Some of my favourite authors - OR - What Ethan Day's Gay Day has done to my TBR

I've gotta say that Ethan Day's Gay Day is responsible for the huge increase in my TBR and my TBB; actually before Gay Day last September I didn't even have a TBB list.  But there you have it. 
The authors that show up on Ethan's Gay Day to tease and tantalise us poor lowly readers are phenomenal.  And many of them have become favourites:  Ethan Day, well Ethan's been a favourite of mine for over a year and each story just cements his place there.  But I've also found other authors (and they're in alphabetical order... no way can I put one ahead of another... they're all my faves for a reason!):

• Adrianne Brennan
• P.A. Brown
• Leiland Dale
• Jason Eddings
• S.J. Frost
• KImberly Gardner
• Andrew Grey
• Jambrea Jo Jones
• Geoff Knight (aka A.J. Ryan, aka Sam Cross)
• AJ Llewellyn
• Clare London
• Lynn Lorenz
• DJ Manly
• Z.A. Maxfield
• Patric Michael
• AKM Miles
• Johnny Miles (still waiting for May 15!)
• Jet Mykles
• Willa Okati
• Sloan Parker (just waiting for it to be released)
• Neil S. Plakcy
• Devon Rhodes
• Jaime Samms
• Lex Valentine
• Nix Winter 

and Amanda Young predates Ethan... actually I *found* Ethan through an interview that Amanda did with him.  Best. Interview. EVER! 

So, yes when I say that my TBR is unmanageable, I have the above authors to thank!  And a few more that I've kind of stumbled onto either through my own blind luck or have been led to by others.  But that's a whole different story--all about Book Sluts & Book Man Whores.  *grin*

Some of the books I've read... Oh my!

The joys of reading have never been as evident to me as they have been over the last few weeks. I admit it, I'm a Book Slut ~ and darned proud of it too!~ and being a fairly new reviewer for Ebook Addict and Dark Diva Reviews has been a slice of heaven! While not all of my heavenly reads have been from my review work, a fair bit has.  I've slowly been making sure that I add long-time-eTBR books to my reading list.  I really wish that there were more hours in the day... and that I could dedicate them to just READING.  But, alas, my family does come first and they do like to eat, so.... :grin:

* * * * * *

• I finally made a place for Z.A. Maxfield's Notturno in my line-up and it was everything ~ and even a bit more ~ than I had thought it would be.  Sometimes the lead-in to a story ~ aka other people's comments, raves and reviews ~ end up leaving me with a slight to severe let-down. Let me say that I've not seen ANYTHING that comes close to the power of Notturno... and that's saying a LOT!
  I'm not making mention of ZAM's Blue Fire 'cause I've just recently reviewed it here... :sigh: My oh my... Adam and Jared
  
  
  
• T.A. Chase's Nowhere Diner: Finding Love has been in my TBR since its release... I know! And while I knew that I was going to love it ~ everything else that I've read by this marvelously talented author has been fabulous ~ it still managed to take my breath away. I'm sincerely hoping that this is only the first in a series of stories featuring Cookie's diner... I could spend a long, long time there and never be bored!
  

A few of the review books that I've read lately out-and-out blew me away.  I've come to find that there is a plethora of amazing, talented and just-plain-fantastic, ebook authors around and it's been a thrill to find so many of these and add them to my favourite-and-auto-buy list.  The latest additions, in no particular order:

• Chrissy Munder ~ Fair Wind
• Nicki Bennett ~ Flight
• Neil Plakcy ~ Three Wrong Turns in the Desert

which led me straight to Mr. Plakcy's Gaylife.com (which has been in my TBR since its release)

• Shawn Lane ~ Beyond the Norm
• Mychael Black ~ As Above, So Below
• Jet Mykles ~ About Something
• Rowan McBride ~ One Shot
• Rosalie Stanton ~ Firsts

I'm not including here books that I've read and reviewed by authors that I already collect; the above are all new-to-me authors that have blasted their way into my heart and onto my list... Thank heavens! The tried and true favourites:

• Ethan Day ~ As You Are
• Josh Lanyon ~ I Spy Something Wicked

I actually waited to read "Wicked" because Mr. Lanyon's I Spy Something Bloody was also a long-time resident of my eTBR (I know, I know....); once I figured out that "Wicked" was a sequel novella to a book in my TBR... well, I'm not crazy... much.

* * * * * *

So I decided that today was a great day to at least catch up on my book list; at least here.  My poor eHarlequin blog is starting to collect all kinds of spiders and ghostly sounds.  Ah well... I'll get better at the time organization thing... I hope!

Tagged for the M/M meme

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Again, not knowing much about the meme thing, I'm not 100% sure about the image / cookie thing but I'm thinking that this might be what you're looking for?

This is Perpetua's cookie ... and may I say YUMMY!

And a bonus!

I was tagged today by Sloan Parker ~ thanks Sloan! ~ for the M/M meme (and I hate to admit it but I don't really know what 'meme' is.. or how to say it... or much of anything.... :blush: )
Anywho....
Rules:
1. Answer all the questions below in either the comments here or post it on your own site. If you post it on your own site you have to come back and give the link here so I/Kris can mosey on over and see if you answered correctly have a sticky beak.
2. You have to tag two other people once your done and pester them relentlessly until they do the meme too.

3. Instead of a meme image thing you have to post a cookie, preferably a twofer. It is an m/m meme after all. ;)
*rubs hands together in glee*
Questions:

1. How long have you been reading GLBTQ fiction?
    Yikes... checking my records it goes back to... wow!... two years this month.
2. What was the first book you read in this genre?
     Amanda Young's Taboo Desires .. I knew it was her!
3. Are you 'out' as a reader?
    I am to my family (eg. dh and children) and online friends... I think my from family would stroke out; 'cept my baby brother... he's cool!

4. Ebooks, print or both?
    Both... of course. Some authors it's either / or, others it's both as soon as I can get 'em!

5. Do you buy direct from publishers or from secondary sellers?
    Direct from publishers whenever possible; except sometimes for print books 'cause shipping to Canada can be a BIG expense... ebooks 99.9% of the time
< 6. Prove you're a Book Slut. How many books would you say you buy a week?
    Um... 5? 10? 15? Somewhere there... usually double digits... no triple digits YET thank god.

7. Are you a cover, blurb or excerpt buyer?
    Oh shoot... first choice would be blurb... but sometimes it's just the author too.

8. Yeah, you read reviews, but do you actually take notice of them?
    Yep! Why do you think my TBR is teeming with books?  And sometimes, just to be contrary ~ 'cause I like to be ~ if a review for a book is really bad, I'll get it ... so often what I like and what critical reviewers like are miles and miles and MILES apart.

9. Who's your fave publisher?
     Oh drat!  Ummm.... Amber Quill Press ~ love getting free books all the time.

10. What about authors? Your top two only!!
      Okay this is just mean! How'm I only supposed to pick two?  Okay, Amanda Young and Ethan Day; you always love your first one(s) most, right?

11. Is there a sub-genre you particularly dis/like?
      Horror is a big dislike ~ most of the time; gory horror stories with horrible stuff I just cannot even be in the same room with.  Favourite? Well, romance... any kind!

12. Short or long?? *rolls eyes* And, no, I'm not talking about cocks.
       Good 'cause I don't have one! :snicker:  Okay, both!  Really. Sometimes I want to just lose myself in a long book ~ 200+ pages minimum ~ and other times I just want a satisfyingly filling snack. Probably partly why I love anthologies so much.

13. Anything turn you off about m/m or is all just glorious smut to you?
      The only thing that would turn me if is if there was cruelty to any of the main characters caused by another main character... otherwise it's all just glorious!

14. Finish this sentence. You know it's m/m twu wuv when...
     Shoot! I can't write.... Uh... they only want each other or, in the case of a ménage, each others.

15. What trope or theme are you heartily sick of in m/m romance?
      Nothing... I pretty much love it all... I'm like a sponge, the more I have the more I want.

16. If you could choose any 3 characters for a m/m/m who would they be?
      Urk!  Um... I'm weak; I pretty much like 'em as they are in their stories.

17. What new GLBTQ release are you most hanging out for right now?
      Ohferpetesake... anything that's coming out by a favourite author... but if you're gonna get sticky about it... ummmmmmm.... HELP!

18. What GLBTQ book has completely blown you away this year?
      There've actually been a few ~ Z.A. Maxfield's Blue Fire; M. Jules Aedin's Windows in Time; Ethan Day's As You Are; Victor J. Banis' Deadly Mystery series; DJ Manly's Pure Sex

19. What do you think we'll see more of in m/m romance in 2010?
       I think paranormal is going to continue to be big, but I'm thinking more suspense / mystery types?

20. Don't you agree that author Josh Lanyon should kill off arsehole character Jake Riordan?
      Hey! Adrien's finally getting him where he wants him... most of the time. 'Sides he's HOT!... I guess that'd be a NO!

 - - - - - -

* Perpetua (hee)

* Hm... R or C?  Rhonda, you're it!
  Otherwise I'd have to say Sloan... wait, she's the one that got me into this in the first place. *eyeroll*

As You Are by Ethan Day

I admit it... I gobbled this book down and I'd sit and do it all over again right this minute. Truly!


Ethan's been a favourite of mine since I saw, okay read, an interview he did with Amanda Young. By the time I got to the excerpt for Self Preservation, his first book, I was completely and utterly hooked.  Not only is he a funny, funny man but he's got an imagination that rivals... well anyone's.  The characters that he lets loose on the pages of his, to date, three books are believable, unforgettable, extremely likeable ~ even when at their bitchiest ~ and all have a uniqueness all their own.

As You Are details Julian Hallowell's search for a forever-happily-ever-after love with Mr. Right. But it's so much more than that. It's introducing us to a whole raft of characters that really take on a life of their own. These characters, people, exist as solidly as my next door neighbour... or at least they seem that way to me. 
And funny?  Oh my heavens... I can't believe how much I laughed. Julian had some outstanding moments... and as a matter of fact I was bookmarking pages all throughout the book.  And if it wasn't something that Julian was doing or saying, it was Gabby, or Delilah.
Then there were the tears, and the raging, a little invectives being thrown around. 
But most all it was total and undeniable enjoyment... too bad it went so fast.

I feel privileged to have been able to spend time, once again, with some of the people that lurk in Ethan Day's mind; they're gonna be sticking with me for some time to come... and that's even before I re-read the stories!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Book Info:
Ethan Day; As You Are; Loose Id; September 2009

Teaser:
Julian has no idea what he wants to do with his life - except Danny, his roommate. He's tried everything to make Danny fall in love with him, to no avail. But when he finally throws himself back into the dating scene, has he given up too soon?

Book Description:
OPERATION Danny…that’s all bartender and recent college graduate, Julian Hallowell has had on his mind the past year. Julian may have no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he definitely knows he‘s in love with the boy next door: the next door down the hall to be exact, housing his roommate and used textbook store owner Danny Wallace.

WHILE Julian has done his level best to make Danny fall for him, all his hard work has been in vain. Danny doesn’t seem to view Julian as anything other than a roommate and friend. So when new guy in town Andy Baker asks him out on a date, Julian can’t think of a good reason to say no.

INSTEAD, he institutes a Reverse Operation Danny plan, which he’s positive will purge all thoughts of love and lust for his roomie out of his head. He’s ready to move on and start looking for his next Mr. Right, and Andy just might fit the bill. But has he given up too soon?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices

Dreaming of You by Ethan Day

This is Ethan Day's second book and the promise shown in his first book ~ Self Preservation ~ is wonderfully kept. There's something about Ethan's characters to which I really respond; they're so very real and likable, even when they're being bitchy.
They've got their flaws, foibles and fantasies but they've got heart, loyalty and a genuineness that makes them people that I'd love to know. The friendship between Aden, Nathan and Finn ~ superb... and hilarious, always a giggle or three. Aden and Logan ~ sizzle & burn! but also romantic... very, very romantic.
I'd love to insinuate myself into Aden's circle of friends 'cause there's something about Aden that gets to me, way down deep. Of course, I felt exactly the same way about Davis in Self Preservation.

To be honest I get the same feeling reading anything by Ethan Day; his sense of humour is a delight and a riot and you never know what he's going to say next! But whatever it is, it's worth reading and always more than just enjoyable.

In September, I believe, Ethan's got another book due: As You Are. I can hardly wait... well I can, but I'm going to be impatient while doing so.

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SYNOPSIS:
Copyright 2009 Ethan Day.
All Rights Reserved.

Restaurateur Aden Ingle has been in love with the perfect man since his fourteenth birthday. Unfortunately, his perfect boyfriend only exists in his dreams. But Aden’s always believed it was his destiny to meet his dream man, and he's perfectly content to wait around for him to walk into his real life.

When he meets Logan Price at a Hotel/Restaurant Trade Show, he finds himself drawn to this man who shakes him out of his dream world. Pretty soon, the flesh and blood reality is becoming more appealing than the fantasy. The only problem is Logan lives half way across the country in California.

Aden's going to have to choose whether to give up everything he’s built for himself professionally and uproot his whole life for Logan, or wait for the man from his dreams to become a reality.

So yep... I found another author who's become, on the strength of the one story that I've read, a favourite and auto-buy author. As this is Ethan Day's debut story, I'm looking forward to many more years of love and laughter as he lets us into the world of his imagination... or at least the part of it that gets published!

I "found" Ethan Day and his story Self Preservation via Amanda Young's blog wherein she did an interview with him.
I loved it; I laughed so much just reading the interview that I was sure that his story would be a winner. I was right!
The characters were very well developed and as the story progressed, getting deeper into Davis' heart and mind was an amazing ride. His emotions were my emotions and I was completely taken in.
Davis' best friend, Deseree ~ oh heavens. I love her! She's sassy, smart, caring and her in-your-face attitude is just what Davis needs to keep grounded.
The memories of Davis and Jack's passionate romance, in turn, made me giddy and broke my heart.
Tadd was an enigma throughout most of the story, but even he, Davis' rival, was a great character.
And Alex, oh my! His pithy comments cracked me up time and again, and the way he and Deseree played off each other was priceless.

As for the romance.... Whew! Both romances, past and present, were fun, erotic, tender and heartwarming. Oh, and can you say Steamy?
Yet this fantastic story was also everything a romance should be and Ethan's description of his story as a romantic comedy? Bang on.

So I wrote up a review (most of it reprinted here... or something) and I've posted it in a couple of places hoping that more people will come across this story, 'cause I think that it's one of those that should be shared, and shared widely.


5 stars... er hearts ~ LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this debut story by Ethan Day... and to be honest I certainly hope he has more where this came from, a LOT more! This man's humour is slightly skewed ~ but I LIKE it ~ and his characters, unforgettable. The story, well I couldn't read it fast enough... but when I was done I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a dear and treasured friend.This story joins the line-up on my (virtual) keeper shelves.Oh, and when it's out in paperback ~ don't get in my way 'cause I'll run anyone over that slows me down on my way to get my copy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BOOK INFO:

Ethan Day; Self Preservation; Loose Id, LLC; February 2009 [54K]
Erotic Gay Romantic Comedy

SYNOPSIS
(from Ethan Day's website)

Davis is a Historic Preservationist who’s stuck in the past. It’s been six years since his steamy four year relationship with stage actor Jack Monroe ended and Davis still can’t imagine his life with anyone other than Jack, the only man he’s ever loved.

When Jack calls and invites Davis to his wedding to Tadd Austin, a prominent architect in Chicago, Davis is stunned. There’s no way in hell Davis can stand by and watch the life he always expected to get back slip away to some guy Jack barely knows.
Tadd Austin, indeed…more like Toad Ass-ton, Davis thinks. He’s going to the wedding with only one goal in mind. To do whatever it takes to win back Jack…the Toad is toast!

Jack is stuck between the possibilities of what could be with Tadd and the passionate past he had with Davis. In the short amount of time Tadd has known Jack, he’s fallen hard. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep from losing the new love in his life.

Alex Parker is a wealthy British playboy who’s always had a different guy on his arm and in his bed. He’s never been one for convention and is a bit taken back when he stumbles across Davis. He’d like nothing better than to knock Jack out of Davis’s head once and for all.

Only true love will survive as the tug of war ensues in this Bermuda love triangle from hell.

Copyright 2009 Ethan Day. All Rights Reserved.
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