In memory of Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., Aug. 15, 1885, the daughter of a Hungarian-born Jewish storekeeper, Jacob Ferber, and his Milwaukee-born wife, Julia Neumann Ferber. In some sources, perhaps because of vanity, she claimed to have been born in 1887, but census documents show otherwise. When she graduated, her senior essay so impressed the editor of the Appleton Daily Crescent that he offered her a job as a reporter at age 17, for the salary of $3.00 per week. Limited by family finances from pursuing her real dream -- studying at Northwestern University's School of Elocution for a career on stage -- she took the job. After being fired by the Crescent, she went on to write for the Milwaukee Journal, where she worked so hard that one day she collapsed in exhaustion. While home in Appleton recuperating from anemia, she wrote her first short story and her first novel. In 1910, Everybody's Magazine published the short story, The Homely Heroine, set in Appleton. Her novel, Dawn O'Hara, the story of a newspaperwoman in Milwaukee, followed in 1911.

She gained national attention for her series of Emma McChesney stories, tales of a traveling underskirt saleswoman that were published in national magazines. She wrote 30 Emma stories before finally refusing to do any more. Her first play, Our Mrs. McChesney, was produced in 1915, starring Ethel Barrymore. Ferber was a prolific and popular novelist. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for So Big, the story of a woman raising a child on a truck farm outside of Chicago. Others of her best known books include Showboat (1926), Cimarron (1929), Giant (1952) and Ice Palace (1958). Showboat, about a girl's life on the floating theater of the Mississippi River, was made into a musical comedy on Broadway and three motion pictures. So Big was adapted into two films. Giant, a story of life in Texas, starred Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson on the big screen and was James Dean's last movie.

She died of cancer at age 82 on April 16, 1968, at her Park Avenue, New York, home. In a lengthy obituary, the New York Times said, "Her books were not profound, but they were vivid and had a sound sociological basis. She was among the best-read novelists in the nation, and critics of the 1920s and '30s did not hesitate to call her the greatest American woman novelist of her day."

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/20332071/

In memory of Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., Aug. 15, 1885, the daughter of a Hungarian-born Jewish storekeeper, Jacob Ferber, and his Milwaukee-born wife, Julia Neumann Ferber. In some sources, perhaps because of vanity, she claimed to have been born in 1887, but census documents show otherwise. When she graduated, her senior essay so impressed the editor of the Appleton Daily Crescent that he offered her a job as a reporter at age 17, for the salary of $3.00 per week. Limited by family finances from pursuing her real dream -- studying at Northwestern University's School of Elocution for a career on stage -- she took the job. After being fired by the Crescent, she went on to write for the Milwaukee Journal, where she worked so hard that one day she collapsed in exhaustion. While home in Appleton recuperating from anemia, she wrote her first short story and her first novel. In 1910, Everybody's Magazine published the short story, The Homely Heroine, set in Appleton. Her novel, Dawn O'Hara, the story of a newspaperwoman in Milwaukee, followed in 1911.

She gained national attention for her series of Emma McChesney stories, tales of a traveling underskirt saleswoman that were published in national magazines. She wrote 30 Emma stories before finally refusing to do any more. Her first play, Our Mrs. McChesney, was produced in 1915, starring Ethel Barrymore. Ferber was a prolific and popular novelist. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for So Big, the story of a woman raising a child on a truck farm outside of Chicago. Others of her best known books include Showboat (1926), Cimarron (1929), Giant (1952) and Ice Palace (1958). Showboat, about a girl's life on the floating theater of the Mississippi River, was made into a musical comedy on Broadway and three motion pictures. So Big was adapted into two films. Giant, a story of life in Texas, starred Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson on the big screen and was James Dean's last movie.

She died of cancer at age 82 on April 16, 1968, at her Park Avenue, New York, home. In a lengthy obituary, the New York Times said, "Her books were not profound, but they were vivid and had a sound sociological basis. She was among the best-read novelists in the nation, and critics of the 1920s and '30s did not hesitate to call her the greatest American woman novelist of her day."

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/20332071/

Paul Richmond: Ins & Outs

Again I'm happy to have as my guest an artist that some of my friends maybe remember from my previous post. Paul Richmond and his Cheesecake Boys already graced the page of my LiveJournal, but today Paul is come back again to tell us something more about him and also about his new experience as cover artist. He is the talented cover artist for the recent released book Zero At The Bone by Jane Seville and in the next future he will collaborate with MLR Press.

( Self Illusion )

Contemplating His Dharma

Elisa: Can you tell us something more about you and how you decided to become an artist?

Paul: As a child, when I wasn’t prancing around the house wearing my blanket as a skirt and pretending to be a Disney princess, I was at the dining room table drawing. My mom brought home big stacks of scrap computer paper from work and claims I turned out about two hundred drawings a day. I’m really grateful that my parents encouraged my artistic ambitions (if not my Disney princess ones). They even sought the mentorship of a local artist, Linda Regula, who took me under her wing when I was only three years old. Besides being a wonderful teacher, Linda also became my first real-live diva role model! She encouraged creative expression and storytelling on canvas, which were great outlets during the rocky times I encountered as a blossoming gay boy in a repressed, conservative environment. I always took great pride in my art and in my identity as an artist. This helped balance some of the shame I was learning to feel about myself otherwise. Looking back, I believe it was during this challenging period of my young adult life that I made the decision to pursue art as a career.

( The Cher Within )

Elisa: I browsed your website and saw two main galleries, Paintings and Cheesecake Boys, and they are quite different in style from one another. So, what are the techniques you use for both of them? Are they really as different as it appears? And what inspired you to create the Cheesecake Boys? (BTW they are so cute ;-) )

Paul: The “Paintings” section houses my fine artwork, which combines personal narrative, a little political commentary, pop-culture influence, and a healthy sprinkling of glitter (when it’s called for)! When I graduated from college and finally came out of the closet, I used art to examine that journey and tell the story of my subsequent transformation into an out and proud, bona fide homosexual.

The pieces in the “Cheesecake Boys” gallery also tell a story, one that involves sexy men who just can’t seem to keep their clothes on! They’re my nod to the classic pin-up paintings from the ‘40s and ‘50s that depicted women in hilariously contrived scenes of underwear-exposing peril. I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and come up with some similarly creative predicaments for the boys!

With all of my work, I tend to straddle the fence between illustration and fine art. If I were a Cheesecake Boy, I’d probably rip my pants on that fence! I approach most projects very similarly, whether they’re for a fine art or commercial purpose, by focusing first on the story I’m trying to tell. I develop the image through a series of sketches (using digital means or good old-fashioned pencil and paper) before I sketch it on canvas. If figures are involved, I’ll take reference photos too, which usually means coercing my reluctant partner, Dennis, to pose for me. He’s such a cutie, and I love when I can talk him into modeling! If he’s feeling too dignified for a particular concept, sometimes I’ll ask other friends or just set the self-timer and jump in front of the camera myself. All in a day’s work! The last step, of course, is to paint it, and I do most of my pieces these days in oil.

( Room With a View )

Elisa: I understand that the cover art world is quite new for you. How did you approach it? What are your projects for the future? Any new collaboration, like the one with MLR Press, of which you can say something more?

Paul: Since my work seems to be getting gayer and gayer (“the gayest painting of our time” according to a humorous article on towleroad.com), gay fiction seems like a natural fit!

Through my website, I’ve been able to share my portfolio with a much broader audience which has opened the door for some exciting opportunities. That was how Puerto Rican author Carlos Vázquez Cruz discovered my painting “Not Just a Closet” last year and came to license it for his gay fiction novel Dos Centímetros de mar (Two Sea Centimeters) published by Librería Isla.

Another recent project I really enjoyed was producing a book of my own called Ins and Outs: A Collection that presents some of my most personal, gay-themed paintings along with stories about their inspiration. The book also includes a touching foreword by my friend, the amazingly talented painter Melissa Forman.

Just last week, my good friend Jane Seville released a wonderful gay thriller novel called Zero at the Bone through Dreamspinner Press, for which I was thrilled to illustrate the cover. It’s a must-read!

As you mentioned, I’m also currently working on illustrating a book for MLR Press called The Golden Age of Gay Fiction. It's a collection of essays from gay icons discussing the impact of pulp novels on gay culture. In doing research, I’ve been highly entertained by some of the fabulous cover art created throughout the pulp genre’s history, and I’d love to find ways of continuing that tradition through more cover projects of my own in the future.

( Ins & Outs )

( Zero at the Bone )

Elisa: I read that you will have two artworks in the coming soon art book by Bruno Gmunder, Stripped Uncensored. Can you tell us something more? What type of artwork did they choose?

Paul: I loved the work in the first Stripped anthology, so I was honored that they asked me to participate in this new “Uncensored” edition. They chose two of my paintings: “The Clearing” and “The Greatest is Love,” and I enjoyed teasing Dennis about becoming a star of the erotic art world because he’s featured prominently in both.

“The Clearing” depicts both of us standing against a railing looking out into a vast, open space. It was inspired by a weekend getaway to a remote cabin in the woods where we could escape the daily grind and really focus on connecting with each other. The painting also represents reaching that point in our relationship where we were able to set aside the baggage from our pasts and start intentionally creating something new and wonderful together. “The Greatest is Love” represents my hope that the love shared by so many LGBTQ couples will one day eclipse the entanglement of church/state that has kept us from enjoying the same legal rights as our straight counterparts.

Honestly, I hadn’t really applied the term ‘erotic’ to either painting prior to the Stripped invitation, only because I was more focused on their respective stories. Of course, in both pieces, you also have pantless boys in love – so I can certainly see how the erotic label isn’t much of a stretch!

I’m really excited to be included in this anthology and am looking forward to seeing the contributions of the other artists!

( The Clearing )

The Greatest Is Love

Elisa: And now Paul, if you want to add something else, my LiveJournal is white paper for you...

Paul: Thank you so much for helping share my work with your readers! The most meaningful experiences I’ve had since I began sharing these paintings have come from connecting with other people who see themselves or aspects of their own journey in my art. Ironically, growing up gay I felt very isolated. It’s been overwhelming to realize how many others can relate to my story.

I know that many young people continue to feel marginalized because of their sexuality today. I wish I could go and personally tell all of them to hang in there, that everything will be ok. Since I can’t, I’m going to keep painting my super-gay paintings and send them out into the world in hopes that they’ll make a difference for someone – or at least remind them that they’re not as alone as they might think.


Forgive Me Father For I Know Not

@Paul’s Website
@Paul’s Blog
@Paul’s Online Store 

"Dos Centímetros de mar":

http://libreriaisla.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LI&Product_Code=0975545329&Category_Code

"Ins and Outs: A Collection":

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/477937

"Zero at the Bone":

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/currenttitles/zeroatthebone/zeroatthebonebuynow.htm

"Stripped Uncensored":

http://www.amazon.com/dp/386787025X?ie=UTF8&tag=brungmue-20&linkCode=as2

Paul Richmond: Ins & Outs

Again I'm happy to have as my guest an artist that some of my friends maybe remember from my previous post. Paul Richmond and his Cheesecake Boys already graced the page of my LiveJournal, but today Paul is come back again to tell us something more about him and also about his new experience as cover artist. He is the talented cover artist for the recent released book Zero At The Bone by Jane Seville and in the next future he will collaborate with MLR Press.

( Self Illusion )

Contemplating His Dharma

Elisa: Can you tell us something more about you and how you decided to become an artist?

Paul: As a child, when I wasn’t prancing around the house wearing my blanket as a skirt and pretending to be a Disney princess, I was at the dining room table drawing. My mom brought home big stacks of scrap computer paper from work and claims I turned out about two hundred drawings a day. I’m really grateful that my parents encouraged my artistic ambitions (if not my Disney princess ones). They even sought the mentorship of a local artist, Linda Regula, who took me under her wing when I was only three years old. Besides being a wonderful teacher, Linda also became my first real-live diva role model! She encouraged creative expression and storytelling on canvas, which were great outlets during the rocky times I encountered as a blossoming gay boy in a repressed, conservative environment. I always took great pride in my art and in my identity as an artist. This helped balance some of the shame I was learning to feel about myself otherwise. Looking back, I believe it was during this challenging period of my young adult life that I made the decision to pursue art as a career.

( The Cher Within )

Elisa: I browsed your website and saw two main galleries, Paintings and Cheesecake Boys, and they are quite different in style from one another. So, what are the techniques you use for both of them? Are they really as different as it appears? And what inspired you to create the Cheesecake Boys? (BTW they are so cute ;-) )

Paul: The “Paintings” section houses my fine artwork, which combines personal narrative, a little political commentary, pop-culture influence, and a healthy sprinkling of glitter (when it’s called for)! When I graduated from college and finally came out of the closet, I used art to examine that journey and tell the story of my subsequent transformation into an out and proud, bona fide homosexual.

The pieces in the “Cheesecake Boys” gallery also tell a story, one that involves sexy men who just can’t seem to keep their clothes on! They’re my nod to the classic pin-up paintings from the ‘40s and ‘50s that depicted women in hilariously contrived scenes of underwear-exposing peril. I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and come up with some similarly creative predicaments for the boys!

With all of my work, I tend to straddle the fence between illustration and fine art. If I were a Cheesecake Boy, I’d probably rip my pants on that fence! I approach most projects very similarly, whether they’re for a fine art or commercial purpose, by focusing first on the story I’m trying to tell. I develop the image through a series of sketches (using digital means or good old-fashioned pencil and paper) before I sketch it on canvas. If figures are involved, I’ll take reference photos too, which usually means coercing my reluctant partner, Dennis, to pose for me. He’s such a cutie, and I love when I can talk him into modeling! If he’s feeling too dignified for a particular concept, sometimes I’ll ask other friends or just set the self-timer and jump in front of the camera myself. All in a day’s work! The last step, of course, is to paint it, and I do most of my pieces these days in oil.

( Room With a View )

Elisa: I understand that the cover art world is quite new for you. How did you approach it? What are your projects for the future? Any new collaboration, like the one with MLR Press, of which you can say something more?

Paul: Since my work seems to be getting gayer and gayer (“the gayest painting of our time” according to a humorous article on towleroad.com), gay fiction seems like a natural fit!

Through my website, I’ve been able to share my portfolio with a much broader audience which has opened the door for some exciting opportunities. That was how Puerto Rican author Carlos Vázquez Cruz discovered my painting “Not Just a Closet” last year and came to license it for his gay fiction novel Dos Centímetros de mar (Two Sea Centimeters) published by Librería Isla.

Another recent project I really enjoyed was producing a book of my own called Ins and Outs: A Collection that presents some of my most personal, gay-themed paintings along with stories about their inspiration. The book also includes a touching foreword by my friend, the amazingly talented painter Melissa Forman.

Just last week, my good friend Jane Seville released a wonderful gay thriller novel called Zero at the Bone through Dreamspinner Press, for which I was thrilled to illustrate the cover. It’s a must-read!

As you mentioned, I’m also currently working on illustrating a book for MLR Press called The Golden Age of Gay Fiction. It's a collection of essays from gay icons discussing the impact of pulp novels on gay culture. In doing research, I’ve been highly entertained by some of the fabulous cover art created throughout the pulp genre’s history, and I’d love to find ways of continuing that tradition through more cover projects of my own in the future.

( Ins & Outs )

( Zero at the Bone )

Elisa: I read that you will have two artworks in the coming soon art book by Bruno Gmunder, Stripped Uncensored. Can you tell us something more? What type of artwork did they choose?

Paul: I loved the work in the first Stripped anthology, so I was honored that they asked me to participate in this new “Uncensored” edition. They chose two of my paintings: “The Clearing” and “The Greatest is Love,” and I enjoyed teasing Dennis about becoming a star of the erotic art world because he’s featured prominently in both.

“The Clearing” depicts both of us standing against a railing looking out into a vast, open space. It was inspired by a weekend getaway to a remote cabin in the woods where we could escape the daily grind and really focus on connecting with each other. The painting also represents reaching that point in our relationship where we were able to set aside the baggage from our pasts and start intentionally creating something new and wonderful together. “The Greatest is Love” represents my hope that the love shared by so many LGBTQ couples will one day eclipse the entanglement of church/state that has kept us from enjoying the same legal rights as our straight counterparts.

Honestly, I hadn’t really applied the term ‘erotic’ to either painting prior to the Stripped invitation, only because I was more focused on their respective stories. Of course, in both pieces, you also have pantless boys in love – so I can certainly see how the erotic label isn’t much of a stretch!

I’m really excited to be included in this anthology and am looking forward to seeing the contributions of the other artists!

( The Clearing )

The Greatest Is Love

Elisa: And now Paul, if you want to add something else, my LiveJournal is white paper for you...

Paul: Thank you so much for helping share my work with your readers! The most meaningful experiences I’ve had since I began sharing these paintings have come from connecting with other people who see themselves or aspects of their own journey in my art. Ironically, growing up gay I felt very isolated. It’s been overwhelming to realize how many others can relate to my story.

I know that many young people continue to feel marginalized because of their sexuality today. I wish I could go and personally tell all of them to hang in there, that everything will be ok. Since I can’t, I’m going to keep painting my super-gay paintings and send them out into the world in hopes that they’ll make a difference for someone – or at least remind them that they’re not as alone as they might think.


Forgive Me Father For I Know Not

@Paul’s Website
@Paul’s Blog
@Paul’s Online Store 

"Dos Centímetros de mar":

http://libreriaisla.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LI&Product_Code=0975545329&Category_Code

"Ins and Outs: A Collection":

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/477937

"Zero at the Bone":

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/currenttitles/zeroatthebone/zeroatthebonebuynow.htm

"Stripped Uncensored":

http://www.amazon.com/dp/386787025X?ie=UTF8&tag=brungmue-20&linkCode=as2

Hoosier Werewolf: Howl & Prowl by Kate Steele

The Midnight Howl by Kate Steele

A very tender paranormal story about gay werewolves. Even if this is not exactly correct. Cause our werewolf, Crewe, is not gay, but he find that is mate was an him and not an her. And the animal instinct can't be deny. So he is very willing to claim his mate... but he is 18 years old and his mate 15 years old... so, maybe, he though that was better to wait some years

Years later, when he is 28 years old, Crewe thinks that is finally the time and, with the approval of his alpha, he goes out on the prowl to claim his mate, Ethan. Crewe is the typical jock, a very hunk man. Ethan instead is a nerd, a librarian... Could the two find a common way? Of course, yes, in bed they are all compatible!

I like this story, Crewe is a classical alpha male, very protective with Ethan; and Ethan is like a pretty baby, all new to the love experience (very very new, he is a total virgin!)... sometimes is good to read a story fresh like water.

A very enjoyble reading, but I think Kate Steele has in mind other stories and maybe a sequel, cause the story between Crewe and Ethan closes with an open point, and we read of other characters, like Chad, Duncan, Nick and Lucas, that maybe will have a story of their own.

Who Let the Wolf Out (Hoosier Werewolf 2) by Kate Steele

A short novel (only 70 pages) that will leave you with the desire to read more.

This the second enstallment in the Hoosier Werewolf series and tells the stories of the three Parks brothers, human, and of their werewolves mates.

In the first enstallment Ethan was mated with Crewe and at the end of the book, the second brother, Duncan, meets a friend of Crewe, Chad.

Duncan is a college student outspoken and friendly. But he has a boyfriend with a secret: he is a drug dealer, and to divert the police from him, leaves drugs in Duncan's apartment. Ducan is arrested and Chad, a lawyer, helps him to go out of jail. But from that moment on, Chad will never let go Duncan no matter how much it costs: Duncan is his mate, and he wants to stake his claim. Chad is so controlled in his everyday life than wild in bed: and Duncan is willing to sate his mate.

At the end of this book, the third brother, Nick, meets his mate, the alpha of the pack, Lucas. Can't wait to read their story.

Things That Go Grr (Hoosier Werewolf 3) by Kate Steele

The third and final enstallment in the Hoosier Werewolf series features Nick Parks, the older of the Parks brothers, meeting his mate, Lucas Deveraux, the alpha male of the pack.

Nick and Lucas are very similar, both are leader of their pack, even if the pack of Nick is his family, his brothers Dustin and Ethan, instead Luc is a real werewolves pack's leader. But both want someone as a mate who can understand the weight to be a leader, and someone who can, during their private moments, be both supportive than comprehensive, but at the same time not submissive. To be on top or at the bottom is not only a question of sex, is also a question of trust: Nick and Luc must learn that.

A very enjoyable fast reading, a good conclusion to a light and funny series.

All three books are now re-released as a collection and you can get three at the price of one ;-)

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

Reading List:

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

Hoosier Werewolf: Howl & Prowl by Kate Steele

The Midnight Howl by Kate Steele

A very tender paranormal story about gay werewolves. Even if this is not exactly correct. Cause our werewolf, Crewe, is not gay, but he find that is mate was an him and not an her. And the animal instinct can't be deny. So he is very willing to claim his mate... but he is 18 years old and his mate 15 years old... so, maybe, he though that was better to wait some years

Years later, when he is 28 years old, Crewe thinks that is finally the time and, with the approval of his alpha, he goes out on the prowl to claim his mate, Ethan. Crewe is the typical jock, a very hunk man. Ethan instead is a nerd, a librarian... Could the two find a common way? Of course, yes, in bed they are all compatible!

I like this story, Crewe is a classical alpha male, very protective with Ethan; and Ethan is like a pretty baby, all new to the love experience (very very new, he is a total virgin!)... sometimes is good to read a story fresh like water.

A very enjoyble reading, but I think Kate Steele has in mind other stories and maybe a sequel, cause the story between Crewe and Ethan closes with an open point, and we read of other characters, like Chad, Duncan, Nick and Lucas, that maybe will have a story of their own.

Who Let the Wolf Out (Hoosier Werewolf 2) by Kate Steele

A short novel (only 70 pages) that will leave you with the desire to read more.

This the second enstallment in the Hoosier Werewolf series and tells the stories of the three Parks brothers, human, and of their werewolves mates.

In the first enstallment Ethan was mated with Crewe and at the end of the book, the second brother, Duncan, meets a friend of Crewe, Chad.

Duncan is a college student outspoken and friendly. But he has a boyfriend with a secret: he is a drug dealer, and to divert the police from him, leaves drugs in Duncan's apartment. Ducan is arrested and Chad, a lawyer, helps him to go out of jail. But from that moment on, Chad will never let go Duncan no matter how much it costs: Duncan is his mate, and he wants to stake his claim. Chad is so controlled in his everyday life than wild in bed: and Duncan is willing to sate his mate.

At the end of this book, the third brother, Nick, meets his mate, the alpha of the pack, Lucas. Can't wait to read their story.

Things That Go Grr (Hoosier Werewolf 3) by Kate Steele

The third and final enstallment in the Hoosier Werewolf series features Nick Parks, the older of the Parks brothers, meeting his mate, Lucas Deveraux, the alpha male of the pack.

Nick and Lucas are very similar, both are leader of their pack, even if the pack of Nick is his family, his brothers Dustin and Ethan, instead Luc is a real werewolves pack's leader. But both want someone as a mate who can understand the weight to be a leader, and someone who can, during their private moments, be both supportive than comprehensive, but at the same time not submissive. To be on top or at the bottom is not only a question of sex, is also a question of trust: Nick and Luc must learn that.

A very enjoyable fast reading, a good conclusion to a light and funny series.

All three books are now re-released as a collection and you can get three at the price of one ;-)

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

Reading List:

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

Hearts Afire: April by Emery Sanborne & Jamie Craig

Once Burned by Emery Sanborne

This story really surprised me. From the blurb and also from the title, I was expecting quite an angst story about a "burned" firefighter (bad pun intended) who fights with all his force to not fall in love for the newbie at the station; obviously the fight would be lost since the beginning and if we were lucky there would have been a lot of sex and so on... so more or less a standard story, a right dose of hot romance, but nothing special... and instead it's way more funny than that.

At first Andreas comes out as the good boy of the story, his Uncle Ed, who is also the Chief of the station where he works, asks him to babysit the new man, a "young" boy with the reputation of being an adrenaline junkie. I was just imagining my may / december relationship, with an hot young pretty thing, when Bobby appears on the scene: 16 years as marine and 2 as firefighter, Bobby is at the same level as Andreas, and above all, he is not the trouble seeking they were expecting. Instead, the first time they go out together, it's Andreas who gets involved in a bar fight.

Bobby is plain and direct since the first moment: he likes Andreas, they are both single, why not give a chance to the two of them? No strings attached, no word of forever love, they are two adult men who can be buddy friends with benefits. And it's exactly like that between them, there is an easy behavior, a communion of intent and idea without no one of them speaking the words. It's hot and funny sexy, easy and enjoyable, so easy that Andreas and Bobby slip from buddy friends to lovers to partners wihout even realizing it.

I like the feeling of the story, I like how Andreas and Bobby are both enough adult to realize what they have and don't be scared by that. The squabbles between them are real fun and the story was fun as well to read. Andreas' past burns are so insignificat in comparison to what he found now, that almost slip into oblivion without notice.

A Voice in the Dark by Jamie Craig

When Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean write alone, I noticed a trend in their writing, Pepper Espinoza I believe is the light side (even if in The Obsolete Man she proved to be able of a little angst) and Vivien Dean is the dark side, preferring the paranormal side of romance. When they write together they are a mix of both. A Voice in the Dark is not paranormal, it's the classical firefighters story, but it has its right dose of angst, being at the same time light enough to make you smile, see the supporting character of the mother.

In the prologue Anthony and Dan met in the worst possible way, Anthony the victim of a very bad accident and Dan the firefighter on the site. Dan helps Anthony to go through his nightmare being the voice that comforts the scared man. And unfortunately the voices become the most important things for Anthony, since he looses his sight in that accident. The authors decide to not show us all the trial through Anthony for sure was in the year following the accident, probably since this is a novella, and there was not enough space, and probably since they preferred to focus on the romantic relationship.

When Anthony is better, means when he is comfortable with his blindness, he decides to go thanks Dan for being that comforting voice in the dark. Fate wants that both Anthony than Dan are gay and single, and it doesn't take much time to realize that they are good one for the other.

I like that for Dan, Anthony's blindness is not consciously a problem, but that for real he starts the relationship dealing with Anthony in a different way he would do with another man. And I like that Anthony explains the "problem", that he doesn't like to be treated in a different way, without being snarky and without being angry with Dan. Both heroes are so nice that they are almost too good to be true.

Quite obviously Dan and Anthony's sex scenes, especially the first one, are quite heavy in "tactile" details, every movement is described as to provide for the lack of sight of Anthony, and so the reader is on with him for the ride, being overwhelmed, but in a very nice way.

There is not much drama, just the right dose you will expect for a story with a firefighter in it (who has ear to understand, understand...), but overall, this is more a nice romantic story of boy meets boy, boy likes boy and boy lives happily ever after with boy.

Usually I don't like double anthology, I always end liking one story more than the other. Instead in this one, I wouldn't be able to say what story I prefer: they are so different in tone and style, even having similar setting, that are both high in my satisfaction level.

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&product_name=Hearts+Afire+April&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez

Hearts Afire: April by Emery Sanborne & Jamie Craig

Once Burned by Emery Sanborne

This story really surprised me. From the blurb and also from the title, I was expecting quite an angst story about a "burned" firefighter (bad pun intended) who fights with all his force to not fall in love for the newbie at the station; obviously the fight would be lost since the beginning and if we were lucky there would have been a lot of sex and so on... so more or less a standard story, a right dose of hot romance, but nothing special... and instead it's way more funny than that.

At first Andreas comes out as the good boy of the story, his Uncle Ed, who is also the Chief of the station where he works, asks him to babysit the new man, a "young" boy with the reputation of being an adrenaline junkie. I was just imagining my may / december relationship, with an hot young pretty thing, when Bobby appears on the scene: 16 years as marine and 2 as firefighter, Bobby is at the same level as Andreas, and above all, he is not the trouble seeking they were expecting. Instead, the first time they go out together, it's Andreas who gets involved in a bar fight.

Bobby is plain and direct since the first moment: he likes Andreas, they are both single, why not give a chance to the two of them? No strings attached, no word of forever love, they are two adult men who can be buddy friends with benefits. And it's exactly like that between them, there is an easy behavior, a communion of intent and idea without no one of them speaking the words. It's hot and funny sexy, easy and enjoyable, so easy that Andreas and Bobby slip from buddy friends to lovers to partners wihout even realizing it.

I like the feeling of the story, I like how Andreas and Bobby are both enough adult to realize what they have and don't be scared by that. The squabbles between them are real fun and the story was fun as well to read. Andreas' past burns are so insignificat in comparison to what he found now, that almost slip into oblivion without notice.

A Voice in the Dark by Jamie Craig

When Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean write alone, I noticed a trend in their writing, Pepper Espinoza I believe is the light side (even if in The Obsolete Man she proved to be able of a little angst) and Vivien Dean is the dark side, preferring the paranormal side of romance. When they write together they are a mix of both. A Voice in the Dark is not paranormal, it's the classical firefighters story, but it has its right dose of angst, being at the same time light enough to make you smile, see the supporting character of the mother.

In the prologue Anthony and Dan met in the worst possible way, Anthony the victim of a very bad accident and Dan the firefighter on the site. Dan helps Anthony to go through his nightmare being the voice that comforts the scared man. And unfortunately the voices become the most important things for Anthony, since he looses his sight in that accident. The authors decide to not show us all the trial through Anthony for sure was in the year following the accident, probably since this is a novella, and there was not enough space, and probably since they preferred to focus on the romantic relationship.

When Anthony is better, means when he is comfortable with his blindness, he decides to go thanks Dan for being that comforting voice in the dark. Fate wants that both Anthony than Dan are gay and single, and it doesn't take much time to realize that they are good one for the other.

I like that for Dan, Anthony's blindness is not consciously a problem, but that for real he starts the relationship dealing with Anthony in a different way he would do with another man. And I like that Anthony explains the "problem", that he doesn't like to be treated in a different way, without being snarky and without being angry with Dan. Both heroes are so nice that they are almost too good to be true.

Quite obviously Dan and Anthony's sex scenes, especially the first one, are quite heavy in "tactile" details, every movement is described as to provide for the lack of sight of Anthony, and so the reader is on with him for the ride, being overwhelmed, but in a very nice way.

There is not much drama, just the right dose you will expect for a story with a firefighter in it (who has ear to understand, understand...), but overall, this is more a nice romantic story of boy meets boy, boy likes boy and boy lives happily ever after with boy.

Usually I don't like double anthology, I always end liking one story more than the other. Instead in this one, I wouldn't be able to say what story I prefer: they are so different in tone and style, even having similar setting, that are both high in my satisfaction level.

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&product_name=Hearts+Afire+April&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

Reading List:

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


Cover Art by April Martinez