Anthologies, by their Bear-y nature, are always a mixed bag. Some stories you love (and are sorry when they come to an end) and others you just wanna skip over. Me ... well, I really liked some of the ones another reviewer liked ... and others he didn't, while I didn't like some that he did ... But it's the nature of the beast, and all in all this is a pretty good anthology. It certainly reached the parts intended, and made me surf amazon to see if any of the authors had more work .... Ideal bedtime reading when you're snuggling up to a hairy-chested hunk! WOOF!!!

[grin] I feel like a teenage groupie hoping you will read my letters and be dazzled sufficiently to feel an urge to respond. After a cross country trip like this one, your e-mail box is likely filled to the limit and it will take you many days to sift through all the sizzling comments and monotonous, repetative comments (Oh I loved your book, you are such a hunk, can you help me publish my story, I want to ρρρρ to you - in a variety of positions and durations). [LOL] Consequently, I will do my best to offer something fresher.
Your edition of Bearotica evoked a wide variety of responses. While some were obvious (especially the physical ones ), the emotional ones were consistent and often profound. As a romantic, I did not find them too obvious or heavy. In fact, I was surprised by the realism in several of them. "Happily ever after" is far too easy, especially when writing fiction, to tie up and resolve a story. As many of us know, however, too often this is not the case. We are left with bittersweet memories and the gentle, gentle gnawing of our hearts.

When it comes to fiction anthologies (erotic or otherwise), the very nature of the work makes it a hit-or-miss endeavor.
However, this collection of bear-themed erotica delivers the goods more often than not, yielding a variety of enjoyable stories ranging from the humorous ("Really Hairy Jesus" by R. E. Neu), the sleazy ("Teachin' Manners" by Jim Mason), the poignant ("Bernard and the Energy Circle" by Lance Gap and "Bear Trap" by Eric Mulder), and just plain fun ("Jack and the Bus Bears" by Bob Hay and "Honey" by David Bergman).
Another thing I really liked about some of the stories were the realistic glimpses into a subculture that exists outside the (stereotypical) gay mainstream (particularly "Guts" by Simon Sheppard and, to a smaller extent, "Golden Boy and the Bear" by Adam Gawron). I could also totally relate to "****cub and Bruce" by Thom Wolf, depicting the bittersweetness of feeling a connection to someone you can never completely have....
All in all, I found this book affirming of pleasure, and it certainly pushed a lot of my buttons. Definitely recommended.