Calico [Paperback]

Dorien Grey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2006

An old-fashioned 'they-don't-write-em-like-that-anymore' feel-good Western romance with a kick--and enough mystery and adventure to keep you riveted to the very end.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...makes for a darn good read; the middle section, about the trek across the perilous Colorado range country, is especially a page-turner." -- Reviewing the Evidence "This book will be enjoyed by readers of romance, westerns and good old-fashioned mystery-thrillers. I have no hesitation in awarding it top marks." -- Rainbow Reviews --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Zumaya Publications, LLC (October 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193413533X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934135334
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #991,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've always resented reality. It is far too capricious and too often unkind and unfair. I avoid reflective surfaces whenever possible. Being a writer allows me to create my own reality, and worlds over which I have some degree of control.

I'm an incurable romantic. I believe strongly in things which reality views too often with contempt, such as happy endings, true love, and the baic goodness of people.

The one personal characteristic in which I take great pride, and which has been my rock throughout life is that I never, ever, take myself too seriously. If one has a choice between positive and negative, why would anyone (though too many people do) opt for the negative? Life is not always kind, but it is a gift beyond measure, and one which must all too soon be given back. I really try to enjoy and be thankful for ever single day allotted to me.

For most people, children are their posterity. For me, as a gay man, it is my words which will, I hope, stand as evidence that I was here (albeit, no matter how long I may live, never long enough to suit me).

And because written words are nothing unless someone reads them, I am heavily reliant on my readers. I sincerely look on every reader as a partner and traveling companion on every journey my writing embarks on.

I invite you, individually and personally, to join me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tasteful Western Romanticism with a Twist, April 25, 2007

By 

Arthur G. Breur "founder, Breur Media Corpora... (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calico (Paperback)

Dorien Grey's title character, Calico, is a likable, seemingly average cowboy. When he finds himself in the care of two seventeen-year-old orphans from the city -- a handsome young man and beautiful young woman-- however, we discover that he is both more likable and less average than would appear.

By shortly into the story, we have learned that despite being an orphan himself, he was raised well by his adopted uncle; by the time we are into the heart of the story, Calico has become the one person we would want to have at our own side in rough circumstances.

This might be a spoiler to some, but adding to the sometimes calamatous adventure and mystery in the story is the fact that Calico starts to fall mutually in love with one of the orphans... the brother.

Many might consider this an adult topic, but the story is told in very innocent terms. There are no overt sex scenes and the characters' restraint is palpable, making the romantic and physical moments that much more eventful.

On the limited negative side of this review, I was a bit -- but only a bit -- distracted by two things:

First, I found myself at times curious about possible anachronisms; not being a huge fan of westerns, I have very little knowledge about what would or wouldn't be common in the old west. Suffice it to say that nothing I questioned as anachronistic while reading the story caused any serious pause in my reading or my enjoyment of the story.

Second, on the topic of the book's physical production, it took me some time to get used to the book's typeface, which I felt was very narrow and difficult to read, particularly at first. Still, I never wanted to stop reading due to this issue either.

So while there have probably been countless m/m cowboy stories in the adult/erotic arena, this is the first book in the genre I have read with a tasteful, even wistful romanticism.

I would definitely enjoy reading more stories about Calico Ramsey, and I very much look forward to my next chance to read a work by Dorien Grey.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A true man of the West, April 29, 2007

By 

Sylvia Dickey Smith "Syl" (Round Rock,, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calico (Paperback)

CALICO is a delightful, unique read, for seldom do we find a romantic mystery where the protagonist is a young man in the early west. CALICO is such a book. A coming-of-age novel in the truest sense, the author weaves the deep emotional feelings of the protagonist, with the young man's attempt to carry out his duty ensuring the safe delivery of orphaned twins to their aunt. The task develops into one not as easy as he had first thought. As danger and intrigue surround them, the reader gains insight into Calico's personal feelings about the boy and girl in his care, and empathy for Calico, a man not only comfortable in his skin, but also content with who is his.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Didn't Think They Wrote Westerns Like This Any More, March 8, 2008

By 

British Bulldog - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calico (Paperback)

The ever-resourceful and totally delightful eponymous hero and his charges were shot at, had fires set against them, faced stampedes of cattle and avalanches of rocks.

With a delicate and subtle touch, the author describes the beginning of mutual attraction between Calico (the dependable and solid cowboy) and Josh (a young man just emerging into manhood) . We also get to see how two sheltered and privileged soon to be eighteen year olds from

With economic and masterful use of words, Grey sets his scenes, One example being, "They broke camp shortly after dawn, while the air was still crisp enough to show their breath. A flat meadow of fog and mist spread out below them ..."

This book will be enjoyed by readers of romance, westerns and good old-fashioned mystery-thrillers. I have no hesitation in awarding it top marks.