Insignificant Others
By Stephen McCauley
(Simon & Schuster, June 2010, $25 hardcover)
5 Stars

A psychologist by training, but employed in human resources for a youth-oriented Boston software company, Richard Rossi is well aware of the frequent contradictions in the workplace between appearances and reality. These include “playing” the rules rather than following them to the letter and of embracing selfishness — to some extent — as a means of survival.

These qualities are also a part of his personal life. Entering his 50s, he’s stagnating in a long-term relationship with Conrad, a fastidious design consultant who travels a lot on business. This provides ample opportunity for Richard to get together with Benjamin, a closeted married man he has been seeing for some time.

This “best of both worlds” proves to be far less, when Richard starts to fall in love with Benjamin, and also learns that Conrad has someone in Ohio, who has asked him to move to be with him. At the same time, Richard’s security at work is threatened by impending cutbacks, which gives him second thoughts about everything in his life.

I’ve enjoyed all of author Stephen McCauley’s previous books (which include Alternatives to Sex, True Enough and The Object of My Affection), and this one has his trademark wit, along with an insightful and realistic character-driven story. Though some may perceive it as a bit negative, I see it as a good take on the “understandings” many of us use to define our relationships, since they generally lack legal boundaries or rules.

Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell
By Kage Alan
(Zumaya Boundless, July 2010, $15.99 softcover)
5 Stars

Imagine the old secret agent satire Get Smart ... only Smart and Agent 99 are a 20-something gay couple, on a mission of national importance, but are constantly bickering and trading put-downs. The other difference: the writing is a lot better than either the old TV show or the film.

The main characters are Anthony Hamilton, a Chinese-American computer genius with a passion for truth, justice and the latest fashions, and Nicholas Inker, an outgoing and resourceful fighter who loves his partner, but can’t resist taking him down a peg or two. They are sent to a remote island to infiltrate an S&M-lite sex resort frequented by rich, powerful men being served by specially trained “assistants.” Anthony is given a cover as a wealthy IT consultant on holiday, while Nicholas poses as one of the “assistants” in training. Their mission is to find the resort’s connection to The League, a powerful international terrorist organization, and to learn that organization’s ultimate plans. Along the way, they’ll do battle with a host of international bad guys, surviving solely by their resourcefulness and some backup from Debora, their agency “handler.”

Author Kage Alan provides one of the most hysterical, creative and “over the top” novels I have read, creating outrageous but relatable characters whom I hope to see in future sequels. These two are a force for national security, and lots of laugh-out-loud moments in this breezy light read.

I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher’s Journey Through Gospel Music, Disco Stardom, and a Ministry in Christ
By Archbishop Carl Bean with David Ritz
(Simon & Schuster, June 2010, $24 hardcover)
4 Stars

Born into a life of poverty and abuse in Baltimore, Carl Bean managed to glean positive forces within his life and Christian faith. He eventually went off to New York City, as an openly-gay 16-year-old with a dream of becoming a famous gospel singer.

After years of ups and downs in the music industry, being cheated by those he trusted but who were jealous of his talent, Bean had a Motown disco hit, “I Was Born This Way,” a gay anthem that caught on like wildfire. Bean turned down a lucrative contract to sing “mainstream” ballads (i.e., heterosexual love songs), eventually finding his calling to the ministry during the height of the AIDS crisis in Los Angeles. He founded the Unity Fellowship, the first area ministry that specifically had an outreach to minority individuals with AIDS, and which still exists with churches in several cities.

This is a memoir filled with seemingly insurmountable problems in Bean’s life, which he handles with great faith — not necessarily just faith in God, but faith in good people to help a fellow man. It’s an uplifting, spirited story of an extraordinary individual who found his calling and personal fulfillment. It’s especially recommended for fans of gospel or early R&B singers, many of whom are an integral part of the story.