Customer Reviews

Divas Las Vegas

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This book is the type that the world needs right now- a bit of frivolity with a hidden gay travelogue of Vegas contained inside. Rosen creates two likeable, if not a little chemically indulgent characters, who get in a murderous set of exploits while trying to reclaim a vase in Las Vegas. It very mushc hearkens back to the old caper films of the 80s. This should have come with the old Touchstone Pictures logo in the cover. Highly recommended for those who are experiencing the midwinter doldrums. Enjoy it and pass it on!!

Bill (aka "Em", as in "Auntie ...") and Justin are two 20-something gay best friends from San Francisco, who descend into the craziness of COMDEX-week in Las Vegas, supposedly on a mission to locate the valuable vase that had belonged to Em's mother, but was shown appraised on an episode of "Antique Roadshow" taped in that city. Of course, with Justin along, the focus soon shifts to men, drinking, men, gambling, men, partying and men, and Em knows Jason well enough to hold on and enjoy the resulting insanity. The duo (along with their friend Glenda, whom they invite along for the fun) have madcap adventures with Jason's boyhood ex-lover, a Patsy Cline imitator, a lecherous motel owner, double dating possible murderers while in drag, and find themselves helping to solve an FBI investigation into organized crime.

Although the author has had over sixty short stories published in various anthologies, this is just his second novel, after 2001's "Sparkle," which was a delightful, witty and original romp. "Divas Las Vegas" is in the same vein, and likely even better, keeping the reader rolling with laughter as our campy duo gets into one imaginative situation after another. This is almost two books in one, as the author also gives some rather spot-on advice about places to see (and places to avoid) in Las Vegas. Secrets may be welcome to stay in Las Vegas, but clearly many of its residents were happy to see Em and Jason go back home to San Francisco! A rollicking, roller coaster of a read, sure to keep you smiling. Five stars out of five, on your fun reading slot machine!

Funny mystery novel of two party boys going after a vase from "Antiques Roadshow" and in process getting into all sorts of problems. Very easy to read, despite some improbable turns in the plot. They won't bother you because you'll be laughing yourself into blissful suspension of disbelief. There are some very sexy parts as well. Book should be of interest to lovers of mysteries or gay fiction.

Bill is an apparently rather boring San Francisco gay bookstore manager, and being gay in San Francisco is just enough to be ordinary, if then you add the bookstore related job, well, it seems that here of sparkling there should be only the wrapping card for the books. But Bill's situation soon changes, with also his name, he prefers to go for Em, when the bookstore place is sold in block and the owner gives him 30 thousands dollars as good exit. No work and still too young to retire, every other man, gay or not, would have probably put a thoughts or two on what he wants to do with his life, and instead Em decides to spend most of the money to buy back an very ugly vase who was in his family for year, and sold on a front yard sale for a few dollars, and that now is valued almost 30.000 thanks to an appreciation from Antiques Roadshow.

The vase was last seen in Las Vegas, and Justin, Em's best friend and former partner in a drag queen show, drags him on that very place in first class, after hiring Chris, a good guy who will help Em to pleasantly spend his last nights in San Francisco. Already in the plane, Em's long dry spell period, interrupted with Chris, has good chances to be completely put off, when he meets Marvin. If you are thinking that this is soon becoming a How to Do manual on how to meet gay guy in the last likeable places (Las Vegas is not famous to be a gay resort), you are not far from the truth, since Chris and Marvin are only the beginning, there will be also a Zahir, all for Em, and a Bradley, Jacques and Ahmed for Justin. Actually three for each so Em and Justin haven't to question who got the better share.

But other than an unexpected gold mine for guys, that apparently distracted Em and Justin from the real reason of their coming in the desert city (the vase), there is also not one, not two, but three murders that helped Em and Justin to spend their time: yes, since all the three victims are related in a way or the other to the vase, and Em and Justin have enough brain free from the guys to understand that they are being targeted. Instead of asking help (this is a novel, don't forget), they decide to understand who is the villain, and to do that they resume the drag queens attire, becoming Marilyn and Tabitha.

Even if there are three murders and apparently big dangers for our heroes, Divas Las Vegas can't be listed on the mystery section, there is too sparkling dresses, casino and everything attached to be considered dark. It's a funny and light book, and there are more moment when you are laughing than when you are trying to understand who is the killer. As Em and Justin, the reader soon forgets that he is searching a vase, and then a killer, to instead following the two from casino to casino, from posh hotel to not so posh hotel, always accompanied by a very detailed description of the places, a voluntary and well developed added value of the novel that makes you want to plan your next trip in the city, obviously with a copy of the book as reference.

I don't think this is the last adventure for Em and Justin, or for Marilyn or Tabitha by the way. I don't know if they are more clever or crazy, in a case or the other, they are "horny" enough to sex out their trouble and, in the end, to gain something for every situation they stumble upon. Again, I'm not sure if they manage to do that with consciousness, I had more the feeling that they are two very lucky gay guys.

"Divas Las Vegas" is one of the best shows you'll get in Vegas. This hilarious and entertaining romp shines with wonderful characters and a vivid city backdrop. The witty narrator will carries off the outrageous tale with the perfect amount of drug induced elegance, laugh out loud observations, and a flair even Liberace would envy. No subject is off limits and no action too over the top for this story, which will have readers wondering where the adventure can possibly go next. Fans of the author and newcomers alike will devour this offering and ask for more.

Recently jobless "Em" is drowning his job sorrows in a pint of ice cream with a side of Antiques Roadshow when he recognizes his grandmother's vase, which his mother sold at a garage sale she's regretted ever since. With his severance pay burning a hole in his pocket, Em enlists the help of his wealthy but slutty and bored friend Justin to help him find the vase. What follows is an adventure no one could be prepared for, least of all Las Vegas and its residents.

The story is narrated from Em's first person perspective and reflects his personality wonderfully. Right from the beginning scene of Em hiding in a closet in a fabulous pair of silk Armani undies, Em sets the tone of the story with his flair for dramatics and style with an attention span shorter than a gnat. Thus the story seems to jump around from detail to detail, past memories to current activities including a visual tour of Las Vegas all while keeping the action and adventure fast and furious. The best a reader can do is sit back and enjoy the ride because trying to predict or guess the future won't work for this story.

The writing is full of humor and whimsy with a deft touch to detail. The setting of Las Vegas comes alive with intimate knowledge down to the slot machines in each casino and where to get the best hot dog. Readers will feel as though they are breathing the desert air and ensconced in the lush, glitzy casinos while delighting in the outrageous antics of the characters. From the recreational drug use to sad drag queens and a slew of slutty, sexy men, the laugh out loud moments are too many to count. If anything, the gags try to top each other too much and lose some of their pizazz when packed so tightly with bigger and better antics. However, the inherent charm of the narrator and the cast will smooth over any rough spots in the book.

The actual mystery is hilarious, complicated, and very well written. Em's search for the vase leads him and Justin into peril, murder, car chases, FBI agents, drag undercover assignments, and badges in unique places. The crisp dialogue and solid prose keep the pace fast yet interesting and never overwhelming. The action is balanced with shopping trips and visual tours of Vegas that keep the pace even. Rosen's unique style of writing shines in a plot that could overwhelm the reader with the antics and characters, but instead fascinates with glamor and allure. Be sure to pick up this whimsical delight today.

What's not to love? A very fun read that combines some of my favorite things - Mystery, flaming, queen fights, sex and Antiques Roadshow! Mr. Rosen has outdone himself with this new novel that fits the traditional definition of a great "summer read". The dialog is snappy and catty and the plot moves fast, fast, fast. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. With my other half wondering what the hell I was laughing at in the other room the whole time. Buy this book. If you like to laugh, you won't regret it!

What would you do if you found out that the vase that your mother sold for a pittance at a garage sale was actually worth a fortune? This is exactly what happens to Bill "Em" Watson, a recently-unemployed San Francisco bookseller who sees his grandmother's vase appraised on The Antiques Roadshow. Determined to retrieve his family treasure, Em immediately packs up and heads to Las Vegas with his pal Justin. They don't have much of a plan, but given the sheer quantity of luggage they tote along, they'll be dressed appropriately regardless.

What kind of trouble can two fabulous boys get up to in Vegas? They don't call it "Sin City" for nothing! As Em and Justin attempt to track down the owner of the vase, they encounter kidnappers and criminals, old flames and new friends. Soon they are dressing in drag (sequins are a boy's best friend), braving the desert heat, and sleeping their way through half the gay population of the city.

But what started as a lark somehow turns dangerous, and when the FBI suddenly shows up, Em knows they're involved in something a little different than they expected. They knew that they might need to sacrifice their dignity and perhaps even their virtue for the cause, but they never expected to put their lives on the line. Just how much trouble is an old vase worth, anyway?

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When you open the cover of Rob Rosen's novel Divas Las Vegas, prepare yourself, because you are about to step out into bright lights of Las Vegas on a lively, nonstop adventure that that will have you laughing from the very first page. I enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down as I followed along with Em and Justin on their adventures. As I read, I constantly anticipated what situation they would find themselves in next, because, believe me, these two guys are magnets for trouble.

Mr. Rosen hooks his readers in from the very beginning of this tale when he presents us with his hero, Em, who is hiding out in a church in the middle of the Nevada desert dressed in nothing put a pair of silk skivvies. The comic effect kicks right in, and we can't help but wonder how on earth someone could get into such a strange situation. Since Em is the narrator of this story, we know that he must somehow extricate himself from this tight space, so all we need to do is sit back and let him tell us the story. That is, if he can keep from getting sidetracked along the way.

The narrative in Divas Las Vegas is very chatty and almost confiding in tone, as if Em is speaking directly to us. His story is dotted with wry little asides made directly to the reader as well as clever and frequently sarcastic comments. I found that this friendly and fun tone warmed me up to Em immediately; he feels like an instant friend.

Not only is this tale fast-paced and witty, but it is populated with a score of colorful and memorable characters. Our two heroes, Em and his friend Justin, dash from one situation to another at almost breakneck pace. The dialogue between these two is humorous and bitchy as they trade quips and catty insults and compete with each other for romantic conquests. Em throws himself into his adventures and tends to leap before he looks, but we have no choice but to love this guy who sometimes leaves his common sense at the door. And as if Em and Justin aren't trouble enough on their own, throw in their girlfriend Glenda, and the fun level (and alcohol consumption) goes almost through the roof.

Along with the sexual farce and madcap mystery, Mr. Rosen tosses in an entertaining tour of Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Told from Em's perspective, of course. He advises us on which casinos are the classiest, which pay off the best, which are tacky, and what hotels are filled with (shudder) families with children. I've never been to Vegas, but I felt as if I were right there - in the glitzy casinos on the strip, the slightly seedier hotels off the strip, even in the desert on a horse with no name.

If I had to boil Divas Las Vegas down into a simple description, it would be this: too much fun. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times as I read this story, and since I was on a bus full of tired commuters, that definitely merited a strange glance or two in my direction. This book tickled me and made me happy, and I definitely thought it was worth my reading time.

Divas in Las Vegas is non stop humor and action! If you want to read about the connection of a vase, card dealers, chlorine, butter, friends, horses, Patsy Cline, the FBI, a 1976 Ford Pinto, a wallet, Caesar and yes, a few tricks, grab this book and read on and once you start, you won't stop. It has more twists and turns than Sarah Palin watching John McCain on election night. If you have ever spent anytime in Vegas, you will see yourself in this book and wondering if it could ever happen to you! Enjoy Rob Rosen's outlandish, hysterical and sarcastic adventure that in many ways, we could all only hope for in our wildest imagination!