120 pages (PDF)
33,800 words
Cultivating Love – by Addison Albright
Published in eBook format on June 9, 2009 at Loose ID.
NOTE: This edition is NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR SALE. I have, however, given it a thorough facelift and an expansion. The second edition is now available at JMS Books, LLC in ebook formats and in paperback.
Heat Rating: 4 flames – Explicit – Intimate scenes are described using more graphic terms.
Cultivating Love was nominated in The Rainbow Awards in 2009.
BLURB
A man of few words, Joe is a hard-working farmhand who likes his simple, uncomplicated life. Ed is satisfied with his existence as an auto mechanic, but thrilled when an unexpected development in his life allows him to help Joe realize a dream.
It forces them, however, to reevaluate the casual, undefined nature of their relationship. They’re too macho to speak of love, and neither would ever dream of acknowledging he doesn’t really mind when it’s his turn to bottom. When life throws them a curve ball, and the rules of their game get old, Ed makes an effort to take every aspect of their relationship up a notch. Will Joe be able to adapt to the open sentimentality Ed’s injecting into their relationship, let alone the new spice in their bedroom activities?
REVIEWS
Click Links to Read the Full Reviews (if still available)
Excerpt from a Review by Nell of “Nell Iris”
Addison Albright has done a phenomenal job of showing the progression in their relationship. They take small, careful steps and they worry about what the other person is going to think, but I love that they both put themselves out there. I love seeing them taking a chance on each other, even if they aren’t always using so many words doing it.
…
I give Cultivating Love my warmest recommendations. Just skip the cover and immerse yourself in a quick, heartwarming read. You won’t regret it.
5 feel-good stars.
Excerpt from a Review by Gigi of “Gay Book Reviews”
Highly recommended! I just loved Joe and Ed!
PS: I have a shelf on GoodReads titled Fuck Yeah, 5+ Stars. Out of almost 2000 books I’ve read that are posted on GoodReads, only 43 of them are on that shelf, this is one of them. Cultivating Love is one of my all-time favorite books and I re-read it every few months or so, or when I’m in a particularly bad mood. It cheers me up every time. LOVE THIS BOOK!
Excerpt from a Review by J9 of “The Romance Reviews”
I love both Joe and Ed as characters. They’re mature men who want to build a life together but never had the impetus to do so. Their romance begins with them adhering to set relationship rules and the novel shows them progressing to grow their relationship to be one of life partners. The emotional intimacy parallels their sexual intimacy and both were rewarding to me as a reader. This isn’t a flashy romance with model leads but I enjoyed it for its homespun intensity.
Excerpt from a Review by Val Kovalin of “Obsidian Bookshelf”
Here at Obsidianbookshelf.com, I found Cultivating Love to be an absorbing read. It’s especially good with its character realism. Joe and Ed come across as regular guys. Even better, they are at that beginning stage in their relationship where each is still struggling with the uncertainty of not knowing exactly how much the other cares for him or whether they will be together for the rest of their lives.
Excerpt from a Review by Raine of “Joyfully Reviewed”
Addison Albright pens a wonderful conflict in Cultivating Love. It’s all about taking that step out of your comfort zone and laying it on the line and hoping your love and actions are not repelled. Joe and Ed are well-developed characters that I became emotionally attached to as I got to know them. Cultivating Love is a great read.
Excerpt from a Review by Lily of “I Love Books”
Ed and Joe go through quite a bit during the course of the book and the evolving relationship between the men as they deal with their new lives as well as their emotions was well written and interesting. Overall this was a really nice and easy to read story with a wonderful ending. I enjoyed reading Cultivating Love very much and highly recommend it.
Excerpt from a Review by Regina of “Coffee Time Romance & More”
I truly enjoyed reading Cultivating Love. Reading about Ed and Joe trying not to be “mushy” really cracked me up a time or two, and I liked how the author allowed the couple to sort of grow into it as the story progressed. The love scenes are well written, and erotic, as well as, tender making them my favorite sort to read. Ms. Albright has a real talent for giving the reader just enough clues to keep things interesting without overwhelming the reader with a ton of details. I’m a big fan of m/m romance and Ms. Albright just went to the top of my “to be read” list. I highly recommend this book!
Excerpt from a Review by Aunt Lynn of “Reviews by Jessewave”
Cultivating Love is the first story by Addison Albright I’ve read, and I found it to be a well-written, wonderful tale of taking chances and owning up to feelings. It’s gentle in that all of the little conflict and drama there is is external, and it isn’t terribly angst-ridden. Nor is it jam-packed with smexxin, making it more of a love story than erotica, something I appreciate from time to time. I smiled and shed a tear or two.
Excerpt from a Review by Teagan of “BookWenches” (scroll down to 6/27/09)
Cultivating Love is a sweet, meaningful romance that addresses important issues that effect the gay community. Ed and Joe’s feelings for each other are deep and caring, yet both men have a hard time voicing how they feel. They both know how they feel for each other, and the author does a wonderful job of showing the reader the torment they feel inside as they worry how the other will react should they show their emotional vulnerability. This vulnerability is what takes this story from good to great. The depth of emotion is strong throughout. Addison Albright also addresses other issues that gay men face; from prejudice that stems from stupidity to familial acceptance, she brings them to forefront. At the same time, she intersperses truly loving people that accept what life shows them. I enjoyed this heart-warming love story.
Excerpt from a Review by Carole of “Rainbow Reviews”
I loved this book. Addison Albright’s stories never disappoint, but with Cultivating Love, she’s kicked it up a notch. This book caught and held my attention, I laughed and cried with Ed and Joe, and I was really sorry when the book was over. I think a five-star book is one that you keep thinking about the next day, running through special moments again, till you have to go back and just read it again just to make sure you didn’t miss anything. I highly recommend this book.
Excerpt from a Review by Chocolate Minx of “Literary Nymphs”
Addison Albright’s Cultivating Love is a beautiful story of two honest hardworking men committed to each other in an equal relationship. Ed and Joe are an openly gay couple in every aspect of their relationship, except for both being too macho to show and state their emotions. They share a deep unspoken love for each other, which is very well illustrated in the story. The plot is an interesting analysis of small town culture. The characters are heartwarming with a touch of humor. This is an impressive saga that I enjoyed immensely.
Excerpt from a Review by Elisa on her Livejournal, “Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings”
Joe and Ed are young and living together. To the equation misses only love. It’s not that Joe and Ed are not in love, it’s probably that no one taught them “how” to be in love, and “what” being in love means.