Thirty Days by Shayla Kersten
Biton is a Dom whose sub of 9 years died of cancer. Cavan is a young man, an orphan, who was stolen from the foster care system and sold into (sexual) slavery. His most recent master almost killed him, then dumped him on the street.
A mutual friend introduces Cavan to Biton, and for the first time since his partner's death, Biton finds he cares about someone again. Cavan is broken and Biton can’t hold back the impulse to care for the young man, and the drive to have a submissive in his life. Slowly Cavan’s story is revealed, and the reality is worse than anything Biton had imagined. Yet, in only a couple of weeks, Cavan has become the center of Biton’s life. He is healing Biton’s broken heart and showing him how to love again. Biton can not imagine a life without Cavan, even if it means leaving behind the lifestyle he needs for the sake of the man he loves.
This tender story follows the beginning of a wonderful journey of individual growth for Cavan, as well as the development of the beautiful relationship between Biton and Cavan. While the story is set in the BDSM community, it is not a hardcore BDSM story. Rather than focusing directly on the lifestyle, the story focuses on the emotional and psychological dynamics that bring Biton and Cavan together and make them perfect for each other. The lifestyle provides the perfect background and framework for the story to develop.
Shayla does a fabulous job of developing Biton and Cavan. Biton’s pain and despair is tangible. His slide back into love is incredibly moving. Cavan is a lost child in a man’s body. He is confused and full of doubts and at the same time eager and full of wonder. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and swear he would never, ever suffer again. *sigh* Thirty Days earns a place in my keeper shelf for its deeply moving portrayal of the healing power of love.
More information about Thirty Days and the awesome sequel Forever in Shayla’s website:
http://www.shaylakersten.com/ShaylaBooks.htm