Where's Santa by Clare London

Mmm, I'm starting to suspect that Clare London has a kink for the closets... or maybe it's a metaphor? Anyway this is the third short story I read by her in which she amuses the reader hiding two handsome and very horny males in a dark room, with the obviously consequences, while the rest of the world continues its course outside.

In this case, to respect the Christmas time, it's a storeroom of a department store, and the two guys are the fake Santa Claus and a salesman. Danny, the salesman, is a shy guy with a very poor social life, and so when he sees the new Santa Claus, Chris, he knows what he would be glad to ask him for Christmas. Chris instead is a drama student who wants to gain some money during Christmas season, but he is not really the kiddy type, and so he hides in the storeroom at the first chance he has. And when Danny enters the storeroom to search for supply, Chris "kidnaps" him! It seems that Danny will unwrap his Christmas present before the time...

Both Danny than Chris are nice and very young characters, barely twenty, and even if Danny tries to be the diligent one, Chris is a too much of temptation for him; and so their age is enough of a reason for the reader to excuse them when they play hooky and decide to have a private party.

The story is really short, 35 pages, and it's only a scene, but it's pure fun. I don't know, probably outside that storeroom, Danny and Chris will be a mismatch, Chris seems to be not really the steady boyfriend type, but maybe instead, the situation, a dark room and a feeling of freedom, allow both of them to behave as normally they don't and to reach forward for what they really want for Christmas and forever.

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

Reading List:

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

Where's Santa by Clare London

Mmm, I'm starting to suspect that Clare London has a kink for the closets... or maybe it's a metaphor? Anyway this is the third short story I read by her in which she amuses the reader hiding two handsome and very horny males in a dark room, with the obviously consequences, while the rest of the world continues its course outside.

In this case, to respect the Christmas time, it's a storeroom of a department store, and the two guys are the fake Santa Claus and a salesman. Danny, the salesman, is a shy guy with a very poor social life, and so when he sees the new Santa Claus, Chris, he knows what he would be glad to ask him for Christmas. Chris instead is a drama student who wants to gain some money during Christmas season, but he is not really the kiddy type, and so he hides in the storeroom at the first chance he has. And when Danny enters the storeroom to search for supply, Chris "kidnaps" him! It seems that Danny will unwrap his Christmas present before the time...

Both Danny than Chris are nice and very young characters, barely twenty, and even if Danny tries to be the diligent one, Chris is a too much of temptation for him; and so their age is enough of a reason for the reader to excuse them when they play hooky and decide to have a private party.

The story is really short, 35 pages, and it's only a scene, but it's pure fun. I don't know, probably outside that storeroom, Danny and Chris will be a mismatch, Chris seems to be not really the steady boyfriend type, but maybe instead, the situation, a dark room and a feeling of freedom, allow both of them to behave as normally they don't and to reach forward for what they really want for Christmas and forever.

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

Reading List:

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

Behind the Cover: C. Michael Dudash

Michael’s career as a successful artist began in 1977, when he became a full time illustrator and oil painter. He has done so many assignments, commissions and gallery paintings that he has lost count. “Somewhere in the neighborhood of sixteen hundred paintings I would guess” he says.



( more pics )

Although trained in the fine arts, his decision to begin a career in classic illustration won him a prestigious and national reputation, with his numerous awards and hundreds of Clients being far too many to list. His transition back into fine art was the natural course for Michael, as his influences as an oil painter have always been the classical painters such as Sargent, Zorn, Fechin, the Impressionists, as well as the golden age illustrators like N. C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell, Haddon Sundbloom and Rockwell.

“I have always been interested in well executed and beautifully designed oil painting, no matter what the venue, style or label.” Michael says. “Most artists, myself included, can count dozens of incredible representational painters who have come before us as positive influences and teachers. Although often the most important, subject matter is only a part of the painting. The challenge for a painter is to take his subject of interest and create works of art that are moving, beautiful, timeless and universal in their appeal. As for me, I have to daily rely on the good Lord and His inspiration to help me accomplish this formidable task.”

Over his career Michael has written and published articles for American Artist, The Artists Magazine and Step-by-Step Graphics; his work was showcased in Art of the West magazine in Mar/April 2008. He has featured his work as a guest lecturer and instructor at the Booth Western Art Museum, Brigham Young University, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Columbus College of Art & Design, Mass Art, the Graphic Artists Guild in VT, the Kansas City Art Director’s Club, the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and Dallas, TX, the Savannah College of Art & Design, and taught an illustration class for the Vermont Community College.

Michael has had numerous one man shows and participated in a large number of group shows. He has won awards of excellence in the 2004 & 2005 National Oil Painters of America shows, including best portrait. His recent painting of Wild Bill Hickok was purchased by the Pearce Western Art Museum for its collection. He has conducted workshops at his studio and in several locations including Los Angeles , Dallas & San Antonio, TX, Columbus , OH , and Tokyo , Japan . His ever growing number of corporate and individual collectors appreciate the draftsmanship, use of light and colorful atmosphere that Michael is able to bring to his work.

Although he has increasingly been turning his attention to painting the characters and history of the old west, Michael still loves to paint the variety of subjects that he finds around him, and is equally adept at masterfully handling landscapes, figures, portraits and still lifes.

As with most artists, Michael is incredibly passionate about his life’s work, but he does allow himself considerable time to pursue his equality passionate commitment to Christian ministry. He lives with his wife Valerie, and currently works out of his home and studio in northwestern PA.

http://www.cmdudash.com/

Behind the Cover: C. Michael Dudash

Michael’s career as a successful artist began in 1977, when he became a full time illustrator and oil painter. He has done so many assignments, commissions and gallery paintings that he has lost count. “Somewhere in the neighborhood of sixteen hundred paintings I would guess” he says.



( more pics )

Although trained in the fine arts, his decision to begin a career in classic illustration won him a prestigious and national reputation, with his numerous awards and hundreds of Clients being far too many to list. His transition back into fine art was the natural course for Michael, as his influences as an oil painter have always been the classical painters such as Sargent, Zorn, Fechin, the Impressionists, as well as the golden age illustrators like N. C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell, Haddon Sundbloom and Rockwell.

“I have always been interested in well executed and beautifully designed oil painting, no matter what the venue, style or label.” Michael says. “Most artists, myself included, can count dozens of incredible representational painters who have come before us as positive influences and teachers. Although often the most important, subject matter is only a part of the painting. The challenge for a painter is to take his subject of interest and create works of art that are moving, beautiful, timeless and universal in their appeal. As for me, I have to daily rely on the good Lord and His inspiration to help me accomplish this formidable task.”

Over his career Michael has written and published articles for American Artist, The Artists Magazine and Step-by-Step Graphics; his work was showcased in Art of the West magazine in Mar/April 2008. He has featured his work as a guest lecturer and instructor at the Booth Western Art Museum, Brigham Young University, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Columbus College of Art & Design, Mass Art, the Graphic Artists Guild in VT, the Kansas City Art Director’s Club, the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and Dallas, TX, the Savannah College of Art & Design, and taught an illustration class for the Vermont Community College.

Michael has had numerous one man shows and participated in a large number of group shows. He has won awards of excellence in the 2004 & 2005 National Oil Painters of America shows, including best portrait. His recent painting of Wild Bill Hickok was purchased by the Pearce Western Art Museum for its collection. He has conducted workshops at his studio and in several locations including Los Angeles , Dallas & San Antonio, TX, Columbus , OH , and Tokyo , Japan . His ever growing number of corporate and individual collectors appreciate the draftsmanship, use of light and colorful atmosphere that Michael is able to bring to his work.

Although he has increasingly been turning his attention to painting the characters and history of the old west, Michael still loves to paint the variety of subjects that he finds around him, and is equally adept at masterfully handling landscapes, figures, portraits and still lifes.

As with most artists, Michael is incredibly passionate about his life’s work, but he does allow himself considerable time to pursue his equality passionate commitment to Christian ministry. He lives with his wife Valerie, and currently works out of his home and studio in northwestern PA.

http://www.cmdudash.com/

Naughty: Last Minute Shopping by Misa Izanaki

Aoi and Aya are buying the last Christmas gifts and they need to find something special for Itsuki, their foxy lover. Aoi brings Aya in a sexy shop and among all the toys he is amused to see that Aya is still really shy, almost if having an elves and a shapeshifter fox as lovers is not enough to "outing" him.

But Aya is barely twenty, and Aoi and Itsuki were his first lovers and even if he is now in a threesome, he still considers sex a private matter. Browsing to find a special present for Itsuki is not the time to debauch the young man, and then, all in all, Aoi likes him like that, all blushing and cuddling.

This is really only a sip, sixteen pages of enjoyable and funny sex. There is no need to feature the characters, since this is the last of a series of short stories with the same characters, and so this can be consider a Christmas gift for the readers of the series. A series that, despite the threesome matter, that usually I don't like, instead is among my favorite, maybe since Aoi, Itsuki and Aya have found a balance in their relationship that it doesn't make one of the three an "intruder" in the main relationship.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=107&products_id=1669

Series: Between a Fox and a Hard Place
0) Naughty: Sex and Presents
1) Threesome: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/287881.html
2) Geas: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/288448.html 
3) Home: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/333612.html
3.1) Tail-tell Signs of Trouble: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/334233.html
3.2) Naughty: Last Minute Shopping

Reading List:

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

Naughty: Last Minute Shopping by Misa Izanaki

Aoi and Aya are buying the last Christmas gifts and they need to find something special for Itsuki, their foxy lover. Aoi brings Aya in a sexy shop and among all the toys he is amused to see that Aya is still really shy, almost if having an elves and a shapeshifter fox as lovers is not enough to "outing" him.

But Aya is barely twenty, and Aoi and Itsuki were his first lovers and even if he is now in a threesome, he still considers sex a private matter. Browsing to find a special present for Itsuki is not the time to debauch the young man, and then, all in all, Aoi likes him like that, all blushing and cuddling.

This is really only a sip, sixteen pages of enjoyable and funny sex. There is no need to feature the characters, since this is the last of a series of short stories with the same characters, and so this can be consider a Christmas gift for the readers of the series. A series that, despite the threesome matter, that usually I don't like, instead is among my favorite, maybe since Aoi, Itsuki and Aya have found a balance in their relationship that it doesn't make one of the three an "intruder" in the main relationship.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=107&products_id=1669

Series: Between a Fox and a Hard Place
0) Naughty: Sex and Presents
1) Threesome: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/287881.html
2) Geas: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/288448.html 
3) Home: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/333612.html
3.1) Tail-tell Signs of Trouble: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/334233.html
3.2) Naughty: Last Minute Shopping

Reading List:

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

Men by Patricia Oshier Bruening, Jon Michaelsen & Carol McKenzie

Graphic Intentions by Patricia Oshier Bruening

Scott and Derek are both damaged goods. Scott is an ex con, went in prison at 19 years old for killing his little brother while drunk driving. He has now a quite good life, making money as graphic novelist; the pain in his knee is only a reminder to not let him think that he is allowed to have a normal life. And so, even if a lot of people in his neighbor likes him, Scott is alone and convinced that it's right like that.

Derek is a former army officer who made a big mistake during a mission, and it caused the death of his men. He was not judged guilty, but his coscience makes the work for him as like the scars on his face. Derek is never allowed to forget and his loneliness is another of his punishment.

When these two meet, probably they realize that the conviction is ended and that maybe they are granted another chance to happiness. The story surprised me, I didn't expect it to be so interesting, since, I'm honest, I didn't know the author and I'm usually not expecting to much in a short story (less than 20.000 words (75 pages)). But the characters are really interesting, the plot quite unusual, since nor Scott or Derek are mistreated heros who need to be rehabilitated, they are guilty of their mistake, but they payed, and continue to pay, for their errors. And even when they meet each other, it's not all wine and roses, they are still two different and complicated characters that need to find a way to walk together.

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=303

Voyeur by Jon Michaelsen

Voyeur is not a romance but a tale of obsession. Kevin is a normal gay guy, with a nice apartment and a good job. He is doing pretty good, till the night he spots the man who lives across the street. From his apartment, Kevin could see every moves of the man and he becomes obsessed; he remains all his spare time in front of the window, even buys special equipments to see better. After sometime he even begins to neglect work and friends; finally he manages to meet the man and his dream seems to come true... but it's a dream or a nightmare?

Less than 60 pages it has a very stunning ending; really I didn't expect it and maybe I'm also a bit perplexed... I'm happy of it? is it what I was expecting or is it better?

This is the first book I read by Jon Michaelsen and in only 60 pages I can't really have a strong opinion on his writing, but for sure this short story is pretty original, and if you like a bit of twist in your usual romance, try it. 

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=301

Pure Artistry by Carol McKenzie

Cameron is just out of a relationship with a woman, ended in a friendly way but that has left him with a void in his heart.

Eli, a gardener, broke with his last partner that left with their tools, and so now he is without work and lover.

They meet in an adult learning class art and Cameron notices Eli in a physical way from the first moment. But he is not ready to admit his first interest toward another male and drags Eli in a buddy friends relationship. Eli agrees to it to be near a man he is interested in, but at the same time he tries to understand if they can have something more.

The day-to-day routine they started is broken by a sudden event life and both Cameron and Eli have to face a crossroads: Cameron needs to recognize his true nature and Eli to move on his past relationship.

The story is nice, I like both Cameron and Eli. Eli at first seems stronger than Cameron, but then we have the chance to see that he is a man in need of a stronger figure beside him, maybe he is too sentimentalist, and, yes, also not so independent as he shows. Cameron, older and with a good work and a steady life, is the right man to give him all the reassurance he needs.

The story is not very long, less than 60 pages, and it's easy to read, but I feel like it was closed too soon: I would like to read a bit more of background for both Cameron than Eli, and also a bit more of their life together.

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=362 

All the story in ebook format:

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=419

Amazon: MEN: From His and His Kisses

Reading List:

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

Men by Patricia Oshier Bruening, Jon Michaelsen & Carol McKenzie

Graphic Intentions by Patricia Oshier Bruening

Scott and Derek are both damaged goods. Scott is an ex con, went in prison at 19 years old for killing his little brother while drunk driving. He has now a quite good life, making money as graphic novelist; the pain in his knee is only a reminder to not let him think that he is allowed to have a normal life. And so, even if a lot of people in his neighbor likes him, Scott is alone and convinced that it's right like that.

Derek is a former army officer who made a big mistake during a mission, and it caused the death of his men. He was not judged guilty, but his coscience makes the work for him as like the scars on his face. Derek is never allowed to forget and his loneliness is another of his punishment.

When these two meet, probably they realize that the conviction is ended and that maybe they are granted another chance to happiness. The story surprised me, I didn't expect it to be so interesting, since, I'm honest, I didn't know the author and I'm usually not expecting to much in a short story (less than 20.000 words (75 pages)). But the characters are really interesting, the plot quite unusual, since nor Scott or Derek are mistreated heros who need to be rehabilitated, they are guilty of their mistake, but they payed, and continue to pay, for their errors. And even when they meet each other, it's not all wine and roses, they are still two different and complicated characters that need to find a way to walk together.

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=303

Voyeur by Jon Michaelsen

Voyeur is not a romance but a tale of obsession. Kevin is a normal gay guy, with a nice apartment and a good job. He is doing pretty good, till the night he spots the man who lives across the street. From his apartment, Kevin could see every moves of the man and he becomes obsessed; he remains all his spare time in front of the window, even buys special equipments to see better. After sometime he even begins to neglect work and friends; finally he manages to meet the man and his dream seems to come true... but it's a dream or a nightmare?

Less than 60 pages it has a very stunning ending; really I didn't expect it and maybe I'm also a bit perplexed... I'm happy of it? is it what I was expecting or is it better?

This is the first book I read by Jon Michaelsen and in only 60 pages I can't really have a strong opinion on his writing, but for sure this short story is pretty original, and if you like a bit of twist in your usual romance, try it. 

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=301

Pure Artistry by Carol McKenzie

Cameron is just out of a relationship with a woman, ended in a friendly way but that has left him with a void in his heart.

Eli, a gardener, broke with his last partner that left with their tools, and so now he is without work and lover.

They meet in an adult learning class art and Cameron notices Eli in a physical way from the first moment. But he is not ready to admit his first interest toward another male and drags Eli in a buddy friends relationship. Eli agrees to it to be near a man he is interested in, but at the same time he tries to understand if they can have something more.

The day-to-day routine they started is broken by a sudden event life and both Cameron and Eli have to face a crossroads: Cameron needs to recognize his true nature and Eli to move on his past relationship.

The story is nice, I like both Cameron and Eli. Eli at first seems stronger than Cameron, but then we have the chance to see that he is a man in need of a stronger figure beside him, maybe he is too sentimentalist, and, yes, also not so independent as he shows. Cameron, older and with a good work and a steady life, is the right man to give him all the reassurance he needs.

The story is not very long, less than 60 pages, and it's easy to read, but I feel like it was closed too soon: I would like to read a bit more of background for both Cameron than Eli, and also a bit more of their life together.

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=362 

All the story in ebook format:

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_3&products_id=419

Amazon: MEN: From His and His Kisses

Reading List:

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