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The Fourth Act
It's the first day for summer intern Michael Glazer. Young and naïve, Michael’s dream of a glamorous job in the theater is turned on its head when he walks into the murky world of an ancient Burlesque palace. When his new boss sends him on an errand backstage Michael finds himself drawing the attention of two men who immediately spin him in circles: darkly brooding stage manager Ford, and angelic silk aerialist Semyon.
But the danger Michael feels isn't all in his imagination, and by the end of the day Michael won't be the same man he was when he arrived.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Dear Author,
Can you help…?
I watch him from the shadows. He is seduction. He casts his web of magic. Suspended high above, in this cavernous space, he seems untouchable, held in his own spell. Does he control the red silk or does it control him? Can he be lured from its web?
Photo Description:
A lithe young man is suspended horizontally in the air by a long piece of red silk. He is naked apart from the silk which is wrapped around his hips. His curly, blond hair hides his face, and his upper body is slightly twisted away from the viewer.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
But the danger Michael feels isn't all in his imagination, and by the end of the day Michael won't be the same man he was when he arrived.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Dear Author,
Can you help…?
I watch him from the shadows. He is seduction. He casts his web of magic. Suspended high above, in this cavernous space, he seems untouchable, held in his own spell. Does he control the red silk or does it control him? Can he be lured from its web?
Photo Description:
A lithe young man is suspended horizontally in the air by a long piece of red silk. He is naked apart from the silk which is wrapped around his hips. His curly, blond hair hides his face, and his upper body is slightly twisted away from the viewer.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
46 pages, ebook
First published August 11, 2014
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Franks
23 books67 followersAt seventeen, LE Franks walked away from writing for love. Jumping head first into real life and travelling the world seemed to be fair compensation until the characters in her head demanded their turn. Now, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded by inspiration everywhere, LE is finally taking off the filters and giving the stories free rein. These days, LE can be found frequently writing about sexy men who desperately need a happily ever.
LE writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast-paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated. Don’t expect the typical, rugged hero or sophisticated businessman with the world at their feet; LE’s men are living in the margins— they’re in the middle of their journey, doing the best they can while searching for a connection to something bigger than themselves. With a little effort, and a lot of luck, they may actually find their happily-ever-afters.
When not writing, LE wrangles an odd assortment of jobs (six— both paid and volunteer), houseguests (including pro baseball players), family, and friends. Manifesting an odd combination of contradictory talents and traits, LE is tragically honest and personally deceptive and makes the best piecrust— ever.
You can find LE Franks online at the following spots:
Her website: http://www.lefranks.com
Her blog: http://lefranks.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxtersushi
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor
Facebook Page for Wolves & Waves Book Series: https://www.facebook.com/wolvesandwaves
LE writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast-paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated. Don’t expect the typical, rugged hero or sophisticated businessman with the world at their feet; LE’s men are living in the margins— they’re in the middle of their journey, doing the best they can while searching for a connection to something bigger than themselves. With a little effort, and a lot of luck, they may actually find their happily-ever-afters.
When not writing, LE wrangles an odd assortment of jobs (six— both paid and volunteer), houseguests (including pro baseball players), family, and friends. Manifesting an odd combination of contradictory talents and traits, LE is tragically honest and personally deceptive and makes the best piecrust— ever.
You can find LE Franks online at the following spots:
Her website: http://www.lefranks.com
Her blog: http://lefranks.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxtersushi
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor
Facebook Page for Wolves & Waves Book Series: https://www.facebook.com/wolvesandwaves
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this. It's not exactly a romance and didn't exactly stick to the prompt but it definitely held my attention the entire way. There is no HEA and it didn't really settle on a HFN either but the ending worked though I would love for L.E. to do a follow-up to this story.
Michael was an interesting character, he's young (19) just coming out basically, a virgin and is kinda stuck on not wanting to be treated like a 'girl' in a relationship. He was very likable though and I'd love for his story to continue.
Semyon was the aerialist though not exactly the main protag. I didn't like him at all, though I think that's kinda how we are supposed to feel.
Ford.. now he was amazing and had my attention from moment he stepped on the page. I so want to know more about him!
All-in-all it was a really great addition to the LL event!
Michael was an interesting character, he's young (19) just coming out basically, a virgin and is kinda stuck on not wanting to be treated like a 'girl' in a relationship. He was very likable though and I'd love for his story to continue.
Semyon was the aerialist though not exactly the main protag. I didn't like him at all, though I think that's kinda how we are supposed to feel.
Ford.. now he was amazing and had my attention from moment he stepped on the page. I so want to know more about him!
All-in-all it was a really great addition to the LL event!
January 27, 2015
2.5 stars
An atmospheric coming-of-age short. Not really much of a romance, though.
I liked the coloring of the theatre world and the setting in New York. At the same time, I felt it was over-written and only very loosely addressed the prompt that I had submitted. But then, I’d left it pretty open; so it was interesting to see what the author came up with.
September 30, 2014
Well done! This had me on the edge of my seat (so to speak) on several fronts!
This is a story of a young man on the brink of adulthood, learning the lessons of life and love - as we all must do. Not every "first" is forever.
This is a story of a young man on the brink of adulthood, learning the lessons of life and love - as we all must do. Not every "first" is forever.
Read
December 11, 2014Rather confused story of a young man on the first day interning at the thearre run by one of his grandfather's friends, in which he gets to meet new people, lose his virginity to a virtual stranger then save the day when the hung silk curtain the acrobat is using is sabotaged..This one didn't really work for me.
Want to read
October 24, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
Good reviews, although not a "typical romance."
April 2, 2016
3.5 stars
While I liked the story and characters I didn't care for the writing style.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
September 23, 2014
Mesmerizing and unusual. Not the usual type of romance story. I found myself quite taken by the story and I wished there were more to it. More to Michael's time there and more of what happened after...
event-stories-unread
September 22, 2014[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
September 23, 2014
Review to come
September 6, 2014
One of my favorites from Love's Landscapes. It had a unique tone that I enjoyed a lot!
October 19, 2014
2.5 stars.
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September 10, 2015skipping this one
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews