A Hero's Return

by Xavier Edwards

Florence enters her own private world of pain when Devin returns from a deployment but still feels a thousand miles away. All she wanted was to reconnect, spend some time together, and enjoy all his physical charms, but she finds herself without any of that.

Wanting nothing more than him, Florence sets out to uncover Devin’s inner demon, only to find more than she ever bargained for, but in the process she unlocks the path to redemption for them both.

Genres: Erotica, Short Stories, Contemporary

20 pages, ebook

First published April 27, 2012

About the author

Xavier Edwards (it might be his real name, no one is really sure) has spent his life surrounded by women, and writing. Growing up in rural Australia before the age of the Internet and cable television, there was no better refuge than in books. Any and all genres were absorbed as he and his three sisters grew up far from the hectic pace of the big smoke. The wide expanse of open country and natural beauty have carried across to his writing, forming evocative backdrops to the sensual dance taking place in his stories.

After leaving school, Xavier joined the military and has served with honour in the Air Force, from leading brave men and women into combat to searching for, and finding, people lost at sea. Joining him on this journey has been his wife, three daughters, and two cats.

Behind it all, Xavier continued to write. Freelance journalism proved lucrative and gave him his first taste of a readership that found his writing engaging and evocative. The imagery that continued to dance through his mind, would not suit this audience and when he did write it down and gave it to a small, trusted circle of readers, it had amazing results. Quite by accident, he had discovered a knack for Erotica.

Reviews

[Steelwhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a deep look into what takes place after combat, with stress on what the soldiers face and what the family. It felt mostly very honest and intimate.

I do not agree with the other comment that soldiers would be too hardened to throw up. It is an established fact that many soldiers, even the most battle-experienced would "relieve" themselves in a variety of ways right before or during the first harsh moments of combat/stress. Just vomiting is a mild reaction indeed, a lot of them completely lose their continence, urinating or even defecating without a means to stop that. It's referred to by e.g. Grossman and also by Holmes and Dyer as a normal, rather than abnormal reaction.

I absolutely bought the soldiers, they were well-described and the behaviour was quite well painted and cleverly written.

I had a few criticisms mainly with the females in this story and as it's also spoilerish only read on if that's okay for you.

I didn't really buy those women. Firstly I can't see how any woman would try to go for sex when she clearly sees and senses that her man is very deeply troubled. That's quite beyond me, and not just me, I don't have any female friend who would show such a behaviour. It baffles me and as it baffles me so profoundly, it mars an otherwise very well written story.

The other ties in with this. Any woman married to/living with a soldier (or anyone else bound to encounter such enormous stresses) would have developed a clean sense of what is to be expected. Would know how to field certain behaviourisms, would become understanding and would relatively early on either decide that sort of life is for them or isn't. So again, Susan, like Florence, also comes over as a curious sort of woman.

The reaction of the men, and how they tried to cope with it, what it did to their minds is spot on. I'm just reading On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society and Grossman explains the causes of PTSD/CSR being strong in those who have to decide over death or life while directly watching the results of their decisions.

I actually would have liked a longer story, maybe a novella, not necessarily erotica, instead more of a contemporary romance including war/combat and its aftermath, with less stress on the couples sex-life and more on their inner lives and how they cope with what happens. Where the author writes about the men this sounds extremely authentic, I'd love more of that!

RC provided by the author.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a wife of a soldier myself this story hit a couple of buttons for me. This is a very short emotional story about the impact an event can have on a soldier and their families. As a fictional story this has all the right point- emotional connection, character depth (as much as you can get in a short story), climax, and a happy ending. As an Erotic read we have to endure sexual frustration throughout the story with a relatively satisfying ending.

There were a couple of little issues I didn’t like which caused the 4 rating instead of a 5.
During the “movie” I felt the soldiers were entirely too emotional with their throwing up. A soldier is trained for bad situations, and are especially “hardened” after multiple tours of duty. It irked me that the other soldiers were portrayed as weak by throwing up and crying. The PTS after the event is completely understandable, but the emotional breakdowns during the event-when adrenaline would have been pumping, just isn’t feasible to me. Also the complete meltdown that Florence has at the end was a little over the top for me as well.

This is definitely a story worth a read!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and loved three other books by Xavier and have come to expect a lot of 'erotica' in them....not so in this book.

I should have read the book description more thoroughly before reading this short story. That said it was a well written, heartfelt story, with beautiful drawn characters, again just not the type of book I tend to read or enjoy.

However I am pleased to say I was rewarded with an 'Erotic sexy' ending.

**I was given a copy by the author in return for an honest review.

[Daisy Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very heartfelt, emotional story. I'm used to the more lighthearted stories by Xavier Edwards so I was a bit surprised by this one. Even though it's a short story you really get a feel for some of the emotions and demons our men and women in the military face after some of the missions they undertake. But not only those serving, but their families as well.

I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Sassafrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come but this was completely unexpected for me. I didn't expect to get drawn into this story or have it be so emotionally compelling. I loved it. I loved the path that the author took us down even though he brought things back to his roots by adding the erotic components to this short.

This is my favorite story I've read so far from this author.

[Deidre Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hot story. A bit of a depart from the usual erotica, but the characters were well drawn and engaging. I only removed one star because I would have liked more sex, but I'm admittedly a perv. A good light afternoon read.

[Marie33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

book provided by author.

wow... this was a very emotional read for me. As an army wife I can understand a lot of how she felt. I can't watch the news when he's away either, id rather not know. It was a great read,

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

✳✳ Copy provided by the author.

[elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet love story. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Xavier!

[Jennie Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not like his other works.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story, quick read at lunch had me hooked. The characters are genuine and you really feel for them in the build-up.
Very well written and look forward to reading more from Xavier.

[I ♥ Bookie Nookie (bookienookiereviews.blogspot.com)]

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

[Kellan Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wanted to say that I loved this story.

[Dalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

book based around the returning home mind-set, but its only a snap shot in this short read, on point though

[Leta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier hits the mark with this book. It is of longing, loving and desire. The writing style is fluid and the storyline is gripping! Great Story!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short review for nicely written short. Can't wait to read the rest, if you extend upon the storyline. This is a cleaner version of erotica for you though. Keep 'em coming Xavier!

[Jessi Szigethy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but very emotional. I enjoyed the struggle and finally the understanding.