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Summer Lovin'
Summer is here, and the loving is easy!
Slake your thirst for romance with Summer Lovin'—an anthology for lazy days and summer sunshine.
Go skinny-dipping in a disused quarry. Hang out with the boys in the band. Meet a bad boy made good, and one with a shy smile that hides a dark secret. Or maybe get your heart pillaged by a Viking re-enactor.
With gentle humour, hot sauce and a hefty scoop of romance, enjoy a quintet of sultry stories of men loving men from Clare London, Chrissy Munder, JL Merrow, Josephine Myles, and Lou Harper.
The mercury's not the only thing that's rising!
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles
Slake your thirst for romance with Summer Lovin'—an anthology for lazy days and summer sunshine.
Go skinny-dipping in a disused quarry. Hang out with the boys in the band. Meet a bad boy made good, and one with a shy smile that hides a dark secret. Or maybe get your heart pillaged by a Viking re-enactor.
With gentle humour, hot sauce and a hefty scoop of romance, enjoy a quintet of sultry stories of men loving men from Clare London, Chrissy Munder, JL Merrow, Josephine Myles, and Lou Harper.
The mercury's not the only thing that's rising!
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles
ebook
First published August 12, 2013
4 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Chrissy Munder
48 books47 followersChrissy Munder writes light and sometimes erotic contemporary LGBTQ+ romance filled with everyday people and extraordinary passion to transport readers into their personal world of love, laughter, and desire
She is an avid reader, a wanderer of Michigan’s wilderness, and, while not in any particular order, a lover of lists, legally blind, and a certified crazy cat lady. There are those who might tell you she started writing as a way to justify her office supply addiction, but shhhhh! don’t listen to them.
After too many jobs in too many states she’s eagerly awaiting her chance to become a full-time Lake Michigan beachcomber. Until then, she’s excited to share her love of romance, laughter, and happy-ever-afters.
She is an avid reader, a wanderer of Michigan’s wilderness, and, while not in any particular order, a lover of lists, legally blind, and a certified crazy cat lady. There are those who might tell you she started writing as a way to justify her office supply addiction, but shhhhh! don’t listen to them.
After too many jobs in too many states she’s eagerly awaiting her chance to become a full-time Lake Michigan beachcomber. Until then, she’s excited to share her love of romance, laughter, and happy-ever-afters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 16, 2018
If you are not familiar with these authors, then this anthology is a fabulous way to have a little nosy at what they have to offer, it's an excellent read and one certainly not to be missed!
I am a sucker for love stories and one that develops from a summer romance… well, that just about melts my heart. I am not however usually a fan of anthologies, my own experience of them thus far has been a couple of great stories with others seemingly thrown is as padding! NOT SO with Summer Lovin, firstly, we have four of my FAVOURITE authors and one I will certainly be getting to know better! I loved ALL of the stories in this book, a great mix of humour, fun, angst, heartache, plenty of hot smexy lovin’ and all with a HEA… I couldn’t be happier! I laughed out loud… a lot! and cried a few tears and enjoyed every minute.
Summer Hire, by Chrissy Munder ~ 4 Stars
Jim is a porn loving, accident prone unemployed web designer who is persuaded by his friend, to take a summer job, only now he can’t seem to escape his favourite porn movie playing on a loop in his head, starring the walking wet dream that is Aaron Torres, tattooed bad boy turned good and also happens to be his boss!
For the most part, this short is a prelude to the romance, Chrissy Munder gives us an insight into the minds of these two characters first and what makes them tick, and as we get both characters POV’s we see Aarons conflicted emotions and honourable intentions along with Jim’s hurt at Aaron’s seeming rejection of his more than obvious flirtation… all before they finally get their act together, which comes at the end of a summer full of mutual sizzling sexual chemistry and a whole heap of emotional and sexual frustration!
I have to say the writing of that particular scene was just palpable and the anticipation and intensity of the moment was totally worth the build up! This may be my first foray into the world of Chrissy Munder, but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more!
Lost & Found on Lindisfarne, by JL Merrow ~ 4 Stars
A wink from an axe wielding Viking Berserker turns into a moment of passion beneath the stars! Two very unlikely characters, yet perfect together.
JL Merrow through her fabulous writing brings us characters full of life and personality and Chris is a typical example. I really, really liked him… he is funny and honest with no side to him at all, as a single parent he is committed to his daughter at the expense of a social life. Chris is also lonely and lacks self confidence, seeing himself as a boring geek, yet Ian see’s so much more and despite Chris’s usual sensible and safe attitude, he takes a chance on love and follows his heart.
JL Merrow must have the most amazing sense of humour, as it comes across in her writing as effortless, I was laughing out loud with this tale… Chris was hilarious, especially with the seal incident that I had to read three times it tickled me so much. I loved the whole Viking re-enactment and the sense of family he found within the group, Kelis the daughter was adorable and the sex under the stars was hot!
Salt ‘n’ Vinegar, by Clare London ~ 4.5 Stars
Joe is a university student living in Brighton and loving his life along with the casual hook ups that come with the club scene and summer season in a seaside town… that is until he meets the haunted eyes of Steven over the counter of the chip shop he works in.
This story is an emotional one and both boys just about broke my heart… we see this story unfold from Joe’s POV with his vulnerability laid bare, opening his heart rather than his zipper for the first time with Steven… a boy who see’s himself as nothing more than damaged goods, broken by a past he is unable to escape, finding his only happiness in the arms of Joe.
Clare London cleverly blends a mix of humour and deep seated sadness into this excellent tale… she is a master at this, lulling me into a false sense of security, stabbing me in the heart, letting me bleed a little before performing cardiac surgery to repair the damage… taking us outside the box of normality, where perhaps our own rules and perception of life don’t apply… I loved this and there is a HEA!!!
Werewolves of Venice Beach, by Lou Harper ~ 4 Stars
First impressions count and a naked Slade glimpsed over Bryan' morning cereal in the neighbours garden is what did it for him. Lou Harper brings us a bad boy rocker with tattoos and a studious nerd, a loner who although not good with people, is great with dogs!
This is a love story, which is more a voyage of discovery for Bryan with healthy dose of angst and humour, there are some great characters, especially the larger than life Lucrezia. Slade lives up to the stereo typical bad boy rocker image and even though we don’t get to see what is going on in his head it’s obvious there is more to him than meets the eye, and for all his confidence, he is really an insecure and vulnerable man who has no idea how to deal with what he is feeling… I loved Bryan as a character, all his life he had been a shy boy, comfortable with his nose in a book, petrified of crowds and with no social life whatsoever. In this short, we see him come out of his shell, gain in confidence and start to enjoy being young and having fun… these two may seem an unlikely couple but they compliment each other and bring out a side to their nature that was all new to both of them… yes, there is a little misunderstanding along the way, which of course adds to the excitement and the make up sex is always Hot!
By Quarry Lake, by Josephine Myles ~ 5 Stars
This is just a beautiful story of love between a gentle giant, Rob, who made my heart melt and his a pierced and confident best friend Tommy, who had spurned a chaste kiss from Rob three years earlier when he left for college and the bright lights of London. At the time Tommy had been a confused 18 year old, now he knows better, he just needs to convince the love of his life. For Rob, Tommy was and is his first and only love.
The writing as always with Jo is just fabulous, I didn’t want this book to end, the scenes were beautifully described and the emotional connection between these two was unmistakable. Tommy’s full confession on his return home from London, and his honesty with the gentle and loving man who had been his best friend was refreshing, and I don’t think my heart could have taken the hurt on Robs part if he had dragged it out.. as it was I ended up crying anyway, but they were happy tears!
I am a sucker for love stories and one that develops from a summer romance… well, that just about melts my heart. I am not however usually a fan of anthologies, my own experience of them thus far has been a couple of great stories with others seemingly thrown is as padding! NOT SO with Summer Lovin, firstly, we have four of my FAVOURITE authors and one I will certainly be getting to know better! I loved ALL of the stories in this book, a great mix of humour, fun, angst, heartache, plenty of hot smexy lovin’ and all with a HEA… I couldn’t be happier! I laughed out loud… a lot! and cried a few tears and enjoyed every minute.
Summer Hire, by Chrissy Munder ~ 4 Stars
Jim is a porn loving, accident prone unemployed web designer who is persuaded by his friend, to take a summer job, only now he can’t seem to escape his favourite porn movie playing on a loop in his head, starring the walking wet dream that is Aaron Torres, tattooed bad boy turned good and also happens to be his boss!
For the most part, this short is a prelude to the romance, Chrissy Munder gives us an insight into the minds of these two characters first and what makes them tick, and as we get both characters POV’s we see Aarons conflicted emotions and honourable intentions along with Jim’s hurt at Aaron’s seeming rejection of his more than obvious flirtation… all before they finally get their act together, which comes at the end of a summer full of mutual sizzling sexual chemistry and a whole heap of emotional and sexual frustration!
I have to say the writing of that particular scene was just palpable and the anticipation and intensity of the moment was totally worth the build up! This may be my first foray into the world of Chrissy Munder, but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more!
Lost & Found on Lindisfarne, by JL Merrow ~ 4 Stars
A wink from an axe wielding Viking Berserker turns into a moment of passion beneath the stars! Two very unlikely characters, yet perfect together.
JL Merrow through her fabulous writing brings us characters full of life and personality and Chris is a typical example. I really, really liked him… he is funny and honest with no side to him at all, as a single parent he is committed to his daughter at the expense of a social life. Chris is also lonely and lacks self confidence, seeing himself as a boring geek, yet Ian see’s so much more and despite Chris’s usual sensible and safe attitude, he takes a chance on love and follows his heart.
JL Merrow must have the most amazing sense of humour, as it comes across in her writing as effortless, I was laughing out loud with this tale… Chris was hilarious, especially with the seal incident that I had to read three times it tickled me so much. I loved the whole Viking re-enactment and the sense of family he found within the group, Kelis the daughter was adorable and the sex under the stars was hot!
Salt ‘n’ Vinegar, by Clare London ~ 4.5 Stars
Joe is a university student living in Brighton and loving his life along with the casual hook ups that come with the club scene and summer season in a seaside town… that is until he meets the haunted eyes of Steven over the counter of the chip shop he works in.
This story is an emotional one and both boys just about broke my heart… we see this story unfold from Joe’s POV with his vulnerability laid bare, opening his heart rather than his zipper for the first time with Steven… a boy who see’s himself as nothing more than damaged goods, broken by a past he is unable to escape, finding his only happiness in the arms of Joe.
Clare London cleverly blends a mix of humour and deep seated sadness into this excellent tale… she is a master at this, lulling me into a false sense of security, stabbing me in the heart, letting me bleed a little before performing cardiac surgery to repair the damage… taking us outside the box of normality, where perhaps our own rules and perception of life don’t apply… I loved this and there is a HEA!!!
Werewolves of Venice Beach, by Lou Harper ~ 4 Stars
First impressions count and a naked Slade glimpsed over Bryan' morning cereal in the neighbours garden is what did it for him. Lou Harper brings us a bad boy rocker with tattoos and a studious nerd, a loner who although not good with people, is great with dogs!
This is a love story, which is more a voyage of discovery for Bryan with healthy dose of angst and humour, there are some great characters, especially the larger than life Lucrezia. Slade lives up to the stereo typical bad boy rocker image and even though we don’t get to see what is going on in his head it’s obvious there is more to him than meets the eye, and for all his confidence, he is really an insecure and vulnerable man who has no idea how to deal with what he is feeling… I loved Bryan as a character, all his life he had been a shy boy, comfortable with his nose in a book, petrified of crowds and with no social life whatsoever. In this short, we see him come out of his shell, gain in confidence and start to enjoy being young and having fun… these two may seem an unlikely couple but they compliment each other and bring out a side to their nature that was all new to both of them… yes, there is a little misunderstanding along the way, which of course adds to the excitement and the make up sex is always Hot!
By Quarry Lake, by Josephine Myles ~ 5 Stars
This is just a beautiful story of love between a gentle giant, Rob, who made my heart melt and his a pierced and confident best friend Tommy, who had spurned a chaste kiss from Rob three years earlier when he left for college and the bright lights of London. At the time Tommy had been a confused 18 year old, now he knows better, he just needs to convince the love of his life. For Rob, Tommy was and is his first and only love.
The writing as always with Jo is just fabulous, I didn’t want this book to end, the scenes were beautifully described and the emotional connection between these two was unmistakable. Tommy’s full confession on his return home from London, and his honesty with the gentle and loving man who had been his best friend was refreshing, and I don’t think my heart could have taken the hurt on Robs part if he had dragged it out.. as it was I ended up crying anyway, but they were happy tears!
August 15, 2013
I read Winter Warmers and loved it so I knew I was in for a treat when I started reading this fabulous anthology and what a treat it was! Five decent length stories packed into an EXTREMELY reasonably priced book and not one of them a disappointment for me personally at all. All based around the idea of a Summer fling on both sides of the pond ( UK and US ) there's a lovely mix of humour, fun, angst, quirky and of course a huge dollop of hot romance. I thought each and everyone delivered on pure enjoyment so for me it was satisfaction guaranteed.
I really like a good anthology every now and then because it gives you a taster of each writers style and in this case I struck lucky with a great one. Five super authors Chrissy Munder, J.L. Merrow, Clare London, Lou Harper and Josephine Myles.... So how can you go wrong. Five 5 star stories so a 5 star rating overall.
I really like a good anthology every now and then because it gives you a taster of each writers style and in this case I struck lucky with a great one. Five super authors Chrissy Munder, J.L. Merrow, Clare London, Lou Harper and Josephine Myles.... So how can you go wrong. Five 5 star stories so a 5 star rating overall.
Currently reading
August 22, 2013I'll be reading and reviewing each one, so this might take a while. :)
Summer Hire By Chrissy Munder 3.65*
This one started pretty fluffy, Jim has graduated and can't seem to find a job, his friend Cheryl gets him one working at a summer rental place and he immediately falls in lust with his new boss. Falls being the operative word here, it seems for some reason Jim is a total and complete klutz around Jim.
But as the summer goes on Jim becomes more serious and sees Aaron as more than just a really hot and steamy guy ( who ignores him most of the time) and Aaron seemed to be a real self made kind of guy.
I liked it, it had a nice setting, nice character development and enough of a backstory of each guy to keep me happy.
Lost And Found On Landisfarne by JL Merrow
Summer Hire By Chrissy Munder 3.65*
This one started pretty fluffy, Jim has graduated and can't seem to find a job, his friend Cheryl gets him one working at a summer rental place and he immediately falls in lust with his new boss. Falls being the operative word here, it seems for some reason Jim is a total and complete klutz around Jim.
But as the summer goes on Jim becomes more serious and sees Aaron as more than just a really hot and steamy guy ( who ignores him most of the time) and Aaron seemed to be a real self made kind of guy.
I liked it, it had a nice setting, nice character development and enough of a backstory of each guy to keep me happy.
Lost And Found On Landisfarne by JL Merrow
August 20, 2013
After reading Macky's review, I thought I'd grab this since I love J.L. Merrow. Great value price on ARE($2.99)! I'll rate the stories as I read them.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder - 3.5 stars -- Jim is a new computer/software college grad who takes a job for the summer in a mechanics garage and is crushing on his muscular, tatted, hunky boss. This story promised a lot of UST and delivered for the bulk of the story. The romance was good if not especially unique. I really liked the setting-- a lake town in Michigan with heavy summer tourist traffic. The author did a nice job creating that summer vibe.
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by J.L. Merrow. 5 stars -- ah! It's nice to read a new J.L. Merrow story. Chris and his 12 year old daughter are visiting an island where there's a Viking reenactment. Chris falls for a dreadlocked berserker. This is a sweet little romance given 5 stars primarily for some magical language and the many highlighted lines on my iPad, plus all the cute Viking stuff. Ur!
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper -- 4 stars Lou Harper always has a lyrical and interesting prose style. This summer romance story, set on Venice Beach, is a fun, quick read. I've read a ton of nerd/jock or bad boy stories recently and this one didn't particularly stand out, but the writing is quite good and I loved the little Sparky twist. (And I liked that it didn't actually get into anything paranormal.)
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles -- 4.5 stars Loved the small town/farmer's son theme of this story in which two childhood friends are reunited when one moves back to town. Sexy with a nice homey feel. I really enjoyed the father's reaction. ;-)
Salt and Vinegar by Clare London -- 3 stars This was my least favorite story in the anthology because of the theme. It was set mainly around a fish and chip shop in Brighton. I loved the ever-changing names of the shop (Eel Be Seeing You, Between a Rock and a Hard Plaice). The characters of Joe and his sister Mandy, who work in the shop, were cute. I didn't get a super strong sense of Joe since it was written from his POV except that he was a student. He has a crush on a regular customer, Steven. All of the set up was fun, but once the story got rolling it turned out Steven had a secret and the story got angsty and dark and it just wasn't what I was expecting from this 'hot summer loving' anthology. The writing was good though. This kind of story just isn't my cup of tea in romance.
Overall, I give the anthology 4 stars. It reads quickly and all the writers are strong. Recommended.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder - 3.5 stars -- Jim is a new computer/software college grad who takes a job for the summer in a mechanics garage and is crushing on his muscular, tatted, hunky boss. This story promised a lot of UST and delivered for the bulk of the story. The romance was good if not especially unique. I really liked the setting-- a lake town in Michigan with heavy summer tourist traffic. The author did a nice job creating that summer vibe.
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by J.L. Merrow. 5 stars -- ah! It's nice to read a new J.L. Merrow story. Chris and his 12 year old daughter are visiting an island where there's a Viking reenactment. Chris falls for a dreadlocked berserker. This is a sweet little romance given 5 stars primarily for some magical language and the many highlighted lines on my iPad, plus all the cute Viking stuff. Ur!
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper -- 4 stars Lou Harper always has a lyrical and interesting prose style. This summer romance story, set on Venice Beach, is a fun, quick read. I've read a ton of nerd/jock or bad boy stories recently and this one didn't particularly stand out, but the writing is quite good and I loved the little Sparky twist. (And I liked that it didn't actually get into anything paranormal.)
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles -- 4.5 stars Loved the small town/farmer's son theme of this story in which two childhood friends are reunited when one moves back to town. Sexy with a nice homey feel. I really enjoyed the father's reaction. ;-)
Salt and Vinegar by Clare London -- 3 stars This was my least favorite story in the anthology because of the theme. It was set mainly around a fish and chip shop in Brighton. I loved the ever-changing names of the shop (Eel Be Seeing You, Between a Rock and a Hard Plaice). The characters of Joe and his sister Mandy, who work in the shop, were cute. I didn't get a super strong sense of Joe since it was written from his POV except that he was a student. He has a crush on a regular customer, Steven. All of the set up was fun, but once the story got rolling it turned out Steven had a secret and the story got angsty and dark and it just wasn't what I was expecting from this 'hot summer loving' anthology. The writing was good though. This kind of story just isn't my cup of tea in romance.
Overall, I give the anthology 4 stars. It reads quickly and all the writers are strong. Recommended.
Read
August 14, 2013This is the second anthology from Pink Squirrel Press, featuring stories by me, Josephine Myles, Clare London, Chrissy Munder and Lou Harper. The stories all have summer settings, and are all very different. Here's a little about mine, Lost and Found on Lindisfarne:
I've always been fascinated by Vikings, and growing up on an island (the Isle of Wight) other islands have a deep emotional pull for me too. So when I got the chance to visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne up off the coast of Northumberland, I leapt at it.
Lindisfarne is a tidal island, with a causeway that's only passable at certain hours of the day (and these hours, like the tides, change every day). Even without its rich history, there's oodles of storytelling potential right there - imagine being cut off from the mainland by rapidly advancing waters.
Lindisfarne was the site of a monastery, famously raided by Vikings in 793 - an event which caused shockwaves all through the Christian world. Nowadays, the Vikings you'll find visiting the island in the summer months, with their wild hair and fearsome weapons, and even a longboat or two, are all re-enactors.
Re-living the centuries-old Viking lifestyle is a romantic idea - probably far more romantic than the original Vikings ever were! Regular readers will know I'm very partial to the attraction of opposites, so I decided to pair a dreadlocked Viking re-enactor with a guy who's determined for his daughter's sake to live a strait-laced, boringly normal life - and see what would happen! ;)
Here's the blurb:
*It was a hot summer’s day on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The lanes were dusty underfoot, the languid breeze was heavy with the scent of the North Sea, and a Viking had just offered to buy my daughter…*
When single father Chris meets a Viking re-enactor on Lindisfarne, he thinks it’s the perfect recipe for a holiday fling – and nothing more. Chris had a relationship with a free spirit like Ian before, and it didn’t end well for him or for his daughter Kelis.
But Chris hasn’t reckoned with the Viking way of taking all you’re willing to give – and coming back for more.
I've always been fascinated by Vikings, and growing up on an island (the Isle of Wight) other islands have a deep emotional pull for me too. So when I got the chance to visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne up off the coast of Northumberland, I leapt at it.
Lindisfarne is a tidal island, with a causeway that's only passable at certain hours of the day (and these hours, like the tides, change every day). Even without its rich history, there's oodles of storytelling potential right there - imagine being cut off from the mainland by rapidly advancing waters.
Lindisfarne was the site of a monastery, famously raided by Vikings in 793 - an event which caused shockwaves all through the Christian world. Nowadays, the Vikings you'll find visiting the island in the summer months, with their wild hair and fearsome weapons, and even a longboat or two, are all re-enactors.
Re-living the centuries-old Viking lifestyle is a romantic idea - probably far more romantic than the original Vikings ever were! Regular readers will know I'm very partial to the attraction of opposites, so I decided to pair a dreadlocked Viking re-enactor with a guy who's determined for his daughter's sake to live a strait-laced, boringly normal life - and see what would happen! ;)
Here's the blurb:
*It was a hot summer’s day on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The lanes were dusty underfoot, the languid breeze was heavy with the scent of the North Sea, and a Viking had just offered to buy my daughter…*
When single father Chris meets a Viking re-enactor on Lindisfarne, he thinks it’s the perfect recipe for a holiday fling – and nothing more. Chris had a relationship with a free spirit like Ian before, and it didn’t end well for him or for his daughter Kelis.
But Chris hasn’t reckoned with the Viking way of taking all you’re willing to give – and coming back for more.
August 30, 2018
4.5 stars
The anthology Summer Lovin offers a variety of short stories from some of today’s most popular M/M authors. From the paranormal to the contemporary, this novel has something for most every taste. However, lest you think it is all light reading, there is a particularly dark offering amidst the lighter reads in this novel. All the stories come with happy ever afters and each gives us their unique spin on falling in love during the hot summer months.
First up is Chrissy Munder’s Summer Hire. A light and flirtatious read about Aaron, a bad boy turned good, who now owns his own boat rental and repair shop. Taking on two summer hires, one being the sister, Crissy, of his only permanent employee, Stan, and the other being her best friend, Jim. When he’s designing web sites behind his computer, Jim is sure footed and savvy, but give him a sales counter job at a busy summer rental store and he is all over the place. As their friends repeatedly throw these two men at one another, both are determined to keep their distance for very different reasons. But in the end, it only takes one moonlit night on the beach for the sparks to ignite.
This was perhaps the cutest of all the offerings, witty and fresh feeling with the two characters were head over heels and the last to admit it to each other. The side characters were just hilarious and the snarky repartee between Aaron and Stan kept this short moving along with real moments of hilarity. I particularly enjoyed watching these two men dance around each other, both holding out for various reasons and yet both really lusting for each other. Summer Hire was a cute summer romance that morphed nicely into a believable happy ever after. (4 stars)
The next offering is by J.L. Merrow and is entitled, Lost and Found on Lindisfarne. This short was almost mythical in its appeal. A single dad, Chris, who had fathered a child, Kelis, while still questioning his sexuality takes a holiday with her to Holy Island in Northumberland. While there, they take in a day of fun at a reenactment of folks dressed as Vikings. Chris meets Ian, one of the encamped actors and spends the day with him. Ian is immediately taken with both Chris and his daughter Kelis. In a startling moment of raw truth, Chris shares with Ian his past and that of poor Kelis who'd grown up in the care of her drug addicted mother. Sharing both his regret at agreeing to give full custody of Kelis to his one time fling, Chris is still a bit haunted by the guilt his past actions carried. What starts off as a quick, less than one day, end of summer fling turns into something more when Chris and Kelis are trapped on the island due to the rising tide making the road off the island inaccessible. But Ian has already admitted that he is a bit of a happy wanderer and Chris cannot afford to follow as he must give Kelis all the stability she needs in order to continue to heal.
This story was just too short! I love this author and this little gem was so sweet but there was just not enough story there to make the ending believable for me. Too swift an ending and too little time spent showing this relationship develop meant that there was simply not enough story to sink my teeth into in the end. Such a shame,for author J.L. Merrow writes such an interesting character in Chris and the pain and longing he feels is almost palpable when he meets Ian and begins to share his story. I just needed to see a bit more of their journey before I was offered the neat little tied up resolution to the short story. (3 stars)
Salt 'n Vinegar by Clare London was perhaps the darkest tale in the entire anthology in terms of theme. However, the author kept this story as light as possible for as long as she could before allowing the hard truth to surface and the revelation of the painful ripple effect it had on both the main characters.
Joe is working at a quirky fish and chips shop in Brighton and heading back to university in the fall for his masters. Every week, a young man comes to the shop and orders the same thing--chips for one, extra salt. He is shy and seems to often have a far away look about him. Joe, who is an admitted "player" begins to wonder what it is about this young man that makes him want something different for the first time ever--something more than a hurried one night stand. As the two begin to see one another, it does not take Joe long to fall heavily for Steven, to open up his heart for this shy and enigmatic man. Then, suddenly Steven changes overnight, his clothing, his hair and now there is a haunted and hunted look in his dark eyes. As if a light is turned off, Steven disappears into the night leaving Joe hurt and angry. After a short absence, Steven is back. But now their times together are furtive, limited and there is a mysterious man in Steven's life who seems to have rigid control over everything Steven does. As time moves one, Joe accidentally discovers that Steven is hiding more than his past, and the bruises on Steven's body have a story to tell that may rip these two men apart for good.
This was a very well done piece of work by Clare London. The careful way in which she tells the story of domestic abuse and how one man must make his own way out of that darkness was really staggering. Deftly handled, compassionately written, I was so glad the author did not create a false illusion that all would be well at the end. Instead she allowed for the fact that there would be much needed help and counseling for Steven but gave hope that he could rise above the torment his life had become. She carefully allows for Joe's character to morph from a playboy of sorts to a caring and mutually needy partner to Steven--both men clinging to the other, daring to love when it is so dangerous for both their hearts to do so. (5 stars)
Author Lou Harper teases us with the idea of a paranormal romance in her offering, Werewolves of Venice Beach. Bryan, a zealous and dedicated engineering student is house sitting on Venice Beach when he spies a naked man walking through his yard one morning. After an interesting discussion with the strange yet endearing next door neighbor, Lucrezia, Bryan is introduced to Slade, the naked interloper. It seems Slade has a penchant for nude swimming. Dark, tattooed and sexy, Slade is also a bit of a mystery, one of two guitar players and the lead vocalist for the band, Werewolves of Venice Beach. As Bryan and Lucrezia fall into the habit of walking their dogs, Bryan begins to notice that Slade is often absent and that one of the dogs, Sparky is similar in appearance to a young wolf. Could it be that SParky is actually Slade? As weeks pass, Bryan and Slade admit their attraction for one another, but while Slade is an ardent and tender lover at night, by morning he is always gone and rarely has time for Bryan during the weekday. Finally confronting Slade, after seeing him making out with another man, Bryan is shocked to find that he is not the only one who feels he is way out of his league when it comes to choice of boyfriends and now he must figure out a way to convince Slade he is worth the risk.
I love Lou Harper's sense of humor and comic pacing! Her stories have a spark to them that keep me turning the page, laughing and just delighting in her winsome characters. Bryan and Slade are no exceptions. Their lustful dance around one another gives way to one humorous scene after another interspersed with some very real worries over whether or not these two will ever realize how smitten they are with one another. I enjoyed the very quirky and slightly insane Lucrezia as well along with the pot-enhance cake-making Jeff, another neighbor. They were just a pair of free spirits who definitely walked to the beat of their own drum. This was a light and fun read and one that I wish had been longer, just so I could enjoy more of the fast paced story and witty dialogue! (5 stars)
Finally By Quarry Lake written by Josephine Myles rounds out the anthology. This was in many ways a coming of age story, a first love that was both tender and sweet. A perilous first kiss leaves Rob certain he must remain deep in the closet and Tommy running far from home in search of his sexuality three years prior. Now home, Tommy is determined to see Rob and set the record straight. No longer questioning, rather firmly certain he is gay, Tommy has come to apologize to Rob and hopes that Rob will not only forgive him but that maybe its not too late to try that kiss all over again.
Author Josephine Myles' story, while being the simplest in plot and details was also the richest in in terms of sweet moments of second chances. Her characters are both searching in many ways to find again the best friend they had lost and nothing was more important to either boy than that. Surprised that there was such heat that rose between them, yet careful to tread carefully so as not to scare the other away, the two young men reveal their mutual need for each other and hope that all can be right again. This was a lovely way to end what was a very well written collection of stories by some very talented authors. (5 stars)
Summer Lovin is a wonderful group of short stories that will entertain you in any season!
The anthology Summer Lovin offers a variety of short stories from some of today’s most popular M/M authors. From the paranormal to the contemporary, this novel has something for most every taste. However, lest you think it is all light reading, there is a particularly dark offering amidst the lighter reads in this novel. All the stories come with happy ever afters and each gives us their unique spin on falling in love during the hot summer months.
First up is Chrissy Munder’s Summer Hire. A light and flirtatious read about Aaron, a bad boy turned good, who now owns his own boat rental and repair shop. Taking on two summer hires, one being the sister, Crissy, of his only permanent employee, Stan, and the other being her best friend, Jim. When he’s designing web sites behind his computer, Jim is sure footed and savvy, but give him a sales counter job at a busy summer rental store and he is all over the place. As their friends repeatedly throw these two men at one another, both are determined to keep their distance for very different reasons. But in the end, it only takes one moonlit night on the beach for the sparks to ignite.
This was perhaps the cutest of all the offerings, witty and fresh feeling with the two characters were head over heels and the last to admit it to each other. The side characters were just hilarious and the snarky repartee between Aaron and Stan kept this short moving along with real moments of hilarity. I particularly enjoyed watching these two men dance around each other, both holding out for various reasons and yet both really lusting for each other. Summer Hire was a cute summer romance that morphed nicely into a believable happy ever after. (4 stars)
The next offering is by J.L. Merrow and is entitled, Lost and Found on Lindisfarne. This short was almost mythical in its appeal. A single dad, Chris, who had fathered a child, Kelis, while still questioning his sexuality takes a holiday with her to Holy Island in Northumberland. While there, they take in a day of fun at a reenactment of folks dressed as Vikings. Chris meets Ian, one of the encamped actors and spends the day with him. Ian is immediately taken with both Chris and his daughter Kelis. In a startling moment of raw truth, Chris shares with Ian his past and that of poor Kelis who'd grown up in the care of her drug addicted mother. Sharing both his regret at agreeing to give full custody of Kelis to his one time fling, Chris is still a bit haunted by the guilt his past actions carried. What starts off as a quick, less than one day, end of summer fling turns into something more when Chris and Kelis are trapped on the island due to the rising tide making the road off the island inaccessible. But Ian has already admitted that he is a bit of a happy wanderer and Chris cannot afford to follow as he must give Kelis all the stability she needs in order to continue to heal.
This story was just too short! I love this author and this little gem was so sweet but there was just not enough story there to make the ending believable for me. Too swift an ending and too little time spent showing this relationship develop meant that there was simply not enough story to sink my teeth into in the end. Such a shame,for author J.L. Merrow writes such an interesting character in Chris and the pain and longing he feels is almost palpable when he meets Ian and begins to share his story. I just needed to see a bit more of their journey before I was offered the neat little tied up resolution to the short story. (3 stars)
Salt 'n Vinegar by Clare London was perhaps the darkest tale in the entire anthology in terms of theme. However, the author kept this story as light as possible for as long as she could before allowing the hard truth to surface and the revelation of the painful ripple effect it had on both the main characters.
Joe is working at a quirky fish and chips shop in Brighton and heading back to university in the fall for his masters. Every week, a young man comes to the shop and orders the same thing--chips for one, extra salt. He is shy and seems to often have a far away look about him. Joe, who is an admitted "player" begins to wonder what it is about this young man that makes him want something different for the first time ever--something more than a hurried one night stand. As the two begin to see one another, it does not take Joe long to fall heavily for Steven, to open up his heart for this shy and enigmatic man. Then, suddenly Steven changes overnight, his clothing, his hair and now there is a haunted and hunted look in his dark eyes. As if a light is turned off, Steven disappears into the night leaving Joe hurt and angry. After a short absence, Steven is back. But now their times together are furtive, limited and there is a mysterious man in Steven's life who seems to have rigid control over everything Steven does. As time moves one, Joe accidentally discovers that Steven is hiding more than his past, and the bruises on Steven's body have a story to tell that may rip these two men apart for good.
This was a very well done piece of work by Clare London. The careful way in which she tells the story of domestic abuse and how one man must make his own way out of that darkness was really staggering. Deftly handled, compassionately written, I was so glad the author did not create a false illusion that all would be well at the end. Instead she allowed for the fact that there would be much needed help and counseling for Steven but gave hope that he could rise above the torment his life had become. She carefully allows for Joe's character to morph from a playboy of sorts to a caring and mutually needy partner to Steven--both men clinging to the other, daring to love when it is so dangerous for both their hearts to do so. (5 stars)
Author Lou Harper teases us with the idea of a paranormal romance in her offering, Werewolves of Venice Beach. Bryan, a zealous and dedicated engineering student is house sitting on Venice Beach when he spies a naked man walking through his yard one morning. After an interesting discussion with the strange yet endearing next door neighbor, Lucrezia, Bryan is introduced to Slade, the naked interloper. It seems Slade has a penchant for nude swimming. Dark, tattooed and sexy, Slade is also a bit of a mystery, one of two guitar players and the lead vocalist for the band, Werewolves of Venice Beach. As Bryan and Lucrezia fall into the habit of walking their dogs, Bryan begins to notice that Slade is often absent and that one of the dogs, Sparky is similar in appearance to a young wolf. Could it be that SParky is actually Slade? As weeks pass, Bryan and Slade admit their attraction for one another, but while Slade is an ardent and tender lover at night, by morning he is always gone and rarely has time for Bryan during the weekday. Finally confronting Slade, after seeing him making out with another man, Bryan is shocked to find that he is not the only one who feels he is way out of his league when it comes to choice of boyfriends and now he must figure out a way to convince Slade he is worth the risk.
I love Lou Harper's sense of humor and comic pacing! Her stories have a spark to them that keep me turning the page, laughing and just delighting in her winsome characters. Bryan and Slade are no exceptions. Their lustful dance around one another gives way to one humorous scene after another interspersed with some very real worries over whether or not these two will ever realize how smitten they are with one another. I enjoyed the very quirky and slightly insane Lucrezia as well along with the pot-enhance cake-making Jeff, another neighbor. They were just a pair of free spirits who definitely walked to the beat of their own drum. This was a light and fun read and one that I wish had been longer, just so I could enjoy more of the fast paced story and witty dialogue! (5 stars)
Finally By Quarry Lake written by Josephine Myles rounds out the anthology. This was in many ways a coming of age story, a first love that was both tender and sweet. A perilous first kiss leaves Rob certain he must remain deep in the closet and Tommy running far from home in search of his sexuality three years prior. Now home, Tommy is determined to see Rob and set the record straight. No longer questioning, rather firmly certain he is gay, Tommy has come to apologize to Rob and hopes that Rob will not only forgive him but that maybe its not too late to try that kiss all over again.
Author Josephine Myles' story, while being the simplest in plot and details was also the richest in in terms of sweet moments of second chances. Her characters are both searching in many ways to find again the best friend they had lost and nothing was more important to either boy than that. Surprised that there was such heat that rose between them, yet careful to tread carefully so as not to scare the other away, the two young men reveal their mutual need for each other and hope that all can be right again. This was a lovely way to end what was a very well written collection of stories by some very talented authors. (5 stars)
Summer Lovin is a wonderful group of short stories that will entertain you in any season!
September 11, 2013
This is a refreshing, fun, and very summer-y anthology of entertaining stories that made me smile. All of them are set in the UK, and they all conveyed a feeling of lightness and enjoyment - even the one I kept expecting to take a darker turn. It didn't, and I loved that.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder captivated me right from the start. I mean, a story with a first sentence that reads "Jim Carlson had nothing against porn." is bound to be funny, right? Well, that or seriously hot. Turns out it is a bit of both and I loved exploring Jim's struggles to keep reality and his very hot fantasies separate. Until they merge - and the real fun starts!
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow is a very cute story about a father who takes his twelve-year-old daughter to a historic faire and encounters an extremely hot Viking. I loved the verbal play between Chris, the father, and Ian, who impersonates a berserker Viking, as much as the historical detail, and the slowly unfolding romance between the men.
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London takes place in the seaside town of Brighton, and is the story of Joe, who has a summer job in a typically British Fish 'n Chips shop, and Steven, the hottest guy Joe has ever encountered. Their developing romance is passionate, but the question is if it can last beyond the summer...
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper is the story I kept expecting to turn darker. What - with "werewolf" in the title it is bound to be about paranormal creatures, right? Little did I know what turn Lou Harper's mind would take in this story, and, without revealing anything more, let me just say this is not a dark story at all and turned out to be one of my favorites! Not that I have anything against werewolves, but they just wouldn't fit in this delightful collection!
By Quarter Lake by Josephine Miles features on of my favorite themes: a reunion! Tommy, who ran away to university to try to pretend he was neither gay nor attracted to Rob, returns to his home town. He wonders if Rob even remembers him. Now that he is ready for more, he is not at all sure Rob will even talk to him. The hesitant "getting to know each other all over again" vibes were expertly handled and, needless to say, I loved how things turn out.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder captivated me right from the start. I mean, a story with a first sentence that reads "Jim Carlson had nothing against porn." is bound to be funny, right? Well, that or seriously hot. Turns out it is a bit of both and I loved exploring Jim's struggles to keep reality and his very hot fantasies separate. Until they merge - and the real fun starts!
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow is a very cute story about a father who takes his twelve-year-old daughter to a historic faire and encounters an extremely hot Viking. I loved the verbal play between Chris, the father, and Ian, who impersonates a berserker Viking, as much as the historical detail, and the slowly unfolding romance between the men.
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London takes place in the seaside town of Brighton, and is the story of Joe, who has a summer job in a typically British Fish 'n Chips shop, and Steven, the hottest guy Joe has ever encountered. Their developing romance is passionate, but the question is if it can last beyond the summer...
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper is the story I kept expecting to turn darker. What - with "werewolf" in the title it is bound to be about paranormal creatures, right? Little did I know what turn Lou Harper's mind would take in this story, and, without revealing anything more, let me just say this is not a dark story at all and turned out to be one of my favorites! Not that I have anything against werewolves, but they just wouldn't fit in this delightful collection!
By Quarter Lake by Josephine Miles features on of my favorite themes: a reunion! Tommy, who ran away to university to try to pretend he was neither gay nor attracted to Rob, returns to his home town. He wonders if Rob even remembers him. Now that he is ready for more, he is not at all sure Rob will even talk to him. The hesitant "getting to know each other all over again" vibes were expertly handled and, needless to say, I loved how things turn out.
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August 15, 2013The starting point for my Summer Lovin’ story was the idea of wild swimming—and most particularly, swimming underwater. Now I’ve always been a water baby. I was lucky enough to grow up with access to a private swimming pool (not my parent’s, but their landlady’s), so I spent every summer swimming as much as I could. I was never all that bothered by swimming lengths competitively, but I loved messing about in the water and particularly swimming underwater. I could hold my breath for ages and used to love swimming down to the very bottom of the pool to collect things, or through underwater hoops. The way the light rippled down there was just magical.
These days I can’t swim underwater in pools as the chlorine irritates my eyes and sinuses too much, but I love wild swimming. Here in Somerset we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to local river and lake swimming spots. Originally I wanted this story to be set at a river swimming spot, but the water in rivers is far too murky to be good for underwater swimming. No, I needed a lake. In particular, a rocky lake without much mud and silt. I needed a quarry lake...
I realised when I read all the stories the others submitted that mine is the only one not set in a touristy area, but on working farmland. It’s also not a summer fling, but rather two friends reunited after a few years apart. I suppose you could say it’s a “new adult” story, as both young men are finding their way in the adult world of work and relationships. There’s a fair bit of sex, but it’s magical and dreamy rather than kinky (unlike my contribution to the Winter Warmers anthology!)
For me, though, the most important thing was the setting. This is the first time I’ve set a story quite so close to home, and I have particular fields and woodlands in mind, complete with old abandoned quarries (although in reality most of them aren’t flooded). This is the landscape I go running through, and it gives me great pleasure to set a story in the green and verdant gently rolling Mendip hills. I hope you enjoy this little slice of rural England.
PS - both Summer Lovin' and Winter Warmers are discounted for the rest of August!
These days I can’t swim underwater in pools as the chlorine irritates my eyes and sinuses too much, but I love wild swimming. Here in Somerset we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to local river and lake swimming spots. Originally I wanted this story to be set at a river swimming spot, but the water in rivers is far too murky to be good for underwater swimming. No, I needed a lake. In particular, a rocky lake without much mud and silt. I needed a quarry lake...
I realised when I read all the stories the others submitted that mine is the only one not set in a touristy area, but on working farmland. It’s also not a summer fling, but rather two friends reunited after a few years apart. I suppose you could say it’s a “new adult” story, as both young men are finding their way in the adult world of work and relationships. There’s a fair bit of sex, but it’s magical and dreamy rather than kinky (unlike my contribution to the Winter Warmers anthology!)
For me, though, the most important thing was the setting. This is the first time I’ve set a story quite so close to home, and I have particular fields and woodlands in mind, complete with old abandoned quarries (although in reality most of them aren’t flooded). This is the landscape I go running through, and it gives me great pleasure to set a story in the green and verdant gently rolling Mendip hills. I hope you enjoy this little slice of rural England.
PS - both Summer Lovin' and Winter Warmers are discounted for the rest of August!
August 24, 2013
Overall I'd give this one 3.5 stars.
Individual ratings under the spoiler tag;
Individual ratings under the spoiler tag;
August 9, 2020
4.8 average stars
I need to read more by all of these authors. Good, solid comfort reads they are.
Loved all 5 stories, reviewed separately below:
Summer Hire, Chrissy Munder:
4+ stars
West coast of MI, north of Grand Rapids
funny, good characters, bad boy becomes community pillar meets twink who's trying to decide what direction his life is going after college/dad & new step-mom don't want him around, great meet-cute, good friends pushing them together, followed by a lovely little September epilogue
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne, J.L. Merrow
5 stars
Viking re-enactors! Yup, I know these people! hot viking berserker/shy single geek dad with 12-year-old daughter (a lot like my Sam), missed tide due to , excellent chemistry, best quote "Bloody hell, get a longhouse, you two. That's not how you're supposed to be frightening the tourists", next summer epilogue wrap-up
Salt 'n' Vinegar, Clare London
5 stars
Brighton, silly chippery with sillier names changing weekly, twins at uni, living there year-round, sweet quiet guy, slow fall into love (not bad for how short it is!), , sweet and bittersweet
Werewolves of Venice Beach, Lou Harper
5 stars
Bryan and Slade -- they just don't sound like they go together. And therein lies the meat of the story. Knowing this author, I really wasn't sure where she was going to go with it, but I knew I would like the trip. And I did! Great characters, both two and four footed. So Venice and SoCal! And a perfect ending, not too happily ever after, but with some good potential. More please?!
By Quarry Lake, Josephine Myles
5 stars
Somerset
Lovely. Just lovely. Possibly some of the best coming out lines I've read:
I need to read more by all of these authors. Good, solid comfort reads they are.
Loved all 5 stories, reviewed separately below:
Summer Hire, Chrissy Munder:
4+ stars
West coast of MI, north of Grand Rapids
funny, good characters, bad boy becomes community pillar meets twink who's trying to decide what direction his life is going after college/dad & new step-mom don't want him around, great meet-cute, good friends pushing them together, followed by a lovely little September epilogue
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne, J.L. Merrow
5 stars
Viking re-enactors! Yup, I know these people! hot viking berserker/shy single geek dad with 12-year-old daughter (a lot like my Sam), missed tide due to , excellent chemistry, best quote "Bloody hell, get a longhouse, you two. That's not how you're supposed to be frightening the tourists", next summer epilogue wrap-up
Salt 'n' Vinegar, Clare London
5 stars
Brighton, silly chippery with sillier names changing weekly, twins at uni, living there year-round, sweet quiet guy, slow fall into love (not bad for how short it is!), , sweet and bittersweet
Werewolves of Venice Beach, Lou Harper
5 stars
Bryan and Slade -- they just don't sound like they go together. And therein lies the meat of the story. Knowing this author, I really wasn't sure where she was going to go with it, but I knew I would like the trip. And I did! Great characters, both two and four footed. So Venice and SoCal! And a perfect ending, not too happily ever after, but with some good potential. More please?!
By Quarry Lake, Josephine Myles
5 stars
Somerset
Lovely. Just lovely. Possibly some of the best coming out lines I've read:
November 4, 2013
"Summer Hire," by Chrissy Munder
This was a cute and fun little story about a summer job. Jim is a techy kind of guy, a bit of a network nerd and more than a little clumsy, and when he first sees the man who will be his boss all summer, it's like he's watching the start of one of his porn DVDs - hot man, tattoos, mechanic overalls, muscles... Aaron is definitely fine - but he's also Jim's boss. That the chemistry between the two of them is obvious doesn't help, and neither does Jim's constant stream of klutziness, but in the hands of Chrissy Munder, the reader gets a fun and light story of the start of a relationship that no one would likely expect.
Better, it's not as simple as the start would have you believe. Jim's got some family troubles, and Aaron might be the local-boy-done-well, but before he was that, he was anything but the popular young man in town. They both have every reason to be hesitant despite the chemistry, and that helped the tension roll onward without feeling like it was going on a bit too long.
"Lost and Found on Lindisfarne," by J.L. Merrow
Okay, I admit it. I nabbed Summer Lovin' entirely based on seeing that it had another J.L. Merrow short story in it. After reading Muscling Through I was in the mood for more fun from Merrow, and this collection of short stories about summer loves sounded perfect.
Merrow's story takes place when a young father and his daughter take a vacation that includes visiting Lindisfarne - where "Vikings" live and breathe for tourists. But when a large viking asks the man if his twelve year old daughter would be willing to marry his berserker son, the father finds himself more interested than his daughter. Still, being a dad doesn't leave much time for having fun himself - except maybe there's a lesson to be learned about how the vikings took what they wanted.
Or at least this particular viking.
Cute, sweet, and charming - but not lacking depth and a couple of moments that gave me a pause and a sniffle - this was exactly what I was hoping for today.
"Salt 'n' Vinegar," by Clare London
So I admit it. Summer Lovin' is sort of a collection that's letting me keep a sense of warmth and summer as the Ottawa autumn tells me that the summer is so incredibly over. Cold rain all morning, leaves at my feet, and frost and...
It snowed the other morning.
Still! The heat is still on in this short story anthology, and I'm happy to vacation there. "Salt 'n' Vinegar" is the story in this collection that had the largest emotional surprise for me, and I don't mean that in a bad way. These are stories of summer flings, so I was expecting meet-cutes and soft romantic stories, some funny, some silly, and a dash of spice. So when I got to the revelations in this story, I was taken aback (again, in a good way).
Without ruining anything, this time the summer romance is between a fellow working at a fish 'n' chips shop on the seafront, and a regular customer who comes in for chips with extra salt. His sister - who also works at the same shop - teases the poor guy mercilessly for his crush on said customer, and when the hero of the tale finally works up the nerve to chat the fellow up, things start to move forward.
But then there's a major change of direction mid-way through the tale, and - as I said - it was a complete surprise.
In a way, I think I can credit "Salt 'n' Vinegar" with giving this anthology a sense of real range without losing sight of the summer theme. It's a delicate balance, but London pulls it off.
"Werewolves of Venice Beach," by Lou Harper
This one's a part of Summer Lovin', and it may not be summer any more, but I can still enjoy some stories that take me to a place where there's sun, sand, and... potential lycanthropes.
Bryan has taken a house-sitting job for the summer, where he walks a dog, and gets to see the beach, and where he can study to get a leg up on next year's courses in Engineering. He's maybe a little too driven, and maybe he's a little bit of a nerd, but he's mostly okay with that right up until he sees the naked guy next door with the tattoos and the...
Well, the everything else.
Soon he's finding his neighbors are a crazy lot and that he enjoys spending time with them - including the fellow he had such an unfettered view of earlier - and before long, things happen and he's in bed with said tattooed musician, and maybe this summer he won't be studying all that much after all.
But is it possible the weird way this neighbor is running hot-and-cold has something to do with the collarless dog he sees running around? Could it be the reason his nickname is "Dogbreath" is..?
Fun and light for the most part, there's enough serious to this story to ground it, and it's a lovely summer romance.
"By Quarry Lake," by Josephine Myles
I loved this last tale from Summer Lovin' mostly for how it left me with an "aww!" feeling. Two young men parted when a kiss turned into a punch and misunderstanding has been left in silence ever since. But when the man who threw the punch comes back to town - and knows now that he is, absolutely, gay - there's reconciliation in the air.
If it's possible.
The lake named by the title is central to the story, and it's a great setting - a swimming hole only the two of them really know - and it frames the start and end of the tale in a soft and summery fashion. Indeed, there's nothing not to love about this piece, which - as I said - finishes off the collection with just the right note.
If only summer would last forever like this...
This was a cute and fun little story about a summer job. Jim is a techy kind of guy, a bit of a network nerd and more than a little clumsy, and when he first sees the man who will be his boss all summer, it's like he's watching the start of one of his porn DVDs - hot man, tattoos, mechanic overalls, muscles... Aaron is definitely fine - but he's also Jim's boss. That the chemistry between the two of them is obvious doesn't help, and neither does Jim's constant stream of klutziness, but in the hands of Chrissy Munder, the reader gets a fun and light story of the start of a relationship that no one would likely expect.
Better, it's not as simple as the start would have you believe. Jim's got some family troubles, and Aaron might be the local-boy-done-well, but before he was that, he was anything but the popular young man in town. They both have every reason to be hesitant despite the chemistry, and that helped the tension roll onward without feeling like it was going on a bit too long.
"Lost and Found on Lindisfarne," by J.L. Merrow
Okay, I admit it. I nabbed Summer Lovin' entirely based on seeing that it had another J.L. Merrow short story in it. After reading Muscling Through I was in the mood for more fun from Merrow, and this collection of short stories about summer loves sounded perfect.
Merrow's story takes place when a young father and his daughter take a vacation that includes visiting Lindisfarne - where "Vikings" live and breathe for tourists. But when a large viking asks the man if his twelve year old daughter would be willing to marry his berserker son, the father finds himself more interested than his daughter. Still, being a dad doesn't leave much time for having fun himself - except maybe there's a lesson to be learned about how the vikings took what they wanted.
Or at least this particular viking.
Cute, sweet, and charming - but not lacking depth and a couple of moments that gave me a pause and a sniffle - this was exactly what I was hoping for today.
"Salt 'n' Vinegar," by Clare London
So I admit it. Summer Lovin' is sort of a collection that's letting me keep a sense of warmth and summer as the Ottawa autumn tells me that the summer is so incredibly over. Cold rain all morning, leaves at my feet, and frost and...
It snowed the other morning.
Still! The heat is still on in this short story anthology, and I'm happy to vacation there. "Salt 'n' Vinegar" is the story in this collection that had the largest emotional surprise for me, and I don't mean that in a bad way. These are stories of summer flings, so I was expecting meet-cutes and soft romantic stories, some funny, some silly, and a dash of spice. So when I got to the revelations in this story, I was taken aback (again, in a good way).
Without ruining anything, this time the summer romance is between a fellow working at a fish 'n' chips shop on the seafront, and a regular customer who comes in for chips with extra salt. His sister - who also works at the same shop - teases the poor guy mercilessly for his crush on said customer, and when the hero of the tale finally works up the nerve to chat the fellow up, things start to move forward.
But then there's a major change of direction mid-way through the tale, and - as I said - it was a complete surprise.
In a way, I think I can credit "Salt 'n' Vinegar" with giving this anthology a sense of real range without losing sight of the summer theme. It's a delicate balance, but London pulls it off.
"Werewolves of Venice Beach," by Lou Harper
This one's a part of Summer Lovin', and it may not be summer any more, but I can still enjoy some stories that take me to a place where there's sun, sand, and... potential lycanthropes.
Bryan has taken a house-sitting job for the summer, where he walks a dog, and gets to see the beach, and where he can study to get a leg up on next year's courses in Engineering. He's maybe a little too driven, and maybe he's a little bit of a nerd, but he's mostly okay with that right up until he sees the naked guy next door with the tattoos and the...
Well, the everything else.
Soon he's finding his neighbors are a crazy lot and that he enjoys spending time with them - including the fellow he had such an unfettered view of earlier - and before long, things happen and he's in bed with said tattooed musician, and maybe this summer he won't be studying all that much after all.
But is it possible the weird way this neighbor is running hot-and-cold has something to do with the collarless dog he sees running around? Could it be the reason his nickname is "Dogbreath" is..?
Fun and light for the most part, there's enough serious to this story to ground it, and it's a lovely summer romance.
"By Quarry Lake," by Josephine Myles
I loved this last tale from Summer Lovin' mostly for how it left me with an "aww!" feeling. Two young men parted when a kiss turned into a punch and misunderstanding has been left in silence ever since. But when the man who threw the punch comes back to town - and knows now that he is, absolutely, gay - there's reconciliation in the air.
If it's possible.
The lake named by the title is central to the story, and it's a great setting - a swimming hole only the two of them really know - and it frames the start and end of the tale in a soft and summery fashion. Indeed, there's nothing not to love about this piece, which - as I said - finishes off the collection with just the right note.
If only summer would last forever like this...
September 25, 2020
Five different low-effort stories. Awesome
May 15, 2015
3.5 rounded up
This anthology was a great mix of stories. From lust at first sight to love reunited, I really enjoyed the mix. Besides the theme of summer, another thing they all had in common was humor. I got quiet a few chuckles and would read this again anytime I'm in the mood for some extra sunshine.
This anthology was a great mix of stories. From lust at first sight to love reunited, I really enjoyed the mix. Besides the theme of summer, another thing they all had in common was humor. I got quiet a few chuckles and would read this again anytime I'm in the mood for some extra sunshine.
October 13, 2013
To read my full review, please visit http://onsilverwingz.blogspot.com/201...
This anthology is a compilation of several amazing works in the M/M romance genre. Each short story features a summer theme and will give you a taste of all the flavors of summer romance.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
3.5 Stars
Jim is a computer programmer without a job and Aaron needs another helping hand at the garage for his boat retail business. Despite their initial attraction, they are held back by their boss-employee relationship. This is a cute, short, and complete story. The epilogue nicely ties up loose ends and ensures a wonderful, realistic, happy end for the couple and will simultaneously leave you with a smile.
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow
5 Stars
I love the interesting character voice telling the story. And it's about Vikings! The story definitely has a sense of humor and things generally stay upbeat throughout. I love the family dynamics between Chris and his clever daughter, Kelis. They are vacationing on a Viking island and meets Ian, the Viking. Ian is looking for a bride and chances upon Kelis...who's twelve years old. The set up is clever and hilarious.
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London
4.5 Stars
This is a romance in a fish and chips shop by the sea. Joe, a college graduate part-timing at the shop, meets a striking, mysterious but reserved local. I love that sex is not just depicted as the physical, but as part of the relationship. The romance grows with slow revealings of Steven's character, but then a story twist pops up and brings a healthy dose of angst. The HFN ending temporary settles the hunger for a HEA for the couple and makes me long for a sequel or an epilogue.
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
3 Stars
This story definitely starts out with a bang (with nudity). I liked the angst-fulled relationship between Slade and Bryan. Slade acts like a stranger in the day and an intimate lover at night. Bryan is confused and wants an exclusive, all-out boyfriends relationship. Maybe Slade's behavior has something to do with his band of werewolves?
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles
4.5 Stars
There are lots of swimming and getting to know each other again. The story is well written and captures the passion and shyness of trying to rekindle a past love. I love the setting and the budding romantic interest that are set in the wilderness and the transition into society, their world, their families. That shows how the characters react in other situations and makes them more real. Everything put together made this a great coming out story.
This anthology is a compilation of several amazing works in the M/M romance genre. Each short story features a summer theme and will give you a taste of all the flavors of summer romance.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
3.5 Stars
Jim is a computer programmer without a job and Aaron needs another helping hand at the garage for his boat retail business. Despite their initial attraction, they are held back by their boss-employee relationship. This is a cute, short, and complete story. The epilogue nicely ties up loose ends and ensures a wonderful, realistic, happy end for the couple and will simultaneously leave you with a smile.
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow
5 Stars
I love the interesting character voice telling the story. And it's about Vikings! The story definitely has a sense of humor and things generally stay upbeat throughout. I love the family dynamics between Chris and his clever daughter, Kelis. They are vacationing on a Viking island and meets Ian, the Viking. Ian is looking for a bride and chances upon Kelis...who's twelve years old. The set up is clever and hilarious.
Salt 'n' Vinegar by Clare London
4.5 Stars
This is a romance in a fish and chips shop by the sea. Joe, a college graduate part-timing at the shop, meets a striking, mysterious but reserved local. I love that sex is not just depicted as the physical, but as part of the relationship. The romance grows with slow revealings of Steven's character, but then a story twist pops up and brings a healthy dose of angst. The HFN ending temporary settles the hunger for a HEA for the couple and makes me long for a sequel or an epilogue.
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
3 Stars
This story definitely starts out with a bang (with nudity). I liked the angst-fulled relationship between Slade and Bryan. Slade acts like a stranger in the day and an intimate lover at night. Bryan is confused and wants an exclusive, all-out boyfriends relationship. Maybe Slade's behavior has something to do with his band of werewolves?
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles
4.5 Stars
There are lots of swimming and getting to know each other again. The story is well written and captures the passion and shyness of trying to rekindle a past love. I love the setting and the budding romantic interest that are set in the wilderness and the transition into society, their world, their families. That shows how the characters react in other situations and makes them more real. Everything put together made this a great coming out story.
August 25, 2013
I'm really enjoying this anthology so far...I will try to leave little reviews for each story as I read them.
Summer Hire, by Chrissy Munder - 3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this. I thought it was very sweet and also thought that for a short story there was a lot of story in this too. Loved the ending and also really enjoyed the characters.
Lost & Found on Lindisfarne, by JL Merrow - 4 stars - I really loved this! Cute story and I loved the viking! Yum!
Salt ‘n’ Vinegar, by Clare London - 3 stars - probably my least favorite in the anthology, I regret to say. I usually love this author but the story just didn't sit we'll with me...maybe because I didn't really get Steven's side of things?
Werewolves of Venice Beach, by Lou Harper - 3.5 stars - I enjoyed this. I liked Bryan's theory about Slade haha, and I'm a sucker for stories that have dogs in them!
By Quarry Lake, by Josephine Myles / 4 stars - one of my favorites...I love reunion and first time stories and I really liked the flow of this one.
Overall a very solid anthology. I enjoyed many of the stories and I liked that they were a bit longer than your typical anthology short story.
Summer Hire, by Chrissy Munder - 3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this. I thought it was very sweet and also thought that for a short story there was a lot of story in this too. Loved the ending and also really enjoyed the characters.
Lost & Found on Lindisfarne, by JL Merrow - 4 stars - I really loved this! Cute story and I loved the viking! Yum!
Salt ‘n’ Vinegar, by Clare London - 3 stars - probably my least favorite in the anthology, I regret to say. I usually love this author but the story just didn't sit we'll with me...maybe because I didn't really get Steven's side of things?
Werewolves of Venice Beach, by Lou Harper - 3.5 stars - I enjoyed this. I liked Bryan's theory about Slade haha, and I'm a sucker for stories that have dogs in them!
By Quarry Lake, by Josephine Myles / 4 stars - one of my favorites...I love reunion and first time stories and I really liked the flow of this one.
Overall a very solid anthology. I enjoyed many of the stories and I liked that they were a bit longer than your typical anthology short story.
August 14, 2013
Five stories of summer love from five fantastic authors.
I liked all of the stories in this anthology. Clare London's "Salt & Vinegar" was the flattest for me. I loved the descriptions of the Brighton shore, but at the end, It wasn't bad by any means, it just worked a little less well than the other stories for me.
All of the stories brought something different to the table, from an adorable Viking berserker, to childhood friends skinny dipping, to a geek's crush on his mechanic boss. They were all sweet and sexy and made me want a cold glass of lemonade to ward off the heat.
This is a collection I would absolutely re-read, which I think is the best praise I can give a book.
I liked all of the stories in this anthology. Clare London's "Salt & Vinegar" was the flattest for me. I loved the descriptions of the Brighton shore, but at the end, It wasn't bad by any means, it just worked a little less well than the other stories for me.
All of the stories brought something different to the table, from an adorable Viking berserker, to childhood friends skinny dipping, to a geek's crush on his mechanic boss. They were all sweet and sexy and made me want a cold glass of lemonade to ward off the heat.
This is a collection I would absolutely re-read, which I think is the best praise I can give a book.
October 5, 2014
Overall 3.5 stars
This is a rare thing, an anthology which I have liked all the stories in. Some more than other ones, that's a matter of taste. But everyone with a really good quality threshold IMHO.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder - 3,5 stars
Cute
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow - 3,5 stars
Charming
Salt ’n’ Vinegar by Clare London - 3 stars
Lightly sad
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper - 3 stars
Very good and dissimilar characters
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles - 4 stars
Sweet.
This is a rare thing, an anthology which I have liked all the stories in. Some more than other ones, that's a matter of taste. But everyone with a really good quality threshold IMHO.
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder - 3,5 stars
Cute
Lost and Found on Lindisfarne by JL Merrow - 3,5 stars
Charming
Salt ’n’ Vinegar by Clare London - 3 stars
Lightly sad
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper - 3 stars
Very good and dissimilar characters
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles - 4 stars
Sweet.
on-hold
August 2, 2016Love Found on Lindisfarne by J.L. Merrow: 3,5*
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles:
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
Salt ’n’ Vinegar by Clare London
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles:
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder
Salt ’n’ Vinegar by Clare London
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper
August 24, 2013
Summer Hire: 3.5 stars. Cute and fun, but the guys didn't quite catch me
Lost and Found...: 3 stars. Lovely, I liked the atmosphere a lot
Salt 'n' Vinegar: 1 star. Well written, but I didn't get the MCs
Werewolves of Venice Beach: No rating as I don't read shifters
By Quarry Lake: 3.5 stars. Lovely, but I wished for a few more pages to flesh out the reunion
Lost and Found...: 3 stars. Lovely, I liked the atmosphere a lot
Salt 'n' Vinegar: 1 star. Well written, but I didn't get the MCs
Werewolves of Venice Beach: No rating as I don't read shifters
By Quarry Lake: 3.5 stars. Lovely, but I wished for a few more pages to flesh out the reunion
September 11, 2013
Summer Hire by Chrissy Munder 3.5 stars
Lost And Found On Landisfarne by JL Merrow 4 stars
Salt and Vinegar by Clare London 2.5 stars
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper 3 stars
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles 2.5 stars
Lost And Found On Landisfarne by JL Merrow 4 stars
Salt and Vinegar by Clare London 2.5 stars
Werewolves of Venice Beach by Lou Harper 3 stars
By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles 2.5 stars
October 25, 2013
This Summer Lovin’ is truly a blast! A hot and sweet confection good enough on a cold winter’s night! “Lovin’” is an anthology worth reading. The main theme is summer romances that turn into something more when the weather turns colder.
Check out the 5 star review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
Check out the 5 star review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
September 3, 2013
High quality fluff, exactly what I wanted. A rare anthology with not a dud in the lot, by authors who are mostly auto-buys for me. Some English, some American, some dabbling in a wee bit of angst, all enjoyable. If I had to pick a favorite, it might be JL Merrow's, but only if I had to.
August 27, 2013
I'm not a big fan of short stories as I feel a lot is skipped over. Some stories I liked a lot though and wished they were longer. The ones I did like were perfect summer lovin' niblets full of sunshine and lollipops.
August 15, 2013
3.5 stars rounded up
August 3, 2016
The first story didn't really grab me but the others are all lovely.
August 27, 2013
I am not a big fan of the anthology. But, this is an exception to my rule. Each of the stories is fresh and engaging, without feeling like a beach movie gone bad. HIghly recommend.
February 20, 2015
I really liked all of these stories - lots of hot summer fun. The blurbs cover it all without spoiling but the feel of hot summer days come through. All well written and feel like longer tales.
May 9, 2015
An enjoyable set of short, light, fun stories. All with fluff, sparkle and the promise of a HEA.
There's lovely :)
There's lovely :)
September 1, 2015
3.25 stars
September 21, 2015
4.5 Stars
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