The Rules of Temptation

Rating:
Summary: Thanks to the author for the invite to read a great book.
Review: Andrew,
A short time ago you sent me an email inviting me to read your book, The Rules of Temptation, thank you. You saw my review of Christopher Sarno's book on Amazon.com, and sent me the invite.

I purchased your book, and it was a great read. I am happy to say that your book kept me interested and your writing style is one that I enjoy and would definately recommend your book to others. In fact, I'll be passing the book amongst some of my friends that read similar books.

It was sad the way Anthony's life was taken in the book, I didn't expect that to happen, instead it would have been such a treat if Trent had saved him and they had "found the dream" together. A second book based on their trials of life into the "dream" would have been a great second book. I do understand the ending though, and can say that I've had my own temptations in life, some I've been able to avoid, others too strong to avoid and thus far I've been pretty damn lucky.

I wish you well in your career as a writer, and if you have a mailing list to keep your "fans" updated on your new works, please add my email address as I consider myself a fan of your work. Thank you and good luck.

Warmest Regards,
Robin Raygor
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Thanks to the author for the invite to read a great book.
Review: Andrew,
A short time ago you sent me an email inviting me to read your book, The Rules of Temptation, thank you. You saw my review of Christopher Sarno's book on Amazon.com, and sent me the invite.

I purchased your book, and it was a great read. I am happy to say that your book kept me interested and your writing style is one that I enjoy and would definately recommend your book to others. In fact, I'll be passing the book amongst some of my friends that read similar books.

It was sad the way Anthony's life was taken in the book, I didn't expect that to happen, instead it would have been such a treat if Trent had saved him and they had "found the dream" together. A second book based on their trials of life into the "dream" would have been a great second book. I do understand the ending though, and can say that I've had my own temptations in life, some I've been able to avoid, others too strong to avoid and thus far I've been pretty damn lucky.

I wish you well in your career as a writer, and if you have a mailing list to keep your "fans" updated on your new works, please add my email address as I consider myself a fan of your work. Thank you and good luck.

Warmest Regards,
Robin Raygor
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: RULES TO LIVE BY!
Review: I always have my reservations when ordering gay fiction on any online site or bookstore. The reason being that there are so many author names unrecognized. It's not like searching for Anne Rice's or Clive Barker's latest novel. Choosing the copy of Andrew Wolter's The Rules of Temptation was no different (a majority of the gay fiction books I read turn out to be disappointing).

That's NOT the case here! Then again, this is no normal book.

The Rules of Temptation is filled with the reality of the dark side of gay life. The characters range from a corporate businessman on the verge of cheating on his partner (who neglects him), a young man who is obsessed with said businessman, a young runaway who is forced into the hustling industry, and a schizophrenic war veteran who will stop at nothing to ease his insanity. Each of these characters touched me in their own way. Even those who are depicted as the adversaries in the book have their own good qualities. By the time I finished reading it, I felt that I knew these characters, and I WANTED MORE!

The novel touches on racy subjects including infidelity, promiscuity, an underground S&M club, and hustling. I guess I'll also be the first to say that there are some GRAPHIC lovemaking scenes as well. However, they are done in good taste and don't deter from the plot.

I'd hate to call this book a 'gay' novel because it breaks the rules of category writing. This book is a bit of comedy, a bit of suspense, a bit of madness, a bit of horror. The end recipe is a fast-paced, enjoyable read that will keep me on the lookout for Andrew Wolter's forthcoming projects.

The only thing that could disappoint this reader would be if Andrew Wolter stopped writing after his first book. Believe me, I see it alot with new writers. But I have a feeling we'll be hearing from Mr. Wolter soon. He has a good style, succinct and to the point, and a voice that spins a tale around an ultimate moral meaning.

I highly suggest this book to any person, gay or straight!

Rating:
Summary: Nothing short of amazed.
Review: I am amazed!!! This is one of the best books I have ever read; and also one of the most heart-thumping; pop-culture at it's finest. Set in Phoenix, my hometown, I can necessarily relate to the tale Mr. Wolter weaves - which is surprisingly much like life - well the horrors of real life.
From the corporate intrigues to the intense nightlife, there seems to be a continuity which makes the mind reel. As each character interacts with one another, there is a hint that what one does highly affects the rest of the group.
I know the Monsoon season, as in '99; this brought back memories I forgot I had, how drenched Phoenix was - which rarely happens.
I find it curious how Mr. Wolter brought to the fore the synchonicity of the weather and the time and life of each of the characters. This was ingenious and apt. I must read this book many more times before I decide its time is over with my bookshelf.
Thank you Mr. Wolter, Andrew. You have made my reading year, and am looking forward to your forthcoming books.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing short of amazed.
Review: I am amazed!!! This is one of the best books I have ever read; and also one of the most heart-thumping; pop-culture at it's finest. Set in Phoenix, my hometown, I can necessarily relate to the tale Mr. Wolter weaves - which is surprisingly much like life - well the horrors of real life.
From the corporate intrigues to the intense nightlife, there seems to be a continuity which makes the mind reel. As each character interacts with one another, there is a hint that what one does highly affects the rest of the group.
I know the Monsoon season, as in '99; this brought back memories I forgot I had, how drenched Phoenix was - which rarely happens.
I find it curious how Mr. Wolter brought to the fore the synchonicity of the weather and the time and life of each of the characters. This was ingenious and apt. I must read this book many more times before I decide its time is over with my bookshelf.
Thank you Mr. Wolter, Andrew. You have made my reading year, and am looking forward to your forthcoming books.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Temptational !!!
Review: It's difficult to find the words to describes Andrew Wolter's novel The Rules of Temptation...so many come to mind!!! Dark, entertaining, believable, sexy, treacherous, realistic, suspenseful--all of these and more are qualities in which I found an amazing treat within the book!

Set in Phoenix, Arizona (and having visited there a few times in my life), I found it interesting how Wolter's point of view of Phoenix turns it into another antagonist of the novel. This book deals with everything from the corporate politics within the office space to the lives of hustlers who fear for their life on a night to night basis. All of the characters felt so realistic, there were times that I thought I intimately knew them.

The dark aura surrounding the characters is one that can only be issued by a unique voice such as Wolter's. His style conveys a sense of emotion that grips you and takes you into a world not too different from our own. However, Andrew Wolter has a way of boldly stripping the world of the pretty masks that cover society to reveal a world that is more realistic than many I've read.

The Rules of Temptation is one hell of a ride and I wish it didn't end! Parts of remind me of John Rechy's City of Night novel, and it is obvious that Wolter extrapulates inspiration from Mr. Rechy. Wolter's words are remarkably tempting just as his title suggests, and they are all his own.

I highly recommend this book to the gay and straight cultures, especially given the fact that I've seen so much mainstream gay erotica that doesn't come CLOSE to revealing what The Rules of Temptation does.

Awesome book!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Temptational !!!
Review: It's difficult to find the words to describes Andrew Wolter's novel The Rules of Temptation...so many come to mind!!! Dark, entertaining, believable, sexy, treacherous, realistic, suspenseful--all of these and more are qualities in which I found an amazing treat within the book!

Set in Phoenix, Arizona (and having visited there a few times in my life), I found it interesting how Wolter's point of view of Phoenix turns it into another antagonist of the novel. This book deals with everything from the corporate politics within the office space to the lives of hustlers who fear for their life on a night to night basis. All of the characters felt so realistic, there were times that I thought I intimately knew them.

The dark aura surrounding the characters is one that can only be issued by a unique voice such as Wolter's. His style conveys a sense of emotion that grips you and takes you into a world not too different from our own. However, Andrew Wolter has a way of boldly stripping the world of the pretty masks that cover society to reveal a world that is more realistic than many I've read.

The Rules of Temptation is one hell of a ride and I wish it didn't end! Parts of remind me of John Rechy's City of Night novel, and it is obvious that Wolter extrapulates inspiration from Mr. Rechy. Wolter's words are remarkably tempting just as his title suggests, and they are all his own.

I highly recommend this book to the gay and straight cultures, especially given the fact that I've seen so much mainstream gay erotica that doesn't come CLOSE to revealing what The Rules of Temptation does.

Awesome book!

Rating:
Summary: Very dark novel will get you emotionally involved
Review: Set in his home city of Phoenix, the author's first novel is an extremely dark and disturbing narrative about four men: a gay yuppie who is having relationship problems and chances a brief affair with another, the participant in that affair who (upon rejection) tries to shelter himself from future rejection by getting into alcohol and drugs as well as promiscuous sex and S&M, a young runaway who sees prostition as his road to a better life, and a mentally disturbed and dellusional Gulf War veteran who believes he is being spied upon and hunted. The story is narrated by each character alternately in each chapter. The author skillfully develops each character so the reader begins to like and somewhat empathize with him, which sets up the reader for an emotional rollercoaster ride when the character turns dangerously to his "dark side".

I am aware that I-Universe does not edit an author's work once submitted. Still, I don't recall ever reading a novel with as many typographical errors, most likely the result of selecting the wrong word from those suggested by a "spell checker" program (For example, an irritated patch of skin on one character leaves him with a "SINGING sensation" when touched. There are also several places where "and" is used instead of "an", and adjective/verb forms of words misused.) The continuity also is lacking, with one character at a bar he says is "two blocks" from his home, only to have to drive "three miles" to get there on the very next page. Last and least, but worth mentioning, is that the author interjects at least a half dozen distracting passages that seem to ramble on about the geographical makeup of Phoenix (which is my home as well), and seems obsessed with our late summer "monsoon" rainstorms, a rare occurance since Phoenix actually averages 350 sunny days a year.

Overall, I'd recommend the book for those who enjoy "dark" stories about the "gay underground," hustler culture, S&M clubs, etc. The author shows some promise for the future, but I'd have to limit my rating on this one to 3 stars out of 5.