price：$6.06
Company
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Not intended for anyone that knows anything about archaeology OR fiber arts.) 『I am an archaeologist and a spinner/weaver. I found this book dull, rambling, uninformative and factually incorrect on several instances. Barber is an academic and should perhaps stick to writing for an academic audience because her attempt to write a book for a general audience missed the mark. The amount of actual information about the development of fibers and the tools used to turn them into textiles is about 1% of the book. The other 99% of the book is conjecture and disjointed, factually deficient history stories. I had to put the book down numerous times because I was so frustrated with the inaccuracies... the first several pages are marked up with notes in the margins. I gave up trying to mark inaccuracies when my pen ran out of ink somewhere in Chapter 3.
I have not found a decent book on archaeology and textiles. I know it is a hard subject to investigate and research. That means few books are written on the subject, especially for non-academics. That does not mean that the information we have should be sandwiched between pages of speculation and generalities in order to meet a page quota.
Skip the book.』
(A book all women should read) 『I'm not a weaver. I once tried to spin wool and almost put my eye out. I have a mild interest in anthropology/archeology but, as a woman, this book satisfied a wonderful little nitch for knowledge inside me that I didn't even know was empty.
It is absolutely fascinating how the authoress explains how traditional jobs(hunting/gathering/herding/weaving/etc.) were sorted out by sheer necessity of gender, ie: women had to stay home to gestate and raise children; men could roam farther away from home and undertake more dangerous tasks.
The details and research seem to be plentiful as well as fascinating and it made me imagine the days when a woman was never seen without her spindle in hand, making the thread to produce the cloth that her family would need endlessly. (There is even a tale about a solid gold spindle found by archaeologists.) Just the thought of the amount of work it took to produce a single thread makes me almost swoon at the thought of a person being laid out in yards of cloth just to be buried.
If you don't weave, this is a very interesting book. If you are a weaver, you have to read this book from cover to cover and keep it on your bookshelf forever. It's priceless information for any woman/weaver.』
(Fascinating Story, Gifted Storyteller) 『I ran across this book almost by accident. I was feeling rather glum one day, and I asked my wife to recommend a book for me - something that was out of the ordinary and would cheer me up. She recommended "Women's Work". I was a little skeptical that it would appeal to a techie guy like myself, but soon I was absorbed in Elizabeth Wayland Barber's storytelling.
"Women's Work" tells the story of textiles in human history. In nearly every society, spinning, weaving, and sewing have been done almost exclusively by women, so the history of textiles is also a history of women's work - or one important part of it. That's still reflected in our language, for example, when we refer to the "distaff side" - a distaff being a stick used to hold fiber for spinning.
Wayland Barber tells her story with with wit and clarity. And more than that, she tells the story of the story - that is, she traces not only what we know about textiles in ancient times, but describes how we know it. So, this is not only a fine history, but it's a fine, readable treatise on historiography as well.
I can warmly recommend this book to anyone interested in textiles, or women's history, or how history is written, or who has the blues and just wants to read a darn good book.』
(A textile lover's delight, and great for history buffs as well.) 『I bought this book on the recomendation of my spinning instructor. I was expecting the documentation of early spinning and weaving techniques, and the discussion of preserved textiles. I wasnt expecting to be inspired to go out and buy a copy of the Iliad and the Odyssey to read about the textile and history references that she brings up! I had no idea that Greek mythologies mention items of clothing that have been found in the area and dated to pre-Greco times....and were stil identifiable items of clothing in the last century. Basically this book is a textile and history junkies best fix. If you are a re-creationist,(such as the SCA) or particpating in Lving History demonstrations, you will definately want this book for its discussions of documented cloth finds, If you like this book, you may also enjoy reading "Salt, a World History" as they mention several of the same places, and historical finds.』
(One of the best books I've ever read) 『Anyone interested in so-called gender studies, textiles, prehistory, or just in regular people ought to read this book. The authoress, in incredibly simple language (she can't REALLY be an academic, can she?), tells the story of women and the textile work that has (pre-) historically been theirs. Bringing the insight that only a practicing weaver or spinner could have to the dusty world of archeology, she sweeps the reader into the homes of real people. Lots of metaphors, but honestly, it's that kind of book: rich. I only wish I could read it again for the first time.』 『New discoveries about the textile arts reveal women's unexpectedly influential role in ancient societies. Barber "weaves the strands of mythology and literature, archaeology, ethnology, and documented history into a rich tapestry" says John Noble Wilford, New York Times Book Review. Photos and drawings. Author lectures.』
price：$13.50
Amber Quiill Press, LLC
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A story of friendship, love, and family) 『Lynn Lorenz has a talent for grabbing her readers and yanking them right into a story, and her novel David's Dilemma is no exception to this rule. This novel combines memorable characters, a unique and emotional storyline, and just a touch of suspense into a package that will capture both your interest and your heart. She has taken a difficult subject - elder care by adult children and the potentially devastating effect this can have on the lives of everyone involved - and has treated it with sensitivity while acknowledging that this is also a fact of life. This is an unusual subject matter for a romance novel, but Ms. Lorenz makes it work. Not only does it work, it makes for a story that is fascinating, tragic, and very appealing.
There is no antagonist in David's Dilemma, unless you want to vilify Alzheimer's disease. There is no beating this villain, however...it wins every time.
David and Travis are both extremely appealing characters, and we can't help but wish them happiness as they discover their love for each other. Ms. Lorenz doesn't make life easy for them, however. The amount of stress present in each of their lives is astounding. David experiences resentment at not being able to live his life, frustration at having to repeat himself constantly, and guilt that he feels this way. He places himself under an enormous amount of physical and emotional pressure keeping his father safe and cared for. Travis deals with blood and death and violence in his daily life as a detective, and it is taking a toll on him as well. These two rely on each other to be a release valve of sorts, so it is not surprising that when they come together physically, the results are approaching combustible.
Yet even in the presence of all these intense emotions - frustration, anger, sadness, fear, desire - our two heroes manage to find intense joy and just plain fun together. Ms. Lorenz reminds us that the roots of love lie in friendship and that even just a little bit of laughter can be a healing experience.
Although Travis and David are the heroes of this novel, parts of the story are told from the senior Delaney's point of view. This allows us to experience his perception of what is going on around him, which makes him a much more sympathetic character than he would have been otherwise. We see that he's not just some batty old man, he's a man who was self-sufficient until recently and who is experiencing confusion, anger that he feels is justified, and horror as he realizes what is happening to him. As we read David's Dilemma, we gradually begin to see where this story is headed. We fear tragedy and hope for the best. We see that difficult decisions, the decisions we don't want to make, are sometimes the right ones for everyone involved. David's dilemma is not his problem alone. There are millions of people across the nation that are living in his shoes, caring for aging and fragile parents to the best of their abilities.
David's Dilemma is a story about friendship, love, and family. I dare you to read it and not be touched on some level. It's not a tear-jerker - far from it - but it will make you think. And that is what makes this a very worthwhile reading experience. 』 『(Gay / Contemporary) When David's father moves in, David loses more than his study. He loses his life. His father has Alzheimer's and each day is a struggle for both of them. His father's blunt, bigoted attitudes about David's lifestyle, friends and neighbors pushes David out of his circle of support and into a world of loneliness, repeated conversations, and the fear that his father will wander off or burn down the house while David's at work. With David's life in turmoil, now is not the right time to meet a man. And definitely not the time to try to have a romantic relationship. But when his father does wander off, David turns to the local police for help, and he meets Detective Travis Hart. Travis's life is not much better. Just coming off a nasty break up with his much younger lover, Travis struggles with his attraction to David. A rebound romance is not what Travis is looking for; he wants commitment and forever. Both men realize what they really need at this point in their lives is not a lover, but a best friend. Through phone calls, they begin a friendship and share the moments in their days, David's coping with his father and Travis's struggle with his job as a cop. But as their friendship and attraction turns into the love, David's father spirals deeper into a disease that robs him of memory and replaces it with fear and delusions, until the situation becomes something that neither David or Travis ever expected...』
price：$4.78
Bella Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (LOVED IT) 『I read this book in just a few hours. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. The characters were multi dimensional young women dealing with the pressures of so many their age. I thought the hike up the mountain would be boring to read about but it turned out to be really interesting. I found myself wishing I was hiking with them. This is only the third book I've read that could be characterized as a lesbian romance. But it is by far my favorite. The next morning I ordered two more books by KG MacGregor. When I find an author I love I try to read as much of her work as I can.』
(Enjoyable) 『enjoyable good book. Not all about sex and lesbians. Had a good storyline with a good love story in the background.』
(Great adventure and a terrific lesbian romance!) 『Worth Every Step by KG MacGregor - a review from Car
This book accomplishes the nearly impossible: it manages to be believable while it depicts two women falling in love in just a couple of weeks. Normally, I would scoff at such a plot. But in the case of this skilled writer, and an intricately woven tale of a great adventure, I enjoyed myself.
The adventure to which I refer is the climbing of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Two women meet as strangers at the beginning of a group expedition, and they become close friends throughout.
Southern teacher Mary Kate Sasser takes this trip to challenge herself. The fact that her fiance Bobby takes no interest in the trip, and pooh-poohs her desire for this adventure, is troubling. Mary Kate is slowly coming to realize that he will never appreciate her adventuresome spirit, and will always patronize her for her desire for travel and adventure.
This is even more problematic because Bobby is her school's assistant principal, and is therefore also her boss. If she breaks up with him at the end of the trip, there are major repercussions. Her family and coworkers all think he is perfect for her, and she lives in a small town where she is absolutely expected to marry him and raise his kids. So what if she isn't interested in that?
Addison Falk is the opposite. An out lesbian, with wealthy parents who live in London and Peru, she currently resides in her home town of Miami.
But her dad is pressuring her to move to London and work in his financial firm. In fact, he has it all planned out. He has even rented her an apartment in London, and told her all about its great lesbian and gay community. (And, if she happens to give up all of this lesbian nonsense while she's there, and meets and marries a nice young gentlemen, well....so much the better.)
And, as an added incentive, he is selling the Miami family home out from under her! She'll have to move within a couple of weeks of the end to her African adventure.
So what are these two women to do? What else? Fall in love!!!
Okay, so the plot is a bit hokey and formulaic. But the writing is quite enjoyable, the scenery spectacular, and the adventure is new and exciting. How many books have you read about climbing Mt Kili (which the author actually did, BTW)? For me, this was a first.
Four stars out of five. - Car 』
(Everything A Romance Novel Should Be) 『Just a very solid story well told. The protagonist is a Southern girl, feeling confined and restless after returning to her hometown from college. She watches a documentary on Kilimanjaro and decides to go to Africa and climb the mountain. When her boyfriend/fiance expresses no interest in the trip, she goes without him (check). In Africa, while climbing the mountain she meets and falls in love with a beautiful woman (check). And nothing is the same again. Good writing, good characters, good storyline.』
(tedious and boring) 『I prefer to buy lesbian fiction at a used bookstore because, unfortunately, so much of it is so bad that i consider every purchase a financially risky endeavor. The only reason i ordered this book is because it had a five star rating [based on 5 customer reviews]. after attempting to read this book, i am more reticent about trusting the rating system and customer book reviews.
the five reviewers before me rant and rave about how great this book is. i wish i could say something more intellectually compelling than "i dont understand why they are ranting and raving." every night for a week, i tried to "get into" this book. every night i was bored by the tedious details, the mundane dialogue, the trite parallels in the lives of the two women. i gave it many tries, but i just cant make myself pick it up anymore. i dont expect much when i curl up with lesbian fiction. my standards are pretty low. so when i have an aversion to picking up the book to finish it .... well, you gotta imagine that the book is pretty bad.』 『Family and friends are shocked when Mary Kate Sasser throws herself into the adventure of a lifetime. The small-town Southerner follows her imagination on a quest to Africa, refusing the escort of her boyfriend. His marriage ultimatum echoes in her ears, but she's not going to think about that until she has climbed the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Addison Falk also wants an adventure--and a vacation from her real life. Fresh from her MBA program, she is being lured from Miami to London for a job in her father's investment firm. For all the glitz and excitement a life in lesbian-rich Soho promises, Addison can't bring herself to take that next step without first adding her name to the rolls of those who have stood on Africa's highest peak.
Their mutual undertaking challenges not just daily survival, but also the plans each woman has made for her future. Finding their way back to earth--and back to their lives--may be the most difficult journey of all.
Lambda Award Winner KG MacGregor (Out of Love, Mulligan), with her trademark humor and insight, weaves a captivating story of high adventure and romance.』
price：$6.38
University of California Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Could have been interesting but.....NO) 『This books goes in circles - how many ways can you say the same thing over and over again. Could have been interesting if the research reached more horizons, but.....NO. This book came up short for me.』
(Excellent Examination of the Complicated Decision to Stay Home) 『Pamela Stone's examination of the issues and complexities of making the decision to leave a career, or at least to take a multi year career break, is spot on. I was on maternity leave with my first child when my company collapsed, so I knew I wasn't returning to that job. But I did have to decide whether to start looking for another full time job. My husband and I weren't getting any younger and we wanted to have more kids so I ended up working in limited part time jobs for a few years and then took a complete career break when my fourth child was born. It was tough to watch my peers advance in their careers while mine was at a standstill. Ultimately I returned to work, first in a demanding full time job at an investment firm and then as the author of a book on career reentry and founder of a company focusing on career reentry programming. But it was a long journey and I could relate directly to experiences of the women profiled in Stone's book. Her voice is a critical one in the "opt out/opt in" discussion.』
(Not really applicable to us "normal folks") 『Although it seems that the author really did her homework, the bottom line is that the subjects in this book are super high earning and super high acheiving women married to even higher acheiving/earning husbands. The study itself is fascinating and I'm sure that many of the home "pull" and workplace "push" factors apply to women of all income, education, and racial/ethnic backgrounds but the bottom line is that these were women who could AFFORD to stay home seemingly without making any compromises in their lifestyles. I was more interested in learning about average/middle class families, with moms who ended up staying home even with great consequence to their socioeconomic status, as is the case with many moms who choose to stay at home. I mean, this book is talking about women married to high-powered Wall Street investment bankers, women who are CEO's and stockbrokers themselves...sorry, but these women could afford to stay home. What was so groundbreaking about that? "Feminine Mistake" was much more in tune with the "real world" types of lifestyles and it went across economic and racial lines, something that this book does not do. Plus, it made for a somewhat dry and boring read.』
(Good Read) 『This book was great. I would recommend this book to any women thinking about starting a family or anyone concerned with the shortage of women in corporate world. This book read almost like a novel since you follow the lives of several women. It is very enjoyable and dosen't preach about which choice is better for a women to make, working or staying at home. I really liked it and learned a lot. My one complaint is that women in this book are all super rich and had very powerful jobs. Perhaps the author should have looked at minority and middle class women as well.』
(Stories that grabbed my heart) 『Beautifully written,this book tells compelling stories of real lives, while exposing the often hidden factors that force women to make tough choices between caring for their families and continuing in their chosen professions. Lack of flexibility on the job, luck of the draw in finding sympathetic bosses, ridiculous social norms of working as if no employee had a personal life, lack of mentoring, low continuity in corporate relationships and networks, stigma of part-time work, pressure on single-earner spouses to spend more and more time on the job--all these constrain our ability to find the optimal balance of work and life. The women in this book speak to all of us, men, women, stay-at-home moms and working moms, with or without children, seeking to find true productivity and happiness. This book is thought-provoking! Enjoy it!』 『Noting a phenomenon that might seem to recall a previous era, The New York Times Magazine recently portrayed women who leave their careers in order to become full-time mothers as "opting out." But, are high-achieving professional women really choosing to abandon their careers in order to return home? This provocative study is the first to tackle this issue from the perspective of the women themselves. Based on a series of candid, in-depth interviews with women who returned home after working as doctors, lawyers, bankers, scientists, and other professions, Pamela Stone explores the role that their husbands, children, and coworkers play in their decision; how women's efforts to construct new lives and new identities unfold once they are home; and where their aspirations and plans for the future lie. What we learn--contrary to many media perceptions--is that these high-flying women are not opting out but are instead being pushed out of the workplace. Drawing on their experiences, Stone outlines concrete ideas for redesigning workplaces to make it easier for women--and men--to attain their goal of living rewarding lives that combine both families and careers.』
price：$3.35
Broadway
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (How I Paid for College) 『The book I received was used but still in great condition, just like new. For such a low price it was great to receive something I would have ended up paying top price for in store. The novel itself is a hilarious tale, worthwhile to anyone ever interested in Theatre. The main characters plight is relatable but outlandish and hilarious at the same time.』
(Read It!) 『So, so funny. Told in a rare sensibilty, that makes no excuses for who he and his friends are. If you liked Joe Keenan books this is for you. Over the top while still being very believable.』
(How I Paid for College by Marc Acito) 『Everytime I heard about this book, it was about how funny it was, how crazy and original. And since it is also tagged as a Gay Young Adult novel, I was really interested in reading it, since usually Gay YA novels are always sad and, let us say, depressing. How I Paid for College, A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship&Musical Theater is all but depressing. Edward Zanni's attitude towards life is to full face front it, rather than being depressed by the odds in his path. But, truth be told, this is not even a gay novel; the fact that Edward is bisexual (because he is bisexual, maybe with a more enhanced interest in men, but not an exclusive interest) it's not the main pushing factor of the novel.
Edward is at the end of his high school years and he has already planned all his future life: he will attend Julliard and he will be an actor. Lucky Edward comes from a middle class family, and even if his parents are divorced, he has not suffered much from that: he is living with his father, who sustains him in everything, and his estranged mother is traveling somewhere in the world, trying to find herself. Edward has a cheerleader type girlfriend, Kelly, and a one year older female best friend who is already enrolled to the Julliard; among his circle of friends, there is also a nerdy boy his age, the jock who Edward convinced to play the role of Danny Zucco in their high school drama class, and Ziba, the daughter of wealthy Persian refugee, who acts like a Jackie Onassis replica. The strange things of this bunch of friends is that they are not "ordinary", everyone of them is crazy on his own way, and the craziness is allowed since they haven't to worry for the day after: everyone of them is the son of the middle class environment where they live, going to college for them is to prolong the eternal game that is their life.
When Edward's father remarries with an Austrian immigrate who is obviously looking for his money, for the first time Edward is faced with the reality of every ordinary teenager: his father will pay for tuition only if Edward will choose a "straight" (no pun intended) college. At first Edward tries to do the things as a normal teenager, working odd jobs to save for tuition, but 10.000 dollars is not an amount you can save in an year of afternoon job, above all since Edward seems unable to renounce to his hobbies and time with friends. And so the only other option his to steal the money from his father. Again, how they will do it is not the way of ordinary teenagers, but more a real life comedy played by rich kids.
From the sentimental point of view, Edward is also developing his sexuality. He is more drawn from the aesthetic of his possible lovers than from their gender: Edward loves Kelly since she is glamour, he has a crush on Doug since he is the perfect dream date, he is drawn by his English teacher since he represents the forbidden fruit, another way to rebel to his father. Maybe it's a generalization, but I think that Edward is gay since he loves the gay world more than the gays... he loves the glitter and glamour of that world, he loves the freedom he has to go up a table and sing a musical and being cheered and not sneered at.
Ab absurdo, if Edward and all his friends were more ordinary, the obvious solution to Edward's problem would have been simpler than expected... but if it was like that, there would have been this novel, and it would have been a shame, since it's, as expected, a funny and light read, and as I said, being not strictly connected to a gay teen experience, it has a wider breath.』
(Wonderful Suprise) 『This book was so suprisingly good. I was judging a book by it's cover when I picked this book up. Also, the title was eye catching!
This book, set in high school, has humor, intrigue, pranks, bisexuality and musical theater, just like the title suggests! A great read!』
(One of my favourite books ever) 『This is one of my favourite books ever. I bought it when it came out, loved the hero and his friends, laughed till I cried. And read it again. And again. And bought about a dozen volumes, to give as presents to my children, my friends, and my children's friends.
I have become a fan of Marc Acito, go to his web page, post in his blog... And the same thing has happened to my children and friends. I dare anyone who reads this book to try and not laugh out loud, and not become a fan too. I'll meet you all at Marc Acito's blog, if you finally read this book.』 『A deliciously funny romp of a novel about one overly theatrical and sexually confused New Jersey teenager’s larcenous quest for his acting school tuition.
It’s 1983 in Wallingford, New Jersey, a sleepy bedroom community outside of Manhattan. Seventeen-year-old Edward Zanni, a feckless Ferris Bueller–type, is Peter Panning his way through a carefree summer of magic and mischief. The fun comes to a halt, however, when Edward’s father remarries and refuses to pay for Edward to study acting at Juilliard.
Edward’s truly in a bind. He’s ineligible for scholarships because his father earns too much. He’s unable to contact his mother because she’s somewhere in Peru trying to commune with Incan spirits. And, as a sure sign he’s destined for a life in the arts, Edward’s incapable of holding down a job. So he turns to his loyal (but immoral) misfit friends to help him steal the tuition money from his father, all the while practicing for his high school performance ofGrease. Disguising themselves as nuns and priests, they merrily scheme their way through embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, forgery, and blackmail. But, along the way, Edward also learns the value of friendship, hard work, and how you’re not really a man until you can beat up your father—metaphorically, that is.
How I Paid for Collegeis a farcical coming-of-age story that combines the first-person tone of David Sedaris with the byzantine plot twists of Armistead Maupin. It is a novel for anyone who has ever had a dream or a scheme, and it marks the introduction to an original and audacious talent.』 『Columnist and first-time novelist Marc Acito has been called the "gay Dave Barry." But don't expect to find riffs on bad traffic, pirate-speak, and all-writer rock bands in Acito's debut,How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship&Musical Theater.As stated in the title, this book finds humor and adventure mainly in those topics that would most appeal to a stereotypically gay audience: musicals, piano bars, and sex, sex, sex.
Did I mention the sex? By the end of the book, the teenage characters are so liberated that they'd probably find an evening at Studio 54 slightly mundane. All kinds of interesting scenarios arise when Ed Zanni, a bisexual high-school drama club star from suburban New Jersey, is denied tuition to Julliard by his well-to-do father and wicked step mother. Fortunately his close friends, Paula (ample of body, unlucky in love), Kelly (Ed's cheerleader girlfriend), Doug (his football player love interest), Natie (a nerd with a gift for white-collar crime) and Ziba, (a regal, Middle Eastern beauty), are very willing to engage in fraud, forgery, and blackmail to help him pay for drama school. Ah, high school.
Despite the naughty bits,How I Paid for Collegeis actually rather sweet. Set in high school as it is, Acito's book is somewhat reminiscent of young adult fiction. Yes, there's a lot more homoerotica than theSweet Valley Highseries could have prepared readers for, but still it reminds one of those early days--full of tragedy and disappointment--and yet safely nestled in a time of life before real tragedy and disappointment usually set in. It's easy to forget this is a book for adults... until the three-ways commence. And a fast-moving, light-hearted story with three-ways? Well, entertainment-wise, readers could do a lot worse.--Leah Weathersby』
price：$12.95
Blind Eye Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good, fun, fast) 『This book was better than I had expected. I had anticipated it being essentially erotica with a thin plot, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the book had a little more weight than that. In fact, there was only really one sex scene with any level of detail included in the book. The plot itself was pretty good - like other reviewers have mentioned it was Part 1: missing person mystery and Part 2: murder mystery. After finishing, although I was grateful for a quick read (2 days from cover to cover), I realize that the author could have done much more with this world and with the story. What was approximately a 200 page book could easily have been made into a grittier, heavier, 500 page book. I mean, it would have taken more work on the authors part, but there was enough substance here, and the author seemed talented enough to pull it off. So on the one hand I'm saying the book was more involved than I had expected, and I was happy about that, and on the other hand I'm saying that it could have been significantly more involved than it turned out to be. I liked the characters, the premise, the world it was set in. It was nice and dark. I seem to be on a roll reading darker stuff, and this one fit right in. Recommended, read and enjoy :)』
(Actually really good) 『This is actually a book people (something most of those little paperbacks that people pop these days aren't). The first arc could be a little more fleshed out but the second one makes up for it and the only real complaint I have is that this world wasn't explored more. It is a wonderfully rendered civilization with characters you cannot help but love.』
(Great characterization) 『This book was unexpectedly fresh in that Hale's characterization was moving and shows that all beings want to love and be loved. I didn't realize what I was getting until I began to read. First novel -- I am looking for the second -- Hale hit it out of the ballpark!』
(SImply breathtaking!) 『I found this book to be really great. Everything about it enthralled me. The two main characters are very wonderfully rendered. They are multi dimensional and the reader gets a real feel for them even in such a short book. The book is actually two novellas concerning the same two characters. The world that Ms Hale has created is fascinating and it's a little frustrating that you only catch a glimpse of it; although that adds to the mystique of the story. The "blood engines" especially ensnared my imagination. Very steam punk. It was truly wonderful seeing these two damaged and lonely characters find love and acceptance from each other. The way the characters slowly, almost against their will, fall in love with each other is beautiful and inspiring. I highly recommend this book. Even is you are not into the whole male sex thing ,there's very little graphic sex anyways. This is one of my favorite books and just thinking about it makes me happy. So I guess well done Ms Hale!』
(Gay Steampunk Romance (B+ Grade)) 『Wicked Gentlemen reads more like a paranormal with a mystery and romance combined. Whatever genre this book falls into, Wicked Gentlemen exceeded all my expectations. It has a great atmospheric feel featuring the tortured character of Belimai Sykes. Belimai is a drug addicted demon called a Prodical who has been tortured ruthlessly by those who feel they are God's servants and have the right to condemn Beilmai's people. Wicked Gentlemen has many religious undertones that deal with the subject of persecution. The ones that are in charge of these atrocities are the true villains, not the Prodicals that are the creatures from Hell.
The first section of Wicked Gentlemen is from Belimai's first person point of view. He is a shell of man filled with despair and loathing. Because he is a Prodical, he is spat upon by society. He has scars all over his body from the Inquisitors. Inquisitors are the police who keep the Prodicals in line with torture and the possibility of death. They are also like priests and they make sure everyone obeys the rules. Prodicals live in the ghettos of Hells Below, a section in this alternate London universe. Prodicals look like humans except for their long black nails, different colored eyes and their aversion to the sunlight. They can also fly in the sky. Belimai resides in Hells Below, barely living day to day, overcome with his need to feed his ophorium addiction, which he injects into his arms with a syringe.
An Inquisition captain and his doctor brother-in-law come to Belimai for help. Captain William Harper's sister, Joan, who is married to the doctor, has gone missing. Joan was a member of the Good Commons Advocacy. This group worked for the rights of both woman and Prodicals alike. Harper thinks Belimai is the best person who can find Joan. Belimai accepts the job because he needs the money and he and Harper eventually become partners and loose themselves in the underbelly of Hells Below. Not only is Joan hiding a secret that could kill her, but Prodicals are being torture and murdered for some reason. No one seems to care about these creatures. It is up to Harper and Belimai to find the culprits involved.
Belimai finds himself caring for Harper, especially after they have a drunken one night stand with one another. Belimai tries to hide his feelings for the young captain. But it is difficult because Harper treats him with respect and seems to really like him. And when Belimai finds himself in great danger and is badly hurt, Harper is there to help him recover. Perhaps there is hope that two very different men, one for good, the other who welcomes the darkness, can be free to love one another without the fear of being ostracized or even worst, tortured and killed.
I have read countless M/M books, mainly those with a heavy romantic storyline. Wicked Gentlemen does have a romance but it is very subtle. There is one descriptive love scene, but other than that, this complicated relationship is shown through thoughts and actions. Belimai and Harper's feelings for one another keep you guessing till the very end. You know there is something between them but that is kept as more of an after thought as they navigate through this harsh world Ginn has invented.
Belimai is more dimensional than Harper because we are privy to his internal thoughts and emotions. He is so very tortured both in body and spirit due to what he is and the drugs he takes just so he can get through each day. Harper is the complete opposite of Belimai. I couldn't help but think of these two as yin and yang; light and dark; heaven and hell. Harper is Belimai's salvation. And Harper shows Belimai that he is worthy of his love and respect.
One scene that really caught my eye is when Belimai wants to see Harper's hands. Harper wears gloves through most of the book for a personal reason that will be unveiled by the end. Belimai seems obsessed with that body part because Harper's hands are so perfect and clean. Belimai's are unclean in every sense from the black nails that look like claws to the way he injects poison into his body. When Harper places his hands on Belimai, this poor creature of darkness feels cleansed and is given reconciliation for all his wickedness.
Wicked Gentlemen was a surprisingly good read. Ginn really handles religion and the good and evil aspect quite well. Harper and Belimai have great chemistry together not only as lovers, but as friends and partners. If this is what the future of Steampunk is, I may change my mind after all and give more books like Wicked Gentlemen a try.
Katiebabs』 『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.』
price：$3.63
Digital Manga Publishing
Not yet published 『During a trip following a devastating heartbreak, Raoul meets the handsome Arabian prince, Asif! The prince is more radiant than the sun and Raoul finds himself captivated by Asif's beauty. Despite Raoul's vow never to let himself suffer heartbreak again, he wonders if this love is worth breaking his vow over?』
price：$11.56
Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh
Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Nummyness abounds) 『This was a most awesome book. One of the M/M e-book writers I adore posted the link to this book on her twitter, and I had to have it. It is a wonderful story, and the art is wonderful. Every time I've gone back through this book, I've noticed something else in the background that I missed the previous time through. Definitely one that I will be pulling out often. Though most certainly *not* around my nephews. :D
Only thing i'm unhappy about was that somehow in the packing/shrinkwrapping process the first couple of pages got crimped somehow so there are a few small dents on those first pages. But they go away right quick and don't interfere with the story at all.』
(Sexy, entertaining, fun) 『There was a time when ships were the only form of transportation between the old world in Europe and the new colonies across the waves. In those days, the oceans were full of bold pirates, waiting to seize large war-ships and merchant vessels and rob them of the riches they carried. There was not a port or tavern where the sailors did not recount the tales of the notorious Captain Black Wade, the terror of the seven seas...
So begins Black Wade: The Wild Side of Love, a beautifully illustrated and surprisingly engaging book from Bruno Gmunder by Italian duo Franze and Andarle. Officially a "gay adult comic," to simply call it that does it a major injustice; this book is visually stunning, with a story that not only flows, but flows well- and somehow allows you to escape almost immediately into the story. Black Wade brilliantly combines rich graphics with a captivating tale- of pirates!
Of course the story is simple, as it should be. It's also superbly crafted, however, by someone with an excellent grasp of language, expressing much in so few words. Of course, most people won't be focusing on the words- and who can blame them when the images are this hot? Between the dark, mysterious and slightly hirsute Captain Black Wade, the young, strong, smooth blonde Lieutenant Wilkins, and the men of both the pirate ship and the British fleet, there's enough eye candy - and resulting sexual encounters - for a short series, yet somehow it's never gratuitous.
And while the story may be somewhat predictable and borrow from old legends - and stereotypes - it's also enthralling and highly erotic... with a surprising ability to arouse. The warmth and detail of the illustrations brings the images to life; you'll likely find yourself rooting for the captured young Lieutenant even as you're secretly eager for Captain Black Wade to take advantage of him. With kidnapping, pillaging, pirate attacks, and plenty of lustful encounters, this is a passionate, wild story... with a happy ending.
Black Wade deserves a spot in your bookshelf, where you can pull it out on a quiet Sunday afternoon and escape into a quick fantasy. You may want to make sure you're alone though... 』
(More swashbuckling goodness than you can shake a stick at.) 『I can understand exactly what Franze and Andärle mean when they say that their style is; nifty and thoroughly in the details. This precision makes the world of Black Wade incredibly rich and one that you will want to revisit often.
The opening is well scripted with a backstory that deftly gives you an understanding of Jack. A young man, engaged to the luscious Annabeth, but filled with forbidden desires for more masculine curves. Jack has great strength of character and integrity, but he is no match for the merciless pirate who captures him and subjects him to all manner of wicked, nasty goodness. Black Wade is a swarthy, likable rogue with much lustrous hair and beard. I'd like to give him pats. He also has rugby player thighs. These are the very best kind of thighs to have you understand! heh.
The art is incredibly beautiful. The tension and lust between Jack and Black Wade is palpable and so spectacularly hot. I think my favorite panels are of Jack when he is sleeping early on in the book and having some rather erotic and lickable dreams! I also liked the images of Wade lolling about in his room, ship, bath and bed. All of them! He is just lush. The whole book is so gorgeous and it is difficult to narrow it down to just one or two images. The emotion conveyed through the color is also a large part of what makes this such a memorable read and the moody, dark palate used in the picture of Wade on the bridge illustrates this point beautifully.
This is absolutely a must have and has to be one of my favorite reads I've purchased this year. It has everything, dashing heroes, star crossed lovers, bad guys, knee breeches, ships, rope, leather boots and more swashbuckling than you can shake a stick at. Clever, beautiful, utterly romantic and total 5 star plus read.
So, I liked it. Just a bit.』 『Black Wade shows the entertaining love story between a rough, square-edged pirate and a young fine officer finely detailed and brilliantly colored. dreaded pirate Black Wade has a cruel mind and an explosive sexuality. His mercilessness is legendary, but it wavers when he encounters the young and warm-hearted english officer Jack Wilkins. these two absolutely different men are prisoners to their fate. overwhelmed by their passion they unite in a fight for freedom and love.』
price：$1.50
MLR Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Interesting story and very good writing, if a little dense at times) 『Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS: - The writing in this book is among the best I've encountered in this genre. Crow has a wonderful sense of language rhythm and a large vocabulary of which s/he makes good use. I had to look up a number of different words in this book. The majority of the time, the words used are precise and convey a specific meaning. - The plot and characters and settings are rich and exotic and fascinating. I don't read much supernatural or secular/spiritual fiction, so perhaps the twisting of biblical tales and people is not that uncommon; but I found the depth of the story very intriguing. - Much of the dialogue is quick and sharp and realistic. The one bad thing about this is that at times it's difficult to follow the characters' conversations because their words don't always provide a lot of context clues (as is the case when people in real life talk...usually people converse in fragments rather than sentences, and people are likely to say, "Did you talk to him?" without specifying who "he" is or what the conversation was supposed to have been about).
CONS: - Although the writing throughout the book is solid, sometimes it was a little too much on the descriptive side for my taste. On occasion I felt as though Crow was simply playing with words because s/he can (and again, s/he's good at it), when what I wanted was less exposition and more action, particularly in the climactic moments when resolution of the plot was foremost in my mind. - Crow repeats a few story elements enough times that I stopped seeing them as necessary echoes and started viewing them as annoying redundancy. The writing is intelligent, and on the whole, Crow assumes that the reader must be intelligent also. The repetition of certain elements--the nature of characters' past relationships, for example--was the one major contradiction to this assumption that I found. - There's a good amount of sexual content in the book, but I enjoyed reading only one of those scenes; with the others I found one or both characters repugnant or I felt that the sex was forced upon one participant.
Overall comments: I would not AT ALL call this a "religious" book, which is to say, if you're easily offended by transformations of traditional religious folklore, you should probably stay away from this one. Many of the characters believe in a Higher Power, but not all of them believe that Power to be wholly good. If you're open-minded, though, this is a good story.』
(Mystical Story ...) 『Angels of the Deep tells a unique story about Humans, Angels and the in-between ...
The novel is definitely dark fantasy with a dark gay romance.
The other reviews describe the book very well, so I'm going to stick to my thoughts on it.
The book takes you on a dark and mysterious journey with violence, rape, murder, mystery, torture, sort of kidnapping, sex, drugs (alcohol), love - even eternal love. The author has a wondrous way with words, all scenes are vivid and perfect. The places he visits are truly unique - so be ready for a new look on our religious Christian background and what might be beyond our current understanding.
Do not expect a normal gay romance book - this is definitely one of the darkest books I've ever read. It does have a happy end, but it's sort of different.』
(Angels of the Deep: A Keeper!) 『Kirby Crow does an amazing job in Angels of the Deep: Here the are no 'demons' there are only Angels that live in secrecy both dark and light angels. But then there are the abomination the Nephilim and from what I understood are a mix of Angels and humans.
Mastema, whose name translate to wrath, is an angel bent on killing all Nephilim as he must obey his Lord. But it was his rush to obey that he committed a mistake from the heart and killed the mortal woman, Zefira who he had loved, who happened to belong to his brother, Tamiel. And so Mastema lost the only person he had loved and Tamiel lost his beloved wife and children through Mastema's slaughter of their home.
Years later, Zefira's soul would reincarnate again but through ironic fate Mastema would commit the same mistake and would loose her a second time. It is no longer orders Mastema follows when he kills the Nephilim who he blames, but the anger and desperation he feels for having lost Zefira in his blood craze.
Detached, remote and cold Beck is a beautiful man who feels out of place in this world. He yearns for love but isn't capable of reciprocating that love. He is in the process of divorcing his wife who he has tried to love but is unable too and feels that this is the only way he can save her from living her life in a sham marriage. It seems Sean, another police officer and best friend seems to be the only one able to connect with Beck on a personal level. Sean wants more with Beck, but Beck cannot make himself enter into a relationship just yet.
Beck has never opened up to anyone about his trauma of when he was molested by a priest as a child, and carries it with him always. When the murders begin he suddenly feels emotions he had always been able to detach himself for before and it scares him. Strange things are happening in town and as the body count rises and Beck is suddenly faced with the truth. Mastema is back to kill the rest of the Nephilin who are being aided by Tamiel who keeps them safe at his home. But Mastema will not rest until he has slaughtered them all.
Kirby Crow has done an amazing job in Angels of the Deep, its a complex storyline with angels both light and dark, good vs evil and deals with incarnation and fate. I have never read another m/m book with such intricate characters each one suffers for different reasons both physically and spiritually. The sex scenes are dark and brutal, but the way Kirby Crow takes a handle on them is beautiful. I recommend this book to all m/m fans out there, this is a must read, I have to admit I almost didn't read this book because its cover made me think of dark monasteries and the summary didn't really clue me in on how complex the book really is. This is not the traditional m/m romance [this is a gay for you book so pay close attention]』
(Review of Angels of the Deep) 『Angels of the Deep
Angels of the Deep by Kirby Crow ISBN 13: 978-1-60820-026-9 (print) 978-1-60820-027-6 (ebook) Published by mlrbooks, April 2009 Cover Artist: Analise Dubner Genre: Paranormal/Horror
Kirby Crow claims to write homoerotic romance. At least that's what her last four books purport to be. Angels of the Deep is not one of these. While it does contain homoerotic romance, this book is, in no uncertain terms, a horror novel.
Becket Merriday is chief of police of a small town in the state of New York. He gave up a career as a top-rate FBI profiler and moved to Irenic in an effort to save his marriage. It didn't work. Now, he's headed for divorce, is infatuated with his male lieutenant Sean Logan and has a serial killer on the loose. Someone or something is killing young men, slicing their heads off and cutting out their hearts, and it's up to he and Sean to solve the case.
But that's just the framework of this dark, dark story. Kirby Crow has penned a brutal study of what God, angels and the nephilim (angel/human offspring) might be like if they were anything akin to the alien warriors history hints at rather than the watered-down, kindly God and angels we think of today.
Some have called this a love story. And while I've mentioned there is such a component, I call Angels of the Deep an apocalyptic, terrifying look at why we humans can't and don't want to peer across the Veil. God and the angels he created are not like us. We might be made in his image, but we are fundamentally different. Crow shows us this in many uncomfortable ways: from how the angels and nephilim might love to how they might treat humans.
A read you'll not soon forget, Angels of the Deep is well-crafted and impeccably written. My one complaint is that it's just too damn intense. I felt bludgeoned by the time I finished. I also have to warn readers that the book contains a lot of eroticism, multiple and graphic rape and sex scenes, and a few references to past instances of pedophilia. This is not a book for the weak of heart.
(Angels of the Deep) 『I felt a bit like I had been sucked down into the earth, reading this book. The walls of the world that surrounds Beck are dark and breathing. There is a feeling of being lost in something partially like a hazy nightmare. None of this is overt, but it seems the vibe that comes off this story. Beck was abused as a young boy and although he has excuses for why he doesn't let himself get too close to Sean, his police partner, you feel like the veins of that experience, stretching deep into the earth, deep into the mystery of this story, are a voyage that we (and Beck and Sean) must take before a flash light can be shone on this world.
This is at times a transcendental work, pushing forward, twisty, thoughtful and something that definitely will lead to another story. I think if you want a story to puzzle over, to make you think, like worry beads, this one will prove haunting and satisfying. 』 『Becket Merriday is on the trail of a killer who is murdering beautiful young men in the small town of Irenic. What he discovers an ancient race of immortal beings hunted by an incredibly powerful adversary: the angel Mastema. Soon, Beck and his partner, Sean Logan, find themselves at the center of a deadly supernatural war.』
price：$4.80
Kensington
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Twilight gone gay? Three well-written erotic vampire tales) 『Although I'm far from a diehard (pun intended) fan of vampire stories, let alone gay vampire erotica, I was still significantly impressed by the originality and creativity of the three stories in this collection.
Todd Gregory is first with "Blood On The Moon," a tale about a closeted frat boy who is hoping the crowds and confusion at New Orleans' Mardi Gras lets him explore his sexuality. He meets a mysterious, sexy man who invites him home, satisfying all of his desires, but leaving him with a strange hangover and other feelings he can't explain.
Chase Masters' "Land of the Midnight Sun" is an ambitious tale of a shy 18 year old farm boy who tags along with a sexy farmhand on a trip to California, where the farmhand needs to search for his sister, who disappeared mysteriously. The girl, who was a model, vanished along with a male model, and their would-be rescuers learn that they might be the featured "guests" at the notorious "Red Party" held by the vampire community.
Finally, there is Sean Wolfe's "The Dark Heart," a somewhat overly-complicated tale of how one vampire's life has been affected by his ancestry, going back to the dawn of man. Don't read it before walking down dark streets at night.
The stories are all well-written, although I found it a bit confusing that the three authors had different ideas of what a vampire could actually do (such as going out in the daylight, their "feeding" requirements, etc.) Obviously not meant to be taken seriously, the stories were a pleasant escape from reality which I enjoyed very much. I'll give it four Twilight stars out of five.
- Bob Lind, Echo Magazine 』
(Gay Vampire Stories) 『Gregory, Todd, Chase Masters and Sean Wolfe. "Midnight Hunger". Kensington Books, 2009.
Gay Vampire Stories
Amos Lassen
When you combined the talents of three of the most exciting gay authors writing today--Todd Gregory, Chase Masters and Sean Wolfe--you get a collection of three stories which rank with the best. These are gay vampire stories which really push the envelope of erotic writing. "Blood on the Moon" by Gregory is set in the authors own town (and where I grew up), New Orleans. Cord Logan, a fraternity boy is on vacation in the Big Easy with several of his fraternity brothers and he comes into contact with a stranger who charms him and he is soon under his spell. We watch Cord's transformation into the world of darkness and the writing is perfect. Jacob Cameron is the hero of Chase Master's "Land of the Midnight Sun". Cameron is a farm boy who is exploring his sexuality and he is drawn to West Hollywood where he is "sucked" into the underworld of carnality and sexual excitement but he must pay a very high price. Kayden Ridvan has a lust for blood that is both repulsive and exciting to him in Sean Wolfe's "The Dark heart. By chance he meets Nathaniel who unleashes in him a level of pleasure that is far above anything that he has ever felt but there is also a very high price on it. As gay men we find vampire stories to be extremely erotic and enticing. Here are three that you will not likely forget anytime soon after reading them. 』 『They're beautiful and dangerous. Mysterious and merciless. One kiss can awaken a hunger that will leave you craving for all eternity. . .
Blood on the Moon by Todd Gregory
Till now Cord Logan has kept his forbidden lust hidden, but he's hoping that a trip to New Orleans with his frat brothers will give him a chance to break free at last. And inside a crowded Bourbon Street bar, Cord meets a charismatic stranger who'll fulfill all of Cord's deepest fantasies, and transform him in ways he never could have imagined. . .
Land of the Midnight Sun by Chase Masters
When Pennsylvania farm boy Jacob Cameron stows away in a pickup truck owned by a gorgeous hired hand, he begins a journey of sensual exploration that leads to the bright lights of West Hollywood. Now, in L.A.'s seductive netherworld, Jacob will discover the heights of carnal bliss-and the terrible price of success. . .
The Dark Heart by Sean Wolfe
Kayden Ridvan's ancestry has condemned him to spend part of his life consumed by a blood lust that both repels and excites him. But a chance encounter with handsome Nathaniel unleashes an orgy of pleasure that gives Kayden everything to live for, and everything to lose. . .
Succumb to every dark longing, every illicit temptation, in a trio of erotic vampire tales that dare to go beyond the limits of desire. . .
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