The House on Shadow Lane - Robert Heylmun - Bog

Life in Laguna Beach in the early 1970s, a time when being gay started to be celebrated, and for many, a time when relationships bloomed, sometimes faded, and bloomed again. Hal finds himself in his rented house on Shadow Lane, wondering where his life is going when everything changes. Tom and Mike come to rent his spare room, and then he meets Simon. Suddenly they are a family, and life for Hal begins to shine again. Against this happiness comes the formidable Denise, owner and absolute ruler of a French restaurant where Hal works. Entirely self-serving and self-centered, Denise has everything she wants, or so she thinks. Meet Eric who has trouble with other people's money, and Jean-Jacques her husband and chef who keeps her somewhat in check. Then there's Norman the restaurant reviewer, addicted to turquoise jewelry; and you'll met the ever patient Roger and his partner Ken; Dan who is the worst cook in town who thinks he is the best, and then Carl who can't make up his mind about whether he likes men or women. All of these and more come and go through the welcoming doors of the house on Shadow Lane.