Rhys Has a Crush by Melanie Tushmore

Rhys Has a Crush by Melanie Tushmore
Stars: 4/5

Length: 10,700 words (28 pages)
Blurb
Nineteen-year-old wannabe rockstar Rhys spends his days hanging out and drinking with his garage band in his friend's house. It's not like there's anything else to do in their boring home town.

Then Seb's older brother appears; a gorgeous vision in tight, black clothing, and long dark hair. Rhys is instantly attracted, though his attempts to flirt with the mysterious Damien don't go all that well. So Rhys resorts to a fail safe plan: steal Damien's phone number, and send him anonymous love-texts.

Overall
A short that turns from an annoyingly realistic rocker teen tale to a heart-warming snuggle.

Review
The beginning had me unimpressed with the main character, who came across as shallow and...well kind of like a self-centered teen should. And Rhys is that (both, actually), but as surly Damien is introduced, we also get to see the softer, unsure side of him...which is oddly likeable. As the story progresses, it gets cuter and cuter.

I think my only complaint would be that the characters that start the story don't feel like the ones who end it, and there wasn't enough time to really explore the change.

Still, overall this is an enjoyable freebie...especially if you like rockers.

Khaos Komix by Tab Kimpton

Khaos Komix by Tab Kimpton
Stars: 4/5*
*Because they’re free, I’d probably bump them up to 5 stars

Length: 8 stories at 51-97 comic book pages each
Blurb
This is a comic about gender and sexuality. It follows the lives of 8 main characters: Steve, Mark, Amber, Nay, Tom, Alex, Charlie and Jamie. It’s about them finding themselves, falling in love, lust and like and how hard they fight to get there.

This comic contains so many issues I can’t even really list them. Some of the things you may find here include: Gays, lesbians, those weird bisexuals everyone is talking about, faggotry, homophobia, transgender issues, dubious consent, body issues, abuse, hate and most important of all, a big old helping of LOVE. There’s a reason I called it Khaos.

Overall
I read five of the eight stories and I loved every one of them. (The only reason I didn’t read all was I was reading them all in one night and it was getting late. And they had female protags. I know, I have my preferences in romantic settings.)

Review
All the stories cover around the same period of time, with some going longer than others. Each story takes place from the protagonist’s perspective, so even when certain events are repeated, we’re given a new look at what was going on. Not only that, but the artist is obviously aware of the repeated events and doesn’t drag them out.

In many ways this is a standard high school/college romance story. But that’s sort of what makes it amazing. You know what you’re getting. And yet you get so much more. All of the stories tell the same general time period, but they also delve into the childhoods of the main cast, so we get so much more than if we just saw the events unfold as told.

The other great thing about these stories is that we have a variety of cast members. Yes, most are gay, but there are also heterosexual couples, MTF, FTM, gay, and ambivalent. They have good pasts and bad pasts. They have shitty parents and understanding parents. They have confused families and broken families. We get a little bit of everything.

Also, if you read the tales in order, they start off pretty light and slowly venture into darker and darker territory, but because you see where things are heading, you can avoid reading the darker tales if you want. I skipped over a few of the stories (Nay, Amber, and Charlie’s) but read through Jamie’s to get the full story on almost all the characters. It was pretty intense.

So these are fun, sometimes dark, often angsty stories that are definitely worth reading. Especially as they’re free and well done (with only a few typos in the text...but it’s a comic, so I’m more forgiving).

Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.

An Angel's Soul by SL Armstrong K Piet

An Angel's Soul by SL Armstrong K Piet
Stars: 3/5

Length: 30 pages (12,000 words)
Blurb
Cole had everything: a great education, his own company, money, and Daniel, his lover since college. But in gaining everything, he lost the one thing he'd been building that life for: Daniel. Now that Daniel has moved on, Cole is without direction or purpose. Turning to alcohol and drugs to fill the void left behind, Cole dives head first into a downward spiral, unaware that there is another who loves and cares for him.

As Cole's guardian angel, Raziel has watched Cole since birth, and his love for his ward is deep and abiding. Witnessing Cole's fraying life breaks Raziel's heart, and when the thread that binds them together wavers during an overdose, Raziel breaks all the rules just to keep Cole alive. The consequences are unthinkable, but a life without Cole is a loss that Raziel simply can't conceive. An angel's soul was made to love, after all, and if he saves Cole, perhaps he can show Cole how the end of one great love doesn't mean another waits patiently for him.

(Part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.)

Overall
A well done, if somewhat typical, tale of a guardian angel falling in love with his charge. This was obviously working within the constraints of a short story, and to some extent Cole's feelings toward Raziel felt a little forced, but this could be because we see so little of them together, but Raziel’s reasoning for why Cole feels the way he does makes sense as well. Still, I would have liked to have seen more of Cole's struggles and surprise at his feelings toward Raziel.

Most of my issues with this story are personal peeves, and I think in general many readers will enjoy it. Cole seems to have so much going for him in life, but losing the one thing that meant the most to him is something he can’t seem to bounce back from. His struggle to accept Raziel and begin to open up and trust, and love, another being is a wonderful exploration of the heart.

The other pet peeve (I seem to have so many!) I had with the story, is that they immediately have anal sex. This pure being who has seen a lot, sure, has his first sexual experience as anal sex. From kissing to anal. It seems unlikely, and rubs me the wrong way a bit. Not that Cole isn't wonderfully tender and not that Raziel doesn't want it (oh, he does!), but still. In addition, while I understand that the angels are male because it's M/M romance (and many are traditionally portrayed as such), I have to wonder at the inclusion of an anus. They don't eat, why would they need one? They don't need to digest, so why? Obviously it's there for the same reason the penis is.

Despite the above, I did enjoy the story and it's definitely worth picking up!

The War at the End of the World by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

The War at the End of the World by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane
Stars: 4/5

Length: 26 pages (10,000 words)
Blurb
September, 1941.

War correspondent Joseph Byrne has been cheating death all his life, ever since he spent two years in an iron lung as a boy diagnosed with polio. In the years since, the Fetch, a strange being charged by Death with collecting Joseph and transporting him into the unknown, has been condemned to watch and wait.

Now, with Joseph working in a Finland caught in a tug of war between Nazi and Soviet forces, it seems a foregone conclusion that the Fetch's sentence is at its end and Death will have Joseph for her own at last. Joseph, an openly Jewish American, has no doubt where his allegiance lies, no matter the danger. But after all these years at Joseph's side, watching him overcome adversity to grow into a brave and principled young man, the Fetch has come to realize that there are forces stronger and so much sweeter than even the purpose you were made for.

(Part of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write event.)

Overall
These two authors always take me for a ride, never knowing if I'm going to like the ending, but never disappointing, even if they break my heart, and this is no exception. This is a refreshingly different story that takes place during WWII mainly, but in Finland rather than the standard locations. Once again Belleau and Vane bring the supernatural into a mundane world, creating something terrible and beautiful that leaves an impression.

This is a very different love story, as we are trapped in the perspective of a guiding spirit that is meant to gather the souls of the dying and take them to death. But the one we are in has been delayed from his purpose and again and again is unable to take the life of his charge. It's a moving, sad, painfully tender tale as he struggles with knowing his duty and knowing they are running from death, but unwilling to cause suffering to Joseph. The end is beautiful and a little painful, but ultimately satisfying.

Jungle Law by SL Armstrong and K Piet

Jungle Law by SL Armstrong and K Piet
Stars: 3/5

Length: 27 pages (11,000 words)
Blurb
There is a rainforest in India that the wise poachers avoid. Few who venture in ever return, and those that do rarely come back all the way. The leopards in this forest have a protector who walks the worlds between leopard and man, but who calls the leopard kin and the human only enemy. When a frightened boy escapes from the latest hunting party to feel the protector's wrath, he tracks the boy down, determined to leave no survivors. But when he comes fact-to-face with the exotic, defenseless boy, he cannot bring himself to end that life. Instead, what he has reviled for years becomes his constant companion. That is, until the humans dare to set foot in his forest once more.

Overall
First off, I was sold when a few pages in the authors used "female peafowl." True they could have gone with peahen, but maybe they didn't want to confuse readers. Anyway, that was a giant bonus in my big book of geek.

The writing felt a little stiff to me, but this is probably an attempt to capture the narrator's voice. Not that he's dumb, but he's more concrete in his thoughts, being as he's more in touch with his animal side. This bothered me a little, but not enough to disrupt my enjoyment of the story, which felt a little like The Jungle Book meets Beauty and the Beast. A nice combo. It's interesting that we never see from Deshi's perspective, since he may be the easier to relate to, and probably the more sympathetic character (not that Kaanan isn't a nice guy). Instead we are left to see things from Kaanan's perspective as he stumbles through understanding his little human.

A bit too much sex for me, but I know I'm biased. Still, everything was well done, and while shifters are a very popular (maybe too popular) choice, we get a slightly different feel with this shifter who lives in the wild and thus doesn't confront many of the "issues" that normal shifter story's deal with.

In All Your Ways by Cari Z

In All Your Ways by Cari Z
Stars: 4/5

Length: 26 pages (10,000 words)
Blurb
During Heaven's rebellion, the angel Renat fell to Hell for loving the angel Emiel more than God. His punishment was harsh: he became a demon. Millennia later, Renat has long given up hope on ever reuniting with his love, finding what little pleasure can be found in the lands of the damned. He's shocked when an angel is found at the borders of Hell, and he quickly realizes that Emiel has finally followed him into Hell. Renat knows he will have to fight to keep Emiel from being torn from him, and the only one who can save them is Satan himself.

Overall
A story about angels--especially fallen--are right up my alley, so within the first few lines, I felt pretty secure that this story was going to get a good rating from me. That being said, a poorly written or formulated story with fallen angels that screws up still won't satisfy! However, this story is equal parts heartbreaking and sweet, with Renat's struggle as he loves Emiel and is rejected--by him and by God--and is cast down into Hell.

While the idea of some of the fallen angels being cast out because of loving another more than God is not new, it also fits within the 'doctrine' that has become popular regarding the angels and the fall. There are a lot of religious implications in this story that fit with Christian themes (while others are arguably outside that realm), with the more modern forgiving God and the angrier cast-out-the-angels God. There is also a wonderful theme of "fulfilling God's role," which is somewhat horrifying, but also kind of nice. The way all these different threads come together make a wonderful tapestry, creating a short, poignant story within a colorful world that leaves room for further exploration while also satisfying the reader's wants.

All the characterizations were well done, from angry Lucifer to the forgiving glimpse of Morning Star that we see; the sex was erotic but not too sexualized (hey, these are angels we're talking about!); and the story has a satisfying closing. An all around well-done piece.

Four short stories

 

Roadside ASSistance by Evan J. Xavier
Stars: 2/5

Length: short story
Blurb
An evening out with friends turns into an extraordinary evening of wildly erotic sex when Chris Saturday’s truck breaks down on the way home. He couldn’t have asked for a more equipped tow truck driver, or one so driven to please him.

Rain, mud and two libidos in overdrive create an unimaginable heat in the midst of a downpour.

WARNING: Explicit erotic hot gay sex.

Overall
I'm not sure if this crosses into the line of so bad it's good, but it definitely gives a run for its money. This leaves behind erotica (which should have some sense of artistry in the writing) and becomes porn, with the cheesy setting and the bad dialogue.

Only pick this up if you want a laugh. Two of my favorite lines:

...he placed my dick into his mouth as if it were a harmonica.
The author doesn't seem to understand how a harmonica is played. Dude, you're doing it wrong....in so many ways.

"You taste like honey," he said.
Poor choice of words when talking about cum, but no, he's talking about eating the guy's ass out. Which, even if he was clean as a whistle (and since it's romance/erotica/porn, we'll assume he is), wouldn't taste like honey. But hey, maybe he did. Nomnomnom?


Bad Cupid by AD Cooper
Stars: 2.5/5

Length: 4,200+
Blurb
Cupid—or Eric, as he prefers to be called while on Earth—is exhausted after two weeks straight of pairing people up in time for Valentine’s Day, and decides to take the night off on Valentine’s Day for some well-deserved R & R. After one too many drinks, he decides to seduce the guy he’s been chatting with for fun. What’s the worst that could happen, right?

All Gabe wants to do is to drown himself in liquor to numb his broken heart after he finds out that his boyfriend has been cheating on him. He isn’t looking for a rebound but when the cute guy sitting next to him begins to tempt him with that lithe body while whispering naughty things into his ears, Gabe decides to teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.

Overall
This is porny, but still kind of cute. Cupid is feeling down on Valentine's day and comes across a sexy man who gives him everything he wants (in bed, at least). The dialogue leaves a lot to be desired, but it's pretty much just a one-off, so you can't expect too much. Some light bondage and "naughty boy" talk. Not worth buying, but if you are in the mood and can get it free (I got it free off Amazon), then be prepared for an eye-roll.



Pole Star by Josephine Myles
Stars: 3/5

Length: 34 pages
Blurb
Injured pole dancer Matt Lovell meets attractive radiographer Sal when he’s in casualty for an x-ray. Trouble is, Matt’s firefighter outfit is pretty convincing, and the longer he keeps up the pretence the harder it will be to reveal the naked truth: that there’s nothing underneath his costume but a sequined thong!

Overall
This is a cute little free short that doesn't have much to it, but is worth reading for its price. Just a nice little fun read that has a similar ending. I think my favorite part are the patterned boxers...



Back Alley Sex by Evan J. Xavier
Stars: 1/5

Length: short story
Blurb
At one of Vegas’ sexiest clubs, where everyone cums for a good time, Ian discovers he’s caught the eye of one smokin’ hot dude. When an old flame tries to get more than just the music pumping, Ian decides he’d rather test out the heat he’s been feeling from the new guy in town.

Overall
This was not only mostly forgettable, it was very dark as well with some weird relationships going on, a player lead, and a stumbling man who turns out to be the kind to take what he wants. (Yep, this has a rape [or at least rape-ish] scene, which I did not expect.) This ends with a cliffhanger, either to encourage the reader to buy the rest of the series, or because it's the end of the story...it's unclear. Not worth picking up.

Review: Stories by Shukyou

Stories by Shukyou
A selection from Shousetsu Bang*Bang

Overall
Shousetsu Bang*Bang is a ezine of sorts that publishes through LiveJournal and although it works off the concept of being like the classic boy's love stories found in Japanese manga, it has strayed off this course, often for the better. The guidelines are pretty flexible, only working off length and that there must be at least some sex that happens in detail (although there is flexibility in that, because I think both of my submissions were light on the sex).

One of my favorite authors (normally the same group write for every issue, although some are more consistent than others), is Shukyou. I'd probably recommend all of her (I assume) stuff, but below are a few of my highlighted favorites.

c:\rano.bergerac
This story dances between being fun and serious as the setting is rather amusing: A poor theatre graduate works at the futuristic version of a phone-sex line, virtual reality, as the “voice” and “actions” of the selected person. When Rex hires a personality for an hour, Patrick (whose name you don't learn until the end) feels like the luckiest man alive. Rex is exactly his type. Of course, Rex sees a buff Scandinavian hottie, not chubby, pale Patrick.

What I love about this story is that while plenty of sex happens (virtually, but described as if real), the connection between the two men is completely emotional and cognitive. The build up between the two characters and the eventual climax where Patrick—and Rex—need to make a decision is both heart breaking and beautiful. This is definitely a great read when you need a feel good story, although it touches upon heavy subjects as well.

Duet for Tenor and Transradial Orthosis
Enzo is wallowing in a good (and deserved) bout of self-pity, booze, and pain killers when Gus comes onto him. Or more appropriately, onto his metal and gear arm. At least, that's what Enzo things. But really, Gus just wants to fix the arm to make it as beautiful as it's owner. But the more Enzo is around Gus, the more Enzo wants Gus. If only the mechanic weren't oblivious.

Although much of the subject of this story is dark, it is all lightened by a jaded and easy going narrator who has plenty of time on his hands and an aptitude to studying people. The growth of the two characters and their relationship is amazing and I love the path that the two take. In addition to a great steampunk story, there is some gorgeous art to go along with this one!

The Amanuensis
...I won't even chance giving a brief summary, because this is a heavier and denser story that looks at Judaism and the very first blush of Christianity, along with all the conflict it brings. However, if you're interested in religious stories that take Biblical teachings and approach them from a new angle (or completely upside down), then this is definitely worth the read.

Heterogenesis
Scientists have found the gay gene and a select group who have been carefully researched, studied and questioned have been granted the first opportunity to have the gay gene removed/altered so that they will be attracted to women. Of course, the problems start when one of the researchers falls in love with one of the men preparing to undergo the procedure...

This story was good, although it didn't become my favorite until the end. It brings up a lot of interesting points and handles them well, really showing the author's thoughtful nature. As the story of the two men unfolds with some mix of emails from the researcher's colleagues, the full story unfolds in a very interesting way. Be sure to read through to the very end. It's worth it!

A Voice in the Wilderness
A story of Easter, church, and talking with God. David has tried to live a pious life of minimum pleasures while leading his church's choir and resisting his desires toward men. Isaiah has not lived quite so piously as he often gives in to his desires at shady bars and clubs, but hates himself for it. He also leads the choir at his own church, and when David's church approaches Isaiah's church in need of some help with their organ, Isaiah is sucked into something he wasn't expecting.

I re-read this story every year at Easter, which is saying something since I describe myself as atheist. There is something so moving about their faith in each other and God that you can't help but feel that within the story (at the very least) God exists. This is a slower moving story that builds over time as both men struggle with their friendship, their personal demons, and what they feel God wants them to do. It's beautiful and touching.

Yellow Fever
Drew is in a bad place: After Vietnam, he's addicted to drugs and sex, the two tools he uses to drive out the memories and try to redeem himself—although he's not reaching for redemption. When he meets William Ma, he's not looking for more than a quick screw, but Bill has other things in mind. Eventually it becomes clear that it's not a matter of whether Bill can stand living with Drew, but if Drew can stand living with himself.

This story covers a lot of sensitive topics, and it deals with them well. Both characters are straight forward, blunt and strangely easy going. While this isn't by any means a “hot piece,” it is very moving emotionally and psychologically, and definitely worth a read!

Recommended for: Everyone who likes a great stories and doesn't mind two men together.

A Suitable Lover by plumblossom

A Suitable Lover by plumblossom
Length: 113,600

Overall
In this soap-opera of a romance, Skip has rules, mainly one rule: Don't fall in love. Not because he doesn't want to, but because when he does, he eventually messes something up. So he goes through life with his friend, one night stands, and scrapping by on his salary. But he's doing okay. He thinks.

Marcus is tired of dating psychotic men who make the world a drama centered around them. When he meets Skip--after all the hot, wonderful sex--he thinks Skip is just another one of that type. But coincidence, or fate, keeps bringing them together and the harder Skip pushes Marcus away while giving him desperate, needy looks, the more Marcus digs to find out about him.

This entire novel is the unfolding of how Skip and Marcus meet and the happenings that could bring them together if they are willing to allow it. Of course neither is willing to jump into the situation and while Skip is fighting falling in love, Marcus is curious while hearing nothing good--nothing bad, but nothing good--about Skip.

The characters are my favorite part of this work, because they come to life, they are extremely real, varied, and fallible, and they make the story happen. While I love the leads, Paris is possibly my favorite. He doesn't have a boyfriend, he has lovers and goes into every situation knowing what he's getting and what the other people are getting. He's not a player or a slut, he's just not the settle down type. But as flashy as he pretends to be with his friends, he's this sweet romantic at heart. Love him to death. Aside from him there are plenty of other characters to adore just for being themselves and insanely human.

The writing is good, although there are some editorial mistakes (especially name switches) which the author recognizes and would like to go through and heavily edit the story, but I'm not sure if/when that'll happen. Most of the mistakes are easy to figure out who should be saying/doing what and otherwise it's enjoyable to read.

The plot is very much a drama of misunderstandings and chance meetings and chance missings. Of course this is frustrating (it's meant to be), but it doesn't run on too long, although it does run on fairly long. Also, some of the events/reasons behind what people feel about each other might be pushing it. I think Skip's parents are the biggest case of this, but others may find some other points questionable, although I still don't think it's enough to ruin the story.

Recommended for people who like long, drawn out, "Get together already!" romances. Also there is plenty of self-hatred, humor, jokes I didn't get (over my head humor, not a bad thing), and drama.

For All Waters by Sirivinda

For All Waters by Sirivinda
Length: 106,000

Overall
I don't remember the first time I read For All Waters, but I know I've read it many, many times since.

At first glance it doesn't seem to be my kind of story: A college man, who doesn't have a boyfriend, just a friend with benefits, goes to visit his sister over summer holiday. Sebastian is a pretty boy who knows it and isn't really ready to settle down. He isn't a player or a slut--he's just enjoying life, which makes him more enjoyable (to me). Then he meets Antonio, who is gorgeous, interested, and...married. And is his sister's (and her husband's) friend. The couples, and their children, hang out all summer, and it doesn't take long for Sebastian and Antonio to fall in to bed together.

Adultery crawls under my skin, but Antonio is somewhat on the level: His wife knows he's gay and they have a platonic relationship in order to raise their son in an unbroken home. However, neither of them have had an affair, since they are both married. At least, until now.

You can see where the problems begin for our two leading men as they struggle with themselves and society, their age difference, and their life differences.

The writing, overall very strong, has moments when it is downright moving, in happiness, in sadness, and sometimes just the ache of "that's how life is." The style is often beautiful, offering just the right amount of description to paint the image of the people and the surroundings without bogging down the chapters trying to explain a place most people haven't been.

I love the story. Yes, it breaks my heart at times, but for me it's worth it. Again and again. Sebastian is smart and jaded, while Antonio is warm, kind, and never wants to hurt anyone (and by trying not to, hurts many). The supporting cast all play their roles to perfection, whether they are the sweet shadow of a wife or the jubilant nephew, carrying Sebastian through the summer and beyond.

I don't want to spout too many wonderful things for fear it will make the experience less wonderful, but I enjoy this story enough that I've sat on my butt for many hours reading it online (repeated times) and finally copy and pasted it into a document for my kindle.

Recommended for everyone, but especially people who like age gaps in their romances, challenges to overcome, sex, humor, and beautiful story telling.

The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret

The Fall of the Dragon King by MomsDarkSecret
Length: 68,000

Overall
The world is ending as the gods make the earth quake with their anger, and Mora, a priest and last descendant of the world's previous savior, must work with Prince Hadrin, the last descendant of the Dragon Kings--the cause of the world's destruction--to fulfill the prophecy and bring peace to the world as they know it. But what Mora suggests--a union between the two men--is deemed unacceptable by the King, even as the two men are learning to be friends and care for one another.

This fantasy novel leans heavily in the romance genre, but isn't weak in its fantasy elements as the world comes to life both visually and culturally. The scenes are described just enough to let the reader fill in the spaces in a somewhat typical setting with just enough unique qualities to keep the reader's interest.

The sex scenes are okay, although some of the dialogue in them felt a little cliche, but aren't really the selling point of the story. The plot and the characters are the main interests as the two men try to find balance in their love of one another and their duties to the court and society at large. In addition there is the pettiness of nobles, the support of some family and friends, and finally a fantastical climactic moment that wraps the story up.

Recommended for people who like light fantasy novels that don't get too serious about their world building but still has some fun angles, plus male romance, royalty and priests. Not to mention fun side characters.

Review: Breaking the Mirror by Nilah E. Rose

Breaking the Mirror by Nilah E. Rose
Length: 106,000 words

Jayden has a crappy life with an abusive father, he was sexually abused in the past, and he's poor. The majority of this story is not happy, and could be put into the camp of "everything bad that could happen, happens to him." If that's not your type of story, this probably isn't for you. The first person narrator curses (a lot) and has plenty of issues that get worked through as the story progresses, mostly through the introduction of Jayden's new neighbor Seaton. Seaton is a mystery to Jayden, and although he avoids people, he finds himself both terrified and drawn to his neighbor.

The writing is good, if not a little raw, and the story's strengths lie mostly in the narrator's voice and the intensity of the emotions. The pacing and progression of character development, both for Jayden and Seaton, is excellent as neither seems rushed nor slow as all their secrets are revealed.

Because of both their issues (mainly Jayden's), there is never any sex between them, although they do both like each other and I would mark this as a happy ever after type ending.

While this is a book that I would have loved to see go on for longer, I'm also glad it stopped when it did, one because the author didn't feel any more story was left to tell, and two because the problems are all resolved and continuing would just have been to wait out when sex scenes could happen.

It's a rather dark story, but it made me laugh and ache and made my insides squirm.

There are a few events that might not factually match up to reality, but if you're willing to forgive a few of those (and I'm not sure on most of them), it'll be fine (such as laws, the justice system, etc). There are a fair number of typos, but not enough to dig under the skin, and a reasonable amount considering the length

Recommended for: People who like angsty stories with main characters who suffer needlessly.

A Week Free!

Starting Monday, each day this week I'm going to do something a little different, one because I need a breather and two because I think it's a nice thing I may make a habit of. See, I spend a fair amount on books. Not enough to break the bank, but if I allowed myself, I probably could. I imagine you're probably much the same. Or maybe you're on a tight budget. Or maybe you just like reading. Everything.

So in the week to follow, I'll be post a new review each day of a "free read." No short stories, these will take a chunk of your time and, in my opinion, be worth the effort. Because they're free--and long--they probably won't be from authors you know (unless you haunt the same places I do). My first glimpse into M/M Romance was through these free reading sources (which are difficult to dig through to find good stories), and if I had more time or wanted to put the effort in, I'd probably go back to them. I know there are plenty I won't have listed, but if you have a recommendation (or twelve), I'd be happy to hear it (and read it) and maybe I'll do a review of that one later. Maybe if I'm really motivated I'll make a list (although I hesitate because there are so many lists out there already).

Here's the list:

M - Breaking the Mirror
T - Fall of the Dragon King
W - For All Waters
H - A Suitable Lover
F - Stories by Shukyou

Because these are free, I will be more lenient on editing (which I try not to mention too often, unless it's really bad anyway) and formatting (because sometimes the sites used to host just get grumpy). Also, Friday's post is a collection of longer short stories because I enjoy the author that much.