Sometimes Life Just Needs a Little Plaid

Another Thursday? Notice how I keep repeating that in surprise. Continuing the Anthology Excerpts - here's one from Stormy Weather available in the Make Me a Match Vol. 2 Anthology from Dreamspinner Press.

Summary: Meteorologist Grant Singer is sick of dates who only want to bed the TV "weather guy". But the matches from the online dating service he signs up with are even worse. In fact, the only thing that makes the endless dinner dates bearable is Craig, the cute waiter at his favorite restaurant. Luckily for Grant, Craig never misses one of his forecasts….

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( Usually Grant hated blind dates so he had to think of this as something else if he was going to get through it. )

Busy in the midst of clean-up and organizing for ye olde end of 2010 and realized that I missed posting a link to this delightful review from Dark Diva Reviews. Filing this under the "not very organized heading".

I really liked Grant and Craig in this story - another two of my characters that don't seem to get much time to come out and play, and I'm glad Jaime found them appealing as well.

Stormy Weather by Chrissy Munder - available in the Make Me a Match Vol. 2 Anthology from Dreamspinner Press.

Summary: Meteorologist Grant Singer is sick of dates who only want to bed the TV "weather guy". But the matches from the online dating service he signs up with are even worse. In fact, the only thing that makes the endless dinner dates bearable is Craig, the cute waiter at his favorite restaurant. Luckily for Grant, Craig never misses one of his forecasts….

Jaime’s Review:

This was a lovely tale of two guys who manage to find one another through the crowd, even though they don't quite know right away what they're looking at. I rather liked Craig and his simple resolve to be content with his life. He has a certain surety that he will meet the right guy, eventually, even if he hasn't, yet. Maybe that's the optimism of youth, but I think it's also about his personality, being open to chance. Grant's not so sure Mr. Right exists after his recent dating fiascos, but he's willing to try, and that's always a plus.

This really is a sweet story despite the sex scenes, which generally tend to push any story from sweet to at least sensual. In this case, they are well done and somehow manage to retain the sense established in the story of honest, uncomplicated love. The characters are easy to like, their situations are easy to sympathise with, and you just want them to see each other and more importantly, recognize each other. I like the way the story closes with them still being just who they are, honest and tender, and you just know it's all worked out for the best.

Jaime also reviewed the rest of the stories in the anthology. Click on the link here to read more.

Whoops! Is this me flooding my f'list? I've not been online this much in ages. Blame the Dreamspinner Chat! If you've not had a chance to stop by please do - and remember to look for the Topaz Promotions post with the discount code.

There are a couple of new reviews I just had pointed out to me.

I'm very excited about this one:

Teresa at Fallen Angels has reviewed Undiscovered Territory. One of my favorite sweet, rather than spicey pieces.

Ms. Munder has created a fun story about chance meetings that could change the course of your life. This may be a short story, but the plotline and characters come together to engage the reader from the beginning. This is a great story if you want to read a book that isn’t real long but is delightful to read. Layne isn’t looking for a new relationship, but his instant reaction to Terri surprises him. I loved watching how Layne and Terri were immediately attracted to each other. Thanks go to Ms. Munder for a wonderful story.

Thank you! Teresa.

And Joyfully Reviewed has reviewed both Make Me a Match Vol. 1 and Make Me a Match Vol. 2..

I'm pleased to share some new reviews for a couple of the anthologies I have short stories in. Be sure to click on the reviewer's link for the full review.

Sandra over at Night Owl Romance reviewed the Make Me a Match Volume Two Anthology and had this to say about the anthology overall:

Make Me a Match Vol 2 was overall a good and interesting anthology. I really enjoyed most of the stories.

and

Being that you get quite a few stories in this book it’s a great value. I plan on keeping this one and reading it again. I’ll also recommend it to others.

and Jenre or at Well Read reviewed the new Reflections of Love Anthology and had this to say about Milestones:

Chrissy Munder always writes a great story and I wasn't disappointed here.

and

What made this story work for me is how realistic it was in showing how easy it is to allow life to get in the way of love and also how all relationships have to be worked on if they are going to thrive.

Stormy Weather now available in print and ebook in the Make Me A Match Anthology Vol. 2 has received 4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs Reviews .

Critter Nymph (love the name) says: "Stormy Weather by Chrissy Munder (4 Nymphs) is a hilarious look at computer dating. This enjoyable read will have you chuckling more than once. Who knew ordering an edamame salad could be such an experience?"

I'm so glad Critter Nymph enjoyed this story as well as the others in the Anthology.

New reviews are out and about on the web (click on the links for the full reviews)

Here's a couple of new ones for Brush With Desire .

It received 4-1/2 stars as reviewed by scribbler at Rainbow Reviews. - Geeks in love, or at least in lust, make me smile when they’re done right, and I’m always a sucker for a fun story. Chrissy Munder’s “Brush with Desire” manages to nail both, with a bit of BDSM thrown in for some spice.

and

What makes this story really work are the characters, Brian in particular. He’s tired, a little goofy, and, like most geeks, easily distracted by shiny things. The resulting internal monologue is both real and a riot. Dale’s a bit less well developed, but in all the right ways; the story’s told from Brian’s point of view, and that view’s dead-on scatterbrained. The two play off each other well, and the story just hangs together from end to end.
A quick read, but a good one.

Also check out the review by Cassie from Joyfullyreviewed.com. - Brush with Desire is a quick, hot little tale of finding romance in a most unexpected place.

Stormy Weather available in the Make Me a Match Anthology Vol. 2 received 3 stars from Nikki at Rainbow Reviews . - “Stormy Weather is a lighthearted, fun, and romantic story. Craig is adorable and Grant is a sweet guy too. They have great chemistry, and it feels like the real thing with them.”

And I was thrilled to read that Well Read chose Giving Gifts as one of their 10 most enjoyed in the Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar Collection . - The real strength of this story was in the way that the reader really empathises with the character of Seth. We meet him when he is feeling at his best and experience all his hopes for the night ahead, then when that comes crashing down around him we feel his sense of crushing embarrassment, then when we feel his surprise and powerful emotion as he meets someone who values him for who he is. Marvellous.

And Enigmatically Emily had this to say about A Gift of Ash and Frost - This is the second story from Chrissy as part of the advent calendar ~ this is quite different from the first story and is just as enjoyable. This is an intense story of a man who has been dealt a difficult hand with his life, more so than you can possibly imagine from the start of the story. As the story progresses, we learn more about Mathias as he discovers things about himself. I love the style this story is written in ~ it pulls you right into the overall setting of the story."

and

"The story's fast pacing drives toward the exceptionally poignant ending. This is the type of story that I really do feel I need to read numerous times in order to fully digest and appreciate all of it's intricacies and nuances ~ something that I personally love in a story. I really enjoy when each reading can reveal a bit more about the charcters and the underlying design of the story. It is a beautifully written and moving story that I greatly enjoyed and can't wait to read again."

Join me in welcoming Grant and Craig to my happy family of new releases.

Stormy Weather is now available in the Make Me a Match Volume 2 Anthology at Dreamspinner Press.

Summary: Meteorologist Grant Singer is having a hard enough time living up to his handle "Weather Guy Grant" and dealing with his fellow broadcaster's fans who use him as a way to get close to their idol. After a particularly disastrous date he signs up for an online dating service. The only problem is that he likes the waiter at the restaurant he keeps meeting his possible matches at more than he likes the men he's matched with. Is his interest returned? And will he try the old fashioned route or stick with modern technology?

Here are some reviews for Stormy Weather by Chrissy Munder. Available in the Make Me a Match Vol. 2 Anthology by Dreamspinner Press.

Nikki at Rainbow Reviews: Stormy Weather is a lighthearted, fun, and romantic story. Craig is adorable and Grant is a sweet guy too. They have great chemistry, and it feels like the real thing with them.

Critter Nymph at Literary Nymphs Reviews: Stormy Weather by Chrissy Munder (4 Nymphs) is a hilarious look at computer dating. This enjoyable read will have you chuckling more than once. Who knew ordering an edamame salad could be such an experience?

Jaime at Dark Diva Reviews: This was a lovely tale of two guys who manage to find one another through the crowd, even though they don't quite know right away what they're looking at. I rather liked Craig and his simple resolve to be content with his life. He has a certain surety that he will meet the right guy, eventually, even if he hasn't, yet. Maybe that's the optimism of youth, but I think it's also about his personality, being open to chance. Grant's not so sure Mr. Right exists after his recent dating fiascos, but he's willing to try, and that's always a plus.

This really is a sweet story despite the sex scenes, which generally tend to push any story from sweet to at least sensual. In this case, they are well done and somehow manage to retain the sense established in the story of honest, uncomplicated love. The characters are easy to like, their situations are easy to sympathise with, and you just want them to see each other and more importantly, recognize each other. I like the way the story closes with them still being just who they are, honest and tender, and you just know it's all worked out for the best.