Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Gay prostitute Tinder McCartney thought he had it made in WWII Honolulu…until true love and an attack on Pearl Harbor turned his life upside down.

Tinder McCartney is the only gay male prostitute working in Honolulu, HI during World War II. Like the 200 female prostitutes who live and work on Hotel Street, he services the armed forces drifting in and out of the islands. His life and work are controlled by the local police, yet because the cops don't think that there can be that many ‘depraved' men wanting the comfort of another man, Tinder is not only busy, but often in danger.

Living by very strict rules enforced by the police, Tinder cannot own or drive a car or bicycle, can't ride street cars or be seen in the company of other men. He can't visit bars or restaurants or swim at Waikiki Beach. Savagely attacked by two men one night, he is rescued by a local businessman, Jason Qui, the son of a Chinese immigrant and a former New England missionary.

Jason is not Tinder's usual type. But Jason offers to protect and house him. It seems like the ideal business arrangement until Tinder's Vagabond Heart can no longer handle the arrangement… and then on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbour is attacked, turning the entire world upside down.

Book Review

It has been a while since I read this series the first time, and it was great to go back and reread it. The effect it has had on me is pretty much the same as in round one: if I had to sum up the feelings this book has left me with, it would be deeply touched and slightly overwhelmed. Tinder's story is full of vivid detail, and the historical truth behind his situation as a prostitute makes everything that happens all the more poignant.

Tinder is an amazing character. He deals with his life, and the restrictive rules he lives under as a prostitute, with a lot of courage. His loneliness comes through loud and clear. I couldn't believe the restrictions placed on the prostitutes by a US government that wanted them there. Basic human rights were taken away from them as “thanks” for doing a very difficult job. It infuriates me every time I think about it.

Reading this book was like travelling back in time. The care A.J. Llewellyn took in researching the details, as he mentions in his foreword, shows throughout. The Hawaii of 1941 comes alive as much as today's Hawaii does in the other books A.J. has published. Even though much of the story is bittersweet, and the ending is unsure (since there are to be sequels), I absolutely loved it. Bravo!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 118 pages/41171 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-November-2010
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/vagabond-heart