Hard
Hats edited by
Neil Plakcy
Published by Cleis Press (2008)
Review by Vincent Diamond
Cleis Press continues their series of erotica anthologies
based on male archetypes with this installment on construction
workers: Hard Hats. (Cowboys, Truckers, Cops—are they running
through the Village People? Will we be seeing Native American
Hotties someday soon?)
Editor Neil Plakcy worked on construction sites himself, and,
as he says in his Introduction, "From the shirtless carpenters
to the beefy laborers, there was plenty of guy candy." Some
of the stories here are just that: guy candy with a little scenery
stuck in to make it work for this theme. Twenty-one stories are
in this collection, and they generate a lot of heat and sweat—for
the characters and for the reader. Better though, several of
the stories really delve into the concept, and authors have come
up with some interesting takes on the building trades.
Rob Rosen's "Hammered and Nailed" is a fun start to
the collection. When a new condo owner takes possession of his
place, he christens his home with a jerk-off session that includes
a tradesman's hammer. When the hammer's owner shows up to finish
some carpentry, smut ensues. Raw and rocket fast, the story zips
right along.
"Fantasy Man" by Aaron Michaels is one of the longer
stories in the book; it has a set-up that shows a character looking
for action then finding it at the construction site across from
his office building. Smoothly written, with some fun language,
this story is one of the stand-outs in the collection.
Plakcy contributes his own "Daniel in the Lyons Den." When
site foreman Joe Lyons takes an unexpected fall in a thunderstorm,
the assistant building manager (hired only because he knew Microsoft
Project- a nice, humorous touch) saves him from drowning. From
there, it's only a few short steps to Lyons' site trailer, a
hot shower, and some even hotter sex. With his astonishingly
foul mouth, Lyons is probably based on a real foreman—somewhere.
Construction sites aren't know for having especially erudite
and articulate men so this touch of realism from Plakcy is humorous
and real.
"Vertigo" from A. Steele is another stand-out. Conrad
Wilcox is afraid of heights, and when his new office is under
construction, he's forced (kind of) to face his fears. Steele
has a deft touch with dialogue, and the action is both realistic
and tense. Conrad's lover literally fucks him into the air; it's
un-nerving and sexy to read about it.
The end story, "Sandhogs" gives readers a nice glimpse
into the life of a miner. Set in the claustrophic world of the
underground, a classic older man/younger man scenario plays out
from beneath tons of rock and earth and steel. Author Kiernan
Kelly has a nice touch with acknowledging the real fear and unease
that must be a genuine part of the working world.
If you're looking for an evening's read that will give you a
happy ending, this book is for you. If you're looking for a glimpse
into the variety of trades that make up much of the blue-collar
world, Hard Hats does that, too. But mostly, if you want some
vivid description of man-on-man sex, hard bodies, and hunky construction
workers, this is the book to choose.
Get Hard
Hats edited by Neil Plakcy
Click HERE
from more reviews...
Vincent Diamond’s short story collection,
Rough Cut: Vincent Diamond Collected was published by Lethe Press
in 2008, and has work slated for publication in Screaming
Orgasms and Sex on the Beach and Best Gay Erotica 2009. Diamond's stories
have appeared in Country Boys, Truckers, Men
of Mystery, Best
Gay Romance 2007, Hot Cops, Love in a Lock-Up, Best
Gay Love Stories 2005 and 2006 (Alyson Publications), in the e-books Feathers,
Chance Encounters, Under Arrest, and Play
Ball from Torquere
Press, and online at Fishnet, Clean Sheets and Ruthie’s
Club. Time away from the keyboard is spent riding horses, gardening,
and pondering the inestimatable beauty of tigers. There’s
more info at: www.vincentdiamond.com.
