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Weight of a Gun
Everyone knows that guns are dangerous; they have long been a subject surrounded by controversy. Combine them with sex and you have a subject that is virtually taboo, but smoking hot. This anthology explores the intersection of these two worlds, and the sensual possibilities they inspire. In "Bounty Hunter," William Hunt is hot on the trail of lover-turned-outlaw James Campbell. But when William finally catches up with James, bringing him to justice is the last thing on his mind. "Changing the Guard" introduces Tomi Vuorela, working security in a frozen off-world outpost. When Andile Harper intrudes on his seclusion, Tomi must determine if the interloper is a harmless workman or a dangerous terrorist. Avery Belfour is "The Machinist," kidnapped by a rival colony in need of his services. But the dark and deadly Harrow may have other plans for Avery first. In "My Rifle Is Human," the more a Gunslinger like Fil sexually satisfies his shapeshifting partners, the Ordinances, the more likely they'll survive as weapons on the battlefield. When late-bloomer Morris becomes Fil's latest partner, however, it will take all Fil's patience and skill to seduce and inspire Morris in time for the next wave of attacks. Tyler Maxwell from "In the Pines," a former New York cop now working a desk job in Alaska, buys a gun as a present and begins to dream about the mysterious and beautiful Flynn. But Flynn is more than a dream, and Tyler must find the truth before he loses his mind. Finally, in "Compromised Judgment," Rozsa Ignac is working to uncover a gunrunning operation supplying arms to his enemies. He's certain that Cistalan Konrad is involved, but his attraction to the other man puts himself and the entire investigation in danger.
170 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 27, 2014
...at least this book gives me an excuse to post another pic of the Sampaio brothers.:p
These themed anthologies by Storm Moon Press are not only great for discovering promising new authors, they also cover kick ass kinks. Despite not really being into tentacles (though I wonder how long I can keep insisting on this with a pokerface), the anthology All Wrapped Up offered consistent quality and was an entertaining read on top of that. I’d happily recommend it to tendril amateurs and pros alike. And I really wish I could say the same about Weight of a Gun! Alas, I struggled my way through a few stories too many to speak of another blazing success.
Though all contributors to this gun kink themed anthology executed the assignment to the T in regards to including a solid dose of gun kink, none of them managed to actually make me bounce up and down in excitement. I had perhaps anticipated at least one story to include a gun kink scene as intense as the one in Aleksandr Voinov’s Dark Soul I. It’s a little amusing to use the word conventional in this context, but that’s how I would describe the gun scenes in Weight of a Gun. Apart from that, the stories themselves weren’t really up to par with the ones in All Wrapped Up. Recommended for die hard gun kink lovers, but probably not read-before-dying material otherwise. You know you want to read All Wrapped Up first anyway.;)
A short recap of the individual stories! Cornelia Grey’s Bounty Hunter is a solid read. With Apples and Regret and Wasted Time she already proved that she can write and it’s not difficult to understand why her work is popular. Personally, I, again, felt a bit like reading a well-executed writing assignment. It was good, but it also lacked the intensity or creativity to be memorable. Besides, I’m not the biggest fan of constant flashbacks. Nice ending though!
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen actually was my favorite story of the bunch! I liked the setting of a guy working security in a frozen off-world outpost when suddenly an unexpected visitor flies by. Maybe it gave me Firefly vibes, I don’t know, but I enjoyed the cat and mouse game and the surprising ending made me snicker.
The Machinist by Gryvon. I’m at a bit at a loss for words here.. Didn’t experience any of these pet peeves with this author’s story for All Wrapped Up, but this was so.. bad. Every clumsy, clunky sentence was constructed in a way that made me cringe. The behavior of the infantile MC never made any sense and the dialogue felt completely off. Not even the harshness of the gun kink scene, something I would otherwise have loved, could stop me from labeling this story the weakest link.
Luckily there’s Sumi, who wrote gun kink with a creative twist! I liked this sci fi story in which the ‘gunslinger’ MC is paired up with a shapeshifter, a living and breathing weapon. These shapeshifters are most dangerous on a diet that consists of lots of sex, which is where the gunslingers come in.. A fun story that didn’t deserve the rushed ending.
In The Pines was another miss for me. A former New York cop acquires a gun that’s supposedly cursed. He doesn’t believe in that sort of crap, until a gorgeous man starts visiting him in his dreams. This story had lots of potential for an ambiance of impending doom. Instead it was too shallow for my liking and focused on Ken doll looks and boring sex rather than on creating a gloomy occult atmosphere.
Sad to say that the final story, Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss, didn’t impress me much either. I’m a sucker for political intrigue and think the author could’ve made this work in a longer story. She made the crucial mistake of introducing a ton of crazy complicated fantasy names for people, institutions etc. in so few pages and then combined this with a, for a short story, catastrophically slow build up. The story itself didn’t survive these decisions.
These themed anthologies by Storm Moon Press are not only great for discovering promising new authors, they also cover kick ass kinks. Despite not really being into tentacles (though I wonder how long I can keep insisting on this with a pokerface), the anthology All Wrapped Up offered consistent quality and was an entertaining read on top of that. I’d happily recommend it to tendril amateurs and pros alike. And I really wish I could say the same about Weight of a Gun! Alas, I struggled my way through a few stories too many to speak of another blazing success.
Though all contributors to this gun kink themed anthology executed the assignment to the T in regards to including a solid dose of gun kink, none of them managed to actually make me bounce up and down in excitement. I had perhaps anticipated at least one story to include a gun kink scene as intense as the one in Aleksandr Voinov’s Dark Soul I. It’s a little amusing to use the word conventional in this context, but that’s how I would describe the gun scenes in Weight of a Gun. Apart from that, the stories themselves weren’t really up to par with the ones in All Wrapped Up. Recommended for die hard gun kink lovers, but probably not read-before-dying material otherwise. You know you want to read All Wrapped Up first anyway.;)
A short recap of the individual stories! Cornelia Grey’s Bounty Hunter is a solid read. With Apples and Regret and Wasted Time she already proved that she can write and it’s not difficult to understand why her work is popular. Personally, I, again, felt a bit like reading a well-executed writing assignment. It was good, but it also lacked the intensity or creativity to be memorable. Besides, I’m not the biggest fan of constant flashbacks. Nice ending though!
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen actually was my favorite story of the bunch! I liked the setting of a guy working security in a frozen off-world outpost when suddenly an unexpected visitor flies by. Maybe it gave me Firefly vibes, I don’t know, but I enjoyed the cat and mouse game and the surprising ending made me snicker.
The Machinist by Gryvon. I’m at a bit at a loss for words here.. Didn’t experience any of these pet peeves with this author’s story for All Wrapped Up, but this was so.. bad. Every clumsy, clunky sentence was constructed in a way that made me cringe. The behavior of the infantile MC never made any sense and the dialogue felt completely off. Not even the harshness of the gun kink scene, something I would otherwise have loved, could stop me from labeling this story the weakest link.
Luckily there’s Sumi, who wrote gun kink with a creative twist! I liked this sci fi story in which the ‘gunslinger’ MC is paired up with a shapeshifter, a living and breathing weapon. These shapeshifters are most dangerous on a diet that consists of lots of sex, which is where the gunslingers come in.. A fun story that didn’t deserve the rushed ending.
In The Pines was another miss for me. A former New York cop acquires a gun that’s supposedly cursed. He doesn’t believe in that sort of crap, until a gorgeous man starts visiting him in his dreams. This story had lots of potential for an ambiance of impending doom. Instead it was too shallow for my liking and focused on Ken doll looks and boring sex rather than on creating a gloomy occult atmosphere.
Sad to say that the final story, Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss, didn’t impress me much either. I’m a sucker for political intrigue and think the author could’ve made this work in a longer story. She made the crucial mistake of introducing a ton of crazy complicated fantasy names for people, institutions etc. in so few pages and then combined this with a, for a short story, catastrophically slow build up. The story itself didn’t survive these decisions.
January 19, 2013
Two DNFs in this anthology but they didn`t influence the overall rating. To 100% a matter of personal taste.
The third good anthology by Storm Moon Press I`ve read. Seems like this is the publisher where to look for them...
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey - 5 stars
I love it how Cornelia can make me happy without a HEA or HFN....great story!
Changing The Guard by Peter Hansen - DNF
I have enough trouble with the English language I don`t need Terranian tech talk on top of that.
The kind of sci-fi I don`t like and can`t read...
The Machinist by Gryvon - 4,5 stars
Dark story, rough D/s, gun play, no trace of romance but open end and sequel in book 2.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi 3,5 stars
Imaginative story but girly bits and a highspeed HEA spoiled the fun a bit.
In The Pines by Lydia Nix - 4 stars
Uuuuuhh....creepy! Subtle and well written goosebump-horror.
Can I have more?
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss - DNF
I don`t have the patience to push myself through a mountain of complicated names for the sake of a rating...not for me.
The third good anthology by Storm Moon Press I`ve read. Seems like this is the publisher where to look for them...
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey - 5 stars
I love it how Cornelia can make me happy without a HEA or HFN....great story!
Changing The Guard by Peter Hansen - DNF
I have enough trouble with the English language I don`t need Terranian tech talk on top of that.
The kind of sci-fi I don`t like and can`t read...
The Machinist by Gryvon - 4,5 stars
Dark story, rough D/s, gun play, no trace of romance but open end and sequel in book 2.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi 3,5 stars
Imaginative story but girly bits and a highspeed HEA spoiled the fun a bit.
In The Pines by Lydia Nix - 4 stars
Uuuuuhh....creepy! Subtle and well written goosebump-horror.
Can I have more?
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss - DNF
I don`t have the patience to push myself through a mountain of complicated names for the sake of a rating...not for me.
December 12, 2011
^^JUST LOOK AT THAT BODY!^^
4.25
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
I am going to write this again so forgive me if it's all broken record. Anthologies are never my top pick when it comes to reading; I get frustrated because some stories suck and others I wish were just a tad bit longer. This anthology falls under I wish the stories were longer, well at least most of them. This anthology is all about the gun, this deadly and yet sometimes-beautiful weapon. This book will show you that sometimes it is not all about the killing, the gun can be used for something dangerously sexy and good.
The Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
Talk about 'color me surprised' I think I missed the part about this being a gun fetish anthology. Not to worry this story reminded the crap out me. It offers up an old western vibe, all dusty trails and cowboys. William Hunt is a bounty hunter and after his once lover turned outlaw. When the two finally have their confrontation, its all kinds of explosive and where the gun gets all kinds of dirty. I enjoyed this short because of the whole lovers being reunited under some dangerous circumstances. Where f*cking is last thing they should be doing, but it definitely is the best thing.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
This one is my absolute favourite. Set in a futuristic world where humans reside on other planets. We meet Tomi Vuorela a security guard working isolated on some frozen planet placed there because he gave his superior some lip. When an unexpected visitor makes an appearance Tomi has no idea what to think of Andile who says he is there to run maintenance. Tomi is suspicious and treats him like a criminal, but that doesn’t stop the attraction between the two men. From the start, the writing is funny and sarcastic. Andile and Tomi just grab your attention and the ending to this is a delightful surprise. The gunplay is indescribably hot, erotic, and I just loved it. Peter Hansen is an author to watch out for.
The Machinist by Gryvon
Avery is the machinist, kidnapped and kept in a dungeon by a rival colony. Just when he is coming to terms with how is life will be, he is taken captive again by the deadly looking Harrow. Avery being the funny ‘lets make the best out of this crappy situation’ kinda person he tries to drag Harrow into conversation but by the deadly look in the man’s eye Avery knows that his life will no longer be his own. Though he should be afraid, Avery can’t help that the gun being held at his back is making him all kinds of hard. This short was sexy, and pain filled, another one that would be served best if it were longer.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi
This is where the surprise comes, just when you are starting to get a little bored with all that gunplay this refreshing little tale makes an appearance. Though the gun still plays a part, it’s quite imaginative with a scientific spin. Fil was a born a Gunslinger which makes him the bedding partner to the Ordinances (human weapons). As a Gunslinger he has to have sex with the Ordinance that is given to him, sex is the energy that drives them and makes them unstoppable on the battlefield. Fil has had no success with his Ordinance; no matter how much he has sex with them they never come back alive. Until he is given Morris who wants to get to know him, but all Fil knows is sex and Morris needs sex to survive. I loved how humans were able to become weaponry, can you just imagine that. This story was super cool and my second fave.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
Even days after finishing this story, I still kept thinking about it. Former cop Tyler moves to Alaska working a desk job after being injured in the line of duty. He purchases a gun to be given as a present but then starts to have these sexy dreams about a man named Flynn. Never knowing the man he dreams about every night is connected to the gun he bought. When he finally makes the connection, it’s just a little too late for Tyler because he’s already in too deep. I loved the bit of mystery offered up in this story, and the beautiful yet sad ending. I believe this story can be looked at in many ways and it’s entirely up to the reader.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss
Rozsa is an undercover agent about the blow the lid off some gun smuggling. That’s until there was Konrad, a man Rozsa is deeply attracted to but is very much a part of the case. There’s one thing Rozsa knows is that you don’t get feelings for those involve din a case. It seems that the men share a small history, though they have never met previously, and the feelings they share for each other could be fatal. The gun is a part of both men, one makes it and the other wields it; but together they make a very loud bang. My least favourite but still an interesting story.
Overall, another winner by Storm Moon Press. This is by far the craziest and most awesmazing anthology. I never saw the gun as anything but an object that kills, now I view it as something erotic and yet dangerous. The two ingredients to killer awesome book! This has something for every reader. A little contemporary, some science-fiction, and Paranormal. With the other world goodness, and the explosive sex Weight of a Gun is not to be missed. In addition, the cover alone deserves some serious love, a perfect match to the book. So I say ‘who cares how much the gun weighs, is what they do with it that counts’. A guaranteed pants losing!
4.25
More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS
I am going to write this again so forgive me if it's all broken record. Anthologies are never my top pick when it comes to reading; I get frustrated because some stories suck and others I wish were just a tad bit longer. This anthology falls under I wish the stories were longer, well at least most of them. This anthology is all about the gun, this deadly and yet sometimes-beautiful weapon. This book will show you that sometimes it is not all about the killing, the gun can be used for something dangerously sexy and good.
The Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
Talk about 'color me surprised' I think I missed the part about this being a gun fetish anthology. Not to worry this story reminded the crap out me. It offers up an old western vibe, all dusty trails and cowboys. William Hunt is a bounty hunter and after his once lover turned outlaw. When the two finally have their confrontation, its all kinds of explosive and where the gun gets all kinds of dirty. I enjoyed this short because of the whole lovers being reunited under some dangerous circumstances. Where f*cking is last thing they should be doing, but it definitely is the best thing.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
This one is my absolute favourite. Set in a futuristic world where humans reside on other planets. We meet Tomi Vuorela a security guard working isolated on some frozen planet placed there because he gave his superior some lip. When an unexpected visitor makes an appearance Tomi has no idea what to think of Andile who says he is there to run maintenance. Tomi is suspicious and treats him like a criminal, but that doesn’t stop the attraction between the two men. From the start, the writing is funny and sarcastic. Andile and Tomi just grab your attention and the ending to this is a delightful surprise. The gunplay is indescribably hot, erotic, and I just loved it. Peter Hansen is an author to watch out for.
The Machinist by Gryvon
Avery is the machinist, kidnapped and kept in a dungeon by a rival colony. Just when he is coming to terms with how is life will be, he is taken captive again by the deadly looking Harrow. Avery being the funny ‘lets make the best out of this crappy situation’ kinda person he tries to drag Harrow into conversation but by the deadly look in the man’s eye Avery knows that his life will no longer be his own. Though he should be afraid, Avery can’t help that the gun being held at his back is making him all kinds of hard. This short was sexy, and pain filled, another one that would be served best if it were longer.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi
This is where the surprise comes, just when you are starting to get a little bored with all that gunplay this refreshing little tale makes an appearance. Though the gun still plays a part, it’s quite imaginative with a scientific spin. Fil was a born a Gunslinger which makes him the bedding partner to the Ordinances (human weapons). As a Gunslinger he has to have sex with the Ordinance that is given to him, sex is the energy that drives them and makes them unstoppable on the battlefield. Fil has had no success with his Ordinance; no matter how much he has sex with them they never come back alive. Until he is given Morris who wants to get to know him, but all Fil knows is sex and Morris needs sex to survive. I loved how humans were able to become weaponry, can you just imagine that. This story was super cool and my second fave.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
Even days after finishing this story, I still kept thinking about it. Former cop Tyler moves to Alaska working a desk job after being injured in the line of duty. He purchases a gun to be given as a present but then starts to have these sexy dreams about a man named Flynn. Never knowing the man he dreams about every night is connected to the gun he bought. When he finally makes the connection, it’s just a little too late for Tyler because he’s already in too deep. I loved the bit of mystery offered up in this story, and the beautiful yet sad ending. I believe this story can be looked at in many ways and it’s entirely up to the reader.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss
Rozsa is an undercover agent about the blow the lid off some gun smuggling. That’s until there was Konrad, a man Rozsa is deeply attracted to but is very much a part of the case. There’s one thing Rozsa knows is that you don’t get feelings for those involve din a case. It seems that the men share a small history, though they have never met previously, and the feelings they share for each other could be fatal. The gun is a part of both men, one makes it and the other wields it; but together they make a very loud bang. My least favourite but still an interesting story.
Overall, another winner by Storm Moon Press. This is by far the craziest and most awesmazing anthology. I never saw the gun as anything but an object that kills, now I view it as something erotic and yet dangerous. The two ingredients to killer awesome book! This has something for every reader. A little contemporary, some science-fiction, and Paranormal. With the other world goodness, and the explosive sex Weight of a Gun is not to be missed. In addition, the cover alone deserves some serious love, a perfect match to the book. So I say ‘who cares how much the gun weighs, is what they do with it that counts’. A guaranteed pants losing!
November 22, 2013
Ugh! I only got to read Cornelia Grey's story before my loan expired and this was ripped from my Kindle (that is what you get for not paying attention!). However, I borrowed this anthology for Cornelia's story so I wasn't too upset.
"Bounty Hunter" was a darker read than I expected, but excellently executed and very well conceived. It is about a complicated relationship between two men in the setting of the wild west. It was both poetic and a bit disturbing, and I think the author hit a great balance between the two. It is hard to do a lot in a short story, but Cornelia really delivers here.
"Bounty Hunter" was a darker read than I expected, but excellently executed and very well conceived. It is about a complicated relationship between two men in the setting of the wild west. It was both poetic and a bit disturbing, and I think the author hit a great balance between the two. It is hard to do a lot in a short story, but Cornelia really delivers here.
December 12, 2011
Stars: 4.5/5
Overall
I really love the cover of this anthology, which is dark and sexy without being obscene or cheesy. As for the stories, I've judged each of them below individually, but rated them as a whole anthology. Anthologies like this are tough, since they combine the talents of multiple authors and provide mixed content. This collection's works had good writing, plot, and story telling and interesting characters. It is a strong selection and definitely worth a read, especially if you like your sex a touch darker and with a gun. Even if guns aren't your thing, the stories hold their own.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
Pretty much exactly what you expect when you hear the words "gun kink." With a Western theme, the thrill of the chase and a Colt, this story hits all the major points. Grey's artful descriptions paint a gritty world interspersed with touches of love and beauty. The tale unfolds in real time with heavy (but balanced) use of flashbacks to explain everything that happened. A strong, well-rounded story that digs deep emotionally and sexually as the truth unfolds for both the reader and the characters. I found the ending fitting intellectually but unsatisfying emotionally.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
From the wild west we jump forward to a sci-fi future where planets have become super computers. In a short space, Hansen builds the world, dispersing information about it throughout the pages. Tomi is all alone on his post and when a stranger arrives saying he's supposed to work on the computer, Tomi doesn't buy it. Of course, a man all alone in the cold doesn't have much chance for companionship, and Andile is willing. What I enjoyed about this story is the plot builds to a point where the reader can't see the way out, and although some elements of the end left me questioning "Why did they..?" nothing threw me out of the story and ruined the ride. Interesting characters and a plot that leaves you with a good feeling.
The Machinist by Gryvon
This story has some interesting characters and we're thrown right into the middle of the action. However, my biggest complaint is that we're given so little in regards to the world, the history, and the characters. This feels like it belongs to a larger story that explains why the main character is in prison, what the creatures are that attack, and who the commander is. For those who like rough and kinky sex, this story satisfies with gun penetration, hair pulling, some spanking, and of course a cocked gun. Least this author pointed out that a slip of the finger could kill the lead man. The writing wasn't my favorite, but it was a strong piece nonetheless, and made me squirm in my seat.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi
Considering the basis of the story is human weapons that get their powers from having sex, this was a surprisingly tender story with minimal kink and sex. After the heavy-duty stories that came before, it was a welcome change, although some readers may be disappointed by the lack of kink. While this story doesn't delve particularly deeply into the characters, the world, or much plot, there is just enough of each for a pleasant, warm read, which is what the story aims for. The weakest part of the story is the ending, which feels slightly tagged on and slightly rushed, but isn't disruptive enough to ruin the read, and I liked the resolution, which seemed fitting, if not a touch too perfect. Finally, the weakest part is the title, which considering the quality of the story, seems lame.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
Wow. This story was dark and sexy and the plot was interesting (and suspenseful) enough that I found myself skimming through the sex to find out what was going to happen. Although not all elements were a surprise, I felt the overall plot was well handled and the big reveal was hinted at enough to substantiate the ending. I was disturbed by the ending, but it was suited to the type of story being told. While most of the characters are pretty flat, this brings all the focus to the main character and everything that has happened and will happen to him. I both hated and really liked this story.
Compromised Judgment by Penny K Moss
I found the writing in this story to be a little stiff, but I'm not certain that it's the author's style or if it is to imitate the stiffness of the character and the characters' language. There is mystery, intrigue, spying, and dangerous attractions all tangling together to form what ended up being an enjoyable story. Although there is some frustration with only seeing a glimpse of what promises to be a larger world, for the most part the knowledge the reader needs is provided within the story. The characters didn't really speak to me, although the sexual tension and eventual release was good.
Received this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
Overall
I really love the cover of this anthology, which is dark and sexy without being obscene or cheesy. As for the stories, I've judged each of them below individually, but rated them as a whole anthology. Anthologies like this are tough, since they combine the talents of multiple authors and provide mixed content. This collection's works had good writing, plot, and story telling and interesting characters. It is a strong selection and definitely worth a read, especially if you like your sex a touch darker and with a gun. Even if guns aren't your thing, the stories hold their own.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
Pretty much exactly what you expect when you hear the words "gun kink." With a Western theme, the thrill of the chase and a Colt, this story hits all the major points. Grey's artful descriptions paint a gritty world interspersed with touches of love and beauty. The tale unfolds in real time with heavy (but balanced) use of flashbacks to explain everything that happened. A strong, well-rounded story that digs deep emotionally and sexually as the truth unfolds for both the reader and the characters. I found the ending fitting intellectually but unsatisfying emotionally.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
From the wild west we jump forward to a sci-fi future where planets have become super computers. In a short space, Hansen builds the world, dispersing information about it throughout the pages. Tomi is all alone on his post and when a stranger arrives saying he's supposed to work on the computer, Tomi doesn't buy it. Of course, a man all alone in the cold doesn't have much chance for companionship, and Andile is willing. What I enjoyed about this story is the plot builds to a point where the reader can't see the way out, and although some elements of the end left me questioning "Why did they..?" nothing threw me out of the story and ruined the ride. Interesting characters and a plot that leaves you with a good feeling.
The Machinist by Gryvon
This story has some interesting characters and we're thrown right into the middle of the action. However, my biggest complaint is that we're given so little in regards to the world, the history, and the characters. This feels like it belongs to a larger story that explains why the main character is in prison, what the creatures are that attack, and who the commander is. For those who like rough and kinky sex, this story satisfies with gun penetration, hair pulling, some spanking, and of course a cocked gun. Least this author pointed out that a slip of the finger could kill the lead man. The writing wasn't my favorite, but it was a strong piece nonetheless, and made me squirm in my seat.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi
Considering the basis of the story is human weapons that get their powers from having sex, this was a surprisingly tender story with minimal kink and sex. After the heavy-duty stories that came before, it was a welcome change, although some readers may be disappointed by the lack of kink. While this story doesn't delve particularly deeply into the characters, the world, or much plot, there is just enough of each for a pleasant, warm read, which is what the story aims for. The weakest part of the story is the ending, which feels slightly tagged on and slightly rushed, but isn't disruptive enough to ruin the read, and I liked the resolution, which seemed fitting, if not a touch too perfect. Finally, the weakest part is the title, which considering the quality of the story, seems lame.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
Wow. This story was dark and sexy and the plot was interesting (and suspenseful) enough that I found myself skimming through the sex to find out what was going to happen. Although not all elements were a surprise, I felt the overall plot was well handled and the big reveal was hinted at enough to substantiate the ending. I was disturbed by the ending, but it was suited to the type of story being told. While most of the characters are pretty flat, this brings all the focus to the main character and everything that has happened and will happen to him. I both hated and really liked this story.
Compromised Judgment by Penny K Moss
I found the writing in this story to be a little stiff, but I'm not certain that it's the author's style or if it is to imitate the stiffness of the character and the characters' language. There is mystery, intrigue, spying, and dangerous attractions all tangling together to form what ended up being an enjoyable story. Although there is some frustration with only seeing a glimpse of what promises to be a larger world, for the most part the knowledge the reader needs is provided within the story. The characters didn't really speak to me, although the sexual tension and eventual release was good.
Received this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
July 7, 2012
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. Each of these dark stories showcases some sort of obsession with guns. Some stories connected with me more than others but the writing is generally very strong. The actual depiction of the gun kink is pretty similar in most of these works but a couple of the writers are especially inventive.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey (the western) 4.5 stars
Passion and guns in the wild west. This is sort of a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tale - enter our two dashing, easy going drifters - but the best bud/lovers in this story split up over moral differences. One becomes the bounty hunter, the other the prey. The gun kink is not novel nor the predominant twist here -- it's the resulting game of cat and mouse that adds to the edginess. A minor peeve: I felt like I was dropped into the middle of the story so there are flashbacks used as updates. Also, the ending really begs for 'more to come.'
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen (the sci-fi) 3.5 stars
I'm not sure I fully understood or got the world here - more info needed. I did like the main MC, Tomi, a bit of a brat - a brash and horny guy on a lonely outpost. The twist at the end with Andile, the focus of his lust, is fun though I was left wanting more follow up about these two guys.
Machinist by Gryvon (the fantasy) 4.5 stars
This one has a higher heat factor given the deep kink between our two lead guys, Harrow and Avery. Yes, again I feel as I'm inserted into the middle of the story but it seems to work better here -- it's in keeping with the slightly off-kilter feel to the action. And there's lots of action and dangerous gun-play. Avery is the machinist -- he has been kidnapped for his skills which are apparently in great demand but he doesn't want to work for just anyone. Harrow is the big, silent, alpha leader who frees Avery, literally sweeps him off his feet, and enforces his dominance over him. This is a fantasy and has a steam punk feel to me. Would love to read a more developed work and especially to see where these two guys end up. Not really even a HFN for me.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi (sci-fi) 5 stars
A unique and creative take on sex and guns. The gun kink in some of the other stories in this anthology is pretty similar -- that is, the way guns have a play in the sex but this author finds a very different way of exploring this kink. Here, select humans are able to morph artillery at their various appendages and the development of this capability is dependent on frequent sex with a selected partner. This story of Fil and Morris, a soldier and his 'sexual consort' is nicely developed and with an ending that works well. Short story writing is difficult and by its nature, often unsatisfactory for me, but the author really pulls this one off.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx (contemp/para) 3.5 stars
A psychological drama about a very special gun with a very special power. Tyler is a dried up husk of a man, a cop forced to desk work because of an on the job injury. He purchases a Browning revolver that catches his eye and eventually develops a connection with the gun that renews his passion for life and fulfills his deepest sexual fantasies. Imagine the gun as the other MC here and see how Tyler takes this obsession to a new level. I didn't really connect with the paranormal aspect of this story and the inevitable ending left me a bit cold. Still, this is another really innovative telling of gun kink.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss (historical fantasy??) 3 stars
A bit of espionage and gun running. This one starts kind of slowly which is killer for a short story. The romance aspect is interesting but I don't feel particularly invested in or connected to the MCs. This does have the most definite HEA however.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey (the western) 4.5 stars
Passion and guns in the wild west. This is sort of a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tale - enter our two dashing, easy going drifters - but the best bud/lovers in this story split up over moral differences. One becomes the bounty hunter, the other the prey. The gun kink is not novel nor the predominant twist here -- it's the resulting game of cat and mouse that adds to the edginess. A minor peeve: I felt like I was dropped into the middle of the story so there are flashbacks used as updates. Also, the ending really begs for 'more to come.'
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen (the sci-fi) 3.5 stars
I'm not sure I fully understood or got the world here - more info needed. I did like the main MC, Tomi, a bit of a brat - a brash and horny guy on a lonely outpost. The twist at the end with Andile, the focus of his lust, is fun though I was left wanting more follow up about these two guys.
Machinist by Gryvon (the fantasy) 4.5 stars
This one has a higher heat factor given the deep kink between our two lead guys, Harrow and Avery. Yes, again I feel as I'm inserted into the middle of the story but it seems to work better here -- it's in keeping with the slightly off-kilter feel to the action. And there's lots of action and dangerous gun-play. Avery is the machinist -- he has been kidnapped for his skills which are apparently in great demand but he doesn't want to work for just anyone. Harrow is the big, silent, alpha leader who frees Avery, literally sweeps him off his feet, and enforces his dominance over him. This is a fantasy and has a steam punk feel to me. Would love to read a more developed work and especially to see where these two guys end up. Not really even a HFN for me.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi (sci-fi) 5 stars
A unique and creative take on sex and guns. The gun kink in some of the other stories in this anthology is pretty similar -- that is, the way guns have a play in the sex but this author finds a very different way of exploring this kink. Here, select humans are able to morph artillery at their various appendages and the development of this capability is dependent on frequent sex with a selected partner. This story of Fil and Morris, a soldier and his 'sexual consort' is nicely developed and with an ending that works well. Short story writing is difficult and by its nature, often unsatisfactory for me, but the author really pulls this one off.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx (contemp/para) 3.5 stars
A psychological drama about a very special gun with a very special power. Tyler is a dried up husk of a man, a cop forced to desk work because of an on the job injury. He purchases a Browning revolver that catches his eye and eventually develops a connection with the gun that renews his passion for life and fulfills his deepest sexual fantasies. Imagine the gun as the other MC here and see how Tyler takes this obsession to a new level. I didn't really connect with the paranormal aspect of this story and the inevitable ending left me a bit cold. Still, this is another really innovative telling of gun kink.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss (historical fantasy??) 3 stars
A bit of espionage and gun running. This one starts kind of slowly which is killer for a short story. The romance aspect is interesting but I don't feel particularly invested in or connected to the MCs. This does have the most definite HEA however.
October 11, 2013
Bounty Hunter - 2 stars
Changing the Guard - 4 stars
The Machinist - 4 stars
My Rifle Is Human - 4 stars
In the Pines - 3 stars
Compromised Judgment - 4 stars
Changing the Guard - 4 stars
The Machinist - 4 stars
My Rifle Is Human - 4 stars
In the Pines - 3 stars
Compromised Judgment - 4 stars
December 12, 2011
The short version: if gun kink is your thing, you'll find stories you enjoy in this collection. If you're indifferent about guns but power play is your thing, you'll probably also find something tasty here. The general standard of writing is high, and the sex scenes are mostly damn hot. Still, if neither guns nor power play rev your engine, this one is probably not for you.
Anthologies are always kind of a mixed bag, even with a theme to focus on -- going for different takes on the same idea means some of them push buttons better than others. Here, also, we have a few stories that are taking a straightforward approach to the kink, and a few that are trying to get creative with it, which is always a risk.
Overall? I think it's a solid collection. My favorites were Cornelia Grey's "Bounty Hunter," an established-angsty-relationship cowboy piece with wonderful physical detail, and Penny K. Moss's "Compromised Judgment," an imperial-steampunk mystery with a lot of smoldering tension and delicious attention paid to the intricacies of power. By the time the characters actually get it on, the payoff feels great. "Changing the Guard," by Peter Hansen, is also really solid on the kink front, though it didn't engage me as much with the characters. "My Rifle is Human," by Sumi, is the most experimental take on the theme; it winds up more sweet than scorching but still enjoyable. "In the Pines," by Lydia Nyx, is a dark, supernatural-tinged mystery surrounding a gun -- it winds up more a story about a gun that also has sex scenes, rather than a story about gun kink, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who finds suicide themes upsetting, but with those caveats it's still good. Gryvon's "The Machinist" suffers most from its length (or lack thereof); the sex scene feels rushed and implausibly consensual, given the real and severe antagonism between the characters.
I won't come back to re-read everything in this anthology, but there are definitely a few that I'll come back to multiple times. And I'll be looking into more of Storm Moon's collections! More m/m to this standard is definitely something I'm looking for.
Anthologies are always kind of a mixed bag, even with a theme to focus on -- going for different takes on the same idea means some of them push buttons better than others. Here, also, we have a few stories that are taking a straightforward approach to the kink, and a few that are trying to get creative with it, which is always a risk.
Overall? I think it's a solid collection. My favorites were Cornelia Grey's "Bounty Hunter," an established-angsty-relationship cowboy piece with wonderful physical detail, and Penny K. Moss's "Compromised Judgment," an imperial-steampunk mystery with a lot of smoldering tension and delicious attention paid to the intricacies of power. By the time the characters actually get it on, the payoff feels great. "Changing the Guard," by Peter Hansen, is also really solid on the kink front, though it didn't engage me as much with the characters. "My Rifle is Human," by Sumi, is the most experimental take on the theme; it winds up more sweet than scorching but still enjoyable. "In the Pines," by Lydia Nyx, is a dark, supernatural-tinged mystery surrounding a gun -- it winds up more a story about a gun that also has sex scenes, rather than a story about gun kink, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who finds suicide themes upsetting, but with those caveats it's still good. Gryvon's "The Machinist" suffers most from its length (or lack thereof); the sex scene feels rushed and implausibly consensual, given the real and severe antagonism between the characters.
I won't come back to re-read everything in this anthology, but there are definitely a few that I'll come back to multiple times. And I'll be looking into more of Storm Moon's collections! More m/m to this standard is definitely something I'm looking for.
November 29, 2012
If you have a gun kink, the absolute best is the first book of the Dark Soul series, Dark Soul Vol. 1, that's what made me want to try this collection, because I hate guns on principle. There are 6 stories in this anthology, but strangely not one of them is pure contemporary as Dark Soul was. I don't know if it just happened or if it was a choice. The only one in a contemporary setting has a touch of paranormal. It was as if the danger/attraction to the weapons was a bit diluted. Anyway, this is a short summary of the 6 stories.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
This was my favorite, I like Cornelia's writing style. In a Western setting, the protagonists are a bounty hunter and the wanted man he has to catch. The two have a past history, one of them turned into a criminal to right something he perceived as an unjust wrong. The bounty hunter can't help feeling the old attraction and the gun he aims to the other man soon becomes a toy of pleasure. I loved the attention to details, the sex was hot and you could feel the emotions of the characters. The ending was a bit predictable, maybe. Overall I think this was the most complete story.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
Interesting, interesting world building, the more I think about it, the more I like it, and I'm not very much into sci-fi. It's the story of the guardian of a post in the middle of nowhere and a stranger who visits to allegedly fix something. The guardian doesn't trust the man, the man is a great seducer, but our guardian doesn't want to relax. Ending with a twist. How I love desolate settings. Give me a polar setting more often, please.
The Machinist by Gryvon
This short story deserves a whole novel. I don't know if it's more sci-fi or fantasy. Our main character is a machinist - and his skills must be coveted - and he's rescued from prison by someone who will probably took him into another cage. He tries to escape when the occasion presents itself, but his concern for his abductor (and maybe his attraction) keeps him close to the other man. There's a darker edge to this story, I really liked it, but I was left wanting so much more.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi
This was weird. In this world people are born with marks that identify them as a human weapon or as the person who charges them through sex. Our protagonist has been paired with "weapons" that never returned to him, and he's convinced he brings them bad luck. His new weapon though is different from the others: he's older and not so interested in having sex. I was surprised that the story started with rough sex but ended with a sort of anticipation. There wasn't enough space to delve into the personality of the characters, but there was something else there.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
I don't know what to think about this one. A cop transfers to Anchorage to begin a new life after being injured in New York. He wants to buy a gun for his brother, but the seller tells him the gun he's chosen is bad luck, the three people who had it all committed suicide with that gun. The cop buys it dismissing the weapon's history, but slowly he falls into the gun's seduction. There's a mystery plot, there's a touch of paranormal, there's obsession, loneliness, desperation. It's not a bright story, but it's the only one with a contemporary setting.
Compromised Judgment by Penny K Moss
This was a bit difficult to read. The spelling didn't invite a smooth reading. I also felt that the setting wasn't so clear. What I liked was the theme of the story, the undercover agent who has to unveil a weapon traffic, and to do so he has to trust a man he's attracted to, but who might have a different and opposing goal. There were a few observation that gave a more philosophical touch to the story, but in a short story they got a bit lost.
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
This was my favorite, I like Cornelia's writing style. In a Western setting, the protagonists are a bounty hunter and the wanted man he has to catch. The two have a past history, one of them turned into a criminal to right something he perceived as an unjust wrong. The bounty hunter can't help feeling the old attraction and the gun he aims to the other man soon becomes a toy of pleasure. I loved the attention to details, the sex was hot and you could feel the emotions of the characters. The ending was a bit predictable, maybe. Overall I think this was the most complete story.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
Interesting, interesting world building, the more I think about it, the more I like it, and I'm not very much into sci-fi. It's the story of the guardian of a post in the middle of nowhere and a stranger who visits to allegedly fix something. The guardian doesn't trust the man, the man is a great seducer, but our guardian doesn't want to relax. Ending with a twist. How I love desolate settings. Give me a polar setting more often, please.
The Machinist by Gryvon
This short story deserves a whole novel. I don't know if it's more sci-fi or fantasy. Our main character is a machinist - and his skills must be coveted - and he's rescued from prison by someone who will probably took him into another cage. He tries to escape when the occasion presents itself, but his concern for his abductor (and maybe his attraction) keeps him close to the other man. There's a darker edge to this story, I really liked it, but I was left wanting so much more.
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi
This was weird. In this world people are born with marks that identify them as a human weapon or as the person who charges them through sex. Our protagonist has been paired with "weapons" that never returned to him, and he's convinced he brings them bad luck. His new weapon though is different from the others: he's older and not so interested in having sex. I was surprised that the story started with rough sex but ended with a sort of anticipation. There wasn't enough space to delve into the personality of the characters, but there was something else there.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
I don't know what to think about this one. A cop transfers to Anchorage to begin a new life after being injured in New York. He wants to buy a gun for his brother, but the seller tells him the gun he's chosen is bad luck, the three people who had it all committed suicide with that gun. The cop buys it dismissing the weapon's history, but slowly he falls into the gun's seduction. There's a mystery plot, there's a touch of paranormal, there's obsession, loneliness, desperation. It's not a bright story, but it's the only one with a contemporary setting.
Compromised Judgment by Penny K Moss
This was a bit difficult to read. The spelling didn't invite a smooth reading. I also felt that the setting wasn't so clear. What I liked was the theme of the story, the undercover agent who has to unveil a weapon traffic, and to do so he has to trust a man he's attracted to, but who might have a different and opposing goal. There were a few observation that gave a more philosophical touch to the story, but in a short story they got a bit lost.
December 30, 2013
Overall, this read was great, especially since recently discovering I definitely caught the "guns are sexy" bug.
Spoilers!
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
4.5 STARS
This was super sexy. Actually, I wished it was a full-length story. I'd read the shit outta this. It was bittersweet. I was almost sad the MCs didn't really end up together... but the sex scene was so hot. Seriously, like if the story continued with these little rendezvouses and then eventually they were together... or not. I am a fan of endings like this one. I loved this read and would recommend the anthology for this story alone.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
2 STARS
Nothing wrong or bad with the story exactly. The idea is kind of interesting. It was wasn't in my tastes. It's sci-fi and about this lonely dude who's at a post some place I don't remember and this guy comes up and they want to have sexy-time with what I can (and will) only assume is laser guns. Well, I dunno. Sounds right up my alley but just wasn't for me.
Machinist by Gryvon
3.5 STARS
Dude was totally a bully. I wanted angry, mean sex.
Okay, so this was like fantasy in a world with killers and some island and people need machinists for stuff and yeah. Big, mean, stern faced handsome jerk (check)... small, snarky, smart, slutty MC (check)... sounds perfect. It was great and I enjoyed it, but the sex scene left a little to be desired by me.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi
4 STARS
This was cool. It's basically about love blooming on this like.. spacecraft between these two older men (older than we read in most mm romance) and it was great. Sweet, slow, and kind of romantic but also fun. It's like sci-fi.. where depending on the amount of sex (or quality, I suppose) these soldiers can morph their body parts (yes, all of them, you pervert) into artillery. Cool idea, right? Yeah, well it was cool.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
5 STARS
MY FAVORITE OF THE BOOK BY FAR.
My favorite types of book are M/M thriller or M/M horror, and I find this one kind of a M/M romance/thriller but with a bit of a macabre paranormal twist. It was perfect. Totally weird.
I was not expecting this. I thought everyone in this anthology would take the idea of a gun more literally, but not Nyx, apparently, and it was sooooo cool. Way out in right field. Flynn was basically Tyler's lover when Tyler went to sleep. Tyler soon discovers that Flynn is basically haunting this gun that Tyler can't keep his hands off of. Previous owners of this gun killed themselves and Tyler finds himself closer and closer to that end result.
This story was a perfect story, IMO.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss
3.5 STARS
This was really cool and interesting but if you would've asked me specifics or even names... I probably couldn't tell you. It was a very hard world to follow for a short story. Maybe if the story was longer I'd have had a better grasp on it, but I didn't.
It was very interesting and I was left wanting more. More of everything. More information, more time to process the information, more romance, more of the sex scenes, more justice.
Overall, really good though.
Spoilers!
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey
4.5 STARS
This was super sexy. Actually, I wished it was a full-length story. I'd read the shit outta this. It was bittersweet. I was almost sad the MCs didn't really end up together... but the sex scene was so hot. Seriously, like if the story continued with these little rendezvouses and then eventually they were together... or not. I am a fan of endings like this one. I loved this read and would recommend the anthology for this story alone.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen
2 STARS
Nothing wrong or bad with the story exactly. The idea is kind of interesting. It was wasn't in my tastes. It's sci-fi and about this lonely dude who's at a post some place I don't remember and this guy comes up and they want to have sexy-time with what I can (and will) only assume is laser guns. Well, I dunno. Sounds right up my alley but just wasn't for me.
Machinist by Gryvon
3.5 STARS
Dude was totally a bully. I wanted angry, mean sex.
Okay, so this was like fantasy in a world with killers and some island and people need machinists for stuff and yeah. Big, mean, stern faced handsome jerk (check)... small, snarky, smart, slutty MC (check)... sounds perfect. It was great and I enjoyed it, but the sex scene left a little to be desired by me.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi
4 STARS
This was cool. It's basically about love blooming on this like.. spacecraft between these two older men (older than we read in most mm romance) and it was great. Sweet, slow, and kind of romantic but also fun. It's like sci-fi.. where depending on the amount of sex (or quality, I suppose) these soldiers can morph their body parts (yes, all of them, you pervert) into artillery. Cool idea, right? Yeah, well it was cool.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx
5 STARS
MY FAVORITE OF THE BOOK BY FAR.
My favorite types of book are M/M thriller or M/M horror, and I find this one kind of a M/M romance/thriller but with a bit of a macabre paranormal twist. It was perfect. Totally weird.
I was not expecting this. I thought everyone in this anthology would take the idea of a gun more literally, but not Nyx, apparently, and it was sooooo cool. Way out in right field. Flynn was basically Tyler's lover when Tyler went to sleep. Tyler soon discovers that Flynn is basically haunting this gun that Tyler can't keep his hands off of. Previous owners of this gun killed themselves and Tyler finds himself closer and closer to that end result.
This story was a perfect story, IMO.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K. Moss
3.5 STARS
This was really cool and interesting but if you would've asked me specifics or even names... I probably couldn't tell you. It was a very hard world to follow for a short story. Maybe if the story was longer I'd have had a better grasp on it, but I didn't.
It was very interesting and I was left wanting more. More of everything. More information, more time to process the information, more romance, more of the sex scenes, more justice.
Overall, really good though.
November 28, 2013
Rating for the entire anthology - 3.5 stars
Very solid anthology. There is usually a couple of stinkers in almost every anthology, but surprisingly here there were none. In retrospect, I should have taken a little time between reading all the stories, because one can take only so much of gun play at once. But, overall, I was satisfied.
Bounty Hunter - Cornelia Grey - 3 stars
I couldn't quite get into this story. I don't know what it was - constant jumping back and forth through time or the fact I couldn't get a grip on the characters or, maybe, the Robin Hood reference. The writing was good, as always with this author, but maybe I expected too much.
Changing the Guard - Peter Hansen - 4 stars
I am sucker for sci-fi and shifty characters. I liked Vuorela's integrity and the Commander was sexy as hell. And a player too.
The Machinist - Gryvon - 4.5 stars
The best story in the anthology. It's dark and rough and dub con done the way I like. Avery is without a doubt a prisoner here, but he is resourceful and not powerless and it is he who initiates the play. And, obviously, enjoys it. Open end suited the story perfectly.
My Rifle Is Human - Sumi - 2.5 stars
It was not for me. The world was confusing, the almost symbiotic relationship through sex not satisfactorily or sufficiently explained for my taste. Happy ending with pink unicorns was too much. And I didn't get the function of het porn in the story.
In the Pines - Lydia Nyx - 3.5 stars
Creepy, well written, but predictable. I am biased and I like my (good) cops to have their HEA in this world.
Compromised Judgment - Penny K. Moss - 3.5 stars
The story wasn't bad at all and I liked Ignác and Konrád, but the use of Hungarian names was absolutely unnecessary - they didn't add anything to the story (the guys could easily be John and Smith and nothing would have changed), except it made the story harder to read.
Very solid anthology. There is usually a couple of stinkers in almost every anthology, but surprisingly here there were none. In retrospect, I should have taken a little time between reading all the stories, because one can take only so much of gun play at once. But, overall, I was satisfied.
Bounty Hunter - Cornelia Grey - 3 stars
I couldn't quite get into this story. I don't know what it was - constant jumping back and forth through time or the fact I couldn't get a grip on the characters or, maybe, the Robin Hood reference. The writing was good, as always with this author, but maybe I expected too much.
Changing the Guard - Peter Hansen - 4 stars
I am sucker for sci-fi and shifty characters. I liked Vuorela's integrity and the Commander was sexy as hell. And a player too.
The Machinist - Gryvon - 4.5 stars
The best story in the anthology. It's dark and rough and dub con done the way I like. Avery is without a doubt a prisoner here, but he is resourceful and not powerless and it is he who initiates the play. And, obviously, enjoys it. Open end suited the story perfectly.
My Rifle Is Human - Sumi - 2.5 stars
It was not for me. The world was confusing, the almost symbiotic relationship through sex not satisfactorily or sufficiently explained for my taste. Happy ending with pink unicorns was too much. And I didn't get the function of het porn in the story.
In the Pines - Lydia Nyx - 3.5 stars
Creepy, well written, but predictable. I am biased and I like my (good) cops to have their HEA in this world.
Compromised Judgment - Penny K. Moss - 3.5 stars
The story wasn't bad at all and I liked Ignác and Konrád, but the use of Hungarian names was absolutely unnecessary - they didn't add anything to the story (the guys could easily be John and Smith and nothing would have changed), except it made the story harder to read.
April 22, 2012
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey- 5 Stars
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen- 5 Stars
The Machinist by Gryvon- 4 Stars
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi- 4.5 Stars
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx- 4.5 Stars
Compromised Judgment by Penny K. Moss- 3.5 Stars
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen- 5 Stars
The Machinist by Gryvon- 4 Stars
My Rifle Is Human by Sumi- 4.5 Stars
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx- 4.5 Stars
Compromised Judgment by Penny K. Moss- 3.5 Stars
December 21, 2014
Bounty Hunter - 4 stars
Changing the Guard - 4
The Machinist - 4
In the Pines - 5
Compromised Judgment - 3
Changing the Guard - 4
The Machinist - 4
In the Pines - 5
Compromised Judgment - 3
July 23, 2019
Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey - ★★★★
I'm not too keen on westerns (I occasionally like watching them (movies/TV) but don't like reading them for some reason) and I normally hate flashbacks. But despite that, I found myself really enjoying this story. It was well written, hot, sexy, and the flashbacks were a great teaser, making me very curious about what had happened between these two, to bring them to this present confrontation. The ending was great as well, and left me with a silly grin on my face.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen - ★★★
This one was a decent read, although much too short in my opinion. And I was a bit disappointed that the sex scene was also so short, with parts of what they did together being mentioned briefly after the fact. It made things not quite as hot as they could have been. The twist at the ending was quite nice, though.
The Machinist by Gryvon - ★★★★
Oh wow...this story was smokin' hot, really kinky, and pushed all my buttons. The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars was that other than their mutual enjoyment of the kinky sex, there didn't seem to be any real connection between the characters. And the ending was a bit abrupt.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi - ★★
Another one where I just wasn't feeling any sort of connection between the characters. Morris just seemed way too...disinterested in Fil, which made the sex scene a bit lackluster and boring for me. I did think this story was the most creative of the lot, though, but it didn't feel fleshed-out enough. The setting was a kinda vague. Who or what was this enemy they were fighting? How or why do certain people end up as Ordnances and Gunslingers? Magic? A technological virus? Etc., etc. With a little more detail and answers to those questions, I would have given this another star or two for creativity alone, even despite the lack of connection between the two MCs.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx - ★★★
This was an okay story. I enjoyed the mystery and paranormal elements, but again, no real connection between the characters. And at one point I started getting a bit of a creepy/evil vibe about Flynn, and felt that he was just using Tyler, which made me not really care about the sad/bittersweet ending. And other than a very brief solo scene with Tyler and the gun, there was no erotic gunplay in this one.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss - ★★
This was my least favourite one of the bunch. I found it very confusing, like I had been dropped into the middle of a story and really had to struggle to figure out the different organizations, who was who, and what was going on. And all the names were very difficult to keep straight. By the time I got to the end, I was mentally exhausted and didn't really care about the sex.
Average rating = 3.0 (3 stars)
I'm not too keen on westerns (I occasionally like watching them (movies/TV) but don't like reading them for some reason) and I normally hate flashbacks. But despite that, I found myself really enjoying this story. It was well written, hot, sexy, and the flashbacks were a great teaser, making me very curious about what had happened between these two, to bring them to this present confrontation. The ending was great as well, and left me with a silly grin on my face.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansen - ★★★
This one was a decent read, although much too short in my opinion. And I was a bit disappointed that the sex scene was also so short, with parts of what they did together being mentioned briefly after the fact. It made things not quite as hot as they could have been. The twist at the ending was quite nice, though.
The Machinist by Gryvon - ★★★★
Oh wow...this story was smokin' hot, really kinky, and pushed all my buttons. The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars was that other than their mutual enjoyment of the kinky sex, there didn't seem to be any real connection between the characters. And the ending was a bit abrupt.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi - ★★
Another one where I just wasn't feeling any sort of connection between the characters. Morris just seemed way too...disinterested in Fil, which made the sex scene a bit lackluster and boring for me. I did think this story was the most creative of the lot, though, but it didn't feel fleshed-out enough. The setting was a kinda vague. Who or what was this enemy they were fighting? How or why do certain people end up as Ordnances and Gunslingers? Magic? A technological virus? Etc., etc. With a little more detail and answers to those questions, I would have given this another star or two for creativity alone, even despite the lack of connection between the two MCs.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx - ★★★
This was an okay story. I enjoyed the mystery and paranormal elements, but again, no real connection between the characters. And at one point I started getting a bit of a creepy/evil vibe about Flynn, and felt that he was just using Tyler, which made me not really care about the sad/bittersweet ending. And other than a very brief solo scene with Tyler and the gun, there was no erotic gunplay in this one.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss - ★★
This was my least favourite one of the bunch. I found it very confusing, like I had been dropped into the middle of a story and really had to struggle to figure out the different organizations, who was who, and what was going on. And all the names were very difficult to keep straight. By the time I got to the end, I was mentally exhausted and didn't really care about the sex.
Average rating = 3.0 (3 stars)
April 15, 2012
The Bounty Hunter by Cornelia Grey - 5 stars. Loved it.Would like to read more about these guys.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansenm - 2 stars
The Machinist by Gryvon - 3-½ stars - Liked this one. Wish it had been a little longer.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi - 4 stars.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx - 4½ stars. Loved this one. Second favourite.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss - 1 star.
Changing the Guard by Peter Hansenm - 2 stars
The Machinist by Gryvon - 3-½ stars - Liked this one. Wish it had been a little longer.
My Rifle is Human by Sumi - 4 stars.
In the Pines by Lydia Nyx - 4½ stars. Loved this one. Second favourite.
Compromised Judgement by Penny K Moss - 1 star.
January 9, 2012
Gun kink... got to love it! Awesome collection of shorts!
November 10, 2012
Slash Readers: I could spend a lot of time talking about all of the stories in here; however, I think that the above descriptions did a good time of giving you an idea about the contents of this anthology. Obviously, if you don't like guns at all or just don't care for them in sexual situations than get out now. For those of you who are alright with such things, stick around.
There are actually two stories in this anthology that stood out to me because they were different from the rest. The other stories were good, there wasn't one in here that I did not enjoy or couldn't read. But the two that jumped out as being a very different take on the topic of "Gun Kink". The two stories that fascinated me the most were, "My Rifle is a Human" and "In the Pines".
In truth I hadn't ever read anything that contained gun kink before, so this was new to me. It was interesting to see the different places that the author's all took the single topic. If you don't mind such things it's worth checking out. Cheers.
There are actually two stories in this anthology that stood out to me because they were different from the rest. The other stories were good, there wasn't one in here that I did not enjoy or couldn't read. But the two that jumped out as being a very different take on the topic of "Gun Kink". The two stories that fascinated me the most were, "My Rifle is a Human" and "In the Pines".
In truth I hadn't ever read anything that contained gun kink before, so this was new to me. It was interesting to see the different places that the author's all took the single topic. If you don't mind such things it's worth checking out. Cheers.
March 11, 2015
This anthology deals with the erotic fetish of guns. Plus the guy on the cover is super hot. Love that illustration. My favorites in the anthology were the last three. My Rifle is Human, I found, was the most romantic and less erotic of all the stories, which is what I prefer if I'm reading romance. So nice and sweet. There was a story dealing in a Western type era, which wasn't too bad either. I did enjoy the one with the hunted gun. I like how it was written and it kept me the most interested in all the stories in the anthology. I believe anyone who does like romance will find something of interest in these stories with the added kink of gun play. Enjoy!
June 16, 2013
All the stories revolve around using gunplay (if you hadn't already picked that up from the title). The first few stories really weren't what I was expecting when I started out reading this and I should have read the blurb before purchasing the anthology (damn me for never doing so when it comes to anthologies). But the last few finally showcased what I was looking forward to reading and it turned the tide and I started to really enjoy the anthology.
September 6, 2015
I'm going to keep this one short and not review all the stories. I enjoyed the book overall. By looking at the blurb understand that the stories are pretty "raw", if this isn't something you like DON'T READ. I like grittier tales so I enjoyed the stories. The authors all wrote very well. The characters were interesting and each story is different.
November 7, 2013
Bounty Hunter - Cornelia Grey - 3
Changing the Guard - Peter Hansen - 3
The Machinist - Gryvon - 4
My Rifle Is Human - Sumi - 3.5
In The Pines - Lydia Nyx - 2.5
Compromised Judgment - Penny K. Moss - 2
Changing the Guard - Peter Hansen - 3
The Machinist - Gryvon - 4
My Rifle Is Human - Sumi - 3.5
In The Pines - Lydia Nyx - 2.5
Compromised Judgment - Penny K. Moss - 2
April 10, 2012
3.5 stars
Interesting anthology... who knew guns could be so kinky hot!
Interesting anthology... who knew guns could be so kinky hot!
Want to read
August 10, 2012Bounty Hunter
Changing the Guard
The Machinist
In My Rifle Is Human
In the Pines
Compromised Judgment
$6.99 on Nook
Changing the Guard
The Machinist
In My Rifle Is Human
In the Pines
Compromised Judgment
$6.99 on Nook
oh-hell-no
September 3, 2012Thanks Veronica for the heads up. I draw the line at putting firearms in the backside!
February 23, 2013
DNF two stories.
October 26, 2015
2012 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Read
August 13, 2016Just read The Machinist
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