It’s hard to believe that Chasing the Sun, the second book from the Provincetown Series releases next week. But it’s true! It’s almost here, and I’ll be doing something special on my blog next week in preparation for the big release on Wednesday, October 16.
Today, though, I thought I’d share some reading excepts from the first book When Love Takes Over. Some of you may have already seen these from my Dreamspinner Facebook chat, but for those of you that missed them, you’ll find them after the blurb.
Blurb:
Zach Kelly’s life is a shambles. His boyfriend of three years dumped him, and his writing career is going nowhere. On a whim, he heads to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to nurse his broken heart and figure out his next step. He’s expecting to find rest and relaxation on the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. Instead, Zach meets a hunky porn star during a chance encounter at a leather shop he mistakes as a place to buy a belt that is definitely not for whipping.
Van Pierce is smitten when shy and inexperienced Zach crashes through a shelf of fetish gear. Though Van’s got an insatiable appetite for men on and off the set, his porn persona, Hart Throb, hides a broken heart. He’s struggling to find the reality the porno set doesn’t offer, and Zach is fighting to find the fantasy that will set his writing on fire. The odd goofball and the suave beefcake may either find love amid Provincetown’s colorful pageantry where summer never seems to end—or more heartbreak than either can imagine.
I’m starting another semi-regularly series here on my blog. I seem to be doing that a lot lately, huh? Oh well, I eight-track a lot in life, so why not on my blog too?
But I thought it would be funny to talk about things from our collective pasts that were once popular or trendy and relive them here. It’s fun to travel down memory lane every now and then, right? At least that’s what I think.
And while I was searching for a topic for today, I happened upon a video of The Ambiguously Gay Duo from Saturday Night Live. Naturally, I dove right in (just like Ace or Gary would do) and watched a couple of episodes.
I forgot how damn funny they were. But even more than that, they were pioneering in their depiction of homosexuality on television in the 1990s. Sure, it was for comedic effect. The skits were primarily to satirize the often homosexualized relationship between Batman and Robin, but it was groundbreaking at the time.
I remember the first time I saw Ace and Gary in action I was spending the weekend visiting my mother, and we stayed up watching SNL like we used to when I was younger. Even though we both laughed, I couldn’t help but wonder: am I ambiguously gay too?
It turns out, there was nothing ambiguous about that. I just hadn’t accepted it yet. Oh well! I have now, and there’s nothing ambiguous about me any more.
So here is a video with Ace and Gary in action. I hope you enjoy it again as much as I did the first and twentieth time I watched.
We have finally arrived at the #1 spot on the countdown of my favorite musicals of all time, and what a ride it has been. I’ve shared some of my favorite numbers as well as my reasons why these faves of mine made the top 5.
For anyone who may have missed the countdown, here they are:
So, which musical took the covered #1 spot? Well, that would be
What is so great about Wicked that makes is my absolute favorite musical? Well, for one, it totally made me re-think the way I saw the characters from The Wizard of Oz. The plot and characterization of this “prequel” to the movie was so superbly and seamlessly done that it makes you question the characters we’ve all grown up with. Was the Wicked Witch of the West really wicked? Was the great and powerful Oz really a kind-hearted leader? And Glinda? Well, she is more than what she appears to be in the movie.
That’s what made this musical so awesome for me. Was that the only reason? Not even close.
The musical numbers are stunning, and Indina Menzel who played Elphaba (AKA the Wicked Witch) and Kristin Chenoweth (who plays Glinda) delivered awesome performances during their run on the show.
Now, for anyone who is unfamiliar with the plot of Wicked, here’s a brief synopsis:
After the citizens of Oz celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch descends to recount her past friendship with Elphaba. The two attended magic school together, and though they hated each other at first sight, they eventually became the best of friends. Together, they sought to figure out strange occurrences in Oz, where human like animals were reverting to animal form. Their journey takes them to Oz, where they must bottle a corrupt leader and where their friendship is tested.
And now, to my favorite part–sharing my favorite numbers from the show.
Elphaba and Glinda are assigned to be roommates. At first, they make each other’s lives hell, but after a touching moment of friendship, the two decide to bury the hatchet. Glinda even decides to teach the green-skinned oddball, Elphaba, how to be popular.
Shortly after journeying to Oz, where Elphaba is framed as a criminal, Elphaba decides to use her magic to reveal the corruption in Oz. She wants Glinda to go with her, but Glinda decides to stay behind. In perhaps the greatest number in all the shows I love, Elphaba embraces the “wicked witch” title in order to finally be free.
For Good
The end draws near for Elphaba’s and Glinda’s friendship. Elphaba has kidnapped Dorothy and her friends as a ploy, and Glinda tries to stop her. However, there’s no stopping the inevitable. The two say goodbye and express how much being friends has changed their lives.
So with that, I bring to close the countdown of my favorite musicals. I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have, and if you haven’t seen any of the musicals on my countdown, I urge you to give them a try. You’ll be glad you did.
We’re up to #2 this week on my top 5 favorite musicals. Coming in at #5 was The Producers, #4 was Avenue Q, and last week’s #3 was Grease. Today, it’s time to talk about my #2 favorite musical
So why did Mamma Mia! make the #2 slot. Well, that’s easily summed up in one word–Abba! I have always been a big Abba fan. Their pop songs are fun and once you hear them, you just can’t get them out of your head. Not that you would want to anyway.
When I saw the show on Broadway, I had to stop myself from singing along with the cast and getting up and dancing. Luckily, the show had some audience interactive parts when doing so was encouraged. Naturally, I got right on up and shook everything I had.
For anyone who’s unfamiliar with the plot, here’s a brief synopsis:
Twenty-year old Sophie is getting married, much to her very free-spirited mother Donna’s chagrin. Sophie has no clue who her father is but upon searching through her mother’s things, she finds out that she has three potential would-be fathers. Naturally, she invites all three of her mother’s former beaus to the wedding, and they all accept. When the men arrive, Donna is floored. The resulting chaos is what the show is about as well as the Abba classics that are ingeniously and flawlessly written into the plot.
Which numbers were some of my faves? Well, here they are:
Honey, Honey
This number takes place after Sophie’s best friends arrive for the wedding. She fills in her besties about her mother’s past and what she’s done.
Mamma Mia
During this scene, Donna learns that her exes are on the island and staying at her hotel. She’s angry that they are there, but she’s also intrigued. She hasn’t really gotten over any of them, but there is one among them who she’s always been madly in love with.
Dancing Queen
This is one of the hilarious numbers during the show. Donna’s best friends try to cheer Donna up after she learns that her ex-beaus are in town. They want her to realize that she is still the carefree, strong girl she once was.
So there you have it. The Abba songs are really what make this musical for me. The film version wasn’t nearly as powerful as the Broadway version. Still, it was fun to watch. This is definitely one musical I can watch over and over. And believe me, I have!
It’s time to return to counting down my top 5 favorite musicals of all time. I’ve already shared with you why I love The Producers (#5 on my list) and Avenue Q (which came in as #4), and today, I’m going to talk about the musical that made #3 on my list:
Now those of you who know me are probably shocked as hell right now. I’m a HUGE (and that is putting it very mildly) fan of Olivia Newton-John. She was my very first diva and I was instantly taken in. I still remember watching Grease for the first time and wanting to DIE because I wanted to be Sandy that badly.
Yes, yes. It should have come as no big surprise that I was gay when I finally hand-jived out of the closet twenty years later.
So why did Grease make the #3 slot on my list?
Well, did I mention it has Olivia Newton-John in it? I did? Okay, well it also has John Travolta, who at the time, I wanted to be my boyfriend so bad. Who knew that all I needed to do was become a masseur to have him? But oh well! Que sera sera!
But beyond Olivia and John, this musical has everything! Infectious songs, an outstanding cast, and a great story about love.
Normally, I would share a synopsis of my favorite musical, but since Grease is such a classic, I doubt that it is necessary. We all know the story!
So let’s get to the numbers that still make me smile to this day.
Summer Nights
If there was ever a song that was an epitome of a musical, “Summer Nights” is definitely it. In just a few short notes, most everyone can identify the song, and why not? It’s a fun song about summer loving. Many of us have experienced that first summer love, and to relive that feeling every time we see this number, makes it very special to me.
Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee
Even though this number doesn’t have my Olivia, it is still one of my favorites. When I first saw Grease, I remember instantly hating Rizzo. I certainly could relate to Sandy being picked on. All I wanted to do was rush into the screen and tell Sandy that I’d be her BFF and then we could both slap the shit out of slutty Rizzo. But with maturity, I see that Rizzo’s attempts at making fun of Sandy were a result of her insecurities rather than anything to do with Sandy. Isn’t that the way it always seems to go?
You’re the One That I Want
This song is one of my absolute favorites from the musical. Not only does Sandy get her man but she shows him she can be a badass leather chick. I remember thinking: hey, I can do that too. And I’ve gotta admit, I pride myself on being a mixture of nice and naughty, and who do I have to thank for that? Why Olivia Newton-John of course!
So there you have it. Because of the great cast, numbers, and plot, which all still hold up to the test of time, that is why Grease is my third favorite musical of all time.
It’s time to continue the countdown of my favorite musicals. Last time, I talked about The Producers, which came in at #5. Today, we move on to the #4 spot with
Now why did Avenue Q make #4?
Well, it’s because it was an ingenious mixture of The Muppets, Sesame Street, and Melrose Place. I mean, really? Who doesn’t love puppets who sing, curse, and have sex? And there was even a character playing the role of Gary Coleman.
Yes, that Gary Coleman
Needless to say, I was rolling in the aisle for much of the show.
If you’re not familiar with the plot of Avenue Q, here’s a brief synopsis:
The puppet Princeton, who’s just graduated from college with a B.A. in English, is searching for a place to live. He starts on Avenue A but has to travel all the way to Avenue Q to find an apartment he can afford. On Avenue Q, he meets his love interest, the virginal Kate Monster, as well as a cast of characters that include both humans and puppets living in harmony. Princeton is searching for his purpose, bungles up his life along the way, but has the support of his friends to see him through to the end.
During his journey, Princeton meets two other puppets Rod, an anal-retentive and closeted homosexual, and Rod’s roommate, Nicky. Rod and Nicky are supposed to represent Burt and Ernie from Sesame Street fame, and in one of the most hilarious numbers, Nicky inquires if Rod is gay.
If You were Gay
Princeton’s girlfriend, Kate Monster, is a teacher, and she has gotten a job to teach Kindergarten. She is ecstatic about trying out new curriculum revolving around the Internet. Unfortunately, fellow apartment dweller Trekkie Monster, tells her the Internet is for porn.
The Internet is for Porn
And lastly, the cast tackles the subject of racism and politically correctness. This scene features Kate Monster, Gary Coleman, the Asian Christmas Eve and her fiance Brian.
Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist
So because of these unique numbers, hilarious lessons on life, and the wonderful mixture of puppetry and human acting, Avenue Q lands at #4 on my list of favorite musicals.
Today, I’ll be starting a brand new semi-regular series, where I’ll chat about some favorite things of mine like movies, music, television shows, or whatever strikes my fancy. And I’m going to be tackling my favorite things in a countdown fashion. Why? Well, who doesn’t love a countdown? I know I do! I like to see if my favorites match up with whatever countdown show I’m watching, and if they do, I cheer. If they don’t, I boo and think the people who build the countdown are idiots.
Except this time, the idiot will be me!
Wait. That’s not what I meant. What I wanted to say is that I will be in charge of the countdown because, well, this is my blog so
And today, I’m starting with musicals. Why? Well, I LOVE musicals! I don’t know if it’s the singing, the costuming, the dancing, or maybe just because I’m really gay.
Well, maybe not that gay!
Now that’s more like it!
Now, where was I? Oh yeah, musicals.
I just can’t get enough of them. And when I first got the idea for this series, I just so happened to be watching a musical. So naturally, it just made sense to start with the musicals that have made me want to move to New York City and become a Broadway star!
And #5 on my list of favorite musicals is:
Why you ask?
Well, honestly, it’s because it has some hilarious musical numbers, which I will be sharing with you below. However, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the show, here’s a brief intro:
Max Bialystock, played by Nathan Lane in the most recent version, is a Broadway producer who has a reputation for bringing flops to the stage. He is being audited by mousy accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick), who unknowingly gives Max the idea to swindle his investors out of their money by knowingly setting out to produce a flop. Max and Leo become partners and decide to hire the worst playwright, actors, and directors so that their show is destined to fail. That way, they can keep the two million dollars they are planning on raising to fund the flop. Unfortunately for their scheme, their flop, Springtime for Hitler, becomes a satirical hit.
Naturally, since they are looking for the worst, this leads to those hilarious numbers I mentioned. The first of those is sung by Uma Thurman’s character, Ulla. She wants to break into the business, and this first scene is her audition for Max and Leo.
When You’ve Got it Flaunt It
Next up, Max and Leo search out the worst director in the business, Roger DeBris, who is truly over the top and played by Gary Beach. Roger doesn’t want to do the musical because a show about Hitler would be too sad. He prefers to keep his shows gay!
Keep it Gay
The last number I will share is perhaps the funniest of them all. The actor who was originally cast to play Hitler in the show breaks his leg, and the only person who knows the part is Roger, the very effeminate director. The casting switcheroo is what turns the show into a sensation. Plus, it had me laughing so hard, my stomach hurt!
Springtime for Hitler
So there you have it. These numbers are why The Producers made it to #5 on my list of favorite musicals.
Did the title of this post get your attention? Well, if you’re the naughty little visitors that I know and love, then it did. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
But now that I have your attention, let me explain what The BJ Show is.
Yeah, I wish!
I’m afraid It’s not as titillating as going down on Ryan Gosling. But one can certainly hope, right?
The BJ Show is actually just my adorable husband and I playing around with the camera on our computer. No, you filthy little creatures! We weren’t doing that! Well, at least not that I can air for public consumption. Some things are meant to remain between husbands, aren’t they?
Seriously, though, Bruce and I decided to just turn on the camera, chat, and see what happens. We talk about living in a household with a gay romance author and a gay romance reviewer. We also discuss my really, really, really bad cooking. We’d never had so much fun making a video with so many clothes on. Um, I mean, we’ve never made a video before, and it was fun. Yeah, that’s what I meant!
Maybe we’ll do this more often. Who knows? But I thought I’d share the fruits of our labor with all of you.
I have created a book trailer to celebrate my latest novel, When Love Takes Over. The book releases on August 5, 2013. I’m thrilled about this release because Provincetown is one of the best places I have ever visited. It’s filled with wonderful people and the setting is beautiful. I wanted to write a series that captured the beauty of the landscape as well as the characters who both visit and live on the Cape.
I have also interviewed the two main characters from the book. If you missed the interview with Zach, click here. If you missed the interview with Van, click here.
My husband inspired this blog post with a recent video he shared on Facebook. For those of you who know me, I LOVE scaring people. Why? Well, there’s something about the thrill of lying in wait and jumping out to scare someone that really makes me happy.
Maybe it’s all the scary movies I’ve watched since I was a child, but I’m a terrible prankster. Just ask my husband, children, and pretty much anyone else who knows me.
That’s why I decided today to share the top 5 pranks that I’ve had the pleasure of viewing on YouTube.
#5–The Ring Style Wake Up Prank
This prank was the one that my hubby shared on Facebook. I thought it was ingenious. Not only did it require a tremendous amount of preparation, but it showed this man’s dedication to the art of pranking. He’s a man after my own heart.
While The Ring itself wasn’t a terribly scary movie in my opinion, I did think that little girl climbing out of the television was pretty freaky. That’s why I just love this video. This man managed to capture the essence of the truly creepiest part of the movie, unfortunately for his wife. 🙂
This prank was inspired by the movie The Grudge. Once again, not a terribly scary movie, but the concept had promise, and the Japanese television show capitalized on that aspect. The video is a bit long, but the victims’ reactions are worth it. If you can’t watch the whole video, the first two scares are pretty darn good.
This prank was one of my favorites because the man in this video took a real life event that occurred in Miami and used it to scare random people. He’s also got a big pair of balls to chase around some of the big fellas he does. I sure as hell couldn’t have done that! When he gets his comeuppance in the end, well, that was pretty darn funny too.
A Brazilian television show combined two common fears shared by many–getting stuck in an elevator and encountering a ghostly little girl. Now, I’m extremely claustrophobic, so that fear comes naturally to me. I also have a healthy respect for ghostly apparitions. If I ever encounter one, I plan to leave it be as soon as possible. But being stuck in an elevator, well, there’s just nowhere to go is there?
This prank has been my all-time favorite ever since I came across it a couple of years ago. What makes this video so great is not the prank itself, which is pretty darn good, but the aunt’s reaction to the knife-wielding intruder. It’s truly priceless!
So there you have it. Those are my favorite pranks of all time. Naturally, I’ll be on the look out for more, and if I find them, I’ll be sure to share them with all of you. 😉
