I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Ethan. "You can't really know a person unless you know where they have been" I felt by the time Ethan reached adulthood I knew his heart which then helped to understand why and how Ethan made the choices he did in his adult life...My compliments to the writer! It was written as it should be. It flowed like a river turning and twisting then exploding into the ocean with masterful waves . I reccomend the book to all. It is full of honesty and heart. I am anxiously awaiting for Mr.Breedings next book!
The Poet

Your writing is nothing less than seductive. Your use of adjectives is gripping but not tiresome. The verbs carry the motion right along but always smoothly.

Rather than having a slick professional quality about it, it flows naturally with an unassuming grace and beauty that never interfer with the story. It is truly remarkable. (Excerpt of a letter to Ed from Eugenia)

A worthwhile read, THE BELT AND BEYOND maintains a very true and personal tone from the opening of the book nearly to the end.

Ethan, the main character, struggles well into adulthood with his sexuality. He wishes strongly to be in love and to be loved as a human being, an openly gay man; however, just as strongly wishes to please his friends, family and church - and therefore seeks and exhausts every means he can find to aid him in becoming a model heterosexual. It is a painful conflict to observe here in writing and one that many homosexuals never quite resolve.

That said - Ethan's joys and pains are often balanced. Ethan shares his successes as well as the small details that catch his eye and heart which others might miss. Ethan moves forward and continues to grow and stay alive while others succumb to the obstacles they perceive to be insurmountable.

The crux of the book is most fully explored in conversations between Ethan and a longtime friend and next in a dream journey. Typical arguments of sexuality versus religion (and the Bible) are paired with fresher and more intimate concepts on the purpose and nature of the Spirit.

Overall, the writing and formatting flow in a narrative, journal-like fashion: incredibly personal, sometimes poetic, and sometimes a bit rough and in need of re-reading and likely a bit of sharpening.

[Note: "Soaring higher than BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN," the tagline on the cover, pulls the story out of perspective. This 'piggybacking' is misplaced.]