Book Reviews

Book Blurb

It’s 1919, and Frank Huddleston has survived the battlefields of the Great War. A serious head injury has left him with amnesia so profound he must re-learn his name every morning from a note posted on the privy door.

Gerald “Jersey" Rohn, joined the Army because he wanted to feel like a man, but he returned from the trenches minus a leg and with no goal for his life. He’s plagued by the nightmare of his best friend’s death and has nervous fits, but refuses to associate those things with battle fatigue. He can't work his father's farm, so he takes a job supervising Frank, who is working his grandparents’ farm despite his head injury.

When Frank recovers enough to ask about his past, he discovers his grandparents know almost nothing about him, and they’re lying about what they do know. The men set out to discover Frank's past and get Jersey a prosthesis. They soon begin to care for each other, but they'll need to trust their hearts and put their pasts to rest if they are to turn attraction into a loving future.

 

Book Review

In 1919, loving another man was simply not discussed, much less acknowledged. Jersey Rohn and Frank Huddleston in 'The Door Behind Us' by John C. Houser, are brought together by afflictions received in serving their country. They soon realize that they want to be with each other more than anything else in the world. Their journey to be together is fraught with difficulties and roadblocks, both internal and external but, somehow, their love will find a way.

Although Jersey lost a leg in the war, he tries not to let it keep him down. Jersey is stubborn and wants to be as independent as possible, although sometimes his desires are outweighed by his physical limitations. As soon as he can, he looks for a job that he will be able do without his disability interfering; however, the choices are limited. When a job comes up as a companion to another veteran, Jersey excitedly accepts the opportunity. Caregiving for Frank, who has lost his memory, is a daunting task at times, but he and Frank seem to have a deep connection with one another which helps both of them heal. Frank's grandmother doesn't like their closeness and makes life miserable for both of them. At the first opportunity, she throws Jersey out and he's left confused and lonely. He knows he has inappropriate feelings for Frank, but he can't stop them anymore than he could stop breathing. He's in a quandary about what to do and questions, more than once, if he needs to leave in order to preserve his and Frank's immortal souls before he acts upon these inclinations. The problem is, he loves Frank and knows that they both do better together than apart, so Jersey struggles with which solution is the lesser of the two evils.

Frank is an intriguing character. His memory loss causes him to seem flat at times and I had some difficulty becoming emotionally involved with him. Since he doesn't remember anything, he hits blank walls at every turn and doesn't know how to feel. The only thing he knows for sure is that he loves to listen to Jersey and be near him. He feels more secure in his presence. If nothing else, at least Jersey is imprinted upon his brain in a way which prevents him from forgetting the man even when he can't remember anything else. When he learns about his other grandmother, he travels to meet her with Jersey tagging along. Being with his father's family is eye-opening in many ways, but it doesn't stir any old memories. It simply brings about more frustration and hurt feelings. Frank is more rigid than Jersey, less accepting of situations, so when he comes unglued over their physical intimacy, Frank runs. When they come back together, it's Jersey who is the voice of reason. Frank is fortunate that Jersey is so forgiving. When Frank finally accepts that their love is a gift instead of a burden, he, along with a surprising supporter, does everything he can to make sure they are able to stay together.

This historical romance is almost painful to read at times since Jersey and Frank struggle so hard to come to terms with their feelings and how to express them. I couldn't help but be caught up in the mood. The pace of the story was slow, but steady, especially when it came to the physical intimacy between the two men, making it more realistic. It's obvious that James has done his homework as far as historical details are concerned; he brought up interesting details about life in those times, including the Quaker community and the latest medical advances. The side stories are engrossing, but some of them were left uncompleted, i.e., Frank's friend, James, the doctor and his collection, and Frank's life before the war, to name a few. All in all, it was a good story and I enjoyed it. I recommend it to those who like historical romances, unique characters and situations, twists and turns, and stories with a happy ending. Thanks, James, for introducing us to Jersey and Frank and letting us share their journey.

 

 

 

 

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/80532 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	14-October-2013
Price	$6.99 ebook, $16.99 paperback, $16.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-door-behind-us-by-john-c-houser-883-b