“In total, Equality Florida raised over $9M USD for victim relief following the horrific tragedy at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016.
Those funds will be disbursed to the victims on September 27. This video is to thank all those who gave and to all those who believe love conquers hate.
To stay involved in Equality Florida’s ongoing efforts to make Florida a safer, more inclusive place to live for all, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/forthe49 “
Apparently, it’s my site’s 7th anniversary today according to WordPress! Yay!
I think the last time I celebrated my blogging anniversary here was in 2012 when I was still with my then boyfriend Dom. Teehee.
From a fashion blog to a travel blog to movies and books review blog – I think I pretty much covered every aspect of my life that I’ve an interest with.
So there ya go, in case you’re wondering – this blogsite turns 7 today!
Thank you readers!!!!!!!
Posted in Others
“Boy Erased” by Garrard Conley is a poignant and challenging read that left a profound impact on me. Conley’s narrative is starkly honest, delving deep into the complexities of his upbringing in an ultra-religious family while grappling with his own identity and enduring the horrors of gay conversion therapy.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the palpable homophobia depicted in the book resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the painful struggles many of us face in finding acceptance and understanding. Conley’s raw portrayal of his emotional and psychological turmoil evoked a sense of shared experience, making his journey feel all too familiar. The depiction of conversion therapy was particularly gut-wrenching, with Conley eloquently conveying the disturbing realities he endured. While reading, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger, yearning for him to reclaim his sense of self amidst the oppression he faced.
In today’s world, where LGBTQ+ rights are still fiercely contested, “Boy Erased” serves as a powerful reminder of the detrimental effects of homophobia and the urgent need for awareness and empathy. It should be required reading for all, especially young adults, to shed light on the lasting scars inflicted by such harmful practices.
Although memoirs aren’t typically my go-to genre, Conley’s story captivated me, illuminating the ongoing struggles and triumphs within the LGBTQ+ community. I wholeheartedly recommend “Boy Erased” to anyone seeking a profound exploration of the human spirit, but be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Published on May 10, 2016 by Riverhead Books
About the Author
Garrard Conley is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Boy Erased, as well as the creator and co-producer of the podcast UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America. His work has been published by The New York Times, Oxford American, Time, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among others. Conley is a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program, where he was a Truman Capote Fellow specializing in fiction. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at Kennesaw State University.
Date of Publication: September 17, 2012
Genres and Themes: LGBTQI, Romance, Family, Disability
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Format: 210 pages, ebook
ISBN13: 9781613727355
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Characters: Ethan Hart, Carter Stevenson
Blurb: By twenty-four, Carter Stevenson has stuttered and ticced his way to debilitating shyness. Although his friends accuse him of letting his Tourette’s dictate his life, Carter moves from Los Angeles to a quiet California town. He’ll keep his head down and avoid people. He doesn’t anticipate his new neighbor, Ethan Hart, crashing into his solitude and forcing him to get out and live.
From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won’t see past Ethan’s damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there’s a bigger issue: he’s been burned by so-called “perfect” matches, and he won’t risk his heart again.
One way or another, Ethan’s determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?
*****
I’ve had this on my reader for as long as I can remember and only thought of it when I’d read a friend’s stellar review of it. By god, I cannot believe it took me forever to give this one a go because it’s beyond everything I was expecting from it. I just loved everything about it. I do. I truly do.
Ethan and Carter. Two souls whose fate will cross, not knowing at first that they are made for each other. It was quick tho. True love works fast at times.
Ethan. Brain-damaged. He sees everything in black and white. Right or wrong. But love is what led him to Carter. Ethan – beautiful, kind-hearted Ethan. I just loved him. He reminds me of Shane’s character in Kim Fielding’s Rattlesnake (one of my all-time favorite books) because they suffered the same trauma. What happened to him was heartbreaking, but the way the author highlighted Ethan’s character post-trauma is too beautiful not to appreciate. I even feel like crying right now. Ethan is someone you’d wish to have all the love in the world. Beautiful Ethan Hart is one unforgettable character.
Carter, with his debilitating shyness due to Tourette syndrome, finally accepting he deserves someone like Ethan. Some who can give him true love. He’s been burned in the past by the so-called “perfect matches,” but with Ethan, it looks like he found his forever. Carter with his wonderful loving heart. Someone who will protect Ethan and someone who also needs protection. Carter Stevenson is one incredible character.
And we have the minor characters who made such a strong impact in the story. Ethan’s parents, Liz and Nolan, are fantastic pairs of parents. Their unconditional love for Ethan is just too beautiful. Ethan’s younger brother Elliot and his teenage angst. My heart melts for him. His love for Ethan may not be that transparent, but it’s there, and it’s terrific. Then there’s Vera, Andy, Alice, Horatio, and the gang…everyone’s wonderfully supportive that you’d wish a lot of these people exists in the real world.
For my friends who haven’t read a single LGBTQI book, I would encourage you to start with this beautiful book by Ryan Loveless. If you simply are looking for something that will touch your heart, something that will make you smile and something that will remind you of the power of true love (mushy I know) regardless of theme and genre – then this book’s the one you’ve been looking for.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About The Author
Ryan Loveless is a farmer’s daughter. She has a BA in English from a private college in Illinois and a master’s degree in library and information science with an archival certificate from a university in New York. Raised in a conservative family, she was shocked and relieved when her coming out was largely uneventful. She has been writing since she could read and has always drifted toward M/M because she enjoys the relationship dynamics. It’s possible that her first story was about GI Joe. She wishes she still had that story.
Published July 12th 2016
Date of Publication: July 12th 2016
Theme & Genre: LGBTQI, Crime, Mystery, Supernatural
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Format: 249 pages, ebook
ASIN: B01CKFUN6I
Cover Artist: Kanaxa
Characters: Tom Paretski, Phil Morrison
Blurb: Death is what happens while you’re making other plans.
The Plumber’s Mate Mysteries, Book 4
The last thing newly engaged plumber Tom Paretski needs is to stumble over another dead body. He’s got enough on his mind already as the reality of his impending marriage sinks in. Not only is his family situation complicated, his heroism at a pub fire made him a local celebrity. Now everyone and their uncle wants a piece of his psychic talents.
Hired to find a missing necklace, Tom and his fiancé, private investigator Phil Morrison, wind up trying to unmask a killer—and there’s no shortage of suspects, up to and including the local bishop himself.
As Tom and Phil try to uncover the truth, they find themselves pulled in all directions by the conflicting pressures of their families and their own desires. But the murderer they’re up against is a ruthless schemer who won’t hesitate to kill again. If Tom and Phil aren’t careful, their love—and all their plans for the future—could be blown down like a house of straw.
Warning: Contains a bishop of questionable Christian charity, a necklace of questionable taste, and a plumber of questionable nationality who may be running out of time.
*****
I thought I was already done with this series but remembering my fondness for Tom’s character won me over so I decided to give this another go, and you know what, I totally enjoyed it! I easily remembered why I was so charmed by Tom’s character from the get-go. He’s still funny, charming and good-hearted. He’s just too fascinating a character that I didn’t mind that he’s about to get hitched with Phil – not a big fan of the guy but I am starting to “really” like him here. I just wished that he’d stop being so uptight. I think his abrasiveness is what I don’t like about him in the first place. It also feels like we’ve got so much to learn about his character whilst Tom being Tom is just an open book for everyone to feast on.
I thought the murder angle was just the side-ploy of the story and the central focus was actually on Tom and Phil’s impending wedding. I loved seeing Phil’s “romantic” side. It’s actually a bit refereshing coming from him. And there’s the rather complicated linage of Tom. I mean, I honestly don’t see the big deal about it but Tom being the nicest guy ever was stressing over it. Oh, who wouldn’t love this guy?
Here’s a nice J.L. Merrow book I’ve been dying to read since the first book off the series and that oh-so-perfect Muscling Through. I hope the next one is as good as this! Ta!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
About The Author
JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again. Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.
She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and the paranormal, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novella Muscling Through was a 2013 EPIC Award finalist, and her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy. Her novel Relief Valve is a finalist in the 2015 EPIC Awards.
JL Merrow is a member of the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.
Find JL Merrow online at: http://www.jlmerrow.com, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow
Posted in Books
Tagged Blow Down, Book Review, J.L. Merrow, Samhain Publishing, The Plumber's Mate Series
Date of Publication: August 12, 2016
Genre & Theme: LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary, Comedy
Format: 253 pages, ebook
Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Molly Wright
ASIN: B01KESPKZC
Characters: Rory McGrath, Adam Sandstone
Blurb: Rory McGrath suffers from a debilitating condition—he caught it from reading too many books. Rory believes in true love. He’s saving himself until he finds it, preferably with Mr Darcy, but definitely not with the arrogant, unpleasant ape Adam Sandstone. Adam isn’t impressed with Rory either. Both Rory and Adam have yet to learn, however, that you cannot always judge a book by its cover. The nine other members of the new club could have told them this, had they been consulted. The founders of the Buckland-in-the-Vale and Sandstone Tor Gay Book Club know only too well that not all truths are written in books. Truth, like life, is what you make of it.
***
I’m not entirely sure yet on how to permanently place this book on my like-o-meter because there are parts of it that I really, really love whilst some scenes (mostly from the insufferable Adam Sandstone) makes me want to hurl my e-reader into someone or something. Preferably against my nosy neighbour’s flower garden. Or my neighbour himself. Truth.
I loved Rory because I can totally relate to him and geez, he’s basically me (minus the model-pretty look, lol!) He’s funny, incredibly charming and just about the most adorable ever! His perchant for apologizing is just too endearing…made me winced a couple of times but mostly, made me root for him and his quest for his one true love. A total darling indeed!
Adam on the other hand is the total opposite of Rory. He’s abrasive, insolent, self-absorbed and just about the biggest prick in their little home town. And he’s drop-dead gorg. Served the military. And again, a prick. I didn’t like him one bit if I’m being honest. And his douche move during the party made me a bit restless that I need to pause on my reading. It’s really minor so it’s a “me” issue. Ugh.
The old dears of course are just about the best book club members ever! They’re like the Desperate Housewives, only 20 years older, funnier and actually knows how to read. Hah! They’re just so cute!
John Wiltshire’s humor is always spot on. His writing style kind of reminds me of Josh Lanyon. The latter isn’t known for her humor but their style got the same intensity regardless of the genre and theme of the story.
Here, we’ve got a full-on John Wiltshire humor mixed with some of his characters’ usual angst (from Adam, ahem!). A tiny bit of angst, that is. It’s a HFN ending which I thought was kind of cruel because I just want lovely Rory to get his happy-ever-after-book-ending. I reckon that there would be a second book in store for us? I do hope that it’s for another couple altogether – say the vicar himself? Yay! Is that even possible? Not entirely sure about the mechanics but yeah… I’m going to finish this asking you guys to pick this up because it’s an absolutely delightful read. For now, I think I’d categorize this one as “I kinda liked it.”
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
About The Author
John spent twenty-two years in the military, perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing. He left as a senior officer
when his tunnel was ready for use. He is now living in New
Zealand until he can raise enough money to leave. Although he
has no plans to return to the army, he can occasionally be caught
polishing his medals.
Date of Publication: September 15, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQI, Young Adult, Kidnapping, Africa
Format: 200 pages, ebook
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
ISBN: 9781634775281
Characters: Isaiah Martin, Henry
Blurb: No good deed goes unpunished, and for seventeen-year-old Isaiah Martin, that’s certainly the case. The gun he was caught with wasn’t even his, for God’s sake. He only had it to keep a friend from doing something stupid. No one wants to hear it though, and Isaiah is banished—or so it seems to him—to live with his missionary father in politically conflicted Cameroon, Africa.
However, when he arrives, his father is so busy doing his good deeds that he sends Henry, the young, surprisingly hot do-gooder with a mysterious past, to pick up Isaiah and keep him out of trouble. Even while Isaiah is counting down the days until he can go home, he and Henry get caught in the political unrest of the region. Kidnapped by militant forces, the two have to work together to survive until they are rescued—unless they manage to find a way to save each other first.
***
I’m still contemplating my feelings towards this book so the things you’re about to read would be my ‘just-finished-reaction’ towards it. I so enjoyed Isaiah’s perspective – voice alive, thoughts so vibrant and just overall fun to read. When you say young adult – Isiah is the perfect embodiment of it.
Henry meanwhile is a very fascinating character. I loved that he represent a strong character – a character you’d root for once you get to know him.
The Do-Gooder theme between the men in this book is lovely and all but I find it extremely annoying in the case of Chuck / Dr. Martin because of that twist about his character. It’s so not acceptable for me If I were Isaiah – I am so gonna flip the way he did.
I’m probably going to be in the minority here and I feel that I will be getting a bit of a flock for writing this one because it would seem like I’m making a big deal out of the circumstances the boys have found themselves into but it’s seriously bothered me to no end since finishing the book the other day. I didn’t like what happened with Henry during their captivity. It maybe one of those inevitable things given their circumstances but it was too much for me. Hasn’t the boy endured enough? It was a bit disheartening and I don’t believe for one second that it was nothing to him, that he’s done it before and all that shit. It’s a cruel twist of fate and the story could’ve go on without that scene.
I find the writing extremely thoughtful overall though, I’ve some issues with the story, I still had fun reading it. I also wouldn’t mind reading more from the boys in the future!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
About The Author
j. leigh bailey is an office drone by day and the author of Young Adult LGBT Romance by night. She can usually be found with her nose in a book or pressed up against her computer monitor. A book-a-day reading habit sometimes gets in the way of… well, everything…but some habits aren’t worth breaking. She’s been reading romance novels since she was ten years old. The last twenty years or so have not changed her voracious appetite for stories of romance, relationships and achieving that vitally important Happy Ever After. She’s a firm believer that everyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation or paranormal affiliation deserves a happy ending.
She wrote her first story at seven, which was, unbeknownst to her at the time, a charming piece of fan-fiction in which Superman battled (and defeated, of course) the nefarious X Luther. She was quite put out to be told, years later, that the character’s name was actually Lex. Her second masterpiece should have been a best-seller, but the action-packed tale of rescuing her little brother from an alligator attack in the marshes of Florida collected dust for years under the bed instead of gaining critical acclaim.
Now she writes Young Adult LGBT Romance novels about boys traversing the crazy world of love, relationships and acceptance.
Posted in Books
Tagged ARC, Book Review, Do-Gooder, Harmony Ink Press, J. Leigh Bailey, Netgalley, Young Adult
PADDYLAST INC. 