Gratis: New Beginnings

Gratis Anthologies #2

by Hedonist Six (Editor), M.J. Carey, K.M. Dylan

After the well-received Gratis: Midwinter Tales, published in December last year, familiar as well as new names present a hot-off-the-press collection of quality erotic literature to follow in its footsteps. Gratis: New Beginnings is a refreshing look at the as yet young year in all its glorious potential. Themes of rejuvenation, redemption and personal growth mingle with the tantalising imagery and intense emotion our existing readers are already familiar with.

Spring is a time perfect for falling in love or lust and the ten authors of Gratis: New Beginnings are keen to sweep you up in their erotic fantasies. This collection contains stories by Erzabet Bishop, M.J. Carey, Km Dylan, Jason Jaxx, Kay Jaybee, Livilla Sanders, Hedonist Six, Molly Synthia, Chloe Thurlow and Elizabeth Woodham.

Genres: Erotica, Anthologies, Romance, Amazon, Ebooks, Short Stories

244 pages, ebook

First published March 20, 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

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology had quite a few great reads. I think there was only one that I was a little put off by, and it was simply due to the writing of the author. In my opinion, there should not be 4-7 descriptive words in every other sentence. To each their own!

I absolutely loved the story by KM Dylan about the supermodel. It was VERY risqué, but amazing. Can't wait to delve further into those books for the full back story.

Rebirth by MJ Carey was also intriguing. maybe it's the whole master/slave thing that makes it so.... appealing. Think I'll definitely look into that one further!!!

Notes from a Blue Bike by Elizabeth Bishop. Hmmm.... Seems to be all I can say about that one!!!

Also loved Robbies starlets by Molly Synthia.... it wasn't as erotica as the other stories, but it was a very gratifying story about a middle aged couple who had been married for 20 years.... basically they find their way out of boring slumpdom.

All in all, great read. Great way to be introduced to multiple authors at one time. ♡♥

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/8/2018)! 💝

[Blow Pop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings: sex, culture fetishisation, race fetishisation, kink, hints of molestation, hints of paedophilia (latter two in the last story only)

Notes from a Blue Bike by Erzabet Bishop – Lesbians. I love stories about lesbians. Especially when it doesn't read like porn. Which this story does well.

Rebirth by M.J. Carey – I'm not sure I really liked this. Heteronormative type relationship. Your basic "I'm a Dom and I can tell you're a sub and you're going to automatically do what I want because you're a sub" story. Which I'm not a big fan of. Especially as this mirrors the Story of O a little bit. And while interesting was kind of terrible.

The Love That’s Sleeping by KM Dylan –Oh my fucking gosh. This fucking story. This was an excerpt from a book that's the newest (or last) installation of the series. I NEVER want to read this fucking series because of this. Fetishisation of black men? check. Overbearing and overcontrolling husband to be? check. Asshole friends? check. A former partner who can't take no for an answer the first fucking time? definite check. Heteronormative relationship? of fucking course. I just can't with this story. I almost rage quit on this story. Had it gone on any longer I would have.

Countdown by Jason Jaxx– This was kind of cute. An escort meets a guy while running in the park that she finds attractive. Heteronormative relationship. Almost ruined because he finds out that she sometimes has sex with other men for money. Even though she genuinely likes him and he can't get it through his head when she tells him.

Unbuttoning by Kay Jaybee – Lesbians again! This was the cutest story of couples exploring that I've ever read. I want a 20 book series just on these two.

Past Perfect by Livilla Sanders - Another lesbian story. About an older lesbian woman who sees a past lover in a cafe and reminisces about her time with her.

Holding On by Hedonist Six - I've read a lot of reviews saying this was boring. This was my favourite of the stories. No sex. Heteronormative relationship. But I liked more the connection between the characters. And how cute their first time meeting in person is.

Robbie’s Starlets by Molly Synthia – This was another heteronormative relationship story. It was cute as heck. And made me slightly teary. And then bash my hormones down. Because I don't need that kind of relationship in my life.

Arab Spring by Chloe Thurlow – Heteronormative culture fetishising crap. Husband loses wager, wife is the wager gets used like a sex toy.

Khloya by Elizabeth Woodham – Heteronormative with hints of paedophilia/molestation. I had nightmares after reading this story. Just thinking about it makes me feel dirty and like I need 10 showers just to wash this layer of dirt off me.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great thing about an anthology is that it gives you the chance to get a taste of different writers and their stories. I enjoyed Midwinter Tales, and New Beginnings is just as good. Ten is the magic number, ten stories in here some better than others but all enjoyable. There are some of my favourite authors in here, but I'm definitely looking up Livilla Sanders I liked her story very much, extra hot girl on girl action...Chloe Thurlow has piqued my interest and as I have several of her books I need to start them sooner rather than later. Jason Jaxx, brilliant,*fans herself* I do like my JJ fix! M.J Carey once again knock out, gorgeous, seductive, highly arousing my favourite in this bundle. You couldn't ask for more from this collection. A great mix. Grab your copy!!

[K.M. Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second steamy (and free) collection of erotic stories by an extremely talented group of writers. I am so honored to be included among them!

The authors are Erzabet Bishop, M.J. Carey, K M Dylan, Jason Jaxx, Kay Jaybee, Livilla Sanders, Hedonist Six, Molly Synthia, Chloe Thurlow and Elizabeth Woodham. The stories range from lesbian to straight erotica, BDSM and vanilla erotic romance.

Here are the purchasing links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Gratis-New-Begi...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gratis-New-Be...

Enjoy and please share with your friends!

xx Katie Dylan

[Belletab · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decided to not read based on the previous books from this series;

[Lexxi Kitty]

not review

10 stories, offered up free. Some MF, some FF. I think.

Notes from a Blue Bike by Erzabet Bishop
FF, bakery, Texas, small-town values

The main character, Justine Montlake, is apparently around 20 (if she went away to college at 18 - she's home after 2 years), and opens the story riding around on her old childhood bike in Hudson Texas. Feeling depressed by the changing nature of life (to be fair, she did just lose her part-time job because the used book store she was working at closed). And missing her best friend Kate.

Ah. Neat little bit of remembering conveying friend-to-want-to-be-more-than-friend, but then graduation, and separation. Then running into again in small town. Kate now has a bakery. Which is having a little trouble because people, some, dislike that she's a lesbian.

During a bit of 'must think of something else because I'm in a job interview and shouldn't be checking out potential boss' moment, one of the things that ran through Justine's mind was 'grandma knickers'. I just passed by it because I know what it means and it didn't phase me. But then I recalled that we were in Texas, not England. And the character who said it is from that small town in Texas. Sooo . . knickers? Why is she using 'knickers' in her mind? Granny panties are quite common phrase here in US. Grandma knickers not so much. Unless it is, at least in Texas. I only really comment on it because it pulled me out of the story for a good 10 to 30 minutes. So yes it is important that 'knickers' was used instead of panties or underwear.

And now I'm pulled out again but for my own reasons. Is this an erotica collection *checks title*. hmms. Guess that isn't in title. This seems much more like a romance story than an erotica story. hehe - two seconds after I write that, everyone's kissing and stuff. hehe. (I sure could use an extra 2 thousand dollars. waits. ah man, you mean I do not actually have magical powers? mmphs).

Okay, so I have my answer. This is more of a romance story with a bit of sex thrown in than erotica. I liked it. I'd give it a rating of something like 4.33

Rebirth by M.J. Carey
MF?, D/s, library

The Love That’s Sleeping by KM Dylan
MF?, bachelorette party, spanking

Countdown by Jason Jaxx
MF?

Unbuttoning by Kay Jaybee
FF?

Past Perfect by Livilla Sanders
FF?

Holding On by Hedonist Six
MF?

Robbie’s Starlets by Molly Synthia
MF?

Arab Spring by Chloe Thurlow
MF?

Khloya by Elizabeth Woodham

Overall
Notes from a Blue Bike by Erzabet Bishop - 4.33
Rebirth by M.J. Carey -
The Love That’s Sleeping by KM Dylan -
Countdown by Jason Jaxx -
Unbuttoning by Kay Jaybee -
Past Perfect by Livilla Sanders -
Holding On by Hedonist Six -
Robbie’s Starlets by Molly Synthia -
Arab Spring by Chloe Thurlow -
Khloya by Elizabeth Woodham -

Overall rating (10 stories):

[Danielle Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first anthology was good - but this one is truly great. It's a much more cohesive collection, with a noticeably higher standard of writing and a wider spread in the variety of the sexual action. I'm not going to go into detail about all ten stories in the anthology - to do so would be sycophantic and unnecessarily time consuming. Suffice to say that even though this is a very diverse collection of styles, there wasn't a single story that I didn't enjoy in one way or another. That said there were three stories which I couldn't help but connect with on a deeper, personal level.

Firstly, Countdown by Jason Jaxx. As a keen runner myself I couldn't resist the tantalising beginning to the story, in which a wannabe male jogger gets slowly teased over time by a much more experienced female runner. After a while the tale evolved into a situation full of ethical dilemmas and very real character emotions, eventually culminating in a male-fantasy-focussed but oh-so-hot sex scene. Mr Jaxx, colour me impressed.

Then there was Past Perfect by Livilla Sanders. I can't pretend to relate to lead character Tanya, a mature and sexually predatory lesbian. But Vicky - a curvaceous and experimental young Goth girl shown in Tanya's flashback - is a different matter altogether. I never brought a girl home with me, and the music may have been Nirvana and Korn rather than The Dead Kennedys, but once upon a time, I was that troubled and expressive chubby Goth girl; and the end of Vicky's story isn't too dissimilar to mine, either. Past Perfect ends with a brilliant slice of realistic drama, which avoids the obvious "and they lived happily ever after" ending whilst simultaneously avoiding ending on a mood-killing downer. Overall it's another story at the very high standard I've come to expect from Liv's work.

Finally, there's the story that sent me into an existential crisis - and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible - Robbie's Starlets by Molly Synthia. The story immediately resonated with me on a personal level - though younger than the story's lead, I'm not getting any younger, and I completely related to the character's insecurities about not being enough for her husband, despite him being completely devoted to her in a genuinely happy, contented, drama-free marriage. As for the existential crisis, that was thanks to the quality of Molly's writing. The way she mixes a sexy story whilst using raw, believable feeling-based internal monologue to drive the plot, and resolve it all in an unexpected way whilst still using sex to further both the plot and the relationship of the characters, absolutely floored me. I've never read erotica like it, and for a while I actually got a bit upset that the standard of her use of feelings and character drama is so much better than anything I could ever hope to write. Eventually I talked myself down from the proverbial ledge by reassuring myself that I'm not in competition with Molly - my own material, though still erotica, is completely different in almost every aspect; which is just as well, because otherwise this story would have made me quit writing. Molly Synthia has shot straight near the top of my favourite erotica authors, if not authors of all genres, and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Now if you haven't already, go and download the collection at once, and indulge in one of the best short story anthologies I've ever come across. Yes, that was a deliberate pun. If you enjoyed it, please, please, please leave a review, and spend a couple of pounds (or dollars, or Euros, or whatever your currency of choice is) on a book or two by the authors you enjoyed. Free erotica is great, but it's not going to exist unless people indulge in some paid erotica as well. Authors spend hundreds of hours on their craft in the hope that other people will enjoy it - we know we're not going to get rich from writing, but a little spending money and a short review about our hard work never goes amiss!

xoxo

[Thomas Bitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ten free stories from ten different authors

Notes from a Blue Bike by Erzabet Bishop – Lesbian tale set in bakery
Rebirth by M.J. Carey – Domination of librarian Alice, with hints of Story of O
The Love That’s Sleeping by KM Dylan –The models bachelorette party, spanking and fucking ensue, then she is abducted by ex BF only to then taken by her powerful husband to be.
Countdown by Jason Jaxx– A sexy female runner offers up a challenge to another runner, but a relationship is in jeopardy due to the nature of her job.
Unbuttoning by Kay Jaybee – Two lesbians experiment with a new game
Past Perfect by Livilla Sanders - A mature lesbian reminisces after a chance encounter with an old flame
Holding On by Hedonist Six - Sex chat line worker gives up her job but meets her favourite caller…dull
Robbie’s Starlets by Molly Synthia – Wife of budget film producer tries to get the spark back into their love life
Arab Spring by Chloe Thurlow – A wager in foreign climes brings pain, pleasure and consequences
Khloya by Elizabeth Woodham – A girls new love brings her past into focus, can she really say goodbye and let go of her past?

There were only a couple of stories that I can say I enjoyed, the rest were not really to my taste, either in content, subject matter or writing style. A good way for readers to try new authors and a opportunity for authors to showcase their talents, but sometimes hard work for the reader.

[Arlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book primarily for "Notes From a Blue Bike" by Erzabet Bishop. This story was about 2 girls who fell in love in the flush of their youth, got separated, and were unexpectedly reunited. A big theme in the story is how the status quo can be really judgmental and cruel when is comes to same sex relationships. To make matters worse, the victims, were women, which a lot of bullies think would be easy targets. Women can be smart and patient though, and these two get their justice in the end.

I didn't give this a 5 star review because I thought, while well written, the story seemed to move too slowly for my taste. That said, it is my personal preference to read erotica that has at least one man in it....

The way I see it: SEX - PENIS = BORING.

That's no fault of the author though;)

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gratis, New Beginnings
This is a great anthology by 10 very talented writers. I thoroughly enjoyed every single story in this collection. Oh how I wish theses stories were longer but at least they give us a good look at how each authors writing styles are. Now Kay Jaybee, I love all of her stories so I get a little excited when a new one comes out because I know I will never be disappointed. She was also in the last Gratis Anthology so I was happy to see her in this one too. Sometimes anthologies are the way to go. You get to learn about authors you have never heard about. I am pretty sure I have a few new authors to add to my TBR file!
I received this copy as a gift from one of the authors.

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of those anthologies that has something for everyone but that you're most likely going to end up skipping or skimming those that aren't interesting. There is a whole array of scenarios and characters which is guaranteed to keep your interest. I personally like to read one or two of them a day so I don't get burnt out on this type of literature. It's fun to be able to read short erotica stories intermixed with the other genres that I read.

Would recommend to anyone who enjoys erotica and hey! This is free on Amazon as of this posting!

[Josiane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is really good. It introduces new writers as well as known ones (I only read a few stories of them before). For me, the greatest surprise is that some stories are the continuation of some of the first anthology, Gratis: Midwinter Tales, which was very good too. So, if you are a fan of erotic stories or just curious, you will find here very interesting different stories. I hope that the authors will offer us a few more anthologies like that, so we can discover more great authors.

[Tianna Croy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole the collection was ok. I liked some of the story's more than others.
Some were a continuation of past stories that I had not read and that left me a
little confused. I may go back a read the first collection to help them make
sense. If you want a collection of short erotic with just about every scenario
then you want this collection.

[Hooked On Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read this anthology. I found that each story was good in its own right. It gives you a chance to see many different authors work and the different types of Erotica that there is. If you are looking for a great read that will give you insight into finding new authors in the genre that you enjoy I think this will be the book for you.

[LaGina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Anthology read of ten short stories from ten authors ranging from romantic to hard core. A little bit of everything for everyone. I was happy to see some of my favorite authors that I read and some new ones.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sex, sex, sex. If you're looking for porn dressed as erotica, this is it. Oh, there is some romance and some relationship, but it's just window dressing to cover the fact that is it house wife porn.

[Dl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure to be given this fresh look into an often overlooked work of a sophisticated and insightful thinker.

[Diane Gilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot stuff interesting books

This looks really interesting very and death and very fast readers end very cool I enjoyed them and I enjoyed reading they were very fascinating