2009-09-28

reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 09:00 am

Night Shift by Jenna Byrnes

Even if it’s not an ‘80s setting, from the first sentences Night Shift reminded me a bit of the police detective television fiction of that period; Ryder, the Homicide detective that is more interested in helping the lost boys in the street than in making a career in the Police Department, is a bit like Hunter, even if not so big; and Trevor, the handsome Afro American Vice detective, has a bit of Miami Vice in him, with his tailored suit and expensive town house. There is nothing that join them together if not being both gay; but even in that they are different: Ryder doesn’t give much importance to the thing, if you ask he tells, and indeed, he is not searching at all to climb the ladders of the hierarchy, and instead Trevor, even if not denying it, prefers to downplay a bit, to not ruin his chances at a career.

So the only solution is that, while they are pairing in an investigation on a serial killer who is murdering only drug dealers, during the night shift they behave like stranger and during the day they have monkey sex in each of the possible variety.

The story is basically an erotic romp, but I like the subtle “light” tone; you can find it in small sentences scattered in between the lines, like when Ryder wants to prove to Trevor that he is a very “busy” man, but he has nothing better to do if not shifting paper on his desk. In a way, even the “not so perfect” detectives have their merit in making the story light: Ryder after all, is not exactly a cold blooded detective, he seems more interested in find and help the kids on the street, then in find and arrest the killer, he should be a social assistant more than a cop; on the other hand Trevor seems to me more interested in playing the hot shot detective than in really doing his job, so much that he jumps to the first available conclusion to have a chance to appear on the night news.

In a way they are more interesting like that, otherwise the story would have been like many other, playing along the line of the perfect dream cop; it’s no accident that, at the beginning, I said that they reminded me Hunter or Miami Vice… in both shows, the cops were less than perfect.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=574

Amazon Kindle: Night Shift
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (September 28, 2009)

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading_list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 09:00 am

Night Shift by Jenna Byrnes

Even if it’s not an ‘80s setting, from the first sentences Night Shift reminded me a bit of the police detective television fiction of that period; Ryder, the Homicide detective that is more interested in helping the lost boys in the street than in making a career in the Police Department, is a bit like Hunter, even if not so big; and Trevor, the handsome Afro American Vice detective, has a bit of Miami Vice in him, with his tailored suit and expensive town house. There is nothing that join them together if not being both gay; but even in that they are different: Ryder doesn’t give much importance to the thing, if you ask he tells, and indeed, he is not searching at all to climb the ladders of the hierarchy, and instead Trevor, even if not denying it, prefers to downplay a bit, to not ruin his chances at a career.

So the only solution is that, while they are pairing in an investigation on a serial killer who is murdering only drug dealers, during the night shift they behave like stranger and during the day they have monkey sex in each of the possible variety.

The story is basically an erotic romp, but I like the subtle “light” tone; you can find it in small sentences scattered in between the lines, like when Ryder wants to prove to Trevor that he is a very “busy” man, but he has nothing better to do if not shifting paper on his desk. In a way, even the “not so perfect” detectives have their merit in making the story light: Ryder after all, is not exactly a cold blooded detective, he seems more interested in find and help the kids on the street, then in find and arrest the killer, he should be a social assistant more than a cop; on the other hand Trevor seems to me more interested in playing the hot shot detective than in really doing his job, so much that he jumps to the first available conclusion to have a chance to appear on the night news.

In a way they are more interesting like that, otherwise the story would have been like many other, playing along the line of the perfect dream cop; it’s no accident that, at the beginning, I said that they reminded me Hunter or Miami Vice… in both shows, the cops were less than perfect.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=574

Amazon Kindle: Night Shift
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (September 28, 2009)

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading_list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 10:06 am

Man Candy Day: Mark Vanderloo, Gabriel Aubry & Brad Kroenig

This week my Man Candy post is devoted to the "men like wine", they goes better with the age ;-) Actually only one of this men is older than me, the other two are younger, but they are all models than, for a reason or the other, gained a position in the Top List of Icons Men from models.com, and I'm always up for a good class of vintage wine!

Mark Vanderloo (born April 24, 1968, Waddinxveen ) is a Dutch model. In the past, Vanderloo has dated model Carolyn Murphy and been married to model Esther Cañadas, although they have since divorced. Vanderloo is currently dating Dutch actress and model Robine van der Meer, with whom he has two children, daughter Emma Paula, born in February 6, 2004 and son Mark, born in November of 2005. Vanderloo owns homes in Amsterdam, New York City, and Paris.



Mark Vanderloo )

At age 22, Vanderloo entered the University of Amsterdam to study history. He began modeling after accompanying a model girlfriend to a photoshoot one day.

Vanderloo has been the primary model for Hugo Boss' black and white print ads and billboards since 2005. He has also worked for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Armani, Valentino, Trussardi and Guess. Vanderloo is currently signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City.

In addition to his work in the fashion industry, Vanderloo's likeness is currently in use as the default model for Commander Shepard in the video game Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360 and PC.

Vanderloo made a guest appearance on Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model in 2008.

He appeared in the following ads: DKNY Men F/W 09, DKNYMEN Fragrance S/S 09, DKNY F/W 08. He is also in the following editorials: Spring Scenes (V Man), SUPER-MODELS (Vogue Hommes International), Eugenia Se Desnuda (GQ Spain), The Best New Designers in America (GQ), Silent (Vogue Italia).

His agencies are: New York Wilhelmina, Milan Why Not, Vienna Next Company.

@Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Vanderloo
@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Mark-Vanderloo

Gabriel Aubry is one of those rare model icons that looms as a bonafide celebrity even as his legacy of fashion bookings marks him as one of the last of that era of male models worthy of the prefix "super". As a long running fixture of the Calvin Klein brand, Mr. Aubry still clocks in for duty to this very day. But model watchers will always remember that incredible run that spanned clients such as Hugo Boss, DKNY, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger.



Gabriel Aubry )

Born in Montreal, Canada on August 30, 1976, Gabriel Aubry was one of nine siblings. He got his start in modeling in the 90s when a stylist in a night club approached him. Shortly after he started modeling for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, DKNY, and Valentino to name a few. Aubry was the only male model to ever appear on the cover of Uomo Vogue while appearing in 4 different campaigns at the same time, in the same magazine.

He is signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City and Beatrice Model agency in Milan, Italy.

Aubry is still within the realms of his booming modeling career - he opened a restaurant, Cafe Fuego, in the East Village on trendy St. Mark's Place, and is currently dating talented actress, Halle Berry, with whom he has a daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, born 2008.

@Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Aubry
@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Gabriel-Aubry

Brad Kroenig has gotten from the modeling industry, everything that a clever and enterprising young man dreams about. Capital, real estate, an amazing client list (Hermes, Chanel, Fendi, Cavalli, Dom Perignon, Gap, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger!) and a place in fashion history including cameos in Lagerfeld Confidential and his very own multi-volume tome of portraits. You name it, he got it. And THAT is what being an icon is about.



Brad Kroenig )

The mid-west doesn’t play around when it comes to handsome men; born April 23, 1979 in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, Brad Kroenig has been nothing less than a godsend. Originally on the pursuit to make soccer a career, Kroenig’s plans soon changed after he was approached by an agent. Making his debut in 2002 with Abercrombie & Fitch, it’s been nothing but smooth sailing since then. Working alongside of Naomi Campbell that same year, Kronig has since been featured on numerous covers, editorials and campaigns. Best known as Karl Lagerfeld's muse for close to 5 years and working with Karl on his various lines, Brad has still worked with many other top designers and brands such as Roberto Cavalli, DKNY,and Gap. Besides basking in his success, Kroenig still enjoys a good game of soccer and is intrigued with real-estate. He just celebrated the birth of a healthy baby boy in 2008.

He appeared in the following ads: Karl Lagerfeld S/S 09, Dom Perignon Oenotheque S/S 09, K Karl Lagerfeld F/W 08, Fendi F/W 08, H&M S/S 08, Chanel Sport S/S 08, Fendi Palazzo. He is also in the following editorials: Day Break (Contributing Editor), Spring Scenes (V Man) and Chanel for Men (Fantastic Man).

His agencies are: New York Ford, London Models 1, Milan d'management, Hamburg Kult Agency, Paris Success, Vienna Next Company, Copenhagen 2pm.

@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Brad-Kroenig
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 10:06 am

Man Candy Day: Mark Vanderloo, Gabriel Aubry & Brad Kroenig

This week my Man Candy post is devoted to the "men like wine", they goes better with the age ;-) Actually only one of this men is older than me, the other two are younger, but they are all models than, for a reason or the other, gained a position in the Top List of Icons Men from models.com, and I'm always up for a good class of vintage wine!

Mark Vanderloo (born April 24, 1968, Waddinxveen ) is a Dutch model. In the past, Vanderloo has dated model Carolyn Murphy and been married to model Esther Cañadas, although they have since divorced. Vanderloo is currently dating Dutch actress and model Robine van der Meer, with whom he has two children, daughter Emma Paula, born in February 6, 2004 and son Mark, born in November of 2005. Vanderloo owns homes in Amsterdam, New York City, and Paris.



Mark Vanderloo )

At age 22, Vanderloo entered the University of Amsterdam to study history. He began modeling after accompanying a model girlfriend to a photoshoot one day.

Vanderloo has been the primary model for Hugo Boss' black and white print ads and billboards since 2005. He has also worked for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Armani, Valentino, Trussardi and Guess. Vanderloo is currently signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City.

In addition to his work in the fashion industry, Vanderloo's likeness is currently in use as the default model for Commander Shepard in the video game Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360 and PC.

Vanderloo made a guest appearance on Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model in 2008.

He appeared in the following ads: DKNY Men F/W 09, DKNYMEN Fragrance S/S 09, DKNY F/W 08. He is also in the following editorials: Spring Scenes (V Man), SUPER-MODELS (Vogue Hommes International), Eugenia Se Desnuda (GQ Spain), The Best New Designers in America (GQ), Silent (Vogue Italia).

His agencies are: New York Wilhelmina, Milan Why Not, Vienna Next Company.

@Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Vanderloo
@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Mark-Vanderloo

Gabriel Aubry is one of those rare model icons that looms as a bonafide celebrity even as his legacy of fashion bookings marks him as one of the last of that era of male models worthy of the prefix "super". As a long running fixture of the Calvin Klein brand, Mr. Aubry still clocks in for duty to this very day. But model watchers will always remember that incredible run that spanned clients such as Hugo Boss, DKNY, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger.



Gabriel Aubry )

Born in Montreal, Canada on August 30, 1976, Gabriel Aubry was one of nine siblings. He got his start in modeling in the 90s when a stylist in a night club approached him. Shortly after he started modeling for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, DKNY, and Valentino to name a few. Aubry was the only male model to ever appear on the cover of Uomo Vogue while appearing in 4 different campaigns at the same time, in the same magazine.

He is signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City and Beatrice Model agency in Milan, Italy.

Aubry is still within the realms of his booming modeling career - he opened a restaurant, Cafe Fuego, in the East Village on trendy St. Mark's Place, and is currently dating talented actress, Halle Berry, with whom he has a daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, born 2008.

@Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Aubry
@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Gabriel-Aubry

Brad Kroenig has gotten from the modeling industry, everything that a clever and enterprising young man dreams about. Capital, real estate, an amazing client list (Hermes, Chanel, Fendi, Cavalli, Dom Perignon, Gap, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger!) and a place in fashion history including cameos in Lagerfeld Confidential and his very own multi-volume tome of portraits. You name it, he got it. And THAT is what being an icon is about.



Brad Kroenig )

The mid-west doesn’t play around when it comes to handsome men; born April 23, 1979 in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, Brad Kroenig has been nothing less than a godsend. Originally on the pursuit to make soccer a career, Kroenig’s plans soon changed after he was approached by an agent. Making his debut in 2002 with Abercrombie & Fitch, it’s been nothing but smooth sailing since then. Working alongside of Naomi Campbell that same year, Kronig has since been featured on numerous covers, editorials and campaigns. Best known as Karl Lagerfeld's muse for close to 5 years and working with Karl on his various lines, Brad has still worked with many other top designers and brands such as Roberto Cavalli, DKNY,and Gap. Besides basking in his success, Kroenig still enjoys a good game of soccer and is intrigued with real-estate. He just celebrated the birth of a healthy baby boy in 2008.

He appeared in the following ads: Karl Lagerfeld S/S 09, Dom Perignon Oenotheque S/S 09, K Karl Lagerfeld F/W 08, Fendi F/W 08, H&M S/S 08, Chanel Sport S/S 08, Fendi Palazzo. He is also in the following editorials: Day Break (Contributing Editor), Spring Scenes (V Man) and Chanel for Men (Fantastic Man).

His agencies are: New York Ford, London Models 1, Milan d'management, Hamburg Kult Agency, Paris Success, Vienna Next Company, Copenhagen 2pm.

@Models.com: http://models.com/models/Brad-Kroenig
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 11:26 pm

Veiled Security by Carolyn LeVine Topol

I believe that this is the first novel by this author and in a way, it's like the author grew with her book. The story is a mix of originality and common situations that take unexpected twist; the style is, at first a bit tentative, some dialogues, especially between the lovers, aren't so smooth, but this feeling soon vanishes, it seems like the author took confidence in what she was doing, like a sixteen years old with his new license and car, who discovers at the first highway that he likes to run and that he is better than a Nascar pilot.

There is a bit of Great Expectation, of La Bohemme and Romeo and Juliet, all mixed together: Del and Joey met at college and fall in love; they behave like two good boys and ended college but now they want to have their chance in life, Joey in writing songs and Del in singing them on stage. Del is a mix of bohemmien innocence and practical heart: he is from a very wealthy family, he could have a simple and perfect life at home, but he decides to go living in a one room apartment in NYC with his male lover. But he is not so reckless to not knowing that they need money to live, and so Del is also accepting a job in the financial world of Manhattan.

The first months are both wonderful than stressful: Joey and Del are playing little house, with Joey in the role of the small wife... and here a bit of the light humor that permeates all the novel comes out, Joey is at the opposite of the perfect housewife, more he is the dominant lover in the relationship, and so seeing him playing the role of "wife" is at the same time sweet but also comic. Then there is the contradiction that is Del: by day a white collar worker, by night a female impersonator by the name of Venus; basically Del is still trying to really coming out, and Venus serves him to stay a little more in the closet. Dressed as Venus he is altered beyond recognition, and so maybe he can also lie to himself, pretending that he is not the gay son who crashed his parents expectation.

The parents are another nice element of the story, and one of those unexepected turns I was saying; I don't want to give up the story, enough to say that, instead of the usual angst evolution, with a lot of tears and guilty feelings, the author decides to give them a nice push towards a light resolution of the issue. Pay attention to the father and how his role evolves, or maybe, how the different perspective can read the same man in different ways.

As I said, the second part of the novel is probably better, and one of the reason is that probably Joey comes out; he was always a nice character, but he was not "strong" enough. He is the one who tries to set the rules of their relationship, but in the end he always follows what Del wants, it's enough for Del to pour a tears or two, and Joey is more than willing to step back from his firm position. In a way, even if Joey is the dominant lover, who really is the center of their relationship is Del. Lucky for the reader, and also for Del, Joey has the chance to be stronger, strong enough also for his lover when he needs him. Maybe also the chance to see their dreams of success come true, serves him to gain confidence.

For a first work, Veiled Security is quite nice, and I think that the author has the potential to write also some good comedy: even if this one was mainly a drama-contemporary romance, what I liked best was that, maybe unwilling, light side of it.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=167&products_id=1476&osCsid=3nnlc38pt38pemjnpee5o46je5

Amazon Kindle: Veiled Security

Setting the rules for the Rainbow Awards, first phase will start soon: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/799266.html


Cover Art by Paul Richmond
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2009-09-28 11:26 pm

Veiled Security by Carolyn LeVine Topol

I believe that this is the first novel by this author and in a way, it's like the author grew with her book. The story is a mix of originality and common situations that take unexpected twist; the style is, at first a bit tentative, some dialogues, especially between the lovers, aren't so smooth, but this feeling soon vanishes, it seems like the author took confidence in what she was doing, like a sixteen years old with his new license and car, who discovers at the first highway that he likes to run and that he is better than a Nascar pilot.

There is a bit of Great Expectation, of La Bohemme and Romeo and Juliet, all mixed together: Del and Joey met at college and fall in love; they behave like two good boys and ended college but now they want to have their chance in life, Joey in writing songs and Del in singing them on stage. Del is a mix of bohemmien innocence and practical heart: he is from a very wealthy family, he could have a simple and perfect life at home, but he decides to go living in a one room apartment in NYC with his male lover. But he is not so reckless to not knowing that they need money to live, and so Del is also accepting a job in the financial world of Manhattan.

The first months are both wonderful than stressful: Joey and Del are playing little house, with Joey in the role of the small wife... and here a bit of the light humor that permeates all the novel comes out, Joey is at the opposite of the perfect housewife, more he is the dominant lover in the relationship, and so seeing him playing the role of "wife" is at the same time sweet but also comic. Then there is the contradiction that is Del: by day a white collar worker, by night a female impersonator by the name of Venus; basically Del is still trying to really coming out, and Venus serves him to stay a little more in the closet. Dressed as Venus he is altered beyond recognition, and so maybe he can also lie to himself, pretending that he is not the gay son who crashed his parents expectation.

The parents are another nice element of the story, and one of those unexepected turns I was saying; I don't want to give up the story, enough to say that, instead of the usual angst evolution, with a lot of tears and guilty feelings, the author decides to give them a nice push towards a light resolution of the issue. Pay attention to the father and how his role evolves, or maybe, how the different perspective can read the same man in different ways.

As I said, the second part of the novel is probably better, and one of the reason is that probably Joey comes out; he was always a nice character, but he was not "strong" enough. He is the one who tries to set the rules of their relationship, but in the end he always follows what Del wants, it's enough for Del to pour a tears or two, and Joey is more than willing to step back from his firm position. In a way, even if Joey is the dominant lover, who really is the center of their relationship is Del. Lucky for the reader, and also for Del, Joey has the chance to be stronger, strong enough also for his lover when he needs him. Maybe also the chance to see their dreams of success come true, serves him to gain confidence.

For a first work, Veiled Security is quite nice, and I think that the author has the potential to write also some good comedy: even if this one was mainly a drama-contemporary romance, what I liked best was that, maybe unwilling, light side of it.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=167&products_id=1476&osCsid=3nnlc38pt38pemjnpee5o46je5

Amazon Kindle: Veiled Security

Setting the rules for the Rainbow Awards, first phase will start soon: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/799266.html


Cover Art by Paul Richmond