Review: Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill

When his father dies, Thomas is forced to abandon a burgeoning art career in New York. As difficult as it was to give up his lifelong dream, it’s nothing next to walking away from the man he loves. Marcus taught him to embrace who he is, a sexual submissive who responds to the touch of only one Master. But why would the sophisticated Marcus need some farm kid from the South?

Then Marcus shows up and offers him a way to continue his art career and help his family. There’s only one hitch — he asks Thomas to spend a week with him in the Berkshires. Thomas knows he should refuse. But he’s never been able to say no to his Master.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. This was not the first m/m book I’ve read. I read one by the train wreck that is Carol Lynne. It was trashy. Rough Canvas was dirty, but it was a romance.

Thomas is an artist who met Marcus when he was interested in his work. Thomas was halfway in, halfway out of the closet. His friends and acquaintances in New York where he sold his art knew he was gay. His parents weren’t so accepting. When his father dies and his brother gets into an accident that puts him in a wheelchair, Thomas leaves Marcus to go back to help at his family’s farm. Even Thomas admits that part of him is running away from his feelings for Marcus.

The only way Marcus can get Thomas back into his life is by offering him something that he loves. The chance to do his art. He’s horrified when he shows up and sees Thomas. The healthy, happy lover that he remembers is no more. Instead, an over-worked, unhealthy and obviously unhappy man stands in his place. Seeing Thomas makes Marcus more determined than ever to get him away.

Although the blurb makes it seem like this is a BDSM book, I really don’t think it is. There are definitely elements of BDSM there, but other than that? Not so much. It’s really the story of Thomas and Marcus. Marcus is the Master in the relationship, but it’s Thomas that saves him in the end. I think that Hill did an amazingly good job of capturing the emotions of the characters. Thomas’ anguish over his mother’s inability to accept him is just heartbreaking.

If you’ve been thinking about trying an m/m romance, but aren’t sure, I highly suggest this one. I think this book can stand alone in the Nature of Desire series.

4.25 out of 5.

This book is available from Ellora’s Cave. You can buy it here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

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