Max still can't get over the loss of his lover two years after the accident — so a trip to Florence and its famous works of art might be just what he needs.
Max Travis is a lonely bus driver, stuck in a job he doesn't want but he has to pay the bills. He'd love to be a photographer and is interested in art, so his brother gives him a trip to Florence for Valentine's Day. Even though Max thinks the gift is too lavish, he can't resist the temptation and goes. When he runs into hunky art professor Rocco Moretti on his first day there, the attraction is immediate.
The two men share a steamy romance, but what will happen when Max must return to the USA?
General Release Date: 7th February 2011
“You know that I can’t afford a vacation.” Max Travis barely managed to suppress the sigh that wanted to follow. It was nice that his older brother called him every week, and Max knew he meant well. But being a partner in a huge public relations company meant living such a different life that sometimes Derek just didn’t get it.
Max desperately needed some time off, and was certainly entitled to the days after almost two years driving buses around New York City for the MTA. But he never seemed to have much money left over after paying for rent, groceries, and the occasional movie rental. What little there remained at the end of the month went into a savings account from which he hoped to buy a really decent camera one day. Like a Nikon D7000 with a few lenses, or maybe a Canon EOS. He mentally snorted. Yeah, right. Neither of them was even within a few miles of his budget right now, maybe ever.
“I don’t care if you can’t afford it. You need some time off and I’m going to make sure you get it.” Derek’s voice had taken on its ‘I’m your older brother and I know what’s best for you’ tone. “You’ve been miserable long enough, and your birthday is coming up, so there’s no way you can stop me.”
“It’s not like it was my choice to become miserable, you know?” Max pinched the top of his nose, trying to stave off the tears.
Being reminded of Steve’s fatal car accident on Valentine’s Day almost two years ago did that to him. He hated feeling weak like that, but damn it, he’d loved the guy. He’d been Max’s first real boyfriend. They’d met during orientation week at Eugene Lang College and had been inseparable for over three years. Then—in an instant— Steve’s life and promising future were taken away by the inattention of some drunken idiot who had decided he was still fit to drive.
“I know, Max.” Derek’s voice had gone soft, all traces of pushiness gone. “But you’re still alive and I think it’s time you remembered that. Steve wouldn’t have wanted you to be so unhappy. He would have wanted you to move on, find someone to love and become the photographer you’ve always dreamed of being.”
I'm a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I've loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.
Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there's more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.
I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.
I currently live in the United Kingdom, sharing my house with a vast collection of books. I like reading, traveling, spending time with my nieces and listening to classical music. I have a passion for science and learning new languages.
Reviewed by Two Lips Reviews
...a perfect love story...This is the story for you if you want to smile from cover to cover. I know I did...
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Reviewed by Ecata Sensual Reviews
4.5 out of 5!...the stuff dreams are made of...
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