The Christmas Throwaway by R.J. Scott

Hill Valley is like a town without time, like one of those Christmas villages insider a crystal bowl, perfect and beautiful, but tiny and fragile. This was my feeling reading this story, that Zach ended in a fairy tale place, but the story is not a fantasy and maybe these small towns still exist. Place where people care for each other, where the town cop really works for the community.

Ben is that town cop, when he finds 17 years old Zach sleeping on a bench in a cold winter night, he doesn’t think twice to bring the boy at his mother’s home for Christmas Eve, and then for the following week, and then for the rest of his life. They don’t have much in this small town, but what they have, they share. Plus Zach is gay like Ben, and Ben’s mom has never once rejected his son, unlike Zach’s parents who threw him out when it was clear he was not cured from homosexuality despite all the reprogramming therapy, the blows and what it hurt more, the completely lack of love.

Yes, this is a Christmas tale and as such, it’s positive, pink glasses perspective, everything clicking in the right way. This is how a Christmas tale is supposed to be, and so you haven’t to question if that is possible, if it’s realistic… sometime Christmas miracles happen, and if not, well, at least you can read about them.

Zach is cute, Ben is perfect, Ben’s family is even more perfect than him, the villain will disappear without much trouble, almost doing everything by himself, like a magic that with a touch of wand made him just puff away. Just like a miracle.

Amazon: The Christmas Throwaway
Amazon Kindle: The Christmas Throwaway
Publisher     CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Second Edition, new cover, editing changes edition (March 8, 2013)
Language     English
ISBN-10     1482731428
ISBN-13     978-1482731422

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

Alexander Hamilton & John Laurens

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804) was so close to George Washington, rumors circulated that they were father and son. In fact, the charming and handsome Hamilton was very close to a lot of men, particularly a soldier named John Laurens (October 28, 1754 – August 27, 1782), formerly Washington’s aide-de-camp. Their correspondence reveals the intensity of their passion for each other in terms not commonly used even in their effusive times. Hamilton’s letters are filled with "I love you," promises to avoid other ‘*particular attachments," and expressions of hope that he has been able to "steal into your affections." In one letter Hamilton wrote: "I wish, Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words, to convince you that I love you." An early biographer noted that "I must not publish the whole of this." Hamilton and Laurens are depicted together on the "Surrender of Cornwallis" commemorative US postage stamp released in October of 1981. (Picture: Oil on canvas portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1806)

In spring 1779 Hamilton gave Laurens the assignment of finding a wife for him (Picture: A 1780 miniature portrait of Laurens, by Charles Willson Peale):

She must be young—handsome (I lay most stress upon a good shape), sensible (a little learning will do)—well bred . . . chaste and tender (I am an enthusiast in my notions of fidelity and fondness); of some good nature—a great deal of generosity (she must neither love money nor scolding, for I dislike equally a termagant and an economist)—In politics, I am indifferent what side she may be of—I think I have arguments that will safely convert her to mine—As to religion a moderate stock will satisfy me—She must believe in god and hate a saint. But as to fortune, the larger stock of that the better.

When Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler in 1780, he assured Laurens that the marriage would not alter his affection: "as if after matrimony I was to be less devoted [to you] than I am now." The marriage did, however, put a chill in Hamilton’s relationship with a disappointed George Washington. Hamilton was one of many apparently gay or bisexual men who surrounded General Washington, whose childless marriage to Martha may have been a marriage of convenience.


Alexander Hamilton was so close to George Washington. But the charming and handsome Hamilton was close to a lot of men, particularly a soldier named John Laurens, formerly Washington’s aide-de-camp. Their correspondence reveals the intensity of their passion in terms not commonly used even in their effusive times. Hamilton’s letters are filled with "I love you," promises to avoid other ‘*particular attachments," and expressions of hope that he has been able to "steal into your affections."

( Read more... )

Source: Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals by Keith Stern

( Further Readings )

More LGBT Couples at my website: http://www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Real Life Romance

John Beaird (April 9, 1953 – July 9, 1993)

John Richard Beaird (April 9, 1953 – July 9, 1993) was a screenwriter and film producer.

He was responsible for scripting two of the most well-known slasher films of the early 1980s, My Bloody Valentine (1981), Happy Birthday To Me (1981), and the CBS miniseries North Beach and Rawhide, though his work on Happy Birthday To Me went uncredited.

My Bloody Valentine is notorious for its rough treatment at the hands of the MPAA, which demanded extensive cutting of the film's gore. Beaird died in 1993 in Los Angeles, California.

Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Plot: Sheltering Hills, Map C29, Lot 4907, Space 2


AIDS quilt

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beaird

( Further Readings )

Oleg Kerensky (January 9, 1930 - July 9, 1993)

Oleg Kerensky was a dance, music, and theater critic for newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Britain.

TO BE BORN with a famous name must be a problem as well as a help. Being grandson of Alexander Kerensky, head of the Russian Provisional Government in 1917, certainly helped Oleg in his Oxford days at Christ Church and as treasurer and Librarian of the Oxford Union.

The problem comes from people's expectations. Touched by history as Oleg Kerensky was, he would be obsessed with politics. He wasn't. Well-connected and informed, having languages and an international outlook, he won his success at Oxford and later at the BBC through ability rather than his name. Political expectations remained unfulfilled along with interest in the bridges and motorways built by his designer father.

What absorbed him was the world and personalities of the arts, especially classical ballet, to which he was introduced by his mother. They appeared together at performances, he myopic and astigmatic, carrying powerful opera glasses to see the stage, she tiny beside his bulky height, a galleon and its pinnace sailing slowly among the Covent Garden crowds.

Companionship with words, written or spoken, was grounded in education at Westminster School. Scattering them widely at first across broadcasts on many subjects, particularly for the BBC's European and World Services, he focused finally on arts commentary and dance criticism, where he made his name. He was for five years deputy editor of the BBC's journal the Listener before going freelance, from the late 1960s. His writing and speaking had neither the imagery of Gautier, the wit of Tynan nor the glitter of Buckle at his best. Instead he offered from 1957 to 1978 a plain man's guide to dance for readers of the Daily Mail, the New Statesman and the International Herald Tribune.


Oleg Kerensky with Rudolf Nureyev
Oleg Kerensky (January 9, 1930 - July 9, 1993) was a dance, music, and theater critic for newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Britain. What absorbed him was the world and personalities of the arts, especially classical ballet, to which he was introduced by his mother. They appeared together at performances, he myopic and astigmatic, carrying powerful opera glasses to see the stage, she tiny beside his bulky height, a galleon and its pinnace sailing slowly among the Covent Garden crowds.

( Read more... )

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-oleg-kerensky-1484441.html (PETER BRINSON)

( Further Readings )

UK GLBTQ Meet Ebook Giveaway: R.J. Scott - Guarding Morgan

I asked to all the authors joining the UK GLBTQ Fiction meet in Manchester in July (http://ukglbtfictionmeet.co.uk/2013-event/2013-attendees/spotlight_authors-2/) a personal favor, a special Ebook Giveaway: twice a week I will post 1 book from each author, and among those who will leave a comment, I will draw a winner. Very easy and very fast ;-) I will send a PM to the winner, so remember to not leave anonymous comments!

And the ebook giveaway goes to Elayne

Today author is R.J. Scott: Writing MM Romance with a Happy Ever After...
I am in awe that people read my writing and thank you all for taking the time to read, rate and review.
About me...I live in the UK just outside London and most of my written work is published with Silver Publishing. I love reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, my first real love will always be the world of romance. My goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and more than a hint of happily ever after.

Guarding Morgan (Sanctuary) (Volume 1) by RJ Scott
Publisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (March 8, 2013)
Language English
ISBN-10 1482732971
ISBN-13 978-1482732979
Amazon: Guarding Morgan (Sanctuary)
Amazon Kindle: Guarding Morgan (Sanctuary)

Morgan Drake is the only witness to a murder in an alleyway. Nik Valentinov works for Sanctuary, a foundation offering witness protection to anyone whose safety is compromised. Morgan discovers a bodyguard's arms can offer more than protection. Morgan Drake witnesses a murder in an alleyway. He is the only person who can give evidence in prosecuting the cop responsible for the crime. When the FBI safe house where he's being held is compromised, he follows the instructions of the agent in charge and runs. Nik Valentinov works for Sanctuary, a foundation that offers witness protection when FBI security is questionable. When Morgan's handler sends him to Nik for safety, neither Morgan nor Nik could imagine that two weeks alone in a cabin in the woods would have their hearts racing with something much more than merely trying to keep Morgan alive.

Bonus ebooks: The Christmas Throwaway, and The Decisions We Make