| Gay Romance Movie: Hollywood, je t'aime (2009) |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|11:58 pm] |
 Director: Jason Bushman
Writer: Jason Bushman (written by)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: “Delightfully funny, hugely entertaining and unlike anything you’ve ever seen!” --Frameline, San Francisco Film Fest
After a breakup, gay Parisian Jerome impulsively books a solo Christmas vacation to Los Angeles. Like many before him, he plans to pursue his secret dream to become a movie star – and, of course, to find love along with fame and fortune!
Completely naïve about what he is getting into, Jerome hooks up with some colorful locals, and stumbles headlong into an acting role. Nothing about Hollywood quite matches Jerome’s fantasies, however, and his misadventures are both hilarious and touching.
Bright, funny, honest and utterly charming, Hollywood, je t'aime is a stunning debut for director Jason Bushman. Eric Debets shines as Jerome; his classic look and an amusing ease with his own awkwardness are evocative of Buster Keaton and Marcel Marceau. Cast includes Eric Debets, Jonathan Blanc, Diarra Kilpatrick, Michael Airington and the fabulous Chad Allen (Save Me, Third Man Out, Shock to the System).
Polished crowd-pleaser likely to rank among the year's more popular gay pics. --Variety
Enough pleasing vignettes to win us over. . .the same tasty spirit as Woody Allen's many homages to Manhattan. . .Lead actor Debets has an appealing deadpan presence. --The Hollywood Reporter
Will make you fall in love with LA all over again. OUTFEST, LA Film Festival --Wolfe
@IMDb
@Amazon: Hollywood Je T'aime
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video
( more pics )
Cast (in credits order)
Eric Debets ... Jérôme Beaunez
Chad Allen ... Ross
Jonathan Blanc ... Gilles
Scott Romstadt ... Kenny the Waiter
Diarra Kilpatrick ... Kaleesha
Michael Airington ... Norma Desire
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Oscar Alvarez ... Himself
Whitney Anderson ... Trish
Cesar Arambula ... Trick from Spotlight Bar
Randall Bacon ... Steve Jaspers
( rest of the cast )
 
Jerome & Ross
( more pics )
( Hollywood, je t'aime - Trailer )
( Hollywood, je t'aime - Official Trailer )
( Hollywood, je t'aime's 12 Gays of Christmas ) |
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| Excerpt: L.A. Boneyard by P.A. Brown |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|05:49 pm] |
 L.A. Boneyard, #2 in the L.A Series, by P.A. Brown
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: MLR Press
ISBN: 978-1-60820-018-4 (ebook)
978-1-60820-017-7 (print)
Buy Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=PBLA0002
Amazon: LA Boneyard
Blurb: From a shallow grave in Griffith Park, to the bucolic streets of West Hollywood into the dark heart of the gang-infested streets of East L.A, evil is pursued in this dark story of passion and redemption. Detective David Eric Laine is no stranger to violence and brutality, but even he is taken aback at the sheer viciousness of the murder of two pregnant Ukrainian women. This is just the beginning of a baffling case which leads from their shallow grave to a bungalow community in West Hollywood, tree-lined and tranquil, on to the heart of the gang-infested streets of East Los Angeles, and points in between. And what of Jairo Hernandez, David's new, young partner? The attraction between them was immediate and intense and growing by the day. Would this be a threat to David's settled life?
( Excerpt )
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[Dec. 26th, 2009|08:43 am] |
| [ | mood |
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Man. I don't even have a Yuletide story, nor did I write one, but just trying to get to the site is making me buggy. I can't imagine what it would be like if I actually had a story waiting for me. Sorry, dudes. |
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| She’s Got Balls by Mia Watts |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|06:00 pm] |
 In this novella the author plays a bit with the Desperate Housewives jokes and the stereotypes of big and strong FBI agent.
Chris and Vin are paired together for an undercover mission, one of them will be the “wife” and infiltrate in a tight group of housewives who are growing pot in the suburbs. Why it has to be a man to play the role of a woman when there are so many good female FBI agents, it’s something that is not exactly clear, and it’s probably the only fault of this very nice novella. Actually all the “official” side of the story, the undercover mission and the job to be done, is quite on second stage, like it’s not really important.
From the beginning the story starts on the funny step, when Chris would like to assign the role of the wife to his new partner Vin, at least till the moment he has the chance to see him, big shoulders, adam’s apple, permanent five o’clock beard and unbelievable small hips… no way he can be passed for a woman. No that Chris has any problem to admit that he is attracted to Vin, Chris is gay, but he is not exactly the man who enjoys to be on drag. And having to wear a strap on while sporting a perennial hard on due to Vin’s nearness, it’s not something comfortable to do.
Chris is like a little firecracker, always spurting and chatting, always having something to say to try to irritate Vin, even really sounding like a desperate housewife, but without success: Vin is an unmovable wall and each spitting word by Chris jumps back without any effect. But when Chris decides to try the gentle approach, Vin is more responsive and Chris obtains some results to alleviate the pain in his… stomach… or maybe a little lower.
She’s Got Balls is basically a funny romp, not really a dangerous thriller plot, for once the criminal ring is not so criminal after all, and it doesn’t seem that Chris and Vin take too seriously their mission, at least not as much as they are investing in their possible relationship.
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=158-201-101-440-3
Amazon Kindle: She's Got Balls (Handcuffs and Lace)
Reading List:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
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| Excerpt: Child of Joy by Andrew Grey |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|11:23 am] |
 Child of Joy by Andrew Grey
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_106&products_id=1677
Amazon: Child of Joy
Blurb: Graduating from college would be a highlight of any man's life, but Arthur Kraus is different. He’s just reached satyr maturity, and he’s going out of his mind as he's swamped with sexual urges. In a desperate moment, he invites his roommate to a Bacchanal and asks him to be his first. But after hearing the first-time stories at the Bacchanal, Arthur decides to wait for more than physical satiation—not knowing that someone has overheard his decision. That someone, Gaelen, is special in his own way: he's the last remaining Fey, a creature of the light, innocent and pure, the protector of the remaining joy the Fey bring to the world. Though attracted to Arthur, Gaelen is afraid to trust. He knows he's being hunted for his power by a force that wants to overthrow Bacchus himself, and Gaelen will have to allow Arthur into his life if he wants to survive. The third and final chapter in the Children of Bacchus series
( Excerpt )
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| Excerpt: Tango In The Night by KC Kendricks |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|11:20 am] |
 Tango In The Night by KC Kendricks
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: Amber Allure
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-621-5 (Electronic)
Buy Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TangoNight.html
Blurb: Law enforcement agent Jubal Graham is back on the job after a shooter took the life of his long-time partner, and sent Jubal into a coma followed by months of rehab. Determined to have justice, Jubal is focused on finding a killer, not a new romantic entanglement. Agent Ellis Banks, however, with his smoldering blue eyes and denim-clad swagger, is a distraction Jubal can’t afford—or ignore. Ellis came to Philadelphia to bust a drug operation; one that connects to the same case agency legend Jubal Graham is working. Ellis finds himself drawn to Jubal, but Jubal holds him off. Sure that Jubal is interested, even though he wears his slain lover’s ring, Ellis mounts a determined siege. Jubal’s surprise at having a suitor develops into a growing affection for Ellis, one clouded with old fears. Fate ripped one lover from his arms, and now Ellis is in the line of fire. Jubal’s courage can protect Ellis, but is it powerful enough to love him?
( Excerpt )
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| Excerpt: Wylde by Jan Irving |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|11:18 am] |
 Wylde by Jan Irving
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1665
Amazon: Wylde
Blurb: Noah Matthews brought his son Josh to the pristine woods of Washington State to make a fresh start. The first night in their new home, Noah meets Kell Farraday when the laconic police chief shows up on his doorstep searching for two people lost in the forest. It's the start of a sexy new friendship when Kell decides to pursue the shy but flirtatious Noah. But a new beginning won't be so easy. Noah's former boyfriend shows up to try to reclaim a place in his life, and worse, Josh is drawn to the growing mystery in the forest. People disappear and then one turns up dead. There's something haunting the forest. Something watching. And soft-spoken and confident Kell's reassurances can't ease Noah's fear when Josh goes into the woods alone.
( Excerpt )
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| Gay Commercial: Bertolli |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|11:12 am] |
Well, how I couldn't like this commericial? It's an Italian trade mark, the two guys are handsome in a very familiar way, and they dance! Two men dancing is always something to like.
Commercial Closet Association
Company: Bertolli
Brand: Bertolli
Ad Title: Bertolli Oven Baked Meals
Business Category: Packaged Foods
Media Outlets: Television
Country: United States
Region: North America
Agency: in-house
Year: 2009
Target: Gays |
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| For Love of the Dead by Hal Bodner |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|12:38 am] |
 Having a previous experience with Hal Bodner and his In Flesh and Stone, I knew that I shouldn’t have expected to read a “classical” romance, and already the blurb, the story of a mortician who is in love with the Dead, was a good sign of it. But for the readers who love the classical romance, then probably For Love of the Dead is more “romance” than In Flesh and Stone, at least in the end. This novel is not also out of the standard for the genre (zombies and romance are not often seen together), but also for the preface, I think that it’s not of many authors to open a romance novel with an Author’s Note of 4 pages, and it’s not of many publishers to allow it. It’s said a lot on the author and the publisher.
There is always the experience of loss in a Hal Bodner’s novel, at least in the two I read, but there is also the feeling that Hal Bodner believes in love, even maybe in a love that goes beyond death. In this novel Jake is a young and handsome mortician, and the second part of his description, “mortician”, prevents him to find a man to love even if the first part, “young and handsome”, would allow him to meet a lot of candidates. Even if already with a sad experience in the past, the loss of his lover when they were still young men with a lot of expectation for life and future, Jake didn’t stop to believe in love, in the possibility to find the one, Mr. Right. And so it’s almost tender to read how he approaches the cruising dating pool, discarding possible partners even for a small detail, something unheard if you are only searching for a one night stand. But Jake is like that, he is able to see beyond the first appearance of a man, he is able to read his mind even from a facial feature. In fact he does that also with the young men he sees everyday on his morgue table, he is able to read the lost hopes in those lives taken from the world so soon, and he loves them all since apparently no one else love them.
When yet another young man ends on his table, Mark, beautiful like an angel, Jake again thinks how big a waste is, he again imagines what it could have happened if he met him before, he wonders if maybe Mark is the one. But Mark, as many before, is dead, and so, in a way, Jake is safe; he will not risk loving and loosing, he has already lost him, and so he can now love him without worries. Only that this time Jake is the tool of a bigger scheme, and when Mark arises for the Dead, Jake has to help to bring him back. See, Mark is not exactly the angel he appears, his soul is dark, and there is no “rest in peace” for him, the Dead want for him to rot in hell.
As in the previous book I read from this author, there is a lot of sex, and sometime the sex lingers on the boundaries of comfort, at least for me, but strange is, they never go beyond the limit. And again, as in the previous novel, when the sex is detached by love, it’s graphic and detailed, and when instead there is love, the author doesn’t linger, it allows the reader to fill in with its imagination. I believe it’s not a coincidence, when sex is recreational, or detached, it can be described, but if it’s love and not only sex, then lingering in details is not necessary, the true feelings already fill all the available space.
As in the previous book, for sure Hal Bodner has not written an “usual” romance, and probably it’s not a romance for all, but for sure the quality of erotic romance you have here it’s well above the average.
http://www.ravenousromance.com/fantastica/for-love-of-the-dead.php
Amazon: For the Love of the Dead: Gay Zombie Erotica
Amazon Kindle: For the Love of the Dead: Gay Zombie Erotica
Reading List:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
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| Roberto Bolle: An Athlete in Tights by Bruce Weber |
[Dec. 25th, 2009|09:56 pm] |
Roberto Bolle is an Italian treasure and we are very proud of him. It's not the first time I feature him in my journal, but this time it's even more right to do so, since he has a photographic book out by Bruce Weber who is also one of the best photographer out there (all the famous Abercrombie & Fitch catalogues are by him).
( Roberto Bolle by Bruce Weber )
Amazon: Roberto Bolle: An Athlete in Tights
First recognized by Rudolf Nureyev, Roberto Bolle is renowned for his athletic ability, stylistic grace and a sizzling movie star presence. Possessing broad appeal, his performances draw acclaim from the dance world and general public alike. This stunning book is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between Bolle and the photogrpahic superstar Bruce Weber. Weber's masterful images capture the dazzling charisma of a world-class talent.
The book features writing from Bolle, as well as texts by Elsa Morante and illustrations by Paul Cadmus and Jeremiah Goodman.
Roberto Bolle on Fiuggi commercial (Italian mineral water), Ballet: "Excelsior" by Ugo Dell' Ara, Set: Reggia di Caserta, Music: Tchaikosky |
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| Sometime it's not necessary to give a complex explanation if not the love of books |
[Dec. 25th, 2009|10:45 am] |
Just yesterday I was interviewed again, and again the question was: how did you end up reading Gay Romance? and again I searched for a good answer, other than the simple, I like them. But sincerely there isn't, and then, other before me better explained it.
So, before leaving for my Christmas lunch with family, I will leave you with the word of one of those person, you can easily put a "gay" in front of "romance", and it explain perfectly what I feel:
DANGEROUS MEN AND ADVENTUROUS WOMEN
ROMANCE WRITERS ON THE APPEAL OF THE ROMANCE
Jayne Ann Krentz – Introduction
Few people realize how much courage it takes for a woman to open a romance novel on an airplane. She knows what everyone around her will think about both her and her choice of reading material. When it comes to romance novels, society has always felt free to sit in judgment not only on the literature but on the reader herself.
The verdict is always the same. Society does not approve of the reading of romance novels. It labels the books as trash and the readers as unintelligent, uneducated, unsophisticated, or neurotic.
The fact that so many women persist in reading and enjoying romance novels in the face of generations of relentless hostility says something profound not only about women's courage but about the appeal of the books.
No one who reads or writes romance expects to be able to teach critics to appreciate the novels. As any romance reader or writer will tell you, a reader either enjoys the novels or she does not. If she does, no further explanations of the appeal of the books are necessary.
The same is true of the other genres. A reader who does not intuitively respond to horror or science fiction novels cannot be persuaded by logic or argument to enjoy either genre. The difference is that the person who does not like to read horror or science fiction is unlikely to criticize the genres or chastise and condemn the readers who do love them but simply shrugs and accepts the fact that the stories hold no personal appeal.
Amazon: Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance (New Cultural Studies Series)
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| The Inside Reader: Astrid Amara |
[Dec. 25th, 2009|12:28 am] |
Since her name means "star" in italian (Astro is a fashionable way to say "Stella" = "Star") and since her recent release is a seasonal story, who better than Astrid Amara could be my "Christmas" Inside Reader? So, welcome Astrid, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and my friends!
Thanks Elisa for inviting me!
I will read pretty much anything other than vampire/werewolf stories and so it´s hard to pick out just the m/m titles since I spend more time reading science fiction, mystery, and yes, even literary fiction (although I often throw those across the wall going WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT???).
I therefore put my highlights of gay fiction that I have read and then stuck in a few that aren´t because I couldn´t let them go without a mention.
The LGBT titles:
 1) Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale. Okay, yes, she´s a friend, and yes, a co-writer of our Hell Cop series, but I still can´t help but recommend this book, because it´s so good. The world-building, the subtlety of the romance, the action, the emotion that is kept so in check... it has all the elements I want in a good story.
Perfect Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Blind Eye Books (May 14, 2007)
Publisher Link: http://www.blindeyebooks.com/wicked.html
ISBN-10: 0978986113
ISBN-13: 978-0978986117
Amazon: Wicked Gentlemen
Belimai Sykes is many things: a Prodigal, the descendant of ancient demons, a creature of dark temptations and rare powers. He is also a man with a brutal past and a dangerous addiction. And Belimai Sykes is the only man Captain William Harper can turn to when faced with a series of grisly murders. But Mr. Sykes does not work for free and the price of Belimai’s company will cost Captain Harper far more than his reputation. From the ornate mansions of noblemen, where vivisection and sorcery are hidden beneath a veneer of gold, to the steaming slums of Hells Below, Captain Harper must fight for justice and for his life. His enemies are many and his only ally is a devil he knows too well. Such are the dangers of dealing with the wicked.
( books from 2 to 10 )
That´s it from me! Actually, I try to keep my Goodreads shelf up to date so check it out for more of what I like:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1204165.Astrid_Amara
And thanks Elisa for hosting... I´m developing a growing TBR pile thanks to your site!
Astrid
About Astrid Amara: Astrid Amara lives in Bellingham, Washington. She spends her days working as a civil servant, her nights sleeping, and the time in between either writing, riding horses, hiking around, or staring at the wall.
She has no unusual facial features.
 Carol of the Bellskis by Astrid Amara
Publisher: Loose Id
Publisher Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Carol-of-the-Bellskis.aspx
ISBN: 978-1-60737-527-2
Blurb: Paralegal Seth Bellski is tired of being the secret lover of his boss, Lars Varga, founding partner of Finch & Varga Law. So when he asks Lars to spend Hanukah with Seth's family at their kosher B&B in Whistler, B.C., and Lars refuses, Seth realizes he will never get his self-conscious boss out of the closet. So Seth prepares to spend his Hanukah holiday alone in the B&B. Instead he finds himself running the place, as his aunt and uncle are missing, and seven demanding, peculiar, and danger-prone guests have arrived. To make matters worse, Lars shows up, begging forgiveness. Lars's touches remind Seth of why he put up with his boss's behavior in the first place. If only the words that came out of that beautiful mouth were as sweet as his kisses. But how can Seth find time to fix his broken relationship when the guests are demanding kosher, gluten-free diets, losing their pet terriers, and hitting their heads on the ice? Seth and Lars find themselves put through the paces of being a married couple, all while still broken up. But then again, if they can survive this Hanukah, surely their relationship can withstand anything? |
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| The World is a Stage by Gail Sterling |
[Dec. 24th, 2009|07:19 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | author: gail sterling, cover artist: rose lenoir, genre: historical, length: novel, publisher: prizm books, review, theme: breeches rippers, theme: cinderfella, theme: coming of age, theme: show business, theme: virgins | ] |
 This is listed as a Young Adult novel, but for reader from 16 years old and up, and it’s quite right since it’s a mix of life journey, like often in the Young Adult novels, but also of sex discovery. It’s also a very nice historical novel, but the type of history you usually find in the plays written in that time, like Shakespeare or Marlowe, an history that can be stretch for the needs of the story.
William is a 16 years old actor who plays the role of the young maiden in the quite repetitive plays of a small company. He is not the only one in the company to cover the female roles, but he is the only one that probably would like to do that also in his real life. William is in love with Jack, his male partner on the stage, but it’s a star eyed love, I think that William is more in love with Jack’s role, than Jack himself. And probably it’s also a question of age, William has reached that moment in life when he is wondered about the other sex, and it’s not that there are so many subjects of love around the poor neighbourhood where he lives. So yes, I had the feeling that Jack was not William’s real love, but more a convenience of some sort, and probably for this reason, when William realizes that his feelings are not mutual, he is not so much bothered.
Another reason could be that William has other problem in that moment. His estranged sister, the only living relative he has, is suddenly reappeared and she needs his help. She is whoring herself to provide for her daughter, a child she left in the country hoping to be able to collect her in a later time. At the same time, the company is invited to perform for the marriage of their patrons’ older son and heir, and at the country residence William is faced with a different life and different prospective; one man in particular, their patrons’ second son, Lord Edwin, a 20 years old young man who is having an illicit affair with a male servant.
The main difference of this story, and probably even a surprise, is that William is not an “asexual” character; often in this story, sex is something that everyone knows is there, but no one clearly refers to. Here instead, even if there are absolutely no graphic details, William is discovering and having sex, he is living among prostitutes and pimps, illicit affairs seem common and so on. The other realistic detail that makes this story even more interesting is that William is still an adolescent, 16 years old, and his love interests are older, 20 years and something. Even in this small detail the author decided to respect the story, not making William an improbably 18 years old boy behaving like a younger one for the custom of having heroes of “legal age”, when there was no legal age at all, it was no legal at all for that matter.
As I said, the story William and his friends and relatives are living resembles a bit the fictional plays they perform on stage, poor young actor falls in love for wealthy aristocrat. And as in the plays, there are a bit of trouble, but nothing they cannot overcome and in the end, the happily ever after is a must. Probably the happily ever after is more an happily for now, William and Lord Edwin’s love is as tender as impossible, and maybe the author has material for an “older” version of this story, telling us how these two heroes will manage to have the “for now” turns in “ever after”.
http://www.prizmbooks.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=57
Amazon: The World's a Stage
Reading List:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
Cover Art by Rose Lenoir |
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| Esprit de Corps by Josh Lanyon, Samantha Kane, Victor J. Banis & George Seaton |
[Dec. 24th, 2009|01:08 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | author: george seaton, author: josh lanyon, author: samantha kane, author: victor j. banis, cover artist: anne cain, genre: contemporary, genre: historical, length: novel, publisher: ellora's cave, publisher: liquid silver books, publisher: mlr press, theme: military | ] |
 Out of the Blue by Josh Lanyon
For once there is no mystery, at least not a mystery unknown to the reader and for which he has to gather proofs. Audrey, nickname Bat, is an English Air Force officer during the WWI; he was in love with Gene, one of his fellow pilots, but this is not their story. Gene is dead, shot down during a flight, and Bat has not even the time to mourn him, his mechanic is blackmailing him, treating to reveal the clandestine and illegal relationship, and Bat can’t allow it. Not only Bat is the son of an earl, and so to preserve the name of his family is essential, he is also worried for the memory of Gene, that can’t be soiled. He probably didn’t plan to kill the blackmailer, but it happens and Cowboy, an American pilot who is fighting side by side with Bat, witnesses the event. Now it’s Cowboy who has a proposition, more than a blackmailing, for Bat: they will be lovers and he will help Bat to hide what happened. Bat is both attracted then repulsed but the offer: attracted since with Gene he has never had a real sexual relationship, and what he feels and does with Cowboy is enticing and addictive; repulsed since it’s against everything he was taught to believe, even the old texts he read with Gene to justify their love: sex was not something that was considered or promoted. In the end, probably Bat thinks that he has nothing to loose, he doesn’t believe that he will see the end of the war and so there is nothing to preserve. This is also the attitude of the author for this novella, it’s all open to possibilities; Bat and Cowboy have two different perspective, Bat refuses to think at the future since he doesn’t believe that he will see it, so he doesn’t even think to what will be, he doesn’t worry of the consequences of what they are doing since he doesn’t believe there will be a consequence; Cowboy instead is resolute to be alive at the end of the war, to go back home, and well, why not?, maybe to bring back Bat with him; what will be is not essential now, to consider the consequences it’s not their main issue. There is quite a clash of culture in here, Bat all old England conventions, reserved and sharp with words, Cowboy all new world America open and friendly, even a bit opportunist, but never false.
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&cart_id=8142989.11719&product_name=Out+Of+The+Blue&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact
Amazon Kindle: Out of the Blue
 Islands by Samantha Kane
During the WWII two men that probably wouldn’t have had any chance otherwise meet: René is a Frenchman and adventurer living in a Polynesian island almost like a small king, and Gabriel is a Navy officer and engineer who comes to ask René’s access to the island for military purpose. Even before Gabriel’s arrival, René was keener of America and Australia than Japan, and he would have probably given his consensus anyway, but when he sees the handsome American officer he decides to play a bit. René, openly gay and quite wanton, at first seduces Gabriel more for fulfil a physical abstinence than for any real love interest, but he ends up in love for the man. Gabe is reserved and cautious, but not against the idea to be seduced; he already knows to have a preferences for men, but till that moment he satisfied his needs with anonymous encounters in dark alleys, he has never had a relationship in the open. True, it’s not that suddenly René and Gabe can have a fairy tale love, even if in an isolated island in the Pacific, there are still some conventions to be respected, but all in all, this is more a nice and simple love story than an historic drama. In the relaxed atmosphere of the island, Gabe will learn to loose a bit his strict behaviour. Among patriotic words and declaration of love, both men manage to retain their masculinity, mixing the French carelessness with the American stoicism and creating a safe haven years before the exotic gay resorts will become so popular.
http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-6938-263-islands.aspx
Amazon Kindle: Islands
 Coming Home by Victor J. Banis
Just before the war in Vietnam, another revolution was happening in California, the hippies movement, the new flowers sons, the sex freedom. A lot of Marines from the nearby base came to Los Angeles and the Sunset Strip for sex, drugs and rock and roll, but mostly for sex, and Mike considered them his personal hunting reserve. Gays in the closet or curious Straight guys, all of them were good for a one night stand without strings attached. And it was not a decision of the Marines; it was Mike’s decision, probably the output of one more heartbroken. But even if feigning disinterest, Mike is a good guy in the end. One Sunday afternoon he picks up Doug, a very marine of few words but intensive eyes. At first Mike doesn’t understand him, Doug seems willing, even eager, but he is totally inexperienced, and even if he is ready to learn, he has always that detached behaviour, like he was not really interested. Mike is fascinated, and maybe for this reason allows to Doug to come back again the week after, but to his surprise, Doug comes along with a buddy friend, Ryan. They are grown together, in the same little town, and it’s clear that Doug is in love with Ryan; and Ryan maybe is interested, but I don’t think he really loves Doug, at least not as much as Doug loves him back. From lover Mike becomes a best friend and paramour, allowing the two to have a place to stay before being sent in Vietnam. They are happy, at least for a brief moment, but what remains to Mike? As usual Victor J. Banis’ characters are deep and involving, with a layer of fragility over a strong core that allows them to always survive, maybe with a crack, but not totally broken. And it’s not only Mike that has that fragility, also Doug, with his deep brown spaniel’s eyes that supplies the lack of words of a man who is not used to talk of feeling, also Doug is someone who needs a safe shelter; Ryan is the first love, probably the passion, but Mike is that safe shelter.
http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=VJBCHOME
Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks
Amazon Kindle: Coming Home
 Big Diehl by George Seaton
Big Diehl is probably the story of many soldiers who searched a family in the Army since they didn’t feel to have one at home. They are so focused in their search that sometime they don’t realize that there could be a family even out of the Army. The problem with Diehl is that he is not at peace with himself and so he is not able to find only a place, and only a man, to love. Diehl loves them all, he is able to find the lonely souls like himself, and for a little bit, they share the loneliness, but the loneliness never leaves them. Joe, Tony, Denman, Michael, all of them are soul mates, all of the could have been the right man, but there is always something, when Diehl is there in the moment when he has to grab the life at full hand, he goes away, always thinking that it’s not time, always having the previous man in mind, and believing that the present one is not the right one. Diehl has to loose all of them to understand that he has beforehand to forgive himself and the man who made him like that to maybe have a chance at happiness. Big Diehl is not a love story, it’s a self-discovery journey, but the love story, and the end of the journey, can be in the future of Diehl, only now it’s not yet the moment.
 http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=BIGDIEHL
Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks
Amazon Kindle: Big Diehl
http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ANTHESPR (print book)
Amazon: Esprit de Corps
Reading List:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
Cover Art by Anne Cain |
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[Dec. 23rd, 2009|07:58 am] |
Hey, happy almost Christmas, if that's your thing! It's not mine, although I do need to finish my husband's stocking stuffers, I just realized. Eep.
Anyway! Torquere Press is doing an advent calendar type of thing for every day in December, so today some of my books are on sale. Here, look:
To celebrate we've put Chasing Victory, Keeping Karma and The Sound of Cicadas on sale for 20% off.
Yay! Go forth and purchase. |
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| In the Spotlight: Andy Schell |
[Dec. 23rd, 2009|10:08 am] |
 The Book: In this effervescent and hilarious debut, Andy Schell delivers a fresh, laugh-out-loud romantic tale of a betrothed couple's mutual search for happiness, wealth…and Mr. Right!
Meet Harry Ford... One of the esteemed Kansas Fords, he's traded a BMW and Ivy League education for a beat-up Volkswagen and a flight attendant's wings. The disinherited blue-blood is determined to land a red-blooded man who can make him forget about the millions he'd inherit if he brought home a bride before his next birthday...
Enter Amity Stone... Harry never expected his soulmate to come packaged as a sassy, irreverent, ravishing blonde...woman! With a bravado bigger than her beauty queen hair and a Texas drawl as thick as her mascara, Harry's new roommate has him captivated...if not converted. Why not marry the willing, wonderful Amity and collect his fortune?
Say Hello To A Sexy Complication. Now that Harry's about to march down the aisle, his worries are over, right? Wrong! Temptation arrives in the tall, dark, and handsome Nicolo Feragamo, and lust quickly turns to love. Now, as the Big Day—and Big Bucks—loom before him, Harry discovers that the road to happily-ever-after is anything but straight and narrow!
Amazon: My Best Man
 The Author: "I'm a freelance writer, sailboat captain and self-proclaimed connoisseur of the adventurous life. I live in Stockholm part of the time with Mia, and travel the other part of the time.
My dad and I have a passion for sailing. Father & Son Sailing, our humble little operation - based in Annapolis, MD, and Stockholm, Sweden - exists to share this passion, through instruction, demonstration and my writing. We also specialize in synthetic rigging solutions, and are a distributor for colligo marine, the engineers behind the rigging. We’re different because we’re motivated by simple enthusiasm, not business or money. We’ve found that others share our sailing philosophy... namely that of adventure, tradition, simplicity and real sailing, learned through real experience." Andy Schell
http://andyschell.blogspot.com/
http://www.fathersonsailing.com/
Top 100 Gay Novels List (*)
External Link to the Top100 Gay Novels List (simple - without photos)
External Link to the Top 100 Gay Novels List (wanted - with photos)
*only one title per author, only print books released after January 1, 2000.
Note: I remember to my friends that guest reviews of the above listed books (the top 100 Gay Novels) are welcome, just send them to me and I will post with full credits to the reviewer.
Other titles not in the top 100 list:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/top50MM
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