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Marking Time
Official Description: ". . . a faggot? A queer? A sissy? About a dozen more words meandered through my brain, every word I’d ever heard from my friends, from adults, from TV. Was that who I was now? Were those words me now?"
While most gay men grow up living in the closet until they are brave enough to step out and be themselves, Adam Shepherd experiences the opposite. After living almost all of his young life out and gay, he goes into the closet, willingly, in order to have the career and life he wants and needs. He thinks he can handle it, but he soon discovers how much he has truly given up.
Chase Michaels was always there for Adam, a substitute “big-brother” and true friend in his growing up years. Adam has always harbored a secret involving Chase, but it conflicts with the closet he now lives in as an adult. When the pressure becomes too much, Adam chooses to stay in his closet . . . but at what cost? And can he change things before it’s too late?
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
I've missed him so much and I'd hoped he be there when I came home. I just didn't want to expect too much. After so many years of being just friends, we became more and then I got my orders. Before we could start anything, it felt like everything was over. But he came, he's here! I just couldn't contain myself and ran right into his arms.
Can someone please tell me how these two began, how they survived apart and what's next? :)
Photo Description: Military homecoming: Marine dressed in fatigues greets his civilian lover with a passionate embrace, arms and legs wrapped around him, as they kiss passionately, framed by a large, vibrant American Flag behind them.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.
While most gay men grow up living in the closet until they are brave enough to step out and be themselves, Adam Shepherd experiences the opposite. After living almost all of his young life out and gay, he goes into the closet, willingly, in order to have the career and life he wants and needs. He thinks he can handle it, but he soon discovers how much he has truly given up.
Chase Michaels was always there for Adam, a substitute “big-brother” and true friend in his growing up years. Adam has always harbored a secret involving Chase, but it conflicts with the closet he now lives in as an adult. When the pressure becomes too much, Adam chooses to stay in his closet . . . but at what cost? And can he change things before it’s too late?
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
I've missed him so much and I'd hoped he be there when I came home. I just didn't want to expect too much. After so many years of being just friends, we became more and then I got my orders. Before we could start anything, it felt like everything was over. But he came, he's here! I just couldn't contain myself and ran right into his arms.
Can someone please tell me how these two began, how they survived apart and what's next? :)
Photo Description: Military homecoming: Marine dressed in fatigues greets his civilian lover with a passionate embrace, arms and legs wrapped around him, as they kiss passionately, framed by a large, vibrant American Flag behind them.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.
143 pages, ebook
First published May 20, 2012
4 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Anthony
14 books41 followersC. J. Anthony grew up watching soap operas and reading piles of books. She attributes her love of reading and romance to her mother who not only taught her to read but also made countless trips to the library lugging those piles of books home for her to read. It wasn’t a far jump to start writing her own stories, early childhood tales about flower families and travelling to the moon with her best friend.
C. J.’s favorite stories to read and write include “opposites attract” pairings—couples who might appear to be an odd couple to the rest of the world, but to each other fit together perfectly, finding their own happy ever after with a little hard work and a whole lot of love.
Not surprisingly, C. J. is a big lover of rom coms—she’ll gladly take Julia Roberts standing in front of Hugh Grant asking him to love her, over car crashes and shoot-em up movies any day. She also watches way too much TV and every singing reality show there is. She loves music and musicians of all genres and attending live concerts.
She spends most of her time juggling a day job and a commute and freelance design work on the side and falling asleep on her couch, dreaming of a day when she can work all day in her pajamas while living in a house by the beach.
C. J.’s favorite stories to read and write include “opposites attract” pairings—couples who might appear to be an odd couple to the rest of the world, but to each other fit together perfectly, finding their own happy ever after with a little hard work and a whole lot of love.
Not surprisingly, C. J. is a big lover of rom coms—she’ll gladly take Julia Roberts standing in front of Hugh Grant asking him to love her, over car crashes and shoot-em up movies any day. She also watches way too much TV and every singing reality show there is. She loves music and musicians of all genres and attending live concerts.
She spends most of her time juggling a day job and a commute and freelance design work on the side and falling asleep on her couch, dreaming of a day when she can work all day in her pajamas while living in a house by the beach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 6, 2023
That was a bit of an angst fest but I'm glad that I read the book. I loved the ending along with the repeal of DADT. I couldn't have done it.
November 3, 2012
2.5 stars
A nice piece on DADT, but didn't really work for me. The early part, where they were shown as teenagers and then young adults, are quite okay. But then, I just couldn't see and feel Adam as a US Marine. He's too whinny, more like a damsel in distress.
This book puts every problem with Adam/Chase on DADT, which I don't think is the case. At least, Adam should be able to mitigate it.
But again, it's free, so I'm good.
A nice piece on DADT, but didn't really work for me. The early part, where they were shown as teenagers and then young adults, are quite okay. But then, I just couldn't see and feel Adam as a US Marine. He's too whinny, more like a damsel in distress.
This book puts every problem with Adam/Chase on DADT, which I don't think is the case. At least, Adam should be able to mitigate it.
But again, it's free, so I'm good.
March 14, 2013
3,5 stars.
I liked this book and Adam, the protag's voice. Unfortunately the romance part didn't really work for me. The "love interest" Chase was too formulaic, too good to be true, too saintly to be interesting.
The part about growing up, coming out, the family and so on, that was really good.
I liked this book and Adam, the protag's voice. Unfortunately the romance part didn't really work for me. The "love interest" Chase was too formulaic, too good to be true, too saintly to be interesting.
The part about growing up, coming out, the family and so on, that was really good.
August 7, 2016
2.75 stars rounded up
The pace felt uneven and the novella seemed more like Adam's story rather than Adam and Chase's; and while I liked the early part with Adam realizing his sexuality for the first time, as well as the talk with his Dad, but I wasn't happy with him later on.
I rounded up the story because of Chase's Dad (loved that guy), plus this was free as well as it seemed to be Anthony's first dip into writing for Don't Read in the Closet event back in 2012.
The pace felt uneven and the novella seemed more like Adam's story rather than Adam and Chase's; and while I liked the early part with Adam realizing his sexuality for the first time, as well as the talk with his Dad, but I wasn't happy with him later on.
I rounded up the story because of Chase's Dad (loved that guy), plus this was free as well as it seemed to be Anthony's first dip into writing for Don't Read in the Closet event back in 2012.
July 25, 2016
***2.5 Stars
This story had so much promise. There were parts I really liked and other parts not so much. Too many chunks of the story felt like the author was doing more telling than showing and those parts had me speed reading through them.
I did love the characters and the premise is excellent, maybe a little more editing to smooth out the story would have helped.
Overall not a bad read.
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November 20, 2013This one was surprisingly not bad, so here's a gif review for your pleasure.
So, there's this boy who awkwardly realizes he's gay and everyone is super supportive.
(How does he realize he's gay? By crushing SUPER hard on his brother's best friend.
)
So, cool, right? No. Because he decides to enroll in the military.
Except its not, and there's drama and stress.
So right, the old crush, Chase shows up.
Which goes on for dozens of pages until:
But of course:
But there is a happy ending. Eventually.
read more of my shenanigans at auroralector.blogspot.com
So, there's this boy who awkwardly realizes he's gay and everyone is super supportive.
(How does he realize he's gay? By crushing SUPER hard on his brother's best friend.
)So, cool, right? No. Because he decides to enroll in the military.
Except its not, and there's drama and stress.
So right, the old crush, Chase shows up.
Which goes on for dozens of pages until:
But of course:
But there is a happy ending. Eventually.
read more of my shenanigans at auroralector.blogspot.com
September 5, 2014
Damn! I loved this story as much as I loved the picture that inspired it. I thought Adam's "voice" was true and strong. How different is it that the partner who has to force the couple to hide is the one to vent righteous indignation and anger.
I will be giving this story my vote on the listopia and I will be looking for more stories by CJ Anthony.
I will be giving this story my vote on the listopia and I will be looking for more stories by CJ Anthony.
November 6, 2013
Awesome. I really liked this. Only about half of the story was a romance (the last half). It took a lot of building up to get to that point but the characters were interesting and I didn't mi d too much. I don't usually like military stories but this one was really good.
June 10, 2017
4.2 Stars
Okay, so that prompt image is probably one of my top 5 favorite pictures of all time...which means this story had a lot to live up to.
And for the most part, it did just that. I only wish the format lent itself to more showing and less telling because while I liked the flashbacks and appreciated how things were seen from the MC's POV, I wanted to watch it unfold. Not just be informed about it happening. *sigh* A typical lament, I know...
Still, way worth reading. I hope the real life heroes in that photo are still together, still happy, still loving each other...and that they continue to be a little bit of inspiration for more writers to give us openly gay men & women actively serving in our military!
Okay, so that prompt image is probably one of my top 5 favorite pictures of all time...which means this story had a lot to live up to.
And for the most part, it did just that. I only wish the format lent itself to more showing and less telling because while I liked the flashbacks and appreciated how things were seen from the MC's POV, I wanted to watch it unfold. Not just be informed about it happening. *sigh* A typical lament, I know...
Still, way worth reading. I hope the real life heroes in that photo are still together, still happy, still loving each other...and that they continue to be a little bit of inspiration for more writers to give us openly gay men & women actively serving in our military!
December 2, 2015
I was utterly swept up in this story of closeted homosexuality and the eternal struggle to fit in while negotiating an atmosphere of hostility and hatred. The writer is adept at making Adam’s decision to be a Marine credible and heartfelt.
This book delves into recent history, expounding on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that wreaked havoc in the lives of so many gay men and women who served for their country and shows what a particular strain it put on Adam when he chose to become a Marine. The setting lends this novella a powerful tension that only serves to fuel the inevitable pairing of the two men. Adam’s decision to move back in the closet is painful yet you can’t help but sympathize with his choice. His tentative steps to hook up with the first love of his youth aches with poignant sweetness; I found myself cheering for Chase and Adam to get together even through all the separation, misunderstandings and sexual experimentation on the part of both male protagonists.
However, the test of any true erotica is the passion of the sex and this book delivers. When the two men finally get together, the encounter is as heated, wild and frantic as you would expect. It’s not the be-all and end-all of their relationship. But it’s the cherry on top of a very satisfying sundae.
(I do have certain stylistic concerns. There were punctuation errors, the occasional slip where two people would be speaking in the same paragraph [a big no-no] and other mistakes that should have been fixed with a competent editor. Maybe this book was transcribed in a hurry but that's really no excuse for bad editing.)
This book delves into recent history, expounding on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that wreaked havoc in the lives of so many gay men and women who served for their country and shows what a particular strain it put on Adam when he chose to become a Marine. The setting lends this novella a powerful tension that only serves to fuel the inevitable pairing of the two men. Adam’s decision to move back in the closet is painful yet you can’t help but sympathize with his choice. His tentative steps to hook up with the first love of his youth aches with poignant sweetness; I found myself cheering for Chase and Adam to get together even through all the separation, misunderstandings and sexual experimentation on the part of both male protagonists.
However, the test of any true erotica is the passion of the sex and this book delivers. When the two men finally get together, the encounter is as heated, wild and frantic as you would expect. It’s not the be-all and end-all of their relationship. But it’s the cherry on top of a very satisfying sundae.
(I do have certain stylistic concerns. There were punctuation errors, the occasional slip where two people would be speaking in the same paragraph [a big no-no] and other mistakes that should have been fixed with a competent editor. Maybe this book was transcribed in a hurry but that's really no excuse for bad editing.)
January 5, 2013
This was a really good and enjoyable read.
It's written from Adam's - the main character - P.O.V, and as the reader, you really get to see and understand internal conflicts that Adam has with himself throughout the story.
I really felt that the struggle of realizing one's sexuality, the pains of a first love and all that other quintessential turmoil is quite realistic in it's portrayal.
One of the things I found most enjoyable of "Marking Time" was Adam's naiveté in regards to burying his homosexuality in order to become a Marine. Although it is kind of a given, it was interesting to watch Adam slowly come to realize just how hard it is to deny an aspect of oneself and how equally hard it is to live with the implications of hiding oneself.
The final thing I think that made this such an enjoyable read was the character interactions. They felt tangible, believable and to reiterate, realistic.
It's written from Adam's - the main character - P.O.V, and as the reader, you really get to see and understand internal conflicts that Adam has with himself throughout the story.
I really felt that the struggle of realizing one's sexuality, the pains of a first love and all that other quintessential turmoil is quite realistic in it's portrayal.
One of the things I found most enjoyable of "Marking Time" was Adam's naiveté in regards to burying his homosexuality in order to become a Marine. Although it is kind of a given, it was interesting to watch Adam slowly come to realize just how hard it is to deny an aspect of oneself and how equally hard it is to live with the implications of hiding oneself.
The final thing I think that made this such an enjoyable read was the character interactions. They felt tangible, believable and to reiterate, realistic.
November 11, 2012
This story was fun to read. There weren't any really dramatic angsty parts...except in Adam's mind only. He gave himself the most grief. Adam was loved by his family; he wasn't subjected to ridicule from those that were sworn to be there for him. I admired his father so much for being the one to show him that things would be okay. I also was impressed that he went into the Marines. So not an easy life choice to make, but he did and was able to be proud of all his choices. To have fallen in love with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with at such a young age, as he did with Chase, is a gift. Being able to accomplish that goal is definitely a miracle. Great story.
June 23, 2016
This was a fun read and I really enjoyed it. The story starts off when the MC's are young boys and it's nice to see them grow, head off into the world, discover who they are and ultimately work out what (or who) it is that they really want. There is the serious element of DADT that must have been detrimental to so many people in the forces, causing them to chose between their career and their loved ones. I'm glad to say that there is a happy ending for these guys but they have their fair share of angst along the way.
October 11, 2014
I loved that story. It's a story about Adam's life. It starts when he is 9 and meets Chase, the boy who would later be his one love. Chase is the guy Adam has a huge crush on when he is 13. They lose each other over the years but their connection stays. Their later relationship ends because if DADT and Adam's constant fear. It broke my heart how difficult it was for them. I also loved the ending which made me sigh in happiness :) The right mix of angst and romance for me.
October 18, 2014
I really liked this story. I loved both Adam and Chase, I loved the fact that we get to see the life of Adam from a 9 year old boy to the man he becomes. I wouldn´t mind if the author would write a sequel to this story so we can see how life is going to be for Adam and Chase.
I highly recommend this story
I highly recommend this story
November 6, 2014
This was short and sweet. I enjoyed watching the reversal of the characters' stance on being out, and how it evolved and changed through the course of the story.
The writing and pacing were both good, and I look forward to reading more by this author.
The writing and pacing were both good, and I look forward to reading more by this author.
February 18, 2016
Here is the Smashwords Link for the free story.
April 3, 2013
Excellent for a free book. I read it in a few hours before I went to work one day. Many parts of it are quite heartbreaking.
April 17, 2013
OMG!!! Love this book so much, and l will become a big fan of her.
April 18, 2013
Not bad for a free read.
November 3, 2013
This was a very sweet romance and a bit of tearjerker. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 11, 2014
A great story that shows the power of love and how wonderful DADT has gotten repealed. it is a win for everyone.
May 2, 2014
Liked it, didn't love it
February 11, 2015
Loved it!
May 21, 2016
Excellent story about the stress of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Emotionally powerful, sexy story. I've reread it several times.
October 11, 2015
I love this book. I hope Chase and Adam stayed together and I would love to have a sequel
May 29, 2014
3.5* for the plot. It gets quite deliciously heart-wrenching near the end.
November 7, 2013
A great story of the difficulty of being gay in the time of DADT. Chase and Anthony meet at a young age existing as friends as Anthony comes to know who he is and deal with it. Chase is older but in hiding for his dreams of professional sport. Anthony finds himself drifting at college and goes back in the closet to become a marine. Finding a way to be together, to be honest strains both men. Time works in their favour, allowing love to win.
August 9, 2014
My favorite of the Volume Six so far. Enjoyed Adam - not sure I see him as a Marine but then I felt like there were parts I didn't really get about him. I absolutely loved the progression from young boy to adult - it really "made" the story for me. It got an extra star for being set in San Diego - I spent 24 years there and dearly love it and that makes books set there a bit more emotional and personal to me.
February 23, 2013
Not very exciting despite some Middle East battle sequences. The tension of being a gay Marine during the DADT era is (as far as I can tell never having been a gay Marine (nor in my Navy days ever near a battle)) well handled, as are the difficulties in being in a relationship that has to be hidden—even denied—in public. It just didn’t catch me up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews