EROS RISING - Ally Blue
A Heart from the Ashes Story
Samhain Publishing - www.samhainpublishing.com
ISBN: 1-59998-311-7
January 2007
Erotic Gay Romance M/M - Short Story
Rating: Red-Hot!

Present Day

When Scott Jasper goes with Logan, his boyfriend of seven years, to Ganymede’s Grotto, he is unaware that it is a gay swinger’s sex club. Logan has been trying to persuade Scott into having a threesome, but he continually refuses. To Scott, sex is a private issue, and Logan has provoked him in the past by engaging in sexual behavior that Scott has felt uncomfortable with. But he draws the line at infidelity and allowing other men into their bed. Scott just wishes Logan felt the same way.

On the verge of leaving Ganymede’s Grotto, Scott is stopped by the appearance of Eros, one of the club’s strippers, on stage. Eros is dressed from head to toe in white tight clothing and Scott, who is instantly aroused, can’t take his eyes off him.

Keegan Rourke -- Eros -- has not had an easy life. He likes his job as a stripper/bartender at Ganymede’s Grotto, and the owner of the club is like a father to him. Bartending after his show, Keegan winds up serving a drink to Scott. In talking to him, Keegan realizes he’s talking to someone whom he considers a rarity -- a truly kind and decent man. When Keegan hints that he is attracted to Scott and would not mind taking their chance encounter further, Scott refuses, remaining loyal to Logan. Instead, over time, they become friends. Will Scott have the courage to end things with Logan, and finally admit that Keegan might be the man he has been looking for?

EROS RISING walks a fine line between sensuality and raw eroticism, and falls for the most part, depending on your reading taste, happily in the latter category. Considering that most of the interaction between the characters takes place in the sex club, this type of eroticism should come as no surprise to readers. Keegan is a fiery and articulate man who is used to using his looks to make his living. But it is Scott, a gorgeous, down to earth accountant, full of old-fashioned values, who helps makes this story more sexy than unseemly. Surrounded by decadent behavior, Scott passes no judgment, but knows it is not for him and refuses to take part in it.

Keegan is drawn to Scott’s goodness and kindness just as much, if not more, than his looks. The sexual language is very explicit. The secondary characters are few, but reveal things about Scott, and especially Keegan, which helps makes them into more fully developed characters. Overall, Ms. Blue has managed to create another story with two hot, sexy male characters whom readers will care about and will want to see living together happily ever after.

Nickole Yarbrough