This n That: Computer Woes + Jeff (the) Mann

Okay my friends it's official: my computer is dead and ready for a funeral. There's no saving it this time. I've been without my trustee friend now for almost two weeks and am going through severe withdrawal symptoms.

I do have an old laptop at home that's so old and slow it is more frustrating than worth the time to try using it for anything. And for posting here, I've borrowed my daughter's laptop a couple of times, but that doesn't really work out on a regular basis. So, yes... time for a new computer. [sigh]  Barring unforeseen complications, I will have a brand new iMac in my hot little hands by Wednesday of this week. Thankfully, hopefully!

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My reading has suffered too, people! I've been flitting like a bee going from flower to flower, back and forth between books. I haven't been able to concentrate for long on one book lately, and that's not due to the books I assure you, it is ALL me! The best I've done so far this month is finish two complete novels, and the rest have been novellas (a couple of them re-reads). The good news is that the two novels I finished were excellent. The first one was The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh, which I loved and already reviewed.

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The other novel I finished was Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Mann. Yes, I read that book yesterday (the Kindle edition. I'm still waiting for the print edition to arrive so I can pet the gorgeous cover, but couldn't wait to read it), and it was worth it. 

The novellas that I read during the week were also mostly by Jeff Mann. I re-read some the short stories from his Lambda Award winning collection A History of Barbed Wire, and also read his novella "Camp Allegheny" from the anthology History's Passions edited by Richard Labonte which I've had ever since it released back in November 2011. Reading both the novella and re-reading some of the short stories served as a refresher in Mann's style before reading his latest release, Purgatory.

Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War (Bear Bones Books, 2012) turned out to be terrific blend of historical fiction and BDSM erotic romance. Jeff Mann has studied American Civil War history  -- I think he eats it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with some of that excellent Southern cooking he loves -- and in Purgatory the reader can smell and taste war, as well as the hatred, desperation, hunger, and even the ambivalence that the soldiers in this story experience in camp or on the run as they march toward Purgatory Mountain.

I love that aspect of Mann's writing, just as I absolutely appreciate the fact that he is the one author that can really make me understand why his characters need to be part of the gay BDSM bear sub-culture. He is part of this community, and his own passion and understanding for it come forth clearly and powerfully through the pages of this novel, as well as through all his previous works. I love the unabashed passion he conveys for both the gay bear sub-culture and for his Southern roots.

But coming back to Purgatory, Mann blends aspects of BDSM seamlessly in this novel. I wondered how he would approach it in a realistic way because of the historical setting, and was not disappointed. Instead of forcing the issue, Mann beautifully uses the historical setting as a platform to develop this aspect of the story. He does a terrific job of separating and showing the reader the differences between torture and the passionate, erotic, and loving aspects of BDSM. I was particularly taken with his rendering of the captive's character. Understanding his motivations as the submissive in this story is key, and Mann makes certain this is unquestionably clear to the reader. Kudos all around.

Besides the highly recommended Purgatory, and the other stories I mention above, if you're interested in reading and understanding a bit more about Jeff Mann and his writings, I strongly recommend that you also read Binding the God: Ursine Essays from the Mountain South.

ETA: I highlighted the cover for this book earlier because I love it so, and I wanted to add that the cover fits the story and characters perfectly! 
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Well my friends that is it for me on this Sunday. I am hoping to have that computer and some reviews that are long overdue for all of you this week! I'm also hoping to finish a few books that I began reading and have not finished: Songs for the New Depression by Kergan Edwards-Stout, Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction edited by Grace L. Dillon, The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter, A Promise of Spring by Mary Balogh, Strawberries and Other Erotic Fruits by Jerry L. Wheeler, Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold, and Doubletake by Rob Thurman.

Wish me luck with my reading mojo! I need to get it back!

Review: The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh

The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh is the first story just re-released under one cover with the titles The Temporary Wife/A Promise of Spring (Dell). This title was first released in 1997 by Signet and I've really been looking forward to reading it for the first time. I decided to review the stories separately  instead of reviewing both at once. Here's the short summary for this story from the back of the book:

Miss Charity Duncan has no illusions about Lord Anthony Earheart's proposal. The arrogant aristocrat has made it painfully clear what he wants: a wife who will enrage the father he despises and then disappear from his life. In exchange, Charity's family will receive the money they desperately need. But after Charity agrees to this mockery of matrimony, she soon discovers a startling fact: She has fallen for Anthony, and breaking their marriage vows may also break her heart.

The summary is succinct and accurate up to a point, however there is so much more to this romance. Balogh's initial portrayal of Anthony is that of an arrogant, unpleasant, and bitter man whose lust for vengeance against his father has turned him into a cold and unfeeling human being, or as Charity later describes him, Polar ice.

After eight years of estrangement from his father and family, Anthony's father the Duke of Withingsby summons him home to formalize an engagement that he has been contracted to fulfill by his father, plus the duke is ill and possibly dying. Anthony's plan is to advertise for a governess so he can marry a woman below his station, just so he can humiliate his father and prove that he can and will live his own life on his terms. There are two more requirements this woman must meet, she must be a "mouse," and be willing to act as only a temporary wife, thereafter disappearing from Anthony's life. After a few interviews, Charity Duncan fits that role.

Charity Duncan is the daughter of a country gentleman. Unfortunately her father died leaving the family deeply indebted and in poverty. She is in London with her brother Phillip attempting to find a position as a governess hoping to help pay those debts. During her interview with Anthony Earheart when he proposes marriage, a yearly income for life, plus a house and carriage of her own instead of offering a job as a governess, Charity negotiates for more and agrees to his terms without asking questions. After all she figures she will take the money to take care of her family and although marriage is for life, it is fortunate that she won't have to live or deal with the disagreeable Earheart for more than a couple of weeks.

It is interesting to me that during this time these characters are strangers to each other, but Balogh also infuses a certain detachment onto the characters that is translated to the reader. I was certainly not emotionally involved with either Anthony or Charity at this point in the story. It is on the night of their wedding that things begin to change between the couple and also for the reader.

Plans to maintain a personal distance are unexpectedly changed when Anthony and Charity have to share a bed at a roadside inn and their marriage is consummated. This is a wonderful scene. Not necessarily because it is a sexual scene, although that's good enough, but because this scene sets up the building block for their future relationship. Anthony glimpses the real Charity and she in turn begins to learn her way around Anthony. They are both up front about what they want and need from each other and this is where it all really begins.

From there the story continues and this couple confront the Duke of Withingsby and Anthony's siblings together. Balogh not only develops Charity into a wonderful female protagonist that is far from an easily manipulated "mouse" and instead has enough character to spare, but she also develops Anthony into a character of depth whose personal growth is measurable from beginning to end. Needless to say I became emotionally involved with this couple, and as the story moved along with Anthony's whole family.

Having now read quite a few of Mary Balogh's back list titles, The Temporary Wife did not necessarily manage to surprise me, however what it did was reinforce the reasons behind my love for this author's books. Why is that? Well as in many of Balogh's romances, The Temporary Wife is character driven, and yes the characterization is fabulous, both that of the main couple and the very important secondary characters.

The plot device is not original if you take into consideration Balogh's works, she seems to like this trope: the marriage of convenience. Except that I've yet to read one of her romances where she repeats her approach to developing the romance, and as always those characters make the romances worth reading and in this case I was glued to the pages and read this story in one sitting. There was not one moment when I felt that the story flagged, nor was there disappointment for me along the way, and that of course is rare. So without a question The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh moves up on my list of favorite reads by this author. 

Category: Historical Romance
Series: None
Publisher/Release Date: Dell/February 28, 2012
Grade: A

Visit Mary Balogh here.

Impressions: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

I read The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan in February for my Internet Book Club. I mainly enjoyed it for two reasons: it has a unique format as it is a story told in dictionary format, and the story itself becomes so compelling as it moves along that I needed to find out how it ended.

There are other positives to the story as well, the prose is quite engaging at times, after all this book is all about "words" and their significance -- not necessarily the meaning of words, but the significance that particular words have for the narrator of the story. There were words that stood out for me, and you can see a few of them here. Of course, as I read along others were added to that list.

It was also of particular interest to me that although there are a couple of entries that are deceiving in their meaning, the gender of the parties in this story is never clarified, and as I read along it became clear to me that the author purposely cultivates gender inclusion by keeping the reader out of balance and uncertain in that respect. "You" and "I."

There is a disjointed sense to the story as Levithan uses a non-linear first person narration, and realistically the reader does not find the end to the story at the end of the physical book. The jumping back and forth between what the reader imagines is the present, the past, or what could possibly be the past, can be disorienting at times.

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan is a quick, fast paced book. It has some beautiful prose in places with a story that keeps the reader going, and although there are some gorgeous romantic passages in the story be warned that there is also that touch of reality that places this book firmly into the fiction category. Interestingly enough although the format is quite unique, for me, the author walked a fine line. I could not make up my mind about that aspect of it, particularly because the result was that disjointed narration I mention above. However the positives do outweigh my concerns, and in the end I was left with an overall feeling of having enjoyed a good, solid read.

Internet Book Club
February Read

Category: Fiction (Romantic)
Series: None
Publisher/Released: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux/ January 4, 2011
Grade: B

Visit David Levithan here.



ETA: Our Internet Book Club  March Read will be Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones. :)

Completing: The 2012 Science Fiction Experience

The 2012 Science Fiction Experience hosted by Carl V. of Stainless Steel Droppings was a quick, short term non-challenge that I joined for a period of two months, from January 1st through February 29, 2012.

Carl V. made this a cool experience by giving the participants the choice of discussing everything science fiction: from movies to books, to well... anything. It was fun! I participated by watching quite a few movies, more than I posted about, and reading quite a few books, again, more than posted on my blog. I also ended up purchasing MORE books for that ever growing TBR pile after reading some of the reviews posted by my fellow participants, and adding some old favorites for re-reading purposes in ebook format.

At the beginning of this experience I had in mind two series and authors whose works I wanted to read, but was not sure which one I would choose. I ended up finishing one series, and began the other. So not too bad! Here they are:

• Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Old Man's War Series (Books 1 through 3) by John Scalzi.

Below is a summary of my posts for The 2012 Science Fiction Experience. I've also listed the titles of all books read, and movies that I remember watching.

Posts:

1. Science Fiction "B Movies"
2. The Butcher of Anderson Station: A Story of the Expanse by James S.A. Corey - Mini
3. Overview: Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Old Man's War #1, The Ghost Brigades #2) 
4. Impressions: Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Books Read:

1. Old Man's War (Old Man's War, Book 1) by John Scalzi
2. "Quiritationem Suis." (Metatropolis Anthology) by John Scalzi
3. The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, Book 2)  by John Scalzi
4. The Sagan Diary (Old Man's War, Book 2.5) by John Scalzi
5. The Last Colony (Old Man's War, Book 3) by John Scalzi
6. After the Coup (Old Man's War 4.5) by John Scalzi
7. The Butcher of Anderson Station: A Story of the Expanse (Book 1.5) by James S.A. Corey
8. Shards of Honor (Vorkosigan Series, #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold
9. How I Proposed to My Wife: An Alien Sex Story by John Scalzi

Movies Watched (watched more!):

1. The Matrix
2. Pitch Black
3. Soldier
4. Push
5. The Chronicles of Riddick
6. Star Trek (2009, directed by J.J. Abrams)
7. Priest (spec fic)
8. The Andromeda Strain

Thank you, Carl V., I had a blast!

February 2012: Reads + Updates

February has been an eventful month. This month usually spells love for me... all types of love, and I think that was reflected in most of my posts, reads, and reviews in February. Whether the books were good old contemporary romance with a happily ever after, a poetry collection about love found and loss, or a story about a dysfunctional family whose love was nevertheless fierce and all encompassing, love was at the center. I read few books though, and that was basically due to my obsessive poetry reading.

Highlighted this month were two poems by the poet Konstantinos P. Kavafis or C. P. Cavafy (the English translation of his name). I was introduced to this poet by one of my brothers who happens to love Kavifis' poetry and I must thank him for the introduction. We now share the love.

I was inspired to read Kavafis' poetry while reading He Will Laugh by the gay poet Douglas Ray. There's a bit of buzz going on about poetry within the LGBT community. I reviewed two LGBT poetry books this month which is unusual, and have seen the increase in published collections. An interesting development. Yes? You'll ask, how does that tie in with Kavafis? Well, we all know about Oscar Wilde, and (as I found out in another site) not everyone knows about Walt Whitman, but did you know that Kostantinos P. Kavafis is considered one of the early modern authors to write openly about homosexuality?

Konstantinos P. Kavafis (April 29, 1863 to April 29, 1933) was born in Alexandria, Egypt of Greek parents. Although Kavafis was Greek, he lived in Alexandria most of his life and didn't write most of his most acclaimed poetry until he was in his 40's. His poetry is considered Hellenistic, and although history can be found sprinkled throughout the core of his poetry, for many the allure of Kavafis' poetry really lies in the direct and open way in which he portrays sensual pleasures, his prosaic use of metaphors and the repeated use of themes such as the uncertainty of life and/or the future, and that fatalistic nostalgia that just seems to pour out of some of his works.
 
Two of his most important poems are "Waiting for the Barbarians" (1904) and "Ithaca" (1911). However, for purposes of this post I will be highlighting two additional poems that, like the ones I've already posted -- "Days of 1903" and "I've Looked So Much" -- exemplify the poet's sensual style, usually leaden with nostalgia for youthful encounters or loves found and lost, all of them unmistakably homosexual.

One Night by Konstantinos P. Kavafis

In the Dull Village by David Hockney
(1966) etching and aquatint print
Illustrated a selection of poems by
C. P. Cavafy

The room above the bar
was the cheapest we could find.
We could see the filthy alley
from the window, hear the shouts
of the workmen at their card-games.

Yet there on that narrow bed
I had love’s body, knew its red lips;
those lips so full, so bloody with desire
that now as I write, after so many years,
in this lonely house... I’m drunk with them again.

The Boat by Konstantinos P. Kavafis

This little pencil sketch –
it’s certainly him.
It was made quickly, one long
charmed afternoon
on the Ionian. Yes, I’d say
it caught his looks –
though I have him more handsome;
so must the sensualist, you’d say
he was lit up with it... Yes, he looks
so much more handsome,
now my heart calls him
from so long ago. So long.
All these things are very old – the sketch,
and the boat, and the afternoon.

❃❃❃

February Reads: 11 
  Contemporary Romance: 2
  Historical Romance: 2
  Fiction: 2
  Science Fiction:2
  LGBT:  3 (Poetry: 1 Mystery: 1 Historical/Mystery/Romance: 1)

1.  He Will Laugh by Douglas Ray: A-
2.  Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie: B+
3.  Shards of Honor (Vorkosigan Saga #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold: B
4.  Crimes on Latimer: From the Early Cases of Marco Fontana by Joseph R.G. DeMarco
5.  The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman: B
6.  Matthew (The Circle Eight #1) by Emma Lang: B
7.  My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander: B
8.  The Master of Seacliff by Max Pierce: B
9.  The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan: B
10. Hell Yeah by Carolyn Brown
11. How I Proposed to My Wife: An Alien Sex Story by John Scalzi: C
12. Snowbound by Larissa Ione: DNF - Not for me

Upcoming Reviews:

Reading at the Moment:

Walking the Clouds:
An Anthology of Indigenous
Science Fiction

In this first-ever anthology of Indigenous science fiction Grace Dillon collects some of the finest examples of the craft with contributions by Native American, First Nations, Aboriginal Australian, and New Zealand Maori authors. The collection includes seminal authors such as Gerald Vizenor, historically important contributions often categorized as "magical realism" by authors like Leslie Marmon Silko and Sherman Alexie, and authors more recognizable to science fiction fans like William Sanders and Stephen Graham Jones.

From the University of Arizona Press, this is a fascinating read so far! It released in March, but I wish I had received this book in February so that I could have read it as part of my participation in the 2012 Science Fiction Experience. I will let you all know how these stories turn out, but I can tell you that so far the introduction alone has me excited. :)

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That's it for February, it was a month of poetry and love. Next I will be summarizing my reads and posts for the 2012 Science Fiction Experience. However, please know that my computer at home crashed again! So unless I can somehow repair it this weekend, this will be my last post for a couple of days.

How was your February? Any great reads?