Mancunian

Great stuff. Is anyone else reading them?

Aloha Albert. Did you see the link I left to the next secret author story for you? What do you think of them so far?

The next story in the secret author anthology has been posted. It's titled Nox or Not, I've posted the link below for anyone interested.

For a short story this packs in quite a lot, rejection, reconnection, a loving and supportive friendship, soft furry animals to melt your heart and hidden love, what more can you ask for? Okay, you want a loving relationship too, hopefully, that is in the future and it is waiting there in the wings. I'm hoping the author will write a follow-up to give us all that closure.

Is it possible for a story to be sad and beautiful at the same time? I think it is and this story fits that criteria. Sad for what Maison was put through by his family, but it had a beautiful outcome. Maison discovered how good a friend Evan is and how supportive and accepting Evan's family are, even to the extent of supporting Maison. Evan is a good friend in supporting Maison and puts aside his growing feelings but finds a way to express his feelings to show Maison how important he is. I hope Evan doesn't have to hide his feelings for too long, they look like they will make a great loving couple. I'd love a follow-up in the future letting us know if they progress into the relationship that Evan wants.

No problem Albert. If you click on the blog link above you will find the story link and blog discussion link. I've added the direct story link below for you.

The first of the secret author stories has been posted, has anyone read it yet?

Aloha Albert, how are you my friend? I've just been reading the first of the secret author stories. It's definitely different.

All the time Nilus is trying to enchant Max but with no results. It appears that Max hides his attraction well and was attracted to Nilus all along so no enchantment is needed, or is it that Nilus is enchanted by Max?

It looks like Ricky dodged a bullet there, the two jealous men have fallen for each other giving Ricky a free pass to continue fucking around, I hope he remembers to keep it covered. Larry's announcement that Ricky will never be husband material is unfair. Ricky is young and needs to find his way in the real world first, then who knows? He may meet the right man for him then but only time will tell.

You are more than welcome my friend, I enjoy going back to read the older stories that I have previously missed. I love to comment on, and recommend, the gems that I find.

The third and hopefully not the last in The Watcher series. Although love and intimacy are serious aspects of relationships this is realistically balanced with enough humour to give it a real-life feel. Reading this story is an absolute delight.

This third story in the series sees David and Maurice taking their relationship to the next level. The conversation makes it feel like they are giving each other the final permission they need to fully embrace their future. Nicely written with a good measure of humour to balance the intimacy and making yet another believable episode in these guys lives. I hope there is more to come.

The second in a series about two men in later life discovering love all over again. Brilliantly written and a recommended read. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching these two. I got the impression that in the early days of their new relationship, they were both seeking and giving the other permission to love again and acknowledging each other's right to remember their deceased partner's love. This is still the start of a relationship between two mature men and shows a lot of promise for a happy future. Their stories are filled with hope and anticipation and judging by the previous comments they are sharing that hope.

This is a beautiful story of two men meeting in later life after suffering a tragic loss. It is a reminder that life doesn't stop after loss, there is still a life to live. This a feel-good story that isn't soft or sloppy, it's very realistic to remind us of life.

A beautiful story of two older men who, due to life's trials and tribulations, have become 'watchers'. Thanks to the courage of David they are no longer 'watchers', they have started living life again, possibly to become a couple who will be watched. There are many of us 'watchers' about, more than many of us realise. I'm not sure I'll ever stop being a watcher but stories like this do give hope.

A great story of miscommunication and lack of communication where a relationship is given another chance by friends who take a big risk. If you think you are at risk of becoming emotional remember to keep the Kleenex handy, maybe buy an extra box. A recommended ten-star read.

I don't know what Carl really expected from his behaviour. If he had got into a relationship with Duncan how long does he think it would have lasted the truth always has a way of coming out and in this case, it would have irreparably damaged the relationship because of his lies or didn't he care about that? Enter the real friends. What Kelly and Martin did could so easily have gone wrong, I hope they were ready for the fallout if it had. ?But to be fair they did give Duncan and Leon the metaphorical banging together of their heads that they needed. They forgot one of the most important things about making a relationship work communication, we are all guilty of forgetting this at times, hopefully, this is a lesson they will never forget. I have my fingers crossed that they also know another important aspect of making a relationship work. I was told this by a very wise man, it is not what you can get out of a relationship that will make you happy, it is what you put into it to make your partner happy that will bring true happiness. Okay after that analysis I only have this to say. Gary, you made me read another great story through blurred fuzzy vision and you have a knack for doing that, I spent half of the time trying to clear my eyes. Thank you for another brilliantly written story packed full of emotion.

Fingers crossed he (or she) will turn up later.

I love the way this is written in journal form and the way it is presented, complete with spelling and grammar errors that give a very authentic feel. I kept trying to remind myself that this is a story and not get emotional, guess what, it didn't work and I did get emotional. It is so authentically written it has a real feel to it and completely drew me in. I'm hoping things will start to improve for Daks and Jamie, but I get the horrible feeling that won't. Damned autocorrect doesn't like Daks, it tries to change it to Days.

If the prologue is anything to go by, this promises to be a very interesting story. Now I'm off to read the first chapter.

Aloha Albert, I hope you're coping well with the high temperatures

I'll ask the questions that everyone wants the answers to. When will the first story be posted, and will you let us know how many stories to expect after the deadline closes? Thank you to everyone at GA for bringing the anthologies to us.

I've never read a short story that packs so much love into it, that is until I read this one. Read and feel the love, but be warned, you will need the tissues.