In memory of Jan Tempest

Irene Maude Mossop (married name: Swatridge) was born on December 6, 1904 and passed away October 26, 1988. She was also known as Jan Tempest, Faye Chandos, Theresa Charles (writing with Charles John Swatridge), Leslie Lance, and Virginia Storm.

Theresa Charles was the joint pen name of two British authors, Irene Maude Swatridge and Charles John Swatridge, neither no longer living, a married couple. Leslie Lance was primarily the pseudonym of Charles John Swatridge (1906-64) and taken over by his wife Irene (1904-88) when he died, though of course it is probable that she had an imput in the earlier titles.

They were a very close couple and had a sheep farm in Devon.

Alan Boon (of Mills & Boon) had serious discussions with Jan Tempest about her novel Without A Honeymoon when she introduced the idea of a illegitimate child -- he felt she would encounter difficulties with the Irish audience.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/18841709/

In memory of Jan Tempest

Irene Maude Mossop (married name: Swatridge) was born on December 6, 1904 and passed away October 26, 1988. She was also known as Jan Tempest, Faye Chandos, Theresa Charles (writing with Charles John Swatridge), Leslie Lance, and Virginia Storm.

Theresa Charles was the joint pen name of two British authors, Irene Maude Swatridge and Charles John Swatridge, neither no longer living, a married couple. Leslie Lance was primarily the pseudonym of Charles John Swatridge (1906-64) and taken over by his wife Irene (1904-88) when he died, though of course it is probable that she had an imput in the earlier titles.

They were a very close couple and had a sheep farm in Devon.

Alan Boon (of Mills & Boon) had serious discussions with Jan Tempest about her novel Without A Honeymoon when she introduced the idea of a illegitimate child -- he felt she would encounter difficulties with the Irish audience.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/18841709/

Kristan Higgins: The Long Journey of Life, Happy, Sad and in Between

I just added a new post to the "Chatting with" series on "Rosa is for Romance".

Kristan Higgins: The Long Journey of Life, Happy, Sad and in Between

"In writing romantic comedy, I always aim for those universal, slightly embarrassing things we've all experienced... "stalking" a guy we like, for example, or falling for a completely inappropriate man. My heroines are normal people...no one is the daughter of a billionaire or an Oscar-winning actress, for example. While those types can be lots of fun, I felt the rest of us deserved big love stories, too! Families play a big role in my books as well, so I often build a character around what it would be like to be in a particular family.

Kristan Higgins"

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/18842349/

Kristan Higgins: The Long Journey of Life, Happy, Sad and in Between

I just added a new post to the "Chatting with" series on "Rosa is for Romance".

Kristan Higgins: The Long Journey of Life, Happy, Sad and in Between

"In writing romantic comedy, I always aim for those universal, slightly embarrassing things we've all experienced... "stalking" a guy we like, for example, or falling for a completely inappropriate man. My heroines are normal people...no one is the daughter of a billionaire or an Oscar-winning actress, for example. While those types can be lots of fun, I felt the rest of us deserved big love stories, too! Families play a big role in my books as well, so I often build a character around what it would be like to be in a particular family.

Kristan Higgins"

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/18842349/

Knowing Caleb (Hawkins Ranch 4) by Cameron Dane

Caleb is the last of the Hawkins brothers to be still a demon. The Hawkins are not really siblings, they found each other and called themself brothers since all three of them were shapeshifter demons, even if of different breed. And in fact Caleb is the less "devilish" of all of them, and when he is in demon form he is not as much different, only his features change. Due to his nature Caleb needs to hunt living prey, usually wild animals, and his sexual urges are very strong. Usually he has no problem to find a willing woman to satisfy them, but one night a unexpected event prevent him to finalize his hunt; Jake, one of the dearest friend of his sister-in-law Risa, is in trouble: six years before he lost his beloved wife and he is still grieving; in this night all he wants i to reach his wife... Caleb can't let him alone, and he spends the night with him, looking after the sleeping man. This cemented a friendship between the two men and the morning after Caleb offers a job as foreman to Jake. Having the man around on the ranch serves only to Caleb to take more and more notice of him, not like a friend but as something more. The problem is that nor Caleb or Jake has never imagined possible to desire another man, and they are moving on a shifting territory. Plus Jake is still mourning his lost wife.

The story is very very long, almost 350 pages, and has a lot of sex scenes among with an interesting plot, with some unexpected turns. It's true that there is a lot of sex, but it's not the only reason of the story, the sex is well balanced in the story.

Caleb and Jake's relationship is very intense, and both men approach it at the same way: they are not gay, they are not realizing something of them that it was always there ready to be unveiled, they only happen to fall in love with another human being, and the fact that the other is a man is only a details. Moving in an unknowing territory, it's only natural that at first they are not at all comfortable with the idea, but I like their approach. I like also Caleb's way to deal with the memory of Jake's lost wife, even if maybe, he reacts in that way since he doesn't judge himself worthy of the full love of Jake: if Jake retains something of him in their relationship, Caleb is feeling a little less guilty for him, a demon with a dark past, to love a good man like Jake.

I also felt a bit sad for Gabriel (I don't want to say more to not give up the story); I'd be glad if Cameron Dane would take in consideration the idea of writing also his story.

http://www.loose-id.net/detail.aspx?ID=789
 
Series: Hawkins Ranch
1) Demon Moon
2) Falling: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/216740.html
3) ReneCade
4) Knowing Caleb

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle


Cover Art by April Martinez

Knowing Caleb (Hawkins Ranch 4) by Cameron Dane

Caleb is the last of the Hawkins brothers to be still a demon. The Hawkins are not really siblings, they found each other and called themself brothers since all three of them were shapeshifter demons, even if of different breed. And in fact Caleb is the less "devilish" of all of them, and when he is in demon form he is not as much different, only his features change. Due to his nature Caleb needs to hunt living prey, usually wild animals, and his sexual urges are very strong. Usually he has no problem to find a willing woman to satisfy them, but one night a unexpected event prevent him to finalize his hunt; Jake, one of the dearest friend of his sister-in-law Risa, is in trouble: six years before he lost his beloved wife and he is still grieving; in this night all he wants i to reach his wife... Caleb can't let him alone, and he spends the night with him, looking after the sleeping man. This cemented a friendship between the two men and the morning after Caleb offers a job as foreman to Jake. Having the man around on the ranch serves only to Caleb to take more and more notice of him, not like a friend but as something more. The problem is that nor Caleb or Jake has never imagined possible to desire another man, and they are moving on a shifting territory. Plus Jake is still mourning his lost wife.

The story is very very long, almost 350 pages, and has a lot of sex scenes among with an interesting plot, with some unexpected turns. It's true that there is a lot of sex, but it's not the only reason of the story, the sex is well balanced in the story.

Caleb and Jake's relationship is very intense, and both men approach it at the same way: they are not gay, they are not realizing something of them that it was always there ready to be unveiled, they only happen to fall in love with another human being, and the fact that the other is a man is only a details. Moving in an unknowing territory, it's only natural that at first they are not at all comfortable with the idea, but I like their approach. I like also Caleb's way to deal with the memory of Jake's lost wife, even if maybe, he reacts in that way since he doesn't judge himself worthy of the full love of Jake: if Jake retains something of him in their relationship, Caleb is feeling a little less guilty for him, a demon with a dark past, to love a good man like Jake.

I also felt a bit sad for Gabriel (I don't want to say more to not give up the story); I'd be glad if Cameron Dane would take in consideration the idea of writing also his story.

http://www.loose-id.net/detail.aspx?ID=789
 
Series: Hawkins Ranch
1) Demon Moon
2) Falling: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/216740.html
3) ReneCade
4) Knowing Caleb

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle


Cover Art by April Martinez

Gay Commercial: Renault Twingo Sport

Translation: Dad?? (pause) Hey, can you get us in? Tagline: Comfy in his era, comfy in his Twingo Sport

Closet Commercial Association

Company: Renault S.A.
Brand: Renault Twingo Sport
Ad Title: Drag Queen Dad
Business Category: Automotive
Media Outlets: Television
Country: France
Region: Europe
Agency: Publicis Conseil
Year: 2008
Target: Mainstream

Gay Commercial: Renault Twingo Sport

Translation: Dad?? (pause) Hey, can you get us in? Tagline: Comfy in his era, comfy in his Twingo Sport

Closet Commercial Association

Company: Renault S.A.
Brand: Renault Twingo Sport
Ad Title: Drag Queen Dad
Business Category: Automotive
Media Outlets: Television
Country: France
Region: Europe
Agency: Publicis Conseil
Year: 2008
Target: Mainstream

At the Sign of the Ancestors by Kara Larson

This is a short story, less than 25 pages, but it's really sweet.

Kit is a 30 years old guy; of Thai origins, during the day he is a college literature professor and during the night a Muay Thai fighter. He almost brings on a double life, not permitting his fighter personality to mix with the teacher one; Kit holds a deeply love for his origins, but since they are seen like something brutal from common people, he never speaks aloud of them: in a way Kit, openly gay and fighter in the closet during the day, is a proud fighter and a gay in the closet during the night... he hasn't yet found a balance for his two side.

Now the problem is that he is becoming to be serious with Drew, the perfect boyfriend, an African American teacher like him. They are like highschool sweetheart, dating and kissing and making out on the couch, but they haven't still reached the big step. Kit wants, but before that he needs to show to Drew who he is really, risking to lose him.

As I said the story is not very long, and I believe that there is worthy material for something more: how Kit and Drew met? why they are waiting for the next stadium in their relationship (since they are not really teenagers...)? What is the background of Drew (since we don't know much about him)?

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1563

Amazon Kindle: At the Sign of the Ancestors

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

At the Sign of the Ancestors by Kara Larson

This is a short story, less than 25 pages, but it's really sweet.

Kit is a 30 years old guy; of Thai origins, during the day he is a college literature professor and during the night a Muay Thai fighter. He almost brings on a double life, not permitting his fighter personality to mix with the teacher one; Kit holds a deeply love for his origins, but since they are seen like something brutal from common people, he never speaks aloud of them: in a way Kit, openly gay and fighter in the closet during the day, is a proud fighter and a gay in the closet during the night... he hasn't yet found a balance for his two side.

Now the problem is that he is becoming to be serious with Drew, the perfect boyfriend, an African American teacher like him. They are like highschool sweetheart, dating and kissing and making out on the couch, but they haven't still reached the big step. Kit wants, but before that he needs to show to Drew who he is really, risking to lose him.

As I said the story is not very long, and I believe that there is worthy material for something more: how Kit and Drew met? why they are waiting for the next stadium in their relationship (since they are not really teenagers...)? What is the background of Drew (since we don't know much about him)?

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1563

Amazon Kindle: At the Sign of the Ancestors

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Around the World: Évoramonte Castle

I always liked castles and more they are strange, more I like them. Evoramonte is perhaps the strangest I saw: it's not very big, even if it seems so in the pic I took, but it is magnificent in its absolutely simplicity. The only outside ornament are the sculpted knots on the wall that were the symbol of the family which owned the castle in the past.


by Elisa, Portugal, 2002
http://www.elisarolle.com/travel/2002Portogallo.htm

As you can see the weather was wonderful, the sky so blue that it blinded you and the castle was like a king on the hill.

( Évoramonte Castle )

Around the World: Évoramonte Castle

I always liked castles and more they are strange, more I like them. Evoramonte is perhaps the strangest I saw: it's not very big, even if it seems so in the pic I took, but it is magnificent in its absolutely simplicity. The only outside ornament are the sculpted knots on the wall that were the symbol of the family which owned the castle in the past.


by Elisa, Portugal, 2002
http://www.elisarolle.com/travel/2002Portogallo.htm

As you can see the weather was wonderful, the sky so blue that it blinded you and the castle was like a king on the hill.

( Évoramonte Castle )

Les Hommes, Vol. 1 by Christiane France

Strangers In The Night by Christiane France

How is the life of rich and beautiful? Pretty good it seems, even if shit happens also to them. And so Blaine Tyler, young business prodigy of the East Coast who was taking a vacation from life in the West Coast, ended with a selfish loverboy as a partner; Blaine knew that Colin didn't love him, but before they could straight up the things, Colin died in a car accident, leaving Blaine with an huge sense of guilty: What if, is a constant question in his mind and he seems unable to find something to distract him.

One night in a up-class bar he meets Adrian: new in town and probably not for more, Adrian could be a good rebounding love for Blaine. Adrian is easy and free, a good listener and a very good lover. Blaine is not searching for commitment, not now, and Adrian doesn't ask it. But what started like a one night stand, it becomes for both of them the real thing.

The story is very short, less than 50 pages, and flows smoothly: everything is easy in this story, how Blaine and Adrian met, how they are so good together, how Adrian's work brings new inspiration to Blaine. Also their life, despite Blaine's past bad experience, are easy: wealthy and healthy, Bliane and Adrian are very similar, and there is not really a dominant partner: after Blaine overcomes his sense of guilty (and he was ready to do that even before meeting Adrian), they are on the same level, in life and sex.

For my first taste of Christiane France's work, it's quite good, even if in story this short, I can't really have a whole opinion on the characters... but I like the setting and the insight in this glossy world.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/StrangersNight.html

This Time For Keeps by Christiane France

Josh and Pete were together ten years before they split. Both former fashion models they have the hot temper of the spoilt star, always seeking the center of the stage, but all in all they love each other. So Josh was very surprise when Pete, after one of their usual temper tantrum, left without a real reason. Wounded in his pride, Josh went abroad for a job and stubbornly waited for Pete to call. But Pete never called and after six months Josh comes back to find that Pete is dead, killed by two kids who are trying to steal his car.

Josh is almost in a stupor state, he can't believe that he will never come back home to find Pete, that he is gone for real. But truth be told, Josh is ready to try to patch his life together and move on, only that Pete is not ready... better Pete's ghost is not ready.

The story is really short, less than 50 pages, but it's quite original. And it's also more funny than angst: Josh is 100% faithful to the image of the spoilt model; it's true that he mourns the loss of his lover, but really not so much, he probably would find a way to rebuild his life, and maybe also another lover. And when he has the chance to be again with Pete, it's not that he is utterly grateful for the miracle, he simply accepts it like something due, like another gift to his good personality and charm; he even professes eternal love to Pete, he also wonders what could happen if he finds a new lover and Pete is still haunting his home...

I was picking this book expecting a sad and tearful story, and instead I read a funny romp.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ThisTimeForKeeps.html

Amazon Kindle: This Time For Keeps

Amazon: Les Hommes, Vol. 1

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Les Hommes, Vol. 1 by Christiane France

Strangers In The Night by Christiane France

How is the life of rich and beautiful? Pretty good it seems, even if shit happens also to them. And so Blaine Tyler, young business prodigy of the East Coast who was taking a vacation from life in the West Coast, ended with a selfish loverboy as a partner; Blaine knew that Colin didn't love him, but before they could straight up the things, Colin died in a car accident, leaving Blaine with an huge sense of guilty: What if, is a constant question in his mind and he seems unable to find something to distract him.

One night in a up-class bar he meets Adrian: new in town and probably not for more, Adrian could be a good rebounding love for Blaine. Adrian is easy and free, a good listener and a very good lover. Blaine is not searching for commitment, not now, and Adrian doesn't ask it. But what started like a one night stand, it becomes for both of them the real thing.

The story is very short, less than 50 pages, and flows smoothly: everything is easy in this story, how Blaine and Adrian met, how they are so good together, how Adrian's work brings new inspiration to Blaine. Also their life, despite Blaine's past bad experience, are easy: wealthy and healthy, Bliane and Adrian are very similar, and there is not really a dominant partner: after Blaine overcomes his sense of guilty (and he was ready to do that even before meeting Adrian), they are on the same level, in life and sex.

For my first taste of Christiane France's work, it's quite good, even if in story this short, I can't really have a whole opinion on the characters... but I like the setting and the insight in this glossy world.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/StrangersNight.html

This Time For Keeps by Christiane France

Josh and Pete were together ten years before they split. Both former fashion models they have the hot temper of the spoilt star, always seeking the center of the stage, but all in all they love each other. So Josh was very surprise when Pete, after one of their usual temper tantrum, left without a real reason. Wounded in his pride, Josh went abroad for a job and stubbornly waited for Pete to call. But Pete never called and after six months Josh comes back to find that Pete is dead, killed by two kids who are trying to steal his car.

Josh is almost in a stupor state, he can't believe that he will never come back home to find Pete, that he is gone for real. But truth be told, Josh is ready to try to patch his life together and move on, only that Pete is not ready... better Pete's ghost is not ready.

The story is really short, less than 50 pages, but it's quite original. And it's also more funny than angst: Josh is 100% faithful to the image of the spoilt model; it's true that he mourns the loss of his lover, but really not so much, he probably would find a way to rebuild his life, and maybe also another lover. And when he has the chance to be again with Pete, it's not that he is utterly grateful for the miracle, he simply accepts it like something due, like another gift to his good personality and charm; he even professes eternal love to Pete, he also wonders what could happen if he finds a new lover and Pete is still haunting his home...

I was picking this book expecting a sad and tearful story, and instead I read a funny romp.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/ThisTimeForKeeps.html

Amazon Kindle: This Time For Keeps

Amazon: Les Hommes, Vol. 1

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle