Review: Good anthology
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 7, 2014
Men in the medical field-whether they’re doctors, nurses, paramedics, therapists, or even the actors who play them on tv-all want love, but between the long hours, and the stress of the job, they can find it to be a real challenge to find it. This anthology-written by various talented authors-exxplores the many ways that these dedicated professionals who help patients who run the gamut from the severely injured, to those who just need help with basic care such as a bath, find creative ways to relieve the tension, reconnect with old partners, or even start something that could last a life time.Right-hand Man by Rob RosenAlan is having one hell of a day. With an arm broken in three places from an ice-skating mishap, he finds it very hard to do even the simplest of tasks. Little did he know that a jury summons delivered to the wrong mailbox would bring his VERY handsome neighbor Brad, who just happens to be a nurse,to his front door?Mend What is Broken by Fil PreisDr Connor Smith spends what little free time he has at home either sleeping or playing video games, waiting for his pager to go off. As a radiologist at St Vincent’s, he puts in a full day’s work, then is on call at night. After a night of non-stop emergencies, he heads home. An accident with a tree leaves him with a severely broken leg, but it leads to a reunion with orthopedic surgeon Dr Josh Singh, and a chance for so much more.Doctor in the Desert by S.C. WynneER Dr Trace Bennett is trying to deal with a strung-out junkie armed with a scalpel and demanding drugs. Police officer Logan Drury tackles the kid, and brings the situation to an end. Trace invites Logan for a drink as thanks for rescuing him, and as the two get to know each other better, they become so much more than friends.Iron Man by Meg O’BrienBurnt out from eighteen years as a blind rehabilitation specialist, Bryan is trying his hand at writing. Faced with a major case of writer’s block, he’s happy when his mother asked him to help a blind neighbor as a favor to her. Aiden lost his sight and was severely injured by a driver slamming into the side of his car, and is struggling to rebuild his life. As Bryan works with Aiden to regain his independence, the two men’s workng relationship turns into love.First and Last by SaraAfter ten years away from home, Trevin Serino has come back to Walsenburg, Colorado to take care of his dying father. Dr “Cappy” Caplin has been his father’s doctor for years, but his practice has been bought by a young doctor named Jeffery Isberg who’s new to town. When Trevin learns this, he remembers the night he and Jeffery shared a passionate encounter on the night they graduated high school. After almost being caught together, Trevin called Jeffery names, then outed him, resulting in Jeffery leaving town two days later. Trevin has always regretted that night, and now sees this as a second chance to make things right between them.Differential Diagnosis by Anna MartinLiam plays Dr Cormac Logan, a character on the award-winning medical drama Differential Diagnosis. A new actor by the name of Dan Bradford is brought in to play the part of Nate, Cormac’s gay love interest, and as the two men get into their roles, Liam and Dan continue their relationship after the lights go out and the director calls “cut!”In My Own Skin by Thea NishimoriChris has spent many a movie marathon weekend at Scottie and Andrew’s house since he came to town five years before to become a paralegal. Scottie and Andrew have attempted to set up Chris with blind dates before, but none have ever worked out. This weekend they’ve invited Tony-a counselor for troubled teens-to meet Chris, who finally admits the real reason why he’s been avoiding getting close to anyone.Rx for Sex by Bru BakerBarr is absolutely miserable. Between his job as a psychiatrist, and his boyfriend Charlie’s job as a drug rehab therapist, finding time to be together is hard enough, but when Charlie lets his work pull him away from the rare times that they do get to spend together, Barr feels even more neglected, and starts taking extra shifts so he’s not at home alone. Just when things can’t seem to get any worse, Charlie writes Barr a very unusual prescription to treat his “condition”.Kind by Samuel Scott PrestonRod Benson became an athletic trainer after learning that he couldn’t make a living as a music teacher. He had to hide the fact he was gay, so that it wouldn’t cause him to lose his job. He manages to keep his distance from the players that he treats until the day a handsome injured football player named Derek Bradford breaks through the wall he’s built around his heart.Hero Worship by Kris T. BethkeParamedic Alex Sullivan is at the wedding of his best friend Carrie as her man of honor when Matt Carter-the groom’s cute younger brother-goes into anaphylaxtic shock. After he recovers, Matt starts hanging around no matter how much Alex tries to avoid him. Alex has always been drawn to Matt, but between the nine-year age difference, and Matt’s serious case of hero worship, he’s kept his distance from him. Will Matt be able to persuade Alex that his feelings for him are real, and to give him a chance to prove it?Tourniquet by Kaye P. HallowsDr Weston wakes up in the hospital after being being severely injured in the Boston Marathon Bombing. As he starts the long road to recovery, he finds himself butting heads with Kane, the handsome nurse in charge of his care. Kane refuses to be intimidated by the grouchy doctor, and Weston finds himself falling for the gorgeous man, but refuses to act on it because he’s been burned one too many times by younger men who are only interested in his money. Will Kane be able to break through the wall of mistrust that Weston has around his heart, and prove that he’s the real deal?Pain Management by Brigham VaughnJoel Brooks works as a massage therapist at the Woodbridge Pain Clinic. He works with patients to help relieve their pain as much as he can. For five months, Andrew Carmichael has been in constant pain from severe migraines and has come to the clinic hoping to get some help. Joel is able to give Andrew temporary relief from the pain, and as the months go by, he finds himself falling for Andrew but refuses to cross the line with his patient. Joel resigns himself to never seeing Andrew after the treatments end, but you never know.Night Shift by Casey O’NeillA year ago Wayne Fisher and Mike, his husband of ten years separated because Mike couldn’t handle the anxiety of being a cop’s spouse and never knowing when he’ll get that dreaded knock on the door, or the call informing him that something has happened to Wayne. It takes Wayne almost dying after being shot in an attempted robbery to make Mike realize that he would rather be with Wayne, no matter what.To the Next Level by Laura MatthewsFive months after losing his leg to an IED in Afghanistan, Cameron “Cam” Davis is struggling through physical therapy learning to walk with a prosthesis. Travis is the physical therapist who refuses to let Cam slack off from learning to walk again, and even though he wants to strangle him at times, Cam finds Travis very attractive. Cam refuses to act on it though, because he thinks of himself as damaged goods, and not worthy to be with Travis. He finally realizes that losing a leg doesn’t make him less of a man, and hopes that Travis will give him a chance.injuries, huge workloads, dedication to duty, fear of coming out of the closet, and self doubt are only a few of the obstacles that doctors and other men in the medical profession face as they search for love and companionship. Each of these passionate, heartwarming, and just plain HAWT stories have their own version of a HEA ending, and each author has their own unique style of writing. I really enjoyed reading each and every one of these fascinating tales, and would DEFINITELY recommend that you get this book for yourself.