Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 8

by Cherie Noel, Reece McKinley, S.A. Meade

The stories you are about to read celebrate love, sex and romance between men. They are a product of the Love Has No Boundaries promotion sponsored by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group, and each anthology is published as a gift to you.

What Is Love Has No Boundaries?

The Goodreads M/M Romance Group invited members to choose a photo and pen a letter asking for a short M/M romance story inspired by the image; authors from the group were then encouraged to select a letter and write an original tale. The result was an outpouring of creativity that shone a spotlight on the special bond between M/M romance writers and the people who love what they produce.

Nearly 190 stories were submitted and have now been published as a twelve volume set with two additional bonus volumes, titled Love Has No Boundaries. This edition is Volume 8.

Words of Caution

The stories in this collection may contain sexually explicit content and are intended for adult readers. They may also contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that the reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

Stories in Volume 8:

UNDENIABLE by Reece McKinley
THAT GOOD EARTH by S.A. Meade
IN HIS SHOES by K.A. Merikan
FINDING THE TIME by Summer Michaels
COASTING EAST by Lashley Mills
DOCTOR’S PUPPY LOVE by Shayla Mist
CHILDREN OF FIRE AND CLAY by Azza Mitchell
ASS OVER TEACUP by Jackie Nacht
B-SIDES by Cheryl Nitely
QUALITY CONTROL by Cherie Noel
NEEDING YOU by Alicia Nordwell
WHEN I SAW YOU by Alicia Nordwell

Genres: Anthologies, M M Romance, Romance, Short Stories, LGBT, Fiction, Gay

740 pages, ebook

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

I’ve been in love with words since before I drew breath, and I don’t see that ever changing. I write stories. Sometimes I write music with them, sometimes they’re poems, and lately, to my great delight, M/M erotic romance.
Yum.
Smexy man to the second…or third power…now that’s the kinda math I can get behind!!
The hair curls or frizzes as it will, the eyes are green and tend to look in two different directions—no, really—and the rest is subject to change. You know the guy who didn’t know if he was a butterfly dreaming he was a man or a man dreaming he was a butterfly? Yeah, that’s me, but substitute drag queen for butterfly and wacky, wild ex-Army chick for man.

Reviews

[Exina]

No rating.

Just like in Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 7, the stories in this collection didn’t appeal to me.

One of them sounded good though, or looked good…
Just take a look at the cover!



Ass Over Teacup by Jackie Nacht - 2.5 stars
My review.

[Aya · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of shorts that were a bit hit and miss for me but I imagine if contemporary is your thing then you will probably enjoy this anthology more that I did.

UNDENIABLE by Reece McKinley: ★★★ ½
An angst filled read with likeable MCs and an HEA. There are moments that will pull at your heartstrings.
THAT GOOD EARTH by S.A. Meade: ★★★★
I loved the war setting, the pace, plot, and writing. I couldn’t help but fall in love with both the MCs, I found myself emotionally invested and at the edge of my seat throughout.
IN HIS SHOES by K.A. Merikan: ★★
The beginning just seemed pointless, I felt it didn't really add any value to the story. I just really connect with the characters.
FINDING THE TIME by Summer Michaels: ★
I felt like there was no real plot there and not much of a climax.
COASTING EAST by Lashley Mills: ★
I'm not a big fan of contemporary, NA stories unless there's a heavy BDSM or non-con element. POV jumped too rapidly and pace was too slow. I found the story uninteresting and verbose.
DOCTOR’S PUPPY LOVE by Shayla Mist: ★★ ½
Cute story, likeable characters. Good pace, easy read.
CHILDREN OF FIRE AND CLAY by Azza Mitchell: ★★
I think the concept was interesting but I found it anticlimactic and thought the beginning was a little slow. I found the voice that comes through with YA and NA stories a little annoying, as is the case here. I think this story could have benefitted written as a full length novel which provides the opportunity for a more detailed characterisation and world building.
ASS OVER TEACUP by Jackie Nacht: ★★
Short and sweet conemporary read. If that's your thing than you'll probably enjoy it more than I did.
B-SIDES by Cheryl Nitely: ★★ ½
A contemporary story with an HFN, may be good for some but not for me. I wanted to connect with the characters a little more and the story felt incomplete. A lot of people seemed to dislike the epilogue, personally I didn't have a problem with it, it gives the opportunity for another instalment.
QUALITY CONTROL by Cherie Noel: ★★
The dynamic between the MCs was sweet. The whole condom prompt was a little odd but I thought it could make for an interesting plot in a somewhat bizarro way. Unfortunately, the story just didn't deliver what I expected.
NEEDING YOU by Alicia Nordwell: ★★★ ½
I love BDSM and PNR reads, so this one was right up my alley. It was an easy read, with good pace, I enjoyed the characters and the main plot. I would have like that little bit more on Cason's self discovery.
WHEN I SAW YOU by Alicia Nordwell: ★★★
A story that is rather well written. Recommended for those that like a sweet & simple contemporary romance.

Total: ★★ ½

This was a free read from the M/M Romance Group.

[Lila Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several nice short stories, only skipped a couple.

[*Nan* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall rating about a 3.5 .

[Elin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undeniable by Reece McKinley - August 4 - ★★★☆☆
After losing their Sire Regina, both Jack and Liam struggles. Jack (the younger one) is trying to keep Liam in check, but Liam just keeps getting into trouble. Liam gets reported to the Vampire Queen (who also is Regina's sister), for risking exposure to humans. He has to stand trial, and if she convicts him, he dies.
Jack tries his best to find exonerating evidence, because he cannot bare to loose Liam. And he ends up bonding them to keep him alive. Afterwords, when the Queen has decided to let them live, Liam tells Jack that he has been in love with him since the beginning, but doesn't think he deserves him. But of course Jack is in love with Liam too.

Sure, it was a fast and easy read. But it lacked in the build up of feelings between them. For such a short story, there was too much focus on Jack and him trying to find evidence to save Liam, and not enough interaction and build up between the two of them. And it ended just after it had gotten good...

That Good Earth by S.A. Meade - August 5 - ★★☆☆☆
Second Lieutenant Arthur Reed and Lieutenant William McCall meet hiding out in a muddy hole in no-mans-land during ww1. Arthur is a RAF pilot, and he has crashed his plane, and William is hiding waiting on rescue. The wait out the night together, and share a secret kiss.
When they are rescued, and Arthur needs to return to his, they decide to write to each other. But not long after Arthur gets word that William is missing, and maybe dead. He mourns, until one day years later, when William shows up at his work. Neither one has been able to get over each other and the night they shared, and now William wants Arthur to come live with him and help work at the farm.
Arthur first hesitates, but later changes his mind.

I didn't much care for the first part, the second was better (but still not that good). This felt like way too much insta-love for me, all they had was a night hiding in a muddy hole surrounded by death and war (it didn't feel enough), and some letters (but since they had to hide from risk of someone reading them, they were pretty generic).

In His Shoes by K.A. Merikan - August 5 - ★★★☆☆
In London, circa 1887, Frank and Jasper are friends, roommates and business-partners. They run a pimping business, and are finally making some money. But then Jasper sets his eye on the shoes of a wealthy client of one of the whores. They try to ambush/rob him in a dark alley, but things go wrong, and Frank kills him, and then a bum who attacks them.
Feeling the rush of the kill Frank kisses Jasper (something he has been fantasizing about), and when Jasper responds, it turns to sex over a crate in the dark alley, with the dead bodies cooling close by.

This was pretty dark. I wasn't to fond of the sex just after murder part, and about half of the story was just sex. But it was well written, and I wanted to read more about them, and what happened next...

Finding the Time by Summer Michaels - August 5 - ★★☆☆☆
Memphis and Jake has been in a relationship for two years and living together almost as long. But lately both of them has been busy, and they have been spending less time together. Jake working as a high school teacher and taking night classes, and Memphis working as a US Marshall. But Memphis misses Jake, and decides to make plans for a long vacation together...

There was too much happening here for such a short story. All the stuff about Jake's childhood, and the shootout, and Memphis family; and not enough focus on them. They were supposed to find their way back to each other, but merely made plans to do so in the future (also, where was the chemistry and, seriously, where was the lube)...

Coasting East by Lashley Mills - August 5 - ★★★☆☆
Justin Meyer and Parker Klein met in college, and fell in love. They are still together, after three years, but are still not out to friends and family.
After college they moved back home to their parents while looking for jobs, but now they have jobs, and want to make a home together. But first they have to come out. That is met with love and understanding, and as it turns out most of their families already knew.
After much looking, they finally find a house, and move in together.

This was too sugary, and just love-y, dove-y feelings all the time. And there were no real obstacles, it all went too easy for my liking. I want a little angst at least :D.

Doctor's Puppy Love by Shayla Mist - August 5 - ★★★★☆
Colt Anderson is working as an ER doctor at a small-town hospital. When Nico starts as a new nurse, Colt immediately starts ribbing and bullying him, and basically being a dick. But then they loose a patient, and when Nico goes out to get wasted, Colt is there and looks after him.
The bond over clothes-shopping, and Colt finally kisses him, but blows it later when he tells another colleague Nico's just a naive little kid.
Colt regrets it, because he's starting to realize he's falling for Nico. Colt has to grovel a bit, but eventually gets back on Nico's good side, and they can start trying for something real...

Apart from all the "kid" and "pup"-nicknames/endearments, I quite liked this one. Sure, Colt was a bit of an ignorant dick in the beginning, but he came around. The writing was quick and funny, and the character's were good.

Children of Fire and Clay by Azza Mitchell - August 6 - ★★☆☆☆
Basil is a djinn prince, with glamour passing as a human going to college. He has wanted his roommate Rowan for a long time, and is surprised to find out that Rowan wants him too when Rowan kisses him.
They start a relationship, but because Basil accidentally gave Rowan his flask, his vessel, Basil is bound to Rowan, and Rowan is his master.
When Basil and Rowan is attacked by other supernaturals that wants to take the flask and the control over Basil, Basil is forced to reveal his true nature.
Rowan first freaks out, but later they make up (and out).

I felt like the mythology lacked a bit, it could have used some more explanation, it wasn't all that clear who was what, and what that "what" was.
There was not much chemistry between Rowan and Basil, and their relationship didn't really progress, it was just a couple of sex-scenes.

Ass Over Teacup by Jackie Nacht - August 6 - ★★★☆☆
Ulysses and Brent has been friends for a while, they met in college, and are now almost done, both doing internships. Lately they have both started having feelings for each other, but neither has said anything for fear of ruining their friendship.
Ulysses is a bit clumsy, and when he falls in the shower and ends up in the hospital he confesses his feelings while under the influence of pain-meds, and this gives Brant the courage to take a chance on them. But since Ulysses is injured, they have to take it slow.

This was sweet and short, but nothing special.

B-Sides by Cheryl Nitely - August 6 - ★★★★☆
J.R. Hall is a successful country singer, but to get there he had to sacrifice his love life, since he's gay, and you can't be out in country. He's miserable trying to hide who he really is.
Then he meets country radio DJ Wyatt Ford. Wyatt comes on to J.R., who at first turns him down. But when he finds out that his old boyfriend and only love has moved on and met someone else, J.R. takes a chance on Wyatt. But of course they have to be careful to not get found out, or it could mean the end to both their careers. But finally J.R. has come to a place in his life where he wants to take that chance, and see where it leads...

I thought this was good, and it could easily have been made into a full-length book.
The epilogue was a bit confusing though, it didn't really felt needed (unless there was going to be a continuation on the story).

Quality Control by Cherie Noel - August 7 - ★★★☆☆
A couple of years ago Paulie worked as a controller at a condom-factory. One fatal day he was suffering from the flu, and that resulted in a lot of faulty condoms, and a lot of unexpected pregnancies.
Paulie has been dealing with the guilt ever since, and are almost done becoming a nurse, when he does a head-plant onto the asphalt, and meets Eli.
Eli and Sasha was best friends in high school, and a decision to have sex (even though Eli is gay), resulted in a daughter when they used a faulty condom.
Now there's immediate attraction between Eli and Paulie, and Eli takes him with him home, and they have a hot night, and things are going well. Until Paulie realizes he's the reason Eli and Sasha (who knew Paulie through nursing school) have a daughter.
But Eli convinces Paulie to give them a try anyway.

This was a little too sweet, and a little too insta-love. I also felt like some of the conversations were too unrealistic, and stiff. But there was some humorous moments, and I liked the Doctor Who references.

Needing You by Alicia Nordwell - August 7 - ★★★★☆
Cason is a descendant of a deimon, meaning he's very good at reading people. He uses this ability as a Dom to help subs find their way and to realize their desires. But that means that the subs only wants him for a one-time thing. Cason has been satisfied with this, and by helping the subs. But lately he wants more. Lately he wants Vince, a lost sub, but when it comes to Vince his powers aren't working.
Regardless he wants to help Vince, and he simply wants him. And Vince wants him too. But Vince has been hurt by previous Doms, and Cason has to take it slow and show Vince that submission is given not taken.
After their sessions, Cason expects Vince to leave, and when he doesn't seem to do that, he chases him away.
But their common friend gets them together again, and Cason explains all that he is and why he was pushing Vince away, when Vince wanted to stay...

I liked this one. It was well written, and the characters good. There was chemistry between Cason and Vince, and neither of them was perfect. I very much liked the fact that it wasn't insta-love, and a little angsty.
What I didn't like so much was the paranormal elements of Cason being a deimon, and what came with. I prefer pure contemporary romances, and didn't think that this deimon-business was really needed.

When I Saw You by Alicia Nordwell - August 7 - ★★★☆☆
Balian is a photographer, erotic and other, with an ass-fetish. He's at a local college taking pictures for a exhibition when he sees a guy playing Frisbee and gets enchanted. Balian approaches the guy, Paul, about participating in the photos, and then finds out that Paul is on the diving team, and a huge fan.
Balian is attracted to Paul, and Paul is attracted to Balian, and they go on a date, which leads to Balian's bed, and more...

This was short and sweet, but apart from Balian being enchanted with Paul's ass, there wasn't much between them.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, it took me almost a year to read this volume and there was no real highlight, therefore the 2 stars only.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undeniable by Reece McKinley - (paranormal, vamps)

That Good Earth by S.A. Meade - (historical, no sex)

In His Shoes by K.A. Merikan - (historical, pimping)

Finding the Time by Summer Michaels - (contemporary, pre-exisiting relationship)

Coasting East by Lashley Mills - (contemporary, pre-exisiting relationship)

Doctor's Puppy Love by Shayla Mist - (contemporary)

Children of Fire and Clay by Azza Mitchell - (contemporary/paranormal, light BDSM)

Ass Over Teacup by Jackie Nacht - (contemporary)

B-Sides by Cheryl Nitely 2.5 stars - (contemporary) This was... OK. I liked the first half and where it was going and figured it would be a solid 3 star, but it sorta lost me in that last sex scene and Epilogue. The sex scene just didn't evoke an emotional response, at all. Something was missing, and maybe that's the point since this was definitely a HFN, but it doesn't make for the warm fuzzies when reading.

The Epilogue was interesting, but it made it seem like J.R. and Hi's book should be #1 in this 'series' and this short story should be a prequel. Then maybe Coop and Wyatt's book as #2, with Wyatt and J.R. remaining BFF or something. And the thousand "Baby"'s that J.R. threw out during that last scene probably didn't help either. It's not usually a peeve of mine but it really was over the top in this case.

Here's a quote from the author regarding the continuation of this story:

"I found out pretty quickly I had two story lines running off this short story...to meet the deadline for LHNB, I ended this story with JR and Wyatt in a HFN...Yeah, I plan to write the other stories. Not sure where or how I will get them out into the world yet. If nothing else, I'll post pics, write prompts and work them into the next LIAW event."

Quality Control by Cherie Noel - (contemporary)

Needing You by Alicia Nordwell - (contemporary/paranormal, BDSM, hurt/comfort)

When I Saw You by Alicia Nordwell - (contemporary)

[Tamara]

Undeniable by Reece McKinley
That Good Earth by S.A. Meade
In His Shoes by K.A. Merikan ★★✩✩✩
Finding the Time by Summer Michaels
Coasting East by Lashley Mills
Doctor's Puppy Love by Shayla Mist
Children of Fire and Clay by Azza Mitchell
Ass Over Teacup by Jackie Nacht
B-Sides by Cheryl Nitely
Quality Control by Cherie Noel
Needing You by Alicia Nordwell
When I Saw You by Alicia Nordwell

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

UNDENIABLE by Reece McKinley
- DNR

THAT GOOD EARTH by S.A. Meade
- ★★

IN HIS SHOES by K.A. Merikan
- ★★★

FINDING THE TIME by Summer Michaels
- ★★★½

COASTING EAST by Lashley Mills
- ★★★★

DOCTOR’S PUPPY LOVE by Shayla Mist
- ★★★

CHILDREN OF FIRE AND CLAY by Azza Mitchell
- DNR

ASS OVER TEACUP by Jackie Nacht
- ★★★

B-SIDES by Cheryl Nitely
- ★★

QUALITY CONTROL by Cherie Noel
- ★★★

NEEDING YOU by Alicia Nordwell
- DNR

WHEN I SAW YOU by Alicia Nordwell
- ★★★

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the month I've had, I must admit to really enjoying the idea of an anthology. I could read one story and finish it! When you are busy or stressing, the anthology format works well. I struggle to leave a story in the middle and go and do stuff. So to be able to pick up a book, read a story, finish it and put it down is great. Can't say I loved all these stories but credit to the authors for sharing their words for free! Thank you

[Jennifer☠Pher☠]

UNDENIABLE by Reece McKinley
THAT GOOD EARTH by S.A. Meade
IN HIS SHOES by K.A. Merikan
FINDING THE TIME by Summer Michaels
COASTING EAST by Lashley Mills
DOCTOR’S PUPPY LOVE by Shayla Mist
CHILDREN OF FIRE AND CLAY by Azza Mitchell
ASS OVER TEACUP by Jackie Nacht
B-SIDES by Cheryl Nitely
QUALITY CONTROL by Cherie Noel
NEEDING YOU by Alicia Nordwell
WHEN I SAW YOU by Alicia Nordwell

[Regencyfan93 · Rating 3 out of 5]

5*
That Good Earth

4*
Undeniable
Children of Fire and Clay
Quality Control

3*
Finding the Time
Doctor's Puppy Love
Ass over Teacup

2*
In His Shoes
Coasting East
B-sides

1*
Needing you

DNF
When I Saw You

[Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all the stories - some I like better than others (of course) but the entire event is amazing and so are the people who donate their talents & their time for it.