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Not Afraid
Raleigh Hewes has known Augustus Rains his whole life, and for the past year they’ve been lovers. They’ve kept it a secret because Gus is afraid of what people will say. Not only are they a gay couple in a small town but he is black and Raleigh is white. Raleigh wants to be out and proud, but Gus is concerned since both their businesses revolve around the local market.
After an argument, Raleigh has doubts that their love can last because he’s tired of hiding their relationship. When a storm sweeps over his farm, he’s caught in the eye of a tornado, and Gus races frantically to find the man he loves.
The danger has put into perspective his fears and Gus decides not to be afraid anymore. He just hopes it’s not too late to lay claim to Raleigh’s heart.
After an argument, Raleigh has doubts that their love can last because he’s tired of hiding their relationship. When a storm sweeps over his farm, he’s caught in the eye of a tornado, and Gus races frantically to find the man he loves.
The danger has put into perspective his fears and Gus decides not to be afraid anymore. He just hopes it’s not too late to lay claim to Raleigh’s heart.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2014
21 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Monvey
25 books115 followersElizabeth Monvey is the pseudonym for a single mother from Los Angeles. She writes manlove stories, where the hero meets the man of his dreams because happily ever after is one of her favorite things.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2015
A Hearts On Fire Review
THREE HEARTS--"Not Afraid" is an interracial short story set in small town Missouri about decades long acquaintances who became lovers for the last year. Augustus or Gus is the bear hardware store owner who has been hiding his sexuality from the town because: being black AND gay in a small town could effect his livelihood. Raleigh or Leigh, the white farmer hasn't exactly announced to the town he was gay but he doesn't want to hide anymore now that he found a steady lover. Gus is afraid of the reactions from their town if they do stop hiding.
Now you could argue, hey, it's 2015, why are they so scared of being an interracial couple? Checking the current American headlines regarding race and the story's setting in Missouri (intentional? Or just luck?), I get their worry. The premise was interesting enough. The execution...at parts it flowed, then a statement is repeated that I just read, once more. The effect starts to wane. And sometimes the words got too flowery.
Gus held out his hand.
“What?” Raleigh asked, looking at that hand.
“Touch me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve got to know if that spark out there was just a fluke or if it’s still there. I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
I understand the intent, it just could've been written differently or like that example, edited out the scene. It wasn't necessary. The guys didn't act like that in the beginning.
There's a hip talking grandma that was a thread above annoying. She was too much, I get she was supposed to comedic relief but it was happy this story was short so I didn't have to read more about her.
The story could be better if ever expanded and edited. There were a couple of typos and the aforementioned repetition (yes, in 32 pgs). The romance between Gus & Leigh is insta-love even though a flashback was included to show how they hooked up /fell for one another.
A tornado comes in to get these two back onto the path of love. A HEA and epilogue a few months later shows where the lovebirds are now.
A decent read.
THREE HEARTS--"Not Afraid" is an interracial short story set in small town Missouri about decades long acquaintances who became lovers for the last year. Augustus or Gus is the bear hardware store owner who has been hiding his sexuality from the town because: being black AND gay in a small town could effect his livelihood. Raleigh or Leigh, the white farmer hasn't exactly announced to the town he was gay but he doesn't want to hide anymore now that he found a steady lover. Gus is afraid of the reactions from their town if they do stop hiding.
Now you could argue, hey, it's 2015, why are they so scared of being an interracial couple? Checking the current American headlines regarding race and the story's setting in Missouri (intentional? Or just luck?), I get their worry. The premise was interesting enough. The execution...at parts it flowed, then a statement is repeated that I just read, once more. The effect starts to wane. And sometimes the words got too flowery.
Gus held out his hand.
“What?” Raleigh asked, looking at that hand.
“Touch me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve got to know if that spark out there was just a fluke or if it’s still there. I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
I understand the intent, it just could've been written differently or like that example, edited out the scene. It wasn't necessary. The guys didn't act like that in the beginning.
There's a hip talking grandma that was a thread above annoying. She was too much, I get she was supposed to comedic relief but it was happy this story was short so I didn't have to read more about her.
The story could be better if ever expanded and edited. There were a couple of typos and the aforementioned repetition (yes, in 32 pgs). The romance between Gus & Leigh is insta-love even though a flashback was included to show how they hooked up /fell for one another.
A tornado comes in to get these two back onto the path of love. A HEA and epilogue a few months later shows where the lovebirds are now.
A decent read.
October 15, 2017
Cute, feel good, short story re an interracial couple in a small town. Easy resolution and pretty straightforward. I enjoyed. 3.5
November 19, 2014
We are all afraid of something. Fearing what others may think about us if we do certain things, or not do them, as the case may be, is among the most common reasons for changing our behavior to what we think is called for in today’s Western societies. ‘Not Afraid’ looks at two men and their reactions to what they think other people might say if they came out as gay and admitted they love each other. They live in rural Missouri, so there are just a few complicating factors…
Raleigh and Gus are battling presumed prejudice, if you ask Raleigh. He is far less afraid of what people will say than Gus. He is also ready to leave in case things go badly for them. In short, he does not let the fear rule his life, or make his decisions for him. Quite honestly, I thought it was easier for him to think like that. He never really wanted to work the farm his parents have left him, he is white and has not had to deal with the sort of discrimination Gus probably had to deal with as a black man, and Raleigh is more impulsive and seems to be more of a risk-taker as well. He is getting very tired of not being able to live his life openly, and hates having to hide his love for the man he has had a crush on since high school – and that was twelve years ago!
If you ask Gus, the prejudice they face is not only real, the consequences of them coming out as gay would also ruin both of them financially since the local people will no longer buy their products. He may be in love with Raleigh, though he has never told him that, but he is too much of a realist to believe they will escape without significant damage to their businesses. And running the hardware store, left to him by his parents, is the only thing he can imagine doing for a living. It takes seeing Raleigh’s disappointment about yet another rejection followed by a tornado, to make Gus realize what he may be losing if he cannot get his act together. And then all he can do is pray he will find Raleigh alive after a serious tornado hits town.
If you like stories about men who fear to stand up for who they are, only to learn not doing it may be even worse, if the setting of rural Missouri and small-town life appeals to you, and if you’re looking for a short, hot read with enough drama and angst to fill a longer book, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Raleigh and Gus are battling presumed prejudice, if you ask Raleigh. He is far less afraid of what people will say than Gus. He is also ready to leave in case things go badly for them. In short, he does not let the fear rule his life, or make his decisions for him. Quite honestly, I thought it was easier for him to think like that. He never really wanted to work the farm his parents have left him, he is white and has not had to deal with the sort of discrimination Gus probably had to deal with as a black man, and Raleigh is more impulsive and seems to be more of a risk-taker as well. He is getting very tired of not being able to live his life openly, and hates having to hide his love for the man he has had a crush on since high school – and that was twelve years ago!
If you ask Gus, the prejudice they face is not only real, the consequences of them coming out as gay would also ruin both of them financially since the local people will no longer buy their products. He may be in love with Raleigh, though he has never told him that, but he is too much of a realist to believe they will escape without significant damage to their businesses. And running the hardware store, left to him by his parents, is the only thing he can imagine doing for a living. It takes seeing Raleigh’s disappointment about yet another rejection followed by a tornado, to make Gus realize what he may be losing if he cannot get his act together. And then all he can do is pray he will find Raleigh alive after a serious tornado hits town.
If you like stories about men who fear to stand up for who they are, only to learn not doing it may be even worse, if the setting of rural Missouri and small-town life appeals to you, and if you’re looking for a short, hot read with enough drama and angst to fill a longer book, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 22, 2017
WOW... this sure read fast! It was short... I can't deny that! I think I would've liked Gus and Leigh, but, I really didn't get the chance to know them... such is the short story dilemma... grrr
The weird thing about short stories is that usually a secondary character steals the show... and this one was no exception! Grandmom (Berryl, love this name) was a woman ahead of her time! 81 years old and can see more than what is right in front of her face! My kind of grandmother! ;D
The weird thing about short stories is that usually a secondary character steals the show... and this one was no exception! Grandmom (Berryl, love this name) was a woman ahead of her time! 81 years old and can see more than what is right in front of her face! My kind of grandmother! ;D
February 10, 2017
This was a short quick read that was ok. Raleigh Hewes has known Augustus Rains his whole life, they have also been in a relationship for a year living together. They live in a small town and Gus is afraid of what people will think so they are hiding their relationship. This was a short quick sweet read that I liked and I wanted more. This story also read like something was missing from it at times. I liked both of these character's they learned really what was important to them. This story was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. This was my first time reading this author I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
February 22, 2017
3.2 Stars
Points for interracial gay couple in a small town but the ending was both abrupt and a little trite.
(Also, WTH? This is the THIRD BOOK I've read in 3 days with an actual tornado as a plot device. So. Weird!)
Points for interracial gay couple in a small town but the ending was both abrupt and a little trite.
(Also, WTH? This is the THIRD BOOK I've read in 3 days with an actual tornado as a plot device. So. Weird!)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews