The Rescuer

The Rescuer #1

by Eric Huffbind

Christopher’s striking green eyes and handsome good looks didn't buy him happiness, but he learned to survive off of them to maintain his expensive lifestyle. Now, after he has nearly destroyed himself, he's in the fight for his life...

A Contemporary Gay Male Romance - Newly Released 2nd Edition

When Christopher Parker checks himself into the Watermeadow Rehabilitation Center, he was frightened for his future and what was to become of him. Haunted from his past, he knows that he has to take this step in his recovery or face his likely death as the alternative. He never expected to find his social worker, Jason Calhoun, incredibly attractive. Christopher dreams of finding a man to love and who will treat him with decency. Although Jason does fit the bill, he knows that this relationship is strictly professional. Completely out of reach for a failure like himself.

Jason, who is a hopeless romantic, is in the endless pursuit of Prince Charming. Always unlucky in love, but finds solace in the care of his patients. He loves being needed and having patients that depend on him. Jason comes to realize that the guys he dates always need to be rescued, much like his patients. A strategy that he's learning is a poor choice.

Jason discovers that Christopher has become tangled up with a famed billionaire. As a billionaire, he can afford anything he wants, which seems to include even the ability to buy true love. Suddenly, he fears that everything he has worked so hard for, both romance and career, is being threatened by his new nemesis.

If you enjoy stories that pull you in and have you caring about the characters and what happens to them, then this is the book for you. It promises to have you laughing, crying, & smiling!

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction, M M Contemporary

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2017

About the author

Eric Huffbind is a man of many talents. He is a hopeless romantic, licensed registered nurse, has been a travel agent, and the eternal social butterfly. Among his passionate interests are history, genealogy, romance, and travel. Like so many other individuals, he has a long bucket list. On the list, to no surprise, was writing a novel. He pulls from a lifetime of raw emotions: be it love, happiness, sadness, tears, joy, anxiety, fear, disappointment, or achievement.

Although, my stories are love stories between two gay men, regardless of your sexual orientation, my novels are meant to rekindle the true spirit of romance and love in your heart.
​
Mr. Huffbind was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and has remained in southwest Ohio for his entire life. He shares his life with his husband, an autistic son, and his Pomeranian.

The author welcomes your feedback and encourages your book reviews on Amazon.com or wherever the book was purchased. He may be reached at: eric@erichuffbind.com

Reviews

[Gigi]

Is it just me or does this blurb not make a lick of sense?

[Janja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story.

[Alexu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about finding love where you least expect it, about the journey to finding HEA from two perspectives: the desperation to finding Mr. Right, kissing one frog after another with no success, and the hard work to get yourself up when you've reached rock bottom, trusting yourself and others around you.
I can not say I really liked the style with which it was written (the over-use of the characters names distracted me from emotions and feelings described, giving me the impression of permanent happiness, even when it was the total opposite), but for his first book published, Eric Huffbind did a wonderful job.

[JR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romantic story about making bad choices in relationships, or maybe looking for love in all the wrong places.

This is a debut book and there are times when it felt stilted and little less explanation, who have helped the narrative. I look forward to the next book by this new author, as he has good characterization and plot. I believe he will only improve with the more he writes.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason is a rescuer. As a therapist, it's his job to help his patients heal. As a man he tries to fix the men he dates. It's never worked out well for him.

Alcohol has become Christopher's crutch. It gets him through each day. His life weighed down by his decisions, both past and present. He has enough sense left to check himself into rehab. Knowing if he continues this way, he won't survive.

When they meet, Christopher is at the lowest point in his life. Jason knows he can't rescue him. That the will to change must come from inside his patient. Christopher is self aware enough to know his secrets are slowly killing him. Together they uncover and reveal all of Christopher's secrets, fears, and doubts. Being gay, very bad life choices, and a man he just wants to go away. In the process they become interested in each other. Jason would never cross that line with a patient, and Christopher knows for his own well being he has to start his sobriety on his own. Maybe in the future they will be able to be together.

I liked how friends and family fueled this story. The dynamic between them all is very sweet and heartfelt. The writing is a bit strange at times, a bit wordy and a little stilted. This is the authors first book which probably explains that. I would check out any future books by this author.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Jim Dunaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story which tackles on ongoing problem that not only affects the gay community but all communities, and circumstances which forces people to experience this problem.

Not only does this story revolve around a gay man experiencing this problem, but also another gay man who helps the gay man with the problem, sometimes going above and beyond.

I found myself wanting to grab Christopher Parker and hold onto him tightly and do everything I could to help him with his struggles. He's a great guy who's had a hard life.

I also found myself wanting to grab Jason Calhoun, the man with the huge heart, hug him and express my gratitude for everything he did for Chris, including helping him stand up to a rich bastard (who I wanted to bitch-slap into the next galaxy) who took advantage of Chris when he was at his lowest. The possibility for crossing professional boundaries exists. Do they cross that boundary? You'll have to read The Rescuer.

There are areas where the story could be made stronger.

I applaud this author's first novel and I hope to read more of his works.

Great job, Eric!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in a realistic way. 27 year old Christopher checks himself into rehab when he realizes that alcohol has taken over his life. Christopher is gay. While in rehab he meets Jason who is the social worker assigned to his case. Jason is a 30 year old gay man. A journey behind with Christopher becoming sober and taking responsibility for his mistakes while dealing with his relationships such as parents, sibling, girlfriend and acquaintances. Christopher has a goodness about him that others respond to and as time goes by he learns to live by the things that are important and not cloud his life with alcohol. This a very enjoyable book.

[Cadiva]

I'm not going to give this a rating because I'm only 5% in but I can't keep reading it because it's annoying the crap out of me atm with the stilted style and overblown dialogue and characters.
As it's a debut novel, I want to give it a fair crack so I'll try again later.

[Mitch Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rescuer (2017) by Eric Huffbind is a wonderfully romantic and very beautiful novel.



The novel, which is the debut novel by the author, follows the story of Christopter Parker and Jason Calhoun. Christopher books into Watermeadow Rehabilitation Center and at this time he is at his lowest ebb trying to recreate a future for himself after getting hooked on alcohol in a midst of figures in his life letting him down and depression setting in in his life. There he meets Jason who is his social worker and feelings begin to simmer beneath the surface while they both maintain the professional agreement between them both.



In a way they become each other’s rescuer throughout the book. Although Jason is Christopher’s official rescuer from his depths of his despair and he expresses how he has often being attracted to the role of rescuer, it seems to me as a reader that they rescued each other from loneliness and a lack of trust in men and finding their perfect prince. Oh, it’s so gorgeously romantic!



This book touches on so many important issues. Depression is so close to my heart as people I have loved dearly have been affected by it and I commend the author for tackling this issue in such an authentic and compassionate way. Although I have never experienced depression from a first person perspective, I felt Christopher’s story and how he felt resembled very closely the feelings of pain and hopelessness that people who experience depression feel. The writer didn’t go for either the ‘Christopher can handle this completely’ or the ‘Christopher couldn’t handle it at all’ approach and somewhere in that gray place from my outside place is the truth of someone suffering from depression. He could get through but he needed Jason to not judge and to believe in him and his progress. Another very important topic dealt with in this book is the area of people selling themselves and their bodies to get on and make their lives better. There is often so much judgement in this aspect. Look being straight with you all, I don’t agree with it. Maybe I’m a bit old school that way. But judging a person for selling their body and saying I wouldn’t do it is two different things. I do understand that we are all different and we respond to situations where someone else is in power in very different ways. Christopher sold his body in this book to Sam Barron who is quite a nasty piece of work. Possibly by the end, he has a heart but I don’t want to give too much away. But in the early stages he did use his power and it contributes, among other things, to the situation Christopher finds himself in when he arrives at Watermeadow. I found myself as a reader quite protective of Christopher. I know that countless people have found themselves in situations where they feel their bodies are the only currency to offer even though they have so much more to offer the world. And yes, it warmed my heart greatly that Jason could see he had so many qualities to offer and encouraged him to do that. Just as a last word on that topic, I think it is someone’s free will to sell their body if they want to. It’s their body to do what they wish with. And it’s also their free will to not like doing so and feel guilt about doing so which I equally respect. The part which affected me, in a thought-provoking way, was the way the power games were at play. The fact that Christopher felt pressurised into this by so many aspects of his life and especially by Sam. How many people, especially younger people, feel this in so many different situations?



Without giving too much away this book also deals with suicide. There is a situation in Christopher’s past which brings this topic up. Obviously it’s a topic which many people face and is often, like the situation in the book shows, brought on by the perception other people have and pure fear one has about what people will think and what will happen from there. If you are out there and you read this, no matter what, you are valued and please, please keep strong.



The book also deals with prejudice and highlights many of the issues faced in and out of work people face for being a sexuality other than straight. Being pansexual, I could totally understand the strain put on people who don’t conform to the straight narrative. One thing that is highlighted is that assumptive nature of assuming someone is straight before you know. I think the author highlighted very well the heteronormativity and heterosexism at play in our society. Susan, while sweet in many aspects, I didn’t like because she seemed happy enough to display this kind of prejudice and felt nothing about it. Mr. Branson did display it but he apologised. Christopher was recovering from his own self-confidence issues so I think the scene where he admits to Mr. Branson that he has a boyfriend is written very realistically. He hasn’t quite got to the stage where he can accept the man is apologising for reacting in a prejudiced asshole way. We all have things we aren’t proud of and I hoped Christopher would let the man ease his mind of his guilt about his cruelness. My hope for Christopher is that further along his journey he could say ‘That’s cool. Thanks for your apology. Much appreciated.’ instead of pampering and saying it was understandable. But I understood he wasn’t quite there yet and he was still thinking of straight as superior. As him an and Jason are around my age I just can’t see him responding the way he did without feeling like that. Can happen as we’re all different but it’s rare. And if someone usually does, they don’t usually in our generation believe what they are saying. But he seemed to so I think it was because he still had a few issues he had to resolve. And I was like babe, be yourself. Don’t be scared to be honest. Go further on your journey. You have come so far.



Now, this book hits on so many important things but it also has so much romance, so much backstory for the main characters, so many fun. I loved George. I could relate a lot to Nurse Judy and in parts to both the main characters. I found myself very much rooting for Christopher and Jason which is always a great sign for a romance. They seemed so well suited and what each other needed. I loved that Jason wasn’t this totally together social worker and that he had his own issues in his life. I lost my father at 18 and Jason lost his father at 17 in the story. My Dad died of heart trouble so the circumstances are tremendously different but what I could relate to was the feeling of losing your Dad so young and the effect it has on your life and when I read it, I will say it made me almost quite emotional. Not too often do you read in fiction about someone losing their Dad around that age. It’s often as a child or older than your teens and I give kudos to the author for addressing the feelings of losing your Dad at a point in your life when you are transferring from teen years to adulthood. I give kudos also for not making Jason into a caricature that he is perfect with no hurt in his life as social worker or not, we all do.



I think this is a stunning book with so much heart. The two main characters drive on a gorgeous story of love and the fight to be with the person you love. The writer is extremely talented. There is a bit of everything in this book. And a message that love is the most important thing in the world. I loved it. A must read.

[Lovingbooks1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was gifted this book from the author and freely give my review*

I really wanted to enjoy this book because the storyline is very good but the stilted writing and to much use of characters names made it not quite so enjoyable.

Descriptions of feelings are lacking in most of the story and I feel like it’s a naive writing style. When that’s said the story in itself is good and it was easy to read because it was so naive in the style.

Overuse of the characters name was one of my main reasons for not enjoying this book as much as I wanted to, it was so extreme I had to look it up:
➖725 times the name Jason is said in the book
➖905 times the name Chris is said in the book
I’ve never experienced that in a book before so it was weird.
I actually had to check other books in my library to see if I was mistaken about this. My discovery was that books of that same length or longer normally mention main characters name between 150-300 times.

What was very likeable in this story was the straight forward way any subjects was discussed with openness. At the end of the book some feelings came forward in the characters in a better way than in the beginning so at the ending of the book I felt more enjoyment reading. I felt like I knew the characters a little better in the end but it took awhile.

There is a lot of dialogues and no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings but I wish there were more internal dialogues where you get a better feeling of the characters emotions.

My conclusion is that this is a very romantic book and it’s the debut novel so if I’m objective this is a good first book. Strong 3 stars 🌟 and if this author continues to write I’m curious to how he will mature in the writing style.

[DC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one. I don’t like to not finish a book I’ve started but I almost gave up quite a few times. I found it quite tedious to get through to the end.
The biggest problem I had with this book was the dialogue. I felt like I was reading a script for a high school play or a children’s novel. There was nothing about the conversations that felt natural. It was all so formal and stilted and I kept thinking “who talks like that”? And to call the writing overly descriptive would be an understatement. There were also instances of mixed up names such as having Christopher when it should have been Peter and Susan when it was meant to be Jennifer.
Overall, I didn’t find the characters to be that believable. I find it very hard to comprehend how someone like Christopher, who is allegedly so far down the road of alcoholism that his family feared for his life, could so miraculously be “recovered” after only two weeks in rehab that didn’t even include proper detox. Jason, as a Case Worker, to me seemed to venture into a very dark gray area of ethics by discussing Christopher with his friend Jennifer, albeit without names, and then having a conversation with Christopher’s parents regarding “how he was doing.” I didn’t really understand how he could also be such good friends with Susan. I found her to be crass and obnoxious as if her constant snide remarks and self-centered behavior weren’t affecting Christopher. Then there was the entire subplot of Sam the billionaire which was just, well, ridiculous.
I would also be curious to know if the author received any compensation from Starbucks for the the blatant advertising endorsement throughout?

[Rick Lunkenheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of rehab comes a sweet romance

Alcoholic 27-year-old Christopher Parker checks himself into rehab to put his life back together. There, 30-year-old social worker Jason Calhoun cares for all of his patients, but the spark between Christopher and Jason is immediate.

Jason knows that the professional boundary cannot be crossed with patients, but also knows that Christopher needs to do a lot of work on himself anyway, and that his healing has to come from within. He cannot simply be “rescued” by Jason. Jason also has his own problems in his personal life but puts them aside while at work so he can help others. That said, the spark is immediate, but the two had to be cautious before acting on their feelings.

I learned a lot about how rehab works. Jason struggled with the ethical lines in the sand when talking about Christopher with his friend outside of the rehab center. There is a supporting cast of characters that add a lot of depth to the story, especially Nurse Judy. Then there is horrible billionaire Sam that Christopher had to sell his body to, a perfect villain.

There is a little bit of unnatural dialogue in this story. This is the author’s first novel. I read the author’s second novel “Distant Cousins” first, and then this one. I can see a positive development. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

Christopher and Jason have both had their share of rough times, but that is not really an obstacle for them, even though Christopher is in rehab. The chemistry between them is pretty instantaneous. The author did a great job of not rushing the relationship between the two. The story was nice and I liked the interaction between the two. Unfortunately there is not a lot of depth to the characters. The verbiage the author uses is not something I’m used to and unfortunately it took me out of the story. There is also a lot of telling, not showing. For example: “The bastard CEO snarled back”. We’ve just met him, we don’t know he’s a bastard. Telling us doesn’t give me what I need to form my own judgement. Expand this, show us WHY he’s a bastard. Also, a couple of thorny issues were resolved rather...easily, for want of a better word. I feel the whole book just skimmed the surface of what it could really be. The lack of realism in regards to detox and rehab also bothered me, but due to differences in our cultures I’m not sure how rehab works where he lives. Families coming in and out, cell phones, so many things going on that are not normally allowed in the first week of therapy threw me off track. There was also a decided lack of other therapists, patients, group therapy, AA......it just didn’t really ring true to me. After all that, I think the author really had a feel for his characters and I did enjoy the book. I think he really shows promise and am interested in seeing his growth as an author in the future. 3.5 stars.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting story line, and I was curious to see how things would turn out. Christopher has many reasons for turning to alcohol, but now he has to learn how to cope without that crutch. Jason works at the rehabilitation facility where Christopher ends up, and he helps him work through his issues. At the same time, both men feel an attraction to each other. Christopher will have to prove he can stay sober and responsible before Jason can even consider a relationship with him.
My problem here was the overly formal, awkward presentation. Both descriptions and characters' conversations didn't come across the way people speak today. It almost felt like the book was written by someone who translated another language into English, but I know the author is from Ohio. I do believe he tells a good story, and I would like to see if his other work, if and when it's published, will flow more naturally. I hope that he does have more stories to tell. If he works on relaxing his words, I believe readers will enjoy his stories.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of things I like about this book but I had a hard time getting past the stilted writing. At times I found it difficult to follow what was happening and the lack of a natural flow did not help at all. I do love the characters and the premise is excellent but I wish that the execution had been better. Christopher is hard to like in the beginning but once he confronts his family and we find out why he acts the way he does I found myself rooting for him to get better. He uses alcohol as a crutch because he cannot deal with his past or with being out to his family. Jason is the social worker who counsels Christopher while he is in rehab. Thanks to the interference of their friends they both act on their mutual attraction once Christopher has a chance to get his life back on track. They do have a few obstacles in their way but a HEA is possible if they stick together and help each other. I love the secondary characters and I think they add a lot of depth to the story. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I was given an ARC to review.

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb is really great and it hooked me immediately on reading this story. I was excited to read this book, however i had a really hard time getting into this story. I attempted four times before i could read it. The writing style was difficult for me.

i see lots of other reviews that give it a glowing review and i am so glad that my experience was not shared by most other readers. I love the idea of this story and would love for this author to continue creating and writing. I will certainly read another of his books.

I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance about finding love where and when you least expect it. Christopher uses alcohol as a crutch and it's his way to deal with his problems. Jason works at the rehab facility where Christopher ends up. They are very attracted to each other and have lots of chemistry but Christopher has to prove he can remain sober before Jason will even consider a relationship with him. It's not instant or quick, but eventually they find their way and it was wonderful seeing it build.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-dey

From that review: " I thought this story was sweet and showed promise but I had a hard time getting into the characters and story.  I think  that while you could understand the character's  problems and history, the manner in which it was "told" and the way in which his alcoholism and subsequent rehab were handled kept me at an emotional length."

For all our reviews, author interviews, and such, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story of Chris and Jason. It had a nice pace to keep you reading along. The two had great chemistry. The Sam character was not a favorite of mine. The story build nicely and loved the ending. To me it didn't have a lot of down falls, just small spots here and there with Sam's character.
It was a very good happy reading type book.

Got ARC for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story. the characters were rich and well rounded. The plot was interesting. It felt to as if Eric was telling me the synopsis of this story and not letting the book speak. The dialogue was a bit strained. For a first book it shows promise. I think That Eric needs to keep working on his writing, practice, practice, practice. I will keep my eyes open for his next book and see how his style develops.
An ARC was provided by the author for an honest review.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christopher has an alcohol problem; he checks himself in to a rehab center. There he meets Jason who is working as a social worker. This story is good for the hopeless romantic, don’t get me wrong, I love romance too but the overuse of the first names kind of threw me. For a debut story, it had a good plot. I think the author has promise. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason is a social worker who works with people who have dependency on drugs alcohol etc. Chris has signed himself into rehab to get over alcohol dependency. Was very emotional story at times. The struggle that both characters have been through and are going through are what many people suffer in their life. Was a good entertaining read.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this.. im not sure but this might be the first work by this author ive read and i really liked his writing.. i am excited to read more by this author. the characters and their storyline is very well done and interesting. it kept me on the edge of my seat and curious to see what was next.

[Barbara M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rescuer: Contemporary Gay Male Romance

WOW, absolutely amazing book. This book will be memorable, for everyone! This Author has you wanting more! I absolutely loved it, it's a beautiful love story, drama, excitement and secrets reviled! Definitely a must read, so many thanks, Honey Bee 🐝📚💙🎶

[Maria771 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Christopher and Jason. This is the first book I have read from Eric. Good storyline. I loved how the author took you on a sometimes painful journey. Full of emotional ups and downs. Some parts of the book needs a litlle work but overall a good book for a debut.

I received this book as an Arc.

[Sonja Helies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh romance

What a sweet romantic and some times funny story. I loved the characters of Jason and Christopher, they way the met and fall in love. It’s heartwarming to read something so sweet even if it isn’t your cup of tea. Kudos to a truly romantic author

[Siobhan Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genuine and insightful story about the struggles of recovery and the withdrawals associated with it. Full of laughter and love this is a roller coaster of a ride and highlights being able to trust yourself and others.

[Bran Zesti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg omg 5 stars.... no more like 10 stars!! This book was so Goodwood. A book that keeps you, and hold you. I mean I will be rereading it over and over again!!!

[tammy rufo · Rating 5 out of 5]

christopher and jason are a wonderful couple...well they are eventually. this was an enjoyable read and i would def recommend it.

[Kelly Wherritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Page Turner. I could not put this down. It was raw and beautifully written. I would totally walk through life with a love like Jason and Christopher's.