Month: May 2009

Lambda Literary Awards May 28, 2009

cheri

It may have been a miserable and rainy night in Midtown Manhattan, but the sun was shinning at the 21st Annual Lambda Literary Awards.

Congrats to all the finalists and winners.

And the Lammy goes to:

Bisexual: Open, Jenny Block, Seal Press
Transgender: Intersex (For Lack of a Better Word), Thea Hillman, Manic D Press
LGBT Anthology: Our Caribbean, edited by Thomas Glave, Duke University Press
LGBT Childrens/Young Adult: Out of Pocket, Bill Konigsberg, Dutton
LGBT Drama: The Second Coming of Joan of Arc & Selected Plays, Carolyn Gage, Outskirts Press
LGBT Nonfiction: Loving The Difficult, Jane Rule, Hedgerow Press
LGBT Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror: Turnskin, Nicole Kimberling, Blind Eye Books
LGBT Studies: Criminal Intimacy: Prison and the Uneven History of Modern American Sexuality, Regina Kunzel, University of Chicago Press
Lebsian Debut Fiction: The Bruise, Magdalena Zurawski, Fiction Collective Two/University of Alabama Press
Lesbian Erotica: In Deep Waters 2: Cruising the Strip, Radclyffe and Karin Kallmaker, Bold Strokes Books
Lesbian Fiction (a tie): The Sealed Letter, Emma Donoghue, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and All the Pretty Girls, Chandra Mayor, Conundrum Press
Lesbian Memoir/biography: Sex Talks to Girls, Maureen Seaton, University of Wisconsin Press
Lesbian Mystery: Whacked, Josie Gordon, Bella Books
Lesbian Poetry: love belongs to those who do the feeling, Judy Grahn, Red Hen Press
Lesbian Romance: The Kiss that Counted, Karin Kallmaker, Bella Books
Gay Debut Fiction: Finlater, Shawn Stewart Ruff, Quote Editions
Gay Erotica: Best Gay Erotica 2009, Richard Labonte & James Lear, Cleis Press
Gay Fiction: The Conversion, Joseph Olshan, St. Martin’s Press
Gay Memoir/Biography: Edward Carpenter: A Life of Liberty and Love, Sheila Rowbotham< Verso Books
Gay Mystery: First You Fall, Scott Sherman, Alyson Books
Gay Poetry (tie): Fire to Fire, mark Doty, Harper and Now You’re the Enemy, James Allen Hall, University of Arkansas Press
Gay Romance: Got ’til it’s Gone, Larry Duplechan, Arsenal Pulp Press
AGAIN, CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!!
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Debut

cheri

In honor of the Lambda Literary Foundation Award Ceremony, Debut will be released May 28th to commemorate the event.
Title: Debut
Author: Cheri Crystal
Publisher: www.loveyoudivine.com
ISBN: Ebook ISBN:978-1-60054-295-4
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Imagine meeting your favorite author in the flesh for the first time. She’s a Debut Author finalist and you’re presenting the award for Best Lesbian Erotica. After spending a year getting acquainted and growing closer via email, the Lambda Literary Awards Ceremony promises to be a momentous occasion for both authors.
*~*~*~*~
The Lambda Literary Award night is about to get even hotter. An author, who isn’t up for a Lambda Literary Award herself, is a presenter, and has a rather vested interest in one of the finalists, Angel. New to the lesbian romance genre, the two women have discussed everything, including best sexual positions and writing insight. For her first novel, Angel is receiving great press, amongst other things. For a fun-filled, action-packed evening with lots at stake, both authors finally meet face to face for the first time.

Dedication: To the Lambda Literary Foundation for fueling my imagination and lending me a great setting for Debut. But mostly for providing the best forum in which to promote, celebrate and showcase our work. To all the authors who inspire me to improve my craft through their fine examples. And most of all, to the readers who make what we do more worthwhile.

Review of Lobster Box

cheri

Title: Lobster Box
Author: Cheri Crystal
Publisher: www.loveyoudivine.com
ISBN: 978-1-60054-360-9
Review by: Jane Bled, Author and Reviewer, Jane Bled’s Website

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Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a big fan of romance, and I have limited knowledge of f/f stories. I usually take my fiction like my coffee–cream, no sugar. However, Cheri Crystal’s Lobster Box, a funny, charming short story about a Jewish lesbian who finds that someone special through her meddling matchmaker, made me think twice about passing up sweet, romantic f/f stories in the future.

Crystal’s witty dialogue, humourous prose, and erotic descriptions had me hooked from start to finish. I fell in love with the endearing narrator Laurie’s realistic take on the lesbian dating scene. The dynamic between the two main characters was compelling, and sexy, and above all, honest. Lobster Box was truly a pleasure to read.

If I were to criticize any point of this story, I would say that the denouement was a little too hurried for my taste. Frankly, I didn’t want to story to end yet! I think Lobster Box has great potential to someday turn into a longer story, as the characters were well-developed, the prose was user-friendly, and above all, the subject matter was interesting. I’m curious to see what Cheri Crystal will come up with next!

Bottom line: even if f/f stories aren’t necessarily your main kink, it would be remiss not to give Crystal’s enchanting Lobster Box a read!

Review for Keeping Up With Hornelia

cheri

Title: Keeping Up With Hornelia
Author: Cheri Crystal
Publisher: www.loveyoudivine.com
ISBN: 978-1-60054- 324-1
Review by: Anna F, Author and Reviewer

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Keeping Up with Hornelia: A woman with an attraction…and much to her surprise and delight, the object of her affection responds positively.  They get it on, and spend time getting to know one another (a rare occurrence with erotica!)  This story from Cheri Crystal is more than erotica, though.  It is founded in reality and is laced with a true love-story in its short, entertaining span.

Travel through a budding relationship, the flowering of a couple-in-love who enjoy sex with one another (really enjoy it!), then read about what happens when life starts to get in the way and one of the couple starts to doubt her own loveliness.  Two people, identified to us only by their nicknames for one another, Hornelia and Studly.  Will they continue to be for each other what their names imply?  This story has everything, real life, romance and hot sex.  Read it and be entertained.  Read it and shake your head in agreement.  Read it and appreciate Cheri Crystal’s way with words!

Trucking is Out Now

cheri

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Ebook ISBN: 978-1-60054-293-0
Length: 2, 914 words
Genre: Lesbian Erotica
loveyoudivine Category: FemErotica
Rating: Shooting Star
$2.75

Sam and Gwen still love each other after all these years, but sometimes long-term relationships need a few sparks. With their anniversary coming up, the lovers have very different ideas about how to celebrate. There’s more than a few surprises in store when the art of gift giving takes on a whole new meaning.

Excerpt:
“Damn it to hell! I missed the freaking exit.” I slammed my hands on the steering wheel and cursed when the next exit was twenty miles away for a turnaround. What would be the big deal if I bought the plane tickets and the other surprises next year? It was too late to head home, so I tried to grin and bear it.

Twenty more miles became forty to my first stop because of my wandering thoughts. I spotted the exit relieved because I needed a break. I pulled off the highway, weighed in, and took care of business at the rest stop. I reached for my cell phone to ring Gwen at the diner, but then figured she might be busy with the after-movie midnight rush. It was time I took a break, so I plopped down on the bed in the back, not even bothering to get under the blanket Gwen had neatly tucked into the corners. Still horny and thinking of her, I unzipped my jeans, jerked off hard, and exploded within seconds. Instead of feeling satisfied, though, I was more strung out.

I must have had a perpetual hard-on, because I found my hands in my pants when another orgasm woke me up in a sweat. Too restless to sleep, I figured I might as well drive. I popped a piece of spearmint gum into my mouth, hopped out of the cab, and headed into my favorite roadside diner. I nodded a greeting to the heavily made up platinum blonde at the counter.

“Sam, what the hell you doing back here so soon, honey?” Sylvia, my favorite waitress, asked. She acted surprised as she righted the cup and saucer in front of me.

“Hi, Syl. Just doing another run.” She poured my coffee before I sat down. “What’ve you got that’s good?”
“Today’s special. Go on back and shower first. Use the employee washroom. It’s cleaner than the public one”
“Yeah?
“Why not? You’re a regular. The boss won’t mind, and besides, he ain’t here.” Syl winked. She’d known me for years from when she’d worked at the diner with Gwen.
“Okay then. Wouldn’t mind a private shower.”

It felt great to step out of my boots and jeans and decompress under the hot spray. I hadn’t realized just how tightly wound up I’d become. I wasn’t under water five minutes when I heard the door open. “Syl? Is that you?”

“The next thing I knew, I wasn’t alone, and some naked redhead slicked her hands all over the front of my body.
“Who are you?”
“Ginger Snap.”

A Happy Mother’s Day Indeed

cheri

Dear Mommy,

You are the best and for that I will write you a letter stating why you are so. You have taught me things about life that a regular teacher couldn’t. You have the skill to make me laugh even at my worst moments. You always have a story that can relate to my problems and make them sound a hundred times worse then mine just to cheer me up. You are the only person I know that I could have a “soap opera moment” with (if you know what I mean).  You make me feel special by saying I’m the best daughter in the world … even though I’m your one and only. You may not know this but you are the best mommy in the world. I am convinced that no one’s better.

No one else can make greasy grilled cheeses or french toast like you can. No one can play cards and at first be loosing and then completely end up beating me like you can. No one can blow on food to make it cooler like you can (the super blow). No one can sing better to Shania Twain’s music while driving. No one can chase after their dream with out giving up better than you. No one can dance as well as you can. No one can walk as much as you can. No one can change their mind as fast as you can. No one can complain as much as you can … I’m convinced that it’s a skill.

You are unique and always can make an impression on someone. You are full of life and laughter. You are loud and crazy. That’s why I love you. You are open and understanding. That’s why I love you. You are the best mommy ever… even though you don’t think so. But I do, and my opinion probably matters more since I’m the daughter! Anyways, you’re amazing so don’t ever change.

Thank you for always being there for me even when I’m a huge brat. I love you a lot. Happy Mothers day!!

Yours truly,

Sara

Trucking – Release date May 15, 2009

cheri

trucking_draft1

Sam is more in love with Gwen than ever. Even after living with her partner for many years, just a glance at Gwen in her waitress uniform gets Sam wet, hot and bothered. Working her butt off trucking all over the country to bank enough bucks, Sam wants to surprise her best girl with something special for their upcoming anniversary. What she doesn’t count on is that Gwen has a few surprises of her own. Imagine the couple’s surprise when they discover the greatest gift of all is right under their noses.