Scan barcode
A review by lillian_francis
Bare Studs by Alice Archer, Allan Jay, Henrietta Clarke, Bryl R. Tyne, Jess Roth, Charlie Tannen, Ginger Streusel, Kim Dias, Quinn Dressler, Terry Rissen
4.0
Of the 10 stories there were only 2 I didn't like.
Coffee a run by Jess Roth. - Cute. 4*
The Last Snow Globe Repairman by Allen Jay - Well, that was unexpected. Far too much going on in a short story. I'd have been interested in reading this in a much longer format. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to have written anything else. 3.5* (because it didn't fit in a short story)
Of Scribes and Kings by Bryl R Tyne - Creepy, stakerish behaviour, spit for lube, fantasy roleplay before they even know each other. Not to mention I found the beginning difficult to follow. 2*
Executive Decision by Alice Archer. - Thought I was going to struggle with this at first but the more it got more into the interaction between the characters, the more I enjoyed it. Well written. 4*
Flat packed by Henrietta Clarke. - I really wasn't ready for this story to end. In fact I've written a summary of their next 12 months together. Not in my head but on paper. Damn it, I could turn this into a novel. 4.5*
Moonshine by Charlie Tannen - Having seen all the other reviews for this I thought this would be poorly written but it's not. Apparently nobody likes historicals. I thought this story, set during prohibition, was excellent and I felt for Oscar during his quandary when he found out how Charlie made his money. My only complaint: the title. Talk about taking all the suspense out of the story. 4.5* (Gutted I can find no other work by this author).
Love on the Tarmac by Quinn Dressler - This time it's the turn of ramp agent and wannbe mechanic to get his hands dirty. A cute story of a ramp agent who gets to save the day, the airline, and the pilot he's been crushing on, and kick some homophobic butt in the process. 4*
The Stonemason by Terry Rissen. - This was written well but it was, strange, to say the least. In fact it reminded me of this book that I've read recently https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20662033-taken-by-his-museum-treasure But with a different kind of happy ending. 3*
Hot Cross Buns by Ginger Streusel. Didn't feel anything for these characters or their relationship. The final fire was telegraphed from the get go and had no impact. Cole probably wasn't cut out to be a fireman, who throws water on a stove fire rather than look for an extinguisher? 2*
How to Build a Shed by Kim Dias. - Adorable. A little white lie. It can't do much damage, right? 4*
Coffee a run by Jess Roth. - Cute. 4*
The Last Snow Globe Repairman by Allen Jay - Well, that was unexpected. Far too much going on in a short story. I'd have been interested in reading this in a much longer format. Unfortunately the author doesn't seem to have written anything else. 3.5* (because it didn't fit in a short story)
Of Scribes and Kings by Bryl R Tyne - Creepy, stakerish behaviour, spit for lube, fantasy roleplay before they even know each other. Not to mention I found the beginning difficult to follow. 2*
Executive Decision by Alice Archer. - Thought I was going to struggle with this at first but the more it got more into the interaction between the characters, the more I enjoyed it. Well written. 4*
Flat packed by Henrietta Clarke. - I really wasn't ready for this story to end. In fact I've written a summary of their next 12 months together. Not in my head but on paper. Damn it, I could turn this into a novel. 4.5*
Moonshine by Charlie Tannen - Having seen all the other reviews for this I thought this would be poorly written but it's not. Apparently nobody likes historicals. I thought this story, set during prohibition, was excellent and I felt for Oscar during his quandary when he found out how Charlie made his money. My only complaint: the title. Talk about taking all the suspense out of the story. 4.5* (Gutted I can find no other work by this author).
Love on the Tarmac by Quinn Dressler - This time it's the turn of ramp agent and wannbe mechanic to get his hands dirty. A cute story of a ramp agent who gets to save the day, the airline, and the pilot he's been crushing on, and kick some homophobic butt in the process. 4*
The Stonemason by Terry Rissen. - This was written well but it was, strange, to say the least. In fact it reminded me of this book that I've read recently https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20662033-taken-by-his-museum-treasure But with a different kind of happy ending. 3*
Hot Cross Buns by Ginger Streusel. Didn't feel anything for these characters or their relationship. The final fire was telegraphed from the get go and had no impact. Cole probably wasn't cut out to be a fireman, who throws water on a stove fire rather than look for an extinguisher? 2*
How to Build a Shed by Kim Dias. - Adorable. A little white lie. It can't do much damage, right? 4*