Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Raleigh Hewes has known Augustus Rains his whole life, and for the past year they’ve been lovers. They’ve kept it a secret because Gus is afraid of what people will say. Not only are they a gay couple in a small town but he is black and Raleigh is white. Raleigh wants to be out and proud, but Gus is concerned since both their businesses revolve around the local market.

After an argument, Raleigh has doubts that their love can last because he’s tired of hiding their relationship. When a storm sweeps over his farm, he’s caught in the eye of a tornado, and Gus races frantically to find the man he loves.

The danger has put into perspective his fears and Gus decides not to be afraid anymore. He just hopes it’s not too late to lay claim to Raleigh’s heart.

 

Book Review

We are all afraid of something. Fearing what others may think about us if we do certain things, or not do them, as the case may be, is among the most common reasons for changing our behavior to what we think is called for in today’s Western societies. ‘Not Afraid’ looks at two men and their reactions to what they think other people might say if they came out as gay and admitted they love each other. They live in rural Missouri, so there are just a few complicating factors…

Raleigh and Gus are battling presumed prejudice, if you ask Raleigh. He is far less afraid of what people will say than Gus. He is also ready to leave in case things go badly for them. In short, he does not let the fear rule his life, or make his decisions for him. Quite honestly, I thought it was easier for him to think like that. He never really wanted to work the farm his parents have left him, he is white and has not had to deal with the sort of discrimination Gus probably had to deal with as a black man, and Raleigh is more impulsive and seems to be more of a risk-taker as well. He is getting very tired of not being able to live his life openly, and hates having to hide his love for the man he has had a crush on since high school – and that was twelve years ago!

If you ask Gus, the prejudice they face is not only real, the consequences of them coming out as gay would also ruin both of them financially since the local people will no longer buy their products. He may be in love with Raleigh, though he has never told him that, but he is too much of a realist to believe they will escape without significant damage to their businesses. And running the hardware store, left to him by his parents, is the only thing he can imagine doing for a living. It takes seeing Raleigh’s disappointment about yet another rejection followed by a tornado, to make Gus realize what he may be losing if he cannot get his act together. And then all he can do is pray he will find Raleigh alive after a serious tornado hits town.

If you like stories about men who fear to stand up for who they are, only to learn not doing it may be even worse, if the setting of rural Missouri and small-town life appeals to you, and if you’re looking for a short, hot read with enough drama and angst to fill a longer book, then you will probably enjoy this short story.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 32 pages/9360 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	30-September-2014
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.evernightpublishing.com/not-afraid-by-elizabeth-monvey/