A Present Christmas by J.P. Bowie

This is the classical Christmas story and it's very nice, sweet and tender.

Bill is a nice guy that is passing a bad period: he lost lover, work, home and car only days before Christmas. All these events together are a bit too much for Bill's self-consciousness and he feels like the worst man in the world. He can't be open to possibilities even when possibilities have the nice smile and the warm behavior of Tom, the guy he meets every morning at the coffee shop. Then one morning a nice old lady, Agnes, decides to take Bill's life in her hands and she finds a work for Bill as Santa Claus in the big store in front of the coffee, the same store where also Tom is working.

Day by day, Agnes helps Bill to regain hope in the future and to enjoy the Christmas feelings in the air. Actually she is not doing anything special if not give some good advices to Bill and lead him toward the right path. Tom was just in Bill's life, but probably without Agnes' help, Bill would let go without giving a try.

The story is really simple, a nice guy, Bill, maybe only a bit shy, who meets the love of his life under Christmas, a period when everyone is more willing to believe in miracles. Tom is really a good guy, maybe not actually a knight in shining armor, but really close; without Agnes' interference, maybe Tom would be a little less forward with Bill, since in this moment he has other thoughts in his mind, but with Agnes' help he realizes that he, with a little effort, can have Bill and at the same time resolve his other business problem.

So no drama, no sadness, only two nice characters and a nice Christmas love, and also some very nice sexy scenes. And I don't know, but Christmas stories setting in a New York department store always have an old fashioned style.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=ch3moi638577&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=392

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: A Present Christmas
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

The Gift by Kim Dare

The story is really nice despite it having two of the things that are not really my cup of tea, a D/s relationship and a menages.

Charles was Nicky's master for the last five years. When they started the D/s relationship of Master and pet 24/7 it was Christmas time but Charles asked Nicky to come to live with him from the first of January, and so they lost their first Christmas. After that, every year, Nicky did his best to celebrate the holiday, trying every year to find something to please his Master, but to his eyes, Charles is only suffering all his enthusiasm.

But this Christmas, Charles receives a visit from the Spirit of Christmas Past; the spirit, a young and handsome man who seems to have a soft spot for Nicky, shows to Charles all the trouble Nicky went through in the last five years to make his Master happy. Seeing all those Christmas one after the other, makes Charles realizes that his pet has a real love for him and for the Christmas season, a love this last that he is not really sharing with Charles since Nicky doesn't believe that his Master really likes it.

Nicky is really a sweet character; he is the perfect epitome of the good pet, always trying to satisfy every whims of his Master, always putting his Master's desires in front of his owns. Probably the story should show us how cold and aloof his Master is, but actually I only see a gentle man, maybe not so demonstrative, that always tries to understand his pet's needs. Charles is gentle and caring, he likes to dominate Nicky, but he is always aware of Nicky's limits, and he is the first to reprimand him if he thinks that he is pushing himself to far. Charles is not a negative character, but maybe he is not expansive, and instead Nicky is a man who lives to feel cherished and loved.

Accordingly to what I said, the problem of me not liking a D/s relationship is no more important, since between Charles and Nicky there is a deep and true love, and so how they choose to demonstrate that love is their own choice and I don't judge it. It remains the little problem of the menages, that I really didn't feel necessary, but it's a very little scene, and almost "chaste" and in the context of the story, an only event, and so, in the end, also this problem is overcome.

Again a very nice Christmas story.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=x98oz2638766&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=391

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: The Gift
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

Tomorrow’s Gifts by Lisabet Sarai

Michael and Neil are apparently a perfect couple, but there are a lot of things twirling in Michael's mind. He doesn't like the city in which they live, that forces them to behave as roommates and not as lovers when they are in the open; he doesn't like the cold weather that always forced them to stay inside during the long winter... but above all he doesn't like the vanilla relationship he has with Neil. Oh, he likes Neil, he is a very gentle and caring boyfriend, always trying to understand Michael's desires, but not understanding at all that Michael wants and needs to be dominate. Probably Neil is worried since he is a lot stronger than Michael, and he fears to not be able to stay in control if things go wild.

Then on Christmas Eve Michael receives the visit for a ghost of the Christmas future, a man who claims to be Michael's future lover, his Master. Thorne, the spirit, shows to Michael how is live can be if he dumps Neil: a full D/s relationship, a life as slave of a very wealthy man, parties and travel all around the country. Michael is thrilled to see all his desire fullfilled, and he enjoys it all even if he realizes that Thorne's love is not gentle and caring as Neil's was. Thorne is not really trying to fulfill Michael's desires, he is only enjoying his life and if Michael likes it, he is allowed to share with Thorne.

I believe that the meaning of the book is to show that a D/s relationship without deep love and trust is only a show, and not really a relationship. Thorne and Michael don't have a real bond, Michael is almost a convenience and like him everyone could be at Thorne's side. Instead if he has the courage to speak with Neil, and unveils his hidden desires, he can have something special with the man he loves.

There is a lot of sex in this story, and I don't like the sex between Thorne and Michael: it's cold and detached; probably this is exactly what the author wants to convey and probably I would accept that if Michael's final decision was taken only out of his love for Neil. And instead, in a way, the decision was taken from him, letting him with only an obvious right choice... he would be really stupid if he did something different.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=fmjmjb640877&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=393

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: Tomorrow's Gifts
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

A Present Christmas by J.P. Bowie

This is the classical Christmas story and it's very nice, sweet and tender.

Bill is a nice guy that is passing a bad period: he lost lover, work, home and car only days before Christmas. All these events together are a bit too much for Bill's self-consciousness and he feels like the worst man in the world. He can't be open to possibilities even when possibilities have the nice smile and the warm behavior of Tom, the guy he meets every morning at the coffee shop. Then one morning a nice old lady, Agnes, decides to take Bill's life in her hands and she finds a work for Bill as Santa Claus in the big store in front of the coffee, the same store where also Tom is working.

Day by day, Agnes helps Bill to regain hope in the future and to enjoy the Christmas feelings in the air. Actually she is not doing anything special if not give some good advices to Bill and lead him toward the right path. Tom was just in Bill's life, but probably without Agnes' help, Bill would let go without giving a try.

The story is really simple, a nice guy, Bill, maybe only a bit shy, who meets the love of his life under Christmas, a period when everyone is more willing to believe in miracles. Tom is really a good guy, maybe not actually a knight in shining armor, but really close; without Agnes' interference, maybe Tom would be a little less forward with Bill, since in this moment he has other thoughts in his mind, but with Agnes' help he realizes that he, with a little effort, can have Bill and at the same time resolve his other business problem.

So no drama, no sadness, only two nice characters and a nice Christmas love, and also some very nice sexy scenes. And I don't know, but Christmas stories setting in a New York department store always have an old fashioned style.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=ch3moi638577&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=392

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: A Present Christmas
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

The Gift by Kim Dare

The story is really nice despite it having two of the things that are not really my cup of tea, a D/s relationship and a menages.

Charles was Nicky's master for the last five years. When they started the D/s relationship of Master and pet 24/7 it was Christmas time but Charles asked Nicky to come to live with him from the first of January, and so they lost their first Christmas. After that, every year, Nicky did his best to celebrate the holiday, trying every year to find something to please his Master, but to his eyes, Charles is only suffering all his enthusiasm.

But this Christmas, Charles receives a visit from the Spirit of Christmas Past; the spirit, a young and handsome man who seems to have a soft spot for Nicky, shows to Charles all the trouble Nicky went through in the last five years to make his Master happy. Seeing all those Christmas one after the other, makes Charles realizes that his pet has a real love for him and for the Christmas season, a love this last that he is not really sharing with Charles since Nicky doesn't believe that his Master really likes it.

Nicky is really a sweet character; he is the perfect epitome of the good pet, always trying to satisfy every whims of his Master, always putting his Master's desires in front of his owns. Probably the story should show us how cold and aloof his Master is, but actually I only see a gentle man, maybe not so demonstrative, that always tries to understand his pet's needs. Charles is gentle and caring, he likes to dominate Nicky, but he is always aware of Nicky's limits, and he is the first to reprimand him if he thinks that he is pushing himself to far. Charles is not a negative character, but maybe he is not expansive, and instead Nicky is a man who lives to feel cherished and loved.

Accordingly to what I said, the problem of me not liking a D/s relationship is no more important, since between Charles and Nicky there is a deep and true love, and so how they choose to demonstrate that love is their own choice and I don't judge it. It remains the little problem of the menages, that I really didn't feel necessary, but it's a very little scene, and almost "chaste" and in the context of the story, an only event, and so, in the end, also this problem is overcome.

Again a very nice Christmas story.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=x98oz2638766&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=391

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: The Gift
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

Tomorrow’s Gifts by Lisabet Sarai

Michael and Neil are apparently a perfect couple, but there are a lot of things twirling in Michael's mind. He doesn't like the city in which they live, that forces them to behave as roommates and not as lovers when they are in the open; he doesn't like the cold weather that always forced them to stay inside during the long winter... but above all he doesn't like the vanilla relationship he has with Neil. Oh, he likes Neil, he is a very gentle and caring boyfriend, always trying to understand Michael's desires, but not understanding at all that Michael wants and needs to be dominate. Probably Neil is worried since he is a lot stronger than Michael, and he fears to not be able to stay in control if things go wild.

Then on Christmas Eve Michael receives the visit for a ghost of the Christmas future, a man who claims to be Michael's future lover, his Master. Thorne, the spirit, shows to Michael how is live can be if he dumps Neil: a full D/s relationship, a life as slave of a very wealthy man, parties and travel all around the country. Michael is thrilled to see all his desire fullfilled, and he enjoys it all even if he realizes that Thorne's love is not gentle and caring as Neil's was. Thorne is not really trying to fulfill Michael's desires, he is only enjoying his life and if Michael likes it, he is allowed to share with Thorne.

I believe that the meaning of the book is to show that a D/s relationship without deep love and trust is only a show, and not really a relationship. Thorne and Michael don't have a real bond, Michael is almost a convenience and like him everyone could be at Thorne's side. Instead if he has the courage to speak with Neil, and unveils his hidden desires, he can have something special with the man he loves.

There is a lot of sex in this story, and I don't like the sex between Thorne and Michael: it's cold and detached; probably this is exactly what the author wants to convey and probably I would accept that if Michael's final decision was taken only out of his love for Neil. And instead, in a way, the decision was taken from him, letting him with only an obvious right choice... he would be really stupid if he did something different.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=fmjmjb640877&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=393

Amazon Kindle: Christmas Spirits: Tomorrow's Gifts
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (December 8, 2008)

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

Romance History: Edith St. George

Some authors seem to be born with the urge to write. Others come to it much later in life. When Edith Delatush, more familiarly known to her readers as Edith St. George, Edith de Paul, and Alyssa Morgan, was growing up, she wanted to be a nurse. As a young woman, she fulfilled her dream and became a registered nurse at Long Island College Hospital. It was there that she met her physician husband George—over a blood transfusion!

Her latest career began casually enough. "I drifted into painting and became quite proficient at it for a time. But it wasn't until 1978 at age 56, that I found what I was searching for when my husband was away at a medical convention. I had just finished reading a poorly written romance and decided that I could do better. Don't we all at one time or another?" she asked rhetorically. "A glimmer of a plot came to mind so I decided to try my hand at writing, I was immediately hooked. However, I was shy about my new hobby and became a 'closet writer,' hiding it from everyone."

When Edith wrote a book she liked it to move quickly, with a lot of tension back and for among her protagonists. There is little, if any violence in her books. And no rape. Edith believed that the readers—especially women—wanted "a joyful meeting between the sexes." A certain chemistry and commitment are two essential ingredients in her love matches. "I'm not a women's libber—I'm very old-fashioned," she said. "I believe men should have the dominant role in a relationship, but that the woman should be dominant behind the scenes." Happiness and fulfillment are two of her constant themes. "Women must have the right man in their lives to achieve happiness and fulfillment," she contended. "Successful careers supply only a part of women's happiness. As a nurse, I've heard a lot of confessions from many different people, and I've seen a lot of life. I know what it is that women—people—are longing for." Edith worked part-time in her husband's office, but writing took up most of her time.

The Delatushs lived in Tequesta, Florida, and Edith's favorite writing place in her beautiful home was in her open kitchen, which had a bank of windows that overlook the lovely Loxahatchee River.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19267050/

Romance History: Edith St. George

Some authors seem to be born with the urge to write. Others come to it much later in life. When Edith Delatush, more familiarly known to her readers as Edith St. George, Edith de Paul, and Alyssa Morgan, was growing up, she wanted to be a nurse. As a young woman, she fulfilled her dream and became a registered nurse at Long Island College Hospital. It was there that she met her physician husband George—over a blood transfusion!

Her latest career began casually enough. "I drifted into painting and became quite proficient at it for a time. But it wasn't until 1978 at age 56, that I found what I was searching for when my husband was away at a medical convention. I had just finished reading a poorly written romance and decided that I could do better. Don't we all at one time or another?" she asked rhetorically. "A glimmer of a plot came to mind so I decided to try my hand at writing, I was immediately hooked. However, I was shy about my new hobby and became a 'closet writer,' hiding it from everyone."

When Edith wrote a book she liked it to move quickly, with a lot of tension back and for among her protagonists. There is little, if any violence in her books. And no rape. Edith believed that the readers—especially women—wanted "a joyful meeting between the sexes." A certain chemistry and commitment are two essential ingredients in her love matches. "I'm not a women's libber—I'm very old-fashioned," she said. "I believe men should have the dominant role in a relationship, but that the woman should be dominant behind the scenes." Happiness and fulfillment are two of her constant themes. "Women must have the right man in their lives to achieve happiness and fulfillment," she contended. "Successful careers supply only a part of women's happiness. As a nurse, I've heard a lot of confessions from many different people, and I've seen a lot of life. I know what it is that women—people—are longing for." Edith worked part-time in her husband's office, but writing took up most of her time.

The Delatushs lived in Tequesta, Florida, and Edith's favorite writing place in her beautiful home was in her open kitchen, which had a bank of windows that overlook the lovely Loxahatchee River.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19267050/

A Gift of Ash and Frost by Chrissy Munder

This is one of the best historical gay romance I read lately, my only regret is that it's too short and left me with the desire to read more.

The setting is some years after the1812, since the only historical details I had to identify the era is the Battle of Salamanca. An old country mansion was abandoned after his last owner died during the war; years later two gentlemen arrive to re-open the mansion and with them arrives also a lot of work for the nearby village, which was slowly dying since it was mostly the mansion's owners that provided it with all type of job. Mathias is the bastard son of the village's whore; his only skill is to be way stronger than all the other men around, but Mathias is also a quite and almost shy man; he never speaks if not asked and he is always ready to hard work. Mathias suffers the jokes of the villagers, but he never reacts, and is quite behavior gains him some favors from some people.

When at the main house is needed a strong man to help the housekeeper to prepare the mansion for the Christmas two weeks party, Mathias is called. To Mathias doesn't matter what is murmured around the village about the abominations that happen inside the house, he wants only an honest work for the winter. But he is soon captivated by the steward of the house, Mr. Mason, a man who seems to be the master of himself and not a paid worker of two gentlemen. And then strange whispers are on the mouth of all the maids in the house, that are more than happy to work at the mansion, since, they said, they are more safe here than at home...

As I said the story is really short, 50 pages, but it has a very well developed plot, and Mathias is a well-round character; on the other hand Mr. Mason and the two gentlemen are only hinted, and I would really glad to read more, on how they arrive to live in a isolated country house, even if it's obviously conceivable.

There is a nice aspect in the book: sex is a so common activity in Mathias' life, with his mother's work, that he is not afraid of it, in every form it happens. And so it's not the sex that fascinates Mathias, but the intimacy: seeing a full naked body, stealing a gentle caress, smiling for an hidden secret that only lovers know... these are the things that Mathias doesn't know, and that he is drawn to discover. And so there is not explicit or detailed sex in this book, but more a sense of mystery and unknown, so strange for a man who has seen too much in his life.

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

Reading List:

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

A Gift of Ash and Frost by Chrissy Munder

This is one of the best historical gay romance I read lately, my only regret is that it's too short and left me with the desire to read more.

The setting is some years after the1812, since the only historical details I had to identify the era is the Battle of Salamanca. An old country mansion was abandoned after his last owner died during the war; years later two gentlemen arrive to re-open the mansion and with them arrives also a lot of work for the nearby village, which was slowly dying since it was mostly the mansion's owners that provided it with all type of job. Mathias is the bastard son of the village's whore; his only skill is to be way stronger than all the other men around, but Mathias is also a quite and almost shy man; he never speaks if not asked and he is always ready to hard work. Mathias suffers the jokes of the villagers, but he never reacts, and is quite behavior gains him some favors from some people.

When at the main house is needed a strong man to help the housekeeper to prepare the mansion for the Christmas two weeks party, Mathias is called. To Mathias doesn't matter what is murmured around the village about the abominations that happen inside the house, he wants only an honest work for the winter. But he is soon captivated by the steward of the house, Mr. Mason, a man who seems to be the master of himself and not a paid worker of two gentlemen. And then strange whispers are on the mouth of all the maids in the house, that are more than happy to work at the mansion, since, they said, they are more safe here than at home...

As I said the story is really short, 50 pages, but it has a very well developed plot, and Mathias is a well-round character; on the other hand Mr. Mason and the two gentlemen are only hinted, and I would really glad to read more, on how they arrive to live in a isolated country house, even if it's obviously conceivable.

There is a nice aspect in the book: sex is a so common activity in Mathias' life, with his mother's work, that he is not afraid of it, in every form it happens. And so it's not the sex that fascinates Mathias, but the intimacy: seeing a full naked body, stealing a gentle caress, smiling for an hidden secret that only lovers know... these are the things that Mathias doesn't know, and that he is drawn to discover. And so there is not explicit or detailed sex in this book, but more a sense of mystery and unknown, so strange for a man who has seen too much in his life.

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

Reading List:

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

3-Day Weekend (2008) directed by Rob Williams

Director: Rob Williams

Writer: Rob Williams (writer)

Release Date: 8 August 2008 (USA)

Genre: Drama

Tagline: Start packing

Plot: In the tradition of Boys in the Band and with a nod to Love, Valour, and Compassion, director Rob Williams s latest film is a humorous but sensitive and certainly unforgettable romp around a gay man's unforgettable weekend.

Long-term couple Simon and Jason, along with daddy-ish Cooper and his boy du jour, meet annually for a three-day weekend away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing tradition, they add a special twist to this year s retreat -- each of them must invite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway. Arriving are a frisky former college roommate, a constantly naked yoga instructor, Jason s uptight co-worker and a high-priced rent boy who do indeed stir up the weekend. But this combination of new and old friends creates more tension than anyone anticipated. After 72 hours and multiple sexual couplings, new relationships form while others are cast onto shaky ground.

With the popular Long-Term Relationship and Back Soon under his directorial belt, Rob Williams continues to show that he can deliver honest dialogue, appealing actors and enough drama to faithfully please his devoted fan base while still encouraging a new group of supporters to enjoy the show!

@IMDb
@Amazon: 3-Day Weekend
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Chris Carlisle ... Mac
Joel Harrison ... Cameron
Gaetano Jones ... Kevin
Derek Long ... Cooper
Derek Meeker ... Simon
Douglas Myers ... Jason
Daniel Rhyder ... Andre
Stephen Twardokus ... Ace

My favorite couple:

Uptight co-worker Mac and constantly naked yoga instructor Kevin

( other couples )

3-Day Weekend (2008) directed by Rob Williams

Director: Rob Williams

Writer: Rob Williams (writer)

Release Date: 8 August 2008 (USA)

Genre: Drama

Tagline: Start packing

Plot: In the tradition of Boys in the Band and with a nod to Love, Valour, and Compassion, director Rob Williams s latest film is a humorous but sensitive and certainly unforgettable romp around a gay man's unforgettable weekend.

Long-term couple Simon and Jason, along with daddy-ish Cooper and his boy du jour, meet annually for a three-day weekend away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing tradition, they add a special twist to this year s retreat -- each of them must invite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway. Arriving are a frisky former college roommate, a constantly naked yoga instructor, Jason s uptight co-worker and a high-priced rent boy who do indeed stir up the weekend. But this combination of new and old friends creates more tension than anyone anticipated. After 72 hours and multiple sexual couplings, new relationships form while others are cast onto shaky ground.

With the popular Long-Term Relationship and Back Soon under his directorial belt, Rob Williams continues to show that he can deliver honest dialogue, appealing actors and enough drama to faithfully please his devoted fan base while still encouraging a new group of supporters to enjoy the show!

@IMDb
@Amazon: 3-Day Weekend
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Chris Carlisle ... Mac
Joel Harrison ... Cameron
Gaetano Jones ... Kevin
Derek Long ... Cooper
Derek Meeker ... Simon
Douglas Myers ... Jason
Daniel Rhyder ... Andre
Stephen Twardokus ... Ace

My favorite couple:

Uptight co-worker Mac and constantly naked yoga instructor Kevin

( other couples )