sixteen year old school athlete confronts his sexualtity

Young Jason Peele lives with his aunt an uncle, his parents having been killed when he was two, but he is confused as his dreams centre on boys and not girls. At sixteen years old he is perhaps an average student and not the most popular, but he enjoys English Lit and he excels at athletics, particularly running. It is while training for an upcoming inter-schools competition that he notices Raj, a particularly lithe and good looking coloured student practicing the high jump. He makes himself known to Raj who has recently arrived from India, and soon the two fall in love, but all is not plain sailing. Raj, a year older than Jason, soon seduces him, but then proves to be something of an enigma seeming at times distant and leaving Jason uncertain as to where he stands. Jason also has to contend with bullying, particularly involving a one time friend who has now turned against him. <br />Then there is Robert, a quiet homely looking student who rescues Jason from his attackers and then seeks his help with school work as well as guidance dating girls. As a result Jason finds himself on a double date with Robert and two girls, adding to is confusion. To compound his problems he is flattered by fellow student and athlete Norm, coming from the wealthy side of town, who also falls for him.<br />Jason has to contend with all these problems including coming out to his aunt and uncle, sending his emotions into turmoil at the time of his training for his all important athletics; but he remains remarkably well balanced and positive, proving a perfect role model for other youths similarly confused about their sexuality.<br />It is a little patronising in tone at times, even slipping in advice on preparing English assignments in addition to the handling of gay issues. But that aside it is a warm and touching love story, and Jason comes out of it well proving that honesty is the best approach, and showing that whatever problems there are, there are always more then enough positive points to counter them.<br /><br />

Hot Valley is just hot...

For some reason, I got the impression that 'Hot Valley' was going to be more serious than James Lear's earlier work. I was wrong -- up to a point. Readers whose experience begins with his previous novel, 'The Back Passage', might be surprised at a difference in tone here; but if you've read 'The Low Road' or 'The Palace of Varieties', you'll discover a familiar Lear theme; the selfish, wanton young man, indulging in wild and indiscriminate gay sex until he's finally redeemed by the pricking of conscience and the cleansing salve of love.<br /><br />Jack Edgerton is the scion of a rich Vermont family, sowing his wild oats - and believe me, they're wild - in the years just before the American Civil War. One of my favourite episodes has the nineteen-year-old Jack, determined to lose his virginity, going in search of the roughest of rough trade on the wrong side of the tracks. And so beginning a wonderful career of debauchery.<br /><br />Later, he meets his match, in all senses, in Aaron Johnson, the son of a southern plantation owner and a slave woman. Aaron is everything Jack is not; studious, hard-working, thoughtful and restrained. (Though not for the whole book, you'll be glad to hear.)<br /><br />Inexorably, both men get drawn into the war, and Jack's long journey to salvation begins. I know a bit about this period, and it all felt very authentic to me. Lear has a great broad-brush technique; he doesn't bombard the reader with historical information - something which must have been a temptation here. But the picture he creates is vivid. Yes, the preponderance of willing homosexual partners is wonderfully coincidental, but then it's a gay fantasy; one might say a historical fairy story. And indeed, some amazing coincidences are needed to make the story work, but somehow it doesn't matter too much.<br /><br />Most of Lear's readers will buy this book for its sexual passages, and they won't be disappointed. This is real, raw sex; full of pain and pleasure, tastes, sounds, smells and bodily fluids. It's raunchy, rough and utterly without restraint.<br /><br />But there is a serious aspect. After all, the themes are war and racism and prejudice, and Lear doesn't dodge them. Given the nature of his writing, there's something endearingly naïve about the simple moral message the story conveys. But the frankly sentimental and deeply satisfying ending is rescued from mawkishness, in typical Lear style, by the introduction of a wild orgy.<br /><br />His prose is simple and flowing; easy, clear sentences which are a pleasure to read.<br /><br />Readers will know how likely they are to be affected by the sex scenes; my advice would be not to read 'Hot Valley' on the Metropolitan line, or indeed, any other form of mass transport. And if, like me, you're assailed by sudden tears at times of emotion, that's another reason not to read it in public.<br /><br />But do read it. This is Lear at his outrageous, raunchy best.<br /><br /><br />

Book description

What do you do when you think you're attracted to guys, and then you meet a girl who steals your heart?. Sara Ryan tells the story of a teenage girl coming to terms with who she really is, despite who she thought she was. <br />Nicola Lancaster is spending eight weeks at the Siegel Institute Summer Program for Gifted Youth, a hothouse of smart, articulate, intense teenagers. She soon falls in with Katrina (Manic Computer Chick), Isaac (Nice-Guy-Despite-Himself), Kevin (Inarticulate Composer) ... and Battle. Battle Hall Davies is a beautiful blonde dancer, and everything Nic isn't. The two become friends--and then, startlingly, more than friends.

My Fair Captain

In my opinion, not as good as J L Langleys other books. A strange mix of space and regency took a while to get into but still a fair read. The characters were not as loveable as in her other books but that is my personal feelings. Read it yourself and judge.

Enjoyable read

This is a cut above the usual romance novels in that personally, (and obviously this is an individual thing) you can relate to the characters. They are smart, strong, feminine (if you like that kind of thing) and speak their mind. I found the writing easy to read and enjoyable and look forward to reading many more of her books. Her humour made me chuckle no end.

Read it if you want to feel good about people, love and the goings on in a woman's mind.

Skin Deep

Jordan Griffin is an attractive and dedicated assistant editor for Northwest Living Magazine who has just been given a new assignment: Track down and interview one-time nationally renowned broadcast journalist Reece McAllister. The same Reece McAllister who has been living a secretive and reclusive life for quite some time. <br />To get the story, jordan must follow Reece deep into the backwoods of Washington State. Much to her suprise, Jordan comes away with far more than just a story....<br />Will Jordan betray a trust? Or will she deny her journallistic conscience... Jordan's entire future happeness depends on whether or not she'll make the right choice.

Yipee! A book with nothing but penises!

At long last a decent book filled with pictures of the organ we all know and love (even if some don't like to admit it!). The pictures show close-up shots or torso shots with the genitals in full view - limp, erect or half-way between the two. There are a mix of colour and black & white pics. Some of my personal faves are several shots with everything hanging out of the trousers of suited men - very cool!

This is a great book and very nicely produced. You certainly don't have to be female to enjoy the contents of this book.

Gerri Hill is excellent.

This is the first book that I have ever read written by this particular author and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and shall definately be purchasing another. Whether you are a lesbian or in fact extremely curious like myself, I think that most will find it entertaining. It is neither seedy or tacky, it portrays a very believable relationship that builds between two women and the trials and tribulations that they both face coming to terms with feelings and repercussions. Excellent easy reading and best of all totally believable. I'm almost envious.

One of my favorite Lesbian Romance Novels....

Cam and Blair are two strong women in the process of understanding and accepting the strength of their feelings for each other. The process is complicated by the fact that one of them is the daughter of the US President, and the other is the head of her secret service detail. Politics, passion, fear, romance, and some steamy love scenes…Radclyffe characters are totally believable. You will fall in love with Blair and Cam.

'Honor Bound', the second book in Radclyffe ’ s “ Honor ” series does not disappoint.

Secret Service Agent Cam Roberts is once again put in charge of the security team guarding the US President ’ s Daughter, Blair Powell. They had finally become lovers after Cam took a bullet meant for Blair.
This time around, Blair is unwilling to accept Cam ’ s willingness to risk her life to protect her. Cam tries to put aside her feelings for Blair and focus on protecting her erstwhile lover from a deadly, resourceful stalker who has succeeded in killing one of her agents. Unfortunately, Blair is still the same headstrong woman who feels suffocated by the walls of security mounted around her, and succeeds in eluding even her own security chief time and again. She tries to understand Cam ’ s dedication to her job, but doesn ’ t feel anyone should lose his or her life for her, much less the woman she loves.

I highly recommend the other two books in the “ Honor Series ” , ‘ Above All, Honor ’ , and ‘ Love and Honor. ’

Loved & Shared

I was first given this book by a friend who had fallen in love with it and thought that due to my love of things dark & homoerotic I would too- she was definitely right to think so. She opened up her book on her most favourite page and passed it to me and I was immediately seduced by the language, pulled into the shadows to exist beside Nothing and truly feel every moment of his unimaginable new life. My copy is now dogeared, crumpled, faded and tear stained (not to mention signed by some of my most favourite rockstars), not because I've been carless, but because I love it so much and have taken it with me everywhere. <br /><br />I have always loved vampires but never quite found my niche in horror literature, but this book is different- it's unique and leans not towards things that go creak in the night but instead to emotion and need and magic. The horror comes not from the filed fangs of the vampires but from the way they steal Nothing's innocence and the new life they present to him. Cold blooded murder, carnal lust and incest.<br /><br />This book is not frightening but beautiful and sexual and magical. Each of my friends in turn bought the book because, as outcasts with a love for things that knock most people sick, or simply pass them by, we can connect with it and become a part of it as we read. It wouldn't be far fecthed to say we, like Nothing, long to be a part of the world of the three punk vampires and their road tripping, drug taking existence.<br /><br />This book isn't for the more conservative reader, or those that like their vampires traditional (Dracula Zillah most certainly isn't), but for teenagers on the brink of freedom, with a love for a slightly wild way of living; rock music, alcohol, midnight and bloodlust, this is perfect. This books drips not only with blood but also with true love, tears and voodoo. It is captivating.

Good one

I really liked this one. As always, Gerri Hill brings the scenery alive and constructs believable characters. I guess some of it can be called predictable, but overall this one makes a damn good reading on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Sharp, funny and totally Sweet!

As a proud-as-heck long-term Sugar Rush fan (well, for the 3 years or so Burchill's wonderful characters have been allowed to assault public morals with their binge-drinking, drug-taking, lustful antics) and being utterly gutted when the fabulous TV series was axed to make way for the ever-more-festering Big Brother, I was delighted to get the news that Burchill finally wrote a sequel to the eponymous novel that started the whole roller coaster ride. After a rather sad year of being Sugar Rush-less, this punchy, smutty and surprisingly moving novel doesn't disappoint. In a nutshell, Sugar is back after a stay in the clinker, and having discovered her religious hubby Mark has done a runner with their daughter, starts a new chapter of her life in her own inimitable way. Before long Sugar has kicked her way into the lives of a couple of gay fashion designers, a foxy abortion doctor, a shy but sexy Pakistani Christian and a rowdy hen party - all the while keeping one eye open for her baby daughter, and another eye open for the now-absent Kim Lewis...This read made me howl with laughter several times, and kudos to Burchill for having the guts to be as thought-provoking and non PC as ever. However, it's apparent to the reader well-versed in the TV series that Burchill has tried to combine both TV series and previous book, and this is no surprise considering she wrote the book on the strength of having loved Leonora Critchlow's depiction of teen hell-raiser Sugar on the small screen. So, continuity wise, the story is rather all over the place, (for example, Saint being removed completely from the book even though she was 'the love of Kim's life' in both book and TV: perhaps because she changed age, context and race in the book/TV cross-over) while there are several lines in the text that have been taken straight from the TV script (a brief account of when Kim and Sugar steal Stella's credit card crops up, despite the fact that in the book, Stella had had her affair long before Kim met Sugar and would therefore not have been around for the girls to take her card). This is rather unsatisfying if you love both book and TV series, particularly as the TV show tried so hard to retain continuity over a supposed long period of time. Despite this I'm hoping against hope that the popularity of this latest addition to the Sugar Rush franchise pushes the TV executives into making Season 3. Even if they don't, though, we should thank Burchill for having made the final phase of the Sugar Rush saga so darn memorable.

superb series.

fantastic writing total turn pager. the discription of facial expressions and scenery put me in the book.<br /><br />the constant emotion rollercoaster between the two main charactors is absorbing.<br /><br />would be fantastic if made for film.

Sizzling!

This is definately one of my favourite authors and certainly one of her best books (I've read about 9 of her books in the space of 3 weeks and that's only because i'm trying to pace myself!) <br /><br />The characters in Passion's Bright Fury are well developed and believeable from the dark and brooding Saxon Sinclair to the fiery and independant Jude Castle. The book is so well written I read it in a day, the spark literally flew off the page! I'd definately recommend this one and any of her other books.<br /><br />

No other word, except... EXCELLENT

This is an absolutely fantastic book!! I nearly didn't buy it because of the provocative cover, assuming that it was perhaps just a military-themed, sex novel. How wrong I would've been.<br /><br />Although I struggled initially with gaining an understanding of the military ranks and US army policy (this book is written very much with the view point that the reader already knows) I was soon sucked in and blown about by the wonderful story, characters and pace of the book. <br /><br />There are distinct flashes of Dan Brown brillence in the text and structure of the story, with several different strands interweaving to become part of the core plot. Also the sense of dread and impending doom is never very far, despite the various twists and turns which may swing you off course.<br /><br />Basically the novel follows a series of gay friends (all military personnel) at the start of the Clinton presidency and the fallout from his campaign promise to remove the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. The characters are well developed although my only slight criticism would be that they're not well described but this may have been on purpose by the author so that the reader will envision their own image of each character.<br /><br />A major (and completedly unexpected event) about two-thirds of the way through really throws the story open and brings things to a head, upping the pace and dragging you along.<br /><br />I really cannot recommend this book enough - it isn't just another gay-focused story, although the central themes of intolerence and descrimation are. I have no doubts that the author is present in the text, as he draws on his own experiences in the US Marines and I think this adds a real dimenison to the text.<br /><br />This book will not disappoint - ENJOY!!

Too much personal investment?

James Davidson is a renowned classicist but sadly I feel that too much personal emotional investment in this topic has rather stilted or skewed his usual insightful readings. Romanticising the Greek ideal of elite masculine 'homosexuality' is not so much a reappraissal, I fear, as a throw-back to a more C19th view of the Greeks a la E.M.Forster et al who found a legitimisation of their own feelings. <br /><br />I don't find the idea of male/male sex at all problematic but I don't feel that Davidson has added anything to the exemplary work already done (Winkler, Richlin etc)and elides too much of the politics of sex which is what makes classicial civilisation, Roman as well as Greek, both so fascinating and 'so good to think with'. <br /><br />Always an erudite, witty and engaging writer, too much of this book was way too 'out there' (e.g. some of the readings of myth, Homer etc). <br /><br />So overall I think this is an interesting book for the classical scholar aware of the debates and problems of uncovering ancient sexuality, but it is perhaps too misleading in its conclusions to the average interested reader.