Monday, 13 October 2014

[REVIEW] Jimmy by Luke Hartwell

Recommended to Kynthos-the-Archer by: Lena♥Ribka
Recommended for: Those who love slow burn romance and realistic stories.
Read from October 12 to 13, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1



A piercing arrow to the heart, followed by a cube of sugar to the soul soothing away the pain of regret. Then a glimpse of what may come to be for those courageous enough to seek.
Love is love. Love is gender-blind.
Love is without boundaries.

Poignantly evocative vignettes of innocent young love tested by hardship and separation. The story felt so real it could be happening somewhere right now at this very moment. A moving story of two childhood friends going through the trial of growing up. There's reminiscence of good times and laments of lost opportunities; of what-could-have-beens if only courage was within their reach where it counts most.



The story may be short and the pace was initially too slow for my liking then it grew on me and the last part stole my heart and breath away. Some might complain that the story is too short, yet I am in awe that in mere 6,050 words the impact is greater than a full length novel. I for one, wouldn't be forgetting this heartfelt romance anytime soon. I really dig well-paced slow burn romances. Aside from that, the impression the story made is deeper than I had first thought the longer I ponder on it. Somehow this story is like a short version of Brokeback Mountain although the storyline itself bears no similarities. It's just a feeling I had after reading it. Felt like having watched a good movie that lingers on your mind. I have to thank Lena♥Ribka for recommending this little gem to him. She's got good taste.

On a side note, I was reminded of these two quotes which I wholeheartedly agree with and find to be a great motivator in times of weakness.


Never say never. Why try to limit your possibilities? Just go out there and take that fall if need be, at least that way you wouldn't have to face a lifetime of regrets after it. Life is too short for self-doubts.


BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Jimmy
Author: Luke Hartwell
Publication Date: August 25th, 2012
Type: Short Story, 6,050 words
Genre: Gay Contemporary Romance

Description:
Rainbow Award-winning author Luke Hartwell once again explores the relationship between gay and straight best friends in this sparse, moving story. Chris has been in love with his best friend Jimmy since childhood. While Chris is at college, Jimmy is sent to prison. Now Jimmy is free once more and the two meet again.



WHERE TO PURCHASE:
★|| SMASHWORDS ||★|| KOBOBOOKS ||★|| AMAZON ||★


* Reviewed on October 13th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*



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[REVIEW] To the Manor Reborn by Colin Milton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from October 11 to 13, 2014 — I own a copy


I could not wait for it to end any quicker. I got so bored with the story even when they started the regression process. Thank god it's a short story. I really should just stick with all those ABDL Online Fiction instead of spending so much on this book. Those online fictions are way more wicked, intense and satisfying.

Saturday, 11 October 2014

[REVIEW] The Archers of Kynthos by K.M. Harty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kynthos-the-Archer by: My Own Story Prompt at M/M Romance Group at GR
Read from August 09 to 17, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1



My name is emblazoned on this book and it's my first story prompt. How cool is that?

This story is based on my first ever story prompt. I finally had the courage to try writing one this year for Love's Landscapes the M/M Romance Group's yearly story prompt and writing event where both readers and writers come together creating countless free stories for the benefit of M/M fans.

Since I am those extra deviant type, I had to try my luck fishing for a story that blends two taboo erotica themes together; Tentacle Sex + Mpreg. In my case, it's the best of both worlds for me. Truthfully I have been waiting around for such a story to happen yet I couldn't find any so far. I knew I had to take take matters into own hands for the birth of such sexual boundaries pushing story and hope for it to be a catalyst to bring forth more of such stories in future.

THIS IS MY PROMPT PICTURE:
Artist: Rune Olsen
Sculpture Title: For Everything I Long to Do

I have hidden my prompt under this spoiler tag for the benefit of shortening the lenght of this review. (This is NOT A SPOILER. So click click click):
(view spoiler)


HERE'S MY FEEDBACK ON THE STORY:
I am going to draw a list here on the important parts.
~ Captivity/Confinement: All is well here other than why on earth did they need to be so abusive to the protagonist since he is someone the captor deemed as utmost importance and worth? Shouldn't he be pampered and kept safe for their later depraved usage?
~ Forced Breeding/Impregnation: Rough. Plain torture. There wasn't much details on the impregnation process just rough painful fucking.
~ Tentacle Sex: Uh oh, it didn't trigger my happy button here. Zero erection. Being a tentacles sex fan, getting aroused by those rapey perverted tentacles is a MUST. It's the climax of reading tentacles erotica. Sadly this was more of a horrific torture event than an arousing encounter. Besides I was really hoping for some forced orgasm action especially those forced multiple orgasm. It's unfortunate the tentacle sex here was used as a torture tool instead. Obviously it's a turn-off for tentacle sex fans since we would naturally look for the sensual and erotic appeal of tentacle sex.
Spoiler:
It was quite disappointing that the tentacles creature did not make any other appearances after that rape scene which was in the early chapter. And there's no longer any mention of it throughout the story. It serves merely as tool to produce that singular tentacle sex scene. Yet I did see it as a blessing as the poor MC need not suffer anymore excruciating sex. I would sing a different tune if that tentacle sex was orgasmic though.
~ Male Pregnancy on troubled waters: Love the way the MC struggles to adapt with his pregnancy; trying to come to term with his bizarre situation. Watching his coping mechanism alienates him from the baby in his womb. The explanation on how the pregnancy could occur was a bit vague but I do appreciate it was at least there.
~ Birth Scene: On-page birth scene just as I wish for.
Spoiler:
But FUCK. It's a freaking natural birth! Not that I don't appreciate it. It's just that I couldn't figure out how exactly the MC's plumbing works now? I've read Mpreg story with natural birth before but at least it was made possible with scientific manipulation and the mechanism was explained. Thing is, this story had left this important part out. So... does the MC even take a shit now? O.o
~ Forced Seduction & Forced Marriage: Not bad, I kinda enjoy the angst here. This is where the story rack up points from me.


Why 4 stars then? Well, irregardless of those niggling issues I still find this story to be engaging and interesting. Especially enjoyed the whole drama between the protagonist and his controlling borderline psychotic lover plus his denial about the whole pregnancy thing kept me reading and wanting more.

I am happy to say that K.M. Harty make it a point to deliver everything I've listed on my story prompt and more. For that, I am deeply grateful and thankful for her effort.


Hey, I just found another this other picture which has the view of what's happening at the other end.
Artist: Rune Olsen
Sculpture Title: For Everything I Long to Do

And this one is another perspective with a close up.
Artist: Rune Olsen
Sculpture Title: For Everything I Long to Do

Apparently this awesome sculpture was based on this PHOTOSHOPPED PICTURE
Sorry, I am too chicken-shit to post it here. So you will just need to follow that link to the goodies kay.


BOOK DETAILS:
Author: K.M. Harty
Publication Date: July 22nd, 2014
Publisher: M/M Romance Group
Type: Novella, 24,937 words
Genre: Gay Paranormal Erotica
Tags/Keywords: mpreg, tentacles sex, gods, cult, abduction, captivity, betrayal, mating, forced seduction, forced marriage, forced breeding, impregnation, dub/non-con, rape, torture, male giving birth, birthing

Description:
He was being held down, unable to control the thing that was now on top of him. He didn’t know how many arms, legs or tentacles this thing had, but they were all over him, and in him. With everything that was happening around him, all he was able to do was take what the monster was doing to him. Why they were doing this to him he had no idea, but all he could hope for at this point was death.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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.

Dear Author,
He has been down here for a couple of days already; he could tell by the streams of lights through the small openings high up surrounding the edges of the high wall. At first he thought it would be stuffy and hot, curiously it was rather cold. It must be the damp packed-earth wall around him. The wall was at least several metres high. Even so, that was not the only deterrence stopping him from leaving this prison he had been unceremoniously dumped into. He knew that he would be a permanent fixture here unless someone saw fit to release him from the sturdy chain attached to the iron collar resting on his neck.

They would come in two or three persons, at fixed intervals each day, to provide him with sustenance and attend to his personal grooming. He had no idea why they were fastidious about his cleanliness and health. He couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling that he was being fattened up like a lamb before a sacrifice.

Photo Description:
A statue, that looks as if it is floating in water, of a man with an octopus surrounding the lower half of his body. The man appears to be fighting it off and in pain.

This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.



DOWNLOAD THIS FREEBIE HERE:


* Reviewed on October 1st, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*



PREVIOUS COMMENTS on 25th July 2014:
(view spoiler)


Friday, 10 October 2014

[REVIEW] The Black Moon MateThe Black Moon Mate by Fallen

The Black Moon MateThe Black Moon Mate by Fallen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read on October 10, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1






Straight-to-Bent. Gay-for-You with an attitude.


Wolf Boys with Cute Flicky Ears






And Swishy Emotion-Traitorous Tails


Abundance of expressive ears and tails are one of my weakness. Just gotta love those honest ears and tail that constantly betrays its owner's emotion. Darn cute! These dogboys have no way of hiding their feelings as their extra appendages have a mind of its own.

Overall I have really enjoyed this story although the writing was amateurish, all thanks to its interesting plotlines. I did observed that the writing improves as the story progresses. But I must confess I am partial to stories that involves wolf pack dynamics, mating and bonding, possessive overprotective males, bratty submissive, sexy manhandling, D/S and of course the mere mention of mpreg would automatically gets me all excite. It's practically a magic word to me. Other than this, all those huge amount of lickings and bitings each other was kinda cute and hot. I liked it.

My complains? I am all kinds of sad that this story was NOT FINISHED and on top of that it was already taken off the website. A pity really. Another let down was that it didn't get to the best part I was waiting for--- Mpreg M.I.A. God damnit!


Me now....


My pleas...



Dejectedly Yours,
Kyn


I like this picture. So I am gonna put it here. Sorry I can't do a proper credit for it cos I have no ideal who is the artist.

For you info this guy here bears no resemblance to our MC as the MC is a red wolf with vivid green eyes minus those stripes on his face too.

STORY DETAILS:
Title: The Black Moon Mate
Author: Fallen
Publication Date: April 3rd, 2009
Type: Original Online Fiction (Work-in-Progress/Incomplete)
Genre: Gay Fantasy Romance
Tags/Keywords: gay-for-you, wolf pack dynamics, anthro, D/S, mpreg, kidnap, captive, mating, biting, licking, claiming, shifters, fantasy, contemporary, WIP, work-in-progress

Description:
Ryden Adams' life gets turned upside down when he is kidnapped by the sexy heir to the local wolf pack. What the hell does Asher want with him and why is he being held captive inside his home? Can Ryden ever accept his place in the pack?
Tags: Anal, Angst, Anthro, D/s, HJ, Language, M/M, MPreg, OC, Oral, Violence




* Reviewed on October 10th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*


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Friday, 26 September 2014

[MANGA REVIEW] Oyaji! Arisawa-san'chi no Hanashi [Daddy! Arisawa Family] by Sakuya Kurekoshi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read from September 25 to 26, 2014, read count: 1

A fun coming-out story that explores single parenting. Would Tomoki and Naoya's relationship be accepted by his super macho straight dad? Since Tomoki's lover is one year older than him and they are actually childhood friends, would Naoya have a change of heart as her grows older? Inexperience and immaturity was also an issue that caused conflict in their budding relationship.

The story was quite engaging but the artwork could be confusing at times. I kept mixing up characters due to their similarities. I think the mangaka (manga artist) really needs to work on creating more distinctive characters to avoid such issues.


Thursday, 25 September 2014

[MANGA REVIEW] Hikaru no Go, Vol. 23: Endgame by Yumi Hotta

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Read on September 25, 2014 


Frustrating and Unsatisfying manga. I've been DUPED.

I have never before felt so UNSATISFIED with a manga that I have been fairly enjoying. This manga managed to capture my attention eventhough I have zero knowledge about the boardgame it was centralised around. Yet it is also one to let me down terribly.

I felt cheated since I couldn't even have a lick at that dangling carrot the mangaka had used throughout the story to command her reader's interest. Reading this manga has ZERO rewards since characters you root for wouldn't get the prize they rightfully deserved. And the long promised showdowns between important characters did not materialize. What further can I say? I felt duped. It's like telling the readers that hardwork is bullshit and unrewarding. Plus, geniuses can for fuck off!



Wednesday, 24 September 2014

[MANGA REVIEW] Hikaru No Go (Book 15) [ ヒカルの碁 15、さよなら] ] by Yumi Hotta

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read from September 23 to 24, 2014, read count: 1 


2 Stars because I felt sad for Sai. What happened in book 15 is very unfair to him. It was like he is just a tool, a stepping stone to be discarded when no longer needed. Where is the reward? After waiting for a millennia and this is the answer?

I am glad Hikaru is in a slump now. He should be, as it serves him right since he dared to forget who brought him into the Go world in the first place, tutoring him and encouraging him all the way. I do agree that Akira could be the catalyst to rev up Hikaru's passion to succeed in the world of Go but without Sai guiding him Hikaru could not have attain such heights of success in such a short time.

Actually part of why I am reading this manga after I've finished with its Anime version was a tiny hope that the story in the manga would answer Sai's unresolved wish since the manga does continues where the Anime had left off. The other reason was simply because I am missing Sai very much.