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Laurel Holidays
The Easter Redemption
A Laurel Holidays Spring Romance
On a small maple farm in Pennsylvania a man seeking forgiveness is going to find much more than he hoped for.
They say the only place to go from the bottom is up. Frank Fitzgerald Jr. has learned how fast a man can fall from grace. A mere two years ago he was insanely wealthy and the next in line to inherit a multi-million dollar company. Now he’s standing on a dirt road in some hayseed backwoods town with one bag of possessions and a shiny new sobriety coin in his pocket. Not only did he tumble from a lofty perch, he crashed and burned in epic fashion, landing right on his pride and breaking it into tiny bits that he fears he may never be able to glue back together, no matter what his sponsor says.
Knowing he had to start over clean—both spiritually and physically—he goes to his younger brother Decker for help. Their first conversation isn’t pretty. Frank knows he has a lifetime of slights to make amends for. Amazingly, his brother and his husband open up their barn to Frank for free lodging while he sorts out his life. Part of that life is a new job which he finds at the Stallard Maple Farm just across the pond from the farm rescue his brother now calls home. While Frank works among the maples he finds himself drawn to the eldest Stallard sibling, Maalik. A friendship forms when he discovers that Maalik has his own demons to contend with. Frank is soon feeling things for Maalik he has never felt for anyone before, especially a man, but he’s willing to test those wild new feelings even if they scare the sap out of him.
The Easter Redemption is a slow burn, bi-awakening, small town romance with two men working to better themselves, goofy farm critters, stately trees, a tiny welcoming community, family lost and found, and a sweet as syrup happy ending.
On a small maple farm in Pennsylvania a man seeking forgiveness is going to find much more than he hoped for.
They say the only place to go from the bottom is up. Frank Fitzgerald Jr. has learned how fast a man can fall from grace. A mere two years ago he was insanely wealthy and the next in line to inherit a multi-million dollar company. Now he’s standing on a dirt road in some hayseed backwoods town with one bag of possessions and a shiny new sobriety coin in his pocket. Not only did he tumble from a lofty perch, he crashed and burned in epic fashion, landing right on his pride and breaking it into tiny bits that he fears he may never be able to glue back together, no matter what his sponsor says.
Knowing he had to start over clean—both spiritually and physically—he goes to his younger brother Decker for help. Their first conversation isn’t pretty. Frank knows he has a lifetime of slights to make amends for. Amazingly, his brother and his husband open up their barn to Frank for free lodging while he sorts out his life. Part of that life is a new job which he finds at the Stallard Maple Farm just across the pond from the farm rescue his brother now calls home. While Frank works among the maples he finds himself drawn to the eldest Stallard sibling, Maalik. A friendship forms when he discovers that Maalik has his own demons to contend with. Frank is soon feeling things for Maalik he has never felt for anyone before, especially a man, but he’s willing to test those wild new feelings even if they scare the sap out of him.
The Easter Redemption is a slow burn, bi-awakening, small town romance with two men working to better themselves, goofy farm critters, stately trees, a tiny welcoming community, family lost and found, and a sweet as syrup happy ending.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2023
22 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Locey
211 books727 followersV.L. Locey loves worn jeans, Dr. Who, Torchwood, belly laughs, yoga, reading and writing lusty tales, walking, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.)
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 7, 2023
The Easter Redemption has all the Locey-goodness I look for with stories that pull me in for understanding the characters’ complex personalities that sometimes make it seem like a connection isn’t quite possible, but I know the HEA is guaranteed fortunately.
I was so surprised when I realized that one of the MCs was going to be Frank since I know him previously from being Deacon’s brother, and believing he is “romance character material” is not a given. But Locey worked her magic with him as I knew she would, and that was made more possible I think since the story is single POV through his eyes. I got a little bit of Vic K-vibe from him and that made me feel like I was going to be in for a nice ride…and it was. I enjoyed it very much.
I was so surprised when I realized that one of the MCs was going to be Frank since I know him previously from being Deacon’s brother, and believing he is “romance character material” is not a given. But Locey worked her magic with him as I knew she would, and that was made more possible I think since the story is single POV through his eyes. I got a little bit of Vic K-vibe from him and that made me feel like I was going to be in for a nice ride…and it was. I enjoyed it very much.
July 26, 2023
I LOVED this book. It included ALL the things I look for in Ms Locey's books ( As always, she delivered). Sweet heat, and some laughing out loud, all wrapped up in a heart tugging redemption story.
September 25, 2023
Redemption!
This was a short feel-good read. Frank accepted that he needed to change his life and make amends for his past mistakes. Maalik is the perfect partner for him, someone to keep him grounded. I hope there will be more about this couple.
This was a short feel-good read. Frank accepted that he needed to change his life and make amends for his past mistakes. Maalik is the perfect partner for him, someone to keep him grounded. I hope there will be more about this couple.
December 14, 2023
4.5 stars
April 20, 2025
Another lovely tale from VL Locey and her Laurel Holidays series, I haven't read them all but each one I have experienced, entertained from beginning to end and Easter Redemption was no different. The author wrote this story nearly 2 years ago and I'm not sure how it went unnoticed that long, especially factoring in the Easter element which I don't think is explored nearly enough in fiction.
Having been raised on a farm, I loved seeing how the farm and animals play a part in Frank's starting over and dealing with his recovery. I say "animals" but it really is down to little Hugo the pig Frank unofficially adopts as his own, or perhaps I should say Hugo is the one who adopted Frank😉. However you look at it, the connection Frank develops with the little guy is special and the scene where a name is chosen made me laugh at loud. I had a pet pig when I was about 5 while she grew before taking her to the stockyard and I named her Holly for my favorite doll, Holly Hobby. The relationship Frank has with Hugo brought all those happy memories back.
Some authors might have taken a dark turn putting Frank and Maalik together as they are both recovering and starting over(though in different places in their respective journeys) but the author didn't go there. Don't get me wrong, had she taken this story on that route, it would have been equally entertaining but it was nice to see a starting over story without a high level of over the top negative baggage. That statement makes it sound as if the men had it easy, that there journey of healing was all unicorns and rainbows, it certainly wasn't but the author didn't throw in every cliche speed bump and in doing so the reader is more able to connect, relate, and empathize with all those involved.
The Easter Redemption is an entertaining and enjoyable blend of drama, humor, friendship, family, healing, and romance. Simply put, this spring holiday story is just such a delight. I look forward to going back and catching up on the author's Laurel Holidays Xmas stories.
Having been raised on a farm, I loved seeing how the farm and animals play a part in Frank's starting over and dealing with his recovery. I say "animals" but it really is down to little Hugo the pig Frank unofficially adopts as his own, or perhaps I should say Hugo is the one who adopted Frank😉. However you look at it, the connection Frank develops with the little guy is special and the scene where a name is chosen made me laugh at loud. I had a pet pig when I was about 5 while she grew before taking her to the stockyard and I named her Holly for my favorite doll, Holly Hobby. The relationship Frank has with Hugo brought all those happy memories back.
Some authors might have taken a dark turn putting Frank and Maalik together as they are both recovering and starting over(though in different places in their respective journeys) but the author didn't go there. Don't get me wrong, had she taken this story on that route, it would have been equally entertaining but it was nice to see a starting over story without a high level of over the top negative baggage. That statement makes it sound as if the men had it easy, that there journey of healing was all unicorns and rainbows, it certainly wasn't but the author didn't throw in every cliche speed bump and in doing so the reader is more able to connect, relate, and empathize with all those involved.
The Easter Redemption is an entertaining and enjoyable blend of drama, humor, friendship, family, healing, and romance. Simply put, this spring holiday story is just such a delight. I look forward to going back and catching up on the author's Laurel Holidays Xmas stories.
March 9, 2024
A wonderful tale of redemption and romance ! This is a slow burn, bi-awakening, with funny animals and families lost and new family gained, biracial.
Frank, 35, muscled, strong and stocky with a trim beard, he was wealthy and now he isn't, plus he wasn't sober, but now he is. He's come to visit his brother.
Maalik, near 40, tall, dark hair, trim beard, darker skin, works for his adoptive parents Maple Farm.
He's on a 12-step apology visit to make amends with his brother Decker and his husband, Acosta on their farm. It is a tough task, but he's sober and willing to grovel.
He can call his sponsor and find an AA meeting if he needs one, even in the small town. As we see, Jesse's brother reluctantly accepts him, and he gets a job at the Stallard Maple Farm, where he meets good people in that welcoming family. Maalik is their adopted son, who works the farm, and his sisters were adopted, too.
Maalik has some bad in his past, as does Jesse. We hear about both a little at a time. We also see them become closer. Jesse discovers he is interested in a man for the first time. He's "bi" now and gets his firsts in Maalik's arms.
We get to see how awful Jesse and Dereck's parents were, and the contrast from Maalik's loving parents. Life is looking up for Jesse, from his job, living with quirky animals on his brother's farm, and that most of the small town folks accept him and his progress.
We got his internal struggles, memories, nightmares and the journey, lows and highs of guilt and regret and hope.
The characters are realistic, and revealing. The therapy of AA meetings and the feelings that Jesse describes are informative, too.
I liked this tale very much.
ENJOY !
=====
Frank, 35, muscled, strong and stocky with a trim beard, he was wealthy and now he isn't, plus he wasn't sober, but now he is. He's come to visit his brother.
Maalik, near 40, tall, dark hair, trim beard, darker skin, works for his adoptive parents Maple Farm.
He's on a 12-step apology visit to make amends with his brother Decker and his husband, Acosta on their farm. It is a tough task, but he's sober and willing to grovel.
He can call his sponsor and find an AA meeting if he needs one, even in the small town. As we see, Jesse's brother reluctantly accepts him, and he gets a job at the Stallard Maple Farm, where he meets good people in that welcoming family. Maalik is their adopted son, who works the farm, and his sisters were adopted, too.
Maalik has some bad in his past, as does Jesse. We hear about both a little at a time. We also see them become closer. Jesse discovers he is interested in a man for the first time. He's "bi" now and gets his firsts in Maalik's arms.
We get to see how awful Jesse and Dereck's parents were, and the contrast from Maalik's loving parents. Life is looking up for Jesse, from his job, living with quirky animals on his brother's farm, and that most of the small town folks accept him and his progress.
We got his internal struggles, memories, nightmares and the journey, lows and highs of guilt and regret and hope.
The characters are realistic, and revealing. The therapy of AA meetings and the feelings that Jesse describes are informative, too.
I liked this tale very much.
ENJOY !
=====
October 15, 2023
4.25 rating A man is following a 12 step program after his life blows up. First stop, his brother who he tortured through childhood.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews