Date of Reading:25/07/2012
Author: Kaje Harper
Publisher: M/M Romance Group
Rating: 4/5
This book is a product of the 'Love is Always Write' promotion sponsored by the Goodreads M/M Romance group. You can download it as a free e-book from goodreads website. The group invited the members to choose a photo and pen a letter for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image. Authors in the group is encouraged to select a letter and write an original tale. Kaje Harper's is one of those.
A word of caution before proceeding; if you are in anyway prejudiced against gays don't even think about reading this book. Book is an excellent choice for gays and neutral ones. Prose is beautifully written and it feels like a romance like any other. The two lovers do everything a man and woman do together and the author hasn't censored anything also. So those who believe this is something unnatural, beware!, you might actually vomit.
Daniel Acardi and Jacob Segal meets in 1942 during World War II as officers of Navy and soon finds mutually attracted. Their relationship flourishes secretly behind empty locker rooms and rented secluded hotels. When their ship comes under attack, Jacob is hurt but timely saved by Daniel. Jacob is sent home to heal, while his lover's fate is to fight some more.
War ends at last and they move in together. Jacob's family pretends that Daniel does not exist and Danny is not welcome to his own home either. Jacob works in his father's medical shop and as a commercial artist Daniel also finds a life. Like any other normal family they also has little fights -- once Jacob even doubts his lover spends time with other gays.
Years pass by and the gays begin to come to the public unafraid, voices are raised for the right to marriage. Attitudes of the younger generation is also changing. Jacob's sister is tolerant and his nieces enjoy the luxury of two uncles. At last on July 25, 2011 at the age of eighty-seven they marry with the permission of New York state in the presence of family and friends.
"As their hands parted, the ring fell. For a moment it floated on the surface of the water, catching little glints of sun in the interwoven silver and copper strands. Daniel reached for Jacob's hand again, and laced their fingers together, watching it. . . Slowly the ring of their entwined hair slipped below the surface. Another moment and it was gone from sight, heading downwards, carrying his love and Jacob's down safely this time, into deep waters."
