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Review: One Step Further by Felice Stevens

Posted on 3 July, 2015 by in Felice Stevens, Review / 0 comments

Review: One Step Further by Felice StevensOne Step Further by Felice Stevens
on June 30, 2015
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four-stars

Alex Stern has it all; good looks, charm, a job he loves and everyone calls him a friend. He lives life to the fullest at a breakneck pace, in the city that never sleeps. But Alex is also a master pretender; not even his best friend sees the pain that Alex hides so well. Alex himself isn’t sure who he is or what he’s searching for, he only knows that he hasn’t found it yet.

As a veterinarian, Rafe Hazelton loves each animal that crosses his path; they don’t care if he stutters a bit or that he prefers men. Their love is unconditional, but his life is still empty; they can only give him so much. New friendships convince him it’s time to break the wall of loneliness he’s hidden behind since childhood and discover what he's been missing.

Alex and Rafe forge a friendship that turns physical, and they both swear that the relationship will last only as long as the fun does. But when old heartaches come to light and secrets hidden for years are revealed, Alex and Rafe discover if they accept what’s in their hearts and take it one step further, the greatest reward is waiting for them in the end.

Though this book can be read as a standalone, I think it is appreciated most if you read Memories of the Heart http://amzn.to/1g3uH3N (a book I loved) first as that is where you first meet surgical nurse, Alex Stern and veterinarian, Rafe Hazleton.

Alex and Rafe meet when their paths cross as a result of the relationship that develops between Micah and Josh in Memories of the Heart.

One Step Further opens at a bachelor party of sorts for Micah and Josh and it is a wonderfully written scene that shows how different Alex and Rafe appear to the world.

As the book develops both Rafe and Alex are forced to confront their pasts… not only did this allow the reader a window into each man’s soul, it was so powerful to witness each man support the other.  And for me, I loved how it illustrated the depth of feeling these men were developing for each other.  Saying “I love you” are just words, but being there supporting each other, standing together in time of crisis show love, love in action.

Ms. Stevens also manages to weave some humor into this story, in so many places I love the dialogue that developed between these two:

“You brushed your teeth? Did you use my toothbrush?” Rafe knelt by the side of the bed.

“You had your mouth on my cock this afternoon.” His lips curved in a teasing smile.

“Does it bother you if I used your toothbrush?”

“Hmm. Point taken.”

I loved being a witness to these two men opening up to each other, watching them explore each others bodies was hot, experiencing them opening their hearts to each other was powerful

The use of both men’s families was powerful and in the scenes with Alex’s father, I could feel the love these two men share as they deal with his bias.

Rafe and Alex create a new life for themselves, one surrounded by friends and family, a life that pays honor to their past, one that is painful for the reader to learn about but in the end brings healing.

four-stars

About Felice Stevens

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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