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Amos Lassen wrote on 09/05/2011:

“The House of Wolves” is a masculine read and is triggered by masculine smells. Set in the Pacific Northwest, we feel the manly touch immediately as Robert McDiarmid brings together the romantic, the erotic and the spiritual into one of the most purely masculine reads that I have sat down with. Yet there is also the element of gay life that is sexy, strong and filled with manly compassion. I felt that I could smell the men from the moment I began to read and I could also smell the outdoors and to me this is very special in that the author could make his descriptions so real that we feel we are actually there.

Roy Wallace and David Moreau have begun a loving relationship together and Roy takes David to the House of Wolves, a gay community of men who are guided by the principles of honor, compassion, friendship, spirituality, brotherhood and desire. They share a house and each of them represents a “totem from the spirit world”. Each man has a commitment to find a “unique path in life”. This sounds like the ideal community and Roy is ready to become a part of it

The original founder of the house has been lost to AIDS and since then the house has been tottering. He is introduced in dream sequences. The men came together because of faith and the wonderful leadership that is no longer there and they now realize that to get back to where they once were will require sacrifice as well as the strength and the will to do so.

Roy gains strength from his new relationship with David and he is ready to take the final steps to gain brotherhood in the house. It will be necessary for all of the men to not only face their fears but they must also face what they believe, their faith if they want the brotherhood to succeed and as we read we learn of the traditions and rituals that go along with the union.

What is so important about this book, at least for me, is that is shows spirituality. Many of us do not think of spirituality as being a part of gay life since so often it is overruled by those who are hedonistic. The brotherhood of the wolves is an ideal and we hope that they will be able to once again reach that point.

The story pulls you in immediately as we read a novel about relationships between intriguing and unforgettable characters. They are drawn together through legends and companionship and if you know nothing about Native American culture, this is a good place to start reading about it. The author’s language and style are so pure and sublime that you will find yourself wanting to know more. The description of Washington State is so vivid that I found myself having to look up from the pages to make sure I really was in Arkansas. There is a lot of information about Native American culture and spirituality and custom. I could not help wonder what it would be like to be a member of the House of Wolves among men who actually believe in the ideals of honor, companionship and spirituality and are beautiful emotionally.

I do not know when the book will be released but it is coming from Bare Bones so keep your eyes open for it but until then you can listen to and watch the author read from it at:

http://www.robertmcdiarmid.com/book.htm