Love Means... Courage: Volume 2

by Andrew Grey

Book Overview

Len Parker is laid off during the recession in the early eighties and decides to go back to college at home in rural Michigan, where he reconnects with his best friend from high school, Ruby. He's overjoyed when she marries Cliff Laughton and overcome with sorrow when she dies an untimely death, leaving behind her husband and two-year-old son. Out of work again, Len finds a job at Cliff Laughton's sorely neglected farm. Cliff is still mourning...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1615810595
• ISBN13: 9781615810598
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC
• Length: 234 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Another extremely well written romance novel...

"Love Means Courage", the prequel to "Love Means No Shame", is another extremely well written romance novel by Andrew Grey. Similar to the rest of Andrew Grey's novels, "Love Means Courage", was difficult to put down at times! I found myself wanting more of Len and Cliff as they journeyed through their lives, experiencing newfound love, and ultimately emerging in a beautiful, lifelong relationship with one another. I would highly recommend this book as a follow up to, "Love Means No shame", and to anyone who believes in true love or is as much of a hopeless romantic as I. Thank you, Andrew Grey. I look forward to many more beautifully written novels!

Love Means Courage

In high school, Len Parker nursed a secret crush on Cliff Laughton. He never expected anything to come of it, despite a kiss they shared at a party. He moved on with his life, and Cliff later married his best friend, Ruby. Len goes to the wedding and rediscovers his friendship with Ruby. Then Ruby is killed in a car accident, leaving Cliff alone with their little boy, Geoff. Not long afterward, Len loses his job, and Cliff's sister tells him Cliff needs help at his farm. Len takes the job, but soon finds he's bitten off more than he expected. Cliff is shattered by Ruby's death, and it may take a lot more than Len expects to bring him out of it. On top of that, Len's old feelings for Cliff seem to be returning. Can Len help Cliff get it together without losing his heart? Love Means Courage is a sweet story of holding onto love no matter what happens. It was impossible not to like Len, whose caring and concern help Cliff find his way back to the world again. Cliff is pretty great too. He's a wonderful father and a good man. Secondary characters, such as Cliff's family, Len's supportive mother, and Cliff's adorable son Geoff, are well-drawn and add a lot to the story. Watching Len and Cliff find a way to be together is enjoyable in part because it's so sweet, and also because the emotions feel authentic. They ease into a relationship after a few fits and starts, which makes sense. It couldn't have been easy to come out in the early eighties, in a small town / farming area. While some of the conflicts are resolved a bit too easily, and there's less resistance to Len and Cliff's relationship than I would have expected, Love Means Courage won me over with its easy pace and sweet romance. Cassie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Great Emotion

This story stirred alot of emotions for me and I really liked how the author created the situations and let the emotion build from within. It almost seemed as though he was trying to pull out my own emotions. At the beginning of the novel, Ruby dies and Len is visibly shocked. Rather than describing what he's feeling in great detail, the author uses a familiar reaction to the news and lets the reader imagine themselves in Len's place. I found that powerful. As a reader I find it tiresome and unrealistic when every character's emotion is described in agonizing detail. I also loved the setting. Being of an age that I could remember the early eighties and I found the story a bit nostalgic as well. I've read Love Means... No Shame as well and found them both very compelling, emotional books.

Love Means Awesome Book

Andrew Grey has outdone himself again with this book. This is the prequel to Love Means No Shame and is a book about Len and Cliff. Cliff is Geoff's father and Len is his partner. Len has always had the hots for Cliff but didn't do anything about it. When tragedy strikes Len is there for Cliff and Geoff. This book tells about the relationship between Len and Cliff and even Len and Geoff. They have to deal with closed minded people and even a relative. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I also liked this book as the love scenes were very real and Andrew show's us how vulnerable people are. This is about real people in the everyday world. Kudos to Andrew on another awesome book

Great prequel

I loved this book. It is yet another story by Andrew Grey that completely swept me off my feet. Even knowing what was going to happen (since I'd read Love Means...No Shame, which takes place 20 years later) it more than kept my attention. Mainly because of its focus on the developing relationship between Len and Cliff. The setting on a small farm had just as much charm as the young Geoff's antics. The setting is 25 years ago, so there are a lot more obstacles for them to overcome than there might be today. Once they both get up the courage to admit to themselves what they feel for each other, though, they don't leave the rest of the world much choice but to accept them. The strength of their conviction was heartwarming. If you liked 'Love Means...No Shame' you will also like this prequel. If you haven't read Love Means...No Shame yet, maybe you should? I definitely recommend both books!