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The Incident
In the line of duty, decisions that will change your life forever are made in a split-second. Nobody knows that better than Officer Michael Carmac, whose fatal split-second decision haunts his days. Tormented by guilt, Michael seeks solace in a bottle and the friendship he has with his partner, Officer Bertram Angel. But the more he leans on Angel for support, the more Michael discovers a longing that he’s kept hidden for too long. Can Angel help ease the pain of guilt or will Michael’s hidden desires be the end of their friendship?
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2011
3 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Xavier Axelson
15 books127 followersAbout Xavier Axelson: Xavier Axelson is a writer and columnist living in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 13, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I am very partial to cop stories, especially ones where partners fall for each other. So, when I saw the blurb for The Incident, it seemed to be right up my alley. I dove right in, and I’m happy to say, this novella was quite good.
First of all, I want to say that it took me a while to get attached to Michael and Angel. It’s not that I disliked them. I found both men to be a bit abrasive. They both drank too much, especially Michael, and that actually made me a little uncomfortable. However, I’m sure it was supposed to be that way, so I was able to press past my discomfort. The men do have an undeniable chemistry. It felt almost desperate, especially from Michael. Their first kiss felt like an actual ache. The sex between them is explosive, once again with a certain feeling of desperation, almost like they cling to each other so they won’t be blown away by a hurricane.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
I am very partial to cop stories, especially ones where partners fall for each other. So, when I saw the blurb for The Incident, it seemed to be right up my alley. I dove right in, and I’m happy to say, this novella was quite good.
First of all, I want to say that it took me a while to get attached to Michael and Angel. It’s not that I disliked them. I found both men to be a bit abrasive. They both drank too much, especially Michael, and that actually made me a little uncomfortable. However, I’m sure it was supposed to be that way, so I was able to press past my discomfort. The men do have an undeniable chemistry. It felt almost desperate, especially from Michael. Their first kiss felt like an actual ache. The sex between them is explosive, once again with a certain feeling of desperation, almost like they cling to each other so they won’t be blown away by a hurricane.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
December 7, 2017
When I started reading it, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, the story didn't develop very well and I found it very frustrating.
I don't know why the author wanted to use the words like "Forkful", or the situations like "blerching" a lot in the story. I found the latter very disgusting.
Another bad thing about the book is that the idea of feeling guilt has been repeated in it for so many times with the same concept. For a short story, I just felt that the author wasn't quite sure how to deal with the characters' emotions. Such a shame!
I don't know why the author wanted to use the words like "Forkful", or the situations like "blerching" a lot in the story. I found the latter very disgusting.
Another bad thing about the book is that the idea of feeling guilt has been repeated in it for so many times with the same concept. For a short story, I just felt that the author wasn't quite sure how to deal with the characters' emotions. Such a shame!
September 19, 2011
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.
Officer Michael Cormac is a man tormented by the past. A split of a second changed his life from the core and made him a broken man. He feels eyes on him everywhere he goes, he's afraid of comments and snide remarks, but even when he is alone in his home, where he should be safe, nightmares haunt him and alcohol numbs the pain.
He is dependent on his friend, Officer Bertram Angel, who is always by his side, willing to extend a helping hand. But even there Michael finds little solace, because when he looks at Angel he can't help it but see more than a friend, he sees a man who is everything Michael secretly wants.
I tried looking at this book from a few sides in my search for something deeper, but nothing changed my opinion in a drastic way. As a romance, this book didn't work for me. Michael and Angel were wonderful as friends, supportive and the love there was obvious. But add the romantic element to it and they were pretty much unconvincing. Their first serious sexual encounter filled me with disbelief, both because of their choice of the location as well as the jump they so suddenly took from closeted cops to exhibitionists. Their choice of words during intimacy didn't match their character and really clashed with what I knew of Michael and his past.
When it came to looking at this book as a story about a man fighting with his demons and trying to take back the control of his life, it had too many loose ends for me. Information was given in mere drops and it never quite satisfied my curiosity. But without looking at the book from this perspective, I never would have gotten over the image of Michael I had through the whole first half of the book where he was a drunk and a man in denial about everything important in his life. The resolution, or rather his road to recovery, came too abruptly and also left me wanting more, but some parts of his torment were raw enough that I've decided to overlook the lacking parts when it comes to my rating.
That said, I think it is best to accept this story as one about an individual rather than one about a couple. The transitions are easier that way and the story doesn't quite seem as if it is just all over the place.
As for my rating, I'm still confused as how to actually rate it. I want to give it two stars but I keep thinking there is more to this story that I just missed while reading and it deserves at least three stars. So I am going with the feeling, mostly because I hate giving lower ratings and partly because there was one part of the story I truly liked and it is somewhat worth going through all the pages to reach the last few.
Officer Michael Cormac is a man tormented by the past. A split of a second changed his life from the core and made him a broken man. He feels eyes on him everywhere he goes, he's afraid of comments and snide remarks, but even when he is alone in his home, where he should be safe, nightmares haunt him and alcohol numbs the pain.
He is dependent on his friend, Officer Bertram Angel, who is always by his side, willing to extend a helping hand. But even there Michael finds little solace, because when he looks at Angel he can't help it but see more than a friend, he sees a man who is everything Michael secretly wants.
I tried looking at this book from a few sides in my search for something deeper, but nothing changed my opinion in a drastic way. As a romance, this book didn't work for me. Michael and Angel were wonderful as friends, supportive and the love there was obvious. But add the romantic element to it and they were pretty much unconvincing. Their first serious sexual encounter filled me with disbelief, both because of their choice of the location as well as the jump they so suddenly took from closeted cops to exhibitionists. Their choice of words during intimacy didn't match their character and really clashed with what I knew of Michael and his past.
When it came to looking at this book as a story about a man fighting with his demons and trying to take back the control of his life, it had too many loose ends for me. Information was given in mere drops and it never quite satisfied my curiosity. But without looking at the book from this perspective, I never would have gotten over the image of Michael I had through the whole first half of the book where he was a drunk and a man in denial about everything important in his life. The resolution, or rather his road to recovery, came too abruptly and also left me wanting more, but some parts of his torment were raw enough that I've decided to overlook the lacking parts when it comes to my rating.
That said, I think it is best to accept this story as one about an individual rather than one about a couple. The transitions are easier that way and the story doesn't quite seem as if it is just all over the place.
As for my rating, I'm still confused as how to actually rate it. I want to give it two stars but I keep thinking there is more to this story that I just missed while reading and it deserves at least three stars. So I am going with the feeling, mostly because I hate giving lower ratings and partly because there was one part of the story I truly liked and it is somewhat worth going through all the pages to reach the last few.
September 26, 2011
The Incident is a prime example of how an author evolves and improves their craft. As much as I loved Dutch Boy, The Incident is my favorite to date. Mr. Axelson writes his characters so vividly, that I felt as if I personally knew Michael and Angel. The pain and loss experienced with PTSD was heartbreaking and the healing and attraction between Angel, beautiful. That's not to say their wasn't some awkward or blushing moments, but that is the best thing about this authors books. He makes his characters flawed, real and you feel real emotions for their struggles. I'm still not quite sure what genre to put this book into. There is romance between Michael and Angel but I think it was almost secondary to the real story of over coming trauma. What I really loved about this story is that sometimes, even tough macho cops, can't go it alone. Michael couldn't find the strength within himself to over come his past, he needed that one special person to help him heal.
October 13, 2011
Michael Carmac is a police officer involved in an incident - a robbery with a truly tragic ending. His partner, Bertram Angel (Angel to those who know him), tries to keep Michael's head about the dark waters that threaten to take him under. Michael is attracted to Angel, but Angel is straight and it won't go anywhere. Just one more brick in the wall for him.
Until something happens that knocks Michael's feet out from under him and gives him a new reason to pull out of the blackness he has allowed his life to become.
The author takes time to build the main characters, and the reader begins to care and wants the gloom surrounding Michael to lighten and allow him to be loved and to love.
Give this great story a chance - you won't regret it.
Until something happens that knocks Michael's feet out from under him and gives him a new reason to pull out of the blackness he has allowed his life to become.
The author takes time to build the main characters, and the reader begins to care and wants the gloom surrounding Michael to lighten and allow him to be loved and to love.
Give this great story a chance - you won't regret it.
December 29, 2014
Weeeee!! I love this hurt/comfort goodie between two police officers. That was my third read and it just gets better every time, so I bumped it up from 4 to 5 stars.
Recommended for my fellow M/M romance hurt/comfort men-in-uniform junkies.
Recommended for my fellow M/M romance hurt/comfort men-in-uniform junkies.
October 11, 2022
❤️ All feels with this one.
A great start as Michael thinks about kissing a work mate but he’s going through a tough time.Micheal and Angel are on the police force with Angel was worrying about Michael’s health with his drinking but does little to help I could have kicked him lol.
Having PTSD and not dealing well, I love stories like this Micheal needs help and a shoulder. A concerned friend but Michael wants more from Angel. I suspected Angel to be straight since this is told in Michael’s pov. I loved a scene where Micky asked Angel if it was real, I had to grin at his reply at that.
Light sexy scenes included which I didnt mind as I was glued to Micheal’s story.
Warning this has a violent attack scene near the ending but all works out okay in the end for a HEA.
also review on mmbookwormreviews.com
A great start as Michael thinks about kissing a work mate but he’s going through a tough time.Micheal and Angel are on the police force with Angel was worrying about Michael’s health with his drinking but does little to help I could have kicked him lol.
Having PTSD and not dealing well, I love stories like this Micheal needs help and a shoulder. A concerned friend but Michael wants more from Angel. I suspected Angel to be straight since this is told in Michael’s pov. I loved a scene where Micky asked Angel if it was real, I had to grin at his reply at that.
Light sexy scenes included which I didnt mind as I was glued to Micheal’s story.
Warning this has a violent attack scene near the ending but all works out okay in the end for a HEA.
also review on mmbookwormreviews.com
March 30, 2017
3.5 stars
Nice little story, predictable but compelling once it got started. It was the right length pretty much. I didn't feel the plot warranted a novel and I appreciated that the author didn't try to make it one, although the story ended abruptly with an HEA that felt forced. I would have preferred 5 pages being cut off the beginning and 5 added to the end so we have a better idea of how Angel is feeling about the relationship,
The peril was too short and nit as intense as I'd like--I was once again robbed of my bedside hospital scene. Still, the emotional burden of the after effects of the incident were well described and the realistic not Hollywood portrayal of PTSD were appreciated. I would read more by this author.
Nice little story, predictable but compelling once it got started. It was the right length pretty much. I didn't feel the plot warranted a novel and I appreciated that the author didn't try to make it one, although the story ended abruptly with an HEA that felt forced. I would have preferred 5 pages being cut off the beginning and 5 added to the end so we have a better idea of how Angel is feeling about the relationship,
The peril was too short and nit as intense as I'd like--I was once again robbed of my bedside hospital scene. Still, the emotional burden of the after effects of the incident were well described and the realistic not Hollywood portrayal of PTSD were appreciated. I would read more by this author.
September 13, 2011
Xavier knows how to get under his characters skin and make them real to the reader. Not a typical sweet romance. I loved it.
September 21, 2011
The Incident is a powerful read – a book that is full of human drama and extremes of emotion. There is a romance here, and some brief scenes of eroticism, but this is really the story of how we cope with pain and loss.
I won't go into detail regarding the incident in question, except to say it is a powerful image, and definitely explains for Officer Michael's issues, even if it doesn't entirely justify his escape into the bottle. I'm not overly forgiving of characters who use addictions as a crutch to avoid their issues, and I had initially trouble seeing beyond Michael's miserable self-pitying.
What ultimately redeemed him was his friendship with his partner, Angel. I really liked Angel, and that made me want to see Michael recover . . . to become worthy of his best friend's love. It's an odd way to approach a character's dilemma, but sometimes strength really does come from outside ourselves.
The budding romance between them definitely came across as awkward, but entirely realistic. Here we have two macho, professional, self-reliant individuals who live and work in a culture that does not allow for weakness, much less sentimentality. They make some strange choices, and their erotic scenes quickly move from tentative to exhibitionistic, but, again, I think that's realistic. Michael has reached an absolute low, and Angel is not just his dream-come-true, but his salvation - for their romance to be anything but desperate and awkward would have been to invalidate their struggles.
An odd mix of genres and subjects, perhaps, but an original one that works very well.
I won't go into detail regarding the incident in question, except to say it is a powerful image, and definitely explains for Officer Michael's issues, even if it doesn't entirely justify his escape into the bottle. I'm not overly forgiving of characters who use addictions as a crutch to avoid their issues, and I had initially trouble seeing beyond Michael's miserable self-pitying.
What ultimately redeemed him was his friendship with his partner, Angel. I really liked Angel, and that made me want to see Michael recover . . . to become worthy of his best friend's love. It's an odd way to approach a character's dilemma, but sometimes strength really does come from outside ourselves.
The budding romance between them definitely came across as awkward, but entirely realistic. Here we have two macho, professional, self-reliant individuals who live and work in a culture that does not allow for weakness, much less sentimentality. They make some strange choices, and their erotic scenes quickly move from tentative to exhibitionistic, but, again, I think that's realistic. Michael has reached an absolute low, and Angel is not just his dream-come-true, but his salvation - for their romance to be anything but desperate and awkward would have been to invalidate their struggles.
An odd mix of genres and subjects, perhaps, but an original one that works very well.
November 9, 2011
Review by Ivelisse: Michael Carmac is a police officer has been living with guilt since "The Incident" where he shot a kid by complete accident. Even though it was an accident fellow officers look down on him and even some people in the community look at him wrong. His partner and best friend, Bertram Angel, tries everything he can to make him get over the guilt. Michael wants Bertram so bad, but knowing his friend doesn't like men he keeps his feelings hidden until one night that includes sinfully good chocolate cake.
I enjoyed this book because it focused more on the inner struggle Michael was dealing with and how to live day to day with the guilt. There are very few stories you hear about PTSD and even fewer that include a romance angle. What really got me was the writing, the details the authors used and how he showed Michael's feelings. I have to admit I was really rooting for Michael to get his man and the moment where Angel (they call him by his last name) looks into his eyes and they are both silent and Angel whispers just do it, for Michael to go for what he was thinking---I screamed for joy. The only thing which had me a little disappointed was I wished Michael and Angle would have dived in a little more sexually than they did. But with that being said it didn't take away anything too detrimental to the actual point of the story, about not being afraid and knowing life goes on after a tragedy.
I enjoyed this book because it focused more on the inner struggle Michael was dealing with and how to live day to day with the guilt. There are very few stories you hear about PTSD and even fewer that include a romance angle. What really got me was the writing, the details the authors used and how he showed Michael's feelings. I have to admit I was really rooting for Michael to get his man and the moment where Angel (they call him by his last name) looks into his eyes and they are both silent and Angel whispers just do it, for Michael to go for what he was thinking---I screamed for joy. The only thing which had me a little disappointed was I wished Michael and Angle would have dived in a little more sexually than they did. But with that being said it didn't take away anything too detrimental to the actual point of the story, about not being afraid and knowing life goes on after a tragedy.
August 29, 2011
When I first went to rate this I scored it kinda low. But, that didn’t feel right. It’s been a while since a book had me as twisted up as this one. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to make The Incident a love story, could I truly appreciate its literary value.
Sure, there is a romantic sub-plot, but this is the story of Michael’s road of discovery and recovery. Angel is just a piece of the puzzle. The Incident shakes Michael on a core level. He is a true Alpha personality and mistakes are something that other people commit. I love the way Axelson doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh reality of post-traumatic depression and recovery. Loving Angel might have given him the strength to make healthy choices, but Michael had to want his healing for himself as much as for his lover. I also really appreciated the fact that the road to happily ever after included more than just some “love conquers all” bullsh*t.
This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw and dirty, yet absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend adding this to your library.
Sure, there is a romantic sub-plot, but this is the story of Michael’s road of discovery and recovery. Angel is just a piece of the puzzle. The Incident shakes Michael on a core level. He is a true Alpha personality and mistakes are something that other people commit. I love the way Axelson doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh reality of post-traumatic depression and recovery. Loving Angel might have given him the strength to make healthy choices, but Michael had to want his healing for himself as much as for his lover. I also really appreciated the fact that the road to happily ever after included more than just some “love conquers all” bullsh*t.
This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw and dirty, yet absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend adding this to your library.
September 17, 2011
Xavier Axelson gives a great insight into the symptoms of PTSD as Officer Michael Carmac deals with the accidental shooting of a young boy. The story gives great visualization into the bonding and true friendship between Police Officers Michael and Angel, but an undeniable attraction between the two, an attraction that they have been keeping to themselves because of their past upbringings. However, after all the drama they have been through together and with the help of the shrink, Michael finally realizes that Angel is his fire within that burns all the negativity out of his mind when they are together.
I thought it was a good short story. The romance is really mild due to the already bonding set between two Police Officers. The erotic scenes were medium for it to be an M-M story. It only consisted of a blow job and a hand job. However, it was great to read about the daily life behind the scenes of a police officer that most of us don’t realize the mental trials they deal and go through when off the job and away from the force especially after a tragic incident.
I thought it was a good short story. The romance is really mild due to the already bonding set between two Police Officers. The erotic scenes were medium for it to be an M-M story. It only consisted of a blow job and a hand job. However, it was great to read about the daily life behind the scenes of a police officer that most of us don’t realize the mental trials they deal and go through when off the job and away from the force especially after a tragic incident.
April 19, 2012
This was my 2nd Axelson book and I have to say, I'm enjoying what I am reading. I won't go into the synop (as people can read that anywhere). What I will comment on is how much I love that Xavier Axelson is not afraid to cross-over into multiple genres. With The Incident, it is more about Michael's internal struggle with a bit of romance built in. Yet I wouldn't call it a romance. It's that way in which he will give us a cop story mixed with a M/M budding romance that draws me into his writing even more. He is great at developing his characters in such a quick way in his short stories that I would love to see a full novel out of him. I'm sure I'd love it just as much. Kudos, Mr. Axelson. You've created a new fan.
August 24, 2011
I loved this story! The characters are so vivid that I could feel their emotions. The writing is tight and the story flows so easily that I couldn't put it down. The tension between Michael and Angel is both hot and romantic. Seeing them together made me sigh. Highly recommended!!
October 2, 2011
Reviewed by Joe: Before I begin this review I have to say that Xavier is a friend of mine on Facebook. I had never read any of his work before and was eager to see what his style was like, though I was nervous. What if I didn’t like it? What if his genre and style weren’t for me? Luckily The Incident is one of the most interesting stories I have read in a while and a very unique take on a cop tale. I love cop movies and cop books. I use to train cops in crisis intervention and my father always wanted to be a state patrolman so I was very excited when I began reading this.
Mr. Axelson is a very skilled writer who is able to weave a cleaver story with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The plot is entertaining, the characters are all real and genuine and people that we care deeply about. It was nice to have a main character who is so deeply flawed and struggling with life, his job and his sexuality. That made him that much more real to me and made me want to continue reading to see if he would overcome all the shit that life threw at him. He seemed like someone I would like to have a beer with and talk sports with. Mr. Axelson also has a keen ear for dialogue and each character’s voice was very distinct to me. That’s a very rare talent and something that we don’t see in a lot of writers.
If you like a good cop story I would highly recommend The Incident and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Mr. Axelson’s books.
A
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
Mr. Axelson is a very skilled writer who is able to weave a cleaver story with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The plot is entertaining, the characters are all real and genuine and people that we care deeply about. It was nice to have a main character who is so deeply flawed and struggling with life, his job and his sexuality. That made him that much more real to me and made me want to continue reading to see if he would overcome all the shit that life threw at him. He seemed like someone I would like to have a beer with and talk sports with. Mr. Axelson also has a keen ear for dialogue and each character’s voice was very distinct to me. That’s a very rare talent and something that we don’t see in a lot of writers.
If you like a good cop story I would highly recommend The Incident and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Mr. Axelson’s books.
A
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
December 5, 2011
The Incident by Xavier Axelson is one of those books that is tough to qualify and I thought I would begin by just giving you a quick idea of what it's all about. Officer Michael Carmac made a split-second decision while in the line of duty that haunts him. He drinks and the one person who kept him together throughout the whole mess was his partner, Officer Bertram Angel. As time goes by, Michael discovers that his needs for more than support and friendship from Bertram are tougher to hide. But losing a friendship that means so much to him because of his desire is not an option.
This is not a long story, yet I found that it has the qualities of both romance and fiction. Both characters are quite compelling, particularly Carmac whose situation is heartbreaking. Axelson delves deep into this man's painful and guilt-ridden, lonely life. The relationship between Bertram and Carmac is complex and beautifully realistic in the way that it is related. They have been friends as well as partners for years, and Bertram is the one person who has always been there for Michael -- the one he leans on, maybe too much. This is a romance with a happy ending, but it's not a typical gay romance, and that is due mainly to Axelson's approach and execution.
Originally posted at Impressions of a Reader
This is not a long story, yet I found that it has the qualities of both romance and fiction. Both characters are quite compelling, particularly Carmac whose situation is heartbreaking. Axelson delves deep into this man's painful and guilt-ridden, lonely life. The relationship between Bertram and Carmac is complex and beautifully realistic in the way that it is related. They have been friends as well as partners for years, and Bertram is the one person who has always been there for Michael -- the one he leans on, maybe too much. This is a romance with a happy ending, but it's not a typical gay romance, and that is due mainly to Axelson's approach and execution.
Originally posted at Impressions of a Reader
July 1, 2016
I am so glad I came across The Incident. The novella is a painfully vivid portral of a cop suffering from post traumatic stress over killing an innocent boy while aiming at a suspect; such a raw portrayal - but what I really loved about the story is how Michael (the suffering cop) and his partner, Bertram Angel allow their mutual attraction for each other to surface through a friend aching to help his best friend and a tormented cop yearning to rid himself of bad nightmares....I'll definately come back for more from Axelson and hope he continues the characters in further offerins...
November 9, 2011
Great read! Lots of intense emotion and an interesting story line. The move from friends to lovers feels so right between these guys - it's not too easy, and there are complications, but they enjoy the attraction between them, without all of the over the top regret or big misunderstanding that so often happens in this type of story. I would love to see what happens next.
This is the first book I've read by this author, I will certainly be looking for more.
This is the first book I've read by this author, I will certainly be looking for more.
March 23, 2013
A strong 3.5 The Incident is the first book that I have read by this author. The writing style was somewhat unusual in the tone of voice and I think because it was only a short story, I had a difficult time relating to the characters.
It was a very good story but it left too much open ended, in my opinion.
It was a very good story but it left too much open ended, in my opinion.
June 22, 2012
3.75 out of 5
September 10, 2011
4.5 stars
May 15, 2013
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews