Genre: Gothic, Paranormal, Dark Fantasy, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Coming out to his parents may have burdened him with unfortunate difficulties, but nineteen-year-old Adam Sheridan didn’t expect a sudden flood of nightmares and fragmented dreams to ruin his nights and threaten his mental health. But there’s a reason for these dreams, these baffling images of people and moments from a time and place that have never once crossed Adam’s mind. As these grow more and more insistent, triggered by harmless little things in his day-to-day movements such as a co-worker’s whistling, a framed print of an old painting, and even a quick escape in an old church, Adam realizes these are really memories surfacing.
Memories from someone who lived three hundred years ago, in fact. A young man such as himself who once harbored hopes and dreams–all of which were lovingly recorded in a journal–who fell in love with another, and whose life was cut tragically short. But for what reason? And how? As Adam navigates through the murky and risky waters of living in a household bent on stifling his nature, his dreams call him back to the old church again and again. It’s there, in a small and silent side chapel dedicated to the Virgin, where the answers lie. Answers guarded closely by the mournful specter of a man who has known Adam through the centuries.
The Review
Adam Sheridan is nineteen, and has been having greatly disturbing nightmares. Nightmares so haunting that they’ve cost him this job at the theatre, and made his co-workers humiliate him. He seeks refuge in the old San Tadeo church, where he has a friend in the elderly woman, Socorro Garza, who plays the replica pipe organ there. He loves to listen to the classical music that Socorro plays, and she often tells him he’s a prodigy. One day, while he’s sitting there meditating and listening to the tones of Bach, he hears a strange voice within his head.
Adam comes from a very conservative Catholic household. Both of his parents accept that he’s gay. Mostly. But they also believe that it’s just a phase, or a choice that he made, and they question his identity. At nineteen they don’t trust him, not even to be on his own and take care of himself. Even though it bothers Adam, he tries not to let it affect his life.
As the nightmares and voices in his head become more intense, Adam starts to keep a journal. In the meantime, he also finds a wonderful job working at a production warehouse that assembles custom frames. The warehouse also holds art, which is amazing to Adam because he’s studying Art History.
One classical painting by Nicholas Poussin, The Arcadian Shepards, seems strangely familiar, and Adam can’t take his eyes off of it.
He gets along with everyone at work. One day, he overhears, Santiago, one of his co-workers, whistling a haunting tune. When Adam asks him about it, Santiago explains that it’s classical music. Santiago lets Adam to explore the haunting melodies on his phone, Adam is once again overwhelmed with visions.
As time goes on, Adam comes to believe that his nightmares and visions are memories of someone else, from a different time and place. Adam’s life gradually changes, and he make new friends in Christian and Elliott. The story also weaves in his relationship and love of his Papa and three students – Jori, Maddelena and Andrea – whom he tutors.
The story jumps between the 18th and the 21st centuries. It’s he tale of three young men – Adam, Paolo and Andrea – and how an old church and great classical art and music will change their lives forever.
Will the sanctuary of San Tadeo church reveal the mystery that lies within him, and bring peace to Adams heart?
Thorne constructs a haunting and beautiful romantic story about reincarnation, and how the past and future come together. I highly recommend Primavera, especially for anyone who loves haunting fantasies filled with moments of drama, and love from another place and time that will lasts forever.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.