Publisher: Self Published
Where did you get this book: E-Arc from Publisher
Release Date: Out Now
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 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 book 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.
I’ve rated each story (including the foreword, because it’s awesome!), and I’m giving the collection an A
Foreword by Alex Beecroft A+
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 B+
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 A
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 A+
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 B+
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 B
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 B
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.