I was wondering what I would post. I don’t have a new book coming out, I’m still working on the same story and I was at a loss. I was over at the Loose Id site looking up Z.A. Maxfield because I’d just read a couple of hers that I REALLY liked. Drawn Together and The Long Way Home. So while I’m there I happen upon The Janitor by Jan Irving. The cover itself was worth a second look. So…I looked. I still liked it so I looked at the blurb. Here is what I read:
I’m a naturally optimistic type of person, you know? Yeah, I think good things will happen, only they usually don’t. Take Noel: even though he’s educated and rich and he don’t think he’s even gay, I want to belong to him. I want him to take me completely—Dane Connelly
Dan Connelly is a gay janitor and boxer with a soft heart and a simple outlook—he wants to meet the right man, someone who will look past his macho sport and put him in the place of a submissive. He wants to fall in love and belong to his partner.
On the surface, Noel Atherton, an intellectual, shy and sexually repressed university graduate student with a crippled leg, could not be the dominant lover that Dane longs for. But after their first meeting, when Dane disables the fire alarm in the library and lights a cigarette, Noel is drawn from his shell. Soon, Noel needs to touch Dane, exploring his sexuality for the first time. And both learn that looks can be deceiving.
However, Noel’s controlling father is appalled by the relationship and quietly arranges to get Dane out of the way and punish him for daring to love a man so far above his station.
I thought…okay, I can wait until payday. No problem. But then…I made a mistake. I was showing the book to someone and they asked if it was first person. I wasn’t sure, so I went to look at the excerpt. BIG MISTAKE! It drew me in. I went back and forth and said…I have to. I bought the book and I was not disappointed.
Jan has such a way with words. I wish I could write the way this woman does. I just want to hug Dane and keep him close, away from harm. I love that man and so did everyone, well almost everyone, who met him. I know I’ll be reading it again.
Seeing Dane’s story made my heart happy. He’s not your typical hero at all, but he shines. Man, Dane sure does shine. Noel needs Dane just as much as Dane needs him. They are great for each other and flawed. My kind of heroes for sure.
Okay…now I need to go read it again. 🙂
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Hi, I was so touched when I read your note on my blog. I laughed when I saw you going from thinking about it to just…giving in! The funny thing about this story is that I have written first person stories before and this one feels like it without the limitations of first. We are so intimately taken into Dane’s life. In fact, I cried when I wrote it, when I reread it…and that’s not common for me.
It was the desire to seek out people like you and share and connect that made me decide to work on it again.
I’m so very glad you liked it and honored you hunted me up and posted about it. It really made my evening, so thank you!
Jan xx
Jam, I purchased The Janitor as well. I couldn’t resist. I haven’t read it yet, but then I also bought about six other novels/novellas that I haven’t cracked open. The premise did seem quite interesting. Can’t wait to read it now. 😀
Thank you so much, Sage. It’s not really about boxing, that’s all I can tell you, but I have a feeling you’ll understand as soon as you read. *wink* I’m delighted you bought it and I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Jan…thank you for working on it again. Just…Thank you. I felt the story all day. It still hasn’t left my mind. Not many authors do that for me, but you are one of them and The Janitor goes right up to the top of my favorites list.
Sage…don’t worry about those other books. Put them down and read The Janitor…like…NOW! What are you waiting for? Are you still here? 😀
If you are reading this blog…GO BUY THE BOOK!!!! 😀 Here…I’ll help. http://www.loose-id.com/prod-The_Janitor-941.aspx
That’s all I ever wanted when I wrote it.
Thank you. 🙂
Wow. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention! I read your mention of it on the “Chatting with….” loop and: 1) Just the title alone, “The Janitor”—very short, impactul…had to read what you had to say about it, 2) The cover…THE COVER….hooked even more by that—dynamic, simple, powerful, beautiful!; 3) the blurb….wow, very, very intriguing. Very unique story it promises, and; 4) The excerpt. Wow. I even came away with a wonderul euphoria, just reading the exceprt.
What an unusual blending of character types—such far extremes of the spectrum—which turns into an extremely sexy duo. Don’t know why, but I’ve always loved a main character who has a weakness, something that could hold them back….and then have the other main character draw themselves out of this shell. Powerful. If there EVER was a dynamic duo, it’s Dane and Noel.
I HAVE to buy the book now. I’m hopelessly hooked. Oh, Dane is the new man of my dreams.
Again, thanks for sharing this title!
I can’t wait until you come back and tell me how much you LOVE it! lol
Jambrea, you know me, if you recommend it – I buy it. I hope to read it this weekend!
Jambrea, I did read this over the weekend and completely agree with you. It was a wonderful read and I’m sure it will be a book that I re-read over and over again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Rhonda!