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Never Say Never: Stripped / Valentine 2525 / A Secret Valentine / A Valentine for Evrain
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Stripped by Shae Connor - When Blake O'Leary and Jon Harrison meet in a Manhattan club on Valentine's Day, it's far from a typical pickup: Blake's an exotic dancer, and Jon's one of his customers. A private chat in place of a private dance piques interest on both sides, and bending any of a number of professional and personal rules, they spend a hot night together. Afterward, they're both left wondering if it's just a holiday fling, or if there might be more between them. Could this become their best Valentine's Day ever?
Valentine 2525 by RJ Scott - In the year 2525, Samekh Taw designation #65572 aka *Sam* is a Companion. A cloned human - a lab creation. Made specifically to order to serve any and all of the needs of Max Absolom III. A deliberate act of sabotage adds emotions to Sam that he should never have. Max is the one man who never wanted a Companion in the first place, only agreeing to the whole uncomfortable situation because his social standing demanded it. When it becomes clear that Sam is flawed and he seeks to end his existence before he is erased, it is up to Max to convince Sam to hold his secrets close and that love isn't just for one day.
A Secret Valentine by BG Thomas - Knowing that only by being open about who he is will he find happiness, Steve Manchester gets divorced and comes out as a gay man. But happiness isn't fast coming. All Steve finds are cheaters and liars and men who want anonymous sex. Then he meets Bill Cameron, a man who is everything that he wants. But Bill only wants to be friends. Steve tries everything he can think of to make "just friends" work, but every time he sees Bill, his heart aches with longing. Just when Steve realizes he can’t take it anymore and decides to move to San Francisco to get away from his hopeless situation, Bill invites him to a Valentine's Day Ball.
A Valentine for Evrain by Xavier Axelson - Evrain runs a chocolate store in a small town and is not above using the storefront for hot encounters with local guys. But love is definitely not in the cards, at least until he meets Ambrosio. The Sexy Latino soon teaches Evrain a lesson in love that neither man will soon forget.
Stripped by Shae Connor - When Blake O'Leary and Jon Harrison meet in a Manhattan club on Valentine's Day, it's far from a typical pickup: Blake's an exotic dancer, and Jon's one of his customers. A private chat in place of a private dance piques interest on both sides, and bending any of a number of professional and personal rules, they spend a hot night together. Afterward, they're both left wondering if it's just a holiday fling, or if there might be more between them. Could this become their best Valentine's Day ever?
Valentine 2525 by RJ Scott - In the year 2525, Samekh Taw designation #65572 aka *Sam* is a Companion. A cloned human - a lab creation. Made specifically to order to serve any and all of the needs of Max Absolom III. A deliberate act of sabotage adds emotions to Sam that he should never have. Max is the one man who never wanted a Companion in the first place, only agreeing to the whole uncomfortable situation because his social standing demanded it. When it becomes clear that Sam is flawed and he seeks to end his existence before he is erased, it is up to Max to convince Sam to hold his secrets close and that love isn't just for one day.
A Secret Valentine by BG Thomas - Knowing that only by being open about who he is will he find happiness, Steve Manchester gets divorced and comes out as a gay man. But happiness isn't fast coming. All Steve finds are cheaters and liars and men who want anonymous sex. Then he meets Bill Cameron, a man who is everything that he wants. But Bill only wants to be friends. Steve tries everything he can think of to make "just friends" work, but every time he sees Bill, his heart aches with longing. Just when Steve realizes he can’t take it anymore and decides to move to San Francisco to get away from his hopeless situation, Bill invites him to a Valentine's Day Ball.
A Valentine for Evrain by Xavier Axelson - Evrain runs a chocolate store in a small town and is not above using the storefront for hot encounters with local guys. But love is definitely not in the cards, at least until he meets Ambrosio. The Sexy Latino soon teaches Evrain a lesson in love that neither man will soon forget.
186 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2011
101 people want to read
About the author
Shae Connor
44 books77 followersShae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government worker by day and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a while to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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February 19, 2011Valentine 2525...4 stars
I really liked the story and my only complaint was it was too short. Max and Sam were so cute/funny together I laughed a lot reading this and it was a very happy read.
A Secrete Valentine...3 stars
I liked the characters. I didn't like the flashbacks in the story, they just didn't work for me every time i started to get into the story there was a flashback that pulled me out of it. It was cute and romantic until it got to the sex scene. The sex scene just aggravated me. Not sure how they did it but somehow the one guy got his fist into the other with out even using lube, the most he got was a little tongue rimming and then, here's my fist. then when they get to the actual sex they don't use a condom or even talk about if they are clean or not.
A Valentine for Evrain...0 stars Did NOT finish
I Hated the MC from the beginning but kept reading thinking it was a Valentines story it would get better (it still might i wont know because i can't finish) i stopped reading. this is just not a story for me...
Stripped...4 stars
I loved the two M/C's they were so great together. The story was extremely cute and and very sweet.
I really liked the story and my only complaint was it was too short. Max and Sam were so cute/funny together I laughed a lot reading this and it was a very happy read.
A Secrete Valentine...3 stars
I liked the characters. I didn't like the flashbacks in the story, they just didn't work for me every time i started to get into the story there was a flashback that pulled me out of it. It was cute and romantic until it got to the sex scene. The sex scene just aggravated me. Not sure how they did it but somehow the one guy got his fist into the other with out even using lube, the most he got was a little tongue rimming and then, here's my fist. then when they get to the actual sex they don't use a condom or even talk about if they are clean or not.
A Valentine for Evrain...0 stars Did NOT finish
I Hated the MC from the beginning but kept reading thinking it was a Valentines story it would get better (it still might i wont know because i can't finish) i stopped reading. this is just not a story for me...
Stripped...4 stars
I loved the two M/C's they were so great together. The story was extremely cute and and very sweet.
June 2, 2011
I would've given it 5 stars if it were not for the story "A Valentine for Evrain by Xavier Axelson." That story was awful. I really disliked it. All the other stories however were awesome. That's the only thing I dislike about an anthology, sometimes you get a really terrible story among the great ones.
January 20, 2015
::sigh::
Where do I begin?
For those into audiobooks, get the kindle version instead. The narrator, unfortunately, does not do these stories justice, especially "A Secret Valentine". Bill sounds effeminate with a higher voice and faint lisp, which is at odds with his description as Herculean. Most of the time the narrator comes off like a bored version of Mr. Slave.
Since "A Secret Valentine" kicked off the anthology, might as well begin with that disappointment. The story is okay. It's sweet but nothing surprising. The characters physical descriptions were clunky; however, there are a few good moments.
The sex? That was unintentional comedy with a good dose of squick thrown in. Bill has balls the size of lemons. Lemons?
Not exactly sexy, and it makes me wonder if he needs to see a doctor about that. Later, when their balls are described slapping together, this image popped into my head.
Now I'm just giggling at the sound of their ball clacks.
But the pain? Oh, no no no. After twenty descriptions of how monstrous that sausage was, I wanted to run. 'Worst pain of his life', but that's okay? No! Love is not a lube. Love is also not a condom! The sex scene even took place after an AIDS charity event. Really? Not one mention of safety, especially after the wonder brothers? Some people like pain with pleasure, but it was a complete turn off for me. The only thing I got out of this story was a few laughs.
Which brings me to the worst story in the bunch. "Valentine for Evrain". Evrain is an ass from the onset. He's violent, domineering, and disturbing in his psychopathy. He's a chocolatier with a misanthropic streak. Bitter chocolate I guess? The thing is, you need a lot of writing talent in order to make an unlikable character interesting. This story doesn't even come close. I don't give a damn about Evrain. If he was hit by a car, my only concern would be the potential damage done to the car. That's how unlikeable he is.
Nope. No rooting for this character. I don't want him to have a happy ending or a romance. After he slaps his first sexual partner into submission then treats the second like a pig, I was done. If I had to find something positive, there were good food descriptions, and the story was short. If only it was shorter.
"Stripped" and "Valentine 2525" were redeeming enough to add a star for the overall rating. "Stripped" was cute but implausible. No fatal flaws though.
"Valentine 2525" was an odd read but had redeeming qualities. It's a scifi romance, so sometimes there is weirdness for the sake of weirdness. To often scifi stories must rely on exposition, which can bog down a story. I did like Sam and Max though. Out of all of these stories, this is the one I wish was longer. I didn't see any of Sam's anger issues or other instabilities until the very end (I kept wondering if I fell asleep), but the theme of the story was actually quite touching. Max loves Sam for his imperfections in a time where all genetic creations are perfect.
After suffering through some horrible dates, there's a rose at the end of the anthology.
Where do I begin?
For those into audiobooks, get the kindle version instead. The narrator, unfortunately, does not do these stories justice, especially "A Secret Valentine". Bill sounds effeminate with a higher voice and faint lisp, which is at odds with his description as Herculean. Most of the time the narrator comes off like a bored version of Mr. Slave.
Since "A Secret Valentine" kicked off the anthology, might as well begin with that disappointment. The story is okay. It's sweet but nothing surprising. The characters physical descriptions were clunky; however, there are a few good moments.
The sex? That was unintentional comedy with a good dose of squick thrown in. Bill has balls the size of lemons. Lemons?
Not exactly sexy, and it makes me wonder if he needs to see a doctor about that. Later, when their balls are described slapping together, this image popped into my head.
Now I'm just giggling at the sound of their ball clacks.
But the pain? Oh, no no no. After twenty descriptions of how monstrous that sausage was, I wanted to run. 'Worst pain of his life', but that's okay? No! Love is not a lube. Love is also not a condom! The sex scene even took place after an AIDS charity event. Really? Not one mention of safety, especially after the wonder brothers? Some people like pain with pleasure, but it was a complete turn off for me. The only thing I got out of this story was a few laughs.
Which brings me to the worst story in the bunch. "Valentine for Evrain". Evrain is an ass from the onset. He's violent, domineering, and disturbing in his psychopathy. He's a chocolatier with a misanthropic streak. Bitter chocolate I guess? The thing is, you need a lot of writing talent in order to make an unlikable character interesting. This story doesn't even come close. I don't give a damn about Evrain. If he was hit by a car, my only concern would be the potential damage done to the car. That's how unlikeable he is.
Nope. No rooting for this character. I don't want him to have a happy ending or a romance. After he slaps his first sexual partner into submission then treats the second like a pig, I was done. If I had to find something positive, there were good food descriptions, and the story was short. If only it was shorter.
"Stripped" and "Valentine 2525" were redeeming enough to add a star for the overall rating. "Stripped" was cute but implausible. No fatal flaws though.
"Valentine 2525" was an odd read but had redeeming qualities. It's a scifi romance, so sometimes there is weirdness for the sake of weirdness. To often scifi stories must rely on exposition, which can bog down a story. I did like Sam and Max though. Out of all of these stories, this is the one I wish was longer. I didn't see any of Sam's anger issues or other instabilities until the very end (I kept wondering if I fell asleep), but the theme of the story was actually quite touching. Max loves Sam for his imperfections in a time where all genetic creations are perfect.
After suffering through some horrible dates, there's a rose at the end of the anthology.
April 24, 2011
Never Say Never is a compilation of four short stories by authors RJ Scott, B.G. Thomas, Xavier Axelson and Shae Connor.
The first story, 'A Secret Valentine' by B.G. Thomas, is a sweet romance about having 'a failure to communicate'. When Steve and Bill meet, both believe the other just wishes to be friends. Two years, and a couple of relationship mishaps, later, Steve has just returned from six months away and agrees to a night out with Bill for Valentine's. Totally loveable main characters, with a sweet ending.
'A Valentine for Evrain by Xavier Axelson' is about Evrain, a man who controls the emotions of others through his exotic chocolates. As I read about (and drooled over) chocolate covered ripe, juicy strawberries, I couldn't help but feel there was just a hint of magic written between the lines. Not a fan of Valentine's, Evrain takes up an opportunity for a shipment of strawberries (something not readily available in February). Only accepting part of the shipment was his first mistake, his second was thinking the original delivery man's grandson would let Evrain walk away. A very hot little number, these two eventually come together with all the heat of the original big bang. Readers beware: reading this novella will make you crave chocolate and naughty fruit!
'Stripped', by Shae Connor, is about a chance meeting between Jon and Blake within the confines of a strip club. I really liked how Shae placed these two men together in the right space and time without regard for age, position, race, religion or any of the other boxes we may set ourselves up with. Love can be found anywhere, at anytime, and when layers are stripped back and people laid bare, we are all looking for the same thing; someone to connect with. Jon and Blake click instantly, and Jon lays it all out on the line taking a chance on a future that just might pay off.
The final story in this group is 'Valentine 2525' by RJ Scott. This futuristic romance was really compelling for me because although set in the future, it didn't hold quite the sci-fi edge that most do. Don't get me wrong, it is still sci-fi, but with a romantic twist, because it is a love story. Sam is supposed to be a 'companion', a genetically engineered partner. He's not supposed to feel anything other than what was ordered, but feel he does. It will be up to Max to show Sam the ropes and display how not all feelings are bad ones.
This collection of stories has a little bit of everything for everyone, from futuristic companions and emotion controlling chocolates to red thonged cupids. A fun read showing just a few of the ways we can love, the novellas are written in a contemporary style. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online.
The first story, 'A Secret Valentine' by B.G. Thomas, is a sweet romance about having 'a failure to communicate'. When Steve and Bill meet, both believe the other just wishes to be friends. Two years, and a couple of relationship mishaps, later, Steve has just returned from six months away and agrees to a night out with Bill for Valentine's. Totally loveable main characters, with a sweet ending.
'A Valentine for Evrain by Xavier Axelson' is about Evrain, a man who controls the emotions of others through his exotic chocolates. As I read about (and drooled over) chocolate covered ripe, juicy strawberries, I couldn't help but feel there was just a hint of magic written between the lines. Not a fan of Valentine's, Evrain takes up an opportunity for a shipment of strawberries (something not readily available in February). Only accepting part of the shipment was his first mistake, his second was thinking the original delivery man's grandson would let Evrain walk away. A very hot little number, these two eventually come together with all the heat of the original big bang. Readers beware: reading this novella will make you crave chocolate and naughty fruit!
'Stripped', by Shae Connor, is about a chance meeting between Jon and Blake within the confines of a strip club. I really liked how Shae placed these two men together in the right space and time without regard for age, position, race, religion or any of the other boxes we may set ourselves up with. Love can be found anywhere, at anytime, and when layers are stripped back and people laid bare, we are all looking for the same thing; someone to connect with. Jon and Blake click instantly, and Jon lays it all out on the line taking a chance on a future that just might pay off.
The final story in this group is 'Valentine 2525' by RJ Scott. This futuristic romance was really compelling for me because although set in the future, it didn't hold quite the sci-fi edge that most do. Don't get me wrong, it is still sci-fi, but with a romantic twist, because it is a love story. Sam is supposed to be a 'companion', a genetically engineered partner. He's not supposed to feel anything other than what was ordered, but feel he does. It will be up to Max to show Sam the ropes and display how not all feelings are bad ones.
This collection of stories has a little bit of everything for everyone, from futuristic companions and emotion controlling chocolates to red thonged cupids. A fun read showing just a few of the ways we can love, the novellas are written in a contemporary style. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online.
March 4, 2011
This was a mixed read for me...I loved the first and last story, A Secret Valentine by BG Thomas and Valentine 2525 by RJ Scott, and the 3rd one was pretty good too...Stripped, by Shae Connor, but I couldn't get through the 2nd story, which is what affected my score. Anthologies are usually like that for me...some stand outs, some not so much, and this was overall an enjoyable read.
April 1, 2012
3,5 stars.
It's always hard to rate an anthology, some stories are always better than others.
The first one was good but one of them didn't do anything for me and would have gotten a one star rating. Still the last one did help to up the rating.
It's always hard to rate an anthology, some stories are always better than others.
The first one was good but one of them didn't do anything for me and would have gotten a one star rating. Still the last one did help to up the rating.
December 26, 2011
I don't review my own books, so this rating is for the other 3 stories in the collection, all of which I very much enjoyed. :)
February 27, 2012
really enjoyed all of these stories!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews