Trip of a Lifetime by J.P. Bowie

Trip of a Lifetime was not only very romantic, but it also reminded me a lot of those Mills&Boon romances I eagerly read when I was a teenager, and for me this is a huge compliment. Usually in those novels there was always a darkly handsome English/Scottish man who swept away the innocent pale like a tea-rose secretary/teacher/nurse. The Old Europe flavour of those books made them even more special, since, even if the main characters were in danger, or passionately in love, or having trouble, it always seemed everything was softer, dreaming-like, simple to resolve. And as often in those romances, the setting moves from rainy England to sunny Italy, to allow the heroes to fall in love in a more romantic setting.

Coming back to the story, there is actually one main difference, one of the heroes is not English but American. Aside from that, Alex preserves all his tea-roses characteristic: a bit naïve, mostly innocent (not sexually speaking but more as attitude), fair and pale in color, and a very sweet attitude. He is not someone who likes to impose himself, he is often day-dreaming, and he is totally unaware of his charm. Still slightly suffering from a bad break-up, Alex decides for an impromptu vacation in Tuscany, against the best advice of his best friend and mother, who in the end accept Alex’s decision.

As soon as he arrives in Florence, Alex meets Gavin, a very handsome Scottish business man, with an overwhelming persona, who passionately courts Alex; they are inseparable from the very first night, and even if they have to overcome some dangerously situations, as I said they are no really life-treating, but more annoying; actually everything resolves for the better without nor Alex or Gavin have to do much, since more or less they are too committed to love each other to pay attention to anything else.

I really love the characterization J.P. Bowie did of Gavin, a perfect son of Scotland. True, he has an advantage being originally from Scotland, and indeed, both in attitude than in language, Gavin felt original and very, very charming. I also liked Alex, he was not an imposing man, but he is the type of man you notice in a room, since his allure is subtle but strong, and his strength is given by his sweetness; and as in those old fashioned romances, Alex has “hidden” weapons, unexpected resourcefulness he is able to bring out at the right moment. And btw, I’m pretty sure J.P. Bowie had in mind those romances while writing this one, and I think the secretary reference he did in the end was an homage to the genre.

P.S. Thank you to J.P. Bowie, I think that “Hotel Elisa” was a little gift for me ;-) And even if he probably doesn’t know, I love those old fashioned hotels as well.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1304

Amazon: Trip of a Lifetime
Amazon Kindle: Trip of a Lifetime
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (July 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0857154354
ISBN-13: 978-0857154354

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

Trip of a Lifetime by J.P. Bowie

Trip of a Lifetime was not only very romantic, but it also reminded me a lot of those Mills&Boon romances I eagerly read when I was a teenager, and for me this is a huge compliment. Usually in those novels there was always a darkly handsome English/Scottish man who swept away the innocent pale like a tea-rose secretary/teacher/nurse. The Old Europe flavour of those books made them even more special, since, even if the main characters were in danger, or passionately in love, or having trouble, it always seemed everything was softer, dreaming-like, simple to resolve. And as often in those romances, the setting moves from rainy England to sunny Italy, to allow the heroes to fall in love in a more romantic setting.

Coming back to the story, there is actually one main difference, one of the heroes is not English but American. Aside from that, Alex preserves all his tea-roses characteristic: a bit naïve, mostly innocent (not sexually speaking but more as attitude), fair and pale in color, and a very sweet attitude. He is not someone who likes to impose himself, he is often day-dreaming, and he is totally unaware of his charm. Still slightly suffering from a bad break-up, Alex decides for an impromptu vacation in Tuscany, against the best advice of his best friend and mother, who in the end accept Alex’s decision.

As soon as he arrives in Florence, Alex meets Gavin, a very handsome Scottish business man, with an overwhelming persona, who passionately courts Alex; they are inseparable from the very first night, and even if they have to overcome some dangerously situations, as I said they are no really life-treating, but more annoying; actually everything resolves for the better without nor Alex or Gavin have to do much, since more or less they are too committed to love each other to pay attention to anything else.

I really love the characterization J.P. Bowie did of Gavin, a perfect son of Scotland. True, he has an advantage being originally from Scotland, and indeed, both in attitude than in language, Gavin felt original and very, very charming. I also liked Alex, he was not an imposing man, but he is the type of man you notice in a room, since his allure is subtle but strong, and his strength is given by his sweetness; and as in those old fashioned romances, Alex has “hidden” weapons, unexpected resourcefulness he is able to bring out at the right moment. And btw, I’m pretty sure J.P. Bowie had in mind those romances while writing this one, and I think the secretary reference he did in the end was an homage to the genre.

P.S. Thank you to J.P. Bowie, I think that “Hotel Elisa” was a little gift for me ;-) And even if he probably doesn’t know, I love those old fashioned hotels as well.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1304

Amazon: Trip of a Lifetime
Amazon Kindle: Trip of a Lifetime
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing (July 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0857154354
ISBN-13: 978-0857154354

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

Guest Blog: What are you trying to say? by Xavier Axelson

I recently watched a bizarre movie starring Joanne Woodward called Rachel Rachel directed by Paul Newman from 1968. It really is worth watching for a million reasons but what struck me was during the film a character asks Woodward, “What are you trying to say?” Or “What are you saying?”

I can’t remember the exact line but it made me think about my writing, and writing in general.

What are we trying to say when we write?

What am I trying to say?

To which I answer, “I have no idea.” I never know what ideas a story is going to reveal. I think there are bits and pieces of me in everything I write. But what is the message behind the words? I’d like to think people will walk away from what I have written and think a little bit, or in the case of my erotica, will be aroused. Writing should arouse you, even when it isn’t erotic. It should arouse curiosity, imagination, inspiration, emotion; you get the idea. There are so many people writing, so many ideas being conveyed and yet when you stop and ask yourself, “What am I trying to say?”

What would you answer?

I looked back on the last year and the seven novellas I’ve written and tried to find an underlying theme in each. The first thing I came up with was the idea of personal freedom. The men in my stories struggle to find their freedom in the world. Some are held back by overbearing parents, some by guilt, some by their fear of love and commitment and, finally, some are held back by fear in general. I think this theme is important because is there anything more necessary than freedom? I love when I finish writing something and the characters are set free, they have overcome something and changed because of it.



( Read more... )

Speaking of walls, come post something on my Facebook wall or follow me on Twitter. My latest release “The Incident” is available at www.seventhwindow.com.

I can also be reached at www.xavieraxelson.com where you can find all the latest news about my upcoming releases, interviews, reviews, etc! Or stop by my column over at the examiner where offbeat celebrities, artists and troublemakers abound! --by Xavier Axelson

The Incident by Xavier Axelson
Publisher: Seventh Window Publications (August 13, 2011)
Amazon Kindle: The Incident

In the line of duty, decisions that will change your life forever are made in a split-second. Nobody knows that better than Officer Michael Carmac, whose fatal split-second decision haunts his days. Tormented by guilt, Michael seeks solace in a bottle and the friendship he has with his partner, Officer Bertram Angel. But the more he leans on Angel for support, the more Michael discovers a longing that he’s kept hidden for too long. Can Angel help ease the pain of guilt or will Michael’s hidden desires be the end of their friendship?

Guest Blog: What are you trying to say? by Xavier Axelson

I recently watched a bizarre movie starring Joanne Woodward called Rachel Rachel directed by Paul Newman from 1968. It really is worth watching for a million reasons but what struck me was during the film a character asks Woodward, “What are you trying to say?” Or “What are you saying?”

I can’t remember the exact line but it made me think about my writing, and writing in general.

What are we trying to say when we write?

What am I trying to say?

To which I answer, “I have no idea.” I never know what ideas a story is going to reveal. I think there are bits and pieces of me in everything I write. But what is the message behind the words? I’d like to think people will walk away from what I have written and think a little bit, or in the case of my erotica, will be aroused. Writing should arouse you, even when it isn’t erotic. It should arouse curiosity, imagination, inspiration, emotion; you get the idea. There are so many people writing, so many ideas being conveyed and yet when you stop and ask yourself, “What am I trying to say?”

What would you answer?

I looked back on the last year and the seven novellas I’ve written and tried to find an underlying theme in each. The first thing I came up with was the idea of personal freedom. The men in my stories struggle to find their freedom in the world. Some are held back by overbearing parents, some by guilt, some by their fear of love and commitment and, finally, some are held back by fear in general. I think this theme is important because is there anything more necessary than freedom? I love when I finish writing something and the characters are set free, they have overcome something and changed because of it.



( Read more... )

Speaking of walls, come post something on my Facebook wall or follow me on Twitter. My latest release “The Incident” is available at www.seventhwindow.com.

I can also be reached at www.xavieraxelson.com where you can find all the latest news about my upcoming releases, interviews, reviews, etc! Or stop by my column over at the examiner where offbeat celebrities, artists and troublemakers abound! --by Xavier Axelson

The Incident by Xavier Axelson
Publisher: Seventh Window Publications (August 13, 2011)
Amazon Kindle: The Incident

In the line of duty, decisions that will change your life forever are made in a split-second. Nobody knows that better than Officer Michael Carmac, whose fatal split-second decision haunts his days. Tormented by guilt, Michael seeks solace in a bottle and the friendship he has with his partner, Officer Bertram Angel. But the more he leans on Angel for support, the more Michael discovers a longing that he’s kept hidden for too long. Can Angel help ease the pain of guilt or will Michael’s hidden desires be the end of their friendship?

Suffer the Little Children by Tracy Rowan

Suffer the Little Children is surprisingly romantic and yes, even a bit “light comedy”, surprisingly due to the matter, uncovering a traffic of children prostitutes.

It’s for sure on the recent trend of fiction inspired by the “odd” couple of historical private investigators Sherlock and Holmes; on the difference of that story, where the special relationship between Sherlock and Holmes is only hinted, here Nick Romney and David Malvern are in a full man on man relationship, something that is acknowledge, albeit with discretion, even by David’s own family. Nick was an abused child who left his aristocratic but uncaring family as soon as possible; he spent his teen years between odd jobs and even the life of a kept man; when he meets David he is only 20 years old but he behaves like a man much older. David is the scoundrel son of a baronet; without a real pursuit in life if not being a disappointment for his loving parents, David is not a bad man, but he has no direction; meeting Nick gives him a purpose, making Nick happy. David’s family is glad to see him “settled” down, even if the chosen companion is a man. And then they are living their relationship with discretion… or at least they private relationship.

Indeed, Nick, with the help of David’s father, a barrister, at first had collaborated with Scotland Yard, and now is a private investigator; David, other than taking care of Nick, is also his living recorder, and after each case is solved, he sells Nick’s adventures as a serial to a London newspaper. They are sharing a two bedroom apartment at the second floor of a townhouse owned by a widow, and so decency is save, even if the second bedroom is not used.

When I say that the story is somewhat “light” it’s due to Nick and David’s relationship; even when they are in danger, even when Nick’s past is troubling him, their relationship never suffers. They are able to admit their feelings to each other, there is always a strict bond between them and I have never felt like their love was on the stake. They are also very physical on their expression of love, even if it was more intimate than sexual; actually I think the level of erotic details was quite low, and the romance side was more prominent.

Sometime I had a “steampunk” feeling, even if indeed there is nothing of unrealistic in the setting or language, only that sometime Nick’s skill in finding the clues was more CSI like than Victorian age.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3033

Amazon Kindle: Suffer the Little Children
Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc. (January 26, 2011)

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

Best LGBT Historical (2° place): Suffer the Little Children by Tracy Rowan

Also Best Writing Style (1° place)

Suffer the Little Children is surprisingly romantic and yes, even a bit “light comedy”, surprisingly due to the matter, uncovering a traffic of children prostitutes.

It’s for sure on the recent trend of fiction inspired by the “odd” couple of historical private investigators Sherlock and Holmes; on the difference of that story, where the special relationship between Sherlock and Holmes is only hinted, here Nick Romney and David Malvern are in a full man on man relationship, something that is acknowledge, albeit with discretion, even by David’s own family. Nick was an abused child who left his aristocratic but uncaring family as soon as possible; he spent his teen years between odd jobs and even the life of a kept man; when he meets David he is only 20 years old but he behaves like a man much older. David is the scoundrel son of a baronet; without a real pursuit in life if not being a disappointment for his loving parents, David is not a bad man, but he has no direction; meeting Nick gives him a purpose, making Nick happy. David’s family is glad to see him “settled” down, even if the chosen companion is a man. And then they are living their relationship with discretion… or at least they private relationship.

Indeed, Nick, with the help of David’s father, a barrister, at first had collaborated with Scotland Yard, and now is a private investigator; David, other than taking care of Nick, is also his living recorder, and after each case is solved, he sells Nick’s adventures as a serial to a London newspaper. They are sharing a two bedroom apartment at the second floor of a townhouse owned by a widow, and so decency is save, even if the second bedroom is not used.

When I say that the story is somewhat “light” it’s due to Nick and David’s relationship; even when they are in danger, even when Nick’s past is troubling him, their relationship never suffers. They are able to admit their feelings to each other, there is always a strict bond between them and I have never felt like their love was on the stake. They are also very physical on their expression of love, even if it was more intimate than sexual; actually I think the level of erotic details was quite low, and the romance side was more prominent.

Sometime I had a “steampunk” feeling, even if indeed there is nothing of unrealistic in the setting or language, only that sometime Nick’s skill in finding the clues was more CSI like than Victorian age.

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3033

Amazon Kindle: Suffer the Little Children
Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc. (January 26, 2011)



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