Reviews (9)

Summer Reading
Summer Cruising is light, entertaining summer reading.Anyone who has taken a cruise recently (or plans to take one) should enjoy the extensive descriptive content.I would describe it as a mystery/romance.

A PLEASURE CRUISE FOR THIS OR ANY SUMMER
As a teenager, I loved reading Jacqueline Susann novels. They were always delightfully detailed, deliciously naughty, and dynamically entertaining. I'm way past my teens now, but it sure is nice to know I can count on Dave Benbow to provide me with the same kind of wonderful reading experience.
Great for Romance Lovers
I really enjoyed this tale of action and romance at sea. A fresh and new story about a gay cruise that is full of romance,mystery and erotica. There are several main characters in the story and I thought this worked well since the story was about a gay cruise.It was nice to focus on several different characters in one story.It reminded me of the old TV series "The Love Boat" with a little more action when you add a bad guy and a sinking ship.Fast paced and full of romance, I really liked this story. After reading this book I went back and brought Mr. Benbow's other books, Male Model and Daytime Drama.I like that he has characters from his other books in his new stories. His writing style and sense of romance is just what I need when I want to read an entertaining tale of romance and adventure. I look forward to his next book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. Gay    3. Romance - Adult    4. Suspense   

Reviews (9)

To B. Sahl
Mr. or Ms Sahl -- ever stop to think that perhaps the character you so denigrate was a metaphor of the times Mr. Ford was writing about.This IS a common literary technique and was never intended to be taken literally.Duh!

Promises Fulfilled with Ford's "Full Circle"
Rarely in today's mass-market paperback world does a reader have an opportunity to savor the depth and breadth of a novel like Michael Thomas Ford's "Full Circle". Epic in scope while intimate in story, "Full Circle" chronicles nearly six decades in the lives of two longtime friends and sometimes lovers and the enigmatic third wheel who becomes a driving force in their lives. Ned Brummel and Jack Grace are inseparable boyhood friends growing up in a 1950's middle-class Philadelphia suburb. As they enter adolescence, they add sexual exploration to the usual teenage pastimes of scouting, star gazing, and comic books and seal a seemingly impenetrable bond. As the boys morph into men and enter their formidable college years, they meet the free-spirited and sexually ambiguous Andy Kowalski. With the shadow of the Vietnam War looming, Andy becomes the catalyst for bittersweet lessons in loyalty, betrayal, expectations, sexual identity, and the lasting bonds of love and friendship. The book follows the three friends through the ensuing thirty years, as they encounter an eclectic and thoroughly believable cast of secondary characters who crisscross the various intersections of their lives.
Well I Finished the Book
Like another reviewer, I had trouble finishing "Full Circle." I got through this four decade history of gay life in America only because I liked the three main characters (Ned, Jack, Andy). Michael Thomas Ford was determined to place his characters at every gay event, movement and tragedy (as well as the Vietnam war) since the mid-1960s. I believe he only missed Stonewall. I stopped caring about the background geography and events half way through & concentrated on the three guys and their lives during the AIDS years (the best section of the book) because of the next paragraph.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Fiction / General    6. Literature of special Gay interest    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (3)

Chix luv dix too!
I'm not [...], and neither is my girlfriend, but I ordered this book as a gift to her and she was very pleased indeed! She now keeps it stashed by her bedside for those lonely evenings when I'm not available. I learned of her interest in full-frontal male nudes when she complained repeatedly that there is obvious discrimination against males in movies and other media, given the fact that female full-frontals are so commonplace, and their male counterparts almost impossible to come by. Well, she's right, and this book rights that wrong! Buy it for your girlfriend for Valentine's Day.

Striking Photographs
From the largest publisher of gay male related books, Bruno Gmunder, comes this photographic essay dedicated to male 'private parts.' The photographer, Giovanni, is the pseudonym of a world-famous photographer who works in the international fashion scene. In most of his work the central theme is located a few feet higher up on the body. In this book basically just the bare nude torso is shown. Most of the book is in exquisitely lighted and printed black and white. Indeed the printing quality is so high that you might think these are true photographs rather than having been printed. There are, however, a couple of sections printed in full color.
Appreciation for the male appendage
Stunning photography and exceptional models set this book apart from similar publications.Definitely a worthwhile book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Individual Photographer    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    6. Subjects & Themes - Nudes    7. Erotic art   

Reviews (8)

Love this whole series!
Another hit by Radclyffe.This series needs to be made into a movie.I would certainly be in line to see it!

Justice Series Prevails
Det. Sgt. Frye and Dr. Rawling are joined by cyber gurus Sloan & Jason/Jasmin plus their significant others Michael & Sarah from the Trust Series.Officer Dell Mitchell joins the team.
Another Excellent Entry in the Justice Series
This outing in the series is less about Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye and Dr. Catherine Rawlings and more about the minor characters who were introduced in previous outings.In this book, Rebecca is still trying to find the person who ordered the killing of her partner, Jeff Cruz, and another cop, who may be the same bad guy who ordered the hit on her friend JT Sloan (the hitman mistook Sloan's lover Michael for Sloan and nearly killed the wrong woman and Sloan wants revenge), and who may be the head of a porn ring plagueing Philadelphia.She has an unofficial official team working away from police headquarters trying to track down the perps.And a strange team it is - but they all work well together and make headway.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Crime & mystery   

Reviews (18)

Clear Your Schedule and Get Comfortable
One of Radclyffe's shorter books, `Love's Tender Warriors' is well worth an evening spent in your favorite spot.The author has incorporated her love of both martial arts and medicine into an intense, heartfelt romance between two strong women.
Martial Arts and Twins
If one twin is a lesbian, will the other one be a lesbian?Good question.
Radclyffe Writes Like a Warrior
Drew Clark hides a dark past behind her warrior's exterior.The ex-Marine joins the dojang of an old friend.There she meets Sean Gray who is able to get beneath the warrior's armor.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction - Romance    2. Fiction / Lesbian    3. Lesbian    4. Romance - Contemporary    5. Fiction    6. Romance    7. Romance - Adult   

Reviews (4)

profound
Highly motivational and inspiring. It forces you to create worlds inside your head. Profound!Hi Lea.

Fire circle chants
Through a series of dazzling prose poems, Wittig tells the tale of a tribe of women warriors overthrowing patriarchy, and she challenges gender constructs through her language. It's a powerful and inspirational book about sex warfare, rather like "The Handmaid's Tale" or some songs by Tori Amos. A definite radical feminist classic worth reading and re-reading.

warfare
This book is interesting, and perhaps groundbreaking. Unlike the previous reviewer, however, I'm not sure I'd want to call this original feminist text "seminal." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fantasy fiction    2. Feminist fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Lesbian    6. Women's Studies - General    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (13)

A Great Little Guide to Broadway
Seth Rudetsky is fiercely talented, an encyclopedia of Broadway facts and lore, and (most importantly) hysterically funny.He also knows everyone in the business and is the King (Queen?) of Broadway benefits and concerts.
Great tips from a true insider!
This book gives you every inside tip (okay, ALMOST every tip) you need to know about theater in New York.It also happens to be a very entertaining read.Rudetsky's wit shines through as he gives you a history of "essential" Broadway.If you're a fan of theater, this is a must read!!

AmAHzing...but what would you expect from this ultimate insider?
If you're addicted to Seth's Big Fat Broadway on Sirius (channel 77--Broadway's Best) you MUST have this book.Seth is FIERCE!Worth the price for the website information alone.
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Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. General    3. Performing Arts    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Theater - Broadway & Musical Revue    7. Travel    8. Gay & Lesbian studies    9. Travel / General    10. USA   

Reviews (4)

Show Me Rather Than Tell Me
Christopher Bram's latest novel EXILES IN AMERICA is essentially about four characters. Zack Knowles, a psychiatrist, and Daniel Wexler, an art professor at a college in Williamsburg, Virginia, have been together for twenty years. Their lives are as bland as a bad pastel. They no longer have sex, they watch old movies, and Zack reads Victorian novels. Then their lives run amuck when they meet Abbas Rohani, an often sullen, almost always insufferable Iranian, and his Russian wife, Elena, when Abbas, another art instructor, is hired at Daniel's college.
Loved it!
This is the first novel I've read from this author and now I want to read them all!Such a great book, an interesting dynamic!You won't be disappointed but it will leave you w/many questions.I couldn't put it down, what a great read!

An original and thought-provoking story
Christopher Bram has written his most thought-provoking novel to date. He delves sensitively but deeply into a number of topics currently rocking the American cultural psyche: the definition of marriage and family, the gulf between East and West, the tension between security and xenophobia, etc. It's a great read that will leave you asking yourself questions for which there are no easy answers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. Gay couples    5. General    6. Literary    7. Painters    8. Popular American Fiction    9. Psychiatrists    10. Psychological    11. Fiction / General   

Reviews (17)

Everett's HOT, the book IS NOT !
This book appears to have been written for a British audience.It is typical British farce, and left this reader flat.Unless you truly adore this type of humor, avoid it.

Brilliant Satire!
It has to be doesn't it? Contrary to the book jacket this can't be a thinly veiled life of Rupert Evertt, but instead a ruthless commentary on the "jet set." It's the written equivalent of "people watching"...
Filled with colorful characters, funny situations, and a surprisingly strong narative thread, "Hello Darling" is a real treat & a great summer read.There's a sick joy in watching a newly broke character still having to mingle with his still high-in-the-hog living friends.Great concept!Great characters!Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. General    5. Humorous    6. Fiction / Gay    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (45)

An Unwritten Story
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit courageously tackles a topic not addressed often enough in real literature; the struggle between one's family and self as sexuality develops contrary to "normal" expectations.Jeanette Winterson deftly paints the story of a young girl's travails as she comes out to her devoutly evangelical mother with humor and pathos.The characters are all too real, especially to anyone with a background in deeply Christian communities.
"History is a string full of knots"
In her debut novel, first published in 1985, Jeanette Winterson managed to achieve two important goals: one, to impress the reader with her autobiographical story, and two, to create her own style and voice, which she developed in her later works.
Her beginnings....
You can see the author finding her voice in this one. It's jumpy with moments of sparking fire that characterize her later works. She dips a toe into the magic realism and fairy tale, and seeing these tentative steps should give all writers faith that they should pursue their weirdest ideas, mediated by the story.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Modern fiction    5. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (5)

Professional Photographs in a soft core environment
Another classic book from Bruno Gmunder, the world's leader in gay literature. Bel Ami is a Prague-based film company established by George Duroy, who is Slovak. "Bel Ami" means "beautiful friend" in French. Bel Ami specializes in films showing young men in erotic settings. They range from soft to hard core.
Beautiful Guys
Beautiful guys at play, sexual and otherwise. Beautiful bodies to look at in various stages of arousal but no overt sexual acts. Intimate love scenes w/ plenty of body contact, to include genital contact. The only negative was that some of these guys were just a little too mature to qualify for the term "Boys." but they were still beautiful men.

I agree - breathtaking!
This is a gorgeous book!Granted, ther Boys of Bel Ami are gorgeous, and this book does a great job capturing their beauty and charm.I highly recommend it to all gay men, and I doubt that you will be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Individual Photographer    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    6. Subjects & Themes - Nudes    7. Erotic art   

Reviews (122)

Absorbing, entertaining and intelligent
This was an addictive read for me! I loved the hisorical setting, the passionate by-play, and the well developed charecters. Overall, this satisfied my requirements for an intelligently written novel - intriguing, entertaining, witty, an excellent setting and playfully bawdy.

Excellent writing, but no "feel good" in this story
Mary Saunders is a young girl who yearns after pretty things. She offers a ribbon vendor a kiss in exchange for a scarlet ribbon, but the vendor takes the kiss further.
Refreshingly Realistic
As a history major, I often cringe when many writers take it upon themselves to shape character's attitudes or actions to standards of today, AKA revisionist history. Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue may be dark, gritty, and disturbing, but rightly so. How does one think the life of an eighteenth century prostitute was? It certainly wasn't glamorous, and Donoghue brings readers directly into this tragic world.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Historical    3. Gay    4. Historical - General    5. Lesbian    6. Fiction / Historical    7. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (3)

A compeling story
C.J. Winslow is an aging tennis champion.In the world of tennis, that means she's thirty-four years old. C.J. was once the number one ranked female player in the world and has been the sport's favorite poster child for many years, but younger players with faster games have begun to pass her by.She believes she can be on top again, but it means changing her game and the people who surround her.This won't be easy, but she knows she can do it because she is the consummate professional, forsaking everything else in her life to achieve what she wants.C.J. realizes she is lonely, but a happier personal life can wait for after she retires from the game and she's not ready for that yet.
Beyond romantic ...

Gracefully written with realism and strong characters
With the belief that her one chance at love has passed her by, Trystan Lighfoot has put her heart on hold for the last sixteen years.Focusing on regaining her number one ranking as professional tennis player combined with a childhood trauma has kept C.J. Winslow from allowing herself the chance to experience love.When Trystan and C.J. meet they find putting aside the hurts of the past as well as facing a judgmental society will challenge their opportunity to share the love they've found with each other.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Fiction / Lesbian    4. Lesbian    5. General & Literary Fiction    6. Lesbian fiction    7. Love stories    8. Romance - Contemporary   

Reviews (1)

Quirky, but enjoyable
Victoria Vanderveer is the pen name for Vonny Smith, one of Crimson Loon's best-selling romance writers.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Romance - Contemporary    6. Romance - General    7. Romance   

Subjects:  1. Comics & Graphic Novels    2. General    3. Graphic Novels - Manga    4. Graphic Novels-Manga    5. Humor    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / General    7. Graphic novels    8. Literature of special Gay interest   

Reviews (3)

A secret power that Gays, lesbians and other minorities utilize!
As a gay man, the cover photo on this revised edition (by Chantel Regnault)
Admirable Effort
A L-I-T-T-L-E too academic for me! However, I admire the effort and would like to read more about queer families.

Families We Choose
I found Kath Westons book "Families We Choose:lesbians, gays, kinship" to be a very interesting and informative book.This book brought many issues to the table regarding the idea of a family.What is afamily?family is not solely limited to biology. This book explored theidea of kinship in lesbian and gay relationships and the family that isformed within this community.Also, the difference and the importance of"biological" family vs. chosen family and which becomes or ismore important based on acceptance.This book explores issues concerningthe lesbian and gay community in regards to raising children and creatingfamilies of their own in the nineties incorporating both biological andchosen families. In overview, The idea of kinship is culturally relativeand it is suseptible to change.The word kinship and the meaing of familyis constantly being challenged and changed to incorporate and include thosepreviously unseen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family Relationships    2. Gay Studies    3. Gender Studies    4. Homosexuality    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Anthropology    9. Family & relationships    10. Gay & Lesbian studies    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    12. USA   

Reviews (16)

Not Up to Rad's Usual Standard...
For only the second time, this reader is giving a 4-star rating to a Radclyffe book. In `Tomorrow's Promise,' Rad introduces Adrienne Pierce.Adrienne is a recent survivor of a breast cancer scare during which she had a single mastectomy.Her lover of several years became distant and her career was put on the back burner.Adrienne decides to spend the summer alone on Whitley Point, a secluded semi-private island off the coast of Maine. There, she meets the enigmatic Tanner Whitley - wild child and heir to the Whitley fortune.
Can't go wrong with a Radclyffe novel!
Since Tanner's father died on the open sea, she's been a rebellious, party animal.Not caring how much she drinks, how fast she drives or who she sleeps with.
Tomorrow's Promise
Excellent read. The characters are well developed, with an enjoyable plot that makes it impossible to put this one down. As uisual the romance is hot and passionate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Light Romantic Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Fiction / Lesbian    5. Fiction / Romance / Contemporary    6. Lesbian    7. Romance - General    8. Literature of special Lesbian interest    9. Modern fiction    10. Romance - Contemporary   

Reviews (64)

Could've been better
I had to read this book in a college upper level english course. The language is very simple, it is so simple that it is more suitable for high school. But because of so much cursing in the book, which gets old and boring, it is not suitable for high school kids lol. In her novel Brown completely undermines heterosexuality, marriage and family. Every married woman meets her doom once she gets married. Molly's first love Leota who used to be beautiful, looked 40 at 24as Brown described her. It seems that every woman's solvation from doom aka marriage is homosexuality. Just because Brown had an unfortunate encounter with men and didn't enjoy them, it doesn't mean that it applies to every woman. The book is very biased towards heterosexuality and marriage.

A fun summer read
I read this novel because it is referenced in the Educating Rita.The relevance of the main character saying that this book is her favorite escaped me until I read the novel for myself.
Pick It Up
I would of gave it a 5 but I didn't like the ending. This was comedy at it's best. The main character's life - [...] out of carolina - gets worst every chapter. Not much goes in her direction but she tries hard to succeed. She is looking for her true self and where she belongs. Everytime she finds someplace, something happens. She realizes that, that isn't her. Oddly enough she leaves her mark on so many people along the way.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Lesbian    5. Literary    6. Fiction / Literary    7. Literature of special Gay interest    8. Modern fiction   

Reviews (7)

Untamed Montana
Radclyffe returns us to the mid-1860 to the Montana Territory where we rejoin ranch owner, Jesse Forbes and her partner, Kate Beecher.This is the sequel to "Innocent Hearts" and is truly a beautiful love story.
Back to Montana With a Wild Cast of Characters
For what I believe is the first time, I'm giving a Radclyffe book 4 stars instead of 5.`Promising Hearts' is a pseudo-continuation of her wonderful `Innocent Hearts,' but doesn't begin to meet her usual level of artistry.
Captured My Heart
Radclyffe has done it again!I loved this book! This book has everything a good book should have: plot, great characters, humor, romance, and as Radclyffe does best sex.Jessie and Kate are as great together in this book as in the first and I also loved Mae the first time around. I was glad to see that she finally got what was coming to her! The introduction to Vance was a wonderful addition. I hope that there is more story for these 4 amazing women...as I am sure you will see the possiblities for future books as I have! Radclyffe always leaves you hoping for more...
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Romance - Contemporary    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (6)

Trust No One
I always look forward to reading books by first-time authors.Sometimes the books are borderline and immature, but the good ones are exceptionally fresh and exciting.Such is the case with `Anticipation.'
Thrilling!
I read Anticipation in one weekend...needless to say, I was hooked from the get go! Ms. Breneman does an amazing job of leading her reader on a suspenseful adventure full of colorful characters and plot twists. She obviously knows the ins and outs of the justice system and keeps you guessing up to the very end! The romantic storyline is equally enthralling. The main characters are brought to life by Ms. Breneman's nimble attention to the details in life that make us all human: love, excitement, hope, fear and, not least of all, anticipation. I am very much looking forward to her next work!

I love it.
I loved this book. It was well written,and fun to read. I could not put it down. You want them to get together from the first time they meet. I loved Anticipation by Terri Breneman. I really look forward to her next book.
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Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Modern fiction