Tommy and Dave – A Love Story – TWiT Book Review

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

I wrote Tommy and Dave in the mid-1990s. It was one of those story ideas I couldn’t resist. Additionally, I have always loved the 1961 song “Runaway,” written by Del Shannon and Max Crook; the lyrics and their powerful message inspired me to write the manuscript. In the 1970s, I would play the record repeatedly as a boy. Luckily, my mother enjoyed the song too. After I finished writing the manuscript, I put it in an envelope and forgot about it along with other drafts.

Fast forward to the summer of 2024. I was living in the lush neighborhood of Toluca Lake in Los Angeles. My Section 8 housing choice voucher was finally approved after a 10-year wait. A lovely unit became available in the Mar Vista area near Venice Beach. It was time for a long-awaited move. During packing and transitions, I came across the file of manuscripts again and opened it directly to Tommy and Dave. I decided it was time to revisit it. After nearly 30 years in a folder, I noticed many parts of the story didn’t age well, some needed updates, sections of historical accuracy required highlighting, and basic grammar and punctuation needed improvements.

I started rewriting it in the summer of 2025 and finished on Monday, December 22. What a great Christmas gift! Why Paris, Texas? My father’s relatives were from there. Though I visited only a handful of times in my childhood, I remember very little, except that it was very deep red, hardworking, blue-collar, and poor white people. The Black community had its side of the road, and the white community had theirs. Don’t cross it, or else. The tales my father told me both intrigued and frightened me.

As always, I want to thank my cover artist,
Jorge Velásquez. He always does an exceptional job.

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Waide Riddle has an uncanny ability to capture a scene, an idea, a thought, and turn it into a profound, emotional story. His storytelling ability transcends mere words, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives and struggles of his characters. His talent shines through once again in “Tommy and Dave – A Love Story.”

Riddle tells the story of two young boys who discover love while still innocent and unprepared for its complexities. Their journey is not just about the sweetness of first love; it is also framed by the harsh realities of parental rejection, punishment, and the challenges posed by societal homophobia. You are drawn into their world, rooting for them as they face overwhelming odds, hoping they can navigate through the turmoil toward a happy ever after.

Reading a Waide Riddle story always leaves a lasting impression. Riddle distills a lifetime of experiences into a few pages, making every moment resonate deeply. His work is a poignant reminder of the struggles many face in the pursuit of love and acceptance.

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