**Out of print, but the individual stories are available**
Uniform Desires by Simone Anderson
Being the younger brother of the school bully has made Jason's life hell, until Marine Corps sniper Cade steps in to even the odds in yet another fight and offer Jason a place to stay. Can Jason find the strength to believe that love is worth fighting for?
A Ring and A Promise by Devon Rhodes
When Navy flier Cary secretly switches Academy rings with the love of his life, Owen, he makes a vow to make their unlikely relationship work. But when his Marine is called overseas, will a ring and a promise be enough to get them through?
Only Sam by Em Woods
When Dylan's restaurant burns down, his dreams turn to ashes, leaving him vulnerable to the man who wants to love him...and the one who wants to kill him. Fire fighter Sam has been trying to work up the nerve to ask Dylan out. But is it too late?
Zane's Inferno by Sara York
When Zane is trapped in a forest fire and almost killed, paramedic Nick moves in and doesn't leave his side. But a jealous ex is setting up Nick...and gunning for Zane. Will they survive the firestorm or succumb to the flames?
In the Name of the Law by Sue Holston
Vice cop Mitchell has a secret-he's in love with his partner, Ivan. When too much alcohol leads to them sleeping together, then Ivan is shot and nearly dies, Mitch realises he must tell the truth or lose Ivan for good.
Wings of Fire by Kit Sands
Fire fighter Salvatore's life will never be the same after he pulls Jamieson from a burning car. But can they avoid the actions of a deranged bigot long enough to have their dreams come true?
I have always had my nose in a book and my head in the clouds! Now I'm finally doing what I love as a career. When I'm not lost in my imagination, you can find me in beautiful Oregon and at:
One story was meh...a minefield of pet peeves and cliches. Two stories were tolerable but same old,same old... Two stories were good but with way too much sex scenes for their lenght...(my biggest niggle for the whole anthology - some whip wielding editor demanded to squeeze as much sex in these stories as possible - "or you won`t get published!" - at least it felt that way...) One story was very good and a solid 4,5!
What was what? - I won`t tell...why should I suffer alone!
Overall not bad I do like my men in uniform and they were sweet, this is a nice easy read for a lazy afternoon. The only complaint I have is the excessive amount of sex in a few of the stories. It sort of ruined my enjoyment of this Anthology!
Uniform Desires: 2.5 stars A Ring and A Promise: 5 stars Only Sam: 3.5 stars Zane's Inferno: 3.5 stars In The Name Of The Law: 4 stars Wings Of Fire: 3.5 stars
I adore uniformed men and this anthology was a very enjoyable read for me. Good selection of stories, not much angst - just as I like and they were all very well-written. My most favorite's 'Zane's Inferno' by Sara York and least favorute's 'In the Name of the Law' by Sue Holston. Guess I'm just not into GFY trope.
Very good anthology. Some of the stories were weaker, some of them were stronger, and I particularly liked the last one. That said, they were all decent, and I'm happy I had a chance to read this set of stories focusing on men in uniform (policemen, firemen, military, etc.).
Thanks to Devon Rhodes, who provided this book as a prize from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's celebration event!
Uniform Desires - 3 1/2 stars A Ring & A Promise - 5 stars Only Sam - 4 stars Zane's Inferno - 3 stars In The Name of The Law - 4 1/2 stars Wings of Fire - 4 stars
Marine Corp sniper Cade Donovan is home on leave, visiting his family. The out and proud Marine can tolerate many things, but not bullying. Especially when it's a smaller man being ganged up on outside a bar. Turns out it's Jason Carlson, the younger brother of a bully who tormented kids in the town.
After coming to Jason's rescue, he is immediately attracted to the handsome young man, and makes his feelings know. Hopes they will be returned.
As the two young men grow closer, will Jason's brother and his terrible past come between the pair? Or will Cade's posting back to the Middle East stop what may be a happily ever after?
This is a nicely told tale, with strong characters and a wonderful sense of integrity showing through. The theme "Hero" shines here, and Ms. Anderson has a nice feel for simplicity and straightforward storytelling. I was touched with the feeling Cade showed for Jason, and how it was touching without being smaltzy.
"A Ring and A Promise" by Devon Rhodes
Military Academy graduates Cary Barrientos and Owen Marsh managed to forge a relationship, of sorts, prior to graduation. But the pressures of Cary entering the Navy and Owen the Marines make any sort of future unsure at best. As a last ditch measure at holding onto the man he's come to love, Cary switches their Academy rings.
Is there a future for the young men? Or will the pressure of DADT keep them from being happy?
Ms. Rhodes crafted a lovely tale here, with honest emotion running through both men. The pressures of military life threaten the two, and the fine line between duty, honor and commitments of the heart is explored very well. I was moved that the story did not resolve in a day, and that the characters had to work to ensure their happy ending. Very well done.
"Only Sam" by Em Woods
When Dylan Brooks' restaurant goes up in flames, firefighter Sam Carter is there to help put the blaze out. Turns out he's been visiting it for months, and has a 'thing' for Dylan.
The two begin to see each other in the aftermath of the fire, and get close. But will their lives be in danger after it's determined the fire was deliberately set, and the arsonist isn't finished?
This tale was done nicely. Ms. Woods told a complete story with an economy of words, and made me care about Dylan first and foremost. The two men fit together well from the start, and the tension only adds to the story. Sam is a great character; I'd love to read more about these guys.
"Zane's Inferno" by Sara York
Firefighter Zane Wilson was trapped in a fire, and treated on the scene by paramedic Nick Dubois. Then, he's kissed crazy by him in the locker room. He didn't even know the man noticed him!
The two are soon dating, then living together. But when it's Nick who's trapped in a forest fire, will the two find their happiness is short lived?
This is a great story of two men who hit it off immediately and go full steam ahead! Ms. York dove right in with them and took us right along with them as they fall into love and passion. A nicely told story of two men who 'get' each other and know what they want.
"In the Name of the Law" by Sue Holston
Baltimore Detective Mitch Dawson is in love with his partner, Ivan Stanislav. The problem? Ivan is straight, and engaged to be married. After his fiance dumps him and he goes on a drunken bender, Ivan has an encounter with Mitch that never gets mentioned. Maybe Ivan doesn't remember it, Mitch figures.
But when Ivan is shot and nearly dies, will it be too late for Mitch to tell him how he feels? Or will he chicken out one more time?
Probably my favorite of the stories. Ms. Holston gives us a hard premise - one secret crush and one straight man. So many things could have gone wrong here, but her strong hand kept the story moving, believable, and interesting. Mitch is Everyman, but a hero too. Bravo!
"Wings of Fire" by Kit Sands
Trapped upside down in his wrecked car, Jamie Peele thinks he sees and angel coming for him. Only later, when he goes to the fire station to thank his rescuers does he find out his angel is just that - Salvatore Angelico.
Will he find true happiness? Or once more be left with a broken heart?
A truly sweet tale of a man with a past, who meets the man of his dreams. Nicely told by Ms. Sands, sentimental and just plain good. Strong men, stronger attraction. I wanted to know these guys.
Overall, a very strong anthology. I would be proud to know any one of these heroes!
This was a very nice anthology. Despite rather uneven editing and random insertions of Britishisms in stories obviously set in the US, this was a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed all of the stories and was pleasantly surprised to find that, for the most part, they were not nearly so full of cliches as I had feared they would be from the theme.
Surprised that this book got several average and below-average reviews. I admit not all the shorts are perfect but they ARE shorts! Authors are kinda limited with how extensive they can go in-depth with their characters/ stories. I admit to tearing up on two occasions (maybe it's just me pms-ing). Overall, I'll definitely recommend this to someone who has a thing for uniforms ;)
Uniform Desires by Simone Anderson - ★✩✩✩✩ From the start of this story I've had several WTF moments and they just kept growing in numbers. A Ring and A Promise by Devon Rhodes - ★★★✩✩ Only Sam by Em Woods - ★★✩✩✩ Zane's Inferno by Sara York - ★✩✩✩✩ In the Name of the Law by Sue Holston - ★✩✩✩✩ Wings of Fire by Kit Sands - ★★★✩✩
Uniform Desires by Simone Anderson - 3 stars A Ring and a Promise by Devon Rhodes - 5 stars Only Sam by Em Woods - 3,5 stars Zane's Inferno by Sara York - 2,5 stars In the Name of the Law by Sue Holston - 4,5 stars Wings of Fire by Kit Sands - 4 stars
This was the first M/M romance I have ever read. I purchased it at the RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago this year. I have to say I really enjoyed it. The stories were well written with well rounded characters.
Amazing Anthology, i loved some couple more than others but all in all it was a good read. My favourite couple was Cade and Jason, it was amazing how forgiving and caring Cade. was. I also loved Dlyan and Sam and the sentimentality of Cary. The anthology was a good read.
This anthology was very good. Sand's Wings of Fire and Anderson's Uniform Desires where the ones I liked the most, and to me are 5 stars, but all the other were very good as well.
A Ring and A Promise, by Devon Rhodes, was very good. The rest were fine -- better than reading the back of the cereal box -- except for one that was almost laughably bad.