Capture & Surrender

by L.A. Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

CAPTURE & SURRENDER is an amazing exploration of the emotional journey from loss of love to acceptance of loneliness to discovery of new possibilities.

Frank, owner of Market Garden, is initially happy when his bartender introduces him to a new possible employee. One of Frank’s most lucrative rentboys has just quit and Frank needs someone else to draw in the crowds- and he believes Stefan can do just that. Stefan is rugged and commanding and looking hot in his camos. The bad news is that Stefan tempts Frank to break his own rule about not fraternizing with his employees. But everything about Stefan is a turn on for Frank and he can’t stay away. Frank decides to invite Stefan to participate in a private, kinky, paintball game. Frank has been part of his friends’ private, “special rules”, paintball league for years, but he is the first to volunteer to referee so he can’t be captured and forced to surrender to his captor’s demands. When Stefan joins the league he decides he doesn’t like those rules and seeks to capture himself one referee! While Frank is attracted to Stefan he believes there are too many obstacles in their way for any sort of future- Frank is older, Stefan is a rentboy and Frank’s employee, and Frank’s heart is still broken from the death of his partner years before. But when Stefan keeps pushing the boundaries of their relationship Frank is forced to take a good look at his life and open himself up to new possibilities.

This story was so, so, so fantastic. While it was a bit of a deviation from the steamy hot, erotic sex of the previous Market Garden books, the depth of emotions completely made up for that. Frank is the most beautiful and dynamic character that is on this twisty, loopy emotional roller coaster that at times gives him an adrenaline high, at times makes him want to throw up, and almost throughout makes him feel scared. Frank has experienced an incredible loss and it has affected him in two ways: 1) he doesn’t ever want to have to go through it again, and 2) he doesn’t want anyone else to ever have to go through it. Because of these strong feelings Frank has pretty much resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life. Frank, however, does not wallow and focuses his energy on his work and his fantastic and supportive friends. Geoff and Mike are the perfect friends and supporting characters. They are very intuitive of Frank’s moods and needs and offer him comfort and support when he needs it most.

Stefan is the unknown. Frank knows nothing more about him than he has been in the military, he is young, he is American, he is hot, and he is a rentboy. Frank doesn’t know his life experiences or his beliefs and attitudes towards sex and relationships. Stefan is determined to get Frank’s attention and force Frank to look past the age difference and the employee/employer issues. Luckily he doesn’t have to try too hard or for very long. But the expansion of their relationship is not easy and causes some problems for Frank at work and on the paintball field- which kicks Frank’s doubts and fears into high gear all over again. It also forces both of them to face some demons and make some serious decisions about their futures.

The interactions between all of the characters are so honest and the emotions seemed to jump off the page at me. I laughed and cried and felt nervous and excited right along with the characters. Another victory for the Market Garden series- keep ‘em coming!