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apostrophen's review
4.0
Well, y'all know how I feel about Christmas most of the time. That said...maybe a book of gay smutty holiday tales being immediately available to my e-reader thanks to the digital e-volution of books is Christmas miracle enough for even me to smile this holiday season.
This was fun, and smutty, and hit the right notes. Some of my favourites were:
"Pink Santa Claus," by Leigh W. Rutledge
This is the kickoff story in Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Tales, and it certainly helps make you aware of just what sort of stories you're about to enjoy. It's kind of fun and breezy in a way, a man in a gay bar on Christmas, ruminating on how sad the holiday can be for single gay folk - and remembering the one real lover he's had - before heading home. There's a lovely little twist and a trick to this story, which I won't ruin, but I quite liked.
More, there's a wee bit of Santa kinky role-play here, and it's done so well that even the character is wondering if he'll burst out laughing at any moment, right up until he starts to really enjoy it, and thereafter, he realizes that this is one playful scene that he's definitely not going to regret.
"Under the Tree," by M. Christian
Speaking of awesome things under the tree, this story from Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories is a wonderful little tale from M. Christian that manages to balance some "aww!" romance with the racier bits. Roy wakes up to find that Joshua (his fella) is nowhere in sight, but there are some wrapped parcels offering up a surprise. That Joshua is known for these surprises (and Roy's remembrance of previous surprises is a lovely way to set the stage for both the character of Joshua and the ultimate reveal) just adds to the sense of anticipation Roy feels as he begins his trek to figure out what's going to happen.
As you uncover the history between the two men, you also move toward the resolution of this surprise, and as each package is opened and each envelope read, you'll find yourself smiling as the payoff gets ever closer. It's fun. It's light. It's sexy. And it's all wrapped up and ready to enjoy.
I have to say myself that while I certainly don't think I've got anything approximating a Santa fantasy (though my beard is getting quite white these days), Rutledge sells it.
"The Story of O. Henry, or, The Gifts of the Leathermen," by Simon Sheppard
I've mentioned more than a few times how much I enjoy a good re-telling. It's no surprise, then, that this next story from Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories gave me a smile. We all know the story being referenced - the hair comb and the watch chain - but spinning the same tale with a healthy dose of kink and leather makes for a clever tale.
That Simon Sheppard is a major name in erotica isn't a surprise, but I have to admit I was indeed surprised at how romantic this story felt by its close, and how well the captured sentiment - giving - was retold.
"To/From," by Matthew Rettenmund
I adored the book Blind Items so when I saw this name on the next tale up in Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories, I had a smile in place.
The story here is genuinely cute and a wee bit self-deprecating. The fella telling the tale is facing a Christmas on his own, but a visit from an old flame - and the exchanging of a gift - might make this Christmas something salvageable after all. That it also involves a Christmas ornament and that this made me squee a little will likely not surprise you, but it's the way the tale is told: a kind of fun and light breezy dialog of what's going on (including what he should and shouldn't be thinking about what is going on) that gave this tale the real character.
"Christmas 1979," by Jameson Currier
Potentially restoring my faith, how I loved this tale by Jameson Currier. This is a lovely little story, a conversation between lovers about the potentiality and lives they don't have - as fathers. I do love these kinds of stories, where the discussion in the narrative brings out such depth to the characters.
If you've not read any Currier, and you're in the mood for something lovely and gay and full of holiday hope then nab a copy of Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories and treat yourself.
This was fun, and smutty, and hit the right notes. Some of my favourites were:
"Pink Santa Claus," by Leigh W. Rutledge
This is the kickoff story in Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Tales, and it certainly helps make you aware of just what sort of stories you're about to enjoy. It's kind of fun and breezy in a way, a man in a gay bar on Christmas, ruminating on how sad the holiday can be for single gay folk - and remembering the one real lover he's had - before heading home. There's a lovely little twist and a trick to this story, which I won't ruin, but I quite liked.
More, there's a wee bit of Santa kinky role-play here, and it's done so well that even the character is wondering if he'll burst out laughing at any moment, right up until he starts to really enjoy it, and thereafter, he realizes that this is one playful scene that he's definitely not going to regret.
"Under the Tree," by M. Christian
Speaking of awesome things under the tree, this story from Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories is a wonderful little tale from M. Christian that manages to balance some "aww!" romance with the racier bits. Roy wakes up to find that Joshua (his fella) is nowhere in sight, but there are some wrapped parcels offering up a surprise. That Joshua is known for these surprises (and Roy's remembrance of previous surprises is a lovely way to set the stage for both the character of Joshua and the ultimate reveal) just adds to the sense of anticipation Roy feels as he begins his trek to figure out what's going to happen.
As you uncover the history between the two men, you also move toward the resolution of this surprise, and as each package is opened and each envelope read, you'll find yourself smiling as the payoff gets ever closer. It's fun. It's light. It's sexy. And it's all wrapped up and ready to enjoy.
I have to say myself that while I certainly don't think I've got anything approximating a Santa fantasy (though my beard is getting quite white these days), Rutledge sells it.
"The Story of O. Henry, or, The Gifts of the Leathermen," by Simon Sheppard
I've mentioned more than a few times how much I enjoy a good re-telling. It's no surprise, then, that this next story from Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories gave me a smile. We all know the story being referenced - the hair comb and the watch chain - but spinning the same tale with a healthy dose of kink and leather makes for a clever tale.
That Simon Sheppard is a major name in erotica isn't a surprise, but I have to admit I was indeed surprised at how romantic this story felt by its close, and how well the captured sentiment - giving - was retold.
"To/From," by Matthew Rettenmund
I adored the book Blind Items so when I saw this name on the next tale up in Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories, I had a smile in place.
The story here is genuinely cute and a wee bit self-deprecating. The fella telling the tale is facing a Christmas on his own, but a visit from an old flame - and the exchanging of a gift - might make this Christmas something salvageable after all. That it also involves a Christmas ornament and that this made me squee a little will likely not surprise you, but it's the way the tale is told: a kind of fun and light breezy dialog of what's going on (including what he should and shouldn't be thinking about what is going on) that gave this tale the real character.
"Christmas 1979," by Jameson Currier
Potentially restoring my faith, how I loved this tale by Jameson Currier. This is a lovely little story, a conversation between lovers about the potentiality and lives they don't have - as fathers. I do love these kinds of stories, where the discussion in the narrative brings out such depth to the characters.
If you've not read any Currier, and you're in the mood for something lovely and gay and full of holiday hope then nab a copy of Stocking Stuffers: Gay Erotic Holiday Stories and treat yourself.
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