Charity Sips #1

I've decided to do sort of mini-reviews of these Charity sips with proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. Each one has a theme of doctors or healing in someway. Well, that's the intention. We'll see how it goes. I've only read a few but I'll try and make each Wednesday a sip update, maybe twice a week, we'll see how it goes. I don't want to burn out but many are short so easy quick reads for me. Click on the cover below to get to the site, you can buy them separately or all at once.

Live by the Sword by Lee Benoit (28 pages)
This is a story set in the world of Endicott Rex. It is the story of town vet Thayer and blind scientist who was responsible for creating the dragon dogs David. Two unsure men testing the waters. It also includes a sub-plot of young Bug who is from an abused home and ends up getting help from Thayer and David. For those who liked the Endicott Rex stories it's a nice addition.

Of Sound Mind by Elizabeth Brooks (29 pages)
Jody finds out he has stomach cancer which killed his Grandfather. He's very young and in this world you find your bonded mate and if you die, your mate dies. He's happy that he never found his mate since he saw the pain his Grandmother went through. While he's receiving treatment his mate finds him but he refuses to bond because he won't be responsible for his death. Even after he's declared cured he fears what could happen. I really enjoyed this one. The biological/emotional imperative to bond with your mate vs the fear that if you do, you could be condemning them to an early death worked well for me.

How Did I Lose My Passport and Find My Love by JM Cartwright (32 pages)
Dr. Vandenburg, Van, is a brilliant cardiologist and total airhead professor type. He's in London for a conference and misses the cruise ship to Denmark, then loses his passport somewhere between checking in the security gate at the airport. Much to his chagrin his boss, is arriving in London and he has to meet him and admit what a loser he is. He's in for a bit of a surprise when he finds out why Michael was on his way to London, and that he has big plans for the two of them. This was a cute story of the typical airhead brainiac and a dominant corporate boss.

Going Home by CB Conwy (21 pages)
Colin and Jamie have been dating for 4 years but Colin works for Doctors Without Borders (or similar organization) and heads off to save the world. Jamie's been supportive even though he hates it, he's never said don't go. Last time Colin went he witnessed his colleagues killed and was sent back, now he's going again and Jamie finally tells him how he feels, a bit late since Colin signed the contract. I enjoyed this one as well, the pull of Colin to do good and help people while coping with the trauma he experienced, Jamie wanting not to hold him back but hating it and not speaking up, probably typical guys not communicating. :-) Or typical me. Ooops.

Winston Quirk by Martin Delacroix (30 pages)
Set in 1975, Dane is in a rented house in the Bahamas on a small Cay where strangely there are no black people. One day he sees Winston and he saves him from being beaten that night. He spends the night and they spend the day on his boat. When Winston suggests visiting him in Florida he kind of freaks and Winston accuses him of being racist. Once again he saves Winston, from probably being murdered this time, and they are told to leave the island by the police. Kind of a HFN I guess. I had trouble relating to this one. Perhaps the language that was used, or the writing style, I'm not sure, but it just didn't pull me in that much. Didn't they use lube in the 70's?

House Sitting by M. Durango (30 pages)
Justin is house-sitting for his uncle the summer before grad school and wonders if this is his chance to hook up with his neighbor Ray, a doctor he's been crushing on since he was 16. Ray has a new kitten Molly who keeps escaping and in trying to get her off the shed roof, Justin falls and breaks his ankle. Ray takes him in to care for him and Justin has to convince him that despite a bad break-up, he should give them a chance. It was a nice little story with a bratty kitten that helped Justin finally fulfill his fantasy.