Love Is Found

“My love for you will never die.”

A tale based on true events of love, self-acceptance, and the turmoil of companionship.

“Love is Found” is the moving account about coming-of-age in suburban New York and discovering the broad concept of sexuality and love.

Based on true events of love, the story’s protagonist, Robert, finds himself thrown into the realization that upon entering graduate school he is beginning a new chapter in his adult life. Comfortable with being gay, he yearns for love but dwells on the ideal of being alone while being consumed by the world of academia. Upon starting a new job he meets a coworker, whom he begins an unlikely relationship with considering this man identifies as straight.

When sex is introduced and emotions run amok, the routine of Robert’s life is thrown into chaos with unexpected outcomes. Will Robert realize his true limits and whether he can conquer the strife of new love? Little does he know if his heart can survive the overwhelming desire and how this man will alter the course of his life just not now, but for the next decade.

The first novel in the debut “Only If…” series by R. Paone introduces the heartbreaking portrait of one young man finding love in all the wrong places while exploring themes of one’s sexual identity, passion, and nostalgia.

This edition of “Love is Found” has been newly edited and expanded containing over 10K of added content.

This contemporary work of fiction is approximately 78,000 words and contains strong thematic material that is intended for adult readers only.

Is This Desire?

He said, "Never stop."
I said, "Never will."

“Please don’t try to hold me in your arms."

The moment had passed, the passion burned out, and the high of a first love was left lingering.

How quickly can one fall in love?
How quickly can one fall out of love?

Devastated by the realization of Mitch’s misgivings, Robert has cast himself aside unable to process his current reality. Exposed to a love that was debilitating but also rewarding, he must now face the consequences of secrets, addiction, and desire if he is to continue forward with his heart while disregarding his doubts.

Now, it was happening again.

Sooner or later, Mitch reappears in Robert’s life unable to break away from what he feels deep within as he questions the connection between them both. It is a consuming bond that could break at any moment by the forces meaning to keep them apart no matter what.

What else was Mitch hiding from him and was an attempt at reintroducing those feelings again the safest bet against Robert’s sanity?

“Is This Desire?” documents the continuing story of a flourishing love as it grows at an increasing speed. As Robert faces Mitch’s demons, Mitch himself must reclaim his independence and sanity if they are ever to be together.

This contemporary work of fiction is approximately 45,000 words and contains strong thematic material that is intended for adult readers only.

Slow Like Honey

First, “love” was found. Next, “desire” was questioned. Now, time moved “slow like honey.” The “Only If” Saga continues with this climacteric tale of sexual rebirth and incitement of one soul.

In 2004, Robert found himself sexually experimenting with his co-worker, Mitch. Together they faced long-hidden secrets and insecurities that challenged a new found passion growing between one another. They were falling in love. But that was in the past...

Now, it is the year 2014. Ten years have passed. Robert is now living the life as a single gay man entering his thirties in New York City. Passionately conflicted about whether he is going to make the right decision, Robert has thrust himself into a chance meeting with a stranger he meets online. Just when a carefully, calculated encounter turns out to be much more, a new door has been opened for Robert. This new man wants nothing more to gain complete control of Robert’s desire.

There was this stranger, this break in morality that drove Robert to forge on past his own insecurities while discovering what lies beneath the surface of his own pleasure.

Conscience-stricken and torn, Robert must make the choices of a grown adult. Will he continue on this road protecting the love of Mitch inside his heart or is this true sexual awakening risking everything? Watch as the heart grows fonder but also while the years ripen with time.

This contemporary work of fiction is approximately 33,000 words and contains strong thematic material involving sexuality that is intended for adult readers only.

“Slow Like Honey” is Part III in the "Only If" Series but can also be read as a standalone work. It will also contain excerpts from both of the previous two novels, "Love is Found" and "Is This Desire?"

This contemporary work of fiction is approximately 30,000 words and contains strong thematic material involving sexuality that is intended for adult readers only.