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Men of Riverside #4
Saving Zeke
Book four in the Men of Riverside Series Ben and Zeke have been best friends forever but can they become lovers without losing each other along the way?Ben Dealy longs for a loving relationship like the one his parents have, but he can t seem to connect to any of the women he dates like he does to his childhood friend, Zeke. As a police detective, admitting he's gay could ruin his career. But when he discovers Zeke is in trouble, not admitting he's gay may cost him much more than his job.Zeke has been fighting his attraction to Ben since college, but was determined to uphold the 'expected' lifestyle. When he discovers his fiancee, Claudia, is only after him for his money, he decides it's time to stop running from the truth, and start fighting for the man he's still crazy about.But will Ben and Zeke admit their feelings for each other or will Ben's need for a career drive them further apart?Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series"
83 pages, ebook
First published May 16, 2011
About the author
Serena Yates
104 books770 followersI’m a night owl and start writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.
Living and working in eight countries has taught me that there is more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes, and preferences that exist on our planet.
I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.
I currently live in Canada, sharing my house with a vast collection of books. I like reading, traveling, spending time with my nieces and listening to classical music. I have a passion for science and learning new languages.
Living and working in eight countries has taught me that there is more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes, and preferences that exist on our planet.
I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.
I currently live in Canada, sharing my house with a vast collection of books. I like reading, traveling, spending time with my nieces and listening to classical music. I have a passion for science and learning new languages.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 29, 2013
Saving Zeke continues the tradition of this series providing a nice, heartwarming story of two men who start as friends but become lovers.
I enjoyed that the men loved each other on an emotional level, it wasn't just about the physical for Ben and Zeke. Yes, they did find each other an incredible turn on but it was very much a gay-for-you scenario.
The story is a little predictable in some ways, with the men having known at some level for quite some time that they meant more to each other but running from these feelings.
I enjoyed that the men loved each other on an emotional level, it wasn't just about the physical for Ben and Zeke. Yes, they did find each other an incredible turn on but it was very much a gay-for-you scenario.
The story is a little predictable in some ways, with the men having known at some level for quite some time that they meant more to each other but running from these feelings.
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May 16, 2011Published today, on May 16, 2011, this is the fourth book in my Men of Riversdie series. Saving Zeke continues the adventures of a group of men who all went to the same high school in the fictional town of Riverside, Texas. Not all of them know they are destined to be couples. Some of them believe they are only friends. Circumstances and life separate them, sometimes for several years. But luck, determination and love will help them get the reunions they deserve.
This story is about Ben Dealy and Zeke Fortin, who have been best friends forever. Ben longs for a loving relationship like the one his parents have, but he can't seem to connect to any of the women he dates like he does to his childhood friend, Zeke. As a police detective, admitting he's gay could ruin his career. But when he discovers Zeke is in trouble, not admitting he's gay may cost him much more than his job.
Zeke has been fighting his attraction to Ben since college, but was determined to uphold the 'expected' lifestyle. When he discovers his fiancée, Claudia, is only after him for his money, he decides it's time to stop running from the truth, and start fighting for the man he's still crazy about.
But will Ben and Zeke admit their feelings for each other or will Ben's need for a career drive them further apart?
This story is about Ben Dealy and Zeke Fortin, who have been best friends forever. Ben longs for a loving relationship like the one his parents have, but he can't seem to connect to any of the women he dates like he does to his childhood friend, Zeke. As a police detective, admitting he's gay could ruin his career. But when he discovers Zeke is in trouble, not admitting he's gay may cost him much more than his job.
Zeke has been fighting his attraction to Ben since college, but was determined to uphold the 'expected' lifestyle. When he discovers his fiancée, Claudia, is only after him for his money, he decides it's time to stop running from the truth, and start fighting for the man he's still crazy about.
But will Ben and Zeke admit their feelings for each other or will Ben's need for a career drive them further apart?
November 7, 2011
4.5 stars
Zeke has loved his best friend, Ben, for long. Thinking that Ben was straight, Zeke tried to bury his feelings by being engaged to Claudia and moved to a different city.
Ben is a cop. He's not a playboy, but neither could he hold long-term relationship with women. He missed his best friend Zeke, but Zeke's fiancee had forbidden them to be in contact with each other. After Claudia ended their phone conversation at Zeke's birthday, Ben decided to run a background check on the couple and found something was not right. But, what could Ben do that now they lived miles away?
I really enjoyed reading this book (after all, it's childhood-friends-turn-lovers story!). While the plot is not new, the way the author describes the characters' feelings brought me smile.
Claudia is a typical jealous fiancee. Her character is a bit black and white. Still, I don't mind since it doesn't create unnecessary angst for our protagonists. The talk about emotional equilibrium just warmed my heart! It's a nice light and warm reading.
Zeke has loved his best friend, Ben, for long. Thinking that Ben was straight, Zeke tried to bury his feelings by being engaged to Claudia and moved to a different city.
Ben is a cop. He's not a playboy, but neither could he hold long-term relationship with women. He missed his best friend Zeke, but Zeke's fiancee had forbidden them to be in contact with each other. After Claudia ended their phone conversation at Zeke's birthday, Ben decided to run a background check on the couple and found something was not right. But, what could Ben do that now they lived miles away?
I really enjoyed reading this book (after all, it's childhood-friends-turn-lovers story!). While the plot is not new, the way the author describes the characters' feelings brought me smile.
Claudia is a typical jealous fiancee. Her character is a bit black and white. Still, I don't mind since it doesn't create unnecessary angst for our protagonists. The talk about emotional equilibrium just warmed my heart! It's a nice light and warm reading.
May 31, 2011
Lovely story in this series.
July 4, 2011
Denial is a mental defense mechanism which kicks in when someone is faced with information that is too uncomfortable to accept and is rejected instead, regardless of the evidence to the contrary. In 'Saving Zeke' by Serena Yates, being in denial is what caused Ben Dealy and Zeke Fortin a multitude of avoidable problems. Although their motives were admirable, they did some pretty illogical and unnecessary things in the name of preserving their friendship. It was painful to watch them perform their intricate dance of denial. Their love and respect for one another went so deep that it actually worked against then. Their worst mistake was to assume they knew how the other man would react. Ben and Zeke put too much emphasis on whether or not they were gay and not enough on their strong feelings and undeniable compatibility. Both men wanted so desperately to be 'normal', i.e., straight, because if one or the other was gay it meant running the risk of losing the other. So priceless was their friendship, that they were willing to do just about anything to preserve it, including being unhappy.
Ben Dealy first appeared in a previous story, 'Understanding Mark’, Men of Riverside, #3. When his younger brother's boyfriend was kidnapped, Ben put himself in harm's way to help rescue him. I was extremely impressed and very emotionally involved with Ben's welfare. However, I was not impressed with the way he kept denying that there was anything between him and Zeke even if it was what he thought was for the best. What he told Zeke after being intimate with him broke my heart. “I don’t want a few minutes of thoughtlessness to ruin our friendship...” Zeke stared at Ben, more disappointed than he could say. His friend had just labeled the most wonderful sexual encounter Zeke had ever had ‘a few minutes of thoughtlessness’.” Fortunately, he eventually redeems himself.
At first I wondered why Zeke didn't stand up to Claudia, his fiancée, until I realized his motives for not doing so. Then I felt sorry for him. I thought he showed infinite patience with Ben and his unwillingness to admit his feelings and was very proud of Zeke when he finally confided in Rick, Ben's brother. about the matter and came to terms with his feelings. I cheered out loud when Zeke finally declared: “I think it’s time we were honest with each other. Well, I’m going to be honest with you.” Zeke rubbed his face before he let his blue gaze rest on Ben’s face. “I’ve been attracted to you for a very long time.”
'Saving Zeke' is a thoughtfully written love story, with strong characters and a great deal of substance. So far, it's my favorite story of the Men of Riverside series and I look forward to reading more about the wonderful men of Riverside as the series continues. This book may be read alone, but will be best appreciated if read after the other three. Thanks again Serena for introducing me to these extraordinary men.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
Ben Dealy first appeared in a previous story, 'Understanding Mark’, Men of Riverside, #3. When his younger brother's boyfriend was kidnapped, Ben put himself in harm's way to help rescue him. I was extremely impressed and very emotionally involved with Ben's welfare. However, I was not impressed with the way he kept denying that there was anything between him and Zeke even if it was what he thought was for the best. What he told Zeke after being intimate with him broke my heart. “I don’t want a few minutes of thoughtlessness to ruin our friendship...” Zeke stared at Ben, more disappointed than he could say. His friend had just labeled the most wonderful sexual encounter Zeke had ever had ‘a few minutes of thoughtlessness’.” Fortunately, he eventually redeems himself.
At first I wondered why Zeke didn't stand up to Claudia, his fiancée, until I realized his motives for not doing so. Then I felt sorry for him. I thought he showed infinite patience with Ben and his unwillingness to admit his feelings and was very proud of Zeke when he finally confided in Rick, Ben's brother. about the matter and came to terms with his feelings. I cheered out loud when Zeke finally declared: “I think it’s time we were honest with each other. Well, I’m going to be honest with you.” Zeke rubbed his face before he let his blue gaze rest on Ben’s face. “I’ve been attracted to you for a very long time.”
'Saving Zeke' is a thoughtfully written love story, with strong characters and a great deal of substance. So far, it's my favorite story of the Men of Riverside series and I look forward to reading more about the wonderful men of Riverside as the series continues. This book may be read alone, but will be best appreciated if read after the other three. Thanks again Serena for introducing me to these extraordinary men.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
November 2, 2011
A fun installment in this series. Like Elliot's fiancé from the first book, Zeke's is also a manipulative shrew. I'm glad he figured things out for himself without Ben having to swoop in and actually save the day. It gave him a backbone and reinforced his actions regarding the changes he's making in his life. I have to wonder if Ben would have ever found his own spine if Claudia hadn't threatened to expose him at home and at work.
August 26, 2011
Warning~the fiance is completely, over-the-top psycho. Which is actually kind of fun. But if you are a person sensitive to women being evil in M/M romance, this one may bother you.
Ben's parents are awesome.
The showdown with Ben's boss made me grin.
Rather lighthearted and fun.
Ben's parents are awesome.
The showdown with Ben's boss made me grin.
Rather lighthearted and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2012
that was a sweet story.
March 15, 2013
Not bad..... more like 2.5 stars though!
September 21, 2014
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews