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The Dusk Parlor
Former soldier Hugh Harris is a “hāfu”—half-Japanese, half-American—and, after his father’s death, he returns to Kobe, Japan, in order to connect with his mother and her family. Confused and feeling out of place, Hugh finds work as a waiter at an upscale nightclub. The other employees, an odd and eclectic bunch, quickly make him feel at home, especially the bartender, Ren, and the club host, Kaito.
But the tranquility doesn’t last forever. As Hugh gets deeper into his relationships with both men, he finds they may have dubious connections with the yakuza in town… and when the local street leaders send their enforcers to the Dusk Parlor, Hugh, Ren, and Kaito may be in for a storm of trouble.
World of Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.
But the tranquility doesn’t last forever. As Hugh gets deeper into his relationships with both men, he finds they may have dubious connections with the yakuza in town… and when the local street leaders send their enforcers to the Dusk Parlor, Hugh, Ren, and Kaito may be in for a storm of trouble.
World of Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.
- GenresM M Romance
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2017
20 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Stovall
12 books49 followersS.A. Stovall grew up in California’s central valley with a single mother and little brother. Despite no one in her family having a degree higher than a GED, she put herself through college (earning a BA in History), and then continued on to law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate.
As a child, Stovall’s favorite novel was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before—and it was the moment Stovall realized that story telling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, be it a movie, book, video game or comic, she had to experience. Now, as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world, and she hopes you enjoy.
You can contact her at the following addresses.
Twitter: @GameOverStation
E-mail: s.adelle.s@gmail.com
As a child, Stovall’s favorite novel was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before—and it was the moment Stovall realized that story telling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, be it a movie, book, video game or comic, she had to experience. Now, as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world, and she hopes you enjoy.
You can contact her at the following addresses.
Twitter: @GameOverStation
E-mail: s.adelle.s@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 21, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I was excited to pick up this book, as it takes place in Japan. So let me start with that. I have some mixed feelings on how well the book succeeded in showing the culture and life of Japan. At times, there were clear indications about the differences, especially with Kaito’s exacting standards about proper Japanese culture. But at the same time, the club is hosting an American themed month and the story is told entirely from Hugh’s first person POV, so things are colored by his perception. For me, it didn’t always work at “feeling” like Japan, but I thought the author did a good job overall of portraying some cultural aspects.
I enjoyed Hugh as a character, his big heart, his frustrations, and his loyalty. He was a great narrartor. However, there were times where I just didn’t understand the why of things. For example, when he first goes to the Dusk Parlor, he thinks about how he doesn’t fit in. But several paragraphs later, he says he feels comfortable there. He’s attracted to Ren, but I didn’t fully feel that was an adequate reason for going back and getting a job there. In fact, I’m not entirely sure why he decided to move to Japan in the first place. So his motivations for some things in the beginning didn’t work for me and felt more like points for ease of plot.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
I was excited to pick up this book, as it takes place in Japan. So let me start with that. I have some mixed feelings on how well the book succeeded in showing the culture and life of Japan. At times, there were clear indications about the differences, especially with Kaito’s exacting standards about proper Japanese culture. But at the same time, the club is hosting an American themed month and the story is told entirely from Hugh’s first person POV, so things are colored by his perception. For me, it didn’t always work at “feeling” like Japan, but I thought the author did a good job overall of portraying some cultural aspects.
I enjoyed Hugh as a character, his big heart, his frustrations, and his loyalty. He was a great narrartor. However, there were times where I just didn’t understand the why of things. For example, when he first goes to the Dusk Parlor, he thinks about how he doesn’t fit in. But several paragraphs later, he says he feels comfortable there. He’s attracted to Ren, but I didn’t fully feel that was an adequate reason for going back and getting a job there. In fact, I’m not entirely sure why he decided to move to Japan in the first place. So his motivations for some things in the beginning didn’t work for me and felt more like points for ease of plot.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
May 11, 2017
As far as I can tell – this is the first book I’ve read by this author. It was very interesting and I definitely felt like I experienced a different culture.
On one hand I liked this – it was unique- moved along quickly and kept me guessing.
On the other hand, I felt like it tried to do way too much without accomplishing any one specific thing.
We have the issue of xenophobia and Hugh’s feelings of isolation due to his heritage, we have the yakuza and it’s drama, we have not one but two very different men who aren’t in a relationship with each other and who might?- be willing to try something with Hugh. I wasn’t sure what the deal was with these three and I felt more of a bond between Hugh and Kaito than Ren and very little with the triad as a whole.
It’s a very vague HFN and only tepid at that.
While the smexy times were very hot, the relationship building was not there and the plot kept dancing from one “issue” to another without a solid cohesion.
I enjoyed it for the culture and the smexy times, but wish it’d been longer or something edited out to be a more tightly drawn story.
On one hand I liked this – it was unique- moved along quickly and kept me guessing.
On the other hand, I felt like it tried to do way too much without accomplishing any one specific thing.
We have the issue of xenophobia and Hugh’s feelings of isolation due to his heritage, we have the yakuza and it’s drama, we have not one but two very different men who aren’t in a relationship with each other and who might?- be willing to try something with Hugh. I wasn’t sure what the deal was with these three and I felt more of a bond between Hugh and Kaito than Ren and very little with the triad as a whole.
It’s a very vague HFN and only tepid at that.
While the smexy times were very hot, the relationship building was not there and the plot kept dancing from one “issue” to another without a solid cohesion.
I enjoyed it for the culture and the smexy times, but wish it’d been longer or something edited out to be a more tightly drawn story.
August 3, 2018
Japan is not a country I am very familiar with, though I love the food I have tried, and my only encounter with a few Japanese customs has been through friends who are Japanese or people who have lived in Japan. And, of course, through reading and watching movies – neither of which is necessarily as accurate as traveling or living there. All that being said, I was pretty curious to read ‘Dusk Parlor’ since most of the stories in the ‘World of Love’ series so far have been as entertaining as they have been culturally educational.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 7, 2017
3 1/2 out of 5
I think this writer has a lot of talent and potential. This was an enjoyable read with very good character development. The one thing that would have made this story better was a bit more complexity to the plot, more of the Yakuza element. As any fan of Yakuza fiction will tell you, we like to be immersed in the culture, the gritty underbelly of what their world is really like. And the prospect of men who are trying to leave that life behind is beyond fascinating.
I think this writer has a lot of talent and potential. This was an enjoyable read with very good character development. The one thing that would have made this story better was a bit more complexity to the plot, more of the Yakuza element. As any fan of Yakuza fiction will tell you, we like to be immersed in the culture, the gritty underbelly of what their world is really like. And the prospect of men who are trying to leave that life behind is beyond fascinating.
August 26, 2017
Hugh Harris moves to Japan, to find his roots, and help his mother moved back. He is hafu(half Japanese, half Caucasian). He finds Kobe a lonely place, till he gets hired to work at a nightclub.
This was a short read, kind of strange. I liked it, but I think there was more story and it suffered from the lack of character development, and the plot gets a little wonky to me. If the blurb interests you, then I'd tell you to read it.
This was a short read, kind of strange. I liked it, but I think there was more story and it suffered from the lack of character development, and the plot gets a little wonky to me. If the blurb interests you, then I'd tell you to read it.
May 31, 2017
I *might* be slightly obsessed with Yakuza books and this one did not disappoint me at all! Love the relationship between Kaito and Hugh and all the steamy parts. Very hot~ full video review ~> https://youtu.be/vrOqAMHdixY
May 12, 2017
I'm kind of stuck between 3 and 4 stars on this one. I liked how Hugh, Keito, and Ren played off of each other. I also found their club immensely interesting. Their was so much potential in this story from Hugh's Japanese family to Keito and Ren's yakuza ties to just watching a relationship play out between the three of them. But this book just barely grazes the surface of anything. It offers a tantalizing base and writing to what could be a great book, but ultimately ended up being a tease.
August 18, 2017
The beginning was interesting, then it went to hell in a handbasket. Suddenly, there were . And it's all in 86 pages novella! If only the author had just focused on how Hugh found his footing, his home in Japan, and on Hugh's relationship with Ren and Kaito, I think the story would've been more realistic and enjoyable.
May 4, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
This was a nice story and the author did a pretty good job of explaining the thought process of those in Japan but I was still with Hugh in being frustrated in how those around him were thinking. Hugh and his mother have just moved to Japan after his father’s death and he is having a hard time finding work and people who won’t judge him based on his heritage. When Ren and Kaito give him the opportunity to work at the Dusk Parlor he is determined to show that he can be just as good as everyone there.
Ren is a complete flirt from the get go but we soon learn that Kaito and him have a secret little relationship going. When Hugh discovers this he can’t help but desire them both together. We see everything through Hugh’s eyes which makes understanding him pretty easy but it’s harder to really understand what the others are thinking as many in that culture are closed off. There is a nice HFN ending with Hugh, Ren and Kaito and I can’t help but hope that Hugh will continue to bring Kaito out of his shell.
Cover art by Brooke Albrecht is a great and gives a wonderful visual of Hugh.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
This was a nice story and the author did a pretty good job of explaining the thought process of those in Japan but I was still with Hugh in being frustrated in how those around him were thinking. Hugh and his mother have just moved to Japan after his father’s death and he is having a hard time finding work and people who won’t judge him based on his heritage. When Ren and Kaito give him the opportunity to work at the Dusk Parlor he is determined to show that he can be just as good as everyone there.
Ren is a complete flirt from the get go but we soon learn that Kaito and him have a secret little relationship going. When Hugh discovers this he can’t help but desire them both together. We see everything through Hugh’s eyes which makes understanding him pretty easy but it’s harder to really understand what the others are thinking as many in that culture are closed off. There is a nice HFN ending with Hugh, Ren and Kaito and I can’t help but hope that Hugh will continue to bring Kaito out of his shell.
Cover art by Brooke Albrecht is a great and gives a wonderful visual of Hugh.
August 23, 2017
3.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews