Title: The Rival Within
Series: N/A
Author: SJD Peterson
Genre: Historical (1950s)
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 29, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Officer Thomas Webber made a vow of marriage to his wife, a vow to his God to resist temptation, and a vow to uphold the law. But when Tom is forced to shelter a dark-haired stranger from the tornado raging over the county, long suppressed desires are brought to the surface and he is powerless to resist.
Ben Parker has hidden his true nature his whole life. The laws in 1952 are very clear, and to expose himself would mean rotting in jail, shunned or worse, a possible death sentence. Unable to find a job, he turned to crime. Seven years later, he’s still angry and tired of hiding who he really is from the world.
After meeting Thomas, Ben can envision himself settling down for the first time. The only problem is, he’s already forced Thomas to break the law and become his alibi. And then there’s the little obstacle of Tom’s wife, family, and commitment to the town of Ramer.
Ben knows what he wants, but in order to get it, Tom will have to turn his back on society and the vows he’s made if they are to find the happiness they deserve.
ISBN-13: 978-1-63216-425-4
Product Link:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5890&cPath=55_424
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Well written intense at times story. Set in the 1950s, Officer Tom Webber has a wife and a son and has been fighting his other half that yearns for a man all his life. Along comes Ben Parker and blows all his walls down in one night. Unfortunately, the Sheriff of another town finds out and sets out to destroy Tom and convict Ben for a crime he never committed.
I really don’t understand why some people like the sheriff in this story abuse their power to get what they want by any means necessary and are quick to accuse people of crimes without investigating them further. I do believe it still happens today as well. It disgusted me the lengths the sheriff went to and I was ashamed of the way some of the townspeople treated Tom afterword’s.
I was very glad that Tom went Ben and spent the rest of his life with him rather than stay in the town he was basically shunned in. I laughed when Ben exposed the sheriff for what he was and threatened him with a taste of his own medicine.
The sex between Tom and Ben was hot. Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*