My little white lies, here's the truth

I guess I owe you some answers regarding the liar’s game, well here it goes:

1. I used to be a stewardess for KLM (a Dutch airline company). Lie, although I’ve traveled a lot, not as much as a stewardess.

2. As a teenager I won a few championships in speed skating. Lie, I’ve only won a few medals in tennis and was quite an active soccer player and racketball player, but never were any good in speed skating.

3. I only need 5-6 hours sleep per night. True, I can even function reasonably well on 3-4 hours sleep, but every now and then I have to catch up and sleep 9-10 hours.

4. My favorite pets are dogs. Nope, I like them too, but my favorites are cats because they are so wonderfully headstrong.

5. Me and hubby were both virgins when we married. Lie, although we were young when we became a couple (19 and 20 years) we had both some experience with relationships and sex.

6. I’m a freelance writer and get my work published in magazines. True, every now and then I complain here at my blog about my deadlines, because I’m a champion at procrastinating. I write about books, writers (including interviews), book clubs and city trips with a book theme (like Kafka’s Prague, Joyce’s Dublin and the literary landmarks of New York).

7. I’ve lived part of my youth in England. Lie, I lived part of my youth in Germany, not England. I had an English boyfriend though and that’s why I went there quite a few times.

Only Sagi had both answers right (and Marissa, but she took three guesses ;)). Congratulations Sagi! Most of you had guessed #3 was true though. You’re all winners for me, lol!

Bald Face Liar or “Creative Writer”?

Author Jenna Byrnes @ Jenna on Fire and Eyre @ A Reader's Journey both tagged me to participate in this harmless liar’s game.
I’ll have to post seven items about me, only TWO of which are true. The others are “little white lies”.
You have to try to figure out which two are true, and leave a comment.

Here we go!

1. I used to be a stewardess for KLM (a Dutch airline company)

2. As a teenager I won a few championships in speed skating

3. I only need 5-6 hours sleep per night

4. My favorite pets are dogs

5. Me and hubby were both virgins when we married

6. I’m a freelance writer and get my work published in magazines

7. I’ve lived part of my youth in England

I now hereby pass on the Liar’s Torch to these authors and bloggers. Keep the liar’s game going. Visit their sites and see if you can guess which of their statements are little white lies:

Mia Watts @ www.miawatts.blogspot.com/
Leontine @ leontine1976.blogspot.com
Jambrea Jo Jones @ jambrea.wordpress.com
Sagi @ sagis-randomness.blogspot.com
Marissa @ dream-mistress.blogspot.com

Have fun and good luck!

My Very Own Book Boyfriend

I’ve been tagged by Pixie @ Pixie’s Ponderings, Leontine @ Leontine’s Book Realm, Miranda @ Sweet Vernal Zephyr and K.C. @ Smokinhotbooks to build my own Book Boyfriend, a meme that ‘s originally from the lovely Gutter Girls. To tell you the truth I needed some time to think about my favorite BBF because, okay I can name a few characteristics that always work for me, but in general I like my boys in all sorts and sizes (well, as a matter of speak). So, I hope I can focus on the important things and not wander off in dreamland…

Here’s how The Gutter Girls started the fantasy:

We all have our favourite book boyfriends and now you have the chance to create one just for yourself and your fantasies! How do you play? Fill out the quiz bellow, post a picture of sexy man and tag five (5) other book addicts to do the same. Don't forget to pop to their blogs as let them know they have been tagged!
Once tagged... you have to do the same, grab the button, answer the questions, and keep it rolling! But don't forget the picture of the sexy man! It doesn't have to match your fantasy man, just a little eye candy for the rest of us... heheheee!

Okay, here we go:

1- Hair colour and style
Blond or dark hair will both do it for me (there you have it already), all right with a slight preference for dark hair. I like it short, well cropped and just long enough to run my fingers through it (a la Dean style). But honestly, longer hair can work for me too...

2- Eye colour and facial features
Bright eyes with a twinkle, blue or green. His face is of course handsome and strong in a rugged way. His smile is smashing and his lips are full and kissable. I love a bit of a scruff too.

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3- Height and body type
My man is tall but not too tall, 6’1 or 6’2 will do. And he’s got a strong, taut and lean body with visible muscles but not the body builder type, just athletic. His hands are important; I can fall in or out of love because of a guy’s hands :). They have to be strong as well, clean and tanned and a little bit roughened up. And let’s not forget that his butt must look good in a hip hugging jeans. And besides all that, he has a nice tribal tattoo and a subtle but hot nipple piercing.

4- Visible age
33-37

5- Bangability ie: kinky/bi/size
He’s tireless and skilful with a little kink. He likes to take charge and only needs one look from me to know what I want. And every once in a while he doesn't mind to give up control :)

Do we really have to discuss size, lol, as if anyone will say that they like ‘m small, no way! :)

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6- Human or other
Human or shifter or vampire or… I really can’t choose!

7- Paranormal skills
Freeze time, so that we can endlessly enjoy each other’s company *waggles eyebrows* without the hassle of everyday life if we want to avoid that.

8- Interests
Traveling, movies, me, making love.

9- Habitat
Everywhere where I am, and I don't like to be in just one place all the time.

10- Special skills
Being sexy without effort, making my insides flutter with his smile, being charming in the company of other people, making me laugh, being inventive with his tongue.


A lot of the bloggers I could think of already have been tagged, and I don’t know for sure who has build their own book boyfriend yet, so if you already have done it, you can ignore the next tag. If not, consider yourself tagged.... :)

Chris @ http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/
Tam @ tamsreads.blogspot.com
Bronwyn @ bronwyngreenblog.blogspot.com
Kris @ krisngoodbooks.blogspot.com
Fallon @ fallonblake.blogspot.com

Lusting for Covers - Mychael Black's The Lost Son

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. This meme is hosted by TBQ.

The cover that I picked this week is the one from Mychael Black's The Lost Son. I haven't read any of this author's books yet and I'm curious if they are any good...

Why this cover? This book is a m/m romance and first of all what I like about this cover is that it doesn't picture the usual nekkid male bodies (not that I mind those, not at all, but a little bit of variety is nice). Then I adore the armour that the men are cladded with, they look tough because of it. And another thing I think is well done is the nearly invisible fase of one of the guys, while the other one is completely visible (and pretty nice looking). This gives the 'masked' guy a mysterious glint and it leaves the reader with something to fantasize about.


Back blurb:

One warrior, one sorcerer, and a legacy that will change their lives forever…
Secrets of Socendor, Book 1
In the world of Socendor, humans are forbidden from using magic and elves keep their distance.

Kalen Ysindroc has risen far from his humble beginnings as a blacksmith’s adopted son. Now the king’s general, he investigates reports of magic-wielding half-human, half-elven lithings sighted along the kingdom’s borders. It would be a lonely life, if not for the company of his best friend and long-time elven lover, Micheil Theirauf, the king’s sorcerer.

An attempt on Kalen’s life makes it clear to Micheil that there’s more afoot than random breaks in the land’s defenses. His lover is plagued by dreams no human should endure, and Micheil’s probe into Kalen’s subconscious reveals a past neither of them expected. And a future Kalen can’t escape.

Suddenly, everything Kalen never knew about his life is laid bare. A father possessed of terrible magical power. A half-brother who could be the family Kalen never had—or the catalyst that will rip Micheil out of his life forever…
This title was previously published but has been revised.

Product Warnings:
Explicit gay sex (on a horse, even!), men in armor, swords (not just THAT kind!), sorcery, betrayal, and at least one conniving ghost.

Lusting for Covers - Samantha Kane's Love in Exile

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. This meme is hosted by TBQ.

Being the cover hussy that I am, this meme is just one for me!
The cover that I picked this week is the one from Samantha Kane's Love in Exile.

Why this cover? This book is the sixth one in a series of historical romances about ménages and it was released in one of the last months of 2009. The other five covers are less dark than this one and all picture three models. The male model on this cover isn't perfect looking imo (I like that) but has again a gorgeous tattood torso (last week's model had one too). Only this tattoo is looking more like a tribal one, which are my favorite kind...

Back Blurb:
Gregory Anderson has reluctantly returned to England after more than seven years sailing the world and cataloging new discoveries. He's there to visit old friends and present the finding of his travels to the Royal Society.
Half-Polynesian Gregory is caught between two worlds. He isn't looking for love. He's only looking for a warm body with a modicum of wit and reasonable intelligence to help him get through the few short months he'll be in England.
Nat and Alecia Digby married when they were young and foolish. An arranged marriage to please their parents led them to take lovers, and their marriage was almost ruined before it began. But through the actions of a mutual friend and lover Nat and Alecia found their way back to each other. They don't want to give up the erotic games they learned to play and to enjoy, but they won't risk their marriage again by falling in love with someone else. And they won't hurt anyone else they love by asking them to endure the pain of being an outsider in their marriage.
When the three are introduced by a mutual friend they think it will be nothing more than a night or two of shared pleasure and erotic thrills. But the unthinkable happens, because love refuses to be forced into exile.

Lusting for Covers - Lauren Dane's Inside Out

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. This meme is hosted by TBQ.

Being the cover hussy that I am, this meme is just one for me!
The cover that caught my eye this week (when mentioned on Twitter) was the one from Lauren Dane's Inside Out.

Why this cover? It's one of a series of three books with all wonderful covers. In fact, most of Lauren Dane's books have the best covers out there. This one is especially hot because of the delicious tattood back side of the cover hunk. The pose the models are in is pure anticipation and I think the female is beautiful. Last but not least: I like the colorfulness of this cover very much!


Back Blurb:
WORTH THE WAIT

Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that left her nearly dead, she’s spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she’s needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard won lessons. There hasn’t been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it didn’t mean she had to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.

Security professional Andrew Copeland isn’t quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidedly skittish Ella developed. He’s known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she’d been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to her is different than any attraction he’s had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Andy does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense.

While Ella’s sure he’s just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly and re-ignites something deep inside her. Before long desire and love turn them both inside out.

Lauren Dane's website >>>

M/M Meme: Tag – I’m it

I have been tagged by Leontine to do this M/M Meme! It’s my very first so I hope I don’t screw this up ;)

Rules:
1. Answer all the questions below in either the comments here or post it on your own site. If you post it on your own site you have to come back and give the link here so I can mosey on over and see if you have a sticky beak.
2. You have to tag two other people once you’re done and pester them relentlessly until they do the meme too.
3. Instead of a meme image thing you have to post a cookie, preferably a twofer. It is an m/m meme after all.

Questions:
1. How long have you been reading GLBTQ fiction? Since 4 months, but so far I’ve only covered the G(ay) and B(isexual) part, not yet the L(esbian), T(ransexual) and Q(ueer) part. And to be honest, they don’t appeal to me either. M/M romances do!

2. What was the first book you read in this genre? I think it was Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson, a rather sweet story about two (straight) friends falling in love.

3. Are you ‘out’ as a reader? Uhm, not really. In RL only my hubby knows about my smutty books, but even to him I’m not yet out as a M/M reader. Online I’m out as both…

4. Ebooks, print or both? 99% ebooks and an occasional one in print. And the rare paperback I buy is new too… I don’t want to wonder about certain stains on the pages…

5. Do you buy direct from publishers or from secondary sellers? Both.

6. Prove you’re a Book Slut. How many books would you say you buy a week? You really need proof I’m a Book Slut… ask my hubby or take a look at my credit card statements (that I tend to hide from him now and then). Oh, you need numbers? Uhm, last weekend I bought 19 books at once (and this is not a one time thing with me *blush*) In my post from November 28 I’ve listed all the books…

7. Are you a cover, blurb or excerpt buyer? Definitely a cover hussy. That’s the first thing that draws me in and next I read an excerpt if there is one.

8. Yeah, you read reviews, but do you actually take notice of them? For sure! All the great blogging reviewers out there make my TBB list longer and longer!

9. Who’s your fave publisher? Ellora’s Cave, Samhain and LooseID are the most frequent names on my credit card statements.

10. What about authors? Your top two only!! I haven’t read many of the well known M/M authors but one of my favs is absolutely Shayla Kersten, another one is Samantha Kane (although she writes M/M/F romances).

11. Is there a sub-genre you particularly dis/like? No dislikes, nope. Likes yeah, the friends become lovers theme or the straight become gay theme (or a combo of those two).

12. Short or long?? *rolls eyes* And, no, I’m not talking about cocks. Oh, in that case short… or long… doesn’t really matter, as long as the story is well developed.

13. Anything turn you off about m/m or is all just glorious smut to you? I’m quite a virgin when it comes to the smut. I recently learned that there’s a lot more to discover (check out Kris’ Firsts series at her blog) about fisting, twincests, piercings… I’m game though!

14. Finish this sentence. You know it’s m/m twu wuv when… *murmers, there’s that damn blog lingo again* I guess, when two hot guys can’t keep their hands and mouths from each other, and suffer from a little heartache when they are not together.

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15. What trope or theme are you heartily sick of in m/m romance? None so far, still loving it all!

16. If you could choose any 3 characters for an m/m/m who would they be? Kade McKay (Rough Riders series – the sweetest and sexiest cowboy evah) Noah (Deviations series – hot and sweetly submissive cop) and Dean Winchester (Supernatural - funniest and sexiest hunter) Oh wait… a character from a romance, not a tv show? Well than the third hottie should be Rich Taylor (A Helping Hand – hot and adorable deputy sheriff) *sigh, what a dream team, can I join?*

17. What new GLBTQ release are you most hanging out for right now? *frantically browsing the ‘coming soon’ site pages* O Yeah, I actually was waiting for the release of Never Say Never by Jenna Byrnes (Book two in the Rose and Thorn Society Series) and … yay... it got released today!

18. What GLBTQ book has completely blown you away this year? That must have been A Helping Hand by Shayla Kersten, a great romance!

19. What do you think we’ll see more of in m/m romance in 2010? I’m not sure, but I’m afraid of the weresnakes (yep… the rattling kind) that seem to sneaking their way into romances. Let’s hope they skip the M/M romances!

20. Don’t you agree that author Josh Lanyon should kill off arsehole character Jake Riordan? *murmer* This must be a trick question… Okay, I admit it… I’ve never read a Josh Lanyon story, yet. And I’m pretty sure Jake Riordan is not in the three books I bought from this author last weekend… But let me get back on that…

Pffw, those were 20 hard questions! I hope I didn’t completely make a clean breast of it. I’m actually still on my honeymoon when it comes to losing my M/M virginity, as you all know now!

Now, I have the honor to tag two people. Although it’s hard to tell if they already have been tagged before with this meme, I pick:

Mandi from Smexybooks and
Ms Moonlight from Moonlight to Twilight Blog.

Good luck, girls!