledge of non-interference from Jan's mother, after which Tim and Jan embark on a dangerous journey to Europe. Over time, the reader sees their relationship develop, from one based on opportunity and desperation, to one of mutual trust, love, and purpose.

Very original, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Rating:
Summary: Male version of "Pretty Woman" + "My Fair Lady" + some 007!
Review: Jan Phillips is an 18 year old recent high school grad, who heads to Philadelphia after being thrown out of his small town PA home by his widowed mother, who can't afford to care for him anymore. He heard from other boys that good looking, masculine guys can earn money hustling in the Tenderloin district in the city, which he decides to try, although he is still a virgin and not even sure of his own sexuality.

On his first night hustling, Jan has the good fortune to attract the attention of Tim Morris, who lives in a luxury apartment overlooking the hustling area. He is attracted to Jan more than just sexually, but sees in him the possibility of a protege for his secret work as an attorney and head of the US branch of an international activist cartel. He "grooms" Jan, helping him through an exploration of his sexuality, making him into the perfect boytoy for his needs, but also teaching him manners and about culture, areas in which the small town boy was lacking. With the help of his able assistant/bodyguard, Han, Tim buys a pledge of non-interference from Jan's mother, after which Tim and Jan embark on a dangerous journey to Europe. Over time, the reader sees their relationship develop, from one based on opportunity and desperation, to one of mutual trust, love, and purpose.

Very original, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Rating:
Summary: A neat little entry for a new action/adventure/intrigue seri
Review: Michael Halfhill's exciting first novel introduces us to Jan Phillips as he finds himself at a crossroad in life. At age 18, Jan's been forced to leave his home and make his own way with little more than the clothes on his back. He soon finds that modern Philadelphia with its high unemployment and few prospects doesn't offer much to a young man with no home, no trade and no connections... except for one. It goes against his nature, but ultimately it seems to Jan that he has no other choice.

Enter Tim Morris, who sees more in Jan than something to be bought for a few hours of pleasure. He takes the young man in hand and introduces Jan to an entirely new world - one filled with the pleasures and privileges that wealth can buy, but also one filled with danger and intrigue. Power means more than just money, and Tim wields power the way he does everything in life - without conscience.

Join them both in this tale of intrigue, adventure... and Jan's ultimate coming to grips with his own nature, and the true meaning of taking control of your own life.

~~Keith Morrisette

Rating:
Summary: Coming Out to Adventure
Review: This coming of age novel appears to be the first of a series, starring the young hero Jan Philips, and documents his inheritance of a position of power and privilege.

In "Bought and Paid For" we see Jan on the street trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to work as a hustler, when he is swept off his feet by the dashing and worldly Tim Morris. After Tim's abrupt dismissal of Jan's belatedly concerned mother, Jan is quickly thrust into a world of International travel and danger.

Money, and its affect on a young gay man, is a key theme in this novel. I felt somewhat nostalgic at times on reading this novel, thinking back to my own experiences at 18 and how wide-eyed and easily impressed I was by shows of opulence.

A surprising twist in the second half of the novel leads to a bittersweet ending for Jan, that hints at further adventures to come.

"Bought and Paid For" is a quick read, written in a light style that whisks the reader through whole cities, countries and changes of life at a breakneck speed. It should appeal to readers who are looking for a coming out tale peppered with a bit of adventure.