The Question by Sean Michael

Summary:

Sky and Will have been best friends for a long time and every Saturday they get together to watch the game. Sky has a question, though, which just might change their standing Saturday plans, and their relationship, forever. Will Sky have the guts to ask it?

Reviewer: PurpleRose
I'm giving The Question 3 stars, most short stories this long (about three thousand words) would get 2 stars but I enjoyed this story a little more than most and would love to read more about these two so I'm adding another star.

I've read about twenty other Sean Michael's books and I have liked pretty much all of them, the only thing that irked me is that they sometimes have too much sex in them, but since this one was so short it was expected. The entire story is mostly one large sex scene between two best friends who have both been in love with each other for about eight years.

During their college years Will and Sky had sex one time and Sky was left bleeding and in pain so they never spoke of it again. At the start of the story Sky says he has a question for Will, which is if he knows anyone who could spank him because Sky has recently been reading about it and thinks he might enjoy it. Will, who is now a "leather daddy", tells Sky that he is the only one who will be doing anything to Sky. The rest of the story is Will spanking Sky until he gets off and them confessing they love each other.

I only had two problems with this story; the first was there were a few grammar and spelling mistakes, and with it being so short I figure that could have been easily solved. The second thing that bugged me was how many times Will referred to himself as a "leather daddy". I counted at least five, which I would have thought was a lot in a regular story. But besides those little things, I liked both the characters and would like to read more about them in the future.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Daddy, Daddy and Me by Sean Michael

Summary:

When Jeff agreed to be the sperm donor to his best friend Beth, he never expected a tragedy to leave his newborn and three year old motherless. That's exactly what's happened, though, and it's totally thrown his life into chaos: his lover has left him, his house isn't anywhere near childproof and his boss feels the restaurant has been patient enough with the time off.

Donny has always known he wanted to be in childcare, and he just finished his degree in early childhood education. He didn't count on people being less than thrilled to hire him when they find out that not only is he a male nanny, but a gay one at that. Job hunting has been frustrating to say the least, so when he knocks on Jeff's door and is greeted by the sounds of things breaking and a pair of screaming children, he thinks, just maybe, he can begin this particular interview with a trial by fire.

Becoming the nanny to Jeff's children just might be a dream come true for Danny, and exactly what Jeff needs, but are either one of them ready to really be a family?

 Reviewer: RedDragonfly

The story line isn't original but nevertheless sweet; a man donates his sperm to his best friend then she dies leaving him the kids and along  comes the nanny to saved the day. I liked the story and maybe the Christmas spirit makes it sweeter, because this time of year we are in the mood for a sweet story with a HEA and this was it. Both characters  were cute and I could relate to them, as for the kids they were sooooo cute and funny and I liked them a lot. 

If this story proves  anything, it is that during hard times you discover if someone really loves you or not. I like Sean Michael and have read most of his books and this was a bit different from his normal style. There were some editing errors like on page 142 Don is referred to as Dave. Must have slipped by the editors, lol. All in all, a cute story and it wasn’t hard to read. I  give it 4 stars. 

 Publisher:  Torquere Press

Source:  Manic Readers

Smoke and Fire by Sean Michael

Summary:

Daslin is a fire mage living in a school on the Mountain, where he tries to stay out of trouble, not an easy task as Daslin not only is accident prone, but can’t always control the fires he creates. The masters despair of him ever getting total control, and he has been forbidden to leave the draughty hallways and labs of the school.

His new roommate, Avan, is unlike anyone Daslin has ever met. Avan comes from the plains where he can go naked and commune with the elements without impediment. He doesn’t like the Mountain, where he’s been sent to learn to use his powers more efficiently; at least that’s the excuse the elders give him. Avan suspects they just want him out of the way.

Avan is as delighted with his new roommate as Daslin is bemused by him. Can they get up to more than just mischief?

Reviewer: WhiteDaisy
Daslin is a mage bound to the School on the Mountain and restlessly awaiting a new roommate. Daslin had the same rooms for almost nine years now, and many different roommates through the years. His newest roommate's name is Avan and he's a weird character.

As soon as Avan came into the room, he removed all his clothes while saying to Daslin, clothes weren't his thing. Avan simply liked air on his skin. Daslin was a firebug and Avan was a weather mage, who could manipulate wind, sun, and clouds. Avan wasn't scared of Daslin, who was known to be accident prone or for spontaneous combusting things around him. Daslin was careful, silent and shy, while Avan was alive, difficult, and an emotional person. Avan wasn't aware that Daslin didn't have friends or wasn't used to body contact, so Daslin was in daze when Avan kissed him on impulse. Avan was sure, that they would be a great team. This instant attraction from Avan's side wasn't interesting or even realistic. It made this story bad from the start.

When Daslin was on a restriction, that usually meant, he wasn't allowed to leave the lab, unless an Elder was with him. Daslin couldn't have visitors, except for food. But in general it just meant that Daslin couldn't leave the Mountain, but then Daslin wasn't allowed outside anyway.

The next part of this story was a building romance between Avan and Daslin. As a reader, we didn't get a good developed story. I didn't get the point of this short novella. Daslin was supposed to be dangerous, because as a baby he supposedly killed his parents and burned the village down, so people weren't suppose to be safe around him. This story was bland and boring. I'm giving 2.5 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Gravity (Hammer 12) by Sean Michael

Summary:

It's never easy to run into an ex-lover, especially when the break-up was a bad one. That's exactly what happens to Hunter Barrister one evening at the Hammer, though, and he's more upset over seeing the amazingly beautiful Forrest Greune again than he ever thought he could be. When he finds out that Forrest is not only back in town for good, but wants to join the Hammer Club, board member Hunter balks and refuses to give his consenting vote.

Forrest, a now retired model, isn't the same flighty young thing he was when he and Hunter were together, and he wishes Hunter could just move on. When that doesn't happen, he finds himself amusing himself, elsewhere with disastrous results. Broken and injured, Forrest is surprised to find Hunter the one at his bedside, the one who sticks with him and offers support through everything.

Can Forrest and Hunter put their history behind them and be what they need for each other, or will guilt, fear and the past put an end to the relationship neither of them seem to be able to abandon?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I love the Hammer series. I am always fascinated by BDSM, the ins and outs of the lifestyle and the relationship between doms and subs, but this story was extra special and in my opinion the best of the series yet.

Due to lack of trust, Hunter lost his sub and years later the reason that Forrest had to go to another club where he was drugged then attacked. From there, Hunter tries to make up for past mistakes. I felt with and for Forrest, his fear, his insecurities, and his anger, also I felt Hunter’s guilt and hope for new beginnings. The healing process was heart warming and the return of the trust between these two characters was amazing. Next to Montana, Forrest has become my favorite of this series. I give it 5 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders