Title: A Stick and a stone (Rings of Glory)
Author: Laurie Terson
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (64 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Eli
Blurb: Grabbing Olympic gold and finding love, for Tony and Jamie it’s happening on the ice.
Olympic gold has always been Tony Marino’s dream, only two things stand in the way. His missing wrist shot and the testosterone filled world of hockey. He’s got to find one and ignore the other for his dream to come true. Jamie Cunningham has his own dream of glory and gold with Team USA Curling. Who knew a look into the stands would scores him more than just a gold medal. Over the ruts on the ice and in life, Tony and Jamie find that there’s an even better prize than an Olympic gold medal.
Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=LTSTKSTN
Review: This is a very sweet little story about the Winter Olympics. In light of the real life drama that occurred in Sochi and the huge issues with gay athletes, reading stories like this are heart warming and help the reader believe that eventually the world will be okay with whomever someone loves.
Tony struggles with his wrist shot and Jamie participates in one of the most unusual sports out there. The two men meet and bond as all men should over food and sports. While it is a short story, the author does a good job of spanning time and allowing the reader to get a good sense of the development of the relationship between Tony and Jamie. The addition of Jamie’s family also rounds out the story nicely allowing the men to appear three-dimensional and not just existing in the story either as solely lovers who are bound to be together or tools for a story about the Olympics.
The reader will enjoy reading about how these men prepare for their rigorous sports and understand the sacrifices and commitment that is essential to perform at the Olympic level. Additionally learning about the sport of curling was just an additional bonus in this short feature.