Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 389

Libby Drew (born May 4, 1970)

Libby glimpsed her true calling when her first story, an A.A. Milne /Shakespeare crossover, won the grand prize in her elementary school's fiction contest. Her parents explained that writers were quirky, poor, and often talked to themselves in supermarket checkout lines. They implored her to be practical, a request she took to heart for twenty years, earning two degrees, a white-collar job, and an ulcer, before realizing that practical was absolutely no fun.

Today she lives with her husband and four children in an old, impractical house and writes stories about redemption, the supernatural, and love at first sight, all of which do exist. She happens to know from experience.

Libby's STATE OF MIND received rave reviews for being fast, clever, and relentless and was nominated for a Bookie Award for Best M/M Novel of 2011. 40 SOULS TO KEEP, Libby's third novel, has been described as intense and heart-poundingly good and was praised by Publishers Weekly for maintaining a high level of suspense.

An avid supporter of gay rights, Libby donates her time to the Trevor Project and organizations that work to support marriage equality.

Secrets of Neverwood, co-authored with G.B. Lindsey and Diana Copland, won a 2014 Rainbow Award as Best LGBT Anthology / Collection.

Further Readings:

Secrets of Neverwood by G.B. Lindsey, Diana Copland & Libby Drew
Publisher: Carina Press (June 30, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Secrets of Neverwood: One Door Closes\The Growing Season\The Lost Year

Three foster brothers are called home to Neverwood, the stately Pacific Northwest mansion of their youth. They have nothing in common but a promise to Audrey, the woman they all called mother—that upon her death, they would restore the house and preserve it as a home for troubled boys.

But going home is never easy.

Cal struggles to recover from past heartbreak, while Danny fears his mistakes are too big to overcome. Devon believes he may never break down the barriers that separate him from honest emotion.

On the path to brotherhood, they discover the old mansion holds more than dusty furniture and secret passageways. Audrey's spirit still walks its halls, intent on guiding "her boys" toward true love, and an old mystery stirs up a new danger—one that could cost the men far more than just the house.

Secrets of Neverwood includes:
One Door Closes by G.B. Lindsey
The Growing Season by Diana Copland
The Lost Year by Libby Drew

More Rainbow Awards at my website: elisarolle.com , Rainbow Awards/2014


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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Reflections of Fate by Pat Cronin

Reflections of Fate by Pat Cronin
Lesbian Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Silver Dragon Books by RC (February 23, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1619292246
ISBN-13: 978-1619292246
Amazon: Reflections of Fate
Amazon Kindle: Reflections of Fate

Leoni Wolf lived and worked in Cherokee, North Carolina her entire life. It was her home and the place she belonged. Leoni once believed in fate and that everything happened for a reason. Until her wife, Tayanita, was killed in a tragic accident. What possible reason could there be for her death? The event shattered Leoni's world. Each day Leoni awoke, gazed at her reflection in the old free-standing mirror and convinced herself she could get through one more day. Nicola Daelis was tired of fate intervening in her life and wanted to throttle her. Before Nicola could act on the event that could change it all, fate landed a beautiful, dark-eyed woman in her lap and turned Nicola's world upside down. Fighting for their lives, and often against each other, Nicola and Leoni must embark upon an adventure that could be the beginning of something new. Or the end of them both.

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

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Blog Tour: Knight Of Ocean Avenue By Tara Lain

Knight of Ocean Avenue (Love in Laguna Book 1) By Tara Lain
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press; 1 edition (May 1, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Knight of Ocean Avenue (Love in Laguna Book 1)

How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor's license he so desires, and fear of his mother's judgement blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.

Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?

( Excerpt )



Author’s Bio:
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”

Author Links:
Website: http://taralain.com/
Blog: http://www.taralain.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/taralain
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/taralain/

Giveaway:
$25 Gift Card – Open International
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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: The Anatomy of Perception by AJ Rose

The Anatomy of Perception by AJ Rose
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: The Grim Writer Press; 1 edition (March 10, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1508822263
ISBN-13: 978-1508822264
Amazon: The Anatomy of Perception
Amazon Kindle: The Anatomy of Perception

In the beginning, there was wreckage. Dane Perry’s mother was dead, and the father who always said he’d amount to nothing blamed him. Dane swore he’d become something. He would be someone. In the middle, there was escape. Rebuilding his life from the ashes of his mother’s memory, Dane found success as a respected surgeon, and love in the form of Craig Dahl, a talented artist who became his everything. But there was also darkness, lies, and a crumbling foundation just waiting for the ground to shift. In the end, there was a spectacular fall, illusions shattered, and for Dane, nothing more to lose. He was broken, damaged, and left with fierce demons. But from the bottom, the only way left is up. Dane renewed friendships and salvaged his career. The only thing he cannot replace is Craig. But Dane has a plan. Brick by brick, his foundation is rebuilt, and all he needs is for Craig to listen one last time. In the beginning again, there’s hope and tatters of love. Can Dane repair the damage with Craig? Can he rescue the only thing he amounted to that ever truly mattered?

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



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New anthology: A Pride of Poppies

Modern GLBTQI fiction of the Great War

Ten authors - in thirteen stories - explore the experiences of GLBTQI people during World War I. In what ways were their lives the same as or different from those of other people?

A London pub, an English village, a shell-hole on the Front, the outskirts of Thai Nguyen city, a ship in heavy weather off Zeebrugge, a civilian internment camp ... Loves and griefs that must remain unspoken, unexpected freedoms, the tensions between individuality and duty, and every now and then the relief of recognition. You'll find both heartaches and joys in this astonishing range of thought-provoking stories.

An anthology featuring authors:
Julie BozzaBarry BrennesselCharlie CochraneSam EvansLou FaulknerAdam FitzroyWendy C. FriesZ. McAspurrenEleanor MusgroveJay Lewis Taylor

65,000 words/260 pages
$5.95

Publication 1 May 2015
For more information and story blurbs, visit the Manifold Press website.
Pre-order the e-books from:
Amazon US Amazon UK Smashwords Paperbacks will be available on launch day!

Please note: All proceeds will be donated to The Royal British Legion.

"The editing is superb and the writing exceedingly good to sublime. ... I could not believe the depth and breadth of storytelling in each individual story."
Review by Kazza K at On Top Down Under Book Reviews 11 April 2015

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Nick Bienes & Rhea Gallaher

Judith Gould is a fictional American writer of romance novels, and is the pseudonym used by co-authors: Nicholas Peter "Nick" Bienes and Rhea Gallaher, who are actually both men. Gould is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into 22 languages.

In addition to being writing partners, Bienes and Gallaher are also involved romantically. They currently live together in room 600 of the famous Hotel Chelsea in New York City, regarded as the hotel's most luxurious suite.

Nick Bienes was born on January 9, 1952 in a small town in Austria, and baptized Klaus Peter Peer. After his biological father died he was adopted by his aunt, who had married a U.S. American serviceman, and consequently he was renamed Klaus Peter Bienes. He has lived in Austria, Yugoslavia, Germany and the United States. He is a native speaker of both German and English.

Rhea Gallager was born on May 22, 1945. He grew up in Harriman, Tennessee (a small town near Knoxville, Tennessee).

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Gould

( Further Readings )

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Christopher Oram & Michael Grandage

Christopher Oram is a British theatre set and costume designer.

He trained at the West Sussex College of Art and Design (latterly Northbrook College) and at Wimbledon School of Art.

Early assisting work for designers Anthony Ward and Ian MacNeil, included "Assassins" at the Donmar Warehouse, "Oliver!" at the London Palladium and "An Inspector Calls" and "Machinal" at the National Theatre.

Having designed extensively on the fringe in London, he began a long term creative collaboration with the director Michael Grandage whom he met in 1995 when they first worked together on Arthur Miller's "The Last Yankee" in Colchester.

Their subsequent professional partnership at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield includes "As You Like It" with Victoria Hamilton (also Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith); "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" and "Richard III" with Kenneth Branagh; "Edward II" with Joseph Fiennes; "Suddenly Last Summer" with Victoria Hamilton and Diana Rigg (also Albery Theatre); "The Tempest" with Derek Jacobi (also Old Vic) and "Don Carlos" with Derek Jacobi (also Gielgud Theatre).

Collaborations at the Donmar Warehouse include "Good" with Charles Dance; "Passion Play", "Privates on Parade" with Roger Allam, "Caligula" with Michael Sheen; 'The Vortex"; "Merrily We Roll Along"; "Grand Hotel"; Pirandello's "Henry IV" with Ian McDiarmid, "Don Juan in Soho" with Rhys Ifans, "Frost/Nixon" with Frank Langella and Michael Sheen (also West End and Broadway), "Othello" with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor, "Red" with Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne (which subsequently transferred to the Golden Theatre, Broadway) and "King Lear" with Derek Jacobi.


Evita – Opening – Christopher Oram - Michael Grandage
Christopher Oram is a British theatre set and costume designer. Having designed extensively on the fringe in London, he began a long term creative collaboration with the director Michael Grandage whom he met in 1995 when they first worked together on Arthur Miller's "The Last Yankee" in Colchester. Michael Grandage is a British theatre director and producer. He is currently Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company. From 2002 to 2012 he was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse in London.

( Read more... )

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Oram

Michael Grandage CBE (born 2 May 1962) is a British theatre director and producer. He is currently Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company. From 2002 to 2012 he was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse in London.

Grandage was born in Yorkshire, England, and raised in Penzance, Cornwall where his parents ran a family business. He was educated at the Humphry Davy Grammar School before training as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama through 1984. He spent twelve years working as an actor for companies such as the Royal Exchange and the Royal Shakespeare Company and was also a member of National Youth Theatre before turning to directing. He made his directorial debut in 1996 with a production of Arthur Miller's The Last Yankee at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester. In 1998 he was invited by Sheffield Theatres to direct Twelfth Night, his first Shakespeare production. In the same year he made his London directorial debut at the Almeida Theatre with a production of Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma. He lives in London and Cornwall with his partner, the award-winning British theatre designer Christopher Oram.

From 1999 to 2005 he was Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres where his high-profile productions included Edward II with Joseph Fiennes, Richard III with Kenneth Branagh, Suddenly Last Summer with Diana Rigg and Victoria Hamilton, The Tempest with Derek Jacobi and Don Carlos with Derek Jacobi. He produced over forty plays with predominantly young directors and designers. The Crucible was awarded Theatrical Management Association Theatre of the Year in 2001.

( Read more... )

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Grandage

( Further Readings )


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Mascarado by Runny Magma

Even if it's probably unbelievable, it was more than 10 years I haven't read a full novel written in Italian. So it was quite strange at first, I have often told to an Italian friend of mine how I'm not able to read erotic details in Italian while I have less trouble to read them in English. But aside from the sex, that indeed was nice but not really graphic in details, what pushed me to finish Mascarado was the romance between Iacopo and Matteo, both so cute and apparently unaware of that, and yes, that is like honey for bees.

Even if Iacopo was living a lie, he was basically honest and indeed strong enough to put himself in front of a choice that was easy to take at that point. Matteo maybe had displayed more courage when they were young, not denying his homosexuality, but he was also the one who didn't take the chance to drag Iacopo out of the closet, like maybe Iacopo was secretly hoping.

Mascarado has the whole spectrum of the LGBT community, the flaming queen, the drag queens, the bisexual man, the fruit flies, the closeted case, and so on. It's a mix of realism and romanticism, not full pink glasses perspective, but neither a drama about being gay in Italy: it's not easy, but that doesn't mean you cannot find your happily ever after.

First novel I read by this author, and if it's, as I believe, the first long story by them, then it's a very nice debut.

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle: Mascarado

More Reviews at my website:  elisarolle.com , My Reviews


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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Boystown 7: Bloodlines by Marshall Thornton

Boystown 7: Bloodlines by Marshall Thornton
Gay Mystery / Thriller
Series: Boystown
Paperback: 262 pages
Publisher: Kenmore Books (March 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1508545715
ISBN-13: 978-1508545712
Amazon: Boystown 7: Bloodlines
Amazon Kindle: Boystown 7: Bloodlines

In the seventh book of the award-winning Boystown Mystery series, Private Investigator Nick Nowak finds himself simultaneously working two cases for his new client, law firm Cooke, Babcock and Lackerby. A suburban dentist has been convicted of murdering her adulterous husband. Nick is asked to interview witnesses for the penalty phase of the trial—and possibly find the dead man’s mistress. At the same time, he’s deeply involved in protecting Outfit underboss Jimmy English from a task force out to prosecute him for a crime he may not have committed. While juggling these cases Nick slowly begins to rebuild his personal life.

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



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Blog Tour: Justice Prevails by Morticia Knight

[image error]Justice Prevails (Sin City Uniforms 3) by Morticia Knight
Series: Sin City Uniforms
Paperback: 202 pages
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (April 3, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1784305189
ISBN-13: 978-1784305185
Amazon: Justice Prevails (Sin City Uniforms 3)
Amazon Kindle: Justice Prevails (Sin City Uniforms 3)

Never judge a sexy man by his cover.
Detective Beau Williams is hard-working, dedicated, and professional. He enjoys the finer things in life, but with his heavy caseload that includes what Beau suspects is a new serial killer, he has no time to enjoy much of anything. What the tall redhead needs is someone to shake him up a little.
Investigative Technician Austin Kent never met a snarky joke he didn’t like - or a set of stairs that couldn’t trip him up. One night after a devastating episode at work, Austin sees something else he likes - the handsome detective he’s seen around the station whom he’s always wondered about. But after he makes a drunken fool of himself in front of Detective Williams, he’s sure there’s no hope.
Beau and Austin’s worlds collide right away when Austin is sent to pick up some evidence at the station. Amidst a myriad of twists and turns in the troubling serial killer style murders of Vegas conventioneers, Austin and Beau discover that there’s more to the other than they’d originally thought. There might even be more they’d like to give – unless the killer has the final say.

( Excerpt )

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[image error]About the author: M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers - but they're all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.
When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms and The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey's story from Rockin' the Alternative.

Where to find the author:
Follow on Twitter: @morticiaknight
Add book on ‘to read’ shelf at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Like Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authormortic...
Follow Morticia Knight’s blog: http://www.morticiaknight.com/
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

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Tour Dates & Stops:
6-Apr Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews
7-Apr TTC Books and More
8-Apr Amanda C. Stone
9-Apr Kimber Vale
10-Apr Joyfully Jay
13-Apr Cate Ashwood
14-Apr Prism Book Alliance
15-Apr Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
16-Apr Parker Williams
17-Apr Divine Magazine
20-Apr Decadent Delights
21-Apr BFD Book Blog
22-Apr Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic
23-Apr Bayou Book Junkie
24-Apr Carly’s Book Reviews
27-Apr Love Bytes
28-Apr The Novel Approach
29-Apr Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
30-Apr Molly Lolly, MM Good Book Reviews
1-May Iyana Jenna, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings

Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and Signed paperback copy of Justice Prevails.
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