A-LISTS book rage by mark hernandez
While most of us suspect that Valentine’s
Day is an invention of the greeting card, flower
and candy industries, it actually began in Ro-
man times. The story goes that in 270 AD Em-
peror Claudius “The Cruel” was having trouble
recruiting soldiers and cancelled the annual
February “pairing” festival in addition to all
engagements and marriages to prevent men
from staying behind. A popular legend is that
a priest at the time, Valentine, secretly contin-
ued to marry couples in spite of the decree,
but was eventually arrested, condemned and
beheaded on February 14th on the traditional
day of the festival. Ultimately the pagan ritual
was purposely reinvented by the church into
a Christian festival celebrated to this day as St.
Valentine’s Day. The first exchange of valen-
The Fantasy and Escape of Gay/Lesbian Romance and Erotica 2010
tine greetings became popular in the Middle
Ages, and some of the first paper greetings
One gay tradition that still remains alive dating back to ancient gay times (about 15 years) is the annual
from the 15th century are actually on display
publishing of the excellent anthologies Best Gay Romance 2010 and Best Lesbian Romance 2010 and their
in a British Museum. So there! Well, if you have
more sizzling siblings Best Gay Erotica 2010 and Best Lesbian Erotica 2010, both hot off the press and just
a main squeeze this time of year, that’s great,
in time to be your fireside or bedside companions. With this collection you can pick whether you like your
but some of us don’t and that’s where fantasy
romance regular or spicy, or some of both. Anthologies are always a great choice because it’s certain there
and escapism can lend a helping hand!
will be at least a few short stories that you’ll absolutely love. And for us guys it’s always great to have some
inspiration with how to be more romantic and seductive. These stories always offer up great ideas for
romantic experiences and fun ways to help get past that one-night-stand pattern that no one wants to
happen, but sometimes things just always seem to work out that way.
Fool For Love
This anthology of men’s romantic stories certainly deserves to be
brought to your attention as well. What makes this collection especially
unique is the list of notable contributors—the big boys of gay fiction
—including Trebor Healey, Felice Picano, Andrew Holleran, Greg Herren,
Paul Lisicky, Rob Byrnes and many others you’ll recognize. It’s the crème
de la crème. This book has earned excellent reviews and again you won’t
be disappointed.
Can’t Get Enough
And last but not least is the sizzling old-school retro erotica of John Patrick.
This is the last you’ll see of John Patrick’s writing, with Starbooks Press hav-
ing risen from the ashes and reprinting all his classic gay erotica. This is from
a remarkable time and genre that will never be repeated. There are clubs
of men who collect every single John Patrick anthology and every book
published by Starbooks Press—much of it now out of print and rare. Go and
get it before it’s too late.
20 RAGE monthly | February 2010
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