http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
I hope those who have read any or all of my serialised novels on my fiction blog will enjoy them. Needless to say, copyright to my fiction (and poetry) remains
exclusively mine.
NB 'Blasphemy' has been removed from the blog, but is now available as an e-book on Google Play, and I have taken the opportunity to correct some errors that appear in GLB print and e-editions.
NB 'Blasphemy' has been removed from the blog, but is now available as an e-book on Google Play, and I have taken the opportunity to correct some errors that appear in GLB print and e-editions.
Note: Blasphemy was first published in the US by GLB
Publications, San Francisco in 2006 and distributed in the UK by Gazelle Book
Services; it was originally planned as Book 1 of a gay-interest crime trilogy -
Blasphemy-Sacrilege-Redemption - but by the time I had finished writing
Book 2 GLB had moved the goalposts and expected a larger
contribution to costs than I could afford. For various reasons, I never got around to writing Redemption; although Blasphemy and Sacrilege can be read as separate novel, I may yet complete the trilogy.
SYNOPSIS:
Blasphemy is the story of a middle aged gay
man’s struggle to come to terms with the suicide of his lover, Harry. Breaking
away from stereotypical gay fiction, the novel combines psychological and
crime-adventure action; its flawed narrator and anti-hero, LAURENCE FISHER,
embarks on a roller coaster ride of self-discovery, becoming inadvertently
caught up in London’s seedier elements along the way.
Laurence
enters into an unsatisfactory relationship with a closet gay colleague, NICK
CARTER in a vain attempt to expiate guilt feelings about Harry’s death. He also
goes cruising and is approached by a young rent boy, DANNY. Later, he comes
across the youth badly beaten in a nearby alleyway, attended by girlfriend,
POPPY. As Danny refuses to see a doctor,
Laurence reluctantly agrees to escort the couple to a medical student’s flat in
Camden Town. Even more against his better judgement, Laurence then agrees to
put them up in his spare room after Danny has been treated. By the next morning,
however, there is neither any sign of the pair - nor Laurence’s wallet and
other valuables. A few days later, Danny turns up again, this time with a wild
story about Poppy having been seized by their pimp, FAT GEORGIE, and taken to a
house in Battersea reserved for clients with “special needs”. Laurence and Nick
Carter form and botch a rescue plan. Poppy is freed, but Laurence has to be
rescued himself by PHILIP ADAMS who just ‘happens’ to be in the right place at
the right time.
Meanwhile, news
concerning the death of his father and a conciliatory approach by both his
mother and younger brother, MARC, awake in Laurence a desire to attempt re-establishing
family ties.
Laurence
and Philip are attracted to one another. Laurence, increasingly conscious of
his age, seizes an opportunity to strike up a meaningful relationship.
Laurence’s
house is ransacked. Danny and Poppy - the obvious culprits - disappear again.
Philip returns Danny safe and sound, but it appears Poppy has been kidnapped by
Fat Georgie, who is demanding the return of a ‘snuff’ video identifying prominent
members of the English Establishment as well as the pimp himself.
Laurence has
to endure kidnap, beatings and narrowly escapes being murdered during a
fast-moving course of events, the consequences of which include an untimely and
violent death among some hard hitting revelations. Laurence offers Danny a home
on condition that the youth finds a job and mends his ways. Danny grudgingly accepts
only to disappear again. This, in turn, leads to Laurence and Nick joining
forces for a new rescue bid, but this time with tragic consequences.
By the end of
the novel, Laurence has confronted and learned from past mistakes and finally
makes his peace with Harry. A family reconciliation is on the cards if not yet
complete and a new life opens up for him.
Copyright Roger N. Taber 2005; 2016
Postscript: A sequel - Sacrilege - was published under my own imprint in 2008, but that meant it has only been on sale in the UK although I have sold copies over the Internet. Both books achieved a small but nonetheless significant following.
Among other serials on the blog is Dog Roses, a gay novel hitherto unpublished except on the blog; it will follow Sacrilege as an e-book over the coming months as will Catching up with Murder which was published (in print form) by Raider International in 2010 and introduces Fred Winter, a retired detective. A second Fred Winter novel - Predisposed to Murder - also unpublished other than on the blog) will follow. Last but not least, I will publish Like There's No Tomorrow as an e-book on Google Play. So... watch this space.
As with my poetry blogs, I do not post comments, but will always read them and reply to anyone who gives an email address. I have no problem with criticism so long as it is at least fairly constructive; it always helps to know why someone likes or dislikes a poem or novel. Feel free to email me any time at rogertab@aol.com
While I am not in the best-seller category, I enjoy writing and feedback suggests I can tell a good story which is all I can hope to do. There are far better writers than me out there, but as a librarian working in public libraries for many years, I am also aware of far worse. Whatever, writing keeps me sane and happy. More importantly, it helps to keep my arch-enemy Depression at bay. I only hope at least some of you will enjoy the fruits of my literary labours.
Many thanks for your interest and support, both are much appreciated.
Roger
Many thanks for your interest and support, both are much appreciated.
Roger
