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MANGA: I Want To Know You
I Want To Know You – Momoiro Peko
Kujou Akito, rich-smart-scary guy who’s actually an otaku, caught by his friend, Takaya Jin, bought an anime figure and took his pictures. Takaya then asked to Akito to be with him for 5 days, and he said “I know about you more than you know about me”.
I Want To Know You: At first, Takaya’s relentless cheerfulness was off putting then the POV shifted and it was all so damn cute!
I finally caught you.
I Believe That Laughter Is The Key To Falling In Love: Oh, come on now, people. It’s not just about Jou’s good looks, Reo’s adorbs too!
(source: https://myreadingmanga.info)
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REVIEW: Blasphemy! by T.J. Klune
Blasphemy! – T.J. Klune
Blasphemy!
Or,
When he sees Satan stuck in a rut, God provides a little divine intervention, suggesting the Devil get back to basics.
Taking God’s advice, Satan answers a summons to a crossroad on Earth, hellbent on brokering a deal in exchange for the soul of the human who summoned him.
The problem with that is the summoner is a deviant twink named Jimmy who immediately falls in love at first sight, much to Satan’s dismay.
Blasphemy! Where God is a frat bro who wants to get his brother laid, Satan absolutely does not have time for this shit, and Jimmy wants to climb the Devil like a tree.
This comes with a warning:
Disclaimer:
Straight up: if you are extremely religious and/or find the idea of Satan as a main character to be offensive, this is not the story for you. You have been warned up front. You are 100% allowed to have a boner for Jesus, but please don’t leave comments about how offended you are and blah, blah, blah. I don’t have time for such nonsense.
I totally love the wicked, irreverent humor here! Satan as a lonely, workaholic boss of hell and God as a sarcastic, meddling do-gooder who just loves to set Satan up on blind dates. Unbeknownst to humanity, these two powers that be get along really well. Here comes Jimmy, a sassy twink with a daddy kink for red-skinned devils. Also Jesus as a rebellious teenager because he missed out on his teenage years. This set-up just screams WTF?!
And TJ couldn’t resist poking fun at politicians, vegans who make you feel guilty for eating meat and his all time-favorite director to hate, Michael Bay.
Though I had to admit, I didn’t warm up to Jimmy immediately. Maybe he was throwing himself a little too much at Satan but God knows, because of course he does, Jimmy is good for Satan. Satan tried to resist but he is just putty in Jimmy’s hands. And so Satan got a boyfriend, God is in heaven and all’s right with the world.
P.S.
This is a free novella so read it here: http://www.tjklunebooks.com/new-blog/2018/12/9/blasphemy
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Sex To The Devil
Artist: Icky Blossoms
Album: Icky Blossoms -
SOUNDTRACK: Sex To The Devil by Icky Blossoms
Soundtrack to Blasphemy! by T.J. Klune
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Jimmy jumped onto his back, using his shoulders to climb up. Satan grunted when he got a foot in the side of his neck. He was about to tell Jimmy to get the fuck down before he hurt himself when he felt hands wrap around his horns.
And he immediately melted into a puddle.
Not literally of course, though he could do that too if he wanted. His horns were very sensitive, and the kid was tugging on them lightly.
“Oh my god,” Jimmy whispered. “Are you purring?”
Satan coughed roughly. “I’m not purring.”
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MOVIE FEATURE: Fogi Is A Bastard
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Future Readings: ARCs & TBRs for February
NETGALLEY PICKS:
Tea – Matthew J. Metzger: This looks like one cozy read!
Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks – Nathan Burgoine: Very promising title. If you can go anywhere, where would you go?
Parallel Larry – Jacqueline Rohrback: I love the parallel lives premise. A second change romance with a sci-fi twist
Star Collector Vol. 1 – Anna B & Sophie Schonhammer: I just liked the cover. Also, shounen ai manga always gives me life.
Foreign To You – Jeremy Martin: Also liked the soft colors on the cover. That, and the fantasy element.
REVIEW REQUESTS:
Ripe: Letters – Alan Semrow: Addressing the men in his life in the form of letters. The nosy nancy in me is intrigued.
To Be His Life – George Leedy: I need to read this ASAP, it’s due soon. A gay-for-you story. Let’s see how far the straight man will stray.
NYV: Goth – K.D. Mcquain: calls to mind the 1980s goth scene. Time to break out the hair spray and black lipstick.
Fabulous! An Opera Buffa – Laury A. Egan: I’m especially excited to read this one because of the sheer number of singing transdivas in my country
Darkness on the Horizon – Christopher Renna: This is due soon too. Dark secrets, murder, deception. Yep, the good stuff.
The Illuminati Circle – Robert J. Ristino: Who can resist those good ole illuminati stories?
A Flight of Broken Wings – Nupur Chowdhury: It’s not just romance all the time. Sometimes we need good stories about friendship too! This one might be it.
The Blood Prince – Josie Jaffrey: Kind of drives me crazy that I don’t have a copy of The Silver Queen yet but I got this ARC already. Can’t wait to find out what happened to Cam and Felix.
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MANGA: Ezuke wa Yahan, Ano Heya De
Ezuke wa Yahan, Ano Heya de – Homerun Ken
A collection of interconnected stories ranging from cactus enthusiasts and compensated dating to vampires and zombies.
The Next Time We Meet, The Crimson Flowers Will Bloom: seemed more a friendship story than romance. I liked the seme’s blunt honesty.
Unable To Reach Neither Love Nor Friendship: they buy each other instead. That angsty search for connection and a place to belong to.
Midnight Feeding In That Room: A riff on the master-servant trope. Was going for dark but the interaction with the two couples gave it a much needed touch of levity
Zombie Cycle + Daybreak: a very poignant story of friendship and love that survived, sort of, the zombie apocalypse. Best story of the collection
(source: http://www.mangago.me)
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REVIEW: Baby, It’s Cold by Josh Lanyon
Baby, It’s Cold – Josh Lanyon
Talk about Kitchen Nightmares! TV Chef Rocky and Foodie Blogger Jesse have been pals forever, so it should have been the most natural thing in the world to kick their relationship up a notch. Instead, it turned out to be a disaster. But Christmas is the season of love, and someone’s cooking up a sweet surprise…
Rocky said it best, it was a convoluted mess. The whole charade fell flat in so many ways and I don’t understand why Jesse didn’t simply invite Rocky to dinner instead. It would have been the more honest and sincere approach for rebuilding that bridge. The introduction of Rocky’s agent to the affair didn’t help much either.
It’s not without it’s good points. The setting was cozy, the lovely meal Jesse prepared was a success and the whole story gave off fluffy, quirky vibes that earned it an extra star.
Baby, It’s Cold might not be Lanyon’s best short story but it is enjoyable enough once you get past dinner. It started picking up when Jesse caught the flu and he and Rocky had their Big Fight where Rocky pretty much hurled everything he had been bottling up inside out in the open. I’m with Rocky on this one. I love that he even made sure Jesse got his fluids despite everything. Jesse seemed unlikable and it was mostly his fault, IMO. Though I am glad they had their second chance, I still have a few niggles. Better make it work this time, guys!
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)
Artist: Ramones
Album: Brain Drain -
SOUNDTRACK: Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight) by The Ramones
Soundtrack to Baby, It’s Cold by Josh Lanyon
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I really can’t stay (but baby, it’s cold outside)
I’ve got to go away (but baby, it’s cold outside)
This evening has been (been hoping that you’d drop in)
So very nice (i’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice)
My mother will start to worry (beautiful what’s your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I’d better scurry (beautiful please don’t hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)
The neighbors might think (baby, it’s bad out there)
Say what’s in this drink? (no cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (i’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
I ought to say, no, no, no sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I’m gonna say that I tried (what’s the sense in hurtin’ my pride?)
I really can’t stay (oh baby don’t hold out)
But baby, it’s cold outside
I simply must go (but baby, it’s cold outside)
The answer is no (but baby, it’s cold outside)
Your welcome has been(how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)
My sister will be suspicious (gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)
My maiden aunts mind is vicious (gosh your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)
I’ve gotta get home(but baby, you’d freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat(it’s up to your knees out there)
You’ve really been grand (i thrill when you touch my hand)
But don’t you see? (how can you do this thing to me?)
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pnuemonia and died)
I really can’t stay (get over that old out)
Baby, it’s cold
Baby, it’s cold outside
