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Mourning
Dear Author,
Why is this man so sad? Can you make him happy?
Photo Description: A big man sits on the mattress of a white iron bedstead, lit by a blind-slatted window. He is burly, with a smooth bald head, close-cropped beard and a wealth of tattoos across his naked back and down his arm. His bowed shoulders, his eyebrows drawn down, his hand slack on his knee, suggest sorrow.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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 here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, hurt/comfort, power exchange, age difference
Word Count: 6,530
Why is this man so sad? Can you make him happy?
Photo Description: A big man sits on the mattress of a white iron bedstead, lit by a blind-slatted window. He is burly, with a smooth bald head, close-cropped beard and a wealth of tattoos across his naked back and down his arm. His bowed shoulders, his eyebrows drawn down, his hand slack on his knee, suggest sorrow.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" 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 here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, hurt/comfort, power exchange, age difference
Word Count: 6,530
17 pages, ebook
First published July 6, 2011
2 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Samms
106 books278 followersJaime Samms is a plaid-hearted Canadian who spends the too-long winters writing stories about love between men and the too-short summers digging in the garden. There are dust bunnies in the corners of her house—which she blames on a husky named Kai. There are dishes on the counter—which is clearly because teenagers! There is hot coffee in the pot and the occasional meal to keep her from starving—because her husband is remarkable and patient.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 15, 2015
2.5 stars
A melancholic story about lost love and moving on.
The writing style is a little unrefined, many things are in shadow, but the story seems to have a lot of potential.
A melancholic story about lost love and moving on.
The writing style is a little unrefined, many things are in shadow, but the story seems to have a lot of potential.
May 4, 2014
rating: 4/5
I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this story. It had a bit of POV issues but it was otherwise beautifully written, contained interesting characters, and a deep exploration of emotions (loss, death, love, moving on). Most interestingly it had an emotional triangle that was fascinating. I highly enjoyed this story!
I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this story. It had a bit of POV issues but it was otherwise beautifully written, contained interesting characters, and a deep exploration of emotions (loss, death, love, moving on). Most interestingly it had an emotional triangle that was fascinating. I highly enjoyed this story!
October 15, 2011
I just didn't connect with this one at all. i didn't see the connection between the two MC's and i spent most of the story wondering what was going on
September 16, 2013
This was so good. I really like a book that wrenches your heart a bit but still lifts it. I really liked both MCs and the ending was nice.
January 19, 2015
**** 4 mourning stars ****
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This was really good, very good writing! A lot of emotions told with few words describing a complex and heartbreaking connection/relationship. I liked that the POV was alternating, although it was a bit confusing to know who was "talking".
"Mourning" was the perfect title. Loss turning into hope turning into love?
A tear jerker for sure.
Recommended!
----------------------------------------
A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume One" from the MM Romance Group Hot Summer Event 2011.
Click HERE for the story online or HERE to download the whole collection for your reading device.
Picture and prompt:
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"Let go," Micha encouraged, the words breathless pants.
"Of what?"
"Of everything." Micha reached up and touched Bruno's face, trailing his fingers through the sweat. "You can't hurt me."
"I already did."
"Love hurts, baby."
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This was really good, very good writing! A lot of emotions told with few words describing a complex and heartbreaking connection/relationship. I liked that the POV was alternating, although it was a bit confusing to know who was "talking".
"Mourning" was the perfect title. Loss turning into hope turning into love?
A tear jerker for sure.
Recommended!
----------------------------------------
A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume One" from the MM Romance Group Hot Summer Event 2011.
Click HERE for the story online or HERE to download the whole collection for your reading device.
Picture and prompt:
September 27, 2011
This was a surprisingly good short story. Surprising because the photo that inspired the story was pretty vague and the author could've gone anywhere with it. I actually really liked the direction Jaime Samms went.
Don't Read in the Closet is a collection of short stories published for free for members of the M/M Romance Group. The best part of this series of shorts is that they were based on a photo and a reader request for a story. Here is the photo and reader request that inspired this story:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
Don't Read in the Closet is a collection of short stories published for free for members of the M/M Romance Group. The best part of this series of shorts is that they were based on a photo and a reader request for a story. Here is the photo and reader request that inspired this story:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
March 10, 2015
***Read as part of the free Don't Read in the Closet: Volume One anthology. Story #19***
A story about loss, grief and -eventually- moving on. The author managed fantastic to capture the melancholic mood with only short glimps and tiny peaces about the love triangle between rent boy Micha and his regulars Bruno and Danny.
I'll check out some of the other works by this author for sure!
August 13, 2011
"You can't hurt me."
"I already did."
"Love hurts, baby."
"I already did."
"Love hurts, baby."
December 11, 2014
Great writing. Emotional and raw. Pure. Good.
December 30, 2016
5 perfect stars!
This story was intense, raw and so very beautiful. It’s about loss, mourning and moving on! It’s gripping and I didn’t want it to stop. I felt pulled right in and I wanted to know so much more about these amazing characters. But somehow the fact that some aspects were left in the dark made this story so special.
The story fit the prompt and the picture perfectly! The only thing missing is a proper cover for this great work!
It’s free, it’s perfect! Read it!
This story was intense, raw and so very beautiful. It’s about loss, mourning and moving on! It’s gripping and I didn’t want it to stop. I felt pulled right in and I wanted to know so much more about these amazing characters. But somehow the fact that some aspects were left in the dark made this story so special.
The story fit the prompt and the picture perfectly! The only thing missing is a proper cover for this great work!
It’s free, it’s perfect! Read it!
August 1, 2020
I had a heard time figuring out Bruno and Danny's relationship. It seemed that one was a cheater and the other wanted sex all of the time and Micha filled the gap between the two. Micha took the job because he needed money and then left the house without that money. He wasn't in danger, so why leave it behind?
May 7, 2018
I wish this one was novel size. I fell in love these guys and I'm disappointed this is all I'll get from these two.
January 24, 2026
There was a lot to like about this book but I found it hard to enjoy reading because of the writing (point of view).
October 1, 2016
A short and powerful story.
July 19, 2011
Jaime,
You NEVER dissapoint! Ever...
It always amazes me how each and every one of your stories feels so fresh and new and uniquely one of a kind. I can always count on you to take me on an amazing journey to someplace special I never want to leave.
This is the line that stole my heart and will stay with me because at the end of the day, at journey's end it says it ALL:
"The light was different, clearer than the morning misty glow that had awakened him, coming at the room from the opposite direction, a completely different angle."
just... WOW
You NEVER dissapoint! Ever...
It always amazes me how each and every one of your stories feels so fresh and new and uniquely one of a kind. I can always count on you to take me on an amazing journey to someplace special I never want to leave.
This is the line that stole my heart and will stay with me because at the end of the day, at journey's end it says it ALL:
"The light was different, clearer than the morning misty glow that had awakened him, coming at the room from the opposite direction, a completely different angle."
just... WOW
April 20, 2016
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume One
Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
July 31, 2011
*standing ovation* Ummm, wow! What a fresh and original twist on what started as a sex-for-hire relationship!! I loved the complexity of the storyline and the beautifully flawed characters. I felt all kinds of emotions (and yes, there were tears). I was totally rooting for Bruno and Micha:)
Based on this story, I can't wait to read this author's other books! A truly fantastic piece - awesome!!!
Based on this story, I can't wait to read this author's other books! A truly fantastic piece - awesome!!!
April 25, 2012
It took a bit for me to figure out what was going on in this story which I am sure is probably the point. Once I got it, I really liked it. This would have made an excellent full length book. I would have loved to have read more background on the main characters and what brought them to this point.
It's stories like this one that makes me eager to read more by an author. I can't wait to read more by this one.
It's stories like this one that makes me eager to read more by an author. I can't wait to read more by this one.
November 23, 2012
This story was pretty good. It's the story of two men, seemingly "rent boy" and client; but there is more to the story than that. You get the feeling, that both are just going through the motions; but again, that is only on the surface. I liked the delving into the characters that took place and I definitely approved of the ending. Micha and Bruno were able to come to an agreement and settle everything to find what they were looking for in each other. A good read.
July 28, 2011
Oh Jaime, what a lovely story! Amazing how you brought so much emotion into the story within a few lines. It bought tears to my eyes too! I love how you balanced the acknowledgement of loss with hope for the future. Well done!
August 25, 2012
I read big chunks of the anthology before I rate the stories I've read, and honestly they all kind of blend in together. This one I definitely remember, even though I didn't find it overly enjoyable with all the angst and a disjointed plot.
January 26, 2014
I love hurt and comfort reads. The premise of this story was one I have never read before and it was definitely interesting. I think the author could write a prequel to this about the relationship between Bruno, Danny and Micha, and how it all began and ended.
July 14, 2011
Very emotional short story, well written
July 21, 2011
Very touching story about a man dealing with his lost love. Would love to read more about these characters.
August 1, 2011
Absolutely incredible! Micha and Bruno need each other, both to heal and grow. I enjoyed this immensely!
January 18, 2012
What a wonderful story. 4.5
January 19, 2012
I liked this story, once I figured it out, though it seemed as though there were chunks of information missing here and there.
May 29, 2012
For such a short story it contained alot of depth. Very well written.
May 11, 2014
A lovely story about a bereaved guy who lost his lover two years ago. It's so sad, your heart breaks for Bruno, and then for Micha and then it's all happy in the end.
Loved it.
Loved it.
June 4, 2014
A little confusing at the beginning, but overall a lovely read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews