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Surrounded by Silence

Contemporary Gay Male Romance

by Eric Huffbind

Surrounded by Silence - Eric Huffbind
Part of the The Rescuer series:
Editions:Kindle: $ 3.99
ISBN: 979-8655705968
Paperback: $ 13.99
ISBN: 979-8655705968
Size: 5.50 x 8.50 in
Pages: 269

Lonely billionaire, Samuel Barron, has finally met someone he finds himself falling for, but can he handle a romance for a gentleman whose entire world is surrounded by silence?

After public humiliation, Sam Barron has come to the realization his billions can’t buy him love or happiness. Despondent and feeling like his life is in a downward spiral, he comes to realize he needs some professional help. Despite trepidations, Sam turns to Jason Parker, a social worker who at his heart, is a rescuer. Since Sam had been so hateful towards him in the past, Jason can’t help but think Sam deserves to suffer. Jason tells Sam straight out, “You’re a spoiled brat without a shred of humility!”

Jason has deep concerns about helping Sam, but might be willing, if Sam volunteers at a soup kitchen. Grudgingly, Sam accepts Jason’s condition, and while performing his volunteer work, meets the flirtatious Noah Wagner. Noah is close in age, attractive, and Sam likes the way he feels whenever he’s around him. Noah is the first person Sam has known who is pro-foundly deaf. So, how is Sam to navigate a romantic interest with a man who can’t hear a word he says?

Surrounded by Silence, a Contemporary Gay Male Romance, is the sequel to Mr. Huffbind’s debut novel, The Rescuer. However, this book can be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy a story where the villain becomes the hero, you will love Surrounded by Silence.

This book is on:
  • 1 To Be Read list
  • 1 Read list
Published:
Publisher: Independently Published
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Tags:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 46-65
Protagonist 2 Age: 46-65
Protagonist 3 Age: Under 18
Tropes: Hurt / Comfort
Word Count: 71000
Setting: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
Excerpt:

Sam stood up and walked towards the office door. He knew he was getting nowhere and felt defeated. Sam turned to face Jason. “If I told you I was sorry a thousand times…” Tears began forming in Sam’s eyes. “No matter how many times I apologize, it’ll never be enough! It will never be enough!” He grabbed the doorknob and started to turn it.

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“Hold up,” Jason halted Sam. He was completely taken aback seeing Sam wracked with this much emotion. Jason was a rescuer, had always been a rescuer, and would always be a rescuer. He couldn’t help himself. No matter what, that was who he was, through and through. And now, somehow, Sam Barron was exposing his soft underbelly. Somehow, this bastard of a man had him starting to cave. Jason grabbed his ever-present nearby box of facial tissues and handed them to Sam, so he could dry his tears. “Please, sit down again.” Sam took a seat. “Look… as I said… I’m not comfortable with this. I need to talk to Christopher. This involves him as well. I don’t know how he’d feel about me trying to help you, and I’m still in a quandary if it’s right for me to even try to help you. I should at least ask Christopher how he feels about it. I’m still struggling with why you want me, of all people, to help you.”

“Because… I always want the best. I’ve always learned to trust my instincts, and my gut tells me you’re the best. Just name your price!”

“As I live and breathe, I can’t believe I’m going to say this to you out loud. Thank you. It’s nice to be valued.” He knew how important it was to all individuals to be validated, and in that respect, he was no different from the patients he cared for. Jason sighed. “And I can name my own price? I recall you have a habit of tossing money at issues as a way of resolving problems. Sam, being perfectly frank, I think you’re a spoiled brat!”

Sam became quiet, having to absorb harsh words about himself. Staring down at the floor, he said, “You’re right, I know. The thing is… I’d like to be a better person… earn your forgiveness for my actions… not just yours, also your husband’s.”

Jason snapped, “You were so cruel to me, and you wanted to control Christopher like he was your puppet, someone to serve your sexual needs.”

“I’m sorry. Like you heard me just say. It’ll never be enough. I said you could name your own price! How about five hundred dollars an hour?”

He pondered a moment. “Hmmm… Five hundred dollars an hour? That’s a lot of money. Let me think about it. I’ll talk to Christopher. Without his consent, there’s no way I’m going to allow myself to get involved!”

“Thank you. I completely respect your wishes, and wanting to talk it over with your husband, I can respect that.”

Jason inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. “Sam… I will tell you this much. If you want to help yourself in trying to resolve all this anguish you’re having, as well as becoming a better person, the first thing you need to do is learn some humility. I can’t see you moving forward without it. You must learn humility. You need to think of someone other than yourself. My instincts tell me that’s a deep-rooted cause of why you’ve behaved so abominably in the past. I’m sorry if those words sound callous, but you have to start somewhere in this process. There are many in this world who don’t have the prestige and capital you’ve become accustomed to.”

“You don’t like to mince words,” Sam blurted out.

“If you want help, then you’re going to have to take a deep look inside of yourself. If you’re not completely honest, not just with me, but with yourself, you have no hope of pulling out of this emotional crisis you’re in.”

“What would you suggest I do to learn humility,” Sam asked, frowning.

“Volunteer. You should do some volunteer work. My suggestion would be to volunteer in a local soup kitchen, to work with people significantly less fortunate than you.”

“A soup kitchen?” Sam said with a pained grimace. “Don’t you think that’s a little beneath me?”

“No, it’s not a little beneath you… it’s enormously beneath you! That’s exactly why you need to do it, Sam. You have got to climb down off that high horse you are saddled on. I’m not promising I’m going to be able to work with you, but if you ever expect to become a better person, you have got to learn humility, even if I have to beat it into you. You’re going to have to throw yourself into the deep end of the pool. So, go out there and apply to volunteer at a soup kitchen. Let me have one of your business cards. I’m going to need a phone number to call you back at.”

Sam reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a billfold filled with business cards. “Can I have something to write with?” Jason was quick to hand him a pen. He scribbled down additional phone numbers to be certain Jason could get ahold of him. He handed over the business card. “Every phone number you could possibly reach me at is here. Thanks for your consideration. Now, I’ll excuse myself and let you get back to your work.”

“I’ll be in touch. You have my word,” Jason confirmed.

COLLAPSE
Reviews:Cfoster00 on Amazon.com wrote:

Surrounded By Silence is a wonderful story! I loved the lengths Sam went in order to turn his life around and most importantly trying to earn forgiveness for his horrible past behavior of being a wealthy spoiled SOB! Sam desperately needs the one person he wronged the most to help him be a better person. Jason however insists he will only help if Sam volunteers at a local soup kitchen feeding the homeless and less fortunate to learn humility. Sam eventually learns that no matter how horrible he’s been in his past, if he really puts forth an effort and reaches out making himself vulnerable mentally, physically and emotionally, he just might find the happiness and love he never thought possible. Sams very emotional journey to find forgiveness leads him to Noah and Oliver and sweetest HEA ever! I have been anxiously awaiting for Sams story after reading ‘The Rescuer’ and it was definitely worth the wait! I absolutely loved it!

Mary Magdalene on Amazon.com wrote:

This is a sequel to "The Rescuer", but it can be read completely as a standalone. Jason and Chris, whose story was told in the first book, are recurring characters in this story, but their roles are as side characters only. Sam is an egocentric billionaire whose life is going downhill, and he realizes that all his billions won't buy him happiness. But he also realizes that unless he gets professional help, he'll just dig himself further into the hole he has created for himself, and he turns to Jason for guidance. Although there is some bad blood between them, Jason helps Sam, and we see Sam as he changes into a more humble, selfless human being. And when Sam meets Noah, a handsome, engaging man, sparks fly; there's a great attraction there, but Noah happens to be deaf. Not just deaf, but profoundly deaf, which makes it extremely difficult to learn to speak. And how to communicate with someone who is very noticeably disabled and can't speak your language? Not to spoil anything, but love finds a way. The story moved along at a normal pace, and I loved watching the characters develop as the story moved along. A sweet story of growth and redemption.

Kathryn Manzella on Goodreads wrote:

Eric Huffbind's Surrounded by Silence is the second book in The Rescuer series. This contemporary MM Romance is a touching, emotional story that delivers hurt/comfort, forgiveness,, brokeness, and personal growth. The story is wonderfully crafted and the characters make you care for them and their story. My heart was warm after reading.


About the Author

Eric Huffbind is a man of many talents. Over the course of his lifetime, he's been a licensed registered nurse, a travel agent, an Uber driver, a hopeless romantic, and is the eternal social butterfly. Among his passionate interests are history, genealogy, romance, and travel.
His most recent novel, "Distant Cousins," was heavily inspired from his passion for family history; a hobby he has pursued for more than thirty years.

Although his novels focus on the romantic relationship of two gay men, regardless of your sexual orientation, his stories are meant to rekindle the spirit and euphoria of falling in love. If Mr. Huffbind's stories moves you through an array of emotions, and it touches your romantic spirit, please share his book with a friend.

Please visit www.erichuffbind.com and subscribe to his newsletter. This will guarantee you to be notified of any and all future books Mr. Huffbind publishes.

Mr. Huffbind is a lifelong resident of Southwest Ohio; born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and currently residing in West Chester, Ohio with his husband Paul and their Pomeranian, Linus. He enjoys receiving emails from his fans, so you're always welcome to reach him at eric@erichuffbind.com.