Body and Blood [Hardcover]

Came to this one a bit late, because I was wary of the author's reputation as writing mostly "gay vampire" novels (Excellent ones, I am told, but not one of my interests). The title suggested that this might be another in that genre, and I didn't find out otherwise until I stumbled upon an earlier review of the book, and decided to add it to my reading list.

After over 20 years in the priesthood, Father Chris Sieb is a respected administrator and spiritual director of a diocesan retreat house in Kansas City, which ironically was previously a seminary school in which he first pursued his vocation to the priesthood as a teenager. When Chris hears the name of Father Jack Canston, who is transferring from out of state to take over a nearby parrish, his thoughts go back to those days, when the two young men were inseparable. In fact, Jack was Chris' first and only male lover, and, although he respected his vows and led a celebate life since, he never really stopped loving him.

But "Father Jack" has some other problems, which quickly become evident to his friend. He becomes unnerved when, jogging near the school, they come across a dog who had been hit by a car, and Chris later learns that Jack had been in a mental hospital for treatment at his previous assignment, which was the primary reason for the relocation. Then there is the matter of a young attractive man whom sought out Jack for "sprirtual guidance" but Chris feels strongly that they are in a sexual relationship as well. When the diocese reacts to the suicide of another cleric reported to have been gay, and announces a "zero tolerance" policy on homosexual priests, both of them struggle with their mutual desire to be together being in conflict with their vocation, with Chris alone feeling that he could not deal with the order's version of "Don't ask, don't tell" if he truly wanted to be happy.

Not really a "mystery" in its purest sense, this is more a story about a man coming to terms with what he really wants to do with the rest of his life, and whether he can trust the person he is willing to risk everything in order to share that life with. The novel is nicely paced, with just enough surprises to make it a bit of a page-turner. And the author makes a forceful commentary on the Catholic Church's knee-jerk reaction to charges of pedophile priests, making its gay priests the scapegoat with justification or any logic. Interesting read, five stars out of five.

When they were sixteen years old seminary students Chris Sieb struggled to hide his attraction to Jack Canston. He succeeded as no one knew how much he wanted to give up his body to Jack instead of the Lord.

For the next twenty-five years Father Chris Sieb hides in the closet his gay feelings as he never acts on them. Currently Chris lives in Kansas City where he successfully runs the St. John's Diocesan Center. However, Father Jack Canston has come to see him. Both feel the incredible attraction that makes Chris wonder whether he needs to give up his priesthood as in his heart (and loins) he fails the Christ. Both are stunned by the recent suicide of Father Eddie Gerhardt, who killed himself over his guilt closeted homosexual feelings that made him believe he was not pure for the Christ. Now Chris and Jack must confront what Eddie refused to face, can a gay preferential individual be a good Christian priest especially of they adhere to the celibacy vow?

Leaving his vampires behind, Michael Schiefelbein provides a powerful character study that digs deep into human psyche with the conflict between personal needs and desires vs. religious beliefs. As the suicide of Father Gerhardt affirms these are not necessarily compatible. Chris and jack struggle with their sexual preference, which is a double sin as their celibacy vow is under assault and being gay in their minds makes it even more of a transgression. BODY AND BLOOD is a superb look into faith when the human desires are in conflict with the heavenly requirements.

Harriet Klausner

Sorry, Folks.......but I just can't join the others on this page in the "5-STAR Gang" and rooting section. Therefore, in addition to the minimum 1-STAR required (and awarded) by Amazon.com to enable submission of reviews, I personally can add only a second STAR---this because I did finish the book (unlike any number of others I've purchased) and in view of the, for the most part, correct grammar usage and good syntax. Further, editing work is better than that of a number of other houses publishing this genre.

((Here is my approach to obtaining / reading / reviewing Gay romance tales in book form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre---or looking for the "Addictive Read"). Selection of read materials is based mainly on purchase of new stories by favorite authors or on comments / reviews by you in these online "Book" pages. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my shelves), other times mislead---occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," a few of which are listed / linked at the end of some of my older reviews. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))

Moving on to a couple of specific impressions concerning this novel:

- To me, at best this is soap opera script writing and little else. I would probably find it easy to come up with what, at worst, it might be called.

- For a central character, we are given the most wishy-washy and on-again / off-again individual I've run across in ages (at least with regard to his "main man" relationship). If this character (a gay priest) is to be considered capable of leading / guiding others, whether they be parishioner members of the flock, or even acquaintances outside the church, it's beyond my ability to see how that could be done by such an, essentially, weak man. To me, this was by far the most negative aspect of the plot.

- I speculate (only) that there is intended to be something of a "whodunnit" aspect to this story. But, for me, that was not attention grabbing in any way. Perhaps you mystery buffs out there will discern more in this regard.

Lastly, in light of my above described approach to reading / reviewing, this buyer-reader deems the novel a "Throwaway." It will not be taking up space on my shelves.

****

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews  4.4 out of 5 stars