Diverse Reader’s review of Vespertine:
“I love Leta Blake’s work so hard. This was the first time I read any of Indra Vaughn’s. ( I will be rectifying that now)
Now, I was skeptical at first when I read the blurb. Scared even. A priest. a rocker. long ago lovers. As a Christian I feared it would be insulting. I also feared it would be preachy. I’m sure some of you feel or felt the same way. I’m here to tell you it is none of those things.
Leta and Indra were so respectful.
Nicky and Jazz. Were there ever two men who loved more than these two did each other? I doubt it. A love that was like walking through a battlefield. Each hit hurt, each hit scarred. Each scar, a memory. Time was killer for them. Only when they reunite after Nicky not only hit rock bottom but crashed straight through to Hell’s bedrock do we see their story. A story of long ago crashing into the present.
This is a friends to lovers back to friends back to lovers story LOL. This is a tale of strength, courage, trust, healing, and loyalty. God does work in mysterious ways. His answers aren’t always clear and through Jazz we get such a crystal clear view of the struggle of choosing a path. One forever or the right forever.
Nicky and Jazz. Badger and fox. two sides of the same coin. One a saint one a sinner. And yet for them to be together makes so much sense.
This is a stunning story.”
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
