Falling Into Me

I once heard that everything a writer does, reflects who the real person is in one way or another. Because I have now had the extreme pleasure of reading two books by Michael Holloway Perronne, and taking the journey of Mason and Joey, it is obvious that Mr. Perronne is himself an exceptional human being. The style of writing and the storyline in both books reflects a life that is well lived, full of dreams, and all tied together with a string made of romance, compassion, and caring about the all to infrequent quality of being good people. Few writers capture what is truly inside our hearts and give us the chance to step back and realize that our dreams can come true. A job well done Mr. Perronne, and thank you for touching this life. You truly are a gift to us all, and again thank you for a book well worth reading.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/07) "Falling Into Me" follows "A Time Before Me." Having enjoyed the first book so much, I could not wait to get into the second one. The characters in both stories are so well developed that they have a family kind of feel to them and it is a pleasure to be able to "visit with them" again. I was not disappointed. "Falling Into Me" stands well upon its own, so you do not have to read the other one first, but both stories are so good, you will want to. This story takes place over ten years after the first one ended. Mason has now moved to San Francisco and is enjoying a good life and relationship there. When his old friend from high school, Billy Harris, shows up he manages to stir things up for Mason. Mason finally seems to have gotten over his crush on Billy; however, he has to learn a hard lesson about what kind of friend Billy really is. Mason's eyes are opened right before he takes a trip to New Orleans for his Aunt Savannah's wedding. His relationship with his boyfriend ends abruptly and Mason takes his best friend Katie to New Orleans with him instead of his ex. While he is there, he re-encounters Joey who was really his first love. Mason has a chance to make amends, and when a family tragedy strikes, it brings them even closer. "Falling Into Me" is a great book to curl up with and enjoy a good read. I just wish that it had been longer. There are some valuable points about growing up and relationships that are made in this story which could apply to all of our lives, no matter what our ethnic background or sexual orientation is. This is really a great story. I hope that there will be another one to follow!

Perronne, Michael Holloway. "Falling into Me". Chances Press, 2007 Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? Amos Lassen and Literary Pride Some of you may remember that I reviewed a book called "A Time Before Me" by Michael Perronne which was about Mason and Joey and was set pretty much in New Orleans. Michael Perronne has written a sequel to it called "Falling Into Me" which takes up the story of Mason Hamilton when he turns the big 30 and when he feels he has reached a great place in his life. He is successful in his photography career in San Francisco, he has a great group of friends and he is in live with his boyfriend who shares his home and his life. But there is a fly in the ointment. When it seems that things can't get any better, everything starts to fall apart. His old friend from high school--the boy he once had a crush on--Billy comes to visit and suddenly what was so good turns unbelievably bad. Losing his sense of direction and feel depressed, Mason goes back to New Orleans, to the French Quarter. His Aunt Savannah s getting married and while there he finds his old friends and his family and in the process begins t fid himself. He has a chance to start over again with the guy he has never forgotten, Joey and while attempting to find the love he so desires he question the possibility of finding again what he once lost. As a former New Orleanian, I can tell you that Perronne knows what he is writing about. He captures the essence of the decadence the town he, himself, once called home. His depiction of the Big Easy is true to every detail and his tender prose and artful characterization makes me remember what it is to miss New Orleans. (He also dedicates the book to "those impacted by Hurricane Katrina".) His love for the city permeates his writing. His southern voice rings like a bell through the pages of his work When "A Time Before Me" ended, I felt it cried out for a sequel--not that it did not stand on its own--it certainly did. Yet I was left wondering what would happen as Mason matured and would of all of his unfulfilled dreams. We no longer have to worry---the story is there and it is beautiful. I personally have to thank Michael Perronne for not one book but two books about one of what was and I hope will be again America's most exciting cities. Even though I am not going back to the city I love so much, Perronne has given me fuel to add to the beautiful memories I have of the place. He has also incorporated a beautiful story. Keep your eyes on Michael Holloway Perronne. I hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful career as a writer who has something new and wonderful to say.

Perronne, Michael Holloway. "Falling into Me". Chances Press, 2007 Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? Amos Lassen and Literary Pride Some of you may remember that I reviewed a book called "A Time Before Me" by Michael Perronne which was about Mason and Joey and was set pretty much in New Orleans. Michael Perronne has written a sequel to it called "Falling Into Me" which takes up the story of Mason Hamilton when he turns the big 30 and when he feels he has reached a great place in his life. He is successful in his photography career in San Francisco, he has a great group of friends and he is in live with his boyfriend who shares his home and his life. But there is a fly in the ointment. When it seems that things can't get any better, everything starts to fall apart. His old friend from high school--the boy he once had a crush on--Billy comes to visit and suddenly what was so good turns unbelievably bad. Losing his sense of direction and feel depressed, Mason goes back to New Orleans, to the French Quarter. His Aunt Savannah s getting married and while there he finds his old friends and his family and in the process begins t fid himself. He has a chance to start over again with the guy he has never forgotten, Joey and while attempting to find the love he so desires he question the possibility of finding again what he once lost. As a former New Orleanian, I can tell you that Perronne knows what he is writing about. He captures the essence of the decadence the town he, himself, once called home. His depiction of the Big Easy is true to every detail and his tender prose and artful characterization makes me remember what it is to miss New Orleans. (He also dedicates the book to "those impacted by Hurricane Katrina".) His love for the city permeates his writing. His southern voice rings like a bell through the pages of his work When "A Time Before Me" ended, I felt it cried out for a sequel--not that it did not stand on its own--it certainly did. Yet I was left wondering what would happen as Mason matured and would of all of his unfulfilled dreams. We no longer have to worry---the story is there and it is beautiful. I personally have to thank Michael Perronne for not one book but two books about one of what was and I hope will be again America's most exciting cities. Even though I am not going back to the city I love so much, Perronne has given me fuel to add to the beautiful memories I have of the place. He has also incorporated a beautiful story. Keep your eyes on Michael Holloway Perronne. I hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful career as a writer who has something new and wonderful to say

FALLING INTO ME picks up twelve years after its predecessor: A TIME BEFORE ME. In the further adventures of Mason Hamilton, our protagonist seems to have everything in his life in place...until he comes home one day to discover that everything's not as perfect as he thought. It's a well-told story about reconnecting with the past...and it's a touching love story, as well, as Mason reconnects with his old flame, Joey. It's a smooth read, and although it's a sequel to A TIME BEFORE ME, readers don't necessarily have to read this first book. Definitely a recommended read!