Blurb: In the late 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, John Radley is an agent working for MI6. He feels no shame in being an “office” agent rather than out in the field, and he knows his work at home is crucial to the safety of his country.
Anthony Holland is quite different. He is the flashy, handsome field spy, the kind of man on which James Bond was based, and he’s all too aware of his appeal. John hates him on sight. It’s a one-sided hatred, though, and Holland soon makes his attraction to John obvious. When Anthony comes to John after a mission gone bad, displaying his true emotions rather than a calculated facade, John’s feelings change.
They begin a covert affair, made all the more difficult by their positions and by the fact Anthony is so rarely in the country. But one day, two years after their first meeting, Anthony leaves for a mission and doesn’t come back. John always knew their relationship would likely end this way, but he never forgets Anthony.
Now, twenty years later, as the Soviet Union crumbles, John finds evidence that indicates Anthony is still alive. Although retired, John puts everything he has into finding the love of his life…for a second time…
Review: In the 1960’s, John is an agent for MI6 during the cold war. He is an office agent, when he meets field agent Tony. The meeting doesn’t go off as well, as John knows to trust no one. and in those days, you had to be careful with sexual identity.
This was a pretty good book of espionage and love. I do not know a lot of the Cold War, so I was a little lost at times and the story does skip back and forth from his past at work, past at home and present. Having said that, the romance alone here was heart-gripping. It is a very beautiful story of love, both of family and of another man.
I recommend this if you like espionage, spies, men that hold tight to family responsibility and a deep love story.
Blurb:Henry and Jack helped each other through hell in the trenches of World War One. Years later, they meet again. Can they help each other put the war behind them and move on with their lives?
London solicitor, Henry Naismith, went through hell in the trenches of World War 1 with his friend, Jack Harrison, as his only solace. Years later, Henry is back home, the widowed father of a young daughter. Safe in England for the last eight years, he’s never truly left the war behind, and it haunts him day and night.
When Henry meets Jack again by chance, he hopes to rekindle their friendship, and perhaps develop something more. But Jack has wartime nightmares of his own, and they both have a long road to travel before they can begin to recover and get on with their lives–together.
Part of the Silver Publishing Father’s Day 2013 collection.
Review: Henry and Jack shared a brief kiss in the trenches the night before Jack was to go ‘over the top’; it was the last time Henry saw Jack during the war. Eight years later Henry is a solicitor again, he is a widow and he has an adorable daughter but his years at war still haunt him. Henry meets Jack again by chance, Jack is now a balloon seller with an injury of his own and with his own nightmares that still linger, rekindling their friendship is hopeful but they both have a long way to go to recover from the war.
This is an interesting story of two men meeting in the trenches finding fleeting comfort during horrific times and then reconnecting years later. Henry is a solicitor who nearly lost his foot to trench rot during the war, even now, he suffers from flashbacks and nightmares. For one of Henry’s cases he has to speak with an expert on shell shock and it just might help him to understand his friend Jack’s actions and his own difficulties. Jack made a choice he has to live with, but when he meets up with Henry again he has to confess and can only hope that Henry will forgive him.
Although I liked this story I thought that it was in the wrong collection, we do see some of Henry’s daughter and there is some interaction between father and daughter but there isn’t enough story surrounding them for it to really be a ‘family’ story. This is much more suited to an ex-military – suffering the after effects of war collection. I liked the trenches setting and the descriptions of what they were facing, I really liked the flash backs and how it affected Henry’s everyday life. G.S. Wiley certainly captured the truth of 1918 France and 1924 England with its harsh truths of how the troops and returning heroes were treated. The difficulties that Henry and Jack faced are stark and so is their hope of any semblance of a relationship, no matter how they might hope otherwise, but it is still something they will hope for.
I will recommend this if you love World War I, friendship, love, hope, and a happy for now ending.
Author: Heidi Champa, Cari Z., Matthew Vandrew, Chris T. Kat, Avery Vanderlyle, Kim Fielding, R. Cooper, Emily Gould, A.J. Marcus, Skylar Jaye, Minerva Wisting, Lily Velden, Kate Pavelle, Liz Makar, G.S Wiley
Genre: Anthology
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 13, 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate (total book)
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Lions tigers and bears Oh! My! Whether ist a dog or cat or something more exotic, the animals in this collection of m/m stories serve as the catalyst for bringing lovers together. No matter how the encounter begins, by the end of each story, with a little help from their finned, furred, or feathered friends, our heros have discovered some animal magnetism of their own.
This is a great collection of 15 stories where animals of some sort are catalysts for romance. Some are sweet and some are very hot. All were very cute and fun to read. I will break each down with a heat rating for ya!
Review:
A Few Too Many by Heidi Champa
Heat Level: Explicit
Ted takes his dog, Jake, to the annual Highland Games. After winning, Jake gets into the cups sitting around of booze and gets sick. Ted rushes him to the vet to find that the usual veterinarian isn’t in. a new very sexy vet is there instead.
I found this story so cute, I laughed until I about cried. Then it got so hot at the vet’s office.
If you like dogs, men in kilts, hot vet, and hot man-sex you will love this.
Having a Ball by Cari Z.
Heat Level: Explicit
Jimmy comes to snake sit at his older brother, Michael’s, house, after, Michael’s wife died in an accident. Michael had to take his daughter, Kelly, to visit her deceased mom’s family for two weeks at Christmas. Jimmy is left with instructions of how to care for the snake and an emergency contact in case of problems. The emergency contact is a neighbor upstairs. Circumstances bring Jimmy to call on the neighbor. What happened that he had to call the neighbor? What happened after he called the neighbor? All I’m telling ya is read this story… it’s cute.
This one was sweet, also. You can’t help but feel for Jimmy being creeped out about babysitting a snake. Things that happen afterward are pretty hot.
If you like sort a sad stories, snakes, friends to lovers, History lessons, and hot man-sex you will love this one.
Along Came Spiders by Matthew Vandrew
Heat Level: Mild
Hedge is on his way to work when an earthquake hits. A woman says a man may be injured and has a basement full of spiders. Hedge is a nurse and goes to help. Alec a police officer that was just going off duty tries to keep Hedge from going in, but Hedge insists. They get trapped temporarily inside with loose spiders.
This was such a sweet romantic story even if it had spiders on the loose.
If you like police officers, male nurses, a sweet romance and spiders you will love this one!
Cuddling Up by Chris T. Kat
Heat Level: Explicit
Paul was leaving work and it was raining cats and dogs (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun), so he goes back into the big cat house at the zoo where he works. (Real cats like lions and leopards and stuff)When he gets inside he finds Noah, his relief cuddled up with the Snow Leopard and her cubs. He watches, afraid if he startles them the leopard will hurt him. When Noah finally exits the cage, Paul confronts him and an argument ensues. Paul goes into the shower to cool himself off and get out of his wet clothes. Noah follows him in.
I loved this story it was so sweet the scene with Noah and the snow leopard and the story of why he was in the cage. The sex was really hot, too.
I recommend this if you like, Snow Leopards and cubs, sweet stories, and hot man-sex.
New Tides by Avery Vanderlyle
Heat Level: Mild
Steve had to take a job on the east coast and his boyfriend Eric had stayed on the West Coast. He works in aquatics with crabs. After three years and trying the long distance relationship and failing they still kept in touch some and Steve really hadn’t moved on. Eric had. Steve’s favorite possession is a pencil with a crab on it that Eric had bought him when he graduated school. His pencil keeps coming up missing and found in strange places. The new co-worker, Jan, studies octopi and has one named Cleo that he is studying its behavior. How does Cleo Bring Jan and Steve together when octopi aren’t one of Steve’s favorite marine animals?
I love this story it. It’s a sweet story about a man not wanting to let go of his love, but a strange occurrence helps him put Eric in his past and find new love. Even with no sex mentioned this story was so good and exciting.
I recommend this story to anyone that likes a sweet story with no sex, Octopi, crabs, marine biology and sexy men.
Care and Rehabilitation by Kim Fielding
Heat Level: Mild
Ira is a history professor he is in mourning of losing his long- time partner to leukemia. He has his partner’s dog, a St. Bernard and she finds a baby bird. Ira is told of a person the takes birds in to rehabilitate. When he gets there, he finds the person is an ex student of his, that he had a mild crush on when he was in Ira’s class. Ironically, Caleb had had a major crush on Ira, too. Caleb is also in mourning of losing his mother a year ago and had taken over her business of taking in the injured birds that needed rehab. Can a baby bird and a St. Bernard be the path to both Ira and Caleb’s healing?
I absolutely loved this story. It has no actual sex, but the story is so sweet, yet sad with a happy ending.
If you love Birds, dogs sad but sweet stories of love lost and having to move on this one is super great!
Butterbean and the Pretty Princess Make A Home by R. Cooper
Heat Level: Moderate
Riley and Eli are roommates. Eli is the best roommate Riley ever had. But, Eli and Riley are so different. Eli is quiet, large, and hairy, and from a wealthy family. Eli has tattoos, designs them and runs around with his friends that talk about Eli. Riley has been staying home more finding he enjoys Eli’s company. One night on his way home he finds two kittens in a box in the trash. He brings them in and Eli flips out. He is terrified, and thinks he has allergies. Can two abandoned kittens bring together two friends?
This story was so cute. Eli’s reaction to the kittens is hilarious.
If you like friends to lovers romance, a cute funny story, tattoos, and kittens you will love this one.
Jonno by Emily Gould
Heat level: Mild
Ethan took a job in the wildlife park because his partner Louis had been giving him a hard time about not working. Their relationship seemed to be falling apart. On his first day at work a squirrel named Jonno bit him. He had to go to the onsite medic, Mitchell. He and Mitchell become good friends. Can A mean squirrel bring two friends together?
This was another cute sweet story. I felt so sorry for Ethan. Louis is such a prick. Ethan and his squirrel Jonno’s relationship is absolutely hilarious. The buildup of Mitchell and Ethan’s relationship is so sweet.
If you like squirrels, funny stories, sweet romances, and friends to lover’s romance. Stories with a great relationship with no sex this one is a must read.
On Eagles Wings by A. J. Marcus
Heat Level: Moderate
One day out hunting with his eagle, Gavin, a Falconer, finds Heath, a ranger on a cliff. He had been pushed by a poacher and broke his leg. Gavin rescues him. They both have been friends for a while and both live out in the wild alone. They find themselves even closer.
This is a very sweet story of a rescue that brings friends to lovers.
If you like eagles, hunting, wilderness, sweet hot man-sex and friends to lovers check this one out.
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road by Skylar Jaye
Heat Level: Mild
Gabe has chickens as pets. His neighbors don’t mind since he shares the eggs. Tracy and her son just moved across the street. Tracy came back to the country sick to spend the rest of her time. Aaron is having a hard time adjusting. One of Gabe’s chickens keeps getting out and going to Tracy’s, Aaron keeps returning her. Aaron isn’t into one night stands and Gabe isn’t into commitment. Can a wandering chicken bring these two together?
This is another really cute sweet story of an animal bringing to men together as friends and possibly more.
If you love the country, stories with a bit of angst, chickens and friends to lovers, this one is a must read.
Tears for a Broken Sun by Minerva Wisting
Heat Level: Explicit.
Akira runs a flower shop his parents left him. He has a crush on a customer that comes in every Friday. they have even had dinner a few times as friends, but he thinks Luca is straight. Wan, Akira’s dog is acting strangely this day. An earthquake comes and its bad and his house is wrecked inside. He starts walking the dog seeing people leaving for the shelters afraid of a tsunami. Wan keeps acting strangely so they head to shelter after seeing people on buildings. Luca comes up on a bicycle and gets Akira to run. A tsunami comes and they barely make it to a deserted building. Akira is upset his entire house is destroyed and his shop. Why did Luca come to save him?
A very exciting keeps you on the edge of your seat story.
If you like a story with excitement, sadness, and a sweet friends to lovers. This one is great!
Stripped Bare by Lily Velden
Heat level: Explicit w/some slightly vulgar language
Nick is an artist and at one of his exhibits a handsome stranger comes in. He eyes one of the works then leaves. The next day he shows up at a talk and asks so many questions Nick feels he was stripped bare. After the talk, the customer meets with him and wants him to hold the three orbs until he can meet with his partner. Michael shows up at his shop one day and Nick’s parrot, Ollie, that has a foul mouth talks way too much. Does the fowl mouthed fowl bring them together?
This was a cute fun story. I loved the descriptions of the art and the story behind Ollie. It’s hilarious and hot.
If you like art, parrots and hot man-sex give this a go. It’s hilarious. Fun and fast paced.
Wild Horses by Kate Pavelle
Heat level: Mild
Kai is nearly homeless and having to scrounge for food. Desperate, he picks a man’s pocket. He gets 60 dollars and a new iPhone. Atilla raises horses and runs a teaching school and his entire life is on the phone. He has money and doesn’t care about the 60 bucks. He sends a message and says you can keep the money, but please return the phone. He leaves another message you are much better than this. Kai feels bad and finally decides to return the phone. He goes all the way to Atilla’s horse ranch and gets overheated. One of Atilla’s horses that are wild and the only horse Atilla hasn’t been able to train takes up with Kai. How does a wild horse change a homeless desperate man’s life?
I liked this story. It was interesting how Atilla was so kind and generous to Kai. I had one problem with this story, however. I was reading and rooting for Kai and Atilla and the story just stopped. It really didn’t end or allude to an ending. It just felt like she ran out of time and cut off the story. I would have loved to found out what happened to Kai and Atilla.
If you love horses, stories full of desperation and a Good Samaritan keeps returning her. This one is for you.
Show and Tell by Liz Makar
Heat Level: Explicit
Damian is a kindergarten teacher and self-professed animal killer. Sam is the new owner of the local pet store. Damien is blackmailed by one of his students to get a new classroom pet after his latest tragedy. He goes to the shop to find a snake and meets the new owner, Sam.
I think this was one of my favorites. It’s fast past sweet and so funny. These kids… the things they say. The story is sweet, hot and full of humor.
I recommend this one to everyone. But especially if you like snakes, turtles, dogs and funny kindergarteners, and hot man-sex.
The Conch Republic by G. S. Wiley
Heat Level: Mild
Randy is unemployed and living with his mom in Key West. He gets a job in a tourist shop and meets Jack. Jack collects Conch shells and has a conch museum.
This is a sweet romance. I found it a bit rushed and it just suddenly ended. I’d have loved to see more of the romance between Jack and Randy maybe less of Randy’s sister Brett.
If you like beaches, Conch museums, stories about authors and book readings. Try this one.
Title: The Truth 
