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When We Picked Apples Last Autumn
At twenty-eight, Josh Adams has more than a few secrets and personal demons. He's an international traveler and doesn't think he'll ever be ready for the serious attention handsome and heroic airline pilot Benny Mills is ready to pay him. Their shared near-death experience seems to clarify everything for Benny, who wants nothing more than to share his stunning home in an idyllic Wisconsin apple orchard with Josh.
Benny offers commitment and a contented life of peaceful, loving comradeship far from the high-flying hazards of foreign travel. But for sexy love-'em-and-leave-'em-hot Josh, only another life-and-death adventure can convince him that the smoking heat of their mutual attraction is destined to be more than a hit-and-run entertainment.
With time running out, finding refuge from his increasingly dangerous world just might be what Josh needs after all. Especially when his and Benny's very lives depend on it.
Benny offers commitment and a contented life of peaceful, loving comradeship far from the high-flying hazards of foreign travel. But for sexy love-'em-and-leave-'em-hot Josh, only another life-and-death adventure can convince him that the smoking heat of their mutual attraction is destined to be more than a hit-and-run entertainment.
With time running out, finding refuge from his increasingly dangerous world just might be what Josh needs after all. Especially when his and Benny's very lives depend on it.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2013
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Hank Fielder
4 books2 followersHank Fielder is from Wisconsin and has lived in London and California, in big cities, and in the rural countryside. A passionate devotee of soulful romantic music, art, baseball, and good stories, he has worked a variety of jobs. He counts his blessings every night before bed. Visit him online at http://www.authorhankfielder.blogspot... and on Twitter at @HankFielder, https://twitter.com/HankFielder.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2013
written for http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Josh is on a plane in a turbulent storm and meets the captain that saves them Josh is a one night stand type of guy. The captain lets him know right away he thinks they could be something more and offers it but Josh tries to push it away. He is happy with his life as it is, no strings attached and he doesn’t do relationships. He also has a secret reason as to why.
This is a very uniquely, yet beautifully written story. I love how it starts out with Josh’s thoughts and the line ‘When did I fall in love with him.’ This question gets repeated a couple of times and the story unfolds sweetly, then a big monkey wrench gets thrown in changing the story entirely form contemporary romance to mystery and intrigue, before you really find the answer at the end.. Fabulous transition! Beautiful story! Sexy sensual romance! Mystery and intrigue! What more can you ask for?
Recommendation: If you like a unique story with one big twist, sweet sensual romance, deep feelings, mystery and intrigue, hot older pilots, mysterious troubled younger men and of course I can’t resist this one, picking apples… this one is for you!!
Josh is on a plane in a turbulent storm and meets the captain that saves them Josh is a one night stand type of guy. The captain lets him know right away he thinks they could be something more and offers it but Josh tries to push it away. He is happy with his life as it is, no strings attached and he doesn’t do relationships. He also has a secret reason as to why.
This is a very uniquely, yet beautifully written story. I love how it starts out with Josh’s thoughts and the line ‘When did I fall in love with him.’ This question gets repeated a couple of times and the story unfolds sweetly, then a big monkey wrench gets thrown in changing the story entirely form contemporary romance to mystery and intrigue, before you really find the answer at the end.. Fabulous transition! Beautiful story! Sexy sensual romance! Mystery and intrigue! What more can you ask for?
Recommendation: If you like a unique story with one big twist, sweet sensual romance, deep feelings, mystery and intrigue, hot older pilots, mysterious troubled younger men and of course I can’t resist this one, picking apples… this one is for you!!
August 18, 2013
3.5
There was a soothing quality to the writing that I really enjoyed and that made it difficult for me to get angry at Josh's actions. You get an understanding of what drives him in the latter part of the story and it brings his personality into focus. Benny, I just really loved who he was; this man you just know won't ever let you down. Their intimacy was laced with a delicate and gentlemanly touch that felt both warm and erotic. In the end Josh's job caught me by surprise, but the few tense action filled moments added a little kick to this story.
There was a soothing quality to the writing that I really enjoyed and that made it difficult for me to get angry at Josh's actions. You get an understanding of what drives him in the latter part of the story and it brings his personality into focus. Benny, I just really loved who he was; this man you just know won't ever let you down. Their intimacy was laced with a delicate and gentlemanly touch that felt both warm and erotic. In the end Josh's job caught me by surprise, but the few tense action filled moments added a little kick to this story.
January 11, 2024
A mix of lyrical remembering by Josh and action!
We start with the action of a turbulent landing, then a reaffirming of life hookup, which does take a turn.
Then a more languid tale of love blooming (though Josh would deny) and a bit of backstory.
Then we are thrown back into the action again - Josh's true role and nature comes to the fore, Benny also shows his mettle.
We start with the action of a turbulent landing, then a reaffirming of life hookup, which does take a turn.
Then a more languid tale of love blooming (though Josh would deny) and a bit of backstory.
Then we are thrown back into the action again - Josh's true role and nature comes to the fore, Benny also shows his mettle.
July 30, 2013
3 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Josh Adams is flying to Vietnam on a business trip when the aircraft encounters a sudden violent storm. Fortunately the plane safely lands, thanks to Captain Benny Mills. Josh, along with the other grateful passengers, thank the Captain and crew as they exit the plane. When Josh has his chance to meet the pilot there is an instant attraction and they make plans to share a celebratory drink together.
Josh is twenty eight years old, a world traveler, with a secret desire to be a writer and not one for commitment. He is not usually attracted to older men and sees Benny as just one more conquest.
Benny is forty two, a pilot, ex military and tired of a life of traveling. He owns Glacier Creek Orchard, an apple orchard in Northern Wisconsin. Benny is ready to settle down and hopes to share this with the right person. He believes that person could be Josh.
Benny views this chance encounter as fate. He is ready to offer Josh a place to come relax, pursue his writing and share his life. Josh is sure it is just their shared near death experience that has Benny moving so fast. Even though Josh does not want to lead Benny on, he continues the evening only for Benny to stop things before it becomes intimate. He gives Josh his card and asks him to look him up once he is back in the states. This intrigues Josh and a week later he takes Benny up on his offer.
Benny tells Josh that he has given notice to the airline and plans to spend his time working in his orchard and being a part of the community. The time they spend together at Benny‘s home is romantic and there are many things about Benny that Josh finds attractive, except committing to a relationship. After Josh returns home he tells Benny that he thinks it is best they do not see one another again. Benny is crushed and continues to try and contact Josh, but Josh ignores all communication. When Josh thinks Benny has finally moved on, Benny shows up on a cold rainy night to say goodbye in person. He has decided to go back to flying and has taken a flight for another pilot to Pakistan. Josh is worried about Benny’s safety but lets him go.
This is where the book takes a big shift.
When did you first know you loved him? This is the first line in the book and starts the reader through a narrative told from Josh’s point of view that shifts between the present and past. The tale progresses as a contemporary romance, with two men having very different views of love and commitment. There are hints as to why Josh has commitment issues but it does not seem unreasonable given the time the two men have known one another. At the point where Benny comes to say goodbye and takes the flight into an area with a heightened security status, the story takes a completely different course with Josh telling the reader that we have stuck with him so far and deserve the whole truth. There are so many things happening from this point forward that I found it a little confusing. When I re-read the story, I saw that a hint was given in the beginning but I had no clue as to what it meant at the time.
When We Picked Apples Last Autumn starts out as a lovely contemporary romance, and then turns into an espionage thriller. I wanted to feel the connection between Benny and Josh but the length of time the men had known one another felt too rushed for the intense feelings Benny had for Josh. I thought Benny as a character sounded wonderful even though Josh seemed more mature than Benny at times.
I think I would have enjoyed this story more if the relationship between the main characters had more time to develop and it had either been a contemporary romance or a spy thriller with romance. It felt like it tried to be both and ended up being neither. The sudden shift in focus was unsettling, as well as the shifting back and forth in time.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Josh Adams is flying to Vietnam on a business trip when the aircraft encounters a sudden violent storm. Fortunately the plane safely lands, thanks to Captain Benny Mills. Josh, along with the other grateful passengers, thank the Captain and crew as they exit the plane. When Josh has his chance to meet the pilot there is an instant attraction and they make plans to share a celebratory drink together.
Josh is twenty eight years old, a world traveler, with a secret desire to be a writer and not one for commitment. He is not usually attracted to older men and sees Benny as just one more conquest.
Benny is forty two, a pilot, ex military and tired of a life of traveling. He owns Glacier Creek Orchard, an apple orchard in Northern Wisconsin. Benny is ready to settle down and hopes to share this with the right person. He believes that person could be Josh.
Benny views this chance encounter as fate. He is ready to offer Josh a place to come relax, pursue his writing and share his life. Josh is sure it is just their shared near death experience that has Benny moving so fast. Even though Josh does not want to lead Benny on, he continues the evening only for Benny to stop things before it becomes intimate. He gives Josh his card and asks him to look him up once he is back in the states. This intrigues Josh and a week later he takes Benny up on his offer.
Benny tells Josh that he has given notice to the airline and plans to spend his time working in his orchard and being a part of the community. The time they spend together at Benny‘s home is romantic and there are many things about Benny that Josh finds attractive, except committing to a relationship. After Josh returns home he tells Benny that he thinks it is best they do not see one another again. Benny is crushed and continues to try and contact Josh, but Josh ignores all communication. When Josh thinks Benny has finally moved on, Benny shows up on a cold rainy night to say goodbye in person. He has decided to go back to flying and has taken a flight for another pilot to Pakistan. Josh is worried about Benny’s safety but lets him go.
This is where the book takes a big shift.
When did you first know you loved him? This is the first line in the book and starts the reader through a narrative told from Josh’s point of view that shifts between the present and past. The tale progresses as a contemporary romance, with two men having very different views of love and commitment. There are hints as to why Josh has commitment issues but it does not seem unreasonable given the time the two men have known one another. At the point where Benny comes to say goodbye and takes the flight into an area with a heightened security status, the story takes a completely different course with Josh telling the reader that we have stuck with him so far and deserve the whole truth. There are so many things happening from this point forward that I found it a little confusing. When I re-read the story, I saw that a hint was given in the beginning but I had no clue as to what it meant at the time.
When We Picked Apples Last Autumn starts out as a lovely contemporary romance, and then turns into an espionage thriller. I wanted to feel the connection between Benny and Josh but the length of time the men had known one another felt too rushed for the intense feelings Benny had for Josh. I thought Benny as a character sounded wonderful even though Josh seemed more mature than Benny at times.
I think I would have enjoyed this story more if the relationship between the main characters had more time to develop and it had either been a contemporary romance or a spy thriller with romance. It felt like it tried to be both and ended up being neither. The sudden shift in focus was unsettling, as well as the shifting back and forth in time.
October 9, 2013
Review posted on World of Diversity Fiction Reviews
What a beautifully sweet and moving story. The chemistry between Josh and Benny is strong but could have been so much more if the story was longer. It’s well written and has a lot packed into such a short story, sometimes a bit too much that the romance takes a back seat. I was taken by surprise when it turned into a story with mystery and intrigue, which is well done, but I did have a feeling there was going to be more to Josh than we knew.
The story starts with Josh on a plane that is being piloted by Benny. They are flying through a huge storm that has Josh wondering if this is the end. When the plane lands safely Benny comes out to meet the passengers and spots Josh. After thanking Benny for the safe landing he asks Benny for drinks and what he hopes will be a single night of fun.
Even with the strong chemistry between these two they seemed an unlikely pair but as the story unfolds it’s clear they are perfect for each other. I loved both of these men and I really liked their story but I stopped just short of loving it because of the length, their story deserved of so much more.
I do recommend this story if you’re looking for something quick that packs a punch.
April 7, 2018
Once again, I found myself reading a new author with all the usual anticipation and questions that come with it and once again I was not disappointed. Hank Fielder puts a lot of detail, drama, and fun into a short little package. When We Picked Apples Last Autumn may be short on pages but definitely manages to throw a curveball or two within its covers.
Josh and Benny are both lovable characters that touched my heart. You want them to find that HEA but you also know that they have to find it on their own terms, even if you want to knock some sense into them, well mostly just Josh, they have to do the work because we're just along for the ride. What a lovely ride it is too. Like I said it may be short on pages but it is not lacking in entertainment and the "didn't see that coming" moment is like getting two scoops of ice cream with your pie when you only paid for one, a delicious treat.
Josh and Benny are both lovable characters that touched my heart. You want them to find that HEA but you also know that they have to find it on their own terms, even if you want to knock some sense into them, well mostly just Josh, they have to do the work because we're just along for the ride. What a lovely ride it is too. Like I said it may be short on pages but it is not lacking in entertainment and the "didn't see that coming" moment is like getting two scoops of ice cream with your pie when you only paid for one, a delicious treat.
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August 19, 2013This is really beautifully written, but a little too "purple" and fancy for the story it was telling. Would have worked better if this was only a romance.
I haven't rated it because, while I admire the talent, I didn't actually like the story.
I haven't rated it because, while I admire the talent, I didn't actually like the story.
July 28, 2013
nice, short. Some surprising twists and part of me wanted more, but then the rest decided it was perfect the way it was.
August 23, 2013
A lot of story packed into 60 or so pages.
October 4, 2013
Not what I expected when I first picked it up. The twist in the story surprised me a bit and it was interesting getting to know Josh and how certain situations in his life lead him down his path.
August 28, 2015
short story, so that is usually not good, but the story was interesting. it was not at all what I expected, but that made it better. I think I would have liked it more if it were longer.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews