Rating: 
Summary: Captivating and Insightful
Review: The book was well written. It totally disspelled any myths about what same sex partners vs. heterosexual partners endure in the world of domestic violence. The characters were very vivid on paper and the story had many powerful twists. I believe people who are homophobic, if they would allow themselves to be educated by this book, truly their eyes of understanding will be open. They may never know when this may come knocking at their door.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Marks are for keeps!
Review: This book was a good reading. the author did a good job with crafting the story line. It was good to read SGL Black men supporting one another through Beatings, divorce and etc. He did not make sex a main forcus which was good. It is always good to read about a journey of an individual because It makes the fight more worthwhile
Rating:
Summary: Passion Marks...or Scars
Review: This book was an enjoyable read even though I didn't think the title matched the book. (My opinion, of course!)
Anyway, I enjoyed reading the book, even though the homosexual sex scenes was a bit graphic. The emotions ranged from tears to laughter, which was good, but overall Kevin realized that he can be happy outside the glass house. I was proud of Kevin for his courage to leave behind the drama and to move forward with his life.
I, too, agree with a reviewer that stated that the ending could've been somewhat better.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This book was GREAT and had me on my toes from the very first chapter. I couldnt put it down and read it within days. I reccomend this book - Thumbs UP for me ....
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME BOOK
Review: This contemporary novel digs deep into the other side of domestic violence. It is common to think of women being battered by men, but NEVER men battered by men. This taboo subject is confronted and played out in riveting real life scenarios from cover to cover. "Passion Marks" delves into a relationship that is MASKED, DARK, and OBSESSIVE. The reader will never be the same, and might even change their views on what was considered only for a few, now anyone's plight.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story...It gets to the heart of the matter....
Review: This is a wonderfully written story that has many elements you would otherwise never read about in mainsteam media...Domestic violence in gay relationships and class structure in the african american gay community. Who would have ever guessed that affluence and domestic violence in black gay relationships often mimic those of mainstream heterosexual relationships. My one critism is that the ending was a bit surreal and over the top which causes the story to lose some "realistic quality" which would make it difficult to convience those unfamiliar with the lifestyle and culture that this really happens. The psychology of all of the characters are very complex and full of mystery. I give kudos to Lee Hayes, the best new up and coming story teller in the genre since E. Lynn Harris.
Rating:
Summary: I finished in two days.
Review: This was a very good book. It was very raw, Lee left no stones unturned and he wasn't shy about exploring the issues. That's what I liked about the book. It showed that male/male domestic violence is no different from male/female domestic violence. The cycle of violence does not discriminate.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, timely, painful but worth every minute to read
Review: Times have changed. I can remember when passion marks were almost coveted possessions -- blemishes one most certainly tried to hide under a turtleneck, only after someone commented about their presence. Symbols of intimacy were a rite of passage between the reckless teenage years and adulthood. Then passion marks took an ugly turn and became something to truly be ashamed of. They suddenly were hidden from view, even from the person who inflicted them. These darkly hidden marks are what Lee Hayes uncovers in his debut novel, Passion Marks. Look up the word passion in the dictionary, its primary meaning rests in suffering and emotion distinguished from reason. Its not until you reach the fourth or fifth meaning, that you find that passion loosely refers to love, which is fitting when we meet Kevin Davis and his partner James Lancaster. Both men have overcome painful obstacles in their lives. The suicide death of Kevin's twin brother Keevan has subconsciously run him into the loving and oft times brutal arms of James. James' teenaged years witnessed the brutal murder of his mother, his own rape by his father and then his father's suicide. Seemingly overcoming the pain of his past, he is the prosperous business owner of a very successful company, which afforded them the best of everything. Foreboding under the surface, both men treated their hurt in a negative manner. James' abuse toward Kevin is violent, spirit numbing and soul wrenching. Kevin is inflicting violence to himself because at some level he felt he deserves this treatment as atonement for his twin. Through the patient but forceful hands of his friends Danea, Tony and Darryl, Kevin begins to realize staying in an abusive relationship does not solve his deep hurt. Abuse is a hard subject to talk or write about. Lee Hayes has done an excellent job of bringing this painful experience into vivid detail. The first part of Passion Marks is hard to read. I found myself crying out with the injustice and treatment Kevin received. The second part of the book deals with how Kevin regained control over his life and was a much happier read. Just when the reader became bogged down in despair, hope surfaced and the story turned into one of reconciliation. Supportive friends and the inclusion of Kevin in their lives surround him with the strength needed to overcome his circumstances. The plot twists will prove to be shockers for all who read this novel, and take it from me when I say the last few chapters you hardly breathe as you read in anticipation. I find it hard to believe this is a first novel. The maturity of thought and clarity are exceptional. This novel has all the characteristics that keep the reader turning pages. The first page grips you and the last page tenderly turns you loose to eagerly wait the next work. Best of luck to you, Lee Hayes. You are making your mark in the literary world.
Rating: 
Summary: Raises the BAR!
Review: What can I say? Kudos to LEE HAYES!!! 'Passion Marks' draws you in from the very first page by slamming you in the midst of a violent battle between lovers. For the subject matter alone I would give the book 5 stars, because the subject of domestic violence in SGL relationships is a topic that is worth exploring and is rarely discussed. The book is divided into two sections, parts one and two, and part one basically tells the story of Kevin and James' abusive relationship, the underlying causes, and Kevin's ultimate escape. It was concise, understandable and beautifully written. It's the second part that gets a little squirrely for me. Here Kevin attempts to move on with his life and James goes to extreme messures to prevent that. Although some very dramatic, and even jaw-dropping events occur in this section of the book, Kevin's new relationship with Daryl just seems TOO perfect to me, as if it was constructed strictly to counter-balance the disfunction of his ex-union with James. It was almost a characature of Gay Bliss. I didn't believe it. I also didn't believe the ending. In typical soap-opera fashion ... no wedding ever comes off as planned, and this one ... literally ... was the wedding from Hell. And the epilogue was even more unbelievable with its cheeriness and sudden windfall. It and other aspects of the second part weakened what could have been a 5-Star work of fiction. Overall ... Lee Hayes is a talented writer with an enviable attention to detail and description. There is one cemetary scene which I can only describe as BRILLIANT ... so powerful and moving that I actually cried. And to suck a tear from my slightly jaded eyes is not an easy task. 'Passion Marks' is a definite for the collector of SGL fiction and also raises the bar for authors, like E. Lynn and myself, to tackle subject matter that actually means something and makes readers think. I can't wait for his sophmore effort. I plan to be the first in line.
Rating:
Summary: Great First Try
Review: Why do victims of abuse almost always think it's their fault for being abused? In Lee Hayes' debut novel, Passion Marks, Kevin Davis has various excuses, or crutches he uses for staying with James Lancaster, his affluent live-in lover who is also the owner of LCS (Lancaster Computer Systems). Kevin Davis gets beaten to a pulp on more than one occasion, James apologizes, and then Kevin apologizes for saying or doing things to provoke James. After the beatings, James buys Kevin expensive gifts to try and make up for his behavior. Why does Kevin allow James to continually abuse him mentally, physically, and sexually? Kevin Davis met James the day he was planning to commit suicide. James stops him from doing so, and an emotional attachment is formed between the two. Kevin is confused. He is grieving over the loss of his twin brother, Keevan, whom he betrayed in the worst way. But before he has the chance to beg his brother's forgiveness, his brother is found dead, apparently from an asthma attack. Kevin feels responsible for his brother's death, because he forgot to drop off Keevan's medication to him before he leaves town for some fun. The supporting cast in the book add nice touches to Kevin's character. The book is told from the main character's point of view and the other characters never overshadow the main character. There's Darryl, who openly lets it be known he's in love with Kevin, and there's Tony and Danea, who round out the foursome of friends. There's Croix, who shows Kevin there's more to life than what James has to offer, there's RaChelle Roland, Kevin's old college classmate, who manages to seduce Kevin, and then there's LaMont, Tony's love interest. Once Kevin lets his friends know the real deal regarding his abusive relationship, they convince him to leave, but his leaving doesn't make James happy. He vows to get Kevin back at all cost. To make matters worse, Kevin and Darryl get together and this is too much for James to bear. But how far is James willing to go to get Kevin back? Will Kevin be seduced back to James or will he finally take a stand to recapture his life. Hayes takes you on an emotional journey in his debut novel. You laugh at and you laugh with Kevin and of course Tony. You cry with and you cry for Kevin as he struggles to find himself. Will Kevin prevail in his attempt to reclaim his life and find true love or as the saying goes, once a victim always a victim, will Kevin let himself fall victim to James Lancaster over and again? I found the storyline very convincing and real-life. I work in law enforcement, and I have witnessed victims of abuse behave in the same manner as Kevin does; making excuses for the abuser, taking the blame for provoking the act, and/or forgiving the abuser time and again. I also know firsthand when you lose a love one, it can cause you to carry around a lot of misplaced guilt. It's so easy to feel weak and have low self-esteem when you're burdened by life's heartaches. If you have no problem reading about gay relationships, then this book is for you. But be warned, this book is filled with graphic violence and graphic sex acts. I highly recommend Passion Marks to anyone looking for a riveting read. Vanessa Johnson
Readincolor Reviewers
| 
