clare’s m/m story: your choices

Posted on 03/06/2009 by Kris

*pondering whether Jason Statham ::sigh:: would act in movie about the escapades of a gay, bus-driving, time-travelling superhero*

Oh, hello there. Umm, what was I going to talk about. *mumble, mumble* Oh, right. Those ridicu-, errr, awesome ideas that Clare got for her story. Here they are:

1. the setting~

A double decker bus. Look what I found when I was avoiding work today by trawling for pics of a sexy double decker bus. It’s David Tennant! *Back in Sean’s good book. YAY!*

2. food~

A chip butty. Yummy! Guess what Kris will be having for dinner. *Nom, nom, nom.*

3. another character~

A Bobby. How can that idea possibly be interesting?? Yowser. Okay, I’m with you now.

From Flikr.

4. a conflict~

If Number 10 Downing Street really is a portal to another world? I’m so glad that there are other believers out there. The proof is in photographs like this where they have to pretend the place is under quarantine. *rolls eyes* As if!

From Reuters/Stefan Wermuth.

5. a phrase~

“But I’m the only gay in the village.” I’m a fan. What can I say. 🙂

From here.

6. an object to be mentioned in the story somewhere~

A butterfly net. A butterfly net??? *mutterbunchofweirdosmutter*

From Flickr.

O_O Holy Cow. Where’s my net??

Over to you now, Clare. *tick, tick, tick* Shall we say Thursday 18 June? *tick, tick, tick* Great! Oh, and we’ll talk about that script idea for Jason later. 🙂

May the Muse be with you.

*Is that Kris’ new catch cry for these story things?* *I like it.* *Well, it’s not really anything new, is it.* *No, but let’s face it. She’s no creative genius is sh-… She’s watching, isn’t she??* *Gotta go.* *Oh sheeeeeiiittt….*

Posted in a choose your own m/m story, clare london | 32 Comments

guilty pleasures/smutty reads

Posted on 02/06/2009 by Kris


C’mon. Admit it.


Everyone has a book on their keeper’s shelf (or in some kitteh’s cases that’s ALL they have on their bookshelves) which they flip open for those times when they’re in the mood for something… a little naughty.

A few Canadians have also been known to re-read only the smexy bits in books. Apparently it’s a cultural thing.

I say throw off the literary shackles, forget those discussions about sex scenes having to be relevant to the plot, and admit how superficial you can be!

I’ll start, shall I? *g* Here are a few of my guilty pleasures:


Let’s be honest; when you think about this topic, how can you not be reminded of the work of author Sean Michael?? For unapologetic kinkiness Secrets, Skin and Leather is definitely my fave. BTW, if you haven’t read this author before suspend all disbelief because dehydration seriously doesn’t enter the equation.


Does Jet Mykles give good short reads or what?? Her “Key to Me” in this anthology is pretty damn terrific and is one of the shorts I re-read whenever the toy poodle flu flares up. This kinky Valentine’s story is, I think, one of her best.


This is not really smutty, but for sheer erotic goodness you can’t go past this tale of two bfs falling for each. Fabbo author team, great characters and superb pacing. The build up of sexual tension in The One That Got Away is, well… *fans self*

So what is your guilty pleasure?? Hey, I told you mine. Don’t be shy now. I promise I won’t tell anyone. 😉
Posted in book pimpage, guilty pleasures, Jet Mykles, m/m, sean michael, smexy, urban/aile | 31 Comments

were mates… or are we???

Posted on 01/06/2009 by Kris


Hehehe. I crack me up.

Apparently there are a number of us who admit to having an “OMG, they’re so freaking HOT” thing for mate/shifter stories. (Eg Lily, Orannia and Tracy.)

Yeah, the trope is a (very) familiar one (ie thrashed to death because even those without a creative bone in their body can recognise a winner almost as fast as they can say ‘urban fantasy’ *kaching*).

I also have major – HUGE, GINORMOUS – issues with books that use the “we’re mates” theme as a seemingly more palatable way of dealing with homosexuality, especially in some GFY-type stories. Pisses me off no end.

Let’s face it though, when it works the mate/shifter deal definitely sets the undies (translation from Australian: panties (US), knickers (UK)) or the boxers alight so I thought I’d share with you my faves… books, not undies cos ewww… moving on…


First up is a series I have pimped to death talked about before because I love it so freaking much and this is M L Rhodes’ The Draegan Lords. Go read why I think M L and these stories are awesome here and then go BUY THE BOOKS STRAIGHT AWAY! EXCUSE ME NO EXCUSES!! ::ahem::


Second is J L Langley’s With Caution, which is the third book in her With/Without series. This, I think, is the best in a good bunch. Writing, plot, pacing, development, characters – everything about it is great. Not to mention Remi and Jake being very, very smexy together. 😉


Third – and finally – is Shelly Laurenston’s Magnus Pack and Pride series. Her heroines are snarky, kick arse bitches, who don’t take shit from anyone least of all their men. I’ve posted about her before because I think her stories are absofrigginlutely hilarious. You will die laughing (hopefully not literally). Good stuff for those feeling a little blue.

Which mate/shifter stories have worked for you? What about the ones that have been total shit unconvincing??

Well, Lily, Orannia and Tracy?? I’m waiting…

Posted in book pimpage, J L Langley, M L Rhodes, m/f, m/m, paranormal, Shelly Laurenston | 31 Comments

dear book goddess

Posted on 01/06/2009 by Kris

Please grant me the strength to not buy any more books until I’ve read all those in my tbr pile.

If You do, I promise to: try not to swear so much on the blog; write some reviews for Wave; ask Sirk when we might expect the next installment of Kanga Rules; and, stop telling everyone that Sean is a twink cyber bullying authors.

Thank You for listening, Kris.

Posted in me, serious randomness | 33 Comments

wanna make another author’s life hell??

Posted on 30/05/2009 by Kris

Yeah, I thought so. Hehehe.

Guess who can’t blame me because she was nominated by her so-called friend (that K Z can be so mean sometimes):

Clare London! Come on down!

No excuses. Read these now! You know who I’m talking too!

*rubbing hands together* Let’s star-… what do you mean you don’t know what to do?! *sigh* How soon they forget my awesomeness…

Step 1. Virtual folk choose different elements to be included in a story.

Step 2. After counting the votes, I let you know the results and…

Step 3. Hand over the lot to Clare, who has managed to carve out 2 weeks in her busy schedule to write a short story incorporating your choices. This literary masterpiece *no pressure though, Clare* will then be posted on the blog.

Choooooose!

the setting

a) a Time Team dig

b) the Tardis

c) a double decker bus

d) the Harrods store after hours

food

a) a pastie (These are NOT the things you wear on your nipples.)

b) Yorkshire pudding

c) marmite

d) a chip butty

another character

a) an impersonator

b) a heavy breather

c) a Bobby (That’s copper or ‘the fuzz’ for those of you who’re clueless.)

d) an interfering friend

a conflict

a) which actor is the best James Bond?

b) wanting to go to an Antiques Roadshow

c) if Number 10 Downing Street really is a portal to another world?

d) a lipstick mark

a phrase

a) “We’re just like Posh and Becks.”

b) “Please Sir, can I have some more?”

c) “But I’m the only gay in the village.”

d) “’allo, ‘allo. Wot’s goin’ on ‘ere then?”

an object to be mentioned in the story somewhere

a) a traffic cone

b) a long, stripey scarf

c) the Crown Jewels

d) a butterfly net

Ready to play?? Leave a comment with your choices or email me at krisngoodbooksATgmail.com. You have until 5pm Tuesday 2 June (Perth Western Australia time).

Don’t worry. Clare’s much nicer than those other two. 😉

Posted in a choose your own m/m story, clare london | 30 Comments

tasting ‘mourning doves’

Posted on 29/05/2009 by Kris

Kris’ New Year’s Readolution 3! To try a different author and/or genre once a month.

I was hoping to get a chance to do one of my more detailed ‘thoughts’ about this book; however, RL has intervened majorly in the past 4 weeks so here’s a taste instead!

Mourning Doves by Angela Romano

The Blurb:

In the world of the future, humans uneasily walk side by side with “Kin”—humanoids with animal mutations. TASK was formed to help ease the way for human and Kin to exist together. The program also deals with the problems those differences cause.

Leander Kale and his partner, Epsilon Maddox, are one of TASK’s top teams with a special bond all their own. Praised for their abilities and cursed for their existence, Leander and Epsilon struggle to do what they do best: hunt the Hunters, a breed of Kin that lives only to infect others and kill. But now there’s a leak inside TASK, an informant telling the Hunters when a team is closing in, giving them a critical advantage and a chance to escape.

That leaves Leander, Epsilon, and the other TASK members fighting blind—fighting for their lives and the lives of all of humanity. All they need is one lead, one clue to help them find the traitor, and they have to find it before the Hunters invade TASK itself and destroy them all.

Why I bought it:

Are you kidding? Look at that Anne Cain cover. Plus, hello… mutants! Can anyone say X-Men??

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ The main issue I had with this book was that I thought too much was going on. By this I don’t mean that the plot was convoluted, rather the pacing did not let up at all. Not bad for those of you who like their action, but I admit by the end I kept thinking to myself “He got shot AGAIN! Jesus. Does the author hate his guts or what?!”

Like~ It was refreshing to read a story so different to the ‘standard’ shifter tales. This, together with the plot, the characters and the crime/ thriller/ conspiracy threads, gave it a real edginess that I enjoyed very much.

Dislike~ This relates to my point about ‘too much going on’. Mourning Doves is not only about Leander and Epsilon, but also tells the stories of two other couples. My preference would have been for the book to focus solely on the relationship between Leander and Epsilon. I got to the end and wanted a deeper understanding of the connection between the two men and of their feelings for each other.

Like~ In a similar way to my being ‘the stuff of legends’, Mourning Doves is ‘the stuff of epilogues’. The last few pages of the epilogue in particular were simply awesome and left me with a deep feeling of satisfaction at a HFN well done. This, to my mind, is what a real epilogue should do.

So, what I think:

A good paranormal story by this first time author which will appeal to those who like their shifter stories, especially as it will offer them something different from the norm. Angela Romano is, I think, an author to definitely look out for in the future.

==========================================================================

‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in angela romano, futuristic, m/m, My 2009 Readolution 3, paranormal, tasting | 25 Comments

cos she’s scary that’s why

Posted on 28/05/2009 by Kris


Yesterday Orannia chose to make me the victim, err, winner of a blog award, which means that I have to pass it on to two other people otherwise a voodoo doll will be created in my image. *WTF??* Yeah, that was my response too, but when I tell you the award was created by Little CJ it all becomes clear, right. *Scary!* I know. I also think Orannia is trying to get me back for doubling her tbr or something. *People can be so unappreciative!* Yep.


Anyway, because I’m quite frankly terrified of Little CJ, I am passing the award on lickety-split to these two people *May God have mercy on your souls!*:

Jenre @ Well Read ~ Her blog – reviews, topics, and everything else in between – is sheer goodness.

and

KristieJ @ Ramblings on Romance, etc ~ Singlehandedly responsible for getting me to try historical romance again. *mutteritbetterbeworthitmutter*

Congratulations(?)!
Posted in blogger award, carolyn jean | 10 Comments

tasting yaoi: chocolate surprise

Posted on 27/05/2009 by Kris

Chocolate Surprise by Lily Hoshino

The Blurb:

Want A Sugar Rush?! Mix Chocolate is a sexy game involving guys, girls and an assortment of chocolates. Hidden within the sweets is a single chocolate with an aphrodisiac inside. If any of the girls picks this one, they get to have sex with the hottest guy in class, Kakiuchi. If one of the guys picks it, they get to choose anyone they want to have sex with. But what happens when one guy, Ogasawara, picks the lucky chocolate and wants to have sex with Kakiuchi?!

Why I bought it:

The blurb appealed. *mmmm, chocolate*

Dislike/like (ending on a high note):

Dislike~ There’s lots of tears at times. This angst is pretty normal for ‘uke’ characters. Still, it can be a little wearying. What I did like was the way the author/artist also revealed the feelings of the ‘seme’. It helped provide a balance to the relationship and the story.

Like~ Chocolate Surprise contains nine short stories with the first two stories focusing on the same characters. It could be the toy poodle flu, but I really enjoyed the fact there were so many stories in the one volume as well as their diversity. A number of themes were dealt with in this book including first love, rejection, loneliness, infidelity (I know, I know), friendship, fantasy, etc, etc.

Dislike~ Not really a dislike, but a comment. The way some of those boys carried on at school… well, you can’t tell me they wouldn’t have been caught. Just saying.

Like~ There is something about Lily Hoshino’s work that really resonates with me and I think a lot of it has to do with her artwork. No two ways about it – I adore it. Besides the fact that her boys are seriously gorgeous – hey, Ms Superficial here 😉 – , the work itself is simple, but very evocative. It runs the gamut from something like a pair of eyes widening or a close up of two lips meeting to a detailed sex scene, yet each frame and strip perfectly reflects the narrative and the emotions of the character/s. I love it.

So, what I think:

This is the first book I read by this author/artist and I enjoyed it so much that I promptly purchased all of her other yaoi work. I think she is awesome.

===============================================

‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.

Posted in Lily Hoshino, m/m, manga, tasting yaoi | 19 Comments

maybe it’s me, but…

Posted on 25/05/2009 by Kris



… have you ever thought that because some of us like / love / devour (choose the word that best suits your habit 🙂 ) m/m fiction we are or could be considered to be a ‘fag hag’??


Or do you find that phrase offensive? I personally don’t, but others might.


Just something I’ve been pondering.


BTW, if I ever turn into one of those dreaded interferring fag hag characters we all hate, you’ll tell me, right??

Posted in m/m, maybe it's me but, randomness, tropes | 32 Comments

what do men look like? by tam

Posted on 24/05/2009 by Kris

Okay, they have two arms and legs (most of the time, occasionally four), they most often have hair and the usual facial features, but how do the guys of m/m romance differ from our SOs/friends/relatives/coworkers? Well, 9 times out of 10 they are way hotter and have totally lickable abs, but beyond that. So I decided to do a little statistical analysis.

So I analyzed …. lots (?) of books (and realized that I have spent way too much money obviously on this habit) and came up with the hair and eye color description for 244 men. Then I compared it to what the general population should look like to see if they are pretty much in the norm or pure fantasy.

There are a few caveats to my research: There were a few oddballs with blue/green/purple hair and I’m going with natural hair color, not Halloween hair color. Some authors used unusual eye colors which I had to lump in somewhere. Gray/turquoise fits with blue, gold fits with brown, lavender …. um forget it. As well my comparison group is pretty much based on the US/North America, if you go by world population, nearly 90% of all heroes should have black hair and brown eyes but since most are set in North America, Europe and Australia, there is a predominantly white European background to most of the characters. (See, this is real research, you should see my spread sheet, it’s awesome.) On with the show.

The most popular hair/eye combinations in my books were:

* brown includes the always vague “dark”, brown and light brown
** red includes red, auburn, strawberry blonde

So you say, that looks like a pretty normal distribution, it’s not as if there were 150 blue eyed blondes or 200 green eyed redheads. But how does that stack up to the general population? Well, it’s REALLY hard to find hard and fast statistics on hair color and even less so on hair/eye combination but I did my best and I did find some information on eye color based on the American Society of Ophthalmology (See? Serious stuff here.).

In general, in the US the breakdown should go something like this:

*includes light brown/gold

The poor brown and hazel eyed guys are under-represented and the blues and greens are over-represented, especially blue. This could be indicative of the lack of different ethnicities in m/m romance, since the black, Asian and Hispanic population would greatly increase the percentage of brown eyes in the US, but in the books I surveyed they are definitely under-represented by population.

When it comes to hair color, things get a little hairy (haha). Except for red (approx. 5-6% with my data showing 4.9% – pretty close) there seems to be no standard breakdown of natural hair colors anywhere, but like the good little surfer I am, I found a few self-reporting polls (and we all know people NEVER lie on the internet therefore the data is clean) that note hair/eye color combinations (847 responses). Of course my breakdown doesn’t match exactly and they seem to forget hazel in all of the surveys so that kind of sucks. In a perfectly arbitrary decision I will also calculate it with hazel as part of green.

So what did all my spreadsheets and surfing tell me? Well, in general, the men in m/m romance DO seem to represent the male species fairly well (concerning hair and eye color, anything else I doubt it). Sure there are a few too many blue eyed blondes, the hazel eyed folks are getting the short end of the stick and green is perhaps just a tad too exotic to turn down, but on the whole there is a pretty good mix out there in bookland.

Kris likes this one. O_O

Do YOU have a favourite type who makes your heart go pitty pat? I’m partial to the black/blue ones myself or blonde/brown. Since I am brown (in a past life)/hazel I seem to be attracted to that which is unlike me. So do opposites attract or birds of a feather flock together?
Posted in guest post, tam | 16 Comments