"Often tragic, but lacking in despair, The Rose City delves into the tribulations of everyday life, identity, and sexuality. Each story is about someone from or moving to Pasadena, a part of California, as the character in the title story says, "where the real history is." In "Chuck Paa," a young man in flight from his misdemeanant mother seeks and finds employment in an upscale world that can never quite become his own.

In the title story, "The Rose City," remembrance and lost love bring together ex-lovers who reunite to reflect on their past, their present, and what lies ahead. What they discover is that relationships rarely turn out the way you want them to - especially when your ex has moved on to house and home life and you're left alone, foot tapping, waiting around for Mr. Right."--BOOK JACKET.