Chrissy Munder 
Love, Laughter, and Desire
Please click on the reviewer's linkto read the full review
Note: it is with great regret I mention that the Rainbow Reviews' site will close effective December 31, 2010 and the site will be closed. I will miss this dedicated site. Should you wish to read their entire review please email me.
Reviewed by Elisa Rolle- "This is one of the best historical gay romance I read [sic] lately, my only regret is that it's too short and left me with the desire to read more."
Reviewed by Enigmatically Emily- "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."
Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angel Reviews- "This is an engaging read with characters that are well-developed in spite of the shortness of the story." and "Readers picking up A Gift of Ash and Frost should expect an enjoyable experience. This story is well worth the read."
An unexpected Blog Post over atWell Read - "The thing is, the story was beautiful, poignant, incredibly well written. The structuring was delightful, with a mix of flashbacks, mingled in with present day and above all, a sense of impending melancholy mixed with bright flashes of humour and cheer. It showed a mastery of the short story format which few authors can manage. I admired the story, even as I hated it for playing so cruelly with my emotions."
Reviewed by Enigmatically Emily - "I am not ashamed to admit that Iwas fighting back tears as Iwas reading the end of this story, and was unsuccessful. These were not tears of sadness, but tears from being so moved and touched by a short story that reached in and wrapped itself around my heart. Rarely does a story affect me so strongly ~ Ihad no idea what was in store for me but what an exceptionally affecting tale. This story is about two men who embraced living a simple life, but it is far from simple. It has a deep emotional core that is heartwarming and tender and magical."
5 stars from Kassa at Rainbow Reviews - "Not only was the ending incredibly touching, moving, and brilliant, but the entire story from beginning to end held a tangible emotion and chemistry between the couple. This feeling was easily translated to the reader, allowing a quick and smooth immersion into the story of these men."
Reviewed by Lily at Ilovebooks - "Ms Munder's writing was so wonderfully descriptive and I was immediately "right there" in the story. I can't say more because I'd hate to spoil any part of the book for someone who hasn't yet read it. All I can say is that it is a fabulously engrossing, emotionally moving and even uplifting story. A definite must read for anyone who likes to read well written books about love."
After the Storm- stand alone novella re-issue 2010
4.5 from Kassa at Reviews by Jessewave - "After the Storm is totally unexpected and equally delightful. For those that didnt read this offering first in the anthology, youll definitely want to get it now. The great characters, descriptive writing, clever ending, and above all really wonderful ambiance create an unforgettable story with a great twist. This story just solidifies Munder on my must-read book list."
Reviewed by JeffandWill.com - "This story started out good and got more awesome as it progressed. Tom is a stressed out undergrad with a master plan for his life but that means he doesnt get out much. His roommate, and best friend, Derek is a free-spirit who works to get Tom to lighten up. Derek talks Tom into baking a huge batch of cookies (Toms a closet baker) for the campus LGBT centers bake sale. Tom ends up connecting with a guy hes crushed on for years and gets a good lesson on life too. I love how Munder worked in great messages about HIV/AIDS testing, the benefits of an LGBT center and about making sure you live your life instead of just getting through it. Id love to see more with the characters. While the story was quite short the characters were vivid and interesting."
Reviewed by Brief Encounters Reviews - Grade of A. I really enjoyed this story. I loved Tom and his roommate Derek and how they interacted and seeing Tom get tongue-tied over being in the presence of his idol Isaac was cute too. The story is all told from Toms point of view, so you dont get much of Isaac, but what comes out from his cousin and his own statements lets you know enough about him and what he thinks to be enjoyable. I was left smiling through this one and you get Toms Grandmas sugar cookie recipe at the end, so it doesnt get better than that."
Bridge of Dreams- Reviewed by Kimber at Fallen Angel Reviews- "Bridge of Dreams is a surprisingly tender love story between two rough and tough men. Although the language is harsh, it is fitting for construction workers. The bedroom door is securely closed but the sensuality is inescapable. The description of working the bridge was so skillfully drawn that this reviewer, with her fear of heights, felt dizzy. Bridge of Dreams is a short but sweet read."
Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angel Reviews- "This is another humorous offering from Chrissy Munder, who seems to have just the right touch to keep the reader laughing through her stories. Brush with Desire is a quick and funny read. Brian seems to have a number of what he feels to be kinky fetishes hair, submission, a little bit of spanking and he has met just the right man in Dale, who appears to know all of the right buttons to press to help out with these kinks. Dale is Brians wet dream and his perfect foil, and the interaction between the two makes for comic reading. Brians voice in this story is endearing and self-deprecating, and the reader will laugh out loud as he shops for treats and toys to bribe his cat and deals with being turned on by a man with a hairbrush in the grocery store. Readers of this story should expect to a very entertaining experience."
Reviewed by Scribbler at Rainbow Reviews - 4-1/2 Stars - "Geeks in love, or at least in lust, make me smile when theyre done right, and Im always a sucker for a fun story. Chrissy Munders 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. Hes tired, a little goofy, and, like most geeks, easily distracted by shiny things. The resulting internal monologue is both real and a riot. Dales a bit less well developed, but in all the right ways; the storys told from Brians point of view, and that views dead-on scatterbrained. The two play off each other well, and the story just hangs together from end to end."
Reviewed by Cassie at Joyfully Reviewed- "Brush with Desire is a quick, hot little tale of finding romance in a most unexpected place."
and
"If youre in the mood for a fast, fun read with a bit of heat, pick up Brush with Desire."
Reviewed by Well Read - "This story fairly sparkles with humour and wit. Brian's sympathetic viewpoint and self-depreciating personality make this 'BDSM-lite' story very amusing as well as engrossing. There is a feast for the senses as the author describes in detail the smells, sounds, looks and tastes that Brian encounters during the liason with Dale, adding to the sexual tension, which starts small and is slowly increased as the story progresses. I'm not usually a fan of BDSM, but the way that the author describes the emotions that Brian encounters, made me understand why he would wish to take on the submissive role. I'm giving this a grade of 'Excellent' and would highly recommend it to anyone with a spare hour or so."
Business Before Pleasure- Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angel Reviews
"Business Before Pleasure is a quick and enjoyable read. Joels viewpoint/voice is very engaging as he kicks himself in hindsight and calls himself all kinds of a fool for allowing himself to be taken advantage of by his predatory lover. He is also an extremely funny drunk. The reader is formally introduced to Bryce through Joels alcoholic haze, and the scene is comical enough to make you laugh out loud. The reader doesnt get to know Bryce quite as well as Joel, but Bryce has a dry humor to him that fits the story very well. Anticipation of seeing Charles, the dishonest coworker, get his comeuppance will keep the reader glued to this story to the end and entertained the whole time."
Butterscotch Kisses in Winter Warmers - a seasonal anthology
Top2Bottom Reviews- If theres a time of year to allow oneself to believe in the promise of love and romance, its the holiday season, and these five contributing authors deliver that magic beautifully in Winter Warmers, a collection of short stories that range from poignant to comical to sexy to just a little bit kinky, but will surely make you believe theres something special about this time of year.
Tam's Reads - All of these authors are ones I can rely on to give me a good story with strong writing and appealing characters, so you can't go wrong with this collection.
Kassa - Munder is an excellent author and that comes across here very well. The vivid cold is depicted beautifully and contrasted with the warmth from the cute ticket guy Adam. Matthews bleak thoughts are nicely woven into the story and his fear of heights is portrayed accurately. Overall this is a great little story that offers a colder feel but warms up at the end pretty nicely.
Romance Around the Corner- I thoroughly recommend this book to fans of romance in general and of m/m in particular. You get five entertaining stories by five fantastic and talented authors.
Queer Magazine Online - If you are looking for a heartwarming, nicely uplifting and positive read, these five short stories fit the bill. Each of them contributes to the whole in their own way, but taken together, they make a wonderfully warming whole. This collection just worked for me.
Well Read - Often when I read anthologies, I can select a favourite story. Not so with this one because all the stories were equally as entertaining and well written. If you're looking for a set of stories to chase away the cold winter weather then this anthology of contemporary stories will be perfect.. I'm looking forward to more story collections from this new press. Grade: Excellent.
Pants Off Reviews - Overall, this anthology was super awesome. There is a story in here for every reader. Each one offers its own unique writing style and though the theme here is all about Christmas, none of the stories can be compared to each other. Its the erotic, meets the sweet and in comes the sexy. This one caused a whole lot of pants losing, and I am still at this moment searching for them. It will warm your heart and have you burning in other places. Fantastic!
Reviews by Jessewave - I really felt for Matthew, who is feeling the effects of more than one bad boyfriend to go with an already debilitating phobia. Hes trying so hard to cure himself of this, so that maybe he can tackle the other issues in his life. Cute Ticket Guy turns out to be Adam, who is a nice guy with a small streak of wickedness, which I really liked. This story ends on a beginning; theyve really only just met, but its a nice warm beginning.
5 Divas, a Recommended Read and a December Top Pick by Kathy at Dark Diva Reviews - "After reading and reviewing Fair Winds, the first book I read by this very talented author, I was sure that this was going to be an excellent read. But with Drive Me Home, Ms. Munder has reached a whole new plateau and Im still feeling somewhat stunned. Low-key and subtle are two elements that really mark this book, and Im firmly hooked on Chrissy Munders writing."
Reviewed by Jen at Well-Read - The strength of this book lay in the writing and most specifically the descriptions of Las Vegas. We are given a very different view of this town from either the tourist's perspective or that of CSI. This is a city baking in the desert sun and I could feel the sweltering heat permeating throughout the book in vivid detail."
and
"Overall, I finished this book thinking that I had enjoyed reading it and that I would recommend it, despite my annoyances with Eric. I certainly found the prose and the story to be compelling enough that I read it almost in one sitting. Even now, days later, I am still thinking about this book, reflecting on its themes of passivity and control; mulling over what it was about Eric that made me so cross; and thinking over the implications of the ending for the two men. For that reason alone I would suggest that you give this book a try. "
Tracy at Ahhhhhromance- I would definitely recommend this one. 4.25 out of 5
Reviewed by Ley at Joyfully Reviewed: "The story had me intrigued and I needed to know what happened next and what the outcome would be. Readers who like to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride and dont mind having a love hate relationship with the main character will find Drive Me Home to be a very captivating read with some intriguing plot twists."
Reviewed by Scandalous Minx at Literary Nymphs: 5 Nymphs and a Golden Blush Recommended Read
I dont know which enthralled me more; the characters, the setting or the plot. Maybe it was the combination of all three and how well they danced together like the perfect Tango. Im truly in love with this story, and hope Chrissy Munder wont leave this incredible tale at just one book. I personally would love to gain more time with the crew of Devlins Due. This is a fantastic read should not be missed, and even those who get seasick from looking at a pool will find pleasure reading Fair Winds.
Reviewed by April at Fallen Angels Reviews: 4 Angels - You cant go wrong with Fair Winds! Rudy Haas completely makes this story great. Even though Ike is the alpha-male type, with tall, dark, and silent down pat, Rudy still steals the show with his gentle nature and gritty drive to succeed at any cost.
Reviewed by Kassa at Rainbow Reviews: 3-1/2 stars - This is an entertaining and intriguing shorter novella with a real flair for atmosphere and sexual tension. While not wholly successful, the story does shine in the details and characters leaving you wanting more, especially with the hanging ending. The solid writing and descriptive prose bring the energy and excitement of sailing alive from repetitious drills to stormy rescues. Although there are several problems with the story, I enjoyed reading the book and hope there are more in the future.
Reviewed by Jenre at Well Read - and her expanded review at ReviewsbyJesseWave: "The scenes aboard Devlin's Due were filled with action and excitement which contrasted nicely with the simmering sexual tension between Rudy and Ike. All in all a great novella which kept my attention from start to finish, despite my lack of knowledge about sailing."
Reviewed by Kathy at Dark Diva Reviews: 5 Divas! "Fair Winds was totally engaging, exciting and a perfect story about friendship, relationships and falling in love. The way that Ms. Munder ended the story was wonderful, and I can definitely see room for another adventure with the crew of Devlins Due hopefully soon!"
Reviewed by Enigmatically Emily- "This is a very touching story, about a guy that I bonded with immediately as a fellow programmer. Excitement and joy radiates from him due to his friendship with Oscar. His friends can't quite believe the transformation and don't know how to relate to their fellow Tech Support employee anymore. But what Seth comes to find out is that while he was so focused on Oscar, he was ignoring those around him. My heart broke for Seth in this story, and I wanted to see him find the love that he so deserves. I really enjoyed this story, and was surprised by the unexpected turn it takes just when I thought I knew what was going to happen. I love being caught off guard like that and really enjoyed the tale of Seth's night. This is very nice story about accepting yourself and finding the love you deserve."
Reviewed by Elisa Rolle - "The story is really short, 35 pages, and it's actually only a scene, the Christmas party night. But the author gives the reader enough details to imagine Seth and also Seth's friends;"
and
"When you find such good characters, you can only say that it's a shame that they leave you so soon."
Reviewed by by Well Readand chosen as one of their 10most enjoyedfrom the Dreamspinner Press Advent Story 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."
Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angel Reviews- "As usual, Ms. Munders knack for characterization shines." and "In all, Hearts and Flowers will leave a smile on your face, and that makes the story more than worth the read. Good show, Ms. Munder!"
Reviewed by Brett at Rainbow Reviews-(4 stars)A truly delightful short story and a quick read. As the book title suggests, this story is cute, humorous, and sweet. The only flaw by my estimation is the slightly forced and hurried interactions with the therapists the main character goes to see. This is hardly detrimental for the story because of the fast pace and size. A fully enjoyable read that I recommend.
4 Stars from Kassa at Rainbow Reviews - A great story that you wont want to end by an author that delivers time and time again, this short tale is a sure win.
Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angels- "The Journey Back may be short, but it is an intense and agreeable read."
Just a Little Romance- Reviewed by Whitney at Fallen Angel Reviews
"Just a Little Romance by Chrissy Munder is a lighthearted short story populated with fun and irreverent characters. The reader cant help but love Jeremiah he walks around with a dark cloud hovering over his head and is driven to distraction by the antics of his friends grandmother and sister. Poor man, all he wants is a little romance, not the passel of trouble that these two bring into his weekend. Gramma L. is so feisty that the reader anticipates the trouble that she is going to make as soon as she is introduced in the story. The action falls just short of being slapstick comedy, and the romance once Jeremiah finds it fits the same mold. Just a Little Romance is a quick, fun story that will keep the reader laughing and wondering what could possibly happen next. It is definitely worth a read."
Reviewed by Well Read-"Chrissy Munder always writes a great story and I wasn't disappointed here. This is the story of a relationship slowly dying from lack of attention. Jeff spends most of his time building up his business and as a result has let his relationship with Devon take second place. Devon feels pushed out and unloved, so he is gradually withdrawing from Jeff, spending more and more time working away from home. It takes the intervention of a mutual friend to make Jeff realise what an idiot he is being. 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."
Reviewed by Kassa at Rainbow Reviews- "In this absolutely lovely story, Jeff and Devon have been together for five years but after the first few years, they both let work and individual focuses divert their attention from their relationship. While the impetus for this seems to be Jeffs singular dedication to his business and less and less on Devon and their relationship, Devons willingness to go along with Jeff without speaking up certainly did them no favors. It takes an enterprising employee of Jeffs with some well placed advice to turn these men around and put them back onto the road to happiness in their relationship. The love between Jeff and Devon was clear as was the sense of loss they both felt at the current state their relationship slipped into. I loved the honest emotions of both men and the reminder that all relationships take effort, perhaps the most when your attention is elsewhere.
Kassa had this to say about the entire anthology - Reflections of Love - From new relationships to long time loves, this anthology of stories revolves around the romantic holiday Valentines Day. Some men are anxious for love, others are trying to rekindle lost love and still others are looking for love just for the night. The stories range from sweet to scorching hot with something for every romance lover. Standouts are easily Dont Shoot the Messenger, Milestones, and Under Protest. These alone make the anthology worth reading and went solidly on my favorites list while the others offer a varying array of hot and sexy men sure to please any palate.
Reviewed by Jen at Well Read - "Overall: A funny, charming story. What more would you expect from expert short story writer, Chrissy Munder? Grade: Excellent."
Reviewed by Tam at Tam's Reads - "I really enjoyed this story. Russ is totally pissed off that he can't get Ian out of his head, he's trying to write Easter stuff while Christmas music plays, he lives in Florida where they don't get snow, everyone is so freaking cheerful it's making him nuts. He is my ideal character. Snarky, pissy and frazzled."
Start from the Beginning- stand alone novella re-issue 2010
4 Stars from Lily at Rainbow Reviews - "While there is plenty of sexual tension between the men there is very little actual sex and that works really well for the story. The emphasis is on the characters themselves and their poignant story was beautifully told."
4 from Wave at ReviewsbyJessewave - "The characterizations in Start From The Beginning were what drew me into the story. Both men were hurting and hadundergone major health crises, consequently their lifestyles hadchanged considerably. The author carefully crafted how the protagoniststried to move on, each dealing with lifes blows differently,knowing that nothing would ever be the same for them again."
Graded: Excellent by Jenre at Well Read: "It was all rather delightful and beautifully done, especially in some of the tender moments between the men and in the way that their feelings develop for one another."
4 Stars from Night Owl Romance Reviews: "Reading these characters' interactions - from Drew trying to ignore Miles, to Miles having none of it in his own way - and the progression of how their thoughts change, to reading how those changing thoughts translate into actions made this a wonderful little novella."
Stormy Weatherin the Make Me A Match Vol. 2 Anthology
Reviewed by Critter Nymph at Literary Nymphs- 4 Nymphs - "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?"
Reviewed by Nikki at Rainbow Reviews- 3 stars - "Stormy Weatheris 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.
Brief Encounters Reviews - The characterisation was beautifully done and I was left with an impression of two men who love each other very much. As a slice of life in the relationship of an established couple, this well written story pretty much hit the mark and I would recommend it to all those readers looking for a romantic story with imperfect, but very realistic, heroes.
Book Utopia - While uncomplicated, theres a certain quaint charm about this short story that turns it from something sweet but forgettable into something a little bit more.
Reviewed byJeffandWill.com: "Munders second story in Naughty or Nice proves just as wonderful as the first. Here college student Adam has been stood up by his friend for a holiday ride home. In the middle of a snowstorm and with campus nearly deserted Adam turns to the ride share board and meets Michael who begrudgingly offers to get Adam home. Once again, Munder creates wonderful characters. The tension as these two strangers meet and their tentative banter as they get to know one another is spot on. There are some touching twists in the story towards the end too that add just the right amount of holiday goodness."
Reviewed by Brief Encounters Reviews:Grade of A-. "Overall, this was a lovely story of two men brought together by fate and bad weather, who make the best of things and get more than they bargained for. Id recommend it for anyone looking for a well written seasonal short."
Reviewed by Bookwenches: Score of 4.25. "The magic of the holiday season is spotlighted in Chrissy Munders The Reason for the Season as two characters are pulled out of their self-imposed isolation and brought together by what seems to be a random series of misfortunate events. Ms. Munder gives us strong and concisely-developed characters, a touch of irrepressible humor, and just a little bit of a surprise at the end of this well-told and surprisingly sweet story."
Reviewed by Dark Diva Reviews: 5 Divas and a Recommended Read. "Beautiful is what first comes to mind with The Reason for the Season ... Im not even sure what I was expecting having read the summary but I was taken by surprise and happily followed along." and "Chrissy ... has gifted us with a wonderful present in The Reason for the Season."
Reviewed by Teresa at Fallen Angels - "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 isnt real long but is delightful to read. Layne isnt 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."
I'm always happy to see appreciation for one of my "sweet rather than spicey" stories.
