Customer Reviews

A Private Affair

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It wouldn't surprise me if Mike Warren gained a few enemies after writing the intense military drama, A Private Affair. I mean, what would you expect after writing a novel exploiting the undercover homosexual love affairs of men in the United States Armed Forces? Would you anticipate a huge party being thrown in your honor: "Congratulations on Revealing That Married Men in the Army Just Might Be Fornicating with Their Male Bunkmates!"?

A Private Affair explores a deceitful world of men living double - hell, even triple - lives. Men who are confused, ambiguous, unsure about their sexual nature; men who experiment freely, unremorseful of who they may hurt while they are trying to "find themselves". Sean Matthews is a man who begins his journey as a typically semi-homophobic soldier who faces the dilemma of being assigned to room with a flamboyant roommate named Cameron while he waits for on-base family housing to open up. He anxiously accepts his predicament, knowing that as soon as his name comes up on the list, he can move into a house with his wife and their baby son.

In attempting to "make nice" with his roomie, Sean agrees to a number of compromising situations which ultimately open him up to several questionable acts on his part. Throughout the book, I found myself reading rapidly, flipping pages, then slapping my forehead in disbelief when Sean would, yet again, do something that he would later regret.

Sean's personal adventure leads him to become a man that he never thought he would end up as, with a multitude of casualties suffering along the way. His final revelation regarding who he desires to spend the rest of his life with is anything but predictable, and left me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

If you are looking for a "safe" read, pass this book up. Go directly past it in your local bookstore and avert your eyes from the bookshelf. However, if you are looking for a novel that will challenge the way you currently think about men and their sexuality, if you are searching for an author who isn't afraid to write about subjects that other people would shy away from, if you're craving a book that will keep you up at all hours of the night wondering what the hell that crazy man is about to get himself into next, pick up A Private Affair by Mike Warren immediately! Yes, Mr. Warren may have made his share of enemies by writing this book, but because of his impressive nerve and audacity to bring to light the ultimate taboo, he's made a lifetime friend in me, as well.

This fresh new author, Mike Warren, has certainly started off on the right track. "A Private Affair" has first-rate quality reading. M. Warren gives you real life situations and scenerios that each of us can easily place ourselves in and wonder would we react the same way? This earnest book has everything from suspense, drama, action and even some comedy that will have your cheeks hurting from laughing. That is a great combination and when you purchase this book you will be so caught in the words that you will not want to put it down.

A Private Affair by Mr. Mike Warren was an excellent book. If you are a reserved individual; then guess what this book is not for you. Reserved meaning you are restrained in action and words.
Sean a married private that is serving his country while in the military. Sean is in a world of his own; especially when he comes to realize the different things/experiences that may come his way. He's a man that loves his wife, but can't put his finger on the love that they have for each other. One point while Sean is serving in the military he becomes friends with someone that he thought he would never be friends with after a million years. What a tangled web we weave; and Sean web is all over the place. The moral of the story is will Sean get to the point where he can figure out what he wants or will he just be another spider in the web.

"A Private Affair" is the debut release by Mike Warren. The
story of Sean, a private in the United States Army,
who is forced to
think long and hard about his sexuality, after having salacious
affairs and sexual escapades while on duty. The volatile
relationship between Sean and his wife Venus aids in providing
enough drama, suspense and cliffhanger moments to this novel.

Although this book had plenty of drama and sex scenes to
keep almost anyone turning the pages I found the book to be too-over-
the-top. I found the sex scenes to be redundant and felt that a lot
of them where not central to the plot. In addition I felt this book
left a lot of questions unanswered. The last two chapters of the
book were not paced and moved far too quickly.
In my opinion too many loose ends were not tied up, even if the
author intends to write a sequel.

In conclusion "A Private Affair" is a quick "hot" summer read for
those who enjoy vivid sex scenes and drama in there book selections;
anyone else may want to think twice before picking up this book.

Reviewed By: Porscha
APOOO BookClub

The military have their BIG secrets and then they have their lil secrets w/in the soldiers. Sean Matthews a private in the U.S. military have a good career, wife, and a child that lives off base, then there's Sean's roommate who lives on base who comes fully out of the closet w/his sexuality. It's not only Sean's roommate there's others on base that have their own lil secret. Sean gets introduced to homosexuality from a roommate's lover, through his lover, to another.......(yeah and it don't stop there). Private Matthews gets more and more involved, but still can't come to terms or figure out his own sexualtiy. Sean goes in as a tough guy, but amounts to a soft caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Sean has a stalker that's following him and putting him in danger, while all along his wife begin to question his sexuality, and if discovered Sean's career can come to a halt. Can Sean keep his sexuality under raps and keep his marriage and career on track? You'll have to read this Private Affair to see if he can reclaim control over his life, while at the same time keeping in step.

Mike Warren debut novel "A Private Affair" is a good book, especially if one is dealing with their own sexuality. The book comes out in the open, characters were developed and he told a great story. Mr. Warren you did a fantastic job and I'm anxiously waiting for the sequel to drop.

A Private Affair...WHEWWWWWWWW!!!! The book has something for everyone. Yes, the subject matter may be controversial, and yes there is some sex scenes, but if you have a open mind and read the book for what it is, once you pick it up, you will not be able to put it down. I am a avid reader, and I have to say, this is a book I will recommend when someone wants a good read. The book will take you through a variety of emotions, have u shaking your head thinking..oh no he didn't...lol..but as you read on, you will shake your head and say, oh yes he did...lol...When I reached the end of the book, I was screaming, NOOOOOOOOOOOO..lol..Mr. Warren left it open for a second part, and I for one will be the first to buy it when it drops. I had the pleasure of meeting this author at a book signing in Baltimore, MD. (Eastpoint Mall) and I was telling people to buy the book. That is how good the book is. I will not give the plot or the storyline, but I will say this...BUY THE BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!..Mr. Warren, continued success on ur writing endeavors, you have a fan in me. Peace and Blessings

I really enjoyed this novel. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the novel for some odd reason, but as I began the story I was quickly pulled in and highly impressed. This was definitely a page turner and the sex scenes were really hot. The plot of the story really shows you what can happen when you open the door to the unknown. In this case, curiosity didn't kill the cat, the cat got turned out........LOL. I was surprised in several places in this story with the turns of how things were connected. Mr. Warren led me on an adventurous journey.

This is an awesome book. Mike Warren's writing is such that you can picture, very easily what is going on, making you feel a part of the story. I hated to put the book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. The development of Sean, the main character, was fantastic. I can't wait until the sequel to see how Sean accepts the reality and goes on with his life.

A Private Affair is an excellent read...some female readers should be very clear that this not a boring Military Book by looking at the cover. It's very intense and for all the brothas out there who are wondering about their sexuality, this book could make you think...it's definitely a page turner.

I really liked the parts where Sean was having thoughts (written in italics) to himself that was very funny! I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel, although it could stand on its own and the readers use their imagination as to the outcome.

I thought Mike used his talents well all through out the book. The scenes were so real that you can picture them in your mind. I like the hints of mystery and deception...the sex scenes were evenly played out and fits the plot of the book.

Mike, I look forward to reading more of your work and I will spread the word of this book in the Detroit Area! Just remember us when you have your next signing :)

If you ever needed a reason why the military would enforce a rule such as "don't ask, don't tell", then you definitely need to read, Author, Mike Warren's latest, too hot to hold book, "A Private Affair". We do have to warn that this book will leave you turned on and turned out.

After graduating from 16 weeks of military training, Private Sean Matthews tackles a long awaited opportunity of being a family man to his son Khalil and wife, Venus, when he is permanently stationed at a base in Ft. Meade, Maryland, twenty minutes from his hometown of Baltimore. Things seem to be going smooth at first when Sean's life takes a drastic turn when he unexpectedly befriends his flamboyant, sexy, and flirtatious gay roommate, Cameron, who also has a die-hard crush on him, which he does not hide.

Though Sean is a little hesitant at having anything to do with a person like Cameron, they soon start to develop a special brotherly bond as they get to know each other. This finally sets the stage for Sean's curiosity to kick in when Cameron takes him out to a gay club and introduces him to his world and see how the other team plays. Unfortunately, Sean is definitely convinced he is strictly for the "ladies" after an experience with a man goes sour.

In a weird twist of fate, Sean surprisingly finds himself sexually drawn to Cameron's abusive, yet charming ex, Dule Thomas, who is also married. Things really start heating up when Sean finds himself manipulated into a seductive, sexual encounter, orchestrated by Thomas, which ignites many more private affairs to come. Sean and Thomas' intense affair soon develops on a dangerous level as they become like crack-heads, looking for their next hit, not caring when and where they do it; whether it's at the base where the rest of their comrades were stationed or during a party where they were right under both of their wives nose's.

Unfortunately, when rumors about Sean's sexuality start to surface by a mysterious person, it threatens to put both his marriage and career in jeopardy. As Sean undergoes an embarrassing investigation by the military and tries to salvage what he still has with his wife, who is already suspicious, he comes to another realization: he has fallen in love. Now Sean finds himself left with a few burning questions that must be answered in order to completely make sense of his own dangerous lifestyle: "How could I let this happen?", "Who is trying to sabotage my life?", and "Am I really gay, even though I don't feel gay?"

We absolutely loved Mike Warren's raw and no-holds barred story of a sex-crazed, down low married man struggling with his sexuality and the pressure and challenges he faces as an officer of the military. Mike Warren makes sure he leaves no dull moment as you turn every page. In-fact, he delivers such very descriptive and explicit storytelling, that almost every chapter makes you feel as if you just personally experienced a sexual encounter with the characters as well. As answers are slowly revealed it only leads to bigger questions, leaving the story at such a perfect cliffhanger, you truly hope it's not the end, but just the beginning of yet another private affair.