Why in Paris?

In the late summer of 1936, a budding young photographer from Vienna named Anders travels to pre-war Paris. His mother sends him ostensibly to attend art school... and to survive as a Jew. But Anders is ready to explore his other secret: his sexuality. Living with over-the-top escort, Claude, above Giovanni's gay bar, Anders and Claude build their lives among the ruins of Bohemia in Montmartre. Anders soon falls for Jean, Claude's bitter rival in the escort scene. Anders captures Jean's beauty with his camera lens and sells the photos by the Seine to make a living. One buyer, a wealthy American socialite, David, comes along and presents Anders with a scandalous new venture.

With David's film camera, they set up a secret studio, capturing incriminating reels of the rich and powerful committing all manner of compromising acts. As Paris falls to Hitler and the occupation takes hold, senior Nazis commandeer David's mansion as their personal brothel. Anders and David begin secretly filming the Nazis' trysts, scattering the evidence across Paris. Anders's old flame Eilas returns to Paris as an SS officer, and Jean has hatched a plot with the Resistance to assassinate Eilas's superior, the head of the SS in Paris. Amidst betrayal, love, and blackmail, who will survive these plots is far from certain.

Harry F. Rey is an author and lover of gay-themed stories with a powerful punch. He writes tales that explore fantastic yet realistic queer lives and loves, from the deep past to deep space. Harry strives to deliver plot-twisting, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat stories he wished he had growing up gay in Glasgow, Scotland. Alongside Why in Paris? his other works include the space-opera series, The Galactic Captains, and the royal romance series, The Line of Succession. He's also penned a teen rom-com All The Lovers, and has been featured in a number of anthologies including Queer Life, Queer Love and Not Meant for Each Other. Follow him on social media for his latest release or chat about gay literature.