About Jazz and Sapphire
Written by Kimberly Burke and J. Falcon
208 pages / 82500 words
ISBN: 1-933389-52-4
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc
Dixieland jazz. Jambalaya. A pair of lovers as sensual and volatile as the city they live in. Jazz and Sapphire’s Daniel and Aubin struggle with everything from money to disapproving relatives in this tale of an ex-soldier and his flamboyant artist lover. When they decide to get hitched, Daniel’s soon to be mother in law shows up, sending things downhill.
For Aubin, though, things are looking up as his career gets on a roll in a town notorious for harboring a few too many artists for the market. The details of everyday life shine in this story, giving the reader a real glimpse into how two very different men make a life together. As they say in New Orleans, let the good times roll!
Review
Jane Davitt, author of Broomsticks and Stones, writes: Jazz and Sapphire is a moving story of two very different men, Aubin the artist and Daniel the ex-soldier, whose life in New Orleans is complicated by a variety of factors, some bringing with them painful consequences, none resolved easily. The way that the two of them support each other through the good times and the bad adds a lot of warmth to the story.
I found myself quickly involved in their lives, rejoicing at their triumphs and concerned about their tribulations.
Beside the two leads, the story has a host of well-drawn secondary characters, including Aubin's mother -- not always a sympathetic character but a very real one -- and the delightful Father Andre, who has issues of his own to overcome.
The authors have created an inviting world, peopled with interesting, engaging characters; I enjoyed this a lot.
Sample
The first rumblings of thunder growled their way in from over the delta. The wind took on a slight chill and smell of ozone. This was going to be a big one. Where the hell was Daniel? It wasn't like him to be late without calling at the very least.
Grey eyes clouded with concern as the first huge drops of rain started to pound into the street below. Lightning shrieked across the sky, and all too soon the few drops became a downpour curtaining Algiers in grey.
Drenched, he stood there until he saw his lover on the street, wandering, almost casually, along the sidewalk toward their building which, really, was out of character for Daniel. His lover peered up at him and waved, then vanished into the doorway of their building. Aube could just barely hear the pounding of Daniel’s footsteps on the stairs over the storm. The slamming of the door echoed the thunder.
''Afternoon, mon ami.'' A kiss on one cheek and his lover standing there, staring at him.
He let out a snort and fought off the urge to smack the other man, hard.''Où es-tu wander off to, you? You tell me you retourne over two heur ago.'' He spoke slowly, choosing his words. Even though Aubin's English had vastly improved in the few years he'd been with Daniel, it was still sometimes difficult for him to find the correct word in it, especially when he was upset.
The sky darkened and the rumble grew louder as the thunderheads passed overhead. Aubin watched as the rain managed to peel away more of the stucco, steadfastly not looking at his lover.
''I had to stop and pick something up.'' Daniel patted his pocket. ''And I had some thinking to do.''