Acts Of Faith (Cost of Repairs, #4)  by A.M. Arthur
M/M Contemporary Romance
E book, 245 pages
December 17, 2013
Samhain Publishing

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “He trusted Sam, trusted anything Sam wanted to do with his body. Knew no matter what, they’d both get there and it would be worth it.”

Rey King and Samuel Briggs have settled into their lives together as partners and lovers. Rey’s catering business has taken off and he is bringing in additional help. The only dark spot in his life is not having custody of his young daughter who lives with her grandparents. When he gets news that Faith’s grandmother has passed and the grandfather is sick, Rey is offered an incredible gift, just in time for Christmas. A gift that will change his and Samuel’s lives forever.

Samuel has always known loving Rey would not be easy as his past is a dark one. But Samuel is no walk in the park either and after eighteen months, it seems their relationship is stronger than ever. That is until a quiet shy seven year old comes into their lives and shakes their foundation.

As Samuel and Rey struggle to settle into their new lives with Faith;  jealously, miscommunication, and unvoiced tensions swirl around and around until they erupt, causing a domino effect of disaster. Can Rey and Samuel survive the next chapter in their lives? Or will this Christmas be their last one together?

Ever since meeting Rey and Samuel in Cost Of Repairs, I completely fell in love with this seemingly mismatched couple and wanted more time to spend with them. Their relationship was such a beautiful emotional journey that thrilled, chilled, and broke my heart a few times. Acts Of Faith picks up eighteen months after Cost Of Repairs and continues on in the same vein.  An emotionally heart tugging story that deals with two men trying to cope with loss, love, fear of the unknown, and all the overwhelming emotions that comes along with it. Smoothly written with a viable plot and interesting sub plots that intertwine and pull together to give us a poignant realistic story. Engaging characters and reflective  scenes add to the overall “small town” appeal that the story’s foundation is built upon.

Our protagonists, Sam and Rey, have come so far from the tortured individuals they were when they first met. Both had suffered such devastating losses that weighed them down with guilt and pain. Their meeting and subsequent falling in love allowed them to work past their pain and accept that they were not to be held responsible for the actions of others. They are at a point here where they are rounding a corner in their relationship. The fear of not being able to see around that corner is causing some waves for them; individually and as a couple.

The main conflict and subplots are used to test Sam and Rey. Each problem mirrors a past issue that Sam and Rey have yet to fully resolve. The solutions are used to help heal the past and push them gently forward.  With these problems comes some lovely secondary characters-old and new-who offer advice and a listening ear. Dixie, Rey’s old boss is still bossy in her love for Rey while her son, Schuyler, offers some interesting advice for the struggling couple.

“Losing private time together happens to all parents though. You and Sam aren’t special in that arena, pal.”

Faith is a prominent figure and her absorption in to Sam and Rey’s lives is the catalyst that forces some needed changes. Her sense of abandonment runs parallel to Rey and Sam’s feeling of inadequacy.

The chemistry between them remains extremely sensual and emotionally satisfying. Hot love scenes are made even hotter by the love they have for one another. It literally shines from the pages. Even after almost two years, they still act as though it’s their first time together.

The ending is the dramatic event that forces Samuel and Rey and to confront their innermost fears and address them together. The emotional outpouring breaks the walls Samuel and Rey have been unconsciously building. It resolves nicely and once again, readers are left feeling secure in the family that they are building. My only qualm is Rey’s new business partner. There is an interesting sub plot that fizzles around him but it’s pushed aside. He doesn’t take the expected path and gradually fades away though he’s featured heavily in the beginning. I hope he features in an future storyline.

Though there are four books in the series, only book one and book four revolve around Samuel and Rey’s relationship.

Overall Rating: B+

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