REVIEW: Sunset at Pencarrow, by Lou Sylvre & Anne Barwell

Title: Sunset at Pencarrow

Author: Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay

Publisher: JMS Books

Reviewer: Maryann

Get It On Amazon

About The Book

Kiwi Nathaniel Dunn is in a fighting mood, but how does a man fight Wellington’s famous fog? In the last year, Nate’s lost his longtime lover to boredom and his ten-year job to the economy. Now he’s found a golden opportunity for employment where he can even use his artistic talent, but to get the job, he has to get to Christchurch today. Heavy fog means no flight, and the ticket agent is ignoring him to fawn over a beautiful but annoying, overly polite American man.

Rusty Beaumont can deal with a canceled flight, but the pushy Kiwi at the ticket counter is making it difficult for him to stay cool. The guy rubs him all the wrong ways despite his sexy working-man look, which Rusty notices even though he’s not looking for a man to replace the fiancé who died two years ago. Yet when they’re forced to share a table at the crowded airport café, Nate reveals the kind heart behind his grumpy façade. An earthquake, sex in the bush, and visits from Nate’s belligerent ex turn a day of sightseeing into a slippery slope that just might land them in love.

The Review

“Sunset At Pencarrow” is a beautiful and bitter-sweet collaboration between two talented authors, Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell.  The authors take us to New Zealand and present a grande and very descriptive tour of the country.  Along with the tour comes two very diverse characters from different parts of the world, New Zealander, Nate Dunn and American, Russell “Rusty” Thao Beaumont.

In a fogged in airport in Wellington, Rusty waits in line for more information about the next flight out for America.  He get’s to see the very disgruntled and annoying Nate Dunn making a spectacle of himself.  Rusty is a former Marine and tries his best to stay level headed while dealing with Nate’s outburst.  Rusty put’s his self-study to work and remains calm, considerate and only steps in when he feels the need to protect someone.  He was raised by a Buddhist mother and his life has not been bad, until the tragic loss of his fiancé.  With that loss came the decision not to lose his heart to anyone, again.

Nate Dunn is an artist and has a chance to work at a gallery in Christchurch.  He was on his way to an interview but with the heavy fog he’s plans have been crushed.  His emotions are all over the place and he has no problem expressing them.

When things somewhat settle, Rusty and Nate finally start a conversation that leads to them spending time together.  From facial expressions, outward and physical emotions and thoughts, Sylvre and Barwell give an outstanding, in-depth look into both of these characters.

I thought the story looked at both of these men’s emotions with a psychological point of view.  It brought out the causes of a persons anger and how verbal and mental abuse can effect them. It’s interesting to see how both Nate and Rusty, thoughts and fears are similar and keep them from even trying for friendship. Although Rusty has times when he deals with PTSD and has medication, he chose to use God and his Buddhist mother’s lifelong mental training to help himself.  The story itself gives a very in-depth look at the contrast between these two strangers, under stressful circumstances.  They have to decide how to make the best of their time together or miss out on a wonderful friendship.

This was certainly thought provoking, well written, entertaining and I learned some new words like “jandals”.

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 peaks 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.