by Anel Viz
—5 stars from Erika Pike
This is an utterly unique – I can say without hesitation "fascinating" – collection of stories and anecdotes, like nothing I've ever encountered before. … I came away from it after two readings (and I suspect there will be many more) with much food for thought and with my sense of how things are somewhat roiled … [T]he author's prose is elegant beyond reproach, as clear and dry—and as bracing—as a good martini.
—4¾ stars from Victor Banis
Like the title implies, Kaleidoscope is a collection of short stories that change patterns at the mere turn of a page, oftentimes before I was ready to let the characters go. Anel Viz … has incorporated a series of observations on life and everything it encompasses, from sexual boundaries between a professor and his student, to a hate crime trial, to a man who is entirely undone when his wife fulfills a sexual fantasy.
—4 Kisses from Top2Bottom Reviews
The Best Christmas Ever
If you like sweet stories, if you're looking for something to make you think, and if you're interested in understanding the nature of love a little better, this will do all three for you.
—5 stars from Queer Online Magazine
This is a delightful and intriguing story charting the course of a relationship between two men who are as different as chalk and cheese. … The author clearly has a definite opinion about this: the two men bring very different things to the relationship but are equally balanced. … The dual insights - author and protagonist - and the way these eventually meld make this a fascinating study of an interesting couple.
—5 stars from Wilde Oats
Les Ardoises
… rare indeed are [American authors who can set a story in France] without sounding a false note. … We have already mentioned the exactness of this author's observations … Anel Viz gives readers a glimpse of France (and of Provence in particular) and its people— imperfect, riddled with contradictions and weaknesses, but so deliciously authentic we adopt them all without hesitation.
—3 out of 4 "chats gentils" from Blue Moon Reviews
… a compelling and very sexy story that explores motives and feelings, and gives a real flavour of French life.
—5 stars from Wilde Oats
Anel Viz has created an alluring tale that kept me reading because of a need to quench my curiosity of the growth of Felicien's self-awareness and of Joel's adeptness as a teacher. The characters are so well defined that it was impossible not to become entwined in their adventure.
—4½ Kisses from Top2Bottom Reviews
What impressed me most about this story were things that didn't immediately jump out at the reader, mostly the subtle way in which the character's mindset was depicted. Felicien … felt very authentic to me. As did the other French characters in the story. Little things … all added up to a harmonious whole that, combined with the setting descriptions, created a strong sense of place that helped me relate to Felicien's motives and reactions.
—4 stars from Jessewave
New Lives
One thing you can count on with Anel Viz is that he will stretch definitions in any of his works, and "New Lives" is no exception. Is it short stories or a novel? Yes. Is it whimsical or a dark exploration of gay life? Yes. Is it erotica or literary fiction? Yes. In short, Viz will present the reader as well as the literary critic with expanding his or her understanding of the genres.
—5 stars from Wilde Oats
… a delightfully different and unique tale that seamlessly combines the threads of many different people's lives and their connection to a certain sexual object into a highly entertaining glimpse into the gritty and often sensual world of the LA gay porn industry.
—4 Kisses from Top2Bottom Reviews
For me, [New Lives] is one of those stories that, when I go back through it, I always find more. Acquaintance definitely does not decrease interest because there's something new to discover each time.
—Kathy Kozakewich
Horror, Dark & Lite
Anel Viz proves himself master of yet another genre this time horror, and likewise puts his individual stamp on it. Besides including stories with gay themes, you simply cannot expect any formulae with this author. Someday this reviewer will find a predictable story in a Viz work, then will examine the book to discover that the cover has the author's name incorrect.
—5 stars from Christopher Moss (Wilde Oats)
I think it's cause for rejoicing when an established author whose work I respect comes out with not one, but two horror collections … Viz's dark collection will keep you tossing and turning or plunge you headfirst into nightmare territory. But Viz's horror is not inaccessible if you are of a more lighthearted bent. His other collection is more like a roller coaster ride—thrilling, but crazy fun.
—Rick R. Reed on "New and Notable"
A Return to Normalcy (in Silver Presents: Love is Love)
Viz's dependable sensitivity to universal human vulnerability and portrayal of people with disabilities give the reader something real to grab and hang on to, not an airy and tacked-together set of characters and events.
—Christopher H. Moss in Wilde Oats
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Title Page
What Other Authors Say About Anel Viz:
Copyright
Note from the Publisher
Dedication
Part I: The House
Ronnie
Baron
Reverend Jenkins
Evan Marker
Christian Worthy
Judge Harris Cole
Jessie
Part II: Brothers
Marc
Ed
Husbands
Liv
Li'l Eric
Jay
Cameron
Lovers
Magda Caille
Aunt Sadie
Timmo
The Blacknolls
Part III: On the Rocks
Big Eric
Harvey Anderson
Brindell, Worthy, Fripp & Thurston
Kate Ansel
Pastor Rich
Patty and Clara
Scott Ballard
Bill Enslik
Part IV: Priorities
Janice
Elliot Cannon
Sharon Stark
Fletcher MacGuire
Dennis
Alma
Epilogue: The Ronnie House
About the Author
Also by Anel Viz
Award Winning Titles
Reviews