In memory of Fay Robinson

Carmel Parsons Thomaston (Sept. 25, 1952 - Dec. 2, 2002) was the founder and editor of Painted Rock and the free online magazine for writers, The Rock.

Carmel wrote under the pen name Fay Robinson, penning several novels for Harlequin. Her first book, A MAN LIKE MAC, won the Rita award for Best First Book from Romance Writers of America in July. Her second, Coming Home To You, won a Maggie award from Georgia Romance Writers as an unpublished manuscript and a Rita award for Best Long Contemporary Romance.

Fay believed in love at first sight, happily-ever-after endings, and that some hearts are destined to be together. How can she not? Her English mother and American father married by transatlantic telephone six months after their first and only date. Fay had her own rendezvous with destiny while doing a story on a firefighter for her local newspaper. That night she told her best friend, "Today I met the man I'm going to marry." Carmel and Jackie Thomaston were married 26 years and produced a son Casey.

Carmel's Research Loop - is established in memory of Carmel Thomaston in order to carry on the research list she began through her website. Ask questions, share resources and answers, everyone is welcome.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19214451/

In memory of Fay Robinson

Carmel Parsons Thomaston (Sept. 25, 1952 - Dec. 2, 2002) was the founder and editor of Painted Rock and the free online magazine for writers, The Rock.

Carmel wrote under the pen name Fay Robinson, penning several novels for Harlequin. Her first book, A MAN LIKE MAC, won the Rita award for Best First Book from Romance Writers of America in July. Her second, Coming Home To You, won a Maggie award from Georgia Romance Writers as an unpublished manuscript and a Rita award for Best Long Contemporary Romance.

Fay believed in love at first sight, happily-ever-after endings, and that some hearts are destined to be together. How can she not? Her English mother and American father married by transatlantic telephone six months after their first and only date. Fay had her own rendezvous with destiny while doing a story on a firefighter for her local newspaper. That night she told her best friend, "Today I met the man I'm going to marry." Carmel and Jackie Thomaston were married 26 years and produced a son Casey.

Carmel's Research Loop - is established in memory of Carmel Thomaston in order to carry on the research list she began through her website. Ask questions, share resources and answers, everyone is welcome.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19214451/

Merry Christmas, Baby by Aly Graham

Apparently Derek and Chase were a perfect couple; love almost at first sight, common interests and an up-class life that allows them to have an happy relationship, supporting families... but maybe Derek was too used to have Chase around and Chase was too used to be the center of Derek's life.

When Derek suddenly announced to his lover that he would be gone for a three months work trip, Chase put up a grudge three months long. Now it's Christmas time and Derek is back in town, since this is a season very dear to Chase, but Chase's grudge is still on. Will the holiday season and a bit of wooing allow Chase's grudge to go away? And Derek will learn to consider Chase's feelings when he makes his decisions?

The story is short, 22 pages, but very tender. It's one night span, so it's really only a long scene between Chase and Derek, but it recreates well the Christmas season and the good feelings that it inspires. Nice discovery of a new author for me.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/advent.htm

Reading List:

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

Merry Christmas, Baby by Aly Graham

Apparently Derek and Chase were a perfect couple; love almost at first sight, common interests and an up-class life that allows them to have an happy relationship, supporting families... but maybe Derek was too used to have Chase around and Chase was too used to be the center of Derek's life.

When Derek suddenly announced to his lover that he would be gone for a three months work trip, Chase put up a grudge three months long. Now it's Christmas time and Derek is back in town, since this is a season very dear to Chase, but Chase's grudge is still on. Will the holiday season and a bit of wooing allow Chase's grudge to go away? And Derek will learn to consider Chase's feelings when he makes his decisions?

The story is short, 22 pages, but very tender. It's one night span, so it's really only a long scene between Chase and Derek, but it recreates well the Christmas season and the good feelings that it inspires. Nice discovery of a new author for me.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/advent.htm

Reading List:

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

Bound by Love by T.A. Chase

It's a bit a Fantasy Cowboy Land the one described in this book by T.A. Chase, but well, sometime it's good to forget that there are places in this world where you can't really be who you are without worrying of the consequences, and it's important to tell the story as you would like it to be, since maybe, time over time, you will change a mind at time.

And so in this story we have Tyler and J.T., twin rodeo cowboys. Both handsome and gay (well actually, J.T. is bisexual...), J.T. is the shiny twin, while Tyler is the shy one. Tyler is also the responsible one, first his mother on her death bed and then his father asked him to take care of his twin, and Tyler always acted as guardian angel. He also left his beloved ranch, and his beloved neighbor Ren, to follow his twin on the rodeo circuit. But eight years after, Tyler is wondering if it's not time to come back at home, J.T. or not J.T. on tow.

At home there is not only is aging father, but also Ren, the older and handsome neighbor who was Tyler's unrequited first love. Tyler has never had the courage to confess to Ren his feelings, instead he talked to J.T. who, soon after, seduced Ren. Now Tyler doesn't know if being happy to have a proof that Ren is gay, or be unhappy to be forced once again to compete with his twin.

On the other hand, Ren is only waiting for Tyler to be old enough, and tired enough of the outside world, to be ready to settle down in their ranches. Ren is the older brother of three, but his two brothers have no intention to stay at the ranch. So Ren is ready and willing to build a family, and Tyler was always is first choice when arriving to a life partner. His relationship with J.T. was only a fling, and something that tired him soon after the first encounter.

Ren has some personality issues, a legacy from his military service during war time, and he needs to be in control in every moment. On the other hand, Tyler needs to let the control sometime, since he is always the reliable twin, the one who everyone expected to take the right decision. In this way, Ren and Tyler are perfect together, being Ren always the top in their relationship, and Tyler the willing bottom.

So no problem in their relationship and no problem also outside their relationship: Tyler's father behaves like a old fashioned father, means that he only asks Ren's intentions toward his son, and he is more than happy when he is assured that they are honest; Ren's brothers are only waiting for their brother to find a partner in order to be able to move out of the ranch without worrying to leave their brother alone... Sure, there is no the time, or the chance, to see the behavior of who is not a strict relative, other than one of Tyler's friend, but the atmosphere of all the book is of a total acceptance of Ren and Tyler's love.

Setting and details are very accurate, with few right positioned words, T.A. Chase gives the reader all the necessary details to be deeply immerse in the rodeo and breeding horse culture.

http://www.samhainpublishing.com/romance/bound-by-love

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by Anne Cain

Bound by Love by T.A. Chase

It's a bit a Fantasy Cowboy Land the one described in this book by T.A. Chase, but well, sometime it's good to forget that there are places in this world where you can't really be who you are without worrying of the consequences, and it's important to tell the story as you would like it to be, since maybe, time over time, you will change a mind at time.

And so in this story we have Tyler and J.T., twin rodeo cowboys. Both handsome and gay (well actually, J.T. is bisexual...), J.T. is the shiny twin, while Tyler is the shy one. Tyler is also the responsible one, first his mother on her death bed and then his father asked him to take care of his twin, and Tyler always acted as guardian angel. He also left his beloved ranch, and his beloved neighbor Ren, to follow his twin on the rodeo circuit. But eight years after, Tyler is wondering if it's not time to come back at home, J.T. or not J.T. on tow.

At home there is not only is aging father, but also Ren, the older and handsome neighbor who was Tyler's unrequited first love. Tyler has never had the courage to confess to Ren his feelings, instead he talked to J.T. who, soon after, seduced Ren. Now Tyler doesn't know if being happy to have a proof that Ren is gay, or be unhappy to be forced once again to compete with his twin.

On the other hand, Ren is only waiting for Tyler to be old enough, and tired enough of the outside world, to be ready to settle down in their ranches. Ren is the older brother of three, but his two brothers have no intention to stay at the ranch. So Ren is ready and willing to build a family, and Tyler was always is first choice when arriving to a life partner. His relationship with J.T. was only a fling, and something that tired him soon after the first encounter.

Ren has some personality issues, a legacy from his military service during war time, and he needs to be in control in every moment. On the other hand, Tyler needs to let the control sometime, since he is always the reliable twin, the one who everyone expected to take the right decision. In this way, Ren and Tyler are perfect together, being Ren always the top in their relationship, and Tyler the willing bottom.

So no problem in their relationship and no problem also outside their relationship: Tyler's father behaves like a old fashioned father, means that he only asks Ren's intentions toward his son, and he is more than happy when he is assured that they are honest; Ren's brothers are only waiting for their brother to find a partner in order to be able to move out of the ranch without worrying to leave their brother alone... Sure, there is no the time, or the chance, to see the behavior of who is not a strict relative, other than one of Tyler's friend, but the atmosphere of all the book is of a total acceptance of Ren and Tyler's love.

Setting and details are very accurate, with few right positioned words, T.A. Chase gives the reader all the necessary details to be deeply immerse in the rodeo and breeding horse culture.

http://www.samhainpublishing.com/romance/bound-by-love

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by Anne Cain

Man Candy Day: Jordan Carlyle

Jordan Carlyle is an artist making his name in the world of art. 26 year old originally from Alabama, he got his start in the world of creative interpretation at the tender age of ten. Whether it is one of his monochromatic interpretations on nature, or one if his buoyant pop art pieces, Jordan’s work embodies a consistent expression of the joy he so evidently finds in the ability to take an image of the world as it is, simple and plain, and illuminate the unexpected beauty in each of those single images.

After studying architecture and art at a private university in Los Angeles, Jordan devised his own aesthetic, a signature look that he applies today, characterized by a raw glamour and a structural sleekness that is so consistent in his work. The intent behind each piece is based on the notion that the true environment of a given place can best be captured by combing multiple images into one. Last year his talent was recognize by prestigious Gensler Architectural Firm in Los Angeles.


Fine Art by Jordan Carlyle

( more pics )

“I basically start with a photograph that I have taken, and begin to visually pin point the different qualities that I find unique and beautiful within that photo. Then I deconstruct the image digitally, extracting each of those things I want to illuminate, and begin to manipulate the image, combing those selected elements with aspects of other images I have taken. Finally, I play with colors and intensities to evoke the moods and emotions to which I was aiming. The final image is complete. Each piece is one of a kind, and I am proud to personally sign my name of each of them.”

Born in Alabama, Jordan lived with his mother until he was six, at which point he was taken away from her and sent to Mississippi to live with his grandparents. “She wasn’t ready to raise a child,” he says. “I can’t hold that against her.” He also forgives the fact that she does not know who fathered him. “She was a bit promiscuous,” he says with a magnanimous smile. After three years with his aging grandparents, Jordan was placed, along with his half-sister, in the Tupelo Children’s Mansion Ministries (TCMM), a Christian home for orphaned and needy children. “They were getting too old to take care of me,” he remembers. “Growing up in a children’s home was probably one of the toughest things I have ever had to experience.”

His love for photography started when he was still a child. “I got a 35mm camera for Christmas while I was in a foster home and I began taking pictures of nature and landscapes. I was just 10.” He is also comfortable behind the camera, he spent some time modeling in New York and Miami. “I was spotted by a modeling scout in high school” he told Instinct. “I hated it,” he sighs. “Being from a small town, I had no idea how competitive it was going to be.”

After spending some time in Los Angeles, Jordan moved back to New York City. He told to Best New Gay Travel Guide, "I moved to NY almost a year ago to really expand my business. I felt it was time to dive in the deep end to really push myself to grow and take my business to the next level. I had a pretty fantastic life in LA… the car, amazing apartment etc… but I realized that I needed to be pushed out of my comfort zone if I really want to grow and evolve... I recently started Kabbalah at the center here in NY and I must say its pretty life changing. I’m all for self improvement! Since living in NY I must say I haven’t really had the desire to make it back to LA."

"As for a typical day for me… I wake up at 8 and head straight to Equinox in Soho with my boyfriend who lives with me now. We meet almost 1 year ago while visiting NY. I came out to celebrate my 27th birthday at Elmo. I had my best NY friend throw a huge party for me. While I was at the party… Christopher was at Elmo having dinner with his friend. Right when he was about to leave, one of my best friends of 9 years saw Chris leaving and called him over. My friend had just styled Chris on a shoot for an editorial…. And the rest is history. We have now been together for almost 1 year this month!”

Jordan is currently working with CB2 and will have a line of images available through them.


Jordan Carlyle by Eric Scot

( more pics )

@Jordan Carlyle
@MySpace - Jordan
@Eric Scot

Man Candy Day: Jordan Carlyle

Jordan Carlyle is an artist making his name in the world of art. 26 year old originally from Alabama, he got his start in the world of creative interpretation at the tender age of ten. Whether it is one of his monochromatic interpretations on nature, or one if his buoyant pop art pieces, Jordan’s work embodies a consistent expression of the joy he so evidently finds in the ability to take an image of the world as it is, simple and plain, and illuminate the unexpected beauty in each of those single images.

After studying architecture and art at a private university in Los Angeles, Jordan devised his own aesthetic, a signature look that he applies today, characterized by a raw glamour and a structural sleekness that is so consistent in his work. The intent behind each piece is based on the notion that the true environment of a given place can best be captured by combing multiple images into one. Last year his talent was recognize by prestigious Gensler Architectural Firm in Los Angeles.


Fine Art by Jordan Carlyle

( more pics )

“I basically start with a photograph that I have taken, and begin to visually pin point the different qualities that I find unique and beautiful within that photo. Then I deconstruct the image digitally, extracting each of those things I want to illuminate, and begin to manipulate the image, combing those selected elements with aspects of other images I have taken. Finally, I play with colors and intensities to evoke the moods and emotions to which I was aiming. The final image is complete. Each piece is one of a kind, and I am proud to personally sign my name of each of them.”

Born in Alabama, Jordan lived with his mother until he was six, at which point he was taken away from her and sent to Mississippi to live with his grandparents. “She wasn’t ready to raise a child,” he says. “I can’t hold that against her.” He also forgives the fact that she does not know who fathered him. “She was a bit promiscuous,” he says with a magnanimous smile. After three years with his aging grandparents, Jordan was placed, along with his half-sister, in the Tupelo Children’s Mansion Ministries (TCMM), a Christian home for orphaned and needy children. “They were getting too old to take care of me,” he remembers. “Growing up in a children’s home was probably one of the toughest things I have ever had to experience.”

His love for photography started when he was still a child. “I got a 35mm camera for Christmas while I was in a foster home and I began taking pictures of nature and landscapes. I was just 10.” He is also comfortable behind the camera, he spent some time modeling in New York and Miami. “I was spotted by a modeling scout in high school” he told Instinct. “I hated it,” he sighs. “Being from a small town, I had no idea how competitive it was going to be.”

After spending some time in Los Angeles, Jordan moved back to New York City. He told to Best New Gay Travel Guide, "I moved to NY almost a year ago to really expand my business. I felt it was time to dive in the deep end to really push myself to grow and take my business to the next level. I had a pretty fantastic life in LA… the car, amazing apartment etc… but I realized that I needed to be pushed out of my comfort zone if I really want to grow and evolve... I recently started Kabbalah at the center here in NY and I must say its pretty life changing. I’m all for self improvement! Since living in NY I must say I haven’t really had the desire to make it back to LA."

"As for a typical day for me… I wake up at 8 and head straight to Equinox in Soho with my boyfriend who lives with me now. We meet almost 1 year ago while visiting NY. I came out to celebrate my 27th birthday at Elmo. I had my best NY friend throw a huge party for me. While I was at the party… Christopher was at Elmo having dinner with his friend. Right when he was about to leave, one of my best friends of 9 years saw Chris leaving and called him over. My friend had just styled Chris on a shoot for an editorial…. And the rest is history. We have now been together for almost 1 year this month!”

Jordan is currently working with CB2 and will have a line of images available through them.


Jordan Carlyle by Eric Scot

( more pics )

@Jordan Carlyle
@MySpace - Jordan
@Eric Scot

Dragon’s Devotion (Dragons 4) by Willa Okati

Another tale in the Dragons series by Willa Okati, a gay futuristic series where humans mate with dragons. The strange thing in all the tales, is that the dominant character is not, as expected, the dragon, but instead is the human, usually a former soldier or similar. The dragon instead is young and quite cute, and in his human form is a pretty boy, with a witty behavior, but mostly in need to be protected by his mate.

Here Kenth is a former soldier who is chosen by a group of people as their leader; the small group of humans, mostly women, children and elders, leaves the unwelcomed destroyed city to find shelter in an isolated cave and Kenth plays the role of leader, chief hunter and healer. During one of his hunting party he finds a very special prey in one of his traps: a red dragon that changes in a pretty dark haired boy when Kenth tries to free him from the trap. Kenth is not afraid of dragons, on the contrary, he has always admired those beautiful shapes in the sky. And when he frees the dragon, he almost hopes for the boy to remain with him; and when the dragon flies away, he makes a wish for him to return.

Baen, the dragon, is a lonely warrior; after to many wars, Baen is scarred and mute, and he fears humans and dragons alike. But this human, this healer, is different, he is gentle and caring, and Baen recalls all the legends among dragons of human and dragon matings. And maybe he would give a try to the mating.

The Dragons series is made of short tender stories, less than 50 pages, setting in a post apocalyptic future.

Side note: since in the past in the comments of the previous posts in the series more than one person wondered about the image in the cover, all the sexual encounters between the two mates happen when both are in human form...

http://www.changelingpress.com/index.php?uaid=ISFUDNYA

Series: Dragons
1) Dragon's Dare: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/231139.html
2) Dragon's Delight: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/311341.html
3) Dragon's Deal: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/353824.html
4) Dragon's Devotion

Reading List:

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

Dragon’s Devotion (Dragons 4) by Willa Okati

Another tale in the Dragons series by Willa Okati, a gay futuristic series where humans mate with dragons. The strange thing in all the tales, is that the dominant character is not, as expected, the dragon, but instead is the human, usually a former soldier or similar. The dragon instead is young and quite cute, and in his human form is a pretty boy, with a witty behavior, but mostly in need to be protected by his mate.

Here Kenth is a former soldier who is chosen by a group of people as their leader; the small group of humans, mostly women, children and elders, leaves the unwelcomed destroyed city to find shelter in an isolated cave and Kenth plays the role of leader, chief hunter and healer. During one of his hunting party he finds a very special prey in one of his traps: a red dragon that changes in a pretty dark haired boy when Kenth tries to free him from the trap. Kenth is not afraid of dragons, on the contrary, he has always admired those beautiful shapes in the sky. And when he frees the dragon, he almost hopes for the boy to remain with him; and when the dragon flies away, he makes a wish for him to return.

Baen, the dragon, is a lonely warrior; after to many wars, Baen is scarred and mute, and he fears humans and dragons alike. But this human, this healer, is different, he is gentle and caring, and Baen recalls all the legends among dragons of human and dragon matings. And maybe he would give a try to the mating.

The Dragons series is made of short tender stories, less than 50 pages, setting in a post apocalyptic future.

Side note: since in the past in the comments of the previous posts in the series more than one person wondered about the image in the cover, all the sexual encounters between the two mates happen when both are in human form...

http://www.changelingpress.com/index.php?uaid=ISFUDNYA

Series: Dragons
1) Dragon's Dare: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/231139.html
2) Dragon's Delight: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/311341.html
3) Dragon's Deal: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/353824.html
4) Dragon's Devotion

Reading List:

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