Forever

From Thirty Days to Forever #2

by Shayla Kersten

In Biton Savakis’ opinion, following the advice of Cavan’s therapist isn’t working. Refraining from dominant play with an abused submissive trying to heal is one thing. Biton is willing to forgo that part of his life. However, not talking to Cavan about making their arrangement permanent doesn’t make sense.Three months after his new master promises him forever, Cavan is afraid it won’t happen. Although the thirty day contract is long over, Biton hasn’t offered a new one. Nightmares about testifying against his former master don’t make life easier.Just as Cavan begins to understand what he means to Biton, Cavan’s past reaches out to steal his happiness and maybe his life.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, Abuse, Erotica, Gay, Romance

58 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

By day, multi-published Shayla Kersten is a mild-mannered accountant. By night, she’s a writer of sexy romances. Torn between genres, Shayla writes erotic stories about hot heroes and their sexy women, as well as hot men and their passionate heroes.

A native of Arkansas, Shayla spent four years in the Army as a missile specialist, stationed in Germany and Oklahoma. After her enlistment was up, she spent eleven years in New York City taking a bite out of the Big Apple. Even her love of theatre and the nightlife of the big city couldn’t cure terminal homesickness for the Natural State. In 1995, she returned to her roots in Arkansas.

Shayla divides her time between her mother, her spoiled rotten cats and dogs, her evil day job and her obsession—writing.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how Biton and Cavan's story evolved throughout the two books in this series. I admit, and strictly for my own selfish reasons, that I hated for their story to come to an end. I can only hope that Ms. Kersten takes pity on us all, and continues this series. I know it would be very interesting to see how much they would have grown a year or so later.

[Daisiemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continued story of Cavan and Biton. It starts about four months after the last story thirty days ends. I loved it! I honestly believe that to fully grasp the relationship between Biton and Cavan you should read the first book...Thirty Days, first.

Cavan has been in therapy for four months. Although he continues to have nightmares of his abuse, he has never felt more secure, safe and loved before. Cavan is anxious about the upcoming trial and continues to have worries about Biton's intentions with their relationship. He knows that Biton has said he cares, but lives in fear that Biton will find him too much trouble and want him to leave.

Biton never thought he would love someone like he loves Cavan. Although he will never forget the partner he lost, his feelings for Cavan grow stronger each day. Cavan's strength to get better and to prosecute the abuser makes Biton proud and determined to help his lover heal.

But, there are problems the couple must work through. Continued legal problems that make Cavan and Biton make a very difficult decision, and the therapist that Cavan has been seeing, thinks that the nature of Biton and Cavan's relationship (or any other couple living the BDSM lifestyle) is sick and is trying to put a wedge between them.

I loved this couple. They have many problems to overcome, but their love conquers all!

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel to Thirty Days.

Biton and Cavan's relationship evolves, but also... the initial D/s contract (30 days) is nearing the end...

As much as the 1st book of this mini-series was focused on Biton and his efforts to draw Cavan out of his shell - to heal him, to show him a better world and to punish those who'd hurt him - this 2nd instalment is totally Cavan's.



He takes his therapy sessions, learns new things by devouring books, gets to know his way around the home and city. But Cavan also struggles - he fights back the ghosts from his past, stands up to new enemies and, most importantly, strives for his happiness at Biton's side.
You see, the D/s contract is almost finished and his Master doesn't mention drawing a new one... ;(
And Cavan craves Biton's affection as much as his magical touch... ;)


Definitely recommended AFTER reading Thirty Days.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the fist. Cavan's grown and has become slightly more independent and Biton loves him even more. There is some BDSM in this in terms of dungeon play but it never gets to be too much. Cavan's awakening sexuality with this lifestyle is written well - and you are happy when he is happy. I loved loved loved the climax of the story - it was so utterly fitting and my neighbors probably thought something was going on in my room because I was like "YES YES YES!"...ROFL!

[Natsroshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayla Kersten won my heart with "Thirty Days" and "Forever".
I liked the first one and I LOVED the sequel.
I'm a fan.
I began "A Helping Hand" and yes we can say I'm addicted...lol

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall
An enjoyable story that continues the romance between Cavan and Biton as Cavan progresses from quivering slave to gentle submissive and Biton struggles to do what's best for his new lover. While a perfectly good story, it did nothing to amaze me into a higher score.

Strengths
Overall Story. Although I question why the Big Bad waited to strike until now, overall the plot was good. It could come across as slightly cheesy, but it wasn't enough to make me put the book down, mostly because the characters were enjoyable and I really do love Cavan. It was a good and necessary series of events that allowed Cavan to face his demons.

Character development. I really appreciated the amount of growth we see Cavan go through, especially compared to the first book where he's already beginning to make advances. This story gives us more content from Cavan's perspective and is several months later. He's re-learning to read and write and to be an individual person while still struggling with wanting to please Biton, both because of his former "training" and as a lover. The plot of this story really gives Cavan opportunity to show his strengths and how much progress he's made under Biton's loving care. I definitely felt more connected to Cavan in this story.

Weaknesses
The end plot was a little flimsy/Hollywood, but not bad enough to disturb me. It did make me roll my eyes, but I saw the need for it, so didn't complain.

Dr. Marten. Some people question how a psychiatrist could behave as she does, but it seemed believable to me. If you don't mind her being a bad example of her profession, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Minor peeve. In the first book Biton lives in a house and in this one he lives in an apartment with no discussion of moving. Did I miss something? Misread something? Not a big deal, but seems like a rather large inconsistency, even though it's not really plot-relevant. ETA: I was wrong, he did live in an apartment in the first book. I misunderstood.

Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.

[Jason Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the fact that I don't think the psychiatrist would have gotten to be such a leader in the field with her tactics, I really connected with the story.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good follow-up to Book #1, Thirty Days. M/M BDSM.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. I think I liked this one a little better than the first one.

[Reflection · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keen to know what happened to Cavan and his new master and lover Biton I dived into this sequel to Thirty Days.

If anything, I prefer the pace of Forever. The burgeoning sexual relationship and building of trust between the main characters seemed more realistically paced and thoughtfully considered.

The net is tightening around the organised slavery ring, but it takes time to build up proof. Cavan's confidence is growing daily and he is beginning to put his previous experience in perspective. All the same it is difficult not to worry that his new life is precarious.

Cavan and Biton are sensitively portrayed so I came to care for them both. I still have issues with some fairly large plot holes but it is fiction and I can let the pass for the sake of an interesting and engaging story.

The option to buy both shorter e-books as one full length paperback seems to me altogether more satisfactory and I am at a loss to know why From Thirty Days to Forever is not available electronically.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-fitted conclusion to "Thirty Days" and (thank goodness) a HEA for Bison and Cavan.

I got upset with the psychiatrist's narrow opinion, and I was so glad that Cavan (eventually) dumped her. It was good too that Bison became more determined to keep Cavan - although it really shouldn't have taken that long to open up and share everything.

Still a good story.

I have one query - why couldn't these two books have been (slightly) edited to be only one? "Forever" is a natural conclusion to "Thirty Days", and apart from the word/page count, I can't see why they were separate.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story of Cavan and Biton. Now, four months later, we see how far Cavan has come, becoming more independent every day and facing his past. It was frustrating to watch Biton basically just go along with everything the therapist suggested, and I wanted to smack her for the way she was playing Cavan against Biton. As with the first book, there were parts of this story that felt rushed and could have used a bit more detail and, perhaps, an epilogue showing how they were doing some time down the road. However, this was another fabulous and well written story.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel to Thirty Days. Cavan continues to try to deal with his very painful past with Biton's help. Unfortunately they also have to deal with a misguided therapist, legal issues and the bad guy from hell. Sexy, sweet, angsty and emotional all in all this was a very nice story.

[Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story/series & I really can't add anything to my review for Thirty Days (here) highly recommended read.

[Lexi Ander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I not disappointed in this sequel. Cavan flourished and found his strength. He even got to....well, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. Both books in this series is re-readers.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to Thirty Days and should not be read without having read the first book. In this book I was happy to see that Cavan was improving under the loving care of Biton. Cavan's more independent and confidant.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love to read stories about two broken souls finding one another and being able to not only heal, but to also have a second chance at love. While the first part was understandably about figuring things out, I was happy to see much more growth and progress in this sequel (in Cavan especially). Now, the psychiatrist, on the other hand, for shame. Very enjoyable couple of books.

[Vadaria Baez · Rating 5 out of 5]

No puedo expresar lo mucho que adore este libro, amo demasiado a Caban es de mis personajes favoritos y protegidos de la vida, quizá por su historia que hace que lo quiera abrazar todo el día.
El avance de Caban es muy bueno y me sentí identificada con su relación con la psicóloga ya que es verdad que no todos los psicólogos son iguales y van a entenderte al 100%

[León · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantaron los dos personajes. Son muy gustables. Un placer leer estos dos libros y que mal que acabe. Me hubiera gustado ver la evolución de su vida sexual xD.

[Denise Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Samuel had a book too. Also I really would enjoy a book on Antonio.

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another strong novella to follow up the terrific Thirty Days.

At the end of Thirty Days Cavan has spoken to the police about his abuse and the possible death of another slave, Mateo, he is terrified of meeting the same end as Mateo and is still totally and understandably having a hard time trusting he won't be left by Biton, his new Master and lover. No matter that Biton has assured Cavan there is no need for a Master/slave contract anymore, that he loves him, Cavan is fearful of what may happen.

On top of this, the therapist working with Cavan is setting up conflict within the damaged young man by insinuating that Biton is only there to help because he has to, not because he loves Cavan and wants to. She wants him to be independent because she doesn't approve of the BDSM lifestyle and lets it taint her therapeutic approach. She tells Cavan not to talk to Biton about therapy, and that's a catch 22 because Biton tells Cavan that Dr Merten is to be listened to. Dr Merten is too rigid in her therapy to realise that reading, cooking, being able to go outside without panic are all great steps for someone so emotionally crippled by his previously terrible life.

Biton is able to go to the office more often now, but he still mostly continues to help Cavan deal with the police and the possilbe prosecution of Wainwright, the POS that held Cavan (and others) a captive, abused slave for 9 years. Biton is always reassuring and supportive, constantly making sure he reads Cavan for feelings that may be unhealthy.

There is some drama towards the end, bad enough to wreck any progress being made with Cavan's mental wellbeing and destroy progress in Biton and Cavan's relationship.

The book ends well for mine, it is tremendous to see the progress made by Cavan and the relationship itself. I loved this novella as much as the first. They are both rivetting reads and the characters so real you just wanted their HEA and to embrace them both, especially Cavan. Thirty Days and Forever are must reads.

[Elisa Rolle]

Forever is the sequel of Thirty Days, a story I have loved very much and maybe one of the first D/S story I have read. Cavan is an abused child sold like sex slave to an evil Master who, after beating him nearly to death, has abandoned him. But Cavan, even if he is free now, is not able to live a normal life, and Biton, an older man who has lost his former lover, takes pity on him and offers him an home and a Thirty Days D/S contract. This is more or less the previous story and now months are passed from the finish of the Thirty Days period but Biton has not yet written another contract, even if has promised to Cavan that their relationship is Forever.

But Cavan is still very fragile and even a piece of paper could make him feel better. He is like a child who needs boundaries to know what is good and what is bad. But not physical boundaries, but more those which you give with love: when you love someone you know what is good or bad cause you know what will make happy or upset your beloved. And so Biton tries to give Cavan all the love he needs, and on the same time, give him enough freedom to take his own decision.

I like very much both Biton than Cavan. They are a whole together, and between them I only feel easyness and a total comprehension, even without words.

Forever, like Thirty Days, is a tale that deal with arguments like D/S role play, but it manages to make it an intimate matter between the two main characters, and not something to be shown outside their home. And this is the reason why I like it a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456592351/?...

[Phaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, this one is significantly better than book one. As far as I’m concerned they shouldn’t actually be broken up, since the first can’t really stand on its own.

Anyway! The magical therapist turned into a raging bitch. Nice. Except I’m sad that Cavan has to go through this on top of everything else.
The thing is, while I might agree with the doc on some things, she is being manipulative and a bully towards someone who has been abused horribly, so she gets no pass. Rooting for Biton may start now. Even if he still is not doing a stellar job of taking care of Cavan. But he improves.

I really do like this one a lot better than Thirty Days. For one thing, we get significantly more of Cavan. And of actual, you know, story.

Of course, Biton’s approach of “fix it with sex” still does not appeal to me. Apart from how bad a strategy this is with a victim of child sexual abuse, it interrupts the story. You know, the interesting part in this.

Well, I guess this is a sex story after all. At least it’s not lacking emotion to make the sex palatable (from Cavan’s POV, anyway). Plus I will allow that in this volume the sex contributes to the overall development to an extent.

I probably should comment on “the plot”, too. It’s nothing new, nothing that hasn’t been done before, nothing surprising. But I enjoyed seeing Cavan strike back. I guess that, together with his increasing sense of self, is what makes the end feel good.

So yep. If you read book one, make sure you line up book two as well or it might be a bust.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the arrest of Cavan’s former Master and their initial thirty days contract ended, Biton and Cavan are still together and trying to find out if they can have a true D/s relation. Cavan is still working to leave his trauma behind him and Biton is giving him his space. On advice of Cavan’s therapist they don’t have sex and they don’t talk about the therapy. That doesn’t help them to become closer, of course. When Cavan rebels against his therapist, because she tries to convince him to leave Biton, he runs and he has a breakthrough on his road to independency. It makes their relationship stronger and more equal. But then Shayla Kersten turns the suspension up a knot when Cavan’s past gets back at him.
When it was hard to put Thirty Days down, it was impossible to do so with Forever. It was more thrilling and exciting, where Thirty Days was sweet, tender and full of pathos. Not that Forever wasn’t all that as well, but it was even more than that. The love scenes were super hot on top of that. The two books complement each other in a wonderful way. You just want to keep on reading and reading about these sexy, hot, kind and lovely men. So I really recommend both books, I loved them!

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cavan is making progress by becoming a bit more self sufficient. This is despite Dr. Merten, Cavan's therapist, sessions. *Full disclosure - I avoid therapist because I've never had a good experience with them. The few times I've encountered ones, they projected their issues onto me.* I can say I completely loathed Dr. Merten and I hope she drops dead. People like her should be barred from helping others. She's financially raping people. She charges them to be even more fucked up. *steps down from my soap box*

Cavan's ex-master is in jail, but things are not as they seem. While he's becoming more relaxed with Biton, he's becoming confused because his evil therapist is doing everything to sabotage his relationship. Things turn for the worse when the other eye-witness to a murder turns ups missing.

This continuation of the first story is a fast and easy read. Cavan grows a bit. Watching him come out of his frighted shell is a beautiful thing to watch. The deepening of Cavan and Biton's relationship is sweet and has me cheering. The light BDSM scenes are tasty and just right. This is book is recommended for kinky m/m lovers who enjoy watching a sub blossom in their Master's shadow.

[Fff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel of "Thirty Days" is in my opinion better than the previous book. At the end of the first part we had the feeling that the story was not finished, but with "Forever" history finds its logical conclusion.
I can only encourage readers to read these two books one after the other (there is a book including the two parts together that has been published) because they form an inseparable whole story.
Endearing characters, a story that is more and more interesting and enjoyable to read.


Cette suite de Thirty Days est à mon avis meilleure que le précédent livre. A la fin de la première partie on avait un sentiment d’inachevé, mais avec Forever l’histoire trouve sa conclusion logique. Je ne peux qu’encourager les lecteurs à lire ces deux livres l’un à la suite de l’autre (d’ailleurs un ouvrage comprenant les deux parties ensemble a été édité) car ils forment un tout indissociable.
Des personnages attachants, une histoire qui se révèle de plus en plus intéressante et plaisante à lire.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the continuation. Cavan’s old master has been arrested for murder but may get off with a slap on the wrist. Cavan is still going to therapy but the therapist is not helping him. Eventually the ring leader who’s been taking these kids and making them slaves kidnaps Cavan and shoots Bitek and the mystery continues as they try to rescue him and another slave before he is murdered. I HATED the therapist (but so did Cavan) and couldn’t believe she would play her own agenda so much but I suppose it happens. On the whole I was happy to see Cavan becoming more independent and having a more normal relationship with Bitek as a partner rather than a slave. So it was a good conclusion to the whole thing.

[Merith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to see Biton and Cavan again. I had wondered how they were doing after Thirty Days and Forever has answered it.

Cavan is still unsure and uncertain of life and his place in Biton's world, at least at the beginning. Having his therapist telling him his thoughts and what he wants is wrong doesn't help him, and the one he loves, trusts and wants the most tells him to listen to his doctor keeps him confused and even more uncertain.

I love how Cavan goes from uncertainty to the realization he is loved and wanted - forever, if that's what the choice is. The story is endearing despite the violence, making it sweet and loving, even. Cavan knows what he wants, and he finally finds the courage inside to express his desires. Just lovely.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I liked it a bit better than the first story, because I really like Cavan and I was glad to see him fight for getting better, to be indipendent and to get rid of the hurt of his past. I liked it so much that I think the story should have been longer and spent more time on Cavan's needs and struggles, I got only bits of his growing up from a slave to a whole person and I think this was a bit overshadowed by sex. As in the first book I couldn't connect with Biton, even if I liked his tenderness. The part of the story that concerned the therapist was interesting, but it's difficult to believe she was any good because she was incredibly prejudiced.

[Raevyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to visit these two great characters again. Biton tried so hard to do what is right for Cavan that there were times I wanted to yell at him because I felt that Cavan was left hanging. The therapist was the wrong person to be helping him because she was adding stress and hurt to Cavan. So many of the issues could have been solved with more communication on Biton's end.

What I liked best was the true caring I felt between them. What I didn't like was the end. I wanted more and to know that they stayed together and were happy in the long term.