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Featured Story: A To Z


Renee Stevens

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I hope everyone had a great weekend, but now it's time to start off a new week. A great way to start the week is to take a look at a story that can be found on Gay Authors. Today's feature is A to Z by Parker Owens. Aditus was nice enough to provide us with this great review. If you haven't already done so, maybe it will inspire you to take a look. If you do, don't forget to leave Parker some reviews. Enjoy!

 


by


 

Reviewer: Aditus


Status: Complete


Word Count: 276,084


A to Z is one of those lucky finds, a story I stumbled over and now won’t forget for the rest of my life.

Stefan lives with his father, who treats him like his personal slave and human punching bag. He blames his son for his wife walking out on them. Stefan was only eight. On top of this, Stefan is being bullied at school for wearing secondhand clothes, having to scrunch school supplies, and just being different. After something bad happens, he runs away with nothing but his journal, and the clothes on his back and an odyssey across the country is about to begin. Some may say, “It’s nothing I haven’t read before.”

It’s the little things that make A to Z special.

We get to know Stefan by reading his journal, which gives us a very personal point of view. When he says he deserves what his father and others do to him because he is stupid and worthless, he actually means it. But as we listen to him, we learn that Stefan is thoughtful, smart, and an all-around nice guy, which makes reading this so much more painful. While reading on, we hope he can finally shine, but instead, he just longs to fade into the background, to be invisible. For him, not being seen equals no suffering.

This journey isn’t a joy ride and not for the faint of heart. To quote the story note: ‘This story contains episodes of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse of a teen. There are episodes of violence. There is also sex between teenagers. Please don't read this if these things bother you. If you continue, be aware of them, and read with appropriate caution.’

It may sound contradictory when I say the bad things that happen to Stefan are beautifully written, incite compassion in the reader, as well as fury on Stefan’s behalf at those who harm him. Parker Owens skillfully walks the fine line of almost too much, but not quite. I was constantly between hope and despair, always praying for Stefan to make it through just one more hurdle.

If you’re going to read A to Z, have a box of tissue at the ready and some beverages of choice to refill the fluids.

One last thing: A to Z has one of the best epilogues I have ever read…and a very clever title.

 

Category: Fiction Genres: Adventure, Romance Tags: Abuse, Adopt, Under 18, Rape, Love, Dark Rating: Mature

  • Like 14

18 Comments


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It is one of my favourite stories, period. As the review says, not for the faint of heart but an enthralling, wonderful piece of writing which took me through a whole gamut of emotions.

 

 

You know it's good when, months later, passages and scenes keep surfacing in my head. Unforgettable! :P

  • Like 3
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Adi, I cannot thank you enough for your kind and generous word in review for A to Z. And Northie is right...the characters still live in my head, even now.

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Yes, I agree! If you haven't read A to Z just do it. And don't let the hard times drag you under. Hang in there. It's worth it!

  • Like 3
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Great review of a fantastic story, Adi. Parker's a talented writer and I'll cheat here and let you know his next story promises to be just as awesome. The man deserves a big Cuban cigar to celebrate his success as an author.

  • Like 4
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Parker is the MAN. Also this is one of my all time favorite stories. It's an amazing roller coaster ride of dark and depressing meets sweet and whimsical. Parker has enough talent as a writer to pull it off and believe me you'll be rewarded if you endure some of the harder chapters, as the main character is the kind of guy you can definitely root for.

 

I'll also second Carlos's remarks that Parker's next story (from the little bit I've seen) proves to be just as enthralling.

 

Anyway, if you haven't read A to Z yet, check it out.

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Parker is a good friend and a great writer. This story touched on things from own life I cannot seem to escape, but it was a lovely story. As an ex-street kid, there are things in A to Z that don't feel right to me, but it is fiction, well written, and worth reading. It's also a love story, a romance yes, but it's about friendship and trust as well. If you haven't read it, do. It is worth your time.

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Adi, I cannot thank you enough for your kind and generous word in review for A to Z. And Northie is right...the characters still live in my head, even now.

Parker you made this easy for me. It's such a great story.

  • Like 2
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Congrats, Parker, on A to Z being featured! :)

 

Addy, you wrote a wonderful review. I think Tim has some competition now! :lol:

 

I will admit, when I first read the story tags I wasn't going to read it. I was still reading one of craftingmom's stories, and I didn't want to start another story about a poor kid getting abused.

 

Val was the one who changed my mind. She told me what a wonderful story it was, and that I wouldn't regret reading it. She was right! :)

 

A to Z is a terrific story filled with some wonderful characters, and unfortunately, some downright horrible characters, who take Stefan through many changes in his young life.

 

But don't forget -- it's a story about love, and the love shines through with Parker's skillful writing.

 

So, thank you, Parker, for writing such an awesome story, and thank you, Val, for "making" me read it! :)

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I started this story later one evening and had a very deep emotional response. One long nightmare later, I wrote a poem about something I never thought I would let into the light of day. That is the power of Parker's writing. It started a sort of catharsis for me, and I fully intend to complete what I started, and finish this well-written endeavor. I thank Parker for the trigger he inadvertently provided me...

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In A to Z, I experienced the full gamut of emotions. From utter despair at Andy's plight, to deep seated anger at his abusers. But I also smiled and cried in joy when things began going Andy's way; finding friends, a family, a home, and love.

 

A to Z is not only one of my favorite GA stories, it's also one of my favorites overall. Parker is an incredible writer and I shall always be thankful that he shared this story with us. :)

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Congrats, Parker, on A to Z being featured! :)

 

Addy, you wrote a wonderful review. I think Tim has some competition now! :lol:

 

Indeed I do, and I'm happy about it. So nice to have other blog reviewers on the team. :yes:

A to Z is a great story and deserves every word of praise.

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Congrats on the feature Parker.. Adi did a great review.. 

 

A to Z is emotionally jarring, thought provoking, very well written and is one of my favorite stories on here.. So worth the read! 

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Congratulations Parker, and well deserved.

 

A to Z was not only good, not only well written, not only had outstanding characters, but was unique. Quite the combination of assets IMHO.

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Great review, adi!!!

I loved this story and I've had the great pleasure of working with parker as both his editor, and him as my beta/editor. He has wonderful insights and a vivid imagination! Congrats on the feature, parker! And thanks aditus for such a great write up! You summed it up very nicely. :)

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Congratulations Parker on the featuring of your story. And it was a great review Adi.

 

I am sorry to say I haven't read it. But its in my next to read list. :D

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One of the best features here is ... this way of making good stories more known.

Would not have  found it on my own.

Just started reading and... it captured me... Ahh. hmm now I have probably  no sleep tonight because... CSR...

 

OMG is this why I start having wrinkles... much more recently ... because of this or CSR ...

 

thanks love reading stories here...

  • Like 3
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