Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Humankind possesses a dual nature, the ability to rise to the brightest heights—or sink to the darkest and most perverse depths.
What inspires some to reach the pinnacles of virtue while others cannot resist the temptations of vice? Is it something innate, or a result of destiny and circumstance?
Delve into the minds and spirits of saints and sinners alike with a collection of stories that explore the call toward good or evil—and the consequences of answering it. For while rewards certainly await the righteous, there are also pleasures to be found in the darkness. Venture off the expected path with some of the most innovative voices in LGBT speculative fiction as they present their unique takes on the classic vices and virtues.
Many authors including: Andrea Speed, Brandon Witt, Sean Michael, J Tullos Hennig, Carol Cummings, Rick R. Reed, John Inman, Rhys Ford, Clare London, Pearl Love, Jamie Fessenden, J. S. Cook, Amy Rae Durresson, Serena Yates
I found this to be an absolutely wonderful anthology…however not if you are looking for stories of romance exactly. This anthology is released from DSP Publications which means its stories are less romance based and more driven towards content elsewhere, which in some cases here is horror. That’s fine, if those are not to your taste, skip over them and proceed to the next. This is a wonderful smorgasbord of authors and a wonderful way to taste their various narrative talents.
Which ones were some of my absolute favorites?
Heirs to Grace and Infinity by C. Cummings – 5 stars (31 pages)
Urban fantasy in which a fugitive sorcerer matches wits with the bureau’s top agent to save children. Its imaginative, wonderful in its world building and keeps you on your seat. It was just terrific in every way from the characters to the plot. C. Cummings is one of my favorite authors. This is why.
Hope by Rick Reed – 5 stars out of 5 (47 pages)
Looking for hope in crises around a mother’s death and one’s personal life. This was such a deeply moving story of loss and hope. One man moves home to his mother’s house after she’s died, to deal with the aftermath of her loss. His grief, those of her friends who loved and took care of her…and the house that’s now his and the new location. Its powerful, moving and so beautifully done.
The Darkness of the Sun by Amy Rae Durreson – 4.5 stars out of 5 (41 pages)
A grieving Priest finds his faith. Another story that is based in loss and takes a different tack altogether. The author has a wonderful feel for the trail and the life of this simple priest who has lost his way.
Prudence for Fools by Sean Michael – 4.5 stars out of 5 (41 pages)
A disgraced seer is thrown out of court and returns to the tribe of his husband but is haunted by his visions. I loved this story by Sean Michael. This seer and his husband, a couple of long years, are wonderful and their relationship is one I connected to immediately. Michael pulls us into this world and the situation quickly. Another story that could have filled twice its pages. I found it gripping, the couple moving in their deeply loving relationship and the tribe is one I wanted to learn more about.
Red Light Special by Rhys Ford – 4.5 stars out of 5 (38 pages)
An Elf, a Knight and a Succubus plus Detroit and one of my favorite authors who writes with snark, a vividness thats startling and a pizazz that flies off the page. Really. This is a story that needs no review. Just read it. It works. It hilarious and sexy.
Horseboy by J. Tullos Henry – 4.5 stars out of 5
A Horseboy of the Lebanon, a Templar Knight, and intimate desert secrets. A bit of history, a bit of the supernatural. A short story I found that works on every level, it kept me connected and involved in the action and the time period. Great job.
There are many in the 4 star to 3 star range. Those I enjoyed as well. And won’t cover here. There were only a few that I was disappointed in. That’s a great number is an anthology this size.
The Gate by J. S. Cook – 2.75 stars out of 5 (21 pages)
A gay man sees a seedier, dark side of the wartime effort. Set in the 40’s during the wartime, I felt this went nowhere. Little setup, little ending. I know the author was going for noir but it went south instead.
The Rendering by J. Inman – 1 star
Fat gay guy goes on a date set up by a computer dating service and ends up….
Well, I saw the ending coming from the very beginning. Why? For starters, I knew the historical ingredients of the product being sold and the links being made in the story. The clues were obvious as to where it was going to go. Some have called this fat shaming…others strictly horror. I thought it just beyond obvious and boring. That it came from one of my favorite authors made me want to cry. That’s the horror.
Those are the highs and the lows. The highs and all the terrific stories in the middle far outweigh the lows. I highly recommend this anthology. Its a feast all around. Pick it up and start sampling.
Cover is simple and it works.
Sales Links: DSP Publications
Book Details:
ebook, 360 pages
Published May 10th 2016 by DSP Publications (first published March 10th 2016)
ISBN 1634773608 (ISBN13: 9781634773607)
Edition LanguageEnglish
