Purgatory Playhouse

A M/M Fantasy Rom-Com

Staging a musical in Purgatory can be absolute hell.

Lonnie Coleridge last saw the sun in 1968. Since then, he’s been consigned to Limbo, still wearing the same tie-dyed T-shirt and bell-bottomed jeans he had on when he left his life behind. He and others like him have one chance each year at redemption: produce a show for the Greek pantheon. Whoever pleases this very specific - and temperamental - fan group could earn the right to move on.

But after a literal act of god (*cough* Hermes *cough*) destroys their sets, lights, and costumes, the company needs emergency help to rebuild. Without it, all of them could poof out of existence forever.

Out-of-work theater technician TD Baylor has precisely three things on his cosmic wish list: a job, a place to stay, and a boyfriend who isn’t a total tool. He thinks he’s got the first two nailed when he gets a line on a two-week gig that includes room and board. So what if the job tip came from a guy who was leaning way too hard into the LOTR cosplay at a sketchy Halloween pop-up? At this point, TD doesn’t have anything more to lose, so he figures…what the hell.

He didn’t realize hell was the operative word.

When Lonnie greets him at the theater door, though...whoa. TD fantasizes that item number three could be within his reach. But then Lonnie gives him the bad news: This is Purgatory Playhouse, aka Theater of the Darned. In two weeks - if they’re lucky and can successfully mount a musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream - the company will return to Limbo after the curtain falls. If they’re not lucky?

Remember that part about hell?

Purgatory Playhouse is part of the multi-author Magic Emporium Series. Each book stands alone, but each one features an appearance by Marden’s Magic Emporium, a shop that can appear anywhere, but only once and only when someone’s in dire need. This book contains a theater techie who’s one couch surf away from homeless, a production assistant who’s sort of, um, not alive, Greek gods behaving very badly indeed, and a guaranteed HEA.

©2021 Ellen J Russell (P)2021 Ellen J Russell

Unique, with a happy ending

I'm learning to trust E.J. Russell as an author. I feel fairly comfortable just diving into their books without investigating the synopsis or reader comments. I feel confident that the book is going to be a well-driven, well-plotted, often unique, and pleasantly colorful and creative slide into a positive, satisfying ending.

This book plot is particularly unique. I've never read anything even vaguely like it, so, kudos to the author for inventiveness and a sweet ride. Play on!

Love that transcends

Heartwarming story +reader Greg Boudreaux= a lovely bubble where autumn rain and chill cannot touch you.

Cute & Clever! 😍

This was a fun read/listen!

There was little angst, crazy gods, interesting humans, and sweet love.

Great narration by Greg Boudreaux ❤️❤️

Brilliant comedic play on the Greek mythology!

I loved that this author did this comedy!! The play on the transgressions of the gods and goddesses tickled my funny bone! The main characters are sweet and their path was fraught with obstacles. I absolutely adored the beautiful narration! The narrator did an excellent job of each individual character!

Greek mythology and theater

I really enjoyed the book a lot. The very end felt a bit rushed but overall it was so much fun to listen to. I really liked the characters and their interactions with each other. It was also a fun take on Greek myths and the theater elements made it even more fun. It was a sweet and fun story.