Naked Picture or Innapropriate Touching?

Only a few more days till Christmas and even fewer until I get molested by an airport employee...oh the joys of the holiday season...

From what I understand I have the option of a body scan that is like X-ray vision---seeing through my clothes to my fat ass OR a gratuitous feel up of my personage to make sure I'm not hiding a knife in my vagina. Un-fucking-believable! We are out of control! It's like the Red Scare but instead of people pointing fingers at others and screaming "Natzi" we all are looked at as potential terrorists because the government has us all scared stupid. *sigh*

I've heard stories that when someone had the "pat down" (not what I'd call it but hey, "backroom lovin'" isn't probably the best title anyways) the TSA decided to reach down into someone's pants. I personally have a problem with this. This is violating my person. If a man I didn't know (or woman for that matter) walked up to me on the street and reached into my pants or down my bra I could have them arrested but its "okay" if the government does it? Ah...ah...ah...BULLSHIT (said w/in a sneeze to make it less harsh).

I can understand the old "pat down" and I can even understand the archway that discovers metal objects...both of which I feel do the job fine. If I've got a gun, that metal detector will go off. So why do we need a body scan? And why does it need to be so clear on our body parts? Men...the size of your penis will be on display so be prepared, we'll have a picture! And ladies...well...I already know how we feel about our bodies SO...I KNOW how this concept makes us feel...HORRIBLE. FAT. UNCOMFORTABLE. VIOLATED. Need I go on? Some of us don't like the idea of someone we love having to see us naked let alone a stranger so...the scan makes us VERY unhappy. But, alas, the government doesn't care about your feelings...they're trying to make sure you're safe. And I understand that...but there had GOT to be a better way than this...there has to be.

Here is what a Backscanner X-ray Scan looks like:


Here's what a Millimeter Wave Scan looks like:

So, would you rather have their hands ON you or have them see you naked?

It's bad either way, right?

Well...since I'm flying home for Christmas on Thursday morning (like...at some ungodly hour making me need to be there at 4am) I will get the honor of choosing. Naked photo or inappropriate touching? Hmmm...tough decision. Guess it depends on how lonely I'm feeling at that moment and if the guy doing the "gropping" is hot. ;)

Celebrities must be really hating this. Someone could leak those pics...someone could feel them up just to say they did...hell, I know of one celeb who FedEx's her underwear back to her home after vacation so that no one will steal her used underwear. Crazy huh? Not that crazy...I had my clean underwear stolen once on a flight to Michigan! And honey, I'm not famous and they were just satin thongs from Victoria Secret...not lace...not string thongs...not worn. I have NO idea why someone took them. Weird people. So now all my underwear goes in my carry on. Why that celeb doesn't do that, I have no idea. But hey...each to their own.

But enough on the negative...let's look at the positive shall we? I get to see my dad, step mom and step sister for the holidays AND I get to drive about town in my dad's van and visit friends from high school and so on and so forth. It will be very fun! It will be worth the "Naked Picture or Innapropriate Touching" moment.

I enjoy playing Santa...do you? I've picked up four presents for each member of my family who will be at the house on Christmas morning and all of them are going to be a suprise! I hope they like what I got them...I'm pretty sure they will. My dad is sorta hard to buy for because when you ask him what he wants/needs he says, "Nothing. I don't need anything." *sigh* Thanks Dad. That helps sooo much. But I usually get him a Borders Gift Card, movies, or sweaters. This year will be no different. I got him some movies, the BGC, and though I didn't get him a sweater...I'm excited to be taking him out for a lunch date to see The Dawn Treador. I made that poor man read that book to me THREE times as a kid...so...I think he deserves his daughter to take him to see it on the big screen. :)

As far as my step sister and step mom go? Uh...can't say...Di reads this blog. ;)

I get to stay with the fam until Tuesday afternoon. I then go back to work on Wednesday and Thursday...but Friday the 31st is off for the New Year Holiday...and I hop on a plane to Orlando, FL that Friday (my friend paid for the flight cause he's amazing!) and I get to hang out in Orlando for the New Year....at DISNEY! I'm loving this, btw...LOVING it! Here's to hoping we get warm weather down there!!!!!! I promise to have LOTS of embarrassing pics of me taken while I'm there and post the ones that aren't too bad here for you to all see. :) Especially if I can locate Winnie the Pooh!

Anyhoo...if you're traveling this holiday season...do the following things please:

#1. Be organized at security and get your coat, shoes, jewelry, etc off quickly and efficiently.
#2. Decide if you want a good "feel up" or a "naked pic" before you get there so you're ready to commit to one or the other so as to not hold up the line cause all those people behind you want to get that part OVER just like you do.
#3. Be nice to the TSA employee...they've been told to do this as part of their job (even though it sucks).
#4. If a TSA employee gets out of line when touching you...CALMLY talk to a supervisor on if their "touch" was warranted. By making a scene you hold up everyone behind you AND you risk missing your flight that you PAID for.

Just sayin'...

Have a safe and happy holiday and know one important last thing...

I choose the body scan. Have a pic of me, TSA! Knock yourself out! Can I bend over for you while I'm at it? ;)

Peace all!

Tamsin :)

P.S. I need to share a funny pic with you...since my blog today was primarily my rant on TSA. We must end on a fun note. This pic was stolen from my Twitter pal Ana in Wales...enjoy!

An Exciting Announcement!

As you all know, I did a photo-shoot for Moon Over Manhattan (see pic above) and it went REALLY well. And...I had said this was my "test run". Meaning, if it went well I'd do photos for the primary series I've been writing called Living Dead Girl. This cast is MUCH larger than Moon Over Manhattan. In fact...probably double the cast size if not TRIPPLE! Yowza!

Anyhoo....here's the announcement...

WE WILL BE DOING A PHOTO-SHOOT FOR LIVING DEAD GIRL IN MAY, 2011

I will be making a list of characters I will need for the shoot and posting their decscriptions on here AND on Craigslist, NYC. As soon as I open the floodgates for pics to come in...I will let you all know where to send them for consideration.

We'll probably do a daytime shoot and a nighttime shoot (if we can) as I have MANY vampire characters in that story. We may do pics inside as well as outside...but not sure yet. As decisions are made you'll be the first to know. Personally, I've very excited to get to do this! In fact...I've already found my "Alex".

This is him. His name is David Mavricos. He's perfect for Alex.

As I find the rest of the characters I'll post photos so you can get more and more excited as we approach the photo-shoot!

Also...other big news...the website will have the best pictures from the Moon Over Manhattan photo-shoot VERY SOON! And...it hopefully will have VIDEO as of the new year of behind the scenes stuff as well as a quick interview with me taken after the shoot was over.

So...many cool things coming up...so keep your eye on the blog!

xo

Tamsin :)

LOMBARDI on Broadway - A Review

CAST
Vincent Lombardi - Dan Lauria
Michael McCormick - Keith Nobbs
Marie Lombardi - Judith Light
Dave Robinson - Robert Christopher Riley
Paul Hornung - Bill Dawes
Jim Taylor - Chris Sullivan

Have I ever mentioned my strange love of football movies? No? Oh, well...I have a strange love for football movies...here are some of my faves...

Remember the Titans
Invincible
Rudy
Friday Night Lights
We Are Marshall
Blind Side

I could go on and on but I won't bore you...you get my point. :)

You're asking yourself now, "Is she a big football fan?" Nope. I enjoy watching college football with my friends or my dad (and yes, he and I scream at the TV together) and pro football when I have to with my guy pals...but I don't tend to watch on my own. But football movies? SUCKER FOR THEM!

Hell, I love sports movies a lot too...and I suck at most sports so...maybe it comes down to the fact that I wish that I'd been good at just one sport! Okay, I kick ass at badminton but really...should I really admit to that? Oh wait...I just did...

Anyhoo...on to the point of my post...

Last night my pal Seth returned a favor. I took him with me to Shakespeare in the Park this year for Winters Tale and he got free tickets to Lombardi, put on by Circle In The Square, and POOF! I got to go! This play hadn't even been on my radar to see but I'm SO happy I got to go!

As many of you know, Vincent Lombardi is one of the most celebrated football coaches of all time who unfortunately died at the early age of 57 from colon cancer. The play, LOMBARDI, is based on a book written by David Maraniss called "When Pride Still Mattered; A Life of Vince Lombardi". The play primarily spans a week in November, 1965 in Green Bay, WI. It is the week that Michael McCormick arrives in Wisconsin to stay with Mr. Lombardi so as to do an article for "LOOK" magazine (which, btw, never printed his article, feeling it was too artsy an article with not enough football).

There are flashbacks throughout the play to 1958, 1959 and 1964 as well as we learn how Vince almost became a banker instead of a football coach, how he took over the Green Bay Packers, and what made him tick...what made them win. We also get a really wonderful inside view of his relationship with his wife (played magestically by Judith Light). Judith and Dan make an amazing team on stage. With timing that can't be taught---you either have it or you don't. They do.

Dan Lauria's portrayal of Vince is so incredibly believable, solid and powerful you would swear he'd met the man! Keith Nobbs who plays the reporter is your narrator throughout the piece as well as performing inside the story itself which takes great timing, total commitment to dialogue and movement, and the ability to switch gears as fast as you can turn on a light switch. He does this with ease and satin smoothness so you never feel jerked around inside the story. That is also a big props to the writing as well...by the way.

The cast is only six people---though, to be honest, it felt like more. The other three characters are the three football players who are the keyhole we get to peak through to learn a little about who Lombardi really is...how he loves his players...how he loves the game...and so on. All three of these men were fantastic but I won't lie, Robert Christopher Riley (who plays Dave Robinson) truly stands out of the three as exceptional! He's not only a joy to watch but captivates your attention anytime he speaks with a full commitment between body and dialogue. Not that the other two didn't carry their weight but Robert, to me, stuck out in a good way.

Before I forget, I want to give props to the designers of this show. The lights and multi-media especially with a definite nod to set design. The stage is a blank rounded-off-at-the-corners rectangle that stays bare except for when you're in Vince's home or office or the bar the players hang out in. All set pieces come up from the floor and then slink back down and disappear when not needed. The living room piece for Vince's home spins so that when they do sit down to do a scene it can move around so the audience (which is on all sides as the play is produced in the round) all get a chance to watch it from each angle. It's brilliant! But then again, I love a minimalistic set as much as I love an intricate set...if it transports you to where you need to be to be enveloped by the show, then its fantastic...and this one was just that.

The lights...and bajesus they have a lot of them...including ones that look like football stadium lights on all four corners...are brilliant (pun intended). Here's a shot of the ceiling above the performance space...the tech geek in me was like, "Weeee!" :



What you can't see here is that there were long, rectangular screens that came down on the two longer sides of the set over the audience that showed video AND they also did that on the large floor. They actually had footage of the games mentioned in the story and you got to watch them clear as day...on the floor of the set. Just a brilliant way to still show the game for stage. I wouldn't be suprised to see this become a made-for-TV movie at somepoint...it's all prepped and ready for it if you ask me.

But, I feel lucky to have seen it live. It was a beautiful story that holds your attention (without an intermission mind you) for the duration and you never stop basking in the fantastic writing, the amazing performances, and the awe inspiring set/lights. For awhile you get transported to Green Bay, WI...to hang out with one of the greatest men in football. Not a bad way to spend a night if you ask me.

If it wasn't on your radar either...put it there! Get out and see this show before its gone.

Stay warm New Yorkers...stay warm!

Tamsin :)

P.S. If you click on the title of the blog you will find the official Broadway page for the play. If you click on the LOMBARDI link highlighted in a purplish color above it will take you to some clips from the play that were filmed. ENJOY!

I was punched in the face by a drunk guy...no really, it's true!

So here's what happened...

Last night my pal Matt from Boston (I've mentioned him before) was in town for a concert that was canceled...he'd already bought his bus ticket and a hotel room for the night so he figured, what the hell, I'll go to NYC for the night anyways and see some friends.

So he and six of his friends (counting me) met up at SPICE (a really great Thai place in Union Square over on 13th St. and 5th Ave.) and we waited an eternity (even with reservations) but we finally got a seat and enjoyed some great conversation and food. I totally give this restaurant five stars! Great food and portions at a small price! I had a perfectly sized appetizer of spring rolls, a glass of wine and some Pad Thai for only $25 (counting tax and tip). A steal if I do say so!

Anyway, I digress---we finished up around 10-ish, hit the bathroom (I must mention the bathroom because the dance music was so loud in there it was like a club all in itself...we thought it was hilarious!), and headed outside into the FREEZING weather (I think it was like...18 degrees or something last night). This is when I noticed a stocky guy in his late 30's with short dark hair in a long black coat, a cigarette in his hand and a long red line down the side of his face standing in the corner of the wind barrier doorway for the bar next door. I remember him because I thought, "Wow! That's dedication! It's too cold out here to smoke!".

Now, two of Matt's friends had to jet so the five of us were huddled in a circle talking and saying goodnight when the guy I'd noticed came out, suddenly was trying to push his way into our group. This would've been fine except he grabbed ahold of the back part of my left arm tightly, pinching the skin and muscle there roughly. We couldn't understand him. He cigarette was still unlit but he wasn't asking for a light, his tone was mean---that's all I could tell. I tried to pull away from him and he gripped me harder. I asked him to let go of me and he didn't. I raised my voice so others would know what was going on and said, "Let go of me now!"

Next thing I knew his left hook caught me in the teeth. I automatically moved my head when I saw something in my face so the punch didn't land fully or where he probably meant to hit me (the nose is my guess). It took me a moment to realize what he'd done. It wasn't till my tooth started screaming in pain that I realized "that f*cker punched me!"

Well...since he'd come up between Matt and I, Matt was the first to see this and he saved me from decking the guy myself by restraining him from hitting me again. The man fought back (cause drunk men are stupid) and by the time I turned around Matt was fightin this guy off. I ran inside the restaurant and told them to call 911 (Like I what? Don't have a cell phone of my own? Obviously not...thinking...clearly.)---that a drunk guy was hitting people. Maybe I said "hit someone"? No idea.

Anyhoo...by the time I got outside the man was down, Matt had him pinned to the ground, the bouncer from the club next door FINALLY came out and Matt is telling the guy to apologize to me. Well, NOW my anger kicks in...my tooth is throbbing...its freezing cold...I'm appropriately pissed off now. He apologized and of course my reaction is...you guessed it...non-accepting. I pretty much told him he could be sorry all he wanted but it didn't change the fact that he punched a woman for no reason.

The bouncer then tells us he hit another woman just earlier that evening! SAY WHAT?!!!

The guy goes to get up and it honestly takes everything I have not to kick him in the face with the heel of my combat boot. Instead I yelled at him to stay down---as did Matt and the bouncer. I'm sure I said something like, "Go ahead and get up, give me a reason!"...again...not proud but this is me being honest and truthful so as to get this whole thing outta my head, off my chest, etc. Needless to say he stayed down...I never laid a hand (or boot) on him.

In fact, he didn't get up until the calvary arrived. And I do mean the calvary. Fire Dept, Ambulance and NYPD. All for little ol' me? Uh, no. Seems when they called the cops they told them a car hit a pedestrian. LOL! So we had all of NY's finest there for one simple dumbass drunk. Oh well.

Anyways...to finish my tale of "WTF?" I ended up in the ambulance to put an ice pack on my lip while they took my info, my statement, and so on. At least the inside of the ambulance was warm! They asked if I wanted to press charges. My initial response in my head was, "No. I'm not broken or bleeding and he's just drunk." BUT...then I remembered he'd hit another woman not an hour ago (Probably where that long red line on his face came from. SHE probably scratched him...which is more than I did but oh well.) and who knew who he was going home to and if I didn't press charges he'd be left where he was (as he wasn't beligerantly drunk...just mad drunk). So I said yes, I'd be pressing charges and they took him off to jail.

I have no idea if he had to stay the night or if they just booked him or whatever. I was told the DA would call me today.

To be honest, I feel bad that I decided to press charges. I'm not that type of person. I believe in forgivness but I just didn't want him to hurt someone else. He could've hurt them worse. Hell, he coulda hurt me worse but luckily my friend was there to save me and thankfully the man didn't have a gun or something. So...I plan to stick by my decision and press charges...show up in court...the whole nine yards. If he's hitting multiple women he needs help and unless someone wakes him up to that fact with something like say, pressing charges, he could end up hurting someone else...probably worse...and I can't live with that more than I can't live with the idea that I should've just forgiven him.

I got home and took three Motrin, put my bite splint in to steady my slightly loose front tooth and went to bed (my screaming headache making that almost impossible). I'm wearing said splint today too...as tooth is still sore to the touch and a bit wiggly. If it doesn't solidify up by tomorrow night I'll go see the denist. Bah...the dentist. Ick.

SO that is my tale of woe...and here's what I want you to learn from it...

He could've had a gun in his pocket. Me being snitty and demanding he let go of me, even though he was hurting me, probably wasn't the smartest move. I could've asked nicer I suppose (even though the first asking was nicer and did nothing) or really pulled away hard. But I panicked. He was grabbing me and hurting me and I panicked. If this happens to you...don't. Ask nicely and pull away hard. If he'd had a gun I'd be dead right now so...lesson learned.

What's sad is this morning on the way to work I found myself slightly scared by large men who got to close to me. They all were complete gentlemen (moved out of my way, offered me the door, etc.) but I flinched when they got near (arm movement near me). I hope that goes away fast. I think men are amazing people...so full of honor and so protective and wonderful providers. Just look at my hero Matt! It hurts my heart to think for awhile I'll be jumpy around men who move too fast near my body/face.

So ladies...please be carefull out there. Remember...not everyone cares what they do to you.

Much love, Tamsin xo

Writers Rock!

Today will not be a long post as I have a lot to do but...I wanted to make note of something awesome in my world right now and those who deserve to know it.

As you know, this was my first year with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I dragged my ass out of my bed on Sunday's and went to write-ins down in Tribeca. There I got to know some of the best ladies (and a few men). I then went to both of the post NaNo parties; The "Thank God It's Over" Party AAAND the Christmas Potluck at Alexis' place! The latter of which was this past Sunday and I shoulda taken pics but I didn't...I was too busy eating and talking to pull out a camera. But, I have pics from the TGIO Party that I'll post in this blog entry for you, so you can see some of the great folks who joined my world this year. Unfortunately I don't have pics of all of them but here's what I do have.......

Me and Alexis:


Me and Clarice:


Kate and Alexis:


Ellen and Clarice:


Alexis and Kate again...calling out raffle winners:

(As you know I won Kate's book during this raffle and did a review...scoll down if you missed it!)

I suppose all I want to say is this...

If you are a writer and you've not gotten out there to meet fellow writers in your community...you should...you NEED to! I know writing tends to be an "alone sport" but...these people I've gotten the chance to start to know are just wonderful and supportive folks who understand me as a writer and THAT in itself is a gift. In Theatre we automatically get a community of support with our fellow actors/producers/etc but with writing you tend to be on your own---but you don't need to be. Not that my other friends, most of which are in the theatre, aren't FANTASTICALLY supportive of my writing---they are (especially Rachel, Lauren and Josh!), but I've not had writer friends before---people who I know and connect to primarily through writing.

Having these people in my life, as silly as it may sound, makes it seem real---the fact that I write and my committment to it. Their support and friendship gives me an extra emotional boost when I feel down during the "submit your book over and over and over again" process. THEY understand! It's a great thing to have others in your life who are doing what you're doing...chasing a dream along with you. It's wonderful to be supported and to give support! I can already see how they all have this potential to become just this amazing network of writers I trust and appreciate who will make a difference in my life and I pray I can return that favor.

So, thank you to those who accepted me into their fold of writers this year. You are definitely a highlight of my 2010! I am looking forward to 2011 when we'll continue our adventure of this daunting task...to become published writers! And we will do it! With supportive friends, how can we not?

And as always, I leave you with my fave picture of all....and yes, that is Clarice and me photo-bombing in the back...LOL!

Halloween 2010 (late post, I know)

GOING BACK IN TIME TODAY...to HALLOWEEN!
That's right! I know Christmas is almost upon us but, I realized last night when I finally downloaded pics off my camera (which I'd not done since the photo-shoot) that I had missed blogging about my Halloween...TRAVISTY!!!!

So here we go...

HALLOWEEN 2010 - Part One; The Pumpkin Masssacre

I was greatly blessed this year. I, who normally sit at home and do nothing on Halloween, had TWO nights of things to do. I attribute this to the GREAT friends I've made in the Goth/Industrial Scene here in NYC. Explanation for previous years: Most of my friends are "couples". I've been one of few single ladies in my circle of friends (until this year as I've met many more) and couples hang out with couples...invite couples to things...have couples over for dinner...invite them to parties. It's a built in date and that tends to equal invites. Don't ask why...it is what it is.

Anyhoo, as I'm single I tend to not get invited to "couples" evenings...makes sense, right? So normally I'm home for Halloween unless I'm throwing said party. Unfortunately my current apartment is far uptown and has NO space for a party (living room is TINY). So I stay home, eat some candy or order in a nice dinner to splurge and watch a movie or something.

THIS year was different. I did get invited to a party! :) My darling friend Sheri invited me to the 13th Annual Pumpkin Massacre Party! It was at a loft down on White Street (which is a ways downtown but easy to get to) and even though I needed a 2nd costume for the night and a pumpkin to massacre I was on board.



I was the first to arrive (of course----and to think, I left late!) and helped them set up. I got to chat with Sheri's new boyfriend who is an actor, his name is Rodney and he's really awesome! The pic to the left of this is of course Sheri and he in costume. :)


Followed by a pic of me and Sheri. Who am I dressed up as? Hint #1: There was a movie out this year, based on a comic book, and the leading girl is who I'm dressed as. Hint #2: That's a shoelace tied around my neck. ---and yes, that wig itched like hell!

So, there was tons of food, drinks and pumpkins! Here is my poor pumpkin before I killed him:


Here he is after I finished:


Seeing as I hadn't done one of these by myself in FOREVER I was pretty impressed with my final product. :) Now, for those who didn't guess who I was, I'm not super suprised...you'd have to be a fan of Scott Pilgrim to know I was Ramona Flowers. In all the pics of her I found her hair is purple or pink or blue and she wears shorts with tights, combat boot, ripped stuff and a shoelace of her brother's on her neck because he passed away.



HALLOWEEN 2010 - Part Two; Vampire Freaks Halloween Party

So...THIS is the party Lauren, Robbie and Garret had been planning on. Here they are (L to R is Robbie, Lauren, Garret). Robbie is the Heath Ledger version of the Joker while Garret is the comic book version of the Joker...and of course, Lauren is Harley Quinn...the Joker's girlfriend. :)



What about me though right? I'll be honest...if I'd known they were all going as Batman characters I'd have picked one also(possibly Penguin...insert jokes here) but no...I'd already chosen to be Snow White (hello...I'm short with short dark hair and pale skin...it was an easy choice). Here I am with Lauren...


Here are a few pics of me in the most whorish version of Snow White I think I've seen to date....nickname; Ho White...




To be honest...I have NO idea where all that cleavage came from...

ANYHOOOOO...As for time at the club! Here are some of the decorations...



Here is a great pic of me and Jet (Mad Hatter) and then me and Annabel (sexy witch)...




I love this pic as it wasn't planned...both Jokers with misty fog around them...so cool huh?


Anyhoo...we stayed at the club until Jet and Annabel both DJ'd so I got home around 2:30am (ouch) and then dragged my carcass to work the next day. I think the day after Halloween should be a paid day off from work...unless it falls on a Friday or Saturday...just an idea I'll toss out there...

So Halloween 2010 was fun! Many thanks to Sheri, Jet, Annabel, Lauren, Garret and Robbie for making it so great this year!

Tamsin xo :)

Review of "In Hot Pursuit" by Kate McMurray

It's that time again...review something I've read! But this time...you get hot, sexy, gay man porn...that's right, you didn't read me wrong.

So, I know the author of this and it's her first publication and I won a copy of her book in the raffle at the end of NaNoWriMo and as you can see by the cover---well, it draws some attention on the train whilst reading it. :) I had more than one person tilt their head and try to see what the hell I was reading...and I'd chuckle inside. You are saying, "Why not just keep it covered?" And I say, "Where's the fun in that?"

To be honest, I've NEVER read male erotica before and I love that a female wrote this...after much research; being as she is not a gay man. Though one might find similarities between gay men and straight women...that doesn't mean research for intimate moments doesn't need to be done to KUDOS to Kate! These steamy scenes were STEAMY and accurate (according to my gay roommate).

FIRST OFF...LET ME SET UP THE PLOT FOR YOU...(I pulled this from the website)...

Hard-working NYPD cop Noah Tobin didn’t even want to go on vacation. But it’s been a tough eighteen months since the death of his lover, so he’s determined to make the most of it. On his first night in sunny Florida, a chance encounter with a handsome man in a bar bathroom jumpstarts something in Noah that’s been dormant for all those months. Then the man disappears.

Noah’s vacation is thrown into upheaval because he can’t just let it go when he learns that the mysterious man who turned his life upside down went missing. He volunteers to help with the manhunt for his mystery man, a wealthy restaurateur named Harrison Knowles. But finding Harry is only the beginning of Noah's hot pursuit.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.

Okay, on with my review...

I actually loved this story. It's a fast read--only 50,000 words or so--and I read it in a day (well, half a day) and it holds your attention throughout without a problem. I'd not recommend this book for straight men, let me say that up front. You won't like this--too much gay sex for you. But gay men and ladies who appreciate a hot man's body? I think you will.

The story is written in first person from the viewpoint of Noah, our cop who has been through a horrible tragedy of love. Anyone who's lost someone can relate to this book. My eyes teared up more than once...but I'm a sap so, take it for what you will.

What I love about this book, other than it's fast pace, witty humor, and fun leading man is that the primary focus isn't the sex...its how Noah's broken heart gets the chance to heal....the sex is a natural part of the relationship that blossoms from the situation(s) and is never unwarranted (even the hot scene in the bathroom---or shall I say the FIRST hot scene in the bathroom?---Chapter Two!). Yeah, its a little more often than in other books but hey, ITS A ROMANCE PEOPLE...that's how they roll.

I think that the LGBT community should take pride in this story. It's a great tribute to how gay men feel in the work place, hiding who they are, and coming to terms with that. One of the big things for Noah is that he's a cop and many cops in the NYPD (as he says) are homophobic. I don't know if that's true, but in this book that's the premise (and it's not a hard premise to believe). Part of Noah's journey isn't just getting over Josh, or falling in love with Harry, or even the mystery segment of the story (kidnapping and drugs and gun fire, oh my!) as much as it is with him learning to love himself as well as someone else again.

I think we all can relate to that.

So if you get the chance to give 'er a read I think you'll find you can relate to many things in this book even if you're not a gay man.

I leave you with my favorite disclaimer in this book from the Publisher Page in front. It says, "Many of the acts described in our BDSM/fetish titles can be dangerous. Please do not try any new sexual practice, whether it be fire, rope, or whip play, without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles."

AWESOME!

Question though....wouldn't "loss" be same as "death"? And if its not...what do you "lose" while doing BDSM/fetish things? Maybe they once had someone loose a hand from handcuffing? Who knows! LOL!

Have a great week all! I'll have more up with pics from the NaNoWriMo party next!

xo

Tamsin :)

P.S. I probably should mention that this book in particular has no fire, rope, handcuff play (etc) in it. But lots of time in bathrooms! :)