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Men of Steel
Shazam! Who better to safeguard a man’s heart than a hero? Mr. Fantastic may be out there on a wing and a prayer, playing a Longshot, but a handsome He-Man has the power, courage, and derring-do to see his quest for true love through to the happy ending. For romance of superhero proportions, check out these Men of Steel.
Stories included
A Raven’s Ruse by Eon de Beaumont
Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless
Collision Vector by Liam Grey
Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey
Meant to Fly by B.G. Thomas
That Which Doesn’t Kill You by Pearl Love
Act One by Kim Fielding
Bulldog and Smash by David Connor
Right Hand Man by Elinor Gray
First Timers by Michael G. Cornelius
Prototype by Claire Russett
Stories included
A Raven’s Ruse by Eon de Beaumont
Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless
Collision Vector by Liam Grey
Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey
Meant to Fly by B.G. Thomas
That Which Doesn’t Kill You by Pearl Love
Act One by Kim Fielding
Bulldog and Smash by David Connor
Right Hand Man by Elinor Gray
First Timers by Michael G. Cornelius
Prototype by Claire Russett
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2012
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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June 8, 2012For obvious reasons I'm not going to rate this book. I think it's a little unfair and possibly tacky to rate one's own work. -Because obviously it's fantastic;)- So I'm reading this when I can while I'm working at my 'day job'. So I'll update after each story while they're still fresh.
Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless: Great story. Not what I thought it was going to be but still a thoroughly enjoyable read. I tried not to read the blurbs for the other stories so I'd be surprised (I'm not the kind of reader that likes to know how a story is going to turn out before reading it.) That said I like the idea of a world where superheroing is a day job. And there are some wonderfully funny bits thrown in with the action and romance. All around a nicely constructed tale. Well done.
Collision Vector by Liam Grey: Another entertaining story. These superheroes are corporate sponsored and ar expected to participate in PR as well as rescuing people. Well written. Likeable characters. Humor. Action. And a very inventive way of using ones powers in the bedroom. Hot!
Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey: This was a very inventive use of super powers to facilitate a romantic connection. Very unique and well written. I must know more about Captain Cephalopod! One tiny criticism: I wonder what the Invisible Man's costume looks like.
Meant to Fly by B.G.Thomas: This was a delightfully fresh take on inhibitor collars. And when you consider what a HUGE comic nerd I am and how many comics I've read (TONS) that's saying something. Very entertaining read. If Tyrant's not gay, why take their clothes off? Hmm.
That Which Doesn't Kill You by Pearl Love: Hilarious and HOT! I was worried at first because like the previous story, it centered around a hero losing his powers. But it was so unique and enjoyable, I forgot all about it. A wonderful spin on the Superman/Lois dynamic. Bueno!
Act One by Kim Fielding: This is a delightful short. As a writer with a day job, I can really relate to Garrett's situation. Extra points for this being an actual short story and not just an extended sex scene which I've seen too many times in anthologies.
Bulldog and Smash by David Connor: This was a funny, fast-paced tale of two disfunctional super-heroes. The villain, Blast was the highlight for me. There was a bit of social commentary and political satire as well. Very entertaining.
Right Hand Man by Elinor Gray: This reminded me of the reboot of Spider-Man. Young characters with very real, very believable feelings who just happen to have super powers as well. This was a delightful read. I love that Aero put out a classified ad for sidekicks.
First Timers by Michael G. Cornelius: This story was short but well done and features the most unique use of super powers for sex so far. Very entertaining. A small criticism-(and this is purely an opinion)- I have a hard time picturing the costumes of the characters. I'm a visually oriented reader though. It didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story.
Prototype by Claire Russett: This was a delightful surprise. Not a true tights and capes super hero story but very interesting and well-written. The scientific aspects got a bit daunting at points but the dynamic between Zach and Robert was a treat.
Wow. What a great collection. I feel honored to be a part of it. Well done everyone!
Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless: Great story. Not what I thought it was going to be but still a thoroughly enjoyable read. I tried not to read the blurbs for the other stories so I'd be surprised (I'm not the kind of reader that likes to know how a story is going to turn out before reading it.) That said I like the idea of a world where superheroing is a day job. And there are some wonderfully funny bits thrown in with the action and romance. All around a nicely constructed tale. Well done.
Collision Vector by Liam Grey: Another entertaining story. These superheroes are corporate sponsored and ar expected to participate in PR as well as rescuing people. Well written. Likeable characters. Humor. Action. And a very inventive way of using ones powers in the bedroom. Hot!
Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey: This was a very inventive use of super powers to facilitate a romantic connection. Very unique and well written. I must know more about Captain Cephalopod! One tiny criticism: I wonder what the Invisible Man's costume looks like.
Meant to Fly by B.G.Thomas: This was a delightfully fresh take on inhibitor collars. And when you consider what a HUGE comic nerd I am and how many comics I've read (TONS) that's saying something. Very entertaining read. If Tyrant's not gay, why take their clothes off? Hmm.
That Which Doesn't Kill You by Pearl Love: Hilarious and HOT! I was worried at first because like the previous story, it centered around a hero losing his powers. But it was so unique and enjoyable, I forgot all about it. A wonderful spin on the Superman/Lois dynamic. Bueno!
Act One by Kim Fielding: This is a delightful short. As a writer with a day job, I can really relate to Garrett's situation. Extra points for this being an actual short story and not just an extended sex scene which I've seen too many times in anthologies.
Bulldog and Smash by David Connor: This was a funny, fast-paced tale of two disfunctional super-heroes. The villain, Blast was the highlight for me. There was a bit of social commentary and political satire as well. Very entertaining.
Right Hand Man by Elinor Gray: This reminded me of the reboot of Spider-Man. Young characters with very real, very believable feelings who just happen to have super powers as well. This was a delightful read. I love that Aero put out a classified ad for sidekicks.
First Timers by Michael G. Cornelius: This story was short but well done and features the most unique use of super powers for sex so far. Very entertaining. A small criticism-(and this is purely an opinion)- I have a hard time picturing the costumes of the characters. I'm a visually oriented reader though. It didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story.
Prototype by Claire Russett: This was a delightful surprise. Not a true tights and capes super hero story but very interesting and well-written. The scientific aspects got a bit daunting at points but the dynamic between Zach and Robert was a treat.
Wow. What a great collection. I feel honored to be a part of it. Well done everyone!
May 3, 2012
My favourites were: Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless, Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey, Meant to Fly by B.G. Thomas, Right Hand Man by Elinor Grey(awful lot of authors callrd Grey in this!) and Prototype by Claire. The rest were all really fun. I really enjoyed it
July 31, 2012
This is a mixed bag, I absolutely loved a few of the stories, others were a pain to read because I didn't like the writing style. But the good stories are in the majority, so I'll give it an overall 4 star rating.
In detail rating for every story will follow eventually
In detail rating for every story will follow eventually
September 2, 2016
I liked all the stories in this anthology. It helped that most of them were longer so we got to know the characters and their story. Several of them were quite fun, with the special powers and good banter.
October 29, 2023
This is probably me, but I couldn't get into this one.
April 17, 2012
Full disclosure here: I am one of the authors included in this anthology.
This anthology includes a wide range of stories in which superheroes are the theme. Some are funny, some serious, some downright angsty. I especially enjoyed seeing all the creative variations on standard superhero tropes. As in any collection, the quality does vary. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, because tastes vary too. I will say, however, that overall the quality of the writing was very strong.
This anthology includes a wide range of stories in which superheroes are the theme. Some are funny, some serious, some downright angsty. I especially enjoyed seeing all the creative variations on standard superhero tropes. As in any collection, the quality does vary. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, because tastes vary too. I will say, however, that overall the quality of the writing was very strong.
April 12, 2014
4.5 rounded up. This review is for That Which Doesn't Kill You, by Pearl Love.
I think it's difficult to write a really good short story, partly because hard to write characters that readers can connect with in such a short length. However, I think Pearl succeeds beautifully with this story. It's well-written, funny and hell, and both characters are endearing. The plot is imaginative and the ending left me smiling. Thanks, Pearl. I'll definitely read more of your work.
I think it's difficult to write a really good short story, partly because hard to write characters that readers can connect with in such a short length. However, I think Pearl succeeds beautifully with this story. It's well-written, funny and hell, and both characters are endearing. The plot is imaginative and the ending left me smiling. Thanks, Pearl. I'll definitely read more of your work.
July 17, 2014
A collection of stories with a central theme, all about superheroes. Now I am sure there are many gay fantasies about this subject, but to actually see them in writing is another thing.
Some stories are bad, some are reasonable, but none of them are actually good. It's all introduce the hero, enter the to be saved person and than get them in a room together and out of their clothes to do you know what....
Slightly disappointing this one.....
Some stories are bad, some are reasonable, but none of them are actually good. It's all introduce the hero, enter the to be saved person and than get them in a room together and out of their clothes to do you know what....
Slightly disappointing this one.....
April 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this anthology! Lots of fun stories with great characters. My favorites were Administrative Leave by Ryan Loveless, Behind the Mask by Jeanette Grey, and Meant to Fly by B.G. Thomas...these were all so fun to read. I also enjoyed Prototype by Claire Russett for it's great world building. Great anthology!
May 20, 2012
Really great anthology with the theme of superheroes.
Some from the perspective of the hero themselves, others from the perspective of a fan.
M/M romance genre. Kindle edition.
I was also very amused by the first author's name being an anime reference from a series I really liked. And also a historical figure. I wonder how many people noticed it.
Some from the perspective of the hero themselves, others from the perspective of a fan.
M/M romance genre. Kindle edition.
I was also very amused by the first author's name being an anime reference from a series I really liked. And also a historical figure. I wonder how many people noticed it.
May 24, 2012
I loved all these stories about Superheroes...
May 12, 2012
I'm a comic book nerd from way back, so of course I loved the theme. All of the authors had a unique take on super-heroes, and I can honestly say I enjoyed all of the stories.
September 13, 2016
A very uneven anthology of superhero-themed stories ranging from plain unreadable to pretty cool - proceed with caution!
dnf
March 5, 2013DNF - maybe continue another time...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews