Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
A retired marine, Logan is methodical and conservative. Richard is a liberal pacifist who is pathologically afraid of guns. Yet the minute Logan sets eyes on Richard, his heart turns over like an old car engine and it isn't long before his motor is revved and Richard is in the driver's seat ~ even if it seems like each man is driving a different car. Richard Hunter is parenting his grandson, and the kid ~ Nick ~ has had it rough. Richard vows nothing will stop him from creating a loving and stable home. Not even a tempting, red-hot relationship with a very attractive man. However, when Richard looks into Logan's blue eyes it's tough to stay focused. It's never easy to become a family, what with a temperamental eight-year-old, disapproving outsiders, and outright extortion attempts. But when push comes to shove, both Logan and Richard are committed family men who want to make a loving home for a little boy who needs them.

BOOK REVIEW:
"Family Unit," Z.A. Maxfield's stellar new release, tackles themes not often found in gay romance. I was pleasantly surprised to read about two middle-aged men who stumble into lust, then a serious relationship. What follows their physical attraction is a brilliantly rendered, mature love story brought to vibrant life by one of the genre's most talented writers.

Logan and Richard couldn't be more different. From the minute they meet, the two men rub each other both the wrong and right way. Logan is a retired Marine Colonel who lives his life according to carefully scripted rules and regulations, and Richard is a quirky, carefree graphic artist busy raising his eight-year old grandson. Logan and Richard's value systems are in complete opposition and yet they can't deny their mutual attraction. When they eventually fall into bed, the white-hot passion they generate is in no way diminished by the creaks and groans of their aging bodies. I loved how Maxfield infused the story with gentle reminders that these guys are no longer spring chickens.

Watching them fall in love over the course of 256 pages is a study in characterization because Richard and Logan's romance does not come easy. Logan wonders if he wants to get involved with a single father, and Richard balances his emotional need for a romantic relationship with the needs of his grandson, Nick. The scenes that illustrate these conflicts are beautifully written with great sensitivity. I especially liked that these guys have serious conversations about real-life issues such as gun control, violence and aging. Maxfield has a talent for writing realistic dialogue and getting at the heart of matters even when conflicts remain unresolved.

My favorite aspect of the story is the way in which Richard interacts with Nick. In scene after scene, it is clear that Richard loves Nick unconditionally, understands his needs, and does not hesitate to give him all the love the boy needs. Watching them interact was a real treat.

I also liked the way in which Nick's character was drawn. In many ways he's a typical eight-year old boy but he's been traumatized by his birth mother's continued drug use, and he fears being abandoned. His reaction to the new man in his grandfather's life is wholly appropriate, as is his response to his mother's efforts to reconcile with him. This very realistic portrayal of pre-adolescence made this book a winner.

Anne Cain did a wonderful job on the cover, which features two ruggedly handsome, smiling men, one of whom has a sexy set of silver wings. I can't say enough good things about "Family Unit" because it was a joy to read. I recommend it for its nuanced portrayal of middle-aged romance and its realistic take on modern child rearing, all set in a darling small town. Don't be surprised to find it added to your keeper list.

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