Unicorn Favorites: Love is an Open Road Stories: Week One

The M/M Romance Group on Goodreads hosts a Don't Read in the Closet event each year where they invite members to submit a photo with a story prompt.  Interested authors then volunteer to write the requested stories, which are published for free for everyone to read.  It's a fun/exciting/stressful process, and a great opportunity to read stories from favorite authors.  And chances are, you'll also discover some new authors, who hopefully have a backlist of goodies to check out :)

This year's event was named Love is an Open Road and they started releasing the completed stories on June first. Here at BMBR, we've been following along on comment threads, anticipating the stories from our favorite prompts, and now greedily reading the stories as they become available.

As an aside, there are SO many amazing stories being released and while we haven't read all of them yet, we will get there. There will be a few however, that won’t be reviewed here. You see, unicorns are not only badass, they are also mysterious and magically rare. We can't expect their presence to show up in our reviews, the interwebz couldn't handle it. But, just know this, this week, we LOVED fawn by Nash Summers and The Frat Brat by Nico Jaye. That is all.

Other than fawn and The Frat Brat, here are some of our favorites from the first week of the event, June 1-7:

Ann: All About Trust by D.P. Denman

 I saw the pic, I read the prompt and I gotta admit, I got skeered. Seriously, how could this story possibly wrap up with me feeling anything but uber sadness? My curiosity got the better of me though and I started reading. Cue the clock striking at 1:00 a.m., I finished and you know how I felt? Hopeful, full of warm fuzziness and my faith in humanity was restored. Not that parts of the story weren’t incredibly difficult to read, the author didn’t take a Pollyanna view of the brutality Eric suffered. It wasn’t described in a gratuitous way though, there was just enough description given to get your imagination going and there was no question about where Eric’s distrust and hopelessness came from.

Marcus is volunteering at the hospital where Eric is recuperating after being left for dead by Daddy. Marcus is the quintessential good guy. He’s not too-good-to-be-true good, he’s just an honestly decent human being. It really bothers him that Eric is alone with no prospects but a life on the street when he is released from the hospital. They forge a tentative friendship of sorts and the author really captured this time between them so well. It wasn’t easy, but it didn’t have any added unnecessary drama or angst to try and make a point. There was already plenty in Eric’s life and the author let all that speak for itself and let the characters be and grow organically.

I have to mention the absolutely amazing secondary characters. The story wouldn’t be what it is without them. Once you meet Marcus’ parents you can immediately see how Marcus turned out so amazing. They were exactly what Eric needed when he needed it. I appreciated how the author kept the relationship between Eric and Marcus tame. Anything else would have been totally unbelievable and would have cheapened all the trust they achieved throughout the story. This was not the story for the magical peen that comes along and solves ALL the problems. It really was all about trust and how much work both Eric and Marcus put in to get their happy.

Audrey: A Single Step by Vicky Heysham

 Lovely and unconventional short story that features an online romance. Told entirely through blog entries, blog comments, and emails, this story isn't erotic, but it's heartfelt. I personally love the epistolary format, and A Single Step did it very well. Definitely worth a read, and at a shorter length, it's easy to fit in for a lunch break. :)







Breann: All About Trust by D.P. Denman

Honestly, the prompt and picture really did nothing for me. So much that they almost deterred me from reading the story. The author took what was a so-so prompt for me and turned it into an amazing story.

Eric's story was all about his growth and healing from the horrific experiences he endured. I can't begin to think about how much strength someone has to have to learn to trust after abuse like Eric suffered.

But it wasn't all Eric, the humanity and love from Marcus' family was so beautiful. Yes, Marcus' family did take a risk with letting this stranger into their lives, but all it took was some love and humanity to make such a difference for Eric.

It was a lovely, heartbreaking and touching story.

Lorix: Risking the Field by Jean McGray and Lima Oscar Victor Echo and the Truth about Everything by Suki Fleet

Oh wow. *sighs*

This story was written for my prompt - and truly. for the second year running I feel like such a winner. What an amazing story.

Friends-to-lovers is my all time favourite storyline. There is something about the trust and love that already exists in a friendship that just makes the move into more just wonderful. Therefore my prompts tend to be of a friends-to-more variety - and Jean McGray has truly captured everything I was hoping for.

This short story shows us basically one day and night in the lives of these two friends - but it's the day and night when everything changes for them. Jean McGray has captured the moment so perfectly. i swear, the first (proper) kiss had me melt into a gooey puddle. It was so perfect, I'm such a sucker for kisses - I need those kisses more than sex in my books. Pen and Davey's first kiss in most definitely one of the best snogs I've read. It was beautiful.

Although this was set within just a twenty-four hour period (save the epilogue & prologue), I believed in the friendship between Pen and Davey, therefore I believed in teh developing relationship. Jean McGray did a wonderful job. The writing was light and witty and so easy to read. I swear I could read more and more about these two.

In fact, more than just those two, I also loved the secondary characters. Mom 1 and Mom 2 especially. I could feel their pain at having graduating sons! Children grow up WAAAAAY too quickly. It struck a chord.

Thank you so much Jean McGray for this story. It was everything and more than I hoped. <3 I love Davey and Pen. xx

Thank you to everyone involved in making this event happen. You are all fantastic!

 Every single star ever gets thrown at this story. There is a reason Suki Fleet is one of my favourite authors, and that reason is everything about this story.

The characters, the love. That first kiss - OH MY GOD, THAT FIRST KISS! There is not a word out of place in this story. Not one. Friends falling in love, yep, my favourite theme. Friends with a welsh accent (my favourite accent) - could it get any better? Pretty much no. I will read and re-read this story forever. I love Oscar & Jamie. I would adore more from this world. *bats lashes*

Thank you so much for your entry Suki, it's perfect. (Oh & get out from behind that rock!)

Sunny: The Forest Savage by Claire Davis & Al Stewart

Raw, unflinching, and so very sad. With gradual healing, though, we got glimpses of hope and happiness. I alternated between wanting to shake the MCs and wanting to hug them.

Side notes:
I don't know the right words, but I was especially impressed by the strong sense of...place? Setting? Mood? Whatever it was, it permeated the story and made it all so believable.

I loved how well I could see Troy, just through Cal's eyes. Clear, consistent characterization. He got to me, that sweet, mixed up boy.
  
SheReadsALot: Obsidian by Rory Ni Coilean

 "Once I lived for the touch of the Sun. I dimly remember this. Now, though, I am part of the human world. I need to know why, I need to know what has happened to me. But this male, this beautiful gentle male who rescued me from the forest floor and touches me so sweetly… he is mine.

This, I need no one to tell me.

This I know."

Okay, I'm one of those 'ew, snakes' people - can't stand snakes, scare the hell out of me, etc.
But there is something about snake shifters that change the game for me.

Rory Ni Coilean's Obsidian packs a punch in less than 8K. The prose was touch purple in the beginning. We're talking lilacs and violets. But the world building and race she creates held my attention that I didn't worry about the purple.

It was all about Naqxo, Lamia (snake) shifter and Damis, a human who was betrothed to the female-dominant race. The inner turmoil of Damis, who prefers men and laments having to be given to a woman was done very well. The fact that Naqxo is a snake takes a backseat to the fantasy filled magic that happened on the page.

It was magical, romantic and gives enough without giving anything away. Some authors can be open and others hold their cards to their chest. This one is the latter giving just enough to carry off this short story.

And the first time sex scene was scorching. I'm hissing along with Damis and Naqxo.



*** All stories are available for download at  http://www.mmromancegroup.com/ ***

Group Review: One Perfect Wish by L.M. Brown

Playing the part of another man’s husband to fulfil a wish is easy, but what happens at midnight when the magical day is over?

Scott Baxter is a workaholic with no time for love, until a djinn pulls him out of his life and deposits him into the bed of Cameron Kirk. Cut off from his life, Scott isn’t happy about the idea of being forced to help the djinn grant an unspecified wish, but he soon finds he has no real choice in the matter. The djinn, who has turned his life upside down, has powers that prevent Scott from leaving and ensure he does nothing to ruin Cameron’s day with his ‘husband’.

Reluctant at first, Scott finds that as the day progresses he starts to enjoy playing the role of Cameron’s husband. He connects with his unexpected lover in a way he never has with other men.

Scott searches for clues to help him track down Cameron after the day is over and he returns to his own life. He doesn’t want the day to end, but the wish is out of his control and when the magic is finished his time with Cameron may be over too. 

When a request came in for a  cute little winter story four of us were jumping up and down with grabby hands. So here, for your perusal, is what Ann, Audrey, SheReadsALot and I (Lorix) thought about this cute little number.

Ann:
Ok, this was an adorable fantasy tale that I just loved. The first half has Scott spending one day with Cameron to fulfill a wish made to a djinn. The wish has Cameron spending one day with his true love. Scott is naturally skeptical but resigns himself to just getting it over with so he can go back to his normal workaholic life once the djinn proves to him that he’s not going anywhere until midnight. He might as well make the most of his day. And who knows? Maybe Scott will learn something about himself along the way.

Turns out spending the day with Cameron is NO hardship for Scott and the two spend the day connecting in ALL the ways. I liked when these two connected muchly. You wouldn’t think there would be time to convey a bond between the two, but the author pulled it off and what may have read as instalove and unbelievable wasn’t at all and I gobbled up the romance like SRAL on a cannoli.

Twists and turns ahead both hurt my heart and gave me hope. The author pretty much covered all the bases explaining how the wishes worked without overwhelming the sweetness with too many details. There was a lot to cover though and a few of the conversations felt a little rushed and forced in order to fit it all in. I was anxious to get on to more “connecting” between Cameron and Scott, and since this was a short read I was OK glossing over and rushing those bits.

The unique premise made for a fun and sweet read with just enough drama to keep it interesting. It’s a perfect cuddle-on-the-couch or before-bed read that’s guaranteed to make you happy.

Audrey:
Awwwww! Wasn't that adorable??? The concept for this story was super cute, and the way it unfolded took me by surprise. There was a lot (A LOT!) of smexin' in the first half, but the chemistry between them and affection Cameron felt for Scott was palpable. I totally believed Scott felt something for Cameron by the end of their day together, too. And, yes, that "something" he felt for Cameron was enough for Scott to go looking for him in real time. You really have to suspend your reality when reading this little tidbit, but once I did, I definitely came away with a warm and fuzzy feeling from the whole story. Like I said, some of it took me by surprise--in fact, I found myself tearing up a little because one part hit me right in the feels. However, all in all, this was mainly a fluffy story with low angst that I'd recommend if you're looking for a little sexy escapism.

SheReadsALot:
The main reason why I wanted to read this story? Djinn!! I love genies. And modern day fairy tales. And "One Perfect Wish" delivered that. Scott Baxter goes to bed as a stressed, lonely businessman in a hotel and wakes up as a married man in an English countryside. He never met his husband, Cameron. Imagine waking up in bed naked with a man you've never met pressing his morning wood in your arse? Actually that doesn't sound so--I digress. So Scott is given a perfect day with a man he has never met but feels some pull to. With the help of the djinn, he falls for the man but not without a few hiccups along the way. I didn't expect the story to go the route it did around 70%. The 'waking up in a different life' trope isn't a new concept. So the twist was different. Things are mostly tied up in the end. Spoilerish: Though I have to minus a heart for having versions of who knows how many running around. Overall, cute, sexy fun. I liked the bit of orgasm denial, no matter how faint.

Lorix: 

In the gloomy grey of winter, a little magic in my love stories is just what I need. When a djinn shows Scott his perfect husband (Cameron)- only to take it away a day later - Scott knows he will do anything to find the man he never knew he loved. A series of twist and turns and a little more magic ensue, but is it enough to give Scott and Cameron an HEA?

As short stories go, this contained everything I need for a happy, contented half an hour. In fact it is one of those stories that fit perfectly in between angst filled books and epic dramas. It's the sorbet of the book world - gently cleansing the palate between the main course and pudding. A truly enjoyable read that fills the gap nicely. 

For more information go to Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: Shiny! by Amy Lane

Will Lafferty and Kenny Scalia are both having sort of a day. Will gets fired for letting fifth graders read Harry Potter, and Kenny finds his boyfriend and his sex toys in bed with a complete stranger. When Will knocks over Kenny's trash can—and strews Kenny's personal business all over the street—it feels like the perfect craptastic climax to the sewage of suckage that has rained down on them both.

But ever-friendly, ever-kind Will asks snarky Kenny out for a beer—God knows they both need one—and two amazing things occur: Kenny discovers talking to Will might be the best form of intercourse ever, and Will discovers he's gay.

Their unlikely friendship seems like the perfect platonic match until Will reveals how very much more he’s been feeling for Kenny almost since the beginning. But Kenny’s worried. Will’s new-found sexuality is bright and glittery and shiny, but what happens when that wears off? Is Will's infatuation with Kenny strong enough to stay real?

Ahhhhhhh.

Amy Lane Lite is my favorite. *explodes*

There's just something so comforting about knowing I'm going to get a great story, super interesting characters, and a lovely HEA...minus Amy Lane's trademarked Angst and Pain.

After pulling myself out of a year-long vortex of freebie fanfics and online fiction, I decided to tackle the plethora of books I hadn't yet read, but that were waiting for me on my Kindle. Shiny! was right there...all shiny and new and eager to please.

And please it did! I really enjoyed this story, and the way Will and Kenny went from friends to lovers was lovely and magical. The characters felt real, and their struggles, while not super duper angsty, were touching and thoughtful. This is feel-good Amy Lane, and damn, did I feel good after reading it.

Will is my boo. (Side note: Sorry, the phrase "my boo" has been in my head ever since watching the blind auditions on "The Voice" recently. Pharrell called Gwen his boo, and Blake had no idea what that meant. ANYWAY...uhhh...back to my review. heh.) Yes, so...Will! He was awesome. I wanted to wrap him up and hug him close. He was just so genuine, authentic, sweet, and kind. I don't blame Kenny for being skeptical about how Will could possibly be real. He was Prince Charming, and I absolutely LOVED how he stood up for himself and his feelings later on in the book. He has a backbone, and he'll fight for what he believes in. The way Will accepted his sexuality--embraced it, really--was refreshing, and seeing him explore sex and loving with Kenny was sweet and emotional.

My only quibble was the structure of the story, which begins at a wedding with the guys (already a couple) telling the tale of how they met. When the narrative bounced back to the wedding at intervening points towards the end of certain chapters, the listeners' comments/reactions/etc. and Will and Kenny's own thoughts in "present day" pulled me a little out of the story.

Otherwise, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to fellow readers who aren't as much into the angst, but still appreciate and have fun with the characters Amy Lane creates. Super charming, super cute, super fun and shiny!

Also, isn't that cover kinda sorta just flat out adorable?? =)

More info on this book available at Goodreads!

Review: Handsome, Hard, and Delicious by James Cox (Handsome Heroes #2)

Travel the universe, meet new people, and find some nice ass...what was wrong with that plan?

Layden had to take it one-step further and fall in love with a man his complete opposite. Lavender was of the Feline clan while Layden of The Golden Wolf Clan. The sex was fantastic. It was everything else that was the challenge. Although, every big fight ended in a world-class romp.

Even with all the yelling, Layden fell in love with the lanky, finicky Lavender. Until the day their past came to find them and Lavender is kidnapped by his own people. Now Layden must find his problematic mate and save him before Lavender is lost forever.

Prepare for some epic failures in escape plans, frottage in a space suit and a handsome twink that plays dirty.

Get your own Handsome, Hard, and Delicious Here

Hey Kids! Welcome to Sunday Funday!

Remember way back when . . .  when BMBR first started, you were there, we were there, it was awesome! Our very first Author of the Month was the very Handsome, very Hard, and very Delicious James Cox. What a very brave man he is. After thanking him (and probably apologizing) to him profusely for coming to play in the clubhouse, we learned that he is just as awesome as his sentences.

Our very first Happy Hour Chat was for Handsome Hero Wanted, hop on into the way-back machine to check it out. Now, we Unicorns don't agree on everything, or much for that matter, but we ALL agreed we wanted more. More handsome, more heroes and mostly a story for Lavender and Layden, the sexy canine and sassy feline from Handsome Hero Wanted. The hero gods listened and this happened.

A SEQUEL TO HANDSOME HERO WANTED

may I present . . . drumroll please . . .

HANDSOME, HARD, AND DELICIOUS
Lavender and Layden's story!!!!

*group hug and inappropriate groping to sequel*

Before we get to the reviewing though, I have to share something that really blew us away. We are not an easily shocked bunch, but when we saw the dedication page for Handsome, Hard, and Delicious? I'm not gonna lie, we were floored. And so very, very flattered. Thank you James, you have touched us right in our cynical little hearts and we LOVE you!!

Yes - THAT just happened!



Sunny - 4 Hearts

I had so much fun reading this story!

Snarky humor + steamy sex + charming sweetness = classic James Cox story :)

Some unanswered questions/plot holes, but I didn't even care, there were too many great lines that kept me laughing.

“Happy?” Lavender practically hissed the word. “Or do you want me to get on my knees and suck you off?” Actually, I did, but I had a feeling Lavender was being sarcastic.

Enjoy this for the silly, sexy, sweetness it is :D

Breann - 4 Hearts

"I'm going to save you for three reasons; your handsome, always hard, and fucking delicious."

Ahhh, yes. The words. They make me giggle.

So, I'm kind of in love with Layden(!) and Lavender. In HHW, I really enjoyed Lavender's snarky character but, for me, it was Layden who really stole the show in HH&D. Lavender was an annoying little brat in the beginning (...and throughout most of the story). He needs a good spanking, he does! Luckily, he has Layden there to deliver.

Amongst their arguing and banter (of which there was plenty) Layden just loved Lavender and it showed from the very beginning with the crappy house he bought for his mate. Yeah, crappy house is crappy, but it was sweet and thoughtful and I was a goner for Layden right then and there.

Their adventure was well written and fun. I love that they stopped to have sex when they were being hunted down by the enemy. I guess there's no better way to go, huh?

The romance was much more developed than the first in the series and was more relationship focused rather than smut focused (of course, there's definitely some fantastic smut!).

I can't wait to see where the series goes from here!

Ann - 4.5 Hearts

“Big balls on a cock!”

And the sentences just keep on coming! While I absolutely LOVED Handsome Hero Wanted for all its sexy fun times and brilliant sentences, I may have loved this even more. Why? One word – LAYDEN! No one writes a hero full of sexy snark like James Cox. I thought Kallan from The Triple Towers series was my new book boyfriend, but then I got to read all about Layden. Don’t tell Kallan, because I do love him, but Layden – oh hell! Layden is big, wolfy, possessive, sweet and so snarky, he’s basically walking swoonage. Plus, he’s head over heels in love with Lavender.

Lavender is the feline brat that drives him crazy with frustration and lust. Their battles and banter were great to read. The adventure in this one is really ramped up and while Lavender likes to drive Layden crazy just for kicks, he also has some reasons for not wanting the crappy house that Layden bought for them and for making Layden nuts. As it turns out Lavender is pretty protective himself which turned him from a brat to a hero with the revelations that came to light. The continuation of the world building just keeps getting better and knowing that this series is continuing makes me one happy unicorn.

Probably my favorite thing though, was the romance. Not ridiculous hearts and flowers schmaltz, but flawed heroes who really love each other; faults and all. That aspect really made this a fully fleshed out story for me and made me appreciate these characters all the more.

Besides the romance I loved:
1. Space Suite Frottage, seriously!
2. This sentence:
“I tried to get my head working, the bigger one, and despite rumors, that was not the one between my legs.”

Audrey - 3 Hearts

I enjoyed this little action-adventure story that let me revisit the characters from Handsome Hero Wanted. Layden (POV narrator) was so incredibly in love with Lavender that it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. I kind of would have liked to see them fall in love, but I took what I got and enjoyed it nonetheless. The book could've used another pass through by a close-reading editor who would have caught things like excited vs. exited or titled vs. tilted. That said, this one is fun, and the adventure is imaginative and exciting. Silly, sweet, with sexy smut, too, Handsome, Hard and Delicious will put a smile on your face. :)

Lorix - 4 Hearts

Handsome, Hard and Delicious is good James Cox fun in a nutshell. It's PWaLP - Porn with a little plot, and the smexin' is hot. Before I go any further can I just say, that cover....it's smokin'! Oh and the dedication. MWAH!

If you like your MC's to have sex at every available opportunity - even when they're on an escape mission, then this is the book for you. Throw in some rope play and a foursome and you're good to go. Wink, wink.

JC's sexy, sarcastic sense of humour comes through in Layden and of course, everyone's favourite, Lavender. A fun and sexy little read.

Justin - 4 Hearts

Thank you, James, for writing Layden and Lavender's story! I know we begged for it, but I'm still humbled by it and the awesome dedication!

Handsome, Hard and Delicious is an action-adventure romance between Layden, our wolf bad boy and Lavender, the feisty twink with the feline bloodline. It's a kickass fun book to read yet it was so damn HOT I kept taking breaks to let my eReader cool down. Ok, maybe it was me that needed to cool down. o_O I'm talking frottage, ropes, spanking and a foursome with a dual dick dude....can you say SCORCHING!? And the snark, OMG I loved the snark between Layden and Lavender. Picture Lethal Weapon with Danny Glover and Mel Gibson fucking between every shootout and that's HH&D.

This wasn't perfect (how in the hell did Lavender escape Vishtar once they were on Felintasion?) but it was so much fun, I loved every crazy minute of it anyway!

****************************

So, there you have it. Thank you again to James for always being such a good sport, a gentleman and a Unicornian Hero!

* a copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review *

Find more info on BookLikes and Goodreads

Review: Teen Wolf Fanfic - Binomial Coefficients by DevilDoll

Binomial Coefficients by DevilDoll

In which brainy freshman Stiles Stilinski wants star quarterback Derek Hale to join the math team, AKA math nerds in love.

Recently, I willingly jumped into the abyss of AO3 fanfics about that most amazing and adorable ship, #Sterek. Yes, Stiles and Derek from Teen Wolf. I've probably read a million (or two?) words on them since the beginning of the year.

And it's been glorious. 

Yes, there have been some ups and downs, but once in a while, you run into a fic that just grabs you and makes you cry out in jubilation.

Binomial Coefficients by DevilDoll is one of them.

I FREAKING LOVED THIS STORY!!!

*ahem*

Yes, this review required at least one shouty-caps statement. :D

I read this story last night, and I can't count the number of times I squeed out loud.

Binomial Coefficients is a high school AU in which opposites, however unlikely, definitely attract. Stiles is a freshman math nerd who convinces Derek the senior quarterback to join the math team.

It's awkward. It's funny. It's adorable. It's GLORIOUS.

I loved this story so freaking hard. The way the writer crafted their relationship was beautiful to watch, and the Stiles POV was perfect in that you could definitely see the feelings develop, even through the filter of his skewed perspective. Because, yes, Stiles is just trying not to get beat up by Derek when he proposes Derek join the math team.

Derek, on the other hand... Well. Let's just say he might be more than interested in having some one-on-one tutoring time with Stiles.

*wink wink*

If you're feeling down, this would be a fantastic little fic to pick you right back up. It's a freshman/senior relationship, but I wasn't bothered by the age difference in this story. There's some kissing, but mostly it's about feelings.

That said, the first kiss? I seriously swooned.

You can find this 20k word fic for free at Archive of Our Own.

Go. Go get it. And then read the freaking hell out of it!

Sunday Funday!!

All of us at some point have ended up on the far ends of Amazon, only to look up, scratch our heads, and think "WTF is that??"

I recently had such an experience with the Wake-Up Vibe.

It is...exactly what it sounds like.

An alarm clock.

That wakes you up.

By vibrating against your junk.

The Wake-Up Vibe is available on Amazon now!

Other crazy finds in the Amazon-WTF category are...

55 Gallon Barrel of Passion Natural Water-Based Lubricant (even better than buying it at Costco!)

Weener Kleener Soap (making sure you get extra clean in every nook and cranny!)

Stress *ahem* Balls (because it's always better if you can grab 'em by the balls!)

And, finally, the saddest find yet... Unicorn Meat (we mourn for you, lost unicornian brother or sister!)

I know I'm not the only one who's run into some oddball finds on Amazon, so if you have any of your own, now's the time to let your freak flag fly! :)

Sunday Funday to the tune of Brown Chicken, Brown Cowwwww!

In the clubhouse we were chatting recently about pornos and smexin' (as we are often wont to do), and Peachy (a.k.a. Ann) said "brown chicken brown cow!"

Which led me to rediscover this terrifying hilarious ridiculous outrageous memorable music video from Trace Adkins for "Brown Chicken Brown Cow."



It's got puppets.

And farm animals.

And sexytimes.

And you should probably not be drinking anything when you're watching it or else you might run the risk of ruining some electronics. :D

Enjoy!

Review: A Brush of Wings Anthology by Various Authors

Guardian spirits walk among us. They are heavenly beings who grant courage, unknown benefactors who offer help, best friends who lend their strength, and celestial beings who embody inspiration. You might not recognize these everyday angels or messengers of mercy, but the men in this anthology are touched by their purity and light and sometimes blessed by love.

Individual story blurbs can be found on Dreamspinner Press's website here.

4 hearts overall

Happy holidays and merry Christmas to all! In the spirit of the holiday, I reviewed this angel-themed anthology, A Brush of Wings, edited by Anne Regan.

Overall, this was a very strong anthology with quite a number of winning stories. There were a few that I didn't like quite as much, but otherwise, the variety in this collection really appealed to me. While I normally don't read "inspirational" romances, the spiritual elements in these stories are well done and provide enough diversity so as not to be repetitive. All in all, there were more winners than not in this collection.

***

Morning Glow by Taylor Lochland: 4.5 ♥s. Sweet and heartwarming story about Benjamin, who is coming out of a bad relationship, and Alan, the high school friend who has always been there for him when he's gone through tough times. I liked how this story unfolded and the feelings that the guys weren't afraid to show each other. Despite the fantastical subject of angels, this story felt pretty believable, and I really liked the emotions in this one.

A Trail of Feathers by Sarah Ann Watts: 3.5 ♥s. Poignant, touching short story about a man who is still grieving his dead partner and the angel - a seeming wanderer of sorts - who helps him take the first step on the path to healing. This story's ending was left open-ended, but I thought that was perfect for the short and healing nature of it. The angel's appearance wasn't necessarily a solution; rather, it was a guiding step in the right direction.

Heart's Salvation by Réve Garrison: 2 ♥s. Well written (if rather purple prose-y), but I just didn't jive with this story of an angel falling for a man who just lost his wife and child in a car accident. The time jumps, shifting POVs, heavy religious influence, and GFY type approach (with a throwaway line about having had previous experiences with men prior to marriage) just didn't work for me.

In the Hands of the Gods by Jana Denarde: 4 ♥s. This one was a little different, but it was different in a good way. Set in ancient times, it's rich in details and vocabulary that really set the mood for the concept of ancient Roman gods - or, in this case, a guardian of the family - watching over those who pay tribute to them. I enjoyed being taken away to this much different setting, and I liked the unique vibe of the writing.

A Voice in the Darkness by Patric Michael: 4.5 ♥s. Emotionally fulfilling story about an established couple caught in a terrible accident and the voice that guides the MC through the ordeal. Loved how the story gave us their background through effective uses of flashbacks. Dramatic and ultimately sweet, the ending left me a little teary eyed.

Some Comfort by S. Blaise: 2 ♥s. Not much to say on this one. A slice of life vignette for Mal and Dale. Not a lot happens action-wise, and the tone is a little melancholy, ending on a bittersweet note. Just wasn't feeling this one.

Ascension by RJ Scott: 4 ♥s. Sabrael the angel meets his destiny on a visit to the mortal realm, where he watches over Adam, the last member of the family he was tasked with overseeing. I loved the honesty and emotions in this story. There was extreme head hopping - sometimes in the same paragraph - that was quite distracting, though. Nevertheless, a passionate and enjoyable tale overall.

Sariel by Mary Calmes:  I'm torn on this one. At times a 5 star read, at others a 3, and at others an eye roll, this story was imaginative and well-told, but also insanely melodramatic, too. In a twist, the narrator Jake saves his angel. I really liked that development and how the action of the story unfolded. However, the way their "romance" proceeded was really whirlwind and ridiculous. One big criticism of the story is that Jake's narration sounded like a Harlequin heroine. 3.5 ♥s overall for being a good and uniquely conceived tale that in an odd way fell short in the romance department.

The Platypus Learns Astrophysics by Matthew Vandrew: 4.5 ♥s. Almost like a reimagining of A Christmas Carol with Ebeneezer Scrooge, in this story Micah was sent into Jonas's world to touch the cantankerous and loveless CEO's life.  The story was both ridiculous and sweet, and I kinda loved it. The interactions between Micah and Jonas were injected with a great dose of humor, too.

The Angel Blues by Cornelia Grey: 4 ♥s. Morgan's guardian angel Spencer has his hands full keeping the city cop safe. I really enjoyed this interracial story and its premise. Morgan doesn't know if he's going crazy when he begins to see the same man time and time again in the strangest places. For a short story, the emotional connection Morgan and Spencer built was believable and heartwarming.

Redemption by Clare London: 5 ♥s. Gorgeous story about redemption. I can't say more without giving away the tale, but suffice to say that I loved it. Wonderful world building within this fantasy world and plenty of fulfilling emotions. The beginning was rather dark, but it all came together beautifully.

Herbal Tea by H.J. Brues: 3 ♥s. Interesting premise with good characterization.  I loved Justin and Jamie, and I warmed up to Douglas easily enough. I wasn't too keen on the way the insta-love and the sexytimes unfolded in this one, though, so 3 hearts overall.

The Tenth Avatar by Roland Graeme: 3.5 ♥s. Unusual story about an Indian emigrant and his unlikely love match. The spiritual elements in this story were very interesting and well done. They veered towards a little didactic at times, but overall contributed to a pleasing and uplifting story.

Santangelo by Zahra Owens: 4 ♥s. Heartwarming story about how a stroke of bad luck turns out to be the best thing that happened to the MC Michael. This story felt full and complete with the MCs creating a lasting relationship that was built in these short story pages. Well done, and featuring older (40+) MCs.

The Archangel of Castro by Diana Copland: 5 ♥s. Lovely and sweet tale of a hardworking everyman who doesn't think he's good enough for the (much younger) object of his affections.  I adored this story and its saucy angel, sympathetic MCs, and honest emotions. A fantastic read, it brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful way to end this anthology.

Happy unipornian holidays to you and yours from the Unicorn Mafia!

Sunday Funday!

Collaboration Nation!

I'm always amazed when I see books that are co-authored by two (or more) authors. Writing is such a personal thing that I have a hard time imagining how authors collaborate to create wonderful story-babies together. When they have the story come out coherently, let alone beautifully, I just sit there in awe. How do co-authors do it? Do they jump into each other's brains and swim around a little before heading back to their own pools?

One of my favorites is One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn and M.J. O'Shea. It's just so sweet, lovely, and emotional.

The collaboration I came across recently for a college-level English class assignment isn't anything like that, but boy was it entertaining. =)

Enjoy!

Source: Quickmeme

I'm so glad the m/m authors out there collaborate in a much more effective way. =D

And while I have your attention, please consider popping by Ann and Lorix's Eric Arvin post from earlier this week, in which you'll learn how Eric Arvin brought two unicorns together.

Happy Sunday, and may the holiday season bring everything you wish for!

Review: Mending Noel by Charlie Cochet

North Pole City Tales: Book One

All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other—petty fighting that might be based on hatred… or a heated mutual attraction. It’s up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone’s trying to break his holiday spirit?

I adored this book.

Grumpy elves. The North Pole. Rudy the Rein Dear. This story basically exploded in Santa jizz all over my Kindle, and I adored every moment of it.

The worldbuilding in this story is so fun with cute turns of phrases and clever little plays on words for the various persons and magical beings who inhabit the North Pole and make the magic of Christmas possible. I just loved stepping into the fantasy world of the North Pole that Mending Noel creates so effortlessly.

The MC elves were initially a little hard to warm up to for me. We're first introduced to Tim, the beleaguered and down-on-himself office elf who doesn't do anything remotely cool like the cookie bakers or the toy makers. No, he's an office elf, and to make things worse, his boss Noel treats Tim like Noel has received a coal in his stocking every damn year. Poor Tim.

The beauty of this story is that, even though I wasn't warming up too much to Tim OR Noel, the way they resolve their differences -- and the reasons for said differences -- was totally believable in a magical fairy tale kind of way. I even got a little choked up and teary eyed when I found out why poor Noel was behaving the way he was. It was so sweet, and the way Tim handled everything was even sweeter. Hey, it's a Christmas story, and I can like 'em sticky-sweet if I want to!

Mending Noel is a clean romance. That is to say, there are kisses and some light petting, but nothing happens below the belt. I was a little bummed because (call me a perv!) I wanted to see some hot elf-on-elf action. Alas, I had to make do with my imagination.  Even so, this story was perfect for the holidays and a wonderful addition to my Santa jizz arsenal. Highly recommended for those who like their stories sweet and fantastical!

Sunday Funday!!!

Flirtation Rules of the 1800s, or

In which we pretend to be civilized unicorns.

I started my romance reading back in high school with traditional Regencies. Now I'm reading m/m erotic romances with two-penised aliens, but I digress... *ahem*

When I came across this webpage that contained lists of flirtation rules of the 1800s, my little Regency-reading heart went all aflutter. Check it out here:

Flirtation Rules - 1800s

In a way, the flirtation rules remind me of the handkerchief code used to convey preferences and fetishes in gay culture.

*carries her parasol over her right shoulder*

What do you think? ;)

P.S. Okay, I lied, it's not a totally classy unicorn Sunday, after all. Why? Because I came across this awesome stuffed, um..."animal?" set!

Check out these Reproductive Plush Organs available at Uncommon Goods!

And with the holiday season upon us, these are the perfect something special for that someone special in your life!

Extra bonus: Now you can be sure to rub up against that magical little prostate every night. ;)

Review: The Douglas Fir by Anyta Sunday

Somehow, someway, Jason Kress will find Noah the most unique and clever gift ever. A gift that will surprise him, and win his heart.

A gift that just might be magic . . .

Indie Author Review, ARC supplied by author for an honest review.

I was so pleased when I was asked to review The Douglas Fir as it is just my type of book. A sweet, romantic Christmas story with great characters. I wasn't disappointed for the most part - there was just one thing I...., hmm, how do I put this, I would have liked a little different.

Firstly, I love Anyta Sunday's style of writing, it's relaxed and easy to read and I 'felt' the characters straight away. I was instantly out of the real world and in the kitchen with Jason and Noah and this is really important to me when I read. That feeling when you are disorientated after reading, it takes a second or two for reality to flood back, that's what I look for in my books and Anyta Sunday delivers.

As the other unicorns all know, I love me some romance in my reading. Hot, sexy scenes are an added bonus as far as I'm concerned, it's a good old fashioned romance I'm looking for and Jason's pursuit of Noah most definitely falls into this category. (Don't worry if it's hot and sexy you're looking for - it delivers in the end!). He wanted to give Noah the most original, surprising birthday gift ever - now I don't want to give away what he did but it took a lot of time, effort and dedication. It was sneaky and I thought really romantic. I loved it.

I loved the relationship between the characters - Jase, Noah, Jase's younger brother Scott and Noah's friend Dave. They interacted well, I liked how Jase was jealous when he thought that there was something going on between Dave - the perfect, and really nice - Dave and Noah. When he realised that Dave was as interested in Noah as he was Jase was jealous, he thought he didn't stand a chance, yet he still carried on with his surprise birthday gift - and, although the gift Noah knew about, what Jase was doing with it, the hard work he was putting in, was anonymous.

Okay, sooooo - so far I'm loving it yet I gave it 4 stars not 5. Why. Well I can't write this bit without spoilers so if you don't want to know a major plot twist stop reading now.

I SAID SPOILER, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW STOP READING NOW

Okay so all of you left are okay with the spoiler. The disappointing bit of the story for me was that it wasn't Noah Jase ended up with. After all that hard work, all that sweet romantic pursuit and he gets together with Dave. Let me explain...as I said Dave was also interested in Noah, Jase is there when Dave makes his move on Noah and when Noah turns him down and then he's the one Noah asks if he comes across as gay, because he isn't, he's straight. Now Jase hasn't mentioned his own sexuality to Noah, they are neighbours and friends and, though he has the hugest crush, it is a secret crush.

So then, when it is revealed that Jase too has feelings for Noah and their whole relationship breaks down - Jase's fault, he's too in love to just be friends - they have several months apart but Jase starts spending time with Dave. It was obvious what was going to happen and it was sweet and romantic, but for me  a disappointment because so much of the book was focussed on Jase's pursuit of Noah. I'd invested myself in their relationship and then it never happened. It was a beautiful friendship and I didn't dislike Jase and Dave as a couple - I just wish the focus had come away from Jase and Noah sooner and the main focus had then been put on Jase and Dave.

END OF SPOILER

All that said, I would totally re-read this book because it is sweet (yet not syrupy) and romantic and sometimes that is just what the (book) doctor ordered. I will also most definitely be checking out other works by this author.

Interested in an additional perspective on The Douglas Fir? Check out these minireviews from fellow BMBR unicorns:

Sweet, festive, and unexpected holiday romance.  I enjoyed this story and its slower pace. The Douglas Fir kept me guessing and surprised me, which is definitely unusual for a romance.  The love that blossoms is gentle and kind of sneaks up on the characters and the reader. It works, though, and the titular Douglas Fir plays a central role in the warm holiday feeling that this story engenders.  A few editing items distracted from certain points, and extreme time jumps were a little bumpy. That said, a pleasant read overall with characters I liked.

This book is cute. Not really my kind of book because it's a little sweet for me, but overall enjoyable. I liked the unique elements like the Douglas Fir, the MC being a gardener, the cute neighbours aspect. I seen the twist of fate coming a mile away, which kind of worked for this book. Everyone was cute, everything was cute. Cuteness and fur everywhere.
I'd like to leave you with a quote I never thought I'd read in a M/M Romance novel. :)

"Reaching over, I yanked open the compost and poured some into the hole."

Sunday Funday!!!

Penis Mold Alternative Uses, or...

When to draw the line at trying to find practical ways to reuse your bachelorette party gifts.

Originally this Sunday Funday post was going to be about a movie that a number of us unicorns watched on Friday evening. Alas, the movie, a British film called Weekend, was just a little too depressing and serious for a Sunday Funday topic.

Soooo...instead here's a link to some awesome and HI-larious penis mold cakes! :D

One woman's struggle to reuse her penis cake mould

I came across this link and just about fell over from laughing so hard. Gotta hand it to her -- some of them are pretty darn creative!

Here's a pic of the one that a few of us actually looked at and thought, "hey...that could actually work!"

If any of you try one of these creations or have an idea of your own, let us know! =)