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That seems a common one. I've seen it multiple times...

Anne wrote: "You probably have to write your own gay pirate story, then ;)

Good to see you here, by the way.
..."

Work has been a lot like being a galley slave the last few weeks; every now and then I gotta slip the chains and visit among you for my sanity. :)

Hj wrote: "Read some more Age of Sail m/m stories, of course!
Alex Beecroft and Lee Rowan are excellent. Katherine Cross also writes it, though I haven't read her yet.>

Oh lord! I'm already perilously close to responding "Avast!"... I believe I may just be fated to a summer of pirate-talk. I'm clearly too weak to resist.

P.S. Congratulations on using "piqued" correctly! I keep reading "peaked my interest" everywhere, to my dismay. Even "peeked" on one occasion......"

Never miss an opportunity to use a q if it's at all possible, I always say. "Peaked" always reminds me of a meringue and interests like that are just plain indecent.

Susinok wrote: "I winced last night seeing "he road him.." instead of rode. Bad proofreader, bad."

Unless it's an episode of a Roadrunner cartoon, of course. But I want to see the post-coital asphalt-picking if that's the case.

Na wrote: "As the letter q sounds like the word cul in French, you might see a smile on your interlocutor when telling so in this country. :)"

Dare I Google to find out what "cul" means in English??

Hj wrote: "Na wrote: "As the letter q sounds like the word cul in French, you might see a smile on your interlocutor when telling so in this country. :)"

Dare I Google to find out what "cul" means in English??"

I did - you should too ;)

Anne wrote: "Hj wrote: "Na wrote: "As the letter q sounds like the word cul in French, you might see a smile on your interlocutor when telling so in this country. :)"

Dare I Google to find out what "cul" means in English??"

I did - you should too ;) ..."

Thanks - I did! It would be fun to be able to make puns in a foreign language, but I know I'll never be able to do so. I'm in awe of you non-native speakers - your English is amazing.

Hj wrote: "Na wrote: "As the letter q sounds like the word cul in French, you might see a smile on your interlocutor when telling so in this country. :)"

Dare I Google to find out what "cul" means in English??"

Yeah, it was one of the first French words I learned (ever the practical traveler I). cul de sac has never been the same since.

Hj wrote: "I'm in awe of you non-native speakers - your English is amazing."

Ain't that the truth? ;-)

I'm embarrassed by the fact so many non-U.S. citizens are more fluent in English than most Americans, who seem to have a dreadful lack of respect for their native language. What's especially infuriating is when barely-literate bozos rail against immigrants who haven't yet learned English. "So when are you going to learn it?" I want to ask them.

Na wrote: "LOL. Mea culpa. Cul means Arse/Ass. Cul-de-sac, literally ass of the bag, is a dead-end street. Now here an interesting word indeed but we also use the word to express the bottom of objects. So, we..."

Oh God, I love language - all of 'em - and idiom amuses me way more than is healthy!

Na wrote: "LOL. Mea culpa. Cul means Arse/Ass. Cul-de-sac, literally ass of the bag, is a dead-end street. Now here an interesting word indeed but we also use the word to express the bottom of objects. So, we..."

Oh my goodness... I live on a cul-de-sac and always refer to it as such... I'll never think of it the same way again! Wait 'til I tell my boyfriend we live at the ass of the bag. :-D

John wrote: "Hj wrote: "Read some more Age of Sail m/m stories, of course!
Alex Beecroft and Lee Rowan are excellent. Katherine Cross also writes it, though I haven't read her yet.>

Oh lord! I'm already peri..."

:-D

Na wrote: "I also like reading about how cultures see each others. I read a book lately written by Eriko Nakamura, a former Japanese TV animator, titled Nââândé !? in which she explains the differences and incoherences between Japanese and French. Nande (why) being the word she used to express her disbelief when confronted to French habits that is unusual or rude to Japanese. It was a short read as much amusing as it was shaming. ..."

Just out of interest, were the habits she identified peculiarly French, or would they be found in Europe, or even the West, generally?

Na wrote: "LOL. Mea culpa. Cul means Arse/Ass. Cul-de-sac, literally ass of the bag, is a dead-end street. Now here an interesting word indeed but we also use the word to express the bottom of objects. So, we..."


Oh my goodness! Cul-de-sac always sounded so very superior and nice... never again!

I loved Bread, Salt and Wine! I'm sad that the series is over, and it's going on my to be re-read eventually list.

K.Z. wrote: "I'm embarrassed by the fact so many non-U.S. citizens are more fluent in English than most Americans, who seem to have a dreadful lack of respect for their native language. What's especially infuriating is when barely-literate bozos rail against immigrants who haven't yet learned English. "So when are you going to learn it?" I want to ask them. ..."

We have the same problems in the UK, in terms of ignorant racism.

I thought Americans might be more tolerant, given that almost all of you must have ancestors who were immigrants (starting with the first arrivals from England)? Isn't it part of the American way?

Hj wrote: "I thought Americans might be more tolerant, given that almost all of you must have ancestors who were immigrants (starting with the first arrivals from England)? Isn't it part of the American way?"

One would think so! But immigrant groups have been persecuted -- at one time or another, to one degree or another -- throughout this country's history. The list of examples is long. Hell, immigrants have even gone after each other!

Racism and jingoism are alive and well in the US, I'm afraid. In fact, they might be getting worse. But as you said, Hj, the problem has also infested other parts of the world. Islamic extremism and strained economies have turned many, many countries into Petri dishes for xenophobia.

K.Z. wrote: "Racism and jingoism are alive and well in the US, I'm afraid. In fact, they might be getting worse. But as you said, Hj, the problem has also infested other parts of the world. Islamic extremism and strained economies have turned many, many countries into Petri dishes for xenophobia. ..."

OK hold up a minute. The US did not invent racism and nationalism and is not spreading it around. That crap has been going on since we descended from the trees, and it was happening in the US before the first immigrant arrived off the Viking ships, and was happening in other continents before they shoved their spares onto our shores.

It's part of the human condition, though not a pretty part. The reason OUR hominid race ruled over the others who descended out of the trees (neanderthals and others) was not because we were the smartest. It was because we killed off our competition; we were the meanest.

I'm not saying that's an excuse for this behavior. But It has been around for eons. There is progress, but we have to constantly work to make more progress.

Oh, it absolutely has, Susinok! Tribalism and racial/ethnic/religious hostilities have existed probably as long as homo sapiens has existed. I didn't imply the U.S. "invented racism" and is "spreading it around"! Just the opposite, in fact. I suggested the problem is global, because Hj mentioned they have the same difficulties in the UK.

Ah ok. When you said "has also infested" I took it to mean that it wasn't there before. It was.

Oooh, thanks for mentioning Power Exchange! That looks fantastic. Not like I need another pair of books on my to-buy and TBR, piles, but still. Lol.

John, I've got no problem with pirate talk all summer! In fact, I want to replace the cool, crisp woman elevator voice that says "going down!" And "third floor" to a pirate: "argh! We're goin' down matey!" Or "avast! Man the topsail!" I just think it would be fun.

I am reading Whose Body? the first of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, after the books have been recommended here by Josh and a couple others of you guys. It is definitely something different, very fun.

Anne wrote: "I am reading Whose Body? the first of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, after the books have been recommended here by Josh and a couple others of you guys. It is definitely something different, very..."

Anne - Peter Wimsey is still one of my all-time favourite detectives! The books I re-read most are those which also feature Harriet Vane, starting with Strong Poison.

They are also excellent audiobooks, read by Ian Carmichael who played Wimsey on TV. My favourite dramatisation though is the TV series starring Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane and Edward Petherbridge as Wimsey. I think EP played him exactly as he was in the books.

Hj wrote: "Anne wrote: "I am reading Whose Body? the first of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, after the books have been recommended here by Josh and a couple others of you guys. It is definitely something di..."

Oh oh, my VISA card is in pain.... I shall definitely try the audioversion later, they are great background for knitting. :)

I seem to recall there was a TV series with Lord Peter Wimsey also on Norwegian television many years ago, which is probably why I had this idea I had read the books long ago. I don't think I have though :)

I've got by Nicole Kimberling just now from amazon. So it was only three or four days that it was on LI exclusively.

Calathea wrote: "I've got by Nicole Kimberling just now from amazon. So it was only three or four days that it was on LI exclusively."

Thanks for the heads up. Snagged it.

Oh Oh OH I just found out that all the old Laurence Shames mysteries are on Amazon for around $2.51. He wrote these books throughout the 90's and they are all set in Key West. There is a funky cast of recurring characters but overall the mysteries are stand-alone.

Shames is one of the funky Florida writers, like Carl Haaison, Randy Wayne White, Dave Berry, Edna Buchanan. Though his books are a bit more traditional mystery than the other writers.

Florida Straits is the first one.

I finished the fifth Bellingham mystery, Birds of a Feather by Nichole Kimberling. Great book. Lots of fun characters.

Susinok wrote: "I finished the fifth Bellingham mystery, Birds of a Feather by Nichole Kimberling. Great book. Lots of fun characters."

Nearly there! I've been re-reading the earlier ones first, and enjoying them all over again.

Reading One Man's Treasure now, such a fun book!

Finished and loved In Plain Sight. Reading Birds of a Feather a d then Harper's new one. Not enough time in my days.

I finished Adrien English and Holmes&Moriarty..... and read Amy Lane's Dex in Blue.... twice in a row actually.... and now I'm thinking I just wanna reread something something good...... because I'm in that kind of mood to only be sure to read something good.

Just finished Six Years (H. Coben), Heatseeker (L. Monroe), The Great Game in Cube (J. Mellen), & Lovers at Arms (O. Brackhaus). Reading: Zero to the Bone (J. Seville) & Free Fire (C J Box). Getting ready to start a number of books. Always reading. So many books; so little time.

I just read Birds of a Feather. I love her quirky sense of humour :)

Just finished Back Dog Blues by Rhys Ford and listening to Widdershins by Jordan L Hawk.

I am re-reading Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton so that I'm refreshed in order to read the sequel. I remember not liking Cole much at all. He was just too cold for me.

I've also been reading the Coda series and loving it. I really love Cole and Jon.... I didn't find him cold at all. But I can't make up my mind which is my favorite couple from the series.... they're all my favorite while reading their book.

Ame wrote: "I've also been reading the Coda series and loving it. I really love Cole and Jon.... I didn't find him cold at all. But I can't make up my mind which is my favorite couple from the series.... th..."

On second read, Cole seems better. I think I'm reading more carefully this time through to understand his motivations. He's still more distant than I like though.

Strawberries for Desert is my favorite of this series. I hope hope quirky Cole grows on you. He is my favorite. :-)

I think Cole has all kinds of wall around him. He's really emotional being but as a child he could not allow himself to be that so he put on a front so he wouldn't be hurt. So yeah he can come across as cold but to me he came across as incredibly vulnerable.

He does for me, too.

I recently read and loved the sequel to SFD, Fear, Hope, and Bread Pudding. The Coda series were some of the first MM books I read -- now I want to go re-read them.

I finished Something Like Autumn by Jay Bell a few days ago and it's still on my mind. Jace was really amazing.

Valerie wrote: "I I finished Something Like Autumn by Jay Bell a few days ago and it's still on my mind. Jace was really amazing. ..."

Wasn't he? I loved this book.

Hj wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I I finished Something Like Autumn by Jay Bell a few days ago and it's still on my mind. Jace was really amazing. ..."

Wasn't he? I loved this book."

And the ending? I knew what was coming and still needed a box of tissues. :)

I came across a nice article on Jay Bell which includes a teaser for Something Like Spring (I can't wait!):



His other books are on my TBR list. :)

Valerie wrote: "I recently read and loved the sequel to SFD, Fear, Hope, and Bread Pudding. The Coda series were some of the first MM books I read -- now I want to go re-read them.

I finished Something Like Autumn by Jay Bell a few days ago and it's still on my mind. Jace was really amazing. ..."

I'm almost done with my re-read of Strawberries. It is definitely better the second time around. I read the Coda books about two years ago, so details are fuzzy.

Glad you liked Something Like Autumn. I bought all three of the Something Like books recently.

Saw ttg's comment on Cited to Death back in April & I finally bought it just now. I'm having trouble w/the formatting, though. The paragraphs aren't indented and the line spacing is the same within & between paragraphs making it very annoying to read. I haven't seen anyone else mention this, but wanted to check if ttg (or anyone) had the same problem. I am a bit sensitive about formatting & font, etc so maybe it just didn't bother anyone else.

Do I contact Amazon? The author?

Sometimes it's nice to buy from publishers that give you a bundle of formats so I can play around with it on my computer before I put it on the kindle. This one is only kindle though.

UPDATE: It starts extra spacing between paragraphs a few pages in. I hope that keeps up all the way through to the end. The version I got on my computer when I chose 'Read Now' has the paragraphs indented.

This past week I read all four (one a re-read) of M.L. Merrow's Damned If You Do: The Complete Collection shorts.

I read Birds of a Feather, then began re-reading bits of the previous four books in the series. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Peter and Nick's dynamics and how their story evolves along with the changes in partnership and marriage laws. (view spoiler)[There's a passage after their commitment ceremony in One Man's Treasure that really touches me: Two hundred years from now, historians would have no reason to speculate about why they might have slept in the same bed. No one would be able to argue that their love had never existed. Chokes me up. : ) (hide spoiler)]

Jax wrote: "Saw ttg's comment on Cited to Death back in April & I finally bought it just now. I'm having trouble w/the formatting, though. The paragraphs aren't indented and the line spacing is the same within..."

Sorry to hear about the formatting issues, Jax. I read it on my kindle and don't remember any particular issues, except maybe some increased leading between lines. (I read in a larger font, so I'm pretty sure what formatting I see isn't the same as someone who reads on a smaller font.) I remember it reading overall fine though.

The author is online and has her own site. You can always message her if the issue continues. I bet she may be able to help:

Although it felt like a first book, I thought it was a fun mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out. (Perry says on her site that the sequel may come out in late July.)

Thanks ttg. I think it will be alright if the extra spacing between paragraphs continues through the rest of the book.

I did check her website to see the status of the next book before I bought this one. I wanted to be able to continue relatively soon if I like this one. Sounds like book three is in the works too. Although by "next December" I hope she means the one coming up and not 2014!