2015-07-01

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/2170205.html

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days of love

Bruce Moynagh & Rick R. Reed

Rick R. Reed was born (on July 1) and reared in the small Ohio River town of East Liverpool, OH. He grew up with my parents and two sisters on the banks of the Ohio, 45 minutes west of Pittsburgh. His hometown is known for its pottery production and has been featured in the books, Deadly Vision, Mute Witness, and Dead End Street, except he called East Liverpool Summitville, PA. He attended Miami University in Oxford, OH and got degrees in both English (with Creative Writing emphasis) and Mass Communications. After graduating from college, he moved to Chicago, where he lived most of my adult life. Most of his books have been set in Chicago--the place was very inspirational for him and still is. During his time in Chicago, he married and divorced. That union produced a son, Nicholas, who is now happily living in Montreal, Quebec with his husband, Tarik. He has also lived in Tampa, FL and Miami, FL.

Currently, he lives in the Pacific Northwest in the great city of Seattle, with his husband, Bruce Moynagh (together since June 15, 2002, and officially married in December 2012), a buyer for a national retailer headquartered in Seattle and their dog, a Boston Terrier named Lily. (Picture: Bruce Moynagh)

His love for writing began with a passion for stories that began when he was probably about four years old. He wrote his first short story when he was about six years old, first play in fourth grade, and he kept his fifth grade classmates enthralled by reading to them aloud a serial novella he wrote about a young girl's kidnapping. His first publication came in 1991 with Obsessed in Dell's lauded horror line, Abyss. Penance quickly followed. Since then, he has been writing what he cared most about: gay themed suspense, horror, and romance. To date, he has more than twenty books in print, with short stories in just about as many anthologies.

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. He is a 3time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Lambda Literary Review has called him, "a writer that doesn't disappoint." Currently, he lives in the Pacific Northwest in the great city of Seattle, with his husband, Bruce Moynagh (together since June 15, 2002, and officially married on December 9, 2012), and their dog, a Boston Terrier named Lily.

( Read more... )
Source: http://www.rickrreed.com/bio.htm

Days of Love: Celebrating LGBT History One Story at a Time by Elisa Rolle
Paperback: 760 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (July 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1500563323
ISBN-13: 978-1500563325
CreateSpace Store: https://www.createspace.com/4910282
Amazon (Paperback): http://www.amazon.com/dp/1500563323/?tag=elimyrevandra-20
Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MZG0VHY/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Days of Love chronicles more than 700 LGBT couples throughout history, spanning 2000 years from Alexander the Great to the most recent winner of a Lambda Literary Award. Many of the contemporary couples share their stories on how they met and fell in love, as well as photos from when they married or of their families. Included are professional portraits by Robert Giard and Stathis Orphanos, paintings by John Singer Sargent and Giovanni Boldini, and photographs by Frances Benjamin Johnson, Arnold Genthe, and Carl Van Vechten among others. “It's wonderful. Laying it out chronologically is inspired, offering a solid GLBT history. I kept learning things. I love the decision to include couples broken by death. It makes clear how important love is, as well as showing what people have been through. The layout and photos look terrific.” Christopher Bram “I couldn’t resist clicking through every page. I never realized the scope of the book would cover centuries! I know that it will be hugely validating to young, newly-emerging LGBT kids and be reassured that they really can have a secure, respected place in the world as their futures unfold.” Howard Cruse “This international history-and-photo book, featuring 100s of detailed bios of some of the most forward-moving gay persons in history, is sure to be one of those bestsellers that gay folk will enjoy for years to come as reference and research that is filled with facts and fun.” Jack Fritscher

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1983061.html

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days of love

Farley Granger & Robert Calhoun

Farley Earle Granger (July 1, 1925 – March 27, 2011) was an American actor. In a career spanning several decades, he was perhaps best known for his two collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Rope in 1948 and Strangers on a Train in 1951.

Granger was born in San Jose, California, the son of Eva (née Hopkins) and Farley Earle Granger.

His wealthy father owned a Willys-Overland automobile dealership, and the family frequently spent time at their beach house in Capitola. Following the stock market crash in 1929, the Grangers were forced to sell both their homes and most of their personal belongings and move into an apartment above the family business, where they remained for the next two years. As a result of this financial setback and the loss of their social status, both of Granger's parents began to drink heavily. Eventually the remainder of their possessions were sold at auction to settle their debts, and the elder Granger used the last car on his lot to spirit away the family to Los Angeles in the middle of the night.

The family settled in a small apartment in a seedy part of Hollywood, and Granger's parents worked at various temporary jobs. Their drinking increased, and the couple frequently fought. Hoping he might become a tap dancer, Granger was enrolled by his mother at Ethel Meglin's, the dance and drama instruction studio where Judy Garland and Shirley Temple had started.

Courtesy of Farley Granger. Farley Granger, left, and companion Robert Calhoun and dogs Luke and Molly in Rome, 1972 (©2)
Farley Earle Granger was an American actor, best known for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Rope and Strangers on a Train. While he was in tour in Philadelphia, JFK was assassinated. The President had attended opening night in the capital. Granger had become close friends with production supervisor Robert Calhoun, and although both had felt a mutual attraction, they never had discussed it. That night, November 22, 1963, they became lovers.

( Read more... )

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

Laurents had a four-year affair with Farley Granger, who starred with John Dall in Rope, the 1948 Hitchcock thriller for which Laurents wrote the screenplay. Dall was also gay, as was a third actor in the film whom Laurents had also dated. "The studios didn't care what anybody did about anything so long as it was kept private," said Laurents. "There was wholesale fucking of all kinds in Hollywood then." During his affair with Granger, Sam Goldwyn's wife, Frances, asked Laurents to tea. "You know, you're Farley's best friend," she said. "I would like to ask a favor. He takes out Shelley Winters in public. We don't care about what he does in private. But Miss Winters is too old and too vulgar for him. And if he insists on taking out a girl, could he please take out Ann Blyth?" - who also happened to be under contract to Goldwyn.
Loosely inspired by Leopold and Loeb murder case of 1924, Rope is about two young psycopaths who decide to murder a friend for the fun of it, and it is replete with homosexual overtones. "Hitch wanted Cary Grant and Monty Clift, and they both turned it down," Laurents remembered. "And he said to me, "Well, of course I knew they would because they're afraid - because of their own sexuality." And it was the truth. Hitchcock knew I was living with Farley, and he loved that. He loved what he thought was sexual perverseness." Later, Laurents remarked, "I don't think the censors at that time realized that this was about gay people. They didn't have a clue what was and what wasn't." --The Gay Metropolis: The Landmark History of Gay Life in America by Charles Kaiser

Robert Calhoun was the executive producer of "As the World Turns" when the show was named, and won, the outstanding drama series for 1987 at the Daytime Emmy Awards. The show was also nommed in 1986, 1988 and 1989.

Calhoun died of lung cancer in New York on May 24, 2008. He was 77.

"As the World Turns," rose to first place in the ratings under Calhoun's guidance. He subsequently moved to "Guiding Light," where he and that show were Emmy nommed in 1990 and 1991. He also received two noms while working on "Another World," in 1979 and 1980.

In the early 1980s, he worked as a producer on "Texas."

Calhoun's work over the years ranged from helping to launch the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles to translating Italian film scripts into English while working in Italy in the early 1970s.

Calhoun was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from the U. of Maryland, after serving three years in the U.S. Navy. His early work in the theater included a stint as production supervisor for Eva Le Gallienne's National Repertory Theater, during productions of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," where he met his lifelong partner, the actor Farley Granger, in 1963.

( Read more... )

Source: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117987559

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/2107011.html

Entry tags:

days of love

George Sand & Marie Dorval

George Sand (the pen name of Armandine Aurore Lucie Dupin) was the most famous female writer in nineteenth-century France. Deeply unhappy in her marriage to Baron Casimir Dudevant, Sand left him for the bright lights of Paris in 1831, where she began a literary career as her only means of earning a living. (Picture: George Sand at 60. Photo by Nadar, 1864)

Her first novel, Indiana, tells of an unhappy woman struggling to free herself from marriage, which to Sand was a form of slavery. Later novels, including Valentine and Lelia, openly explored women’s sexual feelings.

Sand’s reputation was based not only on her literary output, but also on her unconventional behavior—she wore male drag, smoked, and had a series of scandalous affairs with the likes of Alfred de Musset and Frederic CHOPIN.

One of her most intense love affairs was, however, with a woman, Marie DORVAL (6 January 1798, Lorient, Morbihan – 20 May 1849), one of the most famous and beautiful actresses of the Parisian stage. In January 1833, Sand wrote Dorval a letter of appreciation following one of her performances. The two women met and were immediately attracted to each other.

Theatre critic Gustave Planche reportedly warned Sand to stay away from Dorval. Count Alfred de Vigy, a former lover to Dorval, warned the actress to stay away from Sand, whom he referred to as “that damned lesbian."

( Read more... )

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

Marie Dorval (6 January 1798, Lorient, Morbihan – 20 May 1849) was a French actress.

Born Marie Thomase Amélie Delauney; abandoned by her father when she was five years old, and losing her mother to tuberculosis while still a teenager, at age of 15 she married Alain Dorval, a much older actor, who died five years later. The couple had two children.

Marie began acting on stage in earnest following her husband's death. She did not see great success until the age of 29, when she starred in the French play Trente ans, ou la vie d'un joueur ("Thirty years, or the life of a player."). At the age of 31, Marie married journalist Jean-Toussaint Merle.

In January, 1833, female writer George Sand met Marie Dorval after the former wrote the actress a letter of appreciation following one of her performances. The two women became involved in an intimate friendship, and were rumored to have become lesbian lovers. This has since been debated, and has never been verified. Theater critic Gustave Planche reportedly warned Sand to stay away from Dorval. Likewise, Count Alfred de Vigny, Dorval's lover, warned the actress to stay away from Sand, whom he referred to as "that damned lesbian". Popular writers from that time, such as Théophile Gautier and Honoré de Balzac, capitalized on the rumors.

Whatever the truth in their relationship, Sand and Dorval would remain close friends for the remainder of Dorval's lifetime. In 1834, Dorval starred in Vigny's play Chatterton, and in 1840 she played the lead in a play written by Sand, entitled Cosima, and the two women collaborated on the script. However, the play was not well received, and was cancelled after only seven showings.

( Read more... )

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

Further Readings:

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3101956.html

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Paul Russell (born July 1, 1956)

Novelist Paul Russell is known for his intricate narratives and eloquent prose style. His works often focus, in a non-stereotypical manner, on the sexual and emotional complexities of gay male relationships, especially those that cross generations.

Russell was born on July 1, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee. He studied English at Oberlin College, and was then admitted to the graduate program in English and Creative Writing at Cornell University. He was awarded an M.A. in English, as well as an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, for a collection of short stories and a novella titled "The Longing in Darkness," which remains unpublished.

Russell received his doctorate from Cornell in 1983 for a dissertation on the novelist Vladimir Nabokov. Upon receiving his degree, Russell was hired to teach English at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Before the publication of his first novel, a number of Russell's short stories appeared in literary journals: "The Witch and the Goatboy" in Black Warrior Review (Spring 1981); "Leiza" in Akros Review (Fall 1982); "After Mariah" in Swallow's Tale (Spring 1983); "Ricky" in Carolina Quarterly (Fall 1984); "Emma" in Southwester (Winter 1984); "Brushes" in Epoch (Summer 1985); and "A Hospital Room, a Tesseract, a Box Canyon" in the Crescent Review (Fall 1987).

Russell's first published novel, The Salt Point (1990), is set in the 1980s in Poughkeepsie, New York. The story concerns Anatole, a gay hairdresser in his early 30s, and his closest friends Lydia, who is heterosexual, and Christopher, an enigmatic bisexual. Friendships and loyalties are tested when both Anatole and Lydia become attracted to a handsome, sexually ambiguous, 18-year-old boy named Leigh.

Paul Russell, 1992, by Robert Giard (http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/dl_crosscollex/brbldl_getrec.asp?fld=img&id=1124038)

American photographer Robert Giard is renowned for his portraits of American poets and writers; his particular focus was on gay and lesbian writers. Some of his photographs of the American gay and lesbian literary community appear in his groundbreaking book Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Writers, published by MIT Press in 1997. Giard’s stated mission was to define the literary history and cultural identity of gays and lesbians for the mainstream of American society, which perceived them as disparate, marginal individuals possessing neither. In all, he photographed more than 600 writers. (http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/digitallibrary/giard.html)

( Read more... )

Citation Information
Author: Kaczorowski, Craig
Entry Title: Russell, Paul
General Editor: Claude J. Summers
Publication Name: glbtq: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture
Publication Date: 2005
Date Last Updated March 9, 2005
Web Address www.glbtq.com/literature/russell_p.html
Publisher glbtq, Inc.
1130 West Adams
Chicago, IL 60607
Today's Date July 1, 2012
Encyclopedia Copyright: © 2002-2006, glbtq, Inc.
Entry Copyright © 2005, glbtq, inc.

Paul Russell is one of my favorite contemporary writers, and I consider War Against the Animals his masterpiece to date. I have read it a couple of times and loved it both times. --Keith Hale

War Against the Animals is a page-turner about a melancholy, middle-aged AIDS survivor who falls for a studly and naïve young redneck who’s under the control of his scheming older brother. Russell’s writing here is as taut as a trampoline bounced upon from above and below. This is an elegant, challenging, and subtly erotic read that’s long on longing and short on nothing. You’ll find yourself forgetting to exhale. --Nick Nolan

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More Particular Voices at my website: http://www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Particular Voices

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3102243.html

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days of love tb

Sir John Clanvowe & Sir William Neville

Sir William Neville and Sir John Clanvowe, two knights who were buried in the same tomb after dying at Constantinople in 1391.

They have a monument depicting their heraldic shields impaled as if they were married, in the iconography of the time, the two helms, or helmets, surmounting them placed close together in the stylised depiction of a kiss.

Sir John Clanvowe (1341–1391) was a Welsh diplomat, soldier and poet.

Clanvowe was born to a Welsh Marcher family in an area that would later become part of Radnorshire, but took up residence in Wigmore, Herefordshire.

He was a personal friend of Geoffrey Chaucer. In 1386 they were both deponents in the Scrope v. Grosvenor case in the Court of Chivalry, in which Lord Scrope of Bolton and Sir Robert Grosvenor fought over the right to bear a particular coat of arms. Chaucer and Clanvowe testified in favour of Scrope.

He was one of the 'Lollard knights' (with supposedly heretical views) at the court of King Richard II.

In 1390 he was campaigning with Louis II, Duke of Bourbon against Tunis. He was buried with Sir William Neville in a joint tomb discovered in 1913 in Istanbul's Arap Mosque in a way (helmets facing each other as if kissing, shields overlapping, impaled coats of arms), which would suggest a homosexual relationship between the two men.

Sir John Clanvowe was a Welsh diplomat, soldier and poet. He was a personal friend of Geoffrey Chaucer. He was one of the 'Lollard knights' at the court of King Richard II. In 1390 he was campaigning with Louis II, Duke of Bourbon against Tunis. He was buried with Sir William Neville in a joint tomb discovered in 1913 in Istanbul's Arap Mosque in a way (helmets facing each other as if kissing, shields overlapping, impaled coats of arms), which would suggest a homosexual relationship between the two men.

( Read more... )

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Clanvowe

( Further Readings )

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3102648.html

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euro pride con

Euro Pride Con: Osiris Brackhaus

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October).

For the Euro Pride in Munich, July 11-12, 2015, today author is Osiris Brackhaus: "Even though I was an avid storyteller since I could talk, I only dared to commit my stories to paper after my future wife basically manhandled me to. The two of us are currently living our happily ever after in Kassel, Germany, doing so under the stern but loving surveillance of our cat.
I lead an unassuming day life as a specialist accountant, but in my spare time, I write fantasy, science fiction and historical fiction with gay romance themes, having a ball herding plot bunnies with my congenial wife."

Further Readings:

Lovers in Arms by Osiris Brackhaus
Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing (July 21, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1622341104
ISBN-13: 978-1622341108
Amazon: Lovers in Arms
Amazon Kindle: Lovers in Arms

The year is 1946, World War II is over, and the Nuremberg trials are underway. US Army Captain Frank Hawthorne is returning to Germany to testify in the military tribunal of former Nazi Officer Johann von Biehn. Despite explicit orders to the contrary, Frank is trying to save Johann's life. Three years ago, at the height of the war, Frank had been sent to kill the very man he is now defending. Much to his surprise, instead of the Nazi monster he was sent to kill, Frank found a compassionate dissenter. Johann considered the handsome young American officer the answer to his desperate prayers to save his beloved Germany from the cancerous infection of Nazi rule. What really happened between the two men during those long summer days in von Biehn’s Spreewald mansion must be kept secret at any cost. With his own government forbidding Frank to reveal anything political that happened during the war, and society forcing him to conceal their personal relationship, Frank will have to find something truly unexpected to prevent Johann's all-but-certain death sentence.

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3102887.html

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uk glbt fiction meet

UK Meet: K. J. Charles

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October).

For the UK Meet in Bristol, September 11-13, 2015, today author is K. J. Charles: "I'm a writer of romance, mostly m/m, often historical or fantasy or both. My books include The Magpie Lord and Think of England.

I'm also a freelance editor, and I blog about writing and editing at kjcharleswriter.com.

I live in London, UK, with two kids, a tolerant husband and an even more tolerant cat."

Further Readings:

A Fashionable Indulgence: A Society of Gentlemen Novel by K.J. Charles
Publisher: Loveswept (August 11, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: A Fashionable Indulgence: A Society of Gentlemen Novel

In the first novel of an explosive new series from K. J. Charles, a young gentleman and his elegant mentor fight for love in a world of wealth, power, and manipulation.

When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips.

After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.

Crossposts: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3103119.html

Entry tags:

gayromlit

2015 GRL Featured Blog Tour: Lucy Marker

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October). Moreover I'm taking part at the 2015 GRL Featured Blog Tour as Featured Blogger.

For the 2015 Featured Blog Tour, today author is Lucy Marker, author of Broken Mercies from Dreamspinner Press:

Do you enjoy “real life” romances?
I love reading about heroes who face their worst in order to do their best. Messed up by circumstances beyond their control, these men and women are brave enough to take responsibility for their choices, overcome dire circumstances, and learn how to love. Their heroism helps me recognize the good in others and gives me hope in a world that often feels too dark for comfort.
Because I adore these stories, I created the same type of heroes in Broken Mercies. I fell a little bit in love with my guys, Dan and Jeremy. I wouldn’t mind being like them when I grow up.
While my writing focuses on male/male romance and women's fiction, I sharpen my escape-artist skills with several genres. I rely heavily on experts who promise my e-reader won’t explode as I load it up with male/male and other romances, fantasies, mysteries, romantic comedies, women's fiction, thrillers, and all sorts of series.
I hope to meet several of my favorite authors at the Gay Romantic Lit Retreat in October. I want to thank them for sharing their hard work and talent. I'm grateful for the life-like heroes they've given us.
I look forward to sharing this appreciation with other readers as well. See you in October!

Gay Romantic Lit Retreat:
Besides reading avidly from the works of GRL authors, I’ve come to know the community through social media. I’ve never encountered a more supportive, caring group. I recognize the particular type of kindness that develops as a result of surviving deep life struggles. Their collective sense of humor invites everyone to share a good belly laugh, and from the pictures and comments I’ve seen from other GRLs, I’m going to love my first GRL.
Cate Ashwood is producing a GRL goody-bag anthology of writing samples from attending authors (including mine). The tradition is to obtain as many autographs as possible. I promise to work very hard to maintain at least a small amount of dignity as I chase down these writers, but be warned. I will probably squeal when I meet them.

My thanks to Elisa for this opportunity to tell you about my novel!

Broken Mercies by Lucy Marker
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 24, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632162148
ISBN-13: 978-1632162144
Amazon: Broken Mercies
Amazon Kindle: Broken Mercies

Musician Daniel Gilchrist has decided he’s broken.
He doesn’t deserve Jeremy Evans, a sensible, sweet artist who insists they belong together. Bad choices after a hellish childhood make Dan more suited to guys like his ex-lover, a toxic mega-star who wants to resume their affair.
But Jeremy is irresistible, and he’s survived a few nightmares of his own. He challenges Dan to get rid of the false shame imposed by his mentally ill mother. Her twisted zealotry had influenced his choices, and it’s time to stop blaming himself for inadequately protecting his little sisters from her cruelty.
While Dan wrestles with old guilt, his ex-lover persuades him to collaborate on a song that protests religious bigotry. Dan grows suspicious of the star’s odd behavior, and then law enforcement shows up.
That clinches it—Dan really isn’t good enough for Jeremy. Somehow he’s managed to drag the poor guy into danger.

About the Author: I'm an escape artist. I learned very young how to run away into stories. Then I discovered the powerful magic of using my own words to create make-believe. Having survived some interesting real-life plot hooks, I now live happily ever after in the San Francisco Bay area with my husband, and our two adult children have moved on to create their own stories.

Contact information:
Website: lucymarker.com
E-mail: lucy@lucymarker.com
Facebook: lucy.marker.370@facebook.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucy@lucymarker.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9816210.Lucy_Marker

( GRL Blog Tour Appearance Schedule )