Review: Perfect for supporters/fans of TJ & Eric or those who'd like a large collection of sweet stories for a great price...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 8, 2014
I'm going to practice self-control (har har) and not skip to my favorite authors. The school mistress deep in my heart tells me I must read these stories in order.And I'm not going to star them individually. This anthology is for a good cause so it's going to get a 5-star rating automatically.*Cover art by Paul Richmond.* I'm not usually drawn to cover art like this--I always seem to go for photography--but this cover is so sweet & well-done that I start sniveling every time I look at it. You can find prints & t-shirts featuring this cover at Dreamspinner Press until April 30, 2014.*Foreword by S.A. McAuley.* First reaction: really lovely and -- I swear, I'm not usually a crier but -- it made me tear up. Second reaction: McAuley was "relatively new to the gay romance genre" in 2011? That's impressive. I've really got to start One Breath One Bullet.*Prologue by Brandon Witt.* A short short about a woman (a diety?) tending a grove of trees (that represents humanity?), who pays special attention to the buds on a very promising tree (which represent TJ & Eric?). This was nice, if a bit over my head. Probably didn't help that my mind was moaning, "Where are the boooooooyz?" (Note: the boooyz may be found in The Shattered Door and Submerging Inferno.)*An Unexpected Thing by John Amory.* This was a sweet little follow up to Amory's short story Protection in Dreamspinner's Make a Play anthology. And in case you were wondering, why yes, it is quite possible to think you're lost while driving at night on I-5 between Eugene & Albany, Oregon. You can easily imagine you’re driving into nothing. (I guess that's my bias--I really liked that I've driven that road about a million times).*The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk.* This is light & funny (I'm trying to avoid the word "sweet," 'cause I use it too much, but it's a sweet story, really). I like the title. Benjy struggles with his first birthday party (at 23) and some chaos ensues. Followed by smexy times. Yay! This author doesn't having anything else listed on Goodreads, but I'd really like to read more from him/her. Especially if it was about how Benjy met his boyfriend, Kyle.*Simple Desires by Tempeste O'Riley.* This story about James (an artist) and his fiancé, Seth (a CEO), is a nice follow-up to the first book about this couple, Designs of Desire. Looks like O'Riley has 2 more books in this series coming out this year, Bound by Desire and Desires' Guardian.*What You Will by Tinnean.* Story of high-flying couple Hyde & Kipp. Tinnean is the author of the Spy vs Spook series, which for some reason I could never really get in to (and I like both spies & spooks!). But Greeting Cards is a sweet, holiday treat.*Air (Roads #1.75 million) by Garrett Leigh.* The plot, in the simplest terms: Joe takes his depressed friend, Ash, to get fried cheesecake. I had no idea this was part of a series when I read it last night. I just thought it was really lovely. I especially like how it was told from the perspective of a friend, instead of Ash's boyfriend Pete. However, since I now want to read more about Ash & Pete, Slide is going to the top of my TBR pile.*Object of Care by Zahra Owens.* Ok, this anthology is not helping me decrease my TBR pile. :) This story is a continuation of Clouds and Rain, which I now have to read as well. Grumpy with a heart-of-gold Gable becomes attached to the cat his son (I think it’s his son—I did find some of the connections confusing) brings home. He and his partner, Flynn, are very sweet together.*Water Under the Bridge by Mia Kerick.* Continuation of Not Broken, Just Bent. I have this entrenched thought in my head that I’m not partial to YA, but then I read a story like this & I’m just gutted with love & angst & hope for the future of these two characters. Wasn’t a perfect story (I find most dialect in books to be annoying) but Kerick does 2 teenage boys in love really, really well. (And I liked The Red Sheet.)*From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano.* Graham returns to a college he transferred out of, where he remeets a not-so-former crush. This is a nice sequel to Guiliano’s For You.*That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado.* This story features a trope I’m quite fond of – the semi-bad boy (he has tattoos!) who only does one night stands finds himself falling for his relationship-oriented neighbor. Dado appears to be a new author.*Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys.* After getting peed on by a rabid poodle, Peter finally gets over his ex. Will he find a new love? (Well…yeah.) Despite taking a little long to get started & way too much inner dialogue, this amusing story definitely hit my sweet spot. (Which is, admittedly, the size of a truck.) Emrys’ Valley of Shadows looks good.*When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste.* College-age Jaime goes camping with his three best friends, only to discover one of them is in love with him. Friends to lovers trope – I never get tired of it. Bonaste is the author of another YA book, The Sacrifices We Make.*The Exhibition by Andrea Speed.* Roan & Dylan, from Speed’s Infected series, attend Dylan’s art exhibit. I own the first book in the series & this short reminded me why I should be reading it. Josh of the Damned: The Complete Collection is also great.*Holding Court by Cardeno C.* Federal judge Esav runs into former one-night-stand and soon to be one-true-love, artist Court. A.) How the heck do you pronounce Esav? And B.) Mr. C definitely has a way with sexy times, sexy talk, and gooshy love stories. My fillings hurt but I can’t help loving it. Control should be published soon.*Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford.* I love cops. I love geeks. I especially love cops who lust after geeks. I have a real fondness for dead bodies (only in fiction…otherwise, ew). I thought the love happened a bit fast, it’s a short story after all, but I still really liked it. Ford is the author of the freakin’ awesome Cole McGinnis series (ok, I've only read the first one -- but it was awesome). And I really need to read Black Dog Blues.*For Dear Life by Mary Calmes.* Only one word can describe this story: Calmesian. Here are some more words: Although suffering from a severe lack of eyebrow waggles, pea coats & orgasm-inducing sexy times, this story does feature a cop and 8 pages of friends/relatives explaining to said cop (Kevin) why he’s just so wonderful that everyone who doesn’t hate him for it, loves him because he’s “like the sun.” Also, a highly improbable plot twist or 2 and a gay-for-you love-interest, Wade, who’s mentioned constantly, but doesn’t show up until the end. I could go on, but enough said. Although I highly doubt there’s a reader in the MM world who hasn’t read at least something by this author, I offer this warning: I swear to jeebus, do not read Calmes unless you enjoy being addicted to crack. It’s too late for me. I can already barely control myself waiting for Control to be published. <--See what I did there? (**mumbles** It wasn’t on purpose.)*Witness Protected by Dawn Kimberly Johnson.* US Marshall Kirk falls for the witness he’s protecting, Griffin. This one started off with a bang – I had to skip to the end to make sure all ended happily (why I felt the need with a romance story, I have no idea). Needless to say – since it involves a cop & a geek – I really liked it. Johnson is the author of Broken &, most recently, Come Clean.*Fall Train by Jaime Samms.*This is a sweet story about Brad, who meets Lithuanian, & almost-Canadian citizen, Jokubas. The audio version of Better is available now & The Foster Family was recently released.*Stripped by Shae Connor.* A stripper, Blake, takes a chance & has a one-night-stand with a handsome customer, Jon. But will it lead to more? She’ll have a new story published this year in Butt Ninjas From Hell and I hope I see more from this new author.*Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington.* Ahhh…a nice paranormal for a change-up. Wolf-shifter Neiran falls for vampire Andrei. Stripped Clean is Carrington's most recent publication.*Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown.* British Paul misses his lover, American Olaf. Sequel to Isle of Wishes. I really hope Sue Brown writes another book in this series.*An Atheist and a Yoga Instructor Walk into a Bar by Rowan McAllister.* Math teacher Adrian is set up on a blind date with free-spirited Brian (warning: chakras will be mentioned ;) ). This story wins for best title. Hot Mess looks like a good read.*Last First Kiss by LE Franks.* Henry & J go their friends funeral. This description is accurate—but the story is so much more. My first thought was that a story depicting a funeral might not be great for this anthology. But it’s really about—it sounds so cliché when I say it—renewing your faith in love & life in the face of tragedy. I really loved it. Franks most recently published 6 Days to Valentine's Day.*The Jogger by KC Burn.* Justin, a shut-in, is drawn outside when the jogger he has a crush on, Samuel, may be hurt. Another book by the author is Spice ‘n’ Solace in the Galactic Alliance series. I'm looking forward to picking it up.*Kid Confusion by Madison Parker.* Fans of Play Me, I'm Yours will be happy to see the return of Lucas, as he helps Donovan put on a version of Eric Arvin’s Kid Christmas Rides Again. (I’ve long enjoyed the Kid’s bulging nipples on that cover.)*Tomorrow by John Goode.* Ryan & his long-term boyfriend Paul visit the beach. I really liked this one—it was so simple, but so well-done. Goode is the author of the Tales from Foster High series, the newest of which is 151 Days.*A Gentle Shove of Human Kindness by Amy Lane.* The angel Gabriel, “voted Heaven’s Biggest Pr**k by his peers,” spends a few days observing humans—especially Ernie & his crush, Jamie. Great read – but now I really want to read more about Ernie & Jamie. (Please, Amy Lane, pleeeease? No? You have other books to write? FINE. I guess I’ll have to make it up myself.) Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny's Lair will be out on May 2nd. And may I add; yaaaaaaaaaaay!Okay, there are lot of great reads in this series (as well as new authors that I hope publish more books). My brain is exhausted at the moment, but I recommend this book, if not to support TJ & Eric, then for the sweet treats that provide a nice break from reality.