For over ten years, Wyatt Dolan defined himself as the lover of Howard Wallace. Howard made sure Wyatt’s self-worth depended on that role.
So when Howard dumps him, he is lost at sea in a storm without a rudder. If it wasn’t for his supportive friends, he doesn’t know what he’d do. Finally, after a series of disasters, he escapes to Camp Sanctuary—a sacred place to him—where he can be alone, try to put his past behind him, and find a new direction for his life.
Kevin Owens is a lonely man. He is very intelligent—several apps he created have gone on to make him a comfortable living—but he is also quite shy and is uncomfortable making conversation. The death of his dear friend and former lover after a long illness leaves him grieving, confused, and adrift. Then a dream guides him to Camp Sanctuary, only to find that the one cabin with a wood-burning stove has already been reserved. And worse, by a man he’s had a secret crush on for years—Wyatt Dolan.
When a snowstorm knocks out power at the Camp, Wyatt and Kevin must share the same cabin to stay warm, and very soon, magickal things begin to happen.
(Seasons of Love #4)
★ Dreamspinner Press ★ Amazon US ★ Amazon UK ★ Amazon CA ★ Amazon AU
Review by Elaine White
Book – Winter Heart (Seasons of Love #4)
Author – B.G. Thomas
Star rating – ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 400
Cover – Stunning!
POV – 3rd person, dual
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Romance, Friendship, Family, Self-Discovery
Wow! All I can say is that B.G. Thomas absolutely knocked this one out the park, yet again.
I’ve been waiting for Wyatt’s story since book 1 and this didn’t disappoint. With all the Fabulous Four having been single for so many years, at one point or another, and now in relationships, it’s amazing to see how they all gather round to help Wyatt, as his relationship with Howard crumbles. Not just helping him with the general issues, but also by dealing with the holiday seasons and making sure his emotional needs are met.
Quite honestly, I cried so many, many, many times! I mean, the testing, the ritual and so many more things – the snow storm! The hospital! – had me bubbling like a baby. And Howard really is the puki’o of the entire series!
And, Oh. My. God! Hodor! Hodor!
I loved all the new characters, as well as the old ones that I already love with my whole heart. Geoff was incredible! Gods, I loved him. I wish we could see more of him. In fact, can we go back to Spring, have a whole other Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter book series with Geoff, Blue, Nikko and Logan…or, Hell, anyone! I would be happy if this series never ended.
Oh, Cauley! He broke my heart so many times, despite being a minor character and hardly in the story at all. Howard made me so mad that I was clenching my teeth, grumbling and sobbing for Wyatt over everything he’d ever done and confessed to. He was such a skeasy bastard and it drove me up the wall. But I am soooo happy that Wyatt got his closure in the end. He might have used and taken advantage of the innocence Wyatt showed in those early days, but the one good thing he ever did was introduce Wyatt to the Men’s Festival.
The entire medical issue is totally understandable; I had a horrible experience of 2 years worth of pain and a horrendous surgery for my gall bladder, so I winced through every minute of the hospital scenes.
The fact that that majority of Wyatt’s story is true (as mentioned in the Author’s Note at the end) was utterly heartbreaking, but only spoke of just why it was so touching and moving to read. The realism wasn’t just in my imagination, which only made the whole thing more incredible.
~
Favourite Quote
““Well you did tell a customer to kiss your ass,” Sloan said.
“My rosy red ass.” Wyatt crossed his arms. “Because she called me a fag! And I told her that I was more man than she was ever going to have and more woman than she would ever be.””
“I think it would make my happy if I came back as a snowflake and I could fall on your face.”
“Wyatt smiled.
Somehow, he was feeling hope.
Somehow he was feeling he just might be ready to fly.”
“Love does come. Love worthy of any of us.” ~ from A Note from the Author
~
Series Review
Often, when I come across a review in this genre, the books are all the same. Not in a bad way, but in a thematic way. By the time you get to book two and then every successive one, you discover that somehow, all of the main characters in all the books know each other. Then, within the plot, you discover that there is a theme within the series – each book has the same location, the same drama issue (usually a small crime, homosexuality or a disastrous love life) that weaves the books together.
This series – Seasons of Love – has none of that!
Not only is each book wholly original in concept and execution, but each of the characters are far from the carbon copy same-person-different-name that you often find. The characters all begin book 1 knowing each other as only a group of best friends can; intimately and with a deep affection.
For me, that was the real jewel of the series. Not only did sex take a back seat to the plot – which was perfect! – but the friendship between Sloan, Scott, Asher and Wyatt is the real treasure. The love these men have for each other, the friendship they share, the support system they have become for each other is really something quite magical. No matter whether there were romances or how powerful they were as stories and journeys of self-discovery, it really was the strong bond between the men and their friendship that moved me the most.
With diverse characters who are all equally strange, brilliant and beautiful in their own ways; a change of location that suits each character and their individual story; the struggles that they all face, there is really only one commonality. All the men are facing a personal crisis that includes self doubt and a religious journey that is very much individual and important to their overall mental health.
The first book will hook you. The second will make you fall in love. The third will make you think and question everything. The fourth will give you tingles.
No matter what, you will never regret starting this series.
Meet B.G. Thomas
B.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband of more than a decade and half, and that marriage has been legal since 2014! They share their home with their fabulous dogs, Sarah Jane and Oliver. He is lucky enough to have a lovely daughter as well as many extraordinary friends.
B.G. loves romance, comedies, fantasy, science fiction and even horror—as far as he is concerned, as long as the stories are character driven and entertaining, it doesn’t matter the genre. Since he’s gone conventions since he was fourteen years old, he’s been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers, many of whom inspired him to pursue his own writing dreams.
Excited about the growing male/male romance market, he decided to begin writing for the first time in years. Gay men are what he knows best, after all. He submitted his first story in years and was thrilled when it was accepted in only four days, and since then has had over thirty short stories, novellas and novels published.
“Leap, and the net will appear” is his personal philosophy and his message to all. “It is never too late,” he states. “Pursue your dreams. They will come true!”
Visit his website and blog at http://bthomaswriter.wordpress.com/. You can contact him there and he is always happy to hear from his readers.
