Hi guys, we have the Young Love, Old Hearts anthology from Supposed Crimes LLC stopping by now and it brings along a great giveaway, we also have Prime’s review so enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Young Love, Old Hearts
A. M. Leibowitz, Adrian J. Smith, Erin McRae & Racheline Maltese, Geonn Cannon, Helena Maeve, Kassandra Lea, Lela E. Buis, Ralph Greco Jr., & Stacy O’Steen
Everyone hears “He’s too young for you.” “She’s too old for you.” Not between these pages. This anthology crosses the age gap with nine enchanting stories of cross-generational relationships. Some are sweet, some are sexy, some are heartbreaking. One is downright murderous. The protagonists are gay men or women searching for true love or trying out what’s right in front of them.
M/M Romance, F/F Romance, May-December Romance
About the authors
A.M. Leibowitz: A. M. Leibowitz is a spouse, parent, feminist, and book-lover falling somewhere on the Geek-Nerd Spectrum. She keeps warm through the long, cold western New York winters by writing romantic plot twists and happy-for-now endings. Her published fiction includes her first novel, Lower Education, as well as a number of short works, and her stories have been included in several anthologies. In between noveling and editing, she blogs coffee-fueled, quirky commentary on faith, culture, writing, and her family at amleibowitz.com.
Adrian J. Smith: AJ is a Christian, author, editor, spouse and all around crazy person. She’s constantly doing something at any given time and never learned to practice the word “relax.” AJ loves stories with a dramatic flair, stories that aren’t afraid to take risk and characters that are as real as the person sitting next to her. You can find her on twitter (@AdrianAJSmith) or her website (https://adrianjsmith.wordpress.com/).
Erin McRae & Racheline Maltese: Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese are authors of the gay romance series Love in Los Angeles from Torquere Press. Their gay romance novella Midsummer (Love’s Labour 1), is from Dreamspinner Press (May 2015). They also have a story in Best Gay Romance 2015 from Cleis Press and edited by Felice Picano. You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com.
Geonn Cannon: Geonn Cannon has been writing for nearly twenty years. Among the genres he’s written are drama, romance, mystery, western, steampunk, and thriller. The only thing he’s completely against writing are bios. Find him at http://www.geonncannon.com/
Helena Maeve: Helena Maeve has always been globetrotter with a fondness for adventure, but only recently has she started putting to paper the many stories she’s collected in her excursions. She can usually be found in an airport or on a plane, furiously penning away in her trusty little notebook.
Kassandra Lea: Growing up Kassandra Lea wanted to be Batman or a horse, then she discovered writing and the ability to live vicariously through her characters. She lives in southern WI with a gang full of furry-feathered monsters and a ghost that’s infatuated with the bathroom light.
Lela E. Buis: Lela E. Buis lives in Tennessee and is working hard at writing just lately. In past lives she worked at Kennedy Space Center and at a couple of different colleges. She takes care of four cats and a part time dog.
Ralph Greco, Jr.: Ralph Greco, Jr. is a professional writer living in the wilds of New Jersey suburbia.
Stacy O’Steen: Stacy spends her days pedaling wares to the masses but at night she’s free to roam and explore the reaches of her imagination. She loves crafting, nerdy things and generally making a mess. Find her at stacyosteen.com
Giveaway!
Win an e-copy of the anthology!
Young Love Old Heart Rafflecopter giveaway!
Review
Title: Young Love, Old Hearts
Series: Anthology
Author: A.M. Leibowitz, Adrian J. Smith, Erin McRae & Racheline Maltese, Geonn Cannon, Helena Maeve, Kassandra Lea, Lela E. Buis, Ralph Greco Jr., & Stacy O’Steen
Genre: Contemporary, MM, FF
Length: Nine Short Stories (100pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-938108-80-8
Publisher: Supposed Crimes LLC / Acquitted Books (May 1 2015)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts (Overall)
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Everyone hears “He’s too young for you.” “She’s too old for you.” Not between these pages. This anthology crosses the age gap with nine enchanting stories of cross-generational relationships. Some are sweet, some are sexy, some are heartbreaking. One is downright murderous. The protagonists are gay men or women searching for true love or trying out what’s right in front of them.
Product Link: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Young-Love-Hearts-Lela-Buis-ebook/dp/B00UQKY7JO
Vero and Recto by Geonn Cannon, ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts FF Contemporary
Blurb: Discovering their mutual love of reading leads a literature student and her professor to take a step neither of them expected.
Review: The forbidden love between a professor and their student. This short focuses around student, Colleen and literature professor, Diane. While there is no actual sex scene there is some sexual tension there and the not-so-subtle hint that the two sleep together.
A Blizzard’s Blow by Adrian J Smith ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts FF Contemporary
Blurb: Lollie dashes from the house in the middle of a blizzard in search of something she’s not sure she’ll find, but she hopes to never again see the same cold, blank stare Kimberley gave her.
Review: This is a quick read is more about an encounter than love (actually this statement is applicable with many of the stories in this collection). This is the stranger in a wood cabin during a storm type of thing. Well, there’s no secluded cabin but the other elements are there. Lollie finds herself in a hot encounter (though not descriptive during the sex) with Kimberley. A personal observation: I liked this story but by the end of it I couldn’t help but think that Lollie was a selfish twat.
Slice by Ralph Greco Jr. ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts FF Contemporary
Blurb: When Germane relinquishes her more-than-slight kinky relationship with Lila to begin a new one with younger A.J., she finds a flirty, fun and wholly different “Slice” of life opening up for her.
Review: This feels like it needs more words to flesh it out more. I only say this because though Germane’s story of essentially going into battle with herself over her lover Lila and potential new lover, AJ could be filled with a lot more drama and fun. However, that is my own delusion of grandeur for the characters. For a 14 page story, it’s enjoyable, easy to read and to the point.
That December by Lela E Buis ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts FF Contemporary
Blurb: Celia finds that older women and the politics of genetic engineering aren’t what they seem.
Review: Another story about a forbidden love that has nothing to do with the age gap. In fact, I’m just going to point out that the age gap was not an important factor in any of the stories of the Young Love, Old Hearts anthology. This is about an encounter with someone seen to be the enemy. It seemed a bit shady when it came to the genetics (then again it’s only 6 pages) side of things, reminded me of the movie GATTACA. My only issue with this is that the story seems to be a smaller part of something bigger, so at the end I was left thinking, “and then?”
The Arrangement by Helen Maeve ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts MM Contemporary
Blurb: When he is summoned into his Dom’s study after a mutually satisfying scene, Cyril knows he’s in for something worse than the play they normally get up to.
Review: I really liked this short story. It’s only 6 pages and thankfully the plot of the story is uncomplicated and easily confined within the word count. As in there are no loose ends by the time we get to the end. The story of the arrangement and romance (or lack thereof) between Cyril and August is enjoyable with a good dose of sexual tension, sweetness and a hot Dom with a heart of gold.
A New York Minute by Stacy O’Steen ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts MM Contemporary
Blurb: Stuck in his depressing hometown for far too long, Colton jumps at the chance to return to his beloved New York City. But when some odd coincidences click into place, he needs to find the truth hidden in the lies.
Review: Okay, I liked this story, really liked it. My only issue is that it felt like this was one or two chapters of what could be a much larger HEA-type romance. I won’t go into the plot much, the blurb says it all and I don’t want to give away the fantastic twist. Colton is a strong character and has an interesting back story (and sister). He is instantly likable, in fact it was not difficult to fall ever so slightly in love with him as well as his love interest, Seth.
The Artist as an Old Man by A.M. Leibowitz ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts MM Contemporary
Blurb: 1985 is a big year for Kenny Anderson. Sent to interview artist Aaron Rubenstein, making a grand reappearance after a three-year absence, Kenny digs beneath the surface to understand Aaron’s life—and maybe his own.
Review: This is a real sweet story that reminds me of The Notebook (a movie which I cannot stand), but I enjoyed this story. It is basically a flashback scene for Kenny and is all things cute and sweet as he meets the much older Aaron. Don’t be surprised if you find this one a bit of a tear-jerker because it is so damn sweet.
Adjunct Hell by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts MM Contemporary
Blurb: Phil may be in his 50s, but he’s still a student, and the fact that Carl—who’s barely 30—is dating him would bad enough even if Carl wasn’t waiting for good news from the tenure committee.
Review: This is a funny story with a good dose of the uncertainty that comes with a forbidden relation. This is the second story in this anthology to explore the forbidden teacher-student relationship but the thing that sets it apart is that the age roles are reversed. The MC’s are great and I particularly enjoyed the interaction that Carl has with his colleagues.
Say You Do by Kassandra Lea ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts MM Contemporary
Blurb: Keegan Bancroft is hoping to avoid a complete meltdown before his date. But there’s something he really wants to ask Richard.
Review: This is a nice ending to the anthology. It’s only a quickie (pun intended) but it is so easy to relate to Keegan’s uncertainty. Its four pages of cheering, ‘go on Keegan, you can do it! Richard is awesome’. And it’s true, Richard is a wonderful character. If anything I want to know more about these guys.