The Gay UK | Page 24

PRINT SIDE BY SIDE AND STILL SIDE BY SIDE This is the story of Evan and Rick. Fast and close friends since their kindergarten days in a small town, their friendship evolves into the love of their lives. They move to the big city where they meet Billy and Charlie and these four friends are soon inseparable. Mioki presents a moving portrait of gay life with MISSISSIPPI HUSTLER Unwanted and abandoned by his Mississippi River plantation-owning daddy, young Jeff got by as best he could in a torrid world of prostitution and vice where the whole neighbourhood used him as a cheap sex-toy. And then, out of the blue, came an airline ticket to distant Hawaii, where his wealthy daddy enjoyed a decadent high-life of unbridled lust. Was this his father finally showing him he cared…? There he met Mohammed — a man who seemed to appreciate him. But that was when troubles really began. Twisted desires and murderous jealousy put his very life in jeopardy — could young Mississippi Hustler survive and find true love? 320 pages, £11.99. Published by Bruno Gmünder. Win A Copy of Mississippi Hustler by visiting www.thegayuk.com/ MississippiHustler ◼◼◼◼ BEST GAY ROMANCES 2014 is a superb collection of fictional short stories about love and romance. Characters in this book are all in different places: some are single, some have just met a special man and some are in a relationship. Each of the 15 stories is exceptionally well written, gripping and heart warming. Best Gay Romance 2014 has contributions from some of the best gay writers out there. One or two of the stories did lack depth, but only because they were too short. Three amazing stories in this anthology were: Strange Propositions by Eric Gober Strange Propositions is the opening story in Best Gay Romance 2014. The story starts with Kenny ending an unhappy long distance relationship. Then he meets Nate through work and they hit it off. The ending of this story is funny and leaves the reader with a smile. Sight by Jordan Taylor 24 AUG / SEPT 2014 | THEGAYUK In Sight, Noah and Archer have been together since their teen years. Now in their twenties, Archer proposes and Noah says no. It’s a clever story about insecurity and getting over it. It shows the reader what a man will do for someone they really love. When life knocks you off your feet, a good man will be there to help you up. This beautiful story will reignite even the most pessimistic readers hope for love. Shep: A Dog by Alex Jeffers Isaac has unrequited love for Jackson. But he is about to learn that men can come along in the most unexpected of situations. Isaac rescues a dog called Shep from drowning in the sea, but can’t find his owner. Unknown to Isaac is that Shep is about to transform into more than he could ever have imagined. A sweet and imaginative story. All of these short stories share the theme of vulnerability. To be in love and loved back means you sometimes need to be emotionally vulnerable. If you enjoy romantic tales, then Best Gay Romance 2014 will delight you. Even if you don’t, it will still give you hope that Mr. Right is out there; that is, if you haven’t already found him. 8 BUY IT NOW Review by Antony Simpson 8 MORE FROM TGUK all its highs and lows. Drawn in a sure style and masterfully incisive, Mioki’s comic is a joy to read, is moving and the sex also doesn’t get short shrift. A charming comic for the young and the young-at-heart. This is the bundle of two previously published hardcover books by Bruno Gmünder. 240 pages, £24.99