The Great Forest and Other Love Stories by Warren Rochelle at JMS Books
Genre | Gay / Mixed Time Periods/Genres / Aliens / Other Planets / Romance |
Reviewed by | Kristin F. on 27-January-2025 |
Genre | Gay / Mixed Time Periods/Genres / Aliens / Other Planets / Romance |
Reviewed by | Kristin F. on 27-January-2025 |
We all want to be loved, and to love. But finding true and lasting love is not always easy, and sometimes comes at a cost. Sometimes, love hurts. Sometimes, the obstacles separating us from true love may seem insurmountable. In this collection by best-selling gay fantasy author Warren Rochelle, love is found next door as well as twelve lightyears away.
In the title story, Edvard is the accident, the unplanned child. His mother is the Ambassador of the Human Community to the Great Forest on the planet Wertynger, a forest of sentient trees. His father is the Embassy’s chief legal counsel. His golden brothers are on other worlds in the Human Community, bound for success. Not Edvard, to the despair of his parents. When he meets Luc, who loves Ed for who he is, everything changes. His parents separate them, sending Edvard to school lightyears away on Earth. Ed promises to come back and marry Luc. When Luc is taken by the minions of the Holy Trees, their love is sorely tested. Happily ever after is no longer certain. It may even be impossible.
Throughout other stories, love is tested in many ways. Can a man trust a mysterious voice on the radio, calling for him? What if your lover asks you to make a curse? Or if your husband is hearing voices in his dreams, voices somehow connected to a comet? Can promises made in one universe be kept in another? Will these lovers have a happily ever after, or at least, for now?
This is a collection of seven warm and heartfelt short stories. Each one envelops what it means to love and be in love, all with a slight science fiction, fantasy, or theology twist.
The Great Forest
Young love that blossoms to something mature; young love that refuses to listen to “those who know better.” Love that transcends the galaxy. As a sci-fi aficionado and a forester by degree, the Great Forest concept was both fascinating and a bit creepy. When this finished, I wanted more.
On The Radio
Conforming to society, being dissatisfied with conforming, what happens when you follow the voice on the radio…
Second Cup
Oh so, so interesting! A delightful twist utilizing theology and alternate realities.
Susurrus
To what lengths will people go to for those they love? Two intertwined plot lines set against a manufactured curse – what it means to BE in love, what it means to be loved. Well written, with strong hints of the 2020-2021 pandemic which left me a bit… I dunno, uncomfortable? Still, strong characters, strong plot, interesting conclusion.
Snowfall
More an essay, a train of thought, “what if…” story.
Silver Rising
Science fiction – believe and bring those you love. Along the lines of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, just without the music.
The Tale of Robert and Phillip and the Bookstore
Touching on theology but harkening back to the days of Greek gods and the power of devotion. I appreciated how this was an established couple, having just celebrated thirty years of togetherness with family and friends. Not sure I quite cared for the ending of this one, but it did elicit a teary emotion, and I always give kudos to an author when they can provoke strong emotional responses.
Warren Rochelle is a new-to-me author and based off what I read here, I would read more by them. Interesting and engaging topics, varied couples ranging from new love to established love, and an ability to make the reader think a bit. Overall, a delightful collection of stories.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author via OWI for the purpose of a review.
Format | ebook |
Length | Collection, 68736 words |
Heat Level | |
Publication Date | 16-November-2024 |
Price | $5.49 ebook |
Buy Link | https://bit.ly/4fN1wQo |