Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 361

Jeff Mann (born August 8)

Jeff Mann grew up in Covington, Virginia, and Hinton, West Virginia, receiving degrees in English and forestry from West Virginia University. His poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in many publications, including The Spoon River Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide, Crab Orchard Review, Appalachian Heritage, Best Gay Poetry, Best Gay Erotica, and Best Gay Stories. He has published three award-winning poetry chapbooks, Bliss, Mountain Fireflies, and Flint Shards from Sussex; five full-length books of poetry, Bones Washed with Wine, On the Tongue, Ash: Poems from Norse Mythology, A Romantic Mann, and Rebels; two collections of personal essays, Edge: Travels of an Appalachian Leather Bear and Binding the God: Ursine Essays from the Mountain South; four novels, Cub, Fog: A Novel of Desire and Reprisal, which won the Pauline Réage Novel Award, Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War, which won a Rainbow Award, and Salvation: A Novel of the Civil War, which won a Lambda Literary Award; three novellas, Devoured, included in Masters of Midnight: Erotic Tales of the Vampire, Camp Allegheny, included in History's Passion: Stories of Sex Before Stonewall, and The Saga of Einar and Gisli, included in On the Run: Tales of Gay Pursuit and Passion; a book of poetry and memoir, Loving Mountains, Loving Men; and two volumes of short fiction, Desire and Devour: Stories of Blood and Sweat and A History of Barbed Wire, which won a Lambda Literary Award. In May 2013, he was inducted into the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame. He teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Desire and Devour won a 2012 Rainbow Award as Best LGBT Erotica and Purgatory as Best Gay Historical. A Romantic Mann won a 2013 Rainbow Award as Best LGBT Biography / Memoir / Non Fiction / Poetry.

Further Readings:

Desire & Devour: Stories of Blood & Sweat by Jeff Mann
Paperback: 202 pages
Publisher: Bear Bones Books (August 25, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590213939
ISBN-13: 978-1590213933
Amazon: Desire & Devour: Stories of Blood & Sweat
Amazon Kindle: Desire & Devour: Stories of Blood & Sweat

Desire. The longing for the touch of men. The edge of hunger. The need for supplicants craving a sweaty embrace, a passionate tryst in the dark.

Devour. To drink, to dispatch, to swallow. To quench one's unimaginable thirst. To leave an empty vessel behind as one walks away into the night.

More than a hundred and fifty years before Dracula ever touched English soil, Scottish Highlander Derek Maclaine became one of the undead to bring a terrible vengeance on those who had taken the man he loved. But revenge could not sate his appetites for sweat and blood through the years; an immortal learns to survive, to love again, as the lives of mortals are bright and brief flames that attract vampires like amorous moths. Award-winning author Jeff Mann has collected his erotic and powerful stories of Derek's unlife, adventures that travel centuries and the globe. Loosen your collar, bare your throat, sigh in expectation, but do not forget to shiver as this burly and brawny stalker of men steps behind you, to brush his beard against your neck as his hands grasp you where you most need to be touched.

Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Mann
Paperback: 286 pages
Publisher: Bear Bones Books (March 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590213750
ISBN-13: 978-1590213759
Amazon: Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War
Amazon Kindle: Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War

During the Civil War, two young soldiers on opposite sides find themselves drawn together. One is a war-weary but scholarly Southerner who has seen too much bloodshed, especially the tortures inflicted upon the enemy by his vicious commanding officer, his uncle. The other is a Herculean Yankee captured by the rag-tag Confederate band and forced to become a martyr for all the sins of General Sheridan's fires. When these two find themselves admiring more than one another's spirit and demeanor, when passions erupt between captor and captive, will this new romance survive the arduous trek to Purgatory Mountain?

A Romantic Mann by Jeff Mann
Paperback: 134 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press (April 6, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590211561
ISBN-13: 978-1590211564
Amazon: A Romantic Mann

"A tough, sweaty scent of maleness mingles with the bittersweet sense of loss in Jeff Mann's sexy new book, A Romantic Mann. His voice is tender, confident, intelligent, and engaging. His poems are the utterances of a man at the vantage point of what seems to be the middle age of a life lived gracefully, of one secure in his own skin. Whether recalling hairy chests, hairy thighs, hairy asses or evoking his childhood and his current life in Appalachia or attending to the state of the world, Mann is an urbane observer with a luscious language at his bidding. A tour de force, this is a book I dare anyone not to fall in love with." -Jim Elledge

More Rainbow Awards at my website: elisarolle.com , Rainbow Awards/2012 & 2013



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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

A Fashionable Indulgence: A Society of Gentlemen Novel by KJ Charles
Gay Historical Romance
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.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: rock by Anyta Sunday

rock by Anyta Sunday
Gay Young Adult
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; First Edition edition (September 30, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1502542072
ISBN-13: 978-1502542076
Amazon: rock
Amazon Kindle: rock

Igneous. When Cooper’s parents divorce, he finds himself landed in Week About—one week with his mum and one week with his dad. Only, it’s not just his dad he has to live with. There’s Lila, too: The other woman, the one who stole the rock-solid foundation of his life. And then . . . There’s Jace. Lila’s son. Lila’s smug, regurgitated-fish-scale-blue eyed son. All Cooper wants is to have his family back the way it once was, but there’s something about this boy that promises things will never be the same again. Sedimentary. Resisting the realities of his new life, Cooper and Jace get off to a rocky start. But rocky start or not, after hundreds of shared memories together, they forge something new. A close . . . friendship. Because friendship is all they can have. Although it’s not like they are real brothers. . . Metamorphic. But how does that friendship evolve under the pressures of life? Under pressures of the heart?

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Fox-Hat and Neko by August Li

Fox-Hat and Neko by August Li
Bisexual Young Adult
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (July 16, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634760220
ISBN-13: 978-1634760225
Amazon: Fox-Hat and Neko
Amazon Kindle: Fox-Hat and Neko

Tsukino Ayumu is new to Yuuyake. When he lived in Tokyo, he always kept his head down, content to remain unnoticed in the crowd of students around him. Now in a small fishing village, he connects with Ikehara Haruki, his first real friend, and builds a close friendship with two girls, Shizuka and Chou. The four friends stick together as they forge their path through the haphazard world of dating and relationships while preparing for life after school ends.

But fate will intervene, with Ayumu’s plans in particular, as the village’s young people are targeted by an unseen threat. Suffering violent and shocking dreams, Ayumu comes to discover that the spirit world has plans for his destiny. Despite his personal belief that he’s nothing but ordinary, he must learn to fight―and lead―to protect the friends he would die for. The mysterious Fox-Hat and Neko know Ayumu better than he knows himself, and he must decide if they will point him toward a path that leads to a happy ending for all… or the end of everything he knows and loves.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html



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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Skyclad by Max Ellendale

Skyclad by Max Ellendale
Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Max Ellendale (July 5, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Skyclad

When Ella Frost meets free-spirited Mae on a research trip, she never expected that the quest for information would send her life into a tailspin. Faced with difficult personal choices, will Ella break under the pressure of the existence that she's built for herself? Or will she allow Mae to lead her on a journey of self-exploration too tempting to ignore?

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Double Crush by Sally Bosco

Double Crush by Sally Bosco
Bisexual Young Adult
Publisher: Queerteen Press (December 7, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Double Crush

What would you do if you inadvertently developed crushes on both a guy and a girl while working on a summer film shoot?

That’s what happens to seventeen-year-old Piper Handy. She’s new in town and sees a poster advertising a science fiction film that’s going to be in production in her small New England town. Though interested in filmmaking, Piper’s real intent is to make friends. She’s moved around a lot, but not by her own choice, so she’s happy when her nomadic father finally concedes to settle down.

During the shoot, she becomes friendly with both Mia and Evan, who will be going to her high school in the fall. What she doesn’t anticipate is that, as she’s dealing with one disaster after another during the shoot, she develops major crushes on both of them. When both are receptive to her attentions, she has a difficult decision to make.

Will she take the more accepted path and go out with Evan? Or will she follow her heart and begin a relationship with Mia? In the process of trying to decide, Piper comes to learn some surprising lessons about herself.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Nobody’s Hero by J. Leigh Bailey

Nobody's Hero (Letting Go) by J. Leigh Bailey
Gay Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Carina Press (April 27, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Nobody's Hero (Letting Go)

Bradley Greene's family all but discarded him when his brother caught him fooling around with another boy. Now Bradley has seventeen dollars and a gas card, and he's sleeping in his car. He’s an emotional mess and if he doesn't land a job soon, he's up the proverbial creek.

Danny Ortega can take care of himself…most of the time. When what started as a date turns into sexual assault in a dark parking lot, he's grateful for Brad's help—and an instant admirer of Brad's military school-honed muscles. He certainly doesn't expect to see him again, and definitely not as the newest hire at Ortega Construction.

As Brad and Danny's quiet attraction turns into more, things start to go sour before they've even started. Danny grows frustrated that Brad won't open up emotionally. And Brad is terrified of being responsible for someone else's feelings. When Brad's family makes one last attempt to turn him into an "acceptable" son, all bets are off—he and Danny will need to decide if they're in this together…or apart.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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GRL: Carter Quinn

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 GRL in San Diego, October 15-18, 2015, today author is Carter Quinn: Carter Quinn was born and raised in a very small Western Kansas town where cattle vastly outnumber humans. In the 90s he read enough depressing gay fiction to give up on it. He discovered M/M in 2010 and started writing again. Now he's told Corporate America to kiss his books. Carter lives in the Denver area, near his beloved Colorado Avalanche.

Further Readings:

Into the Light (Avery Book 2) by Carter Quinn
Publisher: Carter Quinn Books (May 26, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Into the Light (Avery Book 2)

Avery spent years in the blackness, fighting memories of abuse and feelings of self-loathing. His only sanctuary used to be his brother Sam, but after two years of intensive therapy and a long-term relationship with Noah, his world is a much brighter place.

Things have changed in the year and a half since Avery and Noah confessed their love for each other. Noah’s mother and brother have moved East. Sam and Kira are married. And Avery and Noah are moving in together at long last. Family dynamics strain in uncomfortable new ways, especially when Avery’s past reappears.

What will this mean for Avery’s recovery? Will he surrender to the Blackness or is he strong enough to continue his journey Into the Light?





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UK Meet: Nephylim

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 Nephylim: Born into a poor but loving mining family in the United Kingdom, Nephylim grew up in the beautiful and history rich South Wales Valleys, becoming the first in her family to attend university. As a lawyer practicing Family Law for several years, the profession allowed Nephylim to learn more about human nature at its worst and best moments, and develop empathy and a view of life not limited by social standing or background.

Tapping into the heritage of her people that throughout Earth's ages welcomed the wandering bard into the hearts of their villages as keepers of lore, Nephylim trained as a Druid and brings the richness of her Celtic past and spiritual training to enrich and elevate her writing. Since a child Nephylim has been fascinated with other worlds, which exist within and alongside her own and has reveled in creating worlds and characters for others to enjoy.

Despite lack of family support, Nephylim continued writing privately and eventually found the Gay Authors website. With the positive response and a warm welcome received, she found the confidence to pursue her passion to a greater degree. Feeling gay fiction was a woefully neglected corner of the market where readers were all too often presented with what amounted to erotica, Nephylim strives to write quality gay fiction where sex and sexuality is not the central premise. Instead, concentration is given to character and narrative development through storytelling that goes beyond the physical.

Nephylim still resides in Wales, UK, and enjoys writing, reading, art, and taking part in medieval reenactments.

Further Readings:

Project X by Nephylim
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing (September 21, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Project X

Morgan Bentley is a bastard. Always was and always will be.

At least that’s what Matthew Hopkins thinks. Unfortunately, Morgan is also a brilliant law student, and easily eclipses Matthew, academically and socially.

Matthew insists he hates Morgan. According to Matthew’s best friend, Cory, perhaps he doth protest a bit too much.

Cory has received the chance of a lifetime in the form of an internship with ITM—Information Technology and Medicine—the prestigious research company where Morgan’s father is the CEO. Too inquisitive for his own good, the naturally curious Cory stumbles on a deadly secret inside of ITM. What he has learned will tip the balance of everything, but for good or bad?

Just what is the mysterious Project X?

What is Morgan’s involvement?

Matthew has to sort fact from fiction, friend from foe, as his world is turned upside down and inside out, and nothing can be the way it was.



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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Zebra-striped Briefs (3 novellas as 1 submission) by C.C. Dado

Zebra-striped Briefs (3 novellas as 1 submission) by C.C. Dado
Gay Romantic Comedy

1) Meet-Cute
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press; 1 edition (August 12, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Meet-Cute

Elliot Beck may not have been blessed with mad art skills, a crooner's voice, or a godlike physique, but he makes up for it with an abundance of quick-witted sarcasm, massive insecurities, and a love of bad boys.

After his best friend Trevor finds him naked and tied to his bed—abandoned by his latest troublemaker—Trevor convinces him to take a chance on a nice guy. When he has an awkward encounter in the men's restroom with a fitness instructor named Chase, he never suspects the Adonis might be his perfect bad boy.

2) That Place Across the Hall: Starts on pg. 72 of the Grand Adventures Anthology. Prequel to Imposter in zebra-striped briefs but all can be read as standalones.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (March 31, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627989951
ISBN-13: 978-1627989954
Amazon: Grand Adventures
Amazon Kindle: Grand Adventures

On September 1, 2011, TJ Klune wrote, "...it's not about the ending, it's about the journey..." in a review of Eric Arvin's Woke Up in a Strange Place. With those words, two men began a journey of love and invited us to ride along. TJ and Eric have shared so much with us: their wonderful books, their smiles, their humor, their lives, and their inspiring devotion to each other. In December of 2013, their journey took a detour when Eric was taken to the emergency room. He survived the surgery to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem, but the challenges TJ and Eric face are far from over.

The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eric's continued recovery, to help bring strength to TJ, and to show both of them just how much love surrounds them. Grand Adventures is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love. We’re going on some grand adventures for a great cause. Thank you for joining us.

3) Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs (The Seattle Chronicles) by C.C. Dado
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press; 1 edition (July 1, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs (The Seattle Chronicles)

The Seattle Chronicles

When recent college graduate Nathan Harris makes a life-changing move out from under his mother's thumb and into his own place, he is determined to take some risks. He is tired of not being good enough, tired of allowing his fears to control him.

What he thought would be an exciting adventure ends up being one jaw-dropping mishap of embarrassment after another, leaving him with a life he doesn't even recognize anymore.

His once boring, lonely existence has been replaced by a brownstone filled with colorful friends, a rough around the edges, tattooed bad boy best friend, and a stripper for a boyfriend who's not even sure he’s gay.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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