Synopsis:

A hard-bitten mercenary who’s had a gutful of mud and blood and death, Fortitude McLaren joins the Ten Nations Fair as a roustabout. Tough, cold and competent, he’s shocked and angered by his hunger for Griff, a circus acrobat. Brought up in the bigoted society of the Straight Church, Fort regards manlove with casual contempt. Not for him. Never for him.

Athletic, cocky and single-minded about what he wants, Griff sets about getting it. Fort fights with everything in him, but Griff affects him like no one else. It’s not just his strong, supple body. Fort is irresistibly drawn by the friendship the other man offers so freely.

Fort may have found a friend, but the cruel memories of his childhood are the greatest enemy of all. When a job for Jan the Aetherii puts Griff in danger, Fort discovers what’s really at risk—everything he is and everything he’s ever believed in. To save Griff’s life and preserve his own sanity, Fort must not only fight the battle in his soul, he must win it.
 

SRR GRADE:  B+
 

Strongman is the story of a man who has finally retired from his mercenary life, just wanting to relax in a safe job.  He’s tired of being on alert all the time, but when he gets a job at the Ten Nations Fair and meets Griff, the acrobat, relaxation is the last thing he’ll find.

Denise Rossetti spins a fantastical tale about Fortitude McLaren who fights his attraction to a circus acrobat as hard as he can.  Fort just can’t overcome his religious upbringing to allow himself to believe that anything he feels for Griff is not horribly wrong.  Yet he still can’t resist Griff’s many charms and each time he weakens and gives in, afterwards he pulls away further than before.

Griff is lost, doesn’t know what he can do to help Fort overcome his issues.  He knows how he feels about the big man, even though he is usually attracted to women, he’s willing to give in to his feelings and will do just about anything to be with Fort

Ms. Rossetti shows us an interesting world with creatures we’ve never seen or heard of before, her imagination is remarkable. 

The internal struggle that Fort goes through is written well, the anger and pain at him and his situation is palpable. The underlying theme is that we don’t pick who to love, love picks us, and something we can all relate to.   I found Strongman to be a very interesting read, and when Fort sings to Griff all night riding for help after he’s injured it tore at my heartstrings. I’d give Strongman a chance; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.