The River City Chronicles by J. Scott Coatsworth

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are all having a great week and are greeting ready of Halloween. I’m back today with a review of a book that has been on my ‘to be read’ list for years. Today I’m happy to share with you my thoughts on The River City Chronicles (click here to learn more) by J. Scott Coatsworth (Find him here).

The Blurb:

Everyone in the River City has a secret, and sooner or later secrets always come out. A group of strangers meets at Ragazzi, an Italian restaurant, for a cooking lesson that will change them all. They quickly become intertwined in each other's lives, and a bit of magic touches each of them. Meet Dave, the consultant who lost his partner; Matteo and Diego, the couple who run the restaurant; recently-widowed Carmelina; Marcos, a web designer getting too old for hook-ups; Ben, a trans author writing the Great American Novel; teenager Marissa, kicked out for being bi; and Sam and Brad, a May-September couple who would never have gotten together without a little magic of their own.

My Review:

A Love Letter to Sacramento

I’ve read several of J. Scott Coatsworth’s novels and I can honestly say there isn’t one I haven’t enjoyed. Coatsworth writing is honest and open as he pours himself into each of his works. The River City Chronicles is no different in that regard. However, the story is unlike the other books I’ve read by Coatsworth which tend to be fantasy and science fiction based. This is a contemporary novel set in Sacramento, CA. Not only do you get to learn a great deal about the cast of characters in the novel, you also experience Sacramento through the eyes of someone who clearly loves this community.

The story itself is a rich chronicle following the lives and loves of the people who inhabit these pages. What impresses me the most about this work is that I feel like I’ve gotten to know each of the characters so well. After reading the book, I felt like I just made so many new friends that I was sad to reach the last page (I understand there is a second book coming out at some point, which will be on my list).

Another aspect of the novel I appreciated is that this book wasn’t your typical MM Romance (which given the glut of mm stories available on the market, most of which, if not all, feel like Hallmark movies). The book housed often ignored or forgotten characters, making the characters come across as that much more real and personal.

My only real complaint about this novel, and it’s not so much a complaint, but something I noticed is that Coatsworth clearly had an affinity for all things Italian as the story is peppered with so much Italian flare, the novel can be a bit much. However, that said, the Italian slant to the book helped to ground the novel in realism and helped to tie all the characters together. This is a wonderful novel that any fan of contemporary works should pick up and read.

Well there you have it, my thoughts on The River City Chronicles by J. Scott Coatsworth. Until next time have a great week.

Author Shout Outs

Happy Wednesday fellow Scribblers. This week I wanted to do some shout outs to follow Author:  J. Scott Coatsworth and J.P. Jackson, both books deal with magic in unique ways. 

J. Scott Coatsworth has just released of his new book The River City Chronicles.  There are three things that excite me about this new novel.  First, it has magic in it. Second, it takes place in Sacramento, CA, which is just two hours from where I live.  I’m very familiar with the area and I can’t wait to see how Scott weaves the story in and around our state capital. Third, it was the number one Gay Book for it's release week. You know it’s gonna be amazing and it should be a lot of fun to read.

I love Scott’s writing and I can’t wait to get my copy.

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Here is the blurb:

A group of strangers meets at Ragazzi, an Italian restaurant, for a cooking lesson that will change them all. They quickly become intertwined in each other's lives, and a bit of magic touches each of them.

Meet Dave, the consultant who lost his partner; Matteo and Diego, the couple who run the restaurant; recently-widowed Carmelina; Marcos, a web designer getting too old for hook-ups; Ben, a trans author writing the Great American Novel; teenager Marissa, kicked out for being bi; and Sam and Brad, a May-September couple who would never have gotten together without a little magic of their own.

Everyone in the River City has a secret, and sooner or later secrets always come out.

Buy it here.

Up next and because there is never too much good news to share. I have another shout out to mention.  Coming out on July 2, 2018 fellow NineStar Press Author J.P. Jackson will be releasing his new book Magic or Die.  I had the pleasure of reading several chapters of the story while J.P. was working on it and I can’t wait.  I know it’ll be amazing.  Just check out this great cover art:

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Here is the blurb:

James Martin is a teacher, a powerful Psychic, and an alcoholic. He used to work for the Center for Magical Research and Development, a facility that houses people who can’t control their supernatural abilities, but left after one of his students was killed, turning to vodka to soothe his emotional pain. The problem is he still has one year left on his contract.

When James returns to the CMRD to fulfill the rest of his contract, he finds himself confronting the demons of his past and attempting to protect his new class from a possible death sentence, because if they don’t pass their final exams, they’ll be euthanized.

James also discovers that his class isn’t bringing in enough sponsors, the agencies and world governments who supply grants and ultimately purchase graduates of the CMRD, and that means no profit for the facility. James and his students face impossible odds—measure up to the facility’s unreachable standards or escape.

Pre-order it here: 

As always it’s easy to share the love with others who you think might enjoy these wonderful novels that deal with magic or just want something amazing to read.  Click the share button below.  Until next week, have a great week.