M/M Review: Henry and Jim by J.M. Snyder

A bittersweet short story about a lifetime love affair. Henry and Jim have spent a life in love, from the very first date arranged by Henry's sister, through the rocky times they worked to make ends meet, and into their twilight years.

Old men now, Henry reminisces about the love they've shared as he learns to cope with Jim's fading memory and his own fear of being forgotten by the only man he's ever loved.

This is more a post than a review because well... this book touched me on a personal level and it definitely affects the way I view this story. I began reading Henry and Jim by J.M. Snyder and was sobbing by the second paragraph. I had to stop reading before I could continue.

It's a beautiful short story about an elderly couple, Jim who is exhibiting Alzheimer-like symptoms, and his partner Henry who is the caregiver. Through Henry's point of view, we experience a morning in their present lives, Henry's anxieties about Jim's memory loss and his fear of being forgotten. Through flashbacks, Snyder highlights Henry and Jim's first meeting, part of their life struggles, and some very happy moments. It ends on a high note and it's a beautiful and touching story.

But for me... well... I couldn't help but think of my own parents. My mom suffers from these symptoms and my dad is the caregiver. They had a beautiful love story and first meeting. They saw each other once, wrote love letters, met once more and then married -- they saw each other twice before making that commitment. They have been married and devoted to each other for over 50 years. And I mean lovingly! As kids and even as adults, my brothers and I would begin with the "Aww mom... dad, stop!" and would end by looking at each other and doing the eye roll.

The scenes in this little story... Henry's anxiety for Jim; his fear that Jim would get hurt if he were left alone by the stove; his fear that Jim would forget his name, their love and the details of their lives, all of that was so REAL to me. I've seen that fear in my father, and my brothers and I have experienced it too.

I sobbed throughout much of this story for the loss, and at the same time thought how lucky they were to have found and experienced that love -- the fictional Henry and Jim, the real Henry and Jims out there, and my parents (my brothers and I too). And as tough as it is, I couldn't help thinking how lucky we are to be able to experience closure together -- there are so many Henry and Jims out there who are not so lucky.

Thank you J.M. Snyder for writing this story and for reminding me of the love that came first.

Genre: Contemporary Gay Literature
Series: None
Grade: A

Visit J.M. Snyder here. Read excerpt here.

Anezthezea's 2010 M/M Romance Challenge

ETA: Thank you Mariana! This story is being highlighted for the real life struggle of Clay and Harold vs. Sonoma County in CA

May 2010 Reads, New Digs & Catching Up

May was a good month! I celebrated my 1st Anniversary at Impressions, wrote a bit more than usual, read a little less, but overall there was balance.

I also redecorated just in time for the celebration and am enjoying the new set up. My old template was giving me problems and it was time for a change. I took the opportunity to create new pages and now My Reviews, Reviews at Musings, 2010 Reads, 2009 Reads, and Disclosure & Rating can be accessed by clicking on the above tabs. 2010 reads are kept by month and 2009 Reads are in alphabetical order by author. There are links everywhere! Yes I know... the organizational bug bit me and I'm enjoying it.

Then last week the Book Expo America and Book Blogger Con were held in New York City, and although I was NOT able to attend either, I did have the opportunity to meet up with KMont of Lurv a la Mode (and hubby) for drinks and a few hours of conversation. It was a treat and a half meeting up with such a warm and wonderful couple. We had a great time just shooting the breeze. :)

When it comes to reading, I was a bit lazy. I didn't make two of my challenges this month. I'm late posting my review for the Re-read Challenge, and I'll be doing a two/fer for the In-Death Challenge in June. But hey, a certain little book thief stole Ceremony in Death right from under me so I couldn't read it on time. My daughter has become a huge fan of Eve and Roarke and is devouring the books at an amazing speed. ;P On the bright side, I did a bit of catching up on the M/M Romance Challenge and read and posted a few reviews this month.

On to my May reads!  Total books read: 15  (complete list here)

My favorite reads this month? Well, there were quite a few and three of them by Josh Lanyon:

• Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews: A 
• The Endearment by Lavryle Spencer: A
• The Hell You Say (Adrien English Mysteries, #3) by Josh Lanyon: A
• Death of a Pirate King (Adrien English Mysteries, #4) by Josh Lanyon: A-
• The Dark Tide (Adrien English Mysteries, #5) by Josh Lanyon: A

The biggest surprise for me in May?

• Romance of Lust or Early Experiences by Anonymous: NG*  Romance of Lust or Early Experiences by Anonymous is a Victorian erotic tale published in 1873-1876 in four volumes. It is believed that it was written by either William Simpson Potter or Edward Sellon and it is considered an erotic literary classic. However, I found the subject matter to be quite controversial and I'll be posting my thoughts on these volumes later on.

My biggest disappointment?

• Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis: C-

*NG means "No Grade." I have two NG books this month, Labyrinth by Lois McMaster Bujold and Romance of Lust or Early Experiences by Anonymous. 

Labyrinth by Lois McMaster Bujold is part of the Borders of Infinity novel. After reading this short story, I decided that unlike The Mountains of Mourning, it doesn't stand well on its own. I definitely need to start reading the Vorkosigan series from the beginning in order to do this short story justice. 

How about you? This was a great month for new releases... did you read lots of good ones?

Review: Married by Morning (Hathaways, Book 4) by Lisa Kleypas

He is everything she wants to avoid…
For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters — a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response — and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison. 

She is not at all what she seems…
Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever — unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires…

When I finished reading Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas, I closed the book with a smile and sigh thinking that this installment is a great addition to the Hathaway series. The Hathaways were captured in all their glory by Kleypas -- their eccentricities, capability for love and manipulation, sense of humor, vulnerabilities, family concerns and passions. Kleypas took those Hathaway characteristics, wrapped them up and gave them to us in Leo.

The story of Leo Hathaway and Catherine Marks is really developed throughout the series. These two people dislike each other first, mistrust each other always and bicker at all times. Everyone knows that there's a possibility for more to their bickering, fighting, and mutual torturing except them -- until they share a mind-blowing kiss in the garden.

This kiss serves as a catalyst, the sensual dance begins between Leo and Cat -- the thrust and retreat -- and the real characters emerge. Leo emerges as a wickedly passionate, irreverent and fun character full of determination and, as we already know, a sad and flawed history that contributes to the conflict. I'll say it here, I adored Leo!

Cat, although still the snippy Ms. Marks who gives Leo a run for his money, emerges as a vulnerable and likable young woman with trust issues and a past history that also contribute to the conflict in this story. The witty dialogue, sensual tension and passion between Cat and Leo were the most enjoyable parts of this book for me.

There's a bit of suspense that goes with Cat's storyline that I thought worked well as it afforded her the opportunity for closure. However, the storyline pertaining to Leo's need to marry and produce an heir within a year seemed to be almost a non-issue and I thought was thoroughly underdeveloped. New secondary characters were introduced with a light touch and did not overwhelm the storyline. Kleypas highlights Harry and Poppy, integrates the other Hathaways, Cam and Kev while maintaining the focus firmly on the main couple.

Overall Married by Morning was a winner for me. I enjoyed the quick pace, witty dialogue and the ever bickering / loving / lust-filled couple in this story, together with the loving and eccentric family dynamics. I'm looking forward to reading Love in the Afternoon, the story featuring the intriguing Beatrix.

Gender: Historical Romance
Series: Hathaways (Book 4)
Release Date: May 25, 2010 - Kindle Edition
Grade: B+

Visit Lisa Kleypas here.

M/M Mini: Crossing Borders by Z. A. Maxfield

Tristan's got issues; he knows he does. So when his most recent girlfriend dumps him via messenger, and he can't stop staring at the messenger's cock while he's breaking the news, Tristan figures it's about time he makes some changes. He formulates a foolproof plan to get himself someone who can show him what he's been missing -- until who should crash his little adventure but Officer Michael Truax, the man who gave him a really expensive ticket for boarding without a helmet back when he was in high school.

Michael has been trying to catch Tristan for years...to give him a second ticket. Suddenly he's faced with his 'Sparky', all grown up -- and looking to get laid. The habit of protecting him isn't gone completely, but the opportunity is too much to resist. He figures the kid must know what he's getting into, so he takes him home. There, they carry on a cautious dance, only to find out that neither is what the other expected, and that together, they're hot enough to melt glass.

Crossing Borders by Z.A. Maxfield was a lovely coming out story. If you like that first kiss, that first love scene, that first everything... you'll love this book. I enjoyed the humor and the characters, never mind the hot couple that Officer Helmet and his "boy" Sparky made.

However although there are conflicts to the story, I found them to be somewhat predictable, lacking and... perfect. Tristan is the perfect son who has the perfectly lucky and "safe" coming out, with a perfectly accepting family and in the process finds the perfect man in Michael. I kept waiting for some edge to the story and never got it.

In the end I thought Crossing Borders lacked edge and real conflict, and although the story itself was predictable, there were plenty of sizzling hot moments and humor to keep me entertained, as well as the extremely likable couple, their "happily ever after" and the sweet epilogue.

Genre: M/M Romance
Series: None
Release Date: September 8, 2008
Grade: C+

Anesthezea's M/M Romance Challenge 2010

Review: Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis

Subject: Jason Mauer, National Guard.
Current status: Homeward bound.
Mission: Getting some R & R!
Obstacle: Lizzy Mann. Sexy blast from the past.

After battling a hurricane of catastrophic proportions, Jason needs some downtime--badly! But there's no rest for the heroic. During another deluge, Jason's savior skills are suddenly in demand...by his hot friend Lizzy.

She's fiercely independent. But that doesn't keep them from having incredible sex as they, ah, ride out the storm!

Jason knows relationships and duty don't mix. Still, he feels as if he's being swept away by a flash flood of desire for Lizzy.

The permanent kind...

Storm Watch is a category romance by Jill Shalvis I've had on my "to be read" pile for a while, together with a few others by this author. I've previously enjoyed a few of her categories and looked forward to reading this one.

This is the story of Jason and Lizzy who went through high school together and ten years later meet up again. It's the classic tale of the geeky smart girl who has a secret crush on the gorgeous jock who hurt her feelings. In the middle of a devastating storm Lizzy needs help evacuating her pregnant sister Cece who she's sure did not evacuate and is not responding to phone calls. She goes to her friend Dustin for help and instead finds her old crush, Jason. Within minutes of meeting, Lizzy realizes that after ten years, her crush is blooming again and this time the chemistry seems to go both ways.

Jason is back in town on leave after ten years of working on the National Guard and is still recovering after the death of his rescue partner, Matt. He's in transition and doesn't really know what to do with his life. All he knows is that he needs rest, food and sex, in that order. Instead, he gets a storm, a flood, and Lizzy, his old high school tutor -- a girl who always made him feel more than he could handle.

The timeline for this story is three days, most of it taking place in one day while Lizzy and Jason are on their way to rescue Cece. Jason and Lizzy are kissing ten minutes after they see each other again, and while on their rescue mission it becomes a lurv-fest. I seriously questioned both Lizzy's concern for her sister and Jason's judgment as they indulged themselves on their way. By the time the storm passes and Cece is rescued, there is sunshine and there is love!

There's no question that this is a hot book with a likable hero and an independent heroine with a stubborn streak. However, although Storm Watch has its enjoyable moments and is definitely hot in the signature Harlequin Blaze way, this is a predictable story with a timeline that doesn't allow for real development.

Genre: Category Romance/Contemporary
Series: None
Release Date: August 1, 2009/Kindle Edition

Grade: C-

Visit Jill Shalvis here.