Dark Soul Vol. 5 by Aleksandr Voinov

This was the last volume of the Dark Soul Series and as endings go, this one was practically flawless for me.

Undoubtedly this is one of the best series I've read in this genre.

Like with all of Aleksandr Voinov's stories there is a shroud of darkness, and an edge to the characters and the stories he tells that make them unique. No one else is saying what Voinov is saying, and even if they are trying, they are not doing it this well. I really really respect a writer that GETS where he can shine, that understands where his voice can really have depth and brilliance. Voinov knows his sweet spot, and with this series IT SHOWS.

Overall this arc kept me on my toes, it pushed my sensibilities, it kept me guessing, I was in love with the characters from the start and it was set phenomenally. I've said before this felt like an opera to me, and when the curtain went down on this one, I was a satisfied customer.

Unlike the other volumes in this series, the acts in Volume 5 felt a lot less like individual stories. One flowed into the next seamlessly, which I guess was the point.

So, we open this story and meet Sebastiano Beccario, US Attorney, he is a man that has a bone to pick with the Cosa Nostra and as luck would have it he might have a chance to bring down the Marino Family. There is obviously a lot more to Beccario than what we see at first, and more than a little of it seems to be a deeply personal grudge.

We come back to Silvio and Stefano when they have already begun a relationship. Stefano is certain of what he feels and wants with Silvio, but as always Silvio can't express what he wants, much less how he feels about Stefano.

Stefano understands that Silvio needs permanence that abandoning him will be too cruel, but he can't get a handle of where he stands with Silvio. At the same time there is Donata. His wife, the woman he loves. He is not divided between them, he loves them both, but he is fearful that one will cost him the other.

Things are getting difficult outside of Stefano's love life as well. There is betrayal brewing in his organization and Sebastiano Beccario has him in a spot that he can only get out of by becoming a traitor or a martyr. NOT VERY GOOD PROSPECTS...Even for a mafioso.

But Stefano is a realist he knows where he stands, and he makes his choices. He accepts the truth of what his life, his "Family" and the people he loves mean to him. It is a hard path and it is painful. Feeling like a traitor, or a weakling are not things that sit well with a man like Stefano. But he admits to who he really is, and decides he will just have to live with the consequences of his decisions.

As always with Voinov the characters made the story, they were layered and surprising. Stefano was increasingly sincere and expressive. He was willing to say what he needed to, so that Donata and Silvio could be certain in the love he had for them. Donata was always a likable and interesting character, but in this volume we finally got to know her. I LOVED that she was not a silly little wife, with a blind eye to what her life was or who she married. She assimilated her situation, she made her decisions with intelligence. But she was not selfless either, she took for herself too. I loved that.

Silvio...What can I say? One of the most powerfully enigmatic characters I've read, and yet the key to him...SO VERY SIMPLE. Who he was became clear in the blink of an eye. BRILLIANT. Because once Stefano knew what it was about Silvio that made him different, then I knew they could be alright.

Sebastiano Beccario...The catalyst, the guy who brought the house of cards down. He was a disconcerting character to me, I did not understand his intentions too well, but he had a role to play in this book that was pivotal. He opened doors for Stefano not just for a new life, but to Silvio's mind. Again BRILLIANT.

The ending was tidy, yes. But I was reading a love story, with characters that were written for me to LOVE. I don't like to see characters I love broken and in the wind when I come to the end of my time with them...I like hopefulness and I like fresh starts. There was nothing in this story that cut corners or went for the convinient...Nope it was just right.

Fantastic Series, one of the best I've read. Recommend one thousand times over.

Dark Soul Series can be purchased on the Riptide Website

Sweet Lyric by Lisa Marie Davis

Melodrama, Melodrama, Where Are You, Melodrama? Oh, There You Are.

Ever since reading Loving Lucas I have been looking for a Lisa Marie Davis book that I could enjoy half as much. After this I think I'm giving up the search.

Lyric is a drifter with a past. Jonas is the owner of a lucrative construction company. Lyric goes into Jonas' office looking for a job and...

"Hi, I'm Lyric Spencer." *moony eyes*
"I'm Jonas Lamar" *smoldering moony eyes*

....and then they suck face, suck face, suck face and hump.

There is also talk of how they feel electricity when they shake hands for the first time and how they know they are at a crossroads and their lives are going to change and OH! Can you feel the magic in the air?!

This was an unbelievably clichè and disappointing beginning to the story. It was all downhill from there. I'm going to say this: If it is nothing else, this book is clichè, melodramatic and full of gushing sentimentality. I love a sweet story but this was too much.

They're making out within five minutes of meeting each other and deciding that they are boyfriends. It's all due to some magical, mystical, soul-deep feeling of life-changing love. I was rolling my eyes during 95% of this book. I'm rolling my eyes just thinking about it.

The drama. Oh, the drama. Suicide(more than one), severely depressed parents, media scandal, affairs, homicidal maniacs and much, much more. This was soap opera central and it was EXHAUSTING. Why was it exhausting? Because I got tired of going "WTF??! Oh, WTF??!"

I was looking forward to this story because I really want to like Lisa Marie Davis' work but...I just can't. I know that she can write good stories because she wrote Loving Lucas. Maybe I'll try her work again one day but I think next time I'll wait for reviews before I buy.

I Found a Treasure in the Blogosphere: Boyonboys.com Must Be Read By All

So, earlier this week I was checking my twitter account, and I saw that I had just been followed by boyonboys.com…Being new to the whole twitterage thing I went over to this Boy’s profile thingy. I saw a cute little pic of the top of a head with spiky hair and hot pink sunglasses that immediately made me smile, and think of John Hughes films. Then I saw that his profile said “I am a boy who writes about boys”…Well…shit, it might as well have said “Hey Laura! Someone’s writing a blog just for you. You should go read it!”…And so I did.

How do I say this without sounding like I’m exaggerating? For starters, it’s one of the best things I’ve read from a blog, EVER. I read every single word that is on there, which I have never done before. I get bored easily, and hate reading on my computer or phone, but I was enthralled and I read the WHOLE DAMN THING.

Ok, so this is the deal. This blog is written by a Boy, this Boy is in his early twenties. He is a New Yorker who has moved to L.A. to try and make it as a writer in Hollywood, he blogs about his experiences living in L.A. primarily in the gay community, and more specifically his experiences with other boys.

The format of the posts are written like a journal, so there is an arc, the Boy lets us into his world, his impressions of the gay community in L.A. (which are frankly brilliant, and so poignant and insightful, it’s worth reading if only for that), the men he meets, his feelings about mostly everything, the contrast of being gay in L.A. to being gay in NYC, a big part of it is about his relationship with a man he calls “The Writer”. It is a hard relationship and it cuts this Boy to shreds constantly, but he wants it so badly.

This Boy’s writing is BRILLIANT. One of the most moving things I have read in a long time. The writing is so raw, honest and soooo on point. Funny, smart, witty, abrasive, a little arrogant but frank, subdued and humble when it counts…Simply put, there is good writing, and then there is pure talent. This falls in the second category.

Reading this blog I went to many places, thought of authors I love and why I love them, sat in wonder that something this fucking good isn’t on TV or being sold in bookstores. I thought of authors like Candace Bushnell, and how much “Sex and the City” impacted women and how we saw sex, dating, men and other women…I didn’t stop there, I thought of Edith Wharton, one of my favorite writers and certainly one of my favorite New Yorkers. I took the liberty of imagining Edith having a blog just like this one, bursting with brilliant, brutal honesty about people and their pettiness and of their goodness. I could see her, like this Boy saying it all bluntly, but from a private place.

This Boy writes about being young, his work, his desires, his friends, the places he goes, and how he takes us with him it’s just exquisite. As someone who pretty much can’t recall a time of life when I have NOT been reading something (I’ve consulted this with family and friends and they can’t remember either) I always look for a writer’s inspiration when I read. Good books are important to me, and I think to be a good writer a person needs to be reverent to what has come before. I always ask where is this writer getting inspiration from? What is he/she reading? This Boy at the top of every entry has quote that leads us into the topic of the post, that more than answered those questions.

Most of all, this story resonated with me deeply. This Boy is so SELF-AWARE, he understands the importance of this time of his life. That this youth he has must be LIVED. That this time is so full of moments that he will remember forever, moments of breathless beauty, of stupidity and pettiness, his as much as from others, of doubt, of need, of despair, of friendships that are so powerful that they feel like they will be there forever, of unspeakable heartache, of bone jarring pleasure...He knows that this time is THE TIME, so much so that even in the hurt he tries to see past it, and to understand what it means…Reading this blog, I saw myself at 23 coming straight from JFK International Arrivals, in the back of a cab on the 59^th Street bridge in NYC and thinking “I am a New Yorker now, I am a graduate student…The world is actually an oyster in my pocket (this might be incorrect but English IS my second language!)”.

This Boy he is a survivor, he is in love, he is funny, he is smart (and he knows it), he is beautiful, he is vulnerable and sometimes all of it is just too much. But he has a story to tell, and he tells it soooo sooooo well. This blog/journal/story is truly fantastic, and honest to Pete some of the best writing I’ve read in a very long time. It makes me feel greedy knowing this treasure is sitting on the internet waiting to be discovered.

I hope this Boy keeps living his life and writing about it, and I can only pray that he gets his Golden Ticket because talent like his deserves a much bigger stage. By the time I read the latest entry I was so invested that I was talking MYSELF off the ledge…”He’ll be OK…He’s stronger than this…He is so self-aware…Living through a toxic relationship like that in your twenties brings about a rebirth that lays out your priorities and builds character, We’ve all been through it…GOD I hope he’s OK…

And THAT Ladies and Gents is what brilliant writing is…We all have a story to tell, but very few of us can write in a way so that whoever reads it can make it a little bit theirs as well.

Boyonboys.com…It’s out there peeps…Take a chance on The Boy. You can thank me later.

Book To Look For: Heart in Hand by Salifiable

FANTASTIC Sports Fan Fiction

This book made me feel Triumphant...Like yeah the Good Guys DO win sometimes and when they do...Well, IT'S FUCKING GLORIOUS it's what it is!

First of all I can safely say this so far is the best Sports book I've read in this genre. Sure, it has stiff competition but still, it is fantastic. The scenes that are focused on hockey were great and most of all I seriously loved the reverence and respect that was given to the Spirit of sportsmanship, playing with pride and honor, being a team, understanding that there are things more important than individual glory...It was all SO well done.

But to the important stuff, the boys...In this book "Star" is spelled O-V-I-EWhat a character! Ovie he stole the show, my heart, and not a little bit of my friggin' sanity!!

Alex Ovechkin is together with Sidney Crosby undisputedly the the best in the NHL. He is a Russian powerhouse. He doesn't have an Olympic Gold Medal, and hasn't won the Stanley Cup, but he is the best there is, but so is Sidney, who actually has the trophies and medal to prove it.

They are rivals kind of, but since Sid has the trophies and Ovie REALLY wants them too, he asks Sid if they can practice together in the off season. They do, and Sid realizes that Ovie despite his loud and obnoxious ways is actually a great guy. They are so different Ovie flashy and fun and Sidney serious and methodical. Despite all that they become friends and end up having to keep that going for a show being filmed featuring the two of them...Things happen, a bet gets out of hand and well...Things progress. Sid had no clue what he's doing, Ovie is not very clear in what he wants, and that of course can only end in some major fuckery.

I cannot explain how much I loved this book. It was beautiful, seriously it was. It gave such an uplifting view of what people can be in the face of serious difficulties. How those who you least expect can show FIERCE bravery and love. That when it matters people will stand up for what is right and fair. The families, the teammates, friends in this book were amazing.

Those two men, oh they killed me slowly. Ovie's character was COURAGE and DIGNITY and Sidney was FEAR and ATONEMENT...Together they were FORGIVING, and willing to move forward when they go their chance...They got it all in the end, but they had to fight hard for it...Ovie the whole time, he was like a warrior and Sid, he hid, but he did what was right in a moment that mattered.

Damn I loved this book, and it's FREE!

You can download Heart in Hand here for free

Why Laddie Is Excited About GayRomLit This Year

From the time I was little I knew that my mom was different from alot of other moms. She clubbed down in The Village in Manhattan on the weekends. She used to take me to the flea market on Houston street. She wore cool and edgy clothes. When all the other moms had long hair, my mom and her best friend had super short and spiky hair. My mom, in a word, was and still is unique.

She and my dad raised me to love everyone. I knew gay people, straight people, bisexual people, people with vices and people with no vices. The first wedding I went to was a beautiful lesbian commitment ceremony that my dad took me to.

So, when I told my mom about the GayRomLit Retreat this October and how I was DYING to go she got SO excited and said "Can you ask me to go with you because I need to go to something that's called Desire In The Desert? I have a cowboy hat and cowboy boots". Because my mom is one of my best friends and full of life I asked her to go. Everything is better when my mom is around.

And then I went all out and said "Why don't we ask Miss C to go?!"
Miss C is my mom's dance club partner, best friend of more than 30 years, and the quirkiest, most vibrant and coolest Puerto Rican woman to ever grace the planet. When they're together my mom magically acquires a Spanish accent and the world becomes a brighter place.

Miss C said "YES!! Do you see that hot, naked cowboy on the GRL website?! I'm bringing my daughter!"

And then I told them that there might be gay strip clubs involved and got a resounding "Oh HELL YES!!"

So, this year I'm beyond excited about the GayRomLit Retreat. I'm bringing some of my favorite people. It's pretty much impossible to be around my mom and Miss C and not have a crazy, happy, fun time. They make everyone around them feel loved and special. Also, they tend to adopt people and give alot of hugs.

While I'm excited about meeting authors and people I talk to online every day, what I'm really excited about is bringing the joy and laughter that is my mom and Miss C into the lives of my GR friends.

Watch out Albuquerque, NM...that smile up there is coming to a Hard Rock Resort near you.

Monday's Most Wanted March 13-20

It's Monday...Night, but hey! It is still Monday and there is so much goodness to share!!! The fifth and last installment of Aleksandr Voinov's Dark Soul Series is out from Riptide Publishing. Dreamspinner Press has two books that are looking good, and I've already starting praying a Novena pleading that they are actually readable. PLEASE LET THEM BE GOOD!

The third book on the SuperPowered Love Series by Katey Hawthorne is out this week on Losee ID...I (LA), LOVED Riot Boy, and will read that as soon as I get it. Ava March has the first of her new series out from Carina Press...And last but NOT LEAST Ms. Eden Winters has a new book coming out with Amber Allure...Too much good to wast your time dearies...

Here are this Monday's Most Wanted:

1. Dark Soul No. 5 by Aleksandr Voinov

Release Date: March 19th

Publisher: Riptide

Priority Rating: I would love to own a time machine, so that I could make it be the 19th

Dark Soul Goodreads page

2. Nobody's Hero (Superpowered Love #3) by Katey Hawthorne

Release Date: March 13th

Publisher: Loose Id

Priority Rating: Can Hardly Wait!

Nobody's Hero Goodreads page

3. Thief (Brook Street #1) by Ava March

Release Date: March 19th

Publisher: Carina Press

Priority Rating: Pre-Ordered, Read ASAP

Thief Goodreads page

4. Diversion by Eden Winters

Release Date: March 18th

Publisher: Amber Allure

Priority Rating: Read ASAP

Diversion Goodreads page

5. What Ever Happened to Jan Phillips? by Michael Halfhill

Release Date: March 16th

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Priority Rating: I'm not even sure what this book is about, but DAMN look at that cover! Once again foiled by Anne Cain's awesomeness...

WHtJP Goodreads page

6. Sweet Lyric by Lisa Marie Davis

Release Date: March 14th

Publisher: Dreamspinner

Pritority Rating: Curious and again DAMN look at that COVER !

Sweet Lyric DSP page

That is all for this wee's list smut loving folk. There is MUCH to read this week and I am counting my blessings.

Happy Reading!

Stroke! by MJ O'Shea

@Laddie SOOOOO!!! Did you read it?!!!!!

@LA Yup! I loved it!

@Laddie YAY!!! OMG Me too! Cutest Short I've read in a while! And it was JUST RIGHT

@LA I know! I loved the way it felt like a full story even though it was short

@Laddie I LOVED the characters they were so easy to connect to...Owen <3 I knew the kid! It was such EFFICIENT writing you know?

@LA Owen was definitely a vibrant character….And how much did I love that the story was about the rowing team? I felt like I was in the boat with them

@Laddie YUP!! The parts about the crew team were perfect!! Action was spot on, and so colorful!...And the gaming and getting to know each other online thing was a really cool way to let us get to know Davis too…I mean HELLO!! Of course two college boys would bond like that...I seriously AWWWED the whole time

@LA OMG Me too! How sweetly dorky that they bonded over killing zombie lunch ladies

@Laddie HOLY SHIT! They fucked up those zombies!!! I mean, it was a little predictable, but I actually was surprised with how it all played out, and when they met, how that happened was unexpected and awesome

@LA I really enjoyed how MJ O'Shea orchestrated the first time they met in person, it was predictable but I just loved them so much that I didn't care

@Laddie I felt the same way, I knew them so well, and was SO SURE they were meant to be together, I knew it would work out *sighs* The end was JUST PERFECT

@LA The end had me smiling so hard that my cheeks were hurting

@Laddie ME TOO ME TOO! I friggin' LOVE reading something and thinking "This author was in her Sweet Spot writing this" you know? I started reading and for an hour I WAS GONE...Only those two boys and me.

@LA It was totally satisfying but even still…I want MORE of those boys!!

@Laddie I haven't read much from MJ but what I have, I've enjoyed. She has a knack for the shorts…I wouldn't mind a little more Owen and Davis that's for sure *sighs* I'm glad we spotted this one...Made my weekend in the reading department...Just thinking about it makes me smile.

@LA Totally agree! I recommend this one a million times over, because everyone should read it and fall in everlasting love with it!!

@Laddie Ditto! It was a perfect little bite of AWESOME...I wish we could make people read stuff. I'd force everyone to read this if I could...

Stroke! Can be purchased at the Dreamspinner Press Website