The Handyman Books Series

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Summary: "Ed couldn't help it. In the days that followed, he couldn't get the new mailman out of his mind. From the time he had broken up with Cathy Carroll after high school graduation and had devoted himself exclusively to the pursuit of those whose body parts matched his own, Ed had had an image in his mind, a full-blown mental picture of the perfect guy. That first day, when the new mailman dropped a handful of bills into Ed's mailbox, Ed knew he had found him." Told with warmth, humor, and optimism, The Handyman's Dream is a story for everyone who has ever had a fantasy about the perfect mate. Ed Stephens is a small town handyman. He also happens to be gay and lonely. Ed is practical enough to realize that finding a man in Porterfield, Indiana -- population nine thousand -- is unlikely, so he's shocked and amazed when the man of his dreams suddenly begins delivering his mail each day. Suspecting Fate has lent him a helping hand, Ed schemes to meet the mailman, Rick Benton -- hard-working and responsible -- who has moved to Porterfield to lend a helping hand to his sister, a single parent. Rick, it turns out, is gay and lonely as well. When Ed and Rick meet the attraction is spontaneous and mutual, and soon loneliness is forgotten in the joy of falling in love. As their relationship grows and deepens, they find themselves dealing with the same situations every couple faces: the reactions of friends and families, job responsibilities, and whether their love is a strong enough foundation for a long-term relationship. Ed and Rick, though, have another problem to cope with as well -- whether a small, Indiana town is the best place for two men to build a life together in the early 1980's. With a soundtrack of timeless pop classics, the story of Ed and Rick is a heart-warming journey from that special first kiss to the golden moment when one couple realizes their love is strong enough to endure any and all hardships. Gay or straight, you'll enjoy the ride

The Handyman's Dream

Nick Poff

Pairings: M-M

Published: 09/09/2005

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THE HANDYMAN'S REALITY IS THE WINNER OF THE GAY/LESBIAN FICTION CATEGORY OF THE 2007 FOREWORD MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS The story of handyman Ed Stephens and his mailman boyfriend Rick Benton continues in The Handyman’s Reality, the anticipated follow-up to The Handyman’s Dream. When Rick decides to move in with Ed and begin a committed relationship, Ed believes his long-time dreams about the perfect man have come true. However, he quickly learns that the day-to-day reality of living with another man is not always the blissful fantasy he had imagined. Ed’s good friend and staunch supporter, Mrs. Hilda Penfield, complicates matters further with a stunning proposal for Ed and Rick. As they make their first major decision as a couple, Ed realizes that Rick’s vision of their life together isn’t an exact match of his own. In addition, Ed’s concerns about living openly with another man in Porterfield, Indiana—population nine thousand—continue to haunt him, and are brought into sharper focus after an unpleasant encounter with one of his clients. Ed doesn’t lack for input and advice from his opinionated mother, Norma; his younger but more experienced sister, Laurie; his mouthy but lovable friend, Gordy; and the wise and wonderful Mrs. Penfield. Fortunately, Ed’s practicality and his desire to make his marriage with Rick work enable him to navigate the unexpected twists and turns of his new life with the grace and humor that endeared Ed to readers of The Handyman’s Dream. With another soundtrack of timeless pop classics, author Nick Poff invites you to enjoy the continuing heartwarming journey of Ed and Rick as they make the transition from romantic courtship to the realities of a life together.

The Handyman's Reality

Nick Poff

Published: 04/24/2007

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Handyman Ed Stephens, whose romantic fantasies came true in The Handyman’s Dream, and who learned about building a successful relationship in The Handyman’s Reality, is back for another adventure in life and romance in The Handyman’s Promise. By the autumn of 1983, Ed’s life partner, Rick Benton, has been working in Indianapolis for more than a year as he pursues a new career in real estate. Ed eagerly anticipates the day Rick will return home to Porterfield full-time. Their time apart has allowed Ed to contemplate the maintenance of a long-term gay relationship, and to reevaluate his definition of a successful marriage. With the aid of both hindsight and foresight, Ed and Rick are able to move optimistically toward their mutual goals. Although their journey has its share of joyful surprises, several unfortunate events and a sudden tragedy force Ed to once again question their future in a small Indiana town amid the stark realities of gay life in the early 1980s. Once again Ed and Rick’s friends and families are along for the ride to provide love, support, humor, and occasional aggravation. As always, Mrs. Hilda Penfield, Ed’s bountiful mentor, is close by with words of wisdom as Ed continues to learn how to blend his dreams into day-to-day living. With yet another soundtrack of timeless pop classics, author Nick Poff extends a third invitation to enjoy the heartwarming journey of Ed Stephens and Rick Benton as they continue to explore the mysteries of love and life.

The Handyman's Promise

Nick Poff

Published: 04/18/2008

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Handyman Ed Stephens and his partner Rick Benton have begun their new life as the masters of Penfield Manor. After the first big event in their new home, Rick’s sister’s wedding, they hope for a long stretch of peace of quiet. Instead, Ed and Rick both find themselves involved in new activities. As Rick's boss, Realtor Vince Cummings, becomes aware of the opportunities available in the sudden expansion of Porterfield, he and Rick become guiding forces for a major redevelopment project. Meanwhile, Ed's innocent suggestions regarding the revival of a local festival lead him to become a member of the Porterfield Days Association, and the acceptance of additional responsibilities. It's Rick's discovery of a tombstone in a disused town cemetery that sparks Ed's curiosity about the background of his father's family. Ed begins to question the relationship he had with his deceased father and hopes learning some of the Stephens family secrets will enable him to make peace with his unresolved feelings. The usual cast of suspects is back to both enrich and complicate Ed's life: His sharp-tongued but supportive mother Norma, his sister Laurie, and housekeeper Effie Maude, who maintains her position at Penfield Manor, and provides amusement for Ed and Rick with her observations and pronouncements. Their best bud Gordy is on the scene as well, struggling to build a relationship in the early years of AIDS. Even Ed gets a taste of the hostility becoming more common as fear of the disease spreads. As Ed deals with the realities of being a gay man in a small town in 1985, he unexpectedly finds support from two unlikely sources, a visually impaired client, and a clergyman new to the town. THE HANDYMAN'S HISTORY, with its soundtrack of classic oldies, will take its readers both forward and backward in the continuing saga of Ed and Rick, as their relationship strengthens, matures, and endures.

The Handyman's History

Nick Poff

Published: 02/19/2019

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Summary: “Sometimes the hardest part of my job is dealing with human cruelty and its aftermath. It’s almost always instigated by fear. I wonder if we will ever evolve out of that instinct.” Pastor Phil Sturgis in The Handyman’s Summer By the late spring of 1987, Handyman Ed Stephens and his life partner Rick Benton are anticipating a lazy, peaceful, even boring summer. Things do not go as planned as Ed and Rick suddenly find themselves embroiled in mystery, scandal, surprises, and a lesson in both the kindness and cruelty of people. When local bag lady, Evie Fountain, suddenly dies of a stroke, Ed and Rick become interested in her rundown house. Evie’s house turns out to be shrouded not only with overgrown bushes, but also in secrecy. Ed and Rick are drawn into the murky legend of the official town character, determined to discover the truth underneath the rumors that have circulated throughout Porterfield, Indiana, for almost thirty years. When a personal journal is found in the house, they become immersed in a shameful story of small town bigotry and its tragic results. There is plenty of other activity to keep Ed and Rick busy over the summer. Neal Soames, the gay teenager they have been mentoring, graduates high school and suddenly gets cold feet about going away to college. He moves into Penfield Manor while Ed and Rick try to convince him leaving Porterfield is in his best interests. Ed’s friend, Dr. Paul Klarn, calls Ed for help when one of his patients is an unidentified victim of a queer-bashing. Ed and Rick decide to take this young man in as well, creating, as their friend Gordy calls it, “Uncle Ed’s Home for Wayward Homos.” Ed’s mother, Norma, also stirs up drama when she involves Ed in her troubles with the local garden club. Ed develops a scheme to turn the tables on a pushy, obnoxious woman who is determined to run the club in her own best interests. Norma will have another surprise for Ed before the summer is out. “Expect the unexpected,” Norma tells him. Muriel Weisberg, self-proclaimed vision-impaired bitch goddess, is on the scene as well throughout the summer, providing much needed comic relief for Ed. She uses her new role as a columnist for the local newspaper to solve problems, spout her sometimes unconventional wisdom, and to assist in the mystery of Evie’s house. As always, Ed supplies a soundtrack of both oldies and current hits to help him cope with this busy season, one that will, in some ways, change the lives of Ed and his beloved Rick forever. Join these two gallant men as they continue to create an oasis of freedom and acceptance in an otherwise narrow-minded world. Together, hand in hand, still in love, Ed and Rick move triumphantly forward, ready to take on the world.

The Handyman's Summer

Nick Poff

Pairings: M-M

Published: 10/08/2019

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Summary: Autumn 1989 begins as a season of loss for Handyman Ed and his life partner Rick. Their dear friend Doug passes away after a losing battle with AIDS. Effie Maude, the longtime Penfield Manor housekeeper, announces her retirement. Ed and Rick are exhausted and mournful, and despite the advice of friends and family, determined to continue with their regular responsibilities. Little things suddenly become big deals as they struggle to cope with the daily activities at Penfield Manor, and the result is an unfamiliar distance between them. Unexpected houseguests, the trials and tribulations of their foster son Rex, and a new overbearing client of Ed’s with murky intentions complicate their lives even more as they struggle to deal with their loss and find their way back to each other. Fortunately, Ed and Rick do not lack for good friends and compassionate families. While Ed’s mother Norma is preoccupied with her new cookie enterprise, the rest of the family and their friends Gordy, Pete, Muriel, and Dr. Paul are always available for companionship, advice, and the occasional kick in the butt. Ed may be balding, Rick may be covering his gray, and they might argue about who has the worse eyesight, but the genuine love and respect they share for each other enables them to survive the surprises and storms both inside and out through the final months of 1989 and come through it all, ready to meet a new decade.

The Handyman's Storm

Nick Poff

Pairings: M-M

Published: 02/02/2021

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