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marlobo's review
3.0
I skipped stories from authors that rate all their books. It's not the case with those that only rate antologies; I still don't like it but I can understand it like a recognition to their co-authors.
The Legend of Mountain Ash by Ruth Sims - 3 stars
Inner Truth by Alex Beecroft - 2 stars
Turnabout by Lee Rowan - 2,5 stars
Under the Shadow of Your Wings by Gillian Palmer. - 2 stars
Home Cooking by Brian Holiday - 4 stars
Mister Right by Rob Rosen - Skipped
Two Men: A Fugue by Sophia Deri-Bowen - 5 stars!!
Stripes by Nigel Puerasch - 4 stars
Morbidly Obese by Rick R. Reed - 2 stars
The Song Inside by Nexis Pas - 3,5 stars
Hitched by Michael Gouda - 1,5 stars
Cakewalk by Nathan Burgoine - 4 stars
Ships That Pass by Jamie Freeman - 2 stars
Work Experience by Bruin Fisher - 3 stars
Even Guys Cry by D.C. Juris - 2 stars
Touche by James Buchanan - 2 stars
Mallory's Gift by L-J Baker - 3 stars
The Uneven Chance by Charlie Cochrane - 3 stars
Honolulu Hula by Neil S. Plakcy - Skipped
Elephants in Her Tea by Julia Rios - 1,5 stars
Aim Higher by J.L Merrow - 3 stars
Ganymede by Lenore Black - 2,5 stars
The Legend of Mountain Ash by Ruth Sims - 3 stars
Inner Truth by Alex Beecroft - 2 stars
Turnabout by Lee Rowan - 2,5 stars
Under the Shadow of Your Wings by Gillian Palmer. - 2 stars
Home Cooking by Brian Holiday - 4 stars
Mister Right by Rob Rosen - Skipped
Two Men: A Fugue by Sophia Deri-Bowen - 5 stars!!
Stripes by Nigel Puerasch - 4 stars
Morbidly Obese by Rick R. Reed - 2 stars
The Song Inside by Nexis Pas - 3,5 stars
Hitched by Michael Gouda - 1,5 stars
Cakewalk by Nathan Burgoine - 4 stars
Ships That Pass by Jamie Freeman - 2 stars
Work Experience by Bruin Fisher - 3 stars
Even Guys Cry by D.C. Juris - 2 stars
Touche by James Buchanan - 2 stars
Mallory's Gift by L-J Baker - 3 stars
The Uneven Chance by Charlie Cochrane - 3 stars
Honolulu Hula by Neil S. Plakcy - Skipped
Elephants in Her Tea by Julia Rios - 1,5 stars
Aim Higher by J.L Merrow - 3 stars
Ganymede by Lenore Black - 2,5 stars
witandsin's review
3.0
“Turnabout” by Lee Rowan
It’s Christmas morning and Lord Robert Scoville finally has a chance to relax and enjoy the day with his lover, Jack Darling. But can a relationship between a nobleman and his servant ever truly be equal?
Journey into Victorian England with Lee Rowan’s “Turnabout.” Robert and Jack charmed me from the start and the love between them defies social status and “convention.” What I loved about “Turnabout” is that neither Robert nor Jack blatantly ignored the rules of society, they simply did what they could to make their relationship work. “Turnabout” is simply a lovely, warm story that’s a delight to enjoy.
“Under the Shadow of Your Wings” by Gillian Palmer
Bee and Eliza run an orphanage and do the best they can to live their lives as they wish. When a new child with a connection to Bee shows up at the orphanage, it’s a bittersweet moment that will only serve to make Bee and Eliza’s home more complete.
“Under the Shadow of Your Wings” has beauty in sadness and two strong, caring heroines that are unforgettable. Bee has lost so much of her family that when her nephew shows up at the orphanage, it was a lovely, yet heartbreaking moment. I adored Bee and Eliza and admired the capable way they handled the obstacles facing two women being life partners and running an orphanage in Prohibition-era Harlem. Their life is not without its sacrifices, but Gillian Palmer shows the true mettle of both women in “Under the Shadow of Your Wings.”
“Cakewalk” by ‘Nathan Burgoine
Babysitting an almost-teenager is difficult enough without adding the fact that it’s your boyfriend’s daughter and she doesn’t seem to like you too much. But Charles is up to the challenge and, with a little help from his co-workers, maybe he can make Neil’s family his own as well.
“Cakewalk” is a wonderfully sweet story that I adore more each time I read it. I don’t envy Charles having to deal with the awkwardness of watching Neil’s daughter on his own, and I give the man credit for doing the best he can to win the girl over. There’s nothing not to love about “Cakewalk.” It’s got a bright energy about it, stemming from Charles and his obvious love for Neil and the way he goes about bridging the gap between himself and the rest of Neil’s family. Even the cake decorating scenes are something any Food Network fan will be delighted by (I sure was). “Cakewalk” was the first story I’ve read by ‘Nathan Burgoine but it definitely won’t be the last.
“Even Guys Cry” by D.C. Juris
Derek knows better than anyone how wrong a first date can go when the guy he’s with finds out that Derek is anatomically female. Oscar is different, however. He doesn’t seem fazed by the fact that Derek was born wrong and he seems to accept Derek for who he is. Is Oscar too good to be true?
I always say I’m a fan of GLBT romances, using the acronym as a general term, but before “Even Guys Cry,” I’d never read a story with a transgender hero. Derek was a wonderful hero and D.C. Juris beautifully expresses Derek’s certainty that he is a gay man, no matter what his anatomy is. Oscar is delightful and it was wonderful watching him prove to Derek that he is the real deal. “Even Guys Cry” is both erotic and heartwarming, a winning combination in my book.
“Mallory’s Gift” by L-J Baker
It’s been three years since Gerry’s partner, Mallory, passed away. Gerry’s friends keep trying to set her up with women, but Gerry’s not ready to let go of Mallory. Then one day, Gerry finds a lost child and the girl’s frantic mother bursts into Gerry’s life. Claire’s beautiful, but can Gerry see past Mallory’s ghost long enough to take a chance on finding happiness once more?
“Mallory’s Gift” is a gorgeous story that will break your heart before it puts it back together. Gerry’s loss comes through clearly in “Mallory’s Gift” and L-J Baker made me ache to see her find happiness with Claire. It isn’t easy for Gerry. She fears loving and losing again and she also seems to be afraid that Claire will want her to push aside her love for Mallory. She underestimates herself and Claire and the beauty of Gerry’s journey will make you remember “Mallory’s Gift” long after you finish reading it.
I Do Two! is an incredible anthology filled with the voices of numerous talented authors. I highlighted some of my favorites, but there are many wonderful stories to be found in I Do Two! From Ruth Sims’s haunting fantasy, “The Legend of the Mountain Ash,” to Alex Beecroft’s phenomenal historical, “Inner Truth,” to Rick R. Reed’s sly paranormal, “Morbidly Obese,” and more, there’s something for everyone in I Do Two!
Despite its title, not all of the stories in I Do Two! involve marriage. The greatness of the anthology is that its common theme is love and commitment. What could be better than that?
Note: Another thing to love about I Do Two! is that all profits from the sales of I Do Two! are donated to the Lambda Legal Defense to fight Proposition 8.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
It’s Christmas morning and Lord Robert Scoville finally has a chance to relax and enjoy the day with his lover, Jack Darling. But can a relationship between a nobleman and his servant ever truly be equal?
Journey into Victorian England with Lee Rowan’s “Turnabout.” Robert and Jack charmed me from the start and the love between them defies social status and “convention.” What I loved about “Turnabout” is that neither Robert nor Jack blatantly ignored the rules of society, they simply did what they could to make their relationship work. “Turnabout” is simply a lovely, warm story that’s a delight to enjoy.
“Under the Shadow of Your Wings” by Gillian Palmer
Bee and Eliza run an orphanage and do the best they can to live their lives as they wish. When a new child with a connection to Bee shows up at the orphanage, it’s a bittersweet moment that will only serve to make Bee and Eliza’s home more complete.
“Under the Shadow of Your Wings” has beauty in sadness and two strong, caring heroines that are unforgettable. Bee has lost so much of her family that when her nephew shows up at the orphanage, it was a lovely, yet heartbreaking moment. I adored Bee and Eliza and admired the capable way they handled the obstacles facing two women being life partners and running an orphanage in Prohibition-era Harlem. Their life is not without its sacrifices, but Gillian Palmer shows the true mettle of both women in “Under the Shadow of Your Wings.”
“Cakewalk” by ‘Nathan Burgoine
Babysitting an almost-teenager is difficult enough without adding the fact that it’s your boyfriend’s daughter and she doesn’t seem to like you too much. But Charles is up to the challenge and, with a little help from his co-workers, maybe he can make Neil’s family his own as well.
“Cakewalk” is a wonderfully sweet story that I adore more each time I read it. I don’t envy Charles having to deal with the awkwardness of watching Neil’s daughter on his own, and I give the man credit for doing the best he can to win the girl over. There’s nothing not to love about “Cakewalk.” It’s got a bright energy about it, stemming from Charles and his obvious love for Neil and the way he goes about bridging the gap between himself and the rest of Neil’s family. Even the cake decorating scenes are something any Food Network fan will be delighted by (I sure was). “Cakewalk” was the first story I’ve read by ‘Nathan Burgoine but it definitely won’t be the last.
“Even Guys Cry” by D.C. Juris
Derek knows better than anyone how wrong a first date can go when the guy he’s with finds out that Derek is anatomically female. Oscar is different, however. He doesn’t seem fazed by the fact that Derek was born wrong and he seems to accept Derek for who he is. Is Oscar too good to be true?
I always say I’m a fan of GLBT romances, using the acronym as a general term, but before “Even Guys Cry,” I’d never read a story with a transgender hero. Derek was a wonderful hero and D.C. Juris beautifully expresses Derek’s certainty that he is a gay man, no matter what his anatomy is. Oscar is delightful and it was wonderful watching him prove to Derek that he is the real deal. “Even Guys Cry” is both erotic and heartwarming, a winning combination in my book.
“Mallory’s Gift” by L-J Baker
It’s been three years since Gerry’s partner, Mallory, passed away. Gerry’s friends keep trying to set her up with women, but Gerry’s not ready to let go of Mallory. Then one day, Gerry finds a lost child and the girl’s frantic mother bursts into Gerry’s life. Claire’s beautiful, but can Gerry see past Mallory’s ghost long enough to take a chance on finding happiness once more?
“Mallory’s Gift” is a gorgeous story that will break your heart before it puts it back together. Gerry’s loss comes through clearly in “Mallory’s Gift” and L-J Baker made me ache to see her find happiness with Claire. It isn’t easy for Gerry. She fears loving and losing again and she also seems to be afraid that Claire will want her to push aside her love for Mallory. She underestimates herself and Claire and the beauty of Gerry’s journey will make you remember “Mallory’s Gift” long after you finish reading it.
I Do Two! is an incredible anthology filled with the voices of numerous talented authors. I highlighted some of my favorites, but there are many wonderful stories to be found in I Do Two! From Ruth Sims’s haunting fantasy, “The Legend of the Mountain Ash,” to Alex Beecroft’s phenomenal historical, “Inner Truth,” to Rick R. Reed’s sly paranormal, “Morbidly Obese,” and more, there’s something for everyone in I Do Two!
Despite its title, not all of the stories in I Do Two! involve marriage. The greatness of the anthology is that its common theme is love and commitment. What could be better than that?
Note: Another thing to love about I Do Two! is that all profits from the sales of I Do Two! are donated to the Lambda Legal Defense to fight Proposition 8.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
apostrophen's review
5.0
Full disclosure, I'm in this book - but let me further preface a little to chat a bit about the purpose of I DO TWO. Right on the bright cover, it subtitles itself with "An anthology in support of marriage equality." I'm going to say it once again, before I begin - I am truly blessed to live in a country where my husband and I are just that: husbands. In every legal definition thereof.
I loved this collection (I'm stunned at the company I'm keeping), and have to point out my favorites of the anthology:
"The Song Inside," by Nexis Pas
This story is touching on many levels. The main characters are very much a pair of "everyman" types, with a subtlety in their conversation and description that makes them quite lovable. The story - a piece about these two gentle souls looking for a new place to live together - is woven with such a style that you it leaves you positively warmed. Definitely one of my favorites of the anthology.
"Even Guys Cry" by D.C. Juris
Another favorite in the anthology, D.C. Juris tackles a story rarely told - a transgendered romance. This story is romantic, erotic, and thought-provoking all at the same time, and it brought to mind my transgendered friends and their struggles in a sort of "everyman" way, which speaks to how well the story is written. Tenderness breathes throughout the tale.
"Work Experience" by Bruin Fisher
This story was excellent. Told from a young man's point of view, we hear the voice of a gay youth working with his father to help renovate a kitchen, and watch as his awareness of being different and his knowledge of his father's intolerance clash. When the pair work on a gay couple's kitchen, the young man finally has a view of a regular gay couple, something he'd never seen prior, and the realization is nothing short of wonderful. Hat's off to Bruin, as this was definitely one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
"Mallory's Gift" by L-J Baker
Another favorite, this exceptionally moving story is about Gerry, who has a lonely Christmas ahead of her, friends inclined to meddle in her non-existent dating life, and a loss that is holding her a step removed from life. Gerry lived and breathed in the story, with a verisimilitude that was evocative and absolutely real. Beautifully done, and incredibly touching.
"Elephants in Her Tea" by Julia Rios
Having grown up with wild stories about her Great Aunt Hortensia, including the title inspiring tale of how Hortensia took elephants in her tea, Fiona has always assumed her father made up the character as a kind of bedtime story. After his passing, no more mention of Hortensia was ever made, but at the start of this tale, the death notice for Great Aunt Hortensia is slid under Fiona's door, and she learns that perhaps there's more to her family - and more of it wonderful - than she's ever known. This short piece was delightful, and made me smile ear-to-ear.
"Aim Higher" by J.L. Merrow
I loved this story, which is the rarest of things: a funny - nay, hilarious! - tale with a romantic slice cut through it. Poor Simone has a guest, in the form of Eros (yeah, Cupid), who will not leave her alone, and is convincing the rest of the world that she's nuts because he's so annoying she can't stop yelling at him. He's determined to find her a true love, and she's determined to get rid of him. Eros is cute and all, but he's not the brightest, and he really needs to leave her be. I had to put the book down while I read this story, because I was laughing so hard at a few choice passages. Definite favorite.
I loved this collection (I'm stunned at the company I'm keeping), and have to point out my favorites of the anthology:
"The Song Inside," by Nexis Pas
This story is touching on many levels. The main characters are very much a pair of "everyman" types, with a subtlety in their conversation and description that makes them quite lovable. The story - a piece about these two gentle souls looking for a new place to live together - is woven with such a style that you it leaves you positively warmed. Definitely one of my favorites of the anthology.
"Even Guys Cry" by D.C. Juris
Another favorite in the anthology, D.C. Juris tackles a story rarely told - a transgendered romance. This story is romantic, erotic, and thought-provoking all at the same time, and it brought to mind my transgendered friends and their struggles in a sort of "everyman" way, which speaks to how well the story is written. Tenderness breathes throughout the tale.
"Work Experience" by Bruin Fisher
This story was excellent. Told from a young man's point of view, we hear the voice of a gay youth working with his father to help renovate a kitchen, and watch as his awareness of being different and his knowledge of his father's intolerance clash. When the pair work on a gay couple's kitchen, the young man finally has a view of a regular gay couple, something he'd never seen prior, and the realization is nothing short of wonderful. Hat's off to Bruin, as this was definitely one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
"Mallory's Gift" by L-J Baker
Another favorite, this exceptionally moving story is about Gerry, who has a lonely Christmas ahead of her, friends inclined to meddle in her non-existent dating life, and a loss that is holding her a step removed from life. Gerry lived and breathed in the story, with a verisimilitude that was evocative and absolutely real. Beautifully done, and incredibly touching.
"Elephants in Her Tea" by Julia Rios
Having grown up with wild stories about her Great Aunt Hortensia, including the title inspiring tale of how Hortensia took elephants in her tea, Fiona has always assumed her father made up the character as a kind of bedtime story. After his passing, no more mention of Hortensia was ever made, but at the start of this tale, the death notice for Great Aunt Hortensia is slid under Fiona's door, and she learns that perhaps there's more to her family - and more of it wonderful - than she's ever known. This short piece was delightful, and made me smile ear-to-ear.
"Aim Higher" by J.L. Merrow
I loved this story, which is the rarest of things: a funny - nay, hilarious! - tale with a romantic slice cut through it. Poor Simone has a guest, in the form of Eros (yeah, Cupid), who will not leave her alone, and is convincing the rest of the world that she's nuts because he's so annoying she can't stop yelling at him. He's determined to find her a true love, and she's determined to get rid of him. Eros is cute and all, but he's not the brightest, and he really needs to leave her be. I had to put the book down while I read this story, because I was laughing so hard at a few choice passages. Definite favorite.
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