Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
This is the third annual anthology from the Bay Area Queer Writers Association. The theme is Queer Cheer, Holiday Stories with a Queer Twist. Contents include:
- “Queer Cheer” by K.S. Trenten
- “Miles to Millicent” by Pat Henshaw
- “Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire” by R.L. Merrill
- “Cassidy’s Return” by Liz Faraim
- “Garden Party” by Richard May
- “Día de los Muertos” by Vincent Traughber Meis
- “Thanksgiving Pie” by M.D. Neu
- Selected Poetry by Kelliane Parker
- “Challah If You Queer Me” by Allison Fradkin
- “Krampusnacht” by Wayne Goodman
- “View From the Bridge” by Alexandra Caluen
- “Home Alone” by Andrew Beierle
- Selected Poetry by Sarah White
The Review
Queer Cheer is a well-done anthology that takes the reader to different areas of California for various holiday celebrations, including all types of people from different walks of life. There’s a variety of short stories and poetry here – and both drama and fun.
There’s something for everyone. Here are a few of my favorites:
“Miles to Millicent” by Pat Henshaw is a delightful story, with the touch of “Valentine’s Day.” Zack is racking his brain for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for Miles, and seeks out the help of his best friend Fisk. Fisk can’t believe that Zack can’t figure out what to give Miles – after all, they’ve been living together for three years. Fisk takes Zack to the most diverse place he knows, the Emporium. Will Zack find something that will make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable? A wonderful and charming story about giving, love and the gift of being who you really are, without judgement. Zack and Miles are so sweet and caring, and Fisk is snarky and fun.
“Cassidy’s Return” by Liz Faraim is a story of reuniting, and a difficult decision to be made. Cassidy is a lawyer at a law firm in Los Angeles and has been extremely busy. They’ve gotten their work done and they are ready for the long flight ahead. Cassidy is headed to NYC to reconnect with an old flame, Marie, at Sterling Shores. In meeting her again, Cassidy recalls what life was like as a child at Sterling Shores, and what it is now. A tale about reality and morality, and that choices that have to be made. What in life is worth waiting for?
“Dia de los Muertos” by Vincent Traughber Meis. Marcus is athletic, and does well in public, but when he’s at home he is clumsy and accident-prone. He is often questioned at school about his injuries, and his teachers wonder if he is hurting himself intentionally. A few years later, his mother has passed on, which causes Marcus great anguish and puts him in a dark place. He tries to harm himself, but that hurts just as bad as the pain he feels for the loss of his mother. With the recent death of his Father, this is the first year that he will dedicate the ofrenda on Dia de los Muertos to his mother Marta, his father Henry and his companion Charlie. Marcus truly feels alone, with no family or anyone special to call his own. So he celebrates the Dia de los Muertos procession with friends in the Mission District that night – a decision that will change his life once again.A beautiful little story with just the right touch of eeriness!
“View From the Bridge” by Alexandra Caluen. Jimmy Rubio has Chinese ancestry, and is a paralegal and former Navy man. He lives with and takes care of his elderly mother, Beverly. His father and brother have passed on, and both were hoarders. Luckily, Jimmy was able to transfer from San Diego to San Francisco and keep his job. It was important him to be there to take care of his mother. Ren Itano is Japanese American, a silver fox, lawyer and a former Navy man too. Both Jimmy and Ren are out with their work friends, celebrating at a pre-holiday dinner. From across the room, they notice one another, and eventually meet and hook-up after the dinner. But is it really just a hook-up? I have read several of Caluen’s novels recently and loved them. I was not disappointed with this charming, heartwarming short story either. Jimmy and Ren find they have so much in common and what started as a hook-up becomes so much more as their friendship grows. And absolutely loved the supporting characters, Beverly, Lee and Forty Niner.
I highly recommend the Queer Cheer Anthology by the Bay Area Queer Writer’s Association. With so many talented authors sharing their work, it’s a great way to sample a bunch of new authors.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
