Forbidden Love by, Glenn, Brown, O’Neill and Voinov

Title: Forbidden Love
Author: Stormy Glenn, H.C Brown, Anna O’Neill and Alexsandr Voinov
Publisher: Noble Romance
Length:: 87pages
Buy the book: Amazon

Blurb:

Review:

Forbidden Love is an anthology containing four very short stories. The theme here is historical, and the tone is very angst orientated, what rings true is that the time in which all the stories are told, love between men would have been very forbidden. Yet I find this reason makes the stories even more pleasurable to read.

My Outlaw by Stormy Glenn
This story takes place in 1880s, Texas. The lead character Daniel is a cattle rancher on his way home after being injured. While traveling in a coach he begins a conversation with a woman travelling alone, and then begins to explain life on the rough terrain. He mentions in pass about bandits, and names a bandit called Black Bart (yep I was thinking the same thing about the name) who is quite notorious in the area. We all know how this is going to go down, Black Bart makes an appearance, and the ending might surprise you.

This was actually my favourite story in the entire book; I found it quite amusing and very sensual. In addition, I really liked Black Bart, and Daniel is presented clearly as being homosexual. It becomes quite clear that there is something more between Black Bart and Daniel, this story is not meant to be taken seriously and should be read for its smuttiness. I can say the only thing historical about this entire setting, is the date. Yet it provides a slight D/s relationship, just enough to make you squirm.

Forbidden by H.C Brown
Forbidden, takes place in 1075 medieval England, and young nobleman Renoir is being forced to marry by his father and the king. Evidently, this leaves no room for objection; the marriage is being implemented because they know of Renoir’s sexual orientation, which is referred to as an affliction. Renoir hates the idea that he has to marry, and it is to an older woman, adding insult to injury, the marriage has to be consummated in front of a priest and another witness. Years before Renoir met and had an affair with a Spanish knight called Sebastian D’lergo and his heart and body still longs for this man after five years of being without him.

In order to survive the marriage he wants no part of, he comes up with a ruse that will keep his wife satisfied and him away from her bed.

This story I found quite amusing, Renoirs sarcasm is to be admired. He is described as looking effeminate, but he is 100% man. He is very submissive by nature and Sebastian is the Dom to his sub, together they are explosive. You are left with the feeling of how will this marriage work between Renoir and his wife, and Renoir and his male lover, one thing is for sure the love between Sebastian and Renoir will forever remain true.

Poisoned Heart by Anna O’Neill
Set in Japan during the Edo period, it tells of Raiden a man deeply angered by the murder of his parents. He lives with the hate and guilt because he loved and worshipped the very person who committed the murders. Raiden is man of magic and has learnt how to travel time, to stop Masashi once his foster brother from murdering his parents.

This story deserved to be longer, it is the most unusual in the entire anthology, and it was so condensed, that it needed a little more time for it to make complete sense. Here is a person hell bent on revenge, and is going back in time to stop the murders of his parents thus changing history. During his journey, he comes to understand the whys and the who’s of the people behind the murder. I just felt a little more time was needed for us to completely understand Masashi, and to delve a little deeper into the personalities of Raiden and Masashi. The end was so abrupt, that I have yet to know if there was a conclusion, and did  Raiden and Masashi achieve their happy-ending.

Deliverance by Alexsander Voinov
Set during the crusade era, this story tells about William one of the Knights of Templar. Trying to cleanse himself of his previous sins, this happens to be a homosexual relationship with a nobleman. The knights happen to meet a young man, and later on challenge said man to a joust. William being known for being undefeated, it comes with surprise when this pilgrim defeats him. Later on, the man reveals his identity, which causes William to fear him and yet want him with his entire being.

I really enjoyed this story; it was so vivid, William’s struggle with wanting another man. His loyalty to god is strong, yet he has no power to deny the very basis of his nature. He desires another man, and in the eyes of his beliefs, this desire is very much wrong. I loved how this very strong man, known for his strength, was cut down to a rubble of a man, because of his love for another man. Voinov was able to capture the time so beautifully, knights fighting for the greater good, the love of their lands and for their god. With religion loving a man is considered wrong, yet we fail to remember that god is love, and he would never deny anyone happiness. The ending of this story is bittersweet, I hope for the very best for William, but his heart is conflicting, should he remain true to the cause and his god, while denying himself complete happiness.

I tend not to read anthologies because sometimes the stories can be rushed and leave you a bit unsatisfied. This book is very heavy hitting on the content, and it was written very well. The ability to capture so much information with so little pages was superb. That being said here is my favourites in order. My Outlaw, Deliverance, Forbidden and Poisoned Heart.

Happy Reading.