Rating: 3.5 star out of 5 stars
A M/M Romance “Healing” Anthology
Red Runs Through by Cate Ashwood/3 stars out of 5
Carter McClintock’s life is uncomplicated. For the past five years, he’s spent so much time in hospital scrubs that one day bleeds into the next, and that’s just the way he likes it. That is, until he meets Matthew Nolan. Carter has never had a patient affect him the way Matthew does. During Matthew’s stay in the hospital, the chemistry is unmistakable, and once he is discharged, Carter asks him out.
Despite the obvious attraction between them, Matthew’s HIV status keeps him from handing Carter his heart, refusing to believe anyone could ever truly want him. When Matthew’s past comes to light, their budding relationship is threatened before it has even begun. But Carter isn’t one to give up without a fight and he will do anything to show Matthew the lengths he will go to keep them together.
I like the author for writing about a topic that we seldom see in m/m romance stories. I did not like the execution of the story with these two characters. I had a hard time believing that Carter just accepted Matthew with no reservations or anything. I do think it was too convenient for Carter to be taking medication to prevent certain illnesses. Outside of their initial meeting, I didn’t feel a connection between the two. I was kind of bored reading it honestly. I do think we ever got to see Matthew develop as a character. I found myself skimming through the story. I wish I could have seen them in another light. I did like the author’s writing.
All That Shimmers by Raine O’Tierney /Rating 3 stars out of 5
Beau Bell is a former Olympic hopeful, left paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident. He has every reason in the world to be pissed off and miserable, yet he’s training for the Paralympics Men’s 100m—S6 division. The chair? Just a part of who he is now. Beau’s attitude is golden. If only he could contend with this one little issue: errant erections and no way to relieve them!
Nikša Meríc is a lonely scientist and really bad poet living underneath the old building where he does his research. Every night he watches his neighbor through his basement window as he undresses in his wheelchair. Although there is no apparent reason for Nikša to be unhappy, he’s struggled with depression his whole life and has tried to kill himself on multiple occasions.
When Beau proposes that his “voyeur” come over and help him experiment with the erections he can’t actually feel, the relationship they build is a sexual one. But the relationship they need is one that will heal each other’s hearts as well.
I liked this more than I thought I would. I found the relationship between Beau & Niksa meaningful. I really liked Beau as a character. He was assertive, confident, and sweet. I didn’t understand his disability a lot when it came to being in the Paralympics. I found his drive really attractive. He didn’t let being paralyzed stop him from living his dream. Goodness when he yelled at Niksa through the window that it still works, I was laughing uncontrollably. He had no modesty. My faults lied with Niksa, he was such a depressed character. I felt sorry for him, he’s only 24 yrs old and so alone. I get it, I understand that need to have people around, and just have someone. My heart broke for him, but those poems literally made my skin crawl. They were so morose, and at the time I felt like Beau should have driven him to the nearest 72 hour hold facility. I’m glad he didn’t because he opened up and hopefully he’ll get better not for Beau’s sake but his own!
Swimming with Elephants by L.J. LaBarthe/ Rating 3.5 stars out of 5
After suffering a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, Garrett believes his life is over. Depressed, bereft, in pain, and unable to return to the career he loves as an arborist, he sees no hope or future for himself. But a trip to Havelock Island in India turns his world upside down. He meets Jai, an Indian nurse, and becomes smitten with him. Near the end of his trip, while swimming with an elephant, he tells Jai how he feels.
After Garrett returns to Australia, he wonders if he can ever be healed of all his pain—physical, emotional, and mental—and fears that love and romance will never be his again. But then Jai turns up in Perth and brings with him astonishing news.
I liked this story. I thought it was very refreshing. For me, the character Jai made the story refreshing. It was such a thrill to read about a character that was just positive, spiritual and there for you.
Garrett was suffering from a tear in his rotator cuff that left him unemployed, depressed, and brokenhearted. It never fails to surprise me what people do to one another. To break up with someone after you spent 4 years with them because of a shoulder injury is outrageous. Garrett found himself travelling to India for a physical therapy resort upon going there he meets Jai a beautiful India man who is a nurse but works all over the world. I liked it alot, it was a slow burn. They were friends for 2 years before anything happened. I actually liked that they took there times. Yes Garrett annoyed me at times with his self-pity, but he eventually got over it. I liked them together, more than that I liked Jai’s sunny disposition on life. I’ve never read anything by this author, but I look forward to more.
Cover Art by Paul Richmond as are all the covers: I like this cover. I think it shows unity and love which every story covers.
Sales Links:
Dreamspinner Press (collection link):
Red Runs Through by Cate Ashwood
All That Shimmers by Raine O’Tierney
Swimming with Elephants by LJ LaBarthe
Individual Sales links are listed under the titles.
All Romance (ARe):
Red Runs Through by Cate Ashwood
Swimming with Elephants by LJ LaBarthe
All That Shimmers by Raine O’Tierney
Sales Links at Amazon:
Red Runs Through by Cate Ashwood
Swimming with Elephants by LJ LaBarthe
All That Shimmers by Raine O’Tierney
Book/Collection Details:
eBook, 260 pages, May 20, 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
Each Story Sold Separately or as a Collection:
Piece Us Back Together at Dreamspinner
Red Runs Through (Piece Us Back Together)by Cate Ashwood
ebook, 90 pages
Published May 20th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
All That Shimmers (Piece Us Back Together)by Raine O’Tierney
book, 90 pages
Published May 6th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
Swimming with Elephants (Piece Us Back Together) by L.J. LaBarthe
book, 95 pages
Published May 13th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 