I enjoyed this fairly well executed story a lot but my mind kept going back to T. Baggins fabulous book Protection. The parallels between the two are many. That said, this story is still well worth reading. The story is spread over the eight months that Anderson has left to his sentence and paces itself well. The story has its "wtf?" moments that better editing would have taken care of but all in all it read smoothly. I enjoyed the character Lem and the man of integrity he was. He played the game but never let the system tear him down. Anderson was wishy-washy to my not in his lack of love for Lem but by his attitude in general. The gift of the bonsai brought a tear to my eye as that tree was the sum of Lem's being. Oddly, I really don't care why Lem killed his brother but I imagine that there was rape involved. I'm looking forward to the next book in this prison series. ( )

Goodreads lost my review so I am trying to recreate it. Sorry.

I have to admit I love Brandon Shire. He is a gifted writer.
Cold was an emotional read for me. I knew going in it would be difficult at times for me to read. No, not because I am a straight momma/granny. But because I have a child in prison.He will not be getting out in my lifetime. I know prison is a violent place. My son knows I do. However, much like Anderson, he tries to shield it from me. Because I love him I let him think he is doing that well. I have also grieved at his loss for a family of his own. What I loved most about this book was the hope it gave me. In my grieving I had not let in the possibility he could meet someone in there. So I would like to say thank you to Mr. Shire for showing me that.
Cold is realistic. Prison is not nice. It is not easy. But it is home to millions of people all over the world. There is a "normalcy" to be found inside. Relationships, (good and bad), work, time to watch tv, play games read or just stare at the ceiling, along with meals and showers are a part of life there. So is extreme violence and never having a real moment of privacy. Mr. Shire writes that entire world in. It is strange to think of normalcy when you speak of prison but when you are there for years, that is what it is. I appreciate the glimpse into the day to day where monotony rules with fear. The violence that we witness is heart-pounding real but not gratuitous. As hard as those scenes were to read they were a necessary part of the story.
The love story was interesting to me. The setting just does not scream romance. Romance, however, is what we get. At times it was sweet. Again though, Mr Shire kept it real. There are male with male sex scenes and it is clearly written. I did not feel at all uncomfortable reading it, (which has happened more than once in straight romance books). I believe it was because the sex was not just thrown out there for titillation. It was lovemaking, albeit in a strange place for me. I thought it beautiful.
Anderson is getting ready for release and so we meet his sister and his mom. Hearing Anderson's thoughts on his mom's visit was especially interesting to me. I am happy that was not left out. we get to know Anderson fairly well. Not so much Lem. It is Lem who intrigues me so much. Maybe it is the mystery. Maybe it is the long sentence or a combination of the two. I want to know more about him.
The story leaves off with Anderson being released and Lem thinking about parole. Happily there is another book coming, hopefully soon. I am looking forward to it.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautifully written romance that is realistic. As stated it has violence, language and sex, (male with male), so be aware of that. I really do hope that will not keep you away as it is a truly fascinating romance. Easily 5 stars.

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This is one of those stories that will live in your mind years after you've closed the book and moved on. This is what good fiction is all about. ( )

Entertaining. Worth a read, not keen on abrupt end. ( )

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Brandon Shire donates 10% of the proceeds from the sale of any of his books to:
Lost-n-Found Youth,Inc
http://www.lost-n-found.org/
and
GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services,Inc.
http://www.glbtays.org/

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About the only thing of beauty he had seen within these walls in a long, long time was Anderson, and like most others in his life, Anderson had looked at Lem like he was someone to fear.

When Brandon Shire said he wanted to write a character based prison story he was serious. I couldn’t believe how caught up I got in Lem and Anderson. The prison is there, no doubt, and, at least for Lem it’s not going anywhere. But the focus is on the internal dialog these two men have. The emphasis on who they are, their fears, their passions, their regrets and that’s what makes this book work.

If you’ve ever read Brandon Shire you know he connects you to the characters. This book proves his mastery of this skill.

THE CHARACTERS

All these new faces he would forget when he hit the door in eight months, every single one of them. He was sure of it.
Eight months. It was the only thing that ran through his brain. Eight months.

Anderson Passero - Although we only get to see Anderson in the last eight months of his incarceration you are able to see how he changes. Always wary of others because of his smaller size, he’s been living a nightmare where he trusts no one, keeps to himself and analyzes everything.

“You’ve spent almost twenty years behind bars, don’t you think it’s time you forgave yourself?”

Lem Porter - I don’t think I have ever wanted to reach out to a character more than I do with Lem. Days, weeks later I’m still thinking about him. A beautiful, unique human who lets his guilt rule him. How Mr. Shire created a murderer that I would trust with my children I don’t know.

He’s a smart, tender, gentle man who is one with the natural world. Locked within cement walls, he has given up on beauty. Lem’s nature will speak to you and reach you in ways only very memorable characters do. He truly touched me.

THE STORY

You need to know this isn’t about prison brutality or guard dominance, this is a beautiful love story in a prison setting. While there is a brutal act, it isn’t the focus. While there is heart-ache that had me crying for a full chapter, you shouldn’t be afraid to read this because of the setting.

I’ve said it before, I have a true fear of prison. This book made me want to stay inside.

THE WRITING

Brandon Shire uses this technique which counts down the time until Anderson is released. It is extremely effective in causing a certain tension. It plays with your head because you want Anderson out, but there’s not enough time, he's short. I know that doesn’t make sense, but that’s why its brilliant.

Shire’s writing feels perfectly paced. I didn’t find any lag. He weaves in enough questions to have us demanding another book, while completing everything he set out to accomplish. I think this author has found his stride here. There’s less poetry than in his previous books, but more solid story-telling. He drove this with perfect pacing, stellar characters and gripping emotions.

”It’s the god of vegetation and plant life, the Green Man. He symbolizes life and rebirth after the long hard winter and predates many religions,” Lem offered.
[…]
“So why do you have him on your back?” Anderson pressed him.
Lem held him for a moment before he answered. “Because when I looked out at a forest from the top of a ridge, I saw the cycle and beauty of life. It was something I used to believe in.”
“And you don’t now?”
[…]
“It’s a cycle I’m not a part of anymore,” Lem finally replied.
[…]
What about us, right here and now?” Anderson asked, […]
Lem cupped the side of his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “A false spring,” Lem answered, a sincere sadness in his eyes.

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I sincerely thank Brandon Shire for allowing me to beta-read this book and providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com

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