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Playing Ball
Baseball—America's favorite pastime—provides a field wide open for romance. A Home Field Advantage may not help when Toby must choose between the team he’s loved all his life and the man he could love for the rest of it. In 1927, Skip hides his sexuality to protect his career until he meets One Man to Remember. Ruben and Alan fell victim to a Wild Pitch, leaving them struggling with heartache and guilt, and now they've met again. And on One Last Road Trip, Jake retires and leaves baseball behind, hoping to reconnect with Mikko and get a second chance at love.
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2013
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Freeman
7 books4 followersBorn and raised in the Southern US, Kerry Freeman was the quintessential tomboy who'd rather play war with the neighborhood boys than get near a doll. She discovered a love of words early, reading everything in sight.
Kerry writes contemporary gay romance/Boys' Love novels, and her dream is to have her books translated for the Asian market. Many of her stories, including "One Last Road Trip" in the Rainbow Award-winning Playing Ball , are about baseball players. As Jamie in What We Deserve would say, you have to love the guys in those tight baseball pants.
Loves: Oxford Comma, baseball, reading non-fiction
Hates: Bananas, underwire bras, stories without a happy ending
Kerry lives in the Southern US with her husband and spoiled rotten furbabies.
Kerry writes contemporary gay romance/Boys' Love novels, and her dream is to have her books translated for the Asian market. Many of her stories, including "One Last Road Trip" in the Rainbow Award-winning Playing Ball , are about baseball players. As Jamie in What We Deserve would say, you have to love the guys in those tight baseball pants.
Loves: Oxford Comma, baseball, reading non-fiction
Hates: Bananas, underwire bras, stories without a happy ending
Kerry lives in the Southern US with her husband and spoiled rotten furbabies.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 21, 2014
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 STARS
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray : 3.5 stars
The only historical in this collection – it has the conflict of two men living in an era where being with men is still impossible. I like the idea of relationship between a baseball player and a reporter. Unfortunately, the length makes the story feel unfinished and happy for now only. Still, I like that Skip seems to know what he wants when it comes to baseball and love.
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor : 3.5 stars
I wonder a bit why Toby is so scared about his sexuality when he is not exactly an active player of the Braves. The blurb is pretty much what the story is all about. There is chemistry and ease between Toby and Caleb, all right, so the friendship is believable. It has a better ‘closure’ than the previous story.
Tne Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman : 4 stars
Ah, road trip! I’m in bliss. What I love SO MUCH about this one is not only the fact that Jake is adamant to take Mikko back (what can I say, I love “the one who got away” theme) but the family support behind Jake’s decision. Jake’s ex-wife is SUPER awesome. Jake’s son and daughter are also great. There is enough flashback to give background about Jake and Mikko’s past relationship … although, I think the whole story would be better with more chapters to ease Jake back to Mikko’s life, and what happens afterwards. Still, the theme and the road trip makes this one a winner for me.
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe : 3.5 stars
Classic friends to lovers story, sprinkled with kids to make the story adorable. It is good and I enjoyed Alan’s change of heart and the realization of what Ruben means to him. Being friends for so long, the level of comfort between these two men is very apparent, and I think the scenes with Alan’s children are such a treasure. If only I had more stories about ‘their past’ since I kind of missed the start of their relationship.
All in all, a good collection with baseball / sports theme.
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray : 3.5 stars
The only historical in this collection – it has the conflict of two men living in an era where being with men is still impossible. I like the idea of relationship between a baseball player and a reporter. Unfortunately, the length makes the story feel unfinished and happy for now only. Still, I like that Skip seems to know what he wants when it comes to baseball and love.
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor : 3.5 stars
I wonder a bit why Toby is so scared about his sexuality when he is not exactly an active player of the Braves. The blurb is pretty much what the story is all about. There is chemistry and ease between Toby and Caleb, all right, so the friendship is believable. It has a better ‘closure’ than the previous story.
Tne Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman : 4 stars
Ah, road trip! I’m in bliss. What I love SO MUCH about this one is not only the fact that Jake is adamant to take Mikko back (what can I say, I love “the one who got away” theme) but the family support behind Jake’s decision. Jake’s ex-wife is SUPER awesome. Jake’s son and daughter are also great. There is enough flashback to give background about Jake and Mikko’s past relationship … although, I think the whole story would be better with more chapters to ease Jake back to Mikko’s life, and what happens afterwards. Still, the theme and the road trip makes this one a winner for me.
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe : 3.5 stars
Classic friends to lovers story, sprinkled with kids to make the story adorable. It is good and I enjoyed Alan’s change of heart and the realization of what Ruben means to him. Being friends for so long, the level of comfort between these two men is very apparent, and I think the scenes with Alan’s children are such a treasure. If only I had more stories about ‘their past’ since I kind of missed the start of their relationship.
All in all, a good collection with baseball / sports theme.
August 1, 2019
Each of these stories were interesting tales about baseball.
Home Field: Toby is the grandson of the Atlanta Braves owner, when he meets new recruit Caleb, sparks fly, but both young men know that being out in a pro sport isn't easy. When they are outed, they have a choice to make, stand up for themselves or run away.
One Man to Remember: Walter Selby is a reporter during the time of Babe Ruth, covering baseball, a time when being gay is a crime, and being caught kissing another man in public could lead to being arrested. Skip Littlefield just wants to play ball for the Giants, without drawing attention to himself, unfortunately he caught Walters' attention. Their friendship turns to a relationship, but when the owners of the Giants catch wind of Skip spending time with Walter they warn him way, they must make a decision if being friend in public is worth the possibility of being outed and prosecuted.
Wild Pitch: Alan and Ruben have been friends forever, they played ball on the same team until an incident sent Ruben running to a different team. They are both retired from the majors and divorced, but can the sparks that have been simmering between the two of them finally blossom or will Alan keep things on the side lines as things have always been in order to keep their friendship intact.
One Last Road Trip: Jake has played his last game in the Majors, he is now driving across the country in hopes of reuniting with a lost love, on the way stopping to see his ex-wife, his son and daughter and revealing a secret he has kept from his kids.
Each of these stories show various different aspect of love from lost love to friends to lovers, and how you should never give up on love or let the world around you dictate who you can love.
Home Field: Toby is the grandson of the Atlanta Braves owner, when he meets new recruit Caleb, sparks fly, but both young men know that being out in a pro sport isn't easy. When they are outed, they have a choice to make, stand up for themselves or run away.
One Man to Remember: Walter Selby is a reporter during the time of Babe Ruth, covering baseball, a time when being gay is a crime, and being caught kissing another man in public could lead to being arrested. Skip Littlefield just wants to play ball for the Giants, without drawing attention to himself, unfortunately he caught Walters' attention. Their friendship turns to a relationship, but when the owners of the Giants catch wind of Skip spending time with Walter they warn him way, they must make a decision if being friend in public is worth the possibility of being outed and prosecuted.
Wild Pitch: Alan and Ruben have been friends forever, they played ball on the same team until an incident sent Ruben running to a different team. They are both retired from the majors and divorced, but can the sparks that have been simmering between the two of them finally blossom or will Alan keep things on the side lines as things have always been in order to keep their friendship intact.
One Last Road Trip: Jake has played his last game in the Majors, he is now driving across the country in hopes of reuniting with a lost love, on the way stopping to see his ex-wife, his son and daughter and revealing a secret he has kept from his kids.
Each of these stories show various different aspect of love from lost love to friends to lovers, and how you should never give up on love or let the world around you dictate who you can love.
September 30, 2013
Four short stories about the struggle to be gay in the major leagues, whether it be as a player or someone more behind the scenes. Each of these men has a story to tell, as a couple or as an individual. The common thread? Baseball!
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray ~ This story has a historical romance aspect to it as it’s set in the 1920’s when being gay could still get you arrested. As well the ML frequent speak easy’s as prohibition is still enforced and them being a couple is majorly overlooking in such establishments. When the team owners begin to notice that their star player, Skip Littlefield, is spending too much time with the sports writer, Walter Selby, a known homosexual. They quickly demand he end the ‘friendship’. Will the budding affair survive prying eyes until the season is over?
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor ~ Go braves! Toby MacMillan is the grandson of Ray MacMillan, current owner of the Atlanta Braves. He loves this team and his job running day to day affairs of the team and the players. When he meets the newest recruit, Caleb Browning, sparks fly immediately. The two share a very steamy, very passionate night that ends with Toby pushing Caleb away. He knows that neither of them can afford to pursue a relationship, there is no way they can be public, and his grandfather would disown him. After an accident leaves Caleb in the hospital their secret is exposed. Will Toby cave to his grandfather’s demands that he deny the man he loves? Or will he risk everything to be with Caleb?
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman ~ Jake Wilson met the love of his life in college, when his pro baseball career was just starting. After a painful break up he met and married his wife, and fathered two beautiful children. He doesn’t regret his marriage, career or kids. What he does regret is losing the man he loved, Mikko. Jake is bisexual, and has finally shared this secret with his family. Now divorced and with his kids blessing, he takes a road trip to find the one that got away. Mikko is less than welcoming, but Jake lays it all on the line, leaving Mikko and going back home. Mikko has to decide if it’s worth the risk to allow Jake back into his life. Will Jake lose his love a second time around?
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe ~ Ruben Martell has been in love with Alan Hartner for decades. They are both bisexual men that married woman and have families, but always harbored something special for each other. Now that they no longer have wives, Ruben is more determined than ever to have a relationship with Alan. But Alan is just as determined to keep things in the friends zone. A shared passion and desire soon have them delving back into familiar territory. Can they find a balance between friendship, family and love for each other?
I hate baseball, it’s like watching paint dry! But this anthology of short stories based within the sport left me breathless. Each story is different and unique. All the men share an almost common goal of keeping their sexuality a secret. And in the end they will all have to decide if that secret is more important than the happiness they deserve. Sex, steam, passion and baseball. That is what Playing Ball is all about!
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray ~ This story has a historical romance aspect to it as it’s set in the 1920’s when being gay could still get you arrested. As well the ML frequent speak easy’s as prohibition is still enforced and them being a couple is majorly overlooking in such establishments. When the team owners begin to notice that their star player, Skip Littlefield, is spending too much time with the sports writer, Walter Selby, a known homosexual. They quickly demand he end the ‘friendship’. Will the budding affair survive prying eyes until the season is over?
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor ~ Go braves! Toby MacMillan is the grandson of Ray MacMillan, current owner of the Atlanta Braves. He loves this team and his job running day to day affairs of the team and the players. When he meets the newest recruit, Caleb Browning, sparks fly immediately. The two share a very steamy, very passionate night that ends with Toby pushing Caleb away. He knows that neither of them can afford to pursue a relationship, there is no way they can be public, and his grandfather would disown him. After an accident leaves Caleb in the hospital their secret is exposed. Will Toby cave to his grandfather’s demands that he deny the man he loves? Or will he risk everything to be with Caleb?
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman ~ Jake Wilson met the love of his life in college, when his pro baseball career was just starting. After a painful break up he met and married his wife, and fathered two beautiful children. He doesn’t regret his marriage, career or kids. What he does regret is losing the man he loved, Mikko. Jake is bisexual, and has finally shared this secret with his family. Now divorced and with his kids blessing, he takes a road trip to find the one that got away. Mikko is less than welcoming, but Jake lays it all on the line, leaving Mikko and going back home. Mikko has to decide if it’s worth the risk to allow Jake back into his life. Will Jake lose his love a second time around?
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe ~ Ruben Martell has been in love with Alan Hartner for decades. They are both bisexual men that married woman and have families, but always harbored something special for each other. Now that they no longer have wives, Ruben is more determined than ever to have a relationship with Alan. But Alan is just as determined to keep things in the friends zone. A shared passion and desire soon have them delving back into familiar territory. Can they find a balance between friendship, family and love for each other?
I hate baseball, it’s like watching paint dry! But this anthology of short stories based within the sport left me breathless. Each story is different and unique. All the men share an almost common goal of keeping their sexuality a secret. And in the end they will all have to decide if that secret is more important than the happiness they deserve. Sex, steam, passion and baseball. That is what Playing Ball is all about!
October 11, 2014
This anthology has 4 stories, each a good novella size so you get a good shot at the story. All are well written, tackling different aspects of baseball, all are good enjoyable stories.
One Man to Remember
Based in the late 1920's, the tale of Skip and Walt evokes the difficulties, perils and bravery faced by gay people in that era. I learnt all about Murderers Row and the prohibition speakeasys. Thought provoking story.
Home Field Advantage
Contemporary story about Toby (grandson of team owner) and new player Caleb being outed by a sneaky reporter. Despite their initial attraction, Toby had tried to back off but after a game injury, they are careless whilst Caleb is still in hospial. Defying his grandfather, Toby makes an impassioned speech despite disinheritance threats. Nice story, for when sugary sweet is what you need.
One Last Road Trip
A tale from the retirement end of Baseball. Jake has played his last season and is heading home to retire - and find if his lost college love, Mikko, will let him back in. On the way he visits his ex wife and then his two children, as well as his past and all the Mikko memories - including how he hadn't been able to step up to the plate for Mikko.
I liked that the MC's were older - and Jake's travelling companions!
Wild Pitch
Two retired players are now partners at a little league training centre. Ruben has come out after divorcing his wife. Alan is raising his 4 sons after the death of his wife. Unresolved feelings from two intimate instances are still causing friction years later. Ruben and Alan are now at a make r break point in their relationship
One Man to Remember
Based in the late 1920's, the tale of Skip and Walt evokes the difficulties, perils and bravery faced by gay people in that era. I learnt all about Murderers Row and the prohibition speakeasys. Thought provoking story.
Home Field Advantage
Contemporary story about Toby (grandson of team owner) and new player Caleb being outed by a sneaky reporter. Despite their initial attraction, Toby had tried to back off but after a game injury, they are careless whilst Caleb is still in hospial. Defying his grandfather, Toby makes an impassioned speech despite disinheritance threats. Nice story, for when sugary sweet is what you need.
One Last Road Trip
A tale from the retirement end of Baseball. Jake has played his last season and is heading home to retire - and find if his lost college love, Mikko, will let him back in. On the way he visits his ex wife and then his two children, as well as his past and all the Mikko memories - including how he hadn't been able to step up to the plate for Mikko.
I liked that the MC's were older - and Jake's travelling companions!
Wild Pitch
Two retired players are now partners at a little league training centre. Ruben has come out after divorcing his wife. Alan is raising his 4 sons after the death of his wife. Unresolved feelings from two intimate instances are still causing friction years later. Ruben and Alan are now at a make r break point in their relationship
May 16, 2015
Overall, I enjoyed this anthology a lot. I'm not into sports at all, but I always enjoy reading M/M novels set in the world of sport, be it professional or amateur, but I hadn't previously read many based around baseball, so this was a nice change.
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray
Nice little story. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the 1920s, it's an era that I haven't read much about but that seems fascinating.
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor
This was good. I thought it was a little bit insta-love but it kind of worked and I liked both Toby and Caleb as characters. The ending was a little predictable - you could tell from the very start that there would be a public coming out, but it was handled nicely and I particularly enjoyed the press conference scene.
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman
I have a penchant for friends to lovers and reunited love stories. I enjoyed reading about Jake's relationship with his ex-wife and children and thought their reactions to his coming out were realistic. My only complaint is that the reunion between Jake and Mikko happened too quickly. All in all a nice read.
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Libbe
This was my favourite of the stories in the anthology. I enjoyed the friends to lovers theme and the interaction with both Alan's and Ruben's kids. It was well written, well paced and an all round good read.
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray
Nice little story. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the 1920s, it's an era that I haven't read much about but that seems fascinating.
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor
This was good. I thought it was a little bit insta-love but it kind of worked and I liked both Toby and Caleb as characters. The ending was a little predictable - you could tell from the very start that there would be a public coming out, but it was handled nicely and I particularly enjoyed the press conference scene.
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman
I have a penchant for friends to lovers and reunited love stories. I enjoyed reading about Jake's relationship with his ex-wife and children and thought their reactions to his coming out were realistic. My only complaint is that the reunion between Jake and Mikko happened too quickly. All in all a nice read.
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Libbe
This was my favourite of the stories in the anthology. I enjoyed the friends to lovers theme and the interaction with both Alan's and Ruben's kids. It was well written, well paced and an all round good read.
October 15, 2013
I am not usually a big fan of anthologies because it takes a particular talent to convey a well developed story within the constraints of a short novella. Most short stories leave me wishing there was more to the story. However, I am a huge baseball fan and I love stories about baseball. And I loved this small collection of shorts. I thought they were all well written and I was left with a satisfied feeling at the end of each that the whole story had been told. Of course, Kate McMurray always tells a great baseball story. Her love of the game always comes shining through. And I was so glad to see Kerry Freeman's contribution. Her "Pine Tar & Sweet Tea" is one of my all-time favorite baseball reads and her contribution here did not disappoint. I had not read anything by Marguerite Labbe or Shae Connor prior to this, but enjoyed their stories very much and liked their writing style so I will definitely check out more of their books.
This anthology provided a great array of characters with well told stories and just the right amount of angst, romance and hotness in a small bite.
This anthology provided a great array of characters with well told stories and just the right amount of angst, romance and hotness in a small bite.
May 5, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. I'm not the biggest baseball fan so I expected it to be a little harder to get through, but it wasn't at all. I liked all four stories, and all 8 MCs. I can't pick a favorite because I enjoyed them all really. I'd love to see them expanded on a little, and find out what happens next. I want to know more.
October 15, 2013
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
4 Great Authors, 4 Wonderful Stories. If you love baseball, if you love romance, this collection has something for all of you.
For my full review and individual story reviews, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-1Ae
ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords.com
December 24, 2014
One Man to Remember- loved it! 1927 baseball. total fun.
Home Field Advantage - enjoyed it.
One Last Road trip- DNF. more a comment on me than book. I didn't want to read about Jake msking a mistake 20 years ago.
Wild Pitch- really liked this, too.
Home Field Advantage - enjoyed it.
One Last Road trip- DNF. more a comment on me than book. I didn't want to read about Jake msking a mistake 20 years ago.
Wild Pitch- really liked this, too.
October 15, 2016
Kate McMurray 3 stars
Shae Connor 4 stars
Kerry Freeman 4 stars
Marguerite Labbe 4 stars
I know absolutely nothing about this game, but it was still 4 lovely short stories
Shae Connor 4 stars
Kerry Freeman 4 stars
Marguerite Labbe 4 stars
I know absolutely nothing about this game, but it was still 4 lovely short stories
November 4, 2014
"One Man to Remember" by Kate McMurray - 4*
"Home Field Advantage" by Shae Connor - 2*
"One Last Road Trip" by Kerry Freeman - 4*
"Wild Pitch" by Marguerite Labbe - 3*
"Home Field Advantage" by Shae Connor - 2*
"One Last Road Trip" by Kerry Freeman - 4*
"Wild Pitch" by Marguerite Labbe - 3*
December 6, 2015
2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
October 31, 2016
Differents stories, differents pleasures. For an autumn afternoon.
October 7, 2018
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray - 3 stars
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor - 3,5 stars
The Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman - 3 stars
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe - 3 stars
Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor - 3,5 stars
The Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman - 3 stars
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe - 3 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews