Purgatory Playhouse

A M/M Fantasy Rom-Com

By: E.J. Russell

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

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!

I Squealed

The most poetic justice that has ever justiced a poem that is approximately 5 hours long. Feisty fun and a great take on our favorite magic emporium.

Also, as always, love Greg forever.

Good story but ending was abrupt

I loved the story over all. The characters were entertaining and well fleshed out and the story was engaging. However, the ending was a bit unsatisfactory as we don’t actually get to see the end of the play house and just see the aftermath. The story switches perspectives throughout so I’m not sure why it couldn’t switch to see the final play.

Intriguing Story

This book is reminiscent of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I really liked the premise and the way the main character got into the theater. The end is a tearjerker but I love those anyway. Highly Recommended.

Heartwarming and Clever

I’ve read most of E. J. Russel’s books and I’m never disappointed, but this one is probably my favorite. I didn’t stop smiling the entire narration. The characters are so well developed and their banter is clever and surprising. The whole book is clever, creative and magical.