Beneath the Palisade: Courage

This book has it all. In \"Beneath the Palisade: Courage,\" a sequel to \"Reliance,\" author Skelton deftly balances zany antics, compassion, wisdom—and hot sex. Ian, Harper and Alex are back to act as mentors and stand-in family to Theo, a young engine mechanic caught in an internal battle to find himself. When we first meet, Theo is trapped in a scramble of confusion and guilt. At odds with a girlfriend he can’t love, he also struggles to block his instinctive attraction to the men around him. Through his discovery of the Men’s Center and his new circle of friends, Theo not only begins to define and value himself, but also to consider what a relationship with Alex might be like. Into this mix drive Harold and Quentin, an older couple visiting Ian and Harper’s Lake Superior resort with a special request: to rent a cabin for the entire summer, allowing an ailing Quentin to be in a childhood place he always has loved. Skelton’s story now becomes one that crosses generations, giving young Alex and Theo the opportunity to observe firsthand the beauty and power of a committed relationship between older men. As near tragedy strikes and the book’s theme of courage continues to unfold, it’s clear this is more than a coming-of-age story. While Theo struggles to come out, he not only discovers his identity but also peace. How do we learn to survive, cope and thrive in a less-than-perfect world? It takes courage in all aspects of life. This is a touching story, lovingly rendered. I’m looking forward to book three.

This book has it all. In \"Beneath the Palisade: Courage,\" a sequel to \"Reliance,\" author Skelton deftly balances zany antics, compassion, wisdom—and hot sex. Ian, Harper and Alex are back to act as mentors and stand-in family to Theo, a young engine mechanic caught in an internal battle to find himself.
When we first meet, Theo is trapped in a scramble of confusion and guilt. At odds with a girlfriend he can’t love, he also struggles to block his instinctive attraction to the men around him. Through his discovery of the Men’s Center and his new circle of friends, Theo not only begins to define and value himself, but also to consider what a relationship with Alex might be like.
Into this mix drive Harold and Quentin, an older couple visiting Ian and Harper’s Lake Superior resort with a special request: to rent a cabin for the entire summer, allowing an ailing Quentin to be in a childhood place he always has loved. Skelton’s story now becomes one that crosses generations, giving young Alex and Theo the opportunity to observe firsthand the beauty and power of a committed relationship between older men.
As near tragedy strikes and the book’s theme of courage continues to unfold, it’s clear this is more than a coming-of-age story. While Theo struggles to come out, he not only discovers his identity but also peace. How do we learn to survive, cope and thrive in a less-than-perfect world? It takes courage in all aspects of life. This is a touching story, lovingly rendered. I’m looking forward to book three.