Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What Are you Reading?
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My copy didn't co..."
I think someone had read from somewhere (that's quite specific, isn't it?! LOL) that Bentley was in the middle of writing his second novel (at some point). But it seems like he never finished it?
KC wrote: "Alison wrote: "I read CB Lewis' Private Truths and I really enjoyed it. It's really nice contemporary full of realism and emotion featuring a charming celebrity viscount and an earn..."I know. I don't tend to seek out shifter stories, but I think I might give it go since I like her stuff.
Johanna wrote: "Oh wow. I just finished reading Robert Bentley's Here There Be Dragons — one of the most gripping and interesting books I've read lately! It took me about 40 pages to really get into ..."That sounds cool. Too bad it's so hard to find.
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Writing is an avocation for Mr. Bentley who is a Los Angeles business executive. While this is his first novel, a number of short stories have received wide exposure and critical praise.
He received his BA from the University of Iowa where he studied fiction writing with Marguerite Young. He travels extensively and collects antique ethnic art. Home is Glendale, California, where he is presently at work on a second novel.
The publication date is 1972. I wonder where those short stories were published. I'm guessing they are out of print…
I need to add a GR review to Antonella's and Johanna's — they're the only ones right now. This book has become even more obscure since Fatal Shadows was first published. As I mentioned before, the only other citation of it I could find was in Dewey Wayne Gunn's Lamba Literary article — Antonella links to that article in her GR review.
If you have a chance to read this book you'll understand why it feels important that it isn't lost.
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256p., very good first edition in white boards and slightly rubbed, unclipped dj with small price tag on front. Literate espionage thriller set in Hawaii with a gay cast of characters. Short story author from LA, his only novel. Young 258* Gunn pages 125-126. From p.4: "We would like you to do a job for us, " he began. "A sensitive job which requires a homosexual. Is it all right if I call you a homosexual? I mean, is there another term you prefer? "
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I've been browsing
Very inspirational.
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"That sounds cool. Too bad it's so hard to find."
Abebooks has several Here There Be Dragons books if anyone is interested:
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Se...
And it seems Bolerium Books has one, too:
https://www.bolerium.com/cgi-bin/bol4...
And here are Amazon.com results:
https://www.amazon.com/Here-there-dra...
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I aim to read Dragons and also Frank King's 'Down and Dirty' but they're expensive even if I ship from the US. One day, but definitely not via Amazon.co.uk. (; "
Oh, cool! Thank you for letting me know about The Heart in Exile! I love your description: Not grim but, like, the opposite of cuddly. :-D I'll definitely let you know when I've read it.
And yes, I was about to buy one of Peter Tuesday Hughes' the Front Desk series books yesterday, until I saw the shipping costs. The book costs 25 USD and the standard shipping 32 USD. That's just crazy...
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Writing is an avocation for Mr. Bentley who is a Los ..."
That's so funny because the back fly of the dustcover on my Here There Be Dragons has a totally different text! And what's even more weird — when I looked closer I realized "my" text is actually a smart looking sticker. And when I examined it against light, I realized that "your" text is underneath "my" sticker! My back-fly-dustcover-sticker says:
HERE THERE BE DRAGONS
This is the story of a young man who was asked to serve his country. He does so with honor and dignity, as have many others before him.
But Dexter Hill's story is different. For he has a unique qualification which makes him vulnerable to blackmail and he is asked to expose himself to the dangers of a demanding enemy nation in one of the most chilling cold war adventure stories ever written.
"The fast paced, most suspenseful spy thriller in recent memory..." James Leo Herlihy
"I read it with fascination and without stopping—could not, in fact, stop!" Merle Miller
So, I wonder why the earlier text was covered and changed? How intriguing!
(How's that for sleuthing, Josh? LOL!)
:-D
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One of the reasons why I wrote my review was that there was only Antonella's! :-) And of course I really liked the book, so I also wanted to write something about it.
But really, the only ratings Here There Be Dragons has here on GR are Antonella's, Karen's, Jordan's and mine. And that's just wrong. It did make me smile, because I don't remember reading a book NO ONE ELSE rated here than a few of my friends... but yes, it's really sad, actually. This is why I usually write a review for every Joseph Hansen/James Colton book I read — his work DESERVES to have more readers, more publicity, more praise.
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I'm planning on reading Heart in Exile, but don't own it yet.
Too many books to read! I gave myself a LOT of catching up work and a lot of new stuff for this year. Over five reading challenges already with at least 12 books each, one has 20! But in order to recommend good books at work, which I do quite frequently, now that we have an online form for readers to fill out for personalized recommendations, I've got to be even more well read than before. I don't have to read everything I recommend, but the more I read, the more helpful it is.
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I just posted a few questions for thought in the Candidates for Next Month's Read thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I'm asking about our year long series challenge and our February BOM, so if you're interested in either of those, head over to that thread and post your thoughts. Thanks!
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Jordan wrote: "I just tallied up all the challenges I've set for myself for the year, you know, all the books I've determined I'm going to get caught up on, and all the books I'm planning to read for wider variet..."I don't plan that far ahead anymore. I just pick the next book as I go. Of course new books by Josh or other favorites jump ahead as they come out, too.
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I didn't used to do this. But, I love organizing a little too much. And, I own a lot of books I've had too long that I thought I would try to read.
Well, I cut down some of my lists, so now I'm down to 66 official books I want to try to get through. But last night I realized I bought all these Joseph Hansen books and haven't read many of them, so I added a few of his to a new pile. lol. He just seems too important to own and not read!
I did cut down the lists because I could easily see where this might drive me insane trying to read too much in one year or even just one month. Literally. I'd like to keep my sanity. :-D
I read the very cool All the King's Men by Alex Powell and I loved it. It's a futuristic internet thriller romance and it's super fun. It mostly takes place in an online virtual reality and features good guy hackers and shady government goings-on and awesome world-building and a cute romance. I found it to be vivid and gripping and I really enjoyed it.
Just picked up Switched by N.R. Walker and really enjoying it. Having a hard time putting it down.....and I am supposed to be making dinner..... :-)
Alison wrote: "I read the very cool All the King's Men by Alex Powell and I loved it. It's a futuristic internet thriller romance and it's super fun. It mostly takes place in an online virtual rea..."Sounds intriguing.
Read Nicole Kimberling's new Bellingham mystery: Pentimento Blues (sadly, it's also the last in the series). I ADORE these books!And planning to read as soon as possible:
KJ Charles - Wanted, A Gentleman
Harper Fox - Seven Summer Nights
CB Lewis - Private Truths
Haldis wrote: "Alison wrote: "I read the very cool All the King's Men by Alex Powell and I loved it. It's a futuristic internet thriller romance and it's super fun. It mostly takes place in an onl...Sounds intriguing. "
It's fun and different. :)
KC wrote: "Read Nicole Kimberling's new Bellingham mystery: Pentimento Blues (sadly, it's also the last in the series). I ADORE these books!And planning to read as soon as possible:
KJ Charles - Wanted, A Gentleman..."
I just read KJ Charles' new one and it's super fun, just as I expected. I hope you like it. :)
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Oh cool! I didn't realize it's already out! Woo hoo!
I'm reading Joseph Hansen's Steps Going Down and loving it. BUT it's like watching a terrible train wreck in slow motion — it has also started to come into my dreams. So, I need something happier to combine with it right now. Nicole's Pentimento Blues is a perfect answer to that problem! :-)
I'm on the 2nd in the Laying a Ghost series by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow - Giving Up the Ghost - it has turned out to be a really great series with fun characters and very cool paranormal/psychic stuff.
Johanna wrote: "I'm reading Joseph Hansen's Steps Going Down and loving it. BUT it's like watching a terrible train wreck in slow motion — it has also started to come into my dreams. So, I need something happier to combine with it right now. Nicole's Pentimento Blues is a perfect answer to that problem! :-)"I had the same feeling while reading Steps Going Down. It's an excellent book, but also quite difficult. And frustrating because i felt like screaming at the MC to not do...stuff, or choose differently, or something. But all i could do was keep reading and hoping and watch everything happen.
For sure Nicole's book will help with that. Enjoy!
Trio wrote: "I'm on the 2nd in the Laying a Ghost series by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow - Giving Up the Ghost - it has turned out to be a really great series with fun characters an..."Oh, cool! I'll try it. It's been on my tbr for a while.
Alison wrote: "KC wrote: "Read Nicole Kimberling's new Bellingham mystery: Pentimento Blues (sadly, it's also the last in the series). I ADORE these books!And planning to read as soon as possibl..."
Yay! :-)
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Yes, that's exactly how I feel about the book!
I'm reading Prosperity by Alexis Hall atm. Wonderfull scenery, cool concepts, likeable characters (even the baddy is complex and fascinating). Almost finished. I wonder if I should take a break after this one or if I can go on to the next in the series without overdosing on "good book". :-D
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Oh, and I just finished Annabeth Albert's Off Base. Her stories do at times go on a bit longer than I'd choose, but I really do enjoy them. This was another good one.
Calathea wrote: "I'm reading Prosperity by Alexis Hall atm. Wonderfull scenery, cool concepts, likeable characters (even the baddy is complex and fascinating). Almost finished. I wonder if I should ..."Yay for Prosperity! The further novellas are such fun. Yes, it's a tough choice. :)
Calathea wrote: "I'm reading Prosperity by Alexis Hall atm. Wonderfull scenery, cool concepts, likeable characters (even the baddy is complex and fascinating). Almost finished. I wonder if I should ..."Prosperity is amazing, I love the cant :). I wonder how Alexis Hall does it.
I read the very awesome Malachite by Kirby Crow and I absolutely loved it. It's a vivid fantasy romance with really compelling characters set in an all-male society that's a lot like Renaissance Venice. It's really gripping and I had a very hard time putting it down. If you like fantasy romance that's a little different, this is worth a look. It's the first in a series, but it's got a good, solid ending, so don't worry about cliffhangers. Calathea, I've had a run of "really good books" lately and I, too, am wondering how it will end.
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I've somehow missed that this is, in fact, a series. And in any case, thank you for reminding me about this. I haven't read it yet.
Alison wrote: "I read the very awesome Malachite by Kirby Crow and I absolutely loved it. It's a vivid fantasy romance with really compelling characters set in an all-male society that's a lot lik..."Sounds good, goes on the list. :-)
Mymymble wrote: "Mymymble wrote: "After a downbeat New Year bookwise (as against a brilliant December) I read 'And Call me in the Morning' by Willa Okati.A lovely double OFY with two middle aged doctors. Definitel..."
Oh, yes, she's good at that. Making the reader cry, I mean. But always such lovely books.
Mymymble wrote: "After a downbeat New Year bookwise (as against a brilliant December) I read 'And Call me in the Morning' by Willa Okati.A lovely double OFY with two middle aged doctors. Definitely OFY not GFY. PO..."
I read it at the very beginning of my m/m reading career and loved it. I even have a paper copy of the book because back then I didn't own a kindle.
Karen wrote: "Oh, and I just finished Annabeth Albert's Off Base. Her stories do at times go on a bit longer than I'd choose, but I really do enjoy them. This was another good one...I'm also reading Off Base! I a binging on her backlist at the moment.
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Oh cool! I didn't realize it's already..."
Classic -- perfect -- noir.
"Johanna wrote: "I'm reading Joseph Hansen's Steps Going Down and loving it. BUT it's like watching a terrible train wreck in slow motion — it has also started to come into my dreams..."I bought it on paper over two years ago and I haven't read it yet because I suspected this from the blurb. But it is sure that I will read it, it's Hansen!
In fact I never thanked Josh for making me (us) discover this great author: thank you, dear Josh!
I've started yesterday to read
and I already know it will be 5 stars. It is really difficult to pace the reading. It's YA and there is a m/m love story. I can't tell how it will end, not even in a spoiler, because I don't know myself. I hope well...
BTW the other 4 books I read by Patrick Ness were also 5 stars.
by AF Henley and Kelly Wyre <3
Decided to do a re-read of the Owen Archer historical mysteries by Candace Robb starting with The Apothecary Rose.It's really not much of a mystery because you find out who did it right away, but I seem to recall (it's been about fifteen years since I read it) that I enjoyed it.
I read a fun short story this morning The Brat Whisperer (and it's free). Just started Outcast Mine on audio - narrated by Jack LeFleur - and it is fantastic so far.
The Summer Palace by C.S. Pacat. The Summer Palace. Long-awaited, devoured, and memorized. I can't say enough good things about it, especially in terms of the level of intimacy it achieves.
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Jordan wrote: "Just starting A Kind of Mystery by Renee James, which is a murder mystery featuring a transgender hair stylist. This is also going on our Pride list. Also, I love the opening scene! It's supposed t..."Thank you for mentioning this series. But do you mean
? Because I don't find another similar title.
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Two nights ago I read till 4 a.m.
, on paper. Excellent.And yesterday I finally started
. I love it. The beginning, with Mole coming out of his hole in spring, forgetting the spring cleaning to explore the surroundings, seeing the River for the first time, meeting the good natured Rat (in fact a water vole) made me happy.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I'm glad that you too loved..."
Yeah, I've now been googling back and forth, and I'm no wiser, I'm afraid. I didn't find anything else about Robert Bentley. Not a book, not any info. Bolerium Books has 6 issues of the literary journal Karen mentioned earlier:
Curzon, Daniel, editor, Robert Bentley, Daisy Aldan, John Mitzel, James Kirkup et al
Gay literature; a literary journal. Nos. 1-6 (Winter 1975 - Spring 1976)
Daniel Curzon,English Dept., State University of California, Fresno. 1975-76, 6 issues (the full run), 56p. each, 6.5x9.5 inches, some photos, first and last issues have minor edge stains from damp, all issues have one or more staples rusted, otherwise very good magazine-format literary journals in stapled wraps.
Cat.No: 51768
Price: $45.00
But, I did end up buying The Heart in Exile with a new introduction and biographical note by Rodney Garland :-) after browsing through the Lambda Literary article GunnShots: Celebrating Great Gay Mysteries that Antonella posted the link to a while back. Have any of you guys read The Heart in Exile?
Also, have any of you read Peter Tuesday Hughes' the Front Desk series (which the article also mentions)? It intrigues me, but after browsing through some sites I only managed to find two (#2 and #5) of the six books of the series. So, I thought I'd ask here first. If it's worth the trouble of hunting...?