Stung: Winter Special

Zombie Gentlemen

by K.A. Merikan

It's been a few months since Crunch and his comrades liberated the mob-run prison camp HoneyHill. But content as he is, Crunch can't forget Victor, the beautiful prisoner with whom he shared a brief affair. Taking a leap of faith, he shows up at Victor's door, but will it turn out he really was missed?

*

This short story is set a few months after the events described in our novel, 'Stung'. It could be read separately, but we advise to read the novel first, as it is not a stand alone.

*

The book contains explicit M/M erotic content.

Wordcount: 9000

Genres: M M Romance, Steampunk, Historical, Paranormal, Zombies, Short Stories, Romance

40 pages, ebook

First published January 8, 2014

About the author

(Goodreads profile run by Kat)

K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.

K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.

e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com

More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful follow-up to Stung MCs: Crunch and Victor's story...

I was delighted and I was blushing... Crunch and Victor got only one scene but it was HOT HOT HOT! ;)

I just wish they got more of a HEA - Crunch's leave of absence was too short!!! *pouts*

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good to have a little bit of extra time with Crunch and Victor. The trouble is, rather than feeling satisfied, it's left me wanting to know even more about these two. I love Mr Crunch with those sexy leather trousers and muddy boots and Victor with his sweet little smiles and dirty talk!

[Vallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This short blew my mind. I haven't read the full length novel which precedes the events in this short, but I got a pretty good idea of what the world building must be like and I am definitely intrigued. This is a historical, set in a dystopian/zombie apocalyspe world, if I got it right. The MCs hadn't seen each other in a good long while, and they reunite for one night. Boy was that reunion hawtttttt. But it wasn't 14 pages of PWP. Everything was described very vividly and I am shocked at how much about the characters I learned in such a short-lengthed book. I highly recommend this freebie, especially if you're thinking of trying the full length novel. It will probably make it or break it for you. Enjoy!

[Kynthos-the-Archer (Kyn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This shorty serves as an epilogue of Stung. While it does not exactly spell out the answers readers are seeking for this unconventional pair of lovers, we at least get a taste of what they are both like when their life is not at stake.

Crunch decided to pay Victor a visit in the city. It was a reunion after a long parting between him and Victor subsequent to the liberation of the Honeyhill prison camp. He wasn't sure if he would be welcome with open arms by the man who fills his every waking moment. The liberated Victor now might not be the needy Victor back then when they first met at the camp.

Right. We get all of Crunch uncertainties and conflicting thoughts in this piece as opposed to the first book where Victor was the center of attention. This is great as we get deeper understanding of Crunch and his motivations. It was good to know outside of his tough demeanor, he is very much like us -- afraid of rejection and getting hurt.

The authors seems to make Victor's feelings less pronounce by intention of building up Crunch and the reader's anxiety over their long awaited reunion. I was just as anxious as Crunch to know how much Victor had changed and if this visit will be a fruitful one. I like that this pair of ingenious authors always knows how to end their stories and it always takes me by surprise. This is one of the many reasons that make it worthwhile to read their books. I love unpredictable and original stories. I would say K.A. Merikan is a worthy investment because you would be sure of not buying yet another recycled story with predictable plot-line and ending.

I am glad to get more of sultry Victor with his simple, honest man Crunch. I could never tire of their playful teasing ways towards one another. Read it to find out if they leave the bed ablaze. Right now, I am craving for some lemon curd scones *sucking at curd blissfully* Crunch is a man with great taste.




BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Stung: Winter Special
Author: K.A. Merikan
Publication Date: January 8th, 2014
Publisher: Acerbi & Villani Ltd
Type: Short Story, approximately 9,000 words
Genre: Dystopian homoerotic romance, M/M, Gay, Erotica, Contemporary, Consensual
Main Characters: Crunch (MC) and Victor Sheppard (second MC)
Tags/Keywords: alternate universe, reunion, anal sex, blowjob, romance, lovers, age difference, social status difference, upper and lower class social status, rich love interest, poor main character, beauty mark, victorian, gentle and loving sex, adoring lover

Description:
It's been a few months since Crunch and his comrades liberated the mob-run prison camp HoneyHill. But content as he is, Crunch can't forget Victor, the beautiful prisoner with whom he shared a brief affair. Taking a leap of faith, he shows up at Victor's door, but will it turn out he really was missed?
*
This short story is set a few months after the events described in our novel, 'Stung'. It could be read separately, but we advise to read the novel first, as it is not a stand alone.
*
The book contains explicit M/M erotic content.

Wordcount: 9000



This review has also been cross-posted on my blogs:
  


WHERE TO PURCHASE:
★|| SMASHWORDS;; ||★|| ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS ||★|| BARNES&NOBLES; ||★|| AMAZON;; ||★



* Reviewed on April 25th, 2014

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:*

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 I so want more of this story stars!!


After this taste of hope we were left wanting more. Even though they started with acting on their needs with others they ended up having a special bond. I loved getting another glimpse into Victor and Crunch with this short little story.



I know it was written as an epilogue but I was STILL left with wanting more and I hope maybe one day Victor & Crunch will jump back into the heads of K.A. Merikan and demand that they want more. I'm a hopeless romantic and I need a more solid HEA for these two.



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[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to be given the opportunity to revisit Victor and Crunch, my guys from 'Stung'. Seeing them again fairly recently after the intense ending of the book was a great way for me to reconnect. Wait, what am I saying? It wasn't me that needed to reconnect, it was them! *grins*

After several months of staying in touch through letters, Crunch surprises Victor at his home when Crunch gets unexpected leave due to a blizzard. Crunch isn't 100 percent sure of his reception because why would Victor still want him when he's back in the real world and has his pick of men? Silly Crunch. Victor is ecstatic to see Crunch and get to spend some time with him. And, I can definitely promise, their reunion is damn sexy, but way too short, as Crunch is called back to duty.

Thank you, K.A., for this lovely short story. Even though Crunch and Victor's time together was not long enough, they packed a lifetime of loving into those hours. Now I'm looking forward to another book since I've become a big fan of this world. Especially since the covers are still some of the best I've ever seen.

[K.A. Merikan]

When we published “Stung”, we didn’t want to have an epilogue. We felt it would unnecessarily stretch out the story. But the little idea of ‘what happened next’ with the couple, kept knocking on our door. So we decided to put out this FREE extra story of a little reunion Victor and Crunch managed to have back in London :)


AllRomance - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR9AEJO

Or on our website for the PDF - http://kamerikan.com/stung-winter-spe...

[Ashley♥Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

But...but...but it was so short! I feel like at this point I'm pretty emotionally invested in this couple and K.A. Metikan is clearly playing with my emotions. Why?!!!! I cant even even right now *sigh* too short! They're such a precious couple, I hope they can get their shit together.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh loved catching up with Victor and Crunch, more please! LOL!

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve read the outstanding Stung, you already know that a happy ending for Victor and Crunch wouldn’t, or couldn’t, include anything quite so simple as the two of them riding off into the sunset together. Crunch has to save the world, after all, and Victor had a life to return to that has nothing to do with the hard manual labor and harsh conditions he was forced to live under at HoneyHill, where gruesome happenings were par for the course, and shutting down that operation then cleaning up after it, is still Crunch’s job even as Victor has returned to his pampered and privileged life.


See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less dead zombie bees, more sweetness.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE perfect short story follow up to Stung. The chemistry between Victor and Crunch is titillating and seductive. They're banter as fun and enigmatic as before. I can't get enough of this world and the guys within it, to include Victor and Crunch! Once again Kat and Agnes rule the literary world!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Another cute little look at Victor and Crunch a few months after the previous book. I wanted a bit more of what was happening on the plague front, but overall it was a nice little peek at them coming back together.

[Gwynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short, way too short. That goes both for the reunion of Victor and Crunch and for this book. I love the interaction between these two men and hope we'll get to see more of them in the future.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was grateful we had a bit more time with Victor and Crunch.
I thought it might wrap things up. It didn't.
It was sweet and I'm still smiling...but! I would have liked to have a bit more closure.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What is my man doing now then?”


Hot and fun reunion in a blizzard, during a dystopian zombie apocalypse.

Victor has a very nice house. All the servants really give an urban Downton Abbey vibe.

It’s adorable that Victor and Crunch have been penpals all this time. Awwwww.

Excellent consciousness of surroundings on the part of Crunch—the entire experience is so different for him. He’s not accustomed to being able to show his affections.

The food descriptions are extremely vivid. I was actually getting hungry reading this. The action is awesome, but their banter is up there too. Victor’s even dirtier than Crunch!

“I was remembering its smell every night. Hope I can taste it for real today.”

Their intimacy is so much better when they can actually take their time with one another. And when they’re not, you know, in a prison camp surrounded by the undead.

The photo exchange is super tender. And the fact that Victor makes Crunch keep the ring—we know what happens.

Sweet, sweet story. It’s tough because they come from such throughly divergent worlds. Could have been longer in length of the story or span of time together, but this does make narrative sense. Crunch is out saving the world, after all.


“Being here, still so accepted and wanted, was all he needed after months in a forest swarming with animated cadavers.”

[Susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A short follow up in Victor and Crush’ story, it describes the first encounter between the lovers after the camp experience. Victor is back at home, and some months have gone by, when Crush gets some free time and is able to visit the sweet prisoner he cannot forget. Overwhelmed by the luxury surrounding Victor, Crush feels utterly inappropriate till Victor sweet welcome reassures Crush he has not been forgotten. They pick up where they left it with an easiness which talks about true connection, but their time is short and comes to an abrupt end when Crush is suddenly called back to duty. Although the farewell is bitter, there is hope in the future for more visits…
I really like Victor and Crush together. I would love to read more about them, to have some sense of finality to their story… It still feels as if there is much more to tell about these two…

[Darold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the entire series of Zombie Gentlemen novellas. I really hope the authors revisit some of the different characters I've become vested in. As for this story, I find the final sentence extremely ominous and I'm hoping for another short story to prove my first impressions wrong.

[Janie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally not for me, I just couldn't make myself like it.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Happy to be back with Crunch and Victor but could have done without references to other people they have slept with since they were last together.