In Memory of Mary Burchell

Mary Burchell is the pseudonym of Ida Cook (1904-December 22, 1986). She may have also written under the name James Keene. As an author for the Harlequin Romance imprint, she published 73 romance novels. She wrote seven romance novels for the Harlequin Presents imprint.

Ida Cook was born at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland. Together with her sister (Mary) Louise Cook (1901-1991), she rescued Jews from the Nazis during the 1930s. They had a great courage before the war in seeking out Jewish people in danger in Germany and managing to get them out of the country. They also smuggled out refugees' jewelry often at risk to themselves. On one occasion, a diamond brooch of great size was brought out by Ida wearing it quite openly on an inexpensive Marks & Spencer Jumper, thereby creating the impression that it was of no value, although its subsequent sale maintained its rightful owner for a difficult period before re­establishment in a new life. In 1965 the sisters were honoured for their rescue work and named among the 'Righteous Gentiles' in Jerusalem, thus joining Oskar Schindler among others. They had no idea they were being heroines, and disclaimed being the James Bond type.

Ida helped to found and was for many years president of the Romantic Novelist's Association.

Most of her books had an operatic or musical background and were written with great authority and style, she was definitely a cut above the average Mills & Boon writer and was prolific and popular. It only emerged years later that she turned to writing these stories to make money as she and her sister, who lived together, used all their wealth during War World II to smuggle refugees out of Europe and under the nose of the German authorities. They continued their charitable work after the war was over, hence writing these successful romances.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19388121/

In Memory of Mary Burchell

Mary Burchell is the pseudonym of Ida Cook (1904-December 22, 1986). She may have also written under the name James Keene. As an author for the Harlequin Romance imprint, she published 73 romance novels. She wrote seven romance novels for the Harlequin Presents imprint.

Ida Cook was born at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland. Together with her sister (Mary) Louise Cook (1901-1991), she rescued Jews from the Nazis during the 1930s. They had a great courage before the war in seeking out Jewish people in danger in Germany and managing to get them out of the country. They also smuggled out refugees' jewelry often at risk to themselves. On one occasion, a diamond brooch of great size was brought out by Ida wearing it quite openly on an inexpensive Marks & Spencer Jumper, thereby creating the impression that it was of no value, although its subsequent sale maintained its rightful owner for a difficult period before re­establishment in a new life. In 1965 the sisters were honoured for their rescue work and named among the 'Righteous Gentiles' in Jerusalem, thus joining Oskar Schindler among others. They had no idea they were being heroines, and disclaimed being the James Bond type.

Ida helped to found and was for many years president of the Romantic Novelist's Association.

Most of her books had an operatic or musical background and were written with great authority and style, she was definitely a cut above the average Mills & Boon writer and was prolific and popular. It only emerged years later that she turned to writing these stories to make money as she and her sister, who lived together, used all their wealth during War World II to smuggle refugees out of Europe and under the nose of the German authorities. They continued their charitable work after the war was over, hence writing these successful romances.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/19388121/

Christmas Angel by Maria Albert

Even if the story is short, 47 pages, it took me so much that I would really like for it to be longer.

This story is full of Angel. Pretty like an Angel is Dillon, an eighteen years old guy who was thrown out of his home when his father found out him being gay. Dillon is too young and unskilled to find a good job, and so all his dreams of college and bright future were abruptly ended and Dillon has even problem to make both ends meet. He has a seasonal job in a big department store and a second hand car to reach it he called Angel, since it's a miracle that the car starts every day.

At the store works also Gabriel, Gabe, called Angel by his fellow police officers. Gabe is a undercover detective that is investigating a string of thefts; when he meets Dillon, Gabe is sure that the young man can't be involved, he has plastered "innocent" all over the face. But Gabe is interested in Dillon for other reason than the thefts; Dillon arises in him all his protective feelings, he wants to pamper and cuddle the man, all the while debauching him, but without making him loose his Angel face.

I like the story, it's a classical little romp, with a strong alpha male, and you can almost see him puff out his chest to impress the little omega; Dillon is all tenderness and tears, but he is soo sweet that you cannot like him. I like also the mix of Christmas story and naughty speech, even if, all in all, there is almost nothing of naughty in the story, some kisses and a fast encounter in a public restroom...

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

Reading List:

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

Christmas Angel by Maria Albert

Even if the story is short, 47 pages, it took me so much that I would really like for it to be longer.

This story is full of Angel. Pretty like an Angel is Dillon, an eighteen years old guy who was thrown out of his home when his father found out him being gay. Dillon is too young and unskilled to find a good job, and so all his dreams of college and bright future were abruptly ended and Dillon has even problem to make both ends meet. He has a seasonal job in a big department store and a second hand car to reach it he called Angel, since it's a miracle that the car starts every day.

At the store works also Gabriel, Gabe, called Angel by his fellow police officers. Gabe is a undercover detective that is investigating a string of thefts; when he meets Dillon, Gabe is sure that the young man can't be involved, he has plastered "innocent" all over the face. But Gabe is interested in Dillon for other reason than the thefts; Dillon arises in him all his protective feelings, he wants to pamper and cuddle the man, all the while debauching him, but without making him loose his Angel face.

I like the story, it's a classical little romp, with a strong alpha male, and you can almost see him puff out his chest to impress the little omega; Dillon is all tenderness and tears, but he is soo sweet that you cannot like him. I like also the mix of Christmas story and naughty speech, even if, all in all, there is almost nothing of naughty in the story, some kisses and a fast encounter in a public restroom...

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

Reading List:

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

Another Gay Movie (2006) directed by Todd Stephens

Director: Todd Stephens

Writers: Tim Kaltenecker (story)
Todd Stephens (screenplay)
Todd Stephens (story)

Release Date: 28 April 2006 (USA - Tribeca Film Festival)

Genre: Comedy

Plot: In the dirtiest, funniest, most scandalous gay-teen-sex-comedy-parody ever, four gay friends make a pact to lose their virginity by the end of the summer. But that’s easier said than done, as the boys face giant sex toys, naked celebrities, masochistic teachers and an uncontrollable romance with a quiche. With a dozen jokes a minute and who’s who of gay celebrities. Another Gay Movie is a candy-colored romp where getting laid is all that matters!

"Hands down and fingers snapped, one of the best gay-oriented films to come around in ages!" --Film Threat

"The raunchiest gay teen movie ever!" --Los Angeles Times

"Another Gay Movie is the new Pink Flamingos!" --Philadelphia Gay News

Awards: Nomination for 2007 Golden Trailer Awards as Trashiest

2006 Grand Jury Award at L.A. Outfest as Best Actor in a Feature Film (Michael Carbonaro) and Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film (Michael Carbonaro)

@IMDb
@Amazon: Another Gay Movie
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Michael Carbonaro ... Andy Wilson
Jonah Blechman ... Nico
Jonathan Chase ... Jarod
Mitch Morris ... Griff
James Getzlaff ... Beau
Darryl Stephens ... Angel
Ashlie Atkinson ... Muffler
Scott Thompson ... Mr. Wilson
Graham Norton ... Mr. Puckov
Stephanie McVay ... Bonnie Hunter
( rest of the cast )

The objects of desire

Angel & Beau

( more pics )

Another Gay Movie (2006) directed by Todd Stephens

Director: Todd Stephens

Writers: Tim Kaltenecker (story)
Todd Stephens (screenplay)
Todd Stephens (story)

Release Date: 28 April 2006 (USA - Tribeca Film Festival)

Genre: Comedy

Plot: In the dirtiest, funniest, most scandalous gay-teen-sex-comedy-parody ever, four gay friends make a pact to lose their virginity by the end of the summer. But that’s easier said than done, as the boys face giant sex toys, naked celebrities, masochistic teachers and an uncontrollable romance with a quiche. With a dozen jokes a minute and who’s who of gay celebrities. Another Gay Movie is a candy-colored romp where getting laid is all that matters!

"Hands down and fingers snapped, one of the best gay-oriented films to come around in ages!" --Film Threat

"The raunchiest gay teen movie ever!" --Los Angeles Times

"Another Gay Movie is the new Pink Flamingos!" --Philadelphia Gay News

Awards: Nomination for 2007 Golden Trailer Awards as Trashiest

2006 Grand Jury Award at L.A. Outfest as Best Actor in a Feature Film (Michael Carbonaro) and Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film (Michael Carbonaro)

@IMDb
@Amazon: Another Gay Movie
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Michael Carbonaro ... Andy Wilson
Jonah Blechman ... Nico
Jonathan Chase ... Jarod
Mitch Morris ... Griff
James Getzlaff ... Beau
Darryl Stephens ... Angel
Ashlie Atkinson ... Muffler
Scott Thompson ... Mr. Wilson
Graham Norton ... Mr. Puckov
Stephanie McVay ... Bonnie Hunter
( rest of the cast )

The objects of desire

Angel & Beau

( more pics )

Another Gay Sequel (2008) directed by Todd Stephens

Director: Todd Stephens

Writers: Eric Eisenbrey (story)
Todd Stephens (screenplay)
Todd Stephens (story)

Release Date: 28 June 2008 (USA - San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival)

Genre: Comedy

Plot: The boys are back and they re as horny as ever! Packed with celebrity cameos and total gross-out humor, this outrageous follow-up to Another Gay Movie centers around the Spring Break adventures of Andy, Nico, Jarod and Griff when they enter the Fort Lauderdale Gays Gone Wild contest (a contest to see who gets laid the most). The frisky foursome become entwined in all sorts of sexual misadventures in this scandalously funny un-PC comedy.

SUPER-FABULOUS! Filthy-dirty-funny. --Instinct Magazine

The gay Teenage sex comedy of your dreams! --Time Out New York

Utterly Shameless! Goofy, good fun as the original. --Bay Area Reporter

@IMDb
@Amazon: Another Gay Sequel- Uncut Theatrical Version
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video 

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Jonah Blechman ... Nico
Jake Mosser ... Andy Wilson
Aaron Michael Davies ... Griff
Jimmy Clabots ... Jarod
Euriamis Losada ... Luis
Brent Corrigan ... Stan the Merman
Mario Lavandeira ... Perez Hilton (as Perez Hilton)
RuPaul ... Tyrell Tyrelle
Scott Thompson ... Andy's Dad
The Lady Bunny ... Sandi Cove (also as Lady Bunny)
( rest of the cast )

The objects of desire

Stan the Merman & Luis

( more pics )

Another Gay Sequel (2008) directed by Todd Stephens

Director: Todd Stephens

Writers: Eric Eisenbrey (story)
Todd Stephens (screenplay)
Todd Stephens (story)

Release Date: 28 June 2008 (USA - San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival)

Genre: Comedy

Plot: The boys are back and they re as horny as ever! Packed with celebrity cameos and total gross-out humor, this outrageous follow-up to Another Gay Movie centers around the Spring Break adventures of Andy, Nico, Jarod and Griff when they enter the Fort Lauderdale Gays Gone Wild contest (a contest to see who gets laid the most). The frisky foursome become entwined in all sorts of sexual misadventures in this scandalously funny un-PC comedy.

SUPER-FABULOUS! Filthy-dirty-funny. --Instinct Magazine

The gay Teenage sex comedy of your dreams! --Time Out New York

Utterly Shameless! Goofy, good fun as the original. --Bay Area Reporter

@IMDb
@Amazon: Another Gay Sequel- Uncut Theatrical Version
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video 

 

( more pics )

Cast (in credits order)
Jonah Blechman ... Nico
Jake Mosser ... Andy Wilson
Aaron Michael Davies ... Griff
Jimmy Clabots ... Jarod
Euriamis Losada ... Luis
Brent Corrigan ... Stan the Merman
Mario Lavandeira ... Perez Hilton (as Perez Hilton)
RuPaul ... Tyrell Tyrelle
Scott Thompson ... Andy's Dad
The Lady Bunny ... Sandi Cove (also as Lady Bunny)
( rest of the cast )

The objects of desire

Stan the Merman & Luis

( more pics )

Hearts from the Ashes by Ally Blue, J.L. Langley & Willa Okati

Eros Rising by Ally Blue

You know? I have a tender point for this title, cause my father's name was Eros, and I like it very much.

BTW Eros is the art's name of Keegan, a stripper in a private club, Ganymede's Grotto. He is a beautiful man, although not so young (29 years old). He has gorgeous long blond hair and a lithe body. This are the first things Scott sees in him. But he has also a past who haunted him.

Scott is in a dead end relationship with Logan: Logan needs a dom partner, but Scott doesn't like this type of love. He wants a real and simple lovemaking, without "scenes".

With Keegan at first is only friendship: Scott has a partner, and he is not the type to cheat. But... what will happen if is Logan who is cheating around?

A story in Hearts from the Ashes anthology, Eros Rising is the tale of a man who wants love and of another who has to learn how to love again. Even if in a rather short story (100 pages), Ally Blue is the queen of angst: she can draw characters who arrive to us with a luggage of bad experiences and that we see growing stronger during the course of the story.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/eros-rising

Amazon Kindle: Eros Rising

With Love by J.L. Langley

I absolutely love the "funny" werewolves of J.L. Langley. After Without Reservation, now is the turn of With Love: Dev is a strong werewolf who arrives to Asheville for business. Like every good werewolf he wants to meet the local Alpha to give his respect to the leader. But the local alpha is a really piece of shit: when he meets him the alpha is trying to rape Lainey, an omega werewolf. So Dev saves Lainey only to find that he is his mate.

Lainey is a little tiny beautiful man with red hair and amber eyes and with a propension for making trouble. But he is also an eager puppy in bed and Dev likes him very much, so does it matter if he will spend his life saving from troubles his mate?

Here, like in the other books of J.L. Langley, the humor is a main aspect of the novel. She has a way to make you happy and to leave you with a smile in your face and also eager to read more. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this wonderful series.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/with-love

Amazon Kindle: With Love

Series: With or Without
1) Without Reservation
2) With Love

Cafe Noctem by Willa Okati

Apparently Nicholas and Grey are a perfect couple: they manage the Cafe Noctem in Asheville, Nicholas the night shift and Grey the day ones, but when they are both in the apartment above the cafe, it's a comfortable and warm life. Nicholas helped Grey when he was mourning the lost of his lover, Jimmy, a man who was also Nicholas' friend. In a way it was almost natural for Nicholas to take Jimmy's place in Grey's heart. But Nicholas has always wondered if Grey really loves him or, if he could have Jimmy back, he would prefer it.

All of them, Nicholas, Grey and Jimmy have Cherokee origins, but despite Nicholas being the one with most mixed blood, it's him that knows how to evoke all the old legends. And so he summons Sint Holo, the Snake god, the one who can resuscitate the dead...

It's a bittersweet tale this one by Willa Okati, as often is in her style. The reader feels for Nicholas, but honestly you can't hate Jimmy. And Grey is in the middle: if he is faithful to his lost lover, he will make suffer Nicholas, if he decides to start again with Nicholas, Jimmy in a way will be forever lost... it's a not simple situation, and in every way the author chose to end this story, I believe that a romantic like me will never be happy.

Anyway, you can feel the love of Willa Okati for the simple life and the old traditions, it's in all this book.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/cafe-noctem

Amazon Kindle: Cafe Noctem

Amazon: Hearts from the Ashes

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by Anne Cain


Cover Art by Anne Cain


Cover Art by Anne Cain

Hearts from the Ashes by Ally Blue, J.L. Langley & Willa Okati

Eros Rising by Ally Blue

You know? I have a tender point for this title, cause my father's name was Eros, and I like it very much.

BTW Eros is the art's name of Keegan, a stripper in a private club, Ganymede's Grotto. He is a beautiful man, although not so young (29 years old). He has gorgeous long blond hair and a lithe body. This are the first things Scott sees in him. But he has also a past who haunted him.

Scott is in a dead end relationship with Logan: Logan needs a dom partner, but Scott doesn't like this type of love. He wants a real and simple lovemaking, without "scenes".

With Keegan at first is only friendship: Scott has a partner, and he is not the type to cheat. But... what will happen if is Logan who is cheating around?

A story in Hearts from the Ashes anthology, Eros Rising is the tale of a man who wants love and of another who has to learn how to love again. Even if in a rather short story (100 pages), Ally Blue is the queen of angst: she can draw characters who arrive to us with a luggage of bad experiences and that we see growing stronger during the course of the story.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/eros-rising

Amazon Kindle: Eros Rising

With Love by J.L. Langley

I absolutely love the "funny" werewolves of J.L. Langley. After Without Reservation, now is the turn of With Love: Dev is a strong werewolf who arrives to Asheville for business. Like every good werewolf he wants to meet the local Alpha to give his respect to the leader. But the local alpha is a really piece of shit: when he meets him the alpha is trying to rape Lainey, an omega werewolf. So Dev saves Lainey only to find that he is his mate.

Lainey is a little tiny beautiful man with red hair and amber eyes and with a propension for making trouble. But he is also an eager puppy in bed and Dev likes him very much, so does it matter if he will spend his life saving from troubles his mate?

Here, like in the other books of J.L. Langley, the humor is a main aspect of the novel. She has a way to make you happy and to leave you with a smile in your face and also eager to read more. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this wonderful series.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/with-love

Amazon Kindle: With Love

Series: With or Without
1) Without Reservation
2) With Love

Cafe Noctem by Willa Okati

Apparently Nicholas and Grey are a perfect couple: they manage the Cafe Noctem in Asheville, Nicholas the night shift and Grey the day ones, but when they are both in the apartment above the cafe, it's a comfortable and warm life. Nicholas helped Grey when he was mourning the lost of his lover, Jimmy, a man who was also Nicholas' friend. In a way it was almost natural for Nicholas to take Jimmy's place in Grey's heart. But Nicholas has always wondered if Grey really loves him or, if he could have Jimmy back, he would prefer it.

All of them, Nicholas, Grey and Jimmy have Cherokee origins, but despite Nicholas being the one with most mixed blood, it's him that knows how to evoke all the old legends. And so he summons Sint Holo, the Snake god, the one who can resuscitate the dead...

It's a bittersweet tale this one by Willa Okati, as often is in her style. The reader feels for Nicholas, but honestly you can't hate Jimmy. And Grey is in the middle: if he is faithful to his lost lover, he will make suffer Nicholas, if he decides to start again with Nicholas, Jimmy in a way will be forever lost... it's a not simple situation, and in every way the author chose to end this story, I believe that a romantic like me will never be happy.

Anyway, you can feel the love of Willa Okati for the simple life and the old traditions, it's in all this book.

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/cafe-noctem

Amazon Kindle: Cafe Noctem

Amazon: Hearts from the Ashes

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by Anne Cain


Cover Art by Anne Cain


Cover Art by Anne Cain

A sweet romance video

A nice video I gacked from angelabenedetti .

When I see something like that, I always wonder if the joy they express in the video they have also in their life, if they are a real couple... I didn't recognize the two in it, and all in all it's not porn, they are two guys kissing and smiling and playing, very nice.

A sweet romance video

A nice video I gacked from angelabenedetti .

When I see something like that, I always wonder if the joy they express in the video they have also in their life, if they are a real couple... I didn't recognize the two in it, and all in all it's not porn, they are two guys kissing and smiling and playing, very nice.