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Light and Motion
Dear Author,
I live my life through the lens. Have you ever looked at old building in the morning light? It’s like they come alive. You can almost see the horse carriages driving past. But buildings I love, it’s the couples that get to me. I love my work as a photographer but I’ve been shooting too many weddings, too many couples in love. The closest thing to “love” I come is the occasional model in my hotel room.
Photo Description:
A man sits on a hill holding a camera. There is a path behind him. Trees fill the background, and at least a few of them have leaves that are starting to change colors. The man is dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and hiking boots. He is wearing a backpack and is looking off to his left.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" 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.
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.
I live my life through the lens. Have you ever looked at old building in the morning light? It’s like they come alive. You can almost see the horse carriages driving past. But buildings I love, it’s the couples that get to me. I love my work as a photographer but I’ve been shooting too many weddings, too many couples in love. The closest thing to “love” I come is the occasional model in my hotel room.
Photo Description:
A man sits on a hill holding a camera. There is a path behind him. Trees fill the background, and at least a few of them have leaves that are starting to change colors. The man is dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and hiking boots. He is wearing a backpack and is looking off to his left.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is an Open Road" 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.
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.
66 pages, ebook
First published July 21, 2015
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 22, 2015
Sweet, soft, sensual.
It took me a while to get into this story, but the epilogue made up for the slow beginning. The writing was quite lovely, and I liked the connection between the two MCs.
I was so glad Ben found his "Flip."
It took me a while to get into this story, but the epilogue made up for the slow beginning. The writing was quite lovely, and I liked the connection between the two MCs.
I was so glad Ben found his "Flip."
May 31, 2021
This was good and has one of the funniest scenes I've read in awhile. I don't know why this was tagged hurt/comfort, because it's not. Instead, it's about two guys getting away from the troubles in their lives and finding each other in the process.
July 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this gentle romance between a photographer and classical dancer. They meet on the nature trail, at a wilderness campground, of all places, each of them there to get away from life’s troubles back in the big city. After a rocky start they have a week-long dalliance as Flash and Flip (nice tie-in to the story title, Light and Motion), aliases chosen— based on their professions— to keep anonymity. All along, we sense that this little affair could become something so much more.
The beauty of their surroundings helps to soothe, and the writer delivers some lovely moments between them there. When the guys return, reluctantly, to their real lives and troubles, Caiden and Ben find that they can’t forget each other. But there’s that little issue of not knowing the other’s real name. Makes finding each other a little difficult. And there are those RL issues that need working out too.
Their story is told with a lot of humor— hook ups in the wild, and Ben being caught more than once in flagrante delicto (the opening scene in the story with him and an in-the-closet bridegroom is hilarious)— some laugh-out-loud moments, and a thread of melancholy as they find their way. A very nice balance is struck between the extremes— an inventive take on the story prompt. There are also some well-done side characters, friends Eric and Paul, who add to the layers.
July 21, 2015
3.5 stars
Ben and Caiden met at a campsite at the state park, while both men were taking a break from the problems of their real life situation (although I wasn't sure what Caiden's problem was). They didn't exchange any real names, only Flash and Flip, and had wonderful moments for those few days before they separated...
There was something tender on their romance, as well as the freedom of anonymity that I found quite refreshing. Despite the relatively short time, their road to happy ending felt believable. I would love to read few more pages before the Epilogue though, but that was probably me being greedy. Kudos for lovely secondary characters, from Ben's mother to Ben's best friends, heck, even Caiden's brother (though he only appeared in few paragraphs). I think I might start keeping my eyes on future stories from Stevens.
By the way, Light and Motion probably has the most effective ways to start a story *lol*
Ben and Caiden met at a campsite at the state park, while both men were taking a break from the problems of their real life situation (although I wasn't sure what Caiden's problem was). They didn't exchange any real names, only Flash and Flip, and had wonderful moments for those few days before they separated...
There was something tender on their romance, as well as the freedom of anonymity that I found quite refreshing. Despite the relatively short time, their road to happy ending felt believable. I would love to read few more pages before the Epilogue though, but that was probably me being greedy. Kudos for lovely secondary characters, from Ben's mother to Ben's best friends, heck, even Caiden's brother (though he only appeared in few paragraphs). I think I might start keeping my eyes on future stories from Stevens.
By the way, Light and Motion probably has the most effective ways to start a story *lol*
July 26, 2015
And the award for the best epilogue goes to...
A story about a photographer and his sexy dancer.
Ben is heartbreakingly lonely, but it's a secret he keeps to himself. After an uncharacteristic hookup leaves him the talk of the town and hurting his business, he takes a job photographing a campground/park in the hopes that people will forget what a colossal mistake he's made.
It turns out, he's not the only one hiding from their life.
When Ben meets a gorgeous blonde camper, sparks fly, and they end up making an arrangement to spend the weekend together, make the most of their time with no string attached, and to leave their worries behind. They can be whomever they want to be for the next three days.
Flip and Flash are born.
They end up having some great chemistry together, and even better adventures. It seems that all good things must come to an end, but that doesn't mean that Ben won't treasure his time with Flip, or that it doesn't spark something inside him to take a chance on life. And when he finally finds out the identity Flip, he grasps the chance to see him again.
This story was sweet and gentle, and just what I needed. And that epilogue? Pure perfection.
Such a great read.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is and Open Road event.
A story about a photographer and his sexy dancer.
Ben is heartbreakingly lonely, but it's a secret he keeps to himself. After an uncharacteristic hookup leaves him the talk of the town and hurting his business, he takes a job photographing a campground/park in the hopes that people will forget what a colossal mistake he's made.
It turns out, he's not the only one hiding from their life.
When Ben meets a gorgeous blonde camper, sparks fly, and they end up making an arrangement to spend the weekend together, make the most of their time with no string attached, and to leave their worries behind. They can be whomever they want to be for the next three days.
Flip and Flash are born.
They end up having some great chemistry together, and even better adventures. It seems that all good things must come to an end, but that doesn't mean that Ben won't treasure his time with Flip, or that it doesn't spark something inside him to take a chance on life. And when he finally finds out the identity Flip, he grasps the chance to see him again.
This story was sweet and gentle, and just what I needed. And that epilogue? Pure perfection.
Such a great read.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is and Open Road event.
August 7, 2015
I had no idea what to expect going into this one and it turns out it was really good!
Some humor and plenty of hot scenes, even got my feels going at one point.
I also had my suspicions about Flips true identity, but I liked having to wait till closer to the end to find out if I was right or not.
Some humor and plenty of hot scenes, even got my feels going at one point.
I also had my suspicions about Flips true identity, but I liked having to wait till closer to the end to find out if I was right or not.
August 24, 2015
Thank you Natalia, it was everything I hoped for, and more. :)
Sweet, sexy, full of hope.
I loved the characters and Natalia's writing style. She has a lovely voice, soothing, like a river flowing. And I really enjoyed the dialogue.
I hope we hear more from this author.
Sweet, sexy, full of hope.
I loved the characters and Natalia's writing style. She has a lovely voice, soothing, like a river flowing. And I really enjoyed the dialogue.
I hope we hear more from this author.
January 25, 2016
I liked it a lot, until about 80%, then the development somehow didn’t sit well with me. In the end even the epilogue didn’t help.
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July 21, 2015I loved this story. Funny and sweet and romantic. Perfect for a lazy summer's afternoon. Also - the cover is so pretty! Thank you for this story. X
December 6, 2017
Cute, funny story!
I liked Ben's mom and his friends!
"Flip", "Flash", and their adventures were interesting! ;)
I liked Ben's mom and his friends!
"Flip", "Flash", and their adventures were interesting! ;)
December 24, 2017
4.5 stars
February 5, 2018
Very good book I think. I liked the idea of the whole being strangers for a day.
June 19, 2018
Thoroughly delightful feel-good story. Flash and Flip, Ben and Caiden....perfect together.
March 1, 2017
It was a nice and simple hurt/comfort. A few chuckle worthy moments. A sweet read wrapped up in an HEA. Not the most intriguing of openings but a pleasant read all around and true to the prompt.
August 9, 2015
At the beginning of the story, Ben is caught in a compromising position with a blond groom. Word spreads like wildfire. Of course, it gets warped and makes Ben look like the bad guy. He didn’t even know who the blond was when he was getting his rocks off. But they live in small town and his business is hitting a rough patch because of this incident.
He picks up a different type of photographing gig. He is to go to the park and take pictures to help promote it. It’s a great idea and opportunity. Get away from all the negativity until it dies down(or the next big scandal happens) and he gets to camp out under the stars and do something a little bit different than doing weddings.
Then he meets a blond greek god, who is also trying to escape reality and they both hit it off. They go back nicknames and his blond man goes by Flip. He and Flip have a fantastic time. I like the twist at the end and I really enjoyed all the characters.
He picks up a different type of photographing gig. He is to go to the park and take pictures to help promote it. It’s a great idea and opportunity. Get away from all the negativity until it dies down(or the next big scandal happens) and he gets to camp out under the stars and do something a little bit different than doing weddings.
Then he meets a blond greek god, who is also trying to escape reality and they both hit it off. They go back nicknames and his blond man goes by Flip. He and Flip have a fantastic time. I like the twist at the end and I really enjoyed all the characters.
Want to read
August 6, 2015
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Is An Open Road event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
SO CUTE!
December 31, 2015
Ben is an photographer. It all started at an wedding bascially he is caught with of all the people the groom. When the word spreads Ben needs to get away he find an place to camp while the news stops. He meet caiden but to each other they known as flash and flip. They spend time together then its time to separate. But of course we still have an reunion towards the end.
July 28, 2015
This was just a sweet, fluffy and heartwarming novella read. Flip and Flash found their light and motion in each other and got a second chance to make good on what they began. The epilogue was full of playful banter and rounded the story off so well, it left me with a contented *sigh* .
October 11, 2015
Who knew that gay photographers were a genre? This is the third one in this collection that I have read so far.
I enjoyed this story and the characters, but a few phrases made no sense to me, as if something had been removed and what remained could not stand on its own.
I enjoyed this story and the characters, but a few phrases made no sense to me, as if something had been removed and what remained could not stand on its own.
July 21, 2015
Another great DRiTC story! I loved the mystery these two heroes insisted upon. It made the story that much better. Glad to hear Caiden didn't forget about Ben either during their time apart!
July 23, 2015
I kind of missed Bob in the end and the whole 'I'm just one someone to marry'-topic was kind of pitiful. But it was well written with sympathy for characters. I loved them all, especially Bob.
July 28, 2015
I loved this short read!!!! OMG, it was fantastic!! The craziness of life, the getaway and the absolute love in this story was perfect! I think this author has huge po, please write more!!!!!
July 28, 2015
Soft, sensual and romantic. Yes it is instalove but it's believable and wonderful. Reading about Ben and Caiden made me happy. :) A feel-good read.
January 2, 2016
Not rock-my-world amazing, but a pretty good story all the same.
August 23, 2015
Liked it. A lovely low angst story with plenty of humour.Had my fingers crossed that their paths would somehow cross again. Well written and a pleasure to read.
4 stars
4 stars
September 22, 2015
Very sweet with a touch of angst and a very happy ending. Loved it. Very easy writing with a great flow
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews