
When a marriage hangs in the balance, sometimes the greatest race is finding your way back to each other. After twenty-five years together, Jeffrey and Ray's marriage is crumbling. Ray's affair has shattered their trust, and both men are questioning whether their relationship is worth saving. In a desperate attempt to reconnect—or find closure—they apply for The Big Race, a reality TV competition that sends couples racing around the world for a million-dollar prize. From the tropical heat of Panama to the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, from Thailand's bustling markets to Venezuela's treacherous jungles, Jeffrey and Ray must navigate not only physical challenges but the emotional minefield of their broken relationship. With cameras capturing their every move, they're forced to confront the patterns that drove them apart while rediscovering what brought them together in the first place. As they face bungee jumps, cultural challenges, and elimination pressure, Jeffrey—the cautious computer programmer—must learn to take leaps of faith, while Ray—the competitive former athlete—discovers that some victories can't be won through sheer determination. Together, they'll test whether their partnership can survive monkey attacks, mountain climbs, and the ultimate learning to trust each other again. A heartfelt story of love, forgiveness, and second chances, The Big Race reminds us that the most important finish line isn't always the one you can see—it's the one you cross together. Perfect for fans of relationship fiction, LGBTQ+ romance, and anyone who believes that love is worth fighting for.
Author

I have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites. I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. But it took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers. I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy. I love writing cozy mysteries as well as gay mysteries, M/M romance and gay erotica. My golden retriever mysteries were inspired by my own goldens, Samwise, Brody and Griffin, who continually give me ideas for new books.