Here’s a recent email I received from a reader in Toronto:
Hello Martin,
Just wanted to drop a note to let you know that I enjoyed your novel tremendously over the last couple of days. The novel was like a rollercoaster – an emotional rollercoaster – at times I had to laugh, at times cried. Really got into the book and the characters. Would love to have gone on and on reading more. A sequel would be nice, don’t you agree?
Thanks again for many hours of great entertainment. I won’t forget this book.
Signed J–
Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 20. The setting: Justin’s small stone ranch house on a remote desert ranch. Everyone is sitting around the breakfast table, talking about his primitive outdoor shower.
A few minutes later all five were melting butter on their pancakes.
“I was just thinking,” Shannon said, glancing at the others with a slight hint of apprehension, “… maybe we could put a screen of some kind around the shower.”
Justin looked at her with a grin.
“That’d take all the fun out it,” Michael said, stuffing in another bite.
“Just something temporary,” Shannon added. She woke up that morning feeling gritty, thinking about the unlikely notion of two weeks without a shower.
Michael glanced at Brian. “What do you think, Brian. Think we need a screen, or do you plan to tough out the next two weeks without a shower?”
Brian looked around at the faces smiling back at him, discomfited. He lifted his elbow to sniff his armpit.
Jody looked at Michael with suspicion. “You’re goading him just to get him naked.”
“I doubt that,” Brian said, swallowing a mouthful of pancakes. “Just be a disappointment.”
“Hardly!” Jody shot back.
Justin joined in. “You ought to go for it, Brian. I’d be happy to refill the jug.”
He looked at Shannon, the only one besides himself harboring reservations about outdoor showers.
“Don’t look at her,” said Michael. “You might have the courage to give it a try, but we’re not gonna see Shannon out there stripping down. She plans to wait until she gets back to civilization, some two weeks from now.”
“I didn’t exactly say that, Michael. I can’t go two weeks without a shower. I thought a screen might …”
“You’d have us stop the stonework to build a screen?” said Michael.
“What a shame,” said Justin. “And such a lovely creature you are, to deny this barren land such a delightful image.”
“I don’t know why any of you would want to see me nude,” said Shannon. “You two are gay, Jody’s a woman, and Brian’s obsessed with her body. I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but he can’t seem to take his eyes off her.”
“Are you kidding?” said Justin. “Of course he’d like to see you naked. So would Jody.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jody retorted.
He looked at her, grinning. “You wouldn’t admit it if you did.”
“I would, too!” she protested.
“Well then, given the opportunity, would you look at a naked woman or not? Yes or no.”
She hesitated, then said: “Okay, I admit it, yes. I think all women secretly compare themselves to other women.”
“What about you, Shannon?” Justin asked. “Wouldn’t you snatch a glimpse of a naked women?”
“Good Lord!” Shannon couldn’t believe they were talking about this.
Justin didn’t let up. “Come on, girl. Would you … go ahead and admit it.”
“Fine! I admit it. Jody’s right. So we’re curious about other women. Doesn’t mean anything.”
“There you are,” said Justin. “It’s not so hard to open up, is it?” He looked back at Jody. “Would you like to see Shannon naked?”
She scowled at him. “Just how far do you plan to take this?”
“Answer that one question and we’ll change the subject.”
She looked over at Shannon and her eyes fell to her chest. “Okay, I’ll admit that, too. I’ve wondered if your breasts are that perky when you’re not wearing a bra.”
“I wish!” Shannon blurted with little thought, realizing only then the subject embarrassed her.
Michael pored more syrup on his pancakes, delighted with the conversation.
Brian was looking at Justin inquisitively. “Why would a gay man want to look at a naked woman?” he asked. “Yesterday you said … “
“Good question,” Justin interrupted.
“Yes, that is a good question,” said Michael. He looked at Brian. “For the same reason we walk out into the desert to look at a cactus in bloom, or watch a hummingbird drink from that feeder out there. A woman represents natural beauty in another form.”
“And to make her chill out,” added Justin. “No one should spend two weeks out here and go back as tightly wound as they were when they arrived.”
“Have you showered out there, Jody?” Shannon asked.
“I have. And rest assured, these guys have no qualms about staring, gay or otherwise. But I have to admit, it is fun. I’ll miss taking a shower in the sun when the new bathroom is finished. There’s something invigorating about it.”
“I’m willing to do it!” Brian announced.
They all looked at him.
“When?” asked Justin.
He pursed his lips in thought. “Right after breakfast,” he said brazenly. “And anyone who cares to is welcome to observe.”
Available in paperback and Kindle.
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