Together We Stand

3,5 stars

When I discovered that my favourite writer DD Prince had writing a story for this anthology, I had to buy it. Also the reason why this anthology was writing and what they would do with the proceeds of it was an extra reason to buy it. In these difficult times, we have to help each other and say a big thank you to the people who did their jobs (and more) in these difficult circumstances!

Except for the writer DD Prince, all the writers in this anthology were new writers to me. There were several stories that I enjoyed very much and there were also a few stories that I couldn’t get into. (But that is the advantage of an anthology, there are stories enough that you will love and like.) Some stories were very short, some were a bit longer, some were steamy and others were not. ‘Together we stand’ was a lovely anthology and I really liked the diversity in the stories. The stories weren’t all about handsome doctors and cops but also about people in ‘regular’ jobs, like cashiers who worked in grocery stores.

Essentially broken by C.A. King (3 stars)
It’s a story about a nurse with a special talent, who must make some tough decisions about whose life to save and whose not. It’s an emotional story.

Finding love amongst empty shelves by Tracey Willoughby (3 stars)
It was a short story about a woman in a wheelchair and a hot cop who both want the last toilet paper in the shop. It’s told from the woman POV’s.

Surrendering hearts by Kadian Tracey (3 stars)
This story was about a second chance of love. The story is told from both POV’s and it was good but it went all a bit too quick for me.

Essential love by K. Logan (3 stars)
This is an older brother best friend story. The story is told in both POV’s and it ends a bit in a cliffhanger. So you know that the writer will write more of this story.

COVID’s ARROW by V.J. Allison (5 stars)
This is story is about is Vicki and Mason, two grocery store cashiers, who aren’t only colleagues but who became also friends. Sadly, because of the COVID virus they had to keep their social distance from each other. Vicki misses her friend but then during a lunch break that they spend together, Vicki discovers that Mason may want to share his bubble with her and maybe even more. It’s a sweet and cute story, told in Vicki’s POV.

Wait for me by J.M. Walker (4 stars)
OMG!! This story ended with such a cliffhanger!!
It’s about Clara and Ryder, who meet unexpectedly and they both feel an instant attraction. They go on a date, knowing that Ryder, who is in the military, has to leave in a couple of days. But still, they want to have one date before his leaving. Their date is fantastic and it ends very steamy. Both want more so they promise to see each other again but will they? This is a great story, I liked the characters very much, they were very open with each other. The story is told in both POV’s.

Ease me by AW Clarke (4 stars)
This story is about Reagan who had a hard day at work and her fiancée Gavin, who has his own special way to spoil and distract her from her difficult workday. I really enjoyed this story, it was steamy and a bit kinky but still sweet. The story is told from Reagan POV’s.

Catching the lovebug by Jennifer Rose (3,5 stars)
A nice story about finding love during quarantine in an unexpected way. Tessa and Ben are colleagues who are working on a project and because of the conditions of the quarantine, they decide to not only work together but live together for the duration of the lockdown. During this time, they grow closer to each other but they aren’t the only ones, Kyle, Ben’s friend who lives there too, also develop feelings for Tessa. Who will Tessa choose in the end? The story is told from Tessa’s POV.

Love beyond the flames by Tricia Daniels (5 stars)
Rose is a firefighter who gets wounded during her job. She wakes up in the hospital, not remembering a thing, expect the handsome doctor Grant, who tried to reassure her when she was brought into the ER. During her stay in the hospital Grant is by her side, helping her when she remembers the tragedy that took place when she got hurt. Sometimes life gives you a second chance. This was a bit of an emotional and sweet story. I enjoyed it very much. The story is told from Rose’s POV.

SOAKED BY by M. Jane Colette (3,5 stars)
This story is about two women. Freddy is a plumber and Janet works in a store. Their first meeting doesn’t go well, you can even say that it went very bad. But when Janet has a problem at home, Freddy comes and help her, after that they meet again and both feel an attraction. It was a nice story. You get both POV’s in this story.

Cohen by Andréa Joy (5 stars)
This is again a sweet, short and good story. It’s about Cohen and Rhys who meet through a social media app and after a comment from Cohen on a video of Rhys, they start talking. The story is in both POV’s and I liked it very much.

Out of the blue by DD Prince (5 stars)
This story is about Christina (Tina) a paramedic and Hunter Collins, the guy that she saved after he was in a terrible car accident. Playboy Hunter realises that he has gotten a second chance at life so he decides to change his playboy lifestyle and look for something more serious in life. He can’t forget the woman that saved his life so he decides to pursue her but Christina isn’t so easily charmed like all the other women in his life but then one drunken night changes everything.
I really liked this story, it’s was interesting to see how Hunter went to convince Christine to give him a chance. To see him prove to her that he is a changed man, although he still has his own cocky way to persuade her. It was entertaining and a steamy novella. it’s told in both POV’s.

The last bus stop by P. Stormcrow (4 stars)
Dani is a bus driver and Hiro owns a coffee shop. This story was a bit special about regret, love and not waiting for taking a chance on love. It’s told in Dani’s POV.

Make me beg by Cameron Allie (5 stars)
This is about the couple Riley and Heath. Because of the situation and the fact that Heath’s job (as a cop) gives him a greater risk for getting sick, they decided that Riley and their young son will stay at her parents place for a while. But the couple misses each other very much. And both have special news to tell the other! This was a great story. It’s told from Riley’s POV. (Although I discovered after reading it, that this is a follow-up story on the couple. You don’t have to read the other book first to read this one. This story was perfectly fine as a standalone story too.)

Second chance by Gillian Jones (5 stars)
Faith and Chance meet each other first when he gets hurt and he goes to the hospital for stitches. Nurse Faith helps him. Then they meet again when Faith needs repairs to her car and Chance is the mechanic who helps her then. It’s told in both POV’s and it is a great and steamy story.

The Valley by Bethany—Kris (3 stars)
This story started really good and I got all in and then it was finished?! This made that I had very mixed feelings about it. I assume that it is the ‘beginning’ of a longer story? The story is told in Kissha’s POV. She left her hometown and never thought to get back to it. But six years later her sister needs her, so she’s back. She works as a night nurse in the hospital when she meets the man that broke her heart all those years ago.

Worth the wait by Scarlett Wells (4,5 stars)
This is a sweet story about two neighbours Hannah and Alex who live next to each other but have never met. And then one night they meet on their balcony and they start talking to each other and sharing their past and their present with each. It’s a sweet and lovely story. It’s told from Hannah’s POV.

Quarantine love by Jean Kelso (3 stars)
It’s about Celia who because of her autoimmune diseases has to stay home. Luckily, she gets help from Noah.He goes grocery shopping for her and keeps her company. The story is told from both POV’s.

No rest for the wicked by Carey Decevito (5 stars)
This was again a sweet and nice story about two longtime friends Rett and Johanna. They have been friends for a long time but the last few years both have develop feelings for the other but out of fear for losing their friendship, they ignored those feelings but one night will chance everything. The story is told in both POV’s.

Save me! by Maria Vickers (4,5 stars)
This is the story about Benji and officer Lucas, who helps Benji when he gets himself in a difficult situation. This was a fun story! It’s told in both POV’s.

Just one night by Geri Glenn (5 stars)
A steamy short story that I loved very much. It’s about a woman who wants to feel sexy again and her wish comes true when she spends one night with a hot guy that she meets in a bar. The story is told from the woman’s POV.

3rd date face-off by C.J. Lazar (2,5 stars)
This story is about Miranda who is on her third date with Roy who she met through a dating app. Both are keeping secrets from each other but this night, things go a bit wrong and secrets will be revealed. The story is told from Miranda’s POV.

We see you too by Allison M. Cosgrove (3 stars)
A nice, short story about Alyssa, a student who is temporarily working at a grocery store. No romance in this story. But a reminder to be kind to each other.

Checking out, mr. Right by Leah Negron (4 stars)
Nicole works as a cashier in a grocery store, the last 7 weeks have been hard for her. The customers are getting more angry. But then one male customer stands up for her and then ask her out. It was a lovely story, told in Nicole’s POV.

There were a few stories I couldn’t get into. I didn’t mention them here.

4.5 Stars

Together We Stand is a collection of short stories from Authors who write in different genres. Some of them I’m familiar with but most are new to me, so I’m excited to get a taste of their writing.

I’m leaving short reviews for the stories I’ve read so far. The good thing about this collection of stories is that they’re all different short little reads. Great to pick up and read with a quick coffee.
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C.A King – Essentially Broken – 4

WOW!! This one was unexpected and it definitely packed a punch. A story where actions have consequences no matter how good your intentions are. I’d love to read this as a full book.

Gillian Jones – Second Chance – 5

I loved Faith and Chance their story was sweet and romantic fast paced and fun. It was also witty and had plenty of steam too, a great little read. I’m hoping we get more from these characters.

DD Prince – Out Of The Blue – 4

I enjoyed this one, I liked Hunters determination to win over Christina even though I could understand her hesitation.
Hunter was cocky but a good guy at heart. I loved the last line in the story, it made me smile.

Jennifer Rose – Catching The Lovebug – 4

This one was a sweet little love story with unexpected little twist. Ben was stuffy and liked routine, Kyle was laid back and fun. Tessa has a tough time choosing between them when they both try to win her affections. She’s a lucky girl that’s for sure.

M. Jane Colette – Soaked – 4

This one was a bit different it was funny and hot. A plumber falling for the girl in the hardware store. It wasn’t what I expected but I’m curious to read more stories like this.
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I’m looking forward to reading the rest of stories in this collection. I’ve loved what I’ve read so far, and I’m hoping to find a few more hidden gems.

This anthology was full of authors that I have read before and some that were new to me! However, each and every story in this wonderful collection of short stories was well written with characters that were so well defined that I enjoyed each story in this must have anthology!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.

As the entire world is impacted by COVID-19, a group of talented Canadian authors and authors with Canadian roots have come together to bring you short stories in multiple genres, each one surrounding essential workers. All proceeds from this anthology will be donated to a Canadian charity that provides relief during the pandemic.

This book is filled with thirty different authors and some of them I am sure are already your favorites. There is just not a way to review all the stories individually as this review would be way longer than anyone would ever care to even read. I must say though that I loved so many stories in this anthology and I was so happy to get to read and review it. I especially love the story by Gillian Jones. She never disappoints and I was so engrossed in her story that I never wanted it to end. This is a book that you do not want to miss as it has something in it for everyone.

When I happened upon this book I couldnt help but think what an amazing group of authors to write these short stories and donate all proceeds to charity. Then I also realized they were Canadian and went YAY!

I have never read an anthology of books before and was slightly hesitant but I have time on my hands, its for a good cause and there are some authors in the book who I absolutely love!

Im so glad I did. There is an array of stories and themes in the book. Not all may be everyones type but wow are they well written and relevant.

My favourite story is Second Chance by Gillian Jones. It is based upon Nurse Faith at a hospital(ps i live about an hour and half from the hospital mentioned SO COOL) and a mechanic at a local auto shop Chance. She keeps running late to work because her car isnt the best. Another nurse recommends she goes to her fave mechanic shop to get it fixed. In the meantime said mechanic ends up needing stitches and faith fixes him right up. When she finally gets her car into the shop and realized Mr Hottie she stitched up is the same mechanic her friend mentioned to her he returns the favour by fixing her car and then getting it on with her on the hood of another haha.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It will make you laugh, make you cry, make you hopeful. It also is for a really really good cause so run out and by it now. You will thank me later!

This is a anthology from Canadian authors in aid of essential workers all about People who find love while in lockdown or in these time’s. This is a fluffy read from authors like Andrea Joy. There are some trigger warnings for this book such as grief, loss of a spouse, trauma.

A few stories to mention:

Essentially broken by CA king very emotive read of a woman who is a nurse and the day she thinks nothing could be worse than working in a pandemic the worse happens.

Finding amongst the empty shelves by Tracey willoughby this story had disability rep which I found very good and endearing. Two people meet in a store on the hunt for the commodity of toilet roll which made me laugh.

Surrendering hearts by Kaiden Tracey second chance romance of a couple of people who could have been together for many year but sometimes it is not the right time.

Cohen by Andrea Joy Cohen and Rhys Met on social media app and although talking for over a year they have never met. Will love come through even though they have only spoken online? This story will look into it.

My review is for Cohen by Andrea Joy. Such a beautiful, sweet story. Ironically, I met my husband on a dating site so I can totally relate to these characters. I hope there will be more to come with Rhys and Cohen.

i love shirt stories, and these are some of the best