Title: After the Storm
Author: Jaxx Steele
Published in October 2008 by Red Rose™ Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Gay - M/M
ISBN: 978-1-60435-226-9
Other Books by Jaxx: The Devil Made Me Do It, By the Moonlight
There are things in life we all regret, but love should never be one of them, at least that is what Ethan Conrad thought as he watched the young carpenter work. There was something there, something sweet, something alluring, and yet something very hurt. The times spent here in Indiana so far was miserable, lonely, and it was love that landed him here. It was love and scandal actually, for the one Ethan loved was his mentor, the man who taught him hotel management for his father, and the man who his father made disappear. Yes, it was still his job, but the new hotel didn't need him, not Ethan personally. Ethan knew it was banishment, a way to get him out of the way and out of any possible spotlight. It wasn't so bad on him, the worst was not knowing what happened to Tony, but that can't help him with the problems he faces now, nor with his attraction to Marcus. He is so tired of being alone, and yet, if his instincts are correct, maybe Marcus will be the perfect man to help him.
Marcus Devereaux lost it all. He lost his family, his home, his city, and to add even more heartache, he lost his lover. The storm that nearly wiped out new Orleans HAD wiped out Marcus. His family was destroyed, scattered if they even survived. Not knowing, and not being able to find them only made things worse, and the fact he had to suffer alone and without any support. He was afraid to reach out to anyone. Katrina hurt him so badly with loss, he was afraid to live, afraid to get close, and afraid he would lose it all again. Ethan Conrad, however, was a huge and dangerous temptation, and he was one Marcus couldn't afford. He was handsome, tall, and everything Marcus could want in a lover, at least by appearance, and Marcus was very attracted to him. He was afraid taking this job had been a mistake because the temptation was there yet the scars went too deep, and Marcus didn't want to take any chances. Life had made him take stock, and for now it left him cold. There was not any room at all in his heart for love anymore, he thought it was too broken, too shattered to be able to beat for anyone else again. He should know, he was finding it hard to keep it beating for himself...
After the Storm by Jaxx Steele is a story of love, its ups, downs, trials, and its power to heal. Ethan, being punished by his wealthy father for a discrete affaire, has been hurt. In a way, he has been treated as poorly by the circumstances as Marcus. Oh Ethan's father was still alive, but he was a cold calculating person who didn't care about Ethan, his feelings, or his life. It was amidst a non-existent scandal that Ethan realized how alone he really was, and the ostracism and banishment could only do so much more damage. He knew where he stood with his family, but the sorrow, the aloneness that surrounded Marcus called to him, made him want to be a friend. Seeing him swimming by moonlight put other thoughts in his head, but either way, Ethan was determined to make at least one friend. Jaxx Steele tells the story in a sensitive way, bringing his lovers together to find the solace they both badly need. After the Storm is a quick read, sexy and sensitive, a book you will want to come back to again and again. Jaxx said it best in his dedication for After the Storm "This story is to remind us all that no matter how bad the storms are in our lives, they always come to an end.", and it is very true. Can Marcus overcome his fear? Can Ethan coax Marcus in to friendship and maybe more? If you want the answers, to those and other questions, head over to Red Rose Publishing and get a copy of After the Storm today. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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