08Feb/18

The Calling by M.D. Neu

Review, , , , , , , , , , ,

This is an elegant vampire novel, with cleverly interwoven plot arcs that are challenging and intriguing at the same time. It begins with main character Duncan being lured (or “Called”) to meet a beautiful and mysterious woman, along with other disparate individuals. He doesn’t know that he is being tested, and once he passes the test, whether he wants to take advantage of the riches he is promised.

Duncan was slightly irritating at first, as he seemed not to be able to commit himself to anything, both in thought or deed. Always second-guessing himself (is he or is he not a nobody?), there was not enough for me to really identify with his dilemma and I found it difficult to relate to him as a human being thrown into a glamorous, Immortal world. However, as his relationship with Juliet and her assistant develops, he becomes a more rounded character. There is an undercurrent of menace, as he is treated like a human dress-up doll by the two women, whilst being subtly manipulated into the Immortal lifestyle and having strange, disturbing dreams.

I wouldn’t say it was a particularly dark read. There is a bit of gore in places, and sexy undercurrent which streams throughout the book but I’m not sure the warning of “graphic sex and violence” at the beginning was really warranted. There are a couple of sexy, explicit scenes, but I’ve read much stronger stuff in so-called romantic fiction.

The important thing is the story, the Eighties-esque glamour, the fashion amidst almost corporate intrigue. If Judith Krantz had written paranormal/vampire novels, they may have been very much like this.

To round up, although I didn’t really connect with Duncan’s character, I had a lot of respect for this book’s ability to immerse the reader in the Immortal world. It was well-written and carefully balanced, with alluring background characters and fabulous set-pieces. I didn’t find it an easy read, as I don’t normally gravitate towards paranormal novels, but for those who want their vampire novels a little different, not twinkly yet not too dark, it’s definitely worth checking out.

BLURB

Being nobody isn’t necessarily Duncan Alexander’s life goal, but it’s worked for him. He has a nondescript job, a few good friends, and overall he’s content. That’s until one fateful trip to San Jose, California, where he is ‘Called’ to meet the mysterious Juliet de Exter.  Juliet is a beautiful, wealthy, powerful Immortal who is undertaking ‘The Calling’ – a search for a human to join her world of Immortals.  Inexplicably, Duncan’s calling is more dangerous than any of the Immortals, even Juliet, ever thought it would be.

There is more to this nobody, this only child of long deceased parents, than anyone thought. When Duncan begins experiencing uncontrollable dreams of people and places he doesn’t know and hasn’t been, Juliet and the other Immortals worry. Soon, his visions point to a coven of long dead witches. The dreams also lead Duncan to his one true love. How will Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast Immortal.  Will he and the others keep the balance between the Light and Dark, survive vicious attacks, and prevent the humans from learning who they truly are? More importantly, who is this implacable foe Duncan keeps seeing in his dreams?

02Feb/18

Mel Gough

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February 2, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Mel Gough as the guest on Episode 149: Serial Numbers Filed Off!!

This week Mel Gough joins us to talk about her first novel A World Apart, her fan fiction roots, and then she shares some give-away goodies!

Give-Away Contest!!:  Sign up for Mel’s email list** before February 9 for a chance to win an e-copy of A World Apart!!  https://tinyletter.com/melgough

** Mel sends out roughly one message a month, so your inbox won’t be inundated!

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Bio:

Mel was born in Germany, where she spent the first twenty-six years of her life (with a one-year stint in Los Angeles). She has always been fascinated by cultures and human interaction, and earned her Masters in Social Anthropology. After finishing university, she moved to London, where she has lived for ten years.

If you were to ask her parents what Mel enjoyed the most since the age of six, they would undoubtedly say “Reading!” She would take fifteen books on a three-week beach holiday, and then read all her mom’s books once she’d devoured her own midway through week two.

Back home in her mom’s attic there’s a box full of journals with stories Mel wrote when she was in her early teens. None of the stories are finished, or any good. She has told herself bedtime stories as far back as she can remember.

In her day job, Mel works for an NGO as operations manager. No other city is quite like London, and Mel loves her city. The hustle and bustle still amaze and thrill her even after all these years. When not reading, writing or going to the theater, Mel spends her time with her long-time boyfriend, discussing science or poking fun at each other.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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19Jan/18

Jeff Jacobson

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January 19, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Jeff Jacobson back as the guest on Episode 147: Gruff & Scrindr!!

This week Jeff Jacobson returns to talk about breaking his first novel into two books, The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly Straight and The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly Home, where his series is heading, and his first big fancy book launch!

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Bio:

Jeff Jacobson was born in Seattle in 1968, and grew up enchanted by the lush landscape, the long summer days, and the short winter nights of the Pacific Northwest.

Once, when he was a wee kindergartner, his grandmother let slip that she was a “modern witch, who flew on a vacuum cleaner over his house at night to protect him.”

Jeff had seen her vacuum cleaner. The cord wasn’t long enough to reach his house.

But in bed that night, left alone with creaky sounds and branches scraping over window frames, he decided that having a witch for a grandmother wasn’t such a bad thing. Even if it weren’t true…

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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May 20, 2016

 TheBoyWhoCouldntFlyStraight

May 20, 2016

It gives us great pleasure to announce Jeff Jacobson as the guest on episode 058: No Longer A Bratty Dilettante!
Join us as we discuss his writing journey, YA Novels – what’s allowed and what’s not, witch tropes, stockholm syndrome and witches – who knew?, and the dangers of teaching pulp culture refs to non-English speakers.

You can buy Jeff’s work here:

Follow Jeff on your favorite social site:

Bio:

Jeff Jacobson was born in Seattle in 1968, and grew up enchanted by the lush landscape, the long summer days, and the short winter nights of the Pacific Northwest.

Once, when he was a wee kindergartner, his grandmother let slip that she was a “modern witch, who flew on a vacuum cleaner over his house at night to protect him.”

Jeff had seen her vacuum cleaner. The cord wasn’t long enough to reach his house.

But in bed that night, left alone with creaky sounds and branches scraping over window frames, he decided that having a witch for a grandmother wasn’t such a bad thing. Even if it weren’t true…

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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Or right here:

12Jan/18

B. A. Brock

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January 12, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Ben Brock as the guest on Episode 146: Admittedly Wide Rule!!

This week Ben Brock joins us to talk about his first novel, King of the Storm, bisexuality, pansexuality, and being trans in the MM community!

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Bio:

B. A. Brock has lived most of his life in the Pacific Northwest, with a couple years in Oklahoma. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in 2007 at Portland State University–which he mostly uses to contemplate how we can achieve a civilization more closely aligned with Star Trek.

During a round of Dungeons and Dragons, he discovered a desire to write out some scenes from his character’s story. Those scenes became an obsession, that obsession led to writing classes, and an author was born.

When not writing, Brock spends his time reading/reviewing novels, training for marathons, hanging out with his dog, and bemoaning the fact that the world has yet to make a decent gluten free doughnut.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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05Jan/18

A.E. Ross

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January 5, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome A.E. Ross as the guest on Episode 145: Hey I Can Do This!!

This week A.E. Ross joins us to talk about their first novel, Run in the Blood, coming to novel-writing from screen- and animation writing, and writing that represents non-binary identities, mental health, and chronic illness!

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** NOTE: Here’s that cute 5-year old YouTube reviewer mentioned in this episode LINK

Bio:

A.E. Ross grew up in a small town on a medium-sized island on the West Coast of Canada with two older brothers.

They received a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Victoria in 2009, and a Diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School in 2010.

They currently resides in Vancouver, B.C. where they work as an Associate Producer for Kickstart Entertainment, as well as a freelance writer and story-editor.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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02Jan/18

Waiting for Walker by Robin Reardon

Review, , , , , , , , , , ,

This novel takes a lot on. Without giving too much away, there are some big issues at  play here, amongst them coming out to parents, the processing of grief, learning to trust, racism and dealing with all the questions arising from Walker being intersex. It could be a murky mix of navel-gazing and histrionics, but it isn’t. Instead, there is a delicately-balanced story of young love, set against the misunderstandings of two families, one of which have their own devastating loss to deal with as well.

The story, intricate and compelling, is told through the eyes of Micah, a young gay man who falls totally in love with Walker. Even as he learns more about Walker’s gender, and the inevitable questions it poses about his own sexuality, his emotions are incredibly tender and real. At the same time, he is dealing with his mother’s grief over his lost brother, and the fact that his father has moved on and found happiness with another woman. It’s a huge burden for any teenager to bear, and Micah reacts in a totally convincing manner; switching from surly to affectionate to sullen again. He was written very well, never losing my interest for a moment, and remained appealing even when he was in one of his moods, and the author has a knack of drawing their secondary characters so well, they almost share top billing with the two leads.

The descriptions of Long Island Sound, sailing for the first time and the burgeoning emotions are exquisite. You can almost smell the sea air and feel that flutter of anticipation as Micah falls inexorably in love with Walker. The story is atmospheric, almost dreamy at times, but not in a way that gets in the way of the plot, which moves along at just the right pace. For an easy read, it packs a big emotional punch.

I believe this book has a wide appeal, from young teenagers just exploring who they are as people, to anyone interested to know more about intersex relations and love. It certainly educated me without being preachy, and the ending was immensely satisfying (no spoilers.) This is definitely a book I will read again in the future.

BLURB

“Maybe, when you trust completely, you leave yourself open to the pain of someone else.”

Micah Jaeger’s life is a mess. His folks have split, and his mother is seeing a medium to communicate with Micah’s older brother, killed in Afghanistan. He had to change schools for his junior year, and he retreats further into himself, hiding behind his camera—and hiding that he’s gay.

One sunny day in June, as he’s shooting a dead seagull on the shore of Long Island Sound, a mysterious guy appears in a beautiful sailboat. At first, the guy’s boat shoes are the image that stays with Micah. But soon it’s the person himself, Walker Donnell, who haunts Micah’s dreams.

Walker’s life looks perfect to Micah. His wealthy parents adore him. He has everything he could want. He’s gorgeous and generous. And he falls hard for Micah. But he has a secret: Walker is intersex.

The closer Walker and Micah grow, the more Walker feels the need to be sure of himself in ways he hasn’t fully faced before, and now it’s his turn to retreat. Micah knows Walker is worth waiting for, so he waits. And waits.

29Dec/17

Keely-Toby

Featured Guest, , , , , , ,

December 29, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Keely and Toby as the guests on Episode 144: Lots of Colors!!

This week two teens, Keely on the West Coast and Toby in the Midwest, join us to talk about what they like in books and media, and what they’d like to see more of!

 

This Podcast Episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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Or right here:

22Dec/17

Meredith King

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December 22, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Meredith King as the guest on Episode 143: You Can’t Get Happier Than Happy!!

This week Meredith King joins us to talk about what Diverse Reader is and what they offer, as well as give some insight into successful vs. not-so-successful promotion!

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Bio:

Meredith is the owner of Diverse Reader. Through determination she has watched it grow into a huge promotional and review site for the LGBTQA community. Through the years the staff has grown and so have the books.

She lives in the north east and is forever a city girl. Meredith is married to a man with a lot of patience and has three amazing children that light up her life. After many years this avid reader and reviewer has finally published her debut book, Snow Falling, under the pen name Davidson King.

The LGBTQ community has become her family and has helped her grow as a person and a writer. She’s made many friends and many that she knows will be lifelong.

She loves coffee, elephants, sunflowers, books, and wine. Often times you won’t find her without her phone or Kindle in hand. As busy as she is she wouldn’t give any of it up for anything.

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15Dec/17

Robin Reardon

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December 15, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Robin Reardon as the guest on Episode 142: Are You Out of Your Mind? It’s All About Love!!

This week Robin Reardon joins us to talk about her motto, why she started writing LGBTQ, why she writes for teens specifically, and how she includes all manner of subjects into her work!

Follow Robin and support her work:

Bio:

Robin Reardon is an inveterate observer of human nature, and her primary writing goal is to create stories about all kinds of people, some of whom happen to be gay or transgender–people whose destinies are not determined solely by their sexual orientation or identity. Her secondary writing goal is to introduce readers to concepts or information they might not know very much about. (See the “Digging Deeper” sections on most of the individual book pages for links to background information and research done for the novels.)

Robin’s motto is this: The only thing wrong with being gay is how some people treat you when they find out.

Interests outside of writing include singing, nature photography, and the study of comparative religion. Robin writes in a butter yellow study with a view of the Boston, Massachusetts skyline.

This Podcast Episode is
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11Dec/17

Bigfoot Hunters In Love by Jamie Fessenden

Review, , , , , , , , ,

One word: hilarious. I didn’t expect a lot from a book entitled Bigfoot Hunters In Love, but was exactly what I had hoped for, a cute love story from an a well-respected author. As the cover suggests, this was written with tongue firmly in cheek.

Stuart and Jake take the word “adorable” to the max, with snappy dialogue and some delicious sex. Sweet Jake is a writer with the sort of problems I could totally identify with. His dog has run off and he’s anxious to find it, and Jake is the brawny Ranger determined to find and record the elusive Bigfoot. There is an instant chemistry between them which doesn’t feel at all forced, and an acknowledgement that not everyone in town would be comfortable with their burgeoning relationship.

This isn’t a long read, at 88 print pages, but packed full of funny scenarios (Stuart being chased naked through a pumpkin patch, in fact, any time Stuart loses his clothes, basically) and it’s all set against a woody New Hampshire, where Bigfoot has roamed for many years. There’s a good message at the end as well, not too preachy, but let’s say, very satisfying.

There’s not much more to say, other than this is a great, entertaining read for anyone who loves MM romance with added Bigfoot flavour. And has a sense of humour. Snuggle up by the fire and enjoy…

BLURB

When Stuart bought a house in the country, he thought he’d have some quiet time to write. The last thing he expected was to be chased through the forest in the middle of the night by something massive and hairy that can run on two legs. When he literally runs into a ranger named Jake, he learns the bizarre truth: he’s just had a Bigfoot sighting.

Jake rescues him, but Stuart soon discovers he hasn’t seen the last of Bigfoot. There’s a family of the creatures out there, and Jake has been tracking them for years through the state parks of New Hampshire. Soon Stuart finds himself caught up in Jake’s quest… and in very close quarters with the handsome ranger himself.