Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 371

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Prince of Faith by Belinda McBride

An Uncommon Whore 3: Prince of Faith by Belinda McBride
Gay Erotic Romance
Paperback: 218 pages
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC (November 20, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623002761
ISBN-13: 978-1623002763
Amazon: An Uncommon Whore 3: Prince of Faith
Amazon Kindle: An Uncommon Whore 3: Prince of Faith

Held captive in a whorehouse, Markus Dayspring wakes every morning with a thirst for revenge, and collapses every night with a prayer for strength. He lives on in spite of deadly addictions and a crippling, shameful secret. When he's rescued by a man from his past, his reawakened love threatens to crush his damaged soul.

Caius also has a secret, one that could ultimately kill him. But his vow to rescue Markus is stronger than guilt, fear and even his loyalty to King Helios. Too many have died because of Caius and rescuing the missing prince might allow him to sleep without nightmares.

Old habits are hard to break and new pain threatens their growing love. Yet one gleaming ray of hope continues to guide them to safety, even in the face of an unexpected violation of trust. With the stakes growing higher by the hour, Markus and Caius must learn to have faith before they can heal and face the future together.

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

comments

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...

( GRL Blog Tour Appearance Schedule )




comments

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Drama Queen by Joe Cosentino

Drama Queen: A Nicky and Noah Mystery by Joe Cosentino
Gay Romantic Comedy
Paperback: 196 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press (June 12, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590214676
ISBN-13: 978-1590214671
Amazon: Drama Queen: A Nicky and Noah Mystery
Amazon Kindle: Drama Queen: A Nicky and Noah Mystery

It could be curtains for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodies popping up all over campus, Nicky must use his drama skills to figure out who is playing the role of murderer before it is lights out for Nicky and his colleagues. Complicating matters is Nicky's huge crush on Noah Oliver, a gorgeous assistant professor in his department, who may or may not be involved with a cocky graduate assistant...and is also the top suspect for the murders! You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino's fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat, delightfully entertaining novel. Curtain up!

THE WACKY WORLD OF ACADEMIA PROMPTED A NEW GAY MYSTERY SERIES by Joe Cosentino

Colleges, especially theatre departments, are havens of mystery, comedy, romance, plot twists and turns, and surprise endings. I’ve been a theatre college theatre professor for over twenty years and a department head for ten years. Though I love my job, it requires an enormous amount of creativity, energy, and diplomacy. I have also met the most amazing students, faculty colleagues, staff, and administrators. While nobody has been murdered at my college (thankfully), it occurred to me one day that a college campus with its numerous buildings, around the clock access, and diverse personalities is the perfect place for a comedy mystery series.
Mystery novels have always been my favorites, in particular those in a series that include heightened humor and romance. However, I was unable to find many gay mystery series along that line. So I decided to create my own. Since the mysteries I like are of the cozy variety, I set my series in the quaint, fictitious, New England college town of Treemeadow, named after its original founders, gay couple Tree and Meadow. Edwardian buildings, stone fireplaces, and hot chocolate are in abundance. At the center of the series is Nicky Abbondanza, Professor of Directing, and Noah Oliver, Professor of Acting. It’s up to Nicky and Noah to use their theatrical skills like role play to figure out whodunit and why. Complicating matters is the fact that in book one Noah is the top suspect. As Nicky and Noah embark on one frantically funny farcical (try saying that three times fast) escapade after the next, they fall in love with each other, and hopefully the readers fall in love with them.
In Drama Queen, Nicky and Noah have to uncover why college theatre professors are dropping like stage curtains while Nicky directs the college play production—a murder mystery.
In Drama Muscle, Nicky and Noah have to find out why musclemen are dropping like weights in the Physical Education department while Nicky directs the Student Bodybuilding Competition.
In Drama Cruise, Nicky and Noah go on a cruise to Alaska, and discover why college theatre professors are going overboard like lifeboats while Nicky directs a murder mystery dinner theatre show onboard ship.
I enjoy mysteries with strong clues, enticing red herrings, plot twists and turns, reversals, and a shocking yet earned and satisfying ending. The characters I enjoy are larger than life, witty, and loveable with healthy sex lives. Plots need to move quickly, and the unexpected is always welcome. So my mystery series incorporates all of those things.
I hope everyone will welcome Nicky and Noah into their libraries and into their hearts.
There’s nothing better than a good laugh, a tantalizing gay romance, and a clever mystery.

About the Author: Joe Cosentino is the author of Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), An Infatuation (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming novels are Drama Muscle the second Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), A Shooting Star (Dreamspinner Press novella), A Home for the Holidays (Dreamspinner Press holiday novella), and Porcelain Doll the second Jana Lane mystery.

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

comments

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Walk a Mile by Sarah Madison

Walk a Mile (The Sixth Sense Book 2) by Sarah Madison
Gay Paranormal Romance
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 3, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632161656
ISBN-13: 978-1632161659
Amazon: Walk a Mile (The Sixth Sense Book 2)
Amazon Kindle: Walk a Mile (The Sixth Sense Book 2)

Sequel to Unspeakable Words

The Sixth Sense: Book Two

Six months after starting their hunt for a serial killer who is still at large, FBI agents Jerry Lee Parker and John Flynn are partners in every sense. But Jerry has serious doubts about their relationship and whether they would even be together if not for the way Flynn changed after touching a mysterious artifact in a museum.

Flynn hates the extraordinary power bestowed on him by the artifact and wants nothing more than to have a normal life again. Jerry fears that without the unusual connection they forged, Flynn will no longer want or need him. Chasing after a similar artifact takes them back to Flynn's old stomping grounds in Washington D.C., where his newfound abilities uncover long-buried secrets, the kind people would kill to protect. But they aren't the only ones looking for these powerful relics, and what they discover will threaten their relationship—and their lives.

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

comments

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: I’ll Always Miss You by Raine O’Tierney

I’ll Always Miss You by Raine O’Tierney
Bisexual Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (March 5, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632165228
ISBN-13: 978-1632165220
Amazon: I’ll Always Miss You
Amazon Kindle: I’ll Always Miss You

Isa Zaman might forgive his parents for taking in a friend’s son if only he wasn't the most boring teenager in the universe. Macklin “Mackie” Cormack’s only interests are reading and the outdoors. Yeah, right. Isa's convinced Mackie is either a pyro or a klepto. Plus, as a white kid, Mackie looks ridiculous in the Zamans' Arab American household. Forced to share a bedroom, the boys keep butting heads until an absurd fight finally breaks the tension between them.

Isa’s just starting to figure life out: this new houseguest, his cultural identity, school, and even girls, when the entire family is uprooted from their home for reasons Isa can't understand. They move from their tiny city apartment to a giant old house in a small town, hours away from everything he's ever known. Oh, and the new house? It's probably haunted, or so says the blank-faced ten-year-old next door. As if things weren't weird enough, Isa's friendship with Mackie suddenly takes a strange turn down a path Isa's not sure he’s ready to follow. It turns out Mackie Cormack isn’t nearly as boring as Isa once imagined.

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

comments

GRL: Mercy Celeste

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 Mercy Celeste: "Mercy Celeste is the pen name and super hero persona of mild mannered MJ Colbert....which is bull, I'm not mild mannered. I was, in fact, raised in a barn--or several. We even had grain silos. My motto growing up, anything a boy can do, I'm right behind him doing it just as well or better. I've broken too many bones to begin to count. Scraped, skinned or scarred pretty much everything that can be scraped, skinned or scarred. How I'm still walking and talking is a miracle.
So about the writing, well, I don't really consider myself to be a writer. I'm a storyteller, and when I have a story to tell, it won't rest until it's twisted me up and purged itself. The result is at times comical or tragic, depending on the people who live in my head and what they have to say. Most days that's not a lot of anything. Others I can't shut them up. They especially love when I'm driving, oh, yeah, a drive across town is a lesson in how not to get myself killed or be pulled over for reckless driving. And those are the good days.
Welcome to my crazy world, if it's boring now, wait five minutes, and don't blink. Things have a tendency to get interesting around me."

Further Readings:

Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste
Publisher: MJC Press (March 5, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Light from the Dark

After a year of picking up the pieces of his shattered life, former US Marshal Micah Beasley takes a job as bodyguard for a spoiled rich kid who can’t leave his house. It’s supposed to be a cupcake assignment. He just needs to get back in the game. What could possibly go wrong?
Brilliant and incredibly talented, Christopher (Kit) Auberon wears tragedy as a second skin. Kit is all that’s left of a powerful family. Seemingly forgotten, he’s spent his entire life in seclusion at the family estate, and he likes it that way. He’s free to play his games and create worlds without ever having to set foot in the real one.
Kit’s past is anything but forgotten. When death threats become real threats, Micah and Kit are forced to put their differences aside to discover who wants Kit dead.
But there are monsters in Kit’s closet that should never be disturbed.



comments

UK Meet: J.P. Kenwood

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 J.P. Kenwood: "Sarcastic, sassy and over-educated writer of deliciously smutty, plot-packed stories that celebrate men loving men, often. My stories, often dark and always erotic, focus on master/slave power dynamics. My passion is ancient Rome.

My current novel, Dominus, is the first book of an m/m alternative history fantasy series set in ancient Rome during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117). What if Trajan had been the custodian of two boys instead of only one? What if Hadrian had been privy to secrets that could damage the political authority of his older and more successful fellow imperial ward, Gaius Fabius? What if a Roman general had fallen in love with his captive Dacian slave? Could a powerful Roman aristocrat of noble ancestry have been deliberately erased from history?

Gaius Fabius, a lusty, ambitious Roman general and potential heir to the imperial throne, acquires a new pleasure slave—a recently-captured, feisty Dacian prince named Allerix Dominus is the slow-buring saga of two sworn enemies who both take risks and make sacrifices—it is about the unforeseen consequences of seeking vengeance, earning trust and falling in love.

While most details are historically accurate and tied to major historical events and prevailing cultural attitudes, the tale is entirely fictional and the dialogue is deliberately modern in flavor. There is very little Latin and there are no gratuitous gladiators."

Further Readings:

Dominvs (Dominus 1) by JP Kenwood
Series: Dominus
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 21, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1500115630
ISBN-13: 978-1500115630
Amazon: Dominvs (Dominus 1)
Amazon Kindle: Dominvs (Dominus 1)

In AD 107, after a grueling campaign against Rome's fierce enemy, the kingdom of Dacia, Gaius Fabius returns home in triumph. With the bloody battles over, the commander of the Lucky IV Legion now craves life's simple pleasures: leisurely soaks in fragrant baths, over-flowing cups of wine, and a long holiday at his seaside villa to savor his pleasure slaves. On a whim, he purchases a spirited young Dacian captive and unwittingly sparks a fresh outbreak of the Dacian war; an intimate struggle between two sworn enemies with love and honor at stake. Allerix survived the wars against Rome, but now he is a sex slave rather than a victor. Worse, the handsome general who led the destruction of his people now commands his body. When escape appears impossible, Alle struggles to find a way to preserve his dignity and exact vengeance upon the hated Romans. Revenge will be his, that is, if he doesn't lose his heart to his lusty Roman master. Dominus is a plot-packed erotic m/m fantasy that transports readers back to ancient Rome during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98-117). This is the first book in an alternate history series—a tumultuous journey filled with forbidden love, humor, sex, friendship, political intrigue, deception and murder.



comments

Euro Pride Con: Mario Lipinski

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 Mario Lipinski: "I finally ended the experiment of self-publishing a book on amazon and took it off the virtual shelf.
So, what did I learn?
I'm a touchy bitch when it comes to reviews, and I was so close (I'm pinching together my thumb and my index finger right now) to becoming a BBA.
By sheer force of will I decided to become a NBA (Nicely Behaving Author):
"Perception: A German Love Story" can now be downloaded for free here at Goodreads! (Just follow the ebook link)
Writing was and will be a hobby. I'll continue telling stories because it is fun for me. If anyone else enjoys them, that's just a nice bonus.
I'm not saying that I'll never commercially publish a story again, but I'll think twice (or an appropriate multiple thereof) before doing so.
Over and out. :)"

Further Readings:

Perception: A German Love Story by Mario K. Lipinski
Kindle Edition, 281 pages
Published April 30th 2012 by Mario K. Lipinski
ASIN B007ZFK3VE
edition language English
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Marcel Ritter is an excellent pupil at a German school, has two loyal, best friends, and caring parents.
Still, his life is far from being perfect.
He is the bullying victim of Tim ‘Dumb’ Eschner, soccer hunk and the school’s official dimwit.
When the vice principal witnesses one of Tim’s assaults, Marcel’s problems seem to be solved at last. But his good nature and his fast tongue get him into more trouble than he would prefer.
Forced to work together, they both discover that there is more to the other one than meets the eye.
A feel-good story about change, forgiveness, and love.





comments

Larry Benjamin & Stanley Willauer, Jr.

Larry Benjamin (born October 11, 1959) is the Bronx-born wordsmith and author of the gay romances What Binds Us and Unbroken, and the short story collection, Damaged Angels. Unbroken was a 2014 Lambda Literary Award finalist, and a 2014 IPPY (Independent Publishers) Gold Medalist. Damaged Angels was a 2013 Rainbow Award Runner-Up in the Gay Contemporary General Fiction category.

Stanley Willauer (born July 18, 1959) has been employed in sales, both retail and to-the-trade, and is a freelance interior designer. Largely self-taught, he is still seeking recognition of his talents. While he and Larry have found their place with each other, he continues to search for his place in the larger world.

Together since 1996, they had a commitment ceremony on June 28, 1997 and officially married on June 28, 2014.


Larry Benjamin is the Bronx-born wordsmith and author of the gay romances What Binds Us and Unbroken, and the short story collection, Damaged Angels. Stanley Willauer has been employed in sales, both retail and to-the-trade, and is a freelance interior designer. While he and Larry have found their place with each other, he continues to search for his place in the larger world. Together since 1996, they had a commitment ceremony on June 28, 1997 and officially married on June 28, 2014.

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
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


comments

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Bowl Full of Cherries by Raine O’Tierney

Bowl Full of Cherries by Raine O’Tierney
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 214 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 5, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632165198
ISBN-13: 978-1632165190
Amazon: Bowl Full of Cherries
Amazon Kindle: Bowl Full of Cherries

Porker, Fatty, Tons-of-Fun: Crowley Fredericks has heard it all. He’s dropped a lot of weight since his high school days, but he’s still a big guy, and the painful words and bullying follow him. Rejected―again―because of his size, Crowley is starting to think that maybe love just isn’t meant for huskier men.

Averell Lang and his twin are so different they might as well not even be related. So when Rell’s brother brings his roommate home to snowy Susset for the holidays, Rell expects the worst―another uptight, pretentious hipster. What he discovers instead is Crowley. Nerdy, fascinating, attractive, Crowley. Rell never expected to look at a man this way, and what he sees in Crowley Fredericks is something he didn’t even know he was looking for. If both men can overcome their hang-ups, they might unwrap more than presents this holiday season.

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

comments