My short story about young men messing about on the water, Stroke to His Cox, is out now in second edition with a lovely new cover – and if you buy from the JMS site, it’s on sale at 20% off for a limited time only.

Here’s a little snippet to whet (wet?) your appetite, with cox Dave giving a pep talk to the rowers just before they start a race:

We rowed out to our allotted starting position, halfway down from Bait’s Bite Lock.

“Right, lads,” I said. “This time we’re having them. We’ve got everything to row for today, and we’re bloody well going to get our oars. I know you can do it, and so do you, so let’s show those Clare bastards what’s what.”

“He may have the body of a weak and feeble woman—” Tariq broke off as Archie turned round and threatened to thump him. “Sorry. How about this, then? Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English dead!”

Bloody arts students.

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Stroke to His Cox

Pint-sized Dave Tanaka, coxswain of his Cambridge college’s rowing team, loves having eight strapping athletes hanging on his every word, their strength at his command. But there’s one in particular whose attention he craves: Archie, who rows stroke for the side.

Six-foot-six Archie acts like he’s just one of the lads—although the way he calls out some of the other rowers on their thoughtless comments makes Dave’s heart beat harder for him. But is there anything personal in it?

Tensions rise as they compete in the inter-college races, the Bumps—and as they prepare for their final race, the one that will determine if they win their oars, Dave still doesn’t know if Archie is in the same boat as him in more ways than one!

Also includes Firm Pressure, a mini-sequel to Stroke to His Cox

Note: this short story has been previously published.

Available in ebook: Amazon | JMS Books