Böcker av Vincent Traughber Meis

Nathan doesn't know how to stop dwelling on the failures and tragedies that have plagued him since the last time we saw him at the end of The Mayor of Oak Street, a twenty-one-year-old happily in the arms of the handsome young doctor he had pined for since he was twelve. Many years later, what could mend Nathan's heart after the latest tragedy and stop his deep dives into the past? After a chance meeting on the street with ER nurse, Mateo, a big chunk of Nathan's reminiscing is now devoted to that encounter. Will he seize the day or continue wallowing in the past, having lunch with his BFF, and writing poetry? He has traveled the globe and survived a disease that people once thought was a death sentence. There are moments with Mateo he is convinced that his whole life led him to this great love. At other times, he's ready to kill him. Mateo, for his part, must take care of his ailing mother while he works full time in the emergency room. The practical aspects of starting a new relationship are challenging. Above all, this novel is a story of healing and finding true love. "In this romantic and engaging novel, Meis presents an authentic story of an older man reflecting upon his past and facing an uncertain future. An emotionally honest love story featuring a tragic history and a new beginning."-Kirkus Reviews "The Long Journey to You is an in-depth portrait of an older man, whose age and past yield a rich panoply of experiences that are vividly described and artfully interwoven into the narrative. Meis' dialogue is fast and taut, heightening the growing excitement between Nathan and Mateo. While the novel is a love story about a spring/winter relationship, it also achieves a nuanced interiority that takes the reader inside a decades-long life."-Laury A. Egan, author of The Firefly, The Psychologist's Shadow & more "In The Long Journey to You, Meis takes a not-quite unlikable character, manages to redeem him, and convinces the reader to cheer him on to a hard-won chance at life-changing and affirming love. Meis is particularly skilled in adding dialogue that is unexpected, irreverent, and at times, hilarious. Readers who desire meaty character arcs, exotic locations, and a non-traditional romance will embrace this fever dream full of loss, love, and hope."-R.L. Merrill, author of A Peace Offering, Love Is All series & more "Vincent Meis beautifully conveys the depths of loss and heights of rebirth in this love story that will capture even the hardest of hearts."-Pat Henshaw, author of What's in a Name, Foothills Pride series & more "The Long Journey to You is a well-crafted novel that balances romance, personal growth, and historical context. It's a story that not only entertains but also enlightens, offering insights into the LGBTQ experience across different eras. The narrative's journey across the globe, coupled with Nathan's internal journey toward understanding and acceptance, makes for an engaging read. I am certainly looking forward to more works from Meis."-Literary Titan

A group of coastal Californians battle wildfires, racism, and their own demons in five distinct narratives set in late 2019 and 2020. First Born Sons is populated by a cast of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies who struggle to find love, comfort, and fulfillment. As the novel progresses, characters interact across the separate narratives and are brought together for a birthday and a disastrous Black Lives Matter demonstration. A man returning to the horrors that made him leave Mississippi, a blind gay man flirting with love, an FTM transgender starting hormone therapy, a woman struggling to protect her sons from her ex-husband's surge to right-wing politics, and a teenager with two gay dads searching for his Black surrogate mom paint a disturbing tableau of modern-day America.Praise for First Born Sons: "First Born Sons by Vincent Traughber Meis is an eye-opening, heartfelt story of the modern-day struggles of growing up in America. This book is easy to follow, with engaging scenes and lively characters that keep you turning the pages from one chapter to the next. I give it 5 out of 5 stars for creativity, remarkable story-telling, and the ability to tackle complex issues with a sense of resilience and strength throughout the book. This incredible story features vibrant characters and excellent development that keeps the reader invested in the story from beginning to end."-Literary Titan review Touching on subjects such as race, being trans, politics, pandemics, adoption, and more, First Born Sons is jam-packed with contemporary issues. And yet it never feels like too much. Meis gracefully weaves in and out of the narratives, writing with sensitivity and honesty about each subject. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single chapter of this book-and each narrative within it. It is impressive to say the least for an author to tackle such difficult subjects in such a complete and compelling way. He also manages to nail the time period, an ever-important task for such a monumental time in our shared lives. It's a relief that he handles it so well.-Independent Book Review"Vincent Meis's First Born Sons is at once a sprawling epic with a global scope and an intimate mosaic of stories, touching on important issues like race, gender, pandemics, and prejudice -- but never forgetting the humanity at their core. These are characters you'll want to know, and this is truly a novel for our times."- Eric Peterson, author of Loyalty, Love & Vermouth"Meis once again proves to be an assured chronicler of our times. Never one to shy away from humanity's darker impulses, this spellbinding story of love and immigration, civil unrest, and political polarity amidst lush, tropical locales is the perfect book for summer. A rip roaring ride!"- David Jackson Ambrose, author of Unlawful DISorder, A Blind Eye, and State of the Nation "I raced through the pages of First Born Sons, unable to put it down. Meis explores the traumatic events of 2020 through an engaging group of characters, whose personal lives are upended by events far away and close to home. This is an exciting work that deftly captures the tensions, anxieties, and hopes of our turbulent times."-Gar McVey-Russell, author of Sin Against the Race

In the 1960s, Midwestern boy and Boy Scout, Nathan delivers newspapers and mows lawns. Nathan uses his cover to move about yards and sneak into the homes of his neighbors, uncovering their secrets.In high school, one of the local misfits introduces him to diet pills, which help him overcome his shyness. In an amphetamine high, he meets Cindy, who he hopes will steer him along the "morally straight" path of the Boy Scout Oath he swore to.Nathan is infatuated with a young doctor down the street, Nicholas (Dr. B), who embodies all the things his mother would love him to be. On one of his secret forays in Dr. B's house, he hides in a closet and witnesses his idol having sex with man while the wife is out of town. Dr. B's affair leads to tragedy, forcing the doctor to leave town.At college in New Orleans, Nathan meets a group of rebels and expands his drug use. Marc, a bisexual Cajun charmer becomes Nathan's first male sexual experience, but promptly leaves town.Nathan has a chance encounter with Dr. B, who has moved to New Orleans. Dr. B is in a relationship, but still closeted. Frustrated by Dr. B's cool reaction, Nathan goes on a six-month binge of amphetamines and anonymous sex. On one night of debauchery, he overdoses and ends up in the emergency ward.Nathan's near death rallies Dr. B and Nathan's other friends to force him into rehab. On the way home from work, Nathan witnesses the gruesome aftermath of the 1973 Up Stairs Lounge fire that devastated the gay population of New Orleans. As a result of the fire, Dr. B's live-in boyfriend leaves town, freeing Dr. B to explore his feelings for Nathan.