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Since I rarely sleep at night, I was up reading J.M. Snyder’s free offerings I found on her website. They’re short, free reads so I won’t review them but I will say you should read these stories. They’re a great introduction to Snyder’s work and shows interesting characters with a strong romantic streak even in short glimpses.

So far I read the four downloads I found:

While We Wait

A college playboy finds himself in a doctor’s waiting room as a result of his carefree lifestyle. While he waits he becomes interested in a gay couple consisting of an older man and his much younger lover, imagining their sex life and what the attraction is between the two men to stay together. This brief glimpse into Jason’s mind was as interesting as he is self-absorbed and for all his strident, uptight glaring Wesley had an unexpected charm.

 

This Christmas

Ned decides to stay at college over the holiday break once he’s discovered his boyfriend amateur porn videos with another man. Despite his determined self pity party, an old high school crush manages to turn an icy night into a new beginning. Ned is sweet, grumpy, heart broken and tender at his possible new love interest in Bobby. A short and sweet holiday offering with a hint of Scrooged.

Skaterboy

This is a “day in the life” look at a young skater who is in love with an older businessman. This was my favorite of the short, free reads as CJ is a directionless skater who graduated high school a year ago and is still trying to figure out what he’s going to do with his life. He’s talented and creative, yet hasn’t found a direction other than being with his guy, Richard. I adored CJ almost immediately with his skating, disgruntled attitude, and obvious love for Richard. If one of these were to turn into a longer story, I’d lobby for something with these characters.

Cowboy

This is clearly a fan favorite story about Marcus, a man headed west to find his dream cowboy and found his dream with Kent. That dream is tested when Marcus finds a runaway, Luke, in their barn. This short story was like a storm, there is a slow buildup of tension that swirls statically in the air until the inevitable explosion of energy. As the ending was decided by readers, it’s predictable and appropriate; however, the final punch to the resolution left me thinking. While it was certainly fitting, it was harsh and manipulative and I’m still uncertain if I liked or disliked it, either way I’m still thinking about it.

I have to pimp the great cover that Snyder offers for the print version of this story. It’s worth getting.

 

I’d highly recommend all of these as something fun to read, but furthermore if you haven’t read the author before you should.

Get them and more of J.M. Snyder HERE!

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