This is a nice love story. Of two men who found each other early in their lives, loved each other, chose different paths and come together again years later. Both military, both living with the scars of such of life. John rebuilt his life with school, studying psychology but living day to day without any joy. Kevin, forced to retired after a disastrous incident where soldiers and prisoners were killed. This is a nice long original fanfic like story with some short cuts (the Lord of the rings references become annoying fast) that I could overlook because I liked Kevin and John. No over the top cutsey stuff, just two men that find each other again and who love each other very much ( )

I have adored all of Lee Rowan's previous work, so I'm sorry I can't give a more positive rating to this book. Unfortunately, while the premise was interesting, the novel just didn't work for me.

Kevin and John meet in officer's training and embark on a passionate affair before their army careers take them in separate directions. Fast forward 7 years. Having realised from bitter experience that the army isn't the dependable constant he thought, Kevin gets back in touch with John. Unfortunately Kevin isn't completely free from his combat past, and an old enemy returns to threaten their relationship.

I really warmed to the character of John - he's undoubtedly damaged but has managed to carve out a quiet, worthwhile life for himself. Kevin is more of an enigma and I'm afraid that by the book's end I felt I didn't know much about him other than how much he loves John.

That was the main sticking point for me, I'm afraid; not so much how quickly our heroes jump into bed, but how seamlessly they seem to slide into a committed relationship. Sweet quickly crossed over into sickly and I'm afraid I just didn't believe in their relationship at all. Even those of us who don't spend time in warzones change hugely between 23 and 30, so I find it stretches credibility that two soldiers are able to slot back together like two halves of a whole. Some more difficulties between the two would have been both more believable, interesting and satisfying to read.

All of the conflict is external and I'm afraid that I didn't feel in the slightest bit of suspense about the outcome of the 'old enemy' plot line. Its resolution was quite well done, but I didn't feel that any of the characters were in true peril at any time. Even afterward, our heroes don't seem overly affected by events, and the ending is very dull. I usually like epilogues - even the cheesy ones! - but I don't think I've ever read anything as utterly saccharine as the last few pages of this book

I also have to say that - as an English reader - the local details were a bit shaky. I know that can be hard to get right, so I'm not one to get too wound up about characters saying 'store' instead of 'shop'. But getting the terminology of our university system completely wrong - we don't have seniors and no one graduates 'cum laude', among other things - is a bit more serious. I'm sure this is a small point to some, but it really pulled me out of the story and made me doubt the accuracy of other details.

Overall this seemed far less assured than Ms Rowan's fabulous historical novels, and although I will still eagerly look out for new novels from her, I will be a lot less ready to buy any future contemporary efforts. ( )

Inhaltsangabe:
Zwei britische Militärveteranen hatten als junge Offiziere einmal etwas miteinander und sieben Jahre später holt ihre Vergangenheit sie wieder ein. John versucht seiner seelischen Narben mit einem Psychologiestudium Herr zu werden und Kevins Karriere ist ruiniert, weil er öffentlich als Sündenbock für etwas herhalten musste, an dem ihn keine Schuld traf. Zusammen machen die beiden Männer sich daran, ihrer Beziehung von damals neues Leben einzuhauchen.

Persönliche Meinung:
Wie tödlich langweilig. 190 Seiten und bis Seite 108 geht es nur darum, wie John und Kevin sich häuslich niederlassen, zwei Kätzchen adoptieren und immer wieder Sex haben, der genauso unspannend ist wie der Rest. Ein Plot ist weit und breit nicht zu sehen. Die beiden Männer springen direkt in eine etablierte Beziehung ohne Ecken und Kanten, denn die haben sie schon vor Jahren abgeschliffen. Der dramatischste Moment ist Johns Beichte, dass er durch Samenspende an ein lesbisches Pärchen in naher Zukunft Vater wird.

Dann taucht plötzlich ein Terrorist auf, der Kevin umbringen will, und Kevins alten Sonderkommandokumpel mischen sich ein, um das Liebespaar vor Übergriffen zu schützen. Aber da besagte Kumpel kaum aktiv in Erscheinung treten, hatte ich den Eindruck, der ganze Handlungsstrang sollte nur dazu dienen, dem Leser zu zeigen, was für harte Kerle John und Kevin sind. Nur geht der Schuss nach hinten los, denn der Terroristen-Teil ist fast noch langweiliger als die Einrichtungspläne fürs neue Domizil.

Liebe und Triebe:
Sie liebten sich damals, sie lieben sich noch heute, sie werden sich immer lieben. Sex kommt auch drin vor, aber das hindert einen leider nicht daran, beim Lesen einzuschlafen. ( )

John and Kevin were lovers. They met at the military academy, they fell in love at first sight and spent a wonderful year together. Then the life and maybe some hidden fears kept them apart and they left each other not without regrets.

Seven years later, John has retired from army after a mental breakdwon in Bosnia, and a following attempt to suicide, and Kevin is out of a recent scandal and waiting to decide what to do with his life. For the first time in their life they can choose what to do in their life without ideals or family duties to decide for them.

And when finally they have the courage to take in hand their life, they discover that living together is not so impossible and the future could be a bright one, if only Kevin's past can be thrown behind their back.

John is an idealist. He believe in justice and in the force of good men. He is a quite strong character but is strenght lies in his mental piece and in the man he loves. Without that man by his side he has not found the force to go on and his nerves gave way. Someone has said that the most courage men are those who feel fear.

Kevin is an army brat with an hidden feeling of revenge for his father. He has to prove himself, to demonstrate he is good like his father, that he is better than his father. And a gay man doesn't fit this equation and so, when time is up to make a choice, he choose to be a 'good' man and to leave his lover. But when all the world he has fought for crash around him, the only man he wants by his side is John.

The love between John and Kevin is sweet and quite: between them there aren't harsh feelings, they don't regret the past and when they are put in front of danger, they react together and not trying to solve everything alone. These are two charcaters who balance well. Even if the novel speaks about war and homophobia (and deals with matters like same sex marriage and homosexual parenthood), the feeling I have experimented reading it is of peace.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602020523/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Lee Rowan is a top notch storyteller. This is the heartwarming story of two soldiers, each carrying the pain and horror of war within them, reuniting after years apart. John received a medical discharge and lives on disability after enduring time as a "peacekeeper" -forced to watch and do nothing as atrocities were committed. Kevin has been chosen as the scapegoat for a political snafu after his team comes under fire in the field. Kevin takes a chance and contacts John to try and re-ignite the passion they shared in training. Together they can heal each other, but old enemies put Kevin and John in danger. Can Kevin's old team keep them alive?

Rowan sets the story in London, and the dialog and slang expressions reflect it. The story is believable and given enough substance to be much more than an afterthought to the romance. A fast paced novel, a touching relationship and well done sex scenes. So far, I have loved everything this author has written and can't wait for more. Highly recommended! ( )