Spoon Left

by Caraway Carter

Marc Shelby comes home to Arkansas to help his sister, Donna save their family home. The town is trying to take their land through eminent domain. Their only hope to prevent it being torn down is to get it registered as a historical property.

Benjamin Adams, the town historian, board member and Civil War reenactor comes to the rescue when Marc finds a package filled with Civil War photographs and letters between two men. Sparks fly between them, while they work at authenticating the find.

Will love stay buried in the past? Or will the past be the key to new love?

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2024

About the author

**Get Carried Away - Updates on recent releases.**

Caraway Carter has worn numerous hats. He’s been a furniture salesman, a dresser, a costumer, an actor/waiter, a rabble rouser, a poet and most recently a writer. He loves words and stringing them together, he loves sex and sexy men, and he writes relationship fiction that reminds you—it’s never too late for love. And he has lived his tagline. He married his husband on Halloween, at the age of forty-nine, and they are the loving parents of an adorable cat named Molly.

Reviews

[Audi♡]

Dnf.
I can't do the dead husband trope.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoon Left by Caraway Carter is the story of two men who meet and bond when the town council is trying to take homes to build a tourist resort around a Civil War battlefield in Arkansas. Marc Shelby is summoned to Oakville, Arkansas, by his older sister, Donna, and 15 year old nephew, Ralphie, when she learns that they are going to lose their Grammom’s house to eminent domain where they have been living for the past 2 years to help her until she passed. Mark is a coder and lost his husband, Jed, 2 years ago and hasn’t gotten over him or how it happened. He still has conversations with him in his head, even though he knows he is gone. When he arrives at the house he finds that his Grammom was a hoarder and there was “stuff” everywhere. He goes on a walk through his favorite childhood haunts and sees Benjamin Adams playing the guitar in his back yard but he runs away without talking to him. Benjamin is the town historian and also a Civil War reenactor and they have several events coming up. At a town council meeting several families, including Mark’s, are given a warning that their paperwork is due on selling their homes so that the tourist resort can be built. But not everyone is happy about this and that is where he finally meets Benjamin and they figure out a way to save their house is to find something that can prove it is a historical landmark. Marc and his family return to their house and are determined to see if they can find anything to help them. They each take a room to start clearing out and set aside things they want to keep, things to sell, things to give away, and things to trash. That is when Jed’s picture falls and Donna sees something that could be under the floorboard. What they find is astounding as it is pictures and letters that could give them their historical designation. And not only that, it includes a love story. He immediately takes them to Benjamin who is very excited and sends the information Artamae, the state historian, at the state capital to see if they are truly what they seem to be. Meanwhile Marc and Benjamin are becoming friends and feel an attraction to each other. Benjamin invites him visit a camp bonfire where he will be playing Brigadier General James, who is a long distant relative, of the 12th Arkansas Infantry and Marc decides to attend which leads him to go to more reenactments with Benjamin where they grow even closer. Meanwhile Jed is talking in Marc’s brain and is urging him to move on and make a new life with someone else, but he just isn’t ready for that. Albert Upshaw is also one of the councilmen and is the one behind pushing everyone to sell their houses so he can start building the resort. He is very mean spirited and calls Benjamin and Marc’s relationship a very derogatory name and is bullying everyone to get his way. But Marc gets the historical site designation that changes everything for not only him but other families around him and Upsaw doesn’t want to let him get away with that. He gets Marc thinking that maybe Benjamin isn’t doing what he said he is and Benjamin accuses Marc of the same thing which causes a fight. Luckily, with the help of Jed and William Shelby (a distant relative from the Civil War) Marc realizes what Benjamin means to him and sees him at the final battle reenactment and after a flashback of Jed’s death and finally letting him cross over, they share their true feelings and become boyfriends. They also save Marc’s house and he’s able to make it into a bed and breakfast with his sister. I really enjoyed this story. There is so much detail about Civil War reenactments and how family history plays into them and I learned a lot. Marc and his family are wonderful and work hard together to get what they want and it was pretty funny whenever Ralphie swore. Benjamin is very caring and does all he can to help him. Upshaw is pretty despicable but gets what he deserves in the end. The other townspeople also play a part in the story both with what is happening to them in the town as well as in the reenactments. I also like the meaning of “spoon left” in the story and what it means to both men. I would rate the love scenes as PG but they do add to the loving dynamic Marc and Benjamin are forming. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like your love stories with some historical background, some supernatural undertakings, and having to fight for what you for your life.

[Tara Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOON LEFT BY CARAWAY CARTER

When Marc Shelby goes home to help his sister pack up an inherited house that is now being taken by the county, he doesn’t expect to find how badly it has been filled with stuff. It had been two years since his husband’s death, and he still talks to his dead husband multiple times a day.

Benjamin works for the city and is responsible for the area's history, which is filled with stories from the Civil War. He never expected his new neighbor Marc to find history right in the house they were being forced to leave. When he is asked to help in a professional capacity, both men hope it might become personal. First, though, they have to save the house.

OPINION: This was a sweet story. There was instant attraction between the two men. There were a lot of things that drew them together, and they wanted to explore them. The development of the characters is sweet, and the whole story is nice. This is a spin on a romance story you don’t see much, a contemporary story with history wrapped around it. It was fun seeing them find their HEA. It was a quick, enjoyable read.


SPICE: There were some kissing scenes, but generally, this would be considered a “clean” romance. There was no fade-to-black or even closed door.

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[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, the M/M element was intriguing, and the not so slow chemistry growing btw Marc and Ben made my reading of this book enjoyable. Marc had lost the love of his life, Jed (the one & only of his soul), and now he was trying to save his sanity by helping his sister Donna settle their Grammom's estate located on the border of the Pea Ridge National Park. Grammom was a definite packrat and sifting through her (now their) house was quite the task. To add to the job the Oakville town council was processing eminent domain on the properties bordering the said park. Marc went to the latest council meeting only to discover Ben, another out and proud gay man sitting on the council as the town historian. Marc had a previous contact with Ben and was somehow drawn to him. These two combine their efforts to thwart councilman Albert Upshaw attempts at reclaiming certain property to convert them to tourist sights. This Mr. Upshaw is a complete homophobe who plays an important role in this book's plot and who gets his much-deserved come-uppance. The flavor of true history was a tantalizing real element in this story. Pea Ridge, reenactments, authentic Civil War conditions, the addition of real locations, the term "spoon left" added greatly to the originality of this book's plot. The supernatural flavor also added greatly to this story. An amazing read for this history buff. This is my voluntary and honest review of this ARC.

[Manon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This is a fairly low steam, short-ish story.

I like the set-up, I am a history nerd, so the background of the Civil War appealled to me.

Due to the fairly short length I found that Ben and Marc didn't really have time to get lots of depth in their description. I liked them but I found them a bit too two-dimensional. A shame, as I really liked them.

Marc is definitely still suffering from loosing his husband two years ago. So the trip to help his sister and nephew is a way to get out of his way and start again. I loved the way there is a bit of a ghost story here as well.

In the end though there was just a bit too many loose threads for me, Marc's loss, the family house rescue efforts, the baddy who wants just the land and the homophobic guy were a bit too stereotype, the Civil War background, the start of a new relationship.

I think all of them would have made a great story but the book fell short thanks to the shortness of the book.

A nice read but just a bit too much lacking.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say this is my first historical romance I have read, and I wonder why I have not done so before now. It was not what I expected as this one is a sweet, love story with wonderful characters and enough angst to engage me with the story. Marc is still reeling from his husband death (so much he keeps him alive in his head and even chats with him), when he is summoned home to help sister and nephew save their family home that the town is tryingto take from them to build a resort. Seems the only way to save it is designate it as historical property, thus enter Benjamin, the two historian. After finding info from the Civil War these two are more determined than ever to earn the title. As they spend time together, passion and feelings grow and just when they are excited from earning the title, an evil councilman attempts to set them up against one another but they are able to work thur it. This book was about among peace with the past, dealing with grief, making new family, and finding romance. I truly enjoyed this read. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

INTERESTING HISTORICAL ROMANCE!💕

This is a new to me author and I must say I was very impressed with the authenticity of this piece!

Love letters dating back to the civil war in Arkansas in 1862 in Pea Ridge could be the saving grace for brother and sister Marc and Donna Shelby to save their ancestral home from being demolished by a greedy town councillor!

This is where widower Marc Shelby meets Town Historian, board member and civil war reenactor Benjamin Adams and sparks ignite between these two characters…

This was a very interesting love story woven with facts from the Arkansas civil war in 1862 around two men who fell in love during the Battle of Pea Ridge- a war photographer and a soldier…

An engaging short read that will turn the pages!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story to be well written, romantic and heartfelt .... with a touch of history thrown in (loved the explanation of "spoon left" !!! bahahahahaha). Yes, we have one MC who is still grieving over the loss of his husband ..... but that's not the whole story. This story is about two guys trying to save their town/home and in that process, they connect - romantically and beautifully. And it was a fun insight on how much is done behind the scenes of these reenactments - quite the process !! It does also touch on picking up (or clearing out) on a home when previous occupant had hoarding issues. But again, it's not the main focus.....overall, I found this to be a wonderful book to read.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marc responds to his sister's call to come help her save the home that she moved to help care for their elderly grandmother. The house needs work but it is theirs until it is the target of an eminent domain land grab that they are trying to head off. When Marc finds historical items that might help authenticate their request that it be considered a historic home he needs and gets the help of a local historian, Benjamin, who not only helps them with the property but also becomes a love interest for Marc. Marc has been grieving his husband who died tragically and has been having a hard time letting him go. This quest to get the house designated as a historical home brought Marc a future through the past.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pill bug, Battle of Pea Ridge, not a fan of the gay, "Haunted Mansion" of Broken Hearts, your wildflower.

I can't decide what kind of story this is. Rom-com, intrigue (historical research) romance, or Civil War reenactment romance. Hmm... Whatever this is, the characters are well-developed and well-casted and the storyline is masterful. The imagery is spectacularly described and the plot is deftly crafted. The storytelling flows smoothly and is well-paced. I delighted in reading this and it has piqued my interest in this author's other books. You'll love Ralphie. You'll hate Albert Upshaw. You'll enjoy reading this.

[Traci S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an unique read. The writing has a formal style which fit the historical aspects of the story. I liked the blend of contemporary romance with a side of civil war drama, this was a perfect was to put town historian Benjamin and Marc together. It has a lot of good side characters to fill out the story, I especially like Marc’s sister and nephew. There is no steam but I liked the two main characters and small town setting is well done.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Arkansan born and raised, I was delighted to find my state the setting for this story. As a history buff and fan of epistolary novels I was further excited to see the Civil War letters bringing Marc and Benjamin together as they work to get Marc's family home declared a historical property. Their work fighting against forces trying to use eminent domain to take the property gave me people to root for in fighting the good fight. This is a new author for me and I'm definitely checking out more of Carter's work.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. It was so different to the usual angsty mm books i have read lately. A well written, endearing and romantic story about a widower, Marc, who meets the local town historian Benjamin when he helps him put the pieces together about an old civil war love story that hopefully which will enable Marc to save his family’s home.
I received a free arc copy from GRR and this is my honest review.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marc is a coder who lost his husband 2 years ago and Benjamin is the town historian. Marc's sister calls him panicking because they are going to lose their grammom's house due to eminent domain. They fight hard to find historical things that will allow them to keep their house. Marc and Benjamin have an instant connection but Marc is having a hard time letting go of Jed. This is a new to me author and I thought this was well written. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came close to DNF a couple times; just something about the writing is very awkward to me. It was a sweet story, and I appreciated the elements of history woven throughout it. Be aware that there is significant homophobia in part of it, including use of the F word. It is a clean romance, meaning no erotic/sexy times at all.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has gone home to help his sister save their home. The town wants to tear it down so they will try to stop it all by getting the place registered as historic place. They will find letters from the civil war. Can they prove they are real? How will they get on? Can they save their home? See how it will all go

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐️

Sweet story, this had a very slow burn with a built attraction rather than instant spark. This most definitely wasn't a romantic story imo, some kisses but that's about it. Honestly I'm split on this one, I wasn't really invested in this couple, there was a lot going on in this one, the history was enjoyable.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[stardragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marc is coming back to Arkansas to help his sister Donna and nephew Ralph clean out their grandmas house. The town is claiming eminent domain to use the land as a tourist site. This storyline brings you back to the Civil War with interesting history reenactment, to hidden treasures, to modern day love story. Such an enjoyable book.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and I enjoyed the story, it was a short story about how widower Marc and town historian Benjamin fall in love while working on an old civil war love story which could help save Marc’s family’s old house from being demolished. A story of old love, lost love and new love.

[Julie Bedwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I love the historical aspect that ties in nicely with the modern aspect. I would have been quite happy if Benjamin and Marc's story was a little longer, but as it is, it's pretty perfect for me. I would definitely recommend this one.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. Though one of the characters life has been difficult as of late, he meets someone that changes things. :-) Together they face the problems they are having and the rest you need to read for yourself. It's totally worth it. A pleasurable read.

[Sandy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and I will be reading more of their books. I loved how Marc and Benjamin worked together to save Marc's family home. Very good read. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rafael Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great love story, sad at times but with a happy ending for the main characters. I just think the book should have had more pages.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from this author and while it was good enough to finish it was a bit of an awkward reading.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story tried to be too many things for me. Historical romance, but not enough history, ghost like but not enough mystery...