About Safe Harbor
by Elizabeth Brooks
109 pages / 29000 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-258-3
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Rafe's first dozen years were brutal, defined by privation in the slums
of the free city Haven. When Maestro Servio, Haven's finest shipwright,
offers the boy a position as an apprentice, Rafe finds himself bewildered
and confused by a world he's never hoped to enter, and suffering nightmares,
memories of the past he only wants to leave behind. In order to survive, he
relies desperately on his fellow apprentice, Tyver.
As they enter adulthood together, Rafe realizes that his friendship with
Tyver has grown into something deeper. He dreams of making Tyver his lover,
but before that dream can come true, Rafe must set aside lessons of pain and
fear that he's learned all too well, and instead learn to trust not only
Tyver, but himself.
Review
Stephanie Vaughan, author of the Off World books, writes: A beautifully written story that had me rooting hard for the hero from the first page. Author Brooks has her work cut out for her in turning what could have been a deal-breaker of a subject matter into a sweet tale of first love. The hero’s journey from exploited youth to self-assured manhood is handled skillfully, with the story structure allowing a timeline for healing that doesn’t feel forced. Kudos, as well, for world building that is foreign enough to transport, yet familiar enough not to disrupt the story. Very nicely done! I’d love to see more of these characters and Brooks’ universe.
Sample
Tyver whimpered, a hungry, helpless sound that drove
the last vestiges of rational thought from Rafe's brain. They kissed like
starving men at a feast, fierce and yet tender, neither willing to be the
first to break contact. Rafe's hand clenched in Tyver's hair -- it had to
hurt, but Rafe was unable to let go; Tyver cradled Rafe in his arms
gingerly, desperate not to spoil this chance.
When at last the need for air drove its thin wedge between them, Tyver
groaned with desire and then laughed, soft and slightly hysterical. "I guess
that means you're ready to give it another try?" His dark eyes were filled
suddenly with fear. "I don't know how to-- I don't know what not to do,
Rafe. You have to help me."
"I know," Rafe soothed. He rested his forehead against Tyver's, breathing
him in. "But I don't always know, either. Just... trust me that I won't
blame you if I panic. All right?" He grimaced. "And... I'm sorry, but... be
patient with me?"
Tyver laughed again. "I've been waiting for so long, already, what's another
few years?"
Rafe shuddered. "Gods, I hope not that long." He brushed Tyver's lips with
his, marveling anew at the feel.
Tyver writhed, fighting his own urge to press his body against Rafe's.
"Touch me," he begged. "Put your hands on me. Please, Rafe."
Desire raced through Rafe's veins like wildfire, leaving him breathless. He
laid his hand flat against Tyver's chest, felt the pounding of Tyver's
heart. Shaking, he opened Tyver's shirt and slipped it off his shoulders.
Years of sharing a room and even a bed had left them very little room for
modesty; Rafe had seen Tyver's body countless times, but never through a
lover's eyes. He had known Tyver was beautiful, but never fully appreciated
the fact.
Rafe traced the contours of Tyver's shoulders, outlining work-hardened
muscles with his fingertips. Tyver's eyes were closed, his breath all but
held, so still that Rafe could hear the rasp of his own calloused fingers
against Tyver's skin.
Rafe watched, fascinated, as Tyver's skin twitched and quivered with each
light touch. It seemed incredible to him that he could possess such power.
He dragged a fingertip across one of Tyver's cinnamon-colored nipples; it
responded instantly, drawing up into a small, hard nub. Tyver groaned
softly, and the sound traveled straight to Rafe's cock. He had to hear it
again. He brushed over Tyver's other nipple, then gently pinched them both,
testing their hardness.
Tyver's skin was irresistible. Rafe kissed the side of his neck, then dipped
his tongue into the well of Tyver's collarbone. Tyver twisted like a man in
torment, but sighed like a prayer. "Rafe, oh Rafe, yes..."