Two Ends of the Pen: Review of The Zagzagel Diaries: BROKEN by Bryl R. ...

Two Ends of the Pen: Review of The Zagzagel Diaries: BROKEN by Bryl R. Tyne ...:   "Available from Untreed Reads Publishing 5 of 5 stars... Did you ever inhale sharply, but were afraid to let it out. That’s what happens when reading The Zagzagel Diaries. You’re just not sure what is going to happen next and so you hold your breath in anticipation. This review is for the fifth story, BROKEN ..."

4.5 stars out of 5 for TOUGH GUY @ Reviews by Jessewave

Thank you, Val Kovalin for the review @ Jessewave!
Summary Review: "This romantic comedy is more sexy than gritty, and definitely recommended."
As all reviews at Jessewave, the reviewer left nothing in the story to chance. I don't think I've  received such an in depth and insightful review in a while. Val goes on to say...
"Meanwhile, the novella has a lot to offer in its flawless writing, the appealing character in Paul, and the hot sex scenes. The author is especially good at simultaneously increasing both sexual tension and comic tension, which would seem to be mutually incompatible, but which complement each other throughout. Take this excerpt from page 48 during the Tough Guy semi-finals:

Hat in hand, arm outstretched, he’d put the squeeze on that quart of ice-cold water he held overhead. As the water poured, soaking his hair, and running in several rivulets over the planes of his back, he let out a feral growl. I secretly begged him to turn my way, to let me have one glimpse of that smattering of hair matted wet to his chest, that treasure trail he boasted so proudly in his fighting stance, dripping a steady stream of water onto the front of his jeans.
Tony answered Hart’s challenge with a grunt of his own, pushed away from the gate, twisted open his cold bottle of water, and proceeded to dribble it in trickles over one shoulder, his face, his other shoulder, continuing the self-torture in a slow, controlled motion.
I looked on, eyes wide, heart pounding, blood rushing south, as the two of them carried out their fixed-glare Neanderthal stare down, their nipples beading harder with each drizzle of water taking its sweet time over every ridge, dip, and curve. I swore, if the two of them touched, I was a goner, and I hadn’t had a wet dream since I was seventeen.

This is a great scene, and overall Tough Guy is a comical, sexy treat to read."

I am thrilled with this review, and even more so that the reviewer enjoyed the story this much. You can read the full review HERE.

Fabulous Review for Zagzagel Diaries: Denial

I love Google alerts, especially when I discover a new review for one of my books on one! Alan Chin, SF GLBT Literary Examiner for Examiner.com, gave The Zagzagel Diaries: Denial a fab review. Interestingly enough, the reviewer interprets my Zagzagel as female. While, I don't see Zag that way, it's all good :) I often leave much to reader interpretation and am always thrilled when different readers can enjoy the same story for whatever reasons. In Denial, I'm not sure I painted Zagzagel as either gender, for example. Anyway, the review is AWESOME, nevertheless. And I'm thrilled Alan Chin has such nice things to say about my writing and style. Thank you, Alan! You're review is very, VERY much appreciated!

"I’ve read a couple of longer works by this author, so I knew I was in for a top-quality read going into it. I think Bryl has one of the finest voices in lgbt fiction. But what did surprise me was how much story Bryl packed into nine pages. I am left awed and grateful."--Alan Chin, SF Examiner.com  Read the full review Here!

The Zagzagel Diaries: Denial can be purchased at Untreed Reads Publishing.

Review: Number Theory by Noah Bogondoff

Number Theory (LGBT Voices) by Noah Bogdonoff
Diversity (Minority Short Story Line) 
Untreed Reads Publishing

A high school boy finds out that in both love and algebra, solving for 'x' may not always get you the result you expect.

Review:
When I heard this new short story from Untreed Reads Publishing was written by an 18 year old, I was compelled to purchase it immediately. I'm extremely pleased I did too! Number Theory is a quick read at only 1570 words, but it was well worth the buck and some change. Fast, funny, and true to life . . . so true to life, I felt as if I were back in school again. I could smell the the chalk, see the teachers in all their haughtiness, and feel the stare of the kid sitting next to me. That one look, that one moment so utterly confusing and yet so enlightening you never forget it--that's what Number Theory is about. How all at once, one's life can be suddenly turned upside down and yet set right, this story's few words illustrate that moment to perfection. Much like all things Math, Number Theory was flawless. Perfect.
The author of Number Theory, Noah Bogdonoff, is only 18 years of age. All I can say is should this young man pursue writing as a career, he will definitely succeed. Bravo to you, Noah! Give us more. Please.

As a kickoff to Pride Month at Untreed Reads Publishing, Number Theory is available at 15% off through June 9th. Just use the discount code: PRIDEMONTH when ordering. Here's the link: http://www.untreedreads.com/?page_id=1422

Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author or the publisher as a review copy or was purchased by Bryl R. Tyne for review. This site does not accept payment or gifts and all reviews are offered freely.

Boys of the Bite a Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews!

4.75 out of 5 stars!

Boys of the Bite is an Anthology that explores the gay male side of vampire mythology. Stories from R.R. Angell to Bryl R. Tyne give us a different and alluring aspect to the sexy and beautiful vampires we know and crave. From modern vampires to vampires in our history you will be locked into these stories feeling as if you are there with them. Each one has its own alluring taste of blood and flesh but with a sexy side that is sure to appease any vampire fan. -- Zollyanna@Night Owl Reviews

5 Cups from Coffee Time Romance!

Thank you, Regina, from Coffee Time Romance & More. She loved the book!
Here's a link to her review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/coinoperatedboy.html

BEST UNSPOKEN Reviewed by Lily

Always wonderful to start the week with an insightful review of one of my books. Lily, at I Love Books, posted a very insightful review of BEST UNSPOKEN. I’m extremely happy that she enjoyed the story and came to understand my characters, Levi & Rob.

Lily says about BEST UNSPOKEN, “I really enjoyed this story. The plot is simple without being boring, it’s solid and well-written, the characters are interesting and the sex is hot. My favorite part is at the end, when we witness the true depths of the bond between Levi and Rob. Despite all outward appearances, their relationship is solid, built on love and trust, and Levi’s rediscovery of that makes for a wonderful ending to this story.”

And then goes on to highlight one of my favorite parts of the book…My mother hadn’t a clue. Rob was neither jealous nor controlling. My friends were so wrong. This was how we discovered each other’s needs, filled each other’s desires. Our communication was best unspoken.

Always.

Read the full review here!

I hope my readers understand how much it mean to me to get such a thorough review of my work. I can’t thank Lily enough. Happy Monday, All!

Book Review: Spine Intact, Some Creases

Spine Intact, Some Creases

by Victor J. Banis

reviewed by Mykola (Mick) Dementiuk

"Holding hands in the darkness at the movies could be an intensely erotic experience."

I was maybe 15 or 16 years old and sneaking into various Times Square movie houses. Did it in through the back doors on 41st or 40th Streets, with someone leaving and me sneaking in; occasionally, I'd meet the brute of a man who simply refused to let me in and slammed the door after he left. But such a prim and proper disciplinarian was rare and I'd get in for free, most of times, with some hurrying-away movie viewer fading out of sight. I'd go in and watch a western or a war-entrenched movie and feel good afterwards. This was years before rampant sex tore through the area...And as I'd sit there, watching some battle with Japanese or Germans or some cowboys fleeing from the sheriff, I'd grow alert when someone sat down in a vacant seat next to mine. Mostly an older man, yet occasionally someone just a little older than I was; who was hoping and looking for some company...or so I thought.

These trysts never did go any further than mere holding hands and looking dreamily at each other, but after an hour or so I'd say, "Be right back..." and hurry off, pretending I was going to the bathroom or concession stand when really I was disappearing into the 42nd Street crowds. I think maybe it was four or five times that happened and I'd leave, still erect, and wander my way home where I masturbated for weeks on end with that cowardly memory...Why did I run? Why was I so horny and hot after?

I often thought of those anonymous faces over the years, those tricked, led-on, abandoned and forgotten so despicably and shamefully, when a single line in Victor Banis' book brought it all back, "holding hands in the darkness at the movies could be an intensely erotic experience..."

How many times did I pass by the theaters in my later years and remember holding hands, feeling myself protected and cared for when all of a sudden that old fear came back to and I so stupidly faded off in to the crowds? Too many, too many...way too many...

Victor J. Banis, whose bibliography at the end of the book is amazing, --and boy, the wealth of material he has produced under various names and guises is truly remarkable--has produced such a book, a book of memories and lost times gone forever with just a flicker of remembrance. And gratefully Victor Banis has done it all and tells us just how he came to do these things while playing a truly rich and rewarding life experience.

Banis explores the "loneliest of all minorities," --being gay in the straight world-- in the 1950s and 1960s when such tumultuous change loomed on the horizon. Back in the 1920s and 30s he notes, one didn't give much mind about one's sex yet in the 40s one paid attention since everyone was horny and hungry for it. But by the 50s it was frowned upon and put down, with yellow journalist Walter Winchell calling "a vote for Adlai Stevenson is a vote for Christine Jorgenson" until it exploded in the 60s coming out all decorated in vibrant drag, so to speak, --in 1968 it erupted in a tirade of protest-full celebration that was to become Stonewall, never to be the same again.

Banis begins his biography by becoming a writer of gay stories that were published in Switzerland and then under various names in America. His fame, or ill-fame, grew until it exploded in a suit brought against him and his publisher by the US Post Office for obscene material, and this at a time when the government was after Henry Miller and Barney Rosset and others. The suit against Banis was gratefully dismissed, after they dragged it as long as they could and Banis, in need of a break from the stupidity that has always been a part of American history, got that break by traveling across Europe, and seeing and experiencing Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Franco's Spain.

Once back home, he did a book tour that took him across the country, meeting with Hugh Hefner and other stars in Beverly Hills, --Nina Foch, Elizabeth Montgomery, Natalie Wood, Linda Ronstadt amongst others. His neighbor at the time was Sal Mineo, who eventually was slain in a botched homosexual robbery.

But most of all was Banis' writing; as did it each and every day for 365 days a year then just started all over the next year and did it all over again...as he's still doing it. Among the many books he has written (under his name) The Why Not, Longhorns, Angel Land, Lola Dances among others, and under various nom de plumes a wealth of titles, for male and female readers alike.

As a writer he is truly amazing! Plus for other writers who are still undergoing the process of slow learning he recommends "On Becoming a Novelist" and "Art of Fiction" by John Gardner as required reading (I would add William Zinsser's "On Writing Well" also, it helped me.)

But most of all, Banis advises, write to suit yourself, in this way you'll be able to write what you want and sleep well at night...and the hell with what they have to say against you...

A well-worthy book, instructive and filled with memories of people, from Hollywood stars and starlets, to those who wrote for them like Victor Banis, writer extraordinaire...

Read it, ponder it, learn and write...write...write...

Permission to repost by Mykola Dementiuk, author of Vienna Dolorosa, Times Queer, Baby Doll, & Selected Tales

Book Review: VGL Male Seeks Same

VGL Male Seeks Same
Rick R. Reed
Contemporary Erotic Romance
ISBN: ISBN 978-1-60272-430-3
Amber Quill Press

Recommended for all romance lovers!

Have you ever reached the point where you faced the mirror and pondered, “Maybe I’m destined to be alone?”

Summary: Ethan has, and yet, he finds no solace in accepting that as his fate. Lifestyle choices only exacerbate his loneliness. For even though he’s pushing middle age, he’s far from having a face only a mother would love. Ethan could frequent the bars or clubs and, from the variety, pick up a nice-looking man to unwind his loneliness. Maybe for the night, a few days, a week, or maybe a few months, enjoy the company and waning affections of a stranger, all the while, hoping this one may turn into something more, but that’s not what Ethan wants. No, he longs for substance, compatibility, a special someone, who's in it for the long haul. A man, Ethan can feel comfortable around, a man with similar tastes, likes, dislikes, a man, whom perhaps someday, Ethan can fall in love.

After overhearing a coworker rambling on about an Internet hook-up site, Ethan begins to wonder if maybe his conventional methods of finding love are outdated, maybe evolved. With trepidation, he recreates his personal best for the site and places himself on display in the virtual meat-market. Maybe he’ll find a man, unable to find what he seeks using conventional means, on the verge of declaring celibacy, taking a chance with this modern marketplace, in hopes of finding a man like Ethan.

When his honest portrayal fails to draw interest, his self-esteem in the balance, Ethan reasons, a touch of dishonesty might be okay. Thinking many of these virtual studs must be doing just that, besides, he’d never have to meet face to face. His fanciful decision pays off. One look at Ethan’s improved (fake) user pic, and he’s bombarded with propositions. Among those, Brian, a man with substance, a man possessing uncanny compatibility with Ethan, the man of Ethan’s dreams, resides. Mutual feelings abound, Brian making his intentions clear. Problem, one of those intentions involves meeting Ethan in person.

Review: We see a different side of Rick Reed, the horror writer, in VGL Male Seeks Same. In this contemporary romance, Reed proves his skill mapping emotion and inner workings of a lonely person in search of love, true love. While portraying loneliness often calls for angst, Reed artfully paints Ethan as realistic a person as any one of us.

Ethan, a man, who knows himself and what he wants, a personable man, who seeks same. Most can relate to this, as I did. With each new feeling, emotion, and reaction revealed, I found myself recalling when I had been there and done or felt, exactly as Ethan. Fully entwined with Ethan’s life, when Brian enters the scene, I found myself, once again, reliving my past – errs and poor judgment calls, along with the consequences.

Brian appears almost too good to be true at first, and he is, in his own way. Here again, Reed’s arsenal of skills shines, as Ethan and Brian embark on the rollercoaster ride of a budding relationship. Using realism and lighthearted humor, Reed illustrates his intended message – Know thyself, believe in who you are, remain determined in your dreams, and never give up hope – somehow, from somewhere, your prince will come bearing a love incomparable.

VGL Male Seeks Same is a realistic, yet lighthearted romance you will close with a knowing smile.

5 out of 5 stars