Surrendered Victory

Title: Surrendered Victory
Author: K.C. Kendricks
Publisher: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
Genre: Contemporary, GLBT (M/M)
Length: Short Story (17K)
Rating: **** 1/2 (out of 5)

Reed has been ambivalent about his sexuality all his adult life but had never done anything about it because he was concerned about the reaction of friends and most important, his father. He has had a number of failed relationships with women and wondered if the reason is because he is gay. Then Dalton walks into a bar and his doubts crystallized into certainty; it’s not a matter of if but when he would take the next step that will change his life.

The dialogue between Dalton and Reed is very funny as they skirt around the issue of when they would get together and the story moves very quickly from the bar to Dalton’s apartment. There is none of the awkwardness that is typical in most books when the two characters first hook up but Dalton has to work very hard to deal with Reed’s personal fears, as well as whether he would measure up to Dalton’s other partners. The sex between them is very sensual and hot and they make love to each other as if they never want to let go. However, when Dalton doesn’t call Reed afterward he is broken up and wonders if it’s all over. Do Dalton and Reed get their HEA or HFN ending? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

What I most liked about Surrendered Victory is that the author created two characters that are slightly older than the norm and therefore have a bit of baggage. Dalton is 43 years old, has been married and divorced with a couple of kids and has the usual angst about disclosing his homosexuality to them. Reed is 10 years younger, has never been married and is experiencing family pressures to do so. Most of the story takes place in 24 hours when they first signal to each other in a bar that there is a good possibility they could hook up. Although they knew each other for some time through business and Dalton has approached Reed several times before, Reed is very concerned about the emotional effects should he go to bed with Dalton because he has never been with a man before and he is not looking for a one night stand. Dalton’s surprising patience, understanding and empathy for Reed was really well done by the author who did a great job of wrapping up the story. I only wish that the book could have been longer but it was a terrific read and I unhesitatingly recommend it!