Charles and Susan: A Romance

Susan’s secret longings have long caused her embarrassment and shame with the result that she has spent her entire life suppressing them. But when in the summer of 2010 she sees Charles’s unusual personal ad she tentatively and uncertainly decides to confront her desires. Little by little, first through correspondence and then through an initial meeting, Charles and Susan find themselves on a path that for both of them leads to a life-changing experience of passion.

Gradually their feelings for one another develop beyond desire. For Charles, his encounter with Susan awakens long dormant yearnings for romance and love. But Susan, haunted by an event in her past, shame over her longings, and confusion over her future, reaches a crisis point that threatens to destroy the bond between her and Charles. As the friendship between them fades during autumn, Susan faces several decisions which come to a head as Christmas approaches. Faced with the hardest choice of her life, she must decide whether or not to follow her desires, knowing that someone is going to get hurt badly.

Based on a true story and told from the perspectives of both protagonists, Charles and Susan is a sensual romance that explores the joys and difficulties of love and desire, pleasure and pain. Moving and thoughtful, tender and passionate, the story delves into the physical, psychological and mental complexities of desire, touching the heart, mind and body of the reader.

A 37,000-word novella, Charles and Susan: A Romance is the beautiful, exciting debut by author Bittersweet Eros.