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Scar Tissue

GLRoberts (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 19 Ratings · 7 Reviews

It was 1976, the year of the .38 Special, the .45 Magnum, Cold War threats and Vietnam Vets returning state side looking for jobs. It was also a time when being gay could get you fired from your job, beat up or killed. This was especially true for Bob Elkins, third year DEA officer who finds himself deeply attracted to CIA newcomer Mike Wells. Although Mike returns Bob’s r ...more

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ebook, 152 pages

Published February 2012 by Seventh Window Publications (first published January 31st 2012)

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Feb 14, 2012 Feliz rated it really liked it

Shelves: cops-detectives-lawmen, historical, m-m

The need for secrecy is very much a part of both characters’ everyday life, particularly when it comes to their professional lives as an agent of the newly founded DEA or, respectively, as a CIA recruit. Both were in the military before, the experience honing their awareness for caution as well as their ability to hide. Their military time also issued them with some rather haunting memories, especially Bob; there’s one particularly heartbreaking flashback of him in Vietnam where he holds his dyi The need for secrecy is very much a part of both characters’ everyday life, particularly when it comes to their professional lives as an agent of the newly founded DEA or, respectively, as a CIA recruit. Both were in the military before, the experience honing their awareness for caution as well as their ability to hide. Their military time also issued them with some rather haunting memories, especially Bob; there’s one particularly heartbreaking flashback of him in Vietnam where he holds his dying lover in his arms, unable to give the man any further comfort because they are in company.
However, Bob has long ago made his peace with this aspect of his life. In private, among his roommate and friends, he’s out – he’s quite good at compartmentalizing, although the borders blur on occasion, namely with his friend Ray, who happens to be Mike’s instructor at Langley. Ray is surprisingly open-minded, even supportive of Bob’s and Mike’s budding relationship. Ray’s only worry is whether their relationship might jeopardize possible joint missions in the future, but he takes Bob’s negative reassurances at face value and goes with it. Mike is slow to trust, but once he does, he does so implicitly and doesn’t think twice about following Bob’s lead.

However, the necessity to keep their relationship a secret was not a source of angst between Bob and Mike, nor was it the reason why it took them almost a year to consummate their loving relationship. While both Bob and Mike were constantly aware of the need to be cautious and discreet in public, this was rather a fact of life to both of them. Something that just had to be heeded, like looking left and right before crossing a street. They built their relationship around it and despite of it, which I found endearingly realistic and totally appropriate for the spirit of the times this is set in.
The 70′s were not as liberal as the 60′s had been, but not as narrow-minded as the 80′s turned out to become; in many ways, this decade was a time of changes. Scar Tissue generally conveyed a keen sense of its time, not only through the main character’s mindsets, but also with its attention to detail. Clothes, cars, music, political events mentioned, everything added up to a harmonious scenery in front of which the story could unfold.

The actual conflict revolved around facts in Mike’s past, and it was beautiful to watch how they both worked at getting the old specters out of their way. I found that Bob’s patience amounted to that of a saint, with all the hot and cold and the mixed signals Mike put him through without ever giving a viable reason for this behavior. Then, once Mike summoned enough courage to come clear, Bob reacted in an all too human yet comprehensible way that in turn demanded trust and patience from Mike. Nicely done.
This was what I’d call a quiet story, no blowing-up of things, no action sequences, not even outstanding drama. It wasn’t overly emotional either, though poignant in a subdued, understated way. An enjoyable read, and warmly recommended.
Originally written for reviewsbyjessewave.com ...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Meggie rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, soldiers-military

Hm interesting story. Here we have a slow developing romance between two interesting characters, Bob, third year DEA officer, and Mike, a newcomer to CIA. The attraction between them, was instant and the way how they interact with each other was sweet and deep. I liked it. And for my piece of mind it was definitely to short. The end was to abrupt and unsatisfying for me.

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Mar 23, 2012 Jenre rated it liked it

Shelves: historicals, m-m, romance

I'm always interested in a book set in the recent past, especially one I may remember a little. Scar Tissue is set during the 1970s, and although I only have the vaguest remembrance of that time, being quite young, I still liked that it was set in a time when fashion was eye-popping and moustaches were de rigueur. Actually, there's a disappointing lack of facial hair in this book, which I thought was strange given that many men grew beards and moustaches.

The story begins with Bob, who works for I'm always interested in a book set in the recent past, especially one I may remember a little. Scar Tissue is set during the 1970s, and although I only have the vaguest remembrance of that time, being quite young, I still liked that it was set in a time when fashion was eye-popping and moustaches were de rigueur. Actually, there's a disappointing lack of facial hair in this book, which I thought was strange given that many men grew beards and moustaches.

The story begins with Bob, who works for the relatively new DEA. He meets a new CIA recruit, Mike and the sparks fly between them. These are not easy times for a gay man though and Bob has to struggle to hide his interest. Mike is obviously attracted to Bob too, but blows hot and cold. It takes a lot of patience on Bob's part to break down Mike's defenses and discover what's holding him back.

The book is a slow burner at first and the reader is treated to a number of scenes where the heroes meet and through various uneasy methods determine that they are both on the same page, and that things could work between them. You get a real feel for how nervous both of them are at showing their hand too soon for fear of reprisals, but there's a recklessness about them too. Their attraction is palpable and it's difficult for them to stop staring and admiring each other. Bob especially finds it hard to keep his cool around Mike, finding that he's easily flustered and needs to 'cool off' a number of times. The majority of the book is spent in these first few meetings, painstakingly describing their meetings, every word and gesture is open to scrutiny through Bob's narrative. I didn't mind the slow pacing because it helped in grounding the book in the setting and I settled easily into the story, enjoying it a great deal. However, I found myself getting a bit concerned when the book started to reach the last 30-40 pages and very little had yet to be resolved.

I was right to be concerned because there's an abrupt change of pace towards the end. It goes from being a lengthy drawn out narrative to several events happening in quick succession. Some of those events are quite disturbing, and yet they are glossed over with none of the indepth detail shown in the earlier part of the book. We also go from being shown lots of Bob's reactions to Mike and Mike's responses, to being told Mike's actions and how Bob reacts to that. The first part of the story takes place over a couple of weeks or so, but the last part moves swiftly over several weeks and yet has a distinct lack of detail. This meant that what could have been a very emotional and moving confession from Mike, is instead dealt with in an offhand manner, and the way Bob reacts to Mike and his confession is over before we know it. I was disappointed to say the least because it made it seem like what happened to Mike wasn't important or that Bob didn't care that much, even whilst Bob tells us that he did care.

So whilst I really liked the start of the book and felt immersed in lots of great detail from the time period, especially things I don't really know much about, like the experiences of men post-Vietnam and the workings of the CIA/DEA, I felt a little cheated out of a satisfying conclusion to the story because everything was so rushed. This means that I'm going to give Scar Tissue three stars and would recommend it to those readers looking for a 1970's set story and who maybe won't mind the abrupt way the story concludes. ...more

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Apr 18, 2012 T.A. Webb rated it it was amazing

Bob Elkins is walking a very think line. In 1976, government DEA agents are scrutinized in all aspects of their lives. And it's not a good career move to be gay. Especially for a third year agent looking to move up the ranks. Former military, all man, willing to take the dirty jobs, he's exactly what the Powers That Be are looking for.

When he sees new recruit Mike Wells, he knows he's in trouble. Tall. Dark. Handsome. Former military, proud and sure of himself. Deadly for a man like Bob. And wha Bob Elkins is walking a very think line. In 1976, government DEA agents are scrutinized in all aspects of their lives. And it's not a good career move to be gay. Especially for a third year agent looking to move up the ranks. Former military, all man, willing to take the dirty jobs, he's exactly what the Powers That Be are looking for.

When he sees new recruit Mike Wells, he knows he's in trouble. Tall. Dark. Handsome. Former military, proud and sure of himself. Deadly for a man like Bob. And what's more, Mike seems to sense the attraction and returns it. They begin a slow dance of seduction.

The trouble comes in when it's time to become physical. Mike begs off, wanting to take it slow. Worst of all, he doesn't want Bob to see him naked. Blames it on tiredness, fear of being caught. Bob begins to doubt Mike is all that interested.

Will their attraction fizzle? Is Mike into Bob or playing some kind of game? Or is there something more about Mike than meets the eye?

I'm a big fan of GL Roberts, and she scores a knockout with the crisp, beautifully written story of love, fear and old pain. A child of the times, I remember the political climate and fear of being gay in 1976, and Ms. Roberts nails the underlying tones of the times just beginning to change.

Her characters, as always, are her strong suit. Bob is a wonderful man - masculine, sure of himself but with an underlying vulnerability that's so very attractive. He knows what he wants, and is willing to pay the price to have it.

Mike is really the one who sets the pace for this romance, however. He matches Bob strength for strength. Similar in background, the two men understand each other so well. But the shyness and pain that's just under the surface made me want to know this man. Shelter him even though he is so very strong.

When all the truth are revealed, it's a very touching tale, for all the trappings of honor and masculinity. As it very well should be. The best, truest men know how to show all their scars, mental and physical. Own them and heal and be healed.

Just a fantastic story. Read it and wonder.

Tom ...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Edina Rose rated it really liked it

Bob and Mike are both DEA agents, they are tall and built, they have a military past and they are in the closet - it is the seventies.

The conflict: Mike has been traumatised in the past and can't get close to anybody.

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Apr 05, 2012 Nicci rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, m-m-romance

Review archived:

http://twlibreviews.com/2012/04/revie...

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Feb 29, 2012 Reggie marked it as wishlist

Shelves: historical

http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/201...

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Apr 12, 2015 GLRoberts GLRoberts rated it really liked it · (Review from the author)

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About GLRoberts

GLRoberts

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GL lives in the Pacific Northwest near the rugged and beautiful Oregon Coast. When not tapping on the keyboard, GL is walking the beach in search of the next inspirational treasure.

GL is currently working on a F/F fantasy set in ancient Scotland just as the Vikings are beginning to invade Britain. The Shieldmaiden series Book One: Quest for the Jewel was released by Bella Books in April 2016. Book ...more

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