Short stories from the DSP 2013 Daily Dose: Make a Play (PART 3)
The Daily Dose from Dreamspinner Press is a collection of themed short stories released every day in June. The 2013 theme is sport.
Nothing fires the blood like a little friendly competition. Anything from a meeting of the minds to full-body contact, these men are making a play. There are no losers in the game of love.
The stories in this review include:
- Audible by Dawn Kimberly Johnson
- Running Away from Sunshine by Gwynn Marssen
- Risking It by Posy Roberts
- A Fighting Chance by Laylah Hunter
- Contact Sport by Anna Butler
- Hard D by Elinor Gray
Audible by Dawn Kimberly Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Three years ago, cameraman Powell Perdue and quarterback Talbot Wojewódka called it quits, citing irreconcilable differences. Powell wanted to live honestly, while Talbot felt he couldn’t and still succeed in professional football. One knee surgery and a trade later, Talbot finds himself back in town and quarterbacking for the Raptors, a struggling expansion team. Powell’s also back, working as a cameraman for KJOC-TV, following two years in Amsterdam and a second failed relationship.
When an interview meant as a publicity play throws them into each other’s path, they’re forced to face a love that never quite died and wounds that never fully healed. For any hope at a win, they’ll have to change up the game. Talbot must brave walking through his closet door and into Powell’s arms, and Powell must risk his heart one more time by standing his ground and giving Talbot a second chance.
So what did I think?
Slightly predictable but highly enjoyable story about a closed professional quarterback and a TV cameraman.
Talbot still loves Powell and wants him back but his career means he can’t fully declare their love to the world. Powell won’t live in the closet and is trying to protect his heart at all costs.
I think I gave it an extra star just for the very public kiss the men finally share when they realise they are meant to be together no matter what.
Running Away From Sunshine by Gwynn Marssen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Nobody knows why ER resident Jake Nichols left California to move to cold and dark Calgary, Canada. Nobody knows Jake hasn’t always been a silent loner. Nobody in his new home knows he is gay, and nobody needs to know, since he doesn’t plan to let anyone in… until he meets Gabriel Montgomery, the carefree hockey player with the big blue eyes who just won’t take no for an answer when it comes to opening up and accepting the possibility of love.
So what did I think?
Overall I enjoyed this story of Jake who had been living in a world of grief for six years. It was lovely to see Gabriel start to break down his barriers and make him see that he needed to get on with living.
What I really wanted in this story story was a nice happy ending, not the outstanding issues with Gabriel where his ice hockey career determines his ability to come out.
The last paragraph was also disappointing – I could accept the HFN scenario but hated that Jake was going to visit his family without Gabriel because “But as they had agreed every time before, as long as it felt wrong, a betrayal to the memory of Sean, a betrayal to Sean’s family, who Jake would spend some time with, Gabriel should stay put, and Jake should go and conquer his demons on his own.” It had been years, surely it wouldn’t have been betrayal, particularly if his love for Gabriel was strong enough!
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
August Farrell doesn’t have a clue how to go about finding a boyfriend. He’s eighteen, a high school senior, has barely been kissed, and the thought of flirting with a boy terrifies him. What if he gets punched? Or worse? It would be easier if he at least knew the rules of the game. Then during the state basketball tournament, August meets Luca Knutson, who flirts with him shamelessly, but is this connection worth it? Will August play it safe by sitting on the sidelines or take a chance on Luca and the freedom to love he offers?
So what did I think?
Not one of my favourites in the series but alright for a short read. The story tells of inexperienced August. He is very unsure of how he should be handling himself as a gay man. His high school sport and fear of being bullied keeps him in the closet and his lack of knowledge and shyness prevents him approaching anyone. How does he know if someone is gay or not? Should be flirt and risk being punched? Finally he takes the plunge with a good outcome.
A Fighting Chance by Laylah Hunter
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Luis Delgado, a boxer, and Davey Taylor, an artist, live in a future when Earth is home to the destitute and the only chance for a better life is found among the colonies that orbit the once-great planet. Davey has the opportunity to make a name for himself with an art sponsorship on the Luna Minor colony, but he needs to get there first. Luis may have the answer, but it means choosing between his career and his future together with Davey.
So what did I think?
I didn’t mind reading this book because it was so short, any longer and I think I would have been disappointed. Two things let it down for me. The first was purely my own thoughts on the sci-fi theme as I’m not really a great fan – I need a strong story and brilliant characters to really enjoy the genre and I didn’t get that here. However the main disappointment for me was the relationship between the main characters. I just didn’t feel their connection. 2.5 stars
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Jamie Connor is a charming and sexy star college hockey player. He’s not the sort of man to be dazzled by someone who speaks in long mathematical formulas and worries about strategic thinking. At least, he wasn’t that sort of man until the college dean agrees to a scrimmage match with the nerds of the Blaine Strategic Institute, and Matt Blaine, son of the founder, captains the other side. In a sport where full body checks are a legitimate play, Jamie’s taken by surprise at just how much the King of Cool wants the King of Geeks.
So what did I think?
This story had potential but just didn’t quite get there. This is the story of Jamie, sports star and all-round person extraordinaire (at least according to himself!) whose hockey team faces off with an unknown team from the ‘geeks’ college, Blaine Strategic Institute.
The story starts with lots of humour as we learn how great Jamie is – star of the hockey team, great student and popular with the girls and guys. Jamie then starts whinging about the upcoming game against the ‘nerds’. “They’re nerds. Nerds don’t do sports.” It’s quite hysterical how he stereotypes them but at the same time he is spouting off mathematical knowledge that obviously indicates that he knows his stuff too!
As per the blurb, Jamie is put off his game by his wild attraction to the captain of the ‘geek’ team “Maybe love at first sight wasn’t a myth after all.” and in his mind calls him “The Pretty One” which was quite endearing.
From here the book lost its way a bit – a quick 5 minute hook up in the supply closet and exchange of names and it was the end. There were some plot elements that weren’t fully explored such as Matt Blaine (The Pretty One) being the son of the founder of the ‘geeks’ college and Jamie and his friend applying for jobs at Blaine Enterprises. Setting up for a sequel or full length story maybe otherwise there didn’t seem much significance to me.
2.5 stars
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The Blurb…
Ben Meyers has played Ultimate Frisbee since his first week at college, and at every tournament he comes face to face with Darius O’Neill, his favorite rival. This time, though, their good-natured competition goes off the field to the after-party and beyond, when three years of tension finally breaks open on the sheets of Darius’s dorm-issue twin bed.
So what did I think?
I started reading this story and found myself very confused. I couldn’t even work out what sport was being played and had to check the blurb to find out it was Ultimate Frisbee. The first 25% of the story is pretty much taken up with descriptions of game play (even then I still couldn’t work it out!) which I found a bit boring. Yes Make a Play is sports themed but I just wanted to get to the romance. When it did, I felt disappointed – a quick sexual encounter and an exchange of phone numbers with a promise of a date. I am not quite sure what I was expecting but I wanted to see more emotional connection between Ben and Darius. This story was only ok for me and maybe would be better suited to a fan of the game.
Buy a book from the series from Amazon. (Select the 2013 Daily Dose: Make a Play link)
Related articles
- Short stories from the DSP 2013 Daily Dose: Make a Play (PART 2) (someonehastosetabadexample.wordpress.com)
- Short stories from the DSP 2013 Daily Dose: Make a Play (PART 1) (someonehastosetabadexample.wordpress.com)