Gratis: Midwinter Tales

Gratis Anthologies #1

by Hedonist Six (Editor), E.A. Chapterhouse, Elizabeth Woodham

Christmas has come early: Nine writers work together to create the must-read Holiday release of 2013. Every one of the twelve stories contained within Gratis : Midwinter Tales serves as a satisfying bite out of each author's repertoire, to tempt and seduce and sweep you off your feet. Our stories comfortably straddle both erotica and romance genres and cover a variety of themes. Some are innocent, others seek to force you to your knees, but all have something in common: they’ll make you feel.

Gratis : Midwinter Tales comprises works by Chloe Thurlow, E.A. Chapterhouse, Elizabeth Woodham, L. Moone, Jason Jaxx, Kay Jaybee, KM Dylan, Livilla Sanders and M.J. Carey. We hope you’ll find a new favourite author, or nine, within these pages.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Anthologies, Holiday, Christmas, Short Stories, Amazon

247 pages, ebook

First published December 12, 2013

About the author

Currently publishes under L. Moone.

L. Moone is a Contemporary Romance and Women's Fiction writer based in rainy England. Addicted to caffeine, chocolate and impure thoughts, she likes to write short stories and novellas dealing with those aspects of the human condition that we all think about, yet dare not discuss openly.

***
L. Moone - Happy Endings for Underdogs

I first started writing and publishing in 2012 because I craved to see more of "my kind of books" on the shelves. In any scenario, you'll find me rooting for the underdog. The (emotionally) scarred hero who hasn't really had much (or any) luck in love. The shy office worker who wants to pursue the man of her dreams, but hasn't quite mustered the courage yet. All my characters are beautifully flawed and messed up, in a way that makes them perfect for one another.

By the way, since 2015, I also started to write Paranormal and Fantasy Romance as Lorelei Moone. Take a moment to browse all my books, because there's bound to be something you'll enjoy.

***
L. Moone used to publish under the pen name "Hedonist Six" before 2019. Older titles are likely still showing up under this old pen name.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute beaut, I loved this collection of romantic erotica, comprising of nine fantastic writers. Christmas certainly has come early. Each one of these 12 stories were simply delicious, erotic and enticing. Some of my favourite authors are in here. As always, Elizabeth Woodham captures me, her words are sublime, I ADORED 'Wicked Games' outstanding! There truly wasn't one story I didn't enjoy, but 'Glove' by M.J. Carey and 'Rebound' by Hedonist six, were amazing. Tender and romantic yet exhilarating. Whit Whooo..... Good to have a piece from Jason Jaxx too, sweet read.

I definitely will be adding these authors to my Kindle, and I'll be buying a copy of Gratis on paper. A wonderful collection that will leave you warm and content. Sexy, passionate, hot and heavy its all in here, so go on, treat yourself you won't regret it. Stunning.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Loved, loved, loved the Gratis Midwinter Tales. I’m finding it difficult to express all the emotions I experienced while reading the collection. Each story is masterfully written, packed with hot action, exquisite erotica, stimulating stories and sinful sex. Each deserves its own long and luscious review.
A few of the featured authors include Chloe Thurlow, the Anais Nin of our time, and Elizabeth Woodham, my personal favorite. Livilla Sanders was a new discovery, her Irrecusable is smoking hot!
Gratis is a collection to treasure. I’ll be reading it again and again once my lover is finished with it. Trust me when I say I’ll be seeking out other titles by these very talented writers.
I was given a copy of this collection in return for an honest review.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today is December, Friday 13. Who said this was a bad day? Whoever they are needs to read this book. Without a doubt, I have received one of my favorite Christmas gifts if not my very fave. Gratis: Midwinter Tales is filled with intellectual erotica. The total experience of mind and body is so satisfying. Each story is so different from the next, and I was surprisingly intrigued by genres I would not have otherwise read. Having access to the array of authors offered in this anthology is provocative and I look forward to reading more of their writing. Their voices are so distinct. The entire compilation is so very clever. Thank you for my gift.

[Sweets Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of short stories! Their all very erotic and just wintery. Is that a word? But anyways, its a great holiday read, from varying authors of different writing styles. Overall its just a good story I liked it a lot I do recommend!

Till next time ~ Sweets Books

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snow falls softly by Chloe Thurlow: 3*
In the mood by E. A. Chapterhouse: 5*
Wicked games by Elizabeth Woodham: 4*
Virgin by Hedonist Six: 5*
White by Jason Jaxx: 1*
A pair well met by Kay Jaybee: 2*
Blinked by Kay Jaybee: 1*
The New Year dancers by Kay Jaybee: 1*
The future first lady of France by K. M. Dylan: 2*
Irrecusable by Livilla Sanders: 4*
Glove by M. J. Carey: 5*
A Penheligon Christmas by M. J. Carey: 3*

[Danielle Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erotica short story anthologies are nothing new. So why is there such a fuss about Midwinter Tales, the first in the new "Gratis" range? For starters, it's free in ebook form and offered at cost for the paperback. It's also huge, comprising a whopping twelve stories, most of which are considerably longer than your average short story. And best of all is the choice of featured authors - a combination of professionally published big names, up and coming indie stars, and brand new talent. It's a fantastic idea that's brilliant for authors, who are being given great new opportunities for exposure; but it's even better for consumers. With so much erotica around these days and with so much of it being utter 'get rich quick' dross, fans are understandably reluctant to spend their money on new authors. With this anthology readers are able to browse through a range of talent and different styles, discovering authors they might otherwise never have encountered.

It's also a very diverse collection, both in terms of style and content. The twelve winter-themed stories include relationship dramas with unhappy endings, extreme BDSM power struggles between vampires and werewolves, 50 Shades-esque accounts of powerful men and their secret kinks, girls experiencing confusion over their sexuality, and more. Some stories are aimed at rom-erotica fans whereas others are filthy tales full of explicit language; and the sexual content ranges across the board. There really is something for everyone here. Even if you don't like every story, you're going to find this a very, very satisfying read which you'll keep coming (*ahem*) back to.

If you enjoy any of the stories in these pages, please buy more of that author's work to support the series and encourage the release of future "Gratis" titles. I can't wait to see where this new range goes; I'm already excited for the next volume. In the meantime give yourself a free early Christmas present and download Gratis: Midwinter Tales. You just might discover your new favourite erotica author...

[Coco.V]

FREE on Amazon today (11/1/2017)!

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this anthology but there was definitely a wide variety of ones that I really liked and ones that were kind of only ok. Definitely recommended to erotica and romance readers, especially since all three anthologies are currently free on Amazon. I did end up skimming some of those stories that weren't particularly interesting to me but there weren't any stories that were actually bad. My favorites were Wicked Games by Elizabeth Woodham, Rebound List by Hedonist Six, A Pair Well Met and Blinked both by Kay Jaybee.

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gratis: Midwinter Tales
This is an anthology of Erotic (Romance) Stories by 9 different authors.
Kay Jaybee’s stories stick out the most for me. I have loved her stories since the beginning. She keeps me on my toes because I never know what to expect from her writing skills. She has three stories in this collection: A Pair Well Met, Blinked and The New Year Dancers.
“I received this book as a review copy in return for an honest review”

[Andy Kristensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea.

[Belletab · Rating 2 out of 5]

a bunch of short stories, and they do not connect or relate to any other stories by the author. Not going to read.

[Debra Johnson]

December 30, 2013 – Finished Reading

Acquired on December 30, 2013 Amz

[A whole new girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've discovered some new fave authors!

Wide variety of erotic vignettes. There were some very good selections. This anthology is 1 of 4 Gratis Anthologies that are free on Amazon. I have read 3 of them and I think they are well worth your time. These are a great way to sample different writers and find some new favorites. I have found some new writers that I really enjoyed.

My favorites were stories by Kay Jaybee, Hedonist 6 and a short story by Jason Jax. Kay Jaybee, who has been called the Queen of Kink, has 3 stories and my favorite was "A Pair Well Met" which was a reworking of the Taming of the Shrew with a little BDSM twist.

"Virgin" by Hedonist 6 was phenomenal. It is about a woman who has lived a somewhat sheltered and demure life and makes and pursues her own sexual bucket list. Per Hedonist 6's bio she loves to write about deeply flawed realistic characters and she does this masterfully! Her story was part of a series and I will definitely track down the rest of the series.

[Nisha-Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked two stories in this collection enough to look up the authors for future reading. Otherwise, that ranged from atrocious to boring. And dear god, I wish some of them would learn how to use a comma!

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

For the most part, I liked it. It was hot. It made me want to read some of the authors' works. (yes, Hedonist Six, I'm talking to you!)
On the other hand, some stories made me cringe soo bad. No story, just sex, or worse, sad and depresing stories and sex. Not my cup of tea. But I guess that is the point to an anthology, something for everybody.

[Jonny Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this book and am a little bit sad; not least because some of the stories a bit sad. They are all well written with nicely balanced pace, which is not easy with a short story, and good character definitions; also not easy in a short story.

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. Some stories I enjoyed more than others. There are some that are very hot and some stories that were ok. It gives you a taste into the writing styles of some talented authors. This is the first of three, which all are currently free on Amazon.

[LaGina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to read authors that you are familiar with and to get an extra special treat from the authors you do read

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few of the storkes were good but most of them were weird

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few good but mostly it was a lot of strange stories

[Marit Pinto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some stories were good but didn't like it that much. I guess I'm used to more elaborated writing and better plots

[Staphysagria · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something for everybody in there. The problem with short stories is the very limited time to develop a plot. You have to come straight to the g spot, so to speak. An amazing, unusual story is the very first. Unusual as it employs the flamboyant verbosity of centuries past in a modern context. What made me smile is the overabundance of adjectives or the repetition of statements. There's hardly a sentence that doesn't bear some series of items, either a pair or a triple. Like it seems as if we are about to enter a myth, a fairy story, a fantasy... " Chloe Thurlow has endless amounts of time, it seems. So she revels in conjuring up picture after picture. Several stories are of the BDSM variety, some paranormal.... As I said, like a free buffet for readers of erotica.