price：$7.02
University of California Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great concept, isolated population of study) 『Well first off I am a currently a freshman male in college required to read this book.
Dude You're a Fag is a very interesting review of the development of masculinity and gender in high school. The author Pascoe takes an observer role in a high school for 18 months. She treads the lines between student and adult therefore she manages to build a rapport with a great number of students. This method brought a great deal of information to her study that would have been otherwise impossible if she was an authority figure.
Although I found the examination presented in this book thought provoking, it was also extreme. Having just graduated from high school, I was very surprised to not relate to very many of the behaviors the students exhibited. While the students were hormonally laden and certain behaviors are expected, I was under the impression that the administrators and teachers did not care what went on in their school besides open sex education (which they cowered in fear of). There was a point in the book when a gay student recollected the bullying he faced where I almost had to stop reading the book. I know without a doubt most of the teen behavior described would not have been allowed and would have been disciplined at my high school. Maybe public school in Wisconsin are completely different, but I was simply appalled at the content of this book. I would be eager to read the results she would find by repeating the study in my high school. Then we could tell if the school was that bad or if there was some bias introduced.
So I guess in summary, I do recommend this book but not whole-heartedly. The basic themes identified and suggestions for improvement were all great, but I would caution all readers to not base their thoughts on teens and high school from this one account.』
(yuk) 『Waste of money. If she got a PHD on this, we are in trouble.』
(A high school teacher for 36 years speaks.....) 『During the 36 years I taught high school science I occasionally came across a modified type of behavior Pascoe speaks of. I consider that I was "tuned in" to what was going on around me in the "student world." However, although there were times when students (both boys and girls) would be "picked on" for one reason or another - and, although teens can be hurtful to one another I never experienced kids as vicious nor as "sexual" as the boys who attended Pascoe's River High. River High had a much smaller attendance than where I taught - so - maybe kids at River interacted more frequently and knew each more intimately than the kids at my school. We all know that hormone levels are running high in teens, but at River High it seems like hormone levels were in "flood stage."』
(Excrement on paper) 『And even that is being too kind for this vile blob of feminist tripe. I've read many books but almost none have reached the level of thinly masked hatred on paper that "Dude, You're a Fag" is filled with. While the title, alone, is offensive, the content is even more repugnant than what one might expect. I was forced to read this book for a class. While I tend to be rather accepting of many things (and admittedly have limited tolerance for others) this book is, without question, one of the most bigoted piles of misandrist garbage imaginable.
After getting over the initial shock of the childish title and glancing through the book - it appears that the topic of masculinity and sexuality in high school is genuine. Nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, if one can get past the title, the book appears be worth reading. It didn't take long, however, to figure out that not only does the author have an agenda (to bash males) but the "research" she conducted for this book also served as part of her dissertation at UC Berkeley. Pascoe makes it quite clear, from the beginning, that she is looking at male behavior from a "feminist perspective" and launched into her shocking "research" that served only to reinforce her hatred of all things with a phallus.
Pascoe spends a considerable amount of time at the pseudonymous "River High," a school located somewhere in Northern California (apparently, near the San Francisco Bay area). Her main "subjects" included the boys in weight lifting and auto shop classes (ostensibly bastions of "maleness"), drama groups, the school's Gay/Straight Alliance club, and the "basketball girls" (a self-identified group of loudmouthed tough girls). Sounds reasonable to me - NOT! While there is nothing wrong with any of these individual subsets of students found within the educational milieu - I've known plenty of wonderful people (male and female) who are interested in weight lifting, auto mechanics, and sports, as well as many fine people who are gay - Pascoe goes out of her way to find the most dysfunctional kids possible (especially boys) and then generalizes that each is representative of all others within that population.
Of the kids Pascoe studies, she focuses on those with a plethora of problems - the outcasts and kids on the fringe of society and those who display the most deviant behavior. If I remember correctly (I had to constantly guard against my gag reflex from overcoming me) only one of those kids (the lesbian homecoming queen - now, isn't that a paradox in itself?) aspired to attend college. The heterosexual boys were all oversexed fornication machines with one purpose in life (you get one guess as to what that might be) and no matter how bizarre or sexist the girls behaved, their actions were often described as "playful" (isn't that nice?). Just as disturbing is that in contrast to anything the boys might do, girls who engaged in sexist behavior were described as cute. For example, one girl likes to wear men's ties which, of course, anyone familiar with psychoanalytic theory should immediately associate with a giant phallus. Granted, the obvious association is very clear, even if psychoanalytic theory is now as old as stale bread. Sadly, it would appear that Pascoe also relies upon psychoanalytic theory (which, again, is extremely sexist) as one of the models she utilizes for her "research."
Another rather disturbing thing is that Pascoe frequently refers to the "masculine literature" - something which, of course, she never really identifies and which is certainly lacking from her rather extensive references (nearly all of which come from feminist sources). It came as no surprise when Pascoe finally identified herself as a lesbian at the end of her book. It's one thing to conduct unbiased research but Pascoe's clear predisposition as an angry misandrist shines through from the beginning. Hopefully, someone will eventually examine the topic of masculinity and sexuality in high school in the future - and we can only hope that will be done without the obvious hatred of men that Pascoe spews.』
(I'm Glad I Read This) 『This is a fantastic book! It's easy to read, insightful, and incredibly thought provoking. As a teacher and as a man (not that this is a requirement), I whole-heartedly recommend this book to all those interested in society and our schools' reflection of it. It's a great contribution. Thank you.』 『High school and the difficult terrain of sexuality and gender identity are brilliantly explored in this smart, incisive ethnography. Based on eighteen months of fieldwork in a racially diverse working-class high school,Dude, You're a Fagsheds new light on masculinity both as a field of meaning and as a set of social practices. C. J. Pascoe's unorthodox approach analyzes masculinity as not only a gendered process but also a sexual one. She demonstrates how the "specter of the fag" becomes a disciplinary mechanism for regulating heterosexual as well as homosexual boys and how the "fag discourse" is as much tied to gender as it is to sexuality.』
price：$5.10
Cleis Press
Usually ships in 24 hours 『
Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Erotica in 2003 and 2004, Cleis’Best Lesbian Eroticaseries is the gold standard for erotic lesbian fiction, and this year's collection is no exception.Best Lesbian Erotica 2009journeys into the world of hot women-on-women action with edgy, unusual stories that push lesbian lust and desire to new heights. Edited by best-selling author Tristan Taormino and selected and introduced by the noted author, playwright, and poet Joan Larkin, this latest edition of America’s most popular lesbian erotica series is smart, sensual, inventive, and breathtaking. From threesomes to gender-bending to shedding one's wholesome image to indulge in more visceral pursuits, the women in these stories reveal all their pleasures in memorable tales that are both sexy and lyrical.
price：$9.16
Blood Moon Productions
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Fun, But Can You Believe a Word of It?) 『About the only two famous people who appear in this salacious bit of semi-literate bric-a-brac still alive (at this writing, at least) and thus capable of raising doubts as to the absolute truthfulness of its contents are Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day, who aren't about to dignify such a book by acknowledging its existence.
Was the late Merv Griffin really the sexual trash can this book purports him to be? Possibly, maybe even plausibly. Was he really as stupid as his dialogue (isn't it funny how everybody in this book talks exactly the same as everybody else?) indicates? He couldn't have been if he was able to parlay a sort of innocuous handsomeness and a mediocre singing talent into a billion-dollar enterprise.
Because we live in a sue-and-get-rich-quick culture, many nonfiction books today have an exhaustive list of notes and source material. Outside of a fairly standard bibliography of other showbiz books whose veracity you may question, and a list of people who presumably gave the author second- or third-hand accounts of Mr. Griffin's goings-on, this one notably does not.
If "Mad Men" is too sophisticated and not gay-sexy enough for you, this book may just be the ticket.』
(Merv's Gay Life) 『I loved this book and found it to be spot on. I was there in the Coconut Grove many a nights and listened to the boy singer, also remember the many young and up coming Hollywood actors mentioned. Everything in the book is true, but,really Howard Hughs, John Wayne and Elvis. In Merv's last years I lived close to him. He was the kindest person I knew.』
(AWFUL) 『Poorly written, badly edited, full of innuendos and half truths. Includes a few juicy "details" that are not verifiable at all. All of the made-up conversations at dinner parties, etc. are truly annoying and just plain unprofessional. Don't waste your time. He slept around--we got it.』
(PURE TRASH!) 『This book is tabloid writing at its worst. I started to read it, and halfway through, I had to put it down. Truths, half-truths, and many suppositions. This is hardly a definitive bio. Save your money!』
(Boy What A Stinker) 『This disgusting,overblown,sexual biogrephy,ios one of the worst books I have ever read...Much of it unbelieveable,poorly wrtten,and frankly a waste of paper,SHAMEFUL book.Don't waste your time or money』 『Bland, jolly, and innocuous, Merv Griffin was a diplomatic schmoozer whose televised image appeared as a regular guest in our living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, oozing affability and setting a standard for the way we wanted to be. Even during Vietnam, the Sexual Revolution, and the impeachment of Richard Nixon, Merv rarely, if ever, veered from the network's concept of daytime TV as detached escapist fun for the whole family.
At least some of those presuppositions have been shredded thanks to the release of Darwin Porter's newest overview of the famously famous and spectacularly wealthy.
Porter provides a rich feast of guilty pleasures: Show-biz history, in the words of an earlier reviewer, that's "writ large, smart, and with great style."
It addresses more than "Merely Merv," a subject which in the hands of a lesser writer could have been as dull and prosaic as some of Merv's telecasts. Merv is merely the departure point for an overview of show-biz in the '50s, the raw ambition, the hush-a-by scandals, and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that, 'till now, were either too controversial or too libelous to actually make it into print.
The author first met his subject in 1959 when Darwin (then the 21-year-old head of the Student Press at the University of Miami) hired Merv (then a 34-year-old boy singer with a Big Band) to provide the entertainment for his graduating class's senior prom for a fee of $500.
Based on the friendship that evolved from that event, Porter began the relentless compilation of data which made its way into this book.
And what a book it is. No one ever defined Merv as celibate, but even by the standards of TV Land, Merv was more promiscuous and more eccentric than anyone outside the entertainment industry could have imagined at the time. En route, he virtually rewrote the rules of television broadcasting, invented the game show as we know it today, racheted up the razzmatazz quotient of casinos around the world, and befriended everyone who mattered in politics and entertainment.
Born in San Mateo, California in 1925 to bankrupted Irish-American parents, he died a self-made billionaire in 2007 surrounded by friends, family and a public legacy that was one of the most immediately recognizable in America.
Oh, and in case you didn't know it already, Merv was gay. Promiscuously gay and (offscreen) flamboyantly gay, with a sexual history that included most of the "pretty boys" of super-agent Henry Willson's stable (i.e, Rock, Tab, Guy Madison, and Rory), virtually any male associated with either Liberace or George Cukor, and an uninterrupted string of bronzed actors, models, entertainment-industry wannabes, and porn stars, including gay porno mega-star Cal Culver (aka Casey Donovan.
As startling as these revelations are (how the studios managed to pull the wool over our eyes back then!), the news, as revealed in Porter's biography, isn't the rather pedestrian fact that Merv liked guys. Described in well-documented detail are young Merv's involvements with an archbishop, scores of A-list actors and actresses, various captains of industry, and politicians who included Eisenhower, JFK, Nixon, The Fords, and the Reagans.
Of special interest is Merv's involvement in the Alzheimer-derived incapacity of former president Ronald Reagan, as supervised by former pinup girl and starlet, First Lady Nancy (Davis) Reagan.
Porter handles Merv's penchant for successful schmoozing, both in and out of the boudoir, with tact, respect, and a gift for delivering punchy, well-researched anecdotes about show-biz.
Author and social critic Larry Post described Merv's predicament like this: "The real irony [of the Herculean efforts Merv took to conceal his gender preference] involves the enduring power of the Hollywood closet that held even a billionaire locked in its embrace, paying homage to the presumed prejudices of the public."
Although the behavior laid out within Porter's texts might be raunchier and more lurid than what we might have expected from congenial Uncle Merv, it's undoubtedly the kind of book which, after everybody in Hollywood reads it, blogs it, dissects it, and in some cases, becomes apoplectic over it, will be defined as an indispensible guide to the evolution of a uniquely American art form: Merv Griffin.』
price：$4.78
Jossey-Bass
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great Starting Place) 『This book is a great overview of the nature-based, gender-based philosophy and the practical applications of that philosophy. I like it particularly because most of Michael Gurian's books deal with a subset of the material. This one is perhaps the best first book to read if you are interested in the subject. There are other books by Gurian and by Leonard Sax which work the brain science harder. There are several excellent books which Gurian has co-written which are designed to be classroom strategy and implementation books. There are quite a few by Gurian and others which highlight and analyze the difficult plight of boys in current society. There many books, more in the public eye, on the challenges before girls today. This is a fascinating and important area of study with much depth of material for those inclined to pursue it. But regardless of depth of interest, this book is a fine place to begin.』
(The most helpful book I have read since Don't Shoot the Dog) 『This book's title should win an award for obviousness. Of COURSE boys and girls learn differently, that is part of what makes them boys and girls. I think Gurian's book is addressing the educational fetish that all children are blobs of goo, entirely shaped by their upbringings. It is clearly not so... kids are hard-wired at birth and a one-size-fits-all education isn't going to work. It will frustrate the children, confound the teachers, and impart little actual learning.
The first section of the book is a rehashing of the brain research associated with early childhood development. This was spelled out better in Gurian's book The Minds of Boys. I suspect it was included in this book assert the author's theories' credibility. The second section of the book, on designing classrooms to meet the needs of boys AND girls, is extremely valuable.
A 25-year veteran teacher and I were talking about it. She says school is designed by women, taught by women, and geared toward women. Sit down, sit still, raise your hand. As a result, boyishness is becoming a pathology. There is nothing wrong with most boys, other than being biologically unsuited for an environment of "sit down, sit still, and raise your hand."
I teach 3-year old Sunday School, and boys and girls DO learn differently. It might not be a bad idea to sex-segregate preschoolers in Sunday school, rather than divide them by age. Most three-year-old girls can turn out a prettily colored picture or cutting craft; most three year old boys simply do not. However, when it comes to acting out a Bible Story, the boys are as engaged as the girls. And when you can put the kids INTO the lesson, the learning sticks.
The entire second section of this book is devoted to how to build inclusive lesson plans that meet the needs of all kids, and how to incentivize learning for boys and girls. It has been extremely helpful to me; I think this is the most helpful book I have read about reaching and training children since Karen Pryor's book "Don't Shoot the Dog."』
(excellent reference) 『I am a high school teacher in the inner city of Los Angeles. This book was very helpful in allowing me to accomodate both boys and girls in my classes.』
(If your son's teacher wants you to drug him, read this book first.) 『Our education system always talks the talk of "celebrating diversity," but we are pummeled by political correctness any time we acknowledge any differences.
Michael Gurian does an exellent job presenting a lot of heavy medical and scientific research about brain differences between boys and girls. Different does not mean "inferior," and Gurian does well to present the facts about gender differences in a way that is both easy to understand and is scientific enough to combat the political correctness that is trying (unsuccessfully) to turn the US into a genderless society.
If your son's teacher cannot handle "boy energy" and wants to to drug him into submission, you really need to read this book first. Afterwards, you will probably want to give a copy to your boy's teacher.』
(Thank you!) 『We need to stop worrying about offending people with talk of the differences of the genders and embrace what we are seeing and (what studies are showing). If we wonder why kids are having so much trouble we need to look at what we are doing to them and embrace the reality rather than deny the fact that we are wired differently. This is filled with critical information and ways to help our kids. I want to do the best for my son and daughter and I thank Michael Gurian for this book.』 『In this profoundly significant book, author Michael Gurian synthesizes this current knowledge and clearly demonstrates how this distinction in hard-wiring and socialized gender differences affects how boys and girls learn. Gurian presents a new way to educate our children based on brain science, neurological development, and chemical and hormonal disparities.』
price：$4.06
Samhain Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Another solid story from Langley) 『Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS: - Even though Remi is depicted in Without Reservations as a total jerk, this book not only explains his bad attitude enough to make him sympathetic but also develops him (with the help of the right partner and a loving relationship, of course) into a character I genuinely admired by about a quarter of the way through the story. - Lots of fun, accepting secondary characters. Jake's pack is awesome; I really enjoyed reading about their camaraderie and their loyalty to each other. - The beginning of yet another story with the same characters that I am (im)patiently waiting for Langley to release. She does an excellent job setting up another romance toward the end of the current volume--Jake and Remi are introduced at the end of Without Reservations and then have their own volume in With Caution. I very much hope that the two characters who are introduced at the end of this book have their own story coming soon. - Jake is lovely. I like the idea of an uber-masculine man caring deeply about someone else and turning to putty when the other person is around; this is why I'm so anxious to see whether Langley follows through with the next romance in the series in particular.
CONS: - The BDSM stuff struck me as odd. Granted, I know nothing of the lifestyle except what I've read in books, so if you're an expert on the scene, please excuse my ignorance here. But Jake and some of the other characters think of Remi as the ultimate submissive, and I didn't see much in his actions that went beyond superficial, vanilla submission (nothing like the soul-searching that occurs in the Deviations books, for example). It could be that this book just depicts a less severe level of the lifestyle than some of the others I've read, except that the characters in this story refer a few times to "earning leathers." - One semi-voyeuristic sex scene that's bizarre and made me a little uneasy while I was reading it. - The story's villain is about as one-dimensional as they come: he's evil and disgusting and horrible...so much so that his continued cruel actions repeatedly drew me out of the story. I kept thinking, "At least show me a reason why he's so single-mindedly vicious."
Overall comments: I've read other m/m romances that swept me off my feet more than the stories in this series, but these are wonderful when read together. They've got some tension/plot; hot, graphic, plentiful sex; and strong characters with sweet romances.』
(Oh my gosh) 『Oh my god! I really love this book! Ms. Langley did a wonderful and awesomely great job with this book, this will probably be one of my prized possession now and in the future. At first I really didn't like Remi (but I secretly liked him a bit) in Without Reservation but when I read this book...I was so surprised. I knew he had a past but damn to deal with that? If it was me I wouldn't and couldn't. After reading this I admire those who came out strong and nothing like what happened to them. I'm quite happy to have bought this book, I couldn't even put down once I started and darn, Sterling is such an adorable little, wish my bro was like that. But yes I recommend this book to anyone if they're into the genre and Ms. Lnagley's writing. Looove this book to the max! Kept me up all night! :)』
(Panting for Remi/Jake) 『I think I should start off by saying I didn't expect a re-write of LOTR with gay characters. That aside, for what the subject matter is, I thought the characters were rich (though there could have been a bit more... the book left you wanting more from Remi/Jake and their surrounding friends), the plot was better paced than its predecessor (which I also liked). I think the world the author creates could actually evolve into something like the Sookie Stackhouse novels (but with gay characters...hmmm, if the True Blood series is such a success maybe the author could shop it to LOGO or HereTV? Albeit with better acting than their other offerings... but I digress.)
I particularly liked the intrigue of this book better. I got caught up in the mystery as it unraveled (though I saw the younger brother's situation from a mile off... I think the revelation of that could have been planned better). I think the highest praise comes in the form of how the author treats the Native American influence. She presents it well but doesn't feel the need to invent things about the culture if she doesn't know anything about them (as a native man I am particularly sensitive to how natives are portrayed in novels/media) so job well done on that count alone.
The only other thing that got to me was that the author used the term 'slanted' when writing about two men approaching a kiss. 'Slanted?' Really? You couldn't come up with a better term or at least alternates that could be cycled so that particular word didn't appear tagged onto each male/male kiss?
All n' all a good guilty pleasure read. Something to read at the beach or in the park. Though the arousal factor could present interesting moments. LOL!
Would like to see more from this world. It definitely has the potential to grow beyond this offering. 』
(With Caution by J.L. Langley (e-read)) 『"With Caution" by J.L. Langley is a male/male love story with all the emotion and caring any romance lover enjoys and the added bonus of uber-hot monogamous sex.
Remi has a gut-wrenching past. The only light in his life is his younger brother Sterling and Remi has had to cut deal after deal with his abusive father to keep Sterling safe, but that's just what Remi does. So what can newly made werewolf Remi do when he discovers his mate...is a man. If his homophobic father finds out, well...there's no telling what he'd do.
Jake has known Remi was his mate from their first encounter. Now that he's finally gotten closer to Remi, he has no intention of backing away. But with Remi's current problems and abused past, how can Jake expect Remi to be comfortable as his sub?
There's so much more going on in this story than is possible to provide in brief blurbs. J.L. Langley has written a story that overflows with love and caring and the compromises that are required in building a lasting relationship. There's action, suspense, hot sex, humor, and a fabulous happily-ever-after that will have you searching out more stories by this author.』
(Great continuation) 『This is a great continuation of the story begun in Without Reservations. Ms Langley continues to delight me with her stories. I was apprehensive about reading this type of story written by a woman but she has never disappointed. Thank You JL. 』 『
A brother's vow. A lover's promise. Both could put them all at deadly risk. Remington Lassiter is trying his best to stay out of trouble while he learns the ropes of being a werewolf. When his little brother turns up covered in bruises, he is driven to finally bring their abusive father to justice. Jake Romero, a crack private investigator with a bad-boy biker image, realizes he has his work cut out for him when Remi asks for his help. From the first moment he turned Remi into a werewolf in order to save his life, Jake has been fighting to keep his inner demons at bay. He's torn between the desire to tell Remi they are destined to be mates, and the need to first let Remi get used to the werewolf life. Jake will do anything to protect Remi and help him break the cycle of abuse he has endured all his life, but his investigation is about to uncover something far more sinister and deadly than they ever imagined. Warning: explicit sex, graphic language, violence, hot nekkid man-love.
"Best Lesbian Romance" edited by Radclyffe is an anthology of love stories with something for everyone. Its stories are about all aspects of lesbian love from first encounters to long term relationships. The stories are emotional and sexy as they explore the nature of love between women. Twenty-one stories comprise this anthology and there is great variety. Being a male I did not think that these stories would really appeal to me and I felt sure that my biases would prevent me from enjoying them but that was not the case at all. I learned that love is love in all of its forms so it really makes no difference as to who is involved. I loved Kathie Bergquist's "Femme Fatale" which tells of a first date in which nothing went right until it is forced to change direction. "In Your Pocket" by Evan Moran will make you feel good and these is a touch of the extraterrestrial in "A Ghost of a Chance" by Ariel Graham. The romance in Radclyffe's "Music on the Wind" is lush and beautiful and "Last Call" by Karin Kallmaker will tug at your heartstrings. There is so much to read and so much love here that you may find yourself transported to another dimension. 』
(A perfect Valentine gift for your sweetheart !) 『This is such a fabulous selection of stories I had to make myself read only one or two at a time to totally savour them all.
A huge variety of stories: a first date after a three year relationship ends; a snowstorm in Provincetown; friends since college find love right in front of them; yearnings set on a horse ranch; a 37 year old leather shop owner taking care of a customer; power plays by a long term couple; College friends have a 25 year reunion; even the taming of a Werewolf!
'The Usual' is a delightful story set in a New York City diner; The fabulous 'Last Call' will tug at your heart; 'Absinthe' is a not to be missed story set in and around World War 2 France; 'In Flight' is set in a hawk rehab center; 'Eyes' is overlooking Baltimore Harbor; 'Sand Castle Queen' on the sands of Puerto Rico; 'Cuts' is a very sweet story; 'In Your Pocket' will make you warm all over; 'Purple Thumb' is funny and thoughtful; 'A Ghost of a Chance' has a bit of the supernatural; 'The Traveler' is set in Paris; 'Melange' about the worry when you don't hear from someone dear; ending with 'Music on the Wind' the utterly romantic set on a high seas cruise and a love for all time.
This is absolutely my favorite anthology from this publisher.
The lineup of authors is first rate -
Radclyffe - who is also the editor KI Thompson Karin Kallmaker Jennifer Fulton Catherine Lundoff Ariel Graham Olivia Presley Sacchi Green Allison Wonderland Elspeth Potter Kathie Bergquist Teresa Noelle Roberts Shanna Germain Andrea Dale Rakelle Valencia Maggie Kinsella Alison Tyler Kay Jaybee Rachel Kramer Bussel Shannon Dargue Evan Mora
From the back of the book -
Red Hot Romance!
Scale the heights of emotion and the depths of desire with this collection of the very best lesbian romance writing of the year. Essential reading for anyone who cherishes the highly imaginative, the deeply sensual, and the very loving, this anthology is as remarkable for its great writing as it is for its exuberant sexiness.
In "Femme Fatale," Kathie Bergquist tells the story of a first date gone terribly wrong until it heads in exactly the right, delicious direction. For readers who have almost given up on ever falling in love, KI Thompson's "The Usual" illustrates that you never know when you might meet "the one." Other stories offer chance encounters, such as Olivia Presley's tempting tale, "The Traveler" and Ariel Graham's spooky sexy "A Ghost of a Chance." If variety is the spice of life, then this is the spiciest set of lesbian romance stories to date!』
(For Fans of LesFic Romance) 『This delightful potpourri of romantic adventures ranges from the poignant intimacy of discovering love and cherishing loved ones to erotic encounters involving sensuous leather play and steamy hot tub sex in the midst of a snowstorm. Radclyffe has assembled a remarkable collection of stories that carry the reader on a journey that tugs at the heartstrings, titillates, and blissfully explores the pleasures of Sapphic lovemaking. A first rate anthology for fans of LesFic romance!』 『
Who says romance is dead? Certainly not the authors of these powerful stories of lesbians in love— and sometimes in lust.Best Lesbian Romance 2009,edited by the award-winning author of such books asWhen Dreams TrembleandTurn Back Time,presents the juiciest, most seductive love stories written today. Putting a new spin on the subject, these stories explore the underlying emotions and complex relationships that help define love between women. From a shy glance across a crowded room, to a casual meeting at a dinner party, to an accidental encounter on a street corner, this collection of romantic interludes showcases the many ways love can be both lostandfound. Contributors include Jennifer Fulton, Karin Kallmaker, Radclyffe, Rakelle Valencia, and Alison Tyler.
price：$1.30
Loose Id, LLC
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (excellent) 『just one word - awesome. Im so glad that I decided to buy this book. I really enjoy their moments.』
(A Definite Standout!) 『This brief review is something I felt I needed to post after receiving so much enjoyment from reading the book . 'Faith&Fidelity' is very well written, well paced, and is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I've been on a gay M/M romance reading "binge" for the past several months and this book definitely stands out from the crowd. The main characters Matt and Evan have depth to them and are quite memorable. I was drawn into the lives of the characters right away and I had a hard time putting the book down.
I was a bit skeptical about two men "converting" to being gay (I dislike the term "conversion", I'd prefer to call it a "gay awakening"), but the author handles the awakening feelings and resulting complications in the men's lives with skill and sensitivity. Ms. Michaels did her homework.
The plot has been pretty much spelled out in previous reviews so I won't rehash it again. The story has a satisfying conclusion and while it doesn't lead me to believe there will be a sequel, it leaves me wishing there would be one! ;-)
Tere Michaels, thank you for your creativity and well crafted story.
』
(Solid writing) 『Review contains spoilers.
I bought this book because of the overwhelming 5 star reviews on Amazon. While I couldn't give it the same rating, I did enjoy the book. First time author Tere Michaels writes a solid, if somewhat cliched plot. Two straight guys meet, become friends, then find themselves attracted to one another and cannot figure out what to do with these feelings. It is a standard troupe in m/m romances written for women, but Michaels makes it work. She fleshes out her characters so they are not 2D cut-outs, but instead 3D people with emotions, problems and intriguing backstories.
Evan Cerelli, is a cop who loses his wife in a car accident. He is struggling along to raise his four children and make sense of his life after his wife's death when he meets Matt Haight, a former Homicide detective turned private security advisor. The friendship then attraction between the two men felt natural, not forced and flowed easily into the story. I believed these two formerly "straight" men were falling in love with one another. Another aspect of the novel that I enjoyed were the secondary characters. Evan's partner, Helena, his supervisor, Vic and his children were all an intregal part of the novel and had their own personalities that fit into the context of the main plot.
The only part of the book that I found distracting and to be forced was the introduction of the character of James, the man Matt sleeps with when Evan breaks up with him for a short period of time. The brief sexual interlude seemed to me to be more of a reason for the author to introduce the character of James as a potential hero of her next book, rather than a character in her current storyline. While every other character in "Faith and Fidelity" served a purpose in moving the plot along, James seemed to serve no other plot point except to be there as an introduction for Michaels' next novel. (BTW, I did not even know James was getting his own book when I was reading "Faith&Fidelity," I *suspected* it because he was so out-of-character to me in the storyline, so after finishing the book, I went to the author's web site and sure enough, James is the hero of her next ebook). So up until that point in Michaels' book, I would have given "Faith&Fidelity," 5 stars, but the out-of-place James brought the novel down to 4 stars for me.
Despite that one bad plot point, overall I enjoyed the book. I am looking forward to the sequel and finding out how Evan and Matt are handling their lives together now that they are "out."』
(great read, sweet, sweet, sweet) 『This is a great book, and a real Love story. The characters are believable and likeable (though def. not perfect.) Smart writing, great pacing, and the wonderful plotline of two "straight cops" fall in love. They both need rescuing, and they are able to rescue each other. I can't wait to read more from this author.』
(Faith, Fidelity in the Lives of Two Men) 『Faith and Fidelity is about Matt [who used to be a cop] and Evan who is currently a police officer. Both men suffer, Evan because of his wife's death and Matt because he was forced to resign from his job, Evan has a family he must take care of now but has become a ghost in his grief, Matt fights loneliness and a sense of failure and tries to fill it with drinks and sex. They become drinking buddies despite being opposites while Matt used to live his life chasing skirts, Evan had a family and four children to take care of, they drown their sorrows through drinking and begin a friendship and soon enough it moves to something more personal. But they both have troubles to face.
This story is a smart portrayal of what love between two men one who was lead by tragedy and the other by the need to find that other to complete him. I love how the author built up their relationship it was by no means quick, and the way they explored their newfound sexuality with each other was breathtaking. Evan's children were a delight and their interactions with Matt were a great way to see how well he fit into Evan's family completing that last puzzle that was missing in their lives. Evan was a favorite of mine I understood his motives and his reasons he was unselfish and sweet and desired to make things right for his family.
But I also understood the author's motives of trying to get Evan to accept Matt and to forget the ramifications of becoming a gay father, but I felt as though the author tried to rush through that part despite making the effort of having Evan break things off with Matt because of them. Matt on the other hand came out smelling like roses, he was the player turned into "superhero" there to make things right, the only other person able to make Evan and his children happy. And yet this was the man the one who spent his nights drinking and looking for female partners to spend the night with. It's easy to forget this Matt because when he and Evan begin to explore a relationship he's suddenly the best guy anyone could want, but then it was easy to remember exactly what type of guy he was from the beginning with the short introduction of a one night stand with another guy. I'm not sure if the author planned this to continue the plot or if it was a way to just add sex, for one this was the infidelity that I saw after Evan decides to break things up with Matt, Matt spends his days moping and then goes out and has sex with someone else. I didn't expect it and threw me off a little bit and sort of ruined the way i saw Matt. Especially when the one night stand is completely brushed off as nothing more than that [and becomes a friend?sequel maybe?] because I assume Evan will never find out about it, then why the need to add one in?
But I still recommend this story it is not your typical M/M romance for one these men are not "gay" [or maybe Matt is after the one night stand, or at least bisexual] they fall in love with each other even though they find women to be attractive. While Matt has a lot of experience with women, Evan is really sheltered because the only woman he was ever with was with his late wife. It's great seeing them explore each other because they have never been with other men. Faith and Fidelity is a wonderful look into the lives of these men who struggle to find a middle ground of trying to accept this new found sexuality and role that it has in the greater scheme of their lives.
-LS』 『New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He's trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies' man, all sex/no commitment. He's depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.
The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly -- can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity?
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices.』
price：$4.80
Samhain Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A Well Written Novel) 『let me just get this part out of the way: Ms. Mitchell writes gay sex scenes better than many other female authors and I appreciate that.
Now, on to the important parts of the book ...
This is a great read. After the shooting in the school, the reactions by the different characters built and changed throughout the books as circumstances evolved. Sean, the teacher who's shot, is a care-giver and a protector; he doesn't understand why he can't sleep or why he has piercing headaches. He feels guilty for not saving everyone. He hates having his partner take care of him. Kyle, his partner, is terrified when he receives the news Sean's been shot and wants to protect him and care for him. As Sean tries to redeem himself by speaking out publicly, Kyle only wants to protect him from getting hurt again. He's also jealous of Sean's new publicist, Brandt, which only adds to the strain between the two men.
Both men's reactions as things escalate are well done and Ms. Mitchell does a good job of having them react exactly like a man would - bottling up emotions, holding things back, avoidance, resentment - they're all male stereotypes that are too often true in the real world. The Escalation was well done as was the fight leading to a split. After, when both men wanted to fix things but couldn't get around their pride was also a very realistic reaction.
There were a few details I didn't really like. For example, Kyle's Hispanic/Italian heritage is played up but his first name is just so generically American. Overall, nothing really detracted from the enjoyment of the this well written, powerfully emotional book.』
(Regularly Scheduled Life by K.A. Mitchell) 『I recommend this book to anyone who likes solid, thought-provoking prose, real issues, and a good cry. At 300 pages, it's a good long read, and I never got bored during it once. Clever wording and compelling plot would have been enough to keep me reading, but the characters had me sold from page one. Sean and Kyle and their friends are endearing and well-developed, and it broke my heart to read their story. This book made me cry more than once, so if you're tender-hearted, make sure you have a box of tissues nearby. Some angsty books have a rather rushed reconciliation at the end, but the ending to this book was realistic and satisfying. I strongly suggest all m/m fans who don't mind getting caught teary-eyed to give it a read.』
(great read) 『This book is complex, well written, and compelling. The story is driven by the conflicts that happen between the characters, more than by external events. That means angst and plenty of it. If you like a heavy, heart wrenching tale with a happy ending, this one is for you. Check out my list mania for more angst-ridden tales. Love it. Would give it more stars if I could.』
(Love this story) 『I really enjoyed Regularly Scheduled Life. My only problem was the conflicts seemed silly and contrived. After six years I would think the guys would have a better understanding of each other. For the most part though I loved Sean and Kyle and their relationship.』
(A solid read) 『Mitchell is a good author who writes the kind of stories I like - layered, thoughtful, angsty. And man, the angst in this one comes from all directions - Sean's troublesome recovery from a terrible injury, the effect on the seemingly perfect relationship, dealing with the involuntary outing in the wake of the shooting, and with a threat to his fidelity from a smarmy yet enticing PR, Brandt (aside: what is it with all these characters called Brandt lately?) Kyle and Sean live in an OKHomo bubble, but they also have to interact with a homophobic world, interactions handled in a way which seemed real to me. She gives us lots of meaty interaction, woven together almost perfectly.
It's not perfect - the whole Brandt making moves on Sean seemed a little incredible, though what Brandt wanted to do with Sean outside the bedroom was quite credible. The angry parent subplot didn't work for me at all, and was unnecessary. But the interactions between Sean and Kyle, them and their friends, their family, were very well done, and the way the `perfect' relationship disintegrates is believable and achingly sad. (I do believe I teared up more than once.) There's no easy way out from the mess, and no perfect, all loose ends tied up, closure, but Mitchell manages to make us believe the recovery when it happens, and it's earned.
Characterisations, apart from Brandt, are realistic and attractive, though I question whether an `Italian-Hispanic' family would have children called Kyle, Elise and Nate. The source of the conflict that grows between them derives from Sean and Kyle's different responses to the shooting - Sean's desperate need to bottle it all in, Kyle's desperate need to help his lover to exorcise his anger at not being able to protect him. They're sappy at times, at times when it's believable they would be, and not when it wouldn't be. They sound like guys, mostly - educated men in love. Tony, Sean's friend who becomes Kyle's rock, is also a wonderful character. The story is populated with deftly drawn bit players.
Brandt, as I mention, is the only odd note, but that's partly because he's the toad in the lily pond anyway - big city mores and urges, intruding into Sean and Kyle's once safe, quiet existence. Mitchell doesn't make the mistake of painting him as black-hearted. Brandt is merely venal, and at the end, he's no different than he was at the beginning. He's exactly how he appears - slick, charming, shallow, and ambitious. So it's not so much his characterisation is off, as the author has created a believably unlikeable yet superficially appealing character.
I liked the writing, and I love how physical and emotional pain mirrors each other, the way she uses settings to illustrate the growing estrangement. The pacing is good, and the complex plot never drags. The only bit where it wobbles is to do with the angry parent, but it's a small flaw. The sex is fine, and not overdone. It's there when it needs to be, to illustrate the relationship, and changes in it.
I enjoyed this a lot, and recommend it highly. At 280+ pages, it's a solid read, and an entertaining one. If you're tired of all the 70 page `novels' being churned out, and want to sink your teeth into something long and involving, you'll enjoy this.』 『
Sean and Kyle have enjoyed six perfect years of what their friends called a disgustingly happy relationship. But what happens one sunny morning might be more than even the most loving couple can survive. When the bell rings that morning in chemistry teacher Seans first-period class, a terrifying sound fills the hallsgunshots. Sean runs to tackle the shooter, sustaining a bullet wound to his leg. He is unable to save the lives of the principal and two students. Kyle hears about the shooting on the radio, and in the flash of an instant finds his life irrevocably altered. Everythingespecially his hearthangs suspended in a nightmare until he finds out Sean is alive. Kyles just relieved the worst is over. Or is it? Putting that day behind them isnt as simple as it sounds. As Sean struggles to make something positive out of the tragedy, Kyle fights to save their relationship from the dangers of publicityand Seans unwillingness to face how the crisis has changed him.
price：$4.96
Samhain Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good book.) 『It's a really good book and I loved it, but I think the sequel(The Englor Affair) is better. I absolutely love the Sci-Regency series by this author. Can't wait for the next book!』
(Enjoyable, but not without missteps) 『The character development is there, there are fun plot twists, and there is romance. The combination of futuristic and old makes for an interesting world to explore. But there were a few missteps. Here again, we have the stereotypical role playing of one partner in the male/male relationship being masculine and distinctly "top", the other feminine "bottom" (in this day and age, aren't we past that?). As in other books by J. L. Langley, there is the wide discrepancy in age between the men in the relationship. The bedroom relationship of submission/domination (as mentioned by another reviewer) was rather off-putting to me, but heck, to each his own. Overall a fun read: I would suggest Mel Keegan's Narc series (sci-fi gay heroes), and of course Chrome by George Nader (sci-fi, younger/older relationship but well done).』
(When is the next book coming out?) 『I couldn't and didn't want to put the book down. The characters, plot and the excitement for the continuation of the series has me very excited. I so enjoyed this book.』
(Great Book!!!) 『I'm not going to write what all this book was about as the other reviewers have already done so. I just wanted to say I really loved this book. I have also added it to my "keeper" shelf. Please tell me J.L. Langley will write a sequel!! Several sequels! I have to know what happens to the rest of the family. Especially Trouble. I'll be keeping my eye out for a continuation to this story. I prey there will be one VERY soon!』
(Wonderfully Imaginative&Entertaining) 『Nathaniel Hawkins is a swash-buckling captain (and evidently quite handsome) who is very satisfied with his life, his ship and it's crew, and his adopted son, "Trouble." When asked to go on a stake-out of sorts on a nearby planet, he willingly agrees: anything for the cause. However what he finds on the planet Regilence is more than he had bargained for. It's a planet of patriarchal military homo power-couples, including King Steven and his male "consort," Raleigh who have five handsome and somewhat rowdy sons. Captain Hawkins takes a shine to one, a very talented artist named Aiden, but the Captain doesn't know whether he's ready to become a family man and try to "fit in" to this planet and it's somewhat idiosynchratic customs and mores (and how can he give up his beloved ship and the life he has made there?)
Add a bunch of fun and likable characters, including the sons and the King and his "Consort" as well as the wonderfully written character of Trouble; mystery, action, suspense, and enough romance to melt the most frozen heart, and you get a novel that is a joy to read, possibly more than once.
There are enough loose ends that there could be a second book, and I would rush out to buy it, should it become available. The dom/submissive thing isn't usually my thing, but it works here well and is done in good taste (well, good taste if you like this genre) and in good fun.
I'd certainly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys M/M novels and gay-themed romance. This is a great one. Enjoy.』 『
Talk about a compromising situation! A storm of political intrigue, murderous mayhem and sexual hungers is brewing on planet Regelence. Swarthy Intergalactic Navy Captain Nathaniel Hawkins ran from a past he had no intention of ever reliving. But when his Admiral asks him to use his peerage, as an earl and the heir to a dukedom, to investigate a missing weapons stash, hes forced to do just that. As if being undercover on a Regency planet where the young men are supposed to remain pure until marriage isnt bad enough, Nate finds himself attracted to the kings unmarried son. All Prince Aiden Townsend has ever wanted was to be an artist. He has no interest in a marriage of political fortune or becoming a societal paragon. Until he lands in the arms of the mysterious Earl of Deverell. One look at Nates handsome face has Aiden reconsidering his future. Not only does Nate make a virile subject for Aidens art, but the great war hero awakens feelings in Aiden he has never felt, feelings he cant ignore. After a momentous dance at a season ball, Aiden and Nate find themselves exchanging important information and working closely together. They have to fight their growing attraction long enough to find out who stole the weapons and keep themselves from a compromising situation and certain scandal. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, violence, hot nekkid man-love.
price：$5.42
Bold Strokes Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Plenty of Intrigue) 『There's plenty of intrigue in this fast-paced whodunit. When murder visits a small college town where everyone seems to know everyone else's business, there is still plenty of room for surprises, behind the ivy-covered walls and between the sheets. The last few chapters race toward a totally unexpected conclusion -- be prepared to stay up late to find out who the culprit really is. Even straight girls will love this one!』
(Great Read!) 『If you love a great story, you will want to read this book. Laughlin creates great characters and a great plot in a way that is both smart and entertaining. In her usual compelling way, she leaves you wanting more.』
(Entertaining) 『I am not very good at writing reviews but I do know what I like and I enjoyed this book very much. Anne writes a very good mystery. I have read both of her books and found both to be very good. I do not think you would be disappointed if you gave it a try. Very entertaining read.』 『When the hallowed halls of academia become the stage for murder, newly appointed Dean Beth Ellis's search for the truth leads her to unexpected discoveries about her own heart.』
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