About Rover
Written by Mel Spenser
170 pages / 50500 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-675-9, 1-60370-675-5
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
After losing his partner of seven years, Patrick is moving back to Houston to find a new life. Sean is younger, but no less in need of a fresh start. He's trying to finish college and get back on track after a series of bad mistakes. The two men get along famously, and their physical attraction is intense, but Patrick may be too afraid to love again. He doesn't want to let himself be open to the kind of pain that comes from losing someone.
Sean, who is far more open to his feelings for Patrick, also has a problem. His ex-boyfriend is popping up all over, in unexpected places. The ex even shows up when Sean and Patrick go on vacation together. All of their problems conspire to keep Patrick and Sean from becoming a real couple, and Sean finally decides that Patrick will never really return his feelings. Can Patrick learn to let himself care again? Find out in this precursor to Mel Spenser's popular novel Miss Me?
Review
Kiernan Kelly, author of the In Bear Country books, writes: Patrick has moved to Houston to be closer to his family after losing his long-time partner, Douglas. Like most people who lose a loved one, he's unsure and afraid, and determined not to ever get involved with anyone else and risk reliving the pain of losing them.
That is, until he wanders into a coffee shop and sees Sean.
Sean is younger, beautiful, and alive in ways Douglas never was. He's also coming off a bad time in his life, pulling himself up by his bootstraps. Both men come with baggage, and only time will tell if they can overcome their past tragedies and find love again.
Mel Spenser has written a beautiful, oft times poignant story of love the second time around. At first glance, Patrick and Sean seem polar opposites, and yet as the story unfolds, so do their characters, as Spenser reveals the depth of each man. Patrick especially is a man torn, clinging to the past while at the same time yearning to move forward.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Rover," and highly recommend it. Kudos to Mel Spenser for this lovely slice of life story, full of hope, longing, sex that is alternately steamy and sensual, and most of all, love!
Sample
"Patrick."
He looked around when he heard his name.
"Over here."
Patrick squinted, looking out into the dusk from the porch.
"Douglas?" Patrick could just make out a shape standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Hey, baby," the shape said.
"Why don't you come closer?"
"I can't, Patrick. I'm here now."
"I don't understand."
"Remember, baby? Remember the accident?" Douglas asked.
"What are you talking about? Why did you leave me?"
"Oh, baby. I didn't want to."
Patrick was confused. Why was Douglas was behaving this way?
"Listen, sweetheart," Douglas said. "I need you to do something important for me."
"What is it? Come up to the porch so we can talk."
"Patrick. I need for you to move on now. I need for you to be happy."
"What are you saying, Douglas? Don't you want to be with me anymore? Did you stop loving me?"
"Of course I love you. I always will," Douglas said. "But listen to me, baby. You've got to move on now. I want you to be happy again. You need to find someone else to love."
"But I want you," Patrick said.
Douglas didn't say anything more. He turned and walked into the woods. Then he was gone.
Patrick woke with a start, tangled in his blankets. He wasn't at their vacation cabin. He was in his apartment in Austin. Jack, his golden retriever, was lying on the bed next to him.
A dream, he thought. Douglas wasn't here. He was gone. Killed by a drunk driver over a year ago.
Patrick couldn't sleep now. He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Jack lifted his head and looked at him. When Patrick went to the kitchen instead of coming back to bed, he heard Jack get up and follow him down the hall.
Patrick got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, then went to his office and turned on the computer. When Patrick sat down, Jack walked over and laid his head on Patrick's knee. Patrick absently scratched the dog's ears and stared at the screen as the computer booted.
"Oh, Jack. What am I going to do?"