The Eclective: The Pride Collection

by The Eclective, Rex Jameson, M. Edward McNally

The fourth short story anthology from the Eclective brings together seven writers from across genres, each contributing a unique take in recognition of LGBT Pride Month. Go Team Everybody.

"Saving Suzanna" by Rex Jameson - As Sara and Morgan struggle to escape the ruins left by the Northern Organizational Militia's campaign of terror, they hear the cries of an infant through the darkness. If they keep running north, they may save themselves… but if they stay and fight, they may just save their future.

"Shero: Glam, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am!" by Jack Wallen - Don't judge a book by it's cover and don't judge a queen by her smooth moves alone! Shero is honored to serve as judge for a local drag queen pageant. When all hell breaks loose, can Shero save the queens from a disaster worse than a loose gaff or broken heel?

"Gay Angels in Heaven" by Alan Nayes - A teenager learns having pride in who she is is far more important than what others think of her.

"Moon Blossoms" by P.J. Jones - Outcast from their colony, two sprites learn to accept that their love is not a sin against nature but a thing of beauty.

"Urbs in Horto" by M. Edward McNally - There are many gardens in the city of Chicago, and none are as different as they may seem.

"Be Careful What You Wish For" by Shéa MacLeod - Cross-dresser Ryan Roberts has always dreamed of being a real woman for just one day. He'll soon discover that when it comes to cupcake-addicted ancient Welsh goddesses, you should be careful what you wish for.

"Love & Disaster" by Heather Marie Adkins - Becca is finally marrying the woman of her dreams, but she’s frightened of what the future holds in a world that doesn’t accept their love.

Genres: Anthologies, Queer, Romance, M M Romance, Ebooks, Short Stories, LGBT

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2012

Reviews

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection by several authors, all who write in very different genres, each contributing a short story that happens to weave in subject matter relevant to the GLBT community. I laughed, I covered my mouth in empathy, I wept a little -- and nodded in understanding a lot at the humanity expressed -- and there was a lovely sense of humanity throughout each piece. The human experience is just that; a human experience. Straight or gay, you can always identify with being human.

[Rosa Rivera · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is a dire need for queer lit but not this kind of queer lit. This book was awful. Depressing beyond belief. Transphobic, transmisogynistic, biphobic kinda in "Urbs in horto." This book exemplifies the severe misunderstanding about trans issues and communities within society at large, but also within the queer community itself (Shero and Be Careful What You Wish For were disgusting misrepresentations of trans women). I couldn't read past the first page/s in Shero and Gay Angels in Heaven (wth what were those stories?). Was this book supposed to help people? It really made me feel worse about myself. Every story was like the bleakest most depressing outcome of being queer. Even the fairytale one! (Moon Blossoms) Why would fairies be homophobic?? They're not even human why would they care? Are they religious?? No. Why would it matter?!
Is there no possible happiness for queer folks? Even when there is, why does it have to be so tragic and bittersweet? I wish just one of these stories could have been a mindless rom com without all the doom and gloom about how awful and horrible it is to be queer.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories shared a central theme, one made obvious by the rainbow colors and the subtitle. Of the collection, I believe the first one was perhaps the one I liked best. In "Saving Suzanna" two lesbians are on the run from a society that would happily remove same-sex partnerships from the world through the most extreme of measures. While dodging bullets, the two women stumble across an orphaned infant and realize they cannot save themselves without saving the baby. Frankly, I liked this premise enough that I could have read an entire novel that more fully explored the characters and world the author had created.

The rest of the stories in the collection ranged between "this isn't working for me" to "meh" to "well, that's sweet/sad/unfortunate".

[The Rainbow Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great LGBT anthology

This is my first introduction to The Eclective, and it was a good one. While a few stories missed the mark, most were fantastic--I've taken notes of the authors, and put their solo works on my wish list. Most of the collections are very inexpensive or free on Amazon, so it's well worth the cost and then some!

Due to the explicit (though hysterical!) nature of one story, I'd recommend this for adults only.

[Raymond Mathiesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclective: The Pride Collection

Stories to wet your appetite…

Here are seven short stories to tempt your fancy. Most of them have a slightly off-the-wall bent, and each one has an LGBTIQ theme of some kind or another. Having said that I don't want to imply that these stories are too similar. Each author in fact takes their own unique angle, making the theme their own. From fairies to sword wielding heroes to plump has-been goddesses to contemplated suicide to simple marriage this book presents to the imagination the colour that LBTITQ literature can display. These stories are not at all erotica. Instead these authors present people just living their life.

This book would be ideal if you are just starting out reading in the genre. There is nothing threatening or in-your-face about it, and it is indeed a pleasant, vanilla read. All the stories are short and can be read when you have an hour to spare: ideal for busy people.

I have read quite extensively in the genre and am gay myself, so I obviously am biased, but I did find this book quite good. I am happy to award it four stars.

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

These eclective collections are awesome! and free on Amazon, so go pick them up! The stories are short but well rounded and include just enough back story to make you care about what's going on. There were a few stories that are just seriously crazy but so much fun!

If you like glbtqia lit then you NEED this collection!

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saving Suzanna
3 stars

Shero: Glam, Bam, Thank you, Ma’am!
1 star

Gay Angels in Heaven
4 stars
I liked this one the best out of the anthology.

Moon Blossoms
4 stars
This one definitely had some dark topics, but I’m here for sprites!

Urbs in horto
3 stars

Be Careful What You Wish For
3 stars

Love and Disaster
3 stars

[Tj · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little read. I expected a little wider variety of stories, most were F/F, but I enjoyed all the different stories. I don't really want to get into each story. I will say I would love to see a sequel to the first story, "Saving Suzanna". I loved the characters.

[Stevie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is quite a variety of stories in this collection. I thoroughly enjoyed the first, and there were two others that were fairly enjoyable. However, the rest did not appeal to me at all. If you like a wide variety of writing styles and types of stories, you will enjoy this.

[Karen Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection, and I loved how it showcased the different authors and their literary voices!

[Nancy Carbajal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked one of the stories.

[Clifford Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was a quick read. Liked the Drag Queen story the best and I don't think that's included with LGBT...still and interesting collection.