Wow. What a great collection of stories. I’ve maybe learned more about Vodou than I wanted to or is safe to if I go by B.G.’s story! This is a diverseWow. What a great collection of stories. I’ve maybe learned more about Vodou than I wanted to or is safe to if I go by B.G.’s story! This is a diverse collection that gives both history and great breakdowns of the religion. For me there are definitely some standout stories. The Easton and Fielding stories were opposite ends of the spectrum where one is historical and the other modern but both just fabulous little gems. I found the Thomas story gave the most detail about Vodou and was the most fantastical of them all followed by the Fessenden one. There are also some great romances here. With two established friends to lovers yarns and the other two deal with new lovers.
“The Dance” by Kim Fielding 4.5 Stars “After being surrounded by deaths and near-deaths, introverted chemist Bram Tillman wishes he could undo the past year. Then beautiful Daniel Royer shows up with a warning about more danger ahead—and a promise to use vodou to help Bram discover what’s trying to kill him. But while Bram’s attraction to Daniel grows, vodou spirits change Bram in unexpected ways.”
The Dance was a close second as my favourite in the anthology. Bram and Daniel were such a perfect couple and seeing them discover that was pretty special. I did find it upsetting when I realized who the spirit who had been trying to kill Bram was but it made a lot of sense. Sad though.
“The Bird” by Eli Easton 4.75 Stars Colin Hastings is sent to Jamaica in 1870 to save his father’s sugar cane plantation. If he succeeds, he can marry his fiancée back in London and take his place in proper English society. But Colin finds more than he bargained for on the island. His curiosity about Obeah, the native folk magic, leads him to agree to a dangerous ritual where he is offered his heart’s most secret desire—one he’s kept deeply buried all his life. What happens when a proper English gentleman has his true sensual nature revealed and freed by the Obeah spirits?
I really felt the anguish and unrequited love in the Easton story as the best friends were separated by both distance and circumstance, the flashbacks were both telling and sad as Colin battled his attraction to Richard. I’m not sure why letters in novels affect me so much but they revealed both a real pining and the intense love the men had for each other. This story was definitely my favourite of the collection. I never wished so hard to see a chicken live in my life!
“The Book of St. Cyprian” by Jamie Fessenden 3 Stars “When Alejandro Valera finds a book of black magic in New Orleans, he ships it to his friend Matthew in New Hampshire so he can read it when he gets home. Unfortunately, Matthew’s dog, Spartacus, gets to the package first, and Alejandro returns to find Matthew locked out of his apartment by the suddenly vicious pit bull. The boys call on all the magic they know to free Spartacus from the evil spirit, but they might need to accept that they’re in over their heads.”
The Fessenden story is a YA one. Not my favourite type of story to read but I really liked the resolution to the issue, Abuela to the rescue! The romance worked well as the best friends try to save Matthew’s dog without getting themselves into more trouble.
“Uninvited” by B.G. Thomas 3.5 Stars “When a hot tip leads Kansas City reporter Taylor Dunton to a series of grisly murders, his investigation points to Myles Parry and his vodou shop. Myles wants nothing more than to practice his religion in peace, and he hopes Taylor can help him show the community they have nothing to fear. The problem is all the clues point to Myles as the suspect and only Taylor can help him prove his innocence. However, this case has also caught the attention of the vodou spirits of the Lwa… and they’ve taken an interest in Taylor as well.”
I always enjoy B.G.’s books. I love how he expands on his Kansas City series here as well. You don’t need to have read any of his other books as this is a standalone but I appreciate the little nods to previous characters and locations.
My knowledge of vodou stems only what I’ve gleaned from popular culture so the information that was provided in the anthology definitely had me looking past all that and seeing Vodou from another perspective. Nothing ever felt info dropped though but all very organic to the nature of each of the stories.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**...more
A stellar collection of historical short stories. Stellar.
I've always been reluctant to read historical M/M stories, mostly because I'm a coward. I gA stellar collection of historical short stories. Stellar.
I've always been reluctant to read historical M/M stories, mostly because I'm a coward. I get afraid for the characters in historical settings and I tend to worry about them and their safety which is kind of ridiculous I know, when each and every historical story that I've read I've enjoyed tremendously. If you're like me and hesitant for whatever reason, don't be, I can't recommend this anthology enough. This is, without a lie, the best of the best and a fantastic opportunity to try out a few of these authors if they're new to you and, in addition, you can support an amazing cause. All proceeds from the purchase of the anthology will be donated to AllOut.org in celebration of LGBT History Month, October 2014.
The anthology, as a whole, rates 4.5 Stars from me and I've rated each story (including the foreword, because it's awesome!)
Foreword by Alex Beecroft 5 Stars
Alex really made me think and reevaluate my reasons for hesitating when I come across historical queer fiction. Thanks, Alex!
Office Romance by Tamara Allen 4 Stars
The post-war economy is at a standstill, much like Foster Wetherly?s life until he?s forced to do battle with irritatingly confident?and competent?fellow ex-doughboy Casey Gladwin for a position in their shrinking department at Manhattan Security Mutual.
I've been a big fan of Tamara Allen's ability to immerse the reader into earlier time periods. The setting and dialogue always feels authentic and never jarring. The office battle between Casey and Foster and how the men come to learn about each other is subtle. I loved the ending.
Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers 4.5 Stars
Lysander Winterbourne appears to lead a charmed life. Handsome, amiable, and a renowned sportsman, he is the darling of London society. As far as Adam Freeman is concerned though, Lysander is just another spoiled aristocrat.
A wealthy mill owner, Adam has no time for the frivolous world of the ton, but when his younger brother becomes engaged to Althea Winterbourne, he reluctantly agrees to be introduced to society?with the Winterbourne clan?s golden boy as his guide.
Resigning himself to a few days of boredom, Adam is surprised to learn that there is much more to Lysander than his perfect surface. But will Adam have the courage to introduce Lysander Winterbourne to his own secret self?
I've never read a Chambers book before. I'll be reading many more after this one. I loved this story and the characters. I'm kind of hoping that we'll see more about happens next because this feels like the beginning of a great adventure for Adam and Lysander.
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles 5 Stars
Lord Gabriel Ashleigh is a ruined man. Last night he lost everything at the card tables to his brother?s worst enemy, notorious gambler Francis Webster. Tonight, he?s going back for one more game. Ash thinks he has nothing left to lose. But Francis sets the stakes, and they?re higher than Ash could have imagined?
Two Regency bucks. One game of cards. Everything to play for.
Charles has the ability to create characters and situations that beg for sequels. No exception here. This story was magic for me.
Unfair in Love and War by Kaje Harper 4 Stars
Many men lost brothers overseas in the summer of 1944. Warren Burch was one of them. For months he still clung to his big city life in Philadelphia, but finally he's made the difficult choice to return to his home town. Warren's polio-stricken leg won't let him serve, so the least he can do is be there for his mother, when brother Charlie never again will. Arriving home means a whole new life, constrained by the rhythms and prejudices of a small town. Fortunately, it's made more interesting by the mysterious and attractive young man next door.
Harper is another author with that ability to make you feel like you're in another time. This is a deeply emotional story between the two men and the historical events that surround them.
Carousel by Jordan L Hawk 3 Stars
When a child goes missing, is it a simple case of a young runaway, or are more sinister forces at work?
Carousel is part of the Whyborne & Griffin series and takes place between the events of Stormhaven and Necropolis. It can be read as a standalone.
This was actually a fantastic October/Halloween type story. The carousel was eerie and disturbing. Although this is a standalone, I think knowing the characters would give it another layer of understanding their characters and motivations.
Deliverance by Aleksandr Voinov 3 Stars
This is a re-vamped, re-edited, improved version of "Deliverance". It's about William Raven, a templar, who thought he'd escaped his past. (Same character as in The Lion of Kent.)
Knights Templar and the Crusades. There's a lot of call back to a previous story but everything was explained very well so I'd consider it a standalone. William is such a tortured character, I love that Guy pursued him and called him on his actions. ...more
A paranormal historical with engaging and original characters and great arcane storyline. Griffin is an ex-Pinkerton agent with his own detective a4.5
A paranormal historical with engaging and original characters and great arcane storyline. Griffin is an ex-Pinkerton agent with his own detective agency he's looking into the murder of a client's son and along the way meets with Dr. Percival Whyborne, a languages expert. Whyborne decodes a book for Griffin and the men work together to solve the mystery of the murder and in the process they uncover a plot that may result in the end of the world as they know it.
Fantastic slow build here that kept me riveted to my reader. This book is all from Whyborne's POV and I loved being in his thoughts. His attraction to Griffin and his uncertainty of whether or not it's reciprocated was just delightful for me. Detailed and rich secondary characters, slow build romance between MC's with great sexual chemistry and a thought provoking storyline that had me guessing right up to the end. Off to read the other books in the series....more
I wondered how these two authors would mesh their styles because there seemed to be subtle differences that would make a collaboration jarring. Th3.75
I wondered how these two authors would mesh their styles because there seemed to be subtle differences that would make a collaboration jarring. This was a smooth read though and there was a clever give and take here with alternating chapters from Whyborne and Caldwell with a rather fun meet cute for the couples. The mystery was easily solved but it was really just a convenient way for the men to interact.
We're 4 months past Stormhaven and 5 years past Butterflies. A lot of changes have happened for Feximal and Caldwell, I liked the jump and I liked the relationship development that was resolved. The story is only 53 pages so I was impressed with how much information was given.
I went into this after having just read the Hawk series Whyborne and Griffin. Which I'm glad that I did. I think this could be a standalone in that if you were a fan of either author you could easily step in and enjoy the read. I was already a huge fan of the Feximal/Caldwell pairing but I felt more comfortable getting to know Whyborne/Griffin prior to reading this because it did give me a better sense of the their reactions and the foreshadowing is meaningful.
Griffin is right to be worried about Whyborne's continued and indiscriminate use of the Arcanorum. Whyborne, Winter is Coming...don't be Eddard Stark and not see the enemy for what it is to you until it's too late. Open your eyes.
Looking forward to the next adventures for both couples. This was a treat. ...more
Clever and sexy historical read. I didn't want it end but I couldn't put it down...therein lies the dilemma I face with many books by this author. Clever and sexy historical read. I didn't want it end but I couldn't put it down...therein lies the dilemma I face with many books by this author. ...more
That sums this up this wonderful holiday historical short. Valentine is a chocolatier who runs his family sweet shop. Jasper is an in"There's lovely."
That sums this up this wonderful holiday historical short. Valentine is a chocolatier who runs his family sweet shop. Jasper is an injured ex-solider looking to solve a mystery that involves a tin from the shop.
I really don't know what my aversion to historical stories is when each time I pick up one and end up loving it. The subtle flirtation that Valentine and Jasper engaged in throughout this tale was quite lovely. The background information about the war was something that I enjoyed learning more about and this had a sort of quaint nostalgia both to the situation and characters. It really worked for me. ...more
Some great character development for a short story and Crane's tattoos are fantastic. The conversation between Merrick and Crane had me laugLoved it.
Some great character development for a short story and Crane's tattoos are fantastic. The conversation between Merrick and Crane had me laughing. This was snarky, sexy fun. ...more
At the risk of repeating myself I adore Simon and Robert! The mystery of Mr. Feximal and the practicality of Mr. Caldwell balance out delightfully. ThAt the risk of repeating myself I adore Simon and Robert! The mystery of Mr. Feximal and the practicality of Mr. Caldwell balance out delightfully. Throw in some rather raunchy sex and give this to me for free? I couldn't ask for anything more...except I'm greedy and I want more please....more
Garvin's lover Nyle has been kidnapped by the army. In order to find him Gar prays to the Goddess Rima for a boon so that she'll help him to locate3.5
Garvin's lover Nyle has been kidnapped by the army. In order to find him Gar prays to the Goddess Rima for a boon so that she'll help him to locate his man. This story has a lovely flashback about how Gar and Nyle met and establishes the strength of the love the men have for each other. I could easily see why Garvin was ready to sacrifice so much to rescue Nyle. This was a difficult book to read once Garvin set his plan in motion. I love the world-building here and this type of fantasy where the gods are active participants is something that I really enjoy reading. ...more
So good. I loved this magical AU world that Charles created and the characters? Icing on the cake. I'm giddy to learn that this is the firsOh My God.
So good. I loved this magical AU world that Charles created and the characters? Icing on the cake. I'm giddy to learn that this is the first of a series. Giddy.
There are so many fantastic reviews for this that I'll keep this short. I'm not a fan of historical M/M but this book made me a fan.
If you haven't already, go read this book. ...more
This book is about the never ending battle between good and evil. Soulmates on opposite ends of the spectrum and the balance was a tenuous thing. I reThis book is about the never ending battle between good and evil. Soulmates on opposite ends of the spectrum and the balance was a tenuous thing. I really liked about this was the conviction that both men had for their true natures and their love and hate for each other. An eternal battle and a bittersweet one. ...more