Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Line of duty

Bodyguard gets the unexpected in gay-themed mystery/thriller

Published

on

The Hardest Thing, James Lear, gay news, Washington Blade, books

‘The Hardest Thing’ book cover. (Image courtesy of Cleis Press)

‘The Hardest Thing’

By James Lear

Cleis Press

$15.95

264 pages

Once upon a time, you thought you were in love.

You could swear you heard violins when you met him. Your heart pounded and your palms got sweaty. Totally twitterpated, you couldn’t think about anything but him, all day, all the time.

And then you fought, he left, you cried and you wondered why love is a complicated mess. Or, as in the new book “The Hardest Thing” by James Lear, why does it have to be so deadly difficult?

He was angry, but not altogether surprised.

Dan Stagg, former major in the U.S. Marine Corps, former bouncer at an East Side club, former soldier in Iraq, was once more unemployed. He couldn’t control his temper again and it led to a bar fight, but nobody called Stagg a “faggot.”

Gay, yes. Queer, maybe — but not that.

Guys like Stagg, however — guys with nothing to lose who know how to get things done — don’t stay unemployed for long. Two days after the fight, a movie star-looking man showed up at Stagg’s door and made him quite an appealing offer.

A very wealthy individual who had “enemies” wanted Stagg to act as bodyguard to his secretary by taking the young man away, out of town and out of danger. There was a considerable amount of money involved for the service and absolute secrecy was of the utmost importance. But when introduced to the kid, Stagg immediately knew two things: Stirling McMahon was a spoiled brat and there was never any dictation involved for this “secretary.”

Still, a job was a job and Stagg intended to do what he’d been hired to do. He never intended, however, to sleep with McMahon, but he couldn’t resist. McMahon, who finally admitted that his name was really Jody Miller, was a delicious little thing with an equally delicious behind.

Stagg knew he was old enough to be Jody’s dad. He knew that professionalism was key in this whole job. He knew that there was danger, that somebody wanted Miller dead, that his life was on the line and that he shouldn’t take risks.

He knew that he was falling in love with Jody Miller.

On its own, “The Hardest Thing” is a first-class mystery/thriller. Major Dan Stagg is a hard-bitten character with a strong sense of duty and an even stronger sense of sarcasm that very much appealed to me. I could’ve read another 200 pages with Stagg in them.

But then author James Lear gives his readers excitement of a different sort: in between the mystery plot, you’ll find lengthy passes of erotica that give Stagg another level of personality and that give readers a little steam to read. What’s nice is that the explicit sex here isn’t gratuitous; it fits with the plot and with the character, which is a pleasant surprise in many ways.

This might make a nice change of pace for erotica fans and mystery lovers alike, so if you want a book that packs heat, grab this one. “The Hardest Thing” shouldn’t be hard to find.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

on

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

on

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Continue Reading

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

on

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

Continue Reading

Popular