Bright Haven: An Amberly Novella Read online

The doctor comes in. He’s blonde, and has that lanky athletic thing going on—long limbs and built like a swimmer. He’s all lean, different than me, and just my type. I’m more like the Hulk, plus tattoos, minus the green skin.

  He’s not smiling. Instead, he has a weird look on his face, and then I realize I know him.

  David Parker.

  Fuck.

  Want the rest? You can find it on Amazon free in Kindle Unlimited for a little longer!

  Stray Home by Edith Scott

  12

  Praise for Stray Home

  Stray Home by Edith Scott

  This is a great story. It brings up so many issues gay men and women go through, finding themselves and standing up to your family. Unfortunately it is a fact that not every family will support their gay child. It hurts and the pain never goes away completely but when you find your soulmate that is the only love that matters. Wonderful thanks sharing your story with us.

  OK, so puppies and little kids can turn any silly plotline into a sweet munch of oh-I-hope-they-get-a-HEA. But this one has something else going for it: The cover accurately portrays Mike (left) and David as who they are--a very confident blue collar hunk and a closeted and deeply conflicted veterinarian.

  That they meet up after 10 years of mutually imposed retreat from being teenage lovers and immediately revive their romance is simultaneously eyebrow-raising and perfectly logical gives great credit to author Edith Scott's talent to manipulate the reader.

  And we need a bit of manipulation to put up with David's stupidity. Narrated by both of them in alternating chapters, it is clear that Mike is stable and knows what is right and David is living through a horrifying life dominated by his miserable homophobic father. That both of them have huge hearts is what gets you through this trip--from the way puppy golden retriever Bacon steals Mike's heart to David's total devotion to his twin daughters.

  Those hearts, however, need brains to get them to the end, and eventually the brains move them toward a HEA that is so sweet you need to chew on some rubbery bacon to offset the toothache. Nicely done.

  Awww. This book was sticky sweet. I like books that have sweetness, so this was a big positive for me. David and Mike were best friends and together when younger, but an over bearing father forced them apart. 10 years later, they see each other again when Mike brings his new puppy to the vet, who happens to be David. Their chemistry and feelings for each other have not decreased over the years, and they find themselves wanting to rekindle their relationship. They fall back into an easy routine, until David's father finds out they are together and forces them apart again. Luckily the angst level is relatively low, and the subsequent soul searching is just what is needed for the guys to find their happily ever after. I enjoyed this book.

  This was an awesome story, well written with lovable characters (especially Bacon!). Watching David’s struggles trying to live under his father’s proverbial thumb was heart breaking, especially because it costs him Mike, again.

  Mike, David, and Bacon have a wild ride to take you on, so be patient. There are first loves, angst, growing to be true to one's self, a meddling father, even more supportive family and friends, a lucky black cat named Bear and an adorable puppy named Bacon! It's romantic and steamy, but one of my favorite scenes is when David has had enough of his father controlling him and does something about it. Mike and David have the electrical charge of nothing less than soulmates, even though they have tons of hurdles to pass before they can get there. Looking forward to seeing what the author does for her next book.

  I have found a new author that I already love. This story was so well written. I loved Mike and David's relationship. It was such a nice emotional read that it felt so real. I gotta say I was so jealous of David. Mike is the just so sexy and the kinda of the man I would love to have. This author made you fell everything either man felt and was able to draw a complete picture of all around.I would totally buy her books.I am glad that there really are second chance loves in real life. I loved this romance.

  This is I think, the first story I've read by this author. It is extremely well and tightly written. Sweet but not saccharin. The two main protagonists are developed and all of the other characters play important roles. A perfect story and a great read.

  Wow, such a good story. The character development was great including all the secondary people in their lives. Second chance for David and Mike to find their HEA as David struggles with getting out from under his bigoted father's thumb. Couldn't put it down.

  Edith Scott has a way with words. Absolutely love to story from the characters to the setting, even the trials and tribulations they had to go through. There isn't a thing in the world that I would change about it.

  Normally I finish a book in a couple hours, this book took me 3 days. Not because it was poorly written, just the opposite!

  It truly was a love story. Granted with gay men. Rarely have I found a really good book with gay characters that might mirror someone's (gay or straight) life and love life. It took us back to their childhood as young boys to the present. I really didn't want it to end. I kept reading a chapter or three and then putting it down, not wanting the end to come, dragging it out.

  My only disappoint was Ms. Scott has no other books out. I am hoping she publishes more in this genre and style. This one was well thought out and well written.

  What a wonderful, feel good book! I enjoyed the story line completely. The writing was colorful and emotional. I found myself wanting to know what was going to happening next. This is a story of love never dying between to individuals who have known each other their whole lives. Separated and changed over the years, but always in love with each other. Throw in a cute little puppy in the mix and you have one truly cute story. I look forward for more books from this author.

  I like this book, I really like this book, I love this book. David and Mike were best friends and teenage lovers but because David couldn't stand up to his father they were separated. Years later they met again when Mike's dog is sick and David is the veterinarian who took care of said dog. Thoroughly enjoyed Mike and David love story.

  This first book by Edith Scott stood out in my mind even though I read it a couple months ago.

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.I fell in love with the three MCs, especially Mike and Bacon. The beautiful cover was a definite draw. The storyline was thorough and mostly endearing. There is one bad character that remained controlling and threatening throughout his son's David's life. David's fear is the central theme of this story. Because of it he changed both his and Mike's lives forever.

  Despite a nearly shotgun wedding, David is lucky in his choice of ex-wife. She is a wonderful secondary character, along with David's friend / receptionist at the clinic. Unlike some other books the women in this book are caring, supportive, and strong advocates. Something David really needs, since he has continued to allow his father to control his life, as his supervisor and owner of the veterinarian clinic. David loves his career. Like his receptionist he realizes something that I've definitely noticed the multiple times over the past couple years I've visited the vet with my own elderly Scottish Terrier, that most of the dogs I see have white on their chin / muzzle. We owners talk in the veterinarian waiting room asking ages and many are over age ten. Years and years of unconditional love. The cat folks speak about thirteen and sixteen year-olds.

  And everyone ooohs and aaahs over young pups and small kittens. Reminiscing about their dogs' younger, often destructive years. It's so easy to forget how bad they were as pups. The MCs reflect on the passage of ten years and how much their lives has changed, as well as how much time together had been lost. But without those lost years neither would have become the man he is. A strong, sturdy, OCD, sincere, veteran who has become a master carpenter. And a man who always loved animals became a veterinarian, lost his best friend, continues to cave to the demands of his homophobic father, but also was a loyal though misguided husband, and a wonderfully loving father of twin girls. />
  For me this book is definitely a keeper. I re-read most of the book for a second time prior to writing this review. I fell in love with Mike all over again, felt David's anguish as he tried to stay closeted while his feelings for Mike resurface despite his plans to keep his distance. Their love and care for an adorable abandoned Golden Retriever puppy, Bacon makes it kinda hard when they actually end up living in the same house.

  I liked the alternating character voice in each chapter. It gave more insight on both men. David's waffling was annoying, but understandable since he truly feared his father. It may be hard for some to realize how years of negative conditioning can cause certain behaviors. Even when the person becomes an adult, the fear of disappointing his parent, of loosing something very important, such as his education or career, and he can't see beyond the conditioned behaviors of denying his true desires and keeping himself deeply closeted.

  It takes Mike's unconditional love, Bacon's sweet puppy behavior, his friend's and ex-wife's intervention, and a final realization that he had to man up. I just wish it wasn't at the expense of Mike's heart.

  I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy reading about a loving pup, a fierce but cuddlly teddy bear, a cute closeted veterinarian, great friends, a man having to overcome some of his OCD in order to keep the puppy who had stolen his heart, second chances, and little twin girls.

  Download it now on Amazon! Stray Home by Edith Scott

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  Tiger Tricks

  Love Bright Haven and Stray Home? Please enjoy this sneak peek of Tiger Tricks, the next novel set in the idyllic town of Amberley. Now available in the Amazon store in Kindle Unlimited.

  Rhett: I’ve fought a lot of fires but this is one blaze I can’t put out.

  I rose from my past and became a damn good fireman. They made me the cover model for the calendar, but I’m still not a fit for polite society. I don’t do commitment. Or responsibility. But then a crazy fan sent me a puppy — a terrified untrained dalmatian. I was supposed to throw him away? The gorgeous guy at the shelter wasn’t impressed either. Oscar took my breath away, all dark eyes, glasses and skinny jeans. He’s way out of my league. No strings? No problem. But is our burning chemistry too hot to handle?

  * * *

  Oscar: You know what they say about playing with fire.

  I was a social media star until an ugly public breakup drove me to idyllic Amberly. I needed to get away from it all. Live the analog life. Work in the dog shelter. Stay out of relationships. Then the fireman hunk on my calendar walked into the shelter cradling a dalmatian puppy in his arms. Rhett is sexy. Tattooed. Covered in muscles. He’s the player bad boy I definitely should stay away from. So when he answered my ad to rent my guest house, and my history of bad judgment, of course I said yes. Can I handle a fling without getting burned?

  * * *

  Tiger Tricks is a full-length standalone romance with a hunky fireman, a sweet and geeky social media star, a rambunctious dalmatian puppy, no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after!

  This book includes adorable original illustrations and is set in the same story world as Stray Home, Mike and David (& Bacon's) story.

  Are you ready to fall in love?

  14

  Tiger Tricks Chapter 1

  Rhett

  “Why won’t you play with us?” Finn asked me for the thousandth time. He dealt the cards to the table of firemen with the expert efficiency of a casino dealer. Our 24-hour shift at the Amberly fire station was almost over. With all chores and tasks complete, the guys liked to pass the last hour with a rousing game of poker.

  I leaned against the brick column by the table, arms folded. “I’m supervising,” I said. “Someone has to look like they’re working.”

  “Rhett’s afraid of losing,” Mitch said, grinning up at me under his mop of white blonde hair. He picked up his cards in his meaty hands and frowned.

  “I’d work on my poker face before I made comments like that,” I said. “I can tell what kind of hands you guys have without even seeing your cards.”

  “Then you should play and beat us all,” Kai said. He waggled his eyebrows at me. I replied with a steady gaze and a half smirk, not moving from my comfy spot against the load bearing column.

  “I’m good,” I said, already bored of this exchange. It was like this every time. I didn’t play cards, especially at the end of a shift when my eyes were tired and my head hurt. And even though it was almost time to to clock out, someone needed to stay on high alert. I stayed watchful, and the other guys could have their fun.

  As if on cue, the front door of the fire station swung open and a courier appeared. He held the door open with his foot and balanced an unsealed cardboard box in his arms. “Is Rhett Hayes here?”

  He looked over the room, his cheeks pink from exertion. Or maybe he was reacting to the attention of an entire gathering of fireman, all suddenly focused on him.

  Our town was known for its small town charm and scenic beauty, but it also served as a beacon for people who appreciated the open and friendly attitudes of the residents. So it was perfectly reasonable that the courier might freeze and blush in the spotlight of so much male attention.

  As entertained as I was by the silent interchange between him and my fellow firemen, I wanted to know what was in that box.

  “I’m Rhett Hayes,” I said. I pushed myself off from the column near the table where I’d been leaning and cracked my neck as I strode toward the doorway. The courier blushed deeper, looking me up and down. He looked familiar.

  I wondered if he was a Grindr hookup. My rule was, never in this town and only once. That kept things simple.

  The reason everyone loved me is they didn’t know me. They didn’t know what a fucked up family I came from, they didn’t know I faked my movements through polite society. Don’t think about how you don’t belong, or they will realize you don’t belong.

  The mystery delivery reminded me that my mouth had a way of getting me into trouble. I couldn’t help it if I charmed the Junior League and ended up with weeks of treats delivered to the station, or that the residents of the retirement home sent me invitations to all their birthday parties, or even that the elementary school classes sent me a steady stream of fireman drawings.

  So now what? The guys all watched me with the same expression. I swear the trouble I got into was a constant source of entertainment around here.

  “Whatcha got for me, handsome?” I flashed a winning smile at him, and took the clipboard he balanced between his hand and the side of the box. I signed on the line and looked at him expectantly.

  “My instructions are no returns,” the courier said, stammering a little. He pushed the cardboard box toward me and I traded him for the clipboard of forms. The lid was unsealed -- only folded closed and loose. “Handle with extreme care. Maybe put it on the table before you open it.” He looked ready to run.

  “Uh, okay?” I said, adjusting to the uneven weight of the box. What could it possibly be? I carried the box to the table and the guys all moved aside, just as curious as me.

  I opened the flaps and peered inside.

  What the — ?

  A puppy.

  “It’s a dalmatian!” Mitch exclaimed. “Oh my god, it’s just like out of the movie!”

  “What movie?” My mind spun in circles. Why was I just delivered a puppy?

  “What do you mean, ‘what movie’?” Mitch said. “Everyone saw it when they were kids!”

  “Fuck you,” I said. I pushed my irritation away and focused on the creature in the box.

  The puppy was young — so young his skin looked a little too big for his body. His paws were definitely too big, and his fur was mostly white, dappled with gray dots beneath the skin, all over his slick round tummy. The puppy looked up at me with big sad eyes.

  He was terrified. I knew that look. I knew nothing about dogs, but I would bet money this one was scared. I reached into the box and cupped the white creatur
e into my hand. I gently lifted him out and into my arms.

  His little warm body immediately moved toward me, nestling closer to my chest. His belly was soft, so soft, and warm. As a first responder, I’d delivered a few babies in my fireman career. His skin felt so tender, almost like a new baby. His little wet nose wuffled my hand as he tried to crawl even closer to my chest.

  “Poor little guy,” I said. “Who puts a dalmatian in a box and has it delivered to a fire station?”

  “Probably one of your rabid calendar fans,” Finn said. His tone was a little too snarky; time to let it go. I won the cover this year of the annual fireman calendar, a fundraiser that created a surprising amount of competition from the entrants. Finn wasn’t chosen for the cover, but he was Mr. November.

  “There’s a card,” Kai reached into the box and pulled it out before I could. “Ohhh, fancy paper. Can I open it?”

  I sighed. It probably was a calendar fan. They sent me all kinds of other things, some of them definitely not in keeping with the family friendly image of the fire department. I mean, what did I want with someone’s panties anyway?

  Next year I would make sure my sexual orientation was published. But would that keep away the embarrassing gifts, or just change the nature of them?

  “Sure, go ahead.” I sat down with the puppy still in my arms. He was so small and warm. So much life glowed inside the little creature.

  I felt angry at whomever put him in a box for a courier. He was a living creature, not a house plant.