Blurb:
In 1910,
the United Kingdom was in turmoil. King Edward died after only nine years on
the throne. The social class system that upheld British society for centuries
was being chipped away by social, political, and economic unrest across the
Commonwealth. Amidst this backdrop, Reverend Leander Norris is accused of
sodomy. After discovering his own self-worth and the meaning of unconditional
love, Leander finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right and
pleads not guilty to the charges.
Throughout
the trial, Leander’s past is revealed, including the temptations that
bring the accusations against him. By the end of the trial, Leander is once
again reunited with a romantic interest from the past. It may be too late to
rekindle any love that remains, given the circumstances of the era and Leander’s
likely sentence.
Love is
greater than hope or faith, but can Leander convince a jury that the love he
shares with another man is natural?
Get Disappear With Me Here:
Excerpt
“I
think we need to think about our relationship a bit and define it,” Raphael
said, staring down into a book. It was a rare occasion that they were studying
alone together.
The
hair prickled on Leander’s neck; his chest and stomach tightened. He tried to
remain calm. “What needs to be defined?”
“What
I mean is, I guess we need to think about our future and what that might bring.
I mean, we’re at the end of our third year. After next, we’ll be done and
probably be assigned to opposite ends of the country.”
“Or,”
Leander said, “we could ask Father John to help get us assigned closer
together.” He knew once again where the conversation was headed and took a deep
breath. “Raphael, what is going on?”
“Well…nothing
really…it’s—”
“Ray,
put the book down and look at me. It’s what? Please, do tell.”
Raphael
laid his book in his lap and looked directly at him. “Lee, we’re getting ready
to take our exams and go on our way. We’ll move on with our lives and put away
these childish boyhood games we’ve played with each other. We’ll get married,
have kids of our own. Right now, with third year ending and the fourth about to
begin, I don’t need any distractions.”
“So
that’s what I’ve been the last seven years? A distraction?”
“Don’t
get bent out of shape, chum. I suppose I meant to say—”
“And
what exactly did you need a distraction from, Ray?”
“The
whole situation. How would you feel if your parents dumped you on the parish
rector’s doorstep to prepare for university?” Raphael blurted out.
The
evening had been going so well.
Raphael was having as hard of a time
with the conversation as he was. Raphael had never been this insensitive.
“Maybe
I should go,” Raphael said.
“Raphael,
tell me what’s going on here. Let’s forget the years at Father John’s. We were
adolescents and didn’t really consummate our relationship until we left. You’re
going to throw the last three years away?”
“It’s
not like we won’t continue to be friends. But I think we should be friends like
other men, Leander. I hang out with Narron and his lot, but we don’t go around
having sex with each other after a rugby match. You mean a lot to me, Leander.
I couldn’t have survived the situation without you. I’ve told you that before.
Now, though, I think we need to set some boundaries between us.”
Leander’s
silence and stare prompted him to continue. “I guess I’ve been thinking about
the passages we’ve been learning lately. It started about six weeks ago, when
we studied that passage from Romans. We both know Paul was speaking about men
like us. And last week’s rant about staying single. I think I need to be
focused on finishing fourth year and not be encumbered by any distractions.”
“Every
time you bring it up,” Leander said, “I want to tell you that Paul was like us
and was trying to deal with some of the same things you’re dealing with now.”
“Lee,
did you really think we would continue to be with each other this way? Don’t
you want a wife and family?” Raphael asked in a quiet voice.
“Ray,
you’re the only person who ever treated me like family.” Leander tried to stop
the tears from flowing down his cheeks. “I want to spend the rest of my life
with you.”
“Do
you know what would happen if we were discovered? Buggery’s illegal, you know.
You remember what happened a couple of years ago on Cleveland Street?”
“Of
course I do, Raphael, but that argument is weak. The Cleveland Street situation
was as much about little Eddy getting caught as it was about prostitution.” He
tried to calm his breathing and mask his hurt and desperation from Raphael. “Do
you think what we do is criminal? Do you think after all this time we should be
arrested for what I thought was love?”
“Well,
no, but…”
“But
what?”
Raphael
sat in silence and after a while started picking up his books.
“You know, Leander, I didn’t mean
for you to take things so rough. And I can’t explain what’s happening. I mean,
two months ago I was utterly happy and content with what was going on between
us, but now I’m not so sure. I’m not sure at all. I’m sorry you’re caught in
the middle of my quandary. I wish there was something I could say to help you
feel better, but I can’t tell you what you want to hear. I wish I could, but I
can’t.”
About Dean Frech
With inspiration
from historical tourism sites, the love of reading, and a desire to write a
novel, Dean started crafting his debut novel, A Place to Call Their Own,
in 2008. After four years of writing and polishing the manuscript, it was
accepted and originally published 2013. His second novel, Disappear With Me, set in Edwardian England was published later
that same year. Both novels were re-released in May 2015.
Dean lives in
Kansas City, Missouri with his two cats. He’s involved in his church and enjoys
watching movies, outdoor activities in the warmer weather, and spending time with
friends and family. In addition to writing, Dean’s hobbies include reading and
patio gardening.
Dean is currently
working a standalone title, Sartin, a merman romance, and The Higher
Law, a continuation of the story of Frank and Gregory’s family set in the
1930s.
Connect
with Dean
Pinterest: Dean Frech
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from JMS Books !
Love
is greater than hope or faith, but can Leander convince a jury that the love he
shares with another man is natural?
My second novel, Disappear With Me, is available from JMS Books!
Can two men find love amidst the pervasive culture of propriety, honor, and expectation of the 1960s?
My latest novel, Need Your Love is available from JMS Books!
My contemporary short story, "Jackpot!" is available in the Love is Proud Anthology from JMS Books! All proceeds benefit the victims of the Orlando Pulse Shooting!
