About Love on the Edge
by Kate Roman
83 pages / 23000 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-268-2
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It's been four years since Chance Pierce-Smith left the stress and glamour of his Hollywood career for the green acres of his new home, a ranch in the hills of Idaho. The only thing missing from his new life is the one man he can't forget -- Joel Reed. Their on-again, off-again ten-year affair crashed and burned when Joel chose acting over love.
When Chance sees tabloid headlines suggesting Joel has an alcohol problem, he can't abandon the only man he's ever truly loved. Inviting Joel to use the ranch as a weekend retreat from the limelight might just provide the opportunity for them to forge a life together, far from the bright lights. But is Joel ready to commit to a real life off-camera? And if Joel’s problems run deeper than the tabloids suggest, is Chance ready to fight to save his one true love?
Review
Mara Ismine, author of Smoke and Yarotanji, writes:
There’s just something about cowboys, isn’t there? This isn’t following
the old ‘cowboy goes to Hollywood’ theme – quite the opposite. A very
enjoyable read and my only complaint is that it wasn’t longer.
Character actor Chance Pierce-Smith turned his back on Hollywood six years
ago and moved to Idaho to become a rancher. He doesn’t miss Tinseltown or
his ex-wives. And he is over his tempestuous, deeply closeted affair with
his best friend, the successful star Joel Reed; or so he tells himself.
Repeatedly.
When Chance’s teenage daughter relays some tabloid gossip about Joel being
arrested for DUI Chance finds himself on the phone inviting Joel to the
ranch to get away from the gossip. Just because they were such good friends,
Chance tells himself, it’ll be good to see Joel again after their six years
of separation – the no strings visit might help them get their friendship
back without all the complications their ten year on-again off-again affair
generated.
It only takes one glance from Joel for Chance to realize that the feelings
haven’t changed, but Joel still wants his career in Hollywood and that
career has always meant more to Joel than Chance ever did.
The story does not stray from Chance’s point of view so Joel remains a bit
of a mystery, which adds to the tension as they fight to find their happy
ending.
Sample
"The barn's on fire!" Serena grabbed
his arm, tugging him toward the door. "Daddy, quick! Uncle Joel went inside
and I heard the horses screaming and -- "
Chance didn't wait to hear any more. From here, the barn looked as solid as
always, but if there really was a fire, there was no time to lose. "Let's
go," he said, setting out at a run.
One look at the doorway of the old wood building quelled any hope that
Serena had been mistaken. The huge door hung open, flames licking their way
along the wall toward it, and Chance stood transfixed for an instant,
staring into the smoky interior.
"Uncle Joel ran in," Serena sobbed beside him. "Daddy, do something!"
From inside came the terrified whinnying of horses, and the sound galvanized
Chance into action. "Get the hosepipe, Serena!" he shouted, running for the
doorway. "Joel!"
There was no answer, and Chance went cold. Serena was running toward him,
dragging the hose, and Chance hit the switch for the pump.
Water coughed from the end of the pipe, splashing onto the nearest flames
with a hiss. Then the flow died away to a trickle, and Chance grabbed the
pipe from his daughter, shaking it desperately. Nothing happened, and Chance
realized with horror what had happened. The old pump had failed.
"Serena, get in the house," he ordered, fear sharpening his tone. "Call 911,
then call Carita's father, do you understand?"
Sobbing, Serena nodded, staring at him with fear-widened eyes. "Quick. Go,"
Chance ordered, and she turned and ran.
Squaring his shoulders, Chance turned back to the barn. Joel was inside, and
there was only one thing to do. Without hesitation, he flung himself into
the water trough that stood near the door, soaking his clothing, and even
ducking his head beneath the green water. A saddle-cloth hung on the railing
beside it and Chance soaked that too, then scrambled out of the trough and
ran into the flaming barn.
Above, the hayloft was well ablaze, and Chance flinched as a beam cracked
with a sound like a gunshot. A horse screamed in answer and Chance raised
his arm to cover his face, struggling through the shifting light and shadow
until he made it to Tyke's stall.
The buckskin, eyes rolling with fear, was backed into a corner, shaking his
head and giving anxious whinnies. When he saw Chance, he tossed his head,
snorting a warning, and Chance realized the animal was so frightened he
might even attack.
Chance hesitated a moment, looking from the terrified gelding to the rear of
the barn. Joel was back there somewhere. He opened his mouth to shout but
only managed a hoarse croak, and realized that in the minutes since he'd
entered, the heat and smoke had thickened enormously. He was running out of
time.