Leo has hidden a secret for nineteen years. Those who know him see a handsome man who perfectly fits the alpha-male stereotype. His strength and muscular body intimidate men and make women swoon. His friends assume he's a complete stud-a belief Leo cultivates as much as possible.
The Leo people think they know is an illusion. Leo is gay, a fact he's afraid to embrace.
Society, his parents, and his church all agree that to be a man who loves men is to be an abomination before the Lord. For years, Leo has accepted this as fact. He's spent hours trying to pray the gay away, terrified someone will out him for who he truly is. When he allows himself homoerotic fantasies, Leo finds momentary release replaced almost immediately by self-loathing. He lives his life in the shadows.
Then he meets Dave.
Unlike Leo, Dave fully embraces his sexual identity. He's playful, handsome, and alluringly confident. Leo can't help but be intrigued and turned on by such open sexuality. With Dave, he could find happiness-but having lived for so long in the shadows, will Leo be able to step into the light?
About the Author: A. Umbra is the pen name of a man who has struggled with his sexuality all his life. In Latin, umbra means "shadow," and that is how he sees himself-as a shadow unable to express his true nature. Those who know him think he is straight.
Like many people, Umbra has found that his desires clash with the need to find acceptance among his family and friends.
Umbra grew up in a world that was unforgiving to those who were different, so he chose the safety of the shadows. While he admires the openness of the new generation, he has spent too long in hiding to follow their lead, and the restrictive morality driven into him during childhood continues to war with his true nature. Through Shadow Dreams, he has found a way to express his long struggle with the world.
