Title: KLT 23
Author: Missy Welsh
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: Sci Fi M/M
Length: Short Story (26 PDF pages)
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Summary Review: A fun adventure with man and machine.
THE BLURB
Sergeant Horatio Muir has fallen hard for the genetically-engineered super-soldier he’s been assigned to observe for the past several months. Now, when Kelty?s life hinges on the scientists who made him finding a cure for the illness slowly killing him, Muir might just be exactly what Kelty needs. Muir’s willing to sacrifice anything to save his man, including his heart, but will it be enough?
THE REVIEW
Have you ever fallen in lust with someone who is not quite human and, in terms of human years, is still quite young? That’s the situation that Sergeant Horatio Muir found himself in when KLT23, a genetically engineered soldier that he had been observing for several months as part of his job, seemed to be destined for the scrap heap like his predecessors. KLT was the 23rd prototype and the only one to get to the stage of being alive. However he had been running a very high fever for three days and was in danger of having a seizure or even a heart attack due to his uncontrolled temperature. The scientists in charge of him had come up with a theory that he needed sex, like Dr Spock in one of the Star Trek episodes, to bring his temperature down since his penis had been erect for three days and it showed no signs of flagging. However, that plan proved to be a bust because all of the women they sent in to KLT 23 were summarily turned away, leading to the reluctant but inevitable conclusion that maybe he was gay and needed someone completely different, a man. Muir volunteered for the ‘dangerous’ mission of having sex with Kelty, as he called KLT23, in order to save his life, and also to give himself the biggest thrill of his life since he had been lusting after KLT from the first time he saw him. Which hot blooded gay man wouldn’t? KLT 23 looked like a god.
His request granted, Muir met Kelty face to face for the first time who seemed just as eager to meet Muir. Kelty couldn’t wait for Muir to show him his best moves since he had never had sex with anyone. He was a very quick study and soon they were away to the races as Kelty got the hang of everything on the first try, and even requested that he be allowed to ‘top’ Muir. Oh boy!! It turned out that in addition to being skilled at foreign languages and knowledgeable about every aspect of the military, Kelty was quite smart about human behaviour and sexuality as well. He was also intelligent enough to outwit all of the military brains to get what he wanted
Kelty, who was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier was also the perfect man, an ideal specimen in both intelligence and personal attributes. At 6 ft. 6ins. with long blond hair and everything that went with it, any gay man would die to get him and Muir was no exception. What was amazing was that this child-man used the knowledge in his memory banks to plan his own strategy for what he wanted his life to be. He had been watching Muir for the same amount of time that Muir had been observing him and had decided to go for broke to get Muir in his clutches.
I think that Missy Welsh did a great job with Kelty’s characterization. He was at the same time shy, lovable and loving, almost childlike, but also smart as a tack, as he developed strategies worthy of the best brains in the military to outwit the humans who made him. Sexually he was innocent but he figured out what to do pretty quickly and used that knowledge to blow Muir’s mind. His advantage? He could go forever. Muir, who started out as the teacher, needed to do some serious catching up once Kelty got going. However Kelty never lost that innocent and naive quality that appealed to me, and he was just as human as anyone else in addition to being lovable and funny but also quite brilliant. Poor Horatio Muir, he got what he wanted, but it was much more than he ever dreamed.
If you’re looking for an adventure with two polar opposites – one genetically engineered and the other human – but made for each other, you should pick up KLT 23. This book packed a lot of hot sex and fun into 26 pages. Recommended.
This sounds so cool Wave! I was grinning just reading your review – good job there. I enjoy Missy’s writing, so I have to squeeze this little gem in. Thanks for the review.
It is cool and it’s a pamphlet so you won’t have to squeeze too much to read KLT 23. lol. They say on the MLR site that it’s a 10 minute read but for me it was 20 because I’m a slow reader.
Bought it, read it, LOVED IT! It took me about 20 minutes too Wave, but I was really enjoying it and didn’t want to get to the end! Missy, you really rocked this short. I loved Kelty, so innocent, but one smart guy. The way that he manipulated everyone to get what he wanted… LOL
Wow, Tj! Thanks! Short stories are my favorites, so I’m really thrilled to see more publishers wanting the little ones 😉
See TJ, shorts can be fun. 🙂
Man and machine – the machine always wins. I can’t wait for Missy’s next book.
Wave, I am NOT a size queen. 😉 I really enjoy a quickie as long as it’s well executed.
So far Missy is 2 for 2 with me (both winners) – so I’m also looking forward to her next book. Maybe she can tweet you one? 🙂
So you like a quickie? I’ll remember that the next time you complain. lol
Make fun of me. I’ll remember all of these slights.
Not to besmirch the pamphlet, but what kind of government designs a soldier with long hair?
He’s not a real person – he’s genetically engineered so he can’t be hurt. lol. I hope you read this lovely pamphlet. I’m going to get you over to the dark side soon my lovely.
B – Stop fussing and just buy the book! I’m sure guys use this line on you all the time, but trust me, this is really good and you will love it! 😉
LOL Fine, you two. I’ll go get it now. Geez, a guy can’t love novels anymore? Peer Pressure Kills, ya know! 😉
TJ, you said you’re 2 for 2 with Missy Welsh now. What’s her other book?
It takes you so long to make up your mind. Sheesh! My Summer of Wes – here’s the link to my review if you care to read it
http://www.gayromance.org/?p=28846
Oh, that’s right. I remember I wanted to get Wes, but I was on a forced purchasing hiatus. Thank goodness that is over! Now I have to buy it so my pamphlet:novel ratio doesn’t get skewed! 😉
Is that like being broke? You always use such big words when little teenie weenie ones would work just as well. 🙂
Darling, you know how I feel about teenie weenies…er, uhm. *Ahem* Yeah. Flat busted broke.
That sounds fascinating. Tell me does Kelty get a happy ending or is there a possible sequel in the mix?
Hi Lasha
I would say that Kelty and Muir got a HFN ending. I thought this story was sweet as well as fascinating. 🙂 I love Kelty.
You sold me, wave. Supposed to be working (LOL), but figured I could squeeze this in while the coffee is still percolating in my bloodstream…
OMFG!
Anybody hesitating? Don’t. Do not.
Missy, if you see this? You are genius in the short form.[/fangirl]
Hi Kari
Isn’t this the sweetest romance? I thought that Kelty was the best combination of smarts and innocence. Missy should be proud of her boys. 🙂
Really? Thank you, Kari!
And I am kinda proud of those lovelies 🙂
I *adored* the combination of sly and innocent. Kelty was something else. 😀
OMG, Wave! Thanks so much! 😀
Missy
thanks for another gem. I can’t wait for your next M/M romance going by the last two. This was lots of fun.
Oh, I loved this book! Totally agree with your review, Wave – the book was lots of fun and I adored Kelty. He was gorgeous, sweet, a quick study and quite the strategic thinker 😉
Hi Ava
I think that Kelty is one of the cutest protagonists in M/M. He’s a cool customer and quite the strategic thinker as you said. Missy did a great job with very few words. 🙂
Sold me too, adding to my list now 🙂
Hi Denni
You won’t regret picking up this little gem. Let me know what you think after you read it. 🙂
Thank you Wave! This was the best short story I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved Kelty — he really is like the best pieces of everything cobbled together, yet so cute at the same time 🙂
Hey Cole,
I thought Kelty was so sweet but hot and brilliantly crafted. Missy did an excellent job.
Now I have to read and review some other shorts which I hope will be at least as interesting.
Thank you, Cole!
Yesterday, I read this post and bought the ebook… LOVE IT! Good review, thanks!
Hi Raion
I love recommending books that other readers fall in love with as welll. I’m so glad you enjoyed Muir and Kelty’s story.
Sigh. And the TBR list grows again! At 26 pages, though, this one will have me charging for my Nook on lunch break. I’ve been wanting to read Missy’s work, this sounds like the perfect story to start with.
It won’t be a big sacrifice because it costs the same as a latte at $1.99 and you can read it at lunch – it took me 20 minutes. It’s a lovely book.
I reckon I’m gonna have to find something else to do with lunch break. Bought it already, read it, loved it. Thanks for pointing me at this lovely story.
You should stop reading my reviews because I have a few more shorts to review and I don’t want you whining about all the money you’re spending every time you come by the site. lol
It’s tax season! Hopefully I get a nice refund to fuel my habit!