Reviewed by Kat and Sarina
TITLE: Simmer
EDITOR: Tricia Kristufek
AUTHORS: Listed below with their individual stories
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 310 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 24, 2015
BLURB:
There’s no denying preparing and eating food can be a sensuous experience and an experiment in pleasure. The men in these stories are about to find out just how satisfying it can be. From spicy to sweet and everything in between, things are heating up in the kitchen… and in the diner, on the food court, over the Internet, and even at a breakfast booth beyond the stars. Join them as they touch, taste, sample, and savor their way to steamy romance and maybe even a happy ever after that will last long after the dishes have been cleared.
The Cake by Ann Marie James
All Is Well by Dale Cameron Lowry
Another Saturn Monday by R.A. Thorn
Man of Steel by Rob Rosen
Breakfast at Timothy’s by T.J. Masters
A Second Season by Tali Segel
Kneading You by C.S. Poe
If You Give an Incubus a Cookie by Ki Brightly
Moon Cakes by Tam MacNeil
Tortilla Pie by Rick R. Reed
Taste of the Forest, Dark and Sweet by Charles Payseur
Operation Wild Thumb by Tray Ellis
And Everything Nice by Ada Maria Soto
REVIEW:
The Cake by Ann Marie James : Reviewed by Kat
Former Marine and hard-working mechanic Kirk Smith can barely boil water, but that won’t stop him from baking the cake his orphaned niece wants for her birthday. When things go awry, it’s fellow single dad Eric Hallahan to the rescue. Eric’s been waiting for an opportunity to get closer to Kirk, so he’s happy to offer his help and see what they might mix up together—in and out of the kitchen.
Short, sweet story of two male neighbors that are raising their young girls alone. It isn’t easy to be thrust into the role of instant “dad” when you lose a loved one. Even harder if you are an ex-military now mechanic gay man. This is a no-sex, get to know you, tale of a neighbor who has been waiting to get to know the man the new neighbor’s sister had planned to set him up with before her tragic death. I loved watching these two men as they get to know each other and try this new attraction on. I think my favorite part of the whole story was in the grocery store and the 80-year-old lady’s reaction to them! Priceless! I so want to be that lady in 20 more years! Heck, I already am that lady! This was a fun story and I really liked this new-to-me author’s style, it made me smile. Can’t wait to read more of her work. A nice little extra bonus is the recipe for the cake that Kirk and Eric made for Samantha’s birthday sleepover . I am going to try this one. Who am I kidding, already sent the recipe to my daughter, a fabulous baker, for her to make it for me! Hehehe ? 4*
All Is Well by Dale Cameron Lowry : Reviewed by Kat
When Kyle Pratt cooks a feast for his fellow Mormon missionaries near Lake Migisiwauk in the Upper Midwest, nineteen-year-old Tanner Jensen falls in love at first taste. But the church teaches romantic love between men is wrong, and Tanner knows the only way to get to the highest level of heaven is by marrying a faithful woman in a Mormon temple. Tanner is forced to reconsider his beliefs as he gets to know Kyle better and the two develop a deep connection based on their shared spirituality. The two missionaries must navigate uncharted territory, figuring out how to be true to both their faith and their love for one another.
I was a little worried about this one. My only daughter had converted to Mormon a few years ago and recently married her sweetheart, a recently returned Mormon Missionary. Both of them were virgins and I was worried how this would be written, as they have openly shared their beliefs. I want to say, straight up, that this short story was done in very good taste. I believe the author either has lived the Mormon faith or has researched it extremely well. I didn’t find one thing that I could find contradictory. I also believe, whole heartily, that you are born the way you are. Trust me, a staunchly religious boy would not “choose” to be gay. In the Mormon faith it is considered a huge sin. So I was so pleased to see this subject and this book take those views and values so seriously and respectfully. Love is love! And this book showed, not only the mental battles that Tanner endured, but the love, trust, friendship and understanding of his mission partner Kyle. I know that a lot of people might not choose to read a book about the Mormon faith and the struggles of a missionary with his homosexuality but I do believe that this book deserves reading. It was well written, insightful and factual. It also was very brave, as we’re both the men in this wonderful book! 5*
Another Saturn Monday by R.A. Thorn : Reviewed by Sarina
Cabbage forms the basis of the Hirculian cuisine, so when Interstellar Parking Authority employee Theo is forced to have breakfast at a Hirculian stall in the Saturn space station food court, he knows he’ll be having cabbage. But after one look at the stall’s shy but sexy proprietor, Ekain, Theo thinks he should have started eating cabbage for breakfast a long time ago.
I thought this one was really sweet. I liked how, even though he wasn’t a fan of cabbage, Theo was willing to eat it just to spend more time with Ekain. It was also kind of awww worthy that he’d spent time researching Ekain’s people just so he could greet him they way his people would. The story was short but a nice read and I liked the sci-fi elements though I wish I could’ve seen more of them. 4*
Man of Steel by Rob Rosen : Reviewed by Sarina
Adventurous foodie Scott is intrigued by the new Jewish diner that’s opened up in his neighborhood, and even more so by its chef and proprietor, Morty. It turns out the food is uniquely delicious, but it’s after hours in the kitchen when the heat really gets turned up.
I really enjoyed this one; I love trying new foods and it was nice to see Scott willing to try what Morty had made even though he was dubious at first. The story mostly revolved around the opening of Morty’s new restaurant and the opening day and I kind of wish I’d been able to see more interaction between the main characters outside of the dinner they shared. I admit that I don’t know anything about Jewish food but the author made it all sound really good so I didn’t mind reading about the meal except that it made me hungry. Lol The afterhours entertainment was a nice bit of sexy to end the story. 4*
Breakfast at Timothy’s by T.J. Masters : Reviewed by Sarina
Twenty-four-year old post-graduate geology student Connor Wilson hopes to persuade his professor, the eminent geologist Timothy Shaw, to become his academic advisor. Forty-six-year-old Dr. Shaw is a legend in the field, although his personal life remains a mystery. Over a week of early morning breakfast meetings at Timothy’s home in the village of Grantchester, outside Cambridge, England, attraction simmers between the two men and eventually boils over into steamy passion. Connor is seduced by the food and charm of the very fit older man, and it looks like his dream could come true—in better ways than he ever expected.
There were parts of this story that I really liked and parts that were just kind of okay. I found the breakfasts shared by Connor and Timothy interesting though more for the food offered than the character interactions and I never really felt the connection between the two that I would’ve liked. I had no problem seeing the attraction that Connor felt for the Professor but, even when he made a move, I never really felt the same from Timothy. It was still an enjoyable story but I do wish I’d seen more chemistry between the two main characters. 3.5*
A Second Season by Tali Segel : Reviewed by Sarina
Back in high school, Chris knew Drew as the gorgeous jock with a passion for food that matched his own. Years later, after career changes and failed relationships, they reunite at Maple Creek B&B in the snowy Berkshires, and the chemistry between them is stronger than ever.
Chris isn’t sure which is sexier: Drew’s hiking-toned body or his love of authentic food made from fresh, local ingredients. He’s ready to steam up the kitchen with a spicy fling, but Drew’s past has left him questioning his love life and career. But an apple cider-scented night might signal a new season for the two locavores.
This was a great story about beginnings, in my opinion. Drew started the B&B when he moved to a new area and began a new relationship while Chris finds himself there at the start of his vacation while between jobs. Both men were looking for something and it was great to see not only the connection between the two men but also the determination to give what was between them a solid try. This story felt like the start of a new chapter for Drew and Connor both and while I wish I could’ve seen more of them together once they’d made the decision to try, the story left off in a good place and I enjoyed it. 4*
Kneading You by C.S. Poe : Reviewed by Sarina
Christopher Hughes is new to a small town in New Hampshire. He’s been hired to save a historical library from closing, but his obstacles include not only fighting for state funding, but a Selectman who wants to tear the building down. Christopher meets Miles Sakasai, a shy, tattooed repairman who divides his time between fixing the library and baking bread. Miles’s skills in the kitchen may end up being the key to saving the library—if his bread can rise to the occasion.
I loved this story, though that could be some residual glowy feelings I have from working in the school library during High School. Miles was a bit of a contradiction; big tattooed handyman who’s shy, doesn’t like to talk on the phone, and spends his spare time baking bread. Christopher was kind of the quintessential librarian and he’s passionate about books. I liked how he and Miles fit each other and that their love of the old library brings them closer together. The problems with Sam were minor but his appearances broke up the story a bit so that it didn’t feel as though the main characters never left the library; I wish I could’ve seen his face at the end of the story but I’m satisfied nonetheless. 4.5*
If You Give An Incubus a Cookie by Ki Brightly : Reviewed by Sarina
Incubus Hal Scand leads a hard life, and the only bright spot is the few minutes he steals at the Cookie Cart each day, where he’s able to forget his problems before it’s back to banging for a buck. Cookie stand owner Porter enjoys flirting with his mysterious regular, but he’s ready for more. And with Valentine’s Day approaching, he has the perfect opportunity to take his chance.
I thought the title of this one was really cute but, while enjoyable, the story was decidedly less so. Hal has things tough and while he never wanted to be an Incubus, he wants to die even less. His life is filled with sex for necessity instead of enjoyment and his only real bright spot is when he goes to get a cookie from a local food truck. Porter was sweet and not being from the U.S, he was raised with a different view of Hal’s profession. Honestly, he doesn’t care what the man does, he’s sweet on him and just really wants a date. I thought Hal’s obsession with cookies was cute and Porter seemed to be a truly nice guy. Porter is the one that threw me for a loop, however, as there was a lot more to him than met the eye. The story left off on a happy note for Hal that I very much liked but I still kind of felt like the story was missing something for me to really like it. One word of warning: there is an instance of infidelity between Hal and another person so if that isn’t your cup of tea, you’ve been warned. 3.5*
Moon Cakes by T. Neilson : Reviewed by Sarina
Connor started his YouTube nearly-naked cooking show, Peas, Bitch as a joke. He never expected it to get so popular, and now he’s quit his job and is low-level celebrity cheffing for a living.
The problem is, he doesn’t have time for a relationships or a life, people aren’t so keen on his show any more, and he’s worried about how he’s going to get back into professional cooking after having spent the last few years nearly naked in front of the whole Internet.
When he decides to meet a stranger for dinner at the end of a long day, Connor doesn’t expect much more than awkward conversation and another failed date, but instead he comes face to face with his single biggest problem and gets exactly what he needs to put the fun back into the kitchen.
I found the concept of this story interesting and totally believable; I’ve watched enough youtube to figure someone somewhere is making a show just like this one. Sadly, the story fell a little flat for me. I didn’t really feel the connection between the main characters and the bulk of the story was just okay. Really, the best part of the entire thing was the end with the filming of the episode and I’m sorry I didn’t get to see more of that because that was what I found the most amusing and memorable out of everything I read. 3*
Tortilla Pie by Rick R. Reed : Reviewed by Kat
When Anderson, homeless on the streets of Seattle, first spies Josh, a volunteer kitchen worker at TeenCare, he falls for him, despite TeenCare’s policy against interaction between staff and clients. Josh doesn’t miss the way Anderson looks at him, and he can’t deny his interest. Anderson and Josh bond over food, and especially the center’s awesome tortilla pie, but will they be able to find a way around the restrictions to see if they’re hungry for more?
I have to say, the recipes in this whole anthology alone are going in my recipe box and are making me very hungry. I can so see us making Tortilla Pie very soon, only on a much smaller scale! It sounds delicious. This short story is based in Seattle and in areas I visited in September, when I had the privilege of attending Gay Romance Northwest. It always makes it easier to imagine the story when you know where they are talking about and have been there. I have read books that they totally get it wrong but not in this case. I have to say, they serve much better food at this homeless teen center than I have ever seen in my volunteering. This seemed to be a small center, which I would imagine wouldn’t stay small if they were serving those type of meals. Word of good food gets around fast to starving teens. And Seattle is a large city. I know this is a short story and I should take it at that but, I have a problem with a U of W graduate that is employed in one of those game think tank/development companies, starting up a relationship so fast and breaking the rules. It just seemed a little implausible and risky. Wasn’t my favorite of the stories I read in this anthology. Not bad but just didn’t do it for me. I am going to up it to a 3 star because I did love the recipe and can’t wait to try it. 3*
Taste of the Forest, Dark and Sweet by Charles Payseur : Reviewed by Sarina
Bastian’s kitchen, normally his sanctuary, has become anything but since Colin began working with him. There’s just something… distracting about the line chef that Bastian is drawn to but won’t let himself act on because he needs to concentrate on work. Then a series of disasters draw Bastian into a magical world he never knew existed—a world Colin is part of. If they can overcome the barriers between them, they might find the sweet taste of success… and set the kitchen on fire in the process.
I find myself on the fence about this one. While I enjoyed the magical aspect of the story, it almost made the story feel….off? Kind of like the story was stuck in the middle somewhere and it either needed more or less of the fantasy element to really push it into being better than it was, if that makes sense. I’d have really liked more of an explanation from Colin than Bastian was given and it would’ve been great if his possible Fae bloodline had been explored, at least a little bit. Usually I eat up anything fantasy related like its going to disappear but, in this case, it was the non-fantasy/magical elements that I liked best. I wish I’d liked this more but it just came off feeling a little incomplete to me. 3*
Operation Wild Thumb by Tray Ellis : Reviewed by Sarina
Zucchini and squash have sprouted at the home Heath shares with his divorced sister, Sara, and are growing in abundance. Never one to pass up the opportunity for a prank, Heath decides to leave the vegetables on his neighbors’ doorsteps. One neighbor catches him in the act, but luckily Alex seems as into the humor as he is into Heath. When the night comes to an end, there might be more on the burner than zucchini pancakes.
It could just be me but I didn’t really see the humor in this story; it could be how and where I was raised but the act of leaving produce on someone’s front porch would be considered nice instead of funny. Really, the funniest part of the story was when Heath meets Alex and that was over in the blink of an eye. *sigh* I want to have more to say about this story but really there isn’t anything to say. I didn’t feel much of a connection between Alex and Heath and I found it hard to believe they’d be rolling around on the kitchen floor of Heath’s sister’s house while she was just upstairs. That’s just me, but still. This was okay but I don’t think it will stick with me for very long. 3*
And Everything Nice by Ada Marie Soto : Reviewed by Sarina
Computer programmer Angelo is as good at baking as he is bad at talking to people—especially guys he finds attractive, like Simon, the new tech writer at work. Falling back on his habit of using his culinary creations as a distraction, Angelo whips up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. But Simon refuses to touch them. Frustrated but not ready to give up, Angelo searches for the perfect recipe to tempt both Simon and his taste buds.
Best Story in the Anthology. (In my opinion, anyway. ;p) Angelo is just so desperate to garner Simon’s attention and it was so frustrating for him when he couldn’t get Simon to eat anything that he was making. It was kind of sad that he felt he was only good at three things and that he’d never get a date with Simon if he never ate his baking though. On the up side, however, it was nice to see that they became good friends while continuing to orbit each other, on the cusp of more. I was very pleased to say that my guess as to why Simon wouldn’t eat any baked goods was wrong and that I wasn’t expecting the actual reason at all. It was sweet to see Angelo going to such lengths to make something for Simon, regardless of his desire to date him, just because he wanted to do something nice. I’m fairly certain that by the end of all the baking Angelo did that his coworkers had probably gained a ridiculous amount of weight and the banana bread incident was amusing, especially since it kept cropping up. Really sweet and had a nice happy ending to end the book on. 5*
Anthology Review:
The stories here were diverse and all worked really well together, like a well made meal. (Food connections, get it? Okay, I’ll stop, I’m sorry.) On the whole they were all enjoyable and the recipes at the end of each story were an unexpected bonus that I just loved. I did like some stories more than others but the ones I did really like will ensure I come back to read this collection again. This really does have something for everyone and if you’re in the mood for something different, or if you’re just looking for a new recipe, I’d recommend giving the collection a try.
RATING:
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