Sunday, March 29, 2020

REVIEW: The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer



The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer

Publisher:

Shine Even If

Release Date:

March 31, 2020

Length (Print & Ebook):

Print: 388 pages

Subgenre:

Contemporary gay romance

Pre-order now:

OUR REVIEW:

An author I follow and respect has been raving about Alice Archer for a while now so when I had the to opportunity to read her latest novel, The Infinite Onion, I didn't hesitate to read it. I'm so glad I did. This novel is the sort of absorbing meditation on loss, hurt, grief, nature, and love that took me away from my current worries and left me hoping and content by the end of my reading.

From the synopsis you can see that one character, Grant, finds himself in the unenviable position of no job and no home and a whole lot time to consider what he'll do next. Oliver, the other main character in this novel, has every comfort imaginable but isn't really living a life that would allow him to reach its fullest potential. In the unlikeliest way, they find each other and lots of interesting things happen that make me love these two sometimes disgruntled, sometimes snarky and prickly men. Let's dig into them a little bit more, shall we?

Grant was at times a petulant frustrating mess but the more I got to know him, the more I appreciated his journey. His love of nature, his ease with the kids, his desire to help and provide a space for people to figure things out were just some of the things that I found to be endearing. Many people in his position might not have taken on the challenges that Oliver provided and really dig into them, but he did and it just made his ending so so so good.  And Oliver? Oliver was a quirky, sometimes controlling, somewhat privileged mess who had so many more layers than I initially suspected. His journey was equally interesting and enjoyable to read. His artistry made me want to make my own art (too bad my talent leveled out at 1st grade) and deep dive into all the artsy things I have. His huge heart and desire to help those around him made him a perfect match for Grant. These two and their antagonistic natures were such a treat to read.

Needless to say, you can count me in as a new fan of Alice Archer. I'm eager to read her debut novel and am crossing my fingers that one day she'll write a short update on Grant and Oliver because I can't seem to stop thinking about them!


Book synopsis:

The truth is harder to hide when someone sharp starts poking around.
Grant Eastbrook hit the ground crawling after his wife kicked him out. Six months later, in Seattle without a job or a place to live, he escapes to the woods of nearby Vashon Island to consider his options. When he’s found sleeping outdoors by a cheerful man who seems bent on irritating him to death, Grant’s plans to resuscitate his life take a peculiar turn.
Oliver Rossi knows how to keep his fears at bay. He’s had years of practice. As a local eccentric and artist, he works from his funky home in the deep woods, where he thinks he has everything he needs. Then he rescues an angry man from a rainy ditch and discovers a present worth fighting the past for.
Amid the buzz of high summer, unwelcome attraction blooms on a playing field of barbs, defenses, and secrets.

Praise for The Infinite Onion:

I loved this book! - Christa Désir, Award-Winning Author
There are writers whose prose is so vivid and so emotionally resonant, that you might briefly forget you’re reading a work of fiction, and while Alice Archer has already proven that her hand is as elegant as it is masterful, her newest novel continues to show real insight into the human soul. - Natasha is a Book Junkie
The Infinite Onion was a powerful and relevant story which touched our hearts immensely. - Totally Booked Blog
I loved this book! This is a brilliant story. So fulfilling. I laughed and cried. I kept sneaking away to read another chapter. I loved the atmosphere and artistry of the characters and the setting. This is exactly the sort of romance novel I look for. The Infinite Onion is the real deal--deep and deeply satisfying. - Kelly Jensen, Award-Winning Author

Teaser Excerpt:

GRANT
Grocery bags thumping against my calves, I’d trudged half a mile down Southwest Bank Road before I got a ride from the young guy, who took me all the way to Mitch’s driveway.
“Best of luck,” he said before he drove off.
Finally. Silence.
Well, not exactly silence. Birds twittered. A breeze sang through the hemlock and pine trees. My feet crunched on the gravel.
It was a long driveway.
My shoulders hurt from all the hauling. I prayed the cabin had a bathtub. A soak and a meal would go a long way toward rebooting my brain. I’d spend what remained of the afternoon in contemplation of my situation. If my crap cell phone could pick up a signal, and if I had enough credit left on my pay-as-you-go phone plan, I’d start a job search. I didn’t expect it to take long to find a new job. All I required was The Zone and enough money to keep my ass out of a homeless shelter. On the other hand, I was a thirty-eight-year-old underachiever who’d been suspended from a menial job and then quit, so maybe the ship of employability had sailed without me.

About Alice Archer:

Alice has questions. Lots of questions. Scheming to put fictional characters through the muck so they can get to a better place helps her heal and find answers. She shares her stories with the hope that others might find some healing too. For decades, Alice has messed about with words professionally, as an editor and writing coach. She also travels a bunch. Her home base is Eugene, Oregon.
Connect with Alice:

Giveaway:

Join us to celebrate the release of THE INFINITE ONION by Alice Archer with this special giveaway. 3 prizes: 1 e-copy of critically acclaimed EVERYDAY HISTORY; 1 e-copy of THE INFINITE ONION; 1 grand prize of a paperback copy of THE INFINITE ONION.
Must be 18 to enter and win. Physical prizes mailed only with the USA; international winners will receive e-copy.

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