Stranger In Translation
Charles Raines
Self Published
May 5, 2007
92 pages
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
purchased for personal collection
RBM’s Disclaimer
5/5 Books

An opinionated young linguist signs a six month contract to translate a ‘Bestseller’ from English into French, on the condition that he can do the job in France. He has nothing but contempt for the book’s author, hates the dull, routine work he has to do, and despises the banality of his own life. Something is missing. Hesitant and frustrated, his ambivalent sexual desires are untapped, but always bubbling below the surface. Feeling like an outsider, the only way to cope is to find a distraction, try to blend in, and strive to fully embrace the French way of life.

The local cemetery offers shelter and serenity, and the backstreets of Marseilles offer danger and excitement. Balancing the two, he meets a succession of men and has a series of erotic encounters which gradually mould him into exactly the man he secretly always wanted to be.

About The Author:
Charles Raines is the pseudonym for popular mystery/romance writer R.S.Charles. This nom de plume is used as an alternative to distinguish between the genres he writes and is specifically for m/m erotic romance.

Connect With The Author:
Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review:
Charles Raines has a new forever fan in me! I had a hard time choosing between his books, as I wanted them all right then and there. They all sounding good, but this particular book really called to me. Not only was it a m/m story (I have a weakness for them when they are written properly), it was a story with completely unique in plot line. An Englishman in France, translating a novel, and seemingly “out of place”. When I sat down and opened the story, I was completely blown away by the both Mr. Raines’ writing as well as the characters and story itself. Now, I have to be honest here. I don’t always like a story written in the first person. It can get a little boring sometimes. But, Mr. Raines did a wonderful job. The first person point of view in this story is vibrantly done, and really captured me.

The narrator takes the reader on his journey of fitting in. He’s an Englishman whose in France to translate a novel, and is also hired as a tutor to teach a young man English. But, he’s gay. He’s fighting his sexual needs. Finally giving in, he finds himself having sordid affairs, all with different strangers, to satisfy his urges. When he’s sitting a in cemetery just to find his peaceful escape, he meets someone who really opens his eyes to something more than lustful feelings and quick releases.

As the narrator gets to know this person, however, and the hopes and wishes of a true romance between the two men get stronger, does he really know this person? Is he truly more than a just another stranger in the night that he has a passionate attraction to? Or is there more behind the man he’s coming to know and fall for?

I don’t like the overly sappy, often neediness in a m/m romance…it’s a big turn off when the books are written like because I like the deeper meaning, the self discovery, the mind blowing passion that men can share. Mr. Raines’ story is most definitely not that of a sappy romance! The deep passion that Mr. Raines’ incorporates into the heart of the story is amazing. Each sexual affair between the men is vividly done, and you can feel the needs and heat as if you were right there next to them. The backdrop of the story is created perfectly, taking the reader to the center of an exotic-feeling place. Each page turn brought me closer to the main character, and by the end of the story, I was not ready to say goodbye. This 92 page book was the perfect weekend escape and definitely worth more than a 5 Book rating!  Capturing the essence of life as a gay man and turning it into a fantastic read is remarkably done! I want to see more books like this from this amazingly talented author and I am so pleased that I jump on the chance to grab this book. Well done, Mr. Raines!