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Dear Author,
After being discharged, this guy is ready to put 'don't ask, don't tell' behind him. He's loved his time in the military, but hated having to hide who he is. He's kept his secret long enough. Can you give him the happily ever after he deserves?
Photo Description: His Chief Petty Officer's hat is so low over his eyes it completely shadows them. Only his strong jaw and surprisingly sensual mouth are visible. His dark jacket is pulled wide to display that there is nothing under it but a naked, perfectly hard-bodied torso, and a pair of dog-tags strung around his neck.
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 story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, military
Word Count: 7,021
After being discharged, this guy is ready to put 'don't ask, don't tell' behind him. He's loved his time in the military, but hated having to hide who he is. He's kept his secret long enough. Can you give him the happily ever after he deserves?
Photo Description: His Chief Petty Officer's hat is so low over his eyes it completely shadows them. Only his strong jaw and surprisingly sensual mouth are visible. His dark jacket is pulled wide to display that there is nothing under it but a naked, perfectly hard-bodied torso, and a pair of dog-tags strung around his neck.
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 story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, military
Word Count: 7,021
18 pages, ebook
First published July 19, 2011
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Ryssa Edwards
14 books19 followersRyssa Edwards is a writer of paranormal romance that takes place in other worlds, some of them just around the corner.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 6, 2017
** 2 plain stupid stars **
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"Tell the truth even if your voice shakes."
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The writing in this story was good, I liked the quote binding the story together. It could have been great, but wasn't.
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"Tell the truth even if your voice shakes."
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The writing in this story was good, I liked the quote binding the story together. It could have been great, but wasn't.
I refuse to believe that the tough, skilled Marine, who has risked his life and faced many dangers through his career, would readily be so careless and risk his life in a whole different way and trust a guy he just met a few hours ago to not use a condom. The "enemy" which might, or might not be present, will definitely kill you, Marine.
It pisses me off that authors choose to let their characters have unprotected sex with someone they don't know. Is it supposed to show trust and bring the characters closer to not wear a condom? Well, it's just plain stupid, is what it is. :(
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A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume Three" 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.
Prompt:
It pisses me off that authors choose to let their characters have unprotected sex with someone they don't know. Is it supposed to show trust and bring the characters closer to not wear a condom? Well, it's just plain stupid, is what it is. :(
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A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume Three" 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.
Prompt:
July 21, 2011
As I have been commenting and writing reviews for the Hot Summer Days stories I have occasionally picked out a favorite line or two to quote as a reference point to what I really liked about a particular story. The highest praise I can give this story is to say that it's almost impossible to pick just one or two in a story overflowing with amazing wordsmithing.. I would pretty much have to copy/paste the entire story here. This is just so eloquently written. The setting of every single scene felt tangible in both description and emotion, the dialog sharp and resonant. This story smoothly transitions from darkness to light like the rising sun which brings with it the dawn of a new day, a new beginning filled with warmth and the promise of love.
IF I HAD to pick a couple of lines that had the most lasting impact on me: (warning, possible spoilers)
Out of the darkness beside Winton’s ear, CJ said, “All I know is I want you in my bed. And I want you to be the first man I ever had inside me. And I want it tonight. Did I use small enough words for you?”
It turned out he did.
And towards the end:
For years, I made life and death decisions the way you made drinks. I know what I want. And when I want it. I want you. Forever.” Bending close to CJ’s ear he said, “Did I use small enough words for you?”
It turned out he did.
Beautiful............
EASILY one of my favorite stories from the Hot Summer Days Collection.
IF I HAD to pick a couple of lines that had the most lasting impact on me: (warning, possible spoilers)
Out of the darkness beside Winton’s ear, CJ said, “All I know is I want you in my bed. And I want you to be the first man I ever had inside me. And I want it tonight. Did I use small enough words for you?”
It turned out he did.
And towards the end:
For years, I made life and death decisions the way you made drinks. I know what I want. And when I want it. I want you. Forever.” Bending close to CJ’s ear he said, “Did I use small enough words for you?”
It turned out he did.
Beautiful............
EASILY one of my favorite stories from the Hot Summer Days Collection.
July 20, 2011
Wow. I have to admit that was the best story I've read so far! Absolutly brilliant writing and the way you set up the atmosphere you could really beleive you were standing beside them when everything happened. Loved the characters and the story, everything came together just so well. And the graffiti "Tell the truth even if your voice shakes" was the eye of the story that bound everything together. Did I say brilliant?
July 20, 2011
Holy Crap!!!!! I just found another favorite author. The passion is what held me and kept me. The whole story, though short is filled with passion and I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about the characters and the story being exclamation points. You feel it. It's fast paced but you totally get it. It's like Winton said “For years, I made life and death decisions the way you made drinks. I know what I want. And when I want it." Tell me, how do you disagree with that?
August 5, 2011
OMG, I love this story so much I've gone back to re-read it multiple times!!! Every once in a while, a story just strikes that "wow" spot when you least expect it and this one definitely did - edgy, sexy and romantic in a unique way! Winton and CJ - such opposites, but so perfect together. I adored Winton's strength and his whole "mine" philosophy, especially "I don't leave what's mine behind." And CJ was the perfect blend of innocence and wickedness. I'll say it again - LOVED IT! Thanks:)
July 31, 2011
“Man’s built like muscle was all God had left when he got made,”
What a perfect way to describe the OP's photo! You definitely have a way with words - the Himalayan mattress, the plainclothes ninja - all bring perfectly clear mental images with a dash of humor on the side. Can I take Winton & CJ home with me? I loved them and I loved the story. Thank you for writing this story Ryssa!
What a perfect way to describe the OP's photo! You definitely have a way with words - the Himalayan mattress, the plainclothes ninja - all bring perfectly clear mental images with a dash of humor on the side. Can I take Winton & CJ home with me? I loved them and I loved the story. Thank you for writing this story Ryssa!
January 1, 2014
Wow did not expect this-in the best way possible! It was sexy and sweet in that blunt way you can only be if most of you if focusing on not passing out~"It's your heart that shakes, not your voice." Thank you!!
September 9, 2023
“For years, I made life and death decisions the way you made drinks. I know what I want. And when I want it. I want you. Forever.” Bending close to CJ’s ear he said, “Did I use small enough words for you?”
JESUSSSSSS
JESUSSSSSS
November 26, 2012
I did like this story. It was about a man named Winton, who just having left or been dispatched from the military decided that he would finally make his true self known on the outside. He had been making use of rent-boys and found that "diamond in the rough" in one of the ugliest parts of the town he found himself in. While I felt a sorry for Winton (his job in the military really sucked), I had to laugh at the fact that in all the time he spent with the young man he met, he never once told him his name. CJ is the young man who claimed Winton... heart, body, and soul. And he was able to give CJ everything he ever wanted. No, the story did not actually go that far, but it was implied. It was a very good read.
December 19, 2011
Just not for me
January 10, 2012
Sweet story, but there was one moment when I wanted to shout WTF???
I give 4 stars, cause I can :P
I give 4 stars, cause I can :P
March 17, 2014
I can´t exactly pinpoint why...but the story didn´t sit well with me. Maybe it was caused by how everything happened so fast and so...as a matter of course. Or maybe there was completely different reason. One thing I can say is the writing style wasn´t the reason of my low rating of the story.
All in all, I bet it´ll have more than enough fans - not me though.
All in all, I bet it´ll have more than enough fans - not me though.
September 5, 2011
I love it. Both characters are very vivid though painted with only few words. I like the instant connection as though after a long long walk they finally found home. I also like the first times aspect of it.
Want to read
August 19, 2015***Read as part of the free Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Three anthology. Story #4***
May 3, 2016
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Three
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
July 20, 2011
This was wonderful! Beautifully written and I loved both characters.
July 26, 2011
"I made life and death decisions the way you made drinks. I know what I want. And when I want it. I want you. Forever.”
Just lovely. <3
Just lovely. <3
December 4, 2011
This was written so well that I didn't want it to end. I wanted to see what life had in store for this couple.
March 30, 2015
Tell the truth even if your voice shakes.
Brilliant. Definitely reading more of Ryssa Edwards
Brilliant. Definitely reading more of Ryssa Edwards
October 3, 2014
4.5 stars
This was hot and entertaining
This was hot and entertaining
February 12, 2015
i really enjoyed that one.
August 31, 2011
Loved the "small words"!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews