by
In October of 2017 cocky, alpha-male Irishman, Colin Campbell, Sergeant in Charge of the Special Assault Unit of the University of Virginia Campus Police Force, dove in front of a bullet meant for a University of Virginia student. The bullet shattered his thigh and severed his femoral artery, a wound which nearly took Colin’s life and left him temporarily disabled. His infirmities robbed him of the strength and athletic prowess which had been his for most of his life leaving him humiliated and bereft.
When Colin was shot, his partner, Joshua Abrams, a Doctor of Psychology at the Rainier Clinic in Charlottesville, never once left his side. He poured every ounce of strength and love he possessed into healing the magical Irishman whom he adored and was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude when Colin was taken off the critical list. Thinking that they had survived their trial, he took Colin home, believing that their happiness was now assured.
But like many injured police officers, Colin subsequently withdrew from his partner. Overwhelmed by feelings of shame and embarrassment, he devoted himself almost obsessively to the physical therapy with which he hoped to rebuild his strength and reclaim the life he had lost. Unable to share his pain and feelings of inadequacy, he shut Joshua out, leaving him to cope alone with the post-traumatic stress he suffered as a result of Colin’s shooting.
In the following months Colin and Joshua fought to keep their relationship alive. Although deeply in love, they felt powerless to cope with the after-effects of Colin’s injuries both to his body and to his pride as a man, and to heal the emotionally devastating PTSD with which Joshua suffered.
Love’s Trials tells the story of this painful and challenging time in Colin and Joshua’s life. As we join them now, Colin is still walking with a cane and still suffering the physical after effects of his injuries. But he and Joshua are both in therapy and are now dealing positively with the emotional and psychological damage they both endured.
They face their future side by side, determined to stand or fall together, as soul mates and lovers. This book follows them on their journey as they move toward the happy future they both long to share. Love’s Glory has moments of high tension and intense emotion, but you you can count on a happy ending. In fact, you can count on a happy read. In this book, Colin and his beloved Joshua have left their trials behind and now revel in Love’s Glory.
- 2 To Be Read lists
Illustrators:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Fated Mates / Soul Mates
Word Count: 630005
Setting: Charlottesville, VA and Killarney, Ireland
"I was… " Colin stammered, "I just… " He lunged after Joshua, catching his arm from behind. "Josh! Don't be pissed. There was no danger. Honest!"
Joshua wheeled to face him. "There was a fucking knife!"
"I had it covered!" Colin insisted, holding tight to Joshua's arm. "I knew I could handle it or I never would have approached them!"
Joshua stared at his lover, his dark brown eyes wide with combined fright and anger. "You… you knew…" he sputtered, then grimaced and wrenched his arm free of Colin's grasp. "I can't talk to you right now, Colin. Just… just stay away from me."
"Aw fuck," Colin muttered, gazing after Joshua as he strode toward the car. He sighed and turned back to David and Nate. "Sorry, guys. I guess I screwed up."
READ MORE"You sure as hell did," Nate agreed, a smile curling his lips. "But I have to tell you, that was one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time." He grinned and nudged Colin's shoulder. "You are absolutely badass!"
David took Nate's hand. "Yeah, well I wouldn't say that in front of Josh. All he could see was another trip to the trauma room!"
"Davy, there was no way that could've turned into a trip to the trauma room! I had it covered! I am trained to handle that kind of situation!"
"Tell it to your fiancé," David said, tilting his head toward Joshua who was leaning against the car with his arms crossed, glowering.
"Yeeeeah," Colin drawled out as they approached the car. He stepped forward and gripped Joshua's arm. "Josh, I'm sorry."
"No, you're not!" Joshua shot back, wrenching his arm from Colin's grasp. "You're not one bit sorry! I saw your face when you turned around, Colin. That's the happiest I've seen you in months! I could power this city for a year on the adrenaline dump you got from busting those two fucking students!"
David and Nate halted a few steps away, reluctant to interrupt the two lovers. "Colin," David called, "we're going to walk over to Boniface and get a drink. You two take your time."
Colin's eyes darted toward his friends then returned to his angry fiancé. "Josh, I'm sorry I scared you."
Joshua nodded then averted his eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure you are," he said. "But I'm just as sure that won't stop you when it happens again."
"Josh, there was no danger!" Colin insisted. "I'm trained to handle that kind of situation. I know what I'm doing!"
Joshua met his eyes for the first time. "No danger," he repeated. He drew in a deep breath, his eyes locked on Colin's. "Not all that long ago one of the best cops on Earth told me this: A police officer can be equipped to the teeth and trained like a Navy Seal, and it still can’t protect him from the drugged-up punk on a street corner with a cheap, stolen pistol and an itch to kill a cop."
"Josh, I… I know I said that. And… and it's true. I won't deny it. But…"
"But?" Joshua said, lifting his eyebrows. "BUT?!" He hissed out a rough breath, his teeth bared. “Goddamn it, Colin, I almost lost you to a punk with a fucking gun!!”
Colin took a step back and breathed out a soft sigh. Then he moved closer to Joshua who was staring down at the ground fighting back tears. Colin reached to gently caress his hair. “I know, sweetie. I know, and I’m sorry. Truly I am.”
COLLAPSEColin and Joshua. Wow! Like their destinies are written in the cosmos to reach this point. Both characters are effervescent. Both have such tender, inner selves. On the surface, their emotions appear inflexible, and even dogmatic at times, however this belies their underlying compassion and intuitive nature for each other because they are both deeply emotional. This novel is a “time out” if you will, before Colin and Joshua rejoin reality.
It was so important for Colin to take his leave of Kathy because without expunging the guilt, both Josh and Colin can never fully sparkle.
I love how they command respect and admiration from Colin's family because this gave them both the perfect chance to shine.
The lovely thing about both is they may be dreamboats and sweethearts to boot, but they're not prim and proper and they don't suffer fools gladly. Like most marriages, (and I look at my own because I married an older person), there were moments of bewilderment because of the many choices to be made before the wedding, but as in real life, these moments pass and the pathway down the aisle seems uncluttered and friendly.
Both are sexy beasts. Passionate. Sensuous. Both love exploring their full sexual potential and arouse intrigue and debate. But, the most endearing part of both characters is that they are big-hearted guys with fun loving natures who enjoy good living and good times with each other.
They're extremely benevolent and kind and open minded.
I understood Joshua's reticence about the future, for a moment he felt not quite ready to face the new challenge of Colin going to Law school. I think though, that journey is going to be an adventure. Colin knows what he wants. He is totally focused on his purpose leaving Joshua in awe of him.
I think, being naturally surefooted, gives Colin the courage to tread on uneven ground going into the future.
In conclusion, my thoughts and feelings of both can be summed up in two words: They Shine.
The story left me emotionally raw.
I loved learning about the different cultures and the Irish. Their vows had me weeping as I remembered my own as violins played softly in the background. Every experience from the moment they marry, will be seen in a new light, because they both will suddenly love each other more and more.
I loved this work. I loved the journey, and it was a real journey both traditional and contemporary. Bravo!
My feelings for this story as a whole can be summed up in a few words in Italian: Semplicemente il migliore.
