Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Bullied as a child in small-town Kansas, Jeremy Cox ultimately escaped to Portland, Oregon. Now in his forties, he’s an urban park ranger who does his best to rescue runaways and other street people. His ex-boyfriend, Donny—lost to drinking and drugs six years earlier—appears on his doorstep and inadvertently drags Jeremy into danger. As if dealing with Donny’s issues doesn’t cause enough turmoil, Jeremy meets a fascinating but enigmatic man who carries more than his fair share of problems.

Qayin Hill has almost nothing but skeletons in his closet and demons in his head. A former addict who struggles with anxiety and depression, Qay doesn’t know which of his secrets to reveal to Jeremy—or how to react when Jeremy wants to save him from himself.

Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.

 

Book Review

"When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose"
~ Amanda McBroom

I can honestly admit that I was a little hesitant when I read the description of 'Love Can't Conquer', Kim Fielding's newest release. Not because it didn't sound good, but because I worried that I would become way too emotionally invested in it, and end up a basket case by the end. However, from the very first book of Ms. Fielding's that I read, the author has taken me on many journeys and even knowing this might be highly emotional, I wanted to experience the sheer genius of her storytelling.

Jeremy and Qayin have more history in common than they realize when they first meet. Jeremy is an urban park ranger in his early forties who has only ever had two serious relationships in his life, the last one ending five years prior. He's a kind, compassionate man who seems to be in a bit of a funk, probably resulting from all of the homelessness and addiction he sees on a daily basis. When he comes home one night to find his ex beaten and bloody on his doorstep, Jeremy cleans him up, gives him a place to sleep overnight, clothes, and money to get to California to his sister’s. Donny shows up murdered the following evening sending Jeremy spinning with "what-ifs".

Qay is an ex-con, recovering addict, recovering alcoholic, with severe anxiety and depression, and a former patient at mental institutions. He's trying hard to keep his life on the straight and narrow, but an abusive childhood with cold, unfeeling parents and a family tragedy he was blamed for left their mark on Qay at an early age. And yet here he is, holding a job, having gone years drug and alcohol free, has a small apartment that isn't much but it's his, and he's taking classes at the community college. He's reminding himself daily about what it means to be a good, decent person. The strength of the human spirit is a powerful thing.

Inside every man was the boy he used to be. No matter how much bigger he’d grown or how many miles he’d traveled. No matter how high the bridge from which he’d leaped.

I like the fact that I can never predict what's going to happen in a story by this author. I really liked it that the subplot revolving around Donny and the guy who killed him and then was after Jeremy didn't take center-stage. Mainly because, in my opinion, this book is a love story and that is the primary focus. Jeremy and Qay have lived very different lives, but they're both honorable and loyal men, who deserve to have a lover who thinks the sun rises and sets in their eyes.

An emotional journey and a wonderful character study, Kim Fielding reminded me that we’re not perfect, none of us are, but being perfect for each other is the only thing that truly matters.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 260 pages/90902 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	03-June-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $16.99 paperback, $16.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/love-cant-conquer-by-kim-fielding-7004-b