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Regardless
Regardless
By Sharon Poppen
Photographer/Artist Michael Parker from the planet Maurac is gay. Star Command Captain Tom McConnell is straight and married with a five-year-old daughter. While enjoying an Aspen ski vacation, Tom’s wife sleeps late, leaving Tom alone on the early morning slopes where he meets Michael. In addition to the skiing, the men enjoy conversation and espresso after their runs. Tom finds himself unnerved by an attraction to Michael.
Back in San Francisco, Tom and Michael cross paths now and then. Eventually, Tom decides he misses their camaraderie of Aspen and they begin having coffee and conversation on an old pier from time to time. Again, Tom finds himself struggling with his attraction to Michael and finally confronts him. Michael declares his love for Tom with a kiss. Tom panics and vows that whatever it was, it’s over. After Tom’s wife accuses him of infidelity, he confesses his feelings for Michael.
Once the men accept their destiny, reactions range from acceptance to denial from both the straight and the gay communities. ‘Regardless’ brings readers into the challenging world awaiting these two people who have fallen in love against all odds, as they jointly cope with conflicted family members, career impediments, guilt and unspeakable loss while sharing unshakable love, deep unwavering trust and total commitment.
The main characters are so strongly developed that the reader experiences the consequences and trials experienced along with these two people who shouldn’t, but do, find their a soul mate who satisfies them mentally, emotionally and physically.
By Sharon Poppen
Photographer/Artist Michael Parker from the planet Maurac is gay. Star Command Captain Tom McConnell is straight and married with a five-year-old daughter. While enjoying an Aspen ski vacation, Tom’s wife sleeps late, leaving Tom alone on the early morning slopes where he meets Michael. In addition to the skiing, the men enjoy conversation and espresso after their runs. Tom finds himself unnerved by an attraction to Michael.
Back in San Francisco, Tom and Michael cross paths now and then. Eventually, Tom decides he misses their camaraderie of Aspen and they begin having coffee and conversation on an old pier from time to time. Again, Tom finds himself struggling with his attraction to Michael and finally confronts him. Michael declares his love for Tom with a kiss. Tom panics and vows that whatever it was, it’s over. After Tom’s wife accuses him of infidelity, he confesses his feelings for Michael.
Once the men accept their destiny, reactions range from acceptance to denial from both the straight and the gay communities. ‘Regardless’ brings readers into the challenging world awaiting these two people who have fallen in love against all odds, as they jointly cope with conflicted family members, career impediments, guilt and unspeakable loss while sharing unshakable love, deep unwavering trust and total commitment.
The main characters are so strongly developed that the reader experiences the consequences and trials experienced along with these two people who shouldn’t, but do, find their a soul mate who satisfies them mentally, emotionally and physically.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2012
7 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 3, 2017
Until next time, old friend.....
***4.5 stars (rounded-up)***
Oh my fucking goodness, I just ugly cried. Like full on, and thank goodness no one was there to see me because that would have been awkward.
Now with that said, if you DO NOT like endings that aren't wrapped up in a pretty bow, then please SKIP this book. In addition, there is what some may consider CHEATING in the story. For those of you that must know, it was a kiss and frequent weekly meet ups as friends that some might consider just too much.
Now, for those of you that have chosen to proceed, then be please be prepared for a Star Trek-esque story where the love that two men have for one another knows no limit.
So, while there are some editing issues, mainly punctuation and grammar, this story is so worth it. The love that Tom and Michael shared was breathtakingly beautiful. I'm not saying that they were perfect, because they were far from it. They had their faults, and the author did a wonderful job of expressing the turmoil caused from Tom and Michael's actions.
In addition, the worlds that the author built are wonderful; some being more detailed than others, but still nicely done. The way she transitions not only the scenes, but time as well was splendidly done. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the crew on board the ship and how their lives interconnected.
***4.5 stars (rounded-up)***
Oh my fucking goodness, I just ugly cried. Like full on, and thank goodness no one was there to see me because that would have been awkward.
Now with that said, if you DO NOT like endings that aren't wrapped up in a pretty bow, then please SKIP this book. In addition, there is what some may consider CHEATING in the story. For those of you that must know, it was a kiss and frequent weekly meet ups as friends that some might consider just too much.
Now, for those of you that have chosen to proceed, then be please be prepared for a Star Trek-esque story where the love that two men have for one another knows no limit.
So, while there are some editing issues, mainly punctuation and grammar, this story is so worth it. The love that Tom and Michael shared was breathtakingly beautiful. I'm not saying that they were perfect, because they were far from it. They had their faults, and the author did a wonderful job of expressing the turmoil caused from Tom and Michael's actions.
In addition, the worlds that the author built are wonderful; some being more detailed than others, but still nicely done. The way she transitions not only the scenes, but time as well was splendidly done. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the crew on board the ship and how their lives interconnected.
February 19, 2019
This was like watching a very boring documentary. And the subject matter would have been better suited to present day rather then the future. With the strides that have been made even today with acceptance of the lgbt community I find it hard to swallow that in the future people would still have such a hard time with the mc loving a man.
June 6, 2018
Spectacular.
I read this book in one sitting....
My emotions were all over the place....
I would love to read when their soul reunite....
Hope to find my soulmate like these characters have....
I read this book in one sitting....
My emotions were all over the place....
I would love to read when their soul reunite....
Hope to find my soulmate like these characters have....
September 28, 2019
A gay-for-you love sci-fi story. Others absolutely loved this but I felt it dragged on too long in parts. I still got teary eyed however. Liked the different worlds the author created.
Overall a story that makes you want to believe that soul-mates last for ever.
Overall a story that makes you want to believe that soul-mates last for ever.
November 28, 2021
Enjoyed this story .entertaining and well done I have enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed reading this book,a new author for me to follow,I can see that it is a good read and well written and hope to read more of this author stories.
I have enjoyed reading this book,a new author for me to follow,I can see that it is a good read and well written and hope to read more of this author stories.
January 15, 2024
This book was unreadable.
The writing was terrible. The editing was... possibly non-existent? The proofreading was terrible. The characters were awful - I couldn't say which character (out of ALL OF THEM) I hated most. The story was not engaging.
The writing was terrible. The editing was... possibly non-existent? The proofreading was terrible. The characters were awful - I couldn't say which character (out of ALL OF THEM) I hated most. The story was not engaging.
May 24, 2013
I loved Regardless by Sharon Poppen! It is just a touch Science Fiction; it is first last and foremost a love story that will have you rooting for Michael and Tom from the early pages clear through the end of the book, but be forewarned, this book is a tearjerker and in more than one place i found myself pulling out a box of tissues.
Poppen's talent never ceases to amaze me and this may be her greatest book to date, although it is hard to determine if it beats her stellar After the War, Before the Peace because the two books are so different. It was really interesting to see how Tom, a heterosexual male deals with his attraction to Michael, a homosexual male. The inner struggle as he realizes he really likes Michael. His peace of mind when he decides to let to Michael into his life and his total conflict when he realizes what he feels for Michael goes beyond mere friendship.
The characters all ring with authenticity. Not everyone accepts Tom and Micheal's new relationship. It is devastating to Tom's ex-wife and some of his family members simply can't deal with the change in Tom or with his new lifestyle. There is real and genuine conflict between Tom and his superior officers that can cause his career goals to come crashing around his head, but Tom is so happy with Michael he really doesn't care. He'll take whatever comes his way and together they will deal with it.
Poppen deals with subject of Tom and Micheal's relationship in a sensitive and caring way. She focuses on the love story and not the sex with the exception of the first time and even it is not overly graphic. Instead she shows how much a homosexual relationship is like a heterosexual relationship, based on mutual love and respect, on reaching out for the other person first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Of how thrilled you are when you wake up beside the love of your life, and how devastating it can be when something beyond your control keeps that loved one from your side.
I would really encourage you to read Regardless. Set in the future, it shows all the earmarks of being the next Brokeback Mountain, although I think the Sci-Fi side story could use a little bit of development were it ever to be made into a movie.
Poppen's talent never ceases to amaze me and this may be her greatest book to date, although it is hard to determine if it beats her stellar After the War, Before the Peace because the two books are so different. It was really interesting to see how Tom, a heterosexual male deals with his attraction to Michael, a homosexual male. The inner struggle as he realizes he really likes Michael. His peace of mind when he decides to let to Michael into his life and his total conflict when he realizes what he feels for Michael goes beyond mere friendship.
The characters all ring with authenticity. Not everyone accepts Tom and Micheal's new relationship. It is devastating to Tom's ex-wife and some of his family members simply can't deal with the change in Tom or with his new lifestyle. There is real and genuine conflict between Tom and his superior officers that can cause his career goals to come crashing around his head, but Tom is so happy with Michael he really doesn't care. He'll take whatever comes his way and together they will deal with it.
Poppen deals with subject of Tom and Micheal's relationship in a sensitive and caring way. She focuses on the love story and not the sex with the exception of the first time and even it is not overly graphic. Instead she shows how much a homosexual relationship is like a heterosexual relationship, based on mutual love and respect, on reaching out for the other person first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Of how thrilled you are when you wake up beside the love of your life, and how devastating it can be when something beyond your control keeps that loved one from your side.
I would really encourage you to read Regardless. Set in the future, it shows all the earmarks of being the next Brokeback Mountain, although I think the Sci-Fi side story could use a little bit of development were it ever to be made into a movie.
August 12, 2019
Oh my, the ugly, ugly tears. What a gem of a book.....
While this didn't really have a HEA, it ended as it should with the tale of this epic love story of 2 soul mates. How they stood by each other, believed beyond hope, loved beyond the boundaries that we can't comprehend.
While there might be perceived cheating, there really wasn't. When Tom accepted and understood what his soul was telling him, he did end things with this wife prior to going to be with Michael.
Their love was so beautiful and it made me believe that soul mates really exist. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
"See some people change and some don't. It doesn't make either one right or wrong, but when people change sometimes it hurst the ones that love them."
Until we meet again, old friend....
While this didn't really have a HEA, it ended as it should with the tale of this epic love story of 2 soul mates. How they stood by each other, believed beyond hope, loved beyond the boundaries that we can't comprehend.
While there might be perceived cheating, there really wasn't. When Tom accepted and understood what his soul was telling him, he did end things with this wife prior to going to be with Michael.
Their love was so beautiful and it made me believe that soul mates really exist. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
"See some people change and some don't. It doesn't make either one right or wrong, but when people change sometimes it hurst the ones that love them."
Until we meet again, old friend....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews