Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two

by Blaine D. Arden

This free ebook is volume two in a collection of short stories celebrating love, sex and romance between men.

Note: These stories contain sexually explicit content and are intended for adult readers only.

Blaine D. Arden – COLOR ME (Paranormal)
Mandy Beyers – THE PRESENT IN ROOM FOUR (Rent Boy/Hurt-comfort)
JR Boyd – LABOR OF LOVE (Blue Collar)
JM Cartwright – APPEARING KNIGHTLY (Superhero)
Jaya Christopher – CODY AND THE HERMIT (BDSM/Cowboys)
Casey Cox – BE MY BOY (D/S Slave)
Nicole Dennis – HIDDEN AMONGST STARS (1950’s Hollywood)
Megan Derr – DELIVERY WITH A SMILE (Comedy)
Taylor V. Donovan – HEATSTROKE (Angst)
Havan Fellows – HIDDEN NEEDS (BDSM)
Kerry Freeman – KEEP ME (May-December Romance)
Kari Gregg – THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DENNY (Angst)
Kaje Harper – LIKE THE TASTE OF SUMMER (First-Love/1980’s)
Jason Huffman-Black – I AM THE HIGHWAY (BDSM)
Marguerite Labbe – TEARS OF THE SEA (Paranormal/ Fairytales)
Amy Lane – SUPER SOCK MAN (College/Solo-action)
Cleon Lee – BENEATH YOUR WINGS (Angel/Demon)
Jordan Sophia Lombard – FINDING HOME (Sci-fi/Military)
Sarah Madison – SURF’S UP (Role-Playing)
Angel Martinez – IF ONE DREAM SHOULD FALL AND BREAK (Sci-fi)
NJ Nielsen – SHADOWS ON THE HEART (Paranormal)
Elizabeth Noble – TAKE WHAT’S YOURS (Futuristic Sci-fi)
Adara O’Hare – CHASING THE PRICK (Hurt/Comfort)
SJD Peterson - INNOCENCE TO THE MAX (Paranormal/BDSM)
Lily Sawyer – LAWN MOWER BOYS (Summer Love)
Andrea Speed – MY BLOODY VALENTINE (Paranormal/Sorcerer)
DH Starr – TLC (Recovery)
Em Woods – BETWEEN FRIENDS (Action)

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Short Stories, BDSM, Erotica, Contemporary Romance

1056 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2011

About the author

Blaine D. Arden is an EPIC Award-winning author of Romantic Speculative Fiction. Non-binary and proud, ey sings eir way through life in platform boots and delights in creating magical worlds for queer heroes to bump into the loves of their lives at just the wrong—or right—moment. Ey believes in celebrating the transformative power of diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of life, and that our unique experiences and perspectives are what make us strong: “Our Difference is Our Strength.”

Born and raised in Zutphen, the Netherlands, Blaine spent eir youth immersed in books, daydreaming, and making up stories. Quite content in entertaining emself, ey evolved from telling stories to eir favourite doll, to acting them out with eir Barbies, and finally, putting pen to paper.

When not writing, Blaine enjoys singing, sewing, and indulging in building LEGO botanical sets. Ey lives in the Netherlands with eir supportive partner of over thirty years. Despite their differences—Blaine craves shade and doesn’t drink the beers he brews, he doesn’t read romance and loves soaking up the sun—they enjoy watching quiz shows during dinner and playing cooperative games.

From the award-winning Oren’s Right to Aliens, Smith and Jones, Blaine’s books offer readers a safe and enchanting escape into richly imagined worlds with a unique blend of adventure, emotional depth, and belonging.
______________________
Non-Binary / Asexual
ey/em/eir | she/her | Mx.

Reviews

[Marte - Thunderella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Done with Volume Two!

1-7%
Blaine D. Arden – COLOR ME (Paranormal)
** 2,5 plot hole stars ** Review here.

7-9%
Mandy Beyers – THE PRESENT IN ROOM FOUR (Rent Boy/Hurt-comfort)
* 1 bad bdsm star * Review here.

9-11%
JR Boyd – LABOR OF LOVE (Blue Collar)
** 2 Ohmugod stars ** Review here.

11-15%
JM Cartwright – APPEARING KNIGHTLY (Superhero)
**** 4 Batman fanfic stars **** Review here.

15-18%
Jaya Christopher – CODY AND THE HERMIT (BDSM/Cowboys)
*** 3,5 tied up stars *** Review here.

18-21%
Casey Cox – BE MY BOY (D/S Slave)
*** 3 Master and Boy stars *** Review here.

21-23%
Nicole Dennis – HIDDEN AMONGST STARS (1950’s Hollywood)
* 1 Hollywood star* Review here.

23-27%
Megan Derr – DELIVERY WITH A SMILE (Comedy)
*** 3,5 Hitman stars *** Review here.

27-39%
Taylor V. Donovan – HEATSTROKE (Angst)
**** 4 happy stars **** Review here.

39-43%
Haven Fellows – HIDDEN NEEDS (BDSM)
*** 3 stilted stars *** Review here.

42-43%
Kerry Freeman - KEEP ME (Angst, D/s)
*** 3,5 second chance stars *** Review here.

43-47%
Kari Gregg – THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DENNY (Angst)
----skipped----

47-53%
Kaje Harper – LIKE THE TASTE OF SUMMER (First-Love/1980’s)
**** 4 summer taste stars **** Review here.

53-55%
Jason Huffman-Black – I AM THE HIGHWAY (BDSM)
*** 3 what-a-ride stars ***Review here.

55-61%
Marguerite Labbe – TEARS OF THE SEA (Paranormal/Fairytales)
**** 4 moonlight-on-the-sea stars **** Review here.

61-63%
Amy Lane – SUPER SOCK MAN (College/Solo-action)
*** 2 knitted socks stars *** Review here.

63-66%
Cleon Lee – BENEATH YOUR WINGS (Angel/Demon)
*** 3 angel redemption stars *** Review here.

66-70%
Jordan Sophia Lombard – FINDING HOME (Sci-fi/Military)
** 2,5 finding home stars ** Review here.

70-76%
Sarah Madison – SURF’S UP (Role-Playing)
*** 3,5 Summer stars *** Review here.

76-80%
Angel Martinez – IF ONE DREAM SHOULD FALL AND BREAK (Sci-fi)
*** 3 reunited stars *** Review here.

80-86%
NJ Nielsen – SHADOWS ON THE HEART (Paranormal)
*** 3 stars *** Review here.

86-88%
Elizabeth Noble – TAKE WHAT’S YOURS (Futuristic Sci-fi)
** 2 snap shot stars ** Review here.

88-90%
Adara O’Hare – CHASING THE PRICK (Hurt/Comfort)
** 2 HSV-1 stars ** Review here.

90-92%
SJD Peterson - INNOCENCE TO THE MAX (Paranormal/BDSM)
*** 3 beating heart stars *** Review here.

92-93%
Lily Sawyer – LAWN MOWER BOYS (Summer Love)
*** 3 lawn mower boys stars *** Review here.

93-9%
Andrea Speed – MY BLOODY VALENTINE (Paranormal/Sorcerer)
** 2 bloody stars ** Review here.

DH Starr – TLC (Recovery)
*** 3 Tender Loving Care stars *** Review here.

97-100%
Em Woods – BETWEEN FRIENDS (Action)
** 2 fucking friends stars ** Review here.

[Exina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories in this anthology are the product of the Hot Summer Days promotion. The M/M Romance group invited members to choose a photo and pen a letter asking for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image; authors from the group were encouraged to select a letter and write an original tale.

Sadly, only one 5-star story for me in this anthology:
Be My Boy

4-star stories:
Hidden Needs
Keep Me
Like the Taste of Summer

The rest:
Appearing Knightly
Cody and the Hermit
Hidden Amongst Stars
Delivery with a Smile
I Am the Highway
Surf’s Up
Super Sock Man
My Bloody Valentine
Between Friends

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This specific anthology has my favorite story from the entire event - Heatstroke. What an amazing story. Also, a few of my other favorites are Like the Taste of Summer and The Importance of Being Denny. But honestly, there is not a bad story in the entire anthology...some of the best stories I have read in a very long time, and the best part? It's all free! Highly recommend this entire anthology and the first volume too!

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden - 3 Stars My Review

The Present In Room Four by Mandy Beyers – 2 Stars My Review

Labor Of Love by JR Boyd – 2 Stars My Review

Appearing Knightly by JM Cartwright – 5 Stars My Review

Cody And The Hermit by Jaya Christopher – 4 Stars My Review

Be My Boy by Casey Cox – 4 Stars My Review

Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis – 3 Stars My Review

Delivery With A Smile by Megan Derr – 5 Stars My Review

Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan – 2 Stars My Review

Hidden Needs by Haven Fellows – 2 Stars My Review

Keep Me by Kerry Freeman - 3 Stars My Review

The Importance Of Being Denny by Kari Gregg – 4 Stars My Review

Like The Taste Of Summer by Kaje Harper – 4 Stars My Review

I Am The Highway by Jason Huffman-Black – 5 Stars My Review

Tears Of The Sea by Marguerite Labbe – 4 Stars My Review

Super Sock Man by Amy Lane – 3 Stars My Review

Beneath your Wings by Cleon Lee – 2 Stars My Review

Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard – 4 Stars My Review

Surf's Up by Sarah Madison – 3 Stars My Review

If One Dream Should Fall And Break by Angel Martinez – 2 Stars My Review

Shadows On The Heart by NJ Nielsen – 2 Stars My Review

Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble – 2 Stars My Review

Chasing The Prick by Adara O’Hare – 4 Stars My Review

Innocence To The Max by SJD Peterson - 3 Stars My Review

Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer – 3 Stars My Review

My Bloody Valentine by Andrea Speed – 4 Stars My Review

TLC by DH Starr – 3 Stars My Review

Between Friends by Em Woods – 4 Stars My Review

[Bookwatcher]

*Review of Cleon Lee Short story – BENEATH YOUR WINGS (Angel/Demon)*

Zeqiel and Theliel are such heartbreaking couple!

Zeqiel is a cast out angel... banned from heaven, forever.

aka he is a demon

Theliel is his other half, an angel still in paradise. Zeqiel is forbidden to see, hear or talk to him...

But something is impossible to control... something that is so important, and is the reason of Zeqiel existence... that something is called love

Can an angel and a demon be together?
Read this free short story to discover it... with a box of Kleenex by our side... their love is really heartbreaking!

5 stars

[JenMcJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now for Volume 2 of the compiled stories from the Hot Summer Days event. Days 10 through 18.

As a co-moderator for the M/M Romance Group that pulled this event off with the help of our incredibly generous authors and members I have nothing but praise for all the efforts in this anthology.

I think anyone with a positive interest in the m/m genre would be hard pressed to find anything missing from this volume or the first volume, however, if you do, hang on. There are still two more volumes coming.

Over 252,000 words and all free. Enjoy!

[Adara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of my personal favorite stories are in this particular volume: Taylor Donovan's Heatstroke, Marguerite Labbe's Tears From the Sea, Jason Huffman-Black's I am the Highway (and that's not just because it was written from my photo & letter). NJ Nielson, SJD Peterson, Amy Lane, and more. And my own story, Chasing the Prick, is in this volume also. It's a great mix of work from great authors!

[Hal Evergreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite stories in this volume were...

"Be My Boy" by Casey Cox - an intriguing and surprisingly romantic story about a D/s slave relationship.

"Like the Taste of Summer" by Kaje Harper - further evidence that Ms. Harper is in her element when writing in the short form. This is a really sweet story about first love.

"Tears of the Sea" by Marguerite Labbe - a haunting paranormal story featuring some of my favorite mythological creatures.

"Super Sock Man" by Amy Lee - totally adorable. I haven't read any of Amy Lee's full-length novels yet; I understand they are usually angst-ridden. This story was just sweet and sexy fun.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weeell, what can I say? It's another huge book with gay stories! xD I've spent some time on it since I've been doing so much this month. There were some stories that I had already read, but that was just really a relief in an almost 800-page book.
Some of the stories were really good, interesting and captivating, and since it's basically all women, sex is often described in detail. Nothing for the fainthearted here!
Don't know what more to say, as I could never possibly properly review this whole thing, but if you like this kind of thing, there's a lot of diversity in the stories, so check it out!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I can't praise the authors and the committed moderators over at the M/M Romance group enough for effort and hard work they put into the Hot Summer Days event. This anthology is fabulous, and there's definitely something for everyone here. Proud to have this on my Kindle ;)

[Ottilee B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read! Not all the stories presented were my cuppa but KUDOS to all those that took part! I did enjoy them and this goes on my MORE STARS NEEDED shelf.

[Tamara]

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden ★★★★✩
The Present in Room Four by Mandy Beyers
Labor of Love by J.R. Boyd
Appearing Knightly by J.M. Cartwright
Cody and the Hermit by Jaya Christopher ★★★✩✩
Be My Boy by Casey K. Cox ★✩✩✩✩
Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis
Delivery with a Smile by Megan Derr ★★★★✩
Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan ★★★★★
Hidden Needs by Havan Fellows
Keep Me by Kerry Freeman ★★✩✩✩
The Importance of Being Denny by Kari Gregg ★✩✩✩✩
Like the Taste of Summer by Kaje Harper ★★★★★
I Am the Highway by Jason Huffman-Black ★★★★✩
Tears of the Sea by Marguerite Labbe ★★★★✩
Super Sock Man by Amy Lane ★★★★✩
Beneath Your Wings by Cleon Lee
Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard
Surf's Up by Sarah Madison ★★★★✩
If One Dream Should Fall and Break by Angel Martinez
Shadows on the Heart by N.J. Nielsen ★★✩✩✩
Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble ★★★✩✩
Chasing the Prick by Adara O’Hare
Innocence to the Max by S.J.D. Peterson ★★✩✩✩
Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer
My Bloody Valentine by Andrea Speed ★★★★✩
TLC by D.H. Starr
Between Friends by Em Woods ★★✩✩✩

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before this book, I hadn't gone too much into the M/M area. I might have read some stories here and there, and didn't bother to put them up on Goodreads, for they were just excerpts. Some of them were really badly written and I was skeptical about reading even more of this genre.

Though I gave it 3 stars, that doesn't mean I found it bad. It's just that 3 stars is the overall rating, cumulated from all the stories inside. Different authors were given a picture and they had to come up with a story as to how that picture might have happened, what was behind the character's dreamy eyes, or why did he seem to be in pain, or other as such. Some wrote 4,000 words stories, some went to 30,000. It was their decision to make.

I will admit that some of the stories I didn't like at all. Being no quite into the subject from the beginning, I was a very harsh judge, and some didn't seem to be enough. Others I really really liked, and I kept some author names to follow them on the Internet and see what they're up to.

Why I read this book in the first place? Partly because I wanted to broaden my limits. I wanted to open up my mind, and see if I like this kind of writing or not. After finishing, I can't say I'll never read M/M again, because it is entertaining, and as in any genre, you can always find something really well written.

Another reason for which I went on GR and typed gay stories was that I saw this video on the Internet. It's called "What if Heterophobia were real?". It's based on true stories, but with a twist. It presents this world were instead of gays being forced to hide themselves and blamed by society, this happened to heterosexuals. It's just a 20 minute video, and I really recommend people to go search for it and watch it. It's pretty sad, and as it impressed me, it may touch others also.

I think I'll read the first and next volume also. I just started with this one because this I found in the beginning.

[Cerulean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden - 3.5 stars
Delivery With A Smile by Megan Derr - 3.5 stars
Like The Taste Of Summer by Kaje Harper - 4.75 stars
Super Sock Man by Amy Lane - 4 stars
TLC by DH Starr - 3.75 stars
I Am The Highway by Jason Huffman-Black - 4 stars
The Present In Room Four by Mandy Beyers - 2.75 to 3 stars
Labor Of Love by JR Boyd - 2.75 to 3 stars
Appearing Knightly by JM Cartwright - 3.25 to 3.5 stars
Be My Boy by Casey Cox - 4.5 stars
Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis - 3.25 stars
Hidden Needs by Havan Fellow - 3 to 3.25 stars
Keep Me by Kerry Freeman -  2 stars
- stars off because I can't get past the Daddy kink, it's really not for me. However, if it is something you enjoy reading, then this story is well written and worth the read.
The Importance Of Being Denny by Kari Gregg -  3.25 stars
Beneath Your Wings by Cleon Lee -  2.25 stars
Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard - 2.5 to 2.75  stars
Surf's Up by Sarah Madison - 4.25 stars
If One Dream Should Fall And Break by Angel Martinez - 3.5 to 3.75 stars
Shadows On The Heart by NJ Neilson - 2 stars
Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble - 3.5 to 3.75 stars
Chasing The Prick by Adara O'Hare - 2.5 to 2.75 stars
Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer - 3.75 stars
Between Friends by Em Woods - 4 stars

Stories that appear in the GRL 2011 Special Edition are rated on that review.

[Allie Ritch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume had several good stories. The standouts for me:
"Be My Boy" by Casey Cox was a nice twist on a May-Dec. romance.
"Delivery with a Smile" by Megan Derr was a really fun read.
"Hidden Needs" by Havan Fellows was a hot BDSM story.
"Tears of the Sea" by Marguerite Labbe, which I had already read in another volume, was a unique paranormal romance.
"Beneath Your Wings" by Cleon Lee was a nice angel romance.
"Finding Home" by Jordan Sophia Lombard was an entertaining SFR.

[Leora Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden ***
the Present in Room Four by Mandy Beyers ***
Labor of Love by J.R. Boyd ***
Appearing Knightly by J.M. Cartwright ***
Cody and the Hermit by Jaya Christopher ***
Be My Boy by Casey K. Cox ****
Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis ***
Delivery with a Smile by Megan Derr ****
Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan ****
Secrets of the Sanctuary 01 Hidden Needs by Havan Fellows ****
Keep Me by Kerry Freeman ****
the Importance of Being Denny by Kari Gregg ****
Like the Taste of Summer by Kaje Harper ****
I Am the Highway by Jason Huffman-Black ***
Tears of the Sea by Marguerite Labbe ****
Johnnies 00 Super Sock Man by Amy Lane ****
Beneath Your Wings by Cleon Lee ***
Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard ***
Surf's Up by Sarah Madison ****
If One Dream Should Fall and Break by Angel Martinez ***
Masters of Time 01 Shadows on the Heart by N.J. Nielsen ***
Sentries 07 Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble ***
Chasing the Prick by Adara O’Hare ***
Iunctiō Cōpula 00 Innocence to the Max by S.J.D. Peterson ***
Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer ***
My Bloody Valentine by Andrea Speed ***
TLC by D.H. Starr ****
Between Friends by Em Woods ***

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again

[Britta ★ Nachteule ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My ratings in detail

Color Me ~ *2 stars* ~ My Review

The Present in Room Four ~ *2 stars* ~ My Review

Labor of Love ~ *2.5 stars* ~ My Review

Appearing Knightly ~ *4 stars* ~ My Review

Cody and the Hermit ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

Be My Boy ~ *4 stars* ~ My Review

Hidden Amongst Stars ~ *2 stars* ~ My Review

Delivery with a Smile ~ *4 stars* ~ My Review

Heatstroke ~ *4.5 stars* ~ My Review

Hidden Needs ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

Keep Me ~ not rarted ~ My Review

The Importance of Being Denny ~ not rated ~ My Review

Like the Taste of Summer ~ *5 stars* ~ My Review

I Am the Highway ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

Tears of the Sea ~ *4 stars* ~ My Review

Super Sock Man ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

Beneath Your Wings ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

Finding Home ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

Surf's Up ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

If One Dream Should Fall and Break ~ *2 stars* ~ My Review

Shadows on the Heart ~ *4 stars* ~ My Review

Take What's Yours ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

Chasing the Prick ~ *2.5 stars* ~ My Review

Innocence to the Max ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

Lawn Mower Boys ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

My Bloody Valentine ~ *3.5 stars* ~ My Review

TLC ~ *4.5 stars* ~ My Review

Between Friends ~ *3 stars* ~ My Review

*******************************************************



So my calculator says 3.31 stars. I'm rounding up to 3.5 stars.

[Sandra]

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden - ,

The Present In Room Four by Mandy Beyers – ,

Labor Of Love by JR Boyd – ,

Appearing Knightly by JM Cartwright – ,

Cody And The Hermit by Jaya Christopher – ,

Be My Boy by Casey Cox – 3 stars, My Review

Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis – ,

Delivery With A Smile by Megan Derr – ,

Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan – ,

Hidden Needs by Haven Fellows – ,

Keep Me by Kerry Freeman - ,

The Importance Of Being Denny by Kari Gregg – ,

Like The Taste Of Summer by Kaje Harper – ,

I Am The Highway by Jason Huffman-Black – ,

Tears Of The Sea by Marguerite Labbe – ,

Super Sock Man by Amy Lane – ,

Beneath your Wings by Cleon Lee – ,

Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard – ,

Surf's Up by Sarah Madison – ,

If One Dream Should Fall And Break by Angel Martinez – ,

Shadows On The Heart by NJ Nielsen – ,

Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble – ,

Chasing The Prick by Adara O’Hare – ,

Innocence To The Max by SJD Peterson - ,

Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer – ,

My Bloody Valentine by Andrea Speed – ,

TLC by DH Starr – ,

Between Friends by Em Woods - ,

[Kate Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color Me by Blaine D. Arden - 4*
The Present In Room Four by Mandy Beyers - 2*
Labor Of Love by JR Boyd - 2*
Appearing Knightly by JM Cartwright - 3*
Cody And The Hermit by Jaya Christopher - 4.5*
Be My Boy by Casey Cox - 2*
Hidden Amongst Stars by Nicole Dennis - 3*
Delivery With A Smile by Megan Derr - 4*
Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan - 5*
Hidden Needs by Haven Fellows - 3*
Keep Me by Kerry Freeman - 2.5*
The Importance Of Being Denny by Kari Gregg - 5*
Like The Taste Of Summer by Kaje Harper - 5*
I Am The Highway by Jason Huffman-Black - 4*
Tears Of The Sea by Marguerite Labbe - 3.5*
Super Sock Man by Amy Lane - 3.5*
Beneath your Wings by Cleon Lee - 4*
Finding Home by Jordan Sophia Lombard - 3.5*
Surf's Up by Sarah Madison - 3.5*
If One Dream Should Fall And Break by Angel Martinez - 3.5*
Shadows On The Heart by NJ Nielsen - 4.5*
Take What's Yours by Elizabeth Noble - 3*
Chasing The Prick by Adara O’Hare - 2*
Innocence To The Max by SJD Peterson - 3*
Lawn Mower Boys by Lily Sawyer - 3*
My Bloody Valentine by Andrea Speed - 3*
TLC by DH Starr - 4*
Between Friends by Em Woods - 3.5*

[Xtemptation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaine D. Arden – COLOR ME - 3
Mandy Beyers – THE PRESENT IN ROOM FOUR - 2
JR Boyd – LABOR OF LOVE - 1
JM Cartwright – APPEARING KNIGHTLY - 3
Jaya Christopher – CODY AND THE HERMIT - 3
Casey Cox – BE MY BOY - 3
Nicole Dennis – HIDDEN AMONGST STARS - 1
Megan Derr – DELIVERY WITH A SMILE - 5
Taylor V. Donovan – HEATSTROKE - 5
Havan Fellows – HIDDEN NEEDS - 4
Kerry Freeman – KEEP ME - 1
Kari Gregg – THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DENNY - 4
Kaje Harper – LIKE THE TASTE OF SUMMER - 5
Jason Huffman-Black – I AM THE HIGHWAY 2
Marguerite Labbe – TEARS OF THE SEA - 1/2
Amy Lane – SUPER SOCK MAN - 2
Cleon Lee – BENEATH YOUR WINGS - 3
Jordan Sophia Lombard – FINDING HOME - 2
Sarah Madison – SURF’S UP - 4
Angel Martinez – IF ONE DREAM SHOULD FALL AND BREAK – 2/3
NJ Nielsen – SHADOWS ON THE HEART – 1/2
Elizabeth Noble – TAKE WHAT’S YOURS - 3
Adara O’Hare – CHASING THE PRICK - 4
SJD Peterson - INNOCENCE TO THE MAX - 3
Lily Sawyer – LAWN MOWER BOYS - 2
Andrea Speed – MY BLOODY VALENTINE - 1
DH Starr – TLC - 3
Em Woods – BETWEEN FRIENDS - 4

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few of these short stories stood out....

Be My Boy by Casey Cox
Like the Taste of Summer by Kaje Harper
I Am the Highway by Jason Huffman-Black
Shadows on the Heart by N.J. Nielsen

As for the rest there were a few that didn't work for me but over all I liked this Volume.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the mix of stories in this volume. It has a little bit of everything and while I enjoyed the first volume I think this volume does a better job of mixing up the types of stories presented. Also, I loved the mix of very short tales and some that were longer stories. I forgot to make note of the name but my favorite was one of the longer story of a boy's search for the truth of his grandma's attitude. There were a few I didn't enjoy as well or that I skipped but that had to do with just not really liking that particular story type and not the writing at all. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to review each story in this review as I did them all individually as I read them. Some stories were amazing, some didn't quite work for me and I admit to (this time) even skipping a couple because the sub-genres weren't my thing. But overall this is a great collection of short stories by a large group of authors. If I didn't like one I knew that it wouldn't be long before I could jump right into another one. I am all about discovering new authors and as with Volume One, I have discovered a lot more after reading this.

Another great collection. I will be jumping into Volume Three very soon.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

A M/M Romance Group Team Spin Spellapalooza Challenge read. (Go Team 6 - Living In Spin!!!)

Some were okay, most were good...and a few were amazing.

I'll come back and rate each story individually later. (Had to create an "anthology" tag just so I can do this - takes a while to complete and I need to spend my time reading books for the challenge!)

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this anthology. Some good stuff from authors I know & love & some introductions to authors I want to read more of. From sweet & sexy to hotter than hell, and everything in between, there is something for everyone. Paranormal, contemporary, mythic, sci-fi, just lots & lots of good stuff. And as a bonus, now I know how Donnie & Alejandro got together!

[Melanie~~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Star rating because of all the amazing effort from all involved (letter writers, writers, moderators, betas, copy editors, editors, and grunts) to produces this/these amazing stories and anthologies.

Thank you!

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this collection as much as I did Volume One.

Volume Two had 2 five-star stories, which were counter-balanced by 2 WTF 1-star stories. The rest were somewhere in between.

Still looking forward to the next volume.

[Taaronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!moree..because two of the stories in it..they are "HEATSTROKE and LIKE THE TASTE OF SUMMER" which make me criyin like a baby in the middle of the night..i like the others stories..just i love those two better.. :)

[Beckey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of M/M erotica short stories...
Quite an interesting & enjoyable collection and collaboration amongst all the different authors!!!
Similar but different from the first :)