No More Hiding
Renee Stevens
Released June 12th, 2015
Pages: 256
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
GMR 5 Star Review
Renee Stevens
Released June 12th, 2015
Pages: 256
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
GMR 5 Star Review
Phillip Jorgensen tried to live the straight life and ended up divorced. But he wouldn’t trade his two kids, Jacob and Samantha, for the world. His ex-wife has kidnapped them and he's been searching for them for six long years. But he’s not giving up—never, not for anything. His twin brother has encouraged him to start living again, but how is he going to find romance with all his baggage?
When he meets Vance Pierce at the new gym, Phillip sees a chance to find some happiness.
Phillip has to explain the whole sordid mess to Vance and pray that he understands that he’ll never stop looking for his children. That’s easier said than done. Telling Vance might be risky. Is their connection strong enough to convince Vance to stay? Or will he think that Phillip is too damaged to love? This is Phillip's chance at the life he never thought he could have. But is it possible?
When he meets Vance Pierce at the new gym, Phillip sees a chance to find some happiness.
Phillip has to explain the whole sordid mess to Vance and pray that he understands that he’ll never stop looking for his children. That’s easier said than done. Telling Vance might be risky. Is their connection strong enough to convince Vance to stay? Or will he think that Phillip is too damaged to love? This is Phillip's chance at the life he never thought he could have. But is it possible?
Wow..... this is one book that I couldn't put down. You really do feel for Phillip, as he was gay, but rather than be true to his inner feelings, he decided he should try and go for the straight life, which included getting married. He managed this for years, until he realised he could no longer live that way. After the divorce, things were amicable, until someone saw him holding hands with another man, and when his wife found out she took his children away from him.
Six years later, and he still hasn't managed to locate his ex-wife or his children, and he has no life as such. His brother and sister-in-law are worried about him, and persuade him to try a new gym that has opened - which is only for gay men. Here he meets Vance.....
Phillip is now is totally confused, as he has feelings for Vance, but doesn't know what to do about them. He somehow feels guilty that he may have found happiness when his children are still missing. When Phillip finally manages to admit to Vance that he has two children, I have to admit to having tears in my eyes while reading, although you already knew what had happened, it really was heart wrenching to read.
Phillips world seems to come crashing down one evening when Phillip and Vance are in a serious accident, and Vance comes off worse..... this seems to show Phillip exactly what his true feelings are for Vance. While Vance stays with Phillip to recuperate, there is the phone call that Phillip has been waiting for.... but things are not as rosy as he wants them.
This is where the author manages to take you on a roller coaster ride, you will be left feeling lots of different emotions. I went from happiness to sadness, anger, despair and even at one stage feeling totally horrified. It is not even clear if Phillip and Vance's relationship would actually survive what was now happening.
If you love an emotional read, then this book is for you, I can guarantee that you will not be able to put it down until you have finished.
Six years later, and he still hasn't managed to locate his ex-wife or his children, and he has no life as such. His brother and sister-in-law are worried about him, and persuade him to try a new gym that has opened - which is only for gay men. Here he meets Vance.....
Phillip is now is totally confused, as he has feelings for Vance, but doesn't know what to do about them. He somehow feels guilty that he may have found happiness when his children are still missing. When Phillip finally manages to admit to Vance that he has two children, I have to admit to having tears in my eyes while reading, although you already knew what had happened, it really was heart wrenching to read.
Phillips world seems to come crashing down one evening when Phillip and Vance are in a serious accident, and Vance comes off worse..... this seems to show Phillip exactly what his true feelings are for Vance. While Vance stays with Phillip to recuperate, there is the phone call that Phillip has been waiting for.... but things are not as rosy as he wants them.
This is where the author manages to take you on a roller coaster ride, you will be left feeling lots of different emotions. I went from happiness to sadness, anger, despair and even at one stage feeling totally horrified. It is not even clear if Phillip and Vance's relationship would actually survive what was now happening.
If you love an emotional read, then this book is for you, I can guarantee that you will not be able to put it down until you have finished.
Six years, multiple private investigators, and they still had no leads. It was disheartening.
“Maybe. It’s something to think about. It’s been so long that she may have relaxed her guard enough for someone to get close to her.” Robert sighed. “I know finding the kids is your main priority, but I promised Marissa I’d talk to you.”
“About?” Phillip suspected he didn’t want to know where the conversation was headed.
“Phillip, it’s been six years. I know you want to find Jacob and Sam, but there’s no guarantee that’s ever going to happen. You need to start living again. It’s past time for you to start dating. Find someone to spend your life with.”
“I know,” Phillip answered. “I kept hoping, if I stayed alone, Janice would be forced to relent and bring the kids back. Wishful thinking on my part. She’d be stupid to come back, considering she’d be arrested. Now I don’t know where to start looking or even if I really want to.”
“What about the gym? You used to spend a lot of time there.”
“I quit going a long time ago.” Phillip still kept in shape. He just didn’t do it at the gym.
“Well, Marissa was telling me the other day about a new gym that opened up.”
“Even if I did go back to working out, I’d probably just go to the one that I used to use.”
“I think this one would be more up your alley.” Robert smirked. “Rumor has it the guy who runs it is gay, and so are most of his clientele. Where else would be better than a gay gym to meet someone?”
“Maybe. It’s something to think about. It’s been so long that she may have relaxed her guard enough for someone to get close to her.” Robert sighed. “I know finding the kids is your main priority, but I promised Marissa I’d talk to you.”
“About?” Phillip suspected he didn’t want to know where the conversation was headed.
“Phillip, it’s been six years. I know you want to find Jacob and Sam, but there’s no guarantee that’s ever going to happen. You need to start living again. It’s past time for you to start dating. Find someone to spend your life with.”
“I know,” Phillip answered. “I kept hoping, if I stayed alone, Janice would be forced to relent and bring the kids back. Wishful thinking on my part. She’d be stupid to come back, considering she’d be arrested. Now I don’t know where to start looking or even if I really want to.”
“What about the gym? You used to spend a lot of time there.”
“I quit going a long time ago.” Phillip still kept in shape. He just didn’t do it at the gym.
“Well, Marissa was telling me the other day about a new gym that opened up.”
“Even if I did go back to working out, I’d probably just go to the one that I used to use.”
“I think this one would be more up your alley.” Robert smirked. “Rumor has it the guy who runs it is gay, and so are most of his clientele. Where else would be better than a gay gym to meet someone?”
Renee Stevens first started writing in her teens but didn’t get serious about being an author until her mid-twenties. Since then she’s written a number of contemporary stories, as well as delved into the paranormal. When not writing, or spending time in the outdoors, Renee can usually be found working on GayAuthors.org in her capacity of admin and Anthology Coordinator.
Renee resides in Wyoming with her wonderfully supportive husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters. Making the most of the nearly constant negative temperatures and mounds of snow, Renee spends much of the winter months in hibernation with her laptop, the voices in her head keeping her
company while her husband works. When she needs a break from writing, Renee takes to the sewing machine to design, and make, beautiful quilts.
When the snow finally disappears, usually around May or June, Renee can be found in the great-outdoors. She spends her time on the mountain, at the lake, and just anywhere that she can do some camping, take some photos, and ride the four-wheelers with her hubby. Once back at home, it’s back to writing..
Renee resides in Wyoming with her wonderfully supportive husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters. Making the most of the nearly constant negative temperatures and mounds of snow, Renee spends much of the winter months in hibernation with her laptop, the voices in her head keeping her
company while her husband works. When she needs a break from writing, Renee takes to the sewing machine to design, and make, beautiful quilts.
When the snow finally disappears, usually around May or June, Renee can be found in the great-outdoors. She spends her time on the mountain, at the lake, and just anywhere that she can do some camping, take some photos, and ride the four-wheelers with her hubby. Once back at home, it’s back to writing..
