Sindustry by Various Authors
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Erotic, GLBT, M/M, Anthology
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary: Rentboys, strippers, hookers, and porn stars—these men are making a buck the hard way. This is Sindustry, where a quick fuck is more likely than a romantic kiss. But while they face the harsh light of reality every day, unexpected love finds them in all sorts of crazy ways. Take a look at Sindustry from the outside
in, because for these guys, happily ever after is just around the corner.
Kathy’s Overall Review: Like any book where love blossoms between two people, one of whom works in the ‘sin’ industry, these stories could easily be classified as modern fairy tales. But that’s true of romances on the whole. We want to have HEA or even Happy For Now love stories, stories where two people, often from divergent circumstances, find someone with whom they connect on an emotional level. Of course romances with hot and steamy man-on-man sex is even better! And in these 12 novellas, Sindustry beautifully fulfills our desire for tales where lust and love come together... and each couple finds something rare and precious.
Reluctant by Rhianne Aile & Madeleine Urban
Summary: Coming off twenty-five years of marriage, Gregory Callahan doesn't want to live the rest of his life without exploring the longings he's never dared to admit.
At a friend's urging, he engages the discreet and exclusive services of Rossi
Inc., only to find Rico Rossi is nothing he expected and everything he's dreamed
of.
Kathy’s Review: This is a sweet romance with plenty of sparks, sizzle and passion... lots and lots of passion. I love a good romance and Gregory and Rico’s romance is very satisfying. And I have to say that I completely forgot that this was written by two authors; Aile and Urban write as one and Reluctant comes together as a wonderful whole.
Stripped Bare by S. Blaise
Summary: Intrigued when a man calls to hire him for a bachelorette party, stripper Luca Briggs finds himself attracted to the sexy voice on the other end of the line.
He wants to meet the caller, but Ethan is strangely reluctant, making Luca long
to prove he is more than just a pretty face.
Kathy’s Review: S. Blaise starts her story with a lot of teasing on Luca’s part. But as Luca get to know Ethan, a more serious note intrudes. It’s Ethan’s voice that captures Luca’s imagination at first, but he finds that Ethan’s reluctance to meet face to face intrigues him even more. I loved as Luca is able to coax Ethan to open up; a tender and touching romance.
Boomerang by Rachelle Cochran
Summary: Chance is content with his life in Minneapolis, where he works as a waiter – and sometimes more - at a gay club. But things change the night Evan walks in.
Chance and Evan grew up together in a small rural town, and Chance had always
longed for them to be more than friends. Surprised when Evan invites him back to
his hotel to catch up, Chance is stunned to find he's not the only one who's
harbored a long-term crush.
Kathy’s Review: Rachelle Cochran tells a wonderful friends-to-lovers story, one of my favourite themes. Both Chance and Evan are from a small town; Chance left when he was much younger knowing that he’d never be accepted for who he is. When Evan walks into Boomerang, Chance is awash in memories and hopes that could never be realized. Then, with the subsequent discovery that they have much more in common than he could have hoped for, what will it take for Evan and Chance to have a happy ending?
Fun and Games by Lenore Black
Summary: Video game developer Patrick Sturtz has a huge deadline and no time to celebrate his 25th birthday. So his friends come up with the perfect surprise: Jack Whitaker, a beautiful, messy-haired, strangely endearing man of the evening.
Jack sweeps Patrick away from his computer and into bed for a very private
birthday bash. But the real surprise is that Jack keeps showing up - night after
night - claiming it's all part of his present.
Kathy’s Review: Even though we don’t really meet Patrick’s two best friends they are the instigators of what happens next. The brief conversations between the three men are funny, yet you know that they really care. When Patrick’s birthday present becomes the gift that keeps giving, he’s at a loss to explain just why Jack keeps coming... around, keeps coming around! All kinds of misunderstandings ensue, but it all works out in the end. Lenore Black’s Fun and Games is really a lot of fun!
How Could I Not by Jamie Freeman
Summary: Employment opportunities for inexperienced MBAs in New York City are limited, but there's always a market for an attractive young Indian man who's willing to earn his pay in the bedroom. But Ben's having trouble maintaining his
professional detachment with Joshua, a gorgeous and wealthy older man who
requests that Ben fuck him while he watches a DVD of another man - a man who
looks a lot like Ben.
Kathy’s Review: This story did not start at all in a manner that boded well for a romance. But a funny thing happened when Joshua got to know Ben. An emotionally telling tale is the result and I’m once again intrigued by Jamie Freeman and his adept storytelling. The journey from beginning to end takes an unexpected yet very satisfying turn.
The Frost Affair by Sasha Skye
Summary: Grayson Lennox wasn't looking for love when he accepted Senator Alexander Frost's proposal to become his contract lover, but after five years as the
senator's personal rent boy, he's fallen in love with his benefactor. Grayson
fears if he surrenders to his feelings he will lose Alexander forever - or can a
gigolo dare to dream that a respected senator could love him back?
Kathy’s Review: Even though Grayson and Alex have been involved for 5 years, it takes them a lot longer to truly know each other. Narrated in the first person by Grayson there’s a depth to the relationship that isn’t apparent on introduction. Sasha Skye has come up with an enjoyable story that could be the beginning of something bigger.
The Stripper and the Hairdresser by Bethany Brown
Summary: Jasper is a hairdresser with a small problem: his chronic blushing proves embarrassing when his coworkers drag him to a strip club, where he's captivated by one of the dancers. Scott is no stranger to people staring at him, but he
just can't get the blushing man out of his mind. When he asks Jasper out, Scott
hopes he will see beyond the stripper and like the man underneath.
Kathy’s Review: I’ve read one other story by Bethany Brown and was just as entranced then as I am by Jasper and Scott’s story. Poor Jasper with his easily read expressions; he really has no hope of being able to hide embarrassment or delight. It doesn’t help that one of his friends is also a friend to the guys who work at the strip club. Scott is charmed from the very beginning and watching as he, in turn, is able to charm Jasper is a real treat.
A Muse by Zahra Owens
Summary: You call me a pervert, I call myself an artist. I'm a photographer, but I tend to stray off the safe path into the unknown. And for the right amount of money, you're more than willing to follow me there.
Kathy’s Review: Another story with very different progress towards a romantic conclusion, Zahra Owens gets so much emotion out of two nameless men, the photographer and the rent boy/model. This very short story at 17 pages packs a real punch with a spare yet telling writing style that really reflects the characters. I couldn’t see how this could possibly be leading to a romance, but Ms. Owens shows that she knew all along how these two would find their way to each other.
Fin de Siecle by S. Reesa Herberth
Summary: Paris at the close of the 19th century is a city ripe with opportunity, full of men trying to make a name with their talent. While Gabriel has put aside his dreams of a career in art, he's content with his practical, pleasure-driven life as a highly paid prostitute. He certainly never intends to act on his fascination with Jean, the young artist he meets on the banks of the Seine, even when he reluctantly agrees to model. For the right price, Jean can have Gabriel's body, but will his desire for more drive them apart forever?
Kathy’s Review: This story by S. Reesa Herberth was one that I had more difficulty immersing myself in; whether it was the historical aspect or the characters I cannot really say. In some ways the setting, France over 200 years ago, seems to have reduced any emotional connection that I could find for Gabriel and Jean. Then there was the emotional distance that Gabriel strives to keep while maintaining a rather sophisticated savoir-faire. Jean, on the other hand, is very much emotion; what he feels is quite obvious. Still, for all the lack of intimacy that I could build with Gabriel and Jean, this is a rather sweet tale of romance hard won.
Chat Line by Clare London
Summary: Bored, lonely and looking for a change, Jerry calls up the "Helping Hands" agency. But he gets rather more than he bargained for - and all of it in Sean's
warm, uninhibited and seductive voice.
Kathy’s Review: Oh my heavens. I absolutely love Jerry and Sean and their very interesting path to love. I knew, as we were supposed to, that what Jerry thinks he’s talking about and what Sean thinks he’s saying are at very different ends of the spectrum. It’s humourous, light, fun and yet underneath there’s a loneliness that underscores Clare London’s sweetly tender story. As for a satisfying read and wonderful romance, Ms. London has come up with a winning combination of character and plot. Very nicely done!
As Beauty Does by J.L. Merrow
Summary: Turning tricks just about pays enough for Nathan to share a flat while he pursues his A levels and a more promising career. But when his private life and his professional life overlap in the person of a teacher who's also a client,
Nathan just about manages to cope – until disaster strikes and there's no keeping them separate any longer.
Kathy’s Review: I got very emotionally involved with Nathan from the beginning. He’s an extremely likable young man with ambitions beyond surface appearances. One of his regular clients has slowly grown on him and his initial impression of the man’s unattractiveness has changed as he’s gotten to know him. The shock that they both feel when their association changes radically is palpable. In J.L. Merrow’s touching story we are treated to the slow buildup to a solid and caring relationship... but beware the tears that lurk; they took me by surprise.
The Four Seasons by Diana Copland
Summary: When struggling law student Michael Connelly meets Christian St. Clare in the upscale Four Seasons bar, he's captivated by his looks and sophistication. He strikes up a conversation, only to discover Christian is a professional escort,
waiting for a client. Charmed by the earnest and idealistic Michael, Christian
offers his card, telling him to call "when he makes partner." Michael is quite
sure he'll never see the handsome man again... until five years later, when fate
throws them together for a single night... and four years after that, at a
meeting that changes everything for them forever.
Kathy’s Review: With this story of hope, of immediate and lasting connection, Diana Copland has earned a new fan. From the beginning Michael is an obviously caring person. He’s also got a heart as big as all outdoors and as this marvelous tale progresses I fell for him. Christian is outgoing, extremely attractive and he’s got the world at his feet. I really don’t want to say anything more for fear of lessening the impact of their story. Suffice it to say that, while I seemed to cry through a good part of it, I also had such a strong sense of hope. After all this is in an anthology where romance reigns supreme. Diana Copland did it perfectly and The Four Seasons, as a touching and heartwarming modern fairytale, is the superb story with which to bring Sindustry to a close.
Rated 4½ Delightful Divas by Kathy!
Have Your Book Reviewed
Become A Reviewer
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Erotic, GLBT, M/M, Anthology
Review Copy Received from Publisher
Summary: Rentboys, strippers, hookers, and porn stars—these men are making a buck the hard way. This is Sindustry, where a quick fuck is more likely than a romantic kiss. But while they face the harsh light of reality every day, unexpected love finds them in all sorts of crazy ways. Take a look at Sindustry from the outside
in, because for these guys, happily ever after is just around the corner.
Kathy’s Overall Review: Like any book where love blossoms between two people, one of whom works in the ‘sin’ industry, these stories could easily be classified as modern fairy tales. But that’s true of romances on the whole. We want to have HEA or even Happy For Now love stories, stories where two people, often from divergent circumstances, find someone with whom they connect on an emotional level. Of course romances with hot and steamy man-on-man sex is even better! And in these 12 novellas, Sindustry beautifully fulfills our desire for tales where lust and love come together... and each couple finds something rare and precious.
Reluctant by Rhianne Aile & Madeleine Urban
Summary: Coming off twenty-five years of marriage, Gregory Callahan doesn't want to live the rest of his life without exploring the longings he's never dared to admit.
At a friend's urging, he engages the discreet and exclusive services of Rossi
Inc., only to find Rico Rossi is nothing he expected and everything he's dreamed
of.
Kathy’s Review: This is a sweet romance with plenty of sparks, sizzle and passion... lots and lots of passion. I love a good romance and Gregory and Rico’s romance is very satisfying. And I have to say that I completely forgot that this was written by two authors; Aile and Urban write as one and Reluctant comes together as a wonderful whole.
Stripped Bare by S. Blaise
Summary: Intrigued when a man calls to hire him for a bachelorette party, stripper Luca Briggs finds himself attracted to the sexy voice on the other end of the line.
He wants to meet the caller, but Ethan is strangely reluctant, making Luca long
to prove he is more than just a pretty face.
Kathy’s Review: S. Blaise starts her story with a lot of teasing on Luca’s part. But as Luca get to know Ethan, a more serious note intrudes. It’s Ethan’s voice that captures Luca’s imagination at first, but he finds that Ethan’s reluctance to meet face to face intrigues him even more. I loved as Luca is able to coax Ethan to open up; a tender and touching romance.
Boomerang by Rachelle Cochran
Summary: Chance is content with his life in Minneapolis, where he works as a waiter – and sometimes more - at a gay club. But things change the night Evan walks in.
Chance and Evan grew up together in a small rural town, and Chance had always
longed for them to be more than friends. Surprised when Evan invites him back to
his hotel to catch up, Chance is stunned to find he's not the only one who's
harbored a long-term crush.
Kathy’s Review: Rachelle Cochran tells a wonderful friends-to-lovers story, one of my favourite themes. Both Chance and Evan are from a small town; Chance left when he was much younger knowing that he’d never be accepted for who he is. When Evan walks into Boomerang, Chance is awash in memories and hopes that could never be realized. Then, with the subsequent discovery that they have much more in common than he could have hoped for, what will it take for Evan and Chance to have a happy ending?
Fun and Games by Lenore Black
Summary: Video game developer Patrick Sturtz has a huge deadline and no time to celebrate his 25th birthday. So his friends come up with the perfect surprise: Jack Whitaker, a beautiful, messy-haired, strangely endearing man of the evening.
Jack sweeps Patrick away from his computer and into bed for a very private
birthday bash. But the real surprise is that Jack keeps showing up - night after
night - claiming it's all part of his present.
Kathy’s Review: Even though we don’t really meet Patrick’s two best friends they are the instigators of what happens next. The brief conversations between the three men are funny, yet you know that they really care. When Patrick’s birthday present becomes the gift that keeps giving, he’s at a loss to explain just why Jack keeps coming... around, keeps coming around! All kinds of misunderstandings ensue, but it all works out in the end. Lenore Black’s Fun and Games is really a lot of fun!
How Could I Not by Jamie Freeman
Summary: Employment opportunities for inexperienced MBAs in New York City are limited, but there's always a market for an attractive young Indian man who's willing to earn his pay in the bedroom. But Ben's having trouble maintaining his
professional detachment with Joshua, a gorgeous and wealthy older man who
requests that Ben fuck him while he watches a DVD of another man - a man who
looks a lot like Ben.
Kathy’s Review: This story did not start at all in a manner that boded well for a romance. But a funny thing happened when Joshua got to know Ben. An emotionally telling tale is the result and I’m once again intrigued by Jamie Freeman and his adept storytelling. The journey from beginning to end takes an unexpected yet very satisfying turn.
The Frost Affair by Sasha Skye
Summary: Grayson Lennox wasn't looking for love when he accepted Senator Alexander Frost's proposal to become his contract lover, but after five years as the
senator's personal rent boy, he's fallen in love with his benefactor. Grayson
fears if he surrenders to his feelings he will lose Alexander forever - or can a
gigolo dare to dream that a respected senator could love him back?
Kathy’s Review: Even though Grayson and Alex have been involved for 5 years, it takes them a lot longer to truly know each other. Narrated in the first person by Grayson there’s a depth to the relationship that isn’t apparent on introduction. Sasha Skye has come up with an enjoyable story that could be the beginning of something bigger.
The Stripper and the Hairdresser by Bethany Brown
Summary: Jasper is a hairdresser with a small problem: his chronic blushing proves embarrassing when his coworkers drag him to a strip club, where he's captivated by one of the dancers. Scott is no stranger to people staring at him, but he
just can't get the blushing man out of his mind. When he asks Jasper out, Scott
hopes he will see beyond the stripper and like the man underneath.
Kathy’s Review: I’ve read one other story by Bethany Brown and was just as entranced then as I am by Jasper and Scott’s story. Poor Jasper with his easily read expressions; he really has no hope of being able to hide embarrassment or delight. It doesn’t help that one of his friends is also a friend to the guys who work at the strip club. Scott is charmed from the very beginning and watching as he, in turn, is able to charm Jasper is a real treat.
A Muse by Zahra Owens
Summary: You call me a pervert, I call myself an artist. I'm a photographer, but I tend to stray off the safe path into the unknown. And for the right amount of money, you're more than willing to follow me there.
Kathy’s Review: Another story with very different progress towards a romantic conclusion, Zahra Owens gets so much emotion out of two nameless men, the photographer and the rent boy/model. This very short story at 17 pages packs a real punch with a spare yet telling writing style that really reflects the characters. I couldn’t see how this could possibly be leading to a romance, but Ms. Owens shows that she knew all along how these two would find their way to each other.
Fin de Siecle by S. Reesa Herberth
Summary: Paris at the close of the 19th century is a city ripe with opportunity, full of men trying to make a name with their talent. While Gabriel has put aside his dreams of a career in art, he's content with his practical, pleasure-driven life as a highly paid prostitute. He certainly never intends to act on his fascination with Jean, the young artist he meets on the banks of the Seine, even when he reluctantly agrees to model. For the right price, Jean can have Gabriel's body, but will his desire for more drive them apart forever?
Kathy’s Review: This story by S. Reesa Herberth was one that I had more difficulty immersing myself in; whether it was the historical aspect or the characters I cannot really say. In some ways the setting, France over 200 years ago, seems to have reduced any emotional connection that I could find for Gabriel and Jean. Then there was the emotional distance that Gabriel strives to keep while maintaining a rather sophisticated savoir-faire. Jean, on the other hand, is very much emotion; what he feels is quite obvious. Still, for all the lack of intimacy that I could build with Gabriel and Jean, this is a rather sweet tale of romance hard won.
Chat Line by Clare London
Summary: Bored, lonely and looking for a change, Jerry calls up the "Helping Hands" agency. But he gets rather more than he bargained for - and all of it in Sean's
warm, uninhibited and seductive voice.
Kathy’s Review: Oh my heavens. I absolutely love Jerry and Sean and their very interesting path to love. I knew, as we were supposed to, that what Jerry thinks he’s talking about and what Sean thinks he’s saying are at very different ends of the spectrum. It’s humourous, light, fun and yet underneath there’s a loneliness that underscores Clare London’s sweetly tender story. As for a satisfying read and wonderful romance, Ms. London has come up with a winning combination of character and plot. Very nicely done!
As Beauty Does by J.L. Merrow
Summary: Turning tricks just about pays enough for Nathan to share a flat while he pursues his A levels and a more promising career. But when his private life and his professional life overlap in the person of a teacher who's also a client,
Nathan just about manages to cope – until disaster strikes and there's no keeping them separate any longer.
Kathy’s Review: I got very emotionally involved with Nathan from the beginning. He’s an extremely likable young man with ambitions beyond surface appearances. One of his regular clients has slowly grown on him and his initial impression of the man’s unattractiveness has changed as he’s gotten to know him. The shock that they both feel when their association changes radically is palpable. In J.L. Merrow’s touching story we are treated to the slow buildup to a solid and caring relationship... but beware the tears that lurk; they took me by surprise.
The Four Seasons by Diana Copland
Summary: When struggling law student Michael Connelly meets Christian St. Clare in the upscale Four Seasons bar, he's captivated by his looks and sophistication. He strikes up a conversation, only to discover Christian is a professional escort,
waiting for a client. Charmed by the earnest and idealistic Michael, Christian
offers his card, telling him to call "when he makes partner." Michael is quite
sure he'll never see the handsome man again... until five years later, when fate
throws them together for a single night... and four years after that, at a
meeting that changes everything for them forever.
Kathy’s Review: With this story of hope, of immediate and lasting connection, Diana Copland has earned a new fan. From the beginning Michael is an obviously caring person. He’s also got a heart as big as all outdoors and as this marvelous tale progresses I fell for him. Christian is outgoing, extremely attractive and he’s got the world at his feet. I really don’t want to say anything more for fear of lessening the impact of their story. Suffice it to say that, while I seemed to cry through a good part of it, I also had such a strong sense of hope. After all this is in an anthology where romance reigns supreme. Diana Copland did it perfectly and The Four Seasons, as a touching and heartwarming modern fairytale, is the superb story with which to bring Sindustry to a close.
Rated 4½ Delightful Divas by Kathy!
Have Your Book Reviewed
Become A Reviewer
5 loved readers said:
Kathy, thank you for the positive review. Glad you liked my story.
Hi Kathy,
Thanks so much for the positive review! I appreciated that even though my story wasn't entirely your cup of tea, you still found it sweet.
All the best,
S. Reesa Herberth
Jamie and Reesa, it really was my pleasure. I really do love anthologies because of the exposure to authors I don't yet know.
Kathy,
What can I say but 'Thank you'? I've been told 'A muse' is not an easy story to read because of the format, but I'm happy you weren't deterred by that and got right to the heart of it.
It is different, but it works. Not a lot of extraneous detail to distract I expect.
Thank you for stopping by.
Post a Comment