Question N

[Jonetta]

At the time Brockmann wrote this story, she was a pioneer in creating a romance between men in a mainstream, romantic suspense series. She was accused of forwarding a personal agenda. Did you sense any of that in the story (personal views, political/religious agenda)? Do you believe most points of view were represented fairly?

[Lauren]

My book had a dedication to Brockmann's son, so it was clear that she had a point to make.

That said, I did not feel that there was any heavy political or religious agenda being conveyed. To me, the characters, both gay and straight, were drawn like any of the others in the series. Their sexuality was only one part of the whole package alongside their professional and personal lives.

One aspect that was interesting was Hal and Jack's relationship. Jack accepted who he was from the start and lived a full and happy life with a man he loved and who loved him in return.

In contrast, Hal denied who he was both to himself and to others. I am not sure if he survived the war as it is not stated explicitly, (I think he did as he had a granddaughter), but his life could not have been a happy one after rejecting the man he loved. I feel sorry for him but it was a life of his own choosing.

[Robin]

All of the characters in this story (gay and straight) were well developed and felt like real people. I didn't feel like the author was trying to shove any of her personal views at us.

I remember when these books were released, people were saying that Brockmann had an agenda that she was pushing. I just don't buy it. Yes, her son is gay and she supports him. Something like 10 percent of all people identify as LGBTQ. Do you just ignore a portion of the human race and pretend they don't exist? If she writes about human trafficking is she pushing an agenda? I don't know what some people expect.

This was one of my favorite books in the series. I think the author presented all sides of the story fairly.

[Anita]

She was forwarding her own political agenda, which as an author, is her right to do,

[Jonetta]

I didn’t sense a political or personal agenda the first time I read the story. I learned about it several books later as Brockmann was being attacked for her views, which were visionary at the time.

She reached out to me this week after I posted my review on my blog, which is connected to my Twitter account. She is distraught that what she accomplished through these characters seems to be eroding in present day, taking steps backward. I let her know she had a lot to do with my enlightenment about gay relationships twelve years ago. This story is still timeless.

The stories just felt realistic, couched in what I’ve later learned from close gay friends about the pain of being closeted and confused about their orientation as a result. It was much more impactful the second time around.

[Sharon]

I didn't sense a political or religious agenda even though I knew Brockman had a gay son. I get turned off a story when someone starts preaching to me, even if I believe the same thing. I thought Brockman did an excellent job giving a realistic view of all the characters.

I'm surprised that she thinks people are taking a step backward. Most of the people I know in the LBGT community feel that things are getting better for them. There will always be those narrow-minded people who can't accept anyone different from them whether it be race, color, creed, or sexual orientation. That is sad.