Once and Future Lovers

by Sheree L. Greer

A busted bicycle mocks a broken heart, a magical mirror struggles to sustain an interracial fantasy, a teenage girl discovers the truth about desire in the heft of her grandmother's breast, understanding parenthood as the daughter of a sometimes father. These are the stories hearts tell. "Once and Future Lovers" illuminates these and other tales by shining a light on the critical moments in which men and women take the great risk that is loving. In this provocative collection of short fiction, characters grapple with the courage it takes to love once while discovering the inherent challenge put to all lovers: embracing or denying the possibility of loving again, and again.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2012

About the author

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native, Sheree L. Greer has been published in Hair Trigger, The Windy City Times, Reservoir, Fictionary, The Windy City Queer Anthology: Dispatches from the Third Coast, and Best Lesbian Romance 2012. She has performed her work across selected venues in Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Chicago, and Tampa, where she hosts Oral Fixation, the only LGBTQ Open Mic series in Tampa Bay. She earned her MFA at Columbia College Chicago and currently teaches writing and literature at St. Petersburg College. Sheree, an Astraea Lesbian Writers Fund grantee, completed a VONA residency at University of Miami and self-published a short story collection, Once and Future Lovers.
While her obsessions constantly rotate and evolve, Sheree has an undying love for hot sauces, red wines, and crunchy tacos. She plays less-than-mediocre electric guitar but makes nearly-perfect guacamole.

Reviews

[Finnian Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the rich relationships, realistic interactions, and sometimes heartbreaking, but beautiful dynamics between families and lovers.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first collection of stories by Sheree L. Greer but the new Tenth Anniversary Collection is even better. One story was taken out and I believe three were added and there is much improvement. The Liar and S are great stories, but the others too are wonderful and the collection is worth reading.
I fell for Sheree’s writing when I read her novel called A Return to Arms, the story of a lesbian love affair in the midst of political action around a police shooting, I.e. Black Lives Matter and right after the murder of Trayvon Martin.
Once and Future Lovers has some very bold stories about love and desire and even riding a bike. I also liked the story about Petra and the numbers— “I lied in #2.”
Here’s a taste of Dreaming Woman which is part of a forthcoming novel: “She closed her eyes and pushed her hands deeper into the sink. The hot water swallowed her fingers and palms and wrists. The heat radiated from her hands to her forearms to her biceps, up and up her arms, triceps to shoulders, neck and head. She felt breath, fierce and sweet, at the nape of her neck. Zaire’s mouth went dry. She looked down at her trembling hands in the water then at her reflection in the mirror.” So real and much of the writing is very strong.
The long story of 1953, The Beginning of Something, with lots of dialogue is rich in Black idiom which I enjoyed reading and hearing in my mind. Some stories are not lesbian and the mixture of themes was good. Thanks for redoing your collection after ten more years of writing, Sheree!

[Micki Berthelot Berthelot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book packs quite a punch. Each story takes you deep into the lives of the characters, making you feel what they feel.
Of course, I have my favorite, the ones I went back to read again, but in this collection, the author presents the reader with stories about love, loss, trauma, joy, sadness and hope. There’s always hope!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really lovely language and meaty metaphors, lots to think on, will want to reread.

[Mykie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews are based on the following variables: Content, Delivery, Relevance and Impact

Once and Future Lovers receives the following ratings and assessments:

Content: 1/1
The book is a collection of short fiction stories that all seem to tap into the many facets of love. The journey, the pain, the joy and otherwise. Although fiction, I found many of the stories to be similar to some of my own love experiences. All of the stories highlight the writer's strengths and creativity. The stories are intriguing, unique and touching. With short stories, there is less room for character development, usually. However, the author did a fine job summarizing and setting the tone for each story to a point where the characters in each story were developed and the reader was left with a very vivid picture of the settings/tones/moods.

Delivery: 1/1
I really appreciated the consolidation of many short stories, all at different lengths. Some were very short and some were a bit longer. This speaks to the writer's creativity. The writing style was good, open and appropriate for each story, highlighting the writer's versatility. This was an easy read. Raw and crafty. Unique and full of so much emotion in a few pages. Finally, it should be mentioned that the writer's uses of imagery and personification were remarkable throughout the novel and used at the right moments to bring the stories home. This is a skill that not everyone possesses-a skill that this author demonstrates so effortlessly and beautifully. I would say that the primary highlights of this book are the demonstrations of the author's skills and creative mastery.

Relevance: 1/1
This novel serves as a good reminder that love is an explorative journey consisting of many facets and experiences. Although fiction, I found this novel to be relevant , reminiscent and raw. Readers are able to explore through the characters and short stories and such is a very pleasing exercise.

Impact: 1/1
This was a fun,well-paced read and definitely a page-turner. I put this book down wanting to read more from this author.