V.L. McElfresh
Author of Reclaiming Love
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Setting: Preset Day, America
Thirty year-old, Kevin Stohler, has spent the last three years struggling to recover from an abusive relationship that has left him physically and emotionally scarred. The abuse at the hand of his ex-boyfriend was so painfully horrendous, that it torments Kevin 24/7 and has him living in fear. He fears being alone, he fears the night, he fears other men...and oh so much more. This emotional damage, along with the perceptions he holds over his body image, has left show more Kevin feeling that he is damaged goods and not worthy of being loved by anyone. In order to cope and somewhat deal with the loss of his past self, he immerses himself into the writing of his erotic/romance stories, and through this method he lives the life he longs for but thinks he can never have. Hence, he is deeply conflicted and thoroughly confused when the gorgeous and seemingly perfect, Connor McCann, takes an interest in him. Kevin is afraid that Connor may only want him for one thing - something he feels he can no longer engage in - and he is also afraid to even attempt to love the man, as he fears Connor will discard him once his past is eventually revealed.
Connor McCann was smitten with Kevin from the first time he set eyes on him. However, instead of reacting positively to Connor's advances, Kevin practically flees from him, an action which leaves Connor intrigued and even more determined to pursue him. As such, he sets out to further try and get to know Kevin, but this is easier said than done as the other man has an emotional wall firmly build around him, and is additionally well guarded and protected by friends who do not hesitate to let Connor know they are keeping an eye on him. Just the same, Connor feels that Kevin is special and worth every bit the effort. After all, he too has his own issues and is not without baggage, so he is not about to give up on another for just that. But in order to attain Kevin's love and trust, not only must Connor be able to break through Kevin's walls, but he also has to come to terms with the mortifying details of Kevin's past.
Then, as if things are not hectic enough, Kevin's ex is far from out of the picture and he will stop at nothing to get Connor out of the way, and Kevin back at his side.
'Reclaiming Love' is the highly riveting and emotional tale of Kevin's struggle to regain the life he lost before his ordeal, and the courage to be able to step ahead and grasp a desirable future. It's also about Connor's determination to fight for what he wants, even though the potential cost to him could be very dire.
Aside from focusing on domestic abuse, the story also pulls its readers into the dark side of BDSM, so as to have them bear witness to what happens when the most essential rules of the scene are ignored and broken.
**
There is simply nothing about either Kevin or Connor that I could possibly dislike.
Kevin is a courageous, strong, and talented individual. It was very easy for me to fall in love and sympathize with him. Given his history, it is amazing that he has been able to come as far as he has, even though it is painfully obvious that he still has a long way to go, and that it will be a very bumpy ride to get there.
One of the things I loved about him the most was his determination to appear strong regardless of what was going on with him. He refuses to let anyone be displaced by his situation, and would rather suffer silently than burden his loved ones with his bouts of depression and feelings of uncertainty. He also refuses to be helpless and takes the appropriate precautions, as he is not naive enough to think his ex will ever leave him alone.
Additionally, whenever the "old" Kevin does appear it’s so delightful and heartwarming to read, that I found myself wanting to read a story with that Kevin in the forefront. It was good to see that although tattered in spirit, he had not fully lost who he really was.
Connor is as equally loveable. The best thing about him is that he is real. He does not pretend to be the "knight in shining armor" nor does he come off as being so perfect that nothing can faze him. His interest in Kevin does not leave him blind and unaffected by the situations that do surround him. He does not try to play the hero, and he is the first to admit when he is in over his head. At the same time, he tries his best to be as supportive as possible, and this shows not only in his words but also through his actions.
He is also not without his own emotional scars, as he too is trying to recover from an incident in the past. An incendent that sent him fleeing from everything he knew, only to have him land right back into a different pot of hot water.
Then as if the main characters are not enough to love this story, the supporting ones are as well. Kevin's support system is filled with individuals that anyone would be lucky to have in their corner and guarding their back - this is especially true for his best friend Nicki, whose personality is as colorful as her brightly dyed hair.
And the antagonist, Kevin's ex, cannot be ignored. So often have I picked up a book where the bad guy is especially corny, lame, and nothing more than a barking bully. But Josh is indeed immensely vile and evil, and this drips off of every page he is mentioned in.
**
I could find no faults in this book. Not in the writing, nor in the storyline. I loved every bit of it, cover to cover.
The thoughts of the characters came across easily, and the intensity of the overall situation was well portrayed. Emotions sprang forth from every page; the angst was so thick that at times I had to hold my breath until the tension in a specific scene decreased.
Being in the minds of both Kevin and Connor allowed for different views on the same situations. I was thrilled with this, especially since the personal viewpoints of both men were very essential.
Reclaiming Love is most definitely a keeper, and I only wish it were available in paperback for my bookshelf. show less
Thirty year-old, Kevin Stohler, has spent the last three years struggling to recover from an abusive relationship that has left him physically and emotionally scarred. The abuse at the hand of his ex-boyfriend was so painfully horrendous, that it torments Kevin 24/7 and has him living in fear. He fears being alone, he fears the night, he fears other men...and oh so much more. This emotional damage, along with the perceptions he holds over his body image, has left show more Kevin feeling that he is damaged goods and not worthy of being loved by anyone. In order to cope and somewhat deal with the loss of his past self, he immerses himself into the writing of his erotic/romance stories, and through this method he lives the life he longs for but thinks he can never have. Hence, he is deeply conflicted and thoroughly confused when the gorgeous and seemingly perfect, Connor McCann, takes an interest in him. Kevin is afraid that Connor may only want him for one thing - something he feels he can no longer engage in - and he is also afraid to even attempt to love the man, as he fears Connor will discard him once his past is eventually revealed.
Connor McCann was smitten with Kevin from the first time he set eyes on him. However, instead of reacting positively to Connor's advances, Kevin practically flees from him, an action which leaves Connor intrigued and even more determined to pursue him. As such, he sets out to further try and get to know Kevin, but this is easier said than done as the other man has an emotional wall firmly build around him, and is additionally well guarded and protected by friends who do not hesitate to let Connor know they are keeping an eye on him. Just the same, Connor feels that Kevin is special and worth every bit the effort. After all, he too has his own issues and is not without baggage, so he is not about to give up on another for just that. But in order to attain Kevin's love and trust, not only must Connor be able to break through Kevin's walls, but he also has to come to terms with the mortifying details of Kevin's past.
Then, as if things are not hectic enough, Kevin's ex is far from out of the picture and he will stop at nothing to get Connor out of the way, and Kevin back at his side.
'Reclaiming Love' is the highly riveting and emotional tale of Kevin's struggle to regain the life he lost before his ordeal, and the courage to be able to step ahead and grasp a desirable future. It's also about Connor's determination to fight for what he wants, even though the potential cost to him could be very dire.
Aside from focusing on domestic abuse, the story also pulls its readers into the dark side of BDSM, so as to have them bear witness to what happens when the most essential rules of the scene are ignored and broken.
**
There is simply nothing about either Kevin or Connor that I could possibly dislike.
Kevin is a courageous, strong, and talented individual. It was very easy for me to fall in love and sympathize with him. Given his history, it is amazing that he has been able to come as far as he has, even though it is painfully obvious that he still has a long way to go, and that it will be a very bumpy ride to get there.
One of the things I loved about him the most was his determination to appear strong regardless of what was going on with him. He refuses to let anyone be displaced by his situation, and would rather suffer silently than burden his loved ones with his bouts of depression and feelings of uncertainty. He also refuses to be helpless and takes the appropriate precautions, as he is not naive enough to think his ex will ever leave him alone.
Additionally, whenever the "old" Kevin does appear it’s so delightful and heartwarming to read, that I found myself wanting to read a story with that Kevin in the forefront. It was good to see that although tattered in spirit, he had not fully lost who he really was.
Connor is as equally loveable. The best thing about him is that he is real. He does not pretend to be the "knight in shining armor" nor does he come off as being so perfect that nothing can faze him. His interest in Kevin does not leave him blind and unaffected by the situations that do surround him. He does not try to play the hero, and he is the first to admit when he is in over his head. At the same time, he tries his best to be as supportive as possible, and this shows not only in his words but also through his actions.
He is also not without his own emotional scars, as he too is trying to recover from an incident in the past. An incendent that sent him fleeing from everything he knew, only to have him land right back into a different pot of hot water.
Then as if the main characters are not enough to love this story, the supporting ones are as well. Kevin's support system is filled with individuals that anyone would be lucky to have in their corner and guarding their back - this is especially true for his best friend Nicki, whose personality is as colorful as her brightly dyed hair.
And the antagonist, Kevin's ex, cannot be ignored. So often have I picked up a book where the bad guy is especially corny, lame, and nothing more than a barking bully. But Josh is indeed immensely vile and evil, and this drips off of every page he is mentioned in.
**
I could find no faults in this book. Not in the writing, nor in the storyline. I loved every bit of it, cover to cover.
The thoughts of the characters came across easily, and the intensity of the overall situation was well portrayed. Emotions sprang forth from every page; the angst was so thick that at times I had to hold my breath until the tension in a specific scene decreased.
Being in the minds of both Kevin and Connor allowed for different views on the same situations. I was thrilled with this, especially since the personal viewpoints of both men were very essential.
Reclaiming Love is most definitely a keeper, and I only wish it were available in paperback for my bookshelf. show less
The book starts with a frightend Kevin, a thirty old guy who can't bear to stay alone at home. He clings to a linus blanket, he tries to create "rumor" around the apartment to avoid the silence, he makes call to friends. Since the first pages the reader realizes that Kevin is a traumatized man who hasn't yet overcome his nightmare. Three years before Kevin was in a D/s relationship with a Dom who didn't respect the boundaries they agreed, and this sent Kevin to the hospital near dead. Now he show more is trying to rebuild his life, but his former Master doesn't give up and uses any means to scared him and at the same time begs him to come back. Without the help of his friends, a roommate who is almost a brother, a best girl friend like a substitute mother and a former lover now counselor like second father, Kevin has good chance to success.
Now enter Saint Connor; saint is the only word to describe this man, tender and caring and with too much patience. Have you present that story where everyone knows the secret of one of the main characters, but they spend all the story refusing to reveal it since it's not their right to? Usually they give hints and pushes the poor man in front of them in a abyss of total confusion letting him wondering what atrocity they are hiding? Well forget any of that. Here everyone, from the roommate to the best friend, till the owner of the local bookstore, all are ready to spill the true about Kevin's past and to warn off Connor. The poor man can't even talk to Kevin, that they are telling him that Kevin is fragile, that he probably is not ready for a sexual relationship, and Connor has not yet kiss him! A man with less patience would give up as soon as possible and instead Saint Connor smiles and vows Kevin. When the crazy man who is stalking Kevin, begins to threaten also him, he simple shrug his shoulder and ask Kevin if he is all right. When Kevin becomes a icicle the first time they try something in bed, Connor rises and goes for a cold shower. When all around him seems to collapse in nonsense, the 39 years old Connor takes the phone and calls... his DAD! Connor always does the right thing.
Connor is obviously a good man, but I like that he is not the macho man hero type. In a classical romance, poor Kevin would be rescued by the average knight in shining armour, proud and brave. It's not that Connor is not brave, but he is simple a man; he doesn't set up a show where he "magically" makes disappear all the trouble, he simple gives to Kevin another shoulder to lean when he needs to. He is willing to help, but he will not "resolve" all Kevin's trouble only due to his powerful charm. It's Kevin's task, and right, to learn how to be independent again.
Kevin is a trouble young man. He had obviously difficult childhood, with a mother who pushed him beyond his limits, and who instilled in him a feeling of never being good enough, and a father who probably was too weak to impose; Kevin's father loved him, but he probably was not the authoritative figure Kevin needed, and Kevin searched that figure in other men, like his friend Devon, and finally in his abusive former lover. Now Kevin, to be happy again, needs to realize that he is strong enough even alone; and Connor is good to him since he doesn't try to overprotect him, but he let him space to move, fall and arise again.
The book is quite angst, there are very few light moment, but even if not often, I like the impish streak that the author gave to Kevin. I also like the anti-hero character she created with Connor, handsome and gentle, but not perfect.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/424389.html show less
Now enter Saint Connor; saint is the only word to describe this man, tender and caring and with too much patience. Have you present that story where everyone knows the secret of one of the main characters, but they spend all the story refusing to reveal it since it's not their right to? Usually they give hints and pushes the poor man in front of them in a abyss of total confusion letting him wondering what atrocity they are hiding? Well forget any of that. Here everyone, from the roommate to the best friend, till the owner of the local bookstore, all are ready to spill the true about Kevin's past and to warn off Connor. The poor man can't even talk to Kevin, that they are telling him that Kevin is fragile, that he probably is not ready for a sexual relationship, and Connor has not yet kiss him! A man with less patience would give up as soon as possible and instead Saint Connor smiles and vows Kevin. When the crazy man who is stalking Kevin, begins to threaten also him, he simple shrug his shoulder and ask Kevin if he is all right. When Kevin becomes a icicle the first time they try something in bed, Connor rises and goes for a cold shower. When all around him seems to collapse in nonsense, the 39 years old Connor takes the phone and calls... his DAD! Connor always does the right thing.
Connor is obviously a good man, but I like that he is not the macho man hero type. In a classical romance, poor Kevin would be rescued by the average knight in shining armour, proud and brave. It's not that Connor is not brave, but he is simple a man; he doesn't set up a show where he "magically" makes disappear all the trouble, he simple gives to Kevin another shoulder to lean when he needs to. He is willing to help, but he will not "resolve" all Kevin's trouble only due to his powerful charm. It's Kevin's task, and right, to learn how to be independent again.
Kevin is a trouble young man. He had obviously difficult childhood, with a mother who pushed him beyond his limits, and who instilled in him a feeling of never being good enough, and a father who probably was too weak to impose; Kevin's father loved him, but he probably was not the authoritative figure Kevin needed, and Kevin searched that figure in other men, like his friend Devon, and finally in his abusive former lover. Now Kevin, to be happy again, needs to realize that he is strong enough even alone; and Connor is good to him since he doesn't try to overprotect him, but he let him space to move, fall and arise again.
The book is quite angst, there are very few light moment, but even if not often, I like the impish streak that the author gave to Kevin. I also like the anti-hero character she created with Connor, handsome and gentle, but not perfect.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/424389.html show less
I read this initially back in 2011 and re-read it in April 2013. It was every bit as great as I remembered so I added it to my favorites shelf. It is 100% healing/comfort with MC Connor finding himself drawn to broken, devastated MC Kevin, who has been sexually, emotionally and physically abused by an old boyfriend who, after over 2 years, is still stalking him. Connor decides that Kevin is worth the extra effort a relationship with such a damaged person would entail before they even have show more their first date, so he is a true hero in every sense of the word. He quickly falls in love with sweet Kevin and the two of them work together (along with Kevin's surrogate family) to battle Kevin's demons.
I can highly recommend this book to all M/M romance fans who like a healthy dose of hurt/healing/comfort in their romance. You'll love this one. show less
Very well done, the relationship was paced realistically and allowed Kevin to heal and fall in love believably. I also liked how Connor was patient with Kevin but he wasn't a saint. He did get frustrated but he never gave up. These guys were awesome together and while there was limited amounts of sex, what was there was quite steamy. :)
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