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Please note: The FULL version of this book can be read online at www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au or downloaded at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... or https://www.payhip.com/pennybrandon
Dear Author,
The first thing he noticed as he slowly came awake was the tickle at his nose. The second was the noise… or rather the lack thereof. The ubiquitous drone of big city life (that was always there but usually went unnoticed) was just… gone.
Raising his head he slowly cracked an eye open. The light was dim but still allowed him to see— what? Straw? Where the f*ck was he? And buck-ass-naked too!
He shut his eyes quickly, took a deep, calming breath and opened his eyes once again…
Dear Author, how did he get here? He was out with his co-workers last night. A quick get-acquainted drink at the neighbourhood pub to celebrate his new job, in a new city, before heading home.
Maybe he shouldn’t have taken that shortcut through the park after all…
Photo Description:
The photo is of a dark room, with just enough light to see a naked man lying on his stomach in a pile of straw. He’s looking around him, and appears confused.
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.
Please note: The FULL version of this book can be read online at www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au or downloaded at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... or https://www.payhip.com/pennybrandon
Dear Author,
The first thing he noticed as he slowly came awake was the tickle at his nose. The second was the noise… or rather the lack thereof. The ubiquitous drone of big city life (that was always there but usually went unnoticed) was just… gone.
Raising his head he slowly cracked an eye open. The light was dim but still allowed him to see— what? Straw? Where the f*ck was he? And buck-ass-naked too!
He shut his eyes quickly, took a deep, calming breath and opened his eyes once again…
Dear Author, how did he get here? He was out with his co-workers last night. A quick get-acquainted drink at the neighbourhood pub to celebrate his new job, in a new city, before heading home.
Maybe he shouldn’t have taken that shortcut through the park after all…
Photo Description:
The photo is of a dark room, with just enough light to see a naked man lying on his stomach in a pile of straw. He’s looking around him, and appears confused.
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.
26 pages, ebook
First published August 6, 2015
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Penny Brandon
19 books98 followersPenny is a complete romantic who believes everyone can fall in love if only they’ll open their heart to the possibility, which is why she writes those hot, erotic stories that will always have a happily ever after. However, it doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily make it easy for her men to get there. A lover of things that go bump in the night, Penny’s imagination can sometimes run riot, so magic mirrors and evil dolls is only the beginning.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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August 6, 2015To Be Continued - Words to ensure I don't even start.
At least it's in the warning at the beginning this time.
UPDATE
Apparently as Vivian pointed out below it's continued on author's blog. Doesn't say anything to that effect on the story mmrom-link/posts but I now see it's been added as an 'author question' here - wasn't there earlier!
At least it's in the warning at the beginning this time.
UPDATE
Apparently as Vivian pointed out below it's continued on author's blog. Doesn't say anything to that effect on the story mmrom-link/posts but I now see it's been added as an 'author question' here - wasn't there earlier!
Want to read
August 6, 2015And again a story "To be Continued"... *sigh* This year's event has quite a lot of them. I find that annoying...
July 15, 2017
3 Stars
I'll start by stating that I liked this one quite a bit, but that I feel it would have benefited greatly from more story development. (That's me being greedy again, always wanting more).
Yes, the copy I had downloaded from the M/M Romance Group's site abruptly ended, seemingly in the middle of the story, with a pesky "To Be Continued," but thankfully I easily found the full version on the author's website without too much hassle.
This brief story begins when two strangers, Ray and Greg, wake up naked in a locked room full of straw. Ray is scared and confused, not knowing how or why he has been kidnapped and locked in a room with a hot naked man. Greg, however, is less out of the loop. He explains to Ray that he is in fact an undercover cop who has been investigating the abductions of several young gay men; men who have been held captive until they submit to performing sexual acts for the abductor(s) to watch via camera feed.
Without food or water, Ray and Greg's resilience only lasts so long, until they agree to give in to the demands, in hopes of being let free like all the previous abductees. Thankfully, Ray and Greg have formed a bond in the brief time they've spent together, so neither are largely opposed to getting their freak on to get the hell out. They even go as far as to promise each other they'll explore a relationship if they should even safely escape this madness.
That was the point in the story in which my copy abruptly ended, to which I harrumphed my frustration and hastily hauled ass over to Brandon's website in order to read the rest. I just had to know whether Ray and Greg would get out and who was responsible, and most importantly, whether Greg was in fact who he said he was (suspicious much!).
It was quite juicy stuff and I liked how it all played out, keeping me on my toes for most of the second half. But like I said, I really feel like this could have been something awesome if it was further developed. As it stands, Ray and Greg didn't get all that much page time to endear me to them and their budding relationship, and I still have some questions remaining about the abductions and how they were pulled of and why. I guess I'll never get my answers, but I'll take it for what it was - an enjoyable FREE M/M read!
I'll start by stating that I liked this one quite a bit, but that I feel it would have benefited greatly from more story development. (That's me being greedy again, always wanting more).
Yes, the copy I had downloaded from the M/M Romance Group's site abruptly ended, seemingly in the middle of the story, with a pesky "To Be Continued," but thankfully I easily found the full version on the author's website without too much hassle.
This brief story begins when two strangers, Ray and Greg, wake up naked in a locked room full of straw. Ray is scared and confused, not knowing how or why he has been kidnapped and locked in a room with a hot naked man. Greg, however, is less out of the loop. He explains to Ray that he is in fact an undercover cop who has been investigating the abductions of several young gay men; men who have been held captive until they submit to performing sexual acts for the abductor(s) to watch via camera feed.
Without food or water, Ray and Greg's resilience only lasts so long, until they agree to give in to the demands, in hopes of being let free like all the previous abductees. Thankfully, Ray and Greg have formed a bond in the brief time they've spent together, so neither are largely opposed to getting their freak on to get the hell out. They even go as far as to promise each other they'll explore a relationship if they should even safely escape this madness.
That was the point in the story in which my copy abruptly ended, to which I harrumphed my frustration and hastily hauled ass over to Brandon's website in order to read the rest. I just had to know whether Ray and Greg would get out and who was responsible, and most importantly, whether Greg was in fact who he said he was (suspicious much!).
It was quite juicy stuff and I liked how it all played out, keeping me on my toes for most of the second half. But like I said, I really feel like this could have been something awesome if it was further developed. As it stands, Ray and Greg didn't get all that much page time to endear me to them and their budding relationship, and I still have some questions remaining about the abductions and how they were pulled of and why. I guess I'll never get my answers, but I'll take it for what it was - an enjoyable FREE M/M read!
May 24, 2018
Good story.
While it was a little rushed, and there were some rough edges I was impressed enough to want more by this author.
While it was a little rushed, and there were some rough edges I was impressed enough to want more by this author.
August 13, 2015
Do you have any idea of how uncomfortable it would be to wake up on a bed of straw?
Now imagine you're a guy, laying face down and naked, waking up on a bed of straw.
*shudders*
That's what happens to Ray, who has no memory of what happened after he left that bar the night before. He also has no clothes, no idea where he is, and no means to escape.
Except, he's not alone. There's Greg, who claims to be an undercover police officer, and a box of supplies, with instructions to be followed.
Are you catching my drift? They're going to have to get down and dirty in the straw if they want to be released.
Instead, they try to hold out, wait, talk, and generally get to know each other. Until they can't hold off any longer. Then Ray wakes up to a freedom without Greg, and a burning desire to find him again.
I'd recommend reading both parts to this story, since the entire time you'll be wondering if Greg is who he says he is.
It's a bit insta-lovey, but it's a short entertaining read. I can't even begin to thank the author for making the second part available the same day as the release day. It was really appreciated.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is an Open Road event.
Now imagine you're a guy, laying face down and naked, waking up on a bed of straw.
*shudders*
That's what happens to Ray, who has no memory of what happened after he left that bar the night before. He also has no clothes, no idea where he is, and no means to escape.
Except, he's not alone. There's Greg, who claims to be an undercover police officer, and a box of supplies, with instructions to be followed.
Are you catching my drift? They're going to have to get down and dirty in the straw if they want to be released.
Instead, they try to hold out, wait, talk, and generally get to know each other. Until they can't hold off any longer. Then Ray wakes up to a freedom without Greg, and a burning desire to find him again.
I'd recommend reading both parts to this story, since the entire time you'll be wondering if Greg is who he says he is.
It's a bit insta-lovey, but it's a short entertaining read. I can't even begin to thank the author for making the second part available the same day as the release day. It was really appreciated.
My thanks to the author for their participation in the Love is an Open Road event.
August 6, 2015
COMPLETE even though the tag says TBC.
Sweet take on an abduction story.
Ray and Greg find themselves naked and imprisoned with very simple instructions on how they can get free--a twist on the Fuck or Die scenario. It was a quick read and the second half of the story is posted on the author's blogpage so the TO BE CONTINUED is really a flip over to read the end. There are a few inconsistencies and it felt a bit rushed at the end.
Overall, low angst capture and release.
My thanks to the author for participating in the MM Group's 2015 DRitC event, Love is an Open Road
Sweet take on an abduction story.
Ray and Greg find themselves naked and imprisoned with very simple instructions on how they can get free--a twist on the Fuck or Die scenario. It was a quick read and the second half of the story is posted on the author's blogpage so the TO BE CONTINUED is really a flip over to read the end. There are a few inconsistencies and it felt a bit rushed at the end.
Overall, low angst capture and release.
My thanks to the author for participating in the MM Group's 2015 DRitC event, Love is an Open Road
August 7, 2015
Rated based on parts 1 & 2.
Once again I'm amazed by the creativity of the authors involved in the Don't Read in the Closet events.
This is based on my prompt. To be honest, I had a completely different scenario playing out in my mind while I wrote it. But that is what is so awesome about this event. With a few deft twists and turns, Ms. Brandon led me in an entirely original and unique direction and I LOVE that!
Once again I'm amazed by the creativity of the authors involved in the Don't Read in the Closet events.
This is based on my prompt. To be honest, I had a completely different scenario playing out in my mind while I wrote it. But that is what is so awesome about this event. With a few deft twists and turns, Ms. Brandon led me in an entirely original and unique direction and I LOVE that!
Read
September 16, 2016THE FULL STORY - including part two (the conclusion) of this story is on my blogpage:
www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au
I'm sorry it wasn't ready at the time the first half was edited and proofread by the m/m romance group, however I hope you still enjoy the conclusion to Ray and Greg's story.
Penny
www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au
I'm sorry it wasn't ready at the time the first half was edited and proofread by the m/m romance group, however I hope you still enjoy the conclusion to Ray and Greg's story.
Penny
call-me-maybe-books
August 6, 2015Note from author:
Please note the conclusion to this story is available on my blogpage www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au
I'm sorry it wasn't available in time for editing and proofreading by the m/m romance group, but I hope you enjoy the conclusion to Ray and Greg's story anyway.
August 7, 2015
You can find the completed story here at the author's blog which includes both Part 1 & Part 2.
Personally I would recommend that you read both parts, because while Part One itself serves as a nice short with an ambiguous ending, Part Two is the one where everything happens. While Part One is okay, Part Two is awesome, I mean you can feel that the level of the story-telling has been turned up a notch. Since Part One only deals with a scenario it was nice that the second part dealt with the character's life after the instance.
This story starts off as a bit improbable and highly suspicious, but we get to deal with all our suspicions and get a well deserved Happily-Ever-After.
This story is a very interesting and different take on two people who get abducted and need to trade sexual favours for their freedom. Even though it deals with a dark topic the author makes the story light without compromising on the emotional aspect of such an abduction.
I liked Ray and Greg, they were good and I could see how well they fitted together especially towards the end.
I liked the entire completed story, it has a natural progression and a happy ending.
Personally I would recommend that you read both parts, because while Part One itself serves as a nice short with an ambiguous ending, Part Two is the one where everything happens. While Part One is okay, Part Two is awesome, I mean you can feel that the level of the story-telling has been turned up a notch. Since Part One only deals with a scenario it was nice that the second part dealt with the character's life after the instance.
This story starts off as a bit improbable and highly suspicious, but we get to deal with all our suspicions and get a well deserved Happily-Ever-After.
This story is a very interesting and different take on two people who get abducted and need to trade sexual favours for their freedom. Even though it deals with a dark topic the author makes the story light without compromising on the emotional aspect of such an abduction.
I liked Ray and Greg, they were good and I could see how well they fitted together especially towards the end.
I liked the entire completed story, it has a natural progression and a happy ending.
December 28, 2018
This was a decent little short story. I enjoyed most of it, the only part I thought could have been better was the wrap up with the captors, seemed to clean and easy, give me a little grit.
Anywho this was a Smashwords freebie.
Anywho this was a Smashwords freebie.
March 30, 2018
This was an excellent short story with a solid plot. Ray and Greg have been kidnapped and the only way out of their situation is to have sex. Greg is a undercover cop and is keeping Ray safe and sane. a short story that keeps you reading to see what is happening next. Has an excellent HEA and a good ending for the bad guys. Would recommend this book to anyone to read.
November 22, 2015
I found the idea interesting, but the problem i had with this story was that i feel like i didn't get to know the characters, it happend all so fast and i finish it with a lot of questions like who were the bad guys?, were both guys realy victims or was one of them part of the bad ones?. The part i did liked was that the ending keeps you wondering what comes next and wishing to read more about the story.
review update:
I didn't know there was a part two of this story, so i recently read it and i was very happy to have the answers to my previous questions. Beside that, i found the plot more interesting so i had to upgrade the previous rating i gave to the story. What i still found a bit of a trouble was the pace, it still feel like the story is in a bit of a rush and would be much better if it slows down a little, because i see so much potential on it, but feels like something is missing.
Overall i believe was a very interesting reading.
review update:
I didn't know there was a part two of this story, so i recently read it and i was very happy to have the answers to my previous questions. Beside that, i found the plot more interesting so i had to upgrade the previous rating i gave to the story. What i still found a bit of a trouble was the pace, it still feel like the story is in a bit of a rush and would be much better if it slows down a little, because i see so much potential on it, but feels like something is missing.
Overall i believe was a very interesting reading.
September 3, 2015
Oh I really liked this plot. It wasn't what I was expecting. Even though I totally wanted them to get together, I still kept waiting for the author to tell me that Greg was in on it. Going straight to the authors blog page and read the continuation.
Okay for those that read this story YOU MUST read the second half on her review. It completes this great story!!
Okay for those that read this story YOU MUST read the second half on her review. It completes this great story!!
November 7, 2015
I wanted to like this. Romantically, it wasn't bad. The abduction story is a bit odd, but it could be a concept that works. But the sex was totally boring to me. I'm not sure why, but it wasn't sexy at all. I'd like to give constructive criticism, but I can't say why it didn't work for me.
August 8, 2015
Thank you for posting the conclusion of this story on your blog. Rating is for the 'full' story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2016
I read the full version on the author's site and that is what my review is for.
January 8, 2018
This started off rather interesting, but then devolved into having huge gaps and plot points that made no sense, ending off as a bad story that would take a major overhaul to be saved.
Ray wakes up locked in a room with Greg. Both of them were clearly drugged and brought there, and it turns out that Greg is an undercover cop who was expecting this. Men have been getting kidnapped from a particular park and then forced to jerk off before they are returned to the park. Clearly the kidnappers are now looking for more, and have kidnapped two men with the intent to film them having sex before returning them. With no way out of the room, Ray and Greg need to consider what they will do to survive.
Up to this point the story seems intriguing. I mean, people getting kidnapped just to film a video and then returned seems a bit much (wouldn't it be easier to take a pick up from a bar than kidnap them) but there are more far fetched premises out there so I could accept that. It was after Ray and Greg have sex that everything went downhill. The questions that pile up after that made it far to hard to suspend disbelief.
Ending off the story with it six months later, yet bringing up more illogical plot points and questions rather than answers, just made me even angrier at this short. If you are going to write a story that is semi-mystery, don't skip over the entire mystery part and leave it off with some happy-glowy epilogue of the two together and no questions answered. Most frustrating story I've read in a bit.
Ray wakes up locked in a room with Greg. Both of them were clearly drugged and brought there, and it turns out that Greg is an undercover cop who was expecting this. Men have been getting kidnapped from a particular park and then forced to jerk off before they are returned to the park. Clearly the kidnappers are now looking for more, and have kidnapped two men with the intent to film them having sex before returning them. With no way out of the room, Ray and Greg need to consider what they will do to survive.
Up to this point the story seems intriguing. I mean, people getting kidnapped just to film a video and then returned seems a bit much (wouldn't it be easier to take a pick up from a bar than kidnap them) but there are more far fetched premises out there so I could accept that. It was after Ray and Greg have sex that everything went downhill. The questions that pile up after that made it far to hard to suspend disbelief.
Ending off the story with it six months later, yet bringing up more illogical plot points and questions rather than answers, just made me even angrier at this short. If you are going to write a story that is semi-mystery, don't skip over the entire mystery part and leave it off with some happy-glowy epilogue of the two together and no questions answered. Most frustrating story I've read in a bit.
July 24, 2019
My review is for the full version.
This was pretty good for the most part. For at least the first half I was questioning a lot of what was going on but then the author addressed what I was thinking in the second half. Although I still find it hard to believe two men - captive, naked and in the dark - could have sex like that so easily. After several days of no food, no water, no bathing, no toilet, etc., they probably smelled terrible and there was no way to properly prepare for anal sex so things were likely a bit, shall we say, messy.
As far as the overall writing and storyline, I felt the beginning flowed better and then became a bit rushed when Ray was released. I would have liked to read about how/where Greg was found, who the kidnappers were (was it an inside job as suspected) and a better feeling for their long distance relationship, which was addressed in just a couple of pages. I really liked that they got their HEA!
This was pretty good for the most part. For at least the first half I was questioning a lot of what was going on but then the author addressed what I was thinking in the second half. Although I still find it hard to believe two men - captive, naked and in the dark - could have sex like that so easily. After several days of no food, no water, no bathing, no toilet, etc., they probably smelled terrible and there was no way to properly prepare for anal sex so things were likely a bit, shall we say, messy.
As far as the overall writing and storyline, I felt the beginning flowed better and then became a bit rushed when Ray was released. I would have liked to read about how/where Greg was found, who the kidnappers were (was it an inside job as suspected) and a better feeling for their long distance relationship, which was addressed in just a couple of pages. I really liked that they got their HEA!
September 28, 2019
Got this as a freebie for a review. Really enjoyed this short read. Got it all. Hot men, a few twists, a story that you think you know what going to happen next and then you realise you got it wrong... Worth the read
September 18, 2019
Great job with the prompt given. I will have to look for the rest of the story.
Read
August 17, 2015I can't rate this one properly. I liked the writing style. It was a fast read and I wanted to know what happened and what will happen. There is that.
The rest of my thoughts might be spoilerish so I put the rest under cut.
I just don't know how to rate so I won't. I just think the writing was good but I didn't like the story.
The rest of my thoughts might be spoilerish so I put the rest under cut.
I just don't know how to rate so I won't. I just think the writing was good but I didn't like the story.
October 11, 2015
This review is based upon the entire story, which I eventually found on the author's blog. This is a limited story that has only a few scenes. It is unusual in that the characters meet while both are being held captive. One.thing I didn't like was that it starts when they both first wake up and all of a sudden they have been together for days without any pause in the narrative.
The story was ok but I didn't really get the chance to know the characters so I do not feel that strongly about them or their story.
The story was ok but I didn't really get the chance to know the characters so I do not feel that strongly about them or their story.
November 1, 2015
For a short story, this wasn’t too bad. It had a little bit of mystery and two very likable characters. I do have to say that I don’t really read short stories. I picked this one because I needed one more book for a challenge this month and needed something quick to read. That being said, I did enjoy reading this. I read it on the Goodreads site and was starting to worry about the ending. Then I saw a note saying the rest was on the author’s blog. Boy was I happy. I would have hated what was written to only be a preview. Good read overall. Just wish it had been longer.
o-maybe-r
August 14, 2015Note: this story is not complete the second part is on the authors blog: http://www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com....
September 12, 2015
Good start to the story. I'm glad to see that the rest of the story is on the author's website.
October 21, 2016
Thankfully the author completed the story on her blog, as it was so intriquing and I just had to find out what happened to Greg and Ray.
February 5, 2017
A cute little short story. I enjoyed it.
August 30, 2015
Surprise pseudo-cliffhanger...
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews