This artwork is by Lily Hoshino, who is very quickly becoming one of my fave yaoi manga author/artists and was created for her Mr Flower Bride.
The image comes from here and has been scanned (which I think means scanning, colouring and framing) by this artist.
Can it really be true??
It is quite possible, virtual folk, because it seems I have again hit with extreme force one of the main issues in a story which causes me to stumble each. and. every. single. damn. time. This is the theme of infidelity.
It doesn’t matter how thoughtfully and convincingly it’s dealt with (eg Chris Owen’s Bareback) or how the addition of a third person in a relationship can be successfully resolved in a story (eg Katrina Strauss’ Blue Ruin 2), I really – to the infinity power – hate it; even the hint of it.
Case in point *AND SPOILERS*…
I was reading this the other day; picked it up because I’d read some good reviews about it. I was enjoying it (lots of lol moments that had the kittens running to see what was up) right up until the very end when red lights started flashing and a barrier came down. Infidelity… bloody hell it.
Yeah, yeah; he doesn’t go through with it. Yet, he was ready to throw his whole future away on some pie-in-the-sky dream. I know, I know. It’s a major part of the story and of the character as he, despite his concerns, takes that big leap of faith, but still… it just made me so friggin angry. *sigh*
Needless to say that this book has gone on to my ‘mixed feelings’ shelf.
If you’ve read it, did you have a similar reaction? Or perhaps you don’t have my, umm, “issues” (translation from Kris: blatant bias) with infidelity? Maybe it’s something else that gets your goat?
… fell absolutely in love with the first book of a series, snatched the second up as soon as it hit the shelves, started reading it and thought… “meh”.
So, you set it aside in the hopes that you will come back and try it again. But does it work??
It didn’t for me with this series and for the life of me I’ve no real idea why. I just couldn’t get beyond the first couple of chapters. I’m thinking that I just wasn’t able to connect with the main characters. Who knows.
*sigh* I seriously hate it when that happens though, don’t you?
A Midsummer Night’s Steam story
Nut [nuht] noun, verb.
Why I bought it:
This was one of the first m/m romances I purchased and read. At the time, I thought the short format would give me enough of a taste to see if I was interested in reading more of the genre.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ Some readers might not like this because it has a ‘let’s be mates’ theme. Having said that, it is NOT a ‘let’s be mates but I’m not gay’ story which may make it more believable/acceptable to those of you who raised your eyebrow.
Like~ I do enjoy a romance involving an older, more experienced protag with a younger, more innocent character. Of course, the squicky factor must be low. For some reason I’m also a fan of the falling for the BF of an older sibling scenario. Again, it should be convincing. *ponders* Maybe I like it so much because I always wanted an older brother for the purposes of providing bodies for insta boyfriends, dates to dances, etc. Could be. 😉
Dislike~ Too. Short. Wanted. More.
Like~ I’m superficial enough to admit that the sex in this is friggin HAWT. Plus, the smutty pictures that title conjures… too cool. *g*
This is one of the shorts I pull out of the virtual library whenever I’m in the mood for a short, sharp and sexy breather.
Allergies by T A Chase
What’s a shapeshifter to do when the man he desperately wants is allergic to him?
Raymond Marvels never imagines his call to the IT department at his graphics design job would result in his meeting Lou Canis, the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen. There’s one small problem, though—Ray is allergic to Lou. Yet his allergy is only one of the weird things going on between them.
Lou, a werewolf, isn’t sure how to fix the situation, because it seems his would-be lover’s allergy is to Lou’s human form and not his canine one. Lou decides to tell Ray his deep dark secret, which has unexpected results when Ray embraces both sides of Lou. Yet after a witch doctor gives Ray some medicine to solve his problem, Ray and Lou discover they must also face a dangerous conspiracy evolving around them…
Why I bought it:
It’s T A Chase. Auto buy.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ This is going to seem really weird (and no smart arse remarks from the peanut gallery)… I followed this story as a serial on the author’s website. Reading this now as a book was great; however, because I’d basically read it before it had none of the ‘omph’ that a T A Chase story would usually have on me. Obviously this will not affect everyone, but it was my main dislike. Interesting, huh. Has anyone else had this reaction after reading something in serial form and then as a book??
Like~ A quirky take on the usual werewolf paranormal tail tale where the love interest (Ray) is allergic to the alpha male (Lou). Too funny. I liked it. I also liked the punny take on names, how Lou referred to his family and also the family’s interactions with each other. It gave me as a reader something a bit different, which made the story the more enjoyable.
Dislike~ It never hit me on my first reading, but it struck me on the second that the so-called shy Ray and the ‘damn the torpedoes’ Lou fall into bed together pretty damn quickly. This might annoy people. To be honest, I can take it or leave it as long as there is some sort of development of the relationship as the story progresses – and there was in this case – otherwise the whole thing is as completely boring as bat poo.
Like~ The author has created a great cast of great characters and an interesting world. Some people might think the story doesn’t really end because there is no real resolution of the issues raised in the last part of the book. That is because it doesn’t. The story arc continues in Nick of Time; something to keep in mind.
So, what I think:
This author gives good read and this is no exception. A must for those with an obsession for shifter stories (ie Tracy).
=====================================================
For those of you not familiar with the yaoi genre or have only sampled it in the form of western m/m romance, let me offer a brief description… *snort* As if! You all believed me, didn’t you?! Or did you forget I was a total lazy arse?? Suckers.
If you want to know more there’s a bit of a tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless informative article about yaoi manga by
Christopher Butcher. However, probably the best western site for information is Aestheticism.com. It will give you some background to the genre, meanings of terms, etc. Alternatively, and depending on her mood of course, you could ask the kitteh – she’ll know.BTW, manga is basically a Japanese ‘comic book’. Don’t be slack shits
On to the ‘tasting’!
Black Knight: Volume 1 by Kai Tsurugi
Black Knight, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a knight in the kingdom of Aran. Zeke O’Brien may have his eyes on the title of Black Knight, but he’s also after another prize, the young prince Chris.
Black Knight is a sweeping romantic fantasy epic about the relationship between the prince of a medieval kingdom and his loyal guardsman. Our story begins when Chris and Zeke meet in military school and embark on a life-long relationship fraught with danger, treachery, and above all, love. Why I bought it:Toy poodle flu. Oh, alright. I also have a passion for anime and manga.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):Although I’ve only read the first book of the series, I would recommend it to those interested in trying yaoi manga for the first time. I loved it. The romantic in me was sighing. A definite keeper.
=====================================================
It is true. I have caught this horrendous strain of the flu for which the main symptom is having the attention span of a toy poodle.
In the past, the toy poodle flu has been confused with the ‘mehs’ or as it is also referred to as ‘sheer and utter fucking boredom’.
Apparently the two are similar viruses and quite often a patient whilst suffering from one can fall victim to the other.
After some searching on the internet, I discovered a simple test which had been developed to assist people with self-diagnosis. There were only a few questions and they were as follows:
1. While searching for information about the toy poodle flu, did you get distracted and start searching for images of:
a) hawt menz
b) lol cats
c) both
d) no… then you do not have this flu, you hypochondriac. Get back to work!
2. If you had to describe how you are feeling at the moment it would be:
a) unmotivated
b) bored shitless
c) having a bad case of the whatevers
d) pretty good… there’s nothing wrong with you that a swift kick up the arse wouldn’t fix.
3. If you have been procrastinating, what sort of things have you been doing:
a) annoying people until they come and play with you
b) distracting other people with your silliness
c) giggling to yourself about the funny things you and your imaginary friends could do next
d) none of these things… for fuck’s sake just give. it. up.
4. Keeping in mind that you actually wasted time decided to take this test, if you answered a), b) or c) to the above questions and you have also been bitching to others (ie virtual friends and Mummas) about how you are feeling then get off your arse and do something about it, you lazy bitch!
Needless to say it was pretty obvious to me that I had succumbed to the dreaded toy poodle flu and I likely have a secondary infection of the mehs.
Hughverine: Hello Ladies.
Virtual Crowd: *squees and much fainting*
Hughverine: Thank you. *trademark smile* It’s my pleasure to be here today to open the first Book Sluts ‘R’ Us Blogger Awards! *Hughverine woot* I know it’s an important occasional for you all and as much as you’d like to look at me all day *smexy smirk at the ‘hell yes’ from Thea* it’s time to introduce those awesome, renowned and gorgeous ladies of Books Sluts ‘r’ Us…
Virtual Crowd: *wild applause and standing ovation*
Tracy: *shaking off stupor* It’s great to see so many of you came out for the announcement of our Blogger Awards.
Kris: We received 33 nominations from fellow Blogland bibliophiles and the competition was stiff.
Tracy: *still giggling at the ‘stiff’ comment* Yes, it was Kris. However, there can only be one winner…
Kris: … so we decided to also give honourable mentions to the sheer wantonness of two of the bloggers. Would you care to award the condemnations commendations, Tracy?
Tracy: Indeed I would. The two recipients of the ‘You’re on your way to being such a good little Book Slut’ certificates go to:
Tracy: Now, we get to the main event in today’s proceedings, the announcement of the winner of the Inaugural Book Sluts ‘R’ Us Blogger Award.
Kris: This blog-mistress needs little introduction to many of you and seriously… how could we not give such a prestigious award to a person who bragged about crushing the competition with the sheer size of her tbr?? *wiping tear from eye* Such a beautiful, trampy statement.
Tracy: *rolls eyes* You’re such a sentimentalist, Kris. So, without further ado, the envelope please.
::DRUM ROLL::
Kris: And the winner of the Book Sluts ‘R’ Us Blogger Award is…
Tracy: Not only has Wendy received our first Award, but she is also the recipient of an ebook of her choice up to $8!
Kris: *to Wendy* You go, girl! *turning back to the Virtual Crowd* That brings us to the end of today’s ceremony. Never fear though ;), there is sure to be another Books Sluts ‘R’ Us Blogger Award in the not too distant future!
Tracy: In the meantime, don’t forget our motto…
Tracy, Kris & Virtual Crowd:
Chapter 1
“You want us to meet with the Grey Kanga Clan?! But they are deviants. Human lovers. Our long-time enemies! We shouldn’t be…”
*slap* *angry mutters*
“QUIET! I am The Big Red. I am the Leader of the Red Kanga Clan. He who questions also challenges. Do you wish to challenge me then, Red Tail???”
*tense silence*
*snort* “I thought not.”
“I have requested this conclanfab. We meet to discuss THE CULL. The humans have gone too far with their plans this year. We MUST deal with those disgusting creatures before they carry out this scheme.”
“Big Red *tugging ears in the well-known Kanga way of subservience*, the Greys view us as traditionalists. Feral conservatives who avoid human contact and spend most of our time in animal form. What makes you think they will listen to us now?”
*smirking* “Oh, I think we have something that the Greys might be willing to bargain for this time…”
*turns head to look in the nearby paddock*
****************************************************************
*Ooooohhhh*
Stay tuned next (hopefully) week for more of this exciting serial by international bestselling author of werekanga m/m romance, Sirk.
 | Kayla on tasting ‘a note in the… |
 | Marcus Roche on maybe it’s me, but… |
 | ouaqquwcgk on my confession |
 | dkmhwgijnw on random awesomeness |
 | Kris on maybe it’s me, but… |
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 