Trading Tridents

by C.M. Taylor

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2017 Advent Calendar collection Stocking Stuffers.

DecemberCon 2017. John Perlan, aka YouTuber “SmileyNibor,” has come to the con for one reason and one reason only: to see his idol, actor Derek Kitow. And since Derek has announced he’ll be dressed as the original Aquaman, Perlan decides to come as the Aquaman reboot. It helps that he already has the beard and the bod to make a convincing Momoaman.

But when Derek Kitow makes his entrance, he recognizes Perlan from his tiny YouTube channel and wants him onstage! Has Kitow been following him online? Could SmileyNibor’s hero also be a fan? And what exactly does Kitow have in mind by inviting Perlan to meet him after the panel?

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Christmas, BDSM, LGBT, Short Stories

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2017

About the author

C. M. Taylor was born in California and raised in Houston, Texas. She was raised evangelical and attended a private Baptist school where she was taught the dangers of demons, depravity, Darwin, and Democrats. In that order. She currently lives in Oregon where she has three children who require constant adoration and a house that is largely left to fend for itself. Her domestic skills are poor. Her husband handles the tasks of making money, cooking, and yard work.


She loves all things Final Fantasy (especially VII) and Star Trek (especially Deep Space Nine). Taylor began writing regularly when she discovered fanfiction and realized she had been writing fanfics since grade school. As the fanfiction world is filled with yaoi and crack pairings, the transition to writing LGBTQ+ romance was a logical one. She identifies as pansexual.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Hearts

I’ve got to say that the fangirl in me really liked many a thing in this shortie, but for full disclosure I was a bit surprised by the bdsm elements that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Per the blurb, John is stoked to be attending the DecemberCon because his movie star crush Derek, will be there. In response to Derek announcing he’ll be dressed up as classic Aquaman, John thinks his Jason Momoa physique is the perfect counterpart to display the new movie version. He doesn’t expect Derek to already know who he is, and John is quite shocked when he realizes the actor wants a more personal meet and greet. *wink*

What ensues is a hot kinky interlude, as well as some comic book lore theorization. This was… unexpected but sexy. Overall, I enjoyed it despite my preconceived geeky notions of what this was going to be.

Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review

For more reviews on this week’s Advent releases, please check out the blog!!

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was mostly a letdown. I liked the theme of a YouTuber doing a cosplay Aquaman meeting a more famous actor also dressing up as Aquaman, and their hooking up, but the D/s part of the sexy times came completely out of left field and didn't work for me at all.

The lead-up to the meeting was well done. From there on, it went downhill fast.

Not a fave.


** I received a free copy of this short story from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, dirty, and oh so fun

Trading Tridents was the stuff fan dreams are made of. This one was fast and dirty, closer to erotica than a full-on contemporary romance, but there was enough of a story to hook me. The plot follows aspiring actor and part-time welder John heading to DecemberCon with his two best friends. Hoping to get up close and personal with his actor crush, Derek Kitow, John dresses as Aquaman and ends up closer than he’d ever imagined.

Although there’s not much build-up to the John and Derek meeting and getting together, Trading Tridents was surprisingly sexy and I enjoyed this quick story more than I expected to after the first few pages. I really liked how the author balanced the fandom with some geeking out and a good amount of humor. It kept things interesting and light-hearted, though I have to say this isn’t much in the way of a holiday tale beyond taking place in December. Regardless, Trading Tridents is certainly a story that will put a smile on your face and lighten up your day.

Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club

[Lila Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to follow at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Smut Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

With its geekdom, erotic nature and humour – Trading Tridents by C.M. Taylor has it all.

John is an ardent admirer of the famous actor Derek and when he’s planning his costume for the upcoming DecemberCon convention – what better than to go as a complement to his secret crush? Little does John know that Derek is also a fan of his fledgling YouTube channel...and that’s not the only surprise Derek has in store!

Fast-paced and amusing, Trading Tridents by C.M. Taylor is a quick read, brilliantly written and had me yearning for more.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and steamy holiday story very unlike the rest of the Dreamspinner Stocking Stuffers. I loved the idea of a cosplayer dressing as a character and meeting the actor who actually plays the character. John went to DecemberCon with the intention of meeting Derek and having the opportunity to talk to him. It's clear that he really looks up to Derek and respects him a great deal.

That's about all you really get to know about the MC's personality-wise. The rest of this book flew by frighteningly fast. They met up at the con and pretty much immediately the book transitioned into more of a quick and dirty erotica than a sweet holiday romance. It was completely unexpected because the rest of the books in the Dreamspinner Advent have been very sweet and minimally erotic.

I quite enjoyed the story, but I would have liked to get to know the characters more. They had lust working for them but I didn't really feel their chemistry so I didn't feel like there was an HEA aspect at the end. It felt more like a one nighter that you'd brag about later.

[Lois - Who Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not so much story as an excuse for a sex scene. The fanboy, cosplay part was really cute and the sex scene was pretty hot. I guess there is only so much you can expect from a 32 page story!

[BTina · Rating 2 out of 5]

first half 3.5 stars, second half 1.5 stars

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
I was not provided a cover for this short story, only for the collection. Since I do not know if an individual cover will eventually be made for it, I am opting not to comment further on the cover. The synopsis, however, hooked me at the mere mention of "Aquamoaman" - because if anything exudes raw hotness, it's the Moaman!

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

A cute short story about a hot, current actor and his fan. The fan is an inspiring actor with bit roles and extras on his resume as well as a moderate YouTube following. A Comic Convention brings them together in an enjoyable way.
There's not a lot to this short story outside of their encounter that day but it was entertaining. Cast was fun. The ending was abrupt and left wide open. I'd love to see this made into a longer story at some point. Hell, I'd love to see this as a YouTube video!
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.025 ~ Stars: 4

==========================

⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Trading Tridents’ is the first Advent Calendar story I’m reading this year that I did not immediately like. Not the story’s fault at all, and after thinking about it a bit, I realize now that I only had some initial trouble because it is so different from the others in the collection. It’s funny, very sexy, and if you are a member of any fandom out there at all, you will probably be able to relate.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Kendra T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK story, but super short. Despite it being short, I didn't really want a whole lot more for the story. The characters were OK and it worked for a one time sexual experience, but I don't really get how it evolved to where they went so quickly. They didn't know each other and had no conversation, but then all of a sudden they are together. I think? It seemed weird how the trailer was so easily found despite not being told where it was, and how the friends just walked in with no issue. Not to mention that Derek is a supposedly famous actor. It missed the mark for me, but it wasn't a horrible story.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about a movie star and a youtuber, a hook up, and a shared love of Aquaman. Aside from it taking place at "DecemberCon," I honestly wasn't sure how this short story fit into a Christmas theme. It didn't feel like Christmas to me, though the story itself was entertaining. Full review over at The Novel Approach.

[Sadonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This one really didn't do much for me. Not a ComiCon person. Not into the superhero movies - although I do dig Jason Momoa. It was cute enough, but I just didn't really connect with the characters.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosplay Aquamen decide if the submissive needs of one can be met by the other.
Derek is the star, John the fan. Derek needs a kind man who will also dominate him.
The story is really how they meet and gives hope they can make it work.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick leap from meeting to "greeting". But a great geeking way to start something new.

[Beth doesn't write enough reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute fanfic but not at all a holiday/Christmas story.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this short story but the characters weren't developed enough for me to get behind the romance.

[Angela Goodrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Trading Tridents is every star struck, celebrity stalking, fangirl or fanboy’s fantasy come true. When John gets the chance to attend a convention where his celebrity crush is speaking, he jumps at it, going so far as to cosplay as the modern version of the same character his idol will be dressed as, Aquaman. While John was happy just to see Kitow speak, his dream came true when the actor not only saw him in the crowd, but also pulled him on stage while stating that he recognized John from his YouTube channel and an advertising campaign. SWOON! But the dream quickly becomes a fantasy come true when Kitow invites John back to his trailer for some one-on-one time. Some hot and sweaty and sexy one-on-one time.

What I liked about this story was that Kitow did not come off as an entitled star expecting John to drop trou just because Kitow deigned to speak to him. Rather, Kitow seems to be as enamored by John as John is with him – a little reverse celebrity worship taking place. I found this angle to be sweet and it made Kitow seem more approachable. I also enjoyed the trident demonstration scene... it was HAWT! That said, I did not like the post-sex conversation where Kitow tries to help John articulate his concerns about his loss of control during the scene. The “Because if you pretend to be a rapist, what does that make you?” line unnerved me. While I think I understand what the author was trying to communicate, the failure to take the next step and have Kitow remind John that he had consented prior to the scene and that he never once used his safe word meant that the act was consensual. But leaving that out and continuing the conversation the way it occurred, it’s as if the characters are equating rough sex with rape and that just bugs me. I enjoyed Taylor’s writing style and most of the story, but that one troubling aspect of Trading Tridents means that I cannot give the novelette more than three stars. I do, however, hope to check out more of the author’s work in the future.

Please note: My review is of an unedited, pre-release copy of this book and assumes that any errors were corrected prior to publication.

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and very modern

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this story really has nothing to do with the winter holidays except for the time of year, it’s still pretty darn cute. The author worked some great geeky humor into John, the Aquaman fanboy. His love for star Derek Kitow is something pretty much everyone can relate to and his story is the ultimate fantasy come to life for anyone who has ever had a ridiculous crush on the unattainable. I would have liked some holiday aspect in there just because that’s what I came to the DSP Advent party for, but that being said, I would like to read more by this author as I really like the writing style and the charm the author has.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

[Xan]

Content Warnings Play fighting with tridents. Consensual BDSM including D/s, bondage, light objectification, sexual submission, blade play. Sex on the page.

Fun, geeky, kinky m/m romance short presenting it's own winter holiday of a feast at a sci fi convention as way more important than Christmas. The geekery was enjoyable, the bits with the tridents were a lot of fun, and I liked the infusion of kink into the story.