Because he doesn't look 'gay enough' he could be killed

I got an email today and I was appalled that this is happening here in Canada—because Alvaro Orozco doesn't look "gay enough". This was said by his immigration case adjudicator.  WTF? Seriously this is some messed up sh*t and I'm completely and totally revolted that for this reason, this young man—the same age as my oldest daughter—can be deported back to Nicaragua where he is in danger of being killed by his own father... because he is gay.


The article is here, the petition is here.


Kathy Kozakewich

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Change.org



Start an Online Petition »

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Links:

http://news.change.org/stories/alvaro-faces-deadly-deportation-to-nicaragua


http://www.change.org/petitions/let-alvaro-stay-in-canada

Thanks for taking action to save Alvaro.

Outstanding blog -- Words Matter

Today author Rebecca Leigh had on her blog, guest and fellow author, Johnny Miles.


Johnny blogged about how words matter and the utter power behind them. Do yourself a favour and check it out. I guarantee that you will be as impressed and overwhelmed as I was.


http://blog.rebeccaleighromance.com/2011/04/tell-all-tuesday-special-edition-words.html

Christmas Eve at the Powers That Be Cafe by Xavier Axelson

Christmas Eve at The Powers That Be Cafe by Xavier Axelson

My rating: 4½ of 5 stars


Christmas Eve at The Powers That Be Cafe is a delightful little story! This is Xavier Axelson's first romance and I for one am eagerly awaiting the next one.

In 40 pages this author took me right into the world of The Powers That Be Café; it was a step back to a time I've never been, but after having read of Nat and his place I feel as though I've seen it all through his eyes.

There the efforts of the servicemen and those they're leaving behind to pretend a cheerfulness that cannot totally over-ride the reason that they are all there in the first place. It hangs in the atmosphere; right in the very air they all breathe. Tears, desperation, moments in which to make memories, all of it in an effort to try to forget—for awhile—that these young men are headed off to war with no guarantees that they will be returning.

Mr. Axelson captured this all beautifully.

Then there's Nat; a man who's lived here, if not his whole life, then a majority of it. He's always seeing people arriving and people leaving, but there's no one that stays. Living in a place where there is always someone going or coming and yet, for Nat, there is nowhere else. This is what he knows, this is what he lives. And he's starting to feel the aloneness of his life.

His meeting with Kent is a life-affirming experience, even for those of us that are taken, for a brief moment in time, someplace most of us have never experienced.

Painting with words such vivid pictures is something I usually equate with an author with many books under their belt. But with Christmas Eve at The Powers That Be Café, Xavier Axelson has shown that what it really takes is talent and a facility to be aware of those who with whom we share a world. Nicely done.

Originally posted at Dark Divas Reviews January 22, 2011

http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=3762#comments



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Dutch's Boy by Xavier Axelson

Dutch's Boy by Xavier Axelson
My rating: 4½ of 5 stars


Dutch’s Boy was, at the end, a deeper story than I had expected; which is rather silly, because Xavier Axelson’s first book I’d read did the very same thing. It’s very nice to know that this seems to be a facet of his writing; it’s definitely something I enjoy a lot.

In this book, Harry is tired of sitting and doing what his father tells him. He has dreams and plans that aren’t going anywhere and the frustrations this twenty-year-old is feeling are nigh onto exploding… and taking no prisoners. Thank heavens for his friend Reb; although, this too, is becoming a problem for Harry. Not Reb himself, but Harry’s feelings for his best friend. They have been changing and now friendship is the least of what Harry wants. But he knows he has to leave before he does or says something that will irrevocably change their relationship. This is the very last thing he wants.


It’s Reb’s support that allows Harry to break free; inertia is not just for objects, but something that we all have to deal with and be able to do something about. And this is a big part of what Reb does for Harry. Of course it helps that his mother is behind him too. She knows that her son is capable and that, as an adult, he needs to leave and strive to live his dream.

What makes Axelson’ book Dutch’s Boy so special is that in only 80-some pages he takes us from a beginning where Harry’s sense of hopelessness is almost overwhelming to an ending that satisfies on all levels. There were a couple of twists that I could not have foreseen, and at the time I couldn’t understand where, if anywhere, the author—or rather Harry—was headed. But once again, Xavier Axelson delivers not only a very enjoyable romance, but a story, that to me, has a deeper meaning: that taking chances to live a dream can bring the biggest rewards of all… and that is very special indeed.

[Originally posted to Dark Divas Reviews - http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=4660]




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Rick Reed - The 9th Circuit just ruled on Prop 8. What can you do?

If you do nothing else today, then head on over to Rick Reed's blog and see just what you CAN do.  Being Canadian I'm not sure that I could *do* anything, but I'm going to be looking around for an opportunity to DO *something*... Yeah, I kinda went on a rant, then lost it all. Which is probably all for the good.



http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/2011/03/9th-circuit-just-ruled-on-prop-8-what.html

Jessica Verday: Being Gay is Okay

I found the above through a tweet -- YA author refuses to change her m/m love story to m/f per publisher request and pulls out of anthology. Bravo! http://ping.fm/Ih2yL -- by Rick Reed and was definitely intrigued to see what the story behind it was.

There's not much more to say because both Rick's tweet and Jessica Verday's blog post say it all.

Candy G. by C. Zampa -- a Winner first time out!

I'm fortunate enough to belong to a number of groups where the inimitable C.Zampa also hangs out. I've been one of the group entertained by the lovely lady with a wry sense of humour as well as a sense of fun. She's also a very caring person who makes you feel as though you do matter.

So when I found out that her first book had been picked up for release I was so happy...both for her and for me. I love to read and Zampa's writing has always struck a chord within me.

Last night I happened to be on the computer immediately after her book went live [okay 'happened' might be a bit of a stretch; I was haunting Dreamspinner 'cause I knew the book would likely pop up at midnight EST - happily I'm on Mountain time so it was 10:08 when I nabbed it *grin*]. So I did what any other self-respecting book whore would do: I bought it! And then started reading it...and kept on reading it.

Alas, I did have to put it down when my eyes would no longer focus... not as young as I used to be y'know... but when I woke up this morning the first thing I did was pick up where I'd left off. By that point I was just over halfway through its 210 pages... and I couldn't get through it fast enough. But I'm very happy to say that after finishing Candy G. I'm even more in awe of Zampa's talent...and I knew it was going to be good!

I will be reviewing it, but honestly I need to let it simmer for a bit. The emotions were boiling and now that I'm done I can let them percolate through and hopefully, I can find the words to do Candy G. justice. But I will say one thing right now:

Candy G. will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. You don't know what is coming around the next corner but you do know that it will continue to thrill and excite and tantalise.
The emotions are strong, the characters vital and alive and when you get off the ride, you may feel a little unsteady, but you'll regret that it went by so fast and you'll want to jump on again right away!

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Description:
What kind of man drives a bulletproof Mercedes and carries a high-powered pistol in the glove compartment along with his boyhood teddy bear? Candy G does, that’s who. Once the exclusive attorney for the most powerful drug lord in San Antonio, he turned his back on Teirso Flores and walked away. But at what price?


Moving on with his life despite the threat of Teirso’s revenge, Candy meets gorgeous, streetwise Carlos Alvarez, and thus begins a passionate love affair rife with danger, secrets, and specters from the past that just won’t let go. When truths are revealed, will the one thing that brought their worlds together be the test that strengthens their love or the knife that severs their bond forever?

Who: C. Zampa
What: Candy G.
Where: Dreamspinner Press
When: March 2, 2011
How: 210 pages

Buy Here

[http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2204]