Gaymes has to be one of the best anthologies that I've come across in a long time. I'll be upfront and admit that I'm not a big fan of anthologies. Usually the only reason I buy them is for the stories by favorite authors. I can honestly say that there is not one bad story in this collection. Gaymes has a little something for readers of differing genres and lovers of m/m fiction. Whether you are looking for a shy kilt wearing man at the Highland Games to a biker bar filled with shapeshifters. It's all in there!

Highland Gaymes by Carol Lynne

Shaw Fitzgerald travels with his brothers from highland game to highland game playing in their band. All the brothers are all close knit, but they still think of Shaw as the baby and are very protective of him. While Shaw loves playing music with his brothers he differs from them in one significant way. He loves going to the games not to play his music but to watch the sexy kilt clad men play, especially Curt Macaula. But what's Shaw to do when he discovers that his interest in Macaula hasn't gone unnoticed by the man and that the admiration is mutual?

Just the thought of all those hardy, strapping men running around in kilts had me drooling. Ms. Lynne did an excellent job of bringing the excitement of the games to life. Shaw and Curt were a great pairing and the relationship that Shaw shared with his brothers was one that anyone would wish to have.

Elliot's War by Kim Dare

Every year the university students hold a war. The local Welsh students wage war against those who come to the university from across the border. The war takes place in the woodlands surrounding the university and the students go all out, wearing warpaint and togas. The captured have to serve as slaves for two weeks for their captors. Elliot isn't quite sure how he ended up running through the woods or what he'll do now that he's been captured by blue woad wearing Celtic warriors.

I liked that Elliot was completely at a loss as to why he was participating in the games. Whether it was through curiosity of what the games were about, or if it was through an unconscious desire to satisfy urges he was scared to examine in the broad light of day, he didn't know. Parry was an interesting character because he felt that he was growing bored with the games and rarely participated in the war anymore. But once Elliot runs into him all bets are off, and the war truly begins.

Crossed Hearts by Lisabet Sarai

The annual Four States Scrabble Championship offers Jason Hofstadter many things. It gives him the opportunity to ply his skill at scrabble as well as at seduction. Not a year has passed that Jason hasn't managed to get laid, and after spotting the bookish Matt Sawyer, Jason is sure that this year won't be any different. But appearances can be deceiving, and Jason soon finds himself questioning everything he ever thought about sex, love, and scrabble.

This was probably my least favorite of the stories, and it was still a good one. I didn't really like Jason; he was arrogant and obnoxious and didn't really seem to have any redeeming qualities. Matt on the other hand was a bundle of surprises hidden behind his slightly nerdy exterior. The story was well written and once Jason starts to change I began to like him and this tale more.

Rough Riders by Devon Rhodes

Luke Briscoe loves being a part of the Rough Riders, a three sport competitive team that he and his secret lover, Mario, founded. When Mario tires of the closeted life and decides to come out Luke refuses to risk it. He's had one bad experience with an athletic team turning on him when his preferences were discovered, and he's not willing to let it happen again. But after Mario leaves him and the team a new member joins. Derek Grimm is out and proud and none of the Rough Riders seem to have a problem with it. Can Luke face his fears and take a chance?

Luke was a very likeable and sympathetic character. It was easy to feel his fear and his reasoning behind keeping that closet door firmly shut. While I liked Mario, and could understand his frustration with the secrecy, I didn't think that he was the right man for Luke. Derek was a great character, everything that Mario wasn't, and it was through their attraction and Derek's sensitivity that Luke begins to peek through that door.

Contact Point by Gwendolyn Cease

All Jesse Chandler wants to do is get out of the rain. He enters what he thinks is a leather bar but is in reality a shifter's hangout. Cade Reynolds owns the bar, and all he can think about is getting the little human out before trouble starts. At least until he gets a whiff of the human's scent and finds himself unable to walk away. It only takes one night with the man before Cade realizes that Jesse is his mate. Now all he has to do is convince Jesse that he needs to stay with Cade and get him to accept that Cade isn't quite human.

Gwendolyn Cease is not a new to me author but this is probably one of my favorite stories by her. I loved Jesse's determination to not give up and struggle onward even though his life was by no means easy. I loved that Cade was just this side of too stubborn for his own good and has a good heart behind all his gruffness. Once the two get together the story quickly escalated to a pyrotechnic level that did nothing to hide the strong bond that was forming between them.

Be sure and put Gaymes at the top of your to buy list today. It is well worth every penny and is going straight to my keeper shelf.

Reviewed by: Hayley