One Pulse
an Anthology from Dreamspinner Press
Benefiting the Orlando Pulse victims fund
Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.
To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.
A not from Cat; I read 15 of the stories included in this anthology and for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed them all. There is a little of something for everyone no matter what you like to read. It I s also for a very good cause, so go grab your copy now!
A single Night- John Keys 5 Meows
This story is about Logan and Devon. They
experience a tragic loss three years ago when Devon lost a leg and Devon’s
sister lost her fiancé. It’s a sweet angsty story of loss and moving on. This is a sweet story tough it had no real plot just the three of them dealing
with the tragedy still and some sex. It was a good story.
Adios - Mickey B
Ashling 4 meows 4 Purrs
Joaquin Gallegos was a lawyer for the cartel. He pushed out
his son for being gay and in a relationship with an older actor, Ricky. Joaquin is now deceased and has 72 hours to
make peace so he can move on. He left his son a journal on his laptop and
can only hope His son can believe what he reads and forgive him even if it is
too late.
M.A. Church—Chasing Tyme 4 Meows
It’s Alex and Dayton’s anniversary and Dayton
has a big surprise for Alex. It also pushes some of Alex’s insecurities. I love M. A. Church and have to admit I was
hoping for shifters, but this is a sweet, very hot story of two men building
trust and love.
George Seaton—Cucurrucucú 5 Meows
Don’t even ask me
to try to pronounce this title!
Harley is a young
college man working his summers teaching poor ethnic children to swim. He meets
David a very young man with a glass eye that changes his life. George Seaton
writes some very poignant stories. This one didn’t disappoint. I’d love to see
this in a full book. It’s a bit sad so
be sure to have a box of tissue handy.
Bree Cariad—Everyday Miracles 5 Meows (personal favorite!)
Reverend Jonathan
Neiland has been trying to get a LGBT shelter up for four years. The City
Council keeps finding hoops for him to jump. He has now been through them all.
The house is ready, inspected and he has over 30 kids living in tents on the
grounds to keep them safe. Now all he needs is a miracle to get it passed
through the council.
When he meets
Court Brecker, though he doesn’t quite understand the life of Gay people and is
conflicted, he sees children in need of a place off the streets, and decides to
help. But can he sway at least two more members? This was a
beautiful, charming story and while not a romance, showed lots of love and that
we should give up on miracles. I would have loved a romance and this in a full
book. I would have loved to see more of Jonathan and Court!
Ellis Carrington—For the First Time- 4 Meows
Gary and Wyatt
are preparing to go away to college. They have been friends forever and have
planned on sharing a room until Gary decides he feels too much for Wyatt and
can’t bear to see him bringing in girls for sex. Without telling Wyatt he has
changes his plans and gets an apartment over his uncle’s shop. Wyatt had plans
of his own and it didn’t include losing Gary. This is a really
sweet story of two young men, a friends to lovers story and a big
misunderstanding. I loved it!
John Amory—Happy Pride- 3 Meows
New Hope is gearing up for their first Pride
Parade after gay marriage equality was past. The main character and his husband
are at a drag show. The descriptions of the drag show and hostess are awesome.
It felt like I was there watching. I liked the love expressed between the
characters. My main issue was there was t a real story. We are watching the
show, preparing for tomorrow’s parade and then it ends. I would have liked more
story.
John Goode—Let Them Eat Cake 5 Meows
Matt and Tyler
are getting married. They thought their
small town was coming around. The minister they wanted had agreed to marry them
then it all falls apart. The flower shop refuses them.., The minister could
lose his job…and everything goes haywire will they be able to have the wedding
they always dreamed of? Let them eat cake
is a fun, sweet romantic story, I would love to have this in a novella or
novel!
Elizabeth Noble—Magicicada 5 Meows
Russ was born with a fascination for cicadas. His dad has
a photo album with pictures of them both as he grows up with each brood. It's
as if they sing for him when he is happy and get quieter as he is sad. As
he gets older he draws them as little wizards with magic wands and when he gets
older makes the game he always dreamt of. But life isn't always easy and
perfect. Magicicada is a beautiful story of life as a young boy grows to
be a man. It shows the ups and downs of life. I absolutely loved the writing
style, the characters, and the story.
There are lots of great stories in this anthology and I highly
recommend this one!
Troy Storm—One Big Happy… Bunch 4 Meows 4 purrs
Jason hires a helper in his florist shop. He is
immediately attracted to Remmy but he doesn’t want to hurt his partner of many
years Manny. Having a sort of open marriage, Manny agrees to let Jason act on his attraction to Remmy, but Remmy had
started seeing someone and wanted to bring him in as well so all four of them
began having a group thing.
This is a story of a different relationship and
shows us that no matter how many people involved it’s love that counts. It is a
hot, story.
Dev Bentham—Perfection 5 Meows
Dev Bentham—Perfection 5 Meows
Kevin has been through a friendly divorce and
lives in a small town working with his father. He gets his daughter in the
summer and enrolls her in a summer program. He has had a fantasy about the Ty
since he met him. the man seems perfect. His wife meddles when they are at a
meeting to coordinate the town’s first Pride. Things go well with Kevin and Ty
until Kevin finds out that Ty isn’t as
perfect as he seems. This is a very heartfelt story. I nearly cried for poor Ty and wanted to beat
the snot out of Kevin. I came around though and I loved this story.
Laura Lascarso—Pull 2 Meows
Hiroku is a bit nervous when Berlin invites him
to his house to shoot. Berlin had saved him from some bullies that were
Berlin’s friends. Okay, this one, I had some issues with. The first
the story picked up after the blurb, so it was like it was from a book or
another story. I was a bit lost. I also can’t see Hiroku going to Berlin’s
house after his friends attacked him.
Having said that the story was ok once you got
into what was going on.
Emery C. Walters—Ranch Dressing 3 meows
This was another story the blurb gave me one
idea but it was another story entirely. I was expecting a transgender story or
something on that line. The story was kinda funny. I did like the banter
between the two men.
Sera Kane—The Stag's Bane 4 Meows
Sera Kane—The Stag's Bane 4 Meows
Again this one you really needed to read the
blurb. I did love the paranormal aspect
and it was very hot and sexy. You have to like paranormal to understand some of
it, it’s very otherworldly. I thought it
was pretty good.
Vicktor Alexander—The Wooing of the Marqués de Sierra de Outes 2.5 Meows
This story has a prologue that is essential. It
explains the world this is set in and
how things work there since it is from a series. I am glad the author did
that. However I was still very confused
at the usage of male and female. The story was just okay for me, if you could understand the
terms and keep your head straight. I think this is for the other world fans.
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Thank you for the review. I wanted to check this out.
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