A Venture in Paradise is a memoir that chronicles Joey Wilde's journey as he comes out and builds a new life in Key West. The narrative spans his difficult upbringing, military service, discovery of his identity, and experiences with relationships, friendships, and personal growth in a vibrant gay community.
After his discharge, Joey set out for Key West, a place advertised as a gay paradise, driving his van from Maine through Florida. Upon arrival, he quickly found work as a handyman at a gay guesthouse, the Sea Isle Resort, and began integrating into the local community.
He made friends such as Sandy and Shayne and started building a social and professional life, including launching a massage business that became successful. Joey's experiences in Key West included attending local bars and clubs like The Copa and La Te Da, participating in community events, and exploring new relationships.
Joey's relationship with JJ developed amid personal and professional challenges. JJ underwent cosmetic surgery in Mexico to improve his physique, reflecting his insecurities and desire to be a better partner. Meanwhile, Joey balanced his growing massage business, escort offers from wealthy clients like David Shortil, and his friendships. The memoir also addresses the impact of HIV/AIDS on their community, including David's HIV-positive status and eventual death, which deeply affected Joey and highlighted the importance of safe sex and regular testing. Joey experienced significant personal growth, including becoming financially independent through his massage and escort work, investing in a new car, and moving into a renovated house with JJ. However, the memoir also recounts betrayal when JJ was discovered cheating, leading to Joey leaving Key West for Toronto 6. This painful episode forced Joey to start anew in a different city, navigating heartbreak and rediscovery.
In Toronto, Joey adjusted to a new life, exploring the city and planning to use his inheritance wisely. Meanwhile, JJ confronted his family in Iowa, coming out as gay and receiving acceptance from his parents, which brought healing to their family and strengthened his resolve.
Mark E. Welch was born in 1964 in the coastal town of Kittery, Maine. From a young age, he demonstrated a love for reading and writing, particularly enjoying the works of authors such as E.B. White (famous for "Charlotte's Web"), Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway.His passion for the arts, which includes reading, writing, and music, has led him to become an accomplished novelist and blogger. Welch's writing career was highlighted by the publication of a children's book titled "Kiwa's Story," which narrates the journey of a young dolphin searching for her lost mother, as well as six novels and several short stories.His choice of genres includes fiction, such as his novel *A Haunting on Cape Neddick*, historical fiction like *Spirits & Tales*, and stories involving the LGBTQ community, primarily focusing on the adventures of a fictional character named Joey Wilde.He currently lives in the coastal region of Costa Verde, Portugal, with his three Boxer dogs, where he continues to write.
