Is some homophobia self-phobia?

Is some homophobia self-phobia?: Homophobia is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires, a series of psychology studies demonstrates. The study is the first to document the role that both parenting and sexual orientation play in the formation of intense fear of homosexuals.

Strong Signal (Cyberlove #1) by Megan Erickson, Santino Hassell

BLURB

 I was counting down the months until the end of my deployment. My days were spent working on military vehicles, and I spent my nights playing video games that would distract me until I could leave Staff Sergeant Garrett Reid behind.

That was when I met him: Kai Bannon, a fellow gamer with a famous stream channel.

I never expected to become fixated on someone who'd initially been a rival. And I'd never expected someone who oozed charm to notice me—a guy known for his brutal honesty and scowl. I hadn't planned for our online friendship to turn into something that kept me up at night—hours of chatting evolving into filthy webcam sessions.

But it did. And now I can't stop thinking about him. In my mind, our real life meeting is perfect. We kiss, we fall into bed, and it's love at first sight.

Except, like most things in my life, it doesn't go as planned.


Strong Signal is a standalone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger

Kindle Edition, 235 pages

Published February 15th 2016 by Megtino Press

Original Title

Strong Signal

ASIN

B01BO721I6

Edition Language

English

Series

Cyberlove #1

REVIEW 

Whooaah ! This book is awesome in so many levels! And I freakin' adored Kai and Garret !
They're the best ! And my new favorite couple of this year !

Kai killed Garrett.
In a game.
And Garrett was kind of pissed to this ‘gaymer’ character, Kai. Who is famous in Twitch.
And Kai is cute like this.

 
This is Kai's personal Tumblr, you'll know why Garrett's crazy about him :)
http://fuckyeahkaibannon.tumblr.com/

I think I understood more than any other people about this. Because my son were also met his boyfriend in a game forum, when they’re doing that battle shit together. Chatting and slowly falling in love. I totally understood now.

What happened to my son, happened with Kai and Garrett. And they’re cute and adorable, and I can see and feel the chemistry between Kai and the over protective Garrett. OMG! It was steamy when they’re ‘online’, but when they met? They burn the house, the whole apartement with passion. And the Army guy Garrett surely has a dirty mouth , and Kai loved it like crazy. I think they’re made for each other for sure.
 
FIND PHOTO HERE (nsfw)

And yeah, there’s a little twist about Kai’s anxiety and insecurity about the outside world, but Garrett understood, because he hates people too.LOL.

...“Hey, you didn’t let me finish.” “Finish what?” “Finish telling you that I love you too.”I threw my head back and laughed. “Oh my God, we are disgusting.” “Completely disgusting,” he agreed.

It was a fun read, and I didn’t want the book to end. I have missed Kai and Garrett already  I read it twice, and I think I’m still NOT recover from a hangover.
Maybe I’ll change my review later, after my third read. Megan and Santino nailed it.
And I’m falling for their duet. Hard.

Cannot wait for the second book, I hope I can ‘see’ a glimpse of Kai and Garrett in the second book !

Highly recommended !

Some of my favorite quotes :

...I imagined his broad shoulders slumped, his head forward, and his fingers scratching his stubbled chin. I imagined his heart aching like mine and that was something I couldn’t allow.

...“Your Chat,” Garrett panted. “Is gonna know you just got used.” “Or that I just used you for that giant dick.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
 
MEGAN ERICKSON
Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she's not tapping away on her laptop, she's probably listening to the characters in her head who won't stop talking.

For more, visit meganerickson.org
 


SANTINO HASSELL
 

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.
 

The Bells of Times Square by Amy Lane

 

BLURB

Every New Year’s Eve since 1946, Nate Meyer has ventured alone to Times Square to listen for the ghostly church bells he and his long-lost wartime lover vowed to hear together. This year, however, his grandson Blaine is pushing Nate through the Manhattan streets, revealing his secrets to his silent, stroke-stricken grandfather.

When Blaine introduces his boyfriend to his beloved grandfather, he has no idea that Nate holds a similar secret. As they endure the chilly death of the old year, Nate is drawn back in memory to a much earlier time . . . and to Walter.

Long before, in a peace carefully crafted in the heart of wartime tumult, Nate and Walter forged a loving home in the midst of violence and chaos. But nothing in war is permanent, and now all Nate has is memories of a man his family never knew existed. And a hope that he’ll finally hear the church bells that will unite everybody—including the lovers who hid the best and most sacred parts of their hearts.

REVIEW

 *** 5 - heartbreaking-heartwarming-tear jerking stars!***

I can not give this book less than 5 stars, if it possible, I'll give them more...
Amy Lane will tear you apart, break your heart...not from the start, but right close the ending, and put it back together again.
Don't worry about your common question about will they have HEA? [They're finally got their HEA after all, trust me. But you have to shred your tears to the end of the book. (hide spoiler)]

My God, I'm a Muslim, and I also know that in Jewish, they condemned same sex relationship as well, it's forbidden, God won't let you even smell heaven.
But who we are to judge? Love is love.
Like Nathan and Walter's forever love, so strong and so beautiful'
I understood Nathan's heart war between right and wrong, I do. I have a gay relatives, and it's not easy for them.

Amy wrote it beautifully. I laugh, I smile, I blushed, and I wanted to wrapped them in my heart closely so they don't have to be afraid to love.
But war, people, so many times are so cruel to their own...and that's included Nate and Walter's very short but forever remain love affair.

I adore this beautiful story. Amy broke my heart, but in the end, even still with tears, I smile.
TRUE LOVE DOES EXIST !

Thank you Amy for this beauty...this book will stay in my heart forever.

Highly recommended


~ARC kindly provided by Riptide and Netgalley in exchange of an honest review~

"Suddenly, he wanted that thing , the thing that Walter was preparing for - the mishkav zakhar, the most forbidden way to spill seed that wa not in woman's womb, Nate was swollen and greedy for it."

"Ahava, the love of passion. I would love Walter above any
woman as Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. There is no story
that says that is wrong. I would love him as a partner and friend,
raya, as my passion and lover, ahava, and bound to him in both
loves, I would find dod. The mishkav zakhar we can keep to
ourselves. And even that was lovely, ferocious and beautiful, the
merging of bodies and hearts."

"“Please, Walter!”
“Please what?” Walter snapped, forced to raise his face
and look Nate in the eyes. “I don’t even know what you want
from me!”
Your love. For you to not withdraw from me now that I’ve
gotten used to us being close. I don’t want you to pull away now."

"Courtship, love—not words until some woman from France
brought them to England. Ahave, raya, dod, it boils down to
this: one soul comforting another when ugly death surrounds us.
I love you, too, Walter. This touch, this is real."

" I had never dreamed of being in love. I did not know the mechanics, the nuts and bolts,the quirk of lips, the texture ofskin, the dimension of another’s hands upon my body. Forgive me, Father. I did not know you made this thing as vast as the sky,so that we may see the sky and not tremble. "

"Was he Wicked, turning his back on this part of his
faith? Was his Simple, believing that the one section of Leviticus had no meaning? Or was he merely Young, naive to believe that love could be so important that God would love it in all its forms?"

”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


 
Amy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
 
 

Reading Addict Mom's Blog: Misfits by Garrett Leigh

Reading Addict Mom's Blog: Misfits by Garrett Leigh:   BLURB   Restaurant owner Tom Fearnes has loved his partner Cass for as long as he can remember, but their work often keeps them apar...

Misfits by Garrett Leigh

 

BLURB  

Restaurant owner Tom Fearnes has loved his partner Cass for as long as he can remember, but their work often keeps them apart. When he meets a striking young man named Jake on the vibrant streets of Camden Town, their heady first encounter takes an unexpected turn.

Jake Thompson can hardly believe his luck when he wakes up in Tom’s bed. Tom is gorgeous, kind, and . . . taken. Tom’s explanation of his open relationship leaves Jake cold, but Tom is too tempting, and when hard times force Jake to accept Tom’s helping hand, he finds himself between two men who’ve lost their way.

Cass Pearson is a troubled soul. He loves Tom with all he has, but some days it feels like he hasn’t much to give. Jake seems like the perfect solution. Cass risks everything to push Jake and Tom together, but Jake resists, wary, until the darkness of Cass’s past comes to call. Then Jake finds himself the last man standing, and it’s time to dig deep and shine a light for the men he’s grown to love.

ebook, 277 pages

Published March 16th 2015 by Riptide Publishing

Original Title

Misfits

ISBN13

9781626492462

Edition Language

English

URL http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/misfits

REVIEW

 
~~ 5 solid three-way stars!~~

" “I like Cass. You won’t let him stay away, will you? I don’t want to be the reason he doesn’t come home.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Tom kissed Jake’s hand. “He wants you here, and we’ll be here for you as much you want us.”
“Both of you?”
“If that’s what you want."

I'm so happy and blessed I can read this gem earlier.
OMG..guys, you're going to love the silent Tom, the cute adorable guy Jake with his Tourette, and Cass, a hot sexy chef restaurant and his fucked up past.
It was Tom, who found Jake when he's feeling so lonely and missed Cass while Cass busied himself working.
They never knew before, that there's something missing in their (actually solid) open relationship.
They are both loved each other , Cass is Tom's love of his life.
But still...something's missing.
After Jake came into their life...

This is what I love about Garrett Leigh's characters. They're NOT perfect.
They're usually people with so many flaws, and disability, like Jake and Cass.
Jake struggled with his Tourette, Cass struggled with his unresolved past, and Tom, he's struggled with both of them.

There's a twist, drama, but not over the top drama, just enough drama to make me cry...*smirk*
Bu, I know from the start, that their relationship is SOLID.

Jake smiled. “You don’t remember the sun?”
“Fuck the sun, Jake. I only saw you.”

I loved it when Jake and Cass's relationship grew, from strangers, to being friends, best friends, and finally, lovers.
I loved how Cass let Tom "have" Jake for himself, and he's just being happy for them.
I loved how their lovemaking was so careful, and sexy at the same time.
I loved how both Jake and Cass, adored and idolized Tom so much and always trying to make him happy.
I loved how Tom, always... always embrace them with all the love he have.
And I loved how finally Cass and Tom realized that, Jake, a lost man, a flawed guy from some strange place, is become their missing link and gathered them all, in his very own way.
And I loved how Tom and Cass, respected and treated Jake as their equal.
Finally, they're found each other.

I'll leave you with some of my favorite quotes..

""You can touch me Tom, but do it because you want to, not because you feel sorry for me ""

"A flush crept over his fair skin, and a sheen of sweat glistened. With his strong body and set jaw, the dim light of the room made him look like a god. Only the tender gleam in his eyes gave him away as a man entirely human—too human to hurt the love of his life beneath him."

"Cass let out a desperate gasp. His face was hidden, but the plaintive plea needed no explanation. He needed this, needed to feel something all consuming, but he couldn’t take much more.

And Tom heard his call and pulled him up, wrapped his arms so tight around him that Cass’s breath caught in his chest. “I’ve got you.”"

"Tom smiled a little, though it didn’t feel quite right in their bleak surroundings. “He’s like that. I worried for ages that he let this . . . thing develop between us because he had nothing else, but I see the way he looks at you now, and I know he loves you.”
Cass snorted. “And there’s never been any doubt he loves you. Poor kid was head over heels from day one.""

"Cass opened his mouth, but Tom silenced him with a kiss.“I don’t need your promises. I just need you to do it.”"

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press. Her protagonists will always always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com

 

 

A Restored Man (The Men of Halfway House #3) by Jaime Reese

 

BLURB
 
Cole Renzo thinks his greatest challenge is to behave for the remainder of his term at Halfway House. Until he meets his new boss, Ty Calloway, a man who ticks off every box on Cole’s list of interests.

A sought-after restorer and customizer of exotic and collectible cars, Ty had enough confidence to command what he wanted in life, until one fateful night changed everything. Almost two years later, he’s slowly rebuilding his life with great control. He’s defied the odds and works tirelessly to be the man he once was—but he still feels broken.

Cole’s candor and unfiltered personality awaken Ty’s barely-remembered desire to greet each new day with a smile, while Ty’s unwavering acceptance of Cole’s quirks and brash humor makes Cole feel as if he fits in for the first time in far too long. When a nemesis threatens Ty’s personal restoration and the things he holds dear, Cole is determined to protect their relationship, even if that means sacrificing everything he’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ty will have to let his guard down, surrender control, and admit he needs Cole first, even if that puts himself at risk of breaking beyond repair.

REVIEW

 Updated. Re-reading my 4th times.


*** 5 "I love you, My - Ty" stars! ***

...Sigh...



Ty and Cole are just so beautiful together. This book tll all about unconditional love.
If a book can sing , it will sing like Brian Adams ...

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true:
Everything I do, I do it for you, oh, yeah.
Yeah, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you,
Walk the wire for you, yeah, I'd die for you.
You know it's true:
Everything I do, oh, I do it for you.

"I'm yours, Ty. For however long you want me, I'll be by your side."

COLE



TY





I smile and blush every time Cole teasing Ty (that sweet shy metal man!), in fact I smiled almost all the time while reading. This book makes me happy. Cole and Ty makes me happy. Even the grumpy Aidan makes me happy.
I love 'seeing' Matt and Julian again, and how protective Julian for his smartass 'baby brother', Cole.

It's just heart warming. And beautiful. The chemistry was there since the very first time they've met.
And all the 'I'm not sleeping with you, that Ty told Cole, is kind of cute.
Cole and Ty are sexy together, I'm still fangirling after them.

And this is definitely a re-reading worthy.
Well done, Jaime Reese !
Can't wait for Aidan and Jessie's story !!! Hurry up!!!
This is definitely my favorite of the series. Ty and Cole, will stay with me for quite a long time.

Recommended!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.
 

You Are the Reason (The Tav #2) by Renae Kaye

 

BLURB
 Davo’s a pretty average guy. He has a decent job, owns his own home, and spends his weekends at the pub. He fully accepts that he’s gay, but doesn’t want to be one of those gays, who are femme and girly. He likes football and other masculine pursuits, and firmly avoids anything that could be seen as femme—including relationships that last beyond fifteen minutes.

Then Davo’s friend and gay idol not only gets a boyfriend, but also adopts a baby girl. Davo is seriously spooked and scuttles down to the pub in fright. That’s where he meets Lee, who is cute from her cherry-red hair, to her pretty little dress and pointy red shoes. Davo is charmed—but how is that possible? He’s gay. Isn’t he? Then Lee tells him he’s actually a guy—he just likes to wear women’s dresses occasionally. Thoroughly confused about an attraction that’s out of character for him, Davo begins the long journey to where he can accept himself without caring what everyone else thinks.

REVIEW


* 4,7 STARS *

Davo is gay, an absolute macho gay guy. He hates pink, and girly gay stuff.



And if you're a guy, call him Davo instead of Dave. Girls allowed to call him Dave, because it's a femme thingy.
At least until he met two 'girls' in his life that makes his life turning upside down.
Maxine and Lee Brennan.
And Davo insist that he's gay guy, a macho man, but GAY. GAY GAY GAY.



There's NO WAY Lee turned him into STRAIGHT. Eww ! Being straight is out of a question.
But Lee is a girl...Um, wait. Yeah, at least until Lee told him that he's not a girl. Lee is a guy. Only loveeeeeeeed wearing dress.
And Dave is kinda shock, happy that he's still gay, but shock that Lee is a guy. Kinda confusing situation for him for sure.
But Lee is a determined guy, and he wants Dave !
And Dave is allergic with 'PINK', no pink, pink is too girlie.

I loved Lee and Dave (I'm a girl, I can call him Dave), and 'the relationship' between Maxine and 'Uncle Dave' is beyond amazing.



I haven't read book one of this series, but I think it's okay to read it as a stand alone, though there's some spoilers about Jake and Patty-cake here.
Now I need to read that one. Jake seemed like 'my kind of guy'.

I can't stop smiling and loved every minute reading it ! And the sex ! It was freakin' HOT ! Dave is a man with lots and lots of *cough* ... 'energy', if you know what I mean.


And Lee is just reminds me of Jay !
I need this kind of story more and more.. Renae Kaye did it again !
I FLOVED IT !

RECOMMENDED!

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Renae Kaye is a lover and hoarder of books who thinks libraries are devilish places because they make you give the books back. She consumed her first adult romance book at the tender age of thirteen and hasn’t stopped since. After years – and thousands of stories! – of not having book characters do what she wants, she decided she would write her own novel and found the characters still didn’t do what she wanted. It hasn’t stopped her though. She believes that maybe one day the world will create a perfect couple – and it will be the most boring story ever. So until then she is stuck with quirky, snarky and imperfect characters who just want their story told.

Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia and writes in five minute snatches between the demands of two kids, a forbearing husband, too many pets, too much housework and her beloved veggie garden. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything.

You can contact her at renaekaye@iinet.net.au.