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All Washed Up
When Peter Blake takes a job working for Walker's Wash-ups, little does he know that the easiest part of his day will be deciding which of his "uniforms" he hates the most. Needing the money to pay off a loan, Peter decides there are worse things in life than wearing a nude male grilling "Hot Sausage" apron, even if he can't exactly remember what at the moment. His life shouldn't be like this. Alas, he didn't foresee corporate redundancy. He didn't foresee a time in his life when he'd have to take such a peculiar job, having to grin and "bare" it, where both pairs of "cheeks" burn equally with embarrassment.
Even more surprising, he didn't expect the sanest person in his growing list of crazy clients would be another man with a bruised heart, who has a lot to answer for, including his future.
Even more surprising, he didn't expect the sanest person in his growing list of crazy clients would be another man with a bruised heart, who has a lot to answer for, including his future.
69 pages, ebook
First published April 28, 2011
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Maria Bidwell
45 books54 followersDuring Sharon’s writing career she’s lived in a house with a Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs, shared a publisher with the creator of Roger Rabbit, and has taken a trip to Jupiter. Only one of these has been in her imagination.
The first short story she submitted — Silver Apples of the Moon — was accepted by Roadworks Magazine. The editor announced her as “a writer who is going places” and described the story as having “both a Sci-fi and horror element,” and being “strong on characterisation, and quite literary, in terms of style.” Subsequently, she was approached to write all reports and publicity material, including a piece for translation into Braille for The Really Wild Nursery and Arthritis Care Breaking Down the Barriers garden project, which took place at the Malvern Spring Show.
Since then, her work has appeared steadily in both print and electronic publications, such as Midnight Street, Aoife’s Kiss (Sam’s Dot Publishing), Night To Dawn, and Radgepacket (Byker Books). Her short story — Bitter and Intoxicating — was snapped up for inclusion in the anthology Red Velvet and Absinthe. This compilation, edited by Mitzi Szereto with a foreword by Kelly Armstrong, was designed to evoke the romantic ethos of classic Gothic fiction with a serving of eroticism. With a repertoire of twisted tales and a love of cross-genre writing, it surprised everyone (including herself) when she branched out into erotic romance. These works have been critically acclaimed and often described as ‘deeply passionate’.
Sharon’s worlds are vivid, unexpected and sometimes intensely magical. Sharon writes whatever her warped mind can come up with and is quite capable of writing something darker, grittier, and even outright twisted. Though her love for all things Myth and Legend has led her to write under more than one name, from 2019 she's using S.M.Bidwell for her Dark Fiction.
She was propelled into the Steampunk universe of Space, 1899 and beyond, winning approval of series creator and award-winning game designer, Frank Chadwick, with three books, one of which was co-authored with editor (and writer) Andy Frankham-Allen, and subsequently led to her writing for the Lethbridge-Stewart series, and a short audio story for Doctor Who, performed by Katy Manning.
She's also on Goodreads under the name Sharon Bidwell.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 30, 2011
3.5 stars
I'm sorry, but I just have to reduce one star for that cover alone *grin*. OMG, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE cover!!! Changeling really don't help their authors with such ugly covers *shudders*
Anyway, despite the ugly cover, I think this story is really wonderful. Peter Blake is a thirty-three year old ex-IT employee who is down on his luck. Scraping for money to pay loan and being let go because the company he worked for was bought by another. So he is "forced" to take the job, wearing nothing but apron to do services from washing to serving food. Chris is a forty-two year old man, who lost his partner, and become one of Peter's "client".
I like the conflict -- Peter doesn't think he's gay (his experience with man is only for one night) and he doesn't really want to, but he admits that being with Chris feels right and safe. Yes, it's a kind of gay-for-you story, but this one I enjoy. Chris comes as "pushy" at first but the chemistry is there. The "twist" is nice, though I'm not sure if it's that necessary ... it's an enjoyable short story, albeit the cover.
I'm sorry, but I just have to reduce one star for that cover alone *grin*. OMG, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE cover!!! Changeling really don't help their authors with such ugly covers *shudders*
Anyway, despite the ugly cover, I think this story is really wonderful. Peter Blake is a thirty-three year old ex-IT employee who is down on his luck. Scraping for money to pay loan and being let go because the company he worked for was bought by another. So he is "forced" to take the job, wearing nothing but apron to do services from washing to serving food. Chris is a forty-two year old man, who lost his partner, and become one of Peter's "client".
I like the conflict -- Peter doesn't think he's gay (his experience with man is only for one night) and he doesn't really want to, but he admits that being with Chris feels right and safe. Yes, it's a kind of gay-for-you story, but this one I enjoy. Chris comes as "pushy" at first but the chemistry is there. The "twist" is nice, though I'm not sure if it's that necessary ... it's an enjoyable short story, albeit the cover.
April 30, 2011
Funny and thoughtful in turn, I liked this story about a man who has fallen on hard times. Peter is almost too loyal to be true, and the way Chris pulls him from his shell is wonderful. The complications around some of Peter's job background and who Chris really is added some more tension. All in all, this is a fun read, but I think the short story length didn't quite do the potential of this idea justice.
Want to Read
July 5, 2011gotta add it for the cover alone!
October 23, 2012
Hm. It was funny at times, certainly well written – except for a few things copy-editing should have caught plus several irregular perspective shifts – and I enjoyed it.
I guess I particularly liked Christopher in this, although I suppose I have some sort of nebulous understanding for Peter’s issues as well. That’s perhaps the thing with this author, or at least it is so far. I seem to have difficulties understanding why one of the pairing keeps balking at… whatever. But in this case, compared to the previous story, it at least did not contradict itself. No annoying time skips either, only what made sense.
It’s odd. I liked it but now that I’m done it feels oddly distant to me. I believe things only took a bit of a dive towards the end, because until then it was a sweet relationship development story. Albeit one with the author’s brand of sex, which is… pretty good but also a bit too real in the sense that, again, I sense a dearth of satisfying mush.
And that’s all I can say for now. I need to read more by this author. She’s good, but I haven’t decided yet whether I like her quirks or not.
I guess I particularly liked Christopher in this, although I suppose I have some sort of nebulous understanding for Peter’s issues as well. That’s perhaps the thing with this author, or at least it is so far. I seem to have difficulties understanding why one of the pairing keeps balking at… whatever. But in this case, compared to the previous story, it at least did not contradict itself. No annoying time skips either, only what made sense.
It’s odd. I liked it but now that I’m done it feels oddly distant to me. I believe things only took a bit of a dive towards the end, because until then it was a sweet relationship development story. Albeit one with the author’s brand of sex, which is… pretty good but also a bit too real in the sense that, again, I sense a dearth of satisfying mush.
And that’s all I can say for now. I need to read more by this author. She’s good, but I haven’t decided yet whether I like her quirks or not.
June 25, 2011
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
The best thing about a seduction is the emotions behind it and this little gem packs in enough to make any romantic happy.
All Washed Up starts off with a bit of fun with the hero finding himself in the unenviable situation of having to take a less than satisfying job that impinges his dignity and makes him blush. I also am quite intrigued by the thought that such a service might possibly exist. My first thought was “where can I find me some of that?” but after reading a bit from the hero’s perspective, I realize that it’s not all that funny. In fact, a few of the situations he found himself in were sort of degrading and scary. Ms. Bidwell did a good job of reminding readers that there are real people with feelings that matter; who do jobs that may have to be done that we as consumers take for granted or don’t want to look too deeply at. It’s a good lesson, intentional or not.
The basic premise of the story is about two men accidentally finding each other. One has experienced the loss of a loved one and is in the dumps without knowing how to start living again. The other never explored who he really was and settled for meeting other people’s expectations of himself but never feeling happy or content. It’s a great emotional hook because the author lets a reader in on each of the heroes’ inner demons and despair. When they meet, it’s a balance of tentative hope and skittish experimentation with dialogue, actions and touches.
The scene was interesting when Chris first encounters Peter. I liked how the author had Peter meet some whackos first so when Chris comes in the picture, it’s a breath of fresh air and an infusion of sanity. I enjoyed the sweetness of it and the initial gentle approach. It was a true seduction of the senses and I had a great time watching it all unfold. What breaks the ice is Peter’s work wardrobe. I wish I could see such things in real life because I am sure it would be a memorable event. As it is, it is the means which the author uses to bring the men together and move the relationship forward; it’s is unique and worth reading.
The only drawback is the accelerated condensing of it all. Because the author gave me characters I could like, I wanted to spend more time with them.
Although this is a short story, All Washed Up is well balanced in its light personal drama, sensual build up and erotic delivery. It should appeal to romance readers who enjoy man on man action because it has the power to touch the romantic inside while delivering entertainment, humor and keeps a person interested from beginning to end. I’m quite glad I read this book.
The best thing about a seduction is the emotions behind it and this little gem packs in enough to make any romantic happy.
All Washed Up starts off with a bit of fun with the hero finding himself in the unenviable situation of having to take a less than satisfying job that impinges his dignity and makes him blush. I also am quite intrigued by the thought that such a service might possibly exist. My first thought was “where can I find me some of that?” but after reading a bit from the hero’s perspective, I realize that it’s not all that funny. In fact, a few of the situations he found himself in were sort of degrading and scary. Ms. Bidwell did a good job of reminding readers that there are real people with feelings that matter; who do jobs that may have to be done that we as consumers take for granted or don’t want to look too deeply at. It’s a good lesson, intentional or not.
The basic premise of the story is about two men accidentally finding each other. One has experienced the loss of a loved one and is in the dumps without knowing how to start living again. The other never explored who he really was and settled for meeting other people’s expectations of himself but never feeling happy or content. It’s a great emotional hook because the author lets a reader in on each of the heroes’ inner demons and despair. When they meet, it’s a balance of tentative hope and skittish experimentation with dialogue, actions and touches.
The scene was interesting when Chris first encounters Peter. I liked how the author had Peter meet some whackos first so when Chris comes in the picture, it’s a breath of fresh air and an infusion of sanity. I enjoyed the sweetness of it and the initial gentle approach. It was a true seduction of the senses and I had a great time watching it all unfold. What breaks the ice is Peter’s work wardrobe. I wish I could see such things in real life because I am sure it would be a memorable event. As it is, it is the means which the author uses to bring the men together and move the relationship forward; it’s is unique and worth reading.
The only drawback is the accelerated condensing of it all. Because the author gave me characters I could like, I wanted to spend more time with them.
Although this is a short story, All Washed Up is well balanced in its light personal drama, sensual build up and erotic delivery. It should appeal to romance readers who enjoy man on man action because it has the power to touch the romantic inside while delivering entertainment, humor and keeps a person interested from beginning to end. I’m quite glad I read this book.
December 13, 2013
Short and cute. I'd rate this close to 3 stars.
There was a bit of head-hopping that made me re-read some paragraphs to settle into the new character. And I was just a tiny bit upset with Peter for being so uptight about his relationship with Chris.
All in all, not something very memorable but enjoyable for the moment.
There was a bit of head-hopping that made me re-read some paragraphs to settle into the new character. And I was just a tiny bit upset with Peter for being so uptight about his relationship with Chris.
All in all, not something very memorable but enjoyable for the moment.
June 9, 2011
Peter Blake is broke and needs a job badly. He takes a job cleaning houses and entertaining in nothing more than an apron. Chris Hunter receives Peter for a few weekends as a gift from his sister. The easy interplay between the two men was well done and entertaining to read. I enjoyed the way Chris allowed Peter to open up and be himself. The fact that Chris unknowingly caused Peter's job loss added a nice twist to this novella.
June 9, 2011
3.5 stars
September 1, 2019
3,5 Stars
April 18, 2012
More like a 3.5
July 19, 2014
It's a little silly but cute.
July 8, 2017
Nice cheeks cover. *giggling*
June 4, 2016
Not my cup of tea
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews