TOP TEN YAOI REVIEWS by Blak Rayne (#2)

Hello sweeties! Thanks for having me again, Edward (okay that sounded a little twisted). LOL What I meant to say, thank you for posting my article this week, hun. And this week I've got so many articles out there, I'm ready to hire a secretary just to do the typing. Seriously, I've posted @ BRB, IRM, QMO, MOP (this weekend) and here at Edwards. Unfortunately, I missed one simply due to my stupid schedule and not hiring that damned secretary. LOL Anyway, here's my second choice for my 'Top Ten Yaoi Reviews'. I hope you enjoy!

TOP PICK - Number 2

Haru wo Daiteita - 'Embracing Love'

OMG where to begin...Embracing Love is written and drawn by Youka Nitta, another fine manga artist! This lady has also produced Irokoi Ikoku Romantan, 'A Foreign Love Affair' (awesome), Sound of My Voice, Kiss Ariki and so on. But for now I'm sticking to my fav out of her collection, Embracing Love. 

This yaoi is about two male pornography (AVI) actors who fall in love while attempting to break into mainstream acting. The main characters are Kyousuke Iwaki (black hair) a reserved and self-conscious man who puts his career ahead of his personal life. He's at odds and isolated from his family. And he feels very much alone and depressed. Youji Katou (blond) is a bold and outgoing man. He's an up-and-coming actor, younger than Iwaki and quite self-confident. In the beginning Iwaki appears to be the seme, but it quickly reverses when Katou takes charge and demands a relationship as well as sex with the older man. Of course as in most yaoi Katou relentlessly pursues Iwaki until he gives in. What I find interesting and different with this story is that neither Katou or Iwaki have had a relationship with a man previous. They never profess to be homosexual. They're just two people that fell in love. Iwaki is stumped in one scene, he can't understand why Katou has fallen for him (a man). He assumes it's because of their love scene in front of the camera and that Katou has clouded reality with fantasy. Katou's response is kind of comical, the acting may have brought them together, but he doesn't see Iwaki as a man instead the person he loves.

These men battle through some interesting challenges. Iwaki, like I said, is more reserved and he doesn't want anyone to know they're together as a couple. His denial, and sometimes almost rude behavior in public is at times very hurtful, but Katou seems to rise above it all. I'd say in this relationship Katou is my favourite. He's strong, tenacious and yes, sometimes immature with how he handles things. But he also loves Iwaki like no other. It's Katou's passion and unconditional love that keeps me reading.

On the other hand, it took time to really appreciate Iwaki. He's older, has certain ideals and his family life is a bit of mess. But now I can honestly say, I've grown fond of him and he does compliment the relationship. 

HWD is another yaoi manga series and I'll warn you, it's a very long one. I believe the chapter count reaches into the forties and is still on going. The sex is very explicit. I'd call it a five flame. Not for kids! LOL Overall HWD is awesome and will keep your attention. Katou and Iwaki develop as characters with the storyline as does their relationship. I'd classify this yaoi as another romantic drama with strong, enchanting characters. HWD is hugely popular and has a growing fan base!

Happy Yaoi Hunting!

Blak Rayne

http://www.blakraynebooks.com

TOP TEN YAOI REVIEWS by Blak Rayne (#1)

There are so many yaoi so little time! LOL All right, now I'll get into serious mode. I'm a huge and, I mean huge, yaoi fan, which some of you already know and if you didn't, now you do. I've been collecting everything from yaoi manga novels to shitajiki (pencilboards), autographed cells, OVA's and anything to do with this form of Japanese porn since -I can't remember when.

What is yaoi, Blak?

As everyone knows there are many forms or genres of erotic literature. And the Japanese like any other culture has their own. There's Yaoi, Bara, Shonen-ai, Yuri etc.

Yaoi is an acronym and it means yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nacho. Simply put, there's no climax, no point, no meaning. It's used to describe anime and/or manga which focuses on male homosexual relationships, with graphically portrayed sex and little to no plot. Also, yaoi is a popular Japanese term for female-oriented fictional media that focuses on homoerotic or homo-romantic male relationships, usually created by female authors. (Wikipedia)

Adding to this: Yaoi is hard core compared to Shonen-ai. Shonen-ai is what I like to call the fluffy love stuff; the attraction, holding hands and kissing, but usually never any sex. Puppy love!

Yuri: Is the opposite of Yaoi and intended for a male and/or lesbian audience. Women on women.

Bara: Is erotic Japanese mangas written with a male audience in mind. The characters are muscular (muscle bound), there's usually no relationship between them (no seme or uke) and nine times out of ten there's rape involved, gang banging or some type of forced sex. And this is supposed to be more appealing to men or gay men.

In my humble opinion there are only a select few yaoi that I would label as my TOP PICKS. The reason: there are three things that make up a really good yaoi-artistry, storyline and memorable characters. Artistry is a must as most yaoi come in manga (comic book format). So, you've got to have the look. Storyline, well that should be self-explanatory. No matter what you read, you want a decent plot. And memorable characters are those that stick out from the rest, they've got a certain appearance and personality that makes you crave them.

Yaoi Manga Series

TOP PICK - 1

KIZUNA

One of my all time favourite yoai manga series (note I said series) is Kizuna - 'Bonds of Love' written and drawn by Kazuma Kodaka. Ms. Kodaka is an amazing artist. Some of her other works include Kimera, Sex Therapist, Prince of Tennis, Sengoku Basara, Midare Somenishi, Boarder and others. I'd say Kizuna is probably one of the more popular series and this is because the characters are easy to love.

Kei Enjouji (black hair) and Ranmaru (redhead) are college students in modern day Tokyo. The minute Kei sees Ranmaru, he's instantly smitten. Kei is the seme (attacker) and, he does pursue Ranmaru Samejima, the uke (receiver), until the poor man gives in. Okay, I think deep down Ranmaru wanted him from the start, but  couldn't admit it, which continues throughout the first part of the series. Kei is my fav. He's funny and has a generally optimistic and endearing disposition. But a total straight shooter when it comes to Ranmaru and their relationship. Ranmaru is what's called, in the yaoi community, a 'Feisty Bottom' yes he can be a biatch - but hot damn what a pretty one!

Ranmaru is a Kendo champion and after a tournament Enjouji shows up. Ranmaru is upset with Enjouji because he won't join Kendo and believes he's made the wrong choice. So, he challenges Enjouji, that if he gets a point (wins) Enjouji must sign up for Kendo classes. But Enjouji, being the smartass he is, says okay and if I win I get to do you. Of course Ranmaru thinks he's being insolent, basically calls him a pervert, not realizing that the man cares for him. Ranmaru freaks out and attacks Enjouji. But everything he throws at Enjouji fails. The man is a natural when it comes to martial arts and quickly pins Ranmaru to the floor telling him, he's won (got the point). Ramaru refuses to have sex with him and a struggles ensues, where Enjouji more or less rapes him. They argue and then Ranmaru eventually gives in. Enjouji doesn't hurt him or abuse him, it's really a battle of the willls and in the end he wins Ranmaru's heart.

Later on more of their past comes out. These two men have known each other since childhood. The story's plot and artistry improve the further you read and, by the end of this series, you've got a cast of beautiful characters that have really grown and faced some unbelievable challenges together, which creates an awesome story. There are other characters and some interesting side stories, as well as Ms. Kodaka's input and comic relief. This is normal for most manga.

People have argued that Kizuna doesn't really have a plot. And there is some truth to that belief, if you're expecting some big build up and action-packed, grandiose ending then you will most certainly be disappointed. Kizuna is all about the lead characters, their relationship, their personal growth and their love. I'd classify Kizuna as a romantic drama and very satisfying. The sex scenes are moderate to explicitly graphic, and not to worry, there is lots of sex. I will award this yaoi five flames.

Happy Yaoi Hunting

Blak Rayne ^_^!!

The Hitman strikes tomorrow. Are you prepared?

'Hitman's Creed'

Arrives tomorrow, September 10th, from Silver Publishing 

https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/hitman-s-creed-p-614

Description:

Two men:

Glenn Tanner, a thirty-four year old hitman who wants to disappear and start a new life.

Joey Fairburn, a twenty-one year old Criminal Justice student studying to become a cop.

One problem in common:

Joey's father, an escaped killer, is on his way to the small town where Joey and his mother live, and where Glenn has finally settled down. Only time will tell if Glenn and Joey, so disparate in both age and backgrounds, will be able to find a common bond to unite them in an attempt to stop the killer from murdering Joey's mother, and in the process perhaps find love.

Excerpt:

Prologue

There comes a point in everyone's life when they wonder if they've made the right choices. Glenn was at that point as he rested his hands on the railing of the catwalk high above the stage. He had everything planned down to the nth degree, as always. The AR-7 rested between his legs, scope attached. He could make his way from where he stood to the exit he needed even in the dark. He knew this because he'd practiced it several times over the last two days. One of the advantages of being on the backstage crew was the freedom of movement it gave him. Freedom to roam the theater at will.

While he watched the show in progress, waiting for the moment when it was time to put his plan into action, part of his mind was lamenting the fact that, as always, he would be on a plane heading off to nowhere as soon as he was finished. Such was his life, one anonymous hotel room after another, no place to call home, no one to go home to even if he had one.

"Maybe it's time to find a new profession," he murmured under his breath.

The sound of laughter from the audience broke his train of thought, bringing him back to the present. He brushed his hand through his hair, which was at the moment dark, the natural gray streaks at his temples invisible thanks to his expertise at dying it to suit whatever role he was playing while on the job. Then instinctively he ran a finger over his upper lip to smooth his mustache. It was no longer there, gone to make him look younger than his thirty-four plus years. 'I'm getting too old for the game,' he thought yet again as he had too often recently.

He heard the actress speak the lines which told him it was almost time and picked up the rifle. A fast check around him told him what he already knew. He was alone on the catwalk.

He knelt, resting the rifle against one of the railing bars. A flash of movement caught his attention momentarily; a young actress was pacing nervously in the wings, awaiting her cue to enter. Ignoring her he calmly stared through the scope to sight in on his target. He had no idea why the woman he was looking at needed eliminating, or in this particular place. That was none of his business. It was his job to do it successfully, and in his own self-interests not to be caught afterwards.

The actress stood facing the actor playing her husband as they spoke their lines, her hands resting on his shoulders, the only two on stage at the moment. Glenn knew he had only a minute before she moved. He focused in on the top of her head and slowly pulled the trigger, once and then again. When the bullets tore through her skull there was a moment of dead silence and then the screams began as she fell to the stage floor.

Even as people rushed to his victim's side a few of the stagehands paused to look up into the fly space trying to locate him. By then Glenn was disassembling the rifle. He put the parts into the bag at his feet, picked it up, and raced down the dark catwalk. When he reached the end, he paused just long enough to strip off the black jumpsuit he'd been wearing, stuffing it into the bag as well. Now he was in the dark jeans and a navy turtleneck he'd worn when he came to work earlier that evening.

Slinging the bag over his shoulder, Glenn made his way up the ladder at the end of the catwalk to the grid at the top of the theater's fly space, his crepe-soled shoes making no sounds on the metal rungs. He knew he was virtually invisible from below but was taking no chances, especially when he heard the sound of feet coming up a ladder from the backstage area to the lighting grid. Obviously at least one crew member was willing to take the chance that they could find him before he got away.

Just ahead of him now, at the top of a final short ladder, was the emergency exit he needed. He'd already disabled the alarm so there would be no worry it would go off and alert anyone as to his exact whereabouts. He pushed the trapdoor open and leapt onto the slanted roof. It was still slick from an earlier rain shower so Glenn was doubly careful as he made his way to the edge and then over it to the fire escape. Before he started down he checked to make certain the alley was vacant of any observers, including transients who might have sought shelter in one of the doorways. With no one in sight he sped down, jumping silently the last few feet to the pavement.

Then he strolled casually toward the street, stopping long enough to light a cigarette, the brief glow of the lighter reflecting off his deadly serious hazel eyes. When Glenn reached the end of the alley he smiled tightly when he heard the blare of sirens then saw two patrol cars come to a screeching stop in front of the theater. He turned in the opposite direction and was soon just another pedestrian out for a night on the town.

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Because today is Freddie Mercury's birthday.....

Just received the cover art for my next book

It's for 'The Beast Within' which is due out from Silver Pub. on Oct. 22, 2011. Reese did her usual fantastic work for it.

Short (unedited) blub:

A serial killer targeting gay men is on the loose. As a result four men’s lives intertwine - Devin and Gary, ex-lovers - Vanni, gay-club habitué - and Hollis, the detective on the case .

Can they stop the killer and find love in the process? Or will bittersweet tragedy destroy the connection they have?

Check it out....

I'm stoked. 'Everyone's Man' got what I consider a wonderful review from Three Crow Press.
http://3crowpress.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/review-everyones-man-edward-kendrick/