2008-12-27

reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 12:21 am

The Fifth House by L.E. Bryce

This is the first book on a spin off series of The Water Lovers of Sirilon; Dyas, a taleve (a man chosen as lover by the Lady of the Sea), is not new to who read the previous series: he was a very young boy, fourteen years old, when the Lady chosen him, and so an oddity among the other taleve, that, even if young, usually are eighteen years old or more. In the previous series Dyas is almost a mascotte of all the taleve, the puppy they always petted (Dyas' spirit is a wolf) but no one really wants as a lover. Now many years passed, and Dyas is 30 years old (and given that the Water Lovers died at forty he is almost an "old man"): he is sent to the far islands to help setting another Blue House, the fifth house, to welcome the taleve from that part of the sea. When he arrives to the island, he discovers that all the old and strictly traditions that kept the taleve almost as captive in the Blue House of Sirilon, are not at all followed in that place. There are three taleve on the island and they live among the people, working and living like poor peasant; Dyas and the two taleve with him don't know how to face this sudden liberty, but it's impossible for them to force the islanders to follow the law. Above all since Dyas starts to have a personal interest in Adarrel, one of the other taleve on the island.

As always in this series, I like a lot all the imaginary the author created around her fantasy world. I like how the taleve are free to indulge in their love since they were blessed by the goddess, and in this way, they have an immunity against the normal law. I like also the feeling of the story, a bit sad, a bit sweet... it has a gentle flow, it's not a fast paced tale, but it's quite and tender. Despite what all the setting and the religious thing could lead to believe, it's also quite erotic, the water lovers are very open in their needs and preferences. Dyas and Adarrel could have trouble in the future, there are a lot of things that are still to be faced (an age difference of 10 years is not normally a big problem, but if you are fated to die at 40...), but for now they are happy and maybe they will help to build another fantasy world where the taleve are no more privileged captives, but more special men among the others.

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=The+Fifth+House/exact_match=exact

Amazon Kindle: The Fifth House

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 12:21 am

The Fifth House by L.E. Bryce

This is the first book on a spin off series of The Water Lovers of Sirilon; Dyas, a taleve (a man chosen as lover by the Lady of the Sea), is not new to who read the previous series: he was a very young boy, fourteen years old, when the Lady chosen him, and so an oddity among the other taleve, that, even if young, usually are eighteen years old or more. In the previous series Dyas is almost a mascotte of all the taleve, the puppy they always petted (Dyas' spirit is a wolf) but no one really wants as a lover. Now many years passed, and Dyas is 30 years old (and given that the Water Lovers died at forty he is almost an "old man"): he is sent to the far islands to help setting another Blue House, the fifth house, to welcome the taleve from that part of the sea. When he arrives to the island, he discovers that all the old and strictly traditions that kept the taleve almost as captive in the Blue House of Sirilon, are not at all followed in that place. There are three taleve on the island and they live among the people, working and living like poor peasant; Dyas and the two taleve with him don't know how to face this sudden liberty, but it's impossible for them to force the islanders to follow the law. Above all since Dyas starts to have a personal interest in Adarrel, one of the other taleve on the island.

As always in this series, I like a lot all the imaginary the author created around her fantasy world. I like how the taleve are free to indulge in their love since they were blessed by the goddess, and in this way, they have an immunity against the normal law. I like also the feeling of the story, a bit sad, a bit sweet... it has a gentle flow, it's not a fast paced tale, but it's quite and tender. Despite what all the setting and the religious thing could lead to believe, it's also quite erotic, the water lovers are very open in their needs and preferences. Dyas and Adarrel could have trouble in the future, there are a lot of things that are still to be faced (an age difference of 10 years is not normally a big problem, but if you are fated to die at 40...), but for now they are happy and maybe they will help to build another fantasy world where the taleve are no more privileged captives, but more special men among the others.

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=The+Fifth+House/exact_match=exact

Amazon Kindle: The Fifth House

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 02:36 am

Gay Commercial: Virgin Atlantic

It's karaoke night at a club, where a man who bears some facial resemblance to Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and has a prominent stomach (showcased throughout the ad) sings the Bee Gees classic, "How Deep is Your Love," to a clean-cut man, who is charmed by the attention. The two of them then frolic through an open field in clichéd, romance-indicating slow motion (one with a sweater tied around his neck, the overweight man with his shirt open). They also enjoy a rowboat ride, and read together underneath a tree (the larger man's belly still front and center). The clean-cut man strokes the other's hair tenderly.

In matching striped shirts, the two bicycle down a boardwalk while holding hands. They dance on the sand, and take affectionate pictures in a photo booth. 



Shown at home, one of the men sits at a potter's wheel (ala Demi Moore in the movie "Ghost"). The other enters the room in only his boxer shorts.

Back at karaoke night, the singing continues. The clean-cut man appears to be enjoying himself, which gives the impression that the entire ad is a fantasy.

The two men are then together again at the potter's wheel in a highly sexual image, as the clean-cut man holds the wheel with both hands as the other rubs his shoulders and kisses his neck. Then, they splash one another in a bubble bath surrounded by candles. Next, they sit together on a bed where the clean-cut man holds a newly opened present -- a jock strap. They also mutually bite a large strawberry while laying in front of a fireplace.

In the last fantasy scene, the two men happily exchange vows in a church. As they move forward toward a kiss, suddenly the Bee Gees song stops and the scene changes to a darkened airplane. The large man has fallen asleep on the other's shoulder, and, shifting in his seat, the other man -- who are actually strangers who happen to be seated next to each other -- appears terribly uncomfortable.

"If you wanted to sleep with him, you would've married him," says a voiceover.

The large man snorts, but remains asleep, as the other tries to move farther away from him.

"Fly Virgin Atlantic upper class," says the narrator, as an animated sequence reveals how the new Virgin seats fold into beds, "and get your own flatbed suite."

The Virgin company has been interested in the gay market for some time. Virgin Atlantic Airways was the first airline to advertise in American gay media in 1994, and the company also brought US its first gay kissing ad, for Virgin Cola. In 1998 it sponsored NY's annual dragfest, Wigstock.

Closet Commercial Association

Company: Virgin Group
Brand: Virgin Atlantic
Ad Title: Sleeper
Business Category: Airlines
Media Outlets: Television
Country: South Africa
Region: Africa
Agency: BBDO Worldwide
Year: 2004
Target: Mainstream
Ad Spotter: Kevin Collins
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 02:36 am

Gay Commercial: Virgin Atlantic

It's karaoke night at a club, where a man who bears some facial resemblance to Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and has a prominent stomach (showcased throughout the ad) sings the Bee Gees classic, "How Deep is Your Love," to a clean-cut man, who is charmed by the attention. The two of them then frolic through an open field in clichéd, romance-indicating slow motion (one with a sweater tied around his neck, the overweight man with his shirt open). They also enjoy a rowboat ride, and read together underneath a tree (the larger man's belly still front and center). The clean-cut man strokes the other's hair tenderly.

In matching striped shirts, the two bicycle down a boardwalk while holding hands. They dance on the sand, and take affectionate pictures in a photo booth. 



Shown at home, one of the men sits at a potter's wheel (ala Demi Moore in the movie "Ghost"). The other enters the room in only his boxer shorts.

Back at karaoke night, the singing continues. The clean-cut man appears to be enjoying himself, which gives the impression that the entire ad is a fantasy.

The two men are then together again at the potter's wheel in a highly sexual image, as the clean-cut man holds the wheel with both hands as the other rubs his shoulders and kisses his neck. Then, they splash one another in a bubble bath surrounded by candles. Next, they sit together on a bed where the clean-cut man holds a newly opened present -- a jock strap. They also mutually bite a large strawberry while laying in front of a fireplace.

In the last fantasy scene, the two men happily exchange vows in a church. As they move forward toward a kiss, suddenly the Bee Gees song stops and the scene changes to a darkened airplane. The large man has fallen asleep on the other's shoulder, and, shifting in his seat, the other man -- who are actually strangers who happen to be seated next to each other -- appears terribly uncomfortable.

"If you wanted to sleep with him, you would've married him," says a voiceover.

The large man snorts, but remains asleep, as the other tries to move farther away from him.

"Fly Virgin Atlantic upper class," says the narrator, as an animated sequence reveals how the new Virgin seats fold into beds, "and get your own flatbed suite."

The Virgin company has been interested in the gay market for some time. Virgin Atlantic Airways was the first airline to advertise in American gay media in 1994, and the company also brought US its first gay kissing ad, for Virgin Cola. In 1998 it sponsored NY's annual dragfest, Wigstock.

Closet Commercial Association

Company: Virgin Group
Brand: Virgin Atlantic
Ad Title: Sleeper
Business Category: Airlines
Media Outlets: Television
Country: South Africa
Region: Africa
Agency: BBDO Worldwide
Year: 2004
Target: Mainstream
Ad Spotter: Kevin Collins
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 10:28 am

New Culture, New Year, New Love by S. Blaise

Trent is a thirty something American guy used to move on often for work. Usually he likes it, but when the moving happen under Christmas time, not giving him any chance to tighten friendship in time for the holiday, he is a little sad. He spent Christmas alone but his boss' doesn't think reason and invites him over for New Year's Eve that in Scotland is called Hogmanay.

For Trent this last moving was a bit of a cultural shock, not only for the weather, so cold and rainy, but also for his lifestyle, he has not had time to find out if Edinburgh has a gay life and, truth be told, he is starting to feel a bit old for one night stands. Then on the party for New Year's Eve he meets handsome and friendly Andrew, with his kilt and big smile, and endless energy. He is also a nice body to cling to when they are outside in the street and it's so cold...

The story, 30 pages long, is nice and sweet, tender with an erotic undertone that is only hint. The leit motive is more funny and joyous than erotic, but this doesn't mean that the story is not sexy... as Trent also I would like if Andrew wears his tartan as a true Scottish man.

Nice sweet romance from a new author and I will look forward to her next romance.

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

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 10:28 am

New Culture, New Year, New Love by S. Blaise

Trent is a thirty something American guy used to move on often for work. Usually he likes it, but when the moving happen under Christmas time, not giving him any chance to tighten friendship in time for the holiday, he is a little sad. He spent Christmas alone but his boss' doesn't think reason and invites him over for New Year's Eve that in Scotland is called Hogmanay.

For Trent this last moving was a bit of a cultural shock, not only for the weather, so cold and rainy, but also for his lifestyle, he has not had time to find out if Edinburgh has a gay life and, truth be told, he is starting to feel a bit old for one night stands. Then on the party for New Year's Eve he meets handsome and friendly Andrew, with his kilt and big smile, and endless energy. He is also a nice body to cling to when they are outside in the street and it's so cold...

The story, 30 pages long, is nice and sweet, tender with an erotic undertone that is only hint. The leit motive is more funny and joyous than erotic, but this doesn't mean that the story is not sexy... as Trent also I would like if Andrew wears his tartan as a true Scottish man.

Nice sweet romance from a new author and I will look forward to her next romance.

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

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 10:46 am

Gay Commercial: D&G Time and D&G Jewels

These are two spot from Dolce & Gabbana. I love the one for D&G Time, even if it is so short... I would be glad to organize an hunting party for retrieve the whrist clock...

Also the second spot is rather cute, above all for the nice final surprise...



Commercial Closet Association

Company: Dolce & Gabbana
Brand: Dolce & Gabbana/D&G
Ad Title: Time 2
Business Category: Fashion/Apparel
Media Outlets: Television
Country: United States
Region: Europe
Agency: FilmLover
Year: 2006, 2005
Target: Gays & Mainstream
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 10:46 am

Gay Commercial: D&G Time and D&G Jewels

These are two spot from Dolce & Gabbana. I love the one for D&G Time, even if it is so short... I would be glad to organize an hunting party for retrieve the whrist clock...

Also the second spot is rather cute, above all for the nice final surprise...



Commercial Closet Association

Company: Dolce & Gabbana
Brand: Dolce & Gabbana/D&G
Ad Title: Time 2
Business Category: Fashion/Apparel
Media Outlets: Television
Country: United States
Region: Europe
Agency: FilmLover
Year: 2006, 2005
Target: Gays & Mainstream
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 05:02 pm

A Hope in Hell by Molly Church

It's not the first time that I read a fantasy romance regarding Angels and Demons, but usually they didn't effect me too much, I didn't find any fascination in them. Instead this short novel by Molly Church, only 29 pages, has the feeling of a longer novel and it appealed to me in a strange way, since it mixed another element usually I'm not fond of, the D/s role play.

Yare'ach is a warrior angel, mortally wounded during a battle. The female Hellborn who finds him, instead of pitying killing the angel, decides to take him to her lord, Ayve. Ayve is a demon, a fallen angel, and he has a sadness inside of him that nothing seems to soothe. The Hellborn feels that this wounded angel and the demon have something in common and maybe she hopes to please her master with a new toy.

But for Yare'ach being used to live in Hell is not simple. As an Angel he was incorporeal, his body had no needs, nor for food or sex, and so he is totally unprepared when it slowly start to make request apparently without consent from its own owner. Yare'ach and Ayve start a D/s relationship where Yare'ach learns to be the perfect submissive, since it's in the Angel's nature to follow the orders of a superior lord. I like Yare'ach's character since his uncertainty and unsteadiness seem true, even if, in a way, he is not a full grown or independent man: he doesn't discern between good and evil, he doesn't know what they are, he is happy only when someone else could tell him what to do and give him directions and a safe place. Ayve is a complex character not fully developed in this short story: we know he is a brooding man, that he is sad and not happy, but that he finds comfort in Yare'ach, in taking care of the Angel, sometime more like a father than a lover.

I like also the setting, a medieval fantasy world, Hell is an huge stone castle without any of the modern comforts, always surrounded by an eternal night. Other than some hint on the characters having wings, there is nothing that make this a fantasy novel, no magic, no paranormal events, and also for this I liked the book.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1694

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 05:02 pm

A Hope in Hell by Molly Church

It's not the first time that I read a fantasy romance regarding Angels and Demons, but usually they didn't effect me too much, I didn't find any fascination in them. Instead this short novel by Molly Church, only 29 pages, has the feeling of a longer novel and it appealed to me in a strange way, since it mixed another element usually I'm not fond of, the D/s role play.

Yare'ach is a warrior angel, mortally wounded during a battle. The female Hellborn who finds him, instead of pitying killing the angel, decides to take him to her lord, Ayve. Ayve is a demon, a fallen angel, and he has a sadness inside of him that nothing seems to soothe. The Hellborn feels that this wounded angel and the demon have something in common and maybe she hopes to please her master with a new toy.

But for Yare'ach being used to live in Hell is not simple. As an Angel he was incorporeal, his body had no needs, nor for food or sex, and so he is totally unprepared when it slowly start to make request apparently without consent from its own owner. Yare'ach and Ayve start a D/s relationship where Yare'ach learns to be the perfect submissive, since it's in the Angel's nature to follow the orders of a superior lord. I like Yare'ach's character since his uncertainty and unsteadiness seem true, even if, in a way, he is not a full grown or independent man: he doesn't discern between good and evil, he doesn't know what they are, he is happy only when someone else could tell him what to do and give him directions and a safe place. Ayve is a complex character not fully developed in this short story: we know he is a brooding man, that he is sad and not happy, but that he finds comfort in Yare'ach, in taking care of the Angel, sometime more like a father than a lover.

I like also the setting, a medieval fantasy world, Hell is an huge stone castle without any of the modern comforts, always surrounded by an eternal night. Other than some hint on the characters having wings, there is nothing that make this a fantasy novel, no magic, no paranormal events, and also for this I liked the book.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1694

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 07:00 pm

Cat Toy by Illian Obsidian

John is a space pilot stranded in a strange planet without memory of his past life. He is hold in captivity by Tryl, a strong and domineering cat man who makes him his sex slave.

In this strange planet couples are made by a master and a slave and Tryl has decided to finally pairs with this blond hair and pink skin man he calls Yai. Yai is tender and cute, he fears everything, but not this big and impressive cat man, who makes love to him so tenderly. And he also takes care of him and Yai, for the first time, feels like someone loves him.

Yai is more than willing to accept his new state of slave. He likes Tryl and not objects to be his sex toy. He wants to please him, he likes to please others, and the reward he receives pleasing Tryl is very sweet. Yai is a strange character, I can't understand how old he is, but he looks to be very young and very innocent.

Tryl is a very self-conscious man. He has no doubt he will take Yai as slave and that Yai will not deny him. He is a leader and he really thinks that being his slave Yai will have a better quality of live than he had previously. If not for the gentle manners he has with Yai, he would be a very irritating character. But he is so gentle and caring with Yai, that you forgive everything to him.

This is a really classical yaoi story. The very elements of the genre are abundantly used in the plot: the cute uke, with watery eyes and shy behavior, the strong seme, tall and powerful, who pleased his slave but also punished him when necessary, bringing pleasure with pain.

Even if pretty short, it is an arousing tale with two complete characters who remind me of an old "bodice-ripper" romance, The Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1724

Amazon: Cat Toy

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2008-12-27 07:00 pm

Cat Toy by Illian Obsidian

John is a space pilot stranded in a strange planet without memory of his past life. He is hold in captivity by Tryl, a strong and domineering cat man who makes him his sex slave.

In this strange planet couples are made by a master and a slave and Tryl has decided to finally pairs with this blond hair and pink skin man he calls Yai. Yai is tender and cute, he fears everything, but not this big and impressive cat man, who makes love to him so tenderly. And he also takes care of him and Yai, for the first time, feels like someone loves him.

Yai is more than willing to accept his new state of slave. He likes Tryl and not objects to be his sex toy. He wants to please him, he likes to please others, and the reward he receives pleasing Tryl is very sweet. Yai is a strange character, I can't understand how old he is, but he looks to be very young and very innocent.

Tryl is a very self-conscious man. He has no doubt he will take Yai as slave and that Yai will not deny him. He is a leader and he really thinks that being his slave Yai will have a better quality of live than he had previously. If not for the gentle manners he has with Yai, he would be a very irritating character. But he is so gentle and caring with Yai, that you forgive everything to him.

This is a really classical yaoi story. The very elements of the genre are abundantly used in the plot: the cute uke, with watery eyes and shy behavior, the strong seme, tall and powerful, who pleased his slave but also punished him when necessary, bringing pleasure with pain.

Even if pretty short, it is an arousing tale with two complete characters who remind me of an old "bodice-ripper" romance, The Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1724

Amazon: Cat Toy

Reading List:

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