2010-01-30

reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 12:27 am

No Good Deed by Lynn Lorenz

I suppose that, when you start a cop themed story, violence and danger is what you are expecting, and probably the cops in question to not have a particular deepness, macho man sure, but nothing more. Plus if the cop is also bisexual, you lift your brows with a bit of scepticism, bisexual men usually are not so well welcomed in romance, they have give the idea to be undecided. Actually this is a point that would be worthy of more attention, why bisexual men, or women for that matter, aren’t allowed to be hero, but maybe this is not the time, and it would distract people from the book in question, and it’s a too good book to have it.

Anyway Daniel Chan, the Chinese-American captain of a small police department in an even smaller Texan country town, is probably the first bisexual man I like in a romance. He has always known to prefer men, if he can choose, but sometime he couldn’t, like when is ultra-conservative family wanted him to marry a good Chinese girl, or when he moved in a small town USA where being gay was not an option, but a calling for bashing, and so he had his share of women in life; and then he is also honest with himself, and he can recognize when a woman is attractive, and he has even an ideal when speaking of them. Daniel has quite a straight mind, no pun intended, he likes men and women, more men than women, but he knows that he can love only men, and since for him it’s not allowed to love men, so he is alone. If asked he replies that he is bisexual; but when he falls in love for a man, and that man is gay, and he wants a monogamous relationship, than that means that Daniel is gay, simple like that, no sweat on it.

It’s so simple for Daniel, as it is simple for him to admit that he is in love for Mark, the man he met in the line of duty and that now seems to be the only important thing for Daniel. All right, Daniel knows that it can’t be simple for them to openly live their relationship, that they will have to face some cold attitude, but again, balancing the pro and cons, to have or not to have Mark, for Daniel again the solution is simple, Mark comes before anything else. And if with Mark come also all his trouble, a very traumatic past experience that left him broken, first in body and now in soul, Daniel, with all his patience and love, is ready to patch him up. It’s like dealing with a skittish horse, but if someone is up to the task, Daniel is the man.

Daniel is really a wonderful character. He is not a brooding cop, so deep in the closet to have lost the feeling to be free. The people who are really near him, like his best friend Jeff, know what he is and who he likes, only that Daniel is not making of it a public question. Probably there is not even a reason, he has not a special someone in his life; but when that special man makes his appearance, then Daniel has no doubt that, to love him, he has to do the right thing. But it’s not even a question of sacrifice, there is not tortured decision, not beating himself on the bad fate, it’s again, the simplest thing to do, smooth like that, simple like that. One glance in the deep pools that are Mark’s eyes, and Daniel knows that the time is arrived.

I also like that Daniel is not a self-righteous man, sincerely that type of man are boring and sometime even nasty. Daniel has his weak points, he sometime is even depressed, and if it’s convenient, and not dangerous for any living souls, he is also able to forget the book and stretch the law a bit. Basically Daniel is a good man, with all his faults that make him even more good.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/NoGoodDeed.html

Amazon: No Good Deed

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 12:27 am

No Good Deed by Lynn Lorenz

I suppose that, when you start a cop themed story, violence and danger is what you are expecting, and probably the cops in question to not have a particular deepness, macho man sure, but nothing more. Plus if the cop is also bisexual, you lift your brows with a bit of scepticism, bisexual men usually are not so well welcomed in romance, they have give the idea to be undecided. Actually this is a point that would be worthy of more attention, why bisexual men, or women for that matter, aren’t allowed to be hero, but maybe this is not the time, and it would distract people from the book in question, and it’s a too good book to have it.

Anyway Daniel Chan, the Chinese-American captain of a small police department in an even smaller Texan country town, is probably the first bisexual man I like in a romance. He has always known to prefer men, if he can choose, but sometime he couldn’t, like when is ultra-conservative family wanted him to marry a good Chinese girl, or when he moved in a small town USA where being gay was not an option, but a calling for bashing, and so he had his share of women in life; and then he is also honest with himself, and he can recognize when a woman is attractive, and he has even an ideal when speaking of them. Daniel has quite a straight mind, no pun intended, he likes men and women, more men than women, but he knows that he can love only men, and since for him it’s not allowed to love men, so he is alone. If asked he replies that he is bisexual; but when he falls in love for a man, and that man is gay, and he wants a monogamous relationship, than that means that Daniel is gay, simple like that, no sweat on it.

It’s so simple for Daniel, as it is simple for him to admit that he is in love for Mark, the man he met in the line of duty and that now seems to be the only important thing for Daniel. All right, Daniel knows that it can’t be simple for them to openly live their relationship, that they will have to face some cold attitude, but again, balancing the pro and cons, to have or not to have Mark, for Daniel again the solution is simple, Mark comes before anything else. And if with Mark come also all his trouble, a very traumatic past experience that left him broken, first in body and now in soul, Daniel, with all his patience and love, is ready to patch him up. It’s like dealing with a skittish horse, but if someone is up to the task, Daniel is the man.

Daniel is really a wonderful character. He is not a brooding cop, so deep in the closet to have lost the feeling to be free. The people who are really near him, like his best friend Jeff, know what he is and who he likes, only that Daniel is not making of it a public question. Probably there is not even a reason, he has not a special someone in his life; but when that special man makes his appearance, then Daniel has no doubt that, to love him, he has to do the right thing. But it’s not even a question of sacrifice, there is not tortured decision, not beating himself on the bad fate, it’s again, the simplest thing to do, smooth like that, simple like that. One glance in the deep pools that are Mark’s eyes, and Daniel knows that the time is arrived.

I also like that Daniel is not a self-righteous man, sincerely that type of man are boring and sometime even nasty. Daniel has his weak points, he sometime is even depressed, and if it’s convenient, and not dangerous for any living souls, he is also able to forget the book and stretch the law a bit. Basically Daniel is a good man, with all his faults that make him even more good.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/NoGoodDeed.html

Amazon: No Good Deed

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:21 am

Excerpt: A Test of Love by Claire Thompson

A Test of Love by Claire Thompson
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing
Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks

Blurb: When Ryan and Tom reconnect after fourteen years apart, the heat between them is instant. But their fledgling relationship is tested when both receive hate-filled notes, warning each man to stay away from the other. When the warnings turn to violence, can the relationship survive?

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:21 am

Excerpt: A Test of Love by Claire Thompson

A Test of Love by Claire Thompson
Release Date: 12/2009
Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing
Buy at 1 Romance Ebooks

Blurb: When Ryan and Tom reconnect after fourteen years apart, the heat between them is instant. But their fledgling relationship is tested when both receive hate-filled notes, warning each man to stay away from the other. When the warnings turn to violence, can the relationship survive?

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:24 am

Excerpt: Upwardly Mobile by Clare London

Upwardly Mobile by Clare London
Release Date: 01/2010
Publisher: Amber Allure
Buy Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/UpwardlyMobile.html

Blurb: Since the day they met, Owen’s restraint has been an exciting foil to Caleb’s unruly lack of discipline. Now established lovers, they can’t deny how welcome that balance is in their lives. Two very different men, both strong-willed - it shouldn’t work between them, but it does! Owen’s steady world is rocked by Caleb’s boldness, and Caleb finds a haven in return. Now they share their lives, a strong need for each other and a highly developed love of play. On this weary night at the end of a working week, they’re caught in traffic on opposite sides of town. They’ll have to wait to meet up until the journey’s over, to enjoy the evening together. Or will they? Caleb decides he won’t wait to play, and he’ll play as dirty as he dares – or as much as they can handle over the phone!

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:24 am

Excerpt: Upwardly Mobile by Clare London

Upwardly Mobile by Clare London
Release Date: 01/2010
Publisher: Amber Allure
Buy Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/UpwardlyMobile.html

Blurb: Since the day they met, Owen’s restraint has been an exciting foil to Caleb’s unruly lack of discipline. Now established lovers, they can’t deny how welcome that balance is in their lives. Two very different men, both strong-willed - it shouldn’t work between them, but it does! Owen’s steady world is rocked by Caleb’s boldness, and Caleb finds a haven in return. Now they share their lives, a strong need for each other and a highly developed love of play. On this weary night at the end of a working week, they’re caught in traffic on opposite sides of town. They’ll have to wait to meet up until the journey’s over, to enjoy the evening together. Or will they? Caleb decides he won’t wait to play, and he’ll play as dirty as he dares – or as much as they can handle over the phone!

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:26 am

Excerpt: Friends and Lovers by Ronna Gage

Friends and Lovers by Ronna Gage
Release Date: 10/2009
Publisher: Romance Divine
Buy Link: http://www.romancedivine.com

Blurb: Kena Bass found the man of her dreams in Dan Madison, and she made sure those dreams came true. When good friend Elana suffers a personal crisis, Kena and Dan come to her rescue, helping her sort out her feelings. Passions and lust are cast away on a houseboat filled with Friends and Lovers.

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:26 am

Excerpt: Friends and Lovers by Ronna Gage

Friends and Lovers by Ronna Gage
Release Date: 10/2009
Publisher: Romance Divine
Buy Link: http://www.romancedivine.com

Blurb: Kena Bass found the man of her dreams in Dan Madison, and she made sure those dreams came true. When good friend Elana suffers a personal crisis, Kena and Dan come to her rescue, helping her sort out her feelings. Passions and lust are cast away on a houseboat filled with Friends and Lovers.

Excerpt )
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:38 am

LGBT Ebook and Print Releases December 26, 2009 – January 29, 2010

ALYSON BOOKS (http://www.alyson.com/)
Read more... )

AMBER ALLURE (http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/)
Read more... )

ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS (http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/)
Read more... )

BELLA BOOKS (http://www.bellabooks.com/)
Read more... )

BOLD STROKES BOOKS (http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/)
Read more... )

BREATHLESS PRESS (http://www.breathlesspress.com/)
Read more... )

CHANGELING PRESS (http://www.changelingpress.com/)
Read more... )

CLEIS PRESS (http://www.cleispress.com/)
Read more... )

COBBLESTONE PRESS (http://www.cobblestone-press.com/)
Read more... )

DARK ROAST PRESS (http://www.darkroastpress.com/)
Read more... )

DREAMSPINNER PRESS (http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/)
Read more... )

ELLORA’S CAVE (http://www.jasminejade.com/)
Read more... )

EXCESSICA (http://excessica.com/)
Read more... )

EXTASY BOOKS (http://www.extasybooks.net/)
Read more... )

LETHE PRESS (http://www.lethepressbooks.com/)
Read more... )

LIQUID SILVER BOOKS (http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/)
Read more... )

LOOSE ID (http://www.loose-id.com/)
Read more... )

LOVEYOUDIVINE (http://www.loveyoudivine.com/)
Read more... )

MLR PRESS (http://www.mlrbooks.com/)
Read more... )

NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING (http://www.nobleromance.com/)
Read more... )

P.D. PUBLISHING (http://www.pdpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

PHAZE BOOKS (http://www.phaze.com/)
Read more... )

PRIZM BOOKS (http://www.prizmbooks.com/)
Read more... )

RAVENOUS ROMANCE (http://www.ravenousromance.com/)
Read more... )

RED ROSE PUBLISHING (http://redrosepublishing.com/)
Read more... )

RESPLENDENCE PUBLISHING (http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/)
Read more... )

ROMANCE UNBOUND (http://www.romanceunbound.com/)
Read more... )

SAMHAIN PUBLISHING (http://www.samhainpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

SHADOWFIRE PRESS (http://www.shadowfirepress.com/)
Read more... )

SILVER PUBLISHING (http://www.authorleilanddale.co.cc/shop/)
Read more... )

SIREN PUBLISHING (http://www.sirenpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

STARBOOKS PRESS (http://www.starbookspress.com/)  
Read more... )

TORQUERE BOOKS (http://www.torquerebooks.com/)
Read more... )

TOTAL-E-BOUND (http://www.total-e-bound.com/)
Read more... )

For Publishers: If you would like to be add to the weekly releases post, please contact me.

For Authors: If you would like to post an excerpt, please contact me.
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:38 am

LGBT Ebook and Print Releases December 26, 2009 – January 29, 2010

ALYSON BOOKS (http://www.alyson.com/)
Read more... )

AMBER ALLURE (http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/)
Read more... )

ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS (http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/)
Read more... )

BELLA BOOKS (http://www.bellabooks.com/)
Read more... )

BOLD STROKES BOOKS (http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/)
Read more... )

BREATHLESS PRESS (http://www.breathlesspress.com/)
Read more... )

CHANGELING PRESS (http://www.changelingpress.com/)
Read more... )

CLEIS PRESS (http://www.cleispress.com/)
Read more... )

COBBLESTONE PRESS (http://www.cobblestone-press.com/)
Read more... )

DARK ROAST PRESS (http://www.darkroastpress.com/)
Read more... )

DREAMSPINNER PRESS (http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/)
Read more... )

ELLORA’S CAVE (http://www.jasminejade.com/)
Read more... )

EXCESSICA (http://excessica.com/)
Read more... )

EXTASY BOOKS (http://www.extasybooks.net/)
Read more... )

LETHE PRESS (http://www.lethepressbooks.com/)
Read more... )

LIQUID SILVER BOOKS (http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/)
Read more... )

LOOSE ID (http://www.loose-id.com/)
Read more... )

LOVEYOUDIVINE (http://www.loveyoudivine.com/)
Read more... )

MLR PRESS (http://www.mlrbooks.com/)
Read more... )

NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING (http://www.nobleromance.com/)
Read more... )

P.D. PUBLISHING (http://www.pdpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

PHAZE BOOKS (http://www.phaze.com/)
Read more... )

PRIZM BOOKS (http://www.prizmbooks.com/)
Read more... )

RAVENOUS ROMANCE (http://www.ravenousromance.com/)
Read more... )

RED ROSE PUBLISHING (http://redrosepublishing.com/)
Read more... )

RESPLENDENCE PUBLISHING (http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/)
Read more... )

ROMANCE UNBOUND (http://www.romanceunbound.com/)
Read more... )

SAMHAIN PUBLISHING (http://www.samhainpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

SHADOWFIRE PRESS (http://www.shadowfirepress.com/)
Read more... )

SILVER PUBLISHING (http://www.authorleilanddale.co.cc/shop/)
Read more... )

SIREN PUBLISHING (http://www.sirenpublishing.com/)
Read more... )

STARBOOKS PRESS (http://www.starbookspress.com/)  
Read more... )

TORQUERE BOOKS (http://www.torquerebooks.com/)
Read more... )

TOTAL-E-BOUND (http://www.total-e-bound.com/)
Read more... )

For Publishers: If you would like to be add to the weekly releases post, please contact me.

For Authors: If you would like to post an excerpt, please contact me.
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:45 am

Gay Commercial: Peugeot

Strange, I think to remember a different ending when it aired in Italy... but well, probably I prefer this one!

A cute, young fellow (model Mark Van der Loo) pulls up to a stoplight in his Peugeot and, moments later, a big, black truck drives up next to him. From the truck's passenger window, a lass looks over longingly with a smile and our fellow looks back. At that moment, the truck's driver peers over and sees the glances. In anger, he snaps his toothpick in two, as if it represents the guy, then points forward for the two of them to race, perhaps in a duel for the girl.



Then, in a setup out of "Grease," the girl is posed in front of the two cars with her scarf in the air about to start the race as engines rev. The truck driver looks over angrily once again, but our hero makes a kissy face at him. Next, the truck driver gets out, walks over to the passenger side, and gets into the Peugot as his stunned girlfriend watches. The truck driver gives the other guy a big kiss on the cheek as the Peugot backs up full speed, with both of them laughing hysterically. The girlfriend and truck are abandoned as she runs hopelessly after them -- and gets neither one. (The lizard on the side of the road that changes color to match the car is a cute touch.)

This commercial is actually a startling follow-up to a companion ad, which is identical up to the beginning of the race. In the first one, though, the man in the truck takes off, laughing, but the Peugot guy stays behind and gets the girl. The second ad came in as a twist to surprise viewers later on. It's fun and outrageous, without being negative -- even though the girl wasn't too happy about being left behind.

Commercial Closet Association

Company: PSA Peugeot Citroën
Brand: Peugeot
Ad Title: Le Duel
Business Category: Automotive
Media Outlets: Television
Country: France
Region: Europe
Agency: Euro RSCG Worldwide
Year: 1998
Target: Mainstream
Ad Spotter: Romain Greco
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 10:45 am

Gay Commercial: Peugeot

Strange, I think to remember a different ending when it aired in Italy... but well, probably I prefer this one!

A cute, young fellow (model Mark Van der Loo) pulls up to a stoplight in his Peugeot and, moments later, a big, black truck drives up next to him. From the truck's passenger window, a lass looks over longingly with a smile and our fellow looks back. At that moment, the truck's driver peers over and sees the glances. In anger, he snaps his toothpick in two, as if it represents the guy, then points forward for the two of them to race, perhaps in a duel for the girl.



Then, in a setup out of "Grease," the girl is posed in front of the two cars with her scarf in the air about to start the race as engines rev. The truck driver looks over angrily once again, but our hero makes a kissy face at him. Next, the truck driver gets out, walks over to the passenger side, and gets into the Peugot as his stunned girlfriend watches. The truck driver gives the other guy a big kiss on the cheek as the Peugot backs up full speed, with both of them laughing hysterically. The girlfriend and truck are abandoned as she runs hopelessly after them -- and gets neither one. (The lizard on the side of the road that changes color to match the car is a cute touch.)

This commercial is actually a startling follow-up to a companion ad, which is identical up to the beginning of the race. In the first one, though, the man in the truck takes off, laughing, but the Peugot guy stays behind and gets the girl. The second ad came in as a twist to surprise viewers later on. It's fun and outrageous, without being negative -- even though the girl wasn't too happy about being left behind.

Commercial Closet Association

Company: PSA Peugeot Citroën
Brand: Peugeot
Ad Title: Le Duel
Business Category: Automotive
Media Outlets: Television
Country: France
Region: Europe
Agency: Euro RSCG Worldwide
Year: 1998
Target: Mainstream
Ad Spotter: Romain Greco
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 12:52 pm

Sex and Chocolate: The Chocolatier by Elizabeth Jewell

Even if Perry, 40 years old chocolatier, promotes his truffles like magic love potion, there is actually nothing magical in them, if not the faith in the power of love. Perry is a romantic, and him, like all in the small town where he lives, believes that his chocolate is magic, and so he is now a favourite of brides and grooms who want special truffles for their stag and bachelorette parties. But even if he is the favourite of all the lovers, and people think he is an expert in love, Perry is still alone. It’s not easy for a more than 40 years old gay man living in a small town USA to find true love. At least not since the day Foster, 32 years old from Denver, casually enters Perry’s shop.

Foster is on a temporary work assignment in Silver River, Colorado, and has not projects to be there for long. When he meets Perry, at first he thinks that a fling would be nice, but as soon as he has the chance to know him better, he realizes that Perry is someone special. The only trouble is that Perry knows believe that Foster’s love is induced but his chocolate and not by a real interest.

Probably the most interesting thing of all the story is that, basically, it’s a nice and ordinary love story, nothing really magic or strange. Just boy meets boy, boy falls in love for boy, boy needs to prove his love for boy. Just as sweet as the chocolate Perry sells, just as romantic as Perry is. Yes, since Perry is probably one of those last romantics on heart, people who really believes in love, so much that they convince themselves that love is magic.

I also like the setting of the story, the small town of Silver River, where everyone knows each other, and where, in the end, people don’t judge you for who you love, but for who you are. Probably again, a real thing sweetened by the pink glasses of love, but it’s nice to believe that somewhere a place like that exists.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1259

Reading List:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
2010-01-30 12:52 pm

Sex and Chocolate: The Chocolatier by Elizabeth Jewell

Even if Perry, 40 years old chocolatier, promotes his truffles like magic love potion, there is actually nothing magical in them, if not the faith in the power of love. Perry is a romantic, and him, like all in the small town where he lives, believes that his chocolate is magic, and so he is now a favourite of brides and grooms who want special truffles for their stag and bachelorette parties. But even if he is the favourite of all the lovers, and people think he is an expert in love, Perry is still alone. It’s not easy for a more than 40 years old gay man living in a small town USA to find true love. At least not since the day Foster, 32 years old from Denver, casually enters Perry’s shop.

Foster is on a temporary work assignment in Silver River, Colorado, and has not projects to be there for long. When he meets Perry, at first he thinks that a fling would be nice, but as soon as he has the chance to know him better, he realizes that Perry is someone special. The only trouble is that Perry knows believe that Foster’s love is induced but his chocolate and not by a real interest.

Probably the most interesting thing of all the story is that, basically, it’s a nice and ordinary love story, nothing really magic or strange. Just boy meets boy, boy falls in love for boy, boy needs to prove his love for boy. Just as sweet as the chocolate Perry sells, just as romantic as Perry is. Yes, since Perry is probably one of those last romantics on heart, people who really believes in love, so much that they convince themselves that love is magic.

I also like the setting of the story, the small town of Silver River, where everyone knows each other, and where, in the end, people don’t judge you for who you love, but for who you are. Probably again, a real thing sweetened by the pink glasses of love, but it’s nice to believe that somewhere a place like that exists.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1259

Reading List:

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