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| I will utilize any chance to show off the cute guy. |
1. A FB post by Brazen Babes
Review where she was pissed that
someone bought an interracial book and then left a horrible review without even
reading. The reviewer claimed, “she
couldn’t relate to a black heroine”.
It got me thinking, not about
IR or multicultural books because I read (and write) those like crazy, but
about LGBT books. I’ve never read one. Only because I didn’t think I could
relate to it. I had never read one so how would I know?
2. My late mother used to
always tell me to try new things. My smart ass would ask her if I should try
drugs and then I’d have to jump back at her scathing look. She was an open
minded woman who taught me to be open minded, too.
3. Liv Rancourt, a romance
novelist who recently got into writing m/m romance. I love her published M/F romances. She hinted that one of the stories in a series she writes may feature m/m relationship. I figured I’d get myself prepared for the read.
And so last week I put out a
tweet asking for a sweet m/m romance. And to my surprise I got a response from
Sharon C. Cooper a multicultural contemporary romance author to read Five Dates by Amy Jo
Cousins. I think we may have had a difference definition of the term ‘sweet’
but other than that she was right when she promised I’d like it.
After all, love is love, no
matter who’s tumbling into it.
Is LGBT my new favorite genre?
Not at this moment. But I won’t shy away from it anymore when a good blurb and
cover come my way.
The Blurb
Helping his sister Lucy raise
her kid has put Devin’s love life on hold. When he loses a bet to her and the
penalty is to go out on five dates with men she’s chosen from Guys4Guys.com, he
thinks that’s bad enough. Finding out she used a thirteen-year-old picture of
him to score a date with a young guy who looks like a rock star? Epically bad.
Jay thought he wanted to fall for an older man. But his last boyfriend left him feeling humiliated and determined to stick to guys his own age. When he realizes he’s been conned into a date with exactly the kind of man he’s sworn to avoid, he’s ready to walk away on the spot. Only Devin’s swift apologies convince Jay to accept dinner to make up for the deception.
“The date doesn’t count for the bet unless you get a goodnight kiss.” After one not-a-date dinner with Jay, Devin isn’t worried about his sister’s rules. He just wishes he could convince Jay to go out with him for real. Jay wants no part of Devin, but Devin wants every part of Jay . . . so he asks Jay to help update his look for the rest of his dates. But once Jay’s made Devin over into the perfect date, will he be able to let him go?
Jay thought he wanted to fall for an older man. But his last boyfriend left him feeling humiliated and determined to stick to guys his own age. When he realizes he’s been conned into a date with exactly the kind of man he’s sworn to avoid, he’s ready to walk away on the spot. Only Devin’s swift apologies convince Jay to accept dinner to make up for the deception.
“The date doesn’t count for the bet unless you get a goodnight kiss.” After one not-a-date dinner with Jay, Devin isn’t worried about his sister’s rules. He just wishes he could convince Jay to go out with him for real. Jay wants no part of Devin, but Devin wants every part of Jay . . . so he asks Jay to help update his look for the rest of his dates. But once Jay’s made Devin over into the perfect date, will he be able to let him go?
My Review
This is my first m/m romance so
I wasn’t sure what to expect. A pure romance should’ve been what was on my mind
because that’s what I got. A story that made me chuckle, gasp every once in a
while, and say “Awww” when it ended. The only difference between it and the
other romances I’ve read is that it was between two males. Which didn’t end up
being much different than a love story between heterosexuals. Love is love.
Ms. Cousins has a way with
words and I’m glad her work was recommended to me. I look forward to reading
more from her.
I give this novella five out of
five leather jacket shaped chocolate bars.
I purchased this book from Amazon.
You can also get your copy from All
Romance eBooks.
Great review! This sounds like a cute romance. I really need to branch out and read more books with LGBT characters, too. I've read plenty of comics with them, and even feature some in my own projects, but I'm hard-pressed to recall any novels in this vein...
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Often times in books and television series there is that one homosexual friend. Is that what happens in your comics?
DeleteOh, I've definitely seen characters like that in TV shows, and I do remember a few fitting the homosexual friend role in books. LGBT characters in general, though, especially as protagonists, are easier for me to find in webcomics, and even some traditional comics.
DeleteFor my own comics, some end up in side roles if there's a large, ensemble cast, but I usually have smaller casts anymore, so if there's a LGBT character, they're in a starring role. (So, for example, in the latest piece of art on my blog, which features the main characters from an upcoming webcomic, one is gay while the other is asexual.)
I definitely have to get more into your work. Sounds so cool.
DeleteGreat post, Nana. How can we not relate to other human beings even if they have a different sexual orientation, skin colour, religion or whatever? We are all humans and we can all relate on a fundamental level without prejudices to skew our perceptions.
ReplyDeleteI read m/m romance novels and enjoy them. In fact one of the characters in the Passion Shields series is gay and his story is coming soon. So there, I've outed myself. LOL
You are so right, Kiru. Love is love. Lol about outing yourself. I'm sure the book will be fantastic.
DeleteSounds like a great book. I didn't have anything against LGBT books but was never into reading them much in the past. Then I took the plunge and read Taliasman by Anastasia Vitsky. I enjoyed it! I still haven't tried out a M/M, that one was a F/F.
ReplyDeleteI would have never figured you to read an LGBT, Kathy. Only because of your sweet writing. So cool.
DeleteI guess I need to take the plunge. Good Review, Nana!!!
ReplyDeleteI recall you willing to read one at some point.
DeleteHmm! Conservative me; it will take some time for me to get there. But I do agree that we must embrace all and sundry irrespective of their sexual orientation, skin tone or religion.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and congrats on reading your first m/m romance!
I think it's admirable that even though you aren't ready now, you may one day be willing to read an LGBT. Impressive.
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