This Time Around

Rating:
Summary: They just don't get any better than this one!!!!
Review: I have to say, I just finished reading TTA, and,
Mark, this is by far, your greatest work to date! Not that your other
8 (or so) books are not great, as they all have kept me tied to
the chair until they were finished, but I must say, that TTA has
pulled me in more emotional directions than any book in a long
time.

My only regret is that I get so wrapped up in your
novels, that I read them in a 2 day time span and then must wait until the
next one. But as they say, 'good things come to those that
wait', and you are by far, the best voice for the Gay Youth, through your
novels. You take alot of what I felt as a kid and teen, thinking I
was all alone in my thinking, and tell me that I was not alone, and
thank god I survived it, and did not do anything stupid.

Reading your novels, give me hope that one day, we
will all be able to live in peace and safety and be proud of who we
are.

Rating:
Summary: They just don't get any better than this one!!!!
Review: I have to say, I just finished reading TTA, and,
Mark, this is by far, your greatest work to date! Not that your other
8 (or so) books are not great, as they all have kept me tied to
the chair until they were finished, but I must say, that TTA has
pulled me in more emotional directions than any book in a long
time.

My only regret is that I get so wrapped up in your
novels, that I read them in a 2 day time span and then must wait until the
next one. But as they say, 'good things come to those that
wait', and you are by far, the best voice for the Gay Youth, through your
novels. You take alot of what I felt as a kid and teen, thinking I
was all alone in my thinking, and tell me that I was not alone, and
thank god I survived it, and did not do anything stupid.

Reading your novels, give me hope that one day, we
will all be able to live in peace and safety and be proud of who we
are.

Rating:
Summary: Simple Read
Review: Not a challenging read. Took me less then a day to read.

Often times, it seemed like either a vessel for the authors views or some over the top campy story.

I'd suggest you wait and buy the book used or read it online.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommendable !
Review: Roeder's books may be aimed at gay teens but I found myself enjoying his books though I am over 40. Thus far I have finised his books in one sitting and "This Time Around" is no exception. Jordan's search for his past, his reconciliation with his grandparents, his final acceptance of what happened to his father is touchingly written. I have to admit I was in tears quite a few times. The part of gay bashing seems familiar. However gay bashing is pervasive in today's society and not something we are proud of and Roeder's reminder of its existence is admirable. And I do like the way it is linked to Jordan in the story. Overall, "This Time Around" is a simple story yet complex in its entirety. It is emotionally told and I enjoy it. As I dislike tragedies, I have yet to bring myself to read Ancient Prejudice and The Soccer Fied is Empty, the tragic stories of Jordan's father and Mark. After reading "This Time Around", I think I can finally bring myself to read this two tragic stories. I hope the next book in this gay chronicles series is not too far away.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: Sorry, I have to use the "F" word concerning This Time Around. It is FABULOUS! I wish this book was twice as long as it is. It is the continuing story of the rock group Phantom and it's band members, Jordan, Ross and Keiran. The focus here is mostly on Jordan and Ralph, Jordan's boy friend. Their love story is interwoven into the very fabric and heart of the book.
Jordan and Ralph travel back to Verona, Indiana. Their main mission is for Jordan to find out more about his father, who died before he was born. They also are visiting old friends. Jordan meets the grandparents, that never knew he existed. The very grandparents that were mostly responsible for his dad's death.
While Jordan is coming to terms with all of his emotions about his father, he and Ralph and the band members take on a malicous evil right-wing minister,Jerry Wellerson, who is bent on closing all the gay youth centers in Indiana. After a gunman attemps to kill Jordan during a benifit concert, to help save the gay youth centers, it becomes all to real that Jordan and those he loves near him are in grave danger.
Make sure you have a box of tissue next to your reading area. You will need them. I had to put the book down for about twenty minutes, near the end, so I could dry my eyes, before I read the last chapter. I can not tell you here why This Time Around affected me this way, to do so would give to much of the story up. I just hope you read it.
This Time Around is the latest in a collection of books known as Gay Youth Chronicles. It is ok to read one with out the others, but for the full emotional impact, I suggest you read them all. Most notably, The Soccer Field Is Empty, which is the story of Jordan's father, Taylor and his boyfriend Mark. I think once you have read one of these wonderful books, you'll want to read them all.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story for gay boys of any age!
Review: This latest title in Mark Roeder's Gay Youth Chronicles series is without a doubt his best effort. His characters have been developed and polished until they have the depth and resonance of real people.

The issues the characters tackle are those that are most important to gay people just beginning to deal with their sexuality, regardless of what age that occurs, but will be especially helpful to gay teens who in the reality of our world don't usually have a 'Gay Youth Center' to help them. Thoughts of suicide, loneliness, sex and exclusivity in relationships, and handling issues of religion and homosexuality are all dealt with in a positive and authoritative way.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love Jordan, Ralph, and their friends. Don't wait, get this book today!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Yet!!
Review: This Time Around is simply the best novel so far in the Gay Youth Chronicles series. Mark is truly growing as an author and now we know his characters and love them so much more. Warning this is at least a three hankie novel. However I would suggest you read other novels in the series before you read this one.

Ken Clark
Mark's Webmaster
Email me at [e-mail]