Phoenix Rising by Kimberly Gardner is a homoerotic romance.

Adam can’t believe that his life has led to delivering Strip-o-grams. After his boyfriend, Daren, slept around on him, Adam lost his home and has been living out of his car. Things at his stripping job get a little bit strange when Adam is told he will be stripping for just one person, Jimmy. Adam can’t believe how handsome Jimmy is and things begin to look up with Adam spending the most erotic night of his life with Jimmy. Jimmy can’t believe that such a beautiful and younger guy would be interested in spending the night with him. Jimmy wakes up alone receiving a call from his brother Laton to talk to him at the strip club Laton owns with Jimmy as a silent partner. Jimmy gets the surprise of his life to find Adam auditioning for a job dancing. Things become very confusing for Adam and Jimmy when the feelings that are growing between them conflict with accepted social norms, as Jimmy needs to choose between his his life in the closet and the possibility of a new future. Will Jimmy choose Adam or will out outside forces tear them apart for all times? Will Adam finally get the break that he has been looking for?

Ms. Gardner has created an incredible story that portrays the coming out of one man and how those people around him effect the decisions he makes I his life. The plot line of the story was very compelling from the start keeping the reader riveted to see what would happen next. I loved how Adam refused to give up in spite of the odds that were against him. Jimmy always believed the good I people and when things turned for the worst, he still tried to do his best. Daren with his many flaws is a fascinating character to read. In all, I found this book an incredible read and would definitely recommend it to others to read. Thanks go to Ms. Gardner for a remarkable story.

Reviewed by: Teresa