Lynn Burke

Michael goes to AA meetings to stay sober. Chase comes in one night and Michael is tempted but struggles to say no. Chase likes what he sees in Michael but tries not to tempt Michael. He is looking for a friend and a new start in a new town. But they both need what the other can give them. Will they give in?

I liked this story. I liked Michael. Chase is over the top but that is what Michael needs. He explains what he needs to Chase and Chase does his best not to tempt. They try friendship but they do need more. I liked that Michael thought long and hard before he lets Chase get closer. I liked how he realized that his past was not coming back to hurt him, that he controlled what was happening. Chase also made choices that worked for them both.

I am sorry this series is over. I enjoyed it. I'm going to miss these characters.… (mehr)

Jed is an assistant pastor. His new neighbor, Aiden, was his brother's best friend and his secret crush. They start hanging out together and Jed's crush gets stronger. Aiden has left religion behind. He has no problem with his developing feelings for Jed. When a problem at the church is brough to Jed he has to decide how to proceed so the problem is handled correctly. How is Jed going to handle his church work and Aiden? Will the two men have a chance for happiness?

I enjoyed this story. I liked Jed. He is not comfortable with all the changes happening. He knew what had happened to his friends when their homosexuality became known at the church. He has to really look at how his work at the church makes him feel. He has to decide if he will act on his feelings for Aiden. He also looks at how his choices will impact his family then determines what to do. I liked seeing how serious he was as he decided what choices to make. Then when he gets a church financial problem dumped on his lap, he has to decide what to do and what will happen to him if he is outed which is a real possibility.

Aiden does not force him to decide. Aiden tempts but does not put too much pressure on Jed to make a choice. Aiden has to look at himself and decide if he will be all in with Jed or not. He has to come to realize what happened between him and his ex-wife. He also has to come to peace with how his marriage ended and stop listening to voice of his ex in his head.

There was a lot going on here. Jed and Aiden make the best choices for themselves. Others totally support while others struggle not only with Jed and Aiden but what happened at the church. I hate that there is only one more story left in this series. I am going to miss these characters.… (mehr)

Ezra has returned home after 15 years in the mission field following the death of his wife. He goes to live with his best friend, Phillip, and Phillip's son, Aaron. Phillip is wheelchair-bound with Parkinson's Disease. Aaron has been his caretaker for years. The three of them were the three musketeers as Aaron was growing up. Aaron still has an attraction to Ezra. Ezra is beginning to have them for Aaron. But Ezra feels it's wrong as he is older and a pastor. Aaron slowly wears Ezra down. Then Phillip learns of their attraction. What will happen? Will they come out? Will they go their separate ways?

I enjoyed this story. I liked Ezra and Aaron. Phillip is harder to know and like as he does not speak often. It is through his actions I learned more of him, and they were not good. I did come to understand Phillip's feelings by the end of the book. I like how Aaron took care of Phillip regardless of Phillip's nastiness to him. There were days Aaron would have been glad to chuck all in. I appreciated that Aaron's thoughts and feelings went from one side to the other. It was just so real and honest.

I liked that Ezra tried to maintain his view on his religion, but I was glad when he realized that Simply Grace church was not the most progressive or enlightened. I was glad when he realized that he was denying a part of his identity that was important to him--that Aaron was more important than the judgmental people at the church.

I look forward to the next story in this amazing series.… (mehr)

Zeke is a Christian counselor and is to counsel one of the pastor's daughters and fiancé before they marry. Zeke has not met the couple but when they walk into his office, he recognizes Levi as the man he met at a concert 8 months earlier. Levi recognizes him also but neither says anything. Lily picks something up between them but cannot figure it out plus she is really into her own self. She is also a talker and blurts out everything. After they leave the counseling session, Lily tells Levi her deepest fantasy. Levi does what he can to see it accomplished but that involves Zeke. Will their feelings come out? Will Lily and Levi marry?

I liked this story. There is such hungering in Zeke and Levi. Lily is obtuse about Levi and Zeke. As long as she gets what she wants, she's fine. It finally comes to a head when Zeke's past comes to town. I felt that was contrived but I understand why it was as it was as it showed a group of people who did not listen to the whole story and judged only knowing a fraction of the story as well as one side.

I loved Zeke's parents. Their talk with Zeke when he returned to Boston opened his eyes. Levi's parents were like the pastors at the church--judging without knowing the story. No wonder Levi was unconfident.

There is a lot of angst here but when Zeke and Levi finally sit down and thrash it out, they arrive where they, and I, wanted to be. Lily gets what she wants. And these three are happy and accepting of each other.

I look forward to the rest of the series.… (mehr)