Now on Audible, narrated by Michael Wetherbee
Published review excerpts for Message of Love
“The sequel to the Lambda Literary Award-winning Every Time I Think of You reintroduces readers to Everett and Reid as they traverse the next phases of their relationship. It is 1980 Philadelphia, and the couple has settled into their first year at Temple University, together exploring the city and campus and adjusting to dormitory domesticity. Message of Love is a brilliant retelling of young love and the transformations it undergoes as lovers grow from adolescence to adulthood.”
– Philadelphia Gay News
“Message of Love is an earnest, heartfelt and refreshing continuation of a young couple’s adventures that leaves the reader excited, amused and inspired.”
– Edge Media
“I loved the way they interacted and wove themselves so completely into each other’s lives. The way it was written was pure genius on Provenzano’s part. I’ll say it again: his writing is gorgeous and sweeping and strong.” – Boys in Our Books
“By having a disabled main character, Provenzano shows us that the possibility of love also depends upon the people involved. If you doubt the concept of romance, read this and watch it come back into your life. Provenzano has created two very special characters and we love them as we read. The writing is fresh and we certainly feel the love leave the page. I really like when an author loves what he is saying—we sense that in his words and tone. It takes a brave man to write about love with a disabled person yet we feel no pity for Everett because we see him as one of us. This is a skill that this writer has and it makes me proud to say I know him and value his writing.”
– Amos Lassen Reviews
Watch the music trailer for Message of Love, with a lovely acoustic version performed by Dundley Saunders
“The richness of its details and the complexities of its characters will make this a story to remember. If you are new to Reid and Everett’s story, then begin with Every Time I Think of You. If you are familiar with that novel, then Message of Love is a story not to be missed, a wonderfully satisfying and uplifting novel, certainly one of the best of 2014.
“There are so many great elements of Message of Love, the first being the time period of the story. The 80′s are well represented here and the in-depth research done by Jim Provenzano shows. He gets the feel of the times just right, and describes with great sensitivity the impact of Everett’s disability on their relationship, from living arrangements to their ability to have sex. There are moments in their relationship that just ring with authenticity...Bringing all these extra layers and facts into Reid and Everett’s life together helps to connect the reader intimately to their romance and growing commitment to each other.”
– Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
(2020) Listen to the terrific review on the Big Gay Fiction Podcast!
Advance praise for Message of Love
“Instantly compelling and richly textured, Message of Love is more than a sequel; it’s a highly readable novel of two young men trying to learn to love amid the manifold distractions of college, family, and even an epidemic.”
– Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and other best-sellers
“Sexy and uninhibitedly queer. As a bisexual person with a disability and especially as a wheelchair user, I found the story to be written
in a refreshing and honest tone without falling prey to the pity approach as it relates to loving somebody with a disability.
Jim Provenzano’s Message of Love successfully represents positive crip and queer sexuality. Bravo!”
– Maria R. Palacios, author of The Female King and Criptionary: Disability Humor and Satire
“With lively, electric prose, Provenzano conjures an epic love story. He reminds the reader that there’s always something after the murkiest of fates and will make the doubtful believe in romance again. Message of Love makes a significant contribution to disability and queer literature while touching the heart of the general reader.”
– Belo Cipriano, author of Blind: A Memoir
“A vivid and accurate depiction of a moment in time and history, Message of Love is an honest and unsentimental portrayal of the difficulties of sustaining even the strongest relationship and is, ultimately, an inspiring validation of the power of commitment.”
– Tom Mendicino, author of Probation and The Boys From Eighth and Carpenter