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Courting #5
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Alternate Cover Edition for ISBN: 9781301294756
Officer Joshua Dabbs and his husband, lawyer Garrison Williams, met while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps ten years ago. Their lives are very different now than from when they first started dating: they're out of the Corps and the closet, they're married and own a house, and they're getting ready to adopt two kids through the state. Josh figures their life is pretty much perfect.
When their friends challenge them to run in the annual Marine Corps Marathon, they find themselves back in D.C. and visiting their old stomping grounds around Quantico. Garrison and Josh enter a friendly competition to see who finishes the marathon first.
Proceeds from the previously published Torquere Press edition went to the It Gets Better Project. This book is now free to download.
Officer Joshua Dabbs and his husband, lawyer Garrison Williams, met while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps ten years ago. Their lives are very different now than from when they first started dating: they're out of the Corps and the closet, they're married and own a house, and they're getting ready to adopt two kids through the state. Josh figures their life is pretty much perfect.
When their friends challenge them to run in the annual Marine Corps Marathon, they find themselves back in D.C. and visiting their old stomping grounds around Quantico. Garrison and Josh enter a friendly competition to see who finishes the marathon first.
Proceeds from the previously published Torquere Press edition went to the It Gets Better Project. This book is now free to download.
28 pages, ebook
First published September 17, 2011
25 people want to read
About the author
J. Rocci
35 books40 followersSince 2006, J. Rocci has published LGBT romance stories, ranging from contemporary to steampunk to fantasy. Rocci currently lives near Washington D.C. with the love of her life and their furry children, and loves giving her characters happy endings.
You can find Rocci on the web at:
http://www.jrocci.com
Monthly newsletter
You can find Rocci on the web at:
http://www.jrocci.com
Monthly newsletter
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 18, 2011
J. Rocci opens a window into the lives of committed couple Garrison and Josh, whom we've seen before in the author's Courting series. Garrison and Josh have different personalities, which come through even in this short story, and they mesh together in the way of lovers who've been together for a while. It's ten years on for the two men, and they're soon to be parents, preparing for a new life as a family. In the meantime, a competition begins, with the winner earning the basement space for either a workout space, as Josh wants, or in Garrison's case, an office. And so, onto the Marine Corps Marathon.
J's picture of married life is reality tempered with the romance of two people who care about each other and want to continue building a life together. Garrison is appealing, yet remains a bit of a mystery while through Josh, we see and hear what's going on in their story; we see his love for Garrison.
The two former Marines visit a round of DC museums in the story, and it's a little poignant as they near Quantico, with memories of their time serving and having had to hide their sexuality.
The story is especially moving to me today as I am watch the September 11th coverage. Josh and Garrison visit the Marine Corps Museum and are struck by the 9-11 exhibit, and find themselves just as overwhelmed as I.
J. Rocci brings us two men who are real, and their story is sweet and fulfilling. This brief peek into their lives is satisfying, and I find myself hoping that another chapter will soon show the next step for Josh and Garrison - fatherhood.
J's picture of married life is reality tempered with the romance of two people who care about each other and want to continue building a life together. Garrison is appealing, yet remains a bit of a mystery while through Josh, we see and hear what's going on in their story; we see his love for Garrison.
The two former Marines visit a round of DC museums in the story, and it's a little poignant as they near Quantico, with memories of their time serving and having had to hide their sexuality.
The story is especially moving to me today as I am watch the September 11th coverage. Josh and Garrison visit the Marine Corps Museum and are struck by the 9-11 exhibit, and find themselves just as overwhelmed as I.
J. Rocci brings us two men who are real, and their story is sweet and fulfilling. This brief peek into their lives is satisfying, and I find myself hoping that another chapter will soon show the next step for Josh and Garrison - fatherhood.
September 30, 2011
I've followed Josh and Garrison through their courtship, engagement, marriage, and their decision to adopt children; I never grow tired of hearing about them. My admiration for them grows exponentially with each story because of their loving commitment to each other. Josh and Garrison don't need hot sex scenes in their stories to demonstrate their feelings; these amazing men make love every time they look at each other.
I enjoyed reading about their trip to DC; I live in Northern Virginia and am familiar with many of the places and things mentioned, i.e., riding on the crowded Metro, visiting the Smithsonian and Marine Corps Museum and other attractions. It added a lot of atmosphere and set the stage for Garrison's reflections about being in the Marine Corps while DADT was still in force and how life may have been if it had been repealed before he and Josh got together.
This is a lovely, romantic story which will touch your heart and remind you that important things in life often comes, not with a shout, but with a whisper. Reading this story was like bathing in the light of Josh and Garrison's love and made me feel good all over. I strongly suggest that you read it and see for yourself.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
I enjoyed reading about their trip to DC; I live in Northern Virginia and am familiar with many of the places and things mentioned, i.e., riding on the crowded Metro, visiting the Smithsonian and Marine Corps Museum and other attractions. It added a lot of atmosphere and set the stage for Garrison's reflections about being in the Marine Corps while DADT was still in force and how life may have been if it had been repealed before he and Josh got together.
This is a lovely, romantic story which will touch your heart and remind you that important things in life often comes, not with a shout, but with a whisper. Reading this story was like bathing in the light of Josh and Garrison's love and made me feel good all over. I strongly suggest that you read it and see for yourself.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
October 11, 2011
This is book 5 in the “Courting” series which follows Garrison and Josh’s life. They are now happily married and waiting for their adoption to come though and living the good life. When their friend convinces them to participate in the Marine marathon in Washington, it gives Garrison the opportunity to indulge his competitive side, and it also gives the guys a chance to go back to their old haunts when they first got together when Garrison was out of the marines but Josh was still in.
I have only read one other story about the men and you don’t really need to have read any to enjoy this installment. How they met and got together is briefly reviewed in this story and there are really two stories, the competition of the race and then the side-story of their visit back to Washington and the memories, both good and bad that stirs up for the couple. I particularly found their visit to the Marine museum touching as Josh remembers their initial fear of someone realizing they were a couple and what that would have meant, also taking into account the recent repeal of DADT how their lives might have been different.
The story is told in present tense from Josh’s point of view. As always it took me a bit to get my head wrapped around that, but it worked well given that part of the strength was the memories of their life, making that clearly in the past versus the present storytelling. The description of the race made me quite confident in my decisions to never run unless zombies are after me. I appreciate those who have the dedication, I am not one.Fans of Garrison and Josh will enjoy this little trip down memory lane for them and I enjoyed getting to meet some of their friends.
I have only read one other story about the men and you don’t really need to have read any to enjoy this installment. How they met and got together is briefly reviewed in this story and there are really two stories, the competition of the race and then the side-story of their visit back to Washington and the memories, both good and bad that stirs up for the couple. I particularly found their visit to the Marine museum touching as Josh remembers their initial fear of someone realizing they were a couple and what that would have meant, also taking into account the recent repeal of DADT how their lives might have been different.
The story is told in present tense from Josh’s point of view. As always it took me a bit to get my head wrapped around that, but it worked well given that part of the strength was the memories of their life, making that clearly in the past versus the present storytelling. The description of the race made me quite confident in my decisions to never run unless zombies are after me. I appreciate those who have the dedication, I am not one.Fans of Garrison and Josh will enjoy this little trip down memory lane for them and I enjoyed getting to meet some of their friends.
October 6, 2011
It was great to 'check in' with Josh and Garrison again. I've followed them for a while now, and I always enjoy finding out about their newest adventures. This one was a great mix between humor, some serious competition, a few thoughtful moments and a very romantic ending. I can definitely say that I look forward to the next installment!
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.
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January 24, 2023This short story was free on Smashwords. I haven't read the earlier short stories about this same couple but this was a nice story regardless of not knowing the background. It is about love between two people who are in a committed relationship. They take a trip to compete in a marathon and as they tour around DC, they reminisce about some of their earlier days.
November 11, 2011
Really nice story about some former marines. Lovely way to handle the discussion/remembrance of how things have changed in the last 10 years. Hope we get to see them again in a continuation of their lives since they are in the process of adoption kids.
March 20, 2017
I am so hooked on these guys and I'm so glad to meet them through the beautiful words of J. Rocci.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews