MEN: From His and His Kisses [Paperback]

Jon Michaelsen (Author), Carol McKenzie (Author), Anastasia Rabiyah (Author), Max Griffin (Author), Patricia Oshier-Bruening (Author), Alex Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2008

Welcome to a collection of hot, gay romance that will make even the manliest men sweat with passion and desire. Lust, love and intrigue follow these riveting characters through a series of short stories and novellas. Lose yourself in a world where men are truly men. Graphic Intentions - Patricia Oshier Bruening Scott Delaney, a graphic novelist suffering from writer's block, discovers his elusive inspiration in Derek Reinhart, but he finds himself interested in him for more than just breaking down the wall of his writer’s block. Derek isn't looking for a relationship, but is intrigued by something beyond Scott's graphic artwork. While each is thinking the other is straight, neither acts on the attraction until a loudmouth bigot confronts them. Sparks fly as they begin exploring The Blindfold - Anastasia Rabiyah Leo’s pained past has kept him from trying again when it comes to serious relationships, but when he finds himself in Marcel’s house and at the center of this man’s expert attentions, hope glimmers in his heart. Can Marcel be the one to help Leo put his past behind him and let go of his distrust, or will the weekend be just a fling that leads back to another string of long, empty silences and loneliness? Either way, Leo is willing to go through with it just for the erotic memory. Voyeur - Jon Michaelsen Kevin has an obsession; one that involves the muscular Adonis in the penthouse adjacent to his high-rise condominium. He’s told no one, not even Alice, his best friend at the office of his fascination. He purchases binoculars, adds a camera with zoom lens and spirals into the depths of voyeurism before devising a plan to finally meet the man of his dreams. An evening of easy conversation and lustful glances ends far too soon, but not before Tony plants the most amazing kiss ever on Kevin’s lips, leaving him yearning for more. When Tony shows up at Kevin’s apartment the next night all bloody and bruised, Kevin offers him instant refuge…and his bed. But not all is what it seems. Police burst into Kevin’s home, searching for the killer of a man in the penthouse across the street—Tony’s so-called partner. Will Kevin’s pleas of innocence save him from this horrible turn of events? Pure Artistry - Carol McKenzie Cameron Bracy, an established Certified Public Accountant enrolls in a drawing class at a local university to relieve stress. Just out of a heterosexual relationship, and thinking he’s straight, he meets a man at the class and denies the chemistry he feels for the gorgeous hunk, Eli Thompson. Over drinks and long walks to the canteen, they talk and become well acquainted. Eli, who also has just broken up with a male friend, is drawn to Cameron and attempts to show him through a series of experiments that gay sex is hot. Safe Word - Alex Morgan The naked body of a young man is found as Provincetown prepares for Mates weekend, a popular leather fetish gathering. The police suspect a random murder, but Corey Shaw, brought in to help with the investigation, suspects it was an extreme BDSM session that went out of control. He tours the town’s dark dungeons, looking for a murderer preying on young men. He becomes immersed in the local scene and discovers a side of himself he’s never explored before. In a sea of muscular, leather-clad Masters and Slaves, he realizes hidden urges in an environment where every fantasy can be fulfilled, but he must set aside his sadomasochism desires in order to locate someone who takes the bondage fetish to the ultimate extreme. Can Corey find him before becoming a victim himself? Dream A Little Dream of Me The Other Side of the Window - Max Griffin Dream a Little Dream of Me is a tale of Sean and Gil, polar opposites, who seek in one another the perfect lover. Twice forsaken by past loves, Sean longs for a relationship that will last. When he meets Gil, he believes he’s found his perfect mate. After Gil warns him to stay out of the spare room, temptation overpowers

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: loveyoudivine (July 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600542409
• ISBN-13: 978-1600542404
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,095,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Company of MEN!, September 18, 2008

By 

Jon Michaelsen (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MEN: From His and His Kisses (Paperback)

Wow - what an anthology of novellas and short-stories! I'm a tad biased of course, since my story, Voyeur, is included in the antho - but I can honestly say to any reader interested in solid gay-themed stories; You will not be disappointed! There is steamy romance, murder, suspense, cops, detectives, sci-fi, killers and leather filled within these pages, from the scorching romance of Pure Artistry & Graphic Intentions, the steamy erotic quest of The Blindfold and Safe Word, to emerging into another dimension in The Other Side of the Window, hanging on the edge of your seat in suspense in Dream A Little Dream Of Me and Voyeur! MEN is "must" for avid reader of good anthologies!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Men by Jon Michaelsen & Carol McKenzie, July 30, 2008

By 

Elisa (Italy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: MEN: From His and His Kisses (Paperback)

Graphic Intentions by Patricia Oshier Bruening

Scott and Derek are both damaged goods. Scott is an ex con, went in prison at 19 years old for killing his little brother while drunk driving. He has now a quite good life, making money as graphic novelist; the pain in his knee is only a reminder to not let him think that he is allowed to have a normal life. And so, even if a lot of people in his neighbor likes him, Scott is alone and convinced that it's right like that.

Derek is a former army officer who made a big mistake during a mission, and it caused the death of his men. He was not judged guilty, but his coscience makes the work for him as like the scars on his face. Derek is never allowed to forget and his loneliness is another of his punishment.

When these two meet, probably they realize that the conviction is ended and that maybe they are granted another chance to happiness. The story surprised me, I didn't expect it to be so interesting, since, I'm honest, I didn't know the author and I'm usually not expecting to much in a short story (less than 20.000 words). But the characters are really interesting, the plot quite unusual, since nor Scott or Derek are mistreated heros who need to be rehabilitated, they are guilty of their mistake, but they payed, and continue to pay, for their errors. And even when they meet each other, it's not all wine and roses, they are still two different and complicated characters that need to find a way to walk together.

Voyeur by Jon Michaelsen

Voyeur is not a romance but a tale of obsession. Kevin is a normal gay guy, with a nice apartment and a good job. He is doing pretty good, till the night he spots the man who lives across the street. From his apartment, Kevin could see every moves of the man and he becomes obsessed; he remains all his spare time in front of the window, even buys special equipments to see better. After sometime he even begins to neglect work and friends; finally he manages to meet the man and his dream seems to come true... but it's a dream or a nightmare?

Less than 60 pages it has a very stunning ending; really I didn't expect it and maybe I'm also a bit perplexed... I'm happy of it? is it what I was expecting or is it better?

This is the first book I read by Jon Michaelsen and in only 60 pages I can't really have a strong opinion on his writing, but for sure this short story is pretty original, and if you like a bit of twist in your usual romance, try it.

Pure Artistry by Carol McKenzie

Cameron is just out of a relationship with a woman, ended in a friendly way but that has left him with a void in his heart.

Eli, a gardener, broke with his last partner that left with their tools, and so now he is without work and lover.

They meet in an adult learning class art and Cameron notices Eli in a physical way from the first moment. But he is not ready to admit his first interest toward another male and drags Eli in a buddy friends relationship. Eli agrees to it to be near a man he is interested in, but at the same time he tries to understand if they can have something more.

The day-to-day routine they started is broken by a sudden event life and both Cameron and Eli have to face a crossroads: Cameron needs to recognize his true nature and Eli to move on his past relationship.

The story is nice, I like both Cameron and Eli. Eli at first seems stronger than Cameron, but then we have the chance to see that he is a man in need of a stronger figure beside him, maybe he is too sentimentalist, and, yes, also not so independent as he shows. Cameron, older and with a good work and a steady life, is the right man to give him all the reassurance he needs.

The story is not very long, less than 60 pages, and it's easy to read, but I feel like it was closed too soon: I would like to read a bit more of background for both Cameron than Eli, and also a bit more of their life together.

5.0 out of 5 stars From His and His Kisses, May 9, 2009

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MEN: From His and His Kisses (Paperback)

Pure Artistry
Cameron Bracy thought taking an art class would be a good way to relieve stress. His job as an accountant and his recent break up with his girlfriend has been the cause of plenty of stress in his life lately, but he may have made a big mistake with the art class when he finds himself attracted to one of his classmates, who happens to be a man.

Eli Thompson is coming off of a break up as well. His wasn't as amicable as Cameron's. In fact his boyfriend left him in a bad position and falling for a straight man is just not what he needed, but Cameron's kindness was too hard to resist.

I really liked this story. Cameron never thought of himself as gay and never thought of men in a romantic manner until Eli walked into his art class. I liked how Cameron, although a bit freaked, was sincere and open with Eli about his curiosity and the strange feelings Eli was making him feel. Eli was just so sweet even though his bastard of an ex-boyfriend left him and his finances pretty desolate. Eli and Cameron shared a respect for each other and each other's boundaries until they were sure of what the other one wanted. Pure Artistry was a sweet and enjoyable story that readers will be pleased with.

Ley
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Graphic Intentions
Inspiration is found when least expected, so graphic novelist Scott Delaney discovered. Seeing the lone figured hunched over his cup of coffee blasted away Scott's wall of writer's block and flooded him with creativity. When he found his source of inspiration standing over his table and introducing himself, the intriguing Derek Reinhart awakened more than Scott's creative juices.

Derek couldn't see why anyone would find him inspiring, especially someone like Scott. Derek was amazed Scott could see past his scars and want to be friends, but Derek wonder if he would still want to be friends once he found out Derek was gay and discover the truth behind his scars.

Graphic Intention has a great storyline and really interesting characters but I felt the author didn't pull the story together very well. I didn't feel a strong connection between Derek and Scott and I also felt the baggage and guilt the two carried around may be too much for their fragile relationship. Graphic Intentions didn't connect with me but other readers may find it more to their liking.

Ley
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Safe Word
The annual Mates Leather Festival in Provincetown is now in full swing. Once a year all the gays in the area can be out of the closet and openly together to enjoy and explore their sexuality.

Psionic officer Corey Shaw is called in by Police Chief Richard Stewart after a male body is found with definite signs of hard core BDSM both past and at the time of his death.

Delving into the lifestyle, Corey is losing himself to deeply hidden wants and desires while his focus on the murder is becoming unclear as another body is discovered with the same M.O. Corey must catch the killer and hold onto his own self before he lets things go too far and he can never return to the man he loves waiting for him back in Boston.

Safe Word, a dark and mid-heavy BDSM murder mystery with a paranormal twist. Our hero, Corey Shaw has many psychic talents and author Alex Morgan turns those skills around in a way to make Corey's own internal struggle as interesting as catching a killer. This isn't a love story per se other than the mention of his lover Ethan back home. Also, the ending in Safe Word is quite abrupt. I did however, enjoy the writing style as well as Corey and wished there had been more at the end.

Lisa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed