Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
As Spain’s fledgling democracy enters the 80s, young artists have transformed Madrid into a city where anything is possible, where outcasts, freaks and creative weirdos of every type let their imaginations run free amid beautiful, hedonistic chaos.
All Alex wants is to create one unforgettable show that earns the respect and admiration of his fellow outcasts. When Jago, a handsome and kind, yet secretive young man pulls him from harm’s way during a protest, a night of tenderness opens the door to new and thrilling talents. His new friend is also determined to see him succeed… at any price.
Caught between suspicion, enthrallment and desire, Alex and his friends dance to the tune of poets and devils. Will it lead them to an opening night triumph? Or is Alex writing the script for a tragedy in the pursuit of fame and love?
The Review
1980 – Madrid, Spain
Alex Vargas and his group of actors have run into chaos when rehearsal times seemed to have gotten double booked. Alex forgot to tell the two different groups of the change. After the chaos has calmed down, he invites everyone to see his new movie at the Alphaville Cinema.
Once he and his friends, plus Vicente and Joanna, enter the theatre, he spies a young man in a plaid shirt having difficulty getting in. Alex immediately helps out and gets him in with his group. Vicente is curious about what’s is going on. Even though Alex sits with Vicente and Joanna, who are apparently a couple, Vicente finds a way to touch Alex. They once had a fling, but it’s been over for a while. For his part, Alex’s thoughts are still on “plaid shirt,” whom he looks for in the crowed cinema.
Once the show is over, Vicente and Joanna stay behind, but Alex heads outside to get some fresh air. He immediately sees “plaid shirt,” and they make introductions – “plaid shirt’s” name is Jacobo, but he goes by Jago. Alex explains that he’s a producer, but he has two other jobs. Things seem to be going nicely until Vicente and Joanna exit the cinema. Alex starts to introduce them, but Jago has already walked away.
The next morning, running a little late for work, he finds himself caught up in large protest against the new age government in Madrid. It should have taken him twenty minutes to get to his job, but the protests just keep getting worse. The police on horseback are pushing protestors back, and Alex finds himself knocked down and hit with a baton. Suddenly two firm hands help him up – Jago has come to his rescue and takes him home. After Alex recovers, he roams Jago’s house and finds Jago, who becomes angered. Alex runs off.
When Alex reports to work the next day at Cafe No Mismo, Victoria his boss, is willing to give him another day off. Alex stays to do his job. He’s surprised to see Jago enter the cafe, and they get a chance to discuss what happened.
Jago is an odd fellow who seems to show up anywhere that Alex is. He wants to see Alex’s theatre group do well, and shares suggestions on what they need to do. Jago seems to have so much knowledge of the past, and doesn’t look to be thirty-eight. The more Jago and Alex get to know each other, the creepier things get. Jago finally reveals his true self to Alex, who once again runs away. He doesn’t know what to make of Jago, and it frightens him.
Baines has written an intriguing tale with Andalusia Dogs, set in Madrid in the 1980’s when it was coming alive with creativity from young people who rebelled and wanted to make a new world. The story is filled with history, and the author’s descriptions of the places makes this an attractive and a mysterious read.
Alex is a young man who wants to succeed as a theatre director, even if it’s only with one successful play. He hopes to have the others see him in a different light. Jago considers himself a mentalist and is trained in manipulation of time, fate and paths to be taken. He turns Alex’s world into a state of confusion, danger, enthrallment and desire.
I highly recommend Andalusia Dogs, an unpredictable tale filled with witchcraft, magic and eerie happenings, an excellent paranormal tale expertly written by Baines that will carry you into a strange realm.
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.
