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7th out of 159 books
—
269 voters
Heatstroke (Hot Summer Days)
by
Taylor V. Donovan (Goodreads Author)
At twenty-one years old, Richard Lewis Bancroft was on the fast track to fame and fortune. An award-winning start on the Broadway stage led him to the silver screens of Hollywood, where his star began to rise, and his heart fell hard for professional baseball sensation, Manuel Guzman. But there was no script for living out loud with the man of his dreams in the world of 19...more
free online fiction, 71 pages
Published
July 2011
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Feb 28, 2012
Nikyta
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
free,
hot-summer-days,
a-sweet-cute-read,
angst,
all-time-favs,
artists,
famous,
closet-cases,
deception-betrayal-lies-omissions,
bubbles-safe,
contemporary,
m-m,
in-sickness-and-in-health,
long-distance-relationships,
little-or-no-smexing,
historical-1900s,
unrequited-yearning,
sports,
self-published,
trouble-in-paradise,
comfort-reads-rereads,
separated-for-a-bit,
published-on-amazon
I put off reading this story for so long and I have no idea why because I absolutely loved it.
It's written in a very unique style. Set in present day, it is told from a teenaged Michael's POV but also from a series of letters he uncovers about a grandfather he never knew about. Michael goes on a little hunt to figure out what happened to him so we got to learn about Richard (the grandfather who was a famous actor) and Manny (the man Richard fell in love with who was a famous baseball player) an...more
It's written in a very unique style. Set in present day, it is told from a teenaged Michael's POV but also from a series of letters he uncovers about a grandfather he never knew about. Michael goes on a little hunt to figure out what happened to him so we got to learn about Richard (the grandfather who was a famous actor) and Manny (the man Richard fell in love with who was a famous baseball player) an...more
FREE download. This was a fantastic short story. The author told most of the story through the reading of a journal. Michael finds the journal of his grandfather hidden away in his grandmother's closet and learns that his grandfather was in love with a man all those years ago when same-sex relationships were considered evil and against God. This was a truly poignant story of two men and their deep but forbidden love. I really liked the way we are able to hear Richard's POV from his journal entri...more
2 likes · like · see review
Beautiful, captivating story about love, *sigh* hopeless romantic I am. A Wonderful and gorgeously written romance.
2 likes · like · see review
3.5 stars. Wonderfully original and surprisingly skillfully crafted. I'm surprised this one was free! The writing was fairly juvenile at times, especially in the journal entries. Michael says at one point that the writing is formal... I would more easily have said childish. I've never associated short sentences and lack of using contractions as formal. Honestly some of the journal entries got to the point that I was hearing them in Forrest Gump's voice, which ended up making some of their conten...more
Apparently I really dislike narratives that tell instead of show. Not to mention those in which every character sounds so much alike that I have to keep going back to figure out who's talking.
This book is both and more.
This book is both and more.
Sometimes a book sneaks up on me.
I’ll be reading along, things will be going well, maybe I’m feeling happy with the way the story is progressing; it’s flowing a bit slowly and that works because the pace fits the somber mood of the story that’s being told.
Then suddenly there’s that “lightbulb moment,” the exact moment when the story turns, where something is revealed, where a character says or does something that changes the entire momentum of the narrative. But sometimes that lightbulb moment...more
I’ll be reading along, things will be going well, maybe I’m feeling happy with the way the story is progressing; it’s flowing a bit slowly and that works because the pace fits the somber mood of the story that’s being told.
Then suddenly there’s that “lightbulb moment,” the exact moment when the story turns, where something is revealed, where a character says or does something that changes the entire momentum of the narrative. But sometimes that lightbulb moment...more
This book in spellbinding and amazing.
It is definitely my favourite free Hot Summer short story. I am feeling kind of guilty about not paying for it because I enjoyed it so very much.
This story cleverly merges two stories into one
It is the story of a nearly 18 you old boy called Michael and his search for answers. He knows his Grandmother has a deep dark secret and what he uncovers is amazing.
Through letters, Journals and internet searches he discover his Grandfather. So the author cleverly inte...more
It is definitely my favourite free Hot Summer short story. I am feeling kind of guilty about not paying for it because I enjoyed it so very much.
This story cleverly merges two stories into one
It is the story of a nearly 18 you old boy called Michael and his search for answers. He knows his Grandmother has a deep dark secret and what he uncovers is amazing.
Through letters, Journals and internet searches he discover his Grandfather. So the author cleverly inte...more
7 likes · like · see review
Of all the stories that have been released for M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event, this is probably one of the best. Taylor spins a tale about first love, sacrifice, and triumph, in such respect for the characters. The story is structured into two parts. First, we have Michael, a teenager who is on the way to investigate some family secrets, in order to know more about himself and to the extend, his family tree.
Through the discovery of letters on his grandma's attic, Michael learns abo...more
Through the discovery of letters on his grandma's attic, Michael learns abo...more
Dayum. Just... dayum. This is one of the most fantastic stories I've ever read. I understand that Taylor V. Donovan is a new author whose first novel is soon to be published. Look out world! If it's anything like Heatstroke, it will be utterly amazing.
This story captured me, pulled me in, had me wanting to skip work to read, and then I raced home to finish it. It's that good. I loved revisiting the big Hollywood star's past through journal entries, and loved how he wasn't a cheater, even though...more
This story captured me, pulled me in, had me wanting to skip work to read, and then I raced home to finish it. It's that good. I loved revisiting the big Hollywood star's past through journal entries, and loved how he wasn't a cheater, even though...more
12 likes · like · see review
4.5 stars
A brilliant, beautifully written story. The only fault I found with it was the character of Mary Elizabeth. She was a bit too much of a cliche one-dimensional villain for me to find her believable. However, the rest of the characters were wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading about them immensely.
A brilliant, beautifully written story. The only fault I found with it was the character of Mary Elizabeth. She was a bit too much of a cliche one-dimensional villain for me to find her believable. However, the rest of the characters were wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading about them immensely.
This story is found in the Anthology "Don't Read in the Closet Vol.2".
My friend downloaded the above Anthology and started reading it the day before yesterday. Last night he calls me and says read this story...it was the cutest thing EVER!
A young gay man named Michael decides to find out why his Grandmother is being a bitch about him acting in a school play and why she yells whenever someone says he looks like this actor from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Michael discovers the truth behind his Grandmot...more
My friend downloaded the above Anthology and started reading it the day before yesterday. Last night he calls me and says read this story...it was the cutest thing EVER!
A young gay man named Michael decides to find out why his Grandmother is being a bitch about him acting in a school play and why she yells whenever someone says he looks like this actor from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Michael discovers the truth behind his Grandmot...more
Nov 11, 2012
Bettye Kanady
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Bettye by:
Love is Always Write List
This story was awesome. I know that I am what some call a real "softie". I admit it. Every year I watch White Christmas and every year I end up crying. I'm sorry but whenever I hear, "We'll follow the Old Man, wherever he wants to go..." I just can't help but break down and cry. This book did the same for me. The hint of mystery having to do with Richard Bancroft at the beginning was more than teasing enough to make me read to the end. I loved this book! By the time I had only 5 pages left to re...more
I was extremely skeptical about reading this book. I tend to steer clear of books that focus on a time when homosexuality was not accepted.
After reading the reviews, I figured I could give it a try.
I am so glad I did!
This story sucked me in from the first paragraph. The emotional ride it took me on was fantastic.
Rather than get angry at Richard for the deception like I normally would with these stories, I found i was rooting for him.
This is the first book I ever felt I needed to write a review...more
After reading the reviews, I figured I could give it a try.
I am so glad I did!
This story sucked me in from the first paragraph. The emotional ride it took me on was fantastic.
Rather than get angry at Richard for the deception like I normally would with these stories, I found i was rooting for him.
This is the first book I ever felt I needed to write a review...more
I really enjoyed this novella. Just a sweet, enjoyable story. There were a few inconsistencies, like Manny going to Florida for 10 days in March...wouldn't have happened, as March is Spring Training. He might have maybe gotten by with it for a few days, as the Dodgers did Spring Training in Vero, but what the heck. I thought the last minute introduction of R.B. was a little jolting and could have been better integrated. There was some type-o's, etc, but after all this was a free-bee. Who's to co...more
I would give this book 100 out of 10 it was so amazing, so well written, so emotional and tender.
I read this one as part of Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two, but it deserves to be called out on its own.
Heatstroke was one of the best short stories - any genre- that I have had the pleasure to read. I cannot believe such superb storytelling was offered for free. I would have been happy to pay for this one. It made me smile, it made me cry, and it made me want to hug it when I finished.
Perfect.
Heatstroke was one of the best short stories - any genre- that I have had the pleasure to read. I cannot believe such superb storytelling was offered for free. I would have been happy to pay for this one. It made me smile, it made me cry, and it made me want to hug it when I finished.
Perfect.
I'm not sure how a story can be both so heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time, but you managed it! I've never seen this particular style done in a story before (learning about the main characters via past journal entries). I was so worried about how things were going to turn out, but then you gave us an even more beautiful ending than I could have imagined:) I'd love to read more about Michael's father and a love match for Michael of course! Very well done - another story that gave...more
I have wanted to read this for awhile but put it off because of the angst. I'm not that big on angst-type books even if they do have a HEA. I am sorry I waited.
This is the story of Richard Lewis Bancroft, a famous actor in the 60's, who falls in love with Manny, a famous baseball star. Considering the decade they lived in, they were not able to be together publicly. Most of the story is told through old journals of Richard's that are found by 17 year old Michael in his grandmother's attic. Micha...more
This is the story of Richard Lewis Bancroft, a famous actor in the 60's, who falls in love with Manny, a famous baseball star. Considering the decade they lived in, they were not able to be together publicly. Most of the story is told through old journals of Richard's that are found by 17 year old Michael in his grandmother's attic. Micha...more
Hmm... How do I start this review. So this is one of the best short stories I have read and it's a very beautiful and sweet, short read. Everything was successfully embedded within the story and no questions remained at the end of the read. Except, maybe, I was really willing to know Michael's Dad's reaction within the turn of events, that would have been tear-jerkingly beautiful. Regardless, I was weeping before I actually knew it and rarely do I cry when reading short stories.
I love this.
I love this.
Wow! This is incredible. What an amazing journey. I was completely and totally wrapped up in every single moment and found myself constantly holding my breath and then releasing it with a very deep, satisfied sigh of contentment.
I shed many tears but thankfully mostly happy ones.. This is a breathtakingly beautiful, heartwrenching story with an extremely satisfying and heartwarming new beginning at the end. :)
Thanks SO much.. I will be eagery awaiting the release of Six Degrees of Lust.
I shed many tears but thankfully mostly happy ones.. This is a breathtakingly beautiful, heartwrenching story with an extremely satisfying and heartwarming new beginning at the end. :)
Thanks SO much.. I will be eagery awaiting the release of Six Degrees of Lust.
I am nearly speechless. This was truly one of the most incredibly well-written stories I have ever read. The Journal entries were absolutely amazing. I am sniffling a bit, grinning a bit and generally incredibly happy I stayed up until 2am to read this. Thank You Taylor for an incredible read! And I am SO, SO, freaking happy that Manny and Richard got their HEA they deserved it, as did Michael, who has hope and a vision for what he wants his future to hold: True. Real. Love. *happy sigh*
Oh my gosh. I finished this while on the subway and am quite positive that my giddy bounce and squeal as I read the final line made me look like a crazy person. Yes, I got quite a few funny looks but I could not stop smiling. This short was so beautiful. Such a unique way of story telling. The very first letter from Manny had me ib tears. And there are definitely lots of tears here but like any ending this sweet the tough times are worth it.
3 likes · like · see review
eh i didn't care for the style i hate flash backs and the journal entries were pretty much just flashbacks. then sometimes the annoying 17 year old MC would flashback to what happened the night before or some other pointless little thing which just annoyed me. why not just tell a continuous story why have to hope all around? The journal entries were continuous by date which i quickly lost track of dates since most journal entries where short and so many it felt tedious just reading them let alon...more
This was a beautiful book of a story within a story. There is the modern story of a young guy coming of age and trying to learn about himself through trying to discover the truth to his family's secretive past. The past story is unveiled through journal entries and letters. It is so poignant with good storytelling and wonderful characters. I loved the build up to the end's unveiling. It is novella length, well written and perfectly paced.
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Um yeah, I'm speechless! This story took me on so many loops and turns of the emotional roller coaster. It was amazing and passionate. The fact that there was no "actual" sex scene didn't matter. The passion and love was there. I was so hoping the ending would be great, but I was so blown away by how spectacular it was. So heartfelt that I couldn't help but cry my eyes out. Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!!
Wow. Just, wow. That was an amazing story that had me from the get-go, and it was a wonderfully unique way of telling it. I was as anxious as Michael was while he read the journal entries, and I wanted to skip to the end, to make sure everything turned out like I expected, but I suffered right alongside our narrator as everything was revealed. A magnificent story! Thank you for writing this for us!
This story was really fantastic. I can't believe that it was free. I was hooked from the very beginning and read it straight through in one sitting. It had a great old Hollywood feel. Lots of mystery and angst. I have to say, at the end, When the mystery is solved and finally the whole story made sense...I might have burst into tears lol. I really really loved it and would recommend it to anyone.
This book was a fabulous heart wrenching, beautiful book. Manny and Richard's story was beautifully told in excerpts from a diary. You really got to understand what their relationship was like and how hard it was for them to have one in the 1960's. It will make you smile, and make you cry.....but the ending is the sweetest and best thing there could be. This is a definite keeper.
omg this is the book i read in the anthology!!!
loved this story! so well put together and loved the characters!
sidenote.. just finished By Degrees #1 byt his author and loved that book as well. i went to post my review for that book and saw this book was also by same author. I was kinda shocked but then again, wasn't b/c both stories are fantastic. :D
loved this story! so well put together and loved the characters!
sidenote.. just finished By Degrees #1 byt his author and loved that book as well. i went to post my review for that book and saw this book was also by same author. I was kinda shocked but then again, wasn't b/c both stories are fantastic. :D
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Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of m/m romantic suspense. She is optimistically cynical about the world; lover of history, museums and all things 80s. She is crazy about fashion, passionate about civil rights and equality for all and shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television.
When she is not making a living in the busiest city in the world or telling the stories o...more
More about Taylor V. Donovan...
When she is not making a living in the busiest city in the world or telling the stories o...more
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Feb 27, 2012 03:12pm
Feb 28, 2012 05:46am