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Wild Raspberries, my second solo novel, is now available from
Torquere Press as an e-book and a paperback. It's a contemporary m/m
romance and
it can be purchased here
 In House Review by Vincent Diamond Wild Raspberries by Jane Davitt, is a galloping good read, filled with well-drawn characters, deft writing, and a pair of lovers with their own pasts and present-day agendas. Davitt weaves Dan and Tyler's tale into a charming story that's filled with realism, conflict, and loving sexuality. When runaway Daniel Seaton stumbles onto Tyler Edward's property, the two start off badly when Tyler nearly shoots Daniel by accident. Tyler's history doesn't let him take to strangers lightly, and conflict heats up almost immediately after Daniel faints from hunger, and Tyler takes him home. When Tyler hurts himself badly enough to need medical attention, Dan chooses to stay with the older man and help out with chores. Davitt is a strong writer with quick, compelling dialogue; characters speak in sentence fragments and with a voice on the page that works for everyone: ""I've cracked my ribs before," Dan said, "and I didn't wear a T-shirt or anything that went on over my head for the first couple of days because it hurt too much getting them on and off." "Your point would be?" "You tried to take it off and you couldn't, could you?" There was a short sizzle of silence, and then Tyler took hold of the hem of his T-shirt in one hand and tugged it up level with his armpits, exposing a flat belly, a wide chest dusted lightly with dark hair, and some wide, white bandages." And she has a real talent for a well-turned phrase. When Tyler falls off the roof, it works gorgeously: "Tyler moved like a cat, sure-footed and fast, which made what happened next even more unfair. Dan watched Tyler's hand drag over something that glittered fiercely in the sunlight --glass? -- and called out a warning in the instant that Tyler grunted in pain and brought his hand up to his mouth. Blood welled and dripped from the ragged tear, but before the first scarlet drop hit the roof, Tyler was rolling, his balance lost, gravity sucking at him and calling him home." Unlike some romances, there are other people in the book, and their presence is seen and felt. Tyler's long-time friendship with Anne Collins, the small-town doctor, is refreshing, and serves later as a source of conflict for Dan and Tyler. The realism of having the characters' other relationship having impact on the main storyline is a lovely touch. There's more here than the traditional romance. Tyler's past eventually catches up to the lovers. When the two of them decide to make a run for it, the promise of the Pacific goads them into starting another journey, one that holds out the chance for a happier ending for these two men. Well worth the read; Wild Raspberries gives readers a similar experience to the fruit itself: something sweet and tart and bumpy all at once. Review by Lynn Loper I always beg to review Jane Davitt's work, and I haven't been disappointed yet. In 'Wild Raspberries' she takes two cliches (young runaway working his way across country to an uncertain destination; ex-Black-Ops guy hiding inside a bitter shell) and makes them work for her. Dan is hungry and scared when he stumbles across Tyler's secret raspberry garden. By the end of the book, Tyler and Dan are working their way into each other's hearts, and you believe it. Davitt makes no mistakes with these characters, and fills the rest of the story with enough details to make it swing. And the sex isn't the kind you can cover with a "Then they did sex'; it's part of the story, one of the nicer parts, which you can't always say about m/m erotica. Read 'Wild Raspberries' – heck, read anything she writes! Rainbow ReviewsThis book was completely awesome. Dan is running away from home and ends up in Tyler's garden. Being hungry he takes some raspberries. This starts the adventure of Dan and Tyler. Tyler's character seemed almost hermit like and cantankerous. He lived in a cabin by himself and pretty much stayed to him self. Enter Dan who seems to be carefree and a very social person. Tyler doesn't want to let Dan into his life because of his past and Dan is reluctant to be with Tyler at first because of his past Dan is a very infectious person I think. His carefree attitude is good for Tyler who seems to be a bit uptight. Tyler keeps Dan at arms length throughout the whole book until we find out the real reason he is keeping Dan at arms length. Dan finally breaks through Tyler's rough exterior and we find a true softy underneath all that rough. I like the fact that Dan never gave up hope in reaching out to Tyler and his persistence paid off. Kudos on this book. Review by blondie Review by Elisa RolleWhen I read a story like this, I always wonder if really in the world there are still places where a wandering boy can find shelter in an isolated cabin inhabited by a grumpy but gentle man, and be happy. Places where nature is still the Lady of all, and the nearer town is miles away, and so a mourning soul can find peace. Places where, if you want, you can live off little, harvesting almost all you need. This is the place told in Wild Raspberries, and it's a nice place. Dan is a runaway boy. Small town raised and too soon without the gentle touch of a mom, when his father found about him being gay, Dan runs away, not bearing the hard words of the man. This is a thing that Dan does a little too often, running away when there is an argument, instead of having the courage to stand his position. But Dan is young, barely twenty, and maybe he needs to grew a bit more. Avoiding greater trouble, but still not going out without scratches, Dan arrives near Tyler's cabin. Tyler is a scarred man, if not in body, in soul, and he searches solace in the loneliness of nature. But even if as a former soldier, he has done things that still haunt him, he is not a bad man, and seeing a boy in need not helping him is impossible. But at 34 years old, Tyler is convinced that he can avoid becoming involved with a too young man, For the first time Dan is around a man, a real man, who makes him feel good. There is no shame around Tyler, Dan can be bratty and free, he can flirt and play, and receive strokes and not slaps. Oh yes, Dan is a teaser, and with his teasing he forces Tyler to going out from his isolation. Even if both realize that, in normal circumstances, probably they are not made for each other, there in the isolated cabin, they are very good together. Tyler instills a bit of trust in Dan, drop by drop, and Dan gives back a bit of joy to Tyler. If only the outside world would not interfere. The story is sweet and romantic, and also in some points, funny. And then I have always had an inclination for the May / December relationship: there is something refreshing in a young man who can have a skilled hand to accompanying him step by step into the adulthood. And even if Tyler growls and snarls, he never bites (if not as foreplay...). Romance Junkies Dan is lost in the woods. He is all alone and he is starving. When he first decided to leave home he thought he had his trip all planned out. He had enough money to last until he got to Canada and he would simply hitchhike his way. Now he is still a long way from his goal with just a few dollars in his pocket. He is feeling sick and dirty from performing the sexual act the last trucker demanded in payment for his ride. Things seem completely hopeless until he comes across a patch of wild raspberries. When Tyler finds a young man stealing his raspberries he almost shoots him, only the boy’s stillness saving him. Tyler isn’t a people person and he has good reasons for being alone so he doesn’t hesitate to send the boy on his way. However, when Dan faints from hunger and exhaustion Tyler has no choice but to bring him home. WILD RASPBERRIES by Jane Davitt is an interesting read. This novel is not at all what I expected but the surprises increased my enjoyment of the story. Both of these characters have suffered a lot in their lives and I admired their strength and persistence. The way that Dan and Tyler find what they need in each other is lovely. I would really like to spend more time with these two heroes so I hope there will be a sequel. Reviewed by Christina Return to Home Click here if you'd like to send feedback |