Opportunity: Edited Edition

by Mark R. Klinger

Young Joshua Siegel has recently graduated from art school. He's working two dead end jobs while waiting to make a break as an animator when he meets Benji, a handsome though somewhat evasive young man. As the two's relationship blossoms, Benji tells Joshua that he's an astronaut. Joshua is forced to decide if the time apart and the constant fear for Benji's safety is worth it.During Benji's first mission to the International Space Station, disaster strikes. Joshua is stuck on the ground unable to help as the man he loves is trapped on a space station that is in catastrophe. When Benji's colleague that Joshua hates is selected to lead the rescue team, Joshua is caught between a rock and a hard place; needing Nathan to succeed and save Benji, but also wanting to see him humiliated.When time runs out, and zero hour hits, who will have made it planetside?

281 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2020

About the author

​Mark has been writing since an early age. From middle school on, he found his passion for the written word. He started imagining people who's backstories later became the basis for many of the characters that appear in his works. Though works of fiction, many readers familiar with Northeast Ohio, may be able to recognize the inspiration for many of the locations in Mark's works.

With the publication of his debut novel, Opportunity, Mark is excited about the many other novels he's working on, all at different stages of development - seventeen at present, but who's counting.

Mark has since left Ohio, settling with his husband in Philadelphia, where they reside with their dog and two cats. Mark can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable debut novel, Opportunity is a combination M/M romance / science fiction (think the near-future of "The Martian") story that acknowledges both the danger of space flight as well as why it's so important, while also creating a relationship between two different and flawed people. Too often, romances fall into the trap of one-dimensional characters where everyone who struggles with confidence and self-image comes from abusive homes they've had to rise above, or they're so completely comfortable with who they are that they have no vulnerabilities at all and so must patiently coax the other into becoming a better person. In LGBTQ+ romance stories, that often translates into a "I haven't come out yet because my parents will disown me or be disappointed in me" lead meeting a "you should be proud of who you are and my wonderful, accepting family will take you in as their own" romantic interest. Klinger allows the characters and their families to be more complex than that, reminding us that, in all people there are layers and so their relationships will have layers as well.

[DerekAndCharlaReadConstantly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Opportunity by Mark R. Klinger - Author
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶

Mark is an important author in the contemporary romance genre. Not only does he give a voice to the LGBQTIA community but his book is an excellent romance.

This particular book took me on an emotional journey where I cheered and at times worried about his characters. His imaginative writing made his book so real you felt you were in the room as the book took place. The characters are well rounded and realistic. They have solid back stories and have become “book friends”.

I look forward to Mark’s future books and am definitely glad to have taken time to read Opportunity.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story this was!

The characters were amazing! I so enjoyed reading and getting to know Joshua and Benji's story. Each character brought forth such a beautiful story of love for one another and compassion for their jobs.

The storyline, OMG, the storyline was incredible and very well written!! I couldn't put this book down!! So much love, excitement, sadness, worry, and edge of my seat scenes made this story a true page turner for me and I highly recommend this read!!