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!

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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

Adventures of the Laundry Hag by Jennifer L. Hart

I read this story almost a year ago and the review shortly thereafter.  Scrolling through my ebooks I chanced upon it again and was taken right back. Oh my heavens... this book is heading for a re-read just because I loved it so much.  I laughed, then laughed some more because Jennifer L. Hart has created a character in Maggie Phillips that is hard to forget... and following her in this story Adventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet was super-funny and always, always enjoyable. And according to one of her Twitter posts, Laundry Hag 2 is in the works... Oh MAN, I hope it's out soon!  I'm so going to be there to get my copy!  The review below is the original from last October 23 from my eHarlequin blog... but I definitely wanted to post it so that maybe a few more people will check it out....

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I chanced upon this book through one of those coincidences that really makes me wonder. When I read the blurb about the story, I just had to get it; the humour was reason enough... and I do enjoy a great mystery. So when I finally had a chance to read it, I was totally taken by surprise. This is one first-rate story by an author that now has my full attention! Yowza.... All I can say is I dearly hope that Jennifer L. Hart has more Laundry Hag stories to come. Not only do I want to see just what Maggie gets into, I'd love to get more of a backward look at her life. Just how did she come to meet and marry her luscious SEAL, Neil and become mom to his two very young sons? And c'mon... Sylvia? She's a character and a half that lady... and Leopold has more than enough charm for a roomful of people.
So, please.... MORE Laundry Hag stories... otherwise I may not be accountable for the weeping and wailing that would ensue.

Rating
Excellence: Excellent to Outstanding ~ 4.5 stars of 5

Book Info
Jennifer L. Hart; The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet; Wild Child Publishing; 2008

Book Description
 Maggie Phillips hasn't had it easy. As the wife of a retired Navy SEAL and the adoptive mother of two little hellions, Maggie is constantly seeking new ways to improve her family's financial situation. She accepts a cleaning position for her new neighbors (who redefine the term 'eccentric'), never imagining she will end up as the sole alibi for a man with a fascination for medieval torture devices when he is brought up on murder charges.
 While Maggie struggles to prove the man's innocence, her deadbeat brother arrives, determined to sell Maggie and Neil on his next great scheme and to mooch with a vengeance. If that isn't bad enough, her in-laws (cutthroat corporate attorneys), descend on the house, armed with disapproval and condemnation for the family's annual Thanksgiving celebration.
 As the police investigation intensifies, Maggie searches for the killer among the upper echelon of Hudson, Massachusetts, in the only way she can--by scrubbing their thrones.
 Of the porcelain variety, that is....

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!

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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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