Sunday, May 25, 2014

Summer Sun & Reads


Welcome to the Is it Summer Yet? Blog Hop. My kids get out of school on Thursday, so our summer is definitely upon us!

Growing up, and in college, summer meant more free time and less assigned reading. Now, as an adult, well … all the responsibility remains. That doesn’t mean the summer reading stops. Instead, I need to carve out time to rendezvous with some of my favorite authors.

Here is what’s on my TBR list:

Heather Graham – The Cursed

Graham’s latest in her Crewe of Hunters series releases May 27. Yes, this week. I’ll be downloading it soon after, and forgive me if I disappear. The Hexed comes out the end of July.

Stephen King – Mr. Mercedes

One of my long-time favorites, King sometimes disturbs me too much lately (can’t stand violence against children and he doesn’t discriminate via his horror). I’ve read a preview of this novel in a recent Entertainment Weekly issue, and it intrigued. Releases June 3.  

Robyn Carr – The Promise

Finally, we get the tale of small-town doctor Scott Grant. Just as addictive of Carr’s Virgin River series, I can’t get enough of Thunderpoint. Release date: June 24.


Upcoming Releases

Over the next few months, I’ll have a few new releases. One is my second in the Ellora’s Cave For Men series. Set in Palm Springs, Dry Heat promises to entice. Also, coming from Decadent Publishing is The Big One, a Preppers Romance starring one tortured rock star.

Contest: My prize for the Is it Summer Yet? Blog Hop is a $5 gift card to Amazon, and an electronic .pdf copy of one of my backlist books (winner’s choice). Please leave a comment on this blog with a valid email address. Winner will be pulled on June 2, the day after the hop ends.

Tell me: What’s on your TBR list this summer?

Louisa Bacio

Make sure to visit the other stops on this Blog Hop!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

The Next Generation


I’ve taken part in the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia a few times in the past, and it’s amazing to see how much the environment has changed in just a few short years.

Officially, May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and you can find more information on http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/. Awareness needs to continue year-round.

A few years ago, I wrote that my main inspiration for equal rights comes from watching my older cousin past away when I was a teen. His partner was banned from the hospital room, and at that time there were no rights for partners.

Recently, an event with my own daughter made me so aware at the differences in culture in this next generation. She has a male porcelain doll from Japan, and was thinking about getting a second one. They’re customized where the buyer picks out the hair, eyes, clothes, accessories separately. My father kept asking her if she wanted a female doll to make a pair. She insisted no.

Finally, I told her: “If you want another male doll that’s fine … just tell him.” She was so relieved, and we soon placed the order.

She’s not quite 12, and she wants a same-sex couple for her dolls. There isn’t a difference to her.

Granted, she’s grown up in an atmosphere that’s open. We have friends who are in same-sex relationships, and she reads male/male anime.  But, that openness shows the hope for the future.

Thank you for stopping by my stop. I’m giving away an electronic copy of one of my backlist books, and a $5 gift card to Amazon, B&N or ARe.

Tell me: What positive signs are you seeing in the fight against Homophobia and Transphobia? Please leave a comment and email address. A winner will be pulled at random on May 28, after the hop ends (on May 27).

Louisa Bacio